***Official TV sitcoms and Series recommendation thread***

[boost]

"oh indeed."

[rong]

Holy Fuck! Just watched last episode of Dexter season 4. How friggin crazy was that! Did not see it coming. Anyone who hasn't watced all of the Dexter series is seriously missing out. Awesomeness!

[jyms]

Well, The Wire was fucking awesome. Wish it wasn't over. I Think I may try Six Feet Under now, I just can't bare to watch anything that hasn't concluded. I am not happy I have to wait for Entourage to come back for the final season.

[boost]

Well, The Wire was fucking awesome. Wish it wasn't over. I Think I may try Six Feet Under now, I just can't bare to watch anything that hasn't concluded. I am not happy I have to wait for Entourage to come back for the final season.

ah, so they are ending entourage? Probably for the best imo.. the show def started to be repetitive. Super robusto movie star and friends, oooh no movie flops on edge of broke, super robusto movie star and friends, oooh no movie flops on edge of broke, super robusto movie star and friends, oooh no movie flops on edge of broke, super robusto movie star and friends, oooh no movie flops on edge of broke, etc etc.

[a500lbgorilla]

Community. Episodes on Hulu. Very funny.

[flomo]

Baywatch

[rong]

Just watched first episode of wire again. I'm starting to get it now. It's slow, subtle & dileberate. And if you've justy been watching a lost/heroes/24 kinda exciting type show then this seems dull. But after a break from finishing dexter I've gone back to it & I'm really liking it now. Gonna have a marathon session this weekend and watch a few more.

[boost]

ya, its a really amazing series. The creators have made another show called Treme, this time based in new orleans. A few actors from the wire will have rolls, I know Bunk is one of them and I think Lester is another.

[wufwugy]

Well, The Wire was fucking awesome. Wish it wasn't over. I Think I may try Six Feet Under now, I just can't bare to watch anything that hasn't concluded. I am not happy I have to wait for Entourage to come back for the final season.

It's funny cuz you lamented the homosex in Wire, but there's even more in SFU. But you pretty much get that with most HBO

David, the gay guy, also plays Dexter, is the coolest character in the show though. One of the best shows no doubt

[jyms]

Yea, into the second season of SFU and still unsure about it. The show stresses me out. I watch this shit (TV, movies) to relieve stress but this show seems to get me tensed up, I don't know how they could live under this much pressure all the time.

And yea, if anyone is homophobic i don't see how they could watch HBO.

[flomo]

the inbetweeners on bbc is good for pedos

[jyms]

Just finished Six Feet Under and I need a break. The show was real good, but a little too intense. I felt like I could never get a break when watching it, and if I didn't have a problem with needing to finish things, I probably would have stopped watching in season 3. I had to watch all 6 episodes of Eastbound And Down just to get my head back on straight last night. It was a little stressful to watch that at this time. Not in my top 5 but I can see why others would like it, and if I was in a better place myself I probably would have liked it more.

Not sure what's next, but it needs to be completed so I can watch the full series. I was going to move on to the Sopranos, but I think I need something lighter ATM.

[wufwugy]

^^^^ Firefly for sure. That's about as light-hearted and fun as it gets while being high quality and without being silly. Sadly, there's only one season of that

It's possible you may also like Freaks and Geeks. I'm skeptical though since it's similar to SFU even though it's more light-hearted. FnG is def top ten non-comedy series

Maybe go with Rome. It's got some srsbsn going on though so that might not be the best option. Its main character, Lucius Vorenus, is even more badass than Omar though (unpossible right?)

Maybe try the first three seasons of Oz. I quite enjoyed that show because I enjoy watching other people getting fucked up other than myself, and the first three seasons are actually pretty good. Don't bother finishing it from fourth and beyond though. The third season ending was the real ending, and it just goes downhill hard after that. If I had stopped watching with the finale of third season I probably would remember enjoying Oz much more

It's hard to predict how shows will affect you. I know that when I'm not feeling on top of my game I enjoy watching bad shit happen to other people instead of myself, but that doesn't sound to be the case for you. If you're similar to me in that regards then Sopranos would be a good option. It is also srsbsn, but only inasmuch as the characters are all criminals that you're supposed to start feeling for, and it does have some excellent comedy relief with Paulie and Silvio and others. Paulie's easily top ten funniest television characters, but I think part of his awesomeness comes from him getting limited screen time.

