Television: chewing gum for the eyes. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
I need to rush to post this, because I have a lot of laundry to do before the Golden Globes in a couple of hours. Hope you're all having a great weekend!
Here's all the TV shows that I'm either currently watching or have watched in the last year that I've either loved or have some kind of an opinion on...
30 for 30 (ESPN)
This is a series of documentaries made by noted television and film directors and definitely worth the time. I missed a lot of these during their first run on ESPN, but I'm slowly working my way through them via On Demand (omg i love on demand so much slurp slurp slurp!). I obviously watched "King's Ransom" first, because Gretzky's trade to LA was life-changing for me, and that's no exaggeration. I also thought "The Two Escobars" was unbelievable and "June 17th, 1994" was brilliantly edited. All of these moments in history, some bigger than others, but all impactful and important. So far, I've loved every doc that I've seen, and I try to watch one every night before bed. Mostly, it's nice to see filmmakers giving the love and respect to sports that they deserve through beautiful storytelling and editing.
Being Human (UK) (BBC3)
Currently, I've only seen the 1st season and an episode or two of the 2nd season, but with season 3 starting up in a couple of weeks, I need to finish up. I decided to watch this after seeing so many posts about it on ONTD, it piqued my interest. I was surprised to find such depth and warmth from a show about a vampire, werewolf and ghost living together. S2 is a bit darker than I was used to in S1, so it's taken some getting used to, but I still really love it. There's a US adaptation starting on SyFy soon, but I will most likely be sticking with the original since it's still on. If you have the chance to see this - it's available on DVD at Netflix - I would urge you to check it out. It's funny, sweet, and thought-provoking, all pulled off by extremely likable actors/characters.
Bones (FOX)
I know a lot of people are growing tired of the push/pull between Brennan and Booth, but I never expected any kind of resolution until the end of the series, so I don't have much of a problem. At least now, they're making some progress. Booth spilled his heart to Brennan in Episode 100 last year, and now Brennan is starting to realize what she's lost. I can't stand his new girlfriend this season (bad actress), and they're writing Booth a little uncharacteristic, but I think they're doing a great job at slowly moving Brennan in the right direction. I watch for the chemistry, and I'm assuming I'll get the endgame I want when endgame actually comes into play. Until then, I can mostly just watch and enjoy.
Burn Notice (USA)
I have a list of shows that I don't really think about too much because they're consistently good and don't require any extra concern or time. Most of those shows end up being on the USA Network, which I appreciate, and Burn Notice is on that list. From the day I first started watched it, I knew I'd love everything about it. Michael, Fi, and Sam made such a perfect team that I was actually worried when they brought in Coby Bell (who I looooved on Third Watch) as Jesse to be a full-fledged member of the cast/team, not just a guest star. But he fit in perfectly, and his story brought a lot of depth to the team's interpersonal relationships. The mythology of this show will always be weak for me, because it was becoming convoluted, murky, and confusing to the point where I didn't care. But! The twist in the last season finale intrigues me. I'm curious to see how things will work now that Michael has finally gotten what he always wanted - back in.
Castle (ABC)
Sometimes I can't believe that this show is in the middle of its 3rd season. On one hand, I would be hard pressed to remember more than 5 or 10 of those episodes. On the other hand, I know that I absolutely love watching this show every time it's on. This show's will they/won't they is similar to what we see on Bones, and because I'm not expecting too much, I don't mind if they carry it on til the show ends. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the cases of the week and the charming supporting cast. It's fun, easy viewing that I really enjoy. The one thing I think this show could use is a strong mythology story, because the mystery of Kate's mother's death isn't strong enough to carry through multiple seasons. Other than that, I'm just so happy that Nathan Fillion is on a successful show that I love watching every week.
Chuck (NBC)
This is a very interesting show to me in that I enjoy it every week, but I really have very little to say about it. I'm glad it's stuck around, because I'm a sucker for light-hearted action, but I'm not very critical of it. I don't really have an opinion about Chuck and Sarah, they're sweet and I hope they work out I guess. I'm glad that they cut back on the supporting cast a bit, because it felt a little forced in the beginning, to try and find something for everyone. Now, with the supporting cast coming in and out due to budget constraints with NBC, it feels a bit more natural. The Subway sponsorship cracks me up, it's so blatantly obvious but I think they know that and they play with it.
Community (NBC)
This still feels like the best kept secret on television, even though it's getting a lot more press than it did last year. It feels like this show continues to push every envelope and succeed at every turn. First of all, it doesn't get much better than Troy and Abed in every episode, right? And second of all, it has some of the most memorable sitcom episodes of the last 10 years. From the classic paintball episode to the classic zombie episode to the even more classic animated Christmas episode, it just keeps getting better. Mostly, what I like is that it balances the humor and the heart very, very well. My only worry is wondering just how much further it can go, but I'll gladly sit back and watch while it keeps pushing. If you don't watch this, you should. And if you already do, you are awesome.
