Kirk said:
What is your favourite TV-show/programme/series of all times?
There have been dozens of shows that I probably watched religiously at the time they were on the air, but for this discussion I'm trying to limit myself to shows that, if an episode came on
right now, I'd sit down and watch. I don't think I can narrow it down to just one, but almost no one else has either, so here are some of my "must see" shows from years past:
- The Carol Burnett Show. Perhaps the best sketch comedy show ever. Some of my favorite moments are those when the cast members get cracked up at each other and because the show was filmed live, before a studio audience, they just had to try to get through it.
- Hill Street Blues. "Let's be careful out there."
- St. Elsewhere. My favorite "hospital" show of all time. E.R. can't hold a candle to this show.
- The "A" Team. B.A. Baracus: "I pity the fool." Hannibal: "I love it when a plan comes together."
- Moonlighting. Still a big Bruce Willis fan, but he's never been as good as he was on this show. One of the first shows that I remember really breaking through the fourth wall by having the characters turn to address the audience about whatever was going on in the show. Also the great arguments between Dave and Maddy, where both of them were talking at the same time and neither was listening to what the other was saying.
- Twin Peaks. David Lynch, 'nuff said. To this day, my wife reminds me that I once broke a date with her to stay home and watch an episode of Twin Peaks, even though my roommate had offered to tape it for me so I could watch it later.
- Mad About You. Up until the last season or so, I really enjoyed this show a lot. Great chemistry between the leads.
- Chicago Hope. Another favorite hospital show, although I lost interest after Mandy Patinkin left the show.
- Homicide. My favorite "cop show" of all time. Have the first three seasons on DVD, the rest are on my Amazon.com wish list (note: My birthday is this Thursday, so act fast).
I was, and still am, a big "Seinfeld" fan, although I'm a little burnt out on it at the moment because it seems like every channel on the dial (*) is showing "Seinfeld" reruns these days. Sort of the same situation for "Law & Order", which of course is both currently in production
and in reruns, so it's almost unavoidable.
Some of my new favorites are:
- House, M.D. I love this show, although I'm worried that this standard formula that each episode follows won't carry the show for a whole lotta seasons. But Hugh Laurie is just great as Dr. House.
- Monk. Have been a Tony Shalhoub fan since Wings. This is a wonderful show.
(*) For you youngsters reading this: Once upon a time, televisions had dials, and in order to change channels you actually had to get up, walk across the room, and turn the dial.
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