Must-see TV for the YA writer

greenleaf · Aug 14, 2011

I was watching Veronica Mars recently (fabulous show!) and wondering what other excellent for-a-YA-audience shows are out there. I keep hearing about My So-Called Life and Felicity (a little older MC, but still), both of which I missed because I was in college and being all studious and stuff. :tongue

Tell me about your favorite YA shows (or not-so-favorite) and why!

AmyJay · Aug 14, 2011

Freaks and Geeks is a favorite of mine. It only lasted for 18 episodes, but it's hysterical, and refreshingly honest.

DrunkenLilacs · Aug 14, 2011

Anyone but Me--it's a webseries, but it's just one of those shows that you fall in love with.

bri_ness · Aug 14, 2011

Friday Night Lights, for sure. I've never been as attached to a show as I was to that one.

mickeyDs4 · Aug 14, 2011

Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, One Tree Hill (the early years), The OC and Boy Meets World.

missesdash · Aug 14, 2011

I really like The Vampire Diaries.
There are maybe three parents on that show.

fredXgeorge · Aug 14, 2011

The Vampire Diaries!

n3onkn1ght · Aug 14, 2011

Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Hands down the top pick.

Sage · Aug 14, 2011

You guys have pretty much covered my teen show must-sees. (Buffy and VM at the top of the list)

DrunkenLilacs · Aug 14, 2011

Agreeing with Vampire Diaries--also, MTV's newer shows, like Awkward and Teen Wolf, which sucked at the beginning, but got better with each episode

Harper K · Aug 14, 2011

Season 4 of The Wire. It's about 4 eighth-grade boys who are growing up in a drug-infested area of Baltimore -- and they are all in such different places, emotionally, by the end of the 12-episode season. It's pretty devastating, but by the end I felt like I had just watched one of the greatest YA novels ever.

OpheliaRevived · Aug 14, 2011

*dances* Okay, now I feel like I can come out of the VD closet. He he he he Maybe my sig quote hasn't been in vain.

Becca C. · Aug 14, 2011

I've never watched any of the shows recommended in this thread. No, not even Buffy or Veronica Mars, even though I hear people singing their praises everywhere

I'm going throw in a completely different show into the ring. Midsomer Murders. It's a British murder mystery show, based on the novels by Caroline Graham. It is by far my favourite thing on TV (it might even rival Friends as my favourite show). The characters are phenomenal, from the veteran chief inspector to his overeager sergeant to the whacko townspeople. If you ever see it on TV, watch it!!! The plots are soooo complex and so perfect and the characters are all amazing. *fangirl*

Sarah G · Aug 14, 2011

I also agree with the Vampire Diaries

I don't mind Being Human aswell.

missesdash · Aug 14, 2011

Oh yeah, what about Misfits! That one's essential.

chocowrites · Aug 14, 2011

Misfits is excellent! But, Nathan...

Skins (UK, not US version) if you're doing more edgy YA. Granted, it can be ridiculous soap opera unrealistic but the actors are teens.

Buffy is my favorite teen show. I love VM too.

ETA: Fresh Prince of Bel Air too.

chevbrock · Aug 14, 2011

I second Skins. And while Shameless doesn't always focus on the teen characters, it has some storylines that feature the teens heavily. And it's hilarious and really well-written, in my opinion.

Big Bang Theory is my favourite college type show. Well-written, well-acted, and hilarious.

DrunkenLilacs · Aug 14, 2011

chocowrites said:
Misfits is excellent! But, Nathan...

Skins (UK, not US version) if you're doing more edgy YA. Granted, it can be ridiculous soap opera unrealistic but the actors are teens.

Buffy is my favorite teen show. I love VM too.

ETA: Fresh Prince of Bel Air too.

I watch both MISFITS and SKINS religiously. Can't wait for the next season to start on both, even if Nathan isn't coming back D:

Becca C. · Aug 14, 2011

chevbrock said:
Big Bang Theory is my favourite college type show. Well-written, well-acted, and hilarious.

I've only seen a few episodes, but I'd love to buy the first season and watch it from the beginning. It's so funny!

AlishaS · Aug 14, 2011

Okay, for me it was Gilmore Girls, it was kind of one the "wholesome" side, but I think every daughter wishes she had a mother as cool as Lorelai, and Rori well she was witty and geeky and super fun. Their relationship was just awesome.

Also, I loved, loved One Tree Hill, however the last three years have been, not so good.

tangerinetrees · Aug 14, 2011

Interesting how Glee's not being mentioned. Don't watch it, though

tengraceapples · Aug 14, 2011

ShadowCat said:
I quite like The Vampire Diaries (looking forward to the Secret Circle this fall), Smallville, The Gates but at the moment I just adore Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars and The Nine Lives of Chloe King. And because I am a dork the reboot of Thundercats.

Oh thank god, I thought it was just me. I loooove Pretty Little Liars. Also The nine lives of Chloe King. Im going to watch "The Lying Game" on ABC family Monday.

fredXgeorge · Aug 15, 2011

OpheliaRevived said:
*dances* Okay, now I feel like I can come out of the VD closet. He he he he Maybe my sig quote hasn't been in vain.

Haha your Caroline quote makes me smile everytime I see it. I've preordered the Season 2 dvd...only like three weeks til it comes out yay!! I used to have an awesome TVD avatar but it got pushed out for Harry. I'm sure it will be back sometime tho

soopykun · Aug 15, 2011

bri_ness said:
Friday Night Lights, for sure. I've never been as attached to a show as I was to that one.

Yes! FNL! How sad that it's over. Such great, realistic dialogue, amazing characters. I don't watch much tv, more of movie person, I guess.

shaldna · Aug 15, 2011

Can I throw Roswell into the mix here - especially the first series.

Also, The Inbetweeners is pretty awesome.

Must-see TV for the YA writer

Growing tipsier as we speak

You can't sit with us!

I heart sexy elves and wizards.

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Growing tipsier as we speak

here's to the girl on the go

Real Men Have Gills

Let me live that fantasy.

You can't sit with us!

scaredy cat

Growing tipsier as we speak

Is swimming with creativity frogs

shake well

I heart sexy elves and wizards.

The cake is a lie. But still cake.