Best of the decade: TV

Look at the moments that defined the aughts on TV.

• Mobster Tony Soprano working out his feelings with a therapist.
• Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Monica and Chandler saying goodbye.
• Contestants posturing to vote each other off the island.

But what show really defined the 2000s — in terms of ratings and pop culture appeal? Well, that's a no-brainer. The decade had only one “Idol.”

The decade's best shows that are still airing today:

1. “American Idol” Fox, 2002-present

The case is simple. “Idol” is one of only three shows in history that has been the year's No. 1 program for five straight years.

“The Cosby Show” and “All in the Family” are the others. Beyond that, though, the show has produced singers who have placed high on the Billboard charts — Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry anyone? — and is probably the No. 1 pop culture phenomenon of the decade. It even crosses over into technology, where fans call and text in votes for their favorite competitors. Plus, “Idol” underscores the massive swell of reality TV in the 2000s.

2. “Survivor” CBS, 2000-present

Speaking of reality TV, here's the father of it. (Yes, MTV fans, we remember “Real World”; it's the less-watched grandpa.)

“Survivor” took TV by storm in 2000. It was full of controversy when the exhibitionist and manipulative Richard Hatch took the first “Survivor” crown but later got in legal trouble for not paying taxes.

“Survivor” beget “Big Brother,” “The Bachelor” and even “American Idol.” Plus, it's still on the air. It doesn't appear viewers are going to vote it off the TV island any time soon.

3. “The Daily Show” Comedy Central, 1996-present

Ever since Jon Stewart took over as host of the faux-news show in 1999, “The Daily Show” has been on a different level. Its mockery actually became a legitimate voice for left-leaners exasperated by George W. Bush's presidency.

Plus, the show gave birth to spinoff “The Colbert Report” and provided a career stop for “The Office” star Steve Carell.

4. “Grey's Anatomy” ABC, 2005-present

Sure, it's a soapy hospital drama, but we've got two words for you: Dr. McDreamy. That phrase is part of the 2000s pop culture lexicon for good. As for characters and all that — whatever.

Dr. McDreamy. Enough said.

5. “Lost,” ABC, 2004-present

Polar bears, science experiments and time travel never seemed so fun. Or befuddling. Even avid watchers have no idea what's going on.

But “Lost” probably has as dedicated a cult following as any impenetrable show ever, and its series finale could be one of the next decade's defining TV moments.

6. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” CBS, 2000-present

It's formulaic, unoriginal and full of gratuitous violence. But “CSI” is a viewer magnet.

The show — starring Nebraska native Marg Helgenberger — scored sweet ratings from the start and continues to be toward the top of the list for prime-time dramas.

Some of its main competition comes from its spinoffs — “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY.” Heck, CBS should just changed its name to CSI because it airs so much crime-scene drama. And you can thank — of course — “CSI” for that.

7. “The Office” BBC, 2001-2003, and NBC, 2005-present

We're talking about two shows here — the British version and the American version. The first was funnier but not nearly as widespread in the States as the second. Either way, “The Office” finds humor and a little bit of love in mundane office life.

And if you've ever put your boss's stapler in Jell-O, you know the program has pop culture crossover. Plus, the American “Office” gave NBC hope that there could be humor after “Seinfeld” and “Friends.”

8. “Family Guy” Fox, 1999-2002, 2005-present

Its resurrection alone could net “Family Guy” a spot on the list. It's not often a show is canceled and then brought back from the dead. But “Family Guy” pulled that off.

It also perennially pulls off the even riskier task of pushing right up against the line of what's acceptable on network TV. Plus, that 2007 “Star Wars” special was epic.

9. “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” ABC, 1999-present

The show was all the rage in the early part of the decade.

How big was it? Forget that it drew 36 million viewers in May 2000. The show made Regis Philbin larger than life. That's a big accomplishment.

10. “Dancing With the Stars” ABC, 2005-present

This show certainly fits with the decade's environmentalism. No show recycles stars better.

Important series that called it quits in the 2000s:

“Friends” NBC, 1994-2004
Its finale was the most-watched program of the decade, drawing 52.5 million viewers.

“The Sopranos” HBO, 1999-2007
It put HBO over the top and had perhaps the most controversial ending of a series ever.

“Sex and the City” HBO, 1998-2004
The ultimate chic chick show.

“Arrested Development” Fox, 2003-2006
The epitome of a critical darling that never drew viewers.

“Chappelle's Show” Comedy Central, 2003-2006
Funny and edgy — until Dave Chappelle just up and lost interest.

“Freaks and Geeks” NBC, 1999-2000
Produced by some guy named Judd Apatow and starring some guy named Seth Rogen.

“The Wire” HBO, 2002-2008
Gave a gritty, realistic view of many facets of Baltimore.

“Battlestar Galactica” Sci Fi (now Syfy), 2003-2009
One word: Frak.

“ER” NBC, 1994-2009
Nearly 40 million watched as it finally got taken off life support.

“Monk” USA, 2002-2009
A forefather of the emergence of original scripted content on cable TV.

Shows that should be forgotten:

“Joe Millionaire,” Fox, 2003
What's worse — the premise where a guy lies about being a millionaire to seduce hot women or the fact the show's season one finale drew 40 million viewers, making it the third-most-watched program of the decade?

“I Love New York,” VH1, 2007-2008
As if “Flavor of Love” wasn't bad enough. Curse you, VH1!

“Real Housewives of ...,” Bravo, 2006-present
Orange County, New York, Atlanta. It doesn't matter where they live, they're all unwatchable.

“Cavemen,” ABC, 2007
You really made a TV show out of a Geico ad?

“Joey,” NBC, 2004-2006
Just because Joey was funny on “Friends” didn't mean he'd be funny on his own.

Nebraskan who had the best TV decade: Marg Helgenberger

The North Bend native stars on “CSI,” one of TV's biggest prime-time dramas. She was nominated for two Emmys and two Golden Globes and won a People's Choice Award. Not too shabby.

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