re: My Mt Rushmore of TV dramas

We don't "Mt. Rushmore" new Presidents, thankfully, it has to be shows that "set the course" in a variety of ways.

Hill Street Blues - See above. It set the tone and stakes for a lot of dramas, both cop and law focused. Personally, I'd probably say Homicide, but it also owes to HSB. Alternatives: Homicide, The Wire, NYPD Blue, L&O

The Shield - Probably a bit controversial, but I think it is the grand daddy, even more than The Sopranos, of the modern TV drama. Specifically those focused on villains. Alternatives: The Sopranos, Oz

Twin Peaks - Star Trek pre-dated it, but Twin Peaks is the real genesis of true Science Fiction TV. I feel like as a 30-min. show TTZ doesn't fit the criteria. Alternatives: Star Trek, The X-Files, BSG

ER - The fourth spot is tough. I don't want to put ER here, but in terms of workplace television - MASH, Mad Men, etc. - you can still trace more lines back to ER. Nearly every hospital show and any medical show (even NCIS) takes its beats from ER. ER's influence is massive. Probably only bested by HSB.