If you only watch one thing this year
Cambridge. Grimsby. Hull. High Wycombe. Yep, this week has been like a pretty badly-planned caravan holiday. The final and probably best-attended of the four stop-offs is tonight and I will be setting off shortly. I don’t know if there’ll be an opportunity to blog, so just in case, here’s this.
Just started watching Mad Men. People have been recommending it to me for about the last hundred years, same as The West Wing and all these other well-made American dramas with 1,200 episodes per season. Since I’m so far behind already, I’ve not had the courage to make a start, especially what with my TV-watching time ration being about an hour a week maximum, and me being addicted to the Apprentice and all, and also having football to keep up with, etc.
But anyway, Mad Men is really good. Everyone was right.
So is there anything else I should DEFINITELY be watching? Assume I’ve got space for, maybe, one more big heavy American (or for that matter British) series in my life. The Wire? Everyone seems to love it. Or should I go back and finish the Sopranos (only saw about half of it at the time)? Or something else? Or can I safely miss everything because it’s only telly? You tell me. As I say, time is very tight. So I’m talking essentials, here.
(And yes I know The Apprentice is a reality show and probably not essential, but I do love it. Sorry.)
Ta.
Posted by LB on December 11, 2010
“I’m not a one trick pony. I’m not a ten trick pony. I’ve got a whole field of ponies waiting to be unleashed.” Amazing. The Apprentice is TV Gold. Otherwise I agree with Sherlock.
Posted by john burscough on November 15, 2010
Generation Kill, the Gulf War miniseries about a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Recon Marines during the assault on Baghdad, is pretty essential. It won 3 Emmys. Only 7 episodes, so at an hour a week you could polish it off this year.
Then Treme (made by the same people) about Hurricane Katrina (2 series, 21 episodes). Then The Wire, obviously.
Posted by Hobbstacle on November 9, 2010
All the shows you mention are superb. Missing is Breaking Bad. Awesome show. Why can’t we produce UK shows like that? Before I get tirade of abuse. I’m looking forward to being corrected. Means more great Tv to watch!
Posted by Helen on November 8, 2010
Misfits. Excellent British made programme just about to start the second series this Thursday 11th. Don’t miss it!!!
Posted by Megan on November 8, 2010
Oh! Yes! Sherlock is great and only in three parts, so if you’ve not seen it, please check it out.
(One day, I will do a blog entry on my many, varied and ridiculously tenuous links with fame, but my brother (in high school) was in the drama club with someone who appeared in the first episode of Sherlock.)
Posted by LollyPolly on November 8, 2010
For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed In Treatment. It’s shown on HBO in the US but for some reason got a bit lost stuck on Sky Arts when it was shown over here (I don’t know if anyone else saw it?)
It was a bit if a commitment at the time as it was shown 5 nights a week but, it’s a great one if you’re short on time as each episode is only 30 minutes.
The first 4 episodes each week focused on an individual patient “in therapy” with the 5th episode showing the therapists own session with his therapist.
Anyway, in short, I enjoyed it enough for me to post a rare comment on here.
I think that season 3 has just premiered in the States but it’s a Box Set situation over here (I don’t think Season 2 has been shown here yet)
Glad that the tour is going well! (Blackburns/Dundee’s aside)
Posted by Kate W on November 8, 2010
Sherlock is excellent, and has the merit of also being short (just 3 episodes so far).
With American series, it depends what you’re looking for (I’m assuming the starting point is “genuinely good” rather than televisual popcorn to pass the time). The West Wing is wonderful – not exactly light, but funny, smart and with some dazzling flights of rhetoric that made me practically applaud from my sofa. There are 5 American-length seasons, so it’s not short, but there’s no law that says you have to watch it all (or at least not in one go). I absolutely love The Wire, but as everyone else has said, it takes some concentration and it’ll be a couple of episodes before you really get into it. Unlike any other crime drama I’ve ever seen, they basically investigate one case per series, but it’s incredibly rich stuff – the point isn’t the whodunnit, but the depth of the world it creates. And the fact that it’ll make you want to adopt a Baltimore accent and street slang; true dat.
