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Reviews
Breaking Bad (2008)
TV at a new level
Breaking Bad has two significant problems: first, it makes everything else on TV look pale or silly in comparison; second, it's only on TV once a week (and only for a few months a year).
Simply put, Breaking Bad is the best serialized drama in the history of television. There is nothing to fault. The acting, the characterizations, the plots, everything is absolutely top-notch. And each week ends with a cliff-hanger that makes you wish it were next week already so you can see the next episode. I didn't know a show could be so effective for so long. Season 1 is incredible; season 2 is at least as good; and season 3 is the best season of any show ever made. Now that season 3 is over, life will not be quite right until season 4 begins. The good news: there WILL be a season 4. The bad news: it won't begin until July 2011.
If you haven't seen this series, buy or rent the discs and watch it in order. But don't go too fast or you'll run out of episodes before season 4 starts.
Survivors (2008)
Big fans in the USA want another season!
I know that BBC has decided against a third season, and nothing a viewer in the USA says will likely change that, but here goes anyway: My wife and I watch a lot of programs, both British and American. We were completely sucked in by Survivors and are continually impressed by how unpredictable and exciting each episode is. We watch "24" and have enjoyed other edge-of-your-seat shows like "Alias" and "Prison Break" in the past, but we agree that Survivors is usually more entertaining than any of them.
Perhaps the total number of viewers in the UK hasn't been up to hopes, but maybe if demographics (average income, education level, etc.) are taken into account, PLUS you add in American viewers (via BBC America), the BBC should reconsider its decision and renew this riveting program for a third season (or "third series," as they call it) and beyond.
The premise of the show seemed fairly mundane: a virus wipes out most of humanity and we view the struggles of a ragtag bunch of survivors. But, despite a few logical lapses, the execution is excellent and the program is exciting to watch. Most of the characters are very well realized and acted, and the plot (episode-by-episode and ongoing too) is much better than one would expect. We look forward to watching the program every week.
They brought Doctor Who back (and we love it). Survivors deserves at least another few seasons -- especially given the miniscule 6-episode British seasons, which are about 1/4 as long as seasons of most American programs!
Chuck (2007)
Just wonderful
Wow, what a great TV show. It boggles my mind (and my wife's) to hear that it may not get renewed for season 3.
I remember when Seinfeld was getting low ratings but we really loved it. Thank goodness NBC had the sense to give it more time ... it became hugely popular and is now a legend.
Chuck is a superb program at the very top of its game. It would be a tragedy to end it prematurely.
As many people have said so well, this program is a stunning combination of fun humor, light but thrilling action/adventure, and sweet romance, with highly appealing characters, great production values, great music, good acting, and everything else you'd want in a rollicking fantasy/spy program. I don't recall ever seeing an hour-long program that was never boring -- that had no dead spots or lengthy exposition. This show is jam-packed with fun stuff. It's even wholesome, which isn't normally my thing (e.g., we also like less-wholesome shows like South Park and Rescue Me). And everything I have said about this program, my wife wholeheartedly agrees with.
NBC, please come to your senses and realize that you have a once-in-a-generation gem of a program here. Renew it, promote it, and let the world discover it!
Skins (2007)
This American adult likes it too
Skins is starting to air, censored, in the USA on the cable TV network "BBC America" (a great channel but I wish it were carried in high-def by Comcast!). I'm a fan of many, many British programs and, well, here's yet another top-notch show. I've gotten 'hold of the DVDs so I can watch it without the inane censoring. This is a funny show with good acting and fine character depiction. It's sharper than most shows and the characters really draw you in. I'm adding it to Monty Python, Little Britain, Dr. Who, Green Wing, Coupling (the British version, of course), Fawlty Towers, Not Going Out, and dozens more shows (not to mention Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Who, Elvis Costello, Queen, etc., etc. -- really, 2/3 of all my favorite musicians) as further evidence that you Brits create great entertainment way out of proportion to our countries' relative populations. Thanks and keep it up!