Brits Rate 'Bilko' Top Sitcom

It's just one man's opinion, but a new British publication rates "The Phil Silvers Show," the saga of the work-shy, money-grubbing Sgt. Bilko, as the greatest sitcom ever.

"Silver" beat "Seinfeld" at the top of the list in the new edition of the "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy."

The Radio Times is a weekly magazine published by the British Broadcasting Corp.

While "The Phil Silvers Show" ended in 1959 after four years, late night reruns continued for years on British television.

The list was compiled by author and TV historian Mark Lewisohn.

"Sgt. Bilko is sitcom's high-water mark. In 2005 it'll be 50 years old and yet it's still hilarious — with great scripts and magnificent performances week after week by Phil Silvers," Lewisohn said. "The crazy thing is, the show has been buried and forgotten in America, while in Britain it is still revered."

1. "The Phil Silvers Show" (USA)

2. "Seinfeld" (USA)

3. "Fawlty Towers" (UK)

4. "Porridge" (UK)

5. "Yes, Minister" (UK)

6. "Frasier" (USA)

7. "MASH" (USA)

8. "Till Death Us Do Part" (UK)

9. "Hancock's Half-Hour"/"Hancock" (UK)

10. "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?" (UK)

11. "The Larry Sanders Show" (USA)

12. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (USA)

13. "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" (UK)

14. "The Good Life" (UK)

15. "Steptoe and Son" (UK)

16. "Only Fools and Horses" (UK)

17. "Cheers" (USA)

18. "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (USA)

19. "Dad's Army" (UK)

20. "The Simpsons" (USA)