"If It Ain't a Serialized Drama, It Ain't Going on Our Network!" - 2006 Television in Review
Pajiba's Year in Review / The TV Whore
January 10, 2007
There’s little doubt that the 2006 was the year of serial TV. During the upfronts, all the networks listed new serial after bloody new serial, all the while wearing big, fat horse-blinders so as to ignore the extensive criticism that there was such a thing as too … much … serial. Fast-forward to the fall, and those blinders just weren’t working anymore, as the networks were forced to face the truth that there is such a thing as too … much … serial. Which of course meant that we saw a bunch of those freshman serials getting put out to pasture quick as can be — some deserved the fast plug (“Vanished”), others, not so much (“Kidnapped,” “Daybreak”).
But the deluge and subsequent failure of many of the serialized dramas isn’t the only thing that happened this year, of course. We did manage to get some strong new shows worthy of continued viewing (“Dexter,” “30 Rock,” “Big Love,” “Friday Night Lights”). We saw some of our old favorites get back on track after losing their way (“24,” “Nip/Tuck,” “The O.C “). We said goodbye to our favorite comedy (“Arrested Development”). And we saw an inauspicious dismissal of one of our favorite dramas (“Deadwood” — and I’ll believe in those two wrap-up movies when I see ‘em).
As with last year, I’m going to skip a “best of” or “worst of” list of shows, ‘cause the internets is full of plenty of them, and if you’re an even semi-regular reader of this column, you could probably figure out my lists anyway. Instead, I’m just going to hand out some random honorifics to the television year that was 2006.
Best Finale. In terms of a season finale, there’s really no question here. We’re talking about “Battlestar Galactica,” kids. The choice to flash-forward a year was a ballsy move, to be sure, and it’s one that pissed off and worried a good hunk of the fan-base. Personally, I loved the decision, and it had me immensely excited for the third season. But I also loved how pissed off others were about it. Everyone had an opinion about the thing, and most of those opinions were backed by lots of passion. And getting fans riled up is exactly what a great season finale should do.
Meanwhile, there’s also no question about what the best series finale was. The demise of “Arrested Development” was a long time coming, to be sure, and its last breath didn’t hurt any less than we thought it would. But at least the Bluths went out with as much style as they could. The finale was absolutely loaded with the types of in-jokes and humor that fans had grown to love and it made for a fitting and satisfying conclusion to one of the best comedies ever. But for fuck’s sake, when the hell are we going to get our Bob Loblaw spin-off already?
Biggest Disappointment of the Fall Season. I’ve got a three-way tie here. Based purely on the pilot and the excitement the pilot generated (for me at least), the biggest disappointment was “The Nine.” While I had my questions about whether they could succeed with this show, I really liked most of the cast and I found the first 15 minutes to be utterly engrossing (and the rest to be solid enough). Clearly, however, my questions about success were well-founded and, unfortunately, prescient. The dialogue never got better, the gimmick did get old quick, and the writing was plodding. Perhaps the biggest tragedy of all is that of poor Tim Daly’s career. He’s managed to shed any “Wings”-related baggage and put out consistently solid performances, here, in “The Sopranos” and in last year’s too-short “Eyes,” but he still doesn’t have anything long-lived to show for it. One of these days, Tim, one of these days.
The second big fall disappointment, this time based on the underlying premise, has got to be “Jericho.” A nuclear holocaust leaves a town left wondering about what happened and if it’s the last place on Earth … how the hell do you botch this up as much as “Jericho” has? Sure, casting Skeet Skeet Skeet Ulrich was a fantastic first step. But they should’ve been able to get by that. Alas, more shitty writing and a lack of focus has left this show sputtering. And it’s only going to get worse, I hate to tell you — word has it that when the show returns next month, they’re going to focus less on the big story and more on: 1) a suspicious neighboring town; and 2) the mysterious black guy’s business. Yes, less focus on the big nuke story is totally what this show needs. I think I’m officially done with this one now.
But the flat-out biggest disappointment of the season has got to be “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” Of course, it was burdened with ridiculously high expectations — with Aaron Sorkin at the helm and a talented and well-rounded cast walking-and-talking, folks were expecting the best of “Sports Night” mixed with the brilliance of early “The West Wing,” and there’s just no way Sorkin could meet these expectations. And it certainly hasn’t. More disappointing still, the show has fallen short of even being a great show. At its best, it’s a decent show (and sometimes it doesn’t even get quite that high). I continue to watch because there are still some solid moments here and there, but I can only do this because I’ve come to grips with my disappointment and moved past it.
