Survivor
Life is a beach, with snakes, rats and 16 unwashed contestants for company. CBS's reality game show, set on a desert island, was the year's must-watch surprise.
The Simpsons
Homer's rhetorical question about doughnuts—"Is there anything they can't do?"—goes for his family too. FOX's comedy, the longest-running sitcom on air and the longest-running prime-time cartoon ever, turned 12. And stayed funny.
The West Wing
While voting officials were sorting the wheat from the chad, a confused nation could turn to NBC's always savvy series about life in the White House.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Serenity never! Seinfeld co-creator Larry David plays himself (or a hilariously cranky, bumbling version of himself) in HBO's L.A.-based comedy.
Hopkins 24/7
ABC News's look at a real-life Baltimore hospital pulsed with more trauma and drama than ER and Chicago Hope combined.
Will & Grace
Gay man and straight woman (Eric McCormack and Debra Messing) make beautiful music on NBC's snappy sitcom, but sidekicks Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally are the real humdingers.
The Sopranos
Panic-prone mobster James Gandolfini rooted out a crime-family rat in Season 2 of HBO's badda-bing Mafia epic.
Freaks and Geeks
One of the best-reviewed shows of last season, this warm, funny NBC series about high schoolers in the '80s never made the ratings grade. It lasted seven months.
Everybody Loves Raymond
The title says it all for prime time's sweetest family sitcom, now in its fifth season on CBS. Ray Romano is the wry, rumpled household head.
Malcolm in the Middle
FOX's comedy about your average American boy genius (Frankie Muniz) and his delightfully screwball clan is even better in its sophomore season.
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