Looking to live your life like Mad Men? Or maybe just don't want to sound like an idiot during this current mixed drink/speakeasy craze? Educate yourself with these 25 cocktails so you can hold your own at the next bartenders' convention you stumble into.
A found footage movie based on Bigfoot. Filled with the cliches of 80s horror movies, possibly though as an ironic touch. From one of the guys who brought you The Blair Witch Project. If I made this up you would have hated me.
I'll give medieval Europeans credit for this: they certainly knew how to get creative with torture.
New trailer for Gone Girl. If you haven't read the book, or know much about the story, this will be a good one...
Meat Mountain. Depending on how that phrase makes you feel will gauge your interest in the new offering from Arby's. And for only $10 bucks! Don't look for it on the menu though - this is a need to know item that you have to specifically ask for. I will now go scrub my body down in alcohol after writing these last few sentences.
Get ready for the new TV season. It's right around the corner!
Showing posts with label fall television preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fall television preview. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The Popcorn Trick's Fall Television Guide: Thursday
Ah, Thursdays...the night networks battle for since they can run movie commercials for the weekend. We all fondly remember the dominance NBC developed over the 80s and 90s with this night, developing shows that not only were popular, but entered the zeitgeist of our society and lived on. Shows like The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, ER...and now we've got...Well we've got some quality here and there, but the problem is nobody is watching it. CBS has staked their claim to Thursday nights with The Big Bang Theory (a show I've admittedly never watched but can't refute it's popularity) and other well, if rather still generically written sitcoms, and an hour of procedural action at 10, whether it's a CSI or most recently a Sherlock Holmes show (Elementary. I've never seen this show either, but if you want a Sherlock Holmes fix and are watching this instead of the BBC's Sherlock, well - I don't thin I can talk to you. Watching both is fine, of course). While ABC still rides the Grey's Anatomy train.
So while NBC gamely attempts to reestablish dominance, the other networks are comfortable (pretty much) with what they've got, because it seems to be working. Sure, CBS has some new sitcoms they're trotting out, but since they can be the meat in their established sandwich, it isn't too much of a risk.
CBS
The Big Bang Theory forges along, making nerd jokes aplenty. It's familiar, professionally executed and well performed. You can't ask for much more out of a sitcom. And, much like you're supposed to shiv the first guy you see when entering prison to establish you're not weak, CBS has decided to run two new episodes tonight.
Those will lead right into a new series called The Crazy Ones starring Buffy and Mork, or Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams as they're known here on planet Earth. It will be interesting to see Mr. Williams back on the small screen, and see if he can (loosely) contain himself and his schtick within the confines of a half hour show. And I'm not even sure CBS really wants him to. I'm guessing they would be fine for him to go all out and make the show completely about himself, so long as people tuned in. I'm not sure why SMG is orbiting his supernova in this though - either or of these two would be big enough for a show...I see her involvement eclipsing Williams' enough to possibly clip his wings. It's a dicey paella of a show which I can't imagine has found its course yet. Will it before audiences skip out on it? Remains to be seen.
Apparently Two and a Half Men is still on. That was news to me. It's on at 9:30 tonight, right before the big event of Sherlock going back to London on Elementary, which - I can't even talk about since he's from there so really it's not THAT big of a deal.
ABC
In this day and age, when a show gets huge ratings, you replay it. You hope the people that missed it get badgered enough by the people that did see it that they go ahead and watch the replay. It's called "Watercooler guilt watching" (I just made that up, but I'm going to go with it. Just pretend it's a thing. Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. did big numbers, so ABC is running it again tonight. And why not? I bet they run it again Saturday night too.
We're also getting a 2 hour Grey's Anatomy because apparently there's still something interesting to be said about hospital romances. That's what this show is all about, right? I have never watched a minute of it. But it too does well so I don't begrudge it. Run it into the ground, ABC!
FOX
I think there's more X-Factor on tonight. My god there's a lot of singing on TV these days. And FOX has a monopoly, because after the reality show singing, we get fiction show singing with Glee. The Beatles are featured tonight because Paul McCartney wanted a new solid diamond yacht. I guess vanilla singing Beatles will do fairly well, but where does it go from here? Seems like a load is being blown early and I expect Glee's numbers to tumble down as the season goes.
NBC
Ah NBC. That you could earn money through critical acclaim NBC would have Paul McCartney's solid diamond yacht collection. But you can't, so they don't. Parks and Recreation returns, for a whole hour tonight, and maybe this will be the year people start watching.
