Our methodology for ranking and reviewing TV shows
Every show on TheAttReviews is ranked using an ELO rating system — the same algorithm originally developed for chess rankings. In chess, when a lower-ranked player beats a higher-ranked one, the upset shifts more points than a predictable outcome. We apply exactly the same logic to TV shows.
When we compare two shows head-to-head, the winner gains ELO points and the loser drops. A lesser-known show beating a highly rated one will climb faster than if it beats another low-ranked show. Over hundreds of comparisons the rankings stabilise into a reliable pecking order that reflects genuine quality rather than popularity or hype.
The result is a living leaderboard. Every time a new show is reviewed or an existing show is re-evaluated, the rankings shift to accommodate the new data. This means our ratings table is never static — it evolves as our viewing does.
A traditional 1–10 scale has a fundamental problem: score inflation. Everything “good” clusters around 7–8, and the numbers stop meaning much. ELO solves this by forcing relative comparisons. A show rated 1800 is meaningfully better than one rated 1500 because it consistently wins head-to-head matchups. There is no way to inflate a score without actually beating higher-ranked shows.
We also display an adjusted 0–10 score derived from the raw ELO, so you can still think in familiar terms. But under the hood, every number is backed by direct comparisons, not gut-feel scoring.
Alongside the ELO ranking, every show receives a Woke Rating on a 1–5 scale. A 5 means the show is completely free of modern political messaging — a non-woke masterpiece. A 1 means the woke content is so heavy it makes the show borderline unwatchable. The Woke Rating is deliberately separate from the quality rating because a show can be brilliantly made while still containing heavy-handed messaging, or vice versa.
The show’s primary purpose appears to be messaging rather than entertainment. Story and character are secondary to pushing an agenda. Borderline unwatchable because of it.
Political messaging is a recurring, heavy-handed feature. Multiple storylines or character arcs feel driven by ideology rather than organic storytelling. It gets in the way.
Some scenes or storylines that feel like they exist to make a political point rather than serve the narrative. Present but not dominant — you can still enjoy the show.
Minor moments that feel like a nod to modern sensibilities but nothing that detracts from the story. Easy to overlook and doesn’t hurt the viewing experience.
No political messaging. The show tells its story without modern ideological framing. Pure storytelling focused on plot and character. The gold standard.
The Woke Rating is our honest assessment and is always clearly labelled as opinion. You may disagree with individual ratings, and that is fine — the goal is to give you one more data point to decide whether a show is for you.
Every show rated on this site has been watched in full by The Att personally — no delegated viewing, no skimming episode summaries. Many have been watched multiple times. At the time of writing, over 220 shows have been watched, rated, and ranked.
Reviews are written after completing the full series (or all available seasons for ongoing shows). We take into account storytelling quality, character development, pacing, visual production, cultural impact, and rewatchability. We also note how the show holds up on a rewatch versus a first viewing, since that’s often where the truly great shows separate themselves from the merely good.
The full rankings are public on our ratings page. Every show’s ELO score, rank, and Woke Rating are visible. When rankings change, they change for everyone at the same time. There are no hidden tiers, no sponsored placements, and no pay-to-rank.
If you have questions about a specific rating or want to suggest a show for review, reach out via our contact page or social channels.