I don't really watch much TV (I always miss stuff cos I can never be at home at the same time every week), so these are mostly stuff I've watched when the DVDs came out.
1. LOST - it's dropped off a bit from Series 1 but it's still top of the water cooler chat every Monday morning. I love that every episode builds up into a frenzy then just ends, it's the very definition of 'cliffhanger'.
2. FAMILY GUY - It's everything the Simpsons used to be and more. Funnier, cruder, pretty much offensive to everyone, hilarious.
3. SOUTH PARK - It's everything the Simpsons used to be and more. Funnier, cruder, pretty much offensive to everyone, hilarious.
4. RED DWARF - I grew up watching the Dwarf, the last two series were poor, but series 3-6 were absolute gold. It would have been nice to get a definitive ending to the story but ah well.
5. FUTURAMA - A mix of two of my favourite things, animation and science fiction. Because of these two aspects it can go anywhere it likes, can be set on bizarre planets and have all manner of weird and wonderful characters and nobody can really argue.
6. TOP GEAR - I'm not even into cars to be honest, but I watch Top Gear religiously just for the banter, the three guys bounce off each other really well, and even though I think Clarkson is a world class knob, he's really watchable on it. Some of the challenges they do are really interesting even if you're not into cars.
7. CSI - But only the Las Vegas series, I'm not keen on the other two. I think it's really clever, the characters are all really good, and all have flaws which make them more human.I know some of it is really far fetched, but I never really thought about how forensic science worked before CSI.
8. FRASIER - It's the thinking man's Friends.
9. X-FILES - I started watching it when I was about 13 and just started going through all the DVDs again. Watching it back now you can see the direct influence it had on current shows like CSI, Without A Trace etc.
10. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - I know it's just about the saddest thing you could ever admit liking, but I was totally hooked on this for years. I've watched the whole lot on DVD over and over again, to the point where I've sickened myself of it entirely, but I know I'll keep going back to it. It was just so fucking good. Brilliant characters and great storylines (well up until season 6 when it all got a bit rubbish). I nearly cried when Buffy had to send Angel to hell in series 2. I did cry when they gave her the 'Class Protector' award in season 3. The 'will they won't they' between Willow and Xander was worth watching for. Xander for the comic relief. Spike for the effortless coolness. Angel for the dark broodiness. Faith for those leather trousers. Buffy for the tortured love life. Cordelia for the ditziness and the clueless "whatever" attitude. Giles character development from stuffy librarian to leader and father figure. The monsters. The stupid California high school language. Love it love it love it!
