Wednesday, March 15, 2006
What's On?
Since I spent the past few months talking movies, I thought I'd switch it up today and go to my other great love, television. Here's a rundown of what I've been watching and enjoying so far this year:
SUNDAYS- "The Simpsons"
A slow TV night, but "The Simpsons" is always a must. You'll get arguments from people who say it is way below the standards it was at in the mid-90s...and they may not be far off. But a mediocre "Simpsons" is still light years ahead of the best of some other shows.
MONDAYS-"How I Met Your Mother," "24," "Monday Night War"
"Mother" is a really funny show that everyone should check out. The basic premise is a guy in the future is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother (hence the title, for my slower readers). That really only takes up the first 10 seconds of each episode, though, as we then go back to the present day where the story takes place. Neil Patrick Harris as the best friend is an absolute riot; folks who only remember him from "Doogie Howser" will be surprised. Bonus points for casting people from two of my favorite shows of all time, Alyson Hannigan ("Buffy") and Jason Segel ("Freaks and Geeks").
If you haven't checked out "24" yet, don't bother now as you've missed too much. The most intense hour of television every week is better than ever this year, and Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer just may be the biggest badass ever. Go check out the previous seasons on DVD.
As for "Monday Night War," well, either you like wrestling or not. I am not ashamed to admit that I do. Nothing more to discuss here.
TUESDAYS- "Sons & Daughters," "The Amazing Race," "American Idol"
"Sons & Daughters" actually just debuted last week, and it's really good. Partly improvised and produced by Lorne Michaels, this show has delivered some decent bully laughs in the first couple of episodes. A large cast consisting of nobody you've ever heard of before (except maybe Dee Wallace and Max Gail as the mother and father), "S & D" in a nutshell is about the relationships between the members of a large dysfunctional family. Funny stuff that's worth a look.
After a lackluster family edition in the fall, "The Amazing Race" has returned to form with its latest trek around the globe. The cream of the reality crop.
As far as "Idol" goes....well, I must admit I never watched it before this season, and hadn't planned to this year. But I have a 12 year old daughter, and there you go. The fuckers pulled me in.
WEDNESDAYS- "Lost"
The greatest show around right now. Just like "24," though, if you haven't watched before now, don't bother. No pun intended, but you would be completely lost. Go watch the DVD of season one, then get the current season in a few months, so you'll be ready in the fall for season 3.
THURSDAYS-"My Name Is Earl," "The Office"
"Earl" is an absolute riot. Jason Lee headlines a stellar cast and delivers big-time laughs each and every week. Jamie Pressley as Earl's ex-wife Joy is a revelation and steals the show week after week. Nothing she has ever done before indicating she had a comedic talent like this.
As for "The Office," I must retract a post I made last year. When it first debuted late last season, I didn't care for it and told you all in this space to steer clear. I was a huge fan of the original British version, and didn't think this stacked up. When this season began, NBC put it on after "Earl" so I gave it a second shot. I went in with a more open mind than I did the first time and stopped comparing it to the brilliant originator...and every week I enjoy it more and more. "The Office" has developed a style all its own, and now stands comfortably apart from its predecessor.
FRIDAYS-"Friday Night Smackdown"
More wrestling.
SATURDAYS-"TNA Impact," "Saturday Night Live"
TNA is the #2 wrestling promotion. If you're a wrestling fan and haven't checked it out yet, you really should. It's moving to Thursdays in primetime in a few weeks.
"SNL" seems to get savaged in the press every single year by doom-sayers who say the show isn't funny anymore. It is.
So that's it in a nutshell. What are you all watching?
SUNDAYS- "The Simpsons"
A slow TV night, but "The Simpsons" is always a must. You'll get arguments from people who say it is way below the standards it was at in the mid-90s...and they may not be far off. But a mediocre "Simpsons" is still light years ahead of the best of some other shows.
MONDAYS-"How I Met Your Mother," "24," "Monday Night War"
"Mother" is a really funny show that everyone should check out. The basic premise is a guy in the future is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother (hence the title, for my slower readers). That really only takes up the first 10 seconds of each episode, though, as we then go back to the present day where the story takes place. Neil Patrick Harris as the best friend is an absolute riot; folks who only remember him from "Doogie Howser" will be surprised. Bonus points for casting people from two of my favorite shows of all time, Alyson Hannigan ("Buffy") and Jason Segel ("Freaks and Geeks").
If you haven't checked out "24" yet, don't bother now as you've missed too much. The most intense hour of television every week is better than ever this year, and Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer just may be the biggest badass ever. Go check out the previous seasons on DVD.
As for "Monday Night War," well, either you like wrestling or not. I am not ashamed to admit that I do. Nothing more to discuss here.
TUESDAYS- "Sons & Daughters," "The Amazing Race," "American Idol"
"Sons & Daughters" actually just debuted last week, and it's really good. Partly improvised and produced by Lorne Michaels, this show has delivered some decent bully laughs in the first couple of episodes. A large cast consisting of nobody you've ever heard of before (except maybe Dee Wallace and Max Gail as the mother and father), "S & D" in a nutshell is about the relationships between the members of a large dysfunctional family. Funny stuff that's worth a look.
After a lackluster family edition in the fall, "The Amazing Race" has returned to form with its latest trek around the globe. The cream of the reality crop.
As far as "Idol" goes....well, I must admit I never watched it before this season, and hadn't planned to this year. But I have a 12 year old daughter, and there you go. The fuckers pulled me in.
WEDNESDAYS- "Lost"
The greatest show around right now. Just like "24," though, if you haven't watched before now, don't bother. No pun intended, but you would be completely lost. Go watch the DVD of season one, then get the current season in a few months, so you'll be ready in the fall for season 3.
THURSDAYS-"My Name Is Earl," "The Office"
"Earl" is an absolute riot. Jason Lee headlines a stellar cast and delivers big-time laughs each and every week. Jamie Pressley as Earl's ex-wife Joy is a revelation and steals the show week after week. Nothing she has ever done before indicating she had a comedic talent like this.
As for "The Office," I must retract a post I made last year. When it first debuted late last season, I didn't care for it and told you all in this space to steer clear. I was a huge fan of the original British version, and didn't think this stacked up. When this season began, NBC put it on after "Earl" so I gave it a second shot. I went in with a more open mind than I did the first time and stopped comparing it to the brilliant originator...and every week I enjoy it more and more. "The Office" has developed a style all its own, and now stands comfortably apart from its predecessor.
FRIDAYS-"Friday Night Smackdown"
More wrestling.
SATURDAYS-"TNA Impact," "Saturday Night Live"
TNA is the #2 wrestling promotion. If you're a wrestling fan and haven't checked it out yet, you really should. It's moving to Thursdays in primetime in a few weeks.
"SNL" seems to get savaged in the press every single year by doom-sayers who say the show isn't funny anymore. It is.
So that's it in a nutshell. What are you all watching?
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Now that the football season is over, the only show I watch is American Idol. Oh, I do watch some public television for kids stuff like Sesame Street and Clifford with my daughter, but that's in the morning.
Yes, the Amazing Race has been awesome this season ... a nice comeback after the Family Edition that I stopped watching.
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