What are you watching?

[Michael]

Tell us about your favorite television shows...

[partofme]

Being unemployed has made me a couch potato in a way. I now watch Mad Men, True Blood, Dexter, Boston Legal, House, The Shield, Pushing Daisies, The Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Chuck, and 30 Rock. Other shows I watch that are not in season at the moment are Weeds, Lost, The Riches, and Nip/Tuck. On the more educational front I watch NOVA, Charlie Rose, Washington Week, and Meet the Press.

[Michael]

How is Mad Men? I've seen ads for it and it looks potentially interesting - since that period was the 'golden age' of US advertising. I've always been big on the advertising industry (I worked in it for several years - it was a total zoo with people who make politicians and lawyers look like paragons of honesty and virtue by comparison).

[partofme]

I love the show. It is very low key in some ways and takes time to get into though. The advertising aspects are interesting and I believe based on actual ads at the time. The show if very stylized and moves very slowly but in a way that enhances it when big revelations come about.

[partofme]

I thought I would mention a website I got to called The A.V. Club. It's a offshoot of The Onion and is a entertainment website that focuses more on Movies, Music, and Television rather than celebrities themselves. I like to read their reviews of shows in the T.V. CLub section and see what their take on them is and if they picked up on something I missed.

[partofme]

If there are any fans of The Shield I hope you didn't miss last night's series finale. Probably the best finale I have ever seen of any show ever.

[Malvolio]

IMHO, the best American TV series ever is "The Sopranos". Just brilliant.

[Michael]

IMHO, the best American TV series ever is "The Sopranos". Just brilliant.
I'm kinda partial to the Trailer Park Boys. :D

Whenever I see that show, I'm amazed that they let it be shown on tv.

[dilettante]

The Office, Pushing Daisies, and 30 Rock are the shows I'm keeping up with this season, and I think they're all fabulous.

My wife and I also occasionally watch Psych and Monk on DVD via netflix.

So far I've been keeping an eye on The Legend of the Seeker (I'm not sure if it's a "show" or a "mini-series"). Honestly, it isn't terribly impressive, but I like the genre enough to make it bearable. I've never read the books, but get the impression they don't lend themselves to this sort of episodic division.

Finally, as ashamed as I am to admit it, I've seen about half the episodes of this season of Survivor, a show I haven't watched at all since it's opening season however many years ago. My wife and I like to talk about what part the producers are playing in putting the show together: deciding which clips air and which do not, who to interview, what background music should play at different key moments, how to keep the personal interactions from becoming predictable...etc. All the stuff that makes "reality TV" less real. It's fascinating in a way. It reminds me of a cardinal rule of historiography: stories are created, not discovered.

[bug]

I have been recently introduced to Penn and Teller's Bullshit, which will be quoted freely in my persuasive speech in 2 weeks, addressing the end of the world/other races/other religions and entitled "Stop being so afraid of everything, pusses."

[wphelan]

Anybody here watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? I just saw it for the first time a couple weeks ago and am hooked.

[partofme]

The Office, Pushing Daisies, and 30 Rock are the shows I'm keeping up with this season, and I think they're all fabulous.

My wife and I also occasionally watch Psych and Monk on DVD via netflix.

So far I've been keeping an eye on The Legend of the Seeker (I'm not sure if it's a "show" or a "mini-series"). Honestly, it isn't terribly impressive, but I like the genre enough to make it bearable. I've never read the books, but get the impression they don't lend themselves to this sort of episodic division.

Finally, as ashamed as I am to admit it, I've seen about half the episodes of this season of Survivor, a show I haven't watched at all since it's opening season however many years ago. My wife and I like to talk about what part the producers are playing in putting the show together: deciding which clips air and which do not, who to interview, what background music should play at different key moments, how to keep the personal interactions from becoming predictable...etc. All the stuff that makes "reality TV" less real. It's fascinating in a way. It reminds me of a cardinal rule of historiography: stories are created, not discovered.

I hate to tell you this but Pushing Daisies has been canceled after this season. :(

[partofme]

Anybody here watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? I just saw it for the first time a couple weeks ago and am hooked.

It's great. You know you can go back and watch all the episodes on Hulu.com.

[dilettante]

I hate to tell you this but Pushing Daisies has been canceled after this season. :(

I'd heard that...it fills me with a terrible rage. Well, maybe not "rage," but certainly unhappiness. It's an incredibly clever show and I'm constantly impressed by the lyrical dialogue, use of color, and the way the settings seem to blend fantasy and real life.

Last I heard the show was winning award, being praised by critics and at least reasonably popular with viewers. Why on earth are they canceling it?

[partofme]

I'd heard that...it fills me with a terrible rage. Well, maybe not "rage," but certainly unhappiness. It's an incredibly clever show and I'm constantly impressed by the lyrical dialogue, use of color, and the way the settings seem to blend fantasy and real life.

Last I heard the show was winning award, being praised by critics and at least reasonably popular with viewers. Why on earth are they canceling it?

It doesn't get high ratings. It is very popular with those that watch it but unfortunately there are just not enough that do.

30 Rock is another that you named that doesn't get great ratings but is gets high critical acclaim. It did get a bump this year over the ratings of last year thanks to Tina Fey receiving so much attention on SNL during the campaign but it still is nowhere near the top 20. Sad really.

[Korimyr the Rat]

Heroes and the Sarah Connor Chronicles, for me. Also been keeping up with House, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU.

Beyond that... my TV exists for video games and instructional DVDs.

[partofme]

Heroes and the Sarah Connor Chronicles, for me. Also been keeping up with House, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU.

Beyond that... my TV exists for video games and instructional DVDs.

I've heard that Heroes is awful this year.

[Korimyr the Rat]

It's far better than it was last year. Have to see more of this year before I decide whether it's better or worse than its first year.

[The Sister]

It's far better than it was last year. Have to see more of this year before I decide whether it's better or worse than its first year.

I watch heros and think it is far better than last year, although my daughter has quit watching because the plot early in the season was the same as the first season. I see lots of progress in the last couple of episodes - Hiro is funny again, Peter is Peter again, and Elle finally has a character, but wtf with Suresh? and the Sylar/Gabriel impression of Golum/Smeagle is just weird.
So as a fan I am getting happier but I really I am just waiting for Lost.

[wphelan]

I watch heros and think it is far better than last year, although my daughter has quit watching because the plot early in the season was the same as the first season. I see lots of progress in the last couple of episodes - Hiro is funny again, Peter is Peter again, and Elle finally has a character, but wtf with Suresh? and the Sylar/Gabriel impression of Golum/Smeagle is just weird.
So as a fan I am getting happier but I really I am just waiting for Lost.

Ooh...Lost starts back up in seven weeks. It's been too long! I guess the nice part about the long wait is that there'll be a new episode every week until the finale.

[partofme]

Ooh...Lost starts back up in seven weeks. It's been too long! I guess the nice part about the long wait is that there'll be a new episode every week until the finale.

I had never watched it before and I went through every single episode over the summer on ABC.com. I absolutely can't wait for it to be back but what will be ever worse will be the time between the end of this new season and the final season.

[Michael]

Just finished watching the end of season 2 of The Tudors. Anne Boelyn just lost her head. :erm:

I watched season 1 last year. An excellent show all round - a very hot looking cast, lots of sexy scenes, great period costumes, beautiful sets and well presented history. Highly recommended. :)

A whole year to wait for season 3!

[partofme]

Just finished watching the end of season 2 of The Tudors. Anne Boelyn just lost her head. :erm:

I watched season 1 last year. An excellent show all round - a very hot looking cast, lots of sexy scenes, great period costumes, beautiful sets and well presented history. Highly recommended. :)

A whole year to wait for season 3!

I wish I had started watching that from the beginning. I really want to watch it but I just can't bring myself to commit to starting it now because when I do that I tend to not be able to relax until I get them all done.

[Greendruid]

My wife and I watched Brokeback Mountain for the first time last night (I know, we're kinda behind the times and hype of most things in the predominant mainstream). What a profoundly saddening movie. :sad:

[partofme]

My wife and I watched Brokeback Mountain for the first time last night (I know, we're kinda behind the times and hype of most things in the predominant mainstream). What a profoundly saddening movie. :sad:

I have caught parts of it on HBO but never gotten to see it from the beginning. What I did see of it made me sad as well.

[partofme]

Tonight is the premier of season five of Lost. Anybody else going to be watching?

[Korimyr the Rat]

Started watching Leverage.

Most of what I've been watching lately is 80s action-adventure cartoons, though. For research purposes.

[wphelan]

Tonight is the premier of season five of Lost. Anybody else going to be watching?

Believe me, I was looking forward to it all week. I thought it was a solid premiere. It looks to me like it'll be an awesome season.

[partofme]

Believe me, I was looking forward to it all week. I thought it was a solid premiere. It looks to me like it'll be an awesome season.

I think so. I read a blog about the show online and the guy in charge of it got to see it a week ago when ABC released it to critics as a promotional and he has now seen next weeks and he thinks it's better than these two even. I'm glad they brought back Mrs. Hawking at the end. I always wondered if they would explain who the heck she is.

[Michael]

Most of what I've been watching lately is 80s action-adventure cartoons, though. For research purposes.
Okay, I have to ask...

What research purposes require you to watch 80's action-adventure cartoons?

You into Japanese anime or something? (I love the stuff)

[partofme]

I always wanted to watch Battlestar Galactica from the beginning but I just now committed to it since my wife has been out of town. I watched the miniseries and the first four episodes of season one so far and I can see what all the fuss in about. I'm already hooked.

[The Sister]

I think so. I read a blog about the show online and the guy in charge of it got to see it a week ago when ABC released it to critics as a promotional and he has now seen next weeks and he thinks it's better than these two even. I'm glad they brought back Mrs. Hawking at the end. I always wondered if they would explain who the heck she is.

so what do you think now? I think it's a great season. Loved seeing Widmore as a youth and can't wait for the explanation of Ben killing Locke??
so many answers and so many questions...loving it!

[partofme]

so what do you think now? I think it's a great season. Loved seeing Widmore as a youth and can't wait for the explanation of Ben killing Locke??
so many answers and so many questions...loving it!

I think all of the on island action has been great but the off island stuff with the Oceanic 6 has been pretty dull. I'm glad they finally made it back. I actually thought the last episode was the best so far and I'm really looking forward to tonight. I love the time travel element allowing them to show the island in so many different periods. There is a theory that Locke, Ben, and the others in that section are in a different time period than everybody else that are there during Dharma time. That would be interesting.

[The Sister]

Off season with Kate and Jack was gruellingly dull but Sayid's story and Desmond's story were great. Definitely the best season since 1, and I too can't wait for Wednesdays. Will Sawyer stay with Juliette? How old is Richard Alpern? Where is Sun and Sayid? And yes when is Locke's now?

[partofme]

Desmond always has the most interesting episodes when he is the focus. I hope things pick up with him and I have a feeling they might. It may be something to throw viewers off but I have a feeling Ben killed Penny and that is why Desmond will end up back at the island. When Whitmore killed Ben's daughter he promised him that since he had changed the rules that he would find Penny and kill her as payback. When Ben made the call to Jack in the episode in which they got on the plan he was all bloody and at a boat harbor so it does make sense. It wouldn't shock me if the writers did all that to throw everybody off but it is such a perfect fit that I'm not so sure. I would hate that but I can't think of another way to get him to leave her and the baby and go back.

[The Sister]

OMG how depressing - but my daughter ( a big fan) agrees you might be right!!
So after tonight's episode I think the end game might be to get rid of Ben, as a child before he destroys the Dharma Iniatitive and becomes leader of the others? I can't help thinking that they stopped at that time for a reason.

[partofme]

In the preview for next week you see Sayid shooting somebody. I'm not sure that sort of thing would be happening so soon though. It seems like things are moving slow. I remember a few episodes ago when Locke saw Ben and I was wondering how awkward that might be. "Hey you murdered me you jerk" would be a fun line to hear.

[Donkey]

For the first time in my life, I am watching two tv shows currently airing: Dollhouse and Castle. So far I like them both, though I'm hoping Dollhouse will pick up a bit.

[partofme]

For the first time in my life, I am watching two tv shows currently airing: Dollhouse and Castle. So far I like them both, though I'm hoping Dollhouse will pick up a bit.

I thought Friday's episode of Dollhouse was the best so far. Joss Whedon basically said Fox made him film the first five episodes as if they are all pilots so new viewers could start it and know what was going on. Starting with this last episode he has said it starts having much more of a story arc and he puts more of his influence on it which hopefully will live up to his past shows. Unfortunately that doesn't mean it will stay on the air. I watched the first two episodes of Castle but I didn't really care for it and probably won't bother unless my wife keeps watching it and I have nothing else to do.

I don't think there is anything wrong with watching television. It used to seem that movies where of much higher quality and television was the lowest form of entertainment but it's almost like they have switched places these days and with a DVR you don't have to bother with commercials and can watched a one hour show in about 40 minutes.

