History Gush / LiveACtionTV

** Season 1 was far better than people give it credit for, season 2 was famously epic and showed what a deep show this was, season 3 was made with pure class, and season 4, probably the worst, still had some of the most beautiful standalones of the show, if the arc was a bit of a let down. Season 6 was the bravest televisual move ever, and they pulled it off with aplomb. In general: ''Series/{{Buffy|the Vampire Slayer}}'' is awesome.

** The show's franchise! The show itself, [[VideoGame/BuffyTheVampireSlayer the]] [[VideoGame/BuffyTheVampireSlayerChaosBleeds games]], [[ComicBook/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Season 8]], all amazing. How can you not like a show that changed TV forever? Also, without ''Buffy'', TV Tropes would have never been made...

** ''Series/{{Ultraseven}}'' was the best of the Showa entries (entries from 1966-1981) in the ''Franchise/UltraSeries''. While it was actually fairly sparse in terms of Kaiju, which the franchise is famous for (even so, it produced many memorable ones), the aliens made for far more interesting villains. It had smart writing, thought-provoking episodes, and [[DarkerAndEdgier darker elements]]. It touched on subjects like genocide, war, racism, tyranny, and so much more. The special effects [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny may look awful]], but they were amazing for their time (Some actually hold up not too badly!). There is a reason why Ultraseven has gotten more remakes and appearances than the original ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'' after all!

* ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}'' is a great show. It's very entertaining and with complex characters with interesting backstories and intense relationships, and there's a lot of chemistry and {{UST}} all around. The show has an all-star cast of writers and directors with cool guest stars who all love other shows, films and series, so there's a chance that everybody will be treated with a ShoutOut or an ActorAllusion that might particularly enjoy. Creator/NathanFillion is charming as ever, Stana Katic is immensely hot, and they are both talented actors. ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fans might stick around for the Throw It Ins like seeing Castle as Mal, or it can even make up for not getting Mal/Inara resolution. It's Mal, but he's an adorable dad/good with the ladies! It's (kind of) Inara, but [[ActionGirl she's got a gun]]! And [[WunzaPlot they solve murders]]! On ''Castle'' characters we love aren't getting killed left and right, and the writing is just as good, if not better. Oh, and PluckyGirl Alexis as a responsible teenager which is a wonderful aversion of BrattyTeenageDaughter because this trope is beaten to death. Plus ''Series/{{Castle}}'' is one of the very few shows that has ''ever'' gotten WillTheyOrWontThey right. It's for once not achingly frustrating, it's ''fun''!

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'' is a great show. It's very entertaining and with complex characters with interesting backstories and intense relationships, and there's a lot of chemistry and {{UST}} all around. The show has an all-star cast of writers and directors with cool guest stars who all love other shows, films and series, so there's a chance that everybody will be treated with a ShoutOut or an ActorAllusion that might particularly enjoy. Creator/NathanFillion is charming as ever, Stana Katic is immensely hot, and they are both talented actors. ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fans might stick around for the Throw It Ins like seeing Castle as Mal, or it can even make up for not getting Mal/Inara resolution. It's Mal, but he's an adorable dad/good with the ladies! It's (kind of) Inara, but [[ActionGirl she's got a gun]]! And [[WunzaPlot they solve murders]]! On ''Castle'' characters we love aren't getting killed left and right, and the writing is just as good, if not better. Oh, and PluckyGirl Alexis as a responsible teenager which is a wonderful aversion of BrattyTeenageDaughter because this trope is beaten to death. Plus ''Series/{{Castle}}'' is one of the very few shows that has ''ever'' gotten WillTheyOrWontThey right. It's for once not achingly frustrating, it's ''fun''!

* ''Series/TheHauntingHour'' is such an improvement over the ''Series/{{Goosebumps}}'' show. The acting is great, the stories are clever and interesting, and on top of that it's scary. For a R.L. Stine show, it's dark, atmospheric, and they don't always have happy endings. It's just wonderful.

* ''Series/DeadliestWarrior''. Say what you want about DanBrowned facts and such, but it managed to get people interested in history, from the well-known pirates and ninjas, to the lesser-known (outside their home countries) Maori and Rajput. And Zombies vs Vampires... Brutality, monsters, and vampires taken back to their roots mythological roots, unrelenting predators that haunt the nightmares of their prey. No romantics, [[Creator/AnneRice no angst]], and most importantly [[Literature/{{Twilight}} no SPARKLING]]!

* ''Series/MurphyBrown'': A JerkWithAHeartOfGold leading lady who regularly gets into fistfights with elected officials? And who actually has ''no'' sexual tension with her [[PlatonicLifePartners male best friend]]? A [[TheChick Chick]] who gradually evolves from TheDitz into a smart and capable human being? A [[TheShortGuyWithGlasses Short Guy With Glasses]] who you could knock down ten times and who would get up eleven? TheHeart is, of all things, a scruffy painter who won't go away (but why would anyone want him to?) Forget about Dan Quayle and the dated political references for a minute and remember that this show is ''loaded'' with heartwarming moments, [[FriendshipMoment Friendship Moments]], and normal, respectable feminism that actually went out of its way to ''mock'' [[StrawFeminist Straw Feminism]]. It was also smart and wasn't afraid to pull out Tear Jerkers.

