I think I am going to try to keep this section short and sweet. This is going to cover two categories. First, off season shows or shows that show during the summer. Then I am going to rattle off a couple of British shows that are worth looking at. Then I am going to go pass out.
So off season shows...
Well for starters there is True Blood. After two seasons I still can't decide that I like this show but I can be damn sure I can't stop watching it. I don't particularly care for either lead role but I am loving the hell out of the supporting cast. If vampires are real then magic must be real. They need to find a way to bring Godric back. Just sayin.
And Leverage! Hitter, hacker, grifter, thief... Throw in a mastermind and you have an outstanding ensemble show with the potential to go anywhere! The characterizations here absolutely live up to any hype you may have heard. And on the off chance you haven't heard any, consider this hype. Rumor has it that this show has already been renewed beyond the second season but from what I can see, there are still three unaired and unscheduled episodes of season two! If anyone knows what in the world is going on here please let me know!
The one new summer show I found this year was put out on Syfy. (What the hell was wrong with scifi by the way?) Warehouse 13 is a little bit more flighty and a lot less serious than most shows of its ilk but, certainly, no less entertaining for that. It centers around a team of agents who work at recovering artifacts that are, through various methods, imbued with special powers. If it sounds hokey, it is but seriously, well worth watching. (And on a random note, I love that Claudia is a regular character. I didn't think that was going to happen and was thrilled when it did.)
Ok... Off season shows covered... Lets spend just a moment talking about some foreign programs.
By some, I mean two and by foreign I mean from the BBC. (What!? I can only speak English so I am limited on my foreign viewing capabilities!)
First off, a show some of you may have noticed on NBC over the summer, Merlin. It is a period piece which means armor and old fashioned looking costumes. It also means that it will probably never really catch on here in the states but in the UK, it has been renewed for a second season and I am looking forward to it wholeheartedly. As the name implies, it is a re-imagining of the Arthurian legend from a point of view centering around Merlin. What you don't get from the title is the fact that they are young, magic of any kind is outlawed, Uther Pendragon is still the king and Arthur is still being shaped by his experiences into the legendary ruler we know. If you know the legends you know most of the characters and if you don't know them, well, this seems like as good a way as any to fall in love with the magic and majesty that have captivated people for centuries!
And finally, before I pass out, I would like to tell you about a show centering around three housemates in Bristol, England. the show is actually surprisingly deep and amazingly done. It has inner conflict, external conflict, good guys, bad guys and enough drama that sometimes it isn't entirely clear which character is on which side. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... The three main characters are a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost. Being Human is actually a bloody amazing show in spite of (or because of), well, everything about it! :p
That having been said, I am going to go pass out... Happy viewing! See you soon!
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Saturday, October 3, 2009
May Contain Spoilers... 3 of 4
New shows...
There are a few programs this season that have piqued my interest. I dont know quite as much about them as I do about the ones I have been watching for longer (duh) but I will give you what I can.
First things first, The Forgotten. Christian Slater (yep, swear to god, Christian Slater) is leading a band of volunteers who help to identify corpses. I will warn you, this i s both more and less strange than it sounds. The Forgotten is apparently a vast network of these volunteers who pick up where the police leave off. When the cops run out of leads these guys do all kinds of whacky research to identify a victim and then help bring the killer to justice. I suppose that it is kind of a new take on a cop drama but it is one I can stand behind. (Notice that none of the Law and Order shows make my list anywhere. It isn't that I don't like the shows, just that I think they have been overdone to the point of no return.)
The next show I have found this year with the potential to hold my attention is called Flash Forward. Imagine that you are driving along one day when suddenly you black out for 2 minutes and 47 seconds. Only you don't really black out. You actually flash forward 6 months and see where you will be and what you will be doing. And you aren't the only one! Every. Single. Person. on the face of the PLANET goes through the same thing. And as one little girl puts it when she trys to describe her "dream", "I dreamed there were no more good days." ... Damn...
Now everyone has to figure out what they did or didn't do and how to change it to avoid the hell that the future looked like it was going to be. And while we are at it, maybe we can figure out just what the HELL just happened here!
