Favorite Shows by Year
by z_ingle | created - 03 Jul 2014 | updated - 05 Feb 2021 | PublicAn annual list of the best show by its debut year.
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1. The Goldbergs (1949–1957)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy-drama about a Jewish-American family living in New York City.
Stars: Gertrude Berg, Arlene McQuade, Eli Mintz, Robert H. Harris
Votes: 218
2. I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
TV-Y | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley
Votes: 28,915
3. Adventures of Superman (1952–1958)
TV-G | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."
Stars: George Reeves, Noel Neill, Jack Larson, John Hamilton
Votes: 4,461
4. Rheingold Theatre (1953–1957)
23 min | Drama
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. narrated, produced, and frequently starred in this anthology series, which presented everything from drama to mystery to farce.
Stars: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Christopher Lee, Ron Randell, Barbara Mullen
Votes: 74
Most watched: You Are There
5. The Magical World of Disney (1954–1997)
TV-G | 120 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.
Stars: Walt Disney, Paul Frees, Clarence Nash, Slim Pickens
Votes: 2,291
6. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
Series of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Tyler, John Williams, Patricia Hitchcock
Votes: 19,330
Honorable mention: The Honeymooners
7. Playhouse 90 (1956–1961)
90 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Of the many anthology series, this is considered the most ambitious with outstanding talent in front of the camera. Attracting top ranked directors and scripts, it was often filmed live including the entire first season.
Stars: Richard Joy, Paul Lambert, Helen Kleeb, Charles Bickford
Votes: 419
8. Zorro (1957–1959)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Western
Don Diego de la Vega opposes the corrupt tyrants of Spanish California as the masked swordsman, Zorro.
Stars: Guy Williams, Gene Sheldon, Henry Calvin, Don Diamond
Votes: 4,155
9. Peter Gunn (1958–1961)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Peter Gunn is a private detective with a knack for finding trouble. His cases often mean he runs into the shadiest characters, most vicious thugs and the most powerful crime bosses. Cool and resourceful, he always gets the guilty party.
Stars: Craig Stevens, Herschel Bernardi, Lola Albright, Bill Chadney
Votes: 1,653
10. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 93,163
11. The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Widower Sheriff Andy Taylor, and his son Opie, live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry, North Carolina. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney Fife.
Stars: Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts, Frances Bavier
Votes: 16,987
12. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Votes: 11,883
13. The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962–1965)
TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" was a continuation of the dramatic anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) hosted by the Master of Suspense and Mystery.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Hinton Pope, Jimmy Joyce, Lew Brown
Votes: 5,155
14. The Outer Limits (1963–1965)
TV-PG | 51 min | Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
An anthology series of insightful science fiction tales.
Stars: Bob Johnson, Ben Wright, William Douglas, Robert Culp
Votes: 9,306
15. Gilligan's Island (1964–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Four men and three women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.
Stars: Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer
Votes: 16,878
16. Get Smart (1965–1970)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Maxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, battles the evil forces of rival spy agency KAOS with the help of his competent partner Agent 99.
Stars: Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt, Robert Karvelas
Votes: 13,788
Most watched: I Dream of Jeannie
17. Batman (1966–1968)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Crime, Fantasy
The Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.
Stars: Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton
Votes: 26,146
18. Half Hour Story (1967– )
30 min | Drama
18 short plays written especially for TV, an opportunity for up and coming directors such as floor manager Alan Clarke, who landed up doing 10 of the episodes. Some top ranking performers were attracted to the series.
Stars: Geraldine Moffat, George Cole, David Graham, Angela Baddeley
Votes: 30
Most watched: Journey to the Center of the Earth
19. The Doris Day Show (1968–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
After spending most of her life in big cities, widow Doris Martin decides to move back to the family ranch.
Stars: Doris Day, Philip Brown, Todd Starke, Denver Pyle
Votes: 877
20. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
Votes: 78,794
21. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.
Stars: Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper
Votes: 10,173
22. All in the Family (1971–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers
Votes: 18,666
23. Sanford and Son (1972–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.
Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Don Bexley
Votes: 10,804
24. Super Friends (1973–1985)
TV-G | 60 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The greatest of the DC Comics superheroes work together to uphold the good with the help of some young proteges.
Stars: Danny Dark, Casey Kasem, Olan Soule, Shannon Farnon
Votes: 4,572
25. Rhoda (1974–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
In this spin-off of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," Rhoda Morgenstern leaves best pal Mary Richards and her other friends in Minneapolis, Minn., to try her luck in Manhattan.
