# Help me choose a new TV show or two to watch (both good and culturally relevant) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 8, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594 "2014-07-08T00:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shooby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/1 "2014-07-08T00:48:03Z")
I don’t watch much TV nowadays and I often find myself out of the loop in water cooler/cocktail party type discussions, and am missing a lot of offhand references by friends and acquaintances as well. For reference, I live in the northwest USA. Shows that I’ve greatly enjoyed include: The Wire (the best by a mile) Buffy/Angel/Firefly Battlestar Galactica Game of Thrones (this is the only current show I really follow) Seinfeld It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Arrested Development Futurama South Park (hit or miss) So, if I had to choose 1-2 currently-running shows that would give me both entertainment value + cultural value, which ones would give me the most bang for my buck (or hour, as it were)? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/2 "2014-07-08T02:45:32Z")
Breaking Bad jumps shriekingly to the top of the mind. ---
**Author:** ![Garula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/3 "2014-07-08T03:17:19Z")
Breaking Bad by a mile if you’re looking for something with cultural relevance. Everyone has their own thoughts to share on it. I don’t know if it was super popular, but Fargo was quite good. Don’t know if it’s going to keep running or if it was just a single season and done. Judging from the humor on your list, you’d probably enjoy Archer. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/4 "2014-07-08T03:22:47Z")
You might like Veep. ---
**Author:** ![Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absinthe_Anecdote)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/5 "2014-07-08T03:28:20Z")
The HBO series True Detective was extremely good, season one ended this past spring, but you can still get it on demand. They are doing something different with that series; each season is a single season story arch with new characters. I like the idea because you get a tighter story and you don’t have to worry about it meandering, or the good writers going off to new projects and having the series fall apart. They negotiate separate contracts each season with a whole new cast and crew, smart idea if you ask me. FX did a pretty good job with the adaptation of the 1990s movie, Fargo, into a 10 episode mini-series. Billy Bob Thornton was excellent and they had a lot of good characters, excellent writing, phenomenal directing. It ended a couple of months ago, but I’m sure they will rerun it soon. I’ve read that more miniseries are coming out, and I think that is usually much better story telling. I hate it when a series sprawls, loses direction, and the crew behind the production moves on to other projects, leaving a hollow show. FX just started another series, Tyrant, I’ve caught the first two episodes, and it has my interest, but it is not on the same level of what they did with Fargo. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/6 "2014-07-10T14:13:21Z")
I’ve been enjoying [Copper](http://www.bbcamerica.com/copper/) immensely. Both seasons are on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/7 "2014-07-10T15:09:24Z")
If you’re talking about TV series now in production, I’d recommend _Sleepy Hollow_. It’s on Fox & was renewed about the time the 3rd episode of its 13 episode first season aired. The DVD’s/BluRays will be released September 16th & Season 2 premieres September 22nd. Last I heard, they plan 18 episodes. It’s a bonkers fantasy with witty writing & great characters. Relevant? Well, the OP liked _Buffy_ & _Angel_–which were/are far more than TV for Teenyboppers… ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/8 "2014-07-10T18:44:07Z")
Deadwood is worth a watch. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/9 "2014-07-10T18:58:40Z")
**[Vikings](http://www.history.com/shows/vikings/about)** would probably be pretty entertaining if you like Game of Thrones. Plus, there’s some serious eye candy on there- male and female. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/10 "2014-07-10T18:59:06Z")
_Sherlock Doctor Who_ Both on Netflix, you might need to supplement _Doctor Who_ a little for some of the Christmas Specials. I know they’re British, but they’re damn good and damn popular in my office. Also, I second _Archer_. I’ve also been enjoying _@Midnight_ on Comedy Central lately - very nerdy, and it will keep you up to date with internet memes, news stories, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/11 "2014-07-10T20:39:44Z")
One of my favorites that satisfies both your requirements is _The Good Wife_. It would mean a Netflix subscription if you don’t have one yet, but _House of Cards_ is a jewel. Both seasons. **Showtime** is needed for _Homeland_ but it’s worth it for the bonus shows of _Ray Donovan_ and _Masters of Sex_. And the dark horse network **FX** has _Sons of Anarchy_, _Justified_ and _The Bridge_ which just started its second season this week. A dead show still available on Netflix is the wonderful _Terriers_ which is near the top of my all-time list. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/12 "2014-07-10T22:38:51Z")
oh, good, I am just in the mood for this kind of thread. ::makes popcorn:: ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/13 "2014-07-10T23:17:15Z")
You should totally watch _Orphan Black_. I mean, \*everyone \*should, but given some of your other favorites, I think you’d especially enjoy it. It’s on BBC America, but you can also watch it on [Amazon and elsewhere](http://www.bbcamerica.com/orphan-black/where-to-watch-orphan-black/). It’s a fantastic show, though it still has a relatively small viewership (But devoted! And feisty! And rapidly growing!), largely due to the fact that it’s on BBC America. Although if you haven’t heard of it before, you might in the next few days, because 1) it just got the go-ahead for Season 3, and 2) the Emmy nominations just came out, and neither the show nor the absolutely incredible lead actress were nominated, which has caused a small-but-vocal group of fans and TV critics to flip their lids. Meanwhile, almost everyone else is like, “What do you mean? It got 12 nominations! Oh… not _Orange is the New Black_? What the hell is _Orphan Black_?” So this is your chance to be hipper and cooler than all your friends! And if you get them hooked, too, they’ll be grateful forever. You can binge-watch the whole thing this weekend, and then spend from now until next spring jonesing for more. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/14 "2014-07-10T23:37:38Z")
Downton Abbey is a pretty good show. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/15 "2014-07-10T23:40:55Z")
But based on your list, you should really watch Sherlock. It’s not a huge time sink either, only 9 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-tv-show-or-two-to-watch-both-good-and-culturally-relevant/692594/16 "2014-07-14T14:40:54Z")
One more: how could I forget _Veronica Mars_? It first aired in 2004, for three seasons, with (again) a small-but-rabid fanbase. The creators released a _Veronica Mars_ movie in March of this year, and to drum up interest, they made all of the episodes available for free on [Amazon Instant Video](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_3?url=search-alias%3Dmovies-tv&field-keywords=veronica+mars&sprefix=ver%2Cmovies-tv%2C504&rh=n%3A2625373011%2Ck%3Averonica+mars). If you don’t have Prime, you can get a 30-day free trial. I think it would really appeal to the Buffy/Angel/Firefly side of you. Oh, and even though it’s not a recent show, the movie was funded by what was (and maybe still is) one of the most successful [Kickstarter campaigns](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Mars_%28film%29#Development) ever. So that helps bump up the water cooler chat factor.