Unfortunately the site was inundated with comment spam this morning, so I had to turn on word verificaton. I hope I don't have to make it necessary to register, but that is the next step if necessary.
For those still wondering, Faze and I are still trying to work out a schedule where we have enough time to do the show. It takes much longer to do than the actual recording time, between technical issues, editing, and even deciding on talking points. I had hoped to be in a groove by now with the show, but obviously we are not. For the time being, the blog will be at full flow, and if Faze and I can't get something together by the end of next week, I will radically change the format that you lucky few have heard so that this will no longer be a problem. It is a must to have this going, in some form or another, for the new fall season.
Finally, by reading the fall preview posts below, you can get an idea of what shows we will be covering. In our greatness, sometimes a show slips between the cracks and we may never hear of it. I am going to beg now..suggest some television that you haven't heard about on here, because not only am I looking to make this the all encompassing TV nerd site, I love good TV. Think we should include Battlestar Galactica or ER? Let me have it. Leave a comment, or send an email to whattowatch at gmail dot com. This is for tv nerds by tv nerds, and if you think we are making a glaring omission, or a bad inclusion, let us know.
Arrested Development MIA from Fox's Jan Schedule?
An astute chewer has noticed that on Fox's 06 schedule, Arrested Development's slot is overtaken by House MD, and AD is nowhere to be found. Since Arrested was picked up for a full season, basic math tells us that only about half of the season will have aired by then, so what gives? Have we been screwed after all? Not bloody likely..I'd be willing to bet a nut that Bones won't be on the air come that time, and im a little less confident, but still rather sure that Reunion won't either. Thats not even getting into their new sitcoms. For all of those shows to last on a network famous for not giving too long a chance to anyone would be batshit. Fox is in good hands with Liguori, so don't worry your bananagrabber just yet.
Prison Break Ratings
The first new show that we're rooting for, Fox's excellent Prison Break has nailed some pretty damn good ratings, according to this Futon Critic article. Here Here! Word of mouth should be pretty good, so we may be in luck with this gem.
If you didn't catch it, or didn't catch the whole thing, they are re-airing the premiere on Thursday at 8. Don't miss out on the ground floor of what is likely to be the best new drama this year.
If you didn't catch it, or didn't catch the whole thing, they are re-airing the premiere on Thursday at 8. Don't miss out on the ground floor of what is likely to be the best new drama this year.
New Fall TV: RUNDOWN
A rundown of the new shows of interest.
Thursday, September 8:
Reunion (FOX)-- The premise of this show is enough to overcome some "guilty pleasure" buzz and a pretty awful cast. This one could go either way, but I think odds are against. Even if it would succeed, the very premise of the show will shoot it in it's foot eventually. Do check it out.
RATING: WATCH
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: Considering Fox's history and how they are pushing this show, not a chance. That's not even getting into it's god awful time slot.
Tuesday, September 13:
Bones (FOX) -- The premise here is pretty awful, the buzz is pretty bleh, and all the cast has going for it is the cred of Boreanez. This looks like a run of the mill procedeural.
RATING: PASS
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: No way.
Supernatural (WB) -- Odd network, but buzz on this one is relatively good. No cred, and the premise is OK. Could go either way. Bad time slot.
RATING: WATCH
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: Well, on the WB, ratings that would get a show canned on day one could be the top rated show, so this one has more of a shot than it would at say....FOX...but I still say the chances are pretty low. Look for this one to be that annual show that garners a cult following followed by a failed effort to save it.
Wednesday, September 14:
Head Cases (FOX) -- It's unclear whether this one has a laugh track or not. The premise is pretty awful, but the cast might just pull this one together, and the buzz is actually pretty good. Give it a shot.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Probably not. I would be surprised if this caught on.
Monday, September 19:
Surface (NBC) -- The first of the Lost clones out of the gate has garnered some pretty bad buzz and a rediculous premise. Out of solidarity for the genre, I will say you should record this one, but DO NOT watch it over some of the other stuff on that night.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: This one just doesn't look to have the quality to pick up a huge following, and as such will likely not last.
Kitchen Confidential (FOX) -- The only new show sandwiched between two shows that have received our highest honor. If you are a Stealing Cableite, you'll catch this one anyway. The premise is incredibly stupid, but this is a case where the cast and potential outweigh it. Featuring players from Abrams, Whedon, and Apatow, this is a tv nerd's wet dream cast. You'll watch, you'll be disappointed, but the buzz says this one has plenty of potential.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Possibly, considering the shows surrounding it.
How I met your Mother (CBS) -- Decent buzz, cult cast rivaling Kitchen Confidential, but it still looks like a run of the mill sitcom. If you have the resources to watch both this and Kitchen, go ahead. If not, go with Kitchen.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Doubtful.
Tuesday September 20
My Name is Earl: The most positively buzzed new comedy of the season along with Jason Lee equals an automatic recommendation from me, even if the premise seems a bit stupid.
RATING: WATCH FOR SURE
PICKED UP: Look for Arrested Development syndrome here. I hope not, but I don't see this catching on if it is as good as buzz has been.
Wednesday, September 21
Threshold: The second Lost clone has just as bad a premise, but a much better cast and better production values. Again out of genre solidarity, I'll say watch it.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Considering the push this gets and relatively good time slot, anything's possible.
Thursday, September 22
Everybody Hates Chris(UPN)-- Buzz only behind "Earl," this one looks good, and actually has a decent premise. Chris Rock's wonder years, works for me.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Upn at this point needs the cred, I think this one will stick around.
Sunday, September 25
Extras (HBO) -- I have no idea what this is about and it doesn't matter. Any show on HBO will automatically get a watch rating.
Thursday, September 29
Night Stalker (ABC) -- A great premise with negative to mediocore buzz and cast. Give the pilot a watch.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Considering it's lead in, natch.
Thursday, September 8:
Reunion (FOX)-- The premise of this show is enough to overcome some "guilty pleasure" buzz and a pretty awful cast. This one could go either way, but I think odds are against. Even if it would succeed, the very premise of the show will shoot it in it's foot eventually. Do check it out.
RATING: WATCH
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: Considering Fox's history and how they are pushing this show, not a chance. That's not even getting into it's god awful time slot.
Tuesday, September 13:
Bones (FOX) -- The premise here is pretty awful, the buzz is pretty bleh, and all the cast has going for it is the cred of Boreanez. This looks like a run of the mill procedeural.
RATING: PASS
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: No way.
Supernatural (WB) -- Odd network, but buzz on this one is relatively good. No cred, and the premise is OK. Could go either way. Bad time slot.
RATING: WATCH
LIKELY TO FINISH SEASON: Well, on the WB, ratings that would get a show canned on day one could be the top rated show, so this one has more of a shot than it would at say....FOX...but I still say the chances are pretty low. Look for this one to be that annual show that garners a cult following followed by a failed effort to save it.
Wednesday, September 14:
Head Cases (FOX) -- It's unclear whether this one has a laugh track or not. The premise is pretty awful, but the cast might just pull this one together, and the buzz is actually pretty good. Give it a shot.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Probably not. I would be surprised if this caught on.
Monday, September 19:
Surface (NBC) -- The first of the Lost clones out of the gate has garnered some pretty bad buzz and a rediculous premise. Out of solidarity for the genre, I will say you should record this one, but DO NOT watch it over some of the other stuff on that night.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: This one just doesn't look to have the quality to pick up a huge following, and as such will likely not last.
Kitchen Confidential (FOX) -- The only new show sandwiched between two shows that have received our highest honor. If you are a Stealing Cableite, you'll catch this one anyway. The premise is incredibly stupid, but this is a case where the cast and potential outweigh it. Featuring players from Abrams, Whedon, and Apatow, this is a tv nerd's wet dream cast. You'll watch, you'll be disappointed, but the buzz says this one has plenty of potential.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Possibly, considering the shows surrounding it.
