OT - The Good TV Thread

[shrink]

Like any modern America, I'm assaulted with a myriad of choices when I have free time. I've always loved television, but so much of it is derivitive, that I don't like wasting my time on very much of it any more. When something new and inventive comes out, I generally hear about it late, and then Netflix the series to enjoy later.

I just finished something I really enjoyed called "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." So yes, Captain Oveur, I guess I now like movies about gladiators. Seeing the success of many of its big brothers and sisters producing their own adult-content shows, Starz commissioned this series last year. Like Starz itself, it didn't get the national media attention that it would have received had this been on HBO or Showtime. Its a shame because its a really well-written show. It has much of the look and feel of "300," and I think any fan of that movie would love this show and should check it out. At the conclusion of most episodes, I thought "awesome" .. something television rarely induces from me any more.

Anyway, I saw a Good TV thread on the Bucks board, and I thought I'd include it here. If we see something we think is worth watching, or want to discuss something we all like, we'd have a good place to do it. I also want to hear about more good television to fill my Netflix queue.

For me, I seem to gravitate away from network television, so my personal top ten dramas, in no particular order, are:

The Wire
Sopranos
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Dexter
True Blood
Serenity
Big Love
Deadwood
and now "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"

.. it's in good company

[shrink]

Hmm .. I have to find a spot for "Breaking Bad." Angel -- I guess you got to go.

The Walking Dead's second episode is on tonight on AMC. Those guys own great TV.

[Krapinsky]

Need some comedies in there: The League -- i love this show. I could care less about the FFB aspect of it. Always Sunny -- always hilarious

New Guily Pleasures: House, How I met Your Mother, Pawn Stars (love this)

[IAWolf]

Breaking Bad.

[Krapinsky]

Anybody seen Terriers? I've heard it's really good, but haven't seen it yet.

Also, Mad Men? Hello. Best show on TV.

Empire -- still haven't seen.

[Mattya]

I liked te new Walking Dead series. The first episode started a little slow, but it got pretty good after the first 15 minutes.

[Calinks]

Lot's of good shows. Hardly any of them are on Network TV. Network TV is for suckers. The only show I am watching on there is the event. It's ok.

I need to check out Breaking Bad Mad Men is great. The Walking dead's first episode is great. Sparticus, when I first watched it I thought it was going to be bad but it wound up great and did really well. Too bad the lead actor is being recast. That might ruin the show.

I'm currently watching Farscape, The Walking Dead, Dexter and The Event. I'll start up Mad Men again soon.

[big3_8_19_21]

My top dramas:

1. THE SHIELD
-Strongest show I have ever seen from start to finish. I didn't think anything would be able to dethrone The Wire after I saw that, but The Shield has done it. Where The Wire tapers off a bit in its final season, The Shield starts off strong and only gets stronger. It's the only drama I've seen with a perfect ending.
2. The Wire
-It was my stalwart no. 1 until I saw The Shield. It has incredible social relevancy, which almost makes it a 1b to The Shield, but as a television show, it's 5th season was a bit down from the first 4 and I just hated the character of Brother Mouzone. I'm nitpicking because I needed criteria to separate no. 1 and no. 2. F'ing sweet show.
3. Breaking Bad
-Has had some of the greatest "HOLY ****" moments I've ever seen. I've found that you can't really truly rate a drama series until you see the whole body of work. Some shows elevate themselves to legen...wait for it...dary status with how they end (The Shield) and some of them nearly derail all the good that they did leading up to it (Battlestar Galactica), but so far Breaking Bad is the best drama currently running on television.
4. Mad Men
-Currently in the midst of season 3. I have a season and a half to catch up on. It's very good, but it gets a bit weird at times with Don's soirees with weirdos (the hippie in season 1, the nomad in season 2). It's wonderful drama with some hilarious lines dropped every once in a while, "My name is Peggy Olsen and I'd like to smoke some marijuana."
5. Battlestar Galactica
-The Mini-series and seasons 1 and 3 are the best sci-fi drama I've ever seen forcing characters in to impossible situations and making them make the hard decision. However, it can get a bit preachy at times, Baltar appears to be some sort of general scientist that lacks any specialty, but can do all things science-related, and the finale was gut-wrenchingly bad. The highs are very high and the lows are very low with this show. They gave the show and undeserved happy ending.
6. Firefly (and the wrap up movie Serenity)
-The most consistently good sci fi series. It's highs are not quite as good as BSG, but it doesn't have the lows either. The highs of BSG are just that good that it gets the nod, though. It's got that great Joss Whedon sense of humor and after seeing this I want to watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
7. The Walking Dead
-Has great potential and had a strong start. AMC is firing on all cylinders...though I've heard pretty poor reviews for Rubicon. We'll see where this ranks when it's all said and done.

