Yes the title of my podcast and blog is called Reel Nerds but I am a nerd of all forms of pop culture. Watching Mad Men with my wife has made me write this bolg because no matter all the praise Mad Men gets I still think it’s boring(sorry.) Nothing to do with the acting because all the actors in the show are good, I just can’t get into it. So here are my favorite shows. But first, here is a list of shows that almost cracked my top 10:
How I Met Your Mother, The Simpsons, Futurama, That 70’s Show and Angel.
10. Alias: Sydney Bristow has a secret. She is a totally kick ass spy! Jennifer Garner is a Bamf in the title role and the show is the brainchild of the awesome J.J. Abrams(more on him later). The first episode is super clever and the show could have been silly in the wrong hands, but it’s amazing. Constent twists and turns will have you watching the show for hours and over and over again. Supremely underrated.
9. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia:Every single character in this show is an asshole. They have no redeeming qualities at all, but they are freaking hilarious. Dennis is self centered and narcissistic, Dee is a bitch and always picked on, Mac is stupid and tough, Charlie might be retarded and has poor hygiene, and last but not least Frank is the father of Dennis and Dee rich and super funny. The show is really goofy and it makes for one entertaining half hour. With episodes with titles like “Sweet Dee Dates a Retarded Person” you laugh before the title screen dissapears.
8. South Park: South Park has been going strong since 1997 and it seems to always be as sharp and funny as it was then. On the surface people who don’t really watch the show might think it’s nothing more then potty mouthed kids, but it is so much more. Whether it’s making fun of Mormons or cleverly skewing pop culture. If you think topics are off limits don’t tell Trey Parker or Matt Stone, they will mock it and not be afraid. Muhammad, Jesus, Tom Cruise and scientology have all been victims of South Park. Fav character, Cartman followed closely by Randy Marsh.
7. The Office:Shot like a documentary this is one crazy look into the office of a paper company. Michael Scott is the boss and he is dense, insensitive, and somewhat dumb. Steve Carrell is able to portray him however as the lovable loser. Carrell has an amazing gift for comedic timing and when he is on in this show there is no comedian better. Jim is also awesome as the straight guy, and his pranks with the Assistant to the Regional Manager Dwight have some of the best cold openings of any TV show ever.
6. Family Guy:Sweet!!! Family Guy had a rough start, times and days that it aired were always shifted and it was cancelled. But something amazing happened. It sold like crazy on DVD and Fox decided to bring it back. What Family Guy has become is a top rated show on Fox and it will be entering it’s 10th season. Peter is the father and dimwitted husband and is money. The show gets flak for being too silly and it’s cut aways that have nothing to do with the story but I still think it’s insanely funny and I dig all the music that is sprinkled throughout every episode.
5. The Dick Van Dyke Show:Dick Van Dyke is so amazing and this show showcases all of his talents. Acting, singing, dancing, and impeccable timing. But he’s not the only one Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie are all awesome. Carl Reiner caught lightning in a bottle with his cast and his incredible writing has made the show timeless.
4. Lost: Plane crash survivors are stranded on a mysterious and “magical” island that isn’t what it seems. The show has lots of fantastical moments but what makes the show memorable is the characters and all the baggage(see what I did there plane joke). Another killer show by J.J. Abrams he is by far one of my favorite people in Hollywood. Favorite character in Lost, Jack Shephard, he is badass and Matthew Fox has such quiet intensity in his performance.
3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer:Girl Power! Joss Whedon wrote the script for the movie Buffy and he wasn’t happy. So he did something way better, make one of the best shows period. His snappy dialogue is really developed here and his ability to juggle tons of characters at once makes him ideal choice for The Avengers. Sarah Michelle Gellar kicks all sorts of butt as Buffy but also is great at small character moments.
2. 24:Jack Bauer is a badass federal agent. If you are a terrorist you had better fear him. He is smart and loyal and doesn’t take crap from anyone. A show that takes place in real time and every decision made in this show could be your last. The only character who seemed safe was Jack and that’s only because he kicks so much ass. Kiefer Sutherland is so honed in on this character you find yourself doing a fist pump every time Jack takes a bad guy out. Dammit!!
1. Friends:This might shock people but Friends is my favorite show. Super funny and all the actors have great chemistry together. Each one has a different way of comedy and it all works. It’s hard to imagine that this show is almost 20 years old but it still is funny and also full of heart. Ross and Rachel are one of TV’s greatest couples and in the early episodes there are some real magical moments. My favorite character is Chandler because I relate to him so much, I would use humor to make up for what he thought where his faults. And just like him I found the strength in a woman I love… Could we be more awesome?