92 replies to this topic

[BabyVegas]

This is the thread for plugging your favorite show that's lagging in the ratings.

I'd say right now, one of my favorite shows that seems to be pretty underrated is My Boys. I think all of the characters are great and they're quirky without being annoying. I love how even though PJ is going out with Bobby, she's still really close with Brendan and the show hasn't tried to shoehorn a PJ-Bobby-Brendo triangle. I think My Boys is like, a hundred times wittier than Friends was on its best day.

My other is Castle. I don't know if it's like, super under-rated, but I definitely don't think it's getting the kind of ratings it should be. Every week there's something that makes me laugh out loud, something that makes me want to root for every one of the characters, and something that defies TV cliche. It's not always the most famous guest star who did it, it's not always who you thought it was, and the relationships actually seem real. It started out as a guilty pleasure and now it's easily one of my favorite shows.

ETA: Best is different from worst!

Edited by BabyVegas, Nov 4, 2009 @ 3:06 PM.

[Mindymoo]

I'd say "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Most people I ask about this show have never even heard of it. The show is hilarious and brilliant, and can be so dirty. It is the funniest thing on TV right now.

"United States of Tara" on Showtime is another one. It is about a woman with DID, who is not taking medications, while raising her family. She has her regular personality, and then a few alters. A 15-year-old alter, a Stepford wife, a trucker who was in 'Nam, and a truly insane and bizarre one. Toni Colette is in it, and she is just awesome.

"The Riches" was one. In fact, it was so underrated that they cancelled it without giving us a halfway decent finale. Total bummer. I loved seeing Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver on my screen every week.

[MissMoneyBags]

Andy Richter Controls The Universe... yes, I still miss that show.

[Gardel]

Damn, Mindymoo, I was going to nominate Sunny and United States of Tara too, but it looks like you took care of business already!

I wish more people watched those shows, because, frankly, I am pretty obsessed with them and need to find more people to talk about them with.

Another show I wish was more known/watched is definitely The IT Crowd. Yeah, I know that only a premium subscription channel has it available, but I still cannot get over the fact that not many people in America had the pleasure of watching this amazing Britcom.

[callie lee 29]

whoops

Edited by callie lee 29, Nov 4, 2009 @ 8:31 AM.

[JTMacc99]

Let me just say "Chuck" right now, in anticipation of NBC's dreadful lineup having a negative impact on this wonderful show that already doesn't get the ratings anywhere near it's level of quality and entertainment value.

[Nikkei]

The IT Crowd is awesome! I can't believe the small number of people who watch it. People in Australia should really start watching Tangle too. Again, it's only on a premium channel, but it's really one of the better pieces of Australian drama I've seen in a very long time.

[TudorQueen]

Too late for "Kings", unfortunately. Or "Pushing Daisies".

[ReadIshmael]

Backing up Chuck, which is totally glee-inducing, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is probably the funniest show on TV right now, and one of the funniest ever.

There's also Community, the under-appreciated new member of NBC's Thursday comedy block.

I'll also add Breaking Bad, which is at least as good if not better than the more-hyped AMC show Mad Men.

Then there's USA's whole roster (especially my beloved Psych and Burn Notice), all of which do well enough for cable but are overlooked by TV audiences on the whole.

And, finally, Dollhouse is so good this season. The last episode before it went on hiatus is among the best episodes of anything I've ever watched. It really deserves to be seen by more people.

Edited by ReadIshmael, Nov 5, 2009 @ 9:40 AM.

[Clawdia]

There's also Community, the under-appreciated new member of NBC's Thursday comedy block.

I watch it faithfully every Thursday, and Breaking Bad is a masterpiece!

[Split Ends]

I second the Community love. Fantastic show. Hysterical and smart.

[Gardel]

Too late for "Kings", unfortunately.

Aww, so true, TudorQueen. How could such an awesome show get such poor ratings is beyond comprehension to me.

Thanks for the "Tangle" recommendation too, Nikkei. I must find ways to see it now, because if it was recommended by an "It Crowd" fan, it must be good ;)

[furrylump]

I'm seconding Dollhouse... Sort of. Well, I think the first batch of lackluster episodes seem to have turned a lot of people off permanently, when it's generally been pretty damn good from Man On The Street onwards.

