The Andy Griffith Show. (syndicated)  Originally a spin-off from The Danny Thomas Show in 1960, this show's eight years of episodes is still running on TV stations today, and is still better than a lot of newer stuff.  The shows revolve around Sheriff Andy Taylor in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina.  Generally about an attitude that I wish we saw more today -- doing the right thing, and not making a big show of it.

The Crocodile Hunter. (Animal Planet)  Centering around animal conservation, host Steve Irwin always has some interesting things to say about animals and nature.  And the man is just a little bit crazy, which makes this show a lot of fun to watch.  (Steve Irwin died tragically in 2006 in a freak marine accident, but the reruns are still being shown.)

Dancing With The Stars.  (ABC)  Who would have thought a ballroom dancing competition would make a hit TV show?  Nobody -- but it did!  Shows how practice and hard work can be frustrating and exhausting, but can pay off in the end.  The whole family can watch this one, and perhaps learn a lesson about what it takes to succeed.

Fraggle Rock.  (DVD)  This mid-80s Jim Henson/Muppet production featured a world of colorful characters who explored complex social issues and learned many lessons.  Fun, with great music (including a theme song that will be stuck in your head for days), but educational too.  Beloved throughout the world, it faded away much too quickly.  Happily, its five seasons and 96 episodes are now available on DVD, ready to entertain a generation of children which has never seen the show.

Have Gun, Will Travel.  (DVD)  A late 1950s western may seem an odd choice for this list, but it's an unusual western.  Richard Boone stars as the gunfighter/troubleshooter for hire whose name we never discover -- he is known only as "Paladin," even to his friends.  He lives in a fancy San Francisco hotel, where he dresses formally and enjoys opera, fine food and wine, and the best of everything else.  He is known as a sophisticated gentleman of excellent taste (and an expert poker player).  When someone pays his steep fee, usually around $1,000 (that would be about $25,000 in today's money) he switches to an all-black cowboy outfit, straps on his custom-made gun and rides to wherever the trouble is.  Highly educated and well-versed in strategy and tactics (he's a West Point graduate), he prefers to outwit and outsmart his opponents, using his gun only when there's no other choice.  He believes strongly in doing what's right, moral and ethical in any situation, even if it involves turning against his own client.  There were 225 30-minute episodes; many are now available.

Iron Chef.  (syndicated)  I had to get this one in somewhere.  Chairman Takeshi Kaga's mighty Iron Chefs arise from their dungeon to do battle with challengers in Kitchen Stadium.  Play-by-play and color commentary describe the action as the chefs try to cook a complete meal in one hour using a secret theme ingredient.  A quirky, campy show that's a lot of fun.  (A production of Fuji TV in Japan, shown in the original Japanese version and in an "international" version that's dubbed into English.  No longer in production, but occasional specials have been filmed.)

Iron Chef America.  (FoodTV)  Based on the original, the Chairman (supposedly the nephew of the original) pits the new Iron Chefs against new challengers in Kitchen Stadium.  The eccentric but knowledgeable Alton Brown is your host.

Jeopardy!  (syndicated)  Recommended by teachers.  The toughest game show on television.  No buzzers, no bells, just a test of knowledge.

Lingo.  (GSN)  A deceptively difficult word game, using nothing but five-letter words.  The atmosphere is low-key and thoughtful.  Hosted by veteran game show host Chuck Woolery.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  (PBS)  The show is now out of production, but is still being shown.  Great children's show, with music, make-believe, and knowledge.  Mister Rogers is one of a very few kind, gentle male role models on television.  (Fred Rogers died in 2003.  One of his sweaters, however, continues to reside in the Smithsonian Institution, and his memory lives on.)

Reading Rainbow.  (PBS)  Host LeVar Burton gets children excited about reading books.  Any TV show that encourages children to read gets my vote of confidence.  My college students have told me how much they have enjoyed this show.  Watch with your children.

Sábado Gigante.  (Univision)  The longest-running weekly television show in the world.  Host Don Francisco fills Saturday nights with music, silly contests, and a lot of fun, with an occasional serious note that keeps us grounded.  Pure entertainment.  (Show is in Spanish.)

Star Trek: The Next Generation.  (syndicated)  This particular version of the Star Trek series is more cerebral than military, more decision-oriented than battle-oriented.  Has a strong ethical and moral center, and carries Star Trek's positive vision of the future -- that we will ultimately come to our senses, we will not annihilate each other, and we will eventually learn to celebrate our differences and work together in peace.  

Touched By An Angel.  (syndicated)  Many people make fun of this show.  So what?  It's positive, uplifting, and hopeful, expressing a belief in God and his love.  A truly unique show on American television.  Its continued popularity should send a message to those who would criticize it.