Television programming?

[mrskrilla]

Is it me or is entertaining, interesting television a thing of the past? The lack of shows and abundance of repeats is disgusting.

[insureu]

The big networks are failing miserably and depending upon reality tv, "competition shows" and loosely scripted crime and drama shoes. I find that real genius is going on smaller networks like FX. Breaking Bad is an absolutely amazing series about a brilliant high school teacher (Brian Cranston - Hal from Malcom in the Middle) who finds he has terminal lung cancer and begins cooking methamphetamine in order to leave an estate for his family. Final season is this year. Louie is an incredibly dark comedy about the life of a single father, comedian raising a couple of daughters in NYC. Wilfred is again a dark, satirical comedy slathered in existentialism where a guy starts seeing his neighbors dog as a man dressed up in a dog suit. Everyone else sees a dog. Hilarity and insight ensues. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is yet another smash hit from FX. The League is another brilliantly written comedy which you certainly do not have to be a sports fan to enjoy. A group of Chicago pals have a fantasy football league which is about 5% of the story line. Sons of Anarchy is a man-drama (though it is really starting to loose the manliness because of baby momma drama) about a motorcycle gang that deals in fire arms. Archer. Well Archer is freaking Archer. Cartoon comedy about a not so secret, secret agent who works for his power controlling mother. Lots of Arrested Development folks show up in this series. I hear a lot of good things about American Horror Story, though I have not watched it. On 06/28 FX will be premiering a new show from Charlie Sheen called Anger Management and a new show from Russel Brand called Brand X. Sheen show may be ok. I sincerely doubt Russell Brand can deliver.

So there is a line up of cutting edge programming from a little known network. There is good programming out there. You just have to find it. Having said that, the FX line up I just described certainly takes a certain sense of humor and will likely not sit well with some folks. It is certainly targeted to a younger crowd.

[Zolam]

Breaking Bad really was an excellent show to watch, Along with Dexter of course.. I'm sure HBO are working on some great new TV too..

[orangeGorilla]

@insureu
Are you me? I watch every single thing you mentioned, and not much beyond that lol.

[insureu]

@orangeGorilla based upon that statement and your avatar it sounds like we need to have a sit down. i suggest 06/28 when all the new fx episodes roll out.

[willonia]

Yea TV sucks for the most part. Even the shows I used to love (mostly unPC cartoons, i.e. Family Guy, Simpsons, South Park etc.) now suck. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is my favorite show right now along with Louie. Gonna check out Sheen's new show too. My girlfriend and her mom used to watch the old Dallas show, so now she's all about the new one. I watched about 30 minutes of the premier and then started reading a book. Occasionally, South Park will still have a good episode, but rarely.

[orangeGorilla]

Haha. I keep seeing the previews for Wilfred, im psyched. Archer has to be my favorite show though. I have never seen an episode that didn't make me laugh multiple times. And there are sooo many references in that show. I feel like some people probably aren't getting the full effect of that show if they don't know what some of the joke references are.

And I'm actually watching the night man cometh (always sunny) right now even though I'm supposed to be working.




That's how we get ants!
@willonia

Yeah I am gonna check out Sheens new show also. I never watched two and a half men and didn't care for it, but with his new show being on FX I will definitely see what it's like

[insureu]

@orangeGorilla you need to read the How To Archer book. You do it in H. Jon Benjamins voice (obviously) and you simply giggle all day.

You had better call Kenny Loggins 'cause you are in . . . . The Danger Zone!

Oh ya, if you have an On Demand type device from your cable provider, there is a "hidden" Wilfred episode that showed up about a week ago. Looks and smells a lot like the season opener imo.

[orangeGorilla]

I actually downloaded How To Archer on my iPad a few months ago and haven't gotten around to it yet. I read the preface and the letter from his mom and thought it was hilarious already, and then forgot about it. Now that you mention it though, I might start reading it today.

Definitely going to check out that Wilfred ep if it shows up for me.

If I find one dog hair when I get back I'll rub sand in your dead little eyes

Very good, sir

I also need you to buy sand..I don't know if they grade it..but..coarse.

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 7 minutes after the last post:*

Occasionally, South Park will still have a good episode, but rarely.

What's up with that? I've noticed too. Used to watch it all the time but lately the episodes are either really bad or decent. Some of the new episodes I've seen just had me staring in somewhat disbelief at how unfunny it was.

[TenaciousE]

Is it me or is entertaining, interesting television a thing of the past? The lack of shows and abundance of repeats is disgusting.

I totally agree.

What makes it worse, is the exhorbitant price that is charged for cable tv access. I have wanted to dump cable tv for several years, I just haven't had the chance to investigate the technological options.

- I cannot stand news in the US, or at least what they chose to report on; which is basically one step away from Access Hollywood. Local News with the moronic man on the street comments ("he was such a nice neighboor", "its is just so sad, I am praying for their families) annoys me. National News lacks objectivity. Fox News can be objective if watched during the day, otherwise the prime time shows are essentially different people saying the same things.

- Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives seems to run at six hour clips. At least call it a marathon if you are going to do that.

- Dr. Oz is nothing but a shill. If you were to purchase every supplement he plugs you would be broke. If you were to take every supplement he plugs you would get sick. And while on the topic of Dr. Oz, Ophrah Winfrey should be sent to prison for giving Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil and Rachel Ray their own television shows. They are nothing but mediocre people with a sense of charisma.

