… American telly. I know, I know, we only get the best of it here, but so what? I’m not saying I like all American telly, I’m just saying I like an awful lot of what we’re currently getting over here. Brothers & Sisters has just finished, and it has been my favourite schmaltz of the year (possibly the only schmaltz I would make an appointment to view). The Sopranos is moving inexorably towards its conclusion (don’t tell me what happens), with all the grace and patience and entitlement of a great beast heading for its natural place to die. The [exciting twist] that occured last Sunday was such a jolt, and so casually handled. I feel as excited as I imagine Harry Potter fans do when finding out if or when a favourite character will make it to the end. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip is, I feel, slightly unloved here – as indeed it was unloved there. I see no downside to Aaron Sorkin’s skyscraping confidence, and, yeah, so the characters all speak in that special Sorkin way, so that they’re all clever and pithy and quick and meaningful, but that’s why I tune in. That’s why I truly wish it would never end, which is a pointless wish, as it will. I particularly like Amanda Peet as Jordan McDeere, and Steven Weber as Jack Rudolph, and these are the execs – that’s how good it is! (Perry and Whitford go without saying.) Entourage I’m late with. (Is this the third season on ITV2?) But it’s a real tonic after the hour-long eps of all shows mentioned already, as it flies past in 22 minutes, just like Sports Night and Seinfeld and Raymond used to. Like everybody else, I am particularly fond of Jeremy Piven’s agent character, Ari. It’s about an actor and his gang. It shouldn’t be endearing. It is. The Riches, jewel in the crown on Virgin 1, is the spikiest of the new imports, more in the vein of Six Feet Under, and bravest, too, centring as it does on a gypsy family (not hoping for Jimmy Carr among its target audience, then). Eddie Izzard just about keeps his American accent up, and the story that’s already developing has a darkness beneath its capering and class satire that keeps it this side of a comedy. Only on Episode Two, so plenty still to prove. The other two newies turned up on the same night on Five, and are thus still in a holding pattern. Of the two, Californication, worst title of any series, any nationality, for a long time, is the most promising, despite an overpreponderence of female flesh, as if to prove how “edgy” it is. As long as it calms down, post-pilot, and gets into character, rather than just trying to frighten horses, David Duchovny might have found that difficult “second role” as a scumbag writer. His only redeeming feature can’t just be his handsome face. There must be more. And last, 30 Rock surprised me, as it’s a sitcom, not a drama. I was expecting the latter, clearly not having read enough advance hype. I liked Tina Fey, who I’ve never seen before, who seems to have created it, writes some of it, and is a producer as well as the star, so good going for her. Alex Baldwin: yet another past-prime Hollywood actor who’s found a new lease of life on telly. This is a little loud and brash for my tastes, especially the Marin Lawrence parody played by Tracy Morgan, and as such is clearly never going to be a patch on Sanders or Studio 60 in terms of TV-based shows, but there’s a spark here. Fuck, that’s an awful lot of US telly I’m watching. I still like Jamie At Home!
Never Knowingly Underwhelmed 
Yeah 30 Rock looks promising. I also like Sarah Silverman? You?
Yeah 30 Rock looks promising. I also like Sarah Silverman? You?
Those are all the American programmes I am currently watching.
Those are all the American programmes I am currently watching.
That’d be Whitfield, not Whitford. I only know because my wife has the hots for the bugger š
That’d be Whitfield, not Whitford. I only know because my wife has the hots for the bugger š
No, it’s Whitford. Perhaps your wife has the hots for June Whitfield, anon.I’m starting this series this week. I loved Brothers and Sisters, can’t wait for the return, and Jericho as okay. Looking forward now to Journeyman with Kevin McKidd.
It is Whitford, not Whitfield. Bradley Whitford. If only Jordan had the hots for the bugger.
No, it’s Whitford. Perhaps your wife has the hots for June Whitfield, anon.I’m starting this series this week. I loved Brothers and Sisters, can’t wait for the return, and Jericho as okay. Looking forward now to Journeyman with Kevin McKidd.
It is Whitford, not Whitfield. Bradley Whitford. If only Jordan had the hots for the bugger.
Couldn’t give a Monkey’s, I only watch sport :-)Oh, and Flight of the Conchords…..
Couldn’t give a Monkey’s, I only watch sport :-)Oh, and Flight of the Conchords…..
Brothers & Sisters should have a been a turn off but it really hooked us in as well. The Sopranos is fantastic, just gets better with each show the way Tony (yeah Of course I call him Tony, only the hard men get to call him Tone) is falling out with all those around him, has been brilliantly handled.As as for Studio 60, it’s fab. How could it be dropped? Each show is too short, they should be around 3 hrs long! The series should go on for ever – if we send money will they make the show just for us. If they do can they do The West Wing as well?
Brothers & Sisters should have a been a turn off but it really hooked us in as well. The Sopranos is fantastic, just gets better with each show the way Tony (yeah Of course I call him Tony, only the hard men get to call him Tone) is falling out with all those around him, has been brilliantly handled.As as for Studio 60, it’s fab. How could it be dropped? Each show is too short, they should be around 3 hrs long! The series should go on for ever – if we send money will they make the show just for us. If they do can they do The West Wing as well?
Flight of the Conchords is great. Like a slightly less surreal Mighty Boosh.I can’t find a class warfare angle to come at this thread from. So I’ll just act on the recommendation and watch the programme.
Flight of the Conchords is great. Like a slightly less surreal Mighty Boosh.I can’t find a class warfare angle to come at this thread from. So I’ll just act on the recommendation and watch the programme.
Watch The Wire. Needed something to replace The Sopranos when I finished it (won’t spoil the ending, but whole ‘season’ is great), and thought I’d give it a try. So pleased I did, and have recently finished the 4th series. Amazing televsion.
Watch The Wire. Needed something to replace The Sopranos when I finished it (won’t spoil the ending, but whole ‘season’ is great), and thought I’d give it a try. So pleased I did, and have recently finished the 4th series. Amazing televsion.
Ah, just seen you have already! Oh well.
Ah, just seen you have already! Oh well.
Studio 60 is very much loved here – perhaps the positioning on More4 has kept it out of the public eye, never mind favour. I’m gutted this series will be it. Tom – I was wondering the same thing but no doubt there’s not the money over here (well, certainly not in my bank account).I missed the start of 30 Rock and Californication (the death of my Sky+ box at the weekend put paid to that little plan – perhaps this is the time to jump back to Virgin?) – but will try and join in for episodes two…
Studio 60 is very much loved here – perhaps the positioning on More4 has kept it out of the public eye, never mind favour. I’m gutted this series will be it. Tom – I was wondering the same thing but no doubt there’s not the money over here (well, certainly not in my bank account).I missed the start of 30 Rock and Californication (the death of my Sky+ box at the weekend put paid to that little plan – perhaps this is the time to jump back to Virgin?) – but will try and join in for episodes two…
Yeah Flight of the Concords is top (BBC4 Tues)! Sarah Silverman is on Paramount on Thursdays
Yeah Flight of the Concords is top (BBC4 Tues)! Sarah Silverman is on Paramount on Thursdays
The Sopranos just wastes everything else at the moment. Gripping just isn’t the word for it. It’s unfolding at the level of great tragedy. I shall miss it terribly. And the other must see for us is Heroes. Very entertaining.
The Sopranos just wastes everything else at the moment. Gripping just isn’t the word for it. It’s unfolding at the level of great tragedy. I shall miss it terribly. And the other must see for us is Heroes. Very entertaining.
I’m no fan of Studio 60 but know a little bit about scheduling and Channel 4’s decision to finally air the show this week at 11.45pm (followed by the 2nd episode straight afterwards) seems like a terrible waste, no matter how average a programme it turned out to be.
I’m no fan of Studio 60 but know a little bit about scheduling and Channel 4’s decision to finally air the show this week at 11.45pm (followed by the 2nd episode straight afterwards) seems like a terrible waste, no matter how average a programme it turned out to be.
How’ve you managed to avoid reading about the ending to the Sopranos? It’s been everywhere, including The New Yorker..
How’ve you managed to avoid reading about the ending to the Sopranos? It’s been everywhere, including The New Yorker..
Something to look forward to Andrewhttp://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXVKOKi-B-NB6dCUZZ-8Gu1_15xwD8S9APC80
Something to look forward to Andrewhttp://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXVKOKi-B-NB6dCUZZ-8Gu1_15xwD8S9APC80
Just to add to the chorus: Flight Of The Conchords is great. It’d be stretching it to call this another radio crossover but I was nonetheless amused to see it start just as Alison Graham in Radio Times was writing off radio comedy as a breeding ground for TV.Weirdly, given the similarity of the subject matter, Studio 60 and 30 Rock started pretty much at the same time on NBC. I think Studio 60 failed because it couldn’t pull in the sort of audience figures that NBC are looking for (desperately) right now. 30 Rock is patchy but very likeable and it does get better. It also has an identifiably female authorial voice, unlike most supposedly women-friendly sitcoms, which sound like they’re written by gay men. And Jerry Seinfeld was a guest star in the opening episode of season two, which has to be considered a bit of a coup.
Just to add to the chorus: Flight Of The Conchords is great. It’d be stretching it to call this another radio crossover but I was nonetheless amused to see it start just as Alison Graham in Radio Times was writing off radio comedy as a breeding ground for TV.Weirdly, given the similarity of the subject matter, Studio 60 and 30 Rock started pretty much at the same time on NBC. I think Studio 60 failed because it couldn’t pull in the sort of audience figures that NBC are looking for (desperately) right now. 30 Rock is patchy but very likeable and it does get better. It also has an identifiably female authorial voice, unlike most supposedly women-friendly sitcoms, which sound like they’re written by gay men. And Jerry Seinfeld was a guest star in the opening episode of season two, which has to be considered a bit of a coup.
Another big fan of Flight of the Conchords here.I barely watch any US Drama as, for my tastes, there’s too little realism in any of it. The scripts are doubtless excellent but there’s no reality (maybe the wire is the exception? I might give it a go). I also can’t find the time for all the recommendations – so many hour-longs per week – where’d you people find the time? I want more time!On this side of that stagnant pond they call the atlantic, Drop Dead Gorgeous has morphed from a guilty pleasure to absolutely brilliant TV I’m proud to watch.
Another big fan of Flight of the Conchords here.I barely watch any US Drama as, for my tastes, there’s too little realism in any of it. The scripts are doubtless excellent but there’s no reality (maybe the wire is the exception? I might give it a go). I also can’t find the time for all the recommendations – so many hour-longs per week – where’d you people find the time? I want more time!On this side of that stagnant pond they call the atlantic, Drop Dead Gorgeous has morphed from a guilty pleasure to absolutely brilliant TV I’m proud to watch.
30 Rock is the funniest sitcom of the last few years. I’ve seen the entire first season (thanks to Amazon and a multi-region DVD player) and the first two episodes of the second (thanks to, um, the internet), and although the first few episodes of season one are a bit patchy, once it hits its stride it’s just ridiculously funny. The cast is amazing. And it’s really great to see a woman in a lead role that allows her to be kind of nerdy and scruffy at times. I love Tina Fey. Alas she has said that they are under pressure to slow down the pace in the new season, and it kind of shows in the two episodes shown so far, which weren’t quite as frantically hilarious as the first series, but still better than almost every other sitcom on TV at the moment. Flight of the Conchords is wonderful as well. I’ve seen the entire series (thanks, internet!) and it’s absolutely wonderful. I usually hate comedy songs, but theirs are wonderful (and really, really catchy…”foux da fa fa!”).
30 Rock is the funniest sitcom of the last few years. I’ve seen the entire first season (thanks to Amazon and a multi-region DVD player) and the first two episodes of the second (thanks to, um, the internet), and although the first few episodes of season one are a bit patchy, once it hits its stride it’s just ridiculously funny. The cast is amazing. And it’s really great to see a woman in a lead role that allows her to be kind of nerdy and scruffy at times. I love Tina Fey. Alas she has said that they are under pressure to slow down the pace in the new season, and it kind of shows in the two episodes shown so far, which weren’t quite as frantically hilarious as the first series, but still better than almost every other sitcom on TV at the moment. Flight of the Conchords is wonderful as well. I’ve seen the entire series (thanks, internet!) and it’s absolutely wonderful. I usually hate comedy songs, but theirs are wonderful (and really, really catchy…”foux da fa fa!”).
I find the Conchords utterly adorable and charming, a quality that British comedy writers and performers seem to have largely forgotten about. It’s made a brilliant transfer from the wireles(where it’s starting a Radio 2 repeat from Friday). I also can’t wait for the next ep of 30 Rock, as it’s just so witty – and sadly, Tina Fey knocks most British lady comics into a big cocked hat.
I find the Conchords utterly adorable and charming, a quality that British comedy writers and performers seem to have largely forgotten about. It’s made a brilliant transfer from the wireles(where it’s starting a Radio 2 repeat from Friday). I also can’t wait for the next ep of 30 Rock, as it’s just so witty – and sadly, Tina Fey knocks most British lady comics into a big cocked hat.
Californication soon loses the tities and goes pretty dark. Just great!Even Brothers & Sisters hooked me but then I was always a big fan of thirtysomething.Wasn’t all that enamored by The Riches oddly enough.As a big fan of Studio 60 I wasn’t too sure about about 30 Rock but it was a hoot. Alec Baldwin is terrific.One of the new US dramas I’ve really got into is Life starring Damien Lewis. Absolutely great.
Californication soon loses the tities and goes pretty dark. Just great!Even Brothers & Sisters hooked me but then I was always a big fan of thirtysomething.Wasn’t all that enamored by The Riches oddly enough.As a big fan of Studio 60 I wasn’t too sure about about 30 Rock but it was a hoot. Alec Baldwin is terrific.One of the new US dramas I’ve really got into is Life starring Damien Lewis. Absolutely great.
I was a bit dissapointed with the first 30rock after watching a few clips on YouTube.But pilots are tricky things. All that plot to be driven home. I think Baldwin looks superb though. I just hope the martin Lawrence character becomes less annoying with time.I said before i would have happily watched Studio 60 if I did not know it got cancelled. I cannot atch a series knowing it will disappear just as I get to love it. For example, see Invasion.The one American import I found really dissapointing is Prison Break. i watched it after all the hype. I don’t know what the first two seasons were like but this was really poor I thought. I know a show is bad when even Bill Fichtner can’t make me watch it.
I was a bit dissapointed with the first 30rock after watching a few clips on YouTube.But pilots are tricky things. All that plot to be driven home. I think Baldwin looks superb though. I just hope the martin Lawrence character becomes less annoying with time.I said before i would have happily watched Studio 60 if I did not know it got cancelled. I cannot atch a series knowing it will disappear just as I get to love it. For example, see Invasion.The one American import I found really dissapointing is Prison Break. i watched it after all the hype. I don’t know what the first two seasons were like but this was really poor I thought. I know a show is bad when even Bill Fichtner can’t make me watch it.
Each episode of The Sopranos feels like a deliciously satisfying four-course meal in a top restaurant. In comparison most other dramas feel like cold Pot Noodles.I’ve bought the first season of The Wire on DVD, on your advice Andrew. It’s still in cellophane, but on standby to ease the potentially damaging withdrawal symptoms when The Sopranos ends.
Each episode of The Sopranos feels like a deliciously satisfying four-course meal in a top restaurant. In comparison most other dramas feel like cold Pot Noodles.I’ve bought the first season of The Wire on DVD, on your advice Andrew. It’s still in cellophane, but on standby to ease the potentially damaging withdrawal symptoms when The Sopranos ends.
Studio 60 gets cancelled??? Nooooo. It’s one of the best shows on at the moment. Having only started to watch West Wing a few seasons in first time around I’ve now caught up with where I started. Studio 60 is my new weekly dose of Sorkin wit. I’m starting to like Jack the exec, which I never thought would be the case from the outset. My girlfriend really hopes Jordan McDeere falls for the guy, but I don’t, because that means she won’t be able to fall in love with and marry me. Yes, once again I’ve properly fallen in love with a TV character. Californication was pretty darn good last week, and I’m not one to complain about the boobie content. I think his daughter is very well cast and pretty funny.
Studio 60 gets cancelled??? Nooooo. It’s one of the best shows on at the moment. Having only started to watch West Wing a few seasons in first time around I’ve now caught up with where I started. Studio 60 is my new weekly dose of Sorkin wit. I’m starting to like Jack the exec, which I never thought would be the case from the outset. My girlfriend really hopes Jordan McDeere falls for the guy, but I don’t, because that means she won’t be able to fall in love with and marry me. Yes, once again I’ve properly fallen in love with a TV character. Californication was pretty darn good last week, and I’m not one to complain about the boobie content. I think his daughter is very well cast and pretty funny.
Valentine, every time I see there’s about to be something written about the ending of The Sopranos, especially in the New Yorker, I turn the page. (I’ll go back to them later.) Equally, on the net, I’ll scroll past. So I genuinely do not know what happens. I can’t believe I have achieved this Likely Lads style coup, but I have! (I even knew how The Sixth Sense ended before I saw it.)To all you Conchords fans, I admire them, and their programme, but I can’t love it. Never felt the need to tune in to episode two. I truly envy anyone who still has yet to open the cellophane on The Wire. It helped me through the post-Sopranos lull at the beginning of this year and became my obsession. I got through all three of the available seasons on DVD in record time, loving every second. Then I had to put up with Season Four one episode a week, which almost killed me, and it. A four box set marathon, now that’s the way to consume it!As for Swinehead’s point about finding the time: I manage it by not watching sport or news or weather or makeover programmes or nature programes or CSI or anything British unless it’s a big drama series like Silent Witness or … Spooks (hooray!).And last night’s Sopranos (episode last-but-two, the one where AJ … you know) was truly magnificent. And had some violence in it for which I actually had to turn away from the screen. Ow!
Valentine, every time I see there’s about to be something written about the ending of The Sopranos, especially in the New Yorker, I turn the page. (I’ll go back to them later.) Equally, on the net, I’ll scroll past. So I genuinely do not know what happens. I can’t believe I have achieved this Likely Lads style coup, but I have! (I even knew how The Sixth Sense ended before I saw it.)To all you Conchords fans, I admire them, and their programme, but I can’t love it. Never felt the need to tune in to episode two. I truly envy anyone who still has yet to open the cellophane on The Wire. It helped me through the post-Sopranos lull at the beginning of this year and became my obsession. I got through all three of the available seasons on DVD in record time, loving every second. Then I had to put up with Season Four one episode a week, which almost killed me, and it. A four box set marathon, now that’s the way to consume it!As for Swinehead’s point about finding the time: I manage it by not watching sport or news or weather or makeover programmes or nature programes or CSI or anything British unless it’s a big drama series like Silent Witness or … Spooks (hooray!).And last night’s Sopranos (episode last-but-two, the one where AJ … you know) was truly magnificent. And had some violence in it for which I actually had to turn away from the screen. Ow!
I watched the first episode of Concords and didn’t think it was that great either. A friend made me watch the third and I was blown away. People in the US say it gets better from now on in.
I watched the first episode of Concords and didn’t think it was that great either. A friend made me watch the third and I was blown away. People in the US say it gets better from now on in.
Conchords… yay! Studio 60… yay! Heroes… yay!Brothers and Sisters… nay! And thrice nay! At first this was interesting at least, because it was like the no-caffeine version of Six Feet Under: family drama about Californian family business falling on hard times, dead father who’d been having a secret affair that only surfaced after his death, gay brother and his issues, mother finding love again after her bereavement. But Six Feet Under was HBO and set in an undetakers, and Brothers and Sisters is NBC (? network tv, anyway) and set in a fruit wholesalers, and all the aspects of death and resurrection and quirkiness and seriousness that informed Six Feet Under were lacking totally in Brothers and Sisters. Seriously, like Home and Away, but with better photography…
Conchords… yay! Studio 60… yay! Heroes… yay!Brothers and Sisters… nay! And thrice nay! At first this was interesting at least, because it was like the no-caffeine version of Six Feet Under: family drama about Californian family business falling on hard times, dead father who’d been having a secret affair that only surfaced after his death, gay brother and his issues, mother finding love again after her bereavement. But Six Feet Under was HBO and set in an undetakers, and Brothers and Sisters is NBC (? network tv, anyway) and set in a fruit wholesalers, and all the aspects of death and resurrection and quirkiness and seriousness that informed Six Feet Under were lacking totally in Brothers and Sisters. Seriously, like Home and Away, but with better photography…
Isnāt it a paradox that while on one hand anti-Americanism is rife amongst the British left-wing intelligentsia, youād need to be a deluded buffoon to not see how America produces staggeringly good TV drama, cinema and music that makes so much British stuff look like lame, underachieving drivel. Setting the highest standards imaginable seems engrained in the American psyche. On the musical side, Iāve noticed that when up-and-coming American bands have ventured across the Atlantic to play in poke-hole venues here in Brighton to a small turn out, theyāll still play their asses (sorry, arses) off and show a level of professionalism and commitment that makes their English indie equivalents look like the sulky, posturing little berks they invariably are. Plus, any time Iāve approached such bands for a post-gig chinwag, theyāve been the most lovely, personable, polite folk you could meet. And if I start waffling on here about the wonders of Bob Dylan, Dr. Seuss, Frank Capra, Woody Allen, the Marx Brothers etc etc I could be here all day. Yep, weāve got every right to despise the current American administration, but glory, glory, hallelujah, praise the lord for American culture!
Isnāt it a paradox that while on one hand anti-Americanism is rife amongst the British left-wing intelligentsia, youād need to be a deluded buffoon to not see how America produces staggeringly good TV drama, cinema and music that makes so much British stuff look like lame, underachieving drivel. Setting the highest standards imaginable seems engrained in the American psyche. On the musical side, Iāve noticed that when up-and-coming American bands have ventured across the Atlantic to play in poke-hole venues here in Brighton to a small turn out, theyāll still play their asses (sorry, arses) off and show a level of professionalism and commitment that makes their English indie equivalents look like the sulky, posturing little berks they invariably are. Plus, any time Iāve approached such bands for a post-gig chinwag, theyāve been the most lovely, personable, polite folk you could meet. And if I start waffling on here about the wonders of Bob Dylan, Dr. Seuss, Frank Capra, Woody Allen, the Marx Brothers etc etc I could be here all day. Yep, weāve got every right to despise the current American administration, but glory, glory, hallelujah, praise the lord for American culture!
The Conchords are seen at their best performing live, I love the series but the songs don’t always work being crow-barred in to a sitcom.However, still The best non-sport TV.
The Conchords are seen at their best performing live, I love the series but the songs don’t always work being crow-barred in to a sitcom.However, still The best non-sport TV.
The Conchords are predominantly New Zealand, rather than American, I feel.For every Studio 60 there is an Ugly Betty (which started off well, but soon became repetitive, and is now almost a parody of itself).For every Heroes there is a ‘Cops’ type show, featuring real life car chases overdubbed with sensationalist voices shouting about how dangerous things are.For every Sopranos there is a Judge Judy.For every Californication there is an American Idol.However, most American shows are still undoubtedly better quality than their British counterparts, especially in the drama field.Also, in response to the anonymous response above about bands travelling to Brighton. I’ve noticed that almost every up-and-coming indie band I’ve met from Oop North will happily have a chat after their gig, whilst those from Dahn Sarf (and I know I am generalising here, and it isn’t always the case) are pretty berk-ish.I love/hate America.
The Conchords are predominantly New Zealand, rather than American, I feel.For every Studio 60 there is an Ugly Betty (which started off well, but soon became repetitive, and is now almost a parody of itself).For every Heroes there is a ‘Cops’ type show, featuring real life car chases overdubbed with sensationalist voices shouting about how dangerous things are.For every Sopranos there is a Judge Judy.For every Californication there is an American Idol.However, most American shows are still undoubtedly better quality than their British counterparts, especially in the drama field.Also, in response to the anonymous response above about bands travelling to Brighton. I’ve noticed that almost every up-and-coming indie band I’ve met from Oop North will happily have a chat after their gig, whilst those from Dahn Sarf (and I know I am generalising here, and it isn’t always the case) are pretty berk-ish.I love/hate America.
I don’t know how anyone can survive without British TV.If I didn’t have the likes of ‘Britain’s Worst Teeth’, ‘Binge Drink Nation’ and ‘Plastic Surgery Live’ to watch I would shoot myself, and others. But not that way round.
I don’t know how anyone can survive without British TV.If I didn’t have the likes of ‘Britain’s Worst Teeth’, ‘Binge Drink Nation’ and ‘Plastic Surgery Live’ to watch I would shoot myself, and others. But not that way round.
I’m not going to be a spoiler but without out giving anything away the upcoming episode penultimate of The Sopranos is one of the best in it’s run. It contains possibly the most cinematic moment in the history of the show and frankly there’s unlikely to be a better hour of cinema let alone television.Not a spoiler, but did anyone pick up what Phill Leotardo said to Tony and Little Carmine while they were standing at the door and Carmine was complaining that he’d brokered this. “Cooler heads prevailed”
I’m not going to be a spoiler but without out giving anything away the upcoming episode penultimate of The Sopranos is one of the best in it’s run. It contains possibly the most cinematic moment in the history of the show and frankly there’s unlikely to be a better hour of cinema let alone television.Not a spoiler, but did anyone pick up what Phill Leotardo said to Tony and Little Carmine while they were standing at the door and Carmine was complaining that he’d brokered this. “Cooler heads prevailed”
“However, most American shows are still undoubtedly better quality than their British counterparts, especially in the drama field”The same applies to the crap ones too. For their “Cops” shows, which will involve people with guns and stuff, we only have “Police, Camera, Action!” with Alistair Stewart.For their Jerry Springer (“I was abducted by Nazi eskimos” etc) we have Jeremy fucking Kyle.So yeah, America even makes better shit TV than we do.
“However, most American shows are still undoubtedly better quality than their British counterparts, especially in the drama field”The same applies to the crap ones too. For their “Cops” shows, which will involve people with guns and stuff, we only have “Police, Camera, Action!” with Alistair Stewart.For their Jerry Springer (“I was abducted by Nazi eskimos” etc) we have Jeremy fucking Kyle.So yeah, America even makes better shit TV than we do.
That’s true, tristan.Also, Alistair Stewart should be ashamed of himself for going anywhere near that show.What are AC’s thoughts on the Controller of BBC1 job? I think we should start a petition to get him the job…
That’s true, tristan.Also, Alistair Stewart should be ashamed of himself for going anywhere near that show.What are AC’s thoughts on the Controller of BBC1 job? I think we should start a petition to get him the job…
I have started watching The Wire since FX have started repeating it from the start. I have the first season finale to watch once my daughter goes to bed tonight.What I like about it is that it is not afraid to be a slow burn. Seeing the characters develop over time.I also like the fact that although the villains are likeable (who could not like Stringer Bell) but we know who is on which side. Which is refreshing.
I have started watching The Wire since FX have started repeating it from the start. I have the first season finale to watch once my daughter goes to bed tonight.What I like about it is that it is not afraid to be a slow burn. Seeing the characters develop over time.I also like the fact that although the villains are likeable (who could not like Stringer Bell) but we know who is on which side. Which is refreshing.
See, I agree with most of the views on the decent US dramas on here, but I would also add The Closer – which is a rare breed (a mid season cable show that gets high ratings) and Rescue Me (which is a male Sex and the City in some respects, but has moved from the 9/11 theme that started it off, and has looked at more philosophical themes like life, mortality, demons, and has been very dark and depressing dramedy (with more emphasis on the drama in recent seasons).There’s new shows like Pushing Daisies that are a real hoot too, and I’m interested in Carpoolers because it has Jerry Minor in it – I’d liked him in Lucky Louie.Finally to restore some parity with this thread (talk of The Wire and New Yorker)Interesting article on David Simon in the New Yorker this week – nice bit of background history, slight spoilers for Season 5, and talks about his next projects.Machine Levine.
See, I agree with most of the views on the decent US dramas on here, but I would also add The Closer – which is a rare breed (a mid season cable show that gets high ratings) and Rescue Me (which is a male Sex and the City in some respects, but has moved from the 9/11 theme that started it off, and has looked at more philosophical themes like life, mortality, demons, and has been very dark and depressing dramedy (with more emphasis on the drama in recent seasons).There’s new shows like Pushing Daisies that are a real hoot too, and I’m interested in Carpoolers because it has Jerry Minor in it – I’d liked him in Lucky Louie.Finally to restore some parity with this thread (talk of The Wire and New Yorker)Interesting article on David Simon in the New Yorker this week – nice bit of background history, slight spoilers for Season 5, and talks about his next projects.Machine Levine.
Moshi moshi!This latest and last incarnation of the Sopranos has been inexorably building to a mighty crescendo the last few weeks; the preview on Sunday of next week’s penultimate episode looks unbelievably brilliant. I’m just pleased they’ve upped the antey again – I felt that in the last series, there were a few too many ‘meh’ episodes. Not so with The Wire, which has yet to throw up a duff episode in any of the series I’ve watched on DVD. Anyone got an ETA on the current series on FX being made available on DVD?I normally can’t stand cop shows, but I’d recommend to anybody fearful of the void to be left by the departures of the Sopranos to fill that gap by watching The Shield. Being a lazy sod, I’ll describe the pitch as having Tony S as a corrupt LA cop, but it’s so much more than that – brilliantly, the 5th and 6th series are out on DVD early next year.Anybody else see Smith on (erk, can’t believe I’m admitting to this) … on ITV4? (There. Said it!), starring Ray Liotta, Jonny Lee Miller and Michael Madsen’s sister? Not the best TV ever made, but competent and entertaining enough, but it just seemed to disappear from the schedules in a puff of logic. What gives?I couln’t agree more with the previous posts about the gulf twixt US and UK television drama. I can’t recall the last UK-made non-comedy drama series I actually made a point of religiously tuning in for – it might have been C4’s Ultraviolet which must have been a good 8 or 9 years ago.And Seinfeld series 9 is out next Monday – “But I don’t wanna be a pirate!”BRMick S.
Moshi moshi!This latest and last incarnation of the Sopranos has been inexorably building to a mighty crescendo the last few weeks; the preview on Sunday of next week’s penultimate episode looks unbelievably brilliant. I’m just pleased they’ve upped the antey again – I felt that in the last series, there were a few too many ‘meh’ episodes. Not so with The Wire, which has yet to throw up a duff episode in any of the series I’ve watched on DVD. Anyone got an ETA on the current series on FX being made available on DVD?I normally can’t stand cop shows, but I’d recommend to anybody fearful of the void to be left by the departures of the Sopranos to fill that gap by watching The Shield. Being a lazy sod, I’ll describe the pitch as having Tony S as a corrupt LA cop, but it’s so much more than that – brilliantly, the 5th and 6th series are out on DVD early next year.Anybody else see Smith on (erk, can’t believe I’m admitting to this) … on ITV4? (There. Said it!), starring Ray Liotta, Jonny Lee Miller and Michael Madsen’s sister? Not the best TV ever made, but competent and entertaining enough, but it just seemed to disappear from the schedules in a puff of logic. What gives?I couln’t agree more with the previous posts about the gulf twixt US and UK television drama. I can’t recall the last UK-made non-comedy drama series I actually made a point of religiously tuning in for – it might have been C4’s Ultraviolet which must have been a good 8 or 9 years ago.And Seinfeld series 9 is out next Monday – “But I don’t wanna be a pirate!”BRMick S.
The Wire DVD’s tend to be released around the same time the new season starts on HBO. So expect a region 2 issue in about Feb 08. Region 1 is 4th Dec
The Wire DVD’s tend to be released around the same time the new season starts on HBO. So expect a region 2 issue in about Feb 08. Region 1 is 4th Dec
There’s surely a big economies of scale thing going on with US TV vs UK TV, isn’t there? I mean, the decent American shows do have higher budgets than ours, don’t they? It isn’t just hard work and dedication. My own view is that there are an awful lot of beautifully polished turds on US TV. At least our turds look like turds. It’s just a shame that most of our gems do too.
There’s surely a big economies of scale thing going on with US TV vs UK TV, isn’t there? I mean, the decent American shows do have higher budgets than ours, don’t they? It isn’t just hard work and dedication. My own view is that there are an awful lot of beautifully polished turds on US TV. At least our turds look like turds. It’s just a shame that most of our gems do too.
