Comments on: Sophie’s Choice: HBO or SHOWTIME? http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/ theTVaddict.com is your number one source on the net for TV news, scoop, reviews and commentary on all of your favourite TV shows. Check out theTVaddict.com daily for commentary, a WHAT TO WATCH TVguide, and a weekly podcast. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:26:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Filmmaker http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-284790 Filmmaker Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:28:09 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-284790 So I have recently been in great debate with friends / colleagues over the question who has better television programs the conglomerate HBO, or SHOWTIME who since its inception has focused its energy to the promotion of boxing matches, and short independent films? Well, I have noticed that it has been quite sometime since anyone has remarked on this great topic, but for those who may stumble across this forum like myself, looking for an educated answer to the question, I would like to re open the topic for discussion throwing in my two cents. Before I divulge my answer I will first note that I am a college film student graduating in only 2 more short semesters, that being said I have made three films of my own, had my hand in too many other projects to count, and have taken an array of film critical studies courses. Needless to say I can make informed decisions on the topic at hand. Now, time for the nitty gritty! Before dropping trow and spewing fecal matter all over HBO, let me first say that Curb Your Enthusiasm is a fantastic show and the humor that spills from Larry David is pure genius! That being said clearly my informed vote goes to SHOWTIME as far as TV shows are concerned. Let's go through the striking shows shall we? WEEDS, CALIFORNICATION ("The smarter answer to Entourage"), DEXTER, NURSE JACKIE, and UNITED STATES OF TARA, (these are just the multitiude of SHOW original series I feel are its strongest). Showtime is a network which has its strengths in areas that tv should. The writing is incredibly smart, unique, daring, and funny. If you want shows capable of making you think, love and enjoy, say no more showtime provideds this for you in ever show listed above. These shows are real and have there adults acting like adults. Weeds currently about to unveil season 6, has literally shown a family grow and develop through time. How fantastic that one can see how a character, like real people, growing, learning, changing, and adapting to new enviroments overtime. Not to mention the production value, with season 4 and 5 breaking the traditional intro formats to include completely original and experimental titles! And what about Californication which recently concluded its epic 3rd season? This show literally is one of the smartest shows I have ever seen. It is smart, it is sexy, and funny as all hell. If your a college frat boy looking for one liners by all means hbo will be the network for you with its mundane ENTOURAGE, but for al those looking for substance you can find it in Californication. One argument that arises with the topic of which network has the better shows is that HBO reigns supreme with shows like Sopranos and Sex and The City. Well let me give a quick reminder, all though both shows were fantastic... THEY ARE NO LONGER ON AIR!!!!!!!!!! These shows therefore are not in the running to defend the HBO network. Not to mention how many actors have jumped ship from HBO to Showtime? Take the marvelous Edie Falco for instance, HBO asked Falco to sign with them again for another series. The wise Falco however declined with the reasoning that she would NEVER AGAIN work for a network which gave her show the ending that it was given. Lets face it coming from a huge SOPRANOS fan the series ending was litterally abismal and quiet frankly an embarrasment to an otherwise fantastic series. Falco who opte to star in the SHOWTIME original NURSE JACKIE made the right choice. Nurse Jackie makes FOX's HOUSE look like mary poppins. Jackie is a Nurse who is smarter than the doctors in her New York hospital but can not become a doctor because she'll surely fail the drug tests as seeing shes severely addicted to opiates. How does she get the drugs you ask? Leave it to Showtime to have Jackie sleeping with the hospital pharmacist, while tearing at your heart strings as she also has a husband who adores her and a daughter who suffers from a devoid relationship with her mother due to the demanding hours of a Nurse. Once again showtime reining supreme with clever plots and whitty writing. Believe me I would love to go on more but I think i've already written enough. SHOWTIME wins no contest when it comes to deciding what network is better. If you find yourself asking for brilliant TV that is smart and captivating, look no more showtimes the answer plain and simple! So I have recently been in great debate with friends / colleagues over the question who has better television programs the conglomerate HBO, or SHOWTIME who since its inception has focused its energy to the promotion of boxing matches, and short independent films? Well, I have noticed that it has been quite sometime since anyone has remarked on this great topic, but for those who may stumble across this forum like myself, looking for an educated answer to the question, I would like to re open the topic for discussion throwing in my two cents.

