I don't have much to say about the first episodes of "True Blood" and "Entourage" that I didn't say in eithercolumn, but if you want to discuss either or both, fire away here.
This episode of Entourage pretty much exemplified all of the things wrong with the show: it's impossible to care about Vince's career when he doesn't care about it, it's hard to like Vince when his life seems so annoyingly perfect, and it's even harder to like his entourage when they literally do nothing but mooch off of him and act like a bunch of immature frat boys.
I never watched any vampire shows and the only vampire movie I have ever enjoyed was Interview with the Vampire. That being said I was impressed with True Blood. The vampire stuff was cool and I like the small town atmosphere. I understand the criticism of the accents and the vampire sex scene should of just been left up to our imaginations. Im in for the season right now. And man Anna Paquin looks smokin hot now and good to see the old HBO faces.
Entourage was much better than I expected, but I felt bad not catchin Mad Men on first airing and will probaby wait for it On Demand the rest of the way. I have come to expect the gimmick stuff with Drama/Turtle and the show probably is never gonna get back to what it was the first 2 seasons, but I've still got 25 minuites a week to watch.
I'm a sucker for vampire romance, but Sookie and Bill's chemistry didn't have the palpitating quality I expected. The show will probably benefit from being one of the few offerings in a paranormal-lite environment. I can only rewatch Buffy DVDs for so long.
I'm going to guess the closing incident on Entourage does not result in a criminal investigation as it should. Typical. Just tell me if that villa/resort really exists, b/c I could use a break at $79/day.
I've only watched half of True Blood, but man, credit to the sound folks who worked on it--the use of 5.1 during Sookie's telepathy was very nicely done.
On Entourage, can we just get rid of Vince (but somehow keep Ari) and focus on Drama?
I watched the cold open and credits for True Blood on mute. Liked the idea better when Buffy did the same thing in the cold open of its pilot 11 years ago. Also, it's hard to imagine that Alan Ball said that the show isn't supposed to be some (obvious) parable, and then has the shot of the church sign that says "God hates fangs" in the credits. Again, liked the whole vampires-as-gay-metaphor better when Ann Rice did it 30 years ago.
The problem with Entourage is that all the characters behave like irresponsible, annoying assholes. Other than Piven, who makes it work most of the time, it is frustrating to watch these d-bags eff up their careers and not care as long as they get to crack dumb jokes with each other at the end of the day. From Vince refusing to leave Mexico to save his career, to Turtle's glomming on, to E not taking Ari's call, to Johnny refusing to turn his head a certain way, this episode left me wanting to punch each of these guys repeatedly in the face. Also, Piven's toupee was even worse than usual in this episode.
Also, it's hard to imagine that Alan Ball said that the show isn't supposed to be some (obvious) parable, and then has the shot of the church sign that says "God hates fangs" in the credits.
This is pretty unfair. There is some (obvious) paralleling of the vampire rights movement with the gay rights movement, but, unlike GLBT men and women, vampires actually are dangerous and untrustworthy. The major "God Hates Fangs" talking head - along with his wife and daughter - end up dead in a "mysterious accident." I don't think that is going to happen to Fred whats it of that psycho church.
I thought the episode did well setting up most of the major characters and the action/mystery that will happen later in the season.
For Tivo Queen: Bill is kind of a cold fish in the books too, but Sookie is so wrapped up in the silence of Bill and the revelation that he is fascinated with her to notice. With the glaring exception of Tara (who was no where near that spunky in the book) they nailed the characterizations.
I am irked that Sookie can hear Sam clearly and that the timeline is set post Katrina as this is going to impinge on some later plot developments.
Through a connected friend I was able to see advance True Blood episodes, and I can tell you it really starts to pick up around the 4th & 5th episodes. The first three are on the slow side, but it ends up being a pretty good set-up.
I watch Entourage purely for escapism. Last night was successful.
The only good part about last night's Entourage was when everyone found out that the meeting with Vince was really a ploy to get Emile Hirsch to lower his asking price. When the show focuses on how the business works it's always interesting and entertaining. But when it's just about everyone non-stop partying and acting like primadonnas it's incredibly dull and hard to get invested in anything that's happening.
I thought True Blood was complete and total disaster. As someone who was looking forward to the show, I had a feeling it was going to be bad right from the 2nd seen (Tara going berserk in the hardware store). Everything about the show was weak from the bad writing to the awful acting and characterization. It's hard to say which character was more painful to watch: Tara (token sassy black girl) or the chef (token sassy flamboyant gay man). I did like how the chef also seems to work construction during the day. Perhaps he will have more jobs in future episodes. I won't even get into the terrible fake accents everyone is obliged to put on. Needless to say, I will not be watching the rest of the season.
Entourage is a good looking show, with good looking people, and lots of profanity. Add a few high profile cameos, hot cars and sarcasm and you have 20 very enjoyable minutes. It is the perfect platform for Piven and the ultimate escapist wet dream.
Entourage is a good looking show, with good looking people, and lots of profanity. Add a few high profile cameos, hot cars and sarcasm and you have 20 very enjoyable minutes. It is the perfect platform for Piven and the ultimate escapist wet dream.
I don't have much to say about the first episodes of "True Blood" and "Entourage" that I didn't say in either column, but if you want to discuss either or both, fire away here.
This episode of Entourage pretty much exemplified all of the things wrong with the show: it's impossible to care about Vince's career when he doesn't care about it, it's hard to like Vince when his life seems so annoyingly perfect, and it's even harder to like his entourage when they literally do nothing but mooch off of him and act like a bunch of immature frat boys.
