Better Original Series, HBO or Showtime?

[margotb822]

Is it close or does HBO demolish Showtime?

[blue_onyx]

1. The only show I've watched on either was...

The Comeback starring Lisa Kudrow which was on HBO. It was a great show. So I guess I would go with HBO.

[DS1]

2. HBO, but I think Showtime is making a great effort ramping up

[margotb822]

3. Weeds and Dexter are great

I don't know if they can beat Sex and the City, the Sopranos and The Wire, though.

[LeftyMom]

4. HBO has Oz and Rome to their credit, and they optioned ASOIAF

which I haven't seen yet, but I read the script for the pilot and it's pretty faithful so I have hope. I think I'm the only person on earth who wasn't into The Sopranos, and I think Sex and The City was the stupidest thing ever, but Oz and Rome are my two favorite shows ever, so they cancel them out.

That said, I like Dexter (is it creepy I think he's hot?) and Weeds and what I've seen so far of the Tudors, so Showtime is definitely catching up.

[margotb822]

9. He's SO hot

no, it's not creepy...he's a specimen!

Honestly, I never got into The Sopranos, but I heard it was great, so I listed it.

[Lucian]

12. When is A Song of Ice and Fire supposed to premiere on HBO?

And speaking of ASOIAF, I'm growing very impatient for A Dance With Dragons to come out...

[LeftyMom]

14. I don't believe they've actually filmed the pilot yet.

As far as I know they have a script (which was leaked and is on the intertubes, there's a link in my journal) and are still casting. Once they film it HBO then will decide whether or not to go forward with the series. I think the main issue will be the expense- costume dramas are spendy, HBO only did two seasons of Rome.

Luckily there aren't any big battles or terribly difficult effects situations in AGOT, so they can take the first season and see how it goes. Sets would still be pricy, but they only need Winterfell, Kings Landing, a few scenes at The Wall and some stuff from the khalasar that would be cheap to shoot. Effects-wise the only real issues would be the direwolves, and Dany's last scene, neither of which is a terribly big deal. Oh, and the wights (those are in AGOT, right?)

[Lucian]

15. Yeah, Ser Waymar Royce's wight killed Will in the prologue of AGOT.

I'm looking forward to the pilot of the show. I'll read the script in your journal.

[MrSlayer]

5. All time HBO is better but at this moment Showtime is equal if not better.

HBO canceled or played out their best shows. Deadwood, Rome and Carnivale were prematurely canceled. Oz, Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Arli$$ and Ali G all played out. Big Love is their flagship show right now and is worthy of it's predecessors. The Wire holds up to the standard as well.

Showtime's gem is Dexter, the best show currently running on cable. The Tudors is also brilliantly done plus they have other very popular shows in Weeds, Californiacation, The "L" word and Brotherhood.


So with just original series being considered, at this point in time Showtime has pulled ahead of HBO and still improving.


HBO still has the better of the comedy though.


I wasn't sure how to vote in your poll. If we're talking all time, HBO crushes. If we're talking very recent years, Showtime is ahead by a nose.

[Initech]

6. Currently: Showtime, all time: HBO

Dexter, Weeds, and Californication are fuckin' awesome shows, plus the always controversial Penn & Teller: Bullshit.

As for HBO they have stuff like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mr. Show (best sketch comedy of all time), The Wire, Deadwood, and a bunch of others.

[ghostsofgiants]

7. HBO had Carnivàle. Granted they canceled it, but it was spectacular.

So HBO reluctantly gets my vote.

[Lucian]

8. HBO has True Blood, so that's better.

(It's a guilty pleasure of mine)

[Radical Activist]

10. I liked Rome and Six Feet Under

on HBO. But I also like The L Word and Californication. So Showtime wins on sex appeal and HBO on drama.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear margotb822...

HBO! The Sopranos all by themselves did it for me...

:hi:

[LSdemocrat]

13. In terms of the closest comparison, Rome makes The Tudors seem lame, even though both shows rock

So I'd go with HBO, even with Rome running only in the occasional rerun.

[ccharles000]

16. I love Queer as folk so I say showtime.

[sarge43]

17. HBO had The Wire. HBO buried Showtime. n/t