Previous Sections
The Shows That Changed Television
Quirky Comedy
Unconventional Drama
Classic Comedy
British TV Shows
This section of TV shows is relatively easy to understand. It's a television show where there is a force beyond scientific understanding at play. Simply put, these are shows with ghosts, aliens, and all kinds of other manifestations of that nature.
I mentioned that British TV Shows was a section I would finish pretty fast since barely any British TV shows last all that long. Well, this is the direct opposite. Most of these shows are long-running and the first TV show is hard to watch, because it is a show that has aged terribly.
I'm going to start in chronological order, starting with the TV show I am in the middle of watching.
Star Trek (1966-1969)
Well, I don't really know where to start. I'm watching this the same way a movie buff would need to watch The Birth of a Nation. Yes, it's not really good in modern terms. Yes, it's definitely not politically correct in modern terms either. But it changed television into what it is today.
Part of the problem is that many shows do what Star Trek did first. So the originality aspect of Star Trek that made it so great is simply another cliched show from my perspective. So let me run down the many problems that I've run into while watching this show:
Perhaps the worst effect any TV show can have on its viewer: boredom. I constantly check to see if the episode is almost over. It's a chore to watch most of these episodes. I do it, because I want to appreciate television history, dammit. But seriously, it seems like a lot of the episodes have a whole lot of what I call "filler" - pointless bullshit that doesn't advance the plot.
The acting is incredibly over the top from William Shatner and whoever the villian is that week. Leonard Nimoy and DeForrest Kelley are actually great actors that only highlight how bad Shatner is at acting. This is a problem that I can't blame on the time period, quite frankly. Good actors existed in 1966 right?
Things I can blame on the time period: the sometimes blatant sexism evident in some episodes. It's pretty bad as all the women just fall for Captain Kirk for pretty much no reason. When I say all the women, I mean ALL the women. Is William Shatner really that attractive? I have no idea. When stuff like that happens to men like Shatner and Dennis Leary in Rescue Me, I'm always so confused, because man do I not see it.
The special-effects are out-dated sure, but that has never bothered me before. I don't know the writing just seems way out-of-date. I'm trying, but I am struggling. I'll have a post up about Star Trek whenever I finish.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
My interest in Star Trek was piqued because of the cult fandom it produced. The reason I ended up choosing to watch it was because of this series. I haven't seen an episode, but by all accounts, this one is actually good. Like good in 2012 not good in 1966 only.
Really I want to watch this for two reasons: Patrick Stewart and LeVar Burton. Stewart, because of X-Men really, and he just seems like a fantastic actor. Already he's got a point over the older show because the leading man can actually act. Burton, because, well any Community fans out there? (That's the only reason by the way - He appears on episode of Community as LeVar Burton)
Also, Wil Wheaton hasn't turned out half bad. Not all child stars become crazy lunatics.
X-Files (1993-2002)
I have never seen an episode of X-Files. However, this is one of those shows I go into pretty much knowing its awesome. There's a special value to finding a show when it starts and then watching it be one of the best on television (Here's hoping The Americans is that!). But it's also nice being able to start at the beginning knowing the show is headed to a wonderful place.
And that's where X-Files is. I haven't seen Californication, so I'm not familiar with David Duchovny's acting credentials, but for some reason he annoys me. It's the representation of what I imagine his character is like in Californication and that imaginative character annoys me, so in turn he annoys me. Sense, this makes none. I know.
Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
I want to watch this really for one reason: Michael C. Hall. Namely, I've heard he plays a vastly different character than he does on Dexter. I mean that makes sense since Dexter is one of the most original characters created. But if I thought I appreciated his acting on Dexter, I think I'm going to be blown away on this show.
I have no idea if he stars or is a supporting player, but I don't really care. Also, I'm under the impression that it's actually a good TV show, which is important.
Supernatural (2005- )
Here's a show that I've wanted to watch since it first aired. I never got around to watching a single episode somehow. This blog has given me the motivation necessary to watch this show.... in like a year. Plus, some twitter friends of mine are die-hard watchers of this show who've recommended it to me.
The Guild (2007- )
Well, this is awkward. I have basically no idea what this show is about. I just found out it was a comedy and it also is apparently a web series. I just assumed it was on television since it's on Netflix. Anyway, I'm a fan of Felicia Day so I'll give this series a shot.
An important thing to note by the way is that my sections are meant to be general so if a TV show doesn't appear to belong in a section, I don't really care. I'm just trying to organize my TV shows into a coherent way for me to easily view all of them at one time or another.
Anyway, I'm forcing myself through Star Trek, which as I said, has aged pretty awful. The most excited I am for any of these series has to be Six Feet Under, which I've wanted to watch for a while. Next in line would have to be X-Files, a highly regarded show.
Update on Current Shows: (Episode listed is first episode I haven't seen yet)
American Horror Story - Season 1, Episode 3 - Very shitty so far, heard season 2 is good, might stick with it
Freaks and Geeks - Season 1, Episode 11 - I'm dragging this show out as long as possible. Excellent.
The Simpsons - Season 1, Episode 8 - Haven't seen this show in a while. Might attempt an episode tonight.
Sons of Anarchy - Season 2, Episode 4 - Still a very good show. Surprised they've maintained the quality of the first season.
The Sopranos - Season 2, Episode 11 - I will finish season 2 at some point in my life...
Next post: Probably episode reaction to the second episode of season 1 of The Sopranos, though I may think of something for tomorrow.
