JamesG
12-07-2009, 05:46 PM
Boiling any decade's list of the best TV shows down to 40 is tough; a common viewer complaint is that there are hundreds of channels and nothing worth watching, but we'd argue that they're just not looking in the right places.
Our list of the 40 best shows of the 2000s is chockful of edgy dramas (CSI and Deadwood), sharp comedies (30 Rock and Chappelle's Show) and reality shows -- like The Amazing Race and Top Chef -- that have transcended their genres to become just plain good entertainment.
Family dramas, clever teens, "'Seinfeld' on crack" and comeback efforts by Kiefer Sutherland and Neil Patrick Harris also pepper our lineup, so delve into the AOL TV list of the top 40 shows of the 2000s and let us know what you think we got right and wrong.
40. NCIS (2003-present)
This drama about the internal affairs-ish special agents who investigate crimes related to Navy and Marine personnel flies under the radar of many viewers, but there are legions of NCIS devoted, who tune in for the CSI-like forensic work, twists and quirky characters, led by Mark Harmon's stoic, but effective Gibbs.
In fact, the show's regularly atop the ratings heap ... 21 million viewers can't be wrong, right?
39. Big Love (2006-present)
Bill Henrickson and his wife Barb are like most marrieds. As are Bill and his wife Nicki. And Bill and his wife Margene.
Which is a big part of this compelling drama: Their polygamist way of life leads to some unique problems (Bill's bedroom schedule, for example), but Bill and his wives also face the same issues other families face, including in-laws, Bill's business worries and rebellious teens.
38. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Some of the wittiest dialogue in any TV decade, great chemistry between stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as single mom Lorelai and daughter Rory and a town so delightfully quirky in its makeup and citizenry that Frank Capra himself might have conjured it were why we loved this heartfelt family/teen/buddy/romantic dramedy and why we still miss our weekly visits with the Gilmores.
37. Project Runway (2005-present)
Tim Gunn and designers like Jay McCarroll and Christian Siriano are the real stars of this reality competition, which is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum.
The designer contestants, of varying age and experience, are challenged each week to whip up a new, themed frock, from a garment made of things found in a candy store to dresses made of flowers, and, as Gunn urges, they always manage to make it work.
36. How I Met Your Mother (2005-present)
Filling the twentysomething friendship sitcom gap left when Friends ended, Mother owes its success to a likable ensemble cast and smart writing that makes the storylines, which are nothing that break new ground, feel fresh.
And, of course, there's Neil Patrick Harris, whose ultimate-dude character Barney can always be relied on for a laugh and a new, legen -- wait for it -- dary catchphrase.
35. Survivor (2000-present)
Is it the physical challenge, the mental game play, the exotic locales or the chance for one regular Joe or Jane to win a million dollars that has kept this seminal reality series from being voted off the primetime island for 19 seasons?
Try all of the above, along with the charm and snarkiness of host Jeff Probst, who, in no small feat, manages to wrangle over-the-top characters like Richard Hatch and lyin' Johnny Fairplay.
34. Extras (2005-2007)
If his stint as David Brent in the original Office didn't provide enough evidence, his role as hapless actor Andy Millman in Extras did.
Ricky Gervais enjoys playing characters who humiliate themselves. Millman's pursuit of (and failure to achieve) stardom was the core of Gervais' second clever sitcom, which was also boosted by A-list guest stars like Robert De Niro, Daniel Radcliffe and Kate Winslet.
33. Alias (2001-2006)
Buffy got her butt-kickin' on with vampires, but Jennifer Garner took on real world baddies as spy chick Sydney Bristow, who battled international villains while employing a number of scanty disguises and some serious martial-arts skills.
Alias creator J.J. Abrams not only concocted one of the best drama pilots ever (remember Syd in the red wig?), but also helped launch Garner's big-screen career.
