Sunday 29 September 2013

Riddick Review


Based five years after the events of The Chronicles of Riddick, our titular hero finds himself abandoned on a harsh desolate planet inhabited by vicious Vulture-like flying animals, Viper-like swarms of water animals and packs of Jackal-like beasts. While he is able to best them for a time, even after being mortally wounded, Riddick soon adapts to his surroundings and raises and trains an orphaned jackal-beast pup as his own. Riddick soon realizes, however, that a massive series of storms that are approaching form the distance are unleashing countless more of the Demons, who must keep their skin wet at all times to survive. Desperately needing to escape, Riddick locates an empty mercenary station and activates an emergency beacon which broadcasts his identity and his presence on the planet. Two groups of mercenaries arrive, both after the large bounty placed on Riddick's head, and he must strategically eliminate them one by one in order to steal one of their ships to flee the planet.

Riddick looses the big-budget premise of the second film in the series, The Chronicles of Riddick, returning to its roots and going for the understated sparseness of the first film, Pitch Black, and it's done to much effect. A small group of characters, with conflicting wants that cause tension, as well as an unseen oncoming force that they must work together to overcome, will always be a proven formula for entertaining viewing. As is inherent with the film series, the film's futuristic sets, well-crafted landscapes, and the contrasts between the bright harshness of the planet with it painfully cold nights make it a visual spectacular to watch.


Diesel has really grown to encapsulate the titular hero over the course of the three films, and while he has never been a particularly well-developed character, Diesel provides an enigmatic and often sarcastic portrayal that proves to be fun viewing. The films, unfortunately, have always been too afraid to show the protagonist in a negative light, always hinting at the possibility of a truly horrible character, but always shying away from showing him. Riddick lures the two mercenary factions onto the deserted planet in which he has been abandoned, planning to escape, at no matter the cost. Initially Riddick does set traps that brutally maim and kill some members of the group, but they're all the sort of really annoying and unimportant characters that are killed off in all horror movies, so they're not much of a loss. Once they're all gone, however, and some of the more important secondary characters remain (important in the sense that they've have more screen time, but they aren't necessary any more developed), there's the opportunity to explore this really dark character in Riddick, but ultimately the film choose to make the role of the planets vicious alien inhabitants into the final villain that must be faced, and Riddick's ruthlessness falls to the back burner, pretty much in exactly the same way as it did in Pitch Black.


As mentioned, the mercenaries with which Riddick is ultimately forced to work with vary in their importance, but none really stand out in the film. Jordi Mollà would be the most interesting of the lot as Santana, the unstable leader of the more aggressive mercenary group. Despite a menacing start in which he brutally kills a female prisoner he's been holding captive, his character quickly turns into a slapstick caricature intended for laughs, not scares. Matthew Nable tries his best to bring something to his character Boss Johns, but unfortunately his character is written as a thinly-layered connection to Pitch Black, and serves little purpose in the scheme of the film. Katee Sackhoff's character, Dahl, Johns' second in command, is worst of all, however. While Sackhoff is well-known for playing hardened female characters, it's painful to watch her try to do the same here when her character is unnecessary written as a lesbian, with constant homosexual jabs been thrown about, and where she does a topless scene.

Like the problem with Johns' character, the film also has the difficult task of removing itself from the large mythology the series was left with at the end of The Chronicles of Riddick, and it doesn't do it well. Flashbacks are used at the beginning of the film to convey how Riddick, growing tired in his role as Lord Marshall of the Necromonger as caused uneasiness among his subjects. He strikes a deal with Commander Vaako (a surprising appearance by Karl Urban) for the location of his mysterious home world, Furya, and a ship to get there in exchange for the leadership. Riddick is escorted there by Necromonger guards, and he realises he has been taken to a desolate planet to be assassinated by them, before he kills them escapes. While it was an honourable attempt to still explain how Riddick got into his current situation, it was always going to be difficult doing so, and one can't help but feel that it may have been better if it had been ignored completely. It would have avoided an incredibly long and tedious opening act of watching Riddick have difficulty acclimatising to his new harsh surroundings interspersed with this unnecessary exposition.

Riddick provides nothing new to the formula it has already established, but Diesel is fun in the role, and for a science-fiction/ horror film it definitely does for audiences what it is designed to do.

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Dexter Review (8.12 Rememeber The Monsters?)


Dexter wrapped up its eight season run on Sunday night, and much like the response to the series' later seasons (since that infamous Season 4 final) the finale was a very confounding end to a once great television series.

This season has largely focused on, or has at least attempted to, highlight Dexter's evolution from an emotionless serial killer, governed only by a code instilled to him by his father, into a man who no longer feels the need to kill, and feels a stronger pull towards the relationships he shares with his loved ones.

Unfortunately, the finale continued to do what Dexter, as a character and as a show in general, has struggled to do for this entire final season - make up it's mind on exactly what it wants to say about the titular hero. At the end of last week's episode it looked like Dexter had put down his knives for good, leaving his sister Deb to handle serial killer Daniel Saxon (a.k.a. The Brain Surgeon), while he, his girlfriend Hannah, and his son Harrison, looked set to fly of into the sunset to Argentina to start a new life together. But that was before Saxon fatally shot Deb and escaped. And once again audiences had to endure Hall's Dexter making up his decision, and then changing his mind again, on whether he was able to leave Saxon behind and move on, or make one last kill.

What made the choice particularly more frustrating in this episode is that their really wasn't one. If Dexter truly is all about family now, as his actions would have you suggest, than staying in Miami (despite the ongoing hurricane) to protect Deb from Saxon was a real no-brainer. Our sub-par villain Saxon obviously knew this too, otherwise why would he be going after Deb at all? One could argue that because his family (or just his mother, Evelyn Vogel) deserted him after discovery his true nature, wherein comparison, Dexter has two women in his life that know his secret, yet still love him would be enough motivation to drive Saxon. The series never really explained this though, so its really up to audiences to decide for themselves.

Not only was Dexter's choice underwhelming, the entire episode overall was very tedious to watch. The continuous attempts by both Dexter and Hannah to keep Elway off of their tracks, Saxon's roaming through a dark clouded Miami, the impending hurricane, it should have been exciting, but it lacked inventiveness and urgency.

