Thursday, June 26, 2008

Shows I Can't Wait For: Mad Men

July 27th is too far away to DVR.
I know this because I've been trying.

On July 27th one of the best series on TV is coming back, and you've got precious little time to NetFlix this people, so get on it.

Mad Men is AMC's gem of a show set in my favorite backdrop, New York City. It gets better though, because it's 1960's New York City, and it's all about working in advertising.

Oh, and it's also got a ton of great directors, you may remember them from such amazing shows as Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

To read my initial reactions to the show, please click here.

Need to catch up on MadMen fast? Check out the AMC website, they are absolutely great with their coverage. Which is smart, because, what other show do they have?
Way to nurture the good stuff AMC.

psst...Fox, start making your show websites more like these.

Surf or Hulu?

Either way, you're never going to miss a show again.

Sure, watching TV on your PC doesn't seem ideal, but with all the new ways to convert video for iPods and to stream on your television, you should really start getting into this.

Did you realize that if you pay for an internet connection, you can pretty much see any show for free?

I, of course, figured this out early - and not by watching YouTube.

There's been an absolute revolution in TV on the web with in the past year. Better quality, more variety, and easy streaming. It's a TV junkie's favorite show marathon on a rainy day. (For those of you "book readers"this is as exciting as Oprah's book club books being on super discount at the local Barnes & Noble, oh boy!)

What Sites Are Worth Watching?

You want to be legit, and you don't mind commercials?
Check out Hulu : http://www.hulu.com/
Not only do they have current TV shows, but they also have past favorites, shorts that don't make it to air, and HD streaming. Which is a great way to utilize that LCD monitor you have.

You want to see pretty much anything you want and don't mind pop-ups?
I highly recommend Surf the Channel: http://www.surfthechannel.com/cat/television.html
Not only do they have pretty much every TV show I wanted to see, they also have movies that are still in the theaters.
Legit?
Probably not.
Good for the broke and TV lovers?
Fabulous.

Go forth and watch!

What's Worth Watching on TV, Thursday, June 26th 2008

Not a whole lot. We are feeling the summer slump hard this year kids.
(These picks are for the 8pm EST television viewing hour.)

Comedy
If you want to watch great stand up, let me suggest staying far, far away from Last Comic Standing (NBC).

I recommend watching Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D List for a more realistic Reality TV look at the life of a comedian. (Bravo)

Sitcoms

I have yet to see a full episode of Ugly Betty. I've heard good things, but my heart just won't let me because I found it way too over the top. Often you can tell a good sitcom by the lighting. Since Ugly Betty takes place in a superficial magazine setting it's got a lot of bright lighting. I'm a believer in natural lighting, but the brightness of the show is off-putting and takes away from humanizing any of the characters for me. (ABC)

I would suggest trying on for size How I Met Your Mother. It's got a great cast, and a natural flow. Sure there's the standard laugh track that can get in the way, but for the most part this is a fun show with interesting situations. (CBS)

Brain Numbing TV
If you really wanna veg-out tonight. I suggest watching Denise Richards: It's Complicated. You really need to see how it's not complicated at all. She really is the vapid bitch you think she is. (E!)

TV Pop Quiz Question #1

Where did Saved by the Bell take place?

Put your answer in the comments, and check back tomorrow for the answer.

I leave you now, with not a hint, but a great theme song clip:


Wednesday, June 25, 2008

What's on TV Wednesday, June 25, 2008

This is all for the 8 o'clock EST hour

What You Shouldn't Watch

America's Next Top Model - Tyra's tapped out. (UPN)
Sheer Genius - I love you Bravo, but this is so boring.

What Reality Competition Show You Should Watch

If you like fun ones - So You Think You Should Dance (Fox)
If you like ridiculous tackiness - The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (CBS)*
*Note - you should also watch this if you are taking care of an elderly releative, that is if that relative doesn't get PAX. If they do, well you already know you're watching it, they're probably on it right now.

Check Your Brain at the Door Winner

Sweet 16 on MTV


Stoner Viewing


How it's Made on Discovery

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Cheers

Cheers is one of my all time favorite sitcoms. Why you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked...

10. Sam Malone, not really that hot, yet amazing with the ladies. How does he do it? And by “it” I mean his hair.

9. Diane’s literary references: If you catch them it’s like getting a Jeopardy! question correct.

8. Carla’s Earrings: Pay attention to these if you haven’t already noticed. She wears the most bizarre things on her ears.

7. Kirtsy Alley: I find myself looking at her wondering if she’s fat, healthy, or just in awfully cut 90’s power suits. (Personal note: Pretty sure she’s the reason why I vowed at a young age that I would NEVER have to wear a suit to work.)

6. Cliffy’s accent. It’s so Boston.

5. Norm’s alcoholism. He’s the loveable drunk/ role model of slack -


4. Dr. Fraiser Crane: He’s one of the most durable characters of television. I really like the idea of the character in the ensemble of Cheers. A bar setting lends itself to the telling of personal stories. Sam’s so vapid. You kind of respect his advice, because he’s a recovering alcoholic, but he’s no expert (outside of bangin’ chicks). Dr. Fraiser Crane delivers the honest advice, but is neurotic himself which in a way is also honest. There’s a reason why he’s one of TV's Longest Running Characters.

3. Theme Song: If you have never heard the entire theme song, you’re missing out.

2. Great Writing. Sitcom’s by nature have simple story lines with clear cut plots. What makes a good sitcom is dialogue. Cheers has some of the best banter around.

1. The best straight men: Coach and Woody. Sure, they were bumbling idiots with hearts of gold, but they delivered so many hilariously naive responses. Skills like that make good television.

Welcome to I Love TV More Than You

I was in the back of Ochi’s Lounge at the Morrison Mic and I heard a comic say, “Would you pay $100 to watch one episode?” I’m not sure the context, but I leaned over to my buddy Art and said, “Um, I’d pay a lot more. In fact I pay so much for my TV addiction, I’ve eaten nothing but yogurt this week so I could afford the upgrade to Showtime.”

That’s right folks. I’ll go broke for TV, which is why I’m starting this blog. In the hopes that I don’t go broke for the love of television. So please, tune in and click on any advertising you see.

Thanks!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

What I Think of Your Ad Here

This Week's Discussion: Unattainable Advertisements

Sonic and DQ

I love both of your commercials. But neither of your fine establishments are in New York City.

Why must you tease me!

You should add in taxi cab fare to those prices.
Sure the meal is $5.99 but to get to one from NYC area it will be approximately 40 dollars, plus tip, one way.


Jerkfaces.

I still like your commercials.