courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
We continue my recommendations and rants about the new TV season with Wednesday night's offerings.
Right off the bat, let's get the two "reality" shows out of the way. I have hated Survivor ever since it became clear that it was, indeed, NOT about surviving on a desert island. When Richard Hatch won, not by being the best at camping, hunting and foraging, but rather by being sneaky and "playing the game;" that's when I decided never to watch it again. It also burst the bubble of mystique that surrounds all "reality" shows: the illusion that it is based in "reality." (Thus the word "reality" being in quotes.)
The X-factor is off my list because I already know it's going to suck. How? Because American Idol and America's Got Talent suck. And don't let the change in name, or adjustment of age restrictions fool you, it's the same damned search for the next big over hyped music business failure.
The thing about Criminal Minds and L&O:SVU, is my thing about cop shows. Procedurals like most of these programs bore me, unless they have a cool character, or interesting twist that grabs me. CSI:Crime Scene Investigation, for example has a look and "attitude" about it that drew me in immediately, and no matter how cheesy the plot lines get, I'm hooked, and won't stop watching until the show starts to suck, which hasn't happened yet. I liked Harry's Law at first, but it lost me after a few episodes.
So now, the GOOD stuff. I knew from the early promos that I would LOVE Up All Night. As a father, I can relate to the experience of being a new parent and the changes that occur in one's life when a baby comes into the picture. What makes this show truly great is the great performances by Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, and Maya Rudolph. Also, it's not entirely about new parenthood, this is just the backdrop for comedy based on these very funny characters. Well done.
On the other hand, Free Agents, is not as great. These characters are not as funny or lovable, and the writing is just too... sitcom-y. The Middle, on the other hand, is very funny, and is also kid friendly enough that my daughters love it. The writing is clever, and the characters are quirky exaggerations of realistic characters. Many families nowadays feel as if they're in the same situations as the Hecks. That's what I love about it. There's a piece of my whole family in every plot line.
I DON'T connect with Modern Family, Suburgatory or Happy Endings. I know, Emmy winner, and ABC favorite, but, to me, not funny. Modern Family's humor is based on stereotype and that wacky humor that killed Cougar Town for me.
Which brings me to the most exciting show of the new season... Revenge. This drama about what is going to be a brilliant revenge plot against a privileged Hamptons family that ruins careers and reputations. Victoria Grayson destroyed Amanda's family by falsely accusing her father of aiding terrorists. She has now changed her name and is back in the Hamptons to systematically destroy each person involved with the plot against her family, including Victoria. The back story is told gradually through flashbacks and you secretly get a nice feeling of catharsis when each of these scumbags get theirs. Very well done, and not to be missed. Sadly, the concept limits the show to one season, unless they pull a "Prison Break" and make Emily help someone else seek revenge against the people who wronged THEM. But I don't see that happening.
Check out past blogs regarding:
Mondays
Tuesdays
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
What I'm Watching (or not) - Tuesday
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
Monday's line up is a virtual treasure trove of quality programming. Tuesday is so much easier. With the exception of one very nice show, everything else is crap.
I'm aware that FX's Sons of Anarchy is on Tuesday, and it's apparently very good. I haven't seen it, so SoA is going to be the show I rent on video starting from the first season. If FX would rerun the series between seasons (hint, hint) I would ABSOLUTELY be there, but in the meantime, I'm sticking to network shows.
Tuesday is dominated by "reality" competitions. ABC has the reveal show of Dancing with the Stars, which I could never get into. The whole premise of this show is that we will get people with no talent for dance, and watch them as they embarrass themselves in competition. At least we are told on American Idol that the competitors are SUPPOSED to be good! DWTS is built on the idea that Nancy Grace is going to try to dance, and it's going to be hysterical. One good thing I'll say about the show is that it is consistent with my philosophy: That with hard work, proper instruction, and lots of practice; ANYONE can participate in the arts. I still won't watch it, though.
The Biggest Loser also has a good message to it. I know of several people who use the show as inspiration for their own weight loss. I have nothing bad to say about the show, except that I dislike reality television, ergo, my beliefs forbid my indulgence.
Glee. I am so happy that this might be the last season of this: the bane of my existence. The Glee audience took a while to come around, but are starting to realize what I realized from the get go. This show SUCKS!
NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are CSI wannabes. I LOVE CSI, and see Miami, NY, and NCIS as being knock offs. I stick to the original!
Unforgettable had an interesting premise, a woman with a perfect memory who remembers absolutely everything. Except for that one traumatic event she can't remember. Oh, and she can't remember stuff right away, she has to really think about it, and she often misses details until the very end when it's dramatically convenient to get that one important clue.... So disappointed.
Parenthood is about a family that I can only stand for a 2-hour movie, but cannot possibly see myself tuning in for 13 episodes. I'm sure the show's good, but it turned me off.
Raising Hope suffers from "Fox sitcom syndrome." It's trying to be original and quirky, and "out there" to the point where it's not really funny. They keep trying, but the only way that formula works is if the show is animated. I don't know; maybe it's the fact that animation separates it from reality enough to allow for the zaniness. Even sitcoms that used this idea effectively like Scrubs, used it in dream sequences to separate it from reality. Fox shows, and other bad sitcoms often go from the premise that this zany world where everything is off the wall is REAL. I don't buy it, which is why I don't buy into shows like the Office, Parks and Rec, Big Bang Theory.
That having been said, I absolutely LOVE The New Girl. Which is strange because Zooey Deschanel usually creeps me out. But she delivers a nice quirky casualness to her awkwardness to this character that grounds her, and makes this a very funny show. The guys she moves in with are also silly, but realistic, and play off each other as if they're actually friends, and genuinely care for their new roommate. And it's written well. I like the show. The formula works here. Do more of that, Fox.
So now, I only need to see Body of Proof. I didn't see the preview mini-season, because honestly, I didn't think I'd like it. But not to dismiss something before learning about it, I will check it out tonight, and see what's up. I'll get back to you on that.
Tomorrow: CSI and REVENGE!!!!
Monday's line up is a virtual treasure trove of quality programming. Tuesday is so much easier. With the exception of one very nice show, everything else is crap.
I'm aware that FX's Sons of Anarchy is on Tuesday, and it's apparently very good. I haven't seen it, so SoA is going to be the show I rent on video starting from the first season. If FX would rerun the series between seasons (hint, hint) I would ABSOLUTELY be there, but in the meantime, I'm sticking to network shows.
Tuesday is dominated by "reality" competitions. ABC has the reveal show of Dancing with the Stars, which I could never get into. The whole premise of this show is that we will get people with no talent for dance, and watch them as they embarrass themselves in competition. At least we are told on American Idol that the competitors are SUPPOSED to be good! DWTS is built on the idea that Nancy Grace is going to try to dance, and it's going to be hysterical. One good thing I'll say about the show is that it is consistent with my philosophy: That with hard work, proper instruction, and lots of practice; ANYONE can participate in the arts. I still won't watch it, though.
The Biggest Loser also has a good message to it. I know of several people who use the show as inspiration for their own weight loss. I have nothing bad to say about the show, except that I dislike reality television, ergo, my beliefs forbid my indulgence.
Glee. I am so happy that this might be the last season of this: the bane of my existence. The Glee audience took a while to come around, but are starting to realize what I realized from the get go. This show SUCKS!
NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are CSI wannabes. I LOVE CSI, and see Miami, NY, and NCIS as being knock offs. I stick to the original!
Unforgettable had an interesting premise, a woman with a perfect memory who remembers absolutely everything. Except for that one traumatic event she can't remember. Oh, and she can't remember stuff right away, she has to really think about it, and she often misses details until the very end when it's dramatically convenient to get that one important clue.... So disappointed.
Parenthood is about a family that I can only stand for a 2-hour movie, but cannot possibly see myself tuning in for 13 episodes. I'm sure the show's good, but it turned me off.
Raising Hope suffers from "Fox sitcom syndrome." It's trying to be original and quirky, and "out there" to the point where it's not really funny. They keep trying, but the only way that formula works is if the show is animated. I don't know; maybe it's the fact that animation separates it from reality enough to allow for the zaniness. Even sitcoms that used this idea effectively like Scrubs, used it in dream sequences to separate it from reality. Fox shows, and other bad sitcoms often go from the premise that this zany world where everything is off the wall is REAL. I don't buy it, which is why I don't buy into shows like the Office, Parks and Rec, Big Bang Theory.
