The TV Discussion Thread

[Sycophant]

I'm going to use that list of recs of yours, Qrazy, starting with Serei no Moribito and Mobile Suit Gundam 00's first season, because after Welcome to the NHK, I've pretty much exhausted my backlog of downloaded stuff (I thought I had more). Started rewatching Kemonozume last night, but that's only going to last me so long.

[Qrazy]

I'm going to use that list of recs of yours, Qrazy, starting with Serei no Moribito and Mobile Suit Gundam 00's first season, because after Welcome to the NHK, I've pretty much exhausted my backlog of downloaded stuff (I thought I had more). Started rewatching Kemonozume last night, but that's only going to last me so long.

Definitely watch Seirei. Mobile Suit is decent but don't set your hopes too high. Have you seen Last Exile or Brave Story? They're both quality.

Oh I watched Now and Then, Here and There as well... childish animation but very brutal and powerful story.

This is what I've been using for most of these shows. Here's Seirei...

http://tv.blinkx.com/show/seirei-no-moribito/N79_bV34tIEhJiYSkvGR5vITblxeLd uA

[[ETM]]

Last Exile

Seconded. One of my favorites. If you happen to like steampunk - a definite, rare must.

[Qrazy]

;138020']Seconded. One of my favorites. If you happen to like steampunk - a definite, rare must.

What did you think of Steamboy? I was so disappointed. Wonderfully animated, very poor narrative.

You should check out Brave Story if you haven't yet (since it's directed by the Last Exile guy)... it's not steampunk but it is fairly good.

[[ETM]]

What did you think of Steamboy? I was so disappointed. Wonderfully animated, very poor narrative.

That about sums it up. Couldn't even finish it in the end.


You should check out Brave Story if you haven't yet (since it's directed by the Last Exile guy)... it's not steampunk but it is fairly good.

Will do. I've been out of anime for some time, I should get back to watching the good stuff.

[Sycophant]

Good Lord, Steamboy was beautiful, visually. Don't remember a damn thing about the narrative other than not finding it very engaging or... well, memorable.

Will definitely check out Last Exile and Brave Story.

[Winston*]

Last Exile goes downhill once the main plot kicks in at the halfway point or so. Starts out strong but I ended up not liking it very much.

[[ETM]]

I actually really liked the main story... especially the way a lot of it is left to guessing, which is why many hated the ending.

[Qrazy]

Yeah I liked the main story of Last Exile as well. While I suppose I do think the first half was better, more world building etc the second half delivered as well for me.

[EyesWideOpen]

I hated Steamboy. I saw it in theaters where it had an english dub and really disliked it so i decided to give it a try on dvd with the japanese track but no it still sucked. Great visuals though.

[EvilShoe]

A friend of me gave me several anime to watch. The problem is: he downloads pretty much everything and his taste isn't all that good.

Anyone know if any of these are good?

Armitage III
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
Black Lagoon
Bleach (how can this be good? Even the people who like it tell me there's too much filler)
Ergo Proxy
Noir
Macross Plus
Mushishi
Planetes

[Winston*]

I thought Ergo Proxy was good. I would recommend you watch it, EvilShoe.

Wouldn't really recommend Black Lagoon.

[EyesWideOpen]

I really liked the few episodes of Noir I saw and Planetes has come highly recommended by a lot of people.

[[ETM]]

I thought Ergo Proxy was good. I would recommend you watch it, EvilShoe.

Definitely. First anime series to be broadcast in HD, btw.

Out of those, Macross Plus is a classic. A "sequel" to the Robotech/Macross saga, stands on its own, and has awesome music by Yoko Kanno.

[EvilShoe]

Thanks for the recs.
I'll be sure to check those out next.

[Qrazy]

Mushishi has a great atmosphere. I really like it.

Ergo Proxy is very well animated, has moments of excellence but ultimately devolves into Matrix sequels-esque pseudo-philosophical wankery. For instance one of the main characters is named Real, I mean come on it's like they're not even trying.

Black Lagoon I've found to be fairly enjoyable, particularly after the fifth episode and on. The narrative becomes more character driven and you sort of start to care about these people. It's not great though, I wouldn't prioritize it.

[[ETM]]

Ergo Proxy is very well animated, has moments of excellence but ultimately devolves into Matrix sequels-esque pseudo-philosophical wankery. For instance one of the main characters is named Real, I mean come on it's like they're not even trying.

I'll endorse this. It's still a good show but it's ultimately difficult to watch.
If it wasn't for the visuals, the music and the fact that the lead is one of the hottest animated females ever... well...

[Sycophant]

I've rewatched Kemonozume up to episode 9, putting myself about two-thirds of the way through. This series is phenomenal.

Now's about the time in the series, though, that the show takes some really strange turns and kind of lost me last time. Now that I know where it's headed I can kind of see that it does support its later development somewhat in its earlier episodes. I'm anxious to see how the ending plays out for me this time.

[ledfloyd]

anyone else watch Dollhouse last night? i thought it was ok. has potential.

[[ETM]]

anyone else watch Dollhouse last night? i thought it was ok. has potential.

I'm about to watch it. Whedon has spoken quite often about the troubles with the production and the main thing to remember right now is - give it six episodes to establish the world and the character interactions.

[number8]

anyone else watch Dollhouse last night? i thought it was ok. has potential.

I thought it was pretty terrible. You couldn't even tell it was written by Whedon, I think. It was so devoid of humor and has no sense of world-building the way he set up Sunnydale or the Firefly world. It was pretty much Generic FOX Show #16.

I'll keep watching, but man, it did not have a good start. I can tell you right now that this is going to get canceled.

[number8]

Also, I nearly turned it off when Helo had that conversation with his superiors and Whedon metaphorically inserts a boxing match. Gag.

[ledfloyd]

the boxing match was odd. whedon has said he doesn't want this show to have the witty dialogue like serenity and buffy. he wants to focus more on ideas. i didn't think it was great. i'll hang in there for a few more weeks i think it could develop into something good.

[number8]

It's a very shallow idea, though. I've read him voicing his hatred for Weird Science because he hates the idea of women being used for male fantasies, and I think all he wants to do with Dollhouse is to show how awful it is to use women as personal toys. I get it, he hates prostitution. But if every episode is going to have the formula of an engagement gone wrong, turning into kidnapping/investigations/whatever situations, I'm not interested. Hopefully there's more to the show than what the first ep introduced.

[Mara]

I wasn't offput by the first episode of Dollhouse. I'm not in love or anything, but I'm going to be tuning in to see what happens. I'm very intrigued by the supporting characters.

And that last scene was hook-worthy.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I couldn't bring myself to watch Dollhouse because every preview I've seen has looked terrible.

[Lucky]

I'm also in the ok camp. I'll finish the first season unless it goes really sour. I don't even want to say much more as it's foolish to judge a show by its pilot.

[ledfloyd]

I'm also in the ok camp. I'll finish the first season unless it goes really sour. I don't even want to say much more as it's foolish to judge a show by its pilot.

that wasn't the pilot. fox decided not to air the pilot :|

[number8]

that wasn't the pilot. fox decided not to air the pilot :|

Actually, they decided not to shoot the pilot script.

Next week's will be the first episode of the series, but it's not the pilot.

[number8]

I'll keep watching, but man, it did not have a good start. I can tell you right now that this is going to get canceled.

I calls it:


The series premiere of Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" was seen by 4.7 million viewers Friday night and garnered a 2.0 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 6 share. It was beaten in the 9 p.m. hour by ABC's "Supernanny" (6.1 million viewers, 2.2/7) and is the lowest-rated scripted series premiere on a major broadcast network this season aside from NBC's now-defunct "Crusoe."

[Ezee E]

Ripping off K-Fan, I finished Seasons 1 & 2 of the TV show, Ho'meh'cide.

I will not continue on.

[[ETM]]

I will not continue on.

Interesting.

[number8]

East Bound & Down, anyone? It was really great.

[Amnesiac]

Has anyone seen BBC's six episode series, The Genius of Photography? From their website:


In the most comprehensive look at the most influential art form in the world, the series explores every aspect of photography - from daguerreotype to digital, portraits to photo-journalism, art to advertising; in the UK, America, China, Japan, Africa and beyond. It includes interviews and encounters with some of the world’s greatest living photographers including William Eggleston, Nan Goldin, William Klein, Martin Parr, Sally Mann, Robert Adams, Juergen Teller, Andreas Gursky, Jeff Wall and many others.

But as well as telling the stories behind the world’s greatest photographs and the photographers who took them, the series examines the ‘genius’ of photography itself, this magical, unpredictable and democratic medium that has transformed the way we see ourselves and our world.

I caught a little clip of one of the episodes on YouTube, wherein the camera-obscura effect (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuJ_Jd6Qgyo) is demonstrated, and I'm now anxious to get a hold of the rest of the series.

[Winston*]

East Bound & Down, anyone? It was really great.

Watched this last night and I agree. Very funny.

[Qrazy]

Welcome to the NHK is indeed good. Love the music.

[Sycophant]

Welcome to the NHK is indeed good. Love the music.
Glad you're enjoying it. The show's pretty smart and has a strong vision. The music, indeed, was good stuff.

