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Hercules Picks The 10 Best Scripted Hourlongs Of 2007!!

So nice to see King of the Hill get some love. by Bungion Boy	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:10:04 AM
One of the funniest and most consistent shows on tv. I don't know a lot of people who watch it and I don't know how it gets renewed every year, but I'm so glad it does. So well written. However, Herc, I'm always surprised to see Weeds make any list. For all its excellent actors and creative characters, I think it's one of the most overrated shows on tv. I feel that they've taken a great show that should have been about a family, rather than all the crazy adventures they have, and turned it into something too over the top to be taken seriously. Or even to be taken comedically. I don't buy any of the relationships or storylines anymore on the show. The drug dealing aspect should have been a backdrop and not the centerpiece. I love Parker, and have great affection for Nealon, and several other cast members. I just think that they've pushed it too far. I know a lot of people love it though. There's worse on tv so I can't blame them too much. Nice lists overall though, Herc.
Starting to fall in love with Lost by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:29:59 AM
Although I'm watching it a bit backwards by watching all of Season 3 first. I have seen episodes throughout all 3 seasons but this is the first time I'm really going to watch on a regular basis.
No Journeyman or Chuck = DIE by polyh3dron	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:29:59 AM
How can you leave those shows off when that piece of shit Heroes show is up there? The last Heroes episode invalidated any merit the previous episodes held to me.
Also, no "Life" = FAIL by polyh3dron	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:30:38 AM
That show is f'n AMAZING.
And no How I Met Your Mother? by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:31:35 AM
For shame, Herc. A show that isn't only damn funny but has sporadic Buffy/Angel/Firefly actors appear? How'd that miss the list? Especially for you? ;)
FINALLY by Errockk	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:33:03 AM
gotta keep that love for lost! best tv show on today!
What about Blah Dee Blah Blah? by tonagan	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:41:29 AM
Whine whine whine. Just thought I'd get that out of the way.
Dexter?!? by jbs0209	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:43:36 AM
WTF? How does Dexter not make the list? Are you high!
No Love for Dexter? by Z 008	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:44:44 AM
thats pretty much all i have to say
no dexter? by nidx	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:45:21 AM
u cannot state best without seeing this show
Finally! Some lovin' for Tell Me You Love Me by JiveTalker	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:50:55 AM
No one believes me that it really is a great freakin show! My girlfriend forced me to watch it against my will, and now I'm hooked. It's pretty much the best thing HBO has done since The Wire. TMYLM has gotten such a chilly reception though, which I blame entirely on MTV for raising generations of audience members to approach media with the maturity level and attention spans of fifth graders. I mean, come one. What's not to love about a well-scripted, brilliantly acted show that features beautifully shot, extremely graphic sex scenes?? Where I come from, that's called quality, friends.
"Tell Me Your Problems"... seriously? by BenjaminElial	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:54:57 AM
I'm willing to concede that every list is totally a personal thing but Tell Me You Love Me is one of the most excessive, painfully melodromatic heaps of shit on TV and everything Battlestar ran this season was unequivocally bad. Couple these picks (especially Battlestar at #1) with the omission of both Life and Dexter... come on man.
Kind Nation was the bomb... by DocBosch	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:59:03 AM
yo
What about ANY OTHER SHOW NOT ON THIS LIST??? by DocBosch	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:04:40 AM
How come ANY OTHER SHOW NOT ON THIS LIST is not on this list? I mean, come on, you rank SOME SHOW I DON'T LIKE, yet you fail to include ANY OTHER SHOW NOT ON THIS LIST, which i happen to enjoy. What do you think this is, something based on your personal opinion?
Dexter not making a lot of critics' lists. by Mose Schrute	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:06:27 AM
I wonder why. Well at least Dexter won a shitload of Emmys over its first two seasons to make up for not making many critics' Top Tens.
Dexter by Peter Venkman	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:10:53 AM
Wow. Not having Dexter on a list of top ten greatest shows is like not having ALF on a list of Top Ten Shows Starring ALF.
Good list... by Executor	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:19:26 AM
...the only change I'd make is to echo the above and add Dexter instead of Tell Me You Love Me. Tried to watch but it never resonated for me. Other than the hot Burger King girl naked.
No Dexter???? by photoboy	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:20:56 AM
C'mon man, it was absolutely riveting this year, I've not been so anxious to see the next episode of a TV show in years. Dexter has been seriously undervalued by the critics this year.
Fuck yeah, BSG is still the BEST show on TV by Han Cholo	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:35:40 AM
I can almost guarantee that the rest of the episodes will raise the bar for television drama. Moore has had a long break inbetween seasons so I'm expecting to see some revolutionary television when BSG returns.
Dexter is rubbish by BobWalnut	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:38:42 AM
Why does he have to keep underlining how odd, weird and "not-like-us" he is every frickin' 10 minutes? Wouldn't a well-written show let us infer that from the action / dialogue?
Which column would "The Soup" go under? by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:41:36 AM
Not sure if there's another program that makes me laugh more than this one.
Are there two shows called DEXTER? by splungiest	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:57:53 AM
The only one I know by that name is pretentious, poorly written Showtime swill about a serial killer. Where does the good DEXTER air and what's it about?
No Dr Who? Torchwood? Life on Mars? IT Crowd? Primeval? by NZGUY	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:00:59 AM
You're slipping Herc, how can you say the episode Blink (from Dr Who) doesn't deserve to be on that list?
Herc, thanks for leaving off Dexter. by whoanecron	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:02:10 AM
And thanks to all the other critics too for leaving it off as well. And thanks to all the Emmys for voting it no awards. While Dexter wins few accolades, it's still incredibly overrated.
The Office has been complete rubbish... by couP	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:23:25 AM
Desperate Housewives should replace that in your list. I still don't think one good ep of Heroes, yes, there's only been one, Company Man, warrants it being on that list. Dexter could easily slot in, even though it hasn't been AS good this season.
Haven't seen Mad Men or Pushing Daisies yet by newc0253	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:23:53 AM
otherwise i concur, although I wonder whether House doesn't also deserve a place on the list somewhere.
Dexter is at the top of Kristin's list by Thick McRunFast	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:28:58 AM
That's Kristin of "Watch with Kristin" on E!. Can't say I'm surprised at Herc's lousy list - he's really just in it for the screeners and the absurdly long and posted-way-too-often DVD spam list complete with the code for Amazon referral points in the URL. Once Dexter gets some face time on CBS this year, you'll see the HBO snobs fall in line finally. It's undeniably a great show, and I'd say the morons who go out of their way to criticize it here proves that.
um... Dexter best show on TV... by YouIgnorantGeeks	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:36:11 AM
My brother asked me if I really watched it, I said of course, he asked how it was.. and that subject heading is how I described it after thinking about it. IT IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV... and its not on this list?!!?!?!? Also How I Met Your Mother is best comedy on TV... yet also not on list!??!!?!?! hahaha yea ok there... And the Sopranos Final Shot was one of THE WORST Final shots in history. Deal with it.
no dexter by palewook	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:36:19 AM
i call horseshit.
