Television Tard
Written by Emily on May 20, 2010 – 10:35 pm -From 1997 to 2007, I lived (read "survived") without television. Having grown up as an only child, television was my family...so it was really hard to cut the cord. My childhood companions were Joanie, Laverne, Kip, Rudy, Blanche, Colt, Flo, Ralph, Balki and The Ricker. While in college, I admit to flaking on my "family" a bit, but I was always ready and available to listen about any drama Brenda or Lois might be having with Dylan or Clark [respectively]. But when I started living in sin with my eventual-husband, I had to ditch my clique. (Isn't that what you do when you get in a serious relationship?) Being the responsible one of the couple, my husband got rid of his television long before meeting me because he knew it would distract him while he was getting his college degree. Since I barely got my college degree and was FINE, I didn't get it. I should clarify, my husband and I had a television. We just didn't have it hooked up to cable; it was only for VHS/DVD. In 2004, we bought a 12" television specifically to be used with our karaoke machine, but I figured out that you could get two channels with the rabbit ears, so...I now admit to having a secret daytime rerun affair with a few of guys named Doug, Ray and JerrY!JerrY!. Three years ago, long after having attained his bachelors and masters, I demanded that my husband allow (read "let the cable guy in when he showed up at the door") us to reconnect with the television world. Oh my gosh, you guys!!! Have you seen that show FRIENDS!?!? Yes, I'm just now seeing and loving shows you people watched two decades ago. Yes, I'm just now caught up on what's actually new on tv. And yes, I have NOT seen a lot of stuff because there's just too much to see. So, it is now that I ask you, my online friends - which is SO MUCH more normal than only having television friends, what scripted show(s) am I missing that will make my life complete? Help me. Mold me. Bend me. Shape me...anyway you want me... see, that's how eff'ing far behind I am, folks! Here's what I have seen since 2007, so don't suggest these: Prime Suspect • Arrested Development • Entourage • Mad Men • Party Down • The Tudors • Secret Diary of a Call Girl • Dexter • 30 Rock • Glee • The Office • Flight of the Conchords • Extras • lots of dumbass reality shit, so don't even think about suggesting one of those I promise to watch at least two episodes (specify which, if you must) of the show(s) you suggest and report back to you. I don't promise to like the show...or you, for that matter...but I will be appreciative of your time and your fake virtual friendship. God knows I need friends! Speaking of...did you see the one where Joey speaks French? "Welcome to New York City! Or should I say 'ghe deu flooff New York City'?" HA!
By Shawn Colton on May 20, 2010 | Reply
Doctor Who .
By Michelle on May 20, 2010 | Reply
Californication and Weeds! And, um, you know about that Seinfeld guy right?
By Emily on May 20, 2010 | Reply
I know OF the Seinfeld guy…
By Crisann on May 20, 2010 | Reply
Oh my Gosh – Michelle and Shawn stole all mine. I was going to suggest ALL THREE!! Dag. I’m seriously in love with Dr. Who. No lie. And I beg your pardon, but have you seen Run’s House? It IS reality, and it’s actually kind of cool. I also LOVE Lie to Me – it’s currently on hiatus, but it rocks, if you like that kind of thing. I’m all about a good mystery gettin’ solved. Enjoy!
By LVN on May 20, 2010 | Reply
Dr. Who is a good suggestion. I just started the first season myself.
I would also suggest Leverage and Burn Notice. Lots of good characters.
“This is all a moo point … It’s like a cow’s opinion; it just doesn’t matter. It’s moo.” – My favorite Joey quote.
By Dylan on May 21, 2010 | Reply
LOST. They’re re-airing the first two episodes back-to-back this Saturday night. Though you might want to be ready to buy/Netflix the rest of the season.
By Joe Valencia (BigBlue53) on May 21, 2010 | Reply
You absolutely HAVE to watch “Big Bang Theory”! If I can only submit two, I will then go with “Criminal Minds”.
By Tarpo on May 21, 2010 | Reply
NCIS still rules my Tuesday nights.. and you could do worse than watching all The West Wing over a space of a few days. Bones is great. How I Met your Mother had an OK season 1 and then exploded into the best show on TV.
By Dani on May 21, 2010 | Reply
I just started watching Bones and really like it and if I only get one more then I guess I’ll go with Grey’s Anatomy. I like a lot of the other suggestions you got and hope you do as well. Happy watching.
Oh dang, I just noticed that someone else suggested Bones so I guess I’ll change mine to House. Another one of my favorites.
By Steve on May 28, 2010 | Reply
LOST. They’re re-airing the first two episodes back-to-back this Saturday night. Though you might want to be ready to buy/Netflix the rest of the season.
By Carol P. on Jun 7, 2010 | Reply
See LIFE. About a guy who spent 12 years in prison for something he didn’t do. Don’t stop at 2 episodes as it gets better and better. I think there are only 2 seasons, which is too bad.
By elizabeth on Jun 7, 2010 | Reply
My vote’s for WONDERFALLS and PUSHING DAISIES – two shows that stand up to truly obsessive levels of rewatching around our house. One is about a cranky Brown graduate/retail worker who starts receiving cryptic life instructions from any object with an animal face; the other is about a piemaker who has the power to wake the dead for one minute (or longer, but in that case something else dies) and freelances as an assistant private investigator. Both have the advantage, in catching-up terms, of having had short runs, so it’s kind of like watching a really long movie (especially Wonderfalls, whose story arc was mostly crafted after the creators had a very strong suspicion they’d be cancelled early [for having an actual lesbian couple make out on FOX, which only likes girl-on-girl kisses when they’re played as outrageous]).
By Anna on Dec 6, 2010 | Reply
You definitely need to watch Buffy and Firefly. A girl who kills vampires? And a show about space cowboys? How could you go wrong?!
By India on Dec 2, 2012 | Reply
Trailer Park Boys!