Yesterday's post saw dead parrots, deceptive politicians, and destructive standard lamps make the list of my ten favourite television programmes of all time. What could possibly top that, I hear you cry? Let's find out:
7) The Wire
There’s not really much more I can add to the seemingly unremitting praise heaped on David Simon’s magnum opus. Needless to say, its depth is astonishing beyond words and, if you aren’t already, you should be watching it. If you are new to the show, don’t start watching it on BBC2 – The Wire’s plot unfolds on an episode-by-episode basis, and the show is packed to the rafters with complex characters, like the television equivalent of an intricate novel. As such, as BBC2 is already halfway through Season 2, there is no possible way you can catch up. Get the boxsets instead.
6) The Daily Show
American satirist Jon Stewart cuts through the crap of both liberal and conservative US news media in a show that is unquestionably more influential amongst young viewers than the rhetoric-heavy likes of Fox and MSNBC. There have been many attempts to create a British equivalent, but all lack the show's essential ingredient: Stewart himself. Backed by a team of likeminded comedians, including our own John Oliver, his passion for the truth allows his natural intelligence to shine through, without him ever seeming patronising. The Daily Show's late-night counterpart, The Colbert Report, has recently been axed over here by satellite channel FX, leaving its parent show’s future hanging in the balance. However, one hopes that the Daily Show doesn't befall the same fate – a TV schedule without Jon Stewart would be a very bleak scenario indeed. (Apologies for the quality of the video – it would appear that Comedy Central are very strict indeed when it comes to copyright infringement.)
5) Weeds
A far more authentic insight into the lifestyles of suburban America than Desperate Housewives could even attempt to dream of, as proven at the 2006 Golden Globes when, to the shock of everyone in the room (and indeed the country), the astonishing Mary-Louise Parker managed to beat each of the lead Housewives to the coveted Best Actress award for her astounding portrayal of middle-class dope dealer Nancy Botwin. Recently widowed, Botwin is forced to resort to selling soft drugs in order to maintain the comfortable lifestyle she and her kids have become accustomed to. Successfully treading the line between genuine heartbreak and jaw-dropping hilarity, Weeds is that rarest of beasts: a comedy-drama that actually achieves both elements of its label. (Again, apologies for the video – embedding is enabled on ALL videos featuring footage from Weeds.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrB7weWCdU
Come back tomorrow to discover numbers 4-2.
7) The Wire
There’s not really much more I can add to the seemingly unremitting praise heaped on David Simon’s magnum opus. Needless to say, its depth is astonishing beyond words and, if you aren’t already, you should be watching it. If you are new to the show, don’t start watching it on BBC2 – The Wire’s plot unfolds on an episode-by-episode basis, and the show is packed to the rafters with complex characters, like the television equivalent of an intricate novel. As such, as BBC2 is already halfway through Season 2, there is no possible way you can catch up. Get the boxsets instead.
6) The Daily Show
American satirist Jon Stewart cuts through the crap of both liberal and conservative US news media in a show that is unquestionably more influential amongst young viewers than the rhetoric-heavy likes of Fox and MSNBC. There have been many attempts to create a British equivalent, but all lack the show's essential ingredient: Stewart himself. Backed by a team of likeminded comedians, including our own John Oliver, his passion for the truth allows his natural intelligence to shine through, without him ever seeming patronising. The Daily Show's late-night counterpart, The Colbert Report, has recently been axed over here by satellite channel FX, leaving its parent show’s future hanging in the balance. However, one hopes that the Daily Show doesn't befall the same fate – a TV schedule without Jon Stewart would be a very bleak scenario indeed. (Apologies for the quality of the video – it would appear that Comedy Central are very strict indeed when it comes to copyright infringement.)
5) Weeds
A far more authentic insight into the lifestyles of suburban America than Desperate Housewives could even attempt to dream of, as proven at the 2006 Golden Globes when, to the shock of everyone in the room (and indeed the country), the astonishing Mary-Louise Parker managed to beat each of the lead Housewives to the coveted Best Actress award for her astounding portrayal of middle-class dope dealer Nancy Botwin. Recently widowed, Botwin is forced to resort to selling soft drugs in order to maintain the comfortable lifestyle she and her kids have become accustomed to. Successfully treading the line between genuine heartbreak and jaw-dropping hilarity, Weeds is that rarest of beasts: a comedy-drama that actually achieves both elements of its label. (Again, apologies for the video – embedding is enabled on ALL videos featuring footage from Weeds.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrB7weWCdU
Come back tomorrow to discover numbers 4-2.
No comments:
Post a Comment