Best TV Shows

[Vigo]

Curious on some opinions of the best TV shows within the last 10-15 years or so. I am trying to make a "shows to watch" queue, and am sure I missed plenty of good shows out there. Anything over 15 years, I probably have seen it, but feel free to put down anything you want. 

Here are some genre ideas I was thinking:

• Best drama
• Best comedy
• Best Action
• Best sci-fi/fantasy
• Best historical
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show
• Best non-fiction/documentary
• Best overall
• Most underrated show
• Overrated show that can be skipped

 

[Donkbaca]

Do you want a serious list?  Or do you want me to make up garbage to waste your time? 

[Vigo]

  Meh, you can put down whatever you want. I'm sure this thread will be derailed by the 10th post anyway. Anyway, if you put down "Dora the Explorer" as best drama of all time, it would still be a more valid point than a few of the posts I expect to see.  

[Donkbaca]

OKay, I'll try to make it less obvious, put some actual good ones mixed in with ---smurfy--- ones so that you think, "I'll give that a shot". Of course as a prerequisite I will say, "oh, it gets better after the 5th episode" to make sure that you sink at least 2 1/2 hours into and then after you watch it you will say "---maternal-smurf---!" 


Best drama - Dawson's creek
Best comedy - Arrested Development
Best Action - The Fall Guy
Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
Best historical - Any Ken Burns documentary
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Reno 911
Best non-fiction/documentary - Any Ken Burns documentary
Best overall - Dexter
Most underrated show - The Muppet Show
Overrated show that can be skipped - Law and Order - any of them

[Mikezilla]

Best drama: Entourage.
Best comedy : Arrested Development is ---smurfin--- HILARIOUS.
Best Action : 24 is really good.
Best sci-fi/fantasy: Sadly, I cant think of a show for this category.   MAYBE Trueblood? I havent seen Game of thrones though so...
Best historical: Meh.
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show : Dexter. Amazing show.
Best non-fiction/documentary: Double Meh.
Best overall: I think the best show that I cannot WAIT to watch until the next week is Dexter. Its superb.
Most underrated show: Arrested Development.
Overrated show that can be skipped: Lost

I dont watch that much TV, but after reading the criteria, these are the shows that popped in my head.  

[Ginsu Victim]

• Best drama - Tie: Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Best comedy - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia / Trailer Park Boys / The IT Crowd
• Best Action - Nothing.
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - MST3k
• Best historical - Pawn Stars
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Veronica Mars
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Hoarders
• Best overall - Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Most underrated show - Gilmore Girls
• Overrated show that can be skipped - anything I'm not watching

[Mikezilla]

• Best drama - Tie: Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Best comedy - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Best Action - Nothing.
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Doctor Who
• Best historical - Pawn Stars
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Veronica Mars
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Hoarders
• Best overall - Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Most underrated show - Gilmore Girls
• Overrated show that can be skipped - anything I'm not watching

Good call on Hoarders, I forgot about that one. But Gilmore Girls? Cmon dude. Thats a joke that I missed right?

[Rando]

Hmm,
I don't watch much but...

• Best drama - Did you ever see OZ from HBO?
• Best comedy - I liked Friends, beginning to end.
• Best Action
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly is really good (watch show then movie), Heroes was okay in Season 1
• Best historical
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Don't care for Cop/Lawyer/Medical shows
• Best non-fiction/documentary - HBO/Hard Knocks (NFL Football camps)
• Best overall
• Most underrated show - Dollhouse (From same guy that did Buffy/Firefly, so if you like those, this would be a good add)
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Any Cop/Lawyer/Medical show.  If you miss it they'll just air it again with a different name/cast

And True Blood is Meh.  I like vampire stories but between True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Twilight, Ugh, all crap.

And I've never seen it, but above is not the first recommendation that I've seen for Gilmore Girls, take that as you will.

[Ginsu Victim]

Good call on Hoarders, I forgot about that one. But Gilmore Girls? Cmon dude. Thats a joke that I missed right?

Proving my point about Gilmore Girls being underrated. My wife and I own all seven seasons and it's really a well-written, entertaining show with TONS of references, movie quotes, etc. Hell, one episode opens with a visual reference to Yojimbo!

[Vigo]

Lots of good shows rolling in here. 

I just started watching Arrested Development and am already loving it. I guess they are making a movie now.

I never got HBO, and it seems like they have a ton of excellent shows. I have a lot of catching up to do. I watched plenty of Entourage and a handful of episodes of Dexter, but that is it. I still need to see the sopranos, game of thrones, deadwood, and true blood.

Pawn Stars  I like American restoration as well. Hoarders is good, but it ends up angering me with the overdrama over junk. A better intervention would to be light their house of crap on fire. 

Gilmore Girls? All I know is they talked incredibly fast, but the few episodes I have seen were entertaining but were too heavy on the romance.

I've also gotten into Doctor Who lately as well, I gave it a go since I read some of the books as a kid, and they kept advertising it during Top Gear commercials....its kinda nice to watch a show that doesn't take itself too seriously. Rare to find that in TV these days.

[J_K_M_A_N]

I really really like Burn Notice. I am in the current season but the wife just started watching it so I get to watch them again.

