December 8, 2001
11:36 AM   Subscribe

Jumping on the whole 'favorites' bandwagon, I think Cowboy Bebop is the best show on TV. Does anyone else watch it?
What's the best thing on TV these days, in your opinion?
posted by TiggleTaggleTiger (53 comments total)
 
The Tick live-action. Granted, it and The Daily Show are the only two things I watch at all (until baseball season begins again) so there's not much for me to go on.
posted by videodrome at 11:38 AM on December 8, 2001


Cowboy bebop, on TV?

Cowboy bebop rules, but I wouldn't want to see it on cartoon network before I'd seen the origional, unedited, subtitled versions. (I mean, I guess adding subtitles is a form of editing, but that's beside the point)
posted by delmoi at 11:45 AM on December 8, 2001


Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot: Cartoon Network late nights Sunday and Thursday. Two half hour episodes a week, they just restarted the 26 episode run last week. Sadly it is dubbed and edited.
posted by TiggleTaggleTiger at 11:52 AM on December 8, 2001


The best show on television was, is, and will continue to be NOVA.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 11:58 AM on December 8, 2001


Bravo is still showing old episode of Smack the Pony, a show that has some of the funniest bits that have ever been on television. Sally Phillips brings me joy.
posted by gluechunk at 11:59 AM on December 8, 2001


The West Wing, though not as good this season as it was the last two, is still a show that makes me want to take notes every time I watch it. I've never been addicted to a tv program before to the degree where, even if I don't have time to watch anything else the whole week, I will put everything on hold for an hour on Wednesday night to make sure I see it.
posted by Hildago at 12:02 PM on December 8, 2001


Yes, Cowboy Bebop is the best thing since sliced bread. (Double posts are another story.)
posted by eyeballkid at 12:06 PM on December 8, 2001


Buffy, Alias, Angel, Undeclared, many many more. Ever since I upgraded my ReplayTV to hold 100 hours of TV, I have been watching WAY too much television.
posted by spynotebook at 12:07 PM on December 8, 2001


Bebop is really not tv, since it had an original us dvd release first. No more episodes coming and the film is done. As far as tv, and in current, I suppose Samurai Jack and.. ahh King of the Hill?
posted by tiaka at 12:20 PM on December 8, 2001


The entire "Adult Swim" (Sundays starting at 10pm on cartoon network) is brilliant. I really like Home Movies and the Brak Show. Sealab 2021 is awesome and the one episode of Harvey Birdman : Attorney at Law that I saw was also brilliant. Then there is Spaceghost, everyone loves Space Ghost. Cowboy Bebop is a good show, but I am really more into the comedies myself.
posted by untuckedshirts at 12:25 PM on December 8, 2001


ah, cowboy bebop. when i bought my dvd player two weeks ago, the first dvd i bought was session 1, simply because of episode 5, Ballad of Fallen Angels. Those of you who have seen it, know what I'm talking about. outright one of the dopest scenes I've EVER seen anywhere... getting the dvd was worth it, just to hear the improved quality of the gunshots in the cathedral. though they rolled-back a week ago and started the series again at cartoon network, I suggest you catch this episode on Sunday anyway, 'cause I think they're going to be playing it then (12:30). also, the movie, Knockin on Heaven's Door, was pretty good. you should be able to get a reasonably good fan-subtitled version on morpheus. i can't wait until that gets released to the US, though I doubt it won't for a while, considering it's terrorist plot. they even skipped out on showing 2 or 3 episodes on cartoon network because of the terrorist-related scenes.

Sadly it is dubbed and edited.

actually, the cowboy bebop dub probably has the best voice acting job i've ever seen for anime. most people i know in fact like the dubbed version better, because the voices seem to be more appropriate for the roles. yeah, some of it gets lost in the translation or a little dialogue might've been added, but having watched both the japanese and english versions, i didn't notice much of it. the japanese version was also heavily edited, and had a lot cut off, if i remember right. most animes don't have a transition as good as this (i.e. ranma 1/2, evangelion [IMHO]), but that's no reason to dismiss every dub.
posted by lotsofno at 12:31 PM on December 8, 2001


the simpsons beat out all other tv shows.

hands down.
posted by chrisroberts at 12:35 PM on December 8, 2001


oh yeah, untucked reminded me.. no anoher network is even touching Adult Swim with it's hilarity. katz does a great job with Home Movies (i always liked that dr. katz, but it pales in comparison to this new series.). sealab is also a gem. though vulgar at times, and relying on stupid-humor, it still has the ability to have me ROTFL (yeah, i took it there.). though i know everyone here detests real player, you can try out some of the episodes over here.
posted by lotsofno at 12:35 PM on December 8, 2001


There's a new show on A&E called Ramsey Daniels: You've Made the Grade that I really like. I'm usually not into medical shows, ER and all that, but this is more about medical school. It's pretty funny, and maybe a little too sweet, but I haven't missed an episode yet. "But Professor Morgan, you're MARRIED!" Love it!
posted by Doug at 12:37 PM on December 8, 2001


