CTV Sucks!

Okay, I usually don't post mini blogs but this was too perfect to pass up. You know how I was complaining about how inept CTV was? Well, last night they played the wrong Grey's Anatomy episode. Instead of the anticipated season premiere (as seen on ABC), they played the second epsiode by mistake. Luckily I don't watch Grey's Anatomy, so it didn't affect me, but many Canadians are pissed! So to reiterate my point, watch American channels cuz Canadian affiliates suck!

The West Wing: Season Two

So I just finished the second season of The West Wing. And while the final moments of the season finale were so predictable that a third grader could see it coming, the rest of the season was top notch.

I remember hearing about the gunshots when the series first aired a few years ago; I didn’t know it was Josh who got shot though. So I was pulled right in when the season began. Of course, I knew he’d live based on his role for the rest of the seasons, but I was still engrossed. I’m glad they continued to bring Marlee Matlin in to amp up the relationship between Josh and Donna. And I though Aaron Sorkin did a brilliant job of ending the season with the confession of MS. Toby’s thought process and reaction, Oliver Platt’s interrogations, the fatal signature, and the surprise death in the second last episode, is what makes West Wing what it is. One of things I am most impressed with about The West Wing are its Christmas episodes. The majority of television Christmas episodes are filled with family stuff and learning the true meaning of Christmas. I usually find these episodes mediocre, as they seem to just go through the motions. The West Wing doesn’t go that route. Josh has a posttraumatic breakdown that is told in wonderful flashback form. The year before, Toby helped a homeless vet, which on the surface seems like a Christmas cliché, but I can still see Toby’s flinch reaction when the gun shots go off at the funeral. Sure there are some Christmasy things thrown in those episodes, but there is definitely more powerful stories being told.

Looking at the characters, I have enjoyed watching Charlie more and more. I love his quick comments and was pleasantly surprised when he was the one who figured out the president’s signature mistake. At first I didn’t like Emily Proctor’s Ainsley role. She just talked too fast and had these weird habits like eating other people’s food. But a few episodes later, I started to enjoy her spunkiness and her sparring with Sam, even though it's just ripping off the chemistry between Josh and Donna. Speaking of Donna, I love those episodes where Donna confronts Josh as an average American citizen so he has to justify himself and things he does as a government official. Its stuff like that that makes me learn more about American government. Of course, looking at the frenetic lives of the Senior White House Staff, it’s hard to imagine that the current Bush administration is anything like that.

There were only a couple of things that I didn’t like about this season of The West Wing, and all of them were minor. First, I missed Timothy Busfield’s Danny in the second half of the season. Second, I didn’t care about Bartlett’s fascination with Galileo. Third, I was annoyed that the filibuster episode didn’t have one reference to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, even to point out how the filibuster rules have changed. And finally, the final moments of the finale, with the hands in the pockets, seemed way too obvious. But these are just small potatoes when compared to the rest of the stellar season.

I’m looking forward to season three. Let the re-election begin.

Essential TV

As I have said before, there is no way that I could expect anyone to keep up with my television viewing habits. So I have made a schedule for those who do not want to miss quality programs, yet can’t spend the time to watch them all. I’ve narrowed it down to eight shows. Eight must-see shows. Eight shows that are not playing during the same timeslot. If you only have time to watch eight shows, here is what I think you should be watching:

Sunday
8:00pm......................................Amazing Race (Sept 17)
Monday
8:00pm......................................Prison Break (running)
9:00pm......................................Heroes (Sept 25)
10:00pm.....................................Studio 60 (Sept 18)
Tuesday
9:00pm......................................Veronica Mars (Oct 3)
Wednesday
9:00pm......................................Lost (Oct 4)
10:00pm.....................................The Nine (Oct 4)
Thursday
8:30pm......................................The Office (Sept 21)

This schedule has a bit of everything; drama, action, mystery, comedy, reality. While I watch many other shows, these are the ones that I care about. Of course, some might think I am taking a risk on some of the new shows; namely: Heroes, Studio 60 and The Nine. You wouldn’t say that if you’ve seen the downloaded pilots.

The Nine literally kept me captivated for the full hour. The first act (after the first commercial) is riveting. My mouth was open in stunned silence as the story frenetically unfolded before me. If they can keep this up, we are in for a treat. This was by far, the best pilot of the fall.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip has such clever writing and fantastic characters; it’s almost impossible to dislike this show. My only issue with the pilot is that they have shown a large chunk of it during its extensive promotion campaign. I can’t wait to hear what Aaron Sorkin will write next, especially with his challenging diatribes on Christianity.

