What's your favorite TV series?

[Barry]

I know this list for the conscious community, but I bet there are a few of you that like to kick back for some good TV! I don't know about you, but for me it has to be really good, otherwise I feel insulted and can't bear wasting my time in front of it.

https://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder/img/template/sfu_logo.gifI hadn't watched any TV for years before Mrs. Wacco turned me on to Six Feet Under, produced by Allan Ball who did American Beauty. Wow was that good! Besides, Peter Krause (Nate) is rumored to live around these parts!

https://ia.ec.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/54/02/53m.jpg And then there's The Family Guy, which Mrs. W is watching nearby while I sort though the the day's emails (which is what triggered this thread). It's hysterical, witty, irreverent and amazingly dense with interesting references.

How about you? What's worth your time (and rental bucks)?

[Tars]

Just finishing up the 5th season of "Six Feet Under" on DVD. Best soap opera I've ever seen.


JOSIAH BARTLETT FOR PREZ


The best series I've ever seen is "The West Wing". I know some people get immediately turned off by anything having to do with politics. But that series had the best writing, acting, production, and camera work of anything I've ever seen made for TV. (it also provided a small bit of feel-good during the right-wing reign)

I was even going to buy the DVDs of the series; I've never bought a DVD in my life. Then I found out the DVD set costs $160. I'll wait a couple of years, then eBay it.

Tars
https://www.rpriddle.com/avatar/anim_shroom01.gif

["Mad" Miles]

Hey Fellow Vidiots!

As anyone reading this board over the last couple of years knows, I'm a self-described "TV Junkie" so the question is for me, in a sense, irrelevant. But I don't watch everything, just a lot.

Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, Oz, The West Wing. I've seen them all and loved them all (Still haven't watched the latest Sopranos season 6 out on DVD, it's on my Netflix queue) I haven't gotten into the Wire yet, but plan on it. I also have the first seasons of Carnivale and Rome in my Netflix queue.

But I'm not sure I consider premium cable series to be "TV series". For new shows I watch broadcast and enjoy many shows. I mute or channel surf during the commercials.

For Premium Cable series I would say "Deadwood" stands out by far. For its history, Shakespearian language, characterization and mostly the amazing creative narrative skills of David Milch. I had a discussion about it with a friend about a year ago. I claimed it was the truth about the creation and soul of this country, he said it was the debate between Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau about what constitutes "The Good Society". Watch it and decide for yourself.

As for broadcast TV. ER stands out far and above everything else. Masterpiece Theater, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, 30 Rock, Studio 60, Prison Break, Jericho, That 70's Show (reruns) are all good.

I watch Desperate Housewives, Lost, The Unit, and other episodic drama, dramedies, but they pale in comparison to ER and Deadwood (and The West Wing, RIP).

There's more but that's what comes to mind off the top of my head.

"Mad" Miles

Oh yeah, Frontline, Spark and Alton Brown "Good Eats" all RULE! I resisted the American version of The Office (because the original English version is so unique and hilarious. Ricky Gervais is a comedy God!) but have succumbed to its charms. Earl isn't bad, it holds the record for best contemporary quirk. I was so happy when the quirk genre came in the eighties (Northern Exposure, Picket Fences, etc.)

And Scifi? Firefly, Stargate Atlantis, Farscape!!! Yeah!!!!!

:burngrnbounce: :Jedi: :spaceship: :abduct:

[Dixon]

I've chosen not to own a TV (I waste enough time as it is), but occasionally house-sit so I can get a dose of TV without owning one.

One of my faves is the Japanese dubbed-in-English "Iron Chef". The more recent spinoff "Iron Chef America" is good, too, but I prefer the Japanese original. In "Iron Chef", there's a place called Kitchen Stadium which has 2 complete well-stocked kitchens. There are 4 Iron Chefs, one who specializes in Japanese cuisine, one in Chinese, one in French, and one in Italian. In each episode, some guest chef challenges his/her choice of whichever Iron Chef they wish to compete against. Then the surprise theme ingredient is unveiled, and the 2 rivals have only 1 hour to make and present to the judges at least 3 dishes which all feature the theme ingredient. Theme ingredients range from beef to bell peppers to milk to pork to carrots to lobster, to asian delicacies like pike eel or codfish roe.

