Yes, there are legions... M*A*S*H,* Cheers, Twilight Zone, West Wing, Seinfeld, Honeymooners, Star Trek, Odd Couple, etc. I'm sure you've already had a thread about great TV shows and great TV series.
But my question is this... you're on a boat and it's sinking... you have every episode of every TV series ever made... but you can only carry ONE ENTIRE SERIES with you... which one TV series would you take?
My choice is likely no one else's. Generally speaking it isn't even one of the acknowledged all-time classics.... I do, however, believe it stands the test of time and is not dated or passe (which would be important to me).
Because of its sheer variety of stories (and to avoid the monotony of having only a "formula" TV show to watch.... which IMO would quickly get very boring), I'd choose a series whose formula was.... no formula at all.
"Regis, my final answer is.... Northern Exposure."
Bob
Similar to a top ten desert island discs (music) question asked everywhere.
I'll give this some thought Bob, but the first series that jumps out at me is Breaking Bad. No other series has gotten me so emotionally involved as that one. Your question is hard though because it's difficult to compare a series such as BB with a comedy series such as, (for me), Seinfeld, Cheers, Taxi, The Odd Couple, etc. Now throw in shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman...and you might see how this might be damn near impossible. I'll give it careful consideration and return later.
Bob, I'm gonna answer off the top of my head: Person of Interest.
Bob
This is so judgemental, depending on circumstances
Now, if I am on this boat that is sinking and I am all alone and with no hope of ever being rescued, I might like a show that would cheer me up, like The Honeymooners or All In The Family or Cheers.
Now if I had a companion, maybe even of the female persuasion, who also was escaping this sinking boat, I might feel a bit better about my situation and opt for a show that would be deeper, like a Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul. Game of Thrones or the Sopranos.
Since you didn't specify, I will go out on that limb that you extended and give you my all-time favorite TV show, one that most people wouldn't even put in their top ten, though it should be.
Ta-Da-- Hill Street Blues
With Breaking Bad a very close second
And for comic relief, I will always go with All In The Family
Quote from: Sem on March 21, 2021, 02:18:23 PM
Similar to a top ten desert island discs (music) question asked everywhere.
I'll give this some thought Bob, but the first series that jumps out at me is Breaking Bad. No other series has gotten me so emotionally involved as that one. Your question is hard though because it's difficult to compare a series such as BB with a comedy series such as, (for me), Seinfeld, Cheers, Taxi, The Odd Couple, etc. Now throw in shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman...and you might see how this might be damn near impossible. I'll give it careful consideration and return later.
Steve: It's hard, so I gave a few reasons for my choice. Factors that influence you might differ, so that will help me understand your final answer.
I never saw "Breaking Bad" I will now (because you think that highly of it). How many seasons is it, and is it "over" yet or still continuing?
I probably should have limited my question to series that have ended. My bad.
Bob
Quote from: jimv on March 21, 2021, 02:36:49 PM
Bob, I'm gonna answer off the top of my head: Person of Interest.
Jim: Another series I have not seen. Same question as I asked Steve.... how many seasons, and is the series "over" or is it still continuing. Should have limited my topic to series that are over and done with. Bob
Quote from: LennG on March 21, 2021, 02:43:27 PM
Now, if I am on this boat that is sinking and I am all alone and with no hope of ever being rescued, I might like a show that would cheer me up, like The Honeymooners or All In The Family or Cheers.
Now if I had a companion, maybe even of the female persuasion, who also was escaping this sinking boat, I might feel a bit better about my situation and opt for a show that would be deeper, like a Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul. Game of Thrones or the Sopranos.
Since you didn't specify, I will go out on that limb that you extended and give you my all-time favorite TV show, one that most people wouldn't even put in their top ten, though it should be.
Ta-Da-- Hill Street Blues With Breaking Bad a very close second And for comic relief, I will always go with All In The Family
Lenn: Great explanation. Thanks. Hill Street Blues was indeed a great series. Will be watching Breaking Bad (since it almost got two votes with out of three responses). Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on March 21, 2021, 02:51:19 PM
Lenn: Great explanation. Thanks. Hill Street Blues was indeed a great series. Will be watching Breaking Bad (since it almost got two votes with out of three responses). Bob
Bob, BB has ended, I believe it was 6 seasons. Last I knew all seasons were available on Netflix.
