If Firefly's your favourite show of all-time, what's your second favourite?

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Monday, December 5, 2005 21:40
VIEWED: 30601
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CHRISISALL

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 3:22 PM

We've seen the endless lists; boil it down- 2nd favourite to FF only!

And to those of you for whom FF is not their favourite...YOU SUCK!!! (just kidding! everyone's so sensitive, I swear)

If FF's not your fav, tell us what is, and if FF is your second or not.

ME: Firefly's my total favourite, with Dark Angel a fairly close second. Both series share a writer and a director and more than a little in common with Blade Runner, my favourite film until Serenity came out.

Next please?

Chrisisall, maker of lists

SHIRLOCKC

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 4:33 PM

I liked Dark Angel but I think my next favorite series (after FF) is Babylon 5. As one of the first sci-fi with a defined story arc, it also gave me the sense that when I turned off the TV, the universe and characters still lived somewhere. The acting was not on par with FF or even Dark Angel but the plot/story had scope and vision. Much like FF.

PURPLEPIRATE

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 4:41 PM

Firefly is my favorite, and ST: Enterprise is second.

HERO

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 4:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

Next please?

F-Troop. Because the indian fights were colorful sights and nobody took a lickin...

H

DECLAN

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:05 PM

Oh, man! F Troop really goes back aways!

I used to know the theme song by heart when I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Say, is there a DVD out there, do you suppose?

***************
"'Course, there are other schools of thought."

THESOMNAMBULIST

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:10 PM

Are we talking current shows ? If so I don't think I have one :? Maybe a thing here in the UK called SCRAPHEAP CHALLENGE if that counts. But it's not a drama or nothing... just peeps be building things outa junk and challenging each other with it....

Otherwise It'll have to be Northern Exposure

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

HERO

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Declan:
Oh, man! F Troop really goes back aways!

I used to know the theme song by heart when I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Say, is there a DVD out there, do you suppose?

< http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A0GXHE/104-8165840-0296728?v=glan
ce&n=130&n=507846&s=dvd&v=glance>

H

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

Otherwise It'll have to be Northern Exposure

I used to joke that if it didn't have martial arts, OR it wasn't set in space, I wouldn't like it. Maybe Joss heard me....

Northern Exposure is a fine 2nd choice, Somnambulist, we own the first season on dvd. Similar love poured into the writing of the characters. You is definitly eclectic, all right.

Alaskan Chrisisall

EVILBUNNIES

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:32 PM

Firefly first, obviously. It replaced my old first choice, Buffy, which I would say is my second. I still love that show with all my heart.

Mal: Define interesting.
Wash: Oh god, oh god, we're all gonna die?
*~*~*
"She understands. She even comprehends. Can she go now?" -Winter of Mosquito

KT

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:39 PM

I'd have to go with Buffy as well - with Angel tying...

Outside of the Joss 'verse -

Who's Line Is It Anyways...just for something different!!! What can I say - love both well-written shows - and shows that aren't written at all! It's that mediocre crap I can't take.

KT

LADYSHELLEY

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:40 PM

Oh my, I don't know if I can pick just one.

Shows I bothered to actually buy DVD's for (besides Firefly):

Stargate:SG1 (only through season 4 don't know how they still have anything left and they just got renewed again)

Northern Exposure (all three so far)

Horatio Hornblower

Nero Wolfe (Tim Hutton and Maury Chaykin)

Richard Sharpe series

Monty Python

Arrested Development

Of that group it would probably be the early Stargate stuff, though Sharpe would be right there as well. The only show currently running that I care a whit about would be NUMB3RS.

Lady Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redhawke.org

KAZZAHDRANE

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:47 PM

Futurama: a sci-fi comedy cartoon for adults with far-reaching story arcs, and great writing.

Firefly is #1! :D

JACQUI

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:08 PM

Well, of course FF is number one, with Buffy and Angel coming in second and third (tying for place actually), but outside of the Jossverse I'd have to say...

Profiler, Friends, Scrubs, Dark Angel, The Pretender, Tru Calling, American Gothic.

Sorry, can never stop at just one.

You'll notice that only one of them is still running: Scrubs. The rest of current tv sucks so much donkey balls the RSPCA is launching an investigation as we speak.

*~*~*
"He's hurting a woman, he really *is* a bad guy!... And I wouldn't call him a gentleman."
- Kyle, 9, re: The Operative in 'Serenity'.

ZOOT

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:26 PM

He he! Just saw the title of this thread and thought – that’s gonna be CIA and he’s gonna say FF followed by DA – and what a coincidence – that’s exactly what it is!!!

Thinking about it, I think my liking for shows is inextricably connected to my preference for the underdog – hence I tend to like shows that were fairly short lived and I feel got cut off in their prime … I am therefore tempted to say Wonderfalls is number two, but if I’m totally honest Wonderfalls comes below season 1,2,5 and 6 of West Wing …

DA I loved but don’t think I could watch more than about twice … unless I gave it a year or so …Let’s face it, it’s just too silly (and Logan is SUCH a sap) … (red rag to CIA's bull ...)

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

BOOMCHICK

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:29 PM

Firefly's my fav. (of the moment) and my second fave... it's divided between three candidates. I just can't choose between Buffy, Wolf's Rain, and Cowboy Bebop!

THESOMNAMBULIST

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

Otherwise It'll have to be Northern Exposure
I used to joke that if it didn't have martial arts, OR it wasn't set in space, I wouldn't like it. Maybe Joss heard me....

