My Top Ten Favorite TV Shows
Due to opinion, taste, age, and mindset, it’s pretty much impossible to come up with the ideal mainstream list of what may be considered the best of anything, much less an optimum lineup of favorite television shows. But here’s my personal take on the Top Ten TV series from the primetime schedules of all time, most of which hail from (although not limited to) the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, including dramas, comedies, and sci-fi/fantasy — presented in alphabetical order.
“Bewitched” (ABC, 1964–1972)
The scripts were superior, particularly the first two black and white seasons. The themes were ahead of its time (prejudice, strong work ethic, true love). And Elizabeth Montgomery made you like and believe in witches because she was so likable and believable in the role of twitch-witch Samantha Stephens. Into this magic mix, Dick York and Dick Sargent’s double-take on Sam’s mortal husband Darrin remains historic, as does a host of supporting, recurring and special guest stars including Agnes Moorehead’s fiercely appealing performance as Endora, Samantha’s mystical mom, and David White’s no-holds-barred interpretation of Larry Tate, Darrin’s self-absorbed ad-man boss.
“The Bionic Woman” (ABC/NBC, 1976–1978)
Lee Majors thinks The Six Million Dollar Man, a.k.a. Steve Austin, needs to have a girlfriend. ABC hires Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, The Five Million Dollar Woman (because her parts are cheaper). The character is originally killed off in a two-part episode of Six, and the viewers are outraged. Amidst tense negotiations by Wagner’s ace manager (Ron Samuels, who also manages (and is married to) ABC’s other super female Lynda Wonder Woman Carter), The Bionic Woman returns for a second two-part episode of Six, and then ultimately her own weekly series. Wagner goes on to win an Emmy for her credible performance of an incredible character, and her acting charms and chops lead to further fame as one of TV’s first “Queen of TV-Movies” (following Elizabeth Montgomery and Jane Seymour). Meanwhile, her interpretation as Jaime Sommers marks the sci-fi genre’s first realistic portrayal of a superhero and supergeeks around the universe continue to rejoice at the accomplishment.
“The Dick Van Dyke Show” (CBS, 1961–1966)
The sophisticated, gorgeous, and talented dynamic duo of Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore charm the capri-pants off the viewers in Carl Reiner’s comedic genius creation of what is arguably the best TV sitcom in history. Along with Reiner in a periodic fashion, the supporting cast is equally unstoppable, including Rose Marie, More Amsterdam, Richard Deacon, Ann Morgan Gilbert, Jerry Paris, and Larry Mathews. beyond the clothes and the sets, and minus any pop-culture references of its time, The Dick Van Dyke Show’s appeal remains timeless.
“Frasier” (NBC, 1993–2004)
The cast! The sets! The scripts! The stories! The dialogue! The comedy! All terrifically top-notch. That about sums it up when it comes to Frasier, which ultimately became a better show that it’s parent-comedy Cheers. Star Kelsey Grammer’s near-psychotic psychologist (turned-radio-host) Frasier Crane delivers the goods, alongside stupendous support from Peri Gilpin as Frasier’s horny, radio show producer Roz Doyle, David Hyde Pierce as the look-a-like/act-a-like-but-different brother Niles Crane who lusts after Jane Leeves as Daffney Moon, the originally-somewhat-psychic caregiver to John Mahoney as Frasier’s father Martin, the loving-and-not-really-cranky-cop-forced-to-retire-due-to-injury (with the amazing dog Eddie). They just don’t make ’em like this anymore, folks. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, this is the last time they did. Frasier is the last great sitcom. Everything following became a bunch of actors doing stand-up comedy dialogue in exaggerated situations that have little or nothing to do with the kind of A-1 sophisticated, realistic joy presented here.
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[Click the link below to continue reading for the remaining six choices of my favorite TV shows - plus a few more honorable mentions.]