Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?

[Barry]

Why are people complaining about awful US TV series? If they were so bad, why did you watch them?

I have admit that I was not immune: there were a couple of series that were so absurd that I found them fascinating. I'm talking about 'Knight Rider', a man who doesn't exist fighting crime aided by a sentient self-driving car! And 'Nikita', about a clandestine crime fighting organisation staffed by convicts found guilty of murder but who have various specialist skills necessary to expedite the organisation's duties. Complete rubbish but addictive.

[Macca]

Why are people complaining about awful US TV series? If they were so bad, why did you watch them?

.

Only 3 channels and nothing else on.

Of course if we'd known then just how bad TV was going to get in the future...

[Pigmy Pony]

I think we've only been going on about Six Million Dollar Man. I've watched a lot of US TV shows over the years, most of them quite palatable. And some gems imo (The Wire, Treme, The Sopranos, True Detective). And quite a few comedy shows I got into (Scrubs, My Name is Earl, Big Bang Theory, Sarah Silverman, Silicon Valley, The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy). I'm sure there will have been a few more.

Better than most of the cack made over here, where everything has to get the ok from the easily-offended first it seems.

[Macca]

Even back in the day for every crap show like 'Six Million Dollar Man' and 'Man From Atlantis' there was a quality show like 'Kojak' or 'Barney Miller.'

[Barry]

I think we've only been going on about Six Million Dollar Man. I've watched a lot of US TV shows over the years, most of them quite palatable. And some gems imo (The Wire, Treme, The Sopranos, True Detective). And quite a few comedy shows I got into (Scrubs, My Name is Earl, Big Bang Theory, Sarah Silverman, Silicon Valley, The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy). I'm sure there will have been a few more.

Better than most of the cack made over here, where everything has to get the ok from the easily-offended first it seems.

Big Bang Theory was OK to start but more or less got stuck in a rut. I can't remember how many series there were, but I think I got bored after the third.

The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park and American Dad, are good to see now and again. I have seen dozens of episodes. Are they still making new episodes? Every time I have a look it turns out to be a repeat.

You say we, and the BBC in particular don't show or commission good series. Well I would draw your attention to: Black Mirror; The Office; The Thick of It, etc.

And we have always had good music programmes: The Old Grey Whistle Test, Later with Jules Holland, as well as live performances filmed by the BBC.

[Barry]

I've just noticed Martin, that you have passed the 40,000 posts mark. Well done!

I'm still struggling to get to 35, 000.

[Macca]

I've just noticed Martin, that you have passed the 40,000 posts mark. Well done!

I'm still struggling to get to 35, 000.

I didn't notice! It has taken more than 15 years though

[Macca]

Big Bang Theory was OK to start but more or less got stuck in a rut. I can't remember how many series there were, but I think I got bored after the third.

The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park and American Dad, are good to see now and again. I have seen dozens of episodes. Are they still making new episodes? Every time I have a look it turns out to be a repeat.

You say we, and the BBC in particular don't show or commission good series. Well I would draw your attention to: Black Mirror; The Office; The Thick of It, etc.

And we have always had good music programmes: The Old Grey Whistle Test, Later with Jules Holland, as well as live performances filmed by the BBC.

I think last time I watched something that was both new and good on BBC it was a play about Tony Hancock. But that must be a decade ago. None of their output interests me at all. Their factual shows are done at the level of a Blue Peter Special and their drama is badly written, badly acted and dull.

They did do a lot of good stuff in the distant past.

[Pigmy Pony]

I've just noticed Martin, that you have passed the 40,000 posts mark. Well done!

I'm still struggling to get to 35, 000.

Well it's taken me seven and a half years to get up to 16k or so. I could have posted more had I any understanding of hifi and how it works But I am pretty good at making my posts rhyme... So have you and Mart been at AoS from the start?

[Barry]

I joined near the beginning of 2009. I know it should be quality over quantity, but with such little traffic here I'm desperately trying to make posts that will encourage replies.

The resurgence of The Album Club seems to gone down like a lead balloon!


Anyway your posts often make me laugh - you have a wicked sense of humour!