Northern Exposure is a fine 2nd choice, Somnambulist, we own the first season on dvd. Similar love poured into the writing of the characters. You is definitly eclectic, all right.

Alaskan Chrisisall

Hi Big "C"

Yeah Northern Exposure used to tug the ol' heart strings alright... I loved that show. Used to fantasize about being snowbound in a log cabin with 'my' Maggie O'connel...

Ok Chrisisall pop quiz:
Your Favourite character?

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

STORYMARK

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:55 PM

I don't know that I can say FF is my fav, just because it didn't last long enough to claim that title.

Though I might say it's definitly my favorite mini-series.

But truth be told, I don't know that I have any 1 favorite, so FF ranks as high as any others...

...Into which list I would have to include Babylon 5, Farscape, Highlander: The Series, Buffy/Angel, and Batman: The Animated Series.

SPRINGFAERY

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 6:57 PM

>>Stargate:SG1 (only through season 4 don't know how they still have anything left and they just got renewed again)>>

I agree. There are good episodes here and there in the later seasons (Abyss, from Season Six, is one of my favorites), but I don't think the show is consistently as good as it used to be in its first four years.

UNREGISTEREDCOMPANION

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 7:35 PM

I m afraid to say what I like. Things I like have a nasty habit of ending up cancelled....

Firefly, Profit, Mystery Science Theatre, John Doe, Dark Angel...

~~~~~
"Funny and sexy. You have no idea. And you never will."

OBIWAN

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 8:03 PM

Very difficult question.

Firefly is certainly my favorite of the moment.

The Original Star Trek is the most important TV Series to me. Does that make it a favorite?

I thought Young Indiana Jones was incredible. It had the same fate as Firefly, but not the fandom.

=================================================
"Butcher's Knife..."

www.browncoatpatches.com

FISHSPEAKER

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 8:12 PM

Babylon 5

although Battlestar Galactica TNS is coming on strong!

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

NWUKSTEVE

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:09 PM

If we're only allowed one more show, I'm gonna have to go with Arrested Development. Anyone who hasn't seen it MUST check this show out, it's clever, extremely funny and not like any other sit-com you've ever seen.

And if you have seen it, but didn't like it, then try again. I can appreciate that some might not "get it" at first. But all the hype for this show is fully deserved and if you're missing it, you're missing out.

HELL'S KITTEN

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PurplePirate:
Firefly is my favorite, and ST: Enterprise is second.

... how... how can you exist...? Not going for the meanness thing here, it's just that those two shows, in my mind, are so... so not anywhere near one another. I guess the extreme diversity of this fandom fascinates me.

Anyway, to Chrisisall's question: yeah, I can't pick one. Would it count if I put all the names into one long title? Such as: BattlestarHouseLostFarscapeGalactica.

...
Not captioned for the sarcasm impared.

COZEN

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:37 PM

Get Smart.

Although, gorrmam it if TheSomnambulist (& others?) & I don't agree it's NExp.

Maggie,

***
"You think somebody wouldn't go see somebody if they didn't want entertainment?"

STAKETHELURK

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 11:04 PM

It's really hard to pick a single favorite from my top three fave shows, but if I had to, I'd say...

Angel gets first place. No insult to Firefly, but I was more emotionally invested in Angel than any other show I've seen. I luvs the darkness!

Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie for second place. Firefly was the first Joss show I ever saw, but BtVS had enough time to spread its wings and really be great. So, they're neck and neck at number two.

Don't even make me try to pick a number three!

MATWANG

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 11:19 PM

Why, there can be only one:

C A R V I V A L E

My take on it: "It's not a show, it's a DRUG."

Footnote to Post, HBO, the biggest drug-dealer on television today, has got millions strung out on Carivale, then drops them flat.

Is this move stupid? Was it made buy NETWORK EXECUTIVES who care more about MONEY than INTEGRITY or, Gawd Forbid....ART?

You bet is was!

Those GORRAM BASTARDS!!! "Oh, it was too expensive... Oh, it "never found it's audience...Oh, gosh, the fans have sent us 50,000 emails every weekend complaining and "threatening us" and Oh! Oh! Isnt' ROME GREAT???

Actually it is, but you see, there's one thing that's really wrong with it: IT AIN'T CARNIVALE!!!!

My my, I fell MUCH better now.

It wouldn't be so bad if we Carnivale Junkies had any hope of finding someone else to conitnue the story.

HBO owns every single right to Carnivale and refuses to sell it to anyone else.

At the close of Season two, they were only at the end of the first "book" that Daniel Knauf wrote... there are two more whole volumes of story to be told. Knauf can't even sell the "book" as a book. HBO owns it hook line and sinker.

HBO + FOX, we HATES them....

YEAH SERENITY!!!! i'M SO GLAD SHE'S FLYING AGAIN!!!!

WHOO 0- W O O O W O O !!!

Okay, I'm done now.

I promise.

MaTwang

QUEENOFTHENORTH

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 11:42 PM

Besides Buffy, it'd be a three way tie between Simpsons, Inuyasha, and Futurama. I really like animated shows apparently.

I give to you the Seeker of Serenity, the Valkyrie Warrior, the Gourmet Cook and the Truth Scoper.

ALLARTICULATE

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 11:52 PM

Prior to Firefly, I would have said X-Files is my all-time favorite, then Buffy, in spite of the faltering quality toward the end of both series.
I flirted with dropping into the abyss of internet fandom when I first fell in love with XF (in season THREE - note to stupid stupid Fox - and, with no DVDs then, had to rely on re-runs and friend's tapes to catch up), but ultimately resisted since I didn't have the kind of access back then to fully indulge. Ironically, it's easier to be a FF junkie because of it's limited run.

CAIUS

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 12:16 AM

B5 hands down. Like Firefly it was about something, had interleaved story arcs and great characters.

-Caius

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 12:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Ok Chrisisall pop quiz:
Your Favourite character?

Why, Chris in the morning, who else?

Chrisisall

GIXXER

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 12:46 AM

Bugger. Or rather, congratulations. Beat me to the Babylon 5 punch.

The Singing Detective (old BBC series) was brilliant.

Twin Peaks was funny and deepest pitch black. You can see the likes of Desperate Housewives smugly thinking they're soooooo daring and edgy. Blown out of the water, m'friends.

(If she's just bought some, my wife will still wiggle her toes and say "New Shoes." She's awfully cool.)

G

"The man who comes to take care of my piranhas told me that if I left West Ham he would kill all my fish."

Paolo Di Canio

CLIOMUSE

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 1:10 AM

Homicide: Life on the Street (until season 7) is the only other show I have ever obsessed about.

I guess I just love gritty, real characters, interesting dialog, and handheld camera work.

AMYGDALA

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 1:36 AM

Surprised Veronica Mars hasn't come up yet. I'd give it second place on my list. Another one of those shows when you hear the premise (high-school drama, chick who does PI work in her spare time), think it sounds like arse and vow never to watch it.

You catch five minutes for some reason or another and BAM! - you're hooked. Buffy, Angel and even Firefly were also like that for me.

It's so good I'm surprised it's still playing on New Zealand TV.

----
"She was naked, and all ... articulate."

JAYNEZTOWN

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 1:39 AM

maybe Twin Peaks ( very weird ), murder of Laura Palmer - does it make sense? Well, more than the Average David Lynch film.

B5 ( great sci-fi stroyline ) - The writing is consistently good with excellent characters, plot twists and flashbacks, and story arcs - however Babylon-Five starts off slow but develops into a great show

or
the ...Outer-Limits ( spooky twlight zone type series )OuterLimits is an anthology science fiction show in which each episode is a self-contained story with a plot twist, it originally ran in the 60s on a U.S. broadcast network

honourable mention for the original Trek and Flash Gordon

LIMINALOSITY

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 1:52 AM

Monty Python.
It makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it, and those boys singlehandedly changed so much of popular culture...
Photoshop! Imagined by Terry Gilliam, funded by the N'tnl Enquirer.

I have heard the siren call of Dark Angel, from every corner of this site, so I went and bought season 1 today. *rubs hands with glee*

Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

SHINYCRYSTAL

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 2:06 AM

1st post (yay)

Firefly is definitely my first favorite, but it's hard to say what my second fav would be. Of shows that are currently on TV I would probably say Arrested Development. Of shows that are off the air, it'd be a toss-up between Buffy and M*A*S*H (as odd a coupling as that is).

FILLIONFLAN

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 2:37 AM

I'm another Twin Peaks geek...DEFINITELY my fave (after FF, of course)...I pull it out about once a year and lose myself in the craziness and creepiness all over again. Just amazing television.

X-Files Seasons 1-5 would definitely be next. Jumped the shark with Season 6 (IMHO).

Simpsons after that. It's comfort food to pop one of those in...

ZOE: “It’s just, the Captain’s so tense…”
WASH: “Of course he’s tense. He’s awake.”

JOSSISAGOD

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 3:22 AM

If I HAVE to stop at just one, I'd say
1. Firefly, hands down my favorite show EVER!
2. I'd say Buffy, up to the end of season 6

and now to unecessarily continue the list,
3. Dark Angel, really only because I thought Jessica Alba was hot.
4. Futurama, for best animated Sci-fi
5. Angel, because I liked Buffy

VELOXI

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 3:26 AM

Firefly is my all-time favorite TV show. The Rockford Files is #2 for me, followed by Batman: The Animated Series as #3.

VISITINGMYINTENTIONS

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 3:38 AM

Firefly is far and above the best show out there, but second?

Hmmm...let me shock you all by saying Buffy. Monty Python, Ultra-Violet, and Rocky & Bullwinkle all deserve praise, but Buffy is longer running and more coherent, thus better able to make a case for my affections.

---------------------------------------------------
Early: Where'd she go?

Simon: I can't keep track of her when she's NOT incorporeally possessing a spaceship, don't look at me --

SERENYTY

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 3:57 AM

OK, Number one is Firefly.

Number two is fantastic show, also cancelled way too early. I'm talking about Joan of Arcadia. There were deep meanings in all the shows, and it was so different. Got cancelled, and replaced with Ghost Whisperer. Gah!

~A message from Serenyty~

CANTTAKESKY

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 4:03 AM

Firefly is perfection.

"Yes, Prime Minister" is near perfection.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

MOHRSTOUTBEARD

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 4:27 AM

Freaks & Geeks and Spaced are tied for second place on my list. After that it's Sports Night.

------------------
"Remember, there's a big difference between kneeling down and bending over."

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 6:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by liminalosity:
I have heard the siren call of Dark Angel, from every corner of this site, so I went and bought season 1 today. *rubs hands with glee*

