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What Are Some Documentaries and TV Shows That You Recommend To Others?

Posted by msmash on from the enjoy-joshtops dept.

Reader joshtops writes: Wow thanks for the overwhelming response on my previous post. I'm taking notes and intend to give all of the suggested books a go in the near future. If I may, and I hope the editors approve of this, could you also list some of your favorite TV shows and documentaries? Also, is there any show or documentary you think that changed or influenced your life, or at least your perception on any particular subject?

18 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. iZombie by Snotnose · · Score: 3, Informative

    A different take on zombies, fun to watch.

    1. Re:iZombie by Athanasius · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Seconded, it's a fun mix of police procedural, sci-fi/fantasy arc and a wonderful sense of humour.

  2. Last Week Tonight by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    always good.

    Vice also good.

  3. James Burke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Anything by James Burke:
    - Connections
    - The Day The Universe Changed
    - The Real Thing

  4. The Expanse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Expanse, pretty awesome Sci-Fi series.

  5. The Civl War by Ken Burns by dysmal · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's THE documentary that all documentaries are measured against in the US.

    1. Re:The Civl War by Ken Burns by RandCraw · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Yeah, this is still the best TV I have *ever* seen, documentary or not. Burns' style of combining still photo montage with low key multiple voice narration has spoiled me forever for actor-based recreations. They all seem disingenuous to me now.

  6. The Untold History of the United States by dj245 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Untold History of the United States is a great documentary, although there is very little in it that is "untold". My interest tapered off considerably during the last 3-4 episodes (may reflect my age) but a worldwide perspective on WWII and the cold war was very interesting.

    The Vice Guide to North Korea is very dated now, but it intrigued me enough that I visited the country in 2014. So many things have changed since 2008 that many of the details are no longer accurate, but may be worthwhile to watch after watching a more recent DPRK documentary.

    [Plug] I made a short video of my DPRK trip in 2014. There are far better ones on Youtube (Aram Pan has done several), but this one is mine.

    --
    Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
  7. PBS - NOVA and Nature by enjar · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I've been watching NOVA on PBS for ages. Their "Intelligent Design on Trial" episode detailing how creationists, er, intelligent design proponents try to push it as science along with the corresponding court case was absolutely fantastic, but generally the episodes are well made, well directed and in depth enough for casual viewers. It's also generally acceptable for watching with kids, too.

    Nature is also in a similar vein as NOVA, although more focused on ... nature. Also good family viewing in many cases.

  8. Howard Goodall's 20th Century Greats: The Beatles by Ken+D · · Score: 3, Interesting

    A documentary that explains in solid musical terms why The Beatles were game changing.

    Available on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  9. Triumph of the Nerds by whh3 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I always liked Triumph of the Nerds. Wikipedia

    I know that Robert X. Cringely is not a favorite around here, but the documentary series was really interesting. Great interviews with key players and lots of contemporaneous accounts of companies that were awesome but now no longer exist (e.g., Excite!).

    There are plenty of others that are must see, too, but this is the one that I thought of first!

    Will

    --
    remove nospam. to email!
  10. Louis Theroux by Gussington · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Anything by Louis Theroux

  11. Penn and Teller Bullshit by Gussington · · Score: 4, Informative

    That's the name of the show, it was a series on debunking common myths

  12. Can't We Take A Joke?? by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    This was a very interesting one, about the loss of free speech on campus, that everyone gets shouted down amongst the rage culture and that everyone gets offended by something....

    Can't We Take A Joke .... I found it for free to watch on Amazon Prime...very interesting, in that Lenny Bruce, once again in today's culture....likely couldn't perform on a modern college campus.

    In the past he was persecuted by the right....today, he'd be shouted and shamed into oblivion by the left.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  13. Idiocracy by avandesande · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We watch it every couple of years. It's not really a documentary but seem to increasingly resemble one each time we watch it.

    --
    love is just extroverted narcissism
  14. Re:Is this now /r/askreddit by msmash · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hi, We don't run all the ask slashdot requests, certainly not those that seem offtopic. But every once in a while, it's good to check with people what they are watching, and reading. Fair enough you could ask these questions on Reddit. But then, this reader wants to know what other Slashdot readers have to recommend. That said, thanks for the feedback, we will keep it in mind. Cheers,

  15. Courisity Stream by jwhyche · · Score: 3

    That is what I suggest. Best 6 bucks a month I spend. It's what the Discovery Chanel used to be, but on demand.

    --
    I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
  16. Century of The Self by l0n3s0m3phr34k · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's a BBC 4-part documentary, about "how those in power have used Freud's theories to try and control the dangerous crowd in an age of mass democracy" and "explores the various ways that governments and corporations have utilized Freud's theories." It's amazingly eye-opening, going into modern PR, how advertising got women to smoke, and includes info about the Lehman Brothers, the Labor Party, the Clintons, use of focus groups...

    Once you see it, you will grok why many politicians are amorphous flip-floppers, how advertisers and politicians are using our basic human nature and base psychology against us. You can catch the whole thing on Youtube.