I think Modern Family is very funny and Raising Hope is pretty good too.

First 48 is an interesting show.

I used to like Human Target a lot but it got cancelled. Only made it 2 seasons.

Dexter is great too. I am still in season 4. John Lithgow is a freaky man.

That is about all I watch. That and the Mentalist. I can't wait to see how they start that one up again.

J_K_M_A_N

[CCM]

Best drama: Dexter
Best comedy : It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Best Action : none that I can think of
Best sci-fi/fantasy:  current show:  Game of Thrones or Supernatural    All-time:  Battlestar Galactica
Best historical: dunno
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show : Justified
Best non-fiction/documentary: Deadliest Catch
Best overall: Dexter
Most underrated show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Overrated show that can be skipped: Dancing with the stars... my wife watches that crap...

[Mikezilla]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own. 

Im a huge fan of Storage Wars, I forget what channel its on though. Maybe A&E? I also like Top Chef. Thats a great show. Not the stupid masters one, or the dessert one, the original one.

[Vigo]

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

[Ginsu Victim]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own.  

Kudos on the Spaceballs reference.

[CCM]

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

Barry cracks me up...  I like to see Dave lose out.

[Donkbaca]

Storage wars is good for about 4 episodes, then its all the same.  You can only watch someone bid up lockers of old abandoned laundry so many times...

[Mikezilla]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own.  

Kudos on the Spaceballs reference.

Thank you sir.  

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

Barry cracks me up...  I like to see Dave lose out.

Me too! I cant stand that ---meecrob--- bag. I know a guy just like him in real life. I also HATE when Dave makes a bunch of money. I also cant stand the way he yells. I love to hate him though. Darrell lives down the street from my friends house.  

Thats the thrill though Donk. There are some crazy things people store in lockers, you never know what might turn up!

EDIT: Forgot to put in a couple words.

[crashwg]

• Best drama - The Wire
• Best comedy - Community
• Best Action - Sons of Anarchy
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
• Best historical - IDK Macgyver
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Life on Mars (US version)
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Mythbusters
• Best overall - Scrubs
• Most underrated show - Raising Hope
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Lost

Some honorable mentions:
Comedy: Archer, Code Monkeys, Frisky Dingo, Modern Family, Flight of the Conchords, Trigun, My Name is Earl
Drama: Californication, Burn Notice, Six Feet Under

[Howard_Casto]

I'm pretty sure any grown man or the heterosexual orientation that watches Gilmore Girls has to forfeit his penis.

[knave]

•Best drama - TrueBlood
•Best comedy - Big Bang Theory
•Best Action - Samurai Jack
•Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
•Best historical - Rome
•Best mystery/detective/investigative police/spy show - Burn Notice
•Best non-fiction/documentary - Deadliest Warior
•Best overall - Firefly
•Most underrated show - Avatar, the last airbender animated series
•Overrated show that can be skipped - Arrested Development

[SNAAKE]

not in order..

serious:
dexter
breaking bad
prison break
spartacus
boardwalk empire
sons of anarchy
twin peaks(underrated..check it out)
24
terminator sarah conor chronicles
burn notice
true blood
the wire
oz(1-4 seasons..rest is pretty bad)
sopranaos
firefly


hilarious:
arrested development
curb your enthusiasm
shameless
sunny in philadelphia
community

[Mikezilla]

•Best drama - TrueBlood
•Best comedy - Big Bang Theory
•Best Action - Samurai Jack
•Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
•Best historical - Rome
•Best mystery/detective/investigative police/spy show - Burn Notice
•Best non-fiction/documentary - Deadliest Warior
•Best overall - Firefly
•Most underrated show - Avatar, the last airbender animated series
•Overrated show that can be skipped - Arrested Development

Ok well dont trust anything Knave says, because of the last bullet point... 

[SNAAKE]

^ I know right. arrested development was easily one of the funniest show ever.


dont trust him because of first bullet point too lol. TB is far from the "best drama". of course everyone is entitled to their opinion

[Anpanman]

I tried to pick stuff that wouldn't be the obvious choices for some of the categories.  For example, I'd suggest checking out "House" if you haven't seen it.  There are a lot of good shows out there right now and most of what others have listed are great choices.

• Best drama - Mad Men
• Best comedy - Californication
• Best Action - Spartacus
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Babylon 5
• Best historical - Boardwalk Empire
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - NYPB Blue
• Best non-fiction/documentary-
• Best overall - Mad Men
• Most underrated show - Babylon 7
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Glee

[NiN^_^NiN]

    Try to add some others haven't

    Best drama = Misfits
    Best comedy = Spaced
    Best Action = Burn Notice
    Best sci-fi/fantasy = Babylon 5 / Game of Thrones
    Best historical = Walking with Dinosaurs
    Best mystery/detective/investigative police show = Bored to Death
    Best non-fiction/documentary = Man Vs Wild?
    Best overall = Merlin
    Most underrated show = Northern Exposure
    Overrated show that can be skipped = Heroes?

[Ginsu Victim]

^Yeah, I was considering Spaced for my list.

[Xiaou2]

I'm pretty sure any grown man or the heterosexual orientation that watches Gilmore Girls has to forfeit his penis.

 Lets see...  Hes married, getting tail regularly...

  You?

 You might want to reconsider your harsh stances, especially considering your position.

 Personally, I only watched a few eps of GG.  The main characters were very witty, which was very refreshing considering most brainless tv drivel.

 Luckily theres House, and there was Lie to Me.  Both brilliant, witty, unpredictable shows.

 This is pretty much the shows that have/are sucking the productivity out of me...

How I met your Mother
My Name is Earl
Kitchen Nightmares, Hells Kitchen, Masterchef
Top Gear
American Chopper Sr -vs- Jr
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Inuyasha
Chowder
Archer
1000 Ways to Die
Ninja Warrior
A Haunting
Attack of the Show
Firefly
and the occasional wilderness survival show

Edit: Farscape
          

[Anpanman]

^Yeah, I was considering Spaced for my list.

Damn.  Why didn't I think of that?  +1

If you're into British comedy, you might also want to check out "Coupling."  It's the show "Friends" was based on but it's way better/funnier.

[amendonz]

The inbetweeners is the best british show since the office. 
Good to see flight of the conchords get a mention

[Ginsu Victim]

The Inbetweeners is hilarious. From the same people who made Flight of the Conchords, actually.

[Sjaak]

Why the frell did nobody mention Farscape? My all time favorite together with FireFly, of course...

[Nephasth]

All have already been mentioned, but are worth mentioning again. GREAT shows.

Sons of Anarchy
Justified
Spartacus
Shameless

[emphatic]

 Best drama  - tie between Breaking Bad, Justified and The Wire
  Best comedy   - Trailer Park Boys - the movies are great as well
  Best Action   - Alias
  Best sci-fi/fantasy   - Angel (Buffy is awesome as well, but there are some REAL freaks in LA)
  Best historical   - Dancing In The Streets (BBC music documentary, amazing)
  Best mystery/detective/investigative police show   - tie between Veronica Mars and Twin Peaks
  Best non-fiction/documentary   - Pimp My Ride
  Best overall   - Dexter (much better than the books)
  Most underrated show   - tie between Chasing Hope (funny as hell) and The Shield (amazing drama)
  Overrated show that can be skipped   - Lost (Loved a couple of seasons, but too many loose ends)
 

Honorable mentions:
Prison Break (season 1 & 2 than it's down the toilet)
Arrested Development (hilarious, but doesn't have Ricky or Mr. Lehey)
Mad Men - fantastic
Bones - great cast
True Blood (third season was meh, but the first two was funny as hell and right now it is pretty good)
Luther
Sherlock
The Office (US)
Community
Parks & Recreation (funny as hell)

I might have to check out Gilmore Girls. Can someone explain please how Burn Notice can be any good with that smug idiot in the lead?

[shmokes]

Jesus Christ, Gilmore Girls is so incredibly bad.  There is nothing witty about the dialogue.  The show is horribly written.  I suppose it's witty if you think it's witty to write every character either exactly the same or as a ridiculous charicature.  Every single character who supposedly speaks with witty dialogue is written as exactly the same character.  And they just rapid-fire inane witticisms back and forth at each other throughout the entire show in a way that could only be rehearsed like some kind of incredibly boring circus act.  Of course everything in every show is rehearsed, but they're supposed to act like they're having real conversations.  That's why they're called actors.  They're conversations are not supposed to look like an act they put together for open-mic night at the local comedy club (where they would surely be booed off the stage).  I don't know if I've ever seen a show in my life with more retarded dialogue.  And I'm married and regularly get tail, for whatever that's worth.    

Anyway . . .

Drama - Breaking Bad
Comedy - Archer
Action - Probably 24, or maybe Sparticus.  I really haven't seen all that much of either show yet, to be honest.
Sci-fi - Firefly
Historical - Deadwood or Rome
Police show - The Wire
Non-fiction - What Not to Wear (lol . . . seriously)
Best overall - Archer or Breaking Bad, probably Archer
Most underrated show - Carnivale
Overrated Show - True Blood

It was hard not to put Arrested Development down for Comedy.  My mind could change on that in the coming years.  Also, there are quite of few shows that look good but I haven't got around to seeing yet, like Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men.  But that's my current list.

[Blanka]

Best overall: Bumba and Pingu as it keeps the kid quiet at 6 in the morning
Only worthwhile show on Dutch TV: Toren C.
http://programma.vpro.nl/torenc/
Sometimes I like
http://www.keuringsdienst.nl/
As it keeps you alert to all crap that happens in the regular food production.

All other TV is CRAP.

So my TV is merely a screen to watch DVD's on, mostly art-house or independent films with many nationalities: French, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Dutch, British, Canadian, American.

I used to like Star Trek Voyager though.

[Mikezilla]

Jesus Christ, Gilmore Girls is so incredibly bad.  There is nothing witty about the dialogue.  The show is horribly written.  I suppose it's witty if you think it's witty to write every character either exactly the same or as a ridiculous charicature.  Every single character who supposedly speaks with witty dialogue is written as exactly the same character.  And they just rapid-fire inane witticisms back and forth at each other throughout the entire show in a way that could only be rehearsed like some kind of incredibly boring circus act.  Of course everything in every show is rehearsed, but they're supposed to act like they're having real conversations.  That's why they're called actors.  They're conversations are not supposed to look like an act they put together for open-mic night at the local comedy club (where they would surely be booed off the stage).  I don't know if I've ever seen a show in my life with more retarded dialogue.  And I'm married and regularly get tail, for whatever that's worth.    

