Top 20 Favourite TV Shows (Part 1)

I am bored. I have finished uni for the year, and that in itself is a lot to celebrate. So, why not with a list.

Recently I have found myself watching more TV shows than movies. I'm currently binging on two series', and have recently discovered a third. So, why not a list of my favourite TV shows? I doubt anyone will actually be interested in this, but I don't really care. My blog, my lists.

So, I hope you enjoy reading my personal favourites. It was a little difficult to choose them, and how I should choose the ones to go on my list. In the end it came down to three things; nostalgia, re-watchability, and whether or not I actually waited to watch them on an actual TV when I did actually watched TV. 

Because I'm weird, or awesome as I prefer to think, I don't watch a lot of TV serials. So, shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, True Blood, and Boardwalk Empire won't appear on this list. Just getting that out of the way now so you won't be disappointed. Expect more comedies and mystery shows. You also may have noticed that there are 20 titles on this list. This is because there were some shows that I just could not bear to leave off, and it consequently brought the list up to 20. Sorry.

But enough banter, let's get on with the list!
  
20. The Mighty Boosh

I won't say that this was my first foray into absurd comedy, but The Mighty Boosh was definitely the first bit media that I actively sort out fanfiction for. And it introduced to me the wonder of slash fiction. Apart from initiating me into what fandom is, Mighty Boosh is also a pretty hilarious show. The double act of Howard Moon and Vince Noir is brilliant, and the crazy adventures they find themselves on are both genius and silly beyond words. The supporting characters are also funny, especially Naboo the enigma (who is probably my favourite character) and the Hitcher (who I may or may not have dressed up as at one point...). The live shows are also hilarious, especially the first one. And who could forget the songs! I still know the Hitcher's song off by heart, and will break into it if prompted! If you haven't heard of this show, where have you been living?

19. Jonathan Creek

And now we come to the first of the mystery series that I spent way too much time watching over and over again. Actually, this is probably the only show that I didn't watch over and over again. It spoils the mystery if you watch it too many times. While other mystery shows focus on who did it or why it was done, Jonathan Creek instead focuses on how it was done, which leads to a lot interesting lock door mysteries. I always had so much fun trying to beat the eponymous hero in figuring out how things were done, and even though I never got them right it was still really interesting to see what actually happened. And it stars Alan Davies as Jonathan Creek, who is an awesome grumpy magician's assistant who lives in a windmill. What more could you want?

18. Life on Mars

So, this is one of the shows that I would wait to watch on ABC every Wednesday night. I don't get attached to drama shows that often, but this one was different. It had an interesting premise that didn't get stale through the run of two seasons. And I kinda liked that the situation was never really explained, which is one of the problems I had with the sequel series Ashes to Ashes. The whole universe of the show lost its magic for me when it was explained. But in Life on Mars, the mystery was kept up for 2 seasons! And I was hooked for the entire run! Plus, it also introduced the world to one of the greatest characters ever created! Gene Hunt, the biggest bad-ass of them all!

17. Agatha Christie's Poirot

Agatha Christie has become one of my favourite authors, and I'm sure that favouritism was fueled by this TV show detailing almost every case of Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective. If you watch every episode in order (something I have yet to do, but do it I will!), then you notice a change come over the show as it moves from the rather light seasons of the 90s, to more darker tones and subtexts in the 2000s. It really interesting to watch how they change small things in the books to make the stories more cinematic or dramatic. And David Suchet is the best Poirot ever (sorry Peter Ustinov!). Suchet is also the first actor to appear in adaptations of pretty much every Poirot novel and short story (from what I've read, there's only one short story that hasn't been adapted with Suchet as Poirot). For that, he deserves a medal and every acting award!

16. Star Trek

 
While the picture may be of the original series, this spot is kinda reserved for all the Star Trek's. Or at least all the Star Trek's I've watched so far, namely TOS, Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. I think in my heart, the original series will hold a very special place since it was the first Star Trek I watched, and it was the first time I was really introduced to the acting genius that is William Shatner.
The thing that really stands out about the original series in particular is that it's not about conquest, it's about discovery, finding new species and making friends with them, and maybe accidentally destroying said species in the process. Kirk might have ignored the Prime Directive more than once, but his loyalty to his crew and need to protect them is truly admirable. He's not that bad a captain. And the original series theme music is cheesy and brilliant and awesomely 60s!

15. Black Books

I don't return to this series as often as other ones on this list. But every time I do, I find myself watching every episode from every season in one huge binge! The world's grumpiest book shop owner, Bernard Black (played hilariously by Dylan Moran) has appeared on this blog before as the most loveable jerk you ever met. And the other characters are equally as awesome. Every actor who appeared on here has gone to other shows and movies, but I do love them in this the most. The strange scenarios they find themselves in become a little hit and miss in later seasons, but there are still some excellent jokes and one-liners to be found in even the least good of the episodes. British black comedy at its finest!

