TV Slut Report...
Nov. 14th, 2006 07:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatStill gloomy, although got a shot of sunshine through the clouds which cheered me. Such a sunshine whore.
Also apparently a Television Whore. Been reading a fascinating article in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Film Comment published by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The article is written by Paul Schrader and is entitled Cannon Fodder: as the sun finally sets on the century of cinema, by what criteria do we determine its masterworks?. Schrader is a film critic, film producer, and screenwriter of such works as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, American Giglio, Bringing out the Dead and The Last Temptation of Christ. Anyhow he says a couple of interesting things in the preface, haven't read the whole thing yet, first is defining canon- "What is a canon? It is, by definition, based on criteria that transcend taste, personal and popular." To figure it out, he goes back to school and takes courses on the history of Aesthetics and the history of film Aesthetics - because to develop a canon, one must study the history of the thing. The reason he even considers trying it or the model that motivated him is Harold Bloom's 1994 bestseller The Western Canon of literature. And states how unlike the literary canon, film has another hurdle, "Film is not literature, of course, and the issues involved, though similar, are not the same. The greatest difference is there is still a debate about whether motion pictures are art at all."
Well, if people feel that way about film? All the more so about TV. You don't see anyone even contemplating a Television Canon of Great Works. Would seem silly. And people love nothing better than to pick at TV. Yet, I think as a method of personal expression, Television may be overtaking film and to an extent written words - partly due to the internet. The two appear to be almost married at the moment - TV shows popping up on the net, websodes possible to play on the TV screen, YouTube, people downloading screenshots from tv shows, fanfic based on tv shows and of course, itunes and ipod downloads. People can watch films on their tv sets. Order books via the internet and download text. And...here's the thing about TV that neither books nor movies provide - interaction. People can interact with the tv show right now via the internet, a cell-phone or a remote control. They can plan when to watch what they want, get rid of commericials, vote off characters, provide feedback to tv show-runners, chat with authors of the shows online, analyze/discuss each episode right after it airs, and create by-products such as "icons".
I state all this as more or less a prelude, not quite a defense of my own tv sluttage. That and I've been enjoying tv lately more than the movies and books I've been reading or watching. Makes entertaining background noise. Plus, stress gives me a short attention span, don't know why. (those last three words were rhetorical and sarcastic by the way, stress also apparently brings out the sarcasm in me, while depression brings out the poetry. Quite odd.).
So what the heck am I watching? Ah...
1. Sunday: usually watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, but this Sunday opted for Helen Mirren's last appearance as Jane Tennyson on Prime Suspect - entitled Prime Suspect:Final Curtain. Wasn't quite as good as her earlier ones, but did remain focused on the character. And it had the satisfying reappearance of Sgt. Bill Ottly, who had once been Jane's nemesis, and now had become a trusted friend. (I have an idea what was happening on DH, b/c flipped back and forth.)
2. Monday: How I Met Your Mother - I can't identify with any of the situations on this series so find it sort of alienating and annoying. Except for two characters: Robin and Barney. Ted is dull but occassionally has a decent line. Robin's shirt had me smiling and Barney's absurd gambling. But if Marshall and Lily fell overboard and drowned I would not mourn their demise. And considering I was watching it solely for Lily and Barney for a while, this is an interesting twist. I honestly think she's fine as long as she is NOT with Marshall. In fact both Marshall and Lily work better when they AREN'T together. Together they are more annoying than Rachel and Ross, and I didn't think that was possible. The Class on the other hand is starting to intrigue me. It's an innovative and unlike Mother, realistic and non-cliche ridden situation comedy about twenty -thirty-somethings. I've met people like this. And it had me smiling. Also it has a nice mix of female and male characters, who aren't "pretty" or with perfect jobs and apartments. I may start skipping Mother and just watch The Class.
