40. JAG: After years of floundering, show finally finds it’s audience.
Location: CBS, Wednesdays at 8 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: Military Lawyers fight crime and save the country.Has it spawned imitators?: Has been a dog for so long, it’s not likely to
inspire copycats.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: The network cast it off some years ago,
letting CBS pick it up.Character you won’t see anywhere else: n/a. You've seen these
characters before.Apocalyptic Sign: Don’t ask, don’t tell.Things only a fan would know: Action footage is actually lifted from a bevy of
Tom Clancy movies.Strengths: Lots of action. Sense of patriotism.Weaknesses: Low production values. Not very interesting.How often I watch: I’ve got better things to do.Ranking Reasoning: Up until now, people were unable to look past the cardboard characters and paper-thin plotlines. But with the dearth of new shows, people are giving this show another look. And while this show is not great by any stretch of the imagination, it hits the target it sets for itself. And that’s good enough.
39. TheWorld’s Wildest (Scariest, Funniest) Police Videos 27: Uh….. yeah.
Location: FOX, Thursdays at 8 EST. Show Type: Reality-BasedGenre: Video PlaybackSynopsis: Cops chase robbers. Something harrowing happens.Has it spawned imitators?: You betcha. Most are on FOX, but other networks are
catching on.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Nah. NBC prefers shameless comedies or
Dateline.Character you won’t see anywhere else: That drunk crackhead who veers off
the road and hits a pedestrian.Apocalyptic Sign: They forget the Miranda Rights.Things only a fan would know: "I actually shot that video!"Strengths: Costs $5 to produce. Great for ratings.Weaknesses: Not exactly Emmy-worthy.How often I watch: I hate to admit it. But I will check in occasionally.Ranking Reasoning: Want car chases and spectacular crashes? Want to see lots of fights and brawls? Want to see the crackhead get beaten down? This is the place. Want to see a coherent storyline and believeable characters? Want to see cohesive storylines and uplifting television? Want something entertaining? This is not the place.
38. Profiler: Thrillogy member less than thrilling
Location: NBC, Saturdays at 10 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: Forensic psychologist keeps the peace by catching killers.Has it spawned imitators?: Which came first, Profiler or Millenium? Doesn’t
matter.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: They try. But few seems to be buying it.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Jack the serial killer.Apocalyptic Sign: Sunlight.Things only a fan would know: Series regular Traci Lords is a former
"adult" actress.Strengths: Nothing truly stands out.Weaknesses: Nothing truly stands out.How often I watch: Couple of times.Ranking Reasoning: Mood lighting. Creepy stories. Dark, mythological references. The X-Files? Not even close. The epitome of faceless TV. Absolutly nothing about this show stands out. Which makes it the most average show on TV.
37. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Clarissa makes the big time.
Location: ABC, Fridays at 9 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Family FareSynopsis: Coven of witches try to fit into everyday life.Has it spawned imitators?: Currently, the flagship of ABC’s TGIF.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Hardly. Not enough sex.Character you won’t see anywhere else: That wacky cat.Apocalyptic Sign: A Bewitched Reunion.Things only a fan would know: The voice of the cat, Nick Bakay, is a writer for
ESPN.Strengths: Brand-name, Hart’s star power.Weaknesses: Bland scripts, being a family show means taking less chances.How often I watch: Nope.Ranking Reasoning: While clearly the best among the kiddie shows during prime time, this show still leaves a lot to be desired when compared to what else is on TV. Admit it, you’d rather watch an All in the Family re-run than a new edition of this fluff.
36. 48 Hours: One of the few distinquishable news shows left.
Location: CBS, Thursdays at 10 EST. Show Type: News MagazineSynopsis: Take one story. Devote an hour.Has it spawned imitators?: ABC tried to copy it with Day One a while ago. Failed
badly.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Nope. NBC likes their news short and
pointless.Character you won’t see anywhere else: huh?Apocalyptic Sign: Show will likely be swallowed up under the 60 Minutes moniker very soon.Things only a fan would know: The names of the reporters. Strengths: Only news show with a distinct format, Allows more in-depth reporting.Weaknesses: Tough to mine an hour out of some stories, up against ER.How often I watch: The alternative during ER reruns. Ranking Reasoning: 48 Hours is still kicking, despite low production values and no-name reporters (other than Dan Rather of course). It’s distinctive style and the proliferation of prime-time news has allowed it to survive, but don’t count on it staying around much longer.
