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Prison Break: John Doe (2007)
Interesting but not exciting enough
It has been a while since Prison Break went on hiatus. So long in fact that I have no idea where we left off, so let's all recap together, Sarah is in the wind. Sucre got away. C-Note has gone mad and gotten his wife, Kacee arrested. T-Bag has gone madder and is tracking down his would-be victim from the past. Bellick is in jail. Linc & Michael have been saved by Kellerman and Mahone has been shot. OK good.
Tonight begins the reconstruction of the original plan that Michael had started. Kellerman is able to convince the brothers that he has flipped and is working against President Reynolds. There is no question about that when Kellerman kills two agents who were guarding Terrence Steadman. Now he and the duo of escapees shack up in a motel with Kellerman and wait it out. That becomes a bigger problem then we would think.
Michael begins to stress about being so close to releasing the truth to the world and makes that ever so important decision to turn himself in to the news papers. But Steadman is able to snatch a gun and takes the selfish way out, all over the pretty painting. He is now just a John Doe and it is one of the final nails in the coffin for the escaped cons because Steadman being alive is of course the one thing that could prove Linc didn't kill him. Confused? Good! So good luck getting out of this one guys. Anyways a long way away we have T-Bag re-acquainting himself with Susan Hollander and her family. Lets hope family antics don't turn this show into a comedy because the fact that getting the $5 Million was the first thing on his list of to-do's before getting even with Susan seems a little odd to me. If you're a crazy who has a bizarre vendetta then why are plotting to steal bundles of cash first? But that's not the only storyline gone arouse. C-Note does not have a leg to stand on. He was able to get his wife and kid away from the police scramble that he put his homies through but now there is know where to go and the kid is asking why her mother was picked up by the cops. Nice hole you're in bud.
Its nice to have the show back. I got hooked on 24 this season and now I'm in that mode where every episode should be an hour of the whole season. But that's OK because Prison Break does move quickly. One of my problems though, is that almost every commercial break has a cliffhanger that is more than likely a gun being pointed at someone. I think that we need a little more resolution so we can really care about the other situations going on. But they are still doing a good job.
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24: Day 6: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (2007)
How do they pull this off??
Jack's back on hour 5 of 24. He has new incentive to fight, which is great. So after helping a couple of civilians get their helicopter out of a house he is back on the road with CTU. Back at HQ Assad is being questioned about his knowledge of all the situations that are going on. I mean there are still four nukes out there we think. A few names are thrown around and we finally have a lead for Jack.
Here's the twist. Our newest suspect happens to be Jack's father, Phillip Bauer. Wow! I didn't see that coming. It's far fetched to believe that now the only guy who can really fight terrorist was brought up by one, but we'll have to wait and see if the writers can pull it off. Jack gives a ring to his Dad and gets stonewalled. But it turns out Jack has a brother. And it's someone we know from season five. Graham "Gray" Bauer was given to us in the late hours of Day 5. He leads a group of Bluetooth Bandits in the basement of some facility. An odd fact about the brothers are that they are both on opposing sides of good and that during season five Graham Bauer had a telephone relationship with, then president Charles Logan, the same way that Jack Bauer does with the current president, Wayne Palmer.
We find out that Jack's brother and father both regret not killing Jack and that they are responsible for him behind kidnapped by the Chinese. With the chance of Jack's father being a suspect in a terrorist plot Jack has all he needs to get even with his kin because I'm sure he is wise to their disloyalties. The show ends with a torture seen in the office of Graham and leaves us wondering what does Jack's estranged family have to do with the purchasing of nukes. Even more will Jack kill his brother? I think not yet. But he will. I'm sure Phillip Bauer will show up soon. Hopefully we can close the gaps soon.