While it would have been too much to expect Dexter to also wrap up the storylines of its significant supporting cast, which have been ignored for year, Batista and Quinn got a touching moment with Dexter towards the end of the episode - both accepting Dexter's killing of Saxon in retaliation to Deb's Death.


There were also numerous plot holes, as has become a staple of Dexter in its final season, including but not limited too: Saxon not telling Miami Metro about Dexter, Dexter killing Saxon in the police station, Hannah tranquilising Elway in the middle of a bus, and Dexter taking Deb's body out of the possible.

While one can handle all this, it's difficult to see many fans being able to accept the fate of one Lieutenant Debra Morgan, who for many has been the shows saving grace for the past four seasons. It's not that she died, but that she died the way she did, that makes her characters' end so unsatisfactory. She was shot at the end of the last episode, not in a stand off of epic proportions, but by a bullet haphazardly fired by a fleeing victim. Her doctor was optimistic of her recovery, until - off-screen - she suffered a blood clot as the result from her surgery, and was reduced to a comatose vegetable.

It's understandable that Debra died, if anything was actually made clear in this episode, or this season, its that Dexter's inability to be torn between two lives and world - one as a serial killer, and one as a family man - that those closet to him always end up paying the price for his mistakes, but this isn't something we learned recently, so to have it repeated again feels a little pointless. In the end Dexter pulled the plug on Deb, and I did quite enjoy the significance of him taking her out on his boat and disposing of her as he has done countless times before, it was completely fitting that she was his final victim.

But after all that, was she? Dexter seemingly drove his boat into the impeding hurricane off of the Miami Coast, killing himself and ensuring that the ones he loved would never have to suffer because of him again. Apparently even that is no match for our Dexter though, an epilogue of sorts showing him working in a secluded area as a lumberjack, depression beard and all, indicating he survived and faked his death.

This left Hannah and Harrison to make do on their own in Argentina, Hannah shown to have believed Dexter died in the hurricane, giving audiences very little closure to Dexter in the end.

Rating: 2/5

65th Primetime Emmy Awards Recap

 
The 65th Primetime Emmy's, which aired on Monday, began as any television awards ceremony should, with host Neil Patrick Harris attempting to binge watch an entire season's worth of television, which funny and disorientating results. Throughout the night, Harris, if nothing else, was an enthusiastic host. Often presenters are forced to deliver line after line of bad jokes, and while for Harris it was no different, he seemed to generally enjoy himself, giggling at the bland jokes, like when he had to 'pause' American Horror Story: Asylum on his contact lenses to stop from screaming. I found it a little disappointing that Harris had his opening interrupted by previous host to give him advice on doing the gig, despite the fact he has done it before, although it cultivated in a hilarious performance by Kevin Spacey donna the persona of Frank Underwood from his series House of Cards.
 
 
The extremely funny Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who always have great chemistry, presented the first award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series which went to Merritt Wever for her portrayal of Zoey Barkow on Nurse Jackie. A surprising win, but an even more memorable speech. Short, but not so much sweet. At least it saved some valuable running time for the show.
 
 
The Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series category was pre-empted with a pre-recorded segment in which the writers were asked, 'Who's your favourite cast member to write for?'. Proving that she totally deserved the award, Tina Fey (who also won the award with Tracy Wigfield for their writing on the series finale of 30 Rock), started her recording by thanking the 2009 People's Choice Awards, before releasing it was a recording for the Emmy's and bluntly stating: 'That's going to get cut for time, I'm not doing that.'
 
The Deschanel sisters cleverly introduced the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series my noting the diversity of the category, slyly highlighting the presence of three Modern Family actors who all play fathers. In another surprising win for a supporting actor, none of those Modern Family cast members won this year, bur rather the award went to Tony Hale  for his portrayal of Gary Walsh on Veep. It was heart-warming to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the female lead of Veep, look so happy for her co-stars achievement as he accepted the award.

She went on to win, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Selina Meyer on Veep for the second year in a row, and was equally as humbling with her acceptance speech.
 
Meliss Leo, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in Louie went on to announce the winner of Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series, which went to Gale Mancuso for Modern Family, and the voiceover thought it important to tell the audience that this was only the second time a woman had won this award.
 
Jimmy Kimmel and Sofia Vegara awarded Jim Parsons Oustanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, who gave a fast yet emotional speech.

Elton John performed a tribute performance for Liberace, a song he wrote titled 'Home Again', and while he made no effort to hide reading straight from the teleprompter during his introduction, the performance of the hauntingly nostalgic tune was solid.
 
 
Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, stars of the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, presented the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini-Series/ Movie to Laura Linney for her swansong as Cathy Jamison on The Big C: Hereafter.
 
Harris, along with his How I Met Your Mother co-stars did a skit as a public service announcement for, EHD - 'Excessive Hosting Disorder', which Harris, having now hosted several award shows, must be rehabilitated in The Ryan Seacrest Center for Excessive Hosting.
 
 
Connie Britton and Blair Underwood honoured to the recently passed Henry Bromell for the Homeland episode "Q&A", which was a most deserving win, and his widow Sarah accepted the award. They also gave Anna Gunn the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Skyler White on Breaking Bad, and again, it was a most deserving win.
 
Although Harris was coy leading up to the Emmy about performing a musical number at the awards, which he has none become know for, during the half-way mark of the show he broke out into a song aptly titled, 'The Number in the Middle of the Show'. While I wanted to role my eyes before it had even become, the number was short, sweet, and was tongue-in-check in its self-awareness so for a musical number, it went down quite well. Plus Nathan Fillion's cameo served as a mini Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog reunion.


Mindy Katling and Stephen Amell awkwardly presented the Outstanding Reality/ Competition Program to The Voice, breaking The Amazing's Race's winning streak.

Kerry Washington honoured Bobby Cannavale for his one season portrayal of  Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire (who's dating Australia's own Rose Bryne apparently).

Dylan McDermott and Julianna Margulies presented the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which surprisingly went to first-time nominee Jeff Daniels for his portrayal of Will McAvoy on The Newsroom.

Six-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood then performed a tribute to the historic events of fifty years ago, 1963, The Beatles 'Yesterday'. It's a great song, but unfortunately I don't think it was the best fit for Underwood's naturally more upbeat twang.

Jimmy Fallon, unhilarously struggling with a moving microphone, honoured Claire Danes with her second win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Carries Mathison on Homeland.

Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, Dan Bucatinsky and Carrie Preston presented Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series to David Fincher for House of Cards.

Jim Parsons and Bob Newhart, who got a standing ovation, honoured The Colbert Report (which also won Outstanding Variety Series as well) with the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, which is a welcome change from the usual winner Jon Stewart, although I wish his speech would have been as funny as his show usually his. Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series went to Don Roy King for his work on Saturday Night Live.

Harris and the nominees for Outstanding Choreography then performed a dance routine highlighting and using the music from some of the awards most prominent featuring shows, which was a fascinating celebration of both dance and television combined. Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum, winners of the Outstanding Reality Host for Project Runway, then presented the Emmy to Derek Hough for his work on Dancing With The Stars.


Anna Faris and Allison Janney (of which Janney is either really tall or Faris really really short) announced the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie, which went to Abu Morgan for The Hour, and the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie which went to James Cromwell for his role as Dr. Arthur Arden / Hans Grüper on American Horror Story: Asylum.

Andre Braugher and Mark Harlin presented Steven Soderbergh with the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie for his work on Behind The Candelabra, which also picked up Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Michael Douglas's (who gave a short but hilarious speech) portrayal of Liberace, and Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.

Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie went to Ellen Burstyn for her portrayal as Margaret Barrish Worthington on Political Animals.

To present the final two awards Will Ferrell (and his kids because of his inability to find good child care) took to the stage, honouring Modern Family with the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Breaking Bad for Outstanding Drama Series. Great to finally see Breaking Bad getting the allocades it deserves.

Overall, the show was nothing spectacular, and could have really done with more skits. But that would mean more time, and until the organisers of shows like this realise the less presenters the more smooth-flowing the show feels, there will likely never me more time allocated to do this. As I said at the beginning Harris was a fine host yet again, I'm not sure about some of the gay jokes made at his expense though, although they were funny, and he seemed to enjoy them too, so I guess that makes it okay? The most interesting moments of the evening though were the many surprise winners, many first-timers, which always makes for refreshing viewing. Because of this I only managed to correctly predict 6 winners for the 15 categories I made predictions on. Anyway, here what I thought were the best/ worst parts of the evening.

Best Speech Award: Michael Douglas (provided some playful banter with co-star Matt Damon who was sitting in the audience).


Worst Speech Award: Gale Mancuso (Said her and her kids were going to listen to Blurred Lines and not Poker Face in the car on the way home. Umm, what?).


Most Deserving Award: Claire Danes (for Outstanding Leas Actress in a Drama Series).
Biggest Upset Award: Jeff Daniels (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which could have gone to many other deserving nominees, like Bryan Cranston or last year's winner Damien Lewis).
Funniest Moment Award: For those that have seen House of Cards, Spacey's bit was hilarious, but otherwise it would be Nathan Fillion and Sarah Silverman's cameo in 'The Number in the Middle of the Show'.
Worst Moment Award: Jimmy Fallon tries to introduced nominees with a moving microphone.

Did everyone else enjoy the show? What was your favourite/ most memorable part of the night?

Sunday 22 September 2013

My 2013 Emmy Predictions


The American television industry's night of nights, the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will recognise the best primetime television that aired between June 2012 and May 2013, will air in America tomorrow. You can watch it here in Australia live from 10.00am Monday morning AEST, with an encore screening at 7.30pm. Below you'll find a list of the awards and nominees, as well as my thoughts on you I want to win, and who I think will win.


Outstanding Drama Series:
  • Breaking Bad (AMC)
  • Downton Abbey (PBS)
  • Game of Thrones (HBO)
  • Homeland (Showtime)
  • House of Cards (Netflix)
  • Mad Men (AMC)
Who I Want To Win: Other than House of Cards, and Mad Men (which I haven't seen), I wouldn't mind seeing any of these series win, although I would personally vote for Homeland.
Who I Think Will Win: Homeland won last year, but critics and fans alike have been vocal about the series' supposed decline in quality. Similarly, it's been stated that neither Downton Abbey or Mad Men have had their best seasons either. I think it comes down to Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones, and out of these two, Breaking Bad will win.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series:
  • Breaking Bad (Episode: "Dead Freight"), Written by George Mastras (AMC)
  • Breaking Bad (Episode: "Say My Name"), Written by Thomas Schnauz (AMC)
  • Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode Four"), Written by Julian Fellowes (PBS)
  • Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Rains of Castamere"), Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss (HBO)
  • Homeland (Episode: "Q&A"), Written by Henry Bromell (Showtime)
Who I Want To Win: It would be "Q&A" if not for that unfortunate Dana subplot, so I'm going with "Say My Name".
Who I Think Will Win: Probably Homeland again, but Breaking Bad stands a chance with two nominated episodes, while "The Rains of Castamere" received a lot of critical praise for Game of Thrones.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series:
  • Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham on Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode Five") (PBS)
  • Bryan Cranston as Walter White on Breaking Bad (Episode: "Say My Name") (AMC)
  • Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy on The Newsroom (Episode: "We Just Decided To") (HBO)
  • Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men (Episode: "In Care Of") (AMC)
  • Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody on Homeland (Episode: "Q&A") (Showtime)
  • Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood on House of Cards (Episode: "Chapter 1") (Netflix)
Who I Want To Win: I don't mind, Cranston is the most deserving though.
Who I Think Will Win: Lewis won last year, and will probably do it again if Cranston doesn't.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
  • Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes on Nashville (Episode: "Pilot") (ABC)
  • Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison on Homeland (Episode: "Q&A") (Showtime)
  • Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley on Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode One") (PBS)
  • Vera Farmiga as Norma Louise Bates on Bates Motel (Episode: "First You Dream, Then You Die (Pilot)") (A&E)
  • Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson on Mad Men (Episode: "The Better Half") (AMC)
  • Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on Scandal (Episode: "Happy Birthday, Mr. President") (ABC)
  • Robin Wright as Claire Underwood on House of Cards (Episode: "Chapter 10") (Netflix)
Who I Want To Win: Again, I don't mind, would be nice to see Mathison win again though.
Who I Think Will Win: Quite a few newcomers this year, don't see any overcoming Mathison's performance though.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
  • Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad (Episode: "Say My Name") (AMC)
  • Bobby Cannavale as Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire (Episode: "Sunday Best") (HBO)
  • Jim Carter as Charles Carson on Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode Six") (PBS)
  • Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones (Episode: "Second Sons") (HBO)
  • Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad (Episode: "Buyout") (AMC)
  • Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson on Homeland (Episode: "The Choice") (Showtime)
Who I Want To Win: This is probably the category with the strongest nominees in my opinion, but Dinklage and Patinkin put in outstanding performance during the episodes they're nominated for. Personally, I'd go Patinkin.
Who I Think Will Win: Hard to say. I don't think it'll be Cannavale or Carter, but everyone else has a real chance. I'd say it'll be either one of the Breaking Bad boys if it's not Patinkin.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
  • Morena Baccarin as Jessica Brody on Homeland (Episode: "State of Independence") (Showtime)
  • Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife (Episode: "The Seven Day Rule") (CBS)
  • Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones (Episode: "And Now His Watch is Ended") (HBO)
  • Anna Gunn as Skyler White on Breaking Bad (Episode: "Fifty-One") (AMC)
  • Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris on Mad Men (Episode: "A Tale of Two Cities") (AMC)
  • Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode One") (PBS)
Who I Want To Win: Skyler is certainly not the most beloved of characters, but Gunn deserves the Emmy for her subdued performance throughout the first half of Breaking Bad's fifth season.
Who I Think Will Win: Smith has won this category for the last two years, and probably will again, although I wouldn't put aside Gunn or Hendricks for a surprise win here.


