Two Guys, a Girl and a Blog » HBO

Quick Hits: Entourage

bunnyfear — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:07:16 +0000

My God this show simply can do no wrong. Every season opens strong. Every character is perfectly used. There is nothing better on TV today. Entourage Season 5 premiered Sunday on HBO and if you missed it there will be replays but there’s nothing like watching it premiere. After the sad failure of Medellin we find Vince hiding out in a tropical paradise with Turtle and many hotties. He has no plans to come back anytime soon. Eric is working to build up his clientele with Bow Wow (formerly Lil) who is playing a struggling actor/comedian. Ari is being Ari with especially awesome reactionary speeches after Richard Roeper tears Medellin (a straight to DVD release–ouch!) a new one. I actually said “Ouch!” aloud in my home because we (the audience) are invested in Vince’s career and that DVD release just wasn’t a good thing. Eric and Ari get conned into bringing Vince back to meet for a movie with an offer pending. Turns out its a BS offer to get the price lowered on Emile Hirsch for a movie with a ridiculously bad title (Danger Beach). Although Vince comes back to a BS offer, at least he’s back and now we get to see him try to find his way back to where he should be. That was Eric’s promise to him and I think the shows promise to us. We’ll find him struggling but it’ll be a fun ride back to the top. If I could find one thing bad to say about Entourage I would but there simply isn’t anything. The show remains funny, relevant, and exciting. I can’t think of one real actor whose career I care about half as much as Vince’s. This isn’t because Vince deserves it more than a real person. After all he was more than happy to stay on the beach while his best friend is ate up with guilt and his career dwindles but he’s also a good guy from back east who won the lottery in life and realizes that. So this season offers more humor, ups/downs in Vince’s career, well placed cameos, and general awesomeness. Thank God Entourage is back.

True Blood: Truly Sucky?

bunnyfear — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:32:48 +0000

I watched the premiere of True Blood tonight with anticipation and trepidation. After all the previews and pathetic attempts at viral marketing were cringeworthy to say the least however its HBO and its Alan Ball therefore the idea has to equal awesome. The start of the episode finds a waitress (Anna Paquin) walking through her workplace (a bar named Merlottes) hearing inner voices. She takes a moment to close her eyes and somehow finds the strength to shut out everyones inner thoughts. This being our first hint that Sookie is a little different than the rest. Later on as the vampire, Bill, is introduced and Sookie is inexpicably able to tell he’s a vampire we are further confirmed of her differentness in a vast land of stereotypes. Since the character of Tara was introduced so early in the show then I can’t help but bitch about the actress’ atrocious accent so early in the review. Ye gods who approved this accent? Perhaps its because I live in the south and have many friends from Louisiana but to hear this accent is to hear a joke that Hollywood has decided is accurate. Like a Brit hearing an American murder their accent, I am hearing the ridiculousness of Rutina Weasley and feeling like Hollywood has lost its ever lovin mind (see told ya I’m from the South). Since I never classified HBO as your typical Hollywood churn factory then I can’t help but be disappointed they let this happen but moving on from this major pet peeve. Bill the vampire comes into the bar for True Blood but finds himself nearly being drained instead. V-Juice, vampires blood, is a drug for mortals that makes them feel sexier, healtheir, more alive, etc. In essence it carries the traits of most drugs. People love it and it’s only attained by draining a vampire of their blood. While in this near life ending scrape with a trashy drug dealing couple, Bill is saved by Sookie. They bond somehow as she is different. She realizes that although she can hear thoughts, she can not hear Bill *cough Buffy in Earshot*. As the next day unfolds and news of the vampire come to light we are also treated to the information of a murder in Benton (pronounced Bonton). Sookie’s brother Jason is the main suspect as we had previously seen him and the victim having sex while watching a video of her and a vampire (not Bill) having sex. Her grandmother asks her to find out if the vampire will speak to her about the civil war. Tara (Wesley) having quit her job earlier in the show while insulting a customer at her previous job is now employed at the same bar that Sookie tends waitress. As the vampire enters the bar the second night and asks to call on Sookie. I suppose from this lingo use we are to assume he is very old indeed and goes back to the days of courting and balls. She agrees if he’ll meet her after work but then she is assaulted by the same trashy pair that she saved Bill from the previous night. So synopsis done what other thoughts do I have on the show other than Rutina Wesley’s accent (and character in general) makes me want to flip the channel? Well the show they’ve set up is a bit bland. It doesn’t seem interesting or that it can go anywhere except the same old tired jokes and the same characters finding themselves in the same circumstances over and over again. Then again I’m sure the first episode of Buffy seemed the same to many. Having picked up Dead until Dark at a yardsale for 25 cents I should be able to tell you that theres much to look forward to. But the book was worth a quarter and I found after a few pages it wasn’t worth the read. So if the book wasn’t worth the time, will the show be? We have the long suffering bartender in love with his waitress, the sassy black best friend, the horn dog brother, the quiet grandmother who you just know has a dark secret, a few more slutty waitresses, a trashy drug dealing couple, and a vampire. Because of the last item then we have to at least give True Blood a few more chances. Paquins perfectly cast innocent looks also are worth watching a few more times before her naivete with a dash of supernatural brilliance gets old. One may argue that pilots are hard to make great. After all you’re introduced to new characters you’re asked to care for immediately. There is tons of exposition and you simply can’t end the episode without everyones name being said 10 times in order for the audience to remember. However, in this day and age then you had damn well better try. I can’t help but think about great pilots like that of Veronica Mars and Lost which were very strong. Perhaps because of them I am spoiled. However this pilot wasn’t half as interesting as the possibilities lended it. A new turn on an old lore piques my interest still but True Blood currently Truly Sucks.

