_001: Top 100 Favourite TV Shows

Submitted by Wezzo on Fri, 09/16/2005 - 04:42
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  1. For inclusion, I have must have seen two full seasons (in the case of shows that ran less than two seasons, I must have seen the entirety of their run).

  3. KEY

  4. SHOW NAME (country, # seasons, year I first viewed the show [not the year it started])
  5. ~~~ indicates I haven't seen a large number of that show's episodes, and it may well rise in the near future.

  6. THE LIST

  7. THE SIMPSONS (USA, 20 s., 1998)
  8. Despite a decade of undeniable mediocrity, The Simpsons at its peak is unbeatable television. It redefined every aspect of television comedy; the astounding range of characters rate among the best of all-time; and for an animated show it can certainly tug at the heartstrings when it wants to. Genuinely outstanding.
  9. Best episode: "Homer's Barbershop Quartet", S5
  10. Key quote: "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try." - Homer Simpson
  11. FRASIER (USA, 11 s., 2005)
  12. The sharpest, tightest scripts on television; the best ensemble cast the world will ever see. Marvellous characters, meticulously-executed farce. Unequivocally hilarious. The only show that consistently rivals The Simpsons at its best.
  13. Best episode: "Ham Radio", S4
  14. Key quote: "We are not barbarians, we are not Neanderthals and we are not French!" - Frasier Crane
  15. E.R. (USA, 15 s., 2007)
  16. The most powerful and genuine emotion the small screen has seen (and probably ever will see). A sprawling cast of fleshed-out, believable and engaging characters. Story arcs to die for. The definitive television drama.
  17. Best episode: "On the Beach", S8
  18. Key quote: "You set the tone, Carter." - Dr. Mark Greene
  19. KING OF THE HILL (USA, 13 s., 1999)
  20. Clever, subtle, wry and hilarious - consistently underrated and consistently fantastic. Some of the best plot lines in television stem from King of the Hill, one of few shows never to talk down its audience. A gem hidden away among Fox's Sunday Night line-up.
  21. Best episode: "The Substitute Spanish Prisoner", S6
  22. Key quote: "I sell propane and propane accessories."- Hank Hill
  23. SEINFELD (USA, 9 s., 2005)
  24. Often cited as the greatest sitcom of all-time. Not quite so for me, but it's very close; the style of humour is unique, the stories always believable and entertaining and the cast of characters excellent. A gem of a show.
  25. Best episode: "The Outing", S4
  26. Key quote: "The key to eating a black and white cookie is that you wanna get some black and some white in each bite. Nothing mixes better than vanilla and chocolate. And yet still somehow racial harmony eludes us. If people would only look to the cookie, all our problems would be solved." - Jerry Seinfeld
  27. MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (USA, 7 s., 2000)
  28. Redefined the dysfunctional family sitcom with a fantastic cast of characters and relentlessly inventive plots. Effortlessly hilarious - and the pioneer of mainstream non-laugh track sitcom, too.
  29. Best episode: "Rollerskates", S1
  30. Key quote: "You wanna know what the best thing about childhood is? At some point, it stops." - Malcolm
  31. FUTURAMA (USA, 4 s., 1999)
  32. Consistently brilliant throughout its four short seasons, Futurama is the second stroke of televisual genius to emerge from the mind of Matt Groening. Gorgeously animated, sharply written, devastatingly emotional and always intelligent.
  33. Best episode: "The Luck of the Fryrish", S3
  34. Key quote: "If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes should fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan
  35. SCRUBS (USA, 8 s., 2005)
  36. Combines raw, heart-rending emotion with brilliantly sharp scripts and hilarious visual gags and succeeds every time. At its peak it's virtually unrivalled: "My Screw-Up", "My Old Lady" and "My Lunch" are among TV's all-time greatest achievements. Superb soundtrack, too.
  37. Best episode: "My Old Lady", S1
  38. Key quote: "Let me go ahead and share a little something special with you that I like to call 'Perry's perspective'. One, if someone is standing in front of me in line at the coffee shop and can't decide what they want in the half-hour it took to get to the register then I should be allowed to kill them; two, I am fairly sure that if they took porn off the internet, there would only be one website left and it would be called "Bring Back the Porn"; three, and most importantly, the only way to be respected as a doctor and a man is to be an island. You're born alone, and you damn sure die alone. The point is, and you might want to jot this down; only the weak need help." - Dr. Cox
  39. ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES (UK, technically 7 s., pre-1997)
  40. The best British show of all-time, lasting over 20 years and still delivering sharp, witty and emotional scripts until the very end. Combined traditional British humour with ambitious storylines and dramatic subplots flawlessly.
  41. Best episode: "Danger UXD", S6
  42. Key quote: "This time next year, we'll be millionaires!" - Del Boy
  43. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (USA, 2 s., 2007)
  44. Realistic, compulsively watchable and outstandingly well-acted. The best drama on television today. Funny without making a joke, emotional without hitting you across the head with melodrama. In short: stylish, substantial, can't lose!
  45. Best episode: "State", S1
  46. Key quote: "Gentlemen, the hopes and dreams of an entire town are riding on your shoulders. You may never matter again in your life as much as you do right now." - Coach Gary Gaines
  47. HOUSE, M.D. (USA, 5 s., 2006)
  48. The finest dialogue on television. Excellent plotlines, razor-sharp wit and brilliant characters, portrayed superbly. A procedural that never feels repetitive.
  49. Best episode: "No Reason", S2
  50. Key quote: "Like I always say, there's no 'I' in team. There's a 'me' though, if you jumble it up." - Gregory House
  51. 24 (USA, 6 s., 2004)
  52. Innovative, addictive, sharp and thrilling; superb, compelling storylines and powerful acting allow 24 its rightful place among the all-time television greats.
  53. Best episode: "Day 2 - 10:00pm to 11:00pm", S2
  54. Key quote: "I'm Jack Bauer, and this is the longest day of my life." - Jack Bauer
  55. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (USA, 3 s., 2006)
  56. Its praises have been sung by many before me, yet the viewers still failed to tune in. A great shame indeed, as this was probably the most intelligent comedy on the airwaves for its three short years. Absurdly clever.
  57. Best episode: "Development Arrested", S3
  58. Key quote: "Michael was concerned that he was caught in a lie about his family. The family was concerned that they were being confronted by a woman they had clubbed, drugged, and left on a bench." - Ron Howard, narrating
  59. MONK (USA, 7 s., 2006)
  60. The best, most original detective drama of recent years. Tony Shalhoub is one hell of a class act, and the conclusions to the mysteries always deliver. Comedy, mystery and emotion always combine effortlessly. Genuine quality.
  61. Best episode: "Mr. Monk and the Three Pies", S3
  62. Key quote: "It's a gift... and a curse." - Adrian Monk
  63. FRIENDS (USA, 10 s., 1999)
  64. At times wrongly dismissed for not being as intelligent as Frasier or Seinfeld, Friends is a wonderful show that doesn't get the respect it deserves often enough. The cast work marvellously together, the story arcs are addictive, the scripts very witty; in the mainstream sitcom stakes, Friends has set an impossibly high standard.
