So - this is the penultimate blog, so I tried to watch a lot of stuff for it - enjoy - or not.
I've decided to save my SOPRANOS and THE SHIELD reviews - the 2 best dramas on the air right now, for my final blog sometime next week. I'll also review the LOST finale, the RESCUE ME opening, THE OFFICE finale' some other stufff - I really want to do a real blow out of a final blog - so for now, here are some very mini reviews of some of the stuff I've caught:
Why is Dennis Leary walking around saying his show is now better then THE SOPRANOS - that's usually a REALLY bad sign.
MTV MUSIC AWARDS hosted by SARAH SILVERMAN (MTV)
Sarah rocked the house - truly. She's the funniest woman on television right now. As for the rest of the show - it was ok. Everybody tried way too hard to be funny and outragous - and Dane Cook is about as funny as a serious car accident where childrend are killed. But Sarah truly shined and made me wish they would bring her show back really soon.
STERN ON DEMAND (ON DEMAND TV)
RICHARD & SAL (DAILY SHOWS SECTION and BEST OF section)
The Daily show version is 89 minutes. I won't talk about what Richard and Sal actually did - except to say that it was as disturbing an image as I've ever seen on the Stern show yet. The fact that Artie enabled it and these guys went along with it - the look on Sal's face was the look of someone in APOCOLYPSE NOW getting tortured by the enemy. I'll say this one thing of the tape: true - it shows some extreme behavior even for Richard and Sal - and while I can't vouch entirely for Richard - If nothing else - I think this tape shows where Sal's heart really lies sexually. It reminded of the SURVIVOR where one of the vegetarians had to eat meat in order for her team to win the challenge. That said - it was one of the more bizarre acts I've ever seen on the show and hope all the participants were able to have a sense of humor about it. And it's not because I find that act offensive in any way - I know it's now a cliche' - but at least half of my friends are gay. But again, it was really something to see - I don't quite know what to grade it, but if I must base it on the compellingness of it:
I've decided to save my SOPRANOS and THE SHIELD reviews - the 2 best dramas on the air right now, for my final blog sometime next week. I'll also review the LOST finale, the RESCUE ME opening, THE OFFICE finale' some other stufff - I really want to do a real blow out of a final blog - so for now, here are some very mini reviews of some of the stuff I've caught:
Why is Dennis Leary walking around saying his show is now better then THE SOPRANOS - that's usually a REALLY bad sign.
MTV MUSIC AWARDS hosted by SARAH SILVERMAN (MTV)
Sarah rocked the house - truly. She's the funniest woman on television right now. As for the rest of the show - it was ok. Everybody tried way too hard to be funny and outragous - and Dane Cook is about as funny as a serious car accident where childrend are killed. But Sarah truly shined and made me wish they would bring her show back really soon.
STERN ON DEMAND (ON DEMAND TV)
RICHARD & SAL (DAILY SHOWS SECTION and BEST OF section)
The Daily show version is 89 minutes. I won't talk about what Richard and Sal actually did - except to say that it was as disturbing an image as I've ever seen on the Stern show yet. The fact that Artie enabled it and these guys went along with it - the look on Sal's face was the look of someone in APOCOLYPSE NOW getting tortured by the enemy. I'll say this one thing of the tape: true - it shows some extreme behavior even for Richard and Sal - and while I can't vouch entirely for Richard - If nothing else - I think this tape shows where Sal's heart really lies sexually. It reminded of the SURVIVOR where one of the vegetarians had to eat meat in order for her team to win the challenge. That said - it was one of the more bizarre acts I've ever seen on the show and hope all the participants were able to have a sense of humor about it. And it's not because I find that act offensive in any way - I know it's now a cliche' - but at least half of my friends are gay. But again, it was really something to see - I don't quite know what to grade it, but if I must base it on the compellingness of it:
I have no idea why this makes me so happy - but for a great japanese version of an old song, go here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HTb81bKwYzI
STERN ON DEMAND!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HTb81bKwYzI
STERN ON DEMAND!
GARY'S WEDDING VIDEO (VAULT SECTION)
This was short and sweet - notable mostly for the early 90s looks of Howard and the gang. And the mullet Fred sported was worthy of it's own tv show.
KING OF QUEENS (FINALE)
This actually made me sad. A 4 episode arc that concluded one of my most recent favorite comedies. KING ended it's nine year run with a pretty funny hour - I just wish it had remained a little smaller and not gotten SO caught up in the idea of the big FINAL EPISODE. That said - it was certainly satisfactory - had a lot of great funny moments, just not some of the reality that was part of the best of KING. Still, this show will sorely be missed.
SERIES FINALE' GRADE: B -
ENTIRE NINE YEAR RUN: A
VERONICA MARS (FINALE)
Two episodes jammed together - with the final hour being as compelling and well written as any MARS ep. The problem - it wasn't a real finale. Nothing got finalized or resolved. And you know what? It kind of felt right. Though as good as MARS was - it was never as good as it's dynamite first season.
SERIES FINALE' GRADE: B
SERIES GRADE: A -
THE BACHELOR (FINALE')
He picked Tessa! For once, the creepy bachelor actually made the right choice. Tessa seems pretty awesome - and here's hoping she keeps her man and the couple stays happy.
Grade: C
CELEB FIT CLUB (VH1)
Dustin Diamond needs serious, mental help. He's not fit. He's not funny. And he seems full of pain, anger and rage, so he is compelling. Otherwise, how fucking quickly did Marcia Brady go from fat and frumpy to just about beautiful again?
Grade: C
FAMILY GUY (FINALE)
A hilarious spin on BACK TO THE FUTURE that had me laughing out loud.
Grade: B +
AMERICAN DAD (FINALE)
A few laughs, but suprisingly weak ending to a very uneven season.
Grade: C +
THE SIMPSONS (Season Finale') (FOX)
The parody of 24 was pitch perfect and hilarious. Although I defy anyone to figure out what Kiefer's last line of ADR was in the episode. The episode that followed (the 400th) - not so much.
Grade: B +
SLEEPER CELL (FINALE)
Why didn't they just end it? I mean - it was really good and all - but why that whole set up for the third season? We get it - he's going undercover - he's on the run - he's after the bad guy - just end the fucking arc and start fresh next time, dudes.
Grade: C +
AMERICAN IDOL (FINALE)
What if they gave an AMERICAN IDOL finale' and nobody cared?
Seth Rogan was great with Jimmy on the KIMMEL LIVE SHOW. KNOCKED UP looks awesome.
MIDNIGHT MOVIE MADNESS (FOX)
A documentary about movies like ROCKY HORROR and the John Waters movies - a great docu if you loved those movies (I did.) The ROCKY HORROR segment was fascinating.
Grade: B +
DOWN IN THE VALLEY (SHOWTIME)
A really creepy movie I'd never seen that has Ed Norton playing an out of place cowboy in Los Angeles. Kind of like a modern rewrite of TAXI DRIVER with much less art, but pretty good nonetheless.
Grade: B -
TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (DVD)
I fucking LOVED Tenacious D - I loved the HBO shorts, I loved the MASTERWORKS dvd. This movie, however, sucked. It really sucked.
Grade: D
For an absolute joyful 3 minutes, watch this clip - I didn't care for the movie - but I'm nuts about this clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K-xs42kcOus&mode=related&search=
E.R. (THE WEDDING EP)
Luka marries Abby in an AWESOME episode penned by the great R. Scott Gemmil in his E.R. Swan song.
Grade: A
THE OFFICE (THE BEACH EPISODE - NBC)
Bad. Like most of this season. The show seems to be in a "how stupid can we possibly get" mode.
Grade: D -
ON THE LOT (FOX)
Pretty cool - kind of like a more commercial version of PROJECT GREENLIGHT. But not as cohesive. UPDATE: I've watched a few more eps - it's becoming kind of addictive.
Grade: B -
For those of you that wondered about my cat, Lula, she died last Saturday - it's not the same writing these without her whirring around my feet anymore. I appreciate the many letters of sympathy, but I really miss my cat. And I'm getting really busy with my life again -
I have some new goals, a great new girlfriend, Genevieve, and I'm going to get back in the business of just watching tv and film for enjoyment. But, like THE SOPRANOS - there is one more to go - and for people catching up I don't want to spoil anything - so - until next week....don't take any shit from anyone.
This was short and sweet - notable mostly for the early 90s looks of Howard and the gang. And the mullet Fred sported was worthy of it's own tv show.
KING OF QUEENS (FINALE)
This actually made me sad. A 4 episode arc that concluded one of my most recent favorite comedies. KING ended it's nine year run with a pretty funny hour - I just wish it had remained a little smaller and not gotten SO caught up in the idea of the big FINAL EPISODE. That said - it was certainly satisfactory - had a lot of great funny moments, just not some of the reality that was part of the best of KING. Still, this show will sorely be missed.
