Entertainment Weekly ranks top 100 TV shows of past 25 years..

[larrymcg421]

1. The Simpsons, Fox, 1989-present
2 The Sopranos, HBO (1999-2007)
3 Seinfeld, NBC (1989-98)
4 The X-Files, Fox (1993-2002)
5 Sex and the City, HBO (1998-2004)
6 Survivor, CBS (2000-present)
7 The Cosby Show, NBC (1984-92)
8 Lost, ABC (2004-present)
9 Friends, NBC (1994-2004)
10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The WB (1997-2001); UPN (2001-03)
11 The Wire, HBO (2002-08)
12 South Park, Comedy Central (1997-present)
13 Freaks and Geeks, NBC (1999-2000)
14 The Daily Show, Comedy Central (1996-present)
15 The Oprah Winfrey Show, Syndicated (1986-present)
16 Arrested Development, Fox (2003-06)
17 The Office (U.K. version), BBC2 (2001-03)
18 American Idol, Fox (2002-present)
19 ER, NBC (1994-present)
20 Beverly Hills, 90210, Fox (1990-2000)
21 Roseanne, ABC (1988-97)
22 The Real World, MTV (1992-present)
23 The West Wing, NBC (1999-2006)
24 Star Trek: The Next Generation, Syndication (1987-94)
25 Miami Vice, NBC (1984-89)
26 Chappelle's Show, Comedy Central (2003-06)
27 Law & Order, NBC (1990-present)
28 The Larry Sanders Show, HBO (1992-98)
29 The Shield, FX (2002-present)
30 Late Show With David Letterman, CBS (1993-present)
31 The Civil War, PBS (1990)
32 Gilmore Girls, The WB (2000-06), The CW (2006-07)
33 My So-Called Life, ABC (1994-95)
34 24, Fox (2001-present)
35 CSI, CBS (2000-present)
36 thirtysomething, ABC (1987-91)
38 Beavis and Butt-head, MTV (1993-97)
39 Six Feet Under, HBO (2001-05)
40 Mr. Show, (HBO, 1995-98)
41 Frasier, NBC (1993-2004)
42 L.A. Law, NBC (1986-94)
43 Late Night With Conan O'Brien, NBC (1993-present)
44 Jeopardy!, Syndicated (1984-present)
45 Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO (2000-present)
46 Homicide: Life on the Street, NBC (1993-99)
47 30 Rock, NBC (2006-present)
48 Ally McBeal, Fox (1997-2002)
49 Twin Peaks, ABC (1990-91)
50 Baywatch, NBC (1989-90), Syndicated (1991-2001)
51. Melrose Place, Fox (1992-99)
52. Felicity, The WB (1998-2002)
53. Will & Grace, NBC (1998-2006)
54. Moonlighting, ABC (1985-89)
55. Pee-wee's Playhouse, CBS (1986-90)
56. Desperate Housewives, ABC (2004-present)
57. The Amazing Race, CBS (2001-present)
58. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, NBC (1992-present)
59. Battlestar Galactica, Sci Fi (2003-2008)
60. Xena: Warrior Princess, Syndicated (1995-2001)
61. The Office (U.S.), NBC (2005-present)
62. House, Fox (2004-present)
63. Mystery Science Theater 3000, Comedy Central (1989-96), Sci Fi (1997-99)
64. The Osbournes, MTV (2002-05)
65. Family Guy, Fox (1999-2002, 2005-present)
66. Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (2005-present)
67. Planet Earth, Discovery Channel (2007)
68. Jackass, MTV (2000-02)
69. The Colbert Report, Comedy Central (2005-present)
70. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS (1996-2005)
71. Friday Night Lights, NBC (2006-present)
72. NewsRadio, NBC (1995-99)
73. Oz, HBO (1997-2003)
74. Wiseguy, CBS (1987-90)
75. Project Runway, Bravo (2004-present)
76. In Living Color, Fox (1990-94)
77. The Golden Girls, NBC (1985-92)
78. I'll Fly Away, NBC (1991-93)
79. The Comeback, HBO (2005)
80. King of the Hill, Fox (1997-present)
81. Murphy Brown, CBS (1988-98)
82. The Hills, MTV (2006-present)
83. Absolutely Fabulous, BBC2 (1992), BBC1 (1994-2004)
84. Northern Exposure, CBS (1990-95)
85. The Kids in the Hall, HBO (1989-92), CBS (1992-95)
86. Prime Suspect, ITV (1991-2006)
87. Deadwood, HBO (2004-06)
88. Malcolm in the Middle, Fox (2000-06)
89. SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon (1999-present)
90. Dawson's Creek, The WB (1998-2003)
91. Mad Men, AMC (2007-present)
92. The Ben Stiller Show, Fox (1992-93)
93. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Bravo (2003-07)
94. Married...With Children, Fox (1987-97)
95. Designing Women, CBS (1986-93)
96. The Arsenio Hall Show, Syndicated (1989-94)
97. Party of Five, Fox (1994-2000)
98. MacGyver, ABC (1985-92)
99. The Bachelor, ABC (2002-present)
100. Saved by the Bell, NBC (1989-93)