Just started watching Mobile Suite Gundam 00's first season, picked more or less at random from the list of series I've got on my plate to watch (kind of at the start of an anime binge after kind of ignoring the scene for a few years). Three eps in. Very intrigued by the choice of real-world settings. The main character being from the "Kurdish Republic" and the show's religious undertones, among other things, have me very curious about where this show's going.

[Sycophant]

So I guess the American DTV transition got postponed till June?

Hellz yes! I get to keep Craig Ferguson (and The View*) for another few months!

(I don't know why I'm so apathetic about getting a converter box.)

*Seriously, these are the only 2 shows I watch.

[Qrazy]

Glad you're enjoying it. The show's pretty smart and has a strong vision. The music, indeed, was good stuff.

Just started watching Mobile Suite Gundam 00's first season, picked more or less at random from the list of series I've got on my plate to watch (kind of at the start of an anime binge after kind of ignoring the scene for a few years). Three eps in. Very intrigued by the choice of real-world settings. The main character being from the "Kurdish Republic" and the show's religious undertones, among other things, have me very curious about where this show's going.

No you bastard I told you to watch Seirei. *shakes fist*

[Sycophant]

No you bastard I told you to watch Seirei. *shakes fist*

It's next. :cry:

[number8]

Yeah, Dollhouse is awful.

Also, you can tell that tonight's ep was supposed to be the first.

[Qrazy]

It's next. :cry:

Ok you're forgiven. Finished Welcome to the NHK btw, quality.

[Mara]

Yeah, Dollhouse is awful.


I'm strongly suspecting that this is one of those awful, awful shows that I love anyway. I had a blast watching this on Friday, and I'm going to keep watching, although with a lingering shadow of shame.

[Sycophant]

Man, Mobile Suit Gundam 00's first season was pretty keen. Are any of the other Gundam shows this good?

Was particularly impressed by how well they sketched the dozens of characters that populate the show's story by episode 25. Usually done quite minimally, but effectively. Some real brutal and moving moments at the end, too, though the actual final episode felt like it needed more breathing room of just a minute or two.

Heard season 2 is a little lackluster. Gonna watch it, but will wait till it's entirely fansubbed.

[[ETM]]

one of those awful, awful shows

I don't get the extra emphasis here... if Dollhouse is "awful, awful", at least 80% of stuff shown on television is ghastly beyond the scope of spoken word.

[Winston*]

Watched the first few episodes of the US Life on Mars. When does this show start coming up with original plots? At the moment it's a bit too much like watching reruns of the original where everything's worse.

Out of the 5, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol are the only castings that I think work.

[Qrazy]

Man, Mobile Suit Gundam 00's first season was pretty keen. Are any of the other Gundam shows this good?

Was particularly impressed by how well they sketched the dozens of characters that populate the show's story by episode 25. Usually done quite minimally, but effectively. Some real brutal and moving moments at the end, too, though the actual final episode felt like it needed more breathing room of just a minute or two.

Heard season 2 is a little lackluster. Gonna watch it, but will wait till it's entirely fansubbed.

Glad you liked it. It's the only Gundam I've seen so far, still haven't watched season two either.

By the way, not exactly anime but Avatar: The Last Airbender is damn good.

[Sycophant]

By the way, not exactly anime but Avatar: The Last Airbender is damn good.

I just decided that, yes, I'm going to watch this. Probably after Seirei.

[Mara]

;140818']I don't get the extra emphasis here... if Dollhouse is "awful, awful", at least 80% of stuff shown on television is ghastly beyond the scope of spoken word.

Well, that stat is probably about right.

But I was emphasizing for comic effect-- I found the show really enjoyable, but I'm mildly embarassed by some of the sillier aspects.

[[ETM]]

Watched the first few episodes of the US Life on Mars. When does this show start coming up with original plots? At the moment it's a bit too much like watching reruns of the original where everything's worse.

I never could finish the pilot, it was too much like a parody or a SNL skit than a real show. Other than the general setting and mood, it is completely a completely worthless translation. People should just see the original.

[number8]

You know, I can understand remaking shit in foreign language because of the subtitles thing, but whenever I see an American remake of a British production, I always can't help but see that as borderline xenophobic.

[Mara]

You know, I can understand remaking shit in foreign language because of the subtitles thing, but whenever I see an American remake of a British production, I always can't help but see that as borderline xenophobic.

They talk funny.

[[ETM]]

But I was emphasizing for comic effect-- I found the show really enjoyable, but I'm mildly embarassed by some of the sillier aspects.

I was wondering about those... except for some clunky dialogue and a few questionably acted moments by miss Dushku, I haven't seen much that is sillier than stuff we're offered daily on TV, and in critically acclaimed shows.

[[ETM]]

You know, I can understand remaking shit in foreign language because of the subtitles thing, but whenever I see an American remake of a British production, I always can't help but see that as borderline xenophobic.

Life on Mars could have benefited from the change of scenery, transplanting the unique format to a vastly different place from the same era, but they chose the easy way and just bent and twisted the original material to fit a different mold. I mean, Moll's character is so obviously forced into the show just because there needed to be an Annie Cartwright. The same treatment seems to be applied to everything else.

[number8]

Speaking of Dollhouse, anyone wants a spoiler? The identity of Alpha is leaked. It's played by someone we all know.

It's Alan Tudyk!

[Mara]

Speaking of Dollhouse, anyone wants a spoiler? The identity of Alpha is leaked. It's played by someone we all know.

It's Alan Tudyk!


I JUST CHOKED.

It will watch this show until the bitter, bitter end. It has my undying loyalty and love.

[Mara]

By the way, do you want to hear my Dollhouse prediction?


Mellie, the cute lasagna-toting neighbor, is played by Miracle Laurie.


Laurie was originally cast as November, another Doll, one who got fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones. Eventually, it was decided the character would not be included in the show. Joss Whedon has stated that "the show simply moves too fast now for me to do what I wanted with her". He has hinted, however, that the character November may emerge later in the series.

I think it's obvious that November is, actually, Mellie. She's been imprinted to keep an eye on Ballard.

[number8]

Now is there any way to get Gina Torres in there to play Alpha's love interest?

[Mara]

Now is there any way to get Gina Torres in there to play Alpha's love interest?

A television show that lets those two procreate is all I ask.

[Sycophant]

During the Oscars, I saw a lot of previews for ABC's new lineup. Most of it's going to be cancelled.

Like Nathan Fillion's new show, Castle. I've never seen a preview for a more cancellable show.

[number8]

Like Nathan Fillion's new show, Castle. I've never seen a preview for a more cancellable show.

If it was on the USA Network it would do really well.

[EvilShoe]

That Fillion show looks awful.
I feel bad for the guy.

[Mara]

That Fillion show looks awful.
I feel bad for the guy.

I was so excited when he was going to be on Lost, but then he was completely wasted.

[Sycophant]

Fillion's got such a great, idiosyncratic presence and demeanor. It's a pity no one seems to know how to put it to great use.

[Ezee E]

Fillion's got such a great, idiosyncratic presence and demeanor. It's a pity no one seems to know how to put it to great use.
PG Porn.

[[ETM]]

Fillion's got such a great, idiosyncratic presence and demeanor. It's a pity no one seems to know how to put it to great use.

He was perfect in Dr. Horrible. It's a shame, because he's not getting younger.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Fillion's got such a great, idiosyncratic presence and demeanor. It's a pity no one seems to know how to put it to great use.

It's depressing how poorly utilized he's been in everything outside of Firefly.

[Winston*]

It's depressing how poorly utilized he's been in everything outside of Firefly.

Slither?

He was good as the villain in the last Buffy season also.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Slither?

He was good as the villain in the last Buffy season also.

I meant his television career. He was great in Slither.

[Mara]

I meant his television career. He was great in Slither.

He was also very good in Waitress, which I actually quite liked.

[Kurosawa Fan]

He was also very good in Waitress, which I actually quite liked.

I didn't care for the film at all, but I agree he was good in it.

[Mara]

I didn't care for the film at all, but I agree he was good in it.

It was surprisingly controversial around my house. I liked it, my mother loves it, and one sister absolutely hated it. We actually can't have a civil conversation on the subject.

[Amnesiac]

I haven't watched Dollhouse yet but Whedon should really be giving Alexis Denisof some work.

[Lucky]

I haven't watched Dollhouse yet but Whedon should really be giving Alexis Denisof some work.

Bah, why?

[Winston*]

Bah, why?

He's very good in Angel.

[Mara]

He's very good in Angel.

Plus, handsome. And he knocked up Alyson Hannigan. That has to count for something.

[Thirdmango]

Because of Sycophant and our mutual friend Mark, I saw the first season of Sopranos for 20 dollars and snatched it up. I am now going to give it a full chance and watch the whole season. I'm surely going to get hooked now, I can feel it.

[Amnesiac]

He's very good in Angel.

This. Plus, he really hasn't had much work lately. Given his talent and capability, that's a little sad.


I'm surely going to get hooked now, I can feel it.