  65. Best episode: "The One With The Prom Video", S2
  66. Key quote: "First divorce: wife's hidden sexuality, not my fault. Second divorce: said the wrong name at the altar, kind of my fault. Third divorce: they shouldn't let you get married when you're that drunk and have stuff drawn all over your face, Nevada's fault." - Ross Geller
  67. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (USA, 9 s., 2006)
  68. If Friends wins those mainstream sitcom stakes, Raymond is a close runner-up. Sporting an immensely talented cast and some of the finest, most realistic familial conflict in sitcom, it is fully deserving of the numerous accolades bestowed upon it.
  69. Best episode: "The Breakup Tape", S6
  70. Key quote: "When I was a teenager I wanted to write the Great American novel. But then I realized that I didn't even want to read the Great American Novel." - Ray Barone
  71. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (USA, 6 s., 2006)
  72. Proving Larry David wasn't a one hit wonder, along comes CYE, the genius semi-scripted HBO sitcom that leads David into the most hilarious situations ever seen in sitcom.
  73. Best episode: "The Surrogate", S2
  74. Key quote: "The whole cashew-raisin balance is askew!" - Larry David
  75. GILMORE GIRLS (USA, 7 s., 2007)
  76. Sublimely witty scripts, faultless cast chemistry and a perfect balance between the dramatic and the comedic make this one of modern TV's finest achievements. Fantastic.
  77. Best episode: "Bon Voyage", S7
  78. Key quote: "You lost me at 'carrots', which was the first draft of 'you had me at hello'." - Lorelai Gilmore
  79. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (USA) (USA, 8 s., 2007)
  80. Incomprehensibly consistent for improvised comedy. Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie shine but everyone brings something to the table. Better than almost any scripted television.
  81. Best episode: N/A
  82. Key quote: (improvised hoedown) "Singing a song about a vending machine / Don't you know that it's really not my scene? / Try to think of something clever, with a little twist / But if we do another hoedown, I'll slit my fucking wrist" - Ryan Stiles
  83. SIX FEET UNDER (USA, 5 s., 2007)
  84. Dark, disturbing, compelling, stunning. As close to "art" as television has come. And oh, my, what a finale.
  85. Best episode: "Everyone's Waiting", S5
  86. Key quote: "If you think life's a vending machine where you put in virtue and take out happiness than you're going to be disappointed." - Maggie Sibley
  87. THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR (USA, 6 s., 1999)
  88. It may not be acclaimed, but it's damned hilarious. Smith and a brilliant supporting cast carry this sharply-written show through six fantastic seasons. An oft-underrated gem.
  89. Best episode: "Poppa's Got A Brand-New Excuse", S4
  90. Key quote: "Girl, you look so good, I would marry your brother just to get in your family." - Will Smith
  91. FATHER TED (UK/IRL, 3 s., 2002)
  92. Some claim this is the best British sitcom since Fawlty Towers - for me, this F.T. surpasses that F.T. by miles. Hilarious through and through, this is Channel 4's greatest achievement. Shame it only lasted 26 episodes.
  93. Best episode: "A Song for Europe", S2
  94. Key quote: "That's the great thing about Catholicism - it's very vague and no-one knows what its really all about." - Ted Crilly
  95. CHEERS (USA, 11 s., 2006)
  96. Not quite as good as its spinoff Frasier, but close: razor-sharp wit a-plenty, and a compelling range of wonderful characters portrayed perfectly. Ahead of its time - and remarkably, it was as good at the end as it was at the start.
  97. Best episode: "Pick A Con, Any Con..", S1
  98. Key quote: "Did I ever tell you kids about the first Thanksgiving? It took place between the ancient Egyptians and aliens from a distant galaxy." - Cliff Clavin
  99. FAMILY GUY (USA, 8 s., 1999)
  100. An animated show that makes no pretenses about emotion, characterisation and drama, and instead goes straight for the laughs - which it delivers in huge quantities. What it lacks in intelligence it makes up for in all-out stupidity.
  101. Best episode: "Wasted Talent", S2
  102. Key quote: "Well, Peter, if you plan to pull a party out of your ass, you better stand up." - Brian Griffin
  103. BOSTON LEGAL (USA, 5 s., 2007)
  104. The funniest current US show - and it's a drama! David E. Kelley at his witty, verbose best, supported by the formidable Spader/Shatner tag team.
  105. Best episode: "Son of the Defender", S3
  106. Key quote: "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says 'who's that?' St. Peter says 'Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane.' " - Denny Crane
  107. HOME IMPROVEMENT (USA, 8 s., 2005)
  108. Now-overlooked sitcom that guarantees laughs every episode. Tim Taylor is one of sitcom's defining characters.
  109. Best episode: "I Was A Teenage Taylor", S6
  110. Key quote: "I don't think so, Tim." - Al Borland
  111. NEWSRADIO (USA, 5 s., 2006)
  112. A sublime ensemble cast - seriously, where else do you get Dave Foley, Phil Hartman, Andy Dick and Maura Tierney - and some of the funniest sitcom scripts ever written.
  113. Best episode: "Bitch Session", S2
  114. Key quote: "How was I supposed to know that there was an actual person out there called Joe Vigilante?!" - Bill McNeal
  115. SPORTS NIGHT (USA, 2 s., 2007)
  116. A stellar cast and that trademark Sorkin wit make this a home run (ho ho). Knowledge of sports is absolutely not a prerequisite.
  117. Best episode: "Quo Vadimus", S2
  118. Key quote: "Anybody who can't make money off 'Sports Night' should get out of the money-making business." - Calvin Trager
  119. QI: QUITE INTERESTING (UK, 6 s., 2004)
  120. A Quite Interesting panel show, with Stephen Fry and Alan Davies consistently injecting hilarity into proceedings.
  121. Best episode: N/A
  122. Key quote: "Welcome to QI, the closest modern equivalent to Lions vs. Christians." - Stephen Fry
  123. LOST (USA, 4 s., 2007)
  124. As addictive as 24, as intriguing as The X-Files. A marvellous cast of characters and a relentlessly intriguing plotline.
  125. Best episode: "Through the Looking Glass", S3
  126. Key quote: "You've only got three choices: run, hide... or die." - Danielle Rousseau
  127. THE SHIELD (USA, 7 s., 2006)
  128. No questions asked, the finest police drama on TV. A masterclass in intense, gritty drama; never takes the easy moral route.
  129. Best episode: "The Quick Fix", S3
  130. Key quote: "Good cop and bad cop have left for the day. I'm a different kind of cop." - Vic Mackey
  131. THE OFFICE (US) (USA, 5 s., 2006)
  132. The finest remake of any British show, ever. Rarely does a remake improve on the original, but this one did it. Perfectly scripted, delivered wonderfully. Also, I heart Pam Beesly.
  133. Best episode: "Christmas Party", S2
  134. Key quote: "I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.." - Michael Scott
  135. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (USA, 4 s., 2006)
  136. A wonderful concept, executed with absolutely wonderful scripts and one of the strongest casts currently working on TV. Legendary!
  137. Best episode: "Slap Bet", S2
  138. Key quote: "It's gonna be legen- wait for it.. and I hope you're not lactose-intolerant because the second half of that word is 'dairy'!" - Barney Stinson
  139. SOUTH PARK (USA, 12 s., 2003)
  140. Crude but hilarious. Astute political satire hidden under layers of shock comedy. A gem.
  141. Best episode: "Scott Tenorman Must Die", S5
  142. Key quote: "Screw you guys! I'm goin' home!" - Cartman
