Quality TV Shows?
February 18, 2011 3:35 PM Subscribe
Recommendations for good shows and/or podcasts for me? I do not like reality tv, sitcoms or cooker cutter serial dramas i.e. CSI.
Some of my favorites include:
-The Wire
-Lost
-Madmen
-The Sopranos
-Fringe
-Buffy
-The Walking Dead
I haven't yet ventured into the video podcast world (except for TED), but am open to your suggestions.
Thank you!
Some of my favorites include:
-The Wire
-Lost
-Madmen
-The Sopranos
-Fringe
-Buffy
-The Walking Dead
I haven't yet ventured into the video podcast world (except for TED), but am open to your suggestions.
Thank you!
2nding Breaking Bad.
Also:
Downton Abbey
Boardwalk Empire
Firefly
posted by sharkfu at 3:42 PM on February 18, 2011
Also:
Downton Abbey
Boardwalk Empire
Firefly
posted by sharkfu at 3:42 PM on February 18, 2011
I can't stand police/courtroom/doctor shows, but for some reason I love Dexter. It's unpredictable and addictive. It's gory and sweary (and a bit nudey), so be warned.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:45 PM on February 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:45 PM on February 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Weeds
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:46 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:46 PM on February 18, 2011
2nding Dexter. I am heavily addicted to that show.
Also, Damages.
posted by AlliKat75 at 3:58 PM on February 18, 2011
Also, Damages.
posted by AlliKat75 at 3:58 PM on February 18, 2011
Sadly now gone, Terriers was great. You may be able to catch it still on Hulu.
Justified. New season just started.
Nthing Dexter.
Anything Bryan Fuller has ever done (Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies).
posted by elendil71 at 4:00 PM on February 18, 2011
Justified. New season just started.
Nthing Dexter.
Anything Bryan Fuller has ever done (Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies).
posted by elendil71 at 4:00 PM on February 18, 2011
S'more votes for Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Pushing Daisies.
I'm also seconding Weeds, and I'd like to add Californication (My favorite show on TV right now). The Walking Dead had a really entertaining first season, I liked it a lot.
Sons of Anarchy is one of my favorites, and in my humble opinion, the story archs are the closest thing I've seen to The Wire.
posted by ejfox at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2011
I'm also seconding Weeds, and I'd like to add Californication (My favorite show on TV right now). The Walking Dead had a really entertaining first season, I liked it a lot.
Sons of Anarchy is one of my favorites, and in my humble opinion, the story archs are the closest thing I've seen to The Wire.
posted by ejfox at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2011
Oh, I'd also like to add Kitchen Confidental which is on Hulu right now.
posted by ejfox at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by ejfox at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2011
another recommendation for Breaking Bad.
posted by nickthetourist at 5:13 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by nickthetourist at 5:13 PM on February 18, 2011
Quadruple-recommend Dexter and Breaking Bad and Firefly.
Battlestar Galactica (the new one) is really terrific--well written, well-imagined and unique universe, satisfyingly complex.
I really enjoyed The Tudors and Rome, both of which are trashy and gorgeous and smart and funny all at once.
Deadwood is also great. Profane, witty, dark.
True Blood is pure candy, but delicious.
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:03 PM on February 18, 2011
Battlestar Galactica (the new one) is really terrific--well written, well-imagined and unique universe, satisfyingly complex.
I really enjoyed The Tudors and Rome, both of which are trashy and gorgeous and smart and funny all at once.
Deadwood is also great. Profane, witty, dark.
True Blood is pure candy, but delicious.
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:03 PM on February 18, 2011
Since you liked Buffy (and presumably Angel) you might like Supernatural. I didn't like it when it first came out, but I just watched five seasons in marathon-style and really enjoyed it this time around.
Fringe is another show I couldn't get into at first but it's turned into a favorite. Can't wait for tonight's episode!
posted by Thoughtcrime at 6:10 PM on February 18, 2011
Fringe is another show I couldn't get into at first but it's turned into a favorite. Can't wait for tonight's episode!
posted by Thoughtcrime at 6:10 PM on February 18, 2011
If you liked Buffy, have you watched Angel? I actually like Angel better.
posted by ErikaB at 6:24 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by ErikaB at 6:24 PM on February 18, 2011
I was REALLY shocked to find that (the new) Doctor Who and Torchwood scratched a lot of my Buffy itches. You might try Homicide as well--so not another cop show.
posted by wintersweet at 8:02 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by wintersweet at 8:02 PM on February 18, 2011
The West Wing is an excellent and decidedly not-cookie cutter drama/comedy.
Slings and Arrows is one of the finest tv series ever made.
The re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes from the BBC is also excellent, though it has yet to capture my heart away from Doctor Who. But I've been seriously impressed with the writing, directing and acting.
posted by jb at 9:13 PM on February 18, 2011
Slings and Arrows is one of the finest tv series ever made.
The re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes from the BBC is also excellent, though it has yet to capture my heart away from Doctor Who. But I've been seriously impressed with the writing, directing and acting.
posted by jb at 9:13 PM on February 18, 2011
2nd West Wing.
posted by saradarlin at 9:43 PM on February 18, 2011
posted by saradarlin at 9:43 PM on February 18, 2011
Treme. You'll see some old Wire friends there.
I assume you've seen the X-Files. It had a big influence on shows like Fringe and Lost.
More oldies-but-goodies :
The Prisoner
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Carnivale (not so old, but oh so good)
posted by Paris Elk at 2:50 AM on February 19, 2011
I assume you've seen the X-Files. It had a big influence on shows like Fringe and Lost.
More oldies-but-goodies :
The Prisoner
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Carnivale (not so old, but oh so good)
posted by Paris Elk at 2:50 AM on February 19, 2011
Take a look at some shows from (what I think of as) the golden age of British television. You won't see today's productions values, but you'll see a lot of great acting and great writing. My favorites are
From the 70s and 80s:
"I, Claudius"
"Upstairs Downstairs"
-- the new "Upstairs Downstairs" isn't as good, but there's a similar show, "Downton Abby," that's great.
"To Serve Them All My Days"
"Paradise Postponed"
"Brideshead Revisited"
"The Charmer"
"Danger UXB"
From the 90s:
"Prime Suspect"
the "House of Cards" trilogy
In the 70s and 80s, the best TV (in my opinion) was coming out of England. Now, America is in a golden age -- spearheaded by HBO and AMC. I agree with many of the recommendations made above: "Deadwood" (my favorite), "The Sopranos", "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "The Wire", "Walking Dead", "Boardwalk Empire" and "Big Love."
Also, take a look at the director's cut of "Fanny and Alexander," which I often think of as my favorite movie. That's because in the US, it's only known as a movie. But it was originally shown (and made as) a Swedish TV (mini) series.
posted by grumblebee at 6:11 AM on February 19, 2011
From the 70s and 80s:
"I, Claudius"
"Upstairs Downstairs"
-- the new "Upstairs Downstairs" isn't as good, but there's a similar show, "Downton Abby," that's great.
"To Serve Them All My Days"
"Paradise Postponed"
"Brideshead Revisited"
"The Charmer"
"Danger UXB"
From the 90s:
"Prime Suspect"
the "House of Cards" trilogy
In the 70s and 80s, the best TV (in my opinion) was coming out of England. Now, America is in a golden age -- spearheaded by HBO and AMC. I agree with many of the recommendations made above: "Deadwood" (my favorite), "The Sopranos", "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "The Wire", "Walking Dead", "Boardwalk Empire" and "Big Love."
Also, take a look at the director's cut of "Fanny and Alexander," which I often think of as my favorite movie. That's because in the US, it's only known as a movie. But it was originally shown (and made as) a Swedish TV (mini) series.
posted by grumblebee at 6:11 AM on February 19, 2011
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posted by alligatorman at 3:37 PM on February 18, 2011