Sartorial Choices of a Madman
In a good work, it is the tiny differences that make all of the difference. While most of us search through the broad strokes of story and character for meaning, I find that meaning manifest in the details good storytellers leave behind. Sure, a great story is great, but the viewing experience is made that much more pleasing to me by the size of the story’s dimensions. Recently, my favorite show wrapped for 2012: Breaking Bad. Now this would be awful for any other show….
Focusing on Frasier
Canned laughter, gags, crass humor, disposable characters. Anyone can tell you what makes for a bad sitcom, but what makes one watchable? You ask ten people and you’ll get ten different answers. I tried to come up with a far more scientific answer by watching an episode from one of my favorite sitcoms, Frasier, and figuring out why I still find it so funny. “The Focus Group,” Season Three, Episode 23 Let’s start with the set-up. Successful, stuck-up radio talk show host Frasier Crane watches…
Breaking Back
Television drama Breaking Bad came back for its fifth and final season on Sunday night, and I couldn’t be more excited. For those who don’t know, Breaking Bad is the story of mild-mannered chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston), and his descent into the evil, murderous world of meth dealing. Think Macbeth meets Mr. Wizard meets New Mexico. In the past four seasons, Walt has worked his way up from small-time cook all the way to drug kingpin. One by one, he has let go…
Save This Show: Party Down
I have a new television obsession: “Party Down” on Starz. I mentioned two weeks ago how “Netflix on Demand” and its super-convenience really bothered me, well, I’m a bit of a hypocrite. I heard it was about to be cancelled and decided to watch one episode, just to see what it was like. Pretty soon I was hooked. If you haven’t watched the show, it revolves around six hapless actors cum caterers. Each episode focuses on one party/distasteful disaster. Each member of this wonderful ensemble…
Recent Comments