It has become apparent that I need to somehow label these so that I can keep them straight. I'm going to employ a system that I know all to well, the season.episode format, only now with month.week. Here we go!
Most Unexpected Memory Trigger: Betty White at the SAG awards, if you can believe it…
As happy as I was to see 89 year old Betty White take home the statue (even if she actually won for outstanding achievement in the field of still being alive), it also triggered one of those lightning-fast recollections of a dream that I had totally forgotten about. For some reason, I was riding in the backseat of a car (one of those old people cars—you know, the size of a catamaran, all in maroon) with someone I can’t remember and Betty was driving. When I say “driving,” I mean “racing down the freeway like a maniac.” I kept screaming for Betty to stop the car, but she wouldn’t. Then the cops pulled up beside us, sirens blaring, trying to get her to stop. Still no luck. I kept looking over at the cops with a look of “I don’t know what to do” because it was really important to me at the time that they know that I was not in cahoots with Betty White. I seem to recall Betty driving off the road into a ditch after that, much to everyone’s relief. That maniac Betty White would no longer be terrorizing the good people of whatever fictional town my brain had come up with. What this all could mean, I have no idea… If there are any Freudians or dream analysts out there, Merry Christmas.
Best Absence: Al Pacino wins at the SAG awards, but mercifully isn’t there to accept.
Not having to listen to another interminable “speech” from Al Pacino means we’re all winners.
Most Convenient Casting: Paz de la Huerta
Apparently the casting director for Boardwalk Empire wasn’t taking too big of a leap in casting Paz de la Huerta as a half-conscious, grating, incoherent dingbat, as confirmed at the SAG awards. And here all this time I was just hoping she was one hell of a convincing actress. As it turns out, no acting required. In related news, put… the bronzer… down!
Longest Divorce: Chuck
Hot on the heels of its dubious distinction as the “least tempting show saved on my DVR,” I’ve finally, finally, FINALLY broken things off for good. In light of hardly anything being new last night, I started watching one of the saved episodes. After about five minutes, I could hear Jessica Lovejoy’s voice in my head with a plaintive, “Bored now,” and called it quits. Officially. The series has been canceled from my DVR list and all saved episodes have been deleted. If precedent serves, this means the show will now get insanely awesome again, so if you’re sticking with it, you’re welcome.
Most Unhatable Villain: Lie to Me’s baddie-of-the-week
Okay, I realize that the delectable Ashton Holmes (the late great Thom from Nikita) was actually a brutal murderer on last night’s episode of Lie to Me, but I have so many warm and fuzzy feelings about him from his stint on Nikita that I spent the entire episode hoping to hell he got away with it. It wasn’t all that long ago that he got killed (the wound is still a bit fresh in my mind), so it sure was nice to see him crop up on another show (quite frankly, a show that can use all the help it can get). Here’s hoping he lands a regular gig on something worth watching (which is code for, something on cable—ooh! Justified! Please?).
Best Casting News: Kristen Bell in Showtime's House of Lies, a role that might not totally suck.
I think we can all agree that most of her career moves have been more heartbreaking than uplifting. Post Veronica Mars, it’s been pretty painful to watch our darling Veronica in one craptastic romantic comedy after another. Here’s hoping her return to the small screen yields watchable results. Showtime has a pretty good track record, so at least there’s a chance. Kristen really deserves more than just a supporting role, but hey, I’d rather see her play second fiddle on a show that’s good than headline something as horrendous as When in Rome. Oh, wait…
Most Tantalizing Tidbit: Neal Caffrey’s father was a cop!
Can I just say, White Collar took a while to really find solid ground, but now that it’s there, it has become one of my favorite hours of television each week. Maybe it’s that the writers really feel like they know their characters now, or that the network is in full support of the show, or maybe it’s that they finally killed off Kate ("I’ll take Kate Getting Killed for 500, Alex."), but whatever is going on, it’s working. After last week’s flashback episode, I had feared that they would withhold any additional information about Neal’s past until some sort of finale or premiere (which don’t get me wrong, on USA, that’s about all there is), but I was pleasantly surprised to get some tantalizing information about Neal’s real past, not just his criminal past. I love that Neal’s father was a cop. The vibe between Neal and Peter has always had a bit of a father-son vibe to it, so making Neal’s actual father a cop just adds to that. The fact that his father was never around when he was a kid (and was apparently a dirty cop) also gives their vibe a shot in the arm. I thought it was really interesting when Neal said that he learned a lot about guns trying to be like his father, given the fact that it’s been established that Neal hates guns. His relationship with his father (or lack thereof), has helped mold Neal into the man he is today, and essentially Peter is stepping in where his father never did. Neal’s mother claims that his father died when he was a toddler, but I think we all know that he isn’t dead. With the Kate mystery starting to wind down with the revelation of Adler, I’m happy to see them sparking new ones. The actual chronology of events and the veracity of everything Neal told Peter is still up for grabs, but whatever the case may be, I’m thrilled to finally get some basic information about who Neal is and where he came from. I’m secretly hoping there are some siblings out there to be found as well…
Best Showdown: Cary vs Blake on The Good Wife
Second Best Showdown: Eli vs Becca on The Good Wife
Third Best Showdown: Alicia vs Wendy Scott-Carr on, wait for it, The Good Wife
Most Showdowns: Homekeepers with Arthelene Rippy
Or was it The Good Wife? Yeah, in case you hadn’t noticed a pattern here, The Good Wife had kind of an intense week… Homekeepers is really more about passive-aggressive power-plays than showdowns. No really, I’m serious. If you watch The Soup, you know what I mean.
Bloodiest Backfire: Being Human
While it can’t quite hold a candle to the UK original, the US version is well-done and entertaining. And pretty bleak, at times. I had a feeling Aidan’s attempts to glamour that guy wouldn’t end well, but I didn’t expect the guy to kill himself. When Bishop handed Aidan that envelope, I thought of several possibilities for what could be in there, but bloody suicide photos was not at the top of the list. Ouch. Poor Aidan. That’s rough, bro.
Best Shower: One that has Ian Somerhalder in it...
Kudos, Vampire Diaries. Kudos. Ian is also sitting in the "Best Bathtub" category. Man, that was a really good episode, wasn't it?
Sorest Loser with the Most Pathetic Pasta: Mike Isabella on Top Chef
Mike, it’s one thing to be disappointed that you didn’t win, it’s quite another to bitch and moan that Antonia’s dish was “really easy” when all you had to do was make pasta. And you couldn’t. That’s right, jackass, she didn’t beat you with some fantabulous dish. Nope, all she had to do was make something properly and it blew your hard, crunchy, “un-done-te” pasta out of the water. Seriously, I can’t believe he had the gall to call her out for making something simple. Dear Mike, I can’t steam mussels, but I can boil water and dump pasta in, thanks. Bastard. Mike, if you want to beat Antonia, might I make a suggestion?
Best Episode Cliffhanger (muahahahaha division): The Vampire Diaries
I don’t know about you, but I kinda can’t wait for Katherine to get out of the tomb. Did I think for even a minute that it would be Uncle John to get her out? Not a chance. The vampire/werewolf war that’s brewing needs all the badass vampires it can get. There will be blood. Well, more blood.
Best Episode Cliffhanger (ruh-ruh division): Nikita
It doesn’t come as a total surprise that Michael is starting to put the pieces together on Nikita, but that doesn’t make it any less foreboding. His reaction to Nikita outside the museum, however, makes me think that most of his blustering is pure bravado and that he’s isn’t as angry as he claims. I’m loving this show and I can’t wait to see how this one plays out. In other news, uh, Alex? Could you at least try to look like you’re actually capable of subduing a room full of hostages? And couldn’t the show have included at least one other woman in that group? She stuck out like a tiny, teenage thumb.
Quotes of the Week:
Lip: “Debs, was he inside or outside the yard when you grabbed him?”
Debbie: “Inside.”
Lip: “Okay… So, how’d you get him out?”
Debbie: “I waved a Snickers bar at him.”
--Lip trying to figure out just how Debbie stole a 2-year-old from a birthday party and exactly how much trouble she’ll be in on Shameless. It was Debbie’s zealous reading of “Snickers bar” that really sold the line.
“Tell me about your mother. Did she wear hats?”
--Peter, on White Collar, trying to pin down absolutely anything regarding Neal’s dubious personal history, whether sartorial or otherwise.
“This looks like something you’d find at the steam table at your worst enemy’s wedding.”
--Anthony Bourdain (aka the best addition to the show in ages), regarding Mike’s pathetic pasta on Top Chef. Sooo, you’re saying we’re at Mike’s wedding?
Eli: “How is it that I can manage aldermen, judges, and yet I still seem to have this ridiculous little mean girl thorn in my shoe?”
Becca: “Maybe your secretly in love.”
--One of many showdowns in The Good Wife this week. Apparently Eli didn’t watch enough Gossip Girl or he would have seen this coming a mile away. Not that he wasn’t prepared. I think we can all agree that when it comes to politics, Eli is the meanest mean girl in town.
Cary: “You just got my only eyewitness kicked and you want my help?”
Kalinda: “Yeah.”
--Oh, Cary, we all know she does and we all know you will. So would we.
“It’ll murder those fine lines and wrinkles right off your face.”
--Danielle Fishel on The Dish, regarding the Rejuvenique beauty mask.
Damon: “He’s a werewolf. He needs to die. I’m willing to kill. It’s a win-win.”
Elena: "Damon, please. Too many people are dead.”
Damon: “You need to stop doing that.”
Elena: “Doing what?”
Damon: “Assuming that I’ll play the good guy because it’s you who’s asking.”
--The Vampire Diaries. Something wicked this way comes, and he has fabulous blue eyes.
“For reasons that should be obvious, Pierce the Insensitive, known also as Pierce the Dickish and Grandpa the Flatulent, was not invited.”
--Lord of the Rings-y narrator of Community’s Dungeons & Dragons send-up of Pierce.
Showing posts with label Chuck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chuck. Show all posts
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Final Week-In-Review for January
It's that magical, magical time again. Friday. Here are my ever-growing thoughts on all the crazy that went down this week.
Best Advertisement: the Parents Television Council’s condemnation of… well, anything
As you know, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the water-down, tamed and lamed US version of the British classic, Skins. But, as with so many shows before it, even the cut and censored version annoys the ridiculous, puritanical Parents Television Council… which makes me want to give the show another chance. Anything that gets their dander up gets a few extra points in my book. Heh, I’d have loved to have seen their take on the real version. They’re just so spectacularly stupid to think that their condemnation with cause fewer people (especially kids) to watch the show. Nothing made me quite so happy as when Gossip Girl used quotes from the PTC as their ad campaign, because really, that’s exactly what the PTC is doing. They’re basically telling kids exactly what they should be watching. Well, I’m no kid, but I’m suddenly much more likely to watch the US version of Skins… even if it could never hold a candle (crack pipe?) to the original.
Best Kiss: Castle
How could I not put this on the list, I mean really. Sometimes characters have great theoretical sexual chemistry, but then it’s all awkward and uncomfortable in reality. Not the case here. The steamy Castle/Beckett lip-lock wasn’t awkward at all. They’ve always had a really flirty, friendly kind of vibe going, so it just makes good sense that the sexual chemistry works as well as it does. Best part of all? Castle’s flustered reaction afterward. Hehe. Oh, Nathan Fillion. Always good for a laugh.
Best Remake: the US version of Being Human
I’ve actually had this one saved on my DVR for over a week. After the spectacular failure that was the US remake of Skins, I was understandably apprehensive about yet another seemingly unnecessary remake. Well, much to my delight and surprise, Being Human is actually good. Really good, I dare say. The major difference is that unlike Skins, the US Being Human didn’t simply take the exact same characters with the exact same names and film a pilot that was almost scene for scene the exact same show. I spent the Skins pilot feeling like I was listening to a bad cover-band. Being Human took the same base concept and characters, but made it their own in a lot of little ways. The US version starts several months prior to the UK version, so it was able to establish these characters in a slightly different way. By using this tactic, it felt like I got to see something new, but also got to see a bit of an origin story for characters that I kind of know. I say “kind of” because the US versions of Mitchell, George, and Annie are similar in substance, but quite different in tone. The US Mitchell (renamed Aidan) is more cool and casual than his enthusiastic UK cousin. The new George (now Josh) is more sardonic than hysterical, and the new Annie (Sally) is more down to earth than flighty. It gave the show a slightly different vibe and made it seem fresh and new, even though at its core, it’s essentially a show I’m already familiar with. They have tweaked all the original characters (the new Herrick (some of the shoes that would be hardest to fill) is awesomely played by Dexter alum Mark Pellegrino, who gives the character a new persona), and new characters have been added. George/Josh has a sister who, at the end of part 1 of the pilot, is in an incredibly precarious situation. To the show’s credit, after only half a pilot, I’m kind of dying to see what happens. They established these characters in a way that didn’t seem like a bastardized rehash, but rather as an inspired reimagining. I was surprised at how much I loved part 1 and I can’t wait for part 2. I was so sure I would hate this, but at the end of the day, it felt like a different kind of experience than the UK version. The original is clearly superior in many many ways, but I’m surprisingly excited to see how the US team makes it their own. I’m as shocked as you are, but this one seems to be a winner whether you’re a fan of the British series or not.
Best Vindication (the blast from the past edition): Sex and the City
Okay, so this comes about a decade late, but as you all know, I’m catching up on shows that I missed back in the day. I’ve really been enjoying Sex and the City (a hell of a lot more than I ever would have thought). Anyway, I just watched the episode where Carrie runs into Big’s new wife and she’s determined to look fabulous at a luncheon they’ll both be attending (you know, so she can save face and one-up the woman who won Big’s heart). Well, after Natasha (Mrs. Big) can’t make it to the luncheon to see Carrie looking divine, Carrie feels like she lost… until she gets a card from Natasha thanking her for attending the luncheon and lamenting the fact that she was sick. Nothing says vindication quite like poor English skills… “‘I wish I could have been their.’ T-H-E-I-R.” This of course means she has to immediately call Miranda with the good news about Natasha. “It’s a good thing she got married, because she’s an idiot!” Ha! Seriously, it’s like when you see a facebook status or a blog post from someone you hate and you notice that the grammar is horrendous. It just makes you feel good inside. Like pie. (Please keep in mind that I never proofread, so I’m sure I’ve had more than a few foibles in my day. It’s only when it’s someone I want to destroy that it’s truly satisfying…)
Charmiest (?) Third Time: Shameless
After a so-so pilot and a thoroughly disappointing episode 2, Shameless appears to have finally found some footing with episode 3. Engaging, funny, emotionally resonant, and interesting, the show’s third outing proved to be their best yet. I think the more the show focuses on the kids and the less screentime it gives to William H. Macy, the better the show. Fiona’s the real backbone of the family, but I think Lip and Ian are quickly becoming my favorite family members—especially as a pair. This show has been incredibly uneven thus far, but I’m hopeful the writers recognize what they have with these two and starts gearing the show in their direction. I really loved that Lip was more than willing to take a beating for his brother and thought nothing of it. The dynamic between the two of them is the best part of the show, and Ian is quickly turning into the best character.
Most Recent Discouragement from Getting Married: Perfect Couples
I’d say “biggest discouragement,” but that’s a really, really high bar, so we’ll stick with “most recent.” Perfect Couples was perfectly irritating. I made it to the end of the pilot, but just barely. I’ve said before that married couples are apparently boring (at least that’s what TV would have me believe)… Well, I’ll see my “boring” and raise me a “completely grating.” Painfully unfunny, too. Yeah, not adding this sucker to my rotation.
Best Immunity Prize: White Collar
Sure, winning immunity on a cooking show is fun and all, but at the end of the day, who the hell really cares? I much prefer White Collar’s brand of immunity because it comes with an origin story, not just a pass. All I can say is, it’s about time they gave us some background. I can see where they might have wanted to hold off till this late in the series (although I’m hearing that was a network decision, not a creative one), but with a set up like White Collar’s, I think it should have come a long time ago. Up till now, the audience basically knew nothing about Kate and spent every single episode of the show being slightly annoyed that Neal is so obsessed with this random face who has had no character development whatsoever. I defy you to find a fan of this show who was truly upset by her getting blown up last season. This show needed to establish her character in a way that had the audience truly invested in her and in her relationship with Neal. Last night’s flurry of flashbacks helped fill in a lot of blanks, but in terms of Kate, I think it might have been too little too late. It was nice to see that she can speak and all, but I still didn’t really buy the character. I think a different actress could maybe have invigorated the role, but the girl they got was just dull (entirely too dull for someone like Neal to really care about). I had always tried to give the show the benefit of the doubt and created a Kate in my head that was enigmatic, charming, and elusive, but now that I see her in the flesh? Meh. Neal can do a hell of a lot better. It makes the fact that he got arrested for her all the more irksome and ridiculous. Really? For her? Blanda Blahington? The rest of the flashback offerings were outstanding, however. It was great to see how Neal met Mozzie (hilariously toupee’d and goatee’d), how he became the man his is today (sort of—I’d still like to see where he originally came from), and how he and Alex got involved. Man alive, I love Alex. Sooo much more than Kate. She actually has an edge and has some genuine chemistry with Neal. The interplay between them is always sexy and fun to watch. Anyway, the writers did a lovely job keeping the continuity consistent with what we already know and nodding at little tidbits of knowledge (like the Raphael) that were seemingly irrelevant until now. Nicely done, show. Very nice.
Best Moniker: Bonds. James Bonds.
Once again, kudos to White Collar. I love that Neal’s FBI name (you know, before he and Peter actually met and became friends) was something so badass. You could see that it was killing Peter to admit that Neal was so impressive as to deserve such a moniker.
Darkest Matter: Breaking Bad
Yeah, so… started watching Breaking Bad on DVD. Damn… that show is dark. Good, but dark. I’m only a couple of episodes in, but it’s seriously reminding me of that episode of The Black Donnelleys where they have to dispose of some dead guy in a barrel. I’m as desensitized as it gets, but that doesn’t make watching guys dispose of a body pleasant to watch… it just makes it bearable.
Least Tempting Show Saved on My DVR: Chuck
Deadliest Custody Battle: Southland
Well, if True Blood is mommy and Southland is daddy, I think we now know who the judge sided with on the Kevin Alejandro custody trial. As is so often the case, mommy is keeping the kid. I realize that Kevin Alejandro is a regular on True Blood, so something had to give with his gig on Southland, but wow. That’s rough. And unfortunate on any number of levels. I actually kind of adored Detective Nate Moretta and seeing him killed like that was brutal. What’s worse, his partner Sammy is still with us. I’ve hated Sammy for a good long while (mostly because of his grating relationship with this wife), so to see Nate bite the bullet while Sammy walks away? Ouch.
Subtlest Simpsons Reference: Criminal Minds
It’s the little things that count. In terms of subject matter, Criminal Minds is about the unfunniest show on the planet, so when you’re watching an episode that slips in a joke, it’s much appreciated. As Garcia is looking into the deaths of convenience store owners in surrounding states, one such unlucky victims information displays on her computer screen with “Name of Victim: Apu, N.” She didn’t actually say the name, so you had to be paying attention, but it’s still nice to have something funny inserted into the "torture porn" that is this show.
Saddest Countdown: The Vampire Diaries
“One… Two…”
Three. I guess that’s more of a count-up, but still. I was never a huge fan of Rose, but last night’s heartbreaking death really hit me. I guess the good news is that after suffering for the better part of the episode, Damon helped her die peacefully… in his arms… as he created a fantasy in her head. Still sad, but I can think of worse ways to go. If that weren’t sad enough, Damon has to go and break my heart again at the end. Poor guy just can't catch a break.
Quotes of the Week:
“One million PTC members can’t be wrong.”
--Matt Webb Mitovich from TVLine.com, regarding the US version of Skins, which he included on his list of shows worth watching this week. All of sudden, I’m inclined to agree.
“Look, I may not have a badge, unless you count the chocolate one Alexis gave me for my birthday, but I’ll tell you this, like it or not, I’m your plucky sidekick.”
--Castle, from, well, Castle.
“Well, if you need me, I’ll be across the street in the bushes, stalking you. [pause] I saw you smile!”
--Steve, trying to win Fiona back after royally screwing up on Shameless.
“Wow, I don’t even need a corkscrew.”
--Neal, regarding Peter’s cheap choice of wine on White Collar.
“Well, that answers my question. Jeff Winger is sexy even in a coffin.”
--Dean Pelton, admiring Joel McHale on Community, the way all good people do.
“Dude, you have no idea how messy things are about to get.”
--Birkoff, assessing the total ass-kickery that’s about to ensue when Nikita and Michael square off against a gaggle of security guards.
Best Advertisement: the Parents Television Council’s condemnation of… well, anything
As you know, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the water-down, tamed and lamed US version of the British classic, Skins. But, as with so many shows before it, even the cut and censored version annoys the ridiculous, puritanical Parents Television Council… which makes me want to give the show another chance. Anything that gets their dander up gets a few extra points in my book. Heh, I’d have loved to have seen their take on the real version. They’re just so spectacularly stupid to think that their condemnation with cause fewer people (especially kids) to watch the show. Nothing made me quite so happy as when Gossip Girl used quotes from the PTC as their ad campaign, because really, that’s exactly what the PTC is doing. They’re basically telling kids exactly what they should be watching. Well, I’m no kid, but I’m suddenly much more likely to watch the US version of Skins… even if it could never hold a candle (crack pipe?) to the original.
Best Kiss: Castle
How could I not put this on the list, I mean really. Sometimes characters have great theoretical sexual chemistry, but then it’s all awkward and uncomfortable in reality. Not the case here. The steamy Castle/Beckett lip-lock wasn’t awkward at all. They’ve always had a really flirty, friendly kind of vibe going, so it just makes good sense that the sexual chemistry works as well as it does. Best part of all? Castle’s flustered reaction afterward. Hehe. Oh, Nathan Fillion. Always good for a laugh.
Best Remake: the US version of Being Human
I’ve actually had this one saved on my DVR for over a week. After the spectacular failure that was the US remake of Skins, I was understandably apprehensive about yet another seemingly unnecessary remake. Well, much to my delight and surprise, Being Human is actually good. Really good, I dare say. The major difference is that unlike Skins, the US Being Human didn’t simply take the exact same characters with the exact same names and film a pilot that was almost scene for scene the exact same show. I spent the Skins pilot feeling like I was listening to a bad cover-band. Being Human took the same base concept and characters, but made it their own in a lot of little ways. The US version starts several months prior to the UK version, so it was able to establish these characters in a slightly different way. By using this tactic, it felt like I got to see something new, but also got to see a bit of an origin story for characters that I kind of know. I say “kind of” because the US versions of Mitchell, George, and Annie are similar in substance, but quite different in tone. The US Mitchell (renamed Aidan) is more cool and casual than his enthusiastic UK cousin. The new George (now Josh) is more sardonic than hysterical, and the new Annie (Sally) is more down to earth than flighty. It gave the show a slightly different vibe and made it seem fresh and new, even though at its core, it’s essentially a show I’m already familiar with. They have tweaked all the original characters (the new Herrick (some of the shoes that would be hardest to fill) is awesomely played by Dexter alum Mark Pellegrino, who gives the character a new persona), and new characters have been added. George/Josh has a sister who, at the end of part 1 of the pilot, is in an incredibly precarious situation. To the show’s credit, after only half a pilot, I’m kind of dying to see what happens. They established these characters in a way that didn’t seem like a bastardized rehash, but rather as an inspired reimagining. I was surprised at how much I loved part 1 and I can’t wait for part 2. I was so sure I would hate this, but at the end of the day, it felt like a different kind of experience than the UK version. The original is clearly superior in many many ways, but I’m surprisingly excited to see how the US team makes it their own. I’m as shocked as you are, but this one seems to be a winner whether you’re a fan of the British series or not.
Best Vindication (the blast from the past edition): Sex and the City
Okay, so this comes about a decade late, but as you all know, I’m catching up on shows that I missed back in the day. I’ve really been enjoying Sex and the City (a hell of a lot more than I ever would have thought). Anyway, I just watched the episode where Carrie runs into Big’s new wife and she’s determined to look fabulous at a luncheon they’ll both be attending (you know, so she can save face and one-up the woman who won Big’s heart). Well, after Natasha (Mrs. Big) can’t make it to the luncheon to see Carrie looking divine, Carrie feels like she lost… until she gets a card from Natasha thanking her for attending the luncheon and lamenting the fact that she was sick. Nothing says vindication quite like poor English skills… “‘I wish I could have been their.’ T-H-E-I-R.” This of course means she has to immediately call Miranda with the good news about Natasha. “It’s a good thing she got married, because she’s an idiot!” Ha! Seriously, it’s like when you see a facebook status or a blog post from someone you hate and you notice that the grammar is horrendous. It just makes you feel good inside. Like pie. (Please keep in mind that I never proofread, so I’m sure I’ve had more than a few foibles in my day. It’s only when it’s someone I want to destroy that it’s truly satisfying…)
Charmiest (?) Third Time: Shameless
After a so-so pilot and a thoroughly disappointing episode 2, Shameless appears to have finally found some footing with episode 3. Engaging, funny, emotionally resonant, and interesting, the show’s third outing proved to be their best yet. I think the more the show focuses on the kids and the less screentime it gives to William H. Macy, the better the show. Fiona’s the real backbone of the family, but I think Lip and Ian are quickly becoming my favorite family members—especially as a pair. This show has been incredibly uneven thus far, but I’m hopeful the writers recognize what they have with these two and starts gearing the show in their direction. I really loved that Lip was more than willing to take a beating for his brother and thought nothing of it. The dynamic between the two of them is the best part of the show, and Ian is quickly turning into the best character.
Most Recent Discouragement from Getting Married: Perfect Couples
I’d say “biggest discouragement,” but that’s a really, really high bar, so we’ll stick with “most recent.” Perfect Couples was perfectly irritating. I made it to the end of the pilot, but just barely. I’ve said before that married couples are apparently boring (at least that’s what TV would have me believe)… Well, I’ll see my “boring” and raise me a “completely grating.” Painfully unfunny, too. Yeah, not adding this sucker to my rotation.
Best Immunity Prize: White Collar
Sure, winning immunity on a cooking show is fun and all, but at the end of the day, who the hell really cares? I much prefer White Collar’s brand of immunity because it comes with an origin story, not just a pass. All I can say is, it’s about time they gave us some background. I can see where they might have wanted to hold off till this late in the series (although I’m hearing that was a network decision, not a creative one), but with a set up like White Collar’s, I think it should have come a long time ago. Up till now, the audience basically knew nothing about Kate and spent every single episode of the show being slightly annoyed that Neal is so obsessed with this random face who has had no character development whatsoever. I defy you to find a fan of this show who was truly upset by her getting blown up last season. This show needed to establish her character in a way that had the audience truly invested in her and in her relationship with Neal. Last night’s flurry of flashbacks helped fill in a lot of blanks, but in terms of Kate, I think it might have been too little too late. It was nice to see that she can speak and all, but I still didn’t really buy the character. I think a different actress could maybe have invigorated the role, but the girl they got was just dull (entirely too dull for someone like Neal to really care about). I had always tried to give the show the benefit of the doubt and created a Kate in my head that was enigmatic, charming, and elusive, but now that I see her in the flesh? Meh. Neal can do a hell of a lot better. It makes the fact that he got arrested for her all the more irksome and ridiculous. Really? For her? Blanda Blahington? The rest of the flashback offerings were outstanding, however. It was great to see how Neal met Mozzie (hilariously toupee’d and goatee’d), how he became the man his is today (sort of—I’d still like to see where he originally came from), and how he and Alex got involved. Man alive, I love Alex. Sooo much more than Kate. She actually has an edge and has some genuine chemistry with Neal. The interplay between them is always sexy and fun to watch. Anyway, the writers did a lovely job keeping the continuity consistent with what we already know and nodding at little tidbits of knowledge (like the Raphael) that were seemingly irrelevant until now. Nicely done, show. Very nice.
