GLEE: Review in The New Yorker

So spot on. I mean, I watch and like the show and everything, but I agree with the criticisms in this article.


http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/television/2010/05/10/100510crte_television_franklin?currentPage=2

Quotes:

"With several production numbers per episode, almost all of which have remarkably weak choreography and poorly synched lip-synching, the writers haven’t been able to go very deep into anyone’s life."

"Will’s wife, Terri, has to be the worst part that Jessalyn Gilsig has ever been given. She’s unaccountably unpleasant to Will, and she fakes a pregnancy for much longer than is credible."

"The episode in which many people’s affection for the show was cemented was the one in which it was revealed—briefly, in a moment done just right—that Sue had a human core; it was also an episode that was free of Terri and Emma, and thus didn’t leave you with a knot in your stomach."

"There is in “Glee” an element of creepiness, or, at least, sourness. Tonally, it hasn’t found its way yet. A teacher’s dismissal for touching a student inappropriately is treated as a joke. And Sue says to two doltish cheerleaders: “You may be the two stupidest teens I’ve ever encountered. And that’s saying something. I once taught a cheerleading seminar to a young Sarah Palin.” I get it that a group of teen-agers singing a choral arrangement of “Rehab” is notionally funny; unfortunately, watching it is notional fun. Still, “Glee” is well produced, and it works, even if some of the music, like high school itself, makes you roll your eyes and wish you were somewhere else."

Dartmouth on 30 Rock

yeeeea....scrub to 4:20...

HMC

I like what you did, Jimmy Kimmel.

Grey's

While catching up on this season's Grey's Anatomy (used to watch it pretty strictly during the first few seasons), I noticed some new characters. New addition Dr. Jackson Avery (played by Jesse Williams) seems to be underutilized so far...

Journal of e-Media Studies

I've been working for a Dartmouth Film & Media studies professor, helping with his ongoing project, the Journal of e-Media Studies, by copyediting and web-enhancing. There are some really interesting pieces about Kindles, machinima, CSI/Law&Order victims, reporting on Katrina, self-reflexive television and other film/media-related subjects. The new issue was just published today!

Check it out:

http://journals.dartmouth.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Journals.woa/xmlpage/4/issue

My favorite is the CSI/Law&Order article, "Two Versions of the Victim: Uncovering Contradictions in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Through Textual Analysis" by Elke Weissmann. Some fascinating use of theory and observation applied to popular media:


http://journals.dartmouth.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Journals.woa/2/xmlpage/4/article/341

The Nanny

I know it's time to school when I'm sitting at home tuning in to Nick at Nite and watching reruns of "The Nanny."

But I do love that show. Its campiness, forced acting and story flaws (the butler is totally gay--he would never have gotten with C. C.) combine to make a easily digestible show for a late night veg sesh. Plus, Fran's outfits are absolutely hilarious.

Google isn't finding me any good pictures, so just watch TV to see what I mean. The leopard print, sequins and red velvet applique jackets are perfect.

PS have you noticed that so much of what's in style now is like the Neo-Nanny movement? WTF?

TV in the 00's

I forgot we were at the end of a decade. Anyway, read this piece in NYMag about TV and how it has dramatically changed over the past 10 years (reality TV boom, HBO, Showtime)

Mad Men: Misery Loves Company

Happy Sunday! You know what this means: Mad Men and Next Iron Chef are on TV. You know it's bad when I label the days of the week with what shows I watch (okay, that's only true for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday). Anyway, in these hard times, Mad Men has found a place in many viewers' television schedules, reflecting the fact that maybe we aren't searching for escapism through musicals and luxe films, but through depressing programming that makes us feel like we aren't the only ones in trouble.

But Bravo believes in escapist television shows, and TLC's almost fetishistic programs about weddings or extremely large families make me sick with how intensely they try to convince its viewers that their lives aren't that bad, you could have 18 kids and be a mermaid girl who has a domineering mother and a rainy wedding day.

With the escapism of today, I'd prefer to watch Mad Men. I'd prefer its temporal removal, beautiful people and unrealistic problems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/opinion/17sat4.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Clubmasters

I am obsessed with my Ray-Ban Clubmasters.

Bought them in the fall and wear them every day. It goes along with my obsession with Mad Men (3rd season is starting in August!). 60's glasses=amazing

http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/

hey there. how's married life treating you?

TV Lineup

Since I've gotten home from Dartmouth, I've been going through a crash-course in primetime shows that are just starting new seasons.

-So You Think You Can Dance? is back on for another season, reminding me that there is some integrity to these reality shows. I just heard a Twitter reference as I'm watching right now. Oh, technology.

--> Hubert, I'd love you to cater/DJ any party of mine.
-Top Chef: Masters has become my new obsession. It's so much better than normal Top Chef because the contestants don't really have anything at stake, so they are much more mature. The chefs are also much more established, creative, and, frankly, better. No plate that I saw last night looked disgusting. In addition, the elimination challenge last night was to cook a gourmet meal in a college dorm room. Is there any better way to cater to a young audience? The new hostess, Kelly Choi, is mad annoying, though--how weird is it to label her a "TV Personality" in the commercials?

-Colbert Report: He's in Iraq now doing his show for the soldiers. I loved his Army of Me segment when he was in boot camp. Hilarious. Watch here:

http://www.colbertnation.com/home?kw=thecolbertreport

Read about it here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/arts/television/12watch.html?emc=eta1

Anyway, it's time for me to start reading more. My brain's going to be mush by the time I'm 30.