What TV shows are you watching?

[clinthopson]

Last night we watched recorded versions of "Big Love" and "John From Cincinnati."

We didn't care for "Big Love" last year and this year it is even more soapy. So we probably won't give it another look. Besides, Mormons are even bigger idiots than most of the other religious types.

"John" has promise. There are a number of characters, including John, who march to a different beat. I don't think it's necessary to use "fuck' every third word tho'. I had a roommate in grad school who was a surfer from Imperial Beach, I'm sure Earl Arthur Tracy would approve of the show.

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

Dear Hoopleheads,

I am through 11 episodes of Deadwood, season 1. Waiting on the season finale until my 2nd and 3rd seasons show up in the mail, and then I'll have a marathon viewing session.

I'm scared to do any internet searching so I don't blow major plot lines (like when I looked up Molly Parker on IMDB and they referred to her as a "young widow" on the show; sort of ruined the surprise when her hubby died), but I had no idea how much (or any) of this show was based on reality. Like, not only was there a real Jack McCall, but from what I've read, it seems like he pretty much did exactly in real life what he did in the show.

My original thought was that the writers just thought it would be cool to have a character based on Hickok, but it seems it goes much deeper than that.

[patricia]

I see what you mean, Chhris, the high gloss visuals and fast cuts are to cover for the lack of scripts.

After reading what you wrote, I was waiting for that opening crack, which was, "He started out the week as big man on campus and wound up dead on arrival", and immediately thought that the first scriptwriter wrote "He started out the week BMOC and winds up DOA", which isn't bad, but they decided that was too hard for their target audience to get so they dumbed it down.

There was a short-lived series called "Michael Hayes" Caruso did, after NYPD Blue, as well as the feature films.
The series was written by Paul Haggis, who also wrote Due South , Million Dollar Baby and Crash.
I don't think it ran a full season and he interpreted his character much the same as he does the one in CSI Miami.
He doesn't seem to have a wide range of emotion.
When Michael Hayes was still on, I heard an interview on the radio with him about the show.
His own personality came across as super-serious.
I forget whose show the interview was on, but the interviewer was attempting to keep it light and Caruso kept wanting to make serious points, to no avail.
I kept wondering if he ever laughs.

[Scott Dolan]

The series was written by Paul Haggis, who also wrote Due South , Million Dollar Baby and Crash.

A fine Canadian.

[patricia]

A fine Canadian.

[cookie]

I am so jonesin' for the new season of "Weeds", man.

[Scott Dolan]

You are as transparent as you are beautiful, my dear.

[patricia]

You are as transparent as you are beautiful, my dear.

[clinthopson]

I am so jonesin' for the new season of "Weeds", man.

The best opening theme on tv.

[Dan G]

3rd season is in production, starts airing in mid-August. I read recently that one of the Mary Kate and Ashley twins (I know they have a last name but can't remember it) will be in it as a bible-thumping romantic interest for Silas. The first time either of them (the twins) has worked alone. Carrie Fisher and Mathew Modine will also be in it this year.

The best news though is Zooey Deschanel will stay on as Andy's psycho stalker girlfriend!

[Scott Dolan]

Olsen

[walto]

Mary-Kate.

[Noj]

Shameless self-promotion moment: I did some drawings of marijuana plants for one of the Weeds season DVDs, and a bunch of my pothead friends are in the bonus features.

[Dan G]

Totally awesome!! Can you hook me up?

dvds or pot?

[Scott Dolan]

Rescue Me Season 3.

[Jason Bivins]

Watched Bob Barker's last episode of The Price is Right. Awesome.

[clinthopson]

I have sadly neglected to mention what is undoubtedly Canada's finest contribution to world culture, the incredibly intellectually challenging "Red Green Show."

[stonemonkts]

Right now I'm enjoying the best episode of 24 ever....on South Park.

Watched the second episode of John From Cincinnati tonight. I agree with anyone who says the show won't make it, but not because it isn't good.

[Jon Abbey]

the first episode of Flight of the Conchords was OK, a little too cutesy at times, Other Music clerks who have watched Tenacious D way too much. but the sand/band thing was brilliant, definitely promising.

[moneyp]

Dear Hoopleheads,

Like, not only was there a real Jack McCall, but from what I've read, it seems like he pretty much did exactly in real life what he did in the show.

My original thought was that the writers just thought it would be cool to have a character based on Hickok, but it seems it goes much deeper than that.

No, a lot of the characters are based on real people, including Swearengen and Bullock. The movie takes some a lot of dramatic liberties with them, though.

