10. Homicide: Life on the Street: Keeps Improving with age.
Location: NBC, Fridays at 10 EST. Syndicated on Lifetime.Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: The cops arrest em, no matter how gritty.Has it spawned imitators?: Has led the way in making cop shows more intense.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Hardly. Not for mass consumption. Character you won’t see anywhere else: The show is still looking for that
standout it lacks since Andre Braugher left.Apocalyptic Sign: Robin Williams guest stars.Things only a fan would know: Tony Fauntana, head writer, also pens HBO’s
OZ.Strengths: Hard hitting stories, gripping performances, subject matter, social
demise.Weaknesses: Doesn’t pander to anyone, Braugher’s departure leaves
little star power.How often I watch: Couple of times a season. Ranking Reasoning: Along with Law and Order, becoming the top cop shows on television. Will never get the commerical acclaim of other shows simply because the show doesn’t want it. Instead, Homicide tells the story in its own way and is all the better for it. Once consistently overlooked, now a critical darling.
9. Everybody Loves Raymond: The funniest non-animated family on TV
Location: CBS, Mondays at 9 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: The classic Family sitcomSynopsis: A Brooklyn man’s family gives him fits, and keeps the rest of us
in stiches.Has it spawned imitators?: It is the imitator. Think Roseanne, Seinfeld, Home
Improvement…Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: The ideal Must See TV. So why is it on
CBS?Character you won’t see anywhere else: Robert, the big brother who’s
gruff but loveable.Apocalyptic Sign: They don’t quibble.Things only a fan would know: The Show is produced by Letterman's World-Wide
Pants Company.Strengths: Exceptional chemistry, Romano’s timing, inventive scripts.Weaknesses: Family sitcom familiar territory, can’t beat MNF, but comes
close.How often I watch: A couple of times. Ranking Reasoning: Constantly voted (along with NewsRadio) as the most under-rated shows on TV. And while it hasn’t won any major awards, it has carved itself a sizeable following and holds its own against Football and Ally. The magic lies in the cast’s ablility to mine laughs simply by glaring at each other. Most likely successor to Most Dominant Sitcom on TV once Friends retires.
8. King of the Hill: It’s great, I tell ya’ whut.
Location: FOX, Tuesdays at 8 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Animated FamilySynopsis: A propane salesman and his middle class family live and learn in Texas.Has it spawned imitators?: It’s success helped spawn The PJs.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: It sports family values and isn’t
set in New York. They’d hate it.Character you won’t see anywhere else: All are intriguing. But
Boomhauer’s ramblings stand out.Apocalyptic Sign: If Dale is right, it’s here already.Things only a fan would know: The Arlen clan cameoed on The
Simpsons last year.Strengths: Pedigree (Mike Judge and Greg Daniels), inventive stories, only show
to champion what is considered "normal"Weaknesses: killer time slot, animation turns off some viewers, comparisons to
Beavis & Butthead.How often I watch: Every week. Ranking Reasoning: Up until this season, King of the Hill was on the fast track to becoming the heir to The Simpsons throne. And while the show has not suffered creatively this year, the move to Tuesday has resulted in a hemorrhage of viewers. Hank is an original: All-American values, but extremely introverted about all things private. One of the only shows where the cut of a man’s lawn tells more about him than the one-liners he spouts. Here’s hoping FOX can get viewers to watch again.
7. Party of Five: Made stars of Neve and Jennifer
Location: FOX, Wednesdays at 9 EST. Syndicated on Lifetime.Show Type: DramaGenre: Family in CrisisSynopsis: Hard luck orphans find new ways to struggle through life.Has it spawned imitators?: no.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: no. This gang isn’t upbeat enough.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Charlie. Has one human being been
through more?Apocalyptic Sign: The episode starts.Things only a fan would know: How many times Charlie has shaved. Strengths: Young cast, continual trauma, FOX’s patience when ratings were
awful.Weaknesses: Sometimes too depressing to watch. Hewitt’s departure will cost
viewers.How often I watch: Once. Ranking Reasoning: Crisis brings the family together. That must mean that the Salingers are the tightest-knit family in America. No show has mined more from crises than this clan. The intervention episode and Charlie’s cancer battle were landmark episodes that brought out raw emotion. For a show that was at one time the lowest rated on TV, it has survived and shined.