  143. 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (USA, 6 s., 2001)
  144. A stellar (perhaps interstellar.. geddit?) cast and a hilarious premise led to a consistently fantastic series. Lithgow steals the show.
  145. Best episode: "Jolly Old St. Dick", S2
  146. Key quote: "Women, you can't live with 'em and you can't have heterosexual sex without 'em." - Dick Solomon
  147. CRACKER (UK, 4 s., 2007)
  148. Britain's finest police drama, thanks to the ever-talented Robbie Coltrane and the genius scriptman that is Jimmy McGovern.
  149. Best episode: "To Be A Somebody", S2
  150. Key quote: "I drink too much, I smoke too much, I gamble too much. I am too much." - Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald
  151. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (USA, 1 s., 2008)
  152. Another Sorkin masterpiece, it's criminal that this was cancelled so soon.
  153. Best episode: "The Christmas Show", S1
  154. Key quote: "This show used to be cutting edge political and social satire, but it's gotten lobotomized by a candy-ass broadcast network hell-bent on doing nothing that might challenge their audience." - Wes Mendell
  155. ALLY MCBEAL (USA, 5 s., 2007)
  156. Another remarkable David E. Kelley show; combines realistic, emotional drama with surreal comedy perfectly. Bonus props for the Vonda Shepard soundtrack and the Robert Downey, Jr. guest slot.
  157. Best episode: "Boy Next Door", S3
  158. Key quote: "I like being a mess. It's who I am." - Ally McBeal
  159. THE X-FILES (USA, 9 s., 2007) ~~~
  160. Remarkable - and the Duchovny/Anderson pairing was spot-on.
  161. Best episode: "Beyond the Sea", S1
  162. Key quote: "The truth is out there." - Fox Mulder
  163. TUCKER (USA, 1 s., 2001)
  164. Nice concept and storylines. Katey Segal and Alison Lohman make the cast particularly memorable.
  165. Best episode: "Everybody Dance Now", S1
  166. Key quote: "That's a rule, right there!" - Claire Wennick
  167. SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH (USA, 7 s., 2000)
  168. An excellent premise that delivers consistently witty scripts.
  169. Best episode: "First Kiss", S1
  170. Key quote: "Dogs guard; cats watch... and judge." - Salem Saberhagen
  171. THE OFFICE (UK) (UK, 2 s., 2006)
  172. Ricky Gervais' finest hour. Consistently superb.
  173. Best episode: "Training", S1
  174. Key quote: "If you want the rainbow, you've gotta put up with the rain - do you know which 'philosopher' said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a big pair of tits." - David Brent
  175. MY NAME IS EARL (USA, 4 s., 2006)
  176. Ingenious premise executed perfectly.
  177. Best episode: "White Lie Christmas", S1
  178. Key quote: "I'm just trying to be a better person. My name is Earl." - Earl Hickey
  179. HEY ARNOLD (USA, 5 s., 1997)
  180. Best Nicktoon, bar none - home to writing worthy of any primetime animated sitcom.
  181. Best episode: "The List", S1
  182. Key quote: "Move it, football-head!" - Helga Pataki
  183. KENAN & KEL (USA, 4 s., 2000)
  184. Best live-action Nickelodeon show, bar none.
  185. Best episode: "Merry Christmas Kenan", S1
  186. Key quote: "Who loves orange soda?" - Kenan Rockmore, Kel Kimble
  187. JUDGE JUDY (USA, synd, 2001)
  188. What it lacks in substance it makes up for with hilarity. Judy rocks!
  189. Best episode: N/A
  190. Key quote: "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining." - Judge Judy Shiendlin
  191. JONATHAN CREEK (UK, 4 s., 2004)
  192. Britain's best mystery drama. Unique, amusing and superbly plotted. More required, David Renwick!
  193. Best episode: "Danse Macabre", S2
  194. Key quote: "It's not who, it's how." - Jonathan Creek
  195. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (USA, 7 s., 2005) ~~~
  196. The finest of Joss Whedon's many achievements. The dialogue flows effortlessly, the characters grow wonderfully. The plots are cool, too!
  197. Best episode: "Once More With Feeling", S6
  198. Key quote: "If the apocalypse comes, beep me" - Buffy Summers
  199. GROUNDED FOR LIFE (USA, 5 s., 2008)
  200. Relentless torrents of hilariously dysfunctional comedy.
  201. Best episode: "I Saw Daddy Hitting Santa Claus", S2
  202. Key quote: "Fine, put me on hold. I love listening to the 'Music to Kill Yourself By' collection." - Sean Finnerty
  203. TITUS (USA, 3 s., 2008)
  204. About as daring as network sitcom can get, the "Neutral Space" was a work of genius.
  205. Best episode: "Tommy's Not Gay", S3
  206. Key quote: "In my family, goodness is just badness before it's had something to drink." - Christopher Titus
  207. HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU (UK, 36 s., 2003)
  208. Surely the finest political satire in Britain.
  209. Best episode: N/A
  210. Key quote: "One school in Berkshire has banned Pokémon after instances of bullying to obtain the rarer cards. The bullying has finally stopped however, now that Mr. Hunt the geography teacher has the complete set." - Angus Deayton
  211. FREAKS AND GEEKS (USA, 1 s., 2008)
  212. Devastatingly realistic. Kudos, Paul Feig.
  213. Best episode: "Discos and Dragons", S1
  214. Key quote: "I don't like sci-fi. I love, love, love it!" - Gordon Crisp
  215. WITHOUT A TRACE (USA, 7 s., 2006)
  216. Gripping, intense stuff, made all the better by a stellar Anthony LaPaglia.
  217. Best episode: "Suspect", S1
  218. Key quote: "You're not supposed to get used to this. You're not. When you do... it's time to hang it up." - Jack Malone
  219. A BIT OF FRY AND LAURIE (UK, 4 s., 2006)
  220. Witty sketch show from two of Britain's finest.
  221. Best episode: "Series 3 Episode 4", S3
  222. Key quote: "Secret vices? I don't know. Rather too fond of chocolate HobNobs. My wife tells me I overdo the heroin. Otherwise, not really." - Stephen Fry, in a vox-pop
  223. AMERICAN DAD (USA, 4 s., 2006)
  224. Excellent political satire combined with the best aspects of Family Guy.
  225. Best episode: "A Smith in the Hand", S1
  226. Key quote: "We're at terror alert orange! Which means something might go down somewhere in some way at some point in time. So look sharp!" - Stan Smith
  227. VERONICA MARS (USA, 3 s., 2007) ~~~
  228. Intricately plotted, sharply written and beautifully shot.
  229. Best episode: "An Echolls Family Christmas", S1
  230. Key quote: "Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything. Creating chaos. You wait for the dust to settle and then you choose. You can live in the wreckage and pretend it's still the mansion you remember. Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild." - Veronica Mars
  231. THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (USA, 13 s., 2005) ~~~
  232. Best satire in America. Jon Stewart is hilarious.
  233. Best episode: N/A
  234. Key quote: "Before we bring democracy to Iraq or even Afghanistan, it might be prudent to bring it to Florida. We don't have to bring regime change to the whole state. We can start in Pensacola and work our way down." - Jon Stewart
  235. HUFF (USA, 2 s., 2006) ~~~
  236. Excellent turn from Hank Azaria in this intelligent, dark dramedy.
  237. Best episode: "Crazy Nuts & All F**ked Up", S1
  238. Key quote: "I'm a psychiatrist who's tired of listening." - Dr. Craig Huffstodt
  239. MOONLIGHTING (USA, 5 s., 2008) ~~~
  240. Witty banter to die for.
  241. Best episode: "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice", S2
  242. Key quote: "Do ducks duck? Do flies fly? Do bees be?" - David Addison
  243. THE WEST WING (USA, 7 s., 2005) ~~~
  244. Offers both sublime Sorkin dialogue and brilliant insight into the American political world.
