View Full Version : The Best Shows on Television
shabois
09-18-2007, 12:13 AM
I wanted to something a little different than "what are your 5 favorite TV shows". I have too many TV shows I like to narrow it down! :) So, in honor of the spirit of the Emmys (not the dreadful show), I decided to list what I felt are some of the best shows on TV:
- Lost- Not only one of the best-it is the best. The writing, acting, directing and overall tone of the show are phenomenal. I feel about this show like rabid Soprano fans feel about that show. I appreciate all the nuances of the show and Easter eggs that the creators give fans. It became real chic to rip the show last year after the first six eps. But for those who gave up, they missed out. The rest of the season was the best TV had to offer last year. Ben is the best villain on TV, a man who is not physically imposing but uses his wits to control others. Look, I know the show is not going to have a satisfying ending. It really can't, haters have already decided the ending is going to suck. I think you have to put it in perspective. It is extremely difficult to sum up the greatness of a show in a 2 hour finale. Is Seinfeld all of sudden a shitty show because the series finally was disappointing? There are times I am critical of the show, I think it is healthy to always be critical- I have often thought this show would be over in a couple of eps. if Samuel L. Jackson parachuted on to the island! Shaft would take control, get everyone's shit together, punch John Locke in the mouth, get a cohesive plan and direction, and above all actually ask the villains questions about the strange happenings of the island! With that said, as with all good things; it is the journey not the destination...
- The Shield- Beyond the fact that I really enjoy this show, it is groundbreaking in many ways. Vic Mackey is a rare anti-hero that can actually carry a show for multiple seasons. He is one of the most charismatic characters on TV. This show is the flagship of FX and really kicked of the explosion of quality TV on cable. The 13 ep. format allowed for tight storylines with budgets that cable networks could sustain. Without the success of the Shield, there is no The Closer, 4400, Rescue Me, etc. This show is not for everyone and is very graphic. But, it is well acted and written and has been consistently strong for years and will end its run next year with a bang.
- Nip/Tuck- While we are on FX shows, this show is defines groundbreaking. It pushes the envelop more than any other show on TV. Julian is another complex anti-hero. But unlike Vic Mackey he has a partner that, for the most part, acts as his conscious and better half. This show is the definition of if you find it offensive- don't watch. This show is All in the Family for the MTV generation- offensive, controversial and eye opening. Extremely graphic in everyway- storylines, medical procedures, sex, drugs, etc. It is not for the faint of heart. The most important quality the show may have is to reinforce a positive view of platonic man love. The two main characters truly love each other more than themselves in a very hetro way. Now some of the storylines have been outlandish even for me and the female characters do get the short end for the most part. But as much as this show can annoy me, it is at times brilliant- the most innovative show on TV.
- Friday Night Lights- If you dismissed this show because you have no interest in high school football, then you are doing yourself a disservice. This is hands down the best family drama on TV. This is to say while I love Nip/Tuck and The Shield they are not for your kids! Football is only one part of a show that does the best job of any on TV of dealing with family. It confronts real issues that effect teens and their parents in an entertaining way. Surprising well acted since the show is driven by a bunch of unknown young actors. An uplifting and inspiring drama that is entertaining without being preachy. Of course if family and football are not your thing then there is always the Food Network...:D
- Battlestar Galactica- The only thing this show has in common with the original is the name. I know that I won't have to convince anyone around here to watch! What makes it one of the best is that the show integrates real dramatic themes into a Sci-fi show. No big deal right? Wrong! Very few Sci-Fi shows can pull it off. It is all the more amazing considering how cheesing the original was. Another milestone series that shows networks they can do Sci-fi in a serious way with great acting and storylines. The only negative aspect is the scope is so narrow that you can't go for seven seasons. In this case quality is much better than quantity- I'm talking to you X-Files!
The throw in Sitcom- How I Met Your Mother- A delightful show that is everything a sitcom should be; light, funny, creative, and a short term satisfying distraction! :)
These are some of my best, how about yours?
GreyOne
09-18-2007, 12:56 AM
I concur on Lost, Battlestar Galactica and The Shield. I love the Shield.
I'm a big fan of Prison Break and 24 too. Sure they aren't as tightly produced and streamlined as the low episode cable shows, but the ratio of terrific episodes to mediocre ones is pretty damn high. The body count on both shows is one of the allures. Almost no one is safe. Rescue Me is one of the best shows on TV. It's gut-wrenching, yet oh so darkly funny.
Supernatural, and Heroes are good and so is the Office (American version, which IS superior to the British). Well-produced, well-written, character-driven treats.