Kristin from E! loves Seventh Heaven and One Tree too. by mcgowanleg	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:43:31 AM
So her endorsement, while unsurprising, does not compel me to watch more episodes of that crapfest Dexter
Decent list .... by Itchy	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:51:13 AM
but I'd put Sopranos higher. The final 6 were pretty fantastic, especially Soprano's Home Movies. Looking back, it really is the best TV I've ever seen. Lost and Heroes both continue to show they are fabulous shows when moving towards a definate plot event, but otherwise tend to get bogged down. If the first episodes of Heroes were as good as the last three this year, no one would be bitching on here.
Take THAT, Kristen Bell hatas! by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:00:01 AM
:) 2 shows in Herc's top 10. A very good list, although I don't get the Brotherhood love. My personal top 10 had VM and BSG 2 and 1 as well.
Don't sweat no How I Met Your Mother, guys... by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:08:31 AM
The list is for the 10 best scripted hour-long shows. Maybe Herc will give us the 10 best 30-minute ones later this week. HIMYM is TV's best comedy, yes.
Strike that, I didnm by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:13:55 AM

Strike that, I didn't see the 30-minute list until now... by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:15:05 AM
Damn Herc, no HIMYM, but Lucy, Daughter of the Devil??? WTF?
Heroes and no Dexter? by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:30:28 AM
What the heck?
Havent seen Life but I'll guess it was better than Heroes by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:39:19 AM
1. Dexter 2. LOST 3. BSG 4 4. Pushing Daisies ... And I havent seen Mad Men or Rome
BSG... one show to rule them all by Razorback	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:43:24 AM
Booyah.
The top 10 is worth shit without the Shield, Herc by Toby___Wong	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:49:39 AM
What an awesome season it was. Supernatural season 2 was also awesome and its finale was the best finale of any show on tv.
Sniff - no Journeyman by theycallmemrglass	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:55:00 AM
Sniff again. Journeyman RIP - at least I think that is the current scenario, right. "Company Man" episode is my favourite episode of any series. To those who have read Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows, (SPOILER WARNING) - doesnt Company Man (ie Noah bennet) strike a a similarity to Professor Snape in terms of character plot twist?
Talking about great endings by theycallmemrglass	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:05:08 AM
It will be nice to see a top 10 of greatest endings. The only great endings I can think of are for 3 British shows The Office, Extras, and Life on Mars. Does that say something about the difference between US TV networks (go fck yourselves and watch what we give you and have the right to pull the plug when we want even if it was the happiness of your life) and BBC (We want your yr licence fee so will do our best but allow us to f*k up now and again)
Les Moonves must suffer by Drath	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:14:55 AM
He's cancelled a lot of shows with passionate followings. Star Trek Enterprise and Joan of Arcadia were both axed too soon. Where was this ape when Star Trek Voyager was sucking for seven long years? He should be banished to Viacom's most remote and smelliest office and never heard from again.
No Journeyman? No Jounrneyman really???? by Mr_X	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:17:49 AM
sorry but one or two good eps of heroes does not make a season. JOurneyman was constantly better herc, and some love for dexter should not have gone amiss. really disappointed with the lack of journeyman
no house either? by Mr_X	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:21:56 AM
this season has been the best yet
No jericho???? Thank god for that by theycallmemrglass	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:23:46 AM
They totally ruined that shows potential. The black dude was the most interesting character though.
Oh and Black Adder Goes Forth by theycallmemrglass	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:27:54 AM
Greatest ending in the world. Friends had a lovely if not spectacular ending. What other great endings are there? I will like to watch the series if I havent seen them.
Good year for TV. by Series7	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:30:58 AM
People are shitting there pants about ever overrated movie coming out right now. I think this year TV was fucking amazing. And I don't even get HBO or Showtime. I don't think there has ever been a year with show after show just nailing it. Granted I don't agree with Herc (Heroes, really I can't even fucking tell you what the second half of the first season was about, and I was way into that show but I hate it still?). And 30 Rock > Office, this season of 30 rock was the funniest thing on tv/movies, the Office was just painting by numbers (minus those horrible not sure if its a comedy or melodrama hour longs). Also I really like Pushing Daisies, but the premiss is starting to wear thin and I don't see it sticking around much longer. Also wheres any FX love? Weren't you plowing through pairs of undies because of your uncontroable bowels about the show Damages? I didn't really care for the show, but someone on this site was trying to get us to watch it every week? Who was that? Plus the soup needs to go in there somewhere, Chat Shows maybe? Its funny how one man is funnier then the entire staff at Best Week Ever. Someone get Doug Benson a better job.
Bionic Woman quite rightly was not mentioned by theycallmemrglass	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:53:54 AM
But its watchable, just not very exciting. yet it garners more viewers than Journeyman. It tells me that TV Network Marketing is more powerful than word of mouth which saddens me. I started watching Journeyman simply through word of morth. Oh well.
INSTANT FAIL because of lack of Dexter... Heroes? Seriously? by turketron	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:05:22 AM
Come on now. You can put Heroes up there (which I do make it a point to watch every episode of, but feel that for the most part, it's really weak) but don't even have a breath about Dexter? Something's wrong here. If you're going to mention shows that "had some good episodes" such as Heroes, you should list Supernatural. And Lost would beat BSG, I'd say there were a lot more great episodes in the tail end of season 3 than in BSG's third season. To each his own I guess...
My list (not that anyone gives a shit)... by Sledge Hammer	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:06:46 AM
...mainly I'm just posting this because frankly I have nothing better to do. I don't agree with much of Herc's list, or Herc's taste in general, but he's still entitled to his own opinions all the same. Anyways... My top 10 in no particular order (because I'm not quite that bored): The Shield Dexter Lost Ho use Life On Mars Battlestar Galactica Rome Weeds 24 The Unit Doctor Who fave new shows: The Riches Californication J ourneyman Damages Burn Notice Jekyll Still enjoying: Entourage Drawn Together South Park It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Rescue Me Hustle Prison Break Big Love The IT Crowd Top Gear Heroes Mythbusters< br>My Name Is Earl
No Dexter invalidates the list. by SID 8.0	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:12:18 AM
Call me selfish if you want but it was the best show of 2007. No Unit either just adds to the omissions list.
Looking at some other posts makes me... by SID 8.0	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:21:58 AM
realize There are quite a few others that weren't on the list. Damages, Rescue Me, Always Sunny, and How I Met Your Mother were just fooking hilarious. Add Supernatural,and L&O SVU too. Of the new shows only Life and Journeyman very sad to see that one go.
I still need to check out Life... by Sledge Hammer	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:23:43 AM
Given all the praise it's been getting. Give me something new to watch anyways...
I disagree. by CatVutt	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:24:29 AM
The list is supposedly the Ten Best Scripted Hourlongs of 2007, and that INCLUDES those rancid Season Two Heroes episodes, so no way should it be Top Ten. JOURNEYMAN, FAMMIT!
Dexter by toshiro-solo	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:31:21 AM
is good, but it ain't that good. This list looks about right to me. I think I've said it before, but after some Wire, the "police procedural" aspects of Dexter are kind of laughable. Everything that focuses on the title character is gold, but much of the rest falls flat for me.
bsg wasnt #1, sorry by palewook	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:41:22 AM
the lame last episode were everyone was a cylon and half the episode dialog lifted from "along the watchtower' wasn't brilliant. it was just a half hearted attempt to make something profound that wasn't. i'm a cylon, she's a cylon, wouldn't you like to be a cylon too..
