I know I'm bringing back an old thread, but on the topic of TV series, the Selina Kyle character on Gotham uses a whip in a couple episodes. My google-fu is weak at the moment, but I think it is season 4 ep 2 or 3, which can be found on Netflix. Again with the weak Fu, but I believe the whip was made by Blake Bruning, I seam to recall hearing that in Nick's whipcast, but I could be (and probably am) wrong.
As far as favorites growing up, the, if I remember correctly, Thursday night CBS combo of Magnum PI and Simon and Simon were a favorite. As well as Miami Vice. I know it was fake, but that Ferrari Daytona is my all time favorite. The reboot of Magnum isn't horrible. Blue Bloods is a current favorite as well.
To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.