Right now this is just a Hulu list since thats what I’m mainly using. If you want to contribute on other legal online services right now post in the comments and I will include it.
Okay, I have been stressing the great power of Hulu recently, and have been a fan of watching tv via the internet for a while now via the different methods out there. One of the main issues with these legal tv-watching resources is a) organization (they are spread out over the web) and b) mixture in with the crap that those companies also want you to focus on.
For example the Hulu site is LOADED with ‘clips’ (30 sec – 2 min videos) pulled from the show, nothing special, nothing new, just clips. I think they are going for a you-tube esque variety of content but what they are getting is a bogging down of their real quality content, the good tv shows. While compiling this list I came upon many shows which they offer only clips for, or only 1 episode of the show to watch, really what good is that to us? Just think if these shows were added to the line-up of fully available content: Chuck, Battlestar Galactica, ER, Family Guy (maybe subscription based), House, Heroes, Monk, …. just to name what was on the top of my head.
I do need to make one disclaimer: It was hard for me to determine which shows allow (and update frequently) subscriptions via the built in tracker for Hulu. Some shows time out after a few weeks so their episode list may only list 10 or so episodes, but really that is the ten most recent. If you see a ‘possibly subscription based’ below in the listings that means I made my best guess that these shows will be adding new content to hulu when their seasons start up again.
Action
- 24 – Hulu – 10 Episodes – 1 hr length (season 1:1-5, season 6:1-5)
The lack of episodes is disappointing but I recommend it for the fact that somehow some people still don’t watch 24 and I think the reasoning is that its hard to jump into a show mid-stream. This offers the first season as a nice hook to get you going, so check it out. - Burn Notice – 17 episodes – 1 hr length – Disclaimer : These episodes may time out, unpredictable length of stay online
Animated / Cartoon
- American Dad - 39 episodes
- King of the Hill – 22 episodes
Classics (there are a couple more of these, but I could only stand looking at so much 80’s corny-ness)
- The Facts of Life – 22 Episodes – 1/2 hr length
- Married with Children – 65 episodes – 1/2 hr length
- Miami Vice – 44 episodes – 1 hr length
Comedy
- Arrested Development - 53 Episodes (whole catalog) – 1/2 hr length -
This is one of the best comedies in the last 10 years, and sadly cut short. Watch it. - The Colbert Report – Subscription based – 1/2 hr length
- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – Subscription based – 1/2 hr length
- Late Night with Conan O’ Brien – Subscription based – 1/2 hr length
- 30 Rock – Hulu – 15 Episodes – 1/2 hr length – Season 2:1-15 -
Great comedy with Tina Fey and …. oh you can’t even explain this one, short. happy. fun. - 30 Days – Hulu – 12 Episodes – 1 hr length -
From the guy who brought you that McDonald’s movie, he takes on a certain job or task for 30 days and lives it completely. He is an entertaining narrator and I enjoy his bi-partisan take on everything, he tries to present everything fairly…. this is a decent show if you are bored. - It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – 32 episodes – 1/2 hr length-
- Psych - Possibly subscription based – 1/2 hr length
- The Office – Possibly subscription based
Drama
- Doogie Howser, M.D. – 97 Episodes (presumably full catalog) – 1/2 hr length
- Friday Night Lights - 37 episodes – 1 hr length-
This is one of those shows you need to watch from the beginning, and now you can do that. Hurry up and get ready for season 3. One of my top 3 shows on TV right now. - Nip/Tuck – 14 episodes (season 5) – 1 hr length
- The Practice - 34 episodes – 1 hr length
- The Riches - 13 episodes – 1 hr length – I also include this because it is a decent intro to a good show.
- Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – Review Here - 22 episodes (full catalog) – 1 hr length -
Sci-Fi
- Angel - 22 Episodes – 1 hr length
- Babylon 5 – 44 Episodes – 1 hr length
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 34 episodes – 1 hr length
- Firefly - 14 episodes – 1 hr length
- Roswell - 22 episodes – 1 hr length
Top-Tier Extras
These are shows that I haven’t watched so can’t actually guarantee the quality of, but are marketed well and so therefore they may be decent.