20. Cupid: Romance in the 90’s
Location: ABC, now Thursdays at 9 EST. (currently in indefinite hiatus)Show Type: DramaGenre: Angels on EarthSynopsis: Man acts as Matchmaker to gain entrance to Heaven.Has it spawned imitators?: The comedy-drama mix is sure to gain attention.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: No. Must See involves recognizable
shows.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Cupid.Apocalyptic Sign: Face it. It’s already gone.Things only a fan would know: Marshall's first big break was as the
"outing" reporter on Seinfeld.Strengths: Piven’s and Marshall’s performances, smart writing.Weaknesses: Bad time slot just got worse, some bitter feelings toward Piven (from
Ellen)How often I watch: Once. Ranking Reasoning: Like SportsNight, a successful blend of comedy and drama showing innovation isn’t dead. Piven is the reason to watch, although Paula Marshall more than holds her own. For those who didn’t see it on Saturdays, they’ll be sure to miss it against the NBC juggernaut. If this show ever finds a comfortable timeslot, it’ll break out big time.
19. The Drew Carrey Show: Cleveland Rocks!
Location: ABC, Wednesdays at 9 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Workplace Hi-jinksSynopsis: Ballad of the middle class. Cross between NewsRadio
and Friends, with beer.Has it spawned imitators?: King of the Hill aims
for a similar audience.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Absolutely.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Mimi. The makeup says it all.Apocalyptic Sign: They drink cappachino.Things only a fan would know: All the mistakes from last year’s April
Fool’s Day show.Strengths: writing, Supporting Cast, Drew’s everyman view.Weaknesses: Other than Whose Line?, hasn’t built other audiences, set in
Cleveland.How often I watch: Sporadically, but I plan to catch up when it hits syndication
next year.Ranking Reasoning: Drew was a virtual unknown it’s first year. But thanks to spiffy production numbers, the show has now gained a faithful audience and continues to pack ‘em in. While not known for it's groundbreaking, the show has taken some creative leaps. (The April Fool’s show, male breasts, trips to China) Drew and the gang can look forward to many profitable years ahead.
18. Touched by an Angel: Heavenly Intervention keeps show popular
Location: CBS, Sundays at 8 EST.Show Type: DramaGenre: Angels on EarthSynopsis: Team of Cherubs solve man’s crises and lead them to the Lord.Has it spawned imitators?: Only on CBS.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: God on NBC? Please!Character you won’t see anywhere else: Andy, the Angel of Death. You hope
NOT to see him for a while.Apocalyptic Sign: The Apocalypse.Things only a fan would know: Their Bible. This show attracts few
non-believers.Strengths: Faithful audience, cushy time slot after 60
Minutes.Weaknesses: Stories considered too sappy, Iffy production values.How often I watch: I try to avoid it. Ranking Reasoning: God’s return to primetime is much beloved by it’s fans, who feel there’s a lack of morals on TV. And while no one claims this is the highest-quality shows around, it definitly hits the mark that it aims for. Haleluiah!
17. Frasier: The New Seinfeld doesn’t meet expectations.
Location: NBC, Thursdays at 9 EST. Also in syndication.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Workplace + Family SitcomSynopsis: Radio psycologist dishes advice, endures trials at home with Dad and
Brother.Has it spawned imitators?: Only the putrid Encore!Encore!Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Takes over the coveted Seinfeld Slot.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Maris. (Although you won’t see
her here either.)Apocalyptic Sign: Eddie starts shilling for Taco Bell.Things only a fan would know: All of the obscure literary references.Strengths: Time slot, writing, Kelsey Grammar, Cheers cameos.Weaknesses: Some humor is too highbrow, radio co-workers are stock characters.How often I watch: I’ve seen about half of them. Ranking Reasoning: Now the flagship of NBC comedy, the show has hit something of a lull once it started having to live up to expectations. This show was never supposed to work anyway. (Frasier was not the best character from Cheers, psychologists are no fun, and Seattle?!?) However, the show has continued to be the standard by which all other comedies are judged. While a low-brow joke occasionaly would be nice, this cappachino crowd continues to perform.
16. Whose Line is It Anyway?: British Import shines in US
Location: ABC, Wednesdays at 9:30 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Game ShowSynopsis: Stand Up Veterans must produce on demand in faux contest.Has it spawned imitators?: It will.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Probably.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Any of these guys.Apocalyptic Sign: Clinton leaves office.Things only a fan would know: Which "characters" were on the British
show? Strengths: drop-dead funny, cheap to produce, Drew Carrey hosts.Weaknesses: is seen as something of a Carrey vanity project, never sure of
show’s content.How often I watch: I’ve only seen a few. But I loved the original. Ranking Reasoning: Started as a pet project last year, Whose Line? can always be counted on for a barrelful of laughs. Sure, there’s talk of spinning off a show for the singing guy, but this show should continue as it is today. A nice-mid season replacement that always leaves us wanting more.