Heroes has definitely peaked my curiosity. They have a lot of interesting stories to tell with some of them being downright creepy. The last minutes of the pilot pleasantly surprised me and made me want a whole lot more. It was great even without Greg Grunberg making an appearance yet.

I am definitely excited about the upcoming TV season. I think it’s mainly because there are some smartly written shows that networks are giving a chance to. It’s nice to not be insulted with cliché programs of canned laughter, formulaic plots and cardboard characters. It’s getting to the point, where it feels like I’m watching a bunch of mini-movies each week without leaving the comfort of my couch. It’s about time.

Premiere Recap

So CTV is showing Studio 60 at 7:00pm on Sunday now. Maybe. This coming week is the ‘official’ start of the TV season also knows as Premiere Week. If you watch as much TV as I do, you can look forward to seeing the Amazing Race, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, How I Met Your Mother, 2½ Men, Smith, The Unit, Boston Legal, Law & Order: SVU, Kidnapped, CSI: NY, CSI:, My Name is Earl and The Office all premiere this week. But since you probably don’t watch as much TV as I do, you may be asking, what should watch? Well, lucky for you, I do my research. In a stroke of great bandwith, I was able to download many of the new show pilots to see just what was worth watching. But before I get to those, a quick recap on the series that have premiered so far.

Prison Break –The pace is still keeping me on the edge of my seat. The casting of William Fitchner (Invasion) as the lead detective with the same intelligence as Scofield was a genius move. And not to spoil the premiere for those who haven’t seen it yet, but the death at the end of the first episode was a joy to be hold. Finally, as assassin who got it right; a shot to head to make sure they’re dead. You hear me Alias bad guys?

Justice – Speaking of Alias, Victor Garber is so fun to watch. One of my favourite Alias scenes ever was Jack Bristow berating Sydney’s fiancée on the phone and not granting his blessing. Now we get to see this angry character every week. Thematically, I love the way the show incorporates the effect the media has on a trial even if it is over-exaggerated. Love the wit. Love the strategy. Love the slick CSI:-style camera work. And the show is made even more enjoyable with the truth being told in the closing seconds of the program. If only more clients were guilty, and if only the show weren’t going up against Lost in a couple of weeks.

Vanished – Boring. I gave up after the lackluster premiere. The biggest problem with this show is that I could care less about the people involved. The senator is not at all sympathetic, the daughter is annoying, the Asian agent is cardboard, and the news reporter is overdone. The only person I cared a speck for was the lead agent, but not enough to continue the series. Don’t waste your time on this show. Besides, it’s on Fox, so they’ll probably yank it half-way through like they did with last year’s serialized mystery, Reunion.

House – Still good. Can’t complain. I even kind of like Robert Sean Leonard’s Wilson character being a jerk to House. Now if only they could change the show’s formula up a bit.

Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy – It’s like they’ve never left. I am so glad they moved the awful War at Home to a later timeslot so it doesn’t interrupt this fine 90 minutes of animation.

Survivor: Cook Islands – I gave this show fifteen minutes, then changed the channel. The gimmick wore off. It’s like these survivors feel that they are representing their entire race, as if they have been chosen to tell the rest of us what they are really like, while at the same time adopting the stereotypes placed on them. I remember watching Bowling for Columbine and seeing Canadians talk as if they spoke for the whole country. They couldn’t be more wrong and couldn’t make us look more stupid. It annoyed me. Still does. Oh, and I can see trouble a-brewing when they award one ethnicity over the other at the final tribal council. Let the bigotry begin

Why I Hate Canadian Television

If you get CTV, the series premiere of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is tonight (Thursday) at 10:00pm. Glad they had that small information bar pop up while I was watching Justice last night. I could have sworn that Studio 60 was set to premiere this Sunday on CTV, with NBC showing it on Monday night. I know I could have sworn it, because I did the research. But apparently, they changed the premiere without telling anyone, probably because they had to make room for The Amazing Race on Sunday. This is why I hate Canadian television networks.

I am a proud Canadian. Well, I don’t eat poutine, I do watch hockey and the CFL and I do feel a sense of pride when a Canadian music artist does well in the States. The one thing I can’t stand about Canada is its crappy television and network programming. When it comes to the shows I love to watch, I try my hardest to see them on their original American network. Thankfully, I am able to get the eastern feeds, so I can watch Lost at 6pm instead of waiting til 9pm. You see, if I waited until 9, then CTV takes over the ABC station and I’m stuck watching that annoying guy trying to sell me on more Shaw services. On the American stations, you always see previews for the next episode; on Canadian stations I keep seeing promos for Canadian Idol with the much-despised Ben Mulroney. And don’t get me started on their repetitive commercials.

