The Tribal Mind: Bring on the binge

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To find out why drinking Australia's favourite wine is an act of treachery, go to Who We Are

by David Dale
It's all downhill from here. MasterChef finished last Sunday (having transformed Australia into a nation of foodies) and Desperate Housewives finishes this Monday (having kept Channel Seven alive against the onslaught of Underbelly). Then the TV bus goes over the cliff.

On Tuesday, Channel Nine launched an American series called Dance Your Ass Off, signalling the desperation that will inspire programming for the rest of 2009. It's not about waltzing with donkeys, but a blend of The Biggest Loser and So You Think You Can Dance.

After a surprisingly interesting first half, which brought hundreds of thousands back to mainstream television, the networks have reached the bottom of the barrel. The 15 million Australians who do not have access to Pay TV are in for a pretty dry spring.

But 19 million Australians have access to a DVD player, which empowers them to take control of their entertainment destiny. The best television is not on TV -- it's on disc. We can become our own programmers.

Boxed sets of shows ignored or maltreated by the networks now occupy as much space as movies on the shelves of DVD stores. Take a bunch of them home, cook one of the feasts you saw on MasterChef, carry it on a tray to the TV room, and prepare to binge.

Here are some bingeworthies I found on a tour of DVD stores last week ...

The Wire It starts as a police procedural about a squad that taps phones used by drug dealers, but turns into a study of corruption and decay in a city that could easily be Sydney. Initially you'll have trouble with the Baltimore street slang, but, like the cops, you'll pick it up on the job. The best news for lovers of suspense is that the first four seasons are on special for $20 each (at JB Hi-Fi in the Strand Arcade).

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Sadly, the smartest sci-fi series of the decade has just been cancelled in the US, but on disc, Season One will cost you $33 and the even-better Season Two will be out soon. The recent film was crap, but the TV show takes the best ideas from the first two movies and becomes a character study of a hot mother and a hotter robot.

30 Rock Channel Seven has been showing Tina Fey's screwball satire on the TV industry at 11.30 pm. Non-insomniacs can now buy the first two seasons at $20 each.

State of Play The British miniseries about political dirty tricks, which is much better than the Russell Crowe film it inspired, is on special for $16.

True Blood Season One of this scary and sexy tale of vampire lust in the Louisiana swamps costs $30.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Larry David, the writer of Seinfeld, plays an obnoxious version of himself in this scathing sitcom which Channel Nine used to show at midnight. Each of its six seasons costs $38.

The West Wing Everything Obama has been doing this year was foreshadowed five years ago in this series about a perfect president and his hyperactive advisers. Currently each of its seven seasons costs $76, but it regularly goes on special, so check the bargain bins after you've finished with The Wire. Since you've read this far, you're probably the kind of person who has already seen The West Wing, but it's worth a third binge.

Then there's all seven seasons of fast-talking Gilmore Girls as a box set for $215, four seasons of foulmouthed Entourage at $38 each, two seasons of sweetly murderous Dexter at $45 each, two seasons of weird Weeds at $20 each, Season One of intense In Treatment at $70, Season One of operatic Damages at $16, and much much more to see you through till February. Go to Comments to add your recommendations.

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Thumbs up for Weeds, which goes from strength to strength.
Mad Men (2 seasons), Battlestar Galactica (complete 4 seasons imminent)
A few from the BBC:
* Pulling (2 seasons)
* QI (3 seasons) - brilliantly funny quiz show hosted by Stephen Fry with rotating panel of entertaining quests. It's also emminently rewatchable.
* Kingdom (2 seasons) - mild/sweet comedy-drama with Stephen Fry as a small town solicitor in Norfolk

by Mike on July 17, 2009 at 05:37 PM

Agree with Mad Men, BSG and all of the shows TM mentioned. Would also recommend:
* Supernatural - unfairly disregarded as either just a teen show or genre show, it is the modern successor to The X Files and Angel.
* Deadwood - a Shakespearean western with poetically profane dialogue (complete series can be had for $65 at JB Hifi).
* Big Love - one man, three wives, great show.
* Lost - no explanation necessary.
* The Shield - next to The Wire, the best cop drama of the last decade (seasons 1 - 5 available for $16 each all over).
*Rescue Me - hard edged comedy/drama that lends itself well to the marathon.
* Twin Peaks - coffee, donuts, dwarves and crazed killers, what more do you need?
* Sports Night - the first series by The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin is essentially TWW in a sports news office but still, great.
The following only have one season released in Aus so far but are well worth a look:
* Breaking Bad - next to Mad Men this is possibly the best drama currently on tv.
* Burn Notice - funny, sexy and action packed.
* Chuck - ditto above.

by Craig on July 17, 2009 at 08:31 PM

Recently introduced some friends to the delights of 'Allo 'Allo, Blackadder, Hinge and Bracket, and more. We have also watched Onedin Line, the House of Eliott and the House of Cards. Who needs what the networks jokingly now refer to as "entertainment".
Alisoncc

by Alisoncc on July 18, 2009 at 04:49 AM

I'm working my way through 'OZ' at the moment and it's good although you don't get so attached to the characters as you do in say, 'Six Feet Under' or 'The Sopranos'.
Going to go back and do 'The West Wing' next, seeing as though I only really got the last season when the ABC took it over from Nine's unworthy grubby little hands.
I watched the first season of 'True Blood' a few weeks ago and have to say, a bit disappointed. It's well made etc etc, but if you're expecting 'Six Feet Under' quality from Allan Ball, you're not gonna get it. I can see it degenerating into a glossy version of 'Supernatural'. Hope not but it left me a bit non-plussed.
I've got the sixth season of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' to go also, and am expecting it to be pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty...good.

by darren on July 18, 2009 at 06:00 AM

Those of you who have truly unlimited internet download should look for the following:
Entourage
Saving Grace
Pushing Daisies
Rescue Me
United States of Tara

Trust me you'll never watch FTA again

by Bouncing Bunny on July 18, 2009 at 08:30 AM

Your reccomedations are fantastic:
I would add Twin Peaks Season 1 & 2. (It was cancelled, a very unfair way to end it.)
Also: Six Feet Under, (second behind the Wire - in HBO's brilliance. Yet not for everyone.) Dexter, and simply can't wait for season 2 of true blood.

by Stephens on July 18, 2009 at 09:01 AM

Am awfully cross at myself after coming across the 5th episode of "Being Human" last night. Why oh why are good shows like this buried on ABC2? In the 17 seconds I have to myself daily I may have to find a way to catch up on this.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 18, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Also add 'Arrested Development', the funniest, smartest comedy ever made and 'Dead Like Me'. Cam't wait for 'The Wire' to start on ABC.

by Jem on July 18, 2009 at 10:59 AM

I can't recommend Battlestar Galactica highly enough, and I also just became addicted to Chuck - a spy comedy which is just fabulous.

Tribal Mind asks: Is Chuck out on DVD?

by Stacey on July 18, 2009 at 11:27 AM

One FTA recommendation coming up in a week or two - United States of Tara begins on ABC on Wednesdays. Starts 29th. So at least one program to look forward to in the bleak winter/spring desert!!

I definitely recommend Big Love and 30 Rock. I think i'm going to invest in True Blood because i'm teaching the Gothic genre to my year 11 extension students. I also recommend anybody who hasn't seen Scrubs all the way through - you can get those for under $20 a season if you watch the specials.

by Beckala on July 18, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Having tossed my TV about five years ago, I skipped the DVDs in favor of BitTorrent. When I find something that is truly excellent, I'll pick up the Super Special Limited Edition DVDs for the extras, but the signal-to-noise ratio is still pretty high, even when indulging in *ahem* free samples. Some shows worth checking out:
- Absolute Power
- Hotel Babylon
- Murder Rooms (if you can find it)
- ReGenesis (Perhaps the most intelligent television series ever made)
- Cambridge Spies (miniseries)
- Edge of Darkness (miniseries)
- Cold Blood (miniseries)
- House of Cards Trilogy
- Fallen Angel (miniseries)
- Prime Suspect (miniseries)
- The State Within (miniseries)
- Shooting the Past (miniseries)

As you can see, I like a good miniseries but its a shame that the format is abused by the networks even more than regular series often is: broadcast once and then never seen again. Many never even make it to DVD, so its always interesting to get hold of these lost or forgotten stories.

by Jay on July 18, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Please tell me where you can get True Blood for $30. I own a dvd shop and that price is so far below my cost price from the distributor, I'll go out and get some.

by ray on July 18, 2009 at 01:24 PM

24. I've been buying each series over the past few months and am now up to series 5. Best show of its genre ever. Then there's Six Feet Under and Dexter.

by Moo on July 18, 2009 at 02:17 PM

Why on earth would you bother with FTA? It's always the same old hash-up. Episodes slashed to ribbons, too many ad breaks, the flow of the season ruined by breaks for non-ratings periods and the usual time stuff-ups. You know, a top-notch, intelligent program initially starts at, say 8.30 on Wednesday, gets moved to a later slot after a few weeks, has a week or three off, then returns on a different night at an even later time. Only the trash gets a regular, stable slot for its entire run.
I watch pay TV, download and only buy what I can't catch in either of those ways, but I never, ever try to cope with FTA. It's just too frustrating.

I saw the fantastic Deadwood ages ago on pay TV, am currently watching downloads of Mad Men and can't wait for my DVDs of the latest Battlestar Galactica to arrive. I lbought and oved both series of Rome, (the first was totally trashed by Channel 9), have been enjoying downloads of Underbelly because there was no way I was going to watch that on FTA. I'm also watching Damages 2 on pay TV, another fantastic series totally ruined on FTA.

by meggsie on July 18, 2009 at 02:58 PM

You have seen the future of the 2nd half of the tv year Mr Dale & it don't look good!! On the other hand we 'll have to just be a little more concerning with our tv habbits & not just rely on the usual dross on Ch7, 9 & 10. Our ABC 1 & 2 + SBS will still have shows worth watching.
As for the series packages, all good choices sir. I am a little surprised with votes for Twin Peaks though, it was weird & way out there which is also commonly said of the writer/director David Lynch. Who could forget one of the most famous lines in tv land......"she was wrapped in plastic"
We're still working our way through The Wire, which has to be number 1.
Bereft: Put your complete endeavours into finding a way to see the first 4 episodes, it is without doubt the best thing on tv at the moment. Maybe it's on dvd?? anyone know??

by PJ453 on July 18, 2009 at 03:07 PM

We just love Blue Heelers and A Country Practice. We also have Skippy- great if you mute the theme song now and then.

Tribal Mind asks: But are they easily available on DVD?

by cynic on July 18, 2009 at 03:07 PM

My wife got thru the first season of True Blood in about 3 nights!
For me a like to go a little more lowbrow - I recommend Beverly Hills 90210 just to remind you of what was big back in the day.
I also have the first two seasons of NewsRadio (imported - no Aus distributor would be smart enough to pick it us) the commentaries alone are worth the price with some of the sordid behind the scenes tidbits are truly breathtaking.
At some stage I've also gotta get thru the first two seasons of Quantum Leap!
I second or third any recommendation for BSG - lucky enough to have caught the final season on SciFi earlier this year it was a near-perfect ending to the series!

by Jason on July 18, 2009 at 06:11 PM

I would agree with about 99% of the recommendations, especially shows like State Of Play; House Of Cards; Battlestar Galactica; The West Wing; Rescue Me; The Shield; Twin Peaks. Some other great ones to check out are:
* Aeon Flux
* Farscape (the best original SF TV show of the last 20 years)
* Blakes 7
* Firefly (and Serenity)
* Prime Suspect (with Helen Mirren)
* Bodyline
* Bangkok Hilton
* How I Met Your Mother
* Anatomy For Beginners
* Food Safari
... and any of the Jamie Oliver/Nigella Lawson cooking show DVDs!

by Adam in Melbourne on July 19, 2009 at 01:32 AM

Agree on the West Wing. I got the entire 7 seasons, with bonuses (behind the scenes, a copy of a script etc) in a large box for $149 form JB HiFi Best deal ever.

by tim on July 19, 2009 at 07:43 AM

FTA is for people who like to be shackled to pre-determined timeslots by know-nothing TV bureaucrats.
DVD to me is only good as a collectible medium for shows and movies that are truly worth owning depending on the individual's choice and taste.
The only true freedom to view what you want when you is the mighty download. At least with downloads you get the show the day after it is shown in the US. (Of course, subject to your broadband costs and download limits.)
Here's a little choice list of shows that are presently showing - or have recently finished their season runs - in the US that OZ will not be getting any time soon:
Breaking Bad (Season 2 - finished)
Burn Notice (Season 3 - currently showing)
Hung - (New show currently showing on HBO)
Leverage (Season 2 - just started)
Top Gear UK (Series 13 - currently showing)
True Blood (Season 2 - currently showing)
Warehouse 13 (New show currently showing the SyFy channel)
Upcoming shows whose new seasons will be soon showing in the US:
Californication (Season 3)
Castle (Season 2)
Dexter (Season 4)
Lost (Season 6 - Final season)
Mad Men (Season 3)
Friday Night Lights (Season 4)
I only buy DVD sets after viewing the show and determining if it is worth buying. The caveat with DVDs is that consumers get screwed with new editions, new packaging and other such crap to get you part with your heard earned. I would recommend to buy when it is at it's cheapest price, released - what is likely to be - its most definitive edition, or buy cheaper from overseas.
Happy viewing :-)

by Elagabalus on July 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM

TM, yes the first season of Chuck is available on dvd in Australia. You can get it at JB for $50. If you have a look on Amazon UK at the moment, however, you can pick it up for about $16.