That having been said, I absolutely LOVE The New Girl. Which is strange because Zooey Deschanel usually creeps me out. But she delivers a nice quirky casualness to her awkwardness to this character that grounds her, and makes this a very funny show. The guys she moves in with are also silly, but realistic, and play off each other as if they're actually friends, and genuinely care for their new roommate. And it's written well. I like the show. The formula works here. Do more of that, Fox.
So now, I only need to see Body of Proof. I didn't see the preview mini-season, because honestly, I didn't think I'd like it. But not to dismiss something before learning about it, I will check it out tonight, and see what's up. I'll get back to you on that.
Tomorrow: CSI and REVENGE!!!!
Monday, September 26, 2011
What I'm Watching 2011 (Or Not) - Mondays
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
Well, TV Premiere Week is ended, and we're headlong into the new season. Every year, I DVR every first episode of as many shows as possible, then watch. Some I love immediately. Some, well, not so much.
Monday - I'm in a quandary! I'm a HUGE How I Met Your Mother fan, and yet, there are two powerhouse shows on at exactly the same time, and my DVR can only tape two shows at once. So, as consistently awesome as HIMYM is... I'll have to catch you on the Internet, because The Sing-off is on!
I'm a rabid fan of a cappella music, which explains my obsession with this singing competition for a cappella groups, but there's more that brings this show above and beyond the quality of shows like American Idol, or it's illegitimate evil demonic twin, the X-Factor. Whereas other "singing" shows are about embellishing the crap out of a melody, and blasting away the microphone's decibel limit the power of your screaming; Sing-off shows of genuine musicianship. Also, Sing-off has actual judges who a) know what they're talking about, and b)offer constructive MUSICAL criticism to the groups. They've also lost their weak link, Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger, for whom the first comment was, "You mean you all sing different notes? What's that like?" She's been replace by the infinitely more knowledgeable Sara Bareilles, who like Shawn Stockman, and unlike Ben Folds, was actually IN an a cappella group.
Tonight, I check out Terra Nova, and if Fox doesn't screw it up, it will be awesome!
Meanwhile, 2 Broke Girls SUCKED! In the first scene, the main character rudely tells off a customer in the diner she works in, and rattles off a series of "jokes" that, while it would be cool for someone to put someone else in their place like that, establish that this is going to be a show that is build on "wisecracking." I just found it grating, and annoying, and not really funny. I DID find it interesting that it was co-created by Whitney Cummings, and after watching her other show, Whitney, I'm not surprised it's so bad. Cummings made her name by being featured in Comedy Central Roasts, and that brand of humor works there, but not so much in a sitcom. Plus, her stand up is the stereotypical epitome of the bad female comic.
The Playboy Club looked sexy but then I watched a whole episode and....zzzzzzzzzz. They started with a plot of one of the bunnies killing a mobster, and then something else happened, and I was so bored I shut it off. Clearly NBC is trying to sell the show as being provocative and sexy, but yeah, plot matters also.
I'm also back on Hawaii Five-0. I missed a few episodes, and got lost, but I'm back now, and so is 5-0. Terry O'Quinn is on the show now, and it's only a matter of time before they turn the wheel and make the island of Kauai disappear into the fabric of time. Or is that another show set in Hawaii starring Daniel Dae Kim?
For the record, I actually LIKED Charlie Sheen before his meltdown, and thought he was funny. Jon Cryer is awesome. Hot Shots and Hot Shots Part Deux are two of my favorite comedies. But the writing of Two and a Half Men didn't grab me, and I decided not to watch it, even when I LIKED the cast. Now Ashton Kutcher's on it. And I hate him. So why would I watch it now? Just to see Charlie's character die? No Thanks.
Mike and Molly, Sweet Show, well done, but just, eh. Nothing brilliant or addicting about it to make it worth my DVR space. And Castle? I know people like it, but it feeds into a pet peeve of mine. I prefer crime shows where the cops catch the criminals. There have been a string of shows where civilians with "Special powers" help the cops, and actually solve the crimes better than the police would. The Mentalist, a magician. Numbers, Math. The new show, Unforgettable. And also Castle where a mystery writer can solve a mystery better than a cop can. Not feeling it. And before you bring up Psych, don't forget that he is passing himself off as a psychic, but has actually been trained by his father as a detective. So, he's more of a private eye, which is OK. Well, that covers Monday. See you tomorrow.
Well, TV Premiere Week is ended, and we're headlong into the new season. Every year, I DVR every first episode of as many shows as possible, then watch. Some I love immediately. Some, well, not so much.
Monday - I'm in a quandary! I'm a HUGE How I Met Your Mother fan, and yet, there are two powerhouse shows on at exactly the same time, and my DVR can only tape two shows at once. So, as consistently awesome as HIMYM is... I'll have to catch you on the Internet, because The Sing-off is on!
I'm a rabid fan of a cappella music, which explains my obsession with this singing competition for a cappella groups, but there's more that brings this show above and beyond the quality of shows like American Idol, or it's illegitimate evil demonic twin, the X-Factor. Whereas other "singing" shows are about embellishing the crap out of a melody, and blasting away the microphone's decibel limit the power of your screaming; Sing-off shows of genuine musicianship. Also, Sing-off has actual judges who a) know what they're talking about, and b)offer constructive MUSICAL criticism to the groups. They've also lost their weak link, Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger, for whom the first comment was, "You mean you all sing different notes? What's that like?" She's been replace by the infinitely more knowledgeable Sara Bareilles, who like Shawn Stockman, and unlike Ben Folds, was actually IN an a cappella group.
Tonight, I check out Terra Nova, and if Fox doesn't screw it up, it will be awesome!
Meanwhile, 2 Broke Girls SUCKED! In the first scene, the main character rudely tells off a customer in the diner she works in, and rattles off a series of "jokes" that, while it would be cool for someone to put someone else in their place like that, establish that this is going to be a show that is build on "wisecracking." I just found it grating, and annoying, and not really funny. I DID find it interesting that it was co-created by Whitney Cummings, and after watching her other show, Whitney, I'm not surprised it's so bad. Cummings made her name by being featured in Comedy Central Roasts, and that brand of humor works there, but not so much in a sitcom. Plus, her stand up is the stereotypical epitome of the bad female comic.
The Playboy Club looked sexy but then I watched a whole episode and....zzzzzzzzzz. They started with a plot of one of the bunnies killing a mobster, and then something else happened, and I was so bored I shut it off. Clearly NBC is trying to sell the show as being provocative and sexy, but yeah, plot matters also.
I'm also back on Hawaii Five-0. I missed a few episodes, and got lost, but I'm back now, and so is 5-0. Terry O'Quinn is on the show now, and it's only a matter of time before they turn the wheel and make the island of Kauai disappear into the fabric of time. Or is that another show set in Hawaii starring Daniel Dae Kim?
For the record, I actually LIKED Charlie Sheen before his meltdown, and thought he was funny. Jon Cryer is awesome. Hot Shots and Hot Shots Part Deux are two of my favorite comedies. But the writing of Two and a Half Men didn't grab me, and I decided not to watch it, even when I LIKED the cast. Now Ashton Kutcher's on it. And I hate him. So why would I watch it now? Just to see Charlie's character die? No Thanks.
Mike and Molly, Sweet Show, well done, but just, eh. Nothing brilliant or addicting about it to make it worth my DVR space. And Castle? I know people like it, but it feeds into a pet peeve of mine. I prefer crime shows where the cops catch the criminals. There have been a string of shows where civilians with "Special powers" help the cops, and actually solve the crimes better than the police would. The Mentalist, a magician. Numbers, Math. The new show, Unforgettable. And also Castle where a mystery writer can solve a mystery better than a cop can. Not feeling it. And before you bring up Psych, don't forget that he is passing himself off as a psychic, but has actually been trained by his father as a detective. So, he's more of a private eye, which is OK. Well, that covers Monday. See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Haven't Blogged in a while.
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
I haven't blogged in a while, so allow me to just drop a few random thoughts your way to catch up.
I realize that both last year, and this year, I tend to blog heavily from Jan to June, and then Sept to Dec. Summer blogs are relatively light. And that's the time that I have the most free time to write. There's only one explanation for this... I tend to blog in order to avoid work.