My top comedies:
1. Arrested Development
-I've never seen a comedy this complex with it's jokes. Jokes foreshadowing jokes, calling back to jokes, jokes on top of jokes. It's insane. Incredible re-watch-ability with the layering of jokes and fully developed characters right from the get-go.
2. 30 Rock (first few seasons)
-While it's not what it used to be, 30 Rock was the undisputed champion of comedy for about 3 years.
3. Peep Show
-Absolutely hilarious. British humor at its finest. Seeing someone trapped into a loveless marriage due to embarrassment? Comedy. Freaking. Gold.
4. Flight of the Conchords
-Hilarious dry humor.
5. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
-I think we're all familiar with this gem.
6. The Office (first few season of US and the whole UK)
-So I probably shouldn't group them together, but whatever.
7. The League
-It's a bit early to put it this high and I don't care much about fantasy football, but it's the best comedy on TV right now.
8. Mr. Show
-Like any sketch comedy show, it's hit and miss, but it's good skits had me trying to catch my breath
9. Extras
-Ricky Gervais' signature soul-crushing comedy.
for quite a while.
10. How I Met Your Mother
-It's been dragging for a while now, but once again, another comedy in which the first few seasons were spectacular.
Honorable mentions: Children's Hospital, Eastbound and Down

Two of my top 3 comedies use narrators heavily, and I'll criticize Dexter for the use of a narrator in my following post, but the grading criteria for dramas and comedies are just different, of course. Narrators are acceptable when used appropriately and are much more acceptable (in my book), in a comedy in which the narrator amplifies the comedy (as is the case in both Arrested Development and Peep Show) rather than a drama where the narrator pieces everything together for you instead of actually SHOWING you the character's thoughts, feelings, emotions and dynamic changes.

Shows I've been meaning to watch:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Oz, The Sopranos, Deadwood, Friday Night Lights, Treme, The Pacific, Band of Brothers (I've seen probably half the episodes out and all of them out of order), The Corner, Homicide: Life on the Streets (though I've heard it's a softer version of The Wire)

[big3_8_19_21]

The Wire
Sopranos
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Dexter
True Blood
Serenity
Big Love
Deadwood
and now "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"

Things I agree on: The Wire, Serenity/Firefly
Things I disagree on: Dexter
Things I haven't seen: Sopranos, Buffy, Angel, True Blood, Big Love, Deadwood, Spartacus

I've been meaning to see most of those things that I haven't that are on your list.

However, Dexter I used to love...until I saw The Wire and The Shield. They ruined me to that show. After seeing such high caliber drama, going back to a show that force feeds you everything with poor acting is a bit painful. Dexter's narration (and a lot of the flash backs) don't allow the viewer to piece anything together. They just spoon feed every connection and subtlety to you. I find myself disliking pretty much every character on the show. Everyone is a one-dimensional caricature rather than a three dimensional character. Doakes, Masuka, Deb, Batista, Laguerta and Quinn are all irritating at best. They try to make Dexter three dimensional by telling us that Dexter is starting to feel emotion, but that's about as effective as George Lucas trying to make us believe that Obi-wan and Anakin have become fast friends by telling us as much at the beginning of Episode II and never showing them getting along even once. To move on to the positives, the exception to this stating the feeling of emotion is the finale of season 4. The first, second and fourth seasons have showed flashes of great moments, especially with the season 4 finale, but in order for it to really become a great show, they would have to re-cast most of the characters (ESPECIALLY DEB), get rid of, or severely limit, the narration and give the characters a bit more depth. Dexter seems to be the only character that they even try to give depth to.