Not a whole lot else went on tonight. Fayed needs a new part for his bombs to work and we find out who he is dealing with to get the hardware. Walid al-Rezani is now an FBI insider while being incarcerated. I believe that to go sour real soon. The president is in a bunker and has sent for Assad to go there. So I guess next week we will have a very calm flight from LA to Washington. Even in the fighter jet it is like a half hour. No? That's one of the problems with show. Continuity needs all the integrity it can acquire. Although they do not leave many questions they do make it far less believable. That is fine because I'm not looking for someone I can relate to in 24. I will leave that up to The Office.
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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Outsider (2007)
A nice change from the ordinary
I've always liked Fin and when he gets to lead a case I find it's a pleasant change from the archaic same old from Benson & Stabler. Don't get me wrong, there is a reason why Law & Order: SVU is the most exiting crime-drama on television (with exception only to The Wire). But with all the anger management that Olivia gives to Elliot and the crossovers into the personal lives of Elliot's kin it's important that we are able to find solace with a different member of SVU. Tonight the intolerant Fin has to run case that was initiated when his son, Ken came to him about a friend he thinks is a rape victim. The stubborn former undercover narcotics officer can't seem to get the case off the ground at first. But when the list of people being hurt grows a Detective Chester Lake from the Brooklyn SVU thinks he has found connections with the rapes in Manhattan and a group of murders he is working on from his borough. Although the two personalities make for problems at first they can eventually put their differences aside and find clinics owned by the same doctor where all the victims had visited. The killer is narrowed down to a small but very tight family containing a doctor a lawyer and a janitor. Are we getting an idea of who the killer might be? Anyways, the janitor, Henry has always been overlooked by his doctor father. Without him feeling any sense of pride, Henry has always been craving fatherly attention. It turns out that actually any attention will do for Henry. This includes raping a killing his father's patients and making scrapbook clippings of all the newspaper articles surrounding his wrongdoings. He just wants to be gawked over. So they arrest and arrest the Henry until he has to be brought with the gaze of the media watching. Well it's what he always wanted and that's what Law & Order: SVU is all about. Making dreams come true. Speaking of a dream coming true we have been seeing a lot of actor Kal Penn (Henry) lately. Aside from being the killer in tonight's show he was also recently a terrorist in 24. This means he has gotten into two of my reviews as a guest star in just one week. You know have made it in Hollywood when that happens.
24: Day 6: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. (2007)
Amazing final to Act I
With most of the big story lines coming to dead ends at the end of episode 3 it's easy to see that the Ahmed package is the real focus of tonight's feature. Ray Wallace must deliver the component to Fayed to keep his family from being killed. Ray has already killed a guy to get the part and after a little negotiating with Ahmed for one of his kin to be released, he is off to deliver the terrorist the bomb piece. Don't worry everything will be OK Ray.
Next Gillian Wallace is free and makes the decision to call the feds even though a there is radical neighbor with a gun to her teenage son's head who specifically said not to speak to the authorities, Gillian! Thank god she's does anyway because Jack has been without a lead for almost 5 minutes now.
The team is able to commandeer the situation at the Wallace's but it's too late because the package has been delivered. All they can do is find out where the drop point was and try to prevent whatever the hell those pesky terrorists are doing.
A few other little story lines happen while this is going on. Like remember Walid al-Rezani? Well he overhears an Arabic phrase from some other suspected terrorists. I wonder what that is. Oh well.
Back at the Wallace home the president and his best bud, Jack feel it's time to let Assad into their their inner circle and they pardon his terrorist acts. But uh oh, because Curtis Manning (the guy who has always been Jack's quazi-partner) has always been waiting to lock up Assad (or worse) because of a few beheadings that happened to Manning's squad in Desert Storm. A long story sideways Jack has to shoot Manning to keep Assad alive and helping. Then Jacks problems really mushroom. He mentally can't go on with this fight. So he pukes and quits. There is nothing that can keep him in the game. Nothing expect for a nuclear bomb going off in LA! It's a tough show to keep up with. Just when they think their done with the bad guys there is some odd variable that comes into play. It's almost like it was planned by writers in a script. Thank god for that.
Oh yeah now I almost forgot about that Arabic phrase. Turns out it means 'five visitors' and 'visitors' means 'weapons' and 'weapons' means 'nukes' and there are still 4 of them. Get ready for Act II. BEEP BOOP BEEP BOOP.