Heroes - was better this week. It really is all about the writing sometimes. I think I've figured it out now, but am not positive. This is a weird show - it plays with my desire to speculate in the same way Buffy, Angel and Twin Peaks did. Which is dicey, when I like my speculation better than what actually happens on screen. So this is me resisting the urge to speculate and figure things out before they appear on screen. That said, Heroes has a few issues - it is set up like a serial (cough*soapopera*cough) - which means it has boring subplots that get in the way of action I'm interested in. Yes, I know all the subplots are connected, but some of the subplots are...well skippable. In fact I envy people with VCR's and DVR's who can fast-forward. Then again, multiple subplots is an old soap trick to attract huge audience, you figure people will find some storyline they are fascinated by. If you don't, for instance, like Hiro, you'll be into the cop and his wife, or maybe the cheerleader? I don't mind this in theory or practice really, just it can occassionally make me want to throw things in frustration at the tv or pick up a magazine to amuse myself.
Studio 60 - not as good as last week's. But still some excellent one-liners. And coming from the Midwest and having lived in small towns similar to Pahrump, not to mention dealing with cops and judges similar to one's portrayed, I got off on the mockery - I won't bore you with why. Also I adore Jordan McDeere - who appears to have my sense of humor and the same difficulties I have with it. My favorite characters hands down are McDeere and Jack Rudolph. I'm also enjoying Harriet, but that's largely due to Sarah Paulson's performance. Sorkin is still doing too many monologues and too many sappy speechs. Also I'm sick of TV shows pulling out the Iraqui/Afghanistan solider or 9/11 experience to explain a character's actions. It feels trite when they do it and unnecessary. It's fine if one does it. But I've seen it on five shows now. There other tid-bits that bugged as well, but won't bore with them. I have a love/hate relationship with 60. I adore the characters, like the snappy writing, and it does make me laugh at times - but ...well parts of it do grate. In short, I adore the smart-ass, but could use less of the condenscending moralizing.
Tonight - I'm considering trying Friday Night Light's again, even though it is incredibly soapy and somewhat cliche "my best friend is sleeping with my girl-friend while I'm a crippled ex-quarterback confined to a wheelchair" - gee that's a new idea. Sigh. On the fence about this baby, have seen this storyline one too many times - and know all the endings by heart. Also Veronica Mars - still watching over House, with the view that I can always catch up with House. I like the characters on VM so stick with it regardless of the sluggish stories. And Nip/Tuck - which is jumping ahead 20 years during the episode, so I'm sort of looking forward to this one - want to see how incredibly screwed up these kids turn out, not to mention their narcissitic parents.
Wed - with Lost's hiatius, there isn't much to watch. Spoilers on LOST....
Yes, I'm still watching Lost even though half my flist and a good portion of the Nielsen viewing audience abandoned it after Ecko's death. By the by- that wasn't entirely a storyline dictated decision, apparently the actor wanted out as early as last year and was only willing to sign on for a couple of episodes this year due to a death in the family (his parents died). So they agreed to write the character to fit his needs. There's other rumors circulating, but I'm going with the one that has been verified by facts not just innuendos. I wasn't as annoyed as everyone else by Ecko's death - mostly because I saw it coming a mile away. What you actually thought they'd kill Charlie, Jack, Lock, Sawyer, Sayhid, Kate, Sun or Jin? Are you nuts! I'm used to Abrahms killing off characters I like and keeping one's I'd like to off.
Will probably go to a concert with Wales instead. Then maybe try Medium again. I like the show runner who did Moonlighting and Remington Steele. Am on the fence regarding Bones, which I should like, but my attention wanders every time I watch.
Thurs - probably Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy, my comfort shows. I don't analyze, I just ride. Then promptly forget. No need to rewatch. Remember when they start up again. They make me happy and relaxed.
Friday - Doctor Who (yes, still trying to figure out the appeal. It may be a losing battle, but I'm trying, plus zip else on), and BattleStar Galatica - which has been interesting but incredibly grim this season. Am hoping for a spot of humor some day soon. Wonder if I'd be enjoying it more if I was more enamored of Helo and Sharon than I am? I don't dislike them. Just ambivalent. I'm like Whedon, happy TV relationships make boring TV. Can't wait for Sharon to find out about the baby and go postal. Also want more Lee and Kara - and more of the friendships. Less Baltar, who is beginning to bore me, which is odd since he was amongst my favorites in the beginning.