  245. Best episode: "In Excelsis Deo", S1
  246. Key quote: "It seems my granddaughter, Annie, had given an interview in one of the teen magazines. And somewhere between movie stars and make-up tips, she talked about her feelings on a woman’s right to choose. Now Annie, all of 12, has always been precocious, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders and I like it when she uses it, so I couldn’t understand it when her mother called me in tears yesterday. I said, "Elizabeth, what’s wrong?" She said, "It’s Annie." Now I love my family and I’ve read my Bible from cover to cover so I want you to tell me, from what part of the Holy Scripture do you suppose the Lambs of God drew their Divine inspiration when they sent my 12 year-old granddaughter a Raggedy Ann doll with a knife stuck through its throat? You’ll denounce these people, Al. You’ll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House." - President Jed Bartlet
  247. 30 DAYS (USA, 3 s., 2005)
  248. Intelligent, unpretentious and engaging documentary series.
  249. Best episode: "Straight Man in a Gay World", S1
  250. Key quote: "I encourage you, and I challenge you to let your guard down, to strip away your life, and to put yourself in the situation of someone else because you will be changed." - Morgan Spurlock
  251. MY SO-CALLED LIFE (USA, 1 s., 2008)
  252. A perfect snapshot of '90s teenage life delivered by a stellar cast.
  253. Best episode: "The Substitute", S1
  254. Key quote: "My parents keep asking how school was. It's like saying, "How was that drive-by shooting?" You don't care how it was, you're lucky to get out alive." - Angela Chase
  255. DEXTER (USA, 3 s., 2008)
  256. Michael C. Hall's second standout role in a row. Gripping, clever and amusing.
  257. Best episode: "Born Free", S1
  258. Key quote: "Blood. Sometimes it sets my teeth on edge, other times it helps me control the chaos." - Dexter Morgan
  259. PRISON BREAK (USA, 4 s., 2007)
  260. Wonderful concept, pulled off with style and substance.
  261. Best episode: "Go", S1
  262. Key quote: "I've got news for you, Michael. "Trust me" means absolutely zero inside these walls." - Dr. Sara Tancredi
  263. HEROES (USA, 3 s., 2008) ~~~
  264. A wonderful range of characters, whose stories are put to screen in a clever and engaging manner.
  265. Best episode: "Company Man", S1
  266. Key quote: "Save the cheerleader, save the world".
  267. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE (UK, 6 s., 2001)
  268. Victor Meldrew is one of comedy's finest characters of all-time.
  269. Best episode: "The Trial", S4
  270. Key quote: "I don't believe it!" - Victor Meldrew
  271. I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE (UK, 2 s., 2007)
  272. Alan is a brilliant comic creation, and this show is pitch-perfect.
  273. Best episode: "To Kill A Mocking Alan", S1
  274. Key quote: "Right, dry-skin cream. I'm having an attack of the old flakes again. This morning my pillow looked like a flapjack." - Alan Partridge
  275. HUSTLE (UK, 4 s., 2007)
  276. Slick without compromising on substance. Brilliantly intricate plots.
  277. Best episode: "The Last Gamble", S2
  278. Key quote: "It's not all about the money is it, Mickey?" - Danny Blue
  279. BECKER (USA, 7 s., 2006)
  280. Ted Danson's still got it.
  281. Best episode: "City Lights", S1
  282. Key quote: "The world is full of idiots, and someone needs to point it out to them or they will never know." - Dr. John Becker
  283. CALIFORNICATION (USA, 2 s., 2008)
  284. Pure outrageous fun.
  285. Best episode: "California Son", S1
  286. Key quote: "I probably won't go down in history, but I will go down on your sister." - Hank Moody
  287. THE SOPRANOS (USA, 6 s., 2008) ~~~
  288. Intense, funny, surprising, shocking. And that's just S1.. sure to rise when I get round to later seasons.
  289. Best episode: "College", S1
  290. Key quote: "There's an old Italian saying: you fuck up once, you lose two teeth." - Tony Soprano
  291. NORTHERN EXPOSURE (USA, 6 s., 2008) ~~~
  292. Blends the surreal and the realistic masterfully.
  293. Best episode: "Aurora Borealis", S1
  294. Key quote: "They say dreams are the windows of the soul - take a peek and you can see the inner workings, the nuts and bolts." - Chris Stevens
  295. 30 ROCK (USA, 3 s., 2007) ~~~
  296. Baldwin and Fey shine in the witty show.
  297. Best episode: "The Rural Juror", S1
  298. Key quote: "If the president is so serious about the war on terror, why doesn't he hunt down and capture Barack Obama before he strikes again?" - Jenna Maroney
  299. IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (USA, 4 s., 2007) ~~~
  300. One part Cheers, two parts Curb, a dash of Seinfeld.
  301. Best episode: "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom", S2
  302. Key quote: "What's up, bitches?" - Mac
  303. EXTRAS (UK, 2 s., 2006)
  304. Gervais hits gold again - laugh-out-loud funny.
  305. Best episode: "Christmas Special", S2
  306. Key quote: "You're not married, you don't have a girlfriend, you live alone... and you've never seen Star Trek? Good Lord." - Patrick Stewart
  307. JOEY (USA, 2 s., 2005)
  308. Got a bad rap. Stellar scripts and a solid supporting cast.
  309. Best episode: "Joey & the Tonight Show", S1
  310. Key quote: "Hey Alex.. that guy looks familiar, but I can't place him. Usually when I have that feeling it's someone I slept with, but I don't think it's that." - Joey Tribbiani
  311. PEEP SHOW (UK, 5 s., 2008)
  312. Impeccably observed, hilariously delivered.
  313. Best episode: "Holiday", S4
  314. Key quote: "Shit, what's she talking about? Nod. Look serious. I'm Di, she's Bashir." - Jeremy Usbourne
  315. NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS (UK, ? s., 2005)
  316. Another consistently hilarious panel offering.
  317. Best episode: N/A
  318. Key quote: "Hang on a minute... Donny [Tourette] is smoking now? What is he going to do next?! A cigarette! That you can legally buy in shops(!) I'll try to carry on but I am shocked and appalled!" - Simon Amstell
  319. TWO OF A KIND (USA, 1 s., 2000)
  320. Yeah, I know, the Olsen twins - but the real draw here is the brilliant comic interaction of the adults.
  321. Best episode: "The Goodbye Girl", S1
  322. Key quote: "Carrie, my little girls aren't little girls anymore. They're growing up". - Kevin Burke
  323. PSYCH (USA, 3 s., 2007)
  324. Very entertaining, a fresh twist on the Monk formula.
  325. Best episode: "Poker? I Hardly Know Her", S1
  326. Key quote: "I can't watch Channel 8 anymore. Lloyd Lansing wears a toupee. It's like every newscast begins with a lie." - Shawn Spencer
  327. THE BIG BANG THEORY (USA, 2 s., 2008)
  328. Hilarious stuff, the Leonard-Penny dynamic is particularly believable.
  329. Best episode: "The Hamburger Postulate", S1
  330. Key quote: "You have about as much chance of going out with Penny as the Hubble Telescope has of finding that at the center of each black hole there's a little man with a flashlight trying to find the circuit breaker." - Sheldon Cooper
  331. GRUMPY OLD MEN (UK, 4 s., 2005)
  332. The funniest cynical whingeing you'll ever hear.
  333. Best episode: "Christmas", S1
  334. Key quote: "Fucking call centres." - Probably all of them
  335. YES MINISTER / YES PRIME MINISTER (UK, 5 s., 2008)
  336. Razor-sharp satire of Britain's political hierarchy.
  337. Best episode: "Party Games", S3
