Finshaggy
Well-Known Member
In case you haven't seen all the good stuff yet, here's a list of some good shows:
Paul Mooney (Stand up comedian):
Mooney became a ringmaster with the Gatti-Charles Circus. During his stint as ringmaster, he always found himself writing comedy and telling jokes, which would later help Mooney land his first professional work as a writer for Richard Pryor
Mooney wrote some of Richard Pryor's routines for his appearance on Saturday Night Live, co-wrote his material for the Live on the Sunset Strip, Bicentennial Nigger, and Is it Something I said albums, and Pryor's film Jojo dancer, your life is calling. As the head writer for The Richard Pryor show, he gave many young stand-up comics, such as Robin Williams, Sandra Bernhard, Marsha Warfeild, John Witherspoon, and Tim Reid, their first break into show business.
Mooney also wrote for Red Foxx's Sanford and Son, Good Times, acted in several cult classics including Which way is up?, Bustin' Loose, Hollywood Shuffle, and portrayed singer/songwriter Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story.
He was the head writer for the first year of Fox's In Living Color, creating the character homey D. Clown, played by Damon Wayans. Mooney later went on to play Wayans' father in the Spike Lee film Bamboozled as the comedian Junebug.
Paul Mooney initially appeared in the sketches "Ask a Black Dude" and "Mooney at the Movies" on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show He later appeared as Negrodamus, an African American version of Nostradamus. As Negrodamus, Mooney ad-libbed the "answers to life's most unsolvable mysteries" such as "Why do white people love Wayne Brady?" (Answer: "Because Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X.") Mooney was planning to reprise his role as Negrodamus in the third season of the Chappelle's Show, before it was canceled.
In 2006, Paul Mooney hosted the BET tribute to Black History Month titled 25 Most @#%! Moments in Black History. In this show, he narrated some of the most shameful incidents involving African Americans since 1980. The top 25 moments included incidents involving Marion Barry, Terrell Owens, Wilson Goode, Michael Jackson, Flavor Flav, Whitney Houston, and Tupak Shakur amongst others.
Much of Mooney's material is based on the subject of racism in the United States which disturbs some audience members. Such incidents can be heard on Mooney's comedy albums Race and Master Piece.
Parks & Recreation:
The comedic minds that brought you The Office and Saturday Night Live have now conspired to create Parks and Recreation. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, a mid-level government employee who is trying to better the community of Pawnee Indiana while a documentary camera crew follows her every step and misstep, and her Libertarian boss makes things harder. Not to mention the very mixed, hardly loyal group of employees she oversees.
30 Rock:
The spiritual successor to Arrested Development, 30 Rock succeeded where its competition failed by largely ignoring the actual process of creating a TV show and instead focusing on the life of one individual in charge of the process, played by show creator Tina Fey. 30 Rock never loses track of its focus and creates a surprisingly deep character for the its circus to spin around. But Feys not the only one that makes the series. Consistently spot-on performances by Tracy Morganwhether frequenting strip clubs or a werewolf bar mitzvahand Alec Baldwins evil plans for microwave-television programming create a perfect level of chaos for the shows writers to unravel every week. 30 Rock doesnt have complex themes or a deep message, but that stuff would get in the way of its goal: having the most consistently funny show on TV. Suffice to say, its succeeding. Sean Gandert
Running Wilde:
After years of living in the jungle along side an eco terrorist, protecting the 2,000 year old culture of a rainforest tribe, Emmie and her daughter (Puddle) jump into the high life when they receive an invitation to an award ceremony for a humanitarian award, who is being awarded to an old friend of hers, who happens to be extremely rich. She believes he has changed from the days when all he cared about was money, but when they find out he is giving the award to himself, and working for his fathers oil company, she decides to take him on as a "project".
Arrested Development:
itch Hurwitz sitcom about a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together debuted six weeks after Two and a Half Men, but never gathered the audience to keep the show alive. Still, Hurwitz packed a whole lot of awesome into three short seasons. How much awesome? Well, there was the chicken dance, for starters. And Franklins Its Not Easy Being White. There was Ron Howards spot-on narration, and Tobias Funkes Blue Man ambitions. There was Mrs. Featherbottom and Charlize Theron as Rita, Michael Bluths mentally challenged love interest. Not since Seinfeld has a comic storyline been so perfectly constructed, with every loose thread tying so perfectly into the next act: The Oedipal Buster spiting his mother Lucille by dating her friend Lucille, and eventually losing his hand to a hungry loose seal; George Michael crushing on his cousin only to have the house cave in when they finally kiss; the Save Our Bluths campaign trying to simultaneously rescue the family and rescue the show from cancellation. Arrested Development took self-referencing postmodernism to an absurdist extreme, jumping shark after shark, but that was the point. They even brought on the original shark-jumperHenry Winkleras the family lawyer. And when he was replaced, naturally, it was by Scott Baio. Each of the Bluth family members was among the best characters on television, and Jason Bateman played a brilliant straight man to them all. The show was canned three years ago.