What I like about the show is the astounding mastery and creativity of the competing chefs as they create and beautifully present several dishes without even knowing what the surprise theme ingredient was going to be until the competition starts! It makes me interested in learning more about cooking.

I also like the cross-cultural vibe of watching a Japanese show. And it's funny to see the horrible stuff Japanese folks love to eat--lobster brains, crab eggs, codfish roe, etc. ad nauseum! Reminds me of my dear old Japanese girlfriend Akemi--she and her girlfriends used to laugh their asses off to see how grossed out I got when they ate octopus tentacles, LOL!

Dixon


I know this list for the conscious community, but I bet there are a few of you that like to kick back for some good TV! I don't know about you, but for me it has to be really good, otherwise I feel insulted and can't bear wasting my time in front of it.

https://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder/img/template/sfu_logo.gifI hadn't watched any TV for years before Mrs. Wacco turned me on to Six Feet Under, produced by Allan Ball who did American Beauty. Wow was that good! Besides, Peter Krause (Nate) is rumored to live around these parts!

https://ia.ec.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/54/02/53m.jpg And then there's The Family Guy, which Mrs. W is watching nearby while I sort though the the day's emails (which is what triggered this thread). It's hysterical, witty, irreverent and amazingly dense with interesting references.

How about you? What's worth your time (and rental bucks)?

[Sonomamark]

I agree with Barry. I haven't been a television watcher since the mid-70s--that means I've never seen an episode of "Cheers", or "Seinfeld", or any of the crap that's come out since or between.

But I rented and borrowed bootlegs of "Six Feet Under", and it is a profound, funny, true, tragic, human, gorgeous rendition of all the paradox of this life, its glories, its banal grit, its wonder. "Six Feet Under" is to weep, to roar with laughter, to see that at root these are narrow and fleeting moments, passing faster than we know. If you haven't seen it, do.


Mark

["Mad" Miles]

Hey Droogies and Malchicks,

What about the stuff that SUCKS!!!?

Like "24" which I have never watched because it justifies TORTURE? Maybe I'll watch the DVD's someday. Any son of Donald Sutherland can't be all bad. Plus I've seen Kiefer in other things.

Or "Survivor" which I've seen bits and pieces of, but I'm not into Social Darwinism. Nor faux primitivism, set up for suburbanite couch potatoes.

Or "American Idol" because talent and artistry aren't determined just by a popularity contest.

Or any of the "dating" shows, which are Social Darwinism on 'rhoids, that's Ster (sans h), not Hemmor. Or is it?

Or "Jerry Springer" because I'm not into pre-arranged slap fights by obese, white or (name your Race) poor people willing to do anything to get on TV. (I understand it was/is the most popular afterschool show watched by adolescents. Now that's something to really worry about!)

Or "Oprah" because I'm not interested in schmaltzy platitudes and gratuitous self-promotion. At least when carried out by others! (Sic.)

Or Fox News!!!! No explanation required.

Or ... I don't know lotsa sh!#, because they want to baffle us with BoooSHeeeet!


R.I.P. Jean Baudrillard. Would we have conceived of Hyperreality without you? At least not as articulately as you did.


Just cause I watch, don't mean I believe. And I don't watch things that totally insult my intelligence, unless I'm engaged it a bit of participant/observer social anthropology aka analysis of Capitalist Mass Media when deployed to ideologically shape mass consciousness.

(I am sooo hoity toity, a know it all, think I'm better than those dumbasses, aren't I.)

G,Night, Another rerun of "That 70's Show" should be on. Where was Laura Prepon in 1973?! Answer: Not even a glint, because she wasn't BORN until 1980!!! Dumbass!

"M"M

P.S. Yes, I've been staring at the 'Puter screen since noon (well, actually I took a couple of hours off to read yesterday and today's PD) and it's time to take a break. Plus I've been watching John S. and Steven C. while jumping back to do "info dance" clean-up during commercials.

