I just saw on TV.com that Direct TV will again fund with NBC the production of Friday Night Lights. The best part is that we will have two seasons of 13 episodes a piece. Direct TV will do the first run and NBC will follow.
This is good news as this series is a very high quality show. Excellent in scripts and acting. I am a big fan of Kyle Chandler who plays Coach Taylor, loved him in Early Edition and have followed his career since them. He also made a very memorable appearance in Grey's Anatomy as a bomb disposal police officer, who unfortunately (or fortunately come to think of it given how dopey the scripts have been on Grey's Anatomy) was killed when his story arc ended.
I also like doing series in 12-13 episodes runs. It seems that a lot of good shows get hurt when you go for 22 episodes each year. For example, House would be improved if they would just focus on 13 good scripts a year. 24 is the only series that makes good use of 24 episodes.
So I am happy to see this show saved and now am looking forward to the season finale this Friday. I don't know how many people actually read this blog, but rent the DVD sets of Friday Night Lights and discover a great series.
Oh well.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thoughts: 30-March-2009
I watched the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency last night on HBO. This was a BBC and HBO funded venture and I am assuming that this has already be on in the UK. Definitely a delight and a show that could never make it on the regular US TV networks. Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose, Lucian Misamati, and Desmond Dube are such a delight in bringing these characters to life. This show reminds me of the British series Rumple of the Baily and A Touch of Frost, in the way things are set up and presented. There are five more episodes to go for this first season.
Private Practice, a spin off from Grey's Anatomy on ABC, is a prime example of how US networks get it all wrong and why we need to watch Showtime and HBO for quality TV. First they push for a spin off of a very popular show and then cannot get anything right with it. The latest episode which I watched via DVR, a 12 year old girl wanted birth control pills as she was active sexually and her mother was allowing it as long as she knew what was going on. Horrible parenting, sure when it is on a show like Marcus Welby MD, but the one doctor was trolling on the Internet for sex while the therapist has unprotected sex with two different men, ending up in a pregnancy where she has no clue who the father is. And of course, she refuses to be tested to find out which guy is the father. Talk about the blind leading the blind. If this show stays on the air while good shows like Friday Night Lights struggle to stay on, when it just is not fair at all.
One sports item I wanted to mention, Joe Paterno, HC for the Penn State football team has 383 victories. His nearest rival, Bobby Bowden, HC for Florida State has 382. Now I read in The Sporting News that due to NCAA recruiting violations, 14 victories could be taken away from Bowden. Now I know that JoePa has always claimed that he does not care about this record, but I always have felt that deep down, he does not want to retire until he knows he has it in the bag. In today's college football scene, there is no way anybody would last long enough to get 383 victories. I don't really know if it is fair to take away those victories from Bowden, but JoePa's retirement could come in three years if it happens.
Speaking of the Sporting News, when did it become the New York Yankee Monthly? This past issue which had a MLB preview, they picked the Yankees to win it all over the Cubs due to its great pitching staff? WTF? Great pitching staff? Then what the hell does the Red Sox have, I will take their pitching staff over the Yankees any day of the week. And I think Jason Bay is going to put up some nice power numbers as he gets to start his first full season with the Red Sox.
Oh well.
Private Practice, a spin off from Grey's Anatomy on ABC, is a prime example of how US networks get it all wrong and why we need to watch Showtime and HBO for quality TV. First they push for a spin off of a very popular show and then cannot get anything right with it. The latest episode which I watched via DVR, a 12 year old girl wanted birth control pills as she was active sexually and her mother was allowing it as long as she knew what was going on. Horrible parenting, sure when it is on a show like Marcus Welby MD, but the one doctor was trolling on the Internet for sex while the therapist has unprotected sex with two different men, ending up in a pregnancy where she has no clue who the father is. And of course, she refuses to be tested to find out which guy is the father. Talk about the blind leading the blind. If this show stays on the air while good shows like Friday Night Lights struggle to stay on, when it just is not fair at all.
One sports item I wanted to mention, Joe Paterno, HC for the Penn State football team has 383 victories. His nearest rival, Bobby Bowden, HC for Florida State has 382. Now I read in The Sporting News that due to NCAA recruiting violations, 14 victories could be taken away from Bowden. Now I know that JoePa has always claimed that he does not care about this record, but I always have felt that deep down, he does not want to retire until he knows he has it in the bag. In today's college football scene, there is no way anybody would last long enough to get 383 victories. I don't really know if it is fair to take away those victories from Bowden, but JoePa's retirement could come in three years if it happens.
Speaking of the Sporting News, when did it become the New York Yankee Monthly? This past issue which had a MLB preview, they picked the Yankees to win it all over the Cubs due to its great pitching staff? WTF? Great pitching staff? Then what the hell does the Red Sox have, I will take their pitching staff over the Yankees any day of the week. And I think Jason Bay is going to put up some nice power numbers as he gets to start his first full season with the Red Sox.
Oh well.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thoughts on College Basketball: 29-March-2009
I don't really follow the NCAA tournament. I never understood the interest and excitement of March Madness. Growing up in Central PA, I am a big time loyal Penn State fan. This year the men's team made it to the NIT. They beat George Mason, URI (my boss's Alta Mater) and Florida to make it to the semifinals (I guess NCAA has Final Four as a copyright). Tomorrow night they play Notre Dame for a chance to make it to the championship game.
Years ago, when I was at Kent State, I used to listen to Pete Franklin who called the NIT, the NITWIT as only nitwits care who wins that tournament. Regardless of the late Mr. Franklin's beliefs, this is a big boost for the men's team and maybe will help with recruiting.
Pitt got beat last night in the NCAA, and as a Penn State fan, hate Pitt with a passion. I don't mind seeing UConn make it to the Final Four, I hope that can win it all. Was nice to see Pitt get beat by Villianova.
The only time I ever watch the NCAA championship came was when Villanova beat Georgetown. I was in grad school and there was nothing else to watch on TV. Very exciting game and I am glad I saw it. Just don't have too much interest in watching it now.
The nice thing about Pitt losing is that there is a big time jerk at work who worships Pitt and it will be nice to laugh at him when he starts crying about Pitt losing tomorrow. I also have a co-worker who is really into basketball who told me Pitt is going all the way. He tends to be a bit smug about his sports expertise and it will be nice to see his explanation for why he was wrong. He also is a Buffalo Bills fan.
UConn's women's team is undefeated and is looking to sweep the tournament. Penn State has had a successful women's team in the past, never won the championship but made it to the Final Four a couple of times. Now they are rebuilding with a new coach who finished her second year at Penn State. I would like to see UConn win it all.
Oh well.
Years ago, when I was at Kent State, I used to listen to Pete Franklin who called the NIT, the NITWIT as only nitwits care who wins that tournament. Regardless of the late Mr. Franklin's beliefs, this is a big boost for the men's team and maybe will help with recruiting.
Pitt got beat last night in the NCAA, and as a Penn State fan, hate Pitt with a passion. I don't mind seeing UConn make it to the Final Four, I hope that can win it all. Was nice to see Pitt get beat by Villianova.
The only time I ever watch the NCAA championship came was when Villanova beat Georgetown. I was in grad school and there was nothing else to watch on TV. Very exciting game and I am glad I saw it. Just don't have too much interest in watching it now.
The nice thing about Pitt losing is that there is a big time jerk at work who worships Pitt and it will be nice to laugh at him when he starts crying about Pitt losing tomorrow. I also have a co-worker who is really into basketball who told me Pitt is going all the way. He tends to be a bit smug about his sports expertise and it will be nice to see his explanation for why he was wrong. He also is a Buffalo Bills fan.
UConn's women's team is undefeated and is looking to sweep the tournament. Penn State has had a successful women's team in the past, never won the championship but made it to the Final Four a couple of times. Now they are rebuilding with a new coach who finished her second year at Penn State. I would like to see UConn win it all.
Oh well.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thoughts: 28-March-2009
I watched Fox TV last night. Terminator, the Sarah Connor Chronicles was its usually snooze. We don't see much of Sarah Connor in this show, and I am at a point where I really don't care if John Connor survives to save the world in the future. Two more episodes and the season and most likely the series is done. Maybe then Summer Glau can get a decent show, a nice sitcom maybe?
Dollhouse had an episode last night where everyone was exposed to a drug and went crazy/lost their inhibitions. Already saw this twice in Star Trek, once in the original series and then again in a sequel to that show in Next Generation. Next week, the dolls recover their memories and rise up against the Dollhouse. You know, it just seems to me a lot of trouble to basically have a high end cat house. That is all the dolls seem to get to do, go off to satisfy some super rich guy's fantasy. I wish I had that kind of money to blow. Right now, I would say Dollhouse is gone after this season's shows end.
Oh well.
Dollhouse had an episode last night where everyone was exposed to a drug and went crazy/lost their inhibitions. Already saw this twice in Star Trek, once in the original series and then again in a sequel to that show in Next Generation. Next week, the dolls recover their memories and rise up against the Dollhouse. You know, it just seems to me a lot of trouble to basically have a high end cat house. That is all the dolls seem to get to do, go off to satisfy some super rich guy's fantasy. I wish I had that kind of money to blow. Right now, I would say Dollhouse is gone after this season's shows end.
Oh well.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thoughts: 27-March-2009
I received my information packet from Legendary Times, the ancient astronaut theory magazine, and found that I did get a free copy of LT. So, I misread their email and did get what was promised in their free offer. If anybody is interested, the website is www.legendarytimes.com. It is $40 for a year and $80 for two. Erich Von Dainken has a very active presence in this magazine.
Supernatural had a great episode last night in which Dean deals with is crisis of faith from the end of last week's episode. Just the right mix of comedy and drama. This is such a constantly well crafted show, when is Entertainment Weekly going to do a story on this show?
I have to do laundry this weekend, I hate doing laundry.
Oh well.
Supernatural had a great episode last night in which Dean deals with is crisis of faith from the end of last week's episode. Just the right mix of comedy and drama. This is such a constantly well crafted show, when is Entertainment Weekly going to do a story on this show?
I have to do laundry this weekend, I hate doing laundry.
Oh well.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thoughts: 26-March-2009
There are a couple of new shows that are starting up that intrigue me.
Harper's Island (CBS, TH 10 pm) This is a 13 part mystery-horror series where a person is going to get killed each week. TV Guide ripped into this series as a bloody bore, not gory enough for the Friday the 13th crowd and too tacky and grisly for Agatha Christie crowd. Given that this is CBS which had a very tame Swingtown show, that was billed as being something quite naughty, I sort of doubt that this will be any different than what you see on the CSI shows. The sheriff is played by the actor who plays Bobby on Supernatural, so I would like to see him in this. I like that idea of a series that will give closure if you stick with it for the whole run.
The Unusuals (ABC, Wed 10 pm) Looks interesting and I like several of the actors in this show. But that time slot for ABC is where series go to die, Private Eyes for example. I think that I will check it out since it most likely will get axed after a couple of episodes.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (HBO, Su 8 pm) This is best on a best selling series of detective novels set in South Africa. I have never read any of them, but given the good reviews they get and given that this is HBO, and that True Blood was better than expected, I will be checking this out.
American Chopper is returning with new episodes on TLC, I was wondering if there was anything left for these guys to do. I figured that this show has run its course, but it must still be getting decent ratings.
Oh well.
Harper's Island (CBS, TH 10 pm) This is a 13 part mystery-horror series where a person is going to get killed each week. TV Guide ripped into this series as a bloody bore, not gory enough for the Friday the 13th crowd and too tacky and grisly for Agatha Christie crowd. Given that this is CBS which had a very tame Swingtown show, that was billed as being something quite naughty, I sort of doubt that this will be any different than what you see on the CSI shows. The sheriff is played by the actor who plays Bobby on Supernatural, so I would like to see him in this. I like that idea of a series that will give closure if you stick with it for the whole run.
The Unusuals (ABC, Wed 10 pm) Looks interesting and I like several of the actors in this show. But that time slot for ABC is where series go to die, Private Eyes for example. I think that I will check it out since it most likely will get axed after a couple of episodes.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (HBO, Su 8 pm) This is best on a best selling series of detective novels set in South Africa. I have never read any of them, but given the good reviews they get and given that this is HBO, and that True Blood was better than expected, I will be checking this out.
American Chopper is returning with new episodes on TLC, I was wondering if there was anything left for these guys to do. I figured that this show has run its course, but it must still be getting decent ratings.
Oh well.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thoughts: 25-March-2009
The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly had a letter disputing that Battlestar Galactica was the best SF TV series. They cite Farscape and Firefly as being better series, well I don't know.
Farscape was a pretty good SF series, definitely a top five. I just thought that the aliens were not that convincing and that characters seem to be smart or dumb when the writers needed them to be. It was good series and ended in a nice finale, I am currently reading the comic limited series that is being published, but better than BSG, no way.
Firefly, if Fox gave this series a chance I would say it might have ranked up there. A couple of the episodes reminded me too much of other shows in copying plots. And the movie that was supposed to give us closure, Serenity, that was not very good at all. Too many key characters just got killed which I did not care for at all. Firefly is not better than BSG.
A couple of issues ago, Psychology Today published a letter that makes me still laugh. Some teenage girl writes it and says that she likes PT because it is so easy to understand unlike Scientific American Mind which is too hard for her to get. So I guess PT should have ads saying "Psychology Today, the magazine for people who are too stupid to understand Scientific American Mind". I still laugh given how anybody with a advanced psychology degree would see how bad PT is and how much superior SAM is. Sad, that PT would actually publish a letter like that, I wonder if the psychologists who are published in that magazine cringe.
Oh well.
Farscape was a pretty good SF series, definitely a top five. I just thought that the aliens were not that convincing and that characters seem to be smart or dumb when the writers needed them to be. It was good series and ended in a nice finale, I am currently reading the comic limited series that is being published, but better than BSG, no way.
Firefly, if Fox gave this series a chance I would say it might have ranked up there. A couple of the episodes reminded me too much of other shows in copying plots. And the movie that was supposed to give us closure, Serenity, that was not very good at all. Too many key characters just got killed which I did not care for at all. Firefly is not better than BSG.
A couple of issues ago, Psychology Today published a letter that makes me still laugh. Some teenage girl writes it and says that she likes PT because it is so easy to understand unlike Scientific American Mind which is too hard for her to get. So I guess PT should have ads saying "Psychology Today, the magazine for people who are too stupid to understand Scientific American Mind". I still laugh given how anybody with a advanced psychology degree would see how bad PT is and how much superior SAM is. Sad, that PT would actually publish a letter like that, I wonder if the psychologists who are published in that magazine cringe.
Oh well.
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