How I met your Mother (CBS) -- Decent buzz, cult cast rivaling Kitchen Confidential, but it still looks like a run of the mill sitcom. If you have the resources to watch both this and Kitchen, go ahead. If not, go with Kitchen.
RATING: WATCH
PICKED UP: Doubtful.
Tuesday September 20
My Name is Earl: The most positively buzzed new comedy of the season along with Jason Lee equals an automatic recommendation from me, even if the premise seems a bit stupid.
RATING: WATCH FOR SURE
PICKED UP: Look for Arrested Development syndrome here. I hope not, but I don't see this catching on if it is as good as buzz has been.
Wednesday, September 21
Threshold: The second Lost clone has just as bad a premise, but a much better cast and better production values. Again out of genre solidarity, I'll say watch it.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Considering the push this gets and relatively good time slot, anything's possible.
Thursday, September 22
Everybody Hates Chris(UPN)-- Buzz only behind "Earl," this one looks good, and actually has a decent premise. Chris Rock's wonder years, works for me.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Upn at this point needs the cred, I think this one will stick around.
Sunday, September 25
Extras (HBO) -- I have no idea what this is about and it doesn't matter. Any show on HBO will automatically get a watch rating.
Thursday, September 29
Night Stalker (ABC) -- A great premise with negative to mediocore buzz and cast. Give the pilot a watch.
RATING: Watch
PICKED UP: Considering it's lead in, natch.
Fall 2005 ratings system
For the new season, Stealing Cable will be using a new ratings system for shows in addition to the #/5. Must see, top of the line shows are "One to Watch" This is truely the cream of the crop, and what you should be checking out if you are only watch a little TV.
Next, the moderate rating of "OKTV" is a good, SC approved show. Shows rated OKTV are not necessarily the best in their time slot, but at least warrant a TIVO. Bottom line, if you are looking for more tv to watch and already tune in religiously to the top of the line shows, check these out.
Finally, the rating of "Cancelled" is usually garbage, and shouldn't be tuned in by anyone without a need for inflicting pain on one's self. Shows that would already be cancelled, eg Will and Grace, will not be covered, so you will see this rating exclusively for new shows.
For new shows that we haven't yet seen, a provisional rating of Watch or Pass will be assigned, based on show cred, premise, and buzz alone. Be aware that these ratings are the most likely to change wildly, as quite a few new shows could go either way in spite of all of my ratings criteria. For example, I would have passed on what went on to become my favorite show of last season, Veronica Mars. Take these ratings with a grain of salt until I actually check the show out.
Here is a current list, updated as the pilots begin to roll out:
ONES TO WATCH
MONDAY: Arrested Development, Prison Break, 24
TUESDAY: Nip/Tuck, House
WEDNESDAY: God help you in the 9:00 hour: Veronica Mars, Lost
THURSDAY: Scrubs
FRIDAY/SATURDAY: No shows earn the top rating
SUNDAY: Family Guy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Desperate Housewives, various adult swim shows
OKTV
MONDAY: Las Vegas, CSI:Miami
TUESDAY: Office
WEDNESDAY: CSI: NY
THURSDAY: Alias, CSI, Without a Trace
FRIDAY: Numb3rs
SUNDAY: Simpsons, Cold Case, West Wing, Grey's Anatomy
observations: Two of the OKTV shows would have in the past been up at the top..bet you can't guess which. Looks like Sunday night is the most good tv, Wednesday is the most crowded, and FOX owns Monday night. Check the next post for an outlook on new shows.
Next, the moderate rating of "OKTV" is a good, SC approved show. Shows rated OKTV are not necessarily the best in their time slot, but at least warrant a TIVO. Bottom line, if you are looking for more tv to watch and already tune in religiously to the top of the line shows, check these out.
Finally, the rating of "Cancelled" is usually garbage, and shouldn't be tuned in by anyone without a need for inflicting pain on one's self. Shows that would already be cancelled, eg Will and Grace, will not be covered, so you will see this rating exclusively for new shows.
