Glee tore down one of my least favorite words last week better than anyplace else I've ever seen:
It's proof there's always hope, and that pop culture is changing too.
It's a sign of the times.
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Bigfoot? Is he real too?
Tired of all the Lost hoopla?
Why don't we check in on the good folks down in Bon Temps, Louisiana.
I hear there's something or other brewing down there this summer...
Time to hook up the ol' HBO again, I reckon...
Why don't we check in on the good folks down in Bon Temps, Louisiana.
I hear there's something or other brewing down there this summer...
Time to hook up the ol' HBO again, I reckon...
Alternate Endings
So you already have my take on the big Lost finale, but for those of you who wonder how else they could have finished it, Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse provided some hints on the post show Jimmy Kimmel Live:
Monday, May 24, 2010
LOST
When the screen faded to white and the credits began rolling, I really wasn't sure how I felt about Lost's capstone last night. It was epic, it was emotional, but the final few steps had me holding back a bit.
There was a leap there that I just wasn't ready to take last night.
**FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES FINALE YET, SPOILERS LIKELY LURK BELOW**
But like any good leap of faith, it shouldn't be taken lightly. After sleeping on it, I'm ready to embrace the ending, as really the only way the show could really have gone out.
A tug of war, between science and faith, the show has always asked a lot of its viewers. From day one with the polar bear and monsters shaking in the trees, this show has never been about reality. Remember, on top of any island shenanigans, this is the series where ghosts wandered around and a guy could talk to the dead. And as we learned more recently, the smoke monster was created by throwing a guy down a cave of bright light that shines inside all of us.
You want science, it got thrown out in that wormhole once and for all.
So what we were really left with early on in this final season was faith. With the exception of John Locke, who was destroyed and usurped, every major player this season was on the island because they believed in something and found strength in their convictions.
In the end, the show went back to it's very roots to bring it all to a conclusion. To transpose the ongoing show mantra, they died alone, but lived together.
Whether we saw purgatory or heaven or whatever tradition you want to steep yourself in (and despite the stained glass window, the show pretty clearly referenced one tradition), there was a hopefulness, that there always is something beyond. Somewhere where it all will matter in the end.
Sure, were there holes throughout. Swiss cheese. Foremost of all in my head, why the heck didn't Jack turn into a smoke monster when he was hit by the light. Last time we saw someone non-electromagnetic dive down into the light, he turned all smokey.
And where were other key castaways in the big cosmic spaceship to the light. Where were, say Michael or Mr. Eko, two players who played important roles along the way.
I don't think though, they could have really ended the show in any other way. A decisive simple win on the island alone could never have paid off the emotional relationships that Lost milked so brilliantly last night.
For a show that was voracious in its appetite to kill its characters left and right, there was no way to tie up the emotional loose ends without figuring out a way to bring them back. So the flash sideways, in my mind, were a necessary evil to getting to a point where you can tie everything up and say goodbye to characters to which loyal fans like me had devoted six obsessive seasons.
If anything my love for the finale, which has grown overnight, highlights the major flaw this season. I think the producers had a dramatic game plan for the finale, but were treading water much of the season.
In hindsight, I think it would have served the show to tighten the focus in the earlier episodes on who was left and the battle between good and evil. There was plenty of room for mythology and whatnot that got muddied by temple masters, zombie inducing dipping pools, and red-shirt characters you knew were just there to die dramatic deaths. The same is true in the sideways world. Less would have been more.
Take Kate for example. If you think back this season, what did they really have her do? In the jungle she trekked around a lot, either alone or with different people. In the sideways world she ran a lot, and kept bumping into people randomly. When she wasn't doing either she was making dewey eyes. It's unfortunate, because she really did pack a hell of punch in the finale, they just didn't figure out much for her to do in the meantime.
If they'd focused less on forcing sideshow storylines we might have gotten a tighter island focus on the real stakes at hand, which in the end turned out to be life and death. Claire, became a crazy mama caricature, when just a little more face time for her, instead of, say, a John Lennon lookalike, could have fleshed her return out a bit. And it could have served to show us more about what really made her companion, the Man in Black tick.
As much as I loved every scene with Jacob and his brother, they almost needed more time to let their rivalry seethe. Sun and Jin could have found a bit more breathing room, to make their ultimate sacrifice more poignant, but instead we had hesitant geologist Zoe running around for no reason whatsoever. Heck, even Ben's ever-switching alliances could have provided tons more drama.
That said, I think the finale respected me as a fan, and hit all the right notes. It was hard not to get emotional as all the sideways characters finally reconnected. The endless placing of the chess pieces both on and off the island did finally pay off, and it was devastating and emotional. Each and every illumination was quite simply the light on the island embodied in each and every one of them. it connected with me.
So in the last five minutes, when the show asked me to take that leap of faith, I was hesitant. But honestly what better way to wrap a show where the stakes have always been so high.
In the end, the island was real. The stakes were real.
My fear was always that they would in the end, say ha ha, we're joking, none of this really happened. But they didn't, and I thank the show for that. The world of Lost existed, Oceanic 815 did crash and people did die.
In the end the show made a pitch to a broader concept:
We are all mortal. We all die. What we are defined by, is how we live the life we're given. But even in the end, there is always hope.
If it leaves a bunch of mythological details hanging unanswered, so be it. Since when do details get tied up neatly in real life anyways?
Thank you Lost. It's been a great six years of television. I'll greatly miss the fade to black and the title card, always giving me something to ponder and something to look forward to.
You better bet I'll be watching it all again sometime, with the faith that smart television is at its best when it challenges us to believe in something.
There was a leap there that I just wasn't ready to take last night.
**FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES FINALE YET, SPOILERS LIKELY LURK BELOW**
But like any good leap of faith, it shouldn't be taken lightly. After sleeping on it, I'm ready to embrace the ending, as really the only way the show could really have gone out.
A tug of war, between science and faith, the show has always asked a lot of its viewers. From day one with the polar bear and monsters shaking in the trees, this show has never been about reality. Remember, on top of any island shenanigans, this is the series where ghosts wandered around and a guy could talk to the dead. And as we learned more recently, the smoke monster was created by throwing a guy down a cave of bright light that shines inside all of us.
You want science, it got thrown out in that wormhole once and for all.
So what we were really left with early on in this final season was faith. With the exception of John Locke, who was destroyed and usurped, every major player this season was on the island because they believed in something and found strength in their convictions.
In the end, the show went back to it's very roots to bring it all to a conclusion. To transpose the ongoing show mantra, they died alone, but lived together.
Whether we saw purgatory or heaven or whatever tradition you want to steep yourself in (and despite the stained glass window, the show pretty clearly referenced one tradition), there was a hopefulness, that there always is something beyond. Somewhere where it all will matter in the end.
Sure, were there holes throughout. Swiss cheese. Foremost of all in my head, why the heck didn't Jack turn into a smoke monster when he was hit by the light. Last time we saw someone non-electromagnetic dive down into the light, he turned all smokey.
And where were other key castaways in the big cosmic spaceship to the light. Where were, say Michael or Mr. Eko, two players who played important roles along the way.
I don't think though, they could have really ended the show in any other way. A decisive simple win on the island alone could never have paid off the emotional relationships that Lost milked so brilliantly last night.
For a show that was voracious in its appetite to kill its characters left and right, there was no way to tie up the emotional loose ends without figuring out a way to bring them back. So the flash sideways, in my mind, were a necessary evil to getting to a point where you can tie everything up and say goodbye to characters to which loyal fans like me had devoted six obsessive seasons.
If anything my love for the finale, which has grown overnight, highlights the major flaw this season. I think the producers had a dramatic game plan for the finale, but were treading water much of the season.
In hindsight, I think it would have served the show to tighten the focus in the earlier episodes on who was left and the battle between good and evil. There was plenty of room for mythology and whatnot that got muddied by temple masters, zombie inducing dipping pools, and red-shirt characters you knew were just there to die dramatic deaths. The same is true in the sideways world. Less would have been more.
Take Kate for example. If you think back this season, what did they really have her do? In the jungle she trekked around a lot, either alone or with different people. In the sideways world she ran a lot, and kept bumping into people randomly. When she wasn't doing either she was making dewey eyes. It's unfortunate, because she really did pack a hell of punch in the finale, they just didn't figure out much for her to do in the meantime.
If they'd focused less on forcing sideshow storylines we might have gotten a tighter island focus on the real stakes at hand, which in the end turned out to be life and death. Claire, became a crazy mama caricature, when just a little more face time for her, instead of, say, a John Lennon lookalike, could have fleshed her return out a bit. And it could have served to show us more about what really made her companion, the Man in Black tick.
As much as I loved every scene with Jacob and his brother, they almost needed more time to let their rivalry seethe. Sun and Jin could have found a bit more breathing room, to make their ultimate sacrifice more poignant, but instead we had hesitant geologist Zoe running around for no reason whatsoever. Heck, even Ben's ever-switching alliances could have provided tons more drama.
That said, I think the finale respected me as a fan, and hit all the right notes. It was hard not to get emotional as all the sideways characters finally reconnected. The endless placing of the chess pieces both on and off the island did finally pay off, and it was devastating and emotional. Each and every illumination was quite simply the light on the island embodied in each and every one of them. it connected with me.
So in the last five minutes, when the show asked me to take that leap of faith, I was hesitant. But honestly what better way to wrap a show where the stakes have always been so high.
In the end, the island was real. The stakes were real.
My fear was always that they would in the end, say ha ha, we're joking, none of this really happened. But they didn't, and I thank the show for that. The world of Lost existed, Oceanic 815 did crash and people did die.
In the end the show made a pitch to a broader concept:
We are all mortal. We all die. What we are defined by, is how we live the life we're given. But even in the end, there is always hope.
If it leaves a bunch of mythological details hanging unanswered, so be it. Since when do details get tied up neatly in real life anyways?
Thank you Lost. It's been a great six years of television. I'll greatly miss the fade to black and the title card, always giving me something to ponder and something to look forward to.
You better bet I'll be watching it all again sometime, with the faith that smart television is at its best when it challenges us to believe in something.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Ever Since, Previously on...
As we wave the checkered flag for Lost this weekend, let's not forget the valiant souls stuck on an abandoned floor in Jimmy Fallon's world.
As you may recall, when we last left them, there was a goldfish, a secret handshake and a man with a plan to build an elevator.
Here's the thrilling, minty fresh, remaining episodes of Late, including the heart-wrenching series finale.
As you may recall, when we last left them, there was a goldfish, a secret handshake and a man with a plan to build an elevator.
Here's the thrilling, minty fresh, remaining episodes of Late, including the heart-wrenching series finale.
Late. Episode 6.
Late. Episode 7. Series Finale.
Late. Episode 7. Series Finale.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Previously on...
With Lost racing towards its big finale in a few weeks, I thought it'd be a good time to whet our appetite for what's to come for our castaways.
Elevator castaways, I mean.
Or at least that's Jimmy Fallon's take on the whole thing.
Will they find another floor? What's the deal with the goldfish. What's up with the supernatural facial hair? Keep up here, just don't be... LATE.
Elevator castaways, I mean.
Or at least that's Jimmy Fallon's take on the whole thing.
Late. Episode 1.
Late. Episode 2.
Late. Episode 3.
Late. Episode 4.
Late. Episode 5.
Late. Episode 2.
Late. Episode 3.
Late. Episode 4.
Late. Episode 5.
Will they find another floor? What's the deal with the goldfish. What's up with the supernatural facial hair? Keep up here, just don't be... LATE.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Drop of True Blood
HBO is kicking into overdrive the long tease for this summer's new season of vamp camp True Blood.
It's working. They have my attention.
On top of it all, they just started a little series of bite size morsels to lead into the new season. The first one is here, and really, who couldn't use a little Pam and Eric canape?
More are coming between now and the big premiere. Catch them on the True Blood HBO page.
It's working. They have my attention.
On top of it all, they just started a little series of bite size morsels to lead into the new season. The first one is here, and really, who couldn't use a little Pam and Eric canape?
More are coming between now and the big premiere. Catch them on the True Blood HBO page.
Friday, January 22, 2010
I'm with Giraffe.
In case you need the Cliff Notes version of NBC's Screwing of the Conan, Pee Wee Herman showed up on the penultimate Tonight Show worth watching to pare it all down to it's bare bones...
Yes, I'm with Coco.
Yes, I'm with Coco.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Frosty the Snowman
What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with an old tv classic?
Say, for example, Frosty the Snowman?
What is that you say? This isn't how your remember it exactly?
The best part is who made it. Finally, a network realizing you don't have to take everything so seriously, especially during the holidays.
Say, for example, Frosty the Snowman?
What is that you say? This isn't how your remember it exactly?
The best part is who made it. Finally, a network realizing you don't have to take everything so seriously, especially during the holidays.
Friday, September 25, 2009
La Araña Discoteca
So far, Community is really making me smile. And surprisingly, it's not all about Joel McHale, who's having some issues in Spanish class -- unlike his likeable rapping castmates...
Word.
Word.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Te quiero mas! That means see you there!
When I heard Joel McHale had signed up for Community, a new sitcom this fall, my basic reaction was, dammit, there goes The Soup.
Then I said, well hey, it's a better next step than John Henson shilling big balls on a summer reality show.
Then I thought, well he makes me laugh each week anyways, so if I have to lose his pop-culture goodness why not some cheesy sitcom where hopefully someone will write him a few good jokes here and there.
What I was not expecting was something that looks as smart and clever as this:
Needless to say, NBC has probably managed to get another show on the Thursday night DVR list this fall. It's a good thing, because we all know I won't be watching Leno on there.
And lucky me, Joel's hedging his bets and at least waiting for NBC not to cancel his new show, so he'll still be on The Soup too this fall.
Soooooo meaty!
Then I said, well hey, it's a better next step than John Henson shilling big balls on a summer reality show.
Then I thought, well he makes me laugh each week anyways, so if I have to lose his pop-culture goodness why not some cheesy sitcom where hopefully someone will write him a few good jokes here and there.
What I was not expecting was something that looks as smart and clever as this:
Needless to say, NBC has probably managed to get another show on the Thursday night DVR list this fall. It's a good thing, because we all know I won't be watching Leno on there.
And lucky me, Joel's hedging his bets and at least waiting for NBC not to cancel his new show, so he'll still be on The Soup too this fall.
Soooooo meaty!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Amazing Race 14
The Amazing Race came back to CBS tonight, all spruced up.
The new paintjob did the best reality show on TV well.
Not only were the graphics new and the editing tighter, but the teams and challenges lived up to the promise of the show.
Who knew cheese could upstage a death defying jump off a concrete dam?
Denver represented well tonight, but this group looks to be a formidable group of racers.
To catch up on all the split screen global goodness, check out the first episode HERE.
One thing the new stylings beg for now, is to be shown in full high definition glory. You sort of get the feeling this is their test run before a full-on HD race next year.
The new paintjob did the best reality show on TV well.Not only were the graphics new and the editing tighter, but the teams and challenges lived up to the promise of the show.
Who knew cheese could upstage a death defying jump off a concrete dam?
Denver represented well tonight, but this group looks to be a formidable group of racers.To catch up on all the split screen global goodness, check out the first episode HERE.
One thing the new stylings beg for now, is to be shown in full high definition glory. You sort of get the feeling this is their test run before a full-on HD race next year.
Friday, October 31, 2008
That information is classified, at least until Cheney dies...
Remember Tina Fey's day job?
The one where she doesn't play a certain uncanny vice presidential candidate?
Well 30 Rock came back last night, swinging.
As far as I'm concerned, everyone need to be watching. Weekly.
Here's a jump-start on last night's season premiere (until they take it down in a few months):
You can catch up on more of the show's Emmy winning Rockefeller Center nuttiness HERE
Oprah Winfrey's on deck next week, and it looks to be classic.
The one where she doesn't play a certain uncanny vice presidential candidate?
Well 30 Rock came back last night, swinging.
As far as I'm concerned, everyone need to be watching. Weekly.
Here's a jump-start on last night's season premiere (until they take it down in a few months):
You can catch up on more of the show's Emmy winning Rockefeller Center nuttiness HERE
Oprah Winfrey's on deck next week, and it looks to be classic.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
He's a wookie and they are more intelligent than they appear!
How I Met Your Mother returned in fine form last night, setting up everyone just about right for a great season. Marshall, Lily, Robin, Ted and Barney are back after a rushed post-writers-strike jog to the finish line last season.
And it all revolved a bit around Star Wars! What's there not to like!
The Force is definitely with them.
Here's the season premiere, as long as CBS keeps it online:
You know where I'll be Monday nights (or Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the Tivo).
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Top of the Rock
Having already raved about Tina Fey earlier this week, I couldn't let slip by the fact that her ol' little day job earned her some big kudos at the Emmy's this evening.You know Fey was popping the champagne tonight as her baby, 30 Rock, took home the top comedy series award. It must have tasted sweeter after snagging the best comedic actress award too.
Talk about having the best week ever!
You go back to your old job and show everyone up, then you get dressed up a few days later and bring home some fab golden paperweights.
Hats off to Alec Baldwin for taking his own 30 Rock award too.
If you are late to the 30 Rock bandwagon, please, stop reading this and go buy the first two seasons on DVD. Seriously. Right now.
Liz Lemon and company kick off season three on NBC this October.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
If the Republicans were coming to town...
...I am not sure Denver would be hyping this local connection at the airport:
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sandcastles in the Sand
Monday, April 14, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Pop Siren
So, I was long a fan of Sarah Lane ever since she was the less-bosomy antidote to Kevin Pereira's amusing pseudo-machismo over on G4's Attack of the Show.
After teasing me with some adventures abroad last year, she has emerged again with a fun Internet show that I just stumbled upon tonight.
Enjoy the latest episode of Pop Siren:
After teasing me with some adventures abroad last year, she has emerged again with a fun Internet show that I just stumbled upon tonight.
Enjoy the latest episode of Pop Siren:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Two Tribes Go To War
I've always been a sucker for the second disc in those "Special Edition" DVD collections that show you how they pulled off the special effect shots. Clearly, I am a child of the Star Wars era.
For a long time the mesh between clever editing, models and matte shots made the unbelievable, believable. Then computer effects came in, and made Terminators and Bullet Time seem so simple.
That is part of what makes this video done by the BBC all the more impressive. Taking a page from Saving Private Ryan, a team of three managed to do in one weekend, what Steven Spielberg needed a cast of thousands and the best technical wizards in Hollywood to do.
The power to awe is now in the hands of anyone with a video camera, some ingenuity and a vision.
This opens up worlds of possibilities for the global audience.
For a long time the mesh between clever editing, models and matte shots made the unbelievable, believable. Then computer effects came in, and made Terminators and Bullet Time seem so simple.
That is part of what makes this video done by the BBC all the more impressive. Taking a page from Saving Private Ryan, a team of three managed to do in one weekend, what Steven Spielberg needed a cast of thousands and the best technical wizards in Hollywood to do.
The power to awe is now in the hands of anyone with a video camera, some ingenuity and a vision.
This opens up worlds of possibilities for the global audience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)