HBO
Okay, I must confess something. When I first decided I wanted to do a series on my blog about the best TV in the last ten years, it was 2011. And as I have begun to write the series time has marched on, as they say. So I am telling on myself right up front that Band of Brothers originally aired on HBO in 2001, just missing my 10 year parameter. But I'm keeping it. Because it was still legal when I made the list.
Band of Brothers is an amazing recount of several men that were part of "Easy Company" (of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in the United States Army). This is World War II. These were real guys - kids, really. Who needs "super-hero" movies? Just watch this and be amazed.
The executive producers were none other than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks who had collaborated together to produce Saving Private Ryan in 1998. Easy Company began to intrigue them during the making of that film and the book Band of Brothers by Steven Ambrose, was the basis of this mini-series.
This wonderful mini-series followed these guys from Jump Training School at Camp Toccoa Georgia, on to their parachute drop in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Siege of Bastogne, all the way to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Yes, there was a lot of artistic license taken in embellishing the facts here, but the gist is there.
One thing I loved is that during the course of the episodes, they would often stop and get the comments of the real life men who were there. These were the real life heroes in the series. I would choke up hearing them speak. I remember one man commenting that now, on very cold nights, climbing into bed, he will often comment to his wife, "I'd still rather be here, than in Bastogne." Bastogne - commonly referred by us as the Battle of the Bulge, had these guys trapped in a small area for three of the coldest months on record in France without winter clothing. WITHOUT winter clothing. How they survived at all is a miracle. And a tribute to the character of these men.
This mini-series consisted of 10 episodes, 11 if you count a special feature at the end. At the time it was the most expensive mini-series ever produced, costing a whopping 12.5 million an episode to make. Luckily the BBC bought in, and they were able to show it too.
Episode 11 was the special feature. We got to see the real-life men we'd just seen depicted in 10 episodes. And they were regular, unassuming guys. I wanted to shout "Don't you know how great you are?", but they were fighting for a real cause, under a real leader, and were really doing something. Just like our best and brightest are doing in Afghanistan right now - but I digress. Listening to the Band of Brothers talk was so moving to me, that I began sobbing like a baby. At that minute, my girlfriend called. I was blubbering. She asked, "What is wrong?" I told her that if she hadn't seen the 10 episodes, I'd witnessed, she just wouldn't understand.
But maybe the greatest tribute to the Band of Brothers is my friend Jennifer Beardslee. Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer during this time frame, and it was serious. She had lost all her hair, the whole bit. She was pretty much figuring that this was it. And then she saw Band of Brothers. And she told me, "you know, if they can go through that, I can beat this." Jennifer is alive today, and she totally credits Band of Brothers for that.
I always wanted to write to Dick Winters and tell him that. But I never did. He died in 2011. And another of the Band, Shifty Powers, died the same day as Michael Jackson. A real hero like Shifty dies, nothing. A pedophile with a hit record? All the ink for a month. What is wrong with this picture?
And to you surviving Band of Brothers my hat is off to you. I am on my feet. And that is why Band of Brothers stays on this list.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Best TV in the Last 10 Years: # 6: Modern Family / The Simpsons
Okay, I admit, ties are quite a crummy cop-out. But honestly, I couldn't decide. 20 plus years of proven hilarity against 3 great seasons of laugh out loud fun. And so, dear readers, there is a tie. But it is the only one.
Modern Family
ABC
This wonderful sitcom is about a family; three families, but one family in reality. This family is headed by Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill) and his second (and some would say trophy) wife Gloria. Jay is a very successful (with a capital S) businessman and he and his first wife grew apart (the first wife played with total hilarity by Shellie Long in a few episodes). He now has married the incredibly beautiful and much younger Gloria ( Sofia Vergara). She brings to this family a son, Manny (Rico Rodriguez) who believes he is Don Juan reincarnated. Manny is about 11.
From this previous marriage Jay had two children. First there was Claire. Claire is brought to life by Julie Bowen. Claire is one of those characters that doesn't jump to the front of the minds of fans, but she is one of the nuts and bolts that holds this show together. Her husband and children wouldn't be nearly as great if it weren't for her. Julie plays Claire flawlessly. Claire is married to Phil Dunphey. Phil is a realtor and the guy that thinks he is "the cool Dad." He gets why his daughter wants to spend a weekend away to see a concert. Hey when he was 18, he was a "Hall-raiser"...he spent the whole summer following Hall and Oates around the country. By the way, Phil and Claire have 3 children: Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke (Nolan Gould). These three are all nuggets of gold in their own right. I could go on and on about what each brings to this wonderful, goofy family.
Finally, Jay also had a son. Mitchell (played incredibly by Jesse Tyler Ferguson), and his partner Camron (played remarkably by Eric Stonestreet). And my hats go off to the producers and creators for casting Eric - a heavy set guy playing a gay. But of course, the creators of this show are the one and only sit-com icons Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd. They seem to know what they're doing. They've only created hit after hit.....
