By popular demand...

The fabled lost TV recommendations list...

1.       The North Water (2021, miniseries) follows a drug-addicted and guilt-addled doctor on the last voyage of a whaling vessel full of dangerous characters. Classic adventure story that nails the landing.

2.       CHiPs (1977-1983, series) depicts the low-stakes but endlessly entertaining adventures of two dogged highway patrolmen. Most notable for its brilliant cinematography, shocking to see what California used to be like. Family friendly.

3.       Wolf Hall (2015, miniseries) is the story of the rise to power of Sir Thomas Cromwell, the most ruthless and loyal of Henry VIII’s advisors. The king of period dramas. Great reflection on the nature of power and service.

4.       Top Cops (1990-1994, series) is a brilliant, almost experimental, anthology depicting stories from the front lines of one of America’s worst crime waves. Episodes are short and generally center around one unusually good action sequence, narrated by the real-life hero who lived it.

5.       Counterpart (2017-2019, series) is a sadly short-lived espionage thriller with a world divided not by East and West, but rather between two parallel universes that have gone to war with each other. Great details on how the characters and the world itself differ and stay the same.

6.       Tales From the Crypt (1989-1996, series) remains the best (and most fun) horror anthology of all time. Episodes shift between pure horror, vulgarity, and other subjects perfect for hazy late-night viewing.

7.       Colony (2016-2018, series) sees the Earth placed under totalitarian control of mostly absent alien invaders. Outmatched resistance fighters struggle against collaborators who might not be wrong in assuming that humanity will just be exterminated if the rebellion is successful.

8.       North and South (1985-1986, miniseries) follows two military academy friends, one a Northern industrialist and the other a Southern planter, and their families through the leadup to and course of the cataclysmic American Civil War. Couldn’t be made today. The 3rd season sucks.

9.       The Terror (2018, miniseries) follows the members of an ill-fated arctic expedition as they find themselves locked in combat with a mythical polar bear, mutinous crew, and the elements themselves. They tried to turn it into an anthology but don’t bother with the second season.

10.   Maverick (1957-1962, series) tells the story of a cowardly but quick-witted gambler as he travels across the West trying to keep his wallet full and scalp intact. Family friendly. Checkered legal history so there are a few sequel series of varying quality.

11.   Lonesome Dove (1989, miniseries) is the epic story of two famous Texas Rangers who, tired of civilized life, resolve to move their massive herd to Montana and settle the new frontier.

12.   John Adams (2008, miniseries) depicts the life and times of President John Adams, from the early days of the American Revolution to the proper creation of the American nation and the new world that followed.

13.   True Detective (2014, series) is a detective anthology that cuts to the very core of our society. Watch Season 2 before Season 1. Don’t bother with Season 3.

14.   LOST (2004-2010, series) is still the greatest television series of all time. The survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island struggle to survive and understand their connections to each other. Cannot be binged. Watch one episode every few days.