An ever-so-unfortunate strike by the Writers Guild of America is certain to have devastating effects on television enthusiasts everywhere.
In upcoming weeks, new episodes of America's favorite shows will cease to exist. Viewers everywhere will be forced to wait with bated breath for weeks before finding out who the desperate housewives sleep with next and which pair of Meredith Grey's friends will decide to hook up and then try and hide it. The world will be devoid of new political satire from Jon Stewart. Whatever shall we do?
Watch reruns of course. Viewers everywhere have learned to suffer through daytime television, primetime TV lulls and the utterly low quality of new shows these days with the help of some old friends. With the help of Phoebe's inane but hilarious humor, Jerry's obliviousness and Doug's animated dorky glory, we'll somehow make it through.
Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the top 10 reruns certain to help keep viewers satisfied through this hard time. (But for the true TV addicts, we recommend buying seasons of your favorite shows on DVD.)
1. "Friends": If you didn't watch "Friends" while you were growing up, you were either a hermit or a loser completely out of touch with pop culture. The tube will probably air reruns of the successful '90s sitcom until the end of days. It's difficult to say which episode trumps them all, but it might be The One Where There is Sexual Tension Between Ross and Rachel, Monica is Being Obsessive-Compulsive, Chandler is Self-Deprecating, Phoebe is Obtusely Trying to Save the World and Joey is Sleeping Around.
2. "Legends of the Hidden Temple": This game show stopped airing on Nickelodeon back in 1995, squashing the collective hopes and dreams of many young fans. Thankfully, people who still fantasize about collecting Pendants of Life and assembling the Silver Monkey can now catch reruns on GAS.
3. "Frasier": "Frasier" might not be one of the most popular rerun shows these days, but it's definitely the smartest. Who can forget the episode where Frasier does something totally pompous and Niles is effeminate? Oh, wait ... At least Daphne was a total Euro-babe.
4. "Doug": Doug was the best animated show on Nickelodeon. First of all, Doug was the man, and his middle name was Yancey. But besides Doug himself, there was an amazing cast of supporting characters. Between his blue best friend Mosquito "Skeeter" Valentine, his love interest, Patti Mayonnaise, his dramatic sister Judy and his dog Porkchop, this show had some of the best character names around. Luckily, repeats are still played on Noggin, so anyone with a good cable package can enjoy.
5. "Seinfeld": Neurotics, nihilists and egomaniacs everywhere can still relish Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer's idiosyncratic rants and ridiculous miscommunications almost every day of the week, as repeats of this classic "show about nothing" are always on. The rest of us can just enjoy discussions about shrinkage, the master of his or her domain, man hands, marble rye and bizarros.
6. "Full House": Why watch "Grey's Anatomy" or "Lost" when you can get all of the relationship drama you need from a single household of characters? If Uncle Jesse's untouchable locks and Joey's impressive cartoon impressions don't manage to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside anymore, wondering what Bob Saget is really thinking when he's talking to Mary-Kate and Ashley is pure entertainment.
7. "The Cosby Show": It seems like this show has always been reruns - no one can really remember looking forward to next week's Huxtable drama. But the lack of cliff-hangers doesn't take away from the serious life lessons we've all gotten from upper-middle-class Brooklyn life with this family. Among Bill Cosby's terrible sweaters, his eye-rolling and bad dancing, the major issues and endearing pontifications in this show must have subconsciously led some Tufts students in the direction of a philosophy major.
8. "Golden Girls": Picture this: "Sex and the City" but 40 years later. Unfortunately, sex is a little more disturbing when it's dealing with four geriatric women, but somehow it's still hilarious. Not to mention, Dorothy's androgynous nature makes the show appeal to all gender demographics.
9. "Everybody Loves Raymond": Ever been to Long Island? Ever met a boyfriend's parents? "Everybody Loves Raymond" combines the two experiences, yielding an utterly hilarious but almost depressing sitcom. If you ever think your mother is evil, flip on the TV and watch what Raymond is suffering through: Marie brings guilt-trips and manipulation to a whole new level.
10. "Home Improvement": "Home Improvement" is not only one of the most ubiquitous shows on cable television, but it's also a decent program. The acting was top notch, and Tim Allen was a comic genius. But let's be honest: The only reason anyone watches it is because Jonathan Taylor Thomas is on it - what a pre-pubescent hottie.
-compiled by the Daily Arts Department