WTF by greg39	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:42:09 AM
What the hell is up with all the Journeyman love? That show was pure formulaic drivel at its worst. Every episode was exactly the same, just rename the charcters. And if you're going to talk about Tell Me you Love Me, don't talk the sex scenes. You guys sound like Geeks in heat, and idea of most of you naked, kind of makes me sick.
All crap. So bad that IRON CHEF AMERICA blows them away. by Uncle Stan	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:45:35 AM
and I'm sure that it's only partially scripted.
Holy crap how did I forget Damages!?! by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:57:40 AM
1. Dexter 2. LOST 3. Damages 4. BSG 5. Pushing Daisies The lack of Dexter talkbacks on this site is flat out ridiculous. Dexter isn't just good, it's a bloody MASTERPIECE. And to the haters, there's like 2 shows on TV that /might/ rival Dexter, and that's LOST and Wire (which wasn't even on TV in 2007 if I remember correctly). But, if Dexter is too dark for you, stick with CSI: Miami (/action puts on shades).
toshiro-solo by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:02:33 AM
The Wire isn't that great of a serial killer series. Oh wait, why am I even comparing Wire to Dexter? They have nothing in common. I hope you realize that Dexter's focus isn't on forensics (please see CSI: Miami ZZZzzz...) or police procedure (pleas see Wire). It's a suspense thriller about a psychopathic killer who is battling his own demons.
Recently started watching Mad Men (Spoilers)... by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:11:09 AM
And I am astounded at these wonderful monologues that each character has in an episode. Pete Campbell's speech about hunting a deer, and how his wife should properly act is one of the best things I've seen. Don has also had a lot of fantastic ones, unfortunately I can't think of any offhand.
No idea Brotherhood had... by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:12:01 AM
Janel Moloney naked. I WILL watch it now.
Glad to see HIMYM appreciation.. by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:15:41 AM
An incredibly funny, well acted show, that pays tremendous attention to coninuity. And King of the Hill is leagues better than Simpsons/Family Guy, etc. at this point, and they've been having a great season, and actually taking risks (killed a pivotal character) whereas Simpsons would have reset it all by the end. Glad to see I'm not the only one finding value in it.
Andy Barker at 2 and 30 Rock at 9?! by Fart_Master_Flex	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:17:54 AM
Seriously, it is your list so you can do whatever you want. But for my money, nothing made me laugh more than 30 Rock in 2007. All I have to say is Jack and Tracey's therapy session is hands down the scene of the year. It is Baldwin's Emmy moment fo' sho'.
Oh yeah by Spank	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:22:47 AM
Everyone has their favs I suppose- Sad Herc, that you have ALL that time to watch "reality" shows and little if any time to watch a little more QUALITY tv. You missed shows like Jeckyl, Journeyman, Dr. Who, Daqmages, Torchwood, Life On Mars, heck evem Reaper- guess you're lucky you have all those pay channels so you can stay up on all the HBO s-sh-s-stuff (I cancelled my sub when they cancelled Deadwood- and they're gonna have to pick up their quality BIG TIME before I pay for them again!). If you were judging shows on THIS YEAR'S performance I'm sure it would be a different list. Mad Men, Veronica, well, not ALL of your choices are off, but seriously (SERIOUSLY!) Lost??? This last season??? Heroes at least had some of their first season shows this year- but really, with the lackluster performance of their second, SOMEBODY aught to be ashamed! Anyone else figure out that Lost is actually Never-Neverland from Barrie's book? Look it up, and Herc, PLEASE start paying attention to some of the more QUALITY shows and less to the quality HYPE! Thanks buddy.
Sopranos?? by Spank	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:25:54 AM
Really?? again, THIS YEAR??? I admit I didn't watch it and figured all the acolades this year were from their overall performance, but still, the BEST???
KingKirby Has His Say!! by KingKirby	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:27:32 AM
10) BROTHERHOOD (Showtime). Don't have Showtime, don't care. 9) ROME (HBO). I agree...I wish HBO would stop truncating some of it's best written and involving series (Carnivale, Deadwood, Rome). 8) HEROES (NBC). There was a lot of wheel-spinning when season 2 kicked off, but I think the ship righted itself quite admirably by the end of the strike-shortened season. 7) MAD MEN (AMC). Man, that redheaded vixen has a sweet ass! Oh, and this was a welcome surprise on what was once one of my favorite basic cable channels...before they started adding commercials, and before they started considering trash like "Catwoman" an American Movie Classic. Eww, I just threw up in my mouth a little. 6) THE SOPRANOS (HBO). After stringing us along for WAAAAY too long, it started seeming like everything (and everyone) must go. An infuruating and, upon reflection, very cool ending. Didn't everyone scream when the screen went black, thinking their cable went out? With the end of "The Sopranos," to a certain degree...it did. 5) TELL ME YOU LOVE ME (HBO). Guess you have to have been in an intimate relationship (which is hard for some internet geeks like me), I found it boring. Blah blah blah...let's do it...blah blah blah...why don't you want to do it...blah blah blah...dear God please don't show the old couple do it. Blah indeed. 4) PUSHING DAISIES (ABC). My pick just ahead of JOURNEYMAN as my favorite show of the year. Has there ever been a relationship on TV as tantalizingly as the one between The Pie Maker and Chuck? Just one touch? Nope, it'll take you away for ever. Can't I even pet my dog once? Nope...it'll kill him, too. Oh, and Kristin Chenowyth, the petite pixie, has a voice, and a rack, to die for...no pun intended. 3) LOST (ABC). Agreed. 2) VERONICA MARS (The CW). Not with you in the least. Everytime I tried to watch this miscalculated abortion of a show, I kept asking myself what the hell does Herc see in this mess. Okay, Bell is cute, but she just always came off as a slutty drag to me, who's precious little witticisms seemed too forced to be believed as actually coming from her. Sorry. 1) BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SciFi). I declare shenanagans on you! Oh Gods, what a boring show. So much bullshit about clones and cylons that look like people and Cylons that look like RoboCop2. With bad writing, bad acting, and "Stargate" level direction, this stinkball really is what SciFi has become...hell, they even show "professional" wrestling now, for shit sake. But then again, my list would have included "Chuck" and "Reaper," so what do I know? The King has spoken.
Damages and Journeyman by PVIII	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:32:22 AM
for shame Herc, for shame.
Dexter by ian216a	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:55:09 AM
Got over my new years eve hangover yesterday by watching all of the second season for the first time in one day. From the first episode I was completely engrossed in it. It's amazing how sympathic they get you to feel towards a self-proclaimed monster. I just don't understand how anyone here can accuse it of having "bad writing", which is a particularly inelegant phrase in itself. One of the funniest deliveries I've heard in ages was Doakes responding to whether he was going to meet a suspect with back-up. "Oh yeah. All kinds of back-up. Helicopters and shit." I'll miss that motherfucking cock-sucker. It wasn't completely faultless though. Jamie Murray as Lyla could really annoy with her overemphasised pronunciation. Probably just noticable because she was outclassed by the rest of the cast. nb. Anyone have Debbie Morgan's phone number?
Shield, Dexter, Sunny In Philly by wash	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:23:39 AM
Some of the best shows, period. SHAME, Herc!
oh yeah, Sunny too by PVIII	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:36:08 AM
re: for shame.
