Friday, February 15, 2008

Sepinwall on TV: 'Dexter' on CBS review

Today's column looks at one of this blog's favorite shows as it transitions from pay cable to broadcast TV:
The writers' strike is over, but strike contingency scheduling lives on, which means that Sunday night at 10 we'll be treated to the bizarre spectacle of Showtime's serial killer drama "Dexter" airing on CBS.

And you know what? It works.
To read the full thing, click here.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think I could watch any of the premium cable shows in their edited versions, but if this gets Dexter, and more importantly Michael C. Hall, more attention, more power to them.

I just wonder if the biggest problem with this isn't language or gore, but whether the show's twisted morality is something that fits on a broadcast network... like you said, I imagine that advertising might be a problem, as excellent as this show is.

Mon-sewer Paul Regret said...

The commercial interruptions, far more than the edits, are what makes this incarnation of Dexter so despicable. I know I'm obsessing, but I can't believe the rest of the world doesn't understand how important it is that the show will be broken into pieces, with advertisements stuck into the pauses.

Christy said...

I've been a little thrown by the fact that the previews are all without any of the theme music I associate with the show. Truthfully, the previews make it look bland. I wonder if anyone will watch.

Anonymous said...

Since I don't get Showtime and haven't had time to catch up on DVD, I had never seen Dexter before last night. I was very impressed.

Although the "outs" were a bit clunky because they had to be manufactured, I otherwise thought the transition seemed just fine. notice a thing. I don't doubt the commenters above that the un-edited version is superior, but I'm very happy for the opportunity to discover this show on broadcast TV. I may even look into getting Showtime in the fall so I can follow the new season.

Also, this is only the second CBS show I've watched in the last 7-8 years (HIMYM is the other). I find most of their stuff bland. I can't watch more than 3 minutes of CSI. But this was edgy and interesting.