TV you've just watched

[lilmanjs]

I'll also take suggestions on good J-drama

Doesn't exist.

haha, most is way better than what is on tv here in the states. Currently watching Beginners! and save for a single tune, I quite like the show.

[Rob]

haha, most is way better than what is on tv here in the states.

The laughter of a madman.

[Skykid]

haha, most is way better than what is on tv here in the states.

The laughter of a madman.

^ What he said.

[xbl0x180]

A mad man, yes, but he's right

[lilmanjs]

In the states shows run longer than they should and then seem to be replaced with worse shows these days. save for psych I've not seen anything lately that isn't stupid, geared towards women, or the same show just about every episode. what happened to American tv?

[Skykid]

In the states shows run longer than they should and then seem to be replaced with worse shows these days. save for psych I've not seen anything lately that isn't stupid, geared towards women, or the same show just about every episode. what happened to American tv?

The US has always been responsible for brain dead TV, but also consistently for the best TV in the world. While I don't watch as much television as I used to, I still consider the best of what I've seen to be predominantly US made with a few exceptions. As for current shows, I'm sure there are people more in the know than I am.

Anyone who considers J and K drama to be anything except the theatrical equivalent of pond scum has to be slightly unhinged, but for the sake of challenge I'm now eager for examples. Pls list.

[xbl0x180]

Wait... we now have to justify why we watch television to you? Hahaha. You were saying something about people being "slightly unhinged"

Best television shows I have seen have come from all over the world: the UK (The Office, I, Claudius, Are You Being Served?), Australia (Spellbinder), Brasil (O Clone), Canada (Degrassi High, Ready Or Not), and Japan (anime and sentai shows). Korea makes decent, if surreal or hyperreal, soaps - way better than Mexico and the U.S. that's for sure, but not on the level of Venezuela and Brasil - that's a tall order

[Rob]

There are a few good shows here and there (Japanese, don't know about Korea). Not nearly enough for rabid fandom, though. There's definitely nothing that makes them special as a rule - same Scooby murder mystery themes and same faces every season. I think the biggest difference between American and Japanese TV is that quality TV is usually popular and successful in America while in Japan it isn't. Original, atypical shows get low ratings.

[Skykid]

Wait... we now have to justify why we watch television to you? Hahaha.

Of course not (I didn't say that did I? )

Just Asian soap operas. If they qualify as better TV than the US has to offer, let's have the examples.

Edit: if the question needs further clarification, I'm just looking for something that substantiates the below.

haha, most is way better than what is on tv here in the states

but he's right.

[CDexWard]

New season of Californication started! It was pretty funny. I'm especially excited about Atticus Fetch, he reminded me a little of a younger, british Bobcat Goldthwait.

[blackoak]

jdrama stuff

Thanks for these. I drop in and out of jdrama awareness periodically, and I haven't seen most of these. Helps a lot with keeping my listening skillz up when I'm not in Japan. I'm guessing d-addicts.com is still the place to go?

[xbl0x180]

Edit: if the question needs further clarification, I'm just looking for something that substantiates the below.

haha, most is way better than what is on tv here in the states

but he's right.

Korea makes decent, if surreal or hyperreal, soaps - way better than Mexico and the U.S. that's for sure, but not on the level of Venezuela and Brasil - that's a tall order

[GaijinPunch]

New season of Californication started! It was pretty funny. I'm especially excited about Atticus Fetch, he reminded me a little of a younger, british Bobcat Goldthwait.

Will watch this but I'm much preferring the marathon method these days.

[Rob]

I'm guessing d-addicts.com is still the place to go?

Yeah.

[ED-057]

勇者ヨシヒコと魔王の城/悪霊の鍵　-- really dumb, but if you like Dragon Quest/JRPGs you still might dig it.

hey! it's the kid from 恋がしたい×3

I watched the first ep and you are right, it did look really dumb.

Just Asian soap operas. If they qualify as better TV than the US has to offer, let's have the examples.

When I think "soap operas," they are the super long-running shows like Days of Our Lives. Maybe that compares to something like ちゅらさん, is that what you are referring to? I never watch this type of show. Other formats are also hard to compare, the jp shows I have watched are always one season long with 1-hr episodes and plots that are not focused around anything in particular. On US TV, I would say that (fictional) shows that run for an hour per ep are always sci-fi/fantasy or cop shows and they never end at one season unless the network cancels them.

[xbl0x180]

勇者ヨシヒコと魔王の城/悪霊の鍵　-- really dumb, but if you like Dragon Quest/JRPGs you still might dig it.

hey! it's the kid from 恋がしたい×3

I watched the first ep and you are right, it did look really dumb.

Just Asian soap operas. If they qualify as better TV than the US has to offer, let's have the examples.

When I think "soap operas," they are the super long-running shows like Days of Our Lives. Maybe that compares to something like ちゅらさん, is that what you are referring to? I never watch this type of show. Other formats are also hard to compare, the jp shows I have watched are always one season long with 1-hr episodes and plots that are not focused around anything in particular. On US TV, I would say that (fictional) shows that run for an hour per ep are always sci-fi/fantasy or cop shows and they never end at one season unless the network cancels them.

I call them "soaps" because that's how telenovelas are formatted - and, yes, these also end after about 100 to 200 episodes. However, the quality of telenovelas aired in the U.S. has dramatically gone downhill since they stopped airing Venezuelan and Brazilian shows, and replaced them with more Mexican drek

[GaijinPunch]

Peep Show Series 8.

Fucking hilarious.

[Skykid]

quoted passages

Very confusing. I don't know which line of thought we're even on now. I'm not really interested in whether or not Asian soaps are better than US soaps: I couldn't comment as I watch neither, and never will, since my brain would never forgive me the torture.

I was under the impression you felt Asian soaps qualified as better TV (in general) than that found in the US (or elsewhere).

Rather than misunderstand each other any further, I'll refer to this concise summary and leave it there:

I'll also take suggestions on good J-drama

Doesn't exist.

[blackoak]

@Skykid,

personally, I think jdoramas suck at drama most of the time, but the comedy can be really funny in a lighthearted way. i think much of it might not come across without knowing japanese, though. as a dragon quest/jrpg player im really enjoying yuusha yoshihiko so far.

[Skykid]

@Skykid,

personally, I think jdoramas suck at drama most of the time, but the comedy can be really funny in a lighthearted way. i think much of it might not come across without knowing japanese, though.

I think I'm being misunderstood. I don't have it in for J/K drama specifically: I don't watch soap opera from anywhere because it's garbage regardless of origin.

To its credit, J-Drama is the most fascinating (for 5 minutes) because of how emotive it is. Real Japanese people aren't openly affectionate, aggressive, melancholy or passionate, which is why I assume Japan statistically watches more TV than any other country, because it presents genuine through-the-looking-glass escapism. For me it's dead of the brain soap opera drivel, though, and I can't abide spending time that unproductively.

Peep Show Series 8.

Fucking hilarious.

I wonder if PS is still on BBC iPlayer? Good reason to put this proxy server through its paces, I'm having withdrawals.

[GaijinPunch]

I wonder if PS is still on BBC iPlayer? Good reason to put this proxy server through its paces, I'm having withdrawals.

Even easier -- it's on fucking Youtube. It really is laugh out loud funny, [Micro spoiler]even though Super Hans was slightly tamer than I had hoped for. Wish American comedy's would take a page or two out of this book, even though it would never work.

[xbl0x180]

@Skykid,

personally, I think jdoramas suck at drama most of the time, but the comedy can be really funny in a lighthearted way. i think much of it might not come across without knowing japanese, though.

I think I'm being misunderstood. I don't have it in for J/K drama specifically: I don't watch soap opera from anywhere because it's garbage regardless of origin.

