Favourite TV shows

Last Update: Jan 20, 2011

(*) The Queen (2009) Love the use of real and some rarely seen news footage to augment the story telling. I thought it would be distracting but I really love the mix of news footage and actors recreated drama. Very well done. Highly recommended.

(*) CBC’s Dragons’ Den (2006, 2007) I love CBC’s Dragons’ Den so much that I have an extensive list of blog entries about the show.

(*) Life (2007)

(*) Pushing Daisies (2007)

(*) Cracker (1993-1996)

Robbie Coltrane (know by most as Rubeus Hagrid in Harry Potter) played this abrasively eccentric and gambling forensic psychologist that is a beauty to watch him solve difficult police cases. The local Calgary Public Library has the full series and had me hooked in no time. Absolutely great first three seasons, and even the last one shot in Hong Kong was still nice to watch (on a reduced expectation level).

(*) The Office (UK TV series) (2001-2003) & Extras (UK TV series) (2005-2007)

The team of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is incredibly smart and insightful. I think they are at the top of their game in telling of stories about ordinary people. They make you care about very normal people, but they still managed to make you fall in love with these characters. I think I will attribute their success in The Office to Ricky and Stephen’s understanding of the “human condition”.

(*) BBC2 Dragon’ Den (2004-2007)

Just love it.

(*) Prime Suspect series 1-7 ( 1991-2006)

Helen Mirren has been at the top of her game for years now. In Prime Suspect, she was totally engaging, intelligent and mesmerizing in her role as Jane Tennison. (Here is a profile of Helen in the 3rd Sept, 2006 Independent.) And Helen won an Oscar for The Queen (2006) as expected by many.

Some US & UK shows that I love.

1. 24 – I love season 1-5 but season 6 was disappointing.
2. Charlie Rose
3. House
4. Gilmore Girls
5. Deadwood (check out this great and insightful MIT talk with show creator David Milch)
   
6. Battlestar Galactica
7. Doctor Who