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Shmokes said every single thing I wanted to say about Gilmore Girls. Very well written, thanks for typing that out for me!  

I also get tail on a regular basis too.  

[knave]

^ I know right. arrested development was easily one of the funniest show ever.


dont trust him because of first bullet point too lol. TB is far from the "best drama". of course everyone is entitled to their opinion

Arrested development Just isn't enjoyable to me. sure there's a few laughs...but the rest is just Meh. I really tried too...I watched the first two seasons, right around the time Busters hand was bitton off by a seal I totally lost any interest I had for the show.

True Blood probably isn't the best drama out there, but it's about as much drama as I want to watch in my free time.
I suppose I could have put The Walking Dead...that had some drama. 

Thank you for allowing me an opinion. 

[Mikezilla]

Damn I forgot about the Walking dead! Put that under fantasy for sure! Its going to be at comic con, and they are going to show a preview of the new season, with a panel with Greg Nicotero. 

[yotsuya]

Best drama - Mad Men
Best comedy - Community
Best non-fiction/documentary - Any of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries, especially "Straight Outta LA"
Most underrated show - The Middle

I used to like Entourage, until every episode followed the formula of 'Vince has a problem - Drama has a few great lines - Ari tosses out a few funny Asian-Gay jokes at Lloyd - Something/someone comes out of nowhere and saves Vince's ass at the last minute - Guys toast on a balcony - repeat"

[shmokes]

My wife watches True Blood.  I want to like it because it has lots of sex and nudity with hot chicks.  But the show is just so irritating.  There's something super daytime soapy about it.  

[Ginsu Victim]

Damn I forgot about the Walking dead! Put that under fantasy for sure! Its going to be at comic con, and they are going to show a preview of the new season, with a panel with Greg Nicotero. 

I wanted to put it, but saw it as drama, which meant it had to compete with Breaking Bad. As much as I love The Walking Dead, it just couldn't beat out Walter White.

[Vigo]

Yeah, I'm surprised it took so long for someone to bring up the Walking Dead. I just kinda chalked it up to that there are not a whole lot of episodes yet.

[Rando]

My wife watches True Blood.  I want to like it because it has lots of sex and nudity with hot chicks.  But the show is just so irritating.  There's something super daytime soapy about it.  

+1

Depresses me when Vampires and the like come off... lame.

[emphatic]

I watch True Blood as a comedy. It all just makes sense then. I hope you guys check out Parks & Recreation or Raising Hope if you like comedy shows like Community, The Office etc. It's brilliant.

[Mikezilla]

Damn I forgot about the Walking dead! Put that under fantasy for sure! Its going to be at comic con, and they are going to show a preview of the new season, with a panel with Greg Nicotero. 

I wanted to put it, but saw it as drama, which meant it had to compete with Breaking Bad. As much as I love The Walking Dead, it just couldn't beat out Walter White.

What is this breaking bad show you guys keep talking about? Whats it about?! Keep im mind Im not retarded, but this site, and the san diego city site are the only sites I can view at work...

[emphatic]

What is this breaking bad show you guys keep talking about? Whats it about?! Keep im mind Im not retarded, but this site, and the san diego city site are the only sites I can view at work...

Way overqualified high school chem teacher Walther White finds out he's got terminal cancer. With a new baby on the way and with a disabled teenage son, he feels scared and desperate about not leaving his family with nothing. His brother-in-law is a DEA agent and takes Walther on a ride-a-long to see a drug bust (IIRC as a birthday gift?). Walther learns that crystal meth is selling like hot cakes, so he decides to go into business for himself and his loved once. Badassness ensues. Also, he picks an unlikely partner in crime and they are just great together.

[emphatic]

Damn, pressed Quote instead of Modify.

[crashwg]

Busters hand was bitton off by a seal

His hand wasn't just bitten off by a seal, it was bitten off by a loose seal! 

[shmokes]

What is this breaking bad show you guys keep talking about? Whats it about?! Keep im mind Im not retarded, but this site, and the san diego city site are the only sites I can view at work...

Way overqualified high school chem teacher Walther White finds out he's got terminal cancer. With a new baby on the way and with a disabled teenage son, he feels scared and desperate about not leaving his family with nothing. His brother-in-law is a DEA agent and takes Walther on a ride-a-long to see a drug bust (IIRC as a birthday gift?). Walther learns that crystal meth is selling like hot cakes, so he decides to go into business for himself and his loved once. Badassness ensues. Also, he picks an unlikely partner in crime and they are just great together.

Just to add to that otherwise good synopsis, what makes this such a great setup is that you have to remember that Walt is a highly educated straight arrow guy, who has worked as a mild-mannered high school teacher for most of his life.  While he is an extremely talented chemist (who had some unlucky breaks), and is capable of producing spectacularly high-quality meth, he has no idea how to lead a life of crime.  He finds many opportunities to get in way over his head with people he is totally unequipped to deal with.  It's really well done, and all the actors are great too. 