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on November 8, 2010
I stayed up very late last night watching (on YouTube) the series “Single Father” with David Tennant. It was excellent. I still drool over DT. I miss my Doctor.
Posted by Ingrid on November 7, 2010
Ooh! Meg just reminded me of sherlock! Thats a damn good program!
Posted by Benjamin on November 7, 2010
House, in my opinion, is the best thing on TV at the moment. Apart from Mark Watson Kicks Off, obviously.
Posted by Katie on November 7, 2010
I totally agree with Alex and Katie on Being Human – that programme is bloody amazing. It’s funny and dramatic without ever being contrived or – considering its subject matter – daft. I also enjoyed Heroes, but I’m bloody mental. The first season was fantastic, but it all went steadily downhill from there. Even so, it’s well worth a watch. Oh, and Sherlock. Which was AWESOME.
Posted by Meg on November 7, 2010
House, Sherlock and Doctor Who. Definitely.
Seriously, they are amazing! I have had major obsessions with all of them (at one point I knew every episode title, number, series and plot of House. Then they got to the 5th series and there were too many. But pretty remarkable considering I was 12 at the time.) I’m not so obsessive anymore but still love all 3 shows more than any other tv shows. House is a big commitment because there are so many episodes but it is definitely worth it. Doctor Who is fantastic but is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Sherlock is one of the best made tv series ever and you don’t have to be a massive Sherlock Holmes fan because it stands on its own. Also watching the pilot after watching the series is fascinating because it is so different to the episode which eventually aired. And Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are wonderful together. I seriously can’t get enough of this show. So clever and well made.
Posted by Tom Beasley on November 7, 2010
I am with you on the whole not getting round to American TV shows thing. The problem is that American shows do, as you say, seemingly have thousands of episodes in a series which practically shuts out late adopters.
I constantly feel that I should get round to watching programmes like House and Lost, but I know full well that even if I did get the time, I wouldn’t be able to sit through 20 hours per series.
Also with you on the love of The Apprentice. It’s excellent!
Posted by Lora on November 7, 2010
I’m an Apprentice fan too, although I think this series is a little under par compared to normal. As for other shows to recommend I would go with Silent Witness, although there will be quite a few episodes of that now and it depends whether you’re a fan of the blood and guts in it. Life on Mars is definitely a good one too. I’ve also just recently re watched State of Play which was fantastic and it’s a short series so you don’t need a lot of time to watch it.
Yep, I think that’s all my recommendations for now.
Posted by Rachael on November 7, 2010
House. I suggest you get the first series on DVD and then you can watch it whenever and if you are anything like me you will forget it and be able to watch it over and over again.
Posted by Aislinn on November 7, 2010
Oh and I’d like to disagree with the Doctor Who comment. Start with Eccleston! It makes more sense in terms of long-running storylines and also also also ECCLESTON WAS BRILLIANT (and sorely underestimated).
Posted by Aislinn on November 7, 2010
I would say exactly the same two shows as Josh.
Look Around You and Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (if you haven’t seen either) are both absolutely brilliant and perhaps my two favourite television shows of all time. Darkplace in particular is brilliant; it even gets funnier the more you watch it.
Apart from those, Snog Marry Avoid. Always.
Posted by James W. on November 7, 2010
I have yet to watch both Mad Men & The Wire. I’m sure I’ll get around to it. My gran loves Mad Men and tried to explain what it was about, and how good it was. Seconds later she’d lost me. But I’m sure that’s not the fault of the writers.
I’d like to recommend E4′s ‘Misfits’. It’s the perfect time to suddenly watch all 8 episodes as well, due to the 2nd series starting next week. Both the characters and writing is brilliant; it’s really original, and it grips you. You may have seen it already, but if not, you have to see it at some point. Funny, entertaining, gripping. Which is mainly what most people have been saying about the shows they are trying to get you to watch. So I’ll also add that these people have both ASBO’s & SUPERPOWERS. Probably standing out from the other posts now. It is really, really good.
