Stuff @ the Start
Gaining New Perspective
So now that Six Feet Under’s fourth season is On Demand, I can actually watch the show from where I started watching, but with new perspective. For instance, when Nate stumbles over to Brenda’s crib after find out about Lisa’s death, he’s a total douche. I mean, he really does just use her for one thing, and it’s not really “comfort.”
I also totally see Russell in a new light. I was first introduced to him, when he threw a fit after finding out about Claire’s abortion. But now his tantrum makes more sense. As does everyone’s reluctance to accept George into the fold.
Man it’s cool to watch these episodes again with the knowledge of what went before.
Heartbreak
For some reason I always watch the episode of Boy Meets World when Cory “cheats” on Topanga at the ski lodge. I say “cheats” because I’m still reluctant to accept it as being unfaithful. Lauren so totally kissed Cory, so that’s way more on her than him. But when Cory didn’t divulge the kiss to Topanga he crossed the line to make it an indiscretion. Still it rubs me the wrong to way to believe that Cory cheated on Topanga.
What I Watched Last Week
Hustle (AMC) – Y’know it kind of seemed like a season finale type of episode, but it truly did rock. Pulling off a con like stealing the crown jewels was an impressive feat, and how they got away with was dope too. I really hope that the season’s not over.
The Simpsons (FOX) – Dude, the outsourcing episode was hilarious! Richard Dean Anderson slayed me. It was one of the funniest “guest star as yourself” episodes I’ve seen in a minute. And Homer becoming a god was pretty funny too. I’m beginning to discount folks who say that the show has taken a dip on quality.
Monkey Dust (Sundance) – Speaking of animation, this show from across the pond, is so subversively funny, it’s not funny. It’s laugh out loud funny on one level, and spot on social commentary on another.
City of Men (Sundance) – This is one show that I love to watch more that once. The first time I watch it I focus on the subtitles, the second time I’m all about the performance. At no point, either time, am I disappointed. It was good to see Acerola get drunk with power, but still in a childlike manner. It’s also pretty cool to check out life in another culture.
Prison Break (FOX) – Eh, I was missing Mike Jones. If there’s one thing this show needs more of it’s Mike Jones.
(On a side note can I just confess how much it irks me that casting directors cast Mike Jones as the brother of a really light skinned character. I know he’s kind of big now, but really to me it just seems like worst case “Black people all look alike” and best case that white folks really can’t differentiate shade.)
I am glad to see Haywire back into play. It actually give me faith that the writers have truly plotted this thing out. It was equally cool to see both Sucre and T-Bag step up and take one for the team. The only character that I care about in the whole “outside” storyline is Kellerman, who rocks as a bad guy.
I did come to the conclusion that I respect the show for plotting more than writing or acting. I dig the overall turns and twists, but the actual lines of dialogue can be hard to swallow.
Black. White. (FX) – I’m really sad to see this show go. It was kind of neat to see Nick actually show some emotion. Seeing Rose, Renee and Brian bond was rather touching as was it’s counterpart scene between Nick and Carmen.
I kind of almost feel bad for Bruno, just because he’s so stuck in his ways that he can’t take in other perspectives. I think it’s probably going to cause tension within his family.
I’ve had to give Rose props for really doing her poetry thing, which she knocked out of the park. However those points were rescinded when she burst into tears twice in the episode. God, that girl had a propensity for waterworks.
Solid series, I do hope that tries it again.
Weeds (Showtime) – I’m really glad that I decided to try this show out. It’s really well written and full of characters that feel fully realized. Celia is the perfect character to hate, yet her heart is essencially in the right place (though I think it’s hard to justify giving laxatives to a child). So when her revelation about cancer came out, it was a shocker that still managed to elicit sympathy.
The introduction of Nancy’s brother in law Andy worked very well in establishing how Nancy got caught up in the drug game.
However I’ve got one beef with this week’s episode; the deaf girl dancing. There was a scene with a deaf girl dancing at her locker. Well, she wasn’t dancing, she was swaying to a beat. But being deaf, would she really have any idea what “on beat” was? That moment irked me. I know that deaf people can feel bass, provided it’s loud enough but is that enough to establish actual rhythm?
Now if the writers had established that she lost her hearing at a certain are or had an implant, I could understand, but they did. She had rhythm with no explanation.
Huff (Showtime) – Byrd’s half asleep exclamations were probably my favorite parts of the episode. Hopefully Byrd will get some opportunity to shine this season at some point.
Seeing Teddy in his new “home” is dope but kind of scary. I’m worried about his safety, but I guess that just goes to show what a great job the writers do to make a loon appealing.
Russell is such a greasy character, he makes me feel dirty for almost agreeing with some of the stuff he does. I am interested about what role “faith” will play now that Beth’s mom’s tumor has shrunken (I’m assuming it’s attributed to payer.)
But yeah, it’s a solid week for Huff.
Big Love (HBO) – Wow, the writers did an excellent job this week. They completely pulled off the “having an affair with your wife” concept, which I thought was going to be forced. It was actually quite sweet seeing Barb and Bill fall back in love with each other.
Equally impressive was how they managed to make Nikki the antagonist in the A story and completely save the day in the C story. Within the span of two minutes I went from glaring at Nikki to being in awe of her. This show is divine.
Lost (ABC) – Eh. I’m not impressed with this week’s offering. It really only did two things; 1) it showed that someone else noticed Locke’s “before & after” results and 2) it showed that the island does indeed cure people.
