Top 60 Sitcoms...In 30 Days! - Part IV

We're over halfway through the Countdown of the 60 Best Sitcoms of All-Time.  Let's dive right into the Top 25!

THE 60 BEST SITCOMS - PART IV

Click here for Part I: #'s 60-49.

Click here for Part II: #'s 48-37.

Click here for Part III: #'s 36-26.

25. Bewitched, ABC (1964-1972)

Before this show, no Sitcom had ever showcased a supernatural being or a strange creature.  Then along comes Bewitched, a series that highlights the hi-jinx of a suburban housewife who just happens to be a magical witch.  The series was popular with audiences thanks to its many lovable characters, especially Elizabeth Montgomery as the charming Samantha and the brilliant Agnes Moorehead as her truly witch-y mother Endora.  And who could forget Samantha's husband Derwood...I mean...Darrin (played first by Dick York and then later Dick Sargent).  The series is one of the most popular classic sitcoms in syndication runs.

24. Soap, ABC (1977-1981)

Remember in my introduction to this list how I pointed out how several Comedy shows now tend to drift more towards the Dramatic?  Well, those shows (like Desperate Housewives and Glee) take their cues as much from Soap Operas as they do from traditional Sitcoms.  This Sitcom was among the first to parody the Daytime genre and it did it quite well.  The writing (which included writers who had written for shows like All In the Family and would later write for shows like The Golden Girls, but more on those later!) was so fresh and witty and made sure the audience was very much aware of the genre they were satirizing.  The cast was a delightful ensemble which included some of the best comedic actors including Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal and Robert Guillaume (as the butler Benson, who later got his own series, but we already talked about that!)

23. Roseanne, ABC (1988-1997)

When you think of the family Sitcom, one thinks of the classic Ozzie & Harriet prototype or even the Huxtables of the '80s (soon to come!) or the more recent success of Modern Family. All of those TV families display a certain level of functionality.  But in the late '80s (from the producers of The Cosby Show!), a brash and in-your-face comedienne brought her blue collar outlook on work and family to our Televisions.  Roseanne Barr took the TV Mom to a whole new level.  She said what she felt like and she ran the roost (however she could!).  With the help of dynamic character actors like John Goodman (as her TV hubby) and Laurie Metcalf (as her scatterbrained sister), the show was a mega-hit with audiences and with critics.  Both Roseanne and Laurie Metcalf won Emmys for their work on the program.

22. The Odd Couple, ABC (1970-1975)

Not many shows are successes on TV and on Film and on Stage.  In this Sitcom, we have that triple threat package.  Neil Simon wrote his comic masterpiece and debuted it on Broadway back in the mid-1960s.  It was an immediate hit (winning several great reviews for its stars Art Carney and Walter Matthau).  In 1968, the equally successful film version (starring Matthau and Jack Lemmon) cemented Simon's work into the cultural landscape.  But that wasn't enough.  Producer Garry Marshall felt it was ripe to be developed into a TV series.  Starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall in the iconic roles of Oscar Madison and Felix Unger, respectively, the Sitcom defined sophisticated humor of the early 1970s.  The chemistry between Klugman and Randall particularly made it one of the great TV pairings of all-time.

21. Family Ties, NBC (1982-1989)

In that echelon of great TV Families, there are several who have earned their place (the Huxtables, the Bunkers, the Riccardos, the Barones and the Simpsons, all of whom are soon to come in the Countdown!).  The Keatons are another TV family that belong on that list.  With its relatable characters and their typical family situations, they were the iconic '80s family.  Parents who were activists during the flower-child days of the 1960s; a son who embraced the yuppie-ism and pre-neo-conservative ideals of the Reagan Era; a vapid daughter who spent more time at the mall than she did at the library; and a sarcastic daughter who yearned for normalcy despite her surroundings.  The show was also a break-out hit for young Michael J. Fox, who one three of his five Emmy Awards for his work as Alex P. Keaton, a man who when it came to money: enough was never enough.

