The TV slut report...and a little quote from a book I just finished...

[shadowkat]

Haven't done too much today, cold or allergies have wiped me out. Did go grocery shopping and bought more cold meds, since whatever I bought yesterday wasn't doing the job last night. Kept up blowing my nose, coughing, and my eyes watering, plus clogged ears. Mucus in all orifices? Lovely.

Lovely day though. Wicked sunset last night - had a rainbow, shades of orange, pink, lavender, and blue with dark gray and brillant yellow. And today - crystal clear blue sky taunting me with its fabulousness. I really wanted a gray rainy day, dang it. Sometimes you just do.

Did make it through most of the tv shows/premiers I DvR'd during the week - only have "Dirty Sexy Money", "Cane", "Life", "ER", "CSI", "Doctor Who", "Torchwood", "Damages", and I think "Bones" to go. I've watched Moonlight, Bionic Woman, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Reaper, House, Journeyman, Chuck, Back to You, Smallville, Ugly Betty, and Without a Trace. Missed Eureka, Big Shots, Boston Legal, and the Office, because we must make choices.

Sigh. Too much bloody tv. I'm going to have to cut some of it. And I *really wish* 30 Rock and The Office were on some other night besides Thursday. Like maybe Friday? Or Monday? I can tape two shows on two channels at the same time but not three. Also is it just me or has anyone else's DVR/Tivo cut out the last minute of a show because the stupid things are all going a minute over? Missed the last minute of Grey's because of that - it flipped to ER.

So...what's my quick take on the one's I've seen so far? Well, for the first time in a long time, I agree with the reviews I've read on my flist regarding them.

New Shows:

1. Bionic Woman - agree with cactuswatcher and Ken Levine - who both stated that the Lindsey Wagner version made back in the 70's was better. Why? Ah, it contained the emotional warmth and believability this baby lacks. Plus, it was a lot more interesting. Odd to say, but unlike the BSG remake, the Bionic Woman remake really doesn't improve on the original model. It's too dark and too noir and too, as Ken Levine states - heretrosexual male fantasy. (He has troubles seeing why women would like it...Ah. Well. It's not like we have much to choose from Ken. Back to You is actually worse from a female point of view. At least this one has a female protagonist, with a sister, and a powerful female villain. Granted it's no Buffy or Xena, but for reasons that are beyond my understanding we appear to have regressed since the 90s as opposed to progressed. ) The original was more character focused and less interested in the high tech and setting. In the original - Jamie was a sucessful, well-educated, athelet - a professional tennis player and champion. And Steve Austin, the six million dollar man's girl-friend. Yep it was a spin-off, but that rare spin-off that actually improved on the original model. Granted it contained cheesy special effects - but it was made in the 1970's before the digital age, computer tech, and CGI took over. As a result, it used the special effects sparingly, focusing on other things instead. And Lindsey Wagner was a good actress - far better than Michelle Ryan - who unfortunately is up against Katee Sackoff who upstages her in just about every scene they share together, making me wish they'd cast Katee as the lead (I'm not alone in that wish, just about every television critic out there appears to agree with me.) But...it is entertaining and that was just the pilot. Will see if it improves as we move forward.

2. Chuck - not as good as Reaper. But better than Bionic Woman in execution. It's okay. I like Adam Baldwin and the guy playing Chuck. It suffers from "heterosexual male fantasy" syndrom also - hot blond spy babe who could be potential girl friend of nerdy geek with superability. Sigh. I miss Buffy. I miss the 90s. I may watch another episode, just to see how Adam Baldwin's tough ass spy deals with being undercover at a Home Depot.

3. Reaper - the best of the one's I've seen so far. It's written and created by two women by the way. This surprises everyone for some bizarre reason. Wait, they all mutter, how can women write killer slacker dude dialogue and make it realistic? Oh, so men can write shows like Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, Buffy, and Xena, but two women can't do a show like Reaper? Okaaay. I'm skipping next week's episode, because I want to see the season finale of Eureka and see House, and Reaper seems to be pretty episodic in nature so I sincerly doubt it matters if I miss one. At any rate - Reaper is fresh, quirky, innovative, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Plus Ray Wise's devil is almost as funny as Alec Baldwin's character in 30 Rock. And I adore Tyler Labine's take on Sam's best friend - that actor has an odd sex appeal. I may watch for those two alone. It's fun. Doesn't require much thought. And has some killer dialogue - which is something I wish I could say for some of the other shows I've watched this week.