32. Family Guy (1999-present)
One of the few series so popular it was actually revived after being canceled, Family Guy has won a permanent spot on the favorites lists of fans who appreciate creator Seth MacFarlane's irreverent pop culture jabs and willingness to be as politically incorrect as the censors will allow.
Hats (or is that diapers?) off, too, to baby Stewie, a matricidal-minded tot whose every utterance makes us laugh.
31. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Joss Whedon had seven seasons to play out monster slayer Buffy Summers' (Sarah Michelle Gellar) life, taking her from angst-addled, sarcastic teen to an adult who'd survived heartbreak, loss and even her own death.
It's rare to get the opportunity to follow a beloved character through such a lengthy, seminal timeline, and fans were further rewarded with a satisfying, Hellmouth-destroying finale.
30. Grey's Anatomy (2005-present)
Yet another medical series, yes, but a diverse cast of mostly unknown actors quickly turned Grey's into a hit.
The series has since become a watercooler topic for its behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but in its best moments, Patrick Dempsey's comeback turn as McDreamy, Sandra Oh as ambitious Yang and Chandra Wilson's tough softie Bailey remind us that the show's best drama is still on screen.
29. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-present)
"Seinfeld on crack" is how it's been described, and that's an apt comparison, for -- like the Monk's Diner gang -- the Paddy's Pub dwellers are often hoisted by their own petard.
Among the comedic gold to be found: any time Danny DeVito's depraved Frank and Charlie Day's manic Charlie share the screen, which they do often since their characters even share a bed. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
28. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-present)
Try as he might (and sometimes, he just doesn't even try), Larry David can't seem to avoid offending people.
That, of course, leads to many a cringe-worthy moment for the Seinfeld co-creator, who just finished his best season ever with storylines that included a show-within-the-show 'Seinfeld' reunion. And, dare we say, the Curb version was funnier than an actual Seinfeld reunion might have been.
27. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Few series have made the impact on viewers that Six Feet Under did, with its constant focus on the morbid (the Fisher men and women operated the family funeral home, after all), textured characters and well-placed jolts of dark humor.
Years later, we're still haunted by the weird, shocking death of brother Nate, and the series' satisfying, flash-forward finale.
26. The West Wing (1999-2006)
Before The West Wing, the White House was mostly movie territory. But Aaron Sorkin's masterpiece delved into issues big and small, from daily White House operations and staffing to elections and major Presidential crises aplenty.
Leading the way at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.: Martin Sheen as POTUS Josiah Bartlet, a compassionate idealist who was fair, tough and dedicated to his country, family and staff.
25. Top Chef (2006-present)
Sure, everybody loves Padma and Tom -- and the colorful personalities of the "cheftestants" keeps things lively, but the real star of Top Chef is the food.
Foodies and those who consider Ritz crackers with spray cheese the ultimate appetizer alike are among the viewers who can't wait to see what the chefs will concoct out of ingredients like ostrich eggs, fermented soy beans and a seemingly endless supply of scallops.
24. 24 (2001-present)
Debuting less than two months after 9/11, 24 provided viewers with a hero just when they needed it most.
Kiefer Sutherland's counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer has saved the world several times over (at great detriment to his own life), and, along with clever plot twists, scene-stealing colleagues and villains and the real-time format, forged a TV show that's as good as any big-screen action flick.
23. Rescue Me (2004-present)
Denis Leary's firefighting Tommy Gavin is complicated, a guy at once heroic and loathsome.
On the job, his crew looks to Tommy for leadership and bravery; in his personal life, he's a drunk and a serial cheater who his co-workers, family and estranged wife sometimes hate.
His main saving grace: Despite his bravado, his 9/11 survivor's guilt means no one dislikes Tommy more than he dislikes himself.
22. Dexter (2006-present)
High concept? You got it in Dexter, a drama (with liberal touches of dark humor) about Miami's most endearing serial killer.
Dexter works as a blood-spatter investigator for the Miami police and also happens to be a murderer, but with rules: He only kills those who prey upon others.
