Dear natives, which show sounds decent to improve speaking? (For non-native speakers)

Even if I personally like the show, I would NOT recommend Adventure Time if you're trying to get a sense for how native English speakers talk, because it has a lot of made up words and intentionally goofy sounding dialogue.

Really any show. But in this list, Friends is my first choice. I think it's helpful to see people speaking. But if you'd prefer cartoon, then both Simpsons and Family Guy are going to be fine, but for the fact that there is a lot of jokes and jokes made with idioms, and plays on words which could make it a little harder. Edit to add: *not* adventure time. It's too weirdly goofy with lots of fake words and too few real life things to be relevant for language learning.

I like Futurama, the characters speak very clear and easy to follow plus it’s very funny.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. If you want to sound like a native and you’re up for hearing some fast talking and a lot of slang/banter, watch always sunny!!

This is not a good list. Friends is the only one that’s even remotely reasonable. Maybe one of these would be a good choice: - The Good Place - Modern Family - Severance - Shrinking - The West Wing Three of them even have audio podcasts in which the producers talk about making the show, and the conversations are easy to follow.: - Severance - The Good Place - The West Wing

Friends would be the best of these because cartoon voices might make it more challenging. But Friends is from the 90s, and slang terms have changed since then, so I'd recommend picking a live action show set in this decade.

I'd say any serious show, at least to start with. Shows where everyone speaks proper. Cartoons tend to have stuff like made-up phrases and words, or variations on real words and phrases, and also tends to be more intentionally funny in the dialogue. I've heard of quite a few people who learned English from watching Full House

>Does people use Sorry that this doesn't answer the question, and a little bit rude, but I want you to not make mistakes. When making questions, you put "do" in front, conjugated to the subject, and since "people" is an irregular plural (of "person"), you should put the plural present/base form of the word "do", so it would be "do people use"

I think Friends would be the best of the list you provided. Family Guy and Simpsons have a particular style of writing that isn't really trying to imitate how people speak, and Adventure Time is altogether a fantasy show, and one aimed at children, that you'd be learning a lot of fake words and manners of speech that wouldn't really help you. Honestly I would recommend documentaries, competition/reality tv shows, and if you already live in an English speaking nation, local news and local public access programing. You get a larger mix of people from different backgrounds, not speaking in a scripted manner, and varying levels of formality. For documentaries, picking ones about contemporary topics is key - something like a WW2 documentary is going to be largely speaking with historians who speak much more formally and academically than most people, but then a documentary like Gates of Heaven (a documentary about a pet centenary) has people who are... rather odd, but do speak in a way that regular people in some parts of the USA do speak. Similar for reality/competition TV - something like Great British Bakeoff has a wide variety of accents, education levels, etc all speaking unscripted and would be a good choice, whereas a Housewives or Bachelor show would skew more towards very specific types of people/speech that I wouldn't recommend. As for the expression 'I'm on the level', it does mean that, but it's a bit oldtimey, and it's not something you generally say about yourself, moreso something you might say about someone else ("Her appearance is strange, but everyone goes to her for accounting, she's on the level").

Adventure time is going to be really silly with a lot of modified words, made up words and sentences to make it sound even more silly. I could imagine somebody trying to google or translate a sentence and not being able to. Probably not a good idea.

The Simpsons is a bad choice to copy from. They're very playful with the language, and they incorporate a lot of things into it. For instance Mr Burns uses a lot of archaic terms most people won't recognize because he's so old (like ahoy-hoy), and Krusty sometimes uses Yiddish words most people wouldn't be familiar with. I understand "I'm on the level," but the phrase isn't in common use. The line is said by Lyle Lanely, who's based on Harold Hill in the Music Man, which is a play written in the 1950s that takes place in 1912. Some of Lanely's phrases, like "I'm on the level" and "By gum" are meant to sound old-timey to native speakers. Family Guy isn't as bad, but it has issues. I know there are episodes where words are intentionally mispronounced, and there are times when Peter talks like a young child.

From your list, Friends will be the most accessible and least challenging. The humour in the dialogue is pretty easy to get along with. I'd also suggest reality TV shows with 'normal' people talking about everyday things - home decoration and relocation shows, cooking, holidays etc. Choose whether you want to focus on American or other English -speaking countries, but we tend to have the same types of reality TV shows anyway.

From your list, Friends will be the most accessible and least challenging. The humour in the dialogue is pretty easy to get along with. I'd also suggest reality TV shows with 'normal' people talking about everyday things - home decoration and relocation shows, cooking, holidays etc. Choose whether you want to focus on American or other English -speaking countries, but we tend to have the same types of reality TV shows anyway.

I haven’t seen most of these, but given the sheer number of Europeans who claim to have learned English just by watching Friends, I’d go with that one lol. Definitely not Family Guy or The Simpsons. As for your “on the level” question, I’ve never heard that phrase in my life until I came across this post.

What do yuck guys say about The Office? I am not a native and feel like this show has helped me a lot! It was a key point where I finally became able to switch off the subtitles

I honestly don’t like *Friends* very much, but as everyone else is saying, it’s the best option. I’d also recommend *Sex and the City* and *Broad City*. These three shows are all set in New York, are critically acclaimed and you’ll be exposed to lots of different types of vocabulary and speech patterns, not to mention different perspectives of NYC culture.

Friends is the best on this list. Conversational and normal intonation. And when one character DOES have a linguistic quirk, the others point it out at times (Chandler has a tendency to speak with a different emphasis to be humorous). I'd stay away from Family Guy purely because of the accents, which are very regional to a specific part of the U.S. Adventure Time is full of nonsense and made up words. Simpsons is a little outdated - old episodes where Bart says things like "eat my shorts" or "aye carumba" are not really phrases you'd hear any more. And "d'oh" by Homer isn't really normal either, and Marge's grating accent can be difficult to understand by a non-native speaker.

I'm NOT a native, but I have a C1 certificate, so I guess I'm close to native or at least fluent. I'd say you really want to stick to the shows you actually like, otherwise, it kind of turns into homework and it stops being something fun and beneficial. That said, if I had to choose from these I'd say family guy is the best option, just because they use interesting idioms and the show is very dumb too, so it's easier to follow than a more complex show. If you are interested in American culture, Family guy is also a great option. Obviously always keep in mind that this is just a comedy show, so it doesn't necessarily reflect on how people speak in day-to-day interactions.

I recommend: - Brooklyn Nine Nine - Unstable - The Office - 3rd Rock From the Sun - Shrinking

I think Star Trek would be good for learning, characters speak very clearly and since it's set in the future they rarely use idioms/slang except for very common (and usually old fashioned) expressions.

The Wire

Sometimes slang terms are familiar, but out of context are a little confusing. "On the level" is understandable, but in some context would be unexpected, and call for clarification. Slang terms are best used when the meaning is expected. "You trust Grace, right?" "Oh yeah, she's on the level."

English student here. I haven't seen anyone suggesting The Big Bang Theory. I've noticed this show receives a lot of hate because it stereotypes people and because of the recorded laughs yet, I find the language they use is more elevated, and well-pronounced; Sheldon corrects his friends when they say something wrong. There are many grammar lessons during the seasons. I've learned many new words and expressions (as well as interesting facts and science) from this show.

I’d recommend Friends or other sitcoms like New Girl since the dialogue is very casual and conversational. I’ve never heard “I’m on the level”. More commonly I think it would be “I’m gonna level with you”

It's not listed, but Seinfield is also a really fun pick.

Unless you're specifically learning American english maybe diversify. Mr Inbetween is a good example of natural Australian english for example, although I struggle to muster a English english show of the top of my head.

I recommend Modern Family or The Office. The Office is good because it's about people living everyday normal lives, going to work, and interacting with friends and coworkers. It does have some business-related language, but nothing too complicated. Modern Family is also about normal people going to work, going to school, and interacting with friends and family. It also shows people of various ages talking with each other (kids, teenagers, adults, and older people).

Of the ones listed, Friends. The main characters of Family Guy and Simpsons and many of the supporting characters have weird accents or speech impediments and Adventure Time has similar issues with many of the minor characters. Some members of the Friends cast have slightly noticeable New York accents but for the most part it’s fine and the dialogue is fairly simple. I would recommend Avatar: The Last Airbender, Justice League, Breaking Bad, and Big Bang Theory if your intent is to improve listening comprehension.

