by Ken Tucker

In a calendar year's worth of emotional episodes that saw the death of Buffy's mother, the death and resurrection of Buffy herself, and a musical production that put most contemporary Broadway efforts to shame, the Slayer's fiercest battle continues to be against that old TV shibboleth, Industry Respect. No matter; wise, stern creator Joss Whedon still forces us to go where we may not want to venture, but are ultimately always glad we did: Alyson Hannigan's Willow gone witchcraft-crazy; James Marsters' Spike gone soft for Buffy; Nicholas Brendon's Xander and Emma Caulfield's Anya picking out wedding china patterns. Oh, the horror, the exquisite horror!
 

And in case you're curious, here's the complete list of the the top ten shows:

1. The Sopranos
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. The Bernie Mac Show
4. The Simpsons
5. Boycott
6. Alias
7. Curb Your Enthusiasm
8. Once & Again
9. The West Wing
10. CSI