20. 30 Rock, NBC (2006-present)

When it comes to smart and sophisticated humor today, Tina Fey is one of the first people to come to mind.  Her work as the first female Head Writer for Saturday Night Live in the early 2000s was a training ground for the success that came her way when she created her own Sitcom.  As Liz Lemon (Head Writer of a fictional NBC comedy-variety show!), Fey has become one of the most beloved and lauded actress-writer on Television today.  Her show is helped by the zany antics of her crazy-yet-endearing ensemble cast which includes Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and the very well-respected Alec Baldwin (as the now iconic Jack Donaghy).  The series has won multiple Emmy Awards (including wins for both Baldwin and Fey and the top Comedy prize three years in a row from 2007-2009!).

19. Taxi, ABC/NBC (1978-1983)

This Sitcom showcased one of the greatest Ensemble casts in TV history.  Centered around the New York-based Sunshine Taxicab Company, the characters were a diverse bunch of cabbies whose lives intertwined at the Company garage.  Judd Hirsch starred as Alex Rieger, a sensible cab driver who has become disillusioned with life and has to put up with the antics of his crazy co-workers.  Danny DeVito won praise as Rieger's boss from hell Louie De Palma.  The Ensemble also included Marilu Henner, Tony Danza and the late Jeff Conaway as the various cabbies who filled Alex's life.  The breakout stars from the ensemble though included Christopher Lloyd (as a burnt out hippie turned cabbie) and the late stand-up comedian Andy Kaufman (as the humble immigrant mechanic Latka Gravas).

18. The Dick Van Dyke Show, CBS (1961-1966)

Just like Tina Fey's work on SNL inspired her to create the Emmy-winning 30 Rock, 45 years earlier Carl Reiner was inspired by his work on Your Show of Shows to create this Emmy-winner.  Star Dick Van Dyke played Rob Petrie, a writer for megalomaniacal comedian Alan Brady (portrayed with gusto by creator Carl Reiner).  At work, Rob is surrounded by fellow comedy writers Buddy and Sally (Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie, respectively) and at home, Rob is supported by his loving wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore in her star-making role!).  Every time that theme music starts up and we saw Van Dyke trip over that ottoman, audiences knew they were in for a half-hour of hilarity.

17. The Jeffersons, CBS (1975-1985)

One of the most successful spin-offs in TV history (another one is soon to come!), the family that lived next door to the Bunkers made enough money to "move on up" to an East Manhattan penthouse apartment.  Sherman Hemsley and the late Isabel Sanford delighted audiences as George and Louise Jefferson on All In the Family enough to warrant their own series.  George was as bigoted as Archie Bunker was and Louise was just as exasperated with him as the rest of the Bunker clan was with Archie.  With a sassy maid (played by Marla Gibbs) and a wealthy interracial couple as neighbors (played by Franklin Cover and the late Roxie Roker), George and Louise enjoyed their little lap of luxury.  George was always scheming to get noticed more (particularly by the magnate who owned the building) and his arrogant strut was unmistakable.

16. Happy Days, ABC (1974-1984)

Like Bewitched, this Sitcom has also enjoyed an extreme fan growth in its syndication runs.  And in its original airings on ABC, the show enjoyed really high ratings.  So much so that ABC made it the first Sitcom to have two airings within the week (One on Tuesday and another on Thursday).  The show's nostalgic look at the culture of the 1950s starred Ron "Opie" Howard as Richie Cunningham as he dealt with life as high school teen in suburban Wisconsin.  His parents (brilliantly played by Marion Ross and the late Tom Bosley) were the prototypical 1950s parents and his friends were the prototypical 1950s buddies.  The breakout star though was Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli (aka The Fonz), who was originally only supposed to be a recurring character, but the audience response to his laid-back character was so great that (like Steve Urkel on Family Matters) the show became synonymous with The Fonz.  The show has even inspired several TV Tropes that have since become colloquialisms of the TV culture (most particularly "Jumping the Shark!").

