tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post9163158142532852536..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Bill Simmons & I have a free-flowing conversation that occasionally touches on David CarusoAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41706095898739756842009-10-07T19:05:52.173-04:002009-10-07T19:05:52.173-04:00Wow!
I just listened to the podcast with Simmons...Wow! <br /><br />I just listened to the podcast with Simmons. How did you manage to burn through a full hour of TV talk and not even mention Sons of Anarchy, which might be the best drama on TV right now. <br /><br />I am shocked and deeply dissapointed.Birkirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299124960401812936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86789834135236794502009-10-06T14:29:26.638-04:002009-10-06T14:29:26.638-04:00Listened last night and enjoyed it very much. Alan...Listened last night and enjoyed it very much. Alan, I'm confused about one thing. Where's your NJ accent? I thought you were born and raised, no?LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04868479477550590056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72170112828345450922009-10-05T10:20:59.440-04:002009-10-05T10:20:59.440-04:00I was shocked by your assertion that The Office wa...<i>I was shocked by your assertion that The Office was better than 30 Rock last year. Could you maybe talk about this a bit? </i><br /><br />I talked about it a ton in my reviews of both shows last season. The short version is that 30 Rock had a handful of episodes that were brilliant, and a whole bunch of other ones that didn't really work, either because they were shoe-horning in guest stars at the expense of the main cast, or just because the execution wasn't quite there. (There's a high degree of difficulty for any 30 Rock episode to totally stick the landing.) Whereas The Office was much more consistent, had two wonderful story arcs (Holly, and the Michael Scott Paper Company) and tended to be both funnier and deeper most weeks.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22200950314656628932009-10-05T10:11:28.846-04:002009-10-05T10:11:28.846-04:00Regular consumer of both your blog and the Sports ...Regular consumer of both your blog and the Sports Guy podcast, so obviously I enjoyed the podcast immensely.<br /><br />I was shocked by your assertion that The Office was better than 30 Rock last year. Could you maybe talk about this a bit? <br /><br />Personally, I found 30 Rock to be again fantastic last year, while the Office was hugely stagnant and occasionally completely unwatchable. There were episodes that I literally turned off before they were over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70716185971436792202009-10-04T15:52:33.311-04:002009-10-04T15:52:33.311-04:00I LOVED the podcast. I hope you go back on to talk...I LOVED the podcast. I hope you go back on to talk with simmons more. He is my absolute favorite writer with Alan being a close second (iv only read this blog for about 3 weeks, which i heard about from simmons talking with kornheiser).<br /><br />I am actually in the minority of people that really enjoy what simmons has to say about tv shows. he enjoys them but doesn't take them too seriously because after all its just a TV show. I enjoy analyzing shows but nothing is more enjoyable than trying to guess what might happen next so i guess i'm in the group like the sports guy. <br /><br />I love Lost but I agree with what Simmons was saying on the podcast that last season Lindelof and Cuse where trying to impress the Sci Fi fans too much. <br /><br />Next time your on with simmons can you guys do more Entourage bashing. Maybe go over the fact that they have used the same seasonal storyline for every season over and over again (the Oh No Vince can't get hired... O wait he is the biggest thing in hollywood)... sorry I'm just really bitter about having to watch Season 5 <br /><br />I REALLY hope you return to do a podcast following the Mad Men Season Finale.compain87https://www.blogger.com/profile/03808882704913171688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56488338784710353312009-10-03T04:19:48.264-04:002009-10-03T04:19:48.264-04:00Just one more snobby comment/dig at Simmons. Apolo...Just one more snobby comment/dig at Simmons. Apologies in advance.<br /><br />On whether some show creators have most of the big picture. There are many different kinds of writers with different strengths; it's really hard to say that no creator of any show has ever had most of the themes and motifs and plot mapped out. That's part of putting in the work.<br /><br />Look at writers in general: Not to say Harry Potter is a classic but didn't JK have most of the story as far as the first book? Nevermind that Tolstoy guy.<br /><br />There's a difference between bloggers and journalists and non-fiction and fiction writers. To say offhand that it's impossible comes across as conceited. I've read many SG mailbags and features but I never said to myself: "Wow, this guy needs to write on some sitcom." because I don't associate blending snarkiness and pop culture references as the same thing as say cranking out eps of Curb Your Enthusiasm. There's twop and cracked and then there's I want to say NY Times but maybe that's not apt. <br /><br />Okay, there's John Grisham and then's there's Cormac McCarthy and then there's Carrot Top. They all write material of some sort.<br /><br />Okay that's all the screed I needed to post.(optional)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76762263343447432752009-10-02T23:21:23.885-04:002009-10-02T23:21:23.885-04:00Really enjoyed the podcast Alan. Spent last night ...Really enjoyed the podcast Alan. Spent last night cleaning the kitchen so I set my laptop on the table and it made the experience at least 25% more enjoyable.