By the way Mitchell and Cameron have adopted a baby girl in the first season and have named her Lily. Naturally since she's Vietnamese, Phil wonders if she'll even be able to pronounce Lily. But then, you have to know Phil...
So let me just say, that although there is great writing in this show, it really wouldn't work without this cast. I can't believe any other group of people could make this work. Okay, Manny is sometimes weak, but he'll get there. I had forgotten how really good Ed O'Neill is. And the others! I often sit and try and decide who my favorite character is, and I just can't. They are all so perfect and wonderful. (Okay, put a gun to my head and I'd say Phil).
Modern Family is a show that is guaranteed to have you throw your head back and laugh out loud at least three times and episode. But then so does...
The Simpsons FOX
There is a reason this show has been on the air longer than any prime time show in history. It is just plain funny. Maybe the funniest half hour on TV and it has been for well over 20 years. Besides just the Simpson family there have been so many great characters added in this show over the years that are wonderful. Some have even become as well known as the Simpsons themselves. Ned Flanders the religious neighbor, Crusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Moe, Mr. Burns, the Comic Book Guy (who just wanders around exclaiming "this is the worst episode ever"), the Reverend, and on and on and on. And we love each and every one.
Homer will always be my favorite. He is simple. He is motivated by simple things. Mostly food. Once there was a reference to the Burger Supreme Court, and he couldn't get past drooling about the word 'Burger'. Some of my favorite quotes were uttered by Homer. Such as "Rock Stars - is there anything they don't know?"
When watching the Simpsons one must always keep an eye on what is going on in the background. There are always hilarious signs, or names of places that shouldn't be missed. The DVDs should be had for that reason alone.
Another thing I love so much about the Simpsons is that if they need to suddenly fly to England, no big deal. The writers can dream up anything they want. It's "only" animation after all. The sky's the limit.
The Simpsons will be a part of American Culture from now until the end of American Culture. And what I have discovered over the years is that the only people who don't love and adore the Simpsons are the folks who've never watched them.
Modern Family
ABC
This wonderful sitcom is about a family; three families, but one family in reality. This family is headed by Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill) and his second (and some would say trophy) wife Gloria. Jay is a very successful (with a capital S) businessman and he and his first wife grew apart (the first wife played with total hilarity by Shellie Long in a few episodes). He now has married the incredibly beautiful and much younger Gloria ( Sofia Vergara). She brings to this family a son, Manny (Rico Rodriguez) who believes he is Don Juan reincarnated. Manny is about 11.
From this previous marriage Jay had two children. First there was Claire. Claire is brought to life by Julie Bowen. Claire is one of those characters that doesn't jump to the front of the minds of fans, but she is one of the nuts and bolts that holds this show together. Her husband and children wouldn't be nearly as great if it weren't for her. Julie plays Claire flawlessly. Claire is married to Phil Dunphey. Phil is a realtor and the guy that thinks he is "the cool Dad." He gets why his daughter wants to spend a weekend away to see a concert. Hey when he was 18, he was a "Hall-raiser"...he spent the whole summer following Hall and Oates around the country. By the way, Phil and Claire have 3 children: Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke (Nolan Gould). These three are all nuggets of gold in their own right. I could go on and on about what each brings to this wonderful, goofy family.
Finally, Jay also had a son. Mitchell (played incredibly by Jesse Tyler Ferguson), and his partner Camron (played remarkably by Eric Stonestreet). And my hats go off to the producers and creators for casting Eric - a heavy set guy playing a gay. But of course, the creators of this show are the one and only sit-com icons Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd. They seem to know what they're doing. They've only created hit after hit.....
By the way Mitchell and Cameron have adopted a baby girl in the first season and have named her Lily. Naturally since she's Vietnamese, Phil wonders if she'll even be able to pronounce Lily. But then, you have to know Phil...
So let me just say, that although there is great writing in this show, it really wouldn't work without this cast. I can't believe any other group of people could make this work. Okay, Manny is sometimes weak, but he'll get there. I had forgotten how really good Ed O'Neill is. And the others! I often sit and try and decide who my favorite character is, and I just can't. They are all so perfect and wonderful. (Okay, put a gun to my head and I'd say Phil).
Modern Family is a show that is guaranteed to have you throw your head back and laugh out loud at least three times and episode. But then so does...
The Simpsons FOX
There is a reason this show has been on the air longer than any prime time show in history. It is just plain funny. Maybe the funniest half hour on TV and it has been for well over 20 years. Besides just the Simpson family there have been so many great characters added in this show over the years that are wonderful. Some have even become as well known as the Simpsons themselves. Ned Flanders the religious neighbor, Crusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Moe, Mr. Burns, the Comic Book Guy (who just wanders around exclaiming "this is the worst episode ever"), the Reverend, and on and on and on. And we love each and every one.