  338. Key quote: "Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers. The Mirror is read by people who think they run the country; the Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country; the Times is read by people who actually do run the country; the Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country; the Financial Times is read by people who own the country; the Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country; the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is. [..] Sun readers don't care who runs the country, as long as she's got big tits." - Jim Hacker / Bernard Woolley
  339. TWIN PEAKS (USA, 2 s., 2008)
  340. A wonderfully inventive, meticulously plotted mindf**k.
  341. Best episode: "Pilot", S1
  342. Key quote: "Damn good coffee." - Dale Cooper
  343. SPACED (UK, 2 s., 2007)
  344. Quirky as hell, and as many pop-cult references as Family Guy. Great acting too.
  345. Best episode: "Beginnings", S1
  346. Key quote: "Just... give me a reason. You think I'm unemotional, don't you? I can be emotional. Jesus, I cried like a child at the end of Terminator 2." - Tim Bisley
  347. THE COMEBACK (USA, 1 s., 2007)
  348. Cancelled? I don't need to hear that!
  349. Best episode: "Valerie Stands Out On The Red Carpet"
  350. Key quote: "This is my comeback. ..Oh, wait, let me try that again." - Valerie Cherish
  351. RUGRATS (USA, 10 s., 1997)
  352. Witty and brilliantly plotted, especially early on.
  353. Best episode: "Incident In Aisle Seven", S1
  354. Key quote: "Sometimes a baby's gotta do what a baby's gotta do." - Tommy Pickles
  355. ROSEANNE (USA, 9 s., 2007) ~~~
  356. Surprisingly boundary-pushing - and very funny too.
  357. Best episode: "Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore", S1
  358. Key quote: "What a beautiful day - the kind of day that starts with a hearty breakfast and ends with a newsreader saying, '... before turning the gun on himself.'" - Dan Conner
  359. BLACKADDER (UK, 4 s., 2007) ~~~
  360. Amazingly witty, the crowning glory of both Rowan Atkinson and Ben Elton.
  361. Best episode: "Chains", S2
  362. Key quote: "I've got a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel!" - Edmund Blackadder
  363. SAVED BY THE BELL (USA, 5 s., 2001)
  364. Corny, yes, but still a compulsively watchable, worthy part of teen TV history.
  365. Best episode: "A Home for Christmas", S4
  366. Key quote: "I like school. It's just too bad classes get in the way." - Zack Morris
  367. DIFF'RENT STROKES (USA, 8 s., 2000)
  368. It's corny, it's dated, but it's still good fun. Amusing scripts and a great cast make this far more memorable than many sitcoms of the era.
  369. Best episode: "The Bank Job", S3
  370. Key quote: "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" - Arnold Jackson
  371. FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS (UK, 14 s., 2003)
  372. Britain's finest chat show host.
  373. Best episode: N/A
  374. Key quote: "Congratulations to Wayne Rooney. He scored three times on Tuesday. He hasn't done that since he crashed a pensioners' bingo night." - Jonathan Ross
  375. DERREN BROWN: TRICK OF THE MIND (UK, 3 s., 2004)
  376. Whether you're sceptical of him or not, there's no denying the entertainment his shows deliver.
  377. Best episode: Video Game stunt, S2
  378. Key quote: "A fusion of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship."- Derren Brown
  379. MY FAMILY (UK, 8 s., 2001)
  380. On the way out, but it was a bright light in the dark tunnel of modern BBC sitcom for a considerable while.
  381. Best episode: "Breakable", S2
  382. Key quote: "Nick, I don't know whether you are genuinely insane or just winding me up. But I'm tired, I'm stressed and I'm fighting for one third of the duvet. I've got three things to say to you - shut up, shut up and shut up." - Ben Harper
  383. DOCTOR WHO (2005) (UK, 4 s., 2006)
  384. David Tennant works brilliantly as the Doctor, and the plots are usually excellent.
  385. Best episode: "Blink", S3
  386. Key quote: "Allons-y!" - The Doctor
  387. THE APPRENTICE (UK) (UK, 3 s., 2008)
  388. Alan Sugar heads up one of the best reality shows around.
  389. Best episode: N/A
  390. Key quote: "You're fired!" - Sir Alan Sugar
  391. DRAGON'S DEN (UK, 5 s., 2008)
  392. Fun when the "businesses" are appalling, wonderful when they're genuinely intriguing. Quality television.
  393. Best episode: N/A
  394. Key quote: "I'm out." - the Dragons
  395. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (USA, 5 s., 2008)
  396. Urban soap opera like never before. Polished dialogue, engaging plotlines.
  397. Best episode: "One Wonderful Day", S1
  398. Key quote: "Sometimes evil drives a minivan". - Mr. Shaw
  399. THE 4400 (USA, 4 s., 2007) ~~~
  400. Nice concept, executed superbly.
  401. Best episode: "White Light", S1
  402. Key quote: "Me and 4,399 of my closest friends popped out of a ball of light right about here." - Shawn Farrell
  403. THE IT CROWD (UK, 2 s., 2008)
  404. Graham Linehan hits another one out of the park.
  405. Best episode: "The Work Outing", S2
  406. Key quote: "That's the sort of place this is, Jen. A lot of sexy people not doing much work and having affairs." - Denholm Reynholm
  407. PUSHING DAISIES (USA, 1 s., 2008)
  408. Gorgeous-looking and endearingly twee.
  409. Best episode: "Pie-lette", S1
  410. Key quote: "I suppose dying's as good an excuse as any to start living." - Charlotte "Chuck" Charles
  411. 8 SIMPLE RULES (USA, 3 s., 2008)
  412. John Ritter shines in this above-par sitcom.
  413. Best episode: "No Easy Way", S2
  414. Key quote: "Kyle, just so you know, if you ever pull into my driveway and honk, you better be delivering a package because you're sure as hell not picking anything up." - Paul Hennessey
  415. DILBERT (USA, 2 s., 1999)
  416. Largely successful at translating the strip to the small screen. Clever.
  417. Best episode: "Y2K", S1
  418. THE PJS (USA, 3 s., 1999)
  419. Underrated claymation that didn't get a fair chance.
  420. Best episode: "U Go Kart", S1
  421. LAW & ORDER (USA, 19 s., 2008)
  422. The definitive police procedural.
  423. Best episode: "Torrents of Greed", S1
  424. Key quote: "In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories." - Narrator
  425. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (UK) (UK, 9 s., 2007)
  426. Not hilarious early on, but as the series progressed things took a turn for the funny and Clive Anderson was always great.
  427. Best episode: N/A
  428. CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (USA, 9 s., 2007) ~~~
  429. The definitive procedural. Always engaging.
  430. Best episode: "Unfriendly Skies", S1
  431. THIS AMERICAN LIFE (USA, 2 s., 2008)
  432. Funny. Dramatic. Surprising. True.
  433. Best episode: "My Way", S1
  434. THE PRACTICE (USA, 8 s., 2007) ~~~
  435. A more dramatic Kelley affair, but the scripts are just as tight.
  436. Best episode: tbc
  437. ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? ? (USA, 7 s., 2000)
  438. Surprisingly scary!
  439. Best episode: "The Tale of Laughing In The Dark", S1
  440. MR. BEAN (UK, 14 eps., pre-1997)
  441. Rowan Atkinson at his very best.
  442. Best episode: "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean"
  443. PHOENIX NIGHTS (UK, 2 s., 2008)
  444. Peter Kay's best material to date.
  445. Best episode: Series 2, Episode 1
  446. KIDS IN THE HALL (CAN, 5 s., 2007) ~~~
  447. Anarchic sketch comedy at its best.
  448. Best episode: tbc
  449. ENTOURAGE (USA, 4 s., 2007) ~~~
  450. The excesses of fame in HBO glory.
  451. Best episode: tbc
  452. THE COLBERT REPORT (USA, 4 s., 2007)
  453. Almost as good as Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert is reliably hilarious.
  454. Best episode: N/A
  455. MOCK THE WEEK (UK, 6 s., 2006)
  456. A fantastic set of regular panellists ensure this rates among the best "quizcoms".
  457. Best episode: N/A