I have say that Family Guy is pure genius.
posted by dave at 12:40 PM on December 8, 2001


NHL hockey (as long as they don't have the loud-mouthed red neck who sometimes does the 1am broadcast on) and Sportscenster and WWF Raw. I know, i'm sad, but i enjoy it =)
posted by jmd82 at 12:41 PM on December 8, 2001


Frontline.
posted by mrbula at 12:44 PM on December 8, 2001


Oh yeah. Forgot about the Family guy. "Hello? Big muscley-armed paper boy?"
posted by Hildago at 1:00 PM on December 8, 2001


Inferior human television, Zim will subjugate you all!
"Now it's time to sing the DOOM song!! Doom, doom, dom, doom......" [six months later] "Doom, doom, doom..."
posted by signal at 1:11 PM on December 8, 2001


Invader Zim. Not consistent, but every episode has moments of pure brilliance.
posted by e^2 at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2001


Damn, beat me to it.
posted by e^2 at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2001


Call me crazy, but I like Andromeda. It's a slightly cheesy space opera. Kevin Sorbo as Captain Dylan Hunt suffers from Kirk Envy, but otherwise it's quite good. I enjoy the chemistry between the genetically superior Nietzschean Tyr and his antithesis, the Magog monster cum Zen master Rev Bem.
posted by Soliloquy at 1:14 PM on December 8, 2001


Talking past you!
posted by holloway at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2001


The dust and lint accumulating on my television is quite entrancing.

Actually I watch Buffy, but I wouldn't call it "the best." I happen to enjoy watching reality television, but it's wearing thin. Mostly I pull out videos of old movies from my VHS collection, and leave the TV on sometimes for background noise. At the moment? It's not on. Television's pretty much a wasteland now. Occasional diamonds in the rough, like CSI. That's very good. I catch that when I can.
posted by ZachsMind at 1:35 PM on December 8, 2001


The only tv show I can say I make an effort to see (when I'm at a place with cable, so much for plot development) is Oz.
posted by syscom at 1:52 PM on December 8, 2001


Simpson, Family Guy, The Tick, Home Movies, Brak, futurama, Egg (PBS)... with reservations: "24", West Wing...

Wishing I had HBO, but I opted for DSL

Also, Ghost Recon. (technically not a show, but it is what makes me realize I don't 'need' my TV so much)
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 1:56 PM on December 8, 2001


Sealab 2021 is the only show I have been watching lately....... Incredible, hilarious, brilliantly written...!
posted by crog at 1:56 PM on December 8, 2001


Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO may be the most consistantly funny show on TV right now. It's one of three or four things I actually make an effort to watch.

Each episode is something like a 30 minute sustained cringe. The show is mostly improvised, and it often feels like the players are prodding and goading each other about their real lives during scenes. The show's editing is generally right on, blending a ton of source into each packed 30 minute episode.
posted by joemaller at 1:58 PM on December 8, 2001


Invader Zim, the most warped show on TV (rated TV-Y7 no less).

Nothing else even comes close.

The Simpsons you say? Feh.

The Simpsons have sucked for about three seasons now (just my opinion), so much so that I've stopped watching. Smacking my TV and screaming "STUPID TV! BE MORE FUNNY!" has failed miserably.

I also second or third the Adult Swim block, except for Cowboy Bebop (I just don't get the appeal, enjoyed the CN run of Outlaw Star a lot more), Reboot (stuck in a timeslot where you will always forget to watch since most of us are out getting drunk, 17:30 EST Friday) and the stylecious Samurai Jack. Also check out John Kricfalusi's (you remember Ren and Stimpy, don't you?) rather insane Ripping Friends.
posted by zeb vance at 2:16 PM on December 8, 2001


I also got DSL instead of cable. But my favourite website is Metafilter. Does that count?
posted by phalkin at 2:21 PM on December 8, 2001


Upright Citizens Brigade! Oh wait, Comedy Central cancelled it so that they could bring us BattleBots instead...
posted by saladin at 2:30 PM on December 8, 2001


I agree with videodrome... until baseball season starts again, there's nothing on. That being said, however, TV Funhouse is my pick til the pitchers and catchers report in the spring.
posted by apollo at 2:34 PM on December 8, 2001


Simpsons reruns, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Frontline, Samurai Jack, The Family Guy, and Mediatelevision.

Hard to pick a single one. I'm also partial to Nigella Bites. I should really get a PVR.
posted by euphorb at 2:56 PM on December 8, 2001


C-SPAN's "Washington Journal," 7 days a week at 7 a.m. EST (4 a.m. PST).
posted by Carol Anne at 3:05 PM on December 8, 2001


MTV's Jackass. Yes.
posted by slater at 3:19 PM on December 8, 2001


yeah, washington journal's great. inscrutable hosts, eclectic guests and crazy callers. c-span's camera people are pretty great, too. they'll invariably pick out the most bored people in the audience.
posted by kliuless at 3:28 PM on December 8, 2001


Boston Public (not reality but wish it was), Alias (not reality but it what if it is?), Star Trek (doesn't even come close to reality), CSI (those medical zoom-ins are real...gory, that is), and Simpsons (very real).
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 3:32 PM on December 8, 2001


Still NYPD Blue, The Sopranos, and ER.

