List of 12 greatest sci-fi shows

Considering the nnews that the Push is being developed into a television series, I thought about what in fact are the best science fiction television series ever? Well ever may be a bit too long, but at least since I have been alive and that I have seen.

Every list I have come across seems to be geared toward promoting advertising sales, patronizing some target group of readers, and/or restricted or inclusive to shows that really don't qualify as sci-fi. So here is my list, from best to worst, without influence of advertising rates, job security, or pandering.

1. Star Trek. Make all the comparisons you want, argue the inconsistencies and quality all day but the fact is this is the best sci-fi television show ever. It influnced everything to come after it, and continues to endure decades after it ended.

2. Dr. Who. The same theme and plot continues to appear on televisions across the world since 1963, that says a lot. It may not have the reach of Star Trek, but every serious sci-fi fan knows the show. To many Americans it's the television equvalent of the World Cup - the world knows it but America thinks it can do better. And actually we did, just once.

3. Farscape. Besides the Fugitive name another show that had so much fan adoration that the network had to respond? This show put Sci-Fi Channel on the map, and the manner in which it was taken off television had a lot to do with the change of the cable network to Syfy. Literally the best collection of science fiction ideas done incedibly well on television.

4. Babylon 5. Another great assortment of sci-fi ideas, done with style and serious attention to plot and details. Way before it's time.

5. Superman. I mean the original George Reeves series. Yes it was campy, but it just had a spark to it. It took the incredulous and made it enjoyable. Something almost all shows on television since have failed miserably to do.

6. Flash Gordon. Yes this was a television series long before it was a cartoon, movie, or porno. Buster Keaton took you on an adventure and every week you wanted to join him. The effects were bad, the acting anything but stellar. Yet it came together as more than it's parts.

7. Futurama. Comedic, animated, and enjoyable. Who says sci-fi can't be funny?

8. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Serious anime, with strong plots and engaging characters. The science is solid, if futuristic. The art is cool. The themes are adult. The plots make more sense than almost anything on television. See it.

9. Star Trek Deep Space 9. Much of the flair and storytelling of the original came back in this series. The Federation stopped being wimps, Kingons got to fight, and aliens were alien. Amazing what a bit of imagination can do.

10. V. The miniseries shocked and amazed everyone. It reminded us that if an alien could get to Earth they likely were superior, since we can't get to them. It's a sci-fi future just seconds away from reality. And it encompassed political issues and human frailties that technology or delusions of granduer cannot conquer.

11. Alien Nation. The most honest depiction of the bias and incoherent fears that exist in the human race (and America) right now. Perhaps only Archie Bunker made it more obvious that we all have a long way to go still.

12. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It's British, bare-bones effects, funny, and completely silly. Another example of how the absurd, mixed with sci-fi, can be widly entertaining.

Other great shows worth mention: The Greatest American Hero, Wild Wild West, Twillight Zone, UFO, The Avengers, X-Files, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Space: 1999, Sliders, Six Million Dollar Man, Quantum Leap, Max Headroom, First Wave, Firefly, Torchwood

Not included for consideration: Cartoons - ie. Jetsons, Starblazers, Battle of the Planets, Code Lyocko, Digimon, ect.; Shows that have nothing to do with science - Get Smart, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed, Bewitched, Batman, Dead Like Me, Night Stalker, Airwolf, Highlander, Highlander: The Raven, ect.

Shows to avoid forever: Homeboys in Space, Ark II, Automan, Battlestar Galactica (revision), Star Trek Enterprise, Knight Rider (remake), Logan's Run, Mutant X, Primeval, Roswell, any seaQuest, Swamp Thing

Like the list? Did I miss anything? Let me know.

The top (and worst) actors per dollar in 2009

In Hollywood it is often said that

you are only as good as your last film.

While still somewhat true, there are those that are worth the money they make on each film and then there are those that are not. Generally, the quality of the actor often matches the box office bucks they generate.

But every year the best and worst actors per dollar they bring to the box office is figured out. Still Hollywood doesn't always pay attention.

So here are the very worst actors that money can buy

Will Ferrell - he was great in Elf. Then he kept doing the same character in every subsequent film - most recently in the bomb Land of the Lost revisioning. At this point his films are just really long, and bad, Saturday Night live skits. Of course he keeps getting paid too well not to be stuck in the mud. He generated $3.29 for every dollar he made.

