Mucho television

I think I’ve overloaded on the television stuff, but that’s just me.

CBS’ “The Handler”
starring Joe Pantaliano, he’s an FBI handler, that is, he preps the special agents who go undercover and retrieves them when their cases are done or get messed up. The series’ premiere was intruiging. Missed last night’s episode, but I can recommend it.

Of course, last night’s “Boomtown” was incredibly good. The show’s about the different views of the cops and LA’s deputy DA when dealing with a case. Actor Neal McDonough as the David McNorris, the deputy DA, was the focus of yesterday’s office; he struggled with prosecuting a cop-killer, his feelings about his father, and his alcoholicism (he just got back from rehab). The portrayal of his internal conflict (where he imagines himself yelling at his boss; versus his reality where he shakes his boss’ hand, thanking him for his support) was great. The actor should have been nominated for an Emmy for his stunning work of last season. (sidenote – McDonough played Lt. Hawke on “Star Trek: First Contact” the movie).

CBS’ “Joan of Arcadia” – quite good so far. The theme song, a slimmed down version of Joan Osbourne’s “One of Us” (the song asking what if God was one of us…) is, well, slimmed down. Amber Tamblyn, ex-Emily of “General Hospital,” plays Joan, a girl who sees God, who takes up the form of any person to tell Joan to set things in motion. Quite fun, really, watching things unfold. Strong cast, with Joe Montagna as Joan’s dad (everytime I hear his voice, I think of the character’s he played on “The Simpsons” (Fat Tony); I can’t help it!) – the police chief of Arcadia; Mary Steenburgen as Joan’s mom; and Jason Ritter as Joan’s wheelchair-using brother (who strongly resembles his dad, the late John Ritter). I definitely recommend this show.

Stay tuned…

Entertainment Weekly

And, before I go to sleep, I checked out the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, the entertainment magazine. Dated October 10, 2003, it’s the Photo Issue – “The Year’s Best Pictures,” with George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones on the cover (probably to promote their upcoming movie). Love these kinds of issues – glossy pictures, and more glossy pictures. Plus funny captions. Got to love the funny captions. And, the articles…

Notable lines from this week’s issue, for laugh-out-loud value:

1. Re: The review for “Miss Match,” NBC’s new show for Alicia Silverstone as a divorce lawyer/matchmaker –

“The most successful dramas on television provide hours of face time with just the kinds of people we try hard to avoid in real life – cops, lawyers, surgeons, judges, and pretty much anyone who analyzes bodily fluids for a living [in reference to the CSI folks, probably]…. Do we really need another season chockful of pervy miscreants with high-speed Internet connections and the gruff cops in no-nonsense footwear who stalk them? Survey says: no.” (Entertainment Weekly, “Love Connection,” Carina Chocano, p. 109, October 10, 2003).

2. Re: a line about the Showtime channel’s sci-fi series, “Jeremiah” –

“Chances are you didn’t catch the first season (or know there was one), so here’s the premise: Jeremiah (Luke Perry) and his pal Kurdy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) are two of only a couple thousand survivors of a pandemic, and now they’re fighting evil people for control of the deadly virus. Yes, Dylan and Theo are humanity’s only hope. And, this second-season premiere finds Jeremiah reconnecting with his long-lost dad and Jurdy getting some help from Sam Gamgee – sorry, Sean Astin [as guest star]…. Extra points for best random grouping of former teen stars, but there’s little reason to watch beyond that.” (Entertainment Weekly, “What to Watch,” review by Jennifer Armstrong, p. 115, October 10, 2003).

Dylan and Theo? Gosh, even the imagery is just… bizarre. And the Lord of the Rings reference. Ah, only in Entertainment Weekly.

P.S. – Angel’s season premiere on WB this Wednesday – it was actually fun, in the Buffy/Angel usual kind of way. This is going to be quite a season.