I don't mean the subject line to sound like an oxymoron, but..

Ok, I don't actually have TV, just Netflix tv/movies streaming via a PS3. It has loads of TV shows, and I watch shows elsewhere sometimes, but to get to the point:

I've found only two sitcom or drama shows with REALLY phenomenal writing and/or acting so far. I don't mean average-good, I mean TV truly worth waching. Not talking here about documentarys or nature shows; just 1/2-hour and 1-hour sitcoms and dramas.

So far, its Arrested Development and Mad Men.

Arrested Development is the most unbelievably well-written and casted TV sitcoms I've ever watched in my 40 years. Layers of comedy and biting satire. Non-obvious tricks with casting (a girl the main character suspects is his long-lost sister was played by the actors actual sister, etc, and also Henry Winkler in a hilarious role as an incompetent lawyer).

Mad Men, conversly, is also terribly funny in an understated way but here, it's more the fine acting and filming that attract me to it. Stunning visually and whip-smart acting that brings excellent scripts to life.

So, help an ol' guy out who wants to cut through the dross and find some cool stuff to watch for the maximum 1 hour a day I watch tv.

Not really interested in the 'popular' stuff... I rather hated Friends; Seinfeld was okay but in my eyes, not great... loved M.A.S.H, but have seen it all my life... Frasier was sometimes brilliant but hit-and-miss...

SO...

What shows out there are really well acted and written? What shows in the last 10 years have made you go "WOW!"?

Let me know! Best suggestion takes home a wonderful prize package; this lovely fruit basket (The Red Nun stuffed into a wicker planter), a years supply of ShrinkyDinks*, and... A NEW CAR!!!!! **

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NOTES:

* Actual product! Marketed to kids back in the 80's, little plasticy animals that looked rough when opened but shrunk with heat into hard, perfectly formed shapes.... not, sadly, a method to make your dinky all shrinky.

** Prizes may probably almost assuredly not be actually awarded!!

If you like Arrested Development, I think it is a safe bet you'd also like 30 Rock on NBC. I'm also think Community is another fantastic show which is almost like an anti-sitcom sitcom...both shows are just fantastic.

Breaking Bad is amazing.

No idea, I watched a couple Friends, Seinfeld and did not find them the slightest bit funny, even the laugh track was a rerun. Every time the networks come up with a show that has some good writing in it and it works they find a way to cancel it.

I have 3 TV's, one has not been plugged in for over a year, one is in my LR which I use to watch sports, and one next to my PC to watch the news and things like NOVA. Of course I do need to hook up my Antenna, (its on my to do list, maybe in the next week or so), after all I just moved and the TV is on my to do list, the very bottom of the list.

Good luck finding shows to watch, I have not found anything worthwhile in years.

River

There is some really excellent entertainment on cable TV but you have to search it out.

I never watched Mad Men or Breaking Bad but they have good reputations as well-written and entertaining.

AMC's The Walking Dead absolutely floored me when it aired. I didn't think that anyone would write drama that tight and that compelling for TV.

BBC's Torchwood: Children of Earth was another that astounded me. I mean to say that all of the Dr Who universe is cheesy Sci Fi but that story had teeth and grit to it. It sank claws and fangs into government and characters without mercy.

If you look, you can find substance on TV.

StefanIsMe (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:57 pm I don't mean the subject line to sound like an oxymoron, but..

Ok, I don't actually have TV,

I am with you. I got rid of that retarded noise box years ago.

The dramas were soft porn. The comedies were not funny. I memmorised almost everything on the history channel. All I was watching was the news. The only thing on the news was angry French men, suicide bombers and Natalie Holloway.

I am happier spending my time and money on books. I get my news from the internet.

I agree, I have been without tv now sense last Saturday, I just realized it was Friday, so besides putting things away and the usual day to day stuff, I am reading my newest book, The Land of Painted Caves by Jean Auel, it just came out, book 6 the final one.

River