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Thread: Long Live The Idiot Box! A Random Favorites Thread

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    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Long Live The Idiot Box! A Random Favorites Thread



    Because I am bored, yet too lazy to organize a list of my favorite shows. There is one I prize over all the others. More on that later.

    Shows Covered So Far:

    1. Spaced (Channel 4)
    2. Psych (USA Network)
    3. 24 (FOX)
    4. The X-Files (FOX)
    5. Seinfeld (NBC)
    6. Veronica Mars (UPN, CW, Hulu)
    7. LOST (ABC)
    8. Stranger Things (Netflix)
    Last edited by DFA1979; 08-09-2020 at 06:30 AM.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  2. #2
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Spaced



    Yes I am aware this show only ran two seasons. Yet it covers more in those two seasons than most shows do in 8. Spaced is a wonderfully very British comedy that is sitcom without the laugh track, letting us into the lives of Tim and Daisy. Naturally they like one another however in typical sitcom fashion this is not fully expressed by either one. I forgot how I watched this show originally, yet it is on tons of streaming services now so it must still be quite popular.

    Also what a cast: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost before SOTD turned made them known everywhere. Jessica Hynes who has a nice comedic touch. Mark Heap and Katy Carmichael having this bizarre yet oddly nice on/off relationship that mirrors the two major players. And Julia Deakin as their land lady, who suspects something is up but can't quite prove it. I almost wish there had been another season yet 2 was good enough. Best to go out on a satisfying high note.

    TV Network This Was On: Channel 4 (in the UK!)

    Favorite Character: Mike Watt

    Favorite Episode: Epiphanies
    Last edited by DFA1979; 07-24-2020 at 02:46 AM.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  3. #3
    collecting tapes Skitch's Avatar
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    In.

  4. #4
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Wahoo! More posts tomorrow cause my phone is almost dead.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  5. #5
    I'm watching.
    Last Seen:
    Pantheon, S2 (C. Silverstein, 2023) ☆
    Pantheon, S1 (C. Silverstein, 2022)
    Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garc?a (S. Peckinpah, 1974)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden, Dragon (A. Lee, 2000)
    Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (J. McNaughton, 1986) ☆
    Blowup (M. Antonioni, 1966) ☆
    Io capitano (M. Garrone, 2023) ☆
    Raging Bull (M. Scorsese, 1980)
    Network (S. Lumet, 1976) ☆
    Sideways (A. Payne, 2004) ☆

    First time ☆

  6. #6
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Psych



    Odd that more people don't praise Psych as being a really good, maybe even great, modern day spin on Sherlock Holmes. It even came out before the BBC Sherlock, which I also love. This show wisely ran it's course and bowed out after 8 seasons, although there was a movie that came out last year that I have to see. I've seen every episode of Shawn and Gus' hilarious and entertaining adventures in sunny Southern California. USA actually has some good shows and is an example of how cable is often better than network TV.

    Oh and the Yin and Yang arc was really creepy for a comedy show. Having Corbin Bernsen play Shawn's dad was a nice touch. James Roday and Dulé Hill have excellent chemistry together as two best friends willing to investigate any and all crimes. I love the whole cast btw, as Maggie Lawson and Timothy Omundson are great foils as the two cops that put up with the main characters' silly behavior.

    I also like that the Psych followed the wise sitcom rule of not running for more than 8 or 9 seasons. Leave the audience wanting more, not less is always good. While I thought the series finale was a mixed bag I still didn't mind it too much. Sometimes the end of a show is really tricky.

    TV Network This Was On: USA Network (Mericah)

    Favorite Character Woody the Coroner

    Favorite Episode: Tuesday the 17th
    Last edited by DFA1979; 07-25-2020 at 09:51 AM.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  7. #7
    Replacing Luck Since 1984 Dukefrukem's Avatar
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    I like lists like this.
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    Quote Quoting D_Davis (view post)
    Uwe Boll movies > all Marvel U movies
    Quote Quoting TGM (view post)
    I work in grocery. I have not gotten sick. My fellow employees have not gotten sick. If the virus were even remotely as contagious as its being presented as, why haven’t entire store staffs who come into contact with hundreds of people per day, thousands per week, all falling ill in mass nationwide?

  8. #8
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Dukefrukem (view post)
    I like lists like this.
    Thanks. I just didn't feel like organizing one and I have a lot of favorites.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  9. #9
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    24



    The Jack Bauer Power Hour is one of those action shows that had an impact on not just TV but even movies. A lot that was done during and after the show's run was influenced by 24, although of course 24 took after other movies and shows as well. Kiefer Sutherland was an excellent choice in the lead role, showing that he wasn't just an 80s guy although he did good work back then as well. The show had a fantastic cast also and contained multiple compelling storylines every season.

