Supernatural
When WB network premiered this show back in 2005, critics and skeptics fully believed that this new series was nothing original or fresh and considered a rip off of shows such as The X Files and The Twilight Zone. Unfortunately for those doubters they were made to eat the dreaded humble pie as Supernatural has become one of the most popular and talked about TV programs in the last six years. To an extent some obvious comparisons between this and The X files are apparent. It stars an intrepid duo who travel across America encountering all kinds of paranormal phenomena and mythological creatures and of course its main theme is based on the super unknown. However Supernatural is in an entirely different league of its own with consistent excitement and suspense, great production values and a distinctive style, this is a dark and mysterious show that fully understands how to use the television medium. Now in its seventh season and still going strong, Supernatural is a well written and directed programme with an excellent soundtrack, unique story telling, and one of the most honest and poignant relationships between two brothers on a television series that I can remember. If you haven’t already experienced this fantastic series then you are seriously missing out on some fascinating TV viewing.
Two and a half men
The Harper brothers Charlie and Alan are the exact opposites of each other. Alan is a compulsively neat and tight chiropractor and a control freak whilst Charlie, a freelance jingle composer who lives in a luxurious beach house, enjoys limitless sexual exploits with women, rarely gets up before noon and has no care in the world towards decency and moral standards. So when he `temporarily’ allows Alan and his son Jake to move in after Alan’s wife Judith kicks him out, their conflicting differences and lifestyles cause outrageous and highly amusing circumstances. Without doubt Two and a half men is the most entertaining, side splitting and eccentric comedy to have come from America since the eighties. With a sharp, witty and ingenious script and brilliant casting and acting, Two and a half men has pushed the limits of the sitcom and has set the bar extremely high for other satire comedies to match. With Charlie Sheen’s character a spitting image of his real self and some superb acting from newcomer Angus T Jones as Jake, it is no surprise that this show has been met with great success and interest.
The Walking Dead
Rick Grimes is a former police officer who after being badly shot whilst on duty, wakes up from a coma in an empty and depleted hospital. After managing to free himself from the ward and out of the hospital, he soon finds himself immersed in a zombie apocalyptic nightmare where the last surviving humans are striving to stay alive. From the director of The Shawshank Redemption and based on the popular comic book series by Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead is a truly fascinating series that will finally rejuvenate the horror genre on television. With a strong cast, haunting musical score, a unique synthesis of horror and drama and some of the most detailed make up and effects seen on a TV programme, it is no wonder why this show has been turning heads both sides of the Atlantic. With a third season in production, this series continues to go from strength to strength and is arguably the most convincing and frightful zombie based TV program and film ever produced.
The Pacific
From the creators of Band Of Brothers comes this intense and harrowing take on America’s conflict with Japan during the Second World War. Set over ten fantastic episodes, this mini series follows intertwined stories of three marines and their traumatic experiences of war across the Pacific region. With its previous series, Band Of Brothers fully showcasing the horror of war so vividly, many thought how the shows creators could top the graphic and ugly nature of war in their following sequel, The Pacific. However it improves on its European – theatre predecessor on every level and the reported $250 million pound budget evidently shows with enormous vistas of fighting ships, jarring explosions and spectacular fire fights. The Pacific also manages to viscerally conduct the agony of non-combat too including the deadly diseases and hostile weather. Viewing this incredible show will repay you with a brutal but also eloquent story that’s finally less about how solders fight and die but ultimately what happens to them when they fight and survive, returning home with tortured and battered souls.
American Dad
Originally aired in 2005, American Dad focuses on the Smith family and extensively on Stan Smith, a CIA agent who is constantly on the alert for terrorist activity and will go to extreme lengths to protect his beloved America. Giving that it is penned from Seth MacFarlane, similarities between this and Family Guy will of course be scrutinised upon, however American Dad is very different to its sister show. Diverse and unique characters, no cutaway gags, and a more satirical aim at politics rather than pop culture references that are apparent in Family Guy. American Dad combines edgy humour and fantasy to poke fun at American society much better then Family Guy and delivers a far greater and prominently funnier animated comedy show.
Family Guy
What can be said about Family Guy that already hasn't been mentioned before? Ruthlessly crude, outrageous and offensive, originally taken off air for obnoxious material, yet against the odds it has become arguably the most popular animated comedy on the planet. Schemed up by Seth MacFarlane in the late 1990s, Family Guy set in Rhode Island, evolves around the Griffin Family. Peter Griffin, an overweight, idiotic father who will strive at all costs to do anything for his dysfunctional family, Louis Griffin, his wife who does her elegant best to establish stability in the home. Then there’s Meg Griffin, their 16 year old daughter who is socially awkward and often the butt of the family jokes, Chris Griffin, their 14 year old son who is mentally slow, Stewie Griffin, the super – intelligent, diabolically evil baby whose main focus in life is killing his mother Louis and rounding things off is Brian, the Martini sipping, dry witted and intelligent family dog who secretly loves Louis. Add a whole host of other equally bizarre neighbours, a unique brand of humour and 11 brilliant seasons of comedy genius that is extremely hard not to be laughed at.
The Inbetweeners
Another quality British comedy which was aired on channel 4 between 2008 and 2010 and was a monumental success, following the exploits of four socially inadequate friends, whom growing from late teens to early adults, are on a quest for grown up traits including alcohol, popularity and of course, the female figure. It was dubbed the “British American Pie” and it is no wonder why as these four teenagers are incredibly preoccupied with self-image and getting laid. Three series were produced as well as a feature film set in Malia with each episode producing some unbelievably funny and memorable moments. A clever and witty script is met by some fantastic acting from the four male actors and rightly so, this comedy was highly praised by critics.
Harpers Island
Set on a small and remote island off the coast of Seattle, Harpers Island is an elaborate horror series and high quality slasher flick with a first-rate cast, great script and 13 episodes crammed full of twists and subplots that will keep you hooked till the very end. Starring Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy and Jim Beaver, Harpers Island begins with a backdrop of its violent past, where once it was the scene of a gruesome series of murders. Seven years now have passed and past friends and families gather on the island for a wedding. However all is not what it seems as one by one they begin to die in mysterious and at times unpleasant ways. Fans of the classic murder mysteries will appreciate the subplots and adequate depth to the main characters aswell as those who simply enjoy a quality mix of action, horror and a grisly, blood soaked death scene.
Bo’ Selecta
Crude, vile, highly controversial and offensive, yet one of the funniest and original comedies Britain has produced for some time. Aired on Channel 4 between 2002 – 2004, Bo' Selecta starring Leigh Francis, involves celebrity stalker Avid Merrion (or Keith Lemon as he is know on ITV 2 these days) and his incredible spoof’s of celebrities including Michael Jackson, Craig David, Mel B and Gareth Gates. The comedy only got three series commissioned, however each series is fantastic and full of some of the most hilarious and inventive comedy sketches of recent times with its surreal and contentious humour which lampoons popular culture.
Band of Brothers
Despite a somewhat slow and uneventful start, Band of Brothers (2001) became a huge success, fully depicting the extreme atrocities of World War 2. With Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg on board and a budget of over 100 million dollars, this mini series was always going to attract large audiences. However Band of Brother became more than just a money-making investment, it became one of the most highly acclaimed programmes to date. Following the story of the "E" Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Second World War and their highly courageous missions including the liberation of Carentan, Band of Brothers mixes both incredible acting, supreme camera work and amasing special effects, delivering the full horror and nature of war to life.
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