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24: Day 6: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. (2007)
Adventurous
The American government has abandoned their stance against negotiating with terrorists on 24. Turns out it makes for a much more exciting tale when you get to deal directly with the enemy. It's just another thing to look forward to in the climatic adventure. Tonight had face to face cooperation between the heel and hero. Not only is it a scramble for CTU to meet the challenges demanded by our expectations (meaning creating a thrilling battle between the better than good and the worse than evil) But it's equally difficult for CTU to undo all the messes they have had a part in creating.
Anyways Jack and Assad are able to deceive one of the terrorist to literally taking him to what they think is the location of all the other bad guys. The car accident con was a very well thought out and skillfully orchestrated little plan that even came off even a little comical and thus made it more entertaining. Unfortunately the result didn't get them very far as they just end up in a gun battle with the sole terrorist at his cache of weapons in a storage facility. But they are still hot on Fayed's trail.
It was builder episode tonight. A real lead up to the final installment of FOX's four hours of 24 special. I'm happy that the Ahmed storyline is moving quickly. I was worried that it would take half the day to figure out he was actually a terrorist. It's another example of how quickly episodes of 24 seem to flyby. It's also a good reason why there are so many guest stars in each episode.
So why do we enjoy these action pieces like 24? In my case the graphic storyline has always been the shiny hook that grabbed my attention but it's the cinematography that keeps me entertained to the point that I will just eat up anything dished out by our terrorist ass-kicking fantasy writers. Or is it the terrorist kicking ass fantasy writers? Either way if the action isn't enough I can enjoy the added bonus of seeing some of the not-so known (but well known to some) actors playing minor roles in 24. Like Eric Balfour, Kal Penn and a very funny Canadian comedian, Shaun Majumder. I hope there will be some more familiar faces in the shows to come.
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24: Day 6: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. (2007)
Well Written
The abrupt action continues on 24 during the second hour of the workday. Jack has intel that Assad has flipped as a good guy and Jack is able to convince and befriend the former-terrorist by preventing the president ordered attack and eventual destruction of Assad's now anti-terrorist headquarters in an Inglewood ghetto. Together the two now have to track down Fayed as quickly as possible and end the bombings.
Jack, in this episode has convinced everyone that 20 months of torture cannot keep him from the fight. Although it is a little fetched that one man is able to prevent terrorist attacks, disprove government information and remember the longitude and latitude of a location overheard while being tortured, I think we can all agree that Jack also shows human qualities other than his conviction to the protection of humanity.
During the getaway, Jack faces a challenge that has not experienced. He finds that he cannot torture that well anymore. He doesn't know if he can do 'it' anymore. But two years in a Chinese prison will make you second guess yourself here and there. Thankfully he has his new former terrorist buddy is there to give him the self confidence he needs. That's what friends are for right.
It is very gutsy for the writers and producers to have half a dozen fictional attacks on American soil within the first couple of hours of one fictional day. I can't remember any other television show or movie that created such a threat to the standard of living in America that was not based on true events. The only thing that comes to mind is The Sum of all Fears. What will they do next to the people of 24? Perhaps block all wireless connections west of the Colorado River? read this review and other at www.mikeontv.com
24: Day 6: 6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m. (2007)
Great beginning
I was turned on to 24 over the Christmas holiday by my parents. They have made it their mission to rent and watch every season of the secret agent thriller throughout the final 4 months of 2006. It was over the course of two days that we watched the final 7 episodes (hours) of season 5. Now I'm hooked.
Being that I'm (in a way) caught up and am now a big fan I feel it's my duty to report on the current activities of CTU agent Jack Bauer. As we remember Jack was kidnapped by the Chinese for events (I'm assuming) that took place in prior seasons. It is now two years since and the apparently worn out lead role has been returned to his homeland for unprecedented settlements and is being relied on for even more outlandish expectations.
