General TV Discussion

[Lord Seth]

There's several topics for specific shows, but I thought a general TV thread might be interesting, especially with the new season starting.

So, to start off, now that most of the shows have premiered, what have you thought? Any good new shows or disappointments? None of the new shows that I've seen so far have particularly wowed me yet (though I can certainly say that the new shows are being more successful than they were last year!), though I've heard some decent things about Person of Interest, so I might check it out.

In terms of returning shows, I think the premieres of The Mentalist and Nikita were good, although the ending of the former was a bit hokey. Looking forward to Psych returning.

[H Birchgrove]

Can we discuss DVD-releases of old series? Because I'm watching The Untouchables and I, Claudius, and both are awesome.

[Fiery Diamond]

What annoys me more than anything else about TV shows is that they keep cancelling the ones I like. The only currently airing show that's not primarily showing reruns that I like is White Collar (well, it's on mid-season break, but whatever). They cancelled: Unnatural History, No Ordinary Family, The Cape, Tower Prep...

[BiblioRook]

I always hope for someone to make threads like this because there often are little points I might feel like talking about with shows that often don't warrant their own thread <.<
And I'm unable to successfully start threads myself

Looking forward to Psych returning.

Hell yeah, though (like most dramidies I watch) I really wish they would go back to focusing on the humor then the drama. Psych to it's benefit has stayed pretty on track with staying funny, but it's few attempts at beig serious were... rather awkward I thought (Man did I hate that summer camp slasher episode )

They cancelled: Unnatural History, No Ordinary Family, The Cape, Tower Prep...

I didn't really care for Ordinary Family so it didn't bother me much that that one went away, but I did really quite enjoy The Cape (which was agonizing because you could see it's cancellation a mile away )

[Lord Seth]

I never watched The Cape, but I do feel bad for fans because NBC didn't just cancel it, they cut the order down to 10 episodes from 13 just when they finished making the tenth episode. I don't know how much of a conclusion the writers were planning to do in the 13th episode, but they likely were planning to at least have some kind of resolution in it.

Can we discuss DVD-releases of old series? Because I'm watching The Untouchables and I, Claudius, and both are awesome.

Sure, go ahead. I started this thread up so people could discuss shows or show-related things (e.g. ratings) that didn't have/didn't need their own topics.

[thompur]

Can we discuss DVD-releases of old series? Because I'm watching The Untouchables and I, Claudius, and both are awesome.

Aahh, I,Claudius. The greatest thing ever produced for television!(fiction)

[H Birchgrove]

Sure, go ahead. I started this thread up so people could discuss shows or show-related things (e.g. ratings) that didn't have/didn't need their own topics.

Nice!

Aahh, I,Claudius. The greatest thing ever produced for television!(fiction)

BRIAN BLESSED is in it. Without a beard. Had to recognise him through his voice, which wasn't that hard though.

Every time I see costume dramas about the Roman Empire, I want to have a toga party.

I will finally see the part about Caligula which my parents didn't allow me to see when we followed it on TV...

[bloodtide]

I'm saddened by the state of TV in general. With some 20+ networks making shows, you'd think someone could make a show I'd want to watch.

I'll hear a bunch of hype about 'show x', and will even sit down and watch it....but sadly come away feeling that I wasted my time. Every show follows the same stale stories and plot-lines that I have already seen for decades. Not that I expect anything new, but they can at least add a nice twist.

For example, any 'action/adventure' type show feels pointless to watch....I know the main characters won't die or even get hurt. So why bother watching a tense action scene?

[Fiery Diamond]

I'm saddened by the state of TV in general. With some 20+ networks making shows, you'd think someone could make a show I'd want to watch.

I'll hear a bunch of hype about 'show x', and will even sit down and watch it....but sadly come away feeling that I wasted my time. Every show follows the same stale stories and plot-lines that I have already seen for decades. Not that I expect anything new, but they can at least add a nice twist.

For example, any 'action/adventure' type show feels pointless to watch....I know the main characters won't die or even get hurt. So why bother watching a tense action scene?

