The Greatest SF Series of the 20th Century

[peter noble]

Pick 10 and the scores will be compiled to make a definitive list.

(Only series that lasted 12 episodes and over are included)

Alien Nation (1989-90)

Andromeda (2000-05)

Amazing Stories (1985-87)

Automan (1983-84)

Babylon 5 (1993-98)

Battlestar Galactica (1978-79)

The Bionic Woman (1976-78)

Blake’s 7 (1978-81)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-81)

Crusade (1999)

Dr Who (1963-89)

Earth: Final Conflict (1997-2002)

Earth 2 (1994)

Farscape (1999-2004)

First Wave (1998-2001)

Gemini Man (1976)

The Greatest American Hero (1981-83)

Hard Time on Planet Earth (1989)

The Immortal (1970-71)

The Invaders (1967-68)

The Invisible Man (1975-76)

The Invisible Man (2000-02)

Land of the Giants (1968-70)

Lexx (1997-2002)

Logan’s Run (1977-78)

Lost in Space (1965-68)

The Man From Atlantis (1977-78)

Max Headroom (1987)

Men Into Space (1959-60)

The Outer Limits (1963-65)

The (New) Outer Limits (1995-2002)

Planet of the Apes (1974)

The Powers of Matthew Star (1982-83)

Prey (1995-98)

The Prisoner (1968-69)

Project UFO (1978-79)

Quantum Leap 1989-93)

The Ray Bradbury Theater (1986-92)

Salvage One (1979)

Science Fiction Theatre (1955-57)

seaQuest DSV/2032 (1993-96)

Seven Days (1998-2001)

The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-78)

Sliders (1999-2000)

Space: Above And Beyond (1995-96)

Space 1999 (1975-77)

Stargate SG-1 (1997-?)

The Starlost (1973-74)

Starman (1986-87)

Star Trek (1966-69)

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)

Tek War (1994-96)

The Time Tunnel (1966-67)

Time Trax (1993-94)

The Twilight Zone (1959-64)

The (New) Twilight Zone (1985-87)

The Twilight Zone (Syndicated) (1988-89)

UFO (1969-70)

V (1984-85)

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964-68)

Voyagers! (1982-83)

War of the Worlds (1988-90)

World of Giants (1959-60)

The X-Files (1993-2002)

[gmd3d]

I have put these in an order that I think have had the greatest impact ,

1: The Twilight Zone (1959-64) .because most of the ideas where tried here first

2: The Outer Limits (1963-65) sames as above

3: Star Trek (1966-69) .This show lifted the standard (at least the 1 and 2 seasion

4: The Time Tunnel (1966-67) just a good time show entertainment at its best 60
style.

5: Battlestar Galactica (1978-79) A short lived show but it told a new story about
possible brothers of man (and women) fighting to survive.

6: Gemini Man (1976) (Ah this is a show I loved growing up) another short lived
show but Ben Murphy the lead actor was a character I like. (kind of reminds me
of Ben Bower).

7:Space 1999 (1975-77) This Sci-fi gem from my side of the pond..
A ultra relistic space show styled after Space Oddyssey with model effect that
still holds up well today.

8: Stargate SG-1 (1997-?) What can one say about SG1, nothing bad anyway
one of the best show's since Star Trek's KIRK SPOCK MCCOY . team up's
to have a not only 3 top personalitys to take top billing but in this they have 4
great charactors in the top spot.. you just want to see more of them.

9: The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-78) diiid didd ddidid biong ... 70mph . God how
we all watched this on a Saturday morning (still do ) looking back it funny
remembering seeing lots of kids running in slow motion pretending to be going
70 mph .. diid didd diiid didd ddidid biong..

10: Quantum Leap 1989-93) Sam becket (not sure about spelling) a men who
jumps through time and inhabits the bodys of people past and tries to fix what
once went wrong .. best episodes where when he played a women and that
was just hilarious.

There where other great show's some I would like in this to ten . other very few I have never heard off.


Logan’s Run (1977-78) I loved this show while it lasted

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-81) Larson other great show forget the 2
series apart from HAWK .. and Eirn Gray ....

Blake’s 7 (1978-81)


ah the list goes on .. but thats my ideas..

[WarMachine]

The edited version: Listed in no particular order.....I had to go over the 10 item limit, as several of these shows deserve mention, IMNSHO.......Note also that I am adding Firefly...

I left Firefly on as an 'Honorable Mention'; each of the first ten are unique and significant in their own way, but Firefly definately deserves mention, for its cinematography, if nothing else...Besides, if Andromeda and SG1 can make the list, why shouldn't "The Little Ship That Could"?

Originally Posted by peter noble

Pick 10 and the scores will be compiled to make a definitive list.