Doctor Who (BBC)
This is all about whether or not you prefer Ten or Eleven, really. I've always been a Nine girl and had a very hard time getting into Ten's time as the Doctor. Over time, I got very used to him, but I wasn't upset to see him go and I was excited to see what Matt Smith would bring to the role (ahaha, I typed "rose"). As well, I wasn't as big a Donna fan as most were, so I was looking forward to a new companion. And what I got was the awesome Amy AND THE FANTASTIC RORY. Goodness, those three together almost give me as many warm fuzzies as Nine/Rose/Jack used to. Maybe that's it, Eleven reminds me a lot of Nine, or maybe I just adore all the acting choices Matt Smith makes in the role, or maybe I just prefer Moffat's storytelling to Davies (the van Gogh episode was stunning)... I don't know. Whatever the reason, I have much love for the new team and the trailer for next season has me vereh excited (with the exception of River Song, I can't f'n stand her).
Eureka (SyFy)
This is a show I had only vaguely known about the last few years. I watch Warehouse 13 and caught a crossover they did with this show, so I always wanted to catch up on it. Since I got my Wii and have subsequently set up my Netflix streaming, it was super easy to just watch it all continuously. I watched all four seasons in just under two weeks, whew. It's adorable! It's not going to change television, and when it tries to be a hardcore sci-fi drama, it's full of fail, but I appreciate the effort. I'm curious to see if they keep them in the alternate reality or eventually send them back. I just pleasantly enjoy the entire cast and it's a nice little show to be able to just veg out and watch without worrying too much about it. Randomly, this show made me want to break out my SG-1 DVDs, a lot.
Farscape (DVD)
Well, I don't have much to say about this one because I *just* started watching it. Being the SG-1 nerd that I am, of course I'd always heard about Farscape and how it was sooooo much better. I'd always imagined that I would probably enjoy it on some level, it was just impossible to get via Netflix and I never took the time to find and download it elsewhere. A couple weeks ago, though, Amazon had a deal for the entire series box set for 50 bucks. I have no idea why, but I bought it, sight unseen. I love Ben Browder and I really do like Claudia Black, even if I hated Vala on SG-1 (phhhthththt digital_diva! Go ahead and use that icon, i know you want to!), so I'm looking forward to seeing all of it. So far (I'm about half-way through S1), it's okay, if not a little hard to get into. They're slowly building the character backstories as well as the current relationships, and I'm finally starting to get interested. I just hope it gets better.
Friday Night Lights (DIRECTV/NBC)
I have, what I call, a holy trinity of tv shows. They are 3 shows that I love above all others, that will forever be re-watched and will forever have my unconditional love. Those three shows are: Buffy, The Office, and SG-1. Nothing will ever crack those 3, but I have a very strong feeling that FNL will soon turn that trinity into a Flawless Foursome. If you're not currently watching season 5 (available in my media journal, natch), or if you gave up on it after the awful S2, then I have to tell you that you're missing out. This show continues to exceed every expectation I have for television in general. My heart, it just breaks and rejoins continuously for these characters, who have been drawn and portrayed with perfection over the years. The people have changed, as so often happens in a high school show, but FNL was able to replace those beloved characters with kids that we can care about just as much. I won't spoil anything here, I'll just say that if you've never seen this show, or if you stopped, you're depriving yourself of one of the best shows you'll ever see.
Glee (FOX)
Oy. Where do I start? Sometimes I sincerely wonder why I still watch this show, but then it'll do one little thing that's engaging (like the wedding episode), and I keep coming back. Plus, I do enjoy reading the snarky tweets in real-time when it's on, so it's good to have some context. Oh, and I do like most of the musical numbers. But really, this show is just a complete wreck. From the theme episodes to the complete lack of character or storyline continuity, it's just really frustrating. Mostly because I thought it had SO much potential when it started out, and I wanted it to succeed so badly. I will still watch, and I'll still bitch and moan until it gets better, if it ever does. And I'll still ignore everyone who tells me to just relax, because it's not supposed to be great television. Yeah, I get that, and believe me, my expectations have been lowered tremendously.
Greek (ABC FAMILY)
The fourth and final season just started up, and I'll be really sad to see this show go. I never thought I'd enjoy a show on ABC Family so much, but this definitely broke the mold with their programming over there. Yeah, it's about the Greek system at college, a group of kids I absolutely couldn't stand when I was in school (maybe because I was with the punky radio kids who thought they were cooler because they didn't conform, yeah), but I lolololooove these characters. Cappie and Casey have to be endgame, right? Yeah, no, not even worried. They're SO endgame.
Ahem, anyway, what's the most surprising about this show is how well-rounded each character is. It has a large cast, but you barely notice because they're woven so seamlessly into each other's lives. Other than a story here and there, it mostly focuses on the biggest questions of our youth - what are we going to be when we grow up, how do we deal with the friendships and relationships now and when we leave, and trying to make the right decisions about all of those things. Well acted, well written (probably the best continuity of any show I've ever seen), and a nice balance of light and fluffy and deep and meaningful, make this a show I really look forward to every week.
Hawaii 5-0 (CBS)
New show, tons of fun, love the Steve and Danny dynamic even though I don't slash them. lol But it's a lot better than I thought it would be, and I think they're tweaking it as they go along and it's just going to get better. I'd like them to bolster the supporting cast a little more, have a bit more local flavor that's recurring, but I'm sure they'll build up to that.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)
You're not watching this show? WHY NOT!? Oh my god, this is one of the funniest shows you're never going to see. But it's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. I would suggest that you don't watch this if you're easily offended, because it straddles the line of appropriate behavior every single episode. Hell, it crosses the line a lot, too. I watched this whole series over the holidays last year (09) and it was a shock to the system at first, but once I realized to embrace it and not thrash against it, I fell in LOVE.
