TV Show Roundup - January 2013

[Dave Gray]

I've been catching up on some old shows (dramas) and I'm finding that between my baby's sleep schedule being consistent, fewer (condensed) HEAT games, and kickball off-season, I can make time for TV at night.  I'm only listing Dramas here.  I also catch comedies, but if you miss an episode, it doesn't put you behind.
 
I am now fully caught up with:
Game of Thrones
Dexter
Homeland
Downton Abbey
The Walking Dead

I am behind, but still plan on finishing:
Mad Men
Breaking Bad (going to get back to this one next)
Deadwood

I've given up on:
True Blood
Weeds
Boardwalk Empire
Justified

[Buddhagirl]

I'm always a couple of seasons behind because I can't remember when shows are on.

I need to catch up on The Walking Dead, True Blood, and see the final season of Weeds. Gotta catch Dr. Who, as well.

[Phishfan]

Deadwood, wow.

[Brian Fein]

I have lost the ability to get into shows because of cable TV.  Almost all of the shows you listed are on cable pay channels.  I can't seem to justify monthly cost to watch a TV show when I already have 400-some-odd channels to watch.

To me, this is ruining TV.

[Dave Gray]

^ It's sad, but network TV is made for the lowest common denominator.  The shows lack artistic integrity because they need to remain popular.  So long as they are popular, they stay on TV.  When they are not, they get pulled quickly.  It doesn't allow for them to take risks or build characters to get a good audience.

Even good dramas (like Firefly) last one season, because they aren't runaway hits.  Meanwhile, LOST is popular, so it's dragged on and on until it becomes shitty.  The model is to skin the sheep and the bail without good resolutions to their arcs.

I can't think of a single good drama on network TV except for Downton Abbey, but even that comes from the BBC, where shows generally only last a few seasons.

[Sunstroke]

Two shows I've started watching lately...

Supernatural - I've started with season one, but not sure I am going to stay with it. While I truly enjoy some good demon-hunting, occult phenomenon and gratuitous gore, the show has two things going against it when it comes to my future viewing prospects... First, the two main actors are pretty boy types, and I don't relate well to the pretty boy types. Second, the plots are so simple and predictable that it's almost comic.

Continuum - New show on SyFy channel, involving time travel, misplaced government agents, revolutionary criminals and computer geeks. First episode was this past week. It was good, but not earth-shattering. Still, decent enough that I'll give it another episode or two.

Really-really-really looking forward to the new season of Game of Thrones. I follow a number of GoT blogs and show news, and I think this season is going to be amazing!

[bsfins]

I Don't have a DVR,and No life,So I watch the stuff live when it comes out...

New I watch...
Elementary - Last weeks episode he started to go all Dexter...

Looking forward to checking out ..
Ripper street on BBC America...
Defiance on Syfy

Waiting for the return of....
Warehouse 13
Doctor Who
Royal Pains
Walking Dead
Duck Dynasty
Ice road truckers (Maybe,it's gone down for me)
Decoded if there is another season
Destination truth


Watching...
History detectives - there was a new show last week, rerun this week..I'm not sure it's going to be on much longer..
Big Bang Theory
Lost girl- Season Premiere was Monday night
Face off - returned last night...
Shipping wars - worked as a delivery guy..I understand...
Shark tank

Given up-
Grey's anatomy
American Pickers
Pawn stars
Ghost hunters- got boring,not seeing enough

[Buddhagirl]

I forgot thta I need to get caught up on Warehouse 13 and see the final season of Eureka.

[Thundergod]

Two shows I've started watching lately...

Supernatural - I've started with season one, but not sure I am going to stay with it. While I truly enjoy some good demon-hunting, occult phenomenon and gratuitous gore, the show has two things going against it when it comes to my future viewing prospects... First, the two main actors are pretty boy types, and I don't relate well to the pretty boy types. Second, the plots are so simple and predictable that it's almost comic.

Absolutely frickin love this show. Found out about it last year and I've been hooked ever since. If you can look past the two main characters being pretty boys, there's an underlying story that builds up and gets pretty good through season 1, 2 and 3. But hey, I like mindless action and gore.

That said, caught up on"

Supernatural
Big bang theory - just not the same since the female intros,  but it's still good for a few chuckles.
Family Guy
South park
Mythbusters
American dad

Given up on:

Walking Dead - actually did this early season 2, but from all the crap I've heard from fanboys, I'm still glad I did.  Retarded ass show.

Brian, whatever you can't watch you should catch online. Every show on the planet can be found. It's how I watch my shows

[Sunstroke]

Absolutely frickin love this show. Found out about it last year and I've been hooked ever since. If you can look past the two main characters being pretty boys, there's an underlying story that builds up and gets pretty good through season 1, 2 and 3. But hey, I like mindless action and gore.

I have "really" gotten into this show. I am just starting season 3, and it is now firmly entrenched on my very short "drop whatever I'm doing to watch it" list. Favorite character to this point has to be Bobby Singer. Just a good ol' no-nonsense redneck demon hunter...

[mecadonzilla]

I'm psyched more for The Walking Dead's return on Feb. 10 than I am the Superbowl.  I cannot get enough of this show.  I do hope the show is able to survive the constant running off of creative talent, though.  IMO the only show currently on TV that's better is Breaking Bad.  (got 6 more months to wait for that one)

I'm also really happy that Being Human is back.  I've been told by many the original BBC version is better, and while I'm sure it is, I'm too thoroughly enjoying the American re-creation to care.  I don't want any potential spoilers to ruin watching the current incarnation for me.  I'm sure I'll watch the original someday, but that day will be after the new one is off the air for good.

And Archer is back!  Whoohoo!  Community is coming back soon, too.  I hope NBC's dismal dismissal of the show's creator won't squish the charm and character of the critically acclaimed yet sparsley watched sitcom.

Strangely, I've also enjoyed Arrow a great deal more than I thought I would.  I figured I'd let a few accumulate on the DVR last fall, and when I finally started watching I blew through them all in a few days.  Now I'm eagerly anticipating each episode.

[mecadonzilla]

I think it's funny that no one really listed a lot major network shows.  Outside of 30 Rock (last episode tonight ), Parks & Rec, and a select few other sitcoms I just don't watch much network TV (excluding the NFL).  As Dave said, it is all about the lowest common denominator to them.

In my experience, if a network TV show is any good it will probably be canceled soon.  I'd much rather take a chance on an AMC, FX, or SyFy show than bother with the networks.  At least you know the cable shows will at least take chances and try to be different than something you've already seen many times on the low end of the now deceased VHF dial.

[mboss]

I'm fully caught up on:
Dexter
Homeland
The Walking Dead  (can't wait for the return)
Mad Men
Breaking Bad- Really looking forward to the Summer.

Finished Weeds....last few seasons were disappointing but had to finish it.
Same for Fringe...just finished to see it out.

Just started watching The Following....we'll see what happens, ok opening. And just saw "The Americans" last night...looks promising.

[Dave Gray]

^ It seems that we like the same shows.

Give Rome a shot.  It's only two seasons and aired on HBO several years ago.  Very good.  You can rent it on DVD.

[bsfins]

Being Human BBC america version...

No spoilers...Just a comment really...About I think the Scifi version will probably divert from the BBC america version...




I was a big fan of Being Human the BBC America Version,First season,Awesome.....2nd,3rd season Meh through a few episodes but still pretty good....End of season 3,It changed because Aiden Turner who played Mitchell the Vampire,got a part in Peter Jackson's the Hobbit..The show had to change....So there were cast changes in season 4.After the season 3 Finally,season 4 was a different show...For me it was un-watchable...It lost what I liked about it...

Modified to add...Ripper street is Pretty good,though I'm not sure if It can hold my interest long term.....