Television

Television by Era

2000's
	The Sopranos 1999 - 2007 North Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, self-described "waste management consultant," reluctantly seeks a psychiatrist's help after blacking out. Lest he appear weak, he must keep his therapy a secret from the rest of the Mob. He's stressed: his teenage daughter is giving his wife fits; his mean-spirited mother refuses to move to a retirement community; his aging Uncle Junior, jealous of Tony's rise to the top, won't stay in line and engineers a plot to kill Tony; and the feds, armed with RICO, are circling. In therapy, Tony must come to terms with his father's example, his mother's manipulations, and his own fears of death and loss of family. Reason to watch - Groundbreaking move of drama series to Cable (HBO). Great writing & action packed.
	Six Feet Under 2001-5 A drama series that takes a darkly comical look at members of a dysfunctional Pasadena family that runs an independent funeral home. With the prodigal elder son (Peter Krause) returning home for the holidays to shattering news, the family must learn to deal with a death of their own, while figuring out how to go ahead with the business of the living. A funny and emotional look at a grieving American family...that just happens to be in the grief management business. Reason to watch - Opening scene; very dark comedy
	Doctor Who 2005 - Present Rose Tyler, a young shop assistant in a London department store, lives a humdrum and profoundly average life - until the night the shop dummies where she works wake up and try to kill her. Her life is saved by a strange man who only calls himself The Doctor, and intrigued by him, she finds herself thrown headlong into a hectic battle to stop an alien presence from invading Earth and annihilating the human race. She comes to learn that her new friend is even stranger than she thought - in fact, the Doctor's an alien adventurer called a 'Time Lord', seemingly the last of his race, who travels through time and space in his TARDIS battling evil where he finds it. And if she travels with him, she'll find herself witnessing the heat-death of the Earth five billion years in the future, meeting Charles Dickens in the past, and encountering lifeforms and invaders stranger than she'd ever thought possible. Only one thing is certain - it'll be the ride of a lifetime. Favorite character - Dalek Reason to watch - Quality update of a classic series; great villans
	Battlestar Galactica 2004 - Present The second war against the Cylons is over and The Twelve Colonies have been destroyed. Now Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galatica and President Laura Roslin lead a ragtag fleet of refugees in a supposed search for the fabled lost thirteenth colony, Earth. However, the dangers they face are many which compound an already difficult situation. In addition to the Cylons hunting and attacking the fleet in space, their infiltrator units carry out a more subtle plot even as their former unwitting pawn, Gaius Baltar, helps in the hunt for them while hiding both his own guilt and the strange presence that haunts his every thought. If that wasn't enough, the fleet also faces internal political conflict in which the rabble-rousing figure, Tom Zarek, is merely the loudest dissenting voice. In the midst of these trials however, clues begin to appear that suggest that Adama's simple bluff about Earth may be more truthful than anyone could have guessed. Favorite character - Number Six Reason to watch - Gritty remake is vastly superior to 1970's original
1990's
	Dream On 1990 -96 Cult adult comedy about dreamer Martin Tupper, whose life is full of colourful characters. Divorced and living with his growing teenage son, still friends with his ex-wife, and constantly looking for dates, but without a clue how to relate to women. Working as a book editor, with a ditsy, headstrong secretary, who cramps his style as often as helping him. The series is crammed full of hundreds of clips from all manner of old films, used as metaphors for Martin's reactions (hence the title); and it is renowned for its use of sexual references. Reason to watch - Quirky changes of pace, loveable loser
	The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." 1993-4 Hired by local robber barons, Harvard Law Graduate Brisco County, Jr. searches for the members of the infamous John Bly gang, the same men who killed his father, a famous marshal and western legend. Accompanied by his one-time rival and fellow bounty hunter Lord Bowler, Brisco rides through the West trying to bring his father's killers to justice. Along the way, he encounters mysterious golden orbs with strange abilities and colorful characters who help or hinder his mission as he hunts down the Bly gang one by one. Reason to watch - Quirky mix of Sci-Fi and western genres.
	Xena Warrior Princess 1995- 2001 In ancient Greece, a time of mythical legends. Xena was a mighty female warrior, Xena once left her village and led a army of outlaws that terrorized the lands, and was a former enemy of the legendary hero Hercules. Xena began to regret what she had done and embarked on a quest for redemption. Joined by a young woman named Gabrille, Xena travels across the lands as she battles forces of evil, and would often do battle with her evil foes, the ruthless and charming Ares and Callisto, a warrior woman out to get her revenge on Xena for the death of her family and burning her village when she was a child. And Xena and Gabrille were on occasions joined by trusted friends wannabe warrior, Joxer and thief Autolycus. Seeking adventure and helping people, Xena's courage will change the world... Favorite character - Callisto (enraged foe of Xena) Reason to watch - Mindless action
1980's
	Married with Children 1987 -97 The Bundys are a stereotypical "white trash" American family. Al is a shoe salesman who is fond of frequently reliving his doubtful 15 seconds of fame on the football field. Al is terrified of the all-to-frequent amorous advances his ditsy wife Peggy, a woman who must spend most of Al's wages at the salon and the mall. They have two children: Kelly, the stunning but superficial party animal, and Bud, who is too wrapped up in himself to realize his goal of "scoring" with a girl. Favorite character - Al Bundy (lovable loser) Reason to watch - Tasteless fun
	The Simpsons 1989 - Present The Simpsons is the longest-running prime-time animated show on TV! The show follows the comical adventures of the Simpson family in the town of Springfield, (the state is unknown). Homer, an unintelligent beer-drinking father who's mostly the cause of problems; Marge, the housewife mom who always tries to help the kids when they need it; Bart, the mischievous and clever 10-year-old; Lisa, the only person in Springfield who's worth becoming president of the USA; and Maggie, the baby of the family. Other characters include Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Hindu Kwik-E-Mart owner; Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' next-door neighbor who constantly aggravates Homer; Milhouse Van Houten, Bart's best friend and a complete coward; Mr. Burns, a extremely wealthy and evil businessman; and a huge variety of other characters. Running for 16 years, the Simpsons have connected with many guest voices and satirized most modern day icons. Favorite character - Homer Simpson Reason to watch - Looney satire
	Hill Street Blues 1981- 87 The original "ensemble drama," this is the story of an overworked, under-staffed police precinct in an anonymous inner city patterned after Chicago. We follow the lives of many characters, from the lowly beat and traffic cops to the captain of the precinct himself. This is the show that blazed the trail followed later by such notable ensemble dramas as "St. Elsewhere" and "L.A. Law" Reason to watch - Gritty Drama; great ensemble cast


1970's
	Monty Python's Flying Circus 1969 -74 The irreverent Monty Python comedy troupe present a series of skits which are often surreal, baudy, uncompromising, tasteless, but inevitably hilarious. Reason to watch - Zany unpredictable turns.
	The Benny Hill Show 1969 - 89 A sketch-comedy series in which Hill would often play multiple characters and satirize popular British and American performers and stars. Common themes in the show were the husband-beating wife, buxom women, and silent, high-speed chase scenes between Hill and the other characters. Reason to watch - Vaudeville style humor for the 1970's television setting
	Taxi 1978 - 83 Louie De Palma is a cantankerous, acerbic taxi dispatcher in New York City. He tries to maintain order over a collection of varied and strange characters who drive for him. As he bullies and insults them from the safety of his "cage," they form a special bond among themselves, becoming friends and supporting each other through the inevitable trials and tribulations of life. Favorite Character - Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman) & Jim Ignatowski (Christopher Lloyd) Reason to watch - Ensemble comedy
	All in the Family 1971 - 79 Archie Bunker, was a working-class family man who held bigoted, conservative views of the world. His viewpoints clash with nearly everyone he comes into contact with especially his liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (or, as Archie delights in calling him, "Meathead"). Anchor of the Norman Leer sitcom franchise. Favorite Character - Meathead Reason to watch - Groundbreaking coverage of social issues in a comic series


