# Shows that were on for awhile before you got into them **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952 "2003-05-04T01:26:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nenya\_Elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@Nenya\_Elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nenya_Elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/21 "2003-05-09T06:13:47Z")
Everything. But most specifically, X-Files, all the Star Trek shows, MASH, Friends, and That 70’s Show. The first three I don’t think I’ve ever seen an actual episode that wasn’t a rerun. Except possibly Voyager, which I hated at the time. Now I’m in love with all the Trek serieses, and X-Files. It’s odd, though, coming in so late to things. And I agree, Bashir is super! ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/22 "2003-05-09T06:28:06Z")
I didn’t get into CSI until this season…fortuantely seasons 1 and 2 were being showed on TNN so I’m just about caught up…it’s now one of my favourite shows. I never started watching Frasier until it was on in syndication…and ever since 24 started I haven’t been watching it again. Oh yeah - I didn’t get into 24 until after the season 1 dvd’s came out and I tried to join the 24 club (although I ended up doing it in a couple of sessions of 3-6 episodes a day). ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/23 "2003-05-09T12:52:44Z")
I didn’t get into “Homicide: Life on the Street” until its second to last season. I miss those characters. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/24 "2003-05-09T13:00:17Z")
\*\* Fraiser \*\*. I never watched \*\* Cheers \*\* cause at the time I was trying to end an alcoholic life that had started in Boston bars. Then I got to associate Kelsey Grammer with Sideshow Bob and didn’t think I’d like him as anyone else. I caught one show in syndication. When they were at the ski lodge and changing rooms in a scene that was choreographed like a ballet. I was hooked. I also had two book by Andrew Vachss for four years before reading them, and the cast CD of “Blondel” for 2 1/2 years before listening to it. Sometimes I’m just plain slow. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/25 "2003-05-09T13:32:47Z")
**Babylon 5**. didn’t pick it up really until late 2nd season. and then i was hooked. still think seasons 1 and 5 are weak, but the other 3…damn. ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/26 "2003-05-09T13:47:25Z")
I didn’t start watching **The Pretender** , until it was on TNT. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/27 "2003-05-09T16:47:02Z")
Newshour with Jim Lehrer. Only been watching it for 5 or 6 years now. * * * Never kiss an animal that can lick its own butt. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/28 "2003-05-09T19:49:55Z")
**Buffy**. Didn’t catch my first episode until the second season. I didn’t get into the tape-it-for-me-if-I’m-not-home mode until the fourth season. I didn’t start catching every ep of **Angel** until the second season. **DS9**. I started getting into it in reruns. By then, the new episodes were in their last season. **24**. I’d heard so much about it, I rented the first season from Blockbuster. LOVED IT! I’m still not watching new eps on TV, though. I missed the beginning of the season, and I’m just too lost to start. I’ll probably buy it on DVD though. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/29 "2003-05-09T20:35:33Z")
**Buffy**. Watched maybe two episodes this year. Then, I watched the first season DVDs last weekend. Will probably get the second season DVDs next. Everything else I’ve pretty much watched in order. ---
**Author:** ![Prisoner\_24601](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Prisoner\_24601](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prisoner_24601)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/30 "2003-05-09T20:47:52Z")
Angel, I was overseas for the first 3 seasons depending on military TV, which means I was lucky to get Buffy season5 during season 6, and no Angel whatsoever. DVD is a good thing. May Angel never do any shark jumping(although Connor and season 4 Cordy almost seem like qualifiers for this) ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/31 "2003-05-09T20:57:07Z")
My husband and I are currently catching up on **Stargate SG-1**. Fortunately reruns abound. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/32 "2003-05-09T21:04:06Z")
“M_A_S\*H” was on for nearly five seasons before I really got into it. I was four when it premeired. I have no idea where “Red Dwarf” or “Whose Line” were in their runs when I finally started watching. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/33 "2003-05-09T21:09:53Z")
Oh, and I missed about half of “You Can’t Do That on Television” because we didn’t get cable until 1984. ---
**Author:** ![Slindorff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Slindorff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slindorff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/34 "2003-05-09T21:22:42Z")
**Farscape** - my husband was into it from the beginning and finally got me interested about half way through the first system…after which I became Rabid Fan Girl **NYPD Blue and ER** I was in grad school when both of these premiered and didn’t watch much television. A channel in our local cable line-up shows two back-to-back episodes of both of them M-F in the morning. After being laid-off I suddenly had much more time for morning TV and got hooked on both. I’ve now caught up on all the back episodes and am taping the new eps as they air. ---
**Author:** ![Slindorff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Slindorff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slindorff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/35 "2003-05-09T21:24:25Z")
er…s/b “halfway through the first Season” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/36 "2003-05-10T00:15:09Z")
**X-files**. I didn’t start watching until mid-way through season **8**. I think that’s why I liked eight and nine better than long term fans, I started off with no Mulder, so it wasn’t so heart-breaking/frustrating when he left. **The District**. I started watching this season, because Kelly Rutherford - who’s physical appearance is what a friend’s story characters are based on (sounds weird, but it’s more than one related character)- played a re-occuring role. I liked it so much I watch even though she’s only on once in a blue moon. **Norm** and \*\* Two Guys and a Girl\*\*, which turned out to be my two favorite comedies ever, where on two years or so each before I started watching them. I’ve seen all the episodes of 2 guys, but still haven’t seen the early Norms. ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/37 "2003-05-10T00:39:57Z")
There are lots of shows that I have discovered late. The usual scenario involves me getting sucked in to shows that my hubby has been quietly watching for months. The most rememberable (no, it’s not a real word–so what?) are Hill Street Blues, The Sopranos, 24, CSI, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I tend to go to bed early and don’t want to get involved in shows that I have to tape and watch later–there just aren’t enough hours in the day. So if I want to add a show to my routine, I have to eliminate another one. I ditched ER and West Wing, and have resisted my male monkey’s fondness for Alias and all the L&O versions. I was turned on to Ed via a road trip conversation with a pal–he brought me up to speed on the Ed and Carol saga while I gave him the lowdown on Boston Public. And American Idol is a new-found guilty pleasure. I did it all on my own. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/38 "2003-05-10T06:54:36Z")
**Buffy, Friends, Seinfeld.** I was a latecomer to all of them. And I never watched **Quantum Leap** when it was on, and I can’t see it all now since I don’t have cable. I wish they’d just put the whole thing on DVD like they seem to do with so many other shows. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/39 "2003-05-10T06:55:11Z")
My ex-husband and I got into Buffy while I was stuck on my back recuperating from a spinal tap. I found an ftp site and downloaded the first five seasons. We watched them all within 2 months. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952/40 "2003-05-11T00:30:21Z")
I didn’t start watching “ER” until about two years ago, because my sister started watching the reruns during the summer. Then I started watching it with her and got hooked. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-were-on-for-awhile-before-you-got-into-them/172952.md?page=3)