What you’ve missed if you don’t have HBO a.k.a Why its worth every cent

bunnyfear — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:24:41 +0000

We’ve all heard the slogan “It’s not TV, It’s HBO”. Any of those who’ve watched an HBO series completely understands that phrase. Television shows, movies, and events that never would’ve found their way onto television found a home on Home Box Office. HBO has continued each year to be innovative while producing the best of television. HBO’s reputation for offering high quality original programming is deeply founded in its original programming, producing choices, & development. Never shying away from trying something new, taking on controversy, or producing the unproducable; HBO continues to impress even the toughest of critics Here’s a brief history of the shows and events that have made the premium channel worth every penny and more.

1) The Sopranos

The Sopranos has been acknowledged by critics as one of the greatest and most ground-breaking television series of all time. Spanning 86 episodes the show follows the life of mob boss Tony Soprano and both his families.

2) Tales from the Crypt
3) Tell me you Love me
4) The Wire
5) Arli$$
6) Curb your Enthusiasm
7) Da Ali G Show
8 ) Entourage

A-list movie star Vincent Chase’s rise through Hollywood is seen on Entourage. Although the premise threw me at first “Who cares about some douche in Hollywood?”, I later realized my mistake. My only beef with the show is that Medellin will never be made.

9) Extras
10) Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
11) Inside the NFL
12) Sex and the City
13) Def Comedy Jam
14) John Adams
15) The Comeback
16) Epitafios
17) Angels in America

God has abandoned Heaven. It’s 1985: the Reagans are in the White House and Death swings the scythe of AIDS. This miniseries based on the play tells a tale of aids, bigotry, racism, diseases, self-hatred, power, sexless marriages, shame, religious turmoil, drug abuse and more. If you’ve never seen this, then find you way to it and prepare to be moved.

18) Flight of the Conchords
18) The Larry Sanders Show
20) Lucky Louie

The only time I disagreed with HBO. I thought this show was fantastic. A father who calls his kid an asshole while trying his best to keep the lights on and food on the table. It was Roseanne on crack and gritty in all the right ways. Unfortunately it was canceled but at least it had a chance, something no other network would’ve gave this very funny TV show.

