#10-OZ (HBO)
Originally, OZ seemed like nothing more than an excuse to use HBO’s broadcasting liberties. What the show has evolved into is a weekly tour de force that zigs and zags through more characters than a Robert Altman Film. Brash and violent, OZ has grown into television’s most shocking show.
#9-C.S.I. (CBS)
Only in its second season, this show is no longer riding the coattails of its cushy post-Survivor slot and now growing on its own. The show boasts a great cast, labrynithic plots and great special effects. William Peterson’s Gil Grissom continues to be the cast’s standout. Every week, he evolves more into TV’s most complex character outside of the Jersey Mob.
#8-Gilmore Girls (WB)
The WB definitely gets a bad reputation… hello Dawson’s Creek. However, Gilmore Girls is super cute and funny. The show isn’t based on cold hearted drama, but the storyline is usually pretty believable . An unwed thirty-something woman with a nagging mother and a teenage daughter gives Gilmore Girls a plot worth watching.
#7-The Simpsons (FOX)
While this show may never again reach the high points of its 3rd through 6th season, Fox’s flagship show continues to reinvent itself and comedy on television. This past fall’s slate contained some of the freshest shows to date, with its annual Treehouse of Horror reestablishing the series as the place on your television dial to find deliciously biting satire. Mmmmmmmmm…..satire.
#6-Six Feet Under (HBO)
Television’s best new show since The Sopranos may have a weak premise (life in a funeral home), but every week this past summer, Alan Ball’s sadistic take on life and death continually raised the bar for serious television drama. As if death wasn’t enough, the show has also tackled such topics as Catholicism, homosexuality and relationships with such depth and subtlety that it becomes easy to forget the show’s morbid tone.
#5-The West Wing (NBC)
Sure, it is preachy at times, and often some of the debates seem fueled by the producers desires to have a discussion on gun control that week, but this show still remains exciting Last spring’s final shows were the best to date, coming to a huge climax featuring Martin Sheen facing off against the Almighty in the National Cathedral. While this season may have gotten off to a slow start, let’s hope we have President Bartlett to kick around for four more years.
#4-Sex and the City (HBO)
The hot HBO show that breaks all the rules continues to heat up your TV with topics from orgasms to relationships. Many claim the show is unrealistic, but who’s really interested in another boring sitcom revolving around the nuclear family? For the chicks, the constant guy bashing will keep you interested. And for the guys, the fact that ‘Sex’ is included in the title should spark some excitement. I’m sure that last Sunday’s episode caused heartbreak for die hard fan when Carrie and Aidan called it quits.
#3-Will and Grace (NBC)
Two gay guys proud of their sexuality and their sparky friend Grace have kept Will and Grace in the top ten and still a highly competitive show. Grace’s work life is constantly a mess due to her unusual assistant Karen, who’s obnoxious voice and off the wall comments will make your cheeks hurt from laughter. Will and Grace is considered, by many, a great comedy and is a huge reason viewers tune in every Thursday to NBC’s Must See TV lineup. While most shows continue to rely on sticking to their format, Will and Grace continues to impress by tackling subjects that no one would have ever expected from a show with this kind of premise.
#2-The Sopranos (HBO)
Ravioli and guns, what more can create an award winning show? HBO’s television milestone did excactly what viewers didn’t want this past season. Instead of showing wise guys having fun and doing the bad things we love to watch, the show pulled Tony back down to his level, making us realize what a slime ball he is. Meanwhile, Dr. Melfi’s rape was easily the most horrible thing many have seen on television, and her subsequent refusal for revenge was a huge let down, but it kept the show true to its characters. The Soprano crew may have not done what we wanted, but in today’s television climate, that should be praised.
#1-Friends (NBC) Yeah, I know this is a practical choice for the number one choice, but Friends has totally redeemed itself this season. Rachel is pregnant with baby Gellar and Joey suddenly thinks he’s in love with her. The plot has been building this season and the show is getting hot. Rumors of the last season have caused viewers to hold Friends close at heart in 2002.
#0-The Worst Shows: Ally McBeal (FOX) and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (ABC)
Calista and her crew have totally gone down the tubes. Sorry FOX, even by introducing Jersey’s finest rock star into the cast, the show’s ratings suck! Ally McBeal is now an expired show, cancel the show before it goes down in history as completely stupid.
Regis, Regis, Regis… Your time in the lime-light are completely over. So, throw out those fancy ties and concentrate on your co-host Kelly. The phrase “life-line” makes us sick!
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