Now for part 2 of my Oscar Best Picture nominees reviews. One of these movies I liked, the other...not so much.
3. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri: I disliked this movie pretty much from the beginning, starting with the overly long title. Who has time to type all of that? Anyway, this film follows Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), a mother grieving the death of her teenage daughter, who was raped and burned to death 7 months earlier. Frustrated by the local police department's lack of action on the case, Mildred rents out 3 billboards on a secluded stretch of road and uses them to criticize the local police chief, Bill Willoughby (Woody Harrelson). This begins a dangerous back and forth between Mildred and the police, leading to arrests, beatings, and arson. It's unclear if it really is the police's fault that the case hasn't been solved, but Mildred is convinced that they are to blame. And it doesn't help that the entire police force is full of racist and homophobic cops, especially Officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell). That isn't a Southern stereotype at all, right? At one point he beats and throws Red Welby (Caleb Landry Jones), the gay owner of the local business that rented the billboards to Mildred, out of a 2nd story window. Then Mildred burns down the police station, leaving Dixon with serious burns. How exactly was this supposed to help anyone solve the case? I mean, her daughter's case file was inside the building (luckily Dixon grabbed it before escaping the fire).
The film is full of general hatred, and characters making threats and screaming at each other. There is very little discussion about the actual case, which is a shame because I like a good murder mystery. Peter Dinklage even appears in the movie as James, a local man who blackmails Mildred into going out on a date with him. All of the characters, even Mildred, belittle him (literally), calling him a midget over and over. I would think that Dinklage was past the point in his career where he has to take roles like this; he should really fire his agent after being involved in this mess. The crowd in the theater with me ate this movie up, loving the threats and beatings and fires and general chaos onscreen. But for me it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, because none of the characters seemed to have any redeeming qualities and the plot just wasn't very logical. The ending, in which Mildred and Dixon take a road trip to go kill another rapist, really had me scratching my head. I would recommend this movie if you're a racist; otherwise, do yourself a favor and skip it.
4. The Shape of Water: This movie is strange to say the least, but that's a given with director Guillermo del Toro. The film follows Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a mute cleaning woman at a high-security government lab in 1960s Baltimore. Her best friend and coworker is Zelda (Octavia Spencer), a sassy and talkative black woman. Zelda talks to Elisa nonstop every night during their overnight shifts, and Elisa listens intently. One night the two accidentally discover that the lab is housing a large human-like sea creature that was found in the Amazon. Elisa slowly begins to bond with it, feeding it hard-boiled eggs and teaching it sign language. Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), the gruff manager at the lab, tortures the creature and electrocutes it while Elisa secretly watches. With the help of Zelda, a Soviet spy working in the lab, and her neighbor and companion Giles (Richard Jenkins), a lonely older man, Elisa eventually helps the creature escape to her apartment, where he lives in her bathtub. And they fall in love and have human-sea creature sex (really), which was thankfully not fully shown onscreen. Strickland investigates the creature's disappearance and eventually comes after Elisa and her friends, before the film's (sort of) happy ending.
The best part of this movie is definitely its distinct visual style. Hues of blue and green throughout kind of make the viewer feel like they're underwater, even though most of the action onscreen takes place on dry land. One scene that was underwater, however, when Elisa floods her apartment to keep the creature alive (and add some romance?), was particularly beautiful to watch. The movie's lighthearted score also added a whimsical touch to this already eccentric movie. Hawkins also skillfully conveyed her character's emotions without ever speaking a word (except in one brief fantasy sequence); I would put her as a front-runner for the Best Actress Oscar. Shannon was also strong as the mean government boss-man; he played the character a bit cartoon-ishly, but this movie called for that type of over-the-top performance. I was a little disappointed that Spencer's character wasn't expanded upon very much beyond being the sassy black sidekick, but still she did the most that she could with her material. Finally, I did feel that the pacing and tone of the film were a bit off at times. The plot had some pretty slow stretches; I think that it could have benefited by being edited down another 30 minutes or so. Also, I wanted the plot to be a little more outside-the-box than it was. Guillermo del Toro is known for the fantastical plots of his films; this movie was no exception, but I think like it could have taken the fantasy elements to another level. We already had a sea creature dancing and having sex with a human woman, so there was no need for the rest of the movie to be so logical and set in reality. I recommend this movie if you like a good off-kilter love story with a fantasy element.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Oscar hopefuls Part 1: Phantom Thread and Lady Bird
Yesterday I attended the AMC Best Picture Showcase, a marathon of this year's Oscar Best Picture nominees. The 9 nominated movies are being shown over 2 Saturdays, leading up to the Oscar ceremony on Sunday March 4th. So for this post I'm taking a little break from tv to review the first 2 films that I watched yesterday.
1. Phantom Thread: To be honest, I was probably least excited to see this movie as part of the marathon. The film tells the story of extremely fussy and disagreeable fictional London dress designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day Lewis, in what is said to be his last-ever film role). Just reading about this movie, it seemed like it would be stuffy and pretentious. And it is, but it's also much more. The movie begins with Reynolds wooing beautiful young waitress Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps). At first their romance seems a little strange but still kind of sweet. It soon becomes clear, however, that Reynolds is mostly just using Alma as his dress model and eventual caretaker. After all, she has the perfect body, as he tells her while creepily taking her measurements in his workroom after their first date. Reynolds has a strangely close relationship with his sister and business partner Cyril (Lesley Manville). Cyril disapproves of Alma and considers her to be a distraction to Reynolds and his work. Alma unsuccessfully tries to get her man to lighten up and stray a little from his strict daily routine. He also verbally abuses her; she eventually begins to fight back, but she's still miserable in their life together. I'm not condoning mental abuse, but the one-liners that fly around between Reynolds, Alma, and Cyril are actually pretty funny, in a biting and demented kind of way. Sample: "I'm admiring my own gallantry for eating it the way you prepared it" (during an extended fight about how Alma cooked asparagus).
About halfway through the movie takes a sudden, dark turn involving (SPOILER ALERT) poisoning that completely took me by surprise. Apparently almost killing your significant other is a surefire way to keep them in line and bring you closer together. And when they start treating you badly again, just poison them again to show them that you're really serious. I like dark, twisted tv shows and movies, so the 2nd half of this movie (especially the truly demented ending) was right up my alley. The actors, particularly Day Lewis, who has proven that he can deftly tackle any role, are all strong. The film is full of subtle, mind-bending acting, instead of the typical Oscar-bait dramatic waterworks, which will probably exclude it from winning any major awards (Day Lewis is also nominated for Best Actor). The simple scenes with all 3 actors lobbing gentle barbs around the breakfast table were definitely my favorites to watch. I recommend this movie if you enjoy twisted thrillers and extreme sarcasm.
2. Lady Bird: I was definitely excited to see this movie, and it didn't disappoint. Set in 2002-2003, it's a coming of age story about Sacramento high school senior Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a Catholic school student who dreams of escaping her town and going to college on the East Coast. She has a difficult relationship with her strict mom Marion (Laurie Metcalf) and idolizes her devoted dad Larry (Tracy Letts). Also living in the McPherson home is Lady Bird's older brother Miguel (Jordan Rodrigues) and his girlfriend Shelly (Marielle Scott), who both work at the local grocery store. Lady Bird's best friend and classmate is Julie (Beanie Feldstein), a somewhat precocious and overweight young girl. Lady Bird is a member of her school's theater program, where she meets boyfriend Danny (Lucas Hedges), a sugary sweet romance that eventually ends (due to Danny being gay) in favor of emo tough guy Kyle (Timothee Chalamet). Lady Bird also (for a brief time) ditches Julie for popular girl Jenna (Odeya Rush), but she reunites with her best friend at the Senior Prom before Lady Bird heads off to New York.
The biggest strenghth of this movie is the portrait that it paints of a small-town, struggling family. Marion works extra shifts as a nurse to make ends meet, and Larry losing his job plays a major part in discussions about where Lady Bird can go to college. Metcalf has been the discussion of most of the Oscar talk surrounding this movie, and rightly so. However, Letts (although not nominated) was in my opinion just as strong, but his performance is much more subtle. Ronan (also nominated) is also very strong as always. When her character arrived in New York, I thought of her performance in Brooklyn several years ago, as an Irish immigrant arriving in New York, also to start a new life. She easily inhabits any character that she takes on, and Lady Bird definitely would not have been as strong in the hands of a lesser actress. The sugary sweet moments are a little much for me at times (especially during the Lady Bird/Danny relationship), but these moments are cut down by some sharp-tongued moments in other parts of the movie, such as when Lady Bird is suspended for making an inappropriate abortion joke at a school assembly. The movie's funny portrayal of a Catholic high school brought back memories of my own Catholic school education, and its handling of Danny's coming-out (specifically his fear of his religious family's reaction) is heartbreaking. I recommend this movie if you like a good coming-of-age story; it's an 80's John Hughes movie for a new generation.
Soon I'll be posting about the other 2 movies that I watched yesterday, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (hated it) and The Shape of Water (liked it), so stay tuned.
1. Phantom Thread: To be honest, I was probably least excited to see this movie as part of the marathon. The film tells the story of extremely fussy and disagreeable fictional London dress designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day Lewis, in what is said to be his last-ever film role). Just reading about this movie, it seemed like it would be stuffy and pretentious. And it is, but it's also much more. The movie begins with Reynolds wooing beautiful young waitress Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps). At first their romance seems a little strange but still kind of sweet. It soon becomes clear, however, that Reynolds is mostly just using Alma as his dress model and eventual caretaker. After all, she has the perfect body, as he tells her while creepily taking her measurements in his workroom after their first date. Reynolds has a strangely close relationship with his sister and business partner Cyril (Lesley Manville). Cyril disapproves of Alma and considers her to be a distraction to Reynolds and his work. Alma unsuccessfully tries to get her man to lighten up and stray a little from his strict daily routine. He also verbally abuses her; she eventually begins to fight back, but she's still miserable in their life together. I'm not condoning mental abuse, but the one-liners that fly around between Reynolds, Alma, and Cyril are actually pretty funny, in a biting and demented kind of way. Sample: "I'm admiring my own gallantry for eating it the way you prepared it" (during an extended fight about how Alma cooked asparagus).
