• 3Oct 08

  Living on the wrong side of the 'Pond' ?!

  I do adore where I live (although I will admit the local culture "quirks" sometimes has its draw backs; i.e. no wine in the grocery stores). And the geographical location is fantastic (5 hours to Arches and only 2 to the Uintas, and 10 minutes to Alta), which needless to say makes the scenery around here to die for (what more can I say but "Man those mountains"!!!). And even though it's not NYC, really there is quite a robust art culture here (plenty of theaters, an opera, ballet, world class symphony, and 17 art galleries in 50 block radius). And of course I am very proud to be an American citizen, but... Lately I have been wishing I was living in the UK. Those guys really know how to make TV shows.

  OK, ok, ok, I know they probably have as much junk (reality TV) as we do over here, but they seem to have a lot more really good stuff! Yes the new season has started and I have been watching all of my favs on the DVR. (Sometimes even before they have finished recording.) And have enjoyed every minute. But I also have been spending an enormous amount of time on You Tube watching quite a bit of BBC. I've even gotten hooked on a few BBC radio shows. I just can't get enough. Here are just a few I have discovered;

  --Currently Showing--

  The Graham Norton Show (uncut version is the BEST!!!)

  Friday Night Show

  Comic Relief

  Top Gear

  Trick or Treat (slightly reality but with a twist. Not usually a show I would like but the Britz make everything so much for civilized )

  --Past Series--

  Viva Blackpool (a black humor drama where the characters break into song and dance, similar to the musical ep in Buffy in season 6,"One More With Feeling")

  Secret Smile

  DINKY (Double Income No Kids Yet)

  Jude

  I don't know if it is just that UK has wonderfully talented writers or if it's that the British media has a much more open mind about what can be seen on TV, but the plots are so much more well; grown-up. They don't seem to be afraid of incorporating everyday life issues, making it fun to watch and still requiring the audience to really think.

  I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface of what's out there. And I'm most defiantly sure that You Tube is not going to be the best place to view the finest of what the UK has to offer, but until we get more options on cable (more than just BBC America), I guess I'll have to be satisfied with what I do have access to.

  • Posted Oct 3, 2008 3:17 am PT
  • Category: TV
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• 9Sep 08

  Wedding Season Ending and TV Season Starting

  WOW!! What a summer. Thanks to all those crazy brides it's been ages sense I have been able to sign on and read what's been going on with all my favorite actors and shows. But September is here and long last and my last big event for the season is going to be over on the 21st. First thing it's off to Vegas for some well deserved RnR and then back to the couch where much time will be spent watching the boob tube. (Of course there will be breaks for runs on the slopes ). I can't wait!! With some of my favs not coming back, there will be a small moment of silence but not too long. There is always more to look forward to. For example I personally can't wait for new eps of;

  Torchwood

  Dr. Who (gota love that Scotsman)

  BSG

  Dexter

  Bones

  Life

  Pushing Up Daises

  Stargate Atlantis -- Don't laugh. Yes I know it's not top notch but still I'm a fan

  Psych

  Chuck

  ...And so many more! I'm gitty with anticipation. So much to catch up on the DVR and so much more to come. It's going to be a great fall!

  • Posted Sep 9, 2008 11:02 pm PT
  • Category: General
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• 11Jan 08

  Moonlight episode #11 should be the half way point!!!

  I've been watching ML sense is first aired back in September, pre strike. For those of us who have been with it senses the beginning we've all become accustomed to a particular pace that each episode sets. Usually Mick introduces what I call like to call the "topic for the night" and we watch for the next hour as the characters work up to what I refer to as the "punch line". It's the point in the show where either Mick or Beth, or Mick and Beth show us what we've all been waiting for. But episode #11 Love Last Forever did not seem to follow the regular layout. Instead the writers have crammed a lot more into this one. And as a result the whole thing moves a lot faster. I have to say I liked it.

  This ep had a very different pace to it. Instead of dealing with just one main concept it worked on three simultaneously. First the writers seemed to be resolving the early relationship stage with Mick and Beth while pushing them forward to the next level. They also resolved the one of the smaller angst between them by writing Josh out. Then on top of all that they had to resolve the main ep's plot by catch the bad guy and give him his just desserts. All said it was a lot to take in!

  I guess we should take into consideration, that if this was a regular full season, this episode would be the half way point. In other words this is the episode where the writers usually wrap up the intro/build up of the main character's relationship (Mick/Beth) and to start the next thing for them (Beth is hurt and doesn't want to talk to Mick right now). It is also when the writers usually deal with the original smaller angst (in this case Josh as the boyfriend who's standing in the way of the Beth/Mick getting it on) and introduces and/or reminds us of the truly big issue the main characters will have to deal with before the season is over (in ML it's Caroline and the potential cure). Episode 11 is also the beginning of the build up to the climax in the final episode #22 that would keep us holding our breath until season 2. But sense this isn't a usual season...
  
  I'm sorry I'm not trying to be sync or say that ML is so simple I can figure out what the writers are going to do. (Believe me I can't! I wouldn't even begin to think that I could write this stuff!) I just watch too much TV and as a result sometimes things become a little too predictable. So I'm surprised to say this but I kind of like the break from the norm. PLEASE don't misunderstand me! I would much rather have a full season! But if I have to deal with the strike, I guess I'm just saying this is pleasant side effect to the super short season issue.

  • Posted Jan 11, 2008 10:07 pm PT
  • Category: Opinion
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