Radio Times

January is the cruellest month, and I don't care that TS Eliot claimed otherwise. (April? Cruel? Pah.) It's drab, dark, bleak, miserable; Christmas has been and gone and the loft is closed on the decorations for another year.

But wait! Television has candles to light the darkness because, traditionally, it's become the time of year when the cream of US TV shows return to our screens. This week 24, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: New York and Law & Order are back, and life is just a bit more shiny.

The galvanising effect of US dramas has long been a feature of many lives here in the UK, and was greatly in evidence when RT's experts came to drawing up a list of our 20 favourites, exchanging memories and enthusiasms. Even now, all these years later, stumbling across an ancient Cagney and Lacey on a dinky little cable channel makes me smile with anticipation.

Like American films, American dramas are sprinkled with stardust, which they ought to be as the US industry is vast and awash with money. They tell good stories, too, and don't get distracted by the tedious byway marked "characterisation", the death of many a story in UK dramas.

That doesn't mean we don't get to know anyone. Look at Mad Men and Damages, pieces of shimmering brilliance whose lead characters only gradually reveal themselves over, admittedly, fairly long runs of the type we just don't tackle here. Even in long-runners like the Law & Order "franchise" we get to know regular characters through plot, rather than heavy-handed attempts at revelation. That's how it should be.

There's a boldness, too, about US dramas and their concepts. Just look at The X-Files, Twin Peaks, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, The Wire - whether fantasies or rawly realistic slices-of-life, they breathe authenticity.

1. ER - roving cameras, more plotlines than a suburban allotment, and a dazzling sense of theatre

2. Hill Street Blues - it redefined both police drama, and TV drama in general

3. The Sopranos - this was television as high art

4. The X-Files - FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully's platonic relationship was exquisitely nuanced

5. Twin Peaks - the ultimate cult series

6. CSI - the biggest TV franchise in the world took the tenets of the police procedural and went hi-tech

7. Star Trek - no other series on this list has morphed into such an enduring cultural phenomenon

8. Mad Men - it's the scarcely concealed turmoil of the characters within it that is so gripping

9. Damages - Glenn Close has found the ideal berth for her latter career as shady litigator Patty Hewes

10. thirtysomething - small-screen catnip for the "me" generation

11. Murder One - a single murder case for an entire series - the pitch was irresistible

12. House - while Britain wasn't paying attention, America discovered that Hugh Laurie was a brilliant straight actor

13. Battlestar Galactica - does what good sci-fi should - comment on the present by writing about the future

14. The West Wing - it remained enduringly popular at a time when reality TV was all-conquering

15. 24- - 24 honed TV drama down to a point where there was nothing left but action, suspense and shocks

16. NYPD Blue - audiences were treated to a performance as good as any in TV history from Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz

17. Six Feet Under - death was merely another fact of life, grappled with over five sensational season

18. Dallas - the primetime soap that defined American television for a whole generation of Brits

19. Cagney and Lacey - Christine and Mary-Beth made screen history as the first pair of female leads in a US drama

20= Law & Order - the longest-running primetime drama on US TV has now fathered two successful spin-offs

20= The Wire - OK…we're cheating, but we just couldn't leave this one off our list. Bleak, elegiac, real.

What do you think of this list - is your favourite here? Which shows would you have included? Post a comment below.

**

Alison Graham is TV editor of Radio Times.

this debate could go on forever! it's all a matter of taste in the end i guess. for what it's worth, here's my top ten: 1-the wire (best conceived, written and performed show i've ever seen), 2-oz (outstanding ensemble cast), 3-deadwood (ian mcshane's 'al swearengen' is extraordinary!), 4-rome (all-british cast but made by hbo - brilliant!), 5-mad men (in a word - fascinating!), 6-damages (glenn close - best female performance i've seen), 7-carnivale (weird but so addictive!), 8-battlestar galactica (sci-fi at it's best), 9-friday night lights (unknown in the uk, but catch it on the web if you can - high-school american football drama. seriously deep), 10-homicide,life on the streets (the best show of the 90's). incidentally, you don't have to wait for any of these to come on tv or out on dvd. if you go to the website 'surfthechannel.com', you can watch them all on the net for free!

Without Lost, this list cannot be seen as credible.

The one show that i think is most forgotten and in fact in some cases unheard of is Oz, it is an amazing life and if anyone likes Prison Break Season One (which lets face it was the best one) then they would love this. its a HBO program so longer episodes and the cast is amazing, many new shows have recognizable cast members when it comes to Oz as a lot seemed to gain their fame from this. The bet show ever created in my opinion

part of five, anyone?