Outstanding Comedy Series:
  • 30 Rock (NBC)
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
  • Girls (HBO)
  • Louie (FX)
  • Modern Family (ABC)
  • Veep (HBO)
Who I Want To Win: I only watch 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory, and based off of the strengths of their respective seasons, I think The Big Bang Theory should won.
Who I Think Will Win: Modern Family has won the last three years, and 30 Rock won the three years prior to that. This season was 30 Rock's last, and its quality has diminished since its earlier season so I doubt it will win. While Modern Family has dominated the category, I don't think it will win this year, also you to a decline in quality. The Big Bang Theory would be the other obvious choice, but Louie is a critical darling and hasn't been nominated before, so that might finally get it's chance, while Veep could be the dark horse among them. I'm guessing Louie.

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series:
  • 30 Rock (Episode: "Hogcock!"), Written by Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock (NBC)
  • 30 Rock (Episode: "Last Lunch"), Written by Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield (NBC)
  • Episodes (Episode: "Episode Nine"), Written by David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (Showtime)
  • Louie (Episode: "Daddy's Girlfriend, Part 1"), Written by Pamela Adlon & Louis C.K. (FX)
  • The Office (Episode: "Finale"), Written by Greg Daniels (NBC)
Who I Want To Win: I've only watched 30 Rock, so I don't mind.
Who I Think Will Win: It was Louie last year, and I'd expect it to be again, unless 30 Rock of The Office get a nod for their respective series finales.

Outstanding Lead Actor in A Comedy Series:
  • Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock (Episode: "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World") (NBC)
  • Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth on Arrested Development (Episode: "Flight of the Phoenix") (Netflix)
  • Louis C.K. as Louie on Louie (Episode: "Daddy's Girlfriend, Part 1") (FX)
  • Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan on House of Lies (Episode: "Hostile Takeover") (Showtime)
  • Matt LeBlanc as Himself on Episodes (Episode: "Episode Two") (Showtime)
  • Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory (Episode: "The Habitation Configuration") (CBS)
Who I Want To Win: As with the outstanding comedy category, I've only watched 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory, and based on the performances of Baldwin and Parsons, I think Parsons should win.
Who I Think Will Win: I don't think Baldwin, Cheadle or LeBlanc will win, but Bateman might be a surprise contender after the resurgence of Arrested Development on Netflix. With Louie now nominated for best comedy, Louie might also have a chance this year after being nominated the previous two. However, I'm sticking with Parsons.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
  • Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe on Enlightened (Episode: "All I Ever Wanted") (HBO)
  • Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath on Girls (Episode: "Bad Friend") (HBO)
  • Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton on Nurse Jackie (Episode: "Luck of the Drawing") (Showtime)
  • Tina Fey as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock (Episodes: "Hogcock!" / "Last Lunch") (NBC)
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer on Veep (Episode: "Running") (HBO)
  • Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation (Episodes: "Emergency Response" / "Leslie and Ben") (NBC)
Who I Want To Win: I only watch 30 Rock, and am yet to catch up on Parks and Recreation, but Fey's performance wasn't outstanding in 30 Rock this season, so I'm not fussed.
Who I Think Will Win: Louis-Dreyfus was a surprising win last year, so I'm thinking it will be her or possibly Falco again. Fey and Dern are also possibilities, both of their shows having finished this season.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
  • Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family (Episode: "Mistery Date") (ABC)
  • Adam Driver as Adam Sackler on Girls (Episode: "It's Back") (HBO)
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family (Episode: "The Wow Factor") (ABC)
  • Tony Hale as Gary Walsh on Veep (Episode: "Running") (HBO)
  • Neil O'Brien as Derek McKevitt on Friday Night Dinner (Episode: "White Noise") (HBO)
  • Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family (Episode: "Bringing Up Baby") (ABC)
Who I Want To Win: I don't watch any of these, so I don't care who wins.
Who I Think Will Win: Co-stars Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet have taken it in turns winning in this category for the last three years, and with Stonestreet not nominated, I guess it'll be Burrell. Sackler and Walsh, both first nominees, are dark horses though.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
  • Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory (Episode: "The Fish Guts Displacement") (CBS)
  • Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on Modern Family (Episode: "My Hero") (ABC)
  • Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer on Veep (Episode: "First Response") (HBO)
  • Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock (Episodes: "Hogcock!" / "Last Lunch") (NBC)
  • Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester on Glee (Episode: "Feud") (Fox)
  • Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family (Episode: "Yard Sale") (ABC)
  • Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow on Nurse Jackie (Episode: "Teachable Moments") (Showtime)
Who I Want To Win: Either Bialik or Vergara, who have done some solid work on their respective shows over the last couple of years, but never won the Emmy.
Who I Think Will Win: Bowen's won the last two years, and I don't see why she wouldn't win again.


Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie:
  • American Horror Story: Asylum
  • Behind the Candelabra
  • The Bible
  • Phil Spector
  • Political Animals
  • Top of The Lake
Who I Want To Win: I have only watched American Horror Story: Asylum, so again, I don't particularly mind who wins in this category.
Who I Think Will Win: Buzz is often a good indicator of shows that are getting critical attention, and here in Australia out of all of these, Behind the Candelabra and The Bible have gotten the most media attention. Behind The Candelabra was released here in theatres, and The Bible had a successful run on Channel 9, but based off of the subject matter of each, I think Behind the Candelabra will get more praise.

As I haven't seen majority of the Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie nominees I've refrained from commenting on the writing and acting (both male and female) for these categories majority of the award to go to Benedict Cumberbatch's Parade's End and Behind the Candelabra, and there's a possibility American Horror Story: Asylum could pick up some acting nods too.

Outstanding Variety Series:
  • The Colbert Report
  • The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!
  • Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
  • Real Time With Bill Maher
  • Saturday Night Live
Who I Want To Win: We are limited to our access of American late night television here in Australia, particularly on free to air television, but from what I've seen of these shows, Colbert's political satire is my kind of humour, so I like to see the Emmy go to him.
Who I Think Will Win: Amazingly, Jon Stewart has taken home the Emmy for this category for the last ten years. If he doesn't do it again, I could see it possibly going to one of the Jimmy's.

Outstanding Reality/ Competition Program:
  • The Amazing Race
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • Project Runway
  • So You Think You Can Dance?
  • Top Chef
  • The Voice
Who I Want To Win: I don't make a habit of watching reality programs, let alone American ones, but I personally enjoy The Amazing Race the most.
Who I Think Will Win: Since the category was introduced ten years ago, The Amazing Race has won the Emmy nine times (only losing to Top Chef in 2010), so that seems like the obvious choice.

So there you have it, my quick thoughts of the categories and nominees for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. Remember to check back for my recap of all the nights events tomorrow. Enjoy the show!

My Fall Television Schedule (2012 - 2013): My Televsion Year in Restrospect


With the fall television season upon us I'll soon be posting up My Fall Television Schedule for the 2013 - 2014 season, but first I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the past year of television. You can check out my proposed plans for my 2012 - 2013 season here.

Sitcoms are shows that easily fall by the wayside for me. Unless I really enjoy them, they're going to come off of my television schedule out of necessity. I had planned to start watching How I Met Your Mother, which is now heading into its ninth and final season, after catching majority of the last half of Season 8. However, it didn't stick. I had four pretty solid comedies too keep me satisfied throughout last season in Happy Endings, The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock & New Girl, so How I Met Your Mother wasn't a necessity. And neither was NBC's new Will & Grace-esque comedy Partners either apparently, I didn't watch like I said I would, and apparently no one else did either with NBC cancelling the series after six episodes. This was despite the show being placed in the pretty cushy timeslot between How I Met Your Mother and 2 Broke Girls at 8.30 on Mondays. Also on Monday's was the surprise post-apocalyptic hit Revolution, it being the first new show of the season to be renewed after airing only three episodes. It also had a cushy timeslot behind The Voice at 10.00, and it will be interesting to see how its ratings go with its drastic move to Wednesdays at 8.00 this season. I recorded the first six or seven episodes of Revolution before I started watching any, and ironically I probably only watched three until I stopped. I considered returning to the show, and still do, but other than the cliff-hangers I found majority of it to be rather dull. It's also been critically panned by many, and while this doesn't inspire to watch Revolution as a good show, it does inspire to watch it as a train-wreck you can't look away from, which is why I'm still considering catching up. I wont be able to do this during this season though, so I'll have to wait and see whether things improve for the show in the meantime. Similar critical distain was given to The Following, which I've recorded all of, but now am very uncertain as to whether or not I should watch. I also tried out Deception but left it after three episodes, and it was cancelled at the end of its 13 episode run.

On Tuesdays New Girl really hit its stride, and surprisingly Jake Johnson stole the show as lazy yet lovable Nick Miller throughout the season. The verdict's still out on whether or not the show can make Nick and Jess work as a couple for the long-term, but I'll be tuning in to find out. I still can't help but hate New Girl a little though, since Happy Endings was running at the same 9.00 timeslot on ABC, but was quickly shuffled off to die on Friday nights after its return from mid-season break. While I don't think the third and now final season was at good as its season (its reliance on the ridiculous and over-the-top storylines for humour is a turn-off for me with comedies), it was still easily the best comedy on television, and it's my hardest felt cancellation from last season. I considered also watching the comedy paired with Happy Endings, Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23, along with checking out a whole host of new comedies that premiered on Tuesday last season, like Go On and The New Normal in an attempt to find a new comedy. Ultimately I'm glad I didn't with all of these being cancelled. I also recorded all of Cult which aired at 9.00 on The CW during mid-season after the cancellation of Emily Owens, M.D., but that too is now cancelled and I haven't watched a single episode.

Supernatural remained solid viewing on Wednesdays during its eighth season, and many believed it was better than Season 7. The show mostly becomes an interchangeable monster-of-the week blur to me, but there were some intriguing story arcs like Dean's return and escape from purgatory, The Men of Letters, and of course, the highly dramatic Trials Sam undertook (although lets all just forget about his horrible flashbacks to when Dean was away). Nashville was prime to become the best new show for me early in the season, but by its finale it had become so convulsed and melodramatic that I'm worried I'll have to start watching it the way I watch Revenge, for a good laugh. Arrow did exceptionally well for The CW at 8.00 before Supernatural, and I still want to watch it eventually, but as with comedies, unfortunately CW fair hasn't yet earned the respect of necessary viewing (except maybe Nikita), but hopefully their promising pilot season this year can continue to change that.

We said goodbye to 30 Rock on Thursday's last season, and while there were some memorable moments throughout its final 13 episode seventh season run (Hazel really came into her own), the show ultimately ended on a rather sentimental note, which felt quite out of character for such a normally untraditional show. While I've said that comedies aren't a necessary watch, The Big Bang Theory really has come to deserve it's title as the best comedy on television. I know there are a lot of people who don't like it compared to some of the more quirkier and out there comedies (like Arrested Development or Community, which it was up against in the 8.00 timeslot), but for a traditional sitcom, laugh track included, The Big Bang Theory is a very good show. The Vampire Diaries may have lost some of its bite (sorry, but it works), but is it highly serialised, so I'm willing to stick with it through is numerous and very long dry-spells with several characters and storylines in anticipation for the big mythology aspect of the show. ABC's high concept drama Last Resort was my most anticipated new show of last season, but I only tuned into four or so episodes myself before giving up, and ABC gave up too, it being cancelled after six episodes, the remaining ones still airing. The timeslot and high concept probably didn't help the show, but for me, it just took itself too seriously, and needed some humour to break up the drama that quickly became incessantly tedious. I was initially weary to check out Hannibal, despite it being developed by Bryan Fuller. By mid-season though, nothing was on, and boy am I glad I tuned it. With its great acting and beautiful cinematography, this slick psychological thriller turned into the best new network show of the season. As I was last year, I'm still finding the time to be inspired to catch up on Scandal and Person of Interest, with both doing extremely well with the amount of buzz and critical acclaim they received last season.

Fringe finished is unbelievable five season run on Fridays. While die-hard will no doubt be happy with the conclusion of the series, the vast change in setting and the relationships shared between the characters made it difficult for me to appreciate the season, despite its heavy mythology. I followed Happy Endings to Friday, which I'm still so so sad about, and continued to record Cult when it was also shuffled here before cancellation despite not watching it. I still haven't caught up on Grimm, and it falls low on the list on the shows I want to catch up on. I'm now just waiting for Nikita to end to buy the DVD boxset so that I can consume this great show all at once, although I'm a little disappointed that I didn't watch it while it aired.

On Sundays Revenge continued to do its thing. Despite some people thinking its become too convoluted, Revenge was always like this, only now it's more obvious. However, when it's not having its well dressed utter ridiculous dialogue at one another, Revenge can be an enthralling drama, and I'm willing to stick with it through all the bad. I mean, did you see that finale? 666 Park Avenue was actually quite enjoyable, but after it was cancelled before its mid-season break after airing seven episodes, but I wasn't inspired enough to finish watching once I knew it wouldn't be back. I wasn't inspired to check out Once Upon A Time either, and now I'm wondering if I ever will be. I'm in the same situation with The Good Wife as I am with Nikita, the show is heading into its fifth season, and doesn't look like it has long left, so maybe I'll just hold out until it finished before watching.

There were two late mid-season shows this year, Under The Dome and Siberia, which I also hoped to check out. Under The Dome, while ridiculous, has an entertaining mythology, and the show doesn't really deserve all the hate its receiving from critics. I'm yet to watch an episode of Siberia, but I have recorded it thus far.

Onto cable, and of course, majority of them also air on Sunday's. Boardwalk Empire withstood the loss of prominent character Jimmy Darmody at the end of season two and produced an entertaining third season, and season four looks set to do the same. Dexter's seventh season was a spectacular resurgence for the show, but unfortunately critics and fans alike have panned its eighth and final season, which will air on Sunday. The Walking Dead had its moments, but ultimately had difficulty maintaining momentum splitting its time between the prison and Woodbury throughout its third season, resulting it quite a bit of filler. While Homeland's second season, particularly its second half with the conclusion of the Abu Nazir storyline, received mixed responses, I loved it, and cannot wait for the new season to start in a couple of weeks. Breaking Bad showcased itself as one of the most talked about shows of all time, and while I have a problem with the change of tone of previous seasons in 5A, 5B has done nothing but deliver and I'm expecting a spectacular finale from this show.

Other shows on cable that I watched this year included American Horror Story (it had a strong season but fell short in its last couple of episodes), Californciation (the season focus on the rock and roll music industry was entertaining, but the characters and their relationships have gotten stale). I caught up on Awkward before the start of it's third season, and am interested to see where it's heading in the second half. British import Doctor Who is slugging along as a tedious pace despite its out-there storylines, while Ray Donovan is probably my favourite new cable show of the season, with a good balance between Ray professional and family life and great acting. Bates Motel, The Bridge, Twisted, and Defiance were all shows I watched a couple of episodes of but didn't feel the need to finish watching them. And I haven't got to Low Winter Sun yet.

Playing catch up I've watched the first season of Pretty Little Liars, but am struggling knowing that I'm no where near finding out the identity of A. I've watched the first season, and half of the second season of Parks & Recreation in an attempt to fill a solid comedy gap left by Happy Endings and 30 Rock, and while not as good as those, it has its charm. I'm also about to start watching The Newsroom after watching part of a season one episode with a friend and loving every minute of it.

Television isn't just on your TV anymore either, and I tried to check out majority of Netflix's new original programming to see how it'd fair. House of Cards was decent, but wasn't overwhelmingly good for me, and Hemlock Grove, despite being very much my genre, has failed to convince me to watch the first episode. Orange is the New Black, however, is most definitely the best new show of the year, despite it not even airing on television.

So there you have it, my 2012 - 2013 year of television in review. Of the nine new shows I planned to watch at the beginning of the season four were cancelled, 666 Park Avenue, Cult, Deception, and  Last Resort. Of the shows I already watched 30 Rock, Breaking Bad, Dexter, Fringe, and Happy Endings all ended all were cancelled. So how was everyone else's year? Found a new favourite? Disappointed about an undeserved cancellation? Let me know, and here's to the next year of television watching.

Sunday 15 September 2013

J.K. Rowling Announces Movie Adaptation of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’


The Harry Potter universe is set to continue with a new movie. It will be based off of J.K. Rowling’s encyclopaedic companion to the magical creatures that featured in the book and film series, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.  Rowling will make her screenwriting debut to write the film for Warner Brothers studio.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them featured as a textbook Hogwarts students studied in the Harry Potter series, written by the wizard Newt Scamander. Rowling donned the persona of the wizard to write Fantastic Beasts as a supplement to the Harry Potter series previously, and the book was released in 2001, in between the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003).

Here’s Rowling full statement regarding the announcement of the film, courtesy of Hypable (http://www.hypable.com/2013/09/12/new-harry-potter-movies-fantastic-beasts-jk-rowling/):

‘Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets underway.

It all started when Warner Bros. came to me with the suggestion of turning ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ into a film. I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult. Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt. As hard-core Harry Potter fans will know, I liked him so much that I even married his grandson, Rolf, to one of my favourite characters from the Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood.

As I considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.

I particularly want to thank Kevin Tsujihara of Warner Bros. for his support in this project, which would not have happened without him. I always said that I would only revisit the wizarding world if I had an idea that I was really excited about and this is it.’

Rowling is yet to commence writing the screenplay, so there has been no word on when the film is expected to be released. The film is set to be the first in a series of films based off of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them produced by Warner Brothers.

Breaking Bad Spin-off Announced

 
The hit television series Breaking Bad has a spin-off in development.

AMC and Sony Pictures, the network and production company behind the show that follows a chemistry teacher’s transition into a drug lord, announced on Friday that they have made a series order for a spin-off.

The series will follow the character of Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), the hapless criminal lawyer that features in Breaking Bad, and will be aptly titled Better Call Saul. The series will be a prequel, based before the events of Breaking Bad, and will be a one-hour drama that will focus of the evolution of Goodman’s morally ambiguous character. The series will also have a lighter tone in comparison to its parent show, including more comedic elements, considering Goodman’s character was often used as comic relief on Breaking Bad. There has been no word yet as to whether or not Odenkirk will reprise his role as Saul in the series, considering the character will be significantly younger.

The series is to be produced by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan and writer Peter Gould, who wrote the season two episode of Breaking Bad also titled ‘Better Call Saul’, which introduced the popular character.

Industry experts believe that AMC are desperate to hold onto Gillian, who has risen to popularity and been highly praised as creator and head writer of Breaking Bad. With Breaking Bad ending, and with Mad Men expected to do so in less than a year (another critically acclaimed show on the network), it’s believed the spin-off will become a high priority for the network.

Depending on how fast AMC want to develop Better Call Saul, which is looking very likely, the series could be expected to be airing as early as next Summer in the US.

Being a prequel, the spin-off offers no insight into what might happen to the hapless lawyer Goodman as Breaking Bad heads towards its conclusion.

The much anticipated series finale of Breaking Bad will here in Australia on the September 30th on Showcase.

Sunday 8 September 2013

My Fall Television Schedule (2013 - 2014)

Note: This year I've also included mid-season shows, a mistake I made in not doing last year.

MONDAY:


Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
8.00pm - 9.00pm        Almost Human (New Show)                  Fox                       4/11
9.00pm - 10.00pm      Sleepy Hollow (New Show)                   Fox                       16/9
10.00pm - 11.00pm    Intelligence (New Show)                       CBS                      24/2
10.00pm - 11.00pm    The Blacklist (New Show)                     NBC                      23/9

Well it looks like Mondays it going to be an entirely new night for me. Last year I said I was going to watch How I Met Your Mother (was never really excited about that and now its in its final season), Partners (didn't end up watching and was cancelled), and Revolution (watched some of, but then it fell by the wayside and I didn't return. Will try to again at some stage despite the bad buzz its received, or perhaps because of that. It has also been moved to Wednesdays). I am most excited for The Blacklist, wish is odd considering I generally go for science-fiction/ fantasy more so over procedurals. How much procedural aspects each of these shows has will determine the likelihood of me continuing to watch. I like highly serialised television shows, so whichever has a greater sense of an overall arc is going to suit me best. At this stage it's Almost Human, Intelligence and then Sleepy Hollow. And I doubt I be following The Following when it returns, despite my desire to check it out last season.

TUESDAY:


Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
8.00pm - 9.00pm        Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (New Show)      ABC                      24/9
8.00pm - 9.00pm        The Originals (New Show)                   The CW                 15/10
8.30pm - 9.00pm        Brooklyn Nine-Nine (New Show)          Fox                        17/9
9.00pm - 9.30pm        New Girl                                                Fox                         17/9
9.00pm - 10.00pm      Supernatural                                          The CW                 15/10

With Happy Endings moved to Friday's and eventually cancelled after it finished airing its third season back in May, New Girl is the only show I also watched on Tuesday last year. I thought it was going to be one of those comedies I caught up on when I had several episodes to watch, but with little other laughs on last season New Girl was a weekly watch. Supernatural moves from Wednesday's after freshman Arrow's success on that night that season, The CW trying to solidify its primetime schedule by spreading out its most popular shows. As for the newbies Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is a must as a Joss Whedon fan and therefore instantly on the top of my must-watch list. I'm lukewarm on The Originals, I'll watch it because I enjoy The Vampire Diaries, so I'm hoping new characters and a new location can revitalise things were its parent show is dwindling. I usually only choose one new comedy to check out each season (I generally like to wait to see what lasts and what doesn't) and this year, based on the trailers of all the network comedies, its Brooklyn Nine-Nine. And I'll catch up on Person of Interest one day, trust me.

WEDNESDAY:

 
Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
9.00pm - 10.00pm       The Tomorrow People (New Show)     The CW                9/10
10.00pm - 11.00pm     Nashville                                                ABC                     25/9
10.00pm - 11.00pm     American Horror Story                          FX                        9/10

Looks like Wednesdays will be my catch-up night now that Supernatural has moved to Tuesdays, which is fine, because did you see Tuesday? The Tomorrow People replaces Supernatural's spot, but I'm waiting to see whether its as good as Heroes was. Or as bad as Heroes was. I stuck with Nashville all throughout last season. It had moments of brilliance in which I wondered why I wasn't so excited to watch it every week, and then towards the end of the season it had such a decrease in quality that at this moment it's a more laughable soap-opera than Revenge. For some bizarre reason I left American Horror Story off of my schedule last year despite watching it (it must have been because it aired on Wednesday and I only looked for cable channel shows I watch on Sundays). But I have rectified the mistaken and it's here now, and the great thing about its concept is that every season I'm excited for it because its a completely new show. I had to refrain from putting Arrow in here, just like last year. Now I definitely want to catch up because I've heard such great things, but we'll see. Regarding Revolution, see Monday.

