MetaChat - Now that TV is going to be even more of a wasteland...

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

06 November 2007

Now that TV is going to be even more of a wasteland... →[More:]I'd like to recommend a few things for other bunnies to watch on DVD and would ask for recommendations in return. I'm very picky about what I watch on TV, and seem to favor shows that are critical darlings but doomed to low viewership. With that in mind, here's what I'd like to recommend to you:

1. Arrested Development - most densely packed-with-jokes sitcom evar.
2. Sports Night - most talky sitcom ever, but Felicity Huffman and Robert Guillaume are fantastic.
3. I, Claudius - if only it had had the sets that Rome had. Nah, not necessary.
4. South Park - I don't know how Parker and Stone have managed to be so funny for so long.
5. The Wire - Best
6. The Wire - Television
7. The Wire - Program
8. The Wire - EVARRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Also, please watch The Wire. There will never be a better time.

That's me--how about you?? Please share!

post by: WolfDaddy at: 08:26 | 24 comments

I too love I, Claudius - and on the theme of early-70s British costume drama with wobbly sets, you'd probably like Elizabeth R (with Glenda Jackson as Liz).

posted by altolinguistic 06 November | 09:01

Wait, why is tv going to be even more of a wasteland? I misseded something, obviously!

posted by taz 06 November | 09:17

I love The Wire too—I only started watching it last year, and quickly worked my way through seasons 1-4. I recall enjoying I, Claudius too, when I watched it repeated some time back in the late ’80s—but I don’t know what I’d think of it now. While I liked Arrested Development and still sometimes catch the odd episode of South Park, I think my favourite TV comedy of recent years has to be Trailer Park Boys.

posted by misteraitch 06 November | 09:24

Trailer Park Boys is an awesome show. I remember seeing the first time while in Toronto on business and decided that I had to move there. Then I visited when it was cold and decided I just needed to watch it on BBC America. But it was edited so I got the DVDs.

posted by birdherder 06 November | 09:30

I've also really been enjoying Weeds on Showtime [you can rent the DVDs]. It has been a great addition to my weekly must see list since HBO is going through a dry spell.

posted by birdherder 06 November | 09:33

taz, the TV & movie writers in Hollywood went on strike this week.

We're watching season three of "The Addams Family" and season four of "Bewitched" at home on DVD... I also just got the big, complete "Twin Peaks" set, so that should hold us for awhile.

posted by BoringPostcards 06 November | 09:36

All I can throw into the ring is The Office, but I'm probably the last one around to have caught on to it.

posted by mischief 06 November | 10:40

Spaced - British comedy series that's still not out on DVD in the U.S., but I was able to rent bootleg copies of both seasons from one of my local video stores. If you liked Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, you'll love this series (created by the same guys).

Strangers With Candy - A good way to get your Stephen Colbert fix during the strike.

Mr. Show - Always worth a repeat viewing or two.

The Simpsons - OK, you've seen 'em a million times, but the commentaries are interesting and sometimes as funny as the show itself.

SCTV - A vast treasure trove of comedy. The earlier shows were the best (before Catherine O'Hara left), but god knows Martin Short had his share of insane/hilarious moments.

Dexter - I don't have Showtime, so I've only seen season one, but it's a self-contained gem of creepy suspense and subtle morbid humor. This is one likeable serial killer.

posted by Atom Eyes 06 November | 11:06

Seconding the Office and The Simpsons. Also, Kid Nation, but I don't think that's scripted, so I guess it doesn't count.

posted by chewatadistance 06 November | 11:10

The Wire, of course. And Frontline, the PBS documentary series. And I like Tattoo Wars a lot. That's about all I've got. If you're interested in sitcom reruns, though, I could go on a while longer.

posted by box 06 November | 11:24

Greg The Bunny.

posted by rainbaby 06 November | 11:25

it just started on t.v. recently (so this may not be what you're look for, sorry), but i'm really enjoying "pushing daisies". fun and quirky. and you can stream the episodes online, so that may help.

posted by dno 06 November | 12:04

Battlestar Galactica and Intervention are all one really needs to get a surefire kick out of their television screen. Both on DVD, too.

posted by item 06 November | 12:23

(oh, and hi everyone)

posted by item 06 November | 12:23

Sensitive Skin is still my favourite show, I think.

posted by chuckdarwin 06 November | 13:22

¡Hola todo mundo!

Pretty much anything good on TV has already been mentioned here. A couple I've liked, and not already mentioned:

·Futurama
·The Sopranos
·Wonderfalls
·The Shield (see, there's a local station here that airs a rerun, in order, every night at 11, pretty much the only time I watch TV, so I came to like it.. wait, why am I explaining myself?!)
·British humor: Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, etc.
·House, maybe
·Also, I'm a sucker for the less-flashy crime dramas, like the multiple Law & Orders. Not necessarily good TV all of it, though
·Home Movies (the few episodes I've catched)

posted by papafrita 06 November | 16:57

s/catched/caught

posted by papafrita 06 November | 16:58

Deadwood, you cocksucker (especially if you love The Wire).

posted by bonehead 06 November | 17:51

The Sopranos. Definitely. The first episode was rather abrupt, but damn. Great series.

posted by rhapsodie 06 November | 18:56

Also, The Carol Burnette Show.

posted by rainbaby 06 November | 22:26

God, I loved the Carol Burnett show when I was a kid. Live televised variety shows, remember those? I loved how Tim Conway would try--and very often succeed--to get Harvey Korman to break character and laugh.

And I am ashamed to say I forgot to add How I Met Your Mother to my original list.

posted by WolfDaddy 07 November | 08:30

Good call with HIMYM. Consistently hilarious (which surprised me - originally dismissed it as a Friends rip-off, and I hated Friends).

posted by gaspode 07 November | 08:42

originally dismissed it as a Friends rip-off
I did too, but it's better than Friends. Neil's got more comedy talent in his little finger than most of the Friends cast.

Also it's better because the show's hangout is a bar. And the clock in Ted's apartment always...always...reads 4:20.

posted by WolfDaddy 07 November | 09:06

Later... with Jools Holland
New eps on Fridays, reruns every Thursday on Dave
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
QI
Black Books
Spaced
Phoenix Nights (if you're into that sort of thing)
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Film 2007
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
Have I Got News For You
Fans of The Office might like Extras

posted by chuckdarwin 07 November | 09:24

← Human Bunny || Kitchen Mysteries? Ask and Answer! →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN