Five Television Shows That Won't Waster Your Time

It's not always easy to find a good t.v. show to follow. Especially if you're busy. I work, write, read, and set aside a fair amount of time for my wife. There are literally zero shows that I DVR. With the premiere of Game of Thrones a little over 24 hours away that's all about to change. In honor of Mr. Martin's Ice and Fire series finally hitting the small screen. I decided to blog about my five favorite television shows. GoT's premiere is only one of the motivating factors for this blog. I'll talk about other motivations throughout this countdown.

In the words of the Clown Prince of Crime . . .

And . . . Here . . . We . . . Go . . .

5. Dexter

One of only two shows that aren't science fiction or fantasy on my list. Dexter helps to round out the bottom two. Honestly, this was a difficult decision. But Dex stabbed his way into the top five.

There's great writing. Great acting. Great guest stars. A major plot twist in the fourth season. Dexter is everyone's favorite sociopathic serial killer. Some of my favorite parts of the show are the conversations he has with his dead father. I have to say James Remar is stunning as Dexter's dad. Not to mention he's one of my favorite actors I forget about.

I firmly believe that there are things that a writer can learn from television. Dexter is a anti-hero done right. Check it out, people. You won't be disappointed.

Warning: There's a fair amount of sex, language, and violence. Stray away if you care not for such things.

4. 24

No television show has ever kept me as stressed out as 24. From the get-go there are more twist and turns going on than you can imagine. Thank God Jack Bauer is will be there to save America. He is our only hope. I don't believe Kiefer Sutherlin was ever better. He will be immortalized by this show. Unfortunately I think the rest of the cast was overshadowed. Carlos Bernard, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Dennis Haysburt, and every other face that helps Jack Bauer bring down the enemies all deliver knock out performances. The writing can be like a punch to the gut. Bad things happen and sometimes one right after the other. It's worth your time.

My only qualm: Every season CTU: LA has a double agent. C'mon, people, do you not do better background or security checks?

3. Lost

No one will ever know just what the hell the Island was. Not even the creators, the writers, the producers, the directors, so on and so forth. The mystery was one of the things that made the show so awesome. Characters you love at the beginning you'll hate on down the road. Characters you hated from the beginning you'll love after a while. You'll never forget the numbers 4 8 15 16 23 42. You won't forget the lyric, "You all everybody." You'll sing it when you don't realize it. Hurly will be your favorite character and you'll sympathize for each and every individual stranded by Oceanic Flight 815.

Be Warned: The end will piss you off.

2. Battlestar Galatica

The best thing the Scifi network ever televised. Now that they're the SyFy network I avoid them like the plague. Talk about going down the crapper, guys. This is hard science-fiction done splendidly (Some people may argue this point, but oh well. My blog not yours). Personally I avoid hard scifi at times because I'm afraid it will be so over my head that I won't be able to enjoy. I'm sitting here trying to think of words to type, but am at a loss. There are so many great things to say about this show. I mean this is the reason it's my number 2. Forgive me for not having more suitable words, but this show was brilliant from beginning to end. You'll replace the word f*ck with the word frakk, and enjoy saying it just as much. Edward James Olmos will make you want to become one of his officers. The man's presence is commanding, and you just respect him. Starbuck kicks ass from beginning to end.

Enough of the purple prose.

Just. Go. Watch.

1. Firefly

I don't even hesitate to say that this is the best show I've ever watched. Nathan Fillion's Malcolm Reynolds must be Han Solo's bastard child. Firefly had it all. It was a western set in space which is brilliant genre blending. The show was action packed, had enough of the technicalities to attract hard scifi fans, was just enough space opera to please the casual viewer, beautiful acting, will leave you in stitches you're laughing so hard, and after you finish watching the 14 episodes plus the movie Serenity you'll love every minute and wish you could relive them all. I shake my fist at Fox Broadcasting Company for screwing Joss Whedon  and Firefly over. I guess I'll just after to re-watch over and over thinking about what could have been. I'll forever consider myself a Brown Coat so it's easy to list Firefly as my favorite show that will not waster your time.



Wait . . . Wait . . . the blog's not over yet. Here're a few Honorable Mentions . . .



Honorable Mention #1 . . . .

The Shield

Vic Mackey is the best bad cop ever.

Honorable Mention #2 . . .

True Blood

Thankfully these vampires don't sparkle.

You will also mutter Sookie in anger.

Well, there ya go. If you were struggling to find a good t.v. show that wouldn't waster your time I hoped this helped. Now, I'm off to try and decide what to watch next. Here's what's up next on my To-Watch list if you'd like to lend a hand in helping me choose: Farscape, The X-Files, Sons of Anarchy, and Dr. Who.