Next week, as we wind down our Countdown, we explore the top quarter of the list.  Each day next week, I will take you through the 15 shows that I consider the definitive of the genre.  Each of those shows inspired, delighted, provoked and (most importantly) entertained.  So, be prepared to see some old "friends" (HINT!) like Mary, Murphy, Lucy, Ray, Jerry, Homer, Archie, Cliff, Hawkeye and Norm! (If you can't figure out some of the Top 15 from these clues, then live in suspense until next week!)

Top 60 Sitcoms...In 30 Days! - Part III

Let us continue with the Countdown!  Today, we will go from #36 to #26, taking us right up to the Top 25.

THE 60 BEST SITCOMS - PART III

Click here for Part I: #'s 60-49.

Click here for Part II: #'s 48-37.

36. Perfect Strangers, ABC (1986-1993)

Part The Odd Couple and part Laverne & Shirley, this show helped to launch ABC's hugely successful TGIF nights.  The chemistry between stage actors Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot (as Larry Appleton and his distant Greek cousin Balki Barthokomous, respectively) was, to put it bluntly, "perfect."  So, "don't be ridiculous," because this was a great show!

35. How I Met Your Mother, CBS (2005-Present)
When this Sitcom first started, I was not too impressed by its premise: The voice of a Father (inexplicably Bob Saget!) tells his kids the story of the show's title.  But the show has managed to work its way into the cultural lexicon thanks in large part to the scene-stealing performance of supporting player Neil Patrick Harris (as womanizer Barney Stinson).  Let's face it, NPH has made this show "legen...wait for it...dary!"

34. Three's Company, ABC (1977-1984)
What made this show so popular?  Was it the late John Ritter's constant pratfalls and clownish antics?  Was it the many, many, many misunderstandings?  Was it the reactions of the landlords (played by Norman Fell and Don Knotts, respectively)?  Or was it the likes of Suzanne Somers scantily clad and the constant sexual innuendos?  I think we have a winner!

33. Arrested Development, FOX (2003-2006)
Talk about a show that gained a huge fanbase in such a short time.  The show only survived three poorly rated (yet highly acclaimed!) seasons, yet this Emmy winner has managed to gain more fans by the minute.  Fans of the show got to rejoice recently thanks to the news released at the show's reunion panel.

32. Newhart, CBS (1982-1990)
Bob Newhart's second Sitcom was another success for CBS and it fit right in the comic's comfort zone of humor.  Newhart played a travel writer who, with his wife, purchased a Vermont Inn and was surrounded by the strange characters in the New England town.  The show has become more famous thanks to its legendary series finale.

31. Maude, CBS (1972-1978)
This All In the Family spin-off starred Bea Arthur as the outspoken, liberal and flustered Maude Findlay.  Like its predecessor, Maude covered topics of the 1970s that were oftentimes controversial.  It is notorious for one of its first season episodes in which Bea Arthur's Maude (who was middle-aged!) became pregnant and decided that she should have an abortion.

30. Married...With Children, FOX (1987-1997)
The series that helped launch the fledgling FOX network was raunchy, in-your-face and entirely controversial (thanks to its gratuitous nature!).  The everyday lives of the Bundys was a favorite especially with the very much coveted 18-25 demographic.  The show came at a time when the Family Sitcom (which had been exemplified in shows like The Cosby Show) was changing and showing more families that were slightly dysfunctional (like Roseanne and The Simpsons).

29. Laverne & Shirley, ABC (1976-1983)
Who says that the girls can't be as clownish as the guys?  One of the few successful Sitcoms that centered on two single women, this show allowed its female stars (Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall) to be as physically comedic as Lucille Ball was 20 years earlier.