[wphelan]

Anyone here watch Dexter? I watched the first two seasons on DVD last month, and am trying to acquire the third season right now. The way things are going, the third season will come out on DVD before I get the file downloaded.

Anyway, it's a quality show. I'm a big fan of a lot of the stuff on Showtime actually.

[partofme]

Anyone here watch Dexter? I watched the first two seasons on DVD last month, and am trying to acquire the third season right now. The way things are going, the third season will come out on DVD before I get the file downloaded.

Anyway, it's a quality show. I'm a big fan of a lot of the stuff on Showtime actually.

I loved the first season. The second one is still good but not as good in my opinion. I thought this last one was terrible.

If you want to see a really great show from one of the premium networks I recommend The Wire. The only thing is you have to get past the second season which is a bit dull.

[partofme]

I know it looks bad that I watch so much television but when you have to small kids your options to kill time are much more limited. I read as well but usually when they are either both asleep or at their grandmother's house.

[Donkey]

I thought Friday's episode of Dollhouse was the best so far. Joss Whedon basically said Fox made him film the first five episodes as if they are all pilots so new viewers could start it and know what was going on. Starting with this last episode he has said it starts having much more of a story arc and he puts more of his influence on it which hopefully will live up to his past shows. Unfortunately that doesn't mean it will stay on the air. I watched the first two episodes of Castle but I didn't really care for it and probably won't bother unless my wife keeps watching it and I have nothing else to do.

I just watched Friday's episode. I agree probably the best so far.

I approve of anything that leaves me yelling at the screen "Fuck you Joss Whedon!" :D

[partofme]

I just watched Friday's episode. I agree probably the best so far.

I approve of anything that leaves me yelling at the screen "Fuck you Joss Whedon!" :D

I liked that it took a darker turn. The guy that was raping one doll sure was a bastard but it also made me think about how what the dollhouse business is doing is really not any better. It's really weird how characters like Topher can be so likable yet are doing such a horrible thing.

[partofme]

Anybody following the new season of Breaking Bad?

[wphelan]

I've recently started watching Big Love. Thanks to Netflix, I'm all the way through season one and just starting season two. It's a pretty good show actually. It's set in Utah and is about a polygamist family. I didn't think that premise sounded all that interesting, but the way it's done it is . They live in mainstream Utah amongst LDS members, so they have to hide their lifestyle. They're also in conflict with the head of the compound of fundamentalist polygamists they broke away from. Having only finished season one, I'd recommend it.

[Donkey]

I've recently started watching Big Love. Thanks to Netflix, I'm all the way through season one and just starting season two. It's a pretty good show actually. It's set in Utah and is about a polygamist family. I didn't think that premise sounded all that interesting, but the way it's done it is . They live in mainstream Utah amongst LDS members, so they have to hide their lifestyle. They're also in conflict with the head of the compound of fundamentalist polygamists they broke away from. Having only finished season one, I'd recommend it.
That's not a reality show, is it?

[wphelan]

That's not a reality show, is it?

Nope, it's an HBO series.

[partofme]

I thought about giving that show a shot but I don't know if I want to commit to anything else.

[The Sister]

In the preview for next week you see Sayid shooting somebody. I'm not sure that sort of thing would be happening so soon though. It seems like things are moving slow. I remember a few episodes ago when Locke saw Ben and I was wondering how awkward that might be. "Hey you murdered me you jerk" would be a fun line to hear.
Looking forward to Wednesday when Locke might actually say that! "Welcome to the land of the living" was a brilliant line full of double entrendre!
You were right about the time difference between Locke, Ben, Sun and the other survivors. But in spite of Sayid's valiant attempt to rid the island of Ben, the future can't change...Did you not love the 'discussion' between Hurley and Miles?

[partofme]

Looking forward to Wednesday when Locke might actually say that! "Welcome to the land of the living" was a brilliant line full of double entrendre!
You were right about the time difference between Locke, Ben, Sun and the other survivors. But in spite of Sayid's valiant attempt to rid the island of Ben, the future can't change...Did you not love the 'discussion' between Hurley and Miles?

That discussion was great and frustrating at the same time. Miles seemed to have it right but Hurley frustrating him was hilarious. I figured Ben did recognize Sayid but didn't say something for one reason or the other but it seems that some how the temple made him forget. I'm absolutely giddy about tomorrow night since it looks like it may answer quite a few questions and will focus on Ben. It's getting towards the end of the season so things should really start to pick up.

[The Sister]

That discussion was great and frustrating at the same time. Miles seemed to have it right but Hurley frustrating him was hilarious. I figured Ben did recognize Sayid but didn't say something for one reason or the other but it seems that some how the temple made him forget. I'm absolutely giddy about tomorrow night since it looks like it may answer quite a few questions and will focus on Ben. It's getting towards the end of the season so things should really start to pick up.

Giddy is right - Ben pays for his 'wrongdoings' yippee :D

[partofme]

Giddy is right - Ben pays for his 'wrongdoings' yippee :D

I don't want him to die though. He is one of my favorite characters. So long as Faraday, Desmond, and Ben live I'm a happy guy. The rest are expendable. I like Hugo but he is only really around for comic relief and to be the voice of the audience and not much else.

[The Sister]

I don't want him to die though. He is one of my favorite characters. So long as Faraday, Desmond, and Ben live I'm a happy guy. The rest are expendable. I like Hugo but he is only really around for comic relief and to be the voice of the audience and not much else.
Where is Faraday anyway? and will you still want Ben to live if he killed Penny?

[partofme]

Where is Faraday anyway? and will you still want Ben to live if he killed Penny?

That's one question that we are all wondering right now. I'm sure the answer will be important. I'm guessing he wants to do something involving time travel.

I wouldn't want Penny to be dead but yes I would still want Ben around. That might make me actually want him around even more so since it will make him seem even more heartless. That's what his character is all about. He's all about fighting for his own agenda no matter what it takes. I'm just not completely certain what that agenda is.

[The Sister]

That's one question that we are all wondering right now. I'm sure the answer will be important. I'm guessing he wants to do something involving time travel.

I wouldn't want Penny to be dead but yes I would still want Ben around. That might make me actually want him around even more so since it will make him seem even more heartless. That's what his character is all about. He's all about fighting for his own agenda no matter what it takes. I'm just not completely certain what that agenda is.

I hear you - he's a good antagonist but I do love to see heartless bastards get theirs every now and again! So I wouldn't want to see him die quickly for instance :D

[partofme]

I hear you - he's a good antagonist but I do love to see heartless bastards get theirs every now and again! So I wouldn't want to see him die quickly for instance :D

I would be with you if there wasn't another season left. It's not that I don't want him to get what he deserves. It's just that I wouldn't want to be without him for the remainder of the show. :)

[partofme]

So what did you think about Ben's encounter with smokie? I think it would be interesting to see Ben following Locke now especially since Locke has in general been sort of a screw up as a leader up until now. I can't wait until we find out what happened to Faraday and for Desmond to get back to the island. I don't really see why he would have a reason to go back though since Penny didn't actually get killed. Then again they figured out a way to explain everybody else wanting to go back.

[Greendruid]

Well, nothing I hadn't seen before in one form or another but Our Daily Bread (http://www.icarusfilms.com/new2006/odb.html)is also an art film. If you haven't seen it, it will make you think about our food systems.

I'll be kind this time. nota bene, This film and even this link are not to be viewed by the squeamish here at DWL.

[partofme]

Well tonight is the two hour season finale of Lost. Prepare to shit bricks.

[Donkey]

Well tonight is the two hour season finale of Lost. Prepare to shit bricks.
BlaH!

Lost is stealing my girlfriend for the evening. :sneaky:


In the meantime I'm trying to catch up on Dollhouse. I went and got 5 episodes behind.

[partofme]

BlaH!

Lost is stealing my girlfriend for the evening. :sneaky:


In the meantime I'm trying to catch up on Dollhouse. I went and got 5 episodes behind.

Overall I liked the first season (maybe the only season) of Dollhouse but it isn't in the same league as Lost although I can understand why some people don't watch it considering you can't miss a episode. I didn't start watching it until last summer but since all of the episodes are on ABC.com it gave me something to do while everything else was in reruns.

[Evangeline]

Countdown with Keith Olbermann, at the moment.

[Donkey]

Just caught up with Dollhouse. Joss Whedon is off the fucking chain.

[partofme]

Just caught up with Dollhouse. Joss Whedon is off the fucking chain.

Did you know that there will be one more episode when it comes out on DVD? Fox cut it one episode short since the last one was set up for the next season which doesn't look good for it's chances of being renewed.

[Multiplum]

Breaking bad is an absolute gem.

[partofme]

Breaking bad is an absolute gem.

Absolutely. Each episode is consistently outstanding.

[Donkey]

Did you know that there will be one more episode when it comes out on DVD? Fox cut it one episode short since the last one was set up for the next season which doesn't look good for it's chances of being renewed.
My understanding was that the cut episode was supposed to be the first one, which fox demanded be redone. I could be wrong.

Either way, I wouldn't at all be surprised if Fox gave it the ax.

[partofme]

My understanding was that the cut episode was supposed to be the first one, which fox demanded be redone. I could be wrong.

Either way, I wouldn't at all be surprised if Fox gave it the ax.

What I don't understand is why they would put a show geared towards a younger audience on Friday night when those very people would more likely be out doing something.

[partofme]

Well Donkey the good news is that Dollhouse has been renewed. The bad news is Whedon had to agree to a drastic cut in the budget. Maybe they could get rid of the Topher guy.

Now if I just find out that Chuck is renewed then I'll be a happy guy.

[Dominick]

Just saw Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.

What. A. Piece. Of. Horseshit.

Sure, the Mayans were not 'going to San Francisco with flowers in their hair' but this is ridiculous. It mashes exclusively the most violent aspects of 1700 years of different cultures (The Aztecs had mass sacrifice, not the Mayans :rolleyes:) into a single location during a couple of days.
Imagine someone shooting a film that had the Holocaust, medieval witch burning, the Crusades and Fred Phelps in a single unity of time and place and call it a portrayal of Christian culture. Hmmm ?
There is indeed a thin line between genius and madness. On which side of the fence Gibson falls with his repetition of psycho-sadistic armageddonistic portrayals of non-Christian cultures seems quite obvious.

[partofme]

Just saw Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.

What. A. Piece. Of. Horseshit.

Sure, the Mayans were not 'going to San Francisco with flowers in their hair' but this is ridiculous. It mashes exclusively the most violent aspects of 1700 years of different cultures (The Aztecs had mass sacrifice, not the Mayans :rolleyes:) into a single location during a couple of days.
Imagine someone shooting a film that had the Holocaust, medieval witch burning, the Crusades and Fred Phelps in a single unity of time and place and call it a portrayal of Christian culture. Hmmm ?
There is indeed a thin line between genius and madness. On which side of the fence Gibson falls with his repetition of psycho-sadistic armageddonistic portrayals of non-Christian cultures seems quite obvious.


This was his first movie after The Passion of the Christ and I think he had so much fun making a ultra violent torture and murder fest that he looked for a way to get to do it again. It happened to be on Stars last night and I watched the last twenty minutes or so and I was amazed at how fat he took it.

[Donkey]

Well Donkey the good news is that Dollhouse has been renewed. The bad news is Whedon had to agree to a drastic cut in the budget. Maybe they could get rid of the Topher guy.

Ah well. The magic is from the writing anyway... I like Topher, and he's pretty integral: he'd be tough to get rid of.
Just saw Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.

What. A. Piece. Of. Horseshit.

Sure, the Mayans were not 'going to San Francisco with flowers in their hair' but this is ridiculous. It mashes exclusively the most violent aspects of 1700 years of different cultures (The Aztecs had mass sacrifice, not the Mayans :rolleyes:) into a single location during a couple of days.
Imagine someone shooting a film that had the Holocaust, medieval witch burning, the Crusades and Fred Phelps in a single unity of time and place and call it a portrayal of Christian culture. Hmmm ?
There is indeed a thin line between genius and madness. On which side of the fence Gibson falls with his repetition of psycho-sadistic armageddonistic portrayals of non-Christian cultures seems quite obvious.
I have no interest in seeing that or the Passion.

[Michael]

Imagine someone shooting a film that had the Holocaust, medieval witch burning, the Crusades and Fred Phelps in a single unity of time and place and call it a portrayal of Christian culture. Hmmm ?
There is indeed a thin line between genius and madness.

Actually those things are related but no... I better not comment on this. I have a hard time dodging the 'madness' label sometimes. :D

[partofme]

Actually those things are related but no... I better not comment on this. I have a hard time dodging the 'madness' label sometimes. :D

And now Chuck has been renewed. Now I'm complete.

[Margot]

So, the pilot for a new Showtime series called "Nurse Jackie" has been released on youtube and netflix. I thought it would be kitschy, but in my Fringe slump I wanted something to watch.
Can't lie, I think that show is going to be phenomenal.

