I think that there are awfully few good shows on TV these days. Then again, it's not like there were an awful lot of good shows on in years past, either. I think that it's a curious feature of the separating effect television has on the viewer. Because of syndication and the popularity of cable systems and their digital cousins, the sattelite dishes (in all their varied shapes and sizes), shows which never found an audience in their heyday now have devoted -- and some would say fanatical -- followings. Case in point: those of you out there who think that there are a lot of good shows on nowadays are probably watching re-runs of Night Court and M*A*S*H*, or else you're busy watching PBS or the Discovery Channel or somesuch. Personally, I'd rather be watching one of the following:
Reboot! Probably one of the darkest, funniest, and definately computer-animatedly-coolest cartoons out there in TV land today. It's probably near and dear to many a net-surfer's heart. Despite the show's penchant for sophomoric names (come on, Megabyte? Hexadecimal? Hardly awe-inspiring names for two of the most interesting villains out in TV land today) the plots are tight, the scripting's tighter, and, yes, Virginia, sometimes the good guys lose (for a while). It also doesn't hurt that the show appeals to the deity-power-trip-loving side of me. The story arc's complete now, and while the plotting in the third season was occasionally ponderous, it was still well done, with tributes to shows as varied as "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Prisoner" appearing in several of the episodes. The ending was well worth the wait, though (follow the bouncing Scuzzy...). Here's to a fourth season!
Friends. Yes, you were probably expecting this ('specially if you've already peeked at my biographical-type pages). But then again, this is one funny show, with quotable lines in almost every episode ("Gum would be perfection.") Time has just made this show that much better.
My So-Called Life. This show is often described as "the thirtysomething of Generation X" (a label which, no doubt, causes many a viewer to cringe in severe agony), My So-Called Life is witty, charming, and devastatingly truthful. It did a marvellous job of portraying Angela's emotional turmoil. It was a shame that it never ended up going beyond it's original first season run.
Big Life. Hosted by Daniel Richler, a funny, introspective and definately on the cutting edge host, the show explores a lot of points about popular culture that aren't covered by any other show. Topics included .kiss semi-erotic anime programs, Moby (of Techno fame), and the legalization of marijuana in Canada. Great stuff.
The Anti-Gravity Room Basically the only comic-book show out there these days, with interviews from creators, writers, and artists in the industry. A decent replacement ot the cheesy and much-missed Prisoners of Gravity show.
Twin Peaks. This show, more than any other, opened up my imagination to the possibilities of the strange currents running deep beneath the static crust of this reality. I know that in the end, not a lot of people cared about who killed Laura Palmer, but, as the saying goes: It's not the destination, it's the journey. And it was a lovely three-season run. The movie was very redeeming of the latter two seasons, if that's any consolation to those of you who haven't yet seen "Fire Walk With Me." (watch the movie, if just because Laura Dern is in it)
The X-Files. Possibly the only TV show to date which could have dragged me home before the Pit Pub closed on a Friday night. Its move to a Sunday timeslot was convenient (now I rarely miss it) Tight writing, tighter plots, weird but plausible ideas, dramatic (both overt and subtle) characterization, and the fact that it used to be filmed in my hometown of Vancouver have all contributed to my fanatical viewership.
Highlander. Loved the movie. The show took a while to glom on to my subconsious, but in the end Adrian Paul makes a convincing immortal, and his fighting technique is cool and definately worth watching. The last season felt a bit strained, with MacLeod renouncing the sword and all, and with all those guest episodes featuring other immortals, but the resolution to the series was convincing and ultimately, the show stands on its own merits.
Forever Knight. I liked this show when it was on CBS' short-lived "Crimetime After Primetime", and I've continued to follow it through three seasons and a cast change (well, two, if you count the movie/pilot episode). I do love the concept of vampires as "just like everyone else except they have superhuman abilities and drink blood". Heck, I liked it before I even heard about any of Anne Rice's novels. Now that the series is over, I'm kind of left without my weekly vampire fix.
The Simpsons. This long running prime time cartoon is definately not for children. In any case, it's not as if most kids would get the weird hidden (or blatant) references in the show, anyway. Like, "Mmm, sixty-four slices of American cheese", or "It's quiet around here. A little too quiet."
The Tick. You gotta love a guy with antennae whose battle cry is "Spooon!" Between you and me, though, isn't American Maid the only efficient crimefighter in The City? I mean, the Tick is nigh invulnerable, but American Maid still kicks butt.
