watching expired appliances align

Let's hope this strike really is on the verge of wrapping up. I like that my TV watching was decreased, but I'm ready for the quality to go back up (how long will that take? 2 years?).

Here are some random thoughts on what I've been watching:

BREAKING BAD - Oh, AMC, when does MAD MEN return? Last night's third episode was so slow. There was a 20 second period toward the end that had me want to continue watching, but I can't remember what that moment was. I didn't think I'd be the type to complain about a show being too dark and depressing, but this show is. I want a few laughs and I'm not getting them.

ROME - There are some episodes on HBO On Demand and I really, really want to catch up (I stopped watching about midway through season one). I know this is good. I know I should be watching it. I probably won't.

IN TREATMENT - I'm so totally hooked. Listmaker commented in an email last night that he likes watching 5 in a row. I think I like to be less methodical about my watching - give me two or three or one at a time. This is a fun concept and presentation for a show and I'm glad I'm watching.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - NBC has aired the final episode. This season was terrible and I hope this show isn't renewed. So much has gone on with the stories, that the amazing aspects of season one cannot be recaptured.

KIDNAPPED - This aired on NBC last season, I think. Universal HD is rerunning it and I think they're now airing episodes that never made it to air during the original run. I'm watching and I like everything about it except Dana Delany. Was she good in CHINA BEACH? I didn't watch it.

That's about all that's worth commenting on. If you're Listmaker and Handwashings and you want to make comments about what you saw stored on my DVR when you were hanging out last weekend playing board games, please do. I record a few shows on HGTV and don't watch them. Ditto for GOOD EATS (but I did just watch part of that knife episode - cool!).

Posted by Marc at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am so so so so so hooked on NBC's JOURNEYMAN. Sadly, there is just one episode left. The rest of the season wasn't picked up. Such a fun time travel show. I'm pretty sure it was my favorite new show of the Fall season.

Also, this writer's strike has me thinking I'll cancel my cable TV subscription once THE WIRE finishes airing on HBO.

UPDATE
* I love serialized television. I'm not sure there are many good shows from the past 10 years (now available on DVD) that I missed. Does anyone own ROME? I'd like to borrow those DVD's? What else? Please help. Last week I watched an episode of THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM each night. I enjoyed them a bunch, but now I've seen all of them. I'm willing to lend WONDERFALLS to anyone who is curious about a Brown grad who finds that inanimate animal objects talk to her and tell her to do things.

Posted by Marc at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CHUCK and JOURNEYMAN are the two best new shows this TV season (not counting MAD MEN). Also, I don't ever want to read/hear/see anything else about BEE MOVIE. Ever.

Posted by Marc at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week I claimed I was going to stop watching FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. I don't think I'm ready to stop. The rest of the show is so good. My DVR is set for Friday night.

Posted by Marc at 02:52 PM | Permalink

I just watched the season premiere of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Sadly, I've decided to stop watching the show. NJ Star Ledger critic Alan Sepinwall's column from today hinted about a serious twist toward the end of the episode. He's right, I think it really ruins this once great series.

I've also yet to find a new show worth raving about. PUSHING DAISIES was good and I'll watch the second and third episodes. I'm intrigued but not sold on it. BIONIC WOMAN was terrible and I can't believe I forced myself to watch the second episode. The show has no life or energy.

I feel terrible dissing all of these shows because I'm sure the people behind the shows put a lot of effort into them. I usually like to hold to the idea that if you can't say something nice you shouldn't say anything at all. That's not happening this TV season. I'm bummed about the whole thing and I want to know if it's just me.

REAPER episode 2 was just a weak rehash of REAPER episode 1. Same goes for CHUCK episode 2. A few moments in both shows that are enjoyable, but if episode 3 isn't better for each, I'm ready to stop watching.

THE BIG BANG THEORY. BACK TO YOU. CAVEMEN. CARPOOLERS ALIENS IN AMERICA. Really? Is this what America wants from sitcoms? I was able to stomach 20 minutes of each.

I'm about to watch the second episode of DIRTY SEXY MONEY. I really hope it's good. I'd like to be watching at least one new show in November.

BIG SHOTS didn't work for me. CANE seemed like it was trying too hard. K-VILLE was just awful.

I sort of like LIFE in the way I like MEDIUM and BONES. It's a show I'll watch and enjoy but that I have trouble justifying to anyone. I think Alex and Anne both refer to this genre as MomTV.

Is there any TV to look forward to?

Posted by Marc at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

After watching tonight's episode of LOST I decided to delete the show from my DVR's series manager. I've given up on the show. This series has become too mediocre and annoying. I get that it's fantasy and drama and all that but I'm tired of characters not talking to each other and not asking obvious questions. It's also annoying that there are so many characters. I don't think the regulars even show up in the background. If this is one of ABC's top flight show, would it be so bad to give Hurley line every episode?

I will continue to read the occasional show recap, though. I want to know how it all turns out.

Posted by Marc at 12:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Tuesday has become a rough night for television. I don't watch American Idol, Law & Order or Gilmore Girls so there isn't much else on that I watch. Last night I recorded WHAT ABOUT BRIAN just so I'd have something to watch when I ate dinner tonight. If that's not desperate, I don't know what is. Happily, I was able to watch the entire episode without saving part for later in the week (which is what happened last week).

I guess VERONICA MARS is on one of those breaks that happens to shows every now and again. I try to watch so much TV that I don't notice that sort of thing. Unfortunately, I'm now noticing. But there's a solution for poor TV choices on Tuesday night. That solution? THE AGENCY on VH1. I caught an episode last week and now I'm totally hooked.

THE AGENCY feels like THE HILLS for late twenty-something New Yorkers. It's reality television, but with that gloss of being totally jazzed up for dramatic effect. It's the story of what goes on at a modeling agency. And people argue and then complain behind the backs of their co-workers. I guess I should say THE AGENCY is LAGUNA BEACH for cubicle dwellers instead of high school students? There's a dude named Pink. I missed the first episode or two, so maybe I shouldn't be routing for him, but I always am. Maybe it's because he never shaves, has a dozen tattoos and a funny haircut. Perhaps I route for him because I don't like the accent of his co-worker, Becky. Yeah, there are "characters" on this show. And they're perfect. The complaining and the arguing and the ridiculous scouting that goes on in every episode makes for a perfect 22 minute dose of time-filling TV watching every week.

Posted by Marc at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm worried about a couple of things tonight. I drafted poorly in my fantasy baseball draft. I'll get over that quickly. And the draft wasn't as poor as I thought.

I'm also worried that I had trouble spelling sitcom in the title of this entry. Is it: sitcom, sit-com, SitCom, Sit-Com, sit com? I had no clue, so I spelled it out.

Another thing I don't know how to spell? Rob Corddry. That guy is funny. Has anyone been watching THE WINNER on Fox? Four episodes have aired during the past week and 2 hours - that's two episodes per Sunday! Tonight's episodes started late, meaning I didn't record the final 8 minutes of each. I still found them funny. I'm bummed about missing those last few minutes, though. The show is set in 1994 and there are 7-15 era specific jokes per episode. They're of the so bad they're funny vein. Those jokes work because the rest of the show is so dryly witty and improbable and just slightly off-kilter. Corddry's timing is great. His co-star is a young teenage kid who is also plays a bit of hypochondriac. Corrddry has a thing for the kid's mother. Corrddry works in a video store and lives with his parents. I have no idea how many episodes this show has in it, but if you're not entirely averse to sitcoms, it's worth checking out.

Let's get down to the main topic for this week - tea. I'm slowly converting myself into a tea drinker. For most of my life I've stuck by the rule that I don't drink hot beverages. I actually explained this over a work lunch last week. I think there was a lot of eye rolling at the table. Basically, I've just never really understood the story behind hot beverages. They burn your mouth! Coffee. Hot cocoa. Tea. I just don't get it. The payoff just isn't there for me. At work I was asked what I drink. I could only respond with "water." I totally forgot to mention that I also drink bourbon!

Anyway, I'm OK with tea because it's dawning on me that tea is mostly just water. Tonight I made myself a cup of green tea and I realized that I like it in a dark mug because then I think less about it actually being tea. When the tea is in a dark vessel, it's just sort of like water in shadow. I really have to let it cool off. I'm not good at sipping.

I'm so committed to this tea thing that I'm actually thinking of getting a tea kettle. I've got a few dollars left on a Macy's gift card. A few weeks ago I checked out their tea kettles and nothing jumped out at me. They all look the same. And I sort of like some of them. (yes, those are two somewhat dissonant thoughts. I fooled you be admitting to liking the look fo the tea kettles, didn't I?) I put off on making a decision about which one to get. I'm still not through this first box of tea I bought.

Laughing at THE WINNER and sipping the tea did help make my fantasy baseball draft induced headache go away.

Posted by Marc at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Last night I watched RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, feature David Spade. Does this mean my life has hit a new low?

As far as Monday night TV goes, I like getting updates on two of my favorite actors from BOSTON PUBLIC.
Bianca Kajlich has a lead role on the aforemention soon to be cancelled (I assume) sitcom and Jessalyn Gilsig has had a small role in the past two episodes of HEROES. When is Joey Slotnick going to get another chance?

Posted by Marc at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I've been terrible about mentioning TV. The only show to get excited about while the regular lineup is on winter break is CAMPUS LADIES. Check for re-airings on Oxygen and watch/record as many as you can.

Season two started a few weeks ago. The show airs on Oxygen (Oh! many seem to exclaim. No one goes out of his way to watch Oxygen. No one I know accidentally watches Oxygen.) Season one was a pretty short season, but the lack of episodes shouldn't stop anyone from watching this show. I use the dreaded line "laugh out loud funny" to describe CAMPUS LADIES - it fits.

There are too many guest stars (every episode now!) but they don't get in the way of the comedy, which always features three or four really hearty laughs for every 22 minutes.

When describing it I go out on a limb and say it's as funny as "The Office." Friends look at me quizically when I say that and I convince them I'm not joking. I've yet to really read any serious mentions of "Campus Ladies" when talking about the past year in TV, and I have no idea why it's below everyone's radar.

(I need to give a hat tip to my co-worker, Natalie, who told me to start watching the show midway through season one.)

Has anyone started watching this yet?

Posted by Marc at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

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.

Posted by Marc at 04:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

After two episodes, I think I'm ready to declare FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS my favorite show of the new Fall TV season.

Alan Sepinwal, one of the TV columnists for the Star-Ledger, writes a blog and liked the first epsiode. He also wrote about the second episode, which aired last night.

I'm totally, totally hooked on this show. The look is gorgeous. The style is slick without being obnoxiously so. The show is cast really, really well. I like the music. I think I like everything about it.

