Three American TV series that you probably have overlooked

For years TV was considered to be entertainment for the masses. Serious actors were supposed to be either on the stage or watched on wide screen. The past decade or so saw the resurrection of what can be best described as Good TV, something we have not been used to seeing for quite some time. The main problem educated viewers had was with American television, because British programs somehow managed to maintain both its quality and integrity – to a large extend. Now, we do not say that everything that you can watch on your TV is pure gold – there is still a lot of rubbish, actually so much that if transformed in actual junk, even the best rubbish removal company would find it a challenge to clear it off, but there are some hidden gems out there too. Let’s have a look at some of them, especially those that you may have missed to give a chance.

1. Entourage. Created by Dough Ellin, this HBO comedy-drama series follow the lives of up and coming film star Vincent Chase and his friends while they are struggling to make their way into Hollywood. There is a lot of boy humor, booze and strange situations in which our heroes find themselves into, while they are trying to make in into Hollywood. Up and downs, fortune, glory and regular demise. There are two things that make Entourage worth your time. The first is the somewhat accurate description of how things go down in the mythical land of film business – to a large extend it is an autobiographical piece based on Ellin himself and his own entourage. The second is the perfect way in which the show depicts man-friendship. No matter what they go through, the boys stick together. And it is beautiful, heartwarming and at times even inspiring. The recent film that came out resurged interest in the TV show. Don’t expect too much depth to it, but be prepared to enjoy the ride.
2. True Detective. Another HBO series, this time an anthology – every season stands for itself. Now we are talking about the heavy guns. Created, written and overseen by one man and one man alone – Nic Pizzolatto, whom no one has heard of prior to this cinematographic and philosophical masterpiece. The story in the first season is conventional enough – two cops who don’t get along particularly well try to solve the case of a serial killer in Louisiana. It is the way it is told however that matters, and that makes True Detective the epitome of thinking-man’s television.
3. Justified meets us with Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a 19^th century western type sheriff who unfortunately has to bring his type of vigilante justice to 21^st century small town in Kentucky. The main strength of the series stems from the fact it is based on a story and character created by Elmore Leonard, by far the best American crime author of the 20^th Until his death, Leonard, who was particularly praised for his dialogue writing skills, penned the scripts for the show, and brought his recognizable style with him.