TV update
I might have been forced (ha) to abandon the tv reviewing routine but some news from the front kinda seemed in order. Assorted tv shows eat up so much of my free time, that, I believe, they should get at least a mention.
First of, I got hooked up on 'Rescue Me'. That's one damn fine tv show, truly. Sometimes they push too hard, that's true, sometimes they come up with shit that even I have trouble to swallow but some brilliant tv programming it is. I don't even like the characters so much (except for Sean who is just as sweet as he is dumb), but I sure am fascinated by them (except for Janet, her I just wish a very painful death). Besides, this bunch is not designed to be liked, they are all bastards and bitches, that's why they are so great. Plus, it's a show with the most developed snark factor besides 'House'. What's not to love? I look forward to the next season of Tom Gavin the Intrepid Fireman stumbling through his many - some more, some less assholish - schemes and ploys. But, damn, did they really have to kill off Johnny? He might have been Janet-infested, but he was still pretty. I will miss you, Dean Winters.
'Deadwood'. If I was asked what is the absolute best quality show on tv, I'd have probably say 'Deadwood'. Or 'Battlestar Galactica'. It's a toss-up. 'Deadwood' is a magnificent show. Incredibly complex, very nuanced (sometimes too much so, with the habit of going on with practically no exposition whatsoever, which is a grand thing, showing that these people are playing for an intelligent audience, who doesn't have to be told that a shovel is a shovel, but, really, there were a few regrettable times when I didn't have half a clue what was going on - I don't like being a moron), with masterfully entrancing, if somewhat flowery, dialog and amazing performances. And these bastards canceled it. Canceled it. I'm still in denial about the whole thing, I have still two more episodes to watch which I'm not that eager to do because then it will be OVER. Well, there is also the side issue of me not being able to actually understand them without subtitles and there not being any subtitles out there to satisfy my needs, but, if anyone asks, I'm in denial. Yes, I know there are supposed to be two television movies yet in store, but my love for Al Swearengen and his merry band of minions is too great to be placated by only four more hours of the 'Deadwood' delight. Oh damn, now I'm sad.
Let's think happy thoughts, then. 'Weeds'. What a lovely show it is. Absolutely enchanting. Incredibly funny, too. The ultimate suburbia show, 'Desperate Housewives' should go and hide in shame. Mary-Louis Parker is a marvelous actress. Well, the whole cast is extraordinary, but Parker is the lead one so she gets most screentime, and, automatically, more opportunities to screw up than others, but, baby, she shines. Is outshone possibly by Elizabeth Perkins, but it's a close thing. 'Weeds' is also the funniest little thing currently on tv. Shame it's so short. 25 minutes is not nearly enough. Oh, and Justin Kirk is cute. And Alexander Gould might be the only kid actor in Tinseltown that I actually like.
So that's the summer cable treat. Well, that plus 'Stargate Atlantis'. Which did bring me a few surprisingly decent episodes this season. Meaning 'No Man's Land' (entertaining, nicely paced and good Rodney), 'Sateda' (action, a lot of hot Ronon and pretty good Rodney), 'McKay and Mrs Miller' (lots and lots of Rodney, plus another 'Rodney gets molested be a kid' scene - these never fail to amuse) and 'Phantoms' (decent story, nicely done and good Rodney - you see the trend here?). I even stopped pretending that I'm trying to quit. SGA gets another shot, then. At least until the inevitable increase in SG-1 guest stars scares me off.
As for the new fall season, it still haven't kicked off in earnest. Only FOX decided to get ahead of the competition, so 'Prison Break' has already managed to kill off two major characters (but brought me, oh my, William Fichtner) and 'House M.D' has Dr House running five miles a day, though probably not for long. New 'Prison Break' is disappointingly schematic at times, but pretty enjoyable anyway. Still above the 'average' line. New 'House M.D.' left me in a state of tentative excitement. Hugh Laurie is as awesome as ever, the infamous snark beast made the appearance and I love Chase as strongly as ever, even though he continues to be badly written, but on the whole the show is not great at all so far. Just good. I hopefully await further development.
Decided to watch season 2 of 'Lost', too. Polish television bought it and shows two episodes every Thursday. It didn't take more than two minutes of the season premiere to make me remember how utterly frustrating this thing is and how maddeningly slow it moves forward, but I'll probably stay with it till the end of the season anyway. There is too much fuss about it for me to ignore it. I'm shallow that way. I'll just always make sure I have something else to do as well Thursday evenings. Some light reading, some writing, Internet browsing, whatever, just something to keep me sane. If I was to give 'Lost' my full attention, I'd probably go delirious.
And finally, the newborns. Tv gives us a fair share of new shows this year. Had a chance to check out three so far. 'Vanished' isn't really worth bothering. Gale Harold might be hot, but he's not THAT hot. With 'Justice' the jury is still out. It didn't impress me so much, seems to be off-puttingly staged, but I admit that it has quite intriguing approach. I give it two more episodes. If it catches my interest for real, it stays. The only show that put me squarely on the 'yay' side was 'Standoff', that perhaps isn't terribly creative when the plot is concerned, but the characters have won me over. Ron Livingstone is very much ok and Rosemarie DeWitt reminds me nicely of both Mary-Louise Parker and, for some reason, Diane Farr (I think it's the voice), who are among my absolutely favorite tv ladies. And, of course, there is the wonderful Gina Torres. Can't forget Gina Torres. She kicks ass here, too. And she slays me every time when she pronounces 'Carrera'. 'Standoff' is then a go.
This week the fall season starts for good. The schedule is somewhat frightening but I fully intend to manage it anyway. I don't know how (or why) but I will come through. Well, I will probably just end up cutting on the sleep-time. Again. Hmm, I think I need a new master plan.
.
First of, I got hooked up on 'Rescue Me'. That's one damn fine tv show, truly. Sometimes they push too hard, that's true, sometimes they come up with shit that even I have trouble to swallow but some brilliant tv programming it is. I don't even like the characters so much (except for Sean who is just as sweet as he is dumb), but I sure am fascinated by them (except for Janet, her I just wish a very painful death). Besides, this bunch is not designed to be liked, they are all bastards and bitches, that's why they are so great. Plus, it's a show with the most developed snark factor besides 'House'. What's not to love? I look forward to the next season of Tom Gavin the Intrepid Fireman stumbling through his many - some more, some less assholish - schemes and ploys. But, damn, did they really have to kill off Johnny? He might have been Janet-infested, but he was still pretty. I will miss you, Dean Winters.
'Deadwood'. If I was asked what is the absolute best quality show on tv, I'd have probably say 'Deadwood'. Or 'Battlestar Galactica'. It's a toss-up. 'Deadwood' is a magnificent show. Incredibly complex, very nuanced (sometimes too much so, with the habit of going on with practically no exposition whatsoever, which is a grand thing, showing that these people are playing for an intelligent audience, who doesn't have to be told that a shovel is a shovel, but, really, there were a few regrettable times when I didn't have half a clue what was going on - I don't like being a moron), with masterfully entrancing, if somewhat flowery, dialog and amazing performances. And these bastards canceled it. Canceled it. I'm still in denial about the whole thing, I have still two more episodes to watch which I'm not that eager to do because then it will be OVER. Well, there is also the side issue of me not being able to actually understand them without subtitles and there not being any subtitles out there to satisfy my needs, but, if anyone asks, I'm in denial. Yes, I know there are supposed to be two television movies yet in store, but my love for Al Swearengen and his merry band of minions is too great to be placated by only four more hours of the 'Deadwood' delight. Oh damn, now I'm sad.
Let's think happy thoughts, then. 'Weeds'. What a lovely show it is. Absolutely enchanting. Incredibly funny, too. The ultimate suburbia show, 'Desperate Housewives' should go and hide in shame. Mary-Louis Parker is a marvelous actress. Well, the whole cast is extraordinary, but Parker is the lead one so she gets most screentime, and, automatically, more opportunities to screw up than others, but, baby, she shines. Is outshone possibly by Elizabeth Perkins, but it's a close thing. 'Weeds' is also the funniest little thing currently on tv. Shame it's so short. 25 minutes is not nearly enough. Oh, and Justin Kirk is cute. And Alexander Gould might be the only kid actor in Tinseltown that I actually like.
So that's the summer cable treat. Well, that plus 'Stargate Atlantis'. Which did bring me a few surprisingly decent episodes this season. Meaning 'No Man's Land' (entertaining, nicely paced and good Rodney), 'Sateda' (action, a lot of hot Ronon and pretty good Rodney), 'McKay and Mrs Miller' (lots and lots of Rodney, plus another 'Rodney gets molested be a kid' scene - these never fail to amuse) and 'Phantoms' (decent story, nicely done and good Rodney - you see the trend here?). I even stopped pretending that I'm trying to quit. SGA gets another shot, then. At least until the inevitable increase in SG-1 guest stars scares me off.
As for the new fall season, it still haven't kicked off in earnest. Only FOX decided to get ahead of the competition, so 'Prison Break' has already managed to kill off two major characters (but brought me, oh my, William Fichtner) and 'House M.D' has Dr House running five miles a day, though probably not for long. New 'Prison Break' is disappointingly schematic at times, but pretty enjoyable anyway. Still above the 'average' line. New 'House M.D.' left me in a state of tentative excitement. Hugh Laurie is as awesome as ever, the infamous snark beast made the appearance and I love Chase as strongly as ever, even though he continues to be badly written, but on the whole the show is not great at all so far. Just good. I hopefully await further development.
Decided to watch season 2 of 'Lost', too. Polish television bought it and shows two episodes every Thursday. It didn't take more than two minutes of the season premiere to make me remember how utterly frustrating this thing is and how maddeningly slow it moves forward, but I'll probably stay with it till the end of the season anyway. There is too much fuss about it for me to ignore it. I'm shallow that way. I'll just always make sure I have something else to do as well Thursday evenings. Some light reading, some writing, Internet browsing, whatever, just something to keep me sane. If I was to give 'Lost' my full attention, I'd probably go delirious.
And finally, the newborns. Tv gives us a fair share of new shows this year. Had a chance to check out three so far. 'Vanished' isn't really worth bothering. Gale Harold might be hot, but he's not THAT hot. With 'Justice' the jury is still out. It didn't impress me so much, seems to be off-puttingly staged, but I admit that it has quite intriguing approach. I give it two more episodes. If it catches my interest for real, it stays. The only show that put me squarely on the 'yay' side was 'Standoff', that perhaps isn't terribly creative when the plot is concerned, but the characters have won me over. Ron Livingstone is very much ok and Rosemarie DeWitt reminds me nicely of both Mary-Louise Parker and, for some reason, Diane Farr (I think it's the voice), who are among my absolutely favorite tv ladies. And, of course, there is the wonderful Gina Torres. Can't forget Gina Torres. She kicks ass here, too. And she slays me every time when she pronounces 'Carrera'. 'Standoff' is then a go.
This week the fall season starts for good. The schedule is somewhat frightening but I fully intend to manage it anyway. I don't know how (or why) but I will come through. Well, I will probably just end up cutting on the sleep-time. Again. Hmm, I think I need a new master plan.
.