One commenter on Alan's blog disliked that we only get to know a few of the characters. She also didn't like the build up to the second game of the season which lead to a kickoff cliffhanger. I responded:

I think that we're only starting to get to know the characters is one of the great things about this show. It feels somewhat documentary-like, but with really well chosen music to play underneath the dramatic scenes. It's as if we've been dropped right in the middle of this town and this casually unfolding story and we have to catch up, we have to figure out who these people are and how they relate to one another. To me, taking a year to watch that happen is going to be a pleasure. I didn't realize the ratings for the first episode were low and that's really disheartening.

I like that this episode was about football the idea and not about how well the folks behind the scenes could script a game, shoot it from different angles and cut it together in a convincing way. The show really exceeds at being about the small town life and about the way people go about their days, with the idea of Friday night football as the focus.

That's my two cents. And also a sort of quasi-announcement that I think I'll be taking my DVR blog down sometime this month.

Posted by Marc at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

i'm slowly getting back into writing about tv on www.recordingtelevision.com. there's nothing revolutionary there, but i do chime in with a sentence or two about the new fall shows i've watched.

Posted by Marc at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

in case you've stopped reading my dvr blog (and i don't blame you), please note that i've just posted jon bohland's 2004-2005 tv season recap. good stuff. go read it now.

Posted by Marc at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight's episode of THE OC was terrible. And I was pulling for the show. Thirty-five minutes in I could see the writers pulling things together, trying their hardest for jokes that, yes, fell flat but that were at least on the right track. I managed to convince myself that the third season would be really good. I'm pretty sure I've gotten it wrong.

The mention of Chuck Klosterman and the appearance of his book couldn't redeem this episode. The re-appearance of Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan) was a tiny bright spot, but not enough to redeem this episode. An Oliver joke made me laugh. I liked the Oliver joke. It was an easy joke, though. And Kaitlin Cooper, Marisa's little sister was mentioned. That was a nice nod to long-term fans.

Those last three minutes? Terrible. What has this show become?

Posted by Marc at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

earlier this week my friend phil emailed me with his 2004 - 2005 televsion season recap. i've posted it online for all to see. comments and discussion for the recap can be found on my dvr blog.

Posted by Marc at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are a few of my recent del.icio.us links:

Jimmy Page's Sweater Vest: A butterfly in the Amazon flaps its wings...
some talk of a new minor league ballpark for richmond, va

Undeclared - Apatow talks about music, extras, whether or not there will be a special edition, and whether the release is really in July!
i want it on cable and on-demand! i'm so greedy!

New (sub)Urbanism: Getting Around in Suburbia
with real trolleys you can just jump onto the sideboard, right?

music (for robots) - Smokey Turtle by EYEBALL SKELETON
i just heard this track on WXJM. there's nothing wrong with a good novelty song every now and again.

Posted by Marc at 01:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last night Handwashings and I went to the Museum of Television and Radio for an event entitled Unraveling The Wire. We had tickets to the overflow satellite room where we could watch the panel discussion on a large screen. Luckily, we were among the first ten to line up for that room. Doing so allowed us to enter the main room for the discussion (We spent an hour in the satellite room as episode one of the third season was shown to the assembled groups).

The panel featured creator David Simon along with Ed Burns (Producer/Writer),
John Doman (Dep. Commissioner Rawls), Idris Elba (Russell 'Stringer' Bell), Seth Gilliam (Sgt. Ellis Carver), Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield), George Pelecanos (Producer/Writer) and Karen Thorson (Producer). It was moderated by Ken Tucker.

During the discussion I was reminded that the show has a huge ensemble cast. Having four cast members and so many people behind the scenes on stage last night may have been too much. It didn't impact the panel poorly, it just made me wish the event had gone on for another hour. The second season about the docks was barely mentioned. David Simon also did a good job reminding the audience that the City of Baltimore really does play a huge roll in the series. While not pounding us over the head with the idea that the city is a character, he talked about the setting of the series as if it was just as strong an element as any of the lead actors.

The big question on your mind, I'm sure, is - what's up with season four. Tucker was quick to ask the question and initially Simon said nothing had been decided yet. About halfway into the conversation the topic came up again and Simon mentioned that season four is up to him. The ball is in his court. If he and the other producers can come up with credible stories that appeal to HBO (and to themselves), then it seems likely that season four can happen. The issue of ratings was discussed. The show didn't get huge numbers this past season but the way ratings are counted changed between seasons 2 and 3. All those airings of THE WIRE on HBO2 and HBO On-Demand don't count toward the ratings.

Simon went out of his way to praise HBO and my reaction is that his praise was genuine, especially when he mentioned that working with a network to figure out the direction of your series artistically is a much better problem to have than arguing with the network about how to get the ratings up. His one complaint was about the issuing of DVD's for seasons one and two after the start of season three. Now that we're three or four years into having tv shows on dvd, it's becoming common sense to most that a previous season for a show that's such a serialized drama should be made available to as many people as possible before the new stories begin.

Idris Elba was thoroughly praised by more than one audience member. In introducing the first question from the floor, one audience member suggested that Denzel Washington watch his back. Hearty laughter ensued.

Ed Burns seemed like an interesting guy, even though he didn't say an overwhelming amount. He's worked as a detective and he's also worked in the Baltimore City schools, thus providing one of the hints as to where the story for season four may find it's major arc.

All in all, it was a great event. I've got my fingers crossed that Handwashings will also provide a recap.

