Results from VQT (Viewers for Quality Television)

The results are in, and I am happy to say that I agree on many, many, many of the selections. Really odd. Here we go.

QUALITY TV: The Maryland-based Viewers for Quality Television advocacy group h as released its latest ratings for weekly series and short-run programs. VQT uses a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10. Dramas fared better than comedies on VQT's list. Here's the updated, midseason Top 10:

• "Picket Fences," CBS, 9 p.m. Fridays, Channel 2. 9.0

• "NYPD Blue," ABC, 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Channel 7. 8.8

• TIE: "Homicide: Life on the Street," NBC (on hiatus), 8.7

"Law & Order," NBC, 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Channel 5, 8.7

"Tales of the City" (PBS miniseries, aired in January), 8.7

• TIE: "Mad About You," NBC, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Channel 5, 7.9

"Sisters," NBC, 9 p.m. Saturdays, Channel 5, 7.9

• TIE: "The X-Files, " Fox, 8 p.m. Fridays, Channel 32, 7.8

"Northern Exposure," CBS, 9 p.m. Mondays, Channel 2, 7.8

"Seinfeld," NBC, 8 p.m. Thursdays, Channel 5, 7.8

NBC rated as the highest-quality network, with an overall average of 7.2.

MY OPINIONS:

"Picket Fences:" I guess still #1 in my book, although "The X-Files" are getting there.

"NYDP Blue"-Balls: No. Top ten, probably, but NOT 2.

"Homicide:" Didn't work for me. Find another project for Daniel Baldwin and that comedian guy, and dump the rest.

"Law & Order:" Always found it boring and uninteresting. Must be a New York thing.

"Tales of the City:" I thought it was good, but I'd classify it as a movie, not a series.

"Mad About You:" Probably would be higher on my list.

"Sisters:" Huh? Must be a chic thing. With no "thirtysomething," where else is there to go...

"The X-Files:" More people watch, the more they like. The show has been on a steady ratings climb for the last three new episodes.

"Northern Exposure:" Probably would be higher on my list than tied for 8th, but shows you what people think of the show nowadays.

"Seinfeld:" Speaking of what people think of a show nowadays, I believe this show was number one or three last year. Man, how things change. "Fraiser" goes on my list before "Seinfeld" does.

"Fraiser" is the only show MISSING from the list. I guess "Lois & Clark" could also be up there, too.

As for network, all I know is that ABC would be last on my list, no question.

hwn.

[Stuff Deleted]

Some person emailed me, but for some reason his Email address doesn't work, so I'll answer him here.

[email] wrote:

I won't argue with you. Friends of mine tell me they really enjoy the show, they like the mindless aspect of it, and the fact that unlike a lot of sitcoms, they stay away from social issues (thank goodness). Production values are really high relative to sitcom standards, too.

Personally, I thought the first season and part of the second season was brilliant. Some of the best written stuff you will see in the sit-com genre. They really used Tim Allen's material quite well. Now, I catch an episode here and there, and I really see nothing note worthy. Sure, this the best sitcom ABC has to offer, but this is ABC we're talking about. Plus, that son with the long hair just makes me wanna vomit anytime he's on the screen. The other two work, though.

I believe VQT likes "Grace Under Fire" more than HI this year, which makes no sense to me, GUF being an unfunny show staring unattractive people... but then I have a deep hatred of the show which I won't go through right now, but if you've been reading the newsgroup, you know it concerns "Moon Over Miami."

I always view sitcoms in a different catagory than drama.

To rate shows in a different way, "Fraiser" and "The X-Files" are the two shows that havn't disappointed me this season. "Picket Fences" has it's ups and downs, but when it hits, it blows all the competition out of the water.

I never knew how accurate this VQT pole was, but looking at the results, you have to say that they are right on. Even more accurate than the critics. The pole was taken in January 1994, so this season is taken into account. Any casual viewer knows that "Seinfeld" and "Northern Exposure" are not the shows they used to be, and this VQT pole directly shows this as the shows have been downgraded from previous years. Quite impressive.

Anyway, my top ten shows this year, up to Feb 1994 include:

• "Picket Fences"

• "The X-Files"

• "Fraiser"

• "Mad About You"

• "Northern Exposure"

• "Moon Over Miami"

• "NYPD Blue"

• "Lois & Clark"

• "Brisco County, Jr."

• "Bakersfield, P.D"

No "Seinfeld" or "Home Improvement." :)

BTW: "Northern Exposure" is my favorite show of all time, just not lately.

Thanks for the reply.

hwn.

[.... deleted the whole list execept for ....]

First, I want to address number 6. You mean I'm not the only person in the world who liked that show? You mean you can actually enjoy the show even if you're not from Miami and just like seeing places you've actually been? Cool. The show wasn't the greatest thing in the world, but I really enjoyed the characters...even if Gwen did whine a bit. I thought it was a decent Moonlighting knock-off.

Now, about GUF. How can you not appreciate that show. Even if you don't like it, and I can understand not liking the humor....you have to appreciate the show. It is honest. I like honest sit-coms. Honesty is why I watched Rosanne for so long...even though I cannot stand Rosanne. I hate the bitch with a passion....but I respected her for telling the truth with her show. I find that GUF does the same thing...except it's even better for me because I like Butler's humor so much. Besides...she's a raging Democrat...and I love hearing the Republicans get bashed...but that's another issue.

As far as HI. I have to agree with you that it is getting a little stale, but I am a loyal fan...so I'll stick with it.

As far as Frasier goes...I think they picked the wrong Cheer's character to make a show out of....they should've gone with Rebecca.

~a

[email] (Jay Michael Soffian) writes:

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree... yes, a sitcom starring Rebecca would have been pretty cool, but how can you not like Frasier? It is quite possibly the funniest thing on the air right now. Esp. the episode when Lillith came back.. Ha!

No - the absolutely best one (IMHO) was when Niles brought Daphne back to his gothic style mansion while Maris was away. The look on Niles' face when Daphne cried "Ooooh! Dr. Crane - your glockenspiel has suddenly sprooong to life!" was just priceless :-)

I think David Hyde Pierce should win a best supporting actor Emmy for his portrayal of Niles Crane.

(also, count me as one who thinks Grace Under Fire is one of the best new shows on TV. So there, hwn! :-)

I loved that episode of "Fraiser". Also put my vote in for "Grace Under Fire" and "Moon Over Miami". What happened to "MOM" anyway? Nikky

just thought i'd make a quick post on alt.tv.shows.other.than.seinfeld ;->

- d

my bust. just realized it was sent to numerous newsgroups, and the original topic appeared on this one. heck, it's only one post to read! (hopefully, that'll prevent the flame from comin' my way!) - d

|DE>D: |DE>Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.northern-exp,alt.tv.x-files,alt.tv.seinfe |DE>alt.tv.nypd-blue |DE>Organization: State University of New York at Albany | |DE>In article [email] |DE>(EGGLESTON DAVID) writes: |DE>>In article [email] (Jay M |DE>Soffian) writes: |DE>>>> |DE>>>>Personally, I thought the first season and part of the second season |DE>>>>was brilliant. Some of the best written stuff you will see in the

[yards of re-run material extracted]

|DE>>just thought i'd make a quick post on alt.tv.shows.other.than.seinfeld |DE>> |DE>>- d | |DE>my bust. just realized it was sent to numerous newsgroups, and the ori |DE>topic appeared on this one. heck, it's only one post to read! (hopefu |DE>that'll prevent the flame from comin' my way!) - d

OK, ok, but you didn't need to post that whole bunch of stuff TWICE! <G>

Stella scribbled this on Monday, 02/21/94, at about 03:05:38 PST. --- � SW Says: � Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

Am I dreaming or is this message posted in the wrong newsgroup?

Good Lord, NO! why would you want to see a show about that whiney bitch? The character made sense as an opponent for Sam, but on her own she's just a gold-digging yuppie wannabe. That was made ultimately clear in the last episode of Cheers.

