My Top 10 Sitcoms, Dramas, and Animated TV Shows of All Time

I love TV.  I've seen quite a few TV shows throughout my life.  I have compiled a list of my Top 10  Sitcoms, Dramas, and Animated Shows.  I have seen most of these to completion.  I'll denote with an asterisk (*) if I haven't.  And there are a few shows still airing that I haven't included here, but may someday.  I might have to if I ever come back.  

First up, my Top 10 Sitcoms/Comedic Shows.  There are definitely a few that I haven't seen that a lot of people would include such as Seinfeld, Cheers, Frasier, and M*A*S*H.  Perhaps someday I'll watch those.  But for now, these are my top 10, ranked in order, from least favorite (but still like) to most favorite.

10. Rules of Engagement
I thoroughly enjoyed this show.  I caught a few bits and pieces when it was airing and liked what I saw, so I gave it a try.  I never really have been a fan of David Spade but I liked him in the role of Russell.  But I most liked Patrick Warburton and Megyn Price's dynamic as the "main" couple.  Bianca Kajlich and Oliver Hudson were good as well.  I definitely want to watch this again someday.  

9. Two and a Half Men
I'm with everyone else in the thought that it was not the same once Charlie Sheen left the show.  But it was still decent and watchable.  It just didn't have the same charm.  It'd be like if The Big Bang Theory had lost Jim Parsons.  Anyway, I loved Charlie and Allan's brotherly dynamic, and I'd like to think if I had a brother I'd have a similar relationship.  I just don't know if I'd be the Allan or the Charlie.  Probably Allan, lol.

8. The Drew Carey Show
I first got into Whose Line Is It Anyway, which is my favorite Improv show of all time.  But then, when I realized Drew and Ryan were on there, I had to watch.  And I'm glad I did.  There are some slow points and the show does get a little over the top at times, but it's still one of the most underrated sitcoms of all time in my opinion.  I'm actually currently in the middle of rewatching it since it finally got to a streaming service of some kind.  

7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
I finished watching this for the first time a month or two ago, and boy I"m glad I gave it a shot.  The ensemble cast kills it.  Who'd have thought a police detective department would be this funny?  I never thought I could tolerate a sitcom with Andy Samberg as the lead, since I find him slightly annoying.  His role on Parks and Rec drove me nuts.  But he kills it here.  Especially in the sentimental moments.  It's a little hard to believe he could snag a chick like Amy, but she has her flaws, too.  

6. The Big Bang Theory*
I might have to move this up or do a new list someday since I am currently in the middle of watching it for the first time to completion.  But I am finally doing that and I'm really enjoying it.  The humor in this show is so smart, and the writers clearly do a ton of research to get all the physics stuff in it.  And of course, Sheldon carries the show.  His character is certainly a top 10 sitcom character of all time.  

5. Parks and Rec
It's like the Office, but in some ways, better.  But I do prefer the Office.  Both Parks and Rec and The Office have their lesser quality seasons.  The Office's was at the end, and Parks and Rec's was at the beginning.  But once you hit Season 3, man this show picks up.  The additions of Ben and Chris were the best thing that could've happened to this show.  Adam Scott and Rob Lowe kill it as Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger.  I have only watched this show all the way through once (with bits and pieces seen as well), but I certainly want to watch it again.

4. Boy Meets World
I'm a little surprised it's this high, too.  But this was my coming-of-age show.  It was a little ahead of where I was in my life, but it taught me lessons I learned for the future.  I related so much to Cory Matthews growing up, and I so badly wanted my own Topanga and Shawn.  I'm currently listening to the rewatch podcast "Pod Meets World" done by Danielle (Topanga), Rider (Shawn) and Will (Eric), and I'm reliving all those memories of watching the show again.  

3. The Office
I have only watched The Office all the way through once.  I've seen chunks of episodes other times, and I've watched more scenes on YouTube than I can count.  Anyway, it's such a good show.  There's a reason a lot of people in my generation and Gen Z have seen this show many times, sometimes watching the series back to back.  The main cast is terrific and the side characters shine when given an opportunity.  It makes everyone watching want to work in a similar office environment, only to realize when we do we'll never work with a Michael Scott, Jim Halpert,  Dwight Schrute, or Pam Beesly. 

2. How I Met Your Mother
Such a well-written show.  There's never been a comedy that has jumped in time as much.  They basically had it planned from the start, and the continuity in this show is insanely good.  Like when they jump in time but manage to match up Lily's hairstyle to what it was at the time.  And the running gags, especially the ones by Barney, are... legen... wait for it...DARY!  This show holds up well and I imagine it will for a long time.  A lot of people criticize the ending, and it does disappoint me that they killed off the mother, but we, as fans, have to realize the show was about Ted's love for Robin all along.  

1. FRIENDS
This is the pinnacle for me.  Nothing will top it.  I've worn out my DVD's watching this show (not literally, but I've watched it a LOT).  I got into it in high school after catching an episode on TV.  It was in one of the later seasons at the time, but I started from the beginning, and boy was I instantly hooked.  It's hard to describe why I and so many others love this show so much.  Personally, I think it's the well-written characters and how they're performed by the six brilliant actors.  

