For another cop show that isn’t a cop show, why not give Police Squad a shot? At a measly 6 30 minute episodes, it won’t take up too much valuable TV time.
It might be an acquired taste though 
Great suggestion and at most only 132 minutes wasted. (Maybe some extras)
If you liked the Aaron Sorkin-created West Wing, try Sports Night, his previous effort. Just two seasons, but there’s definitely character development and multi-episode plotlines, though these are not abundant.
My vote is for The Shield. Great writing and still my favorite show of all time.
Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, and Sports Night are all excellent suggestions and I say that because I’ve seen them all and loved them. So you’re on the right track. I also have liked Scrubs, but not enough to watch the whole series start to finish.
For whatever reason, I have no interest in Coupling. Not sure I could tell you why. Comparing it to Friends, however favorably, is not an encouraging endorsement either 
Firefly is probably good for me to do first, because it is so short.
Can someone confirm for me whether or not Rome and The Wire are done, or are they still going? That would narrow down my choices.
I know that Rome is over. It ended with only two seasons under its belt.
It really is nothing like Friends, I and apparently **Bayard ** have seen the comparison made. It is a bad comparison. Coupling is unique; it plays with the sitcom story telling conventions all the time. It is closer to Northern Exposure than Friends. The writer has also written some of the best new Doctor Who episodes. I cannot compare it well to another show, as I really haven’t seen any other sitcom like it.
Jim
The Wire is still going. I think they’ll repeat season 4 starting in December, and season 5 shortly after. Season 5 is the end. I don’t think it was “cancelled” though. AFAIK, David Simon and company pretty much decided to end it.
It’s also on BET, but maybe not in its original form, what with language and sex and violence and commercials and stuff. I haven’t watched any episodes on BET – so I’m just guessing it’s been altered.
Each season has a different arc. The first was the drug trade and police/government corruption, two took us to the docks, three is back with drugs, politics and corruption but with some new characters and a different story (what if drugs were legalized), four (which I haven’t seen) tackles schools, and five deals with journalism and the media.
Unlike The Sopranos, The Wire has characters you can root for without feeling guilty.
Awwww, you mean when Paulie killed that old lady, I was supposed to feel guilty about liking him? :smack: But she was so mean to his ma!
So just watch the first 5 (or 4 1/2 as Aesiron said) seasons. You’ll thank me later.
And I second the recommendation of the first 4 seasons of Northern Exposure.
Have you seen Sports Night? I got it from Netflix based on recommendations here. Netflix describes it thusly:
It was sort of his starter series, and has a lot to offer, not to mention nice 20-minute episodes (half hour without commericials).
Of course, I loved Firefly so much I have my Joss Rules teeshirt.
The Wire. The Wire. The Wire.
It is exactly the type of show that you described:
Many of the story arcs carry forward throughout the entire season, but the story lines do not drag out to a point of frustration. Instead each season is like a novel and each episode is like a chapter. Eventually you will get to a point where, like a good book, you will have to just stay up late and finish it because you can’t put it down.
I’m jealous because I wish I could watch it again for the first time.
Seconded. Actually prefer it to The Wire and The Sopranos, I think, if push came to shove.
Titus; starring Christopher Titus
A Fox TV show from a few years back, that I personally think was way ahead of its time.
Oh, speaking of shows that were ahead of their time–the Fox series “Greg the Bunny.” It moved to IFC, but the first season on Fox was the one I saw. It was quite hilarious.
Just weighing in to say my favorite TV series of all time is Homicide: Life on the Streets. So I strongly recommend that one.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Very dark, very quirky. Not sure about character development, though. Okay, I am sure. they are jerks and will stay jerks, but they’re damn funny. First season is pure gold.
Six Feet Under was a great show, but it’s not all that short.
The Wire is (imho) the best TV show ever. So you should certainly watch it at some point. Which doesn’t necessarily mean you should watch it now, as season 4 isn’t out on DVD yet, and season 5 hasn’t been broadcast yet.
I second:
Firefly
Buffy (skip season 1 entirely, or maybe watch 3 or 4 selected episodes)
SportsNight
Rome
Deadwood
and suggest:
Veronica Mars, which is in some ways like Buffy without the supernatural trappings, and a bit more consistent. Not quite as high highs, but also not the wavery and inconsistent first season. Smart, fun, engaging, with an incredibly satisfying first season story arc.
and, if no one else has suggested it, Six Feet Under
I 3rd or whatever Northern Exposure. That is the one I have been doing for the last few months and it is amazing. It has aged as little as any series that age possibly can. It is very character driven, quirky, and very unique.