14. RuPaul's Drag Race & The Great British Bake Off

There are a couple of doubles on this list, because it's my list and I couldn't bear to leave any of these off. These two are put together because they are both reality TV shows, though their subject matter couldn't be any different.

I have a strange fascination with drag queens. I think it's cause I find them so talented in creating an illusion that most of the time looks better than the real thing (better than my best day, at any rate). I think that's why I got into this show, but I stayed because I fell in love with the drag queens. The show might be a bit manipulative, but then what show isn't. And they do take a lot time to show how talented each of the queens are. And I do like the message that drag queens create their own family that is hidden between the bitchiness and cat-fights. Plus the fashions that they all come up with! I have seen every season of this show at least two times, and I don't regret any of it!

Now, this show is almost the complete opposite in terms of tone, but that's what makes it so good! While other reality shows rely on bitchiness and scandal to sell themselves, The Great British Bake Off instead uses politeness and constructive criticism to keep it's audience. The judges are always fun to watch, and though they do critique the bakes quite hard sometimes, they always offer advice and try to offer a compliment to even the worst bakes. And the contestants are all really supportive of each other, and that means that you get really upset whenever any of them leave. I never thought baking could be tense. And the hosts, Mel and Sue, are so awesome! The puns they come up with! All the bun puns! Brilliant!

13. 2 Broke Girls

 

So, this is the most recent show on this list. I'm not that big a fan of modern sitcoms, I think a lot of them are annoying and stupid. But I like this one, and I think a lot of that comes from the excellent casting of the two leads. Kat Dennings is awesome in everything, and Max Black is now one of my favourite characters ever! But Beth Behrs is also really good as the straight man to a lot of Max's jokes, and I don't think she gets the credit she deserves a lot of the time. The whole premise of the show is also one that people can relate to, since almost everyone has been broke at some point in time (me more than others, it seems). I know the humour can sometimes be crude and obvious, but I still like it, and I think there should be more sitcoms with excellent female characters and actors. 

12. Heart and Soul, aka All the Small Things

I loved this show so much when it first came out that when I missed one of the episodes, I looked it up on youtube to watch it! I doubt many people remember this. It was a fairly light, 6 episode dramedy from the UK about the trials and tribulations of a small town choir. Each episode would focus on a different member of the choir, with an overarching story involving the strife of the family of the choir master. It's quite gentle, and the music is excellent with some awesome covers of modern rock songs (check out the acapella version of 'What's My Age Again'). It's one of those shows that whenever I watch it, I have to watch all 6 episodes in order in one big binge. I just have to, I get so caught up in the characters I need to know everything that happens! If you haven't heard of this series, but like little British TV shows, then I would definitely recommend this!

11. Daria

When I first watched this when it first came out, I don't think I really got it. I was too young to understand it. But after re-watching it a year or so ago when I was craving nostalgia, I fell in love with it completely! I love the character of Daria, the perpetual high school outsider (so much so, that I might have dressed up as her for a party at some point). The other characters are also great, and even though most of them don't turn up in Australian high schools, are still recognisable enough to everyone. The animation is also good, and while it is simple if fits the premise perfectly. One of the best kids show ever made, and now one of my favourite shows ever!

So, that's it for part 1! Part 2 will be up eventually. Until next time, readers.

Loveable Jerks

Hello again, and welcome to another list! Yay! Anyway, so loveable jerks are those characters who ... well they're jerks, but you love them. Yeah, that's pretty much it, I don't really know how else to phrase it.

So, let's not waste time jabbering about nothing and get on with it!

10. D'Artagnan, from the Three Musketeers and the Four Musketeers

This one really depends on which version of the character you know. For me, the part will always belong to Michael York in the 1973 adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel. And the reason is that he displays the innocent ignorance of a young man new to the world, the arrogance and pride that his heritage demands, and he does some pretty stupid and shallow things during both the films. For instance, he cheats on his girlfriend (TWICE!) while she's kidnapped. Plus, famously, he gets into 3 duels within 10 minutes because of his pride, anger and arrogance. And yet there is this simplistic charm about him, that comes from his naivety throughout the film. And you also see him grow into a more mature person, while maintaining his charisma from before, though it does take him until the last 10 minutes of the second film. Again, this does really depend on which version you watch. Michael York was wide-eyed about many of the sensible things in the world, but is confident and fairly brash when it comes to sword play and women. Chris O'Donnell is annoying, stupid and can't act, and Percy Jackson.... he played him? Yeah, he was forgetable.

9. Edmund Blackadder from Blackadder

Where to begin? You all know who he is, and if you don't then you have not experienced life! Like D'Artagnan, it depends which version of Blackadder you look at. In the first series he was a snivelling idiot, in the second he was ruthless and after only money. In the third he was aggravated about others stupidity, and in the fourth series he was more of a shell of his other incarnations, but still as snarky as ever. Throughout all series though (with the exception of the first. Most fans seem to forget it exists and I don't blame them. The other series are far superior) Blackadder possesses some sort of likeable-ness that makes people keep coming back to him. And he does have charm, when he wants. He just doesn't really use it because he find the people he's surrounded by insufferabl and idiotic. It might be his intelligence. He always has a smart remark for everyone, and no one is spared his unending wit. Whatever it is, this character makes people laugh and fall in love with him whatever series you watch. My personal favourite is the fourth series, because even though he has clearly been affected by war, he still has the same drives and goals as all the Blackadders' that came before him.

8. Jayne Cobb from Firefly

Oh Jayne. No offense, but you are too dumb to be a bad-arse. This guy has some of the best lines in Firefly, purely from the fact that he's unable to understand half of the things that are being said. So why is he a jerk? Well, he does sell out River and Simon, offers to trade Mal his gun to sleep with his 'wife' (a gun he names Vera, of course) and he's also, well, selfish. He cares about himself more than anyone else, and insults everyone in the series with his ego and stupidity. But then why is he loveable? Probably because he just doesn't know how dumb he is at times, and he doesn't really notice how laughable he is. That, and he does show loyalty to the crew at a number of times, usually after things don't go his way. But he will fight with and for the crew of Serenity, even if he does get on their nerves all the time. And think about, his job in the crew is to fight when he is told to. He could turn on any of them at any time, but for the most part he doesn't, showing that he does respect his team mates. But mostly, he just so loveably stupid!

7. Jeff Winger from Community

There is a character like this in most American sitcoms. The womaniser, the jerk with a heart of gold, the side character who steals the show, and is the only reason you watch the show in the first place. The thing about Jeff is, he's the main character. Hence why he beat out such characters as Barney Stinson and Bender. Though these characters have stories and subplots in some episodes, but in Community Jeff is the leader of the group, so his jerkiness flow into every part! Considering he only started the study group to try and get into Britta's pants, he publicly humiliated her before making out with Annie, he will easily humiliate anyone else for his own gains and yet ... people like him. And respect him. Probably because he does try to fix his mistakes, like in the Dungeons and Dragons episode. He also doesn't seem to mean to hurt anyone, but his egotism makes it impossible for him not to insult someone in each episode. His protectiveness of the group does sometimes blind him to how others feel, and he does spend a lot of time guilt tripping people he has a grudge against, but again, his loyalty to his friends and his charismatic nature does raise from being just a jerk, to more of a flawed and human character that just makes the same mistakes we all do... Maybe not all the mistakes that we make. Heat affected zombies don't really happen in our reality.

6. Han Solo from the Star Wars Trilogy

Oh he is! You know he is. He's in a wreck of a ship, driving around with a giant fur ball (who is one of my favourite characters that you can't understand), he's cocky, egotistic, arrogant and yet... charming? And yes, he is charming. But he is also slightly noble, turning down the reward money, though that could be interpreted as him just trying to impress Princess Leia. But still, slightly noble! And he even stuck around after to help them out, and not really shoot anything... yeah, his ship kinda sucks. As the trilogy continues, we see that he does care about both Luke and Leia, and even more so for his best friend, Chewbacca. So yeah, starts out as a selfish rogue only helping someone for his own benefit, and ends... a little less selfish but still a rogue, helping the rebels stop the Empire take over the universe (of course!). And of course, Harrison Ford makes him all that more awesome.

5. Felicia from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Yes, the queen of bitches herself! Played expertly by Guy Pearce , this drag queen (real name Adam) has one of the dirtiest and funniest mouths on film. (And I will be referring to Felicia as a she, in honour the drag queen tradition, because drag queens are awesome!) There is nothing she doesn't have an opinion about, and she will say whatever she wants, regardless of how people will react. I suppose thats what makes her awesome, but even for all her crassness she does have a vulnerable side. After an attempted rape, we do see her breakdown and show a different emotion from bitchy smart-ass. The film itself is one that is driven by character rather than plot, and through the course of the film we do get glimpses in her life learn more about what makes her tick. What is admirable about her is that after the afore-mentioned attempted rape, she tries to move on with her life and not let it drag her down (scuse the pun). She doesn't let it define her. Also her confidence is amazing! She loves what she does and her love of life is what makes her an awesome, loveable jerk.

4. Rob Gordon from High Fidelity

Ladies and Gentlemen! Meet the man that inspired the list! Yes, I came up with this list whilst watching John Cusack mope about past girlfriends. And this dude really is a douche sometimes. After being unhappy and rejected in love too many times, he comes to believe that all women are all out to get him. So he hates them all. At least he thinks so. So what's douchey about him? Well, he cheats on his girlfriend, stalks some of his exes and when one of them says it was him that broke up with her and that she pretty much suffered a nervous breakdown because of it, he doesn't care. Also, his girlfriend got an abortion because he was cheating on her. (It makes more sense in the movie, so go watch that to understand anything I've just said.) So, what makes him loveable? Ok, I'm going to be honest, we are getting into the tragic characters here. The next ones on the list are fairly tragi-comic, with little to none appeal or good qualities. But what makes Rob tragic is that he is going through a mental crisis about his inability to be with a woman who loves him. This comes from his fear of rejection and companionship, but does this make him loveable? Yes, because from that fear comes an ego! One which he eventually rises above and realises that there are 2 people in a relationship, and he has to stop being so scared. I suppose what also makes him loveable is his change in attitude, he starts off cold and resenting, and throughout the film becomes more accepting and at ease with where he is in life. Of course, his girlfriend helps him and gives a confident boost and the love he was craving.

3. Withnail from Withnail and I

Now we are getting to the real low-lives. Withnail has to be one of the most pitiful characters I have seen on screen. He isn't repulsive, but he quite apathetic and selfish. And I don't mean egotistical, though his ego is quite large. He cares about his friend (only known as 'I' in the film), but only in the sense that if he left, Withnail would be all by himself. Yeah, Withnail is only friends with I so that he has someone to share his booze with. He gets his friend into not very nice scrapes, which ultimately backfire on him (I'd give examples, but it's better if you just watch it for the surprise), he gets himself drunk and high out of self-pity and to try and make himself forget that he is himself. This is bottom of the barrel scum. But, yes, even this man can be loveable. Most likely due to the wonderful portrayal by Richard E. Grant, Withnail becomes larger than life and almost goofy, were it not for his cynical and sardonic nature to tie him to the ground. Is he loveable? Only in the sense that he is a pitiful character, not sympathetic, but pitiful. I suppose this is my own personal choice for the list, but he is one of my favourite characters and, to me at least, one of the best loveable jerks out there.

2. Arnold Rimmer from Red Dwarf

Yes, the smeg head himself! Oh Rimmer, you are very loveable. With your deep seated self loathing, your subconcious that hates you and your selfish attitude. Who couldn't love you? I don't really want to go on about why this dude is a jerk, if you haven't seen the show you haven't lived, but essentially Rimmer is a coward, a bit of a douche, out for himself, but he isn't really egotistical... no, no he is, sorry. But he's loveable because he's so wrong about everything! He has no charm (we found out he killed it in one episode), he takes a lust potion just to get laid until he breaks his dick. Yeah... this is a sad, lonely and pathetic man, who would sell out anyone to get ahead himself. But he's just so funny! Again, the actor has something to do with this. Chris Barrie is a comic genius, and I'm not exagerating. He gives the role depth, and makes the character sympathetic, rather than pitiful. He also does care about his crew mates, even if they do frustrate him, and he pisses them off more than they him. Yeah, everyone hates him, but all the fans love him, because he is the underdog, and a jerk, and smegging awesome!

1. Bernard Black from Black Books

Oh yeah! End with the best! The funniest, silliest, stupidest and down right evilest Irish book shop owner, played by the king of the drunks himself, Dylan Moran. So, why is he number one? Well, where Rimmer and has some good qualities, Bernard arguably has none, except for the fact that he's bat shit insane. And while Withnail's patheticness added to his character, Bernard is pathetic in the sense that he can't be anything else. He is completely dependent on Manny to keep him alive (how he managed without him, we'll never know), and his only source of entertainment comes from pissing off his only 2 friends. He hates any sort of human interaction, in all honesty, and again, like Withnail, seems to be in a permanent state of tipsy just so he can get through the day. Also, while Rimmer is a smeg head because his subconcious hates him, and he really can't help it, Bernard is a douche because he wants to be. He takes pleasure in other peoples pain. But he never wins, he is the ultimate underdog. I could go into great detail into his psyche and about the fact that he obviously hates himself (and yes, it is obvious) but I'd rather end with this clip. Just to show how awesomely loveable this jerk truly is!

P.S. The pictures were a lot of fun to find!