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.
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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.
You should have made it the top 25 and added Stargate SG-1 (or both of them), Eureka, Torchwood, Futurama, and Farscape. Silly EW-ers.
In addition to the ST:DS9, ST:Voyager and ST:Enterprise, as well as Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, British imports UFO and Space:1999 should have been on the list. Also, the Irwin Allen Sci-Fi Series of the 1960’s Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space and Time Tunnel are due some consideration.
Where’s Star Trek Voyager? A hot former-borg and a kick-butt Female Captain that could wipe the floor with Sarah Palin! What more could you ask for??
Eureka & The Time Tunnel should be on this list.
Buck Rodgers & The Jetsons should not.
Yeah, I’m going to have to agree that the longest running science fiction series on American television Stargate SG-1 deserves a place on the list.
I mean definitely before Buck Rogers.
I can’t believe you left off Farscape, Star Trek: Voyager and Futurama. Especially Farscape!!
What? No “Space: Above and Beyond”? That should have EASILY been #1.
MST3K
Voyagers!
Third Rock
ALF (when I was a kid)
My Secret Identity
Out of this World (again, when I was a kid)
Misfits of Science (what is now known as Heros basically)
The Battle of the Planets, aka: G Force
Voltron
Futureama
The Greatest American Hero (it counts as sci fi because the teacher got his suit from a UFO)
UFO
BUFFY IS GONNA SLAY YOUR ASS FOR YOUR STUPIDITY. SHE HAS THE POWER AND THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THIS
Whither Farscape, EW? And I’ll throw my chips in for the Stargate collective as a whole; I like SG-1 fine, but it’s Atlantis that I really love. Both Atlantis and Farscape have amazing characterization and some serious pathos — but also delightfully funny moments that I miss from ueber-serious shows Heroes and BSG.
The Duck Dodgers series. Love that Daffy. Sarah Jane Adventures have some humorous moments & the kids really like it. Add another vote for Futurama.
Favourite all-time series: FARSCAPE
Favourite new series: TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
I love you, EW, I really do, but don’t you think the Stargate series should get a little cred for being one of the first TV shows to combine funny and deadly serious in the sci-fi genre in almost every episode, as well as being smart, imaginative and beautifully crafted, long before Lost, the new BSG, and many of the current flash in the pans like Heroes were even written? Granted, just being the longest running sci-fi series on American TV doesn’t necessarily make it great, nor does the success of its spin-off, but *why* it became the longest running sci-fi series on American TV, and why its spin-off is so popular, does.
I agree w/Eric. Why wasn’t Lost in Space on the list? Because of it, even if you think it corny, a lot of shows in the 60’s got the chance to get made. I loved that show when I was young. And although I’m not a fan I have to say that Stargate should probably belong on the list as well.