Juice The Blog » Blog Archive » Let’s Talk Television

Posted by eric on October 25th, 2009

Firstly, I don’t have cable and I think Hulu is the greatest thing ever–though, if you haven’t heard, its glory days are numbered. Kindof a huge bummer. You can thank Newscorp for that one. Not sure what my plans are for the future.

Anyways, I have a few shows on regular rotation. Here’s what I’ve been watching.

The Good:

Modern Family – A new comedy on ABC. This show is really excellent. It’s only five episodes deep as of this writing, but it’s a refreshingly well-written, well-casted and just plain funny show that stands out in a climate of predominantly underwhelming programming. I highly recommend it.

The Wire – This show has been over for a few years now and I missed watching it when it was on, but heard from multiple people that it was really great. I’m from Baltimore (the show is about the Baltimore crime scene) so this was a no-brainer. Morgan and I are tag teaming this one and are currently through the first three seasons. I’ve never more thoroughly enjoyed a police drama. If you haven’t seen the show, put it in your Netflix and smoke it. There are five seasons total.

The Daily Show – Consistently amazing. I forget that this show exists sometimes. In case you do too, it’s still good.

30 Rock – Still the best comedy on television. This season might be the funniest yet.

The Bad:

The Office – Honestly, been a little disappointed lately. I feel like characters are falling into caricatures of themselves. Dwight has fully transformed from the annoying but believable office weirdo, into a ridiculous and unbelievable exaggeration of himself. Michael is guilty of this too sometimes and I feel like the show has lost touch with what I thought was once one of its most redeeming and entertaining qualities–a base in reality.

Flash Forward – A new drama on ABC which Morgan and I have been watching religiously despite its low quality. It’s one of those mystery-type shows like Lost or Heroes where you can’t miss an episode. It’s ends up being easier to keep watching than stop, but continued viewing only leads to more questions and few, if any, answers. The plot of the show revolves around a simultaneous loss of consciousness experienced by everyone on the planet, in which everyonel see a glimpse of their lives 6 months in the future. An FBI investigation into the cause of the blackout is launched and the story goes from there. I think the concept is cool, but the show gets a little cheesy sometimes, and I think it lacks a cohesive style. Also, I don’t ever expect to find out what happens. Watch at your own risk.

That about sums up my lineup. I’d love to hear what everyone else is watching or if anyone has any thoughts on the shows I mentioned. Hit up the comments.

Tags: 30 rock, flash forward, modern family, television, The Daily Show, the office, the wire, tv

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15 Responses to “Let’s Talk Television”

October 26th, 2009 at 2:21 am
rob says:

Probably unsurprising, but I am so so SO glad you and Morgan and watching The Wire. We’ll have to talk once you get into the thick of Season 4 (my personal favorite season).

I’m actually re-watching the first season with Steph (her first time) and I find myself enthralled as much as I was the first time I watched the show.

Other than that, I burned through the entirety of the original “The Prisoner”, and for a British show from the late 60′s, it aged pretty well, in my opinion.

I haven’t watched 30 Rock in a long time, as I remember getting turned off around the end of Season 2/beginning of Season 3. I watched a couple of recent episodes from the Office when I heard Stringer Bell (from the Wire) was going to be Michael Scott’s boss. They weren’t bad, but I completely agree with you regarding the “characters deforming into caricatures of themselves” comment.

The only other TV show I’ve been watching as of late is “Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” I’m in the middle of Season 2 right now, and if nothing else, it’s good for a laugh, plus I inexplicably find things that Danny DeVito is involved in hilarious (e.g., Throw Momma from the Train).

It is a shame regarding Hulu though, although I don’t go to it as much as I used to. Netflix instant queue all the way, baby.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:54 am
eric says:

For whatever reason, “The Prisoner” has come up like 5 times in my life in the past few years, which seems like too many for a show so old. I’ve heard good things though; I think Adam may have watched part of it awhile back.

I also stopped watching 30 Rock around the same time actually, but I don’t remember it being for any particular reason. At any rate, I’d recommend jumping back on the wagon. I’ve been laughing.

I’ve really enjoyed the few episodes I’ve seen of “It’s Always Sunny”, but haven’t fully made the plunge.

We’ll talk Wire soon.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
choof says:

Modern family looks good, I am definitely going to be giving that one a try.

Betsy and I have recently started watching both The Office and 30 Rock from the beginning via Netflix instant queue. We both missed the boat on the start of these shows, but like we guessed they are treating us well.

