What's your favourite new show of the year so far?

Basq

Might be a bit early to judge..

But turns out mine is the one I absolutely loathed the pilot for.. cursed the characters, acting and script to damnation... yet went back for more to be curious!

And I'm glad I did - while it has it's flaws - 'True Blood' is by far my favourite new show of the year. Has turned into a well-thought out cinematic edge-of-your seat show from week to week. And I'd implore anyone who gave up on it after a dreadful pilot to catch up because after the first 3 or so episodes, you'll be hooked. Guaranteed!

'Fringe' is probably a close second.. but unfortunately I'm getting slightly more and more disinterested as it goes on. It reallys needs to find it's feet I think.

Honourable mentions to both the excellent 'Dead Set' (as a mini-series / movie) and the "mini-mini-series" 'Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog'.

So, everyone else got a favourite show of the year.. so far anyways? It's pretty slim pickings this year it must be said though.

camel toe

ballet chancers.

Mr E

camel toe banned for 3 weeks. :)

For me, I think its probably Fringe. I think Walter Bishop makes the show though.... John Noble's comic timing is spot on. I think it needs to open up more of the back story though.

Honourable mentions:

Life On Mars. I'm actually really enjoying this. Its a bit like the Office USA - when it was announced, everyone expected the worst.

Oh dear God no!

- basquille, 21st Jan 2005

With LOM, I'm getting into the characters and its a fun show. While episode 1 was almost a scene for scene remake, they're going in different directions with this now, and its fresh because of it.

Merlin. New show on the Beeb, about 9 episodes in now. Really enjoying it, despite some ropey acting and dodgy CGI in places. Its a retelling of old Camelot/King Arthur lore, but with Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana etc. as young people (early 20s). Special mention for Anthony Head (playing King Uthur as a dick) and Richard Wilson as Merlins guardian. Worth checking out...

I think I'm getting most pleasure out of the returning shows this year though. Chuck, Supernatural and Spooks are all must-watch TV these days...

Basq

You been watching 'True Blood' Dave?

Mr E wrote: »

For me, I think its probably Fringe. I think Walter Bishop makes the show though.... John Noble's comic timing is spot on. I think it needs to open up more of the back story though.

Yeah, John Noble steals every scene he's in. Fantastic!

Mr E wrote: »

Life On Mars. I'm actually really enjoying this. Its a bit like the Office USA - when it was announced, everyone expected the worst.

Can't say I'm particularly enjoying 'Life on Mars'.. I expected a lot more original storylines but I've more than a few problems with it.

The first being the lack of un-original content.. the second being the piss-poor cast - everyone from Jason O Mara to Harvey Keitel to Gretchen Mol are barely watchable in their roles. Problem numero 4 is anything original the US have brought in - e.g Sam's neighbour - just seems pointless and not thought out enough (I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say this "hippy woman" is a representation of Sam's conscience and will be revealed in the final moments of the season, as no-one else has seen her!). And the final problem I have with it is it appears to pander more to the US audience than the BBC version.. i.e it brings up a cultural difference in the 70's and present day, then (more than once I remember it happening) feels the need for Sam to point out EXACTLY why it's a difference just in case the audience don't get it.

PS - regarding 'The Office US'... hindsight and all that! But no-one honestly expected it to be in any way worthwhile.

kerash

Fringe would be mine, if it wasn't for the comedy courtesy of Walter Bishop I'm not sure I would have stayed with it. It definitely has it's flaws, but I find it enjoyable.

RastaRed

Really enjoying Fringe, Breaking Bad and Burn Notice

TarfHead

What I have seen of Sons of Anarchy (3 or 4), I have liked. Does Breaking Bad count for this year, or do you mean this Fall season ? That would get a vote from me too.

I gave up on My Own Worst Enemy, even though I enjoyed the pilot.

The missus is enjoying Starter Wife. She had been enjoying Ex List, before it was pulled.

Ron DMC

Fringe has a lot of potential, but hasn't really sucked me in just yet.

90210 on the other hand has gotten quite good in the last few episodes and is looking like a great replacement to the OC (which was awful towards the end). It's not as good as Beverly Hills 90210 at all, but in fairness what is?

Sanctuary is a lot like Fringe in the sense that it just hasn't taken off yet. I'm not really sure where they intend going with it, but I honestly couldn't care less either way.

Can't say that I've been watching any other new shows but from what you guys are saying I might give True Blood and Burn Notice a go. Been meaning to try the US version of Life on Mars also (though I'm skeptical it'll be anywhere near as good as the original).

And I never finished watching Dead Set, so that's on the to-do list as well.

jor el

Really liking True Blood, best show of the year, and after a not particularly good pilot too.

After that, I quite like My Own Worst Enemy and Fringe. Fringe seems to be missing something though, can't quite put my finger on it, but it's not completely grabbing my attention. It is still very good though, and I had feared that kill-happy Fox would can it before it got a chance. Hopefully that won't still happen.

Another new show that I really like, probably more than Fringe and Enemy, but not as much as True Blood, is The Mentalist. It's somewhat like Psych, but without your man being a complete knob, in that he uses his skills of observation to give the impression that he's psychic, except he now admits he's not a psychic. Worth checking out if you haven't heard of of it.

Basq

'My Own Worst Enemy' is very good alright.. but has been axed by Fox already!

Fox will keep airing the rest of the episodes that were shot.. til sometime in early December. Don't think I'll finish watching the rest of them as I'll just be left pissed off with no resolution.

120_Minutes

i was going to watch "enemy" after a friends recommendation, but now there's no point. pity, as slater deserves a downey jr style comeback.

Mr E

jor el - yep, the Mentalist is excellent - played alot more serious than Psych and better because of it. People might not give it a chance because its yet another procedural cop show, but its different enough to be fresh.

ixoy

I never watched "True Blood" after so many here slammed the pilot - must give it a chance now!

In fact I'm not doing well with new shows - I've decided to let most of them settle and get feedback before committing.
I've only seen the pilot of "The Mentalist" which didn't draw me in but I may re-visit it - does it improve on the pilot? How "story-of-the-week" is it?

So of all the new shows... there's only "Fringe" so I guess it's the best..Even though I've not been bothered to catch up in weeks...

jor el

ixoy wrote: »

I've only seen the pilot of "The Mentalist" which didn't draw me in but I may re-visit it - does it improve on the pilot? How "story-of-the-week" is it?

Very! Each episode is self contained, with no real mention of the Serial Killer from the start, and no reemergence of that story line, which I thought there would be, but I'm sure it'll be back.

Gutted about Enemy though, I was wondering what Fox were going to cancel on me this year, didn't even realise this was on Fox. If I had, I might not have started.

J-blk

jor el wrote: »

Gutted about Enemy though, I was wondering what Fox were going to cancel on me this year, didn't even realise this was on Fox. If I had, I might not have started.

It's on NBC - the network that decided to give "Knight Rider" a full season :eek:!!

But yeah, I was really enjoying Enemy and it was definitely one of my favorites - Fringe probably comes in as first, though it's still missing that certain something. From the recommendations here seems I'm going to have some catching up to do around the Christmas break, haven't watched any of True Blood yet, only a couple of episodes into Sons of Anarchy and I'm thinking of giving The Mentalist a go, even though I don't really like procedurals all that much...

Quint

Colm & Jim Jims Home Run

xbox36016

90210 and reaper

qwertplaywert

Fringe has a lot of promise, like many mentioned, but it just doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and is in real trouble of turning into a rather dull[save a few brilliant one liners each episode from John Noble] procedural.


True Blood I must check out. Aquired the pilot in the summer, but never got round to watching due to the bad reviews. Will give it another go now. Is there any point downloading the proper pilot? Is it any different from the leaked one?


The Mentalist- Only got round to the pilot so far, but it was quite excellent for a police procedureal. Will be catching up once the season is over- its miles better than CSI/Law and Order trash etc.

Really looking foward to the midseason pickups , espically Dollhouse[For the fact Whedon has never done a bad show], Lie to Me[plot sounds a bit gimmicky but will watch for Tim Roth]and The Goode Life[Mike Judge is God] .

YogaChick

I love Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston is brill and I was a fan of Malcolm in the Middle as well.

YC

Saibh

what station is true blood on


watching eli stone and fringe

Basq

Saibh wrote: »

what station is true blood on

It's on HBO in the US... but not being shown here yet. Haven't heard of it being picked up either!

Not The Real Scarecrow

Really enjoying the Paedo Factor so far.Good to see Gary Glitter back on the box.
Into second episode of Not Without My Spleen, kind of disturbing yet strangely erotic show.Keep waiting for Michael J.Fox to stop shaking and preform spleen surgery on the willing contestants.
My favourite show however is Celebrity Detox, think it might be a repeat from last year though.Heath Ledger seems to be fairing well, they reckon he's just about ready to leave.

callaway92

Breaking Bad..No contest

jor el

J-blk wrote: »

It's on NBC - the network that decided to give "Knight Rider" a full season :eek:!!

Ah, NBC. Hot on the tail of Fox in the "Quick, lets cancel it before it makes a full season" stakes. Another shower of ****.

qwertplaywert wrote: »

Is there any point downloading the proper pilot? Is it any different from the leaked one?

They changed the actress that plays Tara, and I think they just re-shot those scenes. No change to the story though.

Meatwad wrote: »

Really enjoying the Paedo Factor so far.Good to see Gary Glitter back on the box.
Into second episode of Not Without My Spleen, kind of disturbing yet strangely erotic show.Keep waiting for Michael J.Fox to stop shaking and preform spleen surgery on the willing contestants.
My favourite show however is Celebrity Detox, think it might be a repeat from last year though.Heath Ledger seems to be fairing well, they reckon he's just about ready to leave.

I'm waiting for "I'm a celebrity, blindfolded and tied to a poll in front of a concrete wall covered in lots of bullet holes - Get me out of here" to hit the screens. Now that's something I'd I'd dial a 1580 number for.

Dman001

I was really looking forward to Fringe but it was such a let down. I honestly don't know what the big hype about it is.

Full_Circle

I think as far as new shows go this year, very little has set my world on fire.

Of the lot I'd say "True Blood" is probably my favourite, but my initial excitement over it has really waned since the first couple of episodes. I'm not sure if its the writing or the (ofttimes) dodgey acting, but something about it just isnt ringing true with me and has stopped me becoming totally invested in the characters.
Having said that, the appearance of Michelle Phorbes two episodes ago is nearly reason enough to continue watching the show. I love how she spontaniously appears in random shows and makes them a billion times better! Pity she only ever seems to get guest roles though

I tried the first episode of "90210", but good god, I dont think I couldnt stomach any more of it.

"Fringe" was a big let down as far as hype goes. I said the same thing about Lost though, but that won me over during its second season, so I'll give Fringe the benifit of the doubt till at least till the end of the season. Has plenty of potential.

I tried to hang in there with "Clone Wars", but its just not a patch on the traditionally animated series. Its so blad and cold and lifeless.

I'm much happier with my returning shows of "Pushing Daisies" and "Chuck". And I'd say the most impressive thing I've seen all year is the first season of "Dexter", which I only recently got round to watching on DVD. Cant wait for season 2 to come out now!

chalkitdown1

I can't choose between Breaking Bad and True Blood. Both have been astoundingly brilliant.

basquille wrote: »

It's on HBO in the US... but not being shown here yet. Haven't heard of it being picked up either!

FX picked it up. They're showing it next year.

pickarooney

I won't count Breaking Bad as it was over by the summer, so True Blood wins be virtue of being the only decent new show on. That, and for being very engrossing.