Revisting Old Shows #1: Oz

[DeToxRox]

I was 14 when this show started and I never got into it, but was always intrigued. Thus I started collecting the DVD's last year and now I've realized it's one of my favorite all time shows. It was so intense, and so gritty that it sticks with me. Plus it started the HBO Drama craze that has produced pretty much all hits in the Sopranos, the Wire, Deadwood and Rome.

So who here watched and how would you rate it with current HBO shows?

My personal preference would go:

1. Deadwood
2. Oz
3. Sopranos
4. Wire
5. Rome

[JS19]

Well, being that the only other drama I watch on HBO is Sopranos, mine would go:

1. Sopranos
2. Oz
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm (i know its a comedy but its the only other HBO show I watch)

However, I would say Oz is probably my 3rd or 4th favorite of all-time, including other than HBO shows.

[astrosfan64]

#1. Rome
#2. Deadwood
#3. Sapranos
#4. Carnival
#5. OZ
#6. Entorouge
#7. Sex in the City
#8. Big Love

I didn't care for the others

[Bee]

1. Sopranos
2. Rome
3. Oz

The rest kind of lump together for me, but these three standout.

[Bad-example]

1. The Wire - Best show I have ever seen. Perfect blend of casting, writing and implementation. A shame they are delaying the next season. The web site just says the will begin production "soon".

2. Deadwood - Ian McShane as Swearengen has been amazing to watch. Perfect casting and a well-written, complex, interesting character.

3. Oz - A GREAT show that turned a bit soapy and seemed to be on autopilot at the end.

4. The Sopranos - I am concerned that my comments for Oz will fit here by the time the show ends.

5. Rome - Only one season in the books but this show has been very fun to watch. This show could easily climb the list in time.

6. Big Love - Watchable, but has not pulled me in. I suspect this show was designed more for the Six Feet Under audience.

[Schmidty]

1. Oz


Never really cared for any of the other HBO shows, even the Sopranos.

[panerd]

1. The Wire: Hands down best show on TV. I can't remember a storyline that I didn't enjoy. Even the lesbian cop angle has had some decent twists. The kids in the gangs from seasons 1 & 3 are some of my favorite characters on the show.
2. Deadwood: Al Swearington is the best character on television. I don't like the Bullock wife drama, but I guess it has to be there. Mr. Wu is also a favorite.
3. Rome: Some of the storylines are very enjoyable, but some of the storylines are extremely uniteresting.
4. Entourage (Is this a drama?)

The Sopranos lost me about season 4/5, but the first 3 were fantastic. I could never get into Six Feet Under or Carnavale, and Oz was way too hardcore to watch for entertainment. All Oz ever made me do was worry about doing anything that might get me put in prision. (Maybe this is a good thing, but not a reason to watch TV. They should show the first several epiosdes in health classes during the drinking and driving units to show what might happen if you kill someone while drunk. That would probably scare a lot more kids straight than pictures of mangled cars. )

[WSUCougar]

Heh-heh. "Old" shows. Heh.

[JeeberD]

I don't have HBO but I love me some Deadwood. Season Two will finally be coming out on DVD in three weeks...it's been a long damn time coming.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Heh-heh. "Old" shows. Heh.

lol, you are right on.

hey, you remember real world 7. man that was awesome. they don't make them like that now.

[QuikSand]

I intermittently enjoyed Oz, and generally really like The Sopranos. But man oh man, do I love The Wire.

HBO shows are worth giving the benefit of the doubt, on balance. I watched the first Big Love and think it's too soapy for me... but it is clearly well done. I never got into Deadwood or Six Feet Under, but same thing.