About halfway through the movie takes a sudden, dark turn involving (SPOILER ALERT) poisoning that completely took me by surprise. Apparently almost killing your significant other is a surefire way to keep them in line and bring you closer together. And when they start treating you badly again, just poison them again to show them that you're really serious. I like dark, twisted tv shows and movies, so the 2nd half of this movie (especially the truly demented ending) was right up my alley. The actors, particularly Day Lewis, who has proven that he can deftly tackle any role, are all strong. The film is full of subtle, mind-bending acting, instead of the typical Oscar-bait dramatic waterworks, which will probably exclude it from winning any major awards (Day Lewis is also nominated for Best Actor). The simple scenes with all 3 actors lobbing gentle barbs around the breakfast table were definitely my favorites to watch. I recommend this movie if you enjoy twisted thrillers and extreme sarcasm.
2. Lady Bird: I was definitely excited to see this movie, and it didn't disappoint. Set in 2002-2003, it's a coming of age story about Sacramento high school senior Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a Catholic school student who dreams of escaping her town and going to college on the East Coast. She has a difficult relationship with her strict mom Marion (Laurie Metcalf) and idolizes her devoted dad Larry (Tracy Letts). Also living in the McPherson home is Lady Bird's older brother Miguel (Jordan Rodrigues) and his girlfriend Shelly (Marielle Scott), who both work at the local grocery store. Lady Bird's best friend and classmate is Julie (Beanie Feldstein), a somewhat precocious and overweight young girl. Lady Bird is a member of her school's theater program, where she meets boyfriend Danny (Lucas Hedges), a sugary sweet romance that eventually ends (due to Danny being gay) in favor of emo tough guy Kyle (Timothee Chalamet). Lady Bird also (for a brief time) ditches Julie for popular girl Jenna (Odeya Rush), but she reunites with her best friend at the Senior Prom before Lady Bird heads off to New York.
The biggest strenghth of this movie is the portrait that it paints of a small-town, struggling family. Marion works extra shifts as a nurse to make ends meet, and Larry losing his job plays a major part in discussions about where Lady Bird can go to college. Metcalf has been the discussion of most of the Oscar talk surrounding this movie, and rightly so. However, Letts (although not nominated) was in my opinion just as strong, but his performance is much more subtle. Ronan (also nominated) is also very strong as always. When her character arrived in New York, I thought of her performance in Brooklyn several years ago, as an Irish immigrant arriving in New York, also to start a new life. She easily inhabits any character that she takes on, and Lady Bird definitely would not have been as strong in the hands of a lesser actress. The sugary sweet moments are a little much for me at times (especially during the Lady Bird/Danny relationship), but these moments are cut down by some sharp-tongued moments in other parts of the movie, such as when Lady Bird is suspended for making an inappropriate abortion joke at a school assembly. The movie's funny portrayal of a Catholic high school brought back memories of my own Catholic school education, and its handling of Danny's coming-out (specifically his fear of his religious family's reaction) is heartbreaking. I recommend this movie if you like a good coming-of-age story; it's an 80's John Hughes movie for a new generation.
Soon I'll be posting about the other 2 movies that I watched yesterday, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (hated it) and The Shape of Water (liked it), so stay tuned.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Parenthood: An Appreciation
The "it" show of the moment is the popular family drama This is Us. The time-jumping weepie is so big that it was given the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot earlier this month. Many devoted viewers don't realize that This is Us owes a lot of debt to Parenthood, another NBC family drama that went off the air just a few years ago. While the quality was just as good (if not better) than the current ratings phenomenon, Parenthood (2010-2015) struggled to maintain its viewership for all of its 6 seasons, narrowly avoiding cancellation every year.
Loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name, Parenthood follows the large extended Braverman family. Active older couple Zeke (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille (Bonnie Bedelia) are parents to their 4 adult children: Adam (Peter Krause), Sarah (Lauren Graham), Julia (Erika Christensen), and Crosby (Dax Shepard). Adam is the oldest and most straight-laced of the kids; he is married to longtime wife Kristina (Monica Potter) and father to kids Haddie (Sarah Ramos), Max (Max Burkholder), a teen struggling with Asperger's syndrome, and baby Nora, born in season 2. Sarah, a former wild child that never quite settled down, is a single mom to kids Amber (Mae Whitman) and Drew (Miles Heizer). Uptight Julia is a lawyer and is married to construction supervisor Joel (Sam Jaeger); their children are spoiled Sydney (Savannah Paige Rae) and adopted son Victor (Xolo Mariduena). Finally, Crosby, the "screw-up" youngest child, discovers that he has a young son named Jabbar (Tyree Brown) in season 1 and later reunites with and marries Jabbar's mom Jasmine (Joy Bryant). The couple eventually has another child named Aida. Wow, that's a lot of characters, right?! Viewers who watched only the pilot episode probably got overwhelmed by everyone onscreen and didn't want to invest the time to figure out this complicated family tree. After a few episodes, however, I pieced all of it together pretty easily.
For many shows, an overabundance of characters can lead to a lack of individual character development. Parenthood, however, somehow always managed to give each of its characters time to shine. The numerous characters also made it difficult for viewers to lose interest in the show; even if one plot was boring, there were always 3 or 4 other, stronger storylines going on at the same time that distracted from the weak spots. The show had many memorable plots throughout its run, most notably Kristina's cancer battle in season 4, which earned Monica Potter a Golden Globe nomination (the only awards show recognition that the show ever received). Potter brilliantly acted out every possible emotion during her character's season-long battle. Max's struggle with Asperger's syndrome was a focal point throughout the series. Actor Max Burkholder so skillfully portrayed his character's struggle with social cues and communication that for a long time I thought that the actor also had the disorder. The addition of Hank (Ray Romano) as a love interest for Sarah in season 4 expanded on Max's story, because Hank also suffered from some of the same social anxieties and was able to form a close bond with Max. There was also Drew's girlfriend Amy's (Skyler Day) unplanned pregnancy and abortion in season 4 (easily the strongest season), a plotline that could have easily entered preachy "after-school special" territory but instead told a real human story about the characters and gave the actors a chance to shine. Finally, Adam's connection with brother Crosby (characters with very different personalities) was another strong spot. They memorably opened a recording studio together (The Luncheonette) and even hired Amber on as an assistant. This plot added a fun element to the show and gave some (mostly) up-and-coming musicians a chance to perform on the show.
The weakest part of the show was always Julia's branch of the family, but even she was able to shine in some spots, and Christensen and Jaeger always did their best with the material that was written for them. In general Julia came across as a bit of a whiny know-it-all, and young daughter Sydney was a little brat, the most unappealing character on the show. Julia seemed a bit mismatched with the good-natured but boring Joel. The adoption storyline in season 3, when the couple adopted troubled pre-teen Victor, added a little drama to the family, but whenever this part of the family was onscreen I was still usually wishing to see more of the other characters instead. Julia and Joel went through a long separation during much of seasons 5 and 6, and I was actually a little disappointed when they reunited at the end of the season, because they were just not a good match.
Parenthood is available to watch on Netflix and Hulu. With so many concurrent plots unfolding onscreen, it will be easy to binge the entire series in no time. By the end the characters will feel like familiar family members, and after the heartbreaking and pitch-perfect series finale you won't want to say goodbye. Here's hoping for a reboot sometime in the future, because this family deserves to be revisited.
Loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name, Parenthood follows the large extended Braverman family. Active older couple Zeke (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille (Bonnie Bedelia) are parents to their 4 adult children: Adam (Peter Krause), Sarah (Lauren Graham), Julia (Erika Christensen), and Crosby (Dax Shepard). Adam is the oldest and most straight-laced of the kids; he is married to longtime wife Kristina (Monica Potter) and father to kids Haddie (Sarah Ramos), Max (Max Burkholder), a teen struggling with Asperger's syndrome, and baby Nora, born in season 2. Sarah, a former wild child that never quite settled down, is a single mom to kids Amber (Mae Whitman) and Drew (Miles Heizer). Uptight Julia is a lawyer and is married to construction supervisor Joel (Sam Jaeger); their children are spoiled Sydney (Savannah Paige Rae) and adopted son Victor (Xolo Mariduena). Finally, Crosby, the "screw-up" youngest child, discovers that he has a young son named Jabbar (Tyree Brown) in season 1 and later reunites with and marries Jabbar's mom Jasmine (Joy Bryant). The couple eventually has another child named Aida. Wow, that's a lot of characters, right?! Viewers who watched only the pilot episode probably got overwhelmed by everyone onscreen and didn't want to invest the time to figure out this complicated family tree. After a few episodes, however, I pieced all of it together pretty easily.