I'm just going to say it. Sports Night, Sports Night, and Sports Night. Oh, and Sports Night. This is some nutty nut list that's nuts.

Oh, and I think #100 is just a shout out to FOFC.

[oliegirl]

90210 is higher than The West Wing????

[Jas_lov]

The Hills! LOL! No Futurama. And I can't believe it, but No Cheers!

[larrymcg421]

I think Cheers (and Family Ties, which I almost yelled about) don't qualify because they started in 1982.

Good call on Futurama, though.

[oliegirl]

At least the got it right and put Sex and the City at #5, though it should have been #1 :D

[DeToxRox]

The Wire at 11, fuck yes. Ditto for Shield at 29.

[bulletsponge]

At least the got it right and put Sex and the City at #5, though it should have been #1 :D

this is why women arnt allowed to handle the remote control

[larrymcg421]

Another horrible exclusion is Firefly. They included several one season wonders, so this should have definitely been one of them.

[Jas_lov]

I think Cheers (and Family Ties, which I almost yelled about) don't qualify because they started in 1982.

Good call on Futurama, though.

I see. I couldn't believe Cheers wasn't on there, so that's acceptable I guess. Also, I enjoyed Night Court and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and they aren't on the list. I like Dexter and I'd put it on the list ahead of some of these. It's really too bad NBC canceled Freaks and Geeks after just 1 season.

[ISiddiqui]

90210 is higher than The West Wing????

I think for a lot of these shows, the social (and TV) influence of them is considered as well. I remember when every high schooler was glued to 90210 in a way I've never seen West Wing being followed.

[Axxon]

I hate that Northern Exposure ( my favorite tv show ) was so low but I'm glad it made it.

[ISiddiqui]

Another horrible exclusion is Firefly. They included several one season wonders, so this should have definitely been one of them.

Firefly is a ridiculously overrated show.

[DanGarion]

With some of the crap on this list they could of at least included Heroes.

[Lorena]

I stopped reading when I hit The Wire at #11.. seriously, below Sex in the City? No.way.

[timmynausea]

w00t Mr. Show representing!

Yep. It was interesting to me that Mr. Show and Six Feet Under were back to back at 39 and 40. Those may be my two favorite shows.

[Glengoyne]

Firefly is a ridiculously overrated show.

That's really uncalled for. Your just looking to pick a fight.

I do admit that I'm a Firefly fan. I loved the Characters and the dialogue, plus the story was well done.

There were a couple I couldn't believe made the list, and I don't think I made it to 50.

So I'll criticize you for mocking Firefly, and then post in the same light.

Chappelle Show ? Beavis and Butthead?

[Sun Tzu]

Sponge Bob is way too low on this list. I love that show.

[SackAttack]

Saved By The Bell rates inclusion as the #100 best show of the last 25 years. Queer Eye shows up at all. But Heroes, Jericho, Firefly, none of these rate any love?

Unreal.