4, . It reminds me more of Forever Knight than Angel to be honest. Sort of Forever Knight meets Dresden Files, and I liked those shows better. Forever Knight had the same retro vampire look and whenever the vamps became well vampires - their eyes glowed and fangs came, that was it. Same with Dresden. Plus the noirish twing, and the star-crossed love with a mortal reporter/cop/forensics specialist who can never share the protagonist's life. The actors are pretty charismatic. The writing and direction is not up to their talents however, which is unfortunate. Jason Dohring - the guy playing Josef and who previously played Logan on Veronica Mars - I'd probably watch in anything. He's a charismatic actor. So is the guy they got to play the vampire lead. The love interest/reporter reminds me a bit too much of Elizabeth Roem from Angel, you know the gal who played Kate? And not in a good way.

Blood Ties is a whole lot better than this is, which is not saying much. So was Dresden Files - damn it. And don't get me started on Angel and Forever Knight - Knight being the only one that did not feel compelled to hire beautiful actors for the leads. Knight was a cult cable series which may have been the reason.

But I'll continue to tune in as a guiltly pleasure, won't be can't miss tv though. Will it make it? Depends on whether it grabs the Ghost Whisperer audience. From what I've seen of both shows, I'm guessing it could. Ghost Whisperer is well, let's say it makes Medium look like Shakespear and leave it at that.

5. Journeyman - better than I expected. I'm not a fan of time travel shows, but this one actually handles some of the issues I have with time travel shows. Such as - how do the people in your present time line handle your frequent disappearances into the past. Also to what degree do those visits to the past affect your own timeline. Journeyman reminds me a lot of Octavia Butler's excellent Kindred - which was also about someone being sucked into the past against their will. Far more interesting construct, I think, than TimeCop, Time Tunnel, and Quantum Leap - which were all about people fiddling with science. This series reminds me a bit of Doctor Who's take on time travel, which I find interesting and innovative and less cliche ridden. Plus the acting, direction, dialogue, and production are top-knotch, far and away the best of any of the new series I've seen to date. tightropegirl who recommended this one - is right on the money - it makes its audience work a little, treats the audience as bright, and does not tell us everything. I like that in a tv show.

6. Back to You - I missed the pilot and have only seen the second episode. It bugs me. But, I did find the bit about the gold-fish hilarious. I just wish we didn't have the token dumb but amazingly boxom and beautiful girl, the nervous reporter, the dumb pratical joker weatherman, and the stalwart long suffering female anchorwoman who is upstaged by the anchorman, who gets top billing. It makes me miss Murphy Brown, News Radio, WKRP in Cinnanti and the Mary Tyler Moor Show to be honest - which took place in the same set up but were more refreshing and innovative for their time. Maybe the multi-camera sitcom is a dying art form? Or maybe I've just lost interest in it?

Returning Favorites:

(ugh should do two posts for this but don't feel like it.)

1. Grey's Anatomy - sigh. I miss the first and second seasons, which were good and when I actually liked everyone on the show. It was one of those rare shows in which I actually loved all the characters. That is not the case now. Best exchange of the night? Christina's to McDreamy.

McDreamy: What do you say to a friendly drink sometime?
Christina gives him a look.
McDreamy: Don't see any reason why we can't be friends. (He's trying to find a way to break it to her that Burke not only left her at the altar he left the hospital and Seattle. Talk about being abandoned.)
Christina: Because I don't like you.
McDreamy: Why? Because of Meredith?
Christina: No. I just don't like you.

(evil snigger from me) Go Christina!!! I think I watch that show mainly for Christina. And Mark Sloan, Bailey, Meredith, Alex, and Callie. George and Izzy's story line is getting on my nerves. Outside of the above exchange, Bailey, and Meredith/Christina going on Christina's honeymoon together and leaving Izzy alone, disappointing episode.

2. Ugly Betty - this feels like a cheerful and warmhearted send-up of soap operas. And is at times a bit over the top about it. I do find it amusing though. And I like the twists and turns. Plus I enjoy all the characters.

3. Heroes - interesting episode, much better than I expected. I love what they are doing with Hiro - showing how he grows up and overcomes some of his own hero-worship but meeting the very object of that worship. Never meet your heroes- they are bound to disappoint. It's a great twist that Kensi - the amazing warrior, is actually a drunk English sword for hire.
Also adore what they've done with Nathan - who is tormented and the opposite of what he used to be. No longer the rich, successful politician, with the family and kid who adores his mother. Now a burnt and grieving alcoholic who hates his mother. Also the team-up of Mohindra, Parkman and Bennett carried over from the previous season is quite intriquing. All three continue to show their grey edges. We aren't quite sure what to think of them. Then we have the murder mystery - who is going after the older generation and why? It's not Sylar.
According to Molly - this person is far worse. And...finally, the two people on the run from Mexico - the girl who carries the ability to kill everyone within five or six yards of her and the boy who appears to have the ability to cancel out that particular power. The only bit that didn't intrigue me? Peter's storyline and his amensia. But we shall see.