Before I divulge my answer I will first note that I am a college film student graduating in only 2 more short semesters, that being said I have made three films of my own, had my hand in too many other projects to count, and have taken an array of film critical studies courses. Needless to say I can make informed decisions on the topic at hand.

Now, time for the nitty gritty! Before dropping trow and spewing fecal matter all over HBO, let me first say that Curb Your Enthusiasm is a fantastic show and the humor that spills from Larry David is pure genius! That being said clearly my informed vote goes to SHOWTIME as far as TV shows are concerned. Let’s go through the striking shows shall we? WEEDS, CALIFORNICATION (“The smarter answer to Entourage”), DEXTER, NURSE JACKIE, and UNITED STATES OF TARA, (these are just the multitiude of SHOW original series I feel are its strongest). Showtime is a network which has its strengths in areas that tv should. The writing is incredibly smart, unique, daring, and funny. If you want shows capable of making you think, love and enjoy, say no more showtime provideds this for you in ever show listed above. These shows are real and have there adults acting like adults. Weeds currently about to unveil season 6, has literally shown a family grow and develop through time. How fantastic that one can see how a character, like real people, growing, learning, changing, and adapting to new enviroments overtime. Not to mention the production value, with season 4 and 5 breaking the traditional intro formats to include completely original and experimental titles! And what about Californication which recently concluded its epic 3rd season? This show literally is one of the smartest shows I have ever seen. It is smart, it is sexy, and funny as all hell. If your a college frat boy looking for one liners by all means hbo will be the network for you with its mundane ENTOURAGE, but for al those looking for substance you can find it in Californication.

One argument that arises with the topic of which network has the better shows is that HBO reigns supreme with shows like Sopranos and Sex and The City. Well let me give a quick reminder, all though both shows were fantastic… THEY ARE NO LONGER ON AIR!!!!!!!!!! These shows therefore are not in the running to defend the HBO network. Not to mention how many actors have jumped ship from HBO to Showtime? Take the marvelous Edie Falco for instance, HBO asked Falco to sign with them again for another series. The wise Falco however declined with the reasoning that she would NEVER AGAIN work for a network which gave her show the ending that it was given. Lets face it coming from a huge SOPRANOS fan the series ending was litterally abismal and quiet frankly an embarrasment to an otherwise fantastic series. Falco who opte to star in the SHOWTIME original NURSE JACKIE made the right choice. Nurse Jackie makes FOX’s HOUSE look like mary poppins. Jackie is a Nurse who is smarter than the doctors in her New York hospital but can not become a doctor because she’ll surely fail the drug tests as seeing shes severely addicted to opiates. How does she get the drugs you ask? Leave it to Showtime to have Jackie sleeping with the hospital pharmacist, while tearing at your heart strings as she also has a husband who adores her and a daughter who suffers from a devoid relationship with her mother due to the demanding hours of a Nurse.
Once again showtime reining supreme with clever plots and whitty writing.

Believe me I would love to go on more but I think i’ve already written enough. SHOWTIME wins no contest when it comes to deciding what network is better. If you find yourself asking for brilliant TV that is smart and captivating, look no more showtimes the answer plain and simple!

]]> By: Dave http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-265091 Dave Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:11:13 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-265091 Dexter is one of the common arguments that Showtime is better. Please, the season 1 finale of Dexter was only good if you are completely retarded. It was so disappointing on many levels; do I even have to explain... It made me stop watching the show. The humor in weeds can be so cliche and predictable. Hmmm, she dates a DEA agent and her store catches on fire; now that's creativity at its pinnacle. As one of the responses stated, "Showtime is the new HBO"... This statement alone proves that HBO is the standard for which all other programming is judged, and also shows the small mindedness of the author who thought that would further their argument. Dexter is one of the common arguments that Showtime is better. Please, the season 1 finale of Dexter was only good if you are completely retarded. It was so disappointing on many levels; do I even have to explain… It made me stop watching the show. The humor in weeds can be so cliche and predictable. Hmmm, she dates a DEA agent and her store catches on fire; now that’s creativity at its pinnacle. As one of the responses stated, “Showtime is the new HBO”… This statement alone proves that HBO is the standard for which all other programming is judged, and also shows the small mindedness of the author who thought that would further their argument.