SERIES FINALE' GRADE: B -
ENTIRE NINE YEAR RUN: A
VERONICA MARS (FINALE)
Two episodes jammed together - with the final hour being as compelling and well written as any MARS ep. The problem - it wasn't a real finale. Nothing got finalized or resolved. And you know what? It kind of felt right. Though as good as MARS was - it was never as good as it's dynamite first season.
SERIES FINALE' GRADE: B
SERIES GRADE: A -
THE BACHELOR (FINALE')
He picked Tessa! For once, the creepy bachelor actually made the right choice. Tessa seems pretty awesome - and here's hoping she keeps her man and the couple stays happy.
Grade: C
CELEB FIT CLUB (VH1)
Dustin Diamond needs serious, mental help. He's not fit. He's not funny. And he seems full of pain, anger and rage, so he is compelling. Otherwise, how fucking quickly did Marcia Brady go from fat and frumpy to just about beautiful again?
Grade: C
FAMILY GUY (FINALE)
A hilarious spin on BACK TO THE FUTURE that had me laughing out loud.
Grade: B +
AMERICAN DAD (FINALE)
A few laughs, but suprisingly weak ending to a very uneven season.
Grade: C +
THE SIMPSONS (Season Finale') (FOX)
The parody of 24 was pitch perfect and hilarious. Although I defy anyone to figure out what Kiefer's last line of ADR was in the episode. The episode that followed (the 400th) - not so much.
Grade: B +
SLEEPER CELL (FINALE)
Why didn't they just end it? I mean - it was really good and all - but why that whole set up for the third season? We get it - he's going undercover - he's on the run - he's after the bad guy - just end the fucking arc and start fresh next time, dudes.
Grade: C +
AMERICAN IDOL (FINALE)
What if they gave an AMERICAN IDOL finale' and nobody cared?
Seth Rogan was great with Jimmy on the KIMMEL LIVE SHOW. KNOCKED UP looks awesome.
MIDNIGHT MOVIE MADNESS (FOX)
A documentary about movies like ROCKY HORROR and the John Waters movies - a great docu if you loved those movies (I did.) The ROCKY HORROR segment was fascinating.
Grade: B +
DOWN IN THE VALLEY (SHOWTIME)
A really creepy movie I'd never seen that has Ed Norton playing an out of place cowboy in Los Angeles. Kind of like a modern rewrite of TAXI DRIVER with much less art, but pretty good nonetheless.
Grade: B -
TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (DVD)
I fucking LOVED Tenacious D - I loved the HBO shorts, I loved the MASTERWORKS dvd. This movie, however, sucked. It really sucked.
Grade: D
For an absolute joyful 3 minutes, watch this clip - I didn't care for the movie - but I'm nuts about this clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K-xs42kcOus&mode=related&search=
E.R. (THE WEDDING EP)
Luka marries Abby in an AWESOME episode penned by the great R. Scott Gemmil in his E.R. Swan song.
Grade: A
THE OFFICE (THE BEACH EPISODE - NBC)
Bad. Like most of this season. The show seems to be in a "how stupid can we possibly get" mode.
Grade: D -
ON THE LOT (FOX)
Pretty cool - kind of like a more commercial version of PROJECT GREENLIGHT. But not as cohesive. UPDATE: I've watched a few more eps - it's becoming kind of addictive.
Grade: B -
For those of you that wondered about my cat, Lula, she died last Saturday - it's not the same writing these without her whirring around my feet anymore. I appreciate the many letters of sympathy, but I really miss my cat. And I'm getting really busy with my life again -
I have some new goals, a great new girlfriend, Genevieve, and I'm going to get back in the business of just watching tv and film for enjoyment. But, like THE SOPRANOS - there is one more to go - and for people catching up I don't want to spoil anything - so - until next week....don't take any shit from anyone.
Aw, I am so sorry about Lula. You gave her a great life, my friend.
ReplyDeletere: The Office. I so disagree. Definitely an uneven season, but this was a stellar ep, I thought.
re: Veronica. Definitely not a series finale, but unlike you - I am not ok with that. I am completely unsatisfied. They had to have known there was a very good chance they weren't coming back. But yes - nothing can touch that first season.
re: Sarah Silverman - yes! I am so ready for her show to come back!
re: Family Guy - great ep. Loved it. I watched 5 this past weekend (catching up) and this was the best.
re: On The Lot - yeah, it's kinda cool, but it's a bit of a disorganized mess. They clearly thought it would be a hit, and are now scrambling.