# That list of 50 influential TV shows-where? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 25, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568 "2002-04-25T17:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/1 "2002-04-25T17:05:09Z")
I have heard a list of the 50 most influential shows on television was released. I cannot find a news story or anything about it on the Internet. All I know is _Seinfeld_ is #1, followed by _I Love Lucy_. Anyone know where I can find this list on the Web? Who compiled it? ---
**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/2 "2002-04-25T17:45:14Z")
[This](http://tv.zap2it.com/news/top100/) is the one I’ve recently seen. Although, it is a Top 100 list and “I Love Lucy” is #1 and “Seinfeld” is #19. I’m not sure if it’s the one you want, but it’s interesting nonetheless! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/3 "2002-04-25T19:10:44Z")
There was another list, from Time magazine IIRC, that listed The Simpsons as The. Best. Show. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/4 "2002-04-25T20:37:54Z")
I saw Matt Roush from TV Guide talking about that list on “Good Morning America Today,” so I assume the list will be coming out in the next issue of TV Guide. Their top 5 list was… 1. The Sopranos 2. All in the Family 3. The Honeymooners 4. I Love Lucy 5. Seinfeld Take it with a pound of salt. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/5 "2002-04-25T23:03:20Z")
Ah, TV Guide. That’s what I figured. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/6 "2002-04-26T00:29:40Z")
I know Entertainment Weekly had a “Best Shows Ever” list at one point that had _Seinfeld_ at #1, too. :rolleyes: _The Simpsons_ was #10, _Hill Street Blues_ and _Lucy_ were up there, natch, but they inexplicably had _The X-Files_ ranked higher than _The Twilight Zone_. This was at the former show’s peak of popularity, so maybe 4-5 years ago (pre-_Sopranos_) ---
**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-list-of-50-influential-tv-shows-where/105568/7 "2002-04-30T00:08:20Z")
[Here’s](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml) a link to the TV Guide list.