Saturday, March 31, 2012

My Favorite Current TV Shows

A few months ago, I posted a list of my favorite TV shows of all time (which can conveniently be found here). I thought it was time to follow that up with a list of my favorite shows out of what is still on the air now. And since two shows on the list just had their season finales, one is about to have its season final, and one is about to have its season premiere, what better time than now? A pair of notes before I get to the list, though; honorable mentions, if you will. Supernatural would have made the list two seasons ago when it was at the top of its game, but lately, while it still has its share of awesome episodes, I feel its best days are in the past. How I Met Your Mother also had a shot at making the list, which would have made it the only crossover between this list and the all-time list, but I'm starting to feel the bloom is off the rose there... not enough time is being devoted to the main storyline and I'm tired of the teasing! It's like being with a woman who never lets you get past second base! Unlike these shows, which pretty consistently hit some grand slams.

See what I did there?

The Big Bang Theory
I just started watching this one recently when I got tired of hearing everyone rave about it all the time. I got so sucked into it after the first few episodes that I ended up watching all five seasons within 8 days. Not only is this show hilarious, but I swear to God I have had almost every single geeky conversation they've had on the show with my friends at some point in my life. The Terminator Time Travel Paradox? Been there. Which Green Lantern weakness was lamer, yellow or wood? Done that. Which Star Trek movies was worse, the Motion Picture or The Final Frontier? Check. This is a comedy for my people. Plus, Kaley Cuoco.

I know this isn't what it's meant for, but, "Bazinga!"

'Nuff said.

The Walking Dead
Zombies. What more to you need to know? If you do need to know more, fine. It's based on an awesome comic book, has crazy violence, and is really a study in the degeneration of humanity in the wake of catastrophe. Sure, some of the episodes have been slow. But that's because it's not all about the zombies, it's about the people. How do you hold onto your humanity when social conventions are gone and it's a fight for survival, all day every day? Sure, some of the episodes have been slow. But that's because it's not all about the zombies, it's about the people. And, like I said, zombies.


Game of Thrones
How could this show not be on my list? Kings, queens, armies, sword fights, mysterious threats from beyond... and dragons. Can't forget the dragons. All it's missing is magic and it would have pretty much everything I've loved to read about since I was like 10. Plus, it had one of the biggest "Holy shit" moments I've ever seen in a TV show last season, which is why I'm glad I never read the book before. And let's not forget, Tyrion Lannister. How awesome is Pete Dinklage in that role. Do me a favor if you're ever tweeting anything about Game of Thrones or just Peter Dinklage in general: use the hashtag "#dinklagefetish." A few friends and I did that during the first season and eventually got the hashtag to be searchable on Google. We plan to repeat that feat this season, come join the fun!

#dinklagefetish

Shameless
If you haven't caught this on Showtime yet, you really should. A remake of a successful BBC show, it is easily one of the funniest shows on television, as well as one of the most touching. The cast, none of whom can really be called stars except for William H. Macy, is absolutely fantastic, especially Jeremy Allen White as "Lip." I swear, if this kid isn't huge one day, there's something wrong with Hollywood. Quite a few episodes of this show have had me tearing up, especially his performance. Which is surprising; he manages to steal just about every episode from Emmy Rossum, whose talent and utter sexiness is why I started watching the show in the first place.

Humina humina...

Seriously, though. My maleness aside, watch Shameless. You won't regret it.

Doctor Who
The wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey adventures of the Timelord known as the Doctor had to top my list. Episodes of this BBC gem alternate between touching, riveting, exciting, and thought-provoking almost every five minutes. You know any show that is on the verge of being around for fifty years has to be something special, right? There really is no way to describe the show without giving too much away, and I don't want to ("Spoilers, sweetie!"). It's just awesome. For me to say that about something that comes from England, you know it has to be true. Damn Limeys. That's okay, even the Doctor prefers Americans...

 He wears a stetson now. Stetsons are cool.

There's the list. You know the drill. Like any of these shows, hate any of them, have favorites of your own... I want to hear about it. Click the comment box and get going!

5 comments:

  1. I love Big Bang Theory as well...the interaction among the characters is just brilliant. I sadly have never watched The Walking Dead, or Shameless. Doctor Who just has never appealed to me.

    Game of Thrones is just amazing. I agree with your comments on Dinklage. Fantastic casting. There is an article on him on the New York Times website that you should definitely check out.

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  2. You've never watched The Walking Dead? I'm revoking your geek card. Shame on you.

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  3. I haven't even heard of Shameless, but you said the magic words "based on a successful BBC show" I guess I will have to check it out.

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  4. Also, sort of surprised that SPN made neither this or the old list. Did I miss where you tore this show apart in previous posts? I would love to hear/read your opinion on the first 5 seasons... (you know, the good ones).

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  5. Shameless is a must-watch. You'll love it.

    And I absolutely loved the first five seasons of SPN (not enough to be one of all-time faves, tho). It still has a lot of great episodes now but it's been an overall drop-off in my opinion in season six and season seven.

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