The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME

N - S

Roseanne

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The concept behind Roseanne was so simple it was radical: a sitcom about a blue-collar family in the Midwest, with money troubles and unvarnished family issues, headed by a strong-willed woman who said what was on her mind. Roseanne (nee Arnold, nee Barr) and her TV family dealt with subjects that were rarely handled in family comedies: domestic abuse, mental illness and plain old-fashioned money dramas. Barr benefited from great supporting actors, including John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and one of TV's most believable casts of kids. Roseanne often got as much attention for its problems as its successes (the star's backstage temper and National Anthem singing, the lottery-winning storyline of the last season). But that's fine: like many ambitious works—and its star—Roseanne never offered a dull moment.

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How I Chose The List

Adding to this list would be easy; taking shows off is the tricky part. How did I settle on this list? I set a few guidelines...

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What is your all-time favorite TV show?

Which films should have been included and weren't? Did we leave off any of your favorites? Were any shows on the list more influential than others? Tell us what you think

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TIME's TV critic James Poniewozik blogs daily on all visual media. Join the discussion here

A - F

From Abbott and Costello to Friends

G - M

From General Hospital to Mystery Science Theater 3000

N - S

From The Odd Couple to Survivor

T - Z

From Taxi to Your Show of Shows

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