Top Twenty All-time American Televison Programmes

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sanctus

The Padre
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]I Love Lucy[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1951-61[/FONT]
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Everyone throughout the world loves Lucy. Still syndicated internationally, Lucille Ball, then-husband Desi Arnaz as the Ricardos and their sidekicks William Frawley and Vivan Vance as the Mertzes, continue to live on in infamy. Ball and her cohorts set the standard for what all situation comedies to come would and should aspire to, as the landmark series chronicled the antics of the housewife, her Cuban bandleader husband and their friends, neighbors and landlords, the Mertzes. Make a reference to the grape-stomping episode, the trip to Hollywood season and many more -- and even infrequent TV viewers will know what you're talking about. The best. Period.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]M*A*S*H[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1972-83[/FONT]
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The series ran longer than the war it depicted, and it's impact on the television viewing audience may, fortunately or unfortunately, be more significant than the Korean war. The stories of the doctors, nurses, patients and administrators of the 4077th brought both comedy and pathos into the viewing audiences homes. The sitcom from Larry Gelbart broke many traditions and set many new standards. It also was one of those rare occasions when the series was better than the movie. The series effectively made cast transitions and introduced a whole new concept to the meaning of television comedy - the introduction of the (occasional) dramedy.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]Star Trek [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]NBC, 1966-69[/FONT]
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The original. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy couldn't have asked for a better seminal role to start their successful careers. The series, courtesy of the genius that was Gene Roddenberry, that started the billion-dollar franchise was clever, engaging and now, campily classic. Each adventure of the Starship Enterprise is held in fond memory of both TV fans and of course, Trekkers.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]The Andy Griffith Show [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1960-68[/FONT]
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A look at life at small-town life in Mayberry, North Carolina. The local sheriff, Andy Taylor (Griffith), kept peace among the locals, while trying to raise young Opie (Ron Howard) without a mother. Among the town's many unique characters were Taylor's over-zealous deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts), and the almost-always happy gas station attendant Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors).[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]Cheers [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]NBC, 1983-93[/FONT]
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Whether you're a fan of the Diane Chambers or the Rebecca Howe years, "Cheers" is one of those series, as are all the top 10 shows, that can be watched repeatedly in rebroadcasts. Chronicling the lives of recovered alcoholic and ex-baseball player Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and the gang at his Cheers bar made Thursday nights on NBC what they are today.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]The Dick Van Dyke Show [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1961-66[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana] Widely considered one of television's best-written comedies, this series followed television writer Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) as he dealt with the ups and downs of a Hollywood career writing for star Alan Brady (Carl Reiner). His home life featured caring wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), who often kept the sometimes-neurotic Rob in check.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]The Mary Tyler Moore Show [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1970-77[/FONT]
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A groundbreaking series in its depiction of a single woman's life, this series followed Mary Richards, a woman in her early 30s, as she tried to start a new life in Minneapolis after an unsuccessful relationship. She found a job at a local TV station, and quickly worked her way through the ranks, all the while faced with many problems faced by women of her age in real life.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]Bewitched [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]ABC, 1964-72[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana] The little story of a witch who decided she'd rather be an average housewife. Samantha Steven (Elizabeth Montgomery) tried her hardest to keep her powers under wraps, but frequent appearances by her mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead) and other relatives meant she was always trying to get out of some mess. Samantha's husband, Darrin (played by Dick York, then Dick Sargent) tried to keep the witchcraft under control, but with one wiggle of her nose, Samantha invariably made those plans go awry.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]The Twilight Zone [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1959-65[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana] Led by former playwright Rod Serling, this anthology series set the stage for many imitators, but few series could deliver the quality stories found in "The Twilight Zone." Usually off-beat with ironic twists or surprise endings, this series still sets the standard within the genre. It returned in an updated version in 1985, without the leadership of Serling, who passed away in 1975.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]All in the Family [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana]CBS, 1971-83[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, verdana] Based on a hit Brit series, "All in the Family" introduced the first openly dysfunctional family on TV. No longer were TV families the envy of audiences. Archie and Edith Bunker (Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton) were more like the American every man than had ever been depicted on TV. Norman Lear's series was the first blue-collar (not "Roseanne," contrary to popular belief), hilariously relatable sitcom. The epitome of politically incorrect, Bunker was the outspoken, foot-in-mouth any guy whose job and neighborhood were being "taken over" by immigrants, homosexuals and, according to him, other "undesirables." Soon to be seen again on cable, it spawned the spin-offs "The Jeffersons," "Maude," "Gloria" and "Archie Bunker's Place."[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The Carol Burnett Show [/FONT]
CBS, 1967-79
[FONT=verdana,helvetica] Burnett's show, which can still be seen on Nick at Nite, was a standout among the bevy of variety shows that ran during the same era. Keeping with a traditional variety show format - an intro and closing by Burnett, songs and skits, it was a perfect forum for Burnett's hilarity and genius. Characters remain memorable - enough so that one popular segment became the series "Mama's Family" - when Burnett's series finally went off the air at the tail end of the disco era.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]Happy Days [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]ABC, 1974-84[/FONT]
A longing for the easy life of the '50s led to the success of this sitcom, which focused on Ritchie Cunningham (Ron Howard), his family, and friends, including the too-cool Fonzie (Henry Winkler). Viewers watched Ritchie go through high school, then eventually leave to college, after which the series shifted its focus to his family and Fonzie. [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]Mission: Impossible [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]CBS, 1966-73[/FONT]
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The series about a group of highly special agents had two runs (the second in the '80s), but both feature Peter Graves as Jim Phelps, who served as head of the team. Their mission? To set the stage for what would be the spy genre for years to come. This great series also spawned a Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise as Jim Phelps. This summary will self-destruct in five seconds![/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The Cosby Show [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]NBC, 1984-92[/FONT]
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A working mother who's able to successfully run a household and be a supportive mother? Yup. Cosby, who prior to the NBC sitcom had been best known for his role in "I Spy," and for his family-flavored standup, exec produced and starred in this remarkable, funny, message-without-being-moralistic series about a working lawyer, her doctor husband and their five impressionable children.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The Simpsons [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,helvetica]FOX, 1990-Present[/FONT]
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Animation in primetime? If it's as well written as Matt Groening's "The Simpsons," first introduced as a series of shorts on yet another excellent Fox series, "The Tracey Ullman Show," it can work. And it has - the day-to-day trials and tribulations of the Simpson family of Springfield Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and pacifier-sucking Maggie - has entertained audiences for nearly a decade (!).[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The Brady Bunch [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,helvetica]ABC, 1969-74[/FONT]
Here is the story... "The Brady Bunch" will always stand as a testament to life in the late 60s, when kids were groovy and parents had afros. A family of eight, the Brady kids were always getting into some trouble, which usually led to father Mike Brady (Robert Reed) giving out some sage advice to finish an episode. The show was made into two films in the 1990s. [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The Avengers [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]CBS, 1966-69[/FONT]
Slick British agents Jonathan Steed (Patrick Macnee) and Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) were an odd pair, taking on missions to stop diabolical geniuses from taking over the world. He, suave and proper. Her, sexy and playful. The show enjoyed various incarnations, and was recently made into a feature film. [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]ER [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]NBC, 1994-2000[/FONT][FONT=verdana,helvetica] What makes "ER," essentially a hospital drama (which has been done many times before) work? Great writing, great acting - and risks. What series can introduce a significant character by having her (a nurse, no less) attempt suicide in the series opener? "ER" did it - and did it well - as it has continued to do so.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]Seinfeld [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica]NBC, 1990-98[/FONT]
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Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer have not only added to the lexicon of our generation, but provided literally hours and hours of water-cooler talk. Although it was essentially about "nothing" - the daily lives and mishaps of four friends, it was absolutely unique in its execution. No other show can boast introducing phrases laden with mass meaning.[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS,verdana, helvetica]The X-Files [/FONT]
FOX, 1993-1999[FONT=verdana,helvetica]
Slow to start, but building to an unforeseen crescendo, "X-Files," which follows the adventures of agents Scully and Mulder - who investigate the abnormal, paranormal and the like -- is the barometer for all sci- fi series to come. Weird and creative, elegant end engaging, few series can boast such a wide variety episodic stories.[/FONT]http://www.classic-tv.com/top100/page3.asp
 
