Two links pointed out to me by my friend Rich Heldenfels -- one of which was written by Rich himself: • This year's Peabody Awards list is out, and for reasons unfathomable, one of those awards went to "Entourage," which the Peabody press release described as "a wicked take on Hollywood and the joys and sorrows of minor stardom." Ordinarily, it's nice to be able to refer to a relatively unheralded TV show ("The Wire" in past years, "Breaking Bad" this year) as a Peabody winner, but attaching the phrase "Peabody Award-winning" to "Entourage" -- particularly to this past season of "Entourage," which even the "Entourage" diehards found lame -- kinda taints the award for all time for me.
• Rich, with too much time on his hands in advance of April Fool's Day, presented an elaborate history of "McElroy and LeFleur," the series of Canadian films that Robin Scherbatzky claims the "Lethal Weapon" movies ripped off. Did you know that before Clark Johnson emigrated from the Great White North to star in "Homicide," he already had some experience catching bad guys on screen?
I had the exact same reaction looking over the Peabody list. Entourage? Are you sure they didn't mean to write "Flight of the Conchords?"
ReplyDeleteIt won't taint the award for all-time, but it's like having Kevin Costner win a best director Oscar over Scorsese's "Goodfellas."
That's a good April Fool's prank there, Alan.
ReplyDeleteEntourage, bleurgh. Though I squeed with delight to see the This American Life radio episode 'A Giant Pool of Money' on there, which made me understand the sub-prime mortgage issues and I constantly refer people to.
ReplyDeleteI don't disagree with the Peabody complaint, but at least they honored AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. I dislike a lot of current animation, but this had excellent writing and characterization. Pity Shamalyan's likely to mess it up as a film...
ReplyDeleteBetween Jeremy Piven's multiple Emmy wins (won't someone please recognize Neil Patrick Harris?!) and now the Peabody, I'm starting to wonder if the Entourage team has compromising photos of almost everyone in the industry ...
ReplyDeleteApril Fools! Boom, roasted!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has enjoyed about half of "Entourage" while wondering why I've even bothered watching the rest of it, I'm baffled by this award. I was hoping it was a joke when I saw it on twitter, but no. No joke. Just really bad taste.
ReplyDeletePiven mockery is popular, but this last season he was the only person I could tolerate at all and that was only because it was mildly interesting seeing Ari working so hard to get Gary Cole the job at the agency. Beyond that...meh. Awful performances, awful stories, awful behaviour from the characters.
Not awful: that write up of "McElroy and LeFleur". That was awesome.
Funny, because I first saw Clark Johnson when he WAS on Night Heat with Wincott and the other guy. He was thin and young and so very smooth. I literally started watching Homicide because I remembered him from that one.
ReplyDeleteI really don't get all the "Entourage" love. First two, two-and-half seasons were great. Now, it might be the lamest "it" show on TV. Same plot lines, same jokes, same Piven acting and a main character that is a bigger d-bag then Ted from HIMYM. But luckily for Ted, he has a great surrounding cast. Not so Vince.
ReplyDeleteGiant Pool of Money is so awesome that you can read the transcript (PDF) as well.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the Entourage Peabody isn't a joke. At least if it was given within the first two seasons there is an argument that it was good, but it has been horrible the past few years. Even Piven can't make this enjoyable anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat's next, a posthumous Peabody to Boston Legal? Or maybe According to Jim, for celebrating the fat guy/ pretty wife trope?
The McElroy and Lefleur thing was cute, but if it was truly Canadian, it would be called "Lafleur and McElroy", to avoid a constitutional crisis. And Donelly Rhodes would be a villain in one of them (Doc Cottle for BSG fans).
ReplyDeleteWhat I posted over on Twitter this morning: "As Seth & Amy might say, "Really, Peabody Awards? Really?" Kinda lowering the bar this year, aren't we?"
ReplyDeleteI agree, it kind of dings the award for me if not outright taints it. (Then again, I don't think the first two seasons were all that great either.)
Thanks Adam, i'm passing that on to my better half in the hope he'll be able to work it in as a reference on one of his finance Uni assignments.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Alan, i've just noticed the chance of picture, is that from the UN BG event? One of my TV lecturer colleagues nearly went into a slightly undignified middle-aged geek meltdown when I told him about the event!
Okay so all that was fine, but after going to Rich's site what got me really excited was the blog-entry he posted afterwards:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/heldenfiles/2009/04/01/pushing-daisies-season-2-on-dvd-on-july-21/
I will finally be able to see the last three episodes maybe?
Though I squeed with delight to see the This American Life radio episode 'A Giant Pool of Money' on there, which made me understand the sub-prime mortgage issues and I constantly refer people to.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I've been listening to TAL for the past year, and the show really is great. But the shows they have done about the economy (not just The Giant Pool Of Money, but also Another Frightening Show About The Economy and Bad Bank) are essential to listen to. I regard myself as reasonably knowledgable about economics - both through university study and my employment, but there were things I didn't understand that the show taught me. And I gave a disc of the show to my parents - mostly because of my father who is very interested in economics - but my mother (who doesn't follow this stuff at all) actually found the show interesting and said that she finally understands what my father is talking about.
As for Entourage, words fail me. Is there something really great about that show that explains these awards? And if so, why can no-one actually see it?
Wait, McElroy and LeFleur is actually a real movie?
ReplyDeleteWow. That makes it so much funnier.
Entourage is underrated and unfairly criticized
ReplyDeleteClark Johnson was in a number of cop shows in Canada, both acting and directing. I also heard from someone who knew him that he's a nice guy in real life and coached his daughter's soccer team.
ReplyDeleteWait, McElroy and LeFleur is actually a real movie?
ReplyDeleteWow. That makes it so much funnier.
I'll just highlight the fact that Alan, when introducing the "McElroy and LeFleur" article, felt the need to comment that Rich had "too much time on his hands in advance of April Fool's Day".
In other words, it's not true. But the article is really great - especially the line about LaFleur being too girly (whih I assume was intended as a joke aimed at Sawyer). Although I think he goes too far in the reference to Robin Sparkles - especially as he refers to her as an 80s pop star (wasn't she big in the 90s?)
Wow the Peabodys were ruined for me once I found this out. They have always lauded quality TV...but Entourage???
ReplyDelete