The Good, the Bad and the Frakking Ugly
The Clip Show / The TV Whore
October 9, 2006
We’re well into the fall season now, and I thought we better take a look at some shit that’s working and some shit that’s stinking.
Frakkin’ A. As I hope you know, “Battlestar Galactica” gloriously returned to us last Friday night with a two-hour double-header. If you’re not watching this show yet, it’s not too late to jump on board. So frakking get on board and watch yourself some “BSG.” The first two seasons were spectacular, and this season looks to be just as good, albeit just a teensy bit darker. And speaking of this season, if you missed the premiere, ye best move on to the next topic right now as there be spoilers in these here waters.
… OK, now that those losers are gone, I just have to say — I was never much for Tigh. I liked the use of a gruff character, but he just wasn’t doing much for me. That’s all gone now though — one may not agree with all his tactics (I ain’t even touching the pros and cons of suicide bombings in this post), but there’s no arguing that the lighter-by-one-eye Tigh is in his element and is a damned bad ass. With his beard, the patch and the little seaman’s hat, he’s one peg leg away from being a full-blown pirate and I loves it. Arrrrrrrrgh, matey.
Seriously, this was a great start to the show. It was so dark and different than a lot of what we’ve seen before, but still so much the same. Gods bless it — I’m now more excited for Fridays to get here simply because it means new BSG than because it means the end of another work week.
Did you really have to go there? So far, I’m enjoying this season of “Nip/Tuck” significantly more than last season. Most of the guests have been great (especially Larry “my balls are no longer proportionate to my wang” Hagman) and the storylines are much better than the Carver bollocks from last season. In fact, I only have three real complaints. One, I feel like the sense of humor is missing. The show has always been dark and twisted, but it used to also include a nice mix of the black comedy, and I find that I’m not really laughing as much this season. So please give me my laughs back. Two, I hope they’re careful with this Matt/Scientology storyline. Not because I give a rat fuck about them pissing off the Church of Scientology, but because it feels too easy. Haven’t really gotten anything new out of the storyline yet — the Church is cult-like, folks who aren’t in it think it’s sham, folks who are in it claim it’s the best thing in the world, etc. This is a bit old hat, and I hope they’re planning to add something new or different to the mix.
And my third complaint is with last week’s episode. I don’t even want to ask the question because it puts the image back into my mind. … Deep breath … just barrel through … OK, here goes — seriously, was it really necessary to have a Rosie O’Donnell sex scene? I mean, I actually enjoyed her character on the show well enough (but not so much that I’d watch the rumored-to-be-contemplated spin-off), but the visual of her getting pounded on the rug is just wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. And the sight of her ass in nylons? I think it took two years off my life.
Shame on you, “Nip/Tuck!” Shame. On. You.
Just a quick acknowledgment. To those who have asked, you bet your ass I’m watching “The Wire.” I still think “Deadwood” is/was the better show, but that’s not meant as any slight on “The Wire” which, impressively, seems to get better and better with each new season. It’s really like watching an amazing book unfold chapter by chapter on your television, and I’m so friggin’ happy that HBO at least managed to learn something from the “Deadwood” debacle and has since agreed to give us a fifth season of “The Wire” (creator David Simon has said his intention is for this to be a five-season job, much like Milch originally intended “Deadwood” to be four-and-out). If you’re still not watching this fantastic show, you’d best go rent or buy these DVDs pronto — they’re better than just about everything currently airing on the tube.
Thinning out the herd, by choice. This season, I made a pact with myself. In years past, I’ve stuck with some generally pretty awful shows for far too long. Not so this year. If the show just isn’t working for me, I’m not wasting my time with it anymore. That being said, there are several shows I mentioned in my season preview column that I said I would be watching and which I’m now bailing on.
I already talked about the first show to have its TiVo season pass revoked, “Men in Trees.” Well, for those of you keeping track, you can now add “Six Degrees,” “Runaway” and “Help Me Help You” to the list of shows I tried and now ding. I really wanted to like “Six Degrees,” particularly because I’m a big fan of Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, and Michael K. Williams (Omar on the aforementioned “The Wire”). But goddamn if this show isn’t just boring, dull, dry, and bland. “Runaway,” meanwhile, also has some folks I like (Leslie Hope and, especially, Donnie Wahlberg), but it’s turning out to be just another run-of-the-mill “chase ‘em down” mystery while also managing to be rather bland and dull. Disappointments both. And “Help Me Help You” wasn’t something I was originally interested in, but I heard enough good things from other critics that I thought I’d give it a chance. Wasted time — Ted Danson is totally fine in it, but (a) the other actors all kinda blow and (b) for a comedy, it’s really not particularly, you know, funny. It’s not painful, like last season’s “Four Kings” debacle, but it just ain’t making me laugh. So buh-bye.
