Kelsi's TV Show Recommendations

Do you ever find yourself looking for a good TV show? I know I have raved and ranted about so, so many on this blog in the past, so I thought that I would give my personal recommendations for ones to check out if you ever find yourself searching. (In alphabetical order:)

Chuck:

A spy show, but a sort of quirky take on one. It centers around a guy who works in the "Nerd Herd" at an electronics store, the Buy More (a take on Best Buy). One day. he receives an email from an old college roommate and suddenly downloads all sorts of top secret information into his brain. He literally becomes a walking computer filled with government secrets. The CIA and the NSA send agents to protect him and also use him as an asset on missions since he is able to identify and access key information. 
This show is awesome on so many levels. It's funny, it's intense, it's quirky, it's action-packed. What's really great about it is the characters. From major to minor, there are some well written, lovable, enjoyable characters. They are the main selling point, really (not that the other stuff isn't great though). The actors are so on point! And of course the fact that I have a huge crush on Zachary Levi doesn't make me biased at all ;P So if you enjoy fun characters, engaging story lines, action, and humor, this is one to check out.
All the seasons are on Netflix instant view.

Doctor Who:

This one has recently become very popular. It used to only be popular in the UK with a cult following in the US. But now it's pretty huge and well-known. I was in on it before it was popular. *puts on rimmed glasses* I liked Doctor Who before it was cool.
Anyways, in short, it's about this 900+ year-old alien (who looks human) who travels around time and space in his time machine/spaceship saving planets, fighting aliens, exploring history, and having all sorts of adventures. 
The unique thing about this show is that the lead actor changes every few seasons. Remember  I mentioned him being an alien? Yeah. You see, when he dies or is dying, he sort of regenerates and changes his entire body in order to save himself. So, the show has changed a lot over the years. Yet, it still has all the same charm it always has. If you enjoy wit, quirky characters, (and depending on which season you're watching) complex plots, and all around great fun and excitement, this is the show for you.
The show has been running for 50+ years! I'd recommend starting with the 2005 reboot series which can be found on Netflix instant streaming. (EDIT: can no longer be found onNetflix! DX)

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

I totally forgot about this until recently. It's just a short vlog-series. It follows an aspiring supervillain as he tries to prove himself while he struggles with his inventions, always being one-uped by his arch-nemeses, Captain Hammer, and facing his crush at the laundromat. It's told partially in vlog form, but there's also "in between" scenes, such as the laundromat scenes and such. 
It's a pretty cute and funny tale, and musicals are always fun (yes, it is a musical). Neil Patrick Harris is such a joy! Although, I should warn you if you're planning on watching it, be prepared for all the feels! If you're looking for something quick and fun to watch, this is for you.
It is a three or four piece vlog series that can be found on the Dr. Horrible website or on YouTube. The complete series is about 45 minutes long.

Emma Approved:

A vlog-style adaption of Jane Austen's novel, Emma. It follows the story pretty closely, only updating it into modern times: Emma is a life coach and matchmaker who owns her own business with her partner, Alex Knightley. She begins taking in new clients, bigger and more important ones such as Senator Elton, and takes a particular interest in improving her shy new assistant, Harriet Smith.
This is a super charming and cute take on the classic story. It is super well done too. It is well acted, well written, well paced… My one criticism is that it seems a little too polished. I mean, aren't blogs sometimes a little sloppy? But I guess that's Emma though; a perfectionist. So, I'll let it pass. It is still super enjoyable and fun to watch.
You can find all the episodes on YouTube, each about 5 minutes long.

Friends:

Everybody knows this show! Or at least has heard of it. I mean, you literally would have to have lived under a rock your entire life to have never heard a reference to Friends at some point. So, I really don't have to say much.
It's about six friends who live in New York and all the crazy situations they get into with dating, work, and such.
There's really not much to say except for the given that it is hilarious! Seriously, it has some of the best lines, comedic situations, and quirky characters ever put on screen. And the actors's performances are all spot on! They each deliver all their lines so perfectly whether a funny scene or a serious scene. A very well done show, I must say. Is it over-sold and over-exaggerated? Probably. But I still enjoy it immensely. So, if you're looking for a good laugh and/or an enjoyable sitcom, this is the one for you.
You can find all the episodes on Netflix instant view