(Only series that lasted 12 episodes and over are included)

1. Andromeda (2000-05)

2. Babylon 5 (1993-98)

3. Battlestar Galactica (1978-79)

4. Earth: Final Conflict (1997-2002)

5. The Outer Limits (1963-65)

6. Space: Above And Beyond (1995-96)

7. Stargate SG-1 (1997-?)

8. Star Trek (1966-69)

9. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

10. The Twilight Zone (1959-64)

1. The first couple of seasoncs were excellent sci-fi, but after about mid-season 3, it just degenerated.

2. Although I never caught Season 5, the first four were what sci- fi is all about: challenging views, and exploring great stories

3. Do I really need to mention this?

4. Like Andromeda, EFC lost its way after about Season 3, as the writers increasingly wrote themselves into a corner; a good effort

5. One of the classics, this entire run is still totally watchable

6. One of my personal favs, this is one of those shows violated by the Fox Network, who couldn't keep a sci-fi show on the air to save their lives. It had a few continuity issues that were utterly resolvable, but is in my opinion CBSGs equal in all respects.

7. Even though this shows has some serious technical and continuity issues, its first 5-6 seasons are first rate; once the Goa'uld were removed as a threat, they should have let it die gracefully.....

8. ST/TOS set the standard for everyone else to follow: it was cutting edge in science and tech concepts, and explored political and racial issues with great flair

9. Hands down, the best of the post-TOS ST series', especially "In The Pale Moonlight" -- way. cool.

10. Right there with the original Outer Limits; one of the best TV sci-fi shows ever

Special Mention: Firefly. Hands down, the best sci-fi show since B5 and SAAB, it too was very badly treated by Fox TV -- the movie is cool, too

[LadyImmortal]

Firefly isn't a 20th century show, babe, it's a 21st century show (that's why GINO and a couple of other shows weren't mentioned)

And we really do need only the top 10, please!

--Rhonda

[Fragmentary]

Here's my list, in no particular order. And this is my list of the Greatest SF shows NOT my personal favorites. That's a big distinction.

Star Trek
Let's be honest. It set the formula that most successful SF shows have followed since.

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Effectively resurrected the genre after a long period mediocrity. We wouldn't have what we have now if this show hadn't come along.

X-Files
Showed everyone that SF could be popular in mainstream circles, not just with the convention geeks. If a major network greenlights a SF show, its because someone somewhere reminded them of X-files.

Battlestar Galactica
Because it is.

Doctor Who
Longest running SF series on TV. What more do you need to know?

The Prisoner
One of the best written TV shows period. You doubt? Rent it.

Lost in Space
Popular family friendly programming that appealed to fans of the genre and non-fans alike.

Original Twilight Zone
Some of the most creative mind bending genre writing on or off the screen.

Original The Outer Limits
People are still using concepts from this show. Ground breaking stuff that pushed a new way of using TV to tell stories.

V (mini-series)
The ongoing series was weak and never lived up to the potential of the mini. But for just a moment there, everyone in America was a sci-fi fan. And it wasn't just space opera, it was allegory too. The best of both worlds for SF fans.

[BRG]

My top 10 favs.

1. Star Trek TNG
2. Babylon 5
3. Star Trek
4. Doctor Who
5. The X Files
6. Battlestar Galactica
7. Quantum Leap
8. V
9. Star Trek DS9
10. SeaQuest DSV

BRG

[LadyImmortal]

(Please put them in order! Thanks!)

--Rhonda

[zankoku]

1. The Prisoner (1968-69)

2. Star Trek (1966-69)

3. Battlestar Galactica (1978-79)

4. Space 1999 (1975-77)

5. Dr Who (1963-89)

6. Stargate SG-1 (1997-?)

7. The Twilight Zone (1959-64)

8. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964-68)

9. The Outer Limits (1963-65)

10. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94)


Jim

[Tabitha]

Im still thinking about this one, but was Logans Run a series? Sorry born in 85 so some of this stuff happenned before i could spell TV much less watch it.

tabbi

[WarMachine]

Originally Posted by Tabitha

Im still thinking about this one, but was Logans Run a series? Sorry born in 85 so some of this stuff happenned before i could spell TV much less watch it.

tabbi

Yep....unfortunately. It was pretty bad. The movie was exceptionally cool, but it was one of those things that needed to be done verrrrry carefully to work on TV.

It wasn't.

[LadyImmortal]

I vaguely remember seeing a couple of episodes of Logan's run as a tv series but I'm much more familiar with the movie... which was cool!

[WarMachine]

Originally Posted by LadyImmortal

I vaguely remember seeing a couple of episodes of Logan's run as a tv series but I'm much more familiar with the movie... which was cool!

Two words: Jenny Agutter

[gmd3d]

Originally Posted by WarMachine

Two words: Jenny Agutter

Oh yes ....... Jenny

[BRG]

Originally Posted by WarMachine

Two words: Jenny Agutter

Oh yes! Jenny Agutter in that short skirt, with her posh accent! SWEET.
BRG

[Zenislev]

My top ten shows!

#1. Battlestar Galactica (1978-79)
#2. Stargate SG-1 (1997-?)
#3. SeaQuest DSV/2032 (1993-96)
#4. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
#5. Babylon 5 (1993-98)
#6. Blake’s 7 (1978-81)
#7. Quantum Leap 1989-93)
#8. Dr Who (1963-89)
#9. Lost in Space (1965-68)
#10. Planet of the Apes (1974)

[3DMaster]

The first one is easy:

1. Star Trek (duh)

2. Star Trek - Deep Space Nine (strictly speaking I consider it better than the original, but in this poll the one who started it all gets extra props.)

3. Highlander (Swords, asskicking, Quickenings and fantastic stories, and insight into humanity, what more do you want?)

4. Battlestar Galactica (Despite the low budget, and screwing of the studio; it gets a big one for potential)

5. Babylon 5.

6. Star Trek - The Next Generation

7. The Twilight Zone

8. V

9. Alien Nation

10. The Outer Limits

[KamikazeAthena]

Back to aprevious post on Logan's Run - The TV Series. It featured Heather Menzies, who had previously worked with Dirk Benedict in "SSSSSSS"

[Damocles]

1. Original Twilight Zone-even the gonzo episodes were well written.
2. Red Dwarf!http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/, why does anyone not mention this?
3. Original Outer Limits-competed successfully with Rod Serling. That is quality.
4. Babylon 5 brought the novel to television idea to science fiction with a richness in writing and attention to science(yes science!) that proves JMS is more than some gonzo producer of "Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future"http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/6213/
5. Doctor Who-the TARDIS is just amazing!
6. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea/Lost in Space-(I can't help it, I loved this!), VttBotS and Lost in Space were the originators of 1960's campy science fiction. Before both series turned hard left into the ridiculous, Irwin Allen stuck close to the science in his fiction. Compare the Jupiter Two to the space cruiser in "Forbidden Planet:" Seaview was a nuclear sub on steroids. Seaquest compared to it was a joke.
7. Lexx-Quite a gonzo series in the spirit of Red Dwar!
8. ST/TOS-the other series inspired by "Forbidden Planet"
9. Battlestar Galactica (Original) It will outlast Star Trek because of the damage that Berman/Bragga et al did to the FRANCHISE. Can you say "Voyager"?
10. StarGate SG-1-if the writers can kill it gracefully; it promises to become the basis of a mythos in its own right with considerable legs but without the derision that many now approach the United Federation of Planets.

On a personal note;
I regard the following with extreme loathing as the five worst Captains in descending order of competence in science fiction;
Captain "Ben not Jim" Psycho.
Captain Jean "I'm not Luke" Leotard.
General "Left the Court" Lefcourt-the idiot responsible for the Earth/Minbari war
Captain "Katty" Lameway
Captain "I wish I was Captain John Sheridan instead of Captain Quantum Leapus" Archer

There is only one Captain besides the Heroes: Sheridan and Ivanova;

http://www.starfleetlibrary.com/bios/james_t_kirk.htm

Best wishes,

[Krystal]

My favorites 10 are:

1- Battlestar Galactica (1978-79)

2- Stargate SG-1 (1997-?)

3- Space 1999 (1975-77)

4- Logan’s Run (1977-78)

5- The X-Files (1993-2002)

6- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

7- Space: Above And Beyond (1995-96)

8- Farscape (1999-2004)

9- Sliders (1999-2000)

10- Andromeda (2000-05)

Krystal

[axg423]

I won't disagree with any of the shows listed but let me add a few more. I think I'm older than most of the fans in here, so let me list some other shows from the 1949-1960 time period, which I enjoyed.

Captain Video & the video rangers
Tom Corbett Space Cadet
Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (Cliff Robertson)
Space patrol
Science Fiction Theater
Tales of Tomorrow
Rocky Jones Space Ranger
Captain Midnite
Captain Z-ro(time travel) Sunday mornings
World of Giants - not to be confused with Irwin Allen's Land of the Giants
Men into Space - more science possible/probable
Serials from the 30's & 40's - hosted by Buster Crabbe, 1 chapter/day, at least in the NY, NJ, CT tristate area
There was another Sunday morning show that was similar to the original Blackhawk comic book charaters but I can't remember the name
And of course, Superman

Some of the above were live action.

If there are any others from that time period, please list them.

Alan