Quiet morning at work today so I figured I’d try to keep up with the frequent blogging thing I’ve got going on right now. Last night, I started watching the 5th season of Supernatural that’s been saved up on the DVR since September. On Sunday night, Jay and I were finally able to catch up on the last few weeks of Chuck while Friday night was dedicated to The Office and 30 Rock. Basically, all these shows were backed up because of Lost but now that it’s finished, we’re free to watch whatever we want. I’ve noticed people asking each other over Twitter, Facebook, etc, “What do we watch now?” Soooo I came up with ten suggestions based on TV shows that I like and I’m totally open to some more that I missed or have never seen.
*Disclaimer for suggestions 2-10 & honorable mentions: Please keep in mind that these are MY suggestions and just because I like them, it doesn’t mean that they’re the end all, be all of TV shows to ‘replace’ Lost.*
Battlestar Galactica (The new one) – Trust me: Just do it. You won’t regret it. Some people are hooked from the first 10 minutes of the miniseries, others take a few episodes in the first season but stick it out and you’ll be so glad you did. It’s easily one of the best shows to ever air on TV.- Veronica Mars – I’ve been touting VM for years but the first season really is awesome. It’s got mystery, humor, adventure and of course, Kristin Bell.
- Chuck – The 3rd season just finished and the show has changed so much from when it started. However, it was done in a way that you know it’s changing but it feels natural. One word: Jeffster.
- True Blood – Jay & I just put the second season in our Netflix queue and we can’t wait. I loved the first season so much that I bought all the books. I read the first one on the airplane back from London and I was advised to hold off on the rest until we see season 2. Therefore, I am doubly anxious to watch it. Warning: There’s A LOT of gratuitous sex so if private parts offend you, then you’re not going to like TB.
The X-Files – I would be a horrible Phile if I didn’t recommend that anyone who loves a bit of sci-fi to check out XF (or at least the first 6 seasons + first movie; I can’t condone the last 4 & 2nd movie). There’s conspiracy theories abound and some really great Monster-of-the-Week episodes that make for some really fantastic, classic TV.- Bones – My newest obsession but if you’re into crime dramas with great characters then give it a shot. I was always against it because I never watched Buffy or Angel and assumed it would be FBI Agent Teen Heartthrob at your service. I’m glad I gave it a shot and I hope you are too!
- Dexter – Spoiler alert: Dexter is filled with a lot of gore. It’s also filled with awesome, so ignore all of the obvious moral protests like, “But he still kills people…” and dive right in.
Alias – Sydney Bristow is bad ass. There’s 5 seasons total but I strayed during the last season because it just got way too confusing. However, if you’re a JJ Abrams fan, then DEFINITELY give at least the first 2 seasons a shot.- Supernatural – This was the Bones of last year. It’s not just a CW show. It’s got it’s own mythology and quirks & some compelling storylines. It also has Dean from Gilmore Girls.
- Psych – I know that Psych is not everyone’s type of show but it’s absolutely hilarious and thoroughly an all-around good time. PINEAPPLE!
Honorable Mentions:
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Fringe – Jay & I stopped in the middle of Season 1 when my beloved Strider got sick and I was moving all at the same time. It was starting to get really good, we just didn’t have the energy to keep up with it. We hear it’s gotten sick nasty awesome right now, so we’re definitely going to try to watch Seasons 1 & 2 before Comic Con. - 24 – Again, this is a show that fell a lot in later seasons but Seasons 1, 4 and 5 were really entertaining. At the very least, give Season 1 a shot and make sure you have a full day cleared because it’s that insane that you won’t want to stop watching.
Well, those are my suggestions. I’m sure that I’m missing some and there’s plenty out there that I’ve never watched, so if you’ve got anything to add, the floor is yours.
Also need to watch “Breaking Bad”, currently the best show on TV… Until Dexter comes back on at least.
If you like the dirty sex in True Blood, read the books! I actually blushed while listening to the audio books!
Try if you can to watch ashes to ashes. (BBC uk) 3 Seasons but only 18 episodes great finale
If you’ve seen BSG, you might as well watch Caprica now. It’s very fascinating even though there’s not a whole lot of action. I also suggest shows like Friday Night Lights, The Wire, and Breaking Bad.
Definitely give Fringe another chance.
Good choices. Never really got into Bones, but it’s okay. I’m kinda burnt out on that kind of show in general. Battlestar Galactica (yes, the new one please!) was great. I still have to finish the final season and I can’t wait. Fringe and Chuck are my favorites of the ones you mentioned, followed closely by Supernatural, with very honorable mention going to The X-Files. If you like historical drama, The Tudors is also very good. Like True Blood, it also has lots of sex, but not much more than a typical R-rated movie. It also has good characterizations of real people who made history.
Six Feet Under! Six Feet Under! One of my favorite shows of all time, and probably the best series finale ever.
(And thank you for the VM shout-out … SUCH an underrated show. I watched the entire thing over about 2 months.)
Breaking Bad has been the best show on TV the past two years, and Friday Night Lights is giving it a run for its money. Superbly shot (the prologues of BB are like great short films), smartly written and populated by one of TV’s best ensembles (I can say the same about FNL). S1-3 of FNL are on Watch Instantly as well. S2 dips, but it recovers.
Also, with Lost gone, make time for The Wire if you haven’t already (and if you have, see it again, you’ll pick up a lot more the second time). If you want to see what TV is capable of as an art form, it’s right here. Anybody who is serious about pop culture geekery, especially TV geeks, need to make a point of checking this show out.
The best TV show ever of course, The Wire. Six Feet Under for its beauty and truth.
Agree 100% with Mark above Ashes to Ashes is awesome, along with Life on Mars (UK version)
I’ve been thinking about the same thing lately. Still mourning the “loss” of LOST though. :’(
“24″ was a show I was obsessed with and watched up through season 5 and then stopped due to a conflict with another show. I forget which one – may have been Heroes. (I loved the first season… but after about 4 eps into season 2, I bailed… it got SO bad SO fast.) Anyway, I got myself Netflix (best idea EVER) and finally had a chance to pick up on season 6 of “24″. Through 12 eps – not bad but not as great. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the amazing writing and acting of the LOST crew – the acting and dialogue in “24″ seems very amateur and poorly executed. Oh well. IMO, I think “24″ should have ended after season 4. been saying that since the finale of that year. 5 was also great, but I think that it was that season’s finale that began the ongoing redundancy that made the show get kind of old. I don’t know. :\
I have finally begun to watch Fringe. Only seen the first 4 episodes of season 1 and I LOVE it. As for my future plans of what to watch (on DVD for now) are BSG and Dexter. I watched seasons 1-2 of Dexter, but then I moved and didn’t sign up for cable – haven’t seen it since.
One show I would suggest to add is Castle. I didn’t think I would enjoy that show, but it’s REALLY good!
The Wire and Breaking Bad
MAD MEN, there’s a reason its been winning EMMYS left and right. Also Weeds, The West Wing, Prisonbreak and the Shield.
I agree with Mario. Mad Men and West Wing are a must see, plus I know it’s only been on one season, but I would also suggest Modern Family.
@Mario Mad Men is a must also Dexter is great too. I am starting to get into Weeds and its not bad. Shows I would suggest are Modern Family, 30 Rock, The Office & Community.
I really hated BSG. It doesn’t work for me. I dislike it for the same reasons Lost haters dislike Lost.
Fringe is good, but it’s no Lost. And you have to plow through some real stinkers. But the good eps are fun to watch.
Another good new show is Spartacus Blood&Sand. The CGI is poorly done for todays standards. There is no originality to speak of, but the actors put down one hell of a show. Great characters, great acting. That makes all the difference.
You guys totally missed the boat on Fringe! Get to Amazon and buy the ones you missed – you will want them in your library. And tell J&J that this is the show they will want to podcast next season, much more so than V.
So sit back with your SA Summer, relax, and enjoy the show!
But you won’t be relaxing by the end of this season…
We just started watching 24 on Netflix.
My new favorite comedy of all-time now is Arrested Development. If you never watched the show check it out. I had a friend going on and on about it and finally started watching on Netflix. They only made three seasons which is so sad, but the episodes we did get are worth watching over and over. It is family dysfunction at its best.
I’ve been watching Twin Peaks and I love it. There are definitely seeds of influence for Lost.
Well, here in Latin-America AXN is premiering Breaking Bad, so I think I’m giving it a chance.
A recommendation from me would be THE 4400, the very 1st series I cared about. It was cancelled by season 4, but it’s very entertaining.
The Mentalist is fun.
A while ago I watched a British mini-series called “Messiah”, about a detective chasing serial killers. There are only 5 episodes of 2 hours each… Very good…
And perhaps out of context, but I you like Anime, good anime, you have to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion… SPOILER ALERT: You have to be very open minded to watch it since it deals with religion issues, character psychoanalysis, and some other moral issues…
I would also recommend “Mad Men”. Another show that I enjoy is Burn Notice. I’m behind on it now but the first two seasons were excellent.
I’m gonna have to start BSG, after hearing all the reviews & Jay & Jack discussions. Dexter & Breaking Bad are great dark shows! Justified is a new show on FX that is totally awesome! For lighter summer shows, try Burn Notice & Psych on USA & Leverage on TNT. Thanks for all the suggestions
West Wing – seven quality seasons – as recommended by Crackpot Jack, I believe.
I have to say, in my opinion, “Mad Men” is the best show on TV now that “Lost” is over. Also, I recently watched the first 5 seasons of “Weeds” and it was fantastic! Can’t wait for season 6 to start in August.
First Team
Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Damages, Fringe, Dexter , BSG and Treme
Second Team
Burn Notice, Eureka, Spartacus Blood and Sand and Leverage
I am actually doing a Netflix run through Alias. I’ve never seen Alias before so the episodes are new to me. I am currently at the beginning of season 2 and I am going through the discs at a leisurely pace, if you look at the way my queue is set up it will take a couple of years before I finish Alias and as a way to replace lost that long time frame is really good.
I love this list! Nothing will replace LOST, but I need some new shows. I’m already on board with most of these. I’m currently in the middle of season 3 of Bones. My suggestion on Alias is quit after the first two seasons. They were awesome, but the story was not well planned. Season 3 started getting ridiculous. Adding to my Q now ….
I LOVE “Sons of Anarchy”. Season 2 wrapped up not too long ago and season 1 is out on DVD.
Watch Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice!! I also lovvve the new show on ABC family, Pretty Little Liars, although i usually don’t like to watch dumb, corny teenager shows, but this one is actually really interesting!! The Orange Housewives are always fun too! My sister also recently got me into Burn Notice. And I love True Blood, Bones, and Psych! But, nothing can compare to the awesomeness of LOST<3