Someday I'll be set up to netsurf in the same space where I watch TV. Then you can write my ambulatory obit. Install a toilet, fridge and nuke zapper and I could recline in one spot eighteen hours a day! Hoooaaaaaahhhh!!!!!

What a nightmare....The Matrix is not fiction. But knowing it's there...does that make a difference?

P.P.S. Don't miss David Rovics on April 17th at New College (NB/SR) DRovics/4/17/SR

Check out www.davidrovics.com (https://www.davidrovics.com) to find out why y'all, Umma Gumma!

Tomorrow I write "Miles On Movies: 'The Good German'" Saw it yesterday. Ran out of time and oomph today.

Full disclosure: I've been invited back for one more free feed at Nirvana. The world is good.

:lalalala:

[mykil]

:hmmm:
:Yinyangv: The Simpsons of course :yinyang:

[Deborah]

I adore "The Office" Thurs. at 8:00 p.m. channel 3!
Cheers,Deborah

[Clancy]

For Premium Cable series I would say "Deadwood" stands out by far. For its history, Shakespearian language, characterization and mostly the amazing creative narrative skills of David Milch. I had a discussion about it with a friend about a year ago. I claimed it was the truth about the creation and soul of this country, he said it was the debate between Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau about what constitutes "The Good Society". Watch it and decide for yourself.

On your recommendation, I, um... aquired the first full season of Deadwood. I can unequivically say it's the best thing I've ever seen come out of the wasteland known as television. For that matter, it's far better than most films of any kind.

Thanks

["Mad" Miles]

Clancy,

You're very welcome. And I might add,

BWAAAHHHHHAAAAHHHHAAAAA!

Another convert!!! Join us, join us, join us.....

And later on we'll chant: One of us, one of us, one of us...

(gratuitous "Freaks" reference)

Now that I'm done being silly,

Everybody,

Saw "The Namesake" at San Rafael Film Center last night after work. Amazing, beautiful, poignant inter-generational family life story. Mira Nair is one of the best directors working nowaday. Haven't written the "Miles On Movies" for it yet but that's on the agenda.

Back to "Deadwood". I found myself rewinding occasionally to catch muffled bits of dialogue, and never regretted it. David Milch has learned well from Altman, Kubrick, Scorcese et al. Lapidary layers of meaning. An Uber Classic.

Need I say more?

(I can you know...)

Still feeling silly and recovering from sleep deprivation.

"Mad" Miles



:burngrnbounce:

[Clancy]

Say all you like, film this good can't get too much notice. Scenes like the one where Calamity Jane and the Deputy Uder are grappling with their grief at the graveside of Wild Bill Hickock are some of the best and most touching performances I've ever seen.


...Back to "Deadwood". I found myself rewinding occasionally to catch muffled bits of dialogue, and never regretted it. David Milch has learned well from Altman, Kubrick, Scorcese et al. Lapidary layers of meaning. An Uber Classic.

Need I say more?

(I can you know...)

Still feeling silly and recovering from sleep deprivation.

"Mad" Miles

["Mad" Miles]

C Guy,

Ever since watching the First Season of "Deadwood" on DVD a few years ago, and since, whenever I wish to amuse myself I utter, or at least think to myself, Wu's immortal phrase: "S'wengin C*#&Sukka!!!" and I start chortling.

And is there anyone wound as tight as Bullock? If you are, or know someone who is, they/you desperately need psychological counseling ASAP!

Brad Dourif as Doc Cochran is amazing. William Sanderson as E.B. Farnum is hilarious and creepy at the same time. I fell in love with Paula Malcomson's character Trixie (Can anyone think of a better street name for a whore? And feminists please don't react with offense, for that is literally her occupation.) And Molly Parker as Alma Garret? Oh My Gawd!

What can be said about Ian McShane as Al Swearingen...? THE MAN!

Every other actor is brilliant. They all say this was the dream job of a lifetime, the reason they became actors to begin with. How much of that is HBO hype? They seem sincere, but they're actors. We'll find out the truth when they write their memoirs in twenty or thirty years. But if the results are any proof, they are being absolutely sincere.