28. Hogan's Heroes, CBS (1965-1971)
Only a few Sitcoms have been about soldiers and war (we'll see a very successful one real soon!), but this one had the fast pace and the quick wit of an old-fashioned Marx Brothers film.  The show centered around the antics of the American and British prisoners in a German POW camp during World War II.  Led by Col. Robert Hogan (played by Bob Crane), the prisoners were able to weekly turn the tables on the German officers running the camp, particularly the constantly fooled Col. Klink (played brilliantly by Werner Klemperer) and the always frightened Sgt. "I Know Nahzing!" Schultz (perfectly played by John Banner).

27. Will & Grace, NBC (1998-2006)
Nobody expected much out of this Sitcom when it first began, but after a season or two, the show became a critically acclaimed (and Emmy-winning) hit.  The friendship between gay lawyer Will (the charming Eric McCormack) and ditsy designer Grace (the hilarious Debra Messing) became a cultural icon (especially for women and their gay friends!).  The scene-stealing performances of Sean Hayes and Megan Mulally (as the flamboyant Jack and the wealthy Karen) were just icing on this beloved ensemble.

26. The Andy Griffith Show, CBS (1960-1968)
Every time you hear that opening whistle, you just want to run to a place like Mayberry.  Star Andy Griffith was quaint and delightful as Mayberry Sheriff Andy Taylor.  He was surrounded by a great supporting cast that included young Ronny Howard (as his son Opie), Frances Bavier (as his beloved Aunt Bea), Jim Nabors (as the goofy Gomer Pyle, who got his own series eventually!) and, lastly (but most importantly), the hilarious Don Knotts (as Andy's befuddled and quirky deputy Barney Fife).

Next week, we shall delve right into the Top 25.  25 Sitcoms that have shaped and influenced the Television landscape and, by extension, the culture.  We'll have a little nose twitching and we'll move on up.  We'll find out what we would do, baby, without us and who can turn the world on with her smile.  We'll see shows about nothing and shows that are golden.  We'll love Raymond and Lucy and we'll go where everybody knows your name.  That's just about a third of the 25 Best Sitcoms of All-Time.

Top 60 Sitcoms...In 30 Days! - Part II

Hello Readers!  We shall continue on with the Countdown of the 60 Best Sitcoms of All-Time.  Last week, we did Part I (#'s 60-49).  This week, we will cover the next 12 (#'s 48-37).

THE 60 BEST SITCOMS - PART II

Click here for Part I: #'s 60-49.

48. Family Matters, ABC/CBS (1989-1998)

How many shows became a phenomenal success on the strength of a character that was only intended to be in one or two episodes?   This show may have had Abbott and Costello-like comedy when it came to Steve Urkel's interactions with the family (particularly patriarch Carl Winslow!), it was tempered with typical family issues like parent-child relationships, school problems, friendship and dating (even covering topical issues like gun violence, gangs and racism).

47. NewsRadio, NBC (1995-1999)

This workplace comedy had witty writing and a dynamic cast (that included Dave Foley, Maura Tierney, Andy Dick and the late Phil Hartman).  Unfortunately, it was cut short because of the tragic murder of its biggest supporting star (SNL alum Hartman was murdered by his wife in 1998.) and a poorly rated (and poorly received!) final season.

46. Benson, ABC (1979-1986)

Robert Guillaume's sarcastic and caustic butler Benson DuBois was one of the most popular characters on the highly successful ABC series Soap in the late 1970s.  It was only natural that he would lift out into his own show.  Benson became the household manager of the Governor of Connecticut and had to put up with the quirky staff members of both the Governor's office and his house.  It was a great highlight of my childhood TV watching thanks in big part to the likability of Robert Guillaume.

45. Modern Family, ABC (2009-present)

The show has won multiple Emmys and several critics over with its acerbic mockumentary-style.  The charming cast and clever writing have quickly cemented the show as part of the Television landscape.

44. The Bob Newhart Show, CBS (1972-1978)

Bob Newhart's first sitcom was a breakout success in the 1970s (thanks to its lead-in from The Mary Tyler Moore Show!).  The show seemed to fit closest to the type of humor he displayed as a successful stand-up comic in 1960s.  He played psychiatrist Robert Hartley surrounded by various quirky characters and thankful of the loving support from his wife, Emily (charmingly played by the late Suzanne Pleshette).