These characters are so wrong. You watch along and you think, oh, they'll learn a lesson from this or you keep watching hoping to figure out who's supposed to be the moral compass of the group, but there isn't one! Ever! They all have their own morality, and that's all that matters for them. They ALL suck, they're ALL horrible people, but it's mostly just because they're too dumb to know the difference between right and wrong. And once you know that their behavior is born of ignorance and stupidity, you can forgive a lot. And frankly, the writing is done so well that you can see it as a satirical look at our human social behavior as a whole, just put in the mouths of these 5 idiots. I promise, if you give this show a chance, you'll laugh so hard it hurts, and then you'll feel bad for laughing about it. It's quite therapeutic.
Justified (FX)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Timothy Olyphant! Is a US Marshall! He wears a cowboy hat! And a side-holster! His hips are magical and his swagger is out of this fucking world. Okay, enough drooling over Raylan Givens. This show is phenomenal, easily my favorite new show from last season. These characters are gray as hell, the tone is dark and intoxicating, and before the end of the first episode you see, you'll know you're hooked. Trust me on this. Trust me. The 1st season (13 eps) DVD comes out Tuesday, January 18th, and Season 2 starts up on February 9th. Watch it and purr.
Leverage (TNT)
It's like watching a mini-Oceans 11 every week. It's probably one of the easiest shows to watch and get hooked on. There are bigger arcs, but nothing you can't figure out as time goes on. I mostly just love my Parker and my Hardison and my Eliot, they're extremely nifty and just flat-out hilarious (Sophie and Nate are cool, too.. especially once Nate started drinking again). I love the relationships that have developed with these 5 over the 3 seasons, they're deep but they rarely go to that sappy place to show it, they don't have to. I just really love this show and it's a highlight to my weekend whenever it's on.
Merlin (BBC1)
It's pretty young people playing with magic and swords and whatnot. OMG WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT?
NCIS (CBS)
8 seasons in, and this show is bringing in its highest ratings yet. While most people would dismiss this as another procedural, I beg to differ. Because of all the shows on this list, I would think that this is the show most would be surprised to find that I not only watch, but also love love love SO much. On the surface, it wouldn't seem like my type of show, but it really is. I don't care about cases, I care about the characters, and how they interact, and the stories that they tell.
The thing about NCIS is that, until a couple of years ago, pulling out those character moments were like eating crab legs. You work hard to get through the shell, you take the time to get to the good stuff, and that good stuff is only about a bite's worth. So for the first 5 seasons, it was slim pickens, but worth it. Now, we're getting more backstory and more interpersonal dynamics, and I think that's what people are responding to. Who can't love the fatherly relationship Gibbs has with Tony and Abby? Or the brotherly teasing that Tony and McGee get into? It's all bliss. After years of head slaps and Caf-Pows and snarky jabs, this is the comfort show that keeps on giving.
Psych (USA)
Any time someone asks my what show they should be watching that they aren't, I say Psych. I can't imagine anyone in my age range who wouldn't love this show. It was made for my generation, with all the 80s references and 90s jokes and flat-out FUN they have. It makes me smile just thinking about it. And while I do love the whole Shawn/Juliet flirtation that has finally gone to the next level, the Shawn/Gus bromance is what makes this show so lovable.
Raising Hope (FOX)
It's got a little fine-tuning to do, but it strikes the same chord as My Name Is Earl did in its first (and its only good) season, understandably because it's made by the same people. But I really like this new show, it goes to the bad places that everyone knows about but rarely comments on, and I admire and appreciate that. Great casting, and the babies are superstars.
Shameless (SHOWTIME)
I've only seen the pilot so far, I think it airs tonight? But so far, I really like it, we'll see if it holds my interest. Perfect casting, really well-drawn characters that make you care about them after an hour. I recommend.
Smallville (CW)
I've come to hate almost everything about this show, but I'm sticking with it, because it's the final season. It's tough to watch the show when you can't stand Lois, because she's the center of practically everything. HULK SMASH. Clark is the worst superhero ever, but I adore his pathetic self regardless. Really, I'm just here for Chloe and Oliver at this point. Get ON with it.
Supernatural (CW)
I don't care what anyone else says, I'm still enjoying this show and still loving it a lot. I think it helps that I never got involved in the fandom, honestly, because I just watch the show and move on. I don't discuss it with anyone (except maybe Koko here and there, and we agree on it, so it's all good), and I don't really think about the show much after it's over. I know people are pissed because either Sam or Dean aren't like they used to be and all that, or they don't like Castiel or whatever, etc. I don't know, you just can't please everyone. I have no problems with characters changing, as long as we see the change in some form or another, and I personally feel like we've gotten that with these guys. So yeah, still watching, still loving, not caring if people hate it now.
Terriers (FX)
*sniffle* *sob* *wail* I'm not kidding when I say that, if this show had been allowed to carry on past one season, I would have given it a free pass into my upper echelon of favorite shows. That's how much I loved it. For those who have no idea what this is, it's a show on FX that had its first season run last Fall, and was then canceled because the ratings were too low. It's heartbreaking that stupid shows like Glee or Smallville continue on while BRILLIANT shows like this can't get viewers; absolute tragedy.
