tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post8283186648613434288..comments2024-02-19T08:20:10.456-06:00Comments on Public Transportation Snob: Top 10 Favorite TV ShowsDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-56153373437351063762014-02-12T20:48:36.994-06:002014-02-12T20:48:36.994-06:00Tony, thanks for the great comment. I'm also a...Tony, thanks for the great comment. I'm also a big fan of The West Wing and need to go back and watch more of it again. I haven't seen a lot of those British shows, though I've heard great things. Spaced is near the top of my list. I hadn't heard of Horrible Histories, and it sounds really interesting. There's never enough time; I'm still a season behind on Game of Thrones. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-61729782885908669072014-02-12T12:16:38.812-06:002014-02-12T12:16:38.812-06:00Really good list. Have to say that Firefly is prob...Really good list. Have to say that Firefly is probably my favourite TV show, closely followed by The West Wing. For my top shows, there would also be a few great British comedy shows, Blackadder, Spaced, Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, Black Books and Brass Eye and The Thick of It, along with Sherlock, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad. One show that I'm really annoyed hasn't been seen by nearly enough people in America is Black Mirror, a brilliantly disturbing series, just so insane and twisted, brilliantly written by Charlie Brooker and brilliantly acted. I also have to mention the excellence of Horrible Histories, one of the best education shows ever made, incredibly funny and has some of the best songs in recent TV history such as a song about Vikings done as a Simon and Garfunkel parody, the RAF done as a Take That parody and a song about Charles Darwin done to David Bowie's Changes. It's not often that a kids show is able to recruit talent like Mark Gatiss, Reece Sheersmith, Steve Pemberton, David Baddiel and Chris Addison but Horrible Histories did it, you really should try and watch it.TonyCooghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04138656686398075103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-82931649607364957482014-02-10T20:31:19.639-06:002014-02-10T20:31:19.639-06:00Dan, I definitely agree that the improvements and ...Dan, I definitely agree that the improvements and depth of TV content goes hand and hand with technological innovations like the DVR, Internet, streaming through Blu-ray players, Netflix, etc. that make it easier to watch them. They all contribute to more serialized story telling, and audiences have grown smarter as a result. <br /><br />If you like Studio 60 (which I also enjoyed), I'd definitely recommend Sports Night. It does have a laugh track that can be a bit jarring at the start (especially the pilot), but it keeps getting quiet and is virtually gone by the second season. It's a half-hour show so has a different feeling, but I'm totally hooked by it. <br /><br />I do have a soft spot for Quantum Leap, which I watched all the way through when it originally aired. It's been great to see Scott Bakula appear in so many different things lately.<br /><br />Thanks for the great comment!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-71696185005377425142014-02-10T09:54:08.952-06:002014-02-10T09:54:08.952-06:00Television has been revolutionized in recent years...Television has been revolutionized in recent years (maybe the last decade) and I'm not sure I can put my finger on the key reason for it. I think the proliferation of digital video and the quality that can be achieved comparatively cheaply has allowed TV to replicate the qualities of cinema. So we are seeing TV shows that wouldn't look out of place on the big screen (eg. 24). I think the way we digest our media is another big factor - gone are the days of reading through the television listings to find out when to sit down and watch a show. Now, it's all about watching a show when it's convenient. That means more TV show marathons, watching endless episodes in a row. Technology, the internet and the way audiences enjoy media today has produced benefits for both the viewer and the production companies. That's why we're seeing so many great TV shows (and why TV is attracting the best talent out there). Gone are the days when TV was for those actors who couldn't get work in the movies, or when the movie work dried up. Here are the days when actors/directors go out of their way to work on TV!<br /><br />I think my favorite TV shows of recent years would be Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Newsroom, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, first series of 24 and Breaking Bad. Older series - Quantum Leap, The A Team and Knight Rider spring to mind. <br /><br />Side note - given my love of Sorkin's drama (Newsroom, Studio 60) it's probably a good idea if I check out Sports Night. I'm also intrigued by Freaks and Geeks. The only show I've seen of your top 10 is Twin Peaks.Danhttp://www.top10films.