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Best Program on TV
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Posted by: MikeCG

Of all the kinds, subjects, genres, etc., on TV/cable/DSS, what do consider the "best" program? In other words, what program would you consider the greatest loss if it were canceled?

I understand this is asking for a comparison of artichokes and apricots, but give your decision anyway.

There are many excellent programs, but mine, all things considered, is "CBS Sunday Morning." What's yours?

Posted by: Corey140

CBS Sunday Morning is ok. Has some boring stories sometimes.
Law & Order
Today
NBC Nightly News

Posted by: Darin

Six Feet Under

Posted by: retrodog

The Practice

Posted by: robb

The West Wing

Posted by: gregpr

The Sopranos

Posted by: Dafaso

Alias!

Posted by: ToddHealy

The West Wing is the best. Six Feet Under is a very close second.

Posted by: SonicCookie

VIP

Posted by: justapixel

I just started watching Six Feet Under. Excellent show!

I can't pick only one, there are too many in different genres I'd hate to see go.

Posted by: Satchel

Sopranos

Posted by: gleffler

SpongeBob SquarePants :D

/gleffler

Posted by: Lucifer99

Yes... NOVA.

Posted by: zaknafein

quote:
Originally posted by Darin
Six Feet Under

Me too. It's the only show I almost always watch the same day it airs.

Posted by: genearch

Ed
The Practice
Sopranos
Arli$$
Reruns of Larry Sanders (Artie Rocked!)

Posted by: Ereth

Sports Night! (Somebody had to say it! :D)

Stargate SG-1 holds the number 1 spot in my Season Pass manager and I'll be most disappointed when it ends, much as I was when Babylon 5 ended.

But reading the list above, there must be something wrong with me. Of the shows listed before my post, I have watched one episode of "Six Feet Under" (the pilot) and never once watched any of the others.

Posted by: macquariumguy

South Park

Posted by: zyzzx

Another vote for Six Feet Under.

Posted by: Southpaw

Good Eats!

Actually, since getting my TiVo I have become very unappreciative of individual programs. They're almost all just background noise as of late. When I first got my TiVo I used it to record 'Babylon 5' and 'Sports Night' so I could see ALL the episodes of both shows.

That's about the only stuff I ever considered REALLY important, so I suppose I should add those two to my list.

Anyone else find individual programs are much less interesting now that there are always so many to choose from at any time?

Posted by: retrodog

quote:
posted by ereth
there must be something wrong with me.

and finally a glimmer of light shows through seemingly endless fog that remains in the landscape of his brain from the college years.

<as retrodog sits back and wonders if this will make ereth stop worrying about him being okay, after the numerous positive posts that caused such confusion> :D :D :D

Get ready man, I may agree with you again someday and I don't want you going into shock about it. :)

But on a more serioius note, Dude, you gotta get that little channel changer button fixed on your remote. But then again I've never watched Sports Night. Hmmm... ;)

Posted by: uw69

West Wing

Posted by: doom1701

There's no one show that I would just give up television if it went away. But, there are only a few shows that I watch on a regular basis--

Good Eats
Daily Show
Whose Line

Maybe Simpsons and Law and Order.

Out of all of those, only Good Eats and the Daily Show don't already have lives of their own in syndication, so I'd have to say that those two would be missed.

Posted by: Lori

Buffy
West Wing
Six Feet Under

Posted by: bobcarn

1) Queer as Folk
2) Simpsons

I really tried hard to think about what is the "best" show on TV. But looking at previous posts, I got the impression that people were just voting for their favorite shows. So two of my favorites are above. There's plenty more, these are just the ones that strike my fancy today (I guess because I just saw new episodes of them last night! :D ).

Posted by: jradosh

It's impossible to pick just one. As bobcarn said, the ones that "strike my fancy today" are...

Ground Force (BBC America) - this show allows me to believe that all my gardening plans can be accomplished in 2 days with a little planning. And, of course, there's Charlie http://www.plauder-smilies.de/love.gif

Gardening By The Yard (HGTV) - I actually learn things watching this show!

Junkyard Wars (TLC) - excellent show (when hosted by the Brits).

J

Posted by: DaveBogart

quote:
Originally posted by Southpaw
Anyone else find individual programs are much less interesting now that there are always so many to choose from at any time?

Yes, COPS. It used to be that Sunday mornings were kind of special for me as I watched the 2 episodes of COPS TiVoed (and before TiVo, taped) from the night before while munching on, appropriately, Krispie Kremes. Now there are so many COPS on my TiVo that I haven't gotten around to watching any of them.

For the first time ever, before submitting the above, I did a spell-check. How come TiVo shows up as being misspelled?

Posted by: WinBear

I guess I'd have to say Alias and Queer as Folk at this point.

Posted by: Bryanmc

My favorite show of the last season (which I define by the show that gets watched almost immediately if not in real time) is Smallville.

A big surprise for me too.

It's also the one I most looking forward too after the season finale. I thought it had the best cliffhangers for the next season.

On a related note, Spy TV is back starting tonight (though the normal day will be on Tuesday). The new host is Ali Landry.

I loved this show last year and this year looks to be better.

(It's supposedly not as mean as last year's)

Posted by: TomK

The Sopranos
Northern Exposure (oh shoot, it already was cancelled years ago)

Posted by: Swirl_Junkie

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Posted by: KRS

Family Guy

Simpsons

Six Feet Under

Sopranos

Oz

Seinfeld

Osbournes

...none of these shows spend much time on my hard drive because I watch them right away!

[guilty pleasures...MTV Cribs, Real World, Survivor, Fear Factor]

Posted by: Graymalkin

This may be blasphemous or sacrilegious, but there is not one TV program whose cancelation tomorrow would cause me to lose a minute's sleep. Not one.

If they canceled Alias or Smallville right now, before they resolve the season-ending cliffhangers, I'd go "Darn!" and move on.

However, if Carole Nelson Douglas died tomorrow, leaving her Midnight Louie mystery series unresolved, that would tick me off. :D

Posted by: DLiquid

If I'm voting for the best program, it would have to be:

Six Feet Under

If I'm voting for my personal favorites (which I know have flaws, but I love 'em anyway), my choices are:

Enterprise
Farscape

Posted by: bobcarn

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
My favorite show of the last season (which I define by the show that gets watched almost immediately if not in real time) is Smallville.

I forgot about that one! That's one of my favorites for the season also!

Posted by: scottjf8

Sportscenter.. I watch too much of that!

Sex and the City .. what a great show, although I hear Kim Cattrall doesn't want to do it anymore
(no pun intended)

The Man Show (which I fear is gone because of Kimmell getting an ABC show)

Posted by: Fist of Death

The Shield (FX)- I really like this one. I hope it lasts.

Meet the Press (NBC)- This is where news is made. It's the first and the best.

BattleBots (COM)- Too many repeats and not as good as seasons 1.0 and 2.0, but still fun.

The O'Reilly Factor (FOX)- No spin? I enjoy it.

Law & Order (Several)- All varieties of this show are great.

Yes, you asked for program in the singular, but these five are "it" for me...

F.O.D.

Posted by: doom1701

quote:
Originally posted by scottjf8
The Man Show (which I fear is gone because of Kimmell getting an ABC show)

I heard on the news last week that The Man Show will end its run right before Kimmel starts his new ABC show. Yes, it's too bad...

Posted by: Haps

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
I loved this show last year and this year looks to be better.

(It's supposedly not as mean as last year's)

Well that sucks. The hook (for me at least) of SpyTV was that it was Candid Camera that did things that CC would not do because they were too nice. If it's just going to turn into the same things as CC then it's not worth watching.

Posted by: ursine1

I love, and never miss:
West Wing.
Six Feet Under.

I hate, but never miss:
Queer as Folk.

I watch most often:
Simpsons.

- Paul Goormastic

Posted by: Southpaw

quote:
Originally posted by scottjf8
Sex and the City .. what a great show, although I hear Kim Cattrall doesn't want to do it anymore
(no pun intended)

This would have made my list except:

1. They don't show new episodes enough
2. The addition of Babies in SatC doesn't work for me - AT ALL
3. The writing has gone downhill
4. With SJP now pregnant, I'm thinking the Baby-fying of SatC will get even worse

For the first three or so seasons I was very hopeful that we'd finally see women depicted as individuals on their own. There are enough wife/mother roles on television and this was the first series I enjoyed that didn't project the wife/mother stereotype onto its characters.