43. WKRP In Cincinnati, CBS (1978-1983)

This Sitcom had one of the first theme songs I ever memorized.  Like NewsRadio above, it was a workplace comedy (set at a radio station!) but it used the topical subject of radio stations changing their formats to feature the more popular music by several of the late 1970s best rock artists.  The cast included the hilarious Richard Sanders (as beleaguered newsman Les Nessman), Howard Hesseman (as the cool Dr. Johnny Fever), Tim Reid (as the smooth Venus Fly Trap) and the gorgeous Loni Anderson (as Jennifer, the smart and efficient secretary).

42. The Honeymooners, CBS (1955-1956)

Though the show would go on to appear as sketches off and on as part of Jackie Gleason's many variety shows and specials, the one season that aired as a stand-alone series (known in TV lore as "The Classic 39") has had more impact on the culture than most other series' from the 1950s.  Gleason was brilliant as the loud and in-your-face bus driver Ralph Kramden constantly annoyed by the caustic comments of his loving wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows) and by the antics of his friend and neighbor, Ed Norton (the amazing Art Carney).

41. Wings, NBC (1990-1997)

With interesting characters and a unique setting, Wings stood apart from most other shows of the 1990s.  The writing (especially in its early years) was consistently good (most of the writers also worked on shows like Cheers and Frasier) and the cast was particularly delightful.  Tim Daly and Steven Weber played brothers who ran a small airline out of Nantucket and were surrounded by strange (yet charming) characters (including Crystal Bernard, Thomas Haden Church and future Monk star Tony Shalhoub!).

40. The Big Bang Theory, CBS (2007-present)

Nerds have always been popular subject for comedy (i.e. Steve Urkel or Revenge of the Nerds) and this Sitcom uses "the Nerd stereotype" to its best.  The character of Dr. Sheldon Cooper (perfectly played by Jim Parsons to Emmy-winning effect) alone has made the show quite popular with both fans and critics.

39. Designing Women, CBS (1986-1993)

In the 1980s, there was a strong move for networks to have more sitcoms that featured women more prominently and (more importantly) in a completely honest and more realistic way (just look at shows like The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown or Roseanne, but more on those later!).  This show was one of the more successful that came out of that mold and it was successful primarily because (like the three I mentioned!) it was created by a woman and featured a delightful cast of women.  Delta Burke, Jean Smart, Annie Potts and the late Dixie Carter played Southern women with the right amount of perfect Southern charm mixed with the right amount of Southern gusto!

38. Mad About You, NBC (1992-1999)

Unlike other Sitcoms in the 1990s, this show was about the strength and endurance of a couple's relationship. Like a charming Woody Allen romantic comedy, Mad About You's humor was very much derived from star Paul Reiser's own stand-up in which he talked about his relationship with his wife.  The show was a big hit with critics and with audiences thanks in large part to Reiser's co-star and leading lady Helen Hunt (who won four Emmys for her work on the series).

37. Family Guy, FOX (1999-2002; 2005-present)

Not many shows get cancelled (twice!) and become popular enough in syndication to come back.  Family Guy constantly pushes the limits of what they can and cannot do on their show and often gets comparisons to the raunchier comedy-variety shows of the early 1970s (like Laugh-In, SNL and Monty Python).  It defies conventions enough that creator Seth MacFarlane took a bold move and began submitting the show for the Best Comedy Series Emmy (rather than the usual Best Animated Series Emmy!) and in 2009, the show became the first animated sitcom to be nominated for the award since The Flintstones back in 1961!

Next week, I will talk about the next 11: #'s 36-26! Stay Tuned!

