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Top 15 television shows to watch on DVD this summer

Started by Mike Olbinski · 10 months ago

I've had this post planned for a very long time, and was going to do it during the writer's strike, but it just never materialized. But now that summer is here, it's time to pass on my vast knowledge of quality television that you may have missed out on over the years. Okay, maybe not ... Continue reading »

26 comments

  • Scotty Dub

    1 year ago

    Good list Mikey! I had totally forgotten about Always Sunny in Philly, which was freaking wrong and hilarious at the same time. Probably going to start Band of Brothers this weekend. May have to try Flight of the Choncords too.

    Scotty Dubs last blog post..Hot Job Locations
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  • jina

    1 year ago

    If someone is looking for solid drama to watch over the summer, I would have to echo Mike with "Damages". Being that it has only one season, it isn't to taxing to watch. Plus, it is a complete storyline from episode 1 to the finale. Really, I am curious to see if they can come anywhere close on season 2. Check it out; you won't be sorry!
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  • Richard

    1 year ago

    Excellent list. The only one you didn't include or mention in your parting thoughts that I would immediately add is The Wire (which I have yet to see.) There are a few others that I might also add, but I think you've got a nice mix there.

    Two thoughts:
    1. The old Sports Night DVD collection (the one with ZERO extras) is out of print and the new, feature-rich collection isn't out yet. I guess someone could find a used copy of the old one, but that would imply that someone had *sold* their copy of Sports Night and that just does not compute. I'd guess most people will have to wait until Shout! Factory's 10th anniversary edition is out on September 30th.

    2. Last summer, Alan Sepinwall at the Star-Ledger did a rewind of Freaks and Geeks on his blog. There's a lot of great commentary from him, and in the comments. If anyone watches this summer, they might want to read those as well. He's planning on doing The Wire this year, if anyone's going to jump on that DVD collection.
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    Wow Richard, had no clue Sports Night was out of print. Is it even available on Blockbuster online or Netflix?
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  • Richard

    1 year ago

    I just checked, and Netflix still has it. I'd assume it's available to rent in some other places as well, but the supply is going to be what it is until the new set comes out.

    Richards last blog post..Guest post on Pop Critics
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  • nicky

    1 year ago

    good list mike!
    i would add ugly betty (of course!) and felicity (i still miss that show.) and if you need mindless but highly entertaining stuff, throw in the seasons of laguna beach and the hills. it's a trainwreck but sooo fun!

    nickys last blog post..Update from my bed.
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    @ Nicky - Felicity is a good one for sure...I really, really loved that show.

    @ Richard - At least it's still out there...in fact, maybe I'll give mine away as a prize or something, because I'm going to pick up the 10th anniversary edition anyways :)
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  • DadofIandI

    1 year ago

    For Brittish Eyes Only

    @Richard The Wire really interests me, I saw a few episodes when it was on HBO, but never really got into it.
    For Comic book nerds, I suggest The Venture Brothers I think they've done 2 seasons on Cartoon Network.

    DadofIandIs last blog post..Lakers the lesser of two evils
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    The Wire is a great choice...I've heard nothing short of it being amazing.
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  • The Trousered Ape

    1 year ago

    Nice list Mike, good job on putting it together.

    Dexter is definitely awesome - the acting and writing for that show is fantastic and Michael C. Hall nails the acting for the lead role of Dexter. This show would not be what it is without him in that role. He is flawless.

    Burn Notice is another good one. Not great, but definitely very solid with good acting and writing.

    The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
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  • The Trousered Ape

    1 year ago

    Oh - I nearly forgot. I know it just wrapped up its first season, but if they happen to do repeats, you gotta catch Eli Stone. Out of all the new shows that turned up this year, this was my favorite.

    The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    I've heard good stuff about Eli Stone, but I couldn't gather the energy to watch it. Back to make assumptions, but it looked very Ally McBeal, and then you throw in George Michaels and I was like, ugh.

    But a buddy told me it wasn't anything like Ally McBeal, so I should give it a shot.
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  • The Trousered Ape

    1 year ago

    Yeah - could not stomach Ally, but Eli was good.

    The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
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  • Seedybee

    1 year ago

    I will check out some of the shows you mentioned. "Coupling" sounds especially interesting. Some others that are out on DVD that I think are good are "The Riches" and "Big Love". I didn't watch "Lost" from the beginning, caught up with it on DVD, but now I am a complete Lostie. Best show on television. IMHO.
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  • Dave Mac

    1 year ago

    Absolutely fantastic list. Great to see "Coupling" on there. I'd forgotten all about it. My personal #1 would have to the "The Wire". The acting, plot, characters, dialog I found to without parallel in anything else I've seen. It tackles difficult, complex subjects and never patronises or talks down to the viewer.
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    Thanks Dave, glad you liked it. It's pretty funny how Coupling escapes some of our minds because you just don't see it on TV much.

    I need to watch The Wire sometime.
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  • Jack Harrison

    1 year ago

    Good list, but you forgot about "The Wire". I've gone back to the first season this summer, and can't get enough of it.

    "Always Sunny" is the funniest show on TV!

    "Twin Peaks" would be a good addition to the list, as would have been "Deadwood".
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    Thanks Jack...yeah, I haven't seen The Wire yet, but I knew there were good series out there that I would miss.

    I need to see that one.

    Agree about Always Sunny :)
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  • daniel

    1 year ago

    i would have like to see House and Californication in that list
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    @ Daniel - Didn't hear great things about Californification, but maybe I'll check it out later. I know House is good, just not seen it yet.

    But obviously you like those, so this list is GOOD for you to find something else!
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  • Cap'n Schwartz

    1 year ago

    "Didn’t hear great things about Californification," where have you been hiding?!? The show is awesome and its Duchoveny unleashed....
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    Well dang it, maybe I need to watch!
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  • Milander

    1 year ago

    You should have included 'Black Books', a UK comedy series based around a mad, demented and insanly funny irish book shop owner. Seriously check it out, funnier by far than the office or anything else on this list. Tust me, buy it and make out your will because you're going to die laughing.
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  • Mike

    1 year ago

    Never heard of Black Books...but sometimes UK comedies don't translate well humor-wise to people from the U.S.

    Are there any episodes online?
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  • Milander

    1 year ago

    Hi Mike, got mine off Amazon.co.uk, all 3 series for about 40 dollars your money inc. postage and packing in a box set. Ypu may have a problem with regional coding if you don't have a universal player as it is a UK show (region 2) and I'm not sure if you can get it in region 1 coding. Stars are dylan morris as the crazy eccentric bookshop owner, bill bailey as his assistant (hilarious btw) and tamsin greig as their oldest friend. I'd recommend it as an essential purchase if you like UK humour as seen in red dwarf, spaced and any of the black adder series. This is an excellent example of the best of UK humour in an irreverent way and is as important to UK humour as Friends was to USA peeps. :-) Buy it and if you don't like it you are welcome to curse me.

    Check this link for a shortish preveiw from youtube:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaeeCV8eRr4&...
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  • Richard

    1 year ago

    Mike, other than the region encoding, watch out for the hidden costs on buying from one of the overseas Amazons. I bought a book off Amazon.uk earlier this year that only "cost" like $8 including shipping. Until the import duties and conversion fees from Amex got tacked on.

    I'd have to go look for the exact total, but it came to around $70 to buy a book that cost £1.
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