Apart from that it was another filler episode. In a show of a serial nature, like Lost, I expect the plot to be advanced week after week and I’m disappointed when it’s not. Bernard and Rose’s courtship and travels were barely interesting (though the flashback did stick to the theme of the season.)
Oh and I really felt Locke’s frustration at trying to remember what he saw. I wish I had his email address, I’d send him a link to a place that had the whole thing.
Scrubs (NBC) – First off the “Wizard of Oz” episode was great to see again, as I missed some of the references the first time around (the red shoes). But this week’s new episode was damn funny. It’s always fun when Tom Thomas Cavanaugh guests.
Kelso and Cox bonding over being fathers was interesting. I was disappointed that Elliot was a supporting character this week, because I felt the show suffered. But it was still funny enough not only to make me laugh, but to change the channel when it was over because I didn’t want my sense of humor to be sullied but the vastly inferior Teachers..
The Unit (CBS) – Tiffany’s close call was the best part of the episode. When Mrs. Brown spoke to the Colonel it was a cool scene the way it played. The actual “unit” stuff was good as well. But it was little action with only payoff, which was kind of disappointing. Still it was a solid episode.
The Loop (FOX) – I caught the Wednesday episode and I’m glad that I did. Russ needs to go down as one of the great bosses in TV history. Every time he speaks, he spouts a line or phrase that’s just golden. Meryl slays me with her aging sex kitten shtick. This show is barely behind Srubs in the writing department (and only because Scrubs can pull off the absurd).
Oh and that episode struck a chord with me because one time when I got tired of shaving my head I considered using Nairâ„¢, until I read about the burns.
Greatest Show Ever…this week Thief (FX)
I love this show. I love every aspect about this show. The writing is as good as anything on TV right now. The performances are what put this show over the top. Every scene with Tammi (Mae Whitman) and Nick (Andre Braugher) is mesmerizing. Braugher fills each scene with intensity and subtlety and plays them with earnestness, care and a pinch of threat. But what’s most impressive is how Whitman hold her own against Braugher. Each scene between the two actors is a tug of war and a game of chess. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears.
I completely accept the torn feelings that Jack has. I’m enjoying the pursuit of the crew. Maybe it’s because I’m a fan of The Wire but I dig the deliberate pacing the show has taken. I dig FX’s programming, but this really might be my favorite FX show.
Unjustified Hate?
I’ve got a friend who hates Digital Max.
Who is Digital Max? Well for those not in the know, Digital Max is a virtual spokesman for Cox Communications. Here’s what he looks like;
He pitches Cox products like Digital Cable and High Speed Internet. He’s really quite the shill.
But my friend hates him. She could literally talk for five minutes on how much she hates him and why. She hates him the way some people hate the New York Yankees. It’s bizarre and seems to have little provocation.
I’ll never forget the first time she told me of her hatred for him. She really built it up, explaining that he was a “tv personality” and she despised him. She went on about how he gets under her skin. So naturally I’m eager for her to reveal who rubs her in the wrong way. And when she actually said “Digital Max” I couldn’t help but smirk. It was an unreal moment. I mean a completely fabricated piece of corporate marketing was given a personality and she hates him for it.
So yeah, if anyone out there wants to drop me a line about their feelings about Digital Max, I’m strangely interested in now others feel about this character.
The (Fill in the Blank) Show!
Last week I posed the following question;
Good News; you’re getting your own show. Bad News; it’s a reality show. Good News; you get to be yourself. Bad News; there’s no prize to win. Maybe it’s a show where cameras follow you around. Maybe it’s a show where members of the opposite sex are involved. Who knows, the point is you’re about to be on TV. Good News; it’s going to be on a cable network. Bad News; it’s not the most respectable cable network.
So would you rather have your reality show on VH1 or E!?
Thomasina offered this;
When I think reality show and E!, the first thing that comes to mind is Anna Nicole. If I think VH1 Hogan knows best. That would make VH1 my choice. E! has met it’s quota of crazy in the reality department.
Y’see I’m kind of torn on this one. If I’m on VH1, I’m a washed up celebrity. However even washed up celebrities get a second chance (see also Travolta, John) so VH1 has that going for it.
However I’m going to E!, because should I ever get a reality show, I’m going to be super greasy. I’m not going to make a fool of myself, because I’m not going to be myself. I’d be an exaggerated Las Vegas version of myself. Oh and speaking of Las Vegas, the Maloof Brothers do some shows on E!, and since we’ve got that whole Vegas connection, I figure they could produce my show and put it on E!. And that seals the deal.
Naturally this brings us to…
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
Good news; you’ve got a job. Bad news; you’re a lackey. Good news; you’re basically human. Bad news; you’re not on Earth. Maybe you’re on another planet. Maybe your in another dimension. Perhaps you only exist in the imagination of an autistic child. Who knows the point is you’ve got job security. Good news; it’s a cushy job. Bad news; you’re going to be facing down the business end of some powerful swords.
So, would you rather be Skeletor’s lackey (He-Man) or Mumm-Ra’s lackey (Thundercats)?
Links
The TV Tournament is down to the Final Four®. I say vote Lost and Grey’s Anatomy.
Josh TiVo’s a lot of stuff. He’s also the mastermind behind the TV Tourney. Read him now!
Joe (Reid’s) Ordination Song
Joe’s excited about Big Brother, a show that I almost watched in it’s first season. Still Joe gets me excited because he posted something other than American Idol recaps.
I’m beat, so the column is done. Catch y’all next week.
