In The Top 100 American TV Series of All Time (1946 to 1994)
From The Complete Directory of Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows. I am only getting to watch some of these on streaming services. News series and competition shows not included.
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- CreatorDavid DortortFred HamiltonStarsLorne GreeneMichael LandonDan BlockerThe Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.#4 - #1 from 1964 to 1967
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.#5 - #1 from 1971 to 1976. Outstanding Comedy Series winner 1 year
- CreatorPatt SheaHarriett WeissJoe GannonStarsCarroll O'ConnorDanielle BriseboisAllan MelvinThe further misadventures of Archie Bunker, now the owner of a local pub, and his regulars.#5
- CreatorBob Carroll Jr.Madelyn DavisBob SchillerStarsLucille BallGale GordonVivian VanceThe wacky misadventures of a forever-scheming woman, her reluctant best friend, and her cantankerous boss.#8
- CreatorMilt JosefsbergRay SingerStarsLucille BallGale GordonLucie ArnazLucy Carter, a widow with two teen children, takes a job as a secretary for her stuffy brother-in-law.#8
- CreatorPeter S. FischerRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsAngela LansburyWilliam WindomRon MasakProfessional writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters.#9
- CreatorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersLoretta SwitThe staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.#10 - Outstanding Comedy series winner 1 year. Continuously on TV
- CreatorJames BurrowsGlen CharlesLes CharlesStarsTed DansonRhea PerlmanJohn RatzenbergerThe 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.#11 - #1 from 1990 to 1991. Outstanding Comedy Series winner 4 years
- CreatorDavid JacobsStarsLarry HagmanKen KerchevalPatrick DuffyJ.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.#12 - #1 from 1980 to 1982 - Who shot J.R.? Also from 1983 to 1984
- CreatorMichael LeesonStarsBill CosbyPhylicia RashadMalcolm-Jamal WarnerThe goings-on in the life of a successful African-American family.#13 - #1 from 1985 to 1990. Outstanding Comedy Series winner 1 year
- CreatorSheldon LeonardAaron RubenDanny ThomasStarsAndy GriffithRon HowardDon KnottsWidower 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.#14 - #1 from 1967 to 1968
- CreatorRoseanne BarrMatt WilliamsStarsRoseanne BarrJohn GoodmanLaurie MetcalfA revival of the popular 1990s sitcom "Roseanne," which centered on the everyday life of an American working-class family.#15
- CreatorDon NichollMichael RossBernard WestStarsJohn RitterJoyce DeWittSuzanne SomersThe misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.#17
- StarsLucille BallDesi ArnazVivian VanceThe 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.#18 - #1 from 1952 to 1955 and again from 1956 to 1957
- StarsDanny ThomasRusty HamerMarjorie LordDanny is a New York entertainer. Between his co-stars at the nightclub where he performs and his wife and kids, he has dilemmas galore, which he somehow manages to resolve and still laugh.#19
- CreatorPaul HenningStarsBuddy EbsenDonna DouglasIrene RyanA nouveau-riche hillbilly family moves to Beverly Hills and shakes up the privileged society with their hayseed ways.#20 - #1 from 1962 to 1964
- CreatorGarry MarshallStarsRon HowardHenry WinklerMarion RossThe Cunningham family live through the 1950s with help and guidance from lovable and almost superhuman greaser Fonzie.#22 - #1 from 1976 to 1977
- CreatorNorman LearDon NichollMichael RossStarsIsabel SanfordSherman HemsleyRoxie RokerA nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.#26
- CreatorLeonard FreemanStarsJack LordJames MacArthurKam FongThe investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.#27
- CreatorWhitney BlakeNorman LearAllan ManingsStarsBonnie FranklinPat Harrington Jr.Valerie BertinelliThe misadventures of a divorced mother, her family and their building superintendent in Indianapolis.#29
