A Few Things
1st – I can not tell you how happy I am that Reunion was canceled. I’m even happier that it ended on an uber-cliffhanger. How dope is it that the show ended leaving so many unanswered questions?
2nd – I’m less than happy to hear about the demise of Love Monkey. I was diggin’ the show despite its flaws. It was really coming into it’s own as a program. Midseason is tough time to launch a show.
3rd – I’m cautiously optimistic about the return of Carnivale in some way, shape or form. I found the show to be slow in it’s first season, but the second season had some really great arcs.
4th – I’m tired of playing the waiting game in regards to Arrested Development. I love the show, but it bowed out gracefully. It could also continue on, but I need to get out of the horrible limbo that the show has me in. If it’s canceled let me mourn, if it’s picked up let me celebrate and anticipate. Just give me something!
What I Watched Last Week
Desperate Housewives – I actually paid partial attention to this weeks episode. I kind of dug the Lynette/Bree story, even if it did seem a tad forced. Susan’s storyline was so tired, it’s been rehashed in like every sitcom ever. And the sexual abuse story just seemed too preachy. Sure that stuff happens in real life, but does it have to happen to at least one character on every TV show? The impact of such a revelation has been so diminished by “very special episodes” that it now just seems cliché. And is the point about Gabrielle was assaulted at age 15, yet was having sex with her gardener who was roughly the same age? You’d think that she, of all people, would be more sympathetic to the vulnerability of youth.
24 – Can I just begin with saying that Lynn getting rolled was the funniest thing I’ve seen on this program in five years. Actually Lynn is a hilarious character. He’s funny when he’s ignoring common sense (follow Jack’s lead). He’s hilarious when he’s noided (even if he’s partially right). He’s even funny when he’s cracking under the pressure he’s under.
I’m glad to see Jack go “rogue” again and to have people inside CTU working for him on the low. Yeah, it’s par for the course, but it really doesn’t get old. I’m less than satisfied with Martha Logan. She’s tolerable at best and annoying most of the time. I hope she does get attacked.
Pres. Logan is without a doubt the best President we’ve ever had. His critics just don’t understand why kind of day this guy is having. Jack can take it all in stride, but this is Logan’s first complete “day” on the job. Cut him some slack.
Oh and isn’t it dope how the head of CTU is always a prick the first season they’re on but they mellow out in their second season? Peep George Mason’s evolution from jerk to cool cat. Compare that with Bill Buchanan’s similar evolution the past two seasons. Sadly that doesn’t bode well for Buchanan as Mason’s arc didn’t end on a happy note.
Real Time With Bill Maher – I’m just happy that this show is back to keep me abreast of current events. And Bill occasionally has a funny guest on.
Boston Legal – I’ve got to admit it was nice to see two cast members from Chicago Hope on this week’s episode. That said, the episode was kind of flat for me. I like the show, but the episode did very little for me.
The Shield – Man is this show intense. The past two episodes were stellar. It sucked that Dani and Vic’s ex crumbled when Kavanaugh pushed them, but it just goes to show how forceful he can be. Poor Lem is dangling in the wind. Personally I see a suicide in the Strike Team’s. Ronnie’s pretty much clean. Shane is likely to fold because he’s got a new kid and nosy wife. So that leaves Lem and Vic. Lem is really stressed out and I could see him looking to it as his only option. But I’d rather see Vic commit suicide. That’s how I’d end the show. Vic is painted into a corner and he sees the writing on the wall. He takes himself out because he doesn’t want to be taken down. It’d be a killer finale.
I’m glad that Julian’s homosexuality came up again. I thought I was the only one who remembered it.
Lost – Since this week’s episode was the damn ass pilot, again, I’ll talk about Sayid’s episode. It was “eh.” Sayid was completely on with this guess that Gale was an “other” obviously, but his flashback wasn’t as flashy as I’d hoped. It fit with the theme of the flashbacks for the season, but little new info was revealed. Still it was cool to see “Brother Justin” again.
Smallville – I was somewhat disappointed in Cyborg’s appearance on the show. I’ve also got logistic problems with the show; Metropolis, Smallville and Belle Reve shouldn’t be anywhere near each other! I’m kind of sad to see that Lex is firmly on the dark side. And why wasn’t the episode with the possessed Chloe the Halloween episode?
Hustle – This show is such fun to watch. It’s great to try to figure out how they pull off the long con. Out of the initial batch of midseason shows, this is my favorite. It’s insanely well written and even a Yank like me can overcome the language barrier. I highly recommend this show.
Greatest Show Ever…this week – Grey’s Anatomy
(Personally I think that the second shower scene should have been the final scene of the two parter, so that the whole thing would have been bookended by “shower scenes” but what are you going to do? Phew, it felt good to get that off my chest.)
This week’s episode has firmly cemented Meredith in the “unforgivable” category. My roommate and I accepted her constant whiny voiceovers. We even tolerated her begging, (“Pick me. Love me.”) But hooking up with George, because she feels lonely is just deplorable. I’m through with her as a character (which sucks because her performance in Moonlight Mile is the reason I gave the show a shot to begin with.)
I don’t know how I feel about Izzy and Alex’s rekindled relationship. On one hand it seems too fast and that all is forgiven. On the other hand, it’s rather refreshing to see people leave the past in the past.
Oh, Burke and Christina dancing was pretty scary.