Thinning out the herd, by force. Two episodes in, I was still digging “Smith.” Sure, I’m a sucker for capers, but I thought the show had some real potential, as I said in my review of the pilot. CBS apparently disagrees and “Smith” has therefore become the first new show officially yanked from the air, after just three episodes. Welcome to the life of network television, Ray Liotta. Still better than Operation Dumbo Drop though, right?
Meanwhile, while “Smith” was the first show taken off the air, the award of being the first officially cancelled show belongs to another one that had lots of potential, NBC’s “Kidnapped.” But rather than just unceremoniously pulling it, NBC has agreed to let it have a 13-episode run (albeit, in the Saturday swamp lands), and they gave the producers enough notice so that the show can actually reach a resolution (unlike last year’s “Reunion” on Fox, which left all five fans highly perturbed). I’ll TiVo this one through the end if for no other reason that it’s featuring some great acting, and a story just compelling enough to keep me on board.
On thin ice. Meanwhile, two shows are still in the herd for now, but may find themselves left for dead real soon. The first is ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters.” Another show with a great cast (except for the younger brother who was previously on “Reunion” — he’s just awful), although the best cast member got fucking killed in the first damn episode! I’m just not finding any of the stories that compelling yet. However, since it’s on Sunday nights, it has the advantage of being on my TiVo when things are relatively uncluttered, and so there’s time to watch it. If it were on Thursdays, when things are backed up in my “Now Playing” list, it would already be dead. As it stands, it stays for now; but if things start getting cluttered in the early week, or it does something that pisses me off or just tweaks me the wrong way, off with its head.
And speaking of pissing me off, “Jericho” is real bloody close to the point of no return. Three episodes in, this thing is a real stinker. Skeet-skeet-skeet is more annoying than ever, and all the rest of the characters are either annoying, vacuous, of stereotypical caricatures (latest example — the popular chick who’s conflicted ‘cause she kinda digs the weird kid, but her friends, like, so totally don’t approve). The only reason I’m still watching is because I’m still a little intrigued about the big story — I don’t give a shit about any of the characters’ personal stories, but I would like to know what the deal is with all the nuclear kablooies and the tanks and whatnot. So I’m holding on just for that, which I suspect will, one day soon, end up not being reason enough. After all, I suppose I could just read spoilers/summaries online to learn that info (which would be much quicker than sitting through 45 minutes of pseudo-content and having to stare at more of Skeet-skeet-skeet’s preposterous facial contortions).
Speaking of ugly … During pilot season, there were a couple of things that most of the critics were agreeing on. Everyone was saying “The Nine” looked great (I agree as to the pilot, but let’s see how things move forward). Everyone was saying that “Friday Night Lights” was amazing (I totally agree, and I hope folks get past their “I’m not watching a show about football” prejudices). And everyone was saying that “Ugly Betty” was surprisingly charming and fun. I hadn’t seen an advance pilot, and I only just got around to watching the premiere (and the second episode) this past weekend. And I gotta say, I’m kind of in love with the show. It’s not necessarily a great show, or even the best of the new shows (I still think, at the end of the day, that award will belong to “Friday Night Lights”), but I’m finding it really entertaining. Sure, it’s cheesy as all git-out, but it knows this and is having fun with it. They keep the tone of the show very campy, and things are helped by the fact that America Ferrera is killer as the titular ugly one. Throughout both episodes, I often found myself giggling like a freshman girl getting invited to senior prom.
Actually, the show reminds me a lot of “Desperate Housewives” when it first started. Not in terms of the darkish satire, but in terms of the enveloping sense of “we get what we’re about and we’re gonna’ have fun with it all.” Of course, “Housewives” quickly lost that and began taking itself far too seriously. But I kinda feel like that won’t happen to “Betty,” though I suppose only time will tell.
And another testament to this show is that it’s pulled in pretty studly ratings despite the fact that it’s facing off against the “Earl”/”Office” tag team and “Survivor: Race Riots.” There’s no doubt that “The Office” still has to take top priority at this time slot, but if you’ve got the TiVo space, you could do a hell of a lot worse than adding “Ugly Betty” into the rotation.