Given that I fit neither half of the stereotype, I'm desperate for humor and situations that don't revolve around babies and husbands. I feel the need for neither and only a waffling desire for the husband half of the equation. It would be nice to have a show that was about women like me.

SatC is turning out to not be that show. I have a feeling I'll be dropping HBO Real Soon Now. I'm giving it the one more season this summer and if it keeps going in the direction it's been heading, it's off my list. What a disappointment.

Posted by: Bradc314

quote:
Originally posted by MikeCG
In other words, what program would you consider the greatest loss if it were canceled?

Think about it: Most of us can remember what life was like before 99% of the programs in the current line-up. Somehow we managed to survive life just fine, so I don't consider the cancellation of even my most favorite show a 'great loss'. Mild to moderate bummer is all.

That said, I just CAN'T live with out:
1. Law & Order
2. Law & Order CSI
3. (new to the list this week, but probably won't last) The Shield
4. NYPD Blue

Posted by: ATL TiVo Girl

West Wing

Posted by: TivoFan

And I shall be the only one to say..... Gilmore Girls!!!

Posted by: MacThor

The only show, other than sports, that I watch live (well, almost live) is The Shield. It is really that good.

Posted by: Blahblah2000

Alias, Smallville, Gilmore Girls (If you haven't given this show a chance, check it out - Tuesday nights on WB)

Posted by: JYoung

Buffy
Angel
ER
Law & Order
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Smallville
Futurama
Stargate SG-1 (syndicated version)

(I couldn't put Enterprise down here with a straight face ;))

Posted by: xyz

Sex and the City and CSI.

Posted by: jsmeeker

No real order...

West Wing
Sopranos
Good Eats
ER
WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown

Posted by: omnibus

"Omnibus"............................really, hosted by Alexander Scourby. Think Sunday morning in B&W with a highbrow accent.

And you thought my nickname was because I was a bus driver!!

Posted by: dfr1

I'm waffling between JAG and Gilmore Girls so I'll just put 'em both down ... then there's Boston Public and Judging Amy ... thank GOD for TiVo!

Posted by: phone1

Having nothing better to do, I jotted down the favorites thus far, followed by the votes (mentions) they received:

Six Feet Under � 9
West Wing � 7
Sopranos � 6
Law and Order (all versions) � 6
Simpsons � 4
Smallville � 4

3 Votes: The Shield; Alias; Gilmore Girls; Buffy; Queer as Folk.

2 Votes: CSI; CBS Sunday Morning; The Practice (surprised me); NOVA; Ed; Stargate; Farscape; Sex in the City; ER; Good Eats; Boston Public (another surprise); Angel.

I�m not listing the ones that received only 1 vote, way too much trouble!

Posted by: DanT

Buffy
Angel
- although I have faith that Joss Whedon will end both of these in a way that makes it okay, or at least acceptable.

I also still laugh pretty good at That 70's Show, so I'd probably miss it.

My favorite new shows this season (that are returning) :
Alias
Smallville

I still haven't watched 24 yet, although I have all the episodes, so that might get added to my list.

Posted by: ILoveMyTiVo

Definitely Buffy

Posted by: MikeCG

quote:
Originally posted by Bradc314

........so I don't consider the cancellation of even my most favorite show a 'great loss'.......

I don't disagree. I would not consider the cancellation of any single show a "great loss," but what I asked is what would be the "greatest loss." However, even though we oldsters survived without any TV, it would be very difficult to go back to a totally non-TV environment. (How are you going to keep them down on the farm now that they've seen Paree?")

Reading the responses has been very interesting, though.

BTW, I hadn't noticed this Tivo TV Talk category existed or I would have posted here originally.

Posted by: clicker

The West Wing. For one hour a week during the season we have an intelligent President!

Posted by: mrcoaster

For me, the must-see shows are:

Buffy
Farscape

End of transmission.......

Posted by: okonkwo

Its seems like anytime I like a show too much it get cancelled.