For many shows, an overabundance of characters can lead to a lack of individual character development. Parenthood, however, somehow always managed to give each of its characters time to shine. The numerous characters also made it difficult for viewers to lose interest in the show; even if one plot was boring, there were always 3 or 4 other, stronger storylines going on at the same time that distracted from the weak spots. The show had many memorable plots throughout its run, most notably Kristina's cancer battle in season 4, which earned Monica Potter a Golden Globe nomination (the only awards show recognition that the show ever received). Potter brilliantly acted out every possible emotion during her character's season-long battle. Max's struggle with Asperger's syndrome was a focal point throughout the series. Actor Max Burkholder so skillfully portrayed his character's struggle with social cues and communication that for a long time I thought that the actor also had the disorder. The addition of Hank (Ray Romano) as a love interest for Sarah in season 4 expanded on Max's story, because Hank also suffered from some of the same social anxieties and was able to form a close bond with Max. There was also Drew's girlfriend Amy's (Skyler Day) unplanned pregnancy and abortion in season 4 (easily the strongest season), a plotline that could have easily entered preachy "after-school special" territory but instead told a real human story about the characters and gave the actors a chance to shine. Finally, Adam's connection with brother Crosby (characters with very different personalities) was another strong spot. They memorably opened a recording studio together (The Luncheonette) and even hired Amber on as an assistant. This plot added a fun element to the show and gave some (mostly) up-and-coming musicians a chance to perform on the show.
The weakest part of the show was always Julia's branch of the family, but even she was able to shine in some spots, and Christensen and Jaeger always did their best with the material that was written for them. In general Julia came across as a bit of a whiny know-it-all, and young daughter Sydney was a little brat, the most unappealing character on the show. Julia seemed a bit mismatched with the good-natured but boring Joel. The adoption storyline in season 3, when the couple adopted troubled pre-teen Victor, added a little drama to the family, but whenever this part of the family was onscreen I was still usually wishing to see more of the other characters instead. Julia and Joel went through a long separation during much of seasons 5 and 6, and I was actually a little disappointed when they reunited at the end of the season, because they were just not a good match.
Parenthood is available to watch on Netflix and Hulu. With so many concurrent plots unfolding onscreen, it will be easy to binge the entire series in no time. By the end the characters will feel like familiar family members, and after the heartbreaking and pitch-perfect series finale you won't want to say goodbye. Here's hoping for a reboot sometime in the future, because this family deserves to be revisited.
Monday, February 19, 2018
Netflix original tv shows: a ranking
For fun I've decided to rank the Netflix original tv shows that I've watched all the way through their most recent seasons. For me, this sort of thing is actually fun. I'll go from worst to best:
14. Santa Clarita Diet: Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as average suburban couple Sheila and Joel, whose lives are changed when Sheila becomes a zombie. She craves human flesh and begins eating strangers and even a few friends and neighbors (cue the laughs?). This show is meant to be Desperate Housewives meets True Blood, but it mostly falls flat due to Barrymore's weak performance and unimaginative writing.
13. Chewing Gum: Michaela Coel stars as Tracey, a jittery young girl whose ultra-religious mother does her best to keep her sheltered in their poor British housing project. Coel is pretty hilarious in her awkward and sometimes cringe-worthy attempts at losing her virginity, but the show is pretty one note and fails to dig too deeply into the characters.
12. Alias Grace: Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) is a 19th century Irish housekeeper who, in flashbacks, aids a handyman in murdering her master and the headmistress of the house (a true story). In the future, psychiatrist Dr. Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft) gets to know Grace and tries to determine if she should be set free. The lead-up to the murder is tense and thrilling, and Gadon is terrific as Grace, but Holcroft's performance is creepy and weird, and the series ends on a strange note that left a bad taste in my mouth.
11. Orange is the New Black: As one of Netflix's first original shows, about inmates at Litchfield women's prison, this used to be groundbreaking and refreshing tv. Its most recent season, however, was tired and boring. The cast has ballooned to out-of-control levels, making it impossible to tell a coherent story about any one of its characters. The flashbacks used to provide insight into the characters' personalities and motivations, but at this point we've gotten the backstory on all of the characters that we care about. A few actors (like Danielle Brooks as Taystee) still stand out, but it's time for this show to call it quits.
10. Everything Sucks: This coming-of-age teen drama follows a group of young high schoolers in 1996. The lead Peyton Kennedy, as Kate, a young girl struggling with her sexuality, steals the show. The show takes a while to really find its voice. When it does, though, it packs a huge emotional punch that leaves viewers wanting more.
9. Glow: This show follows the inexperienced stars of a syndicated women's wrestling show in the 1980's. The 80's outfits and music are a blast, and there are some really hilarious moments between the cast. The last few episodes, when the women film their first wrestling match, are really fun to watch, but it takes most of the season for the show to really come together. The show is set up for a much more entertaining season 2.
8. Love: This quirky comedy from producer Judd Apatow follows the on-again, off-again romance of mismatched couple Mickey (Gillian Jacobs), an unfocused wild-child, and Gus (Paul Rust), a straight-laced nerd. Episode plots meander all over the place (in a good way) and the characters feel like real people, but the show lacks some depth. Netflix has announced that the upcoming third season will be the show's last, so hopefully it can end in a satisfying way that provides a definitive ending for the couple.
7. Atypical: This lighthearted comedy follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), a teenager with Asperger's, as he struggles to overcome his social anxieties and tries to navigate the world of dating. The show is sweet and heartwarming, and Gilchrist steals the show with his funny and believable portrayal. Jenna Boyd as Sam's girlfriend Paige also adds a fun energy to the show. Strangely, the adult actors are the weakest on the show, and a boring infidelity plot should be ditched in season 2 to give the kids more screen time.
6. Queer Eye: A reboot of Bravo's hit makeover show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this show follows a new group of 5 gay men making over a variety of fashion-challenged men. The "Fab 5" help the guys build confidence in addition to improving their outward appearance. The show tackles important social issues like police-involved shootings and discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and the loving interactions between the makeover experts and their subjects give the show real heart.
5. American Vandal: A true crime mockumentary, this show makes fun of hit crime documentaries like Making a Murderer and crime shows like 48 Hours and Dateline. Following an investigation into a silly act of high school vandalism (spray painted penises on cars in the faculty parking lot), the show presents the investigation seriously, with reenactments and computer models. It pretends to take itself seriously, with hilarious results. Jimmy Tatro, as doofus jock Dylan, the prime suspect in the crime, is both hilarious and serious at the same time, adding depth to a silly character.
4. Black Mirror: A modern-day Twilight Zone, Black Mirror presents cautionary tales about the influence of technology in the modern world. The quality of the episodes varies wildly, but the best episodes are instant classic tv, like the best Twilight Zone episodes "It's a Good Life" and "Eye of the Beholder". My favorite episodes of Black Mirror are season 2 standout "San Junipero", an 80's love story set partly in the afterlife (yes, really), and "Hang the DJ", about a couple rebelling against a world where relationships are given set time limits. In fact, the best episodes tend to be about love, or have some sort of strong emotional element.
3. Thirteen Reasons Why: Another high school drama, this show is much deeper and more thoughtful than Netflix's other teen offerings. Following teen Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) after her suicide, the show uses tapes that she recorded before her death to illustrate how unfortunate events during her life led to her depression and her ultimate decision to take her own life. The show is very dark, but there are light moments here and there. The brief romance between Hannah and shy, caring Clay (Dylan Minnette) rivals some of the best teen romances ever onscreen.
2. The Crown: One of Netflix's most expensive shows ever produced, this show is worth every penny. Each season follows 5-10 years in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, providing a glimpse into the life of the notoriously private monarch. Claire Foy as Elizabeth captures the queen perfectly; she's a guarded, prim-and-proper traditionalist, but she cares deeply for her country and defends it to the death. John Lithgow gave a memorable, Emmy-winning performance as Winston Churchill in season 1, and the queen's looser, more fun-loving sister Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) provides some relief to all of the onscreen fussiness. Season 3 will feature an all-new, older main cast, so here's hoping that the acting will remain at the high levels of seasons 1 and 2.
1. Master of None: Aziz Ansari's take on modern life and love is a masterpiece of modern tv. Aziz's character Dev is a hopeless romantic. In season 2 Dev falls for an Italian woman named Francesca, whom he met while serving as an apprentice pasta maker at her family's shop (yes, really). The show's earlier detour into Italy, featuring a black and white episode, is just one of the experimental paths that the show takes. There's also "Thanksgiving", an episode that follows Dev's best friend Denise on Thanksgiving over multiple years, as she comes out to her family and brings girlfriends into her skeptical family's home. The episode paints a real portrait of a traditional black family having to venture into unfamiliar territory. Finally, there's "New York, I Love You", which follows multiple New York stories, including a completely silent scene about a deaf girl and her boyfriend. The show's bold risks pay off in a big way. Hopefully the recent semi-sex scandal involving Ansari will not affect season 3; it would be a shame for this show to be cut short when it has so many more risks left to take and so many stories left to tell.
14. Santa Clarita Diet: Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as average suburban couple Sheila and Joel, whose lives are changed when Sheila becomes a zombie. She craves human flesh and begins eating strangers and even a few friends and neighbors (cue the laughs?). This show is meant to be Desperate Housewives meets True Blood, but it mostly falls flat due to Barrymore's weak performance and unimaginative writing.
13. Chewing Gum: Michaela Coel stars as Tracey, a jittery young girl whose ultra-religious mother does her best to keep her sheltered in their poor British housing project. Coel is pretty hilarious in her awkward and sometimes cringe-worthy attempts at losing her virginity, but the show is pretty one note and fails to dig too deeply into the characters.
12. Alias Grace: Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) is a 19th century Irish housekeeper who, in flashbacks, aids a handyman in murdering her master and the headmistress of the house (a true story). In the future, psychiatrist Dr. Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft) gets to know Grace and tries to determine if she should be set free. The lead-up to the murder is tense and thrilling, and Gadon is terrific as Grace, but Holcroft's performance is creepy and weird, and the series ends on a strange note that left a bad taste in my mouth.