Not to offend anyone that enjoys the show, but what is this thread for if not discussion and criticism of our beloved television shows.

[TheFranchise21]

This thread is deeper than I thought it'd be.

I currently watch:

Modern Family
The Office
Weeds

[UK-Wolf]

Looks like I'm pretty screwed about talking about TV as you'll have never heard of the shows I like. Though I used to be a huge Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel fan as a kid and I liked Spartacus Blood and Sand.

Couple of my favourites you'll know:

Band Of Brothers
Prison Break
South Park
Scrubs
How I Met Your Mother

[big3_8_19_21]

ooh, I just remembered Peep Show. I'll have to edit my comedies. That's one of the best. Absolutely hilarious.

[big3_8_19_21]

This thread is deeper than I thought it'd be.

I currently watch:

Modern Family
The Office
Weeds

I loved season 1 of modern family, but I haven't been able to get on board with season 2 so much. I haven't been able to put my finger on exactly what's different...or if it's just me.

[SSUBluesman]

My top dramas:

1. THE SHIELD
-Strongest show I have ever seen from start to finish. I didn't think anything would be able to dethrone The Wire after I saw that, but The Shield has done it. Where The Wire tapers off a bit in its final season, The Shield starts off strong and only gets stronger. It's the only drama I've seen with a perfect ending.
2. The Wire
-It was my stalwart no. 1 until I saw The Shield. It has incredible social relevancy, which almost makes it a 1b to The Shield, but as a television show, it's 5th season was a bit down from the first 4 and I just hated the character of Brother Mouzone. I'm nitpicking because I needed criteria to separate no. 1 and no. 2. F'ing sweet show.

I definitely agree. The ending for the Shield was an absolute perfect fit for the characters involved, and especially for the way many of the plot lines unfolded. When you see the thought and effort that was put into it, and the show as a whole, it really makes everything else look like **** in comparison. My favorite season of the Wire was season 3. I didn't hate the final season, in fact the only real complaint I can understand is that the media angle was too "black and white" for the show. That said I still loved that part of the season. The Corner was unbelievable when I watched it for my freshman writing class in college, although that was years ago. There's a book out for the series as well, btw.

I really watch as little tv as possible, outside of basketball/hockey and some comedies. The Boondocks, Always Sunny, The Office (kind of meh now), 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, South Park (although when it's awful it is really awful), American Dad, etc. I don't get FX and would like to watch The League, I've heard great things about it, specifically that Jon Lajoie is in it. I really should watch Arrested Development, didn't that only last 2 seasons? The few episodes I caught were awesome. Futurama is one of those shows that I like but I really can't make any effort to go out of my way and try to watch.

[wolfbourne]

OMFG, TV fiend here. First choice for TV is a really good drama series, following closely behind is reality TV (from the classy to the super (super) trashy) then rounded out by awkward dry comedies. Quickly off the top of my head, favourite series have been:

The Shield (Season 4 - 6 is some of the best TV ive watched)
The Wire (Season 3-4 i thought was its peak)
Deadwood
Survivor
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
The Office (US Series)

Honourable mentions:
Sopranos
Sons Of Anarchy
Carnivale
Treme
The Corner
Battlestar Galactica
Rome
Breaking Bad
Oz
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Arrested Development
Intervention
Wifeswap
VH1 Reality TV
MTV Reality TV
The Surreal Life (Season with Janice Dickenson and Omarosa, what a great train-wreck to watch)

[hijacktheparade]

I'm psyched about this:

At the top of my Christmas list.

[wolfbourne]

Hey now!

Thats a great show as well!

[Calinks]

In the last few years I have kind of made a point to watch extremely highly praised shows. Because of it I try to cut out all the mediocre stuff. Network is just really pissing me off, they hype up all of these shows and they end up being crap. When V was coming out, I watched the old mini-series during an all day marathon on SyFy. It was cheesy but it had some really good elements. One of which was humans of all classes/backgrounds/etc being put on equal ground and coming together for a cause. I loved that and the new show just craps on everything. It's boring, terribly acted, and tragically weak everywhere. Flash Forward looked like it might be cool but that bombed out immediately as well.

Shows like Firefly make these new network shows look like a charity case. I hate it when good shows get shut down and then we get littered with this CSI/NCIS/Law and Order/rehash bull crap. Even though I loved Firefly, I was against seeing Buffy and Angel because growing up I always thought they looked really stupid. I had never been into monsters and vampires and all that and it just sounded like a dumb concept. My friend begged me to watch after I told him about Firefly and a couple of years ago we watch both series. They have their moments of camp but they were extremely good. Wheadon really knows how to switch gears from goofy to serious and when things get serious, they get real serious. Quality writing.

Another show that's network that I started watching and HIGHLY suggest to any fan of Buffy/Monster stuff is Supernatural. I have yet to see the last season but that show is one of the most consistently good shows on TV. Great characters, great stories, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it.

Watched the Sopranos this summer and I really liked. I still put it behind some of the other HBO shows but it was very entertaining. If you are looking for a really emotional show watch Six Feet Under. Had the best finale I have ever seen and I am seriously the only person I have heard of who has watched it and didn't tear up. You are pretty much GUARANTEED to cry.

I didn't have a whole lot of interest in The Shield but after hearing so many great things its on my list. Hopefully in 2011 I will watch the Shield and Breaking Bad.

[big3_8_19_21]

In the last few years I have kind of made a point to watch extremely highly praised shows. Because of it I try to cut out all the mediocre stuff. Network is just really pissing me off, they hype up all of these shows and they end up being crap. When V was coming out, I watched the old mini-series during an all day marathon on SyFy. It was cheesy but it had some really good elements. One of which was humans of all classes/backgrounds/etc being put on equal ground and coming together for a cause. I loved that and the new show just craps on everything. It's boring, terribly acted, and tragically weak everywhere. Flash Forward looked like it might be cool but that bombed out immediately as well.

Shows like Firefly make these new network shows look like a charity case. I hate it when good shows get shut down and then we get littered with this CSI/NCIS/Law and Order/rehash bull crap. Even though I loved Firefly, I was against seeing Buffy and Angel because growing up I always thought they looked really stupid. I had never been into monsters and vampires and all that and it just sounded like a dumb concept. My friend begged me to watch after I told him about Firefly and a couple of years ago we watch both series. They have their moments of camp but they were extremely good. Wheadon really knows how to switch gears from goofy to serious and when things get serious, they get real serious. Quality writing.

Another show that's network that I started watching and HIGHLY suggest to any fan of Buffy/Monster stuff is Supernatural. I have yet to see the last season but that show is one of the most consistently good shows on TV. Great characters, great stories, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it.

Watched the Sopranos this summer and I really liked. I still put it behind some of the other HBO shows but it was very entertaining. If you are looking for a really emotional show watch Six Feet Under. Had the best finale I have ever seen and I am seriously the only person I have heard of who has watched it and didn't tear up. You are pretty much GUARANTEED to cry.

I didn't have a whole lot of interest in The Shield but after hearing so many great things its on my list. Hopefully in 2011 I will watch the Shield and Breaking Bad.

Wow, from everything I'm reading this Wolves board has much better taste in TV than 95% of the population.

Calinks - you won't be disappointed by The Shield or Breaking Bad. I wrote of The Shield for years as "some dumb cop show" without ever seeing an episode. One of my friends who I agree with on almost everything listed it as one of his favorite shows, so I gave it a shot and I loved it. Breaking Bad as a whole is a spectacular show, but it does have one or two moments that I did not like. NOT A SPOILER: for instance there is an episode revolving around a fly in season 3 that I found very pretentious and annoying. Other than a couple gripes like that, it's a wonderful show.

Buffy and The Sopranos were already on my to-watch list, but I may have to look into Supernatural and Six Feet Under.

[Krapinsky]

"The Good TV Thread" -- you mean any tv not the Wolves?

The Walking Dead? Is that what they're calling T-Wolves broadcasts these days?