EW's list of 26 cult shows "of all time"
By
Aett_Thorn,
Posted on: 2012-08-17 05:23 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
Well I agree with about a dozen of the shows on the list, but there are like a dozen others that I'm not sure I've even seen. Oh well. *shrugs*
And as far as Doctor Who goes I'd have to agree that it's probably the most "famous" cult show just based on its long history alone. Not sure I'd rank it #1 in terms of my "favorite" cult show, but it definitely deserves to be near the top of any list like this.
Loth 50 Fire/Rad Controller [1392 Badges] [300 non-AE Souvenirs]
Ryver 50 Ele� Blaster [1392 Badges]
Silandra 50 Peacebringer [1138 Badges] [No Redside Badges]
--{=====> Virtue ♀
I'm shocked I didn't think of #1. I had #2 in place of it in my mind (even though I don't like #2).
Too many alts to list.
they have a really loose definition of "cult".
and as usual with these stupid things, "of all time" = "of the last ten years".
Two hooves down.
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
Quote:
Considering how many were from the 90s, I don't know that I agree. Perhaps "last 20 years". Now granted these lists always favor the short memory, but this one does at least cover a 20 year span to be honest. |
Originally Posted by Nethergoat
they have a really loose definition of "cult".
and as usual with these stupid things, "of all time" = "of the last ten years". Two hooves down. |
If I were going all time though, ST TOS would have to way up there. I'd also submit The Prisoner, and Monty Python.
Too many alts to list.
X-Files was cult?
Quote:
About as much as ST:TNG.
|
Originally Posted by Cowman
X-Files was cult?
|
Too many alts to list.
Within the timeframe I think it was pretty spot on.
Firefly could have been closer to the top, but oh well. Overall; good list.
@Mental Maden @Maden Mental
"....you are now tackle free for life."-ShoNuff
Some of those shows where just hits.
Also, isn't Doctor Who big in England? Might be cult here in America I guess.
But yeah, ST:TNG, X-Files, those where just big shows period! Yes it has some die hard fans, but I wouldn't call them cult.
BrandX Future Staff Fighter
The BrandX Collection
I'd say that Lost was pretty mainstream as well. Maybe a bit cultish now that it had the horrible ending that drove away a lot of fans, but it's not like it wasn't a very well-watched show.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I was just the one with the most unsolicited sombrero." - Traegus
How is TNG on the list and not the original? I would put Star Trek at #1, and Who at #2.
Agua Man lvl 48 Water/Electric Blaster
"To die hating NCSoft for shutting down City of Heroes, that was Freedom."
I think the problem with the list (OK, one problem), is the lack of the definition of 'cult'.
Too many alts to list.
shows on the list I'd define as "cult":
Twin Peaks
MST3k
Party Down
Fireflly
My So Called Life
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Arrested Development
defined as 'not hugely popular but with a core group of rabid fans'.
Lost was a massive hit, to the point that every other network was ripping it off. ST:TNG was a response to a preexisting audience and was one of the biggest syndicated hits ever. The original Trek I'd agree was a cult thing, TNG was created to feed the demands of that cult.
Dr. Who was a cult thing when I was a kid and the only way to see it was at weird times on PBS. Now, every new Doctor gets their own Entertainment Weekly cover.
Buffy, again a bit hit. X-Files, ditto.
Really lame list.
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
Seems like "cult" status for EW means a show that a loyal group of fans is still talking about years after the show went off the air, or continues to try to convince others that it's "the best show ever" if the other person hasn't watched it. Also a show that in some way influenced other shows or pop-culture in some meaningful way. Viewership numbers at the time don't seem to enter into it.
I can see why all of these shows would fall under their definition of cult. I would put a couple of shows higher than they are, and perhaps swap out a show or two with things like Futurama, or V (the original series).
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
I was also thinking of this list...
Most I knew, but a few shouldn't be on there and a few should be higher up on the list. Giving the Doctor the top spot is justified, IMHO.
I'm disappointed that Babylon 5 and Stargate SG-1 were not on that list. Hell, either of them over Lost would of been appropriate, but that just me...
Thank you for the time...
@Travlr (Main) / @Tymers Realm (Test) 
Quote:
here's their definition in their own words:|
Originally Posted by White Hot Flash
Seems like "cult" status for EW means a show that a loyal group of fans is still talking about years after the show went off the air, or continues to try to convince others that it's "the best show ever" if the other person hasn't watched it. Also a show that in some way influenced other shows or pop-culture in some meaningful way. Viewership numbers at the time don't seem to enter into it.