Unfortunately, I work during prime time, so I'll be missing them all this season.

Luckily, Comedy Central runs the Daily Show just after I get home, so I don't miss any of Jon's zany antics.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:52 PM on December 8, 2001


Cowboy Bebop. Simply the best!
posted by ericdano at 3:53 PM on December 8, 2001


Six Feet Under
posted by Vek at 6:56 PM on December 8, 2001


Whatever happened to Law and Order as the best show on TV? They only have three versions of the show...SVU, Criminal Intent, and the Original!

And that doesn't include all of the reruns on A&E!
posted by jacobw at 7:51 PM on December 8, 2001


I'd just like to point out to those that may not be aware: cowboy bebop is part of cartoon network's Adult Swim block. this particular timeslot means that bebop is less edited than you may expect for the channel.
posted by kevspace at 8:04 PM on December 8, 2001


The only show I make sure not to miss is Andromeda. Although I am concerned about the future of the show. Sorbo apparently thought it was too complex for viewers and so the guy who was all about having an ongoing storyline got axed. An interview with Sorbo that I recently read makes it sound as though it will soon be nothing more than Hercules in Space. And it does not help that the Andromeda's resident Magog is never around because the actor is allergic to his makeup.

I also watch Beastmaster because it is enough unlike reality to be somewhat enjoyable. Same thing with Lost World. Last year I watched The West Wing and a lot of other shows, but this year I could care less. I wish they would cancel the X-Files.
posted by bargle at 9:22 PM on December 8, 2001


I'm a news and history junkie and my current favorite would have to be the National Geographic specials that they show on MS-NBC on Sunday nights and late night on other days. I don't watch much TV and when I do, I want to learn something I would not have learned during that hour of my existence on this planet. Sadly, my cable provider does not offer the new National Geographic channel (or Cable modem access for that matter). It may be time to move.

That having been said, I just took in South Park for the first time in about a year and laughed my ass off. Sometimes you just need a little variety.

Must go was the History Channel now to cleanse myself...
posted by Greggbert at 9:29 PM on December 8, 2001


40+ comments and no mention of The Soup!?! Sure it lagged after John Henson left, but now its been rescued by new host Aisha Tyler. She's both funny AND hot; you can't beat that!
posted by harrycaul at 10:46 PM on December 8, 2001


James Cameron's Dark Angel.

They gave him an Oscar for tripe like Titanic, yet this brilliant show goes unnoticed. What gives?
posted by emf at 11:10 PM on December 8, 2001


The Critic, Six Feet Under, L&O:CI, Simpsons, Just Shoot Me, Seinfeld, Cheers, Three's Company. And tornado documentaries.
posted by davidmsc at 12:36 AM on December 9, 2001


Talk Soup is just plain awful, as is most of the E! network...

There's something about vapid hero-worship that just doesn't appeal to me. That's why I run the hell out of the room everytime my roommate's girlfriend puts on Entertainment Tonight or one of it's ilk.
posted by SweetJesus at 1:03 AM on December 9, 2001


Dont think its on anymore, (not sure, I dont have cable anymore.... I get SO much more done) but I miss Mr. Show with Bob and David...

Kiss the pan.... The pan kisses you!

and, of course,

"I was in Amsterdam and shampoo'd up to Holland."
posted by Espoo2 at 6:21 PM on December 9, 2001


Dont think its on anymore, (not sure, I dont have cable anymore.... I get SO much more done) but I miss Mr. Show with Bob and David...

Kiss the pan.... The pan kisses you!

and, of course,

"I was in Amsterdam and shampooed up to Holland."
posted by Espoo2 at 6:24 PM on December 9, 2001


Justice League, Talk Soup (Aisha, will you marry me?), Law & Order (Original, CI, SUV, and Extra Crispy), Enterprise (more Blalock please!), Dark Angel - James Cameron, I thank you for finding every way possible for Ms. Alba to shed clothing. Keep up the good work!
posted by owillis at 7:05 PM on December 9, 2001


Space Ghost, Sealab, Cowboy Bebop... Sublime entertainment. It really takes the edge off of knowing I got work in a few hours. Also a huge DBZ fan. Cartoon Network should just start up a new channel devoted to anime.
posted by zinegurl at 10:00 PM on December 9, 2001


Dangit, Espoo2, you beat me too it. Mr. Show ROCKS. Too bad HBO-C doesn't play it anymore.


And of course there isn't a single bad episode of Tenacious D.
posted by skechada at 3:36 PM on December 10, 2001


« Older EU Countries Soften Cannabis Policy.   |   Photoshop X Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments