Top 8 shows on TV - Page 2

On June 11 2013 10:41 slyboogie wrote:



Oh my God, Orphan Black is shockingly good. I haven't finished the season but really - it is surprisingly excellent. I don't watch Doctor Who because it's too loaded with history to really step in, it's intimidating.

Boardwalk Empire just doesn't cut it. It's a decent show masquerading around like a great show. I'd say it's something like the 20-15th best show on TV. I watching because the production is so slick and some of the actors are very charismatic but I don't think it belongs on the list.

I think this is a great post, and not just because you agree with me about 65% of the way. I did not hate the sexposition - it's part of HBOs culture and about as tasteful as some of George Martin's erotica, no? Did they overdo it? Yeah, probably - but their is SO much story to explain. How many non-reading watchers of the show do you think can even tell you who Lysa Tully is? They have no idea - and Littlefinger is going there now! Unless you said, "the mom with the weird kid that breastfeeds," most people watching Game of Thrones are just watching a spectacle.

On June 11 2013 14:49 wherebugsgo wrote:
not many people watch Parks and Rec? That surprises me. A great majority of my friends watch that and Community. I really just don't find either of them funny. I guess it's similar to my opinion toward The Office-I feel like everyone around me loves the show and I just really don't find it funny at all.

Of the shows on this list I really only watch Mad Men and GoT. However, I really miss shows like Frasier and The Simpsons (back when it was good).

On June 12 2013 10:18 Divinek wrote:


it's awkward humour, it's okay man i fucking hate the office and parks and rec too. I've never found awkward humour funny. I only find lists like this useful for exposure to new shows

On June 12 2013 17:28 FractalsOnFire wrote:
Can you elaborate on why Mad Men S6 has been a failure? You allude to it but never go into depth. I've found S6 pretty good, though maybe a little bit ham handed in conveying its message (or maybe I've just improved my ability to see it, i'm not quite sure).

On June 13 2013 14:30 slyboogie wrote:


As in all things, failure here is a relative term. The major failures here are, in my opinion, the tragic mishandling of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, Don and Sylvia's relationship, the lack of "classic" Mad Men execution in the first couple of episodes.

I can get over the Don and Sylvia stuff and even the audacity with which Mad Men approaches race. But the issue with Season 6, and I'm not sure who else agrees with me, is Don Draper himself. While I appreciate Don Draper: Existential Nightmare Man, he has simply become an unlikable character. Remember in Season 1 when Mad Men came out and everyone wanted to be Don Draper? To act and dress like him because he was the quintessential avatar of American Masculinity? I think we can all agree that that Don Draper is dead - Matthew Weiner has taken great delight in tearing him down before our eyes, exposing him as a failure as a father, a husband, a coworker, a boss, a lover. Everything a man ought be, Don Draper has not been that.

Of course, this teardown is systematic and intentional. Mad Men is no longer that show where we look at Don Draper as a hero. But this doesn't mean it doesn't produce problems - primary among them? It's hard to love a show when you dislike the main character. The amazing thing about season 4 and season 5 was the way Mad Men still managed to be incredibly subtle, nuanced in its characters' failures. I'm reminded of "At the Codfish Ball" and "Far Away Places" and "The Suitcase." Season 6 hasn't produced anything close to the quality of those episodes, at least in my opinion.

EDIT: Also, in regards to motif, I find this season a bit heavy handed. I would say Season 4 was one of transformation, Season 5 of disappointment and Season 6 of reflections/cycling. That'd be a different discussion though.

On June 13 2013 18:36 FractalsOnFire wrote:


I think with regards to Don Draper, its the whole process of eventual disillusionment with the character. Very much how you would see a narcissist (which Don Draper is). Its the whole first impression "wow this guy is amazing, he's successful, handsome, has a family" blah blah blah and then as we go along we see all the cracks, the bullshit, the manipulation, the lies etc. Which we then eventually turn the other way, we start to resent and try to push them away.

TBH I would be fine hating the main character (though i don't hate Don Draper, i find him interesting)

On June 13 2013 19:38 Type|NarutO wrote:
I guess taste is different. I do hate GIRLS, I don't know a few and I think Dexter should be in there as well as Game of Thrones must be placed higher. Breaking Bad to me is worse than game of thrones, but as I said, different people have different taste.

On June 13 2013 19:52 lightrise wrote:
You are one weird cat. I really like many other shows that are not on the list and some of your shows are fail

1.) Girls is one of the worst shows I had ever watched. I suffered through 3 episodes and EVERY character annoyed the shit out of me. The story line and plot was poor and the character development was piss poor. This is not the female entourage it is just plain bad.

2.) Mad men is super slow and boring. Many people I have talked to agree with me. It just isn't my cup of tea.

3.) Where is the walking dead or Homeland. Both of these shows are top notch. They are really enjoyable and super well done. I can always watch a new episode of these two shows and be glued to my seat.

4.) You tried to point out you don't like suits because you dont like the channel. Suits and while collar are both fun and enjoyable shows. Not sure it would make the top 10 though.

Oh, I don't think you're using the term "character development" properly - especially if you think calling it "female entourage" is some sort of a compliment. Girls has excellent character development. The "plot" is certainly nothing to praise, it's a meandering show. You can hate the characters but I think you're prejudiced against the show - most likely because of background. I think that's okay - it's not really an issue. We watch TV through our eyes, which is our own filter.

It's clear you like certain kinds of shows, slick, poppy maybe with a zombie or two? Maybe a cool little intro song. Some dashing fellas? Suits is fine, it's an easy watch but don't make it what it isn't.

On June 14 2013 18:31 LastWish wrote:
I don't know a lot of shows from your list, therefore I thank you, I have some to check out.
I know only Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones which I really like, I like dark but I also like comedy.
There are actually a lot of mainstream shows like Walking Dead or Shameless which I find really bad, so it is a good sign that you have included neither.

What I currently watch and would include to the list is House of Cards and Black Mirror.
Both shows are rather dark, especially Black Mirror, but it definitelly has a lot of depth and emotions, although it may not be for everyone.