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Television has transformed society and virtually everyone with the financial means owns one and watches one. Whether you love the news, sports, drama, movies, or comedy, there is something for everyone on television. Some people use it as a baby-sitter, others as a relaxation tool, and some even preach against it – but it is always on our mind. So, with all of that in mind, we want to know what you think the best program ever made for TV is – from any genre. Don’t forget to give your reasons!
What is the Best TV Show Ever?
My answer: For those of you who have been watching this site for some time (especially those who have been here since the beginning) will know about my love of all things David Lynch. Therefore it will come as no surprise to you to know that I think Twin Peaks is the best TV show ever made. It created a whole new style of program and gave us something quirky and mysterious to watch every week. My only gripe is its early demise.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:56 am
i reckon that family guy is the best because of its quirkey anttics n other funny random stuff thats completly funny
but thats my opinon
October 14th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Gilmore Girls. It was witty, charming, funny, endearing, tackled real issues, and had good enough writing to not resort to shock entertainment.
Secondly, I’d have to say (for all my fellow Canadians) Degrassi Jr. High and Degrassi High (the original’s).
Best show ever made targeted at teens.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Fringe, Alias, Lost … Anything J.J. Abrams. He is truly a brilliant mind.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:09 am
i think The Oprah Winfrey Show is the best show on tv right now. it talks about real problems and issues. and also, it is uplifting and inspiring. it has an easy approach that everyone from all walks of life can relate to. and come on, it has a make-over! right, ladies?
i hate reality tv shows. i am just so sick of them! specially the ones on Mtv and Discovery. I miss the old programs.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:12 am
WHAT? No one agrees with me yet? I am horrified!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:20 am
JFrater – “My only gripe is it’s early demise.”. Therein lies the problem with ‘Twin Peaks’. I agree with much of what you said, but the way it ended seriously undercuts it. It’s like saying the greatest novel in the world is one where the last few chapters have been ripped out or written in crayon.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Um… Jfrater… I have a confession.
I’ve never even seen Twin Peaks.
I can’t really make a good choice for this one. There are so many shows I haven’t seen.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Riley: Gilmore Girls? Are you serious?
Can’t believe I’m the first to say: The Sopranos. Hands down.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Anyway – the correct answer is ‘The Wire’.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Anthony, you have issue with The Gilmore Girls, but not Oprah or Family Guy??
The Gilmore Girls really was a great show. Have you seen it?
October 14th, 2008 at 1:36 am
I´m torn between Arrested Development and Heroes, but as their so completely different I´m going to nominate them both in different categories. As far as Arrested development, I love it because it is so consistently funny, develops deep characters, works in (then) current issues, and was totally unique at the time.
I love Heroes because there is a lack of ¨good guys¨ and ¨bad guys¨. Everyone is a rounded character who works from their own motivation, whether that´s helping others or not – there is no arbitrary distinction into all good or evil.
-Tim
October 14th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Iain The Wire is right up there for sure.
jfrater Twin peaks for its time was great but if it was released now it wouldn’t compare to the new shows.
I can appriciate different shows for different reasons. Acting, directing, concept, writing. The best newish show for me would have to be Dexter. The best older show I would have to say would be either Little House on the Prarie or The Waltons.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:45 am
downhighway61: Yes, of course I have an issue with the Gilmore Girls. And of course I have seen it. Although Oprah is almost as painful, I think GG takes the cake for the most annoying show ever recorded. And Family Guy is amusing, so there’s no comparison there. Thus you are incorrect.
Mendacity: I forgot about Arrested Development, what an awesome show… don’t think it quite takes The Sopranos’ mantle though.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:50 am
House, Fringe, and Family Guy are the best shows out there rite now….hands down
October 14th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Honestly, THE OFFICE. i watch ALOT of TV, OFFICE is just the best.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Outrageous fortune……… (NZ)
October 14th, 2008 at 1:53 am
I’m going to have to say Prison Break. A couple weeks ago, a friend recommended it. I got the first two seasons and watched them entirely and loved every minute of them. Now, I’m on to the third season, let’s see where it takes us:)
If not for that show, I’d go with Family Guy. It’s very quirky and stays up to date, and has a nice pace. I can watch it no matter what mood I’m in and it never gets old to me. I also appreciate how the show involves more than just the main characters. There is always a different clip involving real life events or real life people and they turn it around perfectly.
We are going to say it’s a tie for those two.
As far as runner-ups…I’m going to say Boondocks. Yes, another animated show. I think the voice acting is brilliant and this show is hilarious. This show also incorporates real life happenings and turns them around in a genius way.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Dexter, Weeds, Life
October 14th, 2008 at 2:07 am
I get the feeling this topic will bring up a lot of ‘diverse’ opinions. It’s less than 20 comments in, and I can’t believe some of the stuff I’ve read. I watched a Family Guy DVD once (Xmas present) – quite the crash course in aversion therapy.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Firefly was brilliant. (Not including that pathetic excuse of a tie up movie, Serenity, either.)
And House. (oh, I want to see all the disagreeing on this one)
Early episodes particularly.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:36 am
I’m old. I enjoyed Tour Of Duty series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Duty_(TV_series)
Tour of Duty was an American television drama series on CBS which ran from September 1987 to April 1990. The show follows an American infantry platoon on a tour of duty during the Vietnam War. It was the first television series to regularly show Americans in combat in Vietnam and was one of several similarly-themed series to be produced in the wake of the acclaimed Oliver Stone film, Platoon. The show was created by Steve Duncan and L. Travis Clark, and produced by Zev Braun. It ran for three seasons as 58 one-hour episodes.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Damn, I’m not good at picking definite favourites, so here are just some of the programmes I love: Ren and Stimpy, Futurama, Family Guy and South Park for cartoons….. I’ve just realised I don’t really watch a lot of programmes that aren’t cartoons. As far as TV series go, the only ones I’ve ever really gotten into are Twin Peaks, Monty Python (thanks to my dad for introducing me to them!!), The Mighty Boosh…..eh….oh there was a really cool and confusing Japanese TV series called MPD-Psycho. I used to watch the X-Files when it first came out and a lot of the earlier episodes were pretty good but I wouldn’t really watch them now. To be honest, I find a lot of TV these days to be rubbish, though it still doesn’t stop me from switching on the box every night after work. I never got into Lost, or Prison Break, or Desperate Housewives, or House or Bones or any of that shite. I watched one episode of Lost ‘cos the folks were watching it and never again. I think because the parents watch so many series just for the sake of watching something every Tuesday at 9 I rebel against them. Oh yeah, and Bottom/The Young Ones – I love Rik Mayall!! (Of course, I still watch The Simpsons but even the old ones are beginning to get tiresome).
October 14th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Just thought of an older show that is definitely a good one…Red Dwarf. Anybody ever get into that? I’ve seen up to the sixth series, hard to find (at least for me) anything past that. Like I said though, definitely could be thrown up for consideration for a ‘Best TV Show Ever’ category.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:34 am
I’ve seen the first two seasons of Red Dwarf. I’d like to check out the rest sometime …
OH.
Doctor Who.
Probably my all-time favorite TV series. All ten doctors have been completely amazing. XD
October 14th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Ever?
I love House MD at the moment.
I think I’d vote for Mr Ed as an older show, though I’d also include Aussie show: Hey Hey It’s Saturday too.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:43 am
For me, Blackadder is definitely number one on my list forever. Other shows that I loved are: Arrested Development, Monk and Men(Boys?)Behaving Badly, and right now I like Grey’s Anatomy and the Office. Oh, I have also loved all the CSI’s (Las Vegas, Miami, New York).
Can we nominate reality shows: The Amazing Race and Baby Borrowers.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:44 am
# Southpark
Satirical comedy at its greatest.
However i also agree on Outrageous fortune with Kristie.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:46 am
I’m actually confused at the fact that I’ve seen Family Guy and Gilmore Girls being mentioned but The Simpsons only once and Seinfeld ZERO TIMES, which is arguably the best show ever. For me it’s a toss-up between those two.
And people, he did say best show ever, not necessarily on tv right now.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Dexter is hands-down the best show I’ve ever seen. Intelligent, funny, dark and thrilling all at once.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Buffy…
Unleashed Joss Whedon and some much needed snark to the world of television.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:33 am
There are a lot of shows mentioned that I personally love, but I don’t think my affection alone can qualify them. A lot of people like present day shows but the honest truth is most of them are retreads of other concepts that have already been done, just adding your generic extra quirk to give an ‘edge’.
I think the Wire is a notable exception based simply on the style of writing it employed- it says something when Harvard has their own panels discussing the innovations of the techniques being used in the style and classes are being taught with it’s content as subjects of study.
Hands-down though, the best TV show ever made was without a doubt, M*A*S*H*. That’s not just my opinion, it’s generally agreed upon in the industry. Most shows mentioned already are very excellent in key areas and have great things about them, but M*A*S*H* was the standard that no one has ever been able to trump, in writing, tackling relevant topics, humour and sorrow. It was ground breaking for it’s time, and television has never been the same since. You can’t say that about nearly any modern programming.
In my opinion, I have shows I personally enjoy a lot more to my tastes, but that doesn’t make them the best program ever created. I’m thinking if you were to poll the heads of the industry on the matter (which has been done several times to the same conclusion) you’ll find most agree that M*A*S*H* is still considered the best program ever put on television.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Anyone watch Peep Show?
October 14th, 2008 at 4:40 am
The Wire
and then Oz
October 14th, 2008 at 4:50 am
“Friends” anyone???
October 14th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Blii Cosby ^^
October 14th, 2008 at 4:53 am
I meant Bill Cosby lol
October 14th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Everyone i know love & often quote FRIENDS & The SIMPSONS. So I’d definitely vote for those.. As for the older generations… I have absolutely no idea.. maybe ‘I Love Lucy’??? dunno..
But my personal favourites besides the 1st two.. are Buffy, House, all CSI & Supernatural!!!!!!!!
oh also ‘Whose line is it anyways’!!!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:59 am
I thought Six Feet Under was great, especially the portrayal of the mother–one of the few multi-faceted older woman characters out there. The final episode had me crying, which I believe I have done in response to a TV show only a handful of times.
MASH was, of course, wonderful. (Final show one of the other times I’ve cried.)
I love House right now, very well written, though utterly preposterous at the same time.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:04 am
24, The Office, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Friends, Seinfeld…
October 14th, 2008 at 5:18 am
What is the best TV show ever? Wow, I don’t think I have the credentials to answer this question. My local radio station put the question out there a little differently a couple of weeks ago, which got me thinking on this subject. They asked listeners “If you could only watch one show ever again, which one would you pick?” Now, this I can grasp and after careful consideration, I chose The Simpsons. Tons of material, loveable characters, and consistent laughs. I guess I’m easily amused.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:39 am
My plug for Outragious Fortune, great writing, storylines, irreverent, beautifully unPC, captured the essential Westiness and very NZ, hope the world sees this one, its choice bro.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Mythbusters is my number one show as of now, I can watch it all day long and learn new things, very intellectually stimulating.
Family Guy is a perennial. Never misses, the randomness of the references are classic. (Hitler on a unicycle juggling fish, what more can viewers want!)
October 14th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Scrubs -
One of the best shows ive seen. Especially the first four seasons. Its extremely funny but at the same time it teaches you about life and the decisions u have to make. U can relate to it. Highly recommend it.
9/10
Heroes -
Great show. Great story and everyone wants to have super powers lol. I know its far from reality yet at the same time it has less fantasy than some of the other superhero shows. Ordinary people waking up with extrodinary powers. Isnt that the dream???
9/10
House -
Great show. Great character. House is just awsum. But it did get a bit routine. But the new eps are pretty good.
8.5/10
Family guy -
Has some of the funniest and most random jokes ever. extremely funny. So many memorable moments.
9/10
How i met your mother -
Pretty good show. Suprisingly funny. Mainly thanx to Neil Patrik Harris.
8/10
Out of the relatively new shows Dexter (9/10, acting and freshness),fringe(8/10) and The Mentalist(8/10) are a stand out for me.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Great TV; Father Ted, The Sweeney, Boy’s from the black stuff, Life on Earth, The Flintstones, Prime suspect, Spitting image, the World at War, Match of the Day, Only fools and horses, Porridge, the Simpsons and Soap. Programs that have made me happy, sad or just think differently about life.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:00 am
60 Minutes.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:07 am
1. Scrubs
2. Ghost Hunters
3. Family Guy
October 14th, 2008 at 6:10 am
“Friends”
October 14th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Two and a half men!
October 14th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I also like ‘The X-Files’, ‘Lost’, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, ‘Full House’, ‘My Wife and Kids’ and ‘Seinfeld’.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
arrested development, here’s hoping that the much talked about movie actually happens.
for fans of the show: a link to a great quote page
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/quotes
October 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
All in the Family will be my first pick; they smashed barriers and broke all the taboos. They dealt with racial inequality, bigotry, sexism, rape (Jean Stapleton received and emmy for that particular episode I think) and the Vietnam War. All done with humor and without climbing on a pedestal. It was the first show that actually reflected the the social concerns of the day.
I would follow it up with *M*A*S*H*. For all the reasons Mr. Graves has so kindly illustrated. I still can bring myself to tears just thinking about MacLean Stevenson’s exit from the show.
My favorite show on TV at the moment would have to be Dexter. Who can’t love a serial killer with standards? Novel premise, good writing and believable characters. Filming in Miami is pretty cool too.
I would give an honorable mention to Life, a new show worth a try, catch it if you get the opportunity.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
The Wire by a mile.
Dramatic, real, gritty, funny, stupid, outrageous, sad, thought-provoking, engrossing and just plain damn good. Great story lines, great direction and great acting. I’ve never been so addicted to a television series than this. It had me laughing my ass off and I actually was close to tears a few times. This is what television drama should be like.
If you haven’t, you should.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Best ever: MASH, I Love Lucy
90’s: Boy Meets World, Friends, Seinfeld, and ER
Presently: 24, Arrested Development, The Office
This season: Fringe
October 14th, 2008 at 6:29 am
It’s really hard to compare half hour shows with one hour dramas, so I will split my decision between one half hour show and an hour long show.
