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Author Topic: TV Guide's top 25 cult TV shows  (Read 2061 times)
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Akito01

Bending Unit
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« on: 05-27-2004 12:11 »

Since no one else has brought this up yet:

1. Star Trek
2. The X Files
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
4. Farscape
5. Monty Python's Flying Circus
6. The Simpsons
7. The Prisoner
8. The Twilight Zone
9. Xena: Warrior Princess
10. Pee-Wee's Playhouse
11. Mystery Science Theatre 3000
12. Family Guy
13. Babylon 5
14. Beauty And The Beast
15. Quantum Leap
16. My So-Called Life
17. The Avengers
18. Doctor Who
19. Dark Shadows
20. Twin Peaks
21. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
22. H.R. Pufnstuf
23. Forever Knight
24. Absolutely Fabulous
25. Freaks And Geeks


I find myself completely puzzled by the inclusion of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, which I'd never even heard of before.  And Forever Knight, which I'd always dismissed since it was shot in my home town of Toronto by CTV, and seemed like a pretty thin take on the subject matter.  Maybe there is a cult following for that show, I don't know, but I'd definitely replace those two with the likes of Mr Show, SCTV, Fernwood Tonight, or even Robotech.

I'm still not sure about Family Guy either, though it is hard to argue with what's happened recently to revive the show.

Everything else seems to hang together alright, and I find it hard to argue with the top 3.  I never watched Buffy myself, but you'd have to be blind not to notice the huge fandom this series has.
nerdlingus

Professor
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« Reply #1 on: 05-27-2004 12:14 »
« Last Edit on: 05-27-2004 12:14 »

My arse is more cult then that list!
Damn which ever TV guide made that.  :p

Where's Garth Marenghi? 
X-files was cool though, apart from those government conspiracy eps
(although cancer man or whatever was cool).
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #2 on: 05-27-2004 12:27 »
« Last Edit on: 05-27-2004 12:27 »

They left our Fururama! Rest of the list looks alright though.

*Edit* "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" Wtf?  :laff:
EvilLunch

Professor
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« Reply #3 on: 05-27-2004 12:34 »
« Last Edit on: 05-28-2004 00:00 »

MST3K, Pee Wee, Ab Fab, the Prisoner and HR Pufnstuf.. All are great. But you guys are right. More than half of that list is painfully mainstream. If the Simpsons is cult, what does that make, say.. Max Headroom? Ubersuperdupercult? And where's Invader Zim? Or Upright Citizens' Brigade, for that matter?
Mr Fuzzywuvems

Bending Unit
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« Reply #4 on: 05-27-2004 12:47 »

Ren and Stimpy should be in there (sorry about mentioning Ren and Stimpy in every other post but I really love it and I think it deserves alot more respect).
Also, including Family Guy but not Futurama is clearly a crime against humanity.
bankrupt

Urban Legend
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« Reply #5 on: 05-27-2004 13:06 »

The Simpsons?  A show that has been on for over a decade and is one of the top (if not the top) ratings show on fox doesn't seem too "cult" to me.  Since Futurama isn't on the list, clearly the list sucks.
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #6 on: 05-27-2004 13:09 »
« Last Edit on: 05-27-2004 13:09 »

Red Dwarf?
Would you say M*A*S*H is mainstream or Cult BTW?

Well I can agree with this TV Guide slightly list better than I can with the one in that certain thread further down the page - they've obviously grown a few extra brain cells in these last few years, hmm?
Mr Fuzzywuvems

Bending Unit
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« Reply #7 on: 05-27-2004 13:11 »
« Last Edit on: 05-27-2004 13:11 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by bankrupt
:

The Simpsons? A show that has been on for over a decade and is one of the top (if not the top) ratings show on fox doesn't seem too "cult" to me. Since Futurama isn't on the list, clearly the list sucks.
I think the term 'cult' refers more to the kind of fans a show has than to it's popularity.
Star Trek is hugely successful too but I don't think anyone could deny that it's a 'cult' show.
David A

Space Pope
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« Reply #8 on: 05-27-2004 13:17 »
« Last Edit on: 05-27-2004 13:17 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Mr Fuzzywuvems:
Star Trek is hugely successful too but I don't think anyone could deny that it's a 'cult' show.

