How To Spot A Good TV Show In 30 Seconds Or Less

[DaveM]

This forum needs a break from politics. So, a purely offhand but true observation. Mind, this does not apply to soap operas.

If the theme song for a TV show is instrumental, it is probably worth watching.

If the theme song has vocals or uses a popular song as a theme, it MIGHT be worth watching.

If the theme song contains the title of the show (this is especially true of sitcoms), forget it....the show's a waste of celluloid.

The only exception to this rule that I can think of is "Happy Days"--and the original theme song to that was Bill Haley and the Comets singing "Rock Around The Clock". The "Happy Days Theme" didn't come along until at least the second season.

[hoops]

davem, you are very observent. i also noticed that you watch House...great show, i like criminal minds too and others that are a bit more publically popular, like greys anatomy, CSI...the original only, NCIS, brothers and sisters, and yes, desperate housewives. but the only 2 i MUST not miss are house and criminal minds. what shows do we all watch? "that's some bad hat harry"
peace
hoops
PS davem, thanks for the uplifting thread

[dragonlady]

True Blood - HBO, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Eureka, NCIS, Bones, Criminal Minds, original CSI, Numbers, Real Time with Bill Maher - HBO, Survivor, Dr. Who.

Wow, I watch a lot of crime shows...

-di

[DaveM]

I haven't watched "Doctor Who" in ages....somehow it was more fun when the budget was terribly low and you could see the string on the cardboard model TARDIS whirling past the star field backdrop.

I recall seeing a couple of the Sylvester McCoy episodes, but at the moment can't even recall the name of the current Doctor. Isn't there or wasn't there also a spin-off featuring the adventures of Sarah Jane Smith? Always liked her.

Really think "Grey's Anatomy" should be retitled "Young Doctors In Love". Those of you who saw the movie of that title will (I hope) understand.

[coffeegyrl]

I watch Criminal Minds, CSI (LV), and *gasp* I hate to admit--Survivor.

[dragonlady]

Dave,

Kathleen has me watching the current Dr. Who and there is a Sarah Jane show on SciFi as well, though Kat understands the significance of that show more than I do. A previous companion I believe...and we are starting to get Torchwood through Netflix...though I think I'll be thoroughly BBC-schooled in no time :D.

coffeegyrl (Sally, right?),

I hate to admit it but I like Survivor too...I started watching it to have something to talk to people at my old job about...I couldn't stand the other shows they watched and gossiped about like American Idol...and I was told that I didn't play well with others...and God forbid I talk about what I did over the weekend and flaunt my homosexual lifestyle :eek:... anyway...I started to actually like the show. I'm really glad I don't work there anymore.

-di

[DaveM]

Yes, Sarah Jane Smith was the Doctor's companion for part of the John Pertwee series and the first couple seasons with Tom Baker. She was played by Elisabeth Sladen who to my knowledge never did anything else of significance but is a delightful actress and a rather fun person.

Once upon a time, a group of long-distance friends and I used to meet at Doctor Who conventions as it was a great way to get bargain hotel rooms and "do" various cities, as well as rub elbows with some quasi-celebrities. Thanks in particular to one huge convention in Chicago, I have met virtually every actor who appeared in the series through the Peter Davison years. Several kept in touch for some years, which was a delightful surprise. British actors seem to be a somewhat different breed than those in America. I do recall one fellow saying that in England, people were too reserved to come up to him on the street or what have you. So, he could come to the U.S., get mobbed for a weekend, then go home before the novelty wore off.

[Eva]

If the theme song for a TV show is instrumental, it is probably worth watching.
Oh... you mean like "As the world turns"? :rolleyes:

Eva

[Mary6906]

Some of my favorite shows:

Law & Order SVU and also the original (thank God for reruns on TNT & USA networks)

The Closer
Pushing Daisies
Ugly Betty
Saving Grace
Rescue Me

and old reruns of MASH, The Golden Girls, and The Beverly Hillbillies!!

[SongDragon]

House, Doctor Who, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes

The last two are British, so it took me a while to get through (to get the episodes). Ashes to Ashes is the sequel to Life on Mars.

Doctor Who is my big relaxer. Last semester I downloaded every episode of House that was out. I was obsessed. I was also procrastinating.

~Song

[hoops]

House is just so...ok, i'll explain ...probably one of my favorite lines in the shoe. the original team is working on a case and was told to inform house when something changed. the three of them rush into his office and one of them said "we have anal bleeding" House's wonderful reply "all three of you?" baaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahah ahahahahahahah!
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Hugh Laurie (House) did the vast majority of his prior acting in British comedy shows....how he managed to lose the accent I have no idea. But if you pay close attention, a lot of his one-liners are almost the same, just with a bigger barb and no doofy grin accompanying them. I often expect him to break out in one of his sloppy comedic poses, and there have been times when he almost does. In a recent episode, he launched into a brief song and dance bit that was straight out of the show that made him famous in England, "Fry and Laurie".

One thing I do notice is that his leg injury seems to change from episode to episode. In some it is so severe that if he drops his cane he falls and has to be helped to his feet. In others he seems to have no trouble at all getting around and uses the cane more as an aid to body English than anything else.

Reminds me a bit of the first Sherlock Holmes story, in which Dr. Watson has a shoulder wound. In the rest of the stories, he limps.