** This franchise has awesome characters who are so amazingly likeable. Just O'Neill. The best thing about ''Stargate''. Second best? A competent, smart, tough HotScientist ActionGirl played brilliantly by Amanda Tapping. And it's hard to overstate just how awesome it is that there are two smart, competent, well-written female characters in Sam Carter and Janet Frasier. More shows should look to ''Stargate'''s example.

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'' is a great show. It's very entertaining and with complex characters with interesting backstories and intense relationships, and there's a lot of chemistry and {{UST}} all around. The show has an all-star cast of writers and directors with cool guest stars who all love other shows, films and series, so there's a chance that everybody will be treated with a ShoutOut or an ActorAllusion that might particularly enjoy. Creator/NathanFillion is charming as ever, Stana Katic is immensely hot, and they are both talented actors. ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fans might stick around for the Throw It Ins like seeing Castle as Mal, or it can even make up for not getting Mal/Inara resolution. It's Mal, but he's an adorable dad/good with the ladies! It's (kind of) Inara, but [[ActionGirl she's got a gun]]! And [[TheyFightCrime they solve murders]]! On ''Castle'' characters we love aren't getting killed left and right, and the writing is just as good, if not better. Oh, and PluckyGirl Alexis as a responsible teenager which is a wonderful aversion of BrattyTeenageDaughter because this trope is beaten to death. Plus ''Series/{{Castle}}'' is one of the very few shows that has ''ever'' gotten WillTheyOrWontThey right. It's for once not achingly frustrating, it's ''fun''!

* ''Series/{Chef1993'' is the single funniest thing to lo and behold, especially the episode "England Expects", aka "The One Where Two Chefs Traipse Around France Looking For English Wine". It is quotable to ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' levels and gets humor out of [[SeriousBusiness customers asking for salt and the hunt for unpasteurized cheese]]. Creator/LennyHenry is brilliant and his supporting cast takes the air out of him with gusto. Why it isn't more famous is peculiar.

* ''MarbleheadManor'': This show lasted only one season, but it was one of the funniest shows on TV at the time. Each episode took a standard, overused, worn-out sitcom plot and then [[UpToEleven cranked it up to 11]]. For example: One episode had the male lead's mother-in-law and new pet llama both arrive on the same day. Because his mother-in-law is so persnickety, he had a list made up to remind himself what she liked. Of course, the llama came with a care list also, and the lists got swapped. Better than it sounds. Had a pre-Kramer Michael Richards in a minor role.

* ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'' ''is'' childhood UpToEleven. It captures the wonder and mystery of that age beautify, and uses its over-the-topness to delve into the emotions and contradictions and mixed feelings we all get about growing up and being a kid. It gets that kids are awkward and confused and are constantly looking for their place in the world, and that there's nothing wrong with that, because it also shows that kids can be insightful and and work through their issues. And it's not saccharine and touchy-feely; the shows heartwarming moments all feel natural and in-place, no doubt due to the writers and actors being on the same page and knowing exactly what they were doing. And yes, it was one of the funniest and most surreal shows ever to grace Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} with its presence. And yes, it serves as a testament to the fact that there ''was'' not just awesome but beautiful music in the 1990s. But more over, this show has something you rarely see today--two best friends taking on the world together. There's something wonderful about that. Cue Polaris's "Everywhere".

* ''Series/{{Chef}}'' is the single funniest thing to lo and behold, especially the episode "England Expects", aka "The One Where Two Chefs Traipse Around France Looking For English Wine". It is quotable to ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' levels and gets humor out of [[SeriousBusiness customers asking for salt and the hunt for unpasteurized cheese]]. Creator/LennyHenry is brilliant and his supporting cast takes the air out of him with gusto. Why it isn't more famous is peculiar.

* ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}''. It's the best thing to come out of British television since the newest season of ''Doctor Who''. Best re-imagining of the Arthurian legend in ages. Also, it's one of the very few shows that can get the whole family hooked on. It's sweet without [[TastesLikeDiabetes tasting like Diabetes]], occasionally dark without reaching {{Wangst}}, and some of the best examples of complex, interesting, relatable characters that are still likable. Not to mention the hilarious behind-the-scenes antics you can find on Youtube.

* ''Series/{{Life}}'' is one of the best, if not ''the'' best crime shows ever created. The plot is fantastic, the characters are hilarious, and it's ''just so awesome''. The series finale of that show was one of the best on television ever.

* The original run of ''Series/TheTwilightZone'' is still the most entertaining show ever. Sure, it was a little {{Anvilicious}}, but hey, some anvils need to be dropped.

* ''Series/TheOddCouple'' is one of the most under-appreciated American sitcom ever. Witty, intelligent scripts, superb ensemble acting, including but not limited to leads Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.

* ''Series/{{Knightmare}}'' was a classic of children's television and should be brought back. Watch it and petition to bring the series back! Does anyone else think Pickle the Elf is pretty hot?

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For children's shows, see Gush/ChildrensShow.

%% * ''Series/{{Jericho}}''. It's just so intense and Jake and Robert and ahhhhh.

