Most over/underrated TV show in recent times?

the_cat_is_back

For me:

Overrated - The Wire. I do love it but I don't think it's the masterpiece it's hyped up to be.

Underrated - Nip/Tuck. Can be really good at times but rarely gets a mention

Liam Byrne

Overrated : X-Factor, Big Bother (and most so-called "reality" shows)

Underrated : Qi

Kiith

Overrated - Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives.
Underrated - Chuck, Rome, Farscape.

Is it obvious i'm a dude?

Dman001

Overrated-Firefly

Underrated-Nip/Tuck, Chuck, Burn Notice, Hung (Not much talk about Hung and Burn Notice on Boards)

Linku

QI is hardly underrated, it attracts big ratings and it's much talked about, and even moved up to BBC1 - hardly an obscure show. A mistake that's going to be made over and over again in this thread I foresee!

brendansmith

Over rated = Little Britain (I dont understand how its funny. Is it that the guy is fat?)

Underated = Oz

efb

O/R- two and a half men

U/R- That 70's show

pickarooney

Overrated: The Wire*
Underrated: Pulling

*only includes programs that I've actually watched based on recommendations from people with taste.

ronano

Overated: 30 rock,it's solid but nothing amazing

Underated: Big Love,great series slow burning at a pace id say similar to mad men,great characters,plot and concept yet i rarely hear any love

Penn

Overrated: 30 Rock, Dexter, The Sopranos

Underrated: Arrested Development, Oz

Jip

the_cat_is_back wrote: »

For me:

Overrated - The Wire. I do love it but I don't think it's the masterpiece it's hyped up to be.

Underrated - Nip/Tuck. Can be really good at times but rarely gets a mention

Now seriously, you think The Wire is over rated but Nip/Tuck is under rated ? Nip/Tuck was interesting for the first season or two and then just became awful.

JP Liz

Overrated - Lost / Heroes / 24

Underrated - Burn Notice / Leverage / Supernatural / Friday Night Lights

pickarooney

Jip wrote: »

Now seriously, you think The Wire is over rated but Nip/Tuck is under rated ? Nip/Tuck was interesting for the first season or two and then just became awful.

But nobody anywhere rates it. Everyone knows it's terrible but it's still extremely watchable.

slave1

o/r The Wire
u/r Bones, the US office, The Unit
what I miss, Entourage & Lost

SlickRic

overrated - Lost is out on it's own in this category i'm afraid.

underrated - The US Office.

Diabhal Beag

Overrated - Lost

Underrated - Family Guy (People are very ignorant towards them even though they didn't ever watch it)

moe_sizlak

overrated = lost , family guy , south park , house

under rated = sopranos , its so good that reading one negative post renders it underated

KylaLux

Overrated: 30 rock, Samantha Who?

Underated: Arrested Development, Reaper

FearDark

Overrated - Lost

Underrated - South Park (People still think its like its first season, they dont watch it and call it ****, when in fact its one of the most genius shows out there)

don ramo

O,R sopranos, good show but not good enough for best show ever,

U,R chuck and fringe, honestly i cant believe either show has to fight to be renewed

Mr.Nice Guy

Overrated - The Wire

Don't understand the hype for this show. I've watched a few episodes and found it very dull.

Underrated - Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe

Forget Neil Delamare's rubbish and give this man a look. Hilarious and insightful in equal measure. New series set to return in the near future supposedly.

User45701

the_cat_is_back wrote: »

For me:

Overrated - The Wire. I do love it but I don't think it's the masterpiece it's hyped up to be.

Underrated - Nip/Tuck. Can be really good at times but rarely gets a mention

same with the sire... i like it and i really enjoyed watching all the seasons straight through because i only watched it when it was finished but your right its no masterpiece but it is good TV

Dman001 wrote: »

Overrated-Firefly

I dont consider it underated its just allot of people dont know it here. People who have seen it the majority of them like/love it

brendansmith wrote: »

Over rated = Little Britain (I dont understand how its funny. Is it that the guy is fat?)

Underated = Oz

Is Oz underrated?

SlickRic wrote: »

overrated - Lost is out on it's own in this category i'm afraid.

underrated - The US Office.

Definatly - when i tell people about it they alwalys say ive seen one or two or i watched the first few episodes but...

