I've seen Game Of Thrones. There's this whole thing called the internet where you can watch these other things called tv shows if you don't or can't watch them on an actual tv. It's boring, not because it's a bad show, but because we've seen the same kind of show many times before. I didn't say it was exactly like Beastmaster. I said it was part Beastmaster and part Lord Of The Rings. It tries to pull bits and pieces from fantasy shows like those I mentioned, and make an entertaining show. But it fails. As I've said, I don't mind them using the same sort of storylines and story types, as long as they try to put at least a tiny big of originality into it. Game Of Thrones doesn't. There's nothing original in it.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to reply.

I know many of you don't have enough time in the day to keep up with the thousands of hours of shows that are released every year. And that's fine. The point of this thread isn't for me to say..."Ha Ha Ha...I watch all the popular shows and you don't" I just wanted to see how many of you keep up with the stuff that gets awards, does well in the ratings and gets noticed on the Internet either on Entertainment sites or News Media. If you aren't genuinely up to speed on stuff and certain channels aren't on your radar, that's fine. I have no qualms with that.

Jimmy James: Are you a recent subscriber to HBO? I know you watch The Newsroom, but have never heard of Veep and Girls? Veep has Julia Louis-Dreyfus (those shows aired the same night) and finished their seasons only a few weeks before Newsroom premiered.

For the record for those of you who think I'm some lazy couch potato (cough Osiris ). I work anywhere from 40-70 hours per week in sports television production for the NFL, FOX Soccer and FOX Sports West. I work anywhere from 8-17 hours per day. Some weeks are busier than others and I watch alot of TV when I'm not working or doing other things.

Thank God for the originality of NCIS. It's unlike anything that's ever been on television.

Those are the shows that we watch. We have about 5-7 hours a week of tv/movie time.

It just doesn't leave a ton of time for series

Way to go, trying to make me look like a jerk, Dino. Which you failed at, by the way. I didn't say that NCIS wasn't like anything on tv before. Of course it's like a lot of other cop/detective shows. I'm guessing you can't read english, because I said at least a couple of times that I don't mind show/movies using the same kinds of stories over and over again...as long as they at least try a little bit to put SOME originality into it. The freezeframe cut scenes in NCIS are original. The goth-like forensics lady is original. The humour of the lead character that's into movies is a bit original.

And you....?

Yes, I only recently have gotten HBO.

I watch A LOT of shows, so I'm removing anything from the list that I already watch. (looks like I watch 90% of this list)

2 Broke Girls (CBS) - Obnoxious. Watched for about 10 weeks, it had a few moments at the outset and I love Kat Dennings, but that love lost out to the annoyance of the supporting cast and lack of wit.

Person of Interest (CBS) - Watched the first 3 episodes and fell behind, I plan on trying to catch up at some point and see if it has turned into a 'Must See' or just remains a CBS show.

The Vampire Diaries (CW) - Gave it up at the start of last year, was getting sick of the repetitive nature and stupid character decisions. Will eventually catch up on blu-ray but I may wait a year or so.

Nikita (CW) - Have season 1 on blu-ray, haven't made it through yet, but what I've seen, I liked...for what it is.

American Horror Story (FX) - I'm so sick of Ryan Murphy's preaching on Glee that I skipped over this one, despite loving Nip/Tuck in the early days. I will check it out on disc, despite knowing how the first season ends.

NCIS (CBS) - Yawn. With the notable exception of The Good Wife and Hawaii, I pretty much don't do CBS shows.

Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) - Watched the first two eps and despite the hot cast, I rolled my eyes so much it was painful. There are only a few shows I truly hate and this is one of them. It may have gotten better, but I doubt it. So stupid.

I watch most of the dramas on HBO, Dexter and Homeland on Showtime, and a few reality shows here and there, but I don't have the desire to be spending hours a day in front of the TV. I'd never have time to do anything else. As it is, I'm watching a lot less movies than I used to and just that bugs the crap out of me.

I don't get premium cable but I won't use that as a category since I do watch some of those showson optical media later. Though I guess that would work for some series that haven't become available yet, like Girls, I won't separate those out. Sadly, I am interested in almost everything on the list but just don't have time to watch them all.

