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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #1!

And Television Show # 1 is… “The Twilight Zone!!!” (of course)

The Twilight Zone

If you know me or have been reading my blog, this was a no brainer. The Top Television Show that Deserves to be Watched Twice is definitely “The Twilight Zone!” Actually I recommend watching your favorite episodes every couple of years, over and over again. You won’t get sick of Rod Serling’s ingenious show, I know I haven’t yet and I have watched some of them well over 20 times each.

“The Twilight Zone” is a show that brings attention to the trails and tribulations of its time. Rod Serling was a veteran who fought in World War II, was injured three times and saw more than 50% of his platoon annihilated. This had a huge impact on the hero, making him want to speak out against these horrible actions taken against humanity around the world. He wanted to bring the public’s attention to our human weaknesses like greed, hate, envy, narcissism, power, loneliness… just to name a few. He knew that the only way to cure this world and make it better is through knowledge and teaching. He wanted to show the world that everything is not as it seems and it doesn’t have to stay the way it is. It’s o.k. to dream for a better situation and dream of a better world. He realized the situation the world is in is not easily changed and there are much bigger powers out there that want to stop us from changing it. But he also knew that striving for a better world was not that crazy and knew it wasn’t bad to dream of better days even if he was labeled as a Liberal. Rod Serling knew that for a dream to come true you have to start dreaming it. If you dream it, then it could become a possibility in the future. If you don’t dream it, then is it’s dead before it could ever get started.

That’s the purpose of “The Twilight Zone,” a man’s lack of satisfaction with the world around him. That’s why Rod Serling created it and that is why we love it today. All the lessons and twists from these stories still prove to be  true to this day. He didn’t make the stories to entertain us, he made the stories to get his point across and that is why this series will never die.

If you haven’t watched “The Twilight Zone” then what are you waiting for? The box set is on sale now and they also have the first season on Netflix. This show will not only entertain you, teach you and shock you, some of these episodes will send chills right up your spine. The film quality, writing and acting is all phenomenal.

Let’s face it, the world we live in today has not really improved substantially since the days of Rod Serling as a whole. I feel with all the new technology, we are becoming more introverted and thinking about ourselves way too much. I see more people stealing and screwing over others to get ahead. I see a public that is so into themselves and their own lives that they don’t care what is going on around them. I feel the powers are gaining more control world wide as we focus our concerns on ourselves and our families. That’s why I feel we need those great classic stories once again to open our eyes to what we have become.

Now, by all means, I love this world but it doesn’t mean I am satisfied with the way it’s been evolving. I have a lot to say about the human condition and how we turn a blind eye to torture, murder and war. I actually had a boss tell me that “War is population control!” This was a 26 year old man who said this to me. When people are thinking this way and actually believing it, we need to speak up and change it. For this type of defeatism ideology is exactly what the powers want us to believe because they know nothing will change if we feel we can’t change it.

The only way to make this world better is for the people to come together and change it. That’s why I want to continue the classic style of story telling that we loved so much from “The Twilight Zone.” That is why I created a show called “A Seat on a Train.” I know the only way I can contribute to the world right now is to write stories about it, film them and hope it helps people realize that we have the power to change, as a whole, together. That is the only way this world will change and it’s happening all around us today. The people are revolting against their governments and are demanding equality. With Facebook and the internet, we are already spreading knowledge and we are basically in each others’ back yards. There will come a time when we will have to come together as a people because this world is going to get a lot smaller in the future.

So, do me a favor and watch “The Twilight Zone” and if you like it become a fan of my tv series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatontrain.com. If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you will for sure want to book “A Seat on a Train!”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #2!

And Television Show #2 is… “Breaking Bad!!!”

Breaking Bad

I can not stress enough, if you haven’t seen this series, you are missing out big time! This is the best drama ever made for television period!! You want to challenge me on this one, watch the whole series and you tell me a series that is better written, better filmed, better acted and better directed. If you do, then I will eat my own words. But I can honestly believe there is no chance in hell you are going to come up with a better all around series than “Breaking Bad.”

I watched this series all the way through four times! Yes, I said it, four times! I want to watch it again but am going to wait a couple of years before I start getting sick of the show. You want “Scar Face” made for television, you have it here. The concept is completely original. There is nothing out there on television like it. The only series that come close are “The Wire” and “Weeds.” As good as these shows are, they don’t compare to “Breaking Bad.”

Now, let me warn you, the first season is a little slow, but they are setting you up for the rest of the series. They are getting rid of all the set up early, so they can barrel through with the action. It was hard for me to get through the first season, but after I found out where it was going in the second season, I was hooked. Just stick with the show. It is so worth it.

The acting is brilliant. Brian Cranston is amazing and his character evolves throughout the whole series. He basically plays a High School chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He is only given a few months to live. Well, knowing he has nothing to leave his wife, physically challenged son and unborn child, he decides to go into the meth trade. With his chemistry genius he is able to make the purest Meth on the market and the series just builds from there.

The actor who plays Jessie Pinkman is brilliant. He basically plays your typical punk kid that no adult likes. You have the scumbag Lawyer Saul with his own set of ethics, the wife who is extremely ethical, the physically challenged son (the actor actually has cerebral palsy in real life,) the DEA Agent brother in law Asec Schrader and the kleptomaniac sister, among a lot of other characters and villains. The characters in this show are so deep and have so many different levels. Every single actor on this show is amazing and had their work cut out for them. Especially Brian Cranston. The way he plays his character and slowly changes or evolves throughout the six season show is mind boggling! He deserves every Emmy he received and deserves more, way more!

If you are not convinced to watch it yet, then let me tell you this. Sir Anthony Hopkins loved the acting in the show so much that he wrote a letter to the cast and Brian Cranston, expressing how impressed he was with the show! Sir Anthony Hopkins folks! A Knight and an Academy Award winning actor! What a compliment and if that doesn’t make you want to watch the show, then I don’t know what to tell you.

“Breaking Bad” does it all. You get to see this nerdy, meek teacher turn into a huge, powerful drug dealer. Everything you can imagine is excellent in this show. Even the musical montages are genius! There isn’t really a thing I can complain about this show except for the slow start. The whole series is so tight, when it ends, it leaves no question unanswered.

Now, if you’re looking for a good feel, upbeat show, then don’t watch this one. This series is dark, I mean really dark! You are not going to bed all happy go lucky after watching this show. And when I say they leave no stone unturned, I mean nothing unanswered. They even explain why Walter White is so lucky through his drug dealing endeavors.

I am completely envious of the writers on this show. I would gladly kiss any of their feet! I actually worked in a restaurant in Manhattan Beach where the writer from “Modern Family” would frequent. Well, when they were airing the first episode of the final season, this guy came in and ordered a ton of food to go. He told me he was having a “Breaking Bad” party. I asked him if this show will meet my very high expectations. He said he was confident the show would exceed them. Now that’s a lot coming from a very successful writer in the industry and he couldn’t have been more right. The finale will blow you away and will leave all questions answered. Believe me, it will not disappoint like the ending to “Lost” or the finale of “Seinfeld.” They deliver on this show right from the beginning to the end and the writers don’t dupe you with a crappy, loophole ending, like everyone was dead right from the beginning.

Now, I can’t leave without talking about the villains! They are absolutely chilling! From Tuco to Gus to the old man in the wheel chair, these villains were perfectly cast and are not like your typical villains in your typical drug film. Especially Gus. Gus was my favorite. Just think Hannibal Lecture when you think of Gus. Not because he eats human, but because of his calm, sociopathic ways.

Then you have the main character of the show. The character that makes you want to watch the show. The character that you want to experience in some way because it looks so fantastic. The character that holds the whole show together because without this friend or foe in this series, you have no show. This character doesn’t have your typical voice but boy does it speak throughout. I’m talking about the Blue Meth! This is the single element that makes you want to keep on watching the show. As much as you may be against drugs, you can’t help but like this Blue Meth. It’s pristine, beautiful and 99% pure! And boy do the writers on this show give it a voice. It had so much of a voice that I’m surprised it didn’t win a best actor Emmy itself.

The times you really get hear the Blue Meth speak is through the musical montages. These montages are so genius that they should be shown as videos on MTV! A lot of artists don’t like the use of musical montages and I agree, they can be tacky but the way they do it on “Breaking Bad” is nothing short of my blowing. They do one musical montage to the song “Blue Crystal Persuassion” that will have you dancing in your seat! I guarantee you will be rewinding it to watch it again and if your like me, you’re going to start the series right over again, ready for another journey into the genius world of “Breaking Bad!”

Also, don’t forget to watch my little television series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  Now, it’s no “Breaking Bad,” but it has a great message and if you like “The Twilight Zone” you are sure going to want to take “A Seat on a Train!”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #3!

And television show #3 is… “That 70’s Show!!!!”

70s

This show is nothing short of brilliant! Anytime I am flicking through the channels and I stumble upon this show, I stop and watch it, unless it’s season 8. “That 70’s Show” has to be my favorite comedy sitcom out there. It’s intelligent, has many messages and the characters are hilarious.

From Fez… to Kelso… over to Kitty… then back to Eric, there is not a character in this sitcom that is not interesting and funny as hell. The writers on this show created a masterpiece and this masterpiece would stay pretty much perfect until season 8.

That brings me to my next point. They should have stopped the show at season 7. For these writers to really think this show would survive the loss of both Eric and Kelso, they had to be out of their minds. They should have wrapped it up when these characters left because season 8 just plain sucked. The guy they brought in to replace Eric was a horrible actor and not funny at all. I actually felt the urge to jump into the television and show this idiot what comic timing is. You can’t fake it and that became apparently clear with this new actor. Fez got too old and heavy. Jackie was pointless without Kelso or Eric to fight with. Hyde was not enough of a character to lead the whole series, so he suffered from the collapse also. But other than that, this show is a must see. Just cut it off at the end of season 7. Trust me, it will ruin the whole series for you. I wish I never watched the last season.

Right from the first episode, you will be laughing your ass off. The filming, the style and even the music is excellent! The show opens up to a regular kid hanging with his friends in his parents basement in the 70’s. And it doesn’t change much from there. That’s it folks. That’s all it is about. Sounds pretty simple and boy is it.

Right from the beginning they grab you with this cute relationship between Donna and Eric. You know they like each other but don’t know when they will hook up. Well, it doesn’t take them long and what a ride they take you on. You adore this couple while laughing at the Jackie and Kelso duo. Right from the start the writing is spectacular, reminding you of when you met your first girlfriend and eventually fell in love. “That 70’s Show” makes you feel like a kid again, immersed in this typical 70’s family’s household. You have the starch Republican Father, Red. Then you have the crazy, adorable, loving Mother, Kitty. Eric is the typical awkward teenage boy with a sister who he can’t stand and is basically a whore. You have the wacky exchange student Fez, who is nothing short of brilliant, the actor and character combined. The liberal, hippie friend Hyde, who pretty much cares about nothing. The moron friend Kelso and his young, annoying girlfriend Jackie, who wouldn’t be in the group if it wasn’t for the relationship with Kelso.

“That 70’s Show” keeps you laughing with its off beat humor and totally original filming. This show takes a lot of chances, like having the gang obviously smoking pot in the basement. They get away with it by not stating it and doing really interesting camera closeups of each character around the table. So not only is the writing, acting and relationships amazing but the camera work is something to be seen also! When Eric is high and the parents are lecturing him, they have the camera wobble from his point of view, obviously implying he is stoned. What makes it even more hilarious is the parents are clueless. So they are just grilling him and wondering why he isn’t reacting, getting even more angry.

But let me warn you, when Donna and Eric break up, you are going to be heart broken. I could barely muster the energy to watch the first episode of the next season, I was so shook up by it. I felt just as bad as Eric did. This fantastic show takes you on an emotional ride and just when everyone has dated each other and you feel the show has nowhere else to go, Kitty goes through menopause and the show pops again, getting even funnier than it previously was! “That 70’s Show” is one of those shows that reinvented itself over and over again, getting even better each time, until the last season at least. It also tackled issues like unemployment, legalization of marajuana and women’s rights without being over preachy or partisan on the issue. The creators and cast  just show you the regular life of a teenager in the 70’s, growing up and the rest just falls into place.

So, if you haven’t seen this show, get on Netflix now because the whole series is available. You can watch it from beginning to end. I actually got to experience my 15 year old cousin starting from the beginning and watching it till the end. She loved the show so much, I went out and got her the Cheap Trick CD that was signed by the whole cast during Season 1. She loved it and I just loved that I had introduced yet another future fan to this amazing show. Hopefully you all will follow. You’re missing out if you don’t.

Also, don’t forget to check out my show “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  If you love “The Twilight zOne” then you are sure going to love “A Seat on a Train!”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #4!

Television Show # 4 is… “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia!”

It's Always

This show is absolutely brilliant! I warn you it is very crass! But that’s just to weed out all the anal retentive conservatives! We don’t need them watching our show!

When  I first tuned into this show, I was like, what the hell is this? Right from the first episode they start attacking issues we have in this country in a very unusual way. They show how some small town Philadelphia residents react to issues like gay rights, abortion, under age drinking, cancer, the disabled, welfare, drug addiction… just to name a few. And let me tell you, they don’t tackle these issues in the responsible, open minded way. No, they show how a bunch of ignorant, prejudice, small town folk try to make money and prosper at the cost of everyone else. Honestly, you don’t even feel the show is trying to make a point, but boy does it.

“It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia” probably has the most interesting characters in television history, especially Charlie. The acting is superb and the writing is absolutely hilarious. From the moment I started watching the first episode on Netflix, I knew I was in love with this show. Then they went ahead and casted Danny Devito. That was when this show went from brilliant to gut wrenching, comedy genius. Danny Devito plays a character that fits him perfectly. Just like Betty White did a few years ago, Danny Devito has done with this show. He has completely reinvented his career and put himself back into television history. It’s almost fitting the man end his career where he started it, on the living room tube.

Now certain people are going to be turned off right when they click this show on. But you have to remember, there is a point and they make their point in the most ludicrous, funny way. That’s why it’s hard to find the point of each episode, but there is. If you are still offended after that, then go play with your china collection or something because the stick up your behind is far too big for this show.

So, read up on all the issues we face in this country and see what the Philadelphians thinks about them. You are sure to get a different perspective that will make you think and is sure to crack you up.

And don’t forget to come and see my soon to be hit tv show, “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #5!

And Television Show #5 is… “The Office!”

The office

I know what you’re thinking… he just put that show at #6! Well, it’s the British version I am talking about this time and it’s the original concept of this brilliant show which would be revamped as an American version. This is where it started folks, in July 2001. “The Office” would air for the first time on BBC and would become one of the most talked about television shows in network history. This show is nothing short of genius and ranks higher than the American version for two main reasons. The British version was the first and this show knew when to quit, leaving us wanting more.

If you haven’t seen the American version, I highly recommend starting with the English version first. At first, I wouldn’t watch the American version at all because I loved the British version so much. I felt they were remaking it and would do it no justice. Well, when I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong and I couldn’t be more wrong about this topic. The American version would go on to be absolutely brilliant and original. The only thing the American and British version have in common is the concept. The characters are totally different and it’s a completely different humor all together. The English version is a much more subtle humor, where the American version is more in your face. Regardless, both shows are phenomenal and I have watched both versions more than once all the way through.

Now “The Office” (British version) is a must see. It is only two seasons long and it gets a lot more serious and heart breaking at the end. Unlike Michael Scott of the American version, David Brent is a hopeless boss who just shows his uselessness more and more as we get into the series. You love him but he isn’t an Idiot Savant like Michael Scott, who basically doesn’t know what he is doing but seems to stumble upon success through the process. No, David Brent is hopeless, useless and not well liked by anyone. Everything he does is for his own pleasure and image and when put in the corner, he always chooses himself over his employees. So, instead of loving this character like Michael Scott, you end up pitying David Brent. You feel more and more uncomfortable as you watch this boss lose control and eventually implode.

Now, that doesn’t mean this show isn’t hilarious, because it is nothing short of that. You will be holding your gut in laughter. But right when they have you they tug on those heart strings. And boy do you feel pity for this man. You almost feel embarrassed yourself watching him, clinching your teeth with the characters on screen.

Then the way they tie it all together at the end will make you want to go right back to the beginning and start it all over again. The ending is totally unpredictable and leaves you hugging your pillow in joy. They basically leave you at the end of season 2 upset and disturbed, but then they do a two episode follow up which ties everything back together and leaves you feeling like you have experienced a masterpiece on tv.

I cannot recommend both versions more. If you don’t see these two shows, you are missing out and you are missing out big. If you are one of those snobs like I was and only would watch the British version out of loyalty, then you are making a big mistake. Ricky Gervais has a hand in the American version also and he doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t seen either version, start with the British version, it’s a great appetizer to an amazing cluster of hours of pure funny, heart warming entertainment. Both of these shows will take you on an amazing adventure, ending with you wanting to start it all over again.

Also, come see my tv series I wrote and directed called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  Hey, Ricky Gervais had to start somewhere, so lets see where this can take my career. If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you are sure going to want to book a ticket for “A Seat on a Train!”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #6!

Television show #6 is… “The Office” (American version)

The Office

 

I’m sure the ladies are happy I picked this show. I think it goes without saying that this is one of the best sitcoms ever! Boy did it make a lot of careers through its 9 season run. The only reason it scored so low is because they ran it way too long. Once the actor Steve Carell left, they should have stuck a fork in it, even though the next season wasn’t that bad. But it certainly wasn’t excellent. I think people were just surprised that it was half descent without Michael Scott.

That’s what I love about “Seinfeld.” They quit while they were ahead. Larry David realized he didn’t have much more left in him and cancelled the show himself. This is very rare in American television and I really admire Larry David for picking art over money.

But other than that, this show is pure genius. The crazy antics of Michael Scott are so funny and enjoyable to watch. Anyone who has ever worked in an office can relate to this show. “The Office” blends strange characters, that would never have been seen with each other otherwise, and sticks them in a corporate office run by a complete maniac. I think we all have worked in a situation like this one at some point in our lives. If you haven’t, then you are lucky and are probably not going to get this show.

“The Office” is a perfect example of the average work place. You have all kinds of different people who have to interact with each other against their own will to accomplish one task, make money for the company. We all have gone through it and will probably go through it until the day we retire. I don’t care how perfect your job is, there is always at least one person you don’t get along with. Or maybe you are that one person that doesn’t get along with anyone. Either or, it’s a common circumstance that perpetually repeats itself everyday. All “The Office” did is blend all these crazy type of characters and have them work under a Boss who appears completely hopeless but soon finding out he is a business genius, all by mistake.

Then to top it off, you have a some great interoffice romances. Now, I’m not that much of a romantic comedy fan but the relationship between Pam and Jim was nothing short of enthralling. You get to see these two people, who are obviously in love with each other, miss every opportunity to actually get together. As an audience, it is so frustrating and the romance keeps you watching every episode.

Then you have the love affair between Dwight and Angela. Once again these two are perfect for each other, but just can’t seem to stay together. They are both horrible, wretched human beings, who you can’t stand at the beginning. But when they get together, you get to see the soft side of both of them. Soon you find yourself loving both of them, regardless of their short comings.

That’s what makes “The Office” so brilliant. It shows all the imperfections that people have but shows they are human beings also. Michael Scott is nothing short of an idiot. He’s racist, sexist and completely ignorant to what is really going on around him. But, you know what, you love him because he is human. You love him because he tries his hardest to fit in. You love him because he strives to do what’s right but just never makes the appropriate decisions.

You want everyday life with everyday people in completely hilarious situations, then “The Office” is the perfect show for you. I have personally watched it from beginning to end two times. The writing is complete genius and the acting isn’t far behind that. You will get tears in your eyes when Michael Scott leaves because you know from that point on, it will never be the same. “The Office” was a show that ran a little too long but when it’s all over, you find yourself wanting to start from the beginning again, hoping to ignore the fact it is no longer on the air.

Also take a few minutes and check out my television series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you are sure to love “A Seat on a Train!”

 

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #7!

Television show #7 is… “Seinfeld!”

seinfeld

Yes folks, Larry David has struck again!!! This show would make his and so many others’ careers. “Seinfeld” has gone down as one of the best television shows of all time and boy was it a hit right from the start!

Now, I’m sure a lot of you are sick and tired of hearing about “Seinfeld.” If you grew up in the 90’s like myself, I can understand why. This show was huge! Bigger than any show I have ever experienced. Everyone was talking about it and a good percentage of the nation was tuning in every week, eager to see what amount of nothing the crew was up to.

Then after the much talked about season finale, which disappointed most fans, the show went into syndication. Every time you turned on the television, you would hear about “Seinfeld” re-runs playing on this station or that one. And still they continued to boast how great the show was and how it’s the best show ever made. Well, I don’t know about you folks, I mean, I like to reminisce, but no one would let this show die and I quickly got tired of hearing about it. This television phenomenon would continue to run for years after the show cancelled and is still running today. The public just likes to watch “Seinfeld” over and over, again and again.