I would like to add that I completely understand emotional and stressful issues involved with cinema. As an example: Before Sunrise was one of my favorite films, but I had to shut off Before Sunset only five minutes into it due to personal issues that made the viewing just too difficult. I've only watched maybe three movies in the last year due to being agitated enough that I know I wouldn't fully enjoy them. The only types of films I can enjoy right now are things like Aliens or Spaceballs

I'm so fused now that I'm not even watching Dexter or Entourage. Shit I have like ten episodes left of Battlestar Galactica, but am not even finishing that. I don't even like that show, but watched it due to loving sci-fi and wanting to be able to make fun of how much the writers fucked up what could have been an amazing story.

Not sure if you watched Arrested Development, but that's pretty damn light-hearted. It's also what I consider the absolute best writing I ever seen, but I don't rate comedies along with dramas so I usually just claim that Wire or Carnivale are best. The thing about AD is that if you like it, you'll think it's literally perfect. It's on just another level, and the more times I rewatch it I realize exactly how epic the writing really was. I'm a pretty funny guy, I could probably write a few episodes for shows like Sunny in Philly, South Park, or Family Guy if given the opportunity, but there is no way in hell I could write the kind of insane quality that is Arrested Development

[dranger7070]

Is there anywhere to watch Rome online?

This series started a while back ('05) but I just started watching it: Weeds. It's not bad, probably not very good compared to the Wire and all that but it makes me lol. It's a single mom who's husband just died so she starts selling pot to make ends meet.

[Stacks]

Weeds is pretty awesome. How you just now found out about it is sad.

Okay seriously.. I'm gonna put it out there.. Firefly is not as good (imo) as this cult following as led it out to be. It was good, I enjoyed watching it, but seriously... It's one effing season. There isn't enough character development, plot twists, etc for it be at the top of every single "best tv series" thread I've ever seen. Maybe if it hadn't been canceled I would think differently, but as it stands, it is a ways behind numerous other shows.

[wufwugy]

Firefly had a good balance of everything; drama, comedy, action, romance, mystery, etc and I think this was something that brought in the fans; and had a unique and likable world that borrowed from many genres like sci-fi and western. I'm not sure why other people like it, but I like it because of how enjoyable of a watch it was. It wasn't as good as some other shows in some ways, bit excelled at the cool/fun factor

Sci-fi's are always overrated since there are very few of them but those who like them love them (like me), and premature cancellation is a hot button. To each his own though. For example: I'd say Weeds is better than about 90% of what's out there, yet I did not like it at all.

[Stacks]

I can see that. I really did enjoy firefly, as well as the movie Serenity. However, I guess just the fact that I couldn't really get immersed in it due to the lack of episodes I can't rank it as high as I do something like 'The Wire' or 'Dexter'.

[boost]

Just watched the latest ep of breaking bad. The show as a whole is pretty good, with one major disappointment, but one Im willing to overlook. That being said, this latest ep was probably in the top 10 greatest hours of tv ever (and thats saying a lot since the wire probably has five of those slots claimed).

[ensign_lee]

So much <3 for firefly.

Amazing character development, enjoyable plot lines.

Stupid Fox had to go and show it out of order and pre-empt it with baseball, while simultaneously showing it in the graveyard of time slots, Friday night. What the hell did they THINK was going to happen?

And then they keep a shit-tastic show like 'Til Death on for multiple seasons. Ooof.

I never understood why someone at Fox a couple years ago wasn't just like "Hey. The case isn't doing anything. Why don't we just make firefly again?" Of course, now it's too late since most firefly alum have moved on to star in (multiple) other shows. Oof.

[Muzzard]

Just watched the latest ep of breaking bad. The show as a whole is pretty good, with one major disappointment, but one Im willing to overlook. That being said, this latest ep was probably in the top 10 greatest hours of tv ever (and thats saying a lot since the wire probably has five of those slots claimed).

I watch breaking bad too. What's the disappointment? I think it's a pretty good show.

