A reply for toforgive's blog
This post is in reply to a posting on toforgive's blog. I got kinda overexcited reading shiny_aubergine's literate analysis of TV shows that I felt so stoked to try it myself and overshot my comment. So anyway.
My own opinions on the shows Jeremy vouches for:
CSI
A good example of using archetypes well. A key is perhaps focusing solely on their work and letting personal life seep in only a little. Thus, removing much need for 'fakey' plot devices. Anyway, I think the name for this type of approach is 'procedural drama'. Another good example of this genre is "Without a Trace"
House
One of the best TV characters out there. Archetypal but with many added facets and depth. Sharp episodic writing as well. And this is probably the way I like my TV characters.
Sidetrack:
I think both the key advantage and drawback of TV as compared to movies is the amount of time you would spend with a character. That much time allows for a lot of space for character development and makes it easy to flesh them out. But given too long a time, a character can run out of space for fresh development and thus giving rise to the need for obvious plot devices to keep things interesting (in a manner of speaking). The other alternative is to keep things grounded by progressing at a natural pace of character development (an option many movies employ) but given the length of time a TV series is expected to fill up, this generates too much inactivity. However, I feel some good series have managed to retain good balance, if not over the entire duration of the series, at least over a large portion of seasons. When done well, the long setup of TV allows for hefty payoffs occasionally.
Lost
This show is hokey, I'll admit as much, based on absurd scenarios and circumstances. But, it does a great job of embracing its scenarios and proceeding logically from that vantage point. And Terry O' Quinn's acting is a good example of that on this show. Funny, that it came from the creator of Alias, which started the same way and started spiralling out of control over time.
Other current shows I personally vouch for (unmentioned by shiny_aubergine)
Veronica Mars
I realize that I've lost my objectivity over this show as I 'discovered' it by downloading on a whim without advance information and watching it grow, sprout wings and soar. See, fanboy speaking. But, the first season was absolutely brilliant. It only just started its second season and it was formatted as a single-season show end-to-end so I am reserving judgement on its longevity till later. There were so many things I loved in this show that I might probably have another dedicated post on it later. Great characters, clever setting, memorable scenes and one of the tightest season-long themes. If you have not heard about this show, its probably because its a show with no real solid market, with a premise adults would thumb their noses at but an execution that would not relate to the average teenager.
Arrested Development
The best comedy on TV, IMHO. The show is just funny. I don't need to go on about any character development, originality, devices, etc.. Its a comedy. Its simply hilarious. Enough reasons.
My Name is Earl
TV comedies are back with a vengeance!! Still first season. Jason Lee is Earl on TV. Its funny. Whoever acting as Earl's brother is brilliant. Its also sappy but it has earned my indulgence.
Scrubs
Another use of reducing archetypes to their most basic level that it becomes funny. Only its not a cartoon. If you can buy that conceit, there is light at the end of this tunnel. And it can affect in unsuspecting ways, similar to that cartoon analogy.
Other stuff I watch regularly but hasn't earned my personal 5-star treatment:
Everybody Hates Chris - Created by and based on Chris Rock but he does not appear. The pilot was superb. So far, the follow up so-so.
The Office (British version) - Don't tell me you don't like this one.
Gilmore Girls - My personal indulgence that I revisit from time to time. I know every way this is manipulative and how it exists in 'hyper-reality'. But this is my own little excuse for TV time.
Show I really want to see for myself
Freaks and Geeks
This show is like the old fond relic every critic speaks of with a high regard. It supposedly undertook the most realistic attempt at portraying teenage life ever. Not brushed up like the regular teen rom-coms, not intentionally broody like the high school satirical dark comedies, just plain old realism. It did not even allow itself the luxury of stylistic dialogue like say, Veronica Mars. Just what real teenagers would say, acted by actual teenage actors who look like regular teenagers. Needless to say, it was not successful and got pulled after one critically acclaimed season. But suffice to say, I'm really curious.
My own opinions on the shows Jeremy vouches for:
CSI
A good example of using archetypes well. A key is perhaps focusing solely on their work and letting personal life seep in only a little. Thus, removing much need for 'fakey' plot devices. Anyway, I think the name for this type of approach is 'procedural drama'. Another good example of this genre is "Without a Trace"
House
One of the best TV characters out there. Archetypal but with many added facets and depth. Sharp episodic writing as well. And this is probably the way I like my TV characters.
Sidetrack:
I think both the key advantage and drawback of TV as compared to movies is the amount of time you would spend with a character. That much time allows for a lot of space for character development and makes it easy to flesh them out. But given too long a time, a character can run out of space for fresh development and thus giving rise to the need for obvious plot devices to keep things interesting (in a manner of speaking). The other alternative is to keep things grounded by progressing at a natural pace of character development (an option many movies employ) but given the length of time a TV series is expected to fill up, this generates too much inactivity. However, I feel some good series have managed to retain good balance, if not over the entire duration of the series, at least over a large portion of seasons. When done well, the long setup of TV allows for hefty payoffs occasionally.
Lost
This show is hokey, I'll admit as much, based on absurd scenarios and circumstances. But, it does a great job of embracing its scenarios and proceeding logically from that vantage point. And Terry O' Quinn's acting is a good example of that on this show. Funny, that it came from the creator of Alias, which started the same way and started spiralling out of control over time.
Other current shows I personally vouch for (unmentioned by shiny_aubergine)
Veronica Mars
I realize that I've lost my objectivity over this show as I 'discovered' it by downloading on a whim without advance information and watching it grow, sprout wings and soar. See, fanboy speaking. But, the first season was absolutely brilliant. It only just started its second season and it was formatted as a single-season show end-to-end so I am reserving judgement on its longevity till later. There were so many things I loved in this show that I might probably have another dedicated post on it later. Great characters, clever setting, memorable scenes and one of the tightest season-long themes. If you have not heard about this show, its probably because its a show with no real solid market, with a premise adults would thumb their noses at but an execution that would not relate to the average teenager.
Arrested Development
The best comedy on TV, IMHO. The show is just funny. I don't need to go on about any character development, originality, devices, etc.. Its a comedy. Its simply hilarious. Enough reasons.
My Name is Earl
TV comedies are back with a vengeance!! Still first season. Jason Lee is Earl on TV. Its funny. Whoever acting as Earl's brother is brilliant. Its also sappy but it has earned my indulgence.
Scrubs
Another use of reducing archetypes to their most basic level that it becomes funny. Only its not a cartoon. If you can buy that conceit, there is light at the end of this tunnel. And it can affect in unsuspecting ways, similar to that cartoon analogy.
Other stuff I watch regularly but hasn't earned my personal 5-star treatment:
Everybody Hates Chris - Created by and based on Chris Rock but he does not appear. The pilot was superb. So far, the follow up so-so.
The Office (British version) - Don't tell me you don't like this one.
Gilmore Girls - My personal indulgence that I revisit from time to time. I know every way this is manipulative and how it exists in 'hyper-reality'. But this is my own little excuse for TV time.
Show I really want to see for myself
Freaks and Geeks
This show is like the old fond relic every critic speaks of with a high regard. It supposedly undertook the most realistic attempt at portraying teenage life ever. Not brushed up like the regular teen rom-coms, not intentionally broody like the high school satirical dark comedies, just plain old realism. It did not even allow itself the luxury of stylistic dialogue like say, Veronica Mars. Just what real teenagers would say, acted by actual teenage actors who look like regular teenagers. Needless to say, it was not successful and got pulled after one critically acclaimed season. But suffice to say, I'm really curious.