"Sanford and Son."

I know I'll get some flak for this, but... though dated now, the first season of "Miami Vice" was pretty good.

I used to like the British show, "UFO." I loved the mod silver mini skirts and the platinum or purple hair the women all had.

"The Young Ones" was pretty funny

I just heard about "The Young Ones" (the Britcom, right?) the other day, when I watched some anniversary special about "Father Ted". I'll have to check "The Young Ones" out.

Speaking of "Father Ted", it was also excellent.

Yes, that's the one. If you like Britcoms, it's definitely worth checking out, although I haven't seen it in many years.

Best Series is way too subjective, so there is no real answer to this question.

My Favorite Series:
Amos & Andy
The Honeymooner's
I Love Lucy
The Andy Griffith Show (the one's with Don Knotts)
The Twilight Zone
All In The Family
Columbo
Kung Fu
Mash
Married With Children (laugh at me if you like, I love this show)

My Favorite Mini Series:
Roots
Lonesome Dove
V

Favorite Weekly Shows:
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Tonight Show (Johnny Carson)

Iven

Actually, "best" is almost never subjective--just ill-defined. And I did try my best to continue to refine the definition, though perhaps unsuccessfully. Still, it might be interesting for some of you to go back and read the thread from the beginning.

For example, it becomes clear that I was thinking "best television drama", as comparing comedy to drama is a bit...well...subjective.

Another thing I tried to do is get us to consider a series as a whole--musical score, costumes, sets, stories, writing, acting, and continuity.

While subjectivity always enters the picture (otherwise we wouldn't have any discussion, would we?), I think that fairly objective judgments of quality can be made. A series like the Sopranos comes into the running because it showed excellence on all counts, whereas formula shows like Love Boat or Fantasy Island--shows I loved back in the day, and which fill me with nostalgia--could hardly be seriously considered as contenders.

Even one of my favorite all time shows--the original Star Trek--has serious flaws. The sets were poor bordering on ridiculous. It worked for me, especially many years later, because I absolutely love Sci-Fi kitsch aesthetic. But the fact is that the network just didn't put enough money into it to get the same quality of production as with a show like Kung Fu. I love Shatner and think of his acting fondly. But Kirk is no Tony Soprano. Not even close. Gandolfini brings something to the screen that Shatner doesn't.

Now, again I agree that there is an element of subjectivity to what is best. But so subjectivite that we can't even discuss it? Sorry, but I must politely and strenuously disagree. But if someone wants to argue for Baywatch, please go ahead. I'm listening.

Glad to see you posting in a bit more length, Jeff. Welcome back. Semester break?

John

Just the opposite, John. We're in the last two week stretch before exams. That means I sorta have to relax a bit to catch my wind before madness sets in. I'll be finished (more or less) with all my work for the semester by Valentine's Day.

Red Dwarf went on too long. I think the ending was labored.

Black Adder I, II and III were excellent. Black Adder IV (World War I) just didn't impress me.

Bewitched
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Family Ties
Nashville
Saturday Night Live
Veronica Mars -- one of the best shows for mentalists

The Avengers (Steed and Emma)

The Saint (Roger Moore)

The Wonder Years

The Wire

Justified

Today I would pick Avatar: The Last Airbender

I haven't read every word, but I don't believe anyone has mentioned the spy series of the seventies, Minder. It starred Edward Woodward, and was gritty and very well written. A masterpiece.

I also really enjoyed the original BBC version of Brideshead Revisited.

My favorite shows through the years were:
Dick Van Dyck
Mary Tyler Moore
MASH
Breaking Bad
Seinfeld
Bob Newhart
Cheers
Frazier
Better Call Saul
The Prisoner
The HoneyMooners
Twilight Zone
Law and Order

Can't beat these (filmed in glorious black and white, with superb writing, cinematography, directing and acting):

Naked City
Route 66
Peter Gunn
Twilight Zone
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Avengers (British)

The Fugitive
The Outer Limits
Kung Fu

Then Came Bronson

Paper Chase

Mad Men

Weeds

Weeds was great for the first 3 seasons but after the fire it kinda jumped the shark for me.
Love all the oldies but I vote for "The Simpsons".

I vote a tie between South Park and Family Guy. Between the two of them, no one is left unoffended at least twice

I forgot:

Barney Miller.

Who couldn't love the character "Fish" played by Abe Vigoda?