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Recommendations for US TV Series (Page 2)
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- - e r i k - -
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Jun 28, 2009, 09:05 PM
 
Originally Posted by mr. burns View Post
that's actually a BBC production. they just made a separate version, with sigourney weaver narrating, for the US.
Are you serious?

How the hell can you watch Planet Earth without Sir David Attenborough?

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ghporter
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Jun 28, 2009, 10:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
Are you serious?

How the hell can you watch Planet Earth without Sir David Attenborough?
I gotta say that Sigourney is really nice to listen to. But A&E did the same thing with The Planets; they used a male US voice actor to do apparently exactly the same narration as the female UK voice actor. I have the DVD set-the US DVD set. Watching the titles after each episode is "odd" at best, with a number of things being credited to two different people, most especially the narration. I don't know how to get the UK version of these programs in the US...

Now "The Celts," which was a wonderful little historical series, I got here but it's truly the original version, with Enya singing the theme song and everything. But aside from that and Monty Python, it looks like it's hard to get "original" BBC documentaries over here.

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CaseCom
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Jun 29, 2009, 03:10 AM
 
"Six Feet Under" -- think of it as a much darker version of "Brothers & Sisters"

"Sports Night" -- seconded -- Aaron Sorkin's series before "West WIng"

If you like Judd Apatow's movies ("Knocked Up," "40-Year-Old Virgin") check out "Freaks & Geeks" and "Undeclared" -- both lasted only one season, but they're funny.
     
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Jun 29, 2009, 03:58 AM
 
30 Rock
Scrubs
The Office

edit: I second Undeclared. It's a shame Fox canceled it after only one season.

Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
mattyb
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Jun 29, 2009, 08:30 AM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
Are you serious?

How the hell can you watch Planet Earth without Sir David Attenborough?
I agree. Maybe the level of English is confusing for the Americans?

Calm down now, calm down, just a gentle Monday insult.
     
dav
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Jun 29, 2009, 08:33 AM
 
reaper
one post closer to five stars
     
ghporter
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Jun 29, 2009, 05:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
I agree. Maybe the level of English is confusing for the Americans?

Calm down now, calm down, just a gentle Monday insult.
I like Attenborough's voice. He sounds sort of wise and mentorlike. I'm not exactly happy that A&E chose to change the voiceover on The Planets, and I'm now working on finding an original (yet still Region 1) DVD set of Planet Earth. It feels like BBX/Warner is acting like AIP when they decided we Yanks would never understand the dialog and dubbed Mad Max... More than just a tad insulting, ya know?

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ghporter
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Jun 29, 2009, 05:15 PM
 
Originally Posted by Stogieman View Post
30 Rock
Scrubs
The Office

edit: I second Undeclared. It's a shame Fox canceled it after only one season.
Fox seems to have a great record of canceling shows that rock. See "Firefly" above...plus others like "Titus" (hysterically honest bio/commedy)...

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Laminar
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Jun 29, 2009, 05:22 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
Fox seems to have a great record of canceling shows that rock. See "Firefly" above...plus others like "Titus" (hysterically honest bio/commedy)...
Arrested Development.
     
Chuckit
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Jun 29, 2009, 05:33 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Arrested Development.
That counts for three, doesn't it?
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Jul 5, 2009, 01:16 AM
 
I've been watching Firefly for the first time, and while I admit that it is good fun, I find the characters fairly one-dimensional and the depth to the writing somewhat shallow. Don't get me wrong, it's good stuff, but in my opinion it is simply no match for new the Battlestar Galactica series. If you like mentally engaging stories, some pretty deep characters, and just good plain old story telling, Battlestar Galactica is your show.

Like any show, there were moments where the episodes were a little weaker than others, it is far from perfect, but it is definitely the best sci fi series ever made, IMHO.
     
moonmonkey
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Jul 5, 2009, 01:40 AM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
Are you serious?

How the hell can you watch Planet Earth without Sir David Attenborough?
Yes, it seems wrong.

Apparently there is an award winning US documentary series called 'NOVA' on PBS which is just the BBC Series 'Horizon' with an American voice over.
     
colourfastt
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Jul 5, 2009, 03:25 AM
 
There's nothing worth watching on American TV; make sure you get a BBC feed.
     
turtle777
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Jul 5, 2009, 04:19 AM
 
Originally Posted by colourfastt View Post
There's nothing worth watching on American TV; make sure you get a BBC feed.
Awesome.

And for everyone else: don't feed the troll.

-t
     
moonmonkey
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Jul 5, 2009, 05:36 AM
 
Im enjoying the US office at the moment.
     
ghporter
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Jul 5, 2009, 11:06 AM
 
Originally Posted by besson3c View Post
I've been watching Firefly for the first time, and while I admit that it is good fun, I find the characters fairly one-dimensional and the depth to the writing somewhat shallow. Don't get me wrong, it's good stuff, but in my opinion it is simply no match for new the Battlestar Galactica series. If you like mentally engaging stories, some pretty deep characters, and just good plain old story telling, Battlestar Galactica is your show.

Like any show, there were moments where the episodes were a little weaker than others, it is far from perfect, but it is definitely the best sci fi series ever made, IMHO.
I think you're confusing "depth" with the comparison of a saga with an intimate story. Firefly is about a very small group of people and their rather intimate interactions, and it does not have the grand and broad scope of BSG. Apples and tangerines here, besson. I personally think a lot of BSG smacked of soap opera from time to time, and while these "personal stories" within the main arc were good, they didn't seem to drive - or be driven by - the main story. Everything in Firefly is personal and drives and is driven by the main story.

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Jul 15, 2009, 06:48 AM
 
it took a while but season 3 is almost there

     
ctt1wbw
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Jul 15, 2009, 07:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by shifuimam View Post
Firefly
The Office
Seinfeld (if only because of its cultural impact in the United States)

Too bad you don't want anything animated - Futurama is amazing.
Man, how many people use the terms yada yada yada, man hands, close talker, regifter, soup nazi, and all the others now?
     
ctt1wbw
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Jul 15, 2009, 07:39 AM
 
Originally Posted by -Q- View Post
Burn Notice

The Philanthropist (only b/c a friend of mine has a part in it .
Burn Notice, FTW. That, and CSI Vegas are my two favorite shows. Excellent.
     
andi*pandi
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Jul 15, 2009, 10:23 AM
 
Originally Posted by dav View Post
reaper
Unfortunately, cancelled. It was a fun silly show.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Jul 15, 2009, 11:18 AM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
I think you're confusing "depth" with the comparison of a saga with an intimate story. Firefly is about a very small group of people and their rather intimate interactions, and it does not have the grand and broad scope of BSG. Apples and tangerines here, besson. I personally think a lot of BSG smacked of soap opera from time to time, and while these "personal stories" within the main arc were good, they didn't seem to drive - or be driven by - the main story. Everything in Firefly is personal and drives and is driven by the main story.
One thing that drives me crazy about Joss Whedon shows is that every character has the same "voice," which diminishes some of the otherwise excellent character interaction. Under different circumstances you could give Mal, Wash, Zoe, etc. the same lines and it would still sound natural. Aaron Sorkin suffers from the same problem.

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Mrjinglesusa
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Jul 15, 2009, 11:26 AM
 
In no particular order:

1) Burn Notice (USA)

2) Weeds (Showtime)

3) True Blood (HBO)

4) Big Bang Theory

5) Two and 1/2 Men (watch early episodes - it's gotten a bit weak recently)

Those are really the only series I watch anymore.
     
goMac
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Jul 15, 2009, 12:30 PM
 
Arrested Development
Castle
Firefly
Mad Men
The Office
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Once you wanted revolution, now you're the institution, how's it feel to be the man?
     
goMac
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Jul 15, 2009, 12:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
I think you're confusing "depth" with the comparison of a saga with an intimate story. Firefly is about a very small group of people and their rather intimate interactions, and it does not have the grand and broad scope of BSG. Apples and tangerines here, besson. I personally think a lot of BSG smacked of soap opera from time to time, and while these "personal stories" within the main arc were good, they didn't seem to drive - or be driven by - the main story. Everything in Firefly is personal and drives and is driven by the main story.
Oh man, I completely forgot about BSG...

Mostly because of the crappy ending.
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sek929
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Jul 15, 2009, 01:08 PM
 
Arrested Development
Weeds (Season 5 has jumped the shark though)
Sopranos
Firefly
Battlestar Galactica
30 Rock
Twin Peaks
     
SpaceMonkey
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Jul 15, 2009, 01:49 PM
 
I can't believe no one has mentioned Arrested Development, Firefly or The Office yet.

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skipjack
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Jul 15, 2009, 04:03 PM
 
The Pretender (but not if you want a show with an ending)
     
ghporter
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Jul 15, 2009, 06:49 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I can't believe no one has mentioned Arrested Development, Firefly or The Office yet.
I think Firefly has been mentioned about a dozen times (I mentioned it a long time ago and I was nowhere near the first to do so), and I'm pretty sure Arrested Development has been mentioned once or twice too. Darn these long threads that are hard to pick up on quickly!

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Laminar
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Jul 15, 2009, 07:04 PM
 
SpaceMonkey just has everyone else in the lounge on ignore.
     
Mrjinglesusa
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Jul 15, 2009, 08:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by misc View Post
Weeds
US of Tara
The Office
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Firefly
Arrested Development
How I Met Your Mother
Curb Your Enthusiasm
24

-t
Originally Posted by dlefebvre View Post
Arrested Development is definitely worth it. (It's only 3 seasons)
Weeds
House MD
Originally Posted by Stogieman View Post
30 Rock
Scrubs
The Office

edit: I second Undeclared. It's a shame Fox canceled it after only one season.
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Arrested Development.
Originally Posted by goMac View Post
Arrested Development
Castle
Firefly
Mad Men
The Office
Originally Posted by sek929 View Post
Arrested Development
Weeds (Season 5 has jumped the shark though)
Sopranos
Firefly
Battlestar Galactica
30 Rock
Twin Peaks
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I can't believe no one has mentioned Arrested Development, Firefly or The Office yet.
I can't believe that either.

Try reading at least SOME of the thread before you post.
     
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Jul 15, 2009, 08:57 PM
 
I think there's a slight chance SpaceMonkey was using an obscure rhetorical technique called "sarcasm," in which you say the opposite of what you actually mean.
Chuck
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Laminar
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Jul 15, 2009, 09:10 PM
 
But ghporter is typically really good at picking up on sarcasm, so if he didn't see it, it probably wasn't sarcasm.
     
ghporter
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Jul 15, 2009, 09:45 PM
 
Or perhaps ghporter's attempt at counter-sarcasm was underplayed...

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SpaceMonkey
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Jul 15, 2009, 09:51 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
But ghporter is typically really good at picking up on sarcasm, so if he didn't see it, it probably wasn't sarcasm.
I think he was responding to my sarcasm sarcastically.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
SpaceMonkey
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Jul 15, 2009, 09:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa View Post
I can't believe that either.

Try reading at least SOME of the thread before you post.

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turtle777
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Jul 15, 2009, 09:58 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I think he was responding to my sarcasm sarcastically.
Laminar ? Never.

-t
     
SpaceMonkey
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Jul 15, 2009, 10:00 PM
 
I declare a sarcasm cease-fire!

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
turtle777
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Jul 15, 2009, 10:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I declare a sarcasm seize-fire!
Fixinated.

-t
     
Chuckit
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Jul 15, 2009, 10:20 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I declare a sarcasm cease-fire!
Oh, sure, I'll go along with that.
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Jul 21, 2009, 02:46 AM
 
Originally Posted by kylef View Post
I'm on the look out for a few new TV series to check out. I'm open to pretty much anything .. but nothing animated. To give you an idea of the sort of stuff that I've watched:
  1. Prison Break
  2. Lost (glad it's over, was getting stupid)
  3. Desperate Housewives (only watched first few seasons, again - was getting out of hand)
  4. Brothers and Sisters
  5. The West Wing
  6. Frasier
  7. In Plain Sight (still watching)
  8. House (still watching)

Thanks for any suggestions. Seems the perfect way to fill a 20/40 minute gap
I like several of the shows you mention so I feel comfortable suggesting "The Unit" and "NCIS."
Consider these posts as my way of introducing you to yourself.

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aberdeenwriter
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Jul 21, 2009, 02:50 AM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
it took a while but season 3 is almost there

[IMG]http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/4800/mm3.jpg
Mad Men is sublime.
Consider these posts as my way of introducing you to yourself.

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angelmb
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Jun 25, 2010, 01:27 PM
 
Just one month to go !!



My apologies for the mad bump.
     
mdc
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Jun 25, 2010, 01:35 PM
 
In the past year I've watched all three seasons of Mad Men; it's a great show. Thanks for the update on season four.
     
ThinkInsane
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Jun 25, 2010, 04:40 PM
 
Seeing as this thread has popped up again, I'll throw out Justified on FX. It's quickly become my new favorite show, and not just because it's based on one of my all-time favorite book characters (Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens has appeared in several Elmore Leonard novels). As Kevin Smith once said, Timothy Olyphant should change his name to Timothy Olyawesome. He really does rock on this show.
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Laminar
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Jun 25, 2010, 06:48 PM
 
I just started in on season 3 of Breaking Bad, fantastic so far.
     
-Q-
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Jun 25, 2010, 07:19 PM
 
Have to second that Justified suggestion. The character interaction and dialogue is just outstanding.
     
abbaZaba
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Jun 25, 2010, 08:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
I just started in on season 3 of Breaking Bad, fantastic so far.
Breaking Bad is the best show in television at the moment (well I guess it's in between seasons) and Season 3 is off the charts awesome. It stole the top spot from Dexter for me.
     
abbaZaba
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Jun 25, 2010, 08:33 PM
 
Originally Posted by -Q- View Post
Have to second that Justified suggestion. The character interaction and dialogue is just outstanding.
Pretty sure I suggested Deadwood earlier in this thread and Timothy Olyphant is really good in that show but there are other solid characters that even it out. I only watched the first episode of Justified. I'll have to get to watching the rest. I missed the second episode and some friends told me that it was episodic, which I wasn't really hoping for: such as him encountering one bad guy and jailing him/her per episode. But I stopped paying attention to it soon after that because Breaking Bad was starting and I was rewatching Deadwood and Oz.

Also, dunno if this was mentioned but Sons Of Anarchy is worth watching as well.
     
 
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