Hey, contributors.
Let's talk about the year of TV that was 2009. I'll start it off by saying that I think Southland was my runaway favorite new show. And that Lost got back into my heart in a big way. Anyone else want to share?
December 29, 2009
November 10, 2009
Ready for Life Unexpected?
Are we ready for something on the CW that fills the Gilmore Girls space?
I'm kind of ready. Not that I don't love the CW, I do, but this has the potential to be a really good show.
p.s. if your name is Topher and you hated the Gilmore Girls, can you still maybe like this show? At what point is something too Gilmore for its own good?
I'm kind of ready. Not that I don't love the CW, I do, but this has the potential to be a really good show.
p.s. if your name is Topher and you hated the Gilmore Girls, can you still maybe like this show? At what point is something too Gilmore for its own good?
November 6, 2009
Weep No More
Hey midseasoners (is that what we are called?), raise up your voices and rejoice! Here is an article I pilfered from this website:
After a pre-emptive cancellation by NBC, “Southland” has been picked up by TNT for 2010.
In a parallel universe, “Southland” is preparing to air the third episode of its second season tomorrow, preempting the Friday slot of “The Jay Leno Show”. However, in this life, the critically-acclaimed series has been struggling to find a new home after being unceremoniously axed by NBC before Season 2 was set to begin October 23rd, preferring to reserve that timeslot for the much cheaper weekday-airing “Leno.”
TNT has bought up the rights to the upstart cop drama from Warner Brothers Television, including the first season’s seven episodes as well as the second season’s unaired six. TNT is set to air the episodes starting Tuesday, January 12, 2010, with the production of more episodes depending on the ratings for the existing episodes as they air. TNT already produces other mature police series such as “The Closer” and “Dark Blue,” as well as airing "Law & Order" in syndication.
Co-created by John Wells, the super-serious cop drama was considered, in part, to be the heir apparent to NBC’s long-running “ER,” Wells’ previous medical drama that wrapped up last April just as “Southland” began in the network’s newly-vacant Thursday evening timeslot. Like “ER,” “Southland” tackles fairly dark subject matter and attempts to create a realistic look at the lives of its characters, as well as employing an ensemble cast with no clear lead. The series follows the detectives and officers of the LAPD, and stars (L to R) Arija Bareikis, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Benjamin McKenzie, Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, and Kevin Alejandro.
Wahoodilihay! Sucks to your assmar, Jay Leno!
November 4, 2009
Fall TV Follow-up
Here are the thoughts I've had on the new shows I was looking forward to:
Flash Forward - I am loving this show. I love coming up with theories and seeing what each person saw in their FF. I have a feeling, if it catches on, that it could be THE "Lost" replacement, filling that void. I mean, it already has half the cast in it already.
Community - My favorite new comedy. It's getting better each week and I love the characters. Who knew Chevy Chase could still be funny?
Trauma - Watched the premiere. It was pretty good but not what I thought it was going to be. I was on the fence and decided I didn't have time to watch it unless I stopped watching something else and I don't want to stop watching anything else.
And the ones I was not sold on:
Mercy - Meh. Seemed fine but suffered from not appealing to my manliness and met the same fate as Trauma.
The Forgotten - I like this one. I don't feel an urge to watch it every week because the episodes are too similar and there's no real running story to keep me glued. Still, I think it's good enough to watch when I run out of everything else and so I'll keep it around for a bit.
The Modern Family - I love this show. The characters are well-developed and the writing is spot on funny. It was a total surprise to me how good this show is. Hailey put it best when she said ... what'd you say again, Hailey?
Flash Forward - I am loving this show. I love coming up with theories and seeing what each person saw in their FF. I have a feeling, if it catches on, that it could be THE "Lost" replacement, filling that void. I mean, it already has half the cast in it already.
Community - My favorite new comedy. It's getting better each week and I love the characters. Who knew Chevy Chase could still be funny?
Trauma - Watched the premiere. It was pretty good but not what I thought it was going to be. I was on the fence and decided I didn't have time to watch it unless I stopped watching something else and I don't want to stop watching anything else.
And the ones I was not sold on:
Mercy - Meh. Seemed fine but suffered from not appealing to my manliness and met the same fate as Trauma.
The Forgotten - I like this one. I don't feel an urge to watch it every week because the episodes are too similar and there's no real running story to keep me glued. Still, I think it's good enough to watch when I run out of everything else and so I'll keep it around for a bit.
The Modern Family - I love this show. The characters are well-developed and the writing is spot on funny. It was a total surprise to me how good this show is. Hailey put it best when she said ... what'd you say again, Hailey?
What do you think about the Fall TV season so far?
September 15, 2009
Fall TV Excitement?
I think most everyone is on the Glee train at this point but I sort of have it on warning. The episode after the pilot had a few great moments but sputtered here and there.
So my "looking forward to" shows are:
Flash Forward
Community
Trauma
I'm curious about but not sold on:
Mercy
The Forgotten
The Modern Family
I know! Two medical dramas?? What am I thinking? But they look interesting to me.
So what's everyone else most excited for this Fall?
So my "looking forward to" shows are:
Flash Forward
Community
Trauma
I'm curious about but not sold on:
Mercy
The Forgotten
The Modern Family
I know! Two medical dramas?? What am I thinking? But they look interesting to me.
So what's everyone else most excited for this Fall?
May 26, 2009
And my heart is filled with Glee.
Did you guys catch the Glee Premier? I had such high hopes - the trailer was so great, and who doesn't want to hear Journey songs sung by a show choir? And I have to say, it lived up to all of my expectations.
Amy and I both felt like it reminded us of early Nip/ Tuck. Funny and weird and sharply edited with great characters. Where Nip/Tuck quickly became Soft-Core ridiculousness ('member when Matt cut off his own penis because the neo-Nazis made him?) I still think Ryan Murphy can make a fun, interesting show.
I think this show will walk a fine line of the characters being interesting and falling into easy cliche's - the sassy black girl, the fey gay kid, the weird nerd in a wheelchair, etc. So far, so good, but I think we want to see them developed a bit more.
What I love about this show is the music. I have listened to that Don't Stop Believing perhaps 1 million times. Such verve! Such joy! Such...wait for it...glee. In this interesting interview, Ryan Murphy talks about how each episode will have 5 - 8 songs in it and his hope is to release the songs on iTunes the night they air and put out a "soundtrack" every few months. Seriously, who buys "soundtracks" anymore? I'll just download them, TYVM. (Is that an Internet acronym? Because it should be.)
So if you missed it, watch it. The whole episode is on Hulu. And if you need convincing, just watch this clip. I don't know why it is the wrong size, but you can see most of it. And you too, may be filled with Glee.
Amy and I both felt like it reminded us of early Nip/ Tuck. Funny and weird and sharply edited with great characters. Where Nip/Tuck quickly became Soft-Core ridiculousness ('member when Matt cut off his own penis because the neo-Nazis made him?) I still think Ryan Murphy can make a fun, interesting show.
I think this show will walk a fine line of the characters being interesting and falling into easy cliche's - the sassy black girl, the fey gay kid, the weird nerd in a wheelchair, etc. So far, so good, but I think we want to see them developed a bit more.
What I love about this show is the music. I have listened to that Don't Stop Believing perhaps 1 million times. Such verve! Such joy! Such...wait for it...glee. In this interesting interview, Ryan Murphy talks about how each episode will have 5 - 8 songs in it and his hope is to release the songs on iTunes the night they air and put out a "soundtrack" every few months. Seriously, who buys "soundtracks" anymore? I'll just download them, TYVM. (Is that an Internet acronym? Because it should be.)
So if you missed it, watch it. The whole episode is on Hulu. And if you need convincing, just watch this clip. I don't know why it is the wrong size, but you can see most of it. And you too, may be filled with Glee.
April 24, 2009
March 18, 2009
Script Resource TWIZ TV
I came across this site as I was going through my RSS feeds:
TWIZ TV
It apparently has scripts from current, past and canceled shows. If you've been dying to read all of the Battlestar Galactica, Buffy or even A-Team scripts, this site has it.
Check it out and comment. What do you say?
TWIZ TV
It apparently has scripts from current, past and canceled shows. If you've been dying to read all of the Battlestar Galactica, Buffy or even A-Team scripts, this site has it.
Check it out and comment. What do you say?
March 12, 2009
What's Everyone Watching?
It's been quiet around here.
I know it's not because we aren't watching TV. I know us better than that.
So ... what's everyone been watching? What are you liking? Hating? Swearing off?
For me it's been basically Lost, 24 and Veronica Mars on DVD for my Drama fix. (Amelia hadn't seen Seasons 1 and 2.) Also, because of who I'm married to, I have been watching a shload of reality TV, including American Idol and The Bastardler. (Jk, Jason. Jk.) We also watch a comedy or two and sit in awe each week at the masterpiece that is 30 Rock.