- CreatorSusan HarrisStarsBea ArthurBetty WhiteRue McClanahanFour previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.#30 - Outstanding Comedy Series winner 2 years
- CreatorLowell GanzGarry MarshallMark RothmanStarsPenny MarshallCindy WilliamsDavid L. LanderThe misadventures of two single women in the 1950s and '60s.#31 - #1 from 1977 to 1979
- CreatorEsther ShapiroRichard Alan ShapiroStarsJohn ForsytheLinda EvansJoan CollinsThe trials and tribulations of two feuding families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, both oil rich families in Denver, Colorado.#36 - #1 from 1984 to 1985
- CreatorSol SaksStarsElizabeth MontgomeryDick YorkDick SargentA witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces.#40
- CreatorMartin CohanBlake HunterStarsTony DanzaJudith LightAlyssa MilanoTony Micelli, a retired baseball player, becomes the housekeeper of Angela Bower, an advertising executive in New York. Together they raise their kids, Samantha Micelli and Jonathan Bower, with help from Mona Robinson, Angela's man-crazy mother.#41
- CreatorWilford Lloyd BaumesStarsGavin MacLeodBernie KopellTed LangeThe romantic and comic tales of the passengers and crew of the cruise ship, Pacific Princess.#43
- CreatorBlanche HanalisStarsMelissa GilbertMichael LandonKaren GrassleThe life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.#45
- CreatorEarl Hamner Jr.StarsJon WalmsleyMary Beth McDonoughEric ScottThe life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family through financial depression and World War II.#46 - Outstanding Drama series winner 1 year
- CreatorCarmen FinestraDavid McFadzeanMatt WilliamsStarsTim AllenEarl HindmanTaran Noah SmithThe 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.#49
- CreatorEarl Hamner Jr.StarsJane WymanLorenzo LamasChao Li ChiSet in the vineyards of California, this prime-time soap opera presented the conflict in the powerful Gioberti family, owners of the vast Falcon Crest Winery.#51
- CreatorJames L. BrooksAllan BurnsStarsMary Tyler MooreEdward AsnerGavin MacLeodThe lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.#53 - Outstanding Comedy Series winner 2 years
- CreatorNorman LearStarsBea ArthurBill MacyConrad Bain"All In The Family" spin-off centered around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay, a liberal, independent woman living in Tuckahoe, New York.#54
- CreatorGary David GoldbergStarsMichael J. FoxMichael GrossMeredith BaxterChronicles liberal ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.#55
- CreatorDonald P. BellisarioGlen A. LarsonStarsTom SelleckJohn HillermanRoger E. MosleyThe adventures of a Hawaii-based private investigator.#57
- CreatorJeff FranklinStarsBob SagetJohn StamosDave CoulierA widowed sportscaster raises his three daughters with assistance from his rock and roll brother-in-law and madcap best friend.#62
- CreatorDavid JacobsStarsMichele LeeTed ShackelfordJoan Van ArkThe residents of Knots Landing, a coastal suburb of Los Angeles, deal with various issues such as infidelity, health scares, rape, murder, kidnapping, assassinations, drug smuggling, corporate intrigue and criminal investigations.#63
- CreatorDon FeddersonEdmund L. HartmannStarsBrian KeithKathy GarverAnissa JonesBill's comfortable lifestyle must change when he receives a group of unexpected long-term guests.#65
- CreatorReinhold WeegeStarsHarry AndersonJohn LarroquetteRichard MollAn eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on there.#68
- CreatorGy WaldronStarsTom WopatJohn SchneiderCatherine BachThe adventures of the fast-drivin', rubber-burnin' Duke boys of Hazzard County.#70
- CreatorCarl ReinerStarsDick Van DykeMary Tyler MooreRose MarieThe misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.#72 - Outstanding Comedy series winner 4 years
- CreatorPhilip DeGuere Jr.StarsJameson ParkerGerald McRaneyMary CarverTwo brothers of disparate tastes and manners run a private detective agency.#77
- CreatorDean HargroveStarsAndy GriffithLinda PurlKene HolidayBen Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.#79