Since we’re recommending shows we’ve recently watched, I feel obligated to mention Battlestar Galactica. It’s one of my favorite shows of all time. They are also starting a prequel TV series called Caprica in spring 2010. The Caprica pilot is available on Netflix (not instantly) which I highly recommend as well.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
eric says:

I’ve always wanted to watch Battlestar, Choof. Thanks for suggesting it. Glad you are enjoying The Office and 30 Rock so far. They are quality.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:22 am
BLin says:

I fell off most shows when I moved and had a 2 week gap in my DVR queue. Gotta get back on 30 rock, and I’m glad I haven’t missed much on the office.

I’m pretty hardcore into cooking now, so my favorite show these days is Top Chef. I usually don’t like reality/contestant shows but I feel like they strike a pretty solid balance between people drama and the actual contest (i.e. 10%/90% respectively), which is what usually turns me off.

Also, No Reservations is really legit. Anthony Bourdain makes me jealous of his life every time I watch the show.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:53 am
colin says:

Eric- thank you for mentioning Modern Family. The pre-season marketing (and Onion article) had me turned off, but now I have watched the first episode and think it has a lot of potential.

I am also a flash forward guy … it is an addiction like “Kings” where you know it’s not GREAT but it keeps you coming back.

I also enjoy HBO shows like Dexter and Entourage and True Blood.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:55 am
colin says:

Oh, and Battlestar Galactica is probably the best series I’ve ever seen. Please watch it.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
fil says:

I would have to say that No Reservations is quite good. There’s another show with a fattish bald dude who eats a lot of food at weird places, which isn’t as good…but its entertaining. There’s also a show called MAN VS FOOD. where a dude just eats these crazy meals. its really stupid but so effing good. The guys personality is great which makes it quite easy to watch an american stuff as much food in his mouth as possible.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
rob says:

Thirding the recommendation for No Reservations. Although I’ve only seen a couple of episodes from Netflix, the one regarding “forgotten” eateries in Manhattan was awesome…

And only makes me more sad that I’ve never been to Katz’s Deli.

Man VS Food is incredible, and I eagerly await the day that Adam takes on the Garbage Plate.

And to anyone that’s on the fence about seeing the Wire, let me state that it may look like a “Cop Drama on HBO” from the outside, but the cop drama aspect of it serves as a vehicle for a show that’s more of a social commentary with the kind of depth I’ve only seen in novels.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
chad says:

I’m going to piggy back on Rob’s comment about the Wire, “the kind of depth I’ve only seen in novels,” and apply it to the best show on television: Mad Men.

If you haven’t caught up with Season 3 yet, I implore you to do so.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
chad says:

Also, “It’s Always Sunny” is really a hit or miss show, especially this season. I suggest watching “The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention,” found here:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/101903/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-the-gang-gives-frank-an-intervention#s-p1-so-i0
October 28th, 2009 at 11:32 am
eric says:

I freaking love Top Chef. Those guys blow my mind, what with the chopping and the slicing/dicing and whatnot. Also, I happened to come across some Anthony Bourdaine on youtube the other day, devouring some Bahn Mi. I was intrigued. I watch “The Next Iron Chef” reruns from time to time. Alton Brown is a personal hero.

I’ve somewhat embarrassingly only watched one episode this season from Mad Men, but I, too, share an affinity. I think I’m far enough out that I can wait it out to power watch at the end of the season.

Katz’s is really intimidating, but they have good pickles.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
rob says:

Eric, did you ever try the pastrami? If so, was it all it was cracked up to be?

I also love pickles, and would totally go to a Deli based off the recommendation of pickle quality, as shallow as that may sound.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
eric says:

I think the last time I was there I had a reuben. The corned beef was pretty great but they pile it higher than is reasonable for a sandwich. From what I hear though, the rye bread they use, which is supposed to be “New York famous” isn’t what it used to be.

There’s nothing shallow about following the good pickles, sir.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
kyle says:

Hey, is that a reuben?

Eric, as per your recommendation I burned through the five episodes of Modern Family and enjoyed them greatly. I hope the show takes off. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

As for food shows, a guilty pleasure of mine is Gordon Ramsey’s “Hell’s Kitchen” which is loaded with people drama but also features very talented chefs who compete for quite a hefty prize (becoming the head chef of one of Ramsey’s five star restaurants). The most entertaining aspect of the entire show is Gordon Ramsey himself. The dude is the most intense person I have ever seen around food and is also quick to snap a n00bs neck if they don’t have the skills to be in his kitchen. To put a Blin split on it, I would say the show starts at 50/50 drama to contest but as the show progresses it rapidly becomes more about the competition than petty squabbling.