The TV is going to be quality from now on, what with Shameless (Tuesday at 10), Desperate Housewives (Wednesday at 10), Prison Break (Monday at 10), ER (Monday at 9) and 24 (Sunday at 10) all starting back so close to each other.

This obviously begs the question, what order would you rank them?

Yer old da's ranking:

1. 24 (obviously )
2. Prison Break
3. Desperate Housewives (ahead of Shameless )
4. Shameless
5. ER

Others to throw into the mix would be the likes of CSI, but given that the other 5 have all started back recently I've only included them.

The Sopranos puts all other tv in the shade.

I knew I could rely on a constructive post from the cat.

24 is superb and should be at the top of anyone's list.... with one possible exception... I am of course referring to Battlestar Galactica, season 3 of which premiered last Tuesday on Sky One.

How many other TV shows, let alone US ones, dare to tackle issues surrounding the war on terror? In the opening episode of season 3, for example, the viewer is asked to weigh up the morals of the good guys being "insurgents" and plotting and executing a suicide bomber attack on the Cylon occupying force.

There's a good article in this week's Guardian Guide, celebrating the series. To quote: 'Giving the murderous Cylons human form... meant the show could plough a chilling allegory on civil liberties crackdowns and western paranoia about sleeper cells. Painting them as religious fundamentalists who justified the genocide [of mankind] as a means of carrying out God's will in the face of human corruption forged a fierce parable on the war on terror that good tatse would never allow so called "proper" drama to go near. [...] Naming Season 2 the Best Thing on Television, Time magazine boomed: "most of you think this entry is a joke. The rest of you have actually watched the show."'

They point out correctly that it's more of a war show than a sci-fi show; they just happen to have a fleet of starships instead of boats or aeroplanes. Incidentally, it has the best roster of female characters to hit the screen since I don't know when. Imagine five or six characters of the intensity and depth of 24's Chloe and you're getting there.

I wonder if its anything to do with the fact that they have more freedom that your average US show. It was actually Sky One that funded series one (not sure how much the contribute now). I didnt realise that it was given its world premier in this country. However it was, and then once half of the USA downloaded it for free the Americans made sure they screened other series first.

In a nutshell the above means that this is not your average US show. Its got far more substance, and sorry but it does kick everything in the above list into the dust.

It's really sad but I find myself getting sucked intot eh Desperate Housewives storylines. A female mate made me promise to watch it once and it was pretty good

of that list, I've only ever watched prison break.

Nip / Tuck has just started back too.....

This Battlestar Galactica carry-on is getting some rave reviews on FISO, yer old da may have to give it a go (even although it is a sci-fi). Not a war film, a sci-fi. Spaceships etc equals sci-fi.

Haha, the use of mrgreen is not bad there.

I would have to say 24 - but thats probably because I am just making my way through series 1 !! (and loving it)
Its a nice feeling having all those series ahead of me to watch on DVD (I have borrowed all the box sets). No adverts and an episode almost every night for the next few months

I thoroughly enjoy the inspired nonsense of 24, Lost amd Prison Break but can't put them at the top.

1.The Sopranos - Possibly the highest quality dramatic series in television history.
2. The Shield - A bit over the top but absolutely riveting.
3. 24 - Complete nonsense but keeps me on the edge of my seat. getting a little predictable. I say "send Jack to Iraq." He'll put to stop to the beheadings.
4. Lost - On the verge of getting ridiculous but it's been fun in its quirky way.
5. Prison Break - Makes 24 seem plausible but lots of surprises and crazy developments. Definitely entertaining.


Sorry to go with an all U.S. list but we only seem to get Brit mini-series such as Prime Suspect, which viewed over it's seven parts is in the same class as The Sopranos. What's the best UK tv series currently running?

24



nuff sed

How can you restrict yourself to just one episode a night?

Surely you stay up until 3am watching it, throw a sickie and finish it off tomorrow?

I've never seen an episode of The Sopranos, which by all accounts is a travesty I hear. I've never spoken to ANYONE who thinks it's anything less than brilliant. I need to get into it I think.

That makes two of us.

I'm not a fan of starting to watch things half way through... so have resisted watching it.

Am I right in assuming it has now finished?

Exactly. It's 5 or so series in now so there's no catching all that lot up. Think it'll just pass me by, while I'm stuck with wazzock Lost.

ahhh the joy that is Lost...... I've said it before I'll say it again. Just like smoking. You know it's $hit, but you just cant give it up!

I know, that why I'm wazzock stuck with it.

Must watch TV at the moment -

1. Trial & Retribution
1A. Waking the Dead

What effing genius decided to put them on at exactly the same time.

1AA. NFL playoffs

Superb stuff (and also clashes with the above 2 programmes

I have never seen an episode of 24 but after reading this fancy giving it a go. Do I need to start at the beginning or will the new series make sense to me?

I can honestly say I haven't seen any of the programmes above.

All that interests me are Planet Earth, sport and the news until last night when I kept switching over every time they mentioned the utterly anal unmentionable programme. The way I see it is that you don;t start watching, you don't miss.

You're leading a sheltered life not watching these programmes on the telly.

I tend to go to bed early, between nine and ten, because of work and a two year old so they're on too late anyway. I genuinely believe I could live happily without TV as long I could watch any big games at the pub.

Not really. I would give you a quick rundown but that would involve some spoilers from previous series' or 'days' as they put it, and there could be people reading this that are still catching up. I'm so thoughtful eh?

Anyway, you don't really need to know much apart from the fact that Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) works for the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) Los Angeles. He is also THE man, who eclipses any action hero, big or small screen,......ever.

There are a number of regular characters who you'll become familiar with, most notably Chloe O'Brien, an analyst in CTU who regularly goes behind the back of her superiors to help Jack out. This includes re-positioning satellites and the like from her Commodore Amiga, it's all highly plausible. She is also a bit of a scowling idiot.

In summary, I would say that all you need to know in the storyline is that Jack 'is where he is' at the start of the series (this will become clear) because of events in the last series, but I wouldn't imagine they will affect the way the story goes in this season too much. Maybe.

I would also say you'll be hooked after the double bill premiere this Sunday and Sunday nights will be over for you.

My Sundays from now on are looking something like this:

Midday Cook Roast, Eat, Wash Up
2PM If decent game on, go down pub to watch fitba
4PM If not already down pub to watch fitba, go down pub to watch fitba
7PM Get curry, eat
9PM 24

Sorted!

What are you doing between 2 and 4pm if you're not down the pub? I'd be starting a fight with the missus over anything so I'd have an excuse to get down the boozer.

Trying to convince Mrs Bo WE should watch but she is not keen, anything in it for the ladeez?

Not really, but tell Mrs Bo if she lets properbo watch it yer old da will come down to her front room every Sunday and flash his torso.

Mrs Bo says 'No deal' !