Enjoy. I’ll try to watch both Mad Men & The Wire simultaneously, on 2 screens, to catch-up.
Posted by Josh on November 7, 2010
Garth Merenghi’s Darkplace, a thrilling horror thriller set in a hospital.
Look around you, a highly educational program about things.
Except that neither of them are actually that.
Watch them.
And Black Books.
And House.
Posted by Clembear on November 7, 2010
Oooooh, I love box set recommendations. Great stuff with Mad Men, well worth it. I’m going to punt that TV is more interesting than film right now – great writing, acting and storytelling. Challenge on Rick! Will it make your life better – does art have to do that?
I think you’ll enjoy any of the following
The Wire is brilliant TV but you have to pay attention and I think it could be tough to watch on a week by week basis due to the big cast and epicish nature of it. Like reading a chapter of a book a week, you might get a bit confused.
I’m on Series 5 of the Sopranos. I like the Sopranos – I think it allowed for this run of incredible TV that’s on air right now. It is a little repetitive (every season has the same theme), and Dr Melfi as the Greek chorus/consiglieri can be a bit irritating but its still worth a look.
Battlestar Galactica is fantastic, but goes a bit odd towards the end. It acts as a commentary on military power, terrrorism, and religion and occasionally has a space fight. I think the pilot is quite elegant too. I’d put it on a par with the Wire but it has an occasional really bad episode.
Arrested Development- a US comedy series. It makes me laugh a lot, is briliantly written and acted – it feels like classic Simpsons (seasons 3-8). Highly, highly recommended.As episodes are 20 mins, you can watch 3!
30 Rock – Funny workplace comedy and Alec Baldwin is brilliant in it. Season 3 is starts to drop off a bit.
The Simpsons 3-8: I think you might have seen all of these, but worth having in the house for Kit when he’s older.
I’ve heard good things about Breaking Bad too.
Posted by Dawn on November 7, 2010
One of the best series EVER was “Queer As Folk” which was on Channel Four in 1999 and was filmed in Manchester Starring Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam.
Unfortunately I only have it on Video so I am hoping my lovely generous Daughter amycool will be buying it on DVD for me for Christmas!
Then I plan to watch the entire two series on New Years Day:)
Posted by MusicalLottie on November 7, 2010
House! Definitely. The Big Bang Theory is great if you want a sitcom. The Silence (from BBC1) was amazing, though I don’t know if it’s out on DVD at all.
But above all, I recommend Sherlock. I approached it with some trepidation because I’ve never really been a Sherlock Holmes fan; the books I read when younger just didn’t grab me, But oh my goodness, I am obsessed! Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are the PERFECT combination as a modern day Holmes/Watson, and if you are a fan of the books there are enough references – large and small – to the originals to keep even the most devout fan happy. The first series was 3×90-min episodes and on the DVD is also the unaired pilot (60mins long) and the next series won’t be until next year. So it wouldn’t take up too much of your time
Posted by Rick Procter on November 7, 2010
Here’s one for ya dood – Six Feet Under. I was reminded when Dan mentioned it above – and he loves Mad Men too, so that’s a good sign. Also it’s probably easier to get into than The Wire. And the actor who went on to play Dexter is bloody good.
Posted by Levi Dargue on November 7, 2010
You should probably watch dexter, it’s got me hooked right now.
Posted by Rhian on November 7, 2010
Just starting Series 4 of The Wire and it is quite compelling, but it does require some concentration to understand what the characters are saying. I wouldn’t bother if you’ll end up with weeks between watching each episode as I think it will be difficult to remember what’s going on.
@ Britt, I LOVED Press Gang!
