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After a smattering of warm days, the air has turned crisp, even sort of cool in the apartment. Sitting here typing away in my old tattered blue law school sweatshirt and jeans after watching a batch of tv shows off DVR, which is currently taping the documentary Trek Nation along with Subrogatory and Revenge, as well as another episode of American Horror Story...which appears determined to do a riff off of every classic horror film ever made...I'm waiting for the Exorcist. (damn, that was a long sentence). The Exorcist by the way is a true classic, the scary bits are the ones without the gross special effects. But the suggestion. Good horror - is in the suggestion or anticipation.
TV...I watch it mostly to relax, distract and comfort myself - a sort of de-stresser after a tough and exhausting work day. A way to unwind. Which I'm guessing is not the reason people who are catching tv shows on the net, are watching? I mean if you are bothering to watch it on your lap-top, it needs to be at least halfway worth the effort. Otherwise why bother. I do think, however, that criticism is required. After all some of the people making these tv series are making what most of us would consider lottery winnings on a yearly basis. There's a reason for that though...and I'm being somewhat disingenuous saying otherwise. Acting, writing, producing, directing for television is not an easy gig. It's boring. It's stressful. It's long hours. Often working with people...who aren't very nice and make most normal work-place bullies look like pussycats in comparison. And well...let's not talk about the media publicity machine, the fans, the internet, the critics, etc...who pick you apart constantly and are part of the package. I honestly think half their pay is "hazard" pay.
Tonight watched The Walking Dead and The Hart of Dixie (pilot). Of the two, found Hart of Dixie more entertaining. I'd watched a random episode last week and was a bit surprised by it. It does improve from the pilot. Reminds a little of Northern Exposure with the quirky characters. And I like the strong female casting.
Jobeth Williams (who is unrecognizable) and Nancy Travis were in the pilot. Also, a plus, ethnic casting. It's not all white. Thank god.
I don't recommend it to the folks overseas watching stuff via the net, it's not worth the time and effort. Just annoy you. But if you have a DVR, a tv, and like a show you can dip into, is not violent, has some nice characters, and is hopeful...but not deep and doesn't require you to think? Check this baby out. In some respects I think it has more potential than Secret Circle - less angsty and soapy, with a bit more quirkiness.
On to The Walking Dead - well this episode didn't go exactly the way I expected. It did surprise me in places, but in part because certain characters actions made no sense. I did however like one or two things about it. And the last five to ten minutes were possibly the best of this season, since the highway scene at the start. Although I can't say I was surprised by who died, finally. And I'm admittedly surprised that people who watch tv on their lap-tops have stuck with this show as long as they have...I'd think it would start annoying you at some point. Again too much effort for too little return. See? I don't have to work hard to watch tv shows. I just flip them on. And on a 32 inch screen that is controlled by a remote.
So, I tend to be more forgiving of brainless tv shows...than most people, because hello - that's what I'm expecting and hunting when I flip on the set. Always half surprised when it's not.
( spoilers for The Walking Dead )
*As an aside? I peeked at the preview pages for the 4th issue of Buffy S9 comics out of curiousity, and...the first thing that popped into my head was: "Damn, they ARE going to turn Spike human!" (Time was, I'd care. But I can't see them doing the story I'd want. No one has done the Spike as human tale that'd I want.)
TV...I watch it mostly to relax, distract and comfort myself - a sort of de-stresser after a tough and exhausting work day. A way to unwind. Which I'm guessing is not the reason people who are catching tv shows on the net, are watching? I mean if you are bothering to watch it on your lap-top, it needs to be at least halfway worth the effort. Otherwise why bother. I do think, however, that criticism is required. After all some of the people making these tv series are making what most of us would consider lottery winnings on a yearly basis. There's a reason for that though...and I'm being somewhat disingenuous saying otherwise. Acting, writing, producing, directing for television is not an easy gig. It's boring. It's stressful. It's long hours. Often working with people...who aren't very nice and make most normal work-place bullies look like pussycats in comparison. And well...let's not talk about the media publicity machine, the fans, the internet, the critics, etc...who pick you apart constantly and are part of the package. I honestly think half their pay is "hazard" pay.
Tonight watched The Walking Dead and The Hart of Dixie (pilot). Of the two, found Hart of Dixie more entertaining. I'd watched a random episode last week and was a bit surprised by it. It does improve from the pilot. Reminds a little of Northern Exposure with the quirky characters. And I like the strong female casting.
Jobeth Williams (who is unrecognizable) and Nancy Travis were in the pilot. Also, a plus, ethnic casting. It's not all white. Thank god.
I don't recommend it to the folks overseas watching stuff via the net, it's not worth the time and effort. Just annoy you. But if you have a DVR, a tv, and like a show you can dip into, is not violent, has some nice characters, and is hopeful...but not deep and doesn't require you to think? Check this baby out. In some respects I think it has more potential than Secret Circle - less angsty and soapy, with a bit more quirkiness.
On to The Walking Dead - well this episode didn't go exactly the way I expected. It did surprise me in places, but in part because certain characters actions made no sense. I did however like one or two things about it. And the last five to ten minutes were possibly the best of this season, since the highway scene at the start. Although I can't say I was surprised by who died, finally. And I'm admittedly surprised that people who watch tv on their lap-tops have stuck with this show as long as they have...I'd think it would start annoying you at some point. Again too much effort for too little return. See? I don't have to work hard to watch tv shows. I just flip them on. And on a 32 inch screen that is controlled by a remote.
So, I tend to be more forgiving of brainless tv shows...than most people, because hello - that's what I'm expecting and hunting when I flip on the set. Always half surprised when it's not.
( spoilers for The Walking Dead )
*As an aside? I peeked at the preview pages for the 4th issue of Buffy S9 comics out of curiousity, and...the first thing that popped into my head was: "Damn, they ARE going to turn Spike human!" (Time was, I'd care. But I can't see them doing the story I'd want. No one has done the Spike as human tale that'd I want.)