And finally, speaking of “The Office.” So every month, Esquire magazine has this feature called “10 Things You Don’t Know About Women,” where they have some celebrity lady provide the content of the list. The most recent issue’s list was provided by Jenna Fischer (a.k.a., Pam). Well, a staff member of “The Office” had the fun idea to have the show’s cast and crew provide readings of Fischer’s list, and he filmed it all with his cell phone camera. While the video quality is therefore quite poor, it’s also quite entertaining. It’s been all over the internets, but if you haven’t seen it yet, have at it:
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television columnist. He recently got back from the glory that is Oktoberfest and is still trying to catch up on his backlog of recorded televised entertainment.
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Comments
That Office clip is great.
"Well, maybe not Lindsay Lohan"
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at October 9, 2006 1:25 PM
I didn't notice it at first, but that picture is fantastic.
Posted by: Derwood at October 9, 2006 1:27 PM
So, I'm assuming the shows that didn't get mentioned are doing okay so far? Just curious, because I am totally digging "Heroes" right now (and yes, I am an unabashed geek), and "Studio 60" has definitely been one of my favorite new shows (in fact, out of the new ones, those two are my favorites; I'm looking forward to "30 Rock," also, and I did enjoy the first of "Friday Night Lights"). Okay, enough rambling. My roommate accuses me of watching to many shows, but I never did catch any of the ones that have been yanked already, or any of the ones that you decided to drop. So I think I've done alright. And how about that opening of "Lost"?
Posted by: Cody at October 9, 2006 1:58 PM
the only new shows i've been watching so far are Heroes, FNL, and Studio 60...i definitely like all of them so far, but FNL is the most likely to drop out. I like Heroes the best for sure.
Posted by: Joe at October 9, 2006 2:37 PM
Wow, I didn't notice that picture either. That's hilarious!
Posted by: Eric at October 9, 2006 3:27 PM
Thank god they'll resolve Kidnapped. It would REALLY fucking piss me off if they yanked it without resolution.
I mean, piss me off to the point where I'd hunt down the execs in question and make them, at fake gunpoint, call the writers and have them fucking TELL me the resolution.
Ah, well. At least I'll have that.
I am UNWILLING to commit to any other new series, frankly, because of the pain it causes me when they yank them. I am still grieving Judging Amy, goddamnit.
Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at October 9, 2006 3:47 PM
I couldn't stand the pilot episode for "The Nine." I turned it off 45 min into it, which I equate to walking out in the middle of a movie. I'm not willing to watch if a show cannot tell me what it's going to be about.
Posted by: Leaf at October 9, 2006 3:54 PM
Leaf: I don't know, it seemed apparent to me the series would follow the emotional aftermath of the event, as well as figuring out who of the Nine was an inside man. Of course, right now it seems like the dude from Enterprise will be it, but it'll probably be a red herring.
Back on topic: Best new shows... Studio 60 obviously, Heroes is all right so far, but if it doesn't get significantly better pretty soon it'll just feel like it's too slow. But I'll give it a few more episodes - I mean Grunberg just showed up. Seems like the cast will be so large, we'll get another "introductory" episode.
I'll give The Nine another couple episodes. I probably should've done the same for Kidnapped, which looked like it might be good, but... I don't know, didn't hook me really.
I'm pretty satisfied with returning shows, like The Office, Battlestar Galactica, How I Met Your Mother (with FAMILY TIES DAD!).
Anyone else flip back and forth between Shark and Six Degrees just to get a laugh from how bad both shows are? (I'll give Six Degrees a little bit of credit... very little. For the concept, not the rife cliches.)
Posted by: Anonymous at October 9, 2006 5:18 PM
Heros is mediocre at best right now. The Hiro storyline is the only one that interests me at all. The rest are just decent and for the most part horribly acted.
This scene from the end of the pilot specifically made me cringe
In the air:
Brother- How did you...
Other Brother- I don't know..
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at October 9, 2006 5:49 PM
@RosieO'Donell: I thought that scene was hilarious! Their dialog was great. It's a pitty that we don't have the 4th season in Germany yet. So I have to trust on YouTube...
Posted by: Yetused at October 9, 2006 6:19 PM
Damn CBS!
The quickest way for a show to get ganked is for my wife and I to enjoy it together!
Smith is gone? Bastards! I was really getting into it. So, of course, nothing will be resolved, a lot of loose ends will remain loose and it will slip into oblivion.
Figures.
