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I know there’s a lot of flack out there for people who watch t.v. on a regular basis instead of taking the more “spiritual and higher ground” (whatever THAT means) approach to enjoy life. Yeah, whatever… I’m sick of hearing how it’s unproductive, a waste of time, etc…. I’m not ashamed to say there are certain t.v. shows, that I love to watch because they help me live vicariously (read “The Depressed Readers” post about living vicariously) through characters that become friends or at least uneasy family members that I cherish and empathize with.
When one of my favorite television shows come to an end, I feel empty and temporarily lost even though the show may have ended on a satisfactory note. Do we ever forget and simply go on after a relationship we cared so much about is over? I don’t, I feel melancholy and tenderly raw for a while.
So, I’m listing my top five favorite television shows that I wish were still on to relish and lose myself in. Fortunately, the shows I talk about here can all be found on DVD’S but it’s still not the same when you know that all good things must come to an end.
The shows below aren’t in any particular order of preferences…
1) “Sex and the City”…Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda became girl-friends for me and I felt like I was an inner-part of their circle. They were always falling in and out of love, sometimes disastrously but they always had each other to fall back on for support and empathy. Samantha taught me about sensuality and how to appreciate the pleasure of sex, Miranda was always so pragmatic and independent and I loved her earthiness and wit, Charlotte made me smile with her romantic wishes for a “happily-ever-after” and Carrie, was my favorite…She loved with passion, could laugh at herself, and just had a heart of gold that bruised easily but she never gave up on life or love. (I still like “Aidan” more than “Mr. Big” but Carrie followed her heart and found true happiness, that we got to see in the movie “sequels” of the show.) Who did you like better “Mr. Big or Aidan”?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyCBssoIs5c[/youtube]
2) “Twin Peaks”, ahhhh, what can I say about this show? It was one of the most bizarre, dark, mesmerizing and disturbing shows, I’ve ever seen and I couldn’t get enough of it. David Lynch (one of the creators of the show along with Mark Frost) was so brilliant in the way he introduced you to people who were living in a small town where grisly murders were happening, violence that made me cringe, ecological destruction that eroded any sense of hope and optimism I might have had and characters I wish I hope to never meet in the real world, as well as characters that I wish I knew and were close with in the “real world.”
Why did I love this show so much, then? Because like ever good fairy-tale, there were always the hero’s and heroine’s that were going to survive and fight the good fight no matter how bad life got. Each character had frailties and strengths that I could identify with at some degree. The weirdest and most painful circumstances were often wrapped in a wonderful macabre sense of humour and beauty, and the whole atmosphere of the show made me descend to hell and then shot me back up to heaven, or at least purgatory…I really miss this show. (“Audrey” and “The Coop” were my favorite characters, who did you like the best?”)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7RZow_TypI&feature=related[/youtube]
3) “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” O.k, a blond heroine that would be fighting all these demons and other monsters while she had amazing fashion sense and would worry about the choice of “men” she fell in love with all at the same time. It was all about the “Girl power!” How could I not love her? I wish I had best-friends like hers, nicknamed; “The Scooby Gang”, a mentor like “Giles” who reminded me of a modern day “Merlin the Magician” and let me say just two words; “Spike” and “Angel.” 
I know this show was considered fluffy, silly and superficial by many, but for me it brought a much needed comic relief when life was absolutely crappy but, Buffy was someone who felt the same loneliness I did, always felt like a misfit, and found this never ending well of strength when she was at her lowest.While I wasn’t fighting the same type of creatures she did, I still had to battle personal demons that were just as ugly and scary as hers. I still love to the shows re-runs when they’re on t.v. and ask myself that age old question; “what would Buffy do?”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7VNUzAzZUs&feature=related[/youtube]
4) I have a dark sense of humour if you haven’t figured that out by now. I often find life situations funny as hell whereas my family and friends look at me with fear…Someone has to be the black sheep of the family and I proudly hold that title. The television series “Six Feet Under” filled my morbid heart with not only laughter but a unique and wonderful discomfort. The show revolves around a family of undertakers who just happen to have conversations with corpses as they are being prepared for their burial. And that’s only a small glimpse into the show.
The genius of Alan Ball ( one of the creators of this show as well as the television show “True Blood” and the movie “American Beauty” etc..) seduces one into loving each of the characters and not being able to turn away from ghoulish plots that go on. I grieved deeply when the series came to an inevitable end and still watch the series on DVD whenever I get sick of the all too sunny and cloyingly sweet shows that seem to run rampant like a rabid dog today on t.v.
WARNING: don’t watch the video below if you haven’t seen the final episode of “Six Feet Under.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHEF2YDJZYg[/youtube]
5) And finally, a HBO series that I still am angry that came to an end way too quickly. “Carnivale” was replaced by a totally lame series about the early Roman Empire. (Apologies to those of you who like the series “Rome” but personally I think it sucked and still am writing petitions to bring back “Carnivale”) which is my fifth and final show I wished had never ended. Imagine yourself taken back to the times of the Dust Bowl period in America full of desperation, poverty and a darkness that still is carried on the winds today.
The sepia colors of the dry and dusty earth saturated everything and everyone which was magnificently exemplified in “Carnivale” with freaks and oddities galore. The minute I saw the beginning of this show, I wanted to step right up and buy a ticket to see all the sights even though I knew that my dreams would be forever haunted and tainted. You know the Siamese twins, the bearded lady, the burlesque dancers, the tattooed man, and the woman who reads tarot cards to you with a deadly price? They’re all here along with other characters who greet each one of us as we hesitantly walk into the fun house with them.
But, the deeper plot involves innocence and magick fighting against an evil cloaked in piety and “holiness.” Each character was neither completely good or bad, but had multiple shades of gray running through them. It was like watching a fairy tale where the “big bad wolf” is actually our hero and Goldilocks turns out to be a sinner full of malice and darkness. Every time I re-watch the show on DVD, I gain new insights about the characters but I also see a new mirror held up to gain new insights about myself. This show was not written not for those who drift by in life with simplicity and sweetness, instead it’s for those of us who appreciate complexity and wisdom mixed in with our coffee.
Again, I don’t know why the show came to such an abrupt end, but I among many others felt robbed and disgruntled that we weren’t able to see the story line finished in any satisfactory way. But that’s life, isn’t it? Endings aren’t always the neat and tidy packages we want them to be and so I guess it was appropriate that we the viewers were left to wander in the dark as the Hurly Burly music lingered in our minds and souls of the Carnivale.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxXI2c0VvD0[/youtube]
Are there any of the above shows your favorites as well or what other television series YOU wish had never ended?
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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I’m with you on Buffy and Twin Peaks! I’ll add Star Trek and Beauty & The Beast. Never really understood the hype about SATC, sorry.
I definitely like Carnivale and Six Feet Under though!
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Oh, I remember “Beauty…” I used to watch it every Friday night when it was on. It’s funny the actor who played “Vincent” is on a show about bikers, have you seen it? You and I have very similar tastes actually with both of us liking, “Six feet under” and “Carnivale” and not everyone liked “SATC”, so I understand, Tink : )
My Rare One and I loved “Six Feet Under” too. And also “The Sopranos” — that was a great series. At the moment, we’ve just started watching “Mad Men” on DVD — we’re only up to episode 5 but love it so far! But OMG, there’s so much smoking on that show! Not to mention drinking, sexism, racism, philandering, hidden secrets, lies, etc. Just like real life!
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I said to “Aine” here that I also loved the “Sopranos” and was really kind of upset about the last episode, lol..I didn’t know if it was because of the way it ended or the knowing that all of them were gunned down. At least that’s how I interpreted it. Is that what you thought too? I tried to get into “Mad Men” as I loved the “look” of the show, but I didn’t like that there were basically only three major female characters and they didn’t have the rich complexity as the men did. So, what you said about the “sexism” is what makes me not like it, lol…Good point, Debra! Now they just need to have a show that my “girls” love and HRH does too ; )
I loved Buffy! but the ones that Irk me are Life- a falsely accused cop, recently released, after 12 years of solitary”hard time” who quotes Zen and has a fresh fruit fetish. it was fast quirky and smart and they canceled it out of hand after 2 seasons.
and the other one that Irks me is Firefly another Joss Wheden project, that was not only smart and funny but had one of the most original concepts on TV anywhere.
I never saw “Life” but it sounds like something I would love. Which channel was it on and I wonder if they have it on DVD. I’d love to see it and I agree, “Firefly” was really good. I didn’t like “Doll House” by Whedon, did you see that one?
I am one of those people who dislikes TV, mostly because I’m sick of being marketed to. I also hate that the only shows worth anything are on during the 10 o’clock spot (as it’s the best for advertisers) ….anyway, you get the message – I wish it were more about the shows and less about the commercials, then maybe I’d watch. HBO, however is another story and I agree with you – SATC, Six Feet Under both wonderful shows. I also loved The Sopranos. I used to love “ThirtySomething” and “Northern Exposure” too. Quality shows that don’t insult the intelligence of the audience – how refreshing. We are re-watching six feet under dvds now and having meaningful discussions about them!!
I understand what you mean about connecting with shows and characters – I think that’s a sign of a good television show – unfortunately there are so few of these left, mostly I suspect to “focus groups” and advertisers.
aine recently posted..Defining The Mystery
I loved the “Sopranos” too Aine and that last episode, was well, I guess it was perfect considering how Tony was going kind of bonkers, what did you think of it? So many people got really upset with it. I was kind of surprised when I saw it and thought that it had been interrupted. Have you seen “Boardwalk Empire” by the same creators, with Steve Buscemi, whom I love? And YES, “Northern Exposure” was wonderful, really quirky and fun and original. One of my fave. actors John Corbett was on that and I think he and the actor who played Ed, were fantastic. And “30 Something” I haven’t though of in a long time, but that was also great. I also really liked “The West Wing” which another someone else commented on that I love to rewatch on DVD’s.
Carnivale, I never heard of..ok, don’t throw rocks at me..lol… the others I can identify with and I can see where they would bring u out of the dumps…One of my kids loved buffy, that show was a bit too young for me..6ft under, SITC yes…
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Chrissy, I would never throw rocks at you, lol! There are so many shows I’ve never heard of and when someone mentions them, I”m like “where have I been?” “Carnivale” was on so quick and then off just as fast, that unfortunately not many people got to watch it. And my son who is 22 didn’t like “Buffy” so I think it was more for the teen in me than anything else.
Buffy is definitely one I miss.. anything by Joss Whedon. Love your style!
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Thanks Kallan : ) Great minds think alike, eh? lol..
I loved Sex and the City!. I had was a teenager when it came out and had to get a friend to tape it for me weekly because my parents wouldn’t allow me to watch it. I have to admit though- in it’s late seasons it started to annoy me- the characters seemed a bit shallow.
Any way I am very much an old school girl so I would have to say “Three’s Company”, “I love Lucy”, “Fraser” and some other shows that I am sure you haven’t heard of.
I’m kinda wishing Gossip Girl would end…..
That’s so funny about sneaking to watch “SATC”, Stephi, lol…And I liked the early seasons too, and got really disappointed when Carried dropped Aidan whom I loved and dreamed about ; ) for Mr. Big. And “I Love Lucy” I still watch! Esp. the Vita Vita Vegimin has to be one of my fave. episodes. The other shows you liked bring back memories when I was in my 20′s, oh I’m so showing my age here, ha!
I’m only familiar with two of these:
You already know what a huge Twin Peaks fan I was, and I could write a pretty huge essay on why! I’ve said to more than one person that I think I would rate it the top TV show of all time. Fave characters:
The dwarf and the giant.
Donna – sternly beautiful. The coldest of the three young females on the surface, but the most vulnerable and emotional underneath. I wanted to take her away from all that horror, and I was a bit peeved when I discovered she was having it off in real life with Kyle McLaughlin!
The deputy and his girlfriend. Don’t remember their names.
Buffy I refused to watch because I thought it was silly and fluffy and all those things. Then I watched one in an idle moment and changed my mind completely. I realised it was just a matter of getting the joke.
I think my numbers 2 and 3 top TV shows would be the Dennis Potter duo Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective.
Jeff, I think you would really love “Carnivale”, if you watch the video I have for it, I think you’ll recognize a certain character from “Peaks”. And tell me about the Dennis Potter shows, were they on BBC? You and I have very similar tastes (other than Ewan McGregor being in “Star Wars ; ) so I’m interested in hearing more about them. I remember when “Donna” the actress was with McLaughlin, why were you “peeved” lol…Then she turned into a junkie which was really sad and got arrested. She was too much of an “ice queen” for me. And looked really anorexic. And “Buffy” does appear really fluffy at first until people realize it’s very tongue in cheek and the writing was actually done really well.
