Best TV series of the 21st Century, so far.

POSTED BY: jewelstaitefan
UPDATED: Monday, May 19, 2008 03:03
VIEWED: 22969
PAGE 1 of 1

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:09 AM

OK, I'm not fully qualified to judge this list, because I rarely watch TV anymore, but I will list what I've enjoyed. (I rarely watch mostly because there isn't much that's watchable)

1. Firefly.
2. Dark Angel.

What are a) YOUR favorites, and b) which do you consider the BEST series?

After the first 5 days, top vote getters:
1. Firefly.
2. Battlestar Galactica.
3. Lost.
4. Heroes.
5. Dark Angel, Rome.
7. Veronica Mars, Buffy, Dexter, Deadwood, Farscape.

ALEX21

Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:28 AM

BSG, hands down.

PIE!

JAYNEZTOWN

Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:13 AM

Firefly wins this century - EASY !
Its the best show out there

Last century it could be a toss up between the original Star Trek, Outer Limits and Babylon-5 (a cult, campy series with an amazing story arc and complicated rich characters )

Quote:
Originally posted by alex21:
BSG, hands down.

PIE!

Is that the orginal series by Larson or the re-imagined one from Eick and Moore ?

I don't remember the old series but I know it was too cheesy and childish but it had a few good story arcs and at least it was original

The un-original reimagined one had a few good episodes, I really like the first season but it jumped the shark pretty quick, the cylons never really had a plan and it became a show only for rabid fanboys, women who watch soaps and online shippers. I won't even get into the crappy ass shaky camera action used to try to add dark and gritty atmosphere

GWEK

Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:27 PM

Firefly
The Office

For my money, those may be the two best shows EVER.

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

ECGORDON

Thursday, December 13, 2007 5:04 PM

Firefly
Lost
Battlestar Galactica (first 1-1/2 seasons at least)
Wonderfalls
Veronica Mars

At the current time, the best show is Pushing Daisies, but being so new (and only nine episodes in) it's too soon to tell where it will fit on the list.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

1. Firefly.
2. Dark Angel.

Ya got my top two right there, JSF!

ADDED: While maybe not 'best', I love Heroes & the 21st Century eps of Buffy were grand!

Transgenic Browncoat Chrisisall

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:07 PM

Firefly ( best and Favourite)
Supernatural ( great & possibly heading for one of the best)
Lost (Potentially great. So much hinges on it's resolution though)

TORTIMER

Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:12 PM

Dexter
Firefly
Lost
Buffy
Angel

HUGHFF

Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:00 PM

Firefly
Andy Richter Controls The Universe
Veronica Mars
Scrubs
The Tick (live)
Jack of All Trades

All appointment viewing. I watch them and record them in case I have to deal with the kids during the show.

www.cpfc.org - my life
www.nbhs.school.nz - my work

REGINAROADIE

Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:49 PM

Because no one's mentioned them yet, HEROES and SIX FEET UNDER. The former takes the LOST format and expands and improves upon it to be more entertaining than LOST, I feel. And the latter I love for personal reasons, as well as it being the best acted, written and directed series on HBO you could possibly imagine. Has more emotiona nad spirituality in one minute than most shows ever.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

LWAVES

Thursday, December 13, 2007 10:18 PM

Well the best for me -

Shows that have (currently) ended their run:
Firefly, Dark Angel, Life On Mars

Shows that have an established run (3 or more seasons and are still going):
BSG, Lost

Shows that are still relatively new (2 or less seasons):
Heroes, Dexter

Some fairly obvious choices, and similar to the above, but hey, that's why they are popular.

Haven't watched too many of the really new shows coz having been burnt before I wanna see if they get cancelled before I invest time in them.

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

STORYMARK

Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:09 PM

Firefly
Lost
BSG
Deadwood
Rome
Farscape (mostly a 21st century show)

Close calls: Heroes, The 4400, Dr. Who

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

HIXIE129

Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:54 PM

Firefly
BSG
Rome
Farscape
SG-1

SISTER

Friday, December 14, 2007 12:02 AM

Firefly
BSG
Boomtown
Deadwood
Rome

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Monday, December 17, 2007 9:46 AM

Now if I start watching TV again, I have some leads to check out.
Anybody see Kyle XY or somesuch, thoughts?
I should have mentioned The District (including Melinda Clarke), anybody else see it?

With gobs of CSI and L&O, funny that none of them are listed. Maybe a more discerning crowd here.

NEEDY

Monday, December 17, 2007 9:58 AM

Another vote for Doctor Who

Of course its not my all-time fave, but its up there
Think that'd have to be Lost
and BSG
Veronica Mars
Firefly (duh)
Buffy
Angel
X Files (finished in the 21st century)
Stargate SG-1
Smallville

-----
Needy. Male Companion: Chosen One?
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http://needsalt.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/dicksquinty The World's Greatest Detective?