After that we get not one but 2 episodes of Michael J. Fox's show, called The Michael J. Fox show, which is almost all you need to know about it. As in, the plot, story, characters (aside from Michael J. Fox) will all take a back seat to Michael J. Fox. This is the show NBC ordered a full season of BEFORE it had anything else other than its name (and presumably its star, with the aforementioned name). Unheard of! So they really want to see it do well. The problem is, after his Parkinson's (which apparently is featured prominently) is beaten to death with shaky jokes (pun and cringe fully intended, but before you judge me, watch the show) there doesn't seem to be much else there. And to build a show on a Parkinson's foundation...well it's nothing if not innovative, I guess.
10:00 gets Parenthood, which always felt like 6 Feet Under lite, especially with Peter Krause's involvement. When is Sportsnight coming back?
There you have it. Thursday nights. Agree? Disagree? Let me know!
So while NBC gamely attempts to reestablish dominance, the other networks are comfortable (pretty much) with what they've got, because it seems to be working. Sure, CBS has some new sitcoms they're trotting out, but since they can be the meat in their established sandwich, it isn't too much of a risk.
CBS
The Big Bang Theory forges along, making nerd jokes aplenty. It's familiar, professionally executed and well performed. You can't ask for much more out of a sitcom. And, much like you're supposed to shiv the first guy you see when entering prison to establish you're not weak, CBS has decided to run two new episodes tonight.
Those will lead right into a new series called The Crazy Ones starring Buffy and Mork, or Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams as they're known here on planet Earth. It will be interesting to see Mr. Williams back on the small screen, and see if he can (loosely) contain himself and his schtick within the confines of a half hour show. And I'm not even sure CBS really wants him to. I'm guessing they would be fine for him to go all out and make the show completely about himself, so long as people tuned in. I'm not sure why SMG is orbiting his supernova in this though - either or of these two would be big enough for a show...I see her involvement eclipsing Williams' enough to possibly clip his wings. It's a dicey paella of a show which I can't imagine has found its course yet. Will it before audiences skip out on it? Remains to be seen.
Apparently Two and a Half Men is still on. That was news to me. It's on at 9:30 tonight, right before the big event of Sherlock going back to London on Elementary, which - I can't even talk about since he's from there so really it's not THAT big of a deal.
ABC
In this day and age, when a show gets huge ratings, you replay it. You hope the people that missed it get badgered enough by the people that did see it that they go ahead and watch the replay. It's called "Watercooler guilt watching" (I just made that up, but I'm going to go with it. Just pretend it's a thing. Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. did big numbers, so ABC is running it again tonight. And why not? I bet they run it again Saturday night too.
We're also getting a 2 hour Grey's Anatomy because apparently there's still something interesting to be said about hospital romances. That's what this show is all about, right? I have never watched a minute of it. But it too does well so I don't begrudge it. Run it into the ground, ABC!
FOX
I think there's more X-Factor on tonight. My god there's a lot of singing on TV these days. And FOX has a monopoly, because after the reality show singing, we get fiction show singing with Glee. The Beatles are featured tonight because Paul McCartney wanted a new solid diamond yacht. I guess vanilla singing Beatles will do fairly well, but where does it go from here? Seems like a load is being blown early and I expect Glee's numbers to tumble down as the season goes.
NBC
Ah NBC. That you could earn money through critical acclaim NBC would have Paul McCartney's solid diamond yacht collection. But you can't, so they don't. Parks and Recreation returns, for a whole hour tonight, and maybe this will be the year people start watching.
After that we get not one but 2 episodes of Michael J. Fox's show, called The Michael J. Fox show, which is almost all you need to know about it. As in, the plot, story, characters (aside from Michael J. Fox) will all take a back seat to Michael J. Fox. This is the show NBC ordered a full season of BEFORE it had anything else other than its name (and presumably its star, with the aforementioned name). Unheard of! So they really want to see it do well. The problem is, after his Parkinson's (which apparently is featured prominently) is beaten to death with shaky jokes (pun and cringe fully intended, but before you judge me, watch the show) there doesn't seem to be much else there. And to build a show on a Parkinson's foundation...well it's nothing if not innovative, I guess.
10:00 gets Parenthood, which always felt like 6 Feet Under lite, especially with Peter Krause's involvement. When is Sportsnight coming back?
There you have it. Thursday nights. Agree? Disagree? Let me know!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The Popcorn Trick's Fall Television Preview: Tuesday
Anyone catch any of the new stuff last night? Monday Night Football was a yawner...The Voice already felt tired and stale for some reason, even with Aguilera shucking and jiving as hard as she could for her network bosses to infuse new energy into the charade.
I chose to watch The Blacklist and DVR Hostages. So, my thoughts on The Blacklist...
First: James Spader. I don't think he was crazy enough. I wanted more over the topness. But maybe that's just me. I liked the Duddley Do Right FBI agent from Homeland, and wish he was playing that character so we could have a crossover. The female lead? A bore. Her traits were the same as every female character in a law enforcement role on television. Tough as nails but she has her issues.
As is traditional with television pilots, I thought a lot of this episode was inconsistent. It moved so fast and broke so many reveals it was almost easy to check out at times because nothing was established. I enjoyed the reveal about the husband, but felt like that was something that could have been hinted out for a few episodes and then revealed later in the season for stronger resonance.
Also, all the family stuff is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. At this point I think the surprise would be that Spader WASN'T her father.
There was a lot to like, and the subject matter is in my wheelhouse, so I'll stick with it for awhile. But I really hope it slows down, just a little even, to let the stories and overall vibe breathe some more. This will in turn make the twists and turns even stronger.
What did everyone else think?
Ok, on to Tuesday...
CBS
CBS ain't fucking around on Tuesday. The acronyms are strong tonight. Both NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are back and aren't taking prisoners. Tonight begins the long goodbye of Ziva from NCIS which is sure to grab a lot of viewers, possibly more than this show already attracts. The question then becomes will NCIS keep the audience once she's off the show. A popular character, Cote de Pablo's shoes are big to fill, and Emily Wickersham who is the supposed replacement, better be ready.
Rounding out the night is obviously the other NCIS, and Person of Interest, one of those shows that quietly gets the traction it needs from a dedicated audience, and I don't see any change in that. I'd be surprised if the other networks did much against CBS on Tuesday nights.
ABC
ABC looks to have the biggest changes for Tuesday, starting with the show with the seemingly biggest buzz this year, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Banking on the popularity of superheroes in the movies translating to television (albeit with minor characters and a minor budget), ABC hopes to see geeks/nerds and other fans turn in on a Tuesday night. Which...this just doesn't feel like the right evening for a show like this. Sunday night...Thursday night...even Wednesday...all better options in my book. The problem with a show like this, that seemingly has a built-in audience is that it has to be detailed enough to speak to that audience, but also broad enough to attract more audience. That is a delicate tightrope to walk. I think the show will premiere to a big number, but then gradually leak numbers, and then the tinkering will begin. Whether the tinkering will work is the million dollar question.
ABC also has two new sitcoms debuting tonight: The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife and I'll say this about these shows: both boast really strong casts. The buzz for both has been generally positive; though I'm not sure about The Goldbergs. I know The Wonder Years worked as a period piece, but I think that had to do more tapping into the zeitgeist of the time. It also focused almost exclusively on the kids, which allowed viewers to feel nostalgic about their awkward years. Very relatable. The Goldbergs won't have that luxury, and is looking to be more of an ensemble. That worked for Modern Family of course, but so didn't work for Arrested Development (ratings wise, certainly not content wise). And I think that's what the Goldbergs is shooting for, the bullseye between Modern Family and Arrested Development. I just don't know how big that bullseye that is, and if it misses...
Trophy Wife sounds like one of those bland sitcoms with a silly premise, until you look at the cast, and then you start to ask what these people are doing in a show like this, until eventually you become intrigued enough to tune in.
I'm just not sure any of this matters since both these shows are up against night two of The Voice and NCIS: Los Angeles. Finding their audience will be difficult.
And at 10, it seems as though ABC has given up with the show, Lucky 7, about winners of a big lottery and old problems that didn't fix, and the new problems it's created. The over/under on number of episodes shown is 2.5.
NBC
So, tonight we have another 2 hours of The Voice. You certainly can't accuse network executives of holding back. Or looking to the future. Obviously, nothing was learned from burning out Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I'm not sure how long NBC is going to run 4 hours of The Voice every week, but I hope this is not the norm, because Voice fatigue is going to be a very real problem for NBC if this goes on throughout the show's run.
Chicago Fire will benefit from The Voice lead-in here, a perfectly bland show with firefighter hunks and recycled ER story lines.
FOX
Fox pairs its returning sitcoms of New Girl and The Mindy Project with Dads and Brooklyn 99, two shows whose buzz is going in opposite directions. It's a shame that Dads has such talent with the cast (at least the Dads), and none with the writing. But I see this show sticking around because it's from Seth McFarlane, and he is currently FOX's golden goose. Rather than piss him off, they'll keep moving Dads around at least for a season until people just forget about it.
Brooklyn 99 on the other hand boasts some decent buzz and Andre Braugher, who can do no wrong in my book. Thankfully his presence allows me to add this:
I hope Brooklyn 99 does well because I think the humor is clever and the people involved have something good on their hands. Even if the premiere last week was uneven, sitcoms need time to find their voice. I hope this one is given a chance.