Best Moniker: Bonds. James Bonds.
Once again, kudos to White Collar. I love that Neal’s FBI name (you know, before he and Peter actually met and became friends) was something so badass. You could see that it was killing Peter to admit that Neal was so impressive as to deserve such a moniker.
Darkest Matter: Breaking Bad
Yeah, so… started watching Breaking Bad on DVD. Damn… that show is dark. Good, but dark. I’m only a couple of episodes in, but it’s seriously reminding me of that episode of The Black Donnelleys where they have to dispose of some dead guy in a barrel. I’m as desensitized as it gets, but that doesn’t make watching guys dispose of a body pleasant to watch… it just makes it bearable.
Least Tempting Show Saved on My DVR: Chuck
Deadliest Custody Battle: Southland
Well, if True Blood is mommy and Southland is daddy, I think we now know who the judge sided with on the Kevin Alejandro custody trial. As is so often the case, mommy is keeping the kid. I realize that Kevin Alejandro is a regular on True Blood, so something had to give with his gig on Southland, but wow. That’s rough. And unfortunate on any number of levels. I actually kind of adored Detective Nate Moretta and seeing him killed like that was brutal. What’s worse, his partner Sammy is still with us. I’ve hated Sammy for a good long while (mostly because of his grating relationship with this wife), so to see Nate bite the bullet while Sammy walks away? Ouch.
Subtlest Simpsons Reference: Criminal Minds
It’s the little things that count. In terms of subject matter, Criminal Minds is about the unfunniest show on the planet, so when you’re watching an episode that slips in a joke, it’s much appreciated. As Garcia is looking into the deaths of convenience store owners in surrounding states, one such unlucky victims information displays on her computer screen with “Name of Victim: Apu, N.” She didn’t actually say the name, so you had to be paying attention, but it’s still nice to have something funny inserted into the "torture porn" that is this show.
Saddest Countdown: The Vampire Diaries
“One… Two…”
Three. I guess that’s more of a count-up, but still. I was never a huge fan of Rose, but last night’s heartbreaking death really hit me. I guess the good news is that after suffering for the better part of the episode, Damon helped her die peacefully… in his arms… as he created a fantasy in her head. Still sad, but I can think of worse ways to go. If that weren’t sad enough, Damon has to go and break my heart again at the end. Poor guy just can't catch a break.
Quotes of the Week:
“One million PTC members can’t be wrong.”
--Matt Webb Mitovich from TVLine.com, regarding the US version of Skins, which he included on his list of shows worth watching this week. All of sudden, I’m inclined to agree.
“Look, I may not have a badge, unless you count the chocolate one Alexis gave me for my birthday, but I’ll tell you this, like it or not, I’m your plucky sidekick.”
--Castle, from, well, Castle.
“Well, if you need me, I’ll be across the street in the bushes, stalking you. [pause] I saw you smile!”
--Steve, trying to win Fiona back after royally screwing up on Shameless.
“Wow, I don’t even need a corkscrew.”
--Neal, regarding Peter’s cheap choice of wine on White Collar.
“Well, that answers my question. Jeff Winger is sexy even in a coffin.”
--Dean Pelton, admiring Joel McHale on Community, the way all good people do.
“Dude, you have no idea how messy things are about to get.”
--Birkoff, assessing the total ass-kickery that’s about to ensue when Nikita and Michael square off against a gaggle of security guards.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Falling Off The Chuckwagon
It's always depressing when a show lets you down, but when a show lets you down after you've fought so long and hard for it, it's even worse. After several seasons of finger-crossing, wishing, hoping, and enduring a near-unbearable slew of Subway ads, Chuck lives, but lately, my love for it does not.
It's always difficult for hardcore fans to admit when the object of their affection has flown off the rails, particularly when you spent all last season campaigning on the "SAVE THIS SHOW!" float, so it isn't easy for me to admit, but this season of Chuck has been bad, peeps. Really bad. I have quickly gone from being slightly underwhelmed to pretty bored to begrudging and we're only 10 episodes in. Seriously, watching these last few episodes has felt like a chore, not a pleasure, and I can't seem to stop myself from checking what minute we're at in the broadcast at least 4 or 5 times. Quite frankly, had I not been championing the show for the past several years, I think I'd have already broken up with it...
I guess I just keep hoping it'll get good again, but my confidence is starting to dwindle. Most shows take a few episodes of a new season to get things back in gear, but 10? After 10 episodes, we should be knee-deep in awesome, and with Chuck this year, we're knee-deep in... something else. Maybe it's the season 4 curse. For whatever reason (usually college), most shows seem to fall apart at the season 4 mark. Buffy, Angel, Alias, Gilmore Girls, Psych... the list goes on. Most of these shows managed to reclaim some former glory with season 5 (heh, Glory, season 5, Buffy, anyone?), but that's assuming I make it through season 4. We're only to the half-way point with Chuck and I don't know if I'm going to make it to the next episode... Let me count the ways...
1) The foundation of the show is gone.
What's worse, it wasn't replaced with anything else, really, let alone something awesome. Shows have to grow and evolve and sometimes that means that a fundamental change has to take place. I'm fine with that. Indeed, for the best of shows, the game-changer changes the game in the most awesome of ways. With Chuck, well... they pretty much just keep switching back and forth between overplayed conceits. It's hard to really explain, but I think any true fan of the show acknowledges that the magic of the show is mostly gone. The initial charm was that a regular guy got caught up in the spy world and was given knowledge and abilities he didn't know what to do with. Chuck had to keep his identity secret all while trying to be the spy he was never meant to be. I grant that over time, Chuck needed to become a better spy and that he couldn't play the dorky fish out of water forever. I'm totally fine with that. The only problem is that the show seems hell-bent on hanging onto a premise that no longer exists. The characters have moved past their original incarnations and the original concept of the show has disappeared. Again, that's fine so long as they replace the foundation with something solid. Instead, the team behind Chuck replaced the old foundation with... well... Morgan, basically... They've made Morgan the rookie in an attempt to retain the geeky non-spy angle to the show (as well as keeping the Buy More antics alive--more on that later), but it really isn't working for me. And yet, somehow, this angle that isn't really working for me is probably the most entertaining element of the show these days. Wow, not a good sign. I would have liked to have seen the show truly re-invent itself. With each previous season, the writers found a way to add more layers and possibilities for these characters, but with the current season? They've either run out of room or I've simply run out of caring. They seemingly replaced all physical and mental challenges with... relationship woes? Downgrade. If they really wanted to keep the show alive, they should have completely re-invented the premise not simply spun off into whineyville. After Chuck became a real spy, I had high hopes that they would truly change things up--move the characters to a new place, give them a new mission, and alter the working dynamic among the group. If they were so determined to make Chuck a real spy and bring him and Sarah together, fine. Change the vibe of the show. Take what made Sarah and Bryce such a sizzling spy couple and apply it here. Yeah, no such luck.
2) Same old characters, same routine.
Don't get me wrong, I have truly adored these characters for years now, but at some point, something has to change. I'm so sick to death of watching these same people do the same things for the same reasons every single week. I know a lot of fans out there were none-too-fond of the Sarah/Superman relationship last season, but I think most would agree that Shaw brought a lot to the show. Not only did he provide an obvious (and often heavy-handed) love interest for Sarah and a big bad for the season, but most importantly for me, he provided a new character for our regulars to interact with and play off of, forcing them out of their comfort zones. It's one of the main reasons I loved Bryce so much. Aside from being a great (and beautiful) character who made for a fair match for Sarah, he added a whole new vibe to the show and forced the other characters to adapt. Now it's down to the bare bones and every episode sees Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Morgan doing essentially the same things with the same people. By season 4, viewers need something new... something other than Chuck's mother. Which brings me to my third point...
3) The mother of all fails.
I guess the writers actually did bring in a new element, a new character that should have shaken things up... Only problem? It didn't work. The show seems to think I should be really interested in Chuck's mother and the constant (and annoying) twists and reveals about whether or not she's good or evil. I genuinely don't care. I haven't cared pretty much since minute 2. I say minute 2 because when it was revealed that Mama Bartowski was alive at the end of season 3, I was honestly intrigued and excited for season 4. Minute 2, however, made it clear that this was going to be a season long story arc where the only real threat presented is that I might fall asleep. I can't decide how much of it's the writing and how much of it is Linda Hamilton, but Mama Bartowski has been nothing but a letdown. Chuck seems continually shocked that his mother is evil. No, good! No, evil! I, on the other hand, have no investment in this character whatsoever and just wish she'd fall down a mine shaft or something. Once a character has been shifted back and forth between good and evil 117 times, it stops being a shock and starts being a crutch. The show is spinning its wheels and Mama Bartowski is driving the bus. God, her line deliveries alone drive me crazy. It's like she takes too much medication the morning before shooting and then has to keep downing Red Bulls to stay awake and alert. Epic fail.
4) Who are we fighting? Oh, who the hell cares...
Okay, it's not like The Ring was all that stellar a big bad or anything, but Volkoff has me even less invested. Timothy Dalton is actually quite good in the role, and I think on some level, he could be an awesome baddie, but knowing that his only real connection is through Mama Bartowski takes all the suspense an intrigue out of the equation. I don't care about her, so I don't care about whatever enemy organization she may or may not be tied to. What's more, their missions in each episode seem more and more pointless with each passing week. maybe it's that I just haven't really been paying much attention, but the A-plots have been incredibly weak. I don't know, they need a microchip or something so they can... do something with the intersect... or whatever. Wow, so don't care. Basically any real semblance of an exciting A-plot has been replaced by Chuck and Sarah's relationship, which we all know I'm oh-so-fond of. Which brings me to my next point.
5) Chuck and Sarah. Period.
Okay, I know that I'm one of the proud, the few, who never really wanted to see them as a couple, but seriously, even you devoted Shuckers out there have to admit that their relationship isn't exactly gripping. I'm not going to blather on about why I don't think they make a good match (again), but even with my prejudices against them as a pair, I don't think I could have foreseen how annoying they'd be once they finally got together for real. Chuck is an emotional mess, always has been, always will be. I can accept that. What I can't accept is that the primary focus of this entire season has been him caterwauling about his insecurities and bringing Sarah down to his level. She's gone from badass spy to girlfriend and I hate it. With Bryce, she could play girlfriend and be the no nonsense CIA agent at the same time. With Chuck? Good lord, apparently to be in a relationship with Chuck you have to be as unstable as he is. Whenever she actually acts like herself, the strong, confident person who doesn't need to share her feelings with ever random person, Chuck basically tells her she's a bad girlfriend. Ugh. Man alive, in the episode before last, when Sarah treks through Thailand to save Chuck, Morgan actually tells her, "Don't be spy Sarah. Be girlfriend Sarah." Don't tell her that! I love spy Sarah. I miss spy Sarah. I find that I no longer find girlfriend Sarah simply annoying, I kind of hate her. Not as much as I hate boyfriend Chuck, but it's getting close. If the show really wanted them to be a solid couple, they should have done just that. I realize that no relationship is perfect, but Chuck and Sarah don't seem to have any redeemable qualities as a couple. They don't work together very well, Chuck doesn't trust Sarah to tell him the truth, Sarah doesn't trust Chuck to take care of himself, they aren't even really charming together onscreen these days, and now they're getting married? Thanks, but no thanks. Such an unholy union is the last thing the show needs... except for maybe more Buy More antics...
6) The Buy More
Okay, I used to love the Buy More. I used to love Jeff and Lester and Big Mike, and the whole crew. Nowadays? Groan. It just doesn't work anymore. The best part of the Buy More was when the writers elegantly and hilariously intertwined Chuck's spy life and his real life through the Buy More. That pretty much never happens anymore. The fact that the Buy More is now a CIA base should make that integration easier, but it really just makes it more absurd or non-existent. I don't even want to see Jeff and Lester anymore. Sure, they're good for the occasional laugh, but more and more, their presence on the show just makes for unrelated, lame B-plots to accompany the already weak and boring A-plots. This is yet more evidence of the writers trying to hang on to a concept that simply doesn't work anymore. Chuck the Buy More Nerd Herder no longer exists, so why the hell is that cover ID being retained? It just seems sloppy and unnecessary. I can see where the writers are trying desperately to hang on to the comedic vibe by retaining the Buy More, but I'd honestly rather see the show turn into a serious drama than have to watch it struggle so hard to be a lighthearted comedy. It simply isn't working and it's getting more and more irritating to sit through.
7) Subway
In years past, when the show was hanging by a thread, I was willing to tolerate the occasional Subway promotion. Indeed, they are a big part of why the show survived at all. But at this point, seeing the shameless product placement (usually accompanied by a groan-worthy recitation of the sandwich's ingredients) makes me never want to eat Subway again. Well, more so. I haven't eaten there since high school, and the more I see of it on Chuck, the less likely it is I'll ever return. Good lord, it's bad enough seeing the sandwich simply sitting on someone's desk or being eaten for lunch, but to have to endure Big Mike exalting the nutritional merits of such blessed cold cuts makes me want to kill someone. Someone named Jared.
8) ReIntersected + DeIntersected = Disinterested
I don't know how many more times we're going to have to pretend we care whether or not Chuck has the Intersect in his head, but I don't think I can take it anymore. There's absolutely no gravity to him losing the Intersect because we all know he's going to get it back. Again. Seriously, how many times have we done this? And how many times ago did I stop caring? Once again, the writers seem to only have one card to play here, so they're playing it again and again. Maybe it's that none of the events of the show have any real or lasting impact that has me not caring... Seriously, even when Chuck's entire memory was being erased, I could barely care because I knew full well nothing would come of it. In fact, the only reason I was even a little interested was because I hoped that his mind would be completely erased with no means of repair. Now that's a game-changer! Whether or not it would be a good one, I don't even care, at least it would be something different.
I keep trying to hang in there in hopes that it'll get good again, but my hopes are dwindling at this point. I think the show is just too set in its ways to make any big changes and too afraid of alienating its core of viewers. Well, I think their hesitation to mix things up is backfiring because Chuck just recently posted its lowest ratings ever. Granted, their still better than most of NBC's slate, but they're steadily decreasing. At this point, I find myself wishing they'd have simply wrapped up the series last season so that we could leave on a highish note. With the current season disappointing me at every turn pretty much, it's starting to taint my love for previous seasons retroactively. I hate it when that happens... I'm going to hang in there for a few more weeks to see if it shows any signs of improvement, but we might be breaking up for good. I honestly feel a little betrayed as a viewer. We fought so hard to save you... for this? Such a disappointment.
I honestly don't know that there's anything they could really do to save the show for me. The stunt casting is charming for about a minute, but quickly loses its knee-jerk
appeal. Even River Tam's (er, Summer Glau's) guest stint in the rotation of Gretas (a running gag that makes me gag) fell a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, hearing Casey say that he didn't know what crew she used to be on gave me a giddy thrill (I do! I know what crew she used to be on! It was your crew, Jayne!!!), but it was ultimately a flash in the pan that has no real bearing on the story. Stunt casting in its purest and least satisfying form... Sigh. If you want to pay homage to Firefly without meaningless stunt casting, try Castle's approach. Upon hearing Castle speak Chinese, Beckett asks, "Semester abroad?" To which Castle responds, "No, TV show I used to love."
We loved it too, Mal. We loved it, too.
Way more than I'm loving Chuck these days.
It's always difficult for hardcore fans to admit when the object of their affection has flown off the rails, particularly when you spent all last season campaigning on the "SAVE THIS SHOW!" float, so it isn't easy for me to admit, but this season of Chuck has been bad, peeps. Really bad. I have quickly gone from being slightly underwhelmed to pretty bored to begrudging and we're only 10 episodes in. Seriously, watching these last few episodes has felt like a chore, not a pleasure, and I can't seem to stop myself from checking what minute we're at in the broadcast at least 4 or 5 times. Quite frankly, had I not been championing the show for the past several years, I think I'd have already broken up with it...
I guess I just keep hoping it'll get good again, but my confidence is starting to dwindle. Most shows take a few episodes of a new season to get things back in gear, but 10? After 10 episodes, we should be knee-deep in awesome, and with Chuck this year, we're knee-deep in... something else. Maybe it's the season 4 curse. For whatever reason (usually college), most shows seem to fall apart at the season 4 mark. Buffy, Angel, Alias, Gilmore Girls, Psych... the list goes on. Most of these shows managed to reclaim some former glory with season 5 (heh, Glory, season 5, Buffy, anyone?), but that's assuming I make it through season 4. We're only to the half-way point with Chuck and I don't know if I'm going to make it to the next episode... Let me count the ways...
1) The foundation of the show is gone.
What's worse, it wasn't replaced with anything else, really, let alone something awesome. Shows have to grow and evolve and sometimes that means that a fundamental change has to take place. I'm fine with that. Indeed, for the best of shows, the game-changer changes the game in the most awesome of ways. With Chuck, well... they pretty much just keep switching back and forth between overplayed conceits. It's hard to really explain, but I think any true fan of the show acknowledges that the magic of the show is mostly gone. The initial charm was that a regular guy got caught up in the spy world and was given knowledge and abilities he didn't know what to do with. Chuck had to keep his identity secret all while trying to be the spy he was never meant to be. I grant that over time, Chuck needed to become a better spy and that he couldn't play the dorky fish out of water forever. I'm totally fine with that. The only problem is that the show seems hell-bent on hanging onto a premise that no longer exists. The characters have moved past their original incarnations and the original concept of the show has disappeared. Again, that's fine so long as they replace the foundation with something solid. Instead, the team behind Chuck replaced the old foundation with... well... Morgan, basically... They've made Morgan the rookie in an attempt to retain the geeky non-spy angle to the show (as well as keeping the Buy More antics alive--more on that later), but it really isn't working for me. And yet, somehow, this angle that isn't really working for me is probably the most entertaining element of the show these days. Wow, not a good sign. I would have liked to have seen the show truly re-invent itself. With each previous season, the writers found a way to add more layers and possibilities for these characters, but with the current season? They've either run out of room or I've simply run out of caring. They seemingly replaced all physical and mental challenges with... relationship woes? Downgrade. If they really wanted to keep the show alive, they should have completely re-invented the premise not simply spun off into whineyville. After Chuck became a real spy, I had high hopes that they would truly change things up--move the characters to a new place, give them a new mission, and alter the working dynamic among the group. If they were so determined to make Chuck a real spy and bring him and Sarah together, fine. Change the vibe of the show. Take what made Sarah and Bryce such a sizzling spy couple and apply it here. Yeah, no such luck.
2) Same old characters, same routine.
Don't get me wrong, I have truly adored these characters for years now, but at some point, something has to change. I'm so sick to death of watching these same people do the same things for the same reasons every single week. I know a lot of fans out there were none-too-fond of the Sarah/Superman relationship last season, but I think most would agree that Shaw brought a lot to the show. Not only did he provide an obvious (and often heavy-handed) love interest for Sarah and a big bad for the season, but most importantly for me, he provided a new character for our regulars to interact with and play off of, forcing them out of their comfort zones. It's one of the main reasons I loved Bryce so much. Aside from being a great (and beautiful) character who made for a fair match for Sarah, he added a whole new vibe to the show and forced the other characters to adapt. Now it's down to the bare bones and every episode sees Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Morgan doing essentially the same things with the same people. By season 4, viewers need something new... something other than Chuck's mother. Which brings me to my third point...
3) The mother of all fails.
I guess the writers actually did bring in a new element, a new character that should have shaken things up... Only problem? It didn't work. The show seems to think I should be really interested in Chuck's mother and the constant (and annoying) twists and reveals about whether or not she's good or evil. I genuinely don't care. I haven't cared pretty much since minute 2. I say minute 2 because when it was revealed that Mama Bartowski was alive at the end of season 3, I was honestly intrigued and excited for season 4. Minute 2, however, made it clear that this was going to be a season long story arc where the only real threat presented is that I might fall asleep. I can't decide how much of it's the writing and how much of it is Linda Hamilton, but Mama Bartowski has been nothing but a letdown. Chuck seems continually shocked that his mother is evil. No, good! No, evil! I, on the other hand, have no investment in this character whatsoever and just wish she'd fall down a mine shaft or something. Once a character has been shifted back and forth between good and evil 117 times, it stops being a shock and starts being a crutch. The show is spinning its wheels and Mama Bartowski is driving the bus. God, her line deliveries alone drive me crazy. It's like she takes too much medication the morning before shooting and then has to keep downing Red Bulls to stay awake and alert. Epic fail.
4) Who are we fighting? Oh, who the hell cares...
Okay, it's not like The Ring was all that stellar a big bad or anything, but Volkoff has me even less invested. Timothy Dalton is actually quite good in the role, and I think on some level, he could be an awesome baddie, but knowing that his only real connection is through Mama Bartowski takes all the suspense an intrigue out of the equation. I don't care about her, so I don't care about whatever enemy organization she may or may not be tied to. What's more, their missions in each episode seem more and more pointless with each passing week. maybe it's that I just haven't really been paying much attention, but the A-plots have been incredibly weak. I don't know, they need a microchip or something so they can... do something with the intersect... or whatever. Wow, so don't care. Basically any real semblance of an exciting A-plot has been replaced by Chuck and Sarah's relationship, which we all know I'm oh-so-fond of. Which brings me to my next point.
5) Chuck and Sarah. Period.
Okay, I know that I'm one of the proud, the few, who never really wanted to see them as a couple, but seriously, even you devoted Shuckers out there have to admit that their relationship isn't exactly gripping. I'm not going to blather on about why I don't think they make a good match (again), but even with my prejudices against them as a pair, I don't think I could have foreseen how annoying they'd be once they finally got together for real. Chuck is an emotional mess, always has been, always will be. I can accept that. What I can't accept is that the primary focus of this entire season has been him caterwauling about his insecurities and bringing Sarah down to his level. She's gone from badass spy to girlfriend and I hate it. With Bryce, she could play girlfriend and be the no nonsense CIA agent at the same time. With Chuck? Good lord, apparently to be in a relationship with Chuck you have to be as unstable as he is. Whenever she actually acts like herself, the strong, confident person who doesn't need to share her feelings with ever random person, Chuck basically tells her she's a bad girlfriend. Ugh. Man alive, in the episode before last, when Sarah treks through Thailand to save Chuck, Morgan actually tells her, "Don't be spy Sarah. Be girlfriend Sarah." Don't tell her that! I love spy Sarah. I miss spy Sarah. I find that I no longer find girlfriend Sarah simply annoying, I kind of hate her. Not as much as I hate boyfriend Chuck, but it's getting close. If the show really wanted them to be a solid couple, they should have done just that. I realize that no relationship is perfect, but Chuck and Sarah don't seem to have any redeemable qualities as a couple. They don't work together very well, Chuck doesn't trust Sarah to tell him the truth, Sarah doesn't trust Chuck to take care of himself, they aren't even really charming together onscreen these days, and now they're getting married? Thanks, but no thanks. Such an unholy union is the last thing the show needs... except for maybe more Buy More antics...
6) The Buy More
Okay, I used to love the Buy More. I used to love Jeff and Lester and Big Mike, and the whole crew. Nowadays? Groan. It just doesn't work anymore. The best part of the Buy More was when the writers elegantly and hilariously intertwined Chuck's spy life and his real life through the Buy More. That pretty much never happens anymore. The fact that the Buy More is now a CIA base should make that integration easier, but it really just makes it more absurd or non-existent. I don't even want to see Jeff and Lester anymore. Sure, they're good for the occasional laugh, but more and more, their presence on the show just makes for unrelated, lame B-plots to accompany the already weak and boring A-plots. This is yet more evidence of the writers trying to hang on to a concept that simply doesn't work anymore. Chuck the Buy More Nerd Herder no longer exists, so why the hell is that cover ID being retained? It just seems sloppy and unnecessary. I can see where the writers are trying desperately to hang on to the comedic vibe by retaining the Buy More, but I'd honestly rather see the show turn into a serious drama than have to watch it struggle so hard to be a lighthearted comedy. It simply isn't working and it's getting more and more irritating to sit through.
7) Subway
In years past, when the show was hanging by a thread, I was willing to tolerate the occasional Subway promotion. Indeed, they are a big part of why the show survived at all. But at this point, seeing the shameless product placement (usually accompanied by a groan-worthy recitation of the sandwich's ingredients) makes me never want to eat Subway again. Well, more so. I haven't eaten there since high school, and the more I see of it on Chuck, the less likely it is I'll ever return. Good lord, it's bad enough seeing the sandwich simply sitting on someone's desk or being eaten for lunch, but to have to endure Big Mike exalting the nutritional merits of such blessed cold cuts makes me want to kill someone. Someone named Jared.
8) ReIntersected + DeIntersected = Disinterested
I don't know how many more times we're going to have to pretend we care whether or not Chuck has the Intersect in his head, but I don't think I can take it anymore. There's absolutely no gravity to him losing the Intersect because we all know he's going to get it back. Again. Seriously, how many times have we done this? And how many times ago did I stop caring? Once again, the writers seem to only have one card to play here, so they're playing it again and again. Maybe it's that none of the events of the show have any real or lasting impact that has me not caring... Seriously, even when Chuck's entire memory was being erased, I could barely care because I knew full well nothing would come of it. In fact, the only reason I was even a little interested was because I hoped that his mind would be completely erased with no means of repair. Now that's a game-changer! Whether or not it would be a good one, I don't even care, at least it would be something different.
I keep trying to hang in there in hopes that it'll get good again, but my hopes are dwindling at this point. I think the show is just too set in its ways to make any big changes and too afraid of alienating its core of viewers. Well, I think their hesitation to mix things up is backfiring because Chuck just recently posted its lowest ratings ever. Granted, their still better than most of NBC's slate, but they're steadily decreasing. At this point, I find myself wishing they'd have simply wrapped up the series last season so that we could leave on a highish note. With the current season disappointing me at every turn pretty much, it's starting to taint my love for previous seasons retroactively. I hate it when that happens... I'm going to hang in there for a few more weeks to see if it shows any signs of improvement, but we might be breaking up for good. I honestly feel a little betrayed as a viewer. We fought so hard to save you... for this? Such a disappointment.
I honestly don't know that there's anything they could really do to save the show for me. The stunt casting is charming for about a minute, but quickly loses its knee-jerk
appeal. Even River Tam's (er, Summer Glau's) guest stint in the rotation of Gretas (a running gag that makes me gag) fell a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, hearing Casey say that he didn't know what crew she used to be on gave me a giddy thrill (I do! I know what crew she used to be on! It was your crew, Jayne!!!), but it was ultimately a flash in the pan that has no real bearing on the story. Stunt casting in its purest and least satisfying form... Sigh. If you want to pay homage to Firefly without meaningless stunt casting, try Castle's approach. Upon hearing Castle speak Chinese, Beckett asks, "Semester abroad?" To which Castle responds, "No, TV show I used to love."We loved it too, Mal. We loved it, too.
Way more than I'm loving Chuck these days.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
NBC aka The Biggest Loser
Now that the fall slaughter is basically complete, it's time to run down the networks and see how everyone fared. Oh, NBC... Seems they just didn't get rid of Zucker in time to save this fall development schedule. At this point, I'm honestly not sure how they're going to recover. They spent an obscene amount of money 
trying to revitalize the network with an unheard of number of high-profile, expensive new shows and what do they have to show for it? Chuck is one of their highest-rated scripted shows. Quite frankly, when titling this post, I had a hard time deciding between NBC shows The Biggest Loser or ER in terms of aptonyms. I thought about Lost, but that's another network that's currently in trouble.
Here's how the chips fell for the peacock this fall... (We'll start with the bad news--brace yourselves, there's a lot of it.) It's hard to know just where to begin when even the "successes" are failures, but here we go. Worst of the worst.
(When talking about TV success and failure, you're usually talking ratings. For a primer on TV ratings, go here. It'll probably make most of the ratings talk later on make a lot more sense.)
THE CANCELEDS
Outlaw
While it wasn't the very first fall show to get the axe, that has more to do with NBC's ever-lowering standards than with the ratings themselves. Even for a Friday show, the ratings were abyssal. At last glance, they were getting
their asses handed to them by the CW in terms of key demo ratings. On any other network, Outlaw would have been toast even sooner than it was. Deservedly so, as luck would have it. This was a truly terrible show that should never have seen the light of day. This sucker was about dead right out of the gate with debut numbers that were embarrassing by nearly any standards. Jimmie, you made for the worst season of Dexter ever, and for that, I'm glad to see your career taking a hit. Let this be a word of warning to other shows... don't cast him! Boy, I don't remember hating him before Dexter, but seriously, if I never hear the name Miguel Prado again, it'll be too soon. Smits is forever tainted... as is the third season of Dexter, thank you very much.
Undercovers
Although this show was only recently given the passive-aggressive axe (rather than being flat out canceled, they simply opted to not pick up anymore episodes), I think it's probably the most devastating, most expensive blunder NBC has endured this year. Good lor
d, when a flashy, high-budget JJ Abrams production can't survive on your network, what can? Once again, however, this show was quite deservedly canceled. Its debut numbers were lower than expected and just kept falling from there. At last count, it scored a 1.3 in the key demo. For comparison's sake, that's only slightly better than Nikita's numbers. The Vampire Diaries most recently scored a 1.6. When you're getting trounced by the CW, you're in trouble, even if it's abundantly clear that their shows are awesome. Serious trouble. Fans of Undercovers might cry foul that that's an unfair comparison because the CW slate airs on a different night than Undercovers does. Yeah, they air on a much more competitive night. And they're still holding their own. NBC promoted the hell out of Undercovers, and scheduled it in one of the least daunting timeslots on the air. At the end of the day, it's just a terrible show. It's a shame to lose on of the few shows around to be helmed by faces of color, but as one commenter noted on a gossip blog, poor quality transcends race (or something like that). At the root of the problem for me was the lack of gravity. I realize the writers were aiming for a lighter farce, but they shot themselves in the foot. Hell, Psych has more suspense and more at stake and it's even more of a farce. Undercovers was just plain dull. when there's nothing to lose, there's little to gain. The espionage was about as suspenseful as the lame-ass catering B-plots. This show won't be missed by viewers, but I think NBC is about ready to cry. This was their ace in the hole going into this fall and it has proven to be one of their costliest misfires. Ouch.
THE SHOULD-HAVE-BEEN CANCELEDS
Chase
I still can't believe that they picked this show up for a full-season. I really think they simply didn't have anything with which to fill the gap, so they had to keep it. At last count, they were averaging a 1.5 in the key demo when they received the back nine order. For yet
another comparison, Fox's Lone Star was unhesitatingly canceled after two weeks of scoring a 1.3--which is the same kind of numbers that led to Undercovers being canceled. 1.3 and 1.5 aren't that far apart, even in terms of TV ratings. Why did Chase get a pass? Well, it's a tough call. Aside from having little else to fall back on, Chase airs in one of the most competitive timeslots on the air. Based on the steep competition (I can't say I'd be happy to be pitted against Castle and Hawaii Five-0 if I were a show), a 1.5 might not be looking so bad to the suits at NBC. The most recent 1.2 that the show posted last night, probably looks pretty grim. Ouch. It managed to eek out of a full season order, but it won't be picked up for a second season. Quite frankly, if this trend continues, it'll likely get yanked before the year it out. It certainly won't survive the winter break. Good god, this is the first time since I started watching the ratings that the CW actually looks almost competitive! When compared to NBC, they really aren't that far behind. Sad. Fortunately, Chase is yet another horrible show, so it deserves the axe, but for NBC's sake, this is yet another colossal failure, and it's a purported success. Ha!
The Event
Yet another show that got a full-season pick-up, and yet another show whose ratings really don't warrant such a distinction. It's the best show of NBC's fall slate, however, so I'm glad they're giving it the old college try. Its ratings started out stronger than expected, but it's been hemorrhaging viewers ever since. I myself am one of those viewers. Well, sort of.
Technically, it's been piling up in my DVR for over a month... I'm going to give it one more shot, but assume I'll bite the bullet and cancel it. It's really a pretty good show (as I recall from 5 weeks ago), but I just couldn't seem to get into it initially. Anyway, it managed the back nine, but with a 1.7 key demo rating last night, the slide continues into some seriously troubled waters. Of all the new shows on the network, I think this one will have the hardest time recovering from the winter break. As with FlashForward before it, I predict it will limp its way through sweeps, go on hiatus, and basically never really come back. I can't imagine this show will get a second season, so I'm honestly not all that motivated to give it another shot. The only way this show will be back next year is if NBC doesn't have any other options or simply can't afford to promote anything new. As one of the only new shows to even kind of step out of the box this year, it's a shame, but I can't say I'm surprised.
THE UNBELIEVABLY-LOW-BAR SUCCESSES
Chuck
Okay, this cracks me up every single time. This show has been struggling since day one, has almost been canceled three years in a row, and is now one of NBC's highest-rated and most consistent scripted programs. Ha! The really funny part is that the ratings aren
't any better than they've ever been. In fact, they're worse. But with a steady 1.9-2.0 in the key demo, it's one of NBC's top shows these days. I honestly haven't been all that impressed by the current season (what can I say? I'm bored. Where's Bryce Larkin when you need him? Oh wait, that would be on White Collar), but it seems to be turning a corner (it always seems to take a few episodes to really get in gear). I'm happy for the little-show-that-could and do hope that they're all laughing their asses off at the NBC brass. Unless NBC someone finds a whole lotta cash (at this point, I'm thinking alchemy is their best bet), I don't know how they're going to put together a slate this fall that might result in Chuck getting the axe, so count on Chuck sticking around for the foreseeable future. With the new president though, I'm hopeful for NBC's creative direction in the coming year. It can't possibly get worse, right?
Law & Order: Los Angeles
Hi, broken record here. This show is averaging a 1.9 in the key demo, but for NBC, that makes it one of their pinch hitters. Man, that's bleak. I've never watched the show, but I hear it's pretty awful. I've heard that Law & Order : UK is actually quite good, however, so I'd suggest tuning into BBCA if you're really in the mood for this particular franchise.
Outsourced
Ugh. I tried to watch the pilot, I really, really did, but just couldn't do it. 7 minutes was all I could take. I hear it's actually gotten considerably better since then, but I'm in no mood to give it another go. I was pretty disheartened and embarrassed to hear that it received a full season order,
but given that it's a half-hour comedy with decent ratings, I'm not surprised. It most recently scored a 2.7 in the key demo, which at first blush looks fantastic for NBC, but trust me, it's really not that impressive. When you take into account that its lead-in The Office scored a 3.7, that's a serious drop off, and leaves it in fourth for the time period. Not good. But, it's an inexpensive show that's easy to produce and that has to be paired with something else, so I'd be surprised if it doesn't get a second season. While its ratings should be better, they're pretty damn good by NBC standards, and have actually been fairly consistent, so assuming it stays above a 1.5, it should be a shoe-in for another year. How sad is that? Double ugh. Of all the shows to make my safe list, did this really have to be one of them? Really? Thanks for nothing, NBC. Once again.
Parenthood
It's honestly a bit difficult to decide exactly which category this one should be in. While it's been enduring a slow but steady slide in the ratings, and more than a few rumors tha
t it's getting the axe, it still averages in NBC's safe zone, so I don't think viewers have much to worry about. It's generally in the 2.0 key demo range, which for NBC, is quite solid. Unfortunately, the show itself isn't. It has never been a favorite of mine, but it seems to be more grating than ever. The contrived drama and constant bickering is unbearable most of the time. I hang in there for Lauren Graham and Peter Krause, but it's getting tougher and tougher--especially when you take into the sheer brilliance of its main timeslot competitor, The Good Wife. Honestly, if it's one or the other for you, the decision is easy. I recently just started watching Sports Night on DVD, so my love between Peter Krause and Josh Charles should be evenly split, but overall, The Good Wife is simply superior in every possible way so even Sports Night can't level the field. As happy as I am that Lauren Graham has a steady gig (and that she and Peter Krause are reportedly dating--aww, well idn
't that nice!), I wouldn't be heartbroken to see Parenthood get the axe at the end of this season. It has its moments, but it's mostly just shrill bickering. I'm sorry, but if this show is an accurate representation of family life for most people, I can't understand why anyone gets married, has children, or even speaks to other people. When there's nothing but conflict, it's unsatisfying. Who cares if one irrational fight gets resolved because you know there's another one right around the corner. Ugh. It's ratings have been in a downward trend, so it'll certainly be on the bubble come May, but if it can maintain a 2.0, it should be okay. The only other factor that might make that 2.0 not look so rosy is the cost of the show. It has a huge cast of names attached to it and it can't be cheap to produce. NBC doesn't exactly have money to burn these days, so if it comes down to Parenthood or a cheaper show with slightly worse ratings, it could easily be a toss up.
So there you have it. I didn't get into the nitty gritty of some NBC's returning shows, but odds are you're already aware of how they're performing. The Office and 30 Rock are tops, The Apprentice is a ratings disaster, The Biggest Loser keeps eating up more primetime (about 40 minutes of scales bonging a week, I'd say) and my darling Community continues to struggle a bit in a painfully tough timeslot. Creatively, it's better than ever, and NBC has even upped its season order to 24 episodes. Yay! Odds are it'll be fine come May, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. And then there's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. What an unmitigated disaster. For the first time ever, I believe, The Daily Show beat Leno (and Letterman for that matter) in the key demo the other day. Ha! A little Comedy Central fake news show is beating The Tonight Show. That has to be pretty gut-wrenching for the brass at NBC.
Speaking of the brass, as mentioned, NBC has finally, finally, FINALLY gotten rid of Jeff Zucker. I'm honestly not too familiar with his replacement, but I'm pretty sure a pet rock could do a better job, so it doesn't really matter who takes over. At least it's not Zucker. He managed to take the number one network on TV and turn it into a close competitor for the CW. Way to go, dumbass. You won't be missed.
It's hard to know really where NBC will go from here. They need to rebuild their schedule for real this time, get a few solid scripted programs on the air, and then build from there. One of the biggest problems with the fall pilots this year is that NBC doesn't have any heavy hitters to act as lead-ins for new shows. If they can manage to develop even a couple of solid performers, they can use that as a foundation to promote other new shows. Until then, they're going to struggle... more so.
trying to revitalize the network with an unheard of number of high-profile, expensive new shows and what do they have to show for it? Chuck is one of their highest-rated scripted shows. Quite frankly, when titling this post, I had a hard time deciding between NBC shows The Biggest Loser or ER in terms of aptonyms. I thought about Lost, but that's another network that's currently in trouble.Here's how the chips fell for the peacock this fall... (We'll start with the bad news--brace yourselves, there's a lot of it.) It's hard to know just where to begin when even the "successes" are failures, but here we go. Worst of the worst.
(When talking about TV success and failure, you're usually talking ratings. For a primer on TV ratings, go here. It'll probably make most of the ratings talk later on make a lot more sense.)