- The majority of programs on the History Channel are about UFO's. Since when do UFO's qualify as history?

- What the hell is An Ancient Alien?

- I have no idea who most of the "celeberties" are on E-Channel's reality shows. Except for the Kardashian's and that is only because of their massive self-marketing.

- I find talent competitions boring. Setting up people with no talent just for the sake of entertainment is cruel. Even as a dancer I find the show "So You Think You Can Dance" to be boring an repetitive; how many times do can you watch someone spin on their head or perform a contemporary/lyrical dance e with all of that embarrasing emoting and rolling around on the floor? "Dancing with the D-List Celebrities, Has-Beens or Former Professional Atheletes" is just embarrassing.

- Bravo TV's reality shows were great at the beginning, but now they are formulaic and the more you watch the more you realize that many of the main characters are frauds. Although I LOVE JEFF LEWIS!

There are only a few programs I watch and half of them are re-runs. The Office, Seinfeld, Sex in the City, No Reservations, House of Lies, Louis C.K.'s show, Tosh 2.0, Key and Peele and the Soup.

Perhaps as this thread grows I will be exposed to new options.

[willonia]

What's up with that? I've noticed too. Used to watch it all the time but lately the episodes are either really bad or decent. Some of the new episodes I've seen just had me staring in somewhat disbelief at how unfunny it was.

I think that's just the way all those type cartoons go. They start off with a bunch of funny ideas, become successful and have to keep it going, and then they can't. I thought Family Guy was the funniest show for the first four seasons. Now I don't even watch it anymore (unless it's one of the earlier episodes). Overall, I would say South Park sustained somewhat longer funniness than Family Guy or any of its spin-offs.

[orangeGorilla]

@Aven

Ancient Alien's is TERRIBLE. They just make things up as they go along. LITERALLY. They take things, twist and distort them so much that it bares no resemblence to what the actuality of whatever they are talking about is. And that show is on the history channel of all things.

The problem is the networks are just doing what gets them the best ratings and unfortunately, the vast majority of people are watching shows like that.

I haven't watched a show from a bigger network in a long time.. everything I watch is mainly FX and hbo/showtime stuff.

I do have to say, I can't believe you like Key and Peele... I tried multiple times and every time I watch the show I end up mad at how bad (I think) it is. But if you like it watch it! Not trying to sway you away from anything.

I think that's just the way all those type cartoons go. They start off with a bunch of funny ideas, become successful and have to keep it going, and then they can't. I thought Family Guy was the funniest show for the first four seasons. Now I don't even watch it anymore (unless it's one of the earlier episodes). Overall, I would say South Park sustained somewhat longer funniness than Family Guy or any of its spin-offs.

For sure... did you see the Comedy Central special I think it was called one week to air or something like that. It was about Trey and Matt (South Park guys) and how for the past few years they have been writing episodes in 7 days. I think that's probably a good indicator as to what happened.

[willonia]

Ancient Alien's is TERRIBLE. They just make things up as they go along. LITERALLY. They take things, twist and distort them so much that it bares no resemblence to what the actuality of whatever they are talking about is. And that show is on the history channel of all things.

Yea I can't believe how often I turn to The History Channel and its some show about aliens. There's so much actual history that could be discussed instead of that crap. However, I will admit I do watch it every now and then.

[ClaraBell]

I live in the UK and the situation is just as bad here.

By far the best show in years on either side of the pond is Girls which has just ended its first season on HBO. Original, honest, funny and charming. If you haven't seen it yet, I can't recommend it enough.

If you have seen it and don't like it, we're not getting married and I'm never going to make you a cup of tea.

[willonia]

For sure... did you see the Comedy Central special I think it was called one week to air or something like that. It was about Trey and Matt (South Park guys) and how for the past few years they have been writing episodes in 7 days. I think that's probably a good indicator as to what happened.

Yea I saw that. I liked the part where they went to the emmys or whatever in drag on acid. For a split second during an interview, you could tell by his facial expression that Trey almost busted out laughing lol.

[orangeGorilla]

@insureu and all
Watch the movie Ted if you have an opportunity to. Just watched it and was hugely impressed at how hilarious it was. I mentioned you insureu because of your list of shows you watch. If this were Netflix and I controlled your suggestions, it would be number one.

[insureu]

@orangeGorilla I will certainly get on that. I figured I would see it but wasn't sure about it as it seemed like a bit of a Wilfred rip. Glad to hear its good.

[insureu]

@orangeGorilla tonight is a big FX night. Wilfred and Louie along with a couple new ones (which may have little potential).

[orangeGorilla]

@orangeGorilla tonight is a big FX night. Wilfred and Louie along with a couple new ones (which may have little potential).

Just saw a banner on a web page showing the lineup earlier today. I didn't even realize it was this close to that time. I have a new ep of Burn Notice and Suits to watch tonight also. Think I forgot to mention I like those two shows too.

[JoeyButtafuoco]

I got over 300 channels plus Ondemand and have trouble finding anything to watch.

Old shows reruns
-The Wire
-The Sopranos
-Law and Order SVU (Christopher Meloni)

Current tv shows
-Dexter
-Break Bad
-Burn Notice
-Suits (this show is nothing special)
-Sons of Anarchy
-Deadliest Catch
-The Closer