Five Best Current Shows On Television

[Toku King]

What shows, currently still airing new episodes, are the best out of all of the crud shown right now?

I say...
1. Doctor Who
2. South Park
3. Venture Brothers
4. Robot Chicken
5. Simpsons

[twilight]

3. Ed, Edd, 'n Eddy

If Ed,Edd 'n Eddy is the best I don't want to know what the worst is.

-Twi

[Toku King]

If Ed,Edd 'n Eddy is the best I don't want to know what the worst is.

-Twi

I love EE&E! I have for years.

[Tobias March]

In no particular order.

Battlestar Galactica

The Mighty Boosh

South Park

30 Rock

The Venture Brothers

[Alex]

Mine would be....
South Park
Dexter
The Office
Battlestar Gallactica if they do less 6 with doctor in dreamland stuff.
...
those are the only shows that jumped to mind actually.

[Keaton]

Do you mean shows airing literally right now, or currently still running.

Deadwood
The Wire
Battlestar Galactica
South Park
Lost

Worth mentioning:
Friday Night Lights
House
Boston Legal
the L Word
Avatar: the Last Airbender
Project Runway
The Simpsons
Venture Bros.
The Daily Show/Colbert Report

[DLFerguson]

30 Rock
House
My Name Is Earl
The Simpsons
The Unit

[DonC]

These are the shows I look forward to the most, in no particular.

The Amazing Race
The Venture Bros.
Family Guy
Battlestar Galactica
Heroes

[bert]

1) Pushing Dasies
2) Journeyman
3) Amazing Race
4) Project Runway
5) America's Most Smartest Model

[Conn Seanery]

Yeah, "currently airing new episodes" is kind of tricky. I love the Venture Bros. too and could easily put it on my list, but we haven't seen a new episode for at least a year, right? That doesn't exactly make it "current".

Having said that, of all the shows currently airing new stuff, my faves are (in no particular order):

-Heroes
-The Office
-Pushing Daisies
-Dexter
-Life

[rick]

In no order...


My Name is Earl
Battlestar Galactica
South Park
Doctor Who
30 Rock

[SPAfreak]

While probably not the best shows on TV these the top five I look forward to each week:

Dexter
Chuck
Pushing Daisies
How I Met Your Mother

And a fifth spot that rotates weekly which includes Bones, Life, Heroes and Supernatural.

There are also many shows not currently airing that I love like Doctor Who, Venture Bros. and Battlestar Gallactica.

[The Zapper]

1. The Office
2. South Park
3. The Shield
4. My Name is Earl
5. Big Love/30 Rock

All of these shows are at least still going to have new episodes, even if they aren't playing new ones right now. I really like Thursday nights.

[Cyke]

My list:

-The Office
-Doctor Who
-The Daily Show
-24
-Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Honorable mentions:
-I'd like to place Heroes, it's just that I work when it's on, and I've fallen so very behind on catching the online reruns.
-I just don't feel any real urgency to watch anything on Sunday nights, so there go The Simpsons
-I'd like to try out Pushing Daisies some time
-My sister is admirably trying to get me hooked onto Jericho
-SNL and the rest of NBC's Thursday night sitcom lineup would be up here if the thread called for ten shows
-Yeah, I'm iffy on the Venture Brothers. When I see new episodes, then I'll count it in a heartbeat.
-The Universe was just a miniseries, but if were an ongoing show, I'd list it
-South Park is slowly re-entering my viewing schedule after many, many years
-I greatly enjoy the Boondocks now that new episodes are running

[Legato]

1. Heroes
2. Doctor Who
3. Torchwood
4. The Boondocks
5. Dexter

Top five honorable mentions

1. Smallville
2. Supernatural
3. Naruto
4. Monk
5. My Name is Earl

[Julusnc]

The Wire
Dexter
The Unit
NCIS
Life

[Lord of Denial]

My top five are

1. Dexter
2. Dr. Who
3. Heros
4. Supernatural
5. BSG

[Chase]

1. Supernatural
2. Bones
3. House
4. Scrubs
5. Heroes

Supernatural leads the pack as it consistently improves upon itself, expanding its world and characters in ways that is little seen on present television. The writing features witty dialogue and significant, engaging stories, and keeps me in its gravity. I feel Bones is highly-unappreciated. The supporting cast, those not named Boreanaz or Deschanel, are not just background characters. In fact, the supporting characters Hodgins and Montenegro share the main storyline in the current part of the season. They have as much impact on the series as Booth and Brennan. Each character is a contributing cog to the machine and if one were to meet their demise, it would matter; a trait House now lacks. A year ago, House would have topped my chart, as it was the best it had ever been. Each episode it takes one step closer to falling completely into a parody of itself. It is a new feeling, this present "team building" story, but abandoning the characters that built the show, and focusing on characters who may not even be around next season is folly. This season lost key elements which made House great, including the intimate interaction between Wilson, lollygagging with Cuddy, and the tension between House and Chase and Cameron. However, slowly, bit by bit, it seems the writers are reforming the band, with Foreman being the first to sign on to the revival tour. I just don't like how House's interactions with core characters have taken an backseat. His antics with the "New Class" (Saved by the Bell reference, by the by) is amusing, but I cannot see the show carrying these new characters into next season without losing a lot of its fanbase. Scrubs gets a nod as the last episode restored my faith in the series, and Heroes is great discussion fodder.

[Thorlief]

Dexter, The shield, 24, Lost, House

and I like Smallville

[Legato]

1. Supernatural
2. Bones
3. House
4. Scrubs
5. Heroes

Supernatural leads the pack as it consistently improves upon itself, expanding its world and characters in ways that is little seen on present television. The writing features witty dialogue and significant, engaging stories, and keeps me in its gravity. I feel Bones is highly-unappreciated. The supporting cast, those not named Boreanaz or Deschanel, are not just background characters. In fact, the supporting characters Hodgins and Montenegro share the main storyline in the current part of the season. They have as much impact on the series as Booth and Brennan. Each character is a contributing cog to the machine and if one were to meet their demise, it would matter; a trait House now lacks. A year ago, House would have topped my chart, as it was the best it had ever been. Each episode it takes one step closer to falling completely into a parody of itself. It is a new feeling, this present "team building" story, but abandoning the characters that built the show, and focusing on characters who may not even be around next season is folly. This season lost key elements which made House great, including the intimate interaction between Wilson, lollygagging with Cuddy, and the tension between House and Chase and Cameron. However, slowly, bit by bit, it seems the writers are reforming the band, with Foreman being the first to sign on to the revival tour. I just don't like how House's interactions with core characters have taken an backseat. His antics with the "New Class" (Saved by the Bell reference, by the by) is amusing, but I cannot see the show carrying these new characters into next season without losing a lot of its fanbase. Scrubs gets a nod as the last episode restored my faith in the series, and Heroes is great discussion fodder.

I like Supernatural too but it's problem is that it's villains are one dimensional, you never exactly have any villains that are just complex instead of just plain evil. Gordon was practically the only villain that is close to being grey. Though on the Supernatural thread it is debatable on if Gordon is actually a villain or just took what he believed in way too seriously.

[DaeJi]

This is kinda funny, since I only watch about 8 shows regularly on t.v. My list, in no particular order (and only counting shows that are still getting new episodes):

1. Simpsons
2. Mythbusters
3. My Name is Earl
4. Scrubs
5. Avatar: The Last Airbender

[Ramiel]

Lost
Heroes
Scrubs
.........
Family Guy, I suppose, too since this season has been pretty decent thus far

[ultramandingo]

........top 5 basic cable

1 colbert report
2 daily show
3 dr who
4 the shield
5 anything with monkeys

[Keaton]

No Deadwood fans here? :(

[Lord of Denial]

No Deadwood fans here? :(

That ended last year I believe.

[bert]

That ended last year I believe.

we are still waiting for the promised two hour specials (3 of them, I believe) to wrap everything up. . . but yeah, the show has stopped "seasonal" production from HBO last year.

[The Zapper]

No Deadwood fans here? :(

If it wasn't canceled, it would have been my #1 or #2. A made for HBO movie is supposed to be made, but I haven't heard anything new about that in months.

EDIT: Bert beat me to the punch.

[Cyke]

This is kinda funny, since I only watch about 8 shows regularly on t.v. My list, in no particular order (and only counting shows that are still getting new episodes):

1. Simpsons
2. Mythbusters
3. My Name is Earl
4. Scrubs
5. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Mythbusters! OF COURSE! I knew I was forgetting something. Their last super-sized special or whatever it was had me hooked to the screen, and I didn't even realize it until the commercial breaks.

Oh, and Ninja Warrior. I love Ninja Warrior.

[jesse_custer]

I'm going to include Deadwood in my list since it was the most fantastic television show to come around in a long time.

1. Deadwood
2. South Park
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
4. Lost
5. Dexter

[Magneto_X]

Doctor Who
Burn Notice
Venture Bros.
Battlestar Galactica
Dexter

[Chiasm]

The currently airing thing is a bit tricky since there are three shows that would be here that don't start up til January or later.
1. Supernatural - This is fast becoming my favorite show of all time.
2. Heroes
3. Journeyman
4. Prison Break - does this count since as of last Monday its on hiatus til January.
5. South Park.

In the spring Lost will jump in there at my #2, Battlestar at my #3, and The Shield at my #5.

I love Dexter so far but I don't get Showtime so I've only seen two episodes ever.

[Outsider]

Some shows I watch are:

1. nip/tuck - So far I'm liking the new season out in L.A.
2. Journeyman - I really like this new show, want to see where it goes, but I fear it won't last long.
3. Smallville - This show has its problems, admittedly, but I still follow it.
4. Heroes - I missed a lot of the first season, so I'm somewhat lost at points, but I still find it entertaining and interesting.
5. Can't think of a #5 right now. Most of the rest of the time I'm watching DVD's of old shows or the news.

[stealthwise]

How I Met Your Mother
Scrubs
Rescue Me (I'm in Canada, they're just wrapping up season four right now on Showcase)
30 Rock
Dexter

[Tobias March]

More 30 Rock love....please don't kill this one too America!

Tobias...still in mourning for Arrested Development.

[EZMOHR]

Don't know if they are the best, but the 5 shows I never miss and look forward to the most....(In Order)


1. Heroes
2. Lost
3. The Office
4. Battlestar Galactica
5. 24

And for those Deadwood fans, that movie is gonna happen the same day Harper Lee and J.D. Salinger publish there next novels. Hell, Ian McShane basically said its gonna happen about 10 years after the earth falls into the sun.

[literally exaggerated]

the Wire.

its so good it takes up all 5 spots by itself

[Jade_GL]

- Project Runway
- The Office
- Mythbusters
- How I Met Your Mother
-TNA Wrestling

But two shows that are on later in the year would definitely be on this list if they had a more normalized schedule. So keep in mind that both Lost and Battlestar Galactica would probably boot TNA and How I Met Your Mother off of the list.

[jesse_custer]

Yeah, maybe I should have worked The Wire into my list. It's great.

[hugh45]

While probably not the best shows on TV these the top five I look forward to each week:

Dexter
Chuck
Pushing Daisies
How I Met Your Mother

And a fifth spot that rotates weekly which includes Bones, Life, Heroes and Supernatural.

There are also many shows not currently airing that I love like Doctor Who, Venture Bros. and Battlestar Gallactica.


Is Battle still running? I thought it ended (just when I got sci-fi
channel too :( )
-Big Love
-Entourage
-(Daily show/steve colbert)?

Not that many to choose from

Oh! wait! Yeaah!! THE WIRE!! (Thanks for reminding me people)
and Simpsons :-)

[SPAfreak]

Is Battle still running? I thought it ended (just when I got sci-fi
channel too :( )
-Big Love
-Entourage
-(Daily show/steve colbert)?

