Jasmine Sahu is well suited with this new American drama exclusive to Dave.
Lois Cameron explains why this series is much more than your average cosy period drama.
The last episode of this series sees Sherlock and Moriarty attempt to solve the final problem with devastating consequences.
With major cast changes afoot, Jacob Martin ponders whether Being Human can live up to its own scarily high standard.
Shooting a real-time espionage-thriller is one hell of a premise, but could it be upheld for years? Somehow, 24 had us averting several “days” of terrorist disasters, from assassinations and nuclear bombs to viruses and nerve gas. Jack Bauer may be the most ridiculously invincible character on TV, but he doesn’t stop us from biting our nails until the last ticking second.
In a decade where comedies didn’t live up to their 90s predecessors, 30 Rock is in its own wacky witty world, although it’s only now garnering a fanbase over here. Centred on the eccentric personalities involved in the production of a Saturday Night Live-type sketch show, it’s scored several prestigious awards over the years, both in front of and behind the camera.
People’s knowledge (and paranoia) of obscure diseases will never be the same. House is a medical drama like no other – rather than focusing on the emotional ups and downs of doctors and patients alike, it makes the gripping atmosphere of finding cures more akin to an action thriller.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant tapped into a comedy goldmine when they created the mockumentary that rang true to many UK office workers and gave them a chance to laugh at their David Brent-like bosses. It was an instant hit and generated a successful (and still being aired) American spin-off.
The first promo of five women on their lawns in skimpy outfits probably raised a few sceptical eyebrows. But as housewife Mary-Alice Young narrated her own suicide in the Pilot, we were plunged into a world of suspense, intrigue and scandal – all with a backdrop of squeaky clean suburbs. With a fantastic cast and a sharp script, it’s still ratings gold.
The British cult favourite returned to critical acclaim and thrilled fans all over the world. Arguably one of the most successful science-fiction television shows of all-time, the latest reincarnation of the time-travelling Doctor has failed to disappoint.
Who knew science could be cool? Turns out when mixed with solving grisly murders, it’s so cool it generates two spin-offs. Taking a wildly different approach to the exhausted format of crime-solving detective shows, Las Vegas-based CSI breathed new life into its genre and over the years added layers of emotional depth to its investigators.
This hidden gem mostly went under the radar (both critically and ratings-wise) during its run. But in the era of DVD box-sets, people are finally discovering The Wire’s intricate take on today’s ‘city’. Set in Baltimore, each season focuses on a different aspect of urban life, from schools and government to media and drugs.
It may have only lasted two seasons, but the first incarnation of today’s TV juggernaut was a winner in every sense of the word. The public-voting singing competition format spawned 42 international counterparts in addition to still-running sister shows The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, truly clinching its status as ‘Worldwide Entertainment’.
Could it be anything else? No show in the decade has balanced action and mystery with exceptionally written characters encountering very real experiences of love, friendship and grief – along with just the right amount of the supernatural thrown in for good measure. Having driven worldwide audiences wild for six years, it’ll be a shame to see it go when it airs its final episode in May 2010.
LOST!? Seriously ahead of Prisonbreak, Supernatural, The Apprentice, Heroes?
Pffffft!
You may have discovered my dislike for Lost....
Lost is awful, House is amazing.
No Firefly?
POP IDOL BEFORE THE WIRE????? nothing should ever come before the wire... ever. I strongly recommend 'Generation Kill' by the same writers, about the invasion of Iraq from the perspectives of some marines. Bloody amazing. And Alexander Skarsgard's a fitty.
Six Feet Under? Dexter? Scrubs? Arrested Development? I could go on...
What about Top Gear? That has been one of the most popular shows of the decade and its success has been phenomenal!
I think this Top 10 is trying to cover too much. You could say Pop Idol has been very influential but its definitely not in the top 10 for anything to do with quality! If you want quality check out The Wire or Arrested Development.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention - don't be afraid to disagree and suggest your own top 10s. It's just an opinion 
Definitely agree with some of the comments, but bear in mind they should have debuted after 2000.
I weep for the lack of Band of Brothers and Monkey Dust.
I'm most definitely not a fan of this list! If it's personal preference alone then fine; if it's supposed to be about influence etc (and I'm guessing by Pop Idol beating X Factor et al that it is), I'm very surprised that Big Brother didn't make the list.. lasting from the start to finish of the decade, it most definitely had its famous moments, controversies and ever-changing popularity!
As well as those mentioned above, I'd also consider Friends, Strictly Come Dancing, Spooks, Planet Earth, Family Guy, Mock The Week, My Name Is Earl, The Daily Show, West Wing, QI, Peep Show, Dead Ringers, Harry Hill's TV Burp, the OC, Hollyoaks, Little Britain, Battlestar Galactica, the Sopranos, Mad Men, I'm A Celebrity and probably a load more - and all could have a number of perfectly valid points made about them.
Also interesting that 24 only made #50 on the Times! http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6955835.ece
Of course if we're talking about debuts after 2000 then Friends etc. won't count... but nonetheless there are serious contenders. I'd personally only include two of those ten in my list but I'm confident that it's all subjective!
I *will* watch The Wire soon, it's been sitting on my shelf for months now.
Any comments which mentioned Arrested Development (should) win a prize.
Don't forget Scrubs. It started airing at the same time as the UK version of The Office and was doing single camera comedy before 30 Rock was a twinkle in Tina Fey's eye. Everything US comedy is praised for, Scrubs was doing first.
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