tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1144175719729519946..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: DVR clean-up round-upAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46103403420939690962008-03-21T20:31:00.000-04:002008-03-21T20:31:00.000-04:00I watched New Amsterdam the day after I watched th...I watched New Amsterdam the day after I watched the CBS sanitized Dexter (sorry, I don’t have Showtime). How is it that a show about an immortal cop is three times more disturbing and uncomfortable to watch than a show about serial killers? A nun that is raped and stabbed to death? An Indian immigrant, who is raped and stabbed and somehow survives, is then killed by her father who had done the same thing to her sister? The father's one remaining daughter? Yeah, she helps her father kill her sister. Yuck.<BR/><BR/>It's nice to know that a serial rapist and killer who runs from the cops, resists arrest, stabs a cop (immortal as he might be) and threatens to kill another cop could be released on bail. Forget about the DNA evidence, what about the crimes of assaulting an officer and attempted murder?<BR/><BR/>I know that Hollywood doesn’t like Tabloid journalism, but to suggest that they would reveal the name of a barely famous rape victim, and that the nightly news would then report on that revelation, gives the show realism issues. I can go along with the Immortal Cop thing, just make everything else realistic. <BR/><BR/>I agree that the chemistry is way better with the partner. The doctor is kind of pretty, but HDTV allows me to see her skin blemishes through the twenty layers of pound cake on her skin.<BR/><BR/>On Reaper, it was very nice to see the Devil acting very evil, albeit a bit incompetent and naïve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66623477497144076222008-03-21T17:00:00.000-04:002008-03-21T17:00:00.000-04:00Regarding New Amsterdam: I'm an old fan of Highlan...Regarding New Amsterdam: I'm an old fan of Highlander, Forever Knight, Angel, etc., so I'm poised to like this series. But like the other's, I'm finding the flashbacks unimpressive. I like the main character, like Omar, and I'm growing fond of the female partner, but the love interest is... under-developed as a character, and that's hurting the series badly. We haven't seen anything in her that is worth a 400-year wait, and they're going to have to show that ASAP or they're going to have to reveal that she's not really the one. I like the idea some have floated, that "the one" is the partner. But me: I think the spell's just wearing off. hee hee.<BR/><BR/>Regarding Reaper: I dunno, I liked the Devil better in the earlier episodes, and I'm not sure I like the menacing aspect. One of the things that I liked best about this series was the idea that the Devil was a better parent to Sam than his own parents, and that seems to be fading as the series goes along. I'm still enjoying it, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48207142955356549952008-03-19T12:59:00.000-04:002008-03-19T12:59:00.000-04:00So it would be proper to say that all of these sho...So it would be proper to say that all of these shows were evacuated from your DVR?Mo Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01685367085407381479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46182079668633466082008-03-19T11:50:00.000-04:002008-03-19T11:50:00.000-04:00It's pretty clear the Survivor "superfans" are not...It's pretty clear the Survivor "superfans" are not "super" and possibly not even "fans". :-) Seriously though, obviously it was just an excuse to have some of the more interesting and/or photogenic "favorites" back on the show without doing another all-star season (either because the first one was a disaster or because plans changed at the last minute). This Survivor has been pretty weak thus far, but this is usually around the time it starts to pick up, so I'm sticking with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-74519998378568206212008-03-19T08:41:00.000-04:002008-03-19T08:41:00.000-04:00Plus, we have not one but two cliche ridden profes...Plus, we have not one but two cliche ridden professions: police and docs. The police, particularly the older cop, spout platitude after platitude from cop shows galore. We've heard it all before a zillion times before. Same thing with the doctor lingo. It is so very, very apparent that the writers have but a surface understanding of either profession.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4432666421733080952008-03-19T06:58:00.000-04:002008-03-19T06:58:00.000-04:00Now the novelty of the concept has worn off a bit,...Now the novelty of the concept has worn off a bit, I was taken aback at how truly awful the writing on "New Amsterdam" is. ("You should laugh more often."). It seems as if the writers have a handbook with every cop show and romantic cliche which they dutifully rely upon each week. Plus, although it has only been three episodes, I get no sense that there is a larger mythology at work in the flashbacks. At least on "Angel" the flashbacks over the course of a series of episodes seemed connected or in aide of some larger theme. Not so here. This is really, really bad television.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57248269259196784432008-03-19T00:08:00.000-04:002008-03-19T00:08:00.000-04:00I'm with you pretty much 100% on "New Amsterdam," ...I'm with you pretty much 100% on "New Amsterdam," but there are some elements of the flashbacks that are simply painful. The Walt Whitman reveal last week was cheeziness embodied, but this week--a gentleman would accept a challenge of a duel from his servant? Oh, I am so sorry, but I do not THINK so. The entire scene where Amsterdam stormed into the dining room--and wasn't immediately hustled out--had me screeching in pain, and when Durst actually accepted the challenge? Oh, man, I was laughing.