I am a fan of Addison. That said, I don’t know how I want her to land on the whole Mark/McDreamy tug-o-war that began this episode. Basically I want her to happy, whatever happens. (Speaking of Mark/McDreamy did anyone else find it hard to believe that those two were ever “best friends?” Their personalities didn’t seem to gel at all. I’d really like a flashback, if only to see if the writers could come up with believable chemistry between those two.)
And finally I’d be lying if I didn’t confess to being uncomfortable with the notion that Webber broke up the (less than) happy Grey household. Sure Dr. Grey Sr bears equal responsibility, but I’m guessing that Meredith is going to blame Webber.
How To Fix The Boondocks
I wanted to love this show, I really did. But I’ve ended up being pretty much disappointed every week and it’s incredibly frustrating. Rather than bash the show or give up on it I’ve decided to offer some constructive criticism. Since the show was originally supposed to be a network show, I’m hoping that some of these things could be implemented for it’s second season.
Firstly don’t waste good ideas on “B” stories. Case in point; this week Huey decided to watch nothing but “Black TV” as a Supersize Me type of experiment, and this story was the “B” story. A perfectly functional critique on media portrayal, and it’s wasted as a backup story? Shame on y’all.
Secondly when you poke fun at someone don’t stretch too far. The idea of two white guys in love with Black culture being voiced by two Black guys is funny enough. But making those two white guy thinly veiled caricatures of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney Donald Rumsfield is a stretch. Giving Riley a white art teacher who fosters his illegal artistry is clever. But making that teacher a caricature of Bob Ross, a joke that most of the show’s youthful fanbase isn’t going to get, was a stretch.
Thirdly, stop trying to adhere to the sitcom three-act structure. This is Adult Swim, irreverence is at home here. Loosen up. Have some fun. Maybe even adopt the two act structure used by The Simpsons, but the sitcom feel is stagnating.
Lastly, be relentless in your attacks, but attack everyone equally. Y’all have been attacked for using the “N-word” too much. So feel free to attack your attackers, but also attack those who actually do use the word too much. Attack Black people and white people, but also attack mulattos. Never ignore race, but don’t be afraid to deal with class and religion. Be a show that’s admirable, not just entertaining.
Interrogation Time!!!
Last time I posed the following scenario;
Good News; you’re not dead. Bad News; someone is. Good News; there’s very little evidence. Bad News; what circumstantial evidence there is implicates you. Maybe your girlfriend was cheating on you and you killed the two of them in a jealous rage. Maybe your business partner was stealing money from you. Maybe you were drunk driving and you hit someone. Regardless, someone is dead and you’re to blame. Good News; the police have no murder weapon. Bad News; they do have you in custody. Good News; as long as you don’t say anything you’re going to get away with the crime. Bad News; you’ve got to get through the interrogation.
So who do you want to interrogate you; Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life on the Street), Vic Mackey (The Shield) or oh, let’s say Jack Bauer (24)?
Bob said;
Brilliant question…
I’d have to go with Frank Pembleton, in this situation, I would be more
concerned about coming out alive, and with most of my body intact.
Also, I think that Pembleton interrogations in the Box were some of the
greatest scenes in the history of television. Frank was the ultimate in
cerebral over terroization in the interogation rooms. While, it may be
more time efficient to just strip down the wires of the lamp, and see
how many chest hairs you can singe of your girlfriends ex-husbands
chest, Frank wears you down in much more interesting ways.
Colin thought;
Homicide vs. The Shield vs. 24????
I think for this one I’m gonna hafta go with the Angry Black Man over the Angst-y White Boys.
First, Jack has been known to torture those who he thinks can tell him something. And I’d like to think I could be Joe Pesci and tell him to F his mother, I think we both know it ain’t gonna fly. Plus, I’d have the sneaking suspicion that Eyeball and Charlie Hogan were in the next room ready to join in. Now that I think of it, I think Kiefer may even have been responsible for River Phoenix’s OD.
Second, I don’t watch the shield, but I don’t want the friggin Thing ax-ing me
questions.
So I have to go with Homicide, another show I don’t watch. Sure, this bloke seems like he has a chip on hs shoulder, but I’m thinking I could just say that I was framed by Dubya, and The Belz would be right in there and on my side.
As for me; I’m going to make it three for three. First and foremost, with Jack, and to a lesser extent Vic I’m in danger of being seriously hurt. But on a personal note I’d really like to match wits with the great Frank Pembleton. I consider myself to be pretty intelligent and I’m pretty sure that I could commit the “perfect murder.” But I’d really like to face down Frank in the box.
I’d be like an epic game of chess, the two of us trying to best each other. Maybe it’d be more like a game of cat and mouse. I really like to think that I’d win, but there’s only one way to find out; by facing Frank.
Logically this brings us to;
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
Good News; you’re going on a trip. Bad News; it’s a trip to a cartoon universe. Good News; you’re still going to be you. Bad News; you’ll be a cartoon version of yourself. Good News; you get to pick where you go. Bad News; you only get two choices.
So, would you rather end up in the Warner Bros Cartoon Universe (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig) or in the Disney Cartoon Universe (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto)?
Me & Joe Reid Down By The School Yard
Over on His Blog Joe sets up an accounting system for a wager with his Television Without Pity cohorts have about American Idol.
I’m also guessing that Joe’ll have something new at The Film Experience any moment now.
And rumor has it that Aaron has something new up.
I’ll catch y’all next week.
