Mid-week TV Slut Report...
Dec. 7th, 2006 09:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatFirst off for those on my flist who like to read tv writer blogs - picked up two courtesy of ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ponygirl2000:
1. janeespension - just go to my user page and click on Janeespension's name and friend it. That's how I did it. If you want to write spec scripts for television - her blog is a must read. I read it because the tv biz fascinates me.
2. This - I can't figure out how to add to my flist but is the blog of the TV writer, Ken Levine, behind Frazier, Cheers, Mash, and Everybody Loves Raymond. He has some great posts regarding current tv shows, tv writing in general and the shows he worked on. He's snarky but careful - so do not expect any true bashing. I can't help but state that I agree with his assessment of Studio 60 which I like and rail at for the same reasons he does. Although I think I find it funnier than he does. He states and this made me giggle: "TV show writers are not *that* bright." Seriously they aren't. Which is the problem with Studio 60. Also, ahem, it takes itself a tad too seriously for a series about a sketch comedy. But if you love Studio 60, don't worry, he has other fantastic blog pieces that have zip to do with it. Including a rant about those music video montages appearing at the end of tv shows. And some great pieces about MASH and Frazier.
Go here: http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/ (And if you can figure out how to add him to your flist on lj, let me know. Does not have an RSS link that I can find.)
3. Not a writer blog, but a great TV Guide interview/Q& A with Joss Whedon posted by here and if you can't access it for any reason - the link's at whedonesque. Courtesy ofbuffyannatator and ponygirl2000.
In the interview, Whedon states how BSG is his favorite TV show ever (agreed - except I think I might put his two shows, BTVS and ATS above it, but BSG accomplishes in some respects what he attempted with Firefly - an outer-space character that focuses on those difficult human issues and doesn't get bogged down with aliens and bugged eyed monsters - in short, it lets the monsters be human.) And how there's only so much you can do with What if Romeo and Juliet had lived? (LOL! Yes, it does get redundant and boring after awhile. Which is why Shakespeare wisely killed them. It was either that or give them separate tv shows in separate locals.)
** Updated to add that if you go Here and scroll down, you can find out what the captions were on each of those sample pages - including one that, ahem, explains the sequence in the Angel episode "A Girl In Question" in a succinct way that NEVER occurred to any fanfic writer I've seen. (Although I think someone snarkily posted it as a possibility on a fan forum I was on at the time and it does fit with the themes I saw in that episode.) It also makes me think that Andrew really did have loads of fun with Angel and Spike in A5. LOL!! Plus, I think we may, ahem, have an answer as to whom was behind the robot invasion in that Wes episode. That is assuming of course the person reading those quote did so accurately. Makes me even more curious about the comics, but also somewhat wary. There is such a thing as going overboard and perhaps being restricted as he was on tv, was a good thing.
Regarding TV...watched: Heroes, Studio 60, the two part movie The Closer around S60 and Heroes, Boston Legal, Nip/Tuck, and Gilmore Girls. The only ones I *really* enjoyed were Boston Legal (made me laugh), Heroes, and The Closer. Found Nip/Tuck interesting. GG and Studio 60 somewhat grating.
1. Heroes - Still the best "shot" series on Television. Makes me think of a graphic novel with the colors and angles. Or a silent movie at times. There's really not that much dialogue.
It's plot and action tends to be dependent more on visuals and the structure or framework of those visuals, which is what makes this series different than say Supernatural, Smallville, Angel, BTVS, or even BSG - in the fact that it is shot like one might shoot a visual graphic novel, the other shows feel more linear in structure and less framed, hard to figure out the right words to describe this. Have you ever seen Ang Lee's The Hulk or Brian Singer's Superman Returns? Both films are shot like this - as if we are watching a comic literally come to life onscreen. The style of it engrosses me more than anything else. Which is odd, since I'm normally a substance vs. style type of gal. Whedon played with a similar type of structuring in Restless and Hush.
Anyhow, if you are into "cinematography" or how to shoot or direct a tv series, you should watch this baby. It accomplishes what Smith attempted with music video montage - but a whole lot better. Smith if you caught it - copied the old Michael Mann style from Miami Vice - which was cool with Miami Vice, but now? Somewhat dated. Not to mention expensive - since it requires location shots. Heroes in comparison plays with color contrast, character placement and juxtaposition. Often the story is told by what we see as opposed to what we hear. It's a show you watch more than listen to. And the reason people have gone nutty over it - is because of that - the cool visuals, which give you more information on the characters then what they say.
