Tag Archives: entertainment

Emmys Dream Ballot+Predictions-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

14 Sep

Welcome to my coverage of the 2013 Primetime Emmys. As it’s less than a month away, I’ve decided to start a series in which I offer up my dream ballot for each major category. Then, I’ll look at the actual Emmy ballot and offer a “Who should win?” and a “Who Will Win?” for each. I hope you enjoy! Today, we’ll be looking at….

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Dream Ballot

Tina-Fey-of-30-Rock_gallery_primary  TINA FEY, “30 Rock”

Tina Fey’s always been one of the funniest people on television, and the final year of 30 Rock really put a bow on her wonderful run as Liz Lemon. She did especially amazing work in the two part finale, conveying both sadness and and delight as she closed out her relationships with Jack, Tracy, and Jenna.

Zooey-Deschanel-of-New-Girl_gallery_primary  ZOOEY DESCHANEL, “New Girl”

After an average first season, New Girl blew me away this year. Jake Johnson had the breakout performance, but Deschanel was consistently great as the awkward, endearing Jess Day. Her relationship with Nick was one the best handled, and funniest, relationships I’ve ever seen on television.

enlightened21f-1-web  LAURA DERN, “Enlightened”

Amy Jellicoe was a flawed, narcissistic character that just wanted to improve the world. Dern was amazing at her portrayal of Jellicoe, transforming her character into an unlikeable, yet relatable person that you could sympathize with. Her character was so real, and so unique, and was one of the best on TV.

Julia-Louis-Dreyfus-of-Veep_gallery_primary  JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, “Veep”

Her performance as the sarcastic, bumbling Vice President was top notch this year. The profanity-filled, glass door-breaking shenanigans were absolutely hilarious, and her relationships with her ex-husband and her daughter Catherine had very few dull moments.

11GIRLS-articleLarge  LENA DUNHAM, “Girls”

This performance, as well as the show in general, is extremely polarizing. However, in the second season of the show, Dunham brilliantly portrayed a woman spiraling downward due to her OCD and relationship troubles. There will always be detractors, but that shouldn’t stop her from getting a nomination.

1818369  AMY POEHLER, “Parks and Recreation”

Poehler is TV’s second-funniest lady, right behind Tina Fey. Leslie Knope is such a lovable, heart-warming character that we love to see every week. Her wedding with Ben was one of the most beautiful things on TV this year, and she even got to meet Joe Biden!

Who should win?

I’d love to see Dern win, as it’s her last year of eligibility, but I’d be just as happy with Poehler or Fey. Poehler has to win sometime, though. We don’t want to see another Steve Carell situation.

Others considered: Sutton Foster, Edie Falco, Martha Plimpton, Dakota Johnson, Krysten Ritter, Courteney Cox, Portia de Rossi

On to the real nominations…

Laura Dern-Enlightened

Lena Dunham-Girls

Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey-30 Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfus-Veep

Amy Poehler-Parks and Recreation

Who should win?

See above.

Who will win?

Fey

Analysis: I believe Fey can pull it off one last time. It’s between her and Louis-Dreyfus for the win, but I think we’re going to see some final season nostalgia culminating in Fey’s win. It’d be well-deserved, though.

Credit to HBO, NBC, FOX, Veep, Girls, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, New Girl, and Enlightened for all pictures. I own nothing.

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PTC condemns “Sons of Anarchy” season premiere because they don’t have anything better to do with their lives

12 Sep

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Today, the Parents Television Council (also known as the GOPA, or Group of Pretentious Assholes) decided to use their oh so wonderful 1st Amendment rights to petition Congress for what is essentially a Constitutional amendment. For a TV show.

Oh yes, this group of rambunctious little worrywarts is back at it again, releasing a statement today that reads, “The Parents Television Council is calling on its members to contact Congress to express the urgent need for a consumer cable choice solution in response to the violent and sexually graphic premiere of FX’s Sons Of Anarchy, which featured a young boy committing a school shooting, simulated rape scenes, torture of women, and a man who was drowned in a bathtub of urine”, which essentially means “We didn’t like the episode, so we want everyone to conform to our highly idealistic and narrow-minded view of television in general.”