Posted by Marc at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

two hours ago i sat down and planned to quickly list the shows i'll be recording over the next few days. my blog entry for www.recordingtelevision.com turned out a little longer than expected.

keep an eye on that spot over the next few weeks, as i hope to share some thoughts about sex on television and the recent article in the new york times about the dvr industry. i also hope to introduce a new semi-regular feature. exciting things, i promise.

Posted by Marc at 01:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

look! one of my favorite actors, johnny galecki, has been cast in the pilot for a tv series called "peep show." it's the look into the minds of two roommates. now that i think about it, i may have watched the british version of this show a few weeks ago. it wasn't very good.

Posted by Marc at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

hey. kevin smith is going to appear on an episode of degrassi. (via news askew)

i'm watching your eyes roll now.

speaking of kevin smith, i need a different costume for halloween this year. obviously, it must incorporate my slightly out of control beard.

Posted by Marc at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

i just watched the final out in the houston / st. louis baseball playoff game. i think i heard a "whoosh" on that last strikeout. is that possible? am i hearing things? is fox "enhancing" the feel of the game for me?

during last night's yankees / red sox game i laughed at the audible "cracking" of the bat whenever there was a replay of a big hit. that sound effect was gone tonight, replaced by "whooooop" - sort of like a tiny slingshot firing. did anyone else hear these sounds? am i just making this up?

i'm all for a mic aimed at second base that captures the sound of a player sliding and stealing a base, but fake hit and strikeout sounds? what is this EA sports' MVP baseball 2004?

Posted by Marc at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

a new interview with david simon, creator of THE WIRE.

Posted by Marc at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

this is just a reminder that i also write a blog that's all about television. it's my dvr blog and i just updated it with the list of shows i'll be recording this week.

Posted by Marc at 01:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just read the website for the new cable channel started by Al Gore went up recently. It's called INdTV.tv and they're currently looking for young people (ages 18-34) to become "digitial correspondents."

Terry Heaton's Pomo Blog delves into the concept a little more. Could be interesting.

The cable channel should also hold a contest to give away hundreds of video cameras to potential digital correspondents. I say that because I'm in the market for a new video camera.

Posted by Marc at 01:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

in case you're not a regular reader of my dvr blog, make note that UTILITYMAN: THE QUEST FOR COOPERSTOWN airs tonight at 7pm on espn2. it's the show mitch has been working on all summer. it stars the sklar brothers and follows their attempts to have st. louis cardinal, jose oquendo, inducted into the hall of fame. a few of us watched the show with mitch last night and were all impressed. it's funny and silly and has some really hilarious moments.

Posted by Marc at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

does anyone in d.c. know any of the contestants that were on joe schmo 2? while watching the final episode tonight i learned they were all from d.c.. all seem like nice people. this season wasn't as good as the last, but there were a few really funny moments.

Posted by Marc at 01:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THE BAIT SHOP is the new PEACH PIT AFTER DARK??????

from a wall street journal article about "underground" music being used on THE O.C. and other "hip" TV shows:

Next season, even more bands are likely to reap such benefits. Mr. Schwartz says "The O.C." is adding a new set to the program, a venue on the show called the Bait Shop, which he describes as an "all-ages club." Ms. Patsavas has already lined up bands -- including Modest Mouse, the Killers and the Walkmen -- for Bait Shop performances in three episodes next season.

i'm sure all the serious OC followers have already heard about this. but i don't read all the message boards and follow all the internet details, so this is news to me. very fun news as just yesterday i was involved in a ten minute conversation about 90210's peach pit after dark. basically, this news makes me think that there's one more good season of THE OC left, and then it's all downhill. (link via obscure store

Posted by Marc at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

it's sunday morning and instead of cleaning my room i'm watching fake commercials that are very good.

Posted by Marc at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i couldn't be happier! the tv talk just won't stop. i got into work today and received an email from my friend phil who lives in dc. he's part of jamie's crew that travels to the outer banks every memorial day weekend. i don't think either of us went this year. i hope everyone goes next year, though. anyway, phil read jon's 2004 tv season recap and felt like a few shows were overlooked. phil sent me a list of his thoughts and i now post them for your reading and recording enjoyment.

phil's 2003-2004 season recap

here's an excerpt:

Everybody Loves Raymond

It's no surprise that this show garners top ratings year after year � it's fucking funny! Since the show has been around a while, the characters are established and the cast plays them to perfection. It is dysfunctional-family-situational-comedy at its finest. End of story!

Was Phil still asleep when he wrote this? EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND? I've never seen an episode. Phil, I'm going to watch one episode that airs in syndication and it better be "fucking funny." Or else.

Posted by Marc at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

this past weekend at a wedding i had the chance to talk tv with a friend from college. i hadn't seen him in years. after the wedding jon wrote about his thoughts on the tv season that just ended and he's allowing me to post them on balgavy.com. now, i'm excited to share them with you:

Jon D. Bohland's Season Recap

Posted by Marc at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

i can finally have wednesday back. watched the oc tonight with the brooklyn crew (the tv club?) then went out for drinks. we were all happy with the episode. the final montage was excellent. a nice summation to the show - i was especially fond of the shot of ryan in theresa's (teresa's) car and the way it mirrored the shot of him leaving chino. very perfect for the wrap up nature of this episode. but what is up with seth on that boat????? someone please explain to me how he isn't going to die? more tomorrow.

