ITV's 50 Greatest Shows

ITV is joining together with TV Times to determine ITV's 50 Greatest Shows to coincide with 50 years of the ITV network. A special programme will air in the autumn.

Surprise Surprise, it doesn't include Celebrity Wrestling! (or Surprise Surprise for that matter!)

This is the list, in alphabetical order, courtesy of MediaGuardian:




So what's your choice? Do you think there are any major exemptions and does the list fairly reflect 50 years of ITV?


There seem to be alot of modern shows in there - but I think my top three would be:

Coronation Street - maybe an obvious choice, but it's difficult to find an argument not to include it in the top three.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Truly an original innovative programme that spawned numerous imitators - and actually at a time when broadcasters are accused of dumbing down turned the television game show into a much more high brow - but accessible - affair.

The third choice is more difficult, I've tried to go for something that wasn't a long running series, but at it's time was hugely successful - so I've plumped for Cracker.

Naturally for most people it would be Coronation Street, but for me it has to be Minder, fantastically written, good choice of actors, good mix of comedy and drama and quite frankly the best thing Thames have ever produced.

I'm rather surprised Budgie isn't in the list.

Wot no "Interceptor"?

Just noticed number 32.

Oil give it foive!

Great memories of Aston Road North.

I would go for Minder too. Fantastic program. Right up to the end!

I can't see why Ant and Dec are there. What's so revolutionary and brilliant about their programs?

No Blockbusters, no Bullseye, no point...

I rest my case.

They missed out the great that is CROSSROADS! The Crossroads Appreication Society will not appreciate that.

I suppose the list isn't TOO bad - it could have been a hell of a lot worse (I notice Pop Idol is in there - i'm surprised they didn't include Popstars and The X Factor too!).

A relatively good mix of old and new, and although I despise I'm A Celebrity and Pop Idol (as well as being sick of Millionaire), I can respect the fact that they probably deserve to be included.

My problem is this

- No Crossroads

- No Krypton Factor

They had good TV in the 50's as well

Double Your Money

Take Your Pick

Emergancy Ward 10

Why are they not in the 50, They were popular in their time and they ran in the 60's as well

Also why are Bless This House, Man About The house and Geroge and MIldred not in it too.

Most of the 50 here are mainly from the 90's and 00's

Yes the original Crossroads should be in the list, ive just got the DVD of Crossroads with episodes from the 60s/70s and the quality is very good, almost as good as episodes of Corrie from the same era.

I just hope that ITV's birthday celebrations won't conveniently "forget" the channel once had public service obligations and was also an autonomous federation of regional broadcasters.

Sure, ITV is best remembered for its big dramas and light entertainment - it's an important part of what they do - but let's not forget ITV once had an exemplary record in children's programming, current affairs, informative viewing and so on. To pretend that ITV has always been the chav station it now is would be a travesty.

Perhaps another broadcaster should plan a rival celebration, highlighting how ITV really was "the people's channel"?