Best debut season from a TV show?
09-28-08, 11:55 PM
#31
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All of these have been listed already, but it's tough to choose between Twin Peaks and Mad Men. The Sopranos, Arrested Development and The Office (UK) round out the top 5.
09-29-08, 09:26 AM
#34
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Hard to say but one not mentioned so far is Nip/tuck. I can't think of many shows besides Nip/tuck that I got into so quickly.
In fact, I can make the same claim to another F/X show, Rescue Me.
In fact, I can make the same claim to another F/X show, Rescue Me.
09-29-08, 09:50 AM
#35
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Some do. Ones that come to mind for me would be...
Veronica Mars
The O.C. - (yeah, that's right, I said it)
Friday Night Lights
Twin Peaks
Lost
That 70's Show
Really, though, I think it depends on the show. There are plenty of shows I love that had very shaky first seasons, and took awhile to find there footing. Especially Sci-Fi/Fantasy shows, it seems. Babylon 5, most of the first seasons of any of the Star Trek franchises, Farscape, hell, even Buffy- I wouldn't particularly say that any of them were spectacular first seasons. They may have had the occasional outstanding episodes, but none were outright successes.
Veronica Mars
The O.C. - (yeah, that's right, I said it)
Friday Night Lights
Twin Peaks
Lost
That 70's Show
Really, though, I think it depends on the show. There are plenty of shows I love that had very shaky first seasons, and took awhile to find there footing. Especially Sci-Fi/Fantasy shows, it seems. Babylon 5, most of the first seasons of any of the Star Trek franchises, Farscape, hell, even Buffy- I wouldn't particularly say that any of them were spectacular first seasons. They may have had the occasional outstanding episodes, but none were outright successes.
09-29-08, 11:51 AM
#37
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Youngsters! 
Hill Street Blues (1981) The 2 lead characters are shot & almost killed in the first episode. It was on for 7 seasons and never had a weak episode.
Chris
Hill Street Blues (1981) The 2 lead characters are shot & almost killed in the first episode. It was on for 7 seasons and never had a weak episode.
Chris
Last edited by mrpayroll; 09-29-08 at 11:54 AM.
09-29-08, 12:24 PM
#38
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09-29-08, 12:41 PM
#39
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Doug
09-29-08, 12:51 PM
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While watching Phil Esterhaus' portion of that telephone conversation, you'll notice the one-sentence scene that was re-shot after the pilot's original screening. The screening audiences had warmed to Hill and Renko as the episode progressed, and when they were shot, the audiences' responses consistently were instantaneously and completely negative. In the original, Phil tells Frank that Hill and Renko had been found, both dead. The screening audiences again were just as suddenly and completely negative about the death as they'd been about the shooting.
Despite the low screening audience ratings, NBC picked-up the show, and one of the first 'eliminate the negatives' decisions made was to 'unkill' Hill and Renko, and then to make them regulars. The scenes covering Belker and Lamonica's discovery of the pair, as well as the just-discussed telephone call between Frank and Phil, were reshot.
Despite the low screening audience ratings, NBC picked-up the show, and one of the first 'eliminate the negatives' decisions made was to 'unkill' Hill and Renko, and then to make them regulars. The scenes covering Belker and Lamonica's discovery of the pair, as well as the just-discussed telephone call between Frank and Phil, were reshot.
Chris
Last edited by mrpayroll; 09-29-08 at 12:53 PM.
09-29-08, 03:21 PM
#45
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For me:
Lost, The Sopranos, Damages and 24.
Lost, The Sopranos, Damages and 24.
09-30-08, 10:02 AM
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1) Friday Night Lights - I can't think of a single misstep in the entire season. Even cliched storylines like steroid abuse and the MILF next door were handled well.
2) Alias - Doesn't really hit its stride til about halfway through the season, but it's still a kickass ride all the way through. And Season 2 ups the thrills even more. Too bad it took a massive nosedive after that.
3) 24 - The 2nd half of the season was essentially the same plot as the first half. But there's no denying that 24 revolutionized serialized televison and proved that a TV show can kick just as much ass as the best action movies.
4) Lost - The last third of the season lost some steam and the season ender was awful with the hatch not even being explored. But there's no denying the show hit the ground running from the opening shot of the pilot.
5) The O.C. - The Oliver subplot nearly derailed what was otherwise a terrific first season. But it did regain its footing after that. Unfortunately the show sucked hard until it returned mostly to form in its 4th and final season.
6) Curb Your Enthusiasm - The quality of the first season episodes varied, but when they made a good one(Beloved Aunt, The Pants Tent, Porno Gil), it was as funny as anything I've seen on TV.
7) Arrested Development - I thought the second season was its best, but its first season was still one of the most original and consistently funny in recent memory.
8) Coupling(UK) - There were only 6 episodes in the 1st season, so it loses a few points for that. But every one of them was great.
9) Buffy the Vampire Slayer - A lot of people dismiss the first season since the show didn't really take off until the second season when Angel went bad. But a few stinkers(I Robot, You Jane) aside, the first year was refreshingly original and laid the groundwork for what was to come.
10) Veronica Mars - A very good show that's somewhat overrated by a lot of folks. But its first season was its best, and it did get stronger as it progressed.
2) Alias - Doesn't really hit its stride til about halfway through the season, but it's still a kickass ride all the way through. And Season 2 ups the thrills even more. Too bad it took a massive nosedive after that.
3) 24 - The 2nd half of the season was essentially the same plot as the first half. But there's no denying that 24 revolutionized serialized televison and proved that a TV show can kick just as much ass as the best action movies.
4) Lost - The last third of the season lost some steam and the season ender was awful with the hatch not even being explored. But there's no denying the show hit the ground running from the opening shot of the pilot.
5) The O.C. - The Oliver subplot nearly derailed what was otherwise a terrific first season. But it did regain its footing after that. Unfortunately the show sucked hard until it returned mostly to form in its 4th and final season.
6) Curb Your Enthusiasm - The quality of the first season episodes varied, but when they made a good one(Beloved Aunt, The Pants Tent, Porno Gil), it was as funny as anything I've seen on TV.
7) Arrested Development - I thought the second season was its best, but its first season was still one of the most original and consistently funny in recent memory.
8) Coupling(UK) - There were only 6 episodes in the 1st season, so it loses a few points for that. But every one of them was great.
9) Buffy the Vampire Slayer - A lot of people dismiss the first season since the show didn't really take off until the second season when Angel went bad. But a few stinkers(I Robot, You Jane) aside, the first year was refreshingly original and laid the groundwork for what was to come.
10) Veronica Mars - A very good show that's somewhat overrated by a lot of folks. But its first season was its best, and it did get stronger as it progressed.