Posted by Marc at 01:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

i think last night's episode of THE O.C. had something for everyone. i think it was a fun episode, but not one of the most memorable.

the fight between julie and hayley could've been a lot better! - why were there no underwater shots? why were there no over-the shoulder close-ups in the water? we see the two women jump into the pool and splash around a bit and that's it? bah. i wanted more.

but when jimmy decked caleb - that was great stuff. especially since sandy had been calling him k.k. all night. that was the best line of the night (when sandy first said that).

i'm just typing random notes here. no cohesive thoughts. i forgot to make this entry last night. i was too busy watching SMALLVILLE.

what else?

the trucker had thing was appropriately ridiculous.

and the poker nonsense was nonsenese.

Posted by Marc at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

that's what we thought we heard ryan say to sandy, et al. turns out he and marissa were going to pick up the CAKE. it makes more sense that way. but it also removed the best part of the show.

what a snoozer of an episode for THE O.C.

the trailer for next week looked good, though.

Posted by Marc at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

the new day 17 musings are now posted at bears will attack. they got a lot of submissions this month. i wrote something but it didn't make the cut and because there's very little that i've got to write about, i'll post it here:

I couldn�t stop talking about Matt Kennedy Gould, television�s Joe Schmo. I have no idea how we got onto the topic but as Friday night became Saturday morning my roommate and I excitedly traded sentences about why Joe Schmo was amazing TV. The tackiness of the show mixed with the enthusiasm of the participants and the meta-reality commentary was something we couldn�t have used more energy describing. We left the bar early Saturday morning knowing we�d convinced two of our friends that they missed the best thing that happened on television last year. April 17th should officially become Matt Kennedy Gould day. That guy is the nicest man to ever grace basic cable.

On Saturday night I went to a party with the two friends I thought I�d converted. Neither mentioned the show. Their lack of appreciation left me saddened and depressed.

Posted by Marc at 01:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

i just got home from o'connor's. i was there to meet the group i'm happy to call me tv club. we'd assembled at the local bar for a few drinks and talk of THE O.C.

first off - a few questions. what did summer mean when she said something about seth only being able to paint the ceiling? what was that about? why was there a joke that we all totally didn't get?

i guess that's my only question.

oh, and marissa's shirt - the sleeveless one that had a normal strap on the left side but then had a wooden or metal ring on the right? and was showing some kind of white undershirt? what was that about? very odd.

but seth and summer were great together. i can't remember what else i enjoyed. the seger line was repeated often at the bar. everyone loved that.

once again, a top notch episode. but next week looks troubling.

there was also discussion that it's about time one of the characters gets an episode all to herself. we decided on summer. everyone would love that. but then the ladies would miss out on having a non-seth episode and we don't think that would fly.

more later, i guess.

UPDATE (12:47pm): i want to also mention that while at o'connor's the text messaging on mobile phones got out of control. i had no idea people actually used their phones for texting. i mean, i knew it existed, but i had no idea it was as frequent and common as it is. it was very disconcerting. i think i'm going to have to get one of these mobile phone things soon.

Posted by Marc at 02:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

all that smart water i've been drinking lately seems to be keeping me from falling asleep.

as you may not know, wonderfalls was cancelled. i think kfan was the only person besides me who watched it, so don't worry. you only missed a show that was developing into something good. i found out about the cancellation this weekend and sent kevin a note. he was pretty steamed. and i can understand why. but i also understand the other side of the story. for the past few days i've been trying to think about how the argument for that other side goes. just now i read it never ends on teevee.org which does a nice, cute job summarizing the world of network television.

now that i've mentioned that, i'll also mention that episode 4 of wonderfalls really had me coming around to liking the show more. i read earlier tonight that it's rumored the show may continue in canada. (via whedonesque)

Posted by Marc at 04:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

i got a little out of control tonight while watching baseball. i saw an ad for a mcdonald's commercial and starting blogging about it instead of watching the baseball game.

the post is on my dvr blog:

lovin' it a bit too much

Posted by Marc at 01:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

obviously, this is of little consequence but it is sunday, so i don't mind posting this sort of thing. i just woke up from one of those morning dreams that combines all the things you've been thinking about lately.

basically, i was at a house where paris hilton and nicole richie were doing their 2nd season of the simple life. nicole was feeling under the weather, so she spent her entire visit on the couch. but paris hilton was out in the back yard participating in some kind of game of skill with the people who lived in the house. then i got to photograph paris and the owner of the property - and both of them were ridiculously tanned, like sizzling red!. when the dream started i was using my current digital camera, but in the course of the dream i switched to using my first, more square looking digital camera - there's nothing like learning something in a dream through the way something feels. anyway, i was trying to change the drive mode (to a mode that lets me take five or six shots within the span of a few seconds) of the camera to take photos. it wasn't working because i couldn't see the screen due to all the sun reflecting off the camera and the ridiculously tanned bodies. eventually it worked.

later that night and back inside everyone was lounging around the living room, paris was sort of talking with the host family. i was staring into the closet fumbling with something. somehow i ended up with the two ends of an ethernet cable in my ear, as if they were headphones. no one noticed. obviously, nicole didn't care. i chuckled, turned to paris and said "look, i accidentally put this ehternet cable in my ears, sort of like a stethoscope." but it didn't come out stethoscope. i fumbled with that word. but it was a dream so i can't remember the exact detail. i do remember that it was 7:58 pm and i had to get the remote control in order to make sure that i'd set up the tv to record the new episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. paris had mentioned earlier in the day that she wanted to watch. and i wasn't going to disappoint her.

i woke up looking around for my digitial camera, hoping those photos i'd taken were real.

Posted by Marc at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

if you haven't read andrea seigel's recent entry about the final episode of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, race to do so now.

she continues with her year of the nerd theme but this time turns her gaze on yoanna, the winner of the competition. my favorite sentence:

A lot of people have commented on Yoanna's habit of over-enunciation. It is my belief that she's fighting a number of voices ("Bread! Powerbar! Anything!") from within, so that she becomes distracted mid-syllable. This slows her down.

i wish this show was always on the air.

-marc

Posted by Marc at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

see jim's comments in the previous discussion about the oc for his thoughts on the final episode of ANTM, season 2. when i woke up this morning i mentally had this whole entry figured out. i was going to praise america's next top model to high heaven, and then complain about there being no actual ANTM magazine - don't you love those fake covers?

i'm fine with yoanna's win. of the final three, i liked all three of them as people and as reality tv show contestants and as average models. i didn't like any of them as superstar, TOP models. maybe yoanna or shandi will grow into that in a few years.

on wednesday night while at o'connor's i talked with bart and amy about ANTM and the voting. bart had some interesting theories. i just there was a lot of behind the scenes conversation the audience didn't get to see. i also think a few judges were pulling for yoanna, realized shandi was the biggest competition and voted her out early. as for mercedes, i loved her in this last episode. not her personality, but her hotness. that really came through in this episode.

THE APPRENTICE - jim, last night's episode was as good as always (except for those recap shows!). america can count on mark burnett.

CRACKING UP - last night we tried to watch monday's episode. i still can't believe i even recorded it, the jack black episode was terrible. this most recent episode was deleted after four minutes of viewing time.

WORLD POKER TOUR - they were in france on this week's episode. none of my favorite players from last season are making the final tables this season. what's going on? is there a conspiracy afoot?

i hope to have a more compelling tv show rundown sometime soon on my dvr blog.

Also, THE REAL WORLD / ROAD RULE CHALLENGE (THE INFERNO) would be a lot more satisfying if each episode ran 60 minutes instead of 30.

Posted by Marc at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

seth and a graduate student played by paris hilton?

what will the creators of THE OC think of next?

seth's aunt as a dancer? why, YES!!! (i refuse to call her a stripper because i didn't see her stripping. she was just dancing - and picking up on anna's poor use of makeup)

low punch count this episode. high punch count potential, though.

juju cooper is my new favorite adult on the show.

update 1: i am evil. the two comments listed in the previous entry that were about the oc and not dan's baseball list have been deleted. i should've set up this oc post before going out last night. sorry about forgetting to do so. you guys and your oc talk are ridiculous. it's almost baseball season. let's focus on what's important here.

update 2: wow. i am out of control. deleting those comments was just ridiculous. maybe i'm a control freak. maybe i like things to go where they're supposed to go. so, instead of a running analysis today of the oc, you'll get a running analysis of me worried about how everyone will react to me removing two completely harmless comments. if you feel slighted, suck it up. you should've sent me an email telling me to add a new entry.

3rd update: i didn't mean to tell you to suck it up. i'm a bad person. this whole things is spinning out of control. i'll try to get my mental state under control soon. but when is peter gallagher going to start getting the good dialogue again?

4th update - 2:02pm: and with that i think i've finally alienated everyone who reads this. if i can't even keep the oc fans happy...because as we all know, the oc is the only thing i comment on anymore. argh. yeah. this is the implosion of my brain you're watching. no more jokes.

update 5 - 3:40pm: if you haven't figured it out yet THE OC is on a direct course for implosion. that josh shwartz tookt he show so deeply meta last night is a bad bad sign!!! we're looking he pulled out of it as soon as he did. when seth was watching that dvd of the first season of the valley i was cringing with how painful things were getting. but then later in the episode that dark haired girl that wore the wonder woman costume talked about how she wished she was from the valley. and i thought that was cute. the whole thing is such a fine line and if the producers flirt so close with disaster soon they could be in trouble. this show will not be nearly as good when season two hits! or should i say Mix 2. did you guys all catch that at the end of the show when they rolled the music ads? seriously. barf. i mean "mix 1." ugh. get a life. or hire me.

Posted by Marc at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

andrea seigel has an amazing examination of shandi's continued nerd-like behavior from the most recent AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL! wow. so perfect. if you haven't been watching top model, you're missing out! and if yoanna doesn't win this thing, she better get some kind of fashion column in Teen Vogue or one of those girl magazines. she's awesome and well spoken and someone that i want to see more from. (link via catherine via gawker (can't believe i missed this on there))

Posted by Marc at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

kfan posted a comment this morning asking about the location of the "alias" thread. here is the discussion space for "alias." did anyone else watch this besides kevin? (and me, obviously).

a few quick talking points (please excuse my poor spelling):

- the showdown between vaughn and his wife was good.
- the romance between vaughn's wife (i should really learn her name) and sark is getting steamy!
- i don't believe that arvin sloane is sydney's father.
- i didn't like the storytelling format that had the episode start repeating (with just a slightly different perspective) at the midway point.

Posted by Marc at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

wednesday's episode of THE OC was terrible. discuss.

(i will add more comments during the next 24 hours):

1:18am - jim just emailed me and told me he enjoyed the episode. maybe i watched the show while in a bad mood. maybe i was upset because i read somewhere that someone had reigned in peter gallagher's eyebrows as the show got popular.

11:27am - while at the computer last night i let this episode run again in the background. normally, a good episode of THE OC would have me turning around in my chair to face the television. didn't happen last night. the whole thing came off as very disjointed. i knew we were in trouble when eric balfour made his appearance - another character? let's just have one more episode with the core group! is it still sweeps month? i want sweeps-worthy episodes that don't spend an hour shifting gears and re-aligning stories. my favorite moment was watching luke walk into a door after seeing juju cooper in the school hallway. that's funny. that's dramatic, in a blatently over-the-top way. that's what we want more of.

12:04pm - one thing i intended to ask about last night - what is summer's last name? (this question appeared on this week's tv gal column)

Posted by Marc at 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

last night's episode of THE OC was fun, right?

a few issues that came up during last night's discussion of the show:

1 - after i mentioned the liberal use of make-up on the show, cheryl suggested that the make up artist should be fired. a rather harsh assertion, i think. let's start with using less foundation on ryan's ex (as, i believe, katie suggested).

2 - i should refrain from commenting on how hot adam brody is. when i commented that the overhead shot of him in bed without a shirt was more bob, carol, ted and alice than 90210, the joke went over like a lead balloon.

3 - eliza postulated that THE OC is ONE TREE HILL's trashy, slutty cousin (or some words to that effect). i disagreed. then she reminded me that sandy on THE OC looks a lot like DAN on ONE TREE HILL. one dad is good and one is evil.

one more thought - before drifting off to sleep i caught samaire armstrong (anna) on LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY. i'm now trying to remember how she pronounced her name. something like sSah mee rahh. it was weird. and she's got all these hand to hand combat skills. with like spears. and rob schneider was the other guest who stayed on the couch while samaire and carson chatted. a perfectly bizarre ending to the night.

UPDATE: in case you missed it earlier this week, check out the ABC's of THE OC on popcrazy.com

Posted by Marc at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

how fantastic was tonight's episode of THE OC? there's so much to say! i don't know where to begin. i feel like everyone should meet at o'connor's in an hour to talk about it. every episode is like four episodes in one! the pace of the show is so fast. while watching the show sujan commented that she didn't want there to be a cliffhanger - she wanted this oliver trask nonsense cleared up by the end of the episode. with forty minutes left in the show i safely confirmed that it would be. the producers of THE OC don't mess around. and that leaves just one question - the one sujan asked after the scenes for next week's episode - what are they going to have in store for season two?

i mean - luke and marissa's mom! whoa!!! yeah. it makes me giddy like a teenager just thinking about how ridiculously overblown and amazing this show is.

and in typical marc fashion, i'll mention that i'm reading this interview with series creator josh schwartz at this very moment. i haven't finished reading it, but it mentions his recent writer's guild of america nomination and it talks about the nature of the oliver trask storyline being "season 2" like. let's all go read it and i'll see you at 11 for a drink.

Posted by Marc at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

just a quick reminder:

snopes.com, the urban legends reference pages, is a great resource.

hopefully five years from now no one under 40 will ever need to spend more then an hour or two debating various urban legends. yes, that takes a lot of fun out of life. we now have more time to discuss why the lead reality television particpant in "my big fat obnoxious fiance" is so unsympathetic.

Posted by Marc at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

yesterday i checked in with jeremy paquette regarding his thoughts on the second season of the wb's "the surreal life." unlike last year, he's not recapping his thoughts on each episode, but here's what he had to say when i asked "any thoughts?":

it's all i think about.
i truly think they're off to an amazing start and it could possibly best the premier season blasphemy? hardly.

last season there were some likable guests and some detestable guests but so far this season has a mix of 6 crazy people, all with faults and positives but no one so loathsome as corey feldman nor as nice and safe as hammer. each could explode at any minute, with the exception of ron jeremy who is so sleazy and hammy that he need not be close to rage/insanity at all times like everyone else.

for some reason i find this lot more likable overall.

the first episode led me to thinking how this season could be full of greatness and episode two fulfilled that promise. it was like 6 episodes packed into one. there was madness, absurdity, lasciviousness, crying, rage, issues, and gary coleman. the scene of ice yelling "whatchoo talkin bout willis" while holding gary coleman off the ground and standing next to todd bridges was one of the greatest tv moments i have ever seen. then follow that with todd wearing the chefs outfit later on commenting on gary's meltdown...tears were streaming down my face. then erik's talking ice down off his emotional ledge was so transfixing. just amazing television.

i really wish i had the chance to write articles on this season but this job doesn't quite give me the time to do it. not that i'm that busy but the constraints of the desk make it much harder to do.

but it's nice to just watch them for pure pleasure without taking notes. i can't believe it's not a show that everybody talks about because i truly find it to be one of the most unique and mind bogglingly strange shows on tv. why watch fiction when you can watch meta-fiction. do these people really exist? how weird was their meeting on the trolley car? did erik estrada really think that baywatch lady was a "plant put here to bust (their) nut"?

i literally sit there in ecstatic glee for the entire hour the show is on.
i'm having a tv renaissance this year and the surreal life is the feather in the cap.

so yeah, i guess i have a few thoughts on this season on the surreal life.

anxiously awaiting episode 3,
jeremy

ooh, how i wish i could watch these episodes with jeremy! my quick two cents: the first episode was bad. the 45 second teaser for the upcoming season was brilliant. and, like jeremy, i think episode two begins fulfilling those promises. i can't wait to see what tonight holds.

Posted by Marc at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

this post on whedonesque reminded me that i watched part of a tv movie this past sunday called I WANT TO MARRY RYAN BANKS. it was a cute film about reality dating shows. jason priestley was actor ryan banks. emma caulfield (thus the buffy connection) starred as one of the main dating show contestants. and bradley cooper (will from alias) was banks' best friend and manager. i missed the first hour and only caught 60% of the second hour but i was entertained. i've become a simpleton, i guess. the hijinks between cooper and caulfield was a lot of fun! almost love-triangle-like. (and it's on again tonight at 8pm - abc family channel)

this afternoon i'm going to the bookstore. obviously, i'm watching too much tv these days.

Posted by Marc at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

the star-ledger's tv critic alan sepinwall is blogging from the television critics associaton's winter press tour in hollywood. my fingers are crossed that he'll get some face time with the cast or creators of THE OC, which clocked another great episode wednesday night. peter gallagher can't get any better (that line about a clear tivo equaling a clear mind was right on the money). there was less of a focus on adam brody, and that made his character stronger. and the amount of eyeshadow worn by samaire armstrong as anna made me smile with glee.

Posted by Marc at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

jimmy kimmel live has been extended for another season!

i recorded last night's first half of battlestar galactica. this is the sort of thing i have to resort to when the prime time shows i watch are in reruns!

also, i was sad when the pretty boy was picked on last night's conclusion of "average joe."

Posted by Marc at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

when did "traffic" become the defining film for how "a rough and tumble lifestyle in mexico and/or southern california" should be portrayed? last night's episode of THE OC found ryan and marissa headed back to the bad side of town where ryan grew up. it was shot with intense film grain and a complete blue cast - just like the drug dealing scenes in "traffic." this year's 24 is shooting the scenes in mexico the same way. the whole thing feels very frustrating and unoriginal.

(by the way, the odds are good i stole this idea from a comment dan made while we were watching 24)

Posted by Marc at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i watched two episodes of hbo's "k street" and gave up. a few weeks ago i was in washington, dc and i tried to meet a friend for lunch. i got lost. some of the streets have the same names, but vary on the northwest / northeast / whatever part. i knew this at one time in my life. i forgot it on that day i was supposed to meet my friend for lunch. i swore off dc at that point. but thanks to matt zoller seitz's new review of "k street" i'm ready to give the show another chance. i think. i wish i'd read his review a few days ago so i could've spent the weekend catching up. two years from now this will be a show that everyone's talking about. five years from now? maybe i'm just amped on thoughts of cinema verite after watching the documentary (cinema verite: defining the moment) i mentioned recording a few weeks ago.

Posted by Marc at 01:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ready to sell your soul to the marketers? give up your personal information here for a free jake 2.0 dvd. i've seen two episodes. i'll bet the two episodes i've seen are the ones on the dvd.

speaking of free dvd's, i picked up a ny post monday morning and got a free 20 minute preview of "master and commander." oooh, swords and ships. that's the hot new genre, isn't it?

Posted by Marc at 02:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

maybe tvbarn is becoming my "go to" place for weird television news. in the early 90s gene siskel, warren zevon and john ritter all appeared on the same episode of "larry sanders." tvbarn reports the episode aired last week in kansas city.

Posted by Marc at 02:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

it seems like the star ledger is becoming my go-to site for television reviews. alan sepinwall looks at the current season of 'survivor' and finds that it's pretty good. interesting twists. interesting players. worth watching this thursday if you miss reality tv done well (and, let's face it, 'average joe' wasn't as good as any of us wanted it to be).

Posted by Marc at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

a fan of letterman? how about tom shales? maybe you really just like reading the ny observer. aaron barnhart of tv barn was referenced in a recent episode of "ed" and goes on the explain why. the article is a great afternoon read when you're trying to avoid thinking about how lame your halloween costume is.

Posted by Marc at 06:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ready for a second season of the surreal life? according to variety the surreal life 2 is coming to the wb in 2004. the cast looks as bizarre as ever (erik estrada! trichelle from real world las vegas!). reality blurred has some news on the subject.

can't wait that long and want to recall the glory of the first season? read jeremy's episode by episode rundown. read all those but can't get enough of this jeremy character? check out tale seven of the innkeeper's reckoning.

Posted by Marc at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ready for a second season of the surreal life? according to variety the surreal life 2 is coming to the wb in 2004. the cast looks as bizarre as ever (erik estrada! trichelle from real world las vegas!). reality blurred has some news on the subject.

can't wait that long and want to recall the glory of the first season? read jeremy's episode by episode rundown. read all those but can't get enough of this jeremy character? check out tale seven of the innkeeper's reckoning.

Posted by Marc at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

this morning i recorded "second hand stories" on pbs. check your local cable guide right now and find out when it's on. it's a lot of fun following the two creators around the country as they visit thrift stores, yard sales and auctions buying and examining odd memorabilia. oh, and joe's record paradise in maryland makes an appearance.

it's a great show! by reading the description one would assume it covers the same territory as �hey remember!� on HGTV or another of those silly shows on the upper reaches of the cable television tier. SECOND HAND STORIES transcends all of those. chris wilcha�s voice as narrator shines through clearly and the direction of the episode is fun and carefree. the show does a great job mixing nostalgia for items with the quirkiness of buyers and sellers.

second hand stories airs again at 10:30 monday night in new york on channel 13.

some unknown person tipped me off to this via a comment on my dvr blog. if you see anything worth recording (like this show), let me know!

Posted by Marc at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)