Howard Stern? really??? by jccalhoun	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:44:38 AM
I used to watch his show on E just to see the blurry boobs so I guess I can understand the appeal of watching his show but the best talk show? really? I suppose watching him get women to take their clothes off is better than listening to it on the radio which I've never understood the appeal of.
The Shield by supersize	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:45:33 AM
Where the fock is the Shield yo?
my list by addyadam	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:59:26 AM
1) Lost 2) The Office 3) BSG 4) South Park 5) Heroes
Let's not turn Andy Barker into Freaks & Geeks by Garbageman33	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:10:09 AM
In other words, let's not rememember it as a classic show axed well before its time. Andy Barker was amusing in small doses. Nothing more, nothing less.
BSG: Exodus Part II by zooch	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:17:37 AM
Was the best hour of scripted television I've seen this year, and I'm huge fan of Lost's Season 3 finale, but Exodus was just slightly better.
30 ROCK sucks by thegreatwhatzit	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:21:03 AM
And, no, it's not an imperiled "cult" sitcom a la ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. It's an ego venue that slipping into erosion (little wonder that it's a blip on the Nielsen radar).
Zooch nailed it. by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:30:22 AM
Exodus Part II ("BSG"), Through the Looking Glass ("LOST"), and Resistance is Futile ("Dexter") mark some of the finest scripts of 2007.
Herc, after a bajillion talkbackers begging you by smackfu	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:36:59 AM
to watch Dexter for 2 years now, you still haven't watched the series? I know, you've seen an episode or 2, but really, that's like talking to someone who refuses to watch Sopranos, saying 'I saw an episode once and it didn't do it for me'. Season 1 was good in introducing us to Dexter and fleshing him out, but Season 2 was a lot more slick and involving, watching a serial killer cop be put on the task force to investigate his own crimes. Great season.
Ashok0 by toshiro-solo	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:48:53 AM
I agree - it's about DEXTER. And when it's focusing on Dex the killer, it's great TV. When it's focusing on his dayjob (which it does sometimes, and when it does, it IS a police procedural, which is why the Wire comparison isn't totally out of left field) and the people he works with, it loses much of it's magic for me. I think the character is great, though.
I don't get BSG... by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:56:48 AM
After all the praise here, I watched it. I've watched the entire series and it really just falls flat for me. I'm not the biggest science fiction fan, so that might be it, but I can usually put that behind me when the writing is particularly strong. The only episode I've really enjoyed of the show, on like a masterful level, was "Downloaded". But to see all you guys constantly praising it, I feel bad that I'm not "getting" it.
My list of hourlongs by zer0cool2k2	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:01:55 PM
Not by quality, but by how soon I have to watch after Tivoing: 1. BSG 2. Mad Men 3. Journeyman 4. Damages 5. The Shield 6. Rescue Me 7. Heroes 8. The Sopranos 9. Pushing Daisies 10.Chuck 11. Veronica Mars
DanielKurlend, re: BSG by zer0cool2k2	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:09:43 PM
If you don't "get" BSg, obviously you just aren't intelligent enough to grasp Ron moore's cerebral mastery of the television medium, or to follow the parallels drawn between that universe and our own current plight! That's what I'm supposed to do in Talkback, right? Bash anyone who disagrees that my favorite show is the greatest of all time! Actually, i just wanted to say thanks for giving BSG a shot before just declaring "it sucks". Hey, every show isn't for every viewer. just kidding before, as I'm sure you are quite intelligent and capable of forming your own opinions.
dexter=overrated by heroic_duo	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:25:54 PM
Sorry, but it's pretty hammy and poorly written.
Hey Herc... by Jordo	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:27:16 PM
Did you ever get around to watching It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia? Absolutely hilarious.
the love for how i met your mother by Mr_X	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:33:12 PM
i dont get it. honestly i thought Kitchen Confidential was absolutely hilarious it just ot better and better ( for those that managed to get the whole season on torrent) and on at the same time but of cause Fox had to go fuck it up and cancel it. I cant belive this season of house is not on there. It's been unmissable tv these seaosn with the " survivor" eps, just bloody brilliant. the journeyman omission is sad, it was the best show this season, and had me glued to the tv SAVE JOURNEYMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BSG.. apart from the exodus, kinda dragged on
No Dexter? Seriously man get your head out of your a**. by Der-Rabe	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:46:31 PM
Well, perhaps too much 'reality' TV can ruin your brain.
"it's [Dexter] pretty hammy and poorly written." by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:55:09 PM
Actually it's spelled "t", "w", "e", "n", "t", "y", "f", "o", "u", "r". And yes it is hammy and poorly written. I mean they didn't even show Jack in China in S6. Oh well, at least there are QUALITY shows on TV like "Dexter" and "LOST".
BSG.. apart from the exodus, kinda dragged on by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 12:58:32 PM
Yeah other than the entire New Caprica arc, the temple and the supernova, Maelstrom and Starbuck's disappearance, Gaius' trial in Crossroads, Apollo about to embark on an incredible journey, nothing much happened, it just dragged on. Heh.
House by Series7	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:02:15 PM
This start of this season started really cheesy but got better toward the end. Like the first 3 or 4 medical mysteries were really lame. Once he got rid of pretty much everyone it got better. Hopefully it'll kick it up when it returns.
Andy Barker will always be awful by TallBoy66	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:13:30 PM
Seriously, that show was garbage and simply Not. Funny. And I'm a huge Late Night w/ Conan fan. Heroes was pretty great, but I find it kind of telling that the best Heroes episode, "Company Man", was a flippin' Lost rip-off.
can someone please explain the bell love by slappy jones	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:28:57 PM
sure she is pretty in a forgettable bland way and she is not a bad actress but why why why do people go on about her as if she is the greatest actress to have walked the earth? did anyone actually see her on heroes??
20 minute VM mini-pilot? by reinhold	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:33:51 PM
Does that mean that the DVD features a longer mini-pilot than what's no YouTube (which I think was about 12 minutes)?
House should be on there by King Sweyn Forkbeard	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:42:55 PM
The Reality show/job interview thing was an absolutely inspired idea. Sure, the show is formulaic, but when Laurie gets lines as good as he does then who cares? Also a shocking omission for Dexter too.
To say one's a fan of Kristen Bell because of her molten, smokin by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 01:50:46 PM
hotness - and leave it at that - is a disservice to her. She's smart, funny, the lady can sing and dance (Reefer Madness, anyone?), and she's been on shows that AICN'ers love (Deadwood, The Shield, VM). She has at least 2 possible Emmy submission tapes for Best Supporting Actress on Heroes (for Four Months Ago and Cautionary Tales; maybe a third for the season finale Powerless). She's the BEST thing about Gossip Girl and should be a lead-pipe stone cold mortal lock to get a Best Voiceover in a Series Emmy nomination this summer. And then there's the little stuff like being kind and tres' nice to her fans when she goes to sci-fi/comic book conventions. I've seen it first-hand. She's somebody who's going to be getting million dollar movie paydays sooner than later, yet she comes across as a regular Jane. Straying offtopic, yes, but that's also part of her irresistible charm. And the lot of you, whether you want to admit it or not, would give one of each limb for the chance to go out with her. :) reinhold, I think Herc with the 20-minute pilot was looking at that extra on the S3 Veronica DVD where Rob Thomas explained just how his pitch for the Season That Never Will Be came about. That took about 5 minutes. The micro-pilot is actually on the bonus disc twice.
Kristen Bell = No Sarah Clarke (Nina Meyers) by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:00:37 PM
Sarah Clarke. Now there's a TV actress that had some real gravitas.
Node32774 by zer0cool2k2	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:03:01 PM
Lost would have made my Top 10, (Possibly top 5), based on quality alone, but I repeatedly found myself waiting until I had a backlog of 2 or 3 eps before I started watching it. Now in all honesty, I kept five or six episodes of VM, and watched them over a weekend after the finale aired, simply because i knew when it was over, it was over.
I had a top 10 overall (30 and 60-minutes) on another forum.. by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:03:27 PM
So here goes: 1. BSG; 2. Veronica Mars; 3. How I Met Your Mother; 4. Friday Night Lights; 5. Lost; 6. Mad Men; 7. Planet Earth (just for its sheer scope and ambition); 8. CSI (ok, sue me ;) ); 9. Pushing Daisies and 10. The Office.
What the beep is How I Met Your Mother? by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:32:53 PM
Seriously, I've never even heard of HIMYM. But people here keep praising it. Is this a new potential Arrested Development or something?
Where's the gods damn Law & Order talkback?? by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:38:52 PM
;)
Pretty sure... by dignan26	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:41:10 PM
that these lists contain pretty much every show on television.
Ashok0, HIMYM is no Arrested Development. by beastie	Jan 2nd, 2008 02:51:34 PM
It's mildy funny for a laugh-track sitcom. There are a lot of lame jokes that are made hilarious solely on the delivery by Neil Patrick Harris. I don't go out of my way to watch it, but if I happen to catch it, it's not painful like 2 and a Half Men.
no Dexter on list = completely invalidated opinions by TheBaxter	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:01:26 PM
anyone who purports to know enough about TV to put together a top ten list, and then doesn't include Dexter on that list, basically looks like a moron. easily the most consistently entertaining and well-written show this year. BSG and Lost, as great as they are, missed the target sometimes, but Dexter never did. anyone slagging off the show here obviously stopped watching during or after the first season, which was admittedly a little sloppy. but the 2nd season was pretty close to perfect, and all the flaws of the first season were completely missing from episode 2.1 onwards.
Ashok0, HIMYM is a subversive laugh-track sitcom. by Lenny Nero	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:12:18 PM
It's character-based and focuses on a kind of Gen-X/Gen-Y postmodern mentality. While it does have a laugh track, it is not filmed before an audience due to the complicated back-and-forth nature of the plots. The humor is realistic and not sitcom-stupid, the conflicts come from real-life honesty and it's also probably the most romantic sitcom in many a year. It's the kind of comedy that just makes you feel good, one that doesn't exist in the fantasy worlds of gag-awkward plot-gag that have sullied the land of television comedy.
Howard Stern/Kristen Bell by thegreatwhatzit	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:56:35 PM
Stern is as antiquated as his jokes; I suspect his ego is bruised because he's drifted completely out of the limelight. How about THE HIGH PITCH ERIC SHOW? It could be the most surreal hour in TV history (and likely to be picked-up for a second episode). Kristen Bell is hot; unlike Pam Anderson and other the other plastic bimbos, Bell adheres to the French venue--ALL natural (Bardot, Adjani, Deneuve, Marceau, Beart, et al...they're France's only worthy exports).
More Whine? by WickedMonster	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:57:19 PM
REAPER, TWO AND A HALF MEN, THE BIG BANG THEORY, THE SOUP...Come on, man. TaaHM doesn't win emmys for nothing.
Oh I forgot. by WickedMonster	Jan 2nd, 2008 03:59:05 PM
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT...and THE BOONDOCKS. I can't go to sleep on Mondays without watching these.
Kristen Bell is dating dax shepard by PVIII	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:02:32 PM
obviously everyone's favorite blonde is a dumb blonde as well.
I love New York 2 & Howard Stern by MontyPigeon	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:11:18 PM
This was better than A shot at love by a long way. Also, Howard Sterns show contained the best interview on television this year with Robert Duvall but does not belong at #1.
Friday Night Lights??? by My Pretty Pony	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:13:56 PM
How could that show not be on the list??? Regarding that Veronica Mars season 4 pitch--I didn't think it was very good. It was really just okay. I mean, that thing was riddled w/ cliches--guy she slept w/ over the summer and never thought she'd see again shows up and catches her off guard, cocky & good-looking young FBI agent who gives her a hard time at first (we can already see the sparks flying!)--boring love triangle, anyone? Then there's the other female newbie, presumed bitchy at first, who will more than likely become V's new BFF after she saves her life and V discovers that there's more to her than originally thought. And those are just a few of the standout cliches. Not to mention, none of the regular supporting cast was a part of it. Would season 4 have been all about Veronica & a bunch of new people we don't even care about w/ the occasional appearance by her father (maybe)?? It would've sucked and I don't blame The CW for passing on it. I doubt it would've attracted any new viewers and it probably would've turned off what little viewers it did have.
This season of Survivor by jabbayoda	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:58:28 PM
was one of the best in a long time. Really back to form. No separations by race or gender...no fucking couches...no goddamned returning contestants. A solid cast, and, really, the most deserving person won. That makes 3 seasons in a row on Survivor when the winner was really the most deserving. Anyway, I like Dexter.
House? by dartofharkness	Jan 2nd, 2008 04:58:37 PM
No House? Also, Heroes never really seems to live up to it's potential or hype. Not that it's bad, just never as good as it could be.
Anybody who says 30 Rock sucks, blows, by skimn	Jan 2nd, 2008 05:45:43 PM
or whatever, has their head squarely up their anus. If Alec Baldwin's "therapy" scene with Tracy Morgan is not one of the funniest 90 seconds of television this year, then nothing is. You got a problem with Tina Fey? Fine. Don't watch the show, and shut the fuck up.
charlie rose by JackDonkey	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:31:55 PM
i like charlie rose, but when he interviewed John Edwards all he did was keep asking questions in a way to get the answers he wanted, like "how do you think they should judge when a teacher should be rewarded?" and john edwards wisely said "I don't think it's about getting rewarded" I'm sure my quotes are way off but I lost a lot of respect for charlie rose with that interview.
Whats the deal with Friday Night Lights? by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 06:42:52 PM
I keep seeing this show pop up here in AICN talkbacks. Isn't that some sports show just based on a movie? Never liked football so I never tuned it, but maybe I'm missing out on something great... and you guys have me tempted to check out that show "Life" too, heh.
However... by Karuma	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:02:43 PM
...from a dissenting view, a question? Why do people that watch a lot of TV think they know what the best of is? Kristin puts out a list, Ausiello, Hercules, and every other Tom, Dick, and Ebert who has the access to a public forum or gets paid for it puts out a list. What makes yours (and theirs)so special is only one thing, it is yours and no one else's. From the other posters replies it is evident that you either a. Rock, or b. Suck, however, neither is the case. You have your opinion, we have ours and as far as that goes..here is Karuma's list of the ten (with one to grow on) best scripted hourlongs (In no Particular Order)...Life on Mars, Veronica Mars, Pushing Daisies, BSG, Mad Men, Dexter, Nip/Tuck, The Unit, Burn Notice, Monk, and The Closer. And for the 10 best comedies, Corner Gas, Big, Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Flight of the Conchords, Entourage, 30 Rock, The Office, My Name is Earl, and Sarah Silverman. As for Reality shows, only two are of any interest at all, Survivor and Kid Nation and for chat, Inside the Actors Studio is far and away the most entertaining and informative.
No Mancow? by Dazzler69	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:34:30 PM
He has the best radio show.
You'd have to pay me to say Heroes was up there by performingmonkey	Jan 2nd, 2008 07:36:42 PM
Watching it felt like punishment every week. I know what you'll say, 'well why the fuck watch it?' I carried on watching because I'm sick of people saying to me I didn't give a show a chance. All three seasons of both Lost and Galactica IMO have obliterated most other hourlongs. I was worried for both shows before their 3rd seasons started but fuck yes we got the goods, they delivered, Lost definitely giving it's best season, Galactica still packing a hefty punch despite there being absolutely no chance of matching the sublime season 1. If Lost keeps up the standard it has a shot at the title of Greatest-Show-Ever (no, Sopranos isn't, although it's certainly up there)
WGA will picket the Golden Globes... by Pennsy	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:01:32 PM
The show's last-ditch effort at a waiver failed today: http://tinyurl.com/2r6gtd.
John From Cincinnati by boast	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:03:06 PM
you haters will realize this someday.
So You Think You Can Dance by Chester_Desmond	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:11:12 PM
That was the best reality show by far in 2007. Very underrated. And Wade Robson is a genius: Example #1: http://tinyurl.com/2dtujw Example #2: http://tinyurl.com/2ftj2q
Sopranos ending wasn't that great by Sick Fixx	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:12:17 PM
Writers are getting entirely too lazy with the 'blank canvas' approach. Why should we as viewers have to write every ending with our own imaginations? If we want to use our imaginations, we'll go write or paint. We are investing time in someone else's vision. We deserve pay offs.
the intentional eschewing of anything Prison Break here by Sick Fixx	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:20:44 PM
is ridiculous. I don't even care that it's not on the list of some fellow fan who happens to run a website. But it should at least have its own talkback since it has captured the same audience that follows 24, Lost, Nip/Tuck and Sopranos.
Friday Night Lights by My Pretty Pony	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:32:16 PM
is about so much more than football. It's all about the characters. It's well-written, well-acted, and compelling. I can't even fully explain why I love this show so much, there's just something about it. You just have to watch it and see for yourself. I couldn't care less about football and I love this show.
"South Park" is still on? by BurnHollywood	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:51:56 PM
That used to be kinda funny. Like, ten years ago.
Damages Damages Damages by Holodigm	Jan 2nd, 2008 08:57:18 PM
Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages Damages
No Black Donnelly's?? by BigMick	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:00:00 PM
I know the show got cancelled, but man the 6 episodes that aired and the rest that are out on dvd are much better than half the shows Herc listed up there. It was much better than Brotherhood or Pushing Daisies. It's a real shame this show had to go the same way as Journeyman, but than again NBC is pretty good at fucking themselves
Doctor Who "Blink" by WolfpupNX	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:05:24 PM
would be my pick by a mile. Possibly the finest hourlong piece of television I've yet witnessed (IMHO at least).
Herc is to Dexter, as Harry is to BSG... by Billyeveryteen	Jan 2nd, 2008 09:22:34 PM
Two "experts" ridgidly ignoring some of the best media in their fields. Obtuse fucktards.
I agree Holodigm!!!!!!! by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:29:29 PM
All my base is belong to Michael C. Hall, Glenn Close, and Michael Emerson. Oh, and Glenn Close actually DOES rock. Much more than, um, Kristen Bell.
Edit: I agree Holodigm!!!!!!! by Ashok0	Jan 2nd, 2008 10:31:13 PM
All my base is belong to Michael C. Hall, Glenn Close, and Michael Emerson, and Edward Olmos. Can't believe I almost forgot the Admiral!
South Park was funnier 10 years ago?... by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:16:24 PM
I'm not the person at all to start arguments in talkbacks, but this is one of the stupider things that had been said. And it particularly annoys me, because a good deal of people who don't watch South Park, and just want to insult it, use this argument. South Park has only been on 11 years, and this comparison would mean that you thought it was funny when the show started out, and is now, worse, or perhaps tired, in quality. The same people that say this tend to say that the show is entirely toilet humor and juvenile material. This IS primarily what the show was when it started, and I DIDN'T like the show then. It was merely shocking, because a cartoon, was being so vulgar. That is not the same South Park that exists at all. Yes, they sometimes do revert to this, but the show now is one of the most socially relevant, cultural satire that is currently being produced. The show is winning Emmys now, it's winning Peabodys (that gasp, BSG also has won!), it has a lot to say, and it is doing so in some incredibly creative means and parallels. So I'm tired of the people condemning this show to be what it was when it started, or that it was funnier when it started. South Park is one of the smartest shows (sometimes it chooses not to be) on television.
The Sopranos ending wasn't lazy writing... by DanielKurland	Jan 2nd, 2008 11:19:45 PM
It was subtle. The ending of what will happedn is hinted at throughout the entire episode, and the commentary in prior episodes about what "death will be like", in my opinion, completely told you what was going to happen, it just wanted to to figure it out. What's great is the myriad of events and breakdowns that would have happened after the final scene, and how wonderful it would be to see all of that, but we won't.
Why the second class status to the comedy series? by Rev. Slappy	Jan 3rd, 2008 01:34:20 AM
30 Rock and The Office are better most scripted on hours.
zombiehunt and writers by necgray	Jan 3rd, 2008 04:03:17 AM
First of all, Mori isn't the webmaster hereabouts. He's one guy with one voice. Second, while writers aren't emphasized as much as directors or visuals on this site, many stories DO, in fact, talk about the writer. It just so happens that in a lot of cases the writer is also the director because many movie geeks, and I suspect this is true of Harry in particular, are fans of the "auteur" theory of film. So if the site is run by guys who prefer "auteur" theory, of course the directors are going to be emphasized more. I don't particularly recall you being an anti-WGA poster, zombiehunt, but then again those assholes all seem to run together into one long bullshit parade.
Ditto Dexter by elab49	Jan 3rd, 2008 04:36:40 AM
And anyone things Lost is anything other than badly written dross is delusional. I realise some people tied their standards to is season 1 when it was watchable but, seriously, get over the pride thing - you got conned, admit it and move on.
Where's "The Shield"?! by The Tao of Joe	Jan 3rd, 2008 05:43:56 AM
I know I say this every time Herc drops his top ten list, but where is it?! Anyone who actually watched the last two seasons can't deny that it's a better show than at least 5 of the ones that made Herc's list.
No Journeyman :-( by br1947	Jan 3rd, 2008 06:27:07 AM
At least BSG and Pushing Daisies made the list. I gotta disagree with Lost however. Lost SHOULD be a good show, but the damned thing is way too streched out. This whole past season should have been 3-4 episodes.
"Lost SHOULD be a good show" by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 07:01:53 AM
Season 3 freaking owned. This whole past season should have been 3-4 episodes. Actually they could have cut maybe 3-4 episodes at the very beginning during the mini-pod. Otherwise the season was spotless minus the tattoo episodes.
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Consider me surprised.... by Airstrike	Jan 3rd, 2008 09:10:58 AM
that there are actually 10 scripted hourlongs still on television.
Have to agree with DanielKurland re: BSG by mthrndr	Jan 3rd, 2008 09:22:10 AM
I watched the first two full seasons. Maybe the show picks up after that, maybe not. But based on those seasons I don't get the love. To me it was a plodding, Baltar/Blonde cylon, Baltar/Blonde cylon, oh look another character we trusted is a cylon, and look! some people suspect and they're not doing anything about it! Oh, here come the cylons again! Another betrayal! now a dude is stuck on caprica and the cylons are playing with him! I just lost interest. I loved firefly, ST:TNG, but this? no, just can't do it. I gave up after the 5th time baltar betrayed the humans and began having sex with air.
My love for BSG is endless. by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 09:59:34 AM
I don't know what show mthrndr and DanielKurland were watching. Maybe BSG: 1979? But the BSG I watched was EPIC... a quest for Earth, Edward Olmos (best actor on TV alongside Michael C Hall), the incredible Pegasus arc, New Caprica (Exodus = BRILLIANT), Crossroads with the fantastic "Watchtower" sequence... I liked B5, Farscape, and Firefly, but I love BSG.
no, it was the recent one by mthrndr	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:34:42 AM
It got so that every time baltar came on screen I hit the fast forward and just read the damn subtitles, to get through it quicker. I'm thinking I prefer scifi shows with more of a one-off, one adventure per episode narrative style, with just a little exposition and mythology expansion thrown in. At this point, the only full-on serialized show that I watch is Lost. I gave up on Jericho, Heroes, and others because they were too slow moving.
Veronica Mars FBI looked so much coler than by CrichtonAstronut	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:37:16 AM
about 90% of what aired this season. And I liked the college year, way better college transition than Buffy. BSG had some misses this past season but started awsome with the Exodus storyline and ended on high note, especially with the forshadowing from Razor. As for Shark Jumping. Everyone said that last year with thefast forward and again the follow up was awesome. I got faith in the man. Razor itself proves he's still got the skills and hasn't burned out on this world. Can't wait for the next season. Gotta agree with some of theother posts though. You really need to see Dexter and you've defenitly got to watch How I Met Your Mother.
"I prefer... shows with more of a one-off, one adventure per epi by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:52:04 AM
Ah, a Trekkie who likes to be spoonfed. That explains it.
I'm not saying BSG is bad.. by DanielKurland	Jan 3rd, 2008 11:33:40 AM
It's just I don't like it. That doesn't mean I'm an idiot, or therefore every other show I watch is garbage. I'd say every show I'm watching is rather smart and intelligent, but BSG just wasn't my thing. I can't help that. I think I did a lot more than most people would though by actually watching three seasons of a show, that I'm only marginally enjoying ENTIRELY because of what you people have said. It's not like I've just watched random episodes and said "this isn't for me". I know the characters, I know the stories. I thought Baltar's trial WAS interesting this season, but ultimately, it was all the filler episodes that bored me and took me out of it. There are plenty of moments on the show I've enjoyed, I'm not saying the opposite. But it was just not something I was really looking forward to watching when the third season was on (and I watched the first two seasons in about two days total).Now I know this next season is supposed to be entirely canon, so I hope I enjoy it a lot more (and I will be watching it), but just because I don't like ONE show (I love Dexter, Lost, Mad Men, Sopranos, Weeds, Curb...) that you guys love should be acceptable. There's tons of fucking people who won't even give Veronica Mars a shot because of the name of the show. Those are close minded people. Those are people worthy of scrutiny. But a show as genred as BSG, I think it's understandable if some people aren't crazy about it.
mthrndr... by DanielKurland	Jan 3rd, 2008 11:35:46 AM
I agree with you on BSG, but to abandon some shows for being slow, but sticking with Lost? I'm a huge supporter of Lost, but I definitely think it's more about the characters and situations, and I'm fully expecting not to get answers immediately on it. I would say it's a very slow show in terms of reveals (although they do reveal plenty).
The Real World by The Alienist	Jan 3rd, 2008 11:45:33 AM
Thanks, Herc, for that. Sydney may be the greatest season of RW EVER, definitely the best since the drinkfuckpuke seasons began. It was so great it almost seemed scripted (but obviously wasn't). The Evil Blond, the good but sometimes annoying young Muslim chick, the COOLEST guy to every inhabit the RW fishbowl, the jerk guy who you still sorta like .... some of the episodes were so compelling I actually cared about RW kids for the first time in eight years.
Although I respect Battlestar Galactica being #1 by DirkAngerReloaded23	Jan 3rd, 2008 01:43:10 PM
the lack of Damages, Journeyman, The Shield, Dexter & or even 30 Rock or the Office are practically criminal in they're exclusion. No offense but Pushing Daisies just completely lost me after the second episode. Way to fucking "quirky" for my tastes; & Tell Me You Love Me = never even heard of that show b4. Ever.
My fav 10 by Potch	Jan 3rd, 2008 01:55:02 PM
Notice I said... my fav... these may not be the best shows on tv, but they're the ones I find to be the most fun.... hour-longs: Dexter Heroes Supernatural Smallville 4400 Pushing Daisies Bones One Tree Hill (Yes I like it, so flame me) Veronica Mars 30 Min: ( i don't have ten of these) How I Met Your Mother Weeds 2 1/2 Men Big Bang Theory Samantha Who South Park Ugly betty Other shows I enjoyed in 07: Drive, The End of the OC, Reaper, Beauty and the Geek, Kyle XY, Greek
THE SHIELD is too good to be on that list. by dr.bulber	Jan 3rd, 2008 02:19:27 PM
it wouldnt be caught dead anywhere near battlestar dramaqueenica.
Everything has sucked this year except Dexter by Domi'sInnerChild	Jan 3rd, 2008 02:40:50 PM
EVERYTHING. I'm talking the new seasons that started in 2007, so the second half of last season's shows (because there was a lot of quality there). I seriously think the writer's strike started a year ago. Dexter was the only show I looked forward to this year and I actually had low expectations for it because I didn't think there was anywhere to go with the character after Season 1.
"Everything has sucked this year except Dexter" by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 03:33:56 PM
I pretty much agree. Except "Damages". Amazing series launched in 2007. And I have heard good things about "Life" which launched in 2007, but I didn't watch it so I can't say if it's really good or just hype.
BSG - Yes! Sopranos can Suck My Ba... by ejcarter9	Jan 3rd, 2008 03:59:25 PM
Sopranos was the biggest let-down ever perpetrated by Man, second only to Jesus' little-known "pull-my-finger" gag.
DirkAnger, look at the other lists on Herc's story. by Lenny Nero	Jan 3rd, 2008 04:05:28 PM
Yar, thar be sitcoms!
And Ashok0, are you implying... by Lenny Nero	Jan 3rd, 2008 04:07:00 PM
...that anything that is not serialized is a form of television spoonfeeding the audience? I can name about 500 shows dating back to the origin of television to now that are not serialized but are brilliant, respected and loved. Just because BSG isn't a one-off one-adventure-a-week kind of thing doesn't make it automatically superior to anything and everything.
