Angel

NEW YORK (AP) — Television’s most popular program, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," is also its least family-friendly, a TV watchdog group said Thursday.

The Parents Television Council criticized the CBS drama for stories about cannibalism, S&M sex clubs and snuff films.

What’s worse is that CBS occasionally reruns the show at the 8 p.m. hour when more children are likely to be watching, said Melissa Caldwell, research director for the 800,000-member organization, which monitors sex and violence on TV. The group released its annual list of the best and worst prime-time shows.

The Thursday night drama usually tops the Nielsen Media Research weekly prime-time ratings and has already been responsible for one spinoff series, "CSI: Miami."

As forensics investigators, the lead "CSI" characters might be expected to bear witness to some seedy situations. But Caldwell said, "There are ways you can deal with these issues without having to be as graphic."

A CBS spokesman didn’t immediately return a call for comment.

The organization saluted CBS’ "Touched By an Angel," which ended its nine-year run last spring, as television’s best show.

"Every episode emphasized the power of goodness over evil, the need to strengthen familial relationships, the importance of individual responsibility and an encouragement to maintain faith in God," the PTC said.

The organization’s 10 best shows: "Touched By an Angel," CBS; "Doc," Pax; "Sue Thomas F. B. Eye," Pax; "7th Heaven," WB; "Life with Bonnie," ABC; "Smallville," WB; "Reba," WB; "Star Search," CBS; "George Lopez," ABC and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teen-age Daughter," ABC.

The PTC’s 10 worst: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS; "Kingpin," NBC; "Fastlane," Fox; "NYPD Blue," ABC; "Fear Factor," NBC; "Angel," WB; "Girlfriends," UPN; "Will & Grace," NBC; "Friends," NBC and "Big Brother 3," CBS.

6. Angel

WB/ 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) Sunday — not ranked last season

This Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off stars David Boreanaz as a centuries-old vampire searching for redemption while fighting evil in Los Angeles.

Despite its young target audience, Angel routinely features gory violence and graphic sexual encounters. Scenes frequently involve intense fighting, blood, decapitations, and more. The series also sends a dangerous and irresponsible message to teenage fans by equating violence with sexual excitement. In many scenes, characters become aroused by fighting. For example, in one episode, Lilah bites Wesley’s ear and shoves him to the floor. After a bit of rough foreplay, she and Wesley are lying on the floor together. Wesley’s head moves out of the frame toward her legs. She smiles with pleasure and breathes heavily, suggesting that he is performing oral sex on her.