tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7310698924107885127..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Festivus still isn't over until you pin your father!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60722696293590692982008-12-11T16:57:00.000-05:002008-12-11T16:57:00.000-05:00Survivor and The Amazing Race both disappointed me...Survivor and The Amazing Race both disappointed me with poor casting choices. Survivor also disappointed by having too many twists, and Race disappointed in choosing tasks and locations. Both shows can be so much better than they were in 2008.<BR/><BR/>Big Love disappointed me by not airing any new episodes all year.<BR/><BR/>All of TV disappointed me this summer by having almost nothing good on any channel at any time. I know it was due to the writers strike but it was a really rough couple of months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6878153197662665992008-12-10T16:50:00.000-05:002008-12-10T16:50:00.000-05:00Mad Men, for such a short season. Sigh.Mad Men, for such a short season.<BR/> <BR/>Sigh.Virgilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125900267060346024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89934488666079506342008-12-09T19:00:00.000-05:002008-12-09T19:00:00.000-05:001) All networks who cant come up with a GREAT cop...1) All networks who cant come up with a GREAT cop drama now that The Shield (which didn't dissapoint) is gone<BR/><BR/>2) Ditto to the guy who nominated casting directors who dont hire the actors off THe Wire....How about the guy who played Senator Clay Davis....incredible<BR/><BR/>It is scary out therescottatlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12019415896770991604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39471687126286539782008-12-09T16:48:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:48:00.000-05:00To NBC for not running reruns of Life over the off...To NBC for not running reruns of Life over the off season. It's how I first found the show (& the final episodes at that) & I'd love to fill in gaps (I'm a dinosaur: no DVR, TiVo, or prior season DVD to watch).<BR/><BR/>A mild razz to Life for not being as good as it was last season (still a great show, though).<BR/><BR/>Boo to ABC for canceling Pushing Daisies, with a nod to Tracey here for noting that the story arc could have been moved along at a faster pace to at least give us all peace of mind.<BR/><BR/>To Tom Brokaw & Gwen Ifil (excluding the adored Bob Schieffer) who didn't put pressure on the candidates who provided no logical responses during the Presidential & Vice Presidential debates.<BR/><BR/>To the PBS stations for running those seemingly endlessly repeated & regurgitated financial & health seminars (aka "I've got a book to promote!") & concerts of limited interest ("I've got a career to revive!") during the pledge drive weeks, especially when they preempt the kids' shows (the natives get restless!)neglectarinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454776919990373906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76318168322069058512008-12-09T16:18:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:18:00.000-05:00Festivus complaints to the following:* Kath & ...Festivus complaints to the following:<BR/>* Kath & Kim for wasting the talents of Molly Shannon and Selma Blair.<BR/>* House for the cameo appearances of Chase and Cameron.<BR/>* The Office for introducing us to Holly and then NOT KEEPING HER AROUND, and for bringing back Ryan<BR/>* CW for butchering the 90210 remake and its unlikable characters<BR/>* Ghost Whisperer for killing off Jim and then having him inhabit the body of someone else, wasting the revelations of last season, and replacing Jay Mohr with Jamie Kennedy<BR/>* Grey's Anatomy for becoming rediculous, absolutely rediculous. There are plenty of things in the medical world that can provide drama, we don't need interns operating on themselves or Izzie seeing dead people...<BR/>* SNL for becoming dead space, again (save for the presidential race coverage - that was golden). It used to at least balance its raunchy/bawdy humor with some smart comedy, no more. Sketches run too long and can be really vulgar.Elisa Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16961544880720495529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-61819333355159690122008-12-09T15:38:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:38:00.000-05:00I'd second all those series that squander their Th...I'd second all those series that squander their The Wire actors (though I was elated to see the IASIP guys cast Chad Coleman, and were seemingly aware of who he'd played, and what as astounding performance he gave).<BR/><BR/>And I'll whatever (third? fifth?) True Blood with its characters who speak like they want me to play their race in the knock-off RPG, and its overall idiocy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65060674775678772842008-12-09T11:38:00.000-05:002008-12-09T11:38:00.000-05:00The Pushing Daisies cancellation is at the top of ...The Pushing Daisies cancellation is at the top of my list. I'd like to put the Dirty, Sexy Money cancellation in second place, but I'll save that for the DSM writers for turning Nick into a jealous, wife-bullying ass; and for making Karen entirely unsympathetic. Patrick completely dissing his father and, inexplicably, his brother isn't helping either. <BR/><BR/>The first season had just enough of a soapy element to make it fun. Now it's just a big bubble bath, and I mean that in a bad way.<BR/><BR/>Are the low ratings/cancellation of Journeyman eligible for this year? I'm still annoyed about that.<BR/><BR/><I>The Return of Jezebel James, by far. Amy Sherman-Palladino writes a show starring Lauren Ambrose and Parker Posey?</I> <BR/><BR/>Kudos to you for having faith and giving it a try. There was so much bad press before it was aired I didn't even do that. After season 6 of Gilmore Girls, it was painfully obvious to me that ASP actually is capable of putting out horrendous material.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28518603103788754512008-12-09T09:47:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:47:00.000-05:00I'm tempted to say networks like NBC and ABC for k...I'm tempted to say networks like NBC and ABC for keeping shows like "Chuck" and "Pushing Daisies" off the air after the strike and relaunching them this fall to even lower ratings. But to be honest, my main grip is with these Nielsen viewers who always chose whatever is on CBS over the shows I like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89853959257725022742008-12-09T03:26:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:26:00.000-05:00Networks like ABC and NBC for not airing some of l...Networks like ABC and NBC for not airing some of last fall's best sophomore shows (Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Eli) right after the strike. Hence the low ratings and cancelation to some...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53298508573209493682008-12-09T00:55:00.000-05:002008-12-09T00:55:00.000-05:00I don't know, I don't have a good memory for this ...I don't know, I don't have a good memory for this stuff. But "Good Morning America" has really started to annoy me. It's not the stupid stories, or the silly sweep stunts, it's that stupid, silly, <I>self-absorbed</I> stunts where the hosts spend a week looking back on previous stupid silly stunts, or digging through their belongings. Anyone who's that interested in Sam Champion needs a life.afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81235110019797632372008-12-08T23:42:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:42:00.000-05:00How about Project Runway? - for an uninspiring sea...How about Project Runway? - for an uninspiring season, one that everyone involved with the show phoned in. The legal troubles for PR really seem to have caused this one-time favorite to have jumped the shark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91437486994906764102008-12-08T21:49:00.000-05:002008-12-08T21:49:00.000-05:00Speaking of Grey's, there are strong rumblings of ...Speaking of Grey's, there are strong rumblings of more drama backstage today. I won't spoil it here, but the info is widely available online. That show's a hot mess, onscreen and off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33538580926789181292008-12-08T21:24:00.000-05:002008-12-08T21:24:00.000-05:00The networks, for short changing the writers leadi...The networks, for short changing the writers leading to the strike that continued on into 2008 (of which the effects are still being felt).<BR/><BR/>Heroes, because as if season 2 wasn't bad enough (and that while I complained and complained, I still watched it), it was this season that lead me to actively hate it and now ignore its existence. This season is abysmal.<BR/><BR/>House, for not getting over the strike and its cast shake up.<BR/><BR/>Pushing Daisies cancellation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88838850362082104162008-12-08T21:11:00.000-05:002008-12-08T21:11:00.000-05:00ABC/Grey's for firing Dr. Hahn.The producers of 90...ABC/Grey's for firing Dr. Hahn.<BR/><BR/>The producers of 90210 for bringing back an old hit just to make it boring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8140664161465711922008-12-08T20:29:00.000-05:002008-12-08T20:29:00.000-05:00"Saving Grace"What started as a creative look at a..."Saving Grace"<BR/>What started as a creative look at a woman's relationship with God has become just another cop show. My Christmas wish is "Saving Grace" find some writers who know what to do with Earl.michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17812924049258701715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17371569417675721112008-12-08T19:38:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:38:00.000-05:00I have network issues as opposed to specific shows...I have network issues as opposed to specific shows.<BR/><BR/>I'm disappointed in Sci-Fi for splitting the BSG final season even though there was no real reason for it other than they have no other good shows to air. <BR/><BR/>I'm also disappointed in the CBC for airing the fourth season of Doctor Who months after it aired on BBC and Sci-Fi, especially when it co-produces the show and has nothing else on worth watching except for the Mercer Report. They are just asking for viewers to find alternative ways to watch this show.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I'm disappointed in CBS, NBC and ABC for not giving good scripted dramas and comedies a chance and relying on garbage reality shows. NBC is the biggest disappointment because at one time most shows I would watch would be that network, and now there are only four : Chuck, Life, 30 Rock and the Office.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50699038176594109612008-12-08T19:03:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:03:00.000-05:00I would say 99% of NBC's programming has been disa...I would say 99% of NBC's programming has been disappointing. Alan, any thoughts on the news they're probably going to limit the hours of programming on their station?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79750937669165277972008-12-08T18:44:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:44:00.000-05:00*L* I think I'd second just about every comment ab...*L* I think I'd second just about every comment above. And it's not often so many commenters all agree on here!<BR/><BR/>With one exception: I really thought <I>The Return of Jezebel James</I> was killed by network folks who insisted on using a laugh track. Ugh! Why can't they ever believe that there are intelligent fans who don't need to be cued when to laugh in a comedy? <BR/><BR/>Imagine how this would destroy some of our current favorite shows if they called out each subtle joke that we sometimes only catch on repeat viewings?Michael 8-)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15049087833229285322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5266600990136861752008-12-08T18:40:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:40:00.000-05:00The American public for forcing NBC to give Direct...The American public for forcing NBC to give DirectTV the rights to Friday Night Lights.<BR/><BR/>The Emmy voters for not showing love to Kyle Chandler and Connie BrittonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52138854585596963972008-12-08T18:36:00.001-05:002008-12-08T18:36:00.001-05:00A lot of people are (jokingly) nominating The Wire...A lot of people are (jokingly) nominating The Wire for daring to end the series. How about going a different route and nominating "Directors who can't direct the wonderful actors immediately after they performed in the Wire"?<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking mainly of: Tristan Wilds (Michael) in 90210 and<BR/>Domenick Lombardozzi (Herc) reprising his role in Entourage<BR/><BR/>I don't watch Law & Order CI (Carver), Fringe (Lt. Daniels), or Heroes (Bubbles and Marlo), but I can't imagine those shows directors are getting as much out of those actors as Simon & Co. did.<BR/><BR/>I would also include Dominic West (McNulty) for having to play the bad guy in that atrocious new Punisher movie (which also stars two of my favorite actors from two other show: Ray Stevenson of "Rome" and Colin Salmon "Keen Eddie").<BR/><BR/>I don't have time to go through the whole cast (and admittedly don't watch some of the shows they're on like Life on Mars) so I'll let others who are more informed decide if there really has been a drop off in the quality of Wire actors in other projects.<BR/><BR/>One exception is, of course, Amy Ryan's stint on the Office.<BR/><BR/>Can't anyone else direct anymore?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21508421846120585332008-12-08T18:36:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:36:00.000-05:00BTW Festivus is coming to the our state Capitol in...BTW Festivus is coming to the our state Capitol in Olympia, Washington! A festivus display is going up next to the nativity scene and atheist statement that has caused a great deal of ire on Fox News. There better be an aluminum pole! http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35616504.htmlripvanrubenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271330466652646720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53291497007186701732008-12-08T18:21:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:21:00.000-05:00heroes heroes heroesheroes heroes heroesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4014342623073504732008-12-08T18:06:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:06:00.000-05:00The amazing thing about Knight Rider for me is tha...The amazing thing about <I>Knight Rider</I> for me is that it didn't even live up to the low, low expectations I'd had for it. That's impressive in and of itself.<BR/><BR/>One I'd add to the good collection of suggestions here is Showtime's programs, for the most part. They all seem to have suffered a precipitous drop in quality to varying degrees this year. Are any of them must-see shows now? Seems like they went south faster than HBO shows do...David J. Loehrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03730376433424754068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50572941511485153622008-12-08T17:53:00.000-05:002008-12-08T17:53:00.000-05:00I will also chime in with "The Office" but specifi...I will also chime in with "The Office" but specifically with the character of Pam. Last season, she was so strong with her proclamation that she wasn't going to be the quiet type anymore. Great...<BR/><BR/>What happens next? She goes to art school for 3 months. Great...except for the fact that she fails her class, and nothing on screen ever suggests that she takes any steps to rectify the situation. <BR/><BR/>She comes back to Scranton, and resumes her receptionist life with nothing on screen indicating growth from the experience, or realization that she needs to move on from D-M. <BR/><BR/>Arrgghhh...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35080248248766752982008-12-08T16:47:00.000-05:002008-12-08T16:47:00.000-05:00Definitely the "House" obsession with 13.How about...Definitely the "House" obsession with 13.<BR/><BR/>How about "Dexter" for waiting until the last possible moment to get interesting...and then being done with it too quickly?KrisMrsBBradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988742743150495260noreply@blogger.com