Stars: Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, Lorenzo Music, David Groh
Votes: 2,917
Most watched: Planet of the Apes
26. Wonder Woman (1975–1979)
TV-G | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The adventures of the greatest of the female superheroes.
Stars: Lynda Carter, Lyle Waggoner, Tom Kratochvil, Richard Eastham
Votes: 10,085
Most watched: Saturday Night Live
27. Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of two single women in the 1950s and '60s.
Stars: Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, David L. Lander, Eddie Mekka
Votes: 8,807
Most watched: Three's Company
28. Lou Grant (1977–1982)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama
The trials of a former television station manager, turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.
Stars: Edward Asner, Robert Walden, Mason Adams, Jack Bannon
Votes: 2,407
Most watched: I Am the Greatest!
29. Taxi (1978–1983)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.
Stars: Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner
Votes: 15,835
The Incredible Hulk
30. Anne of Green Gables (1979)
24 min | Animation, Drama, Family
Based on the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this 50 episode series tells the story of Anne Shirley, a young orphan living in 19th century Canada.
Stars: Eiko Yamada, Fumie Kitahara, Michio Hazama, Ryûji Saikachi
Votes: 2,092
Most watched: Facts of Life
31. Astro Boy (1980–2004)
TV-G | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Originally intended to be kept a secret, the Pinocchio-like character becomes a publicly renowned superhero -- complete with devices like laser-firing fingers, uncanny hearing, and ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Ganoung, Gregory North, Del Lewis, Nicholas Podbrey
Votes: 1,003
32. Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct.
Stars: Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, James Sikking
Votes: 10,566
Most watched: Cagney & Lacey
33. Cheers (1982–1993)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
The regulars of the Boston bar "Cheers" share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name.
Stars: Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt
Votes: 62,060
34. Tales from the Darkside (1983–1988)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
"Tales from the Darkside" was a horror anthology series where the viewer is taken through ghost stories, science fiction adventures, and creepy, unexplained events.
Stars: Paul Sparer, Catherine Battistone, John Marzilli, Karen Shallo
Votes: 6,951
35. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
-Resplendent with authentic 1980s music, fashion, and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida.
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 30,203
Most watched: The Cosby Show
36. Amazing Stories (1985–1987)
TV-PG | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Truly amazing, fantastical, funny, and odd, and sometimes scary, sad, and endearing stories are portrayed. Many famous actors, actresses, and directors made guest appearances.
Stars: Charles Durning, Douglas Seale, Sharon Spelman, Louis Giambalvo
Votes: 6,418
37. Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A high-strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.
Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Mark Linn-Baker, Melanie Wilson, Rebeca Arthur
Votes: 11,016
38. Thirtysomething (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Seven tricenarians living in Philadelphia struggle with everyday adult angst.
Stars: Timothy Busfield, Polly Draper, Mel Harris, Peter Horton
Votes: 3,046
39. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999)
TV-14 | 90 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In the not-too-distant future Joel Robinson is held captive by Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank, forced to watch B-Grade movies on the Satellite of Love with the help of his robot friends: Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.
Stars: Joel Hodgson, Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy
Votes: 25,859
40. The Simpsons (1989– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner
Votes: 435,948
41. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 215,434
42. Home Improvement (1991–1999)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
The daily trials and tribulations of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, a television show host raising three mischievous boys with help from his loyal co-host, loving wife, and eccentric neighbor.
Stars: Tim Allen, Earl Hindman, Taran Noah Smith, Zachery Ty Bryan
Votes: 49,125
Most watched: Toxic Crusaders
43. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992–1993)
TV-G | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Family
The adventures of the archaeological treasure hunter in his youth as related by an elderly Indiana Jones.
Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, George Hall, Corey Carrier, Ronny Coutteure
Votes: 8,680
Most watched: The Ben Stiller Show
44. Animaniacs (1993–1998)
TV-Y7 | 21 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
The zany adventures of a trio of 1930s animated characters in the modern world.
Stars: Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille, Frank Welker
Votes: 25,847
45. ER (1994–2009)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Romance
The doctors who work in the ER at the County General Hospital in Chicago grapple with ups and downs in their personal and professional lives while trying to give apt medical care to their patients.
Stars: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle
Votes: 67,746
Most watched: The Critic
46. Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Pinky and Brain are genetically enhanced laboratory mice who reside in the research facility. Brain is self-centered and scheming; Pinky is good-natured but feeble-minded. In each episode, Brain devises a new plan to take over the world.