As all I'm sure the loyal 24 audience is used to, there is a fresh man in office. This year it's a new President Palmer and he has purchased Jack's freedom from the Chinese. The president plans on negotiated with the shady Abu Fayed, Jack's life for the whereabouts of the suspect in a series of bombings, terrorist Hamri Al-Assad. Oddly there is no objection from would be martyr as he has been looking forward to dying for a cause since his kidnapping some time ago. Hey months of torture will do that to a guy.
Fayed has a grudge with Jack from years prior. But thankfully resentment-riddled jerk has an ego. Before he can begin his revenge on the willing lead Fayed, as all evil masterminds must do, unfold his true intentions for the world. Of course this gives our hero a cause to fight for and thus comes the climax of the first hour. Jack takes a bite out of terrorism, literally.
With only one hour after being returned from a Chinese prison the star is thrown back into the mix of fighting to save America. It looks like it's going to be one of those days.
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Survivor: You're a Rat (2006)
The heated island tensions heats up
It's the night of revelation and open conversations on Survivor as we experience Jonathan's outrageous strategy get more bizarre. First Yul announces he is holding the Immunity Idol in a move he describes as the perfect time to play. Then he begins jumping on the totem pole that he built by being entirely forthcoming about his view of his tribe mates and their chances of doubting his powers. It is looking more and more that his view of the final four is coming to completion if something does not sway his voting gauge.
Jonathan has other problems to face. Like winning back the jury he so easily is letting slip between his fingers in to a beach of stone hatred. He has Adam, Parvati and Candice all willing to be sacrificed after he is voted off, just to see him not go a day further. How could he ever be handed a million dollars by them? Nate's facial reactions during the tribal council tells me that he has another person who will vote against him.
I must say I love how Ozzy just lays back and works a little while the action that doesn't involve him takes place. The out of sight out of mind sentiment is present when you have everyone fighting over the rat, Jonathan. Or is it slimeball? But Ozzy should be able to snatch immunity next week if doesn't have to answer any more survivor trivia. I felt cheated by the challenges tonight. Mostly because of the action I'm used to from past weeks.
Becky should make a move quickly against Yul. I doubt he carries her much further, especially since he as already considered rethinking the Jonathan vote.
The Adam/Candice kiss was a little funny. Mostly because I predict we see him kissing Parvati next week. But even Candice said that it was only for playing the game as her partner.
Prediction for next week: Adam.
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Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Weeping Willow (2006)
A great ripping of the headlines
The detectives in the headline-ripping Law & Order: CI, take to the streets of the internet again as they follow a cyber-kidnapping documented on a video sharing website similar to YouTube, called YouLense. Not a bad name. I may register it myself.
The victim is WeepingWillow17, an obvious mimic of the Vlog star LonleyGirl15, and she has quite the plan for the internet community, the press but mostly Detectives Logan and Wheeler. Leaving behind only a trail of IP addresses and video clips a pseudo-ransom is held with the purchasing of downloadable videos starring the internet beauty. But is it a Hoax? Who cares? There must be an investigation into this potential "cyber-crime scene". Although the story does collapse due to a weak murder and silly rabbi costume the success of the episode was sold to me with the intense take on the once popular and less deadly internet hoax that happened in real life. Nice take on it writers.
I love how backwards the L&O reality is compared to trilogy-series' like CSI. In these shows we can expect the expected. The series' actually gain points for unoriginality and thus it brings me to a prediction. I'm going to forecast an episode (in either of the 3 L&O L&O series') written around the real murder and cover-up of a former Law & Order guest star's, Adrienne Shelly.
Unless that's too evil.
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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Choreographed (2006)
A transition into a return to the ordinary - Fantastic Shows
Kicking off with a couple of sexually frustrated teens in the city's Central Park, Law & Order: SVU gives us a rare whodunit clean murder instead of the usual rape victim or worse. But what can we expect from only Detective Stabler representing SVU.