FARFLY

Monday, December 17, 2007 11:55 AM

Firefly
Buffy
Wonderfalls
Lost
Angel
West Wing
Smallville
Joan of Arcadia

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:52 AM

After 6 days, top vote getters:
1. Firefly.
2. Battlestar Galactica, Lost.
4. Buffy, Heroes.
6. Dark Angel, Veronica Mars, Angel, Rome.
10. Wonderfalls, Dexter, Deadwood, Farscape, Dr Who, SG1, Smallville.

BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:34 PM

#1 Firefly. Obviously the smartest show to ever come along. Incidentally, OIS is (I firmly believe) the greatest single episode of a Sci-Fi show EVER. And I'm counting all episodes of all shows that I've ever seen.

As far as the other 4 shows?

#2 BSG
#3 SG1
#4 Rome
#5 Farscape

If you count the fact that Buffy season 4.5 was in 2000 and that seasons 5,6,&7 all were in the 21st century, I revise my list to place Buffy in third position and drop Farscape.

Too bad the 90's are off limits or I would have included Star Trek DS9 in this top 5. It was always the strongest of the Treks.

2 other shows that deserve honorable mentions are Burn Notice & Big Bang Theory. Burn Notice ran this last summer on USA and the audience was small, but it was a FUN show and may return in 08 for a season 2. Big Bang Theory is a monday night 8:30 show about 4 grad school geeks that work in adjacent labs in a physics dept. 2 live together in a New York flat apt and the 4 concern themselves with the pursuits of science, comics, sci-fi, ect ect. Conflict is created when a cute "normal" girl moves into the apt across the hall. Unfortunately for the show there were only 6 episodes in the can prior to the writers strike so they're already showing re-runs. With less attention from viewers and only 6 episodes, I fear this one will travel the same dark road as our beloved Firefly.

And now a final note: I honestly don't understand why Dark Angel keeps making people's lists. I argued this point with you, chris, last year. Season 1 Max is a clone of faith. They are concerned over the same things, they see the world the same, they even have the same hair. Add to it the general sense that the idea of the show was apt but delivered in a below average manner, bah! Bah, I say.

Do not fear me. Our's is a peaceful race and we must live in harmony.

MEGG

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:51 PM

Dark Angel seems to be very popular but never having watched it I have no opinion. For me the best shows are all about the fantasy

Buffy
Angel
Firefly
Heroes
Supernatural
X-Files
Tru Calling

A little (very little) closer to reality,

Gilmore Girls
House
Bones
L&O (all of' em)
CSI

And going back a little, anyone ever watch The Adventures of Brisco County Jr? That show was fun.

HIXIE129

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:59 PM

Avatar the Last Air Bender

REGINAROADIE

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:58 PM

In terms of great shows that are unfortunately disqualified, I'd have to put THE SOPRANOS in there. Even though the lions share of it's run was 2000 onward, it did start in 1999, thus disqualifying it. Which I'd hate to because I am with the majority in saying that THE SOPRANOS is truly one of the best shows on TV EVER. As much as we'd all like to say that Joss broke TV conventions with FIREFLY and BUFFY, what David Chase did with THE SOPRANOS is infinitely more ballsier than anything Joss has done.

And while THE BIG BANG THEORY is funny in a sort of guilty pleasure kind of way (it is by the same guy that created 2 1/2 MEN), I think the comedy of the decade is without a doubt a tie between ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and THE OFFICE. The former is the traditional sitcom taking to amazing new heights, and the latter is a miracle on it's own. I mean, it's had it's own convention in Scranton in October. Name me one other sitcom that's had something like that. Never!!!

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

JONGSSTRAW

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:27 PM

Best 21st century shows :

1. Firefly
2. Sopranos
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
4. Entourage
5. Cleopatra 2525...hey I know it was a bit lame & cheeeezy...BUT it starred Gina Torres ( never looking better ), other hot babes, flashy gadgets...but most of all it was fun to watch!

MISSTRESSAHARA

Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:15 AM

Where the hells the love for CHUCK? I refuse to let that show be ignored. Put that on my no# 1 spot. Hey, it's got freakin' Adam Baldwin doing some of his best acting (sans Firefly)

Then Heroes (I'm worried they may be jumping the shark early though)
Eureka (though I missed season 2 so far, have to catch up)

Um..... that's it. Nothing else is intersting to capture my attention.

I haven't forgotten Firefly. It shares the title with the above.

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DON'T FREAK OUT

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BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:

And while THE BIG BANG THEORY is funny in a sort of guilty pleasure kind of way

I'd say you're right that the show is more-or-less a guilty pleasure. It's not going to reach glorious heights like...say...BSG, but it's still fun to watch.

Watching it with other geeks makes all the difference. To put it in context, geeks I know who watch this show might utter "Shaka, when the walls fell" if something bad happens IRL. If you understood what I just wrote, you need to watch Big Bang Theory.

Do not fear me. Our's is a peaceful race and we must live in harmony.

TRAVELER

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:33 AM

Guardian

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

MUDKICKER

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:48 AM

1. Firefly
2. Doctor Who
3. LOST
4. Heroes
5. Big Bang Theory

Well, this really was a tough one, but I had to throw Big Bang Theory in there, too. I haven't laughed so much in my life... except when my wife looks at me and doesn't get ANY of the jokes. LOL!

____________________________________

"We are not gonna die. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

PVT Gabriel "Mudkicker" Sheppard, 76th Independent Battalion

STRANGEBIRD

Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:34 AM

1. Firefly
2. Chuck
3. Journeyman(Started out with a bad pilot but took off after)
4. Eureka
5. Mythbusters
6. Stargate Atlantis
7. Stargate: SG1
8. Heroes
9. Planet Earth(No show puts me to sleep in a more relaxed/happy state than this amazing doc.)
10.Farscape

Those are the only shows I have actually truly cared about this decade other than Lost which I booted after they killed Charlie. Which was the last straw since I was already getting tired of it.

I'm slowly and sadly giving up on Television as my primary source of entertainment. I have games, the internet and most of all books to do that for me now. If this strike lasts any long it may just bury TV as we know it forever.

--------------------------------------------------
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Albert Einstein

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:53 AM

Some mentioned that Sopranos was not eligible - this was not intended.
Any show that showed new episodes in 2000 (including the last year of the 20th century for simplicity) or later is wlecome. What did we enjoy watching this century so far?
Any year, any number of episodes (even 11), any network, cable or broadcast.
So if you think a soap opera is good in the past years but started in 1960, go ahead and list it. Nathan was in a few, right?

I really liked Dark Angel - who is Faith? I'm not a fan of that Roseanne ripoff chick.

I really should have added Mythbusters, I remember when away from the computer, but forget when here.
From my limited viewing:
1. Firefly
2. Dark Angel
3. The District.
4. Mythbusters.

The 4400 seemed promising, but when I saw it there didn't seem to be cohesion. Likewise with Lost, it seemed too intangible.

STRANGEBIRD

Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:50 AM

I feel the same whay about the 4400 and Lost as you do. Good concepts but they lacked anything that would really pull me in. The first episode of Journeyman was the same way but I decided to give it another shot since it was on after Heroes anyway and I ended up loving it nearly as much as Chuck.

Anyway I also wanted to add:

11. Taste of America with Mark De'Carlo
12. Made in America with John Ratzenberger

Can you tell I like the Discovery Channel Family?
It's really the only true reality TV isn't it?
Survivor and Big Brother can go the way of the Dodo if you ask me. Dancing with the stars and related shows I say keep, if only for the fact there is atleast a factor of encouraging people to dance and leave the house. Still don't mean I gotta watch'm.

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot Pushing Daisies. I know it's a very strange show but I can't help but enjoy it, even at it's most absurd and ridiculous. Not sure where it would fit in, perhaps a tie at 5 or 6.
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Albert Einstein

CHRISISALL

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:11 PM

I can't believe how many here are NOT listing Dark Angel!!! The first season was right up there with Firefly and Buffy for well-written, exciting, funny and intelligent TV!!! The second season, although a step down- due to 9-11, and the tip-toeing around terrorist elements that ensued- still had some brilliant moments!

Y'all need to check it out, boo.

Gotta blaze Chrisisall

MAL4PREZ

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
I can't believe how many here are NOT listing Dark Angel!!!

You know, I tried. I did! I watched a few episodes. I was so completely underwhelmed that I don't even know where to start! Sorry chris... (Maybe I missed something?)

My list:

Firefly (best)
BSG
Heroes
um... *cough*project runway*cough-cough*

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hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

CHRISISALL

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
You know, I tried. I did! I watched a few episodes. I was so completely underwhelmed that I don't even know where to start! Sorry chris... (Maybe I missed something?)

You can't just watch a few episodes, Mal, like Firefly or Heroes, you need to see it from the beginning!

Quote:

My list:

Firefly (best)
BSG
Heroes

Good list, but, no love for Buffy in the 21st?

Slayerisall

MAL4PREZ

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:34 PM

Oops... correction:

Firefly (best)
BSG
Heroes
Buffy
Angel

although I add those last two without thought as to order... can't order... too hard!

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
You can't just watch a few episodes, Mal, like Firefly or Heroes, you need to see it from the beginning!

Hey, I came into Buffy late - no problem! And maybe I didn't watch enough DA to get hooked by the full storyline, but I couldn't stay because I found the characters and episode plots just... blah. You really compare it to Firefly? yikes! I must have missed something!

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hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

REGINAROADIE

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:49 PM

I'm also of the mindset that LOST isn't the show of the decade so far. People say that it's the only show on the air that's truly reaching for the stars. I'd agree with that, if they didn't spend a season and a half shoving it's metaphysical egghead up it's ass.

Amazingly enough it did manage to get it's head lodged out of it's asscrack halfway through season 3 to actually become something I'm actually excited to see again. But because of that season and a half dry spell, it disqualifies itself from being the "show of the decade" everyone wants it to be.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

CHRISISALL

Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
You really compare it to Firefly? yikes! I must have missed something!

Max, much like Mal, starts off not believing in herself..she's a self-justifying thief, lost, searching for who she is from outside herself, and along the way we find out that she is a hero, although again, like Mal, she'd deny it.
The dialogue is crisp and often ironic or funny, and the humanist social commentary is always there.
Maybe because I'm an only child I really 'get' the search for her 'brothers & sisters'- her only family- in a dark and often unforgiving world.

And she kicks ass really well....

452isall

DEEPLYKIDDING

Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:27 PM

Ah, school's finally over, so I have some time to consider my list of faves:

(no particular order other than when they popped into my brain)
1. Firefly (natch)
2. Farscape - LOVED Ben Browder in this role, and appreciated the quirky spin it put on some tried and true sci fi themes. After a while didn't even mind the muppet.
3. CSI - the orig (Vegas-based). Very ingenious show, good tension, love trying to figure out who-dun-it along with the investigators.
4. BSG - I remember watching the original w/Lorne Green back in the day, in all its cheesey wonderfulness, and had to give the updated version a look-see when they aired the mini-series. Was NOT disappointed. Great update.
5. West Wing - some of the best witty snappy banter on TV, and made me go from hating Rob Lowe to loving him.
6. the Osbournes - This show, imho, changed reality TV. Just look at how many knock-offs this show spawned (celebrity-centered day-in-the-life reality). Plus, just gotta love the oz-man! Who knew he was so funny?
7. Mythbusters - so glad someone else added this to the list, too. Jamie & Adam sure know how to make all that science-y stuff entertaining to watch.
8. My Name is Earl - existential angst + Jason Lee = hi-larious!
9. Pushing Daisies - ok, it may be a little soon to tell, but this one takes the cake (pie) for one of the most original concepts on tv in a while. A little Dr. Seuss-ish, a little Tim Burton-ish, dark humor, great cast, and the weirdest sexual tension thing going on.
10. Ok, my mind just went blank. Thought I'd be able to round out my top 10, but after a week of cramming for exams, apparently my brain has decided to shut down now that they are over...

I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass...

STRANGEBIRD

Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:33 PM

Ok I've had time to sleep on it and here's my revised list. Not that anyone really cares.

1. Firefly(for obvious reasons)
2. Mythbusters(Also obvious)
2. Eureka
3. Pushing Daisies(Hilarious and delightfully unique)
4. Chuck(Very funny, silly writing and great charisma between the entire cast)
5. Journeyman(Poor start but very original time travel premise, Quantum Leap was great but this is not the same thing)
6. Stargate Atlantis(I just really like David Hewlett, plus now they got our favorite Canadian actress too)
7. Stargate:SG1(Just a great TV show that rarely fails to entertain)
8. Heroes(Great show sometimes bad others)
9. Farscape(First season was great but slowly slipped after into the ok category)
10. My Name is Earl(I forgot this one again thanks deeplykidding)
11. CSI(The Original, thanks again deeplykidding I can't believe how many shows I forgot the first time around)
12. 90% of the shows on Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and related channels and National Geographic

--------------------------------------------------
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Albert Einstein

STORYMARK

Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
And maybe I didn't watch enough DA to get hooked by the full storyline, but I couldn't stay because I found the characters and episode plots just... blah. You really compare it to Firefly? yikes! I must have missed something!

Ditto. Watched the first several, and aside from the pilot, found them completekly unmemorable.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

STORYMARK

Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
Amazingly enough it did manage to get it's head lodged out of it's asscrack halfway through season 3 to actually become something I'm actually excited to see again. But because of that season and a half dry spell, it disqualifies itself from being the "show of the decade" everyone wants it to be.

