TV is at the pinnacle when considering the abundance and the quality of shows out in 2013. It’s no longer network (ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox) television that reigns supreme. They certainly have the shows that cater to the masses in all singing and talent competitions but that’s not good TV. Networks have been coming out of the woodwork and delivering high end entertainment for many years now. A TV series packs more punch than a sitcom or movie because it has more time to develop characters and enter into a more detailed story. I want to run through a few of the various networks and what they are delivering.
AMC – In case you didn’t know, Breaking Bad’s final (part 2) season premieres this Sunday and that should get people excited. AMC has broken through as a network that has the ability to produce quality shows like Mad Men (never watched), Breaking Bad (2nd best show of all time), and Walking Dead which was good initially but has fallen off a bit. I’d doubt many of you know but ACMX is the stock ticker for this network which has been constantly on the rise due to extreme interest in the shows.
Showtime – Showtime is killing it right now with Dexter and Ray Donovan. Dexter fell off through it’s middling seasons but has really picked it up going in the finale. Ray Donovan is also garnering interest because of the many layers in the characters and the twists and surprises that are superbly unveiled. Jon Voight deserves an Emmy (or whatever they get). Showtime also brought us Homeland (best initial season I’ve seen), Weeds (way ahead of it’s time but fell off), and Californication (which I thought was great early on).
HBO – HBO is the staple of series programming. They brought us the Wire and Sopranos which are 1 and 3 in the realm of TV shows. Curb Your Enthusiasm is being anxiously awaiting as well as Game of Thrones. Eastbound and Down and True Blood provided filler. Entourage, Flight of the Conchords, and 6 Feet Under also top the list of well made shows. I’d say that even though they were the front runner in years past, they have been usurped, but I don’t think that will last forever.
Netflix – This is the dark horse. I’m watching Orange is the New Black and it’s wonderful. The cast is hilarious, the story is fantastic, and there are no restrictions to what they can show. The new Arrested Development was also good and I hear House of Cards was also entertaining. Netflix is just getting it’s legs under it and they will be a powerhouse for years to come.
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