State of Mind

I think the first 'The Office' was funnier than I think it was. We missed the first five minutes -- I was busy setting up the TIVO to get the Twins game after I watched them go down 6-1.
So admittedly I was a little annoyed with their defense and I was watching the show knowing that I couldn't wait to get back to the game to see if we could pull out a comeback. We did. It was beautiful and hands-down the best non-playoff Twins game ever. But I didn't laugh as much at 'The Office' because I had baseball on the brain. After the miraculous comeback and I settled into bed for the eveing, me and the Mrs. pulled up the missing five minutes from 'The Office' off the bedroom TV and I laughed about six times. At that point I knew I could never give this episode the fair review it deserves, and I cheated myself out a show I had looked forward to watching for months. The moral? Don't watch 'Lost' at midnight just to get through it, don't watch comedy when you are waiting for something else....enjoy the shows you enjoy when you are ready to enjoy them. Profound.

STAT OF THE WEEK
(courtesy of the StarTrib)

The (Twins) game had a 13.5 rating on the regional sports network, winning the prime-time slot during season premier week and beating "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC affiliate KSTP (Ch. 5) and "The Office" on NBC affiliate KARE (Ch. 11). The rating means 230,405 households were watching.

The highest-rated quarter-hour for Thursday's game was an eye-popping 19.9 from 10:30 to 10:45 p.m. That means 339,633 households were watching as Alexi Casilla drove in Nick Punto with the winning run.

What Are 5-Year-Olds Watching?

I have no idea. I know what my 5 year old is watching, and I know we are very careful about we let him watch. Careful in terms of vetting new shows first, and sitting with the kid(s) through the first couple of episodes. Careful in terms of content he isn't ready for, and understanding that some content will be over his head regardless. And if he actually picks up on it, we'll talk about it.

Here is the list:
-Sid the Science Kid (PBS) - this show is great and my son is learning a ton from it.
-Cyberchase (PBS)
-WordGirl (PBS) - a spelling superhero - no issues here
-Ben 10 / Ben 10: Alien Force (Cartoon) - as far as 'violent' cartoons go, this one registers as low impact. They reinforce teamwork which is nice.
-Transformers (Cartoon) - Again, the violence is against machines and the lessons are about teamwork and the environment
-SpongeBob (Nick) - I hate this show, I hate that they use the word 'stupid' all the time, but we've talked about it and other than that this show is just kind of funny.
-Batman / SpiderMan (KidsWB) - these superhero cartoons are geared toward the younger set.
-Spiderman and His Amazing Friends (JETIX) - remember this one from Saturday morning? Yep, same one. Too awesome for words. The boy loves it, and its straight early 80's cheese.
-Barn Yard (Nick) - this is one of those shows that is great for parents too -- the jokes are way over the kids heads, but my kids laugh out loud more at this show than any other.
-Drake and Josh (Nick) - this is an example of how you cannot control every aspect of your kids life. They will have playdates and they will come home having seen something new that is probably not age appropriate, but they beg, and you recant a little. Its actually not so bad, a little slap-sticky, kind of silly, and only one time did I see someone kiss a transvestite.
Yeah, I know. Really?
Anyway, this is the list, give-or-take, that you will find in our DVR at any given time. Oh, we also don't watch them all at once in a row. Stop judging me.

Quick Mid-Week Observations...

This is premiere week coupled with Twins-WhiteSox week. I am going to be very tired by Friday, I can already tell. A couple of quick thoughts on some new and returning shows:

90210: I gave up. Gave up about 18 minutes into episode 3. Deleted episode 3 and a waiting #4 on the spot. That's it. Good night. Found out Kelly's kid belongs to Dylan. DELETE FOREVER. Someone page me on my beeper when Luke Perry decides to show up for one night.

Worst Week: My least favorite thing on TV are uncomfortable circumstances that could have easily been avoided with some common sense and simple communication. I know, I know, 90% of sitcoms and soap operas rely on this method to create storylines - call it the 'Diff'rent Strokes Approach', but Worst Week is an entire show built on the premise of nothing going right for the protagonist. Within 4 minutes I knew this might be the most impossible show to watch of all time. That was that. DELETE FOREVER.

Til Death: Yes yes, we're still watching. And guess what, it has become unwatchable. The original premise, of a young and old married couple living across the street from each other is long gone -- the young couple having been dismissed in favor of Brad Garrett and Joley Fisher and their new found token black friend JB Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm). I thought he was great as Larry's house guest. He is nails on a chalkboard this time around. DELETE FOREVER.

SVU: What? Luke Perry is working? And not on 90210 but instead on SVU as a sick rapist? And sick is an understatement for this episode. I think since Ice-T cut off his pony tail he has lost all his strength, but that might just be me. Welcome back SVU, I missed you. And hello to new young hot district attorney, we're glad you are aboard. With all respect to Diann Neil, something has been lacking since Stephanie March left to pursue a movie career that didn't happen. Someone page my beeper when/if she shows up on Cinemax.

Fringe: Love it. Two great jokes this week to lighten up the mood had me laughing out loud. When the Harvard freshmen interupted the brain surgery, and finally when Dr. Crazy realized he might be able to use the metal in his patients brain to steal satellite TV. This show is a litle gross, way out there, and super compelling. Each week's episode is stand alone, but they do a nice job of slowly building a mythology as well -- no time is wasted here. I really like Josh Jackson (eek) and the tall black dude from 'The Wire' is great. This is going to be a great show, in it for the long haul.

Bones: I am just going to say it. This season has sucked so far. Without Zach, the rythym is off. Sweets is a fine character, but he is on too much now. Its time for Booth and Bones to get together, it won't ruin the show, it will take it in a new direction because the current direction is on year four and I am getting bored with a show I really, really like. Come one Hart Hanson, shake it up some, will ya?

If you haven't listened to the Podcast yet, please do -- its actually pretty good (all things considered). There will be a new one on Monday following Anna Farris this week on SNL.

Tomorrow night is the return of 'The Office'. Color me fired up.

SNL+Saturday Night Live + Sucks+ Awful + Bottomed Out

BREAKING NEWS: Stop me if you've heard this before, SNL was awful again. I am not purposely trying to be snarky, I am just a loyal fan waiting around for one of his favorite programs to find its way again.

And so without further ado...here is the first ever, first time, Saturday Night Live Review PODCAST with special guest Dave C from www.doodledee.com.

What? A Podcast? Yes. Click and listen. And please remember, this is the first one. So even though we're mocking SNL, we're aware our podcast is not very good either. But were new here, unlike SNL which has been on the air for 30 years. And remember this, the first Seinfeld was awful, as was the first Buffy, as was the first Cheers...

You know what, just listen and enjoy:


...OR DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

DirtySexyWeekend

Took the kids away this weekend to your standard hotel-water park-arcade combo. Once the kids were tucked in bed and finally asleep (turns out room service brownies and ice cream at 8 PM does not make for a hasty bed time...note to self) Mrs. OpEd and I decided we would rent the first season of DirtySexyMoney and see if we wanted to get involved this year in season 2. The strike shortened season 1 was only 10 episodes - and we knocked out 8 over the two nights and finished the last two last night. Wow.

First of all, I love watching a TV show this way. Save for an Alias marathon on ABC Family in 2001, we haven't done anything like this since. It was great. I feel like I have a whole new way of enjoying programming I either gave up on or never got around to in years past. Its not that I was opposed to it, its just no one ever forced me to sit in a room and have 4+ hours per night to kill for two straight nights. I could read, but that doesn't sound like fun. No, instead, two adults should lie in bed watching a 15" laptop screen raised up on a suitcase with two sets of headphones. Cute.

I liked this show a lot. I thought Donald Sutherland was great, and that's saying a lot. I thought Peter Krause did a nice job in his boring role as basically the mcguffin to take us from Darling family member to family member, as our lense into their rich and complicated world. And one thing I found refreshing about this show -- secrets don't last very long, everyone tells everyone everything very quickly and the lines of communication seem to be very open on the small week-to-week stuff. The bigger mysteries are just beginning to become clear, but I don't feel like a carrot is being dangled in front of you and then pulled out week-to-week. Kudos. I like Billy Baldwin, I love the evil minister brother's character, I love the twins, and I really like Karen (played by Natalie Zea from 'Passions' which I may or may not have watched a ton of episodes during an unemployment stint in 2001).
This show is being added to the TIVO for 2008 season 2, and of course, its going to suck having to watch it every week instead of 4 per night...I think maybe I will stockpile a few, just to give it that old feeling. And now I wonder which show is next?

EXTRA EXTRA: I also wanted to comment on the Emmy's really quickly. They were awful, awful, awful. Spending all that time on those five idiot hosts and their idiot category while speeding through the rest of the show and the big awards was a disaster. Congrats to Alec Baldwin who deserved this win for his scene at the Shrinks office with Tracy Morgan from last fall, and to Tina Fey who deserves all the accolades she gets. I used to hate her on SNL, now she has become a comedy god to me....hmmm....I wonder how that happened? Anyway, The Office should have won best comedy because they had a better year than 30 Rock, but that's ok....and YES YES to Mad Men who deserved to win best drama. Great to see the cast up there, they deserved everything they got. Jon Hamm got robbed, but there is always next year.

Weekend Placeholder

I have so much to say and so little time right now, I needed to make a list. Here is what to expect at some point today:

1. SNL, worse that ever. And a special treat as part of the review...
2. Emmys. Disaster hosts, disaster writing...some decent wins though...
3. DirtySexyMoney -- would I be lying if I said I watched the whole first season this weekend? And that I really, really liked it?

I guess it is only three topics, but a lot to tackle none the less.
Tomorrow I will debuting the daily -- 'WHAT SHOWS START TONIGHT?' segment. If I was debuting that today I would be telling you that tonight you should expect brand new:

Big Bang (in)
HIMYM (in)
Gossip Girl (in)
Heroes (out)
Dancing with Warren Sapp and Jeff Ross (out)
Boston Legal (out)
CSI: Miami (will catch it OnDemand)
Worst Week (NEW SHOW, no chance)
2 1/2 Men (never watched it, never will)

Fringe is Growing on Me (and You)...

Fringe, at 13.36 million viewers, picked up a 48 percent increase over its week-ago debut. This would be due to carry over from 'House'. And if you could make it past the disgusting opening scene in 'Fringe', then you were locked in. I like this show.

Why is this so compelling?

First a note on last evening's 'Gossip Girl'. No redeeming value what-so-ever, but just a solid mindless hour following a tough Fantasy Football finish. Let me tell you folks, if you need to know whether or not to bet the over, just call me and find out if I need a low scoring game in order to win. Anywho, 'GG' is as good as ever now that they are back in Manhattan. Dan and Serena still bring everything to a grinding halt, but when Blair, Chuck, Nate, Rufus, or Jenny are on-screen, this show is very entertaining. The people are good looking too, should I mention that?

So - what is so compelling that it qualified for headline status today? 'Golden Girls' of course. And here is the thing, you love it. Everyone loves it. Everyone loved it, and everyone is still loving it. Old, young, middle aged -- everyone.

When you were 12 you watched it every Saturday night. And you liked it then too. Can you imagine a show about four grandmas living together in Miami being pitched to the networks today? They would have cast it with Loni Anderson, Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd. Back then though (all the way back to 1985) all you needed was a little cougar named Rue McClanahan and you had all the sexual tension you needed, and with a strong male lead like Bea Arther, this show was destined to succeed. Hey-Oh.

