Why I’m Not Watching Four Kings
Ok, so a couple of weeks back I got my “Best of 2005” issue of Entertainment Weekly. It was a pretty good read full of things that I agreed or disagreed with. But once I got to the middle I found a centerfold ad that trumpeted the NBC’s moving of My Name is Earl and The Office to Thursdays.
So I open the ad and am greeted with 16 white faces. Now I don’t think that I can accurately share how alienating that huge ad was. The way I interpreted it was NBC basically saying “there’s no room for you (either as a viewer or as a participant) in our line up.”
Ooh, I thought of an example; it’s like a white person reading Jet or Ebony. That is how off-putting I found the ad. I don’t even know if lily white does the ad justice.
So basically that’s why I boycotted the first night of NBC’s new Thursday line up, and why I’m only sticking with My Name is Earl and The Office.
And while I’m on the same subject, I was really irked that ABC picked I Can’t Get Next To You to use in the promos for Emily’s Reasons Why Not and Jake in Progress, when I think I may have counted one Black regular cast member. It really reminds me of the way that Entourage uses Hip Hop yet doesn’t really have any Black regulars.
Actually what it reminds me of is when Black musicians couldn’t appear on their own album covers.
What I Watched This Week
Lost – Twas truly nice to catch a glimpse of Eko in Adebisi form. And having Eko face down the Black smoke and herb Charlie. I was kind of worried that Charlie’s stash was gone and that Aronofsky’s episode wouldn’t be about addiction, but thankfully my fears appear unfounded.
Speaking of Charlie it’s got to suck to get kicked out of a tarp on the island. And has he was walking away I was playing the intro to The Odd Couple in my head, it was pretty funny.
You had to be there.
I’d imagine that a breakup of any short would be difficult on the island. I mean you can’t help but bump into your ex. The montage of the “tailies” getting acclimated would have been so much better if we’d seen Bernard and Rose bumping uglies. I mean, c’mon, you’re telling me that scene wasn’t a natural fit?
And finally, Jack, Sawyer and Michael didn’t completely annoy me this week. Good job.
The Office – This was a damn funny episode. The whole scenario of how Michael hurt himself was hilarious. Dwight getting in the accident was equally funny. I do really dig this show.
Scrubs – I’m truly overjoyed that this show is back. This is just a fun show to watch. Turk and JD have such great chemistry, I actually believe that they’re the closest of chums. This show does an excellent job of balancing “silly” and “truly touching.” It’s genius.
Desperate Housewives – Surprise; I didn’t hate this episode…much. Gabby kissing Lynette’s hubby seemed a bit of a stretch, as I couldn’t see anyone who’d view that as appropriate. Susan and Mike need to really get killed off, as they’ve dragging down the show in my eyes. Bree’s war with her son was rather enjoyable to watch.
The whole Applewhite storyline needs to be aborted. I can’t see how they’ll still be on the show next season. The writers really showed their lack of faith in A) their ability to write and B) the strength of their characters by introducing the “mystery” of the season. Desperate Housewives could have stood on it’s own, based on the relatively strong characters (Lynette, Bree & Gabby) without the Applewhite mystery, which has really felt like deadweight the entire season.
It’s really too mysterious. Granted I’ve slept through entire episodes, but do we have any idea why dude’s locked up in the basement? At least in the first season the mystery progressed and we had a clue and someone on the case. This season we’ve got a jumbled mess of a contrived sequel. Hopefully the writers will ditch the mystery next season and the show will become much more watchable.
The Simpsons – I actually enjoyed Homer meeting the man he thought was his real father. It was funny. Is the show at it’s peak’ no, but that’s what happens when a show’s been on as long as The Simpsons has. Critics should also factor in creative regime changes in quality issues. Instead of bashing the show for diminished quality, we should be comparing it the James Bond franchise or Bugs Bunny cartoons.
It’s also head and shoulders above any other animated show on Fox.
My Name Is Earl – I’m going to be honest, I don’t know how I feel about Earl being the agent of karma. He did a bad thing by punching the jerk. But what’s to say that one of the things on his list (like stealing someone’s wallet) isn’t equally an act of karma? It’s logic like that that keeps me up at night.
Still the episode was funny, as usual.