Also apparently a Television Whore. Been reading a fascinating article in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Film Comment published by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The article is written by Paul Schrader and is entitled Cannon Fodder: as the sun finally sets on the century of cinema, by what criteria do we determine its masterworks?. Schrader is a film critic, film producer, and screenwriter of such works as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, American Giglio, Bringing out the Dead and The Last Temptation of Christ. Anyhow he says a couple of interesting things in the preface, haven't read the whole thing yet, first is defining canon- "What is a canon? It is, by definition, based on criteria that transcend taste, personal and popular." To figure it out, he goes back to school and takes courses on the history of Aesthetics and the history of film Aesthetics - because to develop a canon, one must study the history of the thing. The reason he even considers trying it or the model that motivated him is Harold Bloom's 1994 bestseller The Western Canon of literature. And states how unlike the literary canon, film has another hurdle, "Film is not literature, of course, and the issues involved, though similar, are not the same. The greatest difference is there is still a debate about whether motion pictures are art at all."
Well, if people feel that way about film? All the more so about TV. You don't see anyone even contemplating a Television Canon of Great Works. Would seem silly. And people love nothing better than to pick at TV. Yet, I think as a method of personal expression, Television may be overtaking film and to an extent written words - partly due to the internet. The two appear to be almost married at the moment - TV shows popping up on the net, websodes possible to play on the TV screen, YouTube, people downloading screenshots from tv shows, fanfic based on tv shows and of course, itunes and ipod downloads. People can watch films on their tv sets. Order books via the internet and download text. And...here's the thing about TV that neither books nor movies provide - interaction. People can interact with the tv show right now via the internet, a cell-phone or a remote control. They can plan when to watch what they want, get rid of commericials, vote off characters, provide feedback to tv show-runners, chat with authors of the shows online, analyze/discuss each episode right after it airs, and create by-products such as "icons".
I state all this as more or less a prelude, not quite a defense of my own tv sluttage. That and I've been enjoying tv lately more than the movies and books I've been reading or watching. Makes entertaining background noise. Plus, stress gives me a short attention span, don't know why. (those last three words were rhetorical and sarcastic by the way, stress also apparently brings out the sarcasm in me, while depression brings out the poetry. Quite odd.).
So what the heck am I watching? Ah...
1. Sunday: usually watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, but this Sunday opted for Helen Mirren's last appearance as Jane Tennyson on Prime Suspect - entitled Prime Suspect:Final Curtain. Wasn't quite as good as her earlier ones, but did remain focused on the character. And it had the satisfying reappearance of Sgt. Bill Ottly, who had once been Jane's nemesis, and now had become a trusted friend. (I have an idea what was happening on DH, b/c flipped back and forth.)
2. Monday: How I Met Your Mother - I can't identify with any of the situations on this series so find it sort of alienating and annoying. Except for two characters: Robin and Barney. Ted is dull but occassionally has a decent line. Robin's shirt had me smiling and Barney's absurd gambling. But if Marshall and Lily fell overboard and drowned I would not mourn their demise. And considering I was watching it solely for Lily and Barney for a while, this is an interesting twist. I honestly think she's fine as long as she is NOT with Marshall. In fact both Marshall and Lily work better when they AREN'T together. Together they are more annoying than Rachel and Ross, and I didn't think that was possible. The Class on the other hand is starting to intrigue me. It's an innovative and unlike Mother, realistic and non-cliche ridden situation comedy about twenty -thirty-somethings. I've met people like this. And it had me smiling. Also it has a nice mix of female and male characters, who aren't "pretty" or with perfect jobs and apartments. I may start skipping Mother and just watch The Class.
Heroes - was better this week. It really is all about the writing sometimes. I think I've figured it out now, but am not positive. This is a weird show - it plays with my desire to speculate in the same way Buffy, Angel and Twin Peaks did. Which is dicey, when I like my speculation better than what actually happens on screen. So this is me resisting the urge to speculate and figure things out before they appear on screen. That said, Heroes has a few issues - it is set up like a serial (cough*soapopera*cough) - which means it has boring subplots that get in the way of action I'm interested in. Yes, I know all the subplots are connected, but some of the subplots are...well skippable. In fact I envy people with VCR's and DVR's who can fast-forward. Then again, multiple subplots is an old soap trick to attract huge audience, you figure people will find some storyline they are fascinated by. If you don't, for instance, like Hiro, you'll be into the cop and his wife, or maybe the cheerleader? I don't mind this in theory or practice really, just it can occassionally make me want to throw things in frustration at the tv or pick up a magazine to amuse myself.