  458. CLOSE RUNNERS

  459. As Told By Ginger (USA, 3 s., 2001)
  460. Overlooked Nicktoon.
  461. Bread (UK, 8 s., pre-1997)
  462. Carla Lane's best effort.
  463. The Brothers Garcia (USA, 3 s., 2001)
  464. Quality Nickelodeon show.
  465. Celebrity Poker Showdown (USA, 7 s., 2007)
  466. Great fun with Dave Foley and Phil Gordon.
  467. Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe (UK, 4 s., 2006)
  468. Best TV review show, hands down.
  469. Clarissa Explains It All (USA, 5 s., pre-1997)
  470. Melissa Joan Hart's second-finest role.
  471. Daria (USA, 5 s., 2002)
  472. Quality animation crying for a DVD release.
  473. The Detectives (UK, 5 s., 2006)
  474. Hilarious, and Jasper Carrott is at his finest.
  475. Diagnosis Murder (USA, 7 s., 2006)
  476. Nice, cosy murder-mystery series.
  477. Doug (USA, 6 s., 1997)
  478. In its early days, one of Nickelodeon's finest. Great storylines.
  479. Due South (CAN, 4 s., 2007) ~~~
  480. Undeservedly forgotten gem.
  481. 8 Out Of 10 Cats (UK, 7s., 2007)
  482. Jimmy Carr shines.
  483. Father of the Pride (USA, 1 s., 2006)
  484. Original and great-looking. But high budget + low ratings = bad news.
  485. The Flintstones (USA, 6 s., pre-1997)
  486. It's dated, but no-one can deny its impact.
  487. The Mighty Boosh (UK, 3 s., 2008)
  488. Surrealism at its hit-and-miss best.
  489. Noah Knows Best (USA, 1 s., 2000)
  490. Only one season? The Beznicks deserved better.
  491. Oliver Beene (USA, 1 s., 2004)
  492. Somewhere between Malcolm and Wonder Years.
  493. Raising Dad (USA, 1 s., 2002)
  494. Bob Saget's best sitcom outing.
  495. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (UK, 5 s., 2004)
  496. Gordon Ramsay is brilliant to watch.
  497. Room 101 (UK, 7 s.?, 2006)
  498. Paul Merton made this a must-watch.
  499. Spongebob Squarepants (USA, 6 s., 2001)
  500. Nickeloeon's bets recent effort.
  501. Three Friends and Jerry (USA/AUS, 2 s., 2000)
  502. Never a huge success, sadly - very quirky.
  503. The Waltons (USA, 9 s., 2004)
  504. Wholesome as they come, but still charming and watchable.
  505. World Poker Tour (USA, 5 s., 2006)
  506. The definitive professional poker show.

  507. Future candidates

  508. (I've seen less than two full seasons, but they could be here soon)
  509. Back To You
  510. Breaking Bad
  511. Dawson's Creek
  512. Drew Carey Show
  513. Everwood
  514. Felicity
  515. Keen Eddie
  516. M*A*S*H
  517. Night Court
  518. Oz
  519. Party of Five
  520. Penn and Teller: Bullshit
  521. Rescue Me
  522. Taxi
  523. That '70s Show
  524. Third Watch
  525. Two and a Half Men
  526. Undeclared
  527. Wonderfalls

  528. Exempt

  529. (Includes mini-series; sports shows; talent shows; magazine shows; game shows; shows I enjoy primarily for nostalgic reasons; shows aimed squarely at pre-schoolers and young children (not listed below))
  530. (Does not include poker shows, talk shows and comedy panel game shows)
  531. American Idol
  532. Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
  533. Arthur
  534. Band of Brothers
  535. Boot Camp
  536. Britain's Got Talent
  537. The Crystal Maze
  538. Deal or No Deal
  539. Goosebumps
  540. Live & Kicking
  541. The Mole
  542. Snooker coverage
  543. The X Factor
Author Comments: 

Updates:

23-Oct-2008: Added CALIFORNICATION, 8 SIMPLE RULES, THIS AMERICAN LIFE, MOONLIGHTING, PHOENIX NIGHTS.
Bumps for THE WEST WING, 30 ROCK, WITHOUT A TRACE, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, DEXTER.
31-Aug-2008: Added THE BIG BANG THEORY, TWIN PEAKS, YES MINISTER, BAND OF BROTHERS. Re-arranging including bumps for TITUS and BUFFY.
25-Jul-2008: Re-arranging, including E.R. being bumped from #5 to #3.
20-Jul-2008: Added DEXTER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, PUSHING DAISIES, LAW & ORDER, 8 OUT OF 10 CATS, WOULD I LIE TO YOU?, DRAGONS' DEN, THE APPRENTICE (UK). Some re-arranging.
02-Jun-2008: Made formatting consistent
25-May-2008: Added GROUNDED FOR LIFE, TITUS, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, PEEP SHOW, THE IT CROWD. + Some rearranging.

If anyone spots something I might've missed, point it out - also feel free to make recommendations.

See also my top 25 TV shows of 2005, my top 50 shows of 2006 and my top 50 shows of 2007.

Comments welcomed!

Martin198309/28/2006

Agree with a lot of this - but Friends - "inoffensive, middle-of-the-road?!"
I thought that its frank and sometimes candid dialogue about sex and relationships made it quite an edgy sitcom - I believe that's one of the reasons why it's not shown in China!

Wezzo09/28/2006

Well, I do to a certain extent agree with you, but it's a criticism often levied at it regardless. It's not subtle, I concede! But compared to Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Huff, Arrested Development to name but a few, it's quite traditional and not particularly controversial. And I was also getting more at the premise of the show - six 20-somethings chat about relationships, family and life in a coffee bar - it's a brilliant show, but in terms of innovative plots it didn;t reallt break any ground.

You, of course, may disagree!

Martin198309/28/2006

Yeah, you're right, there's nothing specifically groundbreaking about that sitcom in terms of plot. That, I agree with!

CaptMal09/28/2006

As usual, we may not really agree when it comes to TV, but it's great to see your opinions. :-D

(By the way, you should drop me a line at captofserenity@aol.com.)

Wezzo10/29/2006

Ta muchly. :-)

(and of course, the latter is done!)

Rushmore01/12/2007

" The pioneer of mainstream non-laugh track sitcom " Malcom

I never thought about that, but thats very true. i wish they would realese more seasons. Malcolm along with Sifl & Olly are my most requested TV on DVD.

0dysseus01/12/2007

My favourite pioneers are, to my mind, the two greatest 'one and done' sitcoms ever...

Police Squad! (1982) and Bakersfield, P.D. (1993)

I think the lesson learned is that, in the absence of a laugh track, you need the lead character to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience.

Wezzo01/13/2007

Indeed, breaking the fourth wall is very effective on the likes of 'Malcolm'.

I haven't seen Bakersfield PD, I'm sad to say, but I rather like Police Squad.

Wezzo01/13/2007

In terms of 'pioneer', I suppose it probably wasn't the first sitcom to do it, but the first one to employ it effectively. Scrubs, Arrested Development, etc., all followed.

I wish they'd release more seasons too. S1 was released in 2002... :\

Rushmore01/16/2007

gotta say i'm loving KOTH so far

Fave Lines so far, of what i could remember and find on internet

Stratman01/26/2007

Great list, Wezzo!

Critico03/06/2007

Have you seen The Venture bros?

Wezzo03/06/2007

No, I haven't, sadly. An Adult Swim show, isn't it? I assume you'd recommend it?

Critico03/07/2007

Yes, i bought the dvd of the first season without seeing the show, because of all the raves i read in the internet, and its a surprise. I haven't been this excited about a show since the first time i saw The Simpsons. I heard the second season is even better.
Warning, it has very adult situations.

Stratman05/06/2007

Great update!

Stratman05/10/2007

Did you make some changes?

Wezzo05/10/2007

I think I just corrected some phrasing and spelling mistakes.

CaptMal05/17/2007

You know, my friend...Buffy has seven seasons, not six. ;-)

Wezzo05/17/2007

Why am I not surprised that you're the one who corrected me? :-D Thanks.

Stratman05/17/2007

When does Buffy get good, I wasn't that impressed with the first season.

Wezzo05/17/2007

I've seen episodes here and there spread all throughout the series and didn't really notice any difference in quality. CaptMal, our resident Buffy fan, might be able to tell you any seasons are better than others.

CaptMal05/20/2007

As Wezzo said, I'd be the one to tell you.

While I myself love the first season, I can definitely understand why someone wouldn't. There are several outright stinkers in there, but also some perennial masterpieces ("Angel," "Nightmares," "Prophecy Girl"). I myself was sucked in from the very first episode.

However, Buffy gets truly great in season two, with the marvelously evil trifecta of Spike, Drusilla, and Angelus. Things don't really heat up until about halfway through, with "Surprise," but as far as I'm concerned, it's all good.

