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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy is a very pretty, blond Californian student who, one day, finds out that she has a purpose in life that goes beyond normality. Buffy is a vampire slayer, albeit a reluctant one. During the day, she attends school (first Sunnydale High and later the University of Sunnydale) and enjoys the usual student activities with her friends Willow, Xander and Oz. She also trains with her former "Watcher", Rupert Giles. At night, though, Buffy becomes vampire slayer, going wherever she is needed and doing whatever is necessary to take care of the supernatural scum that is polluting the earth. Just a lot of good, clean fun. Web:
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Dawson's Creek Dawson's Creek is a teenage soap opera about the lives of various young people in Capeside, a small town in New England. Why are so many people enamored of the social and romantic adventures of Dawson, Jen, Pacey (a guy), Joey (a girl), Andie, Jack and Abby (may she rest in peace)? Maybe it's because something new is always happening. Maybe it's because of the pithy commentary on life ("Growing up sucks, not all kisses are magical and most boys do not live up to your expectations..." -- Joey). Web:
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Frasier Psychiatrist Frasier Crane used to live in Boston, where he spent a lot of time hanging out at a bar named Cheers with a bunch of regulars. After too many years on the East Coast, Crane decided to change his life. He ended his marriage (to Lilith) and moved back to his hometown of Seattle, where he works as a radio shrink on KACL AM 780, routinely dispensing dollops of wit and wisdom. Crane lives with his brother Niles (also a psychiatrist), his father Martin (a retired policeman), Daphne Moon (Martin's caregiver), Roz Doyle (producer of the radio show), and Eddie the dog (played by a Jack Russell named Moose). Imagine visiting a large, extended, quirky family in which: Niles is separated from his wife Maris (who is never seen), Roz can't stand Niles (although she is an expert in male/female relationships), Niles likes Daphne (who is from England), Daphne is oblivious to Nile's obsession with her, Martin has trouble understanding both his sons (Frasier and Niles), and Martin's best friend is Eddie (the dog). Does that sound like fun, or what? Frasier trivia: The name of Frasier's radio station, KACL, is taken from the initials of the three people who created the series: David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee. Web:
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Friends Six people in their twenties (well, early thirties by now) live in New York and have various social adventures. Follow the romantic machinations and slow maturation process of Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing and Ross Geller, and see if you can keep track of what's going on. Be forewarned, if you watch the show long enough, you will get caught up in the emotional turmoil. ("I wonder if Ross and Rachel are ever going to get back together?") To help you, here is a handy guide of couples who have, at some time, kissed one another: Ross & Rachel, Monica & Chandler, Rachel & Joey, Phoebe & Joey, Ross & Phoebe, Chandler & Rachel, Chandler & Phoebe, Rachel & Monica, Chandler & Joey, and Joey & Ross. Web:
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Law and Order Each Law and Order show has two parts. First, you see a criminal investigation and the arrest of a suspect. Then, you see the court case from the point of view of the prosecution. The show is popular because it is well-crafted and thoughtful. The endings may not always be what you expect, but they will make you think. Web:
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Sex and the City The city is New York, and the show is about... sex (and sex and sex and sex) and how it plays such an important role in the lives of four women: Carrie Bradshaw (a sex columnist), Charlotte York (an art dealer), Miranda Hobbes (a lawyer), and Samantha Jones (a public relations executive). This is not a TV series for the kids. After all, how many shows are there in which a frank discussion of masturbation fantasies is considered tame? One day, Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha may actually find true love instead of true lust. In the meantime, perhaps we should all spend a bit of time pondering Carrie's question: "Are soulmates a reality or a torture device?" Web:
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Sopranos The Sopranos is a multi-character dramatic TV series about the Mob. The stories revolve around the life of Tony Soprano, the boss of a mid-level organized crime family in northern New Jersey. Tony is not one to shy away from violence and intimidation when it is necessary (after all, it is an occupational hazard). However, he is not your typical gangster. Tony has feelings. He takes Prozac, he has panic attacks, and he sees a shrink regularly. Although Tony's family is dysfunctional and he cheats on his wife, he does care about relationships. This is why the Sopranos is such a popular show: spending a few hours with the Family has the delightful effect of making you feel that your family is normal. Web:
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South Park South Park is a crudely animated cartoon that is very, very gross, and very, very funny (two characteristics that normally don't go together). The show features a group of foulmouthed, yet lovable, third graders, Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny, along with the bizarre inhabitants of the town of South Park, Colorado. If you are a teen-age boy with a highly developed sense of the vulgar, you will love South Park. If you are not a teen-age boy with a highly developed sense of the vulgar, you are on your own. (Note to parents: This is not a show you want to watch. Just let the kids enjoy it and stay out of the room.) Web:
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West Wing The West Wing of the White House is the center of Presidential activity. It is there you will find the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the press briefing room, and the executive offices. On TV, we never get to see what goes on in the West Wing, and when we do see the President on television, the experience is formal, pre-arranged and dull. When we watch the West Wing TV show, however, we are able to look behind the scenes. The fictional President, Jeb Bartlett, and his staff are human beings and, no matter what happens, they never cease to be engaging, entertaining and inspiring. This is why West Wing is so popular: when it comes to television, the real President looks fake, and the fake President looks real. Web:
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