For new shows that we haven't yet seen, a provisional rating of Watch or Pass will be assigned, based on show cred, premise, and buzz alone. Be aware that these ratings are the most likely to change wildly, as quite a few new shows could go either way in spite of all of my ratings criteria. For example, I would have passed on what went on to become my favorite show of last season, Veronica Mars. Take these ratings with a grain of salt until I actually check the show out.
Here is a current list, updated as the pilots begin to roll out:
ONES TO WATCH
MONDAY: Arrested Development, Prison Break, 24
TUESDAY: Nip/Tuck, House
WEDNESDAY: God help you in the 9:00 hour: Veronica Mars, Lost
THURSDAY: Scrubs
FRIDAY/SATURDAY: No shows earn the top rating
SUNDAY: Family Guy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Desperate Housewives, various adult swim shows
OKTV
MONDAY: Las Vegas, CSI:Miami
TUESDAY: Office
WEDNESDAY: CSI: NY
THURSDAY: Alias, CSI, Without a Trace
FRIDAY: Numb3rs
SUNDAY: Simpsons, Cold Case, West Wing, Grey's Anatomy
observations: Two of the OKTV shows would have in the past been up at the top..bet you can't guess which. Looks like Sunday night is the most good tv, Wednesday is the most crowded, and FOX owns Monday night. Check the next post for an outlook on new shows.
Prison Break: Reviewed!
Folks, this was by far my most anticipated new drama for this season, and by dammit, fall 2005 is off to a good start.
Prison Break, in spite of it's convoluted premise and sometimes large leaps in logic, is one highly entertaining show, and one that is in the same league as class of 2k faves 24, The Shield, and Alias. Great pace and well written, I will be hooked on this one. 4.5/5.
Usually I'd go into more detail, but I'll just say that it's better not to spoil anything. If you missed it, watch the encore on Fox Thursday night at 8.
Prison Break, in spite of it's convoluted premise and sometimes large leaps in logic, is one highly entertaining show, and one that is in the same league as class of 2k faves 24, The Shield, and Alias. Great pace and well written, I will be hooked on this one. 4.5/5.
Usually I'd go into more detail, but I'll just say that it's better not to spoil anything. If you missed it, watch the encore on Fox Thursday night at 8.
Fall Season Countdown
Just a reminder that the Fall TV season officially kicks off in 6 days with Stealing Cable's most anticipated new show, Fox's Prison Break. Don't forget to check it out Monday at 8. There will be ample opportunity to see this one, I believe that it is being shown twice more, but let's show a good genre show some support out of the gate and get this one some love.
FX News
In a sign that FX has pulled it's head out of it's two week ass retreat, Aint it cool news is reporting that Rescue Me has been renewed for a third season that will begin shooting early next year, possibly meaning a pre summer run for the show. In other Rescue Me news, Diane Farr (the female fire-fighter) will be leaving the show to join the cast of CBS' kinda weak CSI with a small twist Numb3rs.
On the flipside of that coin, struggling FX (but not FX worthy) comedies Starved and It's always sunny... have been re-shuffled. Starved will go back to it's original thursday time slot, and Sunny will move to directly after Rescue Me. Unfortunately I think that is a sign that they have more resources devoted to Sunny, by giving it the better lead in, and thus returning Starved, the (slightly) better show, to where it suffered the most. I doubt either show will finish it's season run. Hopefully FX's next comedy will learn from those mistakes.
On the flipside of that coin, struggling FX (but not FX worthy) comedies Starved and It's always sunny... have been re-shuffled. Starved will go back to it's original thursday time slot, and Sunny will move to directly after Rescue Me. Unfortunately I think that is a sign that they have more resources devoted to Sunny, by giving it the better lead in, and thus returning Starved, the (slightly) better show, to where it suffered the most. I doubt either show will finish it's season run. Hopefully FX's next comedy will learn from those mistakes.
