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Generation Kill

Just finished watching the first episode of Generation Kill on HBO. So far it's
Pretty amazing. Nice to have some good tv in the summer

What's the oppisite of Writers Block?

Cause thats what we need right about now. Looks like the writers strike is almost over. This is good news on a lot of levels. I won't get into the politics, it's a touchy subject. I am all for standing up to the man, I just wish so many innocent bystanders didn't have to get hurt in the process.

I sure am glad there will be some new, non reality programming in the pipe line. We viewers are down to stems and seeds. I am pretty much caught up on the Wire. (best show since the West Wing, in some ways a better show) I am caught up on the Sara Conor chronicles (which is beter than it has any right to be). I am tivoing Lost. I know JJ will most likely screw me in the end (cough Alias) but it's like a con man who lets himself get conned just to watch a pro work. And that's pretty much it. I am watching Dexter on iTunes but I an not sure I will stick with it.

So lets just hope that all those striking writers thought up some good ideas while they weren't picketing or blogging about picketing.

Star Channel

I would have to list the Slingbox as the best invention since Tivo if I could get the damn thing to work. But I can't. As a result I have had to actually watch Japanese TV. I expect once the new season starts I will buy some of my can't miss shows from iTunes ( lets just hope none of them are on NBC) but for now I have been watching American Movies of yore on japans answer to Cinamax: star channel. They seem to do a pretty god job of showing movies with big name stars I have never seen. Over the weekend  I watched Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider (a pretty good western I had some how missed) 8mm with Nicholas Cage. I remember wanting to see it when it came out but now I know I made the right choice. last night I tried to watch Vertical Limit but I just couldn't do it. I just watched Running on Empty with the late River Phoenix.  It seems just about anything they show sends me running  to the IMDB to figure out "what the hell was that?"

oh gotta go The Chronicles of Riddick are on!

More Studio 60

I was watching EXTRAS last night and it occurred to me that 4 of my favorite TV shows are, at least ostensibly, about the industry. The other three are Entourage, 30 Rock and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It is the last one that is the problem child. I list it among my favorite shows, but I know, deep down in my heart of hearts that it is not very good. I, and many others wanted it to be a meld of the West Wing and Sports Night, alas it is not.

There has been endless speculation as to why that is.

Here are the two leading theories:

1. It is too inside. I thought that might be true but  then why are the three other shows so good? Entourage I argue is even more inside (at least at times) than Studio 60. but it it is a far more satisfying show.

2. The Sketches aren't funny. This is not problem. This Season of Extras is all about a sitcom that isn't funny at all and the sketches on thirty rock, what little we see of them, aren't funny.

So then what is the problem?

Here is my theory. The show (I suppose I really mean Aron Sorkin but I think some of the other folks involved should take get credit and thus take blame) refuses to admit that items one and two are not  the problem. Let the show be "too Inside" and let the sketches bomb.

Stop trying to tackle big issues and get into the nitty gritty of how a show like that is really made. Comedy is hard to write. Lets talk about why. And stop with the soap opera personal story lines. It feels like in an effort to make the show accessible to the non Hollywood insider the show has tried to be more character driven. but instead of writing great characters Sorkin and co. have come up with tons of crazy plot twists that substitute for character development.

Thats my 2 cents. Speaking of two cents here is a pretty funny promo for a show over on E called The Soup (I have never watched it but I am going to start) that shows a diffent take on the Studio 60 problem.

Bowie Cameo

Rickey Gervais (The creator and star of the origional BBC version of the office) has a show on BBC 2 called Extras. I haven't yet had a chance to see a complete episode but thanks to the magic that is you tube there a quite a few clips running around out there. Apparently quite a few celebs have been making cameo appearances. here is a clip of David Bowie which is pretty damn funny.

The picture here has nothing to do with the clip but when I did a search for Pictures of Bowie and Gervais I found this one that also included personal hero Eddie Izzard. and as we all know having your picture taken with Eddie is about as cool as it gets.

$241 Lbs of pudding

When we working on Sorin' my assistant and I spent way too much time alone in an empty building. There were lots of inside jokes our favorite being "Bun's not meat nor cheese...word" in refrence to the best Jack in the Box Comercial of all time (I can't find a link sorry). Our second favorite was based on my vage recolection of a sketch from The State about to guys who buy $240 worth of pudding. For years I looked for it, but I was mistakenly certain that the sketch was from Kids in the Hall. I think I confused Michael Ian Black with Bruce McCulloch and as a result I tivo'd kids in the hall and never found the sketch. it also didn't help that I thought the catch Phrase was "241 Pounds of pudding" (which i actually think is funnier) and then the other night a light came on and I realaized that it might actually be the State.

And now via the magic that is You tube I give you $240 worth of pudding

UPDATE: less than a week after I post this iTunes has added The state to their ever growing list of downloadable shows. so if you feel the need to Rock $240 worth of pudding on your iPod for $1.99 - and I know you do - here is a link directly to the iTunes store:

 

 

Springfield comes to life

Simpsons intro with real life actors.

Mr Pibb + Red Vives = Crazy Delicious

 Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia

I am sure Mine is the las blog on the planet to link to this but I just found it over at Boing Boing and it is pretty damn funny. I need to start watching SNL again.

Update: NBC layers have asked Youtube (which is a great site) to take the video down so here is a link to the NBC website where it can be found. ypu can also get it from I tunes if you feel like shelling out two bucks.

John Spencer 1946-2005

John Spencer died Yesterday.I don't know enough about him to attempt any kind of eulogy, but I know he will be missed. The West Wing is hands down my favorite television show of all time, and John Spencer was the embodiment of everything that is great about that show. although he was a talented actor,the charm charisma, humor and honesty he brought to the role of Leo McGarry, could not possibly have been simply an act. I am sure he was a great guy in reel life as well. My thoughts go out to his friends and family, I know I miss him already so I can't imagine how those who were lucky enough to know him must feel.

The West Wing Wedding?

If I had to make a list of my all time favorite TV shows the West Wing would be at the top, just above Sports Night and the Simpson's. It is a show that some folks are never going to like. My step mother complains that the politics are too liberal (although she has never actually watched an episode all the way through) and that all of the characters talk to fast. I suppose her complaints are true, but both of those things are what makes me love the show. Things move so fast that you have to pay attention. I am constantly using the instant replay on the Tivo to figure out what Josh Just said to CJ or to admire the amazing camera work while following a classic walk and talk shot. As for the politics, all I know is that if we had Jed Bartlett instead of dubyah the world would be a better place.
Things got a little shaky after Sorkin left but with the exception of of a few sub par episodes the show is still pretty good. Sorkin's influence in the characters and their casting is still felt even if his writing is missing. But I am afraid next week is going to be the week when The West Wing finally jumps the shark. The West Wing wedding? really? My hope is the episode is a return to  all the characters we love (the Santos campaign is dragging out a bit). But judging by the promos the whole thing is just a sad ratings grab.