Because you like the story and/or the adrenaline thrill? Seriously, those are the two big reasons for watching an action/adventure style show for me. And if you don't get any kind of adrenaline rush from watching an action scene "just because I know they won't get hurt" then you have been way desensitized to action/violence/so forth.

[Eakin]

I'm saddened by the state of TV in general. With some 20+ networks making shows, you'd think someone could make a show I'd want to watch.

I'll hear a bunch of hype about 'show x', and will even sit down and watch it....but sadly come away feeling that I wasted my time. Every show follows the same stale stories and plot-lines that I have already seen for decades. Not that I expect anything new, but they can at least add a nice twist.

For example, any 'action/adventure' type show feels pointless to watch....I know the main characters won't die or even get hurt. So why bother watching a tense action scene?

Sounds like TV Tropes Has Ruined Your Life.

Maybe you just need to find something more experimental/weird or find a new genre where you haven't internalized all the patterns yet?

I know the first couple anime series I watched were a kick in the pants just because of the new style, even if, looking back, they weren't anything special. (And why did I let someone introduce me to anime with Excel Saga, a series that is at least 40% in jokes and references to other series?)

[Fjolnir]

I actually liked the season of Burn Notice, the finale was well done. Also Harry's Law is back, which is a good thing. I'm not a big fan of legal dramas in general outside of the occasional procedural drama but it's tons of fun.

[Eakin]

I actually liked the season of Burn Notice, the finale was well done. Also Harry's Law is back, which is a good thing. I'm not a big fan of legal dramas in general outside of the occasional procedural drama but it's tons of fun.

I still like Burn Notice. The week-to-week self contained jobs are carrying the show and I still pick up neat tricks and ideas from all the "how to be awesome" voice overs.

I am, however, ready to be done with the big overarching plot around Michael and the Conspiracy. They've dismantled it like 3 times now and for some reason another part of it crawls out of the woodwork and idiotically decides it would be a good idea to get on Mike's bad side and try to make him work for them.

[Liffguard]

I'm really looking forward to season 6 of Dexter. I know the fifth season got a lot of criticism but I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. It's definitely the show I find the most compulsively watchable.

[Eakin]

I'm really looking forward to season 6 of Dexter. I know the fifth season got a lot of criticism but I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. It's definitely the show I find the most compulsively watchable.

Holy crap that starts TOMORROW? I thought I was going to have to wait another 2 or 3 weeks.

Other note, I was disappointed by the beginning of this season of Castle, and fear they are headed down the Bones route of stretching out the romantic subtext between the leads beyond the point where it's at all believable.

[Starwulf]

On the topic of good shows been cancelled, it seems every show me and my wife take an interest in gets cancelled ><. Flash forward, The Event, 11th Hour, Knight Rider, and 3 or 4 other shows in recent years.

Kinda miffed with Law & Order: SVU. Stabler is gone, and he pratically made the show, so I'm not sure how long the new season is particularly going to hold my interest :-(.

Happy with Fringe returning, hope they get Peter back quickly though!

edit: ALSO! The Walking Dead starts up October 16th! WOOOHOOO. Can't wait for it begin again :)

[Kindablue]

I'm saddened by the state of TV in general. With some 20+ networks making shows, you'd think someone could make a show I'd want to watch.

I'll hear a bunch of hype about 'show x', and will even sit down and watch it....but sadly come away feeling that I wasted my time. Every show follows the same stale stories and plot-lines that I have already seen for decades. Not that I expect anything new, but they can at least add a nice twist.

For example, any 'action/adventure' type show feels pointless to watch....I know the main characters won't die or even get hurt. So why bother watching a tense action scene?

Have you seen Louie?

[Lord Seth]

To the surprise of no one who follows ratings, The Playboy Club has been canceled, thus making it the first cancellation of the season.

[H Birchgrove]

Is there anyone in Rome who has not slept with my daughter?!

Augustus Caesar (Brian Blessed), in I, Claudius. Epic and sad at the same time.

[HFool]

To the surprise of no one who follows ratings, The Playboy Club has been canceled, thus making it the first cancellation of the season.

Wait, what? How many episodes aired, like three?