Best half hour show: Seinfeld
Personal Favorite: Arrested Development
Best Hour Long Show: X-Files
Personal Favorite: X-Files
October 14th, 2008 at 6:35 am
I wanted to write my favorites down but that is not the topic probably the greatest tv show ever produced would be I Love Lucy. the way lucille ball interacted with all the different characters and even her self deprecating humor can not be matched. also most of the story lines have been recreated in different forms through all the different situation comedies over the years. ! vote for I love Lucy
side note my fav’s were Deadwood,Carnivale and now Ncis since i only watch 1 hour of tv a week.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Seinfeld, Lost, Southpark, Breaking Bad.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:46 am
“Firefly” even though it did not last long.
It was never given a chance but has a huge following.
Funny ,smart with superb characters.
ER – is very good you never know who is going to loose an arm then get crushed by a helicopter.
The Adams Family – very clever and funny
Bugs Bunny (Mel Blanc)- need I say more
October 14th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I almost forgot
Dexter – wow what a great show
October 14th, 2008 at 6:54 am
How I met your mother! hands down.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:02 am
MASH, Freaks & Geeks, Arrested Development, Fawlty Towers…
October 14th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Does any one remember Hill Street Blues?
October 14th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Best Non Fiction: Jeopardy. Love it!
Best Overall….I love Bones….but I’m going to have to go with Boston Legal. William Shatner and James Spader. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
Best British: Are You Being Served? Freakin’ hilarious!
And, yes, that’s right, I created my own “best” categories!
October 14th, 2008 at 7:31 am
House MD for its originality.
Scrubs should have a fighting chance.
Would say Simpsons, but the more recent seasons have pretty much killed it.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Arrested Development and Firefly.
Both for great writing and superb character development.
Firefly created a whole new genre of television.
Arrested Development provided us with the best social commentary in the last few years and is hilarious. The in depth writing goes so deep and amazing callbacks make it the best show ever!
October 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I would recommend ‘Generation Kill’ as a refuge for fans of ‘The Wire’. The same great storytelling techniques but substituting the Marines for the Baltimore Police (or perhaps the Barksdale Gang) and Iraq for Bodymore.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I’m going to show my age and say M*A*S*H.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I’ve recently been turned on to Dexter, which has a fantastic story line. And Michael C. Hall is really, really perfect for that role. But the rest of the acting is 70’s cop show mediocrity. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show, especially when Dexter is talking to himself – “I must not kill my sister, I must not kill my sister.”
I’m still in the Wire camp.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
For animation it would be Futurama and Rocko’s Modern Life.
Live action would be Friends, Scrubs, and House.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:55 am
For me, the true measure of the greatness of a show is if I can watch episodes that I’ve already seen before, and still be just as entertained as the first time.
Seinfeld, in my estimation, is that show. It just never gets old. No hugging, no learning!
The only show I’ve ever cried during was Six Feet Under, the last few episodes. That’s got to make my list somewhere.
The Sopranos would make my list as well, primarily because it was so well written and acted, and the production values were so high. I think Tony was whacked at the end, IMHO.
I know some of the old farts are going to whip out shows like All in the Family, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, Honeymooners, but those shows just don’t speak to me. Sorry.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I have to say I’m surprised that there’s nothing for ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (v2.0)yet – or ‘The Shield’.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am
For me its got to be The Sopranos. Everything about the show is just amazing. From the storylines, the script, character development, humour, cinematography and the soundtrack.
Some of my other favourites include-
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Black Books
Southpark
The Mighty Boosh
Peep Show
Planet Earth
Father Ted….The epitomy of Irish humour…highly recommended JFrater
October 14th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Whose Line is It Anyway.
Probably the only show that’s ever left in stitches nearly every time.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I think The Wire was nearly flawless in its construction and execution from start to finish. And while I was sad to see it end, I was glad to see it go out while it was still at a peak and when the creators decided it was time rather than due to cancellation or ratings or actors departing. I particularly loved how each season had the main story arc, but still remembered that everything before it had happened. So many shows drop the ball in that respect.
And then Arrested Development for all the reasons listed by others and more. I’ve heard rumors of a movie and I’d really like to see that happen.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:36 am
my favourites have to be fonejacker, lost, prison break, and peep show.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Hill Street Blues is the best show ever. Without it we wouldn’t have any of the hour long dramas of the last 20 years.
Also, Lucille Ball practically invented the sitcom as we know it, so I have to add I Love Lucy.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I feel that any show that can hold a following since 1963 should get a pretty good mention, so Dr Who. The show is such a blend of genres; each week it might have action, romance, drama, mystery, or science fiction. The characters are still brilliant and fresh after forty-five years, which is extremely impressive.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Arrested Development most definitely! It’s just so intricately funny. It’s a show I can watch almost every day and never get sick of
October 14th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Probably my favorite shows were Farscape, Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alias. I was addicted to all of them.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Good call on Whose Line Is It Anyway! The original was wonderful! Between Tony Slattery and Chip Whats His Name, I laughed til it hurt!
October 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
In current shows, Dexter is simply awesome. Although I do love Chuck too.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I have Buffy issues because I loved the movie so much. I never could get into the tv show.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:50 am
The Sopranos
Seinfeld
The Simpsons
Arrested Development
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Fawlty Towers
October 14th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Iain I live on Baltimore and out murder rate jsut fell to an all time low. Yaaaaaaaay.
now it’s just heroin town
October 14th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Here’s a thinker: how about Saturday Night Live? It’s spawned so many stars, so many movies, so many cultural memes, even affecting political discourse, for now going on 30 years. Granted, its quality is not consistent from year to year (or even from the first 30 minutes to the last of many episodes), but the high points, from Wild and Crazy Guys to Dick in a Box, from “Jane you ignorant slut” to “I can see Russia from my house”, from Bill Murray to Eddie Murphy to Mike Myers to Ana Gasteyer to Tina Fey, are among the best quality, most lasting, most memorable moments in TV.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am
if you have a light sense of humor, Family Guy and The Office are unbeatable.
as for more of a serious show, House and Grey’s Anatomy are fantastic
October 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Good question! Oh, but there are so many great TV shows!!
Seinfeld is the first thing that comes to mind. Incredible humor, and unparalleled influence on modern pop culture.
I would then have to say The Simpsons, but only until the golden age (Conan O’Brien era and surroundings). It stopped being funny and smart loooong ago.
After that it’s pretty much free-for-all in TV greatness:
LOST
House
Arrested Development
Friends,
(and dare I say) Prison Break.
I’m glad to see so many of you agree with these already!
As for Twin Peaks, it was great BUT only until the murder was resolved (which was the entire point of the whole series)!!! After that, it was like, “what for?”. Or so I hear!
October 14th, 2008 at 9:07 am
*Ugh* and X-Files too, obviously. >.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
MAD MEN
October 14th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I would have to say “The Simpsons”. In the past few years the show has declined significantly, but in it’s prime it was the funniest show on television.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
The Wire
Never has there been a more realistic and compelling narrative…
If you haven’t seen it watch it…It never gets the awards it should… but all the best critics agree.. it was the best show when it was on TV and maybe the best TV show of all time
October 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am
WKRP In Cincinnati… Sure, it was sometimes campy. It was about a struggling AM station making the transition to a hard rock (now classical rock) format. Many episodes dealt with controversial issues of the day; and much of the dialogue and subject matter (ie. Jennifer’s boobs, race relations, Vietnam PTSD & Agent Orange, etc) was racy enough that the PC Police would never allow a show like that to be made today using the same material. YouTube the infamous “Thanksgiving Turkey episode”. It’s a classic.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Im only 15 but how about Happy Days?i saw it the toher day and thought it was pretty good, so i try and catch as much as possible.I really like Friends, but i dont think its the best ever.Love whose line is it anyway lol.Fresh Prince of Bel Air?erm….The Simpsons,Futurama,Bottom,The young ones,Hayyr Hilss Tv burp lol you ve been framed.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I find that ‘Family Guy’ and ‘The Simpsons’ both got boring quickly, but their side projects ‘American Dad’ and ‘Futurama’ were both 10x better. Amazing viewing
Also ‘Scrubs’ for the fact that is so amazingly funny
‘CSI’ (Vegas only, miami and NY are just posers) and ‘House’ for the clever situations and problem solving
Also ‘Prison Break’, buying the box set means you’ll be unable to sleep or work untill youve reached the end
Top of all is ‘South Park’ though. Just because its always so on the ball and funny. Everything shown although extreme is correct of human social situations, and in some episodes can bring together 3 or 4 situations in one that you didnt even see comming and become even more clever and funny
October 14th, 2008 at 10:03 am
This is too hard a question to answer, as there are so many different GENRES of TV show…
I would have to agree with Bill as far as sitcoms go…. WKRP in Cincinnati, with Seinfeld a close second.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Best show on television ever, would have to be Seinfeld. The show was taken off the air 9 years ago and still on TV at least 5 times a day (where I live anyway). Seinfeld was voted the number 1 show of all time by TV Guide, and you would have to think that they know what there talking about.
The show ran for 9 seasons and many of the catchphrases and lines (Yada Yada Yada, shrinkage, master of your domain, and Not that there’s anything wrong with that) into daily life conversations. The show is brilliant in absolutely every way and no other sitcom could ever dream of being considered better than it.
Some of the submissions that I read just make me sick to my stomach. Gilmore Girls, Friends !?!?, these show are god awful, and have only successful because they have been supported by hordes of imbecilic preteen girls.
The Office, Curb your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development are some others that deserve to be mentioned
October 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I would have to say either The Office or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Great shows.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Seinfeld, scrubs
that 70’s show would rank if they never had the last season
October 14th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I’m gratified to see one mention of DEADWOOD. It really is the closest thing to f*cking Shakespeare in my lifetime.
I dont recall a previous mention of THE WEST WING, and I dont think NYPD BLUE has gotten an earlier mention, but both are deserving of consideration.
SPORTS NIGHT and THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR are the only series that I ordered the very first day they were available.
LOU GRANT was great in its day, but I dont think it has aged as well as its (roughly) contemporaries HILL STREET BLUES or ST ELSEWHERE. And I dont know anyone who regularly watched AMERICAN GOTHIC and wasnt somehow changed by the experience. There is no question that THE SOPRANOS and SIX FEET UNDER have changed the medium.
(For what it’s worth, I may be the only one in the world, but I’d rather have all my teeth pulled that to have to watch an entire episode of either FRIENDS or -especially- SEINFELD. I guess as far as the public at large is concerned, I dont have very good taste. I can live with that.)
October 14th, 2008 at 10:10 am
The Simpsons. History will prove me right.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Damn you, Jamie, and your impossible to answer questions! How funny is it that when you ask about life-changing, important questions, I’m right on it. When you ask about someone fairly inconsequential, I’m at a loss.
21. ligeia: Oh, you are the only one I saw that mentioned Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the one that I think comes closest for me. Thank you.
As well as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, I would agree with a few people so far and say Dexter, Fringe, House, and Heroes are great. There’s just so many shows in different venues and media. Full Metal Alchemist would have to be my favorite anime and Mad, Mad House was my favorite reality television show. When I was a kid I loved Pinwheel, and when I got older it was Freakazoid and Earthworm Jim.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I am in absolute shock that nobody mentioned The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It brought you the Carlton, and find me a person who doesn’t know the theme song.
Also for way out there, I found Nip/Tuck crazy to watch.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Agree with Deadwood. I was crushed to see it end.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:29 am
jamie – while i didnt like the series so much, that premiere episode of “Twin Peaks” was fantastic and mesmerizing.
Best ever: Seinfeld.
I see a lot of good shows being mentioned, but one that hasnt yet: Star Trek (either the original or next generation)
October 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Benny Hill anyone, lol
October 14th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I don’t think there can be one best tv show. There can be a best of a category though…
…so…
Comedy: Seinfeld -Come on, all you have to do is watch “The Parking Garage” episode
Drama: Dexter -deep characters and interesting plot twists
Action: 24 -Jack Bauer
Reality: Futureweapons -Great information and an interesting delivery
Cartoon: Simpsons -This one is somewhat obvious, its been on for what, 19 years?
–Honorable Mentions–
Comedy: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Arrested Development (I love Tobias), Friends, The Office (British and American)
Drama: Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy, Journeyman, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Action: Ultimate Force, The Shield
Reality: Survivor, Amazing Race, Dallas SWAT
Cartoon: Family Guy, South Park
Just my opinion, don’t get mad.
BTW, Jamie, nice change from all the downer “your views”
October 14th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’d give my vote to The Simpsons…Heroes is pretty damn awesome too…
October 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
All in the Family, Cheers, and Family Guy. The first 2 are classics, the last one a future classic.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Funniest show ever-Its Always Sunny in Philidelphia
Drama-Heros..or Dexter
You have to throw Cheers in there somewhere
October 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
The Rockford Files.
Close and lock the forum, please.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Oz, series that was on HBO
October 14th, 2008 at 11:34 am
The best show on television right now is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Doctor Who
Cheers
Blackadder
I Love Lucy
Not necessarily my faves, but a few I think are definitely in the top 10.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I never understood the love for recent network television.
Lost sucks.
Prison Break sucks.
Heroes sucks.
House sucks.
CSI sucks.
I never understood these shows’ appeal. It’s like one really loud person said they were good, so now everyone thinks they’re good. But they’re not. Network TV has severely disintegrated since the 90’s… Seinfeld, The Simpsons, X-Files, all classics.
The premium channels tend to make higher quality stuff… Dexter is decent, Weeds had a couple good seasons early on, though they’ve ventured into mediocre-out-of-ideas land, Sopranos was pretty good…
And then there are the cartoons. South Park is pretty good, though it’s seen better days, much like Family Guy. It seems American Dad picked up the flack and stole all the funny writers from Family Guy. Samurai Jack was awesome. Oh yea, VENTURE BROS FTW
Pretty much all reality sucks… Man & Wife on MTV is good, like this generation’s Loveline. I guess I just don’t get that excited about TV. I really miss the old Mission Impossible and old Batman shows. And Hogan’s Heroes was always fun.
In short, I guess, VENTURE BROS FTW
October 14th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Oh yea! 24 season 1 only. High-brow comedy at its finest.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:44 am
“The Simpsons. History will prove me right.”
