Must-See TV

by MrHurren | created - 15 Nov 2012 | updated - 16 Nov 2012 | Public

A list of recommended TV shows that everyone should see. Of course young people should make sure that they are only watching TV shows with an appropriate age rating. In the UK you can check the age rating for TV shows and movies on the BBFC's website.

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1. Dallas (1978–1991)

TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance

J.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.

Stars: Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray

Votes: 16,583

2. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)

TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War

The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.

Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr

Votes: 63,782

3. Star Trek (1966–1969)

TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.

Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols

Votes: 92,899

4. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)

TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.

Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook

Votes: 215,361

5. Lost (2004–2010)

TV-14 | 5,445 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

The survivors of a plane crash are forced to work together in order to survive on a seemingly deserted tropical island.

Stars: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly

Votes: 595,034

6. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)

TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy

Larry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events.

Stars: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman

Votes: 147,281

7. Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

TV-14 | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.

Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis

Votes: 175,532

8. The X-Files (1993–2018)

TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.

Stars: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, William B. Davis

Votes: 249,749

9. Cheers (1982–1993)

TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama

The regulars of the Boston bar "Cheers" share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name.

Stars: Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt

Votes: 62,027

10. Frasier (1993–2004)

TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy

Dr. Frasier Crane moves back to his hometown of Seattle, where he lives with his father and works as a radio psychiatrist.

Stars: Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin

Votes: 95,434

11. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy

A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.

Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head

Votes: 159,693

12. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Set almost 100 years after Captain Kirk's 5-year mission, a new generation of Starfleet officers sets off in the U.S.S. Enterprise-D on its own mission to go where no one has gone before.

Stars: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Votes: 135,952

13. Fringe (2008–2013)

TV-14 | 46 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

An F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.

Stars: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole

Votes: 257,458

14. True Blood (2008–2014)

TV-MA | 55 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse encounters a strange new supernatural world when she meets the mysterious Bill Compton, a southern Louisiana gentleman and vampire.

Stars: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten

Votes: 260,070

15. Entourage (2004–2011)

TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama

Film star, Vince Chase, navigates the vapid terrain of Los Angeles with a close circle of friends and his trusty agent.

Stars: Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara

Votes: 176,818

16. Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama

A dramedy centering around the relationship between a thirtysomething single mother and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut.

Stars: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson

Votes: 148,057

17. Las Vegas (2003–2008)

TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama

Welcome to the Montecito Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where you can do anything you want, but Ed Deline and his crack surveillance team will be watching. Just remember: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Stars: Josh Duhamel, James Caan, James Lesure, Vanessa Marcil

Votes: 29,966

18. Dollhouse (2009–2010)

TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A top secret organization erases the identities of attractive young people, turning them into blank "dolls" ready for imprints of temporary identities they need to fulfill assignments for clients.

Stars: Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz, Tahmoh Penikett

Votes: 51,795

19. Boston Legal (2004–2008)

TV-14 | 44 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Boston Legal is a spin-off of the long-running David E. Kelley series The Practice (1997), following the exploits of former Practice character Alan Shore (James Spader) at the legal firm of Crane, Poole, and Schmidt.

Stars: James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Rene Auberjonois

Votes: 50,002

20. The Closer (2005–2012)

TV-14 | 46 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson runs the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD with an unorthodox style. Her innate ability to read people and obtain confessions helps her and her team solve the city's toughest, most sensitive cases.

Stars: Kyra Sedgwick, J.K. Simmons, Corey Reynolds, Robert Gossett

Votes: 28,915

21. Bonanza (1959–1973)

TV-PG | 49 min | Western

The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.

Stars: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts

Votes: 10,994

22. Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

In the mid 23rd century, the Earth Alliance space station Babylon 5, located in neutral territory, is a major focal point for political intrigue, racial tensions and various wars over the course of five years.

Stars: Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas

Votes: 34,617

23. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.

Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley

Votes: 93,127

24. The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998)

TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy

A comedic behind the scenes look at a late night talk show.

Stars: Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham, Rip Torn

Votes: 9,378

25. Moonlighting (1985–1989)

TV-PG | 3,073 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery

The quirky cases of a former model and a smart aleck detective who manage a private detective agency.

Stars: Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong

Votes: 24,259



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