EW or EWWW?

I mentioned part of my nightly routine is to fall asleep reading Entertainment Weekly. The March 12, 2010 issue had a list of the “10 Best TV shows Right Now!” Holly, I thought you would like to know that our opinions dovetail nicely in some places with this national publication. Not so much in others. The list goes as follows:

1. The Good Wife – I have not followed this, but I saw a portion of it last week. I have to admit, I was immediately caught up in the drama. I just don’t know if it can truly be called the best.

2. Breaking Bad – This should come as no surprise. We have been saying the same thing for a while. As we anticipate the premiere of the third season, get ready to get your blogface on.

3. LOST – I mentioned this show in my defense of network TV last month. I stand by that opinion as I am completely engrossed with the final season as it is airing now.

4. Friday Night Lights – I have read about how good this show is for years. I love football, but I have just not gotten into it.

5. Fringe – Another show on my list of redeeming features of the networks.

6. Modern Family – I have watched this a couple of times and it is very funny. It just has not made my appointment TV list.

7. Glee – Here is one for you, Holly. You have gushed over this show that I have yet to watch.

8. Southland – I have not watched this, either. It was originally on NBC, but they cancelled it and the cable channel TNT picked it up. It must be pretty good, then.

9. Damages – I have not followed this Glenn Close FX series, but I read it is good.

10. Caprica – Here is our love/hate darling in the top ten.

I am partial to a few other shows that did not make the cut. There are some I like that I am under no illusions are great shows (Sorry, Burn Notice). Yet, there are some that I believe rise above some of this list.

Glaringly absent is the Emmy and Golden Globe winning Mad Men. Is it because it is not on the air right now? I would also include FX’s series Rescue Me, TNT's Men of a Certain Age and HBO's True Blood. These are active series, but not currently airing new episodes. Is that the criteria?

Holly, what do you think? Would you boot some of these and replace them with others? Did you notice a mere 4 out of 10 are cable shows. My list would be more like 6 out of 10.

Here is how my list would look.

1. Mad Men - AMC

2. Breaking Bad - AMC

3. LOST - ABC

4. Fringe - FOX

5. True Blood - HBO

6. Rescue Me - FX

7. Men of a Certain Age - TNT

8. Glee - FOX

9. Better Off Ted - ABC

10. Caprica - SYFY

If You Are So Reclined

Tell me Holly... do you own a Snuggie? Somehow this is how I picture you this weekend.

Caprica

I am also going to give the Cylons another shot. Right at the very end of the last episode, there was a glimmer of hope. Good guy Joseph Adama put out a hit on the wife of his developing nemesis, Daniel Graystone. I like to be surprised and even bothered by the actions of characters sometimes. It seems more real than straight up heroes and villains. I will be even more surprised if it comes to pass. If Amanda is offed, that is one way to ensure poor Zoe will never have to watch her parents frak again.

Burn Notice

I know this is not your cup of tea, Holly, but this is part of my weekend lineup. Would it help if Jeffrey Donovan grew a Tom Selleck moustache and donned some short shorts?

The In-betweeners

Speaking of tea, I am also going to sample some BBC America sometime before Monday. Thanks to your recommendation, I have enjoyed the pilot of this series and am looking forward to the further misadventures of these poor wankers.

Men of a Certain Age

I have DVR'd a couple of episodes of this TNT series. I have enjoyed its deliberate pace and believable characters up to this point. The dialogue among the guys is clever and realistic. The dramatic situations are genuine and sometimes strike all too close to home for this man of a certain age. It helps that the trio of friends are played by actors I have enjoyed in other series over the years. Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher and Ray Romano have all shown unexpected depth in their portrayals. Contrary to some descriptions, this is NOT a Sex and the City for men. I am not even sure what that could possibly mean.

Tiger Woods Press Conference

I was so put off by all the hype leading up to this "event" I swore I would not watch. This was not a Presidential announcement or even "news" by most definitions. Yet, I am ashamed to admit I found myself watching as it unfolded. I was left feeling thankful that I have not been in a position that required a public apology for all the stupid shit I have done in my life. Let those without sin, cast the first golf ball.

So this is what will be on as I lean back in my recliner and cozy up to my own bowl of popcorn. Minus the Snuggie, of course.

He Said, She Said

Chip, I followed your advice and gave Burn Notice a shot. I’d seen the show as background TV a couple of times before you recommended it to me, but I’d never paid it much attention. My general sense of it was it was a good “Guy Show,” and upon further review, I’ve decided my first instinct was right.

Things this show does well, or at least in abundance: bikinis, humor, guns, explosions, fires, beatdowns. Things that come up short: plot, acting. If you’re looking for mindless fun, this is indeed a great show, and not the sort of thing you need to watch chronologically to understand. It compares to Magnum, P.I., the main differences being Sam doesn’t have a helicopter and Michael doesn’t shoot someone in every episode. Or maybe I just have Tom Selleck on the brain after our recent mentions of Magnum?

I don’t quite get the vibe from Michael and Fiona that you do, Chip. And that’s where I think this show comes up short for the ladies. We like character development. Watching a merry band of ex-spies run around helping the little guy is entertaining, especially when they and everyone around them are pretty, but drinking MGD 64s and talking about Hawaiian shirts is never going to be our gig. I also don’t get the sense that the writers take the mystery of who burned Michael and why too seriously once the opening credits roll, which is a shame. I’ll continue to watch this show from time to time, but I’ll keep my expectations low so it won’t disappoint me.

Happy Birthday Fi

With Mad Men off the air, a desperate Holly approached me wanting another cable show to get immersed in. While nowhere near as rich and complex as the guys and dolls of Madison Avenue, I pointed her toward Burn Notice now in its third season on USA.

Burn Notice follows the adventures of former spy Michael Weston (played by Jeffrey Donovan) who was “burned” or black listed by parties unknown. The underlying current of the show is Weston’s attempt to find out who burned him and why. Then perhaps he could return to doing what he loves most…spying legitimately.

In the meantime, he uses his prodigious espionage skills to help regular folks. The show is formulaic, but in the best sense of the word. It is entertaining to watch Michael and his friends help the underdog with stylish action each week. Part McGyver (he can make bugs out of cell phone parts) - part Equalizer (Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer)… it is all fresh fun.

Those friends are the heart of the show. His on again/off again girlfriend Fiona “Fi” is played by Gabrielle Anwar. She is one smoking hot 40 year old (Her birthday is today). She is inclined to shoot first, ask questions later and is also an explosives expert. If the chemistry between Fi and Michael were any more volatile, the U.N. would have to impose sanctions. I cannot speak to the attractiveness of Donovan, but I believe the ladies like him, too.

Were I inclined to a mancrush, however, it would be on Michael’s best friend, Sam. I can envision hanging out with Sam at a seaside bar, drinking MGD-64s together and admiring one another’s collection of Hawaiian shirts. As played by Bruce Campbell, former FBI agent Sam is a great source of much of the show’s humor. Sharon Gless as Michael’s chain-smoking mother Madeline provides her share of the comic relief as well. Glad to have her son around after years of absence, she cannot help but give him a hard time for not having stayed in touch.

All in all, it is enough to make you wish you lived in Miami and were having trouble with a local gang just so you could give these guys a call and maybe share a yogurt. Handle that pirated DVD of Season One with care, Holly…it sizzles.