I usually have something quick to go here at the top of the column, but this week I’ve got nothing. Sorry.
What I Watched Last Week
Not too much actually. My roommate was out of town for most of the week and I didn’t feel like “cheating” on her by watching the shows without her. Thus my viewing was pretty limited this week.
Arrested Development – Comedy as always. Zach was a bit wasted this episode. But who doesn’t dig “Girls With Low Self-Esteem?”
Deadwood – Whoa! I so did not see that coming. Three slit throats? That’s gully, even by Deadwood standards. Seth’s not taking his impending parenthood too well, and Trixie’s plotting to keep Mrs. Garrett and “honest woman” caught me by surprise. Dope episode as always.
Jack & Bobby – Finally this show returns. Solid episode. It’s got to suck to be the Black friend of a main character on a teen oriented drama, because that means you never hook up with anyone, ever. And as in the case of this show, it’s due to catching feelings for the lead’s love interest. Oops!
Jack was stupid hooking up with his ex. That’s rule nombre uno; Don’t resort to comfort @$$. It will mess you up every time. And next week’s episode appears to be heading that way.
Band of Brothers – I started watching this on the History Channel. Sure it’s an edited version, but it looks pretty intact to me.
The acting is amazing. Every character is full of nuance and completely believable. The writing is solid. I care about the characters and never seen their tragedies coming. It’s also shot very well. The documentary feel works really well, as does the “drained of color” look of the film. The series wraps up tonight so I’m kind of pumped.
That said, at end of Part 8 the narrator goes on and on about how hard they fought for the freedoms in America and how life was resuming to normal. The episode too place in 1945, which, by my calculations is around twenty years before Jim Crow was taken down in this country.
Just putting it in perspective.
Greatest Show Ever”¦this week – The X-Files
I catch The X-Files every Tuesday and Wednesday on TNT. I’m usually up late writing. Anyway, during one of those marathon sessions they played one of my favorite episodes; Home.
It’s a classic episode. It’s also one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it involves inbreds, Sheriff Andy Taylor and his deputy Barney. Dopest Episode Ever. Do yourself a favor track this one down you won’t be disappointed.
Brand New Feature – Mathan’s Misguided Pilot Ideas!
Since this column’s been running rather light I figured I’d dust off an idea that I’ve been tinkering with for awhile. Y’see I’ve got a bit of an imagination and my mind tends to wander. When you get those two together there’s usually trouble.
Anyway, we all know that many successful television shows have come from feature films. Alice came from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Buffy The Vampire Slayer was both a movie and a show. Well, allow me to present you with the next successful show to follow that formula House of Sand and Fog – The Sitcom.
I know, I know, you think this one is “out there” but hear me out. The sitcom would use the same premise of the movie, but not necessarily the same storyline. Y’know when Lester holds the family hostage? Well the pilot would take place just before that.
The way I see it, Kathy and Behrani decide to settle their dispute on a TV Court show, like Judge Judy. But since the law is so blurry the judge decides that Kathy and Behrani have to live in the house together!
Can’t you just imagine the hilarious results of having Behrani, Kathy and Behrani’s family under the same roof? The cultural differences are funny enough (imagine those fights for the remote), but when you include the Barney Fife-ish Lester, blinded by his affections for Kathy that he’s a constant thorn in Behrani’s side, that just takes the material to the level of “classic sitcom.”
Behrani could even have a catchphrase; “As long as you live under my roof!” This is sitcom gold! Somebody needs to jump on this.
I guess now would be a good time to change topics.
Your Television Biography
Last week I posed the following scenario;
Good News; you’re a hugely popular celebrity. Bad News; I meant, “were a hugely popular celebrity.” Maybe you were huge in the ’70’s. Maybe it was the ’90’s. Maybe you where a famous musician or perhaps you were a sex symbol idolized by millions. Regardless, your heyday was in the past. Good News; your name is again creating a buzz. Bad News; it’s because your life has been profiled on cable tv show.