Okay did not predict this one prior to the episode airing, but that's only because the previews and magazine interviews lead me to believe it would be a big deal, a major show-changing death. LOL! Note to self, take teasers with a grain of salt. Sort of like those NBC ads for ER. Note to television writers - don't do this, you risk disappointing the audience.
So yes, found the character death and the episode as a result, somewhat disappointing. Once again they tell me that it's going to be a major character and change the entire show, "a hero will be killed and the ramifications will be felt for some time, it's a huge tragedy" - only to kill off what amounted to a "red-shirt" or disposable stock character who was not a main part of the cast. Also not a "hero" really. And a powerful female character, which is just annoying.
Plus much like Lost, I more or less knew she was going to die the moment she asked HRG to let her kill Sylar.
What I liked about the episode? Clea Duvell's cop. Who I think I like more than Greg Grunberg's psychic - Matt. They are cute together and their dynamic works. Also she's the only non-super-powered being outside of Ando who seems to believe in the possibility. Matt and Sam (??? not sure what her name is) remind me of Ando and Hiro. (And yes, I'm relieved Ando's still around since he's amongst my favorite characters. Wonder if the writers can kill him? Writers on TV series are somewhat limited regarding which characters they can and can't kill by the way. You sort of know which actors are making the network's life a living hell by how quickly they get auffed. (ex: Charisma Chase was a pain in the network and producer's and writer's collective ass on Angel, she was supposed to be fired at the end of S3, but Greenwalt loved her and had a falling out (apparently) with the network/producer's/writer's as well - so he wrote her as becoming a higher being. Pissed off his co-creator, Whedon, who could not handle Cordelia becoming a saint (contradicted the character he'd created) and decided to not break her contract after all and write her out as the big bad. Charisma got the better of Whedon by getting pregnant and not telling them until filming began. They quickly re-wrote the arc to include her pregancy. In short, Charisma's pregnancy saved her character and got her a come-back the next season. A story that makes me laugh, since most fans thought she got punished for the pregnancy. Yeah right. Nooo, it was the opposite actually. Similar story happened on Lost with a couple of characters. Actors and writers have problems - has to do with control issues. Not unlike Managers and Directors in biz. Or well just think about that co-worker in your office you'd like to boot to the moon and imagine what it would be like working with them 13 hours a day and weekends. Being forced to work longer hours because they came to work late, held up production, flubbed lines, and missed their marks. Trust me tv production ain't fun - its long hours waiting for the cameras to be right. And it can take two 13 hour days just to film ten minutes. And writers hate Actors who substitute their own lines.) So I realize, I can't complain too much about who does or does not die on these shows.
The Peter Petrelli thing I had figured out, because he's a mimic, naturally does what Sylar is scientifically doing. Which I find interesting, since for a while I wondered if Peter might become Sylar and was time traveling backwards.
Glad I was wrong about that, since I find Peter oddly appealing. No, what they are doing instead is more interesting, which is the inadvertent and uncontrollable absorbtion of the powers of people around him, without affecting them.
How do you deal with that? And imagine what would happen if he absorbed "nuclear" man's gifts? Which he probably did, since he was in the same facility as nuclear man - I think. Curious to know if he absorbed Matt and the Haitain's abilities and how long does he keep these powers? Do they disappear after a while? Lots of questions here.
Nikki is boring me a bit. Methinks I've seen too many multiple personality tv shows and movies in my life-time. It's becoming almost trite. And a tad cliche. Yes, the person was horribly abused as a child, to deal with it they created a stronger, tougher personality. Sigh. Leonard Roberts - DL character interests me more, as does Micah. Unfortunately we only have two main female characters in this show and one is Nikki. Soo...Is it wrong to state that I find Jessica more interesting than Nikki and think Nikki is a bit of a wimp?
Enjoying Hiro and Ando - particularly their interaction with Issac, who is evolving in an interesting and positive way.
Although Hiro's predicted fight with a Dinosaur seems a tad trite to me. Like the idea of him with a sword though.
Predictions? Don't know. Not a show feel an overwhelming need to analyze. Just enjoying the ride. It entertains me when it's on and like I said, beautifully shot.
