IR Greatest TV Show Tournament: Round 1, Bloc 9

[Izulde]

And we've reached the finish line, folks! The last games of the first round!

In the Izulde region, #2 seed The Simpsons is up against #15 seed Roseanne for the second round game versus ER.

The Simpsons
Has run for 21 seasons to date on Fox and won 26 Emmys, a Peabody, and a Hollywood Star in 2000. Was named the 20th century's best television series by Time and has had significant cultural influence. The show was also the first Fox program to crack the Top 30 in a year.

Roseanne
ABC sitcom that ran from 1988-1997 and won a 1992 Peabody, the same year that the show swept the Best Leads in Comedy Series Golden Globes. Roseanne Barr added the 1993 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Emmy the next year.

The Solecismic features #6 seed The Shield against #11 seed Entourage. The winner plays #3 seed Arrested Development in the second around.

The Shield
Ran 7 seasons from 2002-2008 and is a rare FX entry (not Fox). Critically praised for its realism and Entertainment Weekly named it to the Best of List of the decade. Cited by several FOFCers as The Wire-lite, which is a somewhat fair description.

Entourage
HBO dramedy that began in 2004. Has been nominated for 24 Emmys and won the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy series.

And finally, the Pumpy Tudors, with 3 seed The Cosby Show and 14 seed Newsradio squaring off for the right to face Married with Child next round.

The Cosby Show
NBC sitcom ran from 1984-1992. Swept 1985 Emmy and Golden Globe for top comedy series honors. One of 3 shows in American history to rank #1 in the ratings for 5 consecutive seasons, the others being American Idol and All In The Family.

NewsRadio
NBC sitcom with a run from 1995-1999. Centered around a fictional AM station, which, while an interesting concept, particularly given the show's production today, is likely to get steamrolled by the Cosbys.

[CrimsonFox]

lovelovelove Newsradio. One of the smartest and underrated comedies ever.
A comic ensemble like never before or since in a sitcom. Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall), Phil Hartman (SNL), Stephen Root (Office Space, King of the Hill), Andy Dick (Ben Stiller Show), Khandi Alexander (CSI Miami), Joe Rogan (Fear Factor), Maura Tierney (ER), Jon Lovitz (SNL) plus tons of awesome guest appearances. Plus many episodes were named after Led Zepplin songs :)
(sigh...poor Phil Hartman. HIs crazy wife not only killed him, she killed this show)

Cosby definitely had a landmark show, the first season was mostly based on his great standup routines, then after smartly dumping Lisa Bonet, had a couple great seasons (the Bobby McFerrin intro seasons) before slacking into extreme mediocrity of repetitive stupid Cosby faces and oversaccharin cuteness.

[MIJB#19]

Initially I thought it would be hard to pick between the Cosby Show and News Radio. In fact, to me it was the hardest of the entire first round, I actually opted to abstain. I realized their very different kinds of humor and appeal to different audiences. At first the wackier News Radio jokes and plot twists gave me more big laughs. But if I'd have to chose between a random re-run of either show, I'd pick the Cosby Show because the big family theme to me was easier to relate to.

[chesapeake]

+1 to everything CrimsonFox wrote.

It is an unfortunate matchup for Roseanne. That was a very good show, but it will get crushed by an all-time great show.

[BYU 14]

Tough first round matchup for the Shield, one of my favorite shows ever. I am probably in a big minority, but I think Entourage is overrated, but I understand it has a strong following.

[sterlingice]

It is an unfortunate matchup for Roseanne. That was a very good show, but it will get crushed by an all-time great show.

Agreed on both counts.

SI

[JS19]

Real tough matchup for The Shield. The Shield definitely ranks as one my favorites of all time, and I'm a huge Entourage fan, as well. Ari Gold is one of the greatest characters on television, ever. When push comes to shove, gotta go with The Shield. As much as I love Entourage, The Shield truly was a great show where I would anticipate watching it every week to see how the story was going to develop. I do look forward to Entourage, but it's mostly just for the laughs of Ari and Drama, not so much the story.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I will vote for any show in this tournament over Entourage. Even iCarly.