In article

maybe I should clarify. Yes, Rebecca's character was obnoxious (as far as whiney goes....Shelly Long desensitized me...). However, w/o a doubt Kirsty Ally (sp) was the best actor/actress on that show. What I meant to say is that I'd much rather see a sitcom with Kirsty Ally than a sitcom with Kelsey Grammer (sp).

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Ok I was thing about this and now have the name we can call ourselves as fans.

Being an X-Phile looks good in type but, as I said, doesn't come across well when you say it. So lets take that and go with something that conveys the same message and sound good when said.

X-Phile'er Or X-Philler

That simple added 'er" makes all the difference when said and still fits what we want.

I think this should be it. Sounds like "Hi, I am an X-Filler".

Sounds good and doesn't sound like the EXACT name of the show. Yet when written is a play on words.

So simple. Yet simple things are best sometimes 8o)

                          Jace Charles Schivins
      -------------------------------------------------------------
          My views are mine and mine alone and you can't have them.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
                          THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

         Catch X-files on Fox Friday nights. Don't watch it alone!
          Babylon-5 - Science Fiction the way it was meant to be!

The thing that makes Seinfeld so interersting is that it's not bases on a family. nearly every other show is has a family and/or is intent on not offending anyone (so they become polictally correct)... There is nothing on Seinfeld that has already been done in some other sitcom. Too many "family" sitcoms talk about someone dying, growing up, and other "generic" plots. I challege you to find some other sitcom that Seinfeld plots have been taken from.

Well finally I person with there eyes on the good shows, I've been watching Seinfeld since it started and I think that it reflects a side of life that never ever gets shown on the Family based shows. The characters in Seinfeld are great and some of them unemployed that reflects current life for some people, it is not a superfical show that has to downs to it, great choice Andy

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Comments made in this message in NO way reflect those of the CRC or
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from Flipper

In article [email] (Phil Corriveau) writes:

One of the things I like so much about Seinfeld is that it does unspoken humor so well. On most other shows, if there is a scene with unspoken humor, this humor is practically hammered into the humor. On Seinfeld, however, unspoken humor is often in the background and occurs while other dialog is going on -- just what would happen in real life.

For example, on this week's Seinfeld, Jerry and George are talking in Jerry's apartment, when Kramer comes in, picks up Jerry's spatula, and starts using it to scratch his back. All the while, Jerry and George are talking.

In the same way, on the original episode, George is playing Scrabble against Jerry's mother. George makes a comment along the line of, "I bet she has the Q", whereupon Kramer looks at Jerry's mother's tiles, walks back over to George, and shakes his head as if to say, "Yes, she does have the Q".

In article hwn. hwn opines:

[List deleted]

I tried watching this twice, and don't see how it won an Emmy. In my opnion it treats current issues in a moralistic, reactionary melodramatic fashion. The stars are good but the plot, the writing, and directing are poor.

You're just jealous of David Caruso. I think this is the best cop-show out there. It is certainly much more realistic than Picket Fences, and doesn't leave a moralistic aftertaste. The writing and directing are very good.

I would rate Homicide as a tie for second with Law & Order as far as cop shows go. The writing and directing are good for both these shows.

Not enough reactionary melodrama, huh?

Yeah, it is a one-time shown mini-series. I thought it was very good.

This is a great comedy.

Tres chic, n'est-ce pas? Hey, if you are trying to refer to women with a term that offends many of them, you might as well spell it correctly. I do agree with your opinion of the show. "Sisters" is a prime-time soap-opera with quality production.

It is pretty good. I need to check this out more, like you said.

This is my personal favorite commercial network drama.

I agree that "Seinfeld" is not as consistently good as it used to be. It does have its moments and its better shows.

"Fraiser" is very funny. Other comedies not mentioned but great IMO, are "The John LaRoquette Show" and "Home Improvement".

"Lois & Clark" is an abomination to long time Superman fans. At least Jimmy Olson could have red hair.

I agree.

None of the commercial networks, however, are committed to quality programs. Profit and ratings reign supreme. Happily, ratings and quality often coincide.

-Jeff