THE CANCELEDS
Outlaw
While it wasn't the very first fall show to get the axe, that has more to do with NBC's ever-lowering standards than with the ratings themselves. Even for a Friday show, the ratings were abyssal. At last glance, they were getting
their asses handed to them by the CW in terms of key demo ratings. On any other network, Outlaw would have been toast even sooner than it was. Deservedly so, as luck would have it. This was a truly terrible show that should never have seen the light of day. This sucker was about dead right out of the gate with debut numbers that were embarrassing by nearly any standards. Jimmie, you made for the worst season of Dexter ever, and for that, I'm glad to see your career taking a hit. Let this be a word of warning to other shows... don't cast him! Boy, I don't remember hating him before Dexter, but seriously, if I never hear the name Miguel Prado again, it'll be too soon. Smits is forever tainted... as is the third season of Dexter, thank you very much.Undercovers
Although this show was only recently given the passive-aggressive axe (rather than being flat out canceled, they simply opted to not pick up anymore episodes), I think it's probably the most devastating, most expensive blunder NBC has endured this year. Good lor
d, when a flashy, high-budget JJ Abrams production can't survive on your network, what can? Once again, however, this show was quite deservedly canceled. Its debut numbers were lower than expected and just kept falling from there. At last count, it scored a 1.3 in the key demo. For comparison's sake, that's only slightly better than Nikita's numbers. The Vampire Diaries most recently scored a 1.6. When you're getting trounced by the CW, you're in trouble, even if it's abundantly clear that their shows are awesome. Serious trouble. Fans of Undercovers might cry foul that that's an unfair comparison because the CW slate airs on a different night than Undercovers does. Yeah, they air on a much more competitive night. And they're still holding their own. NBC promoted the hell out of Undercovers, and scheduled it in one of the least daunting timeslots on the air. At the end of the day, it's just a terrible show. It's a shame to lose on of the few shows around to be helmed by faces of color, but as one commenter noted on a gossip blog, poor quality transcends race (or something like that). At the root of the problem for me was the lack of gravity. I realize the writers were aiming for a lighter farce, but they shot themselves in the foot. Hell, Psych has more suspense and more at stake and it's even more of a farce. Undercovers was just plain dull. when there's nothing to lose, there's little to gain. The espionage was about as suspenseful as the lame-ass catering B-plots. This show won't be missed by viewers, but I think NBC is about ready to cry. This was their ace in the hole going into this fall and it has proven to be one of their costliest misfires. Ouch.THE SHOULD-HAVE-BEEN CANCELEDS
Chase
I still can't believe that they picked this show up for a full-season. I really think they simply didn't have anything with which to fill the gap, so they had to keep it. At last count, they were averaging a 1.5 in the key demo when they received the back nine order. For yet
another comparison, Fox's Lone Star was unhesitatingly canceled after two weeks of scoring a 1.3--which is the same kind of numbers that led to Undercovers being canceled. 1.3 and 1.5 aren't that far apart, even in terms of TV ratings. Why did Chase get a pass? Well, it's a tough call. Aside from having little else to fall back on, Chase airs in one of the most competitive timeslots on the air. Based on the steep competition (I can't say I'd be happy to be pitted against Castle and Hawaii Five-0 if I were a show), a 1.5 might not be looking so bad to the suits at NBC. The most recent 1.2 that the show posted last night, probably looks pretty grim. Ouch. It managed to eek out of a full season order, but it won't be picked up for a second season. Quite frankly, if this trend continues, it'll likely get yanked before the year it out. It certainly won't survive the winter break. Good god, this is the first time since I started watching the ratings that the CW actually looks almost competitive! When compared to NBC, they really aren't that far behind. Sad. Fortunately, Chase is yet another horrible show, so it deserves the axe, but for NBC's sake, this is yet another colossal failure, and it's a purported success. Ha!The Event
Yet another show that got a full-season pick-up, and yet another show whose ratings really don't warrant such a distinction. It's the best show of NBC's fall slate, however, so I'm glad they're giving it the old college try. Its ratings started out stronger than expected, but it's been hemorrhaging viewers ever since. I myself am one of those viewers. Well, sort of.
Technically, it's been piling up in my DVR for over a month... I'm going to give it one more shot, but assume I'll bite the bullet and cancel it. It's really a pretty good show (as I recall from 5 weeks ago), but I just couldn't seem to get into it initially. Anyway, it managed the back nine, but with a 1.7 key demo rating last night, the slide continues into some seriously troubled waters. Of all the new shows on the network, I think this one will have the hardest time recovering from the winter break. As with FlashForward before it, I predict it will limp its way through sweeps, go on hiatus, and basically never really come back. I can't imagine this show will get a second season, so I'm honestly not all that motivated to give it another shot. The only way this show will be back next year is if NBC doesn't have any other options or simply can't afford to promote anything new. As one of the only new shows to even kind of step out of the box this year, it's a shame, but I can't say I'm surprised.THE UNBELIEVABLY-LOW-BAR SUCCESSES
Chuck
Okay, this cracks me up every single time. This show has been struggling since day one, has almost been canceled three years in a row, and is now one of NBC's highest-rated and most consistent scripted programs. Ha! The really funny part is that the ratings aren
't any better than they've ever been. In fact, they're worse. But with a steady 1.9-2.0 in the key demo, it's one of NBC's top shows these days. I honestly haven't been all that impressed by the current season (what can I say? I'm bored. Where's Bryce Larkin when you need him? Oh wait, that would be on White Collar), but it seems to be turning a corner (it always seems to take a few episodes to really get in gear). I'm happy for the little-show-that-could and do hope that they're all laughing their asses off at the NBC brass. Unless NBC someone finds a whole lotta cash (at this point, I'm thinking alchemy is their best bet), I don't know how they're going to put together a slate this fall that might result in Chuck getting the axe, so count on Chuck sticking around for the foreseeable future. With the new president though, I'm hopeful for NBC's creative direction in the coming year. It can't possibly get worse, right?Law & Order: Los Angeles
Hi, broken record here. This show is averaging a 1.9 in the key demo, but for NBC, that makes it one of their pinch hitters. Man, that's bleak. I've never watched the show, but I hear it's pretty awful. I've heard that Law & Order : UK is actually quite good, however, so I'd suggest tuning into BBCA if you're really in the mood for this particular franchise.
Outsourced
Ugh. I tried to watch the pilot, I really, really did, but just couldn't do it. 7 minutes was all I could take. I hear it's actually gotten considerably better since then, but I'm in no mood to give it another go. I was pretty disheartened and embarrassed to hear that it received a full season order,
but given that it's a half-hour comedy with decent ratings, I'm not surprised. It most recently scored a 2.7 in the key demo, which at first blush looks fantastic for NBC, but trust me, it's really not that impressive. When you take into account that its lead-in The Office scored a 3.7, that's a serious drop off, and leaves it in fourth for the time period. Not good. But, it's an inexpensive show that's easy to produce and that has to be paired with something else, so I'd be surprised if it doesn't get a second season. While its ratings should be better, they're pretty damn good by NBC standards, and have actually been fairly consistent, so assuming it stays above a 1.5, it should be a shoe-in for another year. How sad is that? Double ugh. Of all the shows to make my safe list, did this really have to be one of them? Really? Thanks for nothing, NBC. Once again.Parenthood
It's honestly a bit difficult to decide exactly which category this one should be in. While it's been enduring a slow but steady slide in the ratings, and more than a few rumors tha
t it's getting the axe, it still averages in NBC's safe zone, so I don't think viewers have much to worry about. It's generally in the 2.0 key demo range, which for NBC, is quite solid. Unfortunately, the show itself isn't. It has never been a favorite of mine, but it seems to be more grating than ever. The contrived drama and constant bickering is unbearable most of the time. I hang in there for Lauren Graham and Peter Krause, but it's getting tougher and tougher--especially when you take into the sheer brilliance of its main timeslot competitor, The Good Wife. Honestly, if it's one or the other for you, the decision is easy. I recently just started watching Sports Night on DVD, so my love between Peter Krause and Josh Charles should be evenly split, but overall, The Good Wife is simply superior in every possible way so even Sports Night can't level the field. As happy as I am that Lauren Graham has a steady gig (and that she and Peter Krause are reportedly dating--aww, well idn
't that nice!), I wouldn't be heartbroken to see Parenthood get the axe at the end of this season. It has its moments, but it's mostly just shrill bickering. I'm sorry, but if this show is an accurate representation of family life for most people, I can't understand why anyone gets married, has children, or even speaks to other people. When there's nothing but conflict, it's unsatisfying. Who cares if one irrational fight gets resolved because you know there's another one right around the corner. Ugh. It's ratings have been in a downward trend, so it'll certainly be on the bubble come May, but if it can maintain a 2.0, it should be okay. The only other factor that might make that 2.0 not look so rosy is the cost of the show. It has a huge cast of names attached to it and it can't be cheap to produce. NBC doesn't exactly have money to burn these days, so if it comes down to Parenthood or a cheaper show with slightly worse ratings, it could easily be a toss up.So there you have it. I didn't get into the nitty gritty of some NBC's returning shows, but odds are you're already aware of how they're performing. The Office and 30 Rock are tops, The Apprentice is a ratings disaster, The Biggest Loser keeps eating up more primetime (about 40 minutes of scales bonging a week, I'd say) and my darling Community continues to struggle a bit in a painfully tough timeslot. Creatively, it's better than ever, and NBC has even upped its season order to 24 episodes. Yay! Odds are it'll be fine come May, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. And then there's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. What an unmitigated disaster. For the first time ever, I believe, The Daily Show beat Leno (and Letterman for that matter) in the key demo the other day. Ha! A little Comedy Central fake news show is beating The Tonight Show. That has to be pretty gut-wrenching for the brass at NBC.
Speaking of the brass, as mentioned, NBC has finally, finally, FINALLY gotten rid of Jeff Zucker. I'm honestly not too familiar with his replacement, but I'm pretty sure a pet rock could do a better job, so it doesn't really matter who takes over. At least it's not Zucker. He managed to take the number one network on TV and turn it into a close competitor for the CW. Way to go, dumbass. You won't be missed.
It's hard to know really where NBC will go from here. They need to rebuild their schedule for real this time, get a few solid scripted programs on the air, and then build from there. One of the biggest problems with the fall pilots this year is that NBC doesn't have any heavy hitters to act as lead-ins for new shows. If they can manage to develop even a couple of solid performers, they can use that as a foundation to promote other new shows. Until then, they're going to struggle... more so.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Losing that Loving Feeling
As you probably surmised given the dismaying brevity of my shows-I-love list, this season isn't exactly bowling me over in most departments. In terms of news shows, never have I been so underwhelmed. Honestly, the only new network (heh, which I accidentally typed "newtwork"... must be Halloween hangover) shows that I kept (and that are still on the air) are Nikita, Blue Bloods, and Raising Hope. Technically, The Event made the cut, and lord knows NBC needs all the nuggets of encouragement it can get, but more accurately, it's been building up on my DVR and I just haven't been all the keen on getting caught up... Of those, only Nikita genuinely has me excited week-to-week. Blue Bloods is well-made and has a strong cast, but its cases-of-the-week aren't exactly breaking new ground here. Raising Hope is fun and enjoyable (and I don't think I'll ever be able to look at Garret Dillahunt the same way ever again--sorry Burn Notice, the menace is officially gone), but it isn't exactly appointment TV either.
That said, you'd think my older shows would be getting a lot more love, but no. They too have been fairly disappointing this year (with a couple of notable exceptions--namely Castle, The Vampire Diaries, and The Good Wife). My relationships with my long-term lovers has been strained of late... sometimes ending in flat-out divorce.
IN NEED OF COUPLES COUNSELING
CHUCK
Oh, Chuck. It's been a long, tumultuous road of near-constant worry about our future together. I don't think I've ever had a show that has been on the bubble so many years in a row. For a quick insight into how spectacularly screwed NBC is, ponder this. After years of having to beg
for renewal and only barely scraping by, Chuck has suddenly become one of NBC's highest rated scripted shows. Sadly for NBC, this is not because Chuck's ratings have improved. On the contrary, it's really that the rest of NBC's programming has crashed and burned. Chuck was renewed at the end of last season with a tentative 13 episode initial order. I think NBC assumed that some of its huge slate of new pilots would catch on and they'd be able to axe Chuck sooner than later. Well, rather than axing the show, they've not only given it a full order, they've given it more than a full order. I believe their total episodes will be 24, which is two over usual. Ha! It's truly shocking how pathetic the network has gotten. It's been going downhill ever since Zucker got his hands on things, but this is just sad. Chuck regularly scores a 1.9 in the key demo. For any other network, that would absolutely be cancel-worthy (well, except for the CW, but that's a whole other story). But, on NBC, a consistent 1.9 is close to the best they could hope for and is among their highest rated shows. What does all this rambling have to do with our strained relationship, you ask? So here's the deal. Chuck has been picked-up for a super-sized season... and I don't really care.
In years past, this would have been cause for celebration, but now? I honestly would have been fine with the show wrapping things up. There are a lot of reasons why this show has lost most of its luster. First and foremost, the initial dynamics of the show, the dynamics that made it so fun and charming, have mostly been lost. I realize that after so many episodes that was inevitable, but that doesn't make it interesting. So far this season, I've been pretty damn bored. The show still has its moments, but on the whole, it's starting to feel like a chore to watch week-to-week. Chuck and Sarah getting together for real has been as boring as I suspected it would be. No, wait, strike that, it's been way more annoying than that. Seriously, that episode where Chuck spent the entire time bitching about his relationship was utterly cringe-worthy. What's that? You say can decide which episode I'm talking about because that sounds like a lot of them? My point exactly. Don't get me wrong, the will-they-or-won't-they antics needed to stop. But I think I'd greatly have preferred they stopped because one or both of them found someone else to be with. I'm sorry guys, I really don't like them together. It's boring and Chuck's whining has gotten untenable. I have never felt for even a second that Sarah would ever make a good match for Chuck and now it appears I was right. Is anyone really enjoying watching this relationship? I'm sure not.
On top of that, the Buy More has gotten ridiculous, and not in a good way. It's now a government base of operations but no one knows this but Morgan? O--kay. Third (I think), the whole story arc with Chuck's mom has been pretty lame so far. I was super-excited for it at the end of last season, but it just hasn't grabbed me the way I'd hoped it would. I genuinely don't care if she's good or bad or Russian or whatever. Fourth, the missions are dull. Seriously, the A-plots this year have barely kept me awake. Fifth, Casey's daughter? Really? Sixth, Ellie and Awesome are having a baby... because that's just what a show does after so many seasons, right? At least it gives them something to do? You know, like shopping... and stuff...
Sadly, I'm pretty sure I could keep going. I'm trying to love the show like I once did, but if a show is doing things right, I shouldn't have to try at all. Chuck is a show that generally gets cooking after a good ways into a season, so I'm hanging in there, but believe me, I find myself caring less and less with each passing episode. Sigh.