[thompur]

Is there anyone in Rome who has not slept with my daughter?!

Augustus Caesar (Brian Blessed), in I, Claudius. Epic and sad at the same time.

"Well, not 'slept', Caesar." ;-)

[Lord Seth]

Wait, what? How many episodes aired, like three?

That's more than The Beautiful Life, Lone Star, and My Generation got last season.

EDIT: Whoops, my goof, The Beautiful Life was the season before last season.

[Mystic Muse]

Honestly, I'm not surprised the Playboy Club didn't make it. The commercials I saw were un-interesting, and the title doesn't really draw me in.

[Lord Seth]

Honestly, I'm not surprised the Playboy Club didn't make it. The commercials I saw were un-interesting, and the title doesn't really draw me in.

See, that's exactly what I thought. The title doesn't imply anything other than "dumb fanservice show" and all the commercials I saw either were just a title flash or included maybe a brief shot of one of the bunny girls, which only served to reinforce it. I've heard it was just a poor man's version of Mad Men anyway, but it was a terrible title for a show and poor advertising just accentuated it.

Granted, you may point to "Cougar Town" as a show that had a weak title (though it became irrelevant after about six episodes) and succeeded, but it doesn't drive you away to the same extent that "The Playboy Club" does.

If anyone wants to join me in making predictions, my prediction for the next cancellation is either Charlie's Angels or Free Agents. My prediction for the next full season pickup is 2 Broke Girls (first one that got it was New Girl).

[Mystic Muse]

See, that's exactly what I thought. The title doesn't imply anything other than "dumb fanservice show" and all the commercials I saw either were just a title flash or included maybe a brief shot of one of the bunny girls, which only served to reinforce it.

Yeah.

I'm not opposed to fan service. It's just, from the title of the show, it sounded like that's all it was. If all I'm looking for is fanservice, I have this little thing called the internet to help me out.

Before anybody brings up the fact that I'm a girl and it probably wasn't intended for me, I would like to point out that I'm also a lesbian.

Really, the only things I'm going to be watching this year are probably "The Office" "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" because those are the only ones I particularly like and can remember the schedules for. I don't have cable or satellite, so I really don't get much else.

[HFool]

Yeah.

I'm not opposed to fan service. It's just, from the title of the show, it sounded like that's all it was. If all I'm looking for is fanservice, I have this little thing called the internet to help me out.

Before anybody brings up the fact that I'm a girl and it probably wasn't intended for me, I would like to point out that I'm also a lesbian.

Really, the only things I'm going to be watching this year are probably "The Office" "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" because those are the only ones I particularly like and can remember the schedules for. I don't have cable or satellite, so I really don't get much else.

Same here. Well, except the lesbian part. Eh, 50/50.

[Eakin]

What's the shortest time from pilot to cancellation we've had in the last few years? Even that Hugh Jackman Vegas Musical abomination a while back lasted a couple episodes.

[Lord Seth]

What's the shortest time from pilot to cancellation we've had in the last few years? Even that Hugh Jackman Vegas Musical abomination a while back lasted a couple episodes.

It depends what you mean by "the last few years." If 2005 counts, then "Welcome to the Neighborhood" probably takes first place by being canceled before airing a single episode. The most recent show to be canceled after only one episode, I believe, was Osbournes Reloaded (2009).

Last season, the fastest shows to be canceled (Lone Star, My Generation, and The Paul Reiser Show) were gone after two episodes.

[HFool]

I actually remember Lone Star getting positive buzz; what happened with that?

[Avilan the Grey]

The Playboy Club apparently got cancelled after 3 episodes.

For a while it seemed the Sit Com was going to die, suffocated by reality shows. Then Two ½ Men, Big Bang and How I met your mother came.

Last year came Mike And Molly, which I also like very much.

This years good one is The New Girl (No laugh track!). I also find I enjoy Two Broke Girls a lot.

[Bhu]

I rarely watch TV, so the only thing I've seen so far are New Girl (because I've always liked zooey deschanel) and Terra Nova. Not sure on either one yet. Although I am looking forward to more Archer and Venture Brothers.