Entertainment Weekly's Top Ten Lists (from 1999) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 08-25-2007, 03:16 AM

These lists come from a February 1999 issue of Entertainment Weekly. It was taken from an online poll. I just thought it would be nice to show and discuss.

Best TV Sitcom
1. The Simpsons (12%)
2. M*A*S*H (11%)
3. Seinfeld (10%)
4. Friends (9.9%)
5. I Love Lucy (9.7%)
6. The Andy Griffith Show (9.4%)
7. The Cosby Show (5%)
8. All in the Family (3.8%)
9. Cheers (3.6%)
10. NewsRadio (3%)

Best Dramatic Series
1. The X-Files (23%)
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (19%)
3. ER (11%)
4. Star Trek: The Next Generation (4.3%)
5. Law & Order (4%)
6. Hill Street Blues (3.9%)
7. The Twilight Zone (3.7%)
8. Party of Five (3.5%)
9. Dallas (3.3%)
10. NYPD Blue (3%)

Best Kids’ Show
1. Sesame Street (30%)
2. Captain Kangaroo (16%)
3. The Muppet Show (10%)
4. Rugrats (7%)
5. Pee-wee’s Playhouse (6%)
6. Smurfs (5%)
7. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood (3.4%)
8. Mickey Mouse Club (3%)
9. Bill Nye, The Science Guy (2.7%)
10. Blue’s Clues (2.6%)

Best Soap Opera
1. General Hospital (24%)
2. Days of Our Lives (18%)
3. Santa Barbara (15%)
4. All My Children (12%)
5. The Young and the Restless (10%)
6. Dark Shadows (6%)
7. As the World Turns (3.6%)
8. Guiding Light (3.58%)
9. Sunset Beach (3%)
10. Another World (2%)

Best Talk Show Host
1. Johnny Carson (33%)
2. David Letterman (17%)
3. Rosie O’Donnell (14%)
4. Oprah Winfrey (13%)
5. Conan O’Brien (7%)
6. Jay Leno (5%)
7. Phil Donahue (2.2%)
8. Jon Stewart (1.9%)
9. Craig Kilborn (1.5%)
10. Steve Allen (1%)

Remember, I said this list is from 1999. So obviously shows from this decade weren’t created yet. I know for a fact most of these lists would look radically different. But anyways, let’s discuss it!

I’m not going to lie to you. Seeing “NewsRadio” listed is a thrill for me. I just wish it was higher on the list. And I’m a little ticked that “Fraggle Rock” didn’t make it on the list.

TJL · 08-25-2007, 05:30 AM

Interesting stuff. It's nice to know that M*A*S*H held up so well after being off the air for 16 years (when that poll was taken).

As an Entertainment Weekly reader, they have always had a thing for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which IMO wasn't as great as everyone thoght it was.

To this day, they still sing it's praises.

WHy, I don't know.

Zoneboy · 08-25-2007, 06:36 AM

The dramatic series list is a joke, Twilight Zone was an anthology series not dramatic so it's got no business being on there and neither do a few others.

dawsongirl · 08-26-2007, 02:28 AM

Party of Five??

Apparently most of the people who responded to that poll were very much in their present state of entertainment. Especially the top half of the sitcom poll.

Party of Five.

Janice · 08-26-2007, 02:59 AM

The poll looks pretty standard and logical for 1999, with a mix of the current hits of the day and some classics. No real surprises. Interesting poll, Adam. Thanks for posting.

TJL · 08-26-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Party of Five??

Apparently most of the people who responded to that poll were very much in their present state of entertainment. Especially the top half of the sitcom poll.

Party of Five.

Yeah, that's pretty bad.

The one thing I love about Entertainment Weekly's lists is they always include one or two shows/movies/whatever that make you scratch your head.

Some Party Of Five fan on the writing staff must have lobbied really hard for that one.

Overdose · 08-26-2007, 07:55 AM

Rosie O'Donnell (wonderful woman) was ranked really high on the most popular talk-show host list. Now days, even though she was an amazing host, she most likely wouldn't get nearly as many votes because people dislike her so much. What a shame.

Adamantium · 08-26-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdose

Rosie O'Donnell (wonderful woman) was ranked really high on the most popular talk-show host list. Now days, even though she was an amazing host, she most likely wouldn't get nearly as many votes because people dislike her so much. What a shame.

That's what I was thinking as I typed it. I was a little shocked at first to see Rosie's name on there, but I realized she had a great show. Currently, she seems to be ticking people off (not me personally) and she's not as beloved. But in her day (the day of her talk show, that is) she was very popular. Remember the Rosie doll? lol

I think currently, Ellen would be on that list.

Janice · 08-26-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Yeah, that's pretty bad.

The one thing I love about Entertainment Weekly's lists is they always include one or two shows/movies/whatever that make you scratch your head.

Some Party Of Five fan on the writing staff must have lobbied really hard for that one.

I'm confused. This was a poll that was taken. Wasn't Party of Five a popular show back in the 90s? I've never seen an episode, so I guess that's why I'm missing the joke here.

TJL · 08-26-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm confused. This was a poll that was taken. Wasn't Party of Five a popular show back in the 90s? I've never seen an episode, so I guess that's why I'm missing the joke here.

Yeah, Party Of Five wasn't that great a show. As i said before, EW for some reason picks lots of shows that for no reason at all belong on any kind of "top" list.

Buffyboy323 · 08-26-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Yeah, Party Of Five wasn't that great a show. As i said before, EW for some reason picks lots of shows that for no reason at all belong on any kind of "top" list.