21) Mr. Show
22) Tracey Takes On
23) Hard Knocks
24) Real Sex
25) Autopsy
26) Thrilla in Manila boxing match
27) Fraggle Rock

My gushing love for this show would allow me to write far too much so I’ll let wikipedia say it best….. The vision of Fraggle Rock articulated by Jim Henson was to depict a colourful and fun world. Also a world with a relatively complex system of symbiotic relationships between different “races” of creatures, an allegory to the human world, where each group was somewhat unaware of how interconnected and important they were to one another. Creating this allegorical world allowed the program to entertain and amuse while seriously exploring complex issues of prejudice, spirituality, personal identity, environment, and social conflict. Fraggle Rock generally refused to over-simplify any individual issue, instead simply illustrating the consequences and inherent difficulties of different actions and relationships.

28) Band of Brothers
29) Big Love
30) Carnivale
31) Deadwood
32) From the Earth to the Moon
33) The Hitchiker
34) In Treament
35) Oz
36) Rome
37) Six Feet Under

Alan Ball’s television masterpiece that many consider to be one of the best dramas ever made for television. The journey of Nate Fisher over 5 seasons invokes every human emotion. HBO gave ball the room to explore some of the most controversial issues including the famed Brenda/Billy semi-incestuous relationship.

38) When the Levees Broke
39) Sports of the 20th century
40) G String Divas
41) From the Earth to the Moon
42) Spawn

Todd McFarlane’s Spawn is an animated television series which aired on HBO from 1997 through 1999 was nominated for and won an Emmy in 1999 for Outstanding Animation Program. The series centered around the story of an ex-serviceman who fought in the Vietnam war as a commando named Al Simmons. He was betrayed and killed by a man whom he believed to be his close friend. Upon his death, Simmons vowed revenge on Chapel and hoped that he would one day return to his beloved wife Wanda.

43) Taxicab Confessions
44) Dream On
45) The Storyteller
46) Not Necessarily the News
47) The Chris Rock Show
48) Real Time with Bill Maher
49) Generation Kill
50) Tenacious D

One reason less to order HBO

JustHector — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:24:54 +0000

Newsarama is reporting that the long gestating Preacher television series has just been canceled. Mark Steven Johnson, best known for directing the Ghost Rider and Daredevil film adaptations announced today that the head of HBO cable network simply thought that the Preacher comic book “was just too dark, too violent, and too controversial.”

The comic book series was optioned by HBO more than two years ago, and very little had been heard from the project since, so for most it’s not a surprise, but still, I’m pretty mad by the news. Yes, Preacher, which revolves around the story of Jesse Custer’s quest to find and kill God is one of the most violent and controversial comic book series, but we’re talking about HBO, who aren’t strangers to neither violence or controversy.

I’m really saddened by this news. Preacher, along with the Song of Ice and Fire series were two of the main reasons I was looking forward to getting HBO. I know that in nerd circles isn’t held in the highest esteem , but I still maintain that Daredevil is one of the better comic book movies(certainly in my personal top five), and in the interviews that he gave, Johnson showed real love for the characters.

Maybe it’s a good thing that Watchmen never went too HBO then…

Quick Hits: True Blood

bunnyfear — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:09:39 +0000

When it comes to True Blood I am 50/50. I can’t quite decide one way or another if its worth my time. I guess thats really how it should be considering I haven’t actually seen one episode. Alan Ball is a genius and has given me not only one of my favorite tv shows but my favorite movie. The way he deftly intersperses humor, life lessons, and the impossibleness of fantasy is a gift that few writers have. His past and current talents have earned him the cred which encourages you to watch anything he produces even if it sounds….not so good. Also HBO is known for its amazing creative output. Each year typically securing the highest Emmy nominations while trying everything and leaving nothing to chance, HBO defines great entertainment. HBO gives its writers, actors, and producers a level of creative room unknown to any other channel. If a show fails you never hear anyone complain “the network gave them issues”. True Blood details the fictional co-existence of vampires and humans in a small Louisiana town after Japanese-made synthetic blood becomes available for purchase. Yes, I know it does not sound interesting but neither did Buffy the Vampire Slayer and we all know it was amazing. So September 7th my TV will be tuned to HBO and I will be waiting for Alan Ball to make me feel that I’m not watching TV, I’m watching HBO.

