Cable shows that are better than almost everything on the networks

[Mizzougrad96]

I still have never seen a single episode of Mad Men or Breaking Bad, but I'm guessing this could still be a pretty long list...

White Collar
Monk
Psych
The Closer
Burn Notice
Californication
Weeds
Nurse Jackie
Dexter
Curb Your Enthusiasm

 

[JackReacher]

Sunny in Philadelphia
Rescue Me
Pretty much anything on FX.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I stopped watching Rescue Me shortly after his son died in the bike accident. I loved the show. It was probably my favorite show at the time, but that episode really ****ed me up. I have a close relative who died in a similar way and I have two little kids, so that was something I didn't need to see, not that they did anything wrong.

 

[J-School Blue]

I actually think the overall quality of network TV programming has taken a tremendous upswing in the past five or so years, due in large part to attempts to compete with edgier cable-fare. That being said:

ITA concerning Sunny in Philadelphia, Psych, and Burn Notice. I have a general love for HBO programming as well, but I feel like that doesn't count for me, as I lack premium cable and never get to see its shows until they hit DVD.

 

[JackReacher]

I stopped watching Rescue Me shortly after his son died in the bike accident. I loved the show. It was probably my favorite show at the time, but that episode really ****ed me up. I have a close relative who died in a similar way and I have two little kids, so that was something I didn't need to see, not that they did anything wrong.

I wouldn't let one episode like that run you away from a great show. You're missing out.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I stopped watching Rescue Me shortly after his son died in the bike accident. I loved the show. It was probably my favorite show at the time, but that episode really ****ed me up. I have a close relative who died in a similar way and I have two little kids, so that was something I didn't need to see, not that they did anything wrong.

I wouldn't let one episode like that run you away from a great show. You're missing out.

I don't doubt it, but I don't know if there's ever been a single episode of a show that ****ed me up the way that one did...

 

[outofplace]

I stopped watching Rescue Me shortly after his son died in the bike accident. I loved the show. It was probably my favorite show at the time, but that episode really ****ed me up. I have a close relative who died in a similar way and I have two little kids, so that was something I didn't need to see, not that they did anything wrong.

I wouldn't let one episode like that run you away from a great show. You're missing out.

I get what he is saying, though. At some point, you just heap so much disturbing **** onto the pile that it can be tough to watch. (Though I can't wait to see how they deal with the cliffhanger from this past season.)

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I can handle dark. I actually like dark. But watching kids get killed and I'm out... I don't watch SVU anymore either and am very careful about watching some episodes of Criminal Minds...

 

[Bubbler]

Breaking Bad was/is outstanding, but damn, its season finale last year was a major comedown.

 

[Dyno]

Sons of Anarchy and absolutely, Mad Men

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I don't know if anyone here is watching White Collar, but it's a pretty slick show.

Tiffani Amber-Thiessen is in it, in a very small role.

 

[JackReacher]

I can handle dark. I actually like dark. But watching kids get killed and I'm out... I don't watch SVU anymore either and am very careful about watching some episodes of Criminal Minds...

Good call on Criminal Minds. The episode from a couple of weeks ago was pretty effed up.

Kidnapped girl 1: What do they want with us?
Kidnapped girl 2: Our babies.
Kidnapped girl 1: But I'm not pregnant.
Kidnapped girl 2: You will be.

Oy.

 

[outofplace]

I can handle dark. I actually like dark. But watching kids get killed and I'm out... I don't watch SVU anymore either and am very careful about watching some episodes of Criminal Minds...

Good call on Criminal Minds. The episode from a couple of weeks ago was pretty effed up.

Kidnapped girl 1: What do they want with us?
Kidnapped girl 2: Our babies.
Kidnapped girl 1: But I'm not pregnant.
Kidnapped girl 2: You will be.

Oy.

Yeah, I think that part was in the commercial. I love darker stories, but sometimes it gets to the point that it is no longer entertaining at all.

 

[JackReacher]

Not to me. I'm always fascinated with that show. Every week.

 

[RickStain]

That story about Criminal Minds is funnier if you read the "You will be" with Yoda voice in your head.

 

[outofplace]

That story about Criminal Minds is funnier if you read the "You will be" with Yoda voice in your head.

That it is. Few things are not funnier with a Yoda voice and/or speech pattern.

 

[bwright]

I still have never seen a single episode of Mad Men or Breaking Bad, but I'm guessing this could still be a pretty long list...

White Collar
Monk
Psych
The Closer
Burn Notice
Californication
Weeds
Nurse Jackie
Dexter
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Is Royal Pains still on? I liked that one.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

Royal Pains was my favorite new show of the summer. It's not coming back til August, I think.

 

[dooley_womack1]

For one thing, the cable shows should not be in the Emmys. They play by a freer set of rules and have an unfair edge over network shows. The Cable ACE Awards were a good thing and now would have more prestige than the Emmys.

And Criminal Minds is just way too creepy for me. Those killers make Dexter look like a Sunday school teacher. Royal Pains was real good, until the last episode, where they turned everybody's situation into crap. A major WTF? moment.

And Nurse Jackie, assuming it's coming back, needs to get a lot tighter for me to stick with it.

 

[DanOregon]

Saw the thread title and my first answer was "yes."

It's interesting though that a lot of the "great" shows on cable wouldn't last a month on network because of low viewership. But I do think they are better able to target their audience.

Agree with the thought that network television has improved because of competition with cable. I'm surprised networks haven't adopted the short staggered season philosophy. Do a 13-episode season to tell a story, similar to some BBC programming.