The original Star Trek was not that successful when it was first broadcast.  It was cancelled after only three seasons, you know.  It didn't become popular until long after its original run.
Mr Fuzzywuvems

Bending Unit
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« Reply #9 on: 05-27-2004 13:19 »

TNG, DS9 and Voyager are just as culty though.
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #10 on: 05-27-2004 14:58 »

what bout 'night rider'? a talking car and big dave in it what more could you ask for??
Mr.Nintendo

Bending Unit
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« Reply #11 on: 05-27-2004 15:05 »

I think 'big dave's' musical career negated that, however good the show may have been.
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #12 on: 05-27-2004 15:12 »

he must have run out of money, he is in the crappy little sky+ adverts, what a looser. i say put him back in baywatch
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #13 on: 05-27-2004 15:17 »

how in the world is friends not on there too!!
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #14 on: 05-27-2004 15:17 »

Surely Stargate SG-1, Angel and The Lone Gunmen should get mentions?

*mentions them*
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #15 on: 05-27-2004 15:38 »

starsky and hutch! the ford turino alone deserves its own mention
Mr Fuzzywuvems

Bending Unit
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« Reply #16 on: 05-27-2004 16:11 »

Also Oz,the Sopranos and American Gothic.
Gocad

Space Pope
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« Reply #17 on: 05-27-2004 16:33 »

also, where are Millennium and Space: Above and Beyond?   :nono:
wu_konguk

Urban Legend
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« Reply #18 on: 05-27-2004 16:43 »

Well I'm glad that Farscape got right up there. Some of those I would disagree with but as far as these lists go, I've seen worse.
Lurrr

Professor
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« Reply #19 on: 05-27-2004 17:59 »

Like Mr Fuzzywuvems said, 'cult' shows aren't always about popularity. They usually appeal to a certain type of audience and have dedicated fanbases. That being said, I wouldn't say the Simpsons is cult, or Buffy. But it depends how far you want to stretch the word 'cult'.

This looks to me more like a 'most popular cult shows' list. I hate the misuse of the word 'best' in these cases (although it's good to see Farscape and Babylon 5 got on there).
Klumsy Kitty

Bending Unit
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« Reply #20 on: 05-27-2004 18:55 »
« Last Edit on: 05-29-2004 00:00 »

Hmm, I was addicted to Mary Hartman back in the day, but I thought of it as a really addictive and weird Soap, not a cult show. Wouldn't Batman or the Green Hornet fit better on that list then some? I agree with whoever said this was a better list then that 50 Cartoon Characters one, this is at least arguable, as opposed to execreble.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #21 on: 05-28-2004 00:51 »

Despite its mainstream success and long length, The Simpsons makes sense as a "cult" show.  Of course its very popular in the mainstream, but think about it: what is one show that has an incredibly dedicated fan base and has one of the highest numbers of fan websites?  The Simpsons.  They didn't list it because it is purely a cult show(as it obviously isn't), but because it has inspired such a cult fanbase.  Even "Star Trek" is arguably very mainstream, but there's such a huge dedicated fanbase that it can't possibly NOT be there.  Same with The Simpsons.

Futurama probably should be there but I'm not sure.  Having the biggest fan petition ever means it probably should be there but I think ultimately the cult fanbase may just not be huge enough yet for it to work on the list.  Of course I want it to be there, and hopefully it will pick up more and more fans over the years until it is undeniably fodder for such a list.
SlackJawedMoron

Urban Legend
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« Reply #22 on: 05-28-2004 00:53 »

That's it. Time for Futurama fan international census. Then we'll see what's what.
Kryten

Space Pope
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« Reply #23 on: 05-28-2004 01:23 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Tramp:
how in the world is friends not on there too!!

Because it's the exact opposite of a cult show?
Nurdbot

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #24 on: 05-28-2004 02:18 »

Monty Python will never die in the spirit of nerds world wide.
M0le

Space Pope
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« Reply #25 on: 05-28-2004 03:06 »

Damn right. I've seen two whole Monty Python thingamabobs.
Tweek

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #26 on: 05-28-2004 05:14 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by nerdlingus:
Where's Garth Marenghi? 
That is a UK show isn't it? It probably hasn't been shown in the US so wouldn't be on the list, also it hasn't been around long enough to be considered cult.
eggsandwich

Starship Captain
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« Reply #27 on: 05-28-2004 05:43 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by nerdlingus:
X-files was cool though, apart from those government conspiracy eps

That sir, is the funniest thing I've read today. Its like saying 'Futurama is cool, apart from the whole science-fiction thing'.

'Cult TV'? I still dont have a 'proper' definition for it - so lets see what this book says (The Rough Guide to Cult TV);

 
Quote
...There is, alas, no hard scientific formula for deciding whether a TV programme is cult or not. You can pore over the definition in the Oxford Dictionary (which will invoke such ideas as religious worship, homage or fashion) but ultimately whether you preferred 'Jenny Hanley' to 'Valerie Singleton', or 'World of Sport' (with its breathtaking coverage of the World Target Clown Diving Championships from Florida) to 'Grandstand'.

But certain qualities help define whats cult. An obvious and irritating sign is that 'Four Yorkshire' moment when your peers quote huge chunks of dialogue to each other and titter. But one besotted viewer does not a cult make; it takes at least two to swap allusions and in-jokes'...
VelourFog

Space Pope
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« Reply #28 on: 05-28-2004 07:29 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Mr Fuzzywuvems:
 
Quote
Originally posted by bankrupt
:

The Simpsons? A show that has been on for over a decade and is one of the top (if not the top) ratings show on fox doesn't seem too "cult" to me. Since Futurama isn't on the list, clearly the list sucks.
I think the term 'cult' refers more to the kind of fans a show has than to it's popularity.
Star Trek is hugely successful too but I don't think anyone could deny that it's a 'cult' show.
Yeah but Star Trek also went off the air once and is now shown on the WB or UPN or whatever, which in TV terms isn't a real station.
That's probably how you could get family guy to qualify too. Now something like Aqua Teen Hunger Force would be a better Adult Swim show to contend for cult status except that it doesn't have the kind of crazy fans associated with the classification.

Simpsons has the crazy fans but it's a bit like saying that Nascar is a cult sport- too many crazy fans.

David A

Space Pope
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« Reply #29 on: 05-28-2004 08:03 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by eggsandwich:
That sir, is the funniest thing I've read today. Its like saying 'Futurama is cool, apart from the whole science-fiction thing'.

Not really.  There are two distinct types of X-Files episodes: the government conspiracy episodes, and the stand-alone episodes where Mulder and Scully are chasing after bigfoot, or the mothmen, or la chupacabra, or whatever.  Most of my favorite episodes were the stand-alone ones.
nerdlingus

Professor
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« Reply #30 on: 05-28-2004 08:49 »
« Last Edit on: 05-28-2004 08:49 »

I prefered the alien/weird monsters episodes rather than the ones involving another in depth look into government conspiracies.

Tweek : But it was intentionally made to mock cult shows or thats how it seems and sod the US anyway, the best they had was Friends.  :p

 
Quote
Originally posted by Gocad
also, where are Millennium and Space: Above and Beyond?

Yeah, and them! Millenium was dark and twisted and S:AAB was gung ho, which is cool.
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #31 on: 05-28-2004 11:03 »

The list seems to be mostly made up of SciFi cult shows. are they really the king of cult? personally i think not, the list should be streched to top 50, that way someone can put in all the ones that have been left out
SlackJawedMoron

Urban Legend
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« Reply #32 on: 05-28-2004 11:13 »
« Last Edit on: 05-28-2004 11:13 »

Sci-fi and fantasy seem to inspire devoted yet underground followings, because many people don't wanna admit that they watch it...

Star Trek is a very good example, as it is ridculously popular (or at least, profitable), yet often those who watch it are often ridiculed. But, considering the franchises succcess, LOTs of people have taken an interest in it..
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #33 on: 05-28-2004 11:16 »

Star Trek is one of those programs that you always end up watching when there is nothing decent on. does not appeal to me but credit is due as it has been going for ages
Gocad

Space Pope
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« Reply #34 on: 05-28-2004 11:52 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by David A:
 Not really.  There are two distinct types of X-Files episodes: the government conspiracy episodes, and the stand-alone episodes where Mulder and Scully are chasing after bigfoot, or the mothmen, or la chupacabra, or whatever.  Most of my favorite episodes were the stand-alone ones.

is it just me, or were most of these conspriacy episodes just...boring?
Mr Fuzzywuvems

Bending Unit
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« Reply #35 on: 05-28-2004 12:07 »

I think the cospiracy is stuff pretty boring but the X-Files wouldn't be nearly as popular without it because there are alot of people who actually believe that stuff (my friend Kyle for one).
Tramp

Bending Unit
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« Reply #36 on: 05-28-2004 12:18 »

moon landing...conspiracy?
EvilLunch

Professor
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« Reply #37 on: 05-28-2004 12:24 »

If the moon landing was really a conspiracy and was filmed on a soundstage, that'd make it the most cult of all broadcasts, wouldn't it?
David A

Space Pope
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« Reply #38 on: 05-28-2004 12:24 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Gocad:
 is it just me, or were most of these conspriacy episodes just...boring?

It's not just you.

Not only are the conspiracy episodes boring, they never resolve anything either.  At the end of the final episode, we still don't really know anything more about the conspiracy than we did in the pilot.
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #39 on: 05-28-2004 13:45 »

I loved the comedy ones, like that vampire pizza delivery one, or the time loop one, or the one with Morris Fletcher!  :laff:
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