Greatest US TV show? / Greatest UK TV Show? Why?

[donniedarko]

So many to choose from.....my personal favs include The Wonder Years, The Simpsons, Cheers, The Office, Phoenix Nights, Fawlty Towers, League of Gentlemen, Louis Theroux. Oh! forgot to say....disregard the soaps for this one...that's a debate in itself.

[ravenhair]

Greatest US TV shows: NYPD Blue, The Sopranos, Frasier and 24. To be able to sustain that level of incredible writing over several series is something that British scriptwriters are not generally so good at. Frasier at its unfunniest is still streets ahead of most UK sitcoms. Best UK shows: The Office is the best thing I've seen in years, Father Ted and Ab Fab were very good in their day and I loved This Life and Our Friends in the North.

[donniedarko]

Ah, a woman who appreciates 'The Office'....you are a rare breed indeed.........and I mean that in as least sexist a fashion as is possible.

[rja211077]

US: The Sopranos is the greatest TV show ever. "Period".

[bobbobley]

six feet under - there can be no other contender.

[ravenhair]

Aaargh, I forgot Six Feet Under and yet I am addicted to this show. So much good writing - why is it all American?

[gmc2002]

US: The Simspsons runners up Cheers, Hill St Blues, Bilko, UK: Monty Python's Flying Circus runners up The Young Ones, Blackadder (series 2 and 3), anything with Spike Milligan

[Shatnerfan]

Talking of 24, which was great, running for 24 episodes, how about the 23 episodes of Murder One? I certainly didn't enjoy series 2 so much with a different lead actor and changed format. Also Star Trek, Simpsons, Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, Knightrider, Diagnosis: Murder , The A Team and Columbo. UK: Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Between The Lines and Bergerac.

[sft42]

Good question mate! well right now my favourite US show has to be Will & Grace with The Dark Zone running it a close second. As we only get the best of US TV it seems better in proportion to some of the dross we have to endure though i'm sure they have their daytime pile of cack as well. UK shows sorry i can't really think of anything at the moment and sorry to seem pedantic ravenhair but Father Ted was an Irish programme not UK but i'll stop Gerry Adams sending the boys round don't worry :>)

[donniedarko]

sft, are you sure about Father Ted? I thought it was made by Hat Trick/Channel 4. Sorry, pedantics are taking over AB !!

[bobbobley]

pedants, not pedantics, Mr Darko...

[donniedarko]

Thanks bob - point proven.

[ipek]

donniedarko - better make that 2 women that appreciate 'The Office'....! Can't think why you reckon we wouldn't, after all, it shows you guys up for what you really are!! ;-)) Seriously though folks, seems you've all covered most of my faves.....UK - This life , Our Friends in the North, TO, Blackadder - add Red Dwarf (at last starting to come out on DVD as I've worn out the videos). US - not keen on much out of there and nothing comes even close to The Wonder Years and Simpsons. Seems that the majority of shows mentioned have high comedy content - I wonder why? Maybe you should have favourites by category next time.....

[beenee]

I never miss FRIENDS, The Simpsons, ER, Fraiser, Graham Norton

[TheHitMaker]

Twin Peaks for the US and Just Good Friends in the UK

[Gigadave]

The Simpsons... It's still funny now and its into its 13th season, which means they've got to be doing something right! As for uk shows, it'd have to be Brass Eye. No-one has pushed the boundaries like Chris Morris.

[paulhopps22]

US TV : for me it's gotta be "SOAP" ... why has this never been re-run on satellite? and Laverne and Shirley.

[snotmonkey]

yep fawlty towers, the office, red dwarf are all great but i cant believe no-one has gone for game on

[donniedarko]

Good point snotmonkey.....Game On was superb. I just re-watched the first series the other night.....Ben Chaplin was the best !

[I-love-Tim]

The Office is one of the greatest programmes ever to have been made! As for other UK shows, Only Fools and Horses and The Royle Family are also up there for me. My favourite US show is The West Wing, quality writing and quality acting.