Channel Surfing: Random Updates
Well, since my colleagues on this site have been busy (and I have not), I thought I'd chime in with some recent thoughts about television. For those who don't know (or who care), I'm currently working as an Outdoor Education Instructor at a camp in Northeastern Ohio. Phone access is scarse, but technology is not, and thus, I'll be able to watch TV on DVD with some regularity.
Speaking of which, a pet peeve of mine when it comes to TV on DVD sets is the lack of a "play all" feature. Some of us don't have remotes to our DVD players, and thus, are only able to watch one episode at a time. Warners is very good at always including the "play all" feature.
MGM? Not so much. The reason I bring them up is because I bought the second season of "Dead Like Me" last Saturday and have only been able to watch one episode of it. This show, about grim reapers, got cancelled by Showtime last season, so watching these episodes is going to be bittersweet. But the show's so good that I don't mind.
A few posts ago, I talked about how there are certain topics in our culture where if you go too far, you've turned something potentially funny into something incredibly offensive. While "Six Feet Under" did this with ease, they were a drama with occasional bits of humor. "Dead Like Me" is very different in that it jumps back and forth. For example, in the first episode, I found myself laughing out loud at one character's comments who had me screaming "No!" later in the show. For a rather morbid show, this has heart to spare. And Mandy Patikin, as the lead reaper, just kicks ass. In an ideal world, he'd have gotten some kind of award recognition for this.
Before I left home, I was watching "House" on DVD. It comes out pretty soon, and even if you haven't seen the show, I recommend picking it up. I only got through half the season before I had to leave, but this is one of those shows where the lead character pretty much carries the entire show on his back. The plots are rote and you know it'll probally all work out, but that's not why you watch. Hugh Laurie just astounded me, from his flawless American accent to, again, his ability to turn on a dime. I'm actually now rooting for him over another one of my favorites, Ian McShane, on Emmy Night.
There's a great line that Tom Shales used to describe "Homicide" (which I think I quoted before), where he said, "No matter what was going on in the episode, Andre Braugher was sure to be fascinating." And I think in the case of both "Dead Like Me" and "House," you can expect the same from Patinkin and Laurie.
Finally, I recently picked up a few Broadway show soundtracks on a recent trip to Borders. My interest in Broadway is something that's only developed over the past year or so, and much of it came after watching a marathon of PBS' "Broadway: The American Musical" documentary. This is only the most recent example of how television has enriched my life in ways beyond giving me something to do on a Saturday night. I think if we look back at our childhoods and our adulthoods, we can find that TV's introduced us to something we carry forever, whether it's a love of history from "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," or the joy of public service found in "The West Wing." Those are just a few of mine--what are yours?
(And, of course, how to kill vampires from "Buffy.")
Speaking of which, a pet peeve of mine when it comes to TV on DVD sets is the lack of a "play all" feature. Some of us don't have remotes to our DVD players, and thus, are only able to watch one episode at a time. Warners is very good at always including the "play all" feature.
MGM? Not so much. The reason I bring them up is because I bought the second season of "Dead Like Me" last Saturday and have only been able to watch one episode of it. This show, about grim reapers, got cancelled by Showtime last season, so watching these episodes is going to be bittersweet. But the show's so good that I don't mind.
A few posts ago, I talked about how there are certain topics in our culture where if you go too far, you've turned something potentially funny into something incredibly offensive. While "Six Feet Under" did this with ease, they were a drama with occasional bits of humor. "Dead Like Me" is very different in that it jumps back and forth. For example, in the first episode, I found myself laughing out loud at one character's comments who had me screaming "No!" later in the show. For a rather morbid show, this has heart to spare. And Mandy Patikin, as the lead reaper, just kicks ass. In an ideal world, he'd have gotten some kind of award recognition for this.
