'Malcolm' sitcom rated best comedy

Malcolm In the Middle has been voted best comedy show on American TV.

And the dysfunctional family sitcom came third overall - behind The Sopranos and West Wing - in the list chosen by critics.

Everybody Loves Raymond, The Simpsons, Sex And The City, Frasier and Friends all made the top 20 list, too.

But critics in the Electronic Media survey gave the thumbs-down to several sitcoms designed as star vehicles.

The Michael Richards Show - starring the actor behind Seinfeld's Kramer as a private detective - was named worst show, with Bette Midler and Geena Davis's sitcoms not far behind. The Weakest Link also featured in the list of shame.

BEST SHOWS:
1. The Sopranos
2. The West Wing
3. Malcolm in the Middle
4. Gilmore Girls
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6. Everybody Loves Raymond
7. Survivor: The Australian Outback
8. Law & Order
9. Once and Again
10. Ed
11. The Simpsons
12. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
13. Sex and the City
14. The Job
15. Boston Public
16. The Daily Show
17. Judging Amy
18. ER
19. Frasier
20. Friends

WORST SHOWS:
1. The Michael Richards Show
2. Temptation Island
3. Chains of Love
4. Yes, Dear
5. Geena
6. Titans
7. Jackass
8. XFL
9. Weakest Link
10. Bette

Published: 10 Jul 2001