Yep, still high concept, and in the hands of a lesser actor than the Emmy-worthy Michael C. Hall, it just wouldn't work.
21. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
TV teens have gotten a whole lot smarter than they were in the TV land of the past, and teen sleuth Veronica (Kristin Bell) is a prime example.
Once a popular student at rich Neptune High, Veronica's world was upended when her BFF was murdered, she was raped, her sheriff father was fired and her mother left the family.
The show deftly mixed Veronica's P.I. work with her less smooth navigation of the angsty halls of high school life.
20. American Idol (2002-present)
Some people watch it for the William Hungs, some people watch it for the Chris Daughtrys. The point: AI has something for everyone.
The embarrassingly untalented? See: Hung, William.
The future music superstars? See: Underwood, Carrie and Daughtry, Chris.
The show's breakout star, though, is judge Simon Cowell, who's as critical to the show's success as both the best and the worst of the crooners.
19. Chappelle's Show (2003-2006)
We still don't totally understand why comedian Dave walked away from his popular sketch comedy series at the height of its success, but we are grateful for the two full seasons of Chappelle genius that included clever skits like blind white supremacist Clayton Bigsby, Charlie Murphy's Rick James stories, 'Dave Gets Oprah Pregnant' and, of course, Chappelle's classic drive with Wayne Brady.
18. House (2004-present)
He's not old, but Dr. House does have the grumpy man part down pat, which would make him insufferable if not for the fact that he can diagnose any illness, no matter how obscure or how puzzling.
It's the history of weird diagnoses that sets the show apart from its medical brethren, along with the slow pace at which viewers learn the details of the Princeton-Plainsboro staff's personal lives.
17. The Office (2005-present)
Yes, we mean the American version.
Oh, we love the Ricky Gervais original, but the Steve Carell-led remake puts a uniquely American spin on the workplace, with boss Michael's futile attempts to imitate Chris Rock and the rivalry between the office drones and Darryl's warehouse crew.
The remake also focuses more on the office staff, which has led to comedy breakouts like Ed Helms and a new sitcom supercouple in adorable Jim and Pam.
16. The Shield (2002-2008)
Seven seasons of well-crafted storylines and brutal cop work made an unlikely sex symbol out of star Michael Chiklis and led to one of the best series finales of all time, as Chiklis' corrupt, vain, violent and sometimes surprisingly sympathetic detective Vic Mackey received comeuppance for his years of running roughshod in the Barn: a job that found him chained to a desk.
15. Amazing Race (2001-present)
A sort of global scavenger hunt, the Emmy-winning Race sends couples (friends, relatives or lovers) traveling all over the world, getting resourceful as they collect clues to win the $1 million prize.
Like all great reality shows, much of the success depends on personalities, as Race-ers find the competition either greatly enhances, or shines a light on problems within, their relationships.
14. CSI (2000-present)
Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is gone, but the show remains the standard for whodunit fans who like tech wizardry with their mysteries.
Grissom's former charges are now led by Laurence Fishburne's Ray Langston, but their M.O., which has sparked two spin-off series and countless other primetime procedurals, is the same: painstakingly suss out the bad guys, one minute piece of evidence at a time.
13. Arrested Development (2003-2006)
Comedy fans speak in wistful tones about this dysfunctional family sitcom, which made a huge impact in its three-season run.
A masterful blend of sharp, witty dialogue, physical comedy and sight gags were the show's trademarks, and almost four years later, viewers are still clamoring for the big-screen flick that will reunite Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Tony Hale and the rest of the Bluth clan.
12. The Simpsons (1989-present)
There are those who would argue that the cartoon isn't as funny as it once was, but, in the midst of its 21st season, the longest-running sitcom in TV history is still poking fun at pop culture and eliciting its fair share of guffaws along the way.
Besides the talented writing and voice talent, the secret to the show's success: In Springfield, cartoon boys like Bart Simpson never have to grow up.
11. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
They were the anti-WB teens, these circa-1980 Michigan high schoolers, who included the math nerds and the burnouts.
The show's poignant storylines were so honest they probably sparked painful trips down memory lane for some viewers, but Freaks remains a cult favorite, and in just 18 episodes, helped cement the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and, of course, producer Judd Apatow.
10. The Daily Show (1996-present)
Jon Stewart's sharp, satirical "fake news" program has, ironically, become the show where many viewers tune in to get their day's dose of national and political news, and has become must-see viewing during national elections.
But the late-night series' influence is most evident in the list of those who've appeared as guests, including Barack Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
9. Friday Night Lights (2006-present)
Entries in the sports movie genre should study this critically acclaimed, but underviewed show for how-to tips.
While it's ostensibly about football in the pigskin-obsessed small town of Dillon, Texas, it just as often isn't, and both the show's teen stars and adult cast know how to wring honest emotion out of both, while still putting together some pretty awesome sports action sequences, too.
8. Sex and the City (1998-2004)
It's all about the female bonding -- and, okay, the killer wardrobes -- in this Sarah Jessica Parker dramedy, with tales of love, loss, friendship and Manolos adding up to a mini chick flick each week.
SATC is also one of the few series to focus on an all-female ensemble cast, where the hot male guest stars were always playing second bananas to SJP, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.
7. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
The best sci-fi drama of the decade is easily one of the best dramas period.
Series creator Ronald Moore adapted the campy original into a serious serial, following humans' attempts to find Earth and save themselves after the Cylon war.
Aiding Moore: A career-defining performance by Edward James Olmos as Capt. Adama, a role that should keep him knee-deep in sci-fi convention invites for years to come.
6. 30 Rock (2006-present)
No cliched characters and plots here; this workplace comedy has won three consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys because of its fresh ensemble cast (including breakout Jack McBrayer as Kenneth the page and Alec Baldwin in the role of his career), queen geek Tina Fey's work on screen and as a writer and a rapid-fire delivery of jokes that often require multiple viewings to catch them all.
5. Mad Men (2007-present)
We can't wait to see where the show heads now that the Drapers are kaput and Don and pals have started their own agency.
But everything leading up to it has made for compelling viewing, as handsome Don (Jon Hamm) struggled to keep his secret identity secret and figure out why his perfect life left him unhappy, all while wowing his ad clients with his ability to make people want to buy things.
4. Lost (2004-present)
It's the watercooler drama of the decade, a mystery that has fans obsessed with ferreting out any clues about the crash of Oceanic flight 815.
Is the island Purgatory? Is it all a figment of someone's -- Hurley's? -- imagination? Is it all a dream?
From the action-packed pilot to the upcoming series finale, the Lost cast and crew have taken us on one sweet ride through a slowly, satisfyingly unfolding adventure.
3. Deadwood (2004-2006)
There have been many good TV Westerns over the years, but none with the complex, rich storytelling of writer David Milch's Deadwood, which unfolds the settling of the titular South Dakota city in the 1870s.
Milch put his spin on fictional (like Ian McShane's scene-stealing Al Swearengen) and real (Keith Carradine's Wild Bill Hickock) characters as he tackled issues like law, capitalism, politics and the death of the old Wild West.
2. The Wire (2002-2008)
Entire books and college classes have been devoted to dissecting this intense, often heartbreaking show, which, while at first glance was a Baltimore cop drama, proved to be so multi-layered with its storylines and characters (Bunk! McNulty! Bubbles! Omar!) that it ended up as much a sociological study as an Emmy-worthy (though it was, unbelievably, denied even an Outstanding Drama nod) TV series.
1. The Sopranos (1999-2007)
If not for the nature of his work, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) would have been just another guy trying to balance work, family life and, okay, some fairly big mommy issues.
But, of course, Tony's work, as head of a mob family, is what set the show apart, leaving us to wonder who Tony and his crew would cheat, whack and hook up with (sometimes all three with the same person) each week.
http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/07/best-tv-shows-of-the-2000s/
Our list of the 40 best shows of the 2000s is chockful of edgy dramas (CSI and Deadwood), sharp comedies (30 Rock and Chappelle's Show) and reality shows -- like The Amazing Race and Top Chef -- that have transcended their genres to become just plain good entertainment.
Family dramas, clever teens, "'Seinfeld' on crack" and comeback efforts by Kiefer Sutherland and Neil Patrick Harris also pepper our lineup, so delve into the AOL TV list of the top 40 shows of the 2000s and let us know what you think we got right and wrong.
40. NCIS (2003-present)
This drama about the internal affairs-ish special agents who investigate crimes related to Navy and Marine personnel flies under the radar of many viewers, but there are legions of NCIS devoted, who tune in for the CSI-like forensic work, twists and quirky characters, led by Mark Harmon's stoic, but effective Gibbs.
In fact, the show's regularly atop the ratings heap ... 21 million viewers can't be wrong, right?
39. Big Love (2006-present)
Bill Henrickson and his wife Barb are like most marrieds. As are Bill and his wife Nicki. And Bill and his wife Margene.
Which is a big part of this compelling drama: Their polygamist way of life leads to some unique problems (Bill's bedroom schedule, for example), but Bill and his wives also face the same issues other families face, including in-laws, Bill's business worries and rebellious teens.
38. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Some of the wittiest dialogue in any TV decade, great chemistry between stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as single mom Lorelai and daughter Rory and a town so delightfully quirky in its makeup and citizenry that Frank Capra himself might have conjured it were why we loved this heartfelt family/teen/buddy/romantic dramedy and why we still miss our weekly visits with the Gilmores.
37. Project Runway (2005-present)
Tim Gunn and designers like Jay McCarroll and Christian Siriano are the real stars of this reality competition, which is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum.
The designer contestants, of varying age and experience, are challenged each week to whip up a new, themed frock, from a garment made of things found in a candy store to dresses made of flowers, and, as Gunn urges, they always manage to make it work.
36. How I Met Your Mother (2005-present)
Filling the twentysomething friendship sitcom gap left when Friends ended, Mother owes its success to a likable ensemble cast and smart writing that makes the storylines, which are nothing that break new ground, feel fresh.
And, of course, there's Neil Patrick Harris, whose ultimate-dude character Barney can always be relied on for a laugh and a new, legen -- wait for it -- dary catchphrase.
35. Survivor (2000-present)
Is it the physical challenge, the mental game play, the exotic locales or the chance for one regular Joe or Jane to win a million dollars that has kept this seminal reality series from being voted off the primetime island for 19 seasons?
Try all of the above, along with the charm and snarkiness of host Jeff Probst, who, in no small feat, manages to wrangle over-the-top characters like Richard Hatch and lyin' Johnny Fairplay.
34. Extras (2005-2007)
If his stint as David Brent in the original Office didn't provide enough evidence, his role as hapless actor Andy Millman in Extras did.
Ricky Gervais enjoys playing characters who humiliate themselves. Millman's pursuit of (and failure to achieve) stardom was the core of Gervais' second clever sitcom, which was also boosted by A-list guest stars like Robert De Niro, Daniel Radcliffe and Kate Winslet.
33. Alias (2001-2006)
Buffy got her butt-kickin' on with vampires, but Jennifer Garner took on real world baddies as spy chick Sydney Bristow, who battled international villains while employing a number of scanty disguises and some serious martial-arts skills.
Alias creator J.J. Abrams not only concocted one of the best drama pilots ever (remember Syd in the red wig?), but also helped launch Garner's big-screen career.
32. Family Guy (1999-present)
One of the few series so popular it was actually revived after being canceled, Family Guy has won a permanent spot on the favorites lists of fans who appreciate creator Seth MacFarlane's irreverent pop culture jabs and willingness to be as politically incorrect as the censors will allow.
Hats (or is that diapers?) off, too, to baby Stewie, a matricidal-minded tot whose every utterance makes us laugh.
31. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Joss Whedon had seven seasons to play out monster slayer Buffy Summers' (Sarah Michelle Gellar) life, taking her from angst-addled, sarcastic teen to an adult who'd survived heartbreak, loss and even her own death.
It's rare to get the opportunity to follow a beloved character through such a lengthy, seminal timeline, and fans were further rewarded with a satisfying, Hellmouth-destroying finale.
30. Grey's Anatomy (2005-present)
Yet another medical series, yes, but a diverse cast of mostly unknown actors quickly turned Grey's into a hit.
The series has since become a watercooler topic for its behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but in its best moments, Patrick Dempsey's comeback turn as McDreamy, Sandra Oh as ambitious Yang and Chandra Wilson's tough softie Bailey remind us that the show's best drama is still on screen.
29. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-present)
"Seinfeld on crack" is how it's been described, and that's an apt comparison, for -- like the Monk's Diner gang -- the Paddy's Pub dwellers are often hoisted by their own petard.
Among the comedic gold to be found: any time Danny DeVito's depraved Frank and Charlie Day's manic Charlie share the screen, which they do often since their characters even share a bed. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
28. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-present)
Try as he might (and sometimes, he just doesn't even try), Larry David can't seem to avoid offending people.
That, of course, leads to many a cringe-worthy moment for the Seinfeld co-creator, who just finished his best season ever with storylines that included a show-within-the-show 'Seinfeld' reunion. And, dare we say, the Curb version was funnier than an actual Seinfeld reunion might have been.
27. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Few series have made the impact on viewers that Six Feet Under did, with its constant focus on the morbid (the Fisher men and women operated the family funeral home, after all), textured characters and well-placed jolts of dark humor.
Years later, we're still haunted by the weird, shocking death of brother Nate, and the series' satisfying, flash-forward finale.
26. The West Wing (1999-2006)
Before The West Wing, the White House was mostly movie territory. But Aaron Sorkin's masterpiece delved into issues big and small, from daily White House operations and staffing to elections and major Presidential crises aplenty.
Leading the way at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.: Martin Sheen as POTUS Josiah Bartlet, a compassionate idealist who was fair, tough and dedicated to his country, family and staff.
25. Top Chef (2006-present)
Sure, everybody loves Padma and Tom -- and the colorful personalities of the "cheftestants" keeps things lively, but the real star of Top Chef is the food.
Foodies and those who consider Ritz crackers with spray cheese the ultimate appetizer alike are among the viewers who can't wait to see what the chefs will concoct out of ingredients like ostrich eggs, fermented soy beans and a seemingly endless supply of scallops.
24. 24 (2001-present)
Debuting less than two months after 9/11, 24 provided viewers with a hero just when they needed it most.
Kiefer Sutherland's counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer has saved the world several times over (at great detriment to his own life), and, along with clever plot twists, scene-stealing colleagues and villains and the real-time format, forged a TV show that's as good as any big-screen action flick.
23. Rescue Me (2004-present)
Denis Leary's firefighting Tommy Gavin is complicated, a guy at once heroic and loathsome.
On the job, his crew looks to Tommy for leadership and bravery; in his personal life, he's a drunk and a serial cheater who his co-workers, family and estranged wife sometimes hate.
His main saving grace: Despite his bravado, his 9/11 survivor's guilt means no one dislikes Tommy more than he dislikes himself.
22. Dexter (2006-present)
High concept? You got it in Dexter, a drama (with liberal touches of dark humor) about Miami's most endearing serial killer.
Dexter works as a blood-spatter investigator for the Miami police and also happens to be a murderer, but with rules: He only kills those who prey upon others.
Yep, still high concept, and in the hands of a lesser actor than the Emmy-worthy Michael C. Hall, it just wouldn't work.
21. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
TV teens have gotten a whole lot smarter than they were in the TV land of the past, and teen sleuth Veronica (Kristin Bell) is a prime example.
Once a popular student at rich Neptune High, Veronica's world was upended when her BFF was murdered, she was raped, her sheriff father was fired and her mother left the family.
The show deftly mixed Veronica's P.I. work with her less smooth navigation of the angsty halls of high school life.
20. American Idol (2002-present)
Some people watch it for the William Hungs, some people watch it for the Chris Daughtrys. The point: AI has something for everyone.
The embarrassingly untalented? See: Hung, William.
The future music superstars? See: Underwood, Carrie and Daughtry, Chris.
The show's breakout star, though, is judge Simon Cowell, who's as critical to the show's success as both the best and the worst of the crooners.
19. Chappelle's Show (2003-2006)
We still don't totally understand why comedian Dave walked away from his popular sketch comedy series at the height of its success, but we are grateful for the two full seasons of Chappelle genius that included clever skits like blind white supremacist Clayton Bigsby, Charlie Murphy's Rick James stories, 'Dave Gets Oprah Pregnant' and, of course, Chappelle's classic drive with Wayne Brady.
18. House (2004-present)
He's not old, but Dr. House does have the grumpy man part down pat, which would make him insufferable if not for the fact that he can diagnose any illness, no matter how obscure or how puzzling.
It's the history of weird diagnoses that sets the show apart from its medical brethren, along with the slow pace at which viewers learn the details of the Princeton-Plainsboro staff's personal lives.
17. The Office (2005-present)
Yes, we mean the American version.
Oh, we love the Ricky Gervais original, but the Steve Carell-led remake puts a uniquely American spin on the workplace, with boss Michael's futile attempts to imitate Chris Rock and the rivalry between the office drones and Darryl's warehouse crew.
The remake also focuses more on the office staff, which has led to comedy breakouts like Ed Helms and a new sitcom supercouple in adorable Jim and Pam.
16. The Shield (2002-2008)
Seven seasons of well-crafted storylines and brutal cop work made an unlikely sex symbol out of star Michael Chiklis and led to one of the best series finales of all time, as Chiklis' corrupt, vain, violent and sometimes surprisingly sympathetic detective Vic Mackey received comeuppance for his years of running roughshod in the Barn: a job that found him chained to a desk.
15. Amazing Race (2001-present)
A sort of global scavenger hunt, the Emmy-winning Race sends couples (friends, relatives or lovers) traveling all over the world, getting resourceful as they collect clues to win the $1 million prize.
Like all great reality shows, much of the success depends on personalities, as Race-ers find the competition either greatly enhances, or shines a light on problems within, their relationships.
14. CSI (2000-present)
Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is gone, but the show remains the standard for whodunit fans who like tech wizardry with their mysteries.
Grissom's former charges are now led by Laurence Fishburne's Ray Langston, but their M.O., which has sparked two spin-off series and countless other primetime procedurals, is the same: painstakingly suss out the bad guys, one minute piece of evidence at a time.
13. Arrested Development (2003-2006)
Comedy fans speak in wistful tones about this dysfunctional family sitcom, which made a huge impact in its three-season run.
A masterful blend of sharp, witty dialogue, physical comedy and sight gags were the show's trademarks, and almost four years later, viewers are still clamoring for the big-screen flick that will reunite Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Tony Hale and the rest of the Bluth clan.
12. The Simpsons (1989-present)
There are those who would argue that the cartoon isn't as funny as it once was, but, in the midst of its 21st season, the longest-running sitcom in TV history is still poking fun at pop culture and eliciting its fair share of guffaws along the way.
Besides the talented writing and voice talent, the secret to the show's success: In Springfield, cartoon boys like Bart Simpson never have to grow up.
11. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
They were the anti-WB teens, these circa-1980 Michigan high schoolers, who included the math nerds and the burnouts.