Quote from: Sem on March 21, 2021, 03:44:27 PM
Bob, BB has ended, I believe it was 6 seasons. Last I knew all seasons were available on Netflix.
I will take a "career risk" and get my wife to watch it, too. LOL I'll let you know when we reach the end.
Quote from: Bob In PA on March 21, 2021, 02:48:54 PM
Jim: Another series I have not seen. Same question as I asked Steve.... how many seasons, and is the series "over" or is it still continuing. Should have limited my topic to series that are over and done with. Bob
It was on for five seasons. I think it was on ABC. I didn't watch it while it was on because I don't generally watch the "Three" networks. And, in my later life, I'm not inclined to watch series because I dislike waiting a week between episodes. But, I read a story about the series & found out Jim Caviezel (one of my fav actors) starred in it. So, bought the entire series. That way, I can watch at a pace that I can set for myself. And, after the five seasons, it had a definite ending which, IMO, was bittersweet.
Quote from: jimv on March 21, 2021, 03:55:26 PM
It was on for five seasons. I think it was on ABC. I didn't watch it while it was on because I don't generally watch the "Three" networks. And, in my later life, I'm not inclined to watch series because I dislike waiting a week between episodes. But, I read a story about the series & found out Jim Caviezel (one of my fav actors) starred in it. So, bought the entire series. That way, I can watch at a pace that I can set for myself. And, after the five seasons, it had a definite ending which, IMO, was bittersweet.
Jim: I lucked out. I've seen Len's; both yours and Steve's are completed (and short, unlike mine, which went on forever - I do highly recommend it, but it is an "acquired taste" and a bit off-beat). Bob
Bob
If we start talking about Breaking Bad again, it will be like admiring a great work of art. Be aware, it is not for everyone. Some people just don't get the entire premise, but it is TV at its best. Again, be aware that parts are cute, parts are funny, but most of it is RAW, with violent killings and very harsh characters. My wife watched 1/2 of one episode because I kept telling her how great it was and she left very quickly. Since it was on AMC originally, there is no sex and most of the violence is a bit subdued than you might get on say HBO. Doris is more the Hallmark Channel type and BB is about as far from that as one can get. But it is riveting TV and once you start, if you like it, you will hunger for more and more, you won't be able to stop watching.
As I said, I watched it from day one. I still remember telling my friends about this great new show, Breaking Bad and no one even knew what the heck I was talking about. It really didn't hit its major stride until maybe season 3, but that is with the general public catching on. It was great from season 1 and continued to get better and better.
Just be aware, this isn't 'family' entertainment. It is about drug dealers, drug makers, and everything they can do to make this business go.
Quote from: LennG on March 21, 2021, 06:09:46 PM
Bob
If we start talking about Breaking Bad again, it will be like admiring a great work of art. Be aware, it is not for everyone. Some people just don't get the entire premise, but it is TV at its best. Again, be aware that parts are cute, parts are funny, but most of it is RAW, with violent killings and very harsh characters. My wife watched 1/2 of one episode because I kept telling her how great it was and she left very quickly. Since it was on AMC originally, there is no sex and most of the violence is a bit subdued than you might get on say HBO. Doris is more the Hallmark Channel type and BB is about as far from that as one can get. But it is riveting TV and once you start, if you like it, you will hunger for more and more, you won't be able to stop watching.
As I said, I watched it from day one. I still remember telling my friends about this great new show, Breaking Bad and no one even knew what the heck I was talking about. It really didn't hit its major stride until maybe season 3, but that is with the general public catching on. It was great from season 1 and continued to get better and better.
Just be aware, this isn't 'family' entertainment. It is about drug dealers, drug makers, and everything they can do to make this business go.
Lenn: Thanks. I appreciate it, but neither of us is deterred by that warning. I told my wife about it (I had seen just the first episode long long ago). She's all in, and watches equivalent stuff fairly often.
Although she often falls asleep in the middle of stuff, she always manages to keep track of the story line.... should have been a screenwriter; usually can predict the ending of a show after watching 20 minutes or less.
The description you gave applies as well to Northern Exposure (but on the opposite end of the spectrum... it is fair lighter fare, but you have to watch several episodes until the series "hits its stride").
