TV watchers...confessions taken inside.

[Cranky]

Okay, I must confess, I'm addicted to 24. Yes, the tv program.

And....

Rome, Sopranos, Lost (although they are losing me) and BattleStar Galactica.

There, I made my confession.....now I can watch in peace.



Any other sinners out there?

[duster]

Rome...simply a stunning TV show. A lot of attention is paid to detail so I imagine the cost per episode must be considerable. The cast is first rate. I rank it right up there with "I Claudius".

[Toronthab]

I too liked Rome...no pun intended....I loved the Sopranos

I cannot STAND all of the POSERS on almost all currently popular shows;...CSI...especially Miami....24 ....can't get into the paranoid state.....

OK.....I'm opening myself for getting deservedly gutted here, but I LOVE...........


wait for it.....



BLIND DATE!

It's absolutely unbelievable! Extra terrestrial stuff..


I'm going to put on my helmet now.

[Skilly]

Well I have ever only watched one episode of "The Sopranos", and that was years ago.

I watched the pilot of 24, thought it was good ... then the second episode I thought sucked (I feel asleep) so I stopped watching.

There are alot of shows I only watched one episode, thought it sucked and then quit watching .... "Frasier", "the 8", "6 degrees", "Vanished" and lots of others I am sure.

My shows are: "Prison Break", & "House", ... my wife watches "Lost" (I do 80% of the time), and "Grey's Anatomy" ..... that gets us to Friday when all I watch all weekend long are movies and/or sports.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Rome:

Getting tired of waiting for season 2 but the reruns are still very good.

I first saw Kevin Kidd (Lucius Vorenus) in 'Kingdom of Heaven' and I've enjoyed his acting since. Good to see him land a lead role. A soldier first and foremost; accountible for his actions and very, very loyal. A powerful scene when he rescued Pollo from the executioner's arena. He did it for his friend and his legion ... THE 13TH!!! Hoping his wife isn't dead.

I first saw Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo) in 'Arthur'. Excellent development of his character, Pullo. Pullo is a lost, irresponsible killer, wrought with self pity and guilt. But at the same time he is a survivor. I think he may be turning the corner if the season's final episode is any indication.

Very well developed scene of the assassination of Caesar. No, "et tu Brute ... then fall Caesar" crap. I also like the way they've researched this series. Events are pretty accurate.

The Sopranos:

Have the first three seasons on DVD and will be getting the remainder of the series as prices come down.

Again, getting tired of waiting for the second-half of the final season. Would like to see if Tony actually survives the series. I believe both Johnny Sacks and Phil Leotardo will be toast.

Brilliant depiction of the sociopathic mindset.

I Claudius

Duster, I used to stay up late on weekends with my friends to watch this classic. I have the entire series on VHS. If I could get it on DVD I'd be watching it. Brilliantly casted, acted and directed. Claudius' first address to the Senate is particularly memorable. "Make no mistake ... I have survived. Obviously it's not a matter of quantity of witts but quality!!" (something like that anyway).

Follows the book of the same name perfectly. Where I first saw Sir Derek Jacobi and John Hurt on screen. Have seen Jacobi in 'Gladiator.'

As for reality TV. Have only watched one survivor. Do a 'Survivor Antarctica' and maybe I'll watch it again. Never got into CSI and its spinoffs. Used to watch Canadian Idol but lost interest because of the format. It's a popularity contest and not a competition. The judges are wooden.

Being an amateur history buff anything like, 'Turning Points in History', 'Battlefield Detectives', 'For King and Empire' or 'Sharpe' and it's all good for me. If I'm really hard up I'll watch ... oh, I don't know ... hockey

Cheers.

[franko]

Don't have a lot of time for such . . . do quite a bit of reading though.

When I do go for mindless entertainment I watch the Habs "D".

Habs when I can
Law and Order Criminal Intent
The Amazing Race (with my wife, as we plan to travel)
A couple of episodes of "House" but quickly lost interest

And because they are on when I am in the room with my wife, any number of "buy this house" type of shows.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

In LA all tv shows get preempted for high speed car chases. They would be much more exciting if the choppers were allowed to shoot at the cars.
It's hare to tell if they are live or reruns. When they go into syndication there will be thousands of episodes.
Never miss Leno's monologue of Lettermans top ten. Thumb is swollen. Surfing injury.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

toronthab said:

BLIND DATE!

It's absolutely unbelievable! Extra terrestrial stuff..


I'm going to put on my helmet now.

The show itself is hilarious. I used to watch it here and there but don't even know when it's on now. I had a chance to also watch 'Blind Date Uncensored' a few times and that's where we really see how things transpired.

One show I haven't seen yet, but Doc recommended was 'Iron Chef America'. At least that's what I think its called. However, I don't know when it's on. I've watched the original 'Iron Chef' and it was extremely entertaining. Mrs Dis and I used to watch it all the time.

Saw the ads for 'Hell's Kitchen' and I don't think I'll be tuning in anytime soon. The guy seems to be more about himself as the centerpoint of the show rather than the culinary outcome.

Cheers.

[Andrew]

I pretty much only watch HBO shows. Rome has been great so far, though I read that season 2 will be the last (as it costs 11 million an episode to produce). I really like Deadwood as well. Al Swearengen played by Ian McShane is one of the best written and acted characters that I've seen in any show or film.

I just started getting into "the Wire" and am blown away by it. The depth of the characters and story is amazing. Through season 2 the scope of the story is massive - looking in depth at the Baltimore drug scene. I can't wait to get my hands on season 3 which is also on DVD. A fourth season has already aired, and a final season will air this year.

It hasn't had great nielsen ratings - probably because you need to start from the beginning and can't miss an episode to fully follow the storyline. The series has had rave reviews from critics, however, and rightfully so IMO.

[Cranky]

When I first saw Deadwood, I was blown away. It had been a couple of years since I had the movie channel and was unaccustomed to hear wall to wall swearing. And then some of the scens...YIKES! I did enjoy it though.

I was reading about Rome somewhere and it is suppose to be interesting for the next 3 episodes, then it degenerates into an endless cat fight until the end.

I CLaudias was a great series. Sooner or later someone will rerun it.

[franko]

habsaddict said:

I CLaudias was a great series. Sooner or later someone will rerun it.

Or visit the library for their copy as I did.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

andrew said:

I pretty much only watch HBO shows. Rome has been great so far, though I read that season 2 will be the last (as it costs 11 million an episode to produce). I really like Deadwood as well. Al Swearengen played by Ian McShane is one of the best written and acted characters that I've seen in any show or film.

I just started getting into "the Wire" and am blown away by it. The depth of the characters and story is amazing. Through season 2 the scope of the story is massive - looking in depth at the Baltimore drug scene. I can't wait to get my hands on season 3 which is also on DVD. A fourth season has already aired, and a final season will air this year.

It hasn't had great nielsen ratings - probably because you need to start from the beginning and can't miss an episode to fully follow the storyline. The series has had rave reviews from critics, however, and rightfully so IMO.

Some of you guys really like Deadwood. What makes it so good Andrew/HA?

Cheers.

[Cranky]

disgruntled70shab said:

andrew said:

I pretty much only watch HBO shows. Rome has been great so far, though I read that season 2 will be the last (as it costs 11 million an episode to produce). I really like Deadwood as well. Al Swearengen played by Ian McShane is one of the best written and acted characters that I've seen in any show or film.

I just started getting into "the Wire" and am blown away by it. The depth of the characters and story is amazing. Through season 2 the scope of the story is massive - looking in depth at the Baltimore drug scene. I can't wait to get my hands on season 3 which is also on DVD. A fourth season has already aired, and a final season will air this year.

It hasn't had great nielsen ratings - probably because you need to start from the beginning and can't miss an episode to fully follow the storyline. The series has had rave reviews from critics, however, and rightfully so IMO.

Some of you guys really like Deadwood. What makes it so good Andrew/HA?

Cheers.

You have to watch it Dis. It's utterly RAW and uncensored. The main character is getting a...mouth to something......meanwhile, he's waxing philosophically about something completely off the wall. .

