M*A*S*H Named Smartest Show Of All Time - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

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!!!

TJL · 02-18-2008, 08:57 PM

I'm TJL and i approve of this list.

02-18-2008, 10:32 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	*MASH Named Smartest Show Of All Time** 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. MAS*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.
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02-18-2008, 12:09 PM	#2
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	I saw this yesterday, very interesting indeed.
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

02-18-2008, 08:57 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I'm TJL and i approve of this list.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

02-18-2008, 12:09 PM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Wll I'm not surpirsed about MASH, 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 MASH 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 $

02-18-2008, 07:45 PM	#4
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	I agree with MAS*H as the all-time most intelligent comedy, but, I'm appauled that NOVA isnt even on the list!!!