next_to_normal (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
next_to_normal) wrote2011-08-22 02:20 pm
next_to_normal) wrote2011-08-22 02:20 pm
Entry tags:
TEE VEE!!!
Since Netflix is jacking up their prices starting in September, I've been giving the Instant Watch a workout, trying to cram in as much stuff as I can before cancelling that plan and just going to DVDs by mail. As a result, I have quite a bit of TV watching to report on.
Shows I love:
1. Downton Abbey - OMG YOU GUYS! Practically everyone has been raving about this show for months now, but if you haven't seen it, WATCH IT NOW! Go on, I'll wait. :) OMG SO FABULOUS. I flailed through the whole thing, and then was bummed when there wasn't more of it. (Series TWOOOOOO where are you? Sooon....) If, for some reason, you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a period drama set in early 20th century England, and follows the goings-on at the Crowley family's wealthy estate, the inheritance of which has been thrown into turmoil. When the heir to the title is killed on the Titanic, it appears Lord Crowley will be forced to pass on the estate to a distant cousin, while simultaneously trying to find suitable husbands for his three daughters. Meanwhile, the arrival of a new valet causes discontent among the servants, two of whom will stop at nothing to get him fired.
2. Jekyll - A modern sequel to the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel, in which Dr. Tom Jackman, a descendant - and doppelganger - of Dr. Jekyll, has developed a sort of time-share arrangement with his "evil half," and is primarily concerned with keeping his wife and children safe, which means Hyde can never know they exist. Then Tom discovers that a secret society trying to recreate Dr. Jekyll's potion has been meddling in his life, and Hyde starts to spiral out of Tom's control.
Shows I was not impressed with:
1. 30 Rock - I don't get it, you guys. Why does everyone love this show? I watched four episodes and was not at all impressed. Does it get better? Or is it just not my thing?
2. Little Britain - Clearly, my love for British humor has its limits.
Shows on which the jury is still out:
1. North and South - I was in the mood for some solid English period drama after Downton Abbey, but this was a bit of a letdown. Maybe it's just a slow starter? I only watched the first episode. It's only four episodes total, though, so I'll probably finish it later, when I'm bored.
2. The Tudors - Two episodes in. I am mildly intrigued. It strikes me as quite similar to Rome - familiar historical story jazzed up with lots of sex, would be much better if I can get invested in some of the characters, but that has not happened yet.
Shows I love:
1. Downton Abbey - OMG YOU GUYS! Practically everyone has been raving about this show for months now, but if you haven't seen it, WATCH IT NOW! Go on, I'll wait. :) OMG SO FABULOUS. I flailed through the whole thing, and then was bummed when there wasn't more of it. (Series TWOOOOOO where are you? Sooon....) If, for some reason, you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a period drama set in early 20th century England, and follows the goings-on at the Crowley family's wealthy estate, the inheritance of which has been thrown into turmoil. When the heir to the title is killed on the Titanic, it appears Lord Crowley will be forced to pass on the estate to a distant cousin, while simultaneously trying to find suitable husbands for his three daughters. Meanwhile, the arrival of a new valet causes discontent among the servants, two of whom will stop at nothing to get him fired.
2. Jekyll - A modern sequel to the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel, in which Dr. Tom Jackman, a descendant - and doppelganger - of Dr. Jekyll, has developed a sort of time-share arrangement with his "evil half," and is primarily concerned with keeping his wife and children safe, which means Hyde can never know they exist. Then Tom discovers that a secret society trying to recreate Dr. Jekyll's potion has been meddling in his life, and Hyde starts to spiral out of Tom's control.
Shows I was not impressed with:
1. 30 Rock - I don't get it, you guys. Why does everyone love this show? I watched four episodes and was not at all impressed. Does it get better? Or is it just not my thing?
2. Little Britain - Clearly, my love for British humor has its limits.
Shows on which the jury is still out:
1. North and South - I was in the mood for some solid English period drama after Downton Abbey, but this was a bit of a letdown. Maybe it's just a slow starter? I only watched the first episode. It's only four episodes total, though, so I'll probably finish it later, when I'm bored.
2. The Tudors - Two episodes in. I am mildly intrigued. It strikes me as quite similar to Rome - familiar historical story jazzed up with lots of sex, would be much better if I can get invested in some of the characters, but that has not happened yet.
no subject
As far as 30 Rock goes--I'd watch a little more, but if you don't like it, then I wouldn't force it. It really isn't for everyone--but the main thing to keep in mind is that the whole premise of the show is tongue-in-cheek. Tina Fey is making fun of Tina Fey. Tracy Morgan is making fun of Tracy Morgan. That's what makes it really compelling, imo. But you're not SUPPOSED to be emotionally wrapped up in the characters--it's satire. They're 2-dimensional. It's supposed to create distance so that you can view TV tropes and the TV industry (as well as any number of zeitgeisty things) with a clear eye. It's just that it's served up in a standard sitcom format, so I think we all subconsciously (or consciously) are waiting for a character to really SPEAK to us emotionally--but that's not what 30 Rock is trying to do. I really didn't love it until that sort of clicked--and even now, though I do love it, I still don't watch religiously or anything. So, if you don't like the idea of sitcom-as-satire, then it probably won't grow on you.
no subject
Yes, that's a major part of it, I think. I don't know what it is, exactly, I just don't like her.
It really isn't for everyone--but the main thing to keep in mind is that the whole premise of the show is tongue-in-cheek. Tina Fey is making fun of Tina Fey. Tracy Morgan is making fun of Tracy Morgan.
Hmmm. That may be the problem. The thing about satire is that you usually have to have some appreciation of the thing being satirized in order to find it funny. And I'm just kinda "meh" on the whole idea.