Top 10 Action TV Shows

Who doesn't enjoy watching an exciting show full of action? I certainly do. When thinking about this list, being a huge science fiction/fantasy fan, I could have picked many shows from that genre. However I did my best to pick shows that were known primarily for their action.

10. Strange Luck (Fox, 1995-1996) - I know it is unusual to have a show that barely made it through a season, and Strange Luck only ran for 17 episodes, yet it really appealed to me.

It starred D.B. Sweeney as Chance Harper, a man who, as the name implies always managed to have luck. It was not always good nor was it always bad, it just was. When he was a child, he was the sole survivor of a plane crash.

Wherever Chance went, things happened. Although, if he was desperate, his luck would change enough so he would survive to go on. It was a very interesting premise. Unfortunately, it was on Fox, notorious for not giving good shows a chance to reach an audience. Too bad, because this show could have gone in very interesting directions and, according to Wikipedia,¹ in one episode Chance's brother wrote him a letter asking him to contact FBI agent Mulder, implying that this show and another Fox series, X-Files (see #6 on this list ) were in the same television universe. Imagine the crossover potential!

9. MacGyver (ABC, 1985-1992) - As a self-professed geek, I can't help but like this show. It starred Richard Dean Anderson as Angus MacGyver, who worked for DXS and then the Phoenix Foundation, a think tank, after the first season.

Unlike other action/adventure heroes, MacGyver used his brains. He didn't have the high tech gadgetry of James Bond, or even big fire power. Instead, all he usually had on him was a Swiss army knife and duct tape. MacGyver was incredible at jury-rigging anything around him to do what had to be done. He had a quick resourcefulness and a handle on most sciences to be able to figure out what to use for any situation.

As people tuned in week after week to see what odd items MacGyver would use, the term Macgyvering became common in public, showing just how popular he and the show were.

8. Baretta (ABC, 1975-1978) - Growing up in the 1970s, this was one of my favorite television shows. It starred Robert Blake as Tony Baretta, a streetwise undercover police officer.

Baretta lived in a run-down hotel with his pet bird, a cockatoo named Fred. What marked Baretta was the humor and his use of many costumes when he was undercover. Apparently, there was a previous show called Toma, starring Tony Musante, which had a very similar premise, but was much harder. When Robert Blake didn't want to replace Musante, they created a new vehicle, Baretta for Blake.²

Baretta was a very human character. He made mistakes, he wasn't perfect, but his heart was always in his work. He was a true action hero for me, and as he would say it, "You can take dat to the bank!"

7. Avengers (Associated British Corporation, 1961-1969) - Although it sometimes had what could be termed science fiction elements, this show was mostly an action/adventure series.

It concerned John Steed and his many partners as he handled spies working for the other team. Of the many people he worked with, the most popular and charming was Emma Peel, portrayed by Diana Rigg.

Mrs. Peel was married, but you could not help but notice the sexual chemistry between her and the umbrella toting Steed. Always taking the time for a glass of wine, or quick witty repartee, our two intrepid spies were never at a loss no matter the situation.

Diana Rigg became an icon as Mrs. Peel in her skin-tight outfit applying martial arts to her enemies. She was a match for John Steed and we enjoyed watching them together.

I will admit that the storylines were cheesy. But, this was the guilty pleasure of this genre: The show that you couldn't help but smile and love. It might have been a parody, but it was still enjoyable enough on its own merits. If you haven't ever seen an episode, you should do so. It really is fun.

6. Mission Impossible (CBS, 1966-1973) - Good Morning Associated Content Readers, you're mission, should you decide to accept it, is to read this review... Seriously though, unless you were not a television person at all, you could not help but know the theme song to this show, or the symbolism of the lit fuse as it is running out.

This show concerned the exploits of the impossible missions force or IMF, a team of very special agents, who with their specialized talents are the only people who could solve certain "problems." The agency was never actually mentioned, but headed by a "Secretary" who would "disavow any knowledge" of their actions, if they were "caught or killed."

The leader (first Dan Briggs, then Jim Phelps) would receive the job on a tape. He would then look at the dossiers of several people and pick the right ones for this job. Each week, the IMF group would change slightly based on who was needed, but the leader was always the same.

This show was very clever and it was fun to see how the IMF would solve each of their jobs. I loved it.

5. X-Files (Fox, 1993-2002) - Most people are familiar with FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who spend their time investigating the strange occurrences that are relegated to the "X-files. It starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in these immortal roles.

The odd stories and the great characterizations are what made the show so memorable. Who didn't hate the cigarette smoking man, or Alex Krycek. Who didn't want scientist Dana Scully to tell Mulder that she did believe. Of course, when it came down to it, Scully was more of a true believer than Mulder was.

This show became a icon, and it made pop culture history. This was for a good reason. What a great show!

4. Leverage (TNT, 2008-present) - We all love to root for the underdog, and we take pleasure when we see them topple the oppressive rich tyrant. That is at the heart of this show, which stars Timothy Hutton as Nathan Ford, a former insurance fraud investigator, who runs a team of con artists, thieves, and computer experts who fight injustice to the little people.

Ford's son was killed when his employer refused to pay for a procedure that could have saved his life. He is bitter, drinks too much and that is how he comes to be working with his group.

At the end of the first season, their headquarters were blown up, and I can hardly wait to see where they are when they return this summer. Check in on this group, you won't be sorry.

3. Burn Notice (USA, 2007-present) - A burn notice, we find out in the first episode is what is issued when an agent is discredited. He has been cut off, no history, no money, nothing. This show is in the style of a first person narrative and stars Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Weston.

The characters are what makes this show as great as it is. Without an identity to work with, Michael is forced to rely on others to help him find whoever "burned" him and deal with the matter. He teams up with Sam Axe, an aging CIA agent and former Navy Seal who spends his time drinking and hooking up with rich women, and his ex, Fiona Glenanne, a gun happy, ex IRA agent who quickly becomes indispensible. To make do in the meantime, Michael, Sam, and Fiona take on jobs from people being taken advantage of and make things right. Rounding out this entourage is Michael's chain-smoking, annoying mother, played by the delightful Sharon Gless.

What I love about this show is the voiceovers done by the main character. As he confronts each problem, he explains to the audience what a good spy would do, and why something would be a bad idea, etc. We become a part of the action and it becomes more accessible.

As Michael gets closer to finding out about why he was burned (and, I hope, closer to Fi) I look forward to learning more about the spy business. Great show and an even greater ensemble cast.

2. 24 (Fox, 2001 - present) - Everyone roots for a hero. And there is no bigger hero these days than Jack Bauer. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, 24 is about one man's story as he saves our country, repeatedly, each season.

What makes this show different is that each episode is run on real time. It's called 24 because there are 24 hours in a day, so each season is one day in the life of this man.

Boy, does he have bad days. Most people don't go through trials and tribulations like Jack in their lifetimes, let alone in a day. But, we all know that by the end of the season (the day) Jack will have saved the day.

He is not a nice guy. He does what he has to do, with a hard edge that sometimes makes it hard to like him. And, in these days when torture is a big issue with the public, Jack Bauer is still one of the most popular characters out there.

That's because unlike in real life, we can count on Jack Bauer to do what's good for his country, sacrificing everything he has and loves.

It really is a great show, and Kiefer's characterization is wonderful. The supporting characters are also not 2 dimensional, and you care about them. And, I bet when it comes to the 8^th season next year, Jack is going to have another VERY BAD day...

Alias (ABC, 2001-2006) - Spy shows are always very popular. It's exciting, exotic, and it seems crystal clear, right? Well apparently not. Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner, is recruited to work for SD6, a covert operation for the CIA.

When she becomes engaged, she tells her fiancé, so as not to have any secrets. Because of this SD6 has him killed. When she finds out from her estranged father that SD6 is not actually a part of the CIA, she becomes a double agent, working with the real CIA to bring down SD6 from the inside.

With great outfits and fake wigs, we follow Sydney on many dangerous missions as she works with the CIA and tries to keep it from the SD6 employers.

The action was constant, the storylines having a science fiction flair at times. This was the ultimate action adventure series. And, with a main character being a woman enough action to please the guys, this was a series that attracted both men and women. And, it was my favorite action show of all time.

So, this is my list. I know I left a lot out of this left. So, I would love to hear what you think should have made it onto the list. And, which of my choices is misplaced.

¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Luck

²http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072471/trivia