My junior year of high school I was very into the work of Michael Crichton. I had read everything that he had written, including Travels, his memoir. I was very into the paranormal, and a large part of Travels had to do with Crichton's thoughts and experiences dealing with some paranormal occurrences (or Fringe science as JJ Abrams might put it). I would often bring up these experiences of Crichton's as well as other paranormal articles and such that I had found in my Chemistry II class. Our teacher in Chem II was not fond of the idea of paranormal "pseudo science" and would often tell me how wrong both myself and Crichton were. "But he was a Doctor, Mrs. Diehl," I would say. "That's a lot like a scientist." She would smirk and say, "He's also a writer," knowing full well that a writer is what I wanted to be, implying that we writers were gullible enough to believe anything in service of a good story.
When I heard last week that Michael Crichton had died, I was stunned. I hadn't even known that he was sick. As the years have gone by, I'm no longer the huge fan of Crichton's that I once was, but I still appreciated him and remember fondly how much I loved reading Jurassic Park, Sphere, and The Andromeda Strain for the first time.
In that junior year of high school, two new medical dramas started. Due to my love for Michael Crichton (and Mrs. Diehl's disdain for him) it wasn't surprising that we would be on separate sides of the great Medical Show Debate war. I was all about ER (created by Michael Crichton) and Mrs. Diehl believed in Chicago Hope. The entire class took sides. I was thrilled by ER, as it was very reminiscent of the early part of Travels when Crichton talked about his time as an intern for a hospital. I loved the characters and how real it all seemed, much more so then any other medical drama before it and certainly more so then the David E. Kelley show Chicago Hope which was less a medical drama and more a Kelley-esque character drama.
For years I watched ER faithfully, sure that this was the best television had to offer, and for a long time it was. Slowly, however, the show became less a ground breaking medical show and became more of a standard television medical drama dealing more with the home lives of some of the characters then the interesting and realistic cases that came through the ER doors. It started to become much more soapy then it had been originally, and I didn't like that, but I cared enough about the characters that I stuck with it.
That finally changed 6 years ago, however, eight seasons into the television show when Dr. Greene, the heart and soul of the show, was killed off. I hadn't watched an episode since.
Then last week, Michael Crichton died, and I began to remember all the works that he had a part in that I had enjoyed so much, and ER was definitely part of that legacy that he had left behind.
It was fitting in my mind that so soon after he died, Dr. Greene was scheduled to return to Cook County General in honor of ER's final (finally) season.
I watched it, and for the small part of the episode that was set 6 years in the past I remembered how good this show used to be (as well as remembering why I stopped watching with all the new characters none of whom I recognized or cared about). It was short, but it was good to see Dr. Greene, Dr. Weaver, Dr. Romano (still an ass), and Jerry (still awesome). I was upset it took so long to get to the characters I knew and missed, and upset that it was such a small part of the episode, but it was still nice to spend even a little time with the show that I remembered in honor of the author who helped make Cook County a place to visit every Thursday for eight years.
Thank you for ER, for Jurassic Park, for Sphere, for Andromeda Strain, for Twister, and for all the other works that fired up my imagination. Although I'm not the fan I once was, I want you to know that you will be missed. And thanks to the short visit from beyond the grave last night by Dr. Greene, we're reminded that we can always have a little visit with you by revisiting one of the many works you've given us to remember you by.
Until Next Time,
Rest in peace Michael Crichton and thank you.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
TV Fall Watch Continues and some thoughts on Heroes
So, I've decided to add a new category.
Back and Still Golden.
Some of the shows that I placed in Back on Track fit better in Back and Still Golden. Back on Track included My Name Is Earl,The Office , Chuck, Life, Friday Night Lights, and How I Met Your Mother. I'm moving The Office, Chuck, and Life into the new category Back and Still Golden, as none of them have suffered a bit of a downturn, whereas Earl, Friday Night Lights, and How I Met Your Mother suffered a little bit last season when compared to their overall greatness.
We've also had two other shows return since that post, Eli Stone and 30 Rock.
Eli Stone is unquestionably in Back and Still Golden (and the closest show towards Triumphant Return, but I can't say that this season is far and above last season, merely just as freaking amazing, so only Sarah Connor is far and above it's previous heights and therefore the only show given a spot in Triumphant Return).
If I'd written this after the premiere of 30 Rock, I would have likely been a little negative, as the season premiere really wasn't that good, but last week's episode (the Oprah episode) was fantastic, so it will get placed in Back on Track after the poor premiere.
SPOILERS
Now, I want to talk a little about Heroes as it is greatly disappointing me. If you aren't caught up and you still want to be, you probably shouldn't read on.
We can all agree that Season 2 of Heroes sucked. It just wasn't very interesting and that was near criminal based on the greatness that Season 1 had to offer. The totalcrap that was Season 2, however, took a lot of the attention away from the problems that Season 1 did have, mainly its gaping plot holes. In trying to return the show to its Season 1 roots and keep Season 3 from the problems that faced Season 2, the producers have ignored the flaws that Season 1 did have, and ultimately have doomed this show in my opinion.
THE FIRST GAPING PLOT HOLE
Season 3 had Future Peter coming to get Present Peter to help him save the world. However, in the future, Future Peter is killed by Claire. This, of course, would be impossible as we know that Peter has Claire's healing ability and his body would heal itself and spit out the bullets (just like Sylar's body did after stealing Claire's power earlier in this very season). He could be killed momentarily, since the Haitian was there, but the second that the Haitian wasn't around Future Peter, his body would have healed itself.
The sad thing is, this is an easy fix. They should have beheaded Future Peter (or removed his brain, whichever) while the Haitian was still there and then he could have been killed. In fact, that's the only sure way to kill him, if his brain is incapacitated, his body can't heal itself. Shots to his chest would do nothing, however.
THE SECOND GAPING PLOT HOLE
The show really pulled out all the stops last night in going for big plot holes. Last night we are told that after Gabriel Gray killed his first victim, he tried to kill himself and certainly didn't harm anyone else until HRG and Elle forced him back into it. This would have been fine if it had happened further back in the story line, but last night's episode told us it happened in between the pilot and the six months preceding with the ultimate end to the story line happening after Mohinder was in America (since HRG gets in the cab). The problem is, Sylar had killed Mohinder's father, plus enough people throughout the country at this point to have the FBI on him, and would have actually been in LA, not New York, because he had just killed Molly Walker's family. The timing completely disrupts acts that we already know have taken place.
THE THIRD GAPING PLOT HOLE
Nathan tells his brother and soon after everyone that their father hadn't died of a heart attack as Peter thought, but actually had committed suicide. Then, this episode shows us that Nathan should have been under the impression that their father did have a heart attack. There was no way to conclude that Arthur Petrelli tried to commit suicide.
The show has been full of these types of mistakes from the beginning and they are only getting more and more blatant. Recently they fired some of the producers and new people have been brought in to run the show's second half this season, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep watching to see if it gets any better. The show has such amazing potential, and yet it infuriates me by not sticking to its own rules. I wish that it would at least try to remain true to itself, but there is no indication that it will.
Until Next Time, LOST's start date has been announced for the new season, Jan 21st. It can't come soon enough.
Back and Still Golden.
Some of the shows that I placed in Back on Track fit better in Back and Still Golden. Back on Track included My Name Is Earl,
We've also had two other shows return since that post, Eli Stone and 30 Rock.
Eli Stone is unquestionably in Back and Still Golden (and the closest show towards Triumphant Return, but I can't say that this season is far and above last season, merely just as freaking amazing, so only Sarah Connor is far and above it's previous heights and therefore the only show given a spot in Triumphant Return).
If I'd written this after the premiere of 30 Rock, I would have likely been a little negative, as the season premiere really wasn't that good, but last week's episode (the Oprah episode) was fantastic, so it will get placed in Back on Track after the poor premiere.
SPOILERS
Now, I want to talk a little about Heroes as it is greatly disappointing me. If you aren't caught up and you still want to be, you probably shouldn't read on.
We can all agree that Season 2 of Heroes sucked. It just wasn't very interesting and that was near criminal based on the greatness that Season 1 had to offer. The total
THE FIRST GAPING PLOT HOLE
Season 3 had Future Peter coming to get Present Peter to help him save the world. However, in the future, Future Peter is killed by Claire. This, of course, would be impossible as we know that Peter has Claire's healing ability and his body would heal itself and spit out the bullets (just like Sylar's body did after stealing Claire's power earlier in this very season). He could be killed momentarily, since the Haitian was there, but the second that the Haitian wasn't around Future Peter, his body would have healed itself.
The sad thing is, this is an easy fix. They should have beheaded Future Peter (or removed his brain, whichever) while the Haitian was still there and then he could have been killed. In fact, that's the only sure way to kill him, if his brain is incapacitated, his body can't heal itself. Shots to his chest would do nothing, however.
THE SECOND GAPING PLOT HOLE
The show really pulled out all the stops last night in going for big plot holes. Last night we are told that after Gabriel Gray killed his first victim, he tried to kill himself and certainly didn't harm anyone else until HRG and Elle forced him back into it. This would have been fine if it had happened further back in the story line, but last night's episode told us it happened in between the pilot and the six months preceding with the ultimate end to the story line happening after Mohinder was in America (since HRG gets in the cab). The problem is, Sylar had killed Mohinder's father, plus enough people throughout the country at this point to have the FBI on him, and would have actually been in LA, not New York, because he had just killed Molly Walker's family. The timing completely disrupts acts that we already know have taken place.
THE THIRD GAPING PLOT HOLE
Nathan tells his brother and soon after everyone that their father hadn't died of a heart attack as Peter thought, but actually had committed suicide. Then, this episode shows us that Nathan should have been under the impression that their father did have a heart attack. There was no way to conclude that Arthur Petrelli tried to commit suicide.
The show has been full of these types of mistakes from the beginning and they are only getting more and more blatant. Recently they fired some of the producers and new people have been brought in to run the show's second half this season, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep watching to see if it gets any better. The show has such amazing potential, and yet it infuriates me by not sticking to its own rules. I wish that it would at least try to remain true to itself, but there is no indication that it will.
Until Next Time, LOST's start date has been announced for the new season, Jan 21st. It can't come soon enough.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Last season was cut short by the strike, and this season is subtly different then other season's because of that.
There are far fewer new shows then normal and the second seasons of last year's new shows are being treated as if they are new shows, since it has been 10 months since we've seen many of them, and older shows had to deal with a shortened season, possibly disrupting it's rhythm. So the question is how are shows stacking up against how they were perceived last year?
I've come up with a few categories to place some of the shows in...
1. Triumphant Return- this is when the show has returned at a level higher then it has ever had, it's better then we could have hoped based on past performance.
2. Back on Track- this is when the show has returned at the level we expect from this show when it is at it's best.
3. Back, but Work Still Needed- this is when the show is back and better then last season's truncated run, but it isn't at the place it once was, although there may be hope.
4. Back but Not Better- this is when the show is back, but it isn't what it used to be.
5. Dead on Arrival- this is when the show is on again, but maybe it shouldn't be.
So, let's start with Triumphant Returns...
Really the only show that belongs here is TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. Last season it was an interesting show, a show that had promise. This season, the show has more then delivered on that promise, this is the show we hoped it would be when it started last year. Each episode so far this season is better then anything they gave us last year. If this show had been this good last year, it would have gotten serious consideration for Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year.
Moving on, Back on Track.....
A few shows fit here, NBC's comedies MY NAME IS EARL and THE OFFICE both fit in this category.
