Another @bloghomework by @rambo that I could probably spend days writing about. I'm a TV junkie, not that I actually watch anything on live TV but I will stream, borrow, or buy almost any show and give it a shot. I go across the board as well. Drama, comedy, sci fi, and on and on. Reality isnt my thing except for the cooking competitions (mainly chopped).
I've decided I'm going to break this down into two categories. Shows that are currently on the air and/or in production and those that have either been finished or were cancelled before their time. I am also going to try to focus on those that might not be on everyone's radar or get a ton of attention (The Wire, Sopranos, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Lost, etc).
TL:DR...name are bolded and I included a pic below the show.
I'll start with shows that are No Longer On/Cancelled:
One of the funniest shows ever EVER in my opinion was Happy Endings. The cast has chemistry that was on another level. The jokes were fast and furious. Not to mention all the gorgeous women (including personal fave Elisha Cuthbert). Sadly it was one of those shows that never seemed to get support from the network or really connect with a wide audience. I had hope that it would survive and get taken up by another network but everyone involved has moved on sadly.
A favorite most know about is Sons of Anarchy. Just watch the show. Forget all the criticism about bad/overacting, being unbelievable, not realistic, etc. Just watch it. I have a soft spot for SoA since it is one of the few shows I watched start to finish always at broadcast, waiting in agony for the next episode/season. There are some killer guest turns (Walton Goggins as Venus kills), crazy plot twists, and some of the most heartbreaking scenes I can remember. Katey Sagal was robbed of an Emmy for season 2 ROBBED!
SoA leads to the Shield where SoA creator/writer Kurt Sutter was writer/producer. This show has the best pilot episode I can remember seeing. I came into it a few seasons since due to my Dad but I was easily hooked. When I went back to catch up on the seasons I missed I was blown away by how the show started. Check it out if you can watch the first episode and not get hooked, well me might have to get you tested.
Back to more humorous view, Chuck. Action, comedy, babes...and I mean babes galore (Yvonne Strahovski, Mimi Anden, Kristen Kruek, and more). Nerd/Geek humor always gets me and this show does it probably the best. It almost got cancelled a few times but it was able to hang on for two more seasons to have a 5 season run and end the story properly.
Lastly of these shows is The Bridge (American Version)....based in a Dutch? TV show it kinda had split personalities. On one side was the standard serial killer/cop show that has been so prevalent as of the last 5 years or so. The other was what came to be referred to as "The weird bridge" by some in the media. The weird bridge focused on the differences between the US and Mexican sides of the Drug War, border towns, and crime. Great acting, in my opinion, but the show just wasn't allowed enough time to find its footing or figure out what it really was. So of the best single episodes of TV from the last decade occurred in its two seasons.
Onto shows that that are On the Air/In Production:
First is Orphan Black....I borrowed this from work having heard good things but not knowing much about it. It's a bit of a sci-fi show. The major thing to know is that the acting is PHENOMENAL! Hands down one of the best acted shows in recent years. I think it was a travesty that Tatiana Maslany didn't win the best actress Emmy. She is out of this world. Her range is impeccable.
Next, is Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt....This just came out on Netflix in the last week or so and it is hilarous. The cast is funny and there are jokes left and right. A great new comedy for some super silliness.
Better Call Saul...Now this one was controversial when it was announced due to how highly praised Breaking Bad was. Let me tell you this, I does not disappoint! The acting is on par with BB. Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks are giving Emmy worthy performances. Its only been on for a handful of episodes and it's already one of my favorites out right now.
A favorite adult animation show is Archer...Rude, crude, ridiculous and absolutely hilarious. H. John Benjamin at his finest with great voice acting by the entire cast. Spies, sex, drugs, robots, space, crazy locales....what's not to love?
One show that no one watches but is in my top 3 show on right now is The Americans. Simple premise that hits in such a complex way. Another show with ridiculously good acting for the entire cast. Keri Russell shows her sweet cheeks along with her acting chops. It captures the look and feel of the 80s so well, and sometimes you can't help but be amazed with the reminders of how spying worked prior to the tech revolution. You should definitely check this out.
There are so many more to mention both on and off the air...Scandal, Gotham, Fargo, Sleepy Hollow, It's Always Sunny, Justified, Louie, Workaholics, Treme (not great but its worth it for the music alone), Home Movies, King of the Hill, Futurama, Psych, Orange is the New Black...I could go on forever. However, this blog must come to an end eventually.
So the last show I will discuss is probably the best show on TV that it seems like no one is watching....Hannibal. Visually this show is stunning. The cinematography, set design, etc are all top notch. Nothing and I mean nothing else on TV has such a unique visual style or is even comparable. I will admit I was skeptical of this show when it first came out due to how iconic Anthony Hopkins is as Hannibal but Mads Mikkelson does an amazing job playing Hannibal in his own way. Im a big fan of the Hannibal books and I hope the show sticks around to tackle the Red Dragon and Silcence of the Lamb plot lines like they plan to do in season 4 and 5.
If you have made it through this dissertation I commend you.
Cheers,
Dave