Before I left home, I was watching "House" on DVD. It comes out pretty soon, and even if you haven't seen the show, I recommend picking it up. I only got through half the season before I had to leave, but this is one of those shows where the lead character pretty much carries the entire show on his back. The plots are rote and you know it'll probally all work out, but that's not why you watch. Hugh Laurie just astounded me, from his flawless American accent to, again, his ability to turn on a dime. I'm actually now rooting for him over another one of my favorites, Ian McShane, on Emmy Night.
There's a great line that Tom Shales used to describe "Homicide" (which I think I quoted before), where he said, "No matter what was going on in the episode, Andre Braugher was sure to be fascinating." And I think in the case of both "Dead Like Me" and "House," you can expect the same from Patinkin and Laurie.
Finally, I recently picked up a few Broadway show soundtracks on a recent trip to Borders. My interest in Broadway is something that's only developed over the past year or so, and much of it came after watching a marathon of PBS' "Broadway: The American Musical" documentary. This is only the most recent example of how television has enriched my life in ways beyond giving me something to do on a Saturday night. I think if we look back at our childhoods and our adulthoods, we can find that TV's introduced us to something we carry forever, whether it's a love of history from "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," or the joy of public service found in "The West Wing." Those are just a few of mine--what are yours?
(And, of course, how to kill vampires from "Buffy.")
TV on DVD this week
In my bag today:
Undeclared: The complete series
Profit: The complete series
The Job: The Complete series
You may notice something tying those three together.
For the record, I watched the pilot of Undeclared when it first aired on Fox. I loved it. Back in these less geeky times, TiVo was a pipe dream, and I was too lazy to use a VCR, so I wasn't able to keep up with it. By the time I tried to watch again, the show was no more, and I never expected to hear of it again. Guys, this show is one of the best sitcoms of all time, right underneath Arrested Development and Scrubs. Not quite as dramatic as it's big brother, the also wonderful and short lived "Freaks and Geeks," but not quite the balls out comedy as one certain Jason Bateman sitcom, this one manages to walk the line and do it well. Writing is on, acting is on, and goddammit this is funny stuff. Go buy it, sight unseen. You'll thank me in the morning.
Profit is a show that I do not remember at all. I have never seen it before, and only picked it up based on one of my favorite cancelled shows of last season, John McNamara's "Eyes". This is his critically acclaimed show from the mid 90s. I'll give a review once I get into it.
Again with The Job, I have not seen a single second of it, nor do I remember it being on air. That said, this shows kid brother, Rescue Me, is undeniably one of the best shows on television, and the similar cast and premise had me looking at this one since the day it appeared on dvd shelves.
Finally, one I didn't buy but I know is popular with some folks, a show called the Simpsons released it's sixth season, marking halfway through the golden age of the show. While I didn't pick this one up (for reasons you will hopefully hear on a future Stealing Cable podcast), I can't give enough props to fox for not only giving us a cool case (the set comes in a plastic mold of Homer's head), but catering to the "I need all my dvd boxes to look nice beside each other" crowd by offering a replacement case that looks just like the previous five seasons for free! This gesture shows that even though the show is always going to be a sure fire hit on DVD, they don't forget about the collector. Unlike those certain retailers where finding a title in widescreen is a chore, Fox is trying to keep it real. Thanks.
One final bit: Getting Faze and I online together long enough to do a full podcast has been even more of a chore than I could have ever imagined. We are trying our best to get out a premiere in timely fashion, but I may have something up my sleeve to tide you over.
Undeclared: The complete series
Profit: The complete series
The Job: The Complete series
You may notice something tying those three together.
For the record, I watched the pilot of Undeclared when it first aired on Fox. I loved it. Back in these less geeky times, TiVo was a pipe dream, and I was too lazy to use a VCR, so I wasn't able to keep up with it. By the time I tried to watch again, the show was no more, and I never expected to hear of it again. Guys, this show is one of the best sitcoms of all time, right underneath Arrested Development and Scrubs. Not quite as dramatic as it's big brother, the also wonderful and short lived "Freaks and Geeks," but not quite the balls out comedy as one certain Jason Bateman sitcom, this one manages to walk the line and do it well. Writing is on, acting is on, and goddammit this is funny stuff. Go buy it, sight unseen. You'll thank me in the morning.
