<strong>"NYPD Blue" (1993)</strong>: Steven Bochco's gritty crime drama broke past established network limits for language and nudity -- and also paid attention to character.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"NYPD Blue" (1993): Steven Bochco's gritty crime drama broke past established network limits for language and nudity -- and also paid attention to character.
From Steven Bochco Productions, Inc.
<strong>"The X-Files" (1993)</strong>: Science fiction and horror have rarely gotten a fair shake on television, but Chris Carter's series was not only a hit, it created a whole alternative universe -- and fans eagerly followed.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"The X-Files" (1993): Science fiction and horror have rarely gotten a fair shake on television, but Chris Carter's series was not only a hit, it created a whole alternative universe -- and fans eagerly followed.
From Twentieth Century Fox
<strong>"Frasier" (1993)</strong>: If "dying is easy, comedy is hard," then farce -- with its slamming doors, misunderstandings and razor-sharp timing -- is brutal. But "Frasier" made it look easy.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Frasier" (1993): If "dying is easy, comedy is hard," then farce -- with its slamming doors, misunderstandings and razor-sharp timing -- is brutal. But "Frasier" made it look easy.
Chris Haston/NBC
<strong>"My So-Called Life" (1994)</strong>: Few series about teenagers had ever captured the angst of adolescence the way this series, starring Claire Danes, did.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"My So-Called Life" (1994): Few series about teenagers had ever captured the angst of adolescence the way this series, starring Claire Danes, did.
from ABC/HULU.com
<strong>"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997)</strong>: The movie wasn't much, but the depth of the TV series has led to whole college courses studying Buffy and the rest of the Sunnydale's "Scooby Gang."
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997): The movie wasn't much, but the depth of the TV series has led to whole college courses studying Buffy and the rest of the Sunnydale's "Scooby Gang."
From Twentieth Century Fox
<strong>"Freaks and Geeks" (1999)</strong>: Another series that got high school right and suffered in the ratings for it. Its cast, however -- including Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini and James Franco -- has gone on to big things.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Freaks and Geeks" (1999): Another series that got high school right and suffered in the ratings for it. Its cast, however -- including Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini and James Franco -- has gone on to big things.
Chris Haston/NBC
<strong>"The West Wing" (1999)</strong>: Aaron Sorkin partisans may prefer "SportsNight," but his series about a bold president and his energetic staff won awards and strong ratings.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"The West Wing" (1999): Aaron Sorkin partisans may prefer "SportsNight," but his series about a bold president and his energetic staff won awards and strong ratings.
Michael O'Neil/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
<strong>"The Sopranos" (1999)</strong>: A series about a psychologically troubled mob boss? Not only did it work, it helped make HBO the go-to network for high-quality television.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"The Sopranos" (1999): A series about a psychologically troubled mob boss? Not only did it work, it helped make HBO the go-to network for high-quality television.
Anthony Neste//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
<strong>"The Wire" (2002)</strong>: David Simon's five-season exploration of a city and its competing forces, with Baltimore at its center, has been called "Dickensian" by critics.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"The Wire" (2002): David Simon's five-season exploration of a city and its competing forces, with Baltimore at its center, has been called "Dickensian" by critics.
From HBO
<strong>"The Shield" (2002)</strong>: Michael Chiklis was better known as the cuddly "Commish" until he took on the role of the brutal cop Vic Mackey, and his series always kept its audience on its ethical toes.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"The Shield" (2002): Michael Chiklis was better known as the cuddly "Commish" until he took on the role of the brutal cop Vic Mackey, and his series always kept its audience on its ethical toes.
From FX Network
<strong>"Chappelle's Show" (2003)</strong>: Sure, it was a sketch show. But what a sketch show, venturing into topics -- especially race -- where high-minded dramas feared to tread.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Chappelle's Show" (2003): Sure, it was a sketch show. But what a sketch show, venturing into topics -- especially race -- where high-minded dramas feared to tread.
from comedy central
<strong>"Arrested Development" (2003)</strong>: Its creator begged audiences to watch. They never did in big numbers, but those who paid attention found a brilliant comedy that wasn't afraid of absurdist rabbit holes. A new season comes to Netflix at the end of May.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Arrested Development" (2003): Its creator begged audiences to watch. They never did in big numbers, but those who paid attention found a brilliant comedy that wasn't afraid of absurdist rabbit holes. A new season comes to Netflix at the end of May.
From Twentieth Century Fox
<strong>"Battlestar Galactica" (2004)</strong>: The original network version capitalized on "Star Wars." The 21st-century version explored the war on terror and just what it meant to be human.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004): The original network version capitalized on "Star Wars." The 21st-century version explored the war on terror and just what it meant to be human.
from NBC Universal Television
<strong>"Lost" (2004)</strong>: Fans are still arguing about the ending, but in the show's mythology and characters, they found puzzles that kept them arguing for the entire run.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Lost" (2004): Fans are still arguing about the ending, but in the show's mythology and characters, they found puzzles that kept them arguing for the entire run.
From American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
<strong>"Friday Night Lights" (2006)</strong>: Based on a best-selling book and hit movie, the TV series offered a wisdom about small towns and relationships seldom seen in the medium.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Friday Night Lights" (2006): Based on a best-selling book and hit movie, the TV series offered a wisdom about small towns and relationships seldom seen in the medium.
NBC
<strong>"30 Rock" (2006)</strong>: The pace was frantic, the references knowing and the comedy never-ending in the NBC series, which went off the air earlier this year.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"30 Rock" (2006): The pace was frantic, the references knowing and the comedy never-ending in the NBC series, which went off the air earlier this year.
from nbc universal
<strong>"Mad Men" (2007)</strong>: The 1960s, as told from the perspective of a successful New York advertising firm, has had a lot to say about then -- and now.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Mad Men" (2007): The 1960s, as told from the perspective of a successful New York advertising firm, has had a lot to say about then -- and now.
From Lionsgate Television
<strong>"Breaking Bad" (2008)</strong>: The premise: Turn Mr. Chips into Scarface. How far will audiences follow? Based on the ratings and chatter, all the way to the bitter end -- due later this year.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Breaking Bad" (2008): The premise: Turn Mr. Chips into Scarface. How far will audiences follow? Based on the ratings and chatter, all the way to the bitter end -- due later this year.
From Sony Pictures Television
<strong>"Louie" (2010)</strong>: Louis C.K.'s comedy has just as often been the saddest show on television.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Louie" (2010): Louis C.K.'s comedy has just as often been the saddest show on television.
From FX
<strong>"Game of Thrones" (2011)</strong>:<strong> </strong>HBO's multimillion-dollar gamble of a series based on George R.R. Martin's intricate books has managed to translate well to the small screen.
20 great shows from the past 20 years —
"Game of Thrones" (2011): HBO's multimillion-dollar gamble of a series based on George R.R. Martin's intricate books has managed to translate well to the small screen.
From HBO