watching expired appliances align

I've officially shut down my separate DVR blog. The URL www.recordingtelevision.com now redirects to somewhere in the balgavy.com universe. I don't think I'd made a significant post there since last Spring when I raved about WHAT ABOUT BRIAN.

To celebrate the television talk returning to balgavy.com, I thought I'd give a quick run down of what I've been watching (and what I sampled during the past few months). In no particular order, here are some thoughts on some shows:

HEROES (NBC) - Listmaker just raved about this show. Chris Larry's been raving about it since day one. Youthlarge likes to run around whispering "Save the cheerleader" while staring at you until you respond "Save the world." I'm hooked and I can't explain why. Somewhere online I saw a mention that this superhero show pulls elements from Marvel Comics' New Universe line. Does anyone remember that from '86/'87? I'm trying to remember what elements this show has in common with that and I can't remember any. I have almost all of those titles stored in a closet in my parents' house. Thinking of that comic book era makes me wonder if Peter David (who wrote one of the books, I can't remember which - is there an imdb for comics?) writes about HEROES on his blog. Or course, he does. From his Cowboy Pete's TV Round-up "And I can just see the mantra of the series—“Save the cheerleader”—showing up on buttons or t-shirts." So can Youthlarge, Peter. So can Youthlarge.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC) - I raved about the first two episodes. Episodes 3 & 4 didn't live up to my personal hype. Heck, I don't think they lived up to anyone's expectations. How did this show go from being provocative and investigative and tinged with actual drama and a sense of place to being a bad WB knock-off?

WHAT ABOUT BRIAN (ABC) - I loved the first mini-arc that aired last Spring on ABC. This show stunned everyone in the world (well, maybe the 3 million people who watched it) by being renewed for this season. I think it must've stunned the creators and producers most because they've done a pretty disappointing job handling the show so far. They can't seem to get on track with any of these characters. The short season was about examining six friends, and then blowing up those relationships. Once they've been exploded, what happens? Watching the show this year makes me question what I liked about it six months ago!

LIFE ON MARS (BBC America) - I started saving episodes on my DVR this past August. I burned through four of them yesterday. This is the British series where a cop finds himself in 1973. I'm digging this show and along with HU$TLE on AMC, I'm hooked on anything Tony Jordan (co-)creates.

New shows I'm watching but I don't necessarily love (except STANDOFF): JUSTICE, 30 ROCK, UGLY BETTY, KIDNAPPED, STANDOFF

Some shows I've liked in the past and am continuing to enjoy: THE WIRE, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, PRISON BREAK, LOST, VERONICA MARS, BONES, THE AMAZING RACE, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, ER, THE OFFICE, LAS VEGAS

Shows I sampled and gave up on: STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, JERICHO, THE NINE, SIX DEGREES, HAPPY HOUR

Shows I used to watch but recently stopped watching: SMALLVILLE, WEEDS, GILMORE GIRLS, SURVIVOR

I guess this entry is pretty typical of what passes for blog content these days. I read a lot of things about amateur critics and the like. Please count me among that group. I just don't understand why people have to be disparaging when they discuss web content in such a fashion. America cares about my opinion about WHAT ABOUT BRIAN. I'm sure of it.