[partofme]

So, the pilot for a new Showtime series called "Nurse Jackie" has been released on youtube and netflix. I thought it would be kitschy, but in my Fringe slump I wanted something to watch.
Can't lie, I think that show is going to be phenomenal.

It will be on after Weeds so I'm sure I'll give it a shot.

[partofme]

I had some free time so I went ahead and just watched it online. It was really good. If Weeds is as week as it was last season I think they should move Nurse Jackie to the earlier slot.

[The Drunk Guy]

Did anyone get into Kings on NBC? I watched a few episodes and thought it was pretty interesting. I like that it's a modern fantasy with all sorts of political escapades and the fellow playing King Silas is an awesome actor. I think it got nixed, but I want to at least finish the season on Hulu.

[The Drunk Guy]

Just saw Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.

What. A. Piece. Of. Horseshit.

Sure, the Mayans were not 'going to San Francisco with flowers in their hair' but this is ridiculous. It mashes exclusively the most violent aspects of 1700 years of different cultures (The Aztecs had mass sacrifice, not the Mayans :rolleyes:) into a single location during a couple of days.
Imagine someone shooting a film that had the Holocaust, medieval witch burning, the Crusades and Fred Phelps in a single unity of time and place and call it a portrayal of Christian culture. Hmmm ?
There is indeed a thin line between genius and madness. On which side of the fence Gibson falls with his repetition of psycho-sadistic armageddonistic portrayals of non-Christian cultures seems quite obvious.What I got from the shot of the boats arriving was a, "You just thought you had it rough before." ;)

[Dominick]

What I got from the shot of the boats arriving was a, "You just thought you had it rough before." ;)
Yeah, that should have been the last line: Whatsisname saying "Now the shit will really hit the fan". :)

[Margot]

I had some free time so I went ahead and just watched it online. It was really good. If Weeds is as week as it was last season I think they should move Nurse Jackie to the earlier slot.

I could never get into Weeds. I just couldn't get a character who could look at her son-- a boy who intentionally got his girlfriend pregnant for totally selfish reasons-- and still call him a "good kid".

[Michael]

I could never get into Weeds. I just couldn't get a character who could look at her son-- a boy who intentionally got his girlfriend pregnant for totally selfish reasons-- and still call him a "good kid".
Isn't analyzing the morality of tv characters a moral cesspool to begin with?

Or to put it another way, isn't it just a bit arbitrary to pick on one example of idiot morality from a tv show without paying attention to the idiot morality on display in EVERY tv show?

[Margot]

Isn't analyzing the morality of tv characters a moral cesspool to begin with?

Or to put it another way, isn't it just a bit arbitrary to pick on one example of idiot morality from a tv show without paying attention to the idiot morality on display in EVERY tv show?

Yes. But that's a huge problem for me anyway. I was watching my favorite show yesterday (X-files, shuddup), but I got so angry with a doctor's need to argue with some military guy as his patient went into shock that I had to shut the show off.

I don't really watch TV any more for that reason.

[partofme]

Yes. But that's a huge problem for me anyway. I was watching my favorite show yesterday (X-files, shuddup), but I got so angry with a doctor's need to argue with some military guy as his patient went into shock that I had to shut the show off.

I don't really watch TV any more for that reason.

I tend to watch quite a few shows on HBO and Showtime and almost none of those characters are saints.

[The Drunk Guy]

I tend to watch quite a few shows on HBO and Showtime and almost none of those characters are saints.
I believe shady morality adds to the reality of the show and HBO and Showtime shows are the best for that. Now, don't get me wrong, I know all those shows are ridiculously outlandish. I just feel that the characters and their reactions to the outlandish story are more accurate than, say, the X-Files characters.

Again, morality is subjective at best. ;)

[Margot]

I believe shady morality adds to the reality of the show and HBO and Showtime shows are the best for that. Now, don't get me wrong, I know all those shows are ridiculously outlandish. I just feel that the characters and their reactions to the outlandish story are more accurate than, say, the X-Files characters.

Again, morality is subjective at best. ;)

Like Dead Like Me? I adore that show.

I think the difference between good immorality and bad immorality (IMO) in TV is the intentional quality of some opposed to what seems more like an oversight. Weeds immorality felt contrived to me, but other shows like early Six Feet Under or Dead Like Me or Nurse Jackie feels more real.

But yeah, whatever. Like I said, I don't watch TV for good reason (: I'm insane).

[partofme]

I believe shady morality adds to the reality of the show and HBO and Showtime shows are the best for that. Now, don't get me wrong, I know all those shows are ridiculously outlandish. I just feel that the characters and their reactions to the outlandish story are more accurate than, say, the X-Files characters.

Again, morality is subjective at best. ;)

I was also thinking about my favorite show Lost and how every single character has a major ethical flaw. Jack has major addiction issues and is very obsessive about his x wife, Kate killed her step father, Sawyer is a con man, Sayid is a assassin and tortured people, Jin worked for his mobster father-in-law, Charlie was a drug addict, Michael murdered two people in cold blood to try and save his son, Ana Lucia killed a guy out of revenge, and Eko was a warlord in Africa. There are many others I could name but the point with these are that they are thought of as the good guys on the show.

[partofme]

I saw this on the A.V. Club blog and it made me think about this discussion about characters that are the protagonists but are sort of bad themselves.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/tvs-antihero-era-enters-its-second-decade,28971/

[The Drunk Girl]

Anyone watched Dexter? I just added the first two seasons on Netflix and I figured I would give it a go after I finished up with another show I am watching.

[wphelan]

Anyone watched Dexter? I just added the first two seasons on Netflix and I figured I would give it a go after I finished up with another show I am watching.

I'm a big fan. I blew through the first two seasons on netflix a few months ago and watched the third season on amazon a couple weeks ago.

[The Drunk Girl]

I'm a big fan. I blew through the first two seasons on netflix a few months ago and watched the third season on amazon a couple weeks ago.

Thank you. You're always a help:)

I might start on it today.

[wphelan]

I had some free time so I went ahead and just watched it online. It was really good. If Weeds is as week as it was last season I think they should move Nurse Jackie to the earlier slot.

What did you think of the season premiere of Weeds? I think they kind of lost their way last season with the move out of Agrestic. The writers didn't seem to know where to take the show. I thought the season premiere was pretty good though, so I'm optimistic for this season.

[partofme]

What did you think of the season premiere of Weeds? I think they kind of lost their way last season with the move out of Agrestic. The writers didn't seem to know where to take the show. I thought the season premiere was pretty good though, so I'm optimistic for this season.


It wasn't bad. I completely agree about last season though. I probably wouldn't have gotten through the whole thing if it wasn't on during the summer when nothing else is on.

[Non Sequitur]

Tell us about your favorite television shows...

currently catching up on the season of Lost that i missed.

[The Drunk Girl]

Hey the priest and Carmella finally got to fuck

[partofme]

currently catching up on the season of Lost that i missed.

Are you talking about the one that just ended? I almost wish I had waited until that whole show was finished before starting it. I hate waiting for a new season.

[Non Sequitur]

Are you talking about the one that just ended? I almost wish I had waited until that whole show was finished before starting it. I hate waiting for a new season.

Yes i am. I was too busy to watch this newest season.

[partofme]

Yes i am. I was too busy to watch this newest season.

I prefer watching it the way you did. I just got into the show last summer and watched the first four seasons on ABC's website. Waiting for a new episode each week during this last season was unbearable.

[Michael]

An old friend popped up with the complete series of I Claudius on DVD for me (I had mentioned that I loved that series to him in a conversation a while back). It is a twelve part series. I watched it many years ago and loved it. Watching it again now, I'm even more impressed than I was the first time I saw it twenty years ago.

This series was produced by the BBC back in 1976. The costumes and the sets might be a little less oppulent than more contemporary productions, but the quality of the script and the acting is truly spectacular and nothing like the crap that is normally made nowadays. The BBC-CBC production of The Tutors is a good example for a current comparision. That series is pretty good, but compared to I Claudius, it is second rate.

Anyway, seen 6 of the 12 parts of the series and I really have to stop myself from just watching it right through! :)

I suppose I should add that a rather youngish Patrick Steward (Captain Picard from STNG) shows up as Sejanus - who is Tiberius' hatchetman. :D

[Non Sequitur]

my other show is Kings on NBC. It's a modern retelling of the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel from the Bible (the Saul and David story). Pretty good if i do say so myself.

[Lily]

Like Dead Like Me? I adore that show.



What a great show! The sarcasm, brooding teen, drug-addled Brit, macabre deaths and Mandy Pantinkin? What's not to love? :D

I haven't seen Nurse Jackie. I don't get the premium channels. My friend, Dustin, says I have to see it. Someone mentioned one could see episodes online?

[Greendruid]

Managed to squeeze in parts of The Princess Bride a couple of weeks back.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!"

I love that shit!

[drgoodtrips]

Speaking of Mandy Patinkin :cool:

[Michael]

I haven't seen Nurse Jackie. I don't get the premium channels. My friend, Dustin, says I have to see it. Someone mentioned one could see episodes online?

Hula probably. Partofme is the expert on that! :D

Or perhaps YouTube.

[Margot]

Managed to squeeze in parts of The Princess Bride a couple of weeks back.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!"

I love that shit!

best. movie. ever.

[Michael]

I've been watching the HBO series of Rome on dvd season sets. I've got the first two seasons given to me and I'm about halfway through the first season.

It is a surprisingly good series (so far) dealing with the career of Julius Caesar. Typical for series of this type, the sets, costumes and cast are all remarkably beautiful. Oddly enough, the nudity (full frontal males & females) in the series seems gratuitous and forced, like it was just thrown in as an extra or afterthought to the primary dramatic production of the series.

I'm quite impressed with how well they are doing the politics and capturing the contrast (and politics) of the patricians and the plebians that is critical to understanding the rise of Caesar.

For example, whenever you see the Senate, you see a really big block of the 'conservatives' (Cassius, Cato & Brutus) on the left of the curule chair and a big block of 'moderates' in the middle (led by Cicero) and the smaller block of the 'Caesarians' (i.e. the 'populares') sitting there on the right looking rather outnumbered all the time.

This is 'historically inaccurate' in that the Roman Senate certainly did not sit in such party blocks at all - that's a modern convention. But for a television series, it works very well to visually convey the political reality that such 'factions' certainly did exist and their relative numbers in a way that is obvious to modern viewers. They even managed to show how the office of Tribune and the 'tribunary veto' functioned! I only wish more historical dramas could show that kind of 'quality' production. :thumbsup:

[dilettante]

I've been watching the HBO series of Rome on dvd season sets. I've got the first two seasons given to me and I'm about halfway through the first season.

It is a surprisingly good series (so far) dealing with the career of Julius Caesar. Typical for series of this type, the sets, costumes and cast are all remarkably beautiful. Oddly enough, the nudity (full frontal males & females) in the series seems gratuitous and forced, like it was just thrown in as an extra or afterthought to the primary dramatic production of the series.

I'm quite impressed with how well they are doing the politics and capturing the contrast (and politics) of the patricians and the plebians that is critical to understanding the rise of Caesar.

For example, whenever you see the Senate, you see a really big block of the 'conservatives' (Cassius, Cato & Brutus) on the left of the curule chair and a big block of 'moderates' in the middle (led by Cicero) and the smaller block of the 'Caesarians' (i.e. the 'populares') sitting there on the right looking rather outnumbered all the time.

This is 'historically inaccurate' in that the Roman Senate certainly did not sit in such party blocks at all - that's a modern convention. But for a television series, it works very well to visually convey the political reality that such 'factions' certainly did exist and their relative numbers in a way that is obvious to modern viewers. They even managed to show how the office of Tribune and the 'tribunary veto' functioned! I only wish more historical dramas could show that kind of 'quality' production. :thumbsup:

I saw the first season and some of the second and liked it for the most part. Then life got busy and I never came back to it. I agree that the nudity does seem to be pointlessly and repeatedly in your face.

[Margot]

All of my life I've dreamed of finding someone who thinks like I do. Just to know that there's some oddball out there who looks at religion and says "that's shit" for the same reasons I do, and who looks at feminism and says "you're doing it wrong: here's how it really works" and who looks at morality and good and evil and right-doing and all of that good stuff like I do.

I found him. Finally. Joss Whedon's Firefly is sort of my new alpha and omega. Especially when followed up with Serenity. Holysweetbabyjesus, it's absolutely beautiful. That's what I've been watching.

That and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I don't think is very good (too diluted).

[The Drunk Guy]

All of my life I've dreamed of finding someone who thinks like I do. Just to know that there's some oddball out there who looks at religion and says "that's shit" for the same reasons I do, and who looks at feminism and says "you're doing it wrong: here's how it really works" and who looks at morality and good and evil and right-doing and all of that good stuff like I do.

I found him. Finally. Joss Whedon's Firefly is sort of my new alpha and omega. Especially when followed up with Serenity. Holysweetbabyjesus, it's absolutely beautiful. That's what I've been watching.