Top 60 Sitcoms...In 30 Days! - Part I

Ever since my Emmy Award predictions (11 out of 20 correct, which is tied with some of Emmy's top pundits, Thank You very much!), I have been asked to talk about my favorite shows.  I do watch a lot of TV (more than I should, but I digress!), so anytime I'm asked to talk about my Favorite shows, I can't help but start making lists.  But as I was making a list of my current Favorite shows, I couldn't help but think of the shows I have loved over my many years of watching TV.  Then, I realized that my list was dominated by Sitcoms.

The Situation Comedy is that weekly half-hour of zany antics, oddball characters and funny moments.  So I decided that I will devote the next five weeks of IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS to the 60 Best Sitcoms of All-Time.  Why 60?  I feel that Top 50 has been done to death. And doing a Top 100 just felt a little too "Everybody is a Winner!" and while that is fun in Kindergarten, this is the real world and tough choices have to be made.  You may be surprised by some of my choices and shocked at what might be left off.

Also, I felt I had to draw the line when it came to Sitcoms.  Too many shows these days (particularly on Showtime!) have drifted into the world of quirky comedy mixed with heavy dramatic overtones.  So you will see no "Dramedies," both of the hour-long variety (i.e. Ally McBeal, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Glee) or the half-hour kind (i.e. The Wonder Years, Sex and the City and Nurse Jackie).

Then what exactly was my criteria for this list?  With the help of my Father and my Brother (two others who have watched a lot of TV!), I compiled a list based on several factors: audience popularity (or ratings), critical acclaim, awards presence, cultural momentum, historical significance and our own personal tastes.  The latter, of course, is probably the one most would want to argue with but it's my blog and I'll do what I want!  That all being said, let's begin the Countdown with the bottom 12.

THE 60 BEST SITCOMS

60. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NBC (1990-1996)
The show that rally launched Will Smith's acting career.  It was a family Sitcom mixed with the "fish-out-of-water" element and was a ratings grabber on Monday nights.  And if you grew up in the 1990s, you know you memorized this show's theme song.

59. Community, NBC (2009-present)
Though it has only been on for 2 full seasons and has not been a tremendous ratings grabber for the Peacock Network, the show has managed to garner hefty critical support and many fans.  It weekly defies the standards of typical Sitcoms by doing "out-of-the-box" episodes (like their "animated" Christmas episode or their western/war-like Paintball episodes) and often poking fun at themselves (and other TV shows!) in the process.

58. Coach, ABC (1989-1997)
Craig T. Nelson won an Emmy for his work as a beleaguered Football coach of a Minnesota University.  For 9 years, audiences watched him handle a quirky staff (that included Jerry Van Dyke and Spongebob's Bill Fagerbakke), deal with his daughter's independence and date (and eventually marry) a professional newswoman (played by Shelley Fabares).

57. South Park, Comedy Central (1997-present)
Radical and (oftentimes) in-your-face crude, the kids from the tiny Colorado mountain town of South Park have reveled in their rebelliousness.  Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have used the cache they have gained from the series and used it in their other ventures (Broadway's The Book of Mormon and the South Park Movie!).

56. Scrubs, NBC/ABC (2001-2010)
Yet another show that defied typical Sitcom conventions with cutaways and daring episodes (like a Musical one!), Scrubs was a sleeper hit with critics and audiences began to appreciate it.  As their creative drive (as well as their ratings) began to dwindle on NBC, they made a change and moved to ABC for its final two seasons.

55. Head of the Class, ABC (1986-1991)
This charming series from ABC was always a delight during my childhood.  The series centered on High School Honors teacher Howard Hesseman and his quirky class of Honors students that included a wide range from typical nerds to preppy over-achievers to artistic types.  Plus, this was the show that brought the lovely Ms. Robin Givens to my attention!


54. Parks and Recreation, NBC (2009-present)
Critics are growing more and more fond of Amy Poehler and company as they make us laugh at the town of Pawnee, Indiana.  The show has garnered more love from fans and from the Emmys as this year both Poehler and the series garnered nominations for Best Actress and Best Comedy Series, respectively.