No surprise for THE OFFICE as it didn't hit any lull, but EARL certainly did. While it had a few moments last year that showed this show still had promise, more often then not it was hard to remember what it was that made us love this show so much. The four episodes so far this year have reminded us as Earl gets back to the list and Camden is pretty much back to normal (or as normal as Camden can ever be).
CHUCK is back and just as good as it was last season when it finished third in Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year. The formula was already perfect and the producers wisely didn't mess with it at all. The same goes for last year's runner up in the Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year award...
LIFE, there have already been three episodes of this show and it is just as good as it was last season when it proved to be the best cop show on television right now (and possibly ever).
NBC seems to be the king of Back on Track, as FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is my next show to highlight. Last season there was a rough start, that kept it from ever hitting the highs it had in it's majestic first season. Now, with the start of season three (showing on DirecTV 101 every Wednesday starting last week and then on NBC starting in Feb) the show has gone back to the magic that made it Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year two seasons ago. Of course, FNL at it's lowest is better then a lot of shows at their highest.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER is firmly in this category as the three episodes thus far are better then anything offered last season. Although since the return from the strike induced break last season was picking back up, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. This season so far has felt much like the first two seasons felt, laugh out loud funny and incredibly quotable once again. "They lived em, Ted, they lived the Star Wars!"
The third and fourth categories are similar. The show is back, but not up to it's own standards. With Back, but Work Still Needed, it is better then it was last season, but not up to standards, with Back, but Not Better, it isn't what it was last season.
We'll start with Back, but Work Still Needed....
PRISON BREAK is definitely better then it was last year and very, very close to being Back on Track, but it isn't quite at the place it has on occasion found itself. This show has been a completely addicting guilty pleasure that just touches on true greatness occasionally, but there's nothing wrong with being an addicting guilty pleasure which it is completely back to this season, but hasn't come close the the occasional greatness displayed at points of the first two seasons.
SMALLVILLE, on the other hand is not even close to the levels that it reached in it's first five plus seasons. As it went into it's sixth season, there started to be a chink in it's armor, as if someone had slipped in some kryptonite. Last season bordered on unwatchable. This season is back to armor chinked, and it might not be too long before I give up the show for dead ERstyle. (Did you know that ER was actually still on? Shocking!)
Now, Back, but Not Better...
PUSHING DAISIES, this show had moments last year that bordered on genius. It also had a couple moments that bordered on stupidity. Overall, though, last season was very, very good and original. This season so far is somewhere in between the genius and the stupidity extremes that it displayed last season, but it seems to be missing some of the magic that it always had last year. It's only been one episode so far, but I have to say, I'm disappointed.
Finally, Dead on Arrival....
DIRTY SEXY MONEY, last show this show was a fun mystery/character study. Sure there were soapy elements, but they never bogged the show down. Apparently, ABC thought this was to the show's detriment as they have totally amped up the soap. That isn't what I signed on for and I'm probably done with this show for good.
Until Next Time, there are still a few shows ready to return (Eli Stone and 30 Rock, esp.) and when they do I'll give you the categories I think that they fit in as well as if any of these shows have managed to move themselves into a different category. Let me know what you think about these shows and any others.
There are far fewer new shows then normal and the second seasons of last year's new shows are being treated as if they are new shows, since it has been 10 months since we've seen many of them, and older shows had to deal with a shortened season, possibly disrupting it's rhythm. So the question is how are shows stacking up against how they were perceived last year?
I've come up with a few categories to place some of the shows in...
1. Triumphant Return- this is when the show has returned at a level higher then it has ever had, it's better then we could have hoped based on past performance.
2. Back on Track- this is when the show has returned at the level we expect from this show when it is at it's best.
3. Back, but Work Still Needed- this is when the show is back and better then last season's truncated run, but it isn't at the place it once was, although there may be hope.
4. Back but Not Better- this is when the show is back, but it isn't what it used to be.
5. Dead on Arrival- this is when the show is on again, but maybe it shouldn't be.
So, let's start with Triumphant Returns...
Really the only show that belongs here is TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. Last season it was an interesting show, a show that had promise. This season, the show has more then delivered on that promise, this is the show we hoped it would be when it started last year. Each episode so far this season is better then anything they gave us last year. If this show had been this good last year, it would have gotten serious consideration for Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year.
Moving on, Back on Track.....
A few shows fit here, NBC's comedies MY NAME IS EARL and THE OFFICE both fit in this category.
No surprise for THE OFFICE as it didn't hit any lull, but EARL certainly did. While it had a few moments last year that showed this show still had promise, more often then not it was hard to remember what it was that made us love this show so much. The four episodes so far this year have reminded us as Earl gets back to the list and Camden is pretty much back to normal (or as normal as Camden can ever be).
CHUCK is back and just as good as it was last season when it finished third in Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year. The formula was already perfect and the producers wisely didn't mess with it at all. The same goes for last year's runner up in the Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year award...
LIFE, there have already been three episodes of this show and it is just as good as it was last season when it proved to be the best cop show on television right now (and possibly ever).
NBC seems to be the king of Back on Track, as FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is my next show to highlight. Last season there was a rough start, that kept it from ever hitting the highs it had in it's majestic first season. Now, with the start of season three (showing on DirecTV 101 every Wednesday starting last week and then on NBC starting in Feb) the show has gone back to the magic that made it Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year two seasons ago. Of course, FNL at it's lowest is better then a lot of shows at their highest.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER is firmly in this category as the three episodes thus far are better then anything offered last season. Although since the return from the strike induced break last season was picking back up, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. This season so far has felt much like the first two seasons felt, laugh out loud funny and incredibly quotable once again. "They lived em, Ted, they lived the Star Wars!"
The third and fourth categories are similar. The show is back, but not up to it's own standards. With Back, but Work Still Needed, it is better then it was last season, but not up to standards, with Back, but Not Better, it isn't what it was last season.
We'll start with Back, but Work Still Needed....
PRISON BREAK is definitely better then it was last year and very, very close to being Back on Track, but it isn't quite at the place it has on occasion found itself. This show has been a completely addicting guilty pleasure that just touches on true greatness occasionally, but there's nothing wrong with being an addicting guilty pleasure which it is completely back to this season, but hasn't come close the the occasional greatness displayed at points of the first two seasons.
SMALLVILLE, on the other hand is not even close to the levels that it reached in it's first five plus seasons. As it went into it's sixth season, there started to be a chink in it's armor, as if someone had slipped in some kryptonite. Last season bordered on unwatchable. This season is back to armor chinked, and it might not be too long before I give up the show for dead ERstyle. (Did you know that ER was actually still on? Shocking!)
Now, Back, but Not Better...
PUSHING DAISIES, this show had moments last year that bordered on genius. It also had a couple moments that bordered on stupidity. Overall, though, last season was very, very good and original. This season so far is somewhere in between the genius and the stupidity extremes that it displayed last season, but it seems to be missing some of the magic that it always had last year. It's only been one episode so far, but I have to say, I'm disappointed.
Finally, Dead on Arrival....
DIRTY SEXY MONEY, last show this show was a fun mystery/character study. Sure there were soapy elements, but they never bogged the show down. Apparently, ABC thought this was to the show's detriment as they have totally amped up the soap. That isn't what I signed on for and I'm probably done with this show for good.
Until Next Time, there are still a few shows ready to return (Eli Stone and 30 Rock, esp.) and when they do I'll give you the categories I think that they fit in as well as if any of these shows have managed to move themselves into a different category. Let me know what you think about these shows and any others.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fringe Review
The reports of no show mythology were greatly exaggerated.
I needn't of worried, after all Fringe is in the capable hands of JJ Abrams. The same man we're trusting Star Trek to. Can there be any higher form of praise? (Rhetorical question, but here's the answer anyway, only the person George entrusts Episodes 7-9 to will be given a higher form of praise.)
Last night's 83 minute (after commercials) pilot set the stage for what should be an exciting series very reminiscent of the X-Files. While mythology driven serials have been increasingly mythology heavy (not that there's anything wrong with this) since JJ's last two shows (Alias and LOST), X-Files set the template for a mythology driven serial that didn't require constant vigilance (as MadEye Moody might say). Some episodes were "Mythological" episodes (pertaining to the overall storyline of the show, the Aliens and government conspiracy) and some were "Monster of the Week" episodes (one off stories that were completed, well as much as anything ever was in the X-Files world, in the time allotted for that episode). Chances are good that you didn't miss too much of the overall storyline if you missed one of those episodes and therefore it wasn't imperative that you made sure you were home for every new episode of The X-Files. When an important episode was upcoming, the previews made sure you knew it and planned accordingly.
It looks like Fringe will follow the same template. Each week's episode will be a "mystery of the week" that will get solved within the episode. At the same time, there is an overall mystery, known on the show as "The Pattern", that will be the characters main goal to solve, but the clues to that overall plot will be gained by the weekly mysteries. The closer you watch the series, the more you'll discover about the overall mystery, but meanwhile, every week will have a one hour mystery that doesn't require knowledge from the viewer on the overall mystery. It'll just be a procedural, sort of a Sci-Fi CSI.
Whether or not this will work to bring in larger viewers, since an encyclopedia like knowledge of the show won't be required (like on LOST, again, not that there's anything wrong with that), we'll have to wait and see.
Myself, I'm eager to see what else there is to know about The Pattern and what other interesting mysteries the show will throw at us as viewers.
Until Next Time, If you missed it yesterday, there will be an encore showing of the premiere episode on FOX Saturday night. Do yourself a favor and check it out, JJ Abrams has done it again.
I needn't of worried, after all Fringe is in the capable hands of JJ Abrams. The same man we're trusting Star Trek to. Can there be any higher form of praise? (Rhetorical question, but here's the answer anyway, only the person George entrusts Episodes 7-9 to will be given a higher form of praise.)
Last night's 83 minute (after commercials) pilot set the stage for what should be an exciting series very reminiscent of the X-Files. While mythology driven serials have been increasingly mythology heavy (not that there's anything wrong with this) since JJ's last two shows (Alias and LOST), X-Files set the template for a mythology driven serial that didn't require constant vigilance (as MadEye Moody might say). Some episodes were "Mythological" episodes (pertaining to the overall storyline of the show, the Aliens and government conspiracy) and some were "Monster of the Week" episodes (one off stories that were completed, well as much as anything ever was in the X-Files world, in the time allotted for that episode). Chances are good that you didn't miss too much of the overall storyline if you missed one of those episodes and therefore it wasn't imperative that you made sure you were home for every new episode of The X-Files. When an important episode was upcoming, the previews made sure you knew it and planned accordingly.
It looks like Fringe will follow the same template. Each week's episode will be a "mystery of the week" that will get solved within the episode. At the same time, there is an overall mystery, known on the show as "The Pattern", that will be the characters main goal to solve, but the clues to that overall plot will be gained by the weekly mysteries. The closer you watch the series, the more you'll discover about the overall mystery, but meanwhile, every week will have a one hour mystery that doesn't require knowledge from the viewer on the overall mystery. It'll just be a procedural, sort of a Sci-Fi CSI.
Whether or not this will work to bring in larger viewers, since an encyclopedia like knowledge of the show won't be required (like on LOST, again, not that there's anything wrong with that), we'll have to wait and see.
Myself, I'm eager to see what else there is to know about The Pattern and what other interesting mysteries the show will throw at us as viewers.
