Luke Watches Too Much TV

Young Justice S01E01

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:06:24 -0600

Cartoon Network is on a roll; Sym-Bionic Titan is Genndy Tarakovsky at his best, and the fact that they took a chance on one of my favorite Image Comics properties Firebreather is pretty cool. So when I heard about Young Justice I was excited, Cartoon Network aired the first hour pilot as a “movie” the day after Thanksgiving.

I am a big fan of the cast featuring Dick Grayson Robin, Wally West Flash, Aqualad, Superboy, and Ms. Martian as the main team with Red Tornado, Black Canary, and Batman* backing them up.

The animation is very good it has a base of the Bruce Timm style, but with some anime influence when it comes to the action and design. The pilot movie does a good job setting up the status quo but tells a good story on it’s own. My one concern is that it may be too scary for my daughter, who is almost 6, some of the bad guy creature design is pretty dark. I think they are going for the teen/adult market that they have been with the direct to DVD movies. Time will tell if the weekly episodes have the same tone, the new season premieres in January.

*Bruce Greenwood voices Batman as almost a perfect marriage of Kevin Conroy’s and Christian Bale’s Batman

Walking Dead S01E02

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:00:54 -0600

The zombies are scary but the humans are horrifying.

- Luke Hawkins lukewatchestoomuchtv.tumblr.com

So there is my first attempt to get a movie style pull quote on an ad. Do I actually think anyone would use it, no but it is still fun to dream. It also sums up how I feel about the second episode of the Walking Dead on AMC. I was taken aback by how much the actions of Lori and Shane in the woods and also seeing Michael Rooker as coked up racist who repeatedly dropped the N-Bomb affected me. It is a very dark show and fits right in on AMC.

The action, the filmmaking, and the script were all outstanding and you can really see the money AMC is pouring into this show on the screen. The thing I am most saddened by is that after tonight’s hour we only get 4 more this year.

You can still watch the 90 minute premiere on Hulu:

http://www.hulu.com/the-walking-dead

But to watch tonight’s episode you will either have to catch a rebroadcast this week or wait for the DVD/Blu-Ray.

Sooo... What have you been up to?

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:45:55 -0600

OK I admit I have lagged in my tumblr updating. I have taken on a new schedule at work and while I still am watching too much TV I haven’t found the time to write about it. So I come to you with a new commitment to write something at least once a week Lets see how long this can last :)

Rubicon the season so far...

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:24:09 -0500

This Sunday brings us the finale of AMC’s Rubicon. The network initially sold it as “Hey we made Mad Men and Breaking Bad so trust us” and I can see why, the first 4 or so episodes were well produced were incredibly slow paced and selling a show like that can be tricky.

As the first season went on and I became fonder of the characters I found myself more sucked in to the story they were telling. It is an interesting concept for a show because at it’s core it is about intelligence analysis, imagine if 24 or Alias only focused on the work before the missions. But as they are getting ready to wrap up the first season I am excited to see how it all ends.

Undercovers S01E02

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:00:20 -0500

After being let down by the pilot, I found that my expectations were lowered for the second episode of Undercovers, and because of that I really enjoyed it. It is a much more lighthearted look at spying in the vein of a USA Network show.

The cast is really good together, and I liked that the “nerdy tech guy” is also a competent spy who is able to handle himself in the field. I loved the Marshall goes on a mission episodes of Alias, but that could get really tiring quick as a regular feature.

As long as the show is on I will keep checking it out, I just don’t see it surviving for more that one season.

Ratings/Terriers

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:51:02 -0500

Ratings/Terriers:

I’ve decided to stop blogging about the ratings, while Nielsen overnights may be the be all end all for what is successful vs. cancelled on TV. I think it is an ancient way to judge a TV show’s success because it doesn’t factor in iTunes, Hulu, and onDemand, and I am tired to writing about them.

I also want to take this blog to point out a real gem in FX’s lineup. Terriers is about a pair of unlicensed private investigators, it stars Donal Logue and is a real gritty look at low end private eye work. It is an excellent show that deserves more people checking it out.

Undercovers S01E01

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:25:58 -0500

After starting and stopping the first episode of this series a few nights ago, I was just too tired for a hour-long show, I finally got to watch Undercovers.

I have the same feeling I had with Running Wilde, it has writers, actors, and directors I enjoy but the premieres left me wanting more from each series. And not in the “I can’t wait for the next episode” way more in the “I wish that was better” way.

I am going to give Undercovers a few more episodes to find it’s tone, but it just felt hollow. Also I am not sure how they filmed it but it was almost too clean. Make no mistake it looked beautiful, but I couldn’t tell you a distinguishing feature of the cinematography that would give the show a look.

Undercovers is available on Hulu.

