How good is TV right now? And is there anything to look forward to?

homsar · 09-15-2009, 09:42 PM

Am I one of the only few that thinks TV is at one its best times right now?? never been a big TV watcher except for cartoons and a few shows but right now there is a huge list of TV shows that Im enjoying with a few I havnt gave a chance but hear great things, Madmen, Breaking Bad, Curb, Southland ect. All the shows on HBO feel like filler to me these days (Entouage, and True Blood are entertaining but nothing special)
None the less the next couple months I should be pretty entertained over the week.

Starting September:

Bones (feel its maybe the best crime dramas out there)
Castle(big fan of Nathan from firefly)
Californication (maybe a guilty pleasure)
Dexter (Michael C Hall, enough said)
Dollhouse (Joss Wedon is great)
Fringe (Hear its an improved version of X-files)
House
It's always sunny (= seinfeld)
The Office

Other great shows that Im not sure when they are starting is

Burn Notice
Royal Pains
Venture Brothers

Mini series

The Pacific

Cartoons might be slow though since Family guy has gone down hill with american dad being better lately. I keep hearing Samurai Jack is comming back I doubt thats true.

I know there is a couple shows that have a lot of hype but Im not sure if I should waste time

Jay Leno (First episode was pretty good)
Stargate
Flash Forward
The Ultimate fighter
New futurama

What else is comming out?

Korioni · 09-16-2009, 01:33 AM

I'm rather looking forward to HBO's "Bored to Death" starting Sunday. Also you've got a couple mini-series and tv-movies coming up. Not sure when Spielburg's new pacific WWII series is coming out, or The Prisoner, but I'm looking forward to those as well.

edit: Can't fucking leave out new season of Top Gear!!!

Brutul Tarew Marr · 09-16-2009, 02:34 AM

I think maybe reality TV has helped with this. It takes up all the slots that used to be filled with crap scripted shows, and since scripted shows are more expensive, only the really good ones get made. No clue if this is actually true, but it's a theory I just pulled out of my ass.

mek · 09-16-2009, 03:25 AM

Reality TV has preoccupied the broadcast networks, which mostly made garbage anyway. Virtually all good scripted is on cable.

Exception is Fox, bizarrely. (Dollhouse, Terminator, Fringe, House, hello there).

And yeah, if TS:CC was coming back... then I'd be really excited.

Haruhi · 09-16-2009, 04:56 AM

I am really excited about Fall season on TV, but I think it's the result of summer tv being much, much worse this year.

True Blood was pretty disappointing and network tv had the worst reality shows offerings I remember ever seeing (and I'm not a straight up reality snob. I can occasionally enjoy a good 'reality' competition too.)

I am not going to pretend that I stay home when the weather outside is great during summer, but I like to have something decent to watch when just chilling inside. This season though, it was reruns for me, because nothing remotely decent was on.

As for which shows I am excited about, I'd list United States of Tara(although it's only coming back next year), The IT Crowd (heard there was going to be at least a X-mas special, so that's enough to have me excited) and Dollhouse.

Blank · 09-16-2009, 08:32 AM

Heroes starts next Monday!

....

homsar · 09-16-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korioni

I'm rather looking forward to HBO's "Bored to Death" starting Sunday. Also you've got a couple mini-series and tv-movies coming up. Not sure when Spielburg's new pacific WWII series is coming out, or The Prisoner, but I'm looking forward to those as well.

edit: Can't fucking leave out new season of Top Gear!!!

Bored to death looks Great but it doesnt seem to have any fan base which sucks.

As far as the mini series, I forgot about those. The spielberg one should be amazing but there is one that just looks like a ripoff of 300/gladiator but it should be good.

I keep hearing about top gear, I dont mind getting into new shows but the UK ones seem to typically be a let down. I wasnt able to get into stuff like Doctor who really and The Office was good because Ricky Gervais is the best comedian come out of there in a while

Haruhi · 09-16-2009, 10:12 AM

Top Gear IS great if cars are your thing really.

I don't care for the main show's topic, but sometimes there are some great interviews which make the show worth it even for the non automobile fanatic.

English shows are usually very quick to win me though, even when I'm not predisposed to like their theme.

I still think Coupling>Friends (although it came later than Friends and some retards insist on calling it a rip-off of Friends) and The IT Crowd is my favorite workplace related sitcom atm too.

If you were a teenager until, oh, like almost yesterday, you might also be looking forward to the return of Skins by winter. It is miles ahead any dumb CW teen angst ridden show past, present and future.

Rewen · 09-16-2009, 10:16 AM

Isnt the new "V" supposed to start soon? Also "Back", with Skeet Ulrich from Jericho. It's about time travel or something.

