Since my retirement 3 years ago, I've been watching a number of TV series (some free streamed from Amazon or Netflix & others at a nominal fee); I rarely viewed these type of shows in my working years.
So far, my favorites have been Bones, Justified, & The Closer (all of which I've re-watched) - also own Horatio Hornblower and rented Sharpe's Rifles - SO, that is how my 'tastes' seem to run @ the moment.
BUT, I'd like this thread to be an open one w/ discussion of your favorite TV shows and recommendations - Dave :)
I'm a fan of 90s sitcoms most notably Seinfeld, Frasier, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker, and NewsRadio. I was also a fan of 24 for awhile but lost interest. I'm thinking about watching House Of Cards at some point as I've heard nothing but great things about it. Deadwood is another series I've been meaning to watch, as I love westerns, but just never got around to it for whatever reason.
My recent favorites are fairly conventional, but in something of an order (with 1 being my favorite), here goes:
1. Mad Men
2. The Wire
3. Breaking Bad
(These first three are just astoundingly good, IMHO).
4. The Sopranos
5. House of Cards
6. Masters of Sex
7. True Detective
8. Fargo
9. Call the Midwife
10. Downton Abbey
11. The Killing
British TV: (actually nos. 3-9 could be a seven-way tie)
1. All Creatures Great & Small (seasons 1-3 in particular)
2. Darling Buds of May
3. Poirot
4. Morse
5. Sherlock Holmes (Brett)
6. A Touch of Frost
7. Miss Marple (with Joan Hickson)
8. Sherlock
9. Lewis
10. Luther
11. Yes, (Prime) Minister (ages since I've seen these)
12. Black Adder
American:
1. The Wire
2. Frasier
3. Columbo
4. The Simpsons (seasons 2-8)
5. House
6. Treme
x-files
Hmm, I tried Bones but I never got into it. Perhaps I should give it another chance. I never felt that the characters were real or interesting, but I gave up early.
My recommendations would be..
The Fall (with Gillian Anderson - a very intelligent crime/suspense show - recent)
Homeland (the first season - focused on terrorism)
Farscape! (if you enjoy Sci-Fi - space opera in the grandest scale :D)
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I forgot about Treme and Homeland--they should probably be on my list as well (especially Treme).
Heh, if every episode of Orphan Black had Tatiana Maslany running around in her underwear (giggity!), I'd probably be a regular viewer.
Anyway, I have become much more interested in TV series since we got Netflix last year. I still don't have time to watch very much, but I do like being able to watch whatever, whenever. Here are are a few recommendations:
Flying Wild Alaska: Another Alaska reality show, but much more genteel than Deadliest Catch and the like. If you have any interest in aviation, beautiful scenery, or adventure, this is a great show. Landing in a 50 knot crosswind on an iced-over dirt runway, in a fog bank is enough to push any pilot to the limit, but these guys (and girl) do this as a regular part of the job. Sometimes they also fly dangerously close to Russia, and we all know 'ol rasPUTIN would think nothing of taking out some little American plane--whatta we gonna do, slap him with some more sanctions?
Shows also regularly feature many of the Inuit people, their customs, and some of the lone survivalists and the like who live on "America's Last Frontier"
I recommend just picking up from episode 1 season 1 and going in chronological order.
Portlandia: The first season was epic, the second season seemed to run short on ideas (copying skits from the first season), but the third season was definitely back on track. If you have an offbeat sense of humor, and like Monty Python, you will probably enjoy this.
Family Guy: Cable sucks. We are saving a ton of money since we ditched cable (did I mention Cable sucks?). Cable kept playing the same first two seasons over and over again, but Netflix has all of htem. I am watching these in chrological order whenever I have 22 mins to kill.
Parts Unknown: This is probably the best show on TV bar none. Tony Bourdain is the chef turned travel adventurer who visits places you would probably never go (Gaza strip, Detroit, etc.), and many places you would but haven't had the chance. I admire him because he speaks his mind, is an entertaining smartass, knows how to enjoy life (booze, fatty foods, meat, etc.) and makes no apologies for it. Wimps need not apply. His shows on Detroit, Montreal, and Tangiers are epic!
Frazier: Old favorites we're watching again.
Colombo: A blast from the 70s. Some of the best detective shows ever, easily on par with Sherlock Holmes if you ask me!
Some favourites:
Breaking Bad
House of Cards
American Horror Story
Fargo
Sherlock
The Americans
True Detective (the appallingly vapid verbosity inflicted upon one of the main characters notwithstanding)
Game of Thrones
Portlandia
Sons of Anarchy
Futurama
and...
Quote from: Moonfish on September 29, 2014, 08:34:09 PM
The Fall (with Gillian Anderson - a very intelligent crime/suspense show - recent)
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Unfortunately here in Austria we rarely get any of the current running TV series (shown in the original english) from the USA or the UK. We usually get them a year or two later on a cable channel where you can at least have the chance to change the german dubbed version back into english, but unfortunately this is not on every channel. But thank god for the cable channels that I am able to watch US and UK TV series in english. My favorites include:
1. NCIS (I have had a crush on Mark Harmon since I was in high school in Los Angeles at the same time he was the starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins)
2. Rizzoli and Isles
3. Major Crimes
4. Mad Men
5. Sleepy Hallow
6. Dr. Who (the current season 8 actually started here on the same night it premiered in the USA and the UK, surprise surprise)
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 29, 2014, 05:56:58 PM
I'm a fan of 90s sitcoms most notably Seinfeld, Frasier, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker, and NewsRadio. I was also a fan of 24 for awhile but lost interest. I'm thinking about watching House Of Cards at some point as I've heard nothing but great things about it. Deadwood is another series I've been meaning to watch, as I love westerns, but just never got around to it for whatever reason.
If you like 90ies sitcom a modern alternative is
Modern Family. Very enjoyable in that vein.
Only Fools and Horses
Blackadder
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Yes, (Prime) Minister
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Gilmore Girls
Ugly Betty
Jeeves & Wooster
Foyle's War
Cold Feet
Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett)
Doc Martin
Community
True Blood
Californication
Ripper Street
Game of Thrones
Justified
Oz
In general I could watch almost any british detective drama like Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost, Judge John Deed, Midsomer Murders ...
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling's Night Gallery
Columbo
The Addams Family
The [original] Avengers
The Prisoner
Blackadder
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Jeeves & Wooster
Fawlty Towers
Quote from: karlhenning on September 30, 2014, 03:20:46 AM
Jeeves & Wooster
Hey, I thought you didn't like the TV series,
Karl?
I don't care for the later episodes after some of the actors changed.
Mixed, yes, Karlo.
Favorite TV show of all time... The Office (Original UK Version)
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I've been re-watching Deadwood - a wonderful, unique show. https://www.youtube.com/v/kmYdYti-obg
Quote from: Drasko on September 30, 2014, 01:40:28 AM
In general I could watch almost any british detective drama like Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost, Judge John Deed, Midsomer Murders ...
That's me! So my list would be:
Inspector Morse/Inspector Lewis: Morse (john thaw) was a classical music nut, so that theme runs through the whole series, as does his car! Lewis (the show) came years later, and has sidekick from Morse now the star and it is also good (though it goes its own way, while occassionally giving homage to Morse). If you get through all that, there is Endeavour (Morse at the beginning of his career, played by someone else).
Yes Minister/Prime Minister: Despite being 30-40 years old, the themes are still incredibly relevant. It's on Amazon Prime too.
Poirot: Period mysteries by the master. Very good character drama.
Northern Exposure: Odd. Based in Alaska. But the first 4-5 seasons were very good. Admittedly, later seasons were kind of a dud, but the show is much quieter and calmer (and weirder) than most if you want something like that. I don't think a show like this would survive today.
Dead Like Me: A girl dies and becomes a reaper. And it's a comedy. Quirky show, and cancelled after two seasons, but what fun. Really held my interest. Also on Prime.
Cracker: British version with Robbie Coltrane. Crazy. This show was amazing, though the main character may get under your skin. It's rare to have a protagonist, where the flaws are so clearly wound into the character (like Morse in this way, though the characters couldn't be more different).
Prime Suspect: Helen Mirren. Need I say more? She's an ambitious officer breaking into a man's world (police). My wife likes it more than I do, but there is no denying the quality of the perfomances.
Wire in the Blood: Really good, but really disturbing at times as well. So this will depend on whether you want something lighter or not. Not for kids.
Ally McBeal: A bit girlie maybe, but it was fun for its time (though skip last season). I mention it mostly because you might like the music aspect (though it is not classical) that runs through it. Light and silly.
Jonathan Creek: Another British one -mystery, but on the light side. Stand up comedian plays the guy who comes up with magician's ideas/act, and solves murders too!
If you like Downton Abbey, you might try Upstairs Downstairs, which preceeded it by 20-30 years. Midsomer Murders is great fun, especially if you like views of rural (relatively) England. And if you are not familiar with Dr. Who, well, you have many years of watching ahead of you!
Quote from: mc ukrneal on September 30, 2014, 04:26:13 AM
Ally McBeal: A bit girlie maybe, but it was fun for its time (though skip last season).
No, no! Do not skip the Christina Ricci season! ;D ;)
Sarge
Quote from: mc ukrneal on September 30, 2014, 04:26:13 AM
That's me! So my list would be:
Inspector Morse/Inspector Lewis: Morse (john thaw) was a classical music nut, so that theme runs through the whole series, as does his car! Lewis (the show) came years later, and has sidekick from Morse now the star and it is also good (though it goes its own way, while occassionally giving homage to Morse). If you get through all that, there is Endeavour (Morse at the beginning of his career, played by someone else).
Young Endeavour (a Morse prequel) is really superb.
Some of my other favorites:
1. The Twilight Zone (I am currently watching the first season again. I grew up watching this series and still love it).
2. The Outer Limits
3. Deadwood (my brother worked on this series, as well as True Blood which is another fav.)
4. Blackadder
5. Dark Shadows
6. Night Gallery
7. Monty Python's Flying Circus
Comedy
- Monty Python's Flying Circus
- Farty Towels
- Arrested Development
- Parks and Recreation
- 30 Rock
- Cheers
- potentially Brooklyn Nine Nine; the first season was darn good fun
- Phineas and Ferb
Detectives
- Columbo
- The Rockford Files
- very, very distant third place: the new Sherlock
I don't think I will ever love a detective series as much as I love Columbo and Rockford Files.
Dramas
- Mad Men
- Breaking Bad
Nonfiction
- any travel show involving Anthony Bourdain
- Stephen Colbert
- John Oliver
Shows I Really Want to Watch Soon(ish)
Deadwood, Treme, The Americans, Blackadder (I've only seen the Queen Elizabeth season), Prime Suspect, Luther, Homicide, NewsRadio
Overall Personal Top Five!