– # 99. Grendel.
One of the most accurate sentences ever spoken.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:44 am
“”Anyone watch The Peep Show?”–Yep Brilliant. They are making an US version. also brill was Father Ted— Spaced and THE GOODIES
October 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’m kind of surprised at all the Family Guy love. I watch it and have a giggle, but I really don’t think when people my age are older and watching “classic TV” it’s going to show up on any rotation. I used to watch old Bewitched, I Love Lucy, and Man From UNCLE reruns with my mom on weekend mornings…I hope to god my generation can spit out something better to cuddle up with my kids to than Family Guy. It’s a good show..it’s not in the running for best ever.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Law & Order, The West Wing, M.A.S.H., Seinfeld, Entourage, The Shield
October 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I’m glad someone finally mentioned Star Trek. The original series and TNG were both great. It used scifi as a cover to confront a lot of issues that the censors of the day (in the late 60’s, at least) wouldn’t have approved in a more direct context.
And I’d have to say MASH for a close tie with ST.
Third choice – Firefly.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
MASH
West Wing
October 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Woah…difficult question.
Cartoon – Johnny Bravo;
Old sk00l Comedy – Fawlty Towers & Green Acres;
Modern comedy – The Office (tie between UK & US versions);
Mini-series – Murder One & Band of Brothers;
Then again, these are favourites rather than the “best ever”.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
M*A*S*H
/discussion over
October 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
The National treasure that is Only Fools ánd Horses!!! ‘Rodney You Plonker’
October 14th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
117. Callie: Tough part is, I think, that a lot of people’s favorites are clouded by them being associated with comfort or being very fresh.
I was very fond of the Simpsons, but they jumped the shark a long time ago. They’re really stretching to come up with some fresh ideas for their episodes. I haven’t watched them in years. Family Guy, as well, has been on for, what, six years? Seven? It makes me laugh a couple of times per episode, but, come on, they had a full episode where the running gag was singing the same song over and over again. LAME.
The best show ever should be innovative, expressive, portrays the genre correctly, well casted and acted, have a clear and logical plot, and know when to call it quits. This automatically disqualifies the Simpsons and, dare I say, M*A*S*H*. I’m going to stop there, though, because I really haven’t seen many of the shows hailed as being great- not enough Seinfeld, no Firefly or Law & Order or The Shield or West Wing or 24. Just not into those kinds of shows. Fringe and Heroes are too new.
TMo- Venture Bros., that’s the best you got? Really…
October 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
121. kiwiboi- SNL did an excellent sketch on the “original” version of The Office, from Japan. ‘Twas funny.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
the best are : Star Trek, The X Files,MASH, Seinfeld…nobody mentioned China Beach? I think it’s one of the best…
October 14th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
1. Twin Peaks – a remarkably cohesive show (despite its quirks) especially considering pretty much every episode had a different writer and director. The great hand of David Lynch controlling all.
2. The Office (British) – Ricky Gervais is quite possibly the funniest man in the history of television. Check out Extras as a bonus.
3. The Office (US) – still consistently original and funny. The Gervais influence still very strong and brilliant.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I think The X-Files at least deserves to be in everyone’s top ten. It encompasses almost every genre- horror, mystery, romance, action, humor, etc. It has well-known characters and everyone knows the theme song. It was the first tv series to be put onto DVD. It spanned nine seasons and is one of very few tv series to have more than one movie. It also won several awards. It dealt with very difficult issues sometimes and although it is a show that is mainly about the paranormal, it has the most realistic characters I have ever seen in any tv show, ever. It also was one of the first tv shows to garner a huge internet fanbase which is still going strong to this day, 15 years after the show premired. It had original and engaging storylines and consistently broke boundaries in the industry. So it’s my number 1, but I think eveyone should at least consider it in the top ten.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
SWAT CATS!!!! just the inclusion of radical in its lengthy full name makes it rad. (1990’s rocked my world)
I like the office too.
never really got what people saw in family guy though.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
The best show in the history of television is without a doubt the new Battlestar Galactica. It’s brilliantly written, has excellent characterization, and brutal intensity.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
The best show according to me, would probably be DEXTER. Ah, I love it so much.
Also I would have to say Mythbusters too, but thats just me haha.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I can’t believe some of you guys choices. Didn’t you see the topic Best TV show EVER. Some of these haven’t been on long enough to earn that title.
My vote is for The Andy Griffith Show. Funny and great values and morals to learn from.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
hand down, best show I’ve ever seen has to be the Wire, although the intricacies of its long form narrative don’t lend well to single episodes, it needs to be watched in one big sitting to really get immersed in it. I also think the new Battlestar Galactica is a really great and clever TV show and Deadwood and Rome are also pretty amazing. I loved Twin Peaks when it first aired, but rewatching it recently, im not sure if it still holds up, it felt dated, but it could just be that I remembered the story arc too well. Definetley ground breaking for its time though.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Top Gear
Arrested Development
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Office
But nothing in this world comes close to Top Gear, I can’t live with out it…
October 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Heroes
October 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
OH AND SOUTH PARK!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Oh, and I forgot Black Books! The most brilliant British comedy ever!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Blackadder! i forgot about Blackadder!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
But Top Gear is the best TV show in history, hands down.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Damn, this is a hard one. I don’t watch that much tv, so I’m a little handicapped, but going back as far as I can reasonably recall I’d have to include the following (not all inclusive):
Twilight Zone
Outer Limits
Science Fiction Theater: These were all wonderfully written shows which made you *think*. You didn’t get to just sit back and watch, you were fully engaged with the story line.
The Dick Van Dyke Show: Another wonderfully written show, but this time a comedy. It starred two women who shared equal story time and talent with the men. It also featured a strong married couple, Rob and Laura Petrie who, unlike the other married couples on t.v. at the time, were a true couple. Rob didn’t “know best”, Laura didn’t didn’t kow-tow. It was engaging, hilarious, and truer than life.
Twin Peaks: This show had it all; drama, suspense, freakish red herrings, freaks, fabulous cinematography, a story line you had to keep notes to follow, characters that could break your heart or give you nightmares (or both). My kids were young, 11, 12, 13 when it started, and they immediately fell in love with the show. Even though it’s regular show time was on later than their bedtime, this was the one exception I made (but for school events), and on Twin Peaks night I always baked a cherry pie and made a pot of decaf coffee to have while watching the show. This little ritual is still one of their favorite memories.
Law&Order (in several of it’s guises): Well written, fast paced, insiders view of the legal system from both sides. I know a couple of the writers, so maybe I’m biased.
House: Again, the writing is excellent. I believe the characters. Some of the cinematography/special effects tricks are just marvelous, and the foley engineers (the sound guys) do a fabulous job matching sounds to the stretching of tendons or muscles, the firing of synapses. I like that, as in real life, everyone has a secret hurt which affects their actions.
Planet Earth/Blue Planet: These two mini-series ought to be required viewing by every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth. Only by being intimately aware of what we have, and what we have at stake, can we be expected to make all the correct actions to save our planet, our atmosphere, our oceans, ourselves.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Hmm, I forgot to mention
24 (Jack Bauer will hunt you down if you don’t agree!)
South Park (especially the most recent seasons)
and I’m sure I’m forgetting other greats…
October 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
… like Mythbusters! (dammit! There’s just too much awesomeness in TV!
)
October 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
(Looks over at camera and winks) The Office
October 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
The Office, pretty good stuff both(US and UK)
October 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Renee: Such hostility!! Your opinion is welcome here but your insults (on 2 lists already) are not.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Twin Peaks season 1 was amazing, probably the best season of television ever. However, it went downhill in season 2 with crazy plot lines. Maybe a season 3 would have cleared it up but it’s hard to name it the best show ever. Freaks and Geeks would rival Twin Peaks for greatest season ever. Both of these shows were so much different, and so much better than anything we’ve ever seen on TV.
My favorites- Wonder Years, Seinfeld, Simpsons, Monk, Veronica Mars, Law and Order. Lost might make the list but I’ll reserve judgment until it’s all said and done in May.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
L world…joke!
Oprah….
Dexter…
The Three Stooges…hehehe
October 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
chris (133): Thanks for mentioning Rome – it was a brilliant series and I might rank it as 2 behind Twin Peaks. I bought the two series on DVD and watched the lot over a couple of weekends. Excellent acting and they really brought the period to life.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Mad men or Deadwood both really good
October 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Warrreagl: I love Rockford Files. So did Jim Garner, too bad about his damn knees, we could have had a couple more years of reruns.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
the sopranos is the best show ever, smart, entertaining, a good story, great actors
October 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
The Golden Girls
October 14th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Dexter- I love this show beyond reason, just has such interesting character development.
Dead Like Me- Anyone else ever watch this? I know it’s been cancelled for a few years but I thought it managed to be really funny while maintaining the a level of character complexity that made it stand out. Really wish they’d bring it back.
Just my opinion
October 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Hill street blues started a lot of good television.But now Deadwood was great and so was Sopranos.Probably not good for children
though,The office and E.r are also good
October 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Having grown up in the 90’s, I’m going to say The Simpsons. It opened the door for so many cartoons, and is quite simply a timeless show. Most of the plots/jokes still have relevance today.
Of course the recent seasons are a damper on the show’s history, but I still love watching The Simpsons.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
THE HONEYMOONERS!!!!
w/o it there would be no modern sitcoms
no that 70s show
no friends
not even i love lucy
October 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Renee Pussman has some not so latent hostility issues I think.
Ease up girly, it isn’t a nasty contest. And if you’re a guy, well too bad. You’re still acting like a bitch.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Now that ‘Dexter’ was brought up, does anyone remember ‘Six Feet Under’? It was weird, but really good.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Cowboy Bebop, Freaks and Geeks, Dexter, Twin Peaks
I win!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
All in the Family
The Odd Couple
Timeless. Classic. Hilarious. Sad. I used to watch these in syndication. They are like no other. Original, fresh, touching.
Maybe WKRP in Cinncinnati.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The wire is the best tv show. Its sapranos in the hood. its the shit
October 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
WONDER YEARS!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
CSI and King of the Hill pwn.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I’m glad Charlie # 55 and Callie # 53 mentioned I Live Lucy. So many shows have tweaked or totally ripped off the plots to so many of those episodes. Hooray for Segue # 140 for mentioning Twilight Zone (I’m waiting for the next marathon) and The Dike Van Dyke Show (My Favorite).I still watch lots of other shows from the 60s. Including The Andy Griffith Show. Also some of the early Leave It to Beaver shows are just hilarious.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
it seems like everyone here likes the more mature, adult shows… but i dont =]
Fresh Prince of Bel Air 10/10
Chuck 10/10
Steve Harvey Show 10/10
Full Metal Alchelmest 10/10
Eyeshield 21(japan with english subs) 10/10
Family Guy 9/10
And some others, but too lazy to list. I wanna see what Entourage is really like though, i have only seen the episode where kanye west guest stars lol
October 14th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I forgot to mention the mini-series Centennial. Excellent – stellar cast – sweeping saga of the American west. And it was recently released on DVD, so I get to see it again – YAY!
And someone else mentioned China Beach – I have to agree that it’s one of the best.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Arrested Development hands down.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Well, I was going to say Star Trek… Probably not a very good choice now that I think about it.
But hey! At least they relled in the first interracial kiss on TV eh? Learned that here.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Reeled. X( Damnit. Can’t take that back, now I look stupid.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
24 – the acting and writing are on par with a first class movie. The fast pace and storyline keep you on the edge of your seat and keeps your interest. Season two was a little weak, as was the last season.
An honorable mention is “Damages.” Glenn Close is a wonderful actress and she and Ted Danson did a wonderful job last year.
As far as for older TV shows, “Hill Street Blues”, “St. Elsewhere”, “Homicide”, “Law and Order”, and “Twin Peaks” are absolutely wonderful.
Good topic!
October 14th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Somebody said Mad Men and I half-agree. It’s a sly, quite accurate potrayal of people during the golden years of advertising.
Any older shows anyone?
MacGyver? So much so its entry in UrbanDictionary.com is:
‘To achieve a goal through the ingenious combination of common household items, in the spirit of Richard Dean Anderson’s character McGuyver, from the television series of the same name.’?
October 14th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Oh, and to ever said “MASH discussion over.”
No dude, discussion is on. I wanna know why?!
October 14th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
It has to be Frank’s Place. This was from the time when dramedies were a fad, but this was the best of them and should have stayed on the air more than one season. Tim Reid played a northern college professor who inherits his father’s restaurant in New Orleans. It is hard to explain why the show is so good, but the characters are real and the show is funny without being a punchline show. Some of the episodes were weak, but the strong ones were really, really strong, like The King of Wall Street.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Has anybody even thought of “All in the family” – which still relates to a lot of todays problems. The best writing and superb acting I have ever seen on a sitcom. I could laugh and cry all in one episode.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Seinfeld. As if that was a question.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
SEINFELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
SEINFELD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha I Put More Exc Points Than You.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
simpsons
or family guy
or scrubs
October 14th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
One more that comes to mind – Northern Exposure.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
The X-Files it has its own mystery and in every episode it has new thing (theories,conspiracies,mysteries and so on )
i think it the best show ever
October 14th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Wow! That’s a lot of TV. No wonder we’re so fat!
October 14th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
One would have to say the simpsons for longevity, Familyguy for coming back from Cancellation and X Files for being so dam interesting.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. A superb show with sublime writing that is not only well planned and hilarious but so dense and layered that multiple viewings makes it even funnier because of all the jokes you realized you missed. The acting was amazing and I thin that the fact that it was taken off the air is a crime to humanity. Also this is an awesome choice for a your view.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
People are forgetting greats like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Metalocalypse. They’re half as long as other shows and are still greater than most of the shit on TV. Also Mythbusters, Arrested Development, Dexter, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld(Larry David is a fucking genius!), and I think Greg the Bunny was pretty freaking hilarious. Too bad it was cut, but that’s just my opinion.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Cheers or The Simpsons.
COME ON, PEOPLE!
October 14th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Mine are the same…
Wire
Arrested Development
Six Feet Under
Deadwood
The Office (UK and US)
The BBC America series Skins is also fabulous. I’m really into that lately.
A really important and superb show that was overlooked- Veronica Mars. Did anyone get into it? The first two seasons were great, I thought. No?
October 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Yeah Veronica Mars was great. It was horrible that it got cut. I like how all the characters got their own spotlight.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
The golden girls: It was progressive, funny, and had good acting and original humor, despite the occasional cliche.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
For me it would be Scrubs. Just in the last year or so i’ve watched most if not all the episodes and it is very funny clever and in some cases very sad. i would recommend checking it out.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I loved Twin Peaks, I was addicted, and I still have my “treasures” (coffee mug and keychain) from a trip to the lodge and surrounding area.
Nothern Exposure was another favorite.
My taste runs to the quirky, campy, cheesy… so those are the shows that usually rate highest with me.
These days I like watching:
Pushing Daisies
Eli Stone
Heroes
October 14th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
arrested development, dead like me and freaks and geeks all tied…
October 15th, 2008 at 12:24 am
…and as for the best tv show ever (in my lifetime)
or at least the last 40 years…
Seasame Street of course!
Yes, there were other children’s shows on first, (Howdy D., Bozo, ect) but Seasame Street was educational AND entertaining.. the ones before seemed to be one or the other.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:31 am
M*A*S*H. It broke the mold. Hard to believe its been 25yrs since the last episode. The show does not seem dated at all as the show lives on forever in syndication. Concept shows, black comedy, rib tickling shows with great acting and directing. Only flaw it may have lasted a few years too long.
I have been watching a lot of That’s 70 show lately.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:32 am
You can tell this view is mainly an American one can’t you?
Personally I find it too hard to name just one Best ever but I can certainly eliminate all but about 3 shows made in the last 10 years.
Some of The Best I have watched
Steptoe & Son
Open All Hours
Porridge (Yes I am a huge fan of Ronnie Barker)
Monty Python
Deadwood (except for the last half of series 3 when they knew they were cancelled and tried to wrap it up)
The Sweeney
The Games (Oz comedy about the lead up to the Sydney Olympics)
The more observant amongst you will have noted only the one US series on here. That is because though many US series start out really well (MASH, Hill St Blues, NYPD Blue, Simpsons) they almost all outstay their creative welcome. Did you know that one of the most revered pieces of British Comedy (Fawlty Towers) consists of only 12 episodes. Yet it is still held up as one of the greatest British comedies ever. (Personally I don’t know why, I detest Basil Fawlty and that whole style of comedy). If however as some seem to indicate longevity is a sign of Greatnes then surely the Greatest show on TV MUST BE Coronation St. 47 years (or more) and still going strong.
Cheers
Lee
October 15th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Hey Steptoe and Son the inspiration for Sanford and Son.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:24 am
LazyTown
October 15th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Let’s not forget Sgt Bilko!!!
October 15th, 2008 at 1:28 am
5…4…3…2…1…Thunderbirds are go!
If you are of a certain age you will already be humming the theme tune and trying that crazy puppet walk.
The Muppet show was great fun and Till death us do part is still discussed years after.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Callie – congrats on the murder rate (but are you sure they’re not just massaging the stats?)
October 15th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Firefly
October 15th, 2008 at 4:10 am
I absolutely loved Northern Exposure
and Malcom In The MIddle is hillarious.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Tough call…best ever…I would rule out any of the shows mentioned in the comments that didn’t last long enough to go into syndication. Of course, now with DVD’s new generations can see into TV’s past.
Best TV Shows by category:
For comedy I’d have to say The Dick Van Dyke Show.
For police drama: Hill Street Blues
For drama: The Twilight Zone
For Science Fiction: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
For Fantasy: Buffy/Angel
For Cartoon: Simpsons
For Variety: The Smothers’Brothers (breaking my rule there)
For Crime: The Sopranos
For a show that should have lived on and I really miss:
Veronica Mars
Best show on TV Today….Nuthin!
October 15th, 2008 at 5:33 am
*Trekkie Alert! Trekkie Alert!*
Star Trek
Here was a show that wasn’t even all that popular during it’s original run. A show that was allowed to make a second pilot, something that was unprecedented in it’s day. A show that survived a third season based on the strength of a fan writing campaign, also unheard of. A show that was light years ahead of it’s time in special effects and set construction, despite a relatively low budget (which got smaller with every season). Without Star Trek, there would probably have been no Star Wars (but conversely, without Star Wars, there may have not been the Star Trek movies).
A show that produces iconic characters that are identifiable to most people today (Captain James T.Kirk, Mr. Spock, “Bone” McCoy, Scotty). Coined famoiliar phrases, the most popular being: “Beam Me Up, Scotty!”.
Star Trek gained popularity as a result of re-runs, which brought the idea of a “Star Trek” convention (There were sci-fi conventions, but it was unheard of for a single show).
Star Trek spawned four successful spin-offs (The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, and Enterprise) and 10 full-length feature films (with an 11th in the works slated for release in 2009).
Star Trek dealt with the social issues of the day, conveniently veiled a science fiction stories to avoid censorship (ex. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” was clearly about racism. One race has black on the right side of the face and white on the left, while the other races’ colors were switched, and they hated each other because of the difference). It allowed an array of different races to be part of the cast and was the first TV series to feature an interracial kiss (between Kirk and Uhura in “Plato’s Stepchildren”). And, incidently, Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, almost quit the show at one point, until she was encouraged by Martin Luther King Jr to stay on, citing that her character was important to the civil rights cause.
Star Trek was forward thinking in exhibiting a utopian universe in which all races could live peacefully together on earth and the elimination of war and famine. It is a sign of hope for imagining a better future.
Star Trek was also forward thinking technologically. Communicators were the basis for our modern cell phones. The Tricorder was the precursor for Blackberries and many sensitive portable instruments. Other advances in science owe inspiration to Star Trek.
I could go on and on. But suffice to say, there has never been a show that has quite the phenomonal draw and impact that Star Trek has had. It was ahead of it’s time.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:26 am
At the time, I used to be out at a club or party or whatever – would come home at 9:00 Friday night just to watch Miami Vice, then go back out ….
October 15th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Spocker, i’couldn’t agree more!
October 15th, 2008 at 6:45 am
173. ElenaSFA
lol, that was me. The discussion isn’t REALLY over. It’s just that, in my opinion, M*A*S*H is the best. Fantastic characters, great writing, fun comedy, a bit of drama with the war backdrop…I simply felt that it was understood why M*A*S*H was so good, and it did not need to be discussed.
CLEARLY, i was very much mistaken, and apologize
October 15th, 2008 at 6:55 am
My personal favorites, which do not equate to ‘best’ are:
Comedy: MASH
Drama: Columbo
Sci Fi: Stargate SG-1
Medical: Dr. Welby
My vote for best goes to Dark Shadows. I remember coming home from school every day to watch it. Intricate storylines, timeline hopping, very well developed characters. Barnabus Collins scared the daylights out of me. Forty years later his legacy continues in my refusal to watch movies or read novels with vampires.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:59 am
@124. ‘Cedestra – October 14th, 2008 at 12:28 pm [Report Abuse]
The best show ever should be innovative, expressive, portrays the genre correctly, well casted and acted, have a clear and logical plot, and know when to call it quits. This automatically disqualifies the Simpsons and, dare I say, M*A*S*H*.’
You do know the final episode for MASH was the most watched program in television history, right? I’m not even a monster fan- I do really like it- but I have my own personal tastes that are different too- but not of your qualifiers actually applies to MASH.
I’ve heard more than once that All in the Family is the only show that could come close to it, as mentioned earlier.
You can tell there are a lot of younger viewers sounding off- not that the choices are bad in any way at all- just that all of the ‘best show in tv history’ just so happens to be on EVERY other channel right now. I think it’s more people being caught up in the hype for whatever show they are lovin right now.
Wire was awesome but let’s face it; it blew it on the last season- faking a serial killer, half the force in on it, no repercussions and the outlandish measures they went through? It was totally bad ass up until then, and then it became a sit com. Betcha it had something to do with writer contracts.
Firefly and Buffy? Would not even be mentioned in a serious discussion (queue the enraged hordes of Joss Whedon fanboys descent, furiously wiping cheetos grime off their orange stained fingers and slurping back mountain dews while screeching castrato pitched obscenities and frothing at the mouth, pounding their replies into their keyboards… hehe) Honestly.. fun shows… really fun. But no where near being called the exemplary piece de resistance of the entire medium. They were comic books and most people over 20 didn’t see anything new.
Hey, I have my personal loves, too, but I won’t try to convince anyone that because I think it’s awesome, that’s what makes it the best thing humanity has produced. It’s a bit… shortsighted? If, as a medium, it has certain artistic structures and contexts, then it moves out of an opinion piece and becomes a dialogue on the creation of art itself.
I’m not even middle aged, but I just don’t see anything that can claim true innovation any more. Reality TV was the last time a boundary was crossed, and that was for the worse. It’s all just rehashing with different combinations of ‘quirks’. Same formulae, new extra slick packaging to make you forget you had the same thing for breakfast.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Senifeld
Arrested Development
The Office (UK)
Lost
Survivor
October 15th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Little House on the Prairie ………hands down
October 15th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I am going to do this a bit differently. Because so many great shows have been on over the years, I am going to make a top ten current and cancelled list.
Top 10 current:
10. Sons of Anarchy
9. Curb Your Enthusiasm
8. 24
7. South Park
6. Breaking Bad
5. Doctor Who
4. Torchwood
3. Family Guy
2. Heroes
1. Simpsons
Top 10 cancelled:
10. Picket Fences
9. Sopranos
8. Seinfeld
7. Monty Python
6. M*A*S*H*
5. Oz
4. Northern Exposure
3. Nowhere Man
2. Jericho
1. Phil Silvers Show (AKA Sgt. Bilko)
And Simpsons for best ever.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Okay, it seems that everyone missed one word in the title…”EVER”. Not just in the past two or three decades. And based on popularity, longevity, and quality only a few shows really qualify. There have been a ton of great shows on this list, but let’s face it, ‘Seinfeld’ is hands down one show that most people can agree on. Another classic is ‘The Honeymooners’. Gleason made 30 or so shows and ended it because he felt he could go no further. Those 30 shows are some of the funniest ever. ‘I Love Lucy’, although not a personal favorite, is on every top TV show list ever made. And there’s no denying it’s importance in TV history. Recently, ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Mad Men’ and other cable shows have pushed the boundaries and reached greatness. Again, just because a show is a personal favorite doesn’t make it the ‘greatest show ever!’ I love ‘Pushing Daisies’ ‘The Munsters’ and ‘The Tick’, but they would be on a list of ‘greatest shows EVER!!’
October 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
ok..I can shurg off something that’s been mentioned once or twice but it’s been brought up so many times I need to ask now. What is Sons of Anarchy? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I think I agree with most of these but Twilight Zone from the 80´s changed my life, I still have nightmares about that Gramma episode.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramma_(The_Twilight_Zone)
October 15th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Has anyone mentioned V ?
October 15th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Callie: It’s a show about the beginnings of the Hells Angels, I think. Haven’t seen it myself.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I would have to go with Twilight Zone from the 80´s.
Best episode: Gramma.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:14 am
209. Mr.Graves: M*A*S*H* was a great show, but it should have ended a long time before it did. So what if its last show was well watched? Lots of people have favorite baseball teams and only watch their team if they make it into the postseason. M*A*S*H* qualifies for all other standards mentioned.
142. Renee Pussman: You wouldn’t happen to be related to Randall, would you? No, no your comments aren’t nearly as clever or well thought as his, just abusive. Fail.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:14 am
How could I have overlooked Monty Python’s Flying Circus?
Thanks kiwitaxi.
Which leads me to:
Keeping Up Appearances
and, though it’s not a “show”, in the sense that’s scripted, and acted:
The British Parliament, Live
All three are funny to the bone.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I absolutely HATE Seinfeld, and I don’t much care for M*A*S*H either.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Well, I just want to say to Riley, that Gilmore Girls isn’t a bad suggestion, I don’t think it is the best but I really enjoy it. My wife watched it religiously and then started ordering the DVDs from netflix. Eventually I saw enough episodes to know what was going on and who the characters are and I have to say while the story lines aren’t that unique or deep, the dialogue is pretty incredible and definitely witty. It catches you off guard and then you just end up laughing. Also some of the rants, arguments, scoldings, and humorous exchanges are very unique and creative. I just saw that Riley was getting some flack for itso I wanted to stick up for her.
I don’t know what the best ever is but I love Family Guy for the humorous long winded rabbit trails.
Everybody Loves Raymond for the very different personalities of each character and how they complimented each other and provided for some of the funniest situations.
One of my favorites was:
Marie: “Don’t you tell me to be quiet! I have a mind of my own you know! I can contribute! I’m not just some… trophy wife!”
Frank: “You’re a trophy wife? What contest in hell did I win?”
Seinfeld for the characters but also a show about NOTHING(GENIUS)! Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy translated beautifully to sitcom. To me there is no better comedy than that which makes fun of the truly mundane tasks that every person does. Everybody can relate, so when you watched that show you really felt connected to it and the humor is easy to follow.
I’m sure there could be others that are better but I don’t spend much time watching TV.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Also I have to mention Heroes and the Office(US)obviously. I think it’s too early to say that either one of those is the best ever but I think potentially we could be saying that. I don’t think I have laughed more often at a show than I have with the Office. Steve Carell’s character, Michael Scott, is amazing. I don’t think I have laughed more and at the same time felt more uncomfortable with any other character on TV. One of my fav quotes:
Michael: ‘Hug it out, bitch.’ That is what men say to each other after a fight. They hug it out, in doing so they just let it go, and walk away, and they’re done. Not a good idea to say that to a woman, however, I’ve found. Doesn’t translate.
I enjoy Heroes because I love the idea of superhuman abilities. I loved watching Smallville even though I would never attempt to call it the best show ever. I’m a superman….man. But Heroes has a very engaging story with limitless possibilities and so far they are unfolding things quite nicely. You can’t miss a single episode or you are lost which I think is why they let you watch it on NBC and Netflix the day after. I just hope it doesn’t get too far fetched and weird which is what happened to Smallville.