2. Studio 60 - I think I'm the only person on my flist who still watches this show that was underwhelmed by it this week. Am I too cynical? Too critical? Do I watch too much TV? Probably. It felt out of character and once again the writing did not for me at least fit the characters. I could not imagine Jack Rudolph stating what he did. He's more interesting as soulless. And I'm sorry, that little interaction between him and Ed Asner - did not work. It had zip to do with the subject of the show, it felt silly, the FCC does not sue network news shows for that, and I could not imagine Jack Rudolph caring. They are softening the character too much. Did sort of like Jordan's storyline, except this is a woman who did not want kids - shouldn't she be more upset about being preggers? More worried about it? She seems happy. Sorry, no. A network TV prez who had a one-night stand and got preggers is not going to be clearly happy. So much as conflicted. And...the Danny/Jordan romance - needs to be built up more. That moment didn't feel earned. Felt smulchy. Sentimental. And preachy. AGAIN. I'm missing the cleverness of the first episode - which like it or not, felt driven more by character than plot. Right now it feels as if the plot is tromping on the characters. Did laugh at the coconut joke - enjoyed that. Sorry Studio 60 frustrates me - I love the cast, love the characters, but want to kick the writers. Had more or less the same situation during the third and fourth seasons of The West Wing.
3. Boston Legal - funny show. Spader, Bergen, and Shatner are a riot. And I adore Kelley's depiction of how attorneys often have clients that they despise. Actually 75% of the time this happens. And how he makes fun of legal shows. I may have to rent the previous seasons to catch up. Will start watching the reruns.
4.The Closer - the only procedural show outside of House that I watch regularly. It reminds me of the British series Prime Suspect and like Prime Suspect focuses on the characters more than the mystery. Love the characters in this show.
5. Gilmore Girls frustrates me. I like Loreli. Rory makes my teeth hurt. Spoiled passive aggressive brat.
Actually both are, but Lauren Graham makes it attractive. Felt sorry for Luke. Very sorry for Luke. And even more sorry for his portrayer who does not deserve this storyline. Emily Gilmore and Logan on the other hand, rock! Am considering giving it up and trying FNL - which my bro tells me is beautifully shot but he's not crazy about the writing. Course he can't stand Studio 60 and loves Daybreak...sooo...but then again, loves BSG and Lost as well.
Okay, off to watch 30 Rock since Grey's is a rerun.
ponygirl2000:1. janeespension - just go to my user page and click on Janeespension's name and friend it. That's how I did it. If you want to write spec scripts for television - her blog is a must read. I read it because the tv biz fascinates me.
2. This - I can't figure out how to add to my flist but is the blog of the TV writer, Ken Levine, behind Frazier, Cheers, Mash, and Everybody Loves Raymond. He has some great posts regarding current tv shows, tv writing in general and the shows he worked on. He's snarky but careful - so do not expect any true bashing. I can't help but state that I agree with his assessment of Studio 60 which I like and rail at for the same reasons he does. Although I think I find it funnier than he does. He states and this made me giggle: "TV show writers are not *that* bright." Seriously they aren't. Which is the problem with Studio 60. Also, ahem, it takes itself a tad too seriously for a series about a sketch comedy. But if you love Studio 60, don't worry, he has other fantastic blog pieces that have zip to do with it. Including a rant about those music video montages appearing at the end of tv shows. And some great pieces about MASH and Frazier.
Go here: http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/ (And if you can figure out how to add him to your flist on lj, let me know. Does not have an RSS link that I can find.)
3. Not a writer blog, but a great TV Guide interview/Q& A with Joss Whedon posted by here and if you can't access it for any reason - the link's at whedonesque. Courtesy of
buffyannatator and ponygirl2000.In the interview, Whedon states how BSG is his favorite TV show ever (agreed - except I think I might put his two shows, BTVS and ATS above it, but BSG accomplishes in some respects what he attempted with Firefly - an outer-space character that focuses on those difficult human issues and doesn't get bogged down with aliens and bugged eyed monsters - in short, it lets the monsters be human.) And how there's only so much you can do with What if Romeo and Juliet had lived? (LOL! Yes, it does get redundant and boring after awhile. Which is why Shakespeare wisely killed them. It was either that or give them separate tv shows in separate locals.)
** Updated to add that if you go Here and scroll down, you can find out what the captions were on each of those sample pages - including one that, ahem, explains the sequence in the Angel episode "A Girl In Question" in a succinct way that NEVER occurred to any fanfic writer I've seen. (Although I think someone snarkily posted it as a possibility on a fan forum I was on at the time and it does fit with the themes I saw in that episode.) It also makes me think that Andrew really did have loads of fun with Angel and Spike in A5. LOL!! Plus, I think we may, ahem, have an answer as to whom was behind the robot invasion in that Wes episode. That is assuming of course the person reading those quote did so accurately. Makes me even more curious about the comics, but also somewhat wary. There is such a thing as going overboard and perhaps being restricted as he was on tv, was a good thing.
Regarding TV...watched: Heroes, Studio 60, the two part movie The Closer around S60 and Heroes, Boston Legal, Nip/Tuck, and Gilmore Girls. The only ones I *really* enjoyed were Boston Legal (made me laugh), Heroes, and The Closer. Found Nip/Tuck interesting. GG and Studio 60 somewhat grating.
1. Heroes - Still the best "shot" series on Television. Makes me think of a graphic novel with the colors and angles. Or a silent movie at times. There's really not that much dialogue.
It's plot and action tends to be dependent more on visuals and the structure or framework of those visuals, which is what makes this series different than say Supernatural, Smallville, Angel, BTVS, or even BSG - in the fact that it is shot like one might shoot a visual graphic novel, the other shows feel more linear in structure and less framed, hard to figure out the right words to describe this. Have you ever seen Ang Lee's The Hulk or Brian Singer's Superman Returns? Both films are shot like this - as if we are watching a comic literally come to life onscreen. The style of it engrosses me more than anything else. Which is odd, since I'm normally a substance vs. style type of gal. Whedon played with a similar type of structuring in Restless and Hush.
Anyhow, if you are into "cinematography" or how to shoot or direct a tv series, you should watch this baby. It accomplishes what Smith attempted with music video montage - but a whole lot better. Smith if you caught it - copied the old Michael Mann style from Miami Vice - which was cool with Miami Vice, but now? Somewhat dated. Not to mention expensive - since it requires location shots. Heroes in comparison plays with color contrast, character placement and juxtaposition. Often the story is told by what we see as opposed to what we hear. It's a show you watch more than listen to. And the reason people have gone nutty over it - is because of that - the cool visuals, which give you more information on the characters then what they say.
Okay did not predict this one prior to the episode airing, but that's only because the previews and magazine interviews lead me to believe it would be a big deal, a major show-changing death. LOL! Note to self, take teasers with a grain of salt. Sort of like those NBC ads for ER. Note to television writers - don't do this, you risk disappointing the audience.
So yes, found the character death and the episode as a result, somewhat disappointing. Once again they tell me that it's going to be a major character and change the entire show, "a hero will be killed and the ramifications will be felt for some time, it's a huge tragedy" - only to kill off what amounted to a "red-shirt" or disposable stock character who was not a main part of the cast. Also not a "hero" really. And a powerful female character, which is just annoying.
Plus much like Lost, I more or less knew she was going to die the moment she asked HRG to let her kill Sylar.
What I liked about the episode? Clea Duvell's cop. Who I think I like more than Greg Grunberg's psychic - Matt. They are cute together and their dynamic works. Also she's the only non-super-powered being outside of Ando who seems to believe in the possibility. Matt and Sam (??? not sure what her name is) remind me of Ando and Hiro. (And yes, I'm relieved Ando's still around since he's amongst my favorite characters. Wonder if the writers can kill him? Writers on TV series are somewhat limited regarding which characters they can and can't kill by the way. You sort of know which actors are making the network's life a living hell by how quickly they get auffed. (ex: Charisma Chase was a pain in the network and producer's and writer's collective ass on Angel, she was supposed to be fired at the end of S3, but Greenwalt loved her and had a falling out (apparently) with the network/producer's/writer's as well - so he wrote her as becoming a higher being. Pissed off his co-creator, Whedon, who could not handle Cordelia becoming a saint (contradicted the character he'd created) and decided to not break her contract after all and write her out as the big bad. Charisma got the better of Whedon by getting pregnant and not telling them until filming began. They quickly re-wrote the arc to include her pregancy. In short, Charisma's pregnancy saved her character and got her a come-back the next season. A story that makes me laugh, since most fans thought she got punished for the pregnancy. Yeah right. Nooo, it was the opposite actually. Similar story happened on Lost with a couple of characters. Actors and writers have problems - has to do with control issues. Not unlike Managers and Directors in biz. Or well just think about that co-worker in your office you'd like to boot to the moon and imagine what it would be like working with them 13 hours a day and weekends. Being forced to work longer hours because they came to work late, held up production, flubbed lines, and missed their marks. Trust me tv production ain't fun - its long hours waiting for the cameras to be right. And it can take two 13 hour days just to film ten minutes. And writers hate Actors who substitute their own lines.) So I realize, I can't complain too much about who does or does not die on these shows.