Gotham:

I got into this one fairly recently. It's one of those superhero backstory shows. See, while Marvel is dominating the movie matrix, DC is top notch in the TV show department.
It takes place (as you can probably tell from the title) in the Batman universe. However, it does not really follow Bruce Wayne as the main character. The focus is on James Gordon as he fights crime in a very corrupted city full of bizarre baddies. We see the origins of all sorts of Batman villains, places, icons, characters, etc. setting the stage for the day that Batman will emerge. 
As a lover of comic books and villains, I am so enthralled by this show. It has a very dark, gothic, gangster tone to it. They do not hold back on anything. It's not like Marvel where it's happy-go-lucky, save the world, yay! There are some dark tones and bad stuff happens. The character development is extraordinarily well done. Several of the future Batman villains are set up differently and not all of them start out as power-hungry psychopaths or even bad/evil. However, all of them have their own individualized, believable arks that lead them down the right path to the villain they are in the comics. The Penguin, the Riddler, and the Joker have been my favorite so far. Even though they stray from a lot of the canon origins in the comics, this show is still enjoyable and entertaining. A criticism I have is that it tends to sometimes throw in random/pointless stuff only for the sake of adding extra drama instead of furthering the plot. So, if you like comic books (and especially Batman), enjoy a darker, more adult show, and love some solid character development and story-telling, this is a show to check out.
All available seasons are on Netflix instant view.

How I Met Your Mother:

Another sitcom phenomenon! It's about a guy, Ted, as he tells his kids the story of all the events that led up to him meeting their mother. This includes several side stories involving him and his four friends as they go through life dealing with work, dating, and so on. 
I have all the same comments with this one as with Friends. It's funny, it's got great lines and hilarious situations, and the characters are fabulous. The writers come up with some very original stuff (like the telepathic talking for example. Ha!). Not to mention random musical numbers (who doesn't love those?). And just the way they portray everyday life in this exaggerated way... yet that's how we all see it, right? So funny! A major criticism is that I absolutely DESPISED the ending. However, I just pretend it did not happen and manage to watch the entire show without thinking about it (I'm in complete denial). It doesn't ruin it, so I can move on. The show is enjoyable with or without it. The show is still fun and funny. If you want a good laugh and something a little lighter to watch, I highly recommend it. (EDIT: I recently rewatched this and it was a bit dirtier than I remembered. Even worse than Friends if that's something to go off of. Still funny and clever, but if you're not comfortable with that, I wouldn't recommend it.)
All seasons are on Netflix instant view.

Lizzie Bennet Diaries:

Another vlog-series, the one that started it all actually. This time it's adapting Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Lizzie is a college student living at home with her parents and two sisters, Jane and Lydia. When a rich, young medical student, Bing Lee, moves into town, Jane is instantly smitten while Lizzie is at odds with his less-than-cordial friend, William Darcy. 
I love this adaption SO much! It captures each of the characters SO perfectly! Lizzie is witty and a bit prejudiced, Jane is sweet and caring, Lydia is loud and obnoxious. The buildup to Darcy is hilarious and exciting all at the same time. What makes this particularly enjoyable is the use of "costume theater": how Lizzie reenacts stuff in her life using costumes. She'll dress up as someone and have a friend/sister dress up as another person and then reenacts something that happened earlier, using silly voices and such. It makes it all the more funny and entertaining. A very well written and filmed adaption if you ask me. I highly recommend it!
You can find all the episodes on YouTube (I recommend watching this playlist since there is more than one channel)

Merlin:

One of my early loves. The BBC is what got me hooked on TV shows.
It's the backstory of the wizard we all know about and his relationship with the future King Arthur as well as other Arthurian characters: Merlin is a young, magically-talented young man who arrives in Camelot where magic is outlawed. He stays under the care of Gaius, the court physician and learns to master his powers in secret. Meanwhile, he saves Prince Arthur's life and is made his personal servant. Merlin is always at the prince's side, discovering plots against the throne, saving his life, and of course shining his armor. 
Looking back on this show now, I see that it had so much potential and opportunities that it did not take. But for what it did, I think that it is still an excellent show. It is a family show, so it's not too tough, dramatic, and gritty. Merlin and Arthur's interactions are the main selling point, I think. They act just like an older brother and younger brother. There's quite a lot of funny scenes as well as serious ones. But I do enjoy the unfolding of everyone's destinies, seeing all the different characters from the legends, and so on. If you want an enjoyable fantasy/adventure show with some Arthurian backstory, this is a good one to check out ;)
This is also available on Netflix instant view.

