30. NYPD Blue: Smits departure only highlights fall from grace.
Location: ABC, Tuesdays at 10 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: Rough neighborhood gets cleaned up by crack police squad.Has it spawned imitators?: Blue has ushered in butts and dirty words into
primetime.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: They already have a better version in Homicide.Character you won’t see anywhere else: David Caruso.Apocalyptic Sign: Franz’s bare behind.Things only a fan would know: Which character hasn’t been naked yet. Strengths: Still good word of mouth, strong performances and writing.Weaknesses: Cinemetography makes people natious, Jimmy Smit’s departure
highlights how far show has fallen.How often I watch: As little as possible. Ranking Reasoning: Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of the show. However, the show has fallen far, even among it’s most ardent supporters. Sure, Franz is tremendous and Schroeder is holding his own as the new guy on the beat. But the shock-value has worn off and now is just a shell of itself. Were it not for Smit’s departure, most people would not even have remembered the show was still on.
29. Working: The Not-So-Wonder Years.
Location: NBC, Mondays at 9:30 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Office Hi-JinksSynopsis: New guy fits in at large conglomerate with wacky staff. (Do they always
have to be "wacky"?)Has it spawned imitators?: It’s all part of the Drew Carrey, Spin City, Just Shoot Me formula.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: They try, but the show has failed to
produce.Character you won’t see anywhere else: None really. They're all pretty
stock.Apocalyptic Sign: Downsizing.Things only a fan would know: The names of the characters. Strengths: Fred Savage.Weaknesses: Not much else.How often I watch: A few times. Ranking Reasoning: One of the most mediocre shows ever produced. It’s not superb, nor is it horrifingly bad. It’s just there. And that speaks more about the state of TV today than any other show. Savage tries, but he can’t keep this ship afloat.
28. The Pretender: Glorified trash reinvents itself every week.
Location: NBC, Saturdays at 8 & 9 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Man on the RunSynopsis: Super-smart orphan runs away and makes a difference. Big Brother wants
him back.Has it spawned imitators?: Not enough are watching it to copy.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Not really. But the commericals are all
over the place.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Jared himself. He could be portrayed
as super-human, but he has shown his venerable side.Apocalyptic Sign: Miss Parker catches him.Things only a fan would know: What The Centre is all about. Strengths: Interesting premise, show can’t grow old, old-fashioned chase
show.Weaknesses: How many things can Jared think up to do?, bad time slot, trashy
writing.How often I watch: Sporadically during the first year.Ranking Reasoning: This show had tremendous potential, but has settled for being the best thing on Saturday night. (Weak competition to be sure.) Will never be as entertaining as a date or the PlayStation, but those without Cable or lives will keep sticking with this piece of fluff that always threatens to entertain.
27. That 70’s Show: Retro is cool.
Location: FOX, Sundays at 8:30 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: The Traditional Family SitcomSynopsis: Reminiscent of shows from 20 years ago from some strange reason.Has it spawned imitators?: Riding the wave of the Retro movement.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Nah. They don’t drink cappachino.Character you won’t see anywhere else: FonzieApocalyptic Sign: Reagan.Things only a fan would know: Originally had a dumber name, something like
"That show Where Everyone is 20 years younger."Strengths: Nifty camera angles, can tap into the decade’s premonitions, time
slot after Simpsons.Weaknesses: Jokes are fairly old, isn’t keeping audience as well as King of the Hill did.How often I watch: A couple of times.Ranking Reasoning: This show has been a suprising success. Most of it’s charm is reliving the guilty pleasures of the decade, but it is slowly fading from our collective memory. Always controversial, the pilot featured pot smoking and free sex has always loomed. But what happens when the show’s timeline enters the 80’s in just a couple of years?
26. Providence: The #1 show in Rhode Island.
Location: NBC, Fridays at 8 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Doctors and MedicineSynopsis: Single woman goes home and begins life anew at the local hospital.Has it spawned imitators?: Seems like an eerie cross between LA Doctors and
Trinity.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: After it’s intial run, the hype
machine will be in full gear.Character you won’t see anywhere else: The Dead MotherApocalyptic Sign: Viewers pay attention.Things only a fan would know: The Dad was a former M*A*S*H member.Strengths: Karakarines’ looks, Massive hype, that Duran Duran song in the
commercials.Weaknesses: No real plot, hokey situations.How often I watch: Couldn’t make it through the pilot. Ranking Reasoning: I haven’t figured out why people are fawning over this mid-season replacement. I would have rated it a LOT lower, but I'm still holding out hope it improves. Trinity was more interesting, and you see how long that lasted. Sure, Karakarines is easy on the eye, but that will only last so long. It’s not that bad because it hasn’t been on long enough and isn’t truly offensive. But it’s not the hit it’s being made out to be.
25. Ally McBeal: Hip show isn’t so hot upon further review.
Location: FOX, Mondays at 9 EST. Show Type: Comedy-DramaGenre: Law and the Single WomanSynopsis: Law firm struggles with collection of oddballs and co-ed bathrooms.Has it spawned imitators?: Hasn’t been on long enough. But you can be sure
they’re coming.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Possibly too quirky. But the hype is
there.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Any of these guys. But Ally and
Buscit are really out there.Apocalyptic Sign: Longer hemlines.Things only a fan would know: Ally's name was supposed to be Abby.Strengths: Good press, groundbreaking, those short skirts, Flockhart’s
performance.Weaknesses: Too odd, controversial, I want to kill Vonda Shepard.How often I watch: I know well enough to stay away. Ranking Reasoning: In reality, I would have rated it lower. But for those who feel it should be in the top 5, I’ll make this concession. Yes, the show is one of a kind and is winning fans left and right. But the show has taken on a self importance that I find a little pretentious. It’s a nice little show, but Ally as a Feminist Icon? Seems someone’s a little full of themselves. (And did I mention that Vonda Shepard has no talent?)
24. Mad About You: Reiser and Hunt’s swan song.
Location: NBC, Mondays at 9 EST. Also in syndication.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Newlyweds and their families.Synopsis: No longer just married, this couple lives with their new child.Has it spawned imitators?: Not really. Dharma
is the closest comparison.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: You bet. It’s been Must See since
it’s debut.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Murray, the family pooch.Apocalyptic Sign: The end of this season.Things only a fan would know: Lisa Kudrow (aka Phoebe) doubles as a waitress on
this show. Strengths: Hunt’s performance. Name recognition.Weaknesses: Won’t be on in 6 months. Premise no longer fresh.How often I watch: I watched the first few seasons. Then it got old.Ranking Reasoning: As the show trots off into the sunset, it has become a shell of it’s former self. Sure, Hunt has been outstanding as wife and mom. But Reiser continues to be a drag on the show as he becomes more and more irritating. Having run out of newleywed storylines, the producers decided to throw a baby into the mix 2 years ago. Like Murphy Brown, should have quit when they were ahead.
24. 20/20: Second-best NewsMag
Location: ABC, Sunday at 9 EST, Wednesday at 10, Friday at 10, Monday at 8.Show Type: News MagazineSynopsis: Barbara, Hugh and the gang tell us what’s up.Has it spawned imitators?: PrimeTime Live, which was swallowed up last year.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Just look at their schedule. Dateline
rules.Character you won’t see anywhere else: John Stossel has carved out a spot as
one of the most un-biased reporters while still being entertaining.Apocalyptic Sign: Someone wakes up Hugh Downs.Things only a fan would know: The 20/20 family once included Day One, another
news show.Strengths: Stossel, Walter’s star power, always on.Weaknesses: Will run out of stories soon, Food Lion suit, always on.How often I watch: Unfortunately, twice a week.Ranking Reasoning: What started out as a nice little hour per week is becoming a Dateline clone. This is not a good thing. While this show doesn’t pander as much as NBC’s version, ABC recently put all their news shows under the same moniker to take advantage of name recognition. Mickey & Company’s further attempt at global domination.
23. Guiness World Records: Admit it. You watch.
Location: FOX, Tuesdays at 9 EST. Show Type: Reality-BasedGenre: Shock-tvSynopsis: Freaks show off their sickening talents.Has it spawned imitators?: World’s Scariest Neighbors IV.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Nope. This is pure FOX fare.Character you won’t see anywhere else: All the wierdos that populate this
show.Apocalyptic Sign: This IS the Apocalypse.Things only a fan would know: Which guests have also been on Stupid Human Tricks.
Strengths: Appeal of a Car Crash, Way over-the-top.Weaknesses: Grosses everyone out, what happens when they run out of freaks?How often I watch: I try to keep my dignity and avoid it. Ranking Reasoning: Yeah, it’s gross and disgusting. But you can’t help watching people bug out their eyes, stick spikes in their chest, and set themselves on fire. If the show featured items like the World’s Largest Knit Sweater, no one would care. If people would quit parading around showing off, this show wouldn’t exist. But the 90’s are here to stay, and so is this show. For pure trash, this is the trashiest out there.
22. Spin City: Fox’s new show yet to hit on all cylinders
Location: ABC, Tuesdays at 9 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Workplace Hi-JinksSynopsis: Mayor’s Staff runs the city that never sleeps.Has it spawned imitators?: It’s roots can be found in Drew Carry and NewsRadio.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: New York? Michael J. Fox? The
proto-typical show.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Carter rigorously fights against
stereotype but succumbs to many of those same homosexual tendencies.Apocalyptic Sign: Impeachment.Things only a fan would know: The show originally featured a full-time girlfriend
for Mike. Strengths: Fox, strong supporting cast, ABC’s patience.Weaknesses: Cast too large, joke targets too easy, not living up to potential.How often I watch: I run the freaking website. Ranking Reasoning: Has yet to distinguish itself from the rest of the workplace comedies currently out there. While Fox shines and other cast members stand out (Alan Ruck, Barry Bostwick, Michael Boatman), the writing staff has yet to impress and Just Shoot Me has been giving it some serious competition. Gary David Goldberg’s departure doesn’t bode well.
21. The King of Queens: Unlikely Success
Location: CBS, Mondays at 8:30 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: The Traditional Family SitcomSynopsis: NY Dad lives life in shadow of family.Has it spawned imitators?: A direct descendant of Raymond.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Why not? It’s got Mr. Costanza.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Jerry’s Stiller. Transporting
his Seinfeld persona, he continues to shine.Apocalyptic Sign: Jason Alexander guest stars as a long lost brother.Things only a fan would know: Kevin James's Stand-up Routine.Strengths: Costanza, Raymond as a lead inWeaknesses: Fairly standard sticom fareHow often I watch: Not Yet. Ranking Reasoning: Has surprised critics by finding it’s niche and living "up" to expectations. While this show will probably never win any major awards, the King of Queens is a guilty pleasure that recognizes it’s place and doesn’t try to be something it’s not.
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