Anyway, I think I have said enough.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I would definitely agree with those who said The Simpsons. In its early days, it started a new era of cartoons. Plus, it had a lot of cross-culture appeal due to all the guest stats on the show. Sadly, I have to say it ran its course about five years ago.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
SEX AND THE CITY!!!! WHOO HOOOOO!!!!!!! (sorry a bit of carrie fever)
October 15th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I don’t know if this really qualifies as a TV show for this list but I don’t think that you can forget about,
“The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”
But not the new one with that crappy jay leno.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Seinfeld
October 15th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Thanks for mentioning Rome – I bought the two series on DVD and watched the lot over a couple of weekends.
jfrater – heh…I did exactly the same.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Has anybody even thought of All in the family – which still relates to a lot of todays problems.
duggandeep – the original British show that All in the Family copied was also a comedy classic (Till Death Us Do Part). The 2 shows are somewhat different in terms of style and emphasis, though. TDUDP, whilst being wonderful satire, was more in your face.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I would say Friends was the best show ever. I still watch it religiously.
Close seconds are family guy, smallville, and ER
Heroes is looking to be good too…
October 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am
anyone who thinks “friends” is the best show ever clearly needs to watch other shows.
this is too subjective, obviously everyone likes different shows.
i’d have to say old shows were the best, the twilight zone, Alfred hitchcock presents, i love lucy, the three stooges, and right now the simpsons and…….. honestly i have no clue, tv sucks so much these days.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
oh!! almost forgot not the nine o’clock news, blackadder (anything that has Rowan Atkinson in it besides mr Bean) and dr who.
British shows are by far the best
October 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I think I should mention a couple of shows that I haven’t been able to see, so I don’t know how hey stack up to the others I consider the greatest ever:
The Sopranos
Curb your Enthusiasm
Star Trek
M*A*S*H
But I’ll probably think they’re great once I’ve watched them
October 15th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I’d have to say Deadwood. Incredibly realistic and well made show about cowboys in the Gold Rush days.
Also Criminal Minds for looking into how the minds of serial killers work.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
The Sopranos is by far the best ever created its really the only tv show i would wait for the episode for… south park is hilarious as well, and Mutual Omaha or whatever its called, the shit where animals treck across africa that is great
October 15th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
and yo this motherfucker who runs this site is banking it on asking questions you ask when your bored with your boys! im in the wrong line of work….
October 15th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Straight up
October 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
NewsRadio.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
i would have to say the Golden Girls is one of the best. even years later, its one of the few shows that makes me LOL
Also, Chappelle’s Show. Goddamn that show is freaking HILARIOUS!!!!
COME BACK TO US DAVE!!!!!
October 15th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The Sopranos, The Wire or the original Twilight Zone.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I would have to say Veronica Mars.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
There will never be a show as good as Seinfeld.
I also agree with Tour of Duty, and add Band of Brothers.
I think Prison Break is addictive, but still is a terrible show.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
SEINFELD.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
the sopranos ….gold.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
JACKASS / WILD BOYS
MARRIED WITH CHILDREN
T.P. BOYS
LUCKY LOUIE
THE SIMPSONS
MONTY PYTHON FLYING CIRCUS
TELETUBISI
SORRY, COUDN’T MADE UP MY MIND!
October 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Firefly all the way.
BROWNCOATS!!
October 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The Wire is the closest thing to perfection I’ve ever seen on TV.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
HEROES!!
October 15th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Family Guy WAS funny until they started to repeat the whole ‘remember that time when…’ over and over again. Funny at first, but not anymore.
Twilight Zone
South Park
October 15th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
mystery science theatre 3000. also, metalocolypse.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
hands down – Simpsons
honourable mentions – Friends, How I met your mother, Alias, House
October 15th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Here’s a list of the shows I have seen that I personally consider the best:
I Love Lucy
Star Trek: TOS
Star Trek: TNG
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
The Twilight Zone
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
M*A*S*H*
Law & Order
Homicide: Life On The Street
Cheers
Murphy Brown
The Simpsons
Frasier
Will And Grace
Absolutely Fabulous
Roseanne
Sportsnight
Queer As Folk (UK Version)
The X-Files
CHiPs
The A-Team
Invader Zim
Robot Chicken
Saturday Night Live
October 15th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
it would really have to depend on your age and what was popular when you where growing up, as well as what channels you where exposed to.
as a child, I adored Galaxy Star rangers and Fraggle Rock. Belle and Sebastian was an early fave, to.
as a teen/young adult: E/R and X-files. Northern exposure.
as an older middle aged adult : Firefly. the first season of 24. Ally Mcbeal. (not the last 2 seasons… but i was young and it gave me an excuse to justify my personal theme song…)
currently: Dirty Jobs, South Park, and the original Cosmos, with Carl Sagan.
***notable mention***the original Star Trek, and even Star Trek:The Next generation where, and still are, amazing creations. I am convinced my father’s religion is a unusual mixture of Jesus and Roddenbury…
rtr
October 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
As of this moment, my mind swings towards “All in the Family”, I have always felt it was well written, and did a wonderful job of presenting real world issues in an entertaining light.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
All time classics like M*A*S*H
October 15th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
The Simpsons, Family Guy, Southpark, Rome, Sesame Street, Mr. Bean, Naruto, Spongebob Squarepants
October 15th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Ahhhhhhhhhh!? Sponge bob square pants is back Ahhhhhhhhhh!
October 15th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I’m telling you, the Golden Girls
October 16th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Ok! Ok! i admit it, i had a childhood crush on Bea Arthur.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!
October 16th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Definitely Doctor Who. It one of the most addictive programmes if you give it the chance- and it takes you on an epic journey which simply cannot be compared with any other television programme, sci fi or not. Its the longest running sci fi programme (Stargate DOES NOT count, I dont know why they got the record at all!!) and it is also the best!!!
Though I have to admit to a massive soft spot for Freaks and Geeks, a pretty short lived television series made in 1999. It follows the story of the “freaks” and “geeks”- the freaks being the burn outs, and the geeks being…geeks. But this show looks into more that just the labels, and shows their stories. The way the show is written really makes you empathies- the characters within the show have such soul, and each episode is bound to make you laugh- and, very cliche; make you cry.
Its just shame that it has to be a cult favourite, since NBC canned it without really giving it a fair go. But the one and only season of Freaks and Geeks that showed was pure gold.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:36 am
The Wire
October 16th, 2008 at 5:36 am
battlestar Galactica
The sopranos
the wire
Frasier
The west wing
Deadwood
I claudius
Buffy/angel
October 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Greatest Tv Show Ever = SOUTH PARK
Why ? = 1) Unlike Family guy(which IS one
of the BEST) The ‘Funny stuff’
remain relevant to the plot.
2) Open eye on the proceedings of
the world..i mean america,, na ,,i
mean the world.na i mean,…wateva
3) Genius. Great music.
4) Finds humour even in a brain
tumour. cant deal with it?
GOD DAMNIT!! F@£% YOU DONKEY
BONER!!!
5) The only reason i watch the TV.
SCREW YOU GUYZ, IM GOIN HOME!!!
BAD GENT signing out.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:34 am
“coronation street” anybody?
October 16th, 2008 at 11:46 am
from the seventies taxi…eighties hill street blues …ninetes the x files and from the naughties the sopranos special mention to extras …arrested development and the wire
October 16th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The best show ever is definately South Park. I’ve seen every episode and I own the box sets for seasons 1-11. The second best is Family Guy. I also have all of the box set with every episode up until the last saeson. Most of the shows I watch are animated or comedy. Every adult swim show is very good, especially Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The only drama show that I regularly watch is Prison Break. Every monday I can’t wait for the new episode.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
What is a “swim” show?
October 16th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Adult Swim.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_swim
GO TEAM VENTURE!!!
October 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
how about Monty pyhton’s Flying Circus
)
or Faulty towers? => BEST SHOWS EVER (South park and Blackadder are the second best
October 16th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I read these pretty quickly, but I didn’t see at least one of these shows. I’m really big into comedies, mostly because my life is so hum-drum that watching something that doesn’t make me laugh is just well…stupid! Anyway, in no particular order for me:
1. Cheers (I’m from Boston and was SHOCKED when i went to the bar and it in no way resembled the show!)
2. All In The Family. The bigot, the ding-bat and the meathead…great fun!
3. Seinfeld – ‘NO SOUP FOR YOU!’
October 16th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Firefly for me also.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
i grew up with some excellent shows but my top three are ‘absolutely fabulous’, ‘northern exposure’ and ’seinfeld’. the writing was top-notch and consistently hilarious and the characters were well-developed. we grew to know and love them, even when they weren’t always likable. in particular, the star and writer of ‘absolutely fabulous’, jennifer saunders shut down her show at it’s height so it could go out as strong as it came in.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
To all the people advocating children’s shows, we relate the shows to a time when we loved everything more, we were young and happy then. And on the basis of educational and fun for kids, Blues Clues is the best one, it’s been proven.
October 16th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
The best tv show ever made was the Andy Griffith Show. Its satirical humor about small town life seems to ring true even today.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Best T.V. show ever has gotta be either Spaced or It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
The Simpsons, it shaped my sense of humour, coming on the air when I was only 6, and me having watched it my whole life. Its also the most quotable show, to the point where often I notice people don’t even realize they are quoting it. ie: “Excellent…”, “Aye Carumba!”
Simpsons Simpsons Simpsons. Anyone my age would agree (25!)
October 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
P.S. I ‘ctrl’ F’d to find what how many times the simpsons has been mentioned. Thats how hardcore I am.
Best. Show. Ever.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Ernie Kovacs’s programs of 1950s-early 60s before his untimely death in a car accident for cutting edge comedy. The first thing that came to mind.
His influence is still strong today.
The Sopranos for drama
October 16th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
So far my favs have been “Six Feet Under” and “The X-Files”. “South Park” is a close third. Gotta say though, probably gonna be checking out “Dexter” now after reading all the comments on it.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Friends
24
Rome
Am I too shallow?
October 16th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Umm, I hope you guys all know that Family Guy is easily one of the WORST shows on tv. it is so poorly written, one dimentioned characters, the voice acting is absolutly terrible. and 10 solid minutes of flashback and drag scene’s that have NO relevance to the plot is not funy. also falling down really ast isnt funny, and EVERY TIME someone falls down in family guy, their arm is always thrown over their back. what the hell is that, you guys need to open your eyes and see that family guy is a TERRIBLE show. Simpsons is at 20 seasons and is still better then family which is at what 6 or 7 seasons? and whoever here thinks stewie funny is an absolute idiot.
you guys should go watch simpsons or seinfeld or frasier, those shows are about 46 times better than family guy.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
TrevD 280 – Mate, piss off, no body likes a know-it-all.
-House
-Dexter
-Cheers
-MASH
-Hogans Heroes
-Get Smart
October 17th, 2008 at 2:27 am
SpongeBobSquarePants. Centuries from now it will be a timeless classic. It’s the perfect combo of ridiculous in the sense of hilarious and touching~
Remember the time when Sponge Bob forgot to feed Gary for weeks(?) because of trying to pass the challenge of the Dirty Bubble and the poor snail (Gary) fled? A grandma then took care of him and fed him luxuriously. Spongebob realized this, and so he attached many billboards that say “Have you seen Gary?” or “Come back to me Gary” (although I’m not really sure if those are the exact words). Try to watch it again. Don’t call me a fag, but I cried. ~boohoo!
October 17th, 2008 at 2:29 am
And oh yeah, Mythbusters! Downright awesome. Do I have to say more?
October 17th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Ahh, Mythbusters is a darn good show. Good call. Hadn’t thought of that. (and if someone else posted that before #284, no worries, I am just not reading nearly 300 comments to find out what you had to say)
October 17th, 2008 at 7:07 am
ghost hunters
carnivale
October 17th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I dont understand all the hype about Southpark if you’re over the age of 15. It just seems so infantile. Family Guy is a much better animated comedy.
Twin Peaks? WTF is wrong with you?
October 17th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Has anyone seen “Takeshi´s Castle” it´s funny, crazy an Japanese. Great Show! chick it out on Youtube.
October 17th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Lost is the best show on tv because it’s completely brilliant. Each week adds a new element to the story, and the writing, acting, and music are all fantastic.
I enjoy Mythbusters too, and South Park is good as far as comedy goes.
I would’ve said Heroes, but since season 3 started I’ve decided that the writers don’t give a damn about their characters at all anymore, and have completely given up on their development.
October 17th, 2008 at 8:58 am
jeez.. with the exception of the votes for MASH and Simpsons, you’d think TV was invented about 10 years ago.
Just because a show is the **!!NEWEST**!! doesnt make it the best. And you realize that most of the popular American TV shows are just British shows with the sex taken out…you know that, right? Friends is really Couples.
My votes:
Comedy – Laugh-In, Simpsons
Cop Show – Streets of SF, CSI
Doctor Show – MASH
Lawyer Show – Night Court
Western – Bonanza
Traditional Sitcom – Cheers
Current show – Heroes
Children’s Show – Sesame Street
October 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I also noticed while skimming the comments is that nobody has voted for any reality shows (with good reason)…yet at least half the shows on TV today are reality shows.
Illustrates how much TV has gone downhill since The Honeymooners.
(you all know that “Everybody loves Raymond” is just an updated Honeymooners, right?)
October 17th, 2008 at 9:50 am
My favorite has got to be, Mr Show with Bob and David.
Awesome cast and brilliant writing.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:47 am
288. psychosurfer: “Takeshi’s Castle” is known as “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge” in the U.S. And it is damn funny.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:00 am
M*A*S*H, FireFly and Freaks-&-Geeks… not necessarily in that order.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Copperdragon, I think most people watch the ‘reality’ shows out of sheer morbid curiosity. I’ve seen an episode or two of most that have cropped up over the last 5-8 years, and have not been thrilled by any of them.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I thought people might want to know what the “professionals” are saying about this question:
MENSA: M*A*S*H* (House was number 4)
TV Guide: Seinfeld
NY Post: Sopranos
Empire Magazine: The Simpsons
Slate (MSN): The Wire
TV.com: Heroes
October 17th, 2008 at 11:11 am
jardojo, south park is just a very unqieu show, especially when it started. and I dont understand how people think family guy is good comedy. twin peaks is awesome by the way
and CRSN, people dont like know it alls because they point out the reason why their stupid, the only reason your mad about me saying that is because you know its 100 percent true.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:25 am
These are the only shows that I actually own the Dvd’s of:
M*A*S*H
Stargate (both Sg-1 and Atlantis)
South Park
Rome
So I guess that would be my list for the best along with the simpsons (_8(|)
October 17th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Dexter
West Wing
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Arrested Development
The Office
I hope someone at Fox sees this list, realizes what a following Arrested Development has, and brings it back. Micheal Cera and Jason Bateman are gods among men.
Dexter is just amazing… in every way.
West Wing… largely ignored here but superbly written.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I thought Arrested Development was signed on for another three year contract- or was that “It’s Always Sunny…”?
October 17th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Cedestra: You’ve made a huge mistake!! (nyuk nyuk
)Arrested Development was certainly canceled, and TV has never been the same since.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
‘Vik Reeves Big Night Out’ was too rediculous and had me choking with laughter.
Not to be confused with anything else with his name on it which were generally not so flash.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Twin Peaks! I’m glad to see I’m not alone in saying that
Also… Dexter, It’s Always Sunny in Phildelphia and Scrubs
October 17th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I just love Prison Break, Family Guy, And Lost. By the way does anyone know when season 4 of Lost is coming out? (I’m from Mexico).
October 17th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Charmed, Buffy, Angel and Greys Anatomy. Love the three first because I can loose myself completly thinking “Wow, wish I could do that!!!” The last one, couse of all the drama. But for a good laugh, that you can relate to at some point, the one and only FRIENDS!!!
October 17th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
MASH,
Andy Griffith
Tie for #1
October 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
trigger happy tv and the whitest kids u’know!
October 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Oh yeah, how could I forget about the Whitest Kids u’ Know? That is the funniest sketch comdy show ever! Especially the first season. I can’t wait for season 3.
October 17th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gets my vote.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Oh god..soooooooooooo many too pick from……top 3 would be Heroes, M*A*S*H, and Mr. Hell
October 17th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I still think the old Muppet Show was awesome… something for everyone….
October 17th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
1. Seinfeld
2. All in the Family
3. The Cosby Show
4. Saturday Night Live
5. South Park
October 17th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Monk
forever and ever. XD
Spongebob Squarepants too. :}
October 18th, 2008 at 1:22 am
House, The Sopranos, Heroes
October 18th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Comming from the anglo-saxon channels:
7 X Files
6 StarTrek
5 Beakman’s World
4 The Young Ones
3 The Black Adder
2 Futurama
1 Monty Python’s Flying Circus
BONUS:
Saturday Night
Dr. Who
I’ve fairly seen those but I know they deserve to be there.
Worldwide (or at least what i know):
Takeshi’s Castle
And from home
Redes (I bet the best science-filosophy program ever)
Any Buenafuente’s show (better “la Cosa Nostra” and “BNF”)
October 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am
There was a show back in the ’90s called “Grace under Fire” I believed to be hilarious to the moon and back. If anyone knows what happened to it, please let me know.
M*A*S*H* should definitely be somewhere on top as well, but my no. 1 choice would have to be “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart.
October 18th, 2008 at 7:50 am
My husband would say M*A*S*H* hands down for it’s era, still today he watches the reruns everyday and tapes one or two. For the current shows, I would have to say The Shield on F/X. By far the most gripping and shocking show in a long time. To bad this is the last season!
October 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
FRIENDS!
October 18th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Wow, no one has said Friday Night Lights yet? Really? It s definitely not all about football, and it deals with real life issues for teenagers and adults alike. Football probably only takes up about 5% of the show’s time each episode.
October 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Where to begin? I have an ecclectic taste in televsion so I guess my short list in no particular order is:
1. Cheers
2. The Golden Girls
3. Get Smart
4. Roseanne
5. The Simpsons
6. Law and Order: SVU
7. The West Wing
8. I Love Lucy
9. King of the Hill
10.The Andy Griffith Show
October 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Monty Python
Laugh In
Chappelle Show
South Park
Bob Newhart
House
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Saturday Night Live (often sucks, but over time, classic)
X-Files
The Tick
Daily Show
October 18th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Six Feet Under was the only show I ever really got into. I only saw the second and 3rd seasons, and I’m trying to find the rest for cheap. It was the only American show I’ve ever seen that struck me as intelligent and complex, aside from South Park.
October 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Friends!
October 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I will join the small majority and say that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the best shows on televison. Joss Whedon and Company made amazing tv with shows that were original (Hush) and others that just played with your emotions. They created characters that you loved and ones you loved to hate.
Firefly and Angel are amazing too but I have to go with the original.
To whomever said Dead Like Me. I absolutely loved that show. I was sad there was only 2 seasons. It was witty, intelligent, and very interesting to watch
October 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Scrubs. I’ve just got to.
But Arrested Development is a close, close second.
October 18th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
THE NOMINEES:
Perry Mason
The Avengers
The Smothers Brothers
M*A*S*H
The X Files
The Sopranos
Deadwood
Six Feet Under
The Shield
Dead Like Me
Veronica Mars
AND THE WINNER IS:
The Wire
October 18th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I overlooked Slings and Arrows, which is probably my all-time favorite show. from the BBC: Life On Mars, Foyle’s War, Sharpe’s Rifles, Prime Suspect, Extras, and Monty Python of course.
October 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
THE BEST SHOW CURRENTLY AIRING:
Dexter
October 18th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Ummm…Baseball Tonight?
October 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
South Park.
And does anyone remember Pete & Pete?
Thats a good one. Mike Maronna(big Pete) is soooo cute.
October 19th, 2008 at 7:17 am
1. FRIENDS!!!
2. Greys Anatomy
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Brothers and Sisters
5. Ugly Betty
October 19th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I dig HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But that’s just me…
October 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
wow. 332 posts and not one (yea it’s slow at work) mentioned QUANTUM LEAP! Loved that freakin show.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
How I met your mother
October 19th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Both of my choices have already been named.
I’ll say Dr. Who, and House. The first time I saw Dr. Who I was just lazing around in my mom’s room when it came on, and I watched it- it was awesome! That was the ninth doctor, Christopher Eccleston. I like the tenth doctor more. Who else was pissed when they got rid of Donna?
House is really good, I love it, but I’m also sometimes wary about watching it, just cause that medical stuff can make me squirm. XD
October 19th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’m going to have to go with Twin Peaks
October 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Does anyone plan to include morality in their thoughts
October 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
JJ, you’re on the wrong list.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
JJ: Is that an irreverent TV series?
October 19th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Panna, I´m agree with you!!! friends is the best show ever!!
But currently airing…WEEDS!!! is really brilliant!! My vote for weeds!
October 19th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
those tee vees look like a couple of happy sputniks
only cubelike and not spherical chrome
i luv that photograph
goil and all.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
288. psychosurfer: Oh Yeh! I remember. It was a short lived event from where I lived. Before Ubertube.com and before Japanese game shows made it to america. like it is mixed in today, there was the sudden oddity of seeing Takeshi’s Castle.
It makes me think of my excitement for “That’s Incredible!”. Because I believe it was the later version or re-version of “that’s incredible!”, where I was first introduced to “Takeshi’s Castle.”
This
Makes me think of, although maybe not as good, “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” with Jack Palance.
Blah blah blah
October 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Was it called “Real People”? a kinda copy-cat of “That’s Incredible!”
October 19th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
THE OFFICE AMERICAN VERSION
October 19th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
OZ
October 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Dieter- Xerxses- Counterfeit- Fugitive- Vigil- Gallantry- Harbinger- Bully- Jump- Neuschwanstein- Liposuction:
I mean “dxcfvghbjnl” of coarse.
Question: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN AMERICA (PLASMA VERSION)?
October 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
189. greg:
Tha Goldie Goils?
really?
best ever?
wow.
October 19th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Xena ’nuff said
October 20th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Based on long-term popularity, entertainment value, production values and effect on the American people as a whole, no other Anerican show equals the anthology show variously called Disneyland / Walt Disney Presents / Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color and Wonderful World of Disney. It was on from the fifties to the nineties, on all three major networks and cable. and may have been the most influential show on television from 1955 to 1966 when Walt died.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I’d say The Simpsons but I can’t deny anymore that it’s gone downhill, sadly. In my opinion the best TV show is either Lost or Malcolm in the Middle.
Lost because it’s one of the few shows ever that is successful while making the audience actually THINK and REMEMBER. It’s sad that so many sitcoms are so popular…
Malcolm in the Middle mainly because it is just about an average family..it’s not glammed up or overly stereotyped. It’s got a perfect mixture of the mean and the extreme (extreme being the crazy, blown-out-of-proportion plots) that is neither overly complicated or overly stupefied. It doesn’t have one of those annoying laugh tracks because the humor is real and always funny.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:50 am
SEINFELD
October 20th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Man I just remembered the best show from the 80´s no one´s mentioned:
SLEDGE HAMMER!!!
Me and my friends totally worshiped that show
http://www.sledgehammeronline.com/
Someone?
293.Cedestra Thanks for the info man, did you ever watch Hammer?
(I posted this earlier but it didn´t show)
October 20th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I’d have to say I loved 1st & Ten
and Sledgehammer. They were both so funny!
October 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
The greatest has to be a child’s program: “Liewe Heksie”, a South African kids series.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
DARIA! hands down. what is wrong with you people?!
October 20th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Sesame Street.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wow, sledgehammer good call! Haven’t seen that show in in twenty years, but i remember it being hilarious. I grew up with Night Court, I used to love that show. There is only one show that made me tense, uneasy, nervous, and made me laugh at the same time. The Soprano’s. The best show ever!!
October 20th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Sorry, but i`m up late and i just saw a best of seinfeld episode and i can`t think of a show that`s been more quoted. Is it just me or can everything be seinfeldian!
October 20th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
1.LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2.Seinfeld is a very close second (hard to compare)
3. Southpark
4. Dexter
5. That 70’s show, the first seasons
For all those out there who mention Heroes, try watching the 4400. Heroes sucks.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:18 am
anokazz:
I agree about 4400, it is better than Heroes but Heroes doesn’t ’suck’. It’s not great but it’s good. To bad 4400 got canceled. I guess we’ll never know what became of Promise City.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:47 am
1/ Quantum Leap
2/ MacGyver
3/ Outrageous Fortune!!! YES!!!
yup thats about it for me.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:47 am
My top 10 tv shows(imdb ratings):
1- D E X T E R (9.1)
2- THE S O P R A N O S (9.5)
3- THE O F F I C E (US) (9.4)
4- F R I E N D S (8.9)
5- F A M I L Y G U Y (8.8)
6- H O U S E (9.2)
7- L A W & O R D E R (SVU)(8.6)
8- THE S I M P S O N S (9.1)
9- L O S T (9.0)
10- G E T S M A R T (8.6)
October 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
fishing4monkeys:
Ok maybe saying it sucks is exagerating a bit but the best show ever?! It’s a show full of plot holes and I mentioned the 4400 because Heroes is nothing more than a (bad) more expensive and more marketed copy of the 4400. And the 4400 is the one that gets canceled…
Seriously, I don’t understand the excitement about herous at all.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:09 am
Flight of the Conchords.
12 episodes of deadpan brilliance.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
family guy, the simpsons, southpark, or the new beverly hills 90210.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I think not only is the Twilight Zone the best TV show just to watch, but it’s also the most influential ever. It is the quintessential American TV drama.
Some close competitors are That 70’s Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, E.R., House M.D., Malcolm in the Middle, Angel and even though I don’t like it, it’s so popular that I have to put it here: Seinfeld.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Tobias. you have the screenname of one of the characters in the greatest show ever made. It is such a shame you don’t think so. Arrested Development.
Tobias Funke – Analrapist(analytical therapist)
October 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Twin Peaks was worth it just for the soundtrack!
October 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Spaced, cause simon pegg rules
South Park, old standard always funny
Family guy, funny as hell
Top Gear
October 21st, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Tobias 366- You want to hear something kind of intresting? Aunt Viv from Fresh Prince married my second cousin Larry Kraft. If you go to this link- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Hubert-Whitten
I recently met Janet for the first time at my Nanas 90th birthday party at my other cousin’s house in Montclair. I have a few pictures with her (she looks great!) although sadly I need to get a new USB cable otherwise I would’ve had the on the computer by now. Oh well. hope that tickled you the same way it tickles me. Somehow I doubt it…
and look under personal life you’ll see them mention that Larry is ‘actually cousins with Peter Thomas Kraft’.
Thats my dad.
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 am
Discover Channel’s How It’s Made.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 am
Dexter. Flight of the Conchords. The Office. I was a tween when Twin Peaks was on, so I don’t remember it.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 am
Hill Street Blues
Sopranos
All In The Family
Mission Impossible
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 am
Being Canadian, I’d have to say HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA, but
ALL IN THE FAMILY was one of the best; very funny and sometimes pretty damn serious, going places other shows never dared. Also, PBS’s NATURE and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, and any of the BBC nature/science productions that Attenborough guy hosted.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 am
Oh yeah- The Planet Earth mini series on Discovery… the coolest nature show ever!
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 am
Anyone gonna say Scrubs? I like all the mental images he gets in his mind of potential situation. ^-^ Makes me laugh.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 am
Ive got to say,
south park
the simpsons
familyguy
24
friends
seinfeld
and ive just started watching the wire and it think its brilliant.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
yall are too young
M.A.S.H.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
I don’t care if this is irrational:
The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos, The Sopranos.
And animated shows – The Simpsons deserves credit for bringing popularity… but seriously, nothing other than South Park deservess mention.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Family Guy, Seinfeld, Sex & The City
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Wow. A lot of you folks have pretty questionable taste in television… I can’t say i could ever really enjoy shows like CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Family Guy etc. they’re crap.
Although, a lot of my favourite shows were mentioned as well.
Comedy: Flight of the Conchords, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Arrested Developement, Strangers With Candy, The Sarah Silverman Program.
Drama: Battlestar Galactica, Carnivale, Six Feet Under, Weeds.