Homer will always be my favorite. He is simple. He is motivated by simple things. Mostly food. Once there was a reference to the Burger Supreme Court, and he couldn't get past drooling about the word 'Burger'. Some of my favorite quotes were uttered by Homer. Such as "Rock Stars - is there anything they don't know?"
When watching the Simpsons one must always keep an eye on what is going on in the background. There are always hilarious signs, or names of places that shouldn't be missed. The DVDs should be had for that reason alone.
Another thing I love so much about the Simpsons is that if they need to suddenly fly to England, no big deal. The writers can dream up anything they want. It's "only" animation after all. The sky's the limit.
The Simpsons will be a part of American Culture from now until the end of American Culture. And what I have discovered over the years is that the only people who don't love and adore the Simpsons are the folks who've never watched them.
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Best TV of the Last 10 Years: # 7: Sons of Anarchy
FX
Everything The Sopranos wished it could have been is realized in Sons of Anarchy. Whatever interesting elements The Sopranos might have had were never explored; the show was lost in being full of itself and spending way too much time with it's protagonist in his shrink's office. That is not an issue with Sons of Anarchy.
Sons of Anarchy combines a lot of similar elements but instead of wallowing in self-inflicted grandeur, Sons keeps finding ways to keep the story moving by using a wild assemblage of great characters in interesting ways.
First and foremost I credit Kurt Sutter, the creator and writer for this show. I recognized his name early on because he had been instrumental in another show I enjoyed; but more about that show in an upcoming installment. Mr. Sutter enjoyed so much success with that show that he was able to establish his own production company - Sutter Ink - thereby making SOA possible.
The Sons of Anarchy are a motorcycle gang...er.....I mean "club." (They're a little touchy about the word "gang") Or as Club President Clay Morrow once told an ATF agent, "We are automotive mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts." The Sons operate out of the Teller-Morrow Auto Garage in the lovely community of Charming, California. John Teller and Clay Morrow not only opened the garage together, they along with seven others, formed the original club which since has spread worldwide (ala The Hells Angels). They must have been in a place called Redwood when the club was born, because they are often as not referred to as "SAMCRO" - Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original.
Although they do operate a garage, their main business is running guns - receiving guns via the IRA and selling them up and down the west coast in exchange for a big piece of the action. And that is why the ATF are involved - although the agent they have sent - Special Agent June Stahl (played Ally Walker) - brings the word corruption to a whole new level.
John Teller has died but he left behind three things. His son Jackson "Jax" (Charlie Hunnan) who is the Vice President of the club, a memoir - a written chronicle of the club describing where John hoped it was headed and his disillusionment when it started to become just a criminal operation. Jax has found the manuscript and is now confused about the future of the organization. John also left behind his widow who was quickly snatched up by Clay who is now her husband. Gemma Morrow is played brilliantly by Katie Segal (forget that she is Kurt Sutter's wife - she is wonderful in this). Watching her walk around in slutty clothes and handle a handgun effortlessly helps you to easily forget that she was once the wife Peg on "Married With Children".
The show is very much about being torn between two worlds. The love interest of Jax is his old high school girlfriend Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff) who has returned to Charming after becoming a Doctor. She is torn between her professional life and the motorcycle club. Police Chief Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie) has cancer and is torn between being a police officer and being a friend to the club that he secretly wishes he was a member of. The list of colorful and wonderful characters goes on and on.
There have been some unforgettable moments on the show. One was when a former member had been a snitch and was tossed out of the club. It was discovered that he still had his club tattoo on his back. He was lured into the garage, hung up and given the option to have it removed: "Fire or knife?" He chose fire and club sicko Tig Trager (Kim Coates) lit up the blow torch. Another was a moment at the end of season three when I literally jumped out of my chair in disbelief whooping it up. But that's all I can say about that.
Sons of Anarchy is a show for anyone who likes an out of the ordinary story with characters that are totally unpredictable. I personally can't wait to see where the gang...er....club... is headed next.
Everything The Sopranos wished it could have been is realized in Sons of Anarchy. Whatever interesting elements The Sopranos might have had were never explored; the show was lost in being full of itself and spending way too much time with it's protagonist in his shrink's office. That is not an issue with Sons of Anarchy.
Sons of Anarchy combines a lot of similar elements but instead of wallowing in self-inflicted grandeur, Sons keeps finding ways to keep the story moving by using a wild assemblage of great characters in interesting ways.
First and foremost I credit Kurt Sutter, the creator and writer for this show. I recognized his name early on because he had been instrumental in another show I enjoyed; but more about that show in an upcoming installment. Mr. Sutter enjoyed so much success with that show that he was able to establish his own production company - Sutter Ink - thereby making SOA possible.