[Mikezilla]

What is this breaking bad show you guys keep talking about? Whats it about?! Keep im mind Im not retarded, but this site, and the san diego city site are the only sites I can view at work...

Way overqualified high school chem teacher Walther White finds out he's got terminal cancer. With a new baby on the way and with a disabled teenage son, he feels scared and desperate about not leaving his family with nothing. His brother-in-law is a DEA agent and takes Walther on a ride-a-long to see a drug bust (IIRC as a birthday gift?). Walther learns that crystal meth is selling like hot cakes, so he decides to go into business for himself and his loved once. Badassness ensues. Also, he picks an unlikely partner in crime and they are just great together.

Just to add to that otherwise good synopsis, what makes this such a great setup is that you have to remember that Walt is a highly educated straight arrow guy, who has worked as a mild-mannered high school teacher for most of his life.  While he is an extremely talented chemist (who had some unlucky breaks), and is capable of producing spectacularly high-quality meth, he has no idea how to lead a life of crime.  He finds many opportunities to get in way over his head with people he is totally unequipped to deal with.  It's really well done, and all the actors are great too. 

Oh man. Thats a great synopsis from both of you. Is Bryan Cranston in that? What channel is it on, and when? Sounds like a show I would like. I hope its on HBO. I just got it. 

[shmokes]

It's AMC, which you presumably have if you have HBO.  I think it's on Sundays (I don't watch it live).

[emphatic]

Is Bryan Cranston in that?

He's Walther White.

[Ginsu Victim]

He hasn't looked like that in a long time.

[emphatic]

He hasn't looked like that in a long time.

Yeah, but for someone wanting to pick up season 1, it's kinda a spoiler. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Spoiler? A photo of someone bald is a spoiler?

[Ginsu Victim]

SPOILER!

[Ginsu Victim]

SPOILER!

[shmokes]

It's a minor spoiler because his new look is a plot development.  But it's not like it matters.  The press shots show him bald. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Exactly. They've shown him more bald than they ever did with hair. Plus, he has cancer, so his character being bald is no big shocker.

[emphatic]

Exactly. They've shown him more bald than they ever did with hair. Plus, he has cancer, so his character being bald is no big shocker.

No need to get all worked up. No sense of humor?

[CCM]

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Shmokes said every single thing I wanted to say about Gilmore Girls. Very well written, thanks for typing that out for me!  

Yea, but he also says that What Not to Wear is a good show...

[shmokes]

Heh . . . keep in mind that it's difficult to think of any reality TV that is any good.  I wouldn't tivo it, but it really is better than most reality tv.

[Rando]

Heh . . . keep in mind that it's difficult to think of any reality TV that is any good.  I wouldn't tivo it, but it really is better than most reality tv.

Sadly I recently learned that I am a fan of dance.  Not "Dancing with the Stars" Dance, but "So you think you can Dance" and "America's Best Dance Crew" are both good IF you DVR and speed past the host/judges comments. 

[Vigo]

Heh . . . keep in mind that it's difficult to think of any reality TV that is any good.  I wouldn't tivo it, but it really is better than most reality tv.

There is a lot that falls under the non-fiction category when you broaden out from "reality tv". I'm sure you could think of something. You got your DIY shows, your educational shows, talk shows, cooking shows, news shows, fight shows would probably work too, at least if it isn't wrestling.

[Ginsu Victim]

Exactly. They've shown him more bald than they ever did with hair. Plus, he has cancer, so his character being bald is no big shocker.

No need to get all worked up. No sense of humor?

Did you even see the pics I posted? No sense of humor? Ha.

[shmokes]

Heh . . . keep in mind that it's difficult to think of any reality TV that is any good.  I wouldn't tivo it, but it really is better than most reality tv.

There is a lot that falls under the non-fiction category when you broaden out from "reality tv". I'm sure you could think of something. You got your DIY shows, your educational shows, talk shows, cooking shows, news shows, fight shows would probably work too, at least if it isn't wrestling.

Then, I guess I'd say The Daily Show.  I honestly don't watch much in the way of educational TV.  I just spend so much of my time educating myself as it is that if I'm gonna sit down and watch TV or a movie, the last thing I want to do is learn.  I want to be entertained.  It
s kind of a pain because documentaries have an absurdly high rate of quality.  Most documentaries that come out seem to be really well done and interesting.  And I want to see them.  But I almost never do because I just don't want to sit down and learn more.

I sometimes catch an interesting show on HGTV about staging/flipping houses or looking to buy new houses abroad or something, but I don't know any of the names and don't see any regularly enough to really comment.  But What Not to Wear is a surprisingly high-quality show.  I'm serious.   

[CCM]

Just started watching season 1 of The Wire this weekend.  I'm 6 episodes in and it's great so far.

[Savannan]

really dont watch much TV ..but when DEXTER is on..I make time for it.

[spoot]

Just started watching season 1 of The Wire this weekend.  I'm 6 episodes in and it's great so far.

It's a pretty sweet show.  It's amazing to me that one word changed my entire view on a certain character later in the series. 