What a hoot! Last I checked, parents decided what their kids could and couldn’t watch, not a group of idiots that are getting more attention than they deserve (I’m writing an article about them, for God’s sake). What’s next? Criticizing Game of Thrones, Hannibal, or pretty much all of TV? I’m so glad there’s a council out there telling adults how to act.

Of course, all members of this group probably watch these shows in a dark room somewhere, smoking joints, giggling, and slapping each other with balloon animals. They’re so distracted that they don’t seem to notice the “TV-MA” and the “VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED” and the “THIS PROGRAM CONTAINS VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, AND NUDITY, WHICH ARE THE EXACT THINGS WE’RE CRITICIZING” disclaimers, four or five of which accompany each episode of every show on the network.

The show is on cable and at 10 pm, and it’s not a show for tiny, messy kids with inferiority complexes. Of course, going by that definition, that’s the equivalent of saying it’s not a show for the PTC.

Credit to FX and Sons of Anarchy for all pictures. I own nothing.

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John Oliver is returning to “Community”, and it’s about time.

11 Sep

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In news surely to please any Community fan, or lover of comedy in general, the show is bringing back John Oliver as Professor Ian Duncan, last seen in “Applied Anthropology and Culinary Arts” back in Season A Long Time Ago.

He will have a recurring role, appearing in at least six episodes, a statement which hopefully means he will be appearing in twenty two episodes. He will also hopefully be taking on the role of Troy Barnes, preferably without any explanation whatsoever. There might be a short exchange, though, that goes something like:

Jeff: Aren’t you supposed to be black?

Oliver as Duncan as Troy: Yeah, but I made some adjustments in my life this summer. *Jumps into bed with Britta*

Logically, this should also mean he’d be taking on the role of Pierce Hawthorne, and he’s eventually going to be playing every single character in the show. That way, if Jon Stewart ever decided to guest star, he’d be there to take his place as well.

Oliver will spend his time on the show drinking lots of tea and showing off his big penis (I do not say this from experience), and he will continually want to move to a room with less balls. He will also-…whatever. He’s back. Harmon’s back. McKenna’s back. The Russos are back. Goggins and Banks are coming. It should be a great season. If it’s not, then I blame Britta.

Credit to NBC and Community for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Saul Goodman to be Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad” spinoff about Saul Goodman

11 Sep

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After months of speculation, AMC announced today that Bob Odenkirk will reprise his role in a spinoff of Breaking Bad, and that said spinoff will be airing on AMC. The series will involve Saul Goodman doing Saul Goodman-y things, like telling young, unsuspecting idiots to not drink and drive, but call him if they do. The series will be one hour, and will presumably consist of 20 minutes of “Better Call Saul” ads, 20 minutes of “Better Call Saul” ads, and 20 minutes of “Better Call Saul” ads. 

Vince Gilligan will be involved in the creative process, and the series will most likely air sometime next year. That gives us enough time to finish screaming at the top of our lungs in reaction to Breaking Bad, and will give our families and friends enough time to look at us strangely, then move out of the country. By the time we have digested the series finale and have gone through withdrawal from the show, most of us will probably be a melted puddle of human, almost as if Walt himself dissolved us in a vat of acid.

Those of us that survive will be able to see Saul’s origins, as the series will trace his route from sleazy lawyer to sleazy lawyer of Heisenberg. Hank and Marie will probably guest star so Hank can throw in a “Jesus Christ, Marie!”, and Jesus Christ will probably descend from the skies in the form of Huell. Walt Jr. will also spend the whole series gaping idiotically at Saul.

Credit to AMC and Breaking Bad for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Wilfred “Regrets” Review (3×13)

6 Sep

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Well, that was…interesting. The final shot of the third season of Wilfred is of Ryan in a forest, unearthing a statue of a man in a dog suit. It’s a moment that’s perfect for a cliffhanger, intended to be intense and mysterious. However, it comes across as tacky and unnecessary. Let’s break down why.

Ryan’s dad has always been a fundamental part of the show, even without his physical presence. He’s been hovering over these characters’ heads, influencing Ryan’s life in ways Ryan himself does not want to admit. Wilfred is important, but he may very well be a manifestation of Ryan’s inability to let go of his childhood. The series is about him maturing as a person, and his dad has impeded that natural progression of events.