MY SO-CALLED LIFE was the best show on tv.

Pierre

Posted by: ewphil

1. The Simpsons - Although if it were canceled, theres so many in syndication that it wouldn't be the end of the world.
2. The Sopranos - I don't see this lasting past this next run, although they say that they will go to season 5

Posted by: Dawghows

I think the two finest shows on TV are The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

The show I'll miss the most, though is Buffy. It's the most thoroughly conceived show on television. I think the characters and their relationships are more clearly-defined and well-rounded than those on any other show. I have often thought that if Buffy were made under the same conditions as The Sopranos and Six Feet Under -- i.e. not under commercial television/network constraints -- then it's quality would be unsurpassed. I get the feeling that Joss Whedon gets to do pretty-much what he wants with the show, but I'm sure he doesn't have the same leeway David Chase has.

Posted by: TiVoPony

Aha! I apparently live in a very different corner of the universe.

'Round here the best television show on the tube is...and I find it hard to believe I'm saying this, but it's true...

Andy Richter Controls the Universe

There. I said it. It's hilarious. Watch it. For me. I'd hate to see it canceled 'cuz you're all off watching West Wing (or whatever is up in that same timeslot)!

:)

Really. Try it. Go ahead. Pick up the remote. It's easy to spell. A-N-D-Y...oh, there it is. Season Pass? Sure! :D

We're also partial to Buffy and Junkyard Wars (the Brit version, they haven't found anyone nearly as good as ol' Kryton to handle the US version).

Cheers!
Pony

[edited to be nicer to the guy who hosts the US version of JW...you never know, his mom might be reading this!]

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by TiVoPony

'Round here the best television show on the tube is...and I find it hard to believe I'm saying this, but it's true...

Andy Richter Controls the Universe

Andy Richter is hilarious. I second the motion! If you haven't seen it yet, it's being rerun. You'll get hooked.

Posted by: Marco

Pardon The Interruption
The Simpsons
The West Wing
The Sopranos
Sports Night

Posted by: Attack

Alias
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Futurama
CSI
Sopranos
Six Feet Under
24

Posted by: lwong

West Wing
Buffy
The Shield

Posted by: tivojoego

Law & Order all Flavors
Sopranos
The Shield
Oz
Get Smart
Lexx
Boston Public
Bernie Mac
Greg The Bunny

Posted by: tivojoego

quote:
Originally posted by scottjf8

Sex and the City .. what a great show, although I hear Kim Cattrall doesn't want to do it anymore
(no pun intended)

Are you sure it wasn't viewers don't want to see Kim Cattrall do it anymore.;)

Posted by: joehandy1

six feet under.

Posted by: ragtop

farscape....that's it.

Posted by: biker

Alias
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Charmed
Sopranos
Smallville
Ed__________________

Posted by: jamesbobo

For animated entertainment: South Park
For live entertainment, drama: Six Feet Under
For live entertainment, comedy: That 70's Show (Sorry, TiVoPony, Andy just doesn't work for me)
For information: Nova and Nature

And before you say "why watch live?", by live I mean real people, not cartoons. And, yes, I know you knew that already. :)

Posted by: spartanstew

My favorites in no particular order:

CSI
Friends
ER
Simpsons
Mind of the Married Man
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Who's line

I must say, however, that I just don't get Six Feet Under. I watched the first three or four episodes of this show and saw nothing enjoyable about it. Obviously, since it's the most mentioned show in this thread, however, I am definately in the minority.

Stew

Posted by: bidger

Best show currently airing: "The Sopranos"
Best show ever: "Mystery Science Theater 3000"

Posted by: mtchamp

My favorite show, and reason I bought a TiVo, was to have David Letterman automatically recorded without anymore VCR disasters after I couldn't stay up that late anymore. It's been the ultimate stress reliever. There are many others of course, but if I could only have one, it would be David Letterman, I've been watching his show since the beginning over 20 years ago.

Posted by: Erik

IMO - Still the best show running (re-run that is) is Seinfeld. Get done watching all 180 and start over from the beginning. They're always good and I find something new almost everytime.

Posted by: stormsweeper

I dunno about best program. I've recorded a few of these shows, but haven't watched them much yet. Some of my current faves:

Northern Exposure
Farscape (I'm a recent convert)
LEXX
Batman Beyond (hopefully Cartoon Network will make some new eps)
Andromeda
Invader ZIM

Posted by: DanT

I'm probably the only person I know who hates Seinfeld (the show, not necessarily the guy). I tried to watch it, but it's just annoying, with an occasional funny bit thrown in. On top of that, I hate New York/New Jersey accents. Of course, that means I couldn't stand The Sopranos either, even though I did try.

Posted by: zaknafein

quote:
Originally posted by DanT
I'm probably the only person I know who hates Seinfeld (the show, not necessarily the guy). I tried to watch it, but it's just annoying, with an occasional funny bit thrown in. On top of that, I hate New York/New Jersey accents. Of course, that means I couldn't stand The Sopranos either, even though I did try.

You're not the only one. I have trouble watching a show that is so shamelessly and unabashedly pointless. There were a few episodes that were quite funny (Soup Nazi was my favorite.) but overall, Seinfeld didn't work for me.

Posted by: kdaveler

Scrubs
Six Feet Under
SpongeBob SquarePants (for my Son)
24
Raymond (no one mentioned this, I am the only one?)
Simpson
Frontline
Partdon the Interruption

Wait, thats more then one. If I had to pick one: Scubs

Posted by: Jabberer

For me, I just look at my season pass order:

1) West Wing
2) Farscape
3) Law and Order
4) Stargate SG-1 (though, I will say, the jury is still out on the new guy/Daniel replacment)
5) Jeremiah (which started slow, but is getting pretty interesting, like all Michael J. Strazinski shows)

Also, an upcomming series on Showtime called Odyssey 5 looks like it might be good, but we'll see...

Oh, and for those that said Futurama, be aware that while they have an entire seasons worth still waiting to be shown, the production crew and animators were let go last season and the show probably will end with this season.

Posted by: Steve Mehs

NYPD Blue, Law & Order, South Park, The O'Reilly Factor.

Posted by: Lori

quote:
Originally posted by zaknafein

You're not the only one. I have trouble watching a show that is so shamelessly and unabashedly pointless. There were a few episodes that were quite funny (Soup Nazi was my favorite.) but overall, Seinfeld didn't work for me.

Didn't work for me either. Loved the first couple of seasons and then became really, really painful.

Posted by: trojanrabbit

In descending order, the only new stuff that I have season passes for

1. Farscape
2 Red Sox Baseball (until the players' strike starts)
3. South Park
4. Greg the Bunny (oops, guess that's gone)
5. Enterprise (now the quality is really dropping off)

Posted by: shady

World Cup Soccer!

Posted by: wa2joc

The Shield
Junkyard Wars
The O'Reilly Factor

Posted by: cwoody222

Can I pick shows from the past?

in no particular order:
Homicide: Life on the Street
Larry Sanders Show
Twin Peaks

Currently - although I like 24 and Alias A LOT I'll have to vote for CSI - it's the most balanced and I think that it'll have the longest run.

Maybe Queer As Folk but I don't get Showtime - I just get a VHS tape from a friend every couple weeks so I lose the weekly fix.

As for Comedy: Simpsons is classic and will last forever. And I can't believe no one's yet to mention Malcolm in the Middle?!

Posted by: davidp

What nobody likes Enterprise???

Other entertaining programs include:

CSI
The Shield
Jeremiah
Farscape
and certainly Law and Order including Criminal Intent too.

Posted by: uw69

West Wing, JAG, Boston Public

Posted by: aepman

I would have to say Buffy, Angel, and Smallville. Of course, if you asked me again in a couple of days, I might say something different...except for Buffy. That's the only show I try to watch live (or at least as soon as possible).

Todd

Posted by: Maui

West Wing
Law and Order (and SVU)
Buffy
ER

And for Laughs..