Glee S02E02

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:03:00 -0500

Glee S02E02:

I wasn’t crazy about the Britney Spears-centric episode of Glee this week. I thought the theme felt forced and the writing was lazier than normal. Having your first three songs be almost shot for shot remakes of Britney video’s isn’t what I am looking for from the series. I did enjoy it when they started to interpret the music in their own way, and Sue Sylvester’s rant about the 1968 Democratic Convention was really funny. The episode was capped by a very good cover of Paramore’s The Only Exception which also displayed some really good editing to help show where these characters are at the end of the episode.

Glee is still a guilty pleasure, but even though the theme episodes seem to pull some of the best ratings I wish they could either find a better way to work a singular artist into an episode or not do them at all.

TUESDAY RATING UPDATE: http://is.gd/fAkV7 Looks like I was right about Glee’s theme ratings.

Goodbye Lone Star

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:40:47 -0500

Goodbye Lone Star:

I really liked the Loe Star pilot, but since they halted production I deleted the second episode from my DVR since there is no chance for resolution. I’m not going to do a full Monday rating recap, because according to the ratings analysis Chuck may be the next Monday casualty and I don’t want to think about that.

Fringe S03E01

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:17:52 -0500

Fringe is the little Bad Robot show that could. It isn’t as flashy or as widely watched as LOST or as heavily promoted as Undercovers, but as I stated in the past I think it has the potential to overtake LOST as my favorite show produced by J.J. Abrams.

Fringe started out as a show very similar to X-Files, in which a supernatural/science gone bad case was started and mostly wrapped up by the end of an episode. I don’t know if it was in the initial plan of Kurtzman, Orci, and Abrams, but in by the end of the first season they started to expand the characters from serving the more simplistic procedural needs to fully realized people who’s relationships we cared about as viewers. The second season really kicked that into high gear and I don’t think I could be more invested about what happens to these three main characters than I am now.

Also I can’t tell you what a pet peeve it is of mine when a season ends in a heavily dramatic ending only to undo that by the end of the first episode of the new season, I am looking in your direction Smallville. Fringe masterfully avoids that pitfall and by moving the story forward without undoing the WOW moments from last springs finale, and I can’t wait to see what happens next week.

Mad Men: The 4th Season So Far...

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:04:36 -0500

OK so I have tweeted/facebooked after every episode Mad Men this season with essentially the same update, “Wow, that was amazing!” Now that I have this tumblr I want to expand a bit. I am going to stay spoiler free on this and my Fringe reaction tonight because looking at these show’s numbers I still want to encourage more of you to check them out.

The amazing feat that this season of Mad Men has pulled off is after a major shakeup at the end of the 3rd season they have both made a show that is embracing the new status quo and also bringing back the mistakes that these characters have made over the past 3 seasons and letting them play out naturally.

I really believe that this is the best show on television and want to encourage you to make the time to watch the first three seasons on DVD. If you are a fan of great storytelling you should be watching Mad Men.

Sym-Bionic Titan - I have watched the first two episodes of the...

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:31:20 -0500

Sym-Bionic Titan - I have watched the first two episodes of the new cartoon from Genndy Tartakovsky and man I gotta say he is truly one of the animation greats. The story is still expanding and can seem a little pedestrian at times, but the art design and animation is truly amazing.

Friday's Ratings via The Live Feed

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 11:17:39 -0500

Friday's Ratings via The Live Feed:

While Blue Bloods looks OK I don’t really have time for another cop show. Also Aint It Cool pointed out that CBS has 19 hours of original programming and 12 hours of that involves crime-solving which is kind of excessive.

Also I wish The Good Guys was on USA or TNT then it would be on forever, Bradley Whitford is doing some next level comedy in the show, but if it continues with the ratings it has, I don’t see a bright future for it or Human Target which premieres next Friday.

Thursday's Ratings via The Live Feed

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:43:02 -0500

Thursday's Ratings via The Live Feed:

I enjoy The Big Bang Theory, it scratches that 3 camera sitcom itch the best for me, but having CBS put it against Community has left a bad taste in my mouth. It is kicking the little guy while he is on the ground. Community is my favorite comedy out there right now and it stinks that they are in a fight for their life.

Also I haven’t even seen the new season yet but I implore you to watch Fringe, it is one of my favorite shows on TV, and I have a feeling that of the Abrams/Bad Robot productions, it has the potential to have the best ending if is allowed to get there.

I was thinking about giving My Generation a chance, but the reviews have been so bad and the ratings were so low that I doubt it will be around for long. Also I guess if you don’t put Z-List Celebrities in it America has no interest in The Apprentice. It will be interesting to see what NBC does with the 10/9pm slot. My suggestion is bring back Parks and Rec and pair it with another one of the comedies they picked up to series this last upfronts.