6. ER: No Longer Breakneck, but still Riveting
Location: NBC, Thursdays at 10 EST. Syndicated on TNT and local stations.Show Type: DramaGenre: Doctors and MedicineSynopsis: Chicago Docs at a public hospital treat emergencies in between personal
in-fighting.Has it spawned imitators?: Premiered the same year as the other Chicago-set Chicago HopeWould NBC deem it "Must See"?: The definition of Must SeeCharacter you won’t see anywhere else: Peter Benton, the ego-maniacal doc
who doesn’t care how you feel. Apocalyptic Sign: Carter becomes chief resident. Weaver becomes nice.Things only a fan would know: n/a. Everything on the show is overhyped.Strengths: Producers (Michael Crichton / John Wells), superb acting, multiple
story threads, pace.Weaknesses: Some medical conventions must be fudged to maintain timeline,
revolving cast.How often I watch: Every week. Living Up to hype. No More ClooneyRanking Reasoning: The Strength of the show will now be under closer scrutiny not that George Clooney has run off. As much as the first season overwhelmed America, the show has slowed it down and allowed the characters to interact. Carter continues to mature. Gloria Reuben’s portrayal of her HIV status is harrowing. And the masses keep watching, even if the price tag jumped to $13 million.
5. The X-Files: A Hit on the small screen on it’s way to the Big Screen.
Location: FOX, Sundays at 9 EST. In syndication on FX and local stations.Show Type: DramaGenre: Aliens and ConspiraciesSynopsis: America’s favorite FBI team track down UFO’s and how the
government is covering it up.Has it spawned imitators?: Millennium, for starters. Most imitators can be found
on cable.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: If they could only get their hands on
it. Character you won’t see anywhere else: Characters? This show has species you
won’t see anywhere else.Apocalyptic Sign: It’s the entire show.Things only a fan would know: The story behind the upcoming alien invasion.Strengths: Zealots for fans, strong press, intricate stories, success on the big
screenWeaknesses: may be treading water until permanent move to the big screen, move to
LA may temper dark moods.How often I watch: Once in a while. Ranking Reasoning: The hype may be fading, but The X-Files continues to be as strong as ever. This season has been more inventive than last year, signaling that doing a movie and TV at the same time can be too taxing. Until 20th Century Fox decides to take it off TV permanently, X-Files will be the show by which all other conspiracy and sci-fi shows will be compared.
4. The Practice: Not too real, not too fake. Just perfect.
Location: ABC, Sundays at 10 ESTShow Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: A young, Boston lawyer builds a small law firm made up of memorable
characters.Has it spawned imitators?: Hasn’t been on the air long enough to be copied.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Probably. The show has just enough
high-profile guests and stories to justify the hype.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Eugene Young, the street-wise public
defender with a overgrown conscience. Also Carmen Manheim for breaking the stereotype
saying all actresses should be supermodels.Apocalyptic Sign: Ally becomes a partner. (Last year’s cross-over was
hideous.)Things only a fan would know: Kelly nearly left the show last year over time-slot
wrangling.Strengths: cast, David E. Kelly’s scripts, capturing the zeitgeist.Weaknesses: floundered in bad time slots early on. Could wilt under early
expectations.How often I watch: Every other Sunday. (unless there’s a good movie on.)Ranking Reasoning: Now in it’s third year, The Practice is already the defending champ for Best Drama Emmy. While it remains to be seen whether the show can continue it’s pace, the show’s blend of reality and superficialness make it mesmerizing. Recurring guests John Larroquette, Tony Danza, and that Dodge guy have contributed to the star power, giving viewers even more reason to watch. Here’s hoping Kelly can concentrate his efforts on this show instead of throwing all his ideas at his other lawyer show, Ally McBeal.