* Series/MythBusters. Those guys break down urban legends and blow stuff up ''regularly''! ''Myth Busters'' is pure awesome.

* ''Series/SquareOneTV'' made some people appreciate Math and get them feel excited ''all week'', waiting for a new Mathnet segment to come up. And it also taught its viewers logical and critical thinking. Oh joy, the debunking points in the Mathnet Bermuda Triangle episode...

* ''Series/ICarly'' can save children's television. The show is genius. Never have there been so much ParentalBonus in one show. Some of the comedy is lame, but it's one of the good television shows.

* ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'' ''is'' childhood UpToEleven. It captures the wonder and mystery of that age beautify, and uses its over-the-topness to delve into the emotions and contradictions and mixed feelings we all get about growing up and being a kid. It gets that kids are awkward and confused and are constantly looking for their place in the world, and that there's nothing wrong with that, because it also shows that kids can be insightful and and work through their issues. And it's not saccharine and touchy-feely; the shows heartwarming moments all feel natural and in-place, no doubt due to the writers and actors being on the same page and knowing exactly what they were doing. And yes, it was one of the funniest and most surreal shows ever to grace Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} with its presence. And yes, it serves as a testament to the fact that there ''was'' not just awesome but beautiful music in the 1990s. But more over, this show has something you rarely see today--two best friends taking on the world together. There's something wonderful about that. Cue Polaris's "Everywhere".

* ''Series/BigTimeRush'': [[NarmCharm It can be nutty and over the top at times,]] while still managing to take itself seriously at others. It's far from a SadistShow, ''it has no LaughTrack'', and the goal of the show doesn't seem to be to see just how much crap and HoYay it can get into a kid's show, unlike [[Series/ICarly some]] [[Series/{{Victorious}} other]] Nick shows that seem to be more popular. (Though it gets [[HoYay/BigTimeRush plenty of both]]) The characters are interesting, the relationships sweet, [[LittleMissBadass Katie]] and [[OnlySaneMan Kendall]] are not your normal TV brother and sister, the jokes hilarious, and despite being a BoyBand, the music is actually pretty good.
* The most epic event in the history of educational television would be if Bill Nye from ''Series/BillNyeTheScienceGuy'' was a guest star on an episode of ''Series/MythBusters''. We have no idea what would happen if this actually happened; [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation possibly the universe would explode.]] '''[[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation And it would be AWESOME.]]''' He DID guest star on ''Series/StargateAtlantis''. As himself. And it '''was''' awesome. The Mythbusters guesting on ''Series/{{CSI}}'' was pretty awesome, although they needed a bigger role. Some tropers credit their lifelong love affair with science ''solely'' to ''Bill Nye the Science Guy''.

* ''Series/CrashAndBernstein'': Proof that show about a boy with three sisters, and a single mom, plus a Muppet, (yes a Muppet) can be good. It's a funny show that is at least worth checking out. And that's a huge understatement. It's hilarious. It's funny, and has a few Aesops here and there without being {{Anvilicious}}. Of course muppets aren't real, but if you have a show that suspends disbelief and still have an otherwise realistic feel to it, you got a winner.

** ''Series/LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple''. Best game show ever. Even if the show's been cancelled for years, people still dream of one day facing Olmec's temple. That Silver Monkey is going DOWN. One of the greatest forms of entertainment known to mankind. The temple guards to be the best part and always jumped when they came out of the trees.

* Kids' shows:
** Kids' game shows in the '90s were amazing. But the most amazing of all was probably ''Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?'' It created many a dedicated student of History and Geography. DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!
** ''Series/TheElectricCompany1971'' was one of the greatest children's shows of all time. It had witty humor, great songs, and a very talented cast. Not just Creator/MorganFreeman and Rita Moreno, but everyone. Them, the writers, the directors, everyone who worked on the show were people who knew what really entertained kids [[ParentalBonus and adults]]. Not to mention the graphics were cool. Most importantly, they taught a whole generation of kids how to read and to love reading. Nothing made afterwards comes close, not even ''Series/BetweenTheLions''.
** The Creator/DisneyChannel {{KidCom}}s can be GuiltyPleasures, but the Disney XD shows always end up being somewhat actually decent. ''Series/PairOfKings'' has very good character development and a cool setting, ''Series/KickinIt'' is just plain fun and is quite sweet, ''Series/LabRats'' has a good premise, and well written story development, and ''Series/CrashAndBernstein'' is just plain funny. MightyMed is turning out pretty good too.1

* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'': ''Xena'' is a lot of fun if you take the blatant lesbian subtext and just run with it. And even aside from that, the writing really improved after the first two or so seasons, and a lot of the episodes were just hilarious beyond hilarious. Some songs from the two [[MusicalEpisode Musical Episodes]] might stick with you, so beware.

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* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' is a great show. Why? For one, it's in New York City (most of the time, it's [[TelevisionGeography Fake NYC]] but it's still NYC). Secondly, the actors are all great. Three, Mac and Stella.

* ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' was one of the best shows of all time. So hilarious, so witty, so... Addams. Morticia and Gomez, and Lurch, are awesome characters.