Posted by: UncleJR at October 9, 2006 6:20 PM
Maybe I'm too heartland America, but I remember watching the first couple episodes of Nip/Tuck, and wanting to shoot every character (not the actors, don't worry) in the face. Just seeemed overly slick, shallow, soapish, and lame. However, that people seem to continue watching it leads me to think I may have reacted too quickly. So, a question for those who didn't necessarily love N/T from the beginning, but have stuck through with it...is it really worth adding to my Season Pass list, or is it just something to kill time?
I caught the Rosie bit on The Soup, which is a valid reason not to give the show another chance..but then again, I can't imagine the censors will let them show anything worse than that.
Posted by: Frank N Stein at October 9, 2006 8:47 PM
BSG is BSG is
fav line:
Number five:"Let's just kill Baltar."
Baltar: *squalks* "Me?!"
Posted by: vi at October 9, 2006 10:04 PM
No mention of Lost?
Posted by: Rob at October 9, 2006 10:18 PM
I just started a Netflix account and I want to catch up on BSG.
Do I need tos tart with the miniseries first?
Posted by: Chris W. at October 9, 2006 11:44 PM
Anybody else really not caring about Prison Break this season? I was kinda following it for a bit, but after episode four I just stopped caring. Yes, Wentworth Miller is super dreamy, but it feels like the series just isn't as tight as the first season.
Still loving the Office though! Those twenty two minutes fly by WAY too quickly.
Posted by: Zerokool at October 9, 2006 11:57 PM
Oh God, that's exactly how I feel about Jericho. I really like the set-up, but with the exception of Hawkins, the characters almost unanimously fail to interest me.
Jericho is my introduction to Skeet Ulrich, but I can tell you already that he does not in the slightest have the presence needed to pull off the Universal Savior in All Situations vibe. If I should be invested in any character on the show, it should be Jake. And I'm not.
It might be one thing if the show had an across the board interested cast beyond Jake. But not only is that not the case, but I keep on be expected to accept him as the Almighty Hero Every Episode.
Posted by: S. A. Bonasi at October 10, 2006 12:46 AM
Chris W-- Yes! You should definitely start with the miniseries, as it sets up the entire conflict of the show. Enjoy!
And vi, that was my favorite part of the season opener, too! The look on Gaius' face when they were contemplating just killing him! But, oh wait, everyone would cheer that, so probably pointless! Baltar is pointless!
I dig Tigh, too, Seth. He's gone from annoying to seriously bad ass. I still hate his wife, though.
and I can't wait to find out what happens to Starbuck. :~)
Posted by: Liz at October 10, 2006 7:49 AM
As Pajiba is my guru of all things entertainment, Seth, I'd really love to know what you think about Studio 60, noticeably absent from this here column. I am liking it, because I like Sorkin's tight, clever dialogue, but even I am getting a little weary of the esoteric highbrow in-jokes that seem to serve only to bash us over the head with its intelligence. Pulling Strindberg out of its ass last night, for reference in a sequence that was in no way Strindbergian, was a bit much, and I'm worried that they're simply going to alienate a majority of the audience.
Please don't count me among those who criticize shows for being "too smart" (or Dustin for using "big words" in his reviews) I just think, can't it just BE smart without reminding us every 35 seconds? The ratings are dropping, and I really want NBC to give it a chance, because I think once it removes its head from its own sphincter it could mature into a freaking awesome show.
Posted by: MG at October 10, 2006 12:01 PM
I really was digging "Smith" because it had that crime element that I liked in the movie "Heat." Screw the network execs for putting it on such a crappy time slot. The least they could have done was let the season air and wrap things up. That's why I don't watch Network Television any more.
Posted by: Steve at October 10, 2006 3:13 PM
the best show on TV IS LOST, all this other stuff is fluff.second FAMILY GUY,third any team beating the yankees or those ladies the la lakers
Posted by: pasadenamike at October 10, 2006 3:26 PM
First, let's give a hand to pasadenamike, who was let out of Arts and Crafts For the High-Functioning Retard early today so he could come out and play.
I think Seth didn't mention Lost because, aside from the always-appropriate plug for BSG, he wanted to limit the column to newer shows that are either finding their feet or getting canceled. And Lost has so much baggage tied to it after a fantastic first season and a horrible second one that it would take an entire column the length of this one to dissect the show's strengths and weaknesses.
Uncle JR: Smith was great. I was sorry to see it go too.
Posted by: Ray at October 10, 2006 4:22 PM
@Frank N Stein: No, it's not just you. Nip/Tuck is ridiculous, stupid, utter shit. Hell, if you go to the Wikipedia page and read just the plot summary for Famke Jansen's character alone... ugh. I've tried to give it a shot, and it's just really hard to sit through an episode with characters both unlikeable AND uncompelling. The fact that the last episode supposedly had a Rosie O' Donnell sex scene pretty much says it all, doesn't it?