I am right there with you on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and Angel, too). I was REALLY addicted to that show. A few others that I miss dearly…Alias, Freaks & Geeks, Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. My hubby and I currently love Glee and Modern Family. We thought for sure these shows wouldn’t make it – seeing as though they are not exactly the “norm” for television fare. We were pleasantly wrong! Theresa
Did you like the actual show “Angel” or the actor David Boreanz? ; ) He was pretty hot and then did you watch “Bones”? I could never get into that one. I LOVED “Freaks and Geeks” esp. as James Franco is one of my very fave. actors. And I kind of remember “Wonderfalls”. I haven’t been able to get into “Glee” but I do like “Modern Family.”
I don’t watch a whole lot of television these days and all the ones you mentioned weren’t really on my radar. The three that probably felt the most like losing a family member to me were “Happy Days,” “M*A*S*H,” and “All in the Family.” “Happy Days” and “M*A*S*H” both ended the same year. I was in college and the nights of both final episodes were like nothing I’d seen before or have seen since. Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) was frozen in front of a television. Not a sound was heard anywhere on campus during the show, but all heck would break loose each time a commercial came on and then when it was over. I think there are too many channels and too many choices for something like that to happen again.
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“Happy Days” was such a huge show for me to watch in my teens and then I liked “Joanie and Chachi” lol…And “MASH” was so well written, again a show that was above the typical norm. and the acting was great. My father is good friends with Alan Alda and he’s just as nice a man as he’s on the show. “All in the Family” I remember as a little girl and it’s so funny to watch the reruns as they’re so “70′s” in the whole feeling. I don’t remember the last episode, what happened on it?
I definitely miss Twin Peaks and all of Joss Whedon’s shows. My all time Favorite though was West Wing…I wish that could have gone on forever!! And I must confess to being really sad when LOST ended last year.
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I LOVED “The West Wing” too Melissa, and I thought of that show too late when I wrote this post. It’s my father’s fave. show and I didn’t think I’d like it before I watched it, because he and I have very different tastes, but once I got into it, I was hooked. Which character was your fave.? I remember being very upset when “Leo” died and it’s interesting that it kind of echoed the whole Obama campaign and election when Jimmy Smits took over the presidency on the show. There were so many well known actors that came from that show. I can watch that show over and over again. Of course I’d love to see a president like “Jed” today in real life as president.
I have always had “my programs”. It’s funny, the only one that you mentioned that I watched was Buffy. I miss Angel because I started watching him on Buffy. Agent Seely Booth is still pretty but I miss the vampire.
I currently have 3 shows I just won’t miss….that’s not bad when you consider how many programs there are on TV. I love NCIS and Rissoli and Isles (because the one character came from NCIS (Kate) and lastly The Closer.
Interesting how we get attached to characters and do consider them part of our world too.
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“Angel” was really hot, but I still liked bad boy “Spike” better. Is “Agent Seely” on “Bones”? For some reason I never got into that show. Boreanz is such a good actor though as the characters were so different, but as “Angel” he was dark, mysterious and brooding, which was appealing. And I’ll have to check out “NCIS” more, for some reason I’ve missed that one, I mean I know it’s huge but I’ll have to catch up with it now. Any shows you know of that take place in N.M.?
I am So there with you re: Buffy and Sex & the City- definitely 2 faves of mine! Actually, I still watch Buffy reruns daily with my teens- it’s been fun to enjoy them with my young adults! (Tho’ I don’t think they’re quite ready for sex and the city…..it was Aidan for me- I didn’t like Mr. Big, he was a little creepy.)
Another one we enjoy reruns and DVD’s of is Charmed.
One show that is on for a few weeks a year is Eureka- each time the season ends, I feel like it’s been canceled, because I know it’ll be a year before we can enjoy it again!
Very fun post!
Stephanie
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I loved “Charmed” too and was introduced to the actor Julian McMahon who I had a crush on and then saw him on “Nip and Tuck.” Did you ever watch that one? “Eureka’ was a really fun show, well actually still is and so many good characters on it. And “Aidan” sigh, lol…He was too good for “Carrie” ; ) I’ll never forget the episode when Carrie breaks up with him and then a while passes and she tries to get back together with him and he says “Carrie, you broke my heart” when they were both outside, it was like “Oh, I want him! lol…And I agree with you about “Big” he was wayyyy too smooth and phony I thought.
Oh I miss SATC especially Mr. Big. I didn’t care much for the first movie and didn’t bother with the second.
I don’t watch a great deal of TV but there are a few series I really enjoy like Fringe, Supernatural and I LMAO at Big Bang Theor (mainly because my younger son is so much like Sheldon).
I was sad when Frasier ended like Stephi. But even more sad it probably the ending of Dallas… please don’t tell anyone I said that.
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I’ll never forget your post about the “Rabbit” on your blog, Lyn, it still cracks me up. Who was your fave. female character on “SATC”? So, you’re a “Big” fan are you? And do NOT be ashamed for liking “Dallas” my friend, I remember when “Bobby” was dreaming the whole season, that was the part I didn’t like. It’s so funny that I once read that “Dynasty” and “Dallas” were more popular in England than in the U.S. and I thought when I read that, “Now, there’s a stereotype that we should be proud of” lol…And of course I’m drawn to the BBC shows, except I never liked “Benny Hill” I couldn’t stand him ; )
Oh I miss SATC especially Mr. Big. I didn’t care much for the first movie and didn’t bother with the second.
I don’t watch a great deal of TV but there are a few series I really enjoy like Fringe, Supernatural and I LMAO at Big Bang Theor (mainly because my younger son is so much like Sheldon).
I was sad when Frasier ended like Stephi. But even more sad is probably the ending of Dallas… please don’t tell anyone I said that.
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I think my favorite characters on The West Wing were Josh and Toby. It was a great show..so intellectually stimulating and current …yet witty and poignant at the same time.
I also loved Charmed and Angel…and Beauty and the Beast when I was young….loved Ron Perlman as Vincent!!!! Guess I’ve always had a weakness for the shows with a little magick/fantasy in them!!
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well Wendy, while I did indeed enjoy SATC for a long while, I think, actually it went on too long. I was getting very tired of the repeating plot. I watched and loved Twin Peaks but missed 2 episodes in a row like 2/3ths of the way through, so I blew it for myself, couldn’t get back on track(I’d love to rent the DVD’s and watch it other again)…we enjoyed 6 feet under, but our cable was having technical difficulties for a about 3-4 weeks on the nights we wanted to watch, so we kind of gave up (Hubby goes to bed at nine, so we had to watch it on a non-work nite)
I thought Buffy was ok…I had to tape it my second year in college for my roommate for the first semester, LOL.
ahhh but CARNIVALE!!! WTF!!! they just ended it, they didn’t even call it the final season (of 2) there was no warning. I actually wonder if something behind the scenes happened, and in reality the show was supposed to go on longer. I am SOOO with you on this show.
someone mentioned Star trek…yes I loved the original one.
my list:
Moonlight (only 1 season CBS)
Law and Order Criminal Intent (with Vincent Donofrio, or at least Annabella Sciorria, Chris Noth, Jeff Goldblum and the actress that played Eames-can’t think of her name)
NYPD Blue
Invasion…another ended without any warning
ok…getting sappy…Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons
and I have to mention…Life and Times of Grizzly Adams…as when hubby was younger, when we first were together if he grew the beard and hair long for the winter he looked like him…also the variety show that Kenny Rogers used to come on a lot, as when he was trimmed (Hubby-hair and beard he resembled him)
LOL now he looks a bit like Jerry Garcia, LOL or willy nelson, depends on the day… Nah–a couple of years ago, but now he is keeping his hair relatively short, as he knows it makes him look younger.
and sit-coms (and family stuff):
Frasier…so funny…nuff said…ME
Family Matters, funny and lessons learned…family
Night Court…me and hubby
Growing pains…family
Perfect Strangers…family
Who’s the boss…Family
7th heaven…youngest daughter and me
Boy meets world…family
The Commish–hubby and me
My so-called life-Oldest daughter
Mad about You…me and son
Lois and Clark…hubby
HOME IMPROVEMENT!!!!…all of us
Hubby’s list:
Deadwood..HBO
Hill Street Blues
M*A*S*H…me too
Night Stalker…i liked this also (The original)
NYPD Blue
Rome…HBO
and Carnivale
THIS was an awesome post, as I am a big TV junkie, especially cop dramas and science /medical shows…I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED ER, but it started to lose it’s punch the last fews years…I didn’t even watch the last season.
we watch all the criminal stuff and forensic stuff, even the reruns, LOL
Hubby and I what can i say.
Susan
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