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What's good on TV these days?  XML
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BotFodder

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Joined: 01/13/2006 15:23:41
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Monday Nights will never be the same.

First off, I've been setting the VCR to record "Battlestar Galactica", and "4400" when they're on. That's pretty much it for the most part; nothing really stirs me as much as "West Wing" did.

Until now.

If you were a fan of the "West Wing", or anything else Aaron Sorkin has done, I highly suggest "Studio 60" on NBC (10PM ET; nbc.com has at least one of the two episodes online). The show's premise: a live comedy show (like SNL) is in trouble - bad writing, mainly, but the Exec. Prod. has lost his heart, and his influence. He goes on the air, interrupting a live skit, and rails against TV in general, saying it's become something that panders to the lowest common denominator (or those who whine the most: Humorless Fundamental Christians). Needless to say, he's fired.

Enter Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford - who played Josh on West Wing) and Matt Albie (Matthew Perry of Friends): A writer/director team who years before had been on the staff of "Studio 60". Their plans for a movie go awry, and they are brought on by the new studio head to run the show. Not everyone's happy about this - they didn't leave "Studio 60" under the best of circumstances before. Add to the mix an ex-gf in the cast, a writing staff that feels slighted ... Danny and Matt have a lot going against them.

The show is very Sorkin: great flowing dialogue, humor coming from even the more dramatic moments.

Now, I thought I was doing well to have a new show to see, but a buddy at work clued me into "Heroes", which airs just before "Studio 60". It premiered last night; I caught the episode online at nbc.com. People all over the world are drawn to New York, and begin discovering that they have extrodinary powers: a girl in high school whose body heals itself, a Japanese man that figures out he can teleport, a painter who can see the future ... a couple of others. Throw in a geneticist that has been studying the possibility of evolution creating these "Heroes", and you've pretty much got the show.

Any comic book afficianado from the early days should be aware of the basic differences between DC Comics books and Marvel Comics books: Marvel tended to have people who, while heroes, didn't have the "perfect life" (IE, Batman was a millionare, Superman had a great job ... but Spiderman was a geeky highschooler/college kid; only recently in the grand scheme did DC books start giving their heroes some "reality"). Now, take the idea of regular people developing powers and stretch out the discovery and converging story lines over a TV season (well, I can guess at least three or four episodes at least), and you've got "Heroes". The self-healing cheerleader has tried to kill herself several times, and is quite depressed - her new powers make her "wierd". The painter has a drug habit and in his more lucid moments sees the resulting work as "evil". None of the heroes (or the east Indian geneticist) has a perfect life. And there's a hint of a disaster that's coming, that they all need to get together to prevent ...

One thing about "Heroes": When I heard it described, I could have sworn this was a show that J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5" EP and principle writer of 88 of the 110 episodes) would do. He's done a comic book in a similar vein, and while nothing so far has indicated that he has anything to do with "Heroes", it does have a feel to it that reminds one of some of his B5 or Jeremiah writing.

So, so far I'm recommending both of these shows - though mind you they *just* started (2 episodes for "Studio 60" so far, and 1 for "Heroes"). Sorkin's luck in finding a cast for "West Wing" that just "gelled" together seems to have struck for "Studio 60". I haven't seen anything come as close as "Heroes" has when it comes to giving the "fantastic" some realism. There is a certain lack of "flashy" special effects - and that might just be one of the saving graces.

In both shows, character development seems to be a key thing; for "Studio 60", you get the feeling that these are all people familliar with each other, and you might not know all the particulars regarding their interrelationships - but as time goes on, you'll figure it out. For "Heroes", you're given enough of a background on each character to figure out what their "normal" life was like - and how becoming a "hero" might not necessarily make things any better.

So far the only thing bad about "Studio 60" is that you kinda also want to see the "show within a show" sometimes. But also, so far, you're given enough to know how things are going to go ...

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Chameleon

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I've never heard of any of those shows. I don't have cable or satellite, though. I just use an antennae to get channels. I like the Simpsons, however. It isn't as funny as it used to be, but I still like it. I did see the first episode of that Battlestar Gallactica show a while back. It was ok. I still remember the original show along with Buck Rogers...anyone remember that one?


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Boingo_Babe

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I watch the Simpsons with Chameleon, but I've really gotten into Bones which is based on the novels by Kathy Reichs who is a forensic anthropologist. The character's name is (in the book) Temperance Brennen. In the show, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennen writes about Kathy Reichs. Twisted, yes?

Anyway, its your basic find the body, figured out how they died and who killed them show. I love how the the woman character is the one who kicks butt, instead of running from the wolfman in the woods in high heels.

I love mysteries.

And I think the FBI agent in the show is a studmuffin.

When I get the chance I also check out Dr. Phil and Saturday Night Live. They play older ones early Sunday morning.

B_B

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PyRo

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Boingo_Babe wrote:
I watch the Simpsons with Chameleon, but I've really gotten into Bones which is based on the novels by Kathy Reichs who is a forensic anthropologist. The character's name is (in the book) Temperance Brennen. In the show, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennen writes about Kathy Reichs. Twisted, yes?

Anyway, its your basic find the body, figured out how they died and who killed them show. I love how the the woman character is the one who kicks butt, instead of running from the wolfman in the woods in high heels.

I love mysteries.