Now, no matter how sick and tired of the show I am, I still can’t deny that “Seinfeld” is pure genius. That is why “Seinfeld” is on my list. Personally, I like “Curb Your Enthusiam” much more, but I have watched quite a few “Seinfeld” re-runs throughout my life. I actually went through a little “Seinfeld” phase, where I would watch re-runs every night. So, I figured I had to put it on this list because there was a day when I absolutely loved the show! A show about nothing with some of the most interesting characters I have ever witnessed, my favorite being Newman.

Larry David showed his genius by taking a comic’s personality on stage and building a show around him. Let me tell you this, I have seen Jerry Seinfeld on stage and he is not funny at all. What made him famous was Larry David, who took his on stage delivery and made pure art out of it in the form of a show. Everyone knows how Seinfeld delivers a joke but most can’t repeat one single joke the man has written. That shows you that the television sitcom was what made Seinfeld famous, not his comedy.

But never less, you can’t deny this show’s talent and success. I still will stop and watch an episode here and there, if the time permits. Each episode is hilarious and is basically about nothing. Audiences’ can relate to the everyday, outrageous situations because the characters are just average, everyday schmoes who live in the Big Apple. Even though I haven’t watched the whole series from beginning to end, I highly recommend this show if you have never seen it. You will be quickly looking for another episode to watch. If you like it or not, “Seinfeld” will be aired on tv for years to come and will always be a show that I admire. If you want to see an episode, just turn on the television. I’m sure it will be syndicated on a few stations.

Also, come help someone who is trying to break his way into the television market by checking out my tv show I created called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  If you love “The Twilight Zone” then come take “A Seat on a Train.”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #8!

Television show #8 is… Cheers!!!

Cheers

You can’t talk about tv history and not mention the show “Cheers!!!” Though a little dated today, this is the show of all shows and it just kept on getting better as the seasons carried on. “Cheers” was actually the longest running television show of its time. “Married with Children” would soon steal that title, for reasons that are way beyond me.

If you want to hear the best, well known theme song in television history, then you have come to the right place. “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” was written exclusively for the show and would go on to be one of the most popular songs in television history.

The song says it all and the show delivers just that, regular people hanging at their local bar. You have great characters like Norm, who never leaves his stool. The know it all Cliff Claven, that no one likes. Sam, the ex baseball pitcher who decided to buy a bar. Then you can’t forget Carla, the snake tongued, opinionated waitress who never has a kind word to say to anyone.

This series, which ran for eleven years was nothing short of genius. It was a show for the mature family and a good percentage of the country would tune in every week. People loved this show because it was about everyday Joes who live everyday lives. You could relate to Norm’s laziness, while admiring Diane’s pursuit for success. This show also showed the pride of a great city where I grew up, Boston!

“Cheers” was a hit right from the get go and would just get better as it matured. I have watched this show all the way through once and of course had watched many episodes over and over again growing up. You want to see what the 80’s and 90’s were like in a Boston bar, then catch a couple of episodes of “Cheers.” (Which was actually filmed live in Los Angeles, lol!) It’s a little campy at the beginning, but you have to remember the time when it was made, a time of campy, funny, gimmicky sitcoms. Believe it or not, “Cheers” was definitely the more mature sitcom of its time.

So, grab a beer and get ready to sing! The whole series of “Cheers” is available on Netflix. Watch a couple of episodes and I guarantee, you will be singing along just like we did in the 80’s.

Also, don’t forget to come see my television show “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  Twilight Zone lovers come take “A Seat on a Train” and watch the first episode, “Out of Place,” for free! Support your struggling artist.

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #9!

Television show #9 is… “Curb Your Enthusiasm!!!”

curb

Either you love him or you hate him, but you can’t deny his comic genius! The track record speaks for itself! Yes, Larry David is my pick for #9 and what a great pick he is. This show is nothing short of genius. Not only is it funny as hell, but I found out that they pretty much improvise every scene.

Larry David doesn’t like writing out the whole scene. What he likes to do is write what he wants the scene to be, only scripting certain key points, the rest is the actors improvising. So you can imagine that you need a very talented cast to pull this off. And let me tell you, the cast is hilarious, from his stupid agent friend Jeff to his adorable old father. Everyone is awesome with all kinds of guest stars making appearances. If you love “Seinfeld” then you will see a lot of those characters as guest stars.