5. Breaking Bad
4. Parks and Recreation
3. Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations
2. Columbo
1. Phineas and Ferb
Quote from: SonicMan46 on September 29, 2014, 05:52:08 PM
So far, my favorites have been Bones, Justified, & The Closer
Those are favorites in the Rock residence too. You might sample
Psych, another crime show we love. It's silly but lots of fun. As much comedy as drama.
Check out
Mad Men if for no other reason than it's set in the period our youth: early to late 60s. Great period detail.
Sarge
Quote from: mc ukrneal on September 30, 2014, 04:26:13 AM
Ally McBeal: A bit girlie maybe, but it was fun for its time (though skip last season). I mention it mostly because you might like the music aspect (though it is not classical) that runs through it. Light and silly.
How could have I forgotten that!? Also Boston Legal, Homicide ...
Above the rest for me:
The X-Files
Doctor Who (1963-1989)
8)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 08:19:30 AM
Those are favorites in the Rock residence too. You might sample Psych, another crime show we love. It's silly but lots of fun. As much comedy as drama.
Check out Mad Men if for no other reason than it's set in the period our youth: early to late 60s. Great period detail.
Thanks
ALL for the listings and your favorites - plenty to 'digest' - the older ones I've seen in the far past but may certainly revisit some; many of the more recent shows mentioned I've heard about but have not watched - looks like
Sarge & I share some favorites; Susan has watched and enjoyed
Mad Men, so will put that on my list - just started viewing
The Wire last night (free streaming on Amazon Prime) - Dave :)
Quote from: karlhenning on September 30, 2014, 03:20:46 AM
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling's Night Gallery
Columbo
The Addams Family
The [original] Avengers
The Prisoner
Blackadder
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Jeeves & Wooster
Fawlty Towers
Old school!
I watched The Prisoner as a kid and liked it, but never saw the final episode. Finally, about 6 years ago I saw it. Blecccch. Really poisoned my memories of the whole thing. So I'd toss that off the list without blinking.
My top choice has to be Monty Python. Even allowing for the young Diana Rigg.
How about Twin Peaks? I was really fascinated by that show when it first appeared on TV.
"I, Claudius"
Stellar!
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Quote from: Artem on September 30, 2014, 08:05:18 PM
How about Twin Peaks? I was really fascinated by that show when it first appeared on TV.
I fear it appears VERY dated now.
Quote from: Ken B on September 30, 2014, 11:40:19 AM
Old school!
I watched The Prisoner as a kid and liked it, but never saw the final episode. Finally, about 6 years ago I saw it. Blecccch. Really poisoned my memories of the whole thing. So I'd toss that off the list without blinking.
I understand. One of my eccentricities is, I don't think I
much mind the final episode . . . though I agree it does not match the promise of the series as a whole, and there is a reason why
Patrick McGoohan went into hiding when the final episode was aired . . . .
Quote from: The new erato on October 01, 2014, 01:08:01 AM
I fear it appears VERY dated now.
Thank you! I admit I was underwhelmed by the show even when it was first airing . . . probably prejudiced me a bit, that a close friend of mine was hyping it with a vengeance . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on October 01, 2014, 03:53:10 AM
I understand. One of my eccentricities is, I don't think I much mind the final episode . . . though I agree it does not match the promise of the series as a whole, and there is a reason why Patrick McGoohan went into hiding when the final episode was aired . . . .
I believe he even wrote the script under the name "Paddy Fitz," but I could be wrong about that. Yes, a little too obscure, too weird at the end.
Quote from: Artem on September 30, 2014, 08:05:18 PM
How about Twin Peaks? I was really fascinated by that show when it first appeared on TV.
Quote from: The new erato on October 01, 2014, 01:08:01 AM
I fear it appears VERY dated now.
Interesting: it was a monster hit for the first season, and
Lynch found himself on the cover of
Time, an event which he says made him nervous about the future.
He was right! Giving in to his worst impulses, he ran the series downhill quickly. His collaborator (Mark Frost) was once interviewed with him on a morning news show. When the interviewer asked how the series was planned out,
Lynch said: "We don't have anything planned out at all." Horrified, Mark Frost nervously interjected: "No, no, he's joking. We have everything planned out."
As it turned out,
Lynch was telling the truth. He was throwing all kinds of things into the plot during the filming of later episodes.
Quote from: Moonfish on September 30, 2014, 10:26:21 PM
"I, Claudius"
Stellar!
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Yes. Best mini series ever.
I need to revisit that one.
Quote from: Cato on October 01, 2014, 04:17:12 AM
I believe he even wrote the script under the name "Paddy Fitz," but I could be wrong about that. Yes, a little too obscure, too weird at the end.
Interesting: it was a monster hit for the first season, and Lynch found himself on the cover of Time, an event which he says made him nervous about the future.
He was right! Giving in to his worst impulses, he ran the series downhill quickly. His collaborator (Mark Frost) was once interviewed with him on a morning news show. When the interviewer asked how the series was planned out, Lynch said: "We don't have anything planned out at all." Horrified, Mark Frost nervously interjected: "No, no, he's joking. We have everything planned out."
As it turned out, Lynch was telling the truth. He was throwing all kinds of things into the plot during the filming of later episodes.