11. Orange is the New Black: As one of Netflix's first original shows, about inmates at Litchfield women's prison, this used to be groundbreaking and refreshing tv. Its most recent season, however, was tired and boring. The cast has ballooned to out-of-control levels, making it impossible to tell a coherent story about any one of its characters. The flashbacks used to provide insight into the characters' personalities and motivations, but at this point we've gotten the backstory on all of the characters that we care about. A few actors (like Danielle Brooks as Taystee) still stand out, but it's time for this show to call it quits.
10. Everything Sucks: This coming-of-age teen drama follows a group of young high schoolers in 1996. The lead Peyton Kennedy, as Kate, a young girl struggling with her sexuality, steals the show. The show takes a while to really find its voice. When it does, though, it packs a huge emotional punch that leaves viewers wanting more.
9. Glow: This show follows the inexperienced stars of a syndicated women's wrestling show in the 1980's. The 80's outfits and music are a blast, and there are some really hilarious moments between the cast. The last few episodes, when the women film their first wrestling match, are really fun to watch, but it takes most of the season for the show to really come together. The show is set up for a much more entertaining season 2.
8. Love: This quirky comedy from producer Judd Apatow follows the on-again, off-again romance of mismatched couple Mickey (Gillian Jacobs), an unfocused wild-child, and Gus (Paul Rust), a straight-laced nerd. Episode plots meander all over the place (in a good way) and the characters feel like real people, but the show lacks some depth. Netflix has announced that the upcoming third season will be the show's last, so hopefully it can end in a satisfying way that provides a definitive ending for the couple.
7. Atypical: This lighthearted comedy follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), a teenager with Asperger's, as he struggles to overcome his social anxieties and tries to navigate the world of dating. The show is sweet and heartwarming, and Gilchrist steals the show with his funny and believable portrayal. Jenna Boyd as Sam's girlfriend Paige also adds a fun energy to the show. Strangely, the adult actors are the weakest on the show, and a boring infidelity plot should be ditched in season 2 to give the kids more screen time.
6. Queer Eye: A reboot of Bravo's hit makeover show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this show follows a new group of 5 gay men making over a variety of fashion-challenged men. The "Fab 5" help the guys build confidence in addition to improving their outward appearance. The show tackles important social issues like police-involved shootings and discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and the loving interactions between the makeover experts and their subjects give the show real heart.
5. American Vandal: A true crime mockumentary, this show makes fun of hit crime documentaries like Making a Murderer and crime shows like 48 Hours and Dateline. Following an investigation into a silly act of high school vandalism (spray painted penises on cars in the faculty parking lot), the show presents the investigation seriously, with reenactments and computer models. It pretends to take itself seriously, with hilarious results. Jimmy Tatro, as doofus jock Dylan, the prime suspect in the crime, is both hilarious and serious at the same time, adding depth to a silly character.
4. Black Mirror: A modern-day Twilight Zone, Black Mirror presents cautionary tales about the influence of technology in the modern world. The quality of the episodes varies wildly, but the best episodes are instant classic tv, like the best Twilight Zone episodes "It's a Good Life" and "Eye of the Beholder". My favorite episodes of Black Mirror are season 2 standout "San Junipero", an 80's love story set partly in the afterlife (yes, really), and "Hang the DJ", about a couple rebelling against a world where relationships are given set time limits. In fact, the best episodes tend to be about love, or have some sort of strong emotional element.
3. Thirteen Reasons Why: Another high school drama, this show is much deeper and more thoughtful than Netflix's other teen offerings. Following teen Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) after her suicide, the show uses tapes that she recorded before her death to illustrate how unfortunate events during her life led to her depression and her ultimate decision to take her own life. The show is very dark, but there are light moments here and there. The brief romance between Hannah and shy, caring Clay (Dylan Minnette) rivals some of the best teen romances ever onscreen.
2. The Crown: One of Netflix's most expensive shows ever produced, this show is worth every penny. Each season follows 5-10 years in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, providing a glimpse into the life of the notoriously private monarch. Claire Foy as Elizabeth captures the queen perfectly; she's a guarded, prim-and-proper traditionalist, but she cares deeply for her country and defends it to the death. John Lithgow gave a memorable, Emmy-winning performance as Winston Churchill in season 1, and the queen's looser, more fun-loving sister Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) provides some relief to all of the onscreen fussiness. Season 3 will feature an all-new, older main cast, so here's hoping that the acting will remain at the high levels of seasons 1 and 2.
1. Master of None: Aziz Ansari's take on modern life and love is a masterpiece of modern tv. Aziz's character Dev is a hopeless romantic. In season 2 Dev falls for an Italian woman named Francesca, whom he met while serving as an apprentice pasta maker at her family's shop (yes, really). The show's earlier detour into Italy, featuring a black and white episode, is just one of the experimental paths that the show takes. There's also "Thanksgiving", an episode that follows Dev's best friend Denise on Thanksgiving over multiple years, as she comes out to her family and brings girlfriends into her skeptical family's home. The episode paints a real portrait of a traditional black family having to venture into unfamiliar territory. Finally, there's "New York, I Love You", which follows multiple New York stories, including a completely silent scene about a deaf girl and her boyfriend. The show's bold risks pay off in a big way. Hopefully the recent semi-sex scandal involving Ansari will not affect season 3; it would be a shame for this show to be cut short when it has so many more risks left to take and so many stories left to tell.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Everything Sucks: Coming of Age in the 90's
When I watched the pilot episode of Everything Sucks (now streaming on Netflix), I was pretty disappointed. The show seemed like a cheap knockoff of other high school coming of age dramas like Freaks and Geeks and The Wonder Years, just in a different time period. The show follows a group of nerdy high school freshman in 1996, who are part of the AV club that produces the school's morning newscast. The unofficial leader of the gang is Luke (Jahi Di'Allo Winston), a sensitive 14-year-old who pines for girl-next door Kate (Peyton Kennedy), daughter of the school's principal Ken Messner (Patch Darragh), a somewhat dorky but friendly widower. Luke's best friends are McQuaid (Rio Mangini) and Tyler (Quinn Liebling). Luke's mom is Sherry (Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako), a flight attendant who is away from home much of the time, leaving Luke alone. Luke's dad left the family many years ago for unknown reasons. There's also Oliver (Elijah Stevenson), a rather douchey older student and member of the drama club, and Oliver's girlfriend Emaline (Sydney Sweeney), one of the most popular girls in school. I soon realized that this show isn't your typical teen drama. As it turns out, Kate and Luke are not meant to be the new sweet young tv couple like Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper, because Kate is struggling with her sexuality and actually has a crush on Emaline, not Luke. Through the season's 10 episodes Kate comes to terms with her sexuality, and after briefly dating Luke they remain close friends. Another romance slowly develops between Ken and Sherry, which Luke opposes at first but eventually welcomes. The later part of the season also follows the AV and drama clubs coming together to make a cheesy sci-fi movie, directed by Luke.
This show definitely has its weaknesses. To start, the setting of the show is Boring High School in Boring, Oregon, which (although actually a real place) is just a little too corny. Most of the actors, who seem to be rather inexperienced, also struggle to find their voice through the first half of the season, but in the end they all earn a passing grade. In addition, some of the plots had me scratching my head a bit. In what high school are the drama club kids the most popular kids in school? Boring High School doesn't seem to have any jocks, at least none that are shown onscreen. Finally, while the ending of the season is very heartwarming, things are wrapped up a little too nicely. Kate's new romance in particular, which I won't spoil here, comes together a little too quickly and easily, in a way that would only happen on tv.
However, most of these weaknesses are overcome by the show's strengths and overall charm. The scenes in the back half of the season with the kids filming the movie are particularly fun to watch. Here the actors feel like real kids who would be friends in real life, and the kid actors begin to come into their own and really start to develop their chracters. From the beginning, though, Peyton Kennedy as Kate is the real heart of the show. Her acting skills are far and away better than the rest of the cast. She imbues her character's struggles with real depth. One scene, where she talks about how she lost her mom, is particularly moving and heartbreaking. Kate's relationship with Luke is also refreshing. Rather than react badly when Kate rejects him and places him squarely in the friend zone, he sticks by her as a close friend and helps her navigate her uncertain feelings for women. Kate returns the favor by helping Luke deal with the absence of his father. In fact, Luke's dad shows up in the cliffhanger ending of the season. It would be especially disappointing if the show doesn't return for a second season without exploring this part of Luke's story. Finally, the 90's soundtrack and pop culture references in the show really add to its charm. Kate and Luke are fans of Tori Amos and Oasis, and one gag in a late-season episode has Ace of Base's "Beautiful Life" playing over and over on repeat due to a stuck cassette tape.
All in all this show turned out to be a nice bingeable way to spend my snowy Saturday. The whole season can be finished in less than 5 hours, so I suggest you dive in this weekend or another bad weather weekend soon. You won't be disappointed.
This show definitely has its weaknesses. To start, the setting of the show is Boring High School in Boring, Oregon, which (although actually a real place) is just a little too corny. Most of the actors, who seem to be rather inexperienced, also struggle to find their voice through the first half of the season, but in the end they all earn a passing grade. In addition, some of the plots had me scratching my head a bit. In what high school are the drama club kids the most popular kids in school? Boring High School doesn't seem to have any jocks, at least none that are shown onscreen. Finally, while the ending of the season is very heartwarming, things are wrapped up a little too nicely. Kate's new romance in particular, which I won't spoil here, comes together a little too quickly and easily, in a way that would only happen on tv.
