Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Well, I'm currently re-watching Highlander, though I started on Season 4, because I own seasons 4 and 5 on DVD, but not the rest. I've finished off Season 4 and am now on disc 3 in Season 5. Trying to watch an ep every couple days on that one.
I'm also waiting for more season 3 of Route 66 to show up from Netflix, though it looks like their discs have all gone weirdly astray and are no longer available.
I'm also re-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer from start to finish. Up to the middle of Season 2 on that one.
Still working slowly through Have Gun-Will Travel as well. Not in a hurry there because I don't want to run out of new episodes anytime soon.
When The Tudors season 4 comes out on DVD, I plan to watch that.
And if the powers that be ever decide to release the rest of The Big Valley, I will snap that up on the spot. I mean come on, leaving off in the middle of season 2?? Dudes, get the rest of the series released!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Lookng for something to say?
Day 24 - Best quote
Not going with "best" here, as I'm not sure how to define best. Going instead with most quoted television line of all time in my family. That's from I Love Lucy, spoken by Jay Novello in.... er... I have no idea what the episode is called, but it's the one about numerology where he says:
"We're all odd, aren't we!"
Yeah, we quote that. A lot.
Not going with "best" here, as I'm not sure how to define best. Going instead with most quoted television line of all time in my family. That's from I Love Lucy, spoken by Jay Novello in.... er... I have no idea what the episode is called, but it's the one about numerology where he says:
"We're all odd, aren't we!"
Yeah, we quote that. A lot.
Day 23 - Most annoying character
I'm stuck on this question too. Oh sure, I can think of a ton of annoying characters on tv... the entire cast of Seinfeld comes to mind. Steve Carrell on The Office. Basically, any show I can't stand is on the "I loathe this series" list mostly because it's full of annoying characters. But as I don't watch those shows, I don't think it's fair to list them as most annoying character. I also am assuming this day's prompt is referring to a regular character, and not a guest star. Problem is, I like the characters on the shows I watch. I wouldn't watch the show if someone annoyed me. And fortunately, when there is a truly annoying character on a show that I like (Tasha Yar!), the series politely kills them off before I have too much time to complain.
But I guess, speaking of Star Trek: The Next Generation, I'll have to list Dr. Crusher as my most annoying character. I like Wesley and Deanna Troi better, and that's saying something. I just don't like her. Every other doctor on Star Trek was cool. She was just... well, annoying. And when her hair cut went all lopsided, it bugged me even more. Give me Pulaski, or Bashir or the Doctor on Voyager, or of course McCoy.
I'm stuck on this question too. Oh sure, I can think of a ton of annoying characters on tv... the entire cast of Seinfeld comes to mind. Steve Carrell on The Office. Basically, any show I can't stand is on the "I loathe this series" list mostly because it's full of annoying characters. But as I don't watch those shows, I don't think it's fair to list them as most annoying character. I also am assuming this day's prompt is referring to a regular character, and not a guest star. Problem is, I like the characters on the shows I watch. I wouldn't watch the show if someone annoyed me. And fortunately, when there is a truly annoying character on a show that I like (Tasha Yar!), the series politely kills them off before I have too much time to complain.
But I guess, speaking of Star Trek: The Next Generation, I'll have to list Dr. Crusher as my most annoying character. I like Wesley and Deanna Troi better, and that's saying something. I just don't like her. Every other doctor on Star Trek was cool. She was just... well, annoying. And when her hair cut went all lopsided, it bugged me even more. Give me Pulaski, or Bashir or the Doctor on Voyager, or of course McCoy.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"Heroes make good presidents."
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
You know, I was thinking about this... and having trouble even remembering series finales. I'm just not pulling up any in my brain. Also, older series did not particularly have a series finale in the way we tend to think of them today. The shows just sort of trailed off with an episode like any other.
So, I've been reviewing my favorite shows, contemplating their season finales, and they're all a bit fuzzy or they were nothing I really held onto in the "wow, great ep" category. Which leads me to the only one that's not, because I recently re-watched it -- twice, and so I'm going to go with it. It was the two-part ep "High Treason" from The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
It stands out to me because I think it was the best ep of the entire series. All the semi-regulars returned with the exception of Dixie (I don't mind Dixie, really I don't, but I'd also rather she not be there...). But Pete, Whip, Viva, Prof. Wickwire are all there and they're all amusing as hell. Pete and Viva arguing in jail over who designed the cell. Pete: "I scoff at your moronic interpretation of hoosegow architecture." The hilarious dialogue subtitles for one of the side characters. Terry Bradshaw and the football jokes. Pete and his bible. Pete and his crossbow with the dynamite. Pete and Tiny. Okay, yeah, Pete Hutter is still the funniest character in the show. "High Treason" showed the series truly finding its legs, settling in on what the audience really loved about it. It was a serious story with a bunch of wackiness that grew naturally from the circumstances. And it was the last ep. Grrrr. This is why it needed another season so badly.
