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Other Topics => Television => Topic started by: JaseSF on September 17, 2011, 09:45:46 PM



Title: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 17, 2011, 09:45:46 PM
Hmm seems only fitting we should add American shows too. Lots and lots of great ones over the years. Suspect it would be easy to go over a 100 with these but hey, why not give it a shot here and see what gets picked. I'll start it with an old favourite:

1) Star Trek (1966-1969): This classic Trek show is still IMO the best of them all. Featuring a great lead trio of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy and rest of the crew on their space adventuring journey throughout the universe. Numerous themes (racial relations, war, non-interference with other cultures, religion, war, death, government corruption and much more) were explored on the show plus some issues not as easily tackled in regular everyday series. But at the heart of what makes this show work was the interactions, often quite comical and amusing in nature, between our three leads and of course a lot of support from the rest of the main supporting cast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8erofAmKhvs

List so far...

1) Star Trek (1966-1969)
2) The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
3) The Outer Limits (1963-1965)
4) The Simpsons (1989-present)
5) The X-Files (1993-2002)
6) Saturday Night Live (1975-present)
7) All in the Family (1968-1979)
8) The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
9) M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
10) Lost (2004-2010)
11) The d**k Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)
12) Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
13) Miami Vice (1984-1990)
14) Arrested Development (2003-2006)
15) Three's Company (1976-1984)
16) Married with Children (1987-1997)
17) The Fugitive (1963-1967)
18) The Wild Wild West (1965-1969)
19) Thriller (1960-1962)
20) South Park (1997-present)
21) Firefly (2002-2003)
22) Archer (2009-present)
23) Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-1975)
24) Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977)
25) The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
26) Bonanza (1959-1973)
27) Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
28) King of the Hill (1997-2010)
29) Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
30) Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989-1999)
31) Seinfeld (1989-1998)
32) The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982)
33) Beavis and Butt-Head (1993-1997, 2011- Present)
34) Double Dare (1986-1993)
35) I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
36) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)
37) Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963)
38) The Honeymooners (1953-1956)
39) Family Ties (1982-1989)
40) Prison Break (2005-2009)
41) Frasier (1993-2004)
42) Gilligan's Island (1964-1967)
43) The Wonder Years (1988-1993)
44) Veronica Mars (2004-2008)
45) Penn & Teller: Bulls**t! (2003-2010)
46) Have Gun Will Travel (1957 - 1963)
47) Daria (1997-2002)
48) Chappelle's Show (2003-2006)
49) Futurama (1999-2003, 2008-present)
50) It Takes a Thief (1968-1970)
51) Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
52) Lost in Space (1965-1968)
53) Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
54) Cheers (1982-1993)
55) Batman (1966-1968)
56) The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968)
57) The Untouchables (1959-1963)
58) The Munsters (1964-1966)
59) The Invaders (1967-1968)
60) The Addams Family (1964-1966)
61) Eerie, Indiana (1991-1992)
62) The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)
63) Law & Order (1990-2010)
64) In Search Of...(1976-1982)
65) Quantam Leap (1989-1993)
66) Dragnet (1951-1959, 1967-1970)
67) Dream On (1990-1996)
68) Wild Palms (1993)
69) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
70) One Day At A Time (1975-1984)
71) The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
72) Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980)
73) The A-Team (1983-1987)
74) The West Wing (1999-2006)
75) CHiPs (1977-1983)
76) Knight Rider (1982-1986)
77) Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
78) The Office (U.S. Version) (2005-Present)
79) Good Times (1974-1979)
80) The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
81) Matlock (1986-1995)
82) Green Acres (1965-1971)
83) Perry Mason (1957-1966)
84) Columbo (1968-1978, 1989-2003)
85) Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)
86) Charmed (1998-2006)
87) MacGyver (1985-1992)
88) Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-1981)
89) Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964-1968)
90) Babylon 5 (1993-1998)


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: InformationGeek on September 17, 2011, 09:57:32 PM
2. The Twilight Zone (original)

While I would include the other series in this as well, but since they are different in their own ways, I just have the original.  Anyhow, there is no point to explain why it would be here.  It is incredible and is thought provoking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 18, 2011, 10:54:36 PM
3) The Outer Limits (1963-1965): Arguably one of the most challenging science fiction/horror anthology series of all time, the Outer Limits examined the nature of man perhaps more than any other series. Sometimes downright brilliant, always unsettling and bizarre, most episodes featured a monstrous threat of some sort each and every week although the nature of such threats weren't always readily evident and sometimes things were not quite what they seemed on the surface. The Outer Limits more often than not challenged its audience to think and sometimes feel and see things from new perspectives, even at times perspectives not quite human in origin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6rJG54nFYY


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on September 19, 2011, 08:21:41 PM
4.) The Simpsons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX1iplQQJTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aBaX9GPSaQ&feature=related
I assume this can count.  It may be a 'cartoon', but it's one of the best written shows on television.  And, it debuted in '89, when I was 5 years old.  A spinoff of the Tracey Ullman Show, it's 2011 and still on the air.  I'm now 27. :buggedout:


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Nightowl on September 19, 2011, 09:41:25 PM
5.)The X-Files
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U458XFF_PA&feature=related

Definitely one of the scariest shows ever created.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on September 19, 2011, 11:01:31 PM
6.) Saturday Night Live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILvkEHQPHHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI6CfKcMhjY
A weekly, live, sketch comedy show.  The amount of people who have risen to fame due to this show is astounding: Bill Murray, Jim Belushi, Chevy Chase, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Andy Samberg, Dan Aykroyd, and dozens of others.  These are newer sketches.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 19, 2011, 11:20:38 PM
7) All in the Family (1968-1979): Is there any doubt that this show starring Carroll O' Connor as the bigoted and opinionated Archie Bunker doesn't belong here? The show took a hard nose look at many serious issues of the day and dared to tackle stuff rarely tackled on TV before its era. It was often also very, very funny especially the battles between Archie and his  stubborn liberal-minded pacifist son in-law Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner) whom Archie nicknamed "Meathead". It definitely had a more realistic edge than family shows that proceeded it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znrjbo9QRLk


