10:40 pm - 05/01/2012

It was announced this week that NBC will be airing the last three episodes of “Community” on one night. Over on Warming Glow Dustin asked if you can handle that much Troy, Abed & Co. B*tch, please, that’s amateur hour (and a half). In an age of Hulu, Netflix Instant and On Demand television, we’re quite accustomed to watching shows in huge greedy chunks. “Just one more” is the rallying cry of the serious TV watcher. And despite the fact that the weather is nicer and Mother Nature is beckoning, summer is one of my favorite times to marathon a new show or rewatch an old favorite. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend your warm summer nights. No, before you ask, these are not just my favorite shows. They’re also not just shows that you should see, though, of course, you should. They’re shows that engage in the kind of storytelling that really is improved when watched marathon-style. So grab your friends, a themed beverage and some snacks and settle in for a longwinter’s summer’s watch.
10. “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”: I think you know how I feel about this one.

9. “Mad Men”: The biggest complaint that people have about this fantastic AMC series is that “nothing happens.” I think you’ll find, if you watch several episodes in a row, that not only has plenty happened, but you’ve witnessed some of the best character development out there. “Mad Men” is truly one of the finest shows on any channel right now and you’re doing yourself a disservice by skipping it.

8. “Justified”: This show is such an interesting blend of perfectly fine stand alone episodes and meatier, season long arc episodes that watching it a season at a time is really the way to go.
(Pajiba has a longstanding erection for Olyphant lol)

7. “Band Of Brothers”: Listen, I don’t want to sound racist, but all those white dudes in uniform look the same to me. The only way I was able to track them was by giving them all nicknames and watching this mini-series in one go. Same goes for the inferior (but still enjoyable) The Pacific.
(Home to the flawfree Damian Lewis, with glimpses of McAvoy, Fassbender and even my bb Hardy!)

6. “Game of Thrones”: Once again,not to sound racist, but white dudes in furs and beards are difficult enough to tell apart. This series employs so many characters (with hard to track names) that the most helpful way to watch is all at once. P.S. Everyone has told you about the nudity and the violence, but did they mention puppies? Cause there are puppies.

5. “The Wire”: I know a lot of you haven’t seen this yet. Even though you know you are supposed to. It seems heavy and daunting, doesn’t it? I’ll also acknowledge that it takes a few episodes each season for the storyline (and new characters) to really grab you. If you marathon and power through, you’ll find you won’t be able to stop.

4. “Doctor Who”: I’m not sure I really understand the hold-outs surrounding this much-beloved series. There’s some weird sort of obstinate, hipster hate for the “Who.” That’s your prerogative, I’m not going to force you. But seriously, you’re missing out on loads of goofy fun. The special effects are terrible, so just close your eyes and think of England and eventually you’ll find you won’t notice that the “scariest monster in all of space and time” is actually a trash can.
(Idk personally I don't hate Doctor Who, but I just don't...care about it, you know? I nothing it)

3. “Downton Abbey”: If “Doctor Who” is like a jaunty British biscuit, then “Downton Abbey” is straight up British crack. You could try to watch it in moderation, but I wouldn’t advise it.

2. “Battlestar Galactica”: If it’s your first time watching BSG, you have to marathon in order to stay in front of all the friends and loved ones who will try to spoil it for you. Turn off your phone, ignore the internet, and watch like the wind, my friends. You won’t regret it…much.

1. “Firefly”: Bar-none the most delightful show to marathon. Given its brief run (*sob* *wail*), this is a manageable 14 hours. Child’s play. Just don’t attempt to play the drinking game while you do.

Source
OP Note: I bolded shit for the tl;dr crowd and that's the longest text in the post. And personally I'd add the BBC Pride & Prejudice, even though it's only 6 hours. ALL THE HOT COLIN FIRTH YOU COULD ASK FOR.
10 Shows That Are Better When Viewed As One Long Lazy Marathon
It was announced this week that NBC will be airing the last three episodes of “Community” on one night. Over on Warming Glow Dustin asked if you can handle that much Troy, Abed & Co. B*tch, please, that’s amateur hour (and a half). In an age of Hulu, Netflix Instant and On Demand television, we’re quite accustomed to watching shows in huge greedy chunks. “Just one more” is the rallying cry of the serious TV watcher. And despite the fact that the weather is nicer and Mother Nature is beckoning, summer is one of my favorite times to marathon a new show or rewatch an old favorite. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend your warm summer nights. No, before you ask, these are not just my favorite shows. They’re also not just shows that you should see, though, of course, you should. They’re shows that engage in the kind of storytelling that really is improved when watched marathon-style. So grab your friends, a themed beverage and some snacks and settle in for a long
10. “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”: I think you know how I feel about this one.
9. “Mad Men”: The biggest complaint that people have about this fantastic AMC series is that “nothing happens.” I think you’ll find, if you watch several episodes in a row, that not only has plenty happened, but you’ve witnessed some of the best character development out there. “Mad Men” is truly one of the finest shows on any channel right now and you’re doing yourself a disservice by skipping it.
8. “Justified”: This show is such an interesting blend of perfectly fine stand alone episodes and meatier, season long arc episodes that watching it a season at a time is really the way to go.
(Pajiba has a longstanding erection for Olyphant lol)