For more information on True Blood check out the HBO website which features a comic book, cast interviews and merchandise you’ll want to own before it becomes overly trendy.

Comic Con- Thursday Schedule

JustHector — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:03:28 +0000

So if there is an upside of not being able to go to Comic Con this year, it is that I don’t have to make the tough decision of what panels to attend. There’s just way too many good stuff going on, and I’m only focusing on the television side!

All the television related panels, along with my top five choices behind the cut.

10:00-11:00 Kings: Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Pilot Prologue Screening and Q&A with Cast and Executive Producers— Kings is a contemporary re-imagining of the timeless tale of David and Goliath, an epic story of greed and power, war and romance, forbidden loves and secret alliances, and a young hero who rises to power in a modern-day kingdom. Be the first to see the prologue from the two-hour pilot. Moderated by Greg Grunberg (Heroes), with Q&A with creator/executive producer Michael Green (Heroes), director/executive producer Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), executive producer Erwin Stoff (I Am Legend), and the cast: Golden Globe winner Ian McShane (Deadwood), Chris Egan (Resident Evil: Extinction), Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl), Susanna Thompson (Star Trek: Voyager) and Allison Miller (Seventeen Again). Room 6B

10:00-11:30 Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting— For the fifth year in a row, Comic-Con Film School returns with a four-day, hands-on, nuts-and-bolts series of classes on how to make a movie for very little money, using available video technology and desktop postproduction software. Whether you’re shooting your first Zelda fan film or that story about the leather-clad girl who hunts werewolves, this course will take you from script to DVD so that you, too, can enter your own movie into the CCI: IFF. This first class covers the specifics of preproduction on the cheap, including screenwriting, casting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing-up, getting equipment for nothing, and so on. Panelists for the class include Matt Kohnen (NYFA, writer/director of Wasting Away), Valerie Perez (producer/star of Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames and Tears of the Dragon, a Lara Croft Fan Film), Nick Murphy (director of Tears of the Dragon), Aaron Shoenke (director of Batman Legends and Patient J), and Sean Rourke (writer/director of 1st Person Shooter). Room 26AB

10:30-11:30 Freaks, Geeks, and Tiny Toons— Warner Home Video brings the hit animated television series Tiny Toon Adventures and Freakazoid! to DVD on July 29. This panel features Bruce Timm (storyboard artist, character designer), John McCann (Douglas Douglas, Hero Boy story editor), Paul Rugg (Freakazoid writer), Sherri Stoner (writer, producer, story editor), Paul Dini (writer, story editor), Jean MacCurdy (executive producer), Rich Arons (producer, writer, director) and Andrea Romano (voice director). They’re tiny, they’re toony, they’re all a little loony! Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Tiny Toon Adventures is a Daytime Emmy Award animated series that spawned a whole new generation of madcap Looney Toons characters, including Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig, among others. Freakazoid! aired for two seasons. Also executive produced by Spielberg, this Daytime Emmy Award–winning series chronicles the adventures of Freakazoid, a manic, insane superhero who battles a vast array of supervillains. Room 6A

11:15-12:15 30th Anniversary Battlestar Galactica Panel— Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek/Apollo), Bear McCreary (BG composer), producer Tom DeSanto (Transformers, X-Men), Dr. Kevin Grazier (science consultant), and surprise guests present an in-depth discussion of the Battlestar universe from the classic to the re-imagined and beyond, including BSG trailers and Q&A. Room 6B