53. Diff'rent Strokes, NBC/ABC (1978-1986)
This family Sitcom that was daring in its premise and was pioneering in its use of the "very Special Episode" style of storytelling.  We all have favorite episodes that dealt with everyday family problems ranging from violence to drug abuse to child molestation.  Though we've since tragically lost actress Dana Plato and actor Gary "Wha'choo Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?" Coleman, we still have the show to remind us of their talents.

52. Welcome Back, Kotter, ABC (1975-1979)
The 1970s was filled with shows that turned the Leave It To Beaver standard on its ear.  And Welcome Back, Kotter was another example that showed the inner-city culture with a To Sir, With Love attitude.  Comedian Gabe Kaplan played the titular teacher returning to his alma mater to teach the tough (but sometimes lovable) Sweathogs that included John Travolta (who shot to film stardom!) as Vinny "Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose!" Barbarino, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington (with his smooth catchphrase "Hi There!") and Ron Palillo as Arnold "Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!" Horshack.

51. The Drew Carey Show, ABC (1995-2004)
Though the show changed styles (and theme songs!) over its nine year run, Drew Carey's self-titled sitcom did have a mix of the Workplace Sitcom (with the dreaded Tammy Faye-style Mimi!) and the Buddy Sitcom (with Drew's moronic-yet-loyal friends).  All the while, Carey's hard-working schlub became lovable with critics and audiences.

50. The Office, NBC (2005-present)
Now that the show has started its first Steve Carell-less year, we shall see if the once critically acclaimed and award-winning (several Golden Globes and an Emmy win back in 2006) can be what it once was.  The "mockumentary" styled import (it was based on Ricky Gervais' British hit) has gained several fans and has made comedy all-stars of most of its cast members (like Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Mindy Kalling, etc.).

49. 3rd Rock From the Sun, NBC (1996-2001)
The premise of space aliens coming to study Earth culture was ripe with comedy in the hands of an extremely talented cast.  Led by John Lithgow (who won 3 Emmys for his efforts), the group of aliens (which included a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kristen Johnston, who won 2 Emmys for her work) planted itself among the town of Rutherford, Ohio trying to blend in and pretty much fit in perfectly with the crazy people they met.

Next week, I will continue with the next 12 (#'s 48-37!).  So commence with your venting (nicely!) and maybe share some of your favorites!

GOLDEN PLACES: Scream for It!

You know you love it.  You know you want some.  So why try resisting it?  It's Ice Cream!  And it's there to be enjoyed and savored and consumed.  The people at the legendary and historic Fenton's Creamery in Oakland, California know this and have made a thriving business out of it for almost 90 years.

Located on Piedmont Avenue (a few blocks from the Kaiser Medical Center on MacArthur), the Fenton's story began back in 1894 when Elbridge Seth Fenton used to deliver dairy products to the Piedmont Avenue section of Oakland.  The family opened the Creamery and Soda Shop in 1922 and since then it has grown to a full restaurant with two other locations (at the Oakland Airport and in Vacaville, CA).  The Piedmont Avenue location has become practically an honorary historical landmark.  It has become a hub for families, tourists, Oakland natives, Cal Berkeley students and more.  It was even featured in the Disney/PIXAR hit Up in 2009 and gained a whole new generation of fans.  A visit to Oakland would not be complete without a visit to Fenton's.

I remember the first time my Grandparents (who lived in Oakland their entire 61 year marriage!) took my brother and me to Fenton's.  First of all, we were going to get Ice Cream, which is enough to get any child into a frenzy of delight.  Second, the joy we felt as we were served our (rather large!) portions of ice cream and we began tasting each other's choices was something you cannot buy nor duplicate.  All of my visits to Fenton's since (which, I will admit, have not been as many as I would like!) have not been the same, yet have still been quite as enjoyable because just being in that neighborhood and in that building brings back a kind of nostalgic high we all strive to hold on to.  Fenton's is truly one of California's GOLDEN PLACES and will always hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of my family.