It's a show about two detectives who don't have much, who are scrappy (like Terriers) and resourceful, and always get the job done. One is an ex-cop, one is an ex-con, and together they have an honest, sincere, and deep respect for and friendship with each other that can't be penetrated. Even when it's challenged, they make it through. There's a season-long arc that goes in surprising directions while they solve independent cases every week. The good part about this 13-episode run is that it's self contained and there's a conclusion in the finale that will satisfy you. I hope that it comes out on DVD so I can watch it for the rest of my life. The writing and performances are subtle and gut-wrenching, and if you're lucky enough so see it, you will not regret it.
Torchwood (BBC/STARZ)
I had watched season 1 back when it was first on, but it left almost no impression on me, so I didn't continue. Because of that, I've been spoiled for all the big deaths, and so on. I assumed the show was dead, but then news came about that it's coming back not only with new cast members but also with one of my favorite tv writers (Jane Espenson), so I thought I'd get caught up on it. Overall, I thought season 2 was much, much better than season 1 (I especially liked the 3-parter dealing with Owen's death and return). And I thought Children of Earth was excellent; dark as hell, but really good. Although, I gotta say, during the whole thing, I just kept thinking Psh! The Doctor could fix this lickety-split.
The gist I've gotten is that most people were really pissed about the 3 deaths. Understandable, I suppose, but they didn't bother me. I guess I can thank Joss Whedon for desensitizing me to that, to a degree. But I also think they died good deaths, as heroes, and that's ok by me. The only thing that pissed me off is that the one character I hated the most - Gwen - got to survive it all. Bah! In any case, I'm curious to see how the new Americanized version will go, I like the casting so far.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
This show has gone a bit downhill since it peaked in season 2, but it's still enjoyable, if only for Sheldon and Penny. I think the biggest problem the show has is that it hasn't really given us any kind of goal for these characters to aspire to achieve, probably because most of the characters are already over-achievers. It was recently renewed for 3 more seasons, and all I could think of was omg what are they going to have them do for three more years?. I honestly have no idea where they can go, I feel like they've painted themselves into a corner at this point. But I will still watch, as I said, for Jim Parson's Sheldon and his fun relationship with Penny. Which, btw, NO OMG I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE A COUPLE. I just think they're hilarious when together.
The Office (NBC)
My show. My show. :( Michael's leaving. It's not a spoiler anymore, it's everywhere. And it breaks my heart. I don't want him to go. Or if he does, I want the show to end WITH it. I can't fathom this show without him. I don't think I can adequately communicate how truly sad I am about this. But then again, one thing I loved so much about this show in the beginning was its realism, and this happens. Bosses leave, new bosses come in, it's how it goes. But... Michael.
I know the show isn't what it used to be to a lot of people, they say it's not as funny. As much as I laughed in the early seasons, that's not why I love it. It's because these characters were so well-built, so beautiful nuanced in a way that most shows don't even bother with any more. The cast is huge, and we may only get one line from some of them in any given week, or even just a look to the camera, but each time, it tells you more about them. And I don't watch the show to laugh anymore, which sounds weird. But I honestly watch it to catch up with a little tv family that they somehow made me care about. So even though I've gotten used to character deaths over the years (again, thanks Joss), it doesn't stop the sadness in knowing that the office will continue on without its idiotic and fearless leader. I simply hope that they hire from within instead of bringing in someone new. But whoever it is, I'll still watch. <3
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Zombies are awesome. The show is somewhat flawed, but mostly kickass. I think it will continue to get better. It won't be back for a while (next October, I think?), but I'll be watching it when it does. That's all I got.
The Wire (DVD)
I can honestly tell you that The Wire is, hands down, the finest constructed piece of television ever made. It's really hard to describe what makes it so great, it's something you have to experience. Every single thing I ever read about the best tv shows ever made had this show at #1 so I was really curious. I ended up watching all five seasons in a span of a couple of weeks, and it absolutely consumed me. The way each character and storyline is interwoven is perfection. And the thing is, you don't even realize how good it is until the end of a given season or when you see a payoff a few episodes down the line. Telling the story of power, corruption and drugs on the streets of Baltimore isn't easy, but it's done here flawlessly. Each season is somewhat self-contained, as it concentrates on a new set of characters, while still following the same people who you were drawn to before. It paints an entire picture, and before you realize it, you're covered in paint yourself. If you can rent this on DVD, please do, it's worth it.
White Collar (USA)
It's coming back on Tuesday the 18th!! I'm so excited! What a great show, tons of fun, really clever, and has thankfully invested in the characters and their relationships. I don't care much about the big arcs on this show, as long as Neal and Peter and Mozzie and Elizabeth continue to be adorbs. I'm super easy to please sometimes.
Oh! Another show I watch is Mad Men, but since I still have yet to watch season 4 (waiting for dvds), I can't comment on it. It's hard to stay unspoiled for that show, but I'm doing my best.
Whew. Exhausting. I've been working on this post for a couple of weeks now, because sometimes I just don't want to type much about a show. I'm sure I'm missing something else I watch, but I can't think of any others right now.
ETA: Just remembered How I Met Your Mother, which is having a great year.
So... what are you watching? What do you love? What do you hate but still watch? Is there something you've always wanted to see? I don't know if I can fit any more shows into my schedule, but if you had one to rec, what would it be?
