One guy has come up with this list? As such, I am not surprised at all that women-centered shows were omitted. This means, of course, AfterEllen readers should develop a comparable list. And thelinster seems to have started one already.

I'll add The Wire, Buffy, and Ab Fab (for its use of humor, among other reasons, - very smart). I'm sure there are more, but I'm hungry so my brain is asleep.

Patient: There's like this longing ... this pull. I mean, does that make me, you know, like, some kind of...?

Maeby: Homosexual.

It's all very well listing the smartest shows on TV but did the aforementioned genius outline his reasons for listing the smartest shows? I'm smart and I want his reasoning behind the selections. I agree with House of course, it's one of my favourite shows on the box but no Star Trek! Well, no need to worry, us Trekkies know just how damn smart we all are. Thanks very much for the gorgeous pic of Jeri Ryan :-)

Although I have to disagree and say that Boston Legal is far superior to LA Law in every way possible - it's one of the wittiest and err...smartest shows on TV...(and it has Saffron Burrows).

Boston Public? The absolute nadir of the devolving career of David E. Kelley. Ugh! Double-ugh! Mad About You was a well-made sitcom; nothing more, nothing less.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an obvious oversight -- not merely smarter in narrative and characterization, but also a far superior example of its genre than either BP or MAY.

Also, I realize the more whimisical aspects of both Northern Exposure and Gilmore Girls could be grating for those with a low whimsy-threshold, but both were filled with marvelous cultural references -- high, low, and in-between.

I am always annoyed that Battlestar Galactica never gets any credit. It is truly one of the most intelligent shows I have ever seen. This is the show that deals with complex ethical issue in relation to the military, the government, and the people. I couldn't even list the all the things battlestar galactica has addressed that no network show dares to touch. In season 3 I was rooting for the humans and their insurgency. It really gets you to look at things in a different perspective. Now, how can anyone tell me this is not an intelligent and relavent show.

P.S. I can't wait for season 4!!

After Ellen..came me!! 18 years to the day later to be extact!!

What an interesting choice of shows...Ahem! Some good ones made it - Frasier for example, but where was Battlestar Galactica, Arrested Development, Buffy, or Law and Order SVU????? I also second the Afterellen comparative list. Lets go for it!

By the way, CLOWIE O - I couldn't have put it better myself. Battlestar Galactica covers so many moral and ethical issues including racism in its own way, and is greatly overlooked. Bring on season 4.. although I am sad that its the last one. Can't wait to find out how/why Starbuck is going to lead them all to their doom!!!

I roll my eyes at that list.

Liz Lemon should kick that guy in the shins with her bicurious shoes.

Sorry, I felt outraged... 

Where is Buffy?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Where is The Wire? 

Where is X-files? 

WHERE is Battlestar Galactica?!  

Sigh, so sad. So, so sad. I mean, what happened to the use of proper argumentation? I don’t agree with his choices, but if he could at least offer some insights as to why he picked these shows, other than, I quote, "House – Again, it’s high level type of show; it’s the personality that makes it a winner, plus it deals with science." It deals with science? Well THEN it must be interesting and smart.... And “It’s a personal favorite, I loved the characters and the back and forth. It was very smart.” Well, this guy certainly doesn’t sound very smart. My God.  

"Even in death Gabrielle, I will never leave you"- Xena

The most intelligent show is- without a doubt- the l word!

How brilliant a writer must Ilene Chaiken be to be able to write a show like this. I mean, she's revolutionary. She's the first writer ever to devote all of her characters to utter arbitrariness. The randomness in character development and plot disposal is so unbelievably incoherent.Only a genius can create characters this complex and plots this defying of logic. I'm sure you'll all agree!!

Yeah.

hehe..

But seriously, I really think Ally McBeal is a very intelligent show. Especially the shapes of the characters are unmistakably brilliant. John Cage with his whisteling nose, Richard Fish- fishism, sub zero Nell, Ling, with the toughness and the weakness for old people and blimps..

I also love Arrested Development for the same reasons. I think these are the shows where writers really know their characters. And that is what makes an intelligent show to me.

George Michael is a genuisly created character, Buster.. don't even get me started on him. *heeeeyy brother*

And Will &Grace.. I totally agree paradiso. This show is so marvellous on so many levels. From the characters to the dialogues, to the plot.. to the acting... Karen Walker is my favorite character of all time *Honey, I don't look. I'm looked at!*..

brilliant!!

Oh wait...what was the topic? LOL, But come on! This person who pitched this show has obviously got to be either extremely smart or smart enough to know that TV execs are stupid. 

www.myspace.com/blasianbeatnik02

It is simply the most intelligent, incredible show to exist.

Also - Veronica Mars was a pretty damn smart show, and Friends deserves a mention, as well as Dexter.

... is now on NBC. A somewhat cleaned up version, but it's still definitely a creepfest. A smart, well acted creepfest - but still ... *shudder*

"moose and squirrel" rule, no lie! It did not matter that it was supposed to be a cartoon, it was just wonderful, regardless of genre. 'course I also loved me some "Underdog" too so my tastes might be a bit suspect. >> *runs off to Netflix*

I have one big problem with Mensa. My issue is that we as a profession ( and when I say we I mean Psychology and the Social Science) can't agree on what IQ even is precisely much less how to properly test it. You can't test something properly if you can't even define it properly. Also the IQ test is culturally bound and alot of it is culturally specific. More so then this you can study for the IQ test to increase your score- does that make you smarter and better able to process information or a better test taker?

So we have a group of "smart" people who have made a club based on IQ scores when we can't really even define IQ much less test it adequately. I think its retarded and if they were truely smart then they would understand that the IQ test is not an acurate predicter of Intelligence therefore not base a club on it.

Prior to West Wing there was Sports Night, which was intelligent like West Wing but not as overt about the politics.

And speaking of politics, I think Rocky and Bullwinkle is anti-Russian propaganda.  But that could just be me.

Arrested Development, Ally McBeal, and Party of Five (god bless the melodrama) are my favorite tv shows that are no longer with us. 

Currently the only show that I make a point to watch every week is House but I also love me some Weeds, 30 rock, and Grey's.  

It deals with science, and has a male lead, so it should fit perfectly into Mr.Jimbob's requirements!

BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY!