For this show, the last 5 minutes are always so arresting, whether Tommy is beating the living, holy crap out of someone or breaking down in tears. I find that, no matter what I'm doing, my attention is drawn back to the show and completely caught for the last few minutes. I'm still laughing at the episode where Tommy is trying to get the rest of the guys to call the money can for their no smoking money "the can" as opposed to "the kitty" (or however that would be spelled).
I didn't watch the controversial "rape" scene from last week's show. I saw it in the previews, but I didn't know where it was going and their conversation didn't seem any more messed up for what happened. Based on the comments going on about this show, I can't wait to watch it.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Spotted
Mahershalalhashbaz Ali (Richard Tyler from The 4400) was spotted as an extra on Seinfeld. He was the ticket person for the movie Sack Lunch, the movie Elaine liked better than The English Patient.
I like playing "Spotted" as I watch television because it's so much fun to be able to see some of my favourite actors before they became my favourite actors.
I like playing "Spotted" as I watch television because it's so much fun to be able to see some of my favourite actors before they became my favourite actors.
Friday, June 16, 2006
30 Rock
After watching a preview of the show, I completely change my mind about 30 Rock. I watched the preview several times and found myself laughing at the same thing each time, just as hard, as well as catching new things that were funny. In fact, re-watching made certain things funnier. This is going to be a good show to record, I'm thinking. I am beginning to be pretty excited about this comedy. I'm not sure if Tracy Morgan will be funny in the role though. His character really seems over the top, but that might be the point. What I am most interested in, though, is that the sketch the show is preparing will be viewed online, not on the show, as a cool way for this show to tie in with internet viewers. It's a smart way to keep viewers interested in the show, possibly gain new viewers, and use the internet in a productive, cohesive manner.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Spotted
Ted Levine (Captain Stottlemeyer from Monk) was Spotted in The Fast and the Furious and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Spotted is a regular feature where I exclaim to no one in particular when I "spot" a regular from favourite television show in movies or other shows.
Spotted is a regular feature where I exclaim to no one in particular when I "spot" a regular from favourite television show in movies or other shows.
Spotted
I love finding out where I've seen someone before. Justin Chambers (Karev from Grey's Anatomy) played Mossimo, another almost husband for J.Lo in The Wedding Planner. Wow! What a great accent! That just lets me know he's one to watch, because I really like his character as Mossimo and I think his jerky good guy on Grey's is a good conflicted character (my fave is still Sandra Oh's Christina). Just another favourite show character Spotted!
Inspiration
TV shows inspire me as a writer. Firefly is the show that told the best stories I've ever seen. Well written characters with reactions that come naturally out of the situations and I loved the Futuristic Western language, a lingo all its own. When I started doing my own reading about Japanese culture, I realized how indepth the American-Asian mixture was and it made me appreciate the show even more.
Bones is another show that inspires me. It's relatively new, but the Temperance Brennan character is such a uniquely naive character. It's interesting seeing her develop, it's interesting seeing Sealy Booth's overprotective streak, it's great watching the secondary characters who are in no way secondary, with just as much development as the main characters. I love the Angela character, so worldly, yet optimistic.
The Dead Zone - Book, movie, and television show - I've loved every incarnation of this story. I saw the movie first, then read the book, and was really excited to see Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny, though I am not excited about his end. I think that while Christopher Walken made the story a creepy coming of age tale, Anthony Michael Hall make it engaging, having you understand all of the conflict that would come from having this eerie talent. Too bad it's a brain tumor.
Bones is another show that inspires me. It's relatively new, but the Temperance Brennan character is such a uniquely naive character. It's interesting seeing her develop, it's interesting seeing Sealy Booth's overprotective streak, it's great watching the secondary characters who are in no way secondary, with just as much development as the main characters. I love the Angela character, so worldly, yet optimistic.
The Dead Zone - Book, movie, and television show - I've loved every incarnation of this story. I saw the movie first, then read the book, and was really excited to see Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny, though I am not excited about his end. I think that while Christopher Walken made the story a creepy coming of age tale, Anthony Michael Hall make it engaging, having you understand all of the conflict that would come from having this eerie talent. Too bad it's a brain tumor.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Summer's Here!
New episodes of The 4400, Rescue Me... So far so good. Today The Closer and Saved. These are both playing commercial free. Normally, I sort of TiVo shows and watch them one after the other without commercials, so it will be interesting to see what it's like watching it this week without commercials. Sometimes, when I watch The Closer, I miss California. What makes this show so good is watching the characters. They are well written, growing characters. Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda Johnson is a hard ass. It's her job to be so. So watching her trying to soften herself in different situations is hilarious and heart rending. The personal conflict is probably the most realistic of any procedural show I've watched, not counting Law & Order: SVU. I'm pretty excited about this season, the caliber of writing and acting that the 2nd season opener portrayed was exactly where you'd expect the show to go from last season. Chalk one up to another good drama from TNT.
You'd think a show about EMTs would be adrenaline filled, exciting, but Saved was not. The opening was stale, reusing CSI musical and visual conventions. The first scene was the best part of the show, but not exciting. The introduction of the main character was, to say the least, lame. A very realistic fight though. It made me laugh. The main idea of the season opener was "just another quiet day" where nothing is quiet, but each vignette was brief and emotionless, nothing drawing us into the characters, nothing to make us emotionally connect with the secondary characters or the stories. The pacing was slow, anti-adrenaline if you will, and the storyline was generic. The most irritating thing was the music, drawing so much attention to itself, you felt musically manipulated. However, even that didn't work because it was all so colourless, redoing what was done before. I would like to say I didn't like any part of it, but John the Baptist was actually funny (not as funny as it could have been, but the actor that played him had a very good voice) and the little boy was extremely cute. It will be interesting to see where the writers and directors take the show, but my guess is that this show doesn't stand a chance.
You'd think a show about EMTs would be adrenaline filled, exciting, but Saved was not. The opening was stale, reusing CSI musical and visual conventions. The first scene was the best part of the show, but not exciting. The introduction of the main character was, to say the least, lame. A very realistic fight though. It made me laugh. The main idea of the season opener was "just another quiet day" where nothing is quiet, but each vignette was brief and emotionless, nothing drawing us into the characters, nothing to make us emotionally connect with the secondary characters or the stories. The pacing was slow, anti-adrenaline if you will, and the storyline was generic. The most irritating thing was the music, drawing so much attention to itself, you felt musically manipulated. However, even that didn't work because it was all so colourless, redoing what was done before. I would like to say I didn't like any part of it, but John the Baptist was actually funny (not as funny as it could have been, but the actor that played him had a very good voice) and the little boy was extremely cute. It will be interesting to see where the writers and directors take the show, but my guess is that this show doesn't stand a chance.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
2006 Fall Season Line-up
This season is ending, some shows with a bang and some with a farewell. Some new shows are returning for their second season - Bones, Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother (Barney!) and of course new shows that take the place of the shows leaving after their first season - Courting Alex, Commander In Chief, and Stacked.
Of all the networks, ABC has the most upcoming fall shows, with 9. Fox is next with 7 shows, NBC has 6, and CBS has 4. This is not including new midseason shows (and I'm only including scripted shows)
Now let's play Which Show Gets Cancelled! (C) - Comedy; (D) - Drama
CBS:
(C) The Class - People from the same third grade class are brought together for a surprise reunion. David Crane of Friends and Jeffrey Klarik of Mad About You are involved with this sitcom. Jason Ritter, Sean Maguire, and Lizzy Caplan star. CANCELLED
(D) Jericho - A baffling explosion causes social, psychological, and physical chaos in a small, isolated town. Stars Skeet Ulrich, Erik Knudsen. This could be good, so NOT CANCELLED
(DC) Smith - Diverse crew of career criminals as they plot and carry out high stakes heists at prominent locations. The thing is, the main character wants the one big heist that will set him for life, allowing him to finally retire. Starring Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker and Amy Smart. Since I'm really stoked to see this one, NOT CANCELLED. If it turns out anything like Thief, CANCELLED.
(D) Shark - A show about lawyers (duh). Starring James Woods with Spike Lee directing the pilot episode. They're pulling out the big guns and I think James Woods is hit or miss - plus my lack of interest in this show makes me think CANCELLED, but the interest of most people in law shows, especially with a name like Shark could equal NOT CANCELLED.
ABC
(DC) Big Day - Danny and Alice are getting married today and we see it in 22 episodes. I remember my wedding and I say YES! because watching my wedding fall apart was utterly hilarious. It's 24 does a wedding day. NOT CANCELLED.
(C) Let's Rob... - Donal Logue (The Tao of Steve) is a janitor who puts together a motley crew to rob Mick Jagger's swank New York apartment. The only problem is that not one of them has stolen so much as a candy bar. What kind of show name is "Let's Rob..." anyway. It should be cancelled just on name alone. Donal Logue is funny, but I still think CANCELLED
(C) Help Me Help You - Self help group therapy where the Dr. may be just as crazy as the patients. Stars Ted Danson. CANCELLED, although Danson shows usually last a couple of seasons.
(C) Notes From The Underbelly - "The politics of parenthood can be just as demanding as raising he child. A group of friends watch their lives change to accomodate the little stranger. CANCELLED
(D) Betty The Ugly - An ugly duckling and a mogul's son are the "Working Girl couple who tackle the colourful, cutthroat world of fashion head on. This stars America Ferrerra and she made me cry in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Brothers and Sisters - Calista Flockhart narrates this tale of a family whos recent loss brings their own pressing personal issues to light. Family McBeal. The strength of the actors may bring this drama through. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Day Break - Brett Hopper keeps reliving the day he was framed for murder (that's weird) - and no cute groundhog can help him get out of it. Stars Taye Digg and Adam Baldwin (Jayne!). Even though this is a midseason show, I had to give a shout out to someone from the Firefly crew! NOT CANCELLED
(D) Men In Trees - A horrible title for a "fun and sexy drama about finding love in the most unexpected places". Stars Anne Heche. CANCELLED
(D) Six Degrees - " A story that will prove just how small the world really is and how someone just five people away could be shaping your future. From the creators of Lost and Alias, this give us all hope for another great drama, so, NOT CANCELLED
(D) The Nine - Nine people trapped in a bank robbery gone wrong and a 52 hour hostage stand off are irrevocably and forever linked. Stars Tim Daly, Chi McBride, and Scott Wolf. This promises a Lost-esque flashback/ 24ish filmed show. Done well, this will definitely be a NOT CANCELLED. Plus, being told from the linked after a tragedy story, there are so many directions the story line could go and the actors are top notch. I'm hoping this does well.
NBC
(D) Heroes - "Heroes chronicle the lives of those [with supernatural ability] whose destiny just might be saving human kind. Stars Milo Ventimiglia (of Gilmore Girl fame). NOT CANCELLED because people always want more X:MEN.
(D) Friday Night Lights - Football story, like the movie, but every Tuesday (unless they change the schedule). I loved the movie, but will miss Billy Bob Thornton. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Kidnapped - A couple's 15 year old son is kidnapped. Shocking crime or business vendetta? Watch as the event unfold. Delroy Lindo, therefore NOT CANCELLED.
(C) Twenty Good Years - Old men live the rest of their lives to the fullest. John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor (George Bluth) so NOT CANCELLED, although networks didn't take too kindly to Arrested Development, so CANCELLED
(C) 30 Rock - Tina Fey is Dick Van Dyke. It's full of SNL alums and Alex Baldwin. CANCELLED, even though I think Tina Fey is funny.
(D) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Josh Lyman and Chandler Bing are Dick Van Dyke breaking new life into a sketch comedy series. I still think this is a drama though. Starring Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet. This sounds like it has potential, but CANCELLED
FOX
(C) Happy Hour - "Happy Hour... free buffalo wings... half priced drinks... and the time between the end of one relationship andthe start of another". CANCELLED, but I'll take the free wings and half priced drinks.
(D) Justice - "An unflinching, behind the scene look at the way high profile cases are tried in the media age. Starring Victor Garber, Kerr Smith, Eamonn Walker. CANCELLED
(D) Standoff - Two of the top ranked negotiators in the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit are sleeping together and when it's revealed, it cause friction with the group. Gina Torres stars. NOT CANCELLED 'cause of my girl Gina aka Zoe aka good to see you on TV again Torres.
(C) 'Til Death - A comedy about new marriages vs. old marriages. Starring Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. Two funny people and a good comedy for Fox. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Vanished - A woman disappears and the investigation into that disappearance brings up more than anyone ever thought. Rebecca Gayheart, Ming Na star. NOT CANCELLED our of sheer voyeurism and guilty pleasurism.
The Wedding Album - "Things are definitely more interesting when every day at the 'office' is the most important day of someone else's life." CANCELLED - doesn't seem to have much substance. I couldn't even tell if it were a comedy or a drama.
(C) The Winner - A 43 year old looks back to the tender age of 32 when he became a man. Now rich, he leads us through the steps he took to get there, with the help of his true love's 13 year old son. Stars Rob Corddry (of Daily Show fame - And some Arrested Development), Julie Hagerty (Airplane!) and Lenny Clarke (funny!) NOT CANCELLED
So let's recap:
So that's 10 shows cancelled, 14 shows not cancelled, and 3 shows I'm not sure of, all in my own humble opinions. Of the 27 shows mentioned, 10 shows are strangers come together shows with two of them being about strangers who used to be in the same class; 3 are law and order shows, 2 are heist knockoffs, even though the show Heist won't be coming back for a second season and Thief was horrible; 4 deal with marriage (all aspects of it) and 3 have a hostage aspect to it.
I can't wait to see:
Smith (CBS)
Big Day (ABC)
Betty The Ugly (ABC)
Day Break (ABC)
The Nine (ABC)
Standoff (FOX)
The Winner (FOX)
And Surface, I will miss you and your water monstery goodness. I downloaded you religiously. Farewell my friend. Especially you Nim.
I hope you've enjoyed your read. Good Night.
Of all the networks, ABC has the most upcoming fall shows, with 9. Fox is next with 7 shows, NBC has 6, and CBS has 4. This is not including new midseason shows (and I'm only including scripted shows)
Now let's play Which Show Gets Cancelled! (C) - Comedy; (D) - Drama
CBS:
(C) The Class - People from the same third grade class are brought together for a surprise reunion. David Crane of Friends and Jeffrey Klarik of Mad About You are involved with this sitcom. Jason Ritter, Sean Maguire, and Lizzy Caplan star. CANCELLED
(D) Jericho - A baffling explosion causes social, psychological, and physical chaos in a small, isolated town. Stars Skeet Ulrich, Erik Knudsen. This could be good, so NOT CANCELLED
(DC) Smith - Diverse crew of career criminals as they plot and carry out high stakes heists at prominent locations. The thing is, the main character wants the one big heist that will set him for life, allowing him to finally retire. Starring Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker and Amy Smart. Since I'm really stoked to see this one, NOT CANCELLED. If it turns out anything like Thief, CANCELLED.
(D) Shark - A show about lawyers (duh). Starring James Woods with Spike Lee directing the pilot episode. They're pulling out the big guns and I think James Woods is hit or miss - plus my lack of interest in this show makes me think CANCELLED, but the interest of most people in law shows, especially with a name like Shark could equal NOT CANCELLED.
ABC
(DC) Big Day - Danny and Alice are getting married today and we see it in 22 episodes. I remember my wedding and I say YES! because watching my wedding fall apart was utterly hilarious. It's 24 does a wedding day. NOT CANCELLED.
(C) Let's Rob... - Donal Logue (The Tao of Steve) is a janitor who puts together a motley crew to rob Mick Jagger's swank New York apartment. The only problem is that not one of them has stolen so much as a candy bar. What kind of show name is "Let's Rob..." anyway. It should be cancelled just on name alone. Donal Logue is funny, but I still think CANCELLED
(C) Help Me Help You - Self help group therapy where the Dr. may be just as crazy as the patients. Stars Ted Danson. CANCELLED, although Danson shows usually last a couple of seasons.