The Sons of Anarchy are a motorcycle gang...er.....I mean "club." (They're a little touchy about the word "gang") Or as Club President Clay Morrow once told an ATF agent, "We are automotive mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts." The Sons operate out of the Teller-Morrow Auto Garage in the lovely community of Charming, California. John Teller and Clay Morrow not only opened the garage together, they along with seven others, formed the original club which since has spread worldwide (ala The Hells Angels). They must have been in a place called Redwood when the club was born, because they are often as not referred to as "SAMCRO" - Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original.
Although they do operate a garage, their main business is running guns - receiving guns via the IRA and selling them up and down the west coast in exchange for a big piece of the action. And that is why the ATF are involved - although the agent they have sent - Special Agent June Stahl (played Ally Walker) - brings the word corruption to a whole new level.
John Teller has died but he left behind three things. His son Jackson "Jax" (Charlie Hunnan) who is the Vice President of the club, a memoir - a written chronicle of the club describing where John hoped it was headed and his disillusionment when it started to become just a criminal operation. Jax has found the manuscript and is now confused about the future of the organization. John also left behind his widow who was quickly snatched up by Clay who is now her husband. Gemma Morrow is played brilliantly by Katie Segal (forget that she is Kurt Sutter's wife - she is wonderful in this). Watching her walk around in slutty clothes and handle a handgun effortlessly helps you to easily forget that she was once the wife Peg on "Married With Children".
The show is very much about being torn between two worlds. The love interest of Jax is his old high school girlfriend Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff) who has returned to Charming after becoming a Doctor. She is torn between her professional life and the motorcycle club. Police Chief Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie) has cancer and is torn between being a police officer and being a friend to the club that he secretly wishes he was a member of. The list of colorful and wonderful characters goes on and on.
There have been some unforgettable moments on the show. One was when a former member had been a snitch and was tossed out of the club. It was discovered that he still had his club tattoo on his back. He was lured into the garage, hung up and given the option to have it removed: "Fire or knife?" He chose fire and club sicko Tig Trager (Kim Coates) lit up the blow torch. Another was a moment at the end of season three when I literally jumped out of my chair in disbelief whooping it up. But that's all I can say about that.
Sons of Anarchy is a show for anyone who likes an out of the ordinary story with characters that are totally unpredictable. I personally can't wait to see where the gang...er....club... is headed next.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Best TV in the Last 10 Years - # 8: The Wire
HBO
This Drama was aired 2002 through 2008 and sported a incredible cast through all 5 seasons. The show centered around the drug trafficking business in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. All those in the cast that deserve special recognition number nearly 40, and I am quite serious. And although most of these actors had never been seen much before this, The Wire was one of the most remarkable acting ensembles I have ever seen. Every single character was a jewel that was brought to life flawlessly.
Even though it's more complicated than just "the good guys" and the "bad guys" that is the easiest way to explain the situation. The cops are made up of Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty (played by Dominic West), the primary protagonist. His partner is Detective William "Bunk" Moreland played by Wendell Pierce (and I must say having spent 26 years of my life in law enforcement, this is the most believable how-it-really-is performances I've ever seen on TV). They have a half-dozen other detectives working around them, all a dysfunctional mess. Finally McNulty pulls a stunt blabbing to a judge about a bunch of unsolved drug murders. The Judge raises a stink leading to several of the detectives being exiled to a special surveillance unit to track a couple of drug kingpins.
On the bad guy side the big drug kingpin is Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), and his close second-in-command is Stringer Bell (Idris Elba). Avon also has a nephew D'Angelo who is running the low rise projects for Avon. And it takes many others to make this operation tick. Not to mention all the rival crews.
Season One is called "Listen Carefully" and it is all about setting up the surveillance team, and the action that that entails. The new team gets stationed into the basement of a crummy, broken down building, probably due to McNulty running his mouth. Although every season has drugs and drug trafficking running through it, each season takes on it's own focus: Season 1: Setting Up Surveillance 2. Drugs, Unions and Dock Workers 3. Drugs and Politics. 4. Drugs and the Education System 5. Drugs and the Media i.e. Newspapers.
Even though HBO was in a love-fest with that piece of crap television "The Sopranos" during this time, following that on Sunday nights was this TV masterpiece. I cannot say enough about what great TV this was. But I must bring attention to 4 characters that heretofore have not been mentioned. They are, in no particular order: Omar Little. What an interesting character. A truly bad guy, secure in his homosexuality and in the knowledge that he will not live very long. I was totally shocked at how he went out. One of my favorite characters. Omar was played masterfully by Michael Kenneth Williams. 2. Marlo Stanfield. What a truly creepy guy this character was. Ice water in the veins kind of guy. Jamie Hector, you may never play a role this intriguing again. 3. Chris Partlow, played by Gbenga Akinnagbe. Marlo's hired assassin. Very creepy in the way that he assures the one's he's about to kill that "it won't hurt." 4. "Bubbles" Cos. Andre Royo brought this junkie snitch to life. So convincing that if I ever met him, I'd wonder if he's high. 5. Felicia "Snoop" Pearson. I went two seasons still not knowing the gender of this person. Idris Elba apparently met her in a club in Baltimore and was intrigued by a. He could not discern her gender, and b. she didn't ask for a part on the show. He recommended her to the producers and there she was. She did a couple of very memorable scenes...notably one in a Home Depot buying a nail gun.
The only reason that The Wire is not higher on my list is because although Season 1 and Season 2 were very strong, in Season 3 it started to fade and Seasons 4 and 5 became very weak in comparison to the standard set by the first two seasons. But still in all a show that deserves recognition and should be watched all the way through by anyone interested in great televison drama.
This Drama was aired 2002 through 2008 and sported a incredible cast through all 5 seasons. The show centered around the drug trafficking business in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. All those in the cast that deserve special recognition number nearly 40, and I am quite serious. And although most of these actors had never been seen much before this, The Wire was one of the most remarkable acting ensembles I have ever seen. Every single character was a jewel that was brought to life flawlessly.
Even though it's more complicated than just "the good guys" and the "bad guys" that is the easiest way to explain the situation. The cops are made up of Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty (played by Dominic West), the primary protagonist. His partner is Detective William "Bunk" Moreland played by Wendell Pierce (and I must say having spent 26 years of my life in law enforcement, this is the most believable how-it-really-is performances I've ever seen on TV). They have a half-dozen other detectives working around them, all a dysfunctional mess. Finally McNulty pulls a stunt blabbing to a judge about a bunch of unsolved drug murders. The Judge raises a stink leading to several of the detectives being exiled to a special surveillance unit to track a couple of drug kingpins.
On the bad guy side the big drug kingpin is Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), and his close second-in-command is Stringer Bell (Idris Elba). Avon also has a nephew D'Angelo who is running the low rise projects for Avon. And it takes many others to make this operation tick. Not to mention all the rival crews.
Season One is called "Listen Carefully" and it is all about setting up the surveillance team, and the action that that entails. The new team gets stationed into the basement of a crummy, broken down building, probably due to McNulty running his mouth. Although every season has drugs and drug trafficking running through it, each season takes on it's own focus: Season 1: Setting Up Surveillance 2. Drugs, Unions and Dock Workers 3. Drugs and Politics. 4. Drugs and the Education System 5. Drugs and the Media i.e. Newspapers.
Even though HBO was in a love-fest with that piece of crap television "The Sopranos" during this time, following that on Sunday nights was this TV masterpiece. I cannot say enough about what great TV this was. But I must bring attention to 4 characters that heretofore have not been mentioned. They are, in no particular order: Omar Little. What an interesting character. A truly bad guy, secure in his homosexuality and in the knowledge that he will not live very long. I was totally shocked at how he went out. One of my favorite characters. Omar was played masterfully by Michael Kenneth Williams. 2. Marlo Stanfield. What a truly creepy guy this character was. Ice water in the veins kind of guy. Jamie Hector, you may never play a role this intriguing again. 3. Chris Partlow, played by Gbenga Akinnagbe. Marlo's hired assassin. Very creepy in the way that he assures the one's he's about to kill that "it won't hurt." 4. "Bubbles" Cos. Andre Royo brought this junkie snitch to life. So convincing that if I ever met him, I'd wonder if he's high. 5. Felicia "Snoop" Pearson. I went two seasons still not knowing the gender of this person. Idris Elba apparently met her in a club in Baltimore and was intrigued by a. He could not discern her gender, and b. she didn't ask for a part on the show. He recommended her to the producers and there she was. She did a couple of very memorable scenes...notably one in a Home Depot buying a nail gun.
The only reason that The Wire is not higher on my list is because although Season 1 and Season 2 were very strong, in Season 3 it started to fade and Seasons 4 and 5 became very weak in comparison to the standard set by the first two seasons. But still in all a show that deserves recognition and should be watched all the way through by anyone interested in great televison drama.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
The Best TV of the Last 10 Years - # 9 : Californication
SHOWTIME
Poor Hank Moody. He is a writer, probably gifted, who has had one successful novel. And now he's experiencing severe writer's block. On top of that he is definitely a New York kind of guy, and for the sake of his girlfriend's career they have moved to Los Angeles, a city Hank quite distinctly hates. Hank and his long time girlfriend and soul-mate Karen have a daughter together, Becca. At the beginning of the series Becca is just beginning to enter her teens and is filled with the angst that comes with that; coupled with being very intelligent and very perceptive. Hank and Karen's best friends are Hank's agent Charlie Runkel and his wife Marcie.