35. Becker: Suprinsing Comeback from Sam Malone
Location: CBS, Mondays at 9:30 EST.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Doctors and MedicineSynopsis: Bad Attitude Doc makes everyone life’s miserable.Has it spawned imitators?: It won’t. Although it’s been a minor
success, don’t look for more.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: It’d be a tough sell. But NBC will
promote anything.Character you won’t see anywhere else: n/a. All these characters are old
hat.Apocalyptic Sign: Monday Night Football starts again.Things only a fan would know: Why people watch this. Strengths: Danson’s star power, familiar territory, cushy time slot.Weaknesses: Not an original bone on this show, Danson’s character is
annoying.How often I watch: I couldn’t last 5 minutes. Ranking Reasoning: It speaks volumes that people look for something familiar as they roam the dial. While Danson is a talented actor, this isn’t groundbreaking TV. It remains to be seen whether this show can continue despite it’s one-note plot.
34. Melrose Place: Still on, Still unbeleivable.
Location: FOX, Mondays at 8 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Prime-Time SoapSynopsis: Pretty Rich people sleep with eatch other, then try to kill each other.Has it spawned imitators?: Has definitely turn up prime-time heat.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Would have years ago. However, it’s
too long-in-the-tooth.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Locklear’s Amanda is as
cold-hearted as they come.Apocalyptic Sign: The end of the TV season. It’s their last.Things only a fan would know: Only a true fan could keep track of what’s
going on.Strengths: Fan base, good performances.Weaknesses: Show can be over the top, becoming old.How often I watch: About once a year. Ranking Reasoning: Remember when this was the hottest thing on TV? Yep, it’s been that long. Heather Locklear is still there and Aaron Spelling is still in charge, but the magic is gone. While still capable of being entertaining, this show is merely playing out the string until FOX can think up something better to show.
33. Chicago Hope: That other Windy City Doc Show.
Location: CBS, Wednesdays at 10 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Doctors and MedicineSynopsis: Private Hospital Docs grapple with issues of the day.Has it spawned imitators?: Success of this show helped paved the way for Ally McBeal.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: A little too quirky. David Kelly
hasn’t done NBC yet.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Eric Stoltz’s Buddhist Doc is
one-of-a-kind.Apocalyptic Sign: Clooney transfers his practice here.Things only a fan would know: All the characters who have left (Patinkin, Gibson,
MacNichol).Strengths: Strong following, Elizando as the group leader.Weaknesses: Stories too out there, even for a Kelly show, Lahti and Harmon are
too over-the-top.How often I watch: Twice a month. Ranking Reasoning: You have to admire a show that takes so many chances. Hey, they even had the guts to do a Cop Rock tribute. But eventually, it just gets too weird to put up with. And note to Ms. Christine Lahti: Please take some Valium. This is definitly NOT the best Chicago hospital drama around.
32. The PJ’s: Murphy’s new show not stellar, but solid.
Location: FOX, Tuesdays at 8:30 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Animated FamilySynopsis: Building super and his family live in the projects.Has it spawned imitators?: Depending on how it performs, you could see more
minority based cartoons.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Despite Stressed Eric from last year,
NBC doesn’t like toons.Character you won’t see anywhere else: All are radical stereotypes that are
building a political backlash.Apocalyptic Sign: A move to the suberbs.Things only a fan would know: It’s not claymation, it’s foam-mation.Strengths: Murphy as voice and producer, weak competion.Weaknesses: King of the Hill’s lack of a
lead-in, racial backlash.How often I watch: Once. Ranking Reasoning: Eddie Murphy’s new project is a "animated" show about life in the inner city. Considering Murphy’s talents and the audience he brings, this could be a breakout hit. But until all the characters develop, this is just another show.
31. 3rd Rock from the Sun: These aliens are scarier than the ones on X-Files.
Location: NBC, Tuesdays at 8 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: The Traditional Family SitcomSynopsis: Aliens live among us and report back to the others. Hi-jinks ensue.Has it spawned imitators?: The plot is one of a kind.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: You bet.Character you won’t see anywhere else: All of the aliens.Apocalyptic Sign: The invasion begins.Things only a fan would know: Each episode is named after the main character,
Dick.Strengths: Lithgow’s performance, Production team, Newman now full-time
member of show.Weaknesses: scripts too goofy, characters can be blowhards, that awful theme
song.How often I watch: Couple times a year. Ranking Reasoning: What started off as a potential hit has turned into just another show on the vast wasteland. While Lithgow originally received critical praise for his performance, he has taken it too far over the top and is now just a characteriture of his former role. Harry is just too weird and Sally is just too dumb. Even Newman deserves better than this.
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