I’ve been told that new girl is a good one to watch

One recommendation i have is "joe pera talks with you" 

You’ve asked for natives, do you mean native English speaking shows or Native American English speaking shows, as the two are very different. Depending on your aim and objectives for learning English it might be worth considering it can sound pretty odd / funny when the American regional accent / words / slang is picked up, when using TV for learning and you may have to re learn words that are not or only used in America. Are there any other shows you can get? For example from Australia, Canada, England, UK etc etc I’d definitely put big bang theory on the list and Cartoon Network, for children’s TV from America as they tend to use less slang, but your English from what you’ve written appears to be more advanced than most of the kids shows. From America, I can’t think of anything else.

Not a native speaker, but I personally recommend Seinfeld.

If those I'd say probably Friends. Family Guy and Simpsons are very meme-y and not necessarily how people regularly speak. As for "I'm on the level" I would say that's a pretty well known phrase but it's kind of old fashioned. Like something from a 1950s cop show.

On the level I’m not quite sure but it makes me think of “get on my level” “I’m on your level” or “level with me” and other variations. That typically means there is an understanding. “Get on my level” often used in a competitive but still fun way. Can also be used in a serious way to tell someone they aren’t performing in an equal way and they need to do better. I don’t see it used in that way very often though. “I’m on your level” is used to reassure to someone that you understand. Level with me is asking someone to try and understand them. Here a way to understand it. Imagine we are in a building and there are two levels. The top level and the bottom level. I’m on one while you are on another. What we are experiencing with our eyes will be different. The layout might be different. It’s all different. It will be hard to know each others experience . Once we are on the same level in the building we can experience the same thing. We can understand each other better. Similar sayings are “seeing eye to eye” which is saying I understand the way you are thinking. “smelling what you’re selling” is saying you understand someone’s idea. “you feel me?” Is asking if someone understands the way your think or feel about something. As far as the tv shows go… I say it depends on the accent. If your learning and going to become a part of a an English speaking society then I’d go with a show that has that same accent. There are so many different accents in English speaking. If just in general then you probably want to go with the most common accent within film and television. My guess would be California or similar U.S. West coast states such as Nevada, Arizona and others. That what I see at least. Family guy is east coast. Simpson is all over the place. Someone also mentioned that their accents are all caricature or exaggerated and I agree as well. Someone said friends I thought that wasn’t too bad. Maybe gossip girl. I’ve never seen it but I know there’s a narrator and narrators usually need to be articulated. Only negative about that is you cannot see them speaking. Have you ever watched new girl? It’s got a friends type of vibe. A show I really like but isn’t really similar to your list is greys anatomy. I’ll try to think of other shows that are similar to what you seem to enjoy and come back. I may also forget. Either way I’m sure you’ve got this.

Friends literally taught me english! Also, Scrubs

the best thing to watch is something you really enjoy and are familiar with. you grew up with adventure time and the simpsons? watch that! i used the simpsons, it was really handy. you've been meaning to watch adventure time for ages and you find the concept engaging and intriguing? watch that! but be aware the adventure time sometimes uses language in strange ways, inventing words or using them in ways people don't actually do! that's not to say it'll be bad to learn from, as a kids show it'll generally have nice simple language. just be careful before you go saying "mathematical" or "tops blooby" at someone. and yes i'm on the level does mean that, but it's a bit unusual. maybe regional or old fashioned. i've only heard it in the monorail episode haha, never in real life.

Also, sorry, I didn't answer your question. Yes, saying "I'm on the level" means honest, but it also means honest is a sense of like the opportunity you're offering is legal and real (we might call that "above board")---essentially that you are "on the level" and not trying to scam or trick anyone. This opportunity is "on the level". That kind of honest. I wouldn't use "on the level" necesarily if I was just talking about not lying. Like, "I didn't eat the rest of your ice cream. I'm on the level." That's not something that feels as normal. But other people might have different opinions. But you shouldn't feel embarrassed. It's a fairly common phrase, I think. I would have known what you were trying to get at it with context most likely.

Give “That 90’sShow” a try. ‘On the level’ is t used often anymore, but does mean what you defined

Any of these is going to be helpful but a concern with the first three is that they’re more likely to use phrases that aren’t normally used in standard 21st century English — like “I’m on the level” — without any clear signal to non native speakers that this is an uncommon phrase. (As others pointed out, it IS phrase that will be clear to many speakers but it’s something you’d hear in a 1950s cop/spy drama, not normal speaking today.) Friends on the other hand, although it might have some phrases that aren’t as common as they were in the 90s, should be a better overall representation of how people talk.