It also wasn't a "true" series finale in that nothing was wrapped up, nothing "ended," it was just a rousingly good show that promised more. But right now, it's the series finale I remember most.
You know, I was thinking about this... and having trouble even remembering series finales. I'm just not pulling up any in my brain. Also, older series did not particularly have a series finale in the way we tend to think of them today. The shows just sort of trailed off with an episode like any other.
So, I've been reviewing my favorite shows, contemplating their season finales, and they're all a bit fuzzy or they were nothing I really held onto in the "wow, great ep" category. Which leads me to the only one that's not, because I recently re-watched it -- twice, and so I'm going to go with it. It was the two-part ep "High Treason" from The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
It stands out to me because I think it was the best ep of the entire series. All the semi-regulars returned with the exception of Dixie (I don't mind Dixie, really I don't, but I'd also rather she not be there...). But Pete, Whip, Viva, Prof. Wickwire are all there and they're all amusing as hell. Pete and Viva arguing in jail over who designed the cell. Pete: "I scoff at your moronic interpretation of hoosegow architecture." The hilarious dialogue subtitles for one of the side characters. Terry Bradshaw and the football jokes. Pete and his bible. Pete and his crossbow with the dynamite. Pete and Tiny. Okay, yeah, Pete Hutter is still the funniest character in the show. "High Treason" showed the series truly finding its legs, settling in on what the audience really loved about it. It was a serious story with a bunch of wackiness that grew naturally from the circumstances. And it was the last ep. Grrrr. This is why it needed another season so badly.
It also wasn't a "true" series finale in that nothing was wrapped up, nothing "ended," it was just a rousingly good show that promised more. But right now, it's the series finale I remember most.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
My kingdom for a ship
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Well, that's an easy one. There aren't that many ships, and really, the coolest, bestest, neatest of them all is the TARDIS. I mean, come on! It's small on the outside, gigantic on the inside. Travels through time and space. As much as I love the Enterprise... if she wants to travel through time, she has to slingshot around the sun, and that's just pesky. Besides, you can't land her anywhere you want. And Seaview, while an awesome submarine... and has even left the confines of the oceans (watch out for the creatures from Venus), just can't do what the TARDIS can. So, Tillane, that's one more we agree on! :-D
And I'll take K-9 too!
Well, that's an easy one. There aren't that many ships, and really, the coolest, bestest, neatest of them all is the TARDIS. I mean, come on! It's small on the outside, gigantic on the inside. Travels through time and space. As much as I love the Enterprise... if she wants to travel through time, she has to slingshot around the sun, and that's just pesky. Besides, you can't land her anywhere you want. And Seaview, while an awesome submarine... and has even left the confines of the oceans (watch out for the creatures from Venus), just can't do what the TARDIS can. So, Tillane, that's one more we agree on! :-D
And I'll take K-9 too!
Where do we go from here?
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Oh dear. In a TV series?? I can't even think of a kiss, let alone have a favorite one. Okay, then, I'm going to go with the only kiss I can actually remember, and it wins by default...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The end of "Once More With Feeling"... Buffy and Spike.
Oh dear. In a TV series?? I can't even think of a kiss, let alone have a favorite one. Okay, then, I'm going to go with the only kiss I can actually remember, and it wins by default...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The end of "Once More With Feeling"... Buffy and Spike.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
"Warp speed, Mr. Sulu."
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Okay, this is an impossible question. All my favorite tv show have awesome casts. They all took their characters and made them their own, and if you replaced a single one, it wouldn't be the same show.
But, for the sake of argument... I need to pick one. I'm going to go with the original Star Trek. They were perfection. And come on. The show runs three seasons, dies a horrible network-induced death... and lived on. Spawned a jillion movies, new series. That kind of longevity is not just because there were some great episodes in there. It's because that particular cast worked so well together on screen. Gene Roddenberry created the world, but those actors gave it life and breath. So, they get my vote for the best TV show cast.
Okay, this is an impossible question. All my favorite tv show have awesome casts. They all took their characters and made them their own, and if you replaced a single one, it wouldn't be the same show.
