Is there anything worth watching? (The TV Thread)

[gdh82]

Copying Sid's neat idea about movies, thought I'd start a thread about tv series etc

Apologies in advance to Wonka who I understand only uses his tv to view DVDs!

Two programme's that are getting my attention...

Vanished - good american import and if you like 24 you might like this. It's a tense, hi-tech thriller about the disapperance of a senators wife. I've enjoyed the first two episode so recommended.

7 Ages of Rock - BBC music documentary charting the history of rock. Rocking good stuff!

Please feel free to post any tv that's catching your eye at the moment...

[Bounty Bob]

I've mainly been enjoying Lost, Prison Break and Heroes. All are sadly finished now, so I'm waiting for the new seasons to come around. Got plenty of TV shows on DVD to watch in the meantime. For starters I've got the first 5 seasons of 24 to have a look at. Should keep me occupied around the Kick Off tournaments and Forza Motorsport 2 on the Xbox 360.

[Tripod]

This is a copy of what I wrote in the "Heroes" thread:

Anyway, here are again my current TV recommendations:

1. Dexter: Don't miss this. It's absolutely wicked. Season 1 (12 episodes) wraps up nicely. You'll thank me forever for this recommendation!

2. Day Break: Got cancelled pretty soon, only the first 6 (of 13) episodes were aired on US TV, the others are available as "webrips" (from the ABC website) and of decent enough quality. Great 13 episodes, highly recommended.

3. Heroes: Not perfect, well, no tv series is (like the kindergarden called CTU in 24). But unlike, say, Lost, the story actually moves at a decent pace.

The old stuff:

4. 24: Everybody knows 24. All seasons have their strengths and weaknesses. And there is the chance we'll get bored of Jack one day. The new season (6) does introduce what's been missing since the 1st season, something personal - Jack has a dad and a brother.

5. The West Wing: The finest (intelligent) TV series ever made. I still haven't bought that complete set, but when my finances allow it I will (admittedly, I'm also a bit scared of having 44 DVDs with a run time of 6720 minutes! That's a lot to watch!).

6. Scrubs: I'm usually not a sucker for comedies, neither on TV nor on the big screen. But this has me lol a lot. In fact...

7. Malcolm in the middle: ...it's true for this series as well. Some of the funniest moments ever. Sure, some say it's just live-action Simpsons, but it's full of original jokes. Possibly deteriorates with every season, though. Only the first of 7 seaons is available on DVD.

8. Battlestar Galactica (the new series): Hey, it's SciFi and it's decent, I can't ask for more. Sure, the main plot gets a bit weird with time (those human-looking Cylons are too damn human, how are they ever going to wipe out the human race if they don't start thinking more like robots?). Still, enough decent episodes and a generally bleak setting keep me watching.

9. Lost: This looks like it'll end the same way as the X-Files, without a decent conclusion. Though they are talking about wrapping it up before it gets too late and the ratings drop even further. The flashbacks make the series, not the main plot.

10. House MD: The concept is extremely limited and every episode runs down the same canal and we've really seen enough medical series. But Hugh Laurie is priceless!

11. Firefly: Another series cancelled prematurely (after 17 episodes), at least we got the movie (Serenity). SciFi and Western in one series, quite enjoyable.

12. Hustle: This list is not in order of preference, otherwise Hustle would definitely be further up the list. Fine, fine TV series. The Henderson Challenge (Episode 2 of season 3) is probably my favorite.

[Bounty Bob]

9. Lost: This looks like it'll end the same way as the X-Files, without a decent conclusion. Though they are talking about wrapping it up before it gets too late and the ratings drop even further. The flashbacks make the series, not the main plot.

I have every faith that it will finish properly and not outstay its welcome. I agree with you about the flashbacks and do like them but I think that ultimately they aren't seperate to the 'main plot' and the two actually combine to make a whole. A lot of things already link together and I can only see that becoming more complete.