Ooooo, now you've done it! You'll like it, I'm sure, but you'll be doomed to buy season 2, and let me warn ya, it changes gears real sudden-like for the second season. Not all together in a bad way, they just move from little intimate stories to include bigger and more science-fictiony elements.
Keep us posted on how you like it.

Gotta blaze.

Transgenic Chrisisall

HAZE

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 6:43 PM

Spaced, I really don’t think I need to explain why.

Who do you suppose is in there?

LIMINALOSITY

Thursday, November 3, 2005 7:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Keep us posted on how you like it.
Transgenic Chrisisall

Girls kick ass
says so on a t-shirt.

Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

Otherwise It'll have to be Northern Exposure
I used to joke that if it didn't have martial arts, OR it wasn't set in space, I wouldn't like it. Maybe Joss heard me....

Northern Exposure is a fine 2nd choice, Somnambulist, we own the first season on dvd. Similar love poured into the writing of the characters. You is definitly eclectic, all right.

Alaskan Chrisisall

Hi Big "C"

Yeah Northern Exposure used to tug the ol' heart strings alright... I loved that show. Used to fantasize about being snowbound in a log cabin with 'my' Maggie O'connel...

Ok Chrisisall pop quiz:
Your Favourite character?

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

Omigosh - am just watching NE series 2 on DVD - had to buy from the US Region 1.

Got to say Holling Vincoeur is my fav character by far!!!

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
Got to say Holling Vincoeur is my fav character by far!!!

Hey Zoot

Holling was always my favourite character too :) As the show goes on his back story is real genius!!!

Keep me informed of your progress - I'd love to chat about Northern Exposure.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:05 AM

Aggghhh! So many double posts its scary!!!

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:06 AM

And again!!! …

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:06 AM

And AGAIN - what the gorram hell is wrong with my computer???

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:06 AM

Am so gonna start a NE thread sometime soon ... got very confused with season 2 as there was no indication that the DVDs were double sided, so I have missed half the episodes and am having to go back … but please, put me out of my misery and tell me this … Do Maggie and Joel EVER get it on (other than the full moon episode in season 1)??? …

Have you ever watched Wonderfalls? - Kinda reminds me of NE somehow (but slightly sharper) ...

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
Am so gonna start a NE thread sometime soon ... got very confused with season 2 as there was no indication that the DVDs were double sided, so I have missed half the episodes and am having to go back … but please, put me out of my misery and tell me this … Do Maggie and Joel EVER get it on (other than the full moon episode in season 1)??? …

Have you ever watched Wonderfalls? - Kinda reminds me of NE somehow (but slightly sharper) ...

Ahhh Zoot You know I'm a stickler for not giving things away.

Just rest easy knowing that this show will rarely disappoint. All the characters become so well fleshed out that they each develop plot lines that you want to know more about. It becomes intoxicating. You're in for a real treat.

(Well actually I say that but they haven't released anymore here have they? In the UK I mean? You are from the UK aren't you Zoot?)

I'm remembering things from the first time I saw it when it was shown on channel 4 back in the 90's. I just hope they do release the entire show - it's pure genius.

:)
The
Somnmabulist

www.cirqus.com

FINALDUELIST

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:28 AM

Firefly kicks ass. but im not sure if its my absolute favourite. there are plenty of other kick as shows out there;

Dark Angel.....why, why did they cut you.

Alias.....stoylines dont get much more convoluted than this.

stargate SG1.....not as consistant as it used to be but still worth a mention.

Buffy/Angel.....enough said.

Family Guy.....people should stop suing it and just enjoy it.

Star Treck.....as a whole, there were good episodes in all series(though enterprise wasn't up to standard)

Andromada.....good show, hard to get over herculies as a starship captain though.

I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:36 AM

yes, Somnambulist, I am from the UK and I too have a vague memory of staying up late to watch Northern Exposure in the 80s (90s?) - sure I was at school but went to uni in 91, so I dunno ....

Acting only upon this vague and random memory, I ordered me series 1 and 2 and, oh wait, 3 (yes, just realised I'm actually watching season 3!!) from the US, region 1 - having said that you can buy the DVDs pretty cheaply on Amazon UK ...

The only draw back is you need either a multi-region DVD player (which most people have now anyhoo) or, like me, an apple on which to play region 1 in good quality coupled with a DVD player for region 2 …

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

TOMFORESTGOBLIN

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:56 AM

Firefly is definitely in first, followed by the new Battlestar Galactica which i'm enjoying immensely.

Others include:
Buffy/Angel - (Goes without saying, although i much prefer Angel)
Stargate SG-1/Atlantis - (Ah, the TV equivalent of a popcorn flick. All good fun.)
Alias - (Very interesting.)
The 4400 - (Very good first season, absolutely cracking second season.)
Spaced - (The best comedy. Ever. I strongly suggest all of you check this one out. Hundreds of film references and homages, most of them Star Wars (very funny episode where the main character loses his job at a comic book store, because he shouted and swore at a little kid who wanted a Jar-Jar doll). Also some Buffy/Angel references.)
Dead Like Me - (Loved the cynical humour.)

"Now that makes you kind of a tease, don't it."

GIANTEVILHEAD

Thursday, November 3, 2005 11:15 AM

Firefly is my favorite canceled show of all time. Andy Richter Controls the Universe is my second favorite canceled show.

"I swallowed a bug." -River Tam

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, November 3, 2005 12:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
yes, Somnambulist, I am from the UK and I too have a vague memory of staying up late to watch Northern Exposure in the 80s (90s?) - sure I was at school but went to uni in 91, so I dunno ....

Acting only upon this vague and random memory, I ordered me series 1 and 2 and, oh wait, 3 (yes, just realised I'm actually watching season 3!!) from the US, region 1 - having said that you can buy the DVDs pretty cheaply on Amazon UK ...

The only draw back is you need either a multi-region DVD player (which most people have now anyhoo) or, like me, an apple on which to play region 1 in good quality coupled with a DVD player for region 2 …

You know I used to have a mac that did multi region, but I gave it to my mum and bought myself a Minimac for my flat and now they only let you change the region four times, then you're stuck with the region you last decided on FOREVER!!!!

So I don't do it, and am now patiently waiting seasons 3-6 on region2 or whatever it is we got here!!!
Anyway i share much of those memories of watching Northern Exposure. In my family it was 'my' show, as nobody else bothered, so I'd tape it then watch it when everyone had gone to bed. I'd be kept company by my ever loyal and trustfull border collie and we'd both be on the bean bag watching it. Yeah real fond memories...... :)

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

ZOOT

Thursday, November 3, 2005 12:45 PM

yeah, my show like that was MASH ... I can remember being allowed to turn the TV on to watch it (otherwise no TV on school nights) - very exciting ...

Incidentally I think those years of deprivation are the reason why I’m so obsessive about my TV/ film watching now!! So ha! Mother! Look at your legacy to the world, look at it!!!!

So are there 6 seasons of NE?? Only seen 1-3 on DVD …

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, November 3, 2005 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
yeah, my show like that was MASH ... I can remember being allowed to turn the TV on to watch it (otherwise no TV on school nights) - very exciting ...

Incidentally I think those years of deprivation are the reason why I’m so obsessive about my TV/ film watching now!! So ha! Mother! Look at your legacy to the world, look at it!!!!

So are there 6 seasons of NE?? Only seen 1-3 on DVD …

Yeah I think there were six ? I can't recall exactly but once it ended my tv watching went down to zero.... Then this fellow called Joss came along with something he called Buffy the Vampire Slayer....

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

SOMEDEEPMYSTERY

Thursday, November 3, 2005 3:36 PM

Firefly is my #1, followed by Due South, with a couple of others really close up on it. But I loved Due South especially the first season. :)

*delurk mode terminated*

QUEENOFTHENORTH

Thursday, November 3, 2005 3:50 PM

I've never heard of Spaced or Dead Like Me. Can someone tell me where I might be able to watch them??

I give to you the Seeker of Serenity, the Valkyrie Warrior, the Gourmet Cook and the Truth Scoper.

DANTHEMAN

Thursday, November 3, 2005 3:55 PM

1a) Firefly
1b) Buffy

Everything else doesn't really matter. Those two were far and away the best two shows on TV. Never liked Angel though.

ORPHEUS

Thursday, November 3, 2005 4:01 PM

After Firefly, I've gotta go with the Clerks animated series. I think it's the only show in history that got the shaft harder than Firefly.

Not only did ABC push Clerks' debut from Spring 2000 to Summer 2000, but they premiered it on the same night as the first Survivor and the NBA Finals.

Only 6 episodes were made (only 2 ever aired), and it's quite possibly the single funniest thing ever.

You just gotta love a show that will rip off Bad News Bears, Last Starfighter, and Temple of Doom, and make it all the same plot.

But as far as TV that's still ON TV, I'll say South Park. Call me juvenile, but I've been a South Park fan since day 1.

LIMINALOSITY

Friday, November 4, 2005 4:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by queenofthenorth:
Dead Like Me. Can someone tell me where I might be able to watch them??

I give to you the Seeker....Scoper.

Hey b'day girl!
Dead Like Me is a cancelled 2 season show that was on a US cable network. You can order it, but that's money. Can you something like Netflix in the far frozen northland of queens? It's well worth a little bother.

I am very concerned about all this talk of regions 1-4! How is this messing with the sleepwalkers and zoot-suited?
There should be no unalterable -choices- to be made regarding cultcha! What are these powers thinking?
Is this a Brit thang?

Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

JASONZZZ

Friday, November 4, 2005 7:17 AM

Picket fences... law & order (original) also

but this season it's a fight between Medium, House, or Commander in Chief (Gina Davis so hot!)

Like Fireflyfans.net?
Haken needs new equipment to keep the site shiny. Donate.
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=5&t=3283
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=13317#185514

Given the freedom to do so, anarchy will result in an organic organization unto itself.

KAREL

Friday, November 4, 2005 7:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Are we talking current shows ? If so I don't think I have one :? Maybe a thing here in the UK called SCRAPHEAP CHALLENGE if that counts. But it's not a drama or nothing... just peeps be building things outa junk and challenging each other with it....

Otherwise It'll have to be Northern Exposure

"Junkyard Wars" in the USA. I really liked that show.

VISITINGMYINTENTIONS

Friday, November 4, 2005 9:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
Firefly is perfection.

"Yes, Prime Minister" is near perfection.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

Ooh--why didn't I remember that one. I'm sad, because my video store only has a few episodes (it wasn't tragically cancelled, I hope?!).

Quote:
Originally posted by dantheman:
1a) Firefly
1b) Buffy

Everything else doesn't really matter. Those two were far and away the best two shows on TV. Never liked Angel though.

Nor I. I don't really understand its popularity (other than getting to see Buffy characters again).

---------------------------------------------------
Early: Where'd she go?

Simon: I can't keep track of her when she's NOT incorporeally possessing a spaceship, don't look at me --