Lost is scaring me. Not in a good way. And I don't get as excited to watch it as I used to. I still enjoy it but only after I tell myself I should watch it.
24 is a big shark-jumping machine. But some nights it really hits the spot though. Like, if I just want to watch something where I know exactly what I'm gonna get ... I watch 24. It's like comfort food for my brain.
What's everyone else been up to?
I know it's not because we aren't watching TV. I know us better than that.
So ... what's everyone been watching? What are you liking? Hating? Swearing off?
For me it's been basically Lost, 24 and Veronica Mars on DVD for my Drama fix. (Amelia hadn't seen Seasons 1 and 2.) Also, because of who I'm married to, I have been watching a shload of reality TV, including American Idol and The Bastardler. (Jk, Jason. Jk.) We also watch a comedy or two and sit in awe each week at the masterpiece that is 30 Rock.
Lost is scaring me. Not in a good way. And I don't get as excited to watch it as I used to. I still enjoy it but only after I tell myself I should watch it.
24 is a big shark-jumping machine. But some nights it really hits the spot though. Like, if I just want to watch something where I know exactly what I'm gonna get ... I watch 24. It's like comfort food for my brain.
What's everyone else been up to?
January 13, 2009
Jumping the Shark
I just wrote a post about Jumping the Shark on my lady blog: Light Refreshments Served. It specifically addresses Jon and Kate Plus Eight jumping the shark. As my television friends, I would appreciate your input on this important issue. It's time we educate the masses. Thank you.
January 2, 2009
SNL is Actually Better than It Used to Be
That's right. All of us with our glory days opinions about when SNL was at its peak are, in the appropriate context, wrong.
Let's look at why this season (and current era) of SNL stands up to all the others quite well ... and maybe cast off our prejudices once and for all.
1975-80
Favorite Cast Members: Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner.
The first era of SNL has to be respected because it was just that: the first. Without it, we don't have a series. And without the success of most of its cast, we wouldn't have many of the classic comedy films of the 70s and 80s: Animal House, Fletch, Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, etc. Seems pretty duh, right? Many die hard fans swear this is the best era and that all others pale in comparison.
But it isn't the best. It might not even be the in the top 3. Because the problem this period has is that it's similar to the problem older movies like Citizen Kane have. When you watch old episodes, you get a sense that you are supposed to laugh because it meant so much to TV and comedic history; they were so ground-breaking and risky. But you don't really bust a gut ever really continuously laugh, do you? Granted there are sketches that have stood the test of time but a few sketches don't an era make.
1980-85
Favorite Cast Members: Eddie Murphy, Martin Short, Christopher Guest
This era's turmoil is well documented. Lorne leaves. Casting problems. Regularly unfunny. And it's a no brainer that it's probably the "worst" of all. However, Murphy was always brilliant and probably kept the show from being canceled. This was when I first took real notice of the show. I really enjoyed Short (Ed Grimley) and Guest ("Chocolate babies?") as well. They star (with Harry Shearer) in one of my all time favorite sketches: Men's Olympic Synchronized Swimming
1985-1990
Favorite Cast Members: Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz
This is when, for me, the show turned from a funny occasional lark to a religious comedy experience. My friend Garry would record the 1985 season on his VCR and we would watch it together or with our other friends when our parents weren't around. And that wasn't even a very good season in this era. There are too many iconic sketches from this era to list ("Choppin' broccoli," Church Chat, Donahue, "... and gooooood-bye," One More Mission, etc.) but one that holds a special place for me is this one with John Malkovich.
1990-95
Favorite Cast Members: Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Mike Meyers, Chris Rock
Farley was brilliant. Sandler was good at one thing and rode it to stardom. I envied Meyers commitment to characters even before I knew what that meant. The shows were almost always fun. But ... the supporting cast during this era wasn't very good and it had a lot of turnover. And Weekend Update was usually pretty awful.
1995-2000
Favorite Cast Members: Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri, Tracy Morgan
If you don't think Will Ferrell is one of the most brilliant comedic minds ever, then you don't know comedy. Sorry. He and Kattan defined this era. They were this era. Which is one reason it doesn't stand up to some of the more well-rounded ensemble eras of SNL.
2000-05
Favorite Cast Members: Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch
Anyone who thinks this era was just full of sketches where Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz sat around laughing at each other ... would be right. But I kid. Fallon had some great characters even if he couldn't hold a straight face. But this was the era of the SNL woman. Shannon was still there for some of it and Amy Poehler came in at the end and each show was packed with great performances from some of the funniest people in the history of the TV... who just happened to be women. You had the brilliance of Fey's writing, Rudolph's awesome chracters and, of course, Dratch's Debbie Downer. Fey and Fallon also returned Weekend Update to form, making it something worth watching again.