Other than that, I think most of the ones I am looking forward to have been mentioned already... there's the HBO "A Game of Thrones" series I guess, but they havent even finished casting for that, so it's a long way off.

goatface · 09-16-2009, 10:25 AM

List of new network shows

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Don't know if that list is complete, but not much i am looking forward to.
Day One, Human Target, and V are about it.
As for Returning series - Fringe, Sons of Anarchy, NCIS, and Big Bang Theory

Wombat · 09-16-2009, 11:01 AM

Given that The Sopranos, The Wire, The Shield, BSG, etc. have all recently ended, I would not say this is the best era of TV... but it is still extremely strong. Most of it is the writing: there are a number of fantastic writing staffs out there, and network execs have realized that while casting gets people in the door, writing is the only thing that makes them stay.

(Seriously, go back 20 or 25 years and look at TV. You'd be embarrassed to watch 99% of what was on, with rare exceptions being the proto-Shield Wiseguy or the proto-Wire Homicide.)

Now, the new crop of shows is... not so good. I'm optimistic for FlashForward, unenthusiastic for (but will still try) V, amused by Community, and interested in hearing more about Archer (the Sealab/Frisky Dingo guys going an animated spy show on FX). But that's it for network/basic cable.

As far as returning, I'll get around to Sons of Anarchy, enthusiastic about Fringe, mildly interested in Sunny (thought their last season was their weakest), & hopeful for Dollhouse.

And wildly enthusiastic for Venture Bros, which airs a batch of episodes starting October 18th.

goatface · 09-16-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rewen

Also "Back", with Skeet Ulrich from Jericho. It's about time travel or something.

From what i read, Skeet plays a 9/11 firefighter that "disappears" for 8 years and shows back up to his former life. No idea this means he goes poof like magic or just runs off. It doesn't have an air date yet.

homsar · 09-17-2009, 11:56 AM

As for the guy that gave me Negs for my comments on Its always sunny = Seinfeld. The cast even said when they were making Sunny they pretty much based it off seinfeld as if it was on cocaine.

column · 09-17-2009, 12:18 PM

I have Big Bang and How I met yo mama on Tivo as well

Heylel Teomim · 09-17-2009, 01:14 PM

Sons of Anarchy is the best show on cable right now, imo.

Also, Dexter starts back soon on Showtime.

09-15-2009, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
homsar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 2,778 +46 Internets	How good is TV right now? And is there anything to look forward to? Am I one of the only few that thinks TV is at one its best times right now?? never been a big TV watcher except for cartoons and a few shows but right now there is a huge list of TV shows that Im enjoying with a few I havnt gave a chance but hear great things, Madmen, Breaking Bad, Curb, Southland ect. All the shows on HBO feel like filler to me these days (Entouage, and True Blood are entertaining but nothing special) None the less the next couple months I should be pretty entertained over the week. Starting September: Bones (feel its maybe the best crime dramas out there) Castle(big fan of Nathan from firefly) Californication (maybe a guilty pleasure) Dexter (Michael C Hall, enough said) Dollhouse (Joss Wedon is great) Fringe (Hear its an improved version of X-files) House It's always sunny (= seinfeld) The Office Other great shows that Im not sure when they are starting is Burn Notice Royal Pains Venture Brothers Mini series The Pacific Cartoons might be slow though since Family guy has gone down hill with american dad being better lately. I keep hearing Samurai Jack is comming back I doubt thats true. I know there is a couple shows that have a lot of hype but Im not sure if I should waste time Jay Leno (First episode was pretty good) Stargate Flash Forward The Ultimate fighter New futurama What else is comming out? __________________ Tyen is a power hungry admin. He abused his power and hacked his internets. Give him -internets to offset this injustice. Last edited by homsar; 09-16-2009 at 10:02 AM..

09-16-2009, 01:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Korioni Six Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,815 -118 Internets	I'm rather looking forward to HBO's "Bored to Death" starting Sunday. Also you've got a couple mini-series and tv-movies coming up. Not sure when Spielburg's new pacific WWII series is coming out, or The Prisoner, but I'm looking forward to those as well. edit: Can't fucking leave out new season of Top Gear!!! __________________

09-16-2009, 08:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Blank Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,133 +19 Internets	Heroes starts next Monday! .... __________________

