Archive

Rank your top 5 personal favorite TV shows

  • Belly35
    China Beach
    Moonlighting
    Rifleman
    Big Bang
    The Rebel
  • gerb131
    brutus161;1351923 wrote:So, reading this, I realize I'm the only Doctor Who fan on this site.
    I got a friend who pushes that show on me. He has every episode. It's OK probably top 15.
  • believer
    1. MASH
    2. Cheers
    3. Everybody Loves Raymond
    4. The Outer Limits (original)
    5. Star Trek TNG
  • gut
    1. Seinfeld
    2. The Shield
    3. Big Bang Theory
    4. How I met your Mother
    5. Game of Thrones

    Nearly every episode of the above...consistently excellent. That's why Sopranos and The Wire don't make my cut (Sopranos had a few SEASONS that were kind of "eehhhh").

    I was going to put Stargate SG1 on there, but that's too nerdy so I went with GOT
  • Mulva
    Seinfeld, breaking bad, boardwalk. Not sure after that.
  • Terry_Tate
    Just bought season 1 of The Wire. Going to start it tonight.
  • Midstate01
    Anyone know if Wilfred was cancelled? My TiVo hasn't recorded it forever. Love that show!!
  • Manhattan Buckeye
    So I need to ask....what is the appeal of these two shows:

    1) Two and Half Men
    2) Big Bang Theory

    I know they are both produced or created by Chuck Lorre. What is so great about them?
  • gut
    Manhattan Buckeye;1352697 wrote:So I need to ask....what is the appeal of these two shows:

    1) Two and Half Men
    2) Big Bang Theory

    I know they are both produced or created by Chuck Lorre. What is so great about them?
    They are HILARIOUS. Mostly double entendres. Although Big Bang actually has some pretty intelligent humor
  • GoChiefs
    gut;1352803 wrote:They are HILARIOUS. Mostly double entendres. Although Big Bang actually has some pretty intelligent humor
    Agreed. I can't get into the Two and a Half Men show, but I absolutely love Big Bang Theory. I didn't get into it until a month ago when I was laid up from surgery, I watched all 5 seasons in about 3 days. I couldn't stop watching.
  • Ironman92
    Manhattan Buckeye;1352697 wrote:So I need to ask....what is the appeal of these two shows:

    1) Two and Half Men
    2) Big Bang Theory

    I know they are both produced or created by Chuck Lorre. What is so great about them?

    BBT is quick witted and funny....and Penny is hot.
  • reclegend22
    While I didn't list Big Bang Theory, it is a great show, for all the reasons listed above. The humor is very smart. It's definitely not your typical show, many of which are targeted at the least common denominator, as ccrunner pointed out earlier. Big Bang Theory is great in my view for the same reasons that Dawson's Creek and House, M.D. were. It's clever and makes you think.
  • reclegend22
    ^^Seinfeld should be included in that category as well. For a show "about nothing," it's amazing how many people don't get it. Astounding, really. Cleverly written shows are not for everybody.
  • gut
    Thing about BBT is the acting is top-notch, as well. VERY difficult to play those characters without being painfully awkward (which takes great writing, also)...i.e, Steve Carroll's character on The Office was painfully awkward.
  • gut
    reclegend22;1352861 wrote:^^Seinfeld should be included in that category as well. For a show "about nothing," it's amazing how many people don't get it. Astounding, really. Cleverly written shows are not for everybody.
    Seinfeld did shows about masturbation and threesomes, which at the time was very risque. "The Bet" might still be the GOAT of double entendres
  • reclegend22
    gut;1352869 wrote:Seinfeld did shows about masturbation and threesomes, which at the time was very risque. "The Bet" might still be the GOAT of double entendres
    True, but I think those were exceptions to the rule with Seinfeld. Many of the plots, while seemingly about nothing, were in reality very intricately written. It was all-around a very smartly put together show, with clever storylines and extremely witty dialogue.

    Personally, "The Bet" was one of my least favorite episodes. I agree with Penn Jillette, who on the Apprentice made mention that he does not incorporate double entendres into his act as a general rule.
  • PropJoe
    The Big Bang Theory is a plague on television.

    [video=youtube;PmLQaTcViOA][/video]
  • PropJoe
    [video=youtube;jKS3MGriZcs][/video]

    [video=youtube;zS5a7RBB4vk][/video]
  • reclegend22
    ^^LOL.
  • reclegend22
    That's very interesting, PropJoe. Thanks for sharing. I never realized just how dependent the Big Bang Theory is on its laugh track. Obviously the production is set up in a way to allow for ample laughter inbetween dialogue, but that's unbearable to watch without a laugh track. I prefer shows that do not have laugh tracks myself. Not only does that format provide for more realism, but it also allows you to find humor in the smaller nuances of the show without being told what to laugh at.
  • Ironman92
    The NFL wouldn't be very exciting without crowd noise, announcing and many other things.

    It's TV.....everything is used to improve the entertainment level.
  • vball10set
    I'll bet most (if not all) sitcoms have laugh tracks, but now I'll be even more conscious of it--thanks a lot, PropJoe :p
  • gut
    reclegend22;1353174 wrote:Obviously the production is set up in a way to allow for ample laughter inbetween dialogue
    That's really the key...the "dead air" really detracts from the timing and rhythm. And any comedian will tell you the joke is all in the delivery.

    Without the laughtrack, it's also a very deadpan style that seems unnatural, which also interrupts the flow.
  • TedSheckler
    vball10set;1353206 wrote:I'll bet most (if not all) sitcoms have laugh tracks, but now I'll be even more conscious of it--thanks a lot, PropJoe :p

    Curb Your Enthusiasm doesn't need laugh tracks. One of the best there is.
  • wes_mantooth
    TedSheckler;1353217 wrote:Curb Your Enthusiasm doesn't need laugh tracks. One of the best there is.

    Agreed....arrested development as well