<BR/><BR/>The other misfire in episode 4 was, I thought, the sex scene at the end. This episode involved violent rapes; ending it with a romantic sex scene was tasteless. <BR/><BR/>I do find the doctor's story to be uneven; the husband was a cliche obstacle, but then they dispensed with him in a few words. I don't agree that she and Amsterdam have no chemistry, but they're being asked to sustain a mythic level--to go from casual acquaintances to lovers in practically a few hours.<BR/><BR/>Oh, well. There are only two episdes left, anyway, so I'll stick it out. Because, did I mention? Coster-Waldau is REALLY attractive.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8654000774374739682008-03-18T20:12:00.000-04:002008-03-18T20:12:00.000-04:00Oh, even Jay Spry would agree that I used the term...Oh, even Jay Spry would agree that I used the term properly. If I had written "Jonathan evacuated," I would have meant that he soiled himself. But "Jonathan was evacuated" means that other people took the action to remove him from the game.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22478186429840849722008-03-18T19:05:00.000-04:002008-03-18T19:05:00.000-04:00One comment on your Survivor review when you menti...One comment on your Survivor review when you mention that Johnathon was evacuated from the island. Have you learned nothing from the Wire, Alan? You evacuate a building; to evacuate a person is to give them an enema.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29258231808695860912008-03-18T18:51:00.000-04:002008-03-18T18:51:00.000-04:00I think Chet must have kept insisting he wanted o...I think Chet must have kept insisting he wanted out, to the point that it wasn't possible to work around it. I thought it was surprising that no one brought it up at Tribal Council. That only makes sense if they all knew what was going on and everything we saw was BS and editing.<BR/><BR/>I'm also amazed at the bad job they've done at selecting "superfans". But maybe the whole superfan idea was a last-minute marketing decision and the casting people did the best they could. (I think Alan said there was a last-minute change away from "All-Stars II", but we don't really know how much time they had to find new players who knew the show (and could leave on short notice, etc.).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54055565522585532652008-03-18T15:25:00.000-04:002008-03-18T15:25:00.000-04:00As far as Penner, I too was upset to see him leave...As far as Penner, I too was upset to see him leave the game for the reasons you mentioned, Alan.<BR/><BR/>Also, I enjoyed the way he talked. It always was cool to feel like, at least with my eyes closed, that Alan Alda was on the show.<BR/><BR/>It might take me a few more weeks to find someone new to root for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34145098593638582092008-03-18T15:09:00.000-04:002008-03-18T15:09:00.000-04:00I like New Amsterdam in a guilty pleasure sort of ...I like New Amsterdam in a guilty pleasure sort of way - I know it is kind of hollow and lacking, but it's "fun" to watch for the most part. And since I really don't watch any other crime procedurals (I was big into CSI way back when it first started, and I watch "Bones" as a similar guilty pleasure, but that's it) it's not too tiresome to me.<BR/><BR/>I do agree on the chemistry with the doctor for the most part; I don't know if I'd classify her as "dull", but she's certainly a very shallow / not-well-fleshed out character that we're supposed to just take on faith as John's savior. The way they're rushing along this romance I definitely think it's a red herring; they're setting her up to get hit by a bus very soon.Bobmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604050338240551711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24058914471786295802008-03-18T14:22:00.000-04:002008-03-18T14:22:00.000-04:00Even with Chet unwilling to go along, why not spre...Even with Chet unwilling to go along, why not spread the rumor that they were going to vote for Ozzy to flush out the immunity idol?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-49236019503525700412008-03-18T14:21:00.000-04:002008-03-18T14:21:00.000-04:00I have some of the same feelings about "New Amster...I have some of the same feelings about "New Amsterdam" as everyone else. The 2nd episode was my favorite so far...and they haven't managed to eclipse it yet, which is not a good sign. <BR/><BR/>The doctor character really is dull. No chemistry. And she just is coming off as 'not good enough' for immortal John. She's very bland and doesn't seem all that deserving to me of his interest.<BR/><BR/>However, after the quick jump into the sack last night, I got to wondering, how are we sure that the doctor is really 'the one'? What if it is his partner after all (with whom he has a LOAD more chemistry)? I know he had the heart attack in the train with the doctor there, but he also had just met his partner only a bit earlier than this chance meeting with the doc. <BR/><BR/>He really doesn't know for sure the doctor is the woman he is destined to be with. <BR/><BR/>So I hold out hope that she is just the red herring. If not, they'd better come up with something quick or I will be bored.