[Andrew]

disgruntled70shab said:

andrew said:

I pretty much only watch HBO shows. Rome has been great so far, though I read that season 2 will be the last (as it costs 11 million an episode to produce). I really like Deadwood as well. Al Swearengen played by Ian McShane is one of the best written and acted characters that I've seen in any show or film.

I just started getting into "the Wire" and am blown away by it. The depth of the characters and story is amazing. Through season 2 the scope of the story is massive - looking in depth at the Baltimore drug scene. I can't wait to get my hands on season 3 which is also on DVD. A fourth season has already aired, and a final season will air this year.

It hasn't had great nielsen ratings - probably because you need to start from the beginning and can't miss an episode to fully follow the storyline. The series has had rave reviews from critics, however, and rightfully so IMO.

Some of you guys really like Deadwood. What makes it so good Andrew/HA?

Cheers.

I've always been a fan of the old west genre. What's not to like about a lawless town full of prospectors, gambling, whiskey, brothels, and murder.

It's not your typical western, however. The plot develops rather slowly, with much of the show's emphasis on character development. What really sets it apart is the dialogue which has a Shakespearian influence to it - with tons of profanity mixed in for good measure. It's almost comical at times. You could make a drinking game for every time that Al says c**ksucker.

As I mentioned above, Al Swearengen's character is some of the best acting that I've seen. He steals every scene, and really makes the show IMO.

[Skilly]

andrew said:

It's almost comical at times. You could make a drinking game for every time that Al says c**ksucker.

In Canada we call that "Trailer Park Boys" ..... which I love!!

Al , Bubbles .... same person. ;D

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Saw the season opener to Rome just after the, err .... hockey game.

Picked up right where it left off. Except Vorenus has now lost it. If it weren't for Pullo he quite possibly might have committed suicide.

If Caesar's will goes through, the young Giaus Octavian will be the wealthiest young man in Rome. He's already talking about revenge with Pullo.

Excellent season opener. I don't want to say any more other that ... brutal.

Cheers.

[princelh]

CBS's new drama Shark is a must, every Thursday. A 21st century Perry Mason with an edge.

[jkr]

I don't get HBO so I have to wait for CTV to air the Sopranos. I haven't missed an episode & that's not easy when dealing with CTV's schedule makers.

Dis mentioned TheWire. I have never seen it but am curious about it. I like those hard edged shows & I will have to look for it on DVD.

As for regular network TV I like Prison Break and Law & Order CI. Used to watch CSI but I just got tired of it. And when nothing else is on, there's always Seinfeld.

Right now I am watching nothing. My 5 year old Hitachi just flamed out. Audio but no video. Anyone know a good TV repair person?

[Andrew]

skilly said:

andrew said:

It's almost comical at times. You could make a drinking game for every time that Al says c**ksucker.

In Canada we call that "Trailer Park Boys" ..... which I love!!

Al , Bubbles .... same person. ;D

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of TPB as well. I was disappointed with the movie, but the show is always great.

JKR - Do check out the Wire. I just started on season 3 and am totally hooked.

[Polarice]

I usually watch Sports stuff, any kind of sports!

When I have too I'll watch stuff like Big Brother, Girls Next door, Sopranos. Maybe the News, Myth Busters is great.

[duster]

disgruntled70shab said:

If Caesar's will goes through, the young Giaus Octavian will be the wealthiest young man in Rome. He's already talking about revenge with Pullo.

"As quick as boiled asparagus"

disgruntled70shab said:

Excellent season opener. I don't want to say any more other that ... brutal.

Cheers.

"A radish knows no greek but I do."

[Disgruntled70sHab]

duster said:

disgruntled70shab said:

If Caesar's will goes through, the young Giaus Octavian will be the wealthiest young man in Rome. He's already talking about revenge with Pullo.

"As quick as boiled asparagus"

disgruntled70shab said:

Excellent season opener. I don't want to say any more other that ... brutal.

Cheers.

"A radish knows no greek but I do."

That season opener left me shaking my head, duster. Didn't think Vorenus had that in him. Brutal.

Wonder if what buddy said was true?

Stay tuned sports arena fans.

