In this week’s issue of New York, we asked Lost guru Damon Lindelof, Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal, and some other TV bigshots to help us determine once and for all the greatest New York–set TV show of all time. Spoiler alert: Seinfeld won. But it wasn’t unanimous. One of our panelists (Parks and Recreation star Adam Scott) made a strong case for Late Night With David Letterman, Dave’s original post-midnight playground. And CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler came very close to giving the nod to Law & Order (though she ultimately jumped on the Seinfeld bandwagon … not that there’s anything wrong with that). Our panelists actually each came up their own top five list of best-ever New York shows, which we didn’t have space to include in the issue. See their choices after the jump — and discuss in the comments whether you agree. (Oh, and by the way: Don’t ask where Mad Men and 30 Rock are. Our debaters decided shows currently on the air weren’t eligible — though they made an exception for Saturday Night Live.)
Damon Lindelof: Seinfeld, SNL, Sex and the City, The Honeymooners, All in the Family
Adam Scott: Late Night With David Letterman, SNL, Taxi, The Honeymooners, Taxi
Phil Rosenthal: Seinfeld, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, Late Night With David Letterman, The Odd Couple
Nina Tassler: Seinfeld, Law & Order, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, Sex and the City