Now for my Top 10 Animated Shows or Cartoons.  Thought I'd save the dramas for last.  A few of these I haven't seen all the way through, but I plan to (at least watch more of them if I haven't caught up).  I love animated shows.  I don't watch them enough.  Some of these are from my childhood, and some are from my adulthood.  It'll probably be easy to tell which is which.  

10. Invincible*
I still need to watch the second season, which somehow, I haven't.  But Invincible was such a good gory, vulgar, superhero show.  Great voice acting by Steven Rhee, J.K. Simmons, and Sandra Oh.  It's good for any adult superhero fan who has always wanted a bit of adult themes in their superhero cartoons.

9. Star Wars: Rebels
I was initially put off by the idea of this show because it aired on "Disney XD" and seemed to be aimed towards kids.  But boy was I mistaken, for the most part.  Yes, it's aimed towards kids, but there are some adult themes from time to time, especially in the later seasons.  Every member of the Ghost crew is lovable, from the main Ezra to Kanan, Sabine, Hera, Zeb, and of course, Chopper.  I've now seen this show twice after introducing it to my girlfriend, and I enjoyed it even more the second time.

8. Rick and Morty*
Such an intelligent, animated show.  I got into the show during its peak and I was hooked.  Once they released new episodes, I never got around to watching them.  Maybe someday.  I was put off by the allegations against Justin Roiland, the actor behind the two mains.  But when I was watching this I got very into it, getting a lot of Rick and Morty merch.

7. Pokemon: The Animated Series*
The show that accompanied the game.  I absolutely loved the first couple of seasons.  I never really got past the Johto region, but the early episodes just hit hard.  I may give them a shot someday.  I remember re-watching a bit of them when I saw them on Netflix a few years ago, but I may have to get myself back into Pokemon, complete with playing the games as well.

6. Doug (Nickelodeon)
I'm only considering the episodes of Doug that aired on Nickelodeon, which I'm sure I've seen all of.  I absolutely loved this show as a kid, relating to Doug quite well.  There's just an aesthetic to the show when it was on Nickelodeon that's just incredibly pleasing.  It's hard to explain.  This is on my shortlist of animated shows to rewatch someday.  

5. Archer*
How'd it get into my Top 5?  I'm currently in the middle of watching this series.  I had initially watched the first 5 or so seasons years ago, not too long after they'd been released.  And now I'm finally getting through the entire series.  I just love the characters: Archer, Lana, Cyril, Pam, Mallory, and yes, even Carol/Cheryl.  It's a bit over the top what Archer (and others) can survive, but that's kinda what makes it fun.  

4. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Yep, somehow this got here, too.  There's no real cohesive prevalent storyline, but you know these are all short stories (or segments of short stories) that take place during the Clone Wars of Star Wars, between Episodes II and III.  I've only seen most of the episodes once, but someday my girlfriend agreed to give this show a shot, so we'll watch it.  Someday.  

3. Family Guy*
I can say for fairly certain that Family Guy has made me laugh more than any other animated show.  Perhaps any show period.  I discovered Family Guy threw some short clips I watched online many years ago, and I got hooked.  As a Star Wars fan, I especially love their Star Wars specials, and I kinda wish they did the prequel series, too.  Oh well.  I just love the characters, the Griffin family, Peter's friends, and the entire city of Quahog that Seth McFarlane created.  I even played a mobile game for the longest time that was based on this show (Family Guy: Quest for Stuff).  

2. Hey Arnold
I learned so many life lessons from this show.  Arnold, perhaps more than any adult in my life growing up, taught me to be good and always try to do the right thing.  This is definitely a show I want to fully rewatch someday, and introduce to my kids if I have some.  It's just so good.

1. Rugrats*
Who'd have thought a show about babies would be entertaining for basically all ages?  Rugrats still holds up well to this day.  I especially love the earlier episodes and their animation style.  I related a lot to Tommy, of course, and I related his family to my own.  I learned a lot of life lessons from this show as well.  I can't say for certain I've seen ALL of the episodes of Rugrats, especially when it comes to later seasons (or the remake, All Grown Up, etc.) since they didn't seem to have the same charm as the earlier seasons, but it's still enough to make Rugrats my favorite animated show/cartoon of all time.

Now, the best for last (IMO).  The Top 10 Dramas/Action TV shows of all time.  These are scripted shows, typically 40+ minutes in length, that range from the natural to the supernatural.  Some have comedic elements, but none are known as straight up comedies or sitcoms.  Here they are:

10. Californication
I don't even recall why I gave this show a shot, but boy, I'm glad I did.  It's witty, entertaining, and despite Hank Moody (played by David Duchovny) being such a dick, you care for him.  You realize he does have a heart...deep, deep down.  But man he sure thinks with his penis most of the time.  I've thought about giving this show a rewatch soon.  It's also got a very underrated soundtrack.  And, I have to say, at times, this show made me laugh harder than maybe any sitcom on this list.  There were some moments I had to pause for several minutes because I could not stop laughing.  