This is exactly why I was excited to hear that his dad would be brought into the fold this season. However, I feel like the writers only scratched the surface with this relationship; it was a unifying storyline, but it jumped around the other side stories way too much. The weaving was less effective in this season.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the season (there are a few absolutely amazing episodes), or the episode. I love Wilfred’s reunion with Ryan, as it conveys true sadness on both of their parts. It’s heartbreaking and endearing, and it reminds you why you’re watching this show. The Jenna stuff, on the other hand, feels a bit generic, just like the rest of the season. The show pushed the boundaries in seasons 1 and 2, and I feel like they took a step back here.

As for the decision to kill off Ryan’s dad, I’m left disappointed. I guess that it is a smart move on the part of the writers, as they can maintain the ambiguity they’ve created with the character. However, it comes across as an avoidance of Ryan’s father issues. I hope that next season, the writers focus on him coping with the death, and not with the new overarching mystery. I don’t think that will happen, but I’d really love it if Ryan worked to make himself better. If that means the series has to end, then so be it. I want to see a natural progression of events, not some meandering plot that dances around a big mystery the whole season.

It’s not a bad episode. I’ve made it out to be worse than it really is, but that just stems from disappointment.

Grade: B

Season Grade: B

Other thoughts:

-So Ryan’s roommate is a spy! Okay.

-We also find out that the pro bono division managing job is actually real. It’s an interesting decision that I hope will be handled well next year.

-“What’s next, landscaping camp?”

-“At first I thought it was you, but then I thought about what you look like, and act like, and how you struggle with dandruff and stuff, and honestly I just burst out laughing.”

-Renewal is not a given. The show has been struggling, especially without Louie as a partner, but I hope FX allows it to end on its own terms. Hopefully I’ll see you all back here next year for season 4.

Credit to FX and Wilfred for all pictures. I own nothing.

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The Bridge “The Beetle” Review (1×09)

5 Sep

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The first few minutes of this episode of The Bridge is devoted to a flashback, one that takes us right into the tragedy of the car crash that claimed David Tate’s family. The camera focuses on his tear-drenched, anguished face, and we hear his miserable screams as he watches his family getting pulled out of the car. It’s almost as if we’re in a dream, and we feel his pain. The scene lasts for a few minutes, but lingers for even more than that.

The main plot involves Tate’s kidnapping of Marco’s family, one that anchors a tightly plotted, intense episode. It seems as if the writers have committed to the revenge storyline, which, as I said last week, certainly limits the scope of the show. However, a commenter pointed out that it’s always possible that Tate isn’t ‘The Beast’. I’m dubious that there would be this much misdirection near the end of the season, but who knows? The reason given for his murders, though, is satisfying, as it combines elements of his personal life with the political ramifications of certain actions taken by the police departments.

Anyway, the episode really attempts to humanize Tate, a task done so both by the opening sequence and a scene on a playground. No, the scene in question does not involve Tate yelling “Yaaaaaay!” as he rides down a slide backwards. It involves him pouring out his heart to Alma, and he does so even with the knowledge that he intends to kill her. The pain in his eyes is genuine. Everything he says is true. He’s a desperate, vulnerable man that has been forced to resort to revenge to give him purpose. It’s only fitting that Alma, a vulnerable woman cheated on by her husband, would be so drawn to someone like Tate. They share a common bond of loss, and it gets her into trouble.

Side plots once again involve Linder and Charlotte, both dealing with death in their own ways. They also both look for advice, Linder in the form of a ranch owner and Charlotte in the form of Cesar. They both have to ask if their murder was justified, and they both have to grapple with their moral values.

The character moments in this episode work for me, but yet again, the plot is questionable. For example, take the final scene. How does Tate know when and where Gus is going? The final scene feels contrived, especially as a way to juxtapose with the opening. Tate lost his son, so he’s now going to take Marco’s son.

For the most part, the episode works for me. It contains a very well-constructed central plot with great character development and some questionable plot points, but it’s very enjoyable.

Grade: B+

Other thoughts:

-I guess a tracker, maybe?

-On Charlotte’s plot: I’m glad we got more advancement here, and I’m excited about her team-up with Cesar.

-“MILF? I don’t have children.” Sonya, you are amazing.

-Demian Bichir did great work again. He portrayed a desperate, determined man very well.

-Linder and the ranch guy’s conversation about food and death was one of the weirdest, yet most hilarious, things I’ve seen on television this year.

Credit to FX and The Bridge for all pictures. I own nothing.