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/tv_pix/emmys/emmy_awards_parties_2006_photo s/tony_sirico/emmyhboptys1.jpg

[number8]

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/tv_pix/emmys/emmy_awards_parties_2006_photo s/tony_sirico/emmyhboptys1.jpg

So I got a screener for this movie called Karma Calling about an Indian family living in New Jersey. Their Lord Ganesh statue starts talking to the mother to give her advice.

It is voiced by Tony Sirico.

[Amnesiac]

So I got a screener for this movie called Karma Calling about an Indian family living in New Jersey. Their Lord Ganesh statue starts talking to the mother to give her advice.

It is voiced by Tony Sirico.

http://z.about.com/d/tvdramas/1/0/F/L/sopranossea6-12.jpg

[Sycophant]

Because of Sycophant and our mutual friend Mark, I saw the first season of Sopranos for 20 dollars and snatched it up. I am now going to give it a full chance and watch the whole season. I'm surely going to get hooked now, I can feel it.

Awesome! Glad you're finally getting around to it. Hope you enjoy it. As you well know, I'm happy declaring it the best TV show ever.

Perhaps, in turn, I shall finally check out this Boston Legal you love so much.

[Sycophant]

So I got a screener for this movie called Karma Calling about an Indian family living in New Jersey. Their Lord Ganesh statue starts talking to the mother to give her advice.

It is voiced by Tony Sirico.
Is it any good at all? Because I pretty much have to watch this.

[number8]

Is it any good at all? Because I pretty much have to watch this.

I just got it, haven't seen it yet. I will let you know.

[Qrazy]

http://z.about.com/d/tvdramas/1/0/F/L/sopranossea6-12.jpg

I just saw him strangle Alec Baldwin on Conan a little while back.

[Amnesiac]

The latest episode of Flight of the Conchords was so great. Haha. Wow.

[Qrazy]

Started watching The Larry Sanders Show on youtube. Pretty solid.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Started watching The Larry Sanders Show on youtube. Pretty solid.

It's a great show. That's one I wish they'd start releasing the seasons. I watched the entire first season, but beyond that all they have is that "Not Just the Best of" set.

[Qrazy]

It's a great show. That's one I wish they'd start releasing the seasons. I watched the entire first season, but beyond that all they have is that "Not Just the Best of" set.

It's all on youtube to the best of my knowledge. Type Larry01 or whichever ep you're on and it should come up.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It's all on youtube to the best of my knowledge. Type Larry01 or whichever ep you're on and it should come up.

Yeah, I really don't care for watching stuff on my computer. If I have to, I will, but I'd rather not.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, I really don't care for watching stuff on my computer. If I have to, I will, but I'd rather not.

Well... it seems like in this case you do have to...? If it hasn't been released yet I mean.

[MadMan]

Because of Sycophant and our mutual friend Mark, I saw the first season of Sopranos for 20 dollars and snatched it up. I am now going to give it a full chance and watch the whole season. I'm surely going to get hooked now, I can feel it.I'm pretty sure you will not be disappointed. I recall the time when I saw the first episode. After that, I knew I had to watch the rest of the show. Which reminds me that I need to finally stop putting off viewing the last season of The Sopranos.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well... it seems like in this case you do have to...? If it hasn't been released yet I mean.

I could probably download it and watch them on my TV if I felt inclined to do so. Right now I'll hold off and see if season two comes out any time soon.

[Qrazy]

I could probably download it and watch them on my TV if I felt inclined to do so. Right now I'll hold off and see if season two comes out any time soon.

Alrighty. Jeffrey Tambor makes my day.

[Thirdmango]

Awesome! Glad you're finally getting around to it. Hope you enjoy it. As you well know, I'm happy declaring it the best TV show ever.

Perhaps, in turn, I shall finally check out this Boston Legal you love so much.

Oh I don't love it that much. We should make a better trade then that.

[Sycophant]

Oh I don't love it that much. We should make a better trade then that.

...What did you have in mind? Sportsnight?

[Lucky]

I haven't said much about Dollhouse and I'm not about to come in here and defend it, but I just read an interview with Dushku and had to drop by. Apparently FOX significantly held the reins from Whedon for the first six episodes because they wanted the show to be focused on self-contained storylines in order to accumulate a viewer base (makes sense from a business standpoint). Eliza claims that the 7th episode is going to drop a bomb and that the rest of the season will seem like familiar Joss Whedon territory to his fans. Even number8 said the show doesn't feel like it's from Whedon's pen, and I agree. I'm still enjoying it and I don't feel guilty about enjoying it, but I hardly think it's a great show so far. I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt and stick around for the first year, though. If I remember correctly it was the 7th episode of Buffy called "Angel" that made me a fan. Perhaps lightning will strike twice.

[Mara]

I actually expected this week's Dollhouse to really blow, because the teaser looked so bad.

And, yet again, I enjoyed it.

I think I'm in for the long haul, although I still really hope that the show rachets it up about fifteen notches.

[Sycophant]

Amazon USA has the entirety of Seinfeld for $100 for their Gold Box deal today.

[Thirdmango]

...What did you have in mind? Sportsnight?

Hmmm, if you haven't gotten past season one of Venture Brothers then that's the one I'd make you borrow.

[Thirdmango]

I finished Rome tonight. I think this show appeals more to those who already know all of the historical figures, however once I figured out who people were I started getting more interested in Roman History.

[Thirdmango]

Okay it really really bothers me when people who defend themselves for watching Dollhouse (Or any other show) by saying, "I don't watch tv so I don't know about better shows." I am so bothered by people who will only go with one subscribed choice and never try out new things because it doesn't have their name that they need to have to be able to watch it.

[number8]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2009/20090227.jpg

[Mara]

Okay it really really bothers me when people who defend themselves for watching Dollhouse (Or any other show) by saying, "I don't watch tv so I don't know about better shows."

I check out new shows regularly, whenever the premise intrigues me, but it's rare for me to stick with them. I wouldn't still be watching Dollhouse if I wasn't genuinely tickled by the way it is playing out.

And I am.

The show feels to me like it will eventually land on one side of the fence or the other-- either it will get worse, and I'll quit it, or it will get better, and I will love it. I honestly can't predict which direction it's heading.

[[ETM]]

I finished Rome tonight. I think this show appeals more to those who already know all of the historical figures, however once I figured out who people were I started getting more interested in Roman History.

ROME is a way better source and inspiration than Gladiator, at any rate.

[Thirdmango]

;143127']ROME is a way better source and inspiration than Gladiator, at any rate.

Yeah, I never saw Gladiator.

[[ETM]]

Yeah, I never saw Gladiator.

Good on ya.

[Sycophant]

So I just discovered that there's this animated show on PBS prime time called Click and Clack's As the Wrench Truns, featuring the dudes from NPR's "Car Talk." Being the public radio nerd that I am, even with my severe apathy for all things automotive, I listen to the show most every Saturday and find it severely entertaining.

Anyone know if this TV show is worth checking out?

[Qrazy]

So I just discovered that there's this animated show on PBS prime time called Click and Clack's As the Wrench Truns, featuring the dudes from NPR's "Car Talk." Being the public radio nerd that I am, even with my severe apathy for all things automotive, I listen to the show most every Saturday and find it severely entertaining.

Anyone know if this TV show is worth checking out?

Dunno but just wanted to weigh in and say that I listened to Click and Clack when I was growing up, quality show.

[Amnesiac]

Seinfeld cast reuniting for a multi-episode arc during the new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/03/05/curb-your-enthusiasm-for-the-cast-of-seinfeld/).

Great news.

[Ezee E]

Went to the fam's house and watched Celebrity Apprentice. Boy, reality TV is horrible, but it sure knows how to keep you watching somehow. Granted, this one is a bit more interesting then the rest, but still...

I feel disgusted for watching it.

[Mara]

Is anyone going to try and watch Castle tonight, and then hate themselves in the morning?

I'm penciling it in, unless I forget or I'm tired or my pet mice do something cute.

[number8]

Is anyone going to try and watch Castle tonight, and then hate themselves in the morning?

I'm in.

[Sycophant]

I caught The View on Friday, in which Nathan Fillion was promoting Castle. Then they showed a clip from Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog and I'm going to have to stay away from Mr. Fillion for a few weeks.

Not that Castle doesn't look like overwrought bullshit in its own right, mind you.

[number8]

Then they showed a clip from Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog and I'm going to have to stay away from Mr. Fillion for a few weeks.

...

Mara, you need to hold me back.

[Mara]

...

Mara, you need to hold me back.

HE'S NOT WORTH IT, 8!








So, I haven't so much seen Dr. Horrible yet. I keep meaning to.

[number8]

So KINGS debuts this Sunday. Anyone else looking forward to this? For some reason I'm really excited for it.

[Sycophant]

Just found out about this KINGS thing. It sounds pretty awesome. If you remember to, please pop in Sunday to remind me to watch it, else I'll forget.

[number8]

I'd probably be geeking out here before it starts, sure.

Ian McShane and Brian Cox as rival modern day monarchs = a recipe for awesomeness.

[Thirdmango]

A TV reviewer I know has seen the first couple episodes of KINGS and loved the crud out of it and says everyone should watch it, so I'm excited.

[Mara]

I'd probably be geeking out here before it starts, sure.

Ian McShane and Brian Cox as rival modern day monarchs = a recipe for awesomeness.

It's based on the Biblical story of David/Jonathon/Saul, which I find fascinating, but an early review I read ripped it to shreds. I'm scared, now.

[Mara]

Okay, I'm trying to watch Dr. Horrible at my desk while organizing papers, but I can't because I'M LAUGHING TOO HARD AND IT'S EMBARASSING.

[number8]

East Bound & Down.

Amazing. I wish David Gordon Green will never stop directing this show.

[MadMan]

So KINGS debuts this Sunday. Anyone else looking forward to this? For some reason I'm really excited for it.I might check it out. Looks interesting to say the least, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to commit to a new show at the moment.

[number8]

Hey, Dutch is on House.

[Qrazy]

East Bound & Down.

Amazing. I wish David Gordon Green will never stop directing this show.

Meh. I've been underwhelmed but enjoy it enough to continue watching.

[number8]

Hmm, Castle: I wasn't that into it until the scene with the Mystery Writers Poker Roundtable. I think that's a great device for a procedural, plus I'm a sucker for metafiction.

It's basically Nathan Fillion playing House. Not great, but probably fun to watch from time to time. Which is exactly what I expected to begin with. Hope it doesn't get canceled, for Fillion's sake.

[Mara]

Fillion is charming and handsome and sexful.

The show is lame. Really. Any episode dealing with three murders that manages to pull in at TV-PG is just embarassing.

[[ETM]]

Okay, I'm trying to watch Dr. Horrible at my desk while organizing papers, but I can't because I'M LAUGHING TOO HARD AND IT'S EMBARASSING.

Put the commentary on and you'll lose bladder control. Put "Commentary: The Musical" on, and you will fall off your chair.:pritch:

[Marley]

Now that BSG is coming to an end (*tear), I wouldn't mind checking out some other great Sci/fi shows.

Does anyone know if the Stargate/Stargate Atlantis series is worthwhile? Any other recommendations are appreciated.

[number8]

Does anyone know if the Stargate/Stargate Atlantis series is worthwhile?

No.


Any other recommendations are appreciated.

I don't think there's any right now.

I want HBO to do a gritty, realistic reimagining of Lost in Space. With frequent use of the word "Cocksucker."

[Mara]

Now that BSG is coming to an end (*tear), I wouldn't mind checking out some other great Sci/fi shows.

Does anyone know if the Stargate/Stargate Atlantis series is worthwhile? Any other recommendations are appreciated.

I assume you've seen Firefly?

And I have a good friend who has been pushing Farscape at me for years. I'm skeptical.

[[ETM]]

Farscape is something that can't be explained, really. You have to judge for yourself. It's a truly unique mix of extreme sillines and goofball humor, and moments of gut wrenching tragedy and pathos. It also has some truly good sci-fi and is often pretty to look at. It's just that if you can't accept all of it for what it is, it won't work. Oh, and - theres a lot of sex, and 'frell' is their 'frak'. And the Henson puppets are amazing.

[Sycophant]

Here's the important question, though, ETM: Are these amazing Henson puppets having sex?

[[ETM]]

Not on-screen, as far as I remember. They do talk about it, though.

[Marley]

I assume you've seen Firefly?

And I have a good friend who has been pushing Farscape at me for years. I'm skeptical.

Yep, Firefly is probably my favorite TV show. :)

I've never heard of Farscape before although doing a quick read-up of the show's premise, it does seem rather intriguing. Thanks Mara.

[Mara]

;144684']Farscape is something that can't be explained, really. You have to judge for yourself. It's a truly unique mix of extreme sillines and goofball humor, and moments of gut wrenching tragedy and pathos. It also has some truly good sci-fi and is often pretty to look at. It's just that if you can't accept all of it for what it is, it won't work. Oh, and - theres a lot of sex, and 'frell' is their 'frak'. And the Henson puppets are amazing.

I fear no goofball. Perhaps I shall Netflix this.

[Milky Joe]

Eastbound & Down is great, particularly the second episode.

[Ezee E]

Watched the original cast reunited episode of ER today. Its an awful show, but I love those original characters still.

[[ETM]]

You know, I think i like Castle. Gonna keep watching for sure. Fillion seems comfortable, Katic iz pushing the right buttons for me, and I like the support cast too. If they can keep the writing relatively fresh, I'm sold.

[Acapelli]

Eastbound & Down is great, particularly the second episode.
yeah i didn't really expect for it to turn out like this at all

[Milky Joe]

David Gordon Green directing 2/3rds of the episodes can do a lot for a show. The music is also totally awesome.

[number8]

I think the 4th ep is the best so far. Loved the downturn after the BBQ.

[Sxottlan]

So am I missing something? I'm trying to watch the final episode of The L Word and while the show's website says it's available on demand, I can't find it.

[Ivan Drago]

Count me as another fan of Eastbound and Down. The third episode I found most interesting because, while yes it was funny at times, it seemed to be more dramatic, especially towards the end. Then I read "Directed by David Gordon Green" when the credits started and was really, really surprised.

[Watashi]

Anyone watch Kings?

[number8]

Anyone watch Kings?

YES. Sorry I forgot to remind peeps like I promised. It's on Hulu though.

I loved it. I think this will fill my BSG void nicely.

[Sycophant]

Ack! I forgot Kings! Will check Hulu when I get home.

I can't find anything definitive--is this meant to be a finite story, consisting of one season? Or will it continue ad nauseum if it's successful?

[number8]

Ack! I forgot Kings! Will check Hulu when I get home.

I can't find anything definitive--is this meant to be a finite story, consisting of one season? Or will it continue ad nauseum if it's successful?

It's planned as a continuing series. Generally, all new network pilots are hoped to continue for as long as possible.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Ack! I forgot Kings! Will check Hulu when I get home.

I can't find anything definitive--is this meant to be a finite story, consisting of one season? Or will it continue ad nauseum if it's successful?

When you're dealing with network television, the answer is always ad nauseum.

[Sycophant]

When you're dealing with network television, the answer is always ad nauseum.

*sighs*

A girl can dream, though, can't she?

[Kurosawa Fan]

*sighs*

A girl can dream, though, can't she?

To be honest, that's not a smart decision.

[number8]

Should have seen it coming. Ratings was a disaster, lowest rated program of the night.

It lost to all of these:


ABC won the night with "Desperate Housewives" (14.4 million, 5.0/12) and "Brothers & Sisters" (10.6 million, 3.7/9), both up several notches from last week, along with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (9.4 million, 3.0/8). CBS was second with on par editions of "The Amazing Race" (10.4 million, 3.0/8), "Cold Case" (12.9 million, 2.9/7) and "The Unit" (10.9 million, 2.7/7). Fox placed third with "The Simpsons" (6 million, 2.8/8), "King of the Hill" (5.4 million, 2.4/6), "Family Guy" (7.2 million, 3.6/9) and "American Dad" (5.8 million, 2.9/7).

[Mara]

Honestly, 8. The way you and I go about choosing television shows is like hopeless romantics looking for love in a cancer ward.

[[ETM]]

Honestly, 8. The way you and I go about choosing television shows is like hopeless romantics looking for love in a cancer ward.

Honestly, it's not just you guys.

[number8]

;145682']Honestly, it's not just you guys.
And who are you? Captain Cockblock?

[Milky Joe]

Count me as another fan of Eastbound and Down. The third episode I found most interesting because, while yes it was funny at times, it seemed to be more dramatic, especially towards the end. Then I read "Directed by David Gordon Green" when the credits started and was really, really surprised.

This was my exact reaction to the second episode. The ending is so brilliant, and so totally something that I would expect from someone like David Gordon Green that, when his name flashed up right after it, I was surprised but, you know, not really.

[[ETM]]

And who are you? Captain Cockblock?

Ouch. My bad.

[Sycophant]

[ETM], you should change your user title to "Captain Cockblock." It would be awesome!

Meanwhile, looks like I'm hitting up the cancer ward this weekend. (Thanks for the tip!)

[[ETM]]

[ETM], you should change your user title to "Captain Cockblock." It would be awesome!

I have this odd feeling I've seen someone using it already.

[number8]

So I went to the screening of Duplicity tonight and they were handing these out.

http://twitpic.com/img/26bho-1010ae3825ed8c1cae7f5a8a295429 cb.49bfc8dc.jpg
http://twitpic.com/img/26bho-418d63f369b985a0236e9600b18434 75.49bf38d0.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

So I went to the screening of Duplicity tonight and they were handing these out.

http://twitpic.com/img/26bho-418d63f369b985a0236e9600b18434 75.49bf38d0.jpg

I'm not seeing anything.

[Mara]

Now that BSG is coming to an end (*tear), I wouldn't mind checking out some other great Sci/fi shows.


I was thinking about this... have you seen Doctor Who? It's much funnier and more light-hearted than BSG, but it's really a great production. (I've only seen the rebooted series.)

The spinoff, Torchwood, is also gobs and gobs of fun, if you can get by some frankly awful early episodes.

[monolith94]

I assume you've seen Firefly?

