I stumbled on a list of the “top 50 television shows” of all time. It’s not my list. It’s a Wikipedia list, so i understand it’s not scientific, but it gives us something to talk about.
Here is a list of the top 50 shows of all time:
Seinfeld (NBC)
I Love Lucy (CBS)
The Honeymooners (CBS)
All in the Family (CBS)
The Sopranos (HBO)
60 Minutes (CBS)
Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
The Simpsons (Fox)
The Andy Griffith Show (CBS)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (NBC)
The Dick Van Dyke Show (CBS)
Hill Street Blues (NBC)
The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS)
The Carol Burnett Show (CBS)
Today (NBC)
Cheers (NBC)
thirtysomething (ABC)
St. Elsewhere (NBC)
Friends (NBC)
ER (NBC)
Nightline (ABC)
Law & Order (NBC)
M*A*S*H (CBS)
The Twilight Zone] (CBS)
Sesame Street (PBS)
The Cosby Show (NBC)
Donahue (syndicated)
Your Show of Shows (NBC)
The Defenders (CBS)
An American Family (PBS)
Playhouse 90 (CBS)
Frasier (NBC)
Roseanne (ABC)
The Fugitive (ABC)
The X-Files (Fox)
The Larry Sanders Show (HBO)
The Rockford Files (NBC)
Gunsmoke (CBS)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB/UPN)
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (NBC)
Bonanza (NBC)
The Bob Newhart Show (CBS)
Twin Peaks (ABC)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (syndicated)
Rocky and His Friends (ABC)
Taxi (ABC/NBC)
The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
Bewitched (ABC)
I agree with many on this list. I miss many of these shows. Wow! Some of the memories.
What shows is this list missing, in your opinion? Which shows bring back the most memories…which do you miss…on this list?
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I have only watched a few, as in 5 on that list, some others that I miss though would be: Third Watch, 7th Heaven, Boy Meets World, and Full House
Those are good memories you added.
Without question, the longest running military TV show, JAG!
What about The Office? And M.A.S.H. should be higher based on the final episode alone. I can't think of a series that combined humor and tragedy better, and because it was period piece (don't know if that's the best way to describe it) it doesn't date itself like many of the shows listed. And most importantly it's my favorite so it should be first:)
I loved M.A.S.H. We had a fraternity party to watch the last show. Fun times.
I personally would add Babylon 5 (my 2nd favorite TV show ever, right behind The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Arrested Development.
Fawlty Towers is fantastic. If we're adding BBC shows, I would include Doctor Who. My inner geek commands me to.
Not familiar with any of those…except Dick Van Dyke
Freaks and Geeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't know that one
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The Wonder Years is definitely a show that deserves to be in there. And Seinfeld might be the best show ever-glad to see it in there.
How about WKRP and Welcome Back, Kotter.
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I can’t believe Dallas is not on this list. A whole generation of my age group (now 50s) watched it religiously when we were in our early working years. Larry Hagman was evil and everyone who watched it can tell you who shot J.R.
Hoop! Great americanized list! I could not get them! Yet, thanks for the post. I am able to know more about America.
Are there “top shows” in India? Just curious
Some samples from India: — kaun Banega Crorepathi (Who wants to be millionaire) — Dance India Dance — Indian Mythological drama ( ramayana, mahabhataha) — Many megaserials (stories involving daughter in law and mother in law) — Reality shows! <DIV> From: notifications@intensedebatemail.comTo: uma_maheswaran@hotmail.comSubject: ronedmondson replied to your comment on The Top 50 Television Shows of All Time
Interesting.
Some of my favs growing up: Jeffersons, Good Times, Happy Days (launched at least 4 other TV series), Bosum Buddies, The Muppet Show!, Mad About You, Moonlighting… Recently: Heroes, House, Dr. Who.
Oh yeah, Alias was a great one. And I really looked Growing Pains.
Dragnet….it was the father of all police crime dramas
I loved that show.