7. “Band Of Brothers”: Listen, I don’t want to sound racist, but all those white dudes in uniform look the same to me. The only way I was able to track them was by giving them all nicknames and watching this mini-series in one go. Same goes for the inferior (but still enjoyable) The Pacific.
(Home to the flawfree Damian Lewis, with glimpses of McAvoy, Fassbender and even my bb Hardy!)
6. “Game of Thrones”: Once again,not to sound racist, but white dudes in furs and beards are difficult enough to tell apart. This series employs so many characters (with hard to track names) that the most helpful way to watch is all at once. P.S. Everyone has told you about the nudity and the violence, but did they mention puppies? Cause there are puppies.
5. “The Wire”: I know a lot of you haven’t seen this yet. Even though you know you are supposed to. It seems heavy and daunting, doesn’t it? I’ll also acknowledge that it takes a few episodes each season for the storyline (and new characters) to really grab you. If you marathon and power through, you’ll find you won’t be able to stop.
4. “Doctor Who”: I’m not sure I really understand the hold-outs surrounding this much-beloved series. There’s some weird sort of obstinate, hipster hate for the “Who.” That’s your prerogative, I’m not going to force you. But seriously, you’re missing out on loads of goofy fun. The special effects are terrible, so just close your eyes and think of England and eventually you’ll find you won’t notice that the “scariest monster in all of space and time” is actually a trash can.
(Idk personally I don't hate Doctor Who, but I just don't...care about it, you know? I nothing it)
3. “Downton Abbey”: If “Doctor Who” is like a jaunty British biscuit, then “Downton Abbey” is straight up British crack. You could try to watch it in moderation, but I wouldn’t advise it.
2. “Battlestar Galactica”: If it’s your first time watching BSG, you have to marathon in order to stay in front of all the friends and loved ones who will try to spoil it for you. Turn off your phone, ignore the internet, and watch like the wind, my friends. You won’t regret it…much.
1. “Firefly”: Bar-none the most delightful show to marathon. Given its brief run (*sob* *wail*), this is a manageable 14 hours. Child’s play. Just don’t attempt to play the drinking game while you do.

Source
OP Note: I bolded shit for the tl;dr crowd and that's the longest text in the post. And personally I'd add the BBC Pride & Prejudice, even though it's only 6 hours. ALL THE HOT COLIN FIRTH YOU COULD ASK FOR.
the comedy is mediocre at best. The first paintball episode was really good though.
and people start getting annoying
The worst thing about it is that I have to wait til the end of the year/beginning of next year for the new episode :(
I ended up with a headache and I couldn't watch the show afterwards
it was season one :P
a marathon would bring on an avalanche of feelings though. which is fine but you gotta be prepared
i was actually watching season 1 tonight and it really gets better every time you watch.
Walton Goggins seriously needs an Emmy nom for his work on this show, every word out of his mouth is pure poetry.
same with buffy too. buffy rewatches are best when you're occupied.
unlike with game of thrones and firefly. i end up dropping everything to watch those... even the eps i've watched before.
band of brothers has so many hotties in it, I need to watch it one day
I think I marathoned all four seasons within two-ish weeks.
I powered through all the seasons so quickly
Season 3 was so frustrating. I don't know how people kept coming back week after week during the Ireland episodes. The only way i made it through was because i watched it as a marathon
Any recommendations? I'd prefer something that is considered "underrated"
Edited at 2012-05-02 04:47 am (UTC)
oh and damages and archer!
Edited at 2012-05-02 03:24 am (UTC)
Leverage is pretty fun. And if you like sci-fi Farscape is a must (although it's pretty strange so it's not everyone's thing).
Oz is great but I don't know if that would be called "underrated".
If you haven't seen Happy Endings that for sure. You can get through it really fast too.
And if you want two horrible shows that are horrible but will suck you in anyway: Teen Wolf and Jane by Design. Horrible horrible shows, but I can't help love them anyway.
Edited at 2012-05-02 03:21 am (UTC)
Um... the first couple of series of the British Being Human are good.
If you want teen dramas, watch Everwood or Roswell.
Also... Pushing Daisies and The IT Crowd.
sons of anarchy
greek <3
misfits
Season 2 is AMAZING especially the second half..
Current shows:
Fringe, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, Spartacus, The Good Wife, Homeland, Shameless US, Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, The Killing, Doctor Who, Parenthood, Nikita, Breaking Bad, Dexter.
Past shows:
Friday Night Lights, Big Love, Alias, Gilmore Girls, The Sopranos, Oz, The Shield, Avatar The Last Airbender, Everwood, Lost, The O.C., Buffy/Angel, Queer as Folk, Defying Gravity, ER, Generation Kill, Veronica Mars, Star Trek (all of them lol), Battlestar Galactica.
Edited at 2012-05-02 03:42 am (UTC)
oh and someone mentioned Suits. yes!!
Edited at 2012-05-02 03:59 am (UTC)
I think it's on netflix?
This is in syndication but Im just getting into it The New Adventures of Old Christine. Show is freaking HILARIOUS
SHERLOCK UK
omg i'm realizing i watch too much tv!!!
Rome
Legend of the Seeker
Homeland
all good for different reasons
david simon - creator and writer of the wire, generation kill, and treme - wrote the book on which this fucking fantabulous series is based
it's a bit old school in that it's very early '90s (started in '93 to exact), but it was still fantastic, ground-breaking tv, most of all featuring the brilliant andre braugher as one of the greatest tv characters ever, frank pembleton
it petered off in the last couple of seasons, but that's just a case of it was too good to last
Damages
Enlightened
Breakout Kings
However, the quality of the recent seasons might render it invalid