Animated: King of the Hill (currently the best animated show on television), the Simpsons (in the olden times), Rocko’s Modern Life, Futurama.
Kids Shows: Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street (circa late 60’s – early 70’s)
It’s impossible to pick which is the best. the last episode of season 2 of weeds was one of the most exciting moments in my television watching history… The last 3 episodes of Six Feet Under had me in tears. Battlestar Galactica constantly brings relevance and high octane entertainment to a genre (sci fi) that i never really payed much attention to. It’s easily possible that the final episodes of Battlestar will be some of the best ever … I’m just getting sick of waiting for them.
My vote goes to either Weeds or Battlestar.
(… I haven’t seen Twin Peaks. before my time. I’m a Lynch fan though and i plan on downloading both seasons (there were only 2, right?) in the future.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Northern Exposure, Seinfeld, Becker
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Invader Zim for being the most original cartoon evah! They really too all the details of every episode seroiously.
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Melina, Wow! That’s amazing and it’s really cool that you got to meet her. She did a great, great job on The Fresh Prince and I’ve always wondered why she got the axe. I’ve heard it was because of her pregnancy but they ended up writing that in, so I think they should have just kept working with her. Thanks for the great story
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
What? Nobody else for Chaser’s War on Everything?
Last of the Summer Wine was the best until Bill Owen had the discourtesy to _die_.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
The 4400!
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Personally, I liked The X-Files a whole lot… It was a fantastic television show when it was on the air, especially when it was in it’s beginning seasons…
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Tobias-Yeah, her pregnancy was a ‘breach of contract’. I saw her son at the party for a little bit, but he left to go to a friends house so I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I think hes about fifteen now.
But they fired her because of that and I think because her and Will Smith didn’t get along offset.
Fuggit, life goes on.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 am
Best of British TV: Spaced; Shameless; The Mighty Boosh; Extras; Skins
But I loved Twin Peaks early 90’s as well during my school days..
Sex & The City was great, as was x files – man I love tv!
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 am
Anyway – the correct answer is ‘The Wire’.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
The three best shows of all time are I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, and The Office. I cannot choose between them. Each are hilarious and were ground-breaking shows.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
This is a tough question to ask.
Twin Peaks is an excellent choice. Maybe narrowing down by genre would help though
Still, how could one decide this?
Family Guy
Simpsons
Jeeves & Wooster
A Bit Of Fry and Laurie
Fawlty Towers
Father Ted
‘Allo ‘Allo
Scrubs
Police Squad! (in color!)
Dr. House
NYPD Blue
The Shield
Wire In The Blood
X-Files
Twin Peaks
The Twilight Zone (no mouth scene!)
Poirot
…and many many more. Everything with John Cleese, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Rowan Atkinson.. Just keep the crappy CSI franchise out of the way. Such a boring look-at-me-I’m-a-model-in-an-expensive-suit show.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
Let’s see: I earlier mentioned Heroes, and The X-Files…
Okay, here’s some more… Quantum Leap, Get Smart, Batman The Animated Series, Superman The Animated Series, and some of my personal Faves from Canada, North Of 60, Corner Gas and The Beachcombers… Due South, Too…
Soon As I think of some more, I’ll let us all know…
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
House for sure! Hugh Laurie is amazing. I also nominate Fringe, the Simpsons (like or not a show that’s been around as long as the Simpsons has got to be doing something right), Family Guy (a show so beloved it was brought back after cancellation to continue its success). I’d say Heroes but it’s starting to get on my nerves lately.
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
PRISON BREAK is my favorite. 24 is the best.
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
In its prime, which were seasons 3 through 9, The Simpsons is the best as far as I’m concerned. Second would have to be The Wonder Years, I’m a real sucker for it. It’s my secret shame. Heheh.
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Adam – I’m sorry, but the new Beverly Hills 90210? I hate to suppress a point of view, but man alive…
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
The wire definitly needs to be at the top. The new battlestar galactica also which is far better then i thought it would be. spaced is also pretty awesome.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Space 1999 (1st year) was AMAZING.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
for me it’s got to be the simpsons. when i see homer it’s like looking in a mirror(i’ve more hair tho !!). a close second would be friends. seen every episode 100 times, laugh more each time !
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Enough said.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Anyone ever watched “World of Pub” from 2001? Unfortunately, it only ran for 6 episodes, so it’s pretty hard to find. Top show.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:11 am
For me (a brit), Fawlty Towers & Blackadder were two of the best, simply because they knew when to stop.
I love the Simpsons, but as PaulyIcecubes points out, Seasons 3 to 9 were brilliant. The later ones are just poor. They should give it up.
Family Guy is excellent. I’ve never known a programme to make me laugh out loud so often, especially the first couple of seasons.
Maybe its just me, but I hate Seinfeld with a passion. I’ve watched about 5 or 6 episodes, and it just isn’t funny (having said that, I really like Home Improvement. Don’t judge me).
Other programmes I love at the moment are Dexter, Fonejacker, Friends (over and over again), Desperate Housewives, and far too many others. I’m sure I’ll be back…
October 24th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I’ve got to agree–Twin Peaks IS the best t.v. show ever. There were plenty of others that followed that were wonderful in their own right: Picket Fences, Key West, American Gothic, Lost, Millenium, and The X Files.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My best tv show ever is FRIENDS, i watch it every night on E4. But my other 2 favourite shows are Desperate Housewives, and all of the CSI programmes. Love ‘em.
October 24th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
wot about the show NEAT & TIDY. ran on C4 circa 1990. elvis’s guitar man was the theme tune. NICK NEAT & TINA TIDY on the run accross the states on a motorbike. it’s a top trivia question. loads of people remember what it was about, the theme tune etc, but not many people remember the title !! top show tho !
October 24th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
M.A.S.H. , unequivocally
October 24th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Fawlty Towers, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Mystery Science Theater 3000.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Friends
October 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hill Street Blues
October 25th, 2008 at 10:14 am
SOPRANOS!!!!!! The character development and just overall pacing of the series has been unmatched(except season three, minus the Pine Barrens ep.) Second is The Shield, did anyone else see that episode last week? Blows my mind.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am
the office, seinfeld, family guy, futurama, simpsons, south park
October 25th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Doctor Who! yes, just yes!
and, Dizo, I was way sad when they got rid of Donna. I think Catherine Tate is one the most beautiful women alive
October 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
The OC and Friends best of all time!!!
Right now, Greys Anatomy is the best.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Have Gun, Will Travel.
October 27th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Freaks & Geeks is most definitely, in my opinion, the best show ever, early 80’s about high school teenagers. awesome. Mad Men is another great one though.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:51 am
The Shield. Hands down one of the most engrossing series ever. A very well crafted and spun plot that constantly keeps you guessing. And the acting is very realistic and phenomenal.
October 27th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
King of Queens
Will & Grace
Odd Couple
CSI’s
Frasier
Cheers
The Wire
The Corner
OZ
Martin Lawerence shows
Def Jam Comedy
Columbo
Mission Impossible
Bugs Bunny
Flint stones
All in the Family
Jefferson
October 28th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Dragon Ball Z. Enough said
October 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
family guy as it has been in most peoples lists above + i love it
October 28th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Life on Mars
House, MD
Dexter
and animated: The Simpsons of course, South Park, the family guy…
October 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Wow, it’s amazing how some people have no taste!!! What’s up with all the reality shows on tv, does anybody think these shows are good.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
422. Yeah well if your in to sitting there watching peole bitch thats fine, but it just shows that there is no creativity out there if we are subjected to watching people sitting in their loung rooms.
i may as well be watching CCTV with the sound.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I don’t know what CCTV is, but it seems that when i turn on the tv, all i see is crappy “reality tv” and it sucks!
October 29th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Without a doubt, this is the worst list/item I have ever seen on this site. On a positive note, everything else ties for first because its really good.
Its not the question that spells dooms; its the answers. They start off Gawd-awful and, based on random sampling, never recover. Alicia at #418 seems to be the only list that show breadth and diversity; Anekrel at #252 comes close. I didn’t agree with all their choices, but I respected the fact that they cover a good time and genre spectrum.
Putting so I don’t have to shut up:
Old, Old School
Perry Mason (excellent writing)
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Old School
All in the Family
Star Trek TOS & TNG
Hawaii Five-0 (Guilty Pleasure)
Yesteryear:
X-Files
Homicide: Life on the Street
Original Law and Order (First Dozen or so seasons)
Seinfeld
New School
Lost
The Shield
The Office
October 29th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
425. Sgt. Batguano – its because poeple see them at diferent stages of their lives and they resonate differently with different people.
My conclusion: eveyone has different tastes.
Hogans Heroes
October 29th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I figured that Family Guy would be the big choice for everyone. I don’t get. The show was great. Now it’s absolutely horrid. That aside, I feel Arrested Development is the best show. Unfortunately, it was thrown down the drain and comedies with dumbed down jokes were thrown in it’s place.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I say Family Guy, mainly coz it always makes me laugh. Or House, because holy crap! He kissed Cuddy! Or Ghost Hunters. All though lately it seems like the show has gone down hill.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Oh and Alf and Perfect Strangers.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Ok this is the last one: Fraggle Rock, Smurfs,Yo Gabba Gabba and Cheers!!!
October 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Yo Gabba Gabba!
“There’s a party in my tummy…”
Anyone here ever watch “Corner Gas”? It’s a Canadian comedy show.
October 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
THE OFFICE
BOY MEETS WORLD
FAMILY GUY
October 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
La Femme Nikita
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Femme_Nikita_(TV_series)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
HOUSE MD
naf said!
November 1st, 2008 at 12:14 am
Lost . . I know half of us can’t understand it . . but thats what makes it so much more appealing to me
November 1st, 2008 at 12:57 am
twin peak is a crap show its not good just like david lynch
family guy kicks the crap out of the show
and seth mcfarlane is 10 times better than david lynch
November 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Oh, good, I don’t have to convince you about Twin Peaks then
- OZ:
why: the show is about the fictional Oswald State Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. First of all it was fantastically cast. Secondly, it completely broke the notion of what can be shown on American television. It was also really well written.
- The Mighty Boosh:
why: because it challenges how we are used to perceive tv entertainment. I know many people doesn’t like this show, but I think it is because you have to be able to step out of your everyday life and accept something a little more magical.
November 1st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I would have to say Sopranos, It’s just so overall complete, The crime, drama, comedy mixed together in perfect balance.
November 1st, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The OC.
duhh
its funny, cute, romantic, twisted, and unpredictable.
what more could you want?
November 1st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Seinfeld, no hands down.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Got rid of cable 2 years ago; 130 channels of crap and now with the “reality TV” garbage on every F***ING station I see it was not a moment too soon. However, back in its first season Family Guy was great.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
my favourite tv shows would be
FRIENDS the best show evveerrrr
Scrubs
Desperate Housewives
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
What about Roseanne, All in the family,or 60 minutes.Barney Miller had a great ensemble cast. Rerun classics like Brady bunch and Gilligan’s island. star trek TOS and TNG are always good. I think Breaking Bad is the best show on now, But I don’t watch tv like I used to because the internet rules!
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Twin Peaks
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
M*A*S*H
Jeeves and Wooster
The Simpsons
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Mystery Science Theater 3000
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 am
All in the Family without a doubt.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
It is and will always be I Love Lucy. I created the three camera scene and was groundbreaking in showing a real life interracial couple(albeit not AS controversial as a black and white couple).
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
1. Friends
2. Star Trek (older version)
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Rod Serling’s original Twilight Zone. Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Playhouse 90. They didn’t call the golden age of television, the golden age of television for nothing.
In comedy, That Was the Week that Was, Monty Python, Mary Hartmann Mary Hartmann.
Then there are the Brits: Yes, Minister, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Smiley’s People and, of course, The Avengers.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
The Sopranos, end of argument. It’s just the perfect show.
Gotta mention Arrested Development too, it’s pure genius and never got the credit that it deserved.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
‘Long Way Down’ & ‘Long Way Round’ featuring Ewan McGreggor and Charley Booreman is fantastic. Can’t get enough.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Le Femme Nikita
Will and Grace
Ghost Whisperer
Charmed.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:43 am
What show do I think is the best? I think we need to consider what show has really affected our lives. Affected what we do, how we think. Our plans and our future. A show that makes us laugh or cry many times.
To that end, I recommend The Weather Network.
lol
November 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Six Feet Under
Arrested Development
November 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
November 4th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Roseanne. . except for the last few seasons
November 4th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Jeremy Kyle! For non UK residents, I will explain: people with problems go on TV to be shouted at by Jeremy. 75% of guests are total losers, so it makes you feel better about yourself to watch ;D
November 5th, 2008 at 11:08 am
#5-MARTIN
#4-Curb your Enthusiasm
#3-It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia
#2-King of Queens
#1-That 70’s show
Honerable mentions- Wife swap,Mystery Diagnosis,all of Animal Planet
November 5th, 2008 at 11:12 am
King of the hill
The Simpsons
Spongebob Squarepants
Jimmy Neutron
Magic’s biggest secrets revealed
November 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I think Spaced is at the top. It is incredibly clever and has the best writing/directing combination ever and it almost forces you to know practically all of the shows on here that have been mentioned more than once. After that though I would have to go with anything Joss Whedon but in the order of Buffy/Firefly (because they’re equally good in my opinion and too different to make a true comparison) and then Angel. I’m hoping that Dollhouse will be a worthy addition as well.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – watch the episode from last week “Dee has a heart attack” and you will see.
24 – last couple of seasons have sucked but the first 4 are all great and the new one looks promising.
Seinfeld – nothing that really needs to be said here.
Entourage – Ari Gold is probably my favorite character ever.
King of Queens – Kevin James is
November 6th, 2008 at 12:00 am
^^^^^^^
I forgot to add Twilight Zone. That show was just brilliant and had some great characters and story lines. I wish they would make a channel that played nothing but old episodes all day long.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Northern Exposure. It had quirky characters, a love story, an awesome soundtrack. Just a really good show.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
i think this is a very broad question as you get different genres to choose from.
i’d still say the best show is family guy or the simpsons
November 6th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
the man show
November 6th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
lost. hands down.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:46 am
this is easy man in order
1.srubs
2.the office
3.the wonder years
4.the x files
5.space ghost coast to coast
6.south park
November 7th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Carnivál
November 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am
X-Files.
