superdeluxe

30) Strangers with Candy (1999-2000)*
29) Absolutely Fabulous (1994-2003)
28) Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)*
27) H.R. Pufnstuf (1969-1971)
26) Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1975-1978)
25) Firefly (2002-2003)*
24) Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
23) Dark Shadows (1966-1971)
22) Doctor Who (1963-present)
21) Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

20) The Avengers (1966-1969)
19) Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
18) Veronica Mars (2004-2007)*
17) Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990)
16) Babylon 5 (1994-1998)
15) Family Guy (1999-present)
14) Battlestar Galactica (2003-present)*
13) Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989-1999)
12) Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)
11) Jericho (2006-present)*

10) Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
9) Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
8) The Simpsons (1989-present)
7) The Prisoner (1967-1968)
6) Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974)
5) Lost (2004-present)*
4) Farscape (1999-2003)
3) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
2) The X-Files (1993-2002)
1) Star Trek (1966-1969)

Michael Corvin

I guess it depends on how you define cult, but the Simpsons? Really? I don't think it gets more mainstream that that.

dvd182

Yeah, the definition of "cult" is being used pretty liberally here.

dstrauss

Including "Lost" also seems a head-scratcher. The show was a hit from the start.

DVD Josh

Quantum Leap? Really? Stupid.

starman9000

What are the asterisks for?

Palaver

I guess...

cult = has obsessive fan base

Fanboy

I would imagine that "cult" in this case refers not so much to mainstream acceptance vs. underground support, but more the fan support network that has grown around a show in terms of web sites, youtube videos and conventions. I don't think that's stretching the definition of cult too far.

Although I do scratch my head about "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" being on the list. Where is "Fresh Prince of Bel Air"? We all know that show has an active and thriving convention scene.

Bluelitespecial

I think Supernatural should be on that list. It has great support from its fans, but no one knows how good of a show it is except its fans.

Groucho

#1 should be "The Colbert Report". If any show has a cult-like following, its that one.

Michael Corvin

Quantum Leap was always a cult show. It was on the chopping block nearly every season but the diehard fans kept it alive. It was a critical darling like Sports Night but couldn't attract the viewers.

Tracer Bullet

Are you critizing the Colbert (peace be upon him)? My organization can have you killed for that.

kvrdave

Jericho (which I enjoy) seems a little new to be that high, considering shows like Firefly, etc.

GradVT06

Seeing that list makes me want to go home and watch my Undeclared set.

nateman

Scrubs should most definitely be on the list. The funniest comedy of all-time has a extremely strong fan base (& I'm definitely in there) DVD sales are very strong & even through the show only averaged around 5 million viewers this season (6th) it's still got it's fan base. I suggest to anyone who hasn't seen the show to pick up the DVDs rite now!

How about Cagney & Lacey? executive producer Barney Rosenzweig started a letter writing campaign to bring the show back & a shit load of people wrote in to say they wanted it back.
After the second season it ended up going for 5 more seasons before finally ending after a 7 season run.
I don't know how well the DVD set of (the second season tech.) Cagney & Lacey: the true beginning sold but I hope they release the rest of the series plus release the real true beginning.

The Pretender should be on the list because it was quite popular & had a good fan base plus it was a pretty entertaining show. Hell after the show ended after 4 seasons on a cliffhanger finale, TNT made 2 original movies ( The Pretender 2001 & Island of the Haunted) and fans started a god damn global email campaign for a third movie to tie up everything but sadly TNT ignored their request. The writers have a script made appearently but they need the money to make the movie naturally. Buy the DVDs cause it's really good.

The Simpsons has a strong fan base but it is indeed very mainstream now. It's a great show but I'm not %100 sure if it should be considered a "cult" TV show-Of course the fine people over at TV guide has it on the list so must be.
DVD sales are also really strong but I see sales dipping after the 10th season is released.

I know this is a bit of a threadcrap but having Jericho at #11 on the list makes be laugh because people really, really wanted that show back-but the fact is it's not a very good show. Same with Family Guy.

Even though I don't watch it, I'll add The Office (US) as a show that should be on the list.

Seantn

I agree, but I suppose it's because the whole 'save the show' campaign is fresh in their minds.

MechanicalMan

Well, it must have some pretty avid fans, because I know one person who seems to mention that awful show in every thread in this forum.

JasonF

Whoever left Arrested Development off that list has made a huge mistake.

bunkaroo

I can't believe Farscape is #4 considering some of the other entries.

Lee Harvey Oswald

So, what are the asteriks for?

chrisih8u

Three years ago, TV Guide dared to compile a list of the Top 25 Cult Shows Ever, a veritable who's who of programs that got people talking — and in many cases still had them talking long after the final episode aired. The litmus tests were many. These are the types of shows that make normal folk Romulan-fluent, series that inspire what can only be called worship. The faithful collect everything from action figures (and perhaps way too many of them) to yellowing scripts obtained by any means necessary. They attend conventions in fangs or blue skin or with Hurley's numbers tattooed in disturbing places.

Spurred on by the successful campaign to get Jericho plucked from the postapocalyptic ashes and returned to CBS' 2007-08 slate, TV Guide revisited that years-old countdown, asking ourselves such tough questions as: Is Lost too "big" to be considered cult? Did the big-screen Serenity help or hinder Firefly's under-the-radar cachet? And, of course, just how high does one Miss Veronica Mars get placed on the list at this nascent stage in her candidacy?

In pondering this list anew, we also shuffled around (and even excised) some previous favorites. Shows such as Forever Knight and My So-Called Life, though previously ranked among the top 25, we decided simply have not withstood the test of time, while Freaks and Geeks' legacy has only been confirmed by the success of Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen and most everyone who brushed up against that too-short-lived comedy.

Without further adieu (and reluctant to drop too many deserving names from the list), TV Guide presents the Top 30 Cult Shows Ever, a "best of" that is sure to ignite conversation and debate — both of which we encourage at this Top Cult Shows blog set up just for the occasion.

*Denotes newcomer to the list

http://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows/070629-01

mmconhea

No Arrested Development = Null and Void list.

JPRaup

It failed when there was no Arrested Development

nateman

I wonder who you could be talking about?

Now get ready for a 25 page read on why you WILL BE going to hell...

Althrough I personally find Arrested Development Overrated, if any show should be on the list It's that one because people swear by it as the funniest comedy ever.
My vote is still for Scrubs & MechanicalMan it isn't a awful show. It's a brilliant, funny, well acted, excellently well written show & nothing on Television can match Scrubs high quality excellence.

matta

Wait, there are multiple shows with conventions now? I thought StarTrek fans and gun enthusiasts were the only ones with conventions these days.