Oh, and by the way... An object in motion stays in motion... So when your flashback ends the world looks like Armageddon thanks to all the cars piled up and helicopters and planes that crashed and god knows what all else can go wrong in two and a half minutes... Shit, it is going to take a whole season just to straighten everything out, never mind reach a conclusion!
Then there is Glee. I don't want to like it... I don't want to like it... But I am a theater person from way back. Something about showtunes is lust making this irresistible tome.
Phew... Alright... I am calm. There are only three other shows to tell you about in the new category and I am not sure how I feel about any of them yet.
To begin with, Vampire Diaries. On the plus side, they aren't sparkly vampires. On the negative side, Glee is already stretching my ability to put up with high school drama. Conclusion... There is potential there, but I don't think I am going to be able to stick it out long enough for it to come to fruition. I hope you like it though!
Next we have Cougar Town. Pros: Not (primarily) high school drama. Cons: Primarily 40 year old recently divorced woman drama. Conclusion... Aww hell, the jury is still out on this one. I will stick it out a little longer in the hopes that it works for me.
And finally, Eastwick. You have heard of the Witches of Eastwick, I hope. Well, that is the basis. Kind of a cool concept I think. The good part is that the witches are all hot and (I think) decent actresses. Sadly, the Devil is the antithesis of this fact. At this point I am hoping that the director or someone is able to fix that fact as the season progresses. I would truly hate to have to hate a show because of a bad Devil. Hell, call the guy that played the Devil in Reaper! He was an outstanding evil and I can almost see that type of devil fitting here!
Ok... Almost done here... One more section and I can go to bed!
There are a few programs this season that have piqued my interest. I dont know quite as much about them as I do about the ones I have been watching for longer (duh) but I will give you what I can.
First things first, The Forgotten. Christian Slater (yep, swear to god, Christian Slater) is leading a band of volunteers who help to identify corpses. I will warn you, this i s both more and less strange than it sounds. The Forgotten is apparently a vast network of these volunteers who pick up where the police leave off. When the cops run out of leads these guys do all kinds of whacky research to identify a victim and then help bring the killer to justice. I suppose that it is kind of a new take on a cop drama but it is one I can stand behind. (Notice that none of the Law and Order shows make my list anywhere. It isn't that I don't like the shows, just that I think they have been overdone to the point of no return.)
The next show I have found this year with the potential to hold my attention is called Flash Forward. Imagine that you are driving along one day when suddenly you black out for 2 minutes and 47 seconds. Only you don't really black out. You actually flash forward 6 months and see where you will be and what you will be doing. And you aren't the only one! Every. Single. Person. on the face of the PLANET goes through the same thing. And as one little girl puts it when she trys to describe her "dream", "I dreamed there were no more good days." ... Damn...
Now everyone has to figure out what they did or didn't do and how to change it to avoid the hell that the future looked like it was going to be. And while we are at it, maybe we can figure out just what the HELL just happened here!
Oh, and by the way... An object in motion stays in motion... So when your flashback ends the world looks like Armageddon thanks to all the cars piled up and helicopters and planes that crashed and god knows what all else can go wrong in two and a half minutes... Shit, it is going to take a whole season just to straighten everything out, never mind reach a conclusion!
Then there is Glee. I don't want to like it... I don't want to like it... But I am a theater person from way back. Something about showtunes is lust making this irresistible tome.
Phew... Alright... I am calm. There are only three other shows to tell you about in the new category and I am not sure how I feel about any of them yet.
To begin with, Vampire Diaries. On the plus side, they aren't sparkly vampires. On the negative side, Glee is already stretching my ability to put up with high school drama. Conclusion... There is potential there, but I don't think I am going to be able to stick it out long enough for it to come to fruition. I hope you like it though!
Next we have Cougar Town. Pros: Not (primarily) high school drama. Cons: Primarily 40 year old recently divorced woman drama. Conclusion... Aww hell, the jury is still out on this one. I will stick it out a little longer in the hopes that it works for me.
