I don’t watch TV. At all. And I don’t miss it, either. But I know there are some amazing television shows out there, and I’d like to give them a try on DVD. Here’s what I’ve bought or rented through Netflix already.
Bought:
All 3 seasons of The Simpsons
The 2 seasons of 24
Season 2 of Sex & The City
Rented:
One disc of The Sopranos (1st season, 1st disc). It was a bit slow, but I have to admit that I was starting to get hooked on the story by the last episode on the disc.
Futurama: I plan to buy these, since I’ve seen all of the episodes already out.
Family Man: Haven’t seen yet, but it’s on my Netflix queue and should be here this week.
Band of Brothers: OK, so it’s not a series, but it’s really good. Plan to buy.
Another season of Sex & The City, but I can’t remember which one. These shows make both my husband and I laugh.
I’m not counting some Discovery Channel documentaries that are one-time things. I’ve rented several of those.
“Alias” is fun and fast-paced in a really unrealistic way. Most of the time, though, it’s so fun that you’re willing to forgive the absurdity of just about everything in that show.
For fantasy/sci-fi, you can’t beat the six seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And I’m a die-hard X-file fan, so I have to recommend that also. Also, I have a lot of friends that like the Children of Dune series, although I haven’t watched it myself yet.
For drama, Law and Order. It is a show that doesn’t shy away from tough issues and rarely takes the easy way out.
That’s about all I can recommend. I don’t watch much outside of Animal Planet and the Food Network anymore.
Another vote for Band of Brothers. If you’re interested in non-WW2 recent history, the same producers made From the Earth to the Moon , an HBO/Hanks/Spielberg about the space-race from Yuri Gagarin to Neil Armstrong.
Other recs (more for rental than purchase):
Neverwhere a quirky British miniseries by Neil “SANDMAN” Gaiman.
ww.aTaken- a long and uneven Spielberg miniseries about three families who experience UFO abductions from WW2 to the present. When it’s bad it’s boring but when it’s good it’s REALLY good.
COSMOS - by far the best of the billions and billions of TV documentaries made to date. If you’re into general science, history, astronomy or just good TV, this is fantastic.
Everything I’ve mentioned is available through Netflix, incidentally.
The West Wing is finally coming out on DVD. I’m not so sure about the new shows this season, but the first several seasons were some of the best writing I’ve ever seen on tv.
Blackadder, any or all of the series. Although most people like the series set in Elizabeth I’s time, I like the first series the best because of the heavy Shakespearean theme and the fact that Peter Cooke is in the first episode.
Prisoner is very much a “cult” show – either it’s fascinating or you don’t see what the big deal is. Definitely something I’d suggest seeing a episode or two of before buying. (I bought the set from the UK as soon as it was released).
I will however, 3rd the recommendation on Babylon 5.
Also (seeing pugluvr on preview) Blackadder is a good choice. For myself, Blackadder Goes Forth (set in WWI) is some of the best black humour available.
I’ll second “Blackadder”, and throw in “Monty Python” as well. More good stuff is available from PBS, especially the episodes of “The American Experiance”, or most of Ken Burn’s stuff. “Nova” and “Frontline” are highly recommended too. And don’t forget “Beavis and Butthead”, or “South Park”.
I think you can get “Girls Gone Wild” on DVD, too!
She told me she loved me like a brother. She was from Arkansas, hence the Joy!
As the owner of the Alias Season 1 set, I would definitely recommend it, if you enjoy action-drama. Sure, it’s a little far-fetched at times (I wish I had 5 minutes in Marshall’s office sometimes) but it’s really fun, and some of the funniest moments are only funny if you know the past.
Plus, Jennifer Garner looks even better at DVD resolution.
