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Arbitrary Thoughts

February 24th, 2011 - Arbitrary Thoughts, Uncategorized - 52 Comments »

+ This guest posting month is a lot harder than I thought. My original goal of 20 posts is shaping up to look more like 10. Note to self: Next time, don’t schedule it during the busiest month of your year. My last one is on Monday over at the Catalyst blog.

+ A few of you have been talking smack about my picks in the TV March Madness draft. I have no regrets. There are no other characters in television history that I’d rather defend in this tournament (except maybe Doug Heffernan – I can’t believe I forgot about that guy). If you haven’t done so, head over to Scott Moore’s blog to read more about it. Remember, you’re KEY to making this work.

+ Tripp’s underwater video surpassed our Bowlin’ video in views yesterday. I wish there was a word for how this makes me feel – kind of bitter, kind of sweet. I don’t know. Expect to see it on TV soon. Seriously.

+ Big lunch meeting today. I really hope I get to tell you all about it.

+ Catalyst West is next week. My blog might be a little sparse, so if you want to follow along with what is happening, follow me on Twitter or go to catalystbackstage.com on Thursday and Friday. I can’t wait to show you the videos. Are any of you going?

+ I’m all caught up on Grey’s Anatomy, so I’m on the hunt for a new TV series to watch. Maybe Damages? I don’t know. Any suggestions?

  • http://brentlevy.com Brent

    Suggestion for a TV show: Party Down (on Netflix Instant Streaming) — a little raunchy, but so funny. Also, Psych.

    • http://www.adaupdates.blogspot.com Scott

      I didn't see this before I commented, so I think that makes Psych the winner.

  • http://www.adaupdates.blogspot.com Scott

    We just started Psych. I can't give it my ringing endorsement yet because we are only two episodes in, so I reserve the right to revoke this suggestion upon further viewings, but it looks like it is going to be pretty good. The best part is there are 4-5 seasons available on Netflix Instant Watch. If you try it, let me know what you think.

  • Joel Purser

    Top Gear. Start at season 7 if you download it and all of the seasons on netflix are awesome. Its a British car show, but you really don't have to like cars. It is hands down one of the funniest tv shows ever. Stay away from the US one, it's a ripoff and not even close to the BBC version.

    • Tyler Stanton

      so, should i start at season 1 or 7?

      • Joel Purser

        I think season 7 is where it starts to get awesome. 1-3 is basically a car show with humor and it starts to get funnier after that.

        • Joel Purser

          Also, each episode is a complete hour long. No more of this wimpy 44 minute American tv

  • http://www.pofgblog.com Joseph

    What kind of show are you looking for?

    If you like Grey's, you'll probably like "Off the Map." It's basically Grey's Anatomy set in the South American jungle. Well, not basically, that's pretty much exactly what it is…

    • Tyler Stanton

      i tried that one. it was a no go for me.

  • http://luminateculture.com Jon Givens

    I thought the first couple seasons of Damages were GREAT, so you definitely can't go wrong there. Plus Ted Danson is the bad guy….so how can that not be awesome. Also, the first two seasons of Dexter are streaming, if you have never done that.

    • Tyler Stanton

      cool.watched dexter. loved it.

    • Knox

      Ted Danson is SOO good in it.

  • clintm

    I too am looking for a new TV show to fill the vacancy in my heart where LOST once resided. My wife and I got on the LOST bandwagon in July and we just wrapped it up a few weeks ago. So bittersweet… My brother and his wife just started watching it and I'm so jealous to hear them talk about it with the excitement of watching it for the first time…

    Also, I would vouch for Pysch. I watched most of the first season when it originally aired and really liked it. Unfortunately I never stuck it out, maybe I should pick up where I left off…

    • Tyler Stanton

      few suggestions for you….-breaking bad-friday night lights-dexter-curb your enthusiasm-bbc version of the office

  • Knox

    Damages is excellent for the first season but lulls into season 2 as it gets a little bogged down in corporate conspiracy.

    I agree with every word Brent said about Party Down. Soooo funny.

    I've seen a few eps of Psych and really like it.

    Not sure if you've seen the Holy Trinity of dramatic shows (Sopranos, The Wire and The Shield) but all of them will change your life.

    • Tyler Stanton

      i've heard this about the wire. i actually downloaded the first season and never watched it (too busy with dexter at the time, i believe).of the three members of the trinity, which would you recommend first?

      • Knox

        For me:
        1. The Wire
        2. The Sopranos
        3. The Shield.

        The Sopranos is a little more high-minded, but The Wire tells a different story about the same city in each season and at the end, you realize David Simon had everything mapped out from beginning to end. So many great characters in both, but The Wire is like a Murderer's Row of good characters.

        The Shield is a small notch below both but still very good. A collection of good characters and SUPER gritty.

        If I may be so bold, I would call The Wire the greatest show in TV history.

  • Ryan Rhoden

    Try “Better of Ted”. It only lasted two seasons, but not for lack of quality or humor. It is a great show that my wife and I wish was still going. Both seasons are streaming on Netflix.

  • jbagky

    I am going to suggest something that might be considered a teen drama, but it was one of my favorite shows that got cancelled, Veronica Mars. It has a great storyline that develops throughout the whole season (at least in the first 2) and is just a fun watch. Feel free to make fun of me below.

  • http://twitter.com/CamMohajerin @CamMohajerin

    My favorites are Psych, Chuck, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and Fringe.

    But after seeing your picks in the draft and the fact that you watch Grey's Anatomy I have no idea what to tell you to watch…

    • http://twitter.com/mattstedjan @mattstedjan

      I can vouch for every one of those. Other ones I watch and enjoy are: House, Californication, Glee, Raising Hope, V, Supernatural, Spartacus (starts off pretty bad but story gets much better), Outsourced, and The Ricky Gervais Show.

      But seriously, the newest season of Fringe is some of the best TV I've ever seen, and I watch A LOT of TV.

      • Tyler Stanton

        hmmm…i too watch a lot of tv.how good is californication? i want to give it immediate credibility because of the fact it's on showtime, but haven't tested it out yet.tyler stanton

    • Tyler Stanton

      haha.
      I also like The Bachelorette.

      (hangs head in shame)

  • Rick

    I keep hearing great things about The Pillars of the Earth, available on Netflix. Haven't seen it, though.

    My cop buddies recommend The Shield.

    I loved Heroes, but if were to watch it again knowing what I know now, I'd bail after season 2. I loved Prison Break, but similar to Heroes, I'd bail after season 1. I loved Lie to Me, but similar to Heroes and Prison Break, I'd bail after season 1. They all started really strong and failed to stay awesome for future seasons.

    Catalyst West. I'll see you there. I'll be the guy with the shaved head, but without an unnecessary scarf, bankers vest, skinny jeans with overly decorated back pockets, or chunky glasses, so look for me.

    • Tyler Stanton

      You'll stick out like a sore thumb then.
      Even I will have mildly decorated back pockets.

  • Howard Fryberger

    Definitley Dexter. Awesome show.

  • ginalw

    Sherlock. There may only be three episodes but they're incredible. Watch it. Now.

    • jbagky

      Its star is named Benedict Cumberbatch. His name has been scientifically proven to be the most British name ever created.

      Also, the series is good. The 1st and 3rd are the best ones, but the 2nd is good just because there are only the 3.

      • Tyler Stanton

        That's one of the best names I've ever heard.

        PS – how can a show only have 3 episodes? I've never heard of this phenomenon.

        • jbagky

          Its British. That's all the reason that you need.

          Actually, I heard or read somewhere that they are treating each "season" as a miniseries, which the British do a lot anyway. The good thing is that they had a story to tell and they told it in just 3 episodes and didn't drag it on. That is pretty good to me, as apposed to some American shows where they drag a storyline out for 10 episode because they have to fill them with something.

  • hayne

    I know I've spoken to you about this before…
    Sons of Anarchy
    It's rough (it's FX)… but the plot and characters are incredible.
    (Katy Segal won a golden globe for it this year and various review sites are now calling it a top 10 in current TV.)
    It's a sleeper hit. (I guess because most folks don't find motorcycle gangs initially interesting… I didn't.)