]]> By: CC http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-115188 CC Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:31:15 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-115188 For me.. I love Big Love, but then I also love Dexter and The L Word. So 2 against one? It's hard because who knows what series they'll have next. Right now I'd go with Showtime. Isn't it cheaper to just dl all series you like on itunes instead of paying a certain amount a month?.. For me.. I love Big Love, but then I also love Dexter and The L Word. So 2 against one? It’s hard because who knows what series they’ll have next. Right now I’d go with Showtime.
Isn’t it cheaper to just dl all series you like on itunes instead of paying a certain amount a month?..

]]> By: shanna http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-97891 shanna Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:52:41 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-97891 I'm going to have to go with Showtime (if i absolutely had to make a choice). I have both now and I don't really watch either of them for the movies (I have Netflix for that) and although I LOVE Entourage and Big Love, on Showtime I watch Weeds, Dexter, The Tudors, and will probably be watching Californication as well. I’m going to have to go with Showtime (if i absolutely had to make a choice). I have both now and I don’t really watch either of them for the movies (I have Netflix for that) and although I LOVE Entourage and Big Love, on Showtime I watch Weeds, Dexter, The Tudors, and will probably be watching Californication as well.

]]> By: Danimal http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-95676 Danimal Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:48:12 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-95676 That is why Canada is so great! we get pretty much all the shows with the movie network That is why Canada is so great! we get pretty much all the shows with the movie network

]]> By: DD http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-93388 DD Sun, 17 Jun 2007 05:48:28 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-93388 We don't have Showtime or HBO in Canada?? We don’t have Showtime or HBO in Canada??

]]> By: mars_mg http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-93264 mars_mg Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:03:20 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-93264 Showtime by a mile... though i like Big Love, i LOVE Dexter. Showtime by a mile… though i like Big Love, i LOVE Dexter.

]]> By: Josh http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-92989 Josh Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:08:01 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-92989 Showtime because of Big Brother. I also think Weeds and Dexter look appealing, I just haven't bothered to download them to check them out. Showtime because of Big Brother. I also think Weeds and Dexter look appealing, I just haven’t bothered to download them to check them out.

]]> By: mediamaven http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-92928 mediamaven Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:06:28 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-92928 its gotta be HBO. Showtime has the fantastic Weeds and Dexter and...oh wait, that's it. HBO may not have any hits besides Entourage on this very second, but you know there will be more-- HBO has been very consistent in its excellence for years, while Showtime is just starting to get good. I'd stick to the more reliable of the two. its gotta be HBO. Showtime has the fantastic Weeds and Dexter and…oh wait, that’s it. HBO may not have any hits besides Entourage on this very second, but you know there will be more– HBO has been very consistent in its excellence for years, while Showtime is just starting to get good. I’d stick to the more reliable of the two.

]]> By: CaroleJean http://www.thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/comment-page-1/#comment-92648 CaroleJean Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:56:56 +0000 http://thetvaddict.com/2007/06/15/sophies-choice-hbo-or-showtime/#comment-92648 We have both HBO and Showtime. If I had to eliminate one of them I don't know what I would do. I like the movies and docu's on HBO. Their regular shows has gone downhill, with that John from Cincin. Showtime has improved quite a bit with their regular shows, and they are getting better movies than they used to. I can not eliminate either one. I'm stuck with both. We have both HBO and Showtime. If I had to eliminate one of them I don’t know what I would do. I like the movies and docu’s on HBO. Their regular shows has gone downhill, with that John from Cincin. Showtime has improved quite a bit with their regular shows, and they are getting better movies than they used to. I can not eliminate either one. I’m stuck with both.

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