The Best Thing on TV - But not in the UK

[8 Track Cartrige Family]

So... inspired by the film thread and Timothy Spall's TV project being shot in the neighbourhoood it'd be good to know what everyone thinks is the best thing on tv right now and why? A friend recommended the HBO series The Wire. It's set in Baltimore and as far as I know hasn't been aired n the UK. I bought the DVD of the first series last week and it's utterly complelling and gives the Hill St Blues formula the Heineken effect: in other words it goes places other police dramas don't - or perhaps can't - go. The focus on the detail of the social and political forces that shape the lives of the black underclass in Baltimore is fascinating and revealing and I'm totally hooked. Wish I had more time to set aside and watch.

[spadetownboy]

the best thing on tv right now - the huns losing 2-1.

[Mark]

Believe it or not, The wire already has its own discussion here. Which reminds me, I have been lent the series 1 box set so I shall now go and try and episode or two...

[SeanMacGabhann]

I've said all I need to say on The Wire in that thread methinks - all of it still true

(technically it is on in the UK - if you have cable/sky - it's on FX)

[TillieTrotter]

Goody, already in the lounge (sighs in relief!). Timothy Spall in Shooting the Past (S Paliakoff (sp) a few weeks ago. Loved it. Likewise Joes Palace and erm something Catherine!

[SeanMacGabhann]

Tillie - is this another cross-post??

[mightyroar]

i love heroes

and america's next top model (on living)

and I quite love spooks

[Asset]

Oh Sean, she's always cross.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Tillie? Cross? I don't think so - a splendid woman.

And I realise now it wasn't even a cross-post (it was the lounge reference that threw me)

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I am currently waiting for series 3 of The Wire from Amazon - I'm totally hooked!

[Asset]

I was joking

[SeanMacGabhann]

oops Mr literal sometimes me!

yay - CWALD - you got series 3. It just gets better doesn't it?

[mockney piers]

Am enjoying Heroes, but not a lot else grabbing my attention, bar borrowed DVDs of The Wire.

Well, there is Family Guy I guess.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Heroes is building momentum nicely for the finale of season one. I suspect it will be an anti-climax but I'm enjoying the trip so far

Only other highlights this year for me were Gavin & Stacey and Saxondale (with honourable mentions for The IT Crowd)

What was the old ITV drama with Timothy Spall as a tout/spiv? That was good that was

[char1ie]

The Wire. Legendary. Best thing on TV ever. Season 5 starts early next year I think.

I've just watched the first series of The Riches - Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver as travellers that steal cash from their family, go on the run and end up borrowing the identity of a rich family, living in their house, becoming a lawyer, etc etc. Superb!

Go on, download it. 13 episodes. Looking forward to Series 2.

Also I love Lost. Series 4 starts in January - the most ridiculous TV series ever getting less and less logical and more and more pointless. Still good though.

Charlie

[Maurice]

I do like HBO series.

But I thought it was a for-profit, major US corporation? Surely many of you on this thread have spoken out against such evils and should be boycotting.

Ummmm.....

[SeanMacGabhann]

aaahh Maurice how we have missed you and the large stick you carry to stir with

HBO, as part of Time Warner, is indeed "a for-profit, major US corporation" but in the world of TV and Film production it's pretty hard to avoid that these days. Not that I'm anti-profit, or US for that matter just not at the expense of other interests. Why some of us even work for a for-profit, major US corporation - but then Jesus worked for the romans ;-)

As long as HBO continues to produce the quality it does then I'll be happy

[Maurice]

It does so because it is a pay tv service and thus unavailable to the poorest in the US.

How Chav can watch it with her Green glasses on escapes me.

[East Dulwich Angst]

Yes Heroes is a great watch, [(and keeping with the title of the thread), all those enjoing it will be pleased to know that the 2nd series is just as good!]

I don't know if anyone has caught a series called Dexter (shown on the FX channel) The series follows an incredibly likeable blood splutter forensics expert for the Miami Metro Police Department, (Michael Hall, the gay undertaker from 6 feet under) who moonlights as a serial killer with a penchant for inflicting his own unusual brand of justice ? he kills people who truly deserve it.

People also raise their eye brow at me when I tell them I relly like Desperate Housewives, I just find it sooo funny. You can add My Name Is Earl to my list along with Scrubs

[SeanMacGabhann]

There are many many pay TV services - very few of them produce quality. HBO differes because of it's editorial stance. No doubt some market-testing/segmentation has gone into the equation as well

Quality drama has to come from somewhere. When it comes from the BBC are you suggesting that those opposed to the license fee shouldn't enjoy the output? There is nothing hypocritical about liking good writing, acting, direction...

And don't be giving me the whole caring-for-the-poorest-in-society stance either young man... a) it's false and b) they have enough to worry about without bothering about TV shows

And as for CWALD being Green - what has that got to do with anything?

[barrymarshall]

Oooh, oooh, oooh ...

Mention must be made of the all-new Battlestar Galactica. It's on Sky One, I think, but it is well worth getting on DVD if you don't have satellite telly.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'm a big fan of Scrubs.. and used to love Earl as well. But then one day... no, I can't/shouldn't spoil it for you

[mockney piers]

Are you going to do it .... or ....

[SeanMacGabhann]

no no - the rule is people have to ASK. It's like a vampire being invited into your home... or something

[lozzyloz]

Battlestar Galactica was great but it never quite lived up to the pilot episode. You used to be able to get it for free on TV-Direct.com but someone's pulled the plug. I think I'll have to go out and buy The Wire as all attempts to download in HD quality have been unsuccessful! I don't watch a huge amount of TV these days but when I do, it tends to be progs like Ramsey's Kitchen nightmares, Question Time and Top Gear (hence my newborn is called Enzo). Of course the other option is to hunt down some nasty terrorists with the PS3 online!