So, would you rather be featured on The E True Hollywood Story or VH1’s: Behind The Music?
First up was Patrick who answered;
In quite possibly the most decisive battle yet, it’s gotta be VH1: Behind The Music. Here’s the difference:
BTM: Here’s your awesome career at the start. Commercial Break. Here’s some bad crap that happened to you. Commercial break. You overcome that crap and enjoy the heyday of your career. Commercial Break. Dude, you like totally rock and everybody loves you! Roll credits.
ETHS: You were on a successful TV show. Commercial Break. You (or one of your co-stars, but most likely you) are a horrible piece of crap! You should be flogged mercilessly. Commercial Break. Wow! Good GOD are you a horrible piece of crap…you either ruined your show or came very close to it. Commercial Break. You suck and we hate you (or you’re dead now). We loved the show, though. Roll credits.
So honestly, which would you rather be — someone who got a tough break but still totally rocks or someone who sucks royally? I’d rather be someone who still totally rocks. So like I said…
ADVANTAGE: VH1: BEHIND THE MUSIC
Pot22iec followed up with this;
Without a doubt I’m going with Behind the Music. While only airing in spurts now, it is the definitive show in this genre (Although A&E’s biography has gotten more low brow in recent years to compete). The Jim Forbes narration, the opening theme, the endless parodies; it is iconic. The E! True Hollywood story is just there. Nothing really memorable about it either. Who narrates it? I couldn’t tell you. And E!’s hype machine and self infatuation are no match for
VH-1. My special would get so much coverage, not to mention endless replays, but be done in an irreverent eye-catching way that would make anyone who hears word of it, feel lame for not seeing it. My career is going down in a blaze of glory, and I want Behind the Music to capture every flaming minute of it.
Me, I’m going for E!’s True Hollywood Story. I dig Behind The Music but it’s rather predictable. You know the story arcs. You know by the time the credits roll things will be end on a happier note.
But E!’s True Hollywood Story is unpredictable. It could be sleazy, tragic or even scandalous. My point is E! digs for dirt, while VH1 barely scratches the surface. I want my life to be exposed, because if I’m going down I’m taking people with me. You hear that Mindy Cohn!
Of course this leads us to”¦
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
Good News; it’s time for a family gathering. Bad News; your drunk uncle is there and causing a scene. Good News; it’s not a funeral. Maybe it’s a wedding. Maybe it’s a reunion. Maybe it’s a police line up. I don’t know, the point is your family is getting together. Bad News; long lost family members are crawling out of the woodwork, including someone who bears a close resemblance to you.
So would you rather have an Identical Cousin or a Long Lost (and possibly Evil) Twin (or in the case of Aaron Cameron, a Triplet)?
Plugs
Gloomchen recaps The Shield. I couldn’t tell you it she does a good job, because I’ve not seen the episode yet. But judging from her track record, it’d say it’s better than actually watching the show!
Carlos gives a great detailed example of how SNL could be great again.
Oh, check out Moodspins it’s got some quality reads.
J.A.M.
Joe Reid Hath Returned! He has news about some flicks I’m not that interested in, but he raves about Joan Allen, who I found oddly attractive in Pleasantville. It may have had something to do with her being so repressed and then unleashing her inner freak.
At this point I’ve probably said too much, so allow me to “out” Senor Reid’s Blog!. Have you ever wondered “what does Joe Read” (ooh, that was bad)? Look no further that his insightful and often hilarious blog.
The Bootleg Hath Returned! Aaron gets feedback from white people and begins the column with a joke at his son’s expense. Ooh, and I didn’t even have to click on the links to know that Cam was talking about Mayor McCheese and Birdie! Bust!
Greatest Video Ever”¦this week
Roger – I Want To Be Your Man
Now I’ve got sentimental attachment to this song. The video features Roger, in various outfits, rocking his ridiculous perm and mugging for the camera.
Ok. I’ll admit it; the video’s not that great, but the song makes it worth watching.