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on September 20, 2011, 11:01:03 AM
8.) The Jeffersons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly21gNZbG0g
The Jeffersons is the second spin-off of All In The Family, focusing on Archie Bunker's neighbors George and Louise Jefferson, as they move into a more affluent neighborhood.  It's first couple years focused on some political stuff, much like it's predecessor, then moved on to a more traditional sitcom style.  Lasted around 10 years, and is the longest lasting sitcom in American history to feature a predominately African American cast.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: tracy on September 20, 2011, 01:33:27 PM
(http://css.top-10-list.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/MASH.jpg)

This is,in my opinion,one of the highest quality programs ever on television. So well done in casting and writing,it showcased the very best in both comedy and serious drama. It dealt with issues very relevant to the country while showing both compassion and guts.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Nightowl on September 20, 2011, 03:10:07 PM
^Mash is the only show I can think of that actually got better by the end, when does that ever happened?

10.)Lost (2004-2010)
(http://www.techshout.com/images/lost-poster.jpg)




Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 20, 2011, 09:04:11 PM
11) The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966): This TV sitcom classic was very cleverly written and often really funny. It starred Dick Van Dyke (really wish we could keep that name from getting censored on here - very annoying!) as TV writer Rob Petrie for the Alan Brady Show variety show. It details both his misadventures at home with wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) and son Ritchie (Larry Mathews) and at work with his comedy co-writers Sally Rogers (Rose Marie) and Buddy Sorrell (Morey Asterdam). Most of the comedy would come from confusion surrounding misunderstandings and mix-ups. One of the best sitcoms of all time IMO. Rob was kind of like a more family oriented Jack Tripper mixing physical and emotional comedy and got great support from Mary Tyler Moore as his often befuddled (by Rob's actions) but very smart and savvy wife Laura and Rose Marie and Morey Asterdam who were more than capable at delivering comedy one-liners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnII4_W9k3E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtzC69mcoWQ


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: RCMerchant on September 21, 2011, 05:26:00 AM
12. GUNSMOKE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7cF583A4Qw&feature=related


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Psycho Circus on September 21, 2011, 05:37:33 AM
13) MIAMI VICE (1984-1989)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eBLveddSfM


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Raffine on September 21, 2011, 07:13:24 AM
Quote
The d**k Van Dyke Show


Does 'Penis Van Dyke Show' work?


Title: Come on!
Post by: Raffine on September 21, 2011, 07:14:29 AM
14. Arrested Development


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 21, 2011, 09:04:11 PM
15. Three's Company (1976-1984): When fun loving would be chef, even if he's a bit of klutz, Jack Tripper (John Ritter) moves into an apartment with two single gals, the smart and savvy Janet (Joyce DeWitt) and the sexy, curvy but sweet somewhat dumb blonde Chrissy (Suzanne Somers), who would have guessed the arrangement could have provided so many great years of immense laughter, emotional ups and downs and a trio that on screen at least seemed to be true friends?  Some great support in terms of "marital bliss" (or lack thereof) between the Ropers, their landlords downstairs only added even more flavour to the mix and Mr. Roper (Normall Fell) tried to go out of his way to avoid the advances of his love-starved wife Helen (Audra Lindley). Later Chrissy would be replaced by cousin Cindy (Jennilee Harrison) and seemed to be a mix of Jack's clumsiness and Chrissy's ditziness. She'd eventually be replaced by registered nurse Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes), a much wiser educated and sophisticated blonde who nevertheless was extremely attractive and fetching and also proved quite capable at performing comedy here. The Ropers would be given their own unfortunately short-lived series and would be replaced by new landlord, perennial would-be ladies man extraordinaire Mr. Ralph Furley (Don Knotts). Richard Kline also provided good support especially to John Ritter as next door upstairs neighbor and Jack's best friend the money grubbing and womanizing Larry Dallas.

(http://classic-tv.com/shows/threescompany/cast.jpg)

(http://www.tvacres.com/images/tripper_jack8.jpg)


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Nightowl on September 22, 2011, 11:57:10 AM
16.)Married With Children (1987-1997): One of the first shows Fox ever created back in 1987. With Married With Children it helped Fox establish an image of a network where anything goes. The show was originally titled We're Not The Cosby's so MWC pushed the limits what could be done on television. In 1989 a housewife saw the show and disgusted when see saw the episode Her Cups Runneth Over then reported and boycotted the show which later backfired giving Married With Children even more publicity.