To its credit, J-Drama is the most fascinating (for 5 minutes) because of how emotive it is. Real Japanese people aren't openly affectionate, aggressive, melancholy or passionate, which is why I assume Japan statistically watches more TV than any other country, because it presents genuine through-the-looking-glass escapism. For me it's dead of the brain soap opera drivel, though, and I can't abide spending time that unproductively.

Peep Show Series 8.

Fucking hilarious.

I wonder if PS is still on BBC iPlayer? Good reason to put this proxy server through its paces, I'm having withdrawals.

Of course you are being misunderstood... because you don't express things correctly. When I asked for a J-drama suggestion, I was asking from people who actually watch them and enjoy them. You yourself have admitted - repeatedly - that you don't watch these types of shows and, yet, you offer ignorant opinion after ignorant opinion on them and its audiences based on...

[Skykid]

I wonder if PS is still on BBC iPlayer? Good reason to put this proxy server through its paces, I'm having withdrawals.

Even easier -- it's on fucking Youtube. It really is laugh out loud funny, [Micro spoiler]even though Super Hans was slightly tamer than I had hoped for. Wish American comedy's would take a page or two out of this book, even though it would never work.

Perfect, that will do! Love Peep Show. I feel quite blessed I haven't seen all of them yet, something to look forward to.

You yourself have admitted - repeatedly - that you don't watch these types of shows and, yet, you offer ignorant opinion after ignorant opinion on them and its audiences based on...

Except I don't consider it an ignorant opinion. They're soap operas.

Actually, to be completely reasonable with you, I consider you to have some of the best taste in film of anyone that posts here, to the point where I've freely gone and watched several of your suggestions. Perhaps that's why I was curious enough to ask you for an Asian drama suggestion, especially since you regard them so highly, so I could actually take a look for myself. But after several posts, I still haven't got one.

[GaijinPunch]

Emoticon typo? It is directly under you're usual one.

Except I don't consider it an ignorant opinion. They're soap operas.

I've seen enough J-ones to know their shit all around... which is generally 5 minutes on the tube. Acting is atrocious on all fronts. I know TV is fantasy, but this is ridiculous...

[MX7]

Latest series of Peep Show was painfully, unwatchably unfunny. Though maybe it's just because it's a ghost of it's former form. It's slow decline has been distressing to say the least.

What good UK comedy is around at the moment? Housemate made me watch Fresh Meat and I almost chewed off my fist.

[GaijinPunch]

What good UK comedy is around at the moment?

Peep Show, latest series.

[EmperorIng]

With my cable package (virtually nonexistant), there's only one channel I watch with any degree of regularity: the Korean Broadcasting Channel.

Nothing serves a better laugh than Korean soap-operas or dramas or whatever.

It's like every single episode of every one of those shows is Shenmue.

[GaijinPunch]

My favorite is the lesbian looking man. He's huge here... but apparently a nobody in Korea. Imagine that?

[xbl0x180]

Perhaps that's why I was curious enough to ask you for an Asian drama suggestion, especially since you regard them so highly, so I could actually take a look for myself. But after several posts, I still haven't got one.

Ah, I regard them higher than Mexican and American soaps, which isn't saying anything at all if you're looking for bona fide quality television programming (i.e., production values, good writing, good acting, etc). They are enjoyable for the Pop trash that it is made from. K-dramas are how I first heard of Clazziquai Project, Loveholic, Humming Urban Stereo, and other Fluxus bands. They may not be to your liking; however, I think some of those Korean Electronic Alterno Pop bands make some catchy-as-hell tunes. Sometimes, that's all it takes - bits and pieces of something for me to enjoy the whole thing

DeliSpice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1jM9jTCrc0

Loveholic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnpufWs5XS0

Alex (Clazziquai Project)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p7ySpn1Hf4

[drauch]

I finally got a copy of the 1982 BBC Day of the Triffids mini-series. On the fourth episode right now and it's much better than I anticipated. Still haven't read the book, just seen the '62 movie, which I like quite a bit as well.