2005-Present
Favorite Cast Members: Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudekis, Andy Samberg
The era that brought back the SNL short film. The era that brought us Kristen Wiig. The era that tries to put endings on its sketches. The era of the Poehler/Meyers Weekend Update. Vincent Price. MacGruber. Target and Likes-Surprises Lady. The current cast is easily one of the top 3 most well-rounded and talented. I think if the show ever does get canceled, this era will be remembered as one of the best. I have more fun watching SNL now than I have in a long, long time. Case in point.
So if you haven't watched SNL since its "hey day," whenever that was for you, try it again. I am willing to bet you'll be surprised.
Let's look at why this season (and current era) of SNL stands up to all the others quite well ... and maybe cast off our prejudices once and for all.
1975-80
Favorite Cast Members: Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner.
The first era of SNL has to be respected because it was just that: the first. Without it, we don't have a series. And without the success of most of its cast, we wouldn't have many of the classic comedy films of the 70s and 80s: Animal House, Fletch, Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, etc. Seems pretty duh, right? Many die hard fans swear this is the best era and that all others pale in comparison.
But it isn't the best. It might not even be the in the top 3. Because the problem this period has is that it's similar to the problem older movies like Citizen Kane have. When you watch old episodes, you get a sense that you are supposed to laugh because it meant so much to TV and comedic history; they were so ground-breaking and risky. But you don't really bust a gut ever really continuously laugh, do you? Granted there are sketches that have stood the test of time but a few sketches don't an era make.
1980-85
Favorite Cast Members: Eddie Murphy, Martin Short, Christopher Guest
This era's turmoil is well documented. Lorne leaves. Casting problems. Regularly unfunny. And it's a no brainer that it's probably the "worst" of all. However, Murphy was always brilliant and probably kept the show from being canceled. This was when I first took real notice of the show. I really enjoyed Short (Ed Grimley) and Guest ("Chocolate babies?") as well. They star (with Harry Shearer) in one of my all time favorite sketches: Men's Olympic Synchronized Swimming
1985-1990
Favorite Cast Members: Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz
This is when, for me, the show turned from a funny occasional lark to a religious comedy experience. My friend Garry would record the 1985 season on his VCR and we would watch it together or with our other friends when our parents weren't around. And that wasn't even a very good season in this era. There are too many iconic sketches from this era to list ("Choppin' broccoli," Church Chat, Donahue, "... and gooooood-bye," One More Mission, etc.) but one that holds a special place for me is this one with John Malkovich.
1990-95
Favorite Cast Members: Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Mike Meyers, Chris Rock
Farley was brilliant. Sandler was good at one thing and rode it to stardom. I envied Meyers commitment to characters even before I knew what that meant. The shows were almost always fun. But ... the supporting cast during this era wasn't very good and it had a lot of turnover. And Weekend Update was usually pretty awful.
1995-2000
Favorite Cast Members: Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri, Tracy Morgan
If you don't think Will Ferrell is one of the most brilliant comedic minds ever, then you don't know comedy. Sorry. He and Kattan defined this era. They were this era. Which is one reason it doesn't stand up to some of the more well-rounded ensemble eras of SNL.
2000-05
Favorite Cast Members: Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch
Anyone who thinks this era was just full of sketches where Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz sat around laughing at each other ... would be right. But I kid. Fallon had some great characters even if he couldn't hold a straight face. But this was the era of the SNL woman. Shannon was still there for some of it and Amy Poehler came in at the end and each show was packed with great performances from some of the funniest people in the history of the TV... who just happened to be women. You had the brilliance of Fey's writing, Rudolph's awesome chracters and, of course, Dratch's Debbie Downer. Fey and Fallon also returned Weekend Update to form, making it something worth watching again.
2005-Present
Favorite Cast Members: Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudekis, Andy Samberg
The era that brought back the SNL short film. The era that brought us Kristen Wiig. The era that tries to put endings on its sketches. The era of the Poehler/Meyers Weekend Update. Vincent Price. MacGruber. Target and Likes-Surprises Lady. The current cast is easily one of the top 3 most well-rounded and talented. I think if the show ever does get canceled, this era will be remembered as one of the best. I have more fun watching SNL now than I have in a long, long time. Case in point.
So if you haven't watched SNL since its "hey day," whenever that was for you, try it again. I am willing to bet you'll be surprised.
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