9. Suits
It's not that high because I only semi-recently finished it, but it deserves to be here.  It's incredibly witty, and we as the audience get to learn about the world of corporate law along with Mike.  I've heard it's not very realistic for corporate law, but if you put that aside, it's so good.  There was a season after Rachel (Megan Markle) and Mike left and the show isn't quite as good, but the mains of Harvey, Louis, and Donna carry the show despite Mike and Rachel's absence.

8. Smallville
I've only seen it once, because I got into a Superman phase (watched all the live action movies), and so I gave Smallville a shot and I'm glad I did.  It certainly delves away from the a lot of Superman lore, but not so much that it's impossible to believe.  The worst of this was definitely when Lana and Lex got together.  Ugh.  But once Lois (Erica Durance) came onto the show, it really took off.  And Tom Welling did such a great job as Clark.

7. Shameless
Another show I've only watched once, but it was so good at its peak.  You want a dysfunctional family where the kids are basically forced to raise themselves?  This is it.  It's extremely vulgar, but it feels realistic for a family of this nature, where the parental figures are largely absent.  The show definitely fell off a bit after Fiona (Emmy Rossum) left, but the next oldest kids Lip, Ian, and Debbie picked up the slack.  And who could forget about their neighbors Kev and V?  They are perhaps the best characters in the show.  I definitely want to watch this again someday.  

6. The Mandalorian
This is the best Star Wars live action show.  I know, Andor is well-made, but I connect more with The Mandalorian, plus this show has three seasons to Andor's one.  The Mandalorian has heart, great action, and adds well to the Star Wars lore.  Each episode could almost be a small mini-Star Wars movie.  I still have only season most episodes once, but I definitely plan on rewatching this someday.  Season 3 wasn't quite as gripping as the first two, but let's hope they get back to form in Season 4.  There's also a movie coming out, which I am looking forward to.

5. Game of Thrones
I'd be hard-pressed to think of a show with a higher peak than Game of Thrones.  Its first four seasons may be the best four seasons to start any show ever.  It's so well-written, made, and acted.  I have seen most episodes twice and there's so much to pick up on in its lore and world.  Also, there has still yet to be a show (IMO) that killed off its main characters as unexpectedly and viciously like Game of Thrones did.  Unfortunately, as we all know, the show did not end on a good note, but at least the first 4-6 seasons were quality TV.

4. The Walking Dead
The show that started it all.  Like Game of Thrones, it started strong and was doing incredibly well its first 4+ seasons.  But also like Game of Thrones, it tapered off in quality the longer it went.  I have fond memories of The Walking Dead: watching it with my friends, and talking about it with them and my family.  Good times.  The show seemed to peak at the Season 6 Finale/Season 7 premiere, when Negan killed both Abraham and Glenn.  That caused massive outrage from fans for two reasons: One, they hated the cliffhanger in not knowing who Negan killed, and two, how they killed off two main characters, mainly Glenn, the way they did.  Because of this outrage, the showrunners and writers really didn't kill off any more main characters for the rest of the show's run, ruining the rest of the show's run.  But I've remained a fan of the universe for a while.  In addition to this original series, I've seen the Dead City, The Ones Who Live, and the Darryl Dixon spin-offs.  I've seen some of "Fear" but not all of it.  I'll need to give that another shot someday.

3. LOST
This was the first drama I really got hooked on.  And boy, did I.  I didn't even watch the first season live.  I remember choosing "North Shore" over LOST, and boy, was that a mistake.  But I got into LOST between the break of Seasons One and Two, and from that point on, I was hooked.  I remember recording each episode on my computer (I had a TV cable and app I could do this with) and watching them first thing in the morning.  I didn't watch them live for some reason.  Anyway, I own all the seasons, I've seen each episode around five times, and it's a show I'll never tire of.  So much mystery and intrigue surrounding the island.  Yes, not every question gets answered, but you know what?  That's life.  And a lot of people think the show didn't finish that well, but I do.  I love it from start to finish.

2. Dexter
I'm gonna make a declaration here.  There is not a single character in television history that was more suited to their actor than Dexter was to Michael C. Hall.  Dude was born to play Dexter.  You could make an argument for the main character in the TV show below, I will say.  Anyway, each season has its own interesting arc, and while the later seasons aren't quite as thrilling as the earlier ones, I still find it massively entertaining.  It's hard to write a character that kills like Dexter and make us root for them, but the Dexter writers succeeded.  I could watch Michael C. Hall as Dexter spending a normal day without any of the killing or drama, and I'd still be incredibly entertained.  The New Blood spin-off was decent, and I'm really looking forward to Original Sin and Resurrection.  

1. Breaking Bad
I had to.  Breaking Bad is the perfect TV show, as I know a lot of people would agree.  It is gripping and well-made from start to finish.  Bryan Cranston absolutely kills it as Walter White.  Who knew the silly dad from Malcolm in the Middle could act like this?  I've seen BB I think three times now, and I know I'll keep rewatching it to the end of my days.  The Better Call Saul spinoff was almost as good, although I didn't want to put a spin-off on this list.  Anyway, Breaking Bad is the perfect TV drama, and it ended at just the right time.  Find a major fault with this show, I dare you.  You can't.  It's virtually flawless.