    We also have a 5 episode rule. If we're not into it by the end of 5 episodes… we quit.
    (Took us 4 episodes to get into FNLights… and yes, we're hooked.)

    P.S.- The Top Gear recommendation above is A+. No plot… just 3 hilarious Brits reviewing cars and abusing other vehicles and each other. The hardest I've laughed watching TV in a long time. (plus like all great shows… the US has made their own version.)

    • Tyler Stanton

      Love the 5 episode rule.__________tyler stantonSent from my new Palm Pilot.

      • http://www.dadlife.net kevindeshazo

        Sent from my new Palm Pilot?

  • joel

    Castle or Chuck or Psych.

  • http://www.dadlife.net kevindeshazo

    Shows we love, that you may or may not already watch: House, Raising Hope, Arrested Development (If you haven't watched this, I'm disappointed), Parenthood.

    Once we get caught up on Dexter season 5 (haven't started it due to the trauma caused by season 4 finale), I'm trying to convince my wife to start The Wire. I've heard incredible things.

    • Tyler Stanton

      Press on!
      I didn't think I could continue on after the season 4 finale, but I did…and i'm thankful.

      Wire fans: Is it natural to be only mildly impressed with the first episode? I heard it was going to change my life. It didn't.
      Then again, Dexter was the same way for me and I ended up loving it.

  • http://alifeaboutme.com Andrea

    #1- You are already finished catching up on Grey's Anatomy? This really sheds some light on how much TV you watch. #2- You posted your phone number in a comment up there. #3- To answer your question: Raising Hope. Really funny once you get into it. On Hulu plus. Really ridiculous but the more I watch it, the more I laugh.

    • Tyler Stanton

      1. I don't mess around.
      2. Good catch. Deleted.
      3. Raising Hope, huh? I've heard mixed reviews. I think I'll give it a try though, since you told me about the phone number.

  • http://davidtrobbins.wordpress.com David T. Robbins

    I'm just going to send you homemade VHS tapes of me cleaning my bathroom. You can watch that.

    • Tyler Stanton

      I'm going to punch you when we meet next week. And I'm not telling where.

  • http://www.emilyehmke.com Emily Ehmke

    Parks and Recreation. The first season is so-so, but the second and current season are RIDICULOUSLY funny. Just trust me.

  • http://www.youredoingitright.com dustyken

    Did you cry when something happened to 007? If you are caught up on Grey's, then you should know what I'm referencing.

    • Tyler Stanton

      I was deeply affected for days.__________tyler stantonSent from my new Palm Pilot.

      • http://www.youredoingitright.com dustyken

        Yeah, he was one of the better characters on the show.

        • Tyler Stanton

          I can't explain it, but his last scene at the elevator was one of my favorite scenes in TV history.

  • http://www.sweetannieskitchenblog.wordpress.com Annie

    I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest The O.C. You will feel like you're back in high school a little bit at first, but once you get into the characters, you'll be hooked. Adam Brody who plays Seth Cohen is absolutely brilliant. Be forewarned that Mischa Barton's acting skills are less than stellar, but the Cohen family as a whole makes up for it.

  • Shaun

    Sons of Anarchy, Justified for drama
    Mow I Met Your Mother, Modern Family and Raising Hope for Comedy

  • Gabriella Auer

    Yeah! I am going to Catalyst and I am so excited!

    • Tyler Stanton

      See you there!
      PS – If I give you $5, will you laugh at all our jokes?

  • http://180tampa.com Jerry White

    Best show–'The IT Crowd' on Netflix. I have only watched parts of it on Youtube, but it's hilariously amazing.

  • http://robshep.com Rob Shepherd

    I am going to Catalyst, but I don't have a good show for you. I wish I did, but I am kind of stuck on The Office, The Amazing Race, PTI, American Idol, Chuck, Parks and Rec', Modern Family, SportsCenter, and The NBA on TNT.

  • Hayley

    Easy answer:

    Friday Night Lights