Interesting Summer Distractions, Part 1A: Television
Posted on | August 5, 2006 at 1:18 pm | 3 Comments
As I slowly become less burnt out and I get my energy back, I’m starting to actually have interest in things again. Like in updating my blog. I’m thinking of posting a nude picture of myself to show how much weight I’ve lost. And when your body mass in general decreases, then certain parts look bigger in comparison, if you know what I mean and I think that you do. Anyway, I guess it’s way past time to take a look at some of the pop culture distractions that have been keeping me sane lately. Let’s start with some summer Television, after the jump.
The theme here seems to be “uncomfortable but interesting shows”…
Who Wants To Be A Superhero? (SciFi) is the best reality show on TV right now, possibly the best show period. I was really reluctant to watch this show, as the commercials made it look campy and I try to avoid things that shed a negative light on my hobby of comic book collecting. But I tuned in anyway. Two episodes in, and I’m totally hooked. Understandably, it’s a bit hard to test someone for actual superpowers, so instead Stan Lee is challenging the contestants on other things that make a good superhero, like ethics, courage, bravery, etc. Again, it sounds hokey, but it really works. It’s surprisingly easy to get tripped up on a morals issue when performing your superhero-ly duties. The contestants (for the most part) are taking it seriously and sincerely, with a noted lack of hip young irony. They actually cry or get upset when they know they’ve let Stan down. In the first episode, many contestants got dinged because they failed to help a lost little girl in the middle of a challenge. The second episode included not only an entertaining fashion makeover for the contestant’s costumes, but a challenge involving trained attack dogs that had some of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed. Read Scipio’s reaction at The Absorbascon – like him, I totally could not stop laughing and I had to pause the DVR. But then when it was Monkey Woman’s turn for the challenge – wow, she was awe-inspiring. I nearly cried seeing how she was intent on persevering at all costs. The episode ended with a perfect comic book style plot twist, which was pretty obviously staged and planned out from the beginning but which put other questionable events in the show into perspective. I’m loving this show – watch it! You can currently see the first episode for free in its entirety on SciFi Pulse, and they’re re-running the second episode on Sunday night and Tuesday night.
Peep Show (BBC America) just ended its six episode second season run, but hopefully they’ll rerun it soon, especially since I missed a few episodes. This is another one of those uncomfortable British comedies, in the vein of The Office, featuring unlikable people, but damn it makes me laugh. It’s about two unlikely roommates – uptight Mark and slacker Jeremy. Mark is a corporate drone whose entire energies are focused on bedding his co-worker Sophie, and he’ll go to almost any stalkerish lengths to accomplish that. Jeremy just wants to be a famous pop star, though he has little talent. The major conceit of the show is that you’re constantly hearing the inner thoughts of the two “protagonists”, which are often hilariously rude and at odds with what they’re saying/doing, but which still seem funny. I have to admit that I’ve sometimes had Mark’s thoughts myself, and it really makes me want to reexamine my life. The episode where Mark impersonates a college student in order to get close to a young shopgirl he met manages to be somewhat touching as you see Mark finally in an environment where he fits in, knowing all the time it will come crashing down on him. The first season is out on DVD, which I need to pick up. I missed a few episodes from that one too. There was a third season in the UK, and I hope it makes it over to us soon. Addendum: BBC America is re-running the entire first season early morning today, tomorrow, and Monday (two eps a day), and I’ve already missed today’s. Aaarggh.
Rescue Me (FX), in its third season, continues to be imminently watchable, funny, and sad despite the fact that lead character Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) is not a good role model in the least. Watching him trying to cope with the death of their only son has provided some needed sympathization (not a real word, I know) with the character, even though some of the ways in which he’s acting out are despicable. The storyline with the Chief’s Alzheimer’s-afflicted wife is also well done and has some resonance for me personally (though my dad doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, as far as I know, there are some definite parallels now and in my past to the situation in the show). Life goes on, and there’s only so much you can do. You have to take care of yourself. Some of the plotlines seem a little far-fetched (older girlfriend Susan Sarandon stealing Franco’s daughter away, Garrity’s romance with Tommy’s sister, the Probie’s is-he-or-is-he-not-gay dilemma), but that’s been a hallmark of the show since the beginning and it gives it’s bite.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) is another comedy full of unlikable people doing unlikable things. But, again, it makes me laugh, so there. I like watching shows on FX, since the people can actually swear and talk like you’d think they talk. The addition of Danny Devitto (as Dennis and Dee’s father) to the cast this season has not been entirely necessary or successful in my opinion, but he hasn’t caused the show to lose it’s edge, which is good.
Meerkat Manor (Animal Planet) is another show I didn’t think I’d be so attached to, but which has totally hooked me. You can’t help but get drawn in by the cute little African critters of the Whiskers clan and their continuing quest for survival in a harsh world. Besides, the meerkat who plays dominant female Flower is a great actress.
Hmmm, this is getting longer than I thought it would, and I’ve still got a lot of shows to go. To be continued in the next entry (which should be soon, since it’s mostly composed)…
Latre.
Comments
3 Responses to “Interesting Summer Distractions, Part 1A: Television”
August 6th, 2006 @ 10:11 am
i have misses almost every other episode of Rescue Me…what the HELL is going on now!???
I will msot likely miss next tuesdays as well…..grrrr.
also I have a question….now that your FEET are bigger…however will you find shoes to fit????
August 6th, 2006 @ 10:44 pm
I don’t wear shoes.
August 7th, 2006 @ 8:49 am
smarty pants!!!
hope you are well….yadda yadda….