Cato, I loved the first season of
Twin Peaks. :) Just saw it about 3 years ago for the first time. The second season was a disappointment (it did not make sense and the plot seemed to go nowhere). :-\
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 01, 2014, 05:28:15 AM
Cato, I loved the first season of Twin Peaks. :) Just saw it about 3 years ago for the first time. The second season was a disappointment (it did not make sense and the plot seemed to go nowhere). :-\
That was the national reaction: you cannot keep drawing the audience in and never pay them for their attention. The story must go somewhere and "pay off" for the effort given by the viewers.
Lynch began improvising more and more on the set, and the series crashed and burned.
Hah, hah, fooled you for paying attention the first season!
Quote from: Cato on October 01, 2014, 05:50:45 AM
That was the national reaction: you cannot keep drawing the audience in and never pay them for their attention. The story must go somewhere and "pay off" for the effort given by the viewers. Lynch began improvising more and more on the set, and the series crashed and burned.
Is that true? I always heard that Lynch was less involved in the second season.
Quote from: milk on October 01, 2014, 04:52:06 PM
Is that true? I always heard that Lynch was less involved in the second season.
From what I have read, "Bob" was an impromptu addition, and the backward-talking dancing dwarf was Lynch's idea, which did not intrigue the audience at all.
Quote from: Cato on October 01, 2014, 04:56:47 PM
From what I have read, "Bob" was an impromptu addition, and the backward-talking dancing dwarf was Lynch's idea, which did not intrigue the audience at all.
I'll have to re-watch it, but there's this to consider also, from wikpedia:
The network insisted that Lynch and Frost reveal who the killer of Laura Palmer was prematurely, which they begrudgingly agreed to do.[71] Lynch felt that agreeing to do so is one of his biggest professional regrets.[72] Following the revealing of the murderer and the series' move from Thursday to Saturday night, Twin Peaks continued for several more episodes, but was cancelled following a ratings drop. Lynch, who disliked the direction that the writers and directors took in the previous episodes, directed the final episode. He ended the season on a cliffhanger, later stating that "that's not the ending. That's the ending that people were stuck with."
Quote from: James on October 01, 2014, 05:47:10 PM
The Larry Sanders Show
Yeah, that's a brilliant show.
House M.D., Simpsons, Mythbusters, South Park, Futurama, Big bang theory, Survivor.
Funny thing how House actually makes me laugh more than probably any other show yet it is not even a comedy. I think the latter seasons became little too depressing, though.
Borgen
Downton Abbey
Not a series, but a documentary (now on Netflix) called Somm--which follows a group of friends studying their asses off to pass the Master Sommelier exam. This is a ridiculously difficult test of wine knowledge, blind tasting prowess, and serving skill. Over the last 40 years there have only been 170 or so Master Sommeliers in the world. Fascinating stuff if you have any interest in wine.
Forgot to mention Veep!
Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on October 05, 2014, 06:38:46 PM
Not a series, but a documentary (now on Netflix) called Somm--which follows a group of friends studying their asses off to pass the Master Sommelier exam. This is a ridiculously difficult test of wine knowledge, blind tasting prowess, and serving skill. Over the last 40 years there have only been 170 or so Master Sommeliers in the world. Fascinating stuff if you have any interest in wine.
Thanks, will watch this soon.
You really should be listening to music, but among recent boob tube fare I'll recommend The Knick, a hospital drama that takes place in 1900.
Also, the Wallander series with Krister Henriksson, a police procedural set in Ystad, Sweden.
Anyone love the 80s incarnation of The Twilight Zone?
Quote from: NorthNYMark on September 29, 2014, 06:14:28 PM
My recent favorites are fairly conventional, but in something of an order (with 1 being my favorite), here goes:
1. Mad Men
2. The Wire
3. Breaking Bad
(These first three are just astoundingly good, IMHO).
I agree with this. Some critics say we're currently in a Golden Age of TV. If so, it's because of these shows.
I'd put
Breaking Bad first. If you binge-watch it, you realize it's actually a 5-act Shakespearean tragedy stretched out over 5 seasons. They could have called it
The Tragedy of Walter White. Also, what is rare for TV, it's visually interesting, almost cinematic in effect.
I don't watch a lot of TV, but I've recently enjoyed
House of Cards (the American one), and some of
The Good Wife, the latter for its focus on the circus of corruption that is Chicago politics.
Oh, and I like to watch
Seinfeld reruns before I go to bed.
I have currently been bowled over by True Detective.
Quote from: Velimir on October 20, 2014, 10:14:27 AM
I agree with this. Some critics say we're currently in a Golden Age of TV. If so, it's because of these shows.
Their influence, no doubt. But we're not anymore in the age of The Wire (2002-08).
Quote from: Velimir on October 20, 2014, 10:14:27 AM
I agree with this. Some critics say we're currently in a Golden Age of TV. If so, it's because of these shows.
I'd put Breaking Bad first. If you binge-watch it, you realize it's actually a 5-act Shakespearean tragedy stretched out over 5 seasons. They could have called it The Tragedy of Walter White. Also, what is rare for TV, it's visually interesting, almost cinematic in effect.
I don't watch a lot of TV, but I've recently enjoyed House of Cards (the American one), and some of The Good Wife, the latter for its focus on the circus of corruption that is Chicago politics.
Oh, and I like to watch Seinfeld reruns before I go to bed.
I have yet to see the Good Wife, but if you are interested in shows about corrupt Chicago politics, I would highly recommend
Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as the mayor. It's similar in many ways to
House of Cards, but in a Chicago setting--only lasted a season or two, but might make for some good binge viewing if you haven't seen it.