Posted by: Anonoguy at October 10, 2006 6:18 PM
I tried to give Nip/Tuck a chance a couple seasons ago but couldn't make it more then 3 episodes before giving up. Nothing to do with morales, I just didn't care about any of the characters and the surgery violence was pretty offputting. I can watch the goriest splatter movie imaginable but show me realistic medical footage and I curl into a little ball with my eyes tightly shut. Go figure.
Posted by: Rob at October 10, 2006 8:30 PM
Glad they're giving 'Kidnapped' a chance to resolve... give NBC credit for it. I am REALLY hoping that 'Studio 60' and 'Heroes' make it... the former is a fantastic ensemble piece with estimable writing (so far) and the latter has just enough of a creepy 'X-Files' edge to keep me coming back for more. OH, and do NOT tell me that the Indestructible Cheerleader's dad doesn't remind you a little bit of X-Files' "The Pilot" character!
Hey, 'Justice' and 'Standoff' aren't that bad and 'Jericho' still has some promise, though I agree with Seth that it's more about the 'why things went boom' premise than the Skeet-skeet-skeeting of the Skeeter and the rest of the cast's inability to make me give a damn about them.
Not a bad season so far!
Posted by: Spender at October 10, 2006 9:53 PM
Sorry to throw this in, especially to those who adore the shit out of Grey's Anatomy, but last week's episode was fucking dull as dishwater and not quite as great as the week before. There was something missing, like Grey's outburst with the two dudes was off-kilter and just overdone, or maybe it was the cheezy ending with the strawberry ice cream, (no I didn't mind that so much actually, ok, nice comfy ending whatever). I just want to say that it stunk and I wholeheartedly believe that the first season of Ally McBeal was a thousand times better than that!
Posted by: Gina at October 11, 2006 12:49 AM
And I think Ugly Betty is wonderful, especially America!
Posted by: Gina at October 11, 2006 12:50 AM
Isn't anyone going to comment on the new episodes of South Park? I know there's only been one so far, but holy shit, last week's WoW-themed episode was hilarious. South Park and The Office are pretty much the only new shows I watch now (aside from Daily Show/Colbert Report, and the occasional Family Guy, if I happen to catch it).
Posted by: Sarah at October 11, 2006 12:57 PM
hey ray just got off your mom, here at retard class she`S REALLY popular!!AT ARTS AND CRAFTS i`ll check out your sister o.k. DUDE i just stated that lost and family guy , SOUTHPARK are at a level none of this new crap can touch,get it.
Posted by: pasadenamike at October 11, 2006 2:40 PM
Now, now. Let's not ruin the Pajiba Comment section's reputation for unbiased, thoughtful, intelligent, polite debate.
I myself am really pleased with the format change for Veronica Mars. I think breaking the season into three mini-arcs with major mysteries has really upped the momentum.
Battlestar Galactica still manages to transcend the genre by being extremely character-driven. It's a shame that the scifi label is so apt to scare people away, because the show is one of tv's best dramas.
Add me to the list of Heroes fans. It's one of the only new shows I'm following with any regularity. I can take or leave the Brothers McFly and the Precog Artist, but I'm really intrigued by the storylines with Pep Rally Wolverine, Mirror Chick, and Patient Zero (Sylar the Serial Killer). I was also happy to see Felicity's Greg Grunberg as the Telepathic Cop, and Hiro is quite possibly the most adorable scifi character I've ever seen. You should really give this show a try if you haven't, Seth.
Posted by: Craig at October 13, 2006 1:42 PM
As a working mom, I only have time to devote to two shows (three tops), so they have to be really good to make the cut. Right now I'm watching Friday Night Lights and Ugly Betty. Hopefully House will come on at a different time after the World Series so I can add it back in, too.
I live in Austin so its cool to watch FNL and see the areas around town where it is filmed. Also, the football uniforms and names are from local schools (the Pflugerville Pathers and West Lake Chaps were in the first episode). But it also depicts a very accurate picture of small town Texas life, and Kyle Chandler does a decent accent.
Posted by: chris at October 13, 2006 1:48 PM
I liked the video clip a lot except for the kid comment. I'm a woman and not only do I not want kids, I don't even LIKE them.
Posted by: Virginia Plain at December 28, 2006 9:06 PM
