OT: Favorite TV shows of all time

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:26 pm

The lively conversation about "Band of Brothers" got me thinking: What is your favorite TV comedy and drama series and documentary of all time? It must be a series, so something like BoB doesn´t count. Mine:
 
 Comedy: "All in the Family"
 
 Drama: "Homicide: Life on the Streets"
 
 Documentary: "The Civil War"
 
 Take care,
 PK

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:45 pm

Comedy: "Cheers"
 
 Drama: "NYPD Blue and/or ER"
 
 Documentary: Any suggestions? [ This message was edited by: sportdan30 on 12-12-2003 09:14 ]

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:50 pm

Comedy: Simpsons
 
 Drama: They still makin´ these? Let´s see, does "V" count?
 
 Documentary: Ken Burns´ Baseball (tearing up just thinking about Roy Campanella at the Ebbets demolition... what a sad, sad event)

krustylew · Post by **krustylew** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:00 pm

Comedy: Simpsons
 
 Drama: Homicide
 
 Documentary: The Civil War
 
 While on the topic of the Civil War, I am just finishing "Confederates in the Attic" by Tony Horowitz, it is a rather funny, disturbing, and sometimes scary look at America´s [more particularly, the South´s] obsession with the Civil War. Higly recommended!
 
 [ This message was edited by: krustylew on 12-12-2003 09:00 ] [ This message was edited by: krustylew on 12-12-2003 09:01 ]

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:00 pm

"All in the Family"... oh man what a TERRIBLE show. Sacriledge I know, but personally I cannot STAND it. Never ever liked it.
 
 Comedy: "Seinfeld"
 
 Drama: "The Sopranos"
 
 Documentary: not sure.

RiverRat · Post by **RiverRat** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:02 pm

Comedy: The Bob Newhart Show (the original)
 
 Drama: M*A*S*H*
 
 Documentary: The Civil War
 
 I´ve read "Confederates in the Attic" too. Pretty interesting read. [ This message was edited by: RiverRat on 12-12-2003 09:03 ]

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:08 pm

I´d have to say for comedy it would be a tie between The Simpsons and Seinfeld. It´s really great that both of these shows are in real heavy syndication.
 
 Drama shows, I have a list of ´em:
 
 NYPD Blue
 ER
 CSI
 CSI Miami
 Third Watch
 The Practice
 
 The new show on ABC called Line of Fire is awesome too.
 
 I also used to love Homicide and Miami Vice...great shows

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:23 pm

Comedy: "King of Queens "( Kevin James makes me laugh out loud)
 
 Drama: "The Wire"
 
 Documentary: "The Civil War"

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:24 pm

Comedy: The Simpsons
 (Honorable mention - Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Seinfeld, Sanford and Son, BATMAN, Get a Life, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
 
 Drama: Twin Peaks
 (Honorable mention - Hill Street Blues. MASH, and the early days of the X-Files) Yeah I have not watched many dramas in the last 15 years.
 
 Documentary: 16 Days of Glory [ This message was edited by: DChaps on 12-12-2003 09:26 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:27 pm

M*A*S*H was a drama? If so, it was one of the funnier dramas ever. I always considered M*A*S*H to be a comedy.
 
 Ah, Twin Peaks. Definitely in my top three.
 
 "Good morning, Colonel Cooper."
 "That´s Agent Cooper, Audrey."
 
 "She´s DEAAAAD. Wrapped in plastic ..."
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 12-12-2003 09:28 ]

krustylew · Post by **krustylew** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:39 pm

DChaps,
 
 Props for mentioning "Get a Life"!!
 
 Most of my friends thought it was stupid and made no sense, but I always laughed my ass off watching that show.
 
 The epidodes where Chris becomes a genius and starts entering spelling bees against middle school students and the one where he enters the Handsome Boy modeling school are classics! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:43 pm

James:
 
 I say this with complete respect, but one of the reasons I think you don´t like "All in the Family" is that you´re not American.
 
 Archie Bunker was one of the most uniquely American characters in TV history. He also was all New York, all Northeast urban white middle-class male.
 
 You may not have identified with the racial and cultural issues flowing under the humor of "All in the Family" because you didn´t live in America, particularly Northeastern urban America, at the time.
 
 It´s not uncommon. Many people, such as myself, couldn´t really identify with British comic characters such as Basil Fawlty or the Monty Python skits. We didn´t live in that culture, so we didn´t see the humor.
 
 Then again, I love "The Office" on BBC. Still, I´ve become more aware of and immersed in British culture in the last five years due to my passion for soccer.
 
 So what the f*ck do I know? Maybe my theories above are full of s***, as usual. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 12-12-2003 09:47 ]

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:44 pm

Comedy: "King of Queens "( Kevin James makes me laugh out loud)
 
 Jack,
 
 I was so very close to mentioning this show. It´s definitely one of the most underrated comedies. Just a phenomenal ensemble of characters. I never miss an episode!

RiverRat · Post by **RiverRat** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:45 pm

"M*A*S*H was a drama? If so, it was one of the funnier dramas ever. I always considered M*A*S*H to be a comedy."
 
 Yeah, I know. I didn´t know where to put it. It´s kind of both, but it was one heck of a show. So was the movie, for that matter. One of my most favorite movies as well.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 2:00 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-12-12 09:39, krustylew wrote:
 
 The epidodes where Chris becomes a genius and starts entering spelling bees against middle school students and the one where he enters the Handsome Boy modeling school are classics! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 Yes, "Sparkles" was a classic! Also the "guys who wear toolbelts" was another one of my favorites.
 
 They have released a couple DVD´s of Get a Life that cover the majority of the best shows. Yeah, most people did think it was stupid (and it was), but definitely Chris Elliot at the top of his game.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 2:21 pm

I can´t really think of it in terms of all time favorites. At the time I watched them, I thought they were terrific, shows like Cheers, Seinfeld, Hill Street Blues, etc.
 
 But I don´t have a real big desire to watch these older shows, which are in syndication or released as DVD box sets (a fad I haven´t gotten into, at least not yet).
 
 Archie Bunker´s chair may be in the Smithsonian but the truth is that a lot of these shows do not hold up over time. And I´m a believer that often, the best shows are better than most of the movies released in a given year.
 
 Right now, I´m enjoying all the HBO shows and some of the Brit imports, like The Office and MI-5. Also think the F/X shows are all good, entertainments, sometimes more compelling than anything else out currently.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 3:08 pm

Good selections by all.
 
 Comedy, I have to say the Simpsons, with Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show close behind.
 
 Drama: the first two seasons of 24 and the first three of The Sopranos. I´m not much for TV dramas, but these shows had me rescheduling things so I wouldn´t miss them.
 
 Documentary: The Civil War, just by how groundbreaking it was and how capitavating.
 
 I agree that a lot of TV doesn´t hold up well over time, especially comedies.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 5:24 pm

I´m not sure if Six Feet Under would be considered a drama, but if it is I would say it is my favorite. For comedies, I´d have to say The Simpsons, with Seinfeld a close #2.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 5:32 pm

I´m ashamed I forgot to include "King of the Hill". I apologize to Hank Hill, the best propane salesman the state of Texas has ever had.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 5:41 pm

Comedy: Malcolm in the Middle
 
 Drama: CSI Miami
 
 Documentary: Anything on the Discovery Channel that has to do with building s***. The most facinating was how they built an airport in the middle of the ocean off the coast of Japan. That is some crazy s***.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 5:42 pm

GREAT thread, but very tough decisions.
 
 Comedy: All depends on what mood I´m in. Simpsons, Sienfeld, Cheers, King of Queens, Late Night with Conan O´Brian...they´re all great. I guess I would have to say my all time favorate would be Mystery Science Theater 3000. That is the only show I would tape religously, buy the DVD´s and still watch whenever I can (although I just about do the same thing with The Simpsons).
 
 Honorable mention: Three´s Company
 
 Drama: Well, I cannot get into ANY of the drama shows out in the last 5 years or so. It´s not that there aren´t any good ones out there, it´s just that I have not time or interest for some reason. My all time favorite would have to be...f**k, nothing comes to mind at all. Maybe the first couple of seasons of ´ER´. I kn ow it´s not the best show, but I got pretty addicted for a little while.
 
 Can I add a new catagory ???
 
 
 Reality Show: The Amazing Race is my fave. Great show every season. And I am NOT a big reality show fan at all. I have never watched one full episode of Survivor.
 
 Honorable Reality Mention: Trauma: Life in the ER (although it can be tough to watch sometimes).
 
 Also, what about shows (for the ones who have it) that are in your seanson pass in TiVo ???
 
 Currently I have stuff like King of Queens, Late Night, MST3K, Kids in the Hall, Unwrapped (gotta love food shows), Trauma, ect...

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 5:46 pm

Best Reality show:
 
 Paradise Hotel...in a hot second. That show started out so stupid and it just kept me glued to the set every night it was on. I hated almost every single person on the show, except Tara cuz she was on fire, so it made me like the show even more.
 
 Embarassing I know.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 1:41 am

OK so you guys know I am rarely brief or concise, so here we go:
 
 My favorite shows nobody mentioned:
 
 Sit-com: "News Radio" Phil Hartman was a genius, and after he was killed this show fell apart. The rest of the cast was also superb, but it´s really all about Phil Hartman. Simply stated, sit-coms do not get any better than this.
 
 Drama: First few seasons of the X-Files. I´m a Sci-Fi nut, and this show, when it started, was made for no money and filled a niche on TV that didn´t really exist previously. The worst thing that happened to this show was its popularity. Basically it just went on too long, but those first 2 or 3 seasons, while a bit uneven and sometimes rough, made for some great TV. Some of those episodes are just excellent. I actually think of my favorite ones more as a horror TV show than a sci-fi TV show.
 
 Documentary: "Harlan County USA." Now, I saw this one in school, but it was aired originally on PBS. It really is the best documentary I´ve ever seen, at least the best one-off doc. It´s about a miners´ strike in the 70´s, in an town that had some labor troubles in the 30´s I believe. Highly recommended if you can find it. Barbara Kopple´s first film (I think her first). When someone takes a shot at the cameraman, you know you have a good doc.
 
 Now some others that need mentioning:
 
 Sit-com: "The Honeymooners" This is one that holds up. It is simple in its execution, but the comedy is classic. Talk about a great cast! And a truly unforgettable main character; heck there´s a statue of Ralph Cramden outside the NY Port Authority Bus Terminal! The first true sit-com, and it´s still on TV (late as hell, but still on) today.
 
 Drama/Comedy: Star Trek. Clearly I am a bit of a trekker, BUT this is more of a comedy to me most of the time. Seeing the HUGE acting of Shatner against the minimal and tiny acting of Nimoy never gets old for me. OK, so it´s not really one for the time capsule, but I just love it every time I see an episode. It´s goofy, it´s stupid, it´s silly, it looks cheap as hell, and yet . . . frankly, I wish there were a modern show that even attempted to tackle the themes these guys were going after. A more sophisticated treatment of the basic ideas in the better episodes would make for very good sci-fi TV, something there is nothing of today. And I mean nothing.
 
 Documentary: hands down, "The Civil War." "Baseball" is great (I really love it, but I think you have to love the game of baseball to really love it), but it is nowhere near as emotionally effective as "The Civil War." I´ve seen them both a few times, not necessarily in order, and though "Baseball" is indeed a personal favorite, it amazes me how intensely powerful "The Civil War" is; the stroke of genius is the letters and diaries that carry through, not to mention the incredible task of making a motion picture out of pretty much nothing but still photographs. Very personal, very touching, very revealing, as well as exhaustively informative; very much an incredible piece of filmmaking. It´s almost a shame for me that it is thought of as TV, but hey, it kept PBS afloat on its own for some time. In many ways, a monumental achievement (if there can be such a thing in filmmaking).
 
 Also, must mention: Futurama. Damn Fox to hell for cancelling this one. It was just hitting its stride, and we need a show that can spoof sci-fi and comment on the role of technlogy in our lives in the way only comedy can do, particularly animation. Phooey to Fox.
 
 M*A*S*H is undoubtedly a sit-com, but one can be forgiven for thinking of it as drama, as it was the one we can blame for the trend, still going strong, of making sit-coms gooey drama-fests. This is of course the trend that Seinfeld deliberately bucked, and to great success.
 
 OK I´ll shut up now (but don´t you think I couldn´t go on and on!)
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_razz.gif">

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 4:58 am

sportsdan & jackdog
 
 i agree with both of you particulary jack...kevin james is Laugh out loud funny....and jerry stiller kills me as well
 
 i only recently discovered the show on repeats they play it back to back on a local channel and my dvr happen to tape it one night instead of some wrestling show or sporting event
 
 my girlfriend watches it with me daily now...her remarks on first seeing it
 
 wow....they finally made a show about us..LOL
 
 
 my favorites
 
 nominees
 
 bob newhart show , mary tyler moore, dick van dyke show, i love lucy, seinfeld, all in the family,cosby show ,fraiser, cheers , the odd couple ,the andy griffith show,taxi ,happy days , friends,the george burns and gracie allen show(and of course im partial to wkrp in cincinnati).......damn
 
 too tough...but at least theres alot of episodes of kings of queens i have yet too see
 
 drama.....24 is my current favorite....alltime alfred hitch***** presents(ever see the steve mcqeen episode in which he plays a desperate gambler...outstanding).....sopranos deserves mention [ This message was edited by: Cincinnati_Kid on 13-12-2003 01:01 ]

JeffBarnes · Post by **JeffBarnes** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 7:55 am

The Brady Bunch. I can tell this is my favorite because I´ve written several long posts about it. Its on the Usenet someplace; just hit Jeff Barnes and Brady Bunch for a right keeky blast.