A bit of an odd collection of viewing treats this week:
- Mad Men – A very nice episode again. Can't say much without revealing spoilers, but the "I've forgotten it" moment was very familiar, and I'm liking what's going on with Don
- House – Nothing too extraordinary this week, but good to see the producers sticking by their guns with the format changes
- Modern Family – a good few titters this week, mostly involving Cameron
- Community – still the funniest thing on TV by miles now. Lovely wife's started watching and she's loving it too
- Dexter – you could see where it was all going right from the beginning, but still shocking nonetheless
- Cougar Town – okay. Not great
- Question Time – ha, ha, ha. What an exciting collection of stupid people and people who can't construct arguments on both sides. And when did Jack Straw become such a waffler? I haven't watched in a while, but when did they get rid of audience votes? And when did the audiences get so small (or was that purely for this edition?)
- Stargate Universe – still liking it. Robert Carlyle's really good, and they had the whole thing on the ship more or less, so no gating at this point, thank God.
- Masterchef: The Professionals – I was only watching this out of one eye, since it's more lovely wife's choice of viewing. But correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Greg Wallace merely say "Great flavours" to every dish or copy whatever the professional chef judge says? The man might as well be replaced by a giant set of ditto marks.
I really can't be arsed to watch The Sarah Jane Adventures until David Tennant is on, so I've built up a backlog there. It may be Doctor Who, but it's still a kids' show. Being Erica we're lagging on again; ditto, Curb Your Enthusiasm. I've given up on The Middle and Trauma.
Don't forget everyone: Joanna Page is on the Jonathan Ross show tonight.
What have you been watching though?
As always, no spoilers unless you're going to use the <spoiler> </spoiler> tags, please. If you've reviewed something on your blog, you can put a link to it here rather than repeat yourself (although too many links and you might get killed by the spam filter).




October 23, 2009 | Reply
Don't diss Sarah Jane Adventures. Best thing on telly. Current story is brilliant, spooky, funny, well acted (mainly) and I can't for the life of me see how it's going to turn out. And there are tantalising glimpses of the Tardis to tease us about next week, including the line "He is returning"! Love it.Love it. Love it. Last week's was good too. BAD Sarah-Jane was a great idea and well executed...
Hubby and I have been catching up on all the episodes of Big Bang Theory. Which is also very clever, and absolutely hilarious.
October 23, 2009 | Reply
Watched QT. Do watch most weeks. The audiences do seem to be shrinking. Did the audience used to vote on stuff? I can't remember that. Doubt anyone who like the BNP would have changed their minds and depressing to see today that so many people seem to have been impressed by NG (particularly after his abysmal, I can't say why I've changed my mind about the holocaust nonsense - I don't like JS but it was funny when he said I'm the Minister of Justice and I say you can). I think the problem is that Labour have deserted their traditional voters who feel disenfranchised and so much of what NG says appeals to them. I know people down the pub who'd probably say yes I agree with that - he was the only one to point out that women can get a raw deal under Islam (and I KNOW that this isn't the whole story, but I'd not be very happy if I lived somewhere where my daughters were prevented from going to school because the religion dictated it). I think because there is a sense that certain subjects have become taboo as they aren't debated intelligently Nick Griffin and his vile ilk can sneak in and say look at us we're the ones talking about it. Our politicians have failed us and last night showed exactly why.
Other then that am still really enjoying Emma, though judging by the viewing figures I may be the only person in the country watching. I think it is lively modern and faithful to the book, and I am loving Tamsin Grieg.
Watched Strictly of course, but got out of X Factor on Sat as older two out (yay) but sadly did see both Cheryl Cole and Whitney doing their very dismal thing on Sunday.
Have also really enjoyed True Blood. So much more fun then Twilight (-: (won't tell the daughters that though.)
October 23, 2009 | Reply
oh coincidentally, Rob my twin sister and I have sent commments to your blog at the same time. See you do have new readers (and commentators) (-:
October 23, 2009 | Reply
And we've done it again...