My best guess is that the writers of this year's Emmy awards telecast were being satirical. Their point seemed to be that awards shows are really stupid, so let's amp up the stupid in order to illustrate how stupid it is. Stupid opening scene, Stupid banter, Stupid voice over announcements when winners go up, stupid stupid stupid! One highlight: Freak Bill Macy!
Don't Ask Don't Tell ended today. For my thoughts on this issue, click here.... Just let me add my thoughts from this morning. It hit me... there are ALREADY gays in the military and they have been closeted. So in other words, the troops that politicians have been praising, and supporting, include the gay ones. Being in favor of DADT, is to say, "I support the troops, they're true heroes, except for the gay ones."
Can I just mention something.... President Obama can only create government jobs. Business owners can create real jobs. Tax cuts to business owners are a nice incentive, but ultimately, jobs are created when there is a demand for a larger workforce. If you can run your business with 2 people, you don't need to hire a third. No business owner in history has ever said, "I got a nice tax break, which leaves me with all this extra money. Let's add a few staffers." More likely they'll celebrate the added profit by buying stuff, or pocketing the cash. Now, the opposite IS true: If business is losing money, and they can't afford to have so many employees, they may be forced to cut. But the only thing that will create more work, is... more work.
Why is it that whenever I hear the president speak lately, all I can think about is "The American President?" Particularly the final speech?
It's now three weeks into the new school year, and I keep feeling like it's December, and my students are way behind. Then I remind myself, it's only September, and we're on track.
Through my bullshit filter, all I hear from the Republicans complaining about the HPV vaccine is... "How DARE you protect my daughter from cancer? You can't make me help keep my daughter healthy! If I want to put my 12 year old daughter at risk of contracting a virus that has been known to cause cervical cancer, then the government can't make me do otherwise. I have every right to be stupid!"
Sunday, I played in a band with some friends for their son's 1st birthday. We did kid's songs, and many original pieces. Last night I watched "The Sing-off." Today, I want to start a children's group, a band, and an a cappella group.
I haven't blogged in a while, so allow me to just drop a few random thoughts your way to catch up.
I realize that both last year, and this year, I tend to blog heavily from Jan to June, and then Sept to Dec. Summer blogs are relatively light. And that's the time that I have the most free time to write. There's only one explanation for this... I tend to blog in order to avoid work.
My best guess is that the writers of this year's Emmy awards telecast were being satirical. Their point seemed to be that awards shows are really stupid, so let's amp up the stupid in order to illustrate how stupid it is. Stupid opening scene, Stupid banter, Stupid voice over announcements when winners go up, stupid stupid stupid! One highlight: Freak Bill Macy!
Don't Ask Don't Tell ended today. For my thoughts on this issue, click here.... Just let me add my thoughts from this morning. It hit me... there are ALREADY gays in the military and they have been closeted. So in other words, the troops that politicians have been praising, and supporting, include the gay ones. Being in favor of DADT, is to say, "I support the troops, they're true heroes, except for the gay ones."
Can I just mention something.... President Obama can only create government jobs. Business owners can create real jobs. Tax cuts to business owners are a nice incentive, but ultimately, jobs are created when there is a demand for a larger workforce. If you can run your business with 2 people, you don't need to hire a third. No business owner in history has ever said, "I got a nice tax break, which leaves me with all this extra money. Let's add a few staffers." More likely they'll celebrate the added profit by buying stuff, or pocketing the cash. Now, the opposite IS true: If business is losing money, and they can't afford to have so many employees, they may be forced to cut. But the only thing that will create more work, is... more work.
Why is it that whenever I hear the president speak lately, all I can think about is "The American President?" Particularly the final speech?
It's now three weeks into the new school year, and I keep feeling like it's December, and my students are way behind. Then I remind myself, it's only September, and we're on track.
Through my bullshit filter, all I hear from the Republicans complaining about the HPV vaccine is... "How DARE you protect my daughter from cancer? You can't make me help keep my daughter healthy! If I want to put my 12 year old daughter at risk of contracting a virus that has been known to cause cervical cancer, then the government can't make me do otherwise. I have every right to be stupid!"
Sunday, I played in a band with some friends for their son's 1st birthday. We did kid's songs, and many original pieces. Last night I watched "The Sing-off." Today, I want to start a children's group, a band, and an a cappella group.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)