Pigs in Space
09-18-2007, 01:12 AM
TV peaked with "search for the next playboy centerfold".
period.
Watched K*Ville last night on Fox, seems to be a good show, the editing seems disjointed but overall a good show. A Blackwater type company was taken down last night BTW
TV peaked with "search for the next playboy centerfold".
period.
America's Next Hot Porn Star (http://www.tmz.com/2007/09/17/porn-star-search/) says you're wrong.
Dark Jezter
09-18-2007, 11:32 AM
Best sitcom: My Name Is Earl
Varaj
09-18-2007, 11:58 AM
Is Seinfeld all of sudden a shitty show because the series finally was disappointing?
No it was a shitting show because the whole series was disappointing (at the the very least). :)
Battlestar is a pretty good show. I don't watch enough tv to be a good judge.
No it was a shitting show because the whole series was disappointing (at the the very least). :)
Battlestar is a pretty good show. I don't watch enough tv to be a good judge.
I was never a Seinfeld fan, mostly due to the fact that Jerry is an annoying tweet, saw Julia Lewis-Dreyfuss in New Christine last night, looks beeter now then on Seinfield
Bagpuss
09-18-2007, 05:56 PM
- LOST - lost me after the second season when they introduce a host of new characters give you there stories and how they link with the old characters then kill them all off (except one I think) thus making the virtually the entire season an pointless tangent, where the bits that mattered could have been covered in about 6 episodes. Perhaps they were touched on again in the 3rd season, but really I have enough trouble caring about some of the living characters why should I care about dead ones. Although admittedly the stories of any of the dead characters are far more interesting than Jack.
On a positive...
- Heroes - It's all the good stuff about Lost with none of the shit stuff, and it gets better as it goes on rather than worse. The plotlines come together towards the end, rather than them introducing another dozen threads before they have dealt with the first lot. Looking forward to next season.
- Battlestar Galactica - Have to agree again like Heroes it's the social drama and "real people" in a unreal situation that makes it great.
- Strictly Come Dancing - I think the US version is Dancing with the Stars which they show over here but it's really shit; since none* of them are even recognisable in this country so they must be pretty much finding C list celebs. The format in the US show seems a little different as well. In the UK all the celebs are very well known and it's is great to see how much they improve and how they react to the pressure.
- The Real Hustle (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/real_hustle/) - Crime prevention and entertainment rolled into one, plus Jessica Clement (http://www.jessicajaneclement.co.uk/) is a real hottie. The proposition bets are great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs18XyY3sqc
*okay the lad from Beverly Hills 90210 (now a man) was, but has he done anything since?
GreyOne
09-19-2007, 02:10 AM
No it was a shitting show because the whole series was disappointing (at the the very least). :)
See, this is where I see your judgement as severely impaired. No seriously severely.
Like who is this person and why is he given a public voice to mumble his insane ravings?
GreyOne
09-19-2007, 02:11 AM
I was never a Seinfeld fan, mostly due to the fact that Jerry is an annoying tweet, saw Julia Lewis-Dreyfuss in New Christine last night, looks beeter now then on Seinfield
I'm starting to understand Varaj a little better now. Or am I starting to understand Doc a little better?
Frankly, I'm rattled by the insanity.
Harry
09-19-2007, 02:15 AM
Julia Lewis-Dreyfuss peaked in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Jerry Seinfeld lost his funny when Johnny Carson retired. Michael Richards started phoning it in after Coneheads. Jason Alexander held on to Bob Newhart's coattails much longer than he should have gotten away with.
hth
I'm starting to understand Varaj a little better now. Or am I starting to understand Doc a little better?
Frankly, I'm rattled by the insanity.
Roll a sanity check.
GreyOne
09-19-2007, 10:59 PM
Julia Lewis-Dreyfuss peaked in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Jerry Seinfeld lost his funny when Johnny Carson retired. Michael Richards started phoning it in after Coneheads. Jason Alexander held on to Bob Newhart's coattails much longer than he should have gotten away with.
hth
Did IQ's drop sharply in the last week or so?
Bagpuss
09-20-2007, 11:21 AM
Never thought much of Seinfield myself either. I can't even recall sitting through a whole episode.
Janos
09-20-2007, 11:54 AM
Did IQ's drop sharply in the last week or so?
Nope, yours steadily dropped from 1990 to 1998 and never really went up again. The rest of us avoided Seinfield.
Tonight I watch the season finale of USA's Burn Notice and TNT's Saveing Grace (missed it Monday), long night got to get popcorn.