However, most of these weaknesses are overcome by the show's strengths and overall charm. The scenes in the back half of the season with the kids filming the movie are particularly fun to watch. Here the actors feel like real kids who would be friends in real life, and the kid actors begin to come into their own and really start to develop their chracters. From the beginning, though, Peyton Kennedy as Kate is the real heart of the show. Her acting skills are far and away better than the rest of the cast. She imbues her character's struggles with real depth. One scene, where she talks about how she lost her mom, is particularly moving and heartbreaking. Kate's relationship with Luke is also refreshing. Rather than react badly when Kate rejects him and places him squarely in the friend zone, he sticks by her as a close friend and helps her navigate her uncertain feelings for women. Kate returns the favor by helping Luke deal with the absence of his father. In fact, Luke's dad shows up in the cliffhanger ending of the season. It would be especially disappointing if the show doesn't return for a second season without exploring this part of Luke's story. Finally, the 90's soundtrack and pop culture references in the show really add to its charm. Kate and Luke are fans of Tori Amos and Oasis, and one gag in a late-season episode has Ace of Base's "Beautiful Life" playing over and over on repeat due to a stuck cassette tape.
All in all this show turned out to be a nice bingeable way to spend my snowy Saturday. The whole season can be finished in less than 5 hours, so I suggest you dive in this weekend or another bad weather weekend soon. You won't be disappointed.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
The New Queer Eye: A Makeover Show with Heart
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a breakout hit for Bravo when it premiered back in 2003. In each episode 5 gay men (the "Fab 5") made over unkempt, fashion-challenged straight guys, who were usually trying to look better for a girlfriend or wife, but also feel better about themselves. Each member of the panel focused on a different aspect of the guy's life: food and wine, fashion, interior design, grooming, and culture (whatever that means). The show connected with viewers because the hosts/experts really nurtured and built up their subjects. They didn't just give them new clothes and make over their living spaces, they helped them build self-confidence and showed them simple ways to improve their daily lives. The show wasn't about gay and straight, it was about people from different walks of life connecting with each other.
Now Netflix has revived the series with new hosts for 8 new episodes, shortening the title to Queer Eye. The basic format remains the same, however now the makeover subjects all live in or around Atlanta instead of Los Angeles. The experts are all appealing and have friendships with each other that definitely come across onscreen. There's Antoni, the food expert; he's friendly and supportive, but food seems to have taken a backseat in this new edition of the show, because he only teaches the subjects how to make simple appetizer foods like guacamole, gussied-up hotdogs, and fancy grilled cheeses. Tan, the style expert, definitely has a knack for helping his subjects dress better. He doesn't try to drastically alter the styles of the guys that he dresses or take them to stores that would be out of their price range if they were to shop on their own. Instead he shows them how to shop for casual and dress clothes at well-known chain stores like Banana Republic. Bobby, the interior designer, gets his subjects involved in remodeling their homes and helps them repurpose pieces that they already own. One subject, living in his deceased grandmother's house, was excited to see that some of his mom's outdated furniture from her childhood bedroom had been refinished and repainted for him to use. Karamo, the style "guru", builds a personal connection with the subjects and helps them boost their self-confidence. Finally, the standout expert of the show is the very (VERY) flamboyant grooming expert Jonathan. He gives the men haircuts and shaves, but he mostly just dances around onscreen like a ball of gay energy. At first I thought that his super flamboyant persona was an act for the show, but I soon realized that this is his actual personality. He is who he is, and he doesn't try to tone it down for anyone. And he has a big heart, also forming deep bonds with the straight guy subjects, despite their differences.
The biggest part of the new Queer Eye that takes it a step above the original is its ability to tackle important social issues. The new southern setting for the show provides more conservative-minded subjects, who would typically clash with the gay hosts. But this show uses those differences as conversation starters. After the gang is pulled over as a joke by their police officer subject's best friend (also a cop), Karamo (a black man) admits that he was initially scared because of the recent incidents of white officers shooting black men. He later has a deep talk with the cop about race relations, and the two form a deep friendship by the end of the episode. The hosts also tease the cop about the Trump/Pence signs that they find in his garage (and his "Make America Great Again" hat), but neither side gets into a big political debate or talks down to each other for their views, because thats not what the show is about. In another episode, Bobby directly asks the "straight guy", a deeply religious father of 6, about his views on homosexuality. The man is honest that he initially was against gay rights, and this turns into a thoughtful conversation about religion and sexuality. The other makeover subjects are also appealing and clearly deserving of the Fab 5's help. There's an old man suffering from lupus trying to reconnect with his ex-wife, a young closeted gay man who comes out to his stepmom in the most emotional scene of the season, a fireman who generously chooses to have his firehouse made over instead of his own home, a struggling stand-up comedian that still lives at home, and a young entrepreneur with an out-of-control beard and no nice clothes.
Queer Eye, a simple makeover show, has turned out to be one of the best recently rebooted tv shows. It manages to take a simple concept and use it as a means for tackling important social issues and connecting people from different walks of life. Hopefully it will garner enough attention to earn a second season. That’s where you come in, because you have to watch in order for this to happen.
Now Netflix has revived the series with new hosts for 8 new episodes, shortening the title to Queer Eye. The basic format remains the same, however now the makeover subjects all live in or around Atlanta instead of Los Angeles. The experts are all appealing and have friendships with each other that definitely come across onscreen. There's Antoni, the food expert; he's friendly and supportive, but food seems to have taken a backseat in this new edition of the show, because he only teaches the subjects how to make simple appetizer foods like guacamole, gussied-up hotdogs, and fancy grilled cheeses. Tan, the style expert, definitely has a knack for helping his subjects dress better. He doesn't try to drastically alter the styles of the guys that he dresses or take them to stores that would be out of their price range if they were to shop on their own. Instead he shows them how to shop for casual and dress clothes at well-known chain stores like Banana Republic. Bobby, the interior designer, gets his subjects involved in remodeling their homes and helps them repurpose pieces that they already own. One subject, living in his deceased grandmother's house, was excited to see that some of his mom's outdated furniture from her childhood bedroom had been refinished and repainted for him to use. Karamo, the style "guru", builds a personal connection with the subjects and helps them boost their self-confidence. Finally, the standout expert of the show is the very (VERY) flamboyant grooming expert Jonathan. He gives the men haircuts and shaves, but he mostly just dances around onscreen like a ball of gay energy. At first I thought that his super flamboyant persona was an act for the show, but I soon realized that this is his actual personality. He is who he is, and he doesn't try to tone it down for anyone. And he has a big heart, also forming deep bonds with the straight guy subjects, despite their differences.
The biggest part of the new Queer Eye that takes it a step above the original is its ability to tackle important social issues. The new southern setting for the show provides more conservative-minded subjects, who would typically clash with the gay hosts. But this show uses those differences as conversation starters. After the gang is pulled over as a joke by their police officer subject's best friend (also a cop), Karamo (a black man) admits that he was initially scared because of the recent incidents of white officers shooting black men. He later has a deep talk with the cop about race relations, and the two form a deep friendship by the end of the episode. The hosts also tease the cop about the Trump/Pence signs that they find in his garage (and his "Make America Great Again" hat), but neither side gets into a big political debate or talks down to each other for their views, because thats not what the show is about. In another episode, Bobby directly asks the "straight guy", a deeply religious father of 6, about his views on homosexuality. The man is honest that he initially was against gay rights, and this turns into a thoughtful conversation about religion and sexuality. The other makeover subjects are also appealing and clearly deserving of the Fab 5's help. There's an old man suffering from lupus trying to reconnect with his ex-wife, a young closeted gay man who comes out to his stepmom in the most emotional scene of the season, a fireman who generously chooses to have his firehouse made over instead of his own home, a struggling stand-up comedian that still lives at home, and a young entrepreneur with an out-of-control beard and no nice clothes.
Queer Eye, a simple makeover show, has turned out to be one of the best recently rebooted tv shows. It manages to take a simple concept and use it as a means for tackling important social issues and connecting people from different walks of life. Hopefully it will garner enough attention to earn a second season. That’s where you come in, because you have to watch in order for this to happen.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Celebrity Big Brother: Trash TV at its Finest
Premiering last week on CBS, Celebrity Big Brother (the 1st celebrity edition of the U.S. version) was thought up as an alternative to the Winter Olympics, airing on NBC. Normally the other networks air repeats against the Olympics, which attract tens of millions of viewers when they air every two years. So Celebrity Big Brother is certainly a risk, but a cheap risk, as reality shows are generally very inexpensive to produce. The regular version of the show, which takes over the schedule for 3-4 nights every week during the summer, has been a modest hit for CBS over the past 18 years. Celebrity Big Brother has aired in the U.K. for years and is a major watercooler hit, airing for hours each day and discussed in every tabloid magazine. CBS is clearly hoping to expand the Big Brother franchise beyond the summer, and I'm thinking that its experiment will likely be a success.
Big Brother original flavor features contestants living together in a decked-out house, completely cut off from the outside world, competing in goofy challenges and voting each other out one by one. Host Julie Chen, affectionately known as the "Chenbot" due to her friendly but robotic hosting style, has been with the U.S. version since the beginning, but the show has never really been about her. Celebrity Big Brother replaces regular people with 11 F-list celebrities (seriously, I've never heard of some of these people), and it can be described as regular Big Brother on speed. Airing 4-5 times a week for only about 2 1/2 weeks (instead of the usual 3 months), contestants are being "evicted" (voted off) every other episode rather than just once a week.
The contestants this season may be only barely famous, but they are certainly fun to watch. The women have stolen the show thus far, forming an early alliance against the men with the help of gay talk show personality Ross Matthews. The men are barely playing the game and have mostly faded into the background. The first player voted out, mixed martial artist Chuck Liddell, barely made a dent in the game. Former NBA player Metta World Peace (yeah that's actually his name) is so out of his element that at the first vote, he actually mistakenly voted for the wrong person, thinking that he was voting to keep them "in" the house rather than vote them "out". I can't tell if he's really dumb or just doesn't care about the game. The other remaining men (not including Ross) are douchebag singer James Maslow (never heard of him) and washed-up rocker Mark McGrath.