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Underrated - Family Guy (People are very ignorant towards them even though they didn't ever watch it)

Defiantly + 1

I watch every episode - its not as good as it was but its still worth watching every week. its a good TV show

I think that x facor is overrated the local pub does food like allot of pubs and last sunday i rang them and orderded dinner for collection (im too lazy to cook) so i go round to pick up my dinner and the pub is packed and on the walls are posters with x-factor drink specials and it was on every TV. I had to wait a few min for my food because i arrived early....

so i was amased - the entire pub was phocused on the TV and the adds came on and 1/2 the pub empetied - they all ran out for smokes and then all rused back in before the adds ended it was manic everyone was running to the bar and to the dorrs and the ****iung fire escape was open FFS

why cant pubs show something decant

pikachucheeks

Over rated : House (even though I do think it is a decent enough programme) and Lost.

Under rated: The IT Crowd.

Professey Chin

The Tick! (live action)
Should point out I mean under-rated

Over rated: Lost.We dont give a fcuk about the island!Fcuking stay there and leave us alone!

Mossy Monk

Overrated: Lost

Underrated: The US Office

The Pontiac

I can't believe The Wire is getting branded overrated; it's probably the most underrated TV show in history. It never received huge commercial success, and never won any major awards. It was always a critics' favourite, but was almost cancelled after series 3 due to its poor ratings. The show demands a lot of commitment from the viewer to really pay attention, due to the complexities of the plot, and this is where I believe they will lose a lot of viewers after a couple of episodes. The Shield would probably be more suited to such viewers. The Wire is simply one of the greatest TV shows ever.

Don't even get me started on The Sopranos. People calling it overrated..Dear god

Jezzington

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Overrated : X-Factor, Big Bother (and most so-called "reality" shows)

No disrespect intended to Liam, but I wouldn't call those those 2 shows overrated in the sense that they are both examples of throwaway production line TV catering for a very easily pleased audience. They are both very much examples of format tabloid TV. They could only really be called overrated if intellamagent people suddenly started lavishing praise on them

Overrated - The Big Bang theory


Underrated - The American Office

EKRIUQ

Overated: Killinascully, Weeds,

Underated: Brotherhood

ronnie3585

Overrated - Lost, 30 Rock

Underrated - Oz, Eastbound and Down

iguana

<Ollie> wrote: »

I can't believe The Wire is getting branded overrated; it's probably the most underrated TV show in history. It never received huge commercial success, and never won any major awards. It was always a critics' favourite, but was almost cancelled after series 3 due to its poor ratings. The show demands a lot of commitment from the viewer to really pay attention, due to the complexities of the plot, and this is where I believe they will lose a lot of viewers after a couple of episodes. The Shield would probably be more suited to such viewers. The Wire is simply one of the greatest TV shows ever.

Under/overrated doesn't mean commercial success. Freaks and Geeks is highly rated but it was cancelled in it's first season and was never commercially successful. The Wire is incredibly highly rated as almost everyone who watches it **** on and on about how it's the greatest show ever. But it's really not that great, imo. It's good but it's really not that good. I enjoy complex, well thought out plots that require investment on the part of the viewer.

The Wire can certainly be commended for having a well thought out plot and not the hobbled together sh!t that a lot of supposedly arcing shows present to the viewer, eg BSG or Lost. It was also lucky that HBO were hands off and allowed it to be completed more or less as it was written. But it's no masterpiece. It's not the first of it's kind - yet is so often described as such- and it won't be the last.

Liam Byrne

Jezzington wrote: »

They could only really be called overrated if intellamagent people suddenly started lavishing praise on them

What bugs me most is that even if you don't watch those rubbish shows, you still have to put up with every radio station nattering on about them, or some - even proper broadsheet - newspapers as if they were relevant.

And in some cases they're mentioned on supposed "news" bulletins.

So yes, they're "overrated" in the sense that they infect everything; and while "easily pleased" people are welcome to watch them in the comfort of their own homes, the rest of us should be able to avoid them, but unfortunately we're not, because some media "overrate" the level of interest in them.

Fago!

Over-rated: The Apprentice. Absolute gack.

Underated: Shooting Stars with Vic and Bob. Absolutely hilarious.

ZzubZzub

Kiith wrote: »

Overrated - Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives.
Underrated - Chuck, Rome, Farscape.

Is it obvious i'm a dude?

Excluding Rome, that's word for word my answer! Though... I'm a chick!

Been watching Farscape sooooo much, it's almost an addiction! I may actually be in love with a tv show- and to think it's 10 years old!! :eek:

To add to these:

Overrated: Lost, Heroes, Ugly Betty
Underrated: Doctor Who, Trailer Park Boys, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Charlie Brooker's ScreenWipe/NewsWipe

the_cat_is_back

OP here. Some interesting reading so far. The general consensus seems to be that '30 Rock', 'The Wire' and overwhelmingly 'Lost' are the most overrrated tv shows of recent times. I can't comment on '30 Rock' (haven't seen it yet but intend to very soon). I voted for 'The Wire' (as I said before I think it's great but not the masterpiece it's made out to be - some posters have agreed with me I see). However, I must say I am very surprised to see 'Lost' voted the most overrated TV show. I say this because whether you like the show or not it seems to get little praise. People say it's too complicated and it takes forever to get the answers to major questions about the mythology. When it comes to the awards ceremonies like the Emmys (with the exception of the best supporting actor category) it doesn't get a look in. So I did find that quite surprising.

The most underrated category has divided opinion. Arrested Development, Chuck, Nip/Tuck (my pick), Oz and the US Office all got more than one vote but there's no clearcut "winner" yet.

Richard Dower

I could list loads, but be scolded for my choices.

Morgans

the_cat_is_back wrote: »

OP here. Some interesting reading so far. The general consensus seems to be that '30 Rock', 'The Wire' and overwhelmingly 'Lost' are the most overrrated tv shows of recent times. I can't comment on '30 Rock' (haven't seen it yet but intend to very soon). I voted for 'The Wire' (as I said before I think it's great but not the masterpiece it's made out to be - some posters have agreed with me I see). However, I must say I am very surprised to see 'Lost' voted the most overrated TV show. I say this because whether you like the show or not it seems to get little praise. People say it's too complicated and it takes forever to get the answers to major questions about the mythology. When it comes to the awards ceremonies like the Emmys (with the exception of the best supporting actor category) it doesn't get a look in. So I did find that quite surprising.

The most underrated category has divided opinion. Arrested Development, Chuck, Nip/Tuck (my pick), Oz and the US Office all got more than one vote but there's no clearcut "winner" yet.

The Wire for me is the best tv program ever made. Its fashionable to say so now, but I cant see how it is overrated given that it was never on primetime in any channel this side of the atlantic. It's the very exceptional viewer that have watched it fully and say its not the best drama out there but its always cool to be the person who notices that the Emperor has no clothes.

Lost on the other hand was so hyped that Sky decided to fork out for the rights for the later series. Probably the most trumpeted program on RTE also. A program that stations built a whole night's scheduling around. (I personally think its awful.)

Damages was a very good drama that doesn't seem to get many mentions anywhere.

The Office US has jumped the shark well and truly for me and is now very very overrated.

Mr.Nice Guy

Morgans wrote:

The Wire for me is the best tv program ever made. Its fashionable to say so now, but I cant see how it is overrated given that it was never on primetime in any channel this side of the atlantic. It's the very exceptional viewer that have watched it fully and say its not the best drama out there but its always cool to be the person who notices that the Emperor has no clothes.

Lost on the other hand was so hyped that Sky decided to fork out for the rights for the later series. Probably the most trumpeted program on RTE also. A program that stations built a whole night's scheduling around. (I personally think its awful.)

I disagree completely. One reason I'd give for saying The Wire is overrated is how often people harp on about how fantastic it is but notice how they always add the caveat that you need to give the show several looks before writing it off. Eh, why? Imagine going to a publisher with a story you want to have made into a book and telling him/her, "it might not interest you for the first few chapters but continue reading it and I assure you it will get better".

The fact is they will bin it after the first few chapters. No hook, no use.

Lost was the complete opposite of this. If you watched the episodes in the first series then I can't believe how you could not be hooked by it. The show took television viewing and storytelling to a whole new level. It perhaps failed to live up to these high standards in later series (I have found it enthralling every series personally) but I can't see how anyone could think The Wire was a more compelling show than Lost.

pickarooney

Morgans wrote: »

The Wire for me is the best tv program ever made. Its fashionable to say so now, but I cant see how it is overrated

You don't think there's a remote possibility it's the second best program ever made?

Morgans

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I disagree completely. One reason I'd give for saying The Wire is overrated is how often people harp on about how fantastic it is but notice how they always add the caveat that you need to give the show several looks before writing it off. Eh, why? Imagine going to a publisher with a story you want to have made into a book and telling him/her, "it might not interest you for the first few chapters but continue reading it and I assure you it will get better".

The fact is they will bin it after the first few chapters. No hook, no use.

Lost was the complete opposite of this. If you watched the episodes in the first series then I can't believe how you could not be hooked by it. The show took television viewing and storytelling to a whole new level. It perhaps failed to live up to these high standards in later series (I have found it enthralling every series personally) but I can't see how anyone could think The Wire was a more compelling show than Lost.

Interesting opinion. I tried to watch Lost and thought it was going to be interesting until I saw a Polar Bear come out of the jungle in the second episode. After that, it was a simple plod along until the cliffhanger at the end of each episode which while it might get resolved only ever lead to further questions and further cliffhangers. Are we still waiting to find out what those numbers mean? My better half watches it and have caught bits and pieces of it since, so I can only comment on my impressions. Honestly, and Im not trying to offend here, I think that if a group of transitional students got hold of the script after the first series they could do a better job. Is the idea that it all a dream still a possibility. 3/4 of my secondary school essays ended that way. I cannot see having no idea how a program is going to finish and tying yourself in knots to explain nonsensical storylines is taking storytelling to a new level.

It strikes me that it lead the line in a number of programs who have been pitched with well-thought ideas for the first series but with little or no idea how to progress should they become successful. Its understandable but the program gets dragged out to ridiculous levels to keep the gravy train going. Prison Break and Desperate Housewives two high-profile other ones.

It is interesting that you bring books into it, and published vs unpublished authors. There is a similar battle for the individuals with flaky attention span in literature. Dan Brown is the author of the best selling novel this year. I find Lost (the season that I did watch of it) to be its TV equivalent. Plenty of people like Dan Brown and good luck to them.

Morgans

pickarooney wrote: »

You don't think there's a remote possibility it's the second best program ever made?

There is always a possibility. I can't see in anything I wrote to suggest that it would be definitely the greatest when the end of the world comes. It is the best Ive seen and by some distance. Honourable mentions got to Soprano's until Ralphie left (downhill quick after that I thought) and the first three series of The West Wing, but nothing like The Wire. If I come accross a TV program better than The Wire, you have no idea how delighted I'd be.

pickarooney

Morgans wrote: »

Interesting opinion. I tried to watch Lost and thought it was going to be interesting until I saw a Polar Bear come out of the jungle in the second episode. After that, it was a simple plod along until the cliffhanger at the end of each episode which while it might get resolved only ever lead to further questions and further cliffhangers. Are we still waiting to find out what those numbers mean? My better half watches it and have caught bits and pieces of it since, so I can only comment on my impressions. Honestly, and Im not trying to offend here, I think that if a group of transitional students got hold of the script after the first series they could do a better job. Is the idea that it all a dream still a possibility. 3/4 of my secondary school essays ended that way. I cannot see having no idea how a program is going to finish and tying yourself in knots to explain nonsensical storylines is taking storytelling to a new level.

It strikes me that it lead the line in a number of programs who have been pitched with well-thought ideas for the first series but with little or no idea how to progress should they become successful. Its understandable but the program gets dragged out to ridiculous levels to keep the gravy train going. Prison Break and Desperate Housewives two high-profile other ones.

It is interesting that you bring books into it, and published vs unpublished authors. There is a similar battle for the individuals with flaky attention span in literature. Dan Brown is the author of the best selling novel this year. I find Lost (the season that I did watch of it) to be its TV equivalent. Plenty of people like Dan Brown and good luck to them.

Why do you feel qualified to judge Lost when you've barely watched any of it when you only seem to consider worthwhile the opinions of people who have labored through five seasons of The Wire? It seems a tad hypocritical, don't you think? For what it's worth, I think Lost is slightly overrated, but for some reason people are allowed to dislike it whereas anyone who doesn't 'get' The Wire is a somewhat lesser person by all accounts (this last bit is not specifically directed at you but at the legion of fanboys who go to such lengths to ensure that anyone who watches their baby either loves it unconditionally or doesn't understand it).

