I really should take notes, because I keep forgetting things. It didn't help that our block of flats lost all TV reception for the weekend, which really knackered my attempts to watch the Francis Bacon evening on BBC4:
- Mad Men – Finally caught up. All brilliant of course
- Community – Another doozey. Will you ever look at Batman the same?
- 30 Rock – interesting, but not very funny
- Dexter – a really fine episode. I'm surprised it took the police and Dexter so long to work out Trinity's MO, but great all round
- Stargate Universe – still liking it. Nice touch to have them kill the helpful alien, and for the Stargate to take them to such a rubbish planet
- The Thick of It – still not enjoying it as much as previous series, but at least Malcolm's a bit swearier this episode
- The Border – this is what I mean. Completely forget I've been watching this. Definite pick-up in quality this week since we had an actual firefight and Grey finally showed that he's not a complete nancy. Bit of a pat resolution though
- Being Erica - haven't watched this week's
- Cougar Town - really starting to enjoy. The characters are now starting to show some depth
- Modern Family – the cool dad is really starting to get annoying now, but every other character is great
- The Sarah Jane Adventures - caught up with the wedding from last week, and it nearly bought tears to my little eyes. Obvious nods to Sapphire and Steel story six, too, which always warrants praise
- CSI: Nothing desperately exciting going on here, but the characters are starting to come together again
- Heroes - already reviewed but I forgot to mention the Quantum Leap shout out.
- Supernatural – great joke about the clap, quite an enjoyable story, but nothing desperately radical. Will be watching last night's episode in a bit
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).
November 6, 2009 | Reply
The SJA Tennant episodes were great as an appetiser before Waters Of Mars. I wonder if any of the kids from that show will graduate to become companions in the main series? I think Clyde would be a fun companion.
November 6, 2009 | Reply
I recorded 'Heroes' this week, mainly because it brought back Charlie from the first season, and I wanted to relive old glories. Not sure if I'll come back to the series, however.
Public television offered up "Star Wars In Concert" which I recorded; it provided nice background music from the TV room while I was on the computer in Toobworld Central.
The plan Wednesday night at the Bit Torrent Rebel Alliance was to watch all of the stories shown so far in the third season of 'Sarah Jane Adventures', culminating with the wedding episode/appearance by the Doctor. But by the time we finally got around to it - one of the Rebels needed to finish off the Rip Torn episode of 'Columbo', plus we had to wait until the ball game was over - most of us were nodding off. And it didn't help that the episode with the Judoon was not very good. Too many shout-outs to other shows (which of course is bad for me!), and pretty bad writing. The Judoon should have executed the other alien on the spot, but I guess that's a no-no for a show aimed at even younger kids?
We skipped over the one that began in 2059 to get right to the Doctor, but then our hosts started fighting with each other and the rest of us decided to skedaddle......
The TV highlight for me this week was a trip to the Paley Center for Media. Because of my salute to Rod Serling back in October in my Inner Toob blog, I wanted to see a special drama called "The Man In The Funny Suit". Written, produced, directed and co-starring Ralph Nelson, it told the true story about the behind the scenes rehearsals for the live broadcast of "Requiem For A Heavyweight" on 'Playhouse 90'. The story centered on everyone's fears that comic Ed Wynn would screw things up but amazingly he pulled out a fantastic performance when it came time to air. Except for Jack Palance, just about everybody involved played themselves - Ed Wynn, Keenan Wynn, Rod Serling, Nelson, Ned Glass, Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Faye, Bob Mathias, and a special cameo by Red Skelton who spoke up for "The Perfect Fool" when they came close to firing him.
For those interested in the history of classic TV, this is a must see. It's hard to think of a similar production being made today in which the real people involved would agree to appear as themselves, warts and all. (Celebs don't come off well in 'Extras' or 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', but those are fictional stories and always an exaggeration.)
To round out the day there, I saw an episode of 'The Ed Wynn Show' with guests Virginia O'Brien (no relation) - who appeared very uncomfortable in front of a camera - and Buster Keaton. Keaton was making his TV debut and he recreated the very first scene he ever performed in front of a movie camera, featuring a stunt I heard about and wanted to see in action: where he puts both feet up on a countertop.
