Television
Television
America’s Got Nothing to Watch
The sad reality of summer TV seems to be getting worse every year
June 2nd, 2011
Although I have startlingly low standards for television, the summer lineup always manages to get me down. The final weeks of May seem rife with endless possibilities—who knows what long-awaited sexual encounters, weddings, births or even grisly demises will finally unfold during the bevy of jam-packed, super-size season finales, which stack up in my Hulu queue like glittering precious gems, their clarity flawed only by extended Geico commercials. But then, after the climax, a crushing lull. Read more »
Scene
Kitchen Warriors
March 17th, 2011
These days it seems like you can’t wander through a casino without bumping into a potential world-class chef. On March 10, casting directors from the Bravo television shows Top Chef and Top Chef: Just Desserts made their way to STK in the Cosmopolitan to hold an open casting call in the hopes of discovering the Next Big Culinary Thing. Read more »
Television
Got to Be Real?
MTV’s latest Real World installment, set in Vegas, is not exactly a Situation
March 3rd, 2011
When The Real World: New York premiered in 1992, it ushered in, for better or (probably) worse, the current model of reality television. Back before anyone had ever bared their emaciated naked body for chocolate and peanut butter on Survivor, declared themselves the next American Idol while yodeling and wearing a tutu, or coined the term “guidette,” seven strangers living together in close quarters was actually kind of real. It was a riveting televised sociology experiment that tapped into 20-something angst and touched on issues of sexuality, substance abuse and prejudice. Now in its 25th season and returning to Las Vegas, The Real World is about as real as The Situation’s tan. In fact, MTV’s cash cow Jersey Shore seems to have rubbed off on the latest installment of the seminal series; TRW has regressed into a series of drunken club scenes followed by drunken hot-tub dalliances, occasionally interspersed with inane arguments or violent fights. The cast is comely, the hormones run high ... but when hot-tub hookups start to feel like old hat, it’s time to rethink the formula. Read more »
Television
The Tween Years
As much was Lost as gained and maintained this year in television
December 23rd, 2010
2010 is the first year of the new century’s adolescence, so in a way it’s fitting that the television landscape was so sullen. Now, wait. Before all you Hawaii Five-O fans start chasing me with tiki torches, or you devotees of The Event try to confuse me with your backward “E,” understand that I’m not saying there were no decent shows this year. 2010 ushered in few solid debuts (which I’ll get to in a sec) and, of course, countless old warhorses that got trotted back out for yet another victory lap (America’s favorite sitcom, Two and a Half Men, for example, is now in its eighth season. If it were a child it would be in the third grade). Read more »
Television
Charting the Road to Greatness
HBO’s new Bruce Springsteen documentary shows the creative ascent from rock star to legend
October 21st, 2010
It’s a bit unfair for me to review a documentary about my hero. I’ve seen Bruce Springsteen in concert about 30 times, have put my life on hold to follow him around the country, and my Sirius Radio is usually tuned into the E Street Channel—all Bruce, all the time. That said, The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town is a must-see not only for Springsteen fans, but for anyone who appreciates the creative process. Read more »
Pop Culture
Son of an Ad Man
Why one man watches Mad Men and why you should, too
July 22nd, 2010
On Sunday, July 25, several million people will crowd around their televisions and watch the fourth season premiere of Mad Men on AMC. Fans will sip Old Fashioneds and vodka gimlets and comment on the excellent performances and thought-provoking storylines. They’ll admire the detailed set design, coo over the ’60s-era costumes and talk about how crazy things were back then, before we confronted racism, sexism and homophobia. Read more »
Screen
Must-See TV?
Just because your regular appointment television is on hiatus doesn’t mean there aren’t new things to see
June 10th, 2010
Did you think that with the regular TV season drawing to a close, your eyeballs would get a well-deserved rest? Think again. In their increasing attempt to turn television into a year-round endeavor, the networks have packed the ostensible off-season with more programming than you can shake barbecue tongs at. There are enough shows—good, bad and trashy—to keep you planted on the couch until all your regular favorites come back after Labor Day. Here are some to keep on your radar. Read more »
Television
Getting Lost, and Loving It
Notes on the end of an era, with a season finale to end all season finales
May 20th, 2010
Appropriately named, Lost is the famous cross between Cast Away, Lord of the Flies and Survivor. It captivates fans by integrating mythos from classic and popular literature—Catch-22, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Brief History of Time, To Kill a Mockingbird, Heart of Darkness, the Bible—with the lives of show favorites Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley and Desmond. From time-travel to science, ethics and fate, Lost addresses them all. This is fiction at its finest and no show has spawned this much madness since Star Trek. Read more »
Hollyworld
Beating the odds on Friday night
May 6th, 2010
Whatever you may be doing on Friday night, chances are you’re not watching Friday Nights Lights on NBC. Now entering its fourth season, FNL is the best show on TV that no one watches. Last year, it was the 127th-most-watched program on network TV. Read more »
Television
Straw Into Gold
Meet the unlikely stars of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop as they film season three
April 8th, 2010
Before the appearance of the velvet rope, hulking bodyguards and string of taxis disgorging carloads of fans, you might not have noticed the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in the 22 years of its existence. Read more »