Two words: Knight Rider!
There was a car, right?
C’mon now… where is “WKRP In Cincinnati”?
DEFINITELY Fawlty Towers and all 4 series of The Black Adder. But from the US sitcoms, I've been able to watch two from 50+ years ago that should be on the list (thanks to ME Television): The Phil Silvers Show and Car 54, Where Are You?. These were comedies with clever plots & dialogue and even (in the case of Car 54) wove in some key issues of the time, like the Cold War and rent controls in New York City. And unlike a great many shows today, they didn't rely on sophomoronic sexual innuendo to get laughs. BTW, I've also been watching more of The Honeymooners and have realized: it's really not funny. It was darker than many people might think.
Interesting.Not familiar with most of them.
I would add The Wonder Years, My So-Called Life, and a couple of BBC programs – Fawlty Towers and Good Neighbors:)
Don't know the BBC programs. Trying to remember “My So-Called Life”. Is that the mid-life guys one?
Hi, Ron
The mid-life guy's one is "Men of a Certain Age" – "My So-Called Life" was a coming of age series similar to, but darker than "Wonder Years" . Starred Claire Danes and some very talented other folks who are less well-known.
The British shows are both from the 70's and probably only appeal to a very narrow demographic – me and about 10 other people:)
John
I saw that show a few times. I liked it.Must be why the shows didn't make it on BBC
Oh, they did OK – especially Fawlty Towers, which starred John Cleese- which kicks in the whole Monty Python fan base:) Maybe I overstated the narrowness of their appeal.
On another note: Can't believe I forgot to mention "Captain Kangaroo", "Sesame Street", and "Howdy Dowdy":)
Now you're digging into my childhood.
… or just wallowing in my own memories:)
Friday Night Lights
3rd Rock From The Sun
Alias
Love 24 and Lost, so they should definitely be added. But also, Friday Night Lights. That is such a great show.
"The Wonder Years" is one of the best, with the best soundtrack.
Also, more recently, "The Office" is better than half these shows.
Wonder Years was great. I was an Office fan from the first mini-season. Haven't enjoyed it as much last couple years.
I don't see Hogan's Heroes on the list.
There's a memory from the past.
What??? No The Wonder Years?
There's a good memory.
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thanks. And you're right…many of the best shows are decades past it seems
Many of these shows are from decades past, today's programming is not as "family friendly." We have a nationwide TV service you might like to learn about that has a great combination of inspiring channels and entertainment, sports & news! Hope you'll check it out.
Thanks for letting us know!
I used to love The Rockford Files. I've seen them all…twice!
I always watched that show too…then played it outside
I'm sorry, but just can't take seriously any list that doesn't include "Walker, Texas Ranger"!
Wow, I did like that show!
Lost!!!!
I'll take your word for it. Never got into it, but I do understand it's like 24…if you were into it…you were into it.
Newhart, Family Ties, The Odd Couple
Great shows. (You must be “old enough”)
24 should definitely be on that list. thirtysomething should not ; )
I thought Thirtysomething was odd too. I don't think it lasted very long.
If longevity is a criteria for this list then CSI: Las Vegas should be considered. As well as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – they are in their twelfth and thirteenth seasons respectively.
Wow, hard to believe those shows have been around that long.
Here in Sri Lanka they aired The Simpsons, Friends, Sesame Street, The Cosby Show (felt so sad for Bill Cosby when his son was shot and killed), The X Files (Love it!!!)…
That's interesting which ones off this list you would get. Thanks
Thanks for posting the list. I would agree with about 20 or so. I think that Katie's comment above is valid regarding the mixing of scripted shows with talk shows/news.
I would have included Sunday Night Football (kidding) and 24 (not kidding).
Interesting about 24. I never watched it (sorry) but for those who did, it was obviously addictive.
I agree with maybe 20 of them. Also, I wouldn't mix in scripted shows with talk shows and the like.
That's a good point.