ReplyDeleteI never watched any vampire shows and the only vampire movie I have ever enjoyed was Interview with the Vampire. That being said I was impressed with True Blood. The vampire stuff was cool and I like the small town atmosphere. I understand the criticism of the accents and the vampire sex scene should of just been left up to our imaginations. Im in for the season right now. And man Anna Paquin looks smokin hot now and good to see the old HBO faces.
ReplyDeleteEntourage was much better than I expected, but I felt bad not catchin Mad Men on first airing and will probaby wait for it On Demand the rest of the way. I have come to expect the gimmick stuff with Drama/Turtle and the show probably is never gonna get back to what it was the first 2 seasons, but I've still got 25 minuites a week to watch.
I'm a sucker for vampire romance, but Sookie and Bill's chemistry didn't have the palpitating quality I expected. The show will probably benefit from being one of the few offerings in a paranormal-lite environment. I can only rewatch Buffy DVDs for so long.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to guess the closing incident on Entourage does not result in a criminal investigation as it should. Typical. Just tell me if that villa/resort really exists, b/c I could use a break at $79/day.
ReplyDeleteHey! Richard Roeper! Didn't he used to have a show?
ReplyDeleteHated everything in Mexico in Entourage. Really liked everything else though.
ReplyDeleteIt's never going to be The Wire, but it's definitely 20ish minutes of cheesecake fun when it's like that.
I've only watched half of True Blood, but man, credit to the sound folks who worked on it--the use of 5.1 during Sookie's telepathy was very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteOn Entourage, can we just get rid of Vince (but somehow keep Ari) and focus on Drama?
Semi-OT:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Hole in the Wall. You've just stolen the mantle of "Dumbest Game Show Ever" from Wipeout.
I watched the cold open and credits for True Blood on mute. Liked the idea better when Buffy did the same thing in the cold open of its pilot 11 years ago. Also, it's hard to imagine that Alan Ball said that the show isn't supposed to be some (obvious) parable, and then has the shot of the church sign that says "God hates fangs" in the credits. Again, liked the whole vampires-as-gay-metaphor better when Ann Rice did it 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteFail.
The problem with Entourage is that all the characters behave like irresponsible, annoying assholes. Other than Piven, who makes it work most of the time, it is frustrating to watch these d-bags eff up their careers and not care as long as they get to crack dumb jokes with each other at the end of the day. From Vince refusing to leave Mexico to save his career, to Turtle's glomming on, to E not taking Ari's call, to Johnny refusing to turn his head a certain way, this episode left me wanting to punch each of these guys repeatedly in the face. Also, Piven's toupee was even worse than usual in this episode.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's hard to imagine that Alan Ball said that the show isn't supposed to be some (obvious) parable, and then has the shot of the church sign that says "God hates fangs" in the credits.
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty unfair. There is some (obvious) paralleling of the vampire rights movement with the gay rights movement, but, unlike GLBT men and women, vampires actually are dangerous and untrustworthy. The major "God Hates Fangs" talking head - along with his wife and daughter - end up dead in a "mysterious accident." I don't think that is going to happen to Fred whats it of that psycho church.
Again, liked the whole vampires-as-gay-metaphor better when Ann Rice did it 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYeah, like she invented that. Forget that old sh!t like "Carmilla" :-D
My biggest prob with "True Blood" was that it was kind of boring. Does it get better?
I thought the episode did well setting up most of the major characters and the action/mystery that will happen later in the season.
ReplyDeleteFor Tivo Queen: Bill is kind of a cold fish in the books too, but Sookie is so wrapped up in the silence of Bill and the revelation that he is fascinated with her to notice. With the glaring exception of Tara (who was no where near that spunky in the book) they nailed the characterizations.
I am irked that Sookie can hear Sam clearly and that the timeline is set post Katrina as this is going to impinge on some later plot developments.
Through a connected friend I was able to see advance True Blood episodes, and I can tell you it really starts to pick up around the 4th & 5th episodes. The first three are on the slow side, but it ends up being a pretty good set-up.
ReplyDeleteI watch Entourage purely for escapism. Last night was successful.
The only good part about last night's Entourage was when everyone found out that the meeting with Vince was really a ploy to get Emile Hirsch to lower his asking price. When the show focuses on how the business works it's always interesting and entertaining. But when it's just about everyone non-stop partying and acting like primadonnas it's incredibly dull and hard to get invested in anything that's happening.
ReplyDeleteI thought True Blood was complete and total disaster. As someone who was looking forward to the show, I had a feeling it was going to be bad right from the 2nd seen (Tara going berserk in the hardware store). Everything about the show was weak from the bad writing to the awful acting and characterization. It's hard to say which character was more painful to watch: Tara (token sassy black girl) or the chef (token sassy flamboyant gay man). I did like how the chef also seems to work construction during the day. Perhaps he will have more jobs in future episodes. I won't even get into the terrible fake accents everyone is obliged to put on. Needless to say, I will not be watching the rest of the season.
ReplyDeleteI was too distracted by that thing on Jeremy Piven's head to register any interest in Entourage. He doesn't think he's fooling anyone, does he?
ReplyDeleteEntourage is a good looking show, with good looking people, and lots of profanity. Add a few high profile cameos, hot cars and sarcasm and you have 20 very enjoyable minutes. It is the perfect platform for Piven and the ultimate escapist wet dream.
ReplyDeleteEntourage is a good looking show, with good looking people, and lots of profanity. Add a few high profile cameos, hot cars and sarcasm and you have 20 very enjoyable minutes. It is the perfect platform for Piven and the ultimate escapist wet dream.
ReplyDeleteI too am interested in the $79/day mexico package. with the beautiful cooks and awsome accomodation!
ReplyDelete