Hank is played by David Duchovny of X-Files fame. I never really got into that show, but I will say that Duchovny was born to play Hank Moody. He has the troubled, philandering, shiftless, unfocused, self-loathing artist down pat. I can't imagine any other actor being able to pull this role off at all, let alone with such finesse.
The other characters are equally amazing. Natasha McElhone who plays Karen is one of the most beautiful women ever, and can totally captivate anyone with just a glance. Madeline Martin is a wonderful Becca, pulling off some very quirky and funny lines with total believability. The hapless Charlie Runkel (Evan Handler) and Marcie (Pamela Adlon) are excellent in a disastrous relationship that could easily have been a show of it's own. Finally, Madeline Zima as Mia Lewis rounds out this fabulous cast.
In the first season, Karen has left Hank, and is in fact going to marry another. Hank is lost without her, left to moan about her to his agent and to be adrift in a sea of cigarettes, drinking and debauchery. In one of his escapades he meets a woman in a bookstore and ends up sleeping with her, only to discover later that she is the 15 or 16 year old daughter (Mia Lewis) of the man Karen is going to marry. He writes a memoir about it which later is stolen by Mia, and it ends up catapulting her to fame. Hank never goes public, because he then opens himself up for statutory rape charges.
And it goes from there. Hank is a lost bad boy child without Karen, but when he finally gets her back he can't help himself in continuing to screw it up. She truly is the best thing in his life and he knows it but Hank stays on a difunctional tailspin. Even with all his glibness - and he's a funny guy - one can still always feel the sad, underbelly of despair. So Karen comes in and out of his life. The most solid thing he has is his daughter Becca, who at her early teen age ends up raising her Dad; and she resents it. Hank can't fix his life as symbolized by a headlight he smashed out of his never washed Porshe in season 1. Season after season it's still broken.
Though Californication is definitely not family fair - plenty of profanity and nudity - the story lines are gritty and compelling. Hank has to wade through all the things he hates the most; the fake and plastic people of L.A., his own weakness amid an army of people who thrive on the weaknesses of others, and the shallowness of other people. But I want to know what happens to Hank. I want to know if he ever gets it together. I want to know if he ever gets Karen back for good. I want to know if he ever writes another successful novel. At the end of Season 4 there is also a Klingeresque moment (see the final episode of M.A.S.H.). And Hank is off again looking for something he may never find.
Poor Hank Moody. He is a writer, probably gifted, who has had one successful novel. And now he's experiencing severe writer's block. On top of that he is definitely a New York kind of guy, and for the sake of his girlfriend's career they have moved to Los Angeles, a city Hank quite distinctly hates. Hank and his long time girlfriend and soul-mate Karen have a daughter together, Becca. At the beginning of the series Becca is just beginning to enter her teens and is filled with the angst that comes with that; coupled with being very intelligent and very perceptive. Hank and Karen's best friends are Hank's agent Charlie Runkel and his wife Marcie.
Hank is played by David Duchovny of X-Files fame. I never really got into that show, but I will say that Duchovny was born to play Hank Moody. He has the troubled, philandering, shiftless, unfocused, self-loathing artist down pat. I can't imagine any other actor being able to pull this role off at all, let alone with such finesse.
The other characters are equally amazing. Natasha McElhone who plays Karen is one of the most beautiful women ever, and can totally captivate anyone with just a glance. Madeline Martin is a wonderful Becca, pulling off some very quirky and funny lines with total believability. The hapless Charlie Runkel (Evan Handler) and Marcie (Pamela Adlon) are excellent in a disastrous relationship that could easily have been a show of it's own. Finally, Madeline Zima as Mia Lewis rounds out this fabulous cast.
In the first season, Karen has left Hank, and is in fact going to marry another. Hank is lost without her, left to moan about her to his agent and to be adrift in a sea of cigarettes, drinking and debauchery. In one of his escapades he meets a woman in a bookstore and ends up sleeping with her, only to discover later that she is the 15 or 16 year old daughter (Mia Lewis) of the man Karen is going to marry. He writes a memoir about it which later is stolen by Mia, and it ends up catapulting her to fame. Hank never goes public, because he then opens himself up for statutory rape charges.
And it goes from there. Hank is a lost bad boy child without Karen, but when he finally gets her back he can't help himself in continuing to screw it up. She truly is the best thing in his life and he knows it but Hank stays on a difunctional tailspin. Even with all his glibness - and he's a funny guy - one can still always feel the sad, underbelly of despair. So Karen comes in and out of his life. The most solid thing he has is his daughter Becca, who at her early teen age ends up raising her Dad; and she resents it. Hank can't fix his life as symbolized by a headlight he smashed out of his never washed Porshe in season 1. Season after season it's still broken.
