RE:think

The Networks Aren't the Only Ones Cancelling Shows

Turns out, I can do it too! Me, the dood who watches way too much tv and loves his DVR just a little bit more than he should. Now the question is, what did I cut, and why?

Pushing Daisies - ABC - Good, funny, smart show. However, it feels way too repetitious to me. When that is the case, the background story needs to be great. And, well, it's just not.

Life - NBC - When your DVR gets to 5 episodes of a show and you haven't watched them, then you probably just don't like it that much. That's where I am with it. It is a show I should like, but I guess I just don't.

My Own Worst Enemy - NBC - After the premier I really thought I would add this to my rotation. After two episodes, I had to cut it. I like Christian Slater. I like the premise of a guy with two lives. I just don't have time for it.

I also have shows in danger of being cut...

CSI Miami - CBS - Again, repetitious and the back story doesn't grab me anymore. Even if Jessie from Saved By the Bell is a recurring character. Only problem is that she is someone else on CSI and not Jessie. Too bad.

Legend of the Seeker - Syndication - Love the Sword of Truth books its based on, but they are getting too far from the books after just 3 episodes.

John Smith

I just finished watching an episode of Showtime's "This American Life" that tracked the lives of 7 boys/men named John Smith. They ranged in age from a newborn to a 79. It was a very powerful episode.

You had a 36 year old John Smith learning to be a father and losing his mother to cancer. There was an 8 year old John Smith who loved his Mommy and the attention he got from the girls due to his science project.

There were the adult children of 79 year old John Smith gathered around him as he suffered from Alzheimer's and later losing him. The 70 year old John Smith talking about losing his 25 year old son to AIDS twenty years ago was especially poignant.

It was fun to see Baby John and listen to his parents dreams for him. 46 year old John Smith was reunited with his Marine son back from a tour in Iraq. 23 year old John Smith was trying to find himself and where his life was going after a drug arrest.

I swear I don't think I have felt that lump in throat so many times in one hour. There was something in the life of every John Smith presented that reminded me of myself or someone I know. The joy and the pain that comes from living was incredibly authentic. "This American Life" is my favorite radio show, and I think the TV show is really hitting it's stride now. Plus there are few voices more soothing than that of Ira Glass.

The one thing I took from the whole thing was that you can always love those around you more. The John Smith who lost his mother to cancer talked about how he'd call her every afternoon on his way from work to pick up his daughter. After she passed, he caught himself grabbing the phone, getting ready to dial and remembering there was no way to reach her. He said he just held phone and could think of no one to call. Because there was non one. Powerful.

So hug your honey or roll around in the floor with your little ones. Call your Mom or Dad and tell them you love them. Just love somebody.

Technorati Tags: This American Life,Showtime,Ira Glass

Please Hannah Don't Hurt 'Em

The craze that is Hannah Montana has been one of the more amazing to come down the pike the last 10 years or so. And as the father of a 14 year old and 9 year old daughters, I have seen a few. We've been through Hillary Duff, The Olsen Twins, Lindsay Lohan, and Raven Simon. There have been others, but none have reached the level of Miley Cyrus and her Hannah Montana character.

The Disney show that bears the same name is really a pretty decent show for kids. I am sure something questionable could be found by someone with too much time on their hands and a sour attitude, but I don't have a problem with Briannah watching.

And Briannah is one of her most adoring fans. As a special treat I even sprung for the 15 bucks for her to see the Hannah in 3D deal in the movie theaters this past Friday. I know, it's a ridiculous price, but it was a special thing for her, she loves Miley, and I knew she'd have a blast. For that reason, it was a very small price in my mind. Plus, she tagged along with some friends, so I didn't have to go!

But here's the deal. How many of these teen starlets have we watched get messed up and turn into horrible people? I worry a little about BeBe, because it would hurt her and millions of other little girls should Miley take a wrong path. I was once hurt by a childhood hero (Dwight Gooden) and it wasn't cool.

Apparently the Cyrus' have a strong faith and are doing all they can to stay grounded as Miley's career skyrockets. But we've heard that kind talk before, right?

So here is a plea to Miley/Hannah, stay grounded, and don't hurt your fans the way others have. You are becoming a powerhouse, if you haven't already. Please don't mess it up. You have a chance to be so much more that all these tawdry tabloid teens turned trash. (sorry, I never go the alliteration route, but that one just felt good!)

And to Billy Ray and Momma Cyrus, take could care of your daughter. Don't be like Britney's Mom and Dad, or Lindsay's, or even the Simpson's Dad. Be real parents who do what is best for your daughter and not for your bank accounts.

Now, if I could just get that frickin' "Best of Both Worlds" song out of my head...

(special props for whoever can tell me who I ripped off for the title of the post.)

Technorati Tags: Hannah Montana,Miley Cyrus

Blake is Not Contemporary

I wish the judges (Paula) on AI would please quit going on and on about Blake being "contemporary". The five dances moves he knows are at at least 5 years old, and um, beat boxing? Sure, it's cool, but to call it contemporary is a little much. The biggest beat box craze I remember was about 17 years ago when I was in high school. And it was led by the Fat Boys and that wicked beat box break in the "remake" of Wipeout.

Just stop it, Paula.

And how does Judge Judy get airtime on AI?

