DVD Review Magazine's Top 101 TV Shows

[Wezzo]

Wasn't sure whether to stick this in the current TV thread or make a new thread.. in the end I decided on the latter, I guess it can be merged if necessary.

Anyhoo, the UK's DVD Review magazine printed their top 101 TV shows this week (based on quality of the show, not success - or, indeed, the quality of the show's DVD release). Reality shows weren't eligible. Here's the list:

1. The Wire
2. The Sopranos
3. 24
4. The Simpsons
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6. Seinfeld
7. Twin Peaks
8. Star Trek
9. Lost
10. The West Wing
11. Doctor Who
12. Battlestar Galactica (re-imagining)
13. Planet Earth
14. The X Files
15. ER
16. Curb Your Enthusiasm
17. Arrested Development
18. The Office (US)
19. The Office (UK)
20. House
21. Friends
22. Columbo
23. Blackadder
24. South Park
25. Sex and the City
26. Futurama
27. Band of Brothers
28. Mad Men
29. Life On Mars
30. Family Guy
31. Heroes
32. Frasier
33. Fawlty Towers
34. Deadwood
35. CSI
36. Father Ted
37. The Prisoner
38. The League of Gentlemen
39. Six Feet Under
40. Firefly
41. Spaced
42. The Muppet Show
43. Prime Suspect
44. Monty Python's Flying Circus
45. M*A*S*H
46. Quantum Leap
47. Morecambe and Wise Show
48. The Avengers
49. Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
50. Only Fools and Horses
51. My Name Is Earl
52. The Shield
53. Rome
54. The Twilight Zone (original)
55. Dexter
56. Flight of the Conchords
57. The Day Today
58. Peep Show
59. Boston Legal
60. 30 Rock
61. Alias
62. Babylon 5
63. Pushing Daisies
64. Desperate Housewives
65. Cracker
66. NYPD Blue
67. The Rockford Files
68. Kath & Kim
69. Cheers
70. The Invaders
71. Damages
72. Steptoe & Son
73. Miami Vice
74. A Bit of Fry & Laurie
75. The Fugitive
76. American Gothic
77. Inspector Morse
78. Murder One
79. Scrubs
80. Stargate SG-1
81. Ren & Stimpy
82. Homicide: Life On The Street
83. The Mighty Boosh
84. Yes Minister
85. Moonlighting
86. Skins
87. Shameless
88. I'm Alan Partridge
89. Oz
90. The Royle Family
91. Tales of the Unexpected
92. I Spy
93. Porridge
94. The Good Life
95. Red Dwarf
96. Poirot
97. Law & Order: Special Victims Uit
98. The A-Team
99. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
100. Prison Break
101. Dawson's Creek

Notable omissions for me are Monk, Psych, Gilmore Girls, Fresh Prince, Sports Night, NewsRadio, 3rd Rock, Malcolm, KOTH and Friday Night Lights.. but hey, I think it's an overall good list, with most of the key boxes checked. I'm sure plenty here will be happy with The Wire and The Sopranos occupying #1 and #2 as well.

Buy the magazine if you want to see their comments and have a quote from me in print..

[Paul B]

Wow, congrats on getting in the mag. Good list there, though The Wire being #1 is absolutely laughable! Nice to see The US Office one place above the original, too!

Buffy being that high is a surprise, I didn't realise it was so well regarded. Decent list overall.

[Dorset Girl]

Buy the magazine if you want to see their comments and have a quote from me in print..

Cool. I'm gonna buy that!

[Paul B]

I might buy it next time I'm at the shop. I haven't been buying as many DVD Reviews lately, admittedly, though my interest has been re-newed somewhat by the increased Blu-ray coverage.

[Dorset Girl]

I might buy it next time I'm at the shop. I haven't been buying as many DVD Reviews lately, admittedly, though my interest has been re-newed somewhat by the increased Blu-ray coverage.

I've never bought one, but there's a quote from Wezzo in there... that's cool.

[CatNamedRudy]

Nice quote Wes!

I'm a little surprised at the lack of Sports Night.

[Wezzo]

Nice quote Wes!

I'm a little surprised at the lack of Sports Night.

A shame indeed, I'm not too surprised though - I know it wasn't a huge success in the States, but it has a significant fanbase and critical acclaim; from what I gather it doesn't even have that over here, and it certainly hasn't had an R2 DVD release.

Thanks guys - treasure your copies if you buy them, DG and Paul, they'll be worth thousands when I'm famous

[Lil]

Did I miss The Waltons, or is that not on there?

Earl Hamner Jr. did a wonderful job creating that show based on his life.

[Wezzo]

Did I miss The Waltons, or is that not on there?

Earl Hamner Jr. did a wonderful job creating that show based on his life.

The Waltons isn't there, no. Personally I think it's a good show but I get the feeling it's not the kind of show that was on their radar when compiling the list.. a bit safe, maybe.

[Lil]

Did I miss The Waltons, or is that not on there?

Earl Hamner Jr. did a wonderful job creating that show based on his life.

The Waltons isn't there, no. Personally I think it's a good show but I get the feeling it's not the kind of show that was on their radar when compiling the list.. a bit safe, maybe.

*blows raspberry*

[Wezzo]

Did I miss The Waltons, or is that not on there?

Earl Hamner Jr. did a wonderful job creating that show based on his life.

The Waltons isn't there, no. Personally I think it's a good show but I get the feeling it's not the kind of show that was on their radar when compiling the list.. a bit safe, maybe.

*blows raspberry*

I hope that raspberry was directed at them, not me, as I actually have it on DVD.. I don't see being "safe" as a derogatory thing really, but maybe just not the same kind of gripping stuff as the fare on the list.

[Lil]

Did I miss The Waltons, or is that not on there?

Earl Hamner Jr. did a wonderful job creating that show based on his life.

The Waltons isn't there, no. Personally I think it's a good show but I get the feeling it's not the kind of show that was on their radar when compiling the list.. a bit safe, maybe.

*blows raspberry*

I hope that raspberry was directed at them, not me, as I actually have it on DVD.. I don't see being "safe" as a derogatory thing really, but maybe just not the same kind of gripping stuff as the fare on the list.

No I get what you mean. The show IS safe, I agree, and I guess it's always meant a lot to me, because I've been through some hard times in my life and that show was always there for me.

[Dorset Girl]

Life on Mars, Reginald Perrin, Frasier, MASH, Lost, Red Dwarf and Quantum Leap are there - I'm happy! The only one of my favourite shows that's not there is Third Rock.

I'm surprised / very pleased to see Reggie Perrin on the list, it doesn't very often appear in things like this. As I think it's the best sitcom ever, then its place is well deserved.

(I just scanned through the list yesterday to make sure LOM was there - I was distracted by Wezzo's quote and didn't read the rest of the titles in detail. )

[Agides]

Naturally, I'm thrilled to bits about #1 & 2, but more than just a bit miffed at the position for FOTC and K&K, but you can't have it all.

Great quote btw, Wezz.

[Lil]

Life on Mars, Reginald Perrin, Frasier, MASH, Lost, Red Dwarf and Quantum Leap are there - I'm happy! The only one of my favourite shows that's not there is Third Rock.

I'm surprised / very pleased to see Reggie Perrin on the list, it doesn't very often appear in things like this. As I think it's the best sitcom ever, then its place is well deserved.

(I just scanned through the list yesterday to make sure LOM was there - I was distracted by Wezzo's quote and didn't read the rest of the titles in detail. )

You're right, Third Rock should be on there. That show was great. John Lithgow never failed to make me laugh.

[Rodge]

WHY
WHY IN GOD'S NAME!!
OK, NOT MY CUP OF TEA BUT SEE THE APPEAL
GOOD CHOICE
EXCELLENT CHOICE
SUNDAY AFTERNOON VIEWING, BUT NOT QUALITY!
THAT MAKES ME LAUGH- IT'S ALMOST LIKE ADDING BAYWATCH
THEY MUST BE TAKING THE PISS!!



1. The Wire
2. The Sopranos
3. 24
4. The Simpsons
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6. Seinfeld
7. Twin Peaks
8. Star Trek
9. Lost
10. The West Wing
11. Doctor Who
12. Battlestar Galactica (re-imagining) Not Watched
13. Planet Earth
14. The X Files
15. ER
16. Curb Your Enthusiasm
17. Arrested Development
18. The Office (US)
19. The Office (UK)
20. House
21. Friends
22. Columbo
23. Blackadder
24. South Park
25. Sex and the City
26. Futurama
27. Band of Brothers
28. Mad Men - Not Watched
29. Life On Mars
30. Family Guy
31. Heroes
32. Frasier
33. Fawlty Towers
34. Deadwood - Not Watched
35. CSI
36. Father Ted
37. The Prisoner
38. The League of Gentlemen
39. Six Feet Under - Not Watched
40. Firefly - Not Watched
41. Spaced
42. The Muppet Show
43. Prime Suspect
44. Monty Python's Flying Circus
45. M*A*S*H
46. Quantum Leap
47. Morecambe and Wise Show
48. The Avengers
49. Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
50. Only Fools and Horses
51. My Name Is Earl (Not S2)
52. The Shield
53. Rome
54. The Twilight Zone (original)
55. Dexter - Not Watched
56. Flight of the Conchords - Not Watched
57. The Day Today
58. Peep Show
59. Boston Legal
60. 30 Rock
61. Alias
62. Babylon 5
63. Pushing Daisies - Not Watched
64. Desperate Housewives
65. Cracker
66. NYPD Blue
67. The Rockford Files
68. Kath & Kim
69. Cheers
70. The Invaders - Not Watched
71. Damages - Not Watched
72. Steptoe & Son
73. Miami Vice
74. A Bit of Fry & Laurie
75. The Fugitive
76. American Gothic - Not Watched
77. Inspector Morse
78. Murder One
79. Scrubs
80. Stargate SG-1 - Not Watched
81. Ren & Stimpy
82. Homicide: Life On The Street
83. The Mighty Boosh - Not Watched
84. Yes Minister
85. Moonlighting
86. Skins
87. Shameless
88. I'm Alan Partridge
89. Oz
90. The Royle Family
91. Tales of the Unexpected
92. I Spy - Not Watched
93. Porridge
94. The Good Life
95. Red Dwarf
96. Poirot
97. Law & Order: Special Victims Uit
98. The A-Team
99. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Not Watched
100. Prison Break
101. Dawson's Creek

[Dorset Girl]

Love it Rodge, but I had to keep referring to the 'key'!

[Agides]

I realise I might be dicing with death here questioning your judgement Rodge, but how you've got the cheek to The Wire when you've Friends, I don't know!

[Dorset Girl]

I dunno about , but I would 'Friends' too. And I'd 'The Wire'.

[Cake for Brains]

I think that's a good list. I did enjoy The Wire - it's clear that it's very written and acted, so I can't complain too much at it's poll position.

Glad to see Doctor Who is the highest rated British programme on there!

Also pleased to see Cracker, Six Feet Under, Frasier, The Sopranos, Dexter and Peep Show on there.

[welshben23]

I realise I might be dicing with death here questioning your judgement Rodge, but how you've got the cheek to The Wire when you've Friends, I don't know!

Seconded! Also, how you've got the cheek to The Sopranos and 24 when you've Inspector Morse and The Good Life, I don't know!

[Cake for Brains]

I realise I might be dicing with death here questioning your judgement Rodge, but how you've got the cheek to The Wire when you've Friends, I don't know!

Seconded! Also, how you've got the cheek to The Sopranos and 24 when you've Inspector Morse and The Good Life, I don't know!

Nothing wrong with Morse!

[Rodge]

I realise I might be dicing with death here questioning your judgement Rodge, but how you've got the cheek to The Wire when you've Friends, I don't know!

You make me sound like an ogre here. You question my judgement at any time Agers, after all it is just my humble opinion. Plus I'm sure Strat and others will back you up. It's just the Wire gave me no pleasure whatsoever.

[Agides]

I realise I might be dicing with death here questioning your judgement Rodge, but how you've got the cheek to The Wire when you've Friends, I don't know!

You make me sound like an ogre here. You question my judgement at any time Agers, after all it is just my humble opinion. Plus I'm sure Strat and others will back you up. It's just the Wire gave me no pleasure whatsoever.

Maybe you're not so scary after all.

[Rodge]

Seconded! Also, how you've got the cheek to The Sopranos and 24 when you've Inspector Morse

The irony of that question: The first two are just drama with very little substance and are basically easy viewing, where as the last requires some thought and brain stimulation to enjoy fully.