09-16-2009, 10:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
goatface Hope Is The First Step On The Road To Disappointment Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 568	List of new network shows Spoiler Alert, click show to read: ABC: * Flash Forward (September 24) * V (Mid-season) * Happy Town (Mid-season) * Hank (September 30) * Cougar Town (September 23) * The Deep End (Mid-season) * The Forgotten (September 22) * Eastwick (September 23) * The Middle (September 30) * Modern Family (September 23) * Shark Tank – Unscripted (August 25) CBS: * Three Rivers (October 4) * Accidentally on Purpose (September 21) * The Good Wife (September 22) * NCIS: Los Angeles (September 22) * Miami Trauma – Unscripted (Mid-season) * Undercover Boss – Unscripted (Mid-season) CW: * Melrose Place (September 8) * The Beautiful Life (September 16) * The Vampire Diaries (September 10) FOX: * Human Target (Mid-season) * Glee (September 16) * The Cleveland Show (September 27) * Brothers (September 18) * Sons of Tucson (Spring) * Past Life (February) NBC: * Day One (February) * Parenthood (Mid-season) * Community (September 17) * Trauma (September 28) * Mercy (September 23) * 100 Questions (Mid-season) * The Marriage Ref – Unscripted (Mid-season) Don't know if that list is complete, but not much i am looking forward to. Day One, Human Target, and V are about it. As for Returning series - Fringe, Sons of Anarchy, NCIS, and Big Bang Theory

09-17-2009, 11:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
homsar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 2,778 +46 Internets	As for the guy that gave me Negs for my comments on Its always sunny = Seinfeld. The cast even said when they were making Sunny they pretty much based it off seinfeld as if it was on cocaine. __________________ Tyen is a power hungry admin. He abused his power and hacked his internets. Give him -internets to offset this injustice.

09-16-2009, 02:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brutul Tarew Marr Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun. Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,234 -2 Internets	I think maybe reality TV has helped with this. It takes up all the slots that used to be filled with crap scripted shows, and since scripted shows are more expensive, only the really good ones get made. No clue if this is actually true, but it's a theory I just pulled out of my ass.

09-16-2009, 04:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Haruhi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middle America Posts: 110	I am really excited about Fall season on TV, but I think it's the result of summer tv being much, much worse this year. True Blood was pretty disappointing and network tv had the worst reality shows offerings I remember ever seeing (and I'm not a straight up reality snob. I can occasionally enjoy a good 'reality' competition too.) I am not going to pretend that I stay home when the weather outside is great during summer, but I like to have something decent to watch when just chilling inside. This season though, it was reruns for me, because nothing remotely decent was on. As for which shows I am excited about, I'd list United States of Tara(although it's only coming back next year), The IT Crowd (heard there was going to be at least a X-mas special, so that's enough to have me excited) and Dollhouse.

09-16-2009, 10:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
Haruhi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middle America Posts: 110	Top Gear IS great if cars are your thing really. I don't care for the main show's topic, but sometimes there are some great interviews which make the show worth it even for the non automobile fanatic. English shows are usually very quick to win me though, even when I'm not predisposed to like their theme. I still think Coupling>Friends (although it came later than Friends and some retards insist on calling it a rip-off of Friends) and The IT Crowd is my favorite workplace related sitcom atm too. If you were a teenager until, oh, like almost yesterday, you might also be looking forward to the return of Skins by winter. It is miles ahead any dumb CW teen angst ridden show past, present and future.

09-16-2009, 10:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rewen Procrastinator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 158 -3 Internets	Isnt the new "V" supposed to start soon? Also "Back", with Skeet Ulrich from Jericho. It's about time travel or something. Other than that, I think most of the ones I am looking forward to have been mentioned already... there's the HBO "A Game of Thrones" series I guess, but they havent even finished casting for that, so it's a long way off.

09-16-2009, 11:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
Wombat Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 672 +0 Internets	Given that The Sopranos, The Wire, The Shield, BSG, etc. have all recently ended, I would not say this is the best era of TV... but it is still extremely strong. Most of it is the writing: there are a number of fantastic writing staffs out there, and network execs have realized that while casting gets people in the door, writing is the only thing that makes them stay. (Seriously, go back 20 or 25 years and look at TV. You'd be embarrassed to watch 99% of what was on, with rare exceptions being the proto-Shield Wiseguy or the proto-Wire Homicide.) Now, the new crop of shows is... not so good. I'm optimistic for FlashForward, unenthusiastic for (but will still try) V, amused by Community, and interested in hearing more about Archer (the Sealab/Frisky Dingo guys going an animated spy show on FX). But that's it for network/basic cable. As far as returning, I'll get around to Sons of Anarchy, enthusiastic about Fringe, mildly interested in Sunny (thought their last season was their weakest), & hopeful for Dollhouse. And wildly enthusiastic for Venture Bros, which airs a batch of episodes starting October 18th.

09-17-2009, 01:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
Heylel Teomim The Educated Fool Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,985 +19 Internets	Sons of Anarchy is the best show on cable right now, imo. Also, Dexter starts back soon on Showtime.

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