THURSDAY:


Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
8.00pm - 8.30pm         The Big Bang Theory                            CBS                       26/9
8.00pm - 9.00pm         The Vampire Diaries                            The CW                 10/10
9.00pm - 9.30pm         The Crazy Ones (New Show)               CBS                       26/9
9.00pm - 10.00pm       Reign (New Show)                               The CW                 10/10

Thursday is the day that stays most similar to last year, with The Big Bang Theory and The Vampire Diaries returning. 30 Rock ended it's seven season run last year, and Last Resort was cancelled. I know I said I only check out one new comedy per season but The Crazy Ones has Sarah Michelle Gellar in it, so I must watch! For a while, anyway. I almost didn't put Reign, but I just have to check out The CW's attempt at a qausi-historical period piece (with romance and possible supernatural elements!), I mean, who wouldn't? As with last year, I need to catch up with Scandal, even more so because of the buzz. Parks and Recreation has also come onto my comedy radar after five seasons (I told you it took me a long time), one of the reasons being with 30 Rock and The Office ending, and NBC cancelling the rest of its comedies, this and Community remain the only seasoned comedies on the network. And Sean Saves the World doesn't look too bad in a traditional gay sitcom sort of way. Don't judge me!

FRIDAY:


Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
10.00pm - 11.00pm     Dracula (New Show)                            NBC                     25/10

It's times like these were I question whether or not my love of science-fiction/ fantasy television is a good or a bad thing. I'm not really at all interested in watching NBC's boring titled period piece about vampires, but I feel I must as a fan service to the horror genre. I think I would much rather spend my Friday's catching up on the first two seasons of Grimm, eventually catching up with the new episodes. Now there's an idea.

SATURDAY:

Get a life. That's not the name of a show. It's something I seriously need to do.

SUNDAY:


Timeslot                     Television Program                             Network               Premiere Date
9.00pm - 10.00pm       Boardwalk Empire                               HBO                       8/9
9.00pm - 10.00pm       Revenge                                                ABC                       29/9
9.00pm - 10.00pm       The Walking Dead                               AMC                      13/10
10.00pm - 11.00pm     Homeland                                             Showtime               29/9
10.00pm - 11.00pm     Resurrection                                         ABC                       9/3

The only good thing about the end of the weekend is that the television always promises to be good, and this year is no different. The only causalities from my watch list were the cancelled 666 Park Avenue and Dexter which is about to finish its eighth season run. Apart from that, all the standard greats are still there: Boardwalk Empire, Homeland, and The Walking Dead. Oh, and Revenge is here for some reason too, it's good fun and I won't stop watching. I doubt I'll start watching The Good Wife either, I've given up on Once Upon A Time (and its new spin-off on Thursday too, by the way), and Betrayal, I so very badly wanted to watch you, but ABC's attempts over the last couple of years to recapture the drama of Desperate Housewives on Sunday's nights is getting worse and worse. That's not going to stop me from checking out Resurrection once Betrayal finishes though (whether or not its cancelled), although I hope it does finish its run so that this intriguing newbie show doesn't have to fight for the audience of all these other great shows.

While this is already a fairly extensive list of the television shows I plan to watch next season, there are quite a few mid-season replacements that haven't even been scheduled to premiere that I'm also eagerly anticipating. The 100 on The CW looks to be one of the more exciting genre shows available next season, and NBC's Believe might be worth a check in too. NBC also has the comedy About A Boy scheduled for midseason, and it being one of my favourite movies, I might give it a look, along with ABC's Mixology whose high concept storytelling may make for interesting television.

As for pre-established shows that are returning midseason, I can't wait for Nikita to hurry up and finish so I can go out and buy the DVD box set and devour this great series I've been missing out on. And NBC's Hannibal was the best show of free-to-air television last year so its a must watch for me. I'll also be watching Californication on Showtime when that returns.

There's also those summer shows that are still fresh in our minds as we head toward the new season, but lament that we won't get to see them again for almost a whole year. The fall premiere week will see the final episodes of  Under the Dome, Breaking Bad, Dexter, and Ray Donovan, and True Blood just recently finished its sixth season.

The cable networks are also busy developing new shows that could potentially air next season and the like of FX's The Strain, Showtime's Penny Dreadful, and HBO's The Leftovers are all shows in development whose premise greatly intrigues me and sounds like shows I will watch.


And then there's all the television that's not even on television, just to makes this that much more difficult. Netflix has currently made waves this last year with all its new original programming, and while I'm glad to see House of Cards getting online television content attention, Orange Is The New Black was my favourite new show of this year. I absolutely cannot wait until that returns, whenever that may be. And chance are, if I indulge in the show the same way I did this year, I'll watch the entire season in a week, and it'll be done with.

For a full list of the main television networks schedule check out this Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_United_States_network_television_schedule

If my calculations are correct I plan on watching 21 television shows a week, at about 19 hours. I find this odd because last year I only watched 17 (18 with American Horror Story now included) yet I found approaching that season was a lot more overwhelming then what I am feeling now. The reason I have so much more shows on my list this season is that there are thirteen shows, two of them mid-season, which I am interested in checking out. Last year there was only five. That's a big jump, and perhaps I'm trying to make up for the shows I watched that were cancelled (three freshman series were axed, and four returning). Despite this, I think the answer is more likely that I found last years pilot season a lot more exciting then this one. All of the five shows I was extremely excited for, this season there's only one, which is Agents of S.H.I.E.LD. The rest I feel obligated to watch, like The Originals, The Crazy Ones, and Dracula, and the rest I haven't got a good enough impression of whether or not I'll like them, hence the large number of shows. I'll be trying a lot out, and I imagine quickly whittling them down.

Orange Is The New Black
Homeland
Hannibal
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
The Big Bang Theory
Boardwalk Empire
The 100
American Horror Story
The Originals
Resurrection

Of course, of always, some will be cancelled (and in this context is the only time I ever see them as a good thing), and obviously not all of these shows are on every week. Some start later then others, with their premieres being months apart Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl both starting on the 17th of September while others like The Vampire Diaries and Reign won't start until the 10th of October, almost a month later. And of course, that doesn't even include the mid-season show start times.

This will be in interesting year to follow in regards to what's successful, what's not, and what new trends emerge from a storytelling standpoint in television, but also in what audiences are most interested in and excited about. I think I myself am going to have to hone my trimming skills a bit unless I really want to end up watching The Crazy Ones and Dracula for their entire seasons. What are your thoughts on this seasons line up? Better or worse then last years? Are you still upset that your favourite show got cancelled for all this new crap, or can you sense a good show coming your way?