Though Californication is definitely not family fair - plenty of profanity and nudity - the story lines are gritty and compelling. Hank has to wade through all the things he hates the most; the fake and plastic people of L.A., his own weakness amid an army of people who thrive on the weaknesses of others, and the shallowness of other people. But I want to know what happens to Hank. I want to know if he ever gets it together. I want to know if he ever gets Karen back for good. I want to know if he ever writes another successful novel. At the end of Season 4 there is also a Klingeresque moment (see the final episode of M.A.S.H.). And Hank is off again looking for something he may never find.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Best TV of The Last 10 Years - #10 The Walking Dead
AMC
I have never been a zombie fan. Even though the concept of zombies began when I was a teenager in the '60's. This should have been a natural. But I have never been much of a horror movies fan. Zombies were never featured in my friend's Monsters of Filmland magazines, and so I never paid much attention to them. So what the heck is this show doing on my list?
Because zombies are wonderful and scary in this series based on the graphic novel of the same name.
The premise is that a deputy sheriff is shot in the line of duty, and goes into a coma. When he finally comes out of it there is no one around. He stumbles through the hospital hallways looking for people. But there are none and there has been obvious chaos. He stumbles outside where there are rows of dead bodies in the parking lot. He is confused and thinks it's all just the effects of the medicinal drugs he's been on. He meets up with a man and his son who explain what is going on. Apparently a strange disease has come about and all those infected die, but then rise again as zombies feeding on anything alive. The deputy decides to head to the CDC in Atlanta for some answers, but that turns out to be zombie central. He ends up in the company of other living people and their adventures start from there.
This is a story line that produces many interesting plot lines and story ideas. In fact there are people I work with that sit around and come up with scenarios of what they might do, and they combine ideas to come up with alternate plans of survival.
The first season and much of the second were directed by Frank Darabont, the director who brought us The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Majestic. He also created this show from the aforementioned graphic novel. Who knew he was also a horror fan? He handles this superbly. Episode after episode remain as compelling as the last. One really gets close to the well played characters.
The central character is Officer Rick Grimes played by Andrew Lincoln. His Officer partner is Shane Walsh played by Jon Bernthal. Through a weird turn of events, Rick Grimes ends up reuniting with his wife and son who had fled their hometown when the zombies -or "walkers" as they are referred to in this show - began their menacing ways. A group of people that have survived have all come together and are looking for a cure and a way to survive.
Gradually, one realizes who the Walking Dead are. It's not the zombies. It's the poor souls who have managed to survive thus far. It's these characters we care about. They are the walking dead. This thing is global. They have no real hope of survival. But they press on. They keep trying to survive.
I have never been a zombie fan. Even though the concept of zombies began when I was a teenager in the '60's. This should have been a natural. But I have never been much of a horror movies fan. Zombies were never featured in my friend's Monsters of Filmland magazines, and so I never paid much attention to them. So what the heck is this show doing on my list?
Because zombies are wonderful and scary in this series based on the graphic novel of the same name.
The premise is that a deputy sheriff is shot in the line of duty, and goes into a coma. When he finally comes out of it there is no one around. He stumbles through the hospital hallways looking for people. But there are none and there has been obvious chaos. He stumbles outside where there are rows of dead bodies in the parking lot. He is confused and thinks it's all just the effects of the medicinal drugs he's been on. He meets up with a man and his son who explain what is going on. Apparently a strange disease has come about and all those infected die, but then rise again as zombies feeding on anything alive. The deputy decides to head to the CDC in Atlanta for some answers, but that turns out to be zombie central. He ends up in the company of other living people and their adventures start from there.
This is a story line that produces many interesting plot lines and story ideas. In fact there are people I work with that sit around and come up with scenarios of what they might do, and they combine ideas to come up with alternate plans of survival.
The first season and much of the second were directed by Frank Darabont, the director who brought us The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Majestic. He also created this show from the aforementioned graphic novel. Who knew he was also a horror fan? He handles this superbly. Episode after episode remain as compelling as the last. One really gets close to the well played characters.
The central character is Officer Rick Grimes played by Andrew Lincoln. His Officer partner is Shane Walsh played by Jon Bernthal. Through a weird turn of events, Rick Grimes ends up reuniting with his wife and son who had fled their hometown when the zombies -or "walkers" as they are referred to in this show - began their menacing ways. A group of people that have survived have all come together and are looking for a cure and a way to survive.
Gradually, one realizes who the Walking Dead are. It's not the zombies. It's the poor souls who have managed to survive thus far. It's these characters we care about. They are the walking dead. This thing is global. They have no real hope of survival. But they press on. They keep trying to survive.