(C) Notes From The Underbelly - "The politics of parenthood can be just as demanding as raising he child. A group of friends watch their lives change to accomodate the little stranger. CANCELLED
(D) Betty The Ugly - An ugly duckling and a mogul's son are the "Working Girl couple who tackle the colourful, cutthroat world of fashion head on. This stars America Ferrerra and she made me cry in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Brothers and Sisters - Calista Flockhart narrates this tale of a family whos recent loss brings their own pressing personal issues to light. Family McBeal. The strength of the actors may bring this drama through. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Day Break - Brett Hopper keeps reliving the day he was framed for murder (that's weird) - and no cute groundhog can help him get out of it. Stars Taye Digg and Adam Baldwin (Jayne!). Even though this is a midseason show, I had to give a shout out to someone from the Firefly crew! NOT CANCELLED
(D) Men In Trees - A horrible title for a "fun and sexy drama about finding love in the most unexpected places". Stars Anne Heche. CANCELLED
(D) Six Degrees - " A story that will prove just how small the world really is and how someone just five people away could be shaping your future. From the creators of Lost and Alias, this give us all hope for another great drama, so, NOT CANCELLED
(D) The Nine - Nine people trapped in a bank robbery gone wrong and a 52 hour hostage stand off are irrevocably and forever linked. Stars Tim Daly, Chi McBride, and Scott Wolf. This promises a Lost-esque flashback/ 24ish filmed show. Done well, this will definitely be a NOT CANCELLED. Plus, being told from the linked after a tragedy story, there are so many directions the story line could go and the actors are top notch. I'm hoping this does well.
NBC
(D) Heroes - "Heroes chronicle the lives of those [with supernatural ability] whose destiny just might be saving human kind. Stars Milo Ventimiglia (of Gilmore Girl fame). NOT CANCELLED because people always want more X:MEN.
(D) Friday Night Lights - Football story, like the movie, but every Tuesday (unless they change the schedule). I loved the movie, but will miss Billy Bob Thornton. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Kidnapped - A couple's 15 year old son is kidnapped. Shocking crime or business vendetta? Watch as the event unfold. Delroy Lindo, therefore NOT CANCELLED.
(C) Twenty Good Years - Old men live the rest of their lives to the fullest. John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor (George Bluth) so NOT CANCELLED, although networks didn't take too kindly to Arrested Development, so CANCELLED
(C) 30 Rock - Tina Fey is Dick Van Dyke. It's full of SNL alums and Alex Baldwin. CANCELLED, even though I think Tina Fey is funny.
(D) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Josh Lyman and Chandler Bing are Dick Van Dyke breaking new life into a sketch comedy series. I still think this is a drama though. Starring Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet. This sounds like it has potential, but CANCELLED
FOX
(C) Happy Hour - "Happy Hour... free buffalo wings... half priced drinks... and the time between the end of one relationship andthe start of another". CANCELLED, but I'll take the free wings and half priced drinks.
(D) Justice - "An unflinching, behind the scene look at the way high profile cases are tried in the media age. Starring Victor Garber, Kerr Smith, Eamonn Walker. CANCELLED
(D) Standoff - Two of the top ranked negotiators in the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit are sleeping together and when it's revealed, it cause friction with the group. Gina Torres stars. NOT CANCELLED 'cause of my girl Gina aka Zoe aka good to see you on TV again Torres.
(C) 'Til Death - A comedy about new marriages vs. old marriages. Starring Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. Two funny people and a good comedy for Fox. NOT CANCELLED
(D) Vanished - A woman disappears and the investigation into that disappearance brings up more than anyone ever thought. Rebecca Gayheart, Ming Na star. NOT CANCELLED our of sheer voyeurism and guilty pleasurism.
The Wedding Album - "Things are definitely more interesting when every day at the 'office' is the most important day of someone else's life." CANCELLED - doesn't seem to have much substance. I couldn't even tell if it were a comedy or a drama.
(C) The Winner - A 43 year old looks back to the tender age of 32 when he became a man. Now rich, he leads us through the steps he took to get there, with the help of his true love's 13 year old son. Stars Rob Corddry (of Daily Show fame - And some Arrested Development), Julie Hagerty (Airplane!) and Lenny Clarke (funny!) NOT CANCELLED
So let's recap:
So that's 10 shows cancelled, 14 shows not cancelled, and 3 shows I'm not sure of, all in my own humble opinions. Of the 27 shows mentioned, 10 shows are strangers come together shows with two of them being about strangers who used to be in the same class; 3 are law and order shows, 2 are heist knockoffs, even though the show Heist won't be coming back for a second season and Thief was horrible; 4 deal with marriage (all aspects of it) and 3 have a hostage aspect to it.
I can't wait to see:
Smith (CBS)
Big Day (ABC)
Betty The Ugly (ABC)
Day Break (ABC)
The Nine (ABC)
Standoff (FOX)
The Winner (FOX)
And Surface, I will miss you and your water monstery goodness. I downloaded you religiously. Farewell my friend. Especially you Nim.
I hope you've enjoyed your read. Good Night.
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