Sons of Tucson:
Three wealthy young brothers hire Ron Snuffkin to pose as their father when their real one goes to prison for committing a white collar crime. Ron is forced to step into the patriarch role of the Gunderson family and display different skills and tricks to keep the family going. But he's never had to be a role model before in his life.
Ugly Americans:
New York is overrun with extraterrestrials (zombies, demons, aliens) attempting to assimilate into society alongside humans in this animated Comedy Central series. And the it's the main characters job (a human) to integrate them into our society, like any other new foreign citizen.
South Park:
Based on a Christmas card by the now-producers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, called "The Spirit of Christmas"; South Park is a show about four boys; Eric Cartman, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick. These four little fourth graders live in one messed up town. From talking poo to un-dead celebrities, to a mystical land of imagination, they see it all. All there is to say, is that... No one is safe. Black, white, Jewish, Christian, Scientologist, and everything in between, this show covers it all, and makes light of just about everything.
Futurama:
Philip J. Fry is a 25 year old delivery boy living in New York City who is cryogenically frozen on New Year's 1999 for 1000 years, where he wakes up in New New York City on December 31, 2999. There, he meets Turanga Leela, a tough but loving, beautiful one-eyed alien; and Bender, an alcohol-powered bending robot who is addicted to liquor, cigars, stealing, amongst other things. Eventually, they all meet up with Fry's Great, Great, Great, etc... Nephew, Hubert J. Farnsworth. Farnsworth is a very old man who is a genius but is very senile and forgetful. Fry, Leela, and Bender wind up working for Farnsworth's Planet Express Delivery Service. They then meet their co-workers; Amy Wong, who is a Martian intern who comes from a rich family, but is still a human who is very hip. Also, there is Hermes Conrad, who manages the delivery service and is pretty strict. Hermes seems Jamaican in voice and look. And finally, there's Dr. John Zoidberg, a lobster-like alien who is the crew's doctor. Unfortunately, he knows nothing about humans. Fry, Leela, Bender, and sometimes Amy and Dr. Zoidberg travel around the universe risking life and limb delivering packages and performing charitable tasks for tax deductions.
Archer:
At ISIS, an international spy agency, global crises are merely opportunities for its highly trained employees to confuse, undermine, betray and royally screw each other. At the center of it all is suave master spy Sterling Archer, whose less-than-masculine code name is "Duchess." Archer works with his domineering mother Malory, who also is his boss. He also has to deal with his ex-girlfriend, Agent Lana Kane and her new boyfriend, ISIS comptroller Cyril Figgis, as well as Malory's lovesick secretary, Cheryl.
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margret:
Originally aired in the United Kingdom, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret features David Cross as a business man, Todd Margaret, who ends up being sent by his boss (Will Arnett) to the company's London office to help sell its energy drink, which turns out to be illegally toxic. But Todd was a temp at his old company, and has no idea what he is doing, so a little warning label isn't going to stop him. And the fact that his new assistant in Britian like to see him fail, doesn't help, but makes for some hilarious situations. Each episode starts with David Cross (Todd) in a courtroom, with charges being listed against him, and what looks like members of Parliament pointing at and yelling about him, then cuts to the episode with "12 days earlier" "7 days earlier" etc. Meaning at the end, it's gonna get even crazier than I've seen so far.
Home Movies
This show is too slow to watch during the day for some people, for best results watch it at midnight or later)
TV series about the life of Brendon Small, an eight-year-old visionary who, using his friends Jason and Melissa as actors, have managed to direct over a thousand homemade films. His parents are divorced, but it doesn't feel strange since so many other kids' parents are divorced. His friend Jason actually feels upset because his parents are still together. At school, he is taught soccer by his coach John McGirk, or as he calls him, "that weird Irish guy". All of the adults in his life, try to tell him what he should do all the time, and all the different directions, mixed with the child's interpretation usually ends up in a way none of the adults had in mind.
The Guild:
This comedic web series, brainchild of Felicia Day, is about a group of socially maladjusted online gamers, "The Knights of Good." It chronicles the drama that happens in-game and in their real lives. As they begin meeting up in person, the complications multiply. The story focuses on Codex, the guild's Priestess, who attempts to lead a normal life after one of her guild-mates, Warlock Zaboo, shows up on her doorstep.
Better off Ted:
Ted Crisp loves his job. He works for the team at Veridian Dynamics, where nothing is too far-fetched, or out of the ordinary. An average day for Ted could easily involve growing beef with no cow, for instance. The only problem is, Ted is ethical and the company is not. And with a whole team of scientists, testers, and the Ted working for a crazy self empowered blonde woman, things get crazy. And funny.
