The Greatest Show In The History Of Television?

Currently on news stands is the latest issue of Vanity Fair, which features "The Sopranos" on the cover. The story, by excellent Hollywood writer Peter Biskind, is titled "How the Greatest Show in the History of Television Got Made."

The title is certainly and provocative. On the one hand, of course, there is no way to quantify the greatest show, the greatest movie, book, album, etc. It's a matter of choice.

But how would one quantify the greatness of a show? Ratings? Longetivity? Content? How does one compare a comedy like "Seinfeld" to a drama like "The Sopranos?"

Here are the factors I would use to make such a determination:

--Longetivity: Did the show in question last for a significant amount of time? Did it stay on the air too long, or leave before a big dropoff in quality? As Jerry Seinfeld said when he ended his sitcom, "Always leave them wanting more."

--Critical/commercial success: We know quality when we see it. Sometimes, the media goes overboard in its praise of a show or doesn't get a show and therefore is critical of it. And ratings need not be a huge factor - "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI" are pretty much the top-rated dramas on TV and I wouldn't say either show is one for the ages. But popularity while the show is on the air, as well as years later, should be a factor.

--Innovation: Did the show change the way we view television? Shows like "Seinfeld," "NYPD Blue," "M*A*S*H" and others changed the TV landscape in some way. "Blue," for example, showed how far writers could push the limits of broadcast standards to maintain a level of realism; without "Blue," there is probably no "Shield," for example. "M*A*S*H" showed how to incorporate drama into a sitcom; without it, there is probably no "Scrubs."

--Pop culture effect: Certain shows have transcended TV and become a part of American society. When one hears a character being imitated or a catch-phrase being used, even after the show is off the air, you know it has permeated the national consciousness.

--Variations of the show: Did the original series lead to spinoffs, sequels and movie adaptations? Most of the time, the spinoffs water down the memory of the original (e.g. "Joey" to "Friends"), but in some cases, they enhance the original instead ("Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Frasier").

--Defining the actors/producers of a show: Certainly, Joss Whedon's reputation has been enhanced by "Buffy" and "Angel," while Aaron Sorkin will be remembered for "West Wing" and "SportsNight."

Actors, like "Sopranos" stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco have defined their careers by their roles as Tony and Carmela. Kelsey Grammer will always be remembered first and foremost as Dr. Frasier Crane on two hit shows.

What other factors should be considered to measure a show's greatness? What shows make up your all-time lists? If you had to pick one show as the all-time greatest, what would it be?

My choice is coming Monday.

WEEKEND'S BEST BETS: A pretty quiet Friday, thanks to the NCAA basketball tournament, though ABC has a new "Six Degrees" at 9 p..m., which will square off against Fox's "The Wedding Bells." If basketball isn't your brand of competition, you may try the Miss USA pageant (NBC, 9 p.m.)

Also of note, if you haven't caught "The Dresden Files," Sci-Fi is running a marathon of the first six episodes beginning at 5 p.m., while a new episode hits the air Sunday at 9 p.m.

Basketball will continue throughout the weekend as the NCAA pares down to the Final Four on Sunday.

A couple of finales mark Sunday night. "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci-Fi, 10 p.m.) wraps up its season as the trial of Baltar continues. "Rome" (HBO, 9 p.m.) wraps up the entire series as the armies of Octavian and Marc Antony square off.