Whose Line is It Anyway

Edit - I do not have pay cable so the HBO and Showtime stuff I have not seen. Yet

Posted by: AlrightGuy

Saturday Night Live (even some of the newer ones are good, but most of the old ones are gems)
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
The Simpsons
Family Guy
American Gladiators (almost a guilty pleasure)
The Outer Limits (creepy stories, most with a hidden moral...I prefer the newer ones, though)
The Price Is Right (Best game show still on TV)

Posted by: phxbruzer

I can't choose just one:
Buffy definitely
Farscape
Sopranos
The Shield
Alias
There are a bunch of others I'd hate to see go, but these I watch right away that night.

Posted by: unoriginal

Farscape

Posted by: Guyy

I'd also have to say CSI, I just started watching it a few months ago, so to me all the episodes are new! Were most if the other shows from last year are re-runs that I have seen..

Posted by: TSpoonEars

I'd also have to vote for CSI as #1. Having only been here a year, all the episodes are new to me. It's great entertainment. Also, in no particular order:

Alias,
Buffy,
Angel,
NYPD Blue,
Law & Order,
Law & Order, Criminal Intent
Dark Angel,
ER,
Friends,
Enterprise,
Gilmore Girls.
Junkyard Wars (both versions, but prefer the UK version :D)

and that's just the stuff I remembered. Gosh, I watch WAY too much TiVo.

Cheers,

Ears.

Posted by: Guyy

I thought you could get Friends, ER and that stuff in the UK, is that not true?

Posted by: Lateshowrob

Someone's got to say it, though I'm probably the only one in the country:

The Mole. Simply the best, most thought provoking of the 'reality' genre.

Followed closely by the Simpsons and of course Letterman.

Posted by: TSpoonEars

quote:
Originally posted by Guyy
I thought you could get Friends, ER and that stuff in the UK, is that not true?

Most US shows migrate over to the UK sooner or later - including the bad ones - although we seem to have reciprocated recently (Dog eat Dog & American Idol spring to mind) :)
Friends, ER , NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Buffy, Angel, Dark Angel and so on have been over there for a while - they generally start on satellite TV about half a season later than over here, but finish about three weeks later than season end (no mid-season reruns in the UK).
I'd never seen CSI until I moved over to the States. I have now been reliably informed it is being shown on Ch5 in the UK.

Cheers,

Ears.

Posted by: gadgetgrrll

Sports night. I was so disappointed when this was cancelled.

Tuck

Posted by: aggieman

Scrubs!!:cool:

Posted by: shabadoo25

Dennis Miller Live
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Otherwise, I would agree with most of the other already listed shows:

Scrubs
24
Alias
West Wing
Sopranos
Simpsons
CSI
South Park
Buffy

Posted by: eileen29

All NBC primetime except L&O: CI. can't take the extra cheese with that one but LOVE all other L&O, inc the a&e and tnt reruns.

CSI rocks but Miami might not since not so much fond of the ex NYPD guy playing the lead.

Wish they would nix my soaps so I could get a life and quit watching them!!

Posted by: realitivo

Best shows currently on air/in production

Best Drama and overall: Six Feet Under is a pleasure to watch.

I also think The Mole the best reality show ever. ABC should bring it back every summer - considering they have no hits anyways. If ABC doesn't bring it back, a cable net should steal it away.

The Simpsons is still one of the best and most consistent comedies.

Posted by: Chandler Mike

Quick rundown of my favs...

West Wing
CSI
Alias
Everybody Loves Raymond
24
Scrubs
ER
Law and Order
Enterprise

And a defunct one that just ended...Ally McBeal

Mike

Posted by: Metaluna

The Sopranos gets my vote, both in the currently airing category and possibly all time as well.

Posted by: tivojoego

quote:
Originally posted by TSpoonEars

Most US shows migrate over to the UK sooner or later - including the bad ones - although we seem to have reciprocated recently (Dog eat Dog & American Idol spring to mind) :)
Cheers,

Ears.

Monty Python's Flying Circus set the standard and no other show has come close!

Posted by: JLWINE

The most under appreciated show (as ratings go) was this years season of the Amazing Race I enjoyed it much more than Survivor.

Posted by: 1badv6

Coupling on BBC america.

Got to be the funniest show on TV.

Picked it up on a Tivo sugestion and conveted it to a season pass.
GOT TO SEE it to believe it

:eek:

Posted by: sashaa

Six Feet Under