Seeking pop culture recs

[riot_nrrrd]

So.  Last night, while taking a much-needed stress relief bath, I watched the third season finale of Mad Men-- which means that I'm now all caught up on those episodes, and have to wait for brand new ones just like every other sad bastard in the world.

I likewise have to wait weekly for Doctor Who episodes (which, if River Song appears in that many more episodes, will cease to be an excruciating wait for me.  Eurgh).  It has been several months since I felt the "when in doubt, re-watch Torchwood" urge-- I daresay I might be breaking up with that fandom, and to be honest, I've more or less taken a general hiatus from any fan activity for the past couple months.  I don't even know what the latest meta debates are.  You know how that feels?  It feels refreshing.

But that's not my point.  My point is, I do not currently have a TV show to obsess over-- to watch in long marathon sessions.  And this hurts my heart a bit.

So, dear readers, what TV show do you recommend I obsess over next and why?  Please comment.

Also, secondary, but still important questions: 1) If a person (say, me) felt woefully ignorant when it came to film-- film history, classic film, quality film in general, what would you demand they watch?  2) Name one band/musician who has come to your attention in the past three years that you think I should be listening to right now.

Comments

[wide_worlds_joy]

Let's see.... West Wing, Firefly

Film.... The American President, The Replacements, Pippin, 1776, Serenity

Music: Nickelback

[annotated_em]

White Collar!

Or, if you're in an anime/sports frame of mind, Giant Killing.

1. Hell if I know. My tastes are plebeian at best.

2. *thoughtful* You might like Ingrid Michaelson. Or Florence and the Machine.

[dylan_cherry]

My favorite movie of all time is "King of Hearts." It's a classic, well, it was made in 1966, and I think it is classic. I don't know how you feel about Elvis, but all of his movies are hysterical and I am also fond of the old Hitchcock movies.

If you are going to do classic musicals, I would start with "Singin' in the Rain" and "West Side Story."

For Gangster films, start with "White Heat," "Angels with Dirty Faces," and "High Sierra."

[pearwaldorf]

Hmm, TV shows. I've gotten about six episodes in to The Wire and it is fucking amazing. I missed my stop one day watching it so I can't watch it on the bus anymore. Cody and I are working through Chuck (Bruce Boxleitner shows up randomly in the second season and it is fucking lulz). It is very silly and heteronormative and fairly formulaic but it's ridiculous and fun. I forget if you've watched Dexter. It's rather amusing and smart on occasion.

1) you could start chugging through either the Criterion Collection or the AFI best list. Also I love that Wikipedia actually has a list of films considered to be the greatest ever. Personally, I think you can't go wrong with Bogart ever: Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, African Queen. Totally fkn awesome. I had a friend years ago who was super-into old movies and she recommended It Happened One Night (which I believe is streaming on Netflix) and Sullivan's Travels.

2) Janelle Monae. Basically, if Outkast and Fritz Lang's Metropolis had a baby who dressed like Chuck Berry. She is amazing and has done the only other two music videos worth watching this year. Her new record drops Tuesday and I am really fucking excited.