Lenny Nero by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 04:56:43 PM
I have seen some "one-shot" shows like "House" and "The Office" and "Mr. Bean (UK)". No, they aren't long running serials but yes, I admit they are good shows. Regardless, I prefer shows like "BSG" due to the sheer epic proportion of their scope. And sense you mention it, guess which episodes of "BSG" sucked the most. ... the "one-shot" episodes.
Supernatural by My Pretty Pony	Jan 3rd, 2008 05:17:30 PM
Another unique, well-written and well-acted hour-long that never gets the attention it deserves.
Ashok0, I'm making a point about the history of television. by Lenny Nero	Jan 3rd, 2008 06:42:58 PM
Not just recent shows. I mean look at any decade and it puts the argument that "serialized is better" to complete shame. It's just one manner of storytelling, no better or worse than any other form.
Non-serialized shows lack any real substance. by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 08:17:11 PM
"look at any decade and it puts the argument that "serialized is better" to complete shame." BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Hmmz, let's see.... influential and epic TV series... Twin Peaks. Serial. X-Files. Serial. Buffy. Serial. LOST. Serial. BSG. Serial. The Wire. Serial. Sopranos. Serial. DEXTER. Serial. Farscape. Serial. Babylon 5. Serial. The Fugitive. Serial. The Prisoner. Serial. I sense a pattern here.
Lenny Nero by Ashok0	Jan 3rd, 2008 08:19:02 PM
Name me a single "one-shot" show that has the depth of "DEXTER" or "The Wire". There aren't any. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Oh, wait, maybe "Two and a Half Men". snicker
Greatest Endings of All Times by Tigger11	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:03:21 PM
Forever Knight, in fact the last 5 or 6 episodes is a great sendoff to a series that didnt live up to its potential. I also am going to have to vote with the wheres Dexter crowd here.
South Park was funnier when it WAS toilet humor... by BurnHollywood	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:10:28 PM
Screw anybody who thinks a cartoon comedy should be "socially relevent", whether it's the guffawing right (South Park) or cackling left (The Simpsons)...these are the same bores who think that their "Bush/Cheney" bumper stickers are winning the War On Terror or that their "Free Tibet" decals made a difference in some Chinese guy's existence. B-grade comedy plus Z-grade political insight makes for one itchy finger on the channel remote.
And, on an unrelated note... by BurnHollywood	Jan 3rd, 2008 10:15:04 PM
...Who even WATCHES that phony, "reality TV" bullshit, let alone be able to grade ten of those turds by shape and smell? Herc, buy a fucking clue.
stern fans are morons, dexter is great by angrykirby.tk	Jan 3rd, 2008 11:49:10 PM
while I fucking hated the last episode of dex season 2 with it's cheap, kill dokes making lyla into a killer so dex has someone to kill, wrap up bullshit. every other episode this season was amazing. and howard blows. o and a party rock
Thanks for the DEXTER S2 spoiler by Mace Tofu	Jan 4th, 2008 12:54:13 AM
I was waiting for season 2 of Dexter on DVD to catch up, just watched season 1 again on New Years day. Great
How I Met Your Mother... by chunker	Jan 4th, 2008 06:35:57 AM
Is a show that could and should be corny and extremely sappy, like the others of its kind. But it always surprises with its clever writing and how "real" it is at times. It doesn't fall to the cliches (well...maybe a few times) like other shows do. And the way they navigate away from that pit, is seamless and unforced.
yawwwn by slkboxrman	Jan 4th, 2008 08:50:08 AM
looks like another 'tard that actually thought "black donnellys" was a good show.....i always laugh..... shows left out which i think should be on it have been mentioned, but ill run em down....."supernatural", "prison break", "journeyman"...how bout "the riches" and "life".... as for comedies...."how i met your mother" should be there...talk shows....i forgot if letterman was on there, but he should be #1.....consistently funny for as long as ive been watching him..
oh i forgot by slkboxrman	Jan 4th, 2008 08:55:15 AM
and left out was also "stargate:atlantis" i dont care what anyone says....it still is one of the best shows on TV..... the special effects are tight and i look foward to watching the new episodes whenever they come....but then again i am a stargate whore...loved the movie, still hoping for the next spinoff....and the SG-1 movie "ark of truth" or whatever it was called was awesome and a nice end to the ori arc left over from season 10
zombiehunt and writers, again by necgray	Jan 4th, 2008 03:17:06 PM
I don't know how I made your point for you, but you're welcome, I guess. Whatever. You know, Jon Stewart is a member of the WGA and fully supports them, so I don't know why you would bother to use him as an example. You're also wrong about contributing to a script. By your logic, any actor who ad-libs would have to have the ad-lib written down by a WGA member. And that's just not the case. All directors are expected to have input on the written word. Now if there are major changes made that are written down and that contradict the original writer, that's when it becomes a problem. But how often do you think that happens? I forgot, too, that you're one of these "today's TV is crap blah blah blah" types. I don't know if it's jealousy of some kind or if you're just someone who likes to bitch to hear his own voice, but either way I think you're in the vast minority. The fact that there are rabid fans of Lost, Heroes, Dexter, BSG, The Office, 30 Rock, Desperate Housewives, etc etc posting here tells me that TV writing is doing okay for itself. And the primary reason you don't hear about writers is because it's not glamorous. Writers are not considered by Joe Q Public to be the most interesting member of the creative team on a film. Primarily the actors and director are of interest. This is to say nothing of the obvious, which you're apparently ignoring and seems fairly obvious to me: there is a strike on. Duh. Why would there be any news about "writer X is writing movie X" when most Hollywood writers are WGA members and thus not currently working? Seems pretty logical to me. But even if they weren't striking, again, writers aren't considered that interesting to your average viewer. And AICN, while fairly well informed about the industry, is still a fan website. Fans who mostly don't care about writers. The exceptions are obviously guys like me. But that's an exception. So now that I've addressed all your points, do you care to counter me with more windbag proclamations or can we move on to other posts? Am I going to have to come back here and continue posting? Because I get really tired of trying to reason with you people.
My Favorite 15 Shows Of 2007 (Alphabetical Order) by Barry_Woodward	Jan 4th, 2008 04:47:35 PM
30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica, Big Love, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dexter, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Mad Men, The Office, One Tree Hill, Pushing Daisies, The Shield, The Sopranos, South Park, Veronica Mars
Ash0ko, X-Files was first and foremost a one-off series. by Lenny Nero	Jan 5th, 2008 02:25:15 AM
With a different adventure almost every week. That they occasionally tied into a greater story does not mean it's hand-to-God serialized. If you're really looking for something in the same vein--Monster of the Week--but kept a more linear basis for its multiple seasons, you list Buffy as a good example. Now for me to consult my list of great television shows. Oh, by the way, only two shows on your list dates back earlier than the mid-80s, which in a way supports my point. And don't think I'm trying to say that serialized shows suck. Good God, no. I love them as much as you. But the point I'm trying to make is that serialization doesn't automatically dictate quality, and that incredible shows, both dramatic and comedic, can come from anywhere in any form. To deny that is to deny the power of the written word.

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