Top 25 TV shows: 17. LAW & ORDER: Criminal Intent (2001- )

17. LAW & ORDER: Criminal Intent (2001- )

This L&O spin-off features more law enforcement than courtroom order, but it still adheres nominally to the Dick Wolf trademark split between cops and lawyers. While it features the highly stylized acting turns of Vincent D’Onofrio, it focuses on the psychological dynamics of its bad guys, rather than the legal issues they represent.

TRIVIA: D’Onofrio’s character, Robert Goren, is based on Sherlock Holmes. His style is based on Peter Falk’s Columbo.