Elmo

KylaLux wrote: »

Overrated: 30 rock, Samantha Who?

Underated: Arrested Development, Reaper

I don't see how Samantha Who? was overrated it got terrible reviews and was axed after the 2nd season, I would actually say the opposite that it was highly underrated in comparison to some of the current sit-com coming from the states.

O/R - The Apprentice - I like it but it is just average. Fringe - Just because you have JJ Abrhams on board doesn't make it good, LOST I guess comes to mind but I like that too. Grey Anatomy, Private Practice most of all of the current Network TV show from the States e.g. NCIS, Cold Case, CSI etc etc. Family Guy because it is the same joke over and over again. The Big Bang Theory.
U/R - Bob, The Devil and God, Terminator, Nurse Jackie

Elmo

The Wire is a funny one, it is a very slow burner but it ruins almost every other american TV show because of its intelligence, I would not say that I am its biggest fan and people do go OTT about it.

Lost on the other hand is really all about tricks, after watch the 5th season in one go I had come to most of the "reveals" long before the writers seemed to think that the reveals were happening. I thought the first series was excellent great use of back story rather then blandly having the character say what happen to them in the real world, the idea that the audience knows more about the characters than the people they are stuck on the island with was a great way to tell each of their stories.

One of the main problems with US network TV is the amount of advertising space. In the early 1990 a TV show ran for 50 mins, by the mid 1990s it was down to 45, now its just reaching 40mins, this ruins any kind of natural suspense that might happen, just look at how many times LOST and 24 have to repeat themselves to create a feeling of suspense.

Rushdie

Friday Night Lights definitely one of the most underrated shows around

User45701

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Underrated - Eastbound and Down

+ 1

pikachucheeks

Richard Dower wrote: »

I could list loads, but be scolded for my choices.

Ah go on, tell us!

DEVEREUX

O/R Two and a half men....big time O/R!

U/R Rescue me I'm addicted

Morgans

pickarooney wrote: »

Why do you feel qualified to judge Lost when you've barely watched any of it when you only seem to consider worthwhile the opinions of people who have labored through five seasons of The Wire? It seems a tad hypocritical, don't you think?

I have seen too much of it to be honest, and should know less about it really. I should have more of a life and there are better methods of earning brownie points, I suppose. I never said anywhere that you needed to watch The Wire in its entirety to be able to comment on it. Its the second time that you have put words into my mouth. But not to worry. Too slow is a valid criticism. It's just the exceptional person who sticks with The Wire and doesn't get it. This goes for my girlfriend (who also enjoys Lost).

I think the difference I feel watching both programs comes down to the relationship the writers/producers have with the viewing public. The Wire treats the audience with respect, and in my view, the Lost writers/producers treats the audience with absolute contempt. From the build up of red herrings, the dramatic music masking the lack of dialogue, from the expectation that they can make anything happen using the psuedo sci-fi nature and pass it off. The writers do not need to worry when they paint themselves into corners. Some other unrealistic trick will save them. But its only an opinion. People are allowed to like it, plenty do, and fair play to them. Its just my opinion that it is awful. I definitely didnt post on here first with any intention of running down Lost and Lost fans.

Elmo

Morgans wrote: »

the dramatic music masking the lack of dialogue

Television is a visual medium while you criticism of LOST is a valid one, it doesn't follow through with many good movies and television shows were dialogue isn't needed due to the visuals. E.G. over use of the F word in "the **** scene" in The Wire.

The visual lead your eye and the words really don't matter.

Morgans

Elmo wrote: »

Television is a visual medium while you criticism of LOST is a valid one, it doesn't follow through with many good movies and television shows were dialogue isn't needed due to the visuals. E.G. over use of the F word in "the **** scene" in The Wire.

The visual lead your eye and the words really don't matter.

Yeah, that is fine. I dont think dialogue is neccessary for good drama. Far from it. The Royle Family are one of the best examples of it done properly, amazing work for a comedy. What I dont like is when the director tells you how you should feel through the music. Be it the greys anatomy wistful wrap ups or Lost's impending danger. And, background score is fine also, and of course it can add to a program/film but only when its done well.