But, for the sake of argument... I need to pick one. I'm going to go with the original Star Trek. They were perfection. And come on. The show runs three seasons, dies a horrible network-induced death... and lived on. Spawned a jillion movies, new series. That kind of longevity is not just because there were some great episodes in there. It's because that particular cast worked so well together on screen. Gene Roddenberry created the world, but those actors gave it life and breath. So, they get my vote for the best TV show cast.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Trains and dames
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
The Wild Wild West!
From the second season on, that is. He doesn't get to punch the girl in the first season and it's not as good without that moment. Has the catchiest theme song, and the coolest visuals. Perfectly represents the series. Simply the Best Television Title Sequence Ever!
The Wild Wild West!
From the second season on, that is. He doesn't get to punch the girl in the first season and it's not as good without that moment. Has the catchiest theme song, and the coolest visuals. Perfectly represents the series. Simply the Best Television Title Sequence Ever!
"I promised her rings for her fingers..."
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
That would be Shogun, which I can't believe came out thirty years ago!! I was twelve, and I still remember waiting anxiously for each part to air to find out what happened. I was completely entranced by the setting, the characters, the plot. I loved learning little bits of Japanese as Blackthorne did. I loved Mariko. I loved the cultural differences, the history, the samurai, and Orson Welles narrating. I loved Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. The mini-series would not be half as powerful without him. It was such a beautiful mini-series, filmed in Japan, with gorgeous costumes and scenery. I loved the theme. Most of the plot even stayed with me over the years, which I can't say of other mini-series we watched back in the '80s, like the interminable (at the time - my opinion may be different now) Winds of War. When Shogun came out on DVD, I bought it immediately. I watched it again and found I loved it even more than I had as a kid. It held up just fine. Definitely everything a mini-series should be.
That would be Shogun, which I can't believe came out thirty years ago!! I was twelve, and I still remember waiting anxiously for each part to air to find out what happened. I was completely entranced by the setting, the characters, the plot. I loved learning little bits of Japanese as Blackthorne did. I loved Mariko. I loved the cultural differences, the history, the samurai, and Orson Welles narrating. I loved Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. The mini-series would not be half as powerful without him. It was such a beautiful mini-series, filmed in Japan, with gorgeous costumes and scenery. I loved the theme. Most of the plot even stayed with me over the years, which I can't say of other mini-series we watched back in the '80s, like the interminable (at the time - my opinion may be different now) Winds of War. When Shogun came out on DVD, I bought it immediately. I watched it again and found I loved it even more than I had as a kid. It held up just fine. Definitely everything a mini-series should be.
Saturday, July 03, 2010
New music!
Wow. Am I in complete love with James Newton Howard's soundtrack to The Last Airbender! Not a movie I'm remotely interested in seeing, but boy howdy, I cannot stop playing the score. I think it just might be my new top favorite by him. I love that there is at least still have one composer who can really turn out great music, whose scores I'll buy sound unheard, because I trust him to deliver. I don't think he's disappointed me yet.
These questions are getting harder
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Hm. I'm not sure how to answer this one. I don't really have a guilty pleasure show. Perhaps, Time Tunnel, which is really bad and cheesy and makes me roll my eyes, but I'll still watch it if it comes on? But guilty pleasure implies seeking it out to enjoy it... and I don't seek out Time Tunnel, nor do I own it on DVD or have any intention of owning it, nor do I particularly feel embarrassed watching it, bad as it is, so the guilt factor is lacking. So... not so much an answer. Hm.
I suppose I'll settle on Queen of Swords, a short-lived series that came out in 2000 (that long ago????) about, basically, a female version of Zorro. It wasn't actually bad though, you just had to suspend your disbelief. I mean, come on, since when do lace masks guarantee anonymity, particularly for a woman?? But there were some really well-written eps in there, and the rest were all better than average. And, of course, it had Peter Wingfield and Valentine Pelka in it, and I adore both actors so much it wouldn't matter what they're doing.When they're together... even better. I originally watched the show for them, but the female actors ended up winning me over too, particularly Paulina Galvez as Marta. She was awesome. I wish I could see her in more things. Queen of Swords was fun and entertaining and full of eye candy. Hm, so I guess this show isn't an answer either, as I'm not feeling any guilt for loving it.
If this show ever comes out on DVD, I will snap it up. Alas, I don't think it ever will. Too small and forgotten. Sigh.
(Of course, it was also hard not to see this as an odd sort of off-shoot of Highlander, with Peter Wingfield's character of Dr. Helm simply being one of Methos's aliases over the years. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. There can never be too much Methos or Peter Wingfield in the world.)
Hm. I'm not sure how to answer this one. I don't really have a guilty pleasure show. Perhaps, Time Tunnel, which is really bad and cheesy and makes me roll my eyes, but I'll still watch it if it comes on? But guilty pleasure implies seeking it out to enjoy it... and I don't seek out Time Tunnel, nor do I own it on DVD or have any intention of owning it, nor do I particularly feel embarrassed watching it, bad as it is, so the guilt factor is lacking. So... not so much an answer. Hm.
I suppose I'll settle on Queen of Swords, a short-lived series that came out in 2000 (that long ago????) about, basically, a female version of Zorro. It wasn't actually bad though, you just had to suspend your disbelief. I mean, come on, since when do lace masks guarantee anonymity, particularly for a woman?? But there were some really well-written eps in there, and the rest were all better than average. And, of course, it had Peter Wingfield and Valentine Pelka in it, and I adore both actors so much it wouldn't matter what they're doing.When they're together... even better. I originally watched the show for them, but the female actors ended up winning me over too, particularly Paulina Galvez as Marta. She was awesome. I wish I could see her in more things. Queen of Swords was fun and entertaining and full of eye candy. Hm, so I guess this show isn't an answer either, as I'm not feeling any guilt for loving it.
If this show ever comes out on DVD, I will snap it up. Alas, I don't think it ever will. Too small and forgotten. Sigh.
(Of course, it was also hard not to see this as an odd sort of off-shoot of Highlander, with Peter Wingfield's character of Dr. Helm simply being one of Methos's aliases over the years. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. There can never be too much Methos or Peter Wingfield in the world.)
Friday, July 02, 2010
The ladies of televsion
Day 15 - Favorite female character
So, I'm going to list two here. They're actually very similar. They're both the "secondary" lead female on their respective shows. And where I love the titular lead on both shows, neither particularly has a series arc. Oh sure, all kinds of things happen to them, and they do change and mature and deepen, but they're still doing the same job they started out in. Whereas the secondary characters grew by leaps and bounds in all kinds of other ways. And I absolutely love and respect that about both of them.
I'm referring to Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess.
Both start out naive and a bit mousy and, while they both had funny dialog, there wasn't much to them. They usually needed rescuing. But only very early on. And then they grew. Boy, how they grew, and in all kinds of ways. You kind of have to watch both series really to watch the progression, but it was lovely. Willow had Oz, then Tara, discovered she was a witch, became hugely powerful, flipped out and went to the dark side. I mean she goes from a cute nobody to someone you do not want to mess with. And she gets all the emotional arcs to go with it.
Same with Gabrielle. A farm girl who wants to be a bard and go on adventures, and who gets far more than she bargains on when she hooks up with Xena. She evolves over the seasons into a more than capable warrior in her own right (much as Willow evolves as a witch). She also gets quite a bit of tragedy and emotional growth along the way (ie: Hope, among other things) right up to the very end of the series.
(There's all kinds of character parallels between the two shows, really, now that I think about it. Buffy/Xena, Xander/Joxer, Spike/Autolycus, Angel/Ares, and Willow/Gabrielle. How interesting!)
So, I'm going to list two here. They're actually very similar. They're both the "secondary" lead female on their respective shows. And where I love the titular lead on both shows, neither particularly has a series arc. Oh sure, all kinds of things happen to them, and they do change and mature and deepen, but they're still doing the same job they started out in. Whereas the secondary characters grew by leaps and bounds in all kinds of other ways. And I absolutely love and respect that about both of them.
I'm referring to Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess.
Both start out naive and a bit mousy and, while they both had funny dialog, there wasn't much to them. They usually needed rescuing. But only very early on. And then they grew. Boy, how they grew, and in all kinds of ways. You kind of have to watch both series really to watch the progression, but it was lovely. Willow had Oz, then Tara, discovered she was a witch, became hugely powerful, flipped out and went to the dark side. I mean she goes from a cute nobody to someone you do not want to mess with. And she gets all the emotional arcs to go with it.
Same with Gabrielle. A farm girl who wants to be a bard and go on adventures, and who gets far more than she bargains on when she hooks up with Xena. She evolves over the seasons into a more than capable warrior in her own right (much as Willow evolves as a witch). She also gets quite a bit of tragedy and emotional growth along the way (ie: Hope, among other things) right up to the very end of the series.
(There's all kinds of character parallels between the two shows, really, now that I think about it. Buffy/Xena, Xander/Joxer, Spike/Autolycus, Angel/Ares, and Willow/Gabrielle. How interesting!)
