Culture Week: The best (and worst) of American TV

For better or worse, America throws out a crazy number of TV shows each year, and has done for ages. Even the best binge watchers and Netflixers couldn't hope to get through all of them, so a round-up of the good and the bad is always useful

There are certain obvious outliers, such as Friends, Breaking Bad, or Game of Thrones, that are generally well received. And inevitably, there are a lot that rated badly, or didn't live up to their potential - whilst Friends is generally well regarded, it's spin-off, Joey, never reached the same level of success.

But of course, everyone has their own favourites; so what shows couldn't you live without? And what shows would you avoid at all costs?

(Personally I've always hated South Park and Family Guy, but that rarely goes down well )

The CW makes some really good shows: Arrow, The Flash, The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and The 100 are popular

The best (in my humble opinion):

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Wire
Friends
Community
The Big Bang Theory
Ally McBeal

The worst... can't really think of any right now, but Jerry Springer was pretty bad.

No one mentioned Dexter? Yes the finale kind of ruined it but early on it was very good! Other recent favorites: Daredevil was excellent, can't wait for the next season of Gotham, and really enjoying Mr. Robot at the moment.