Ewan McGregor - was a decent Obi Wan. Too bad he hasn't used the force to read any of the scripts of the films he has done since. He brought in $3.75 per dollar to him.

Billy Bob Thornton - been a while since that name was attached to something anyone saw. It's also been a while since his movies brought in a profit. I guess the mojo of Angelina Jolie's blood has worn off. $4 per dollar he made.

Eddie Murphy - was a superstar when he was young. Now, if you are under 15 you probably still think he is great. But his box office numbers look like somebody's allowance. His $4.43 per dollar he earned almost pays for a DVD of Meet Dave.

Ice Cube - not really an actor, but getting there. He's still earning his chops but it seems that his rap fans won't stick around in theaters to watch the lessons. I can't say I blame them. He made $4.77 in the box office for what he got paid.

Tom Cruise - yep, believe it or not he is overpaid. Thank goodness he has his own studio. Of course if he keeps making films like Lions for Lambs he will earn a permanent place on the overpaid list. But MI:4 might help him out. $7.18 per dolloar he got overpaid.

Drew Barrymore - there had to be at least one girl on the list. Yes she is pretty, and seems like a nice person. But none of that seems to matter when she is in a film like Lucky You. Too bad producing a film is not counted otherwise she might have brought in more than $7.43

Leonardo DiCaprio - overpaid and overhyped. You don't have to agree but more do than don't. The proof is in the $7.52 he brought to the box office versus what he got.

Samuel L. Jackson - it hurts me to have him on this list. Still my personal like of the actor and some of his work does not prevent Snakes on a Plane and Soul Man from happening. He made $8.59 in box office for every dollar paid to him. Not good.

And the final top 10 overpaid actor is Jim Carrey. He just made it to the list, but with good reason. Either his movies are huge hits, like The Grinch, or they are bombs like Number 23. Considering how much he gets paid per film I'm sure Hollywood execs were hoping for better than $8.62 at the box office.

Ok, now that you have suffered the pain and if you are still with me, here are the best actors per dolloar. But again, don't assume quality with earnings.

Shai LeBeouf - proof that ability has little to do with anything. He was in all the right films and tops the list with $160 brought in for every dollar he earned. Expect this to go way down since there's only so many Transformer movies that can be made - I pray.

James McAvoy - Not familiar with the name? Well he filled theaters when WANTED came out - or was that because of the scene with a bare backed Jolie? Either way he brought studios $114 for every dollar they brought him.

Michael Cera - not one of the leading male actors in looks, but he brings home the bacon at the box office. Even with films like Year One, he still pulled off $102 per dollar he got paid. But can he do it 2 years in a row?

Daniel Radcliffe - is still riding high off of Harry Potter. That franchise alone put him almost at the top with $93 in the box office for what he earned. Considering he's almost all grown now, will he keep the young girls swooning in his roles after Hogwarts? Maybe.

Robert Downey Jr - Probably the best actor on the list. He is phenomenal when he is sober, and better than most when he isn't. Possibly the only actor to be stuck in a proverbial can and still out earn most any film where you can see the acting. He brought in $78 at the box office for every dollar, and would have done better if he didn't get roped into Tropic Thunder. Iron Man 2 and Sherlock Holmes can't come out fast enough.

Javier Bardem - don't know his name? Well like Cera you went to see him, over and over again. To the tune of making $73 at the box office for what he was paid. Maybe you'll remember his name next time since he will likely get a lot more films.

Ryan Reynolds - I'm glad he made the list. He's just a funny guy, that can do action at least as well as anyone on this list. And who didn't want to see him in X-Men Origins: Wolverine after watching the movie trailer (too bad the film was a waste of time). Expect higher numbers than the $61 in the box office for his pay once Green Lantern and Deadpool hit screens in 20011-12.

Christian Bale - he terminated the competition as a Dark Knight. The franchises have been good to him and to the box office of Hollywood. $55 for his every dollar. And more sequels are coming.

Aaron Eckhart - he doesn't make big bucks himself, but compared to what his movies bring in... Suffice to say that even with PC Hollywood he made smoking interesting again. $45 to the box office for ever dollar getting him on-screen.

Dennis Quaid is the old man of the list. He brought in $43 for every wrinkled dollar he earned. Lucky for him The Day After Tomorrow was not part of the calculations.

Well that's the lists. Love it or hate it, there you are. I'm glad Forbes made the list because figuring it all out just takes too long.