What’s also great about this show is each season has a beginning, middle and end. Larry David always starts out with some major problem that you watch him stumble trying to fix, with no conclusion till the end of the season. Some episodes will only touch on the problem and some will not even mention it. But at the end of the season, all the episodes tie together to come to an ingenious conclusion. My personal favorite is season 4. Mel Brooks comes and casts Larry David as the lead in his Broadway Musical “The Producers.” Everyone around him questions his casting, but you will find that Mel has a hidden agenda of his own.

Some seasons are way better than others, that’s why this show scored so low on my list. But you can’t just flick by it on the tv, well I can’t at least. I love to watch reruns of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and I’ve watched some seasons over and over again. That’s how good this show is. If you don’t believe me, do me a favor and watch episode 36. Larry David picks up a hooker to ride the HOV lane to get to a Dodger’s game on time. In the meantime, he has to buy pot for his Dad to relieve his glaucoma. This is the funniest episode in television history in my book. It’s also a great introduction to this show. So watch this episode and you will sure to become an instant fan. Larry David, labeled as like Woody Allen, is going nowhere. He keeps on putting out amazing product that always sets new trends. He certainly doesn’t fall short with this show either.

Also, come and see an up and coming genius’ show called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com  We all have to start somewhere and if you like “The Twilight Zone” you are sure going to enjoy “A Seat on a Train.”

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My Top Ten TV Shows that Deserve to be Watched Twice!!! Show #10!

Television show #10 is…. Three’s Company!!!

Threes company

I loved “Three’s Company” as a kid. This show was definitely the introduction to adult television for me. I started watching this show when I was nine years old and I instantly fell in love. When I saw this show, I knew right then and there that I wanted to be apart of this wonderful world they called show business. I loved the clumsiness of Jack Tripper and the overbearing criticism of the landlords. The gay subject matter was a little over my head at that age, but this show definitely opened my mind to different views.

I don’t think how much I loved this show as a kid has come across properly, so I will give you a little story to support my case. When I was growing up my Mother was very poor and raised my sister and I all by herself. So we didn’t have the common luxuries that most families enjoyed in the mid 80’s. Hell, we didn’t get a color TV until I was 11 years old! So of course we didn’t have a VCR, which were very expensive at the time. Long story short, I loved “Three’s Company” so much that I would sit in front of the TV and tape the audio of the show on my ancient tape recorder. I then would listen to the episode over and over again and then tape over it when I needed more tape for the next episodes. Pretty obsessed don’t you think. I would even sing along with the theme on the tape to listen to later. I knew every episode by heart and could say the lines verbatim. That was my introduction to real television and even then, I was trying to find the technology to enjoy it over and over again.

“Three’s Company” was a great example of the culture then. Two women and a man living together, oh my!!! People actually thought this was edgy television. Then to top it off, the main character acts as if he is gay! Now we are going too far here! The late seventies and early eighties were so homophobic that the only way to have a gay subject matter on television was for the character to act as if he was gay. But let me tell you, this show opened the door to the subject and even though Jack’s gayness was the brunt of the jokes, it was at least being dealt with instead of being ignored.

Though “Three’s Company” was very campy, the plots ridiculous and the acting over board, this show had such an impact on its time. It did this by just being “Three’s Company.” This light hearted show really tackled some moral issues of the time. But it accomplished this not by talking about these issues or even having an episode solely about them. “Three’s Company” did this by just putting the subject matter out there. Thruogh out the show  you see Mr. Roper warm up to Jack even though he perceives him as gay. Later on, Ralph Furley would do the same. This is huge because these homophobic men dropped all their prejudices and see Jack for who he is and accept him as a person. A really big statement to make at that time and the way they sneak it in there is nothing short of genius.

“Three’s Company” taught me at very young age that the views I am taught are not necessarily the right ones. Looking back on this show, it taught me to look at things from both sides and don’t be so serious about everything. John Ritter instantly became my favorite actor then and I still have a place in my heart for him to this day. The crazy antics, the clumsy slap stick comedy and the ridiculous plots are smoke screens to a much more serious message. “Three’s Company” was a risky show for its time and if it wasn’t for the great actors, funny characters and hilarious scenes, I believe that risky subject matter would have gotten it kicked off the air. But thank god public demand said otherwise.

Also come see my innovative show called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatontrain.com  Help me bring back the old style of story telling we used to enjoy while watching “The Twilight Zone.” Times are changing, crazy things are happening and I have a lot to say about it. If you love “The Twilight Zone” then it only makes sense to come take “A Seat on a Train!”