Quote from: NorthNYMark on October 20, 2014, 10:51:14 AM
I have yet to see the Good Wife, but if you are interested in shows about corrupt Chicago politics, I would highly recommend Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as the mayor. It's similar in many ways to House of Cards, but in a Chicago setting--only lasted a season or two, but might make for some good binge viewing if you haven't seen it.
Boss was great, although I only saw one season of it, IIRC.
I've evolved considerably viz. Night Gallery. As I think about it, my own history with the matter is peculiar.
I am not sure that I had ever actually watched any of The Twilight Zone; but I had absorbed the awed respect for the show which generally surrounded me. The only Night Gallery story I had seen when growing up was "The Caterpillar," which made a powerful impression; nevertheless (again, probably by absorption), I had somehow 'acquired' the opinion that, as a series, Night Gallery is but a weak shadow of The Twilight Zone.
Having at last seen all of the original Twilight Zone (and much of it twice now), I do not find any of the praise of the series too lavish. Perhaps I was a 'soft touch' here, but even the comparatively weaker episodes do not inspire any derision from me. I also read Scott Zicree's splendidly informative book (in which he shows, probably becomingly, a journalistic impartiality, and he calls some episodes poor with a readiness which may strike some as oddly harsh, for a fellow whose overall tone is greatly laudatory . . . but I suppose that shields him from the charge of hagiography). In a late chapter of that book, he briefly chronicles Serling's life after Twilight Zone, and while the brace of paragraphs on Night Gallery might require a dose of salt, the fact of Serling's dissatisfaction with not commanding artistic control of the series, and his eventual disenchantment with the project tended to color my view as I approached Night Gallery.
However, I was keen to revisit "The Caterpillar," at the least.
Probably I started out with the 2-DVD set of Season Three which is available at the BPL. Probably I watched "The Girl With the Hungry Eyes" first, which I liked very well right off, partly because the cast included John Astin (I suppose); I was curious about a story which had both Vincent Price and Bill Bixby in the case, "The Return of the Sorcerer" – probably not genuinely bad, but I had the feeling of a B-movie vignette; and, curious to see Leonard Nimoy in this context, I watched "She'll Be Company for You," a story to which I do not think I was fair, that first time of watching.
Then (because I should need to return the DVD to the Library), I targeted the four stories of Season Three with scripts by Serling. Two are based on stories by other authors: "Something in the Woodwork" (which I think very good, indeed), and "You Can Come Up Now, Mrs Millikan" (which I thought one of a piece with some relatively clumsy attempts at humor). Two seem to be purely original scripts: "Rare Objects," which is good (could have served as a Twilight Zone episode, in the character of the story, I mean); and "Finnegan's Flight" . . . which I wanted to like better than I did, as it rejoined Burgess Meredith and Serling, but there was something a little sour about the development of the plot. (Probably, I should give it a fresh viewing). And with that bit of cherry-picking done, I returned Season Three only partly watched, indeed only a minority.
Season Two, I began with revisiting "The Caterpillar," which I think I have praised earlier. Then, I set myself to watching the entirety of Season Two in order. While the odd Jack Laird miniature is trite enough, a kind of "slapstick Gothic," that it tends to lower the tone, most of what I saw was very well done, and some of it as good as (or even better than) the top tier of The Twilight Zone. (In Jack Laird's defense – as a writer, I mean, for clearly he was important to the series as its producer – "I'll Never Leave You – Ever" rises above the level of his typical "blackout" sketches.)
So, I went back to view the rest of Season Three, and (to be sure) I found that in my haste, I had missed out on some of the best stories of that season ("The Other Way Out," "The Ring With the Red Velvet Ropes," "Death on a Barge," "Whisper," e.g.)
And here I've started in on Season One – or, properly speaking, I have now watched the three stories from the pilot, all of them (of course, since he was the one pitching the show) Serling scripts: "The Cemetery," with a scoundrelly Roddy McDowall; "Eyes," featuring one of the last appearances by Joan Crawford (and Tom Bosley in an interestingly 'against-type' role: and "Escape Route," the latest in a number of Serling "revenge fantasies" against surviving Nazis. (I mean, obviously there ought to be, to have been, justice done to them; but I don't feel comfortable being implicated in a wish to make them suffer cruelly, as retribution. Is it artistically satisfying? I find myself wondering if this third story is as good as the first two.)
Karl I have vague memories of actual TZ episodes -- I was a bit young for them -- but it's hard to overestimate the influence the show had on *ahem* those of us of a certain age. A very real effect on the imagination and tastes and attitudes, far greater than the rest of TV. Only Monty Python looms larger.
I need to watch more of it ....
Transparent. It's not actually on TV. You can watch it for free with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, or if you already subscribe to Amazon Prime.
It's the best series I've seen all year. Or maybe in many years. You can watch the pilot for free before deciding on Prime.
http://smile.amazon.com/Rollin/dp/B00I3MOT0Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1413838172&sr=1-1&keywords=transparent
Quote from: NorthNYMark on October 20, 2014, 10:51:14 AM
I have yet to see the Good Wife, but if you are interested in shows about corrupt Chicago politics, I would highly recommend Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as the mayor.
Thanks for the rec, I'll look for it.
Quote from: karlhenning on October 20, 2014, 11:21:03 AM
I've evolved considerably viz. Night Gallery. As I think about it, my own history with the matter is peculiar.
I have fond memories of
Night Gallery, which was on when I was a kid. However, only two episodes are etched in my memory. One stars Godfrey Cambridge as a comedian who sells his soul to the Devil so he can make people laugh (this episode was directed by none other than Steven Spielberg). The other was about a boy who can see the future, and what he sees...well, I won't spoil it. The first episode was funny/sad and the second was quite chilling.
My vague recollection is that
Night Gallery had better production values than
Twilight Zone, and was more oriented towards horror than science fiction.
Quote from: NorthNYMark on October 20, 2014, 10:51:14 AM
I have yet to see the Good Wife, but if you are interested in shows about corrupt Chicago politics, I would highly recommend Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as the mayor. It's similar in many ways to House of Cards, but in a Chicago setting--only lasted a season or two, but might make for some good binge viewing if you haven't seen it.
The Good Wife is a good enough way to spend an hour on Sunday, or the day after if football went long, but it's really a silly program, verging on soap opera, in which crazy is normal. I liked
Boss and
House of Cards a whole lot more. What I like most about
The Good Wife are its cast (Juliana Margulies, Josh Charles, Christine Baranski, Matthew Goode, Matt Czuchry, Zach Grenier, Carrie Preston), and what an attractive-looking program it is. It's not satisfying drama, however.
Quote from: Philo on October 20, 2014, 10:19:53 AM
Fullmetal Alchemist
Hunter x Hunter
Originals of both series?
https://www.youtube.com/v/-Bir7rOurbA
Quote from: Velimir on October 20, 2014, 12:53:24 PM
I have fond memories of Night Gallery, which was on when I was a kid. However, only two episodes are etched in my memory. One stars Godfrey Cambridge as a comedian who sells his soul to the Devil so he can make people laugh (this episode was directed by none other than Steven Spielberg). The other was about a boy who can see the future, and what he sees...well, I won't spoil it. The first episode was funny/sad and the second was quite chilling.
I've not yet seen
that Spielberg-directed one (he also directed the "Eyes" segment of the pilot). The latter is "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes," yes, a chiller.
Quote from: Velimir on October 20, 2014, 12:53:24 PM
My vague recollection is that Night Gallery had better production values than Twilight Zone, and was more oriented towards horror than science fiction.
I think the comparison of production values may be roughly a wash, or you may just be right. And horror rather than sci-fi, generally yes.
Quote from: karlhenning on October 21, 2014, 03:55:23 AM
I've not yet seen that Spielberg-directed one (he also directed the "Eyes" segment of the pilot).
Yesterday I managed to find that episode ("Make Me Laugh") on the net (Hulu). I got one detail wrong: it's not the Devil, but a sort of djinn or guru who bestows the miracle of effortless laugh-making on the failing comedian. But otherwise it was as I remember it. I was also reminded how dense and quasi-poetic the dialogue was, something you wouldn't hear today on TV. In short, the literary standard of the script was high.
I also found this informative list of great
Night Gallery episodes:
http://www.weirdlittleworlds.com/night-gallery-15-episodes-for-halloween/
I note that the first one listed is an adaptation of Conrad Aiken's great story "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," narrated by no less a personage than Orson Welles. I was pleased to see this, because Aiken is a great but little-known writer. That critical maverick Martin Seymour-Smith considered him one of the top half-dozen short story writers of the 20th century.
"Silent Snow, Secret Snow" is a lovely story from Night Gallery.
Quote from: Velimir on October 21, 2014, 12:53:26 PM
I also found this informative list of great Night Gallery episodes:
http://www.weirdlittleworlds.com/night-gallery-15-episodes-for-halloween/
By now, I've seen the majority of these, and many of them are indeed of the best!
Quote from: Philo on October 20, 2014, 07:37:52 PM
Yes.
I found that interesting, because the remade version of those shows are so highly regarded. FMA: Brotherhood is ranked #1 on MAL and Hunter x Hunter (2011) has taken 4th place. http://myanimelist.net/topanime.php
I couldn't provide an opinion about the comparison between the separate version of those two shows, though. I watched Brotherhood instead of the original and watched the original of Hunter x Hunter because that was back slightly before 2011.
Quote from: Velimir on October 21, 2014, 12:53:26 PM
I also found this informative list of great Night Gallery episodes:
http://www.weirdlittleworlds.com/night-gallery-15-episodes-for-halloween/ (http://www.weirdlittleworlds.com/night-gallery-15-episodes-for-halloween/)
I note that the first one listed is an adaptation of Conrad Aiken's great story "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," narrated by no less a personage than Orson Welles. I was pleased to see this, because Aiken is a great but little-known writer. That critical maverick Martin Seymour-Smith considered him one of the top half-dozen short story writers of the 20th century.
"The Diary" is deliciously frightful. I should (and will) go back to it, but "The Sins of the Fathers" left me a bit tepid. "Whisper" is wonderful. "Midnight Never Ends" is indeed one of the best, and could have served as a
Twilight Zone episode. "A Question of Fear" is
very nearly as viscerally gruesome as "The Caterpillar." (If that is ambiguous, I think them both excellent, perhaps the very best of the lot.) Saw "The House" for the first time last night; exquisitely lyrical.
Hmm, I am curious about this one...
[asin] B00HT851LO[/asin]
Well, for whatever posy of reasons, I did not even know there had been an '80s revival of Twilight Zone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Zone_(1985_TV_series)) until, rooting through the special materials in the DVD release of the original series, I found snippets of the '80s re-makes of (or sequels to), e.g., "Dead Man's Shoes" and "It's a Good Life." Curiosity has gotten the better of me, so last night I watched the story which launched the first season of the revival: Harlan Ellison's "Shatterday," with a surprisingly touching dual-performance by Bruce Willis. I think this is going to be fun.
