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Showing posts with label television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label television. Show all posts

Thoughts on Digesting 6 Seasons of The L Word

I've spent the last month marathon-ing the entire season of The L Word, and have made a few observations about the series.  Figured I put them here because if I put them anywhere else, I'll forget where that place is, lol.  So, in no particular order... (spoilers will abound...)

First, (and this is not just the fault of The L Word, but every dramatic series of yet), when you watch a show in one whole gulp, you realize how every single episode is composed of everyone running into each other at the same restaurant and then pardoning themselves because they have to do X to get ready for a party/fundraiser/event. I need another refill of something strong to get through that tired plot device.  I realize that the easiest and often most logical way to get all your friends in one place is to throw a shin dig.  But, omg, exhausting.

2ndly, major kudos to The L Word for being heavy on brunettes!  I'm a brunette and a brunette-lover myself, so I appreciated that greatly.  In fact, I appreciated it so much that I started to truly wonder if there are really that many brunettes in L.A. where the show is set.  I kind of doubt it.  And the blondes that were in the show weren't bleach blondes, so that was another plus.  Nice and easy!

3rdly, because I watched it all at once, I was immediately able to dissect who was stealing whose jewelry.  I often found myself tiring of the constant hashing-out-of-emotions (however true to form) which allowed my attention to wander to Bette and Tina, who in the middle of a quite infamous split, were actually sharing necklaces.  Yeah, I think not.

4thly, I found the sex believable, and I only rolled my eyes a few times.  This is a feat for lesbian sex because it can be varied and boring at the same time.  If you don't understand what I mean, you're probably not a lesbian.  I thought the portrayals were genuine, and I (almost) bought Cybil Shepherd as a lez.

5thly, a real pat on the back to the writers who created the Jenny Schechter character and didn't slit her throat in the first episode.  I don't know who actually killed her or if she killed herself, but if I think about too long, I'll confess to it myself.  It wasn't for a lack of trying through my television screen.  You kind of have to hand it to writers who decide to put 98% of their plot devices into one character.  That takes balls...or apathy. 

Finally, a big hug to Olivia Windbiel who played Bette and Tina's daughter, Angie.  She was absolutely adorable and a scene stealer.  Talk about perfect casting!

That's all for now! If you have thoughts on The L Word, feel free to comment!
~Lori
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Teach Tony Danza - A&E's Very Real Reality Show

A&E has a new show this season called Teach Tony Danza.  It's a documentary style show where Tony Danza becomes an English teacher in an urban Philly high school.  The show is amazing.  In 1991, I graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in English Education and ended up spending my teaching years with children 0-5 instead of in a high school classroom.  I have health issues that made it impossible for me to be the lone teacher in a classroom all day long.  When I watch this show, it makes me wish I was back student teaching again.  He's teaching John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and I taught The Pearl.  He's dealing with children who fall ALL over the developmental spectrum, and I taught the exact same kids here in Hillsborough, NC, a very rural school.  I had 4 periods of Basic English filled with kids who were low achievers and/or in their 1st year of transitioning out of a special ed classroom.

Aside from my personal experiences, if you have kids, you should really watch this show.  It makes you confront the truly sad shape our public schools are in and helps you truly value the heroes, both child and adult, that make it work anyway.  Danza is having a challenging time with these kids; this is no easy feat for him.  Just seeing what he's up against keeps my eyes glued to the screen and truly sad when each episode ends. It airs every Friday night at 10pm on A&E.  Check your local listings or watch it online.  You can even follow the show on Facebook!

Be nosy and see what else I watch!

~Lori
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Detroit 1-8-7: A new show worth every minute!

I absolutely love the new show on Tuesdays at 10pm on ABC, Detroit 1-8-7.  It's a new crime drama that has a very NYPD Blue vibe (and at least one NYPD veteran cast member), and it's the perfect mix of crime, police work, and inter-department drama.  The 'Dennis Franz aka Sipowitz' type character is played by Michael Imperioli as Detective Louis Fitch.  You'll recognize him from The Sopranos.  He's matured very nicely into this role, and he's an absolutely JOY to watch.  Led by Imperioli, the entire show (and cast) is gritty, funny, awkward, and compelling.  In many ways, it reminds me of The West Wing as well.

You can catch the first two episodes online if you've missed them and then set your DVR!  You WON'T be sorry. :)

~Lori
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

What do you think of these solution?

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