[shmokes]

The wire is great.  One of the best shows I've ever watched.  It peaks in the fourth season, though, and then season five is total garbage.  You really truly should just stop watching at the end of season four.

[SNAAKE]

I heard the same about "OZ". pretty bad after S4. can someone confirm lol?

[amendonz]

Again. The inbetweeners, if you can make Sure you give it a good go and get to know the characters a bit before you write it off.

[Ginsu Victim]

Again. The inbetweeners, if you can make Sure you give it a good go and get to know the characters a bit before you write it off.

Yeah, you start to understand why Jay is the way he is once you start to see how his father treats him. I feel bad for the guy more than any of them.

[Rando]

I heard the same about "OZ". pretty bad after S4. can someone confirm lol?

I don't know how much of the show I've seen.  I've watched some of the beginning, much of the end, and sporadically in the middle.  Enjoyed all of it but can't tell you what seasons I saw when it was all said and done.  It's a rough watch, and lots of male full frontal which makes seeing those same guys in different roles interesting...

That Mayhem insurance guy?  Seen him naked.
The Dad from Juno?  Naked.
Guy on Law and Order SVU?  Watched him pee in a bucket.

Not a family show. 

[Cakemeister]

And I'm married and regularly get tail, for whatever that's worth.    

I though such things were mutually exclusive, especially with a young'un.

I made a resolution this past January to cut down on television, so I quit watching Survivor and The Amazing Race. I don't miss them. I still watch Pawn Stars and American Restoration, maybe next year I will wipe the DVR clean.

[Mikezilla]

Have you see Storage Wars? I dont know why, but I love that show. The fat white guy ( I think his name is Darrell or something) lives about 2 miles from me. 

[Vigo]

Have you see Storage Wars? I dont know why, but I love that show. The fat white guy ( I think his name is Darrell or something) lives about 2 miles from me. 

Oh you are just evil! The poor guy is trying to get away from TV, and you are suggesting to him another addictive tv show to get into. 

But yeah, if you like Pawn Stars and American Restoration, then you will probably also like storage wars.

[SNAAKE]

"curb your enthusiasm" is hilarious..watched 5 ep in a row last night

dont know how I never heard of it before

[wp34]

Have you see Storage Wars? I dont know why, but I love that show. The fat white guy ( I think his name is Darrell or something) lives about 2 miles from me. 

Love Storage Wars.  Doesn't seem like Darrell buys lockers anymore.  Too picky.

[Mikezilla]

Have you see Storage Wars? I dont know why, but I love that show. The fat white guy ( I think his name is Darrell or something) lives about 2 miles from me. 

Love Storage Wars.  Doesn't seem like Darrell buys lockers anymore.  Too picky.

Yeah I noticed that. They better watch out, they could replace him lol. I like how they do back to back episodes now.

Have you see Storage Wars? I dont know why, but I love that show. The fat white guy ( I think his name is Darrell or something) lives about 2 miles from me. 

Oh you are just evil! The poor guy is trying to get away from TV, and you are suggesting to him another addictive tv show to get into. 

But yeah, if you like Pawn Stars and American Restoration, then you will probably also like storage wars.

I like Storage Wars better than Pawn Stars, the dudes arent as cheesy. American Pickers isnt bad either, they find some weirdos out in the sticks man Im telling you!

But yeah. Youll love Storage Wars. 

[Louis Tully]

.

[iceblast]

Best drama  House / Supernatural / Buffy The Vampire Slayer / Lie To Me / Combat Hospital
Best comedy   What's my line / Stark Raving Mad / Chuck
Best Action 24 / Angel
Best sci-fi/fantasy  Stargate SG-1 / Farscape / Babylon 5 / Torchwood / Firefly / The Dead Zone / Kyle XY / Andromeda
Best historical
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show  The Closer / Castle / Bones / Body of Proof / The Protector
Best non-fiction/documentary Top Chef / Top Shot
Best overall  The Mentalist / Merlin / The Closer / Castle / Supernatural.... Most the list really 
Most underrated show  Firefly / Buffy The Vampire Slayer / Supernatural
Overrated show that can be skipped

A lot of people don't know this, but Anime has some of the best TV shows and Movies out there right now.

There are probably more anime shows then live TV shows.

I'll just list a few.

One Piece
Bleach
Naruto
Hikaru No Go
Angelic Layer
Death Note
Full Metal Alchemist
Full Metal Panic
Nodame Cantabile
Gundam Wing
Kaleido Star
Outlaw Star
Major
Initial D
Prince Of Tennis
Dragonball Z
Yu Yu Hakusho
Chobits
Robotech Saga
Hajime no Ippo

I could go on and on. Some of the best shows I've ever seen are in that list, and many I couldn't think of off hand. 

[Mikezilla]

Man. I just cant get into Anime. There was so much freaky ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- that I saw in Japan, maybe it turned me off, but still. Its just so... Goofy. And annoying. I dunno, maybe I havent seen any good ones. The only good one I have ever seen that was watchable was Ninja Sword. Everything else I have seen is just too over the top for me I guess. 

[Vigo]

I get that way about anime too...it's quite often that cliche unbelievable situational humor that I can't handle anymore.  I used to be able to watch it once upon a time, and I know there is really good stuff out there, but I don't like spend my time trying to find out whether it is a well thought out show or if it is some ridiculous story about a guy who somehow ends up enrolled in an all female college. really now?