The show's poignant storylines were so honest they probably sparked painful trips down memory lane for some viewers, but Freaks remains a cult favorite, and in just 18 episodes, helped cement the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and, of course, producer Judd Apatow.
10. The Daily Show (1996-present)
Jon Stewart's sharp, satirical "fake news" program has, ironically, become the show where many viewers tune in to get their day's dose of national and political news, and has become must-see viewing during national elections.
But the late-night series' influence is most evident in the list of those who've appeared as guests, including Barack Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
9. Friday Night Lights (2006-present)
Entries in the sports movie genre should study this critically acclaimed, but underviewed show for how-to tips.
While it's ostensibly about football in the pigskin-obsessed small town of Dillon, Texas, it just as often isn't, and both the show's teen stars and adult cast know how to wring honest emotion out of both, while still putting together some pretty awesome sports action sequences, too.
8. Sex and the City (1998-2004)
It's all about the female bonding -- and, okay, the killer wardrobes -- in this Sarah Jessica Parker dramedy, with tales of love, loss, friendship and Manolos adding up to a mini chick flick each week.
SATC is also one of the few series to focus on an all-female ensemble cast, where the hot male guest stars were always playing second bananas to SJP, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.
7. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
The best sci-fi drama of the decade is easily one of the best dramas period.
Series creator Ronald Moore adapted the campy original into a serious serial, following humans' attempts to find Earth and save themselves after the Cylon war.
Aiding Moore: A career-defining performance by Edward James Olmos as Capt. Adama, a role that should keep him knee-deep in sci-fi convention invites for years to come.
6. 30 Rock (2006-present)
No cliched characters and plots here; this workplace comedy has won three consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys because of its fresh ensemble cast (including breakout Jack McBrayer as Kenneth the page and Alec Baldwin in the role of his career), queen geek Tina Fey's work on screen and as a writer and a rapid-fire delivery of jokes that often require multiple viewings to catch them all.
5. Mad Men (2007-present)
We can't wait to see where the show heads now that the Drapers are kaput and Don and pals have started their own agency.
But everything leading up to it has made for compelling viewing, as handsome Don (Jon Hamm) struggled to keep his secret identity secret and figure out why his perfect life left him unhappy, all while wowing his ad clients with his ability to make people want to buy things.
4. Lost (2004-present)
It's the watercooler drama of the decade, a mystery that has fans obsessed with ferreting out any clues about the crash of Oceanic flight 815.
Is the island Purgatory? Is it all a figment of someone's -- Hurley's? -- imagination? Is it all a dream?
From the action-packed pilot to the upcoming series finale, the Lost cast and crew have taken us on one sweet ride through a slowly, satisfyingly unfolding adventure.
3. Deadwood (2004-2006)
There have been many good TV Westerns over the years, but none with the complex, rich storytelling of writer David Milch's Deadwood, which unfolds the settling of the titular South Dakota city in the 1870s.
Milch put his spin on fictional (like Ian McShane's scene-stealing Al Swearengen) and real (Keith Carradine's Wild Bill Hickock) characters as he tackled issues like law, capitalism, politics and the death of the old Wild West.
2. The Wire (2002-2008)
Entire books and college classes have been devoted to dissecting this intense, often heartbreaking show, which, while at first glance was a Baltimore cop drama, proved to be so multi-layered with its storylines and characters (Bunk! McNulty! Bubbles! Omar!) that it ended up as much a sociological study as an Emmy-worthy (though it was, unbelievably, denied even an Outstanding Drama nod) TV series.
1. The Sopranos (1999-2007)
If not for the nature of his work, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) would have been just another guy trying to balance work, family life and, okay, some fairly big mommy issues.
But, of course, Tony's work, as head of a mob family, is what set the show apart, leaving us to wonder who Tony and his crew would cheat, whack and hook up with (sometimes all three with the same person) each week.
http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/07/best-tv-shows-of-the-2000s/