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Q: What TV shows to watch?
Any good ideas? I have some time off now and want to get into some TV shows!
the obvious answer it to ignore all Chinese and Korean TV
There are plenty of quality American and BBC shows available to download online:
crime
comedy
drama
period
documentaries
I enjoyed a French drama from last year called "the Return"
There are fantastic Scandinavian programs classed as 'Nordic Noir'
It is difficult to recommend a particular program, not knowing what your preferences are.
mengxing:
Thanks for outlining the different genres of TV for me... Better response would've been to list the shows you enjoy and are currently watching.
Don't forget that there's lots of great older programmes that people don't watch much any more, too. I've been going through all the 11 seasons of "Frasier" the last few months and there's no better way to laugh and unwind before going to sleep. It keeps me half-sane...
Game of Thrones
The Walking Dead
Have I got news for you
The inbetweeners
Just a few of my favourites. I would also recommend getting your hands on some books. Although I also read e-books nothing beats sitting in the sun with a real book and a cup of coffee.
I've just downloaded series 3 of Homeland. I like to keep up with the CIA's latest methodology.
For something that's not new, but definitely great, I'd like to recommend 'Gettysburg'. It's about a 6 hr exercise and well worth the effort.
The 100 season 2
Z Nation
The Strain
Gotham
The Flash
UK shows : 'Utopia' and 'Black Mirror'. Both mind-blowing (sci-fi / dystopian etc.)
Swedish sci-fi series : Äkta människor - Real Humans, amazing...
Nordic Noir (as sorrel mentioned) : all!!!
French crime: 'Engrenages' & 'Braquo' - intense and brutal!
Don't do US shows, inferior...
dokken:
The wire, breaking bad, Fargo .... All inferior?
you re full of s@@t. Somebody from an inferior country with an inferiority complex. You should feel more secure about yourself
manasyt:
Wahahah someone took it very serious LOL, not sure who's the insecure one. Sorry, one thing I can't stand is the acting...
And it is a personal opinion so I don't know what you are on about. Have you even watched any European TV series? I bet you are too lazy to read subtitles...just watch the US remakes 
. God bless America!
dokken:
I'm not american I just hate lazy cynical racism. You could have just said here are some British shows and some french ones without the need to add I don't like American shows ... Inferior. Obviously you have a bias and do feel an insecure need to add criticism of America even although the question asks about tv shows. It's morons like you that drive the world further apart.
manasyt:
Listen asshole, I have just given you and people around here some great recommendations, if you make an effort to see some of em (or stick with Breaking Bad), maybe you'll see a bit further than you do now (as far as TV series go)...Not call me names and act like a dick because I 'offended' your favorite shows. Chill the freak out
dokken:
im watching the german tv series generation war and its excellent. the original version of girl with the dragon too was also very good. but it is a lie to say all american tv shows are inferior is it not? some are clearly of good quality. if it is your genuine opinion that all american shows are bad, then fine. but the reason that you added that statement was for another reason. i think people who casually throw racism, anti americanism in your face for no reason should be called out for it. its a cancer spread by insecure individuals with an inferiority complex, makes the world an uglier place.
manasyt:
'insecure individuals with an inferiority complex, makes the world an uglier place.' Ahahah, you do seem to repeat this a lot - quote unquote? OK, US shows are superior. Whatever man...You know nothing about me so avoid comparing me with whoever you are talking about. I have lived in America, Europe and Asia...and my wife is Chinese. So I am very UNracist and secure, matey
dokken:
did i say american shows are superior? no you said american shows are inferior with a smiley face. did you say this because you objectively think all american shows are inferior to other countries? you thats making sweeping generalizations not me. or did you say this because you don't like america? you are too much of a coward to answer this question honestly. just keep your anti americanism to yourself. its bloody tedious reading it in threads that are not relevant to the question of if you like america or not.
manasyt:
Ahahah dude, is your life ok? I've actually never seen someone that is (not) American defend America so much LOL! Go listen to Dokken, watch Breaking Bad, have a wank, you bore me now. This will be my last comment, so free free to talk to yourself.
