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September 07, 2006
The Fall TV Season
Brian signing on. Hoping to keep you entertained during Donna's international travels. :)
Have you noticed the marketing upswing for the upcoming Fall season of TV shows? And have you noticed how some websites are offering so-called webisodes of your favorite shows to 'tide the interest' until the official season premieres?
Now I never considered myself much of a glued-to-the-set, appointment TV kind of person? At least not in the last 5 years. In fact, after the X-Files hit its 8th and 9th seasons, I was lucky to keep track of the old favorite. In its stead, the durge of reality shows pretty much set a bad taste in my mouth. Sure, I watched the occasional first season show of Survivor. Or even have the guilty pleasure of being hooked on American Idol (once it hits the top 50 or so contestants). But where did all the *good* writing and superb acting go? When did you last feel like your investment of time in a series' characters was returned with surprises, excitement and interesting development?
Granted, in the last 2-3 years, there were sparks of good stuff ... Love Monkey ... The Sopranos (before it jumped the shark), or even ... Arrested Development. All of sudden though ... starting last year, Donna and I started taking notice of better offerings both on public and cable television.
For me, I decided that I had read enough believable non-publicity reviews of Lost on ABC and Battlestar Galactica on Sci-Fi that it might be worth Netflix'ing the season DVD sets. No commericals. Watch as time availed itself. Wow ... I got hooked good and quick. Both series are extremely well-written and acted. And they seem to connect with their audience on more than just the flash and good looks level. I've actually found myself thinking about the stories and how some of the tones and themes seem to be reflected in my own life.
And how about Keifer 'That Christmas Tree Must Die' Sutherland & his hit show '24'? I watched a few shows from the first season but just gave up ... until the end of Season 4. Then on a whim, I watched the Season 5 intro only to find our favorite 'Commander-in-Chief' Dennis Hasberg take an assassination bullet in the first 5 'freakin' minutes. Wow! Okay ... you just took out one of my favorite bad-ass can-do-no-wrong characters. How are you going to make up for the loss of my investment in that character? By giving me two more wonderful ones played by Jean Smart and Jeremy Issan (the new President and First Lady). Jack and his death-defying gambles were just icing on the cake.
So this year, Donna and I are looking forward to next month's recovery from a summer's drought of re-runs and bad TV. I'm completely caught up from the DVD releases and I'm ready for primte-time viewings. For me, the top of the list is Battlestar Galactica, Lost, 24, The Office, and ... from time to time ... the occasional guilty pleasure called 'Deal or No Deal'!
How about you? What are you looking forward to?
Posted by Brian at September 7, 2006 11:39 AM
Comments
Hi Brian,
You are doing a great job filling in. I have already had my Premiere fix with the first episode of 'House'. Now I am anxiously waiting for 'Lost' and 'Grey's Anatomy'.
Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth Ross at September 7, 2006 03:09 PM
Hey Brian! If you haven't checked them out I would recommend adding FX's '30 Days' and Showtime's 'Weeds' to your netflix queue... my latest favorite shows. Hope life in the country is treating you well!
Posted by: Jim at September 7, 2006 03:33 PM
Have you ever watched "The Shield" on FX? Great show! The kind you hate to love! I, too, am hooked on Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and various reality shows which I am getting somewhat tired of. But, they somehow keep me watching! I hate to admit that I become a TV junkie in the winter.
Posted by: Dana at September 7, 2006 07:13 PM
Mmmmm.... T.V. show addictions... something going while I play with the beads I bought from Donna... Battlestar Gallactica is big in our house, along with both the Stargate series... hubby and son are all over the new cable Blade Series... I'm one for Gilmore Girls and Grey's Anatomy. The whole family loves House, Bones and Eureka! Geez... it looks like we're never away from the T.V. Thank God for PVR! Record away!
Posted by: Katie at September 8, 2006 01:14 PM
Hi Brian!
Thanks for filling in!
I am looking forward to 'Deal or No Deal'. I never watch TV but I'd make it a point to see this one. I enjoyed it last season.
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel G. at September 9, 2006 01:18 PM