tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1868300996065196090..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: David Duchovny, why don't I love you?Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15022885025125421762007-11-17T14:18:00.000-05:002007-11-17T14:18:00.000-05:00What's Alan watching? Um, who's Alan? And who car...What's Alan watching? Um, who's Alan? And who cares?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53484671982062618662007-08-20T22:17:00.000-04:002007-08-20T22:17:00.000-04:00I'm also glad that one critic disliked "Californic...I'm also glad that one critic disliked "Californication". I couldn't get through the pilot - the scene with Duchovny asleep on the couch, and his wife and daughter looking at him lovingly, killed it for me. Well, that and the opening scene, which (as someone above stated) was nowhere near as edgy as it thought it was.<BR/><BR/>But I'm also glad that there's so many new shows to watch, that aren't adhering to the tired tropes of the Big Three (Four? Five?). Not all of them are going to be great, but it's still better than reality television, night-time soaps, or yet another cop show. (Unless David Milch is writing is, which might force me to tune in.)<BR/><BR/>Back on topic: thanks for this review, Alan. I was beginning to wonder if I were the only person who was thoroughly unimpressed by this show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25553878341954027362007-08-14T17:30:00.000-04:002007-08-14T17:30:00.000-04:00"BTW, if you hurry to Amazon, you might be able to..."BTW, if you hurry to Amazon, you might be able to get some of those Walker, Texas Ranger DVDs before they sell out. I'm sure that will help you get all the memories of "John From Cincinnati" out of your head."<BR/><BR/>Tuck, I love that you think I have such pathetic taste in TV. I didn't realize that if I didn't appreciate JFC, I need to turn immediately to Walker. I didn't realize the fact that I loved The Wire, The Shield, Big Love, Damages, etc. means that I don't have an appreciation for quality television.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-77654031033514503942007-08-14T16:34:00.000-04:002007-08-14T16:34:00.000-04:00Anon-You're very welcome.BTW, if you hurry to Amaz...Anon-<BR/><BR/>You're very welcome.<BR/><BR/>BTW, if you hurry to Amazon, you might be able to get some of those Walker, Texas Ranger DVDs before they sell out. I'm sure that will help you get all the memories of "John From Cincinnati" out of your head.TuckPendletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09205887129563034955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88289243292934037602007-08-14T14:50:00.000-04:002007-08-14T14:50:00.000-04:00"Don't know why you're apologizing to people like ..."Don't know why you're apologizing to people like Anonymous. It's your blog, you write whatever the hell you want, no one's forcing this person to come in here. I'm glad you snapped at him/her -- it was deserved. Please don't backtrack on your comments for trolls like these."<BR/><BR/>Tuck, thanks for calling me a troll. I didn't realize after my initial e-mail (which I'll admit was a little harsh) that I was troll-like. I thought I had explained myself along the way, and appreciated Alan's later response. Sorry to disappoint you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86039197012527066612007-08-14T13:40:00.000-04:002007-08-14T13:40:00.000-04:00Alan --Don't know why you're apologizing to people...Alan --<BR/><BR/>Don't know why you're apologizing to people like Anonymous. It's your blog, you write whatever the hell you want, no one's forcing this person to come in here. I'm glad you snapped at him/her -- it was deserved. Please don't backtrack on your comments for trolls like these.<BR/><BR/>Re: Californication...I wonder if part of the reason they are introducing him as 'likeable' is so they can take him down many more notches later on. To introduce him as a total cad, would a) probably turn off a lot of viewers from the get-go, and b) only leave them one place to take the character.<BR/><BR/>By starting in the middle -- we see the good and bad of him -- at least , in theory, it gives the show more room to play in. I'll stick around for a few more eps.TuckPendletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09205887129563034955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9968913102530379622007-08-14T12:17:00.000-04:002007-08-14T12:17:00.000-04:00I'm sorry man, this wasn't about you.I'm sorry man, this wasn't about you.dark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59668609910241199732007-08-14T09:32:00.000-04:002007-08-14T09:32:00.000-04:00"I want to know who Anonymous is reading. The Vari..."I want to know who Anonymous is reading. The Variety, LA Times and NY Times reviews of Californication are negative. Care to elaborate?"<BR/><BR/>j, as I mentioned before, I pretty much only read reviews of the 4 critics I mentioned.<BR/><BR/><BR/>"Don't be too hard on the guy. After all, Matt Roush's analytical analysis thoughtfully liked it, or something. :P"<BR/><BR/>Dark Tyler, I appreciate the sarcasm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37980250774701266812007-08-14T09:19:00.000-04:002007-08-14T09:19:00.000-04:00j:Well, in fairness it does have a 74 ouf of 100 i...j:<BR/><BR/>Well, in fairness it does have a 74 ouf of 100 in <A HREF="http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/californication?q=californication" REL="nofollow">metacritic</A>, which was even higher before Alan and NYT joined in yesterday.