40 Favorite TV Shows
by TimHTaylor | created - 06 Dec 2010 | updated - 08 Dec 2010 | PublicMy 40 favorite television programs of all time. Difficult to properly rank as each show differs greatly from every other show, either in genre, format, or length of run. Comparing a show that ran for 10 years versus one that was canceled during its first season isn't really fair to either show, so I have ordered them as best as I can based on the quality of the show during its entire run, short or long. This probably isn't a comprehensive list, as I'm sure I have forgotten about a show or two, but it is pretty close.
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1. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 63,766
A long running show that certainly had a quality difference from the early episodes to the later ones, I still think the first five seasons are so strong as to outweigh the flaws of the last six to put it at the top of my list of favorite shows. I probably had an unhealthy relationship with M*A*S*H during my childhood as we had virtually every episode from the first five seasons (The Frank Burns Years, as we called them) recorded on VHS and I watched them over and over and over. I can safely say I have seen every episode from those seasons at least 10 times each, and most I'm sure are over 20.
2. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Votes: 11,879
Somehow I didn't discover The Dick Van Dyke Show until about five years ago, but once I did I immediately bought all five seasons on DVD and watched them in rapid succession. Strong writing throughout, and the entire cast works so well together (and you can't go wrong with Richard Deacon in a recurring role on your show!).
3. Lost (2004–2010)
TV-14 | 5,445 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
The survivors of a plane crash are forced to work together in order to survive on a seemingly deserted tropical island.
Stars: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly
Votes: 594,893
Here is the first of my "you love it or you hate it" shows. In fact, I come across people who seem to be on both sides of the fence, if that's possible. Possibly too clever for its own good, and certainly above the intellectual level of most people who watch a lot of TV, it is understandable that the people who did watch it regularly were virtually addicted to it as it consistently rewarded you for being loyal to the show. I really liked the way that the series wrapped up and have absolutely no complaints about the finale; I think the people that didn't like it misunderstood and misinterpreted the last 15 minutes.
4. Dexter (2006–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
He's smart. He's lovable. He's Dexter Morgan, America's favorite serial killer, who spends his days solving crimes and nights committing them.
Stars: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar
Votes: 765,503
It seems each season is better than the last; let's hope it keeps going that way.
5. King of the Hill (1997–2010)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A straight-laced propane salesman in Arlen, Texas tries to deal with the wacky antics of his family and friends, while also trying to keep his son in line.
Stars: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick
Votes: 58,430
Steadily moved up this list over the past few years as I have been routinely watching it in syndication. Really well developed characters and absolutely the most realistic of all animated shows.
6. Arrested Development (2003–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Votes: 324,107
A show gone before its time. However, we are left with a truly great show with some of the best television writing ever and just a spectacular cast. The audience was truly rewarded for watching every week with payoffs for setups that may have happened six episodes earlier.
7. Growing Pains (1985–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.
Stars: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller
Votes: 16,335
Shut up, I like it, OK? Seriously, I think it actually has not gotten fair treatment and it actually holds up really well 20+ years later. Often dealt with serious issues in a fair way and was only moderately damaged by Kirk Cameron's Christian values (sorry, Julie McCullough; you deserved better). Jumped the shark the same way that Family Ties did, by aging an infant five years during one hiatus to try to inject some life into a dying show. Even Leonardo DiCaprio couldn't keep this one afloat, pun intended.
8. The Simpsons (1989– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner
Votes: 435,696
Would have been higher on the list even just a few years ago, but I'm afraid it has hung on a little too long. Seasons 3-10 are still truly great.
9. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999)
TV-14 | 90 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In the not-too-distant future Joel Robinson is held captive by Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank, forced to watch B-Grade movies on the Satellite of Love with the help of his robot friends: Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.
Stars: Joel Hodgson, Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy
Votes: 25,850
Preferred the Mike, Bill, and Kevin shows to the Joel, Trace, and Josh shows, but it was always good no matter who was on. A couple of my personal favorites are "Time Chasers" and "Riding With Death," but there are so many good ones I won't start naming them here. Even though the show ended many years ago, the guys are still going strong with their current project, Rifftrax.
10. Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)
TV-PG | 175 min | Comedy, War
Stuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
Votes: 56,842
My favorite of the Blackadder series, this is the fourth series and is set during World War I. Rowan Atkinson, as always, is a genius, and he has his usual support from Hugh Laurie, Tony Robinson, and Stephen Fry. Tied for the shortest series on my list (with two other Blackadder series) at six episodes, but that is by design, as British television series have pre-determined runs.
11. Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker (2004–2006)
30 min | Comedy, Sport
Randy and Jason play fictitious ESPN research assistants who end up hosting comedy as they comment on the game action and announcers.
Stars: Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Jon Glaser, Sean Salisbury
Votes: 881
A sort of MST3K for sports, this was a show that aired on ESPN Classic for a couple of years. Randy and Jason Sklar were given access to pretty much anything in the ESPN and ABC vault and commented on the broadcast in their comedic style. Lots of Wide World of Sports, spelling sees, wrestling, roller derby, gymnastics, poker, and all kinds of other fringe sporting events, with the occasional college football game or MLB All-Star Game thrown in. A live audience was briefly attempted, but it didn't work and was discarded quickly. Helobious.
12. Life on Mars (2008–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.
Stars: Jason O'Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Jonathan Murphy
Votes: 10,725
The very short-lived American remake of the British show of the same name. Though there were only 17 episodes, it was great from start to finish, and ABC did the right thing by allowing a final scene to be shot that answers the questions that the series had posed, and it is truly one of the great series endings of all time. This show worked as both a police drama and a time travel mystery, not an easy feat.
13. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Votes: 351,276
If only Larry David had hung around for the whole series....
14. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 93,099
As with any anthology show, The Twilight Zone was all over the board quality-wise. The good outweigh the bad, though, with dozens of truly great episodes over the course of five seasons and 156 episodes. A few personal favorites include "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim," "The Hitch-Hiker," "The Last Flight," "A Stop at Willoughby," "The After Hours," "King Nine Will Not Return," "Eye of the Beholder," "A Penny for Your Thoughts," "Shadow Play," "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?," and "Jess-Belle."
15. Louie (2010–2015)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
The life of Louie C.K., a divorced comedian living in New York with two kids.
Stars: Louis C.K., Hadley Delany, Ursula Parker, Pamela Adlon
Votes: 82,198
Really a ground-breaking show, a comedy in which some of the episodes (purposely) had no laughs at all outside of the interstitial stand-up of Louis C.K. (the title was spelled differently presumably to prevent mispronunciation). However, when it was funny it was as funny as anything ever seen on TV.
16. Family Guy (1999– )
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strives to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
Stars: Alex Borstein, Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green, Mila Kunis
Votes: 364,028
Looks like this might be going the route of The Simpsons. Still has its moments and is very watchable, but I fear I may be tiring of it more quickly than I imagined.
17. Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
For a cool high-school kid and his friends, thwarting authority figures and other enemies is never a problem.
Stars: Corin Nemec, Billy Jayne, Troy W. Slaten, Melanie Chartoff
Votes: 6,228
An early FOX show (originally titled "Parker Lewis Can't Lose"), this was Ferris Bueller with a weekly series, though, ironically, there was a terrible official adaptation called "Ferris Bueller" on NBC starring Charlie Schlatter (!) that only lasted 13 episodes. This was one of the few shows at the time using the format that we are now accustomed to seeing on some of today's better comedies, i.e. no laugh track or audience, location shooting, etc.
18. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Larry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events.
Stars: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman
Votes: 147,139
I don't think any other show has made me more uncomfortable watching it, and I mean that in a good way. If the last few years of Seinfeld had looked like this it might have ended up higher on my list.
19. The Sarah Silverman Program. (2007–2010)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Sarah's immature, only thinks of herself and has no inhibition nor work. Her sister Laura pays her rent. She has a gay couple as neighbors. Laura's seeing cop Jay.
Stars: Sarah Silverman, Laura Silverman, Brian Posehn, Steve Agee
Votes: 7,973
This might be another "love it or hate it" show. If you don't like Sarah Silverman, you might want to stay away, but if you appreciate her humor this is a great show. Plus, it features Brian Posehn and Steve Agee as a gay couple.
20. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 215,314
Definitely a "love it or hate it" show. Maybe even a "love it AND hate it" show. As innovative and fresh as the first season was, the second was equally frustrating and absurd. The pilot episode may be the single best pilot of any television program ever.
21. The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a large family united when a widower and a widow marry.
Stars: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick
Votes: 15,696
OK, here is one that I grew up watching constantly in syndication, so I may be seeing it through rose-colored glasses. The cheesiness of the show doesn't bother me at all, and in many cases enhances it. One of the few (if not only) television shows that has had a decent film adaptation.
22. Blackadder the Third (1987)
TV-PG | 180 min | Comedy
In the Regency era, Mr E. Blackadder serves as butler to the foppish numskull Prince George amidst the fads and crazes of the time.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Helen Atkinson Wood
Votes: 47,071
This series is set in the time of King George III (circa 1800) and features Hugh Laurie and Tony Robinson to go with Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder.
23. Greg the Bunny (2002–2004)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Greg the Bunny is one of the 3.2 million fabricated Americans living in the United States. Wanting a job that doesn't involve working only on Easter, he finds a job on a kid's show.
Stars: Eugene Levy, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Sarah Silverman
Votes: 1,827
Yet another short-lived show (just 13 episodes). FOX kept bouncing it around the schedule and airing the same couple of episodes over and over (while never airing two episodes at all), thus ensuring that it would never find an audience. Any show with Sarah Silverman, Eugene Levy, Bob Gunton, and Warren the Ape has to be good.
24. Blackadder II (1986)
TV-PG | 176 min | Comedy
In the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson
Votes: 49,874
This series was set in the Elizabethan era, this time with Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson supporting Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder.
25. 30 Rock (2006–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Liz Lemon, head writer of the sketch-comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.
Stars: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 131,954
Still going strong. Hopefully it can maintain its quality for a couple more years and then gracefully bow out.
26. Family Ties (1982–1989)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Chronicles liberal ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter, Justine Bateman
Votes: 20,318
Suffered the exact same jump the shark moment as Growing Pains (see above), but was a great show for several seasons. Made Michael J. Fox a star, and was part of the very strong NBC Thursday night lineup that, at one point, included Cheers, The Cosby Show, and Night Court. In typical '80s sitcom fashion dealt with the occasional serious issue to go along with the comedy.
27. WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of the staff of a struggling Top 40 rock radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Stars: Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman
Votes: 11,235
A very underrated and almost forgotten show, but was very popular during its run and deservedly so. Some of the comedy feels dated, but its strong cast helps smooth out the rough spots.
28. Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A high-strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.
Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Mark Linn-Baker, Melanie Wilson, Rebeca Arthur
Votes: 11,010
Another show from my adolescence. The final season was not so good, but it was always (and still is) an entertaining way to spend 30 minutes.
29. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 44 min | Comedy, Drama
A behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch-comedy television show.
Stars: Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, Steven Weber
Votes: 25,214
Geez, how many shows do I like that get canceled during its first season? At least this one made it all the way to the end of the season. A really good Aaron Sorkin show set behind the scenes at a Saturday Night Live style show, but as an hour drama instead of the half hour comedy that is 30 Rock. Very realistic in its portrayal of the sort of work that goes into live television as well as the politics that ultimately decide the direction of the show.
30. Quantum Leap (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During an experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back to his own life in the present.
Stars: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
Votes: 36,459
As close to an anthology show as we have had in recent decades, although there were always two characters holding the series together as Sam traveled through time and space. Another show with a very nice final episode and resolution.
31. Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Votes: 100,115
John Cleese at his best, with great support from Connie Booth as really the only brains in the place. Just 12 episodes over two series, as is common with British television.
32. Barney Miller (1975–1982)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.
Stars: Hal Linden, Abe Vigoda, Max Gail, Steve Landesberg
Votes: 7,369
Somehow an almost forgotten show. Most episodes take place entirely on one set, with the strength of the show being the writing and tremendous cast. Originally, there was a live audience, but that was abandoned because of the marathon shooting schedule, as there were constant rewrites during shooting. Because of the single set and the relatively short passage of time it often looks as though you are watching a stage production rather than a television program.