by Craig on July 19, 2009 at 11:32 AM

I no longer have the time for FTA because after work, commuting and spending quality time with children and my partner, there's precious little time for anything else. Anything I watch really has to earn my attention and commitment and even then I can have DVD packs that remain unwrapped for years. These days I prefer to rent from the local video library to save on shelf space. I still rely on FTA and subscription to sense the buzz that a show may be generating. (I really disagree with theft by download or bootleg)
I would say "Cracker", "Boom Town", "Shooting the Past", "Spooks" and "The Singing Detective" and worth a commitment. I'm also buying my mother a lot of the SBS programs such as "Inspector Rex" and "Unit One" as SBS is becoming more intrusive with its advertising.

by Alan on July 19, 2009 at 06:10 PM

I ditched FTA a few years ago and started buying my own content. I find I personally do a far better job programming than the FTA netwoeks.
If II feel the need to watch FTA, I can simulate it by getting up at 11:30pm and watching Season 3 - Episode 5 of Medium and then straight after, Series 1 Episode 8. The power is there at my fingertips!
There have been some great choices made already.
Deadwood
Rescue Me - Sex in the City - for guys!
Supernatural
Robin Hood (BBC)
Californiction
Dexter
Nip/Tuck
The Unit
Alias
The Shield
The Sopranos
Medium
Ghost Whisperer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Charmed
x-Files
Millenium
Weeds
Without a Trace
Eli Stone
Las Vegas
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Great with Subtitles!
Fawlty Towers
Ripping Yarns
Arrested Development

Then there is some older stuff.
Phoenix Series 1
Phoenix Series 2
Blue Murder (Aussie Version)
Sliders
Quantum Leap
The Twilight Zone
The Outer Limits
The Night Stalker
Personally, I like finding a series that had already ended. Deadwood, The Sopranos and Alias were standouts as I didn't have to wait for the next season to be released!

by Caligula on July 19, 2009 at 08:44 PM

Best show for me for the past 5 years is The Shield - brilliant stories, acting and suspense. Another show that has made me lose many, many hours of sleep is Chuck - funny, well acted and a joy to watch.

by TM on July 19, 2009 at 09:35 PM

For those who liked The West Wing, check out Aaron Sorkin's other shows:
Sports Night
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
An older one no-one seems to have mentioned is Northern Exposure (Seasons 1-6) - quirky yet still so funny.

by John on July 19, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Caligula, I too have watched some older stuff. In particular, I would recommend the old black and white classic which set Australian youth afire in the 1960s -- even though made in Japan. I refer, of course, to The Samurai. Starring the magnificent Koichi Ose, the Samurai, (Shintaro Akasukei), takes on heaps of Black Ninjas, Koga Ninjas, Puppet Ninjas etc -- although occasionally hampered in his efforts by the random kidnappings of his ward, Shusuku, and the assistance of Tombei the Mist, redoubtable but inept Iga Ninja.
In spite of the technical backwardness and clumsy dubbing, these series should be compulsory viewing.

by Professor Rosseforp on July 20, 2009 at 07:58 AM

DD - do you have any knowledge about when we might see more Big Love or Weeds on FTA?

Tribal Mind replies: Nine is promising to show Weeds on its new station that launches in October. SBS has rights to Big Love, but has given no clues on the next season.

by Wendell on July 20, 2009 at 09:13 AM

Being Human is brilliant though not sure if its on DVD yet. I am also loving Dollhouse, Chuck & Pushing Daisies.
Also have to recommend The Tudors - all seasons. And of course, Torchwood and Dr Who.
Life on Mars - the British version is tops and can get it for around $30 if you look around.
And I just have to buy True Blood. Loved watching it on Fox but want the DVD's and can't wait till the 2nd season comes on.
Also for those old Northern Exposure fans you can buy all the seasons for around the $30 -$40 per season. JB's usally have them. Now that was a TV show!
And I am also hanging out for ER season 14 & the last season 15 to become available on Amazon so I can finally see the end of what i think is still the best medical drama on TV, ever. Grey's never came close and I gave up on it once Izzy starting sleeping with her dead lover. Talk about "jumping the shark".

by em on July 20, 2009 at 09:56 AM

Another +1 for West Wing - a friend living in Asia sourced some (ahem) unauthorised copies of the last seasons which we got to see well before it was aired in Australia.
Also +1 for Deadwood because that won't be seen on FTA whilever it is Shakespeare with the f and c words added.
I also thought it great to get the Kennedy Miller miniseries (The Dismissal and Bodyline) from the 1980s, as well as Against the Wind. They did hold up second time around.

by Ozpuck on July 20, 2009 at 12:59 PM

Foyle's War. Love it.

by Gavin on July 20, 2009 at 05:27 PM

Um, I'd add Chuck and Scrubs to that list. Scrubs Season 7 has just been released on DVD as has Chuck Season 1. True Blood is truly excellent.

by genfie on July 23, 2009 at 02:47 PM

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The Tribal Mind: Bring on the binge

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