Nothing Much to Do:

Another vlogseries. An adaption of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Taking place in New Zealand, Beatrice has just moved in with her cousins and is starting Messina high school. For years, she has been butting heads with one, Benedick. After weeks of their arguing, their friends decide that they are going to trick them into liking each other. Meanwhile, Beatrice's cousin, Hero begins dating Ben's friend, Claudio who is a very jealous individual. 
I cannot even begin to describe to you how much I love this series. It is so well thought out and scripted! And it is so natural. The issue with amateur films and vlogseries is that either they seem too polished or they are obviously scripted. That's not the case here. The point is that it is just a bunch of teenagers making their own videos and it looks like it. Hardly any of it seems forced or scripted. Then, the characters are all so lovable and quirky. You really care for all of them. I definitely recommend this one. The one downside is that there is some heavy language included. If you're not comfortable with that, I would not recommend this.
You can find it on YouTube.

The Office:

Don't lie and and say you haven't heard of this show. Well, just to clear the air, it's a mockumentary about a paper company, Dunder Mifflin, and the antics all the characters get up to at work and their personal lives. With hilarious characters including an immature boss, a shy receptionist, a likable smart-alek, a kiss-up sociopath, a singing salesman, a sexy intern, and others all mixed up with office pranks, love affairs, and of course, selling paper.
The characters are what really sell the show. They are flippin' hilarious! I mean, the writing and a lot of the lines and scenarios are funny, but the way the characters say their lines or handle certain situations is what makes it that much funnier. I remember seeing a scene a couple years ago that was supposedly hilarious according to those who watched the show, but I only thought it was mildly funny (it barely got a smile out of me). But then I later watched the show from the beginning and when I got to that scene, I was busting a gut from laughing so hard. Why? Because I now understood the characters. I will say this, the humor in the show is definitely an acquired taste. A lot of it stems from making you uncomfortable, sometimes you will be in physical pain from how uncomfortable you are. The boss, Michael, has no boundaries. He just says stuff, thinking it's OK and... oh dear. But it's funny! But it's terrible! But you gotta love it because he means well. So yes, I would recommend this show because the characters are so well written, it is FABULOUSLY acted (Steve Carell won an Emmy for his portrayal of Michael Scott), the dialogue is so brilliant and quotable, I could go on.
You can find it on Netflix.

Pushing Daisies:

I feel this show is severely underrated. It's about a man who has a very special power where he can wake the dead by touching them. However, if after a minute he does not touch them again, something in close proximity will die in its place. Also, after he's touched something once and it dies again, it stays dead. So, this man, Ned, works in a pie shop and assists a money-loving PI by asking murder victims who did it. 
What a setup, right? The plot itself is a lot of fun, but its the characters, the atmosphere, the costumes, and the sets that totally bring this one together. It sets a sort of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Nightmare Before Christmas vibe. It's very upbeat and whimsical for being a mystery show. And the narrator only improves it with all his nicknames for the characters and his sophisticated voice. The mysteries are intriguing as well. I get very wrapped up in what is going to happen. Two thumbs up! I wish it had a longer run. If you're looking for a light-hearted mystery show with amazing visuals, look this one up.
This one is more difficult to find. Unfortunately it is not on instant view. You may try Amazon or iTunes.

Psych:

One of the most hilarious shows I have ever seen in my entire life! Shawn Spencer has extraordinary hyper observant capabilities and a photographic memory. To get out of trouble with the police who do not believe he can just look at a person and read guilt as well as their entire life story, he claims he is a psychic. He manages to "prove" this claim and is eventually hired by the police to investigate a kidnapping. After successfully closing the case, he is officially put on the Chief's consultants list. Shawn and his best friend Gus open their own private detective agency with Shawn as the psychic detective. 
This show is so awesome! The characters are unbelievably fantastic, the two leads have amazing chemistry and are absolutely hilarious every time they're on screen. Shawn is a lovable and immature, yet a secretly brilliant goofball. I love how much he can get away with, and his one-liners! XD The mysteries are super intriguing and fun to watch. There are some pretty intense moments. Heck yes for this show! Highly recommended! If you want humor, mystery, and interesting characters and plots all wrapped into one, I'd check this one out right away.
All the seasons are on Netflix instant view.

Sherlock:

Literally one of the finest TV shows ever made. It is so polished, so flawless, so refined. (It's no wonder there's a two year waiting period between each season -__-)
It's an updated, modern version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Taking place in 21st century London, Dr. John Watson-- a retired war doctor-- seeks a flatmate and is directed towards Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock is a consulting detective for the police department. He is highly observant and a master of deduction, able to tell someone their life's story with one glance. John gets sucked into Sherlock's adventures as he tags along on his calls.
As I said, this show is literally flawless. The writing, the acting, the cinematography, the music, the atmosphere, the costumes, the sets, the editing, everything! Everyone's heard of Benedict Cumberbatch now, right? He's suddenly making a name for himself (Kahn in Star Trek: Into Darkness, Doctor Strange). Or Martin Freeman (he played Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit)? Yeah, they're Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. The drama, the comedy, the mystery! It's all so perfect! It's very intense a lot of the time, but there are many lighthearted moments. The writers really know how to balance it all out so that you're not too overwhelmed with one. Each episode is 90 minutes long, so it's basically like a movie. There's three episodes to a season, and there are three seasons and  Christmas special out so far with a fourth on the way. Looking for a literally flawless mystery show? Look this one up.
All available seasons are on Netflix instant view.

Smallville:

Ah, where would we be without this show. It pretty much started the idea of telling the backstory of a famous character/legend/story. Now we have all these shows like Merlin, Arrow, Gotham, Daredevil, Flash, and all that.
Anyways, Smallville is the backstory of Superman. From the time he landed on earth until he becomes the hero everybody knows and loves. A lot of the seasons circulate around him in high school saving people who had been mutated by the "meteor rock" (Kryptonite). Later seasons have him in Metropolis, establishing himself as a faceless vigilante crime fighter. 
This show is a lot of fun. Though a bit soap opera-ish at times, it is still very engaging. It does a very good job at establishing characters and developing them over time. Nothing is too rushed or forced. It does an excellent job of tying things together and keeping all the Superman lore together. It even includes many other DC comic characters which was fun to educate myself on since all the hype these days is on Marvel characters. The first season's effects are definitely not top notch, but by the last season… I was so blown away! Awesomeness! I just enjoy watching Superman become… well, Superman. Fun show. Definitely worth a watch! Want a show with drama, action, superheroes, and mystery? I'd recommend this one.
Not on instant view. You could try Amazon or Hulu.

Studio C:

There's not really a set plot to this. It's a sketch comedy show. Each episode contains several different skits starring the same ten cast members. It is clean, family-friendly comedy. 
All the cast members have great comedic timing, are good actors, and are of course completely hilarious! All the sketches are at least pretty funny, but there are some that are absolutely hysterical and extremely clever. They don't depend on stupid humor, fart jokes, sex, or any of that stuff common in today's humor. They stick to old-fashioned slapstick, wit, spoofs, and so on (not that there isn't some stupidity sometimes XP). I love this show and its cast! Absolutely recommended! If you want a good laugh, then go look them up.
You can watch the full episodes on the BYUtv website or you can just look up some of their sketches on YouTube.

Supernatural:

I had seen this show around for so long, so I randomly decided to watch the first episode just to understand what it was about… but then I was hooked.
It's about two brothers, Sam and Dean, who travel around the country hunting down demons, ghosts, monsters, and such. Yeah, that's about it. I mean, of course there's different running plots for each season and whatnot, but that's the overall idea. 
This show is so amazing! I believe there are three main selling points: the horror, the comedy, and the brothers. The horror is done very well. Scary imagery, intense situations, things popping out at you, and so on. I was actually afraid to walk around my house at night when I first started watching. No joke. Then there's the comedy. Since there's "supernatural" situations, they can get into some pretty weird stuff like alternate universes or whatever.

A more accurate representation of the show. Looks of
confusion, Castiel in his trench coat, Sam and Dean in
flannel, no stupid photoshop. All is well.

Also, Sam and Dean are totally hilarious sometimes, apart and together. Lots of other characters as well. Then the brothers. Their love for one another, their chemistry, the way they banter. Amazingness! A must watch! (Do not be fooled by the promo pictures. They're so misleading. IDK what it is, but all their promo pictures always make it look like a gay boy band or something, never doing the show justice. Someone in their marketing department needs to get fired!) Anyways, if you want a show chocked full of suspense, engaging plots, interesting characters, great writing, fun comedy, and mind-boggling...ness, I'd say this is the show for you.
All current seasons are on instant view.


If you're looking for kid shows, I have a couple for you...
Animaniacs:

I didn't watch this as a kid, but I think I would've enjoyed it. It's about three cartoon characters, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, who were created in the thirties, but proved to be too zany, so they were locked away in the water tower… until they escaped years later.
The show has a couple different cartoons per episode. There's also several other characters who have their own cartoons. I LOVE this show! It is so funny and so clever! The spoofs, the songs, the jokes! It's enjoyable for kids and adults. It even tries to educate you once in a while.
All episodes are on Netflix instant view.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

I only recently watched this show and man am I sorry I waited so long. It is about four nations-- Water, Earth, Fire, and Air-- where there are "benders" who can control the elements and then there is an Avatar who can master all four elements. The nations lived together peacefully together for years, but then "everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked." The show is about the new Avatar who is a young boy named Aang and his friends as they travel through the nations, helping Aang master the elements and stop the Fire Nation.
I cannot even express how awesome this show is! I would even recommend it to adults. It's so sophisticated in its writing, its storytelling, its jokes, just everything. It gets pretty intense sometimes, but it is usually pretty light-hearted and funny. The animation is anime-inspired, but it's not full anime. All the characters are amazing and well-developed. And then the action is top notch and super engaging. 100% recommended!

Batman: The Animated Series:

Alright, I only recently watched this one as well. The title says it all. It's the adventures of Batman, saving Gotham form different villains such as the Joker, the Penguin, Poison Ivy, and so on.
I was extremely impressed with how well done this show was especially for a 90's cartoon. The animation was top notch, the voice acting was stellar, and the stories were actually engaging. Unlike most other cartoons of the time that were only trying to sell something or make a cheap buck, this one really put some effort into what it was doing. And a shout out to Mark Hamill for his portrayal as the Joker (what!? Who knew?). That has got to be one of the best Joker voices I have ever heard!
Not on Instant View. You could purchase all the seasons on iTunes or perhaps the DVDs somewhere. Perhaps Amazon or Ebay.

Drake and Josh:

Probably one of the funniest shows of my childhood. It's about two teenage stepbrothers with completely opposite personalities, and all the antics they get up to. 
As I said, the comedy is SPOT ON! Even people who don't watch the the show have heard some of the quotes before (e.g. "You calling me a liar?" "I ain't calling you a truther!"). The two leads have fantastic chemistry and are always fun to watch. Ever heard of Josh Peck? This was his start… And boy did he ever transform into one hunky dude since this show was shot! (As the phrase goes, he Neville Longbottomed us). As cliched as they get sometimes, all the situations are fun to watch and even though things can get a bit repetitive and predictable, it is still always enjoyable because the actors are so on point and the comedy is gold.
This show is almost impossible to find. You can find most of the episodes on YouTube, but not at the greatest quality and the sound pitch is off. Even iTunes doesn't have all the episodes! I might recommend searching out actual DVDs somewhere if you want the full collection.

Kim Possible:

This one I did grow up watching and I was totally in love with it! It's about a teenage girl who balances her regular school and social life with saving the world. 
Totally boss show! Strong characters, amazing animation, great voice work, engaging plots. A fresh idea where the female is the competent one in a fight and the male cannot do anything! The fight scenes are actually quite good, none of this hokey-pokey "ooh I punched you! Oh you hit me! Ooh! Ooh!" where the characters barely move like a lot of animated shows. This show put quite a bit of effort into the animation. And the comedy is spot on! The one thing that I love most about it is that it perfectly portrays what it is like to be a teenager without being too preachy or by trying too hard to relate to the teens to the point of being disrespectful. It just shows it like it is.
Not on Instant View. You can find all episodes on iTunes or try purchasing DVDs.