TV GUIDE: 50 BEST TV SERIES

May 4, 2002

On May 4, 2002, TV GUIDE (vol. 50, no. 18, issue #2562) celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a look back at the greatest shows of all time. Naturally, “I Love Lucy” made the cover!  The title of the show is the first one ghosted in the upper left corner, and Lucille Ball is one of six images selected to represent the five decades past.  The image was taken from “Lucy Tells the Truth” (ILL S3;E6) filmed on October 8, 1953, and first aired on November 9, 1953.  Fittingly, 1953 was the national edition of TV Guide’s first year of publication and Lucille Ball (and Desi Jr.) were on the very first cover. The list of the top fifty (and their placement on the list) was decided by TV Guide editors. 

The other images include: 

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” ~ Lucille Ball was often a guest on “The Tonight Show” and Carson also guest starred on “Here’s Lucy” in 1969. 

“The Dick Van Dyke Show” starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore ~ was a series filmed at Desilu Studios!  Lucille Ball made variety show appearances with both Dick and Mary. 

“The Simpsons” ~ The animated Fox sensation has presented their version of Lucy on several occasions!  

“The Cosby Show” starring Bill Cosby ~ In 1968, former Emmy-winner Bill Cosby presented Lucille Ball with an Emmy. 

“Seinfeld” starring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Jason Alexander ~ The sitcom about ‘nothing’ – and everything – also acknowledged their queen! 

Inside the issue it was revealed that “Seinfeld” had beat out “Lucy” for the top spot!  Still pretty good for a series that fifty years old! 

Top 10

1. Seinfeld (NBC, July 5, 1989 – May 14, 1998)
2. I Love Lucy (CBS, October 15, 1951 – May 6, 1957)
3. The Honeymooners (Dumont, October 1, 1955 – September 22, 1956)
4. All in the Family (CBS, January 12, 1971 – April 8, 1979)
5. The Sopranos (HBO, January 10, 1999 – June 10, 2007)
6. 60 Minutes (CBS, September 24, 1968 – present)
7. Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, August 30, 1993 – May 20, 2015)
8. The Simpsons (Fox, December 17, 1989 – present)
9. The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, October 3, 1960 – April 1, 1968)
10. Saturday Night Live (NBC, October 11, 1975 – present)

On May 13, 2002, this special issue of TV Guide was made into an ABC  television special.  The covers here do not reflect the show’s actual content.