Bob
If you remember, I said "Person of Interest" was off the top of my head. Actually, I'll put my vote in for "Kojak." I watched every episode of every season and, and the seasons became available, i bought them (the made for TV movies too). My all-time favorite episode is "Queen of the Gypsies."
Quote from: jimv on March 21, 2021, 08:28:01 PM
If you remember, I said "Person of Interest" was off the top of my head. Actually, I'll put my vote in for "Kojak." I watched every episode of every season and, and the seasons became available, i bought them (the made for TV movies too). My all-time favorite episode is "Queen of the Gypsies."
Jim: Kojak was always one of my favorite series (and my favorite cop show) because Telly (and Stavros) made it entertaining and fun. It replaced "Cannon" and ran about five or six seasons... a true classic of its time. Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on March 21, 2021, 07:45:09 PM
Lenn: Thanks. I appreciate it, but neither of us is deterred by that warning. I told my wife about it (I had seen just the first episode long long ago). She's all in, and watches equivalent stuff fairly often.
Although she often falls asleep in the middle of stuff, she always manages to keep track of the story line.... should have been a screenwriter; usually can predict the ending of a show after watching 20 minutes or less.
The description you gave applies as well to Northern Exposure (but on the opposite end of the spectrum... it is fair lighter fare, but you have to watch several episodes until the series "hits its stride").
Bob
Bob
Both Doris and I watched Northern Exposure when it was on and we both enjoyed it very much. Great cast and premises and
we really fell in love with John Corbett, followed him to My Greek Wedding and then to Sex and the City.
Gave many 'new' actors a chance to show their stuff and move on to bigger and better things.
My favorite (the kind of show you change your schedule so you don't miss the next episode and talk about it the next day with fellow workers) was "Twin Peaks". There's some very close seconds for me like "Fargo" and "Lost"
For comedy (that's a toughy because there are so many) but I don't think it's possible to beat "Three and a Half Men". The supporting cast was incredible (Berta the Maid, Rose the Stalker, Evelyn the Morally Loose Unloving Mother, Alan the Bumbling Brother, Jake the Lovable But Slow Kid, Judith the Vengeful Ex-Wife, Dr. Linda the Sarcastic Psychiatrist, and of course, there was the centerpiece (not a supporting character) Charlie the Man Whore. Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Big Bang Theory all deserve a shout out. They just didn't tickle me quite as much as Three and Half Men
Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on March 27, 2021, 04:39:19 PM
My favorite (the kind of show you change your schedule so you don't miss the next episode and talk about it the next day with fellow workers) was "Twin Peaks". There's some very close seconds for me like "Fargo" and "Lost"
For comedy (that's a toughy because there are so many) but I don't think it's possible to beat "Three and a Half Men". The supporting cast was incredible (Berta the Maid, Rose the Stalker, Evelyn the Morally Loose Unloving Mother, Alan the Bumbling Brother, Jake the Lovable But Slow Kid, Judith the Vengeful Ex-Wife, Dr. Linda the Sarcastic Psychiatrist, and of course, there was the centerpiece (not a supporting character) Charlie the Man Whore. Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Big Bang Theory all deserve a shout out. They just didn't tickle me quite as much as Three and Half Men
Jolly: "Twin Peaks" is one series I never watched that I wish I had. Hopefully I'll get to it some day. From what I know about it, I think it will stand the test of time (won't seem "passe" or out-of-date). Bob
What's the expression, One man's pleasure is another man's pain (or something like that). I basically hated Twin Peaks. I tried the first few episodes and said goodbye. Davis Lynch has never really been my cup of tea although there are a couple of things he did, that I did enjoy. same as that thread we had about the Coen brothers and their movies. I loved most of them, but I know others who never watched one, or did try it and left very quickly. Not their cup of tea.
\Funny though, I usually like some of those 'quirky' things as I fully agree about Fargo.
Quote from: Bob In PA on March 27, 2021, 04:58:25 PM
Jolly: "Twin Peaks" is one series I never watched that I wish I had. Hopefully I'll get to it some day. From what I know about it, I think it will stand the test of time (won't seem "passe" or out-of-date). Bob
Bob, it's available on Netflix. It's worth an hour of your time to just watch the first episode to see if you get hooked or not. And never ever Google to find out something or it ruins it...LOL