Profit is a show that I do not remember at all. I have never seen it before, and only picked it up based on one of my favorite cancelled shows of last season, John McNamara's "Eyes". This is his critically acclaimed show from the mid 90s. I'll give a review once I get into it.
Again with The Job, I have not seen a single second of it, nor do I remember it being on air. That said, this shows kid brother, Rescue Me, is undeniably one of the best shows on television, and the similar cast and premise had me looking at this one since the day it appeared on dvd shelves.
Finally, one I didn't buy but I know is popular with some folks, a show called the Simpsons released it's sixth season, marking halfway through the golden age of the show. While I didn't pick this one up (for reasons you will hopefully hear on a future Stealing Cable podcast), I can't give enough props to fox for not only giving us a cool case (the set comes in a plastic mold of Homer's head), but catering to the "I need all my dvd boxes to look nice beside each other" crowd by offering a replacement case that looks just like the previous five seasons for free! This gesture shows that even though the show is always going to be a sure fire hit on DVD, they don't forget about the collector. Unlike those certain retailers where finding a title in widescreen is a chore, Fox is trying to keep it real. Thanks.
One final bit: Getting Faze and I online together long enough to do a full podcast has been even more of a chore than I could have ever imagined. We are trying our best to get out a premiere in timely fashion, but I may have something up my sleeve to tide you over.
The FX comedies revisited
Starved: Not so much a complete turnaround, but I will keep watching. Episode 2 has the show with it's feet a little more on the ground, not so much concerned with shocking the viewer. With that breathing room, we now have filled that sympathy void, and given these characters a little more personality (except the black cop for some reason). I'm going to, based on this move in the right direction, give the show it's entire season run as a chance. I encourage you to check it out too.
Philly: Forget this garbage.
Philly: Forget this garbage.
The FX Comedies: A review
FX, from the beginnings of the Shield to it's more recent shows 30 Days and Over There, has challenged HBO for the golden standard of television. Every show that they have put out has been incredible. Watching the last few episodes of the Shield and the first half of Rescue me, I was inundated with advertisements for two new FX shows: Starved, and It's always Sunny in Philadelphia. The ads left me no idea of the content of the shows, other than they appeared to be laugh track-less comedies. Great, I thought, Arrested Development and Scrubs could use some company to fend off the ever growing ward of crap on network tv. One problem though: The ads weren't very interesting, and I probably wouldn't have even bothered to watch had this not come from FX.
Last Thursday night, I got home from work and was excited to see the shows on my DVR. What happened from there, I had hoped to never remember, and put into print only to warn you, the loyal reader.
Starved is a laugh-track less sitcom revolving around three guys and a girl, friends with one common strand, eating disorders. The premise actually has a good deal of potential, depending on the direction they take. This could have lead to something like scrubs: great comedy mixed with moving drama. Not so much, as this show goes out of its way to make all four main characters unlikable. From the police officer who pulls over an Asian food delivery man and solicits a bribe for food, to the main character who eats detergent covered cupcakes out of his trash and has sociopathic traits in his dating. These four are an unsympathetic bunch, and as such, there is just no feeling in the sappy music wrap up at the end. Of the two, however, this is the one with all the potential. The writing is better, and the jokes are on a higher level. As for the whole eating disorder controversy, the jury is out as to whether this is a gimmick that goes out of it's way to be disturbing, or it can truely work in the show. One thing for sure, the groups up in arms about this are giving it more publicity than it's worth. 2/5, with a hope that this one picks itself up.
