Inspired by Sedai I am going to comment on each of my choices. I have replied to a similar thread before so I will probably repeat some of my choices from there.
'Monkey'
I haven't seen this series with the original Japanese voices but I adore the dubbed one. Incredibly, rip-roaring fight scenes, hilarious 'flying scenes'
, entertaining actors, wonderful characters and all loosely based on Japanese mythology. Mustn't forget the music or moralistic tale at the end. I love it so much I may do a seperate thread for it.
'Six Feet Under'
What I love about this is the unconvential characters and situations. The very dark humour, despite the actual seriousness of the subject matter really works. The acting is excellant and there is a real depth that even encorporates the 'dead' characters. It grabs its issues by the b*lls and slaps on the wit and angst without drowning away in insipidness and fakery.
'Quantum Leap'
The connection between the two main characters, Sam Becket and Al Calavicci, is what really made this series so addictive to watch. The interaction is sublime and cosying and regardless of what 'leap' sam has to do next you can be sure of the dynamics of those two working together. It was an intelligant series that delved into moralistic and parodoxical tales that added such depth of personality. It left itself open to many possibilities but kept those two characters as the main source of certainty. I love it in that it is sublime, sad, happy, angry, adventerous, dark, light, insightful and many other things besides. A true show that really can give you every plot and make it seem great every time. A true work of art.
'The Young Ones'
Onto the anarchic brit show. Another genius series that did not fail to entertain. A bunch of likeable misfits in misfit plots. Not that deep but then again this show would be, I guess boring, if it had a predictable hard-core plot. Where would be the fun? The insanity, imaginary and ludicrous plots make this show what it is, a comedy master of punk and oddity. 'SPG' the hamster was the star whenever it was on screen,
, and I loved that scottish accent they gave him. It may have been short but that I believe is a good reason, it gives it that real cult feel, ney, classic feel. Anarchy rules, O.k?
'BlackAdder'
What list of best Television series list is complete without the glorious 'BlackAdder'. Rowan Atkinson regardless of any other roles will forever be icongraphed as that sullen, sarky, sod.
A little like Quantum Leap with its changing scenary between each series it can encompass quite a deal within its compounds of varying era's. Each new season and era is like the show starting over again and still remaining fresh and vibrant. Blackadder is a genius creation, not forgetting the only ever just for Tony Robinson character Badric. Not to mention the other incarnation of characters. It was well written and funny with bar none comic timing. The end of each season, particulary the last, was a beautiful and sad and so final, emotionally giving experience. I can not think of a more perfect ending with the going over the bunker scene at the very last. That for me will always be the greatest tv moment ever. A series that relies on omedy to end on such a sad and poigent moment is rae indeed.
'Monty Python's Flying Circus'
Sketch shows don't come more influential then this. Slapstick and silliness done to great effect. The animated parts supplied by the imagination of Terry Gilliam were skewed and wonderfully wierd. Terry Gilliam who I believe has also become one of the few original directors around of late. 'Parrot Sketch', 'Lumberjack song', 'silly walk', long lasting impressions from all of them.
'Red Dwarf'
Again I am including another british show. It may not have had the best sets in the world but like I have stated for the inclusion of others on my list it is down to the character interaction that really show sthe wonders of this show. It may have lost it's way in the last couple of seasons but from before that, the characterisation was an absolutely intergral part, without it I don't think it would have such an impact on me. They lost that when they chose, or rather through film commitments by Chris Barrie, to change the setting vastly and loose a boundary that they really bounced across. However from its central seasons you have that wonderous comedy and personalities that gives it a special place in my heart.
I'm running out of steam so I am going to quickly gloss over these.
'The Simpsons'
Family life with witty, great and interesting stories. The characters especially the 'Simpsons' are a work of a genius.
'Cheers'
Great show, great people, great comedy. Who would realise how much comedy and plot you can get in practically just one set?
'Frasier'
The follow up to 'Cheers' to me is fresher and more inviting. Smart, witty and entertaining. Once again a question. How did they manage to get a minor character in another series to be so darn good in one of his own?
I'm sticking to a top ten, but in no particular order.
I could have included 'Buffy' or 'Angel' but despite how entertaining and watchable these two shows are they do not quite compare to the classics, well not until they get a bit of shelf life in them at least, even then, brilliant shows but not quite brilliant enough.
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