Studio 60 is just sublime, but now we’re past the Xmas episode there’s fewer episodes to come than we’ve seen which saddens me. 30 Rock’s opener wasn’t bad, so I’ll stick with it.Heroes is great, but series 2 isn’t getting the plaudits in the States that series 1 received.I’m stacking up The Sopranos on Sky + for a binge viewing session. Even though I know what’s coming, it’s still a pleasure to watch it unfold – seeing it happen beats reading spoilers, even when you’re quite happy being spoiled.I was determined not to like Brothers & Sisters (not enough Sorkin-ese in the script, no walking down corridors, no clever characters offering wry observations on the way of the world) but it was highly watchable, if only to marvel at the number of family meals they had. Perhaps if they all saw less of each other they wouldn’t have such inter-familial issues?
Studio 60 is just sublime, but now we’re past the Xmas episode there’s fewer episodes to come than we’ve seen which saddens me. 30 Rock’s opener wasn’t bad, so I’ll stick with it.Heroes is great, but series 2 isn’t getting the plaudits in the States that series 1 received.I’m stacking up The Sopranos on Sky + for a binge viewing session. Even though I know what’s coming, it’s still a pleasure to watch it unfold – seeing it happen beats reading spoilers, even when you’re quite happy being spoiled.I was determined not to like Brothers & Sisters (not enough Sorkin-ese in the script, no walking down corridors, no clever characters offering wry observations on the way of the world) but it was highly watchable, if only to marvel at the number of family meals they had. Perhaps if they all saw less of each other they wouldn’t have such inter-familial issues?
It is about budgets to a degree, as I’ve written before. The big networks in America are commercial, they rely on advertising reveneues, and because the country is so fucking big (it often comes down to this), there are a lot of customers out there – thus, the stakes are higher, more money can be made, and more money is spent in order to deliver those customers to the advertisers. This means 22-week runs of high-quality drama series with budgets and production values like movies. It also means they can afford to pay staff writers (check out the number of “producers” on big sitcoms and dramas – they’re the staff writers) for half a year, with exclusivity contracts that mean they are well paid for their commitment. This can mean better quality writing (although you occasionally get a Sorkin, who does loads of it on his own). It also means shows are cancelled if they’re not performing, which rarely happens here. Rough with the smooth.
It is about budgets to a degree, as I’ve written before. The big networks in America are commercial, they rely on advertising reveneues, and because the country is so fucking big (it often comes down to this), there are a lot of customers out there – thus, the stakes are higher, more money can be made, and more money is spent in order to deliver those customers to the advertisers. This means 22-week runs of high-quality drama series with budgets and production values like movies. It also means they can afford to pay staff writers (check out the number of “producers” on big sitcoms and dramas – they’re the staff writers) for half a year, with exclusivity contracts that mean they are well paid for their commitment. This can mean better quality writing (although you occasionally get a Sorkin, who does loads of it on his own). It also means shows are cancelled if they’re not performing, which rarely happens here. Rough with the smooth.
Spooks. Spooks. Spooks. There, I’ve said it. Spooks. Brilliant.
Spooks. Spooks. Spooks. There, I’ve said it. Spooks. Brilliant.
Agreed. Spooks was awesome last night. Had to watch episode 2 on BBC3 afterwards so will only be able to watch episode 3 next week.
Agreed. Spooks was awesome last night. Had to watch episode 2 on BBC3 afterwards so will only be able to watch episode 3 next week.
I love Spooks, and last night’s “season” opener bashed all the right buttons. I didn’t watch Episode 2 either! It’s great that British telly can make shows like this is and Waking The Dead and Silent Witness. Good, grown-up drama with high-class actors and plenty of flash without losing its Britishness.
I love Spooks, and last night’s “season” opener bashed all the right buttons. I didn’t watch Episode 2 either! It’s great that British telly can make shows like this is and Waking The Dead and Silent Witness. Good, grown-up drama with high-class actors and plenty of flash without losing its Britishness.
Just changing the subject slightly, but god bless Mainstreet (which is channel 271 on Sky). 9 p.m. every night they are showing old grey whistle test reruns. I’ve only really caught it this week, and they’ve shown Blondie, Nils Lofgren, Tom Petty, and Hall and Oates (full concerts – not the compilations shows on BBC 2 and BBC Four we had a while back).For someone that didn’t grow up during its heyday, but has loved the snippets he’s seen, this was manna from heaven.machine levine.
Just changing the subject slightly, but god bless Mainstreet (which is channel 271 on Sky). 9 p.m. every night they are showing old grey whistle test reruns. I’ve only really caught it this week, and they’ve shown Blondie, Nils Lofgren, Tom Petty, and Hall and Oates (full concerts – not the compilations shows on BBC 2 and BBC Four we had a while back).For someone that didn’t grow up during its heyday, but has loved the snippets he’s seen, this was manna from heaven.machine levine.