[MJ4H]

lol my browser font makes the 1 beside seinfeld look like a 3

[kcchief19]

This list is 20 times better than the 100 top movies list but there are still some glaring omissions (SportsNight especially) and WTF moments (The West Wing way too low, Saved by the Bell on the list at all) that don't quite mitigate the good calls (Freaks and Geeks was awesome, and glad to see NewsRadio get some love).

[dervack]

And while not everyone's cup of tea, I'm also a bit shocked that Scrubs didn't make it as well.

[Radii]

This list is 20 times better than the 100 top movies list but there are still some glaring omissions (SportsNight especially) and WTF moments (The West Wing way too low, Saved by the Bell on the list at all) that don't quite mitigate the good calls (Freaks and Geeks was awesome, and glad to see NewsRadio get some love).

pretty much my exact thoughts. I might argue that South Park and Daily Show and the Wire deserve to be a bit higher(at least above Buffy, but I hated Buffy /shrug), but the general feel of the top 15 or 20 seems solid.

[hawk4669]

As a long time fan, I was happy to see MST3K get some love.

Cheers!

[ColtCrazy]

And while not everyone's cup of tea, I'm also a bit shocked that Scrubs didn't make it as well.

I'm with you on this, I would have thought Scrubs would have made the list.

And no Cheers? It's in the last 25 years! Maybe it started before the 25 years, but it's highlight is definitely in the last 25 years. Unreal.

#62 + 63, two of my favorites back to back, House and MST3K

[Passacaglia]

The Wonder Years?

[ISiddiqui]

That's really uncalled for. Your just looking to pick a fight.

WTF? Its uncalled for for someone to call your fav show overrated? It is. I'm not looking to pick a fight, but, really... it's fans think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I wouldn't place in it my top 100 shows of the last 25 years. No way, no how. It was alright, but nothing that hot.

I can put up with people saying "Arrested Development" was overrated so you can be a big boy and put up with people saying "Firefly" is overrated :p.

[st.cronin]

The Sopranos is absurdly overrated.

[st.cronin]

Also, Will and Grace actually sucks.

[ShaneTheMaster]

This list lost it's credibility when I see "Cheers" not on the list.

[st.cronin]

I think all of those HBO shows get way too much credit just because they have tits and f-bombs.

[Raiders Army]

Seriously, I don't know why they even make these BS lists. I already said what I thought about their "movies" list. They ranked the Watchmen compilation as #13 on their books list. It's a comic book! That's an entirely different medium than books. Also, that's like saying that "Lord of the Rings" is the #2 television show once all three movies are shown on TV. Watchmen was a twelve issue limited series. The Watchmen compilation was not a novelization. It shouldn't count.

The whole magazine is shit.

[larrymcg421]

This list lost it's credibility when I see "Cheers" not on the list.

As I said above, they're using the show's start date to qualify for the 25 years rule. Since Cheers started 26 uears ago, they didn't include it.

[Glengoyne]

WTF? Its uncalled for for someone to call your fav show overrated? It is. I'm not looking to pick a fight, but, really... it's fans think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I wouldn't place in it my top 100 shows of the last 25 years. No way, no how. It was alright, but nothing that hot.

I can put up with people saying "Arrested Development" was overrated so you can be a big boy and put up with people saying "Firefly" is overrated :p.

OK I guess the fact that I went on to take shots at shows that I'm guessing others felt belonged on the list would have indicated that I wasn't all that serious. I have just as much trouble understanding that someone could watch Firefly or Arrested Development, and arrive at the conclusion that they are in any way poor in quality.

I'm much more concerned with the fact that I typed your rather than you're in my original post than I am with your indignation.

[sabotai]

I think all of those HBO shows get way too much credit just because they have tits and f-bombs.

The only 2 HBO series I've seen has been Rome and The Wire, but I thought both were fantastic.

[14ers]

This is where the list lost all creditability to me.
72. NewsRadio, NBC (1995-99)
Are you freaking kidding me? I think NewsRadio may be one of the best ensemble sitcoms of all time.

