Not So Obscure Shows You Should Be Watching

By TwinsWins83


It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I like TV. There are plenty of shows that have aired over the years that I’ve been a big fan of. From the top of my list and Arrested Development on down the line through the likes of Deadwood, The Wonder Years, Punky Brewster, Friends, Dead Like Me and even the first season of The OC, I’ve been a big advocate of television. Even though I get a bit nostalgic for some of these shows that only exist in the re-run world now, I’m OK because there is a decent crop of shows on the air now that rank right up there with some of the classics. So what are some of the best shows on TV right now you ask? Well I’ll tell you.


#1





Plain and simple this is the best series on television right now, and its first season (which aired from 2004-05) might be the best season of any show ever to air. That statement might seem a bit ridiculous to anyone who hasn’t caught the show, but I’m betting it isn’t to those who have. I challenge anyone out there who doesn’t watch this show to check out the first couple episodes of season 1 on DVD or at ABC.com and to not continue on from there completely hooked. Nowhere on television will you find more intense, enthralling and well choreographed storylines. It’s hard for someone who watches the show to try and explain the grip Lost has on its viewer, so the only advice I can give is to check it out if you haven’t already. You won’t be sorry you did.


#2








I was one of the people who thought this was an absurd premise when the show premiered last year. The book was good, the movie was so-so, but how were they going to make an entire series out of this? I felt this so strongly that I never even caught a single episode during its first year. It wasn’t until I had some time to kill and saw the DVD of the first season on the rack at Wal-Mart for only $19.99 that I finally took a look. Other then some questionable camera work Friday Night Lights is a great show from top to bottom.
The beauty of this drama is that you don’t have to be a sports guy or a football fan to enjoy it. The show focuses more on what goes on in the characters lives as they try to survive in the small, football-obsessed Texas town. Aside from taking a few plot lines from the book and movie, the show delves off on its own path and creates characters and issues viewers can relate too. Before you know it you find yourself cheering for the players and team and bam, you’re hooked. Friday Night Lights is the anti-Varsity Blues, dealing with real life issues and problems that athletes, coaches and parents deal with everyday in a sport-centered small town.
If you haven’t already, check it out. Hey, the DVD is only 20 bucks and you get 22 hour-long episodes of great television.



#3







I wouldn’t have recommended this one a week ago because I know almost no one has Showtime, and nobody really wants to shell out $50 for a 12 episode season, but I recently learned that CBS is going to run an edited first season of Dexter starting February 17th. Be sure to thank the striking writers and shortage of new programming for this little diamond-in-the-rough.
This show isn’t for the faint of heart but there are few shows out there with a more interesting main character than Michael C. Hall in Dexter. To make a long story short, Dexter is a blood splatter analysis for the Miami Police Department who has a dark secret. His adoptive father realized at a young age that Dexter had an odd tendency for violence and death and helped him to channel his burden and use it for “good.”
So as an adult Dexter comes to lead a double life. During the day he appears to those around him to be a normal, crime solving technician. But at night, Dexter stalks and methodically kills those he deems evil, like mobsters, assassins and serial killers who prey on the innocent. The irony is that he himself has become a serial killer, and thus the issues and problems arise. Hall is brilliant as the disturbed protagonist and the storylines keep the viewer tuning in each week wondering if his secret will be revealed. I’m not sure how the edited versions will play on CBS but it’s definitely worth checking out.



#4








I’m not sure how much longer this one is going to be on the air so if you haven’t already you should check it out quick. Much in the same way that Arrested Development met its demise so too will 30 Rock. The show, with quick wit and brilliant acting has yet to strike a cord with regular viewers who wouldn’t know good television if it Tivo’d itself for them. Tina Fey might be the funniest character on TV since Jason Bateman portrayed Michael Bluth. It doesn’t have the entwined storylines of Arrested Development but in an era where comedy is almost dead on network TV, 30 Rock is the cream of the crop.



#5







This one is no secret. The best part about Entourage is that the storyline possibilities for Vinny Chase and his tag-alongs seem endless. This is one of those rare shows that start out good and just get better. I’m not sure this show would work anywhere other than on HBO as the realistic dialog and unedited situations are what make the show so enthralling. Entourage allows the viewer to feel like they have a front row seat into what life is like in the far-off land of Hollywood, even if that is something they would never want to be apart of. This show is incredibly addicting and my only issue with it is that each episode is only 22 minutes long. Entourage is worth watching if only to catch Jeremy Piven as the hilarious and blood thirsty agent Ari Gold. Since each season is only about a dozen episodes long the DVD versions are very affordable for those looking to check this show out, and I recommend you do if you haven’t already.



Honorable Mention

Prison Break- This shows first season is one of the best premiere seasons of this decade. Even though the storylines have sagged since, I can almost guarantee you won’t start the first season without finishing it. Another dark, yet brilliant main character in Wentworth Miller, who plays a man intentionally incarcerated in order to help his falsely convicted brother break out of prison and avoid execution.


Heroes- Once again, another great opening season. The jury is still out on this show, as it has now entered its second year, but the characters and their interrelated stories are interesting and well executed. Hayden Penettiere plays a cheerleader that is invincible. How cool is that? Save the cheerleader, save the world.


The Office- No list would be complete without this show. I would have put it up higher but I assume all of you are already watching it. Along with 30 Rock, one of the only decent comedies that currently airs. The Office is one of the few shows that I am really starting to miss during the writers strike and its right up there with Friday Night Lights in the category of creating characters that you as the viewer, really care about. I am, however, still sore at the writers for making us wait three years to finally see Jim and Pam get together.


And what list would be complete without Mike's favorite reality TV show....