TV Shows You'd Recommend - note not just watch, but recommend to another person

[shadowkat]

Because I'm curious about what tv shows people would recommend ....here's a spontaneous poll.

Keep in mind it is spontaneous, which means...typos abound, and yes, I attempted and failed miserably to do two things: put them all in alphabetical order, because I would remember a tv show half-way down the list (lj makes this very hard to do, by the way, because you can't just insert check-boxes when you forget to include something), and include all scripted sitcoms and dramas. (I did not include daytime programming, sports, news, documentaries, or reality series.)

Suffice it to say there are one too many television shows. Also, you can't edit polls any longer in lj. They changed something. Once you insert the poll - that's it, end of story. (And I'm talking about before you post it. You never could edit after you post it.)

So..if you discover that your favorite tv show, which is still airing new episodes and has not completed it's run (ex. Breaking Bad), then please mark "not listed" and include in the comments. Actually the comments will provide you with the ability to rave about your favorite current or new series and attempt to convince whomever stumbles upon it (most likely just me) to watch it. I'm actually an easy target - I'll watch just about anything once. Since it's long, I'm cut-tagging to protect my flist.

[ETA: Dammit. I forgot The Good Wife. It's my favorite series and I forgot to list it. ARRGH! And I can't edit. Note to self - next time you do a poll - pre-plan it.]


[Poll #1946410]

Comments

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

I sort of made a mistake, sort of not. By accident I submitted a blank ballot. But I really don't feel like I could recommend anything at the moment anyway. I still watch Sleepy Hollow, Castle, Reign and Bones. But I don't feel strongly enough about any of them to try to convince somebody else to watch them.

[ann1962]

Sons of Anarchy.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Dang it, I forgot that one too. (I attempted this four times, first two times got lost.)

[atpo-onm.livejournal.com]

Recommendations naturally depend on who you're recc-ing them to, and knowing their tastes well enough. That being said, I'd go with:

The Good Wife and Elementary for "general" tastes. Easily the two best shows currently on broadcast television, IMO.

Once Upon a Time for fantasy fans, and possibly even some who wouldn't classify themselves as such.

Revolution and Grimm for SF/fantasy/horror fans. The caution on both of these would be to stick with them for at least half of the first season until they really get going, especially for Revolution, which started out a bit weakly but has become both brilliant and engrossing.

The Blacklist for espionage/copshow/thriller fans.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Seconded. It's a fun show where the actors go all out despite the ridiculous premise.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Assuming you mean The Black List?

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Whoops, sorry for the confusion. I meant to reply further down in recommending The Originals. Joseph Morgan as Klaus and Daniel Gillies as Elijah makes for fun, melodramatic vampire times. Set in New Orleans with magic and witches and it's a trip.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Okay, I really need to get around to marathoning Revolution at some point.
(I have all of Season 2 saved on the DVR.) Also need to catch up on The Black List - which is one of the more innovative cop shows - in that it blends at least three genres.

Agree on your recs.

[atpo-onm.livejournal.com]

I can't recall whether I mentioned this on your LJ or mine, but in S2 of Revolution, be aware that you may need to watch the TV with the room lights either very low, or even off. Scenes shot at night, or even in some interiors at night, are shot the way they would be lighted in reality.

This technique graphically emphasizes the storyline fact that there's no electric light, anywhere, which we so take for granted that we've lost the ability (at least in First World countries) to understand what life was like before it. It took me a couple of S2 eps before I understood what they were doing, and I like how daring this is from both an artistic and practical production standpoint, but then you literally can't see some things happening on the screen with normal room lighting.

You can of course pull up the brightness setting on the TV, but that defeats the creative intent. Caveat-- many TVs, especially LCD type flat panels, cannot produce a true black either inherently or because they are misadjusted from the factory to produce a brighter-than-correct image.

If you own an old CRT set, or a plasma type flat screen, these can be adjusted to yield a true black background, a design advantage. But lowering or killing the room lights will help no matter what you have.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

I'd include The Originals in the new series category.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Ack, I forgot it too? Dang it. I had it included in the poll version that I lost. (When you attempt to edit by hitting the back button - you lose your poll completely. It wasn't always like this - just after the latest LJ upgrade.)

At any rate, would agree. It's actually really good.

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

Breaking Bad. Best show I've seen in along, long time.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Agreed. (Although I was going for tv series that hadn't finished or completed their runs...but I don't think I made that clear. Note - do not attempt to create polls prior to going to bed...you rush and make all sorts of mistakes.)

Have you tried The Good Wife and/or Justified..it's of the same caliber, but less violent. ;-) (Well, The Good Wife is at any rate.)

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

I would not recommend a show unless I knew a person's taste very well. It's all so individual. If that person is you, then you're probably already watching more than I am. My tolerance for a lot of TV has plummeted in my old age.

That said, Orphan Black is good, but for all I know, you've seen it.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

In retrospect, I think this would have worked better if I'd asked for favorite show or show you love the most. That's easier to answer.

And yes, few people can beat me in the tv slut category - although, I tend to DVR/record more tv shows than I actually watch. So there is that.

Yep, seen Orphan Black. Would rec it as well - actually I already did above, I hope it's there. Stupid poll left out half of my favorites. Doing polls in LJ has actually gotten harder in some respects - you used to be able to edit prior to posting...now if you hit the back button - you lose the poll.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

Right now the favorite of still-running shows is OUAT, so I can't give you anything new and exciting. I have cut down the shows I watch to a slim number, most of the older shows. When it comes to new stuff, I wait a few seasons to see what my friends like and dislike, and what isn't cancelled.

[grimorie.livejournal.com]

New Shows: The Witches of East End, its a fun popcorn show very reminiscent of Practical Magic. Its lovely because of how much the focus is on the relationships between sisters and mothers and daughters.

New show I forgot to recommend: Sleepy Hollow.

Old show I forgot to tic but recommend: Suits, although I do only watch for Harvey, Jessica, Rachel, and Louis Litt.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

I do only watch for Harvey, Jessica, Rachel, and Louis Litt.

What is a Mike Ross? Why is a Mike Ross?

[shapinglight]

I can only recommend three things off that list, but I'll second (or third) the mention of The Good Wife.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

Ripper Street's second series is airing now.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

So, it is still on? I vaguely remembered someone stating it had ended?

[angearia.livejournal.com]

I would've voted for The Good Wife, of course! The best show on TV right now.

As for new shows, I'm a big fan of Brooklyn 99. Best new comedy with a wonderfully talented, diverse cast.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Agreed on The Good Wife. It's the best show on TV.