So why is this show so magnetic that when you are flipping channels and land on Lifetime, you have to stick it out, just to see what crazy idea Rose has this week? Because I think we all picture these ladies as our grandmothers, and their stories were endearing and simple. Unless your fetish was Estelle Getty in a wig, then there was something else that drew you, or draws you in, even 20 years later...and its the comfort one gets from old ladies with a good sense of humor and self awareness. I love this show and so do you, I am just willing to admit it. You should too and we should all celebrate the geriatric television gift that keeps on giving.

Wow, SNL Still Sucks

Quick post in-between setting fantasy lineups and raising children...SNL, as usual, really disappointed.

Did I like the Palin sketch? Sure. Was it clever and did I laugh a little and nod my head in agreement several times. Yep. Was Fey dead-on? Of course. And that was 3 of 90 minutes. The rest was your standard disaster. Phelps couldn't act or be funny. The sketches were as pedestrian and uninspired as the last 10+ years. And the worst part is that they had the whole summer to come up with a second sketch better than high school quiz bowl with the home schooled amish kids. Yikes. Really?

Weekend Update has its moments, but few. I will tell you this fair readers, when Poheler leaves after the new year to have a baby and a sitcom, this show is going to suffer. Suffer greatly. And that is saying a lot for a ahow that is the television equivalent to anything you can think of that is not funny at all.

The End of Swingtown?

As far as easygoing summer drama is concerned, Swingtown was a welcome change of pace. A lot of people I know were turned off by the stories, the acting, and in some cases the content. I somehow enjoyed all three very much. I actually thought the acting was pretty solid, and the story lines got quite compelling as the short summer season moved along. I think mostly I was just impressed that old man CBS took a shot at a show like this on network TV.

At a minimum you could say this -- the music was great, the outfits fantastic, and deep down I think we all wish we could spend a weekend in 1976 - especially with Tom and Trina.

There is a solid chance this show will never be back again, and a very slim one that it will. I would welcome one more summer with the North Shore Chicago swingers to see how things are going in 1977, but if not -- it was a nice diversion into another world for 13 weeks over the summer. Also this, Grant Show looked awesome with that 'stache.

Fringe-tastic

I'll be brief. 'Fringe' was fantastic. It was compelling, well-acted, fast-paced, energetic, and deep. Yes, the opening music and graphics might as well be ripped right from the X-Files vault, but that's ok -- because so is the premise. But throw in JJ Abrams storytelling and a little music from 'Lost' and you've got something. The opening scene was disgusting to say the least, but the premise is exciting and even if you don't love sci-fi, this show can be for you.
They introduce the heroes and villans during a great 90 minute narrative and I recommend that if you missed it, you catch the encore on Sunday night. Fox. 7 Central. Watch it.

Scrubs News

From the Aussielo Files on EW.com:

"(In the)comedy's likely series finale on ABC, which was shot last week for a probable spring airing, series creator Bill Lawrence gathered all of the significant guest stars from the past eight years for a jaw-dropping scene that'll rival the mass reunion in Seinfeld's sendoff..."

Color me excited. This show has survived unbelievable odds to stay on the air this long...NBC tried to kill it like...well eight times. Now ABC will give it the proper send-off. In like 9 months.

Racial Profiling

Someone asked me today what 'House of Payne' was. They asked me because it turns out to be the number one rated program on cable, but it was unknown to them. I explained that 'House of Payne' is an African-American sitcom from Tyler Perry. The follow up question was two-fold: Who is Tyler Perry and does that mean 'How I Met Your Mother' is a Caucasian sitcom?

Firstly, Tyler Perry is a mega-successful, mega-millionaire who cranks out theater, TV, and movies about African-American families. You may have seen his 'Madea' movies -- think 'Big Mommas House' with a real story. You should read up on him via Wikipedia - he has had an interesting, challenging life, and he has become uber-successful.

Secondly, I guess I never spent that much time thinking about TV shows in terms of racial lines. I don't watch many of the WB/CW African-American-centric sitcoms because I don't really relate to them, nor do I expect 'Friends', 'HIMYM', or 'Gossip Girl' to appeal to many African-Americans. I think we all know the TV landscape does not 'look' like the real America. If you asked Asian-American, Hispanic-Americans, or those of Indian or Pakistiani descent, they might to inform you that TV doesn't look much like them at all. Oh sure, TV shows have gone out of their way lately to insert some ethnic characters, but how many of them have become leads? Very few -- Ugly Betty comes to mind as an excellent example of a mainstream hit whose lead is not 'white', but not many others.

