TV SERIES - best now / best ever?

[deepthroat]

I just got Netflix streaming (about $9 per month with unlimited downloads) and now can start watching all those great TV series' that I've not gotten around to watching, but have been hearing recommendations on for years. For example, I've not yet watched "The Soprano's" and have a friend that highly recommends "The Shield".

What do you guys recommend? If possible, list a "current favorite" that's now broadcasting and one or two "all time favorites" that are no-longer on air.

My current favorites: 30 Rock and Entourage. Classic stuff.

All time favorites: Twilight Zone; CSI Las Vegas (the first 5 seasons); The Simpsons; South Park

[Jake_Sully]

I'm a bit partial to sci fi but I'm not a techo mumbo jumbo sci fi nut. I love a show because of the charecters and stories and prefer long story arcs rather than the technical detail or snazzy graphics which make each episode a challenge to overcome ala star trek, so not sure if your tastes are similar to mine.

My all time favorite: Battlestar Galactica (reimagined 2003-2009 version), best musical score I've heard too

Current Favorite: Dexter

Old Favorites: The Wire, The Tudors (very hot and steamy)

Edit: I like CSI Miami a lot too but you might have seen some of it already.

[acoolbreeze]

Definately The Sopranos, followed by The Shield.

[Steff]

DT, what do the cats like?

[deepthroat]

They like almost anything, and paw at the 50" big screen at the most inappropriate times.

[Jake_Sully]

Is your TV too close to the ground?

[laputanegra]

The IT Crowd recommended by a friend super funnnnnnnnnnnnny

[Jake_Sully]

This isn't a tv series per say but its a web series that can be downloaded in netflix called the Guild. Its a hillariously well put together show of how people from different walks of life interact online and then finally meet in person.

Here's the first 3 episodes. You might like it or hate it, dunno but it is pretty hillarious. There are 4 seasons if you're curious for more.

[Bumpa STIKKA]

At the moment I am enjoying reruns of '3rd Rock From The Sun' with John Lithgow and 'The Larry Sanders Show' with Garry Shandling.

Favorite would have to be the first 65 episodes of 'Mystery Science Theater 3,000' with Joel Hodgson which I still watch over and over...

[Snick]

True Blood
Spartacus
Battlestar Galactica
and, of course, Buffy the vampire slayer

[Ivor Biggun]

Just been enjoying  'America- the story of Us' (I'm a bit of a history buff) and Sons of Anarchy series 2. looking to poach more discovery channel stuff on different wars. A big Shield fan as well. I'm not keen on a lot of mainstream US TV but the cable channels seem to out out some grest stuff. Haven't watched anything UK for a long time  as its all 'reality shite for the mongy masses Rebus wit Ken Stott would be worth a look. Just about to try Dexter and the Wire based on recommedations.

My top 3 best every- Hilll Street Blues, Cheers (include Frasier with it) and MASH. HSB really opened up US tv in my opinion.

[deepthroat]

(Bumpa STIKKA @ Aug. 02 2010,11:23) Favorite would have to be the first 65 episodes of 'Mystery Science Theater 3,000' with Joel Hodgson which I still watch over and over...

God, I cannot believe I forgot this. I think it's in my top 2 or 3 as well.

I bought a satellite system 10 years ago just so I could get Comedy Central and watch MST3K, as my cable provider wasn't carrying it. Then they switched over to Sci Fi and I think the series got even better.

For me, the later episodes with Mike Nelson are much funnier than the earlier episodes with Joel. I have every episode on VHS tape, as I spent months trading with people throughout the country to complete my collection. I even have some of the early KTLA episodes when it was a local show before it sold to the Comedy Channel and went national.

I loved the final few seasons with Pearl, the Ape, etc. I thought the original material from the final couple of seasons were fantastic.

Favorite episode may still be "Puma Man", although there are so many classics - "Manos the Hands of Fate", "Santa Clause Vs The Martians", and of course all the references to Planet Uranus in "Hercules and the Captive Women"-

"Hercules, today is dedicated to Uranus!"
"Oh, why... thank you. Can I keep my thong on?"

Amazing stuff. Big part of the fun was that the cast was made up of genuinely nice people that just happened to be amazingly funny.

Mike Nelson (Head Writer and later Star) wrote a book that is side-splittingly funny called "Death Rat!". I bought a copy from his website and had him autograph it. If you've not checked it out Bumpa you should. In fact, if you remind me I might be able to rustle up a copy of it IF you are able to attend the GOC (Gathering of the Clan as Steff keeps referring to it) in Pattaya in February.

[deepthroat]

(Ivor Biggun @ Aug. 02 2010,12:49) Just been enjoying  'America- the story of Us' (I'm a bit of a history buff) and Sons of Anarchy series 2. looking to poach more discovery channel stuff on different wars. A big Shield fan as well. I'm not keen on a lot of mainstream US TV but the cable channels seem to out out some grest stuff. Haven't watched anything UK for a long time  as its all 'reality shite for the mongy masses Rebus wit Ken Stott would be worth a look. Just about to try Dexter and the Wire based on recommedations.

My top 3 best every- Hilll Street Blues, Cheers (include Frasier with it) and MASH. HSB really opened up US tv in my opinion.

Funny, I almost listed Hill Street Blues instead of CSI but then realized I've not watched any reruns in 10+ years and was afraid it's probably dated pretty badly. It was the drama series that made me realize that TV still had the ability to be compelling and relevant back when it was on 25 years ago. I used to be glued to the TV every Thursday evening - and I believe Cheers was one of the lead-ins to it. After it went off I think they filled the slot with ER which was good for about a season or so then became rather redundant.

I bought season 1 of The Shield on the recommendation of a friend, it's by the same guy that made The Wire. I've never watched either so I'd be curious to find out which comes more highly recommended.

[Ivor Biggun]

Kurt Sutter produced SOA as well ( and plays one of the characters)

[deepthroat]

what's SOA?