Wednesday's Ratings via The Live Feed

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:29:27 -0500

Wednesday's Ratings via The Live Feed:

I know this is late, I had a busy couple of days at work. I am glad Modern Family and Cougar Town are doing well. I am bummed that Undercovers didn’t even do as well as Mercy last year, but with the so-so reviews I guess it failed to impress. If it fails maybe it will make room on NBC’s schedule for the Michael Emerson/Terry O’Quinn project from J.J.’s Bad Robot productions next year.

The TV to Movie Conversion Conundrum

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:22:36 -0500

As much as I love Arrested Development and Veronica Mars I can see why studio’s are hesitant to finance move versions of these two projects. While the power of a “cult following”can sell a good amount of DVD’s, have we seen a cancelled series make a successful transition to the movies since Star Trek?

And maybe it is just me, but I don’t see a satisfying movie story in either Arrested Development or Veronica Mars. Joss Whedon was allowed to wrap up his Firefly story with Serenity and in a sci-fi genre that is familiar to moviegoers, and it still failed to perform at the box office. Whereas Veronica Mars left on a cliffhanger that doesn’t lead into a movie and I thought that Arrested Development had the perfect ending that wrapped up the series.

This blog was spurred on by SlashFilm’s latest story on the Veronica Mars movie. The story also floats the idea of a web series which I think would be a much better option for the show. Rob Thomas has already proved he can do low budget production, Party Down, and instead of trying to win people over to spend money at the movie theater for a cancelled show, if you put it online for free and allow people to share it around I think you could get enough interest to make the jump back to TV, which would be awesome.

Raising Hope/Running Wilde S01E01

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:17:00 -0500

Raising Hope is definitely the spiritual successor to My Names Is Earl which while it wasn’t the best comedy on TV I did enjoy it. I can say the same for Raising Hope, I liked the pilot, because the cast is pretty good and while the dumb white trash comedy could get tiring the pilot was well done. Also it may have one of the darkest comedy moments I have ever seen on TV, *mild spoilers* the mom of the baby is a convicted murderer who is electrocuted while the lead actor holds the baby in the viewing room.

I think the sentiment of any Arrested Development fan is that we want Running Wilde to be good. To be fair I enjoyed it a lot more than Mitch Hurwitz’s last show Sit Down, Shut Up. There is potential in the pilot, what I hope for is that the writers are able to grow the characters and the comedy the same way that Community grew over it’s first season who’s pilot was also directed by the Russo Brothers.

The joy of Hulu is I don’t have to worry about filling up space on my DVR so with both these comedies I can let 2-4 build up, see if either are pulled from the schedule and then see if the writing has improved or if it has gone downhill.

Tuesday's Ratings via The Live Feed

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:25:42 -0500

Tuesday's Ratings via The Live Feed:

So it looks like all the promotion and even renewing Glee for a 3rd season already has paid off for FOX. 5.5 is a pretty huge rating for starting the night off with no lead in. I am also glad Glee is helping the comedies following it I’ll let you know what I think of them later today.

Parenthood S02E02

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:01:31 -0500

Only one show tonight as work went late and my wife and I enjoy watching Glee together and by the time I got home it was too late. Plus I have to wait for Hulu to try Raising Hope and Running Wilde.

Parenthood was a nice surprise in the post-10pm Leno NBC last spring. The cast is well rounded with Peter Krause and Lauren Graham as the biggest standouts. Season 2 is continuing where Season 1 left off, there isn’t any large mystery or procedural elements to the show, it is just a well done slice of life show from Jason Katims who also created Friday Night Lights.

Tonight’s episode was helped by the spotlight of Amanda Foreman as a guest star, who has appeared in a lot of TV created by J.J. Abrams, as a mom who is both dealing with an autistic son and a the dissolution of her marriage. If you are looking for a good family drama I would say give Parenthood a chance. The first season is on DVD and the new episodes are on Hulu.

Monday's Ratings via The Live Feed

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:46:00 -0500

Monday's Ratings via The Live Feed:

So as well as posting my reaction to the shows I am watching, I thought I would do some analysis of the previous nights ratings. It is no surprise that DWTS is doing well, but I have a rule that if a reality show regularly airs more than one episode a week I stay away.

I was mostly bummed about the ratings for Lone Star. To have such a steep drop from it’s House lead-in and to gets so handily beaten by the other networks I fear it won’t be around for long. All I can hope for is that the writers give the con-man a good 13 episode arc and FOX will keep it on.

Also I am still cautious about The Event, I am going to wait and see how steep the drop is for episode two before I give the first episode a try.

Having Chuck and How I Met Your Mother stay steady gives me hope for the continuation of these series and having Hawaii 5-0 debut well hopefully means a good future for this show as well.