I’m not sure what it is about this TV season, but I’ve been completely swamped with viewing. This is not like me at all. I consider myself a reluctant TV watcher because I’d rather be reading, cooking or creating something with my hands (jewelry, notecards, soap … but let’s face it, I enjoy writing too) than watching sub-par television. I know, it’s a pathological attitude for a TV writer to have. Obviously, there are a bunch of great shows on right now, because my DVR is crowded and my jewelry box is empty.
With the inundation of quality programming, several shows that I loved when I first started watching them have gotten lost in the DVR black hole. I can’t figure out why I stopped watching them, but now I’m really regretting it. Help me overcome my psychosis — what should I be watching?
The Good Wife — When this show premiered, I fell in love with it. I’m not a law procedural lover and I think once the introductions were made and it fell back on that I dumped it. I’m not sure why because the quality didn’t drop in the least and I was intrigued by the story arc of Alicia’s husband and his alleged crimes. Plus, Chris Noth walks on water and Julianna Margulies is levitating right there behind him, so I’m not sure why I didn’t stick with this show, other than that pesky 10:00 time slot. This Cinderella turns into a pumpkin at 10:00, not at midnight.
NCIS: LA — I’ve written before about my freaky, stalker love for Chris O’Donnell and how he’s been my gimme for almost 20 years (if only we’d meet….). LL Cool J is a favorite too (and I actually did meet him, sort of) so I was beyond excited when I heard they’d be starring in a show together. I love their chemistry and I was pleased with every member of the team on NCIS: LA. So why don’t I watch this one every week? Castle and The Mentalist made the cut, so why not gimme + 1? I had absolutely no complaints about this show. I’m a mystery, even to me.
Human Target — This is where it gets interesting. I adore Mark Valley ever since his soap opera days (Jack on Days of Our Lives) and I think that Keen Eddie was one of the greatest shows ever made. I really want to love Human Target, because I like Chi McBride and I like the premise of the show. Here’s the thing: from the get-go it’s reminded me of Die Hard and I can’t stand that. I get so bored when shows take place in one setting — on a train, on a plane, I would not, could not on a train, not in a boat, it’s boring you see…. I’m hoping for more of a Burn Notice feel for this show; tell me, have they switched off the one-setting thing?
V — Suffice it to say I’m a huge fan of the original and though I like this cast just fine, it’s not clicking for me. Is it worth giving it another look when it returns?
I’m hesitant to even ask this next question, but what else have I been missing that’s too good to pass up?
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Feb 10, 2010 @ 11:43 EST5EDT
As far as Human Target goes, I think it’s going to be in a new location every week, though maybe not as confined as a train or a plane. Last week was in a monastary. Considering the basis for the comic is a man who gets an assignment, assimillates himself into the situation, and eliminates the threat, I’d bet it’s going to be a new location/job every week, at least for the first season.
I see the continuity being mostly involving the goings on of Guerrero (J.E.H.) and the occasional gov’t agent or enemy tracking him down, like the woman from episode 3. I’m sure we’ll also get some info on Chance and the other character’s pasts at some point.
I think it’s a good escape from more serialized dramas. I find it to be a lot of fun, almost like a MacGyver for today’s world
*POST AUTHOR*
I don’t mind a new location every week, I just can’t stand it when they are so confining. The monastery probably would have worked fine for me (I’ll check it out) unless they were in one room of the monastery the whole time.
You’ve almost convinced me to check out the next episode….
I have that same feeling about Human Target (and Keen Eddie). I find myself wanting to like the show more than actually liking it. It’s not bad, but it’s not must see either.
We do differ just a hair on NCIS:LA. I like every member of the team, except Nate. For some reason, I just can’t stand him. Given the choice, rather than having Dom kidnapped, I would have preferred that Nate was just killed.
And finally, every time you mention making soap I get a disturbing picture of Deb and Tyler Durden bickering over a sack of human fat. Which is either disgusting, or the basis for the best odd-couple comedy ever!
Episode 5 of Human Target wasn’t limited to a single location at all. This is the episode where he protects a female DA from some people trying to kill her before she can get info about a gang from a confidential informant. They were all over town in this one. Give it a view and see if it’s more along the lines of what you were hoping for.
*POST AUTHOR*
HA! When I first started making soap like a hundred years ago, the Fight Club jokes were running rampant, believe me! Awesome movie, but I do not aspire to make soap with human fat. I much prefer shea butter! :-)
I understand what you guys mean. Like I said before, it is extremely obvious that they are trying to save money. In Ep 5 they use the same shot twice when the car they are escaping in drives past the camera – they just cut the shot a little front and back. I saw it. It’s really hard for me not to notice these things… but the fight scenes – I tell you, this material is really Jackie Chan worthy. Good cheography, neatly done.
And of course it has other flaws – it’s basically like 80s dramas of the same sort if you ask me. Simon & Simon… Riptide (not quite) A-Team. My brother and I love it. I really hope they get some more money so they can produce the show better, the production value is really really low. I mean if you compare it to FNL it doesn’t stand a chance. Too many establishing shots are clearly directly out of the can… if only they had the money those NBC folks had for “Life” and “Journeyman”.
But they really got things going in episode five. First shot on a bridge in the woods, then a lot of shots on location (but of course a lot of shots indoors and in the getaway car too). But still – love the show, love all three castmembers, the jokes are funny and I don’t mind that it’s not logical all the time.
And that’s as high as praise can get coming from a guy who usually picks apart _anything_ not absolutely logical.
Sebastian, if you’re a Riptide fan, you’re ok by me. :D I might have to add that to the CliqueClack Flashback list.
*POST AUTHOR*
OK, I watched episode 3 of “Human Target,” the one that took place at the Russian Embassy, and I really enjoyed it. Breaking out of the public transportation settings was a good move! I’m watching episode 4 right now…. yes, Sebastian, nice bridge scene!
Oh, and “Riptide” = awesome! :-)