I'm coming late to this discussion online, but I did read the list at the time in RT. I wasn't surprised that Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles didn't appear, but I may as well use this opportunity to mention the fact that this awesome series has been almost completely ignored by RT - I think coverage of the two series has amounted to a single postage-stamp sized item in an issue last year.

Initially I was going to say that maybe it should have been a top 50 list and not just a top 20 list, as like many others I found myself wondering why certain US dramas were not on the list. Then I realised that the reactions from people wouldn't have been so very different to the reaction to the original top 20 list only people would instead be saying things like "Why is Buffy only at number 33 it ought to be much higher!". Having been in the US there is, despite all the money, a huge amount of dross on their TVs, far more, I would argue, in percentage terms than we have to suffer and in my opinion that is because only commercial TV is the main driving force there. However, their gems are pure gold and by and large it is the gems we get to see. I would argue that we get a slightly skewed view of US tv as a result. Overall the quality of our tv is much better. When it comes to dramas I don't think it is a case of who is better per se - UK or US - but of celebrating each others strengths. There is a place for fast paced, slick plot driven drama that the US seem to excell at, but there is also a place for character driven drama, which I would say we are much better at. However, plot driven dramas still need credible characters and character driven dramas still need good plots so it is not really a case of "one or the other" just of who is better at producing the drama with a particular emphasis. I think both US and UK drama should be celebrated and we should be cheering the fact that in at least one area of British life we are not slavishly following America.

Anyone remember the Paper Chase about law students with John Houseman as their formidable professor. Seem to remember at the time I thought it was excellent.

Soap. How I loved that. And I still hum the tune.

i nnneeedddd help for drama homework.....how has tv changed since the 1980s?

ER - totally the best programme ever (American or British) What will I do when this last series finishes? NYPD Blue a very close second. And yes I agree that Dennis Franz was amazing!

Agree with many of these posts about omissions from the list - especially NCIS,St Elsewhere and Homicide, Life on the Streets and Medium.

Also, what about Chicago Hope and 3rd Watch.

It seems all US progs go at a cracking pace without losing anything of plot or characterisation. Makes most of our UK stuff look plodding and over-complicated!

Although I'm happy with one of my favourite shows (ER) being in the number one spot, I simply can't understand the absence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Its good ratings on BBC2 led to its slot being called 'the Buffy slot' even after it'd finished. Radio Times' favourite UK show (new Doctor Who) owes so much to Buffy both as inspiration for the writers and for the mix of humour/drama/supernatural that the show (and many others) now employ with varying degrees of success (I'm looking at you Demons). Buffy is still fresh now and had some of the best twists, character arcs and emotional episodes on television. I like Six Feet Under but I don't think any episode of television has ever made me think about death like Buffy's The Body. Also lets not forget the genius of the dialogue-less episode or the musical. I can't single out any show on the list to remove as I'm sure they're all beloved by someone but Buffy has an enduring appeal and legion of fans that stand as testament to it's quality.

The West Wing should be No. 1, followed by Hill Street Blues and ER.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer should be in there. Hugely influential. Joss Whedon took what should be a silly teen show and turned it into a look at the trials and tribulations of growing up and the changing responsibilities that brings, laced with a wit not often seen in television.

I've tried, and failed, to watch several of those on the list! The only two I stayed with were 'Dallas' and 'Cagney and Lacey' and those were on eons ago! I realise that dates me, but I do love 'Gavin and Stacey', so I don't think I'm a fuddy-duddy!!!

I can't believe that the legendary 60s series The Fugitive wasn't on the original list or hasn't been mentioned since. Its audience figures were massive on both sides of the Atlantic.

Bones shuld be top of the list!

Dexter should definitely be on the list. In fact let's get rid of a load of British rubbish and have more American TV shows instead.

"Six Feet Under" after some stupid programmes like "24" or "CSI"? Time for a sanity check!

Not a bad list, but does it deserve "CHEERS"!!!

Who would have thought that Bertie Wooster was to become a sex symbol?! House is brilliant, Hugh Laurie is excellent (I would go so far as to say I am a little bit obsessed!). My only criticism of US dramas is they go on so long. 24 episodes is a rather big commitment!

I think NCIS should be on the list as it is an excellent programme. I love it.

We should note the incredible dialogue and subtle characterizations of Judging Amy, as good as TV drama has ever been.

I'd happily watch all of these again from episode 1 instead of almost anything recently home grown and consider my licence fee worth every penny.