missile

missile

House Member
Dec 1, 2004
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3 out of the 20 listed were excellent entertainment. That surprised me,because I hate to be thought of as an average viewer. Oh, the shows : XFiles, The Simpsons and the Avengers:laughing7:
 
mapleleafgirl

mapleleafgirl

Electoral Member
Dec 13, 2006
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missile said:
3 out of the 20 listed were excellent entertainment. That surprised me,because I hate to be thought of as an average viewer. Oh, the shows : XFiles, The Simpsons and the Avengers:laughing7:
Click to expand...

what surprised me is something like i love lucy being number one. i mean, what is it about that stupid show that everybody likes so much. its not even in colour and i think the husband was a dork.
 
L Gilbert

L Gilbert

Winterized
Nov 30, 2006
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the-brights.net
The Avengers was American? Go figger. It was ok, anyway.
Sitcoms suck in general but Cheers, All in the Family, Dick Van Dyke, and Happy Days were ok.
X-files, Twilight Zone, and Star Trek were ok.
Carol Burnett was good.
11 sucked.
45% isn't a good grade.
 
Cannuck

Cannuck

Time Out
Feb 2, 2006
30,245
99
48
Alberta
All in the Family should have been higher. The fact that The Brady Bunch is on the list and The Tonight Show isn't, makes the whole list rather silly.
 
Kreskin

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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I could never see what others saw in MASH. That was a cure for insomnia.
 
Cannuck

Cannuck

Time Out
Feb 2, 2006
30,245
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Alberta
I didn't think MASH was all that good either but you can't deny that it changed television. Up until Col Blake was killed, comedies were comedies and dramas were dramas. MASH effectively blurred the line.

The best TV show ever was British and was called "Yes Minister" ( and later "Yes Prime Minister")
 
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T

tamarin

House Member
Jun 12, 2006
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I don't think you can beat Frasier for writing. There have been a lot of great comedies on tv but I don't think any has been so consistent in quality as that one.
 
Kreskin

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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How about the old ABC Wide World of Sports. I watched just to see the ski jumper doing the helicopter off the run during the intro.
 
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