Last night while watching the Gilmore Girls it occurred to me that the show is really good, and kind of underrated. Which set me off on a brainstorm of other underrated shows, and thus this list was born. I don't really have a uniform set of criteria for underrated-ness - basically if I think a show is really rad, but for some reason it's not recognized as such, then it's underrated. Without further ado...
#5 - Gilmore Girls
This is number 5 because I do think it's underrated, but it's been on the air for several years, so someone is giving it some props. Even still, the following is a bit underground and as far as I know, it hasn't gotten much critical acclaim or won any/many award - but admittedly, I ain't done my research, so I could be wrong. At any rate, it's a great, witty, extremely well-written show and it should get more recognition than it does (outside teenage girl circles).
#4 - Veronica Mars
My new addiction. I seriously can't go a day without watching an episode. Jeff and I are catching up on the first season. I remember when it came out I read various reviews that praised it, but then the ratings were a little flat. I was curious, but had too much other stuff going on to bother. Now I realize I should've tuned in sooner. It's not a perfect show, but it's very charming and definitely interesting - there's a whole mystery about who killed Lilly Kane. It's sort of Dawson's Creek meets Twin Peaks meets Beverly Hills 90210 (except the rich kids live in zip code 90909). I highly recommend checking out the dvds of the first season this summer when there's nothing but crap on tv.
speaking of...
#3 - My So-Called Life
This show is the epitome of my 10th grade year in high school. Me, Katie, and Mr. Phillips loved it, but sadly not many other people did. Critics praised it, but the ratings showed no love. Luckily MTV picked it up in syndication, but I suppose at the time it didn't have the power to buy another season. I wonder if it would've been cancelled these days - I'd like to think not. It only aired one season, and we will never know whether Angela chose hot-but-not-so-smart-but-still-rock-star-sexy Jordan Catalano or creepy-gross-crazy-curly-hair-but-poetic Brian Krakow. Can you tell who I think she should've picked?
#2 - Freaks and Geeks
Another one-season-wonder. Again, critics gave it a thumbs up, but the public is just too stupid to recognize a gem when it comes along. I suppose Survivor was in its first year when it premiered or something. Very smart, and also a very adept look into high school years. The ending of the series - I think it might be the best I've ever seen. Another one for your bored summer nights.
#1 - The Wire
HBO scores again, but everyone is too busy watching The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under, and Sex and the City to really notice it. I think this is one of my favorite shows of all time - with one of my favorite characters. If you like cop-type shows and mysteries, this is a show for you. It chronicles the lives of cops and drug dealers in Baltimore; my trial advocacy instructor, who is a U.S. Attorney, says it's extremely realistic. It takes a couple episodes to get you really hooked, but once you're hooked, it's like the crack they sell on the show. Looking back, the non-instant hook is actually to the show's credit - they are slowly developing a fully evolved story, and a quick fix just wouldn't have the same quality. WATCH IT NOW. 
Apart from My So-Called Life, the other shows have come on in the past 5 years or so - I'm not quite sure what this means. Obviously, they are fresh in my mind so I remember them better. But did tv in the 80s and 90s just mostly suck? I'm guessing that I've refined my tastes a bit and I am just unaware of the really great shows of that generation - at least that ones that weren't media darlings like The Wonder Years and Life Goes On and Growing Pains. Come to think of it, was Life Goes On really that well-known? Not sure, but that was a good show, too.
Ok guys - What did I miss?
8 comments:
Nothing like some TV talk to get me excited. I don't get out to the movies much, but I keep my TiVo fully stocked. . .
(1) Gilmore Girls -- I know lots of folks that this is a secret indulgence. I've watched a few episodes and agree it is a cute/clever little show, but haven't really thrown myself into it
(2) Veronica Mars -- LOVE it! I started watching it last summer, catching the reruns when my other shows were on hiatus. I believe I told you that it wasn't something I just HAD to watch, but I was enjoying. Well, that was when I was only a few episodes in and still figuring things out and wasn't quite hooked, which now I am completely. And they've gone and moved her nights so I'm having to move all kinds of shows around to accomodate the changes, but I agree that it's a great little show -- well written, kind of Dawson's Creek where they are supposed to be in high school, but talk very maturely and have lots of great innuendo and obscure references.
(3) My So-Called Life -- While I agree that this was one of the greatest losses to TV and so surprising, too, because I knew SO many people that watched and liked it, I was surprised by your inclusion, because it was so long ago, we should be over it by now, right?
