My family had a great time watching 24 on DVD over the past few months. We’re waiting for Season 5 on DVD, then we’ll watch Season 6 as it airs.
What other TV shows should we consider? We tried The Wire and it just missed: one of my kids rejected it.
We’re thinking of trying Lost. Any thoughts about this, other suggestions?
I liked Lost, but I only watched the first season on DVD.
I’m almost embarrased to say this but somone gave me the first season of Ailias and I really liked it and got pretty hooked. Most shows are so much better on DVD, I think.
How old are your kids? Maybe they’d like Smallville. How about Arrested Development?
Alias is good, though I haven’t seen the last season and it gets more and more ridiculous as the seasons continue. Lost season one is great (haven’t seen two yet).
I agree with you. I didn’t even watch the last season. The first couple were great though.
Another 48 Hours
Try The Shield or maybe The Unit.
*Lost *is great, but it’s not much like 24.
The British show Spooks, released in the US with the title MI-5. I normally hate cop/spy type shows, but that one really grabs me every time.
Since you liked 24, you might enjoy the NBC series “Kidnapped”. It follows the plight of a kidnapped boy, his family, The FBI and a hired gun who tracks kindnapees for a fee and it plays over the whole season. It’s not in real time but you’ll only have to follow one story. If the kids can handle the violent action of 24 they’ll like this show.
I’ll second MI-5, currently showing on A&E on Friday nights. Season 5(?) started 2 weeks ago.
Definitely, seconded. Although The Unit only applies if you really like Palmer from 24.
I gave up on Lost partway through last season. To me, it’s the opposite of 24. It’s slow, very concerned with characterization, and occasionally witty. 24 is blistering, slapdash with the characterization, and rarely funny unless Chloe is on screen.
There really isn’t anything like 24 that I’ve seen, but I’ve never watched “The Shield.” My husband loves 24 (as do I) and tried Prison Break and The Unit, and we both tried Vanished, Kidnapped, and Smith without connecting to any of them.
Actually “Smith” might be the closest of all the shows I’ve seen.
The Shield is very gritty. It’s probably closer to The Wire than other shows we’ve discussed here, so if the OP doesn’t like The Wire, maybe The Shield isn’t the right choice. But I’d say give it ago. Put the first few disks from season one on your NetFlix list-- that’s the way to do it, and I think that’s the best use for NetFlix.
We saw the first episode of The Unit and it just didn’t do it. We’ll try The shield
I’ll third MI-5/Spooks. I’ve seen discussions where the style was compared to 24. I’ve only seen the first three seasons, all on DVD. The fourth is the one just airing on A&E. Sadly, I no longer have cable, so I’ll be waiting for the DVD on that one too… But its very very good. Here’s the link to the IMDB page for it.
GT
I don’t remember if it happened the first episode, but the thing I like about The Unit is that it gives me that Usual Suspects type surprise, when you realize that everything that happened was completely part of the plan, and how slick they were to pull it off.
I could do without the wives’ storylines though, although sometimes they’re interesting.
A big ditto for Kidnapped. But there are already rumors of cancellation, so catch it quick. There are three kids in the show, which might appeal to your kids. For once, they’re intelligent and human, not precocious little snots.
Dammit, this is a smart show with a believable plot, good acting, and lots of action. Why won’t NBC give it a chance?