Best New Show. There were a couple of real contenders here. If it weren’t for increasingly grueling dialogue, “Heroes” might have been a viable option, but with the shit that comes out of those characters’ mouths, it really doesn’t have a dog in this fight (I’m still enjoying the show, don’t get me wrong, I just wish the writing would ratchet it up a notch or three). The two viable options that just missed the mark are Showtime’s “Dexter” and HBO’s “Big Love.” When I initially reviewed “Dexter,” I had some concerns about it but, happily, it placated every one of them. By the end of the season it was a surprisingly light (given the serial-killer subject matter) show and a real showcase for Michael C. Hall. Can’t wait to see what they do with the second season. And ditto that, plus some, for “Big Love,” another show that goes off the beaten path with regard to its subject matter yet nevertheless manages to keep everything grounded and relatable. In fact, I’m much more excited about the upcoming second season of “Love” than I am about the also upcoming, much-heralded run of “The Sopranos.”
But all that love for serial killers and polygamists aside, the true best new show is “Friday Night Lights.” I never would’ve guessed that a network show would be able to beat out two great pay shows, since Showtime and HBO just generally tend to do things better (and it’s not just because they can say “fuck” and show titties, though these things don’t hurt). But sumbitch if NBC didn’t put together one hell of a show. Ostensibly a football show, “FNL” is really about family life in small-town America, about class struggle, about all the usual growing pains that high school kids face, etc. It’s a dense and rich show, with excellent writing and even better acting (Kyle Chandler, in particular, has been knocking it out of the park all season). Just a great show. And while I fully expect it won’t see a second season, I’m just glad as hell that NBC is giving us a full run this year. I don’t know how many times I can tell you this — if you’re not watching it, get going.
Biggest Resurgence. Several shows lost their way over the past couple of seasons but managed to pick themselves back up this year. For “Survivor,” CBS totally missed the mark with its lame “divide the tribes by race” beginning, but the second half of the season was as entertaining as the show has been in a good while. “Nip/Tuck” similarly regained some of the fun it lost during the Carved-out third season, although it’s still not back to season-one or -two form. But “24” did get itself back to season-one form, delivering a tight and fun run (although it was still over-lauded by everyone, in my opinion, because at the end of the day, it’s still just fluff). Similarly, “Lost” saw the errors of its second season and … oh no, wait a minute, it got worse. Never mind on that one — fuck “Lost.”
But the biggest (and most surprising) resurgence has been the current run of “The O.C.” With Marissa’s baggage fully gone, the fourth season has been moving along in fine fashion. The best thing about the first season was its wit and humor, and those are both back again, thanks in no small part to the addition of Taylor as a regular character. In fact, “The O.C.” is one of the shows I’m most enjoying right now, and I’m really happy to see the show going out on a high note (and not at all bummed about its cancellation because I suspect this quality wouldn’t hold over the long term, so better to go out high than crawl away low).
Best Miniseries. Last year, the best miniseries was easily Showtime’s “Sleeper Cell.” While this year’s follow-up, “Sleeper Cell: American Terror,” wasn’t quite as good, it was still compelling as hell and, more importantly, absolutely better than anything “24” has thrown at us in its five seasons. But “American Terror” doesn’t get the top miniseries honor this year, because FX’s “Thief” was better. Andre Braugher, who’s always been a solid actor, gave a finely layered performance in a dark show that was, as I said in my original review, almost more of a character piece than anything else. It’s a shame that “Thief” didn’t manage strong enough ratings to possibly get turned into a series, but that failure doesn’t detract from the overwhelmingly strong quality of this puppy. If FX ever reruns it or puts it out on DVD, there are many worse ways you could spend six hours.
Best Laughs. Since “Arrested Development” is, sadly, no more of this mortal coil, it gets an honorary nod here, but moves aside to make room for someone else. Now “South Park” comes real close to getting the win, because when it hits, it’s strong as hell. And there have been several great episodes this year. But there were also a couple that felt a little light (though still better than 90 percent of the other comedies out there), and the run, as a whole, just didn’t feel quite as consistent as some other years. Still a great show, mind you, just with a couple of minor hiccups along the way. An even closer runner-up here was “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” While I enjoyed the first season and chuckled along with it, I didn’t love it. But things really clicked with the second season — it was much tighter, the writing was stronger, there was a bit more characterization and separation between the three male leads, and Danny DeVito was just fantastic. I laughed my ass off during the whole run and, in fact, probably enjoyed it more than my prior favorite non-network comedies, “Weeds” and “Entourage” (which isn’t meant as a sling against either of them as “Entourage“‘s third season was solid and “Weeds”’ second season was fantastic).
But “Sunny” doesn’t get the win simply because I laugh more at “The Office.” Consistently. Probably to the utter annoyance of all my neighbors (thin walls in my apartment and all that). I laugh so hard that I typically have to pause the DVR at least twice an episode so as not to miss something while I continue laughing. This show is just solid, solid comedy. But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.
Worst Network Bungling. Lots of networks bungled all sorts of shit this year. NBC gave up on “Kidnapped” too early but then promised fans it would finish out in the Saturday night graveyard, only to then renege on this promise and yank the show entirely. ABC likewise promised that “Daybreak” would get a proper end-run online, which is better than nothing, only to pull any reference to the show from its site and claim that there was some type of music clearance issue holding things up. The CW continued the losing ways of its prior network incarnations, only putting two new shows on the air and pulling one of them (“Runaway”) less than a month after it premiered (and without looking it up, I don’t even remember what the other new show was, so I can’t say how it held up).
But the worst network bungling goes to, perhaps for the first time, HBO. First, they foisted the one-two anti-comedy punch of “Lucky Louie” and “Dane Cook’s Tourgasm” upon us. Then, they stuck a knife in our back and twisted the fuck out of it by deciding not to let “Deadwood” have its fourth and final season. This hurt all the more since so much of the third season (particularly the Brian Cox theater troop stuff) seemed to be gearing towards that fourth season, so without a proper conclusion, the decision actually detracted from the third season’s quality. And as I said in the intro, I’ll believe in the wrap-up movies when I’m actually watching them.
This isn’t the first time the network has made a misstep (seven inexplicable seasons of “Arli$$” anyone?), but it’s definitely the biggest set of mistakes the generally infallible network has ever made. The “comedy” shows were just disappointing, but that “Deadwood” debacle hurt, and left me wondering if I could ever fall back in love with HBO.
Best Show of the Year. Luckily, it didn’t take HBO long to win me back. season four of “The Wire” was simply everything that’s good about TV. This show has always been a perfectly acted, written, and paced drama, but everything seemed to step up a notch this season. The secondary political and drug-war storylines were as fascinating as ever, but the primary focus on the kids and education was simply brilliant. There are plenty of other shows I love, but there was no single show I anticipated more each week. Hell, they even killed off my favorite character (who I won’t name so as not to spoil it for the DVD folks), and while this would have brought out a rage in me on any other show, here it just brought out a sadness; but I have such faith in the show that I knew it was simply the way things had to be, and thus there was no anger.
Look, at this point, I’ll follow “The Wire” anywhere. And thankfully HBO at least learned a little something from the “Deadwood” bungling and is going to allow me to follow “The Wire” in its intended fifth-and-final season. All I know about that season, at this point, is that there’s going to be a significant focus on the media, but I don’t care. They could say, “Season five’s going to be all about the effect of different bowel movements on the Baltimore sanitation system,” and I’d say, “Bring on the poo.” Besides, I’d love to see what kind of damage Omar’s shits do to city plumbing.
And finally, because 1) it always nice to ring in the new year with a little sexism, and 2) I haven’t even made one specific reference to a TV chick being hot:
My Newest TV Hottie: Amanda from “Ugly Betty.” She’s yummy.
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television columnist. He’s too tired from writing this column to come up with anything clever to write here.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer | | Pajiba Love 01/10/06
Comments
As someone who spent two days watching the final season (sob) of Arrested Development (some of it for the first time), I agree with you about the finale. Very classy, very funny, but... crap, I wish it was still on the air.
And.. remember when Skeet Ulrich was the next big thing? .....anybody?
"(particularly the Brian Cox theater troop stuff) " Was he playing a new warden?
Posted by: Mara at January 10, 2007 8:57 AM
The boy and I are with you, Whore, on BSG. The S2 finale nearly killed us, it was so impactful. The balls on them! It was unexpected and novel and of course distressing, after becoming so involved with the characters and their goals.
Haven't seen S3 of AD yet--can someone illuminate me about this "Bob Loblaw" thing? That's a decades-old Eastern Canadian gag (local Loblaw's grocery store chain may or may not have had a Bob Loblaw among its cohort--we used to laugh ourselves sick regardless), so I'm wondering if there's any etymological link to its incarnation in US comedy culture.
Posted by: ranylt at January 10, 2007 9:20 AM
The Wire is hands-down, no-questions-asked the best thing on television right now. It's tough, sad, and smart. And it spares us that lame "dark-and-gritty-but-not-really" shit that TV shows try so often to achieve. By focusing on the real and honest truths about Baltimore, particularly their portrayal of the bureaucratic bullshit and the housing projects, the dark-and-gritty becomes a natural byproduct, instead of a weak plot device.
Entourage is clever and fun.
That's all the TV I watch.
Posted by: TK at January 10, 2007 10:09 AM
I agree with you about "Heroes" the diaglogue is cheesy and sometimes makes me cringe...but I can't stop watching it. It's completely addictive, and Hiro makes me happy. "Waffles!"
Also, just wondering if you'll be reviwiwng the season premiere of Rome?? (Yay Sunday!!)
Posted by: KDM at January 10, 2007 10:22 AM
wow, apparently I have a really difficult time with the word "reviewing"
Posted by: KDM at January 10, 2007 10:26 AM
I would also like to read your thoughts about the season premiere of "Rome". I re-watched the first season On Demand and am verily vibrating with anticipation for Sunday night's premiere.
It's the new year and I'm feeling bold, so here goes. I refuse to watch Friday Night Lights. If I hear one more person tell me I HAVE to see it, I'm going to punch them in the neck. I thought the movie was decent but not memorable, so why would I watch a TV show based on it? I'm not clamoring for adaptations of "Remember the Titans" or "Mystery, Alaska", so I'm steering clear. I have my high school football favorite and it's called "Varsity Blues". There's enough shame in liking that, thank you. And I gave BSG a shot. It must've been a bad episode because it was pretty ho-hum. I will now dodge the food and rocks thrown at my head.
Anyway, I totally agree with your musings about "The Office", "Heroes", "Lost" and "Studio 60", and I'm still going to give the last two another shot. I'm such a sucker.
Posted by: Kballs at January 10, 2007 12:00 PM
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has always sucked and always will. It is not funny. It is the other side of the coin to "The Office"
Posted by: todmeister at January 10, 2007 1:07 PM
I miss Arrested. I didn't get to watch the show very much on tv because they kept changing the time schedule. But I did see the series finale. It was absolutely hilarious. So many wonderful in-jokes. Very bittersweet. Perfect way to end it.
I agree with you about Lost. My God, has it gone south.
I've never gotten into The Office... I don't know why. I find it funny, but there's nothing else about it that keeps me coming back. *shrugs*
Posted by: kayla at January 10, 2007 1:17 PM
Kayla, have you ever seen the British "The Office"? The U.S. one is very, very funny, but the British one is flat-out brilliant.
"The Wire" hurts to watch and, yet, I kept going back for more. Damn, that show got me right here.
Posted by: Samantha T at January 10, 2007 1:29 PM
As usual, I must put in my two cents and suggest that How I Met Your Mother deserves a nod in the Best Laughs department. It is sweet without being sappy, allows the characters to actually interact and acknowledge that the other characters have said something funny, and damn it, Robin Sparkles / Slap Bet was hands down the funniest thing I saw on television last year. I laugh more consistantly at HIMYM than at The Office or Scrubs, and I love those ones as well.
Posted by: Lollygagger at January 10, 2007 1:55 PM
Watching Studio 60 actually makes me angry.
What do i have to do to keep Friday Night Lights on the air? Seriously. Tell me, and I'll do it.
Posted by: dm at January 10, 2007 2:19 PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0701020244jan03,1,184966.story?track=rss
Looks like Milch is shooting the Deadwood movies this summer. Goddamn tragedy that there won't be a full season.
Posted by: CV at January 10, 2007 2:25 PM
No love for "The Shield"? Blasphemy.