That and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I don't think is very good (too diluted).
Buffy was silly, but I really did enjoy what I've seen of Firefly. Serenity was good, but it would have served better as a start of a series of films rather than the end of the show.
I've been watching the HBO series of Rome on dvd season sets. I've got the first two seasons given to me and I'm about halfway through the first season.

It is a surprisingly good series (so far) dealing with the career of Julius Caesar. Typical for series of this type, the sets, costumes and cast are all remarkably beautiful. Oddly enough, the nudity (full frontal males & females) in the series seems gratuitous and forced, like it was just thrown in as an extra or afterthought to the primary dramatic production of the series.

I'm quite impressed with how well they are doing the politics and capturing the contrast (and politics) of the patricians and the plebians that is critical to understanding the rise of Caesar.

For example, whenever you see the Senate, you see a really big block of the 'conservatives' (Cassius, Cato & Brutus) on the left of the curule chair and a big block of 'moderates' in the middle (led by Cicero) and the smaller block of the 'Caesarians' (i.e. the 'populares') sitting there on the right looking rather outnumbered all the time.

This is 'historically inaccurate' in that the Roman Senate certainly did not sit in such party blocks at all - that's a modern convention. But for a television series, it works very well to visually convey the political reality that such 'factions' certainly did exist and their relative numbers in a way that is obvious to modern viewers. They even managed to show how the office of Tribune and the 'tribunary veto' functioned! I only wish more historical dramas could show that kind of 'quality' production. :thumbsup:
We watched the first two episodes just the other day. I was surprised that it was going to be an accurate show. I had assumed it was going to be less serious, but I suppose serious is hard to pull off when dealing with the larger-than-life personalities like Marcus Antonius.

[Michael]

... with the larger-than-life personalities like Marcus Antonius.

Actually, I've been meaning to research that particular fellow and why he is always mentioned as "Mark Anthony" which is quite unusual for famous Roman names. Shakespeare may be to blame.

I doubt Mark Anthony was an actual descendent of the Antonii as that was a very illustrious family in ancient Rome - and Mark Anthony wasn't patrician, he was of the equestrian class (like Pompey Magnus, Marius and Cicero).

Note: Roman aristocracy is called "patrician", the middle class are "equestrian" and the rest are "plebians" (aka "plebes"). The class positions were defined by birth/family, not necessarily wealth.

[The Drunk Girl]

The nudity in Rome in those two episodes were a bit overkill in my opinion. It seemed like almost every scene had to show some tits or someone fucking. Was it really necessary to show Marc Antony having sex with a woman propped up against a tree, while his men stood around?:ummm:

[Michael]

The nudity in Rome in those two episodes were a bit overkill in my opinion. It seemed like almost every scene had to show some tits or someone fucking. Was it really necessary to show Marc Antony having sex with a woman propped up against a tree, while his men stood around?:ummm:

Actually, that was one of the few scenes that I didn't consider 'gratuitous nudity'. That scene actually helps to define Mark Anthony's character as that of a 'low-class brute'.

[The Drunk Girl]

Actually, that was one of the few scenes that I didn't consider 'gratuitous nudity'. That scene actually helps to define Mark Anthony's character as that of a 'low-class brute'.

I suppose you could be right there. But, between him and Caesar's niece, Atia whoring around there was enough sex for everyone :lol:

[Michael]

I suppose you could be right there. But, between him and Caesar's niece, Atia whoring around there was enough sex for everyone :lol:
The decadent morality of people like Mark Anthony and Atia of the Julii is symbolic of the decadence and degeneration of the ruling Roman aristocracy of the time (who were all lying, cheating and stealing their ways to fabulous fortunes in the late Republic era).

The Republic was built on the political values of honor, modesty and integrity and needed those values to function. With people like Mark Anthony and Atia of the Julii (amongst many others) its pretty obvious that the Republic was ultimately dead and that the imperium was the only real political option available.

Btw, Atia of the Julii would be Gaius Julius Caesar's sister-in-law.

[The Drunk Girl]

Btw, Atia of the Julii would be Gaius Julius Caesar's sister-in-law.

I thought she sent Octavian with the white horse for his "great-uncle" therefore making Atia Caesar's niece, right?

On a different note...yesterday I watched a nice little documentary called The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=9864907). It's about the marijuana industry and for pretty obvious reasons why it should become legal (or better yet, asking why it was made illegal to begin with). I'm not great with giving a plot synopsis so maybe the trailer will be enough to get you to watch it. If anyone has Netflix, it's on the Instant Play.

[Michael]

I thought she sent Octavian with the white horse for his "great-uncle" therefore making Atia Caesar's niece, right?
Good point - but Octavian is Julius Caesar's actual nephew by blood, not 'great-nephew'.

Perhaps the script said "your great uncle" meaning an uncle who happens to be a great man?

Btw, I've been watching the 2nd season now and boy-oh-boy are they doing a number on Octavian!!! :eek:

They are making him out to be the biggest monster of them all, which is truly bizarre to anyone who has actually studied the history of the period - Octavian is the one of the few of that era who had any principles at all. He truly was a great man where so many others only desired their own fame and fortune. Seems odd for them to portray Octavian as a cold-hearted bastard willing to kill anyone who was in his way.

They even have Mark Anthony acting surprised at how murderous Octavian is. That's fucking bizarre since historians rarely ever have a kind word to say about Mark Anthony.

On a different note...yesterday I watched a nice little documentary called The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=9864907). It's about the marijuana industry and for pretty obvious reasons why it should become legal (or better yet, asking why it was made illegal to begin with). I'm not great with giving a plot synopsis so maybe the trailer will be enough to get you to watch it. If anyone has Netflix, it's on the Instant Play.
The original campaign in the 1920s to make pot illegal was almost entirely financed by the oil industry fearing hemp being used as ethanol fuel. Since that time, the primary corporate interest in keeping it illegal is the pharmaceutical industry and the military-police-prison complex.

[The Drunk Girl]

The original campaign in the 1920s to make pot illegal was almost entirely financed by the oil industry fearing hemp being used as ethanol fuel. Since that time, the primary corporate interest in keeping it illegal is the pharmaceutical industry and the military-police-prison complex.

Exactly. The movie talked about how state economies are going bankrupt from all the money being put into prisons and the war on drugs (mainly being pot). The state of Texas, for example, has built 77 prisons in the past 20 years and most of the inmates are in there for small possessions. In Canada, 4/5 billion dollars spent on the war v. drugs was used marijuana while the other billion was for the hard drugs. Funny, huh?

[Michael]

I just watched a documentary called "The Money Masters" 1996.

Very interesting... about the history of fractional reserve banking and all the damage it has done to the economy for almost a century.

It looks particularly prescient in light of the great crash of 2008/09.

Highly recommended - though it is pretty heavy going and very dry - exactly my kind of documentary! Lots of quoted references from people like Milton Friedman and Theodore Rooseveldt, amongst countless others.

Extremely complicated topic... this documentary has really given me some things to think about. :ummm:

[wphelan]

I just watched a documentary called "The Money Masters" 1996.

Very interesting... about the history of fractional reserve banking and all the damage it has done to the economy for almost a century.

It looks particularly prescient in light of the great crash of 2008/09.

Highly recommended - though it is pretty heavy going and very dry - exactly my kind of documentary! Lots of quoted references from people like Milton Friedman and Theodore Rooseveldt, amongst countless others.

Extremely complicated topic... this documentary has really given me some things to think about. :ummm:

I've been hinting that I want to make a post in the banking thread about central banking, and fractional reserve banking is certainly a part of the topic. It's such a big issue, and I've been unexpectedly short of time lately, so I haven't gotten around to it.

However, I've been doing a lot of reading about banking over the last year, and it's raised a lot of issues I'd never considered before. A fair amount of it's critical of fractional reserve banking. This documentary sounds pretty interesting, and exactly like the kind of thing I've been reading about. I'm definitely going to have to check it out.

[Michael]

I'm watching season three of The Tudors (http://www.sho.com/site/tudors/home.do).

Season two ended with the natural death of the 'annuled' Queen Catherine and the chopping of 'divorced' Anne Boleyn's head. :lol:

Season three begins with marriage #3 to Jane Seymour. She's due to give birth to Henry's official heir - Edward VI - and die in childbirth.

Very good show even if I do know what's going to happen every step of the way! ;)

[Zarquon]

I'm watching season three of The Tudors (http://www.sho.com/site/tudors/home.do).

Season two ended with the natural death of the 'annuled' Queen Catherine and the chopping of 'divorced' Anne Boleyn's head. :lol:

Season three begins with marriage #3 to Jane Seymour. She's due to give birth to Henry's official heir - Edward VI - and die in childbirth.

Very good show even if I do know what's going to happen every step of the way! ;)
Aren't you put off by the inaccuracy and sensationalism?

Personally, I don't see the point of following this or that tv show, they all just go on indefinitely unless they have to close down due to ratings or actors leaving; very rarely dose one get some mature narrative and plot resolution. Heroes and LOST being exemplary of the kind of show I'm referring to. Don't even bother with fluff like Friends or whatever nonsense thats created solely for advertising revenue.

[The Drunk Girl]

Aren't you put off by the inaccuracy and sensationalism?

Personally, I don't see the point of following this or that tv show, they all just go on indefinitely unless they have to close down due to ratings or actors leaving; very rarely dose one get some mature narrative and plot resolution. Heroes and LOST being exemplary of the kind of show I'm referring to. Don't even bother with fluff like Friends or whatever nonsense thats created solely for advertising revenue.

Heroes looks pretty rough so far this season. I'm going to give another episode or two in hopes it will pick up like it did a few seasons back. If not, I guess I will stick to Dexter, Californication, and It's Always Sunny

[Michael]

Aren't you put off by the inaccuracy and sensationalism?
Generally yes.

However, this production is a joint production of Showcase and CBC and is filmed in Ireland. Ergo, it isn't American-Hollywood and thus it isn't particularly sensationalist or inaccurate.

CBC is like the BBC - they generally don't butcher history with bullshit.

I've complimented this series previously for being remarkably accurate in historical setting. I stand by that assessment. I've studied the Tudor dynasty fairly closely so I'm particularly familiar with the historical context.

Much like the Rome series I might add - historically first class stuff that impresses the heck out of me.

Personally, I don't see the point of following this or that tv show, they all just go on indefinitely unless they have to close down due to ratings or actors leaving; very rarely dose one get some mature narrative and plot resolution. Heroes and LOST being exemplary of the kind of show I'm referring to. Don't even bother with fluff like Friends or whatever nonsense thats created solely for advertising revenue.
I think you are talking about apples and oranges here.

Tudors or Rome are Showcase-made dramatic series based on history. The other shows you mention are just US network primetime fodder. Big difference in production value, quality, script and plot. :shrug:

As a general rule, I don't watch much television at all beyond the 6 o'clock news. I certainly don't follow any shows like Lost or Heros (I loathe both of those shows in particular!).

[partofme]

I'm watching a few shows right now but not as much since I'm so busy with work. Curb Your Enthusiasm and Mad Men are probably my favorites at the moment. Really it's all just killing time until the final season of Lost starts in January.

[Greendruid]

We've started into the first season of Torchwood. I'm a Doctor Who geek from my early childhood. Friends of ours have season 1&2 on DVD and are PVR taping the 3rd as we speak. I have to say the first two episodes were quite entertaining. And I love Wales!

[partofme]

We've started into the first season of Torchwood. I'm a Doctor Who geek from my early childhood. Friends of ours have season 1&2 on DVD and are PVR taping the 3rd as we speak. I have to say the first two episodes were quite entertaining. And I love Wales!

The first two seasons are great. Children of Earth was also really good.

[Michael]

Funny thing I noticed while watching the latest episode of The Tudors last night.

As is my habit, I tend to pay attention to the commericals. And what amused me was that the two principle advertisers for this show were both high-end vacuum cleaner companies (Dysan and Bissell).

I'm thinking the show's demographics are heavily skewed to an upscale female viewership given the advertiser's interest. :shrug:

[The Drunk Girl]

I just finished Nurse Jackie from Showtime On-Demand. I'm pleased :)

And, Michael don't start talking about vacuum cleaners. That shit tears me up

[The Drunk Guy]

Funny thing I noticed while watching the latest episode of The Tudors last night.

As is my habit, I tend to pay attention to the commericals. And what amused me was that the two principle advertisers for this show were both high-end vacuum cleaner companies (Dysan and Bissell).

I'm thinking the show's demographics are heavily skewed to an upscale female viewership given the advertiser's interest. :shrug:
I've seen some of the first season, and, to be honest, the male leads are a bit too limp-wristed for most men to care about.