Posted by Tracey on November 7, 2010
Hi Mark. Good luck with the show tonight, sure it’ll be great. Regarding The Apprentice, who do you think is going to win and did you think Paloma deserved to be fired? I thought she did come across as arrogant but by the time the dismissed one ends up in front of Dara they’re all as nice as pie! Ithink Liz and Stella have a good chance. Now I’ve said that they’ll probably both bomb in the next fortnight! Talking about reality shows and I know this goes all the way back to April, but I loved watching you on Marco’s Kitchen Burnout and thought you did very well. I like those types of reality show too because cookery in an environment like that must be extremely difficult – I couldn’t do it. Marco’s recipes are great but the calorie content with all these chefs cookery books has to be watched. I’ve rambled on a bit here! Take care, Tracey x
Posted by Rachel Winter on November 7, 2010
Absolutely The Trip (Coogan & Brydon) Mondays 10pm. You’ve only missed one episode.
Or Downton Abbey – though last one tomorrow, worth getting the dvd.
For big US series – Fringe. Not on ‘proper’ telly, but my friend in America loves it, it’s really big concept/weird stuff.
Posted by Misha on November 7, 2010
I really don’t know. Sorry. Single Father was pretty good though.
Posted by Madeleine on November 7, 2010
Did you watch the British Life On Mars? Don’t know how popular is was over there, here didn’t make much of a splash but I bought the DVD’s and my god it’s excellent. Sadly there’s only like 8 episodes per series and only two series’ so I finished it in about a week, but definatly worth watching. American one is dreadful though, stear clear of that.
Another if you want a REAL challenge is LOST, which is the greatest American show ever made but has about a billion episodes and YOU MUST WATCH EVERY EPISODE FROM THE VERY FIRST ONE. Otherwise it’s cheating and makes no sense.
I strongly agree with the Breaking Bad recommendations as well, we only just got it on TV here but it’s incredible.
Alternately, you could use this time to give Doctor Who another go, I remember your blog about how you could never really get into it and it is (in my opinion) the best, most ambitious show ever. I would start from the Tennant series’.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on November 7, 2010
I’m seconding Gilly’s praise of Firefly (who doesn’t love space cowboys?) but generally I watch a whole lot of crap that doesn’t require much thinking, so my advice probably won’t be the best. My current favourite is Grey’s Anatomy, as its replaced the ER-shaped whole in my life. Medical stuff makes me happy.
Posted by Joelle on November 7, 2010
I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. I watch Australian or British shows mainly with the occasional American show thrown in. I do enjoy Friends, that makes me feel good but is giving me highly unrealistic ideas of how life is.
Will & Grace is another American one I like a lot.
Other than that I watch ‘Allo ‘Allo or Are You Being Served? because I’m just that much of a cool kid.
I prefer to watch stand-up DVDs to anything else though because movies make me concentrate on one thing for too long. While stand-up can go for the same amount of time, the topic changes a lot so I’m constantly being interested.
Posted by Gilly on November 7, 2010
Did you ever watch Green Wing? I’m currently in CA (although English), and actually had it recommended to me by an American friend. It is a weird wonderful little comedy show — Monty Python meets Scrubs meets… I don’t even know. Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan are amazing in it. 2 seasons and a Special.
I also watch House, Castle (Nathan Fillion – ooh, have you watched Firefly – you really must. One season. 12 episodes. It’s brilliant), Lie To Me… now that I think on it, it is a wonder I get anything done.
I have also developed a full fledged obsession with Bones recently. I watched it all out of order, but somehow was able to fix it all together.
And now that I have been completely unhelpful, I shall move on. To my DVR, obviously.
Posted by Adam on November 6, 2010
Mark, I really can’t recommend you The Wire enough. Like Rick, I’ll remind you that you really need to be able to concentrate on it to get the most enjoyment, so that might be tough. But if you can find the time then it really is worth it. It’s often being described as the closest thing to a novel that has ever been on tele, and that’s precisely why I think you’ll like it, what with being an author an all.
Posted by Georgie on November 6, 2010
I second the recommendations for House! Castle can be pretty excellent, too. x
Posted by Lucy on November 6, 2010
no idea. desperate housewives, perhaps?
you were awesome tonight at th swan, mark! 10/10
thanks to you i started up at conversation with the people in the lift on the way back to the car. some people approached as the doors were closing and i witnessed a beautiful thing: simultaneous ‘NO!’
see you soon! x
lol
Posted by Alot of rach[a]els on November 6, 2010
dexter, I love this show, the first series was amazing and addictive, the 2nd series went down a bit and the 3rd still wasn’t up to the standard of 1st but stil decent. the 4th was back to amazing standard and I’ve just started 5th. but yes dexter.
Posted by Britt on November 6, 2010
But, if there’s one series that I’d have to recommend, it would be Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes. I don’t think I’ve ever invested so much time and energy into watching and appreciating a tv show. Clever, funny and completely original – I’m not sure if anything will ever be able to top it. Just brilliant, absolutey brilliant.
Oh, and while we’re on the topic of tv shows, can I just mention my favourite tv show of all time: Press Gang. Sure, it’s a bit dated now, with the typewriters and synth soundtrack, but that show was amazing. Are any other Watsonians Press Gang fans?
Posted by Britt on November 6, 2010
I recently started doing piecework (assembling flags, putting them in packets) at home for a bit of extra cash (note: I do not recommend this. It is tedious and the pay ended up something like 30c/flag, so not really representative of the time spent). Anyway, to help keep my mind stimulated, I started watching The West Wing for the second time. It’s been years since I first watched it, but now I’m nearly at the end of the third season, and there are so many things I’ve noticed that I didn’t pick up on the first time around. It really is a highly intelligent series that requires literally no existing knowledge of American politics in order to appreciate/enjoy.
Posted by Megan on November 6, 2010
I am woefully behind in television too, and I live in North America. Mad Men and 30 Rock are the only things I watch every week (when they are on). Big Love was great for the first couple of seasons, then it got a bit over-the-top soap opera-y. Still quite entertaining, but not as much.
I optimistically bought the first season/series of the Wire last YEAR and still haven’t made a go of watching it. As I have the house to myself tonight, maybe I will finally start. I do have an extra hour (for some reason, we set our clocks back a week later than the UK), after all.
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on November 6, 2010
I like 2 shows. In Plain Sight and Burn Notice. They are on the USA channel, but I think you can get them online. One is about the Witness Protection Program. The latter is about a spy who has been ‘fired’ and is stuck in Miami.
Have a good weekend and week. Bummed I can’t come to even one show.
Bye,
Cathy x
Posted by Katie on November 6, 2010
Ooh yes, being human is fabulous.
Posted by Alex on November 6, 2010
I’m more than a normal amount of excited for the new series of Being Human.
Posted by h2osarah on November 6, 2010
Seems like you’re looking for a drama series. I really like ‘House’. Hugh Laurie is absolutely brilliant. And save for 1 story line involving a detective that nearly ruined the entire show for me, it’s fantastic. Seems like everyone is recommending the Wire. I haven’t watched it. But I probably should. Maybe once I graduate.
If you’re looking for a comedy series, I quite like the Big Bang Theory and 30 Rock (I am assuming that you are more familliar with more of the UK shows).
Posted by Ally on November 6, 2010
I second the watching of Merlin as a guilty pleasure. Sometimes it’s quite ridiculous, but I love it
Possibly the best show ever though is Psych. I would recommend it to everyone!!
Posted by amycool on November 6, 2010
@Lydia – there is definitely nothing bad about watching Merlin!
I love it, even though it’s primarily aimed at children. And not just because I fancy Colin Morgan.
Posted by Gareth on November 6, 2010
Time gentleman please on sky with al Murray
Posted by Juliet on November 6, 2010
Whatever you choose, just don’t watch Lost.
I LOVE Brothers & Sisters, and just finished Prison Break, it’s very good as well. IF you have time for another reality show, I recommend Top Chef (it’s not that good but there certainly is something about it that makes it fun).
Posted by Lydia on November 6, 2010
I love The Apprentice.
If you want something kind of light hearted, and I see someone mentioned this already, but Scrubs is really good. Well, it’s really good up until I think the eighth season when it gets unfortunately shit. I hate it when good series go on for too long.
Erm, another couples of shows I really liked, which aren’t on anymore but definitely worth watching are Life On Mars and Pushing Daisies. Oh, and it is really bad but I always have fun watching Merlin.