And then there was an episode of 'Angel' - not the vampire show, but a sitcom from the early sixties which starred a French actress, Annie Farge, and Marshall Thompson. James Garner was the guest star, appearing as himself. It was a very sexist episode in which Garner helped Thompson's character to convince Angel that she should give up her dreams of movie stardom and be happy just being a homemaker.
It was a romcom that had a touch of 'I Love Lucy' - including Doris Singleton as Angel's neighbor and friend (Caroline Appleby on 'Lucy'). This isn't surprising since the show was created by Bob Carroll and Jess Oppenheimer, who oversaw the Lucy show.....
And of course, there were the usual suspects with the highlights being 'HIMYM', 'Castle', 'Modern Family', and 'Cougartown'. Still have yet to watch 'Fringe', 'Flash Forward'.......
November 7, 2009 | Reply
SGU - Great ep. Reasonably entertaining , I will keep watching!
Castle - Great firefly joke (this was last weeks Halloween ep)
Sprial - Finally caught up... brillaint and very happy that Sammy lived!
Lie To Me - Really enjoyed this, Tim Roth has never been so go or cheesy!
November 8, 2009 | Reply
It's been a brilliant week for me.
I adored- simply adored- the second part to Merlin's Troll two-parter. I thought it brilliantly funny but also servicing the characters well. And yesterdays episode was similarly awesome (but much darker). This show has improved so much and I loved it before.
I was also pretty keen on Dexter. It didn't have the same emotional impact on me as the previous one did but it was very well written.
Mad Men's JFK episode left me feeling kind of left out- I just don't feel the impact of this event. But still, I was sold by the end of the episode thanks to how beautifully filmed it all was.
Supernatural (Changing Channels) was hilarious in a way only Supernatural seems able to pull off. Loved it.
And finally in the "I feel so lucky to be privileged to see this" my kiwi friend sent me the back half of Outrageous Fortune's fifth series. Jaw droppingly amazing. Such deft weaving of so many plot strands and complex characters, amazing direction and top notch actors able to pull it all off. I think I will have to buy all five series on dvd even if I will need to ship it from the other side of the globe...
Also seen...
Community (again, thanks Rob for this)
Sarah Jane
BSG The Plan (really should comment on the review at some point)
FlashForward (the show is growing on me)
HIGNFY
November 8, 2009 | Reply
Glad you enjoyed the SJA wedding. This week's episodes equally good - very creepy near ghosts - pretty damned scary.
In The Thick of It is just too painful to watch, so I gave up.
Just finished Murderland. What a let down. Really great set up in Episode 1, but began to fall apart in Episode 2 and the finale was terrible. What a waste of Robbie Coltrane. His crumpled face did wonders as ever, but he deserved a far better story.
November 9, 2009 | Reply
I'm looking forward to the CSI trilogy cross over episodes this week. I think it's an awesome idea.
November 9, 2009 | Reply
@Toby: Keep watching!
@Bob: Supernatural was brilliant this week, wasn't it? Very funny, then a really clever twist ending. Must pick up Outrageous Fortune from somewhere, by the sounds of it.
November 9, 2009 | Reply
"I'm looking forward to the CSI trilogy cross over episodes this week. I think it's an awesome idea."
I'll be tuning in. Hopefully I won't get re-addicted to CSI: Miami
November 10, 2009 | Reply
"Must pick up Outrageous Fortune from somewhere, by the sounds of it."
Please do. It started off being a somewhat light comedy drama with ridiculous antics and a slightly soapy feel (not helped by an inability to light the scenes correctly...) but I was kind of addicted to the easygoing kiwi attitude plus the plight of the lead (a middle aged woman- not often well represented on tv). And then as more plots got set up, it became complicated with actions having far reaching consequences. Plus they learnt how to make it light it like a fine US drama as opposed to an Australian soap.
Series 3 was incredibly dark and series 5 was possibly my favourite series yet thanks to it juggling half a dozen large storylines without dropping a single ball. It's meant to end after the next one.