Quote from: karlhenning on October 25, 2014, 06:19:54 AM
Well, for whatever posy of reasons, I did not even know there had been an '80s revival of Twilight Zone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Zone_(1985_TV_series)) until, rooting through the special materials in the DVD release of the original series, I found snippets of the '80s re-makes of (or sequels to), e.g., "Dead Man's Shoes" and "It's a Good Life." Curiosity has gotten the better of me, so last night I watched the story which launched the first season of the revival: Harlan Ellison's "Shatterday," with a surprisingly touching dual-performance by Bruce Willis. I think this is going to be fun.
Quote from: James on October 25, 2014, 06:41:31 AM
Speaking of Night Gallery .. I bumped into this recent item The Terrifying TV Episode That Made Guillermo Del Toro Pee His Pants (http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Terrifying-TV-Episode-Made-Guillermo-Del-Toro-Pee-His-Pants-67979.html)
And I remember the 80s revival of the Twilight Zone, Hitchcock Presents and Spielberg's new Amazing Stories show .. I don't remember much about them or the details, but I do remember liking the few episodes I saw way back when.
Two peas in a pod. I knew it was just a matter of time.
The Leftovers:
(http://images.christianpost.com/full/73841/the-leftovers.jpg)
Particularly recommended for people with strong religious concerns. I don't mean religious people, but people interested in "philosophical" and everyday consequences of religious beliefs.
http://www.youtube.com/v/FLT3YUALJno
Script by the novel's author himself and great music by Max Richter.
Well, a LOT of activity here since my previous posts - been paying more attention to streaming films & purchasing BDs! :)
BUT, started a new TV series, The Borgias w/ Jeremy Irons as the POPE who had a family & a mistress - LOVE this pope of yesteryear - ideally, starts in the year of 1492 - BOY, the discovery of the Americas when Columbus bump into several new continents unknowingly and the Spanish kicked out the Moors from Spain - free streaming on Netflix for me (of course, except for paying for the service - ;)) - Dave
(http://sarahdunant.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/borgias_wallpaper_1280x1024.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan46 on November 01, 2014, 06:41:49 PM
Well, a LOT of activity here since my previous posts - been paying more attention to streaming films & purchasing BDs! :)
BUT, started a new TV series, The Borgias w/ Jeremy Irons as the POPE who had a family & a mistress - LOVE this pope of yesteryear - ideally, starts in the year of 1492 - BOY, the discovery of the Americas when Columbus bump into several new continents unknowingly and the Spanish kicked out the Moors from Spain - free streaming on Netflix for me (of course, except for paying for the service - ;)) - Dave
(http://sarahdunant.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/borgias_wallpaper_1280x1024.jpg)
I watched the three seasons of Borgias earlier this year and thought it was very good. Four very strong charismatic lead actors (was not too impressed with the older son) supported by a strong script and sets. Definitely entertaining using plot, violence and sensuality as main engines! ;) Have fun with that Dave!
My favorite TV series are :
Drama
- The Sopranos
- Mad Men
- Friday Night Lights
- Breaking Bad
- The Wire
For different reasons I consider these shows as true works of art, as good, rich and insightful as the best contemporary American novels.
Also, ER seasons 1-3 remains among my favourites, and I found Boss season 1 was really good. I liked The West Wing, but felt less compelled about it.
Downton Abbey has its nice moments, but I found some episodes and ideas quite dumb, and most of Season 2 incredibly poor.
I still have to watch House of Cards, and I'll also give The Good Wife a try one of these days.
Comedy
- Frasier
- Seinfeld
These are my two all time favourites.
Then, quite far behind, I like Parks & Rec, the US version of The Office, 30 Rock, Curb your enthusiam, Veep.
It's not a sitcom but Enlightened is still more comedy than drama. It was a great show, and I was really disappointed it was canceled before its third and final season...
I also still consider The Simpsons seasons 1-10 (approximately) as one of the funniest sitcoms. I watched recent shows as HIMYM or TBBT, but in the end you get one or two good episodes against so many boring soapy ones, that they become increasingly frustrating.
I watched the first seasons of Modern Family and found it funny, then grew a little tired of it also. I should try again sometime I guess.
Quote from: NorthNYMark on October 20, 2014, 10:51:14 AM
I have yet to see the Good Wife, but if you are interested in shows about corrupt Chicago politics, I would highly recommend Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as the mayor. It's similar in many ways to House of Cards, but in a Chicago setting--only lasted a season or two, but might make for some good binge viewing if you haven't seen it.
I've now seen most of
Boss. It's well done, with good acting, and quite gripping in terms of plot. Also the city locations are used well. However, in some respects it is totally over the top. Chicago politics can be nasty, but it is not quite as brutal and crazy as depicted. And the creators of the show seem to think it's normal for people to have sex in hallways, corridors, buses, offices and so forth. So what started out as good story-telling is starting to lurch into self-parody (I'm halfway thru season 2).
Quote from: Velimir on November 26, 2014, 10:53:18 AM
I've now seen most of Boss. It's well done, with good acting, and quite gripping in terms of plot. Also the city locations are used well. However, in some respects it is totally over the top. Chicago politics can be nasty, but it is not quite as brutal and crazy as depicted. And the creators of the show seem to think it's normal for people to have sex in hallways, corridors, buses, offices and so forth. So what started out as good story-telling is starting to lurch into self-parody (I'm halfway thru season 2).