Portlandia:
The 6-part IFC Original short-based comedy series "Portlandia", created, written by and starring Fred Armisen ("SNL") and Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney), premieres on IFC Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM ET/PT. Each episode's character-based shorts draw viewers into ""Portlandia"," the creators' dreamy and absurd rendering of Portland, Oregon.
"Portlandia"'s inhabitants include but are not limited to: the owners of a feminist book store; a militant bike messenger; an artsy couple who attach cut-outs of birds to everything ("put a bird on it!"); an organic farmer who turns out to be a cult leader; an adult hide and seek league; and a punk rock couple negotiating a "safe word" to help govern their love life. The first episode depicts Armisen and Brownstein meeting with the Mayor of Portland (Kyle MacLachlan) who solicits the duo to write a new theme song for the city. This segment features a cameo from the real mayor of Portland (Sam Adams) playing the assistant to MacLachlan's "mayor." Much of the series' original music is written and performed by Armisen and Brownstein.
An assortment of guest stars inhabit "Portlandia", including Kyle MacLachlan ("Twin Peaks", "Sex & The City"), Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation"), Selma Blair ("Legally Blonde", "Hellboy"), Heather Graham (The Hangover), Edie McClurg ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), Kumail Nanjiani ("Michael & Michael Have Issues"), Jason Sudeikis ("SNL", "The Cleveland Show"), and Gus Van Sant ("Milk"). Singer/songwriter Aimee Mann also guest stars, alongside James Mercer ("The Shins"), and local Portland musicians Jenny Conlee and Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) and Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney).
Brownstein and Armisen spent years observing the joyous eccentricities of Portland, Oregon (when Fred was on hiatus from SNL), which spawned their "Thunderant" project, a compilation of online videos that combined their unique music styles and comedic sensibilities. Their artistic collaboration garnered an online cult following, as their "Thunderant" characters resonated with a young audience celebrating individuality, free spirit and weirdness.
Reno 911:
The lives of seven incompetent Reno sheriff's deputies are detailed in this "Cops" style parody. Among the colorful characters are Lt. Jim Dangle, the short shorts-wearing, flamboyantly gay supervisor; Deputy James Garcia, who makes police brutality an art form; Deputy Trudy Wiegel, the manic depressive, racist sociopath; Deputy Clementine Johnson, the skanky former magician's assistant; Deputy Travis Junior, the redneck who is never seen without his kevlar vest and sunglasses; Deputy S. Jones, the semi-competent ladies' man; and Deputy Raineesha Williams, the bootylicious black cop with an attitude. Written by Gibborino
Gangland:
The History Channel takes an in depth look at American street gangs, their effect on their communities and some of the most famous gangs throughout American history. Gangland will explore gang community, and gang rivalry.
The League:
A strange group of friends (A group of "Parents", a Lawyer, a Doctor, a Bachelor, and a Stoner) come together for the sake of a fantasy football league. Based in the Chicago suburbs, these friends seem to forget their responsibilities to society and almost every time they encounter "real" people, not in a league, the outcome is hilarious. Due to crazy plans with each other, or schemes against.
Workaholics:
Three college graduates are thrown into the working world. They struggle to balance telemarketing, with smoking, drinking, and taking mushrooms. From now on they will be forced to follow dress codes, make deadlines and above all wake up before noon. After realizing they are no longer responsible for making the grade in school, they will do whatever it takes to avoid work and have a good time.
Trailer Park Boys:
Trailer Park Boys is a series about love, friends and family - or perhaps it's about everything that can go wrong with love, friends and family.
At the centre of Trailer Park Boys are Ricky (Robb Wells) and Julian (John Paul Tremblay), two guys whose lives were shaped by their experiences growing up in the Trailer Park. Their childhood was typical of most trailer park kids - stealing, fighting, smoking, drinking, scamming and listening to Van Halen. The Boys have had their share of trouble with the law.
Most of their adult lives have been spent behind bars of one kind or another. In fact, as the inaugural series begins, both Ricky and Julian are getting out of jail. Ricky and Julian blame each other for this most recent incarceration and, now, as Julian prepares to start all over again, he refuses to talk to Ricky. Julian wants and tries throughout the series to go straight - but old habits die hard. And that's just fine with Ricky. And this is what starts all the crazy events that takes place in the mocumentary-comedy of Trailer Park Boys.
Spaced:
Spaced is a sitcom like no other. The premise is simple enough: Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim (Simon Pegg) are out of luck and love, so pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat together. Downstairs neighbour and eccentric painter Brian suspects someone's fibbing, and almost blows their cover with their lecherous lush of a landlady, Marsha. Fortunately he soon falls for Daisy's health-freak friend Twist, while Daisy herself goes ga-ga for pet dog Colin. Tim remains happily platonic with lifemate Mike; a sweet-at-heart guns 'n' ammo obsessive. The series is chock-full of pop culture references. In fact, each episode is themed after at least one movie, with nods to The Shining and Close Encounters of the Third Kind proving especially hilarious. Hardly five minutes goes by without a Star Wars reference, and every second of screen time from Bill Bailey as owner of the comic shop where Tim works is comedic gold. The look of the series is its other outstanding element, with slam-zooms, dizzying montages, and inspired lighting effects (often paying homage to the Evil Dead movies). It's an affectionate fantasy on the life of the twenty-something that's uncomfortably close to the truth. The second series finds the gang at 23 Meteor Street a little older, but definitely none the wiser. Tim's career is hampered by severe hang-ups over The Phantom Menace. Daisy's career is just plain non-existent. There is still a spark of sexual tension between them, but it's overshadowed by Brian and Twist getting it on. Propelling the seven-episode series arc is the threat of Marsha discovering that none of the relationships are what they seem, Mike's increasing jealousy and a new love interest for Tim. That's the basis for a never-ending stream of in-jokes and references that easily match the quality of the first series. Tim has a Return of the Jedi flashback, then dj vu in reliving the end of The Empire Strikes Back. There are spoofs of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Robocop, The Sixth Sense and comedy rival The Royle Family. There are guest spots from Bill Bailey, Peter (voice of Darth Maul) Serafinowicz and The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith. Every episode is packed with highlights, but this series' guaranteed geek pant-wetting moments have to be the mock gun battles, slagging off Babylon 5 and learning that "The second rule of Robot Club is: no smoking." If you loved Shaun Of The Dead you'll love this
America the story of us:
A six-night miniseries presenting the history of how the United States was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress -- from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad to triumphing over vertical space through the construction of steel-structured buildings. The series also is a story of conflict, with Native American peoples, slavery, the Revolutionary War that birthed the nation, the Civil War that divided it, and the great world war that shaped its future.
The Office:
Ricky Gervais immortal Britcom deserves full marks for establishing this comedy franchise that killed the laugh track and introduced us to a hilarious bunch of paper-pushing mopes. Defying expectations that it would pale in comparison, NBCs Office has become an institution unto itself. At its best, the American version is just as awkward as its predecessor, while showing a lot more heart than the gang could muster in sooty old England. Both the original and the American update are currently available on Netflix Instant. Nick Marino
Weeds:
This series is a single-camera dark comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies. Jenji Kohan executive produces and writes the series. Beginning with the premiere of the fourth season, the show shifted it's premise in almost it's entirety by relocating the cast to the fictional border town of Ren Mar after Agrestic burned to the ground. From here Nancy gave up her green thumb and began trafficking drugs over the border. Airing Information: First Season: Preview of pilot aired on Sunday, August 7, 2005 on Showtime at 10 PM EST with repeats on the following Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10PM EST. From then on episodes aired first on Mondays at 10PM EST with repeats on Mondays right after the episode premiere and on Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00PM EST and approximately 10:30PM EST and Sunday at 10:30PM EST. Second Season: The season premiere will air on Monday, August 14, 2006 on Showtime. Third Season: The season premiere will air on Monday, August 13, 2007 on Showtime at 10 PM EST. Production Information: Produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Titled Productions. Weeds has received a 10-episode commitment for it's first season. It was renewed after Weeds received a Golden Globe Nomination and the two leading ladies received nominations also. The 13 episodes of the second season were filmed. Theme Song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds Awards and Nominations: 63rd Annual Golden Globes in 2006 1. Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Weeds (Showtime - Lions Gate Television, Inc.) Nomination 2. Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Mary-Louise Parker (Nancy Botwin) Won 3. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Elizabeth Perkins (Celia Hodes) Nominated
That Mitchell and Webb look:
Welcome to the surreal world of Mitchell and Webb, whose lop-sided view of life creates a show that seems zany and madcap, but also conceals some deliciously dark home truths.
Conceived on BBC radio as That Mitchell And Webb Sound, David Mitchell and Robert Webb are now on the third series of their sketch show.
Drunken super-sleuth Sir Digby Chicken Caesar returns for more adventures. Barbieri, the 15th century's finest inventor, comes up with the tin opener, just 500 years before the invention of the tin. Plus Santa's ne'er-do-well brother Russ returns to the North Pole.
Shameless:
(2004)
The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors.
(2011)
Meet the fabulously dysfunctional Gallagher family. Dad's a drunk, Mom split long ago, eldest daughter Fiona tries to hold the family together. Eldest son Philip (Lip) trades his physics tutoring skills for sexual favors from neighborhood girls. Middle son Ian is gay. Youngest daughter Debbie is stealing money from her UNICEF collection. Ten-year-old Carl is a budding sociopath and an arsonist, and toddler Liam is - well, he might actually be black, but nobody has a clue how.
