I often see this in comments and forums around the web "Show xxxx is the best show you're not watching" which inspires todays Question of the Day.
What are the "Best Shows you're not watching"
What shows that get low ratings and little web coverage do think of as little gems that others should discover.
For me the 2 shows that fit into this category are In Treatment with the superb Gabriel Byrne and the recently ended Rubicon. Both were must watch tv for me but the ratings and coverage was/is almost non-existent.
What about you? What shows, both past and present would you add to this list?
You can see previous Questions of the Day here
The Middle on ABC, hilarious show
ReplyDeletePS: that form doesn't really fit in
Yes , the middle is funny. Reminds me of Malcom in the Middle.
ReplyDeleteI fixed the form I think. It looked ok in preview but I think it's a bit different to live so I made it less wide.
Thanks for letting me know
Supernatural and Fringe!!!
ReplyDeleteExactly, and I'm a HUGE fan of Malcolm. But I don't mind the similarities :D
ReplyDeleteFringe! A little over five million viewers an episode doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeletemmm
ReplyDeleteBeing Erica, Lost Girl , 18 to Life are great Canadian shows
I don't think Supernatural and Fringe are shows that get little web coverage, they are probably two of the most popular shows on this site.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say Curb your Enthusiasm, noone talks about it but it is incredibly well written and each season is better than the previous. I can't wait for season 8... and I don't know when it's gonna air on HBO, it might be in january, it might be in september, I don't know, that's how much this show is not popular.
On HBO, Jonathan Ames' Bored to Death is not very famous too. And yet, each of the 8 episodes of season 2 was pure awesomess. It is incredibly funny and perfectly acted with all the comedians (seriously Ted Danson deserves an Emmy). Much better than the 1st season (that I enjoyed too). Eastbound and Down is a little bit more popular and it is also one of my must-see comedy.
The Big C isn't very popular either and yet it is my favourite new show of the 2nd semester of 2010, with Rubicon (shame on AMC for cancelling it, I haven't finish the 13 episodes yet but it keeps on getting better and better).
In Treatment, Louie, noone watches these shows.
On networks, The Cleveland Show is not very popular, same for American Dad, they're both in the shadows of Family Guy and The Simpsons. Yet, I find Cleveland and Stan Smith much funnier than Homer and Peter Griffin. Parks and Recreation proved to be very funny in its 2nd season and it's not popular at all either, but I guess that will change in 2011 with The Office as a lead-in.
Oh, I almost forgot Friday Night Lights, the only teen show that has actual writers behind it, and they're good.
Parks and Recreation is one of the funniest shows on tv (along with 30 Rock and The Office) but gets little to no coverage, The Big C is such a great show, and it doesn't get anywhere near the viewers it should - really modern Showtime is just awesome and finally, the big one, it's Fringe of course.
ReplyDeleteI already agree with your two choices In Treatment and Rubicon, but I would also love for shows like Treme (from HBO) and Community (from NBC) to have much more viewers and buzz than they have now.
ReplyDeleteI think in the mystery suspense category "Durham County" on MovieCentral in Canada is AWESOME. Very mood and atmospheric and very well acted and well written. It's been on 3 seasons of 6 episodes(so not too much to download for net savvy people).
ReplyDeleteAlso I think many/most people wrote off the ABC Family mystery "Pretty Little Liars". It was my guilty pleasure this year and I cannot wait for its return!
Comedy wise I think ABC Family's "Melissa & Joey" was underwatched and TVland's" Hot in Cleveland" was another surprisingly funny comedy! Both are lighthearted fun, but very funny.
Drama wise I think more people need to watch "Justified" on FX. Timothy Olyphant from Deadwood and Hitman is awesome in it! Based on Elmore Leonard novels, it's about a trigger happy US Marshall forcibly reassigned to the home town he has worked all his life to get out of. Humor, drama and great acting!
I agree with SPN and Fringe... most people have heard of them and/or given them a viewing or two already and decided if they like them or not. Bored to Death is very funny, albeit understated and subtle humor at times. I thought about mentioning it but I like the two I mentioned a little more.
ReplyDeleteRubicon was one of my top 5 new series of the season! IT was a slow-burner that got better and better as the season went on. Friday Night Light's may be the best show people aren't watching! Critically acleaimed writing, fairly good acting, hot men and women for those that need that, and a goof family drama which in this age of TV is sorely lacking!
It seems no one here is watching the AMAZING "The Good Wife"...It's the epitome of fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there needs to be more FRINGE love in the world. :)
Justified!! Amazing show - amazing actors!
ReplyDeleteI don't think they really quality. Supernatural is going to be on TV Guides cover and gets around 2 Million viewers and Fringe is always on EW/TV Guide etc. I was more after hidden gems that get less than a million viewers and don't get onto the main magazines etc.
ReplyDeleteGood choices.
ReplyDeleteGood choice with FNL.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked Rubicon as well. Fantastic slow burner as you so well put it.
Will check out Treme, not seen that yet.
ReplyDeleteBreaking Bad, Dexter, and The Vampire Diaries, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteLost Girl and Being Erica-two great Canadian shows. Lost Girl is amazing! Also Chuck, I LOVE this show and it always gets bad ratings :(. I don't know why though, it has great romance, action and humor!
ReplyDeleteDexter & 24
ReplyDeletei agree with Supernatural. It does have a huge fanbase but the CW treats it poorly and barely promotes it.
ReplyDeleteFor me personaly I would say DEXTER; I often read how amazing it is (espec. Season 2&4). And I even watched the very first episode of Season 1 but I wasn't that impressed and haven't watched it since. Maybe I'm a bit lazy as well to catch up, even though it has only 12 episodes per Season. Should I catch up?
ReplyDeletelol.. 9_9
ReplyDeleteHuman Target
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. I just started watching Supernatural again after stopping partway thru the first season and while I do like it, It is not a quality show per se. *Ducks random objects tossed in my direction* IT is fun, but as far as acting and writing or even direction go.... it's middle of the road. Plus I think after 6 years of a show being on if a person has not heard about it they must watch a different genre or avoid that genre of sci-fi and are probably not going to enjoy it. Fringe was one of the most hyped shows around when it first started... so hardly a hidden gem.
ReplyDeleteI have heard really good things about it, but I loathe most law shows that do not have Alan Shore in them and Julianna Margolis reminds me of some evil fae giving me the creeps evry time I look at her. Think I can get past those prejudices and enjoy it? I do like quality TV usually even if I do not like the genre or the actors..... usually.
ReplyDeleteDo it, if you have watched The Wire, you just can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that some not having read the whole post, just mislead the question.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too. I am a wee bit anal and OCD when it comes to shows I watch and Icollect promo pics and posters etc (usually to make custom DVD cover for series I archive). I saw that after season 3 there have not been nearly as many promotional photos or promo posters of SPN. I think season 6 has 2 promo pics and the 2 posters are the aforementioned pics with text. Pretty sad... I mean how much can it cost to do a shoot with the cast while having down time on the set?
ReplyDeleteWell it changes after the first 3 episodes of season 1, because they changed showrunners. The first 3 episodes are VERY dark and moody and after those it gets to be more humorous and twisted. Still dark but more fun and entertaining. I guess it also depends on whether or not you can cheer on an anti-hero psychopath. I had watched watched years of cop shows and detective shows and always wished for one of the forensic detectives to be a closeted killer.... and then Dexter came along! I think the peek into the mind of a sociopath is VERY interesting. Also of note... there are a few characters on the show that are great comic relief so it is not ALL dark and moody.
ReplyDeleteThe "anti-hero psycho" sounds interesting :-)
ReplyDeleteI may give it a try after all.
I think she meant to say 'I don't think they really qualify'.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteFlash Point on CBS and Merlin on BBCA, those are really underrated. I'd say Doctor Who, too.
ReplyDeleteAll the shows I would add to this discussion are either DOA or on death row. There's little point in drumming up support. It's very disheartening. This feels more like a wake. Everyone say their final farewells:
ReplyDeleteHuman Target
Lie To Me
The Good Guys
Life Unexpected
Terriers
*tearful wave*
Watch Fringe, everyone. It's the only show left that still has a shot.
I'm going to go with Being Human which airs on BBC America. I know a lot of people don't have cable, but I can't believe how many people have never even hear of this show. Its so dark and gritty, while still have humor and relateable characters. The premise always throws people to, you mention how much you love a show about a Vampire, Werewolf and Ghost living together and people stare at you like your stupid. Unfortunately I don't think the US remake is going to help draw more people to it either. They either watch that version or think the whole idea is crap!
ReplyDeleteLove Human Target - it reminds me of MacGyver - with guns :)
ReplyDeletebelieve me, watch the first two seasons YOU WILL LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThe Inbetweeners is a great English comedy that I doubt many in America are aware of. 4 lads around the age of 16-18 who are in the inbetween group of cool kids and geeks trying to be cool and get girls in humorous ways.
ReplyDeleteThe Whole Truth I thought was a good show but that never got the right figures.
I enjoyed Reaper as well, thought it was very similar to Chuck in that it mixed humour, action and romance all in a 40 minute show really well and you really cared for the characters.
Friday Night Lights doesn't get as many viewing figures as it does and I was devastated when it nearly got axed!
I'm going to go with Being Human which airs on BBC America. I know a lot of people don't have cable, but I can't believe how many people have never even hear of this show. Its so dark and gritty, while still have humor and relateable characters. The premise always throws people to, you mention how much you love a show about a Vampire, Werewolf and Ghost living together and people stare at you like your stupid. Unfortunately I don't think the US remake is going to help draw more people to it either. They'll either watch that version or think the whole idea is crap!
ReplyDeletehm ...
ReplyDeleteLaw & Order LA and The Defenders
I think everything on the CW qualifies as "Shows You're Not Watching". One million people is not considered much in American TV viewers. Now for "Best Shows You're Not Watching" - that dubious honor definitely goes to Supernatural in my opinion. We may have the TV Guide cover but that is just because the fans are so dedicated. We really need more fans and hopefully the TV Guide cover will help us get that.
ReplyDeleteCommunity definitely needs more viewers too. Besides Raising Hope, it is the only comedy that consistently has me laughing.
ReplyDeleteBreaking Bad, I believe. It has won award after award and I still didn't get the chance to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI got thrown off in the beginning by the whole "Mrs. Eliot Spitzer" vibe the season 1 promos for "Good Wife" were giving, and wasn't going to invest after hearing the buzz of what an incredible show it was because I'd already missed the first half of the season, but when CBS had the decency to start the repeats from the beginning and seemed to be scheduling them in their original broadcast order, I tried it out and haven't regretted a single moment. Great show.
ReplyDeleteI love Merlin, but don't think it matters very much how many people watch it on BBC America since it is a BB1 UK series and new series (seasons to us Yanks) will be based on the UK ratings. I highly recommend it to anyone that is a fan of fantasy adventure, medieval or light hearted actions- comedies.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to go with "It's always sunny in Philadelphia" and "The League" both on FX... Amazing shows, constantly funny but don't reflect the number of viewers.
ReplyDeleteNo why?! Supernatural is amazing and so is Fringe!
ReplyDeleteHappy Town, Parks and Recreation, and Treme.
ReplyDelete