TV

Is it my imagination or is Television better than ever?

 

What I’m not talking about:

American Idol (an ok show) and all its Spawnees that require an English judge so that

a. They follow the Simon Cowell formula, and

b. Fit the stereotype that the British are more high-brow than us.

 

Law & Order and CSI Franchises which are ok, but did they have to become cottage industries televised 24 hours a day?

 

Soap Operas which continue to rule day time with what is really soft core porn, so that women can turn up their noses at it at night, because they got their fix at Noon when Alan Michael bedded Wanda Faye.

(I’ve been hearing that name Alan Michael for years.  Couldn’t tell you what he looks like, or if he’s even hetero or not, but I think he illustrates the point.  If you know where I got the name Wanda Faye – you get 5 points.)

 

The Sopranos – overblown and poorly paced soap opera punctuated by some nice gratuitous violence.

Desperate Housewives – over.  If you look back, it never really began, beyond the Charlies Angels Factor (put 3 or more great looking women up there and we’ll watch them.)

The Today Show – which Katie made bearable, but is virtually unwatchable tripe now.

That Fox News Garbage.

 

What I am talking about:

The incredible narratives present in shows like 24, Heroes, The Nine, Lost, Dexter, Weeds, Deadwood, House, Studio 60, and even soapy Grey’s Anatomy.

Letterman, Leno, and Kimmel – all different, but each great in their own way.  They’ve found their niche and let’s hope they stay past 2050.

Great Comedy like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Firefly, which is now being shown on Universal HD.

The beginning and ending music alone on Weeds makes it worth the trip.

And the best show on televison: Real Time with Bill Maher.

Great writing on all - I'm on the couch way too much.