Just returned to add. Part 2 Sarah Jane a little bit disappointing. Great set up, but too pat ending. (And people moan about RTD'a deus ex machina) Still very good though and light years away from the crap we see on Disney.
Looking forward to the divine Mr T next week.
October 24, 2009 | Reply
I won't bore my fellow MINErs with my usual run of TV shows; the list it too long!
As for the out-of-the-ordinary stuff:
The 20th anniversary "Treehouse Of Horror" from 'The Simpsons'. It was cute, but not really all that clever. The Hitchcock spoof was probably the best. Always good to see Kang and Kodos though!
Because we're in the American League championship playoffs, I'm watching those games. Have not rooting interest invested in either team - once the Red Sox are out of the running, I'm just into it for the love of the game (which was sparked by reading several WP Kinsella books).
I was home in Ct., visiting my sister and her family, so that meant I could catch an old episode of 'Maverick' with my brother-in-law's 92 year old grandmother, who loves Westerns. I was hoping to catch the four episodes available during that two day trip, but at least I got to see one I had not previously seen (Prey of the Cat).
(The others had to be sacrificed to the demands of the 5 year old in the house, who might otherwise wish me into the cornfield....)
Because of my nephew, we watched 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'. I had never seen it before, and really had no desire to see it, but when it turned out we couldn't finish it, I was upset that I couldn't see how it played out.
(Problem there - when the Nazis burst in and grabbed Angela Lansbury without showing what they did with her, he started screaming in fear. This is a kid who's seen STar Wars and The Empire Strikes Back and had no problem. But realistic bad guys - like Nazis and Miss Gulch in Wizard of Oz - freak him out.)
Also began watching the TV series version of the Murdoch Mysteries. I saw three episodes this morning and enjoyed them, but I prefer the original casting in the three tv movies - Peter Outerbridge, Keeley Hawes, and Colm Meaney. Although the Constable George is more memorable in this version.
When I get home from work in the morning, I'll be watching the latest Monk episoode in which Sharona comes back....
October 24, 2009 | Reply
Agreed that part two of the latest Sarah Jane was a let-down. Part one was great. It had multiple times in it and I am a sucker for any non-linear story telling. But part two was really badly written and made very little sense. The highlight was seeing the clips from old Who (and of course glimpses of the Doctor returning!). In general, Sarah Jane Adventures is no more childish than most Doctor Who episodes (Blink, Midnight etc excepted). Lower budget and no one dies but the stories are what you watch for. I think that you do have to like Liz Sladen though (and I really do- kick arse heroine that doesn't have to be blonde, scantily-clad and in her teens? Hell yeah!).
Supernatural was okay I guess but it could have taken place in any season and the mythology didn't quite work for me. It felt illogical and too unlikely. But if this is the weakest episode of the season so far, that is a compliment!
Mad Men was its usual level of brilliance and had a fantastic moment when Betty found the key to Don's drawer of secrets. I am interested to see what she does next.
Dexter was for me not so brilliant as it returned to a typical Dexter plot which doesn't work for me now he seems to have more of a grip on relationships. But I adored the guest star so much and I really appreciate the pace of this season. It's hard to believe it's only episode 4 as so much has happened.
Peep Show ended and I am upset... It's going to be missed. It's been such a strong series. I adored it.
Russell Howards's Good News is new. And very missable. I love RH usually (and spent a lot of money to see him live) but this just left me embarrassed for him. A few good jokes and observations on the news but on the whole, painfully bad sketches and rather obvious comedy. And too much extreme laddish humour.
Fringe and FlashForward are in equal parts boring me and keeping me watching with hints to the arc.
I've now seen four episodes of Community and it may even be getting better. Great recommendation, Rob!
October 25, 2009 | Reply
@Virginia: I've seen the first ep, but I'm not feeling motivated to watch the rest of the series at the moment.
@Jane: Back in the good old days, they used to take a show of hands on topics. I think they moved to boxes with buttons on for a while.
@Bob: Community is brilliant, even the latest episode which started slowly. Why on Earth has no UK network picked it up?