And I think the FBI agent in the show is a studmuffin.

When I get the chance I also check out Dr. Phil and Saturday Night Live. They play older ones early Sunday morning.

B_B 


i hope your talking about David Borneas (i think i spelled that right) i have been a fan of his for a looong time! he played in Buffy the vampire Slayer as Angel and then split to his own show Angel! Both very good! (im a vampire lover!) Then he went to Bones! I havent really seen any of the show tho...

Anyways the only shows i watch on TV that i cant do with out is CSI (all of them!), Desprate Housewives ( its an awesome show! but you HAVE to see EVERY episode to understand it! Its so not just a girls show! Wombat is totaly addicted as well!) and House! I think Hugh Laurie is a hottie! anyways thats about it!

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Tidu!

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I usually find myself watching Seinfeld reruns, and that's about it :p

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dip42

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House!


Enough said..


well maybe not.. Its a medical show Kinda like Er but without the gore.

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Boingo_Babe

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PyRo wrote:
i hope your talking about David Borneas  


I am.

I've seen a couple House episodes; I love his attitude.


B_B

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO what a ride!"

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Continuum

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Daily Show

Colbert Report

Alias

Was watching the shield and rescue me but they havnt been on for a couple weeks.





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TIMMY

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i usually watch everybody loves raymond reruns

then cartoons like the simpsons, futurama and family guy......lol even spongebob cracks me up every now and then

As for new shows, i watch prisonbreak coz i saw most of the series and i'm curious about wats gonna happen nxt......most of the episodes have very good cliffies too.........keeps me interested.

Then House and C.S.I. I hate CSI new york so i never watch dat but CSI miami's alrite.....the las vegas one is still the best tho.

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BotFodder

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I catch Simpsons and CSI in syndication; Futurama during Adult Swim when I can't get to sleep at my normal time. Occasionally catch the reruns of Daily Show; Colbert Report is okay but it isn't the Daily Show. Spongebob I'll stop on while channel surfing.

House I've caught once and it was good - just not on at a good time, and wasn't *quite* good enough for me to set the VCR for.

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Flak Monkey

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Chameleon wrote:
I've never heard of any of those shows. I don't have cable or satellite, though. I just use an antennae to get channels. I like the Simpsons, however. It isn't as funny as it used to be, but I still like it. I did see the first episode of that Battlestar Gallactica show a while back. It was ok. I still remember the original show along with Buck Rogers...anyone remember that one? 


Oh ya! With TWIGGY! *Beedee Beedee Beedee*

I know the designer of that outift had a sence of humor. IF you remember what he looked like, I'm sure you will know why I say that.

I really enjoyed the original Battelstar much more...kinda like the same for the original Star Wars Tillogy...it's what I grew up on.
And all thoes other great shows from the 70's and 80s...Automan,Phoenix (therse a few that only lasted a season or so) And cant forget A-Team.

After hearing the Theme to that show, who cant help but to want to build something cool in their garage.

My current skin After several other skins, I have reverted back to Bender.

Flak Monkey -> Berserker ( 818 )
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Favorite quotes:

"It puts the lotion on it's skin, or else it gets the hose again."

"Every morning is the dawn of a new error"

"But why is the rum gone?"

"The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and doesn't stop until you get to the office." - Robert Frost

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RadicalROM

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CSI Vegas and House is what my wife and I watch. I have always been big into survivor. Thats my regular shows, and catch a few others when ever.
Pyramidion

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Good on TV, hmmm... Yes the Simpsons and Family Guy, but the shows I actually work my schedule around for are House, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and the occassional Amazing Race(but then I'd have to miss the simpsons). House is a very good mystery/doctor show, he's(Dr. House) is odd in his own way. Lost, well is just amazing and Grey's Anatomy is a nice break and I really enjoy it. My suggestion is Lost, but you'd have to begin from DVD set 1 and work your way to season 3 airing next wednesday!!!

edit: Almost forgot Re-runs of M*A*S*H on the Hallmark Channel almost all hours of the day! That's good TV!
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UntamedSub

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Mondays- Heroes...premiere was pretty interesting, looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
Tuesdays- NCIS and The Unit
Wednesdays---no clue
Thursdays- Yes, I know it's sad, but I am a Survivor junkie...plus CSI LV comes on after it
Fridays...no clue....Saturday no clue...usually doing stuff out with the family, not much TV....but Sunday night, sometimes I try to catch 60 mins... and Amazing Race and of course Desperate Housewives....it's hilarious this season!

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Flak Monkey

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Pyramidion wrote:
Almost forgot Re-runs of M*A*S*H on the Hallmark Channel almost all hours of the day! That's good TV! 


This is strictly my opinion, but I beleive that M*A*S*H was the best program every put on TV. It ran longer that the war it was about. I've seen every episode at least twice. Great writing, great cast, just.....great show all around.

The Monkey has spoken.

My current skin After several other skins, I have reverted back to Bender.

Flak Monkey -> Berserker ( 818 )
Flak Junkie -> AM (60)
Monkey Wrench -> Engineer (27)

Favorite quotes:

"It puts the lotion on it's skin, or else it gets the hose again."

"Every morning is the dawn of a new error"

"But why is the rum gone?"

"The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and doesn't stop until you get to the office." - Robert Frost

"Beer has some Food value, but Food has no Beer value."
 
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