Here's all the TV shows that I'm either currently watching or have watched in the last year that I've either loved or have some kind of an opinion on...
30 for 30 (ESPN)
This is a series of documentaries made by noted television and film directors and definitely worth the time. I missed a lot of these during their first run on ESPN, but I'm slowly working my way through them via On Demand (omg i love on demand so much slurp slurp slurp!). I obviously watched "King's Ransom" first, because Gretzky's trade to LA was life-changing for me, and that's no exaggeration. I also thought "The Two Escobars" was unbelievable and "June 17th, 1994" was brilliantly edited. All of these moments in history, some bigger than others, but all impactful and important. So far, I've loved every doc that I've seen, and I try to watch one every night before bed. Mostly, it's nice to see filmmakers giving the love and respect to sports that they deserve through beautiful storytelling and editing.
Being Human (UK) (BBC3)
Currently, I've only seen the 1st season and an episode or two of the 2nd season, but with season 3 starting up in a couple of weeks, I need to finish up. I decided to watch this after seeing so many posts about it on ONTD, it piqued my interest. I was surprised to find such depth and warmth from a show about a vampire, werewolf and ghost living together. S2 is a bit darker than I was used to in S1, so it's taken some getting used to, but I still really love it. There's a US adaptation starting on SyFy soon, but I will most likely be sticking with the original since it's still on. If you have the chance to see this - it's available on DVD at Netflix - I would urge you to check it out. It's funny, sweet, and thought-provoking, all pulled off by extremely likable actors/characters.
Bones (FOX)
I know a lot of people are growing tired of the push/pull between Brennan and Booth, but I never expected any kind of resolution until the end of the series, so I don't have much of a problem. At least now, they're making some progress. Booth spilled his heart to Brennan in Episode 100 last year, and now Brennan is starting to realize what she's lost. I can't stand his new girlfriend this season (bad actress), and they're writing Booth a little uncharacteristic, but I think they're doing a great job at slowly moving Brennan in the right direction. I watch for the chemistry, and I'm assuming I'll get the endgame I want when endgame actually comes into play. Until then, I can mostly just watch and enjoy.
Burn Notice (USA)
I have a list of shows that I don't really think about too much because they're consistently good and don't require any extra concern or time. Most of those shows end up being on the USA Network, which I appreciate, and Burn Notice is on that list. From the day I first started watched it, I knew I'd love everything about it. Michael, Fi, and Sam made such a perfect team that I was actually worried when they brought in Coby Bell (who I looooved on Third Watch) as Jesse to be a full-fledged member of the cast/team, not just a guest star. But he fit in perfectly, and his story brought a lot of depth to the team's interpersonal relationships. The mythology of this show will always be weak for me, because it was becoming convoluted, murky, and confusing to the point where I didn't care. But! The twist in the last season finale intrigues me. I'm curious to see how things will work now that Michael has finally gotten what he always wanted - back in.
Castle (ABC)
Sometimes I can't believe that this show is in the middle of its 3rd season. On one hand, I would be hard pressed to remember more than 5 or 10 of those episodes. On the other hand, I know that I absolutely love watching this show every time it's on. This show's will they/won't they is similar to what we see on Bones, and because I'm not expecting too much, I don't mind if they carry it on til the show ends. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the cases of the week and the charming supporting cast. It's fun, easy viewing that I really enjoy. The one thing I think this show could use is a strong mythology story, because the mystery of Kate's mother's death isn't strong enough to carry through multiple seasons. Other than that, I'm just so happy that Nathan Fillion is on a successful show that I love watching every week.
Chuck (NBC)
This is a very interesting show to me in that I enjoy it every week, but I really have very little to say about it. I'm glad it's stuck around, because I'm a sucker for light-hearted action, but I'm not very critical of it. I don't really have an opinion about Chuck and Sarah, they're sweet and I hope they work out I guess. I'm glad that they cut back on the supporting cast a bit, because it felt a little forced in the beginning, to try and find something for everyone. Now, with the supporting cast coming in and out due to budget constraints with NBC, it feels a bit more natural. The Subway sponsorship cracks me up, it's so blatantly obvious but I think they know that and they play with it.
Community (NBC)
This still feels like the best kept secret on television, even though it's getting a lot more press than it did last year. It feels like this show continues to push every envelope and succeed at every turn. First of all, it doesn't get much better than Troy and Abed in every episode, right? And second of all, it has some of the most memorable sitcom episodes of the last 10 years. From the classic paintball episode to the classic zombie episode to the even more classic animated Christmas episode, it just keeps getting better. Mostly, what I like is that it balances the humor and the heart very, very well. My only worry is wondering just how much further it can go, but I'll gladly sit back and watch while it keeps pushing. If you don't watch this, you should. And if you already do, you are awesome.