And finally, Eastwick. You have heard of the Witches of Eastwick, I hope. Well, that is the basis. Kind of a cool concept I think. The good part is that the witches are all hot and (I think) decent actresses. Sadly, the Devil is the antithesis of this fact. At this point I am hoping that the director or someone is able to fix that fact as the season progresses. I would truly hate to have to hate a show because of a bad Devil. Hell, call the guy that played the Devil in Reaper! He was an outstanding evil and I can almost see that type of devil fitting here!
Ok... Almost done here... One more section and I can go to bed!
May Contain Spoilers... 2 of 4
Alright... Now on to greener pastures with shows that are still alive and kicking and need your support to return for even more hours of entertainment.
I am fairly certain that I am not alone in mourning the late Doctor George O'Malley but even so, I was excited to see Grey's Anatomy return for a sixth season. Season five was unbelievable and I doubt that they can keep up the heart-stopping dramatic pace they have been keeping but I am willing to watch it as long as they do. My biggest fear here is that they are going to over-extend and wind up sucking. Here is to keeping my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen.
Also returning this seasons are some of my favorites...
Supernatural, where Sam and Dean Winchester are trying to save the world from the apocalypse that they maybe kinda sort-of almost started.
Smallville, the retelling of the Superman mythos from way back in high school. Clark and Lex were best friends for years before becoming the most bitter of enemies. The Justice League is steadily forming around Clark and just last year they finally openly recognized the budding romance between he and Lois Lane. I haven't the faintest idea where season nine is going to take us but I for one am waiting with baited breath to see him finally don his costume and become the hero we all know and love. (Maybe this season they will find a way to have Bruce Wayne make an appearance. HINT!)
And let me not forget to mention Dollhouse! This show was last season's underachiever but thanks in no small part to the success of Joss Whedon's other shows it managed to get renewed for a second go at it. I cannot express just how much I urge you to watch this show on a regular basis. I don't care whether you watch it on your television, Hulu, Tivo or any other means. Just make sure you do watch it somewhere where it is counted. Please don't just download it. Downloading this show will hurt its ratings and we can't afford that is we are going to see it come back again. (Oh hell... Download it too, just set it to run on Hulu or something while you wait!)
Speaking of Joss (Hrmm... Seems I do that more than I realized...), David Boreanaz (Angel, you know, from Angel) is back for season number something on Bones and Nathan Fillion (Captain Mal Reynolds from Firefly... Duh...) is back for season 2 of Castle. Both shows are very worth checking out. I encourage you to go do so now!
Of course, also returning this year is Heroes. I have to admit, I have started getting a little but disenfranchised with this show over the last two or three seasons but this season has one big thing going for it in my eyes. Robert Knepper. Robert is one of those rare actors that is incredibly hard to recognise because he totally becomes his character. He stands out wonderfully in any role he plays but he is memorable as the role, not as himself. Does that make sense? Probably not... Bottom line: Any show with anyone from Carnivale is worth my time. Yours too! (If you are unfamiliar with Carnivale, fix the problem. I haven't the time, energy or heart to explain to you how devastating it was when it went off the air. You will love me for making you start it and then you can hate me when you see how it ends.)
The Big Bang Theory has exceeded my expectations as well. Geeks, Comics, Science, Hot Girls, Superheros... The list goes on and on as to why this show is as awsome as it is. I cannot possibly sum it up effectively for you other than to say one word. Sheldon. Watch the show, you will see what I mean.
And finally... Last years break out hit (in my opinion at least)... Fringe. At its core, this is a new, exciting twist on The X-files but as it plays out it is becoming much more with potential to go even farther. Walter is absolutely amazing and the entire rest of the cast matches him beat for beat. Even his son, Peter! (Joshua Jackson... The kid from Dawson's Creek. Not Dawson, the other one! Percy! Who would have thought the little S.O.B. would ever learn how to act?)
Seriously folks... If you haven't seen Fringe, do so. It is well worth the time of anyone who is interested in just about any genre of television there is.
Alright... That brings us to new shows...
I am fairly certain that I am not alone in mourning the late Doctor George O'Malley but even so, I was excited to see Grey's Anatomy return for a sixth season. Season five was unbelievable and I doubt that they can keep up the heart-stopping dramatic pace they have been keeping but I am willing to watch it as long as they do. My biggest fear here is that they are going to over-extend and wind up sucking. Here is to keeping my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen.
