Entertainment Weekly rounds up their favorite cult television shows. Most of their choices I can take or leave, or have never watched — but that’s what makes a show “cult,” isn’t it? It’s obscure, quirky, and induces hatred or head-scratching in non-connoisseurs.
EW’s choices favor American TV — aside from their top pick, Doctor Who. From their list, I give thumbs up to The X-Files, Twin Peaks, and especially Mystery Science Theater 3000. (But then, I have a warped fondness for 1950s-era science fiction B-movies.) Oh, how my family loved that show. One of its alternate-dialogue quips became a rallying cry around my house: “Without food, gerbils die!”
Yes, we are sick puppies.
I’d add:
WKRP in Cincinnati
My Name Is Earl
Takeshi’s Castle — this Japanese game show is called by other names in other countries, but it’s endlessly, stupidly entertaining.
Is Mad Men cult?
lying for a living 
Maybe I don’t understand what a ‘cult’ show is. I would have thought that the top of the list would have been Star Trek closely followed by The Fugitive, then maybe The Rifleman – staring Chuck Connors. Cults aren’t what they used to be.
My daughter will be disappointed that “Buffy” didn’t make number 1 (and that “Angel” wasn’t even on the list). She owns all the DVDs, has read all the scripts for the shows (that were included on the DVDs), and goes down to Atlanta every Labor Day weekend to attend DragonCon. I usually enjoy the same things she does, but I never got into Buffy. I did make her day when I told her I’d try watching season 1 at least. Some books I’ve read make fun of that show, I thought I should at least give it a try.
The Husband is right! Star Trek should have definitely been Number 1 (or at least on the list)!
Oh, I’d cast one for WKRP. A rallying cry in our house, after the Thanksgiving of 1994 when my mother was away tending her dying mother and my dad, brother and I made an attempt on Thanksgiving dinner, was “God as my witness, I though turkeys could fly!” Both bro and I forgot that mom’s oven ran 75 degrees hot. When we took the turkey out to check it by shaking its leg, said leg came off in bro’s hand. Then when we lifted it out to the board to carve it, the poor bird collapsed inward, as if dropped from a great height. It was at that point that I quoted Les Nessman and we all fell about laughing. To this day, sometime during Thanksgiving dinner, that line will be dropped and we will collapse into hysteria. Yes, collectively we are easily amused.
I completely agree with WKRP, MST3K, The X-Files and The Wire. Patti: without a doubt the Thanksgiving episode of WKRP was my absolute favorite.
I will add “Arrested Development” and “Deadwood” – two shows that should have had much longer runs.
I’ll also add one more that I’ll wager a lot of people have never heard of: “Key West”. It ran for one season on Fox in 1993. It was about a guy who leaves his New Jersey machinist job and moves to Key West to pursue his dream of becoming a writer, following the footsteps of his idol, Ernest Hemingway. Great show.
I would say “cult” shows would be anything that was around briefly and generally embraced by a small but vocal minority that can’t stand the usual pap the networks produce like common Hormel Spam. So, my votes go to Twin Peaks and The Night Stalker.
I’d argue with a couple of items on the EW list. I think both The X-Files and Buffy The Vampire Slayer are too well known to be “cult” shows. I’d also not put any of the Star Trek franchise entries in the list for the same reason.
Of course, none of these shows are the usual network pap, if I may borrow Rich’s description.
I do agree with EW on Firefly and would add Dead Like Me.
I guess I’m also a little fuzzy on the qualifications of ‘cult’, but Rich’s description seems apt.
Another addition: American Gothic. Anyone remember that one? Gary Cole did a good job playing a supernaturally evil sheriff.
My definition of a cult show would be shows that spawn a whole sub-culture. With that as the main criterion, there’s only one candidate. Star Trek.
Star Trek. Night Gallery. Night Stalker. Twin Peaks. Carnivale. Dead Like Me.
Yes, loved American Gothic. I am thinking “cult” shows could also be described as “too good for the masses”. Another one I would add is the “gone way too soon” series Surface with Lake Bell. Loved that show also. Good call on Dead Like Me. Another favorite that was too good for the average TV viewer.
Thumbs up also on Carnivale and Firefly. With the recent addition of the ludicrous Vampire Diaries, I miss Buffy and Angel even more so now.
in agreement on: veronica mars (expected to hate it, fell in love); twin peaks (season 1 … lost interest a little in season 2); and dead like me (anything that starts with death by a toilet seat falling from a space station HAS to be awesome).
i would add almost anything gary cole has done. vastly under-rated actor – in my opinion. top of the list for me: midnight caller!
Oh, forgot Tales From the Crypt. Loved that show.
There was also a comedy called Dream On that I really laughed over. Probably nobody remembers that one.
Dana Jean: I’m with you 100% regarding “Dream On”. I have seasons 1 & 2 on DVD and keep wishing they would release the other 4 seasons of that show. A few more episodes are available to watch online. The main character’s inner thoughts revealed in a series of old movie/tv show clips was hilarious. It was a little risque at times, but it was one of HBO’s first series comedies, I believe.
Loved it Dan! I would just laugh out loud throughout the whole thing. I saw they were on DVD. I want them for Christmas.
I would also add Dexter and Lost to the list above.
My apologies for being post-happy, but another that comes to mind is “The Larry Sanders Show”. Garry Shandling starred as a neurotic talk-show host. It was a ‘show about a show’ and it was hilarious. …And his sidekick’s catch-phrase: “Hey now!”.