Which TV show might be called prog?

Why some popular shows weren't included:

House likes The Rolling Stones and Van Halen, and blues, so he's out. I bet he's a psychedelia fan from all the drug he takes.

The Wire plays gansta rap in many episodes, so it's out.

My vote is CSI: Miami. High-technology is always progressive for me, and Miami seems to have quite a few prog bands there?

paganinio wrote: Why some popular shows weren't included: House likes The Rolling Stones and Van Halen, and blues, so he's out. I bet he's a psychedelia fan from all the drug he takes. The Wire plays gansta rap in many episodes, so it's out. My vote is CSI: Miami. High-technology is always progressive for me, and Miami seems to have quite a few prog bands there?

House did make a reference to Pink Floyd in one episode however.

Epignosis wrote: I think Malcolm in the Middle deserves a nod.

Agreed.

I think Lost is really prog-ish too, especially some of the fans and just how much they over-analyze everything in that show (me included). So that's where my vote went.

Shows like CSI:Miami, Star Trek: TNG; and Battlestar Galactica might fall under Neo-prog since they are derivative of their predecessors.  I never saw Arrested Development, but by the descriptions that I have read regarding it, it most closely follows the progressive banner as far as being really popular with its fan but basically unwatched and unknown by everyone else.  24 is probably also prog from the point of view of the "real" time aspect of the series, although as much as I enjoy it, 24 really isn't much more than a violent James Bond retread.  Stargate SG-1 is one of my favorite sci-fi programs but is still kind of a Star Trek follower.  I don't know Heroes so I can't say much on that.  Lost seems somewhat progressive too, although I haven't watched it either.  The X Files was quite progressive for its time period.  I've only seen the first season and a half, but from my readings on the show and what I have seen I think that this one will get my vote.

Until it fell up its own arse, X Files was truly groundbreaking and progressive. Still, at least it lasted about seven seasons until it went bad, unlike Heroes, which I utterly gave up on towards the end of last season. You could reduce that show to about five episodes a season without losing anything at all.

I'm not sure about any of these. 

South Park, for a number of reasons.

1. It's contraversial. Because it's so directly offensive, yet pulled off in a clever and sophisticated way, lots of people either hate it or just don't get it. However, the fans are extremely loyal. Much like Prog.

2. It gets progressively more and more offensive and direct. The best example for me would be comparing the Pilot episode (Cartman Gets An Anal Probe) and the debut episode of season twelve (forgotten the name now). Cartman Gets and Anal Probe may sound pretty nasty, but in fact it just has lots of swearing and vulgarity. The latter, however, actually takes a massive risk in making fun of poverty sufferers in Nigeria. Bold move, yes, but they actually made it so if you thought for a second, they are actually making fun of the American government.

3. They take such a simple theme and blow it WAY out of proportion, even moreso than The Simpsons. This is, however, a very good thing. Much like Prog if you ask me.

I could name some more, but you get the idea...

Of the shows in that list, Arrested Development.  The Simpsons in it's prime was definitely a show that took chances and was consistently funny.  South Park definitely explores alot of territory.  Ren and Stimpy is another progressive cartoon show.

I'd consider the original Star Trek "prog" in how it included lots of social commentary but disguised it.  Also pushed new ground with the first interracial kiss on television.  The newer Treks are cool, but basically brought similar ideas to newer and younger audiences.

The mention of Malcolm In The Middle made me remember in one episode where the father was looking through records and mentioned King Crimson.

Edit: The biggest prog comedy may be Monty Python's Flying Circus.  I'm going to watch "And Now For Something Completely Different" tonight.


Edited by Stooge - June 25 2009 at 14:57

from the list X Files but if Outer Limits was on the list I would go for that... really prog...

Twin Peaks was very kraut/electronic prog.

Monty Python was RIO a la Samla Mamma with hints of Canterbury.

Mash was Crossover.

South Park is Avant a la Mr. Bungle.

The Sopranos was RPI (the heavier side of it).

Star Trek was really Gong.