Also returning this seasons are some of my favorites...
Supernatural, where Sam and Dean Winchester are trying to save the world from the apocalypse that they maybe kinda sort-of almost started.
Smallville, the retelling of the Superman mythos from way back in high school. Clark and Lex were best friends for years before becoming the most bitter of enemies. The Justice League is steadily forming around Clark and just last year they finally openly recognized the budding romance between he and Lois Lane. I haven't the faintest idea where season nine is going to take us but I for one am waiting with baited breath to see him finally don his costume and become the hero we all know and love. (Maybe this season they will find a way to have Bruce Wayne make an appearance. HINT!)
And let me not forget to mention Dollhouse! This show was last season's underachiever but thanks in no small part to the success of Joss Whedon's other shows it managed to get renewed for a second go at it. I cannot express just how much I urge you to watch this show on a regular basis. I don't care whether you watch it on your television, Hulu, Tivo or any other means. Just make sure you do watch it somewhere where it is counted. Please don't just download it. Downloading this show will hurt its ratings and we can't afford that is we are going to see it come back again. (Oh hell... Download it too, just set it to run on Hulu or something while you wait!)
Speaking of Joss (Hrmm... Seems I do that more than I realized...), David Boreanaz (Angel, you know, from Angel) is back for season number something on Bones and Nathan Fillion (Captain Mal Reynolds from Firefly... Duh...) is back for season 2 of Castle. Both shows are very worth checking out. I encourage you to go do so now!
Of course, also returning this year is Heroes. I have to admit, I have started getting a little but disenfranchised with this show over the last two or three seasons but this season has one big thing going for it in my eyes. Robert Knepper. Robert is one of those rare actors that is incredibly hard to recognise because he totally becomes his character. He stands out wonderfully in any role he plays but he is memorable as the role, not as himself. Does that make sense? Probably not... Bottom line: Any show with anyone from Carnivale is worth my time. Yours too! (If you are unfamiliar with Carnivale, fix the problem. I haven't the time, energy or heart to explain to you how devastating it was when it went off the air. You will love me for making you start it and then you can hate me when you see how it ends.)
The Big Bang Theory has exceeded my expectations as well. Geeks, Comics, Science, Hot Girls, Superheros... The list goes on and on as to why this show is as awsome as it is. I cannot possibly sum it up effectively for you other than to say one word. Sheldon. Watch the show, you will see what I mean.
And finally... Last years break out hit (in my opinion at least)... Fringe. At its core, this is a new, exciting twist on The X-files but as it plays out it is becoming much more with potential to go even farther. Walter is absolutely amazing and the entire rest of the cast matches him beat for beat. Even his son, Peter! (Joshua Jackson... The kid from Dawson's Creek. Not Dawson, the other one! Percy! Who would have thought the little S.O.B. would ever learn how to act?)
Seriously folks... If you haven't seen Fringe, do so. It is well worth the time of anyone who is interested in just about any genre of television there is.
Alright... That brings us to new shows...
May Contain Spoilers... 1 of 4
I don't own a television but let's face it... There are some damned fine shows out there that are most definitely worth watching.
Thankfully, we live in an age filled with computers and technology so there are other avenues available to us.
I am not going to expend the time or energy listing out to you the multitude of choices available for online viewing of television shows. Suffice it to say that if you want to see it badly enough, I am fairly certain that you can manage to do so.
If you just plain aren't sure what to watch, or if you want to add something outstanding to your already viewing schedule, please, allow me to share some of my favorites with you!
Let me start by sharing with you the shows I miss and that you should find a way to see if you haven't already.
To begin with, I am going to share with you a show that is no longer being produced on television. I weep quietly to myself as I tell you this because, after seeing what some of this season's new offerings are, I am appalled that this show didn't make it into a third season.
Life's Detective Charlie Crews (played by Damien Lewis) spent twelve years in prison for the murder of his best friend and business partner. Having finally been proven innocent Charlie was further vindicated and offered a huge settlement (rumors have it at around fifty million dollars) which included his reinstatement onto the force.