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z468/nightowl2011/Tv%20Pics/mwc_tvguidead.jpg)



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 22, 2011, 08:04:56 PM
17) The Fugitive (1963-1967): Classic series starring David Janssen as Dr. David Kimble, a man wrongly accused of murder. Kimble escapes and must stay one step ahead of the police as he races against time to also track down the true killer before he's recaptured by the authorities. Barry Morse is also quite memorable here in the role of Lt. Philip Gerard as the lead cop trying to track Kimble down. This was a very compelling show with terrific acting and writing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4FqaGddHE


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 24, 2011, 06:06:05 PM
The Wild Wild West (1965-1969): Two government agents, making use of assorted odd, futuristic gizmos and disguises, work together under President Grant in the Old West. Stars Robert Conrad as James T. West and Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon, the two agents. A very cleverly written series that mixed in elements of Spy-fi with the Western genre and a healthy dose of fun and adventure to boot. Featured numerous great character actors of the era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no8tvQ2EAfM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hI0LeiJSyo


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 27, 2011, 09:36:24 PM
19) Thriller (1960-1962): Hosted by Boris Karloff, this early 1960s anthology series was very well done. It started off initially with hour long crime suspense thriller style stories more in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Later things moved more into the realm of gothic horror, some with a Southern American bent. When Karloff himself appeared, the episodes were often more in the realm of horror and undoubtably the horror stories are the most memorable ones within the series. Also appearing in some of the scariest episodes were William Shatner, Russell Johnson, Henry Daniell, Harry Townes, Alan Napier, Audrey Dalton, John Ireland, Torin Thatcher, Richard Kiel, Jeannette Nolan, James Griffith, Guy Rolfe, Hazel Court, Sidney Blackmer, Henry Jones, Elizabeth Montgomery, Tom Poston, John Carradine, John Newland, Antoniette Bower, Bruce Dern, Oskar Homolka, Martin Kosleck, Ursula Andress, Warren Oates, Alan Caillou, Kenneth Haigh, Robert Vaughan, John Williams, Macdonald Carey, Patricia Medina, Henry Silva, Estelle Winwood, Jo Van Fleet, Jane Greer, Booth Colman, Alejandro Ray, Dick York to name but a few. Some of the scariest and best stories were based on the writings of Robert Bloch. Also appearing in other more crime based, psychological thriller and comedic style episodes were stars like Leslie Nielsen, Natalie Trundy, George Grizzard, Constance Ford, Tom Nolan, Mary Astor, Everett Sloane, Frank Silvera, Rip Torn, Martin Gabel, Richard Chamberlain, Cloris Leachman, Robert Lansing, Elisha Cook Jr., Jack Carson, Jeanne Cooper, Beverly Garland, Charles Aidman, Mort Sahl, Werner Klemperer, Murray Matheson, Susan Oliver, James Gregory, Bethel Leslie, Nehemiah Persoff, Robert Middleton, Edward Platt, Edward Andrews, Patricia Barry, Richard Carlson, Mary Tyler Moore and George Kennedy. The house from PSYCHO turned up a time or two as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJnhoQkXLA8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D38gnfPoAzI


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on September 27, 2011, 09:47:16 PM
20) South Park- One of the best written comedy series, which is unapologetic in it's humor.  Has had some controversies over the years dealing in topics such as Tom Cruise, Mohammad, Mormonism, and such, but with comedy you can't have limits or boundaries.  Won numerous awards and such, and has surprisingly lasted 14 years and still going.

Couldn't really find any clips online, but here's the trailer for the movie version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO0RArEENuY


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Couchtr26 on September 27, 2011, 11:46:07 PM
21) Firefly (2002 - later 2002)  Rather enjoyable series that was sadly canceled before its time.  Really need more to flesh out and I am very sad to see it go. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN8UIaMgvbQ

Plus it functions as a good excuse for the Hero of Canton.

22) Archer (2009 - present) Animated show that is very inappropriate at times.  It pokes quite a bit of fun at the spy movies and Cold War espionage.  Airing on FX, if you get a chance to watch give it a shot but don't say I didn't warn you. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq-N3_plNq8


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Hammock Rider on September 28, 2011, 08:41:53 AM
No explanations needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XyhLbV4bDU&feature=related


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on September 28, 2011, 04:53:19 PM
24) Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977): Also known as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, this show was influential and different featuring a strong female lead in Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards playing a young single woman trying to get ahead both at her job and in her personal life yet remaining true to herself as a strong, independent woman. We see her strive in her work as an associate producer in a small television newsroom working under her tough, gruff, at least on the outside, boss Lou Grant (Edward Asner) and alongside colleagues Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod), humor writer and clueless anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). Most everyone likes Mary, who's naturally sweet, nice and friendly but a few characters did act as her foils on the show. Originally her friend/landlady Phyllis played this role being both critical of Mary while herself being insufferable and overbearingly perky. Later Mary's main adversary would become "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White) who came across something like an oversexed Martha Stewart - White nailed the role perfectly here. Mary also had a very good friend in one Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) who offered a listening hear and helping hand and whom Mary also had to often try and help through Rhoda's own romantic misadventures. The show was actually very well done, so well done in fact it lead to three series spin-offs including Phyllis, Rhoda and Lou Grant. These were characters fans came to love and embrace and root for through their ups and downs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iso1cTVXh5M


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: RCMerchant on October 06, 2011, 03:58:50 AM
25. The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
I usta watch this show as a kid alla time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZRsWGp-XLA


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on October 09, 2011, 10:22:37 PM
26. Bonanza (1959-1973): Great Western series about Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his sons Adam (Pernell Roberts), Little Joe (Michael Landon) and Hoss (Dan Blocker) who work to defend their Ponderosa ranch from threats while also working to lend a hand and help out their local community. A very enjoyable family oriented Western with heroes who have high morals and believe in doing the right thing, it easy to see why these likable characters remained on the airwaves for so long. The show also featured great terrific guest star character actors. They don't make shows like this anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLg8tZkW71k


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on November 08, 2011, 11:37:59 PM
27. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000): This was about as close as an American equivalent to classic Degrassi as I've ever seen and it may in fact be an even better series. This show focuses on a group of older "freak" friends who don't quite fit in and a group of younger "geek" friends as each group struggles for acceptance and identity within high school while battling and facing all the challenges life presents them with be it romance, dealing the temptations of drugs and alcohol and the pressure from bullies all around them. It's a great show, certainly one of my personal faves and stars some rather popular film stars today in James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Samm Levine and main series stars Lina Cardellini and John Francis Daley. Also on board is Joe Flaherty as the main character's dad and Becky Ann Baker as their mom. If you've never seen it, I'd say it's worth checking this one out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IopHL3auzNQ