The women's alliance (which already seems to be crumbling) is led by actress Shannon Elizabeth but also features Real Housewife Brandi Glanville, Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur, Miss Universe contestant Ariadna Gutierrez (who?), The Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight-Pulliam, and last but far from least...reality star and former White House advisor Omarosa. Omarosa has definitely provided the most buzzworthy moments of the show so far. Whether it was trashing Donald Trump to her fellow contestants (she recently had a very public falling out with the president), calling out Keshia for her support of Bill Cosby during his sexual assault trial, or her (possibly made up) asthma attack after losing a challenge, she is the queen of entertaining reality trash tv (let us all bow down to her). It's a shame that she will probably soon be voted out (as Keshia already has been), since she has now split from the women's alliance. The show definitely won't be the same without her.
As far as gameplay, the frontrunners right now appear to be Ross and Marissa. Both are fierce strategists who are getting in other players' ears and forcing them to take the heat for their game moves. Shannon is playing the game a little too hard so far and will likely be targeted soon. I'm excited to see what will happen over the next couple of weeks. These "celebrities" may not be world-class Olympic athletes, but their reality show drama and manipulations are the epitome of entertaining trash tv.
Big Brother original flavor features contestants living together in a decked-out house, completely cut off from the outside world, competing in goofy challenges and voting each other out one by one. Host Julie Chen, affectionately known as the "Chenbot" due to her friendly but robotic hosting style, has been with the U.S. version since the beginning, but the show has never really been about her. Celebrity Big Brother replaces regular people with 11 F-list celebrities (seriously, I've never heard of some of these people), and it can be described as regular Big Brother on speed. Airing 4-5 times a week for only about 2 1/2 weeks (instead of the usual 3 months), contestants are being "evicted" (voted off) every other episode rather than just once a week.
The contestants this season may be only barely famous, but they are certainly fun to watch. The women have stolen the show thus far, forming an early alliance against the men with the help of gay talk show personality Ross Matthews. The men are barely playing the game and have mostly faded into the background. The first player voted out, mixed martial artist Chuck Liddell, barely made a dent in the game. Former NBA player Metta World Peace (yeah that's actually his name) is so out of his element that at the first vote, he actually mistakenly voted for the wrong person, thinking that he was voting to keep them "in" the house rather than vote them "out". I can't tell if he's really dumb or just doesn't care about the game. The other remaining men (not including Ross) are douchebag singer James Maslow (never heard of him) and washed-up rocker Mark McGrath.
The women's alliance (which already seems to be crumbling) is led by actress Shannon Elizabeth but also features Real Housewife Brandi Glanville, Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur, Miss Universe contestant Ariadna Gutierrez (who?), The Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight-Pulliam, and last but far from least...reality star and former White House advisor Omarosa. Omarosa has definitely provided the most buzzworthy moments of the show so far. Whether it was trashing Donald Trump to her fellow contestants (she recently had a very public falling out with the president), calling out Keshia for her support of Bill Cosby during his sexual assault trial, or her (possibly made up) asthma attack after losing a challenge, she is the queen of entertaining reality trash tv (let us all bow down to her). It's a shame that she will probably soon be voted out (as Keshia already has been), since she has now split from the women's alliance. The show definitely won't be the same without her.
As far as gameplay, the frontrunners right now appear to be Ross and Marissa. Both are fierce strategists who are getting in other players' ears and forcing them to take the heat for their game moves. Shannon is playing the game a little too hard so far and will likely be targeted soon. I'm excited to see what will happen over the next couple of weeks. These "celebrities" may not be world-class Olympic athletes, but their reality show drama and manipulations are the epitome of entertaining trash tv.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Loosely Exactly Nicole: Exactly Hilarious
You probably have never heard of the comedy Loosely Exactly Nicole because it doesn't actually air on tv. After being cancelled by MTV following a low-rated 1st season, it was picked up by Facebook for season 2. Yup, that's a thing. Facebook has their own tv shows now, who knew?
The show follows Nicole Byer (played by herself), an overweight 20-something struggling black actress who works an assortment of odd jobs that never last and navigates the dating world (well for her, mostly just hookups). Her best friend and roommate is Devin (Jacob Wysocki), a large gay man who can only be described as eccentric. In various episodes he wears a "nighttime kimono" while helping Nicole stalk a potential boyfriend, he tries to become a social media star by playing the tuba, and he tries to teach Nicole's other friend Veronica (Jen D'Angelo) how to satisfy her boyfriend. Speaking of Veronica, she's an average skinny white girl that was always by Nicole's side during season 1, but she seems to have disappeared completely since the first couple episodes of season 2. I'm not sure if she chose to leave after Facebook picked up the show, or if the show ditched her because her character was majorly boring. Either way, Nicole and Devin are a better pair onscreen. The plots are pretty random, but each episode is filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Nicole's adventures so far have included purposely leaving things in her Uber to try to get dates with the Uber drivers, searching the city (Los Angeles) to find the best soul food restaurant to commemorate her dead mother's birthday ("Dead Mom Chicken Day"), and fighting with a coworker for a promotion at her plus-size clothing store job (she won the job after a fierce fight, but then lost it in the end after oversleeping and not opening the store on-time). The show is definitely pretty raunchy, not quite on a HBO or Showtime level but definitely a basic cable level (there's plenty of jokes and discussions about sex). It doesn't aspire to be the next lauded sitcom like Frasier or Friends, but the two main stars are talented and the writing is funny, so that's really all that matters. Check it out before Facebook decides to cancel it too (boy, that would suck to be cancelled by Facebook).
The show follows Nicole Byer (played by herself), an overweight 20-something struggling black actress who works an assortment of odd jobs that never last and navigates the dating world (well for her, mostly just hookups). Her best friend and roommate is Devin (Jacob Wysocki), a large gay man who can only be described as eccentric. In various episodes he wears a "nighttime kimono" while helping Nicole stalk a potential boyfriend, he tries to become a social media star by playing the tuba, and he tries to teach Nicole's other friend Veronica (Jen D'Angelo) how to satisfy her boyfriend. Speaking of Veronica, she's an average skinny white girl that was always by Nicole's side during season 1, but she seems to have disappeared completely since the first couple episodes of season 2. I'm not sure if she chose to leave after Facebook picked up the show, or if the show ditched her because her character was majorly boring. Either way, Nicole and Devin are a better pair onscreen. The plots are pretty random, but each episode is filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Nicole's adventures so far have included purposely leaving things in her Uber to try to get dates with the Uber drivers, searching the city (Los Angeles) to find the best soul food restaurant to commemorate her dead mother's birthday ("Dead Mom Chicken Day"), and fighting with a coworker for a promotion at her plus-size clothing store job (she won the job after a fierce fight, but then lost it in the end after oversleeping and not opening the store on-time). The show is definitely pretty raunchy, not quite on a HBO or Showtime level but definitely a basic cable level (there's plenty of jokes and discussions about sex). It doesn't aspire to be the next lauded sitcom like Frasier or Friends, but the two main stars are talented and the writing is funny, so that's really all that matters. Check it out before Facebook decides to cancel it too (boy, that would suck to be cancelled by Facebook).
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
My 5 Favorite Shows Right Now
Periodically I'm going to update you on my 5 favorite shows of the moment. By right now, I mean shows that are currently airing seasons or that I'm currently in the middle of watching. So as much as I love a certain drama with dragons and White Walkers, and a reality show hosted by Jeff Probst, they won't be included in today's list.
So in no particular order, my 5 favorite shows right now are...
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
I wrote an earlier post about this show, but all I can say is wow! It's dark and depraved, and all of the actors are having a ball. The show follows the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace by crazed stalker Andrew Cunanan. Darren Criss as Cunanan is mesmerizing. The show has smartly focused mostly on Cunanan, his backstory, and the other murders that he committed before Versace. Versace himself is not as interesting as the events that led to his murder, and none of the other actors are a match for Criss. The show is disturbing and features some pretty gruesome murder scenes, but it's beautifully crafted and acted. A must-watch.
Top Chef
Cooking reality shows can be hard for viewers to connect with, because we can't smell or taste the food (obviously). But this show, now in its 15th season, manages to overcome these obstacles with compelling contestants, fast paced nail-biting challenges, and amazing judges. It doesn't hurt that host Padma Lakhsmi is the most beautiful woman on television (I'm biased). This season's crop of contestants is particularly fun to watch, even though one of my favorites Fatima has already been eliminated (sad face). Still, the show (now at the top 5) is heading towards what's sure to be an interesting finale.
911
This show is simply high octane fun. Reminiscent of the early days of ER, it follows emergency situations from the perspective of first responders. The show is just starting to dig into the personal lives and backstories of the cast members, and 911 operator Abby (Connie Britton) is the standout. She loves the thrill of being able to help callers in their time of need, but she lives a lonely life taking care of her Alzheimer's-stricken mother. The biggest strength of the show lies in the insane, often ludicrous emergencies that take place on screen: a newborn baby flushed down a toilet, a downed powerline in a pool, a rollercoaster accident, and a snake attacking its owner, to name a few. As long as the show continues to deliver these edge-of-your seat thrills, then I'll be watching.
RuPaul's Drag Race
Currently airing its 3rd All-Stars season, this is the most fun reality show on tv, hands down. The drag queens competing have built their careers from the ground up by entertaining, so it's not hard for them to amuse viewers at home with their larger-than-life personalities and crazy outfits. The show features a perfect mix of feel-good acceptance (the queens sharing stories of their difficult backgrounds in the workroom) and silly fun. The lipsync battles at the end of each episode, which determine the winner (who then has the power to send someone home), add extra drama between the contestants and are always fun to watch. Host RuPaul and judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Matthews have a great rapport with each other and truly care about the queens (despite some snarky comments here and there). You don't have to be a member of the LGBTQ community to enjoy this insanely entertaining show.