And I have a good friend who has been pushing Farscape at me for years. I'm skeptical.
I can't think of a reason to be skeptical of Farscape. It's Australian and awesome.

In other news, I just discovered Peep Show on youtube, and blew through the whole five seasons in two days. Oh. My. God.

[Marley]

I was thinking about this... have you seen Doctor Who? It's much funnier and more light-hearted than BSG, but it's really a great production. (I've only seen the rebooted series.)

The spinoff, Torchwood, is also gobs and gobs of fun, if you can get by some frankly awful early episodes.

Nope, I have never seen Doctor Who before. It's one of those shows that I've been somewhat hesitant to watch for quite some time now but on your recommendation, I'll check it out.

[Mara]

I can't think of a reason to be skeptical of Farscape. It's Australian and awesome.

The Season 1 DVD is suddenly out of print, or something. Netflix doesn't even have it. I may have to be clever about this.

[MadMan]

I love the current Dr. Who series. And its on break for another year (I think) so there's still time to catch up. I'm only behind one season.

[Mara]

Better off Ted? FUNNY. I only tuned in because of Portia, and I ended up laughing my butt off.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Better off Ted? FUNNY. I only tuned in because of Portia, and I ended up laughing my butt off.

Awesome. If it gets picked up for a second season, I'll give it a go.

[Mara]

Awesome. If it gets picked up for a second season, I'll give it a go.

You're going to wait and see if it gets cancelled?

I'm confused.

You're not one of us in the cancer ward with chocolates and flowers?

[Kurosawa Fan]

You're going to wait and see if it gets cancelled?

I'm confused.

You're not one of us in the cancer ward with chocolates and flowers?

I can't do it anymore. Nielson doesn't care what I'm watching, my ratings don't count, and I just can't get excited about a show, only to see it cancelled after one season. I've made a conscious decision to wait things out from now on and then rent the DVDs to catch up before the second season begins. Now, if I'm ever contacted to keep a log of what I watch so that my ratings actually do matter, I'm planning on lying my ass off (only because I DVR everything) and telling them I sit and watch every show I love while it's airing. But until that day comes, I'm not getting into any new shows unless they're picked up for second seasons.

[[ETM]]

Doctor Who is actually having a short transitional season (Moffat is taking over as show runner) of just five specials in 2009. It's gonna rule.

[number8]

Dollhouse was good last night! Surprise!

Shoulda been the pilot, or at least 2nd ep.

[[ETM]]

Dollhouse was good last night! Surprise!

Shoulda been the pilot, or at least 2nd ep.

Whedon upheld the promise. It was perhaps the wisest to regard the first six episodes as a prolongated pilot. I can't wait for the next one, and the "bomb".

[number8]

Also, forgot to mention how fucking awesome Episode 5 of East Bound & Down was. I noticed it was Adam McKay and not David Gordon Green, and it's obvious because it was more slapstick and visual-gag heavy than previous episodes, but it was probably one of the best TV comedy episodes I've seen in a while.

"You wanna fight, you do it on your own time in a parking lot somewhere. Not in school, surrounded by BOOKS."

Amazing.

[Amnesiac]

I would really like to know when season 3 of Mad Men will start...

[Mara]

Dollhouse was good last night! Surprise!

Shoulda been the pilot, or at least 2nd ep.

Yeah, talk about kicking it up about ten notches.

And, I love Mellie. The actress who plays her is very expressive.

[Raiders]

I would really like to know when season 3 of Mad Men will start...

I would assume in July like the first two seasons.

[Sycophant]

I started doing a cover-to-cover viewing of Frasier about four of five months ago. I'm now four episodes away from the end of season 11 and with it, the entire show. It's bittersweet.

The writing in the last couple seasons has been much spottier than when the show was at its peak between probably seasons three and seven, but every season has had its share of grace notes. The cast is wicked talented and the writing is typically quite smart. It's excellent evidence for the case that the conventional three-camera sitcom is a viable medium that when used properly. Easily one of the best the form has to offer.

[[ETM]]

I'm watching Frasier on TV these days, a local station is showing it daily. My only problem is Leeves' Daphne, whose accent is so obviously fake (even though she is British, only a different kind) that it distracts me constantly.

[Mara]

Okay, a couple more thoughts on why this episode of Dollhouse was so much better.

*More action. Dushku has a few obvious talents, and one of them is ass-kicking. She does it, and she looks great. She and Helo together was awesome, awesome, awesome, and when he beat up the security guards earlier, it worked too.

*Funnier. Dushku as The Wife (Rebecca?) obsessively wondering if her husband was doing porn: funny.

*Jump-starting the FBI subplot. We suddenly care about Paul, Mellie, and his job. I particularly like Mellie. Have I mentioned that? I like Mellie.

*Fractures with the Dollhouse. This is an unstable system, as shown previously with Alpha, but showing the handlers as being untrustworthy was a nice step. It also did a good job of pointing out the moral incongruities of the system (how is raping Sierra as a tabula rasa really that different from programming her to fall in love?)

Double- and triple-crosses: Echo getting tricksy with Ballard, Mellie getting tricksy with Ballard, Adelle with freaking everyone.

I also like Adelle.

[[ETM]]

I also like Adelle.

I love Adelle. Comes off as the cliche posh villain, British and everything, yet she plays her character with such finesse it's unsettling and awesome at the same time.

[number8]

*More action. Dushku has a few obvious talents, and one of them is ass-kicking. She does it, and she looks great. She and Helo together was awesome, awesome, awesome, and when he beat up the security guards earlier, it worked too.

The kitchen fight was so badass. I think choreographed brawls is something TV action shows should focus on working on. With limited budget, there's only so much they can do with big set pieces. But a small, intimate, well directed fight scene can do wonders.


*Funnier. Dushku as The Wife (Rebecca?) obsessively wondering if her husband was doing porn: funny.It was hilarious. Equally funny are the mockumentary segments. I love the paranoid guy saying "Dollhouse. Sure. They're out there, man, Dolls..." while looking around. And of course, the tough guy with the gay fantasy.


*Jump-starting the FBI subplot. We suddenly care about Paul, Mellie, and his job. I particularly like Mellie. Have I mentioned that? I like Mellie.This is why I think it should have been the pilot. His story was so uninteresting before. Having Helo quit and then leave the viewers wondering if the "mole" inside Dollhouse is real or not is a GREAT starting point, and a twist on the usual mole scenario.


*Fractures with the Dollhouse. This is an unstable system, as shown previously with Alpha, but showing the handlers as being untrustworthy was a nice step. It also did a good job of pointing out the moral incongruities of the system (how is raping Sierra as a tabula rasa really that different from programming her to fall in love?)This was good, and even better that Whedon contrasts it with Patton Oswalt's touching story about the wife, and his accusation that Helo has the Prince Charming fantasy. The premise needed more duality, and this episode was it. It simultaneously condemns the behavior and at the same time shows how legitimately enticing it is beyond the rape fantasy. It was also bookended nicely with the differing opinions on the interviews.

Ten notches indeed. I have way more hope for this show now. Of course, it will probably get canceled.

[Mara]

It was hilarious. Equally funny are the mockumentary segments. I love the paranoid guy saying "Dollhouse. Sure. They're out there, man, Dolls..." while looking around. And of course, the tough guy with the gay fantasy.

OKAY. I was trying to remember the other part that made me laugh out loud, and this was it. "Nothing queenie."


Ten notches indeed. I have way more hope for this show now. Of course, it will probably get canceled.

Hush, you.

[Mara]

Guy: Hey, everyone's got their fantasy, right? A guy wants to know what it's like to, you know... be with another man. Just once, nothing queenie, just two guys checking it out, and then the other one forgets. That could be sweet for some guys.

His girlfriend's face as she becomes gradually aware of where he's going is great.

[number8]

The guy's intonation of "sweet" was what made me laugh out loud.

[Amnesiac]

I would assume in July like the first two seasons.

Yes. I have, along with many others, been assuming the same. However, there was a long delay in getting Weiner signed up (delay is mentioned here (http://dojc.newsvine.com/_news/2009/01/16/2322135-mad-men-season-3-delayed-as-creator-wants-quadruple-his-salary-for-the-previous-season)). Some reports have since indicated that things are onboard for the summer (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117998240.html?categoryid=1 4&cs=1) but it doesn't look like anything has been absolutely confirmed. They seem 'hopeful' but not totally assured. I've seen a lot of 'as long as [this happens], we're on board for the summer' comments.

What I was specifically wondering was what the definite date would be, rather than speculation, which has been all over the internet since January. AMC's website hasn't mentioned much (at all) in regards to season 3 yet, either. I don't think it's entirely certain whether or not the prolonged contract negotiations will shift the season further down into the summer.

Either way, as long as it comes sooner than later. But it'd be nice to have a specific date to look forward to. I hope one pops up soon.

[Qrazy]

Also, forgot to mention how fucking awesome Episode 5 of East Bound & Down was. I noticed it was Adam McKay and not David Gordon Green, and it's obvious because it was more slapstick and visual-gag heavy than previous episodes, but it was probably one of the best TV comedy episodes I've seen in a while.

"You wanna fight, you do it on your own time in a parking lot somewhere. Not in school, surrounded by BOOKS."