33. It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986–1990)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Garry Shandling pokes fun at sitcom conventions in his own unique fourth-wall breaking meta sitcom.
Stars: Garry Shandling, Molly Cheek, Michael Tucci, Scott Nemes
Votes: 1,743
Another very early FOX program. Actually, it was on Showtime originally, then FOX picked up the reruns in 1988 and put the show on their Sunday night lineup. Constantly broke the fourth wall, with the premise being that Garry Shandling's life is a TV show all the time, so no matter what he is doing there is a studio audience. The audience is frequently shown and is sometimes part of the show itself, and Shandling did opening and closing monologues, plus frequently speaks to the camera during scenes, though the other actors tend not to be in on it. Still very funny decades later.
34. NewsRadio (1995–1999)
TV-14 | 23 min | Comedy, Romance
The workplace sitcom "NewsRadio" explores the office politics and interpersonal relationships among the staff of WNYX NewsRadio, New York's #2 news radio station.
Stars: David Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney
Votes: 17,332
Better, obviously, with Phil Hartman than Jon Lovitz. Career peaks for a lot of the cast, including Andy Dick, Joe Rogan, and Vicki Lewis.
35. Get a Life (1990–1992)
30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
A 30-something guy still lives with his parents and works as a paperboy and tries to avoid growing up and being responsible at all costs.
Stars: Chris Elliott, Bob Elliott, Robin Riker, Elinor Donahue
Votes: 2,999
Chris Elliott's only shot at a starring role on television, and this was a perfect fit for him. I don't think I can adequately describe the absurdity of the show, even though at first glance it seems to be an average sitcom. Chris' character actually dies many times over the course of the series, though maybe it is just in his head as his character is childish, naive, dimwitted, and crazy, usually all at the same time. I'm still holding out hope that the entire series will be released on DVD sometime soon.
36. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,117
This is the original BBC version of the show starring Ricky Gervais, not the current NBC version. The American version is fine, or at least it was early on, but really lost its way with the consummation of Jim and Pam's relationship, something that the BBC version did not do with Tim and Dawn; the tension between those two characters was vital to the success of the show, but Americans need their happy endings.
37. 24 (2001–2010)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Counter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer races against the clock to subvert terrorist plots and save his nation from ultimate disaster.
Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Bernard, Dennis Haysbert
Votes: 196,987
Better earlier rather than later, when it just got completely absurd. The first season is especially great in its simplicity. Each subsequent season seemed to be trying to outdo the previous one in action and threat level. Also, virtually no one ate, slept, or went to the bathroom after the first season, and the end of the final episode felt like a cop out.
38. Sledge Hammer! (1986–1988)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Comedy
The adventures of a deranged and dumb police detective who always looks for the most violent solution to any problem.
Stars: David Rasche, Anne-Marie Martin, Harrison Page, Leslie Morris
Votes: 7,520
Purposely cheesy and over-the-top, this show wouldn't have worked with anyone but the great David Rasche as detective Sledge Hammer.
39. Out of This World (1987–1991)
30 min | Comedy, Family
A teenager discovers that her birth father is an alien and that she has supernatural powers.
Stars: Donna Pescow, Maureen Flannigan, Burt Reynolds, Doug McClure
Votes: 2,209
This was a syndicated show that ran for four years that just so happened to coincide with my high school years. Kind of an updated Bewitched with Maureen Flannigan as a girl living a normal life on Earth until she acquires superhuman abilities on her 13th birthday because she was fathered by an alien.
40. Brooklyn Bridge (1991–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
In 1956, 14-year-old Alan Silver's life revolves around family, the synagogue and the Dodgers. Grandparents Jules and Sophie live in the same brownstone as Alan, his brother Nate, and their parents Phyllis and George.
Stars: Marion Ross, Danny Gerard, Louis Zorich, Amy Aquino
Votes: 502
Another short-lived show (33 episodes over two seasons). Really underrated at the time. It was a nice coming-of-age drama-comedy starring Marion Ross and a great theme song by Art Garfunkel.
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