"Party Of Five" did win the Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series in it`s very first season. It wasn't a bad show (especially the middle years).

Buffyboy323 · 08-26-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

As an Entertainment Weekly reader, they have always had a thing for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which IMO wasn't as great as everyone thoght it was.

To this day, they still sing it's praises.

WHy, I don't know.

I know what you mean. EW treats it like it`s one of the greatest pieces of film ever. I don't get it....

Janice · 08-27-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

The dramatic series list is a joke, Twilight Zone was an anthology series not dramatic so it's got no business being on there and neither do a few others.

I'm guessing that there was no category for anthology series, so people voted for it as a drama. The Twilight Zone is in the Drama section on this site, and most sites. I'd be happy if one of my favorite shows made the list, at all.

Zoneboy · 08-27-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm guessing that there was no category for anthology series, so people voted for it as a drama. The Twilight Zone is in the Drama section on this site, and most sites. I'd be happy if one of my favorite shows made the list, at all.

Your reasoning makes sense and I was glad the show made it but any true fan of the series will tell you that it's not considered a drama. There are those who would categorize it as science fiction and some episodes dealt with that subject matter then again there were dramatic elements in the series as well and even comedic so I guess it's just a matter of opinion.

The poll should've included a separate category for Anthology and Sci-Fi programs as well. Since you mentioned that TZ is in the drama section, May I ask why there isn't a separate forum for Sci-Fi programs? It's fine they way it is but I am curious.

Janice · 08-27-2007, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

The poll should've included a separate category for Anthology and Sci-Fi programs as well. Since you mentioned that TZ is in the drama section, May I ask why there isn't a separate forum for Sci-Fi programs? It's fine they way it is but I am curious.

I don't know, as that's not my department. It wouldn't hurt to request one on the Suggestion board.

08-25-2007, 03:16 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,838	Entertainment Weekly's Top Ten Lists (from 1999) These lists come from a February 1999 issue of Entertainment Weekly. It was taken from an online poll. I just thought it would be nice to show and discuss. Best TV Sitcom 1. The Simpsons (12%) 2. MASH (11%) 3. Seinfeld (10%) 4. Friends (9.9%) 5. I Love Lucy (9.7%) 6. The Andy Griffith Show (9.4%) 7. The Cosby Show (5%) 8. All in the Family (3.8%) 9. Cheers (3.6%) 10. NewsRadio (3%) Best Dramatic Series* 1. The X-Files (23%) 2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (19%) 3. ER (11%) 4. Star Trek: The Next Generation (4.3%) 5. Law & Order (4%) 6. Hill Street Blues (3.9%) 7. The Twilight Zone (3.7%) 8. Party of Five (3.5%) 9. Dallas (3.3%) 10. NYPD Blue (3%) Best Kids’ Show 1. Sesame Street (30%) 2. Captain Kangaroo (16%) 3. The Muppet Show (10%) 4. Rugrats (7%) 5. Pee-wee’s Playhouse (6%) 6. Smurfs (5%) 7. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood (3.4%) 8. Mickey Mouse Club (3%) 9. Bill Nye, The Science Guy (2.7%) 10. Blue’s Clues (2.6%) Best Soap Opera 1. General Hospital (24%) 2. Days of Our Lives (18%) 3. Santa Barbara (15%) 4. All My Children (12%) 5. The Young and the Restless (10%) 6. Dark Shadows (6%) 7. As the World Turns (3.6%) 8. Guiding Light (3.58%) 9. Sunset Beach (3%) 10. Another World (2%) Best Talk Show Host 1. Johnny Carson (33%) 2. David Letterman (17%) 3. Rosie O’Donnell (14%) 4. Oprah Winfrey (13%) 5. Conan O’Brien (7%) 6. Jay Leno (5%) 7. Phil Donahue (2.2%) 8. Jon Stewart (1.9%) 9. Craig Kilborn (1.5%) 10. Steve Allen (1%) Remember, I said this list is from 1999. So obviously shows from this decade weren’t created yet. I know for a fact most of these lists would look radically different. But anyways, let’s discuss it! I’m not going to lie to you. Seeing “NewsRadio” listed is a thrill for me. I just wish it was higher on the list. And I’m a little ticked that “Fraggle Rock” didn’t make it on the list.

08-25-2007, 05:30 AM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Interesting stuff. It's nice to know that MAS*H held up so well after being off the air for 16 years (when that poll was taken). As an Entertainment Weekly reader, they have always had a thing for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which IMO wasn't as great as everyone thoght it was. To this day, they still sing it's praises. WHy, I don't know.
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08-25-2007, 06:36 AM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,416	The dramatic series list is a joke, Twilight Zone was an anthology series not dramatic so it's got no business being on there and neither do a few others.
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08-26-2007, 02:28 AM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Party of Five?? Apparently most of the people who responded to that poll were very much in their present state of entertainment. Especially the top half of the sitcom poll. Party of Five.

08-26-2007, 02:59 AM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The poll looks pretty standard and logical for 1999, with a mix of the current hits of the day and some classics. No real surprises. Interesting poll, Adam. Thanks for posting.

08-26-2007, 07:55 AM	#7
Overdose Don't mess with Roseanne! Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 27, 2007 Posts: 303	Rosie O'Donnell (wonderful woman) was ranked really high on the most popular talk-show host list. Now days, even though she was an amazing host, she most likely wouldn't get nearly as many votes because people dislike her so much. What a shame.