After trading grunts with a couple of nuts for information there seems to be a real case brewing with lots of back stories. Olivia is finely settled in since her return from maternal leave fighting eco-terrorists for the FBI and I'm sure things will resume to its normal special-crimes solving pace once ex-partners names don't happen to be the same as the victims.
It still was a gripping episode though. Lots of technology reference tonight which hypothesized the threat of humans living with computer chips inside them in the not to distance future. That'll save me a lot of typing! However I must comment that I really miss episodes that leave out Fin or Huang. But we did need to make room for the stellar performance by Bob Saget! I have to say that although I am used to his semi-serious roles in the past, my view of him has changed since seeing him direct Dirty Work and the short cameo he had in Half Baked. Plus he is a great dirty comedian. This was a nice change.
Not a bad transition as I'm sure we will be facing even greater evil then the jealous 'computer nerds'.
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Prison Break: Bolshoi Booze (2006)
Slows down the chase as we head for a mid-season break
The show is back this week with more of the same old same old. But it's exciting folks. Here's why. T-Bag for instance scores some points by keeping the money train on the tracks. Rather than returning to the general prison population with a few more felonies (including murder) he opts to again sever his hand from his body. That's the kind of action that keeps Prison Break in the top of its field. Too bad we can't have that desperation from our star, Michael.
Not matter what the gods have in store for him he still cannot act in a frantic manner without feeling guilt. The only way he can prove to himself that he does still have a pulse is to repent his sins. A little clichéd but nonetheless an effective way to separate his character from the likes of his ruthless escape-mates who are either dead or without limbs. I think we will see another Michael transformation when he realizes his special lady Sarah has been axed by Special Agent Kellerman.
But again the brain of the boy-Michael comes through as his selflessness for a would be reward abuser, garnishes the group of good ex-cons the correct co-ordinates to a trip to freedom. Well done. But I'm still confused about a few timelines. Is Agent Mahone, hours from his catch or is he only seconds? And when can we expect C-Note and the family join the crowd? Also I would love to hear more about Haywire and his trip to Holland.
Nothing was wrong with this episode. The money is back where we want it to be. In a place where it will be exploited in the most fantastic of ways, T-Bag's disturbing mind. Here's to a plane ride to Thailand before the opening credits next week, or at least before the show leaves for 5 months again.
Lost: I Do (2006)
A Very exciting conclusion and new cliffhanger
The most recent addition to the Lost cliffhanger saga continues tonight with what I am calling the most outlandish request for an audience next week. The thing is, it works. Jack has the underbelly of the others in a life or death situation with Henry/Ben that this reviewer could have expected to be a hoax. The problem is that a life is on the line here and it does not seem to be a newcomer to the cast of the science fiction series.
Every relationship that Kate gathers results in a new dilemma and the most recent is not that of her flashback police officer/faux-husband from the past. Instead it is the connection with Sawyer. Fortunately Jack has the ability to see the bigger picture and know the others for who they really are: manipulative killers who only seek gratification from the persecution of others. But not their others.
Sawyer, ready to die, shows, again that he only cares for himself in a bastardly stay of surrender. He should have run with Kate until they came to the peeks of the new island, and swam home.
Home is not what it used to be as we find the convincingly evil black-smoked monster, that roams the initial scary island, has killed Mr. Eko. His burial ceremony may have uncovered a new clue for John and Sayid, but to what avail? Another survivor's life? Tonight ended more abruptly than ever. I feel that once the negotiations with Jack threatening Henry/Ben's life end, there will be a belligerent preparation from the others and any one who apposes them. We'll have to stay tuned.
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Prison Break: Rendezvous (2006)
Another exciting piece of the chase
The race continues on Prison Break. Now I call it a race because it seems that everyone has to be the first person to accomplish a very risqué task. For instance we have the very obvious five million dollars switching hands every episode or so. Not only is there a pursuit for it but it seems like there is a race to betray anyone helping find the loot. Poor Bellick experienced this tonight as he was conked on the noodle by his former betrayer, Mack.You should have learned bud.