GreyOne
09-21-2007, 05:45 PM
The rest of us avoided Seinfield.
Sucks to be you.
It shows.
Seinfeld was and is a comedy masterpiece. Many of you would benefit greatly from increased study of its comedy fundamentals.
No, really.
GreyOne
09-21-2007, 05:50 PM
Never thought much of Seinfield myself either. I can't even recall sitting through a whole episode.
Seinfeld influenced pop culture more than any other tv show of the 1990's with it's unique brand of humour. You are less of a man, indeed, less of a human because of your failure to watch and take enjoyment from it.
Janos
09-22-2007, 04:10 AM
Seinfeld influenced pop culture more than any other tv show of the 1990's with it's unique brand of humour. You are less of a man, indeed, less of a human because of your failure to watch and take enjoyment from it.
American Idol has influenced TV more than any other show in 2000. Therefore it is safe to say American Idol and Seinfeld comparable. I find Greyone comparable to William Hung. Perhaps Greyone should record an album.
American Idol has influenced TV more than any other show in 2000. Therefore it is safe to say American Idol and Seinfeld comparable. I find Greyone comparable to William Hung. Perhaps Greyone should record an album.
oooooo good one, savage but good.
GreyOne
09-22-2007, 01:15 PM
American Idol has influenced TV more than any other show in 2000. Therefore it is safe to say American Idol and Seinfeld comparable. I find Greyone comparable to William Hung. Perhaps Greyone should record an album.
Dude, I could so hit those notes better than Hung.
If, however, you're inclined to compare apples and oranges, we should compare the turds of Allan Cole with the beaten gold of Steven Erikson.
Janos Anteros, you sir are no Simon Cowell.
GreyOne
09-22-2007, 01:16 PM
oooooo good one, savage but good.
Come on Doc. Even Paula Abdul puts more effort into her commentary than Janos.
Bagpuss
09-22-2007, 01:20 PM
Seinfeld influenced pop culture more than any other tv show of the 1990's with it's unique brand of humour. You are less of a man, indeed, less of a human because of your failure to watch and take enjoyment from it.
Maybe in the US it's influence wasn't as great over here.
GreyOne
09-22-2007, 01:23 PM
Maybe in the US it's influence wasn't as great over here.
Thus fell the British Empire.
GreyOne
09-22-2007, 01:35 PM
Seinfeld-haters are typically fellows who pathologically say no, when everyone else is saying yes.
Varaj
09-23-2007, 03:52 PM
Maybe in the US it's influence wasn't as great over here.
Ain't that way over here either outside of the delusional ravings of drow fan boys.
GreyOne
09-23-2007, 03:57 PM
Ain't that way over here either outside of the delusional ravings of drow fan boys.
Varaj, we already know you're missing the horror-movie gene, and it's pretty much apparent you've always been missing the comedy gene too. :D
If you aren't aware of the huge pop-culture influence of Seinfeld in America, I wonder if you are American. And I wonder how long you've been working for Iran.
Varaj
09-23-2007, 03:57 PM
Varaj, we already know you're missing the horror-movie gene, and it's pretty much apparent you've always been missing the comedy gene too. :D
A touch good sir, a solid touch.
If you aren't aware of the huge pop-culture influence of Seinfeld in America, I wonder if you are American. And I wonder how long you've been working for Iran.
About 28 years... I'm mean I'm not!
GreyOne
09-23-2007, 04:01 PM
Seinfeld-haters are typically fellows who pathologically say no, when everyone else is saying yes.
Just thought I'd quote myself here, since I'm the only one talking any sense in this thread now.
Increasingly I find this true, especially on the internet where many passive aggressive and socially inept nay-sayers are given free reign to say stuff.
GreyOne
09-23-2007, 11:01 PM
No it was a shitting show because the whole series was disappointing (at the the very least). :)
Battlestar is a pretty good show. I don't watch enough tv to be a good judge.
I thought you only watched two or three episodes?
Janos
09-24-2007, 11:20 AM
Dude, I could so hit those notes better than Hung.
If, however, you're inclined to compare apples and oranges, we should compare the turds of Allan Cole with the beaten gold of Steven Erikson.
Ah, but I won't claim that Allan Cole writes anything but bad fiction I enjoyed reading. I don't point at a turd and claim it is a masterpiece.
You must have a midus anus to claim every show or book that falls out of your ass is pure gold.
Varaj
09-24-2007, 11:35 AM
I thought you only watched two or three episodes?
Random sampling for statistical analysis.
I hope you aren't confusing series with episodes.