Not that many to choose from

It's back in April.

[brundlefly]

Of those currently airing new episodes (or having recently ended their seasons):
Dexter
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The Office

And I'll round out a top 10 using shows not currently airing new eps:
The Wire
Battlestar Galactica
Lost
Dr. Who
Venture Bros

[J. Robb]

My current favourites:

30 Rock
The Office
Daily Show/Colbert Report
Survivor
The Simpsons

[The Mutt]

Daily Show
Sportscenter
The Simpsons
South Park
30 Rock

[frankiedetroit]

The shows I most look forward to:

More love here for 30 Rock. I didn't enjoy the first episode, but it's had me hooked ever since the flashback to Tracy turning into a stabbing robot on Conan. Silliest thing i ever saw, but it's had me laughing ever since.

The Office has become my new Seinfeld: Even when it's not too funny or excruciating, I just love the characters. And as someone who doesn't go for gushy romance, I love that it never became the Jim & Pam show, and that the writers haven't turned them against each other. It's their playful banter that I enjoy, not worrying about whether they're going to stay together.

And My Name is Earl. I just enjoy it. And yes, I love Scrubs too at 9:30. This NBC Thursday rivals the one from the '80s: Cosby, Family Ties, Cheers and Night Court. But this tired E.R. is no Hill Street Blues!

The Amazing Race grabs the fifth spot.

However, once Battlestar Galatica and Lost come back, they will rocket to Nos. 1 and 2 respectively.

[the goddamn batman]

In no particular order:

Life
Scrubs
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Flight of the Conchords.

[Deep_Sleeper]

1) Battlestar: Galactica
2) Entourage

I think those are the only shows that I consistently look forward to. I liked the first season of Heroes. Well done, but could have been so much better. Lost is so well done, but the premise is a deadend concept. Not an ongoing drama, IMO. I'm glad they are heading for an ending. Supernatural is well done. Special effects are cool, but the imagination isn't all that expansive. Biggest disappointment for me was the werewolf make up, or lack thereof. It was just bright blue eyes and teeth. That's not very imaginative.

[Black Atom]

Avatar
House
Scrubs
The Office
Mythbusters

[GrifterWC]

1. Monk
2. Psych
3. Ghost Hunters
4. The Simpsons
5. Family Guy

Those are the only shows I watch regularly but I will catch House, Supernatural and The 4400 when I remember there on.

[Johnny_Storm]

My Pick:

1. Jericho (I wish the new season started before spring, but I'm just glad it's returning!)
2. The Wire
3. Lincoln Heights (How did I find out about a show on ABC Family? There's just something about this show that strikes a chord with me.)
4. Smallville
5. Stargate Atlantis (Needs to limit illusions and hallucinatory viruses to one ep. a season otherwise they could take the 3 spot)

[Frodo-X]

1. Heroes
2. South Park
3. My Name Is Earl
4. House
5. Monk

[berk]

Intelligence
Battlestar Galactica
Doctor Who

[FanboyStranger]

1) The Wire-- JANUARY!!!!!!

2) The Shield

3) Rescue Me

4) It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (overall a weak third season, but stepped up with the dance contest in the finale... still probably the funniest comedy currently on TV)

5) The Office

6) 30 Rock

7) House

To be honest, those are the only shows I feel are worth my time to watch regularly these days. Flight of the Conchords would have been on the list except that the second season is in doubt while they decide if they want to do a second season (HBO greenlit one, but Jemaine has said he is unsure if he wants to do it.)

[TitoJones]

The Wire
Lost
NCIS
Boondocks
Law and Order:SVU

But if you're talking about the shows that are actually airing as of today then replace the first two with The Unit and Criminal Minds

[Jared]

The Office
The Shield
Battlestar Galactica
24 (hopefully three quarters of last season were just an aberration)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[David Walton]

There's only one show that I really, really can't miss right now, and I'm surprised no one's mentioned it:

Cane

[Sean Walsh]

1. HOUSE
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. South Park
4. The Office
5. Family Guy

(Honorable mention: Venture Bros, which isn't currently airing really between seasons...)

