TV Guide's 25 Top Cult Shows

[Tannerman]

In the May 30-June 5 issue of TV Guide, they profile what they think are the Top 25 Cults Shows of all time, defining cult as "shows that generate more than viewership, water cooler chat, and big ratings... series so unusual that they inspire what can be only called worship." Um, OK. I guess they are just odd shows that seem to have a following beyond their first run. Shows where fans are obsessive and passionate, but at the same time, the show wasn't that popular or mainstream.

Here's their list of 25 shows... have you see any of these?

25. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
24. Absolutely Fabulous (1994-present)
23. Forever Knight (1992-1996)
22. H.R. Pufnstuf (1969-1971)
21. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1975-1978)
20. Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
19. Dark Shadows (1966-1971)
18. Doctor Who (1963-present)
17. The Avengers (1961-1969)
16. My So-Called Life (1994-1995)
15. Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
14. Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990)
13. Babylon 5 (1994-1998)
12. Family Guy (1999-2002)
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989-1999)
10. Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)
9. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
8. The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
7. The Prisoner (1967-1968)
6. The Simpsons (1989-present)
5. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974)
4. Farscape (1999-2003)
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
2. The X-Files (1993-2002)
1. Star Trek (1966-1969)

TV Guide also listed 3 shows they consider "Cults In-Waiting"
- Alias
- 24
- Stargate SG-1

[Wally]

10. Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)
9. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
6. The Simpsons (1989-present)

These are the shows that I will claim I watch(watched) frequently. I have only vaguely heard of most of the others and never watched them.

[AmySly]

Originally posted by Wally
I have only vaguely heard of most of the others and never watched them.

You never watched Twin Peaks?? Now, that was a cult show if you ask me. So different, unique, chilling. Too bad they had to quickly make a movie to show who killed Laura Palmer!!

[Folkerts]

Originally posted by Wally

9. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
6. The Simpsons (1989-present)

These are the shows that I will claim I watch(watched) frequently. I have only vaguely heard of most of the others and never watched them.

I would agree with Tim, although I never watched PeeWee's playhouse. I did watch Star Trek Next generation pretty regularly, but that doesn't seem to be on the list.

Hey wheres MacGuyver & Airwolf - those should be on the list!!

[Childs]

I"ve seen many of those on boring afternoons when I'm sick at home. I'll not admit to many of them though!

Some of those I will admit to:

25. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
15. Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
12. Family Guy (1999-2002)
10. Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)
6. The Simpsons (1989-present)
1. Star Trek (1966-1969)

[Egg]

I watched (or watch)

15. Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
10. Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)
9. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
6. The Simpsons (1989-present)
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
1. Star Trek (1966-1969)

[Tannerman]

Here's my list...

20. Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
TannerWorld Junction member sassyck loaned me the Season 1 DVDs of this series and I was hooked. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the 2nd (and last) season, and still don't know who killed Laura Palmer!


18. Doctor Who (1963-present)
My dad was into this, and he purchased a whole season on DVD recently. I borrowed them and watched them. It's unique... don't know if I'd become a long-term fan, but it's still better than most of the garbage on TV today. The Tom Baker years seemed to be the best.


17. The Avengers (1961-1969)
I'm a HUGE fan of The Avengers. Great satire of the spy genre, unique settings, wonderful writing... and Mrs. Emma Peel... yum.


7. The Prisoner (1967-1968)
It only ran for 17 episodes, but it will blow your mind away. Theologian and I just finished watching through the whole series and still don't know what to make of the conclusion.


6. The Simpsons (1989-present)
I'm a "Johnny Come Lately" Simpsons fan. Mostly catching up in reruns. I feel "out of it" when it comes to this show, as I never followed it when it was really popular. Amy hates it, though.

Hmmm... 3 out of my 5 choices are British... go figure.

[Wally]

Originally posted by Tannerman
Here's my list...

18. Doctor Who (1963-present)

I have never heard of this show, but it says it is still on. What network is it on?

[Tannerman]

It's a BBC show that was mainly shown here in the U.S. on PBS in the 1970's/1980's. One of the longest running sci-fi shows ever.

Currently, it's not on the air, but new episodes will appear in 2005. Part of the longevitiy of the series is that there is a different lead actor over periods of time playing the role of Doctor. Quick summary of what the series is about:

Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction television series in history, a show that began on the BBC1 network in the United Kingdom in November 1963 and ran until 1989... and which will be returning to BBC1 in early 2005 for all new adventures. It was created as a show for older children to be aired late Saturday afternoons and, due to a sudden boost during its first season caused by a race of mechanical nasties called the Daleks, became an overnight British sensation.

It was later syndicated overseas to many countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and eventually became one of Britain's most popular export entertainments. It also became a staple of American public broadcasting network PBS during the 1980s, drawing record pledge amounts. It's the story of a wanderer in space and time known only as the Doctor, on the run from his homeworld and traveling in a dimensionally transcendental time machine (i.e. bigger on the inside than on the outside), the camouflage system of which became stuck in the shape of a London police public call box. The Doctor, who is in reality a Time Lord from the far-future civilization on the planet Gallifrey, now travels time and space fighting the forces of darkness, taking on traveling companions from places he visits who join him on his adventures. The Doctor's true name has never been revealed, thus the reason for the series' title, 'Doctor Who'.

Much of its success was due to its flexible nature: the Doctor's people have the power to regenerate their bodies during near-death experiences, allowing the central character to be recast with a new actor ... and a new personality completely. During the 26-year run of the show, seven actors took the role: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, with an eighth actor, Paul McGann, playing the role in 1996 for a special US/UK co-produced film that aired on BBC-1 and America's FOX network.

Here are some helpful links:

• Official BBC website: bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/
• Leading Fan website: GallifreyOne.com
• Section on Tom Baker, considered by many the best Dr. Who (1974-1981): The Fourth Doctor (I borrowed the DVD set for Season 16 with this actor)

[trickynicky21]

I can honestly say that I have seen at least one episode of every show listed, except for one. I have never seen FARSCAPE. As far as the list goes I think one of the best shows on this list is Freaks and Geeks. YES I watch a lot of T.V.