Posted by: Rob at January 10, 2007 3:53 PM
"the DVD folks"
Hey, we have a name, now. I like it. And thank you for thinking of us.
By the by, this DVD folk is ineffably envious of all those with HBO access who will be glued to Rome S2 this Sunday. Bitches!
Posted by: ranylt at January 10, 2007 3:58 PM
my life is a darkened abyss without arrested delevopment...but unfortunatly i have to disagree with you on the subject of lost.
i think it's regained a bit of its former glory by FINALLY giving us a little something back...like finding out more about the others and answering a few questions instead of spewing more out.
Posted by: cris at January 10, 2007 4:21 PM
I just watched Episode 1 of Rome last night and I am glad to hear that watching more eps will be a worthy endeavor, according to my fellow Pajibans. Apparently, I must netflix The Wire IMMEDIATELY. I have heard enough from the Whore to convince me, finally. Thank god- I needed something to distract me enough from getting trapped in the American Idol Vortex of Hell.
Posted by: gobigred at January 10, 2007 4:24 PM
what about 30 Rock???
Posted by: eddie at January 10, 2007 4:35 PM
I'm hopelessly addicted to Top Chef.
Posted by: sansho1 at January 10, 2007 5:13 PM
Lollygagger - One thing to note about How I met Your Mother (which I am a fan of by the way and have the 1st Season DVDs).
The show's premise is a guy telling his kids about who he used to date/sleep with before their mother - and it is soemone still close enough to the family that she is referred to as "Aunt Robin."
While this observation has dawned on me from time to time I must give credit to ESPN's Sports Guy who included an e-mail about this in one of his mailbags.
Suit Up
Posted by: Brian at January 10, 2007 5:18 PM
Romes starts again on Sunday?
Damm - I need HBO.
Oh well, another for us "DVD Folk" to wait for.
Posted by: Brian at January 10, 2007 5:19 PM
What about Eureka? This show has wonderful writing, is clever and funny, and even the re-runs of the first season are worth re-watching. Of course, every single "gimmick" on the show has been done before, but the cast manages to make 'em all seem fresh again.
Posted by: Wenchmaster at January 10, 2007 5:26 PM
Bob Loblaw was the Bluth's lawyer in the last season and played by none other than Scott Baio of Charles in Charge fame.
I don't know if the writers are aware of the grocery chain, but Will Arnett (GOB) is Canadian, and he may have tipped them off to it.
Posted by: nic at January 10, 2007 5:39 PM
Seth, your love of The Wire has earned much love from me. The Wire must be one of the finest-yet-underrated shows on TV.
Posted by: Brie at January 10, 2007 5:40 PM
"...no question about what the best series finale was. The demise of "Arrested Development" was a long time coming, to be sure, and its last breath didn't hurt any less than we thought it would. But at least the Bluths went out with as much style as they could. The finale was absolutely loaded with the types of in-jokes and humor that fans had grown to love and it made for a fitting and satisfying conclusion to one of the best comedies ever."
I absolutely agree, the finale of Arrested Development was breathtaking for all those reasons. I loved it so much, even though my heart was sobbing away. It had so much rapid-fire fantasticness that I was quite exhausted afterward. :)
However, my favourite episode will always be when Nellie Bluth is hired as a consultant.
"Weird on so many levels."
Plus, all the scenes Jason and Justine did together just made me go AWWW!
Posted by: Loob at January 10, 2007 5:49 PM
I hear you about Jericho, but isn't Robert Hawkin's buisness pretty much the same thing as Big Story buisness?
Posted by: S. A. Bonasi at January 10, 2007 6:06 PM
Thanks, nic--that's definitely one possible explanation. If this is the case--if it's indeed based on _our_ Bob Loblaw--it tickles me that something so regional has gone "worldwide".
Posted by: ranylt at January 10, 2007 6:11 PM
I would loved to have seen at least a mention of Helen Mirren and HBO's Elizabeth I !
Posted by: Ann at January 10, 2007 6:40 PM
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, Arrested Development, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, 30 Rock... I'm completely convinced that the only good sitcoms being made aren't shot in front of a Live Studio Audience (tm). And where are my IASIP DVDs already?
30 Rock is good, and I hope it becomes great... and I hope they bring back Liz's horrible relationship, because I heart Dean Winters.
Posted by: Grumblecakes at January 10, 2007 7:19 PM
I disagree with your criticisms towards LOST. No other show is able to transport me into a completely different world like that, while at the same time being utterly enthralled by the characters.
I can't wait until February 7! But I agree with you about Dexter and Big Love. They really are fantastic shows.
Posted by: miss m at January 10, 2007 8:56 PM
I'd all but given up on the traditional sitcom until "How I Met Your Mother" came along. The jokes are actually funny, it manages concurrent storylines that merge together in the end without seeming forced. The actors don't rely on slapstick and gimmicks to get a laugh. The characters are actually given storylines allowing them to grow as people. And Neil Patrick Harris hands down owns that show every week. They've managed to rejuvenate a decades old genre! It goes to show we don't have to put up with semi-funny fluff pieces like "According to Jim" and "Til Death"
It's legen...wait for it...DARY!
Posted by: BMG at January 10, 2007 10:58 PM
damn BMG stole my "legendary" joke.. :((
Posted by: irina at January 11, 2007 4:56 AM
[Studio 60:] At its best, it's a decent show (and sometimes it doesn't even get quite that high). I continue to watch because there are still some solid moments here and there, but I can only do this because I've come to grips with my disappointment and moved past it.
Great wording, Seth. That's exactly how I feel!
Posted by: Paris at January 11, 2007 11:54 AM
Only mentioning Ugly Betty because Amanda is "yummy" is criminal.
Not enough 'splosions and sci-fi for you?
Posted by: Luvie at January 11, 2007 12:06 PM
amanda is cute - as long as she sticks to the closed-mouth smile. she's got gaps in her teeth big enough to slurp Campbell's chunky beef stew through!
Posted by: surly suzie at January 11, 2007 2:47 PM
DEADWOOOOOOODDDD...(my loved ones have actually made comments about my un-sparkly, deadened eyes and it's obviously a direct result of no DEADWOOD). AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEE...DEADWOOOOOOODDDDD....come back, please please pleeeeeeease....
Posted by: inaminit at January 11, 2007 7:54 PM
I just can't get into The office. I keep hearing how funny it is, but the original Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant just stole my heart. I saw the premiere of the American version and it just wasn't as cringe-enducingly hilarious.
I guess like watching the film of a book you love. Simon Birch, anyone.
Posted by: s at January 11, 2007 9:34 PM
Extras on HBO is a damn hoot.
HBO canceling Deadwood - those idiots. This withdrawl is painful!
The Wire? I just don't get it. I'll start from the beginning AGAIN, I guess.
Thank God for Rome, just days away..but I'm sure HBO will dick us on a final season..
Posted by: jp at January 12, 2007 9:04 AM
jp -
I just read on CNN that this _is_ the final season of Rome. There are only 10 more episodes, so let's enjoy them...
Posted by: ranylt at January 12, 2007 9:18 AM
Please, please let Friday Night Lights stick around!! Maybe I should start tying people to thier couches and forcing them to watch it. It is so honest, and poignant, and well-acted. I look forward to my hour in Dillon TX every week. Don't take it away NBC!!!
Posted by: Jen at January 12, 2007 10:14 AM
VERONICA MARS?
Posted by: Deborah at January 12, 2007 12:50 PM
Man, almost no comments about "The Wire"? That show must really be off everyone's radar. Too bad, because it's one of the best television shows ever created. Even better than "The Sopranos" (and I love me some Sopranos.) Thank God HBO renewed it for the final season.
Posted by: Jeff at January 12, 2007 1:51 PM
So you had to dredge up the pain of Deadwood's cancellation all over again? And I had worked so hard to try to move on with my life. Perhaps "Inaminit" and I could just convene somewhere else and continue our mourning. It just hurts so much!
Posted by: Siobhan at January 12, 2007 4:32 PM
I would really like to learn when the show Dexter will be starting it's new season.......Anyone that has found this information.Please send me an email and let me know....Also i would like to know about the new seasons starting on the underground and on weeds...thank you
Posted by: Londa Rice at January 12, 2007 7:10 PM
I think Dexter is a far better show than most mentioned. Ok the office is funny and cute and all, but i can take it or leave it. Dexter is a sexy as fuck show, challenging, complex and witty. Michael C. Hall's (sometimes)giddy "emotions" that wash across his face are like the blueprints for an actor to study-you can read everything in the curl of his lip. It's brilliant. the second he realized the man arrested as the ice truck killer was not the killer-genius.