I adore US TV, some would say am obsessed! I loved this week's Radio Times US feature, and have read the above lists of missed programmes with interest. The shows that I think are missing are The Shield, Homicide Life on the Streets, Criminal Minds, The Closer which I love, St. Elsewhere, L A Law, Bones, Cold Case, Medium, Close to Home, Without A Trace, Northern Exposure, NCIS, Numbers, the magnificent Entourage, and I can't believe Boston Legal isn't on there! Some of the above were good for one or 2 Series but has now become tedious and samey, House being one, and 24 - I can no longer invest the time to watch it. It's about time Lost came to a conclusion, it has got too silly. I can't watch CSI Miami any longer it has become too stupid. Whereas Boston Legal is different witty and amusing every time. Did nobody watch Intelligence (I know it was Canadian)it was a brilliant series. I also loved Reaper. Not a fan of Big Love, Brothers and Sisters, but then I didn't like thirtysomething. I also can't believe you forgot LA Law. I also love Desperate Housewives, but too many series now, and Ugly Betty, but also not classics. And finally what about Sex in The City - great series while it lasted and came to a natural end at the right time. The only UK TV which I love as much and have inspired the same loyalty and adoration is The Bill, and Casualty.

Can't believe that Without a Trace & Criminal Minds weren't mentioned ????

The West Wing below two of the most boring, unimaginative and formulaic programmes ever to lumber onto screen -CSI and House? What is this insanity?

Miami Vice should probably be there somewhere, also. Certainly if we're counting CSI!

I can agree with a number of programs being on that list, some were unfortunately before my time so I can't venture a criticism. Battlestar Galactica (modern version) was incredible for about two seasons and it used to be my favourite show but since then the quality has really gone down. I don't think the show ever recovered from season 3 as evidenced by it's cancellation (it was cancelled, anyone who says overwise is just acting naive). Still, I am looking forward to its conclusion although I curse the the heads of the sci-fi channel for stretching it out like this. If I couldn't watch the episodes over the internet free of adverts I would have stopped watching by now.

Firefly is the big glaring omission for me. My top 20 would also include Starsky & Hutch, Columbo, Kolchak: The Nightstalker, The Invaders, Blood Ties and Smallville.

What about Prison Break.It has not been mentioned yet. How about a top 50 list.

generally agree with them but 2 things-the placing of ER as number 1-get serious ahead of star trek and the sopranos and the biggest ommission, DEADWOOD, the best scripted, acted and filmed in a generation

Should be on the list:

----------------------

Deadwood

The Shield

Columbo

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Dexter

Chicago Hope

UK dramas to match and better:

------------------------------

I, Claudius

Secret Army

GBH, Jake's Progress, or anything else from Alan Bleasdale House of Cards trilogy A Very Peculiar Practise Lipstick On Your Collar, and a lot more from Dennis Potter Robin of Sherwood Sharpe The Prisoner Agatha Christie's Poirot Sherlock Holmes (Cushing or Brett) Inspector Morse, and its spin-off, Lewis Rebus, Messiah, The Vice, pretty much anything with Ken Stott The Day of the Triffids Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (and Smiley's People too) Doctor Who Blake's 7 Ultraviolet The Forsyte Saga Cardiac Arrest

I don't understand why nobody's commented on the fact that The Wire, arguably the best TV show of the last 10 years (or, as numerous people have said, ever), is only in 20= position. If you think it only just about merits a top 20 position, you clearly know nothing about television.

Tour Of Duty?

Surprised, given its influence on The Wire (and yet not, given how it was buried by Channel 4)that Homicide: Life on the Streets was not high on this list.

HBO's OZ was the first real made-for-cable series, and it inspired the gritty stuff we see in television this days. It would definitely make my top 20. LOST should be included also, as it has been the Twin Peaks for the 21st Century. THE SHIELD, starring Michael Chiklis, was similar to The Wire in that it showed us a new perspective in the cop show drama. It could be in there for sure. Though short-lived, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT should also be included. Not only was it probably the most consistently funny show on television, but it also gave us stars like Michael Cera and Jason Bateman. Best US comedy in my opinion. I'm sure there are others that should be included, but in truth American TV has been fantastic for years, and continues to come up with the goods. We should really take more from what they do over there.

Surely the most glaring omission is Lost?! Innovative, intelligent and a great mystery.

please - buffy? we're talking best not silliest!!!! that goes for NCIS, without a trace and betty too, much as i love them.

I do agree about the sheild however - great telly.

P.S - shouldn't Twin Peaks top the list, without that how many of these would exist?

I agree with Frank on 'Big Love, with Bill Paxton Harry Dean Stanton et al. I demand series two from channel Five.you can't abandon a HBO gem like that

Definately think that Homicide: Life on the Streets should have been there also The Shield.