It's always sunny.., the more balls out comedy, the more (they wish) Arrested Development to Stacked's Scrubs, is pure garbage. The only thing that this one has going for it is the lack of laugh track, but it could be on there and not make a difference. The writing is weak, relying on copious amounts of exposition to give the characters...character. The jokes are of the ultra-contrived, see them coming a mile away variety, making must see tv look like Arrested Development in the process. The no name actors look as if they are reading cue cards, and worst of all, the pilot is the most derivative crap I have ever seen. There is not one new strand of anything here, it's all recycled garbage. 0/5, and those responsible should be shot. I want that 22 minutes back. At least the show is tanking in ratings and will likely be Mineared shortly.
All in all, FX, WTF? I know HBO hasn't exactly been golden with the Comeback and Deadwood lately, but at least those shows aren't complete ass like Philly, or utter failures like Starved. Liguori, you are already missed. Hopefully you'll bring FOX up to the standard that you set, in the Pre-Comedy era of FX.
Last Thursday night, I got home from work and was excited to see the shows on my DVR. What happened from there, I had hoped to never remember, and put into print only to warn you, the loyal reader.
Starved is a laugh-track less sitcom revolving around three guys and a girl, friends with one common strand, eating disorders. The premise actually has a good deal of potential, depending on the direction they take. This could have lead to something like scrubs: great comedy mixed with moving drama. Not so much, as this show goes out of its way to make all four main characters unlikable. From the police officer who pulls over an Asian food delivery man and solicits a bribe for food, to the main character who eats detergent covered cupcakes out of his trash and has sociopathic traits in his dating. These four are an unsympathetic bunch, and as such, there is just no feeling in the sappy music wrap up at the end. Of the two, however, this is the one with all the potential. The writing is better, and the jokes are on a higher level. As for the whole eating disorder controversy, the jury is out as to whether this is a gimmick that goes out of it's way to be disturbing, or it can truely work in the show. One thing for sure, the groups up in arms about this are giving it more publicity than it's worth. 2/5, with a hope that this one picks itself up.
It's always sunny.., the more balls out comedy, the more (they wish) Arrested Development to Stacked's Scrubs, is pure garbage. The only thing that this one has going for it is the lack of laugh track, but it could be on there and not make a difference. The writing is weak, relying on copious amounts of exposition to give the characters...character. The jokes are of the ultra-contrived, see them coming a mile away variety, making must see tv look like Arrested Development in the process. The no name actors look as if they are reading cue cards, and worst of all, the pilot is the most derivative crap I have ever seen. There is not one new strand of anything here, it's all recycled garbage. 0/5, and those responsible should be shot. I want that 22 minutes back. At least the show is tanking in ratings and will likely be Mineared shortly.
All in all, FX, WTF? I know HBO hasn't exactly been golden with the Comeback and Deadwood lately, but at least those shows aren't complete ass like Philly, or utter failures like Starved. Liguori, you are already missed. Hopefully you'll bring FOX up to the standard that you set, in the Pre-Comedy era of FX.
Hosting Confirmed
Those wondering where the hell we've been, I'm back with some news: hosting for the show has been confirmed. That said, we are not going to release the first show. It did it's job as something of a pilot run, and it did get us hosting, but we are going to take the feedback and amp up what worked, and cut what didn't for a all new first show, which should be in your itunes playlist in a few short days. Thanks for sticking around.
On the new first show, we will be covering:
The FX Comedies Starved and Sunny...Philadelphia. A hint? FX dropped the ball bigtime.
The top 5 new shows to watch for the fall season
and more. Check soon for all the info.
Finally, if anyone would like to hear the unaired pilot for our show, shoot us a message. I'm not comfortable giving it a full release just because now it's pretty dated, but if you are interested in hearing what you'll be in for and can't wait for the real premiere, I'll throw you a bone.
On the new first show, we will be covering:
The FX Comedies Starved and Sunny...Philadelphia. A hint? FX dropped the ball bigtime.
The top 5 new shows to watch for the fall season
and more. Check soon for all the info.
Finally, if anyone would like to hear the unaired pilot for our show, shoot us a message. I'm not comfortable giving it a full release just because now it's pretty dated, but if you are interested in hearing what you'll be in for and can't wait for the real premiere, I'll throw you a bone.
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