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TV on DVD: Recommendations
UnbreakableVowChareth CutestoryLawyer of the SeaRegistered Userregular
TV on DVD. Best thing ever, IMO. Both from a price standpoint (a TV show offers many more hours worth of entertainment to the dollar than movies), to getting caught up on new shows (Lost, The Office) and discovering some old classics.
TV on DVD was at one time a bright new world for me, filled with so many viable options. But now...that large window is starting to close. I've reached a pretty high saturation point, and this is where you fine people come in. I just bought Mad Men Season 1 and Wonderfalls today, and plan to get Psych and Spaced on Friday, but other than that not much has been catching my eyes.
So if you would, I'd like you to discuss your favorites. Talk about if a show has been quality all the way throughout, if there are certain seasons I can skip or stop at, etc. Also this can be a thread to talk about new upcoming shows on DVD you're excited about.
A few things I need to clarify first:
- NO reality television. The only reality show I've ever liked is Top Chef, which is sadly not on DVD.
- Anime is okay, but no hentai/tentacle stuff, please.
That's pretty much it. A list of the shows I already own is below, spoilered for length, so anything other than these is fair game for recommendation.
Thanks in advance!
Spoiler:
30 Rock (Seasons 1 and 2)
The Adventures of Pete and Pete (Season 1)
Arrested Development (Complete Series)
Babylon 5 (Season 1)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seasons 1-3)
Clerks: The Animated Series (Complete Series)
Cowboy Bebop (Complete Series)
Deadliest Catch (Season 1)
Dexter (Season 1)
Firefly (Complete Series)
Friday Night Lights (Season 1)
Futurama (Season 1)
House (Season 1)
Heroes (Seasons 1 and 2)
Jericho (Complete Series)
Lost (Seasons 1-4)
Mad Men (Season 1)
Martian Successor Nadesico (Complete Series)
The O.C. (Complete Series)
The Office (Seasons 1-4)
Planet Earth (Complete Series)
Pushing Daisies (Season 1)
Scrubs (Seasons 1-6)
The Simpsons (Seasons 4 and 5)
Smallville (Seasons 1-3, 5 and 6)
Twin Peaks (Complete Series)
Veronica Mars (Complete Series)
Weeds (Seasons 1 and 2)
The Wire (Season 1)
Wonderfalls (Complete Series)
Yu Yu Hakusho (Seasons 1-3)
as far as my must-watch "pay" Cable Station shows. All have a delightful mix of drama and comedy. Sopranos is an obvious suggestion but by now I assume everyone on Earth already watched it. Deadwood is the next series on my queue, I've heard good things
Also if we're talking "Any show ever made that's on DVD" Get The Mighty Boosh seasons 1-3 are all pure gold
edit: oh no! i didn't look at the list carefully dexter and weeds cut from the post, you sir have good taste
All 7 seasons are 100% gold. Only 1-6 are out yet, but 7 will be a day one purchase for me. I currently have 3 different guys going through the series with my DVDs and they all love it.
The Wire is one I'm not afraid to waste vast amounts of time watching, mostly because it deals with the real world....sort of. Actually I love most HBO shows. Band of Brothers would be my favorite.
Farscape! Farscape is a show every sci-fi lover should own on DVD. Red Dwarf, too.
Does it exist in a decent format yet? They used to have Farscape on a retarded 3-episode DVD at hideous prices.
ADV did have the Starburst editions a while back, but those are a bust now. Season 1's rights got bought by Sony so, well, until they do something with it there's no Season 1 on DVD.
Came out mid-late 90s. It's about a supergenius that basically grew up in a lab. He escapes and hijinx commence to happening. The hook is that he can basically pretend to be anything. Surgeon, pilot, lawyer etc etc.
Show was before it's time. Nowadays with the huge over-arcing plots of so many shows, it would fit right in, but back then people were more used to a story per episode regimen.
Steam - Talon Valdez : Xbox Live & LoL - Talonious Monk
Requisite Battlestar Galactica. Almost pure quality start to finish.
If you like Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies, check out Dead Like Me. Two seasons from Showtime, and a movie is coming out next month I think.
Angel 1-3 is quite good. Season 5 is also pretty good, but probably won't make a lot of sense without trudging through season 4.
Dark Angel is pretty cheesy fun, but becomes much more serious fun in the second season.
If you're not already familiar with him, Aaron Sorkin's work is excellent. Sports Night and West Wing are quality. I think Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is also great, but it got pretty mixed reviews.
