The BEST shows of 2001
Every show that aired an episode in 2001, ranked
We've compiled the average episode rating for every TV show episode aired in 2001 to compile this list of best shows!
#1 - Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
Follows the adventures of high school student Yugi, who has a magical secret that comes to life when he plays his favorite card game: 'Duel Monsters.
View Episode Rankings#2 - Betty the Ugly
An ugly duckling and social outcast tries to navigate the inner workings of a high-powered fashion company, while falling hopelessly in love with her boss.
View Episode Rankings#3 - Digimon: Digital Monsters
"Digimon" are "Digital Monsters". According to the stories, they are inhabitants of the "Digital World", a manifestation of Earth's communication network. The stories tell of a group of mostly pre-teens, the "Chosen Children" (DigiDestined in the English version), who accompany special Digimon born to defend their world (and ours) from various evil forces. To help them surmount the most difficult obstacles found within both realms, the Digimon have the ability to evolve (Digivolve). In this process, the Digimon change appearance and become much stronger, often changing in personality as well. The group of children who come in contact with the Digital World changes from season to season.
View Episode Rankings#4 - Absolutely Fabulous
In this satirical British sitcom, which became a cult hit on American cable, a grotesquely self-centered fashion victim chain-smokes, swills champagne, abuses drugs, munches caviar, terrorizes her daughter, and tries in vain to mingle with the beautiful people -- all in the company of her sleek, slutty, boozed-up best friend.
View Episode Rankings#5 - Good Eats
Pop culture, comedy, and plain good eating: Host Alton Brown explores the origins of ingredients, decodes culinary customs and presents food and equipment trends. Punctuated by unusual interludes, simple preparations and unconventional discussions, he'll bring you food in its finest and funniest form.
View Episode Rankings#6 - NYPD Blue
The gritty details of life as a member of a New York City police unit.
View Episode Rankings#7 - Queer as Folk (US)
Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this original series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA.
View Episode Rankings#8 - The Practice
The Practice focused on the law firm of Robert Donnell and Associates (later becoming Donnell, Young, Dole, & Frutt, and ultimately Young, Frutt, & Berluti). Plots typically featured the firm's involvement in various high-profile criminal and civil cases that often mirror current events. Conflict between legal ethics and personal morality was a recurring theme. Some episodes contained light comedy. Kelley claimed that he conceived the show as something of a rebuttal to L.A. Law (for which he wrote) and its romanticized treatment of the American legal system and legal proceedings.
View Episode Rankings#9 - Coupling
On average, men and women think about sex every six seconds. Shorten that to every second, and you've got Coupling. This series centers around Susan and Steve (who are a couple), and Sally and Patrick join the gang as friends of Susan (and then Steve), while Steve pulls in his best friend Jeff and his crazy ex Jane.
View Episode Rankings#10 - Samurai Jack
Made by Genndy Tartakovsky, this cartoon tells the story of a great warrior displaced to the distant future by the evil shape-shifting wizard Aku. The world has become a bleak place under the rule of Aku, segregated into fantastic tribes and ruled by Aku's evil robot warlords. Jack travels this foreign landscape in search of a time portal that can return him to his home time so he can "undo the future that is Aku!".
View Episode Rankings#11 - Earth: Final Conflict
An androgynous alien species called the Taelons arrive on earth, claiming to be companions of humanity, putting an end to crime, illness, and famine. Some are suspicious of the Taleons, and form a resistance movement. The resistance soon learned that the force that sustains the Taelons are breaking down, and they are using humans as test subjects in experiments to help save their species. The initial focus of the show was Commander William Boone and his partner, Captain Lili Marquette, who worked for both the Taelons and the resistance. After Boone was killed, the show introduced a new protagonist, Major Liam Kincaid, and began to play on the strengths of it's ensemble cast.
View Episode Rankings#12 - Nash Bridges
Fun-loving San Francisco Police Department investigator Nash Bridges is part of the elite Special Investigations Unit. He tackles crime using his keen sense of humor and charm. Joe Dominguez comes out of retirement to become Bridges' wisecracking yet more rule-abiding partner.
View Episode Rankings#13 - Roswell
In Roswell, New Mexico, a group of teenage alien/human hybrids attempt to survive as humans and hide their alien sides, while trying to learn more about their alien powers, as well as figuring out how to get home. Roswell intertwines romance and science fiction that always kept you guessing.
View Episode Rankings#14 - X-Men: Evolution
Loosely following the main stories from the original comic, X-Men: Evolution accompanies the lives of six mutants (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Rogue, and a new original character named Spyke) who attend Xavier's Institute for the Gifted, where they ought to learn how to control their powers and use them for good. These teenagers must face a world that both fears and despises them.
View Episode Rankings#15 - Hunter x Hunter
Gon's father, long believed to be dead, is still alive and was once one of the greatest Hunters in existance. Gon believes he will be able to meet his father once he himself becomes a Hunter. However, before he can become a Hunter, he has to pass the Hunter Exam first, an exam made of numerous tasks and dangerous trials.
View Episode Rankings#16 - Spaced
Surreal cult sitcom starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson - and more pop culture references than you can shake a light sabre at.
View Episode Rankings#17 - The West Wing
A glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life.
View Episode Rankings#18 - Fighting Spirit
Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is just beginning...
View Episode Rankings#19 - A Touch of Frost
Detective Inspector Jack Frost is a disorganised DI for the Denton Police Force and will do anything to see that justice is done, even if he has to break the rules.
View Episode Rankings#20 - Third Watch
The series tells the stories of the members of the 55th Squad – police, firefighters, and paramedics who work the "third watch" between 3 pm and 11 pm in New York City.
View Episode Rankings#21 - Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine is an affectionate comedy about people in the autumn of their years. The series is the world's longest-running sitcom, having clocked up 31 series and numerous Christmas specials during its run.
View Episode Rankings#22 - My Family
My Family is about the life of the Harpers, a fictional middle-class English family, who live in 78 Lancaster Road, Chiswick, London. Ben, a dentist, and Susan, a tour guide who later works for an art gallery, have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael, all of whom cause problems in their own way. While Susan is a control freak, Ben prefers to leave the children to it and tries not to get involved.
View Episode Rankings#23 - Touched by an Angel
Tess and Monica are two angels sent to earth to help people with their problems. Helping them are Andrew and the new angel, Gloria.
View Episode Rankings#24 - Trailer Park Boys
Follow the antics and misadventures of three longtime pals and petty serial criminals Julian, Ricky, and Bubbles who run scams, mad capers, and get-rich-quick schemes (with plenty of screw-ups along the way) from their Nova Scotia trailer park. Either they'll get rich...or you'll die laughing.
View Episode Rankings#25 - Ed, Edd n Eddy
Three adolescent boys, Ed, Edd "Double D", and Eddy, collectively known as "the Eds", constantly invent schemes to make money from their peers to purchase their favorite confectionery, jawbreakers. Their plans usually fail though, leaving them in various predicaments.
View Episode Rankings#26 - My Wife and Kids
Michael Kyle longs for a traditional life, but his day-trader wife Janet, gangsta rap-worshipping son Michael Jr., and brooding daughters Claire and Kady make his dream just that ... a dream.
View Episode Rankings#27 - Batman Beyond
It's been years since Batman was last seen and Bruce Wayne secludes himself away from the resurgence of crime in Gotham. After discovering Bruce's secret identity, troubled teenager Terry McGinnis dons the mantle of Batman. With Bruce supervising him, Terry battles criminals in a futuristic Gotham and brings hope to its citizens.
View Episode Rankings#28 - Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond revolves around Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living on Long Island with his wife, Debra, 12-year-old daughter, Ally, and 8-year-old twin sons, Geoffrey and Michael. That's the good news. The bad news? Ray's meddling parents, Frank and Marie, live directly across the street and embrace the motto "Su casa es mi casa," infiltrating their son's home to an extent unparalleled in television history. Frank's favorite expression, "Holy Crap," is shouted at regular intervals, and Marie's "cooking advice" is less than appreciated by Debra. Brother Robert, a divorced policeman, is constantly moving in and out of his parents' house, and loves to drop over and resent Ray's successful career and happy family life. Ray and Debra just wish someone would knock once in a while. Finalizing it's 9th and final season, the cast and crew of "ELR" has had a very successful run, and it makes it even harder for them all to say good-bye.
View Episode Rankings#29 - Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Feel The Power... OF ATTORNEY! Once, he was known as the aviary superhero called simply Birdman. Eventually, Birdman fell on hard times, and the hero route went by the wayside. Now, as an attorney, he represents his fellow former Hanna-Barbera cartoon stars, in a variety of strange cases. With opposing counsel made up of his former villains and his pet/partner Avenger working as his personal secretary, Harvey tackles the cases only a guy in a business suit with a mask & large wings can!