I don't have a thesis, a point, or a lesson to teach here -- just commenting on an observation that was made to me. I do however believe that with the proliferation of genre-specific cable channels, we will come to find less and less diversity on mainstream television as non-white writers, directors, producers, and actors can find critical and mass success, for the genre they are writing/performing for, on cable. And channels like BET, TNT, TBS, etc. can take a chance on a genre-specific show because their ratings don't have to compete with the big boys.

Let me say this, I don't, have not, or ever will I turn off a show based on the race or ethnicity of the cast -- I choose my TV based on whether or not it provides with me the compelling drama, comedy, or entertainment I want. I am just as happy with a rerun of 'Family Ties' as I am with a rerun of 'Good Times'. That being said, you watch what you can relate to or what interests you -- and even if 'House of Payne' is a good and funny show, I am probably not going to watch it. I didn't grow up in a black family with 'the dominant black grandma', but somehow I do relate to Grace Adler's family issues on 'Will & Grace' It's not racist, it's just reality. Trust me, I don't expect the African-American community to embrace east-coast comedy like Will & Grace, Seinfeld, or Curb -- it probably isn't all that compelling.

I think there are shows that find common ground like Scrubs, ER, Lost, Law/Order, Ugly Betty, and more that I can't think of. But as I was typing this list, I will tell you that about 100 shows popped into my head and 99% of those casts and leads were white as snow. So someday I will figure out what that all means. Not today though.

Look-Ahead

Next week marks the debut of 'Fringe' - be looking for it. HBO has some new Vampire show, but I cannot afford HBO. I think I will still watch Entourage though thanks to the magic of my brother-in-laws SlingBox. God bless technology.

So by my count, the first-run shows I am currently watching are:
-Mad Men
-Gossip Girl
-Greek
-Bones
-9021-no (this could be it for me after this week)
-Fringe

Wow, thats a lot of fluff along with the best drama on television. As I look at this list, I have grisly and nasty with Bones, dramatic and daring with Mad Men, and fluffy crap with the three teen shows....and now I know why I am staying away from any real substance -- I am watching way to much political TV right now.

I try and get to Keith Olbermann every night, Anderson Cooper every night, and of course the Daily Show. Like most elections, this one has not disappointed with its own drama and soap operas. And call me crazy, but I will take a good James Carville/Chris Matthews fight any night. The conventions have been great and all, but I look forward to the return of 'Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann' on Monday.

Final convention coverage thought: The Daily Show killed. Every night was better than the next. They seriously deliver more news, commentary, and biting opinion / political reality that any other 'news' network. Jon Stewart is a genius. If you are bored, check out the behind-the-scenes USA Today article about Stewart from last week.

Finally, I am just going to assume that when SNL returns next week, Tina Fey will show up to play Sarah Palin. It seems like it should be a law or something.

9021 Oh My God That was Awful

Seriously, I think I just might not have any more room in my early 30's brain for teen angst high school dramas. I just wasn't compelled. At all. I will give it one more week as a regular 60 minute drama, and then it goes into the can. Don't get me wrong, it had great moments of nostalgia, but that was about it. Here are my quick-hit thoughts:

-The new Brenda Walsh, Annie, is super cute and likable. She has a future.
-I didn't really like any of the other characters at all. Not memorable or likable.
-Hey everyone, its a character named Erin Silver. Quickly my brain opened the vault and within moments I shouted out "oh my god, I forgot that Jackie Taylor and Mel Silver had a daughter, Kelly's sister!" To which I then shouted out, "oh my god, how do I know these peoples names after 12 years, I don't even know the names of the people I work with."
-Oh look, Erin Silver has a video blog where she quickly whips up animated attacks of her school mates which characters show each other on their wireless traveling laptops. How cute, thanks for the concept Gossip Girl!
-Kelly Taylor looks awful. There, I said it.
-Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) looks worse, there I said that too. She has more plastic and tightened edges on her late-30's face than my Honda.
-Great to see Nat, he runs a night club with underage drinking and a coffee shop. I wonder if Dylan or Valerie still have a share. Or did Noah end up as the owner? I can't remember all that.
-Hey everyone, its Andrea Zuckerman's kid doing the local school newscast. How cute. I laughed. Then the teacher says, "what is that girl, 30?" Then I laughed even harder at the shout out to us old-school fans who always wondered why Gabrielle Cartiers was 29 already when they started this show. Then I stopped laughing.
-Hey everyone, its Rob Estes as the dad....but wait, wasn't he some chef on Melrose Place? Yes, yes he was. Wasn't Melrose a spin-off of 90210 so they live in the same TV universe? Yes, yes they do. Shouldn't continuity count for anything in the TV business anymore? No, no it shouldn't. I don't really care one bit, I just thought I would point it out because its almost an interesting factoid.
-Back to Nat, same old Nat...man I missed him
-Jessica Walter was funny, Lori Laughlin was barely used at all
-I think that is about it, other than Kelly has a four year old son that is probably Brandon's, and all the characters on this show are awful.
-This viewing also solidified for me how good Gossip Girl really is. I think that is my limit for high school shows.

We're Back and Better Than Ever

90210 returned last night. When we set our clocks back for Fall, I don't think they meant Fall 1994 - but OK, I will take a flyer. Of course, I have nothing first-hand to report since I didn't watch it yet -- 2 hours? Really? This one is going to have to wait a couple of days. But the early reviews this morning in the papers were clearly positive, which is a good sign. I plan to give this show a serious shot, but my current teen love drama money is still on 'Gossip Girl'.

GOSSIP GIRL, premiered Monday September 1, 2008
This was the 'what I did on my summer vacation' episode, and to be honest, it sort of sucked. Let's get these kids out of the Hamptons and back to the city where they belong. When they aren't in school, they are just playing grown-up in silly outfits saying silly things to silly music -- I will give them a pass on this one as I am just happy to see everyone survived the summer. If you missed it, Blair and Chuck love each other but can't admit it (at least Chuck can't). Serena and Dan missed each other and have rediscovered each other. Jenny was an intern, Nate banged some cougar, and Rufus is on the road with his band. By next week we can start senior year and I hope to never see Chuck in a green suit ever, ever, ever again.

MAD MEN, premiered about four weeks ago
This show is genius, the way Sopranos was genius. Its a slow moving character study that has no problem moving new and old characters in and out all the time. Sometimes a storyline is left for dead, other times we spend a whole hour with almost all new people. But the acting is so superb, the stories so well told, and the unintentional comedy off the charts. I love the fact that when Pete went to see the smoking fertility doctor, they discussed whether his standing near the Xerox machine could cause sterility.
The show is just hitting its stride this year and the critics love it. The same 1 million people who loved it last year are back too, so I am sure we will ride out a great second season with no worries about not getting a third. Thanks AMC!

GREEK, premiered on ABC Family two weeks ago
Ahh the college life. I miss it. These zany kids just keep getting into more and more trouble during Greek Week. You know what, if liking this show is a crime, I will do 8 to 10. I just channeled Gene Shalit for that one.

BONES, premieres tonight.
Watch it -- its the best procedural on TV and its very clever and very funny.

FRINGE, premieres on 9.8.08 on FOX
From JJ Abrams who brought you Alias and Lost, and FOX who brought you the X-Files --- Fringe is the X-Files meets Alias and Lost.

That's really it for now. Baseball is in high-gear every night, Football starts this week, the College game has already kicked off, and were getting some great early shows to get us ready for the big year. No more books, no more Criminal Intent reruns, no more late night conversation -- TV is back.