[Zelig]

31 The Civil War, PBS (1990)
32 Gilmore Girls, The WB (2000-06), The CW (2006-07)

What an epic battle this one was for 31st place.

[rowech]

The only 2 HBO series I've seen has been Rome and The Wire, but I thought both were fantastic.

Rome is one of my favorit shows ever. It was simply fantastic, especially the first season. The sets were simply amazing. I have just begun watching The Sopranos from the start since I have never seen any of them and I already like it. My wife loves Big Love and Weeds and we both like Entourage.

[rowech]

I think all of those HBO shows get way too much credit just because they have tits and f-bombs.

I'd argue that Two and a Half Men is worse than anything you'll see on HBO.

[Kozure]

I'm just thankful that MacGyver is above Saved by the Bell. PHeeeww!!!

[KWhit]

Baywatch and Jackass made the list.

'nuff said.

[KWhit]

Oh, and a newsflash.

The Simpsons does NOT deserve #1.

[Anthony]

there is a reason why i don't read this "top 100" lists. they're just ways to get people to comment on the list. i'm not falling for the trap. these things are farces.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Firefly is a ridiculously overrated show.

FAIL.

[14ers]

No Deep Space Nine?


HELP. Someone please tell me Home Improvement made the list, because for some reason I can't find it.Home Improvement is a Golden Globe Award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award)-Winning American television (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_television) sitcom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom) starring actor/comedian Tim Allen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Allen), which ran from 1991 to 1999.

[timmynausea]

If anything, a lot of the HBO shows are underrated. Comparing the HBO shows to network sitcoms is like debating whether the Godfather is as good as Dude, Where's My Car?. Having said that, I do think the Sopranos is way overrated. Then again, it's hard to argue with its popularity and impact on TV.

[EagleFan]

Cheers has to be on that list. Sports Night should be on that list, it go such crappy luck when it was on and I thought that was one of the best shows on TV when it actually got time. Did I miss seeing NYPD Blue? The Wonder Years? Third Rock From the Sun? Just Shoot Me? Fresh Prince? George Lopez (for the wife alone)?

What the hell is horse face and Sex and the City doing anywhere in the top 100?

Sopranos? Maybe put in on the list but not that high.

[EagleFan]

dola: Ally McBeal? Are they kidding?

[14ers]

Cheers has to be on that list. This time I will point out that Cheers is older than the past 25 years. This list is based on series created after 1983

"Cheers" (1982 (http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Years/1982))TV series 1982-1993

[Chief Rum]

This time I will point out that Cheers is older than the past 25 years. This list is based on series created after 1983

"Cheers" (1982 (http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Years/1982))TV series 1982-1993

Eventually we will all get to point this out to someone.

[EagleFan]

This time I will point out that Cheers is older than the past 25 years. This list is based on series created after 1983

"Cheers" (1982 (http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Years/1982))TV series 1982-1993

So because one season falls outside of that line it doesn't count? Weak.

[ISiddiqui]

I think people ignore influence... oh and any show that appeals to women rather than guys. For instance Ally McBeal and Sex & The City definitely belong and as high as they are.

[Bad-example]

28 The Larry Sanders Show, HBO (1992-98)

Brilliant and underrated, and unlikely to ever make it to dvd because of the music licensing issues. A "best of" dvd is out but I doubt we will ever get the full seasons.

[Chief Rum]

I don't know guys, Cheers was a really good show. And what about Family Ties!?!?!?!

Troll. :D

[AENeuman]

It's interesting how many of the top 20 are in the last 10 years. Meanwhile, there are 3 movies in the last decade that made the movie top 20.

Definitely the golden age of tv, at the expense of movies. or another way to put it: this is what happens when tv gets a movie-like budget and means to make money from something besides syndication.

[Karlifornia]

there is a reason why i don't read this "top 100" lists. they're just ways to get people to comment on the list. i'm not falling for the trap. these things are farces.

It's all in fun. At least until people starting getting heated with each other over the list. Then it's all in funny

[JediKooter]

The Real World??? Give me a f'ing break. It's because of shows like that, Al Queda hates America.