3. Law & Order: Redefining Cop Shows
Location: NBC, Wednesday at 10 EST. In syndicationShow Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: The Baltimore DA office (with help from those Homicide
guys) put criminals behind bars.Has it spawned imitators?: An impetus for the less-gritty The
PracticeWould NBC deem it "Must See"?: No. The show doesn’t cater to the
high profile that being Must See demands.Character you won’t see anywhere else: The new DA Abbie is tough-as-nails
and strikes fear in the heart of criminals. Even more impressive since she’s a woman.Apocalyptic Sign: HumorThings only a fan would know: the only non-news show ever shown on Court TVStrengths: exceptional Writing, the cast, based-on-reality storylines.Weaknesses: Often seen as too dependent on Homicide, too much cast turnoverHow often I watch: Not often.Ranking Reasoning: Probably the strongest drama out there today, Law and Order has always been adored by critics. However, it has only recently been noticed by award shows and the general public. LA Law created a lasting impression of the legal system, but the Baltimore DA’s have given us a new slant on life in the courtroom, bringing a greater dose of reality, taking the gloss of the legal system. The show has had a revolving door as cast changes have become expected, but the new characters carry on the tradition and make the show even better.
2. The Simpsons: Becoming one of the best comedies ever.
Location: FOX, Sundays at 8 EST. Also in syndicationShow Type: SitcomGenre: Animated FamilySynopsis: The nuclear family, as seen from a nuclear plant worker. Boasts one of
the most expansive casts for prime time. Oh, and P.S., it’s a cartoon.Has it spawned imitators?: Have you seen all those new mid-season replacements?Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Probably not. NBC execs would be too
afraid of Matt Groening (the show’s creator).Character you won’t see anywhere else: Almost all of Springfield defies
convention. However, Bart is the one on all the T-shirts.Apocalyptic Sign: A live-action episodeThings only a fan would know: Groening prides himself on keeping episodes chock
full of freeze-frame fun.Strengths: Strong cast, devoted fan-base, media coverage, dead-on satire,
high-octane humorWeaknesses: 2-dimensional characters, Praising the show has become passe’How often I watch: Have at least 200 episodes on tape. Some tapes are becoming
worn out.Ranking Reasoning: The first few seasons were merely building what has become one of TV’s most memorable shows. In spite of the bad press that the Simpsons got from Pres. Bush early on, the show has turned satire into a true art form. "Don’t have a cow" and "D-oh!" have entered the American lexicon. Every week, people tune in just to see the new chalkboard and couch gags. It’s had so many dead-on takes on American society, there’s too many to list. Needless to say, Springfield has become a part of America, even if we still don’t know what state it’s in.
1. Friends: Most Imitated, Most Hyped, Most Expectations, Most Deserving
Location: NBC, Thursdays at 8 EST. Also in syndicationShow Type: SitcomGenre: Twenty-somethings hanging outSynopsis: 3 guys, 3 girls, one coffee house. From lesbian weddings to dirty
monkeys, this show has been groundbreakingly funny while being about some
"average" people.Has it spawned imitators?: Duh!Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: n/aCharacter you won’t see anywhere else: Surprisingly, these Friends
originated as stock characters. However, Chandler and Ross have set themselves apart the
most.Apocalyptic Sign: The Cast making more moviesThings only a fan would know: Chandler & Joey’s message board changes
every week.Strengths: Unmatched chemistry, sharp writing, and storylines that link the
episodes drama-styleWeaknesses: Massively Overhyped Early, 8 EST time slot, that theme songHow often I watch: Weekly, and the favorites from syndication.Ranking Reasoning: While many other shows are deserving, this is the one that people keep coming back to. This season, Friends has proved that it, not Frasier, deserved the post-Seinfeld time slot. Our gang from Central Perk has kept us interested in their daily foibles ever since their debut in 1994. The Ross and Rachel storyline has propelled episodes since the beginning, although that well may be drying up. So, in steps Monica and Chandler. Sure, there are many complaints: Not ethnic enough, sometimes predictable, too risqué. But Friends has survived all these setbacks and continued to entertain us. And isn’t that what TV is all about?
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