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Empire just released its list of the best 50 television shows of all time. At the risk of getting all meta, I think it’s one of the top lists of top shows I’ve ever seen. TV Guide made a similar top-50 list a few years back, and theirs included shows like 60 Minutes and Sesame Street. While there can be no doubt that these are significant touchstones in American culture, that makes for an apples-to-oranges comparison.
Empire’s list just compared entertainment. What’s impressive is the lack of snobbery about mainstream shows, yet the thoroughness of sifting through premium cable. They include Six Feet Under, Sex and the City, Dexter, The Sopranos, Deadwood, The Wire, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc. And what list of the best television wouldn’t? Better still, they don’t miss small-audience gems like The Shield and Arrested Development.
Of course, their list skews British, being a British publication. But if you haven’t seen shows like period police drama Life on Mars, maybe it’s time that you do.
Naturally there are a few unforgivable placements. Family Guy at #12 while the British The Office is #23? I don’t think so. Plus, for an “all-time” list, few slots include older television hits. As written, a few 80s classics are the most aged representatives.
It also has too much sci-fi, even for my taste. Calling the Dr. Who remake #16 is giving far too much deference to the British icon, given that show’s scattershot character development and story logic. Babylon 5 belongs nowhere on a list of 50, let alone ABOVE the three flavors of Star Trek included. (OK, OK, I hear Babylon 5 becomes genius if you endure something like two whole seasons to get to the good stuff, but I shouldn’t have to invest forty hours into a show before I can enjoy it…)
At least they gave Firefly and the remade Battlestar Galactica highest sci-fi marks. Spot on.
At the end of the day, I’m on board with any list that ranks Buffy the Vampire Slayer #2. And they only place it second to The Simpsons, which, body of work-wise, has it coming. Check the list out for yourself.
Xanthe Neal on 
jane on
May 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
and where is Fawlty Towers in your commentary…one of the most fantastic shows ever!
AshleighReply – Quote
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
You’re right, I didn’t mention it. I also didn’t mention the war.
screenwriterguyReply – Quote