ANOTHERFIREFLYFAN

Friday, November 4, 2005 9:55 AM

Funny how the thread asks for only one 2nd favorite, but almost everyone responds with a list. ;)

Second favorite is really tough to choose though...

While I do really love Joss's other shows, I think I'd have to go with Farscape - which I'm buying as the starburst edition dvds come out and seeing for the first time. I'm partway through season 2 and loving every minute.

Although if I was to include all types of shows, rather than just hour-long story type shows, I'm also a huge MSTie. (That's Mystery Science Theater 3000 for those not in the know.) Nothing has ever made me laugh harder. If only the DVD sets weren't so ruttin' expensive. :( If only this show was still on reruns somewhere.

Umm... if I were to make a list (looks like I did too... lol) it would also include Babylon 5 and Wonderfalls and Buffy and Angel.

Keep flying

HAWK

Friday, November 4, 2005 10:29 AM

Doctor Who

A fixture of my childhood, my passion for it was reignited by the recent new series.

Funny thing though; Doctor Who is the longest running science fiction show ever, Firefly only ran for one season, and the latter is my favourite!

Honourable mentions also go to Angel, Buffy, Dark angel, new Battlestar Galactica and Spooks.

ZOOT

Friday, November 4, 2005 10:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by liminalosity:

I am very concerned about all this talk of regions 1-4! How is this messing with the sleepwalkers and zoot-suited?
There should be no unalterable -choices- to be made regarding cultcha! What are these powers thinking?
Is this a Brit thang?

I guess it is a Brit thing, only not really as I suspect it was the US that came up with regions originally - Just means that unless you have a multi-region DVD player you can't buy DVDs cheaply from other countries ... I think there's some technical reasons to do with pixels or whatever but reckon it's all just so much mumbo jumbo to get us to pay inflated prices ...

Becomes much more annoying when you discover that e.g. the region 1 (US) versions of Dark Angel have loads of fab commentaries and mini-docs but the UK (region 2) has none of it!! Grr Arhg!

And to Queen of the North, may I just say Spaced is superb – very, very funny – especially if you’ve ever had low self esteem and shared a flat with a geeky man, you’ll find it hysterical …

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

LJSQUARED

Friday, November 4, 2005 11:51 AM

I'm surprised no one has said Wonderfalls yet so I'll lock that in as my second favourite. Blackadder, Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf all Deserve mention aswell.

The New Battlestar, House , Veronica Mars, Arrested Development and Rome are my favourite shows still in production.

ZOOT

Friday, November 4, 2005 12:19 PM

I said Wonderfalls!!!!

Ohh and am totally LOVING House ...

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

ELGGIN

Friday, November 4, 2005 12:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hawk:
Angel, Buffy, Dark angel, new Battlestar Galactica and Spooks.

Love Angel, Buffy and Spooks (as well as many others)...

... but yay Mathew Macfadyen. Great in Spooks and that really good New Zealand movie My Fathers Den (and he's a good Mr. Darcy whatever people say)

QUEENOFTHENORTH

Friday, November 4, 2005 3:27 PM

Thanks Lim! I don't think I can get Netflix here, but I can order it through Amazon. My way of getting anything not available in stores here. Maybe I can get Spaced too. I just bought Veronica Mars season 1 yesterday, so I'll have to see how I like that.

I give to you the Seeker of Serenity, the Valkyrie Warrior, the Gourmet Cook and the Truth Scoper.

ZOOT

Friday, November 4, 2005 3:42 PM

I thought he was an excellent Mr Darcy too, Elggin and not just 'cos he's unfathomably beautiful!!

He was also superb in Henry IV on stage - I was in the second row and could have reached out and touched him... (but for the restrainign order, of course) ...

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

SUNDANCE

Friday, November 4, 2005 3:44 PM

Picking favourites is not so hard, i'd have to go Buffy then FF.

I love FF but I grew up with Buffy through the good times and bad in my life, it was always there for me and we got to say goodbye properly too. Whereas with FF we hardly got to know each other, and then didn't have (horrible word coming up!) "closure" (don't have a brit word for that - sorry fellow-brits!). So it feels a little like we woz cheated hot damn it!

I was gonna list a load of other shows that i really really liked - but when it comes down to it you have ur favs, and then you always have your nearly favs that don't quite cut it - which is the difference between them.

Interesting to see that a lot of current shows make people's favourites, when so many people slate the quality of good televsion these days! it's just that the good shows don't stay around for long enuff!

xxxx

"Who would want a motorised rock?
Another motorised rock?"

LADYSHELLEY

Friday, November 4, 2005 5:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:

I guess it is a Brit thing, only not really as I suspect it was the US that came up with regions originally - Just means that unless you have a multi-region DVD player you can't buy DVDs cheaply from other countries ... I think there's some technical reasons to do with pixels or whatever but reckon it's all just so much mumbo jumbo to get us to pay inflated prices ...

Actually it was a combination of things. Studios wanted to make sure a release that was available for sale in one place (Be it the US, UK, or where ever) wasn't available in another market where it still needed to show on screens.

Very few movies release around the world the same day, there are still lots of places that haven't seen the BDM and won't by 12/20 when the region 1 DVD is released. By no releasing the film in other regions, theorically they are saving those box office markets.

The other reason is some countries, namely China, want to be able to control the content of the films released, so they have their very own region to allow for this.