Boston Legal – This was a really good episode. I’m digging Margaret Chenowith hooking up with Denny Crane. I’m also beginning to like how Alan Shore is sticking up for the little guy. However I’m worried that this will be used for Alan becoming disenfranchised with the firm and leaving at the end of the season.
Hands was such a sympathetic character. I could see his meltdown coming, but his taking a hostage caught me off guard. Watching everyone’s reactions to the situation was pretty funny as well. Like I said, this was a very good episode.
Arrested Development – I taped last week’s episode and watched it this week, and damn was it funny. It was over the top meta, yet still within in the boundaries of the show. I really liked how the fourth wall was peeked around, if not broken. I’m really going to miss this show, but I really hope that I don’t have to.
Greatest Show Ever…this week – The Shield
Talk about a season premiere that didn’t disappoint, it’s got everything anyone could ask for. We’ve got a pregnancy with a mystery father. We’ve got a full on race war. We’ve got Vic being investigated by IAD. We’ve got Aceveda managing to stay in the picture. We’ve got Lem getting nabbed by IAD. We’ve also got horrible “Captain” in the barn and a cute new recruit.
Now if only Julian could return to being gay.
What I Plan On Watching and Why
For some reason I fell like running down a list of upcoming shows that I’m interested in. This just feels like the perfect place for it.
Sons & Daughters – Why? Because I’m curious about a improvised comedy on a major network. I sounds a bit innovative. I’m all for innovative.
The Loop – Why? It kind of reminds me of my immediately post collegiate life. Back then I was the “responsible” one. I’m also a fan of the single camera format.
Love Monkey – Why? I’m a fan of Tom Cavanaugh via Ed. I’ll pretty much follow him anywhere.
Hustle – Why? I dig conmen. I also dig British shows. I’m completely down to give this show a shot.
The Unit – Why? I’m a fan of David Mamet. Plus it’ll be cool to see President Palmer making some moves as opposed to just ordering them.
Thief – Why? I’m a huge fan of Andre Braugher (I actually went to school in Baltimore partially because of Homicide: Life on the Street) and FX hasn’t really disappointed me yet. But it’s mostly because of Braugher.
Ok, Seriously
I’m officially tired of Showtime. As I mentioned in an earlier column, I’ve been having problems catching Huff, a show I’m genuinely interested in because of haphazard scheduling.
Well now I’m having the same problem with Penn & Teller: Bullsh!t. Apparently this show’s had three seasons, yet I’ve seen a sum total of three episodes, and I’ve enjoyed each one.
Showtime, I’m really going to need you to get on the ball when it comes to your original programming. Follow HBO’s example; every Tuesday and Thursday at 11pm they run an episode of The Wire on HBO123. Meanwhile Curb Your Enthusiasm can be found on HBOXYZ as specific times on specific days. It’s called a schedule and scheduling for a reason. I’m a loyal viewer, I’d just really like a chance to, y’know actually watch the damn shows.
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
(I’m going to be real with y’all; this is the last chance I’m giving this particular column feature, so I’m going to spell it out for you. This feature is 90% dependent on your actual feedback. If you don’t answer the question of the week it will go away, forever.)
Good News; you’re surrounded by people. Bad News; some of them have guns. Good News; kid’s aren’t really allowed. Bad News; you don’t really have that many options in terms of food. Maybe you’re at a concert. Maybe you’re in strip club. Perhaps you’re in prison. Or maybe you’ve just survived a transatlantic plane crash. Who knows? The point is you’re alive.
So which wildly successful serialized TV drama would you rather be stuck on; Lost or Prison Break?
Links
Josh gives us a breakdown the Winter Season!
Matt didn’t dig the latest episodes of The Simpsons.
Kevin shares a secret history of the mythical failed Justice League pilot. He also bashes Aquaman by calling him a skim Namor.
J.A.M.
“J” is for Joe Reid who gets a link despite bashing Crash. His breakdown of the Critics Choice Awards makes you feel like you’re actually there. Plus he’s also got a nifty new sidebar that’s almost as much fun to read as his actual blog.
Over at The Film Experience Joe gives everyone plenty of reasons to get excited about the next eleven and a half months, in terms of films to see. Believe me when I say that my words can’t do justice to his breakdown of upcoming films.
“A” is for Aaron Cameron continues to drop bombs about the end of the Bootleg. He’s also got a cool bonus gift. Nick stops by and shares his best of 2005, which really was worth the wait.
I’m out! Laters.
