# Netflix TV series recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181 "2009-03-03T19:16:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/1 "2009-03-03T19:16:09Z")
We’re about to finish up the seven series of _Prime Suspect_ and are feeling pretty good that our next series to “get caught up on” will be _30 Rock_ which we have yet to see the first episode of. Based on the series we have gotten from Netflix, could you suggest one or more series that we might enjoy? Ones we have seen: Bleak House Dexter Weeds The X-Files Connections Grey’s Anatomy Young People’s Concerts All Creatures Great and Small As Time Goes By A Fine Romance Band of Brothers The Forsyte Saga Sex and the City We may have given up on some of these without making it all the way through every season, but I listed them to avoid having them reappear in any you might suggest. Series we already know and have watched on TV include: The Sopranos Deadwood Rome Six Feet Under 24 Bones House The Unit The Shield The West Wing The Office (British version) Sarah Connor Chronicles Medium Boston Legal Flight of the Conchords John From Cincinnati (disliked it intensely) I’m sure I haven’t listed all of them. In case you would suggest the Netflix recommendations feature, let me just say that they’re close on maybe one out of five. That’s why I came here for input. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/2 "2009-03-03T19:26:00Z")
The Wire. The Wire. The Wire. A thousand times The Wire. The single best cop show I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/3 "2009-03-03T19:31:12Z")
Highly recommend _Big Love_ and _Carnivale_. The American version of _The Office_ is also quite excellent, but starts off kinda crappy. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/4 "2009-03-03T19:35:21Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > The Wire. The Wire. The Wire. A thousand times The Wire. The single best cop show I have ever seen. Thanks! Yes, we do need to get that one going. I know I’ll like it, but I’m not sure she will. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/5 "2009-03-03T19:37:33Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Highly recommend _Big Love_ and _Carnivale_. > > The American version of _The Office_ is also quite excellent, but starts off kinda crappy. I overlooked _Carnivale_ in my saw and liked list. _Big Love_ is one I’ll pass on, even though I hear it’s pretty good. Yes, the American _The Office_ is a good shot. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/6 "2009-03-03T19:38:37Z")
ER seasons 1-7-ish. The quality drops way down at the end, but these seasons are some of the best TV out there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/7 "2009-03-03T19:41:36Z")
Given that you have As Time Goes By and therefore might enjoy a British comedy, how about Father Ted or Black Books? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/8 "2009-03-03T19:49:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Given that you have As Time Goes By and therefore might enjoy a British comedy, how about Father Ted or Black Books? Thanks. I’ll look those up for descriptions. We’ve been drawn to the British TV shows mostly by way of Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, with “All Creatures…” being one my wife liked before we ever met. I found it okay, but not a true favorite. I saw an episode of the Jeremy Brett _Sherlock Holmes_ the other night, and it surely doesn’t age well. When it was first-run there was nothing better. Now it’s way too dated. I never could get into the various Agatha Christie things, either. I’m afraid _Black Adder_ would suffer the same fate, although Hugh Laurie was terrific that season he was on it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/9 "2009-03-03T19:52:41Z")
I’m currently watching, and enjoying, _Gilmore Girls,_ which is all about snappy dialogue and relationships between mothers and daughters. The former is of course not gender specific – the latter might be. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/10 "2009-03-03T19:56:02Z")
Alec Guiness as George Smiley in _Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy_ and _Smiley’s People_. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/11 "2009-03-03T19:56:24Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I’m currently watching, and enjoying, _Gilmore Girls,_ which is all about snappy dialogue and relationships between mothers and daughters. The former is of course not gender specific – the latter might be. You know, I sometimes forget how much I really liked the Gilmore Girls when it was first on because the last season pissed me off so much. My wife got me into watching it, and it really is very good for the majority of its run. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/12 "2009-03-03T20:04:21Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Thanks. I’ll look those up for descriptions. We’ve been drawn to the British TV shows mostly by way of Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, with “All Creatures…” being one my wife liked before we ever met. I found it okay, but not a true favorite. Frankly, though, As Time Goes By is a very light (even twee?) comedy, while Black Books and Father Ted are more outrageous. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/13 "2009-03-03T20:04:36Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > ER seasons 1-7-ish. The quality drops way down at the end, but these seasons are some of the best TV out there. Can you compare ER with Grey’s Anatomy and House, please? Before it gets to be a topic, let me mention that I have no interest in trying to get caught up on CSI (in all its incarnations) nor on the many flavors of Law & Order. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/14 "2009-03-03T20:56:50Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Thanks! Yes, we do need to get that one going. I know I’ll like it, but I’m not sure she will. My wife is even more addicted to it than I am. We’re just about to start the last season. If you like old shows, I recommend Secret Agent / Danger Man. Very edgy, and Patrick McGoohan is great. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/15 "2009-03-03T21:08:25Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > My wife is even more addicted to it than I am. We’re just about to start the last season. > > If you like old shows, I recommend Secret Agent / Danger Man. Very edgy, and Patrick McGoohan is great. I saw most of the episodes to Secret Agent and The Prisoner when they were new. As for our tastes meshing, I’d say we’re in the 75% range. If it’s too “guy” she won’t like it, and if it’s too “gal” I won’t. But we both like quality writing and gritty themes, as well as the more experimental things. One show I was surprised I could handle was _Sex and the City_ and I can’t tell you just why. But I had zero interest in seeing the movie and I wouldn’t care to see the series again. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/16 "2009-03-03T21:58:55Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Thanks. I’ll look those up for descriptions. We’ve been drawn to the British TV shows mostly by way of Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, with “All Creatures…” being one my wife liked before we ever met. I found it okay, but not a true favorite. > > I saw an episode of the Jeremy Brett _Sherlock Holmes_ the other night, and it surely doesn’t age well. When it was first-run there was nothing better. Now it’s way too dated. I never could get into the various Agatha Christie things, either. > > I’m afraid _Black Adder_ would suffer the same fate, although Hugh Laurie was terrific that season he was on it. Have you seen the “Jeeves and Wooster” with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/17 "2009-03-03T22:04:26Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Have you seen the “Jeeves and Wooster” with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry? Only isolated episodes, and quite a while ago. Hilarious stuff. Thanks for the reminder. There was a movie with those guys, Branagh, Emma Thompson, Rita Rudner, and several others. Peter’s Friends, maybe? (I could look it up, I guess). Anyway, it was less quirky/zany than J&W but pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/18 "2009-03-03T22:05:53Z")
Spaced Carnivale – already mentioned. Kind of a downer at the end because there was room to do so much more stuff but it just ends. Brun Notice – Mrs. Intergalactic Gladiator and I just watched the 1st season. Torchwood ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/19 "2009-03-03T22:12:01Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Spaced > Carnivale – already mentioned. Kind of a downer at the end because there was room to do so much more stuff but it just ends. > Brun Notice – Mrs. Intergalactic Gladiator and I just watched the 1st season. > Torchwood I so agree on _Carnivale_. HBO began messing with perfectly good series in the waning days of _The Sopranos_ and yanked the plug too quickly on so many good shows. I might have been willing to invest time in _Big Love_ if it hadn’t been for that and the fact that ever since _Brown Bunny_ (which I didn’t see – and won’t) I have had a hard time taking Chloe Sevigny seriously. I mean: Vincent Gallo?! ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181/20 "2009-03-03T22:12:08Z")
Oh, I got another one. Mad Men. My wife and I liked the first season enough that we bought the second season on iTunes so we didn’t have to wait for the DVDs to be released. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-tv-series-recommendations/488181.md?page=2)