Category: TV

It’s clear from the first seconds that Sex Education will indeed be about sex. While the opening R-rated scene shows the most skin of any in the series, most episodes kick off with some sort of sexual union or attempt at one. The teens of Moordale Secondary School in England are consumed by sex: thinking about it, dreaming about it, doing it, trying to do it, and talking about it. Self-satisfaction is a fulfilling discovery; “wankin’” as they say in their British accents is a common activity.

Ok, now that we got that out of the way, while Sex Education is about sex, you can’t really call it sexy. The students are awkward, cringe-worthy, hilarious, and honest in their sexual discoveries and pursuits. The series addresses sexuality not as an issue to be avoided or scared of, or just a horny itch to scratch, but as a key to wellness and health. Standing in the way of achieving healthy sex are anxiety, misinformation, and an out of touch educational model. This is where Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield, Hugo) and his mother Jean (Gillian Anderson, X-Files, The Crown) come in.

Jean runs her sex therapy business out of the home. A day in the life of Otis is likely to include a strange man wandering around in a robe (Jean’s therapy sessions seem to include sleeping with her clients), sexual anatomy books all around, and embarrassingly frank sexual inquiries or statements from his mother. One day he randomly provides some relationship counseling to a struggling young couple at school…and it works. “Hey, maybe this is something I’m good at.” Super-smart friend Maeve (the outstanding Emma Mackey, Death on the Nile) sees a business opportunity. She is enticing, yet removed, practical, yet emotional, and held back by life’s circumstances. Soon, Otis is following in his mother’s footsteps and providing sexual advice to his schoolmates although he is socially awkward and has no sexual experience. Maeve handles the scheduling and finances.

The business is a huge success on campus until it gets too big, and the two proprietors start to have feelings for each other. In Season Two, new students arrive, Otis gets a girlfriend, and Jean becomes the school’s sex therapist which has a negative impact on her son’s business. It doesn’t end well. In Season Three, Otis gets another girlfriend, Hope (Jemima Kirke, Girls) becomes the new headmistress, and Jean is expecting a baby while simultaneously trying to figure out the relationship with the father.

The wonderful ensemble brings to life a diverse mix of bawdy, heartwarming, and realistic characters, with a bit of whimsy thrown in. