Television favourites
A list of my favourite television programs, mini-series and some outstanding particular episodes.
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- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRod SerlingRobert McCordJay OverholtsOrdinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
- DirectorJohn NewlandStarsBoris KarloffBrandon De WildeCrahan DentonTwo stranded motorists and a local sheriff battle evil forces that inhabit a run-down, abandoned mansion in the middle of a swamp in the middle of nowhere.An almost letter-perfect adaptation of the original story!
- StarsVic MorrowRick JasonPierre JalbertCombat!, a one-hour World War II drama series, followed a front line American infantry squad as they battled their way across EuropeStrangely, this program was how I bonded with my mother growing up; it was (and is) her favourite program and after seeing "Duel" (Sgt. Saunders vs. a tank) as a youngster, then "Hills are for Heroes" as a teenager, I was hooked too.
- CreatorLeslie StevensStarsBob JohnsonBen WrightWilliam DouglasAn anthology series of insightful science fiction tales.I think Twilight Zone produced a more even quality of programs than the Outer Limits, but when the Outer Limits was on full strength, it could match or beat the best of Twilight Zone. "Demon With a Glass Hand," "Soldier," "the Architects of Fear," "I, Robot" and "Nightmare" are my favourites.
- DirectorChuck JonesBen WashamStarsBoris KarloffJune ForayDal McKennonA grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
- CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyIn the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.
- StarsRobert PowellOlivia HusseyLaurence OlivierBeginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.
- StarsJames MasonColleen MooreByron HaskinThe history of the American film industry in Hollywood during the Silent era.I gained a new appreciation and respect for silent cinema from this series, along with a fascinating history lesson about why Hollywood became the film capital of the world.
- CreatorJim AbrahamsDavid ZuckerJerry ZuckerStarsLeslie NielsenAlan NorthEd WilliamsSight gags, puns and non-sequiturs ensue as bumbling Sgt. Det. Lt. Frank Drebin and his colleagues at Police Squad solve various puzzling cases.
- StarsJames MasonHans-Joachim KulenkampffJackie CooganUsing in part rare out-take footage, the film-making methods and techniques of Charles Chaplin are explored.
- CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsPatrick StewartBrent SpinerJonathan FrakesSet almost 100 years after Captain Kirk's 5-year mission, a new generation of Starfleet officers sets off in the U.S.S. Enterprise-D on its own mission to go where no one has gone before.
- CreatorJoel HodgsonStarsJoel HodgsonMichael J. NelsonTrace BeaulieuIn the not-too-distant future Joel Robinson is held captive by Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank, forced to watch B-Grade movies on the Satellite of Love with the help of his robot friends: Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonStephen FryStuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.The 2nd & 3rd Blackadder are okay, but I think most fans agree - this is the series which drives the show's continued popularity.
- StarsDavid McCulloughSam WaterstonJulie HarrisA comprehensive survey of the American Civil War.
- CreatorBob KaneEric RadomskiBruce TimmStarsKevin ConroyLoren LesterEfrem Zimbalist Jr.The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.
- CreatorRick BermanMichael PillerStarsAvery BrooksRene AuberjonoisCirroc LoftonIn the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, the Federation space station Deep Space Nine guards the opening of a stable wormhole to the far side of the galaxy.My favourite Star Trek series. What, you wanna make somethin' of it?
- CreatorAl JeanMike ReissStarsJon LovitzNick JamesonMaurice LaMarcheJay Sherman is a New York film critic who has to review films he doesn't like for a living.Sadly, it was at least a decade ahead of its audience.
- CreatorGavin BlairJohn GracePhilip MitchellStarsMichael DonovanKathleen BarrGarry ChalkIn the inner computer world of Mainframe, a guardian program sprite and his friends defend the system from threats from viruses and the User.
- CreatorBen EdlundStarsTownsend ColemanMicky DolenzRob PaulsenAn invulnerable, somewhat dim, superhero protects The City from all manner of evil-doers.
- CreatorJoe ShusterJerry SiegelBob KaneStarsTim DalyJoseph BolognaDana DelanyThe last son of the planet Krypton protects his adoptive home of Earth as the greatest of the superheroes.
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
- 1985– 1h 26mTV-147.6 (390)TV EpisodeDirectorMichael EpsteinStarsGene HackmanAlfred HitchcockDavid O. SelznickWith Hitchcock's career just beginning and Selznick's on the decline, the final year of their collaboration would mark turning points in both men's lives.This program changed my understanding of Hollywood's "Golden Age." It's an outstanding tale.
- CreatorRick GreenStarsRick GreenRon PardoBob BainboroughImportant periods of history humourously illustrated in a television format.Amidst the fantastic impressions and jokes, this series challenged my approach to world history; Green's belief that history changes but people remain the same seems very true.
- CreatorDavid GreenwaltJoss WhedonStarsDavid BoreanazCharisma CarpenterAlexis DenisofThe vampire Angel, cursed with a soul, moves to Los Angeles and aids people with supernatural-related problems while questing for his own redemption.
- StarsSimon PeggJessica HynesJulia DeakinFriends Tim and Daisy, 20-something North Londoners with uncertain futures, must pretend to be a couple to live in the only apartment they can afford.
- CreatorDylan MoranStarsDylan MoranBill BaileyTamsin GreigBernard Black runs a book shop, though his customer service skills leave something to be desired. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.
- StarsErrol MorrisMichael StoneCharles ButlerAmazing series primarily using Errol Morris' invention the Interrotron for unusual people to tell their outré stories directly into the camera to the viewer. Almost every half-hour documentary episode focused on 1 person, especially scientists, criminals, cranks, plus everyday folks in strange circumstances. First season seen on Bravo, second on IFC. Having a roaming crew at the ready led Morris to start filming his Academy Award winning documentary on Robert McNamara, "The Fog of War." Some subjects came from Morris' back-file, others were newly uncovered. First season included the autistic woman scientist who designs humane slaughterhouses (Temple Grandin, "Stairway to Heaven"), the parrot whose testimony in a trial exonerated a man wrongly accused of murdering his owner, the ex-lobster fisherman devoted to being the first to see a live giant squid ("Eyeball to Eyeball"), and a serial killer groupie. Second season had some 2 parters such as a haunted passenger who landed a crashing jet liner, also the dot.com entrepreneur who believes first mate Gilligan is the new messiah ! Errol Morris hoped to continue "First Person," but funding was unavailable.
- CreatorElise DoganieriBertram van MunsterStarsPhil KeoghanJoyce AguUchenna AguMultiple teams race around the globe for $1,000,000 to 'amazing' locations.
- CreatorBob KaneWilliam Moulton MarstonJoe ShusterStarsCarl LumblyPhil LaMarrMichael RosenbaumSeven of the most formidable heroes form arguably the most powerful team ever.
- CreatorPete WilliamsStarsPete WilliamsJosh A. CaganRob TinklerThe misadventures of a group of childhood friends who keep in touch while attending separate colleges.
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsNathan FillionGina TorresAlan TudykFive hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.
- CreatorBrent ButtMark FarrellDavid StoreyStarsBrent ButtGabrielle MillerFred EwanuickThe life, or lack thereof, of a proprietor of a gas station, which is the only stop for miles around and a hub of action on the Prairies.Many types of people enjoy this show, but I think you need to have lived in a rural environment - and have some affection for rural living - to fully appreciate the series.
- DirectorJames L. ConwayStarsScott BakulaJohn BillingsleyJolene BlalockSet in the dark and oppressive Mirror Universe, Commander Archer leads a mutiny in a bold attempt to seize control of an advanced starship - a vessel from the future that may be the key to saving the Terran Empire.This is a laugh riot - it almost single-handily justified the existence of this series. If Scott Bakula's hammy "the bridge is yours!" doesn't register at least a guffaw from you, then this probably isn't your type of entertainment.
- DirectorRich BlomquistScott JacobsonStarsChelsea ClarkeBill HaderGreg HollimonPilot Episode: "Psst. Wanna See a Crime Scene?" Cold opening, followed by a visit to a crime scene. Later Snake and Bacon (Tim Lagasse) visit the district attorney (David Rakoff). Animated sketches interconnect within the overall plot.On the one hand, the series wasn't made; on the other hand, it exposed people like me to the work of Michael Kupperman who might have otherwise never delved into his Tales Designed to Thrizzle.