[Sean Whitmore]

Limiting "current" to mean only shows that are are actually airing new episodes at the moment (which means leaving out stuff like Battlestar Galactica and The Shield):

Dexter
The Unit
Supernatural
The Office
Weeds


SEAN

[tricksterpup]

I am going to give all new shows in this list.

Pushing Daisies
Life
Reaper
Moonlight

[Brock]

The Wire
The Shield
South Park
Battlestar Galactica
The Colbert Report

[Brian Cronin]

Tough to decide. This would undoubtably change if I made this list next week, but for now...

Boston Legal
Friday Night Lights
The Office
South Park
30 Rock

-Brian

[Titan76]

In no order.

Entourage
Mythbusters
Family Guy
The Daily Show
ESPN First Take

[Atom_basher]

Supernatural
Heroes
30 Rock
Chuck
Nip/Tuck

[HynerianChef]

These might not be the best shows, and there are a number that would be here if they were on at the moment (like Battlestar Galactica) or if I hadn't been 'saving up' episodes to see later (Supernatural). Anyhow, the 5 shows I most look forward each week, in no particular order:

- Heroes
- Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger
- Kamen Rider Den-O
- Scrubs
- Stargate: Atlantis

[kalorama]

In no real order:

Life (okay, this one is in order, as it's my favorite show on TV right now)
Reaper
Bones
Pushing Daisies
Venture Brothers

[KittyPryde]

Hmmm....my mercurial tastes would probably change this in a week or two; but for the moment, I most look forward to:

Journeyman
Amazing Race
Chuck
Moonlight
Heroes
How I Met Your Mother

(and yes, I know that's six...I can count...I just can't strip one off ;) )

[kalorama]

I wanted to put Stargate Atlantis on my list, but killing off Beckett and replacing Weir with Carter were both bad moves that hurt the show.

[Iron Maiden]

For some reason, most good shows seem to be on Tuesdays. My current favorites:

Nip Tuck
House
Boston Legal
Ghost Hunters
It's Always Sunny in Philadephia (very underrated)

[bodie_3_7_ci5]

Journeyman
Dirty Sexy Money
Pushing Daisies
Scrubs
Chuck

[Subotai]

Friday Night Lights
The Wire
Letterman
60 Minutes
Little Mosque on the Prairie

[CDB]

Mine top 5 are:

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
2. The Boondocks
3. Heroes
4. The Venture Brothers
5. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

[jessecuster3]

Hmm, I guess my current top 5 is:

Chuck
Heroes
The Unit
Pushing Daisies
The Office


When none of these are on, I watch the Discovery channel specifically:
How Its Made
Man vs Wild
Mythbusters
Dirty Jobs
Deadliest Catch
whatever other special is airing(Planet Earth, Everest, Strom Chasers, etc.)

[jesse_custer]

Forgot about Man vs. Wild. Bear is quite the character.

[David O Burcham]

In order...

1. House

2. Monk

3. Dirty Jobs

4. Heroes

5. Dinner: Impossible

[DF2506]

edited: to include descriptions and change/add to the order

Best Shows Airing Right Now (imo)

1. Pushing Daises: Wacky, funny, strange, well-written, well acted, and just a really FUN show. Pushing Daises is like no other show on TV! I just love this show!

2. Journeyman: House was here orignally, but after those final two episodes, I just HAD to put Journeyman here. That show just got better and better and better. Wow. Such a well-written, well acted show, full of twists and time travel (love time travel!). NBC sucks for canceling this!

3. Life: Charlie Crews, the main character of Life, is so strange, yet cool. He's a real standout character and that alone would make the show interesting...BUT it also has great writing, acting, some cool co-stars (his partner, plus Adam Arkin as his friend), and plenty of twists. Glad its coming back!

4. House: Dr. House may have no bedside manner (which makes him fun to watch), but he is a great doctor and he usually saves the person he's trying help (but not always). House is a fun show mainly because of Hugh Lurie (and House), but it does have good writing to boot and some suprising twists sometimes too.