Glad you're watching it, Borat. I'll just say that the second season is very different and much less conventional than the first. I think it's one of the greatest seasons of television I've ever watched, just amazing from start to finish. The third season I wasn't that crazy about, to the point where I'm not even going to pick up the DVD set. Milch spread it all too thin.

Not crazy about the first episode of John from Cincinnati, either, which I watched from a hotel room in Houston. Since I don't subscribe to HBO regularly, I doubt I'll see much more of it any time soon.

[patricia]

I have sadly neglected to mention what is undoubtedly Canada's finest contribution to world culture, the incredibly intellectually challenging "Red Green Show."

I know you're kidding about the "Red Green Show" being intellectually challenging.
But, I love the guests on the "Red Green Show."
They are kind of an inside joke here.
Gordon Pinset, for example, is a respected dramatic actor and his occasional role as the tall tale teller is hilarious, I think.
I recognize quite a few others as well.
One of my favourites is the actor, Peter Kelleghan, who plays the forest ranger, stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
If you saw the excellent "The Newsroom," which was shown on PBS a few years ago, and has had a couple of sequels since, he played Jim Woolcott, the airhead anchorman.

[Gordon B]

3rd season is in production, starts airing in mid-August. I read recently that one of the Mary Kate and Ashley twins (I know they have a last name but can't remember it) will be in it as a bible-thumping romantic interest for Silas. The first time either of them (the twins) has worked alone. Carrie Fisher and Mathew Modine will also be in it this year.

The best news though is Zooey Deschanel will stay on as Andy's psycho stalker girlfriend!

MATTHEW MODINE JOINS THE CAST OF WEEDS' THIRD SEASON,
PREMIERING MONDAY, AUGUST 13 ON SHOWTIME
Zooey Deschanel & Carrie Fisher to Make Guest Appearances in the Hit Series from Lionsgate

Acclaimed actor Matthew Modine will join the cast of SHOWTIME's top-rated comedy series WEEDS for its third season, which premieres Monday, August 13th at 10pm ET/PT, it was announced today. Modine will be featured in at least 10 of the season's 15 episodes and will portray Sullivan Groff, the mysterious land developer for Majestic, a new Christian, mega-church development being built right near Agrestic. Groff and Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) will strike up a mutually beneficial business arrangement, but under the watchful, busybody eye of Celia (Elizabeth Perkins). Noted director Martha Coolidge (Material Girls, "Sex & the City") will direct Modine in his premiere episode of the hit series, produced by Lionsgate in association with Tilted Productions.

From his roles in films such as Vision Quest, Short Cuts, Full Metal Jacket, and Gross Anatomy, to his small screen turns, most recently in "The Bedford Diaries," Modine has enjoyed a diverse career in film, stage and television. He earned Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations for his work in the acclaimed mini-series "And the Band Played On," and a Golden Globe® nomination for "What the Deaf Man Heard." He made his directorial debut for SHOWTIME with the critically acclaimed film "If.Dog..Rabbit," in which he co-starred opposite John Hurt and Laura Dern. He also directed an off-Broadway theatrical production of "12 Angry Men," starring F. Murray Abraham, Wallace Shawn and Seymour Cassell.

Also guest starring this season on WEEDS in single-episode cameos are Zooey Deschanel, reprising her role as Andy's quirky ex-girlfriend Kat (airing August 13) and Carrie Fisher (airing August 27) as Arlene, Celia's divorce attorney.

One of the most buzzed-about series on television, WEEDS follows a suburban mother (Parker in her Golden Globe®-winning portrayal of Nancy Botwin) who deals marijuana in order to make ends meet after her husband dies unexpectedly. The show, which earned a Golden Globe ® nomination for Best Comedy Series, also stars Emmy® nominee Elizabeth Perkins, Tonye Patano, Romany Malco, Justin Kirk, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Andy Milder, Allie Grant and Kevin Nealon.
-------------
Olsen Joins Showtime's Weeds
Source: Showtime
May 24, 2007


Actress Mary-Kate Olsen will join the cast of Showtime's top-rated comedy series "Weeds" for its third season currently in production in Los Angeles, it was announced today. Olsen will be featured in 10 of the season's 15 episodes as Tara, a new love interest for Silas (Hunter Parrish) whose girlfriend broke his heart last season. Olsen's character lives in the newly-developed mega-church community called Majestic. Produced by Lionsgate, in association with Tilted Productions, "Weeds" premieres Monday, August 13th, at 10pm ET/PT.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the show. It's really an honor to be a part of such a talented group of actors and writers," says Olsen.

"'Weeds' isn't your eight-o'-clock family fare. It's an adult show with adult subject matter and we're confident Mary-Kate is right for the role," says "Weeds" creator and executive producer Jenji Kohan. "She came in and read with Hunter (Parrish) and was absolutely charming and real and seemed like a great fit. Audiences have seen only one side of Mary-Kate but here, we'll see her in a whole new light."

Olsen made her TV debut at age nine months, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the ABC hit TV series "Full House" with her twin sister, Ashley. The sisters serve as co-presidents of Dualstar Entertainment Group.

In addition to Olsen, also joining the cast this season on "Weeds" is Matthew Modine as Sullivan Groff, the mysterious land developer for Majestic, a new Christian, mega-church development being built right near Agrestic. Groff and Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) will strike up a mutually beneficial business arrangement, but under the watchful, busybody eye of Celia (Elizabeth Perkins). In single-episode cameos are Zooey Deschanel, reprising her role as Andy's quirky ex-girlfriend Kat, and Carrie Fisher as Arlene, Celia's divorce attorney.

One of the most buzzed-about series on television, "Weeds" follows a suburban mother (Parker in her Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Nancy Botwin) who deals marijuana in order to make ends meet after her husband dies unexpectedly. The show, which earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy Series, also stars Emmy nominee Elizabeth Perkins, Tonye Patano, Romany Malco, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Andy Milder, Allie Grant, with Justin Kirk and Kevin Nealon.

[Pete C]

Foyle's War, if only for the fact that it has an actress named Honeysuckle weeks.

[clinthopson]

I know you're kidding about the "Red Green Show" being intellectually challenging.

I am not kidding, my dear. The show is the essence of abstract impressionism skillfully blended with existentialism.

Harold is the philosopher for our times.

I plan on having Mike Hammer house sit for us when we travel.

Wanna play the Possum Lodge word game?

[patricia]

I am not kidding, my dear. The show is the essence of abstract impressionism skillfully blended with existentialism.

Wanna play the Possum Lodge word game?

I don't think that women are allowed to play the Possum Lodge word game.


Speaking of Canadian series, my friend, Bonner in CA just loved Due South, particularly the first ten episodes.

And, if you enjoy Ken Finkleman's rather cerebral sense of humour, check out "The Newsroom, if it gets re-shown on PBS.
There's deliberately no laughtrack, but it is hilarious.
Peter Kelleghan's character, Jim Woolcott, a totally self-absorbed, truly dumb anchorman is priceless.
And, several of the supporting cast-members quite often guest on The Red Green Show.

[Pete C]

Jim Woolcott, a totally self-absorbed,

Hmmm, I wonder if the creator of the character knows James Wolcott.

[HLJ]

Don't watch much tube outside of Sports and News.I pick one show each year and try to follow.Last season it was "Deal or no Deal" ended last night with a Sister winning $272,000.I think I might watch Tyler Perry's show 'The Paynes" saw the first 4 shows and laugh my ass off.I dig Perry's Madea plays and movies and one of my favorite charactors from the plays "Brown" is in the TV show.Might be fun, I heard the next season of "Boondocks" will start on the Cartoon Network in July.Thats must see TV for me. Peace and all that.

[clinthopson]

Foyle's War, if only for the fact that it has an actress named Honeysuckle weeks.

Truly one of the great names in theater.

Michael Kitchen's acting runs the emotional gamut from A to B. (I think I stole that somewhere)

[patricia]

Hmmm, I wonder if the creator of the character knows James Wolcott.

I'm sure that the name choice was not accidental.
Nothing Ken Finkleman does is.
The character ends up brain-dead, but elected as Prime Minister in Episode 13 of the original series.
The plot involves the whole station crew moving on to Federal campaign managing after they are all downsized.
Typical campaign slogan, Abortion is a private matter between a woman and her dog, when Woolcott mis-reads his script.
No parallels between Peter Kelleghan's really over-the-top role and the real James Wolcott though.

[Sergio Zamora]

Anybody watch the first two episodes of 'Flight of the Conchords' on HBO? I think a lot of people are gonna get turned off by its unapologetic uber-hipsterism, but I thought those two episodes were funny as hell. The songs are especially hilarious, but I also enjoyed the tone and rhythm of the comedy. Yeah, the idea is kind of like Tenacious D, but the show itself is very different. I'm not sure if they can sustain the level of humor and ingenuity for however long their season is, but I'll be watching.