15. Just Shoot Me: Spade Leads the Way
Location: NBC, Tuesdays at 9 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Workplace Hi-jinksSynopsis: Creating a fashion magazine is always entertaining with this gang.Has it spawned imitators?: It is an imitator, but they keep it fresh.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: They’re betting the Tuesday farm on
this show.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Finch. The ultimate David Spade Role.Apocalyptic Sign: Cameos from the Veronica’s Closet Gang.Things only a fan would know: The show's producer, Steve Levitan, is planning a
sitcom based on Stephen King's life for the next TV season.Strengths: Spade, last year’s time slot, good executionWeaknesses: not groundbreaking enough, too many cheap laughs.How often I watch: Rarely Ranking Reasoning: Nestled between Friends and Seinfeld, Just Shoot Me made it big-time last year. While originally conceived as a vehicle for Laura San Giocomo (maybe that’s why it sucked early on), the show has become more of an ensemble and benefited because of it. May lack the high-brow humor of Frasier, the timing of NewsRadio, or the chemistry of Friends, but it’s still a prime example of prime-time laughs.
14. NewsRadio: Loss of Hartman leaves void Lovitz can’t fill.
Location: NBC, Tuesdays at 8:30 EST. Shown sporadically in syndication.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Workplace Hi-jinksSynopsis: Crew tries to run radio station owned by eccentricHas it spawned imitators?: In a sense. Spin City,
Working and others show similarities.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Not even close. The show has yet to get
a high-profile slot.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Joe the Repairman and Matthew the
Spaz are true originals. And Phil Hartman is irreplacable. But Jimmy, the station owner,
makes the show tick.Apocalyptic Sign: The show changes time slots again.Things only a fan would know: Some episodes were named after Led Zeppelin CDs. Strengths: Cast’s chemistry, Inventive scripts, loyal fans.Weaknesses: Not enough loyal fans. Has yet to find a timeslot to call home.How often I watch: Ever since the third season. Ranking Reasoning: With Hartman as part of the cast, the show would have ranked much higher. But Lovitz is no Hartman, and the show has not yet recovered. Outstanding performances all around. Dave Foley has a dry wit, Stephen Root plays eccentric to the max, and Andy Dick is one of the most gifted physical comics around. This year’s DB Cooper storyline, where Jimmy was suspected of hijacking and Seinfeld’s Puddy was brought in to run the station, was a step back in the right direction.
13. 60 Minutes: The Zenith of NewsMags
Location: CBS, Sundays at 7 EST and Wednesdays at 9.Show Type: News MagazineSynopsis: More refined look at news & newsmakers. II on Wed. includes an
update on past stories.Has it spawned imitators?: There’d be no Dateline without it.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: See above. Character you won’t see anywhere else: Andy Rooney. Enough Said.Apocalyptic Sign: A Reporter has a birthday. They’re getting up there, you
know.Things only a fan would know: How many watches the show has used. Strengths: Experienced reporters, old-fashioned storytelling, those cool
backdrops.Weaknesses: CBS getting football back means scheduling irregularities.How often I watch: Every so often. Ranking Reasoning: The Granddaddy of News, this show keeps on ticking after 30+ years. The way investigative reporting should be.
12. Dharma and Greg: Hippie Love alive and well.
Location: ABC, Wednesdays at 8 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Newlyweds and their familiesSynopsis: Yuppie and Flower Child marry, cope with Parents.Has it spawned imitators?: No. Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Unsure. The couple is fine, but the
family could be too old.Character you won’t see anywhere else: All are stock characters. The magic
is when they interact.Apocalyptic Sign: Kitty gets Sober. Dharma’s dad succombs to "The
Man"Things only a fan would know: The little nuggets found on the Production Logo
screen.Strengths: Clash of cultures, Dharma’s exuberance, fresh slant on newlyweds.Weaknesses: Move to 8 will hurt ratings. Hippie edge could become stale.How often I watch: Every other week.Ranking Reasoning: If not for Just Shoot Me’s rebirth or Ally McBeal’s headline grabbing, Dharma would have been THE breakout show last year. Even still, the show has put a fresh spin on family comedy by excluding kids and putting extra focus on both sets of in-laws. The culture clash between Free-Love 60’s and Excess 80’s started between the two lovebirds but has set in between the parents. Yes, the neighbors are sometimes to stereotypical in their wackiness, but this show is only beginning an impressive run.
11. SportsNight: Brightest Star of the new season.
Location: ABC, Tuesdays at 9:30 EST.Show Type: Comedy-DramaGenre: Defies categorization.Synopsis: Frenzied take on a nightly sports show and the people that run it.Has it spawned imitators?: Not yet. But if more people watch, this format will
get copied.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: No. The show is too tough to explain to
those who haven’t seen it. And Must See is all about marketing.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Jeremy, the associate producer who
knows more useless knowledge than Alex Trebec, but remains cool and likeable.Apocalyptic Sign: Ron Howard, the show’s producer, makes a cameo.Things only a fan would know: One of the show’s anchors supposedly passed on
Conan O’Brien’s gig on NBC.Strengths: ESPN comparisons, Aaron Sorkin’s scripts, rapid-fire dialogue,
BensonWeaknesses: Still hasn’t created loyal fans, comedy-drama mix confusing for
new viewers.How often I watch: Haven’t missed an episode. Ranking Reasoning: Easily the best show of the new season, SportsNight almost cracks the top 10 and probably will as soon as people start watching it more and the characters become more fully developed. The show’s ultra-fast dialogue makes ER look like a Brad Pitt film by comparison. While Sorkin hasn’t hit a home run with every episode, the dramatic elements always make you take notice that this isn’t your ordinary television fodder. Being part of the same company as ESPN has helped. But until they can get real athletes on the show, the show could continue in ratings mediocrity.
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