Also we have Sucre and his evil cousin Hector in a 'Man in the Iron Mask' situation. With the prize of course being the beautiful Maricruz. Good luck to you both. But the award for most complicated hunt goes to who can kill the always liberated brothers Michael and Lincoln. I'm not sure who to root for between Special Agent Mahone or Special Agent Kellerman. We know it won't be the Dean Cain looking fellow in Lincoln's father's hideout. I feel that Mahone makes for a much more interesting rally against the kin. He in all his evils still manages to pop up in New Mexico and find the happy couple of Michael and Sarah. I must say it was a fierce little skirmish in the warehouse, which brought back memories of a jail-like setting.
But no matter what Michael does he still cannot convince Sarah that staying with him is for the better. Or can he? After all she did rethink her departure from his getaway before having the gun pulled on her by Kellerman. If you ask me: Mahone and Kellerman will end up in a battle against themselves. An early prediction by this reviewer would have to have our new friend Mahone come out on top.
We'll see what happens. Great show tonight though.
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Smith: Two (2006)
A pivotal episode that develops quicker and quicker
My favorite new crime drama, Smith, continues as we learn more about the thieves, their families and the FBI agents who are looking for them. Its interesting that group of burglars has already been so sloppy that the FBI has made one of them. But that's what makes it exciting. It's nice to see that the team isn't so mechanical that they can't make mistakes. There is a lot to come back to haunt them and we have only gotten through two episodes.
Now, our hot head Jeff, has issues with rage and impulse crimes. If you ask me he will make the most waves in the pool of criminals. Not our friendly immigrant, Tom, the ex-con on parole. Not even the former brunette beauty, Annie, who can't stop working (stealing) and who has given the FBI their only lead as of yet. Although as crazy as Jeff is, I'm guessing that when he comes to toes with the vengeance seeking Hawaiian big man, victory will be on the side of the thief.
Smith demands from us to enjoy the hell out of what crimes are happening and not think about how they got the enormous military artillery or blueprints to museums. With Hummers going through buildings and jet boats setting off explosions all we need to do is sit and enjoy. Too bad Hope isn't doing the same. She will hopefully be careful with her private investigation. Or else she may lead the FBI straight to Bobby.
I see Liotta's acting in Smith as being as powerful as it was in Goodfellas. He plays someone who always has to look behind him for a knife or a set of handcuffs. That's how I got to know this guy. He is forever the nice guy bad guy to me and he belongs in no other role than that of this standard; a great criminal and great family man.
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The Wire: Home Rooms (2006)
Another great installment
Episode 3 of The Wire opened with the revelation that the infamous Omar is planning on making some bigger moves this winter. Who can blame him? What with all the hustlers still scared of him, he should be on top of people like Marlo in a couple of weeks/episodes.
I enjoyed the correlation between Marlo taking over what's left of Barksdale's streets and Commissioner Rawls sending in a new lieutenant to stir things up at the wire. It seems to be working. But I'm sure that as soon as we have mayor Carcetti in office there will be a new program set in to place. Perhaps it will be a witness protection wire! There is a little more McNulty this week than we experienced in last episode. It's tough to predict how this detail will form and what importance McNulty will be in it. But it appears that every one of the major players left in the unit is going to homicide. Perhaps Major Daniels will be able to keep the wire afloat. Daniels himself gone through some kind of transformation since his promotion, we see this when Detective Greggs is in his office and all we have to know that she is talking to Daniels is that it's his voice responding. It may look bleak at the moment but I'm speculating that the newest Major at the Baltimore Police Department will find the position to be a touch too methodical.
It's impossible to touch on everything that happens with this enormous cast. With everything that goes on I'm surprised that we even got to McNulty this week. He seems to have very little presence this season. Hopefully something will happen at one of the schools and he will find a passion for fighting alongside our favorite team of police, again.
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Extras: David Bowie (2006)
A very nice continuation of the newest struggle for Andy Millman
There is a bit of a change of taste for the second episode in season 2 of Extras. Andy, dealing with his new celebrity, must live through scathing reviews and the sadness of success as his critically acclaimed sitcom gains popularity.