[Michael]

I've seen some of the first season, and, to be honest, the male leads are a bit too limp-wristed for most men to care about.
Yes, I agree. Both of the two principal male characters (Henry himself and Charles Brandon, Duke of Sussex) are both cut in the 'Brad Pitt' pretty boy style that is most popular with women and gay men. I don't know the name of the actors (and can't be bothered to look them up). There are lots of very beautiful women as well (Ayn Boleyn and Jane Seymour characters are both stunningly beautiful).

Overall, I do find the series to be rather too pretty - everyone in the whole series is seems beautiful and immaculately dressed. Early 16th century England wasn't exactly known for this to say the least! :lol:

[partofme]

I just finished Nurse Jackie from Showtime On-Demand. I'm pleased :)

And, Michael don't start talking about vacuum cleaners. That shit tears me up

That's a great show.

[Michael]

Well, Season 3 of the Tudors seems rather lame and overblown compared to the first two seasons.

Season 2 ended with Anne Bolelyn's head rolling. The Pilgramage of Grace stuff was handled pretty well, but the whole Anne of Cleves stuff is cringe-inducing.

Also, this period of time also lines up with the downfall of Thomas Cromwell, which is one of Henry VIII's greatest errors of his reign. The show doesn't depict this as anything but a 'victory' against some upstart commoner. According to the history books, Thomas Cromwell was the brain that made the entire Tudor dynasty government function. Probably the greatest civil servant in English history - but he's just some corrupt commoner to be despised in this show. Quite disappointing.

In any study of the reign of Henry VIII, there are three periods. In the first period, the kingdom was ruled quite capably by Cardinal Woolsey. In the second period (Henry's greatest) the kingdom was ruled brilliantly by Thomas Cromwell. In the third period, the kingdom was ruled directly by Henry VIII and it was a complete mess. This element of history is completely lacking in the series.

Hopefully Catherine Howard will arrive soon enough - she was a wanton slut who honestly deserved the axe. That should liven things up a bit since her family is one of the oldest and most prestigious families in England at the time. :)

(sidenote: the Howard line of Dukes of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshals of England since the 16th century is presently on its last son-less holder)

I still don't know if this series intends to continue - if it does, that could be interesting with the short reigns of the protestant-extremist teenaged Edward VI followed by the reign of 'Lady Jane Gray, nine days queen' then the catholic-extremist [Bloody] Mary. That was a furious and bloody decade of ill-governance. Then comes my beloved Elizabeth the Great.

[Zarquon]

Well, Season 3 of the Tudors seems rather lame and overblown compared to the first two seasons.

Season 2 ended with Anne Bolelyn's head rolling. The Pilgramage of Grace stuff was handled pretty well, but the whole Anne of Cleves stuff is cringe-inducing.

Also, this period of time also lines up with the downfall of Thomas Cromwell, which is one of Henry VIII's greatest errors of his reign. The show doesn't depict this as anything but a 'victory' against some upstart commoner. According to the history books, Thomas Cromwell was the brain that made the entire Tudor dynasty government function. Probably the greatest civil servant in English history - but he's just some corrupt commoner to be despised in this show. Quite disappointing.

In any study of the reign of Henry VIII, there are three periods. In the first period, the kingdom was ruled quite capably by Cardinal Woolsey. In the second period (Henry's greatest) the kingdom was ruled brilliantly by Thomas Cromwell. In the third period, the kingdom was ruled directly by Henry VIII and it was a complete mess. This element of history is completely lacking in the series.

Hopefully Catherine Howard will arrive soon enough - she was a wanton slut who honestly deserved the axe. That should liven things up a bit since her family is one of the oldest and most prestigious families in England at the time. :)

(sidenote: the Howard line of Dukes of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshals of England since the 16th century is presently on its last son-less holder)

I still don't know if this series intends to continue - if it does, that could be interesting with the short reigns of the protestant-extremist teenaged Edward VI followed by the reign of 'Lady Jane Gray, nine days queen' then the catholic-extremist [Bloody] Mary. That was a furious and bloody decade of ill-governance. Then comes my beloved Elizabeth the Great.
I think I mentioned something about inaccurate and sensationalist t.v. shows a while back;)

[Michael]

I think I mentioned something about inaccurate and sensationalist t.v. shows a while back;)

Compared to anything ever made in the USA, this is first class quality history.

That I might quibble with some elements has more to do with the fact that I'm somewhat of an unofficial expert on 16th century England and the Tudor dynasty.

As I've already noted, the Rome series from Showcase is probably the finest quality history I've ever seen on screen.

The bastardization of history on film seems to be a particularly American passion, not something integral to the art of filming historical subjects.

[The Drunk Guy]

Compared to anything ever made in the USA, this is first class quality history.

That I might quibble with some elements has more to do with the fact that I'm somewhat of an unofficial expert on 16th century England and the Tudor dynasty.

As I've already noted, the Rome series from Showcase is probably the finest quality history I've ever seen on screen.

The bastardization of history on film seems to be a particularly American passion, not something integral to the art of filming historical subjects.
By the way, I've just started Rome Season 2. I love the show and I love the twists and turns that have taken it to a dark place after the murder of Julius Caesar. My favorite parts are the stories of Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus. It was a great way for the writers to include all aspects of Roman culture and I enjoy the clever ways they work them up and down the social ladder.

[Donkey]

All I ever watch these days is family guy reruns.

[Michael]

By the way, I've just started Rome Season 2. I love the show and I love the twists and turns that have taken it to a dark place after the murder of Julius Caesar. My favorite parts are the stories of Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus. It was a great way for the writers to include all aspects of Roman culture and I enjoy the clever ways they work them up and down the social ladder.
Indeed - I really love the show for the same reason. I really like the way the different social classes are depicted - that is so realistic and totally missing from most other historical pieces.

And yes, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus are a very interesting pair to center the narrative around.

In case you are curious, Lucius Vorenus is of the 'old-school' - he's of the old yeoman peasant class (means they own their farmland) who were always the backbone of the Roman Army. Titus Pullo is of the 'new-school' - he's of the ever-growing landless peasant class that was becoming dominant in the Army due to the almost extinct yeoman farmer class (that Vorenus represents).

I also like the way they depicted Julius Caesar as one with 'progressive' political ideals. That is instrumental in understanding who Caesar was and why he was so popular at the time (and the Senate was not).

[Michael]

All I ever watch these days is family guy reruns.

:eek: I loathe that show. I find it too moronic to be funny. Many have recommended that I watch the show (knowing I love the Simpsons) but the show has none of the intelligent political humor/satire of Simpsons.

[Donkey]

:eek: I loathe that show. I find it too moronic to be funny.
Hmm. It hits just the right note for me. I'm relatively neutral on the Simpsons (well, neutral leaning positive), and I really don't like South Park, but Family Guy clicks for me.

[Michael]

Hmm. It hits just the right note for me. I'm relatively neutral on the Simpsons (well, neutral leaning positive), and I really don't like South Park, but Family Guy clicks for me.
I do like South Park, though I'd consider it second best to the Simpsons (which is masterful).

South Park likes to do political satire, but they seem to want to 'pose' with political themes to be cool rather than actually represent or satirize them (like the Simpsons does).

I find Family Guy is more similar to South Park - wanting to make political statements, but only because they think that's cool - there's no substance to these political statements (and thus, it is just pandering to the audience).

And I most certainly have noticed that Family Guy and South Park definitely swing more to the rightwing in politics. Simpsons is pure liberalism.

Indeed, that's what surprises me most about your passion for Family Guy. That show seems to be particularly popular with those kind of guys who are obsessed with, and proud of, calling themselves 'politically uncorrect' (though they are always politically correct to the rightwing talking points).

[Zarquon]

I do like South Park, though I'd consider it second best to the Simpsons (which is masterful).

South Park likes to do political satire, but they seem to want to 'pose' with political themes to be cool rather than actually represent or satirize them (like the Simpsons does).

I find Family Guy is more similar to South Park - wanting to make political statements, but only because they think that's cool - there's no substance to these political statements (and thus, it is just pandering to the audience).

And I most certainly have noticed that Family Guy and South Park definitely swing more to the rightwing in politics. Simpsons is pure liberalism.

Indeed, that's what surprises me most about your passion for Family Guy. That show seems to be particularly popular with those kind of guys who are obsessed with, and proud of, calling themselves 'politically uncorrect' (though they are always politically correct to the rightwing talking points).
Newsflash! Family Guy spoofs rightwing idiocy, and is far more liberal than the Simpsons. Especially considering Seth McFarlane's admitting as much in GQ and other magazines.
Though, I agree its rather lame, especially South Park(creators are libertarians).
And the Simpsons gets tiresome after a while as well, which is why I keep off t.v. in the first place.

[The Drunk Guy]

Indeed - I really love the show for the same reason. I really like the way the different social classes are depicted - that is so realistic and totally missing from most other historical pieces.

And yes, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus are a very interesting pair to center the narrative around.

In case you are curious, Lucius Vorenus is of the 'old-school' - he's of the old yeoman peasant class (means they own their farmland) who were always the backbone of the Roman Army. Titus Pullo is of the 'new-school' - he's of the ever-growing landless peasant class that was becoming dominant in the Army due to the almost extinct yeoman farmer class (that Vorenus represents).

I also like the way they depicted Julius Caesar as one with 'progressive' political ideals. That is instrumental in understanding who Caesar was and why he was so popular at the time (and the Senate was not).
Interestingly, I noticed on the Wiki page that Pullo and Vorenus are actually named in Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War. I will have to check that out sometime to see what the reference was. Plus, I hear it's a good read for historians and politicos.

My favorite part of Caesar's depiction was how it was never truly clear whether he cared for the Republic or if he was just power hungry. Excellent writing that was very well thought. I can tell with Season 2 that that same question creates much inner-doubt in all of the characters.

Speaking of ambiguously decent leaders of Italian descent, what do you think of The Sopranos?

[Michael]

Interestingly, I noticed on the Wiki page that Pullo and Vorenus are actually named in Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War. I will have to check that out sometime to see what the reference was. Plus, I hear it's a good read for historians and politicos.
I have a copy of it on my bookshelf. ;)

I didn't know about the reference - I'll check it out. Caesar's commentary on his campaigns in Gaul are considered a masterpiece of history as they are actually written by him (dictated to scribes no doubt). Interestingly, Caesar narrates in the third person - referring to himself as "Caesar did this, or Caser did that".

My favorite part of Caesar's depiction was how it was never truly clear whether he cared for the Republic or if he was just power hungry. Excellent writing that was very well thought. I can tell with Season 2 that that same question creates much inner-doubt in all of the characters.
Yes, this is very true. As I have often argued, the Republic itself was already dead for half a century or more before Caesar arrived on the scene. Some people of that time had to have noticed this. Indeed, in Caesar's day, "the Republic" was already a nothing more than a polite fiction.

So yes, I'm sure there was lots of inner-doubt for all the powerful elites. Whoever won the battles was going to end up on top politically. The civic government of a small agricultural city-state was not suited to serving the needs of an empire that stretched from the Black Sea to the Atlantic and from Egypt to Britain and this had to be obvious to most of the key players at that time. In this light, it was not "Caesar vs the Republic" it was rather a battle for supremacy between various wannabe rulers that Caesar won.

Speaking of ambiguously decent leaders of Italian descent, what do you think of The Sopranos?
Don't know - I haven't seen it.

I'm not much of a fan of the mafia and blame the US military for installing them in Southern Italy at the end of WW2. The mafioso were the only people who weren't tainted by Mussolini or the Communists, so the US military favored them to control the small towns and countryside. This is the reason that Italy is politically fucked to this day (and where the Northern League comes from - seeking seccession from Southern Italy).

[The Drunk Guy]

I have a copy of it on my bookshelf. ;)

I didn't know about the reference - I'll check it out. Caesar's commentary on his campaigns in Gaul are considered a masterpiece of history as they are actually written by him (dictated to scribes no doubt). Interestingly, Caesar narrates in the third person - referring to himself as "Caesar did this, or Caser did that".

Book 5 is where the reference is said to have occurred.

Don't know - I haven't seen it.

I'm not much of a fan of the mafia and blame the US military for installing them in Southern Italy at the end of WW2. The mafioso were the only people who weren't tainted by Mussolini or the Communists, so the US military favored them to control the small towns and countryside. This is the reason that Italy is politically fucked to this day (and where the Northern League comes from - seeking seccession from Southern Italy).
I like mafia stuff. I find it interesting to see how medieval political structures strive within communities and the mafia portrays that perfectly.

I am really surprised that you don't like mob stories, though. I would have thought you enjoyed the twisted politics of it all. That's fascinating in The Sopranos especially since it is six seasons long. The writers did a hell of a job drawing in small events from an earlier season into later episodes. You've forgotten all about some slight, but there is no forgetting in the family. Good stuff!

[Michael]

Book 5 is where the reference is said to have occurred.
I'll check it out and let you know. Knowing where it is helps since it is a rather dry read. ;)

I like mafia stuff. I find it interesting to see how medieval political structures strive within communities and the mafia portrays that perfectly.
Yes, the mafia are an old 'feudal' type structure. Quite a few older 'feudal' type organizations around still survive. The institutional structure is fairly flexible and strong (hence its previous dominant usage).