With an outstanding supporting cast including both his former partner Bobby (Brent Sexton) and his new partner Dani (Sarah Shahi, soooo very hot. And she has handcuffs ::shivers::), the former inmate turned zen detective offers an outstanding blend of drama and comedy and some of the best, most original characterizations I have seen in a very very long time.
I will mourn the passing of this show for the foreseeable future and if anyone knows of any way to convince a network to pick it back up, please, let me know so I can throw some support in that direction.
You should also go back and check out such fine shows as Sports Night, a former Comedy Central offering of yesteryear that I commend to anyone with a sense of humor. Please bear in mind that it is NOT a sports show. I swear. It just takes place at a sports show... Gods, how do you explain that...
I also want to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a show that was all too short lived. Very recently, ABC took us to new heights (literally) with a show called Defying Gravity. I will be the first to admit that the show took a little while to get off the ground (gods I'm cracking myself up over here... I hate puns.) but it was only in the last 2 or 3 aired episodes that I really began to appreciate what this show had to offer. They they cut short the season and canceled it. BASTARDS! Did Fox/Firefly debacle teach you nothing!??... Oh wait... It taught you that I will go out and buy the DvD just so I can get some kind of closure. Damn you ABC...
I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention a few others. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly were all cut short before they had lived out their lives to the fullest and all three owe their beginnings to Joss Whedon. Joss never had anything to do with Dead Like Me (unless you count a brief guest appearance by Jewel Staite who was a regular on Firefly) but I think if you enjoyed any of his work, there is something for you to find there too.
Le sigh... Now I am depressed... Better think of the shows with good news next...
Thankfully, we live in an age filled with computers and technology so there are other avenues available to us.
I am not going to expend the time or energy listing out to you the multitude of choices available for online viewing of television shows. Suffice it to say that if you want to see it badly enough, I am fairly certain that you can manage to do so.
If you just plain aren't sure what to watch, or if you want to add something outstanding to your already viewing schedule, please, allow me to share some of my favorites with you!
Let me start by sharing with you the shows I miss and that you should find a way to see if you haven't already.
To begin with, I am going to share with you a show that is no longer being produced on television. I weep quietly to myself as I tell you this because, after seeing what some of this season's new offerings are, I am appalled that this show didn't make it into a third season.
Life's Detective Charlie Crews (played by Damien Lewis) spent twelve years in prison for the murder of his best friend and business partner. Having finally been proven innocent Charlie was further vindicated and offered a huge settlement (rumors have it at around fifty million dollars) which included his reinstatement onto the force.
With an outstanding supporting cast including both his former partner Bobby (Brent Sexton) and his new partner Dani (Sarah Shahi, soooo very hot. And she has handcuffs ::shivers::), the former inmate turned zen detective offers an outstanding blend of drama and comedy and some of the best, most original characterizations I have seen in a very very long time.
I will mourn the passing of this show for the foreseeable future and if anyone knows of any way to convince a network to pick it back up, please, let me know so I can throw some support in that direction.
You should also go back and check out such fine shows as Sports Night, a former Comedy Central offering of yesteryear that I commend to anyone with a sense of humor. Please bear in mind that it is NOT a sports show. I swear. It just takes place at a sports show... Gods, how do you explain that...
I also want to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a show that was all too short lived. Very recently, ABC took us to new heights (literally) with a show called Defying Gravity. I will be the first to admit that the show took a little while to get off the ground (gods I'm cracking myself up over here... I hate puns.) but it was only in the last 2 or 3 aired episodes that I really began to appreciate what this show had to offer. They they cut short the season and canceled it. BASTARDS! Did Fox/Firefly debacle teach you nothing!??... Oh wait... It taught you that I will go out and buy the DvD just so I can get some kind of closure. Damn you ABC...
I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention a few others. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly were all cut short before they had lived out their lives to the fullest and all three owe their beginnings to Joss Whedon. Joss never had anything to do with Dead Like Me (unless you count a brief guest appearance by Jewel Staite who was a regular on Firefly) but I think if you enjoyed any of his work, there is something for you to find there too.
Le sigh... Now I am depressed... Better think of the shows with good news next...
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