5. Supernatural: The successor to the XFiles. Perhaps even better that show even? Hmm. Maybe. Supernatural is well written, well acted, and I really like the mostly one episode format with continuing elements! Fun show!

Best Shows Airing Overall (no new episodes at the moment included)

1. Battlestar Galactica: Man I miss this show. Its been awhile since this has been on regularly (thankfully we did get Razor though) and I'm really wanting it to come back! If it was on right now, it would definitly be at the top of my airing right now list. Well written, well acted, amazing twists and turns! Just the best sci-fi show, nay the best show PERIOD on TV...well its on! I really want to see what happens next with the "new" human cylons that were revealed at the end of the season! Come on sci-fi, bring this show back SOON!!

2. Dr. Who: This show is a real shocker. I tried it out with the first episode of season 1 and liked it. Kept watching and it just got better and better as season 1 went. THEN....season 2 came and a new doctor. I was skeptical at first...but only for a tiny little bit. David Tennet quickly won me over and now I'm like Ecceleson who? Really Ecceleson (sp?) was good as the doctor but Tennet is GREAT. He has the wackiness and the wonder of this character down, but also, he has the doctor part of Dr. Who down too. The doctor can be truly scary with Tennet. PLUS, the writing on this show just gets better and better too. The stories that the writers have come up with are just really great, especially in season 3 they were. I loved episodes like BLINK (my favorite), the Blood family two-parter, and the very cool Master three-parter. Can't wait till season (or should I say series? ) four!

3. Pushing Daises: Well I already talked at this in the currently airing, but I just wanted to mention again how much I LOVE this show!

4. Journeyman: Darn it NBC!!!

5. Jericho: Ya know, I love Cbs at the moment. They are (after much bugging) bringing back my favorite new show from last season! Thats right, Jericho. This show is well written, well acted, and another show that can really shock with its twists & turns. I know its only seven more episodes and who knows if there will be anymore after that..but still..man....its so great to see this show coming back! Can't wait to see it again!

Honorable mentions (cause I have to): Heroes, Lost, CSI, Numbers, Burn Notice

DF2506
" And I would have had 4400 and Dead Zone on the honorable mentions list too...but stupid nbc/usa canceled them!!!! "

[cable guy]

Lost
Heroes
South Park
Family Guy
Dirty, Sexy Money

[Demon King Psycho]

Robot Chicken
South Park
Dr Who
Fairly Oddparents
Family Guy

[xarathos]

I just watched an episode of Saturday Night Live that was actually decent. Ofcourse it was a rerun from 1991. It was an average old episode at best. Compared to today's comedic stuff it was brilliant.

Yeah, I don't watch a whole lot of that T.V. anymore.

[SPAfreak]

While probably not the best shows on TV these the top five I look forward to each week:

Dexter
Chuck
Pushing Daisies
How I Met Your Mother

And a fifth spot that rotates weekly which includes Bones, Life, Heroes and Supernatural.

There are also many shows not currently airing that I love like Doctor Who, Venture Bros. and Battlestar Gallactica.

After giving 30 Rock another chance recently I have to add it to my list. The pilot never wowed me but every episode after that was pure comedy gold.

[SnowTrooper]

The Shield
Family Guy
Law & Order: SVU
Supernatural
South Park

[geejtopia]

in no particular order:

1. 30 Rock
2. Lost
3. Doctor Who
4. It's Allways Sunny in Philadelphia
5. Pushing Daisies

[Fish Sauce]

After giving 30 Rock another chance recently I have to add it to my list. The pilot never wowed me but every episode after that was pure comedy gold.

I like your list. I haven't seen Chuck or Pushing Daisies but the other two are fantastic. I might have to give them a try if they're in the same list. Chuck's one I've been thinking about checking out anyway.

[ultramandingo]

.......... since the strike is been
mythbuster reruns
planet earth reruns
south park reruns
the office reruns
30 rock