View Full Version : M*A*S*H Named Smartest Show Of All Time


Brian Damage
02-18-2008, 10:32 AM
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/[/url]

Jim Werdell, the chairman of the MENSA group, has picked what he considers the ten smartest TV shows of all-time.

1. M*A*S*H – It had smart repartee and was so much more than a comedy.

2. Cosmos (with Carl Sagan) – Sagan was able to communicate something extremely complicated to the layman and do it well, and that’s unusual for a scientist at his level.

3. CSI -- The way they use science to solve their programs is intriguing to viewers.

4. House – Again, it’s high level type of show; it’s the personality that makes it a winner, plus it deals with science.

5. West Wing – you had to pay attention to stay up with it. The repartee was fast and furious and you needed a fairly high level intelligence to keep up with it.

6. Boston Legal – It’s primarily because of the characters. The story lines are okay, but the characters are incredible and the writers give them great dialogue.

7. All in the Family – The show dealt with social issues before it’s time and was on the forefront of trying to show people’s feelings, beliefs and the complexities of personality, in both a serious and comedic way.

8. Frasier – The repartee was sensational; the main characters were very good. Even though they portrayed people who were likely of high intelligence, they also showed their weaknesses.

9. Mad About You – It’s a personal favorite, I loved the characters and the back and forth. It was very smart.

10. Jeopardy – It’s about the only game show that really tries to test people’s intelligence. There’s very little luck involved, and there are few game shows like that. I don’t watch it all that much honestly, but from what I’ve seen it tests more than knowledge, it tests intelligence too.

LuLu Rogers
02-18-2008, 12:09 PM
I saw this yesterday, very interesting indeed. ;)

OH Nuts!
02-18-2008, 12:09 PM
Wll I'm not surpirsed about M*A*S*H, All In The Family and Jeopardy. Re Jeopardy, I've always thought there must be a MENSA person lurking abt somewheres on the staff-lol. Other shows I don't know so I can't comment on them.

I always thought of M*A*S*H as more entertaining than anything else, but it certainly has a lot of wit and All In The Family I could just wax poetic about til the end of time--the show tackled controversial issues in an intelligent and forthright way never before seen on TV--as I've said before AITF was at least 25 yrs ahead of its time. As for Jeopardy, it's mind boggling how much some people know. I feel so mongoloidal when I watch the show and know maybe 15% of the aswers past the first easiest ones worth the least amt of $

Mikado
02-18-2008, 07:45 PM
I agree with M*A*S*H as the all-time most intelligent comedy, but, I'm appauled that NOVA isnt even on the list!!! :eek:

TJL
02-18-2008, 08:57 PM
I'm TJL and i approve of this list.

;)