<p>Hill Street Blues-gritty police drama
St. Elsewhere-hospital drama
Life Goes On-Family drama, first to have a Down’s Syndrome actor in cast<br>
The Bramwell series-BBC series about an English woman physician
Pride and Prejudice-BBC version-Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy
Prime Suspect series-Helen Mirren-good beyond words</p>
<p>We LOVE the P&P with Colin Firth. D1 and I re-watched the entire series in one night a couple of weeks ago (marathon session, something like 5.5 hours!). I am reading Sense & Sensibility aloud to D2 now; I have heard that the BBC version of S&S is also very good, so I plan to try to find that to watch once we are done with the book (many months at our current pace…). And of course we will watch the Emma Thompson version again to compare 
So if anyone has any other suggestions along those lines, we are also Jane Austen fans!</p>
<p>S (18), D (15) and I are watching Frasier on DVD when H isn’t home for dinner. Niles is a master of physical comedy and we know enough erudite stuffed shirts to make it funny. And we like dog comedy.</p>
<p>Half-hour series, a bit lighter: </p>
<p>Scrubs (medical workplace comedic fantasies; humor between interns and senior staff) might be a light companion to ER.</p>
<p>The Twilight Zone (strong storylines, fantasy/adventure with no special effects, each episode its own module)</p>
<p>The Cosby Show (education and family-centered comedy, appealing characters from 3 generations)</p>
<p>P.S. MaryTN, we also love “Frasier” incl. Niles, Martin, Eddie, Daphne, Roz…too funny all the time. I agree the physical comedy scenes with Niles are right up there with Charlie Chaplain. Last night he was falling inside and outside a doorway on a mopped floor, hanging on by his tie while reaching for a briefcase, never losing his dignity. I like him as an uncle, too, encouraging Frasier’s son into a spelling bee, reminiscing about “the joy of the spell.”</p>
<p>I know the OP said she doesn’t really like sitcoms but I wonder if the Mary Tyler Moore show might be worth trying–such warm personal interactions and also sometime very funny. I know a number of seasons are available on DVD.</p>
<p>Also, your daughter may be too young for it but Sex and the City is extremely entertaining. I watched it on VCR tapes from the library because we didn’t have HBO during its heyday. It isn’t violent and doesn’t leave you feeling worried the way medical shows can.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion of Bramwell; it is relatively cozy despite the social issues faced by the protagonist. I wonder if you and your D would like Foyle’s War if you didn’t watch it when it was on PBS–again, sort of cozy despite being a wartime mystery series.</p>
<p>My then HS sophomore got hooked on Medium. We bought it on DVDs and ended up watching it on the road while doing college visits.</p>
<p>I like all of the shows that you have mentioned, and these are my current favorites. My 9th grade D also likes the first 3 series.</p>
<p>Flash Forward
Castle
30 Rock<br>
Burn Notice</p>
<p>For older shows:
Veronica Mars
Lost
Kyle XY</p>
<p>I love Foyle’s War, but didn’t suggest it since the OP seemed to think that crime wasn’t the way to go. But what’s great about it, is that it’s so much more than solving the crime. I love the insight it gives to what living in wartime Britain was like.</p>
<p>Another “Castle” fan here.</p>
<p>30 Rock is good and I also recommend Gilmore Girls</p>
<p>Mini series:
The Lonesome Dove-Superb cast-Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, epic story
Lonesome Dove II- the story continues and is enjoyable
Thorn Birds-Better than that Nicole Kidman/Hugh Jackman Australian movie
Brides of Christ
Cranford
Go to your BBC DVD section of your public library</p>
<p>Arrested Development is sidesplittingly funny. And Modern Family, suggested by someone else, is also hilarious.</p>
<p>And thanks for reminding me of Northern Exposure. I’d like to see that again. That’s got to be almost 20 years ago, right?</p>
<p>Neither S2 or I can stand Arrested Development. It sets our teeth on edge, but dh liked it just fine.</p>
<p>If your D were a little older, I’d say “Entourage” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” - two of my favorites. Have either of you watched Seinfeld from the beginning? So many things from that show have become a big part of pop culture. Can you find the edited, TNT version of Sex and the City? Loved the series - hated the movie. </p>
<p>Others that are fun to look back on - </p>
<p>St. Elsewhere (in spite of the ridiculous series finale)</p>
<p>Moonlighting (when no one knew who Bruce Willis was)</p>
<p>The Practice (origin of the wonderful Alan Shore)</p>
<p>Homicide Life on the Streets (precursor and milder version of The Wire)</p>
<p>Mission Impossible</p>
<p>Hill Street Blues</p>
<p>Twin Peaks
The Wonder Years</p>
<p>Cartera, I loved all those shows. Remind me how St Elsewhere ended? (springboard for Denzel Washington and Howie Mandel, btw)</p>
<p>We liked Foyle’s War on PBS too. His cute little driver adds some appeal for a teen viewer. What was the PBS series about life in the Channel Islands during WWII? I think that would be excellent for this request b/c there were two teen Ds. </p>
<p>We also loved Cranford and the recent sequel. Another series on PBS we like is Doc Martin. Those series are both available on DVD.</p>
<p>I watched Poldark with my D when she was in 6th grade. I was surprised she liked it, but she managed to stay up for it and was always sleepy in school the next day.</p>
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</p>
<p>Just in case this would be considered a spoiler for someone, I’ll give you a hint that will likely job your memory. </p>
<p>Snow Globe</p>
<p>Ah yes! Dr. Westphall’s son! I remember. That was also one of the earliest TV references to autism I can remember.</p>
<p>For those with Comcast TV - check out [Fancast</a> | Watch Full TV Shows and Movies | Free Online Streaming](<a href=“http://www.fancast.com/]Fancast”>http://www.fancast.com/)
You can watch TV shows, old and new, full length movies and more. Awesome, and might be good entertainment during snow storm, assuming cable and electric stay on.</p>
<p>Also Netflix Instant on-demand, and Hulu.com</p>