    The ticking clock aspect worked and is not just a gimmick, and the show only had one bad season and a few solid ones amongst mostly great seasons. The show also will be seen in the future as a look into America post 9-11 and how the War on Terror changed this country, for better or for worse. I feel it was for the worse, and this show reflects that in it's battered, tired hero who has definitely seen a lot of crazy shit and survived. Oh and that final season was ridiculous in a great way. Nice send off. President Palmer still has my vote and Charles Logan is still one of the best villains of all time.

    TV Network This Was On: FOX (back when they were good)

    Favorite Character: President David Palmer!

    Favorite Episode: Jack in the gun store. Fans know which one. That knife to the back of the neck kill is still brutal.

    I might come back and write more on this later. Have to go to work.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  10. #10
    collecting tapes Skitch's Avatar
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    I still need to finish 24's last couple seasons. My roommate and I BURNED through that show staying up most of the nights and barely sleeping..."just one more"...

  11. #11
    Replacing Luck Since 1984 Dukefrukem's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Skitch (view post)
    I still need to finish 24's last couple seasons. My roommate and I BURNED through that show staying up most of the nights and barely sleeping..."just one more"...
    It's awful past season 4. When everyone becomes a mole and everyone becomes a bad guy they just ran out of shit to do. They should have made more seasons with President Palmer.
    Twitch / Youtube / Film Diary

    Quote Quoting D_Davis (view post)
    Uwe Boll movies > all Marvel U movies
    Quote Quoting TGM (view post)
    I work in grocery. I have not gotten sick. My fellow employees have not gotten sick. If the virus were even remotely as contagious as its being presented as, why haven’t entire store staffs who come into contact with hundreds of people per day, thousands per week, all falling ill in mass nationwide?

  12. #12
    I still remember the shock of [
    ].
    Last Seen:
    Pantheon, S2 (C. Silverstein, 2023) ☆
    Pantheon, S1 (C. Silverstein, 2022)
    Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garc?a (S. Peckinpah, 1974)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden, Dragon (A. Lee, 2000)
    Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (J. McNaughton, 1986) ☆
    Blowup (M. Antonioni, 1966) ☆
    Io capitano (M. Garrone, 2023) ☆
    Raging Bull (M. Scorsese, 1980)
    Network (S. Lumet, 1976) ☆
    Sideways (A. Payne, 2004) ☆

    First time ☆

  13. #13
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Skitch (view post)
    I still need to finish 24's last couple seasons. My roommate and I BURNED through that show staying up most of the nights and barely sleeping..."just one more"...
    The last season ruled.

    Also Duke S5 was one of the best as was the last season. 6 was not good but 7 and 8 were solid. I think 4 is the best.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  14. #14
    Oh man. God I loved 24. I remember next to nothing about actual plotlines in any of the seasons. I just remember the feeling I had when watching it.

    I also remember being half in love with Tony Almeida and nearly quit the show when he "died".

    Also, Chloe is obviously the best character in this show. I disliked her because I was relatively young and didn't quite understand what she brought to the show. I get it now, though, and what an inspired addition to the cast.

  15. #15
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting amberlita (view post)
    Oh man. God I loved 24. I remember next to nothing about actual plotlines in any of the seasons. I just remember the feeling I had when watching it.

    I also remember being half in love with Tony Almeida and nearly quit the show when he "died".

    Also, Chloe is obviously the best character in this show. I disliked her because I was relatively young and didn't quite understand what she brought to the show. I get it now, though, and what an inspired addition to the cast.
    Yeah they kind of mishandled Tony later on. Oh well. Chloe rocks so much and I'm glad she was with Jack in the last season again.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  16. #16
    I've seen two episodes of Spaced and not a single episode from either of the two other series listed so far. But keep 'em coming!
    Last 10 Movies Seen
    (90+ = canonical, 80-89 = brilliant, 70-79 = strongly recommended, 60-69 = good, 50-59 = mixed, 40-49 = below average with some good points, 30-39 = poor, 20-29 = bad, 10-19 = terrible, 0-9 = soul-crushingly inept in every way)

    Run
    (2020) 64
    The Whistlers
    (2019
    ) 55
    Pawn (2020) 62
    Matilda (1996) 37
    The Town that Dreaded Sundown
    (1976) 61
    Moby Dick (2011) 50

    Soul
    (2020) 64

    Heroic Duo
    (2003) 55
    A Moment of Romance (1990) 61
    As Tears Go By (1988) 65