I am really surprised that you don't like mob stories, though. I would have thought you enjoyed the twisted politics of it all. That's fascinating in The Sopranos especially since it is six seasons long. The writers did a hell of a job drawing in small events from an earlier season into later episodes. You've forgotten all about some slight, but there is no forgetting in the family. Good stuff!

The mob is just too personal-oriented to be of interest to me. I like meta-stuff. Individual people don't interest me as much as larger groups, cultures, societies, institutions, nations or states are much more interesting to me. And the mafia is hard to study on a meta-scale due to their secrecy.

[The Drunk Guy]

The mob is just too personal-oriented to be of interest to me. I like meta-stuff. Individual people don't interest me as much as larger groups, cultures, societies, institutions, nations or states are much more interesting to me. And the mafia is hard to study on a meta-scale due to their secrecy.
I can see that. I like a collaboration of both in stories. One of the reasons Rome is so fantastic for me. Major players in their most intimate roles.

The Sopranos does hint at the larger view of cosa nostra, but it strongly focuses on the Soprano family in Newark. One thing I liked really well is how it showed the on-going hunt for evidence by the FBI as well as the real world consequences of both dealing with the mob and the FBI hunt.

[Michael]

The Sopranos does hint at the larger view of cosa nostra, but it strongly focuses on the Soprano family in Newark. One thing I liked really well is how it showed the on-going hunt for evidence by the FBI as well as the real world consequences of both dealing with the mob and the FBI hunt.
I've heard lots of people liked the show. I'm just not into the family-soap focus, even if they are interesting criminals.

I am into the family-soap part of the Tudors but that is because they are kings and thus their family affairs are a matter of state (and thus, signficant on a meta-level).

The Rome series is very good for treating the meta-level and that's why I like the series.

Btw, rumor has it that the delayed 3rd season is back shooting again.

[Donkey]

How is Family Guy right-wing? :ummm:

[evanescence]

I recently finished the fourth season of Dexter. It was amazing.

[Zarquon]

finished watching the first season of Skins (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/), not terribly intelligent or novel, but entertaining nonetheless.

[wphelan]

I recently finished the fourth season of Dexter. It was amazing.

Yes! That was a great season, and a great season finale. I can't wait to see where they take the show from there.

Now if only Lost would get here. Only a few more weeks...

[partofme]

Yes! That was a great season, and a great season finale. I can't wait to see where they take the show from there.

Now if only Lost would get here. Only a few more weeks...

Dexter surprised me since the third season was a let down.

Can't wait for Lost. I can't imagine how the ending could possible live up to my expectations.

[partofme]

Dollhouse only has two more episodes left and so far this season has been excellent. I think the writers knew it would get picked up for a third so they just went all out.

[The Drunk Guy]

Finally finished Rome. I loved it, but it's a let down that there's no story left. :(

One thing that bugs me about HBO shows is that the finale always seems to end just like any other episode. Its like their series are just snippets of stories rather than a beginning through an end. :shrug:

[partofme]

Finally finished Rome. I loved it, but it's a let down that there's no story left. :(

One thing that bugs me about HBO shows is that the finale always seems to end just like any other episode. Its like their series are just snippets of stories rather than a beginning through an end. :shrug:

The second season of Carnival ended on a cliff hanger and then it was canceled. I'm still pissed about that one.

[evanescence]

Dexter surprised me since the third season was a let down.

Can't wait for Lost. I can't imagine how the ending could possible live up to my expectations.

The third season was great, but the first and second seasons were better, imo.

[The Drunk Girl]

I cried on the season 4 finale of Dexter. I just couldn't believe it, although after looking back I should have seen it coming. I am definitely eager to see where the writers decide to take the show. I read somewhere that Dexter was only renewed for one more season. If this is true then it will most definitely be interesting to watch. So many flipping questions to answer.

I'm still gung-ho that Dexter will have to commit some Trinity acts to help cover his ass since he has no alibi and Trinity is out of the picture. Not to mention Batista saw Trinity and Dexter talking to one another at the station... I could go on and on about my theories, but I guess I will just have to wait.

[partofme]

I cried on the season 4 finale of Dexter. I just couldn't believe it, although after looking back I should have seen it coming. I am definitely eager to see where the writers decide to take the show. I read somewhere that Dexter was only renewed for one more season. If this is true then it will most definitely be interesting to watch. So many flipping questions to answer.

I'm still gung-ho that Dexter will have to commit some Trinity acts to help cover his ass since he has no alibi and Trinity is out of the picture. Not to mention Batista saw Trinity and Dexter talking to one another at the station... I could go on and on about my theories, but I guess I will just have to wait.


That stuff is bugging. Also I can't see how Dexter could possibly be a single dad. He is going to have to leave the kids with somebody or something.

[evanescence]

He'll likely leave the kids with the grandparents. Dexter as a single dad seems lame. I will be interested to see how things develop with Deb. What will she find out? Will she accept him? ..I think so. It should be interesting. Also, I don't see Dexter lasting through more than five seasons.

[Zarquon]

Watched the complete second season of Skins; very engaging and cathartic, if a bit exaggerated and generalizing.

[Michael]

finished watching the first season of Skins (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/), not terribly intelligent or novel, but entertaining nonetheless.

Watched the complete second season of Skins; very engaging and cathartic, if a bit exaggerated and generalizing.

You really do need to get out more often! :lol:

[evanescence]

What is Skins about?

[Evangeline]

I'm watching the Daily Show. He's got John Yu on there. Why is John Stewart the only guy asking tough questions of this guy? He's a comedian. The journalists who interview people like this, ask a question, and accept the bullshit answer they give. Stewart has an actual conversation, not accepting his lame answers like that the USA has never confronted the question about what is torture till the Bush admin....

thedailyshow.com

[Zarquon]

What is Skins about?
The story of a group of British teens who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness despite questionable parenting and teachers who more want to be friends (and lovers) rather than authority figures.
and about friendship as well.

[Zarquon]

Finished watching the third(and latest) season of Skins.
Not as good as the first two seasons, though to be fair this one has a new generation of characters, so needs season four to really compare with the previous one.

[Michael]

I saw the premiere of "Death Comes to Town" this week. It is a new 8-part murder-mystery mini-series.

The catch is, it is entirely a production of the "Kids in the Hall" - which are a rather well known comedy group up here. And if you know anything about these guys, you can well imagine how crazy/insane this murder-mystery show is! :rofl:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_in_the_Hall

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2009/08/21/kids-cbc-murdermystery.html

Here's a shot of the cast in character... (the dude on the left is "Death" - he arrives in town on a Greyhound bus!)

http://www.blogcdn.com/insidetv.aol.com/media/2009/11/kith-438.jpg

[Greendruid]

I saw the premiere of "Death Comes to Town" this week. It is a new 8-part murder-mystery mini-series.

The catch is, it is entirely a production of the "Kids in the Hall" - which are a rather well known comedy group up here. And if you know anything about these guys, you can well imagine how crazy/insane this murder-mystery show is! :rofl:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_in_the_Hall

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2009/08/21/kids-cbc-murdermystery.html

Here's a shot of the cast in character... (the dude on the left is "Death" - he arrives in town on a Greyhound bus!)

http://www.blogcdn.com/insidetv.aol.com/media/2009/11/kith-438.jpg

... and rides a mo-ped summoned by a whistle no less! I caught this one too completely by accident but was excited to see the group had done something again. Their original show ran the five years I was in high school so I remember them well. And yes, before you comment, five years used to be standard for university preparation back in those days. I got to see them live on their farewell tour at Hamilton Place, front row seats. I had my head squished! It was a hilarious live show!

[Michael]

Yes... I squish your head! :rofl:

[The Drunk Guy]

Yes... I squish your head! :rofl:
I am jealous. KITH are fantastic. My favorite skit. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8309963727235542958#)

"I need more sasages! SASAGES!"

[Donkey]

I'm watching... playoff football. :)

[The Drunk Girl]

I'm watching... playoff football. :)

As are we. I love seeing Romo get sacked.

You know it cracks me up seeing Prince at the Vikings games. He looks so out of place watching football. :lol:

[Donkey]

As are we. I love seeing Romo get sacked.

You know it cracks me up seeing Prince at the Vikings games. He looks so out of place watching football. :lol:
Yeah! Fuck the cowboys.

Though I want a Saints-Colts Superbowl.

[The Drunk Girl]

Yeah! Fuck the cowboys.

Though I want a Saints-Colts Superbowl.

That would be nice...a hard one for me to pick a side to root for. TDG tells me that next week it will be the Saints v. the winner of this game, which is obviously going to be the Vikings!!!! I have been a Favre fan for as far back as I can remember, so once again I'll be torn on who to root for.

At least there will be a decent Superbowl this year. I haven't really cared for the past 2-3 years.

Any ideas on where Vick might end up next season?

[Donkey]

Any ideas on where Vick might end up next season?
I don't actually know anything about football, so no.

[partofme]

I never understood watching football on television. It's mostly commentators talking and people walking around getting ready for the next play which will last a few seconds. I always thought the networks should just wait until the game is over and then show an edited version that just showed the actual time the clock is running. Only then they wouldn't have enough time to really put in any commercial breaks.

[Margot]

Just finished a season and a half of Torchwood (ever have that terrible moment when you look at the clock and realize that thirteen hours of your life have slipped by unnoticed and unmourned?)

Not a bad show for a spinoff. I find it interesting that four out of five main characters so far have had at least some sort of bisexual fling, and the fifth character seems to stick it in anything with a vagina.

[Greendruid]

I am jealous. KITH are fantastic. My favorite skit. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8309963727235542958#)

"I need more sasages! SASAGES!"

My all-time favourite is probably this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuh6kiVrqpc). I was once Bobby ... well sort of.

[Greendruid]

Just finished a season and a half of Torchwood (ever have that terrible moment when you look at the clock and realize that thirteen hours of your life have slipped by unnoticed and unmourned?)

Not a bad show for a spinoff. I find it interesting that four out of five main characters so far have had at least some sort of bisexual fling, and the fifth character seems to stick it in anything with a vagina.

Yeah, we pretty much determined all five were bisexual or would at least consider a bisexual one-night stand. The fifth character (I think you're referring to Owen) did have one of these right at the start of the series when Gwen was introduced. It was a threesome and become such to avoid getting beat-up by the boyfriend of the girl he picked up with an alien pheromone perfume.

Children of Earth was awesome - let me know if/when you see it. We could not prevent ourselves from watching two in a row on two occasions.

[Greendruid]

Another good KITH skit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0PJfUpaKu8&feature=related)- I guess I just like the ones where Satan is featured the most. :shrug:

[Margot]

Yeah, we pretty much determined all five were bisexual or would at least consider a bisexual one-night stand. The fifth character (I think you're referring to Owen) did have one of these right at the start of the series when Gwen was introduced. It was a threesome and become such to avoid getting beat-up by the boyfriend of the girl he picked up with an alien pheromone perfume.

Children of Earth was awesome - let me know if/when you see it. We could not prevent ourselves from watching two in a row on two occasions.

I forgot all about that!

[Michael]

I've been watching the Connections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connections_(TV_series)) series on DVD. I have all three seasons. The show is absolutely fascenating and James Burke is very cool! ;)

I have a friend who supplies me with huge quantities of DVD's - including every documentary you've ever heard of! I've literally got hundreds of documentaries on DVD that I'm working my way through.

[The Drunk Girl]

finished watching the first season of Skins (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/), not terribly intelligent or novel, but entertaining nonetheless.

We started watching Skins last night on Netflix. I have to say, the premiere episode was pretty damn crazy. I believe we have a few episodes in the season; we left off on Sid's last night.

The characters seem to be alright to relate to except for Tony. His character reminds me of whats-his-faces name from Cruel Intentions. It's just too far out there to even be somewhat close to what a person/horny high school boy is like.

[Greendruid]

We've just started the Battlestar Gallactica series. We caught about half of the first season when we had cable in New Mexico. I really like the camera work in this series. It makes the special effects transitions so smooth that I find myself believing they're real. The plot-line in the first season is utterly chilling to me. Don't spoil it if you've followed the series to its end please!

[partofme]

We've just started the Battlestar Gallactica series. We caught about half of the first season when we had cable in New Mexico. I really like the camera work in this series. It makes the special effects transitions so smooth that I find myself believing they're real. The plot-line in the first season is utterly chilling to me. Don't spoil it if you've followed the series to its end please!


All shows are taking a back seat to Lost for the next few months.

[Michael]

We've just started the Battlestar Gallactica series. We caught about half of the first season when we had cable in New Mexico. I really like the camera work in this series. It makes the special effects transitions so smooth that I find myself believing they're real. The plot-line in the first season is utterly chilling to me. Don't spoil it if you've followed the series to its end please!
I've been very tempted to buy this series on DVD as I've heard so much about it.