<br /><br />You and Fienberg are my two favorite critics so I dont really think I have to say it but, start making those podcasts asap. Fienbergs a really underrated critic. No one else really tells it like it is, like he does. Whether he's talking about Nikki Finke or a new show, the guys a real straight shooter and theres not enough ppl like that these days.domino87http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-fien-printnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25189637569913628822009-10-02T21:07:08.435-04:002009-10-02T21:07:08.435-04:00What was BS implying when he was describing AS'...What was BS implying when he was describing AS's Mad Men analyses as "mainly recaps" (and Tim Goodman's analyses as more "big picture")? <br />Is BS (a) not an actual reader of the AS MM analyses (b) lazy about processing the thoughtfulness of the AS insights or (c) drunk when he did the podcast? What does one need to do to cop a little respect and praise about attracting 340+ comments to each of these "recaps"? (BS apparently likes statistics. Here are some for him: Goodman got 170 comments in response to his review of last week's MM episode. AS got 348 and often gets 400+).<br />Otherwise enjoyed the podcast, particularly the plug for FNL. Count me in as a regular listener if Alan ever decides to do a tv-related podcast - seems to be a more convenient way for followers of the blog to process (i.e., at the gym, running, cycling, commuting on a crowded subway, etc) the excellent, lengthy interviews that Alan does on a regular basis. <br />Come to think of it, why can't the currently transcribed interviews at the blog be transformed back from their original audio recordings into podcasts? Going forward, wouldn't that save a lot of time not having to transcribe?mjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86682901438227447842009-10-02T14:55:01.979-04:002009-10-02T14:55:01.979-04:00My favorite blog writer on my favorite podcast tal...My favorite blog writer on my favorite podcast talking about some of my favorite shows -- excellent. Enjoyed it and really hope he does have you back at the end of the season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4226506629346250542009-10-02T10:41:45.255-04:002009-10-02T10:41:45.255-04:00One imagines that MZS's analysis of "Kenn...One imagines that <a href="http://www.thehousenextdooronline.com/2007/05/sopranos-mondays-season-six-ep-18-heidi.html" rel="nofollow">MZS's analysis of "Kennedy and Heidi"</a> would make Simmons' and Sal's heads explode.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02113168955236758821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-92120731968443953062009-10-02T08:45:20.514-04:002009-10-02T08:45:20.514-04:00Alan,
I am surprised that considering the opening...Alan,<br /><br />I am surprised that considering the opening Simmons gave you with names in the title, you didn't get into a Chuck discussion. I would have loved his thoughts on it and it would be a good venue to continue to spread the word on a great show.One Man on an Islandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07163988198939023069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64140735728887901402009-10-02T08:24:07.493-04:002009-10-02T08:24:07.493-04:00Alan, I listened to the podcast last night after r...Alan, I listened to the podcast last night after reading your blog entry. I was glad to hear you mention a season of <i>Homicide</i> among your all-time favorites. I always thought it was a better show than others of the era that are always mentioned in the same breath, like <i>NYPD Blue</i> and <i>ER.</i>LDPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11533079849109513955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36671423449448032012009-10-02T08:06:48.889-04:002009-10-02T08:06:48.889-04:00"Not that it's my business but I think Si..."Not that it's my business but I think Simmons is too worried about guessing what happens on the dramas he watches; just enjoy watching instead of worrying about guessing right."<br /><br />I think when people are disappointed by a show, this is the most common reason why. They're sure about their prediction, spent a lot of time thinking about it, and hate when they're wrong.<br /><br />The best of example of this is final scene in The Sopranos. Literally, all season people were guessing what was going to happen and thought that Chase couldn't do anything that had already been discussed and dissected for YEARS. I don't think him and Sal have ever discussed this on the podcast, but I'm sure that's where a lot of Sal's hatred for the ending comes from. They thought and wanted to see Tony's brains splattered all over a bowl of spaghetti.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31671034949379014992009-10-02T07:32:52.116-04:002009-10-02T07:32:52.116-04:00Never got the reference in the blog's name. I...Never got the reference in the blog's name. I was 13 when that came out - it was right in my wheelhouse and I loved it.<br /><br />Count me in as another supporter who thinks you should do a weekly podcast talking about the best shows of the week. I say give it a couple of episodes and see how it goes. I would definitely add it to my podcast rotation.