Vacation Robo-Post: They Make Lists, So We Don't Have To
The always-brilliant PopMatters has come up with an exhaustive, eye-opening and nimbly argued list of the best TV shows on DVD. The list went up in October, but that's the beauty of DVD: there's no such thing as coming to it too late!
Having done a gigundous TV list of my own recently, I have no energy or inclination to debate theirs in detail, but it's pretty damn impressive. Divided into five sublists--"classic," "outsider," "new network," "fringe" and "beyond the envelope" TV--the list does a great job of acknowledging obvious greats (while seeing the nonobvious in them) and expanding our sense of great TV by making the case for noncanonical shows. (You will never believe me, but I actually did consider putting Nick's The Adventures of Pete and Pete on my All-TIME 100 list, and after reading PopMatters' argument, I dearly wished I had.) I'm not quite sure why Freaks and Geeks, which aired on NBC, is classified under "new networks," but maybe it's because the show should have aired on The WB or Fox.
All this plus generous sample clips and a list of the TV shows that should be on DVD. (Yeah, Wonderland!)
You won't agree with every pick, which of course is exactly the point, but before you know it, you'll have spent hours at the site. Hopefully you'll be done by Monday. I'll see you then.
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1
This is good stuff, but I can't believe they omitted The Wonder Years from TV shows that should be on DVD. (OK, I know there is the one DVD out there, but it's just a bunch of clips and the finale, I think, not whole seasons). I've heard that the licensing fees for all the great -- and irreplaceable -- 60's and 70's music would be way too expensive
Oh man, I haven't thought about Pete & Pete in years. "Artie, the Strongest Man...in the World!"
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2
A phenomenal list. Although I was a little surprised not to see 24 on it (at least I don't think I saw it). That show, more than many, is MEANT for the DVD format.
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3
In preparing my OWN list, I kept leaving Pete and Pete on it and having to justify it to myself. Pop Matters has made my life easier.
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4
I loved the list, but (and I know I'm going to get skewered for this) I wish LEAVE IT TO BEAVER had been on it, if for no other reason than it gave us one of TV's most unforgettable characters - Eddie Haskell. I have the entire DVD set and it's incredibly funny.
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5
These lists are great, I was just getting ready to update my netflix queueu for strike times coming, I have to say for the most part I am more inclined to watch recent television than classics, even those that maybe aren't the 'best tv,' though agree with Carol, I can always catch a Leave it to Beaver...
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6
I'm so happy to see other Pete and Pete fans in the world! Here's hoping the final season will make it to DVD sometime in the future.
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 8 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 9 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 10 hours ago
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