- CreatorSusan HarrisStarsRichard MulliganDinah ManoffDavid Leisure"Empty Nest" tells of the day to day misadventures of a widowed pediatrician named Harry Weston and his two adult daughters, Barbara and Carol, who have come back to live with him after failed marriages.#80
- CreatorIvan GoffBen RobertsStarsKate JacksonFarrah FawcettJaclyn SmithA wealthy mystery man named Charlie runs a detective agency via a speakerphone and his personal assistant, John Bosley. His detectives are three beautiful women, who end up in a variety of difficult situations.#81
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsPeter FalkMike LallyJohn FinneganLos Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.#84
- CreatorStephen J. CannellFrank LupoStarsGeorge PeppardMr. TDwight SchultzFour Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.#87
- CreatorJay SommersStarsEddie AlbertEva GaborTom LesterA New York City attorney and his wife attempt to live as genteel farmers in the bizarre community of Hooterville.#89
- CreatorLarry DavidJerry SeinfeldStarsJerry SeinfeldJulia Louis-DreyfusMichael RichardsThe continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.#90 - Outstanding Comedy Series winner 1 year
- CreatorCharles Marquis WarrenClyde WareStarsJames ArnessMilburn StoneAmanda BlakeMarshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.#2
- CreatorMarcel MarceauStarsRed SkeltonDavid Rose and His OrchestraArt GilmoreA comedy-themed variety show, hosted by the popular comedian Red Skelton. It run with no interruption from 1951 to 1971. From 1956 to 1962, the show's head writer was Sherwood Schwartz, who had previous experience as a comedy writer for Bob Hope's radio show. During the 1960s, the show had its own regular cast of singers and dancers. Guests of the show included then-popular bands, such as the Beach Boys (in their network television debut), The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Supremes. By the early 1970s, the program was thought to appeal primarily to older audiences and to residents of rural regions. It was canceled, as the network wanted something that would attract an urban audience.#3
- CreatorWilliam BlinnStarsWalt DisneyPaul FreesClarence NashA Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.#6
- StarsEd SullivanThe Ray Bloch OrchestraRay BlochThe classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.#7 - Best Variety series winner 1 year
- StarsJack BennyEddie 'Rochester' AndersonDon WilsonThe comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.#16 -Best Comedy series winner 1 year
- CreatorJack WebbStarsJack WebbHarry MorganDon RossPolice Detective Sgt. Joe Friday and his partners investigate crimes in Los Angeles.#24
- StarsMilton BerleSid StoneJimmy NelsonThe Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.#32
- CreatorNorman LearStarsRedd FoxxDemond WilsonLaWanda PageThe misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.#33
- CreatorAaron RubenStarsJim NaborsFrank SuttonRonnie SchellThe misadventures of a bumbling U.S. Marine named Gomer Pyle.#34
- CreatorRobert GetchellStarsLinda LavinVic TaybackBeth HowlandThe misadventures and trials of an aspiring singer and her co-workers at a greasy-spoon diner.#35
- StarsFrank McGrathTerry WilsonRobert HortonStories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts, and Rocky Mountains.#37
- CreatorBill CosbyStarsLisa BonetKadeem HardisonJasmine GuyA group of students at a historically Black university struggle to make it through college.#38
- StarsFred MacMurrayStanley LivingstonDon GradyWidower Steve Douglas raises three sons with the help of his father-in-law, and is later aided by the boys' great-uncle. An adopted son, a stepdaughter, wives, and another generation of sons join the loving family in later seasons.#39
- CreatorDiane EnglishStarsCandice BergenGrant ShaudRobert PastorelliThe personal and professional misadventures of an opinionated but beloved woman working as a television journalist.#42 - Outstanding Comedy series winner 2 years
- CreatorHerb MeadowSam RolfeStarsRichard BooneKam TongHal NeedhamThe adventures of a gentlemanly gunfighter-for-hire.#47