Well the show never seemed to aim for pure realism.
I have caught a few episodes of Gotham. Really enjoyed them so I will have to take in the entire first season.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ef/Gotham_Cast_Banner.jpg)
Parts Unknown w/ chef Anthony Bourdain - been streaming this off Netflix and enjoying; an excellent cook, interesting often out of the way places, great commentary and interviews, and rapport w/ the peoples visited - will have to look for other series w/ him! Dave :)
(http://images.scribblelive.com/2013/4/15/595e5a2f-c809-48bc-9441-bf1680134724_800.jpg)
Quote from: Moonfish on October 23, 2014, 03:45:43 AM
Hmm, I am curious about this one...
[asin] B00HT851LO[/asin]
I watched the first couple of episodes and then lost interest. I did follow some of the recaps at avclub (http://www.avclub.com/features/whats-on-tonight/), and apparently the writing got very bad very fast.
Lately I've been following
The Missing, which is a pretty standard thriller, but very well done.
Quote from: Daverz on November 26, 2014, 06:36:02 PM
I watched the first couple of episodes and then lost interest. I did follow some of the recaps at avclub (http://www.avclub.com/features/whats-on-tonight/), and apparently the writing got very bad very fast.
Lately I've been following The Missing, which is a pretty standard thriller, but very well done.
I agree as that was exactly my own experience. I was a bit amazed by the farfetched soap opera relationships in the pilot episode so it was not a very promising beginning.
Quote from: James on December 27, 2014, 06:32:04 AM
Received the complete Breaking Badseries on Blu Ray as a gift ..
James - boy, there are just TOO many TV series to contemplate - I've never seen this one, but can stream it on Netflix - you try a season (or more if 'up my alley'! Dave :)
Hulu Plus question on a Roku device - currently using a one week 'free subscription' (after $8/month) and started to watch the 10th season of Bones, as shown below; typically, I either wait until it shows up on Netflix (which probably won't be for nearly a year) or when released as a season for purchase (which I did w/ Season 9 and @ a decent price vs. paying $2-$3/episode).
SO, last night I was watching S10/E1 on Hulu and was constantly interrupted by commercials, which I cannot tolerate anymore - if I do decide to go to the paid version of the Hulu Plus service, are commercials still part of watching these shows - would be a 'deal breaker' for me? Dave :)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Miscellaneous/i-2WdWmLC/0/O/Screen%20Shot%202014-12-27%20at%2011.58.28%20AM.png)
Frasier, although it has probably been mentioned in this thread ten thousand times already.
At the moment I'm absorbed with:
Downton Abbey
I just finished S1. I'm an old Upstairs, Downstairs hand so I knew if this lived up to the consensus I would be all in one day, and the day arrived. Unlike the original US/DS production values perhaps outrun literary merit, too purty and not cultishly artistic enough for discriminating viewers, but then you know that don't you?
Seinfeld
There's no question here of not meeting the standards of TV phobes, it's you that's wanting if you can't cope. I had a feeling that when I finally watched I'd be convinced right away that the most mercilessly "values" fucking comedy ever to get network approval would be everything I wanted when I found out it was possible to want this.
Inspector George Gently
Love all those Detective Chief Inspector whodunits that have festooned Public TV in America ever since when? Of course you do! Of course I don't, and this one is for me. I get to watch something I like, don't I? Agatha Christie would recoil in horror at this series set in Durham (!) in the 1960's. It's got.....people in it, and genuine feeling, and it's not exactly light hearted.
Hmm, I just finished Marco Polo on Netflix. It was very good as long as you disregard most of what you know about Polo. It is similar to Shogun if you are familiar with that story although this one takes place in Mongolia/China rather than Japan. It seems to have received a lot of negative reviews but I found it very entertaining. Recommended if you are looking for an adventure!
https://www.youtube.com/v/hB-ltNasHVw
Quote from: drogulus on December 27, 2014, 01:12:25 PMSeinfeld
There's no question here of not meeting the standards of TV phobes, it's you that's wanting if you can't cope. I had a feeling that when I finally watched I'd be convinced right away that the most mercilessly "values" fucking comedy ever to get network approval would be everything I wanted when I found out it was possible to want this.
There's no question that this is my favorite sitcom of all-time. Completely unconventional and the characters are all exactly what we're supposed to
not like in normal society but somehow we can't help watching the misgivings of these sad souls. This may be the last 'great' sitcom of our time.
Everwood
thirtysomething
My So-Called Life
Once & Again
Quote from: rockerreds on May 20, 2015, 05:35:50 AM
My So-Called Life
....should strike a resonance here!
Married... with children.
True Detective
I started watching Better Call Saul expecting something less than the best I hoped for and guess what?!? I'm appointed, totally! Thankyouthankyouthankyou Vince Gilligan, Bob Odenkirk, Michael McKean, Jonathan Banks and assorted others. As Tuco sez "Tight! Tight!" I finished the season jonesing for the next one, as much as The Americans, that much.
Quote from: Daverz on October 05, 2014, 06:54:12 PM
You really should be listening to music, but among recent boob tube fare I'll recommend The Knick, a hospital drama that takes place in 1900.
Also, the Wallander series with Krister Henriksson, a police procedural set in Ystad, Sweden.
I've been really, really enjoying this series with Krister Henriksson.
I have been enjoying a lot The X-Files Season 10/Revival or whatever you want to call it. Only one episode left. :-\
Macgyver.