The reality is the argument is now moot. You can buy a region free player for about $20 these days (I know because I did it), and other players can be hacked to removed the region information. However, manufacturers still want to live the dream they are controlling the content, only now it's getting more insidious: HDDVD and Blu-Ray the new DVD formats, have come out saying the DVD player will need to be connected to a phone line to insure content protections.

Fun, 'eh?

Lady Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redhawke.org

PATSRULE

Friday, November 4, 2005 5:37 PM

Favorite: Lost
Second favorite: Murder One

Honorable mentions:

Firefly
Cheers
Married with Children
24
Family Guy

Potential to join the list if they can maintain the current quality:

Prison Break
My Name is Earl

SIC

Friday, November 4, 2005 5:51 PM

I'm a coward, I'll just name other series I like. Not sure which ones are my favorite yet.

Angel
Firefly
Buffy
X-Files
Six Feet Under
Millennium

LIMINALOSITY

Friday, November 4, 2005 6:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LadyShelley:
Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
reckon it's all just so much mumbo jumbo to get us to pay inflated prices ...

there are still lots of places that haven't seen the BDM and won't by 12/20 when the region 1 DVD is released.

The other reason is some countries, namely China, want to be able to control the content of the films released, so they have their very own region to allow for this.

The reality is the argument is now moot. You can buy a region free player for about $20 these days (I know because I did it), and other players can be hacked to removed the region information. However, manufacturers still want to live the dream they are controlling the content, only now it's getting more insidious: HDDVD and Blu-Ray the new DVD formats, have come out saying the DVD player will need to be connected to a phone line to insure content protections.

Fun, 'eh?

Lady Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redhawke.org

Thanks for that, both of you. Makes perfect sense, and looks to me like it might also carry a thinly veiled anti-napsterizing property in its pocket.

The
OT fairy

Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

ZIGGY

Friday, November 4, 2005 9:25 PM

Firefly is without doubt my favourite show, with Quantum Leap as my second favourite

SICKDUDE

Friday, November 4, 2005 11:41 PM

To quote Homer: "TV. Teacher, Mother, Secret Lover."

Tough question, Cisall, but for me Firefly is probably two or three on the list. Lost would be second.

For first place, I'll take SPT Layzner, an obscure Japanese anime show circa 1986. It chronicles an alien invasion of Earth that starts by using attacks on the far colonies (Mars, the moon) to get the Super powers fighting. Then the aliens handily finish the job (think Minbari). Then the second part is about occupied Earth. The story itself is about a group of kids stuck in the middle, and the lone alien that defects to fight for Earth's sake. Based loosely on the legend of Melos.

Hey, someone has to be obscure...

"Don't say 'ka' until you've tried it." Daniel Jackson

ELGGIN

Saturday, November 5, 2005 12:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
I thought he was an excellent Mr Darcy too, Elggin and not just 'cos he's unfathomably beautiful!!

He was also superb in Henry IV on stage - I was in the second row and could have reached out and touched him... (but for the restrainign order, of course) ...B]

Lucky you...

I've never met anyone who agreed with me about his unfathomable beauty...

Have you seen My Fathers Den? It's a beautiful movie, kinda depressing, but really very good. If you like Mathew it's even better...

CHRISISALL

Saturday, November 5, 2005 2:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sickdude:

For first place, I'll take SPT Layzner, an obscure Japanese anime show circa 1986.

Is it available on dvd? Sounds interesting...

Chrisisall

SFFAZ

Saturday, November 5, 2005 5:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MohrStoutbeard:
Freaks & Geeks and Spaced are tied for second place on my list. After that it's Sports Night.

Hey, someone else who likes SPORTS NIGHT. For me Sports Night is No. 1. Although i'm not as fanatic about it as i'm about firefly. And i can't decide about second because i haven't completed watching all these series except FF: Firefly, B5, Wonderfalls, Twin Peaks, Buffy, Angel, Red Dwarf, V the mini series and the Final battle but not the series, Black Adder and Rowan Atkinson's The Thin Blue Line, Pretender, VR5 and Millennium.

To me Sports Night is the TV equivalent of baseball's Perfect Game, where every episode is a home run/no hitter, which is appropriate because its about a sports programme. As for the others, i guess Firefly leads by a nose because Joss made Serenity and i'm not suffering pangs of what happens next like most of the shows mentioned above. But as purely tv series, see abovefor my reasoning.

Hin [in Singapore]

DAELUS

Saturday, November 5, 2005 8:01 PM

My second favourite would be 'Carnivale'. It's such a fantastic, well-written show.

"My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."

ROCKETJOCK

Saturday, November 5, 2005 8:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Declan:
Oh, man! F Troop really goes back aways!

I used to know the theme song by heart when I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Ahem! (Blows pitch pipe):

The end of the Civil War was near/when quite accidentally/a soldier who sneezed abruptly seized/retreat and reversed it to victory.

His medal of honor pleased and thrilled/his proud little family group/while pinning it on some blood was spilled/and so it was planned he'd command -- F-TROOP!

Where indian fights are colorful sights/and nobody takes a lickin'/where paleface and redskin both turn chicken/when drilling and marching get them down/they know their morale won't droop/as long as they all relax in town/before they resume with a bang and a boom/F-TROOP!

"What was that?" -- Captain Malcolm Reynolds

ECGORDON

Saturday, November 5, 2005 8:38 PM

Firefly is my #1.

If we restrict this to just science fiction, then my #2 is Babylon 5.

If we do not restrict it to genre, then my answer would be Sports Night.

ZOOT

Monday, November 7, 2005 8:40 AM

Curses!!! I forgot Sports Night too!! Man, I LOVE that show!!

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

ZOOT

Monday, November 7, 2005 8:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by elggin:

Lucky you...

I've never met anyone who agreed with me about his unfathomable beauty...

Have you seen My Fathers Den? It's a beautiful movie, kinda depressing, but really very good. If you like Mathew it's even better...

Not seen in My Father's Den - was on at my local cinema a couple of weeks ago as a director's chair (special showings - I saw Bombon (El Perro) there yesterday) but I missed it ...

I can't believe no one agrees with you - many people I know think he's divine ... he also voicing a certain advert at the moment - can't remember which, but it's on all the time and I sigh every time!!!

Spooks is SO not the same any more ...

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

TIGER

Monday, November 7, 2005 9:16 AM

Anyone who didn't pick the new Battlestar Galactica is a moron.

Yeah you heard me.

SICKDUDE

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 11:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Sickdude:

For first place, I'll take SPT Layzner, an obscure Japanese anime show circa 1986.

Is it available on dvd? Sounds interesting...

Chrisisall

Sadly, no. There was talk someone was going to bring it out in America, but nothing materialized. Luckily, I own the japanese LDs!

"Don't say 'ka' until you've tried it." Daniel Jackson

20THCENTFOXHATER

Thursday, November 10, 2005 1:58 AM

Firefly is my all time favourite (duh), followed by (unfortunatley) a few more FOX shows (and others):
2. The Simpsons (before it started sucking bigtime about 4 years ago)
3. Lost
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (except for those dreadful final two years. Yes, they were awful compared to the first 4 or 5 seasons)
5. Family Guy (Strong DVD sales brought this back, so why not Firefly?)
6. Angel (At times was even better than Buffy)
7. Alias
8. Futurama (Hey! What do you know? Another pre-empted FOX program that was cancelled.)
9. Friends
10. American Dad
11. Two and a Half Men

"I aim to misbehave."

CHRISISALL

Thursday, November 10, 2005 3:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tiger:
Anyone who didn't pick the new Battlestar Galactica is a moron.

Yeah you heard me.

Yeah, well BG is good, but it ain't as good as DARK ANGEL, and since this is true and undeniable, logically YOU are the moron here.

Yeah, you heard me too!

We'll choose a place, the weapons, and then, baby, it's go-time!

Chrisisall

TIGER

Thursday, November 10, 2005 3:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Yeah, well BG is good, but it ain't as good as DARK ANGEL...

Seriously? I mean, you're not being sarcastic or something?

Dark Angel was a good idea, poorly executed. Well, not at first - it started out pretty good but rapidly lost any credibility as anything but a b-list monster show.

Jessica Alba is so totally hot that you can forgive a lot. But even her acting seemed to degrade over time.

Even at its best, Dark Angel NEVER had the dramatic weight that BSG has. Or the great acting, or the tight plotting, or the music, or special effects, etc, etc.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, November 10, 2005 5:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tiger:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Yeah, well BG is good, but it ain't as good as DARK ANGEL...

Seriously? I mean, you're not being sarcastic or something?

Nope.
But BG is a solid third on my list.

Quote:

Dark Angel was a good idea, poorly executed. Well, not at first - it started out pretty good but rapidly lost any credibility as anything but a b-list monster show.

It shifted gears suddenly between seasons; any fan of Buffy or Angel will tell ya shake-ups are good for keeping an audience off balance. Okay, they did get REAL science-fictiony compared with season 1, but the characters were intact.

Quote:

Jessica Alba is so totally hot that you can forgive a lot. But even her acting seemed to degrade over time.

She only got better, IMO. Can you site a specific example of bad acting?

Quote:

Even at its best, Dark Angel NEVER had the dramatic weight that BSG has. Or the great acting, or the tight plotting, or the music, or special effects, etc, etc.

Disagree on music, and John Savage is an actor's actor, but all else you say here is true, however, DA has one thing BG can't come close to- HEART. As great as BG is (and it IS great), I came to care more about what happened to Max and Logan than anything else in the show. BG has no such central, visceral theme, no absolutly important central dynamic. It's an ensemble show, and as such, is less intimate and compelling (for me...). This isn't bad, just different, but the reason why I can't love BG as completely as DA.

Chrisisall, defender of the Transgenic faith

QILINLUGH

Thursday, November 10, 2005 6:14 PM

I haven't seen a lot of the shows people have already listed (especially Dark Angel and Buffy), so maybe I would change my mind if I saw those...however, my (second) favorite is:

Joan of Arcadia

Qi Lin

JONATHANSTRANGE

Thursday, November 10, 2005 8:24 PM

I have a hard time with the whole concept of "favorite" because technically that means I have to think critically about the things I love in order to rank them. Do I love Firefly/Serenity? Yes (perhaps a little too much at times); but do I love it to the exclusion of all others? I'll get back to you on that one.

Other Much-Loved shows include:

The BuffyVerse (Angel and B:tVS)
Tales From the Crypt (sooooo happy its on DVD now)
Batman: the Animated Series (astonishingly adult for children's fare)

and I'm surprised so few people are mentioning Battlestar Galactica (the new SciFi series, not the cheesetastic 1970 Star Wars knock-off). I think the character work is exceptional, and the show really maintains its epic feel quite well.

(and contrary to the previous poster, you're not an idiot if you don't mention BSG - but you are missing out on some damn fine tv).

"People are crunchy." - Baby Reaver

THANATUS

Thursday, November 10, 2005 8:38 PM

OK...late comer to this thread, and maybe I missed it, but NOBODY mentions Kung Fu?!?! Come on...the warm tones, great storytelling, moralistic sense without being preachy-like. That was some great TV...only thing David Carradine has EVER done that's worth a darn.

Thoughts?

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