Posted by Dan on November 6, 2010
I love Mad Men.
In terms of US dramas, my favourite by far is Six Feet Under, which finished a while ago.
And Dexter is a lot of fun
Posted by Ingrid on November 6, 2010
The wire is far to depressing for me! Im more a fan of light-hearted shows like ‘Friends’ or ‘Scrubs’. If you are feeling down, then i would always recommend Scrubs to cheer you up. However if you are looking for a good heavy American drama i would watch ‘the event’. It is confusing, yet strangely addictive and thrilling! Worth watching! Xx
Posted by Alice on November 6, 2010
Carnivale’s always the one I recommend: truly weird and wonderful stuff if you’re up for something a bit dark and mysterious. John Hannah’s in an episode and there are only two seasons, so not much time out of one’s schedule.
Posted by Beth on November 6, 2010
Comment posted half-way through, so I’m going to re post it. Sorry!
I have far too many box sets… My favourites are Flight of the Conchords, LOST, Greys Anatomy, The Office (brit version), Extras, The Mighty Boosh and Spaced. So, I recommend any of those really!
Also, do you agree that this series of The Apprentice is missing something? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but, it just doesn’t seem as good as previous series’. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still obsessed and I watch it every week but still… there’s something not quite right!
Posted by Beth on November 6, 2010
I have far too many box sets… My favourites are Flight of the Conchords, LOST, Greys Anatomy, The Office (brit version), Extras, The Mighty Boosh and Spaced. So, I
Posted by amycool on November 6, 2010
I’m also put off by mammoth shows that require a lot of time and effort but one day I intend to watch the West Wing and Mad Men (my brother is watching the former at the moment and won’t shut up about it). Maybe when I retire. That would be nice.
My favourite long-series style American TV show at the moment is True Blood. The first series was very good but the second is excellent. You’re also almost guaranteed to see some boobies, and I believe most men like them very much. The only problem with the show is that nobody I know watches it, so nobody to talk to about it.
Posted by Shell on November 6, 2010
I loved West Wing but I think that was the last series I watched in its entirety. I even bought the box set! (So if you’ve yet to get to that I’ll lend it to you). I watch TV at best sporadically and without any channel or programme ‘loyalty’. The apprentice is not for me either – reality and especially competitive reality shows just leave me cold…and irritated, but don’t apologise for watching it and I’ll not apologise for not watching! To each his or her own.
I only go with a series now if it grabs me in the first couple of episodes: The Wire did not and I’ve never watched an episode of Madmen. I now realise how foolish it was for me to reply to this blog at all! I have nothing useful to say on any of it…um…
I’ll start again:
Hello!
Have a great gig tonight.
x
Posted by Rick Procter on November 6, 2010
The Wire is a masterpiece – that’s my 100% recommendation. Not a casual watch though – you have to concentrate, be prepared not to get everything easily, and also be in for the long haul since half the appeal is seeing it all the way through. Only 60 episodes though, so by comparison to some mammoth American shows, relatively manageable.
Truth is though, I have a long list of shows to see via the “complete box set” option one decade or another. The West Wing and Mad Men are both on this list, along with Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Life On Mars and several others. That’s probably about a thousand hour-long episodes right there. Plus, I’ll have to see The Wire again one day.
Posted by Kathryn on November 6, 2010
It’s surprising that I spent so much of my life watching tv and now I don’t have one I don’t feel the need to keep up with anything. I can’t think of any series I’ve watched which would make your life substantially better though.
I was sorely tempted to start chasing people in Market Square earlier after you mentioned it on wednesday. I decided against sacrificing my shopping in the end.
Posted by Paul O'Regan on November 6, 2010
The Wire is great. I’d also recommend Breaking Bad, which is probably my favourite show now that the Wire is over.
Posted by lisan66 on November 6, 2010
Do you know what I love about you?
You always seem to blog early on the days that I wouldn’t be able to read a blog late, like tonight, when I’ve to spend the night down the country babysitting in a house with no internet, the blog has appeared already