The new television season

[brettac1]

Robert, and others, is The Wire better than it was its first season? I watched some episodes then, and it was so dark (both in storyline and shot at night) I thought it was horrible. I dropped HBO after I watched it only a couple times in the months after 6FU went off the air, and I'm surprised to hear people say The Wire is good. Entourage was pretty mediocre too, and i hear that's gone way up and now back down.

 

Honestly, as far as I'm concerned, the first season of The Wire might be the greatest acheivement in television history (ok, that may be hyperbole). My recommendation is to get it on DVD and set aside a weekend to watch it (for the most part this is the only way I watch TV shows). That way you can keep up with it better, because there is a lot of stuff going on and a lot of characters. Best Buy usually runs HBO series on sale every few months, for like half price.

 

The show is so gritty and full of realism (especially the blurring of the lines between good and evil), I think it's amazing. I loved The Sopranos, too. but I think The Wire blows it out of the water, there's really not anything like it.

 

Entourage is kind of meh for me, I like the first two seasons, but they lost me last year.

[hawing]

Bionic Woman (NBC)-- just to see how it compares to the original. Who knows? maybe it'll be good.

 

I thought The Onion was kidding when they included this in their fall preview recently. I guess not. I might have to give that a peek just for kicks. All the bionic shows were closely followed by my siblings and me back in the day.

 

Oh, and hey, pitch - I hope you can convert hammytime to Heroes, if for no other reason because Antarctica would be quite a climate change for you. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/smile.gif

[saget]

I am completely obsessed with LOST, so that's what I'll be watching. Give me Season 3 on DVD already damnit!

[NeedMoreFans]

The Office (NBC)-- Chew me out now, because I'm lame and have never watched. Maybe because I don't work in an office it didn't appeal before? But I like Steve Carell so is this one I could pick up?

I don't work in an office, but I find this show to be one of my favorite shows ever. Coming into Season 4, there will be some stuff you will have missed, but nothing you won't be able to pick up on. If anything, just rent the DVD's of the first 3 seasons (Season 3 is out tomorrow), and you'll be caught up in no time...and you will enjoy yourself in the process.

[RobertR]

What I really like about The Wire is how it's expanded itself beyond a simple cop show to take a good hard look at the failings of public institutions. Government and schools have been just as big a focus the last few seasons as street level crime. In many ways, it's the show on television with the broadest scope, from homeless transients all the way up to high level politics. (Well other than satirical shows like The Simpsons and South Park.)

 

Robert

[cweber39]

Well at least there are 3 others besides me who are excited for the return of Friday Night Lights. Other than that it will be Simpsons and 24 in January.

[bork]

Heroes - I've been hooked since the beginning, though the finale was a bit disappointing

Lost - It really picked it up in the second half of last year. But it may be a bit tough to get back into it, having to wait until Jan.

Smallville - Has been going downhill for a few seasons now, but I'll still watch.

 

Of the new shows, Kid Nation looks mildly interesting.

[Patrick425]

Don't forget about Curb coming back late Sept.

Someone just told me about this today (actually, the first episode is this Sunday night). It made my day. This is, by far, my favorite show on TV right now.

[Tailgat0r76]

I'm really excited for Friday Night Lights.

 

I just need to make sure I get caught up before the new season starts. I just bought the first season on DVD and should be caught up shortly. what a great show!

 

Otherwise,

 

The Unit

The Shield

The Office

Family Guy

ER

and I'll have to check out Caveman

[RobertR]

While I remember, I'm also looking forward to the WWII documentary by Ken Burns. I'm not expecting anything as great as The Civil War, but it's such a rich subject that it seems like a can't miss.

 

Robert

[pitchleague]

I didn't hear about this WWII doc. I'm a big buff of WWII history. How'd I miss that? PBS again? If so, that's probably why since I don't get PBS at all.

[hammytime]

I saw a commercial tonight for 'The Office', airing on TBS beginning September 11. Thought I'd mention it, since it's been part of the discussion in this thread. (My husband has already programmed it on the Tivo in his computer room.)

[Patrick425]

Last year, my wife and I watched 24 for the first time. We watched it from the first episode to the last and came away (at least I did) a bit dissapointed...although I have had a few long term fans of the show tell me that it was not the best season. I sure hope not. I guess I'm just too cynicle to watch a show like that...to many eye rollers for me. It's supposed to be 6am and it's bright sunshine with short shadows people walking around everywhere. Also, I guess you are supposed to believe that you can get anywhere in LA in 10 minutes or less. I know that sounds a bit critical, but if the whole premise of the show is supposed to be based on real time, then try to live up to a realistic standard of that. A guy gets back from a Chinese prison, completly unshaven and in seemingly a state of shock....40 minutes later he's questioned, cleaned up, and is fighting the bad guys...sorry, that's a big eye roll for me.

 

Oh..and Chloe...when is she going to be killed? Talk about horrible acting. She reminds me of the woman (Molly Shannon?) on the Seinfeld episode that didn't swing her arms when she walked.

 

I know, a lot of people love this show, and I'm going to get blasted...but the show just doesn't do it for me.

[RobertR]

I didn't hear about this WWII doc. I'm a big buff of WWII history. How'd I miss that? PBS again? If so, that's probably why since I don't get PBS at all.

 

Yeah, PBS again. See http://www.pbs.org/thewar/ for details.

 

Robert

[SnapFan1]

I am looking forward to The Office and Survivor-China

[Iron Chef Napalm]

I don't watch much TV beyond the Brewers and movies.

 

The only shows I make an effort to watch are

Venture Bros

Robot Chicken

My Name is Earl

 

Oddly, I think my 3 shows are entering their 3rd seasons

[Patrick425]

Had to bump up this topic again because I was watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" last night. Not sure if anyone else saw it. However, there was an exterminator character on there that looked a lot like Chris Farley. I mentioned to my wife that he had to be his brother or something. Sure enough, we watch the credits at the end, it was Kevin Farley. I was not aware that he had a brother who was an actor.

[Paul77]

Had to bump up this topic again because I was watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" last night. Not sure if anyone else saw it. However, there was an exterminator character on there that looked a lot like Chris Farley. I mentioned to my wife that he had to be his brother or something. Sure enough, we watch the credits at the end, it was Kevin Farley. I was not aware that he had a brother who was an actor.

Madisons own... also a Marquette grad.

 

[2hoophead]

In addition to my previous post on page 1, I have added newbies 'Journeyman' a modern day Quantum Leap and also added 'Back to You' with Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton in a news office comedy. Both, obviously, quality shows in my opinion

[Fatter than Joey]

I was not aware that he had a brother who was an actor.

 

He has 2 brothers that are actors -- I think Kevin spoke at my daughter's school about drugs and improv comedy.

 

I watched that same episode -- the performance really smacked of Chris though.

[Fatter than Joey]

I like that Pushing Daisies show.

[homer]

I like that Pushing Daisies show

Yeah, there's something about it I enjoy. It's so different from everything else. Plus I find that little blond waitress really attractive.

[Fatter than Joey]

I think I like it because -- I LOVE PIE

[jlau20]

Anyone catch the Curb last week with the freak book and John McEnroe? I loved it.

[hawing]

I'm home from work today and decided to spend part of it watching Drew Carey's debut on The Price is Right. Different style, but it was all right by me. And not only did all six contestants win their pricing games (Drew said it was the 77th perfect game in TPIR history), each of the winning wheel spinners hit $1.00 and won an extra $1000.

 

The audience was every bit as manic for Drew as it's ever been for Bob Barker. Lots of T-shirts sporting "(xxxx) Rocks" slogans: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Drew, etc.