If you want to reassure yourself, though, that the series does indeed get great, you could skip ahead and watch a few of its key episodes: Season four's "Hush" (the only episode to get nominated for a Best Writing Emmy), season five's "The Body" (the best, most heartbreaking and realistic hour of drama ever produced), or season six's "Once More, With Feeling." It should be said that some of these episodes definitely require knowing the past histories of the characters, but anyone I've shown "Once More, With Feeling" generally finds that their fears as to the show's quality have been largely assailed.

0dysseus05/22/2007

I would argue/recommend that "Once More, With Feeling" be reserved for when one is well-acquainted with the characters and narrative. To my mind the singular acheivement of that episode was its seemless integration in the show's story arc. Not only did it fit, it actually advanced the plot.

Joss Whedon has always struck me as the most Dickensian of our writers. Perhaps that should be "Dickens-like." I think that the true stength and power of his writing comes from the totality of his work, not any single, solitary installment/episode. The humour, wit, social commentary, characters, metaphors and so on are better appreciated within the context of the whole.

The writing (mostly) sparkles but the best humour springs from character. This takes a while to learn and/or appreciate. "Bunnies. Floppy, hoppy, bunnies." Q.E.D.

So watch it like the Dickens. If you don't like the first couple chapters you read then stop watching. You can just nod pleasantly and smile politely whenever the subject is discussed in mixed company.

CaptMal05/22/2007

I agree that the genius of his work is in its totality. It's hard to appreciate the full impact of the series in one episode, even the ones I've mentioned.

But still, were someone just to want to take the show for a test drive, the episodes I'd pick--and it's really hard to, considering how well the show integrates long-existing quirks and storylines--are still "Hush," "The Body," or "Once More, With Feeling." "Hush" is probably the most accessible of those, though. "Restless" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and even though I've been trying to make the argument that one could attempt to show some of the series' best episodes to a non-believer (for lack of a way better word; don't wanna get cultish here), that one is way too inaccessible to newcomers. Hell, I've seen it divide many long-time fans.

Angel's an even more difficult show to pick for, considering it was often more directly serialized than Buffy. But if I had to choose, I could possibly see choosing "Smile Time." Like I've seen "Once More, With Feeling" do, it makes the viewer realize the show is free from most conventions plus, if anything, it at least makes them curious. Who wouldn't be curious about a vampire puppet?

Ironically, the best "test-drive" episode for Firefly is Serenity. You don't know how many people I've converted (wow, I am just on a roll here with the creepy quasi-religious terms) with that flick...

Rushmore05/18/2007

did you order Scrubs S5 of Play or PlayUSA?

Wezzo05/18/2007

Play, the UK version, I decided to be consistent! You?

Rushmore05/18/2007

ah, well i had my order on play for ages (since feb i think) then i just tested ordering Scrubs from USa, just to see if it was in stock, and it was lol so i press backup without ordering..few hours pass..still on my mind, so i had to order it from usa! lol it isn't even that long to wait for UK, yes, i gave in. oh well lol

Wezzo06/01/2007

:D Did it arrive yet?

Rushmore06/07/2007

hmm what updates did you make today to this list?

Wezzo06/07/2007

Added NewsRadio at #40 - brilliant show, I think you'd like it actually.

Rushmore06/08/2007

ah right fair doos, i'll look into the sets

lately i've been watching Scrubs S5 and American Dad S2, you had chance to view AD S2 yet?

Wezzo06/08/2007

Yeah, excellent stuff - what do you think?

Rushmore06/10/2007

yeah pretty impressive. Deff a step up from 1st season. some of it was bit mad and crazy, but overall solid.

0dysseus06/08/2007

Gazizza, my dilznoofus! If not for the regrettable fifth season I think NewsRadio would be the greatest sitcom of all-time (3 seasons or more.)

How can "Super Karate Monkey Death Car" not be the best episode?

How could Maura Tierney never even get nominated for an Emmy? How come they never got a slot on NBC's Thursday night "Must See TV"? How can we ever thank them enough for giving us the singular Stephen Root? How could the loss of Phil Hartman jump four separate shows over four distinct sharks?

Okay... maybe "Arcade" is the best episode.

How could one cast contain actors from SNL, The Kids in the Hall, The Ben Stiller Show and a Whitney Houston choreographer? How could cast members go on to such shows as ER (two of them), CSI: Miami (one of those two), Less than Perfect, The West Wing and King of the Hill (one of 'em), Celebrity Poker Showdown and Thank God You're Here (another of 'em) and... Fear Factor?

NewsRadio is one of the few shows that can have hilarious scenes involving three or more characters. Damn, it's crezappy!

Wezzo06/12/2007

I agree with all of that!

I've been watching the seasons in order on DVD, and at the time of adding it to my list I hadn't seen "Super Karate Monkey Death Car" - I have now, and I would definitely agree it's a candidate for best episode.

0dysseus06/12/2007

I always knew that you were a personage of taste and distinction.

The sight of Jimmy James [the singular Stephen Root] slowly coming to the realization that Jimmy James: Macho Business Donkey Wrestler isn't all that he'd hoped for is amazing... and so is the giant Jimmy head in Japan.

"Arcade" was, upon further reflection, the first time I ever saw Leelee Sobieski.

Being a completionist I think you should watch the final season. I probably would have loved it if I hadn't seen the previous four seasons but, SPOILER - highlight to read much like the death of Jim Henson looms over The Muppet Christmas Carol, the loss of Phil Hartman is always in the wings. But I'm far too sensitive... I still feel twinges of sadness whenever the Simpsons get into legal trouble... or when Zapp Brannigan shows up in Futurama.
How crazy is it that Futurama is coming back?

"I’m just resting up for that big sale at Baby Gap." - Dave Nelson

Wezzo06/12/2007

A personage of taste and distinction, eh? Oh, my, yes.

Any episode that features Leelee Sobieski can't be bad! But "Arcade" is definitely another hilarious episode. From what I've seen, I also rate "Smoking", "Complaint Box", "The Cane" and all of the Lauren Graham subplot of early season 4 very highly.

I've ordered the final season. I'm aware of Phil Hartman's unfortunate death but I'm optimistic that the remaining cast chemistry will carry things through - and the S5 premiere "Bill Moves On" seems to be very highly rated at TV.com.

Crazy that Futurama's coming back? You call it 'crazy', I call it a blessing from the gods!

Stratman06/13/2007

Don't listen to him, season 5 is NOT a hack job!IMO, anyway...

Wezzo06/19/2007

After watching it I'm pleased to report I agree, though it was a bit weaker than what preceded it

buddy10/09/2007

Were you planning to include any further "Key quotes", or just reserve them for the first 20? I love this list, and the quotes were a particular pleasure to read.

Wezzo10/09/2007

Thanks! I plan to continue adding quotes as time permits. :)

Rushmore11/14/2007

is it me or is scrubs slipping down the list?

Wezzo11/14/2007

Afraid so! I haven't actually moved it down but a couple of others have gone in front of it, so it's down from its peak of about #6 to #9 for now. But I'm fickle - so who knows, next week (after I've seen S6 - I'm getting it for my birthday, couldn't hold out for the R2 in the end) it might be back up a place or two!

On the bright side, Whose Line is a recent addition that's likely to climb fast!

Rushmore11/14/2007

ah fair doos, well from what i've heard and the little i've seen of Scrubs S6, i doubt it will go up any places, i've heard its the worst series so far. Which is the main reason i haven't rushed to get it or watch it

Wezzo11/14/2007

Mm, I've heard that too - though sometimes simply watching a show, and having it fresh in my memory, can bump it up a place! :-D

Rushmore11/14/2007

haha ok, well i'm th same with stuf like that

rudolf5511/15/2007

You've heard it's the worst series?

Well, then: I personally think it's a great season.