<BR/><BR/>Coster-Waldau still captures my attention. He's a find actor and nice to look at. I feel sympathy for his situation and honestly want him to get what he is looking for...so that is good.K J Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12023089365553324315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79476464368919647062008-03-18T12:40:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:40:00.000-04:00I don't get what is going on with New Amsterdam, e...I don't get what is going on with New Amsterdam, especially the romance angle... We don't actually know or care about the doctor very much so the fast forward to consummating the relationship was a "why are they doing this now?" moment, considering the husband reveal the episode before. There was no point to it, and unless it's a mistake and she really isn't the one, there were a lot of steps skipped. If this is a triangle, I'm rooting for the new girl and we haven't even met her. <BR/><BR/>The history flashback was weak, along with the procedural. The writers need to rent a few DVDs of Forever Knight and Highlander. While those weren't the best shows ever, they were much more adept at integrating the historical flashback with the modern day storyline and making us care about the characters in each era. <BR/><BR/>Luckily for the writers, they have a lead character with charisma and the ability to fit in both timelines... except for his hair.. it was way too mullety.. but he can only do so much with the weak material given. <BR/><BR/>I was bummed to see Jonathan have to leave because of an injury but at least it seems to have ended the rift with Probst. <BR/>I still sorta like Ozzy and am holding out hope for a "superfan" that we haven't gotten to know yet.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44757867424021311552008-03-18T12:08:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:08:00.000-04:00I am also hypnotized by the Amsterdam character. I...I am also hypnotized by the Amsterdam character. I do like him. And the comparison to honor about females wasn't a bad idea.<BR/><BR/>Actually, having her married COULD/could have been an interesting plot point. Amsterdam seems like an honorable sort most of the time- what if she was happily married? Could he still chase after someone who wasn't interested? It's sleazy of him...but on the other hand, how can he not, and what if she and the husband age and die together? I dunno, could have been an interesting conundrum and given them the inevitable "will-they-won't-they" that has to be on every television show. Instead, it was quickly semi-resolved. Huh?<BR/><BR/>I am impressed that they're in the sack so fast- or more like, what, they're not dragging this out for years? Oh, wait, you can't do that on television any more. That said, it did feel too fast for them to get to THAT point, even if she's separated.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16906089927390662087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82622674785536781992008-03-18T11:49:00.001-04:002008-03-18T11:49:00.001-04:00Regarding Reaper, I'm glad to see that they're kee...Regarding Reaper, I'm glad to see that they're keeping the devil mean. Often times, the tend to "humanize" him in stuff like this. And it just isn't really believable. If he's Satan then he's Satan. I don't think he's going to see the error of his ways just because he met a nice kid.<BR/><BR/>As for it being a pre-strike show, I would assume so since Sock was tossed into a Christmas display.Tom O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618372280521433193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29168092507799307492008-03-18T11:49:00.000-04:002008-03-18T11:49:00.000-04:00Well, Amsterdam certainly could retire--recall tha...Well, Amsterdam certainly could retire--recall that he makes very good money off the "antique" desks he makes and sells, and I assume he owns the building where he lives, probably bought at a ridiculously low price.<BR/><BR/>I'm not quite sure why he'd choose to be a cop if he wanted to keep his secret, since there are a lot of risks of discovery.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00295270766215749309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23779628644465143472008-03-18T11:46:00.000-04:002008-03-18T11:46:00.000-04:00I'm still a bit baffled as to how some of these pe...I'm still a bit baffled as to how some of these people on "Survivor" are "superfans." Some of them act like they've never seen the show before!<BR/><BR/>Bummer about Penner's knee. I, too, was enjoying his gameplay. Unlike you, though, I still have people to root for (James, Ozzy, and Tracy for now), so I'm still excited about the show. But I will miss Jonathan and I totally miss Yau-Man (every challenge for me includes the thought, "Yau-Man would so rock this!").Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80570203293406033732008-03-18T11:43:00.000-04:002008-03-18T11:43:00.000-04:00Agree on all points about New Amsterdam. I was a b...Agree on all points about New Amsterdam. I was a bit irritated with last week's revelation of the love interest's being married because it's such an unimaginative obstacle to put in their way. However, I was even more vexed by the way they completely dismissed that obstacle in this episode with a 15 second phone call. I'm guessing that they're setting up this romance so easily to lay the groundwork for a love triangle between to include the partner. Another unimaginative plot.<BR/><BR/>Being a history lover I most enjoy the flashbacks. I thought that the flashback not only highlighted the difference in attitudes about rape but also drew a parallel between John's honor killing and the father's. Of course, John's is easier to excuse since he killed the rapist and not the victim, but they were both murders nonetheless.<BR/><BR/>I do appreciate how the writers throw in little details about Amsterdam's history with each episode. In this episode, he implied that he changes careers every 10 years. Imagine never being able to retire!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com