I just have to make a quick posting here to alert everyone that "The Wire" on HBO (Sundays) is by far the best TV show on television today. It's from David Simon, who created "Homicide: Life on the Street", which was clearly the best show on TV during its 7 year run (OK, maybe the last year was stretching it). If you haven't been watching it, it will be tough to jump right in because it's HEAVILY plot driven (not at all like a Law & Order, etc.), but I HIGHLY recommend you pick up the first season DVDs and pray that they come out with seasons 2 and 3.
This is one of those honest shows that literally grabs you and shocks you when the credits roll: "Has it been an hour already????" The acting is uniformly excellent, but it's the writing that blows everything else on tv AND in theaters out of the water.
OK, so now you know. Don't say nobody ever told you. And don't complain that there's nothing worthy on. This is the shit. Landmark television. I've seen it since season one episode one, and I thank my lucky stars I took the chance on it.
Posts: 314 | Location: Cali | Registered: 14 May 2004
What??? What??? There are so many other good shows such as "South Park" which BTW has new episodes again, and the first half of "The daily show with Jon Stewart" Best HBO show yes, otherwise no.
Posts: 3808 | Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha | Registered: 18 October 2004
Comparing South Park & The Daily Show (two admittedly funny & GOOD shows) to The Wire is like comparing some sliders at White Castle to a $75 Rib Eye at Sparks. Sure, I like my sliders, but the ecstasy of that finer cut of meat.... no comparison.
You obviously haven't seen The Wire. Rent the first episode & you'll see... Like crack, you'll need the entire first season.
Posts: 314 | Location: Cali | Registered: 14 May 2004
I'm not up for one of those crime mysteries. The only good scientific crime show was the first couple of seasons of X-files. Most of the shows now are just clones of each other on different channels with different names.
Posts: 3808 | Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha | Registered: 18 October 2004
I shouldn't get into this since I'm an OLD fart, and I ditched HBO since I didn't think the shows were worth watching (I've never watched "The Sopranos", for example), so no, I haven't seen "The Wire", which my local TV pundit agrees is the shit.
Now, as far as shows which I do watch religiously (ain't too many anymore), I realize that there's a group of people here who believe "The Simpsons" has gone downhill because it's somehow less in-your-face and more family-friendly than earlier. Whatever you may call it, I call it the best show on TV for 15 years running.
Signed, Ignorant Ignoramous the Honest
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12928 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
I haven't seen this season of the Wire, but I was riveted by Season 2. It's a complex, intricate, plot and character-driven show with a cop show backdrop. It's not a cop show. I'll catch this season on replays, I hope.
Homicide was, indeed, the best show on TV for a good 5 year run. The episode with Vince D'Onofrio pinned to the train tracks was, maybe, the best hour of dramatic TV I've ever seen.
The great Simpsons debate...it's hard not to get into this one when confronted with any rabid Simpsons plan. My take? I LOVE the Simpsons a ton. I think sub-par Simpsons are still better than almost any other shows on TV. But the last few season have been slipping, and replaying old storylines, which is to be expected from a 15 year old show. Even so, there have been some funny moments in the last few seasons, and it's unfair to compare the show to itself during its marvellous run from season 4-10. (Or was it 11)?
Maybe I'll drop a favorite Simpsons thread...
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
The wire..... I've seen some episodes here and there, but it seems when you start watching at a certain episode, at least in my case, it's hard to catch on right away. It seems like you need to watch the whole things from the first episode to the last to understand it fully. But, what i have watched, I've enjoyed. If you missed some of the second season can you start right in, in the third?
Now for the best show, I wouldnt say so. There are so many other good shows on. It's really not fair for me to fully judge the wire, considering I havent seen every episode, but there is The West Wing, which I think is a great show. Ofcourse, the simpsons, family guy- maybe not the best but very funny, south park, sorpranos and many others. I'll have to see if it lasts another five years, than maybe you can consider it one of the best.
Posts: 637 | Location: California | Registered: 24 August 2004
quote:Originally posted by know_it_all: If you missed some of the second season can you start right in, in the third?
I would recommend renting the first season before you watch the third. The plotline of the Barksdale/Bell gang is interrupted for the most part by season 2, but there are several crucial plot points in 2 (while Avon is in jail) that you might miss by missing season 2. The best advice: see every episdoe in order. It's tough enough (in a good way) to keep up with everything having seen all episodes....
Posts: 314 | Location: Cali | Registered: 14 May 2004
Okay, I may have jumped to conclusions about it being another CSI, it isn't. I saw an episode last night. Not bad, very good actually. You win as far as if it is good or not, I still don't, however think that it is the best show on television.
Posts: 3808 | Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha | Registered: 18 October 2004
oz was cool for like the first 2-3 seasons...but it got real boring after that.I was mesmarized by the writing and storytelling on deadwood...not to beat it up...but ti watched the wire again last night and the only thing i liked was the music on the outro...other than that it was a typical cop/drama/police/drug story that has been done too many times...only thing it has going for it is the fact its on hbo...anbd it can get away with some things that cable or network tv will not let happen.
Posts: 1103 | Location: Seattle | Registered: 25 May 2004
I don't have HBO, so i haven't seen The Wire yet..and well, if its on cable too..i don't know when or on what channel..so, i'll keep an eye out for it so that i can at least check it out...
o-<-</ thats me, skateboarding!
Posts: 158 | Location: under my (bed) blanket | Registered: 16 November 2004
The best show on TV is my Favorite and all of my friends also.I think the best show on TV is The chappelle show. This show has not been shown yet this year but It's comming really soon and it looks great!!!
Michigan State Spartans are going to be 2004-05 champs of College Basketball!!
Posts: 19 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 06 December 2004
All the best shows on TV are on DVD. Why bother? I can watch Family Guy, Ren & Stimpy, Mr. Show, Futurama, The Simpsons, Married With Children, Spaced, Black Books, Red Dwarf, Greg The Bunny, Sienfeld, and Monty Python's Flying Circus any time I want with no damn commercials. Heaven...
________________________________________________________ "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - Hunter S. Thompson tinymixtapes.com / The Skinny / PopMatters
quote: All the best shows on TV are on DVD. Why bother? I can watch Family Guy, Ren & Stimpy, Mr. Show, Futurama, The Simpsons, Married With Children, Spaced, Black Books, Red Dwarf, Greg The Bunny, Sienfeld, and Monty Python's Flying Circus any time I want with no damn commercials. Heaven...
So true! My gym just got these individual DVD players so I just watch all my favorite TV show DVDs. When I watch on TV I always get bored during commercials and cut my workout short. I'm going to ask for a few more (Seinfeld, Simpsons, etc) for Christmas.
Posts: 81 | Location: Boston, MA | Registered: 11 November 2004
I havn't seen "The Wire", but if it's anything like "The Sapranoes" I won't be watching if it does hit our shores. I can't abide by these soap operas disguised as hip entertainment by throwing in extreme violence and profanity. F**k me, I'm not against swearing or violence, but these things are just trojan horses. Give me "The Simpsons" anytime, the continually most exciting thing on the idiot box. The worst episode is better than the best episode of "The Sapranoes".
Posts: 406 | Location: The fifth level | Registered: 05 December 2004
I'll drop this on the "best show" thread...but after 4 episodes in two nights, I have to sat that 24 on Fox is one riveting show. I've watched all three seasons (fertile grounds for discussion on my dissertation topic, dirty hands, and I'm thinking about proposing a Philosophy and 24 book to a popular press) and, while the third lost me a little, this new season has started with a real bang. It might not be the best show on TV, but it kept me glued to the couch for 4 hours the last two nights!!!
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
Topic Closed