Unless you're the type, like me, who never felt that it lost steam - it's been firing on all cylinders since the first episode. And I love the metaphysical stuff - that's exactly what, along with the intricate plot, elevates it above other dramas.

I very much consider LOTS, along with BSG, the series of the decade - easy.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
[BMax, much like Mal, starts off not believing in herself..she's a self-justifying thief, lost, searching for who she is from outside herself, and along the way we find out that she is a hero, although again, like Mal, she'd deny it.
The dialogue is crisp and often ironic or funny, and the humanist social commentary is always there.
Maybe because I'm an only child I really 'get' the search for her 'brothers & sisters'- her only family- in a dark and often unforgiving world.

Chris, DA had it's moments, but it's not a Great show. That is Great with a cap G, as in "Lincoln was one of the Great presidents"

I've said this before. DA aired in 2000. This means it was written 1998-1999. What was on TV right at that moment? Season 3 buffy. Place Max (season 1) and Faith (season 3) side by side in your mind's eye. They are the same. Forget the hair, that's just the final layer of copycat character writting. Max and Faith together are concerned about the exact same things and disregard the same people for the same reasons. Both are super-human young women. Both are thieves. Both are angry deep down. Both have similar moments of epiphany regarding their own moralities. The one marked difference twixt the two is that Max chose to rise up at her personal moment and Faith chose to sink further.

DA occasionally does good things with storyline. The best character in the whole show is Max's boss at the courier service, "Normal". That was his name, or rather their nickname for him because he's a walking sterotype of life drudgery. I have always remembered when he was asked permission by the jamacian for a day off. His response was "I've always wanted to take June 12 off but I don't" When asked why the answer was "Because that was the B-day of George Herbert Walker Bush, president #41" The absurdity of that statement coupled with the fact that Normal said it (and believes it) made it the single best line of the whole show.

As for the rest of DA, at times it is apt...but there are too many sci-fi cliche' moments for me. It's an orginal world idea poorly executed. After finishing the 2nd season I was frankly ready to just move on...or as Normal would say: "bip bip bip"

Do not fear me. Our's is a peaceful race and we must live in harmony.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bluesuncompanyman:
It's an orginal world idea poorly executed.

I fully disagree with ya, at least as far as the first season goes. I think it was golden.

To each their own...Chrisisall

BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:34 PM

I shall cease arguing with the road warrior of the northeast.

I respect your belief it was golden.

Do not fear me. Our's is a peaceful race and we must live in harmony.

STORYMARK

Friday, December 21, 2007 12:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

To each their own...

Yep. It's amazing how much tastes vary, even within a group who passionately share a specific fandom. There are shows on this list I consider flat-out bad, or at best mediocre (and there are some real howlers on the "Best movies of 2007" thread). Even on shows we like in common (someone above mentioned the first season of Farscape was the best, which I felt was shakey, and got really good in season 2 and 3 - just for example), there are different takes.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

STRANGEBIRD

Friday, December 21, 2007 4:54 AM

Quote:
Even on shows we like in common (someone above mentioned the first season of Farscape was the best, which I felt was shakey, and got really good in season 2 and 3 - just for example), there are different takes.

I get what your saying. There's always going to be aspects of things half of us hate and the other half love. Sometimes that aspect will be the entire premise of a series.

About Farscape I just liked season one the best, I think since it was so original. I've never actually rewatched the series at all, if I did I may change my mind. I can tell you I absolutely abhor The Peacekeeper Wars miniseries. I couldn't believe that such a great cast could do something sooo terrible. No one seemed to be taking it seriously at all and their acting was the worst I've ever seen any of them perform. I'm sure some of you feel differently, that's ok.

--------------------------------------------------
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Albert Einstein

CHRISISALL

Friday, December 21, 2007 2:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

To each their own...

Yep. It's amazing how much tastes vary, even within a group who passionately share a specific fandom.

It's like how a poem can make one person cry, and another stare at the wall waiting for it to be over. Firefly touched my soul...so did Dark Angel, and Buffy (last two seasons especially). Not many shows can do that...Kung-Fu and the original Trek did some come to think of it...but a lot depends on what we as individuals bring to the party.

Introspective Chrisisall

SOLAFIDE

Monday, December 24, 2007 4:48 PM

Firefly
Macgyver
The Office

DEEPGIRL187

Monday, December 24, 2007 6:16 PM

In no particular order (kinda). And since we're talking best shows and not favorite, I'll unfortunately have to leave Torchwood off of the list (though it pains me greatly to do so).

1. Firefly - Do we need to ask?

2. Angel - See above.

3. Buffy - Same here.

4. Doctor Who - Damn you BBC, for making shows so good, but making us Yanks wait a year to see them.

5. Oz - Different from it's contemporaries on the list, but certainly worthy of extreme praise. Not for those with a weak stomach, though.