The only show's I'm trying to keep up with at the mo are
Lost
Breaking Bad
Dexter
High Stakes Poker

[wufwugy]

So much <3 for firefly.

Amazing character development, enjoyable plot lines.

Stupid Fox had to go and show it out of order and pre-empt it with baseball, while simultaneously showing it in the graveyard of time slots, Friday night. What the hell did they THINK was going to happen?

And then they keep a shit-tastic show like 'Til Death on for multiple seasons. Ooof.

I never understood why someone at Fox a couple years ago wasn't just like "Hey. The case isn't doing anything. Why don't we just make firefly again?" Of course, now it's too late since most firefly alum have moved on to star in (multiple) other shows. Oof.

Perhaps Firefly cancellation had to do with more than just ratings. For example: Rome got good ratings, but HBO cancelled it simply because it was too hard to make. Apparently, each episode was like a movie.

I really do hate that stupid shit though. Half of the best shows I've seen got cancelled prematurely. Makes me hate people and their stupid Everybody Loves Raymond and CSI garbage

[boost]

I watch breaking bad too. What's the disappointment? I think it's a pretty good show.

The only show's I'm trying to keep up with at the mo are
Lost
Breaking Bad
Dexter
High Stakes Poker

[spoiler alert!]

The intros to all of season 2 leading up to the finale which turned out to be the plane crash caused by pinkman. Idk, it just seemed out of place in this show... maybe it would have been fine in lost or something, but this show had a ... how should I say it... more firm grasp of reality, if that makes sense.
[spoiler alert!]

and ya, the only shows I follow are lost (honestly if I dindt know this was the last season, I probably would have stopped watching at the start of this season..), breaking bad, treme, and the pacific. I hear dexter is really good, but the premise just sounds awful to me, and any previews for the show that Ive seen did not draw me in at all. So Ive practiced avoidance.

[wufwugy]

I hear dexter is really good, but the premise just sounds awful to me,

What?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!


Dude how can you not love the premise of a sociopath who targets criminals? Don't make me revoke your cool points

[boost]

What?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!

WHAT?!


Dude how can you not love the premise of a sociopath who targets criminals? Don't make me revoke your cool points

isnt he a cop who is supposed to catch serial killers, but he himself is a serial killer who kills said serial killers? A bit contrived, no?

[wufwugy]

He's a sociopath just like Bundy or Dahmer, but for reasons you learn about, he tries to focus his sociopathy on bad people

[a500lbgorilla]

isnt he a cop who is supposed to catch serial killers, but he himself is a serial killer who kills said serial killers? A bit contrived, no?

George Washington never told a lie. Ben Franklin tamed lightning. The first black president's middle name is Hussein. Face it, every great American story is contrived.

[boost]

George Washington never told a lie. Ben Franklin tamed lightning. The first black president's middle name is Hussein. Face it, every great American story is contrived.

fine, fine, Ill check it out when I get some time.

[BooG690]

Holy shit. Arrested Development is pure genius.

[Galapogos]

Holy shit. Arrested Development is pure genius.

The episode with all the afternoon delight stuff had me laughing harder at one point than I ever have at a TV show.

[wufwugy]

Yes, AD is unrivaled genius

More on Dexter 'contrived premise': It's actually not that contrived at all. They do a pretty good job at portraying a sociopath. Keep in mind that sociopathic serial killers are often (perhaps always) highly intelligent and skilled individuals and *appear* to be very normal. It's just that they have problems with empathy.

FWIW, some psychologists believe that sociopaths can provide value to society. In order to achieve that value, though, they'd have to be discovered at early ages and put into careers like military special ops. I'm not sure, but I think some psychologists believe that some of the best military personnel to date were probably sociopaths who didn't go the way of Gacy because of their outlet. Sociopaths in the military are hypothesized to be very efficient at taking orders without hesitation, not succumbing to PTSD, etc

[boost]

wow, breaking bad is on a sick run. A whole lotta shit that had been simmering for a long time just boiled over..


If you havent started watching this show, or put it down after that kinda lame season 2 finale, you need to get caught up and start watching (again).

[Muzzard]

wow, breaking bad is on a sick run. A whole lotta shit that had been simmering for a long time just boiled over..


If you havent started watching this show, or put it down after that kinda lame season 2 finale, you need to get caught up and start watching (again).

Thanks, you just reminded me to download the latest episode. Going to watch right now!

[ensign_lee]

Holy shit. Arrested Development is pure genius.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? That show is pure idiocy.

[BooG690]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? That show is pure idiocy.

Can an FTR member be banned for blasphemy?

[Stacks]

Seriously Boost, watch Dexter. Do it!

[wufwugy]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? That show is pure idiocy.

I beg to differ

[boost]

I gotta watch AD... I remember watching a bit when it first aired, and I dont really think my sense of humor was where it is now.

[BooG690]

It gets so much better as you get more and more into it.

[wufwugy]

AD being anything other than the most perfect comedy ever made is not even an arguable position. It wasn't even written by humans, but by some kind of galactic space wizards

I said before, and I'll say again, I'm funny enough that I could write a few decent episodes for great comedies like Philly or South Park, but no way in fucking hell I could pull off AD brilliance. There is not one thing that stands out. You can't say it's the punchlines or the acting or weird stories or the characters or anything really. It's everything put together in a masterful tapestry of awesome.

I don't know how to describe AD's jokes. Other shows appear to go from one joke to the next type of thing, but AD doesn't really seem to use jokes so much as unconventionally comical stuff in unconventionally comical scenarios all woven together enough to not be confounding

Its rewatch value is also extremely high. No comedies come even close to the level of subtle and implicit humor that becomes more revealed upon repeated viewings

[wufwugy]

[BooG690]

How is Buster not getting any love?

[wufwugy]

A great example of how good AD is is how fantastic a character Buster is.

Here's an underachieving, naive, pseudo-mentally handicapped, dorky, mama's boy, caricature. Nothing about him is the type of thing that audiences look for when trying to relate or enjoy themselves. Nothing about him really seems cool, yet as his character develops, he actually becomes very cool

[BooG690]

He and Tobias are easily the most amazingly developed characters EVER.

Actually, George Costanza is the best character ever but Buster and Tobias are a CLOSE second and third.

[wufwugy]

I think I'd have to agree that within the context of AD, Tobias and Buster are probably 1st and 2nd place. Thing is that I put Gob up there too.

Thing for me about AD characters is that they are all extremely good (except for Maebe and Michael's sister, who are just okay), but they all play very specific roles that compliment everything. Like Michael is the straight man around which the show plays, and because of this they're able to do wacky shit with the other characters. Curiously though, Michael, in all his straight man glory, actually spends a decent amount of time going out of that bound too. It's a very impressive dynamic, and I have no clue how they pulled it off

I mean the characters are so fucking good that they made an old spinster unloving cunt in Lucille fricken cool

If we're talking best comedy characters ever though I just may have to put Larry David in Curb above George. Same character, I guess, but if I had to choose which one is better I'm not sure. Charlie and Dennis from Philly and Randy Marsh from South Park are other contenders off the top of my head

[boost]

I think LD wins over costanza.. george was awesome, but then you see the real thing, and its so much better.

Also, not sure if we can count any of chapelles characters since they were not long running characters so they never really got developed.. but prince was amazing.. that lip quiver/high pitched moan chappelle does as prince is so great.

[wufwugy]

I have laughed very hard many times, but few as memorable as the whole fuck yo couch nigga

[BankItDrew]

Has the following been mentioned: ?

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

I loved the first season and looking forward to the second if they make it.

[boost]

THEY SHOULDA NEVA GAVE YOU NIGGAS MONEY

YOU DARKNESS, YOU BLACK - LATE NIGHT - EVIL MOTHAFUCKAS - BLACK MAGIC, DARKNESS! YOU RAW... DARKNESS... YOU... DELIRIOUS... MOTHAFUCKAS. YOU WAS COLD AS ICE.

so epic... so very epic..

[blake86]

just read tha comedy central is making an animated comedy about jesus called "JC" and it's going to be about him trying to live a normal life in NYC.

[BankItDrew]

YouTube - CHAPPELE SHOW Charlie Murphy and RICK JAMES (THE FULL FUCK YO COUCH PART)