X-Files X-Files X-Files.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’ve never understood the obsession with Seinfeld, the office or sex and the city even though I have been subjected to these programs many times, o.k. sometimes just because I was bored, but the best in my opion(in order) has to be:
1 M*A*S*H
2 Northern Exposure
3 Only Fools and Horses
4 Friends
5 Red Dwarf
although i’ve never seen Twin Peaks but plan to watch through that soon and I’m told that it is brilliant so that opion might change soon.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
FRIENDS, Heroes, Gilmore Girls….I can think of a ton, but Friends is at the top of the list.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
1. House
2. House
3. House
4. House
5. House
6. House
and so on and so forth.
November 8th, 2008 at 3:30 am
My favorite ever is FRIENDS.
Honourable mention,The OC,Desperate H/wives,One tree hill,grey’s anatomy,Brothers and Sisters,and ofcourse my guilty pleasure,Gossip Girl.lol
November 8th, 2008 at 5:43 am
it has to be doctor who. for a show to last 45 years. they must be doing something right
November 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Seinfeld by far
November 10th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Ok, had to register to comment on this one-I’m Irish and I haven’t heard of quite a few of the ones up here, but some of them…. seriously??! Buffy??!!
This side of the Atlantic, I’d go for
1-Fr. Ted all the way, no competition. Only 3 series before Dermot Morgan’s untimely death, but it is absolute perfection. If you ever want to see a microcosm of perfect Irishness, there it is. So much of it probably wouldn’t translate very well-the Lovely Girl competition, or the sheep scam, or Eoin McLove-but if you get it, you get it, and it’s as funny as they come. Also, it hasn’t fdated at all.
2-Skins. I loved how groundbreaking it was as regards the real lives of teenagers, and it got people talking about tv again. It was controversial, but also excellently acted, and believably scripted. It was really gripping.
3-Bosco. I shouldn’t have to explain myself here, the little man’s an absolute legend in his own right. The ULTIMATE comfort viewing, and he helped raise three generations of Irish kids. “Oh ta se ufasach!!”
Overall though, it’s MASH for me. For all the reasons put forward here, it was just in a league of its own really wasn’t it?
November 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
@Hiamn:
You’re absolutely right about Father Ted, absolute perfection.
It is kind-of like Fawlty Towers: very short, but powerful like a picture of bishop Brennan being kicked up the arse. *VERY* powerful.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Deadwood.
Nothing else is even close.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Bridezilla on tlc or watever has a pretty great intro.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
whoops wrong discussion lol
November 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Best TV show ever: Seinfeld
November 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
It would have to be Firefly or Battlestar Galactica. Firefly for its amazing dialogue and story. It was a unique and beautiful show, by one of the best television creators out there, JOSS WHEDON. Battlestar Galactica just because it knew where it was going, did it well, and left all who watched in shire glee and intrigue.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Dr Who – I agree with 05tbray. 45 years and still going strong. Firefly is excellent too.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I’m sorry, but aside from the first two seasons, Family Guy is one of the WORST shows. They took out all that was creative, humourous, and original, after the second season and left in the mindless, irrelevant, effortless trash. Seens whose only “joke” is dragging something on for 60 or more seconds, people falling down fast for no reason, and mumbly, stuttery, useless dialogue. The only time it’s mildly funny is when the characters go out of character to act gay or like a famous person, etc.
Frasier is the most well-written, witty show ever produced.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
scenes*
November 12th, 2008 at 1:38 am
I don’t think you will ever get anyone to agree with what is the best t.v. show ever. There are too many great thing to pick from. I myself love Twin Peaks, but I think David Linch doesn’t just walk the line between genius and stupidity… He plays hop scotch on it. There were mind blowing moments on that show, but there were also a great many painful to watch ones. For me, the most influential always seemed to be animated. It’s a medium in which you can get away with anything. And yes, while I agree that Family Guy is a hilarious show and i myself own every season, It’s comedy with no depth. It something you get stoned and watch and fall off your chair in laughing spasms, but it’s a simple humor. (And is it just me or does anyone else miss the Evil scientist/antichrist Stewie? They seem to have replaced him with a less evil gay twin) Look at something like Loony Toons. It was made for adults, dealing with adult themes like World War II and so on, but it was embraced by children as well. There was more going on than just slapstick. It had layers but managed to speak to everyone at the same time. and The Simpsons was a wonderfully amusing light hearted look at the American family, but it’s gone a bit silly for many years now. For me though, while many shows have great story and are far better written, I have to pick South Park. It’s the greatest social satire ever made! No matter what is going on in the world, be it silly or serious, South Park has always been there, right as it’s happening, pulling no punches, and making us all laugh at our own stupidity. It has shock value, but also subtleties, and a message, but not always the moral of what they’ve learned today. It tackles very heavy subjects without fear of said subjects reaction. Plus it’s so current…I mean How many people were impressed that they put out the election day episode the very day after the election?! It’s a show that every time it comes out with a new episode, always manages to stay relevant to what i see going on in the world. Just as the Jester was the only one who could tell the King the truth so long as he made it seem a joke, South Park brings an honesty to us, in the form of a brutal truth from the mouths of children. And for all you people who still say Family guy is the greatest ever, remember this. South Park was ground breaking in that it changed the way people looked at cartoons. It gave them an edge. Family guy would never have been made without South Park to pave the way.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Also, Since no one else seems to have mentioned them, Weeds, Law and Order (the original, not the countless parasitic devil spawns) Aeon Flux, Skins and The Mighty Boosh! For best Programs though, I have to say Nick at Nite, Adult Swim, and MTV Oddities get a three way tie.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Futurama
November 12th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
One thing I’ve noticed that people tend to have really short memories, they keep saying that the show they’re currently into is the best of all time, that being said, I’m gonna do the same…
Here are my personal favorites:
Best Sitcom – Seinfeld
Best Animated – Futurama (Simpsons, is a close runner up)
Best Suspense – LOST
Best Drama – Entourage
Best Sci-Fi – Firefly and Battlestar Galactica
But for histories sake, I should mention the following popular shows:
M*A*S*H, Twin Peaks, MTST3K
And more recently,
Friends, The Sopranos
November 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Only Fools And Horses.
I`ve seen 90% of what people mentioned above,and OFAH is simply better of em all.
Sadly not many people watched it outside UK.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Heavens, Only Fools And Horses.. one of the best shows ever, in the history of the universe. I’m just in a process of re-watching the whole series again for the millionth time and it is still as hilarious as the first time.
NB: OFAH is a very popular show here in Croatia, you Brits are not the only people enjoying the astounding performance of David Jason
November 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Lost…
But I really am not old enough to have seen many of these shows.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
@ Mongoose post 95: Your ignorance is of a gigantic proportions. You included TVguide as a reference on how great Seinfeld is/was, you think they KNOW what they are talking about and yet you accuse FRIENDS of being a stupid show??,,,well you can look further down the list and you will see FRIENDS is the number 21 greatest show of all time IN TVGUIDE’S LIST you moronic hypocrite…It is one of the best shows ever wether you like it or not.
Anyways my list is:
1-FRIENDS (kinda obvious
)
2-the simpsons
November 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
sorry for typos was in a hurry
November 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Excuse but FAMILY GUY?! Are you guys 12?
November 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
DRAMA:
Six Feet Under(i cried during its series finale. the final episode definitely brought closure for this show)
Sopranos
Lost
Dexter
Carnivale(lots of questions left unanswered because of the cancellation, but still a very good show, imo)
COMEDY:
Weeds(its 2nd season was really a great cliffhanger)
ANIMATED SHOW:
South Park
November 15th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Seems that no-one who has seen the Wire has put it any lower than first. I’ve really got to get hold of a box set
November 15th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Mine is Friends but here are some nice shows too:
Cheers
Arrested Development
Dexter
Entourage
The Simpsons
Flintstones!!
^_^
November 15th, 2008 at 4:01 am
It’s like mankind has only to shows in existence: Seinfeld and Friends…don’t you guys know any other shows?
What about the wire? entourage? arrested development? newsradio? curb your enthusiasm?
November 15th, 2008 at 4:04 am
woops forgot to say mine is little house on the praire
ps: two not to ^^
November 15th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Deadwood!
November 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Rove.
South Park.
Family Guy.
American Dad.
Flight Of The Conchords.
Good News Week.
Swift And Shift Couriers.
All good.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:20 am
The X-Files
Battlestar Galactica
Star Trek : TNG
November 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Babylon 5
November 18th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Green Acres
Absolutely Fabulous
November 19th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Gotta say ‘Nova’.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
maybe it’s me? But it doesn’t seem fair to include Pay channel shows. I mean they get to do stuff that regular tv doesn’t get to do. Imagine “Deadwood” on CBS, it just wouldn’t be the same. Or “Weeds” on ABC. There are a bunch of pay channel shows I would pick. But since I’m not including pay channel shows, my vote for best TV show is ………………. Drum Roll please …………………
“Boston Legal”
November 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Family Guy is not my favorite. The show is funny and witty, it has good jokes and mocks people in great ways. This is not criteria for saying it is the best TV show. TV shows have to be judged on all their aspects, not just how funny they are. Shows need depth of character, great acting, good writing and great directing. At best, Family Guy has two of those. The show is essentially one where every character is made for the purpose of being funny, not being a good character. I think nominating an animated show is difficult anyway, they are missing so many aspects that regular shows have. Same goes for South Park, a show which I actually like a lot.
My vote for the greatest TV show ever made is Arrested Development. It has everything needed to make a good show in every department. Just the writing alone is on a level that most shows don’t realize exists.
November 21st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
All In The Family, by Norman Lear. Far and away the best television show ever, was not only funny, but held up a mirror to the country and things like racism and discrimination. Not to mention that this show was the first time ever that the audience heard a toilet flush (quite the taboo in those days).
It also was the springboard to many other shows, and also allowed Rob Reiner to become one of Hollywood’s better movie directors.
Today’s shows are only judged against other currently running shows. Frankly, they stink. What passes for brilliance today would be mediocre yesterday.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
my favorites are:
10.Family Guy
9.CSI Miami
8.Good Eats- im a foodie XD
7.Gilligan’s Island
6.Simpsons
5.How I Met Your Mother
4.Fringe
3.The Big Bang Theory
2.House
1.Bones–best show ever btw.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
i personally think that spongebob, seinfeld, and planet earth are the best tv shows ever
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
The best swow is…………..the shield
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
I can’t believe how many people list shows that are either on now or within the past couple years.
I’ll take a crack a it:
The Tonight Show (With Johnny Carson)
The Twilight Zone (Rod Serling’s Original)
M.A.S.H
Cheers
Planet Earth (Discovery Channel)
The Universe (The History channel)
Star Trek (The Original)
Star Trek TNG (Ran for many years)
Star Trek DS9/Voyager
(Enterprise was a disaster – Gene Rodenberry would be turning in his grave)
I’m sure ER, Friends and the like would be on there too.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
the OC
friends
will&grace
scrubs
duhhh
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – most underrated show ever (by people who have never seen it who are so quick to insult it, fans and critics adore it)
2. Angel – best spin-off ever. Period.
3. Scrubs – For some of the same reasons I love the two shows mentioned above.
4. The Simpsons- No need for explanation
5. The Boondocks – there’s deep and eerily true underlying messages underneath all the funny!
6. Rocko’s Modern Life – Just cuz.
These are some of the “best” shows ever.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Best animated: Mission Hill (even despite its run for less than a whole season, the show is great. The characters are interesting, they actually seem to be growing, animated awesomely, and genuinely clever)
Best live action: Kingdom/Riget (I bet, like, two people have seen this. It’s by Lars Von Trier and in Danish. It’s about a haunted hospital), TIE WITH Fanny & Alexander (Another Scandinavian mini-series, this one is Swedish and by Ingmar Bergman)
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
doctor who for sure
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I can’t pick just one so I’ll say The Simpsons, the X Files, Married With Children, Law and Order and Home Improvement.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
I don’t have a favorite myself. But, if I had to choose… it would be a tie between Avatar and That 70’s Show.
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Malcolom in the Middle
That 70’s show
November 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I would have to say the best TV show ever is I Love Lucy. I am sixteen and I watch the reruns. Lucy is hilarious and she is always doing things that Ricky tells her she is not supposed to do. Lucy is very ingenious. I Love Lucy is one of those pioneering shows that started the whole physical comedy craze.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I tried watching Buffy cos my partner loves it so much. I lasted the first four episodes and couldn’t watch anymore. I still don’t know what she sees in it (probably Boreanez).
Breaking Bad has become a new favourite of mine, but first season has now finished, so I have to wait.
I like the idea of Star Trek being the best TV show ever. Its lasted so long and created so many subsequent programmes, it must be doing something right.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:02 am
South Park
Because if you underneath all the “offensive language” etc
There is a lot of truth in what they say
And it’s so much better than Family Guy (which is just NOT funny at all).
But yes, I liked Twin Peaks
Despite the fact that it was rather confusing…
November 24th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Mine is:
10.Friends
9.DEXTER
7.heroes the first season was the best the rest OK
6.prison break same as heroes
5.My name is Earl It`s funny
4.lost
3.the X-Files
2.that 70`s show
1.the shield
P.S Buffy sucks!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
It is clearly the West Wing, or perhaps M.A.S.H. Both are products of masterful writing, and superb acting. Furthermore both represent the collaboration of drama and comedy ever seen, and subsequently maintain a compeling story line.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
My personal favorites: Twilight Zone, Monty Python, Night Gallery, Beavis + Butthead, Aeon Flux, Charlie Rose, McLaughlin Group, Superjail, and The King Family Christmas. That last one is an obscurity meant to get a response from old folks like me. 48.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Favorite ever… Seinfeld
Never gets old
Favorite right now… Entourage
Always keeps me wanting more. Ari rocks. Amazing use of cameos. Great character development.
Favorite light-hearted sitcom at the moment… “How I met your mother”
Hilarious. Witty writing. Speaks to our Generation (older 20 somethings). Great progression.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:46 am
1-Friends 2-Dallas 3-Simpson