Cheers.

[duster]

Considering that he was a primus pilus under Caesar, I'm sure he's seen and done much much worse in his years in Long Haired Gaul. I read somewhere that the Roman Spanish sword was responsible for the largest number of deaths in Antiquity, exceeding even disease. Whole tribes and nations were systematically exterminated.

[princelh]

I sae the Sopranos out on Blu Ray Disk yesterday. Is this the direction that many of the favourite Night Time Soaps are going to go?

[Cranky]

duster said:

Considering that he was a primus pilus under Caesar, I'm sure he's seen and done much much worse in his years in Long Haired Gaul. I read somewhere that the Roman Spanish sword was responsible for the largest number of deaths in Antiquity, exceeding even disease. Whole tribes and nations were systematically exterminated.

Ahh c'mon, don't think of them that way. They're just misunderstood!

We go on and on about human rights these days but we treat our enemies better then the Romans treated each other....and it spirraled WAY down from that!

[Disgruntled70sHab]

habsaddict said:

duster said:

Considering that he was a primus pilus under Caesar, I'm sure he's seen and done much much worse in his years in Long Haired Gaul. I read somewhere that the Roman Spanish sword was responsible for the largest number of deaths in Antiquity, exceeding even disease. Whole tribes and nations were systematically exterminated.

Ahh c'mon, don't think of them that way. They're just misunderstood!

We go on and on about human rights these days but we treat our enemies better then the Romans treated each other....and it spirraled WAY down from that!

I think they have a rerun on Saturday night. Not sure what time. If it's 10 PM then it shouldn't interfere with the game.

Check out this synopsis called passover

Have to check this one guys. Very powerful episode. I really hope they don't cancel the series after this season. I read somewhere that this series actually focuses on Roman lifestyles as well as events, unlike 'Gladiator'. Heaven forbid viewers would learn something about ancient Rome.

Cheers.

[duster]

Cost per episode aside, I think the historical context will give them no choice. Everyone knows what happens next. A logical place for them to stop is after Cleopatra's demise or after Philippi. That means this season, and maybe one more at most.

The attention to detail is worth mentioning. This is not your typical fake Hollywood sandal and sword story like Gladiator and is far more accurate than anything I've seen so far. I believe the Vatican supplied classicists as technical advisers and it shows. Everything from dress, to the appearance of the city (Rome was built of brick, not marble, at the time), to the rights of the pater familias, to the relationship between the Tribune of the Plebs and the Senate is explored. It's not 100%, but I would still make this "must see" TV for anyone who is studying Antiquity. You can see the U.S. political system was heavily influenced by the Roman Republic.

It's also interesting what they've done with Cicero as a character. Not what one would expect from one of history's greatest orators...

[CentreHice]

duster said:

You can see the U.S. political system was heavily influenced by the Roman Republic.

You mean corruption and wanting to rule the world? ;D

[princelh]

18 Jan, 2007, 2:17pm, duster wrote:You can see the U.S. political system was heavily influenced by the Roman Republic.




You mean corruption and wanting to rule the world?

I saw an article, in the latest McLeans magazine about Bush and the war in Iraq. Many insiders believe that Bush should run the war like Lincoln, using a troop surge, to bring about an end to the Iraq conflict. The Bush insider said, he should find a general, like Lincoln did with Ulyses S. Grant and impose order on Iraq, like Grant and Sherman did to the south.

If this is their true intent, then I guess they mean burn and destroy everything in their path, making total war on women and children and force capitulation on anything they don't believe is in the United States best interest.

Just what we need, more Industrialists and Bankers running and ruining people's lives!

[Cranky]

BACK ON TOPIC.....

Hs anyone watched Dexter? Is it mme or is that program sick? I don't mind red colored water passing off as blood but this series is taking it to entire new and sick level.

In case anyone doesn't know about this series, it's a aboud a serial killer who takes it upon himself to meter out deprave, hacksaw justice.

~~~~~~~~~~~

On a lighter note....

Superman series and Heroes are decent science fiction fodder. Battlestar Galactica is a bit "deeper". Mind you calling any tv series "deep" is redefining shallow.