Also, it's no longer on TV, but Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Sadly, it only got six episodes, but it's put together so cleverly and with such geeky love, and is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[Eegah]

Monster is airing on Syfy right now. It's not only the best anime series ever but one of the best television shows ever, up there with The Wire. Instantly engaging characters and killer plot twists will have you begging for more when each episode is over. Unfortunately you really need to watch from the beginning, but the subtitled episodes are available online to help you catch up (episodes 9 and 10 are airing November 9th).

Edited by Eegah, Nov 7, 2009 @ 8:26 PM.

[loseresque]

I'll also add Breaking Bad, which is at least as good if not better than the more-hyped AMC show Mad Men.

It's definitely better in my opinion. And definitely underrated; most people I know have never even heard of it.

I'm going to be a little cheesy and add the show Greek to this discussion. It's on ABC Family and a show that was premised on fraternities and sororities, so it has a lot going against it. But it's really pretty entertaining. There are three dimensional characters (for the most part), humorous pop culture references, and realistic collegiate attitudes about relationships, drinking, and sex (without the biting, look-how-cool-and-shocking-we-can-be attitude that drives Gossip Girl). The writers are also generally good about continuity. The show's not perfect but it's pretty good for an hour of diversion.

[Kev]

It's definitely better in my opinion. And definitely underrated; most people I know have never even heard of it.

I think you're missing the point of this thread.

[The Mad Maple]

I wasn't expecting to enjoy The Forgotten nearly as much as I do, but it's actually a pretty good show. In case you haven't seen it, the show's about a group of volunteers lead by Christian Slater (who plays an ex-cop who was booted from the force after he became obsessed with tracking down his daughter's abductor) who work with the police to figure out the names of unidentified bodies.

The beauty of the show is that, except for Slater's character, none of the group is a trained investigator. Sure, they bring their own unique skill sets to the cause (like an artist who does facial reconstructions, or a woman who maintains a tip website), but they're basically average joes who are with the group for their own reasons (either they have missing loved ones themselves, or they're bored office workers looking for meaning in their lives, or they're working off community service, or they've watched waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many cop shows). And if you think witnesses are uncoopreative with cops, imagine what they're like around people without any legal status whatsoever.

(And sure, their job is basically done about halfway through the episode, but let's face it, if they didn't keep going 'til they showed who actually killed the John and Jane Does, the show would get boring fast.)

Anyways, it's a solid procedural with an interesting twist, and you should definitely check it out.

Edited 'cause it just looked nasty as one long paragraph,

Edited by The Mad Maple, Nov 9, 2009 @ 9:30 AM.

[cheesecake134]

I'll also add Breaking Bad, which is at least as good if not better than the more-hyped AMC show Mad Men.

When I hear "underrated show" I immediately think of Breaking Bad. I honestly think it's better than Mad Men(which yes, is great). With the exception of maybe 3 friends, no one I know has ever even heard of it. Which is surprising to me because Bryan Cranston has won Emmys for the past two years.

Also agree with the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia love. I'm such a nerd for that show that I'm legitimately shocked and slightly depressed when someone hasn't heard of it.

"Oh, is that like a new thing?"
"They're in their 5th season actually....."

Community is also great. I love Joel Mchale.

[The Mad Maple]

Community's probably the funniest show on TV right now. Parks and Recreation has definitely gotten better than it was last season, too. (And I actually liked it last season.)

Edited by The Mad Maple, Nov 9, 2009 @ 9:18 PM.

[Mindymoo]

I just started watching "Breaking Bad", (I am actually watching the fifth episode of the first season on my DVDs right now) and it is brilliant. Why isn't this show endorsed more?

[ZachPruckowski]

I'm seconding Dollhouse... Sort of. Well, I think the first batch of lackluster episodes seem to have turned a lot of people off permanently, when it's generally been pretty damn good from Man On The Street onwards.

That's precisely what happened to me. I stuck with it for the first few episodes, but like the first 4-5 felt like 2 episodes of development spread across a pile of lame "Doll of the Week" plots. I'll give a show a few episodes to hook me, but I don't usually stick around half a season for it to go somewhere. Now that it's cancelled, maybe I'll get the DVDs when the S2 DVD drops.