Stars: Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille, Frank Welker
Votes: 32,857
47. Remember WENN (1996–1998)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Trials and tribulations at Pittsburgh radio station WENN back in the late 1930s, when radio was king.
Stars: Tom Beckett, George Hall, Margaret Hall, Melinda Mullins
Votes: 447
48. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head
Votes: 159,744
49. Sex and the City (1998–2004)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Four female New Yorkers gossip about their sex lives (or lack thereof) and find new ways to deal with being a woman in the late 1990s.
Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Votes: 142,900
50. Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy, Drama
A high school mathlete starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year.
Stars: Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine
Votes: 153,271
Most watched: Angel
51. Dark Angel (2000–2002)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
A group of genetically-enhanced children escape from a lab project. Years later we meet Max, one of the escapees who now works for a messenger service in the post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest.
Stars: Jessica Alba, Michael Weatherly, Richard Gunn, J.C. MacKenzie
Votes: 34,599
52. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,173
Most watched: Smallville
53. Firefly (2002–2003)
TV-14 | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.
Stars: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin
Votes: 281,734
54. Arrested Development (2003–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Votes: 324,233
55. The L Word (I) (2004–2009)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama, Romance
Follows the lives and loves of a small, close-knit group of lesbian women living in Los Angeles as well as the friends and family members that either support or loathe them.
Stars: Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner
Votes: 28,755
Most watched: Justice League Unlimited
56. The Office (2005–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.
Stars: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson
Votes: 711,669
57. Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Sport
A drama that follows the lives of the Dillon Panthers, one of the nation's best high school football teams, and their head coach Eric Taylor.
Stars: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Aimee Teegarden
Votes: 72,489
Most watched: House of Payne
58. Flight of the Conchords (2007–2009)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Music, Musical
Bret and Jemaine are Flight of the Conchords, a folk-rock band from New Zealand living in New York City in search of stardom.
Stars: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, Rhys Darby, Kristen Schaal
Votes: 66,031
Most watched: Californication
59. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Jedi Knights lead the Grand Army of the Republic against the droid army of the Separatists.
Stars: Tom Kane, Dee Bradley Baker, Matt Lanter, James Arnold Taylor
Votes: 120,338
60. Eastbound & Down (2009–2013)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport
Many years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach Physical Education at his old middle school.
Stars: Danny McBride, Steve Little, Katy Mixon Greer, Elizabeth De Razzo
Votes: 64,135
Most watched: 30 for 30
61. Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
Stars: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham
Votes: 203,165
Most watched: Human Target
62. The Borgias (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, History
In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.
Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan
Votes: 53,953
63. Girls (2012–2017)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama
A comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20s.
Stars: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Adam Driver
Votes: 77,861
Most watched: Arrow
64. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The missions of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Stars: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Iain De Caestecker
Votes: 225,999
65. The Knick (2014–2015)
TV-MA | 58 min | Drama, History
A look at the professional and personal lives of the staff at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital during the early part of the twentieth century.
Stars: Clive Owen, André Holland, Jeremy Bobb, Juliet Rylance
Votes: 52,552
Most watched: The Flash
66. Sense8 (2015–2018)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world's order.
Stars: Bae Doona, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton
Votes: 163,032
Most watched: Supergirl
67. Love (2016–2018)
TV-MA | 50 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A program that follows a couple who must navigate the exhilarations and humiliations of intimacy, commitment, and other things they were hoping to avoid.
Stars: Gillian Jacobs, Paul Rust, Claudia O'Doherty, Mike Mitchell
Votes: 46,017
68. GLOW (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 35 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport
A look at the personal and professional lives of a group of women who perform for a wrestling organization in Los Angeles during the 1980s.
Stars: Alison Brie, Marc Maron, Betty Gilpin, Britt Baron
Votes: 50,591
Most watched: Future Man
69. Black Lightning (2018–2021)
TV-14 | 43 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A crusading school principal gets back into action as the original African-American electrical superhero.
Stars: Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin Jones III
Votes: 27,248
70. What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A look into the nightly lives of four vampires who have lived together on Staten Island for over a century.
Stars: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén
Votes: 102,743
71. Ratched (2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, History
In 1947, Mildred Ratched begins working as a nurse at a leading psychiatric hospital. But beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness.
Stars: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones
Votes: 70,564
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