The DVD extras: commentaries, making of etc. are all facinating. Especially the one about Milch's writing process. I think that's in the 3rd or 4th Season DVD set.

https://www.hbo.com/deadwood/

Gotta run,

"M"M

:heart:

P.S. Knowing the history of the Black Hills / Paha Sapa in relation to the Lakota/Dakota and the incursions of European settlers makes the context of the show even more poignant. The question of why the only Native American character is the gruesome trophy that Al talks to in moments of reverie and/or crisis is another complex subject worth discussion. No time here and now to go into it.

[Tars]

What can be said about Ian McShane as Al Swearingen...? THE MAN!

Deadwood's a fine series. Or, at least the first season was; I haven't seen any of it since then, yet. My Favorite McShane character is still Lovejoy though.

[lifequest]

I have to second Ian McShane in Lovejoy.. I actually recorded the enitre series. And to add some older PBS series... Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse. If anyone can remember an old guilty pleasure - Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Cheesy old Sci Fi movies with nonstop commentary and sarcasm. Finally my favoite series of all time - The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan.

Sort of dates me back to the 80's and early 90's. All of these are recorded on VHS tape.

[adamal]

i'd have to say that LOST is a big fave. It dwindled there a bit in the second season, but im back as a faithful viewer!

I'm also a fan of girly shows like gilmore girls, and the quasi reality MTV shows.:2cents:

[nurturetruth]

WHEN I do finally decide to plug in my t.v...

its usually due to :

* Real time with Bill Maher (course..i am selective. if its not a good show..off he goes! but the recent # 94 episode..with rosanne barr/ deepak chopra and the founder of , "beliefnet.com" was a GREAT episode!)

* Daily show/Colbert Report ( am selective here too.)

* Carnival (for its originality...though.. i am not watching it anymore)

* Six feet under ( just got done watching the DVD series a 2nd time with a friend who had not seen any! What a pleasure!)

* Grey's Anatomy

* Northern Exposure (which, IS my all time Favorite! i have not seen the latest DVD 6th season, yet)

other than that...t.v. remains unplugged and covered up out of sight!

Thanks , Clancy for you high recommendation of DeadWood... will be next on my list after I see the latest Northern Exposure!

[Clancy]

Thanks , Clancy for you high recommendation of DeadWood... will be next on my list after I see the latest Northern Exposure!

Be warned, Deadwood is often violent and vulgar, but it's also beautiful, funny, thought provoking and heartbreaking.

[nurturetruth]

Thanks for the "preview" and for the warning ~~

Finally watched the new movie Blood Diamond last night. so..my eyes are adjusting ....


Be warned, Deadwood is often violent and vulgar, but it's also beautiful, funny, thought provoking and heartbreaking.

[liberty]

I must admit, I love tv,yes I am unemployed. I am somwhat hopeful that once I find employment my love of tv will perhaps wain abit.the tv. shows I will no matter what, want to see even when employed(my favorites) the office, the daily show, and a great new show called the riches it is on fx check this show out it is a great show fun, smart you name it this show has it. well thats my favorites for what it is worth thanks for asking... liberty

[Valley Oak]

There are so many to choose from! I cannot possibly put them in order of preference but only off the top of my head. They are:

[OrchardDweller]

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/twogunkitten/tvaddicts.jpg

[mejbr]

I do not have T.V. but I will say my favorite on screen series is right here on Wacco ! I am always entertained , amused , rifled, or enlighted by everyones wonderful comments, opinions, and disclosures.. Thank You Everyone ! Sincerely , Tinque I do not know why it is saying that Mejbr is posting this , as it is I on my computer that is !

[wildflower]

Crossing Jordan

[Becky]

Right now my DH and I are catching up on the Sopranos and are almost done with season 4. We watched 7 hours of it just this week.

We also love to watch Rescue Me together but have to wait for this last season to get onto DVD to catch up.

Other shows I have to watch no matter what even if its on my computer are:
24 and LOST

I love these shows and have not missed one episode yet.

We are just starting to get into the George Lopez show. Somehow we missed that when it was on the air so now we are catching all the reruns.

Then of course there is King of the Hill :thumbsup: and HOUSE