I can see why all of these shows would fall under their definition of cult. I would put a couple of shows higher than they are, and perhaps swap out a show or two with things like Futurama, or V (the original series). |
"''Buffy'' to ''Galactica,'' ''Community'' to ''The Comeback'': Ranking the greatest alternate-universe hits."
On a list with many genuine real-world hits.
If they're going to link troll they should at least be internally consistent.
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
Quote:
It's currently mainstream, and was in the early seventies, but has been through phases of being down to just a cult following.|
Originally Posted by BrandX
Some of those shows where just hits.
Also, isn't Doctor Who big in England? Might be cult here in America I guess. |
Quote:
| But yeah, ST:TNG, X-Files, those where just big shows period! Yes it has some die hard fans, but I wouldn't call them cult. |
The omission of Blake's Seven and Babylon Five are major oversights from that list.
I really should do something about this signature.
Quote:
I have a sneaking suspicion that this "top 26 all-time" list was really just more like the "top 26 favorite shows of whoever put this article together". That seems to be the only working definition of "cult" that makes sense here. |
Originally Posted by Nethergoat
here's their definition in their own words:
"''Buffy'' to ''Galactica,'' ''Community'' to ''The Comeback'': Ranking the greatest alternate-universe hits." On a list with many genuine real-world hits. If they're going to link troll they should at least be internally consistent. |
Loth 50 Fire/Rad Controller [1392 Badges] [300 non-AE Souvenirs]
Ryver 50 Ele� Blaster [1392 Badges]
Silandra 50 Peacebringer [1138 Badges] [No Redside Badges]
--{=====> Virtue ♀
I saw this yesterday on the magazine rack at my library (cover story was Doctor Who).
I guess if you define a cult show as one that develops a grass roots following to the point of having gatherings, mailing lists, dedicated fan sites not associated with either the production company or network, then I can see that list as legitimate. Whether or not the show was/is a big ratings hit then doesn't factor into it (like Lost).
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
I've watched less than a quarter of these on any type of a regular basis. No Twilight Zone or Outer Limits (either version)? No Crocodile Hunter? Cops? Heck, no Hee Haw or Dukes of Hazard?
Dang cultists anyways.
Apparently, I play "City of Shakespeare"
*Arc #95278-Gathering the Four Winds -3 step arc; challenging - 5 Ratings/3 Stars (still working out the kinks)
*Arc #177826-Lights, Camera, Scream! - 3 step arc, camp horror; try out in 1st person POV - 35 Ratings/4 Stars
Quote:
Using that definition Harry Potter is a "cult" phenomenon.
|
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
I saw this yesterday on the magazine rack at my library (cover story was Doctor Who).
I guess if you define a cult show as one that develops a grass roots following to the point of having gatherings, mailing lists, dedicated fan sites not associated with either the production company or network, then I can see that list as legitimate. |
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
Quote:
That's a scary cult phenom... almost as scary as the Twilight cultists. Still can't beat those green-blooded Trekkie SOBs though.
|
Originally Posted by Nethergoat
Using that definition Harry Potter is a "cult" phenomenon.
|
Apparently, I play "City of Shakespeare"
*Arc #95278-Gathering the Four Winds -3 step arc; challenging - 5 Ratings/3 Stars (still working out the kinks)
*Arc #177826-Lights, Camera, Scream! - 3 step arc, camp horror; try out in 1st person POV - 35 Ratings/4 Stars
Quote:
While some people take Harry Potter to a scary degree, NOTHING matches the scariness of the Twilight cultists. Except maybe the Fifty Shades of Grey ones...
|
Originally Posted by Yogi_Bare
That's a scary cult phenom... almost as scary as the Twilight cultists. Still can't beat those green-blooded Trekkie SOBs though.
|
"I have something to say! It's better to burn out then to fade away!"
Quote:
Fifty Shades?!? I haven't even finished Beauty's Punishment. |
Originally Posted by Paladiamors
While some people take Harry Potter to a scary degree, NOTHING matches the scariness of the Twilight cultists. Except maybe the Fifty Shades of Grey ones...
|
Apparently, I play "City of Shakespeare"
*Arc #95278-Gathering the Four Winds -3 step arc; challenging - 5 Ratings/3 Stars (still working out the kinks)
*Arc #177826-Lights, Camera, Scream! - 3 step arc, camp horror; try out in 1st person POV - 35 Ratings/4 Stars
Quote:
*Backs away slowly*
|
Originally Posted by Yogi_Bare
Fifty Shades?!? I haven't even finished Beauty's Punishment.
|
"I have something to say! It's better to burn out then to fade away!"
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,2062...html?hpt=hp_c2
Mileage will vary with people about some of the entries on this list. However I doubt anyone will disagree with the #1 show on the list....
Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.