The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME

"First, I apologize. I know I left some of your favorite shows off this list. How do I know that? Because I left some of my favorite shows off this list. The happy and unfortunate fact is that there are far more than 100 great shows, and more created every year. Lists are incredibly important: they are how we define what matters to us, what we want entertainment and art to do, what we expect of our culture."
—TIME TV critic James Poniewozik

Survivor

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In reality TV, 90% of success is in the concept, and Survivor's remains the master equation: isolation + cash prize * hot-weather clothing = entertainment. Still, the 10% that is execution separates the best from the rest, and Survivor remains a constantly surprising and enthralling game, both socially and physically. Even after seven years, there's no clear single best way to win the political game of Survivor: is it better to be liked (Africa's Ethan) or respected (the first season's Richard), a master athlete (Palau's Tom) or a master strategist (All-Stars' Rob and Amber)? Whether or not it sheds any light on how people behave in "real" society, it remains the most engrossing example of how people really behave in the fake society of a high-pressure TV contest.