That said, I love just about everything Studio Ghibli. They have great stuff, gimmick free. I don't even think of it as anime though.

I also love some of the more serous shows like Hellsing. It's probably one of the best vampire shows I have ever seen, and the new remakes are stunning. Very comic book-esque, and plays very well off of Bram Stroker's Dracula.

[Rando]

Man. I just cant get into Anime. There was so much freaky ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- that I saw in Japan, maybe it turned me off, but still. Its just so... Goofy. And annoying. I dunno, maybe I havent seen any good ones. The only good one I have ever seen that was watchable was Ninja Sword. Everything else I have seen is just too over the top for me I guess. 

I don't really watch Anime.  But having said that, Cowboy Bebop is awesome.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebop

[spoot]

I also love some of the more serous shows like Hellsing. It's probably one of the best vampire shows I have ever seen, and the new remakes are stunning. Very comic book-esque, and plays very well off of Bram Stroker's Dracula.

WHA?  Remakes?  Bloody hell, more money to spend today then......   

[Vigo]

Yeah, It's a 10 parter, unfortunately only the first four have been released in america so far. I think the first 8 are out in japan already.

[spoot]

Dangit Vigo, you just cost me a hundred bucks.  

[Vigo]

You will like them, I'm pretty sure of it. If not, I'll be hiding behind the couch. 

[spoot]

You will like them, I'm pretty sure of it. If not, I'll be hiding behind the couch. 

Hide behind the couch......who the heck let Excel Saga into my Hellsing?     Overall I'm not sad I watched em.......but they do the one thing I HATE about anime.........let's do hyperbloodfest gore and dismembers.....then big eyed "cute" crap with crap art.   

Anyways, I just finished up the 2nd season of Breaking Bad last night (well, 2am this morning).......liking it quite a bit.  Bryon Cranston rocks, but it was a bit hard at first to not think of Hal from Malcolm in the Middle whenever he was on screen for awhile.   

[Vigo]

Eep!

[spoot]

Eep!

Hmmm, looks like you're safe.  As the movies show......a couch is immune to all gunfire and such.   

[amendonz]

Watching peep show at the moment, took a while to get used to the first person ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- but worth it. Good show.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Here's a retro one for you

Early Edition

[danny_galaga]

The wire is great.  One of the best shows I've ever watched.  It peaks in the fourth season, though, and then season five is total garbage.  You really truly should just stop watching at the end of season four.

The Wire gets my vote too. Don't listen to Shmokes. It's true that Season Five is not great, but it's still ok. Be careful if you look on youtube for quotes (because there's some great quotes). I inadvertently found out more than I'd seen at the time (or so I thought)

After watching all of The Wire only last year, I discovered that 3 of the main actors are from the UK- McNulty, Stringer Bell and Carcetti!

Actually, Idris Elba (Stringer Bell) is in a brilliant UK police drama called Luther, which I think he produces as well. Well worth watching. It's only about 6 episodes so not a huge investment in time

I'm really enjoying the reruns of Arrested Development at the moment in the comedy category.

[amendonz]

i'll just go ahead and leave this here...



talkin about arrested development, btw..

[wp34]

talkin about arrested development, btw..

 

[DaveMMR]

talkin about arrested development, btw..

 

The episodes are being made so that "what have they been up to" isn't wasted on half the movie - all the same, awesome!

[Rando]

If you play Fantasy Football,
Find/download/watch "The League."  Just found this and really funny.

[CCM]

Anyone else watching Homeland on Showtime?  It's on Sunday nights after Dexter.   So far the first two episodes have been really good.

[shmokes]

I just watched the pilot for a show called Misfits and it has a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- ton of potential. It's about these delinquents doing community service when a strange phenomenon embues them all with super powers. So far it's just standard comic book super hero fare. But their powers are all at least somewhat tied to what they were like before. So, like, the weird kid who's always sort of been invisible to everybody can now turn invisible. And the hot, kind of slutty girl's power is that if anybody touches her skin-to-skin, they have an uncontrollable urge to have sex with her right there on the spot and will rape her if possible. So, like, suddenly not not exactly standard comic book fare anymore.

Anyway, the pilot was really well written and it was all a lot of fun . . . great blend of comedy, drama, and action. Like I said, I've only seen the first episode, but I have high hopes for this one. It's off to a great start.

Edit: Btw, it's a Brit show, so I guess you'll most likely have to torrent it or find some legit streaming/DVD option in the U.S.. But I guess it's prob not on any regular channel unless maybe it airs on BBC.

[amendonz]

its pretty average imo. best brit show of late i think is Peep Show, just brilliant

[emphatic]

As someone here claimed that Pillars Of The Earth was supposed to be better than Game Of Thrones I have now seen the former in full. I cannot recommend it to anyone that expect smart writing or gritty fantasy. It was kinda meh.

Homeland is pretty good, not as good as The Wire but about as good as 24's first seasons.