Doctor Who (BBC)
This is all about whether or not you prefer Ten or Eleven, really. I've always been a Nine girl and had a very hard time getting into Ten's time as the Doctor. Over time, I got very used to him, but I wasn't upset to see him go and I was excited to see what Matt Smith would bring to the role (ahaha, I typed "rose"). As well, I wasn't as big a Donna fan as most were, so I was looking forward to a new companion. And what I got was the awesome Amy AND THE FANTASTIC RORY. Goodness, those three together almost give me as many warm fuzzies as Nine/Rose/Jack used to. Maybe that's it, Eleven reminds me a lot of Nine, or maybe I just adore all the acting choices Matt Smith makes in the role, or maybe I just prefer Moffat's storytelling to Davies (the van Gogh episode was stunning)... I don't know. Whatever the reason, I have much love for the new team and the trailer for next season has me vereh excited (with the exception of River Song, I can't f'n stand her).
Eureka (SyFy)
This is a show I had only vaguely known about the last few years. I watch Warehouse 13 and caught a crossover they did with this show, so I always wanted to catch up on it. Since I got my Wii and have subsequently set up my Netflix streaming, it was super easy to just watch it all continuously. I watched all four seasons in just under two weeks, whew. It's adorable! It's not going to change television, and when it tries to be a hardcore sci-fi drama, it's full of fail, but I appreciate the effort. I'm curious to see if they keep them in the alternate reality or eventually send them back. I just pleasantly enjoy the entire cast and it's a nice little show to be able to just veg out and watch without worrying too much about it. Randomly, this show made me want to break out my SG-1 DVDs, a lot.
Farscape (DVD)
Well, I don't have much to say about this one because I *just* started watching it. Being the SG-1 nerd that I am, of course I'd always heard about Farscape and how it was sooooo much better. I'd always imagined that I would probably enjoy it on some level, it was just impossible to get via Netflix and I never took the time to find and download it elsewhere. A couple weeks ago, though, Amazon had a deal for the entire series box set for 50 bucks. I have no idea why, but I bought it, sight unseen. I love Ben Browder and I really do like Claudia Black, even if I hated Vala on SG-1 (phhhthththt digital_diva! Go ahead and use that icon, i know you want to!), so I'm looking forward to seeing all of it. So far (I'm about half-way through S1), it's okay, if not a little hard to get into. They're slowly building the character backstories as well as the current relationships, and I'm finally starting to get interested. I just hope it gets better.
Friday Night Lights (DIRECTV/NBC)
I have, what I call, a holy trinity of tv shows. They are 3 shows that I love above all others, that will forever be re-watched and will forever have my unconditional love. Those three shows are: Buffy, The Office, and SG-1. Nothing will ever crack those 3, but I have a very strong feeling that FNL will soon turn that trinity into a Flawless Foursome. If you're not currently watching season 5 (available in my media journal, natch), or if you gave up on it after the awful S2, then I have to tell you that you're missing out. This show continues to exceed every expectation I have for television in general. My heart, it just breaks and rejoins continuously for these characters, who have been drawn and portrayed with perfection over the years. The people have changed, as so often happens in a high school show, but FNL was able to replace those beloved characters with kids that we can care about just as much. I won't spoil anything here, I'll just say that if you've never seen this show, or if you stopped, you're depriving yourself of one of the best shows you'll ever see.
Glee (FOX)
Oy. Where do I start? Sometimes I sincerely wonder why I still watch this show, but then it'll do one little thing that's engaging (like the wedding episode), and I keep coming back. Plus, I do enjoy reading the snarky tweets in real-time when it's on, so it's good to have some context. Oh, and I do like most of the musical numbers. But really, this show is just a complete wreck. From the theme episodes to the complete lack of character or storyline continuity, it's just really frustrating. Mostly because I thought it had SO much potential when it started out, and I wanted it to succeed so badly. I will still watch, and I'll still bitch and moan until it gets better, if it ever does. And I'll still ignore everyone who tells me to just relax, because it's not supposed to be great television. Yeah, I get that, and believe me, my expectations have been lowered tremendously.
Greek (ABC FAMILY)
The fourth and final season just started up, and I'll be really sad to see this show go. I never thought I'd enjoy a show on ABC Family so much, but this definitely broke the mold with their programming over there. Yeah, it's about the Greek system at college, a group of kids I absolutely couldn't stand when I was in school (maybe because I was with the punky radio kids who thought they were cooler because they didn't conform, yeah), but I lolololooove these characters. Cappie and Casey have to be endgame, right? Yeah, no, not even worried. They're SO endgame.
Ahem, anyway, what's the most surprising about this show is how well-rounded each character is. It has a large cast, but you barely notice because they're woven so seamlessly into each other's lives. Other than a story here and there, it mostly focuses on the biggest questions of our youth - what are we going to be when we grow up, how do we deal with the friendships and relationships now and when we leave, and trying to make the right decisions about all of those things. Well acted, well written (probably the best continuity of any show I've ever seen), and a nice balance of light and fluffy and deep and meaningful, make this a show I really look forward to every week.
Hawaii 5-0 (CBS)
New show, tons of fun, love the Steve and Danny dynamic even though I don't slash them. lol But it's a lot better than I thought it would be, and I think they're tweaking it as they go along and it's just going to get better. I'd like them to bolster the supporting cast a little more, have a bit more local flavor that's recurring, but I'm sure they'll build up to that.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)
You're not watching this show? WHY NOT!? Oh my god, this is one of the funniest shows you're never going to see. But it's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. I would suggest that you don't watch this if you're easily offended, because it straddles the line of appropriate behavior every single episode. Hell, it crosses the line a lot, too. I watched this whole series over the holidays last year (09) and it was a shock to the system at first, but once I realized to embrace it and not thrash against it, I fell in LOVE.
