The UK’s Empire Magazine has just released The 50 Greatest TVShows of All Time. Here’s the list:
50. Quantum Leap
49. Prison Break
48. Veronica Mars
47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
46. Sex and the City
45. Farscape
44. Cracker
43. Star Trek
42. Only Fools and Horses
41. Band of Brothers
40. Life On Mars
39. Monty Python’s Flying Circus
38. Curb Your Enthusiasm
37. Star Trek: The Next Generation
36. Father Ted
35. Alias
34. Frasier
33. CSI
32. Babylon 5
31. Deadwood
30. Dexter
29. ER
28. Fawlty Towers
27. Six Feet Under
26. Red Dwarf
25. Futurama
24. Twin Peaks
23. The Office
22. The Shield
21. Angel
20. Blackadder
19. Scrubs
18. Arrested Development
17. South Park
16. Doctor Who
15. Heroes
14. Firefly
13. Battlestar Galactica
12. Family Guy
11. Seinfeld
10. Spaced
9. X-Files
8. The Wire
7. Friends
6. 24
5. Lost
4. West Wing
3. The Sopranos
2. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
1. The Simpsons
Shows that I am happy to see on the list: Seinfeld, Buffy, Lost, BSG, Doctor Who, Angel, South Park, Curb, Band of Brothers, Veronica Mars, and Quantum Leap. Even though I am an “Alias” and “Prison Break” fan, I don’t think they earned a place on the list.
What are your thoughts on the list?
Comments
Come on. Simpsons #1? Why would anyone vote the Simpsons the best show of all time? Surely sienfeld is at least better than simpsons.
43. Star Trek
For Star Trek to be so low on the list is ridiculous. Many of the shows won’t be on this list if it wasn’t for Star Trek and it’s influence. The list suffers from the “Flavor of the Month” syndrome which gives undue significance to newer shows because they stick in the memory more because of they’re NEWER. A list with no real sense of history.
I actually really agreed with the list except for the simpsons- #1, really?? I like the simpsons but for the most part it’s a pretty shallow experience when you compare it to other stuff- Personally I think south park deserves to be higher than the simpsons- SP is just so much smarter and more socially relevant.
I whole heartedly agree with Buffy being up there- it’s a great show.
South Park more socially relevant? You’re kidding right? It may be a smarter, more whimsical outlook on North American culture but to call it socially relevant is like saying you read Playboy for the articles! I agree that Simpson’s should not be #1, and that Star Trek should not be #43, but we have no idea (from this thread) how their judging the results, and the only thing I can think of which would list these shows in this manner could be the duration of on-air time and popular press (a combination score system).
I haven’t heard of at least five shows listed, let alone see how they could have even made the list, but it’s probably just a Brit thing. Anyways, there’s too many shows I can think of to be at the top of this chart, not the least of which I would never agree to Buffy being anywhere near the top 10. Man that show was awful.
I disagree with ALOT of on this list. Where is Rescue Me. Glad to see that Dexter and the shield on there.
I’ve only watched 20 of those shows.
Not a single game show on the list? Some of the best shows on TV are game shows!! The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune…even classics like Match Game and Family Feud. I think they need to re-think their “50 Greatest Shows”. The Simpsons is a great show..but definitely NOT the best show of all time.
Oh come on… why isn’t The Office (American version) on the list? Clearly intelligent humour and superb acting couldn’t get through the brick wall of the writers mind.
Lost is the worst shit ive ever seen, even worse seen it on 5th place!!!
Yeah this shit is only for popularity not for how good a serie really is! You piece of fuckers suckers of the great dick!
Good list, but Time’s is much better (although unranked) and has very well-written explanations. Google: time magazine 100 tv shows — and you’ll find it.
PS: No Freaks and Geeks is ridiculous. This list is ridiculous in general.