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-50672877821029031862014-02-08T21:47:34.851-06:002014-02-08T21:47:34.851-06:00Thanks for the suggestion! I'd definitely chec...Thanks for the suggestion! I'd definitely check it out!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-29120853860068288472014-02-08T21:38:30.234-06:002014-02-08T21:38:30.234-06:00I recommend checking out my colleague Sci-Fi Fanat...I recommend checking out my colleague <a href="http://scifimusings.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Sci-Fi Fanatic</a>. Both of you share a fondness for Farscape, among these other series.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-16386892415920329382014-02-08T21:01:26.831-06:002014-02-08T21:01:26.831-06:00I'm surprised by how few people I know that ha...I'm surprised by how few people I know that have seen Farscape. It takes a little while to get rolling (I was hooked about the time Scorpius arrived), and some don't want to give it time. There's some pretty amazing long-term story telling happening on that show, and it takes a lot of chances. It's also great fun. Thanks for stopping by!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-81371932448439509212014-02-08T16:21:57.900-06:002014-02-08T16:21:57.900-06:00Great TV shows.Firefly is worth watching over and ...Great TV shows.Firefly is worth watching over and over again, you're right about the chemistry and bond between the actors. Nice to see Farscape on the list, not enough people have watched it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-38235082700008376492014-02-06T22:25:55.043-06:002014-02-06T22:25:55.043-06:00Jaina, it's sad but true that SG-1 went pretty...Jaina, it's sad but true that SG-1 went pretty far downhill during its last few seasons. A lot was Richard Dean Anderson leaving, and the main story with the Ori was not so good. I still love it, though. <br /><br />I agree that Firefly could have dipped with more seasons; even Buffy went down a bit further in its run. Part of its charm is the fact that it does so much in such a small group of episodes. <br /><br />I'd definitely suggest that you check out both The Shield and Homicide as soon as you can. Both are awesome and very consistent (if you forget Homicide's last season). Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-87227074568255522932014-02-06T11:59:10.646-06:002014-02-06T11:59:10.646-06:00Reading this list put a big smile on my face. Star...Reading this list put a big smile on my face. Stargate SG-1 in its heyday, was fantastic. I lost my love for it towards the last few seasons. Did you ever catch Stargate Universe?<br /><br />Nice to see Firefly on your list. I do sometimes wonder if it would still be making peoples lists if it had a longer life. Guess we'll never know that one. <br /><br />I've been recommended both The Shield and Homicide: Life on the Street, both by the same person. Going to see if I can take a look at both of those shows.Jainahttp://time-wellspent.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-19284019901465738662014-02-05T22:01:36.797-06:002014-02-05T22:01:36.797-06:00Thanks! Those three were easy choices. Thanks! Those three were easy choices. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-26752708966045011042014-02-05T16:06:58.317-06:002014-02-05T16:06:58.317-06:00Love your top three, Dan. Great list.Love your top three, Dan. Great list.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-69038943909592328572014-02-03T20:51:24.478-06:002014-02-03T20:51:24.478-06:00Alex, I had a feeling that you might be on board w...Alex, I had a feeling that you might be on board with some of these picks. The three that you mention have a lot of connections. The Shield was a reaction to Homicide in some ways and took some parts of it while demolishing others. The Wire obviously has a lot of similarities to Homicide, including tons of actors appearing in both shows. I love all three and wish I had time to watch them all again. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-12093230803716627662014-02-03T19:13:08.022-06:002014-02-03T19:13:08.022-06:00Great list, Dan. Some of my all time favorites her...Great list, Dan. Some of my all time favorites here. The Shield (so powerful), The Wire (so smart), Homicide (so revelatory). Love those.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-28505250359579328602014-02-01T09:51:51.917-06:002014-02-01T09:51:51.917-06:00Thanks Nick! I definitely think you can't go w...Thanks Nick! I definitely think you can't go wrong with either The Shield or The Wire. Both have so much going for them in entirely different ways. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-35683184750022043122014-02-01T02:18:27.242-06:002014-02-01T02:18:27.242-06:00God, what a great top 10 that's not only well ...God, what a great top 10 that's not only well written, but full of some great choices. I love your inclusion of BSG, as I really have seen very little like it in both its scale and shear balls in storytelling. You also made me very, very intrigued about finally watching The Shield and The Wire... I need to get on that..Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08461049654345906648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-29894377966792872452014-01-31T23:28:16.212-06:002014-01-31T23:28:16.212-06:00I've seen the first three seasons of Gilmore G...I've seen the first three seasons of Gilmore Girls and about halfway through the 4th season, and it's great. My wife's seen it all, and she agrees about the last season, though she thinks they ended it well. Glad to hear that you're also a fan of Firefly. I love the humor and all the actors, and it's so rewatchable for me. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-29812930009473055842014-01-31T23:21:26.549-06:002014-01-31T23:21:26.549-06:00Jess, I've liked a lot of comedies and didn...Jess, I've liked a lot of comedies and didn't consciously keep them off the list. I think the shows that I prefer are ones like Buffy that are funny but aren't straight-up comedies, however. Along with obvious ones like Seinfeld and Cheers, I'm a big fan of Arrested Development (though I haven't seen the newest season), the early seasons of Scrubs, and The Office (UK and US), though I lost interest in the US Office before the end. The fact that none made the list shows how many great options there were!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-13414269731565770002014-01-31T23:15:31.823-06:002014-01-31T23:15:31.823-06:00SG-1 is admittedly pretty cheesy, and I think that...SG-1 is admittedly pretty cheesy, and I think that I watched it originally at the right time for me. I think you should definitely check out Homicide, especially the first two seasons. The main thing to keep in mind is that it was on NBC and was really unconventional at the time, but it's still a network show in the '90s. Still, I'd be really curious to hear what you think about it. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-45943680734484780152014-01-31T23:12:12.122-06:002014-01-31T23:12:12.122-06:00This was very tough to figure out, especially as I...This was very tough to figure out, especially as I went further down the list. I feel like a lot of the second 10 could have made it, so it was a challenge. What would you list as favorites?Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351431577484530230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-14825816260986861442014-01-31T19:13:51.333-06:002014-01-31T19:13:51.333-06:00I love Firefly. It's got a great sense of hum...I love <i>Firefly</i>. It's got a great sense of humor and the way it bends genres just makes it so fun to watch. My favorite TV shows that I loved to watch were <i>Married... with Children</i>, <i>That 70's Show</i> (until its last season), <i>Gilmore Girls</i> (its last season sucked), and <i>The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</i> (or as I like to call it, the Carlton Show).thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-86560482310602588682014-01-31T11:50:50.508-06:002014-01-31T11:50:50.508-06:00cool list! there's definitely some trends to s...cool list! there's definitely some trends to see here. if I need recommendations for a sci fi show I know who to come to. From your list Freaks and Geeks and Twin Peaks would definitely be on mine. I think my all time favorite is Buffy though. I absolutely love it. Six Feet Under is on there as well. <br /><br />Did you stay away from including comedies or do you just not have many favorites?<br /><br />Also, I shamefully have not watched The Wire or more than a few episodes of Homicide. I really need to fix that ASAP.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015323238572496175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-74972519741785628322014-01-31T08:07:06.908-06:002014-01-31T08:07:06.908-06:00An interesting list. The Wire and Freaks and Geeks...An interesting list. The Wire and Freaks and Geeks is definitely up there for me. Desperately need to catch up with Farscape and Twin Peaks. Both are on my list.<br /><br />I never got into Stargate SG-1. I think I found it a bit too cheesy for me when it was coming out. I might enjoy it more now. BSG is a show I want to love, but the longer it went on, the more I found it squandered a lot of what I loved about the first two seasons.<br /><br />I enjoy Firefly, but it never came together as a show for me. A lot of great ideas, but it never matured into something great for me.<br /><br />Homicide: Life on the Street sounds really interesting. Seems to be based on the same source material as The Wire, I'll have to look at that one at some point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917634143872972680.post-7431263908986897432014-01-31T07:30:39.405-06:002014-01-31T07:30:39.405-06:00I honestly can't really comment here. Of your ...I honestly can't really comment here. Of your Top 10, I've only seen Twin Peaks, Battlestar Galactica, and Firefly (and maybe a couple episodes of Freaks & Geeks). All of which I liked to varying degrees (Battlestar probably the most). But this would be a tough list for me to make, so good job.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08092564511948736386noreply@blogger.com