This is Us
The best drama currently on tv, the show uses its unique flashback structure to tell the story of the Pearson family in the past, present, and future. Lately focusing on the sudden death of patriarch Jack 20 years ago, the show has delivered a string a solid episodes featuring Emmy-worthy performances by its main cast. Each episode develops the characters more and more by connecting past events with their present (and sometimes future) lives, proving the biggest advantage of tv over movies (time). Actors Mandy Moore (as matriarch Rebecca) and Sterling K. Brown (as adopted son Randall) are standouts, but most of the cast is strong, even the child actors portraying the past, younger versions of the kids. The show is a worthy successor to great family dramas like Parenthood and Friday Night Lights, and it has the potential to continue telling this family's story for many seasons to come.
So in no particular order, my 5 favorite shows right now are...
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
I wrote an earlier post about this show, but all I can say is wow! It's dark and depraved, and all of the actors are having a ball. The show follows the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace by crazed stalker Andrew Cunanan. Darren Criss as Cunanan is mesmerizing. The show has smartly focused mostly on Cunanan, his backstory, and the other murders that he committed before Versace. Versace himself is not as interesting as the events that led to his murder, and none of the other actors are a match for Criss. The show is disturbing and features some pretty gruesome murder scenes, but it's beautifully crafted and acted. A must-watch.
Top Chef
Cooking reality shows can be hard for viewers to connect with, because we can't smell or taste the food (obviously). But this show, now in its 15th season, manages to overcome these obstacles with compelling contestants, fast paced nail-biting challenges, and amazing judges. It doesn't hurt that host Padma Lakhsmi is the most beautiful woman on television (I'm biased). This season's crop of contestants is particularly fun to watch, even though one of my favorites Fatima has already been eliminated (sad face). Still, the show (now at the top 5) is heading towards what's sure to be an interesting finale.
911
This show is simply high octane fun. Reminiscent of the early days of ER, it follows emergency situations from the perspective of first responders. The show is just starting to dig into the personal lives and backstories of the cast members, and 911 operator Abby (Connie Britton) is the standout. She loves the thrill of being able to help callers in their time of need, but she lives a lonely life taking care of her Alzheimer's-stricken mother. The biggest strength of the show lies in the insane, often ludicrous emergencies that take place on screen: a newborn baby flushed down a toilet, a downed powerline in a pool, a rollercoaster accident, and a snake attacking its owner, to name a few. As long as the show continues to deliver these edge-of-your seat thrills, then I'll be watching.
RuPaul's Drag Race
Currently airing its 3rd All-Stars season, this is the most fun reality show on tv, hands down. The drag queens competing have built their careers from the ground up by entertaining, so it's not hard for them to amuse viewers at home with their larger-than-life personalities and crazy outfits. The show features a perfect mix of feel-good acceptance (the queens sharing stories of their difficult backgrounds in the workroom) and silly fun. The lipsync battles at the end of each episode, which determine the winner (who then has the power to send someone home), add extra drama between the contestants and are always fun to watch. Host RuPaul and judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Matthews have a great rapport with each other and truly care about the queens (despite some snarky comments here and there). You don't have to be a member of the LGBTQ community to enjoy this insanely entertaining show.
This is Us
The best drama currently on tv, the show uses its unique flashback structure to tell the story of the Pearson family in the past, present, and future. Lately focusing on the sudden death of patriarch Jack 20 years ago, the show has delivered a string a solid episodes featuring Emmy-worthy performances by its main cast. Each episode develops the characters more and more by connecting past events with their present (and sometimes future) lives, proving the biggest advantage of tv over movies (time). Actors Mandy Moore (as matriarch Rebecca) and Sterling K. Brown (as adopted son Randall) are standouts, but most of the cast is strong, even the child actors portraying the past, younger versions of the kids. The show is a worthy successor to great family dramas like Parenthood and Friday Night Lights, and it has the potential to continue telling this family's story for many seasons to come.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Frasier: An Appreciation
The death this past weekend of actor John Mahoney has me thinking a lot about Frasier, one of my favorite shows of all time. I must admit that I have a strong emotional attachment to this show; it was a favorite of my mom, who passed away in 2011. Watching the show now, I can still hear her huge belly laugh. Seriously, she should have been hired to attend sitcom tapings and liven up their laugh tracks.
Anyway, if you don't already know the history of this beloved show, it began in 1993 as a spinoff of long-running hit sitcom Cheers. Fussy but kindhearted know-it-all psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) moves from Boston back to his hometown Seattle for a job as host of a radio call-in show. His father Martin (Mahoney), a gentle man's man and widowed retired cop, soon moves in with him. Physical therapist Daphne (Jane Leeves) also moves in to help Martin with an injury to his leg that he received after being shot on duty several years before. Originally from Manchester, England, she's a bit naïve but a worthy sparring partner to her roommates, who she bickers with but loves like family. There's also Frasier's even fussier brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), another psychiatrist who is controlled by his horrid never-seen-on-screen wife Maris. Rounding out the cast is Roz (Peri Gilpin), Frasier's radio show producer, a brash and promiscuous single woman who befriends Frasier and his family.
The biggest strength of Frasier is the smart, snappy writing. Every episode, even those in some of the weaker later seasons, has at least a few laugh-out-loud moments. Most of the show's humor is derived from the relationships between the main characters: fussy, finicky Frasier's sometimes strained but loving relationship with his regular Joe, beer-drinking dad, Frasier and Niles's shared love of wine and opera and all things highbrow, Niles's school-boy infatuation with the completely oblivious Daphne. The show's best episodes were those that resembled Shakesperian "comedies of error", where none of the characters completely knew what was going on, or at least one of them was pretending to be someone that they weren't. There's season 5 episode "The Ski Lodge", where the gang spends the weekend at a cabin and each guest has the hots for someone other than the person that they came with. A true classic. Another one of my personal favorites, season 7 episode "Out with Dad", involves Martin pretending to be gay to avoid the affections of a woman, then pretending that Niles is his boyfriend to avoid the affections of the woman's uncle.
Lasting 11 seasons (just as long as Cheers), Frasier understandably hit some rough patches later in its run (especially season 10), but it still kept up its sharp writing remarkably well and rebounded creatively for its final farewell season. The show's ability to remain strong for such a long time (much longer than most sitcoms) was partially due to the growth and evolution of its characters. Niles broke up with Maris and eventually ended up with true-love Daphne, a plot point that could have signaled the end of the show but instead added another layer. Niles and Daphne together usually wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as Niles simply crushing on her, but it added a new "couple" dynamic to the show. Their perfect sugary-sweet romance was often mocked and envied by the other characters. Martin also eventually moved on and began dating; after several relationships, he finally married his younger girlfriend Ronee (Wendie Malick) towards the end of the series. Finally, Roz got pregnant from a one-night stand around halfway through the series, forcing her to grow up. Motherhood expanded the character beyond her rather one-dimensional personality earlier in the series, although Gilpin was still the weakest actress on the show.
Frasier was by no means a perfect show, but the strength of the writing and its countless classic re-watchable episodes, as well as the general feeling of love and respect between the (mostly) strong cast, have earned it a spot as one of the best shows of all time. In my opinion, even better than its predecessor Cheers. If you've never seen the show or only watched it casually before, then I suggest you start from the beginning on Netflix, dive in, and enjoy.
Anyway, if you don't already know the history of this beloved show, it began in 1993 as a spinoff of long-running hit sitcom Cheers. Fussy but kindhearted know-it-all psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) moves from Boston back to his hometown Seattle for a job as host of a radio call-in show. His father Martin (Mahoney), a gentle man's man and widowed retired cop, soon moves in with him. Physical therapist Daphne (Jane Leeves) also moves in to help Martin with an injury to his leg that he received after being shot on duty several years before. Originally from Manchester, England, she's a bit naïve but a worthy sparring partner to her roommates, who she bickers with but loves like family. There's also Frasier's even fussier brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), another psychiatrist who is controlled by his horrid never-seen-on-screen wife Maris. Rounding out the cast is Roz (Peri Gilpin), Frasier's radio show producer, a brash and promiscuous single woman who befriends Frasier and his family.
The biggest strength of Frasier is the smart, snappy writing. Every episode, even those in some of the weaker later seasons, has at least a few laugh-out-loud moments. Most of the show's humor is derived from the relationships between the main characters: fussy, finicky Frasier's sometimes strained but loving relationship with his regular Joe, beer-drinking dad, Frasier and Niles's shared love of wine and opera and all things highbrow, Niles's school-boy infatuation with the completely oblivious Daphne. The show's best episodes were those that resembled Shakesperian "comedies of error", where none of the characters completely knew what was going on, or at least one of them was pretending to be someone that they weren't. There's season 5 episode "The Ski Lodge", where the gang spends the weekend at a cabin and each guest has the hots for someone other than the person that they came with. A true classic. Another one of my personal favorites, season 7 episode "Out with Dad", involves Martin pretending to be gay to avoid the affections of a woman, then pretending that Niles is his boyfriend to avoid the affections of the woman's uncle.
Lasting 11 seasons (just as long as Cheers), Frasier understandably hit some rough patches later in its run (especially season 10), but it still kept up its sharp writing remarkably well and rebounded creatively for its final farewell season. The show's ability to remain strong for such a long time (much longer than most sitcoms) was partially due to the growth and evolution of its characters. Niles broke up with Maris and eventually ended up with true-love Daphne, a plot point that could have signaled the end of the show but instead added another layer. Niles and Daphne together usually wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as Niles simply crushing on her, but it added a new "couple" dynamic to the show. Their perfect sugary-sweet romance was often mocked and envied by the other characters. Martin also eventually moved on and began dating; after several relationships, he finally married his younger girlfriend Ronee (Wendie Malick) towards the end of the series. Finally, Roz got pregnant from a one-night stand around halfway through the series, forcing her to grow up. Motherhood expanded the character beyond her rather one-dimensional personality earlier in the series, although Gilpin was still the weakest actress on the show.
