Daytime TV: Curse or Blessing?

I'm really not sure anymore whether Daytime TV is a gift from God or sent from the Devil himself. Being out of work has been an eye-opening experience for me, mostly because I can't believe how much television I've consumed. I would think that it was all a waste of time, but I've been learning so much!

In the end I think it all comes down to choice. Are you going to spend that rainy day on the couch watching Jerry Springer or Maury Povich? Or are you going to watch a home improvement show that teaches you how to caulk your tub? I've been spending a lot of time on the History Channel myself, but I recently found that ABC Family is re-running Gilmore Girls from the pilot episode. Sigh. They make me so happy. :)

The Darjeeling Limited

I might be crazy, but I am a Wes Anderson fan. It's the cute little details that I love discovering in his films (like the framed drawing of underwear in The Royal Tenenbaums), which often make him a target with critics.

Even though The Life Aquatic was a bit of a letdown for me I rushed out to the theaters for this exotic tale of three brothers attempts to reconnect after their father's death. There was something intoxicating about the film, which may have a lot to do with the lush Indian settings. I can't for the life of me remember anything that was said in the movie, but I do remember feeling warm and fulfilled after seeing the film. It's also inspired me to take a train trip through India, perhaps one of the last truly exotic travel options left in the world.

Fall finales

Fox spent last week eagerly hyping its "fall finale" of Prison Break. As the writer's strike continues to cause ripples throughout the world of scripted television, this could look like a blessing. Fans of the show will have a conclusion that will tide them over until new episodes can be produced, unlike other shows which will just abruptly cease airing new episodes.

However, this fall finales trend has been going on for some years now and I'd like start a discussion as to whether these are actually helpful to viewers. Last fall I was absolutely engrossed in Heroes as were many Americans. I was desperate to know whether or not Peter and the gang would "Save the Cheerleader. Save the World." When the event finally occurred I felt a rush of satisfaction, but also a lot of disappointment. It was no surprise when the Season 1 finale rolled around that I felt it was all very anti-climatic. There was so much hype and promise and delivery from the "fall finale" that I didn't need anymore resolution.

I hope networks start treating their viewers with more respect. We're media savvy - we understand sweeps ratings, product placement, hell we can even get our favorite programs from places other than TV now. By trying to stick to a outdated profit model, networks are losing site on what will really keep us coming back - quality shows that run uninterrupted so that we can tune in and enjoy. They don't always have to be amazing (even the best shows go through rough patches) but they do have to be consistent.

cheers and jeers

Awesome! Someone else out there agrees about the desperate shilling of both NBC and Jerry Seinfeld. Woo hoo TV Guide!

The Writer's Strike

Unless you work or follow entertainment media, you might not have noticed that the writers went on strike. For everyone dealing with this "tragedy" I've got good news and bad news.

Good News - No more dreadful Saturday Night Lives! After Saturday's episode with Brian Williams I think it's time to finally put this show to rest. I know, everyone else has stopped watching it years ago, but there was always one or two sketches that were worth watching for.

Bad News - No new Daily Shows or Colbert Reports until the strike is over. OK, this can be a serious problem. I look to those shows to provide a little dose of sanity to the ridiculously over-hyped and biased news coverage that blankets American media (and CNN is as much to blame as Fox News on this front).

Basically as long as all of this ends before the new season of Lost starts we'll be good.