1960's
	Star Trek 1966-69 The adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets on a five-year mission in outer space to explore new worlds, seek new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before. The Enterprise is commanded by handsome and brash Captain James T. Kirk. His First Officer and best friend is Mr. Spock from the planet Vulcan, and Kirk's Medical Officer is Dr. McCoy. With its crew of approximately 430, the Enterprise battles aliens, megalomanical computers, time paradoxes, psychotic murderers, and even Genghis Khan! Favorite character - Spock Reason to watch - Gene Roddenberry's Sci-Fi cult classic with great writers
	The Andy Griffith Show 1960-68 Widower Sheriff Andy and his son Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry NC. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney. Favorite character - Barney Fife Reason to watch - Homespun humor.
	The Munsters 1964 - 66 The munsters are a weird but honest family. Herman (the father) is a representation of Frankenstein's monster. Lily (his wife) and Grandpa (her father) are vampires. Eddie (their little son) is a werewolf. Marilyn (their niece) is the only normal one (that is the ugly duck of the family). Favorite character - Herman Munster Reason to watch - Slapstick Comedy / farce
	The Avengers 1961-69 John Steed works for British Intelligence and always has a female partner. The problems he finds are always a bit odd, just on the edge of science fiction (Cyborg killers, a city built under a disused coal mine, a gang put together for adrenalin junkies, and a killer who uses a concentrated cold virus to kill his victims by having them sneeze to death). Steed is always the ultimate in culture and grace as he saves the world each week. Favorite character - Emma Peel ( Diana Rigg) Reason to watch - Cool villains, fun plot twists, Emma Peel. The show lost something for me when Emma left the series.
	The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis 1959 - 63 Dobie Gillis is an average teenager living in average Central City with an average desire--girls! He lusts after many nubile women, notably Thalia Menninger. Rivals for affection include rich playboys Milton Armitage and Chatsworth Osborne, Jr. Dobie is fortunate to have loyal friends--beatnik Maynard G. Krebs and super-intelligent Zelda Gilroy, who knows Dobie is meant for herself one day. Favorite character - Maynard G Krebs Reason to watch - Early career starts for many characters. Great jazz music.
	Green Acres 1965 - 71 Oliver Wendell Douglas, a Manhattan attorney who has long desired to become a farmer, buys a rundown farm sight unseen from con man Eustice Haney. Upon his return to New York he packs up his things and drags his socialite Hungarian wife Lisa to Hooterville. There, along with his hired hand Eb he tries to build the farm into a useful venture. In the meantime, Lisa becomes acclamated to her surroundings and attempts to bring some form of civility to the backwoods neighbors and even strikes up a friendship with Arnold, the pet pig of Fred Ziffel, who treats Arnold like a son. Favorite character - Arnold Ziffel Reason to watch - Zany laughs with a send-up of rural sterotypes
	Get Smart 1965 - 70 Maxwell Smart is a bumbling secret agent, assigned by his "Chief" to foil KAOS' latest plans for taking over the world. Invariably, Smart's bumbling detective style lands him in hot water. Lucky for him, his faithful assistant "99" is there to bail him out. Favorite character - Agent 99 Reason to watch - Mel Brooks & Buck Henry humor for the telvision audience. Hilarious gadgets and sendup of the spy genre.
	The Beverly Hillbillies 1962 - 71 Meet the Clampett clan - There's Jed, a kind and sensible man turned millionaire, though not as imbocilic as the others, things happen around him without he knowing it; Granny - old and senile, paranoid, and always certain she knows how to deal with a situation; Elly May - Incredibly beautiful but awful naive! And Jethro Bodine - the stupid nephew of Jed. He's a strong as he is dumb; and Mr. Drysdale, a greedy banker who will do anything to keep the Clampett money in his bank, even if he has to hurt other people. Anyway, they've struck oil, gotten millions of dollars, move into a giant mansion, but still live like hillbillies: they still dress in tattered ragged clothes with rope belts, and Granny still makes soap the old fashion way, and Jethro tries to woo the women with his manly ways, but he's actually only acting like a real idiot, and doesn't even realize it Favorite character - Jethro (Jethrene) Bodine Reason to watch - Homespun humor with send ups of rural sterotypes.
	The Carol Burnett Show 1967 - 78 Skit Comedy with great cast of players. Reason to watch - Harvey Korman & Tim Conway
	Leave it to Beaver 1957 - 63 The Cleavers are the 1950's 'All-American Family' in this 'feel-good' family sitcom. Parents Ward and June, and older brother Wally, try to keep Theodore ('the Beaver') out of trouble. However, Beaver continues to end up in one kind of jam or another. Unlike real life, these situations are always easily resolved to the satisfaction of all involved and the Beaver gets off with a few stern moralistic words of parental advice. Instigator and troublemaker Eddie Haskell is an older kid who always manages to avoid being caught. Favorite character - Eddie Haskell Reason to watch - 1950's americana


1950's
	The Twilight Zone 1959 - 64 Rod Serling's seminal anthology series focused on ordinary folks who suddenly found themselves in extraordinary, usually supernatural, situations. The stories would typically end with an ironic twist that would see the guilty punished. Reason to watch - Great writing with primitive special effects