NCIS is the best TV show.

Thanks for the quick reply, mongeese. C1: Plotline My opponent presented an excellent plot summary of NCIS. Had Pro removed the words "U.S. Marines," he would have also presented an excellent summary of CSI, Law & Order, The Unit, J.A.G, Cold Case, and numerous similar crime dramas. The few superficial differences between these shows do not disguise their collective unoriginality. Seinfeld avoids the sin of sitcom similarity by completely abandoning the idea of a set plot. By keeping only the characters constant, the show works with a free-form style that allows constant change and originality. In fact, embracing its status as "a show about nothing" was a defining feature of the series [1], freeing it from the traps of predictability and elevating it above its peers C2: Running Time Pro claims that NCIS' longer running time is a point of superiority. Of course, this is only relevant if NCIS is superior or equal to Seinfeld in terms of entertainment value. I could easily argue that Seinfeld has produced more individual episodes, thus more complete stories than has NCIS. Still, an argument on quantity only bears weight once quality has been determined. C3: Cinematography My opponent considers the editing style of NCIS to be unique and entertaining. Regular television viewers, however, recognize these tricks to be hardly unique (similar techniques are used in CSI, 24, Cold Case, Battlestar Galactica, etc.) and often used to bolster weak storytelling. What Pro is describing are empty simply bells and whistles, identifying NCIS as a standard crime drama. C4: Characters Pro considers the characters on NCIS to be one of its strong suits. I find this ironic considering the characters on Seinfeld are some of the most iconic, popular, and celebrated of all time [2][3]. In addition to its 4 stars, Seinfeld is also famous for its plethora of unique and memorable supporting cast [4][5]. Honestly, a group of stereotypical character types – "a divorced ex-Marine with a gruff attitude…a computer geek, a gothic forensic scientist" – can in no way compare to the pop culture icons that are the cast of Seinfeld! ::Pro-Seinfeld Points:: 1. Ratings In its 6 seasons on the air, NCIS averaged 16th in the ratings and brought in an average of 15 million viewers [6]. Compare this to 6 seasons of Seinfeld, which averaged an amazing 6th in the ratings and brought in roughly 19 million viewers [7]. In addition, the show's finale brought in a staggering 76 million people [8], making it the third most watched series finale in history. Given that ratings are the most common and reliable tool used in gauging a show's popularity, this presents a clear edge for Seinfeld in terms of consistent entertainment value. 2. Awards Seinfeld remains one of the most critically acclaimed series in television history [9]. Here are some highlights: • Emmys: Won - 10, Nominated – 68 • Golden Globes: Won - 3, Nominated – 15 • SAG Awards: Won - 6, Nominated – 17 • People's Choice Awards: Won - 3, Nominated - 4 In all, the show has won 38 awards and has been nominated 131 times. NCIS, on the other hand, has not earned a single win or nomination under any category for any award (please correct me if I overlooked something). According to those organizations designed to judge tv show quality, there is no question which is superior here. 3. Recognition Seinfeld is already widely accepted as one of the best tv shows of all time [10][11][12]. Widespread recognition and acceptance on this level are rare, gracing only those shows whose ingenious storytelling and lasting appeal entertain those from all walks of life. In terms of mass appeal, Seinfeld's dominance over NCIS is unquestionable. ::Closing:: I have already shown Seinfeld to be superior to NCIS in terms of characters, storylines, consistency, popularity, critical acclaim, and mass appeal. I'll include additional arguments, such as originality and revenue earned, next round. ::References:: 1. http://www.nytimes.com... 2. http://en.wikipedia.org... 3. http://www.pastemagazine.com... 4. http://www.extratextual.tv... 5. http://www.uncoached.com... 6. http://en.wikipedia.org...(TV_series) 7. http://en.wikipedia.org... 8. http://www.nytimes.com... 9. http://en.wikipedia.org... 10. http://www.time.com... 11. http://www.cbsnews.com... 12. http://www.ew.com...