6. Pushing Daisies - Haven't been quite so floored by a show since I started with His Jossness. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait to see the last few episodes I missed until the strike's over.

7. Life On Mars - I'll admit, I've only seen three episodes. But the way in which this show is handled is a fascinating, thought-provoking romp. And John Simm really doesn't hurt.

8. House - I loves me some Hugh Laurie. But in addition to the aforementioned yummy goodness, the show's well written, and does a wonderful job of handling his character.

9. Heroes - The writing can be up and down, but after "Company Man", I couldn't not put it here. Great acting, and a great story.

10. Lost - I'm being generous here. The last season didn't really hold my interest, along with a good portion of the second. But the first season renewed some of my faith in TV. So on the list it goes.

ETA: Forgot a couple.

11. Law and Order: SVU - Grumble about it being a procedural all you want; Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay make this one shine above all others.

12. Monk - I hate to base a show's quality on acting alone, but Tony Shalhoub's portrayal of Monk is enough for me.

13. Six Feet Under - I only watched the first couple of seasons, but this had nothing to do with quality. It was the fact that the characters reminded me so much of my own crazy family, I had to put some distance between myself and it. Great acting, and great story all around.

"This is my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff. Also, it can boil an egg at 30 paces, whether you want it to or not, actually, so I've learned to stay away from hens. It's not pretty when they blow."

REGINAROADIE

Monday, December 24, 2007 6:39 PM

I totally agree with you on that, chris. Even though I'm a sci-fi geek, I also love more reality based stuff in terms of stories about real people in the real world experiencing real life situations. So I'm really into indie movie as well as HBO dramas that deal with that stuff. That makes the ordinary extraordinary. This is why as much as I love FIREFLY, HEROES, LOST, DOCTOR WHO and these great genre shows, to me the best show so far of the decade as in the one that's affected me the most is SIX FEET UNDER, since it deals with one of the few taboos left in society (death and how one deals with it), it has characters that I feel I know personally (especially Nate in particular since I think I'd react to a lot of the same situations the same way as he would, except for the whole cheating on pregnant wife thing at the end of the series), and the plotlines, while on the surface seem very soap operaish, really get under your skin and really get you emotionally enveloped and devastated. I defy you watch the season 3 finale, the 4th season premiere and the last three eps of the series without your heart breaking or your eyes welling up.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

DRU

Monday, December 24, 2007 11:04 PM

Mine would me in no particular order:

1. Firefly
2. Miracles
3. Wonderfalls
4. American Gothic
5. Nowhere Man
6. Buffy
7. Angel
8. Pretender
9 Babylon 5
10. Heroes

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:47 AM

Nowhere Man was a season in the 90's, otherwise I might have included it.
Nice to see him as The President again in National Treasure.

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 9:21 AM

Top vote-getters so far:

1. Firefly.
2. Heroes.
3. Battlestar Galactica.
4. Lost, Buffy.
6. Angel.
7. Farscape.
8. Dr. Who, Dark Angel, Pushing Daisies, Rome.
12. Wonderfalls, The Office, Mythbusters, CSI, Big Bang Theory, SG1, Veronica Mars.
19. Life on Mars, House, L&O: SVU, Six Feet Under, Eureka, Chuck, My Name is Earl, West Wing, Sopranos, Supernatural, X-Files, Smallville, Deadwood, Dexter.

MUGGI

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 12:48 PM

Man, no love for Burn Notice. That's easily the best show to come out in 2007 (sorry Chuck).

FF
Burn Notice
BSG (excluding season 2.5)
Heroes (season 1 only)
Scrubs (seasons 1-4; 5+ are crap)

CANTTAKESKY

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:07 PM

Heya Chris, my Dark Angel buddy... here's for you.

1. Firefly
2. Dark Angel
3. Veronica Mars
4. BSG and Heroes
5. Wonderfalls

I'd also list Profit, but that was in the last century. My current staples are Burn Notice, Psych (I can watch James Roday all day long), and Monk. (Yes, I know I watch a lot of USA.)

And my new hot, hot, hot flame is Terminator: SCC. God, the pilot was amazing.

--------------------------
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
--Sir Winston Churchill

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:

And my new hot, hot, hot flame is Terminator: SCC. God, the pilot was amazing.

I plan to buy the DVD's when they come out.

Thinking ahead Chrisisall

CANTTAKESKY

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
]I plan to buy the DVD's when they come out.

Oh, I'm downloading the second episode now. (Rubbing hands excitedly...) Thank God for iTunes. I don't think I can wait for the DVDs, but definitely am buying when they are out.

I tried watching it for free at Fox on Demand, but it wouldn't work for some reason.