Paul Mooney (Stand up comedian):
Mooney became a ringmaster with the Gatti-Charles Circus. During his stint as ringmaster, he always found himself writing comedy and telling jokes, which would later help Mooney land his first professional work as a writer for Richard Pryor
Mooney wrote some of Richard Pryor's routines for his appearance on Saturday Night Live, co-wrote his material for the Live on the Sunset Strip, Bicentennial Nigger, and Is it Something I said albums, and Pryor's film Jojo dancer, your life is calling. As the head writer for The Richard Pryor show, he gave many young stand-up comics, such as Robin Williams, Sandra Bernhard, Marsha Warfeild, John Witherspoon, and Tim Reid, their first break into show business.
Mooney also wrote for Red Foxx's Sanford and Son, Good Times, acted in several cult classics including Which way is up?, Bustin' Loose, Hollywood Shuffle, and portrayed singer/songwriter Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story.
He was the head writer for the first year of Fox's In Living Color, creating the character homey D. Clown, played by Damon Wayans. Mooney later went on to play Wayans' father in the Spike Lee film Bamboozled as the comedian Junebug.
Paul Mooney initially appeared in the sketches "Ask a Black Dude" and "Mooney at the Movies" on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show He later appeared as Negrodamus, an African American version of Nostradamus. As Negrodamus, Mooney ad-libbed the "answers to life's most unsolvable mysteries" such as "Why do white people love Wayne Brady?" (Answer: "Because Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X.") Mooney was planning to reprise his role as Negrodamus in the third season of the Chappelle's Show, before it was canceled.
In 2006, Paul Mooney hosted the BET tribute to Black History Month titled 25 Most @#%! Moments in Black History. In this show, he narrated some of the most shameful incidents involving African Americans since 1980. The top 25 moments included incidents involving Marion Barry, Terrell Owens, Wilson Goode, Michael Jackson, Flavor Flav, Whitney Houston, and Tupak Shakur amongst others.
Much of Mooney's material is based on the subject of racism in the United States which disturbs some audience members. Such incidents can be heard on Mooney's comedy albums Race and Master Piece.
Parks & Recreation:
The comedic minds that brought you The Office and Saturday Night Live have now conspired to create Parks and Recreation. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, a mid-level government employee who is trying to better the community of Pawnee Indiana while a documentary camera crew follows her every step and misstep, and her Libertarian boss makes things harder. Not to mention the very mixed, hardly loyal group of employees she oversees.
30 Rock:
The spiritual successor to Arrested Development, 30 Rock succeeded where its competition failed by largely ignoring the actual process of creating a TV show and instead focusing on the life of one individual in charge of the process, played by show creator Tina Fey. 30 Rock never loses track of its focus and creates a surprisingly deep character for the its circus to spin around. But Feys not the only one that makes the series. Consistently spot-on performances by Tracy Morganwhether frequenting strip clubs or a werewolf bar mitzvahand Alec Baldwins evil plans for microwave-television programming create a perfect level of chaos for the shows writers to unravel every week. 30 Rock doesnt have complex themes or a deep message, but that stuff would get in the way of its goal: having the most consistently funny show on TV. Suffice to say, its succeeding. Sean Gandert
Running Wilde:
After years of living in the jungle along side an eco terrorist, protecting the 2,000 year old culture of a rainforest tribe, Emmie and her daughter (Puddle) jump into the high life when they receive an invitation to an award ceremony for a humanitarian award, who is being awarded to an old friend of hers, who happens to be extremely rich. She believes he has changed from the days when all he cared about was money, but when they find out he is giving the award to himself, and working for his fathers oil company, she decides to take him on as a "project".
Arrested Development:
itch Hurwitz sitcom about a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together debuted six weeks after Two and a Half Men, but never gathered the audience to keep the show alive. Still, Hurwitz packed a whole lot of awesome into three short seasons. How much awesome? Well, there was the chicken dance, for starters. And Franklins Its Not Easy Being White. There was Ron Howards spot-on narration, and Tobias Funkes Blue Man ambitions. There was Mrs. Featherbottom and Charlize Theron as Rita, Michael Bluths mentally challenged love interest. Not since Seinfeld has a comic storyline been so perfectly constructed, with every loose thread tying so perfectly into the next act: The Oedipal Buster spiting his mother Lucille by dating her friend Lucille, and eventually losing his hand to a hungry loose seal; George Michael crushing on his cousin only to have the house cave in when they finally kiss; the Save Our Bluths campaign trying to simultaneously rescue the family and rescue the show from cancellation. Arrested Development took self-referencing postmodernism to an absurdist extreme, jumping shark after shark, but that was the point. They even brought on the original shark-jumperHenry Winkleras the family lawyer. And when he was replaced, naturally, it was by Scott Baio. Each of the Bluth family members was among the best characters on television, and Jason Bateman played a brilliant straight man to them all. The show was canned three years ago.
