Favorite TV shows

[indianajdp]

Yeah, I saw that on another site a few days ago.
Needless to say I am eagerly anticipating this release. Audio Commentary with David AND Garlin

[IggieKuzco]

1) Friends
2) Whose Line is it anyway?
3) Saturday Night Live
4) That 70's Show
5) The Simpsons
6) Saved by the Bell

Ther's lots more i just cant think of them off the top of my head!

[catNC]

i can't pick a single favorite, so i will list them in no particular order:

• friends- it's amazing how a group of 6 characters interact so well
  
  the cosby show- i grew up watching this show.. it's a sentimental favorite
  
  the wonder years- i thought fred savage was adorable on this show
  
  the many loves of dobie gillis- one of the lesser thought of shows from the 60's. i thought it was a really good show
  
  scrubs- this show is absolutely hilarious. they take a show with not much of a premise, but somehow have you laughing your head off for 22 minutes
  
  that 70's show- i love the circle scenes
  
  simpsons- who doesn't like the simpsons??
  
  the andy griffith show- i always root for the hometown boy (andy griffith from mt. airy, north carolina)

[Chernobog]

Will and Grace GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! My favorite series!
Friends
The Golden Girls
Futurama
The Simpsons

And a spanish sitcom:

7 Vidas (7 Lives

[Squirrel]

I'll give it a go with my top ten shows ...

1. Northern Exposure - Beautiful, unique setting (Alaska ; though it was actually filmed in Washington), with quirky characters. Walks the line of fantasy and reality often ... and so well. Not quite a comedy, not quite a drama, but a mix of both. And a great exploration of the human condition. It often felt that each episode ended with some sort of epiphany-like moment. Almost always on the right note, this show. Cicely is a state of mind ...

2. Twin Peaks - Have only seen the first season, but it pulled me in; and the more I've watched it, the more amazing it becomes; flirting with being a soap opera, at times, and very complex, sometimes haunting, but often funny. Very cinematic and surreal. Like one of the characters remarks, "It's like I'm having the most beautiful dream and the most terrible nightmare all at once."

3. 24 - The real-time, hour-by-hour format is a great plot device, and it works because you end up caring about the characters. The editing, music, cinematography, acting ... all of it superb. A drama, a thriller, it keeps you tense and guessing. Very involving show. (And, I think, the best currently in production.)

4. Are You Being Served? - Have been watching this for years ... it used to be on late-night (11 to 12) on the Indy PBS station, and I would watch it before going to bed, so part of it is nostalgia ... but it's just so funny. They do so much with so little (just two or three sets). Whether it be Young Mr. Grace stumbling through the door at just the right moment to solve whatever problem, or Mrs. Slocombe's hair color ... there are so many things that I love here, the characters, the setting, the humor. And I am unanimous in that. I wish there was a real store like Grace Brothers!

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The best of the Treks, I thought. Rich and dark, and intricate, from the Bajoran and Cardassian (and the Maquis) political intrigue of the first two seasons to the Dominion War of the latter seasons, this show used continuity (unlike the other Treks, really), and a large ensemble of regular and supporting characters. And the station-setting made for a different (and, I felt, more home-like) feel. Probably the black sheep of the Trek family, but the one I enjoyed the most.

6. Keeping Up Appearances - I love Hyacinth and her social-climbing. And I love how Liz and Emmet are constantly trying to avoid her ("Coffee at eleven? Thank you, Hyacinth!") And of course there's Rose, Onslow, Daisy, the "dishy Vicar!" as Rose calls him, and others ... and Richard, of course. All the more delightful because Hyacinth is an unstoppable force, and the fun comes out of watching everyone deal with her, and seeing what scheme or plan she's come up with next (to advance the notoriety of her and her candlelight suppers).

7. Ballykissangel - Like Northern Exposure in many regards (except Father Clifford wanted to stay in BallyK, whereas Joel wanted to leave Cicely). But I feel it's different enough (most notably in the religious aspects of the show). Love the characters, the setting, the relationships ... and over all its (six, I believe) series, it was (and still is) one of my favorites.

8. Now and Again - CBS cancelled this one after a single season. (Which, if they hadn't, maybe Dennis Haysbert wouldn't be President Palmer, so ... ) Eric Close was a 6 million dollar man (more than that, but ... ) and Margaret Colin was his wife, who he's forbidden to see. No one must now that Mr. Wiseman has been rebuilt. The chemistry between Close and Colin was tremendous, and Haysbert was excellent, and so was Heather Matarazzo. And the guy who played Uncle Roger ... a fun sci-fi show with the right amount of drama and romance, and very rewarding. I only wish CBS had given it a chance ...

9. Yes, Prime Minister - A very intelligent show about politics, with PM Jim Hacker trying to do one thing, but Sir Humphrey trying to stop him. Machinations abound, and the dialogue makes great use of the English language. And the three leads are very talented and funny.

10. Monarch of the Glen - I would've put The West Wing in this slot (had it not jumped the shark with Aaron Sorkin's departure). This show is in the vein of Northern Exposure and Ballykissangel (curiously, to me anyway, none of these three seems a copy of each other; they're all strong). And it's just an enjoyable. The cinematography of Scotland is beautiful, the music lovely, a quirky cast with smart plots and interactions based around the town of Glenbogle.

[MickeyMousePal]

Here are my top ten favorite tv shows.

1. The Simpsons

2. Home Improvement

3. Family Matters

4. Saved by the Bell

5. Friends

6. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

7. Boy Meets World

8. Full House

9. Fresh Prince of Bell Air

10. Step by Step

Malcolm in the Middle is one of my favorite but didn't make it to the top ten so I'll just list it.

[Jack]

1. Adam 12
2. Saturday Night Live
3. Dragnet
4. Animaniacs
5. Boy Meets World
6. Even Stevens
7. I Love Lucy
8. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
9. Aladdin: The Series
10. The Brady Bunch

[goofystitch]

1. The Simpsons - It has been on since I can remember and as I grow, I find new jokes that where once over my head.
2. Friends - The cast is lovable and the gags are pretty clevar. I am sad it is ending.
3. Family Guy - A lot of people accuse it of ripping off "The Simpsons," but you really need to watch it because the characters are a lot different and the plots are so hilarious.
4. Wonderfalls - It's new and only time will tell if this series remains good, but if the rest of the episodes are as good as the ones that have aired, this spot will remain secure for a while.
5. Arrested Development - Ron Howard's hilarious and unique sitcom that is on the verge of cancellation. I guess a lot of the humor is too smart for the average viewer.
6. Maybe It's Me - One of the few collaborations between Disney and Warner Bros., the sitcom about a girl with a crazy family was cancelled because of a poor time slot. The show ended with the main character falling in love and it made all of the fans upset that they will never get to see the end of it.
7. The Torkelsons - this and it's spin-off, "Almost Home," are two of the best shows ever made about a poor, broken Louisiana family and their trials and tribulations. The show was more comedy than drama, but the storylines where excellent. I wish ABC Family would replay it.
8. Seinfeld - I didn't get into this show untill about 3 years ago. It is so simple, yet so creative at the same time. Larry David is a geneous.
9. Even Stevens - the best Disney Channel series and I wish they would give it a better time slot and a DVD release of the whole series. Not just volumes in no particular order.
10. Salute Your Shorts - I would watch this show everyday on Nickelodeon. It was short lived, but hilarious. I wish Paramount would answer my prayers and sell it to me on DVD!

[Luke]

Bumping this interesting thread. Looking back a year later, my list hasn't changed very much, but I'm really glad that a number of my favorites have come to DVD or will be coming to DVD in the near future.

[IggieKuzco]

1) Friends
2) Whose Line is it anyway?
3) Saturday Night Live
4) That 70's Show
5) The Simpsons
6) Saved by the Bell

Ther's lots more i just cant think of them off the top of my head!

ok this is from almost a year ago so i gotta add a few:

-Clerks: the animated series
probably the funniest show i've seen in my life. 2 episodes on <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=tv&v=56">tv</a> EVER ppl!! its a crime.
-freaks and geeks
its just so... real... hilarious... amazingly acted... blown away.
-Malcom in the middle
soooo funny... its so good. only of its kind.
- family guy
lol. just lol.

[Loomis]

Bumping this interesting thread. Looking back a year later, my list hasn't changed very much, but I'm really glad that a number of my favorites have come to DVD or will be coming to DVD in the near future.

Yes, I just looked back at my list of TV comedies and found that I'd probably have a few more to add now:

League of Gentlemen: In fact, I'd probably say this is one of my favourite TV comedies of all time now. And I have 2099net to thank for putting me on to it. I wonder how this would play in the US, though. The humour can bit surrealist at times, but even when it isn't it is still fairly over the top. Number of film references too.

Black Books: Similar sense of humour above, without being quite as "out there". Dylan Moran is also a certified (or is that certifiable?) comic genius. Storylines involve things like a guy swallowing and aborbing the Little Book of Calm; an attempt to create a "super wine"; and a man with a beard fetish manipulating one of the main characters. And any show that contain the line "Right now I'm eating scrambled eggs out of a shoe with a comb" is fine by me.

2 Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place: Not sure why I didn't add this, originally. Ryan Reynolds. David Ogden Stiers (in the first season). How can you go wrong?

The last is the only one I enjoy that is yet to see the light of DVD.

[AwallaceUNC]

Oh man, I love this thread! We need to have one for 1-hour dramas, too. I'm a big TV fan and watch (too) much of it. I will attempt to make a top 10 list of comedies and/or sitcoms off the top of my head...

(I'm leaving out talk shows and variety shows for sanity's sake... maybe we can have a list of those at some point, too. For the record, I consider Animaniacs to be a variety show.)

1. Friends - I started watching the show during the 2nd season and grew up with it. Season 1, 8, and 9 were a little weak. Beyond that, it pretty much defines hilarity for me.

2. The Simpsons - I've only been watching for about 5 years, and have covered quite a bit of ground in that time. I simply can't get enough (which goes for this whole list). It's a witty blend of satire and stupid humor.

3. Seinfeld - The concept behind this show is really its genius. It's a show about nothing, but through that, it becomes a show about everyday life (only exaggerated, of course). Everything that's ever bugged you is going to make the main characters irate and drive them into the most absurd (yet relatable) situations. It's grade-A comedy.

4. Boy Meets World - It doesn't feel quite right putting this at #4 on my list. When all is said and done, BMW is probably my #1 favorite show. I'm judging it as a comedy in this list, though, and it's stronger point is really its ability to blend comedy and drama in a perfectly warm family show. The characters are so well-defined that the audience truly feels for them.

5. The Golden Girls - Why does this show so appeal to me? I'm certainly not in the target audience (not even close), yet I can't watch a single episode without breaking into fits of hysterics. The comedy is so outrageous at times (Rose is SO clueless, Sophia is SO obstinate) that it just cracks me up. I can't wait for the DVD! Hopefully the follow-up Golden Palace will come out too.

6. I Love Lucy - This show presents comedy in its truest, rawest form. There isn't a single episode that isn't funny, and few shows can claim that. Sometimes the episodes are a bit formulaic (Lucky & Ethyl always scheming, Ricky & Fred always one step ahead), but they don't really get old. The situations are extreme (and thusly extremely funny), but the incredible acting- especially by Lucille Ball- is really what makes the show stand out.

7. Frasier - To be so smart, the main characters get themselves in the most inane predicaments. Their reactions to those predicaments is what makes the show so funny. Frasier is unique in many ways. No other primetime sitcom succeeds with great humor at a rather high-brow level. I also find Frasier & Niles very relatable.

8. Family Matters - Like BMW, this film presents the best of both worlds (comedy and drama), with a heavier focus on comedy. The show is hilarious but also very warming, and the characters are a hoot. I liked it before Urkel came on, but it definitely picked up when he was added. However, the show became a little stale in its last year at ABC. When it moved to CBS and Jo-Marie Payton left, it was next to unwatchable (I still watched it, of course... who do you think I am, some sort of casual television viewer?)

9. The Nanny - The situation was a dead give-away for great comedy- an unfit valley girl nanny being brought in to a rich man's house for his kids. It's The Sound of Music gone very wrong!

10. Like Luke, I have way more than 10 favorites, so I'm going to make a list of honorable mentions:
Andy Richter Controls The Universe - It's a shame this was cancelled. I literally fell out of my chair with laughter in one episode and came close with others. Hopefully it gets a DVD release.
Just Shoot Me
Bette - Another that shouldn't have been cancelled... hoping for a DVD release
Whoopi - Ditto
Full House
Bewitched
Malcolm in the Middle
Saved By The Bell
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Step By Step
Mary Tyler Moore
Ellen
I Dream of Jeannie
Sanford & Son
All In The Family
Home Improvement
The Wonder Years
The Cosby Show
Ellen
Perfect Strangers
Cheers
Growing Pains
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
The Torkelsons
Hanging With Mr. Cooper
The Torkelsons/Home Again
The Brady Bunch
Hey Dude
Salute Your Shorts

Sorry for the long list, but I couldn't leave any out. I like others too, but I LOVE all of these.

-Aaron

[DisneyGirl]

4) Boy Meets World - Probably the only show, besides Cosby, that I watch daily. I just can't get enough of it. It is just too well written. Eric is just too funny towards the latter of the series which just adds a whole new level to the series. Can't wait till the DVD release next year (hopefully)

My calender shows Boy Meets World Season 1 being released on DVD on August 24, 2004, was it pushed back?

[AwallaceUNC]

I was confused at first too... this thread's a year old, and that was made back in the summer of '03. Luke just bumped it the other day.

-Aaron

[DisneyGirl]

Im sorry but Home Improvement was the worst show ever!

Well, since Stashone didn't post anything about his/her favorite sitcoms, I'm wondering if you're even a sitcom fan? Home Improvement is a classic example of the sitcom. It contains nearly every architype available. But anyway I'm not going to dissect the show for you, but seeing as how the show was on for so many years, I'd say your opinion of HI is rare one.

[AwallaceUNC]

Wasn't it the #1 sitcom on TV until Seinfeld unseated it, and then Friends?

-Aaron

[DisneyGirl]

I was confused at first too... this thread's a year old, and that was made back in the summer of '03. Luke just bumped it the other day.

Hah! I didn't even bother looking at the date...anyway...here's my list to add to the pile:

Friends
This show began when I was in the sixth grade, far to young for their type of conversations...I discovered Friends in high school and have been a faithful fan for years. I've been hoarding the DVDs since they were released, and plan on buying the entire show on DVD. My all time favorite!

Saved By The Bell
If it doesn't have Zack Morris it's not Saved By The Bell.

Home Improvement
I was one of many girls who loved Jonathan Taylor Thomas...fortunately I outgrew my girlish crush...(now it's a womanly lust for Orlando Bloom)

Boy Meets World
I'm not very fond of Cory's younger days, i.e. BEFORE him and Topanga hooked up.

You Can't Do That On Television, Hey Dude, All That (The Original Cast), Kenan and Kel
Nickelodian's golden days, back in the late 80's/early 90's were the best!
Kenan: "Who loves orange soda?"
Kel: "Kel loves orange soda?"
Kenan: "Who?"
Kel: "I do I do I dooo-oo!"

Kel as Ed from Good Burger: "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take you order?"

Keanan is also one of my favorite characters from The Mighty Ducks Movies (of course, he was only in the second and third one, but whatever.)

[Luke]

Wasn't it the #1 sitcom on TV until Seinfeld unseated it, and then Friends?

-Aaron

It was the #1 sitcom on television, and actually it was the reason that Seinfeld moved to Thursday nights, since it couldn't compete with HI in head-to-head competition. I'm really hoping this November release date holds up, but we'll have to be hearing about it very soon.

[yoda_four]

I LOVE TV! Glad to see this trhead got bumped, or I might have never added my list! I dont really feel the need to add any comments, nor will I rank these in any way.

P.S.: Aaron, you posted Ellen twice!

• The Simpsons - All-time Fav. Been on way too long tho, recent stuff has become "funny because it's stupid", not like when it started out with good writing. Sadly, it doesn't look like there's an end in sight; so the show'll jsut get worse and worse.
  
  King of the Hill - All-time Fav
  
  Family Guy - Recently discovered on DVD. Much like Simpsons, but somewhat more enjoyable. I love Stewie! It pokes fun at nearly everything.
  
  Futurama - Another All-Time Fav. I hope it gets resurrecting somehow, tho I doubt it will. It took the Simpsons spot, once that show went downhill. Hilarious, even at the end of it's run. It got stars even Simpsons couldn't get. Good writing too.
  
  Malcolm in the Middle - Used to watch it all the time, but has fallen to the sideline in recent years. Still quite good.
  
  Dilbert - A good example of what can happen when you mix smart comedy with animation. Too bad it was cancelled, Larry Charles (from Seinfeld) even worked on it. I love Dogbert!
  
  Frasier - All-Time Fav. Started my love on DVD, and glad to see I didnt miss the finale. It went down in more recent years, but was consistenly wonderful writing and acting. Every episode from Season 2 was hilarious! It had a good run, but I hate how Friends got more attention from NBC than Frasier.
  
  Friends - I enjoyed the six's quirky storylines and funny personalities. I think it too ran it's course, and finished at a nice time. Could've been better with 1 more year tho.
  
  Seinfeld - All-Time Fav. Why did Jerry finish it in 98!?!?! I love how the storyline always seems to wrap up perfectly in every episode. I've always wished NBC and Seinfeld and Larry David brought it back to continue the show as "Jerry" after they get out of jail. Interesting concept I think, taking it off the air for five years, then just continuing. A man can dream.... wonderful writing! I love Kramer!
  
  Cheers - Haven't seen it all. Recently discovered on DVD. I enjoy it, but I think I prefer the earlier years with Coach and Diane, as opposed to Frasier, Woody, and what's her face. Nice writing.
  
  Home Improvement - I've always enjoyed this show. Haven't seen them all, but more just occasional viewings. Dont know what mroe I can say. Tho, like my wish for "Jerry", I always thought It'd be nice if a spinoff was made with having an actualy "Tool Time" show. That'd be good!
  
  Curb Your Enthusiasm (tho I find Seinfeld funnier) - I've enjoyed what I've seen, but seeing as how Larry David was the basis for George Costanza; I much rather enjoy Jason Alexander's portrayal. It's an okay show, takes off some of the "I want for Seinfeld". I like how it's based in reality, and how we always get cameos from famous ppl. Overall, it'll never be Seinfeld, but it follows the same concept.
  
  Trailer Park Boys - All you Americans, check this out! Hilarious Canadian Cult "scripted reality" show. Just started airing on BBC America. For those up north, who havent heard about TPBs yet, check it out on Showcase!. It's got it's ups and downs but overall, I'm glad I discovered TPB on DVD. (1,2,3 seasons available now!) Wonderful writing, but I hate how I suddenly start feeling the need to swear in my sentences after having watched an episode.
  
  Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien (yes, a variety show, but also under the comedy category) - All-Time Fav. THIS is what I call hilarious! Every single show is good! Makes fun of everybody and everything. It's a humour that takes some adjusting to, but once your on the Conan wave you wont want to leave. Cmon, you get both Triumph and the Masturbating Bear on one show! Plus, the odd silences between Conan and Max, mind-blowing clips from Walker Texas Ranger, and jjust hilarious antics every single night. Check it out if you havent already. I suggest a rental of the newly released Conan 10th Anniversary first. Triumph's humour is certainly something you'd have to get adjusted to.
  
  Saturday Night Live - Lorne Michaels is a genius! Having seen almost all the 70's episodes, I can say the show was truly genuine back then. the 80's were okay, but the early 90's were when the show truly came back! I hated the Adam Sandler days. I enjoy this show every sat. Yes, the skits have their ups and downs, but it's the funniest thing when everyone just starts laughing duirng a skit. (check out the Disneyland skit from Lindsay Lohan's hosting show) Occasionally, some of the recurring skits are re-hashes of older stuff, but it's fun nonetheless. So many ppl got their starts on this show, and its fun to see where they came from. Conan, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon, Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, Mr. Bill, JH's Muppets, Eddie Murphy, the list goes on and on. Check it out, next sat night.
  
  SCTV - Meh. It's okay but I prefer SNL.
  
  The Kids in the Hall - Meh, I prefer SNL. But still okay.
  
  Taxi (about the oldest sitcom I enjoy) - onyl seen it a handful of times but have enjoyed it. Fun to see where Danny Devito and Chris Llyod and Andy got their start. The humour's along the lines of Cheers.

I think that's about it.

That's the first time I've used the List thing, and I must say that it works wonders. So much easier than doing it manually. I suggest everyone try it out next time you have the chance!

[AwallaceUNC]

P.S.: Aaron, you posted Ellen twice!

Oops, you're right. Sorry 'bout that. Not an Ellen fan?

I also should mention that all 3 of the Seinfeld characters' shows (The Michael Richards Show, Bob Patterson, Watching Ellie) were all hilarious. None of them should have been cancelled and I hope to see DVD releases.

-Aaron