TV Shows for (Future) Engineers
A collection (in no particular order) of horizon-expanding television shows and made-for-television documentaries for (future) engineers around the globe.
Titles range from the artistic to sci-fi, from comedies that shine light on humanity's oddities and absurdities to edge-of-seat-hanging thrillers and future dystopias. Some are here purely as sources of cultural references, and others are on the list for their cult status or abrasive qualities that help to round off sharp edges. Each is entertaining in its own way, but the larger goal is to collect a cross-section of programs that support critical thinking, puzzling together of clues, projecting into the unknown, and satisfying the sometimes peculiar and far-reaching curiosities of engineers.
The list intentionally includes a minimal number of fantasy, super-hero, and animated titles, as it's very likely those titles are well-known due to the tireless efforts of the global hype machine. The list is US-centric but with an ever-increasing number of international titles.
Titles range from the artistic to sci-fi, from comedies that shine light on humanity's oddities and absurdities to edge-of-seat-hanging thrillers and future dystopias. Some are here purely as sources of cultural references, and others are on the list for their cult status or abrasive qualities that help to round off sharp edges. Each is entertaining in its own way, but the larger goal is to collect a cross-section of programs that support critical thinking, puzzling together of clues, projecting into the unknown, and satisfying the sometimes peculiar and far-reaching curiosities of engineers.
The list intentionally includes a minimal number of fantasy, super-hero, and animated titles, as it's very likely those titles are well-known due to the tireless efforts of the global hype machine. The list is US-centric but with an ever-increasing number of international titles.
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- 111 titles
- CreatorsJohn AltschulerMike JudgeDave KrinskyStarsThomas MiddleditchT.J. MillerJosh BrenerFollows the struggle of Richard Hendricks, a Silicon Valley engineer trying to build his own company called Pied Piper.
- StarsNorm AbramRichard TretheweyKevin O'ConnorThe host guides various participants as they repair and renovate various houses.
- StarsBrooks MooreTony HirstLynne AdamsTelevision series that documents how various everyday products are made.
- CreatorDon HerbertStarsDon HerbertStacy PetriukLeila ZamaMr. Wizard and his young friends conduct a variety of science experiments.
- StarsJames BurkeKenneth KendallBruce BoaFollow James Burke through the history of science and technology in this collection of 10 1-hour episodes, starting with "The Trigger Effect."
- CreatorChris ChibnallStarsDavid TennantOlivia ColmanJodie WhittakerThe murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
- CreatorsMark FrostDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael OntkeanMädchen AmickAn idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
- CreatorChris CarterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiTwo F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.
- StarsChris O'DowdRichard AyoadeKatherine ParkinsonThe comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.
- StarsKevin McCloudJeremy TillRobert GaukrogerKevin McCloud follows people as they build their dream house, often focusing on modern design, energy efficiency, maximizing space and views.
- StarKevin McCloudA two-part documentary detailing a two-week stay in Mumbai's Dharavi slum.
- StarsDavid QuinnLiz MosesLeon W. GrantA children's show explaining various principles of science and their applications.
- CreatorsArmin MaiwaldGert K. MünteferingDieter SaldeckiStarsArmin MaiwaldGünter DybusSiham El-MaimouniA weekly show aimed at the education of children. Short movies explain different things of everyday life, (e.g. how cars work, how movies are made etc.), they are followed by a short sequence of animated clips.
- StarsMichael PetersonDavid RudolfRon GueretteThe high-profile murder trial of American novelist Michael Peterson following the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson in 2001.
- StarsTrey BorzillieriJerry ClarkJason WickThe extraordinary story of the "pizza bomber heist" and the FBI's investigation into a bizarre collection of suspects.
- StarsStephen FryMark CarwardineBatian CraigTwenty years after Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine traveled the world in search of some of the most endangered animals, Stephen Fry joins Mark to retrace their journeys.
- StarsWade RobsonJimmy SafechuckJoy RobsonAt the height of his stardom, the world's biggest pop star, Michael Jackson, began long-running relationships with two young boys, aged between seven and ten, along their families. They now allege that he sexually abused them.
- CreatorsAdam BeckmanAlex BlumbergIra GlassStarsIra GlassMilo FinchChris PartykaAn anthology of true stories pertaining to various themes are illustrated.
- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRod SerlingRobert McCordJay OverholtsOrdinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
- CreatorCharlie BrookerStarsAnjana VasanCristin MiliotiJimmi SimpsonFeaturing stand-alone dramas -- sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia -- "Black Mirror" is a contemporary reworking of "The Twilight Zone" with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world.
- CreatorsMatt DufferRoss DufferStarsMillie Bobby BrownFinn WolfhardWinona RyderIn 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.
- CreatorsMichael KomanAndrew WeinbergStarsChris ElliottMaria ThayerBrett GelmanIn this parody on cop shows, a mad-dog US Marshal bent on justice battles crime his way and has only two less-than-perfect partners and a stodgy boss to rely on.
- StarsMichael Ian BlackJune Diane RaphaelRyan HansenA parody of reality dating shows in the vein of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette".
- CreatorsRob CorddryDavid WainJonathan SternStarsRob HuebelRob CorddryKen MarinoExplores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos. Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children.
- CreatorSam EsmailStarsRami MalekChristian SlaterCarly ChaikinElliot, a brilliant but unstable cyber-security engineer and vigilante hacker, becomes a key figure in a complex game of global chaos when he and his shadowy allies try to take down the corrupt corporation his company is paid to protect.