View Episode Rankings#30 - Agatha Christie's Poirot
He’s the super sleuth with a sharp mind and a peculiar manner who doggedly deduces the truth behind the crimes.
View Episode Rankings#31 - Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena is as an infamous warrior on a quest to seek redemption for her past sins against the innocent by using her formidable fighting skills to now, help those who are unable to defend themselves. Xena is accompanied by Gabrielle, who during the series changes from a simple farm girl into an Amazon warrior and Xena's comrade-in-arms.
View Episode Rankings#32 - Invader ZIM
Invader ZIM is an eccentric alien soldier from the planet Irk. He was banished from the Irken Empire after nearly destroying his home planet on an early mission. After begging his superiors, the Almighty Tallest Red and Purple, for another chance, they decide to get rid of him once and for all. They trick him into going on a "secret mission" to an obscure planet at the edge of the universe, a planet with the unlikely name of Earth, in hopes that he'll die along the way. But their trick backfires when ZIM safely reaches Earth and begins his ever-so-subtle conquest of it. He disguises himself as a schoolboy, and now the only person who can stop him is one kid - Dib, a somewhat insane paranormal researcher, who sees straight through ZIM's disguise and is intent on stopping his reign of "terror". The only problem is that neither of them is very good at stopping the other.
View Episode Rankings#33 - Six Feet Under
A chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.
View Episode Rankings#34 - Justice League
An American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it is based on the Justice League and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. After its second season, it became Justice League Unlimited, and ran an additional three seasons.
View Episode Rankings#35 - According to Jim
Jim is an abrasive but lovable suburban father. Much like his real life counterpart, Jim's character is noted as a fan of Blues music, as well as the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs. He's married to a gorgeous woman, Cheryl, and raises his five children – Ruby, Gracie, Kyle, and twins, Gordan and Jonathan – in a big house. Everything is perfect for Jim, if it wasn't for the messy situations he gets himself into and his laziness, which often makes him search for alternative ways of doing things with less effort. Of course, having his wife's siblings hanging out at his house all the time is no help. While Andy might be one of his best friends, Dana often teams up with Cheryl against Jim.
View Episode Rankings#36 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer. Buffy Summers is The Chosen One, the one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to fight the vampires. With the help of her close friends, Willow, Xander, and her Watcher Giles she balances slaying, family, friendships, and relationships.
View Episode Rankings#37 - Crossing Jordan
The Boston Medical Examiners office brings us Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, who is fearless, smart and sexy. Dr. Garret Macy is Chief Medical Examiner and it is his job to keep Dr. Cavanaugh in check. With her methods a little on the unorthodox side her relationship with Detective Woody Hoyt is constantly being tested. It is not just Medical Examiners and Detectives we also have grief counselor Lily Lebowski, criminologist Nigel Townsend, and forensic entomologist "Bug". This dynamic team takes us though the crime solving process and keeps us guessing.
View Episode Rankings#38 - Degrassi
Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television series, set in the Degrassi fictional universe created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1980. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, following The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and Degrassi High. Like its predecessors, Degrassi follows a group of students attending Degrassi Community School who face challenges common to teen life, such as self image, peer pressure, child abuse, sexual identity, gang violence, self-injury, school shootings, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse.
View Episode Rankings#39 - The Office
A mockumentary about life in a mid-sized suboffice paper merchants in a bleak British industrial town, where manager David Brent thinks he's the coolest, funniest, and most popular boss ever. He isn't. That doesn't stop him from embarrassing himself in front of the cameras on a regular basis, whether from his political sermonizing, his stand-up 'comedy', or his incredibly unique dancing. Meanwhile, long-suffering Tim longs after Dawn the engaged receptionist and keeps himself sane by playing childish practical jokes on his insufferable, army-obsessed deskmate Gareth. Will the Slough office be closed? Will the BBC give David a game show? Will Tim and Dawn end up with each other? And more importantly, will Gareth realize what a hopeless prat he is?