Seems that all the most highly educated wonks in the left blogosphere were all addicted to this show. I've seen some pretty serious strategic and tactical military-diplomatic analysis papers written about the show. Seems like a very interesting and intelligent series.

[The Drunk Guy]

I've been very tempted to buy this series on DVD as I've heard so much about it.

Seems that all the most highly educated wonks in the left blogosphere were all addicted to this show. I've seen some pretty serious strategic and tactical military-diplomatic analysis papers written about the show. Seems like a very interesting and intelligent series.
I caught the beginning and was in and out throughout the show. It is really well done.

I also caught up with Caprica, the spin off series that just started on SyFy. It's set 58 years before the Cylon uprising and follows Joseph Adama (Admiral Adama's father) and Daniel Graystone, the creator of Cylons. The plot follows Graystone's daughter who created a cyber version of herself to work for a monotheistic terrorist group.

I really enjoy the cultural details they use in Caprica. For one, they're polytheists who seem to follow the Greek/Roman pantheon with monotheists functioning in cloistered groups, often hiding terrorist cells. Each of the Twelve Colonies seems to have it's own ethnic background as well. Taurans echo Sicilians as they run the mafia side of things and are often militaristic in their endeavors.

Interestingly, Adama's brother is a rough, tough mafioso who is openly gay and married to the man of his dreams. I really like how they hardly focused on that, making it seem as if it is something natural. :) Trying to get America to think, maybe?

[evanescence]

Has anyone ever seen "Firefly"?

[partofme]

Has anyone ever seen "Firefly"?

Absolutely. It's a shame it was canceled so quick.

[evanescence]

Absolutely. It's a shame it was canceled so quick.

no kidding, right. It was one of the few great shows on tv. When I first rented the DVDs, i didn't realize that it only had one season. I was pissed. The movie Serenity was great. I basically picks up after the end of the first season except River has developed her abilities and she's basically a weapon for the Alliance. Awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY3u7bB7dZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DPOykrcFYc

[Margot]

no kidding, right. It was one of the few great shows on tv. When I first rented the DVDs, i didn't realize that it only had one season. I was pissed. The movie Serenity was great. I basically picks up after the end of the first season except River has developed her abilities and she's basically a weapon for the Alliance. Awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY3u7bB7dZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DPOykrcFYc

Whenever I have to write a paper (or clean, or get up early- basically anything that sucks) I catch myself saying "NO POWER IN THE VERSE CAN STOP ME" over and over. It's a damn fine mantra.

[Donkey]

Has anyone ever seen "Firefly"?
Only the best show ever.


*******************


I'm watching the Olympics, dammit! I get heritage-patriotic exactly once every two years. Go Canada!

[The Drunk Guy]

I've been catching up on Lost. I'm half-way through the second season and I can't wait to see where it is all leading. :)

[Michael]

I'm watching the Olympics, dammit! I get heritage-patriotic exactly once every two years. Go Canada!

Olympic trauma for some people up here... CBC lost the bid so for the first time, the Olympics are carried by the CTV private network instead of the usual CBC crew as it has been forever. It is like culture-shock! Where's Ron McLean? :eek:

Ron McLean is the official 'voice' of Canadian winter sport! Without him doing commentary it just seems weird.

[Donkey]

Olympic trauma for some people up here... CBC lost the bid so for the first time, the Olympics are carried by the CTV private network instead of the usual CBC crew as it has been forever. It is like culture-shock! Where's Ron McLean? :eek:

Ron McLean is the official 'voice' of Canadian winter sport! Without him doing commentary it just seems weird.
Whoa. Weird. I kind of want to punch Bob Costas in the side of the head, but it sure would be weird having somebody else do it.

[The Drunk Guy]

Whoa. Weird. I kind of want to punch Bob Costas in the side of the head, but it sure would be weird having somebody else do it.
That's funny about Costas....he was on The Simpsons last night making fun of how they tend to focus on the drama rather than the sport. One of the reasons I still like him is that he has no reservations about poking fun at himself.

[partofme]

I've been catching up on Lost. I'm half-way through the second season and I can't wait to see where it is all leading. :)

The beginning of the third season isn't great but the second half is excellent.

[The Drunk Guy]

The beginning of the third season isn't great but the second half is excellent.
I've seen the entire 3rd season. When I first moved to Richmond, we didn't have cable and someone had the DVDs. They filled me in enough to understand what was going on.

The first season started slow, but I love how so much shit that seemed trivial to begin with ended up being something huge half a season later or more. Not many shows have that much foresight. (Hear that, Tim Kring, you sonofabitch?!?!:mad:)

[partofme]

Well so far I'm very impress with the final season of Lost. It's been consistently good each week so far. Some are complaining that there haven't been enough answers but we still have 2/3 of the season to go.

[Greendruid]

My wife and I are working our way through Battlestar Gallactica and loving every minute of it. We've been known go through four or five episodes in a row while the little guy is sleeping. We're a little past halfway through season three and it is getting really interesting. I don't know who the final five cylons are yet so please, no spoilers :) The suspense is killing me but there are a good 27 episodes in the series left so we're a long ways off to wrapping it all up. Surprisingly high number of Canadian actors and involvement in that whole production. I say surprisingly because it doesn't bear the trademark wooden acting or hokey plot lines that our homegrown productions seem to wreak of. Canadian shows/acting/filming is becoming almost indistinguishable from our southern neighbours.

[Michael]

My wife and I are working our way through Battlestar Gallactica and loving every minute of it. We've been known go through four or five episodes in a row while the little guy is sleeping. We're a little past halfway through season three and it is getting really interesting. I don't know who the final five cylons are yet so please, no spoilers :) The suspense is killing me but there are a good 27 episodes in the series left so we're a long ways off to wrapping it all up. Surprisingly high number of Canadian actors and involvement in that whole production. I say surprisingly because it doesn't bear the trademark wooden acting or hokey plot lines that our homegrown productions seem to wreak of. Canadian shows/acting/filming is becoming almost indistinguishable from our southern neighbours.
I don't know - there is a certain 'cheesy' factor that Canadian tv production is master of that US production just doesn't compare.

I've been watching "Death Comes to Town" and I can't imagine any US production company making that kind of silliness!

Anyway, don't give any spoilers for Battlestar as I'm planning to watch that series!

[partofme]

My wife and I are working our way through Battlestar Gallactica and loving every minute of it. We've been known go through four or five episodes in a row while the little guy is sleeping. We're a little past halfway through season three and it is getting really interesting. I don't know who the final five cylons are yet so please, no spoilers :) The suspense is killing me but there are a good 27 episodes in the series left so we're a long ways off to wrapping it all up. Surprisingly high number of Canadian actors and involvement in that whole production. I say surprisingly because it doesn't bear the trademark wooden acting or hokey plot lines that our homegrown productions seem to wreak of. Canadian shows/acting/filming is becoming almost indistinguishable from our southern neighbours.

So far the prequel to that series (Caprica) has been pretty good also.

[Donkey]

Cavaliers on the march!

[Zarquon]

Arrested Development (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29), Season Two

[Michael]

Arrested Development (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29), Season Two
:eek:

I think that show was made by the same people who made The Office. I find both of these shows to be completely unwatchable for being so incredibly stupid and narcisstic. :shrug:

[Zarquon]

:eek:

I think that show was made by the same people who made The Office. I find both of these shows to be completely unwatchable for being so incredibly stupid and narcisstic. :shrug:
Its ironic and hilarious, and rather groundbreaking in its detached, faux-documentary style.:rolleyes:
Not what i would associate with the Office.;)
And as for supposed stupidity, I think it accurately portrays the selfish and arbitrary/hypocritical attitude of a certain type of people(if not most people); I would like to kindly point you to arrogant, privileged families like the Bush's, and dysfunctional and incompetent morons who have been in power over the last quarter century.

[Michael]

Its ironic and hilarious, and rather groundbreaking in its detached, faux-documentary style.:rolleyes:
Not what i would associate with the Office.;)
And as for supposed stupidity, I think it accurately portrays the selfish and arbitrary/hypocritical attitude of a certain type of people(if not most people); I would like to kindly point you to arrogant, privileged families like the Bush's, and dysfunctional and incompetent morons who have been in power over the last quarter century.
I'd say this kind of stuff just normalizes the 'dysfunctional' types so that arrogant, privileged families like the Bush's can get into power more easily. :shrug:

And I could never agree that Citizen Kane was a great film just because of the 'revolutionary' lighting work.

[Lily]

I'm watching C-Span. Very entertaining. Talk about arrogant, narcissitic and privileged. Great theater! :lol:

[partofme]

I'm watching C-Span. Very entertaining. Talk about arrogant, narcissitic and privileged. Great theater! :lol:

I wish things would be on a stricter schedule. I want to watch the vote but the debates are getting pretty redundant.

[Americano]

It is beyond my understanding as to why anyone other than someone getting paid to do so would watch politicians perform for the public.

[Greendruid]

Starting into the last eight episodes of Battlestar Gallactica's final season tonight. Then there's The Plan and finally getting up to speed on Caprica. BSG has been pretty awesome. I sense a few more twists and turns in what's left of the plotline. This ain't your 1978 Starbuck anymore!

[The Drunk Guy]

Starting into the last eight episodes of Battlestar Gallactica's final season tonight. Then there's The Plan and finally getting up to speed on Caprica. BSG has been pretty awesome. I sense a few more twists and turns in what's left of the plotline. This ain't your 1978 Starbuck anymore!
Just so you know, Caprica is not directly related. You could be completely oblivious to Battlestarand still be able to follow Caprica from the get-go. However, knowing Battlestar definitely makes things a bit darker and powerful. :D

Season finale is tonight. I'll DVR and watch it tomorrow sometime. I fucking hate watching all those goddamned commercials for Merlin and Stargate:Who Gives a Shit.

[Michael]

I fucking hate watching all those goddamned commercials for Merlin and Stargate:Who Gives a Shit.

I saw a couple of episodes of Merlin. I really hate it when they butcher the historical form completely. That show seems to just use the names of famous characters and then re-writes the story to the point of absurdity.

Especially annoying because Arthur has recently entered the history books as a known historical person.

[Non Sequitur]

Especially annoying because Arthur has recently entered the history books as a known historical person.

Really? Who's the candidate? My history major is focused on American history, but from what I understand about the "historical Arthur" there are a couple people who don't quite fit the bill.

[Zarquon]

Finished watching the fourth and presumably final season of Skins. It was terrible, with ridiculously exaggerated storylines that didn't really go anywhere.

That's my problem with television, its so repetitive and needlessly convoluted without major intellectual and emotional engagement. And they almost never conclude satisfactorily, if they conclude at all. They are often intended for comforting people and selling ads; which is why I normally stick to movies.

[Michael]

Romeo & Juliet (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/)

Saw this last night on DVD. Man-oh-man this is a bad movie - totally cheesy, over-the-top acting and completely absurd with a modern/contemporary setting and 16th century dialogue.

This movie is so bad that it is sometimes funny. That's about all I can say about it.

[The Drunk Guy]

Especially annoying because Arthur has recently entered the history books as a known historical person.
Are those books from Texas? :D

[Margot]

I'm watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

It's about one of those supercelebchef guys (Jamie Oliver), who goes into Huntington WV (which is apparently one of the most unhealthy cities in the country) and tries to reform their slovenly ways, starting with their elementary schools.

It isn't really a shock to me, because I lived through it, but it does remind me of how shitty the US school system. I mean, seriously.

I think I may have been allowed to use a knife in the school cafeteria when I was in the first grade. We weren't allowed to have knives (of any kind) on school grounds after that. Not even plastic. Not even in high school.

I just never ate lunch. Mom quit packing lunch for me when I started the second grade, and I just never ate lunch again. I still don't eat lunch. I have one meal and lots of snacks during the day.

It'll make your skin crawl. I recommend it.

[Lily]

Romeo & Juliet (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/)

Saw this last night on DVD. Man-oh-man this is a bad movie - totally cheesy, over-the-top acting and completely absurd with a modern/contemporary setting and 16th century dialogue.

This movie is so bad that it is sometimes funny. That's about all I can say about it.

Oh jeez, it is awful, isn't it? I have the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version on DVD. Now, that is a good film. I loved John McEnery's portrayal of Mercuitio.

[Arkady]

About to watch The Good Wife. Great show!

[Michael]

Oh jeez, it is awful, isn't it? I have the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version on DVD. Now, that is a good film. I loved John McEnery's portrayal of Mercuitio.
Yes, that version is a darn good one.

As for Mercutio, the black-drag-queen Mercutio in the 1996 version is your first warning that this movie is going to be really, really bad. :lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

I'm working on season 2 of Lost right now.

[Margot]

As for Mercutio, the black-drag-queen Mercutio in the 1996 version is your first warning that this movie is going to be really, really bad. :lol:

You don't think it's an accurate representation?

I have gripes with the new version, but Mercutio is not one of them.