<BR/><BR/>Don't be too hard on the guy. After all, Matt Roush's analytical analysis thoughtfully liked it, or something. :Pdark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6748347554425507602007-08-14T07:00:00.000-04:002007-08-14T07:00:00.000-04:00Hmm, even though I often agree with you Alan, I ce...Hmm, even though I often agree with you Alan, I certainly don't share your opinion about <I>Californication</I>. Yes, it's trashy, but (IMHO) in a good way. I laughed more while watching this pilot than I did during all seasons combined of <I>Entourage</I>, and there's little doubt in my mind that this show will turn out a lot better than that has-been show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54768101408278216062007-08-14T06:34:00.000-04:002007-08-14T06:34:00.000-04:00Even though I do like Californication, I was disma...Even though I do like Californication, I was dismayed to see a round up of reviews on Ain't It Cool that most reviews were negative (in the lower quartile at that).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53551858651895980882007-08-14T04:03:00.000-04:002007-08-14T04:03:00.000-04:00I want to know who Anonymous is reading. The Varie...I want to know who Anonymous is reading. The Variety, LA Times and NY Times reviews of Californication are negative. Care to elaborate?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-49651389005915672112007-08-13T22:19:00.000-04:002007-08-13T22:19:00.000-04:00Poor Duchovny. Back when he was talking about leav...Poor Duchovny. Back when he was talking about leaving X-Files, he said people kept bringing up David Caruso's post-NYPD Blue career to him, and he wondered why the example was always Caruso and not, say Clooney. Perhaps because Clooney seems like a fairly likeable person while you, David, come off as a Caruso-style schmuck? Just a thought.<BR/><BR/>I don't even know if these are being shown in Canada; if they were and I got the appropriate channel, I might have tuned in to Californication out of residual X-Files/Larry Sanders love. I abominate Mary Louise Parker, though, so I expect I'd have given Weeds a miss regardless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68134102558804135932007-08-13T19:01:00.000-04:002007-08-13T19:01:00.000-04:00I'm always a little thrilled when Alan takes down ...I'm always a little thrilled when Alan takes down a new show that's getting a lot of praise, even when it's one I, personally, like (Big Love is a great example). His criticisms are always focused and well thought out, and they always prompt me to consider my own opinions (and often force me to rebolster my arguments for or against certain shows). It's also nice to see when someone dislikes a show I also dislike (Damages or Californication) for much the same reasons, but that's purely selfish.<BR/><BR/>We're in a time when there's probably more good television on than at any time in the history of the medium. A critic's job isn't just to pick on the really bad stuff, but to separate the good from the mediocre and the great from the good. I read this blog because its author is good at all of those things and justifying his thoughts, again, even when I disagree with him.<BR/><BR/>There's still an attitude among a lot of TV critics/reporters and viewers that, "Oh well. It's good enough for TV" is good enough. I don't really think that works. We've seen The Wire and Deadwood and The Sopranos now. "Just good enough" is a relic from the time when The Cosby Show was legitimately one of the best things on (and I liked that show). We've seen better, now, so we know we can demand better.<BR/><BR/>Sorry if this seems like gushing. I've learned a lot, reading this site.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538651542043518746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68791950145626128362007-08-13T18:04:00.000-04:002007-08-13T18:04:00.000-04:00"It's not like I don't want to read Alan."You just..."It's not like I don't want to read Alan."<BR/><BR/>You just don't want him to disagree with you too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60325693267377983532007-08-13T17:42:00.000-04:002007-08-13T17:42:00.000-04:00treacher, I'm forcing me. It's not like I don't w...treacher, I'm forcing me. It's not like I don't want to read Alan. I thought I stated that earlier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28185133659010064742007-08-13T15:02:00.000-04:002007-08-13T15:02:00.000-04:00After Full Frontal, I really don't need to see Duc...After Full Frontal, I really don't need to see Duchovny naked ever again.<BR/><BR/>"Can't wait for The Wire to finally come back, so I don't have to hear you complain."<BR/><BR/>Who's forcing you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69917340000709131502007-08-13T14:53:00.000-04:002007-08-13T14:53:00.000-04:00Disagreement is always a good thingIndeed! And at ...