Sons of Tucson:
Three wealthy young brothers hire Ron Snuffkin to pose as their father when their real one goes to prison for committing a white collar crime. Ron is forced to step into the patriarch role of the Gunderson family and display different skills and tricks to keep the family going. But he's never had to be a role model before in his life.
Ugly Americans:
New York is overrun with extraterrestrials (zombies, demons, aliens) attempting to assimilate into society alongside humans in this animated Comedy Central series. And the it's the main characters job (a human) to integrate them into our society, like any other new foreign citizen.
South Park:
Based on a Christmas card by the now-producers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, called "The Spirit of Christmas"; South Park is a show about four boys; Eric Cartman, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick. These four little fourth graders live in one messed up town. From talking poo to un-dead celebrities, to a mystical land of imagination, they see it all. All there is to say, is that... No one is safe. Black, white, Jewish, Christian, Scientologist, and everything in between, this show covers it all, and makes light of just about everything.
Futurama:
Philip J. Fry is a 25 year old delivery boy living in New York City who is cryogenically frozen on New Year's 1999 for 1000 years, where he wakes up in New New York City on December 31, 2999. There, he meets Turanga Leela, a tough but loving, beautiful one-eyed alien; and Bender, an alcohol-powered bending robot who is addicted to liquor, cigars, stealing, amongst other things. Eventually, they all meet up with Fry's Great, Great, Great, etc... Nephew, Hubert J. Farnsworth. Farnsworth is a very old man who is a genius but is very senile and forgetful. Fry, Leela, and Bender wind up working for Farnsworth's Planet Express Delivery Service. They then meet their co-workers; Amy Wong, who is a Martian intern who comes from a rich family, but is still a human who is very hip. Also, there is Hermes Conrad, who manages the delivery service and is pretty strict. Hermes seems Jamaican in voice and look. And finally, there's Dr. John Zoidberg, a lobster-like alien who is the crew's doctor. Unfortunately, he knows nothing about humans. Fry, Leela, Bender, and sometimes Amy and Dr. Zoidberg travel around the universe risking life and limb delivering packages and performing charitable tasks for tax deductions.
Archer:
At ISIS, an international spy agency, global crises are merely opportunities for its highly trained employees to confuse, undermine, betray and royally screw each other. At the center of it all is suave master spy Sterling Archer, whose less-than-masculine code name is "Duchess." Archer works with his domineering mother Malory, who also is his boss. He also has to deal with his ex-girlfriend, Agent Lana Kane and her new boyfriend, ISIS comptroller Cyril Figgis, as well as Malory's lovesick secretary, Cheryl.
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margret:
Originally aired in the United Kingdom, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret features David Cross as a business man, Todd Margaret, who ends up being sent by his boss (Will Arnett) to the company's London office to help sell its energy drink, which turns out to be illegally toxic. But Todd was a temp at his old company, and has no idea what he is doing, so a little warning label isn't going to stop him. And the fact that his new assistant in Britian like to see him fail, doesn't help, but makes for some hilarious situations. Each episode starts with David Cross (Todd) in a courtroom, with charges being listed against him, and what looks like members of Parliament pointing at and yelling about him, then cuts to the episode with "12 days earlier" "7 days earlier" etc. Meaning at the end, it's gonna get even crazier than I've seen so far.
Home Movies
This show is too slow to watch during the day for some people, for best results watch it at midnight or later)TV series about the life of Brendon Small, an eight-year-old visionary who, using his friends Jason and Melissa as actors, have managed to direct over a thousand homemade films. His parents are divorced, but it doesn't feel strange since so many other kids' parents are divorced. His friend Jason actually feels upset because his parents are still together. At school, he is taught soccer by his coach John McGirk, or as he calls him, "that weird Irish guy". All of the adults in his life, try to tell him what he should do all the time, and all the different directions, mixed with the child's interpretation usually ends up in a way none of the adults had in mind.
The Guild:
This comedic web series, brainchild of Felicia Day, is about a group of socially maladjusted online gamers, "The Knights of Good." It chronicles the drama that happens in-game and in their real lives. As they begin meeting up in person, the complications multiply. The story focuses on Codex, the guild's Priestess, who attempts to lead a normal life after one of her guild-mates, Warlock Zaboo, shows up on her doorstep.
Better off Ted:
Ted Crisp loves his job. He works for the team at Veridian Dynamics, where nothing is too far-fetched, or out of the ordinary. An average day for Ted could easily involve growing beef with no cow, for instance. The only problem is, Ted is ethical and the company is not. And with a whole team of scientists, testers, and the Ted working for a crazy self empowered blonde woman, things get crazy. And funny.
Portlandia:
The 6-part IFC Original short-based comedy series "Portlandia", created, written by and starring Fred Armisen ("SNL") and Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney), premieres on IFC Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM ET/PT. Each episode's character-based shorts draw viewers into ""Portlandia"," the creators' dreamy and absurd rendering of Portland, Oregon.
"Portlandia"'s inhabitants include but are not limited to: the owners of a feminist book store; a militant bike messenger; an artsy couple who attach cut-outs of birds to everything ("put a bird on it!"); an organic farmer who turns out to be a cult leader; an adult hide and seek league; and a punk rock couple negotiating a "safe word" to help govern their love life. The first episode depicts Armisen and Brownstein meeting with the Mayor of Portland (Kyle MacLachlan) who solicits the duo to write a new theme song for the city. This segment features a cameo from the real mayor of Portland (Sam Adams) playing the assistant to MacLachlan's "mayor." Much of the series' original music is written and performed by Armisen and Brownstein.
An assortment of guest stars inhabit "Portlandia", including Kyle MacLachlan ("Twin Peaks", "Sex & The City"), Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation"), Selma Blair ("Legally Blonde", "Hellboy"), Heather Graham (The Hangover), Edie McClurg ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), Kumail Nanjiani ("Michael & Michael Have Issues"), Jason Sudeikis ("SNL", "The Cleveland Show"), and Gus Van Sant ("Milk"). Singer/songwriter Aimee Mann also guest stars, alongside James Mercer ("The Shins"), and local Portland musicians Jenny Conlee and Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) and Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney).
Brownstein and Armisen spent years observing the joyous eccentricities of Portland, Oregon (when Fred was on hiatus from SNL), which spawned their "Thunderant" project, a compilation of online videos that combined their unique music styles and comedic sensibilities. Their artistic collaboration garnered an online cult following, as their "Thunderant" characters resonated with a young audience celebrating individuality, free spirit and weirdness.
Reno 911:
The lives of seven incompetent Reno sheriff's deputies are detailed in this "Cops" style parody. Among the colorful characters are Lt. Jim Dangle, the short shorts-wearing, flamboyantly gay supervisor; Deputy James Garcia, who makes police brutality an art form; Deputy Trudy Wiegel, the manic depressive, racist sociopath; Deputy Clementine Johnson, the skanky former magician's assistant; Deputy Travis Junior, the redneck who is never seen without his kevlar vest and sunglasses; Deputy S. Jones, the semi-competent ladies' man; and Deputy Raineesha Williams, the bootylicious black cop with an attitude. Written by Gibborino
Gangland:
The History Channel takes an in depth look at American street gangs, their effect on their communities and some of the most famous gangs throughout American history. Gangland will explore gang community, and gang rivalry.
The League:
A strange group of friends (A group of "Parents", a Lawyer, a Doctor, a Bachelor, and a Stoner) come together for the sake of a fantasy football league. Based in the Chicago suburbs, these friends seem to forget their responsibilities to society and almost every time they encounter "real" people, not in a league, the outcome is hilarious. Due to crazy plans with each other, or schemes against.
Workaholics:
Three college graduates are thrown into the working world. They struggle to balance telemarketing, with smoking, drinking, and taking mushrooms. From now on they will be forced to follow dress codes, make deadlines and above all wake up before noon. After realizing they are no longer responsible for making the grade in school, they will do whatever it takes to avoid work and have a good time.
Trailer Park Boys:
Trailer Park Boys is a series about love, friends and family - or perhaps it's about everything that can go wrong with love, friends and family.
At the centre of Trailer Park Boys are Ricky (Robb Wells) and Julian (John Paul Tremblay), two guys whose lives were shaped by their experiences growing up in the Trailer Park. Their childhood was typical of most trailer park kids - stealing, fighting, smoking, drinking, scamming and listening to Van Halen. The Boys have had their share of trouble with the law.
Most of their adult lives have been spent behind bars of one kind or another. In fact, as the inaugural series begins, both Ricky and Julian are getting out of jail. Ricky and Julian blame each other for this most recent incarceration and, now, as Julian prepares to start all over again, he refuses to talk to Ricky. Julian wants and tries throughout the series to go straight - but old habits die hard. And that's just fine with Ricky. And this is what starts all the crazy events that takes place in the mocumentary-comedy of Trailer Park Boys.