Serious ommissions - NORTHERN EXPOSURE, NYPD BLUE and the incomparable MY SO-CALLED LIFE.

Surely 24 needs to be in the top 5!!

This is probably the most groudbreaking drama in your list..

Where was NCIS or Without a Trace, both great american tv

Babylon 5 deserves a mention. It was superb.

Iwould have also included Quantum leap, Sliders, and Alias , these were some of the best sci fi seies to come out of the us.

Hi, I would agree that there are more quality dramas on us tv than well since I started watching tv. I am a big fan of many of many of the shows in your list. But I never watched Dallas, except for one of the feature length thingies. I certainly the more complex shows of nowadays to stuff like THe High Chaparall, and Bonanza, Hawaai five O. I remember getting fed up with the same thing in and out regarding hawaai five o. Then i discovered Hill Street Blues. I would say that is the show that changed American dramatic tv. I was Surprised that Stephen Bochco was not entered into the American Tv hall of fame. I believe he has as much right to be there as Rod Serling. Of course there were some shows back then and before which were quality. I'm thinking in terms of dramatic shows-Police story, The defenders, Columbo. I didn't like this at first, because I was more into the action type stuff, but it grew on me. The live plays. I guess this was one of the reasons Rod Serling was inducted into the Tv hall of fame. Now, getting up to date. Oz was a great show. My favourite is the X files. Some magazines rate The Wire as the best show ever. But I think Deadwood was better. I guess what I'm saying is I got fed up with the forumlaic shows, although having said that, I do like the csi and law and order stuff.

where was desperate housewives or ugly betty technically they are dramas as well as comedies, and also C and l at 18 is a joke as is no la law

Mostly, I love this list - it was great to see The X-Files in there - sci fi shows are too often overlooked - where IS Buffy by the way? I don't own a TV at the moment (it's horrible) - but I bought the magazine anyway when I saw the cover - US TV does rule! I agree there are too many shows missing - M*A*S*H, Starsky & Hutch, Quantum Leap, L&O: SVU (I know it's indirectly mentioned but it deserves its own number), Magnum, Columbo, Mission:Impossible, NCIS, Shark (short-lived but still great)... Nice job, maybe Top 50 next time?

Two great shows are missing Jag and NCIS,WHY?

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. should be on anyone's list of top TV drama, US or otherwise. A repeat showing is long overdue.

Buffy is the obvious modern ommision, but more so are earlier shows - from great stuff like the Rockford Files and the Twilight Zone to ground breakers like Dragnet, Four Star Playhouse, Perry Mason and Decoy (with a nod to Beverly Garland, the recently lost first female star detective) - come on - they did make programmes before 1980!

Where was Buffy? Where was Firefly? Glad to see that "Murder One" was in there, but I think all the critics are massively overhyping "Mad Men". If "House" counts as a drama then "M*A*S*H" should have been in there as well.

What about Bones?

I've avidly followed the 3 series of The Closer starring Kyra Sedgewick. It was initially put on Channel 4 in a very late slot with no advertising of it at all. It was then taken off after a few episodes due to low ratings (surprise, surprise) but fortunately More 4 has been showing it at about 11pm. I feel I must be the only one who has heard of it although it must have done well in America to have commissioned the 3 series. Kyra Sedgewick is fantastic in the role as The Closer with great consistent co stars in this quirky and often very amusing drama.

I've avidly followed the 3 series of The Closer starring Kyra Sedgewick. It was initially put on Channel 4 in a very late slot with no advertising of it at all. It was then taken off after a few episodes due to low ratings (surprise, surprise) but fortunately More 4 has been showing it at about 11pm. I feel I must be the only one who has heard of it although it must have done well in America to have commissioned the 3 series. Kyra Sedgewick is fantastic in the role as The Closer with great consistent co stars in this quirky and often very amusing drama.

You forgot about Buffy.

No western shows? (HIGH CHAPARAL for preference). No 1970s 'fun cops?: COLUMBO, McCLOUD, THE ROCKFORD FILES. If you distinguish between BATTLESTAR GALACTICA of different centuries, you should distinguish between STAR TREK of the '60s and those from the '90s onwards. And where's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER?

Where was NCIS on the list?? The drama and humour in the program makes it one of the most watchable series on TV.

Does anyone know whether there are any plans for a repeat of NYPD. Unfortunately because the last two series were on so late in the evening I missed watching them?

I am surprised that St Elsewhere was not included in your top 20 list. It was a ground breaking series, that had the breadth of characters as in Hill Street Blues and laid the foundations of medical dramas such as those featured in E.R and Grey's Anatomy.

What about Big Love ? We had the first series on Fiver but what about some channel taking up series 2.