Why Grey's Anatomy Doesn't Stack Up

I watched the first season of Grey's. We enjoyed it, somewhat, but didn't get into enough to continue after season one. First, it's a medical drama, and a big part of of my job happens in hospitals. So I tend to steer clear of those shows now. But the big reason? The characters began to seem too unreal. I mean, they stuck them in some real situations, but it never made them seem like real people to me. I didn't know anyone like them, so I couldn't relate. Especially knowing many medical professionals.

I prefer dramas like Lost and Heroes. Those shows take characters that seem very real, very human, and places them in unreal situations. If I compare McDreamy to either Peter Petrelli of Heroes or Jack of Lost, he is so weak. Oh jeez weak. Plus, there are no heroes on GA (IMHO), and I loves me some heroes.

I wonder what it says about me that I prefer my characters to be developed in fantasy like situations as opposed to (supposed, there are plenty of fake situation in Grey's as well) real settings?

More later...

Goodbye-ya

 

Well, I am a little bit ashamed to say, when Sanjaya was given the boot tonight, my entire household erupted into cheers. This dood had some kind of ride, but thankfully, someone a little more deserving can win now.

Wagner out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati tags: American Idol, Sanjaya

What Lost Character Are You?

No secret I am a HUGE Lostie. I found this quiz and I am...

You're Kate. Like the show's heroine, you are an innovator. Brave, impulsive, and manipulative, you are someone who prefers to take action versus sitting back. You are resourceful and pragmatic. You also don’t fear danger, but willingly face it instead of hiding. In fact, you are always the first to volunteer for Jack’s missions into the jungle. Even though you’re willing to help, you also look out for number one; if something benefits you in the long run, you will think of any means to get what you need.

No girl jokes please. It's pretty close to me, except for the looking out for number one thing.

Who else watches lost?

America Idol: I feel... dirty?

Ok, our household really, really enjoys AI. We say it loud, and we say it proud. And unlike most folks, we like the later rounds more than the early auditions. And tonight, I think I figured out why.

I realize that these rounds are full of kooky people who know they can't sing. They are there to get on TV, make a spectacle of themselves, and become the next William Hung. These folks really don't bother me. Some are even comical. But there is a type of person in these rounds that does bother me.

The Desperate People.

There aren't many truly authentic desperate contestants. But when they find one and they're audition makes the show, I feel dirty. I'm watching and thinking, "this person has laid themselves bare in front of 35 million viewers and watched their dream pass them by."  It's voyeurism at it's worse.

Usually these are singers that are "ok" and probably have a good following in their local communities. Then they get on this big stage and find out they were nothing more than a big fish in a little pond. They were told by their friends and family how good they can sing. All they need to do is audition, and they'll be on their way to Hollywood. +

Then reality hits them in the form of Simon Cowell. A ton of bricks has nothing on him. The heartbreak is almost too much to watch. But it's a car wreck. You want to slow down and check it out.

And then I need a shower.

What kind of world do we live in that people would go on TV and risk this for stardom?

On another note, how about that Isadora (Julie) gal that the show ended with tonight? Wow.

Jack is Back and 24 was Cuh-Razy...

24 returned on Sunday and Monday night. Everyone's favorite anti-terror agent Jack Bauer was returned from a Chinese Prison and given a death sentence from his own country's government in order to save thousands.

Of course Jack didn't die and the terrorists pulled a double cross. And the last ten minutes on Monday were some of the most intense, gut-wrenching TV I've watched in a long time. It's been a few days so I don't feel like I'm spoiling here. But stop reading if you don't want to know anything about the first the first two episodes.

When Jack had to shoot Curtis in order to save the ex-terrorist (who was helping on the case) I lost my breath. The look on his face after Jack shot could win an Emmy all by itself. That was enough in and of itself to end the episode but....

...then they detonated a nuke in LA. Wow. I kinda thought that was coming for a couple of seasons, but what a scene! It was a scary reminder too that we could all wake up one day to see this all over our TV screens.

It's a violent show and not for everyone. But if you are looking for a fast pace and lots of twists and turns, this is your show.

Cheerleader Saved...

A few thoughts about the latest episode of Heroes, "Homecoming"...

No Hiro this episode because he was going back for the "do over, in the diner". Which now makes the fact that future Hiro visited Peter Petrelli and told him to save the cheerleader. Hiro had to know he was on his way and got sidetracked.

In spite of no Hiro, who is nearly everyone's favorite character, this was a good episode.

How shell shocked did poor Ando look all episode long? Especially after hearing the birthday pic of Hiro being 6 months ago.

HRG, aka Claire's Dad, is still as mysterious as ever. But he does love his little girl.

The Nikki/Jessica/DL/Micah deal really needs to hurry up and get somewhere. This story line is really long in developing. Too Long I think.

Poor Matt disappears from lots of episodes huh?

I am glad that Mohinder is now a true believer in the "heroes" and I liked even more how it was all confirmed for him.

Some news and spoiler stuff...

The show will be off December and most of January.

George Takei, Mr. Sulu of Star Trek fame, will be in upcoming episodes as Hiro's Dad.

Christopher Eccleston, the orginal Dr. Who of the latest Dr. Who series will be joining the cast as well.

And a few theories...

I think that we'll be seeing Matt hit the scene to help with Peter's interrogations. That will be cool. Peter will skock the crap out Matt by reading his thoughts with a conversation, brain to brain, ensuing.

I don't think radioactive man is going to be 'the bomb' that goes off in NY. I think it could be Peter after leeching his power.

I don't think Claire's buddy's secret is that he is gay. Could he be a hero?

Nathan is SOOOOOOOO going to be a bad guy.