I need a new favorite show. Sell me on yours.

[outofplace]

I don't know how I allowed myself to get to this point. I guess it started when The West Wing went off the air and I had nothing to replace it with. Like many other fans of Aaron Sorkin's work, I desperately wanted Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip to be that replacement, but those of us who even remember it know what a failure it was.

But I still had Battlestar Galactica, which I anxiously awaited every week and spoke about constantly. Took me two years to get one of my buddies to finally watch. It took him about a month to blow through three seasons on DVD because he was watching every spare minute he had. But that one went out in a blaze of odd glory two years ago. The prequel series, Caprica, just annoys me.

So when it comes to shows I wouldn't miss, I was left with Smallville and How I Met Your Mother. Last night, Smallville flew off the TV schedule for good and How I Met Your Mother has deteriorated so badly that I only watch it out of habit at this point. Family Guy was up there, but I tend to forget it half the time on Sunday night and I really don't mind when I do that.

So I need help. Is there some show out there that is too good to miss? I know we all love talking about our favorite shows here. Sell me on yours. Help me find something amongst the crap worth watching or doom me to searching of re-runs of stuff actually worth watching.

 

[YGBFKM]

Modern Family is the funniest and best-written show on TV. Nothing else comes close.

 

[Herky_Jerky]

My three favorite comedies on these days are "Community," "Parks & Recreation" and "Modern Family."

Community and Modern Family are closing out their second seasons, and both were amazing from the start. Parks & Rec is wrapping up its third season, but it didn't hit its stride until Season 2, so be forewarned if you don't like it right away.

And since you seem to be a fan of sci-fi stuff, you might like "Fringe." I'm not even sure how many seasons it's been on, but I've loved it all along. It's like "X-Files" for this decade. I should note that the recent season finale ended in a way that could mean it was the series finale as well.

There's also "Breaking Bad." If you have the time and intestinal fortitude, you should definitely check it out. My only qualm is how intense every episode can be -- I feel almost exhausted after each one. But it's totally worth it. I don't remember how many seasons it's been on -- maybe four or so.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Modern Family is the funniest and best-written show on TV. Nothing else comes close.

Completely agree.

 

[imjustagirl]

Maury.

 

[User 1019]

American Pickers on Discovery.

 

[YGBFKM]

If you're interested in food, aside from it providing sustenance, Chopped is a cool show.

 

[outofplace]

My three favorite comedies on these days are "Community," "Parks & Recreation" and "Modern Family."

Community and Modern Family are closing out their second seasons, and both were amazing from the start. Parks & Rec is wrapping up its third season, but it didn't hit its stride until Season 2, so be forewarned if you don't like it right away.

And since you seem to be a fan of sci-fi stuff, you might like "Fringe." I'm not even sure how many seasons it's been on, but I've loved it all along. It's like "X-Files" for this decade. I should note that the recent season finale ended in a way that could mean it was the series finale as well.

There's also "Breaking Bad." If you have the time and intestinal fortitude, you should definitely check it out. My only qualm is how intense every episode can be -- I feel almost exhausted after each one. But it's totally worth it. I don't remember how many seasons it's been on -- maybe four or so.

Modern Family seems like the best candidate so far. I really can't figure out why I haven't given that one a shot before given what I've read about it.

I did try Fringe. Not exactly my thing. I was never much of an X-Files fan, either.

 

[Herky_Jerky]

Modern Family is the funniest and best-written show on TV. Nothing else comes close.

Completely agree.

As I noted earlier, I'm definitely a fan of Modern Family. But to say that nothing is even close seems like an overstatement when you take into consideration Community and Parks & Rec.

I mean, some of the awesome stuff the writers of Community have experimented with this season is far ballsier than anything out there right now -- if not ever. It's almost like you're watching a different show with each episode.

Then again, if you're not a fan of pop culture references and paying homage to past shows and movies, then Community might not be your cup of tea.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's the bee's knees.

 

[outofplace]

Modern Family is the funniest and best-written show on TV. Nothing else comes close.

Completely agree.

As I noted earlier, I'm definitely a fan of Modern Family. But to say that nothing is even close seems like an overstatement when you take into consideration Community and Parks & Rec.

I mean, some of the awesome stuff the writers of Community have experimented with this season is far ballsier than anything out there right now -- if not ever. It's almost like you're watching a different show with each episode.

Then again, if you're not a fan of pop culture references and paying homage to past shows and movies, then Community might not be your cup of tea.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's the bee's knees.

As a long-time Family Guy fan, I can certainly appreciate references to pop culture and old shows and movies.

I'll have to check that one out, too.

 

[YGBFKM]

I watched the first season of Community and liked it. But Modern Family has been destination TV since the first episode. More laughs per minute than any show I've watched in years. Probably ever. There's a wide range of characters and every one is written perfectly, IMO.

 

[YGBFKM]

BYH will probably not speak to me for weeks after saying this, but FG lost its fastball the last season-plus. Really hit-and-miss these days.

 

[doubledown68]

Mythbusters... Kari Byron, Kari Byron, explosions, tons of random, cool experiments, Kari Byron, Kari Byron, guns, Kari Byron.

Men of a Certain Age. New season starts in June. Honestly, it's the first drama/comedy I've watched in years. Really well done show.

 

[EagleMorph]

I don't know how I allowed myself to get to this point. I guess it started when The West Wing went off the air and I had nothing to replace it with. Like many other fans of Aaron Sorkin's work, I desperately wanted Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip to be that replacement, but those of us who even remember it know what a failure it was.

But I still had Battlestar Galactica, which I anxiously awaited every week and spoke about constantly. Took me two years to get one of my buddies to finally watch. It took him about a month to blow through three seasons on DVD because he was watching every spare minute he had. But that one went out in a blaze of odd glory two years ago. The prequel series, Caprica, just annoys me.

So when it comes to shows I wouldn't miss, I was left with Smallville and How I Met Your Mother. Last night, Smallville flew off the TV schedule for good and How I Met Your Mother has deteriorated so badly that I only watch it out of habit at this point. Family Guy was up there, but I tend to forget it half the time on Sunday night and I really don't mind when I do that.

So I need help. Is there some show out there that is too good to miss? I know we all love talking about our favorite shows here. Sell me on yours. Help me find something amongst the crap worth watching or doom me to searching of re-runs of stuff actually worth watching.

Since you were willing to find Battlestar Galactica in the higher cable channels, I highly encourage you try out Warehouse 13 when it returns on SyFy in the summer. The premise is that over the course of human history, a small group of agents from the world's leading power at the time pursue artifacts that endanger the world and/or are used for evil by various villains. There have been 13 total Warehouses, the most recent in South Dakota and run by the Secret Service.

Some great historical elements brought to life (H.G. Wells is a character, female, complete with time machine), along with some quality writing that ranges from humor to drama. Season 3 about to start in July, but its SyFy, so the reruns are fairly accessible and I'm sure they'll do a marathon before the new season begins.

Also, for comedy, The Big Bang Theory. I resisted, too, because how funny can nerds be, right? Turns out, they're hilarious. Best comedy on TV.

 

[outofplace]

I don't know how I allowed myself to get to this point. I guess it started when The West Wing went off the air and I had nothing to replace it with. Like many other fans of Aaron Sorkin's work, I desperately wanted Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip to be that replacement, but those of us who even remember it know what a failure it was.

But I still had Battlestar Galactica, which I anxiously awaited every week and spoke about constantly. Took me two years to get one of my buddies to finally watch. It took him about a month to blow through three seasons on DVD because he was watching every spare minute he had. But that one went out in a blaze of odd glory two years ago. The prequel series, Caprica, just annoys me.

So when it comes to shows I wouldn't miss, I was left with Smallville and How I Met Your Mother. Last night, Smallville flew off the TV schedule for good and How I Met Your Mother has deteriorated so badly that I only watch it out of habit at this point. Family Guy was up there, but I tend to forget it half the time on Sunday night and I really don't mind when I do that.

So I need help. Is there some show out there that is too good to miss? I know we all love talking about our favorite shows here. Sell me on yours. Help me find something amongst the crap worth watching or doom me to searching of re-runs of stuff actually worth watching.

Since you were willing to find Battlestar Galactica in the higher cable channels, I highly encourage you try out Warehouse 13 when it returns on SyFy in the summer. The premise is that over the course of human history, a small group of agents from the world's leading power at the time pursue artifacts that endanger the world and/or are used for evil by various villains. There have been 13 total Warehouses, the most recent in South Dakota and run by the Secret Service.

Some great historical elements brought to life (H.G. Wells is a character, female, complete with time machine), along with some quality writing that ranges from humor to drama. Season 3 about to start in July, but its SyFy, so the reruns are fairly accessible and I'm sure they'll do a marathon before the new season begins.

Also, for comedy, The Big Bang Theory. I resisted, too, because how funny can nerds be, right? Turns out, they're hilarious. Best comedy on TV.

Warehouse 13 is a good call. I have seen it a few times. Maybe I need to give it more of an extended chance.

No idea why I've never liked The Big Bang Theory. You'd think it is right up my alley, but for some reason, I just don't like it that much.

 

[outofplace]

BYH will probably not speak to me for weeks after saying this, but FG lost its fastball the last season-plus. Really hit-and-miss these days.

Wouldn't BYH not speaking to you for weeks be a good thing?

I guess he's not going to speak with me, either, because I agree with you.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I watched the first season of Community and liked it. But Modern Family has been destination TV since the first episode. More laughs per minute than any show I've watched in years. Probably ever. There's a wide range of characters and every one is written perfectly, IMO.

I like Community and Parks and Rec a lot, but neither are even close to being on the same level as Modern Family.

 

[dixiehack]

This says more about my family situation than my taste in TV, but Phineus and Ferb has been awesome.

 

[outofplace]

This says more about my family situation than my taste in TV, but Phineus and Ferb has been awesome.

Of all the shows I end up watching parts or all of because my daughter likes them, that is my favorite.

 

[BYH]

BYH will probably not speak to me for weeks after saying this, but FG lost its fastball the last season-plus. Really hit-and-miss these days.

Wouldn't BYH not speaking to you for weeks be a good thing?

I guess he's not going to speak with me, either, because I agree with you.

On the list of reasons why I won't talk to you assholes, disliking FG most of the time is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down the list!

I am actually in complete agreement with you assholes (need a decontamination shower, can't get rid of the stench!). FG misses far more than it hits. When it hits, it's awesome. But this year's had about two or three worthwhile shows and the rest have ranged from eminently forgettable to some of the most offensive **** ever aired on TV. There was an episode in March or so when Stewie's clone (wait a minute didn't they do that already?) went on a killing spree. Utterly without laughs, merit or any redeeming value whatsoever.

As for my contribution, try Glee. You should be familiar with the plight of the NERRRRRRRRRRDS!!!!

Also, it's good to know I know, albeit in a weird passive-aggressive message board rivalry sort of way, the only person in America who watched Smallville.