GLEE
Glee is an odd duck with which I have a love/hate kind of relationship. Last season, it was mostly love. There were rough patches (cough-"Funk"-cough), but overall, this show totally appealed to my love of musicals, my appreciation of good comedy, and above all, the pure satisfaction of seeing something that isn't crime procedural hitting it big. I've never been ob
sessive about the show and don't find myself eager for the next week. Don't get me wrong, I love the show a lot of the time. Seriously, if Joss Whedon could direct every episode, it would be all love all the time. But what Whedon's sensational episode "Dream On" had that the show is increasingly missing is a little thing called story. Throughout season 1, there were more than a few times when it didn't really make much sense to have a song at that particular moment, but I was happy to let it slide. Each episode had a small handful of songs that mostly related to whatever the theme of the episode is. Nowadays? They don't even pretend to have a story most of the time. This show has turned into a series of musical vignettes. It's essentially a variety show with very little variety. This is where the love/hate really kicks in. I love a good musical number, but I hate it when it's completely pointless to the overall story. Wait, no, that implies that there's a story at all... It's weird, because this show will have one episode that reminds me of why I love it ("Grilled Cheesus" and "Duets") but then have these ridiculous theme episodes that have entertaining musical numbers and all, but not the slightest semblance of coherent storytelling (the absurd and delusional Britney tribute, the unfortunately watered-down Rocky Horror send up... seriously, you're replacing "transsexual" with "sin-sational"? Really? Ugh.) It's wildly uneven and disappointingly hit or miss with the ratio getting more and more unsettling with each passing episode. Musicals work when the music and the story are so seamlessly and logically married that you don't think twice about it. Of course that person would break into song right now! With Glee? It's a bit of a mess most of the time... I have heard some good things about upcoming episodes so I'm hopeful they'll find a way to return to former glory, but I think the iTunes dollar signs are a little too distracting for them to really see the big picture these days. They seem so hell-bent on jam-packing every episode with as many songs as possible and not really caring what they have to sacrifice in the process. It's the kind of show I knew couldn't last, but I really hope it hangs in there longer than this... I'm loving this one more than Chuck these days, but they really need to base the show on story, not songs (songs which, increasingly, I've never even heard of--maybe I'm old or uncool, but seriously, half the songs they pick I either hate or have no knowledge of whatsoever... which is all code for: more Broadway!. (Quick note: Wondering where Puck has been? Rumor has it he is making a solo album and the producers of the show were pissed... apparently this is penance.)
HIGH TIME FOR A DIVORCE
BONES
Ugh. The only reason I kept this sucker for as long as I did was that it was in an uncrowded timeslot. Well, that's no longer the case, so it's time to make a clean break. Good god this show has gotten awful. It was never great, but back in the day it at least made for a
nice rainy day distraction. Now? It's practically unwatchable. Oh dear lord, did you see their Jersey Shore themed episode?! Shudder... Awful. Simply awful. That was the moment I removed it from my DVR for good. Man alive, the will-they-or-won't-they keeps trucking along at a snail's pace, the constant rotation of interns keeps reminding me of the horrendous Gormogon storyline and Zach's confoundingly stupid dismissal from the show, the stories-of-the-week are lamer than ever (which for this show, is really saying something), and the interpersonal dynamics between the few characters that I actually like are as dull as dirt. Oh, and Bones' new hairdo is hideous and makes her looks like a frumpy housewife from the 50's. It's hard to look it, even on fast-forward... Strike 317. So long once-mediocre, now sucktastic show! You won't be missed. And I'm keeping the mass spectrometer!
HOUSE
Well, what can I say? I'm simply done with this one. I held on through last season, but just can't take it anymore. Seriously, I've always been a Huddy proponent, but them getting together came about two years too late. Had House and Cuddy hooked up a couple
of seasons back, I think there would have been some definite sizzle, but now? Who the hell cares anymore? I was willing to give it a shot regardless, but actually seeing them together is unbearable. Oh god, see these two holding hands and taking about their relationship was so awkward. Yikes, yikes, yikes. I couldn't even make it through the premiere. Five minutes of watching them as a couple was more than I could handle. It all just seemed so forced and out of character for both of them. Add that to the fact that I've never really cared about the A-plot, the fact that the ducklings have been broken up and recast about 87 times (with diminishing returns each time) and you've got a show that just needs to stop. I didn't even intend on divorcing this one before the season began, but ten minutes in, I knew it wasn't meant to be. One more free space on my DVR. Now I just wish I had a quality new show to replace it...
Well, there you have it. I usually have to make tough choices about older shows so that I have room for new blood, but this year? I'm cutting old shows without a second thought and not picking up a
ny new ones. Well, not anything on network TV anyway... God bless cable is all I can say. And god bless The Vampire Diaries. Speaking of which, here's a little something to soothe the disappointment with TV at the moment. It's Ian Somerhalder dressed up as Stefan Salvatore for Halloween.
Ha! Simply fabulous. :) Geez, he looks so different with the lighter hair! I wouldn't suggest he make it a permanent change or anything, but I'm pretty sure he could be rockin' Richard Simmons' unfortunate coif and make it work.
Here's hoping next season has something better to offer... At the very least, NBC is in different hands now so hopefully the creative direction will be better... not that there's any money left. Ouch.
That said, you'd think my older shows would be getting a lot more love, but no. They too have been fairly disappointing this year (with a couple of notable exceptions--namely Castle, The Vampire Diaries, and The Good Wife). My relationships with my long-term lovers has been strained of late... sometimes ending in flat-out divorce.
IN NEED OF COUPLES COUNSELING
CHUCK
Oh, Chuck. It's been a long, tumultuous road of near-constant worry about our future together. I don't think I've ever had a show that has been on the bubble so many years in a row. For a quick insight into how spectacularly screwed NBC is, ponder this. After years of having to beg
for renewal and only barely scraping by, Chuck has suddenly become one of NBC's highest rated scripted shows. Sadly for NBC, this is not because Chuck's ratings have improved. On the contrary, it's really that the rest of NBC's programming has crashed and burned. Chuck was renewed at the end of last season with a tentative 13 episode initial order. I think NBC assumed that some of its huge slate of new pilots would catch on and they'd be able to axe Chuck sooner than later. Well, rather than axing the show, they've not only given it a full order, they've given it more than a full order. I believe their total episodes will be 24, which is two over usual. Ha! It's truly shocking how pathetic the network has gotten. It's been going downhill ever since Zucker got his hands on things, but this is just sad. Chuck regularly scores a 1.9 in the key demo. For any other network, that would absolutely be cancel-worthy (well, except for the CW, but that's a whole other story). But, on NBC, a consistent 1.9 is close to the best they could hope for and is among their highest rated shows. What does all this rambling have to do with our strained relationship, you ask? So here's the deal. Chuck has been picked-up for a super-sized season... and I don't really care.In years past, this would have been cause for celebration, but now? I honestly would have been fine with the show wrapping things up. There are a lot of reasons why this show has lost most of its luster. First and foremost, the initial dynamics of the show, the dynamics that made it so fun and charming, have mostly been lost. I realize that after so many episodes that was inevitable, but that doesn't make it interesting. So far this season, I've been pretty damn bored. The show still has its moments, but on the whole, it's starting to feel like a chore to watch week-to-week. Chuck and Sarah getting together for real has been as boring as I suspected it would be. No, wait, strike that, it's been way more annoying than that. Seriously, that episode where Chuck spent the entire time bitching about his relationship was utterly cringe-worthy. What's that? You say can decide which episode I'm talking about because that sounds like a lot of them? My point exactly. Don't get me wrong, the will-they-or-won't-they antics needed to stop. But I think I'd greatly have preferred they stopped because one or both of them found someone else to be with. I'm sorry guys, I really don't like them together. It's boring and Chuck's whining has gotten untenable. I have never felt for even a second that Sarah would ever make a good match for Chuck and now it appears I was right. Is anyone really enjoying watching this relationship? I'm sure not.
On top of that, the Buy More has gotten ridiculous, and not in a good way. It's now a government base of operations but no one knows this but Morgan? O--kay. Third (I think), the whole story arc with Chuck's mom has been pretty lame so far. I was super-excited for it at the end of last season, but it just hasn't grabbed me the way I'd hoped it would. I genuinely don't care if she's good or bad or Russian or whatever. Fourth, the missions are dull. Seriously, the A-plots this year have barely kept me awake. Fifth, Casey's daughter? Really? Sixth, Ellie and Awesome are having a baby... because that's just what a show does after so many seasons, right? At least it gives them something to do? You know, like shopping... and stuff...
Sadly, I'm pretty sure I could keep going. I'm trying to love the show like I once did, but if a show is doing things right, I shouldn't have to try at all. Chuck is a show that generally gets cooking after a good ways into a season, so I'm hanging in there, but believe me, I find myself caring less and less with each passing episode. Sigh.
GLEE
Glee is an odd duck with which I have a love/hate kind of relationship. Last season, it was mostly love. There were rough patches (cough-"Funk"-cough), but overall, this show totally appealed to my love of musicals, my appreciation of good comedy, and above all, the pure satisfaction of seeing something that isn't crime procedural hitting it big. I've never been ob
sessive about the show and don't find myself eager for the next week. Don't get me wrong, I love the show a lot of the time. Seriously, if Joss Whedon could direct every episode, it would be all love all the time. But what Whedon's sensational episode "Dream On" had that the show is increasingly missing is a little thing called story. Throughout season 1, there were more than a few times when it didn't really make much sense to have a song at that particular moment, but I was happy to let it slide. Each episode had a small handful of songs that mostly related to whatever the theme of the episode is. Nowadays? They don't even pretend to have a story most of the time. This show has turned into a series of musical vignettes. It's essentially a variety show with very little variety. This is where the love/hate really kicks in. I love a good musical number, but I hate it when it's completely pointless to the overall story. Wait, no, that implies that there's a story at all... It's weird, because this show will have one episode that reminds me of why I love it ("Grilled Cheesus" and "Duets") but then have these ridiculous theme episodes that have entertaining musical numbers and all, but not the slightest semblance of coherent storytelling (the absurd and delusional Britney tribute, the unfortunately watered-down Rocky Horror send up... seriously, you're replacing "transsexual" with "sin-sational"? Really? Ugh.) It's wildly uneven and disappointingly hit or miss with the ratio getting more and more unsettling with each passing episode. Musicals work when the music and the story are so seamlessly and logically married that you don't think twice about it. Of course that person would break into song right now! With Glee? It's a bit of a mess most of the time... I have heard some good things about upcoming episodes so I'm hopeful they'll find a way to return to former glory, but I think the iTunes dollar signs are a little too distracting for them to really see the big picture these days. They seem so hell-bent on jam-packing every episode with as many songs as possible and not really caring what they have to sacrifice in the process. It's the kind of show I knew couldn't last, but I really hope it hangs in there longer than this... I'm loving this one more than Chuck these days, but they really need to base the show on story, not songs (songs which, increasingly, I've never even heard of--maybe I'm old or uncool, but seriously, half the songs they pick I either hate or have no knowledge of whatsoever... which is all code for: more Broadway!. (Quick note: Wondering where Puck has been? Rumor has it he is making a solo album and the producers of the show were pissed... apparently this is penance.)HIGH TIME FOR A DIVORCE
BONES
Ugh. The only reason I kept this sucker for as long as I did was that it was in an uncrowded timeslot. Well, that's no longer the case, so it's time to make a clean break. Good god this show has gotten awful. It was never great, but back in the day it at least made for a
nice rainy day distraction. Now? It's practically unwatchable. Oh dear lord, did you see their Jersey Shore themed episode?! Shudder... Awful. Simply awful. That was the moment I removed it from my DVR for good. Man alive, the will-they-or-won't-they keeps trucking along at a snail's pace, the constant rotation of interns keeps reminding me of the horrendous Gormogon storyline and Zach's confoundingly stupid dismissal from the show, the stories-of-the-week are lamer than ever (which for this show, is really saying something), and the interpersonal dynamics between the few characters that I actually like are as dull as dirt. Oh, and Bones' new hairdo is hideous and makes her looks like a frumpy housewife from the 50's. It's hard to look it, even on fast-forward... Strike 317. So long once-mediocre, now sucktastic show! You won't be missed. And I'm keeping the mass spectrometer!HOUSE
Well, what can I say? I'm simply done with this one. I held on through last season, but just can't take it anymore. Seriously, I've always been a Huddy proponent, but them getting together came about two years too late. Had House and Cuddy hooked up a couple
of seasons back, I think there would have been some definite sizzle, but now? Who the hell cares anymore? I was willing to give it a shot regardless, but actually seeing them together is unbearable. Oh god, see these two holding hands and taking about their relationship was so awkward. Yikes, yikes, yikes. I couldn't even make it through the premiere. Five minutes of watching them as a couple was more than I could handle. It all just seemed so forced and out of character for both of them. Add that to the fact that I've never really cared about the A-plot, the fact that the ducklings have been broken up and recast about 87 times (with diminishing returns each time) and you've got a show that just needs to stop. I didn't even intend on divorcing this one before the season began, but ten minutes in, I knew it wasn't meant to be. One more free space on my DVR. Now I just wish I had a quality new show to replace it...Well, there you have it. I usually have to make tough choices about older shows so that I have room for new blood, but this year? I'm cutting old shows without a second thought and not picking up a
ny new ones. Well, not anything on network TV anyway... God bless cable is all I can say. And god bless The Vampire Diaries. Speaking of which, here's a little something to soothe the disappointment with TV at the moment. It's Ian Somerhalder dressed up as Stefan Salvatore for Halloween.Ha! Simply fabulous. :) Geez, he looks so different with the lighter hair! I wouldn't suggest he make it a permanent change or anything, but I'm pretty sure he could be rockin' Richard Simmons' unfortunate coif and make it work.