[Grasshopper]

I just watched the pilot for a show called Misfits and it has a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- ton of potential. It's about these delinquents doing community service when a strange phenomenon embues them all with super powers. So far it's just standard comic book super hero fare. But their powers are all at least somewhat tied to what they were like before. So, like, the weird kid who's always sort of been invisible to everybody can now turn invisible. And the hot, kind of slutty girl's power is that if anybody touches her skin-to-skin, they have an uncontrollable urge to have sex with her right there on the spot and will rape her if possible. So, like, suddenly not not exactly standard comic book fare anymore.

Anyway, the pilot was really well written and it was all a lot of fun . . . great blend of comedy, drama, and action. Like I said, I've only seen the first episode, but I have high hopes for this one. It's off to a great start.

Edit: Btw, it's a Brit show, so I guess you'll most likely have to torrent it or find some legit streaming/DVD option in the U.S.. But I guess it's prob not on any regular channel unless maybe it airs on BBC.

There have been two series shown in the UK and the third starts tonight. I missed the pilot but I've seen most of the subsequent episodes, and based on what I've seen I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's refreshingly original, and surprisingly well written and acted.

That being said, it did take me a couple of episodes to get it. I was initially put off by the deliberately drab inner city locations and the questionable behaviour (to put it mildly) of the main "heroes". But that's basically the whole point. It's about a group of ordinary (and very unheroic) people who just happen to develop superpowers through a quirk of fate.

Oh and there's also quite a lot of gratuitous sex which is always a plus.

[Grasshopper]

best brit show of late i think is Peep Show, just brilliant

I agree. Peep Show is brilliant.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Ugly Americans

I love this show it's another cartoon for adults like archer and it has so many pop culture references. You will see a lot of characters from old MST3k movies (Like Ro-man) down to hitchcock the birds it's great.

It's about a guy who's a social worker in NY but we all live with demons (Hell is a tourist spot now) zombies (The main guy has a zombie room mate) koala men, robots etc.

Watch an episode and you will love it 

[hypernova]

I've been enjoying Person of Interest.

Jim Caviezel's one of my favorite actors.  Too bad he's not in more things.  Michael Emerson is good, too.  He's not the bad guy this time, but he is still secretive and very intelligent, sort of like his character in Lost.  Only slight problem with the show is that there doesn't seem to be much of an encompassing plot holding all the episodes together, except the small subplot that a woman from the local PD is trying to figure out who Caviezel's character is.  That only takes up maybe a minute or two of each episode, though, so it's very minimal and almost non-existent.

2 Broke Girls sucks.  The brunette is the hotter one to me (nicely proportioned, I think), but I watched about 10 minutes of it, and neither one can act very well...or the director can't direct.

[Howard_Casto]

AMC has been running ads for a new show called "Hell on Wheels."  It's about the laying of the intercontinential railroad.  It seems to be in a gritter "Deadwood" style though.

It looks really good.  Then again I'm a sucker for a western series... so much so that I actually watched Dr. Quinn (ugh) back in the day. 


Oh and about Ugly Americans....

I enjoyed the first season immensely as it had an underlying character-driven sub plot that tied the shows together.  There is a HUGE drop in quality on the second season though as all the characters, Dwayne and Calie in particular, become parodies of themselves.  Also 90% of the sub plot from the first season is completely ignored.

You should still probably watch it though, just for the pigeon men alone. 

[shmokes]

best brit show of late i think is Peep Show, just brilliant

I agree. Peep Show is brilliant.

I watched about half of the pilot and it was pretty marginal. Does the show improve markedly?

[shmokes]

True Blood was actually slightly improved and tightened up this year.

I seriously don't understand how you can watch that show. My wife won't miss an episode and I've tried on multiple occasions to tolerate it just to spend time with her. I can't do it. It's so boring and melodramatic and it has a serious daytime soap opera vibe going on. Can't get into it. Can't stand it.

[Mikezilla]

Well, I can say with absolute certainty that the current season has been the flat out worst of Dexter.  (Guess we can thank Julia Stiles for that)

True Blood was actually slightly improved and tightened up this year.

Last week's episode of Beavis and Butthead was freaking hilarious.

South Park's on another dud year.  I wish they had revisited Lemmiwinks back when the show was still funny.

Damn it. Dexter is me and my girlfriends favorite show. Neither of us have Showtime though, so we have to wait until it comes out on DVD/Netflix. I was thinking of picking up showtime just to see it, but I dunno. Everyone says its good though, and youre the first to say its been the worst, but since all the other seasons were so good, maybe that isnt saying much. 

Yeah, they knocked off the fairy crap and started making the story cool again.

Missed Beavis and Butthead damn. Everyone I know said it was awesome. 

[amendonz]

best brit show of late i think is Peep Show, just brilliant

I agree. Peep Show is brilliant.

I watched about half of the pilot and it was pretty marginal. Does the show improve markedly?

Yeah but you need to watch pretty much the whole first season. It's worth it though. I didn't like it at first either,  love it now

[crashwg]

After watching the first two seasons of Shin Chan over the past couple weeks I have to recommend it.  I have to admit that when they played it on Adult Swim, it was more of a "sure, I'll watch it, it's pretty funny I guess" type of deal.  Now that I've seen them in order and get the running jokes and all of the characters nuances it's definitely in my top ten anime.