I also have a hard time watching Canadian original shows. I hate Corner Gas. I don’t find it funny at all. I’m not from the prairie, I’ve never been to the prairie, I’m not even sure I’m correctly spelling prairie. I just can’t relate to Corner Gas whatsoever. And I don’t want to try. Other than that, are there any worthwhile Canadian programs? Does Degrassi count as worthwhile? Trailer Park Boys? Has it come to that? Okay, those Canada: A People’s History documentaries are supposed to be well done. But still, that’s pretty sad.

What bothers me most about Canadian networks is that there is no consistency when it comes to their schedule. Because they are showing various series from various American networks, they need to keep adjusting. A special two hour episode of something will mess up an entire week of Canadian programming. Some friends of mine tried to watch Alias on CTV. The geniuses at the network put it on at 4pm on Sunday.... sometimes. I think they moved it to 11:00pm on Monday for a week. Without telling anyone. Then they skipped some weeks because of the Academy Awards and a miniseries. My friends gave up and are waiting for the DVD now. CTV let them down. They don’t get American stations so they must rely on the sub-par talents of Canadian programming. So think of this a public service announcement for those who don’t possess cable (I seriously don’t know how they survive), Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in on tonight at 10pm. You got that Dave and Andrea?

After writing this, I went to the CTV website and they say Sopranos are on tonight at 10pm. So maybe that Studio 60 information was wrong last night. Maybe it’s not. Tune in tonight at 10pm and see what CTV decides to do. Don’t blame me, blame CTV. And that’s why I hate Canadian television networks.

The Illusionist/Hollywoodland

Yup, it’s a new blog. I took some time off with the start of the new school season, but it’s back to the reviews. This past week I saw two films that were not on my fall movie list. I guess I now know the reason why I make such lists. Not that these two movies were terrible, but they weren’t the greatest pieces of cinema either. Since I have the same complaints with both films, I’ll save myself some time and review them together.

On the surface, The Illusionist and Hollywoodland have good things going for them; they both have big name, Oscar worthy stars in a stylized film drenched in mystery. Unfortunately, it’s the slowly dragging plot that does the movies in. The only redeeming factor in both The Illusionist and Hollywoodland is the superb acting. The Illusionist stars Edward Norton (American History X, Primal Fear) as a famed illusionist and Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man, Sideways) as a cop trying to figure Norton out. I find both actors are compelling to watch as they revel in the their thick accents and convey volumes of meaning in just one glance. Even supporting turns by Rufus Sewell (Dark City) and Jessica Biel (7th Heaven) are well done. In Hollywoodland, Adrien Brody (The Pianist) does a fine job as a washed up, publicity-craving detective who investigates the ‘mysterious’ death of George Reeves. And while some may disagree, I enjoyed seeing Ben Affleck as the washed up George Reeves who only had the role of Superman to call his own. So if you watch these two movies to just looking for great acting, I don’t think you’d be disappointed.

Unfortunately, we often go to the movies to see a well-paced story of some sort. I remember watching a TV commerical for The Illusionist that warned the viewers not to spoil the secret of the movie. I guess that those people responsible for the warning have not realized that audiences have become smarter and more suspicious ever since the big reveal of The Sixth Sense. I won’t spoil the film for you, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to see what is really going on. I will admit that I did find the feats of illusion to be fascinating and way above the work of Criss Angel: Mindfreak. What really hurts The Illusionist, however, is the slow pace of the film that seems to stretch every second of Norton’s concentration on stage. Pace is also a problem with the noir-ish Hollywoodland. The film takes too much time watching Adrien Brody think things through. That, and if you know the story of George Reeve’s death, there’s not that much mystery. The film did, however, do a great job showing the similar beaten path taken by Affleck’s Reeves and Brody’s detective. But all I have to say is, if I have to check my watch, the film is going on too long.

In conclusion, these films would be better viewed as a rental instead of spending your precious time constantly shifting your seat in the theatre. What’s weird is that there are two films coming up shortly that seem very familiar, yet far superior to these films. Instead of The Illusionist, wait for The Prestige which also deals with magicians but features Hugh Jackman and Chirstian Bale and is written & directed by the stellar Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins). Instead of watching Hollywoodland, go see The Black Dahlia, another gritty noir directed by Brian DePalma (Scarface, Carrie) and written by the guy who wrote LA Confidential. Let’s just hope that second time’s the charm.