[Michael]

You don't think it's an accurate representation?

I have gripes with the new version, but Mercutio is not one of them.

I can't think of a single kind thing to say about that movie. I don't care to judge relative badness in the film. I could give a dozen examples of it. I figured that the Mercutio character was entirely symbolicly representative of just how bad the movie is.

Black drag queens spouting 16th century Shakespeare with all the attitude of the 'hood' is just a level of absurdity I just can't be bother to pay attention to.

[partofme]

I'm working on season 2 of Lost right now.

I would give anything to be able to watch it from the beginning again. Right now I'm so impatient waiting a week in between episodes.

[The Drunk Girl]

I would give anything to be able to watch it from the beginning again. Right now I'm so impatient waiting a week in between episodes.

:lol: Ah...the beauty of Netflix. I just started the third season tonight; just a few episodes in (enough to see Sawyer finally make a move on Kate!) The damn show is addicting as hell, and TDG and I were mentioning how great it was to be able to watch the shows all together instead of having to wait seasons in between. Netflix has seasons 1-5 on instant play by the way and I would say it won't be long before they have the final season on their too.

Actually, we were waiting on Weeds season 4 and 5 to pop up on there as well. We watched the first 3 seasons via disk through the mail and had the other two in queue. Last week Netflix finally added 4 and 5 and we are already half way through season 5 (remember this season just ended!) But Weeds is a little shy of 30 mins/episode and Lost is pushing 45 minutes. A big difference in how many shows you can watch in a time span, especially when you consider a season of Weeds consists of 12-13 episodes and a season of Lost consists of 24 in season 1-3/4?

(Please don't give any spoilers on Lost!!!! I'm just to the point of Sawyer being in the polar bear cage---I'm assuming, him and Kate working for the Others, Jack being locked up in the aquarium, and Sayid, Jin, and Sun trying to find them. By the way, I fucking hate Michael (not here, but in the show) I don't care if his motives were to find his son he didn't have to do what he did! FUCK HIM!!!!)

[partofme]

:lol: Ah...the beauty of Netflix. I just started the third season tonight; just a few episodes in (enough to see Sawyer finally make a move on Kate!) The damn show is addicting as hell, and TDG and I were mentioning how great it was to be able to watch the shows all together instead of having to wait seasons in between. Netflix has seasons 1-5 on instant play by the way and I would say it won't be long before they have the final season on their too.

Actually, we were waiting on Weeds season 4 and 5 to pop up on there as well. We watched the first 3 seasons via disk through the mail and had the other two in queue. Last week Netflix finally added 4 and 5 and we are already half way through season 5 (remember this season just ended!) But Weeds is a little shy of 30 mins/episode and Lost is pushing 45 minutes. A big difference in how many shows you can watch in a time span, especially when you consider a season of Weeds consists of 12-13 episodes and a season of Lost consists of 24 in season 1-3/4?

(Please don't give any spoilers on Lost!!!! I'm just to the point of Sawyer being in the polar bear cage---I'm assuming, him and Kate working for the Others, Jack being locked up in the aquarium, and Sayid, Jin, and Sun trying to find them. By the way, I fucking hate Michael (not here, but in the show) I don't care if his motives were to find his son he didn't have to do what he did! FUCK HIM!!!!)

I won't give any spoilers but I will say that the season you are on starts slow but ends up having the best second half of any of the seasons.

[Michael]

Today I saw Oscar Wilde's play, An Ideal Husband, performed live. I took my mother out for a pub lunch and the theater - covering off mother's day last week and her birthday next week. :)

Lunch was excellent, the play is charming, witty and very entertaining and the performance and costuming were both excellent. :thumbsup:

I've now seen both of Oscar Wilde's plays (The Importance of Being Ernest being the other) and they are probably the two 'best' plays I've ever seen (excluding Shakespeare of course). Half of the most famous "quotations" attributed to Oscar Wilde seem to be drawn from lines in these two plays. They are loaded with Wilde's 'witty aphorisms'.

[Margot]

Today I saw Oscar Wilde's play, An Ideal Husband, performed live. I took my mother out for a pub lunch and the theater - covering off mother's day last week and her birthday next week. :)

Lunch was excellent, the play is charming, witty and very entertaining and the performance and costuming were both excellent. :thumbsup:

I've now seen both of Oscar Wilde's plays (The Importance of Being Ernest being the other) and they are probably the two 'best' plays I've ever seen (excluding Shakespeare of course). Half of the most famous "quotations" attributed to Oscar Wilde seem to be drawn from lines in these two plays. They are loaded with Wilde's 'witty aphorisms'.

He wrote more than two plays (Lady Windermere's Fan being another famous one), but those two are the most popular. Usually Oscar Wilde rubs me the wrong way, but I recently acquired a collection of his children's stories as red by Stephen Fry, and Stephen Fry makes everything wonderful.

[Greendruid]

Almost finished season one of Fringe. Pretty good show to fill the X-Files hole in my life. I especially like the character of Walter Bishop. He's a mad scientist who has returned from a 17-year stint in a mental hospital to aid the FBI in his Dr. Moreau-esque lab. He's played by John Noble, the actor who nailed the role of Denethor in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

I'm also closely following thunderf00t's channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderf00t) on YouTube, coincidentally to Michael's recent posting about the site itself as a business phenomenon. He's been creating quite a stir lately with his promotion of "Draw Muhammed Day" on Facebook as a protest of Islamic extremists' threats against him and others for pushing the limits of freedom of speech, namely the recent banning of the South Park episode featuring Muhammed in a bear costume. Pakistan has reacted by banning Facebook along with Wikipedia as well. Censorship of freedom of speech - a vicious cycle.

[The Drunk Girl]

In response to Michael: I enjoyed reading The Importance of Being Earnest in high school. I still haven't been able to convince TDG to read it yet :( I even offered watching the movie to no avail.

We have finally caught up with the current season of Lost and will be making an evening on Sunday watching the series finale...

[partofme]

In response to Michael: I enjoyed reading The Importance of Being Earnest in high school. I still haven't been able to convince TDG to read it yet :( I even offered watching the movie to no avail.

We have finally caught up with the current season of Lost and will be making an evening on Sunday watching the series finale...

So what did you think about the finale? I'm not one of those people that needed everything answered but I do wish they had provided more info about the numbers. That being said I thought it was beautiful and cried like a baby.

[wphelan]

So what did you think about the finale? I'm not one of those people that needed everything answered but I do wish they had provided more info about the numbers. That being said I thought it was beautiful and cried like a baby.

I thought it was a pretty good finale. I'm kind of disappointed in the final season as a whole though, especially the first half of it that focused mostly on the 'flash sideways.' The parts that dealt with the island mythology, such as Richard's episode and the origins of Jacob and the Man in Black, were a lot more interesting.

That being said, I sat riveted for nearly two hours (fast forwarded through commercials of course) and have no regrets that I took an hour or so out of my life for about twenty weeks every year for the last six years to watch the show. I wouldn't mind rewatching some older episodes again to see how consistent they were with everything now that so much has been revealed.

[The Drunk Guy]

So what did you think about the finale? I'm not one of those people that needed everything answered but I do wish they had provided more info about the numbers. That being said I thought it was beautiful and cried like a baby.
Here (http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Valenzetti_Equation) you go.

I was more interested in the island. Who found it? Who built the temple? Who built the statue? Why? Who built the wheel? (The Man in Black failed to dig that far.) Who built the grotto? Et cetera...

[The Drunk Girl]

I enjoyed the finale, too. I felt it could have been better but I was very pleased nonetheless. My initial reaction going into the finale was that they all were going to die...on the island not in the flash sideways. I cried like a baby throughout the finale, too but my feelings will never be as hurt in any show again like it was watching the episode where Jin and Sun died. :lol:

I guess where my minor disappointment(s) came in were due to the fact that throughout the whole show the island was portrayed as something special. I feel that the writers kind of lost that touch in wrapping everything up. The episode about Richard, I felt could have been shown in bits and pieces throughout the final season instead of one big episode....and maybe the same could have been done with the Jacob/MIB epi. Don't get me wrong, both stories were great, and revealed quite a bit, but the stories were too far into the show's ending. It kind of took something away from all of it :shrug:

Also!!!! Where the fuck was Walt?! They made that kid out to be something grand and spectacular, then he is hardly around, and not even in the finale. I guess having the dog pop in and out made up for not having Walt around(?).

About the numbers deal: didn't someone say (it might have been Jacob) that all along it was everyone around Hurley that had bad luck and he just happened to be around? But, yes more answers about 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 would have been nice.

[rico10]

Right now I’m watching to Modern Family Season 1. It’s very interesting I think it will be my favourite in the future.

[evanescence]

Dexter.

[MeMyselfAndI]

Channel 1, "Admiral"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6GX9Ls394

Repeat from 2008. Very interesting, shows how much has changed since USSR.

It is about Admiral Aleksandr Kolchak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Kolchak

He commanded anti-Bolshevik forces in Siberia in the Civil War. In Soviet times, if they showed him, it would be as a criminal, bandit, traitor to his nation. But this movie, collaboration between 20th Century Fox and Russia's Channel 1, depicts Kolchak as a heroic, noble figure (not unlike King Leonidas of Sparta in "300").

Just look at the scene where he assembles his officers: "The Monarchy has fallen. I hereby transfer the capital to Irkutsk. We will not surrender to Bolshevik swine! God is with us!"

And there is love too, forbidden love, for Anna, the wife of his friend; even though he has a wife and son of his own.

Kolchak is played by Konstantin Khabensky, who made a name for himself playing a detective on Uboinaya Sila (Killer Force) police series in Saint Petersburg.

Overall a good movie, if a bit ideological. Kolchak is certainly worshipped in Siberia these days. In Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, and, of course, Irkutsk, you may find where Lenin's statues once stood, those of the Admiral are now.

[Michael]

I've been watching a six-part BBC documentary called Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. It was made in 2003.

It is an excellent documentary about how the Brits created their empire over a period of several centuries. The documentary takes the 17th century Commonwealth-era conquest of Ireland to be the beginning of the British Empire and goes forward from there, with the Ulster plantation as the model.

Very interesting process - it is notable the way the Brits studiously learned from almost every mistake they made with their first two 'imperial colonies' (Ireland and USA) and used that knowledge in subsequent imperial colonies.

As such, it is interesting to see imperial policy (and the justification for it) evolving over the years (the way Britain went from being the world's leading slave-merchants to the world's leading anti-slavers, is only one example).

The stuff on Africa and India is the most interesting of course.

Overall, highly recommended for anyone with a general interest in history. At the very least, it is nice to figure out who the heck Doctor Livingston was and why he was significant, given that everything he actually did was a failure.

[Zarquon]

The Story of Mathematics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Maths) by Prof. Marcus du Sautoy (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMarcus_ du_Sautoy&rct=j&q=Marcus%20du%20Sautoy&ei=BCxGTai2KMKclge4ooAh&usg=AFQjCNGJQB67q_gVcc4jx_NFCAw4C-vAZw&sig2=IkDtzzkwpnmAxBs_uM7I9g&cad=rja), an informative 4-part BBC documentary on the history of mathematical innovation mad in 2008.

[wphelan]

I haven't been watching much TV lately, unfortunately. About the only thing I've seen recetnly are some episodes of The Real Housewives of whatever place is currently showing on TV. It's actually not as bad as I thought I'd ever admit it was. Weird.

[Margot]

The Vampire Diaries is the favorite TV series I watch, I love Paul Wesley acting

Have you seen True Blood? It's definitely my favorite current show.

[Michael]

Have you seen True Blood? It's definitely my favorite current show.

Sarahmaya will not be replying due to being banned for posting commercial links.

[The Drunk Guy]

Sarahmaya will not be replying due to being banned for posting commercial links.
Ah, God.....I LOVE when that happens. I just came in my pants.


By the way, to stay on topic, Nip/Tuck is pretty good. Really displays how deep our vane perversions are here.

[Margot]

Sarahmaya will not be replying due to being banned for posting commercial links.

Tragic.

[timn8ter]

Inside Job

[The Drunk Girl]

I have been watching Dead Like Me. It's alright.

Some of the deaths are silly. I mean ridiculously silly (the main character was killed by a toilet seat that fell from a Russian space craft). But it gives me something to watch at night when TDGuy is reading. I reckon it's entertaining enough

[Margot]

I have been watching Dead Like Me. It's alright.

Some of the deaths are silly. I mean ridiculously silly (the main character was killed by a toilet seat that fell from a Russian space craft). But it gives me something to watch at night when TDGuy is reading. I reckon it's entertaining enough

It's one of my favorite shows of all time! The deaths are silly, yeah, but my gawd, once you get into her family's plight you're going to really appreciate the silly death reprieves.

[Donkey]

Just watched Red. Brilliant, hilarious.

[Michael]

Just watched Red. Brilliant, hilarious.

Isn't that an old Warren Beatty movie from the 1970's?