GreyOne
09-24-2007, 09:31 PM
Ah, but I won't claim that Allan Cole writes anything but bad fiction I enjoyed reading. I don't point at a turd and claim it is a masterpiece.
You must have a midus anus to claim every show or book that falls out of your ass is pure gold.
Since my ass seems to be a topic of conversation, just order the 8' by 10' glossies, man, and quit beating around the bush.
I've never claimed Malazan was a masterpiece. I've just expressed vocally how I like it and verbally jousted with people who use hyperbole to dismiss it. The whole Drow thing brings me as much pleasure as it does you, contrary to what you might think. It's the exaggeration I can't abide, and I love arguing about it.
It's like when people call you a cocky shit-stirring douche and I have to fight to clear your name. I've bled for you Janos. Bled by the gallon!
Midas ass. Heh. See that's kind of funny, in a potty-humour kind of way.
Harry
09-24-2007, 10:14 PM
I can't help but notice that you weren't watching Heroes.
Instead, you were talking about a book about elves, in a thread about good television.
It just bears noting.
GreyOne
09-25-2007, 01:30 AM
I can't help but notice that you weren't watching Heroes.
Instead, you were talking about a book about elves, in a thread about good television.
It just bears noting.
Dude, I watched Prison Break, Heroes, K-Ville and taped Journey Man.
I started at 6:00 pm. Monday is my tv night.
shabois
09-25-2007, 10:40 PM
Watched K*Ville last night on Fox, seems to be a good show, the editing seems disjointed but overall a good show. A Blackwater type company was taken down last night BTW
I enjoyed KVille as well. It was not gorund breaking but like most Fox shows was entertaining in a sleazy way...:cool:
I am pro Seinfeld, but more and more I have come to terms with people who don't. It is a very polarizing show... hey I can't stand the Beatles so I am down with everyone having different tastes.
shabois
09-25-2007, 10:43 PM
I concur on Lost, Battlestar Galactica and The Shield. I love the Shield.
I'm a big fan of Prison Break and 24 too. Sure they aren't as tightly produced and streamlined as the low episode cable shows, but the ratio of terrific episodes to mediocre ones is pretty damn high. The body count on both shows is one of the allures. Almost no one is safe. Rescue Me is one of the best shows on TV. It's gut-wrenching, yet oh so darkly funny.
Supernatural, and Heroes are good and so is the Office (American version, which IS superior to the British). Well-produced, well-written, character-driven treats.
I agree! I like both prison break and 24. 24 is the one show I fell bad for leaving off my list. It is ground breaking in format. Last year was so-so but they are bringing back Tony this year- that ROCKS!!!
I like the American version of office better as well. I think there are too many TV snobs out there who think all British tele is better than our stuff.
GreyOne
09-25-2007, 11:43 PM
and more I have come to terms with people who don't. It is a very polarizing show... hey I can't stand the Beatles so I am down with everyone having different tastes.
This is the core of the phenomenon. Certain things really are polarizing, and Seinfeld I've noticed over the years really is one of those things.
TiQuinn
09-26-2007, 08:00 AM
Watched Reaper last night instead of the season premiere of House, and wished I hadn't bothered. It sounded like such a great, funny idea, and it'd been getting great reviews. Now I'm just beginning to think that TV critics have never heard of or seen anything by Kevin Smith before. Comedy wise, it ranks up there with Jersey Girl. Just lame.
Harry
04-16-2008, 09:46 PM
I totally wish I could watch this show this weekend, but A. it's game night, and B. I don't do cable. But if there were more shows like THIS....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/greylock/Macros/warbird.jpg
GreyOne
04-16-2008, 10:23 PM
Man. I kicked ass in this thread.
FeatsofClay
04-16-2008, 10:54 PM
Man. I kissed ass in this thread.
FIFY.
Jerry's heiney enjoy your lipstick. Nuff said.
GreyOne
04-18-2008, 01:35 AM
FIFY.
Jerry's heiney enjoy your lipstick. Nuff said.
Still reigning champion of this thread!
The Wanderer
04-18-2008, 01:49 AM
in support of the greyone puffy shirt episode and the nipple episodesi have always loved seinfeld to me ranks up there with two other shows i watched growing up mash and cheers i remember many episodes fondly
as for new shows when i get the chance house and the first csi are favorites along with my favorite nonfiction mythbusters if i walk into a room and that show is on all time stops for me and i am in zombie mode. the office is really good when i can catch it on tv and i have really been wanting to watch my name is earl. but most shows i have to watch on boxsets sad to say.
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