These characters are so wrong. You watch along and you think, oh, they'll learn a lesson from this or you keep watching hoping to figure out who's supposed to be the moral compass of the group, but there isn't one! Ever! They all have their own morality, and that's all that matters for them. They ALL suck, they're ALL horrible people, but it's mostly just because they're too dumb to know the difference between right and wrong. And once you know that their behavior is born of ignorance and stupidity, you can forgive a lot. And frankly, the writing is done so well that you can see it as a satirical look at our human social behavior as a whole, just put in the mouths of these 5 idiots. I promise, if you give this show a chance, you'll laugh so hard it hurts, and then you'll feel bad for laughing about it. It's quite therapeutic.
Justified (FX)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Timothy Olyphant! Is a US Marshall! He wears a cowboy hat! And a side-holster! His hips are magical and his swagger is out of this fucking world. Okay, enough drooling over Raylan Givens. This show is phenomenal, easily my favorite new show from last season. These characters are gray as hell, the tone is dark and intoxicating, and before the end of the first episode you see, you'll know you're hooked. Trust me on this. Trust me. The 1st season (13 eps) DVD comes out Tuesday, January 18th, and Season 2 starts up on February 9th. Watch it and purr.
Leverage (TNT)
It's like watching a mini-Oceans 11 every week. It's probably one of the easiest shows to watch and get hooked on. There are bigger arcs, but nothing you can't figure out as time goes on. I mostly just love my Parker and my Hardison and my Eliot, they're extremely nifty and just flat-out hilarious (Sophie and Nate are cool, too.. especially once Nate started drinking again). I love the relationships that have developed with these 5 over the 3 seasons, they're deep but they rarely go to that sappy place to show it, they don't have to. I just really love this show and it's a highlight to my weekend whenever it's on.
Merlin (BBC1)
It's pretty young people playing with magic and swords and whatnot. OMG WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT?
NCIS (CBS)
8 seasons in, and this show is bringing in its highest ratings yet. While most people would dismiss this as another procedural, I beg to differ. Because of all the shows on this list, I would think that this is the show most would be surprised to find that I not only watch, but also love love love SO much. On the surface, it wouldn't seem like my type of show, but it really is. I don't care about cases, I care about the characters, and how they interact, and the stories that they tell.
The thing about NCIS is that, until a couple of years ago, pulling out those character moments were like eating crab legs. You work hard to get through the shell, you take the time to get to the good stuff, and that good stuff is only about a bite's worth. So for the first 5 seasons, it was slim pickens, but worth it. Now, we're getting more backstory and more interpersonal dynamics, and I think that's what people are responding to. Who can't love the fatherly relationship Gibbs has with Tony and Abby? Or the brotherly teasing that Tony and McGee get into? It's all bliss. After years of head slaps and Caf-Pows and snarky jabs, this is the comfort show that keeps on giving.
Psych (USA)
Any time someone asks my what show they should be watching that they aren't, I say Psych. I can't imagine anyone in my age range who wouldn't love this show. It was made for my generation, with all the 80s references and 90s jokes and flat-out FUN they have. It makes me smile just thinking about it. And while I do love the whole Shawn/Juliet flirtation that has finally gone to the next level, the Shawn/Gus bromance is what makes this show so lovable.
Raising Hope (FOX)
It's got a little fine-tuning to do, but it strikes the same chord as My Name Is Earl did in its first (and its only good) season, understandably because it's made by the same people. But I really like this new show, it goes to the bad places that everyone knows about but rarely comments on, and I admire and appreciate that. Great casting, and the babies are superstars.
Shameless (SHOWTIME)
I've only seen the pilot so far, I think it airs tonight? But so far, I really like it, we'll see if it holds my interest. Perfect casting, really well-drawn characters that make you care about them after an hour. I recommend.
Smallville (CW)
I've come to hate almost everything about this show, but I'm sticking with it, because it's the final season. It's tough to watch the show when you can't stand Lois, because she's the center of practically everything. HULK SMASH. Clark is the worst superhero ever, but I adore his pathetic self regardless. Really, I'm just here for Chloe and Oliver at this point. Get ON with it.
Supernatural (CW)
I don't care what anyone else says, I'm still enjoying this show and still loving it a lot. I think it helps that I never got involved in the fandom, honestly, because I just watch the show and move on. I don't discuss it with anyone (except maybe Koko here and there, and we agree on it, so it's all good), and I don't really think about the show much after it's over. I know people are pissed because either Sam or Dean aren't like they used to be and all that, or they don't like Castiel or whatever, etc. I don't know, you just can't please everyone. I have no problems with characters changing, as long as we see the change in some form or another, and I personally feel like we've gotten that with these guys. So yeah, still watching, still loving, not caring if people hate it now.
Terriers (FX)
*sniffle* *sob* *wail* I'm not kidding when I say that, if this show had been allowed to carry on past one season, I would have given it a free pass into my upper echelon of favorite shows. That's how much I loved it. For those who have no idea what this is, it's a show on FX that had its first season run last Fall, and was then canceled because the ratings were too low. It's heartbreaking that stupid shows like Glee or Smallville continue on while BRILLIANT shows like this can't get viewers; absolute tragedy.