[Kodos]

That's how I feel about RAW.

[Lathum]

I love Entourage, like JS19 said, Ari and Drama are so damn funny. The funny thing is I though I would hate that show but I love it.

[Butter]

lovelovelove Newsradio. One of the smartest and underrated comedies ever.
A comic ensemble like never before or since in a sitcom. Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall), Phil Hartman (SNL), Stephen Root (Office Space, King of the Hill), Andy Dick (Ben Stiller Show), Khandi Alexander (CSI Miami), Joe Rogan (Fear Factor), Maura Tierney (ER), Jon Lovitz (SNL) plus tons of awesome guest appearances. Plus many episodes were named after Led Zepplin songs :)
(sigh...poor Phil Hartman. HIs crazy wife not only killed him, she killed this show)

Cosby definitely had a landmark show, the first season was mostly based on his great standup routines, then after smartly dumping Lisa Bonet, had a couple great seasons (the Bobby McFerrin intro seasons) before slacking into extreme mediocrity of repetitive stupid Cosby faces and oversaccharin cuteness.

One of my favorite episodes is when the boss, Phil Hartman, and Dave Foley are all locked in a room trying to get a baseball promo together. Then they end up doing all sorts of weird editing stuff once they start getting slap happy from being in there so long. Classic.

[CrimsonFox]

My favorite is the "Big Day" where everyone is worried about their bonuses and LIsa and Dave are trying to hide their office ROmance that only Beth knows about.

<dl><dd>Beth: Okay, now I assume you're giving Lisa the Big Bonus, right? I mean, in addition to the one you give her on a semi-nightly basis?</dd><dd>Dave: No, no I am not. I mean, just because Lisa and I are dating, that doesn't mean I'm going to give her the Big Bonus.</dd><dd>Beth: Oooh. You do know that Lisa is absolutely certain she's getting the big bonus, don't you, Dave?</dd><dd>Dave: Oh?</dd><dd>Beth: Yeah.</dd><dd>Dave: Oh... Okay, Beth, would you get Lisa for me?</dd><dd>Beth: [yelling] Lisa, Dave wants you! [to Dave] You're not going to give her The Shaft, are you, Dave? I mean, in addition to the one you give her on a semi-nightly basis?</dd></dl>

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Dave, haven't you ever heard the expression, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and then throw it in the face of the person who gave you the lemons until they give you the oranges you originally asked for?"

[DaddyTorgo]

NewsRadio is great.

[jbergey22]

Roseanne has one of the most annoying characters in TV history IMO so as much as I never watch the Simpsons it made it an easy choice.

I am pulling for Entourage. Like has been mentioned Ari is just gold. No pun intended.

[DaddyTorgo]

Entourage is great (I totally am a huge fan now) but The Shield was frigging groundbreakingly amazing. Shield has gotta win.

[sabotai]

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[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Entourage had a good premise, and the first season was very entertaining. It never went anywhere new, it just continually went to the exact same well time and time again. Granted, I stopped watching during the terrible Medellin episodes.

[Izulde]

The Shield was definitely a show that got stronger as it went on. Seasons 5-7 were what really made the series for me.

[Izulde]

Whew. The Shield barely squeaks by with the 6 point victory.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Bump? :)

[Izulde]

Yeah, I know. I've been terrible about this, due to being back in Wisconsin for Spring Break. But I'll be back in Arkansas late tonight, so I can start Round 2 Monday.

[Greyroofoo]

Who goes to Wisconsin for Spring Break?

[PackerFanatic]

Who goes to Wisconsin for Spring Break?

The people who are awesome?

[BYU 14]

Who goes to Wisconsin for Spring Break?

The people who are awesome?

Has the Snow even melted yet?

[PackerFanatic]

Actually it has. It's been mild for this time year (50's) the past couple of weeks which has helped.

[PackerFanatic]

And yes, I know that doesn't help my case.

[Lathum]

Who goes to Wisconsin for Spring Break?

Anywhere has to be better than Arkansas.

[MJ4H]

die