11:30-12:30 Hasbro: GI Joe— As Hasbro ramps up for the summer 2009 blockbuster movie release of GI Joe, Aaron Archer (Hasbro Design), Michael Ritchie (Hasbro Marketing), and Michelino Paolino (Hasbro Design) discuss this year’s product line, entertainment, and other initiatives. Panelists will include special guests that you won’t want to miss, plus Q&A! Room 7AB

11:45-12:45 Knight Rider: First Look at the New Series and Q&A with Cast and Executive Producers— On the heels of NBC’s hit sequel movie based on the iconic 1980s television classic, Knight Rider has been reinvented as a supercharged action series showcasing the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand). Be the first to see exclusive footage from the new series. Moderated by Television Week deputy editor/columnist Josef Adalian, who participates in a Q&A session with executive producer/showrunner Gary Scott Thompson (The Fast and The Furious, Las Vegas); executive producer David Bartis (Heist, The OC); and the cast: Justin Bruening (Cold Case), Deanna Russo (NCIS), Sydney Tamiia Poitier (Veronica Mars), Paul Campbell (Battlestar Galactica), Yancey Arias (Kingpin), Bruce Davison (X-Men) and Smith Cho (Blades of Glory). Room 6A

12:00-1:00 Doctor Who— Writer Russell T Davies (Doctor Who), executive producer Julie Gardner (Torchwood), and writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) discuss their creative process and experience working on the BBC’s Doctor Who—Britain’s most successful sci-fi franchise—with exclusive clips and a Q&A session. Ballroom 20

12:30-1:30 William Katt: Greatest American Hero Comic— Join Alex, Justin, and Pete from Pulp Secret for one of the biggest announcements at this year’s Comic-Con, an event that’s been 25 years in the making. Catastrophic Comics’ William Katt (Greatest American Hero), Christopher Folino (Gamers), and Derek McCaw (Fanboy Planet) along with Arcana Studios’ Sean O’Reilly (The Clockwork Girl) are on hand for an interview and Q&A. Room 7AB

1:00-2:00 Torchwood— Writer Russell T Davies (Doctor Who), executive producer Julie Gardner (Torchwood), writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who), and actors John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd, Naoko Mori and Burn Gorman discuss their creative process and experience on working on BBC America’s highest-rated show ever—Torchwood— followed by a Q&A session. Ballroom 20

2:00-3:00 The Middleman— Creator and executive producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost) and The Middleman actors Matt Keeslar (Dune) and Natalie Morales (CSI: Miami) discuss the bizarre world of The Middleman. Based on the graphic novels by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, The Middleman follows the surreal life of twenty-something Wendy Watson as she gets recruited by a top secret agency to fight comic book-esque criminals under the guidance of her straight-laced boss, The Middleman.Room 5AB

3:00-4:00 Wizard’s First Rule— A first look at the upcoming action-adventure series Wizard’s First Rule with book author Terry Goodkind and show executive producers Robert Tapert (Xena: Warrior Princess), Kenneth Biller (Star Trek: Voyager) and Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). The one-hour weekly television show premiering late fall is inspired by Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy series: The Sword of Truth. The story follows the journey of Richard Cypher, a simple woodsman, as he discovers the magical powers he holds within. With the help of a mysterious woman and a powerful wizard, he must use his newfound abilities to stop a ruthless tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world. Join Terry, Rob, Ken and Sam for a moderated interview and audience Q&A session! Room 6B

4:00-5:00 TV Costume Designers— Characters created by writers and comic book illustrators are made real for the screen via the artistry of costume designers. Meet the women and men who are the costume designers on this year’s most popular television productions. Panel moderator Jacqueline Saint Anne (Quantum Leap), past president of the Costume Designers Guild, Local 892, hosts costume designers Shawna Trpcic (Firefly), Roland Sanchez (Lost), Amanda Friedland (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), and Cynthia Bergstrom (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer). Room 4

