Much of the crap for kids is well described as “crap for kids” – but I need to include my now-early-teen grandsons’ recommendation, from when they were that age, of “The Fairly Odd Parents”. The writers are sheer genius – they provide what is at first glance a lighthearted kids’ fantasy that has layers of wit that appeal to every age level up to and including adult in the dialogue. Brandon first turned me on to it; we spent literally hours talking about the grown-up humor in various episodes, making it a good learning experience as well.
When I was growing up, the Disney Channel still showed Return to Oz, the Rankin-Bass Tolkien films, and Unico on a regular basis, liberally interspersed with Max Fleischer shorts.
Honestly, I think your options are more open than you imagine. Or would like to. 
Fr’kkin Max Fleischer…
I’m finding a surprising number of kids who enjoy cooking shows. That’s a great way to start teaching them to cook. Wish they were around when I was a tike.
I will also agree that both Penguins of Madagascar and The Fairly Oddparents are surprisingly witty and funny. Oh, Back to the Barnyard has its moments, too.
Let me challenge an assumption, here.
My girls are 5 and 10 right now. Both still have bedtimes of 8PM so, as you’ve noted, we can get some damn rest.
But television watching has never been a real issue for us. Instead, in second grade (about age 7) for the older one we instituted a ‘you may stay up as long as you like provided you are in your room and reading’ rule.
It worked like a charm. She’s addicted to the printed page and is out of our hair. And the 5 year old is looking forward to being 7 so the same rules apply. From time to time we find her up past bedtime pretending to read.
You bring up a very good point. My kids had and still have (at 12 and 15) a no TV on school nights rule. They always spent quiet time reading in bed long before they were ready for light’s out instead. At 15, my son has more freedom to be on his laptop at night, but even that gets shut off at 10. Another good quiet, I need-to-veg evening activity that you can do together is listen to books on tape while she draws or does puzzles etc.
I would strongly second this - in particular any Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck cartoons.
Also, any of the Pixar films should work. Maybe even some of the older classic sitcoms like Andy Griffith (my nieces and nephews love Don Knotts/Barney Fife) or even Dick Van Dyke.
Thanks guys! Netflix queue has Wallace & Gromit, a Dr. Who cartoon (who knew?), Bugs Bunny, and Penguins of Madagascar. I also added some movies from my childhood: The Apple Dumpling Gang, Escape to Witch Mountain, Time Bandits, and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. Also Bye Bye Birdie (she liked Singing in the Rain pretty well) and Willow.
Hamlet, I’m enjoying Avatar quite a bit. We just watched the one where the earthbender king sets three challenges for Aang. I loved how well the writers are versed in classic mythology, and yet combine it with some modern sensibilities - like what they find out at the end of that episode. I also like that Saka is the comic relief - it sends the message that even with all the fighting involved, that’s not the point of life.
As for reading versus TV: I hear you. It’s a good point. This child is not very interested in reading, and I’ve been trying various approaches. Right now she has finally found a book she likes to read herself, which I think is the key. Being read to is not terribly her thing. Luckily this is about at her level, and she’s interested, AND it’s part of a big series (Magic Kitten). So what I’ll be doing is we have our TV veg time for 30 min or so, and then she can stay up and read if she likes.
(A couple days ago, she was reading this book, and I talked to her, and she didn’t even hear me because she was absorbed - I was so happy!)
Are you a nerd? If so, you and your daughter will enjoy Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel. Full of meta-jokes and wry humor, but silly enough that kids’ll dig it.
Curse you, Percy the Platypus! That’s what I was coming to post! My 7-year-old loves Phineas and Ferb, as does her 5-year-old brother.
Fine. Yes, I really like it, too.
I meant to tell you earlier- yours is my absolutely favorite unsername on the boards.
No mention of Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, yet?
You might also check out Creature Comforts. It’s a series by the same animators. They did interviews with people on various subjects and then used the recordings to voice animated animals.
And you should definitely check out Hayao Miyazaki’s movies: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo.
Dur. Missed the P&F reference in the OP. Sorry! Also, I work for the local PBS outlet, so I would be remiss to not mention a couple of shows that I love, but my four-year-old is a couple of years away from really enjoying – *Martha Speaks *and WordGirl. I especially love Martha Speaks, based on the books about a chubby dog who eats alphabet soup and begins to talk. Very charming, and very girl-friendly – obviously Martha’s a girl dog, and her primary owner is a girl. WordGirl is a good time too, and again, very girl-friendly. Both shows are funny and smart, in that precocious-kid way.
The revamped and modernized *Electric Company *is tailored towards 8-10-year-olds so she might find that interesting as well.
Thanks!
I will check out Kiki’s Delivery Service et. al.
The mentions of Phineas and Ferb prompted me to check for DVDs at Netflix, and whattayaknow, they have them, so that’s on the list. (My favoritest quote: “It’s made of PURE EVIL! (And a blend of space-age polymers.)”)
I do like Martha Speaks - they have a great way of teaching very cool vocabulary words. And come to think of it, she has enjoyed Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman as well. I might have to put that in the DVR lineup.
I find Spongebob (more the first four seasons than the more recent ones) and Powerpuff Girls to have plenty of adult appeal. I have a Powerpuff Girld DVD titled “Meet the Beat-Alls” which contains several very adult-clever episodes (the headliner being the best).
After watching Howl’s Moving Castle, hand her the book. The movie is pretty good, but the book is SO much better. In fact, she might like most of Diana Wynne Jones’ books, though there are a few that shouldn’t be handed to a kid. Read them yourself first and decide what’s OK for her. Let me know if you want particular recommendations.
I love Labyrinth, and The Last Unicorn. My daughter also loved both when she was about your daughter’s age, and when she grew up and rewatched them, she was amazed at what she’d missed. And of course, The Princess Bride is great for that age.
as a fully grown and functioning adult, i love the last airbender.
Another vote for How It’s Made. Plus, my 9 year old just told me about another she like; How It Works or something like that.
Robinson’s Rule? 
I rather hope Terri is a lurker, and sends your little ones some of what appealed to her at that age (and of which she’s now an editor).