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on November 08, 2011, 11:55:14 PM
28) King of the Hill



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on November 16, 2011, 11:31:36 PM
29) Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995): Arguably the best adaptation of Batman ever created for either the TV screen or the big screen, this 90s Batman series was extremely well done and explored the world of Batman and his rogues gallery of villains in brilliant fashion breathing new life into some characters such as Mr. Freeze, Clayface, the Scarecrow and the Clock King while creating some wonderful new characters such as Harley Quinn and Baby Doll. Also done justice to where classic characters such as the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler and Catwoman. It's just a wonderful cartoon show that allows oneself to get lost into the sometimes dark world of Batman and his various villains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Xw89AIKfg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG9Tj7Uq7-w


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on November 16, 2011, 11:46:54 PM
30 Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989-1999)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdAIy2Wd9Fg&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL179CA68CB899FBA9

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (often abbreviated as MST3K) is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999.

The series features a man and his robot sidekicks who are trapped on a space station by an evil scientist and forced to watch a selection of bad movies, often (but not limited to) science fiction B-movies. To keep sane, the man and his robots provide a running commentary on each film, making fun of its flaws and wisecracking (or "riffing") their way through each reel in the style of a movie-theater peanut gallery. Each film is presented with a superimposition of the man and robots' silhouettes along the bottom of the screen.



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on November 19, 2011, 03:41:26 PM
31 Seinfeld 1989-1998

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Seinfeld_logo.svg/250px-Seinfeld_logo.svg.png)

the only bad thing I will say about this show is that the finale left a lot to be desired


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on November 22, 2011, 01:50:47 AM
32. The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982): Following an experiment in gamma radiation, Dr. David Bruce Banner (Bill Bixby) finds himself inexplicably transformed into a giant green rampaging muscle man named the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno). Also he soon finds himself a fugitive on the run with little memory of what the monster inside him might or might not of done while being relentlessly pursued by an investigative reporter named Jack McGhee (Jack Colvin). It's basically a superhero style take on the Fugitive. Nevertheless  the show was frequently quite good with involving plots that had one sympathizing with Banner and his plight and marveling at the  unpredictable actions and feats of strength performed by the Creature. "Don't make me angry...you wouldn't like me when I'm angry". I adored this show as a kid. It completely fascinated me and was an enthralling drama for me back then. I still like it a lot now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOXpKUu6pUg


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on November 22, 2011, 08:53:41 AM
31 Seinfeld 1989-1998

([url]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Seinfeld_logo.svg/250px-Seinfeld_logo.svg.png[/url])

the only bad thing I will say about this show is that the finale left a lot to be desired

The best part of the finale is the final scene when they're in the cell.  The exact conversation they had is a reference to the first conversation they had in the first episode.  Good stuff.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on November 22, 2011, 09:01:27 AM
33.) Beavis and Butt-head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_msVYvAPEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCnrpfUaAk&feature=related

One of the best animated shows I've seen.  Everyone thinks of it as a 'dumb kids show" but it created a bit of controversy.  No overall 'plot' or overlying storyarc to the series.  Just a glimpse into different days of their lives, as they go to school, watch MTV, and listen to music.  But one of the best shows of the MTV Generation.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on November 30, 2011, 12:39:47 PM
34 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/de/DoubleDareLogo.png/200px-DoubleDareLogo.png)

1986-1993

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2ylEJNeKDA


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 01, 2011, 09:35:34 PM
It doesn't matter how many decades pass, everybody knows that the television show to top, the greatest yet, the best show ever seen is:
"I Love Lucy"
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcROrUSXVBbF6Cdl_Wr-Hajr1uwB2zg0Biian7a6l83HU8UuyEqo2w)


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on December 03, 2011, 12:25:49 AM
Agree that classic belongs on this list. Here's another:

36) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966): Following the adventures of the beloved Nelson family, this show dealt with realistic everyday happenstance and events foused on the somewhat quirky Ozzie and more steady wife Harriet as well as family growing pains as sons David and Ricky grew from teenagers into men with Ricky becoming a popular singing sensation and David joining a law firm. Kind of like a slice of wholesome Americana pie in its time, this show was still frequently quite , quite funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Iq7WNu5og

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw6mG6ojb4Q


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 03, 2011, 12:41:59 AM
31 Seinfeld 1989-1998
([url]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Seinfeld_logo.svg/250px-Seinfeld_logo.svg.png[/url])
the only bad thing I will say about this show is that the finale left a lot to be desired

The best part of the finale is the final scene when they're in the cell.  The exact conversation they had is a reference to the first conversation they had in the first episode.  Good stuff.
For maybe the 2nd greatest show in TV history, I have always felt the finale was under appreciated.


37. "Leave It To Beaver"... as bad as I thought it was growing up watching reruns, I cherish it now.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_9wu-KjTk


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on December 03, 2011, 10:02:45 AM
I didn't see this one listed, correct me if wrong:
38.) The Honeymooners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAKSLJySqWI


For maybe the 2nd greatest show in TV history, I have always felt the finale was under appreciated.

[/quote]
It's pretty badly under appreciated.  That show gave us like, 8 years of consistent quality.  It's not the best finale, but in quality with the rest of the show.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 03, 2011, 05:13:41 PM
39) "Family Ties"  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iliLnQmaEOA


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on December 03, 2011, 05:32:42 PM
38 Prison Break (2005-2009)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/Prison-break-s1-intro.jpg)

39 Frasier (1993-2004)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/Frasier_Logo.JPG/245px-Frasier_Logo.JPG)


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on December 03, 2011, 05:33:23 PM
31 Seinfeld 1989-1998

([url]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Seinfeld_logo.svg/250px-Seinfeld_logo.svg.png[/url])

the only bad thing I will say about this show is that the finale left a lot to be desired

The best part of the finale is the final scene when they're in the cell.  The exact conversation they had is a reference to the first conversation they had in the first episode.  Good stuff.


I really liked that, good stuff indeed  :thumbup:


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 03, 2011, 08:00:05 PM
38 Prison Break (2005-2009)
39 Frasier (1993-2004)
Huh?  Your numbering appears to be mistaken.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on December 04, 2011, 01:03:21 AM
42, I think we're at 42:
Gilligan's Island
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR7qxtgCgY


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on December 04, 2011, 08:31:35 AM
38 Prison Break (2005-2009)
39 Frasier (1993-2004)
Huh?  Your numbering appears to be mistaken.

yikes....I misread the numbers


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on December 04, 2011, 11:38:11 AM
43.) The Wonder Years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ob59hsRaFU


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: 66Crush on December 12, 2011, 01:27:10 AM
44) VERONICA MARS (2004-08)

I don't care what anybody says, this was a smart, well written show that I think the average viewer just couldn't appreciate. But the fact remains that this show is the kind of film noir inspired mystery that's been missing from TV for years. It also introduced the adorable Kristen Bell, one the best actresses of her generation. I think people expected a dumb teen soap and instead got a character driven mystery.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on December 13, 2011, 11:36:32 PM
45) Penn & Teller: Bulls**t! (2003-2010)

Penn & Teller: Bulls**t! was hosted by professional magicians/comedians Penn & Teller. It generally either debated a political topic or aimed to debunk pseudoscientific ideas, paranormal beliefs, and popular fads and misconceptions, often from a libertarian point of view, the political philosophy espoused by both Penn and Teller. The show criticized proponents of what they perceive as nonsense and dishonesty, often citing ulterior political or financial motives. The stated aim of the show was to apply "critical thinking" to misconceptions and other bulls**t. As indicated by the show's title, the program adhered to Penn & Teller's characteristically blunt, aggressive presentation. The show was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Ozzymandias on December 15, 2011, 03:07:25 AM
Ozzymandias speaks: 46) Have Gun Will Travel (1957 - 1963) If Matt Dillon was the Phillip Marlow of the Old West, Paladin was the first James Bond of the Old West. Based on the Ian Fleming novel description of Bond, Sam Rolfe and Herb Meadow created a Western hero that was different than other TV Western heroes of the day. Paladin was dressed in all black while working and wore a tux at his home in the San Fransisco Hotel Carlton. He was a West Point grad who quoted Shakespear, Socrates, Keates and Shelley. He carried business cards and charged a fee for his services. The business cards and his holster both had a chess knight on them. He saved Oscar Wilde's life, hunted a sasquatch in Colorado, man-eating tigers in India and fought ninjas. The opening music was by Bernard Hermann and the closing theme was by country singer Johnny Western.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcyufeaoDW8&feature=related

Ozzymandias has spoken!!!


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on December 15, 2011, 11:37:43 PM
47) Daria (1997-2002)

Daria is an American animated television series produced by Paramount Television, and created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn for MTV. The series focuses on Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, acerbic, and somewhat misanthropic teenage girl who observes the world around her. The show is set in the fictional suburban American town of Lawndale and is a satire of high school life, and full of allusions to and criticisms of popular culture and social classes.

Daria is a spin-off of Mike Judge's animated Beavis and Butt-head series, in which Daria appeared as a recurring character.

48) Chappelle's Show (2003-2006)

Chappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22, 2003 on the American cable television network Comedy Central. The show ran for two complete seasons and a third, truncated season (dubbed "The Lost Episodes").


49) Futurama (1999-2003, 2008 - present)

Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series follows the adventures of a late 20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J. Fry, who, after being unwittingly cryogenically frozen for one thousand years, finds employment at Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company in the retro-futuristic 31st century. The series was envisioned by Groening in the late 1990s while working on The Simpsons, later bringing Cohen aboard to develop storylines and characters to pitch the show to Fox.



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: El Misfit on December 25, 2011, 09:40:53 AM
It Takes A Thief (1968-1970)
even though there were only 3 seasons, it is hilarious!


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on January 08, 2012, 11:14:02 PM
51) Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994): This follow-up series had some pretty big shoes to fill and despite inevitable comparisons with the original, this series forged an identity all its own with thoughtful science fiction stories that focused as much on the importance of communication and understanding, of when to act and when to take a chance and take the time to reason things out. The adventures of Picard, Riker, Worf, Troi, Data, LaForge and the rest of the crew took us into new areas not really explored before in Star Trek as characters were arguably more fully fleshed out and developed and stories features sometimes characters who weren't outright black or white, good and evil but more shades of gray. As the years have went on, I for one have come to appreciate this series more and more with certain episodes being as good as anything ever put on television.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-iTVag7bjY


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on January 19, 2012, 10:49:43 PM
52 Lost In Space (1965-1968): Mid-1960s space adventure series from adventure producer Irwin Allen, this series felt like a mix of adventurous space exploration with the 50s style TV family. Some episodes, especially the early ones were very good dealing with things such as loyalty, prejudice, responsibility, social behaviour and more. There were also a lot of interesting adventurous science fiction stories early on (and with guest stars the likes of Warren Oates, Michael Rennie, Robby the Robot. Kurt Russell, Michael Ansara, Sherry Jackson). As the series progressed, things got sillier and sillier yet the show maintained a certain fun charm and innocence and who couldn't help but love the loyal B9 Robot and his interactions with the man who would become the arguable anti-hero of the show- Dr. Zachary Smith played by Jonathan Harris. Bill Mumy too would prove very good in the role of the heroic young Will Robinson while Guy Williams played his dad John also the mission's commander, June Lockhart his mom Maureen, Marta Kristen his sister Judy and Angela Cartwright as his sister Penny. Mark Goddard played John's right hand man Major Don West. The show was about family as much as anything else while Smith and the Robot provided much of the comedy relief as well as often initiating a lot of the adventure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ExQ6vQOyU


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on January 21, 2012, 06:03:40 AM
53. Twin Peaks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0CGzPaJUOE


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on January 22, 2012, 12:37:41 PM
54. Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtAgAMzaeg


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: RCMerchant on January 22, 2012, 06:57:50 PM
55. BATMAN! dadadadadadadadadadada-BATMAN!
(1966-1968)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rebg5YfiBEI


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on January 22, 2012, 08:59:54 PM
56. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968): This classic 1960s American spy series focused on the adventurous exploits of leads Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum), a pair of spies one Russian and the other American who worked for an international espionage and law-enforcement agency called U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement) as they battle forces of evil in the world out to disrupt peace, particulary the forces of THRUSH who are out for world domination under their command. Similar in some ways to James Bond, the show featured lots of gadgets, girls, gunfights and lots of charm and wit along with far flung globe-hopping adventures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnwNNFAV1ic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_g2BeAX5-U


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: RCMerchant on January 23, 2012, 05:49:25 AM
57. The UNTOUCHABLES (1959-1963)
I loved watching the old reruns of this show on uhf!

The Nelson Riddle theme music was great! Also Walter Winchell's  rapid fire narration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeBA9JwpwY&feature=related


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on January 23, 2012, 06:37:52 PM
58. The Munsters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHr00nxeew


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on January 23, 2012, 07:55:53 PM
59. The Invaders (1967-1968): This series was a Quinn Martin production created by Larry Cohen that focuses on the struggle of an architect named David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) who stumbles across a secret alien invasion and inflitration already well underway. Soon he finds himself constantly on the move trying to stay one step ahead and foil plans of the aliens also while working to try and convince the skeptical of the real threat the aliens pose. The series was like something of a cross between the Fugitive and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Later shows such as UFO, the X-Files and First Wave certainly owe this series a heck of a lot. Dominic Frontiere provided the show's eerie score.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqs_0SBbPD0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvK8SN9DEf8


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on January 24, 2012, 10:01:20 PM
60.) The Addams Family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVDJvrBFDDc

Didn't see this listed.  Should be.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on January 25, 2012, 08:30:18 AM
61. Eerie Indiana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU-DAWveB_g

Such a good show.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on January 27, 2012, 08:50:05 PM
62. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985): When I was a kid, there was no show seemingly bigger or more popular filled with action and car chase thrills not to mention the stunning beauty of Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach) but the real star was always the the show's villains corrupt county commissioner Boss Hogg (Sorrell Brooke) and his cohorts bumbling sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best) and his deputy Enos Strate (Sonny Shroyer) as they tried to catch the good ole' Duke boys as they race around in their 1969 Dodge Charger stock car called "The General Lee" trying to stay one step ahead of the law but often getting caught up in the middle of various escapades and adventures that go on in the county often setting out to also foil Boss Hogg's schemes along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxD0PqVlt5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S814PTgWN0


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on January 27, 2012, 11:16:53 PM
Law and Order
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm7KjPVAVLc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-kh7GKSQ-c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz4-aEGvqQM

Not sure if it's listed, but damn sure should be.  Led to spinoffs like Law and Order: SVU, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: UK, and Law and Order LA.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: RCMerchant on February 13, 2012, 05:24:26 AM
64. IN SEARCH OF...(1976-1982)
I always enjoyed this show that investigated the paranormal,ufo's,and other weird mysteries-hosted by Mr.Spock himelf,Lenord Nimoy. A forerunner to shows like UNSOLVED MYSTERIES and the ilk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETSZaV_Ul0E


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on February 23, 2012, 08:24:25 PM
65) Quantam Leap (1989-1993): Terrific series starring Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who becomes lost in time during time travel experiments but eventually winds up taking the places of others temporarily in order to put right something that went wrong in their lives. Beckett's sole friend and ally his best friend Al (Dean Stockwell) who can only appear to him as an hologram. The show was pretty unpredictable, sometimes tackling social issues but delving within practically every genre under the sun despite being essentially a sci-fi fantasy adventure series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGQZfAbTQBI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIFlZKkc9c


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on March 27, 2012, 10:55:10 PM
66) Dragnet (1951-1959, 1967-1970): Classic crime drama/police procedural series that focused on the cases of Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and his partners, notably Officer Frank Smith (played by Ben Alexander) and later Bill Gannon (played by Harry Morgan) in the color 60s series. The stories had a realistic believable, sometimes gritty edge and everything wasn't always played out nice and tidy. The classic black and white series I'd argue had an grittier quality to them but the late 60s series was still quite good and sometimes surprised viewers with the outcomes as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXTduHKc1to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LprmdivN8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOshk2Uq2Ys


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on April 06, 2012, 09:52:27 PM
67) Dream On (1990-1996): This adult oriented comedy focused on the life of divorcee Martin Tupper (Brian Benben), a book editor pretty clueless when it comes to the modern singles scene who lives with a teenage son and is still good friends with his ex-wife Judith (Wendy Malick). Often they'd insert scenes from classic movies and elsewhere to help emphasize Martin's reactions to things. The series was also pretty adult comedy wise with moments of nudity and lots of sexual references.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97xrot0FW8A


