"What series are you on?"

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 5:08pm #1

My OH was asked this in work the other day. Not "Are you watching any good?", just an assumption that you are.

We are in a golden age of television. It's great. There are so many good series out there and it's assumed you are watching one of them at any given time. I can't move for recommendations from friends and family.

Does anyone else feel a bit overwhelmed by it all? There are only so many hours in the day!

And so much to choose from. There also sometimes seems to be a competitive element to the binge-watching of series.

I'm going on holiday this week and the hotel only has WiFi in the reception area. Me and my fella are really looking forward to a week without screens, just relaxing and reading. The only thing I'll do internet-wise is have a quick scan of the news headlines in the morning and evening.

And then back to it again!

Shenshen · 30-08-2016 5:10pm

I sometimes think I'm the only person on the planet with a deep dislike of series - both TV and book.
I only tolerate them in comic books.

Maximus Alexander · 30-08-2016 5:15pm

Orphan Black and Fargo at the moment.

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 5:16pm

Shenshen wrote: »

I sometimes think I'm the only person on the planet with a deep dislike of series - both TV and book.
I only tolerate them in comic books.

Well, I have to say, I do like them as long as they are good! But with so many good ones now, I feel snowed under and unsure of which one to watch next. I don't think I'll ever get through them all!

Turtyturd · 30-08-2016 5:19pm

Shenshen wrote: »

I sometimes think I'm the only person on the planet with a deep dislike of series - both TV and book.
I only tolerate them in comic books.

The unfortunate thing is they've dumbed down comic books to attract the movie/tv show fans.

Gatling · 30-08-2016 5:20pm

Started on orange is the new black last week surprised im actually liking it ,

Maximus Alexander · 30-08-2016 5:22pm

Gatling wrote: »

Started on orange is the new black last week surprised im actually liking it ,

Just wait until you get to the bit where Piper dies in Season 2.

Temptamperu · 30-08-2016 5:25pm

Any yee watch Aquarius with David Duchovny from the x files. Its class.

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 5:27pm

I think people think I was asking the question in the title myself rather than reading the OP!

I thought the quotations marks would distinguish it.

Oops!

SEPT 23 1989 · 30-08-2016 5:27pm

the golden age of television has long past

Collie D · 30-08-2016 5:28pm

Gatling wrote: »

Started on orange is the new black last week surprised im actually liking it ,

Just finished it myself (or rather got up to date) and was surprised too. After two or three episodes I stopped hoping somebody would be shanked.

Watching Power at the moment - decent enough but not great.

Have watched/finished The Sopranos and The Wire for the first time this year and after finishing I genuinely thought "Well, nothing is going to beat those two" so in boxset limbo. For some reason I just keep putting off Game of Thrones

The_Valeyard · 30-08-2016 5:29pm

The Stranger Things is very good.

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 5:30pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

the golden age of television has long past

No it hasn't. Pre-Sopranos, TV was looked down as inferior to film, low rent. With the Sopranos, all that changed. And thank fook for that.

topper75 · 30-08-2016 5:35pm

If you can't tell your wonderful story inside 90 minutes, I don't want to know. You are most likely a padding merchant.

humberklog · 30-08-2016 5:36pm

Elliott S wrote: »

I think people think I was asking the question in the title myself rather than reading the OP! I thought the quotations marks would distinguish it.

Oops!

Nah I read your op but it wasn't as interesting as the title.

Finished Broad City- brilliant
Louise CK's Horace and Pete was one of the best shows in years.
Half way through Crazy ex gitlfriend- surprised I like it so much
Just starting The End Of with John Tuturo and it's already really good.

Looking forward to 2nd series of Narcos.

mahamageehad · 30-08-2016 5:38pm

I think high production shows like Game of Thrones have really forced TV producers to up the ante. The like of Netflix and Amazon are always struggling to screw each other over in rights agreements for movies and shows, so original content has become the differentiator there too. While I agree that we've got some top class TV in the last few years, I don't think you can keep up with it all and I'm surprised those budgets have lasted that long.

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 5:40pm

humberklog wrote: »

Nah I read your op but it wasn't as interesting as the title.

Is there any need for that swipe?

Quite catty!

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 30-08-2016 5:41pm

topper75 wrote: »

If you can't tell your wonderful story inside 90 minutes, I don't want to know. You are most likely a padding merchant.

Wrong.

topper75 · 30-08-2016 5:43pm

The Honey Monster wrote: »

Wrong.

Is that the start of a film about rural broadband issues?

humberklog · 30-08-2016 5:48pm

Elliott S wrote: »

humberklog wrote: »

Nah I read your op but it wasn't as interesting as the title.

Is there any need for that swipe? Quite catty!

Ah I was only joking, didn't mean it nasty. I thought it was funny how you post was ignored.

Fleawuss · 30-08-2016 5:49pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

the golden age of television has long past

The Golden Age of everything is in the past.

For those who like to live in the past.

The_Valeyard · 30-08-2016 5:51pm

Fleawuss wrote: »

The Golden Age of everything is in the past.

For those who like to live in the past.

Unless you came from an age, with Gold.

Or a time machine.

maudgonner · 30-08-2016 5:52pm

topper75 wrote: »

If you can't tell your wonderful story inside 90 minutes, I don't want to know. You are most likely a padding merchant.

Another way of looking at it is that if your story is insubstantial enough to be told in 90 minutes, I don't want to know.

That's an exaggeration, but in general I much prefer series to films. I enjoy getting to know characters, seeing them develop and having stories intricate enough to twist & turn through multiple episodes.

Band of Brothers is one of my favourite mini-series. I hate to think what it would have been like if they tried to squash it into a feature length story. (Saving Private Ryan, I suppose). As it is, I wish there was more of it, not less.

jester77 · 30-08-2016 5:53pm

Finished Preacher recently, hit of the year thus far.
Currently following Mr robot, fear the walking dead and halt and catch fire. The latter is my fave.

The great thing about prime is that you download to watch offline, so you don't have to worry about lack of WiFi on vacation

messy tessy · 30-08-2016 6:36pm

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Orphan Black and Fargo at the moment.

Orphan black is a bit weird but like it!

Don't know about the competitive element to binge watching series ...Think it's more harmless office small talk rather than bragging about it.

Mister Vain · 30-08-2016 6:40pm

Elliott S wrote: »

We are in a golden age of television. It's great. There are so many good series out there

I disagree. There's just more on demand TV now thanks to Netflix and Amazon. The actual quality of TV shows hasn't improved. I thought it was much better when the likes of Lost and 24 were on. Nip/Tuck was another great show. The last really good show I've seen is love/Hate.

Pherekydes · 30-08-2016 6:41pm

I still haven't started season 1.

Of whatever.

readyletsgo · 30-08-2016 6:44pm

I urge everyone to watch The Leftovers, amazing show, and only one season left coming in March, get on that sh*T people! Thank me later.

Also, kinda watching Braindead atm, it's an easy watch, I feel it's for when you've finished watching new episodes of your favourite shows its perfect to turn your brain off to (lol).

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 6:50pm

Mister Vain wrote: »

I disagree. There's just more on demand TV now thanks to Netflix and Amazon. The actual quality of TV shows hasn't improved. I thought it was much better when the likes of Lost and 24 were on. Nip/Tuck was another great show. The last really good show I've seen is love/Hate.

See, I thought Lost was a pile of shíte!

But anyways, I'm taking about post-1999 so those shows fall into that category. Since the late 90s, there has been a steady stream of top quality shows. It doesn't mean that all TV series now are good.

Outlaw Pete · 30-08-2016 6:50pm

I'm way behind on TV shows.

Watching one now and a guy that was killed in the last season is taking a shower in the opening episode of the next.

Maybe is a dream sequence. Will post back later.

NATLOR · 30-08-2016 6:53pm

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Orphan Black and Fargo at the moment.

Fargo is simply the best TV series ever made

cml387 · 30-08-2016 6:55pm

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

I'm way behind on TV shows.

Watching one now and a guy that was killed in the last season is taking a shower in the opening episode of the next.

Maybe is a dream sequence. Will post back later.

It was Kristin, by the way.

osarusan · 30-08-2016 6:56pm

I was sitting in a university staff room in Tokyo about 3 years ago on a Monday morning, when two other staff members turned up, one from the UK and the other from USA.

They immediately launched into a 'did you see when X and Y happened?' discussion about a TV show. When I asked which one they were talking about, they were shocked to realise that I wasn't immediately aware they were talking about Game of Thrones based just on the content (characters' names, etc) in their discussion.

When I said that I'd never seen any of the series, they literally looked at me open-mouthed, and one of them asked (exact words) 'What rock have you been living under?'

GLaDOS · 30-08-2016 6:57pm

I watch very little TV, particularly by myself. Generally will only watch something if the missus wants to watch it as well. Really enjoyed Stranger Things tbf.

By myself I'll watch the odd cartoon series or something that doesn't need a whole lot of investment.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 30-08-2016 6:59pm

Season 3 of Greys Anatony having watched most of it previously but I like it so don't mind.

Outlaw Pete · 30-08-2016 7:02pm

cml387 wrote: »

It was Kristin, by the way.

Bing Crosby's daughter?? :eek:

Here's something mad that I remember:

On the night that show was to air, the headlines of the Evening Press had a photo of Larry Hagman (I think) in Dublin Airport after getting off a flight with the tape of the episode and they said he was on his way to RTE. The showed had aired in the states weeks before but we still didn't know in Europe who did it. Imagine trying to keep a secret like that now with your Twitter and your Facepages.

boobar · 30-08-2016 7:04pm

Gomorrah - Italian TV series with subtitles, excellent gangster drama set in modern days.

Peaky Blinders - another superb gangster drama starring Cillian Murphy. Addictive.

pavb2 · 30-08-2016 7:09pm

Just finished all 6 series of The Walking Dead shocked at the graphic nature but astounded by the zombie acting and special effects so for that reason for me it just about shades The Sopranos and The Wire.

cbyrd · 30-08-2016 7:11pm

Started watching house of cards last week.. it's very good, in the last 3 years I've watched the Sopranos, 24, misfits, games of thrones and stranger things. I tend to watch in bulk, 4 or 5 a night until it's done... I just can't pace myself

I've also series link recorded medium.. easy watch for Saturday morning when I'm up at 7am or the afternoon when I'm home alone.. might get an episode or 2 in the mornings now that school is back ...
The quality of drama is much improved over the 'golden age' Dallas, Dynasty and Falcon Crest .. the staples of our house unless it was the six million dollar man or wonder woman..

although the A Team and MacGyver were top class

Grayson · 30-08-2016 7:12pm

Elliott S wrote: »

See, I thought Lost was a pile of shíte!

But anyways, I'm taking about post-1999 so those shows fall into that category. Since the late 90s, there has been a steady stream of top quality shows. It doesn't mean that all TV series now are good.

Lost should have been better. As far as I know the creators only wanted 3 seasons. The studio demanded more and so the show got dragged out. If it had just been 3 seasons then it would have been a lot better.

I'm currently finishing off Gotham. I just finished Stranger things. Stranger things was one of the best shows I've seen in a while.

silverharp · 30-08-2016 7:14pm

The Sopranos Series 5

ben.schlomo · 30-08-2016 7:26pm

boobar wrote: »

Gomorrah - Italian TV series with subtitles, excellent gangster drama set in modern days.

Peaky Blinders - another superb gangster drama starring Cillian Murphy. Addictive.

8 episodes into Gomorrah, really enjoying it. I've used up all the main ones e.g. Wire, Sopranos, The Shield, BB, Boardwalk Empire.

from_atozinc · 30-08-2016 7:30pm

Elliott S wrote: »

My OH was asked this in work the other day. Not "Are you watching any good?", just an assumption that you are.

We are in a golden age of television. It's great. There are so many good series out there and it's assumed you are watching one of them at any given time. I can't move for recommendations from friends and family.

Does anyone else feel a bit overwhelmed by it all? There are only so many hours in the day! And so much to choose from. There also sometimes seems to be a competitive element to the binge-watching of series.

I'm going on holiday this week and the hotel only has WiFi in the reception area. Me and my fella are really looking forward to a week without screens, just relaxing and reading. The only thing I'll do internet-wise is have a quick scan of the news headlines in the morning and evening.

And then back to it again!

Back to what ?

Mister Vain · 30-08-2016 7:40pm

osarusan wrote: »

I was sitting in a university staff room in Tokyo about 3 years ago on a Monday morning, when two other staff members turned up, one from the UK and the other from USA.

They immediately launched into a 'did you see when X and Y happened?' discussion about a TV show. When I asked which one they were talking about, they were shocked to realise that I wasn't immediately aware they were talking about Game of Thrones based just on the content (characters' names, etc) in their discussion.

When I said that I'd never seen any of the series, they literally looked at me open-mouthed, and one of them asked (exact words) 'What rock have you been living under?'

I know the feeling. I actually watched the first episode of Game Of Thrones yesterday just to see what all the hype was about. I thought it was awful shyte.

Grayson wrote: »

Lost should have been better. As far as I know the creators only wanted 3 seasons. The studio demanded more and so the show got dragged out. If it had just been 3 seasons then it would have been a lot better.

Yeah I thought the first 3 seasons were brilliant and then it went downhill after that. The producers said it was making too much money so another 3 seasons were made.

I really like Shameless USA. I haven't seen the British one so I don't know what that's like.

Elliott S · 30-08-2016 7:44pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Back to what ?

The madness!

Summer wind · 30-08-2016 7:56pm

Over the summer I've been watching Stranger Things Pretty Little Liars Zoo and Third Rock From The Sun. Usually wake up around 5am with my phone on my face:) Looking forward to The Originals season 4 and The Vampire Diaries season 8 in October.

lawlolawl · 30-08-2016 8:02pm

pavb2 wrote: »

Just finished all 6 series of The Walking Dead shocked at the graphic nature but astounded by the zombie acting and special effects so for that reason for me it just about shades The Sopranos and The Wire.

I can't tell if you are joking about this.

TWD is pure put-it-on-in-the-background fodder. It's a poorly written, dumb show that I can't even explain why I still watch it.

It's like fast food, you know it's crap but you still consume it.

Arcade_Tryer · 30-08-2016 8:21pm

NATLOR wrote: »

Fargo is simply the best TV series ever made

It's not. You only have to read the synopsis to know straight away that it cannot challenge The Wire.

pavb2 wrote: »

Just finished all 6 series of The Walking Dead shocked at the graphic nature but astounded by the zombie acting and special effects so for that reason for me it just about shades The Sopranos and The Wire.

Without trying to sound condescending, thankfully your opinion doesn't count.

Average tv shows such as House of Cards, Dexter, Game of Thrones, Homeland have become more plentiful and more accessible through netflix and online.

But truly groundbreaking television series are still in short supply and still mainly produced by a single network; HBO.

pavb2 · 30-08-2016 8:49pm

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

It's not. You only have to read the synopsis to know straight away that it cannot challenge The Wire.

Without trying to sound condescending, thankfully your opinion doesn't count.

https://youtu.be/M-wcFU5fZwY

pickarooney · 30-08-2016 8:55pm

Game of thrones is by no metric an average series, whatever your personal opinion on it.

LorMal · 30-08-2016 9:49pm

Elliott S wrote: »

No it hasn't. Pre-Sopranos, TV was looked down as inferior to film, low rent. With the Sopranos, all that changed. And thank fook for that.

I don't know what age you are, but I can assure you that television is definitely not in a golden age now.
That might be true for the US because their TV was absolutely appalling before HBO - with adverts every few minutes.
But we have had excellent TV since the 1970s. It peaked in the 80s but has declined somewhat since the 'million channels, nothing on' era has arrived.
The sopranos was excellent - but it's just one series.

"What series are you on?"

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