The plot line possibilities here seem endless and this is a show that will keep you in your chair and wondering what will come next. In a disagreement with producers early in the second season Darabont left and the show suffered for it. But near the end of Season II it began to get back on track. So Season III will be well worth the wait.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Best TV in The Past 10 years - #11: Weeds
SHOWTIME
Okay, right up front I am going to acknowledge that Mary Louise Parker is my very favorite actress. I myself have been an actor for well over 40 years and I know just enough to spot a great one. And for quite sometime she's been my favorite. Nobody can deliver with such honesty. But this is about the show Weeds. And coincidently Mary Louise Parker is what makes this show happen.
Ms. Parker plays Nancy Botwin, a vulnerable suburbanite who is widowed by a loving husband who left her in financial straits. In order to maintain her current standard of living, she becomes the upper class suburban marijuana dealer. Business is okay, and then the no-good brother of her dead husband shows up, to keep things in a constant state of turmoil. Andy (played by the excellent Justin Kirk (of Angels in America and more recently Modern Family and soon a sitcom called Animal Practice which has all the promise of Me and the Chimp and is way beneath his talent) decides Nancy and a new hybrid form of pot she and one of her dope connections, Conrad Shepard have worked up should go big time. Since Nancy is the mother of two boys, the self-centered piece of crap Silas, and the younger too precocious for his own good Shane, the new pot becomes known as "Milf-weed". So toss in do-gooder neighbors, corrupt suburb politicians, the main weed suppliers (some who are just a little too stereotypical), and you have interesting plot lines. In fact the end of Season 2 was the single greatest cliff-hanger I have ever seen.
The pluses are so many, I know not where to begin. Elizabeth Perkins as Neighborhood Watch City Council neighbor Celia Hodes is interesting, quirky, and very daring. She is a joy, and adds that un-nerving element that helps make this show work. Kevin Nealon (SNL), and corrupt city councilman Doug Wilson is great, and the aforementioned Romany Falco as Conrad the dope man that believes in Nancy is superb. This guy has a big future. I hope.
Another plus is the opening theme song which is "Little Boxes" performed by a different and varied group of artists each episode.
The minuses? I only have one really. It's Silas. The oldest son. I hate him. He's well written, I just hate the character. He is self absorbed, whiney, narcissistic little punk and this miserable character hasn't added much. He helps add a few more problems for Nancy, but she doesn't need many more; she doing quite well at creating her own. Silas is the only weak link in the chain of wonderful characters.
Weeds like most of the shows on my list, requires regular watching or it won't make much sense. This is not a "catch it when I can" type of show. Get it season by season and watch every episode. Mary Louise and I would appreciate it.
Okay, right up front I am going to acknowledge that Mary Louise Parker is my very favorite actress. I myself have been an actor for well over 40 years and I know just enough to spot a great one. And for quite sometime she's been my favorite. Nobody can deliver with such honesty. But this is about the show Weeds. And coincidently Mary Louise Parker is what makes this show happen.
Ms. Parker plays Nancy Botwin, a vulnerable suburbanite who is widowed by a loving husband who left her in financial straits. In order to maintain her current standard of living, she becomes the upper class suburban marijuana dealer. Business is okay, and then the no-good brother of her dead husband shows up, to keep things in a constant state of turmoil. Andy (played by the excellent Justin Kirk (of Angels in America and more recently Modern Family and soon a sitcom called Animal Practice which has all the promise of Me and the Chimp and is way beneath his talent) decides Nancy and a new hybrid form of pot she and one of her dope connections, Conrad Shepard have worked up should go big time. Since Nancy is the mother of two boys, the self-centered piece of crap Silas, and the younger too precocious for his own good Shane, the new pot becomes known as "Milf-weed". So toss in do-gooder neighbors, corrupt suburb politicians, the main weed suppliers (some who are just a little too stereotypical), and you have interesting plot lines. In fact the end of Season 2 was the single greatest cliff-hanger I have ever seen.
The pluses are so many, I know not where to begin. Elizabeth Perkins as Neighborhood Watch City Council neighbor Celia Hodes is interesting, quirky, and very daring. She is a joy, and adds that un-nerving element that helps make this show work. Kevin Nealon (SNL), and corrupt city councilman Doug Wilson is great, and the aforementioned Romany Falco as Conrad the dope man that believes in Nancy is superb. This guy has a big future. I hope.
Another plus is the opening theme song which is "Little Boxes" performed by a different and varied group of artists each episode.
The minuses? I only have one really. It's Silas. The oldest son. I hate him. He's well written, I just hate the character. He is self absorbed, whiney, narcissistic little punk and this miserable character hasn't added much. He helps add a few more problems for Nancy, but she doesn't need many more; she doing quite well at creating her own. Silas is the only weak link in the chain of wonderful characters.
Weeds like most of the shows on my list, requires regular watching or it won't make much sense. This is not a "catch it when I can" type of show. Get it season by season and watch every episode. Mary Louise and I would appreciate it.
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