<I>Disagreement is always a good thing</I><BR/><BR/>Indeed! And at least Alan wasn't screaming "Good Riddance, Californication!" while demanding from Showtime to cancel it and insulting the people who like it.dark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21746054579556549102007-08-13T14:27:00.000-04:002007-08-13T14:27:00.000-04:00I personally enjoy "Guttermouth" from the Bree Sha...I personally enjoy "Guttermouth" from the Bree Sharp album as much as "Cheap and Evil Girl." A fun listen all around.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02172324193510098281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5104984635361717372007-08-13T14:24:00.000-04:002007-08-13T14:24:00.000-04:00While I usually share your taste in programs, I en...While I usually share your taste in programs, I enjoyed the pilot of Californication, at least enough to want to see the next program. And Weeds, while it had strong first and second seasons, seems a little tired in the four episodes I have seen. It's not horrible, but it does feel like it's trying to hard to create conflict. <BR/><BR/>Disagreement is always a good thing, at least until you start praising Two and a Half Men, then I will have to cut you.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1889194182349931482007-08-13T13:10:00.000-04:002007-08-13T13:10:00.000-04:00I for one am kind of thankful to read someone who ...I for one am kind of thankful to read someone who took a similar dislike to Californication as me. <BR/><BR/>I often disagree with your opinions Alan, notably in that i liked Studio 60, but I think you are spot on here. It is one thing to have an unlikeable protagonist, it is another to have one that is so completely smug and charmless. I thought it was an overwrought, overwritten mess of a show (the writer's previous efforts include a spell as producer on Dawson's Creek and the heavy-handed verbosity has been brought along) that had few redeeming features.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand I do like Weeds. It isn't a particularly funny show, but it is one I do enjoy quite a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56359193434785132452007-08-13T11:50:00.000-04:002007-08-13T11:50:00.000-04:00Alan, didn't mean to get on your bad side earlier....Alan, didn't mean to get on your bad side earlier. I am glad to read your more measured response. I know you've had some positive reviews (esp. for Mad Men). As I said earlier, you are one of my go-to guys along with Robert (who bothers me for not liking The Shield), Matt (who inexplicably gives the benefit of the doubt to Grey's Anatomy), and Tim (who I generally agree with down the line). I just wished you shared my enthusiasm (as well as the aforementioned critics) for some of these summer cable shows (i.e. Damages, Weeds, Big Love, Californication). I guess all I have to look forward to among upcoming shows is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dexter, and Tell Me You Love Me, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I haven't seen Brotherhood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-286731398704302672007-08-13T11:21:00.000-04:002007-08-13T11:21:00.000-04:00Alan, I'm with you (though I'm loving Big Love a l...Alan, I'm with you (though I'm loving Big Love a lot!). Californication is trying to be edgy just for the sake of it. It's nothing new, nothing hilarious, or nothing special. Just adding a lot of nude women doesn't make it a good show...then there's the "oh my ex-wife is marrying the wrong person", "I'm going to get high all the time and sleep with anyone", "I've got a rebellious daughter", blah blah.<BR/><BR/>Weeds is pretty good, though not as good as everybody says it is.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57268571919969592502007-08-13T11:04:00.000-04:002007-08-13T11:04:00.000-04:00Mood better now. Less grouchy. Sorry for snapping....Mood better now. Less grouchy. Sorry for snapping. Will use complete sentences soon.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, to expand on a few things: <BR/><BR/>1)Cable shows I've praised this summer besides John From Cincy include Mad Men, Flight of the Conchords (which I'm oddly in love with), Jekyll, Doctor Who (review of Friday's episode coming later today), My Boys, Saving Grace (though the flaws on that one are becoming more glaring) and The Kill Point (haven't seen the latest episode yet). I've also had mixed things to say about Big Love and Weeds and The Bronx Is Burning, and have even praised some isolated moments on Rescue Me (which is in the midst of a terrible season overall). <BR/><BR/>2)While I'm flattered to be put in the same company with Tim and Robert and Matt, it's just not possible for our opinions to always intersect (Robert considers me a philistine for not loving Boomtown, for instance, but we've gotten past that), nor for my enthusiasm to always match the buzz level for a show. I really, really wanted to like Damages, for instance, and was even probably kinder in the initial review than I should have been. My opinion is what it is. I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87417951020529953392007-08-13T10:51:00.000-04:002007-08-13T10:51:00.000-04:00You're right, I did forget Alan's mention of Mad M...You're right, I did forget Alan's mention of Mad Men and Flight of the Conchords (both of which I like, but don't love).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com