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Busy weekend. Yesterday after a bit of group dancing and yoga, we discussed last week's theatrical presentation of the V Monologues. Some interesting points were raised, amongst them the degree to which political sensitivity/correctness is required in cultural presentations. This point was raised again later during a Cabaret/Concert put on to raise funds for the church. Lots of insane talent on display during that concert, by the way, albeit hardly surprising considering that we are in NYC.

At any rate - I rather liked the discussion we had during our theater group. Which was the fine line between "political correctness" and "authencity". Do we really want to suppress something just because it may offend or trigger someone? Doesn't that take something away from the art? Do we want to wash it clean so to speak? On the other hand, you don't want to further the stereotype or incite others.

I think it's tricky. And art is supposed to make you somewhat uncomfortable, right? If it doesn't, it's not memorable...

At any rate it was an interesting discussion. One I'm hesitant to engage in online - for various reasons, but mainly that I've simply lost my tolerance for online fights and nasty emails with people I have never met face-to-face.

Currently catching up on tv...but mainly, deleting tv shows that don't hold my interest, regardless of the reviews.

* Secrets and Lies - critically acclaimed, but I found it to be rather predictable and a weak copy of Broadchurch. I like Broadchurch better - it's actors are better, and the writing is quieter, more complex, and less melodramatic. And the detectives investigating the case far more interesting and realistic. American television tends to swing toward hyperbole and melodrama...I am however enjoying Broadchurch for the most part.

* On the fence regarding American Crime - I just don't know. Same with Sleepy Hollow - which has 7 episodes saved including the finale, I just can't get myself to watch, or Gotham or The 100 - which was getting a wee bit too bleak and violent for my taste. I think I may be losing my taste for violent, bleak and horrific television series?

* Seem to be losing interest in tv. Few shows hold my attention any longer. It's odd.
Was watching Marvel Agents of Shield and began to surf the net. Scandal? Ditto. Broadchurch actually held it the longest, and I was oddly compelled by Vampire Diaries...so maybe it is just the storyline? I've apparently grown weary of the murder mysteries, horror tales, and violent hyperbole that make up 80% of the television landscape. I like more emotional relationship stories at the moment. Don't know.

And oh besides a supermoon and an eclispe, we also had a violent solar flare storm that was disrupting electromagnetic fields across the earth disrupting various people's sleep patterns.

http://www.offgridquest.com/inspiration/other/severe-geomagnetic-storm-flares-causing-

Last week on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 the Sun blasted us with a direct hit from a powerful solar flare that wiped out a huge amount of radio communication, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Mike Wall of Space.com writes: “The Wednesday flare registered as an X2.2 sun storm on the scale used to measure solar tempests. Scientists classify strong solar flares into three categories: C, M and X, with C being the weakest, M being mid-level and X the strongest. X flares are 10 times more powerful than M flares. X2 and X3 flares are twice and three times as potent, respectively, as X1 flares.”

Which probably explains why I feel sleep deprived and achy this week. I'm super-sensitive to this stuff.

It is a pretty day though. Blue sky. Sun shining. A bit chilly, but not as cold as it has been. Snow is all gone...which I suppose is of the good, it being spring, technically speaking, and the trees are attempting to bloom.

Television Ramble - Then and Now

1. BTVS and ATS -- A Doylist Perspective. (I can't look at a television series or novel without thinking of the Doylist Perspective - its how I think. I'm a writer - I think about the process. What is involved, what influenced the writer, how that influenced the work. I honestly think Doylist and Watsonian are intertwined. To analyze without looking at both...lacks something.)

I don't have the links to the interviews - too frigging long ago. Most are gone. And this is sort of response to something I read online, which was reviewing the series mainly from a Watsonian perspective, but I thought being a bit harsh in regards to how the writers handled various characters - without taking into consideration various problems with producing and writing a television show. That said, and I need to make this clear - despite what you may think - it is not a direct response. I've read similar reviews of the series from this perspective elsewhere, and over and over and over again.
So please don't take it personally. It's just - lately, I've been involved with collaborations and stories on tv, in the theater, or the result of a collaboration are quite different than well one's that aren't. I think a lot of fans forget that, mainly because it lies outside of their experience? I don't know. Or they aren't as obsessed with process as I am. So, just sharing what I've learned about television production - in particular in regards to these two series.

( Read more... )

2. Am slowly weaning down my television shows....

I've basically cancelled from the DVR: Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead, How to Get Away with Murder, Arrow, Flash, Supernatural, Hart of Dixie, Forever, Constantine, Secrets and Lies, The Originals, Reign, Empire, Blackish, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fresh Off the Boat, the Odd Couple, Revenge, Battle Creek

I'm still watching: American Crime, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Vampire Diaries, The Good Wife, Once Upon a Time, Justified (great characters...I personally think this series is better written than Breaking Bad et al or the characters are more likable), Big Bang Theory, Broadchurch, iZombi (giving it a chance - it's more interesting than the Flash although it does remind me of The Flash), Marvels Agents of Shield, Gotham, Sleepy Hollow, The 100, Elementary, Nashville, General Hospital

Considering dumping The 100, Sleepy Hollow, Gotham, Marvel Agents of Shield and American Crime...because I can't seem to get myself in the mood to watch them without my attention wandering. Also, too many frigging television shows. I need to get rid of a few more. And no, I'm not dumping General Hospital - it's gotten interesting and my mother watches it.

* Once Upon a Time has gotten really clever. ( spoilers )

* Vampire Diaries has also gotten clever. ( spoilers )