Until Next Time, If you missed it yesterday, there will be an encore showing of the premiere episode on FOX Saturday night. Do yourself a favor and check it out, JJ Abrams has done it again.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Fringe
FRINGE premieres tonight on FOX. It's the new show from JJ Abrams (creator of Alias and LOST) and has a distinct X-Files vibe going on.
Tonight's 95 minute premiere opens with a mystery involving a plane landing, but everyone on it is dead. An FBI agent is tasked to find out what happened leading her to a mad scientist (literally mad, he's in an institution) and his theories about fringe sciences, mind-reading, teleportation, excetra, in other words, all our sci-fi faves. In order to get his cooperation, she enlists the help of the scientist's son (and the Scully of the show) played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek. (Joshua Jackson if you insist on using actor's real names.)
By the end of the 95 minute premiere, the first mystery will be solved and we'll get a new one next week.
Apparently, the network is hoping that less of a serialized approach will hope viewers feel more comfortable, as it will allow them to come in whenever and not be too penalized by missing an episode.
I suppose this is a sound theory, but speaking for myself, I'm much more interested in investing my time in shows that ask something of me. Sure, sometimes it means that I have to hold off after missing an episode and catching up in the summer with the DVD release (although iTunes has made it much easier to catch up quickly for the low, low price of $1.99, and often times the networks have the episode available for free on their own website, so this is less and less of an issue), but on the flipside, keeping up with a serialized show is tons more rewarding.
I have to admit, I'm excited about Fringe, because of the creators pedigree in part and also because of the storyline and actors attached, but I think that I'd be tons more interested if it were a highly serialized show the way that Alias and LOST were.
After all, if I'm not penalized for missing an episode, isn't it more likely that I will?
Until Next Time, I'll put up my review of the pilot tomorrow.
Tonight's 95 minute premiere opens with a mystery involving a plane landing, but everyone on it is dead. An FBI agent is tasked to find out what happened leading her to a mad scientist (literally mad, he's in an institution) and his theories about fringe sciences, mind-reading, teleportation, excetra, in other words, all our sci-fi faves. In order to get his cooperation, she enlists the help of the scientist's son (and the Scully of the show) played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek. (Joshua Jackson if you insist on using actor's real names.)
By the end of the 95 minute premiere, the first mystery will be solved and we'll get a new one next week.
Apparently, the network is hoping that less of a serialized approach will hope viewers feel more comfortable, as it will allow them to come in whenever and not be too penalized by missing an episode.
I suppose this is a sound theory, but speaking for myself, I'm much more interested in investing my time in shows that ask something of me. Sure, sometimes it means that I have to hold off after missing an episode and catching up in the summer with the DVD release (although iTunes has made it much easier to catch up quickly for the low, low price of $1.99, and often times the networks have the episode available for free on their own website, so this is less and less of an issue), but on the flipside, keeping up with a serialized show is tons more rewarding.
I have to admit, I'm excited about Fringe, because of the creators pedigree in part and also because of the storyline and actors attached, but I think that I'd be tons more interested if it were a highly serialized show the way that Alias and LOST were.
After all, if I'm not penalized for missing an episode, isn't it more likely that I will?
Until Next Time, I'll put up my review of the pilot tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fall TV Preview
We're coming up on the return of the network television shows, hoping that an actors strike doesn't impact this season the way the writers strike did last year. No need to worry about that yet, I suppose, so let's take a look at what awaits us starting in September. As always, I ignore Reality tv.
-Monday, Sept. 1
I'll be watching the two hour season premiere of Prison Break (because I can't quit this show even when I want to.)
SPOILER ALERT ON PRISON BREAK
If somehow you haven't heard, Sara is back and apparently wasn't beheaded. I'm not that shocked. I always assumed that she would be back as I heard her talking about in interviews how she would be off the show for bit while she had her baby. I am interested in seeing how they bring her back, however.
SPOILER ALERT OVER
Others might be excited about the return of Gossip Girls on the CW or the return of One Tree Hill on the same station.
-Tuesday, Sept 2
The premiere of the CW's big hope 90210. Yeah.
-Wednesday, Sept 3
The return of Bones on FOX. (I still don't get how Angel can walk around in sunlight. I thought Angel destroyed that ring after Oz gave it to him.)
-Tuesday, Sept 9
The two hour premiere of Fringe, the new show from J.J. Abrams, and along with Dollhouse, the front runner for Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season Award. I can't wait for this show.
Also, the new show called Privileged on CW. Doesn't really scream out to me.
-Wednesday, Sept 10
The return of Til Death and the premiere of Do Not Disturb on FOX.
-Tuesday, Sept 16
The return of Hugh Laurie as House (a show I really need to start watching.)
-Thursday, Sept 18
The return of Smallville and Supernatural on the CW. Hopefully this season of Smallville is better then the last. Come on Clark. The exit of Lex and Lana has me a little worried though, not going to lie.
-Sunday, Sept 21
An interesting thing tonight. The CW leased out thier Sunday night lineup to an independent company, Media Rights Capital who are producing the shows CW will be showing including two that premiere tonight, Valentine and Easy Money.
-Monday, Sept 22
Now things really get going.
CBS premieres Big Bang Theory, the greatness that is How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, the new comedy Worst Week Ever, and the return of CSI: Miami.
ABC brings back Boston Legal for its last season (supposedly).
NBC premieres an entire night of Heroes, hopefully having figured out it's recent slump.
-Tuesday, Sept 23
CBS gives us their Psych knock off The Mentalist in between the return of NCIS and Without a Trace and NBC presents the return of da-DAH (my written interpretation of the Law and Order musical intro) Law & Order:SVU.
-Wednesday, Sept 24
Knight Rider rides again on NBC, but my bet is not for long. Speaking of NBC, the Seinfeld curse continues to be beaten by Elaine in The New Adventures of Old Christine to be followed by new series Gary Unmarried on CBS, who will then give us the returns of Criminal Minds and CSI:NY (if anyone cares). Meanwhile, ABC brought back Lipstick Jungle for some reason.