The Peter Petrelli thing I had figured out, because he's a mimic, naturally does what Sylar is scientifically doing. Which I find interesting, since for a while I wondered if Peter might become Sylar and was time traveling backwards.
Glad I was wrong about that, since I find Peter oddly appealing. No, what they are doing instead is more interesting, which is the inadvertent and uncontrollable absorbtion of the powers of people around him, without affecting them.
How do you deal with that? And imagine what would happen if he absorbed "nuclear" man's gifts? Which he probably did, since he was in the same facility as nuclear man - I think. Curious to know if he absorbed Matt and the Haitain's abilities and how long does he keep these powers? Do they disappear after a while? Lots of questions here.
Nikki is boring me a bit. Methinks I've seen too many multiple personality tv shows and movies in my life-time. It's becoming almost trite. And a tad cliche. Yes, the person was horribly abused as a child, to deal with it they created a stronger, tougher personality. Sigh. Leonard Roberts - DL character interests me more, as does Micah. Unfortunately we only have two main female characters in this show and one is Nikki. Soo...Is it wrong to state that I find Jessica more interesting than Nikki and think Nikki is a bit of a wimp?
Enjoying Hiro and Ando - particularly their interaction with Issac, who is evolving in an interesting and positive way.
Although Hiro's predicted fight with a Dinosaur seems a tad trite to me. Like the idea of him with a sword though.
Predictions? Don't know. Not a show feel an overwhelming need to analyze. Just enjoying the ride. It entertains me when it's on and like I said, beautifully shot.
2. Studio 60 - I think I'm the only person on my flist who still watches this show that was underwhelmed by it this week. Am I too cynical? Too critical? Do I watch too much TV? Probably. It felt out of character and once again the writing did not for me at least fit the characters. I could not imagine Jack Rudolph stating what he did. He's more interesting as soulless. And I'm sorry, that little interaction between him and Ed Asner - did not work. It had zip to do with the subject of the show, it felt silly, the FCC does not sue network news shows for that, and I could not imagine Jack Rudolph caring. They are softening the character too much. Did sort of like Jordan's storyline, except this is a woman who did not want kids - shouldn't she be more upset about being preggers? More worried about it? She seems happy. Sorry, no. A network TV prez who had a one-night stand and got preggers is not going to be clearly happy. So much as conflicted. And...the Danny/Jordan romance - needs to be built up more. That moment didn't feel earned. Felt smulchy. Sentimental. And preachy. AGAIN. I'm missing the cleverness of the first episode - which like it or not, felt driven more by character than plot. Right now it feels as if the plot is tromping on the characters. Did laugh at the coconut joke - enjoyed that. Sorry Studio 60 frustrates me - I love the cast, love the characters, but want to kick the writers. Had more or less the same situation during the third and fourth seasons of The West Wing.
3. Boston Legal - funny show. Spader, Bergen, and Shatner are a riot. And I adore Kelley's depiction of how attorneys often have clients that they despise. Actually 75% of the time this happens. And how he makes fun of legal shows. I may have to rent the previous seasons to catch up. Will start watching the reruns.
4.The Closer - the only procedural show outside of House that I watch regularly. It reminds me of the British series Prime Suspect and like Prime Suspect focuses on the characters more than the mystery. Love the characters in this show.
5. Gilmore Girls frustrates me. I like Loreli. Rory makes my teeth hurt. Spoiled passive aggressive brat.
Actually both are, but Lauren Graham makes it attractive. Felt sorry for Luke. Very sorry for Luke. And even more sorry for his portrayer who does not deserve this storyline. Emily Gilmore and Logan on the other hand, rock! Am considering giving it up and trying FNL - which my bro tells me is beautifully shot but he's not crazy about the writing. Course he can't stand Studio 60 and loves Daybreak...sooo...but then again, loves BSG and Lost as well.
Okay, off to watch 30 Rock since Grey's is a rerun.
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no subject
Date: 2006-12-08 09:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-08 03:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-08 06:37 pm (UTC)But I agree with you, BTVS is still number one for me.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-08 07:28 pm (UTC)But BTVS gave us a superhero who was a girl with male sidekicks and male damsels...no tv show has come close to equalling that.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-08 09:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-09 05:38 am (UTC)I'm not sure if they would have developed it differently if the actress hadn't been pregnant. Will state that I was relieved they didn't make it Danny's kid, but some off-stage character that she'd briefly been involved with.