I'm not ashamed to say that I like TV. Sure, most of it is utter crap. There are, after all, hundreds of channels filled with hundreds of useless programs. But quite a few shows these days (and in days past) are excellent. Entertaining, fun, smart, even brilliant. To name just a few of the current gems: 24, The Sopranos, Deadwood, Lost, Alias, Prison Break, Veronica Mars. Soon to return: Deadwood.
These people who don't own TVs or claim not to watch TV--they all act like they're such cultured, wonderful, superior beings. If that's what they want to believe, fine. I happen to think they're a wee bit pretentious and out of touch. I read tons of book, see great films, go to art museums, read newspapers, and love the high-brow. But that doesn't mean I'm too good for TV.
Back to those shows. This season in particular seems full of amazing shows. Shows that are innovative, challenging, exciting, with the narrative drives of big-budget movies. I'm a big fan of the high-concept shows like 24, Lost, Alias, even Prison Break--shows that somehow, despite their sort-of crazy premises, keep going, adding twists and turns, even when you think they can't possibly top themselves. Lost is not only high concept, but it is a treasure of great characters and strong performances. The show's mysteries and oddities and conspiracy-like shenanigans are a big draw--but it's the characters who make it worth going back to week after week.
And 24 is a wonder--in it's fifth season, it's better than ever. What's made it so good this year, for me, are the strong, beautifully performed female roles. Chloe, played with feisty acidity by Mary Lynn Rajskub, is one of the best supporting characters ever to grace the small screen. Audrey now has a backbone, and Kim Raver has done a great job making her, finally, a likeable heroine. Jean Smart is brilliant--from her first scene, when she dunked her made-up face in cold water--as the first lady: emotional, humane, fragile but also strong. All three of them deserve Emmys! And Jayne Atkinson, who's an American Helen Mirren lookalike, as the new CTU chief is fantastic as well. And how can you not love a show, in this day and age, that makes the smarmy president its main villain? I can't wait to see how it plays out.
My only complaint about TV these days is that there are too many shows that I like, that I feel compelled to watch. Just like there are way too many books to read and too many movies to see. We live in a world that is just too much.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Random Thoughts
Some days, I walk around (or sit around) and a thought will pop into my head, and I think, "I should blog about this." Usually it's politics, and something has ticked me off--the umpteenth tax cut for zillionaires, Donald Rumsfeld's lies and bluster, the eternal clusterfuck that is the Bush administration, even Mary Cheney and her stupid who-gives-a-shit autobiography. (Do we call her an Uncle Tom or an Aunt Tom?) And then, by the time I get to a computer, my drive to write about any of this has died. Alas. Or my time has simply dried up. Or I just don't feel like being verbose. Plus, I sort of feel like so many people say it better than I ever could.
So, instead of going on and on about something, I'll present some random thoughts, rants, raves.
Moderation. Is being a moderate today really that admirable? Once, when I was a young man coming out of the fog of the Reagan years, I thought moderates were the ideal--neither too right wing, nor too left wing. Jusssst right. I kissed being a moderate goodbye years ago, but still, I had no problem with moderates. But nowadays, with the right creeping to the right of Atila the Hun, I think being a moderate is, well, being a big pussy. Take a stand! Really, even as a true moderate, you can't stand by Republicans and conservatives in this day and age--they're too scary, extreme.
Pet peeves. People who stand right in front of the subway doors when you're trying to get off. I long ago stopped acting civilized. I'll push even old ladies aside if they're standing in my way! Also, people who don't stand to the right on the escalators, so that people walking up can pass by. Funny, now that I don't have a car and don't have to drive, my road rage has been supplanted by subway and sidewalk rage.
My friends. I turned 33 a few weeks ago. My friend Scott calls this the perfect age. Ha. But I threw myself a party, invited my friends, had a yummy buttercream cake, drank a lot, and basically just had a great time. And I realized what great friends I have. How interesting and fun and genuine they all are. Awww, big lovefest! (Check out the pictures at http://martinwilsonpics.shutterfly.com)
Summer. It's almost here, though New York weather seems to want to hold on to spring a bit longer. Summer brings the wonderful summer work hours (half-day Fridays for people in publishing), an emptier Manhattan, smelly streets (especially in my neighborhood, which is close to Chinatown, which stinks during ALL seasons), popcorn movies, and shorts and short sleeves and the dreaded swimsuit (not to sound TOO much like Cathy, the cartoon character). I need to lose about 20 pounds before I even think of showing myself in a swimsuit in public. I don't even a swimsuit that fits anymore, I don't think. How sad is that?! Or is it so sad it's funny? Oh well, I have more important things to do this summer, like make big headway on my novel. I'm turning in three chapters to my agent next week. Hopefully he'll like it.
So, instead of going on and on about something, I'll present some random thoughts, rants, raves.
Moderation. Is being a moderate today really that admirable? Once, when I was a young man coming out of the fog of the Reagan years, I thought moderates were the ideal--neither too right wing, nor too left wing. Jusssst right. I kissed being a moderate goodbye years ago, but still, I had no problem with moderates. But nowadays, with the right creeping to the right of Atila the Hun, I think being a moderate is, well, being a big pussy. Take a stand! Really, even as a true moderate, you can't stand by Republicans and conservatives in this day and age--they're too scary, extreme.
Pet peeves. People who stand right in front of the subway doors when you're trying to get off. I long ago stopped acting civilized. I'll push even old ladies aside if they're standing in my way! Also, people who don't stand to the right on the escalators, so that people walking up can pass by. Funny, now that I don't have a car and don't have to drive, my road rage has been supplanted by subway and sidewalk rage.
My friends. I turned 33 a few weeks ago. My friend Scott calls this the perfect age. Ha. But I threw myself a party, invited my friends, had a yummy buttercream cake, drank a lot, and basically just had a great time. And I realized what great friends I have. How interesting and fun and genuine they all are. Awww, big lovefest! (Check out the pictures at http://martinwilsonpics.shutterfly.com)
Summer. It's almost here, though New York weather seems to want to hold on to spring a bit longer. Summer brings the wonderful summer work hours (half-day Fridays for people in publishing), an emptier Manhattan, smelly streets (especially in my neighborhood, which is close to Chinatown, which stinks during ALL seasons), popcorn movies, and shorts and short sleeves and the dreaded swimsuit (not to sound TOO much like Cathy, the cartoon character). I need to lose about 20 pounds before I even think of showing myself in a swimsuit in public. I don't even a swimsuit that fits anymore, I don't think. How sad is that?! Or is it so sad it's funny? Oh well, I have more important things to do this summer, like make big headway on my novel. I'm turning in three chapters to my agent next week. Hopefully he'll like it.
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