Frasier was by no means a perfect show, but the strength of the writing and its countless classic re-watchable episodes, as well as the general feeling of love and respect between the (mostly) strong cast, have earned it a spot as one of the best shows of all time. In my opinion, even better than its predecessor Cheers. If you've never seen the show or only watched it casually before, then I suggest you start from the beginning on Netflix, dive in, and enjoy.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
The Good Place: Complicated but Worth It
The Good Place, which just finished its 2nd season on NBC, is not your average sitcom. From Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur, it 's so out-there and different that it doesn't really feel like a sitcom at all. The premise is quite complicated and even a bit convoluted, but the reward for investing in this unique little show is definitely worth the effort. As quickly and simply as possible, let me explain...
Recently deceased Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) has just entered the Good Place, the show's version of heaven, which is filled with frozen yogurt shops and resembles a quaint little town. But there seems to have been some sort of mistake, because Eleanor was not a very nice person when she was alive. She worked as a telemarketer selling fake medicine to the elderly, she berated grocery store clerks and other customer service workers, and she was generally just a miserable person. She soon meets her pre-determined "soulmate" Chidi (William Jackson), a professor of ethics, who in life was racked with anxiety, completely unable to make even the smallest decision. They soon become friends with Tahani (Jameela Jamil), a wealthy socialite who was full of herself but still charitable and generous with her time and money. Tahani's soulmate is Jianyu (Manny Jacinto), a Buddhist monk who doesn't speak. It turns out that Jianyu seems to be in the wrong place too, because he's really Jason, a low level-drug dealer who also happens to be a lovable idiot. This "neighborhood" of the Good Place is managed by Michael (Ted Danson), an ineffective and bumbling man who is excited to finally have some management experience. His assistant is Janet (D'Arcy Carden), a robot-like woman with no emotions and an all-knowing knowledge of the universe. Eleanor and Jason try to hide their mistaken place in heaven, and typical sitcom hijinks ensue.
The 1st season of The Good Place for me was a bit boring and repetitive, but I continued to watch because the show was unqiue and usually pretty funny. From the pilot, though, all of the actors have been strong, particularly Bell and Carden. A huge twist at the end of season 1 (which I won't give away here), however, really brought the show alive. Season 2 completely upended the premise of the show and began to venture outside of the "neighborhood". One recent episode set in the Bad Place featured The Museum of Human Misery, which included hilarious sight-gag exhibits like "the first person to floss in public" and "the first man-splainer". Also in season 2 we learned more about each of the characters, and they all evolved into better versions of themselves (even Janet). There was even an episode about ethical quandaries, which doesn't sound remotely funny or interesting, but this show's skilled writers turned it into must-see tv. The guest stars continued to shine as well, including Maribeth Monroe as Mindy St. Claire, a coked-up 80's lawyer who is the sole resident of the Medium Place, and Maya Rudolph as the Judge who determines if people end up in the Good or Bad Place. The last few epsiodes of season 2 were particularly strong, and another twist in the finale set the stage for an even better season 3.
Season 2 is over, but you can catch season 1 on Netflix and at least part of season 2 on Hulu.
Recently deceased Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) has just entered the Good Place, the show's version of heaven, which is filled with frozen yogurt shops and resembles a quaint little town. But there seems to have been some sort of mistake, because Eleanor was not a very nice person when she was alive. She worked as a telemarketer selling fake medicine to the elderly, she berated grocery store clerks and other customer service workers, and she was generally just a miserable person. She soon meets her pre-determined "soulmate" Chidi (William Jackson), a professor of ethics, who in life was racked with anxiety, completely unable to make even the smallest decision. They soon become friends with Tahani (Jameela Jamil), a wealthy socialite who was full of herself but still charitable and generous with her time and money. Tahani's soulmate is Jianyu (Manny Jacinto), a Buddhist monk who doesn't speak. It turns out that Jianyu seems to be in the wrong place too, because he's really Jason, a low level-drug dealer who also happens to be a lovable idiot. This "neighborhood" of the Good Place is managed by Michael (Ted Danson), an ineffective and bumbling man who is excited to finally have some management experience. His assistant is Janet (D'Arcy Carden), a robot-like woman with no emotions and an all-knowing knowledge of the universe. Eleanor and Jason try to hide their mistaken place in heaven, and typical sitcom hijinks ensue.
The 1st season of The Good Place for me was a bit boring and repetitive, but I continued to watch because the show was unqiue and usually pretty funny. From the pilot, though, all of the actors have been strong, particularly Bell and Carden. A huge twist at the end of season 1 (which I won't give away here), however, really brought the show alive. Season 2 completely upended the premise of the show and began to venture outside of the "neighborhood". One recent episode set in the Bad Place featured The Museum of Human Misery, which included hilarious sight-gag exhibits like "the first person to floss in public" and "the first man-splainer". Also in season 2 we learned more about each of the characters, and they all evolved into better versions of themselves (even Janet). There was even an episode about ethical quandaries, which doesn't sound remotely funny or interesting, but this show's skilled writers turned it into must-see tv. The guest stars continued to shine as well, including Maribeth Monroe as Mindy St. Claire, a coked-up 80's lawyer who is the sole resident of the Medium Place, and Maya Rudolph as the Judge who determines if people end up in the Good or Bad Place. The last few epsiodes of season 2 were particularly strong, and another twist in the finale set the stage for an even better season 3.
Season 2 is over, but you can catch season 1 on Netflix and at least part of season 2 on Hulu.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
The Amazing Race: Not so Amazing Anymore
Premiering in 2001 on CBS, The Amazing Race was a perfect companion reality show for breakout hit Survivor. The premise of 11 teams of 2 racing around the world appealed to me instantly. I love travel, and I love competition reality shows even more. The show lived up to my expectations and then some. The challenges, which related to each episode's destination, were fun and interesting. Rolling wheels of cheese down a hill in Switzerland, riding camels in Egypt, running through a castle in Germany, WOW! The contestants were diverse and interesting to watch too. There were coal miners, a deaf man and his mother, and even Harlem Globetrotters. My all-time favorite team, however, was Gretchen and Meredith, a retired couple that appeared on season 7. In one episode, Gretchen took a nasty fall in a cave, but she soldiered on for many more episodes wearing a giant bandage wrapped around her head, and the couple made it all the way to the semi-finals despite much younger and faster competition. Fan favorite teams like this couple made viewers invested in the outcome of each episode and gave them players to really root for. Finally, the race itself was usually nail-biting and chaotic in the best way. Teams would get lost, incur penalties for not following directions, and purposely mislead their competition. This led to more than one heart-pounding photo finish. Host Phil Keoghan was never the strongest part of the show, but he did a perfectly fine job of introducing the challenges and welcoming the teams at their "pit stop" at the end of each episode.
In the last couple of years, however, The Amazing Race has lost much of its luster. There are an endless number of interesting places to travel around the world, but the show has repeated many destinations multiple times in its 30 seasons. Why can't we get more of Asia, Africa, or South America instead of the same European cities over and over? The challenges have become more and more ludicrous and boring too. This season saw a challenge featuring over 30 minutes of head-to-head races between teams wearing french fry costumes and pushing carts filled with sacks of potatoes. The show related the challenge to the episode's destination of Antwerp, Belgium by telling the viewers that french fries were invented in Belgium. I'm still rolling my eyes over this one. The contestants themselves are also not as interesting as they once were. This season there are far too many teams of interchangeable young couples, athletes, and best friends. Why can't we have more teams of older people, as well as more racially diverse contestants? At this point even Phil looks almost as bored as me. Survivor has managed to remain fresh over 35 seasons with new twists and compelling players, but The Amazing Race hasn't tried as hard to mix things up and remain a must-see show. The current season is already halfway over, but I've contemplated giving up on it entirely. CBS has reduced the show from 2 seasons to only 1 per year, and I'm thinking that it could be reduced to 0 very soon, unless the producers can manage to turn things around and make me want to watch again.
The Amazing Race airs Wednesdays on CBS, moving from 8pm to 9pm EST next week to make room for Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (which I'll be posting about soon).
In the last couple of years, however, The Amazing Race has lost much of its luster. There are an endless number of interesting places to travel around the world, but the show has repeated many destinations multiple times in its 30 seasons. Why can't we get more of Asia, Africa, or South America instead of the same European cities over and over? The challenges have become more and more ludicrous and boring too. This season saw a challenge featuring over 30 minutes of head-to-head races between teams wearing french fry costumes and pushing carts filled with sacks of potatoes. The show related the challenge to the episode's destination of Antwerp, Belgium by telling the viewers that french fries were invented in Belgium. I'm still rolling my eyes over this one. The contestants themselves are also not as interesting as they once were. This season there are far too many teams of interchangeable young couples, athletes, and best friends. Why can't we have more teams of older people, as well as more racially diverse contestants? At this point even Phil looks almost as bored as me. Survivor has managed to remain fresh over 35 seasons with new twists and compelling players, but The Amazing Race hasn't tried as hard to mix things up and remain a must-see show. The current season is already halfway over, but I've contemplated giving up on it entirely. CBS has reduced the show from 2 seasons to only 1 per year, and I'm thinking that it could be reduced to 0 very soon, unless the producers can manage to turn things around and make me want to watch again.
The Amazing Race airs Wednesdays on CBS, moving from 8pm to 9pm EST next week to make room for Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (which I'll be posting about soon).
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