There, now you've heard another kind of opinion

Rushmore11/16/2007

well i mean thats the majority of what i heard, ok then i must ask you did you enjoy the musical episode, as (and this is comming from a huge fan of scrubs) i found it totally cringe worthy

rudolf5511/16/2007

I loved the musical episode

But I've always been a big fan of musicals, so that might explain it.

Stratman11/15/2007

You've made some inspired changes!

Wezzo11/19/2007

Yeah, thought you might like this update..

Rushmore01/30/2008

whats so strange about sunset strip being cancelled is that based on his work on the West Wing alone, you'd think they'd let it run for a while longer, give it a chance

Wezzo01/30/2008

Indeed. The TV industry is a strange one.. have you seen Studio 60 at all?

Rushmore01/30/2008

never actually got around to it , heard some great things about it though, and i expected it to do better due to who was involved and what i've heard. i may pick it, how much of a role does matthew perry have? i've seen him in the previews and on the dvd cover

Wezzo01/30/2008

Well, the benefit of it being only one season is that it's not a huge investment with the DVDs. :-D

It's great stuff, Matthew Perry is pretty much the main character (though not overwhelmingly). The first half of the season tends to focus on the mechanics of the TV industry and later on the focus shifts towards more typical drama but all of it works well, thanks to the great cast and sharp scripts. If you can find it for a good price you should definitely give it a go!

AJDaGreat08/12/2008

Ah, I figured you would be helpful on this front.

I just watched an episode of How I Met Your Mother and didn't really understand the structure. The episode ("No Tomorrow") mentions that the mother in question was at the party that Ted attends and then later says that he didn't meet her then. But isn't the show supposed to be concealing the true identity of the mother? Does the show often feature near-misses between Ted and the mother, or was this a fairly rare occurrence? Are you supposed to be looking for clues in the extras or something? Does every episode somehow add to the story and get us closer to Ted meeting the mother? Or is all this structure just a MacGuffin for the interactions of five twentysomethings in New York City?

Wezzo08/12/2008

I haven't seen the latest season yet, so I'm not sure about that specific episode. (Perhaps one of those TV recap sites might be helpful.) Based on my viewing of the first two seasons, however: for the most part it is just a conceit that allows for a Friends-type dynamic. I do recall a couple of instances where we were led to believe a certain character was the mother (one in the pilot episode, in fact) and it later turns out that she was not the titular mother, but I don't recall anything (other than perhaps the most subtle references) that hinted at us genuinely getting closer to finding the mother in those first two seasons. edit>: OK, I slightly mis-read your post. Most of what I said still stands, but a near miss like that would not be out of the ordinary - I do recall the narration making several such references throughout the first two seasons that suggest maybe Ted came closer to the "mother" than he thought. On those occasions, though, they didn't really further the titular arc significantly, and the next episode was another standalone adventure, for the most part.

I'm sure you'll find out before I do if you do some research on the Net, but if not, I'll get back to you when I've seen the season.

AJDaGreat08/12/2008

My research on the net was actually pretty unhelpful, to be honest with you, so thank you for your response. I feel like the show's ending will be inevitably disappointing since they either have to (1) introduce a new character that we'll only get to meet for one episode and make some attempt to have everything that came beforehand somehow leading up to this point (which seems impossible to do legitimately), or (2) break their own rules and have it be someone we've already been following somewhat. I probably shouldn't think about these things if I watch the show again, and just stick to enjoying the dynamic.

Man, those kids must be getting pretty bored by now, eh?

Wezzo08/12/2008

Haha, well I'm sure I remember my parents telling me stories that felt like they last three seasons.. ;-)

Good point about how they're going to end it. I personally think it will wind up being your second idea, although I suppose they could always go with option 1 but continue the show beyond his meeting her, perhaps even right up to the birth of the first child. After all, the show has never stuck to its title claim very well - three seasons in we haven't actually met the mother yet (well, strike that, maybe we didn't in season 3, but certainly not in S2) - so I suppose material after the titular meet wouldn't be out of the question.

AJDaGreat08/12/2008

A part of me feels like it's going to be something completely absurd that allows us to both know the character yet feel like Ted hasn't met her. Like, Barney gets a sex change operation and as soon as Ted meets, er, Barbara, he knows it's true love.

gsiggs08/17/2008

who agrees with me that tom and jerry definitely deserve to be on here?

Wezzo08/31/2008

Never really watched it enough, I'm afraid!

Blackhole Traveller09/02/2009

Okay, let's see our dis-/similarities:

Seinfeld: I've only seen the first 2 seasons (13 episodes), so I'm hoping for season 3 to become really good permanently.
Malcolm In The Middle: Yeah, love it - but it never was released on dvd (at least not in Germany).
Scrubs: Yay! My favourite Comedy-show and my 3. favourite Show ever, love it, but Season 6-7 were not as good as the brillant first 5.
24: I've thought about it, but I'll wait till I get a complete DVD-Set with all seasons.
Monk: Not bad, but I'm not much into the crime-Shows.
Friends: I've never seen it in English, but I never liked it anyway.
Everybody Loves Raymond: No, don't like it.
Gilmore Girls: Love it! Oh my gosh, my all-time-fav show, great, great, great!
Six Feet Under: I'll buy the complete box next year, I promise.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air: Oh my gosh, I thought it was mediocre. Than I bought the first season, because the price was perfect - and in English it really rocked, Will Smith is hilarious, great show, great first season.
Home Improvement: Cool, I know some people, that don't like it, because they think it's always the same. Maybe, but the last 8th season I'm watching at the moment is really good, one of my favourite 90s show!
LOST: # 30? After the great 4th season? Oh my gosh! I rate it my 2nd favourite show - with a good 5th season i'll give it #1.
How I Met Your Mother: Not bad, Barney's great, but not funny enough for a sitcom.
Ally McBeal: I hope that I can rank it with a good place, I've just started the 1st season, but after 3 episodes, I'm not going to give you a review. Not bad, but I hope there's some more to come. Ally's really great!
The X-Files: I don't like it, I know I'm one of ten people on planet earth that doesn't like it, but I can't...
Sabrina: Not bad, with real actor voices (not the synchro) it could kind of good.
Buffy: I soon will give Buffy a try.
Freaks and Geeks: Oh, I badly want the dvd. It was really a nice show, realistic, down to earth, nice to see that show on your list!
Veronica Mars: I was a bit disappointed with the first season, it took me 8 episodes to really take it to a good level. The rest was good, but I assume, the 2nd season will be better!
My Co-Called Life: Great to see that little show on your list. Claire Danes played so well, realistic, emotional show with great content!
Dexter: On my to buy list!
Prison Break: Dito, but I'm a bit scared, coz I heard the last seasons are not as good as the first 2 seasons.
Heroes: S1 was great, Season 2 was short, sometimes good, got lovely Kristen Bell, but in the end disappointing. For what I've heard, I'm not going to look forward to season 3.
Californication: On my list!
The Sopranos: I'm going to watch the first season someday - thanks for reminding me, I've bought the dvd, but forgot! ;)
The Big Bang Theory: I love it! What is it doing on spot 81? Are those 80 shows really better or funnier? Could easily become one of my top 10 favourite shows!
Desperate Housewives: On my list!
The 4400: On my list (you see, I've got a long, long list to watch)
Pushing Dasies: Maybe on my list
8 Simple Rules: Since I've discovered that Kaley Cuoco is sooo cute, I'm going to buy the first season. (does it have an english subtitle?)

Future Candidates:
Dawson's Creek: Dito! I've just seen the great 1st Season - more to come soon!
Everwood: Season 1 is imho the best season of a tv show ever! I'm watching right now, I just love it.
Felicity: If I only could watch it...
Party Of Five: Season 1 was great, season 2 not that good, but not bad either.
That '70s Show: Not really interested
Two And A Half Men: I'm watching the 3rd season, in my opinion, the show really got better, I didn't like it in the beginning, but today the last episodes of season 2 and the 3rd season so far are really funny.

You've got a lot shows that I love on your list, like it! :)