Another Year in Television:
Fall 2004 - Summer 2005
by Jon
D. Bohland
6 July 2005
Just to let everyone know, I do have something resembling a life and don’t watch television 24/7…22/6 maybe, but definitely not 24/7. In addition to my television watching exploits, I have managed to write six chapters of my dissertation, help coach my alma mater to its eighth state soccer crown, and teach a bunch of courses to impressionable college students over the past year. That being said, I do realize that I watch a lot of television. Thankfully, I finally joined the TIVO nation and am now the proud owner of a DVR. Maybe soon I’ll get HDTV and really feel fancy.
As for television trends: reality television continues to suck and set new standards for low-brow programming (the Real Gilligan’s Island? Beauty and the Geek? Who green lighted this crap?), the CSI fetish is now in full bloom with plenty of copy cats shows set to appear on the Fall schedule, Bravo has lost all credibility as a network following the introduction of a show based around Bobby Brown and news programs spend a lot more time worrying about insane, bug-eyed runaway brides than actually reporting on a failing war program and Bush government scandals. Enough of all that, here is my list of my favorite offerings on the boob tube this past year, including shows that are currently airing. They are in no particular order, as I’m far too unorganized and scatterbrained to actually put them in some sort of significant rank.
The Wire, Season 3 HBO
If you fancy yourself a true connoisseur of quality television,
you’d best be watching this show or else you’re a poseur. This season revolved
around the resurgence of the whole String/ drug cartel in Baltimore and the
attempt by the police to bring them down again. As always on this show, nobody
is altogether good or bad and lots of interesting characters weave seamlessly
in and out of the plotlines. The most interesting storyline involved the creation
by a Baltimore police lieutenant of a police-free drug zone, nicknamed “Hamsterdam”
by the locals. In a highly nuanced fashion, the amazing writers of the show
brought this vision alive and made the audience really think about whether
this approach is actually feasible. Best cast and best show on television,
ya’ll. Even the good folks at Entertainment Weekly agree with me, having rated
it numero uno on their year end list of television shows. The next season
is supposed to be about inner city education-can’t wait to see how they tackle
that topic.
Entourage, Season 1 and 2 (now
airing) HBO
This is a fun show, nothing really provocative about it. Two
characters basically make this a must see or must TIVO show. Johnny Drama,
played by Matt Dillon’s brother, as the half-brother of the hot young actor
Vince, is just a great character. He’s currently contemplating getting calf
implants. (Who among us hasn’t?) The other great character is Ari, the unscrupulous
agent played by Jeremy Piven, he of PCU and Old School fame (plus he’s seemingly
in every other John Cusack movie). He does sleaze well and steals most scenes
that he is in. Hug it out, bitch and watch this show. It’s a crap load better
than that overrated HBO hit of the past (now in reruns daily on TBS) Sex and
the frickin’ City….
Lost, Season 1 ABC
Yes, it is over-hyped. Yes, the finale sucked. (Could you
give us a bit more for our two hours about the mysterious hatch other than
it is really deep?) But this really was a pretty nice addition to the television
line-up, replete with interesting characters and sci-fi storylines. Plus,
it gave Charlie from Party of Five and one of the hobbits from Lord of the
Rings some consistent work (By the way, bet you did not first see Dominic
Monaghan’s early work on the Haddie Wainwright mysteries, did you? Pretty
sad that I saw those…) Anyway, I digress. The best thing about this show is
the weekly flashback that focuses on a different character each time. Very
inventive stuff with lots of possibilities for future storylines and random
guest star appearances (anyone notice the babe from Ed in one episode playing
Jack’s fiancée?) I’m hooked for the next season, anyway.
Mystery Monday, BBC America
This is not one show but a series of shows that rotate at
the 8-11pm timeslot on BBC America. Most of them are not classic mysteries
but rather gritty Brit-drama that kicks most American shows to the curb. My
favorites from this year include: The Night Detective, a series focused on
the trials and tribulations of a black detective that works the overnight
shift in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and The Long Cut, a super-cool mini-series about
a homosexual gangster in 1960’s and 70’s London with a heart of gold. I’m
also a Jonathan Creek fan, though I hate to actually admit that. Currently,
this time slot is airing old Prime Suspect episodes, always a stellar watch
to be sure. Love that Jane Tennyson.
Veronica Mars, Season One UPN
So I needed a show to curb my Buffy fix after both Buffy and
Angel ended…enter Ms. Veronica. What a sassy-ass show this is, with a weekly
mystery to solve and a season-long murder case that united the storylines.
Cool cast that includes some veteran faces, like one of the dudes from Just
Shoot Me as Mr. Mars, private dick extraordinaire and Harry Hamlin as a big
Hollywood star that turns out to be a baddie in the end (not sure I buy him
as a big celeb, the producer must be a huge Clash of the Titans fan). Katherine
Bell rocks as Veronica-just to let everyone know, it is okay to have a crush
on her as she’s actually 24. Good theme song by the Dandy Warhols to boot.
Watch this one before some idiot cancels it; it’s too smart to stay on for
long.
Reno 911, Season Three Comedy
Central
Based on the first few episodes of this season, it might be
the best one yet. Those cats from The State have created one of the most twisted
shows in television history. This is a show that keeps getting funnier and
finding ways to amuse. Always good for a few nice cameos from funny folks
as well. Side note-I don’t much care for the new show Stella from some other
State vets. It is really not that funny. Stick to VHI and Ed reruns, Michael
Ian Black.
The Daily Show, Comedy Central
I was worried the show might lose its mojo after the unfortunate
events of November 2004 (that is how I refer to the election; let us speak
of it no more). After a bit of understandable malaise, it has really hit its
stride this spring and is sharper and funnier than ever. I have a friend that
has recently written an academic paper on how the left has started to use
humor as a form of critique against right-wing hegemony. Watching this show
proves her point quite well. The skinny is that Stephen Colbert is getting
his own show in the Fall based on the Colbert Report fake-ads they air sometimes,
the one where he channels Bill O’Reilly. Should be must see stuff as well.
Six Feet Under, Final Season
(currently airing) HBO
It is not as good as some of the previous seasons of the show
but I’ve invested too much time in this set of dysfunctional folks to give
up now. The fact that Brenda is now the most stable character of the bunch
says a lot about how far down some of them have fallen. Still a great cast
and the acting is always top notch. I’ll miss this show when it finally ends
next month.
Arrested Development, Season
Two Fox
I caught onto this show a bit late but have since seen every
episode…it is simply the best comedy on television: twisted, strange, bizarre,
and unexpected humor every week. There is not a bad character in the bunch
and Jason Bateman has truly made the comeback of a lifetime from his 1980’s
sitcom past. David Cross has always been a favorite of mine and it’s great
to see a show put his talents to full use. Spread the word on this one and
get more people watching so that the fascists at Fox will keep it on the air.
The O.C., Season Two Fox
We almost stopped watching the trials and tribulations of
the Cohen family after the first few episodes of the second season which were
very flat and uninteresting. Enter the skanky bisexual bar manager chic to
the rescue! Yes, once Marisa gave the other team a few at bats, we were once
again hooked on The O.C. at chez Bohland. Gotta love the Bait Shop-it is like
the Peach Pit After Dark but with better bands. Sorry to see Caleb go down-he
made things interesting and gave the show that necessary sleaze factor (though
didn’t you think it was strange that his newly found daughter would not come
back into town for his funeral?) Keep on wearing them wife-beaters Ryan, we
love you brother.
The Simpsons, Season Three Million
or so Fox
Hit or miss episodes of this show are the standard for The
Simpsons these days. The best episodes are still every bit as good and biting
as the gems of the past, such as the one where Patti comes out and tries to
get married. Great social commentary on gay marriage embedded within the episode.
It is still way better than 98% of the other dregs found on television, just
like it was last year. Gotta love the twice-daily reruns we get here in the
‘Noke as well. Hope you are as lucky in your hometown.
30 Days, Season One (currently
airing) F/X
I’m a big fan of Morgan Spurlock’s approach to documentary
film making and his show follows the pattern of Super Size Me by dealing with
interesting and controversial subjects with a much steadier and wiser hand
than that other famous left-wing documentary film maker could ever manage.
This is the only reality television that is worth a crap.
Monk, Season Three USA Network
See a murder, watch Mr. Monk act neurotic, see him eventually
brilliantly solve the case. Formulaic and easy to watch, yet comforting like
a big blue blankee…You’ve got to love the introduction of Traylor Howard as
the new assistant. I always liked her on Two Guys and a Girl, that crappy
ass ABC sitcom from a few years back. She’s the right kind of sassy, a little
bit of alright. This is another show that has some great guest appearances
from week to week, including one by Jason Alexander on the upcoming season
premiere.
The Office, Season One NBC
Not even close to as good as the BBC version in its first
few episodes, it did start to hit its stride by episode four or so. I’ve always
liked Steve Carrell and the rest of the cast is pretty solid. They’ll do well
in future episodes to not try and copy the BBC version and stick to making
up new storylines. Love that the show is set in Scranton-if you’ve ever been
there, you know how genius a move that was (side note-never try and find a
decent restaurant in downtown Scranton if you are driving up I-81, it ain’t
happening).
Da Ali G Show, Season Two, HBO
Respeck. This show makes me laugh every single time, especially
during the interviews with folks like Pat Buchanan and Andy Rooney. He was
actually in the Roanoke area recently and caused quite a stir when his Kazak
character Borak sang the national anthem in brutally hilarious style at a
local rodeo. Rednecks throughout the Roanoke Valley were appalled, my friends
and I were pissed that we were not there to see it.
Robot Chicken, Season One Cartoon
Network
Wackiness ensues each week with bizarre action figure skits
courtesy of Seth Green of Buffy and Austin Powers fame. It is on so late that
I can only catch this one now because of my new TIVO-enabled super-powers.
Good parodies of popular culture, past and present, can be found on here.
One skit involved an amazingly funny take on G.I. Joe. I just know The Thundercats
will be skewered soon.
Other things that I’ve taken to watching periodically, for better or worse:
Into the West TNT: Crappy summer
miniseries fare from TNT, but I am a sucker for historical epics. Includes
the prerequisite Native Americans sure were really spiritual and mystical
storylines now present in all Western fare.
Empire ABC: See above, without
the Native Americans and with more swords. Can’t wait to see how HBO presents
ancient Rome this fall….should be good and nasty.
Summerland WB: This is a terrible,
terrible show that somehow I ended up watching on occasion. As bad and abusive
a habit as heroin, thankfully it got cancelled.
Dawson's Creek Reruns (10m and
11am weekdays on TBS): I just don’t think Tom Cruise is right for Joey. Dawson
was always her true love. The best show for background noise when writing
dissertations, take my word for it. This is teen melodrama and pubescent angst
to the max.
NUMB3RS Season One CBS The return
of Rob Morrow, here solving crimes with the help of his math genius brother.
This show is okay if you’re a loser and home like we are on Friday nights.
I miss Northern Exposure.
Everything airing on Fox Soccer Channel.
Up with the Arsenal, people! Thierry Henry is a God!
The Official Reruns to TIVO/Watch While Sick, Eating Dinner, or While Writing Your Thesis List:
Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO Comedy
(7:30pm daily)
Ed on TBS (Noon weekdays)
The Practice on F/X (9am weekdays)
Buffy on F/X (7 and 8am, 1 and
2pm weekdays)
Angel on TNT (8am and 5pm weekdays)
The Tick on Toon Disney (11pm
most weekdays)
Beverly Hills 90210 on Soap Network
(5pm weekdays)
Mr. Show on Comedy Central (random
weekdays)
Strangers with Candy on Comedy
Central (random weekdays)
James Bond Movies on Spike and
Encore (Most afternoon and nights)
Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, Law and
Order: Criminal Intent Reruns are found on all networks and all
times of day, from what I have gathered.
Where The Hell Are They?
A selection of shows that should be aired as reruns but currently are unavailable in the greater Roanoke, Va. television market, apart from possible random DVD purchase (if you have know differently, let me know!):
Party of Five, News Radio, Kids in the Hall, Freaks & Geeks, What’s Happening?, Good Times, The Equalizer, Northern Exposure, Homicide, My So Called Life, and all those wacky by-gone Syd and Marty Kroft shows (Where the hell is H.R. Pufenstuf? Electrowoman and Dynagirl? Sigmund the Sea Monster? Anyone?).
Until next year, stay hypnotized by the idiot box, people….
Jon Bohland
jdbohland [at] yahoo [dot] com
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