View Episode Rankings#40 - The Sopranos
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
View Episode Rankings#41 - Farscape
Astronaut John Crichton attempts to use the Earth's atmosphere to propel his ship, Farscape 1, at great speeds across the solar system. He went much further though and was sucked down a wormhole to a distant part of the galaxy and into the middle of a battle. He is rescued by a group of escaping prisoners and taken aboard their living ship. As the years went by, Crichton has made enemies, powerful and dangerous enemies. On his journey to find a way back home, he freed other captives who became part of the crew on Moya.
View Episode Rankings#42 - Angel
Angel, a 240-year old vampire cursed with a conscience, haunts the dark streets of Los Angeles alone. But after he meets a half-demon with mysterious visions, Angel realizes his true purpose: to help those in danger with the hope that he may have a chance to redeem himself and save his own soul. With Cordelia and Doyle at his side, he forms Angel Investigations. He is soon joined by Wesley, Gunn, Lorne and Fred, and he will need all their expertise to fight the growing forces of evil, and the supernatural law firm of Wolfram and Hart.
View Episode Rankings#43 - Becker
Ted Danson (Cheers) starred as Dr. John Becker, a dedicated and talented physician with a gruff exterior. Unfortunately, his interior isn't all that warm and fuzzy either. While he offends those around who try to get close to him, he is extremely dedicated to his medical practice in the Bronx where he always goes the extra mile to help those in need.
View Episode Rankings#44 - Jackie Chan Adventures
"Jackie Chan Adventures" is the exciting new animated series from world-famous action hero Jackie Chan. You've never seen Jackie like this! Archeologist Jackie Chan's 11-year-old niece Jade proves action runs in the family when she arrives from Hong Kong to live with Jackie and his wise, old uncle in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Jackie has found an ancient Chinese talisman, and now he's got government agents and gangsters chasing after him. Soon, Jackie and Jade learn the secret powers of the Rooster talisman and must use magic and martial arts to stop the villainous Valmont and his thugs from stealing the powerful prize for their own purposes. When Jackie and Jade travel to Mexico to find the next talisman, Jackie ends up in the ring with world class wrestler El Toro Fuerte. He quickly discovers the Ox talisman but Valmont's goons are on his tail. Jackie and Jade team up with the mighty wrestler to battle the bad guys in a championship match of good vs. evil.
View Episode Rankings#45 - Friends
Rachel Green, Ross Geller, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay are six 20 something year-olds, living off one another in the heart of New York City. Over the course of ten years, this average group of buddies goes through massive mayhem, family trouble, past and future romances, fights, laughs, tears and surprises as they learn what it really means to be a friend.
View Episode Rankings#46 - Dexter's Laboratory
Sleep tight, America! Your fate lies safely in the hands of Dexter, a child genius who whips up dazzling, world-saving inventions in his secret laboratory. Big sister Dee Dee frequently wrecks his experiments, but his bigger nemesis is Mandark, his brilliant rival at Huber Elementary School. Mom and Dad, of course, have no idea what their little angel is up to.
View Episode Rankings#47 - King of the Hill
In the little town of Arlen, Texas, lives a man who embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State. Hank Hill tends his lawn with pride, never overcooks his steak and sells propane and propane accessories. In this animated series from Mike Judge, Hank and his wife Peggy work to raise their son Bobby, be good neighbors and uphold their middle-class Texas values amid a changing world.
View Episode Rankings#48 - JAG
JAG is an adventure drama about an elite wing of officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute and defend those accused of crimes in the military. Navy Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb, an ace pilot turned lawyer, and Marine Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, a beautiful by-the-book officer, are colleagues who hold the same high standards but find themselves clashing when they choose different routes to get to the same place. The unmistakable chemistry between them must be held at bay for professional reasons as they traverse the globe together with a single mission: to search for and discover the truth. Helping them with their mission is Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts, a lawyer who proved his grit and determination when, after losing a leg in a land mine field while on a mission, fought back and became even better at his job.
View Episode Rankings#49 - Grounded for Life
Having started procreating at a young age, Claudia and Sean aren't sure they're ready for parenthood - even after having three kids. This series tells the story of kids - as well as the adults - growing up.
View Episode Rankings#50 - Gilmore Girls
Lorelai Gilmore has made her share of mistakes in life, but she has been doing her best to see that her college-bound daughter Rory, who’s also her best friend in the world, doesn’t follow in her footsteps. That may be easier said than done, considering that the two share the same interests, the same intellect, the same coffee addiction and the same eyes.
View Episode Rankings