Convince Me To Try Your Favorite Show

[Thrall]

Is Chuck the greatest show of all time? Not even close. Is it even in the Top 50? Doubtful. But that doesn't really matter to me. I like it because it's fun. I like it because it's extremely funny. I like it because the characters are highly entertaining and the relationships are engaging. I like the action, I love the humor, and the romance is pretty good too. I like it because it breaks the mold of genre TV. I like it because it's the only genre show on TV that isn't overbearingly serious and dark just for the sake of being overbearingly serious and dark. I like it because you don't have to watch every. single. episode to know what the hell's going on. I like it because it's not out to be relevant or important or cutting edge. It just wants to be fun and entertaining.

I like the concept and the main character. I like the idea of a normal, average guy kicking ass with his mind, his charm, and his wits rather then violence and badassery. I like how the show is subversive in how it mocks the action genre by completely taking the piss out of James Bond. Try wathcing Burn Notice or Alias after you watch Chuck. I guarantee you won't be able to take either seriously. I like the idea of a super-spy that refuses to kill. I like the notion that not all heroes have to be damaged and flawed and fucked up to be compelling characters. I like his relationship with his female lead, as it's easily the most engaging and gush-worthy romance on TV. I like fans of Chuck, because as devoted and vocal as they are, they aren't batshit crazy unlike some other fandoms.

I just like Chuck. That's all I can really say.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Dexter.

He is perhaps the most dark, complicated and frightening character to ever have a series centered around him. BUT, because of the wonderful writing and masterful performance by Michael C. Hall, you find yourself caring about and even rooting for someone who is a dedicated and proficient serial killer.

Why? Because in many ways, Dexter is, quite simply, a very good person. He is driven by a sense of justice, learned from his policeman-foster father. Dexter uses his brilliant mind to catch the worst criminals who have escaped or dodged punishment from the legal system. We can understand the sense of duty he feels when he exacts his vigilante justice. Dexter cares about his friends, his sister, his girlfriend. We hear his thoughts as he narrates every episode, and often, what Dexter thinks about himself is not exactly what the audience discovers. We start to know him better than he knows himself. Watching him maneuver his way through daily life is a tense, joyful and thrilling ride.

There haven't been many shows where I've gotten upset when an episode ends---simply because I must, MUST know more, and see what happens next.

Seconded. Or thirded or fourthed by this point in the thread.

One nit: Dexter isn't consciously driven by a sense of justice; he would say that killing killers is his way of adapting his needs to society well enough to avoid the electric chair. But one of the fascinating things about him is that he might be driven by an innate sense of justice he doesn't consciously acknowledge (because if he's killing out of a sense of justice, that implies he has control over his behavior; seeing himself as a "monster" lets him off the hook).

As for Lost, well if you don't like sci fi, maybe don't bother. It's a good show if you like Twilight Zone style insanity, long convoluted plotlines, mysteries galore, and fascinating characters and aren't bothered by sloooow pacing and waiting waiting waiting for payoffs.

 

[Capt. Vulcan]

*pulls out pistol and places it on the table in front of you.*

(Uncomfortable silence)

*looks menacingly at you, sits down, then lights a cigarette*

(Uncomfortable smoky silence)

*Reaches for underwear waistband with off hand and adjusts it*

(Moderately comfortable smoky silence)

*Looks menacingly in your eyes before standing up and picking up the pistol and leaves without ever telling you what show I even want you to watch*

 

[Mistral]

*pulls out pistol and places it on the table in front of you.*

(Uncomfortable silence)

*looks menacingly at you, sits down, then lights a cigarette*

(Uncomfortable smoky silence)

*Reaches for underwear waistband with off hand and adjusts it*

(Moderately comfortable smoky silence)

*Looks menacingly in your eyes before standing up and picking up the pistol and leaves without ever telling you what show I even want you to watch*

 

[USS Mariner]

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I've been a fan since '07.

Late-night entertainment for people who aren't oblivious to comic timing. His monologues are well-paced, humble, and completely ridiculous all at once; they're the best part of the show. He manages to get some not-so-big but incredibly entertaining acts and guests on.

Henry Winkler, Betty White, and Tim Meadows are semi-frequent guests who come in for skits. Wolfgang Puck comes once in a blue moon, mainly because Craig is addicted to his mini burgers.

 

[darthraidr]

"Friday Night Lights."

I'll start this with this statement: I hate American football but I love this show.

It follows a high school team in Texas (where football is king) through the season. Anyone who's ever lived in a small town in the US will recognize these characters as friends and neighbors.

Unique for a TV show, it's largely improvised dialogue--so the characters talk over and around each other. It's also filmed with multiple hand-held cameras--so the actors are never playing to the camera, since they don't know which footage will be used.

And it's filmed on location--in Austin and (for the first season) Pflugerville, TX.

Coach and his wife Tami have one of the most realistic marriages I've ever seen on TV. And God knows, every kid could use someone like Coach in his or her life.

Another vote for FNL. This show has some of the best family relationships that i've seen on TV.