What should Ronan and Rebecca watch?
Safely esconced in Vienna, Austria, I am now confronted by the awfulness that is Austrian TV. We don’t have cable, so must gape at ORF 1 and ORF 2, which for three hours in the morning play Alpine vistas with lame lederhosen-musik. OK, OK, I’m in Vienna…VIENNA…so why should I care about TV when there’s all this, er, Kultur?
Well, I do. I’m a Philistine. Bite me, Mozart.
So, I’m all in a panic as to how I should keep up with my fave American shows. There are ways to swing this (cough, cough), but I don’t want to overdo it. So I need to whittle our shows down to a few gems.
Here’s what graced our (big! sob!) TV in Baltimore: Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Veronica Mars, 24, Bones, CSI etc., Without A Trace, House, Supernatural, Numb3ers.
Give me four from this list, plus one of your own. Plus, what new shows should I be lurking around for?
____
P.S. Now that I have a DVD player again, Moviedrome will soon return. As I’m in Austria, expect The Third Man. I can feel a little Julie Andrews coming on too…
For me it’s definitely Lost and BG. I’m not sure about 24 (last season was lame). The wife is more taken with VM than I am. Drek like Numb3rs is all hers!
Comment by Ronan — September 8, 2006 @ 2:54 am
Lost for sure.
Give 24 another chance. Jack’s coming back from China. The last time our hero was detained in China, he came back as Batman.
Battlestar Galactica.
Without a Trace.
And one extra: I think “Heroes” will be cool. At least I hope it will be.
Another extra: Ronan, can you get (American) football out there? It’s going to be an exciting season… Carson’s on his feet again and playing the Chiefs this weekend, who are known, on occasion, to yield 500 yards to opposing offenses. If there’s a Bengal game to watch, it could be this one.
Comment by David J — September 8, 2006 @ 6:23 am
Hey look at this!! I’m actually posting on a topic before my hubby does. It’s a miracle!
The only one of those shows I’m into is Lost. I am also hoping Heroes will be good but alas I think I shall never know, for it is on Monday nights, and on Monday nights the TV is not an option for me. Curse the NFL!!!!
Other shows I enjoy are Monk and Psych, but perhaps those are too simple minded for those of you really dedicated to, er… kultur.
Comment by Summer — September 8, 2006 @ 6:50 am
I think Governor Schwarzenneger is from Austria. Try… Total Recall, True Lies, Junior.
Comment by D. Fletcher — September 8, 2006 @ 7:39 am
“Psych” is hilarious! One of the funniest shows on TV.
Speaking of comedies, if you’re not watching “The Office” you’re missing what may be the best comedy since “Seinfeld”. There I said it. And you know what, it feels good to get it off my chest.
I’ll second Lost, and will also bet that if you start watching “24″ you will not be able to stop, so you’d better decide well before going in. Good thing you have until January to decide.
I’m not all that hopeful about “Heroes”. I think it depends on how they depict the opppostions. Will they simply fight crime, rescue babies, etc.? Or will there be evil super-villains as well?
30 Rock looks promising.
Hey, isn’t SG supposed to be coming out with his annual “What to Watch” guide?
Comment by Tim J. — September 8, 2006 @ 8:16 am
Get all three seasons of Arrested Development on DVD. It’s watchable over and over again. Ditto with the Office.
I’m looking forward to Aaron Sorkin’s new show, but to be honest, the premise looks stupid.
Comment by Susan M — September 8, 2006 @ 8:57 am
Ah, “Bite Me Mozart”… the lesser-known B-side of the “Rock Me Amadeus” single:
[I know, Stadt and biß don't rhyme. So bite me.]
Summer, I wouldn’t say that Psych and Monk are simpleminded, my complaint is bad stories. Monk’s storylines especially have declined. But they’re both funny.
Oh yeah, and are you ready for some football?!
Comment by Tom — September 8, 2006 @ 9:01 am
I’ll agree with Tom about Monk and Psych having failry poor storylines, and some of the acting is a little too over-the-top. But most of they’re jokes hit than miss.
Anyone else intrigued by “The Nine?” the previews look good, but I can’t really tell what it’s about. It’ll be on after “Lost” so I’m sure I’ll catch it.
Comment by Tim J. — September 8, 2006 @ 9:11 am
As you may know, Ronan, I’m in a similar situation as you. I used to have my mom send me tapes from America. They included 24, West Wing, ER, Survivor, W/o a Trace and CSI. Know anyone in Baltimore with a multisystem pal/ntsc (or whatever you’ve got in Vienna)?
So, I suppose I’d say, CSI, 24, and maybe Without a Trace. I just bought season 3 DVD of MI-5 and I’m really enjoying it (as well as season 5 of 24 — haven’t started that set yet). Maybe something like that?
I’ve never seen Lost but I’ve heard a few really good things about it. Should it be next on my must-see-TV (DVD) list? I have the BG option here too – but is it worth it??
Comment by meems — September 8, 2006 @ 10:32 am
Lost
Then get yourself an Xbox 360 and FIFA 2006 (soccer). That will waste all the time you need.
Comment by Rusty — September 8, 2006 @ 11:12 am
Lost, Battlestar, 24, Veronica Mars, and the Shield.
I’d drop Veronica Mars after a few episodes if it doesn’t return to its first season form. 24 is always better on DVD, or tivoed, so I might hold off on that. Shield is frequently gruesome and not really family friendly, but Lost and Battlestar are the two best shows on the air, hands down.
Comment by Brian G — September 8, 2006 @ 11:29 am
I much prefer watching television shows on DVD. I’ve enjoyed Lost the past two seasons, but dislike the interminable wait between each new episode. You lose momentum, and sometimes interest, when the season drags on for 7-8 months. On DVD, the show becomes addictive, something to look forward to for a couple of weeks. It becomes part of you, like a good book.
There are a number of new shows that look interesting to me. I’m curious about Tina Fey’s new show, as well as Alan Sorkin’s show (Studio 60 something or other). The only show I’ll watch FOR SURE is the amazing, amazing The Office. I’ll probably watch Lost too.
Other than that, I’ll probably rent some TV shows on DVD I haven’t seen yet, like 24 and maybe Grey’s Anatomy (to pacify my wife). I’m also interested in checking out The Wire (HBO). I’d also be interested in renting Weeds, Veronica Mars, Buffy, and Arrested Development, none of which I’ve seen (except Arrested), but have heard good things about.
My favorite TV shows have mostly come courtesy of HBO. We’re currently working our way through Season 3 of the fantastic Deadwood. I’ve watched every episode of Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and Entourage. Going back several years, I was a huge fan of both Twin Peaks and Northern Exposure.
Comment by Matt Thurston — September 8, 2006 @ 11:35 am
Battlestar Gallactica? Really? I watched the originally series when I was a kid. Loved it then, but the idea seems hokey to me now. I’ll admit I’m not much of a sci/fi or fantasy guy. Star Wars bored me, and LOTR was simply awful. Looking back, what bothered me about SW and LOTR wasn’t so much their setting, but their weak stories. If the story is good (complex, human, smart), I don’t care if it’s set in some sci fi future, or some fantasy parallel world; but more often than not, those scifi/fantasy movies or tv shows seem to be about those worlds, and not about the story. Is B.G. different?
Comment by Matt Thurston — September 8, 2006 @ 11:42 am
I’m with you Summer. We’ve been recording all three USA shows lately — Psych, Monk, and Dead Zone. We’re liking ‘em this summer.
Ronan — There’s BSG and then all the rest.
I’m not a LOST fan. The show seems to go nowhere. I get the feeling there will never be any remotely satisfying resolution to the million story lines. But I don’t begrudge anyone who actually has gotten into it — I could still get sucked in at some point on DVD I guess.
Comment by Geoff J — September 8, 2006 @ 12:02 pm
What Brian G. said, except that VM is awesome.
yes, the fall schedule is coming up, but not for several weeks.
Comment by Supergenius — September 8, 2006 @ 12:36 pm
Ronan — any way you can get Wonder Showzen?
Comment by Supergenius — September 8, 2006 @ 1:31 pm
Matt T., you’re mistaken. BSG is the best show on TV, hands down.
Comment by Supergenius — September 8, 2006 @ 1:46 pm
Ronan, I recommend you visit the Giambologna exhibit formerly of the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, now on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
And, oh, yes, I’m surprised no one mentioned “House” or “Prison Break”. I like to watch these just to see what kind of crazy thing the writers will think up next.
I mistakenly turned on that new comedy last night, ‘Til Death. Don’t bother. Some of the most insufferable characters I’ve ever seen.
Comment by Bill — September 8, 2006 @ 2:06 pm
Anyone seen the new Julia Louis-Dreyfus show (The New Adventures of Old Christine)?
Comment by Rusty — September 8, 2006 @ 2:14 pm
Thanks for the suggestions.
The problem now becomes more urgent as I see that the internet service provided by the university has a download cap, and it’s crummy. Any tech guys know how to get around this? (VPN?)
Comment by Ronan — September 8, 2006 @ 2:47 pm
I was a BG doubter too, Matt. But I recently watched the miniseries and now I’m a true believer. I’ll be taking in the first three episodes of the series this weekend.
I’m now down to only The Office, My Name is Earl and Gilmore Girls as must-sees. And GG is a strong candidate for the axe this season unless there’s a major turnaround.
In spite of SG’s urgings, I just can’t seem to get into Veronica Mars. And I haven’t been able to keep up with 24 since halfway through the third season — no Tivo, and our VCR doesn’t record shows well. Of course, I’m a no-cable hold out so I can’t complain.
Has anybody Netflixed The Robinsons yet? It’s hilarious in a dark, goofy somewhat sweet kind of way. My wife and I enjoyed it very much [NOTE: it's got some F-words and some bawdy moments -- it wouldn't be shown on network TV uncut, but neither would HBO pick it up].
Comment by William Morris — September 8, 2006 @ 6:08 pm
Of the ones on your list, I like Lost and House. Other things not on your list that I like, most of which have already been mentioned: Arrested Development, The Wire, Deadwood, Entourage, the original British version of The Office, and Extras.
Comment by Brian V — September 8, 2006 @ 10:40 pm
Easy choice for me–the same four shows I watch: LOST, House, Veronica Mars and The Office.
You have to have an appetite for cheap thrills to stick with 24.
Sorry, but I just can’t get into BG. Maybe if someone peals back my eyelids all Clockwork Orange style, my opinion will change, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Comment by BTD Greg — September 8, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
Anyone seen the new Julia Louis-Dreyfus show (The New Adventures of Old Christine)?
I watched one episode to see if it was worth it. Very disappointing. Standard mediocre family sit-com show. I actually felt bad that Julia Louis-Dreyfus had to utter those really bad lines. Then I remembered that she’s a billoinaire heiress and I didn’t feel so bad anymore.
Comment by BTD Greg — September 8, 2006 @ 11:07 pm
Of the list, I watch House and Numb3rs.
If I were to add one of my own, I’d say Grey’s Anatomy, though that is so McGirly.
As for the new shows, I can’t wait for the new Aaron Sorkin show, and I’m enjoying Justice, the new Fox show with the guy from Alias on it.
Comment by Crystal — September 9, 2006 @ 4:23 pm