<br /><br />Also add me to the list of people slightly disappointed with Simmons' critical eye on tv shows. I don't think anyone who reads this blog regularly didn't pause the scene where Draper read the note and saw that he still had his car (Simmons had no idea). I kind of knew Simmons was only a casual fan when I listened to the podcast he did with his buddy Gus after the Lost season finale (I think in 2008) - they had no idea what they were talking about.Bob Loblawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7575126459128234042009-10-02T05:52:38.340-04:002009-10-02T05:52:38.340-04:00As an individual who always checks ESPN's page...As an individual who always checks ESPN's page to see if there's new material from Simmons, I can definitely say that he's a superb writer with a knack for finding interesting angles, and I don't even mind his proudly expressed biases because a real fan is SUPPOSED to have those (suffice to say as a longtime South Florida resident, I do not root for the same teams he does, and would never pretend to) and more than anything else he is just a lot of fun to read. I would also say he has become more incisive and a stronger analyst over time--and in this regard, plus starting from a point where he was talented from the outset, he does remind me a lot of Alan S.<br />The only problem I have with Simmons is that his entertainment analysis often seems to be aiming, and missing, for the same irreverent-intelligent point his sports insights hit about 95 times out of 100 tries. For every great comment there (the John Cazale one was original and 100% accurate) he comes up with bad, outdated stuff like the overreliance on "Boogie Nights" trivia. <br />What the hell. I'd rather follow a great imperfect talent than a mechanical mediocre one. I hope The Sports Guy writes for many years to come!<br />P.S. I LOVED the Sopranos ending. Anyone who cares about the show can decide what happened to Tony at the end, and be correct, and why would that be bad?DolphinFannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2917700871725482472009-10-02T04:01:05.010-04:002009-10-02T04:01:05.010-04:00I didn't know that Alan had pretty much the sa...I didn't know that Alan had pretty much the same route to his gig that Simmons did though maybe(?) slightly earlier.<br /><br />Not that it's my business but I think Simmons is too worried about guessing what happens on the dramas he watches; just enjoy watching instead of worrying about guessing right.<br /><br />Still hate best of this and that. It's s'posed to be art, right?<br /><br />Is Turn of the Screw that impenetrable? I wish the story was Alan went back to it 10 years later and it totally made sense. Better ending.Ostiose Vagranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404514633964655982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47069454876523623182009-10-02T01:06:45.829-04:002009-10-02T01:06:45.829-04:00Bill Simmons + Allan Sepinwall is like Christmas i...Bill Simmons + Allan Sepinwall is like Christmas in October. Good job!zehavahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01709531722602136258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50842149695485962762009-10-01T23:39:06.630-04:002009-10-01T23:39:06.630-04:00come on, simmons himself fails to mention "ma...come on, simmons himself fails to mention "martin" which even years after being off the air is one of the favorite shows of nba players.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24066007431294766962009-10-01T22:47:02.110-04:002009-10-01T22:47:02.110-04:00"Rhoda," "Daria,""Moesha,..."Rhoda," "Daria,""Moesha," and "Phyllis," were somewhat successful, weren't they? Was "Julia," considered successful at the time? I remember it had more than one season. Would "Flipper" count?HMM2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27387560558997588422009-10-01T22:33:46.165-04:002009-10-01T22:33:46.165-04:00I realize this is off-topic, but have you received...I realize this is off-topic, but have you received and watched this week's new episode of Mad Men? Can you tell me if it's on the same high level as the past two episodes have been?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26346315894236487462009-10-01T22:13:16.851-04:002009-10-01T22:13:16.851-04:00Well, in fairness, I should add that Jobu never re...<i>Well, in fairness, I should add that Jobu never really helps Serrano hit the curveball. He has to do it himself.</i><br /><br />Inexplicably, the pitch he hit out was a fastball. Drives me crazy every time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17329142410207021542009-10-01T20:50:41.037-04:002009-10-01T20:50:41.037-04:00One of the great TV "what ifs" is Gene H...One of the great TV "what ifs" is Gene Hackman as Mr Brady on the Brady Bunch. He was the first choice.<br /><br />I thought Deadwood would get more love on the Mount Rushmore discussion.chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00098290764554181807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75579392641229958492009-10-01T18:50:17.769-04:002009-10-01T18:50:17.769-04:00Alan - another vote for you doing a podcast. Just ...Alan - another vote for you doing a podcast. Just give it a try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70545055337914897602009-10-01T18:13:52.917-04:002009-10-01T18:13:52.917-04:00ok, that was kind of a fail on my part. i'll t...ok, that was kind of a fail on my part. i'll try to redeem myself with alice, angie, benson, ellen, gidget, hazel, martin, moesha, phyllis and reba, y'all. never heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_(TV_series)" rel="nofollow">julia</a> starring diahann carroll but must have been something to last three seasons.drathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03212841030695525741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47174776662536833302009-10-01T18:09:45.647-04:002009-10-01T18:09:45.647-04:00Careful! You might have to put a disclaimer on rel...<i>Careful! You might have to put a disclaimer on religion, much like you do with your mentioning of politics.</i><br /><br />Well, in fairness, I should add that Jobu never really helps Serrano hit the curveball. He has to do it himself.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.com