Amazing.

Yeah actually the show is growing on me. Episode 4 and 5 were quite strong. I enjoyed Ferrell's story about his kid walking in on him having sex.

[Morris Schæffer]

Because I'd like to avoid spoilers by not entering the main thread, how is season 5 of Lost? Bear in mind, I thought that season four ranged from solid to reasonably good with 2 or 3 standout moments.

[Kurosawa Fan]

On a whim, I sat down and watched a Family Guy episode for the first time in a couple years. It had O.J. Simpson. It was atrocious. That show sucks so unbelievably hard, I'm stunned that people think this show is even remotely funny.

[Mara]

Better off Ted: Still funny.

[Amnesiac]

Because I'd like to avoid spoilers by not entering the main thread, how is season 5 of Lost?

I'm curious about this as well. I stopped watching after the premiere and I plan to return to it when the season concludes.

[Mara]

Because I'd like to avoid spoilers by not entering the main thread, how is season 5 of Lost? Bear in mind, I thought that season four ranged from solid to reasonably good with 2 or 3 standout moments.

I'm worried about jinxing it through discussion. I think this season has hovered very near awesome, with a couple hiccups.

[Thirdmango]

Season 5 of Lost is much like season 4 in my opinion. So if you loved season 4 like I did, you'll love season 5.

[number8]

East Bound & Down finale, anyone? I hope they renew this for a 2nd.

[Qrazy]

East Bound & Down finale, anyone? I hope they renew this for a 2nd.

Wow 6 eps, short season. Yeah they could probably use another 6 eps or so to complete the arc. Dunno if the premise could sustain much more than that though.

[number8]

Wow 6 eps, short season. Yeah they could probably use another 6 eps or so to complete the arc. Dunno if the premise could sustain much more than that though.

I was reading that if they do go for a 2nd, they're considering going international. That could be very interesting, seeing Kenny Powers deal with fame in Japan.

[Qrazy]

I was reading that if they do go for a 2nd, they're considering going international. That could be very interesting, seeing Kenny Powers deal with fame in Japan.

Yeah it could be but I don't know how they'd fit in any of the original secondary characters that way.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I wasn't that impressed with Eastbound and Down. Some great highlights, but too many dull moments and humor that missed the mark for such a short season. And Will Ferrell ruined that role for me. I know he 'discovered' McBride, but does that mean he has to latch onto anything he does from now on? Lame.

[Qrazy]

I wasn't that impressed with Eastbound and Down. Some great highlights, but too many dull moments and humor that missed the mark for such a short season. And Will Ferrell ruined that role for me. I know he 'discovered' McBride, but does that mean he has to latch onto anything he does from now on? Lame.

I agree except about the Ferrell part, I liked that role. Also what do you mean about him and Ferrell? Have they been in anything else together? I thought Gordon Green discovered him.

[number8]

I agree except about the Ferrell part, I liked that role. Also what do you mean about him and Ferrell? Have they been in anything else together? I thought Gordon Green discovered him.

Gordon Green didn't "discover" him. They went to college together and used to make short films together, that's why he put McBride in All the Real Girls.

But then McBride, Ben Best and Jody Hill made The Foot Fist Way, and when Will Ferrell and Adam McKay were shooting Taladega Nights in North Carolina, they gave those two a screener copy. Ferrell and McKay became big fans and put their name on the film as exec producers, then helped introduce McBride to the Apatow circle, which led to McBride suddenly being Hollywood's next big thing in comedy.

DGG actually got on Pineapple Express because of McBride.

[Qrazy]

Gordon Green didn't "discover" him. They went to college together and used to make short films together, that's why he put McBride in All the Real Girls.

But then McBride, Ben Best and Jody Hill made The Foot Fist Way, and when Will Ferrell and Adam McKay were shooting Taladega Nights in North Carolina, they gave those two a screener copy. Ferrell and McKay became big fans and put their name on the film as exec producers, then helped introduce McBride to the Apatow circle, which led to McBride suddenly being Hollywood's next big thing in comedy.

DGG actually got on Pineapple Express because of McBride.

Ahh.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So...

I watched the first episode of Castle. And I'll be watching more. Fillion makes it work. It wasn't fantastic, but worth giving a chance.

[[ETM]]

So...

I watched the first episode of Castle. And I'll be watching more. Fillion makes it work. It wasn't fantastic, but worth giving a chance.

I've seen all three and it really works. I dislike only two things about it - his daughter is made to be way too much of a goody two shoes, and the bleeding pen in the opening logo - I mean, really?

Other than that, love the casting, the chemistry, the dialogue flows nicely and the stories are genuinely interesting so far. Also, there's at least one mention of the poker game in every episode so I'm hoping they keep it as a recurring thing.

[number8]

Holy crap. I just realized that Ziggy Sobotka is the jerk-off kid from Ken Park.

[[ETM]]

Episode 3 of Kings was... I don't know where they're taking this. I got a totally different vibe from the first two.

[Morris Schæffer]

Words fail me in expressing the awesomeness of the grand finale of The Shield. I'm not even sure "Awesome" is an appropriate adjective. I'm floored! This might be the best season finale ever.

[Cult]

So...

I watched the first episode of Castle. And I'll be watching more. Fillion makes it work. It wasn't fantastic, but worth giving a chance.
Agreed. He and the female cop make a very charming duo and it's fun watching them pick apart cases each week. It may eventually need more than that alone to get by, but for now it's good enough.

[Raiders]

House goes Diving Bell by way of Mos Def. Hm.

[Sycophant]

House goes Diving Bell by way of Mos Def.

This is a phenomenal sentence.

[Amnesiac]

Andy Hallett, who played Lorne on Angel, died. More information here (http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b106789_Angel_Star_Andy_Hallet t_Dies_of_Heart_Failure.html). He was only 33. Pretty horrible news.

He was great as Lorne.

[lovejuice]

so is the tudors worth blind buy? it seems to be critically exclaimed, but i really like the one-sheet/advertisement for this third season.

[Mara]

Andy Hallett, who played Lorne on Angel, died. More information here (http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b106789_Angel_Star_Andy_Hallet t_Dies_of_Heart_Failure.html). He was only 33. Pretty horrible news.

He was great as Lorne.

What? That's horrible. His character was one of the real bright spots in that show.

[Kurosawa Fan]

so is the tudors worth blind buy? it seems to be critically exclaimed, but i really like the one-sheet/advertisement for this third season.

No. It's terrible. You'll definitely want to rent it or find a way to check it out before buying it, because I know a lot of people who agree with me.

[Mara]

No. It's terrible. You'll definitely want to rent it or find a way to check it out before buying it, because I know a lot of people who agree with me.

I'm glad to hear that. My instinct to watch all costume drama was warring with the fact that I think Jonathon Rhys-Meyers is really gross.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm glad to hear that. My instinct to watch all costume drama was warring with the fact that I think Jonathon Rhys-Meyers is really gross.

Val continues to watch it even though she admits it isn't very good, that Rhys-Meyers is terrible, and that it's historically inaccurate. I have a feeling it's the costume drama aspect that she can't walk away from.

[Kurosawa Fan]

;148336']I've seen all three and it really works. I dislike only two things about it - his daughter is made to be way too much of a goody two shoes, and the bleeding pen in the opening logo - I mean, really?

Other than that, love the casting, the chemistry, the dialogue flows nicely and the stories are genuinely interesting so far. Also, there's at least one mention of the poker game in every episode so I'm hoping they keep it as a recurring thing.

Yep. Three episodes in and the daughter is definitely the weak link. I was hoping she wouldn't be so prevalent. Bummer. Still, it's a fun show.

[number8]

No. It's terrible. You'll definitely want to rent it or find a way to check it out before buying it, because I know a lot of people who agree with me.

Concur. It sucks hard.

The only person I know who likes it is a skank who just loves watching rich people party and have sex.

[[ETM]]

Yep. Three episodes in and the daughter is definitely the weak link. I was hoping she wouldn't be so prevalent. Bummer. Still, it's a fun show.

I'm liking her fatehr-daughter chemistry with Fillion, she can act, she's cute, just... I hope they make her more realistic. No real person is that sheltered, not in NY anyway.

[Kurosawa Fan]

;149098']I'm liking her fatehr-daughter chemistry with Fillion, she can act, she's cute, just... I hope they make her more realistic. No real person is that sheltered, not in NY anyway.

Yeah, that subway confession was... absurd. You're right, she's a nice actress, it's her character that's the problem.

[Raiders]

I also watched Castle last night and my man-crush on Fillion has me hooked. It has some great interplay and in general seems more playful and less smug than most primetime com-drams. Also nice to see a cop/investigative show that isn't all stylized Scooby Doo.

[[ETM]]

Hot damn, Stana Katic is smokin'.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Unfortunately, the ratings for Castle have fallen every week, and it's not looking good for renewal. I knew I shouldn't have started watching it.

[number8]

Unfortunately, the ratings for Castle have fallen every week, and it's not looking good for renewal. I knew I shouldn't have started watching it.
Shoulda had it on USA.

[Sycophant]

During the Oscars, I saw a lot of previews for ABC's new lineup. Most of it's going to be cancelled.

Like Nathan Fillion's new show, Castle. I've never seen a preview for a more cancellable show.

You were warned.

[Sycophant]

Shoulda had it on USA.


If it was on the USA Network it would do really well.

Ahem.

Though I would actually like to see the show now that y'all have weighed in on it, mostly positively. Is it available online somewhere?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Ahem.

Though I would actually like to see the show now that y'all have weighed in on it, mostly positively. Is it available online somewhere?

ABC.com. I only started watching it because I noticed how strong it opened with the ratings, and they were calling it a shoe-in for a second season. I'll be pretty disappointed if it fails, but it will at least avoid the eventual coupling of Castle and Beckett.

[[ETM]]

Why can't people enjoy well made fluff? Does it HAVE to be crappy to please the ratings gods? Oh well.

[Henry Gale]

The new Life on Mars had its series finale tonight and wow... I didn't bother following it too closely, but what a god-awful ending.

If anyone actually watched it and this was the ending after 5 years or so, it would have gone down as one of the worst conclusions in history. Just unbelievable.

[number8]

Was it not the same as the UK ending?

[Henry Gale]

Was it not the same as the UK ending?

In a word: No.

Let me spell it out a little more... (and if I find a YouTube link then I will post it to prove I am not kidding)

Sam picks up the phone with the evil mystery voice and tells it basically "screw off, I wanna live here in '73" and walks over to Gene Hunt and jokingly he says "I'm gonna miss you the most, Scarecrow" for whatever reason. Just then... a glitch in the frame, we see slowly zoom out from Sam's eye and realize he's in some sort of pod. It opens, he gets up and looks around to see that he is in a spaceship accompanied by all the other characters in the series, but not exactly as we know them. They exchange atrocious expositionary dialogue and we realize that they all had implanted dreams to keep their brains busy as they set out on their mission to... MARS!

We watch as the horrible CG spacecraft approaches the planet. Then back inside Sam turns to the TV screen for an incoming message from Earth. It's who we've come to know as Agent Morgan. He lets us know it's actually 2035 and that President Obama wanted to greet the astronauts instead of him but her father has fallen ill (oic wut they did thur). Sam tells him something went a little screwy with his dream thingy and he wanted to just be a cop in 2008 for his. Morgan explains that it was probably some space storm that caused malfunctioning to the program blah blah blurrhh. Then he wishes him on a successful mission and their "gene hunt" on the planet (OHHH!) and just then, Keitel decides to come out of his space pod with a name tag that reads "Major Tom" (kill me now.) and Sam addresses him as Dad. AAAANNDDD they land safe and sound, the pod door opens and they depart in their astronaut suits as an Elton John song plays (I forget which... I was to dumbfounded by everything else happening to care) and then it cuts to black as Sam's foot touches the ground.
Yeah...

[number8]

NO.

April Fool's right? No fucking way,

[Henry Gale]

NO.

April Fool's right? No fucking way,

I wish.

I mean if this was their plan, then they pulled off the best joke ever. But instead I think they just ruined the "Life on Mars" name for anyone ever considering to check out the original series after seeing that.

[Mara]

Was the Elton John song Rocket Man? Because that would be the crappy nail in the coffin of suck.

[[ETM]]

:eek:

I... I...

:|

[number8]

It's not just the shittiness that kills me, but it's that they think they're being so clever about it too.

"Hahaha GENE HUNT. Get it? MAJOR TOM, get it?"

Fuck you.

[MadMan]

In a word: No.

Let me spell it out a little more... (and if I find a YouTube link then I will post it to prove I am not kidding)

Sam picks up the phone with the evil mystery voice and tells it basically "screw off, I wanna live here in '73" and walks over to Gene Hunt and jokingly he says "I'm gonna miss you the most, Scarecrow" for whatever reason. Just then... a glitch in the frame, we see slowly zoom out from Sam's eye and realize he's in some sort of pod. It opens, he gets up and looks around to see that he is in a spaceship accompanied by all the other characters in the series, but not exactly as we know them. They exchange atrocious expositionary dialogue and we realize that they all had implanted dreams to keep their brains busy as they set out on their mission to... MARS!

We watch as the horrible CG spacecraft approaches the planet. Then back inside Sam turns to the TV screen for an incoming message from Earth. It's who we've come to know as Agent Morgan. He lets us know it's actually 2035 and that President Obama wanted to greet the astronauts instead of him but her father has fallen ill (oic wut they did thur). Sam tells him something went a little screwy with his dream thingy and he wanted to just be a cop in 2008 for his. Morgan explains that it was probably some space storm that caused malfunctioning to the program blah blah blurrhh. Then he wishes him on a successful mission and their "gene hunt" on the planet (OHHH!) and just then, Keitel decides to come out of his space pod with a name tag that reads "Major Tom" (kill me now.) and Sam addresses him as Dad. AAAANNDDD they land safe and sound, the pod door opens and they depart in their astronaut suits as an Elton John song plays (I forget which... I was to dumbfounded by everything else happening to care) and then it cuts to black as Sam's foot touches the ground.
Yeah...I'm glad that instead of giving the American show a shot, I just waited around for it to be eventually canceled, and then for someone to spoiler the ending. Yeah, I'm just going to stick to trying to get my hands on the UK version instead.

[Mara]

Pet peeve: so many television writers have no idea how to write dialogue for children. It's like they've never met one.

[Mara]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/maragirl/onionmagazine_archive_171a.jpg

[Ezee E]

Rescue Me comes back on Tuesday.

Wonder what they'll be doing with Michael J. Fox.

[Qrazy]

John from Cincinnati - It's sort of interesting, but it also kind of sucks. The kid who plays Shaun is fairly awful for instance. There's a great deal of quirk for quirk's sake. The peripheral characters sort of just mill around waiting for something to happen with the central family. More characters keep being introduced while older characters just stagnate. They've built into the narrative a reset button such that when something bad occurs there will be a bit of drama for a while and then a miracle will transpire and everything will be fine. Also everyone seems to be freaking out about everything all of the time. For a bunch of surfers they need to chill the fuck out. All that being said I've come to enjoy certain characters. The quirks can be funny and I just want to see where things are going at this point. It's also dramatically interesting to see how characters change and adapt in relation to witnessing a miracle. Aside from Shaun the acting is fairly decent and the production values are strong although I've come to realize many HBO shows share a very similar aesthetic (perhaps not in overt style but at least in scene construction/composition)... it's also nice to see much of the cast of Deadwood reunited. Oh and the opening is sweet.

[Milky Joe]

The peripheral characters sort of just mill around waiting for something to happen with the central family.

I always liked that aspect of it. The peripheral characters have all been sort of drawn together and feel compelled to just hang around. Why? Most of them have excuses, some of them don't, but none are really aware that there is a larger purpose afoot or that they're compelled to be there for other reasons (John). This gives the scenes say, at the hotel, a kind of dreamy, synchronistic quality. Plus I just love Milch's dialogue. "My fucking fibromyalgia is in upheaval!"

[MadMan]

Did anyone actually bother to watch the ER series finale? Well, I didn't. But I'm still curious as to how it ended.

[number8]

Did anyone actually bother to watch the ER series finale? Well, I didn't. But I'm still curious as to how it ended.
George Clooney's scrubs had nipples.

[Qrazy]

I always liked that aspect of it. The peripheral characters have all been sort of drawn together and feel compelled to just hang around. Why? Most of them have excuses, some of them don't, but none are really aware that there is a larger purpose afoot or that they're compelled to be there for other reasons (John). This gives the scenes say, at the hotel, a kind of dreamy, synchronistic quality. Plus I just love Milch's dialogue. "My fucking fibromyalgia is in upheaval!"

Just finished the show. I really don't see that most of them have much of a purpose except to mill around 'helping the family' during crisis mode which happens nearly every single episode. Where's Shawn? What's happening to Shawn? Oh he's OK. Oh no he's not! Where IS he? For the love of Christ. I guess their purpose is to get the family 'back in the game' but even then many of them play very insubstantial roles in that goal (most of the people at the motel for instance).

Also the show has a lot of reference points both thematic and visual in relation to 9/11, illegal immigration, the counter-culture zeitgeist, drug use, coping with loss, alienation, etc... but does it really have much to say about these things? Or much like the surf crashing along the sea shore is it all just a bunch of sound and fury? All the pieces certainly fit together but the final puzzle picture doesn't communicate very much. As an exercise in style it's somewhat enjoyable. It's like HBO's FLCL.

[Hugh_Grant]

Did anyone actually bother to watch the ER series finale? Well, I didn't. But I'm still curious as to how it ended.
Yep. I was there until the very end.

The finale was actually nothing special; John Wells said he wanted to echo the pilot as much as possible, so it was really like any other episode of the show. Most of the tying of loose ends was done in the weeks previous:



Ross and Hathaway were seen living happily in Seattle.
Abby and Kovac moved to Boston (I think)
Neela moved to Baton Rouge to live with Ray.
Morris proposed to his cop girlfriend.
It was hinted that Gates and Sam were on the road to reconciliation.
Carter had a kidney transplant. He also opened up the Carter Center, which gave the writers a reason to bring back Corday, Lewis, Kerry Weaver, and Benton and Reese. (Actually Benton had returned during the kidney transplant episode. He was still together with Cleo.)
The finale brought back Rachel Greene (Mark's daughter), who was interviewing to get into med school.

[Milky Joe]

All the pieces certainly fit together but the final puzzle picture doesn't communicate very much.

It's funny you say this because what I think the show is about at its core is communication, and the dearth of it that exists in the world: a lot is being said, there is so much noise, where do you look to find what is real and true? On his commentary for the first episode, one of the very first things Milch says (about Linc and Mitch) is "these are people who are talking past one another." John comes and uses our language to deliver his (very important) message, but it's muddled and unclear because our language is fraught with the myriad flaws, imperfections, and personal baggage that comes with human beings. John's message (and the message of the show) is, essentially, "transform your language, so that you may be saved."

You're right that it's not entirely successful, but I still think it's one of the more daring, ambitious things to ever be on TV. It has a literary quality that most TV (aside from some other HBO stuff--Deadwood, The Wire, SFU) has no concept of whatsoever. I'm still amazed it was even produced, but not at all amazed that HBO decided afterwards to keep Milch on a much shorter leash for his next project.

[Qrazy]

It's funny you say this because what I think the show is about at its core is communication, and the dearth of it that exists in the world: a lot is being said, there is so much noise, where do you look to find what is real and true? On his commentary for the first episode, one of the very first things Milch says (about Linc and Mitch) is "these are people who are talking past one another." John comes and uses our language to deliver his (very important) message, but it's muddled and unclear because our language is fraught with the myriad flaws, imperfections, and personal baggage that comes with human beings. John's message (and the message of the show) is, essentially, "transform your language, so that you may be saved."

This is what I'm saying. I think it makes allusions to having something important to say but ultimately doesn't say very much at all. Transform our language so that we may be saved? Please. Language has it's limits and ambiguities but the lack of communication between Linc, Mitch and whoever else is not a linguistic problem, it is an emotional one. They are using language as weapons to wound or as a tool to accomplish their aims, but this is an issue of intent, not of a fundamental difficulty with language. The message of the show which it only half accomplishes is that we need to let go of our pasts in order to heal in the present such that we may become excellent surfers for the viewing pleasure of an alien species.


You're right that it's not entirely successful, but I still think it's one of the more daring, ambitious things to ever be on TV. It has a literary quality that most TV (aside from some other HBO stuff--Deadwood, The Wire, SFU) has no concept of whatsoever. I'm still amazed it was even produced, but not at all amazed that HBO decided afterwards to keep Milch on a much shorter leash for his next project.

Sure, it's better than the average sitcom or network television show but that's not really saying much. The thing about literature is that not all of it is well, good. Something can have a 'literary' quality without it adding very much to the final product. It is an ambitious project but in an overreaching it's grasp sort of way. It tries to communicate something incisive about a dysfunctional family and by association a greater zeitgeist and I don't think it's very successful with either.

[Milky Joe]

Transform our language so that we may be saved? Please. Language has it's limits and ambiguities but the lack of communication between Linc, Mitch and whoever else is not a linguistic problem, it is an emotional one.

I don't really think there is much of a distinction. The linguistic problem arises when using language to communicate emotion, something spoken language is uniquely unsuited to doing. Or it could be suited to doing so, but the way these characters have learned to use it prevents this: as you said, they use it as a weapon for personal gain or satisfaction, instead of a tool for achieving true communication or emotional connectedness.


The message of the show which it only half accomplishes is that we need to let go of our pasts in order to heal in the present such that we may become excellent surfers for the viewing pleasure of an alien species.

That's a pretty amusing oversimplification, but it's also true in a way I don't think you intended. Notice that whenever Shaun speaks it's in this kind of stilted, awkwardly direct manner ("You hurt my feelings, Gram, you did!"). You might say this is just bad acting, but I think it's intentional. Shaun is the only one who is able to achieve a true synergy with John and transcend because Shaun's first language is surfing, not English. This is a language that John understands perfectly: unspoken, uncomplicated, purely emotional, Truth. In other words, Art (he's also fond of Cass' camera). Mitch, in comparison, has one foot in this world and one in the next, and so he is able to go "up in the air," but not ALL the way up.


Sure, it's better than the average sitcom or network television show but that's not really saying much.

You're either vastly overrating the average network TV show or vastly underrating this one, I can't quite tell. This is a highly personal, highly intelligent work from probably the only real genius working in television today. It deals with themes and concepts that are usually reserved for high literature or philosophy. You can say its literariness doesn't add anything, but I simply disagree. Compared to something like Dollhouse or Kings or Lost or 24 or whatever other tripe people watch every night, this is friggin' Shakespeare.

[Qrazy]

I don't really think there is much of a distinction. The linguistic problem arises when using language to communicate emotion, something spoken language is uniquely unsuited to doing. Or it could be suited to doing so, but the way these characters have learned to use it prevents this: as you said, they use it as a weapon for personal gain or satisfaction, instead of a tool for achieving true communication or emotional connectedness.

There's an enormous distinction, although your denial of this fact and thus oversimplification is fairly amusing (i.e. can we not avoid such comments?). You say language needs to be changed, I say intention and attitudes need to be changed. Although language needs to be changed for other, much better reasons (see Orwell's essay on the English language or much of the analytic philosophy tradition... Moore, Ayer, etc), but that is not the modus operandi of the show. If it were it would be a silly one. Communication problems in the context of this show are not a function of fundamental problems with language itself. Characters mistrust and resent one another as a result of their past actions towards each other. These characters are emotionally disconnected because of previous wrong doings and difficulty forgiving on another (Link pushing Butchie towards drug abuse, giving up a son, taking the easy money from porn, walking in on a kid masturbating and making a lascivious comment, hitting a kid at the beach, etc), not because of communication disconnect. The way characters have learned to use language is not their fundamental problem. Their problem is that they cannot forgive each others previous transgressions.

It's also an absurd presupposition that verbal language is unsuited to conveying emotion while body language is superior. Much of our verbal language is constructed purely in order to convey our inner state in ways that physical motion can't begin to approach. The value of physical communication or rather physical engagement, in this case surfing, is what the psychologist CsÃ*kszentmihályi refers to as a state of flow. This is a feeling of utter absorption, of losing oneself in an act. Unfortunately the show does not articulate this importance very well instead relying on 'the cool' factor element of surfing (note his father wants to 'sign' Shaun for spectatorship as much as for the actual joy it brings to Shaun or the family). It also only sparingly addresses the issue of using surfing or a flow state as an escape from interpersonal dilemmas. I agree with you that the premise of the show is strong. It could have said quite a bit about the above issues, alas it does not.



That's a pretty amusing oversimplification, but it's also true in a way I don't think you intended. Notice that whenever Shaun speaks it's in this kind of stilted, awkwardly direct manner ("You hurt my feelings, Gram, you did!"). You might say this is just bad acting, but I think it's intentional. Shaun is the only one who is able to achieve a true synergy with John and transcend because Shaun's first language is surfing, not English. This is a language that John understands perfectly: unspoken, uncomplicated, purely emotional, Truth. In other words, Art (he's also fond of Cass' camera). Mitch, in comparison, has one foot in this world and one in the next, and so he is able to go "up in the air," but not ALL the way up.

So broken English is the path towards transcendence? Thanks for the insight Milch you beautiful genius! Sarcasm aside, I assume you're only trying to say that Shaun's poor communication skills are indicative of greater skills elsewhere (surfing). If you're saying that his poor verbal communication skills somehow make him 'more one with existence/at peace' that is an absurd position... both theoretically and in the context of the narrative. He's a young kid who smokes a lot of weed and spends all his time surfing, it is not a stretch that his grammar suffers as a result. Anyway even if you are only saying his poor communication skills demonstrate his greater surfing skills, this is not evidence for a fundamental difficulty with language (a silly thesis to begin with) since Shaun is portrayed as almost as frustrated, betrayed and troubled as anyone else.

All of the above aside, no I am not saying that the dialogue is demonstrative of Shaun's poor portrayal. I think the actor is stilted, wooden and just generally a poor performer. And I would not say this about the portrayal of John to whom you are comparing Shaun.


You're either vastly overrating the average network TV show or vastly underrating this one, I can't quite tell. This is a highly personal, highly intelligent work from probably the only real genius working in television today. It deals with themes and concepts that are usually reserved for high literature or philosophy. You can say its literariness doesn't add anything, but I simply disagree. Compared to something like Dollhouse or Kings or Lost or 24 or whatever other tripe people watch every night, this is friggin' Shakespeare.

I'm vastly overrating them by saying it's better than them? My comment of 'that's not saying much' is a statement about network television's relative awfulness. I wouldn't know how much better it is than Dollhouse, Kings, Lost or 24 because I don't watch any of them.

[Amnesiac]

The value of physical communication or rather physical engagement, in this case surfing, is what the psychologist CsÃ*kszentmihályi refers to as a state of flow.

Note to self: when in heated internet argument, disarm the opponent with an esoteric reference to psychologists with complex last names.

Who says you can't learn anything on the internet? :)