Day 6 and 7 TV Meme
"The Riches," hands down. http://www.therichesshow.com/
I love, love, luv, lurve, luh-huh-huh-huv Eddie Izzard, and would probably literally watch video of him reading a phone book. That said, I was impressed by his acting, having only glimpsed it in short bit parts previously. There were tons of interesting characters, the child actors were great (GREAT! Child actors! Hello!) and it had a great deal of momentum. I still wonder on occassion how the storylines would've been resolved.
I also was sad that "Arrested Development" didn't have more of a chance, but it doesn't haunt me the way that "The Riches" still does. I also really enjoyed the first season of "Kings," with the magnificent Ian McShane, too bad it never caught on. But yeah, "The Riches" was great storytelling, and I still miss it!
"Breaking Bad" -- I have heard that season three has attracted more viewers, but it's not a show that I hear much about. And it's SO. DAMN. GOOD. Well-written, funny, edgy, extreme. The last two episodes of season two nearly made me pee my pants with anxiety -- the way they strung us along all season with images of the teddy bear floating in the pool, and the way it finally was revealed -- AMAZING. I'm passionate about these characters, even as they do really shitty things, make poor choices, and negatively impact outcomes for many people. Season 3 has been really good as well so far -- it's a "must watch" while other shows stack up on the DVR. I really, really hope it gets renewed for another season.
Without a doubt or a second of hesitation: "Community." Amazingly coherent and consistent for a first-year sitcom as well. Memorable incidents, character growth for each one of "the gang" and storylines that consistently overcome the rather dubious premise of the show. Joel McHale is both a better actor than I anticipated, and has revealed an amazingly impressive body the several times he's stripped down on the show. This show has it all: post-post-irony, a dean with a plushie fetish, the inimitable Senor Chang, an occassional John Oliver, and the ability to make Chevy Chase funny again. In some crazy ways, this show is reminiscent of "Malcolm in the Middle" - I hope it has a similar longevity.
The most difficult part of this question was figuring out what criteria to use to judge "my favorite" show. There really need to be some parameters on this. I have loved many shows over the years, but my childhood/teen year shows may not hold up. I have loved shows that don't hold up on watching again. Or that were loved in part because of when I was watching them in my life. Or because of familiarity through re-runs? (Goodness knows I've gone through periods of obsessively watching reruns for a month or two - "Roseanne," "M*A*S*H," "All in the Family," and "Friends" come to mind; and part of that is luck of the draw because they're on at a time when I want to watch something.) And I settled on a show that I think I could still sit down at anytime and watch an episode and enjoy it, still get something new out of it, remember how much I liked it the first time, and that was a part of my life, not just entertainment.
Yeah, it came down to "The X-Files." I didn't start watching until the 2nd (possibly the 3rd?) season, but after that, I tried to never miss it. And towards the end of the series, in the post-Mulder years, I lost some of that interest, but it never became unwatchable, more misguided in a few choices. It was on during a time in my life when I was single and went over to have Sunday dinner with my parents nearly every week. We'd all watch "The Sopranos" together (I didn't have cable back then) and my dad and I watched "X-Files" together. I bought the soundtrack, I read my friend Liz's fanfic, I had the Rolling Stones cover with Chris Carter and the two principles on my wall. I watched some terrible, terrible movies just to see more of David Duchovney ("New Year's Day" anyone? You can see his weiner! Still terrible!) I was genuinely sad when it ended. And yeah, watched both movies in the theatre (Dad and I went out to the first one together) and I loved watching those stories enough that I couldn't be critical of the movies.
One night a few weeks ago, when I couldn't sleep, I caught an episode at 2 or 3 a.m., and felt compelled to watch it. It was great! So yup, "X-Files" ranks as my favorite all-time show right now. Honorary choice goes to "The Simpsons," but when it comes down to it, I'll pick the drama over comedy every time.
There are plenty of sitcoms over the years that, if the tv has been left on, will immediately make me change the channel: "Two and a Half Guys," "Home Improvement," "Married with Children," and that show with Urkel, to name a few notable dislikes. But HATE? I watched one episode of "Grey's Anatomy" and found it laughable, ditto with "Desperate Housewives" and "Nip/Tuck." But I don't hate them; I'm just not that into them, and that's ok. Cable, and DVR, allow me to avoid them.
So I picked "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" as a show I HATE. It's sort of mysterious as to why, especially since I like and watch all the other L&O incarnations. I stuck with SVU through all the malarkey they've thrown. I don't give up easily once I've invested time in a relationship, yanno? But CI leaves me COLD. It's really unwatchable. And for a franchise that's served me well, and helped me waste countless hours of re-runs, I hate it. It should work, I should like it, and I don't.
Ooops, I missed a day by being horribly tired last night and falling asleep on the couch downstairs by 8 pm. I did think of a bunch more sitcoms that I LOATHE though: "Family Guy," "It's Always Sunny in Philly," and that Tyler Perry show.
Monday: http://tinyurl.com/2uv8xc5
I love shows/movies that mess with time, and allow us to see multiple variations that can happen throughout the choices made. I guess it's a result of reading so many "Choose Your Own Adventure" books as a kid -- I, incidentally, was that kid who kept bookmarking all the choices with my fingers, never quite wanting to commit to a course of action. This is thoughtful and sad, tender and funny too. Great episode.
Bad Blood: http://x-files.wikia.com/wiki/Bad_Blood
A really funny episode. Plus Luke Wilson. The image of Skully weighing intestine during another autopsy, and them slipping off the scales like sausages still cracks me up.
Hm, harder to think of one I disliked so much - I tend to jettison these from my memory. Probably a post-Mulder episode, when that other female FBI agent was involved. Ugh.
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best t.v show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First t.v show obsession
Day 29 - Current t.v show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death