- CreatorDavid VictorStarsRobert YoungJames BrolinElena VerdugoDr. Marcus Welby, a general practitioner, and Steven Kiley, Welby's young assistant. The two try to treat people as individuals in an age of specialized medicine and indifferent physicians.#56
- CreatorCollier YoungStarsRaymond BurrDon GallowayDon MitchellWheelchair-using, crime-fighting detective Robert T. Ironside battles the bad guys on the streets of San Francisco.#58
- CreatorDigby WolfeStarsDan RowanDick MartinGary OwensThe original rapid fire sketch comedy show.#60 - Outstanding Musical or Variety series winner 2 years
- StarsCraig T. NelsonJerry Van DykeBill FagerbakkeHayden Fox is the head coach of a university football team, and eats, sleeps and lives football.#61
- StarsDean MartinThe Dingaling SistersKen LaneDean Martin hosts, with several celebrities as guests. There are musical acts and comedy sketches that break down comedy, racial, and sexual barriers all at the same time.#67
- CreatorNeal MarlensStarsAlan ThickeJoanna KernsKirk CameronThe misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.#69
- CreatorCharles Marquis WarrenStarsDoug McClureJames DruryLee J. CobbPersonable Western series based in Wyoming from the 1890s onward.#71
- CreatorBarry KempSheldon BullStarsBob NewhartMary FrannTom PostonThe misadventures of an author-turned-innkeeper and his friends in rural Vermont.#73
- StarsLassieJon ProvostJune LockhartThe ongoing saga of the Martin family and their beloved collie, Lassie.#74
- CreatorIrving PincusStarsWalter BrennanRichard CrennaKathleen NolanFrom the hills of West Virginia, Amos McCoy moves his family to an inherited farm in California. Grandpa Amos is quick to give advice to his three grandchildren and wonders how his neighbors ever managed without him around.#75
- CreatorErle Stanley GardnerStarsRaymond BurrBarbara HaleWilliam HopperThe trials of a master criminal defense attorney handling the most difficult cases in support of the innocent.#76
- StarsPerry ComoMitchell Ayres OrchestraThe Ray Charles SingersPerry Como was an American Singer, who got his start on NBC Radio. In 1948, Because of his popularity, The cameras were simply brought into the radio studio to televise the radio broadcast and named it The Supper Club. In 1950 Como and his Sponsors moved to CBS and named this The Perry Como Chesterfield Show.#78
- CreatorSteven BochcoTerry Louise FisherStarsCorbin BernsenJill EikenberryAlan RachinsThe lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.#82 - Outstanding Drama series winner 4 years
- StarsFlip WilsonTim ConwayGeorge CarlinA variety show from the 1970s hosted by Flip Wilson that showcased skits, music and =appearances by "Geraldine Jones".#83 - Outstanding Variety series - Musical winner 1 year
- CreatorRobert A. CinaderJack WebbStarsMartin MilnerKent McCordShaaron ClaridgeTwo regular police officers patrol Los Angeles.#86
- StarsLawrence WelkMyron FlorenNorma ZimmerOne of the most successful and fondly-remembered shows in TV history, "The Lawrence Welk Show" featured musical numbers and skits, with host Welk leading the band.#88
- StarsEfrem Zimbalist Jr.Philip AbbottWilliam ReynoldsThe cases of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.#92
- StarsHugh O'BrianJimmy NoelEthan LaidlawLoosely based on historical fact, the series portrays the gunslinging Wyatt Earp and his successful determination for law and order.#95
- CreatorBob RossStarsKen BerryGeorge LindseyJack DodsonThe further misadventures of the citizens of Mayberry.#96
- CreatorCharles Marquis WarrenStarsClint EastwoodPaul BrinegarSteve RainesGil Favor is trail boss of a continuous cattle drive. He is assisted by Rowdy Yates. The crew runs into characters and adventures along the way.#98
- CreatorHerman MillerStarsDennis WeaverJ.D. CannonTerry CarterA New Mexico deputy marshal gets assigned to Manhattan's 27th Precinct.#99
- StarsMarvin MillerPaul FreesRoy GordonIn this hit 1950s TV series, a millionaire indulges himself giving away $1 million apiece to persons he has never met.#100