(4) Freak & Geeks -- I never caught this show and really didn't hear much about it either. hmm.
(5) The Wire -- I'm definitely intrigued now and might have to add it to my nightly repertoire.
One show I really liked that didn't last long was Boomtown - you know with Walburg (I sadly forget which one now, I think Donnie) in it. It was a crime drama that was from different points of view, like the cop's, the EMT's, the political office guy, etc. I thought it was pretty good.
I also really liked Jack & Bobby about the future president of the United States when he was growing up. In the beginning it was fun trying to figure out which brother was going to be the president. It had neat flash fowards relating political moves the President was making to incidents from his childhood.
I also sadly watched LAX (yes, with Heather Locklear), Goodmorning Miami (cute little comedy), and I can't think of the name of it, but it was a teen show from the point of view of guys and Kelly Osborne was in it. It came on on Thursdays.
Shows I watch now that possibly are underrated, but still running are Crossing Jordan and Scrubs -- which Greg always liked, but I have to agree it is very well written and usually has a good little message. Also, I watch Smallville and sadly, yes America's Next Top Model. Even ER, an old favorite doesn't get much publicity these days. I've also recently started watching House and Grey's Anatomy. My Name is Earl and Free Ride are other newer shows we are watching.
Ok, I've totally gone off topic now, but anyone interested in discussing any of these current shows, I always like to invite more people to the water cooler with me.
man, I need to get a life. . .
YAY! I'm so happy someone else out there is watching Veronica Mars! Don't say anything - within a month I will have caught up with the new season and we can then dish on what we think.
I've heard good things about Scrubs, which I initially dismissed as a goofball comedy. This is one I might have to pick up over the summer. Ditto on Grey's Anatomy - everyone at school raves about it - something must be going on there.
And don't even get me started on America's Next Top Model - LOVE it. I don't watch it regularly, but when it is on, it's about the only thing my roommate and I can agree is delicious tv (apart from Prison Break, another pure candy show, but who can beat hot guys with shirts off?).
One show that I think is complete crap, but is like a car wreck you can't stop rubber-necking is Blow Out. Everytime it's on I squeal with delight - I suppose seeing how assanine Jonathan is makes me feel like a better person. Of course, I'm watching him act like an ass, so my brain cells deplete anyway.
Don't mean to be picky, but I'd like to point out the difference between "underrated" and "overlooked," which is what The Wire is. I only bring it up because I've yet to meet a single person who has seen it that doesn't get that look in their eye when they talk about it. you know the one - the eyes light up like a junkie talking about his/her drug of choice, or like one of those shiny young neo-Christians talking about how cool Jesus is. yes it is that great, whether you like cop shows or not. some of the best story telling in the history of television OR movies. sadly, it is overlooked by the public at large as well as by the award givers.
Huff is a show that I think is underrated. The critics haven't loved it, but it is by far the best thing Showtime has put out, and it's pretty good if you ask me.
You guys make me want to watch the Gilmore Girls from the beginning. I've been really impressed by the dialogue on that show, the few episodes I've seen.
And then there's Arrested Development. Again, it's a critical hit and one of the smartest/funniest sitcoms of all time, but it got cancelled in its third season. Friends lasted 10 seasons!!
PS - Like Niki, I'm still working on the first season, but Veronica Mars just keeps getting better and better every time I watch it. We should form a club.
I have to agree with the peanut gallery here on almost all counts. Arrested Development was a FANTASTIC show. It's a shame when shows like this get cancelled. Clever writing and a very talented cast (Jeffrey Tambor is a riot).
Like Niki, I had the impression that Scrubs was dumb, slapstick comedy. I was wrong. Another great show that I just got into in the last month or so.
And Nik, you must watch Grey's...though I fear that it might plateau soon (if it hasn't already). Though, even if it does begin to fizzle a bit, I'll still watch to enjoy my weekly dose of Patrick Dempsey...
Finally, I think I'll add one to the list, but I don't know if it's necessarily overrated or overlooked (though I don't know many who watch it) - nip/tuck. It's one of the few shows on TV now that isn't disgustingly predictable (even if it is a little far-fetched at times). But hell, if you can't escape reality on TV, where can you?? :)
ahhhhh freaks and geeks. I wish i hadn't seen it yet so i could watch it again. beautiful. as for the wire, i didn't know my tv could do such things to me. At first i thought it was the hot virginia summer and the 33c burritoes but it works a charm in the uk too.
Does Northern Exposure count? I have no idea how popular that show was, but the critics seem to love it. Plus, it's David Chase.
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