--------------------------
Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.
--Mark Twain

MAL92REYNOLDS

Friday, May 2, 2008 9:45 PM

1.Supernatural, BSG, Doctor Who
2.Firefly(would have been favourite if lasted longer), Torchwood
3.Life On Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Primeval, Angel
4.Buffy, Reaper, Jekyll, Lost
5.Bones, House, Chuck, Terminator

STORYMARK

Friday, May 2, 2008 9:53 PM

That's impressive.... you made a list labeled 1-5, then listed 17 different shows.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

PARTICIPANT

Saturday, May 3, 2008 1:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hixie129:

Rome

loved it

Quote:
Originally posted by StrangeBird:

Stargate Atlantis

and its got one of our Big Damn Heroes

Quote:
Originally posted by DeeplyKidding:

Farscape

great series

Quote:
Originally posted by Muggi:

BSG (excluding season 2.5)

Season 1 of the new show was very good, it dropped a point or so but overall held steady ratings
but everything since S-1 sucked

PS
Check out Terminator SCC

LESATHER

Saturday, May 3, 2008 5:13 PM

I am surprised how few people picked "Doctor Who" (there were a few, but not many). This is a show that 'technically' is in it's 30th season right now and going strong. Since it returned in 2005 the writing, acting & visual effects have been better than a lot of American shows.

I agree that the first season and a half of BSG was really good, but the second half of season two and season three were just painfully bad. I still have not made up my mind on the fourth season, but I am leaning toward it not living up to expectations.

"Jayne is a girl's name" - River

MAL92REYNOLDS

Saturday, May 3, 2008 9:55 PM

Have you read any other posts on here. I'm not the only one doing that. It's called indecision. I can't choose between them.

MAL92REYNOLDS

Saturday, May 3, 2008 9:56 PM

Battlestar Galactica season 3=Best season so far. Absolutely amazing.

MONKSDAD

Sunday, May 4, 2008 3:11 AM

1. firefly
2. Deadwood
3. Rescue Me
4. House
5. Chuck
6. Reaper
7. ATHF
8. Metalocalypse
9. Birds of Prey
10. Fosters home for imaginary Friends

I dont know if these are the best. But they are the shows I have enjoyed. Other than those shows in the last 8 years I really only watch Yankees baseball games.

"And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic lowlife community."

STORYMARK

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 9:42 PM

I really don't understand participant's crusade against BSG...

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

PATSRULE

Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:49 PM

1) Lost
2) Dexter
3) Heroes
4) Supernatural
5) Doctor Who
6) The Office
7) 24 (if it had stayed the quality of the first season it would be even higher on the list)
8) Curb Your Enthusiasm
9) Prison Break
10) House

Although I like some of these better than 7-10, if they had less than one season, they can't be listed:

(Of course) Firefly, Journeyman, Chuck, Reaper, Daybreak, Smith, Knights of Prosperity, Breaking Bad, Damages, Pushing Daisies, John Doe

By the way, I'd rather hit myself with a hammer than watch the Big Bang Theory.

JLIN

Thursday, May 8, 2008 2:19 PM

1. Firefly
2. The Office
3. Heroes
4. Deadliest Catch
5. My Name is Earl
6. Dirty Jobs
7. Still Standing

Thank Universal for airing Firefly in HD at
http://universalhd.com/Firefly/

WHISPER

Thursday, May 8, 2008 5:45 PM

My picks:

1)Buffy, Angel, Firefly (All tied for #1 but the Buffster does have a slight lead)
2)Rome
3)Dead Like Me (where's this shows love?)
4)LOST
5)Veronica Mars (1st 2 seasons)

http://whispergraphics.deviantart.com
http://www.myspace.com/vet_techtiff

STORYMARK

Thursday, May 8, 2008 7:21 PM

I've been watching Dark Angel lately, mostly due to the support I've seen for it on this board.

And so far, I must say - I'm just not feeling it.

I'm 5 or 6 episodes in, and I'm finding more things irritating than endearing. About all that's keeping me interested in Alba in a series of tight costumes.

For my money, Alias covered that ground just as well, with better stories.

I'll probably finish out the first season, at least. I'm hoping it improves.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CHRISISALL

Thursday, May 8, 2008 8:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
I've been watching Dark Angel lately, mostly due to the support I've seen for it on this board.

And so far, I must say - I'm just not feeling it.

I'm 5 or 6 episodes in

Honestly, it gets better, but if you don't groove to the pilot, you're probably never gonna get into it that fiercely. If you've never felt that sense that you're alone out there, or that you've missed chunks of childhood due to wacky or absent parents or whatever, then this is just a fairly cool actioner w/a hot babe, and nothing else.

Let us know if you're still luke-warm about it after "Pollo Loco", or the last ep, K?

Interested Chrisisall

IMNOTHERE

Thursday, May 8, 2008 9:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
'm 5 or 6 episodes in, and I'm finding more things irritating than endearing.

What? You mean you're not still splitting your sides at the "Original Cindy" joke? I mean, like, her name's "Cindy" but it sounds kinda like "sin" with a "dee" on the end. Plus she always talks about herself in the third person so she must be way k3wl!

Quote:

About all that's keeping me interested in Alba in a series of tight costumes.

So what is it about the appeal of this program which you fail to understand?

Quote:

For my money, Alias covered that ground just as well, with better stories.

Nah. I mean I'd go with Sidney, but I'd be thinking of Max...

Seriously - I have to say (before Chrisisall goes nuclear) I much preferred "Dark Angel" over "Alias" and not for the less-than-intellectual reasons I joke about above. Alias always felt to me like a series of video game cut-scenes pasted together and a clearly "lets-make-it-up-as-we-go-along" story arc with a bizzarre SF/fantasy subplot which didn't really fit with the rest of the show.

STORYMARK

Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:17 PM

The show would be quite a bit better without Original Cindy (I think about turning it off every time she makes one of her 3rd person "jokes"). I could really do without pretty much all the supporting cast, except Logan. He's a good character.

Keep Max and Logan, nuke the whole damned bike depot, and I'll be happier.

I could also live without the (already-dated) futuristic lingo. You could play a drinking game and get totally smashed every time Max says "I've gotta blaze/bounce".

And no, Chris, I've never had any child abandonment issues like that, so if that's the main appeal, I don't see it ever clicking for me.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

STORYMARK

Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:17 PM

Double.

So I'll just take this opprotunity to say I much prefer Alias, again. Time to break out that boxed set, I think.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

And no, Chris, I've never had any child abandonment issues like that, so if that's the main appeal

Not sayin' that's the MAIN appeal, aiight?
Just sayin' that if you feel her sorrow in a personal way, her character is that much more real for 'y'all, boo.

Chrisisall is currently watching the end of season two, and has to bounce.

Later my peepsisall

CHRISISALL

Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ImNotHere:

Seriously - I have to say (before Chrisisall goes nuclear) I much preferred "Dark Angel" over "Alias" and not for the less-than-intellectual reasons I joke about above. Alias always felt to me like a series of video game cut-scenes pasted together and a clearly "lets-make-it-up-as-we-go-along" story arc with a bizzarre SF/fantasy subplot which didn't really fit with the rest of the show.

I watched the first season of Alias (bought it on a recommendation) and my problem with it was that the tone of the show was dead-serious while all these fantastic Bond-type things were goin' on...but I could definitely see why lots of folk love it- just a little self-winky would have made it more MY thing...

Non- Nuculer Chrisisall

MERRYK

Friday, May 9, 2008 8:41 PM

1. Firefly
2. Farscape
3. Stargate Atlantis
4. Stargate SG-1
5. Doctor Who
6. The 4400
7. Pushing Daisies
8. BSG
9. Chuck

That's it for me. The first two have touched my soul more deeply than almost anything else in my life, the next two are very very dear to me, 5-7 are great fun that I can't find anything wrong with, and the last two are great entertainment even though I have complaints.

--
"My way of being polite, or however...well, it's the only way I have of showing you that I like you. Of showing respect." Simon Tam, Jaynestown

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Monday, May 12, 2008 9:16 AM

I suppose Alias has merit, as long as you remember it was a copycat of Dark Angel. Dark Angel debuts Oct 2000. Alias follows in Sep 2001.

IMNOTHERE

Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
I suppose Alias has merit, as long as you remember it was a copycat of Dark Angel. Dark Angel debuts Oct 2000. Alias follows in Sep 2001.

They should have a new category on IMDB:

Alias
Rip-off of: Dark Angel; La Femme Nikkita; plus a dash of Da Vinci Code
Ripped-off by: Bionic woman

QUIETUDE

Monday, May 19, 2008 3:03 AM

Firefly
Dexter (compulsive and repulsive viewing)
The Office (The original Ricky Gervais version)Extras (Not yet copied to in the U.S, I give it a couple more months for before that happens)
House (A damn fine comedy)
24 (Adrenalin TV)
Doctor Who (Since its been around for 40 years just the new series made in this century. All hail Peter Davison of old, my doctor and David Tenants)
Ideal (That show is too hard to describe)
Eureka (Cause the script reads my mind)

I'd have had 'Spaced' on there as well but it first showed up in 1999.

QUIETUDE

Monday, May 19, 2008 3:03 AM