-Thursday, Sept 25
My Name is Earl and The Office each get hour long premieres followed by the premiere of the final season of ER, which honestly probably should have happened about 10 years ago, on NBC.
ABC shows the premieres of Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatamy.
-Sunday, Sept 28
The return of our favorite animated shows on FOX, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad.
Also Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters on ABC and Cold Case and more President Palmer kicking A** on The Unit on CBS.
-Monday, Sept 29
Chuck returns and Life, last year's third place finisher in Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season, is given a Heroes lead-in in order to maximize its viewership on NBC, although that lead-in didn't work for Journeyman, last year's winner of Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season.
-Wednesday, Oct 1
ABC owns the night with the premieres of Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money. Oh yeah, Private Practice will be shown in between them.
-Friday, Oct 3
Ghost Whisperer, new show The Ex-List, and Numb3rs premiere on CBS. Everybody Hates Chris and The Game return to the CW.
-Monday, Oct 6
Samantha Who returns to ABC.
-Thursday, Oct 9
Kath & Kim joins the NBC comedy lineup. Time will tell if it keeps the Thursday lineup at must see comedy level like last year (we miss you Scrubs, but maybe you're in a better place, one that recognizes your greatness).
CSI (the original one) returns on CBS followed by the series premiere of Eleventh Hour. ABC premieres the new show Life on Mars.
-Monday, Oct 13
The new Christian Slater show, My Own Worst Enemy takes over Journeyman's slot. Hopefully it will do better.
-Tuesday, Oct 14
The return of America's Next Top Prophet, Eli Stone!!!
-Friday, Oct 17
Two hour premiere of Crusoe on NBC. The previews during the Olympics have me intrigued.
-Thursday, Oct 30
The return of Liz Lemon and 30 Rock.
-Sunday, Nov 2
Bob Saget returns to sitcom-ville in Surviving Suburbia on MRC's Sunday night lineup on the CW.
So, there you have it, the premieres of network television's scripted shows this fall. As always, times are subject to change. The networks aren't very good at sticking to plans.
Until Next Time, For ABC's full fall schedule, click here, For CBS's here, For NBC's here, For FOX's here, and for the CW's here. Enjoy.
-Monday, Sept. 1
I'll be watching the two hour season premiere of Prison Break (because I can't quit this show even when I want to.)
SPOILER ALERT ON PRISON BREAK
If somehow you haven't heard, Sara is back and apparently wasn't beheaded. I'm not that shocked. I always assumed that she would be back as I heard her talking about in interviews how she would be off the show for bit while she had her baby. I am interested in seeing how they bring her back, however.
SPOILER ALERT OVER
Others might be excited about the return of Gossip Girls on the CW or the return of One Tree Hill on the same station.
-Tuesday, Sept 2
The premiere of the CW's big hope 90210. Yeah.
-Wednesday, Sept 3
The return of Bones on FOX. (I still don't get how Angel can walk around in sunlight. I thought Angel destroyed that ring after Oz gave it to him.)
-Tuesday, Sept 9
The two hour premiere of Fringe, the new show from J.J. Abrams, and along with Dollhouse, the front runner for Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season Award. I can't wait for this show.
Also, the new show called Privileged on CW. Doesn't really scream out to me.
-Wednesday, Sept 10
The return of Til Death and the premiere of Do Not Disturb on FOX.
-Tuesday, Sept 16
The return of Hugh Laurie as House (a show I really need to start watching.)
-Thursday, Sept 18
The return of Smallville and Supernatural on the CW. Hopefully this season of Smallville is better then the last. Come on Clark. The exit of Lex and Lana has me a little worried though, not going to lie.
-Sunday, Sept 21
An interesting thing tonight. The CW leased out thier Sunday night lineup to an independent company, Media Rights Capital who are producing the shows CW will be showing including two that premiere tonight, Valentine and Easy Money.
-Monday, Sept 22
Now things really get going.
CBS premieres Big Bang Theory, the greatness that is How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, the new comedy Worst Week Ever, and the return of CSI: Miami.
ABC brings back Boston Legal for its last season (supposedly).
NBC premieres an entire night of Heroes, hopefully having figured out it's recent slump.
-Tuesday, Sept 23
CBS gives us their Psych knock off The Mentalist in between the return of NCIS and Without a Trace and NBC presents the return of da-DAH (my written interpretation of the Law and Order musical intro) Law & Order:SVU.
-Wednesday, Sept 24
Knight Rider rides again on NBC, but my bet is not for long. Speaking of NBC, the Seinfeld curse continues to be beaten by Elaine in The New Adventures of Old Christine to be followed by new series Gary Unmarried on CBS, who will then give us the returns of Criminal Minds and CSI:NY (if anyone cares). Meanwhile, ABC brought back Lipstick Jungle for some reason.
-Thursday, Sept 25
My Name is Earl and The Office each get hour long premieres followed by the premiere of the final season of ER, which honestly probably should have happened about 10 years ago, on NBC.
ABC shows the premieres of Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatamy.
-Sunday, Sept 28
The return of our favorite animated shows on FOX, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad.
Also Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters on ABC and Cold Case and more President Palmer kicking A** on The Unit on CBS.
-Monday, Sept 29
Chuck returns and Life, last year's third place finisher in Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season, is given a Heroes lead-in in order to maximize its viewership on NBC, although that lead-in didn't work for Journeyman, last year's winner of Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Season.
-Wednesday, Oct 1
ABC owns the night with the premieres of Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money. Oh yeah, Private Practice will be shown in between them.
-Friday, Oct 3
Ghost Whisperer, new show The Ex-List, and Numb3rs premiere on CBS. Everybody Hates Chris and The Game return to the CW.
-Monday, Oct 6
Samantha Who returns to ABC.
-Thursday, Oct 9
Kath & Kim joins the NBC comedy lineup. Time will tell if it keeps the Thursday lineup at must see comedy level like last year (we miss you Scrubs, but maybe you're in a better place, one that recognizes your greatness).
CSI (the original one) returns on CBS followed by the series premiere of Eleventh Hour. ABC premieres the new show Life on Mars.
-Monday, Oct 13
The new Christian Slater show, My Own Worst Enemy takes over Journeyman's slot. Hopefully it will do better.
-Tuesday, Oct 14
The return of America's Next Top Prophet, Eli Stone!!!
-Friday, Oct 17
Two hour premiere of Crusoe on NBC. The previews during the Olympics have me intrigued.
-Thursday, Oct 30
The return of Liz Lemon and 30 Rock.
-Sunday, Nov 2
Bob Saget returns to sitcom-ville in Surviving Suburbia on MRC's Sunday night lineup on the CW.
So, there you have it, the premieres of network television's scripted shows this fall. As always, times are subject to change. The networks aren't very good at sticking to plans.
Until Next Time, For ABC's full fall schedule, click here, For CBS's here, For NBC's here, For FOX's here, and for the CW's here. Enjoy.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I heard about this, but I got excited despite myself. So, as with any other STAR WARS movie, my friends and I found ourselves at Rave for the midnight premiere.
Unlike for Indiana Jones (and I hear for Dark Knight, but I wasn't able to make that one) the line was non existent. Clearly the majority of the STAR WARS community hadn't been sucked in as I had by the trailers.
Their loss.
Sure it isn't live action, but I thought the animation was pretty good. The story is different from the main Episodes, but it's very good and it is a lot more action oriented. The interplay between the characters is very good, like classic STAR WARS good. And it is a pleasure to see a heroic Anakin and not either the young (some might say annoying, but what 6 year old isn't?) Anakin or the emo (some might still say annoying) Anakin or the evil (some might still say annoying, and I'm beginning to wonder if people have something against Hayden) Anakin. We've heard about heroic and cool General Anakin Skywalker, but we hadn't seen him yet. Until now. (Plus, he wasn't even voiced by Hayden, so there's that).
His new Padawan was a very interesting addition. There was great interplay between her and Sky Guy (as she called him, one of her many fun nicknames, although R-twoie got on my nerves a little bit, but I did enjoy imagining that R2's beeps and boops were cursing at her every time she used it).
I'm really looking forward to the new animated series that this leads into, and after all that was the point.
Mainly, the film was a lot of fun. Good, old fashioned STAR WARS fun.
A couple other little points I noticed... it seemed like the general of the Droid Army that Kenobi and Skywalker were fighting at the beginning of the movie was totally putting on a fake Sean Connery accent, and it seemed like Ziro the Hutt, Jabba's uncle, had a bit of a Cartman (from South Park) accent going. In fact I called him Cartman the Hutt in my head. "Screw you guys, I'm going to take over the Hutts."
Until Next Time, I loved Stinky the Hutt, not even going to lie. "He's really sick. He's turning every shade of green except for the one he's supposed to be!"
Unlike for Indiana Jones (and I hear for Dark Knight, but I wasn't able to make that one) the line was non existent. Clearly the majority of the STAR WARS community hadn't been sucked in as I had by the trailers.
Their loss.
Sure it isn't live action, but I thought the animation was pretty good. The story is different from the main Episodes, but it's very good and it is a lot more action oriented. The interplay between the characters is very good, like classic STAR WARS good. And it is a pleasure to see a heroic Anakin and not either the young (some might say annoying, but what 6 year old isn't?) Anakin or the emo (some might still say annoying) Anakin or the evil (some might still say annoying, and I'm beginning to wonder if people have something against Hayden) Anakin. We've heard about heroic and cool General Anakin Skywalker, but we hadn't seen him yet. Until now. (Plus, he wasn't even voiced by Hayden, so there's that).
His new Padawan was a very interesting addition. There was great interplay between her and Sky Guy (as she called him, one of her many fun nicknames, although R-twoie got on my nerves a little bit, but I did enjoy imagining that R2's beeps and boops were cursing at her every time she used it).
I'm really looking forward to the new animated series that this leads into, and after all that was the point.
Mainly, the film was a lot of fun. Good, old fashioned STAR WARS fun.
A couple other little points I noticed... it seemed like the general of the Droid Army that Kenobi and Skywalker were fighting at the beginning of the movie was totally putting on a fake Sean Connery accent, and it seemed like Ziro the Hutt, Jabba's uncle, had a bit of a Cartman (from South Park) accent going. In fact I called him Cartman the Hutt in my head. "Screw you guys, I'm going to take over the Hutts."
Until Next Time, I loved Stinky the Hutt, not even going to lie. "He's really sick. He's turning every shade of green except for the one he's supposed to be!"
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Dark Knight
First off let me say to Iron Man that you have my condolences. It's kind of unfair to come out with the greatest comic book movie ever made only to have your title stripped away from you so completely two months later.
Because, yes, The Dark Knight is that good. It's everything that you hoped that it might be and more. Very, very rarely does a movie that is this hyped and that has such high expectations ever live up to them, much less exceed them. In fact, up until now, only Serenity had ever achieved that feat in my mind. Now it has company as The Dark Knight blew away even the highest expectations.
I didn't get to see the movie until Saturday, but it was well worth the wait.
On the Heath Ledger issue, he was unbelievably good. It was hard to even remember that the Joker was actually Heath Ledger, because he embodied the character on screen. He truly was the Joker.
Overall, it was quite a cast. Even William Fichtner had a small role at the beginning of the film (and I love William Fichtner.)
Until Next Time, I can't believe that we are only a few days away from the greatness that is The X-Files in theaters!
Because, yes, The Dark Knight is that good. It's everything that you hoped that it might be and more. Very, very rarely does a movie that is this hyped and that has such high expectations ever live up to them, much less exceed them. In fact, up until now, only Serenity had ever achieved that feat in my mind. Now it has company as The Dark Knight blew away even the highest expectations.
I didn't get to see the movie until Saturday, but it was well worth the wait.
On the Heath Ledger issue, he was unbelievably good. It was hard to even remember that the Joker was actually Heath Ledger, because he embodied the character on screen. He truly was the Joker.
Overall, it was quite a cast. Even William Fichtner had a small role at the beginning of the film (and I love William Fichtner.)
Until Next Time, I can't believe that we are only a few days away from the greatness that is The X-Files in theaters!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Hellboy II
What an awesome movie. Once again, I am in awe of the imagination of Guillermo Del Toro and eagerly awaiting his take on The Hobbit.
Going far beyond the fantasy world he introduced in Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy II is a wonder to behold, filled to overflowing with fantastic creatures. Add to that the inventive storyline and the fantastic Mike Mingola characters, and this is a sequel that far surpasses the original (which was also a great movie).
While the characters are strange and eye catching, they are also extremely relate-able, turning the fantastic characters into people that you can't help but connect to. Even a character formed only by steam is instantly made real and grows on you throughout the film. (Plus he's voiced by Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame).
While the action is top notch and the film features some amazing fight sequences, it is really the subplots that make this film outstanding. The ever intriguing plot line of Hellboy's desire to belong remains from the first movie with an even greater potential of a storyline hinted at for a future film. Then there is the subplot of romance that is handled expertly by Del Toro and the cast fitting in seamlessly with the more action fueled main plot.
And I would be remiss not to add that the romantic subplot allows for the best use of Barry Manilow by any movie ever. Trust me, it's brilliant.
Until Next Time, I cannot wait for Hellboy III.
Going far beyond the fantasy world he introduced in Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy II is a wonder to behold, filled to overflowing with fantastic creatures. Add to that the inventive storyline and the fantastic Mike Mingola characters, and this is a sequel that far surpasses the original (which was also a great movie).
While the characters are strange and eye catching, they are also extremely relate-able, turning the fantastic characters into people that you can't help but connect to. Even a character formed only by steam is instantly made real and grows on you throughout the film. (Plus he's voiced by Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame).
While the action is top notch and the film features some amazing fight sequences, it is really the subplots that make this film outstanding. The ever intriguing plot line of Hellboy's desire to belong remains from the first movie with an even greater potential of a storyline hinted at for a future film. Then there is the subplot of romance that is handled expertly by Del Toro and the cast fitting in seamlessly with the more action fueled main plot.
And I would be remiss not to add that the romantic subplot allows for the best use of Barry Manilow by any movie ever. Trust me, it's brilliant.
Until Next Time, I cannot wait for Hellboy III.
Monday, June 30, 2008
WALL-E
PIXAR is just unbelievable. Really. What they've managed to do is simply unprecedented. They've come out with 9 films so far. All have been good movies (at the worst, and brilliant at the best). All have been blockbusters (the original Toy Story has the smallest world wide gross).
This success gives PIXAR the ability to take a risk or two. Last summer their film was about a rat who could cook and yet they managed to make it charming (although it and A Bug's Life are definitely my two least favorite PIXAR movies). This summer they went even further and released a film about a robot, set 700 years in the future, and that goes for long amounts of time without dialogue. Add to all of that the fact that it has a bit of an environmental (okay, a lot of an environmental) message and you have what could easily become a disaster.
Instead, PIXAR gives us easily their best effort since The Incredibles and Finding Nemo, and possibly one that's even better then those outstanding films.
Wall-E is, in fact, by far the best movie that I've seen so far this year, and probably the best film I've seen since Zodiac last year. It is touching, funny, smart, beautiful to look at, and above all, real. This could be the first time that an animated movie wins Best Picture, because Wall-E is certainly of that caliber.
If you haven't seen it yet, go immediately. It doesn't matter if you have kids who want to see it or not (for the record, they'll love it just because of how cute Wall-E and EVE are), this is truly a movie for everyone, enjoyable on multiple different levels.
Sure it's a risk to make this type of film (at times channeling 2001, to the point where one robotic character, Auto, is no doubt intentionally patterned after HAL) but when done right (as PIXAR never fails to do) you have in your hands a masterpiece that is destined to become a classic.
Until Next Time, Do yourself a favor. Go see this movie.
This success gives PIXAR the ability to take a risk or two. Last summer their film was about a rat who could cook and yet they managed to make it charming (although it and A Bug's Life are definitely my two least favorite PIXAR movies). This summer they went even further and released a film about a robot, set 700 years in the future, and that goes for long amounts of time without dialogue. Add to all of that the fact that it has a bit of an environmental (okay, a lot of an environmental) message and you have what could easily become a disaster.
Instead, PIXAR gives us easily their best effort since The Incredibles and Finding Nemo, and possibly one that's even better then those outstanding films.
Wall-E is, in fact, by far the best movie that I've seen so far this year, and probably the best film I've seen since Zodiac last year. It is touching, funny, smart, beautiful to look at, and above all, real. This could be the first time that an animated movie wins Best Picture, because Wall-E is certainly of that caliber.
If you haven't seen it yet, go immediately. It doesn't matter if you have kids who want to see it or not (for the record, they'll love it just because of how cute Wall-E and EVE are), this is truly a movie for everyone, enjoyable on multiple different levels.
Sure it's a risk to make this type of film (at times channeling 2001, to the point where one robotic character, Auto, is no doubt intentionally patterned after HAL) but when done right (as PIXAR never fails to do) you have in your hands a masterpiece that is destined to become a classic.
Until Next Time, Do yourself a favor. Go see this movie.
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