ALREADY WATCH
The Good Wife (CBS)
Castle (ABC)
Glee (FOX)
Fringe (FOX)

WATCH ON OPTICAL MEDIA
Strike Back (Cinemax)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Spartacus (Starz)
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Mad Men (AMC)

USED TO WATCH RELIGIOUSLY, GOT OUT OF THE HABIT
30 Rock (NBC)

HAVE SEEN A FEW EPISODES, NOT THAT INTERESTED
Hawaii Five-O (CBS)

HAVE SEEN A FEW EPISODES, NOT A BIG PRIORITY
New Girl (FOX)

HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO EXPLORE
Homeland (Showtime)
Girls (HBO)
Dexter (Showtime(
Episodes (Showtime)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
The Newsroom (HBO)
Veep (HBO)
Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Revenge (ABC)
2 Broke Girls (CBS)
Happy Endings (ABC)
Parenthood (NBC)
Modern Family (ABC)
Suburgatory (ABC)
Person of Interest (CBS)
The Vampire Diaries (CW)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
The Office (NBC)
Community (NBC)
Grimm (NBC)
Nikita (CW)
Justified (FX)
Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Covert Affairs (USA)
White Collar (USA)
Burn Notice (USA)
Suits (USA)
Breaking Bad (AMC)
American Horror Story (FX)
Louie (FX)
Boss (Starz)
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)

NOT THAT INTERESTED
NCIS (CBS)....Can't forget the highest rated show on network TV.

The "shoot them in the head" rule is definitely still in effect in Walking Dead. Also, biting still does cause zombification in the show (not sure about scratching, I don't think they've shown anyone turn from just a scratch).

In any case, these "rules" didn't come into being until Night of the Living Dead in 1968, 44 years ago, not 100 year ago. Earlier zombie films portrayed them in a more traditional voodoo sense, as being mindless slaves of a witch doctor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_o...Dead#Influence

c) Don't have the time for it.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) - Had 6 episodes of s1 on DVR when it died, and haven't had a chance to catch up.
Game of Thrones (HBO) - same as Boardwalk

d) No Interest
Suburgatory (ABC)
NCIS (CBS)....Can't forget the highest rated show on network TV.
Hawaii Five-O (CBS)
The Newsroom (HBO)
Suits (USA)
White Collar (USA)
Grimm (NBC)

e) Tried it, but didn't like it.
Once Upon a Time (ABC)
2 Broke Girls (CBS)
Glee (FOX)
30 Rock (NBC)
Girls (HBO)

f) Don't watch anything on that channel.
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)
Nikita (CW)

g) Don't like any of the actors.
New Girl (FOX)

h) Already watch the show and enjoy it.
Happy Endings (ABC)
Modern Family (ABC)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Louie (FX)
Veep (HBO)
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Burn Notice (USA)
Justified (FX)
The Office (NBC)
Fringe (FOX)
Community (NBC)
Homeland (Showtime)
Dexter (Showtime(

i) Watched it for xx years/episodes and got bored by it, so I gave up.
Person of Interest (CBS)
The Walking Dead (AMC)

j) Want to watch it, but I have to wait for home video.
Sons of Anarchy (FX)

k) Want to watch it, but I am so backed up on shows.
Strike Back (Cinemax)
Castle (ABC)
Episodes (Showtime)
Boss (Starz)
Covert Affairs (USA)
Spartacus (Starz)

l) No Interest in that genre.
Revenge (ABC)
The Good Wife (CBS)
Parenthood (NBC)
The Vampire Diaries (CW)
American Horror Story (FX)

No cable. So that excludes most of the calbe shows.

Once Upon a Time (ABC) Watch it
Revenge (ABC) Watch it
The Good Wife (CBS) Cant stand Margulies
2 Broke Girls (CBS) Watch it
Castle (ABC) Watch it
Happy Endings (ABC) Watch it
New Girl (FOX) Watch it
Parenthood (NBC) Watch it
Modern Family (ABC) Dont watch it. No interest
Glee (FOX) Watch it.
Suburgatory (ABC) Watch it.
Person of Interest (CBS) Watch it.
The Vampire Diaries (CW) No interest
Parks and Recreation (NBC) Tried it. It sucked.
30 Rock (NBC) watch it.
The Office (NBC) Watch it
Fringe (FOX) watch it
Community (NBC) Watch it.
Grimm (NBC) Watch it
Nikita (CW) Watch it

Spartacus (Starz) Watch on disc
Justified (FX) Watch on disc
Sons of Anarchy (FX) Watch on disc

Burn Notice (USA) Watch on disc

Hawaii Five-O (CBS) Watch it

NCIS (CBS)....Can't forget the highest rated show on network TV. Watch it

Edit: Just read through the thread, and all I can say is wow. Out of a list of over 40 of the most popular (critics or public) shows, how is it possible to only like one? from the list of stuff he has "never heard of" it seems that he really doesnt keep up with tv at all.

Actually, that "rule" has been nullified in the Walking Dead universe.

Shows I watch in bold

Strike Back (Cinemax) - Heard it was good...will eventually get to it.
Once Upon a Time (ABC) - Never heard of it.
Revenge (ABC) - Not interested.
The Good Wife (CBS) - Never heard of it.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - Never heard of it.
Castle (ABC) - Not interested.
Happy Endings (ABC) - Didn't know it was still on. Not interested.
New Girl (FOX) - Watched an episode, didn't hold my interest. Not funny.
Parenthood (NBC) - Never heard of it.
Modern Family (ABC) - Funniest show on TV
Glee (FOX) - Not a fan of musicals.
Suburgatory (ABC) - Never heard of it.
Person of Interest (CBS) - Gave it one episode, didn't hold my interest.
The Vampire Diaries (CW) - Too corny. My wife likes it.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - Great characters.
30 Rock (NBC) - Can't believe people think it's funny.
The Office (NBC) - Dying slowly...
Fringe (FOX) - Watched most of the first season...not great.
Community (NBC) - Not funny...gave it two tries.
Grimm (NBC) - Never heard of it.
Nikita (CW) - Not interested.
Homeland (Showtime) - Never heard of it.
Game of Thrones (HBO) - Someday I'll get to it.
Girls (HBO) - Never heard of it.
Dexter (Showtime) - Someday I'll get to it.
Episodes (Showtime) - Never heard of it.
Spartacus (Starz) - Too many dicks.
Justified (FX) - Love it.
Sons of Anarchy (FX) - Slowly losing interest.
Covert Affairs (USA) - Never heard of it.
White Collar (USA) - No interest.
Burn Notice (USA) - No interest.
Suits (USA) - Never heard of it.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) - Great show.
The Newsroom (HBO) - Not an Alan Arkin fan.
Veep (HBO) - Never heard of it.
The Walking Dead (AMC) - Will watch it.
Breaking Bad (AMC) - Best show on TV.
American Horror Story (FX) - Not interested in the genre.
Hawaii Five-O (CBS) - Not interested.
Louie (FX) - Will get to it someday.
Boss (Starz) - Never heard of it.
NCIS (CBS) - No interest.
Mad Men (AMC) - Own the Blu-Ray sets, will get to it.
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) - Not interested.

I want to watch all of these, but not enough time in the week, etc.

Strike Back (Cinemax)
Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Revenge (ABC)
2 Broke Girls (CBS)
New Girl (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
Person of Interest (CBS)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Community (NBC)
Nikita (CW) - I watch this on BD
Homeland (Showtime) - Watch this one
Game of Thrones (HBO) - I watch this on BD
Dexter (Showtime) - Watch this one
Spartacus (Starz)
Justified (FX) - I watch this on BD
Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Louie (FX)

The freezeframe cut scenes in NCIS are original. The goth-like forensics lady is original. The humour of the lead character that's into movies is a bit original.

How is any of that not original ? What other shows have had Goth forensics people ? How many other shows have federal agents that are really into movies like Tony Dinozzo ? Well, smart guy ?

Maybe I only like a few of the shows because the majority of them are rehashed plots and characters with no or hardly any originality. Or maybe most of the shows DO have a bit of originality but there are other shows just like them that I saw years ago that are much better.

I do keep up with tv. GOOD tv, that is. I don't have time for crap.

I don't have the time to watch all the shows I like. I like waiting for shows to go off air or end the season before watching it. For example I just watch Rescue Me and United States of Tara and I'm currently watching Desperate Housewives. However, I do stay current on a few shows like Fringe, True Blood and Dr Who.

What TV do you keep up with? NCIS, Doctor Who and old cartoons? That's all you listed. And you've "never heard" of many of those shows, which proves you DON'T actually keep up with TV, otherwise you would know about these very popular shows.

You are actively missing out on outstanding shows because of preconceived notions that hardly anyone else seems to share.

I'll use your comment about The Vampire Diaries as an illustration. Any who thinks Twilight is good, I encourage them to view a similar story that's told 1000 times better. Major characters have died unexpectedly. They've ended multiple episodes in a given year with a cliffhanger that rivals what most shows do for their season finale. The writing is strong. The characters are strong. The acting is strong. The twists and turns are downright amazing at times. I've been flat-out fooled by the show on more than one occasion, and that never happens to me.

The show is simply entertaining to watch. And this is coming from a person who thinks Twilight is one of the worst things to come out in recent memory.

If you think the show is "riding the vampire trend" and that's it, you are judging the show on the name and nothing more. And that's YOUR LOSS. Those shows you enjoy are no better or worse than MANY of the things on that list, but you've written off most of them by saying things that prove you are judging based on the name or a clip or what you think they are about.

And back to the Merlin/Game of Thrones thing...man, that is possibly the weirdest thing I've ever read on the internet. You could not be more wrong about that comparison. And I'm usually a person that allows for people to have different tastes and opinions. But on that one, you are just wrong.

Strike Back (Cinemax) Heard good things about but no cinemax
Once Upon a Time (ABC) watched the whole first season good show
Revenge (ABC) not interested
The Good Wife (CBS) not interested
2 Broke Girls (CBS) love the show cant wait for season 2
Castle (ABC) love the show
Happy Endings (ABC) really like this show i find it to be better than friends.
New Girl (FOX) really enjoyed it cant wait for it to come back
Parenthood (NBC) started watching the first season then suddenly stop never got back to it. Not a bad show by any means
Modern Family (ABC) love it
Glee (FOX) blah cant stand lea michelle the suppose diva blah
Suburgatory (ABC) never seen it
Person of Interest (CBS) never seen it
The Vampire Diaries (CW) im tired of vampires gave it a try once didn't like it
Parks and Recreation (NBC) never had interest in watching it
30 Rock (NBC) i love tina fey but never got interested to sit down and watch it.
The Office (NBC) not my cup of tea
Fringe (FOX) i watched the first season and second season then lost interest after the second season.
Community (NBC) never watched it but looks really funny
Grimm (NBC) watched a few episode of the first season and i never came back i prefer once upon a time more.
Nikita (CW) I dont like maggie q but i did watch the first few episode of season one and didnt come back. hey there always netflix one day i might change my mind.
Homeland (Showtime) heard good things about it but once again no showtime
Game of Thrones (HBO) I watched the first season great show but no hbo.
Girls (HBO) no hbo and dont know what this hsow is about
Dexter (Showtime( I saw season 1 and season 2 great show but no showtime
Episodes (Showtime) no showtime
Spartacus (Starz) great show but no starz
Justified (FX) love it love it love it cant wait for the new season
Sons of Anarchy (FX) love it love love it
Covert Affairs (USA) never seen it
White Collar (USA) never seen it
Burn Notice (USA) its in my netflix que im going to start watching this soon. fiona is hottttttttttttttt
Suits (USA) never seen it
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) watched the first season awesome show but no hbo
The Newsroom (HBO) reminds me of the west wing never seen it but no hbo
Veep (HBO) never heard of it
The Walking Dead (AMC) cant wait for the 3rd season
Breaking Bad (AMC) Love it
American Horror Story (FX) really enjoyed the first season cant wait for season 2 i wonder what they going to do.
Hawaii Five-O (CBS) watched the fist season and enjoyed it and started watching season 2 and lost interest
Louie (FX) i love louie
Boss (Starz) Kelsey grammar is a straight up boss yo lol lol love the show
NCIS (CBS)....Can't forget the highest rated show on network TV. never seen it
Mad Men (AMC) I watched a few episode of season one just to see what the whole deal was about this show and i didnt enjoy it. Christina hendricks is nice to look at
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) never seen it

c) Don't have the time for it.