For animated stuff, Venture Brothers, Samurai Jack and Batman: TAS are all highly recommended.
UnbreakableVowChareth CutestoryLawyer of the SeaRegistered Userregular
I saw season one of Venture Brothers and it didn't do anything for me. I love Batman: The Animated Series, and surprisingly, I never even thought about getting it. Just didn't hit me.
Angel 1-3 is quite good. Season 5 is also pretty good, but probably won't make a lot of sense without trudging through season 4.
Bah, Season 4 is great.
You can also look at getting Buffy 4-7. The show is never as good as in the first 3 seasons (the quality followed David Boreanaz around for some inexplicable reason), but it's still good.
Anyone here seen Carnivale? Is it any good? It always intrigues me whenever I go to Best Buy.
It was Ron Moore's show before BSG so that intrigues me. Keep in mind though, it was plotted out for six seasons, and only got 2.
That's a downer.
One of the things that drew me to Babylon 5 was the fact that it was plotted out for five seasons beforehand, and I believe it was one of the first shows to have huge arching storylines.
EDIT: This is also what drew me to Lost, I had heard (erroneously) that the writers didn't know what the fuck they were doing, but when I heard about the locked-down contract, I went out and bought season one. With obviously beneficial results.
Is one of the best shows I've seen. It looks like an "anime," but it's made by Americans and has American sensibilities of plot and pacing (so no 12-episode punch attacks).
It's about ... well, basically, if you like Final Fantasy, you'll love this shit.
Is one of the best shows I've seen. It looks like an "anime," but it's made by Americans and has American sensibilities of plot and pacing (so no 12-episode punch attacks).
It's about ... well, basically, if you like Final Fantasy, you'll love this shit.
Seems like you have a lot of the DVDs I do. Great choice on Spaced and since you're getting Wonderfalls, I'd suggest getting Dead Like Me (they have some things in common).
I bought Season 1 of Carnivale after hearing good things about it and liked it so much I immediately went out and got the second season. Though, as someone mentioned, the end of Season 2 leaves a sort of unfulfilled feeling as there is so much more that could be told.
Here are some other ones that I highly recommend:
The Office UK (the original is a lot better than the American in some ways, though I guess it really depends on the person)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (from the creator of Seinfeld, so it might depend on if you like that show)
Invasion (sort of a sci-fi drama that only lasted one season)
Day Break (actiony detective show about a guy that keeps reliving the same day over)
Sports Night/Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip (Aaron Sorkin shows that take place around TV studio atmosphere, with one being a Sportscenter type show and the other SNL type)
West Wing (another Aaron Sorkin show about President/White House staff)
Freaks and Geeks/Undeclared (if you like Judd Apatow movies, I think you'd like these. Freaks and Geeks is especially great)
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Playmakers (sports drama show that takes an in-depth look at a fictional NFL team)
FeralWho needs a medical license when you've got style?Registered Userregular
Nip/Tuck: Seasons One and Two. It jumps the shark in season three. Smarter medical drama than most people give it credit for, at least until it gets stupid about three or four episodes into Season Three.
Coupling (BBC) - Described as the "British Friends." Only smarter. And funnier. And sexier.
Cracker (BBC) - Ronnie Coltrane is amazing as a gambling-addicted forensic psychologist.
I am comforted by Richard Dawkins’ theory of memes. Those are mental units: thoughts, ideas, gestures, notions, songs, beliefs, rhymes, ideals, teachings, sayings, phrases, clichés that move from mind to mind as genes move from body to body. After a lifetime of writing, teaching, broadcasting and telling too many jokes, I will leave behind more memes than many. They will all also eventually die, but so it goes. - Roger Ebert, I Do Not Fear Death
The Office UK (the original is a lot better than the American in some ways, though I guess it really depends on the person)
Weird that we have very similar tastes but do not agree on this one. I like the British Office, but I feel the American just surpasses it in every way possible from season two on (especially season three).
The Office UK (the original is a lot better than the American in some ways, though I guess it really depends on the person)
Weird that we have very similar tastes but do not agree on this one. I like the British Office, but I feel the American just surpasses it in every way possible from season two on (especially season three).
Well, it's not that I like the British one more. It's just that the British one is very realistic to me and I guess a lot of the humor comes from the atmosphere it sets up. Having said that, I can watch the American one over and over and not get tired of it as fast as I would from the original.
VariableThe Excellence of ExecutionCalgary, Albert CARegistered Userregular
I'm a fan of Californication and Entourage. They are very similar shows, extreme ups and downs, sex drugs and rock and roll, etc. I do like them though, and while in ways I'm a bigger fan of Entourage I'd say Californication is the better show.
Six Feet Under is supposed to be great, I just ordered it. I liked True Blood this year and that should be coming out soon. Mad Men is supposed to be excellent.
You can get Clerk The Animated Series for pretty cheap I'm sure and it's six episodes of really great humor if you're a Kevin Smith fan (though in my opinion it's probably the easiest thing of his for anyone to like).
Shows like Duck Man, Clone High, Undergrads and some others I'm forgetting are more great animated adult geared comedies.
Twin Peaks is supposed to be cool though I've yet to see it. There's always the first few seasons of 24, for me up to five is worth watching and obviously the jury is still out on the current one.
Skit shows like Mr. SHow and Kids In THe Hall are excellent though obviously there's no story to follow. I like Wonder Showzen though I've really not seen it a lot and I'm not sure it's something I'd need to own, it might drive one insane watching to many eps in a row.
sorry if I doubled anyone, just read the OP and ran with it. I'm sure there's a lot I'm forgetting.
The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be
24
Burn Notice
Babylon 5
Law & Order (vanilla and SVU)
I wish History Channel would sell complete seasons, instead of rape-expensive single discs. Aside from The Universe (which I want), I haven't seen a lot from them available.
Agh, how could I forget Rome? HBO is so freakin' good, which also brings me to Band of Brothers. I just got it on Blu-ray, and my goodness, it's gorgeous.
Agh, how could I forget Rome? HBO is so freakin' good, which also brings me to Band of Brothers. I just got it on Blu-ray, and my goodness, it's gorgeous.
Yes, Band of Brothers is required. I still haven't seen it on blu-ray though but I can see how it would be totally awesome with the cinematography.
Venture brothers too, though if you didn't watch Jonny Quest when you were a kid or other super hero/villian cartoons you probably won't get a lot of the jokes.
360: Sir StiggletonPSN: Stiggy_PAGFWL: RacerStig Steam: TheStig
Posts
I have not.
I'm waiting to see a good sale on Season 1 before I take the dive, because I have a feeling it's going to swallow me whole.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
Entourage
as far as my must-watch "pay" Cable Station shows. All have a delightful mix of drama and comedy. Sopranos is an obvious suggestion but by now I assume everyone on Earth already watched it. Deadwood is the next series on my queue, I've heard good things
Also if we're talking "Any show ever made that's on DVD" Get The Mighty Boosh seasons 1-3 are all pure gold
edit: oh no! i didn't look at the list carefully dexter and weeds cut from the post, you sir have good taste
All 7 seasons are 100% gold. Only 1-6 are out yet, but 7 will be a day one purchase for me. I currently have 3 different guys going through the series with my DVDs and they all love it.
Does it exist in a decent format yet? They used to have Farscape on a retarded 3-episode DVD at hideous prices.
Farscape
Extras
Entourage
Chuck
Terminator : TSCC
ADV did have the Starburst editions a while back, but those are a bust now. Season 1's rights got bought by Sony so, well, until they do something with it there's no Season 1 on DVD.
Stargate SG-1 is pretty good for the first couple of seasons.
The 4400 was pretty cool.
Is Psyche out on DVD yet?
Came out mid-late 90s. It's about a supergenius that basically grew up in a lab. He escapes and hijinx commence to happening. The hook is that he can basically pretend to be anything. Surgeon, pilot, lawyer etc etc.
Show was before it's time. Nowadays with the huge over-arcing plots of so many shows, it would fit right in, but back then people were more used to a story per episode regimen.
Steam - Talon Valdez : Xbox Live & LoL - Talonious Monk
Yeah, I've been meaning to get the rest of Babylon 5. I really enjoyed season one.
And yes, Psych seasons one and two are out on DVD. I'm getting season one on Friday.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
Till you see it, all other suggestions are wrong.
Ok, except maybe The Wire.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
If you like Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies, check out Dead Like Me. Two seasons from Showtime, and a movie is coming out next month I think.
Angel 1-3 is quite good. Season 5 is also pretty good, but probably won't make a lot of sense without trudging through season 4.
Dark Angel is pretty cheesy fun, but becomes much more serious fun in the second season.
If you're not already familiar with him, Aaron Sorkin's work is excellent. Sports Night and West Wing are quality. I think Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is also great, but it got pretty mixed reviews.
For animated stuff, Venture Brothers, Samurai Jack and Batman: TAS are all highly recommended.
Never seen Samurai Jack.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
It was Ron Moore's show before BSG so that intrigues me. Keep in mind though, it was plotted out for six seasons, and only got 2.
Bah, Season 4 is great.
You can also look at getting Buffy 4-7. The show is never as good as in the first 3 seasons (the quality followed David Boreanaz around for some inexplicable reason), but it's still good.
Angel 1-5, however, is better then Buffy 4-7.
That's a downer.
One of the things that drew me to Babylon 5 was the fact that it was plotted out for five seasons beforehand, and I believe it was one of the first shows to have huge arching storylines.
EDIT: This is also what drew me to Lost, I had heard (erroneously) that the writers didn't know what the fuck they were doing, but when I heard about the locked-down contract, I went out and bought season one. With obviously beneficial results.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
Hell yes. Although, IIRC you can just watch it instantly online via Netflix (if you have a Netflix account, which everyone should).
Is one of the best shows I've seen. It looks like an "anime," but it's made by Americans and has American sensibilities of plot and pacing (so no 12-episode punch attacks).
It's about ... well, basically, if you like Final Fantasy, you'll love this shit.
*gasp*
I like Final Fantasy!
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
I bought Season 1 of Carnivale after hearing good things about it and liked it so much I immediately went out and got the second season. Though, as someone mentioned, the end of Season 2 leaves a sort of unfulfilled feeling as there is so much more that could be told.
Here are some other ones that I highly recommend:
Coupling (BBC) - Described as the "British Friends." Only smarter. And funnier. And sexier.
Cracker (BBC) - Ronnie Coltrane is amazing as a gambling-addicted forensic psychologist.
Weird that we have very similar tastes but do not agree on this one. I like the British Office, but I feel the American just surpasses it in every way possible from season two on (especially season three).
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
Well, it's not that I like the British one more. It's just that the British one is very realistic to me and I guess a lot of the humor comes from the atmosphere it sets up. Having said that, I can watch the American one over and over and not get tired of it as fast as I would from the original.
Six Feet Under is supposed to be great, I just ordered it. I liked True Blood this year and that should be coming out soon. Mad Men is supposed to be excellent.
You can get Clerk The Animated Series for pretty cheap I'm sure and it's six episodes of really great humor if you're a Kevin Smith fan (though in my opinion it's probably the easiest thing of his for anyone to like).
Shows like Duck Man, Clone High, Undergrads and some others I'm forgetting are more great animated adult geared comedies.
Twin Peaks is supposed to be cool though I've yet to see it. There's always the first few seasons of 24, for me up to five is worth watching and obviously the jury is still out on the current one.
Skit shows like Mr. SHow and Kids In THe Hall are excellent though obviously there's no story to follow. I like Wonder Showzen though I've really not seen it a lot and I'm not sure it's something I'd need to own, it might drive one insane watching to many eps in a row.
sorry if I doubled anyone, just read the OP and ran with it. I'm sure there's a lot I'm forgetting.
Good man.
24
Burn Notice
Babylon 5
Law & Order (vanilla and SVU)
I wish History Channel would sell complete seasons, instead of rape-expensive single discs. Aside from The Universe (which I want), I haven't seen a lot from them available.
Seriously, though, Dead Like Me.
Agh, how could I forget Rome? HBO is so freakin' good, which also brings me to Band of Brothers. I just got it on Blu-ray, and my goodness, it's gorgeous.
Avatar, West Wing, How I met your mother, Daybreak, Terminator, and more of The Wire.
I'm surprised you never went past season 3 of Buffy. If it helps at all, Nathan Fillion appears in the last season.
I watched up through season five, just haven't gotten around to the last two seasons. I have a reason to now, though.
And I just read the premise on Burn Notice in the Burn Notice thread, it sounds really good.
Xbox: UnbreakableVows | PSN/Wii U: UnbreakableVow | 3DS: 1521-3241-9354
Yes, Band of Brothers is required. I still haven't seen it on blu-ray though but I can see how it would be totally awesome with the cinematography.
Venture brothers too, though if you didn't watch Jonny Quest when you were a kid or other super hero/villian cartoons you probably won't get a lot of the jokes.