dokken:
Umm don't remember saying watch breaking bad. Most people who like this sort of show have seen it. Just using as an example of a good show. Or are you saying it is bad quality. Always the same with people like you. Can't answer the question so try to deflect with inane low intellect comments like have a wank. Then try to make it look like I'm the narrow minded one by saying I'm not open minded enough to watch non english tv shows. Problem is I do. Trying to go on the attack by making something up about me. It means you are in the wrong. Not the uber defender of America, you defend America better yourself by referring to it in a derogatory way in a thread where America bashing is not at all relevant. I jut hate Europeans who feel the need to do this because it makes us look weak.
royceH:
Don't use this post as an excuse to stay away Manasyt. I, for one, like reading your sporadic insights.
And, oh! I got my drivers licence the other day. Now drive around in a pair of your shades.
manasyt:
Great, Royce, congrats & be careful ! Get a dash cam. 
Dokken, yes, ok, great to have intelligent and insightful people like you on here, thank you so much for pointing out my weaknesses. If you don't like wanking, go have tea and biscuits. One thing - Americans do remake a lot of Euro shows...and the remakes suck ass (excuse my Bulgarian). Same goes for Asian movie remakes ('Oldboy' anyone?). What puts me off is the acting - its horrible and fake, the humor is stale, the dialogues...no comment, every second word is f**k. There is one ubercool US show and that is LOUIE - because its real. If you make and effort to check out Black Mirror or Utopia (I'm not sure if you will get it or if it might change your life because the brainwash coverage in Murrica is very thorough but there are some clean spots left, of course 
). Have a try and let us know. Maybe soon enough you will be on your way out of Mediocritiville.
"True Detective" is imho the best new show of the last year. Great acting and the show has the twist that each episode has a different atmosphere through changes in characters personalities and different cinematography.
King of the Hill. I just gots 13 seasons. I am in heaven, I tell you what.
Yup.
Dexter
True Detective
The Following
Elementary
Justified
2 Broke Girls
Vikings - both seasons.
And Rome (a bit old, but still a nice watch) - both seasons
Monty Python's Flying Circus!!! All 52 episodes of insane hilarity 
I finally bit the bullet and watched Breaking Bad. After seeing all the hullaballoo about it at the Emmys, I thought I'd give it a go. It would have been better if it was condensed into one or two seasons. Too many soap opera moments for my liking. I'll give it 3 Mehs.
royceH:
Yes, I can see where you're coming from here.
In my case, I managed to watch the first 4 seasons without knowing much of what anyone else thought about it. Just in my own little world in regard to many things.
So I thought they were fantastic. But by the time I saw season 5 I was very much aware of it's place in the pantheon. Don't know if that's why that season left me a meh myself.
But it did.
Maybe I should revisit it. Got nothin much else to do.
iWolf:
It's a bit annoying that so many basically decent tv series turn into Home and Away without any provocation.
Being from the Lucky Country, you should download Pauly (Fat Pizza) Fenech's most recent - you know most of these people; Housos and if you haven't seen it, Wilfred (Oz or US is good).
Shining_brow:
I'll agree with that assessment of Breaking Bad... I didn't see season 5, cos I didn't know about it. But I think it was seriously over-rated... everyone raved, and while I'll say it was ok, it wasn't 'awesome'. There are far better series out there. I suspect most of the 'awesome' was because it pushed a boundary or two, with a little bit of suspense. Big whoop!
I second watching "Homeland". Awesome series. Never fails to make you have a "WTF!?" moment each episode.
Currently watching "24" now, since I've been told it's even better than Homeland. :-/
Also, "The Good Wife" is a pretty good show. Some good drama mixed in there.
iWolf:
Yes Debbie, I agree with you. I watched 2 seasons of Homeland and often said to myself : WTF are you doing watching this tripe? If I ever, for some unknown reason or have a mental illness and start to watch the 3rd season, please shoot me in the head.
Spoiler Alert for every season of 24: Jack is fucked up, there is an imminent threat of global destruction and only Jack knows a guy who knows a guy who can give him the secret information to avert it, a little sexual tension that isn't resolved plus one or two soap opera moments but finally, armed with only a hand gun, an iphone and a manbag, Jack saves the world in the nick of time.