It's funny how pathetic Andy can be in both of the two different bar scenes he visits. In the local pub he shrugs the appraise he gets from authentic fans, yet Andy feels he should be valued with more demeanors. So at the more illustrious setting he is ridiculed and tormented by the entire clientele of the lounge during a breakout singing session lead by mega-celebrity David Bowie.
The episode played fair to the structure we are used to from Extras however there are signs that Maggie is still not feeling on the same level with Andy. Although they both feel the gimmick role he has on his show is a joke, Andy still goes along with it. Maggie looked pretty disgusted when they had to return to the original tavern to entertain the lot of underachievers who truly appreciate Andy's pitiable character role.
This game shouldn't go on much longer (as the title of the show suggest). I predict the staged sitcom 'When the (Wind) Whistle Blows' will be canceled in the coming episodes. Keep watching
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Extras: Orlando Bloom (2006)
Great start off for my most anticipated return
Extras, is the sit-com for all sit-coms. The British style of "nothing I say should be funny but rarely isn't" writing is the reason I love finding shows like these.The show is far more advanced than traditional comedies and the on-set setting is a precursor to shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Sure I can have a laugh (am I having a laugh?) at shows like My name is Earl and The Office or even How I met Your Mother, but the true feeling of comedy comes from British shows like Extras or Green Wing or Chef!.
There is a sense of love for comedy and the struggle of comedy that I feel when watching this show especially. Scenes like on-set explosion about the script he wrote and how it is being made a mockery of by the studio is a great ramble that I could see myself having if being put in a similar situation. Yet after seeing Barry and his current situation I think we would all find ourselves putting on silly glasses a couple nights a week. Just so that everyone there could 'have a laugh'.
I love the comparisons of human torture between and Maggie. In one situation Maggie must absorb a lashing of truths about herself from a successful 'friend'. A little later sits through a heavy dose of stupidity and discrimination. But in return we see both stars giving it back in a different way.
Episodes like these are built with the humor not being the punch line but yet something that shouldn't be funny. Isn't it nice to see Orlando Bloom sucking up to Orlando Bloom and then facing rejection from Maggie. The same rejection she was feeling when talking with Kimberly.
I only review shows that I enjoy. I may not enjoy every episode, but when I like a show I look forward to the next episode. But with Extras, I know that I will soak up every second with the 'towel of delight'. You will hear about it soon after.
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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Cold Open (2006)
The show that is finding its way...
The show behind the show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip continues in episode 2 with elaborate histories of the actors and writers behind it. So what's the outlook for stars in the next 2 years? I wonder how many people will notice that this is a serious drama that is only set in a comedic environment. With only a few little laughs here and there for Matt Albie and Danny Tripp and even fewer attempts to be funny (even though there are many opportunities for a chuckle) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip enforces the audience to believe in the seriousness of the show (in the show). We see how important scheduling and time constraints are to the producers. Perhaps this is a sympathy technique from the NBC creators and writers to get us to accept that this series could possible not go anywhere. I enjoyed episode 2 for a few reasons. Firstly the opening sketch written by Matt Albie was phenomenal and very appropriate considering the explosion by the former executive producer, Wes Mendell in the episode prior (which by the way I found more like a scene out of the movie The King of Comedy than the numerously referenced, Network). The singing by the (character) actors was a little off but the lyrics were bang on and appropriately generated a laugh out load reaction for me. I accepted it as a possible real sketch on Saturday Night Live. I think the real life produces of the television show are looking for it to be funny only when the camera is on the actual show within the show. That's the only way I can put it. I also had a good time with the relationship between Ms. McDeere and her counterparts at the NBS. She plays a pro and she seems to be ahead of the game. I find though, when she isn't, she still can use her youthfulness and down to earth reception to sell the ideas she supports. I think it's a job well done here. But where the series will go begs another question. Like: Who will they kill off for the season finale? For this review and more please visit www.mikeontv.com