Here's hoping next season has something better to offer... At the very least, NBC is in different hands now so hopefully the creative direction will be better... not that there's any money left. Ouch.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wonder Woman vs. Superman
***SPOILER ALERT***
If you haven't watched the Chuck season finale, turn back now! No, seriously.
You thought this was going to be a geektastic juxtaposition of Wonder Woman and Superman, extolling the virtues of each and crowning one to be superior, eh? Yeah, not so much. But don't worry, it's only slightly less geeky than that.
Chuck season 3 came to a surprisingly satisfying close last night after several less-than-stellar episodes before it. This season has been plagued since day one by the brass at NBC, so I tend to give the show a pass. Not only did they get pulled off
the air for nearly a year prior to the current season, but then they were given an initial order of 13 episodes (which they wrote and were well into production), and ultimately NBC decided they needed 6 more episodes, so Josh Schwartz and company had to kind of scramble. This is essentially two mini-seasons that had to be lumped into one. The first 13 came together quite nicely, but fitting an entire new story arc into only 6 episodes? Not so easy... With that in mind, I'd say I'm satisfied with how things played out. The past few episodes left a bit to be desired. To be honest, I wasn't all that stoked for the two-part season finale... until I actually started watching it and the show reminded me of why I love it. I wouldn't say they were the best two episodes ever or anything, but they really pulled everything together in an exciting, thoughtful way--a feat that I didn't think was going to be possible just a few episodes ago.
I'm going to try to keep this short, so bear with me... we all know that's not my strong suit.
As I've mentioned before, I actually quite enjoyed Shaw as a character early on and rather dug his and Sarah's onscreen chemistry and relationship. I realize I'm in the minority here, but I have to tell ya, having liked him initially, his turn into a big bad was all the more wrenching. If I had hated him from day one, I'm not sure the turn would have had as much gravity and impact as it
did, nor would his terminator-like return from ashes been so menacing. Awesome. I spent the better part of the episode thinking to myself (oh, let's face it, saying out loud, through gritted teeth), "I hate that Superman!" The Ring always seemed like a bit of an amorphous enemy for team Bartowski, so it was nice to see Shaw really amp up the evil, because let's be honest, SD-6, it ain't. The Ring Elders always felt more like that people from the future in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. You know, with the robes? And all the "Be excellent to each other" aphorisms? Not exactly striking terror into the hearts of millions there... I think Shaw acquitted himself admirably as a baddie when all was said and done, even if the whole "You killed my wife, prepare to die!" of it all left me a little underwhelmed.
Who better to go up against Evil Shaw? Well, I'd say Team Bartowski, but... they're all in custody at the moment... so, uh... Team Morgan? Well, all righty then... I was always a bit unconvinced by the "Morgan is a spy" angle the show was taking (even if it was entertaining, it just never really quite worked), but in the end, he really stepped up to the plate. The finale managed to integrate Mor
gan (and just about everyone else) in a more cohesive and logical way than in the entire rest of the season. In the first season, and even well into the second, the Buy More and all the ancillary characters were integrated into the fabric of the spy narrative brilliantly, hilariously, and seamlessly. Nowadays? Well, I've complained about the inexplicable role of the Buy More for some time now, so when they blew it up, I have to say, I was pretty excited to see it burn. And the fact that Jeff and Lester are the presumed bombers? Even better. I honestly don't know what the show is going to do with the Buy More aspect of the show next season. At present, they appear to be writing that angle out of the show. I, for one, won't be sad to see it go. Don't get me wrong, I love the Buy More crew and happily acknowledge that they've provided some of the best moments ever on the show, but it just doesn't fit anymore. It's hard to see the writers struggling to include them, you know? But, is Chuck still Chuck without the Buy More? The show is predicated on the notion that Chuck is a geek who is thrown into this crazy world of espionage and is in over his head. Well, this season Chuck became a real spy, so... where does that leave us? I think it leaves us with a more typical spy thriller rather than the goofy spy comedy of yore. Which is fine, but is certainly different. I'll be very interested to see where things go next season. They'll only have 13 episodes to work with (assuming they don't get a back 9 order, and I'm willing to wager they won't), so here's hoping they make the most of it.
How exactly will they make the most of it, you ask? Mama Bartowski, that's how. We all knew she'd show up eventually, but it was still fun and surprising to see her actually materialize. Man alive, the only way it could have been more
Alias-y would be if she had shot Chuck. "Mom?!" BANG! Classic! My first impulse was, obviously, "Irina Derevko!" and while it would be beyond awesome to see Lena Olin play yet another evil-but-only-most-of-the-time spymommy, both my brother and I took one look at the back of Mama Bartowski's head and thought "Lynda Carter!" Yesseriebob, it has officially been decided that Wonder Woman needs to play Mary Elizabeth Bartowski next season, so hop to it, casting directors! Let's face it, Shaw escaped the season finale alive, so if he's going to come into play yet again next season, I think the only person to take Superman down once and for all would have to be Wonder Woman (and besides, she totally looks the part). What's more, rumors have been speculating 
about a Wonder Woman movie for a good long while and on most internet geek's shortlist for the role? Sarah Lancaster, aka Ellie Bartowski. It would be beyond spectacular, so here's hoping the powers that be decide to shine down on the little show that could and deliver an invisible plane, a lasso of truth, and some bullet-deflecting bracelets. :)
In other Parent Bartowski news, Papa Bartowski... didn't quite make it through the finale. I wish I could say I was sad to see him dead and gone, but he was annoying at best. Although he seriously won't be missed, I'm not loving the dynamic his death set up. Ellie has always gotten the short stick in the character department. She's been forced to play the wet blanket and smothering maternal element for way too long and now it has just gone overboard with the whole "we're all e
ach other has, so you better quit your day job, young man" ultimatum. Given the Mama Bartowski reveal, and, well, the basic concept of the show, I have no doubt her behest will get much attention in the coming season, but the thought of having to hear her whine about it is off-putting to say the least... I wish the show could find something substantive for her to do. I was so psyched to see her following Shaw and the captive Team Bartowski in her car, but then of course she loses them. I thought she was finally going to get something redeeming to do, and it once again falls to others. I used to like Ellie quite a lot, but as with the Buy More, it seems the writers have no idea what to do with her anymore. Sigh. The creative team has their work cut out for them in season 4. Here's hoping they rise to the occasion.
At the end of the say, I was starting to think that Chuck had run its course and that I wouldn't have been too heartbroken if it had finally gotten the axe. But, presented w
ith the promise of Mama Bartowski next season (and in spite of the Casey-has-a-long-lost-daughter angle...ugh--it just didn't work for me), I'm actually pretty excited. Should they cast Lynda Carter, as we all know they should, I might just have to forgive any and all reservations or criticisms I've ever had of the show ever. And then she and Superman need to fight. And she needs to win. :)
Anyway, season 3 managed to come together in the end and I'm pretty stoked to see what's in store for next year. Have a good summer, show. By which I mean, you'd better be working your asses off to figure out what the hell next season is going to look like because in spite of my suggestions, I have absolutely no idea what kind of an animal we'll be met with in the fall. Which is a good thing. Can't wait!
If you haven't watched the Chuck season finale, turn back now! No, seriously.
You thought this was going to be a geektastic juxtaposition of Wonder Woman and Superman, extolling the virtues of each and crowning one to be superior, eh? Yeah, not so much. But don't worry, it's only slightly less geeky than that.
Chuck season 3 came to a surprisingly satisfying close last night after several less-than-stellar episodes before it. This season has been plagued since day one by the brass at NBC, so I tend to give the show a pass. Not only did they get pulled off
the air for nearly a year prior to the current season, but then they were given an initial order of 13 episodes (which they wrote and were well into production), and ultimately NBC decided they needed 6 more episodes, so Josh Schwartz and company had to kind of scramble. This is essentially two mini-seasons that had to be lumped into one. The first 13 came together quite nicely, but fitting an entire new story arc into only 6 episodes? Not so easy... With that in mind, I'd say I'm satisfied with how things played out. The past few episodes left a bit to be desired. To be honest, I wasn't all that stoked for the two-part season finale... until I actually started watching it and the show reminded me of why I love it. I wouldn't say they were the best two episodes ever or anything, but they really pulled everything together in an exciting, thoughtful way--a feat that I didn't think was going to be possible just a few episodes ago.I'm going to try to keep this short, so bear with me... we all know that's not my strong suit.
As I've mentioned before, I actually quite enjoyed Shaw as a character early on and rather dug his and Sarah's onscreen chemistry and relationship. I realize I'm in the minority here, but I have to tell ya, having liked him initially, his turn into a big bad was all the more wrenching. If I had hated him from day one, I'm not sure the turn would have had as much gravity and impact as it
did, nor would his terminator-like return from ashes been so menacing. Awesome. I spent the better part of the episode thinking to myself (oh, let's face it, saying out loud, through gritted teeth), "I hate that Superman!" The Ring always seemed like a bit of an amorphous enemy for team Bartowski, so it was nice to see Shaw really amp up the evil, because let's be honest, SD-6, it ain't. The Ring Elders always felt more like that people from the future in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. You know, with the robes? And all the "Be excellent to each other" aphorisms? Not exactly striking terror into the hearts of millions there... I think Shaw acquitted himself admirably as a baddie when all was said and done, even if the whole "You killed my wife, prepare to die!" of it all left me a little underwhelmed.Who better to go up against Evil Shaw? Well, I'd say Team Bartowski, but... they're all in custody at the moment... so, uh... Team Morgan? Well, all righty then... I was always a bit unconvinced by the "Morgan is a spy" angle the show was taking (even if it was entertaining, it just never really quite worked), but in the end, he really stepped up to the plate. The finale managed to integrate Mor
gan (and just about everyone else) in a more cohesive and logical way than in the entire rest of the season. In the first season, and even well into the second, the Buy More and all the ancillary characters were integrated into the fabric of the spy narrative brilliantly, hilariously, and seamlessly. Nowadays? Well, I've complained about the inexplicable role of the Buy More for some time now, so when they blew it up, I have to say, I was pretty excited to see it burn. And the fact that Jeff and Lester are the presumed bombers? Even better. I honestly don't know what the show is going to do with the Buy More aspect of the show next season. At present, they appear to be writing that angle out of the show. I, for one, won't be sad to see it go. Don't get me wrong, I love the Buy More crew and happily acknowledge that they've provided some of the best moments ever on the show, but it just doesn't fit anymore. It's hard to see the writers struggling to include them, you know? But, is Chuck still Chuck without the Buy More? The show is predicated on the notion that Chuck is a geek who is thrown into this crazy world of espionage and is in over his head. Well, this season Chuck became a real spy, so... where does that leave us? I think it leaves us with a more typical spy thriller rather than the goofy spy comedy of yore. Which is fine, but is certainly different. I'll be very interested to see where things go next season. They'll only have 13 episodes to work with (assuming they don't get a back 9 order, and I'm willing to wager they won't), so here's hoping they make the most of it.How exactly will they make the most of it, you ask? Mama Bartowski, that's how. We all knew she'd show up eventually, but it was still fun and surprising to see her actually materialize. Man alive, the only way it could have been more
Alias-y would be if she had shot Chuck. "Mom?!" BANG! Classic! My first impulse was, obviously, "Irina Derevko!" and while it would be beyond awesome to see Lena Olin play yet another evil-but-only-most-of-the-time spymommy, both my brother and I took one look at the back of Mama Bartowski's head and thought "Lynda Carter!" Yesseriebob, it has officially been decided that Wonder Woman needs to play Mary Elizabeth Bartowski next season, so hop to it, casting directors! Let's face it, Shaw escaped the season finale alive, so if he's going to come into play yet again next season, I think the only person to take Superman down once and for all would have to be Wonder Woman (and besides, she totally looks the part). What's more, rumors have been speculating 
about a Wonder Woman movie for a good long while and on most internet geek's shortlist for the role? Sarah Lancaster, aka Ellie Bartowski. It would be beyond spectacular, so here's hoping the powers that be decide to shine down on the little show that could and deliver an invisible plane, a lasso of truth, and some bullet-deflecting bracelets. :)In other Parent Bartowski news, Papa Bartowski... didn't quite make it through the finale. I wish I could say I was sad to see him dead and gone, but he was annoying at best. Although he seriously won't be missed, I'm not loving the dynamic his death set up. Ellie has always gotten the short stick in the character department. She's been forced to play the wet blanket and smothering maternal element for way too long and now it has just gone overboard with the whole "we're all e
ach other has, so you better quit your day job, young man" ultimatum. Given the Mama Bartowski reveal, and, well, the basic concept of the show, I have no doubt her behest will get much attention in the coming season, but the thought of having to hear her whine about it is off-putting to say the least... I wish the show could find something substantive for her to do. I was so psyched to see her following Shaw and the captive Team Bartowski in her car, but then of course she loses them. I thought she was finally going to get something redeeming to do, and it once again falls to others. I used to like Ellie quite a lot, but as with the Buy More, it seems the writers have no idea what to do with her anymore. Sigh. The creative team has their work cut out for them in season 4. Here's hoping they rise to the occasion.At the end of the say, I was starting to think that Chuck had run its course and that I wouldn't have been too heartbroken if it had finally gotten the axe. But, presented w
ith the promise of Mama Bartowski next season (and in spite of the Casey-has-a-long-lost-daughter angle...ugh--it just didn't work for me), I'm actually pretty excited. Should they cast Lynda Carter, as we all know they should, I might just have to forgive any and all reservations or criticisms I've ever had of the show ever. And then she and Superman need to fight. And she needs to win. :)Anyway, season 3 managed to come together in the end and I'm pretty stoked to see what's in store for next year. Have a good summer, show. By which I mean, you'd better be working your asses off to figure out what the hell next season is going to look like because in spite of my suggestions, I have absolutely no idea what kind of an animal we'll be met with in the fall. Which is a good thing. Can't wait!
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