If you’ve had a chance to click through our countdown of the 20 Greatest Sci-Fi TV Shows, you’ll notice a dearth of comedies. Granted, there’s not much in science fiction that’s as funny (intentionally, at least) as No. 17, but that doesn’t mean sci-fi is good only when it’s serious. The early-’80s BBC series based on Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy saga is not only one of the funniest sci-fi shows ever made, but also honors the genre it’s parodying with a full complement of speculative thought, imaginative metaphysics, and futuristic dread and wonder. On his side of the pond, comic sci-fi TV is usually the basis for fish-out-of-water jokes — see 3rd Rock from the Sun (pictured), Alf, or Mork and Mindy — but that still performs a quintessential sci-fi task: making us see our own world through an alternative point of view. Right now, I’m happy to see that Quark is finally going to be on DVD; I have fond memories of this short-lived 1978 sci-fi spoof, which starred Richard Benjamin as the captain of an interstellar garbage scow.
I’m guessing you have your own favorite sci-fi series that didn’t make our list either. (The Time Tunnel? Kolchak: The Night Stalker?) Give your faves a shout-out below.
I can’t believe you haven’t included Stargate SG1. It’s been the longest and best sci-fi show ever and it’s much more than a classical. A little bit of respect, please, we’re talking about the great and amazing Stargate. C’mon, doesn’t anyone remember Teal’c saying “indeed” or McGyver fighting the ghoulds? Awesome
How does Futurama not make the list?
EW is seriously messed up when it comes to sci-fi.
Where’s Stargate SG-1???
I love that show!
How about Andromeda? Gene Roddenbury’s “other” series followed a similar plot to “Buck Rogers”, except that it started a few thousand years in the future.
There were superb sets, fantastic subplots that spanned several seasons, a compelling story, even the destruction of Earth!
Add to that the series had an superbly great looking cast which featured Keith Hamilton Cobb and Steve Bacic as futuristic followers of Nietzche, Kevin Sorbo as a crusading do gooder/manwhore, Lexa Doig and Lisa Ryder as the ship and first mate, former Penthouse Pet Brandy Ledford as the pink outfit donning android, Canadian Superstar Laura Bertram as a sun (you read that right) and Gordon Michael Woolvet as the plucky comic relief.
I’m still bummed out that this series got canceled after only five seasons. There was enough story left in this series to go at least three or four more…
and a bevy of sci fi stars (including a guest appearance by Galactica favorite Grace Park).
Tyler, totally agreed with you about Futurama BTW. The show served as an allegory to the modern day, which is what good sci fi is supposed to do.
There seems to be a general slant against animation in general though. The Bubblegum Crisis series was leaps and bounds more groundbreaking than the similarly themed Max Headroom, while the 80′s series “Galaxy High” played on the concept of diversity to an Nth degree much more than “Alien Nation” could dream of.
Does Millennium count?
What about ST:DS9? The show had an epic storyline about the Dominion war, to name one, and was, to my mind, more complex than TNG (although I loved the latter, too.)
I have to agree with Veronica over the lack of Stargate in your list (both original and extra-Wraithy.) Since the comment about Buck Rogers seemed to be more about how cheesy, sexist and clunky the show was, maybe it shouldn’t have been included on the list.
I also agree with tyler about Futurama. If I have the choice to watch Frye, Neela and Bender or George, Jane and Rosie, I’ll stick with the former…even if one of those flying cars would be totally sweet.
Umm hello….FARSCAPE! And I’ll second Futurama.
What, you smeg-heads don’t even think Red Dwarf qualifies?
Roswell! The show was an underrated gem.
One thing I will say is I’m glad Smallville is nowhere to be found on EW’s best sci-fi list. I hate that show with a passion.
I’m just glad MST3K is on the list. Still funny after all these years.
Doctor Who
Lost (yes I consider it sci-fi)
The X-Files (1993-1998)
Star Trek – DSN
Smallville (shameful but whatever)
Robotech. Completely revolutionary when it comes to animated sci-fi that was not made to cater to children. You had deaths of major characters and themes of love and war. Oh yes… and TRANSFORMING ROBOTS!
You have a few of my favorites — by Farscape is missing and also my new favorite Eureka. The SciFi channel must really have been having a bad day when they cancelled Farscape – It was the one show I looked forward to every week and still miss.
With Eureka you have a great quirky little town and the situations are are numerous as the levels built below the town!
Buck Rogers – are they kidding?
I even think the Jetsons and the 6 Million Dollar Man don’t belong on the list.
Instead, their spots should go to ST:DS9, Farscape, The 4400 and Futurama. Even ST:Voyager and Enterprise or Eureka deserve to be on the list before Buck Rogers, the Six Million Dollar Man and the Jetsons.
I’d also switch the #1 and #3 spots.