Agree about Scrubs, that's great and I've started collecting the DVD's for that too.

My good lady is well into house and watches it without fail.

[Tripod]

I have every faith that it will finish properly and not outstay its welcome. I agree with you about the flashbacks and do like them but I think that ultimately they aren't seperate to the 'main plot' and the two actually combine to make a whole. A lot of things already link together and I can only see that becoming more complete.

I had written that half-way through season 3 - and the first episodes (while the three were captured) hadn't made a lot of progress on the main story path. Things did heat up later. The good thing is that they have set themselves a date to finish by - afaik there will now be three more seasons with only 16 episodes each. That decision makes me hopeful, too, that it'll draw to a decent conclusion.

Spoiler Alert!!!



Part of the conclusion it seems will be a device (whether man-made or not or part of something bigger or not) which makes dreams, wishes, nightmares come true. I had this theory back when we were discussing the first season and Ben (the character on Lost) has confirmed that there is such a device - which is where Locke's father appeared from. This device could be used to account for a lot of things - the ice bear, Jack's father (or at least his vision of him), the food delivery, the disappearing trees, etc. I hope it won't be used to explain just about everything because it would be too easy (after all, everything on the island could be dreams turned into reality).

Apart from that, I'm not sure if everything concerning "The Others" will end up making sense. On one hand they seem quite ordinary (apart from Ben), on the other extremely ruthless. The capturing of Sawyer and Kate doesn't make much sense (Jack, ok - and maybe Kate on top of it for more leverage against Jack), nor them being treated so badly. Well, we'll see.

[Bounty Bob]

I had written that half-way through season 3 - and the first episodes (while the three were captured) hadn't made a lot of progress on the main story path. Things did heat up later. The good thing is that they have set themselves a date to finish by - afaik there will now be three more seasons with only 16 episodes each. That decision makes me hopeful, too, that it'll draw to a decent conclusion.

Missed the bit about it being a copy of old stuff, glad you're getting more faith now.

[Tripod]

I just watched the episode Blink (03x10 ) of Dr. Who. Outstanding! Dr. Who and his travelling companion only play a small role and the episode is far from childish - give this one a try, you won't regret it.

[Tripod]

Vanished - good american import and if you like 24 you might like this. It's a tense, hi-tech thriller about the disapperance of a senators wife. I've enjoyed the first two episode so recommended.

Vanished, like Day Break, only aired on US-TV for a few episodes and the last few were only available on the web. Comes to a decent enough conclusion and all in all it is pretty good. Plus, at the end of episode 7 (? I think) there's a major twist I'm certain noone will see coming, not even die-hard 24 fans.

[Binary]

Lost, House, Criminal Minds and the occasional CSI (CSI LA, I don't really fancy CSI Miami despite being a Caruso fan, ditto for CSI NY even though Sinise is a fine actor).

I like to watch sports as well. Anyone ever seen a game of Hurling or Celtic Football?

[Semtex]

Anyone see the panorama about scientology? cracking stuff.

Funniest programme of last few years is Peep Show. IF none of you have watched it, then it only confirms that I'm still far cooler than you geeks...

[Beckite]

So its only me watching moany old Paul Merton on channel five then?
I saw a little bit of the scientology program,creepy people.
Peep show is agiven ffs.

[gdh82]

For those of us in the UK, Brother and Sisters is on again tonight. If you remember and liked Thirtysomething from years ago (same makers) you'll probably like this too. I read it described as "high end tv that entertains whilst it effortlessly and intelligently explores issues of drug abuse, homosexuality, business ethics, american politics and even the iraq war!"

But don't let that put you off Worth setting the recorder imo!

[Ely]

I've heard mixed things about Brothers and Sisters, I've got the first 2 downloaded to watch. I liked 30something so maybe we should give it a try once we've got Grey's Anatomy Season 3 and Bones Season 2 out the way. Both of which are rather good BTW