Posted by: j.d. at January 12, 2007 11:57 PM
You nailed The Wire. What a fantastic show.
Posted by: Matt at January 13, 2007 12:03 AM
Am I the only one that really likes Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? I'm also willing to give season 3 of Lost more of a chance due to the odd pacing of the episodes (and if a six episode, sub-par mini-season is the price to pay for a kick ass, repeat-free real season, I'll take it).
Oh, and if I haven't killed my credibility yet, I was actually enjoying Runaway for all of its three episodes, and the CW can go fuck itself for not seeing it through at least a half season. You can't put a new show up against the biggest new shows, then immediately pull it and put it down before it's even had the slightest bit of a chance.
As for HBO cancelling Deadwood, they did the same thing to Carnivale. Fuck them too. Over on Showtime, Dexter is greatness. Has anyone else gone back and watched a little Six Feet Under to try and comprehend how Michael C Hall pulls off two vastly different characters so easily? I have, and I can't figure it out. In an early episode of SFU, he threatens a rival with a Dexter-esque speech, only the way he delivers it is nothing like Dex. The man's incredible.
All in all, a great read, and I'm going to check out The Wire because of it, and the fact that it's long overdue that I do so.
Posted by: Dev at January 13, 2007 11:21 PM
I can't get over the cancellation of Deadwood. I've tried, but I can't. I really didn't expect to love that show so much. I miss you, Al!
Posted by: dammit sami at January 14, 2007 6:33 PM
Best show of the year was Dexter, although I got curiously bored with the Ice Truck Killer as his identity was slowly (and predictably ) revealed. The chick who plays his girlfriend, Julie Benz, has become the secondary draw of the show. Here's a woman who has been thoroughly terrorized by her dirtbag husband Paul, who routinely used her as a punching bag and raped her, and has somehow managed to retain her dignity. Even later in her relationship when she gives Dex head, it's completely on her terms and not the demeaning moment said act usually is on most cable shows. Cannot understand how her performance has been overlooked by both the Golden Globe committee and the one at SAG -- but then SAG did nominate both Shirley Jones & Cloris Leachman in Best Actress TV-Movie awards. Two good old actresses but -- come on! Give the new girls a break for chrissake!
Btw: "Wings" was not the terrible sitcom so many critics seem to think. Apparently you guys only saw one or two episodes from the last couple of seasons when it had truly gotten tedious. But there were a couple of seasons in the middle when it was sharp and memorable comedy. This was after all the early stomping ground for not just Daly, but Thomas Haden Church, Tony Shaloub, Steven Weber, and the actress who plays the crippled doc on "ER". Check out the episode with Abe Ben Rubin as the fat guy's gay son or the one with Tim Daly's sister Tyne as the Lady Bountiful to his brother (Weber), trying to make it alone as a gigolo. Very funny stuff.
Posted by: matt at January 14, 2007 11:34 PM
A question: is Studio 60 a comedy? If not, what is it?
Now, I have as dry a sense of humour as the next girl's, so I'm not expecting fart jokes and rubber chickens. But I watched whole episodes, from the beginning to the end, and no laughs. Just some boring talentless characters, contemplating themselves and their boring show. (Yes, so like SNL). If you want to save your show, Tina, maybe add some humour. What could it hurt?
Posted by: Janis at January 15, 2007 12:30 AM
^^Huh?
Studio 60 isn't Tina's show. Tina's show is 30 Rock and it's actually pretty good.
Posted by: Ryan at January 15, 2007 12:54 PM
RIP Arrested Development
Posted by: Queen Lena at January 16, 2007 12:58 AM
The CW continued the losing ways of its prior network incarnations, only putting two new shows on the air and pulling one of them ("Runaway") less than a month after it premiered (and without looking it up, I don't even remember what the other new show was, so I can't say how it held up).
That would be The Game. Though, I don't know why I know that since I have no interest in: a) CW on any night but Tuesday, b)footballers or their wives or c) anyone/anything trying to rip-off HHH's awesomeness.
Posted by: Alin at January 18, 2007 12:51 AM
Thanks, pajiba, for being a place I can give up some love for "The Wire."
I think it is my favorite. Television show. Ever.
Posted by: not unpreposterous at January 25, 2007 5:14 PM