Also, I want to nominate Friday Night Lights. I'm aware it gets critical acclaim, but the average dude thinks it's just another teen soap opera. I hate teen shows and I don't like football, but holy crap is it good (only seen first 2 seasons so far).

[balsa4ever]

Can we put anime down here? Cause if it counts, I want to say Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. Why the heck isn't this wonderful show getting more respect?! Adult Swim put it in a crappy time slot, and they're not even gonna rerun it when it's done, they're going back to Code Geass!

Moribito is amazing, it breaks so many of the conventions of anime...to begin with a WOMAN is the main character. Not a teen girl, a 30 year old woman. Known as the greatest bodyguard of her time, as well. She can kick ass till there's no tomorrow, she's no damsel in distress at all, the fight scenes are incredible, the scenery looks like a painting, the story IS a bit slow, but it draws you in with each episode, even the fillers are wonderful stories in and of themselves. Plus...there's hardly any fanservice..


WHY isn't this show getting any love?!

[ElleEstTrois]

balsa, I'm on board. It's nice to have an anime story w/ a logical storyline and characters that are fully developed. If I hear Ichigo screaming one more time...

[balsa4ever]

If I hear Ichigo screaming one more time...

Don't forget a lot of amines in which the characters CLAIM to be friends, but you gotta question it...especialy if they're laughing and calling the main character names (Sango, Miroku- Inuyasha) or hitting them (Rukia- Bleach) Balsa would never call Tanda any names at all, and God HELP you if you harm either him or Chagum (as the monstar found out last week) She's a loyal, honest, REAL friend. (Sango, Miroku, take notes!)

We need more Balsas and less Disney Princesses- thank you.

Edited by balsa4ever, Dec 1, 2009 @ 11:31 AM.

[Cap Streeter]

Also, it's no longer on TV, but Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Sadly, it only got six episodes, but it's put together so cleverly and with such geeky love, and is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Word. I recommend to every single person I meet. Just so much awesome in this show with the space broccoli, the interviews in present day and the glorious music.

It has been listed on the main page but Clone High, USA is one of the best shows that is also sadly off the air.

Another animated show is The Venture Brothers, it's currently in its forth season. The best show on Adult Swim, Robot Chicken may be more well known but The Venture Brothers is its much funnier, gorgeous, smarter sibling.

Finally Supernatural, which just got into, I know it has its insane fans on-line that turned me off from watching it originally. Turned out I had one in my family who forced the DVD's on me during a winter break and the show is scary, funny, good casting and music that does not cause me to curse.

I will have to check out Moribito, sounds brilliant.

Edited by Cap Streeter, Jan 22, 2010 @ 3:10 AM.

[cheryl1213]

I have no idea if "you" are watching it, but I think Men of a Certain Age is the best new show in some time...

[balsa4ever]

will have to check out Moribito, sounds brilliant.

It IS, take it from an anime fan. sadly, it doesn't look like the show will be rerun, but you can by the DVD's at Best Buy or Wal-Mart ad check out a few eps on youtube. Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed...unless you like fanservice.

[WalaBridget]

Friday nights lights is one of the most Underrated Shows out there IMO. I mean the show has good writing sometime great and fine actors.

[cal331]

Community's probably the funniest show on TV right now.

I agree that Community is excellent with a brilliant cast and layered characters and densely packed with clever humor. But I also love Better Off Ted, which has the exact same attributes as Joel's show. And it is most definitely on the respirator right now, with anemic ratings and only a few episodes left in the can and none on the schedule. (Though ABC is usually good at running all the produced episodes on the air.)

I can't understand why so few people are digging this show; it is so awesome and Portia di Rossi just kills in it.

Both of these sitcoms assume that you, the viewer, are intelligent enough to get it without a laugh track or hammy actors mugging for the camera. Community's ratings are slightly better, but maybe both shows are asking too much of our population, which makes me kinda sad.

Edited by cal331, Feb 3, 2010 @ 12:02 PM.

[cacophony]

Bracing myself for backlash here... I vote for Supernatural. I know it's got an insanely passionate fan base but it really does get shoved into the CW / Teen Beat category when it's actually a pretty decent, well executed sci-fi show. It should get at least the same level of critical kudos as Fringe (which is also awesome).