Category Archives: NBC

Jan 30 2015
Leave a comment
NBC, parenthood

farewell amber, and oh yes, all the rest of the braverman brood

Parenthood was never a popular show. There were never any inside jokes that you would only get as a fan. The show never spawned a thousand ships (aside from all the love for Amber and Ryan) and it was never part of the must-see line-up that NBC was once famous for. But any fan of Parenthood will tell you it was amazing. Sure, the Bravermans weren’t particularly realistic and their trials and tribulations weren’t always relatable. Yet, you still felt that their closeness was genuine and their flaws, which ranged from Amber’s early years of self-destruction to Zeke’s incessant pigheadedness, were perfect. The show’s particular brand of quaint, family drama won’t likely grace television again in the near future, but we’re just happy to know that Mae Whitman’s career will be long and varied. As we mourn the loss of Parenthood and a character that Whitman truly made her own, here are her most disastrous romantic moments, by season.

AmbersLoves

Season One: Amber and Steve (played by Asher Book)
Although Haddie was basically insufferable until she started dating Alex, Amber still displayed a blatant disregard for the Girl Code (and the often unmentioned Cousin Code) by sleeping with Steve.

Season Two: Amber and Gary (played by Scott Michael Foster)
The Amber/Gary love affair was brief. They drank, they drove, they crashed, and Gary fulfilled his duties as the show’s requisite “life lesson.”

Season Three: Amber and Bob Little (played by Jonathan Tucker)
Who can blame Amber for falling for young politico Bob Little? Yes, this was a silly career move…but it was only silly if anyone ever truly believed that Amber wanted to follow in Aunt Kristina’s annoying footsteps.

Seasons Four through Six: Amber and Ryan (played by Matt Lauria)
It was obvious from day one that Ryan was going to play a major role. Their love affair was always a bit tortured and things only got worse when Ryan reenlisted, but somehow, Amber never reverted back to her wild child ways. Their ending wasn’t particularly romantic, but the show gets points for providing fans with closure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , ,
Jan 09 2015
Leave a comment
Midseason Premiere, NBC, TV

the slap’s promo is reason enough to watch the premiere

Without doing too much research on the book or Australian series this adaptation is based on, the promo makes it obvious that The Slap is a very literal title. Also, why isn’t there more fanfare that Zachary Quinto is back on NBC? Or Uma Thurman? Or Thandie Newton is doing American television at all?

The Slap premieres February 12 at 8/7c

Tagged , , ,
Nov 09 2012
1 Comment
NBC, Recaps, TV

revolution recapping: the children’s crusade

Previously on Revolution: Sex and Drugs

I found this episode just as fulfilling, mesmerizing, and inspiring as its previous installments. Take from that what you will.

Plot
Charlie and the gang take on an impossible mission to save a boy seized by the militia (Peter played by Griffin Freeman) . In a plan of stunning clarity and vision, Charlie decides the best way to do this is by entering the belly of the beast, aka the big brainwashing ship the Monroe militia uses to indoctrinate their new recruits. Things go badly, of course, and Charlie ends up being branded with the militia “M” and Aaron accidentally turns on a lighthouse with the magical pendant this show more or less hinges upon. By the end of the episode, however, everyone escapes, including the boy everyone was trying to save. Hooray.

Over at the Monroe Reupiblic, Rachel feels bad for giving away the secret about the necklaces to Monroe (see what I said about hinging?) We find out in her flashback that her husband accidentally created what would be become the Big Off Switch of the World in an attempt to actually make a new type of clean energy. The government apparently liked it (that’s new) enough to send their man Randall to convince Rachel and her husband through silly domineering tactics that they just “want to be friends,” i.e. get their grubby hands all over the new weapon.

Back in the present, we discover Grace is still alive and under the control of the also-still-alive Randall. Expect both these characters to do something noteworthy in the future.

Thoughts
Revolution beat out the competition again this week, but ratings are slightly down. My personal assessment? This show is on life support. Not in, you know, the actual world – just in my head. The characters are difficult to connect with and the plotting is meandering, at best, and nonsensical, at worst. I see a ton of good ideas, but they’re muddled under a soupy mixture of poorly conceived storytelling. I’m slightly sad because I hate to be this critical about such an initially ambitious and promising show. My weakness has and always will be for stories that dare to shove conventionality out the window, but Revolution is not interested in telling that kind of story. It’s a concept show desperately trying to follow in Lost’s already well-tread footsteps while maintaining a firm grip on their mainstream audience. Since I – and I imagine many of my fellow television fans — don’t need Lost II or a miasma of characters and storylines appealing to the “masses,” I think I might be done.


Hayley has other interests besides just nerdy TV shows. She also is a big fan of thinking. She ponders the great mysteries of life, like how more of her time can be devoted to watching those nerdy TV shows.

Tagged , , , , , ,
Nov 03 2012
Leave a comment
NBC, quotes, Recaps, The Mindy Project

the mindy project recapping: halloween

For a show that’s only had four episodes, I’d say that The Mindy Project is starting out as a pretty solid comedy. Not hilarious, but good enough that I’d say it’s usually worth my time to watch.

This week Mindy was invited to an NBA Halloween party by blonde-glasses NBA lawyer Josh (played by Tommy Dewey). Unsure if she wants to go as Josh says she’s got to have an awesome costume to impress everyone, Mindy eventually agrees on going. However, she has no costume. Like most doctors, she has to work on Halloween. Unlike most doctors, her secretaries and nurse–the ex-convict with more than a few brain cells missing–are recruited to help Mindy find the perfect costume that manages to toe the fine line, being both nerdy and sexy.

Danny and Jeremy, the other two doctors, leave on a secret mission which we later find out is not something sketchy like I thought–instead, they are going to try and get their driver’s licenses! Jeremy uses his charms, luck and logical thinking to pass both the written and driving test; Danny isn’t so lucky. While he passes the written test–and all the DMV workers cheer for him–he freaks out during the driving test and crashes into Halloween decorations. Luckily for Danny, Jeremy convinces the proctor to give him another chance, and he passes this time.

Mindy finally decides that despite all the stellar costume ideas from her co-workers–urinal, Linus from Snoopy, or a butt–she will go as Diane from Cheers. To her delight and surprise, Josh dresses up as Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, which he–in a very creepy turn of events–finds out is her favorite movie.

Opinions, Thoughts, and Favorites 

  • Although the plot is sometimes somewhat–or entirely–lacking in this show, certain characters seem to have great chemistry–like the ex-convict nurse.
  • And if nothing else, this show has managed to get great guest stars. Bill Hader was back, and from the looks of it, more NBA stars will be guest starring as well.
  • Some of the characters aren’t that consistent–or even relevant, like the woman Mindy keeps calling on the phone–but I’m sure they’ll find their groove sometime soon. After all, they’re just starting out.

Quotes 

Mindy: [distractedly petting the cat on her lap] Ew, who the hell are you? … Ugh, get out of here, you gross cat!

[talking to her friend on the phone] Things are kinda not great, this random loser cat tried to be my pet.”

***

Tom: Don’t say anything about ‘Breaking Bad!’ I haven’t seen Season 5 yet!

Mindy: If you’re obsessed with TV, why don’t you keep up with it in a timely way?!

***

Jeremy: Perfect score Danny, break a leg.

Danny: Never wink at me again.

Emily enjoys lots of things: laughing and watching television being the top two. She loves smart comedies involving witty repartee, loud actions and gestures, over-the-top theatrics, and a solid plot.

Tagged , , , , , , ,
Nov 02 2012
1 Comment
NBC, Recaps, TV

revolution recapping: sex and drugs

Previously on Revolution: Soul Train

I may or may not have developed a soft spot for this bizarre, little show. It’s sort of a silly mess, but I keep tuning in every week because – like it or not – I am entertained. Perhaps not for the right reasons, but entertainment is entertainment. Whether or not this is the tone writers are going for, Revolution is essentially a post-apocalyptic comedy, a niche show trying to pass itself off as a tougher Lost and a baby Walking Dead.

Plot

Nora’s stab wound needs some medical attention, so Miles takes the gang to the mansion of his half friend, half enemy Lando Calrissian – wait, I mean Drexel (played by Todd Stashwick, Heroes, Justified). Drexel’s a weird dude who somehow manages to grow drugs in his backyard and run a brothel-like establishment. He helps Nora, but makes Charlie dress up as one of “his girls” to go assassinate a neighbor he doesn’t like.

Meanwhile, this week’s flashbacks feature distraught, frowning Aaron. We meet his wife, Priscilla Pittman (played by Maureen Sebastian), follow the couple’s dysentery-plagued post-blackout adventures,  and meet Sean, the manly, one-dimensional hero who saves their lives at least twice. Turns out, Aaron left his wife almost a year after the blackout because he felt like he couldn’t protect her anymore. Hmm.

Miles escapes Drexel’s to stop Charlie from murdering the nice neighbor. Back at the mansion, Drexel tries to get Nora and Aaron to shoot each other (the winner gets to walk away!), but Aaron shoots himself instead. Aaron’s flask stops the bullet, and then he uses the shocked seconds following his miraculous recovering to shoot Drexel. Nora and Aaron meet up with Miles and Charlie – andddd we’re back at square one.

And over at Monroe City (probably not its real name) we find out that Monroe is sending a bad ass killer to hunt down our protagonists with instructions to wipe out everyone but Miles. Jason is sad because Charlie is the only love interest he has, but his dad, Tom, is happy because he is promoted to head torturer. Hooray!

Talking Points

Drexel Strikes Back

Man, this episode was predictable. From the weird Empire Strikes Back-esque stand-off in front of Drexel’s house (Cloud City, anyone??) to Aaron supposedly dying before his flashbacks had been neatly tied up, nothing felt that suspenseful. No offense, Revolution, but your strong point has never – will likely never – be your characters. You coast by on one ridiculous plot twist after another. Predictability is not your friend.

Rachel and the Big Evil Monroe Republic

So I’ve been legitimately enjoying (in a non-ironic and non-cynical) way the scenes set in Monroe City. There’s a bit more weight and substance available when the scale is set to republic leaders and republic warfare. Not to mention, Elizabeth Mitchell (Rachel) is easily the most convincing actor on set, followed closely by Giancarlo Esposito (Tom). Now that the two are in the same city, I don’t feel compelled to go anywhere else. (Downside is that the two least convincing actors also reside here).

In Defense of Complaining

I’m not alone, of course; there are a lot of Revolution “haters” out there. While I wouldn’t necessarily put myself in that boat, I do feel my metaphorical hackles rising when I hear people criticizing the criticizers for being too nit-picky, impossible to satisfy, ungrateful, etc., etc. Look, there is no reason a multi-million dollar show like this one should be so thread-bare on character development, acting, plot progression, and general purpose – not to mention a seemingly fundamental misunderstanding of the genre it reside in. Each week I try to keep an open mind, but it’s getting increasingly difficult. The more I watch, the more I feel as if I’m lowering my standards of what’s possible in television story-telling just to accommodate what exists. It’s not a good feeling.

News

Do you have a guess about the blackout’s origin? Well, you’re wrong. Take it from Revolution showrunner Erik Kripke: “The sweet spot is to find an answer that’s actually scarier than what you were thinking,” Kripke says. “Like, ‘Oh wait, this is not even just about electricity.’ And that’s what we’re designing.”

Ooo.

Hayley has other interests besides just nerdy TV shows. She also is a big fan of thinking. She ponders the great mysteries of life, like how more of her time can be devoted to watching those nerdy TV shows.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
← Older posts
%d bloggers like this: