Favorite HBO Series?

[jordanmuehl]

I think it's interesting that when I talk to people about HBO's series, most people can't name more than one or two different series than "The Sopranos". Personally, my favorite series was "Six Feet Under," but that has since moved on to television Heaven (or, aptly explained in terms of the show, it's been buried six feet under).

 

What do you guys think? Is "The Sopranos" overwhelmingly the best television series HBO has ever produced?

[And That]

"The Wire" is the best show currently on TV, and arguably the best show of all time, regardless of network. So, I'm gonna go with The Wire.

[jordanmuehl]

I've never watched it. Maybe I'll give it a try. I enjoy "Dexter" (Showtime) a lot right now, but that may be because Michael C. Hall from "Six Feet Under" is the main character of the show.

[TooLiveBrew]

The Wire is indeed phenomenal. I also thoroughly love/d Deadwood.

[jordanmuehl]

"Deadwood" was awesome. I didn't really like "Carnivale" much, though.

[And That]

Deadwood was good initially, but Milch is so idiosyncratic with his writing that it's distracting after awhile. That show lost me in the second season.

[TooLiveBrew]

I enjoyed all the convoluted storylines. It made me pay attention, and kept me remembering to tune in each week (something at which I stink - add it to the list).

[jordanmuehl]

Is it weird that I'm a chronic "Lost" freak? A lot of people despise the show, but I can't get enough of it, mostly because of its cheap ploy cliffhangers that make me come back for more. Knocked Up's Seth Rogen had it right: "You know what's interesting about Matthew Fox? Nothing. Can you tell him he's an a**hole for me?"

[bigredrobbo]

The best of HBO is a tossup between Extras and Flight Of The Conchords for me. My wife digs Entourage, but I've never really gotten into it as much.

[TooLiveBrew]

I recently finished watching Extras. Really, really, really funny. Ricky Gervais's sense of humor is just fine by me.

[jordanmuehl]

I enjoy all three, with "Extras" probably being my favorite of the three -- "Entourage" used to be very entertaining to me, but I didn't get into the last season very much. Maybe it was my time constraints from school and the like.

[colbyjack]

Whenever this topic is brought up, I mention that Band of Brothers, an HBO mini-series, is the best thing that I've ever seen on TV. The Wire is HBO's best show, and Six Feet Under may very well be it's most entertaining.

 

The Sopranos was a good, not great series IMO, from beginning to end.

[Baldkin]

The Wire.

 

Hands down.

 

Its the first TV show I've ever bought dvd's of. Simply because I can loan them to my friends, and make them realize how great it is.

[BuckyTuba]

Entourage used to be worth something in season 2, but it's gone to crap. I liked Flight of the Conchords for the first 5 episodes, but it ran out of gas after that.

 

I'll go with Curb Your Enthusiasm despite the break that it will be on during 2008 (new season in 2009 supposedly). The "Rat-dog" episode was probably one of the funniest things I've seen in my life, literally.

[And That]

For an honorable mention, I'd like to bring up Mr. Show. Not the funniest show in the network's history (Curb is clearly better and maybe Entourage is too), but Bob Odenkirk and David Cross put together such an irreverent group of shows that the show itself is unforgettable. They had a number of episodes that still make me die laughing.

[saget]

The Wire is just leagues ahead of everything else.

 

I recently bought S1/S2 of Carnivale and I'm really loving it(just finished S1), but alas, it shall not last.

[And That]

The Wire is just leagues ahead of everything else.

Truly. HBO has always been about showing the real side of things with their docs and series, and although sometimes their docs cover that ("Dope Sick Love" in particular, not to mention the Joe Berlinger stuff they've helped with), the series have never fulfilled that notion. Besides The Wire, of course. David Simon has brought such an uncompromising view of life in the inner city to television that I already know I'm going to be really emotional when the series finishes up. It's so real, like when you watch it, you know most of it happens every day and that you don't care that it happens every day... but you know you should want to care. I'm looking forward to the final season of The Wire more than I've ever looked forward to any other season of any other show, ever.

Edit: Anyone who mentions The Wire and doesn't mention "Homicide: Life on the Streets" is remiss. While Homicide is only 90% of what The Wire has achieved, IMO, Homicide is the best show to ever air on broadcast television.

[M Skjellyfetti]

I second the Dexter mention. I really got hooked on it during the 2nd season, but I think the first season was better now that I've seen it. It would have been even better had I not spoiled it by seeing the second season first.

 

As for HBO shows, I am thoroughly entertained by Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[burniebrewer]

Cathouse!http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Or does this get me in trouble? No pics, I'm OK, right?

[danzig6767]

My problem with the Wire is i didn't start watching it from the start, so whenever i tried watching it, i felt like i picked up a book and started reading it on page 100. For that reason i rarely watched.

 

I've been a fan of quite a few HBO series, The Sopranos being my favorite. I also liked to varying degrees, Big Love/Oz/Deadwood/ Curb Your Enthusiasm. I'm sure i'd like The Wire if i rented the first season and then eventually get to where i saw each episode, for whatever reason, i never remember to get that first season.

[brettac1]

The Wire.

[BuckyTuba]

The new special "Hard As Nails" was pretty intense. I told my dad to watch it because he's a former pastor...... just watching this guy connect to kids in a way that a lot of the churches are afraid to do. He says at the end, "Hey, if you don't like the way I'm doing it, go do it yourself".

[Fatter than Joey]

I love the HBO/Showtime series.

 

In no particular order. (HBO)

 

1.) Sopranos -- Overall I liked this series -- It got sloppy in the middle.

2.) Inside the NFL -- Nowadays there are a lot more shows like it, but I think it really initially raised the bar for a weekly NFL show.

3.) Curb -- Funniest show on TV.

4.) Deadwood -- This was a guilty pleasure of mine -- very convoluted but I was into it.

5.) 6 Feet Under -- Very well acted and written series.

6.) Oz. -- Sort of ran out of gas, but I watched this.

7.) Larry Sanders -- I think this was probably as funny as anything on TV in the last 20 years.

 

I have never watched the Wire, but plan on watching it on DVD from the start.

 

Dexter is my favorite show on TV, and I enjoy watching Bullsh!t on Showtime as well.

[StrangeBreww]

OZ - I own all seasons on dvd and watch them all at least once a year... It's the kind of show that makes you pretty darn happy you are not in prison.

 

Deadwood - Haven't seen season 3 yet, but own the first 2. LOVE IT!

 

Sopranos - Loved this show, and like OZ, I watch the entire series at least once a year.

 

What is CARNIVALLE about? Didn't that series end before it should have, therefore not having a proper send off for the series?

[sgtcluels]

Wow this one is really hard, Sopranos was awesome, but faded.

 

Favorite... I'll go...

Rome

Carnivale (Wish they'd bring back to finish the story line, spent 2 years of setup for.. nothing)

Deadwood

CUE

Flight of the Conchords

Soprano..

 

And non-HBO Show! Dexter!