I think it best to start with the basics, in this case a comprehensive list of what I find to be the best television has to offer.

*Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Joss Whedon is brilliant! As good as David Yates has been for the Harry Potter film series I was in full support of Joss to helm Deathly Hallows, I have resigned to that fact that he will not be, but I wanted to throw that out there for any other fans to consider--of course none of that has anything to do with television.  Anything from Joss is bound to be incredible, though I am primarily a Buffy-fan.  It is after all the show that introduced me to the Whedonverse.  Buffy is arguably the strongest female lead in the history of television and she looks good doing it too.  Bonus points, for witty allusions, resonance and incredibly well thought out plot.  Whedon knew what was coming in season five long before the Buffy and Angel  heartbreak of season two.  Fabulous from pilot to finale.  To quote Ken Tucker on the end of the series, "here endth a magnificant series magnificantly."

*Friends--The quintessential sitcom.  Spending half an hour with Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Ross, Chandler, and Joey just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  The sheer comedic force of the group is enough to keep you laughing time after time.  The episode entitiled, The One With The Embryos, is evidence of that fact.  I've seen the episode more times than I care to admit and never once has it failed to bring a tear to my eye--because of all the laughing of course.  

Ross:   Monica and I had a grandmother who died, you both attended her funeral.  Name that Grandmother!

                                                                                                                             
*Gilmore Girls--The mother and daughter duo that every woman in America wishes she were a part of.  The great strength of Amy Sherman-Palladino's show is that it is unabashedly itself.  Lorelai and Rory speak rapidly and make pop culture allusions that at times boggle even the most deft media minds.  Even if the wit and charm of ringleaders Lorelai and Rory failed the terrific supporting cast would pick up the pieces. 

*Malcolm in the Middle--What a wondefully quirky half-hour.  The eccentricities of this family are limitless and never cease to entertaining; from Lois's unyielding battles against those who have done her wrong, to Hal's fixation on destroying whoever his current nemesis maybe, Dewey's bizarre talents, Resse's culinary skills, Francis's misadventures, and Malcolm's inner struggle with his intelligence and his outer struggle with family, this show cannot miss. 
*Grey's Anatomy--A one time way to wind down after the orginally superiror Desperate Housewives, which fell into what was an irredeemable slump for me after a lackluster second and ridiculous third season, quickly became the main attraction on Sunday nights.  At this point I doubt that there is anyone who doesn't know about the mass appeal of Grey's--and hey, I want to see Meredith and McDreamy work things out for good, just like everyone else.

*The OC and Beverly Hills, 90210--Rich, pretty kids with ugly problems.  It is a rare person who does not get caught up in the drama and tension of first-rate prime-time soaps like these.  Admittedly, both of these gems stumbled in their later seasons, but when it was good it was great.

*Criminal Minds--I am a long time CSI (vegas of course, and more recently new york) fan, but as time wears on I find these shows slowing down.  No longer are the episodes of the calibur they once were--the reruns on Spike tv are the episodes to watch, marathon quality stuff.  Yes, the Sara-Grissom thing is interesting, but the CSI franchise no longer offers the thrill that I consistantly get while watching Criminal Minds.  This show really came into it's own with the first season finale, and now in it's third season it is going stronger than ever.

*October Road--Again, I am a sucker for unrequited passion and small town charm, (see Gilmore Girls for the small town vibe and every show but Malcolm and Criminal Minds thus far for passion).  In this case it's Nick and Hannah who've got me hanging on.  Throw in a killer soundtrack and a full on air band that makes regular apperances and you'e got a viewer out of me.

*Seinfeld--As everyone knows, this little show about 'nothing' is really quite something.  Need I say more than, Puffy Shirt, Festivus, Junior Mint, Soup ****, and Magic Lougie?

*Arrested Development--The peak of wit.  This sadly cancelled, much beloved, and oft morned sitcom, is not overrated in the least.  Absurdity and hilarity live here. 

*Sex and the City--A crowning achievent for HBO, many think it is that it is to women what The Sopranos is to men.  This is true to an extent, Tony Soprano and Carrie Bradshaw are certainly iconic, and in most cases people of either gender would identify more with one or the other; but I don't find the shows to be gender exclusive.  I know a number of men who watched Sex and the City and even more women who watched The Sopranos.  Regardless of it's audience Sex and the City was successful enough to spawn a film--that might actually be good--and leave in it's wake a trail of fakes and waanabes, though it's fanbase is as dedicated as ever.l

*Breaking Bad--I've only seen a few episodes, but it is phenominal so far.  The show is raw and at times difficult to watch, despite it's abrasiveness it it thoughoughly engrossing.  Bryan Cranston is at his best.