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The Bridge “Vendetta” Review (1×08)

29 Aug

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“You’re contaminating the crime scene!”

One of the most appealing aspects of this show, aside from the location, is the all-encompassing, mysterious, political agenda-seeking aura of “The Beast”, the killer that, before tonight, had not been revealed. Putting a face to the name is an interesting choice, especially with four episodes remaining in the season. Of course, that’s not to say I’m not intrigued or appreciative; too many shows rely on their penultimate and final episodes to bring out the big guns, and I’m looking forward to see how The Bridge handles this situation.

Personally, I’m mixed on the actual reveal. Here, we have a sudden and complete reversal of the thematic essence of the show, instead tailoring the killer’s motives toward personal reasons. I like how several characters play a part in the creation of this murderer, strengthening the interconnectedness of those involved. However, I feel as if a chunk has been taken out of the show’s attempt at world-building. Sure, it’s never really about the mystery, but the mystery’s absolutely necessary. It propels the plot, affecting the characters and highlighting their places in this world in relation to the murder. Of course, the ends can always justify the means. We’ll have to see.

In terms of other storylines, Linder’s haunted by Galvan’s face during his dreams involving a Latina in a bikini giving him milk (that sounds strange when I write it). We don’t really know much about him yet, but we do know his actions are weighing on his mind. It will be incredibly interesting to see how, and if, Galvan, Linder, and Tate all interact. They should put them all at a dinner table or something.

The other main subplot involves Charlotte, a character I really just have no interest in. I hope they start distancing her from Ray, which I think is already set in motion; I want to see her character become her own self, and more fleshed out. Then I can be invested.

Some unifying themes across this episode are ones of escape and influence. Marco can’t escape from his realization at the end, and he’s trapped between the influence of his family and the influence of his job. Linder can’t escape from Galvan or his influence. Charlotte wants to escape, but is trapped by the influence of men in her life.

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All in all, it’s an uneven episode of The Bridge, but it’s generally compelling and it sets a new path for the show to take.

Grade: B

Other thoughts:

-The conversation between Gus and Sonya is a nice, quiet moment, and also reflects the themes of escape and influence. She can’t escape from her disorder, and she’s unable to fully grasp her true situation, however much of an influence it has on her.

-Wow, you can slice open someone’s neck, stand behind them, lay them down, and not get blood on your clothes? Nice!

-The opening scene was fun.

Credit to FX and The Bridge for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Hello, I’m a polar bear.

23 Aug

Welcome to this blog. There are millions of other blogs out there, but you chose to look at mine. No, you did not just randomly come across it; you chose it. I will accept nothing less.

As for what we do here, I think the title’s pretty explanatory. I’m a polar bear, and yes, I do watch TV. I am obsessed with various forms of pop culture, in particular television and film, so I started this to get my thoughts down in writing. I am a member of the fabulous online community of The AV Club (which all of you should check out), and I wanted to do something similar to that.

What will we review? Lots of stuff. Our TV reviews will include American Horror Story, Dexter, Breaking Bad, The Bridge, The Americans, Wilfred, Louie, Justified, Parks and Recreation, Community, Sons of Anarchy, Hannibal, Orange is the New Black, Boardwalk Empire, Homeland, Treme, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Archer, New Girl, Parenthood, Orphan Black, Person of Interest, The Walking Dead, Childrens Hospital, NTSF:SD:SUV::, Girls, Nikita, Strike Back, Veep, Banshee, The Vampire Diaries, How I Met Your Mother, Arrow, Revenge, Scandal, The Newsroom, Raising Hope, and others I can’t think of right now. Only some of these will have regular coverage, but I’ll try to get in some posts about all of them. I will also be reviewing new pilots, and may decide to pick up some more shows.

Our TV Classic reviews may include shows like The Shield, The Wire, The Sopranos, Deadwood, Friday Night Lights, House, 24, Lost, Chuck, Terriers, Arrested Development, The West Wing, Fringe, Boston Legal, and others.

*I apologize, but many of these shows’ reviews will start in the middle of their seasons, as I am just starting to write. However, I will try to give some thoughts on the episodes before.

Our film reviews will include whatever movies I decide to watch at home or in the theater, and can be new releases or old.

I might also post some random stuff; fan fiction, thoughts on entertainment news, etc.

Enjoy.

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