Spaced:
Spaced is a sitcom like no other. The premise is simple enough: Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim (Simon Pegg) are out of luck and love, so pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat together. Downstairs neighbour and eccentric painter Brian suspects someone's fibbing, and almost blows their cover with their lecherous lush of a landlady, Marsha. Fortunately he soon falls for Daisy's health-freak friend Twist, while Daisy herself goes ga-ga for pet dog Colin. Tim remains happily platonic with lifemate Mike; a sweet-at-heart guns 'n' ammo obsessive. The series is chock-full of pop culture references. In fact, each episode is themed after at least one movie, with nods to The Shining and Close Encounters of the Third Kind proving especially hilarious. Hardly five minutes goes by without a Star Wars reference, and every second of screen time from Bill Bailey as owner of the comic shop where Tim works is comedic gold. The look of the series is its other outstanding element, with slam-zooms, dizzying montages, and inspired lighting effects (often paying homage to the Evil Dead movies). It's an affectionate fantasy on the life of the twenty-something that's uncomfortably close to the truth. The second series finds the gang at 23 Meteor Street a little older, but definitely none the wiser. Tim's career is hampered by severe hang-ups over The Phantom Menace. Daisy's career is just plain non-existent. There is still a spark of sexual tension between them, but it's overshadowed by Brian and Twist getting it on. Propelling the seven-episode series arc is the threat of Marsha discovering that none of the relationships are what they seem, Mike's increasing jealousy and a new love interest for Tim. That's the basis for a never-ending stream of in-jokes and references that easily match the quality of the first series. Tim has a Return of the Jedi flashback, then dj vu in reliving the end of The Empire Strikes Back. There are spoofs of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Robocop, The Sixth Sense and comedy rival The Royle Family. There are guest spots from Bill Bailey, Peter (voice of Darth Maul) Serafinowicz and The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith. Every episode is packed with highlights, but this series' guaranteed geek pant-wetting moments have to be the mock gun battles, slagging off Babylon 5 and learning that "The second rule of Robot Club is: no smoking." If you loved Shaun Of The Dead you'll love this
America the story of us:
A six-night miniseries presenting the history of how the United States was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress -- from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad to triumphing over vertical space through the construction of steel-structured buildings. The series also is a story of conflict, with Native American peoples, slavery, the Revolutionary War that birthed the nation, the Civil War that divided it, and the great world war that shaped its future.
The Office:
Ricky Gervais immortal Britcom deserves full marks for establishing this comedy franchise that killed the laugh track and introduced us to a hilarious bunch of paper-pushing mopes. Defying expectations that it would pale in comparison, NBCs Office has become an institution unto itself. At its best, the American version is just as awkward as its predecessor, while showing a lot more heart than the gang could muster in sooty old England. Both the original and the American update are currently available on Netflix Instant. Nick Marino
Weeds:
This series is a single-camera dark comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies. Jenji Kohan executive produces and writes the series. Beginning with the premiere of the fourth season, the show shifted it's premise in almost it's entirety by relocating the cast to the fictional border town of Ren Mar after Agrestic burned to the ground. From here Nancy gave up her green thumb and began trafficking drugs over the border. Airing Information: First Season: Preview of pilot aired on Sunday, August 7, 2005 on Showtime at 10 PM EST with repeats on the following Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10PM EST. From then on episodes aired first on Mondays at 10PM EST with repeats on Mondays right after the episode premiere and on Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00PM EST and approximately 10:30PM EST and Sunday at 10:30PM EST. Second Season: The season premiere will air on Monday, August 14, 2006 on Showtime. Third Season: The season premiere will air on Monday, August 13, 2007 on Showtime at 10 PM EST. Production Information: Produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Titled Productions. Weeds has received a 10-episode commitment for it's first season. It was renewed after Weeds received a Golden Globe Nomination and the two leading ladies received nominations also. The 13 episodes of the second season were filmed. Theme Song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds Awards and Nominations: 63rd Annual Golden Globes in 2006 1. Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Weeds (Showtime - Lions Gate Television, Inc.) Nomination 2. Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Mary-Louise Parker (Nancy Botwin) Won 3. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Elizabeth Perkins (Celia Hodes) Nominated
That Mitchell and Webb look:
Welcome to the surreal world of Mitchell and Webb, whose lop-sided view of life creates a show that seems zany and madcap, but also conceals some deliciously dark home truths.
Conceived on BBC radio as That Mitchell And Webb Sound, David Mitchell and Robert Webb are now on the third series of their sketch show.
Drunken super-sleuth Sir Digby Chicken Caesar returns for more adventures. Barbieri, the 15th century's finest inventor, comes up with the tin opener, just 500 years before the invention of the tin. Plus Santa's ne'er-do-well brother Russ returns to the North Pole.
Shameless:
(2004)
The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors.
(2011)
Meet the fabulously dysfunctional Gallagher family. Dad's a drunk, Mom split long ago, eldest daughter Fiona tries to hold the family together. Eldest son Philip (Lip) trades his physics tutoring skills for sexual favors from neighborhood girls. Middle son Ian is gay. Youngest daughter Debbie is stealing money from her UNICEF collection. Ten-year-old Carl is a budding sociopath and an arsonist, and toddler Liam is - well, he might actually be black, but nobody has a clue how.