The Shows That Changed Television
Quirky Comedy
Unconventional Drama
Classic Comedy
British TV Shows
This section of TV shows is relatively easy to understand. It's a television show where there is a force beyond scientific understanding at play. Simply put, these are shows with ghosts, aliens, and all kinds of other manifestations of that nature.
I mentioned that British TV Shows was a section I would finish pretty fast since barely any British TV shows last all that long. Well, this is the direct opposite. Most of these shows are long-running and the first TV show is hard to watch, because it is a show that has aged terribly.
I'm going to start in chronological order, starting with the TV show I am in the middle of watching.
Star Trek (1966-1969)
Well, I don't really know where to start. I'm watching this the same way a movie buff would need to watch The Birth of a Nation. Yes, it's not really good in modern terms. Yes, it's definitely not politically correct in modern terms either. But it changed television into what it is today.
Part of the problem is that many shows do what Star Trek did first. So the originality aspect of Star Trek that made it so great is simply another cliched show from my perspective. So let me run down the many problems that I've run into while watching this show:
Perhaps the worst effect any TV show can have on its viewer: boredom. I constantly check to see if the episode is almost over. It's a chore to watch most of these episodes. I do it, because I want to appreciate television history, dammit. But seriously, it seems like a lot of the episodes have a whole lot of what I call "filler" - pointless bullshit that doesn't advance the plot.
The acting is incredibly over the top from William Shatner and whoever the villian is that week. Leonard Nimoy and DeForrest Kelley are actually great actors that only highlight how bad Shatner is at acting. This is a problem that I can't blame on the time period, quite frankly. Good actors existed in 1966 right?
Things I can blame on the time period: the sometimes blatant sexism evident in some episodes. It's pretty bad as all the women just fall for Captain Kirk for pretty much no reason. When I say all the women, I mean ALL the women. Is William Shatner really that attractive? I have no idea. When stuff like that happens to men like Shatner and Dennis Leary in Rescue Me, I'm always so confused, because man do I not see it.
The special-effects are out-dated sure, but that has never bothered me before. I don't know the writing just seems way out-of-date. I'm trying, but I am struggling. I'll have a post up about Star Trek whenever I finish.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
My interest in Star Trek was piqued because of the cult fandom it produced. The reason I ended up choosing to watch it was because of this series. I haven't seen an episode, but by all accounts, this one is actually good. Like good in 2012 not good in 1966 only.
Really I want to watch this for two reasons: Patrick Stewart and LeVar Burton. Stewart, because of X-Men really, and he just seems like a fantastic actor. Already he's got a point over the older show because the leading man can actually act. Burton, because, well any Community fans out there? (That's the only reason by the way - He appears on episode of Community as LeVar Burton)
Also, Wil Wheaton hasn't turned out half bad. Not all child stars become crazy lunatics.
X-Files (1993-2002)
I have never seen an episode of X-Files. However, this is one of those shows I go into pretty much knowing its awesome. There's a special value to finding a show when it starts and then watching it be one of the best on television (Here's hoping The Americans is that!). But it's also nice being able to start at the beginning knowing the show is headed to a wonderful place.
And that's where X-Files is. I haven't seen Californication, so I'm not familiar with David Duchovny's acting credentials, but for some reason he annoys me. It's the representation of what I imagine his character is like in Californication and that imaginative character annoys me, so in turn he annoys me. Sense, this makes none. I know.
Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
I want to watch this really for one reason: Michael C. Hall. Namely, I've heard he plays a vastly different character than he does on Dexter. I mean that makes sense since Dexter is one of the most original characters created. But if I thought I appreciated his acting on Dexter, I think I'm going to be blown away on this show.
I have no idea if he stars or is a supporting player, but I don't really care. Also, I'm under the impression that it's actually a good TV show, which is important.
Supernatural (2005- )
Here's a show that I've wanted to watch since it first aired. I never got around to watching a single episode somehow. This blog has given me the motivation necessary to watch this show.... in like a year. Plus, some twitter friends of mine are die-hard watchers of this show who've recommended it to me.
The Guild (2007- )
Well, this is awkward. I have basically no idea what this show is about. I just found out it was a comedy and it also is apparently a web series. I just assumed it was on television since it's on Netflix. Anyway, I'm a fan of Felicia Day so I'll give this series a shot.
An important thing to note by the way is that my sections are meant to be general so if a TV show doesn't appear to belong in a section, I don't really care. I'm just trying to organize my TV shows into a coherent way for me to easily view all of them at one time or another.
Anyway, I'm forcing myself through Star Trek, which as I said, has aged pretty awful. The most excited I am for any of these series has to be Six Feet Under, which I've wanted to watch for a while. Next in line would have to be X-Files, a highly regarded show.
Update on Current Shows: (Episode listed is first episode I haven't seen yet)
American Horror Story - Season 1, Episode 3 - Very shitty so far, heard season 2 is good, might stick with it
Freaks and Geeks - Season 1, Episode 11 - I'm dragging this show out as long as possible. Excellent.
The Simpsons - Season 1, Episode 8 - Haven't seen this show in a while. Might attempt an episode tonight.
Sons of Anarchy - Season 2, Episode 4 - Still a very good show. Surprised they've maintained the quality of the first season.
The Sopranos - Season 2, Episode 11 - I will finish season 2 at some point in my life...
Next post: Probably episode reaction to the second episode of season 1 of The Sopranos, though I may think of something for tomorrow.
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