Check back tomorrow for Wednesday's preview...
I chose to watch The Blacklist and DVR Hostages. So, my thoughts on The Blacklist...
First: James Spader. I don't think he was crazy enough. I wanted more over the topness. But maybe that's just me. I liked the Duddley Do Right FBI agent from Homeland, and wish he was playing that character so we could have a crossover. The female lead? A bore. Her traits were the same as every female character in a law enforcement role on television. Tough as nails but she has her issues.
As is traditional with television pilots, I thought a lot of this episode was inconsistent. It moved so fast and broke so many reveals it was almost easy to check out at times because nothing was established. I enjoyed the reveal about the husband, but felt like that was something that could have been hinted out for a few episodes and then revealed later in the season for stronger resonance.
Also, all the family stuff is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. At this point I think the surprise would be that Spader WASN'T her father.
There was a lot to like, and the subject matter is in my wheelhouse, so I'll stick with it for awhile. But I really hope it slows down, just a little even, to let the stories and overall vibe breathe some more. This will in turn make the twists and turns even stronger.
What did everyone else think?
Ok, on to Tuesday...
CBS
Rounding out the night is obviously the other NCIS, and Person of Interest, one of those shows that quietly gets the traction it needs from a dedicated audience, and I don't see any change in that. I'd be surprised if the other networks did much against CBS on Tuesday nights.
ABC
ABC looks to have the biggest changes for Tuesday, starting with the show with the seemingly biggest buzz this year, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Banking on the popularity of superheroes in the movies translating to television (albeit with minor characters and a minor budget), ABC hopes to see geeks/nerds and other fans turn in on a Tuesday night. Which...this just doesn't feel like the right evening for a show like this. Sunday night...Thursday night...even Wednesday...all better options in my book. The problem with a show like this, that seemingly has a built-in audience is that it has to be detailed enough to speak to that audience, but also broad enough to attract more audience. That is a delicate tightrope to walk. I think the show will premiere to a big number, but then gradually leak numbers, and then the tinkering will begin. Whether the tinkering will work is the million dollar question.
ABC also has two new sitcoms debuting tonight: The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife and I'll say this about these shows: both boast really strong casts. The buzz for both has been generally positive; though I'm not sure about The Goldbergs. I know The Wonder Years worked as a period piece, but I think that had to do more tapping into the zeitgeist of the time. It also focused almost exclusively on the kids, which allowed viewers to feel nostalgic about their awkward years. Very relatable. The Goldbergs won't have that luxury, and is looking to be more of an ensemble. That worked for Modern Family of course, but so didn't work for Arrested Development (ratings wise, certainly not content wise). And I think that's what the Goldbergs is shooting for, the bullseye between Modern Family and Arrested Development. I just don't know how big that bullseye that is, and if it misses...
Trophy Wife sounds like one of those bland sitcoms with a silly premise, until you look at the cast, and then you start to ask what these people are doing in a show like this, until eventually you become intrigued enough to tune in.
I'm just not sure any of this matters since both these shows are up against night two of The Voice and NCIS: Los Angeles. Finding their audience will be difficult.
And at 10, it seems as though ABC has given up with the show, Lucky 7, about winners of a big lottery and old problems that didn't fix, and the new problems it's created. The over/under on number of episodes shown is 2.5.
NBC
So, tonight we have another 2 hours of The Voice. You certainly can't accuse network executives of holding back. Or looking to the future. Obviously, nothing was learned from burning out Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I'm not sure how long NBC is going to run 4 hours of The Voice every week, but I hope this is not the norm, because Voice fatigue is going to be a very real problem for NBC if this goes on throughout the show's run.
Chicago Fire will benefit from The Voice lead-in here, a perfectly bland show with firefighter hunks and recycled ER story lines.
FOX
Fox pairs its returning sitcoms of New Girl and The Mindy Project with Dads and Brooklyn 99, two shows whose buzz is going in opposite directions. It's a shame that Dads has such talent with the cast (at least the Dads), and none with the writing. But I see this show sticking around because it's from Seth McFarlane, and he is currently FOX's golden goose. Rather than piss him off, they'll keep moving Dads around at least for a season until people just forget about it.
Brooklyn 99 on the other hand boasts some decent buzz and Andre Braugher, who can do no wrong in my book. Thankfully his presence allows me to add this:
I hope Brooklyn 99 does well because I think the humor is clever and the people involved have something good on their hands. Even if the premiere last week was uneven, sitcoms need time to find their voice. I hope this one is given a chance.
Check back tomorrow for Wednesday's preview...
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