Studio 60 - not as good as last week's. But still some excellent one-liners. And coming from the Midwest and having lived in small towns similar to Pahrump, not to mention dealing with cops and judges similar to one's portrayed, I got off on the mockery - I won't bore you with why. Also I adore Jordan McDeere - who appears to have my sense of humor and the same difficulties I have with it. My favorite characters hands down are McDeere and Jack Rudolph. I'm also enjoying Harriet, but that's largely due to Sarah Paulson's performance. Sorkin is still doing too many monologues and too many sappy speechs. Also I'm sick of TV shows pulling out the Iraqui/Afghanistan solider or 9/11 experience to explain a character's actions. It feels trite when they do it and unnecessary. It's fine if one does it. But I've seen it on five shows now. There other tid-bits that bugged as well, but won't bore with them. I have a love/hate relationship with 60. I adore the characters, like the snappy writing, and it does make me laugh at times - but ...well parts of it do grate. In short, I adore the smart-ass, but could use less of the condenscending moralizing.
Tonight - I'm considering trying Friday Night Light's again, even though it is incredibly soapy and somewhat cliche "my best friend is sleeping with my girl-friend while I'm a crippled ex-quarterback confined to a wheelchair" - gee that's a new idea. Sigh. On the fence about this baby, have seen this storyline one too many times - and know all the endings by heart. Also Veronica Mars - still watching over House, with the view that I can always catch up with House. I like the characters on VM so stick with it regardless of the sluggish stories. And Nip/Tuck - which is jumping ahead 20 years during the episode, so I'm sort of looking forward to this one - want to see how incredibly screwed up these kids turn out, not to mention their narcissitic parents.
Wed - with Lost's hiatius, there isn't much to watch. Spoilers on LOST....
Yes, I'm still watching Lost even though half my flist and a good portion of the Nielsen viewing audience abandoned it after Ecko's death. By the by- that wasn't entirely a storyline dictated decision, apparently the actor wanted out as early as last year and was only willing to sign on for a couple of episodes this year due to a death in the family (his parents died). So they agreed to write the character to fit his needs. There's other rumors circulating, but I'm going with the one that has been verified by facts not just innuendos. I wasn't as annoyed as everyone else by Ecko's death - mostly because I saw it coming a mile away. What you actually thought they'd kill Charlie, Jack, Lock, Sawyer, Sayhid, Kate, Sun or Jin? Are you nuts! I'm used to Abrahms killing off characters I like and keeping one's I'd like to off.
Will probably go to a concert with Wales instead. Then maybe try Medium again. I like the show runner who did Moonlighting and Remington Steele. Am on the fence regarding Bones, which I should like, but my attention wanders every time I watch.
Thurs - probably Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy, my comfort shows. I don't analyze, I just ride. Then promptly forget. No need to rewatch. Remember when they start up again. They make me happy and relaxed.
Friday - Doctor Who (yes, still trying to figure out the appeal. It may be a losing battle, but I'm trying, plus zip else on), and BattleStar Galatica - which has been interesting but incredibly grim this season. Am hoping for a spot of humor some day soon. Wonder if I'd be enjoying it more if I was more enamored of Helo and Sharon than I am? I don't dislike them. Just ambivalent. I'm like Whedon, happy TV relationships make boring TV. Can't wait for Sharon to find out about the baby and go postal. Also want more Lee and Kara - and more of the friendships. Less Baltar, who is beginning to bore me, which is odd since he was amongst my favorites in the beginning.
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Date: 2006-11-16 03:12 pm (UTC)And I really agree with you:
"One of the things I admired most about Whedon, which pissed off everyone else, was his insistence on ignoring the audience's demands."
I went to one of the early advanced screenings of 'Serenity', and I sobbed aloud at Wash's death, but I was far more appalled to find the people online who were trying to force Universal & Joss to change the ending! Personally I would rather have Joss rip my guts out than let the fans dictate how he should tell his stories.