    Stuff at Letterboxd
    Listening Habits at LastFM

  17. #17
    Quote Quoting DFA1979 (view post)
    Yeah they kind of mishandled Tony later on. Oh well. Chloe rocks so much and I'm glad she was with Jack in the last season again.
    24 had some pretty good supporting characters, particularly in the early seasons. I also remember liking George Mason and Michelle Dressler a lot. And Nina was great as Jack's best friend before the reveal.
    Last Seen:
    Pantheon, S2 (C. Silverstein, 2023) ☆
    Pantheon, S1 (C. Silverstein, 2022)
    Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garc?a (S. Peckinpah, 1974)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden, Dragon (A. Lee, 2000)
    Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (J. McNaughton, 1986) ☆
    Blowup (M. Antonioni, 1966) ☆
    Io capitano (M. Garrone, 2023) ☆
    Raging Bull (M. Scorsese, 1980)
    Network (S. Lumet, 1976) ☆
    Sideways (A. Payne, 2004) ☆

    First time ☆

  18. #18
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    The X-Files



    I must confess I have not seen the second X-Files movie, or viewed any of the new seasons. However I have seen the rest of the show and I love it even though Seasons 7 and 9 were merely solid. I actually really liked Season 8 though and Seasons 3-6 are exceptional and very memorable. I dig the first two seasons a lot but they are mostly set up, although Season 2 does have some pretty stellar moments. Mulder and Scully are a fine duo with obvious chemistry from the beginning, with her as the skeptic and him as the true believer.

    After going back through the show again on Netflix all the way I realized that poor AD Skinner has the thankless job of protecting his two agents and trying to keep those really in charge from kicking Mulder out. I also liked Doggett and Reyes as the new additions in the last two seasons, and they were necessary since the two leads stopped being heavily involved with the show. Originally I liked the Cigarette Smoking Man the best yet I found him to be not as compelling as I originally thought when I first watched the show. That and the original series finale sucked pretty bad, yet doesn't take away from show's good aspects.

    TV Network This Was On: FOX (Once again when it was a good, fun network)

    Favorite Character: Walter Skinner

    Favorite Episode: Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  19. #19
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting transmogrifier (view post)
    I've seen two episodes of Spaced and not a single episode from either of the two other series listed so far. But keep 'em coming!
    I think you would like Spaced. The rest, probably not.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  20. #20
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Philip J. Fry (view post)
    24 had some pretty good supporting characters, particularly in the early seasons. I also remember liking George Mason and Michelle Dressler a lot. And Nina was great as Jack's best friend before the reveal.
    George Mason rules. Michelle was great too, and Nina was probably the second best villain after Logan. Like I said, that entry will probably earn an extended post later on at some point.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  21. #21
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Seinfeld



    Back when I was a kid, NBC was the king of comedy. They had a Thursday night block that was the envy of other networks. Seinfeld was the one I loved the most, simply because it was hilarious, dark and all around wonderful. Elaine, Jerry, George and Kramer were the dream team of comedy and the show would have been funny even if there wasn't a laugh track. I think It"s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is the closest thing to a modern day version, however sometimes that show can get too dark. Seinfeld always managed to straddle that line without crossing it, although that was probably because it was a network TV show.

    I have found memories of viewing the reruns endless times on CBS of all channels, and I saw the series finale when it aired. I was not a fan, although perhaps that was the only way they could end things. There will probably never be another network sitcom quite like Seinfeld, and maybe that is for the best. I am tempted to do a rewatch yet I have way too many other shows demanding my attention currently. One day.

    TV Network This Was On: NBC (Used to love it, now meh)

    Favorite Character: George

    Favorite Episode: The Alternate Side
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  22. #22
    collecting tapes Skitch's Avatar
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    I really hope Rescue Me makes the list.

  23. #23
    I'm the problem it's me DFA1979's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Skitch (view post)
    I really hope Rescue Me makes the list.
    Never saw it. Sorry. I'm behind on both HBO and FX shows.
    Blog!

    And it's happened once again
    I'll turn to a friend
    Someone that understands
    And sees through the master plan
    But everybody's gone
    And I've been here for too long
    To face this on my own
    Well, I guess this is growing up

  24. #24
    collecting tapes Skitch's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting DFA1979 (view post)
    Never saw it. Sorry. I'm behind on both HBO and FX shows.
    It goes a little long those last season or two, but the overall arc is incredible (about firefighters dealing with aftermath of 9/11). Its also incredibly funny. Its a rare show that can make me cry laughing and cry sad in same episodes, but a few did.

  25. #25
    Administrator Ezee E's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Skitch (view post)
    It goes a little long those last season or two, but the overall arc is incredible (about firefighters dealing with aftermath of 9/11). Its also incredibly funny. Its a rare show that can make me cry laughing and cry sad in same episodes, but a few did.
    Any show that goes from 13-ep seasons to something longer is always a warning sign.

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