This was my favorite of the returning series to date.

4. Smallville - continues to be really good. Lana faking her death and disappearing to China, while Lex goes down for her murder. Clark learning that sunlight heals him and destroys Bizarro. The introduction of Kara. I'm enjoying the latter seasons of this series far more than the earlier seasons. Plus word has it that Braniac is coming back or rather James Marsters is for four episodes. If you've watched Smallville and gave up on it, come back - the last season was quite good. Much better than expected. And this one is, judging from the first episode, getting off to a great start!

5. Without a Trace - Marsters was good. But again wasn't on screen long enough to leave much of an impression. That's the problem I'm having with his roles lately - he doesn't leave much of an impression. They feel sort of blah. I'm about to give up. The series however has grabbed me. I really like Anthony LaPagila and Jean-Marie Baptiste (the actress playing Vivian who is running the task force that Detective Mars joins.). I also like the storylines and cases. Plus this episode had some actors I liked from other things - the two who played the celebrity couple - I'd seen in daytime soap operas years ago. Both good actors. So, this show is growing on me. The only procedural that has oddly enough. Maybe because it's the only one that isn't focusing on serial killers or murder every week - we actually do get the victim saved and seen again. One gets sick of watching tv shows with killers torturing people then killing them in realistic flashbacks...I just can't watch it any more. Don't care how good the acting or presentation of it is.

6. House - I like the new set-up quite a bit. This show has managed to find an innovative way of staying fresh and interesting without redeeming or changing the main characters that much.
Instead what it does is explore another side of them by thrusting them all into a new situation. That's the realistic way to explore and evolve characters by the way - via situations and gradually over time. It's why I love the television medium - because you can do that on tv - you can explore different facets of a character, watch they grow, change, evolve, learn from past mistakes. Can't really do that in movies or plays as well - don't have enough time.

Also the by-play between Robert Scean Leonard and Hugh Laurie remains the main reason for watching this show. The writers have wisely figured out that this is the core of the series. The Doctor Watson/Sherlock Holmes relationship - which was a dysfunctional one to say the least, that's why it was so fascinating and held readers. Not the mysteries, but the relationship.

Show's I'm thinking of giving the ax to? Too early to tell. Still have more to watch, when and if I find the time. Ugh. I do have a life outside of television watching...you know.
For example just finished reading Kafka on the Shore - which I highly recommend.
I may write a complete review of it in another post...until then will leave you with this quote from it:

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That's part of what it means to be alive. But inside our heads - at least that's where I imagine it - there's a little room where we store those memories. A room like the stacks in this library. And to understand the workings of our own heart we have to keep on making reference cards. We have to dust things off every once in a while, let in fresh air, change the water in the flower vases. In other words, you'll live forever in your own private library.

Am currently reading America's Best Short Stories - 2007 edition, edited by Stephen King which is not what you'd expect and so far kick-ass. The first story blew me away.
And the second is doing much the same thing. That too, I'll save for another post.


Am tired or wiped out. Going to take medication and go to bed.

Comments

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

I don't recall any year in the past that had so many TV shows I was interested in, it seems to me that scripted TV is returning with a vengeance (thank heavens). I imagine that soon a few of them will be canceled and I'll return to my normal TV viewing habits (where there is only something good on every other night, instead of every night).

I've already given up on 'Back to You', which is sad because I did want to see Adam Busch's role in the show.

I was very disappointed by 'Bionic Woman', they recast Jamie's sister: when I saw the pilot at Comic con the younger sister was a very angry deaf girl who really connected with Jamie (you know, Michelle Ryne) in a very intense sisters arguing way that really added the grounding in humanity that that character needs. The new sister has no connection at all that I could see, and it kind of cut the heart out of the show IMO. Of course I still love seeing both Katee Sackoff and Mark Sheppard, but will that be enough to keep me interested?

I agree that the writing for 'Moonlight' is really disappointing, but I do like all three of the regular actors: the Vampire Mick is adorable, Jason Dohring's character is very funny, and personally I really like Sophie Myles as Beth. She does look a lot like Elizabeth Roem from Angel, but is a wonderful British actress (she played the Girl in the Fireplace, and I understand that she is David Tennant's real life girl friend) and I think she is better than the role she is playing. Oh, and I like Beth's snarky boss at the newspaper, she was funny and I hope we'll see more of her. This is the show most likely to be canceled, but I'll probably be watching until it is.

Of the geeky guys with powers shows I am loving both Chuck and Reaper, both are really a lot of laughs and excitement. They kind of remind me of Ugly Betty: comedies that really add to my enjoyment of life.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Same here - it does appear that scripted television has come back with a vengeance. Not that surprised - I sort of predicted it about five years ago. A friend was bemoaning over dinner the fate of scripted television - stating that all we would see were procedurals and reality shows. (ie. Law & Order clones). I remember laughing and saying no, sooner or later the market will get saturated, people will get bored, and the networks will scramble to find something to get their fickle viewers attention.
Which is exactly what happened over the past three years - the networks went overboard, people stopped watching, it cost them valuable advertising dollars and ratings, they re-grouped and bingo! (The irony of all this is the friend who was bemoaning this situation three or four years back, now watches mainly reality and procedural television shows because his wife prefers them. LOL!)

Anywho...I agree. Didn't see the original pilot for revised Bionic Woman, so don't know how it compares - but I have to agree that the one I saw lacked an emotional connection. I did not feel the love between the two sisters. It move too fast, I think. Tried to do too much in the space of one episode. Chuck - actually handled it better...as did Reaper, but they admittedly had easier foundations to build on.

Also agree on Moonlight - while the writing could be a great deal better, I like the characters, which for me is half the battle right there. Will it make it? I really don't know. All depends on how well it does against Friday Night Light's and Women's Murder Club. Friday Night Light's was the best show no one was watching last year - literally. Amazing acting, production, score, direction - a bit like watching a tele-novel for film not television or something on one of the premium cable channels. But it does require a bit of concentration and committment, more than any of the other shows on tv, which isn't something most viewers want to give. Women's Murder Club is an all female procedural based on James Patterson novels - depending on the writing and direction? This could take the night. It seems to have the most universial appeal. But - Ghost Whisperer owns the 8pm slot on Friday's - and Moonlight is similar enough to it in both style and mood that I think it may pull in that audience. It's not really directed towards the Buffy/Angel/Reaper crowd - it's more directed towards the Ghost Whisperer crowd.

Didn't know Adam Busch got a role in Back to You...too bad. I don't see it lasting. There is no chemistry between Heaton and Kramer. It reminds me more of Good Morning, BeanTown (which barely made it five or six episodes) than Murphy Brown.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't know when Adam Busch's character was due to show up (he is supposed to be a reoccurring Production Assistant) but I worry the show will be canceled before his character makes it to air!

Personally I find Ghost Whisperer to be unwatchable (I tried to watch it the time that Sean 'Simon of Firefly' Maher was guest staring) but I think Moonlight is a lot of fun. I find myself actually looking forward to the next episode!

Chuck and Reaper have a big advantage, I think, because comedies are an easier sell. A show like Bionic Woman has to be really exciting AND involving, while a comedy can get you to be a regular viewer just because a good laugh is so great after a long hard day.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Not overly fond of Ghost Whisperer myself - tried to watch it twice, but Jennifer Love Hewit irritates the heck out of me. I have no idea why. Couldn't bare to watch her when she was on Party of Five either. I don't know if I'd have watched the show if she weren't in it? Possibly. But doubtful. I tried last year for Jay Mohr - who I adore. But I gave up halfway through.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

Personally I don't think Jennifer Love Hewit can act, in my opinion she is always posing for the camera, trying to look cute (not listening to others or living in the moment). There are a lot of Hollywood types who I think are more conscious of how they look on camera than what their character is doing in the scene, and when I feel that they are posing I am pulled out of the story. When you add the fact that Ghost Whisperer doesn't have the best stories (at least the one episode I saw was incredibly bad obvious and lame) it is doubly bad having an lousy actress as lead.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Reaper is fresh, quirky, innovative, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Plus Ray Wise's devil is almost as funny as Alec Baldwin's character in 30 Rock. And I adore Tyler Labine's take on Sam's best friend
Nods. Best new show of the few that I've seen. Moonlight was Forever Knight Lite with a few bits of AtS tossed in and it bored me from the get go. I guessed the villain right away although it was amusing to see Dracula Smacula as a vampire wannabe.
And both Heroes & House made me happy to see them back. Especially House where I found I didn't miss the Ducklings at all.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Did just see Dirty Sexy Money - which was much better than I expected. Sort of Six Feet Under meets Dynasty with a hefty focus on Six Feet Under. Great cast with some really good writing and direction behind it.

Re House - I like how they've dealt with the Ducklings - having them graduate House and be reassigned to positions elsewhere in the hospital, where they are no longer under House's thumb.