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on April 08, 2012, 10:15:28 AM
68. Wild Palms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhTtaS3QFmU


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: crackers on April 08, 2012, 10:36:29 AM
69. Buffy The Vampire Slayer


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on April 08, 2012, 05:00:39 PM
70) One Day At A Time (1975-1984): Long-running comedy sitcom focused on the Romano family, divorced and now single Ann (Bonnie Franklin) and her two teenage daughters the rebellious Julie (MacKenzie Phillips) and the more straight-laced Barbara (Valerie Bertinelli) living in an apartment building in Indianapolis where frequently they are visited by their building superintendent Schneider (Pat Harrington) who eventually takes on a sort of surrogate father role for the girls. The series tackled many real life issues, some of which were particularly controversial. Despite its serious side, the show was frequently funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82CUd6isyY

71) The Golden Girls (1985-1992): Consistently entertaining comedy sitcom focused on the lives of four older women sharing a house in Miami, Florida. The characters and their interactions were often quite funny. There was the sex-crazy Blanche (Rue McClanahan), the dense but sweet Rose (Betty White), the more serious and often sarcastic Dorothy (Bea Arthur) and Dorothy's wise and wise-cracking mother Sophia (Estelle Getty) who wasn't very often afraid to say whatever was on her mind.  The show wasn't afraid to tackle issues you rarely saw get discussed openly by older women at this time. While perhaps this was aimed a bit more at a female audience, there's laughs to be found here for anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTmgL0XQehI


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: 66Crush on April 10, 2012, 01:15:11 AM
I agree with the guy that said "Dukes of Hazzard." I think people don't understand that it's a parody of redneck life as much as it is a praise for it. The action comedy is such a thing of the past now. I miss shows like this and "The A-Team."


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on May 02, 2012, 07:15:32 PM
72) Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980): This classic crime action adventure series was quite entertaining and well done. It featured fascinating crime investigations set on the island of Hawaii. Lot of guest star character actors helped make the show great as did regular stars Jack Lord, James McArthur and Kam Fong. "Book 'em Danno"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on May 04, 2012, 08:05:45 PM
66Crush mentioned The A-Team (1983-1987), think we should officially add it to the list here at # 73. Sure it was dumb and loud but it was also very much in vein with the quirky fun of 80s action too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmUWDTjCp-Q


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Doggett on May 12, 2012, 12:48:07 PM
74.

The West Wing.

I love this.
Its so fast paced and witty. And weirdly, reminds me of Star Trek. All that diplomatic, moral dilemma stuff. Each member of the team has their own little job to do and they have a captain...well...president... All you need is comm badges.  :teddyr:

I thought it would be boring and only started watching as there was nothing else on. Yes, there are a few cheesy inspirational speeches but it's Martin Sheen and he pulls it off better than Bill Pullman in Independence Day. I'm currently on series three and its a winner. Hope it doesn't go downhill.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivPEYjYd20&feature=related

The show that taught me that if a conversation is worth having, its worth having while walking through doors.  :teddyr:


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: 66Crush on May 16, 2012, 03:50:25 PM
75."CHiPs" (1977-83)- Just good dumb fun. How could a B-movie fan not love the thespian skills of Erik Estrada. That's Erik with a k kiddies. Ponch rules. He's the only guy I know who could pull a guy out of a burning, moving car and land them both back safely on his motorcycle. Like I said, dumb fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYf0ByjfEDo


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on May 18, 2012, 01:22:21 PM
76. Knight Rider (1982-1986): This series starring David Hasselhoff (as Michael Knight) and his high-powered car with artificial intelligence named K.I.T.T. (voiced by William Daniels) was very popular in the early 1980s and certainly rarely failed to deliver action thrills and entertain (even if it was also sometimes somewhat silly).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbnCQnDnfjs


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: tracy on May 18, 2012, 02:25:58 PM
77.Northern Exposure

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s403UTt2_Hk/Tbqq6YSuZVI/AAAAAAAACYw/a_30U4U9mSs/s400/northern_exposure_dvd_photo3.jpg)

This quirky little show was set in Cicely,Alaska where a Jewish doctor from NYC has to pay off his medical school loans by working there for several years. At first he fit in with the town's ecclectic citizens like ice cream and whiskey but he somehow fell into their ways. One of the best.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: bob on May 19, 2012, 01:30:48 AM
The Office U.S. verison (2005-present)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/The_Office_US_logo.svg/500px-The_Office_US_logo.svg.png)


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on May 20, 2012, 09:46:48 PM
79) Good Times (1974-1979): This spin-off of Maude certainly managed to forge an identity all its own. The show focused on a poor black family living in inner city Chicago in a poor black neighborhood. It starred Esther Rolle as mother Florida Evans, John Amos as father James Evans Sr., Jimmie Walker as the frequent show-stealing (even if his character sometimes felt rather stereotypical) James "J.J." Evans Jr., Ralph Carter as Michael Evans, Bern Nadette Stanis as Thelma Evans and Ja'net Dubois as neighbor Willona Woods. In later seasons Janet Jackson appeared as Willona's adopted daughter Penny and Johnny Brown was a recurring character as the building handyman Bookman. The series was funny more often than not but also had a serious edge dealing with important and serious world and family issues and often in a realistic down to earth fashion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKHg5CP7pk


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on June 03, 2012, 07:16:49 PM
Two classics starring Andy Griffith I think belong on this list:

80) The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968): This rather wholesome show starred Andy Griffith as a widowed town Sheriff named Andy Taylor in the fictional average American small town called Mayberry, North Carolina and his everyday life while dealing with a well-meaning but bumbling deputy in Barney Fife (Don Knotts), his spinster aunt/housekeeper Aunt Bee (Frances Baviar) and his ever curious and sometimes prone to trouble young son Opie (Ron Howard). This series feels like old-school small town Americana next to apple pie and baseball to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M14afIbJGA4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUERL6ITsAE

81) Matlock (1986-1995): The legal drama/murder mystery series that was reportedly always so popular with old folks was a favourite of mine from a young age. The show was well done, the stories were interestingand often keep one guessing until the end  and numerous talented guest stars appeared in the show over the years. Actually few legal dramas have been so long lasting on the airwaves...hmm that reminds me, is Perry Mason on this list yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQgdfJoxX1s


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: Raffine on June 04, 2012, 11:06:47 PM
82. GREEN ACRES

Often dismissed as a low-brow rural comedy this in reality was a surprisingly surreal and often hilarious sitcom about a relatively normal man (Eddie Arnold) surrounded by raving manics - including his lovely wife Lisa (Eva Gabor). The often broke the fourth wall, including characters reacting to (and arguing with) the opening credits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLIIkffxp1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUNsnA2Kz-c&feature=related


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on June 10, 2012, 03:33:52 PM
Another successful lawyer/legal series, the one and only Perry Mason starring Raymond Burr in the lead. I recall and greatly enjoying this TV series based largely on the detective fiction of Erle Stanley Gardner. While the series was somewhat formulaic, it was nevertheless enjoyable.

83. Perry Mason (1957-1966)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdlPhe7oDRk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnPgE_kDNU

Speaking of detective series, it would be greatly remiss to leave Peter Falk's Columbo off this list. Columbo always pretended to be dumb and ordinary but in fact was anything but...

84. Columbo  (1968-1978, 1989-2003)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0BKM_8bpXs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqFW2EUQ1aA

Continuing on with detective/mystery show greats, one cannot forget or overlook Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher, a murder mystery writer who proves to have a flare for actually solving real murder mysteries in Murder, She Wrote, a show like Matlock that seemed popular with the older folks yet I have to admit to watching it regularly too back in its era.

85. Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94ugLhua9Y





Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: 66Crush on June 12, 2012, 12:21:20 AM
86. Charmed (1998-2006)

Although criticized by some, I for one, really like this show about three sisters, who just happen to be witches. Think of as Bewitched meets Charlie's Angels meets Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The series was funny, touching and had plenty of action and special effects. Plus the three sisters were easy on the eyes. It was a weekly escape and didn't take itself too seriously, unlike much of TV drama. I think it deserves a place in television history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TrGFNLjyog


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on June 13, 2012, 10:00:51 PM
87. MacGyver (1985-1992): Starring Richard Dean Anderson as secret agent MacGyver, a man who detests guns yet who can seemingly make anything out of household and other devices that just happen to be on hand to make other weapons to defend himself and others and get himself and others out of trouble. I recall this show being hugely popular in the 80s and 90s and it was a lot of fun to watch - in the realm of enjoyable mindless escapism although MacGyver himself always seemed so very clever and heroic...[some Canadian connections with this series as well].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROT3GTjuqKg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8ZpeEbYs9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNl9M5TxGC8



Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: 66Crush on June 14, 2012, 03:13:58 PM
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-81)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4szGxaKF8Qw

Someone had to mention it sooner or later. Buck Rogers was an update of the old 1930's serial and an attempt to cash in on the Star Wars craze. It was cheaply made and cheesy, but I loved it. Gil Gerard starred as Buck an astronaut who was frozen in space in the year 1987 and awoke over 500 years later (2491 to be exact). Helping Buck adjust to his new life was Col. Wilma Deering (played by the gorgeous Erin Grey in tight spandex), and a little robot named Twiki (who's head looked like a part of the male anatomy and voiced by Mel Blanc of Looney Tunes fame). Buck was a rough and tough ladies man who could always kick some butt and get the girl. It was a bit corny (they can't all be Star Trek), but it was what it was. I watched it as kid, and it will always be one of my favorites.


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on June 19, 2012, 07:31:14 PM
89. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964-1968): Entertaining Irwin Allen fantasy adventure series had the crew of the submarine Seaview tackling underwater threats. Initially the series was more serious with threats often coming from other foreign powers and there being a semblance of reality to the stories. In later seasons however, the Seaview crew faced more and more outlandish monsters, aliens and other assorted monsters and the series become more fun and filled with stuff sure to spark the more juvenile imagination. In some ways, the Seaview commanded by Admiral Nelson (Richard Basehart) and Commander Crane (David Hedison) kind of set a standard with regards to a crew and those under her command and was arguably influential on the later Star Trek series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=recuvYEHsvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKU0M9x0fCo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYb_2hECbUM


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: HappyGilmore on June 20, 2012, 06:06:52 PM
Is Law and Order on this list?

Jackass?

The Lone Gunmen?


Title: Re: Top 100 American Television Series
Post by: JaseSF on June 20, 2012, 09:06:40 PM
Is Law and Order on this list? YES

Jackass? No

The Lone Gunmen? No

I'll add the following (surprised no one has added it thus far)

90) Babylon 5 (1993-1998): J. Michael Straczynski's creation that plays out like a five year story, a continuing sci-fi novel of sorts for TV. The setting, the space station Babylon 5 acts as a catalyst for science fiction storytelling involving themes such as politics, racism, social behaviour, religious motivations as different spacefaring races come to further trade and diplomacy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GuaXJmzNbU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQWFAE8at4w