d) No Interest

e) Tried it, but didn't like it.
Suburgatory (ABC) - I tried with this one, it was too snarky and the cliches it was mocking were almost silly.
NCIS (CBS) - I've grown tired of the shows where everything wraps up in a an episode in a nice bow. Maybe it's changed since I last saw it though.
Grimm (NBC) -This show is awful, I tried a couple episodes and it was a mess. I can't believe it is still on the air.
The Newsroom (HBO) - I tried a couple and I may watch more, but the characters and interactions were just too implausible combined with some cliche plot devices in the first couple episodes. I expected more from this.

f) Don't watch anything on that channel.
The Vampire Diaries (CW)

g) Don't like any of the actors.

h) Already watch the show and enjoy it.
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Dexter (Showtime)
Homeland (Showtime)
Modern Family (ABC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Breaking Bad (AMC)
The Walking Dead (AMC)
30 Rock (NBC)

i) Watched it for xx years/episodes and got bored by it, so I gave up.
The Office (NBC)

k) Want to watch it, but I am so backed up on shows.
Louie (FX)
Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Strike Back (Cinemax)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Girls (HBO)
Justified (FX)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Episodes (Showtime)
Community (NBC)

l) No Interest in that genre.
Glee (FOX)

m) Never heard of it. Not up to speed on TV shows.
Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Revenge (ABC)
Castle (ABC)
Happy Endings (ABC)
Person of Interest (CBS)
Suits (USA)
Boss (Starz)
Covert Affairs (USA)
White Collar (USA)
American Horror Story (FX)
Hawaii Five-O (CBS)
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)

n) vaguely heard of it, but don't know enough to have an opinion
The Good Wife (CBS)
2 Broke Girls (CBS)
New Girl (FOX)
Parenthood (NBC)
Nikita (CW)
Fringe (FOX)
Spartacus (Starz)
Burn Notice (USA)
Veep (HBO)

The reason Game of Thrones is so good is because it is unlike any other fantasy in anything other than setting. If you think this is another lone hero off to save the world like all other fantasy including Lord of the Rings, you didn't watch or didn't pay attention. There is no evil lord, light vs dark, good guys/bad guys dichotomy.

I don't understand this. Bryan Cranston was nominated for best lead Actor and Anna Gunn for lead actress, and Giancarlo Esposito and Aaron Paul were nominated for best supporting Actors last season. There is some amazing acting on this show. Do you mean just no well know celebrities are on the show?

Grimm is one of those shows that took awhile to get going. That and it delivered decent ratings for a friday

No clue what that is .Strike Back (Cinemax)
looks a little too kiddy. Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Hate anything on CBS :P. The Good Wife (CBS)
Hate sitcoms and see previous comment .2 Broke Girls (CBS)
Love Fillion but don't quite like procedurals. Castle (ABC)
Sitcom .Happy Endings (ABC)
Sitcom. New Girl (FOX)
No interest. Parenthood (NBC)
UGH, hate sitcoms and hate all the uber hype all over this show! Modern Family (ABC)
I'm straight male Glee (FOX)
Sitcom. Suburgatory (ABC)
Looks not too bad but again it's a procedural and it's on CBS! Person of Interest (CBS)
Looks kinda cool but i think i'm too old for it. The Vampire Diaries (CW)
Hate sitcoms BUT i like the non laugh track and non family oriented ones, so maybe I'll check this one out one day .Parks and Recreation (NBC)
See comment on Parks .Community (NBC)
Looks good! i'll check it out probably next summer. Homeland (Showtime)
Looks okay, maybe. Girls (HBO)
I'm actually watching it very soon! Spartacus (Starz)
Looks cool, maybe. Covert Affairs (USA)
Looks cool, maybe. White Collar (USA)
Looks cool, maybe. Burn Notice (USA)
Dunno what that is. Suits (USA)
Keep hearing great things about this, but i dunno. looks too serious? Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
No interest. The Newsroom (HBO)
No interest. Veep (HBO)
Actually started watching when it first premiered but i got half way through and gave up on it. too precedural-ish. Hawaii Five-O (CBS)
UGH, omg don't get me started on this one .NCIS (CBS)....Can't forget the highest rated show on network TV.
I will probably see this eventually. Mad Men (AMC)
Same as Vampire Diaries. Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)

Everything else, i watch!

Did I say they were exactly alike ?