I know you said no reality shows, but my kids enjoy The Amazing Race. We always have lots to talk about while learning about other cultures, traveling, life lessons, etc. My 14 yr old also loves Supernatural, Sherlock and Dr. Who.

My son is really enjoying the local NBC 4-2 which has all these old series, like MASH, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie.

OP, we don't have cable, so we end up spending a lot of time looking at the three local PBS stations. My 13 year old son and I both like science shows like Nature and Secrets of the Dead. He likes to watch Poirot, the old Sherlock Holmes series and the new BBC Sherlock with his dad. (We can't wait for the new season!) I'm a Whovian of old, so we watch those. But he and his Dad love, love love those goofy episodes of Psych (how many pineapples can you spot?)

DS's favorite show is Antiques Road Show which we also enjoy. He and I also like documentaries. He actually gets his cartoon cravings on Netflix. But we have been enjoying lots of old movies on 20-2. We just try to see what's on that we all like and can watch together.

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. For the PPs who suggested Wonder Years, MASH, Friday Night Lights, Modern Family, Big Bang, and similar: THANK YOU. That's what I was basically looking for, and had forgotten about some of those.

OP, you might find this site helpful:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

I also second the recommendation of Firefly. It's cancelled, but you can watch online. I also like Psych.

Give Duck Dynasty a try, my husband watches it and its really not bad.

OP Here. For the PPs who suggested Wonder Years, MASH, Friday Night Lights, Modern Family, Big Bang, and similar: THANK YOU. That's what I was basically looking for, and had forgotten about some of those.

Anonymous wrote:You can decide to not-allow certain shows. I don't think it's likely you will be able to pick-out a show for him to watch. I don't think so.

OP here. I'm not trying to pick out a show for him to watch. He has limited time due to other commitments, and enjoys watching TV with us. We're trying to find something we will all enjoy as a family, and I couldn't really think of anything. He didn't have any suggestions, either--other than "Duck Dynasty", which has no appeal for me. He can watch it if he wants, but the idea is to find something we all enjoy--preferably not a pseudo-reality show.

I am really surprised by some of these suggestions. I know all teens are different. But at 13 or 14 years old, there is no way any of mine would have watched most of the shows listed.

I agree with the PPs who listed Walking Dead.

My 14 year old son and I have enjoyed the following together:

Masterchef
Mythbusters
Monk
Highlander
Everybody Hates Chris
Duck Dynasty
Modern Family

and surprisingly

Say "Yes" to the dress

The last one has actually led to some interesting conversations about family dynamics.

Anonymous wrote:My kids love Under the Dome right now. During the regular show season they loved Touch.

I was going to suggest Under the Dome! I'm addicted and would have loved it as a 13 year old. Lots of moral questions, particularly if any should be discarded because now you are trapped and in survival mode. Nice subplot with several teens, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friday Night Lights.

That's my suggestion, too.

Old episodes of M*A*S*H.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Friday Night Lights.

That's my suggestion, too.

Old episodes of M*A*S*H.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Breaking Bad. True Blood. Sons of Anarchy.

True Blood? You can't be serious. First of all, there aren't any redeemable themes in it to discuss with a teenager. Also, no violence was one of the criteria. It's absolutely and totally inappropriate for a 13 yr old boy. Good grief. It grosses my husband out half the time.

+1. I never got the appeal of most of the shows on HBO that everyone is so enamored by.

True Blood is soft-core porn. That's the appeal.

My kids love Under the Dome right now. During the regular show season they loved Touch.

You can decide to not-allow certain shows. I don't think it's likely you will be able to pick-out a show for him to watch. I don't think so.

Freaks and geeks.
My so-called life