Some of the greatest TV shows of all time have been set in and around New York City. For your viewing pleasure, we've picked the top 20 New York TV shows that belong in every New Yorker's DVD collection.
Our top selections include classics from the '50s (I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners) through the groundbreaking '70s (Taxi, The Jeffersons), must-see TV from the '80s and '90s (The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, The Sopranos), and today's biggest TV critical and popular favorites (Law & Order, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock and Mad Men).
Our top selections include classics from the '50s (I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners) through the groundbreaking '70s (Taxi, The Jeffersons), must-see TV from the '80s and '90s (The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, The Sopranos), and today's biggest TV critical and popular favorites (Law & Order, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock and Mad Men).
11. Law & Order
Law & Order is the classic New York detective show. With cases inspired by famous New York crimes and tabloid obsessions, it's fun to see how real life has been adapted for TV. It's also fun to watch the detectives walk by familiar NYC landmarks during the "law" portion of the program (my favorite, with apologies to Sam Waterston).
12. Sex and the City
Audiences fell in love with New York singles Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte on HBO in 1998. After six seasons, countless sex scenes, and a blockbuster movie (with a sequel in the works), we still can't seem to get enough. Sex and the City frequently filmed on location in New York City and half the fun of watching is spotting your favorite Manhattan landmarks on-screen
13. Friends
Sure, Friends painted an unrealistic picture of life in New York as a 20-something. But it was also a genuinely funny sitcom that ruled our Thursday nights for ten years.
14. Ugly Betty
Our show's heroine Betty Suarez lives in Queens with her family and works in a midtown skyscraper at fashion rag Mode. The show parodies New York fashionistas brilliantly, thanks to fun performances by Vanessa Williams, Rebecca Romijn, and other cast members.
15. NYPD Blue
This gritty NYC police drama won six Emmys and lasted for twelve seasons despite the departures of several leading men including David Caruso and Jimmy Smits. Luckily, Dennis Franz hung in there as Detective Andy Sipowicz until the finale.
16. Kojak
Telly Savalas' Detective Kojak was a tough cop with a bald head and a love of lollipops. He kept the streets of New York City as safe as possible during the mid-'70s and popularized the catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"
17. CSI: New York
Every week, the CSI: New York investigators get out their tweezers and Luminol spray to investigate New York's grisliest crimes. The show uses New York City locations well. Memorable crimes have been set in the torch of the Statue of Liberty, in the Empire State Bulding, and in Central Park.
18. Will & Grace
He's a gay lawyer, she's his straight best friend who used to be in love with him. They live together in a New York apartment (exterior shots are of the Puck Building) and hang out with best friends Karen and Jack and rotating weekly guest stars including Madonna, John Cleese, Debbie Reynolds, and Kevin Bacon.
19. King of Queens
This sitcom introduced Middle America to the outer borough of Queens and followed the adventures of Doug and Carrie Heffernan for nine years.
20. Spin City
In this sitcom set in New York's City Hall, a deputy mayor (played first by Michael J. Fox and later by Charlie Sheen) scrambles to prevent the dim-witted mayor from causing a disaster.