It's a show about two detectives who don't have much, who are scrappy (like Terriers) and resourceful, and always get the job done. One is an ex-cop, one is an ex-con, and together they have an honest, sincere, and deep respect for and friendship with each other that can't be penetrated. Even when it's challenged, they make it through. There's a season-long arc that goes in surprising directions while they solve independent cases every week. The good part about this 13-episode run is that it's self contained and there's a conclusion in the finale that will satisfy you. I hope that it comes out on DVD so I can watch it for the rest of my life. The writing and performances are subtle and gut-wrenching, and if you're lucky enough so see it, you will not regret it.
Torchwood (BBC/STARZ)
I had watched season 1 back when it was first on, but it left almost no impression on me, so I didn't continue. Because of that, I've been spoiled for all the big deaths, and so on. I assumed the show was dead, but then news came about that it's coming back not only with new cast members but also with one of my favorite tv writers (Jane Espenson), so I thought I'd get caught up on it. Overall, I thought season 2 was much, much better than season 1 (I especially liked the 3-parter dealing with Owen's death and return). And I thought Children of Earth was excellent; dark as hell, but really good. Although, I gotta say, during the whole thing, I just kept thinking Psh! The Doctor could fix this lickety-split.
The gist I've gotten is that most people were really pissed about the 3 deaths. Understandable, I suppose, but they didn't bother me. I guess I can thank Joss Whedon for desensitizing me to that, to a degree. But I also think they died good deaths, as heroes, and that's ok by me. The only thing that pissed me off is that the one character I hated the most - Gwen - got to survive it all. Bah! In any case, I'm curious to see how the new Americanized version will go, I like the casting so far.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
This show has gone a bit downhill since it peaked in season 2, but it's still enjoyable, if only for Sheldon and Penny. I think the biggest problem the show has is that it hasn't really given us any kind of goal for these characters to aspire to achieve, probably because most of the characters are already over-achievers. It was recently renewed for 3 more seasons, and all I could think of was omg what are they going to have them do for three more years?. I honestly have no idea where they can go, I feel like they've painted themselves into a corner at this point. But I will still watch, as I said, for Jim Parson's Sheldon and his fun relationship with Penny. Which, btw, NO OMG I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE A COUPLE. I just think they're hilarious when together.
The Office (NBC)
My show. My show. :( Michael's leaving. It's not a spoiler anymore, it's everywhere. And it breaks my heart. I don't want him to go. Or if he does, I want the show to end WITH it. I can't fathom this show without him. I don't think I can adequately communicate how truly sad I am about this. But then again, one thing I loved so much about this show in the beginning was its realism, and this happens. Bosses leave, new bosses come in, it's how it goes. But... Michael.
I know the show isn't what it used to be to a lot of people, they say it's not as funny. As much as I laughed in the early seasons, that's not why I love it. It's because these characters were so well-built, so beautiful nuanced in a way that most shows don't even bother with any more. The cast is huge, and we may only get one line from some of them in any given week, or even just a look to the camera, but each time, it tells you more about them. And I don't watch the show to laugh anymore, which sounds weird. But I honestly watch it to catch up with a little tv family that they somehow made me care about. So even though I've gotten used to character deaths over the years (again, thanks Joss), it doesn't stop the sadness in knowing that the office will continue on without its idiotic and fearless leader. I simply hope that they hire from within instead of bringing in someone new. But whoever it is, I'll still watch. <3
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Zombies are awesome. The show is somewhat flawed, but mostly kickass. I think it will continue to get better. It won't be back for a while (next October, I think?), but I'll be watching it when it does. That's all I got.
The Wire (DVD)
I can honestly tell you that The Wire is, hands down, the finest constructed piece of television ever made. It's really hard to describe what makes it so great, it's something you have to experience. Every single thing I ever read about the best tv shows ever made had this show at #1 so I was really curious. I ended up watching all five seasons in a span of a couple of weeks, and it absolutely consumed me. The way each character and storyline is interwoven is perfection. And the thing is, you don't even realize how good it is until the end of a given season or when you see a payoff a few episodes down the line. Telling the story of power, corruption and drugs on the streets of Baltimore isn't easy, but it's done here flawlessly. Each season is somewhat self-contained, as it concentrates on a new set of characters, while still following the same people who you were drawn to before. It paints an entire picture, and before you realize it, you're covered in paint yourself. If you can rent this on DVD, please do, it's worth it.
White Collar (USA)
It's coming back on Tuesday the 18th!! I'm so excited! What a great show, tons of fun, really clever, and has thankfully invested in the characters and their relationships. I don't care much about the big arcs on this show, as long as Neal and Peter and Mozzie and Elizabeth continue to be adorbs. I'm super easy to please sometimes.
Oh! Another show I watch is Mad Men, but since I still have yet to watch season 4 (waiting for dvds), I can't comment on it. It's hard to stay unspoiled for that show, but I'm doing my best.
Whew. Exhausting. I've been working on this post for a couple of weeks now, because sometimes I just don't want to type much about a show. I'm sure I'm missing something else I watch, but I can't think of any others right now.
ETA: Just remembered How I Met Your Mother, which is having a great year.
So... what are you watching? What do you love? What do you hate but still watch? Is there something you've always wanted to see? I don't know if I can fit any more shows into my schedule, but if you had one to rec, what would it be?