4:15-5:15 Afro Samurai: Resurrection Exclusive Worldwide Premiere!— Afro Samurai picks up his sword once again for the second installment of this critically acclaimed, funktastic anime! This action-packed panel features the creators behind the hit, including star and executive producer Samuel L. Jackson (The Spirit), original creator Takashi Okazaki, musical artist The RZA (Kill Bill), and executive producer Leo Chu (Spike TV). Be the first to see the worldwide premiere of the exclusive Comic-Con trailer, dazzling artwork from the manga, and never-before-seen demos of the pulse-pounding video game. Room 6B

4:30-5:30 HBO’s True Blood— Based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, True Blood is created by Alan Ball, creator of HBO’s Emmy-winning series Six Feet Under. The series takes place in the not-too-distant future, when, thanks to the invention of synthetic blood, vampires no longer need humans for their fix and can walk freely, if not yet comfortably, among their living counterparts. With their integration into a small Louisiana town causing a stir, a love story ensues between Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin, the X-Men films; Academy Award winner for The Piano), an innocent waitress with the unusual ability to read minds, and vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer, The Starter Wife). The series also features Ryan Kwanten (Summerland), Rutina Wesley (How She Move), Sam Trammell (Judging Amy), and Nelsan Ellis (The Inside). True Blood debuts September 7 exclusively on HBO. Room 6CDEF

4:45-5:45 “SCREAM” Like a Girl— Spike loves women. And the coolest women on the planet are the ones who destroy aliens, defeat serial killers and battle evil villains with their superpowers! In honor of Spike’s ScreamAwards 2008—the first and most important televised event that celebrates the genius creative talent behind the powerhouse Hollywood genres of comic books, science fiction, fantasy and horror—Spike brings you a candid discussion of these genres from the women they love, who are poised to rule the fanboy’s universe! Moderator Kevin Smith (Clerks), the brilliant writer, director, and comic book genius hosts an all-female panel of actresses, artists, writers, directors, and producers, including Gale Ann Hurd (Terminator, Terminator 2), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Battlestar Galactica), Jaime King (The Spirit, Sin City), and Pia Guerra (Y: The Last Man), in a discussion about working in these genres from their unique point of view. Twenty lucky panel attendees will win tickets to the 2008 Scream Awards. Ballroom 20

5:45-6:45 Showtime: Dexter— Showtime presents exclusives from the set of the highly anticipated third season of Dexter. Moderator Kristin Dos Santos (E!) presides over this revealing interview and Q&A session with the top stars and executive producers of Dexter, featuring Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Clyde Phillips, and John Goldwyn, plus a special guest! Room 6CDEF

6:00-7:00 Life, Death, Life of Star Trek— You’ve heard a lot of hype about sci-fi’s first franchise lately, now it’s time to see what it’s all about and celebrate an illustrious 40 years of boldly going with this regular panel of unpaid, uncensored Treksperts, who pay homage to Trek’s past and future with some special surprises and exclusive audio-visual treats you’ll only see here. Daren Dochterman (ST: TMP Director’s Cut Special Edition), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise), Jeff Bond (The Music of Star Trek), and moderator Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise) talk Trek like no one else can…or will. Room 2

6:45-7:45 Robotech Industry Panel— Tommy Yune, director of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, covers the history of the animated series that introduced a generation to anime and discusses upcoming new releases in the wake of the announcement of the live-action feature film. Room 6B

7:00-9:00 Comedy Central TV Funhouse with Robert Smigel— Creators Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live) and Dino Stamatopoulos (Morel Orel) and producer Tommy Blacha (Metalocalypse) reunite to discuss and show highlights from the most groundbreaking show to ever hit (and subsequently disappear) from basic cable. Join the guys (along with the Anipals and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) to relive the glory of the best show you barely remember in conjunction with the long anticipated release of the series on DVD. Room 6CDEF

Like I said, top choices ahead for anyone going there. It’s like Sophie’s Choice but for nerds. My own, in no particular order:

Freaks, Geeks, and Tiny Toons— You got Paul Dini and Bruce Timm discussing Freakazoid. Come on! What else do you need?

Hasbro: GI Joe- Some will argue that this belongs in movie, but the only GI Joe I know is from the cartoon, so I’m curious how this comes out.

HBO’sTrue Blood— I’m a fan of vampire in popular fiction, and while I have never read the books this series is going to be based on, the marketing so far intrigues me.

Wizard’s First Rule— Sam Raimi is an executive produce on this. One can only hope that this means we’ll have the fun and campiness of the early seaons of Hercules and Xena. Insert dancing and emo haircut jokes here.

Robotech Industry Panel— While Robotech might not have been the first anime I ever saw on TV, it still remains on of my favorites. I been hearing of a new movie for forever it seems, so maybe this will shed some light on their plans.

Keep in mind, those are just the television related panels. If I was there, I dont’ even know if I could attend any of these, as there are tons of others that I’m interest in.

Quick Hits: Mr Warmth

bunnyfear — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:45:16 +0000

One of the things you’ll always find with cable tv is that the shows can ever so often be replayed many times over. I am grateful for this and I feel this really helps with
new shows and documentaries that you miss the first few times around. A recent find is Mr Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. The documentary includes a cavalcade of stars speaking about the comedian through the years and it makes you realize that Don Rickles is one of the last great comedians. He’s still funny to this day and one of his more recent acts is shown throughout the documentary. The stars are too numerous to mention (unless you’re wikipedia) however each brings an anecdote or observation about Mr. Rickles that makes you pray to see this legend live. Flip over to HBO or rent it via netflix but take the time to watch Mr Warmth. It’ll make you youngins realize he’s way more than Mr. Potato Head.

The Soprano’s Series Finale

Nicholas — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:00:05 +0000

Last week, MSN TV Blog wrote about Entertainment Weekly’s interview with Sopranos Creator David Chase about the Soprano’s Season Finale’s final moments. I’ve only seen the first two seasons, but i did catch those last few moments on Good Morning America the next day. I definitely understand why people were angry, but I don’t believe it was because they wanted to see Tony die for his sins. “The pathetic thing — to me — was how much they wanted his blood, after cheering him on for eight years,” said show creator, David Chase. I agree that maybe some people wanted to see some Tony guts, but I believe everyone watching just wanted something…ANYTHING to happen.
By far, the most complaints I have about any particular television show is about nothing happening. And by nothing happening I mean nothing that moves the show forward, nothing spectacular, or nothing new. Maybe I’m wrong, but if one of those three things isn’t happening in any given tv show, then it’s like watching real life, and i don’t watch TV to escape to the every day.
I know writers aren’t intentionally wasting our time. They’re job is to continually move the plot forward with every key stroke. But, if a story feels like it’s going no where then it doesn’t matter how good the script seems. I can’t stand to watch a show where the plot doesn’t feel like it’s moving forward. Tony and his family’s future was definitely up in the air and left for us to ponder. I just wanted a slight clue in one or every direction.
Also, I realize spectacular events have to be spread out through a given television series’ season. And they can’t occur every episode, or the events would eventually become impossible to top causing a series to prematurely fizzle out before it’s 7 years are up. But if you have a series so well known for spectacular events, why not end with one?
As for something new happening at the end. Why not? at least we would know there was a possiblity of something else happening besides, Tony might get slaughtered, or Tony might become the biggest mobster ever. How about leaving us with Tony might start a “sell your things on ebay” store. That might be better than nothing.
I’m not saying, The Soprano’s should have ended with something new, or something to move the show forward, because it was over. But a glimpse or a hint of the Soprano family future would have been nice. I don’t know why David didn’t go into why they ended it the way they did. They chose not to do anything spectacular, and I’m okay with that. But still, I like to pretend the real ending was ruined during film developing leaving no time for re-shoots so they just went with the fade to black. Read the original interview, here.