I am not a big TV fan. I generally prefer to read a good book in the evenings rather than watch television. At times, I even go months without ever turning the TV on, although I will occasionally watch the News.
But sometimes I am too tired to even read – or sometimes after finishing a book, I prefer to take a break before starting another one. Unfortunately, even with hundreds of choices, there often is little, if anything, that I am interested in watching at all. What I find most frustrating is the number of times that I have found a show I especially like, only to have it cancelled after only a few shows, such as:
Zero Hour (began on 2/14/13 and cancelled after 3 shows – although they will show the full season’s episodes online). I was very disappointed when this was cancelled. I found it to be a very interesting, intriguing show. It figures…
Kindred: The Embraced (1996) This show only ran for 8 episodes and I was very disgusted when it was cancelled. I bought the series on DVD. It was a good one.
Jericho (2006 – 2008) I really liked this but it was cancelled after it’s first season. Fan pressure, however, caused CBS to air the show for another 7 episodes. This show apparently has attracted a cult following and spawned a comic book series.
Firefly (2002 – 2003) Canceled after 11 episodes – but then won an Emmy after the shows were released on DVD; inspired a movie, comics and a game.
Jeremiah (2002 – 2004) This show lasted for 2 seasons, 35 episodes, and although a third season was considered, it ended due to “creative differences.” Such is life I guess. I only caught the tail end of this series, but really liked it and was very sad to see it go away.
Max Headroom (1987 – 1988) UK/US production; cancelled after only 14 episodes. This was weird, but cool, and I liked it!
The Prisoner (1967 – 1968) British. I used to love this show when I was a kid. I didn’t realize they only made 17 episodes of this show. Possibly it was because of its “controversial” nature at that time. It has remained an incredible classic though.
Some other great British shows I have enjoyed:
Doctor Who Since 1963 and still going – I used to watch the older episodes whenever I could find them and then was very pleased to find they were making new episodes again; I will always love Dr. Who!
Torchwood (a Dr. Who spinoff; 2006 – 2011) I found these episodes “On Demand.” These were great.
Red Dwarf (British; first aired 1988 – 1993, which is when I found it on PBS and loved it. It has apparently made more appearances recently, but I was not aware of this. I do remember that I really enjoyed it.
Blake’s 7 (1978 – 1981), British. This was definitely a favorite.
The Avengers (This was great – British, 1961 – 1969). I loved this when I was a kid!
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012, British). I am not sure exactly when I discovered this show but I thought it was absolutely hysterical; I loved it!
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969–1974) And I haven’t seen this for many years, but this was always great. It inspired lots of things, too.
Fawlty Towers (1975–1979) This was one of my all-time faves!
Being Human – I liked the British version of this, which ran from 2008 – 2012 when a U.S. version was created. I liked the American version at first, but stopped watching after it became too intense in the way U.S. shows often are, as opposed to the way British shows are (it’s hard to explain). But then I lost track of the British version and by the time I tried watching it again, I had no idea what was going on – it was very different from the first few seasons that I had watched and really liked. I have not watched either the UK or US version of this for quite some time.
Other Sci-Fi Greats:
Farscape (1999 – 2003) I believe this was Australian, made for the Sci-Fi Channel; it ran for 4 seasons.
Babylon 5 (1994 – 1998) I loved this show; I didn’t realize it only ran for this long (although I guess 5 seasons is nothing to complain about).
The X-Files (1993 – 2002) This show was amazing of course. I could never get enough of the X-Files.
Stargate SG-1 (1997 – 2007) I really liked this too and watched it for years.
Stargate Atlantis (2004 – 2009) I watched this one once I could no longer watch SG-1, and liked it too.
Friday the 13th: The Series (1987 – 1990) This was a cool show.
And the show that started it all: Star Trek – From the 1966 series that started it all to all the subsequent spin-off series and the motion pictures, I was hooked from the very beginning way back in the 1960s; it was and has continued to be a very cool thing.
Battlestar Galactica (It began in 1978; current series ran from 2004 – 2009) I have watched this at different times for several decades; it’s easy to get “hooked.”
Quantum Leap (1989 – 1993). This seems a long time ago, but I do remember that I enjoyed this show.
Warehouse 13 – From 2009 and still running. This brings to mind the Friday the 13th series, above. The premise is somewhat similar (e.g., cursed objects).
Eureka is pretty cool; it’s been on for a few seasons I believe.
I watched Lost Girl for a while – but then it got a bit too racy in terms of “family values.”
Other Favorites:
ER (1994 – 2009) I did like this show.
The West Wing (1999 – 2006) This was kind of good for a while.
‘24‘ (2001 – 2010) I watched this on Netflix rentals; I sometimes couldn’t resist watching 3 or 4 (or more) episodes at a time; it was so addictive! I only saw the first 2 or 3 (or 4?) seasons though; after I cancelled my Netflix account I kind of forgot about it. This was a very compelling, edge-of-the-seat show!
“Oldies but Goodies“:
Cheers (1982 – 1993) Everyone loved Cheers.
M*A*S*H* (1972 – 1983) Another much-loved Classic.
Seinfeld (1989 – 1998) One of the All-time Greats!
Family Ties (1982 – 1989)
WKRP in Cincinnati (1978 – 1982)
Current Faves (that I really hope do not get cancelled!):
Once Upon a Time (Since October, 2011 and still going)
Grimm – I really like this show too (unusual for a Network show). I hope this continues.
Revolution (First aired last September and I am not sure if it is being cancelled or not; this was a show I thought I was interested in seeing, but have never actually watched it. I am hoping to find it available to watch “On Demand.” We shall see.
Another new show that I have been enjoying is Continuum.
Then there’s Defiance – there’s only been one show so far, but I am really liking what I see here. I love a good epic fantasy/scifi show. Hopefully SciFi channel is not as bad about cancelling the good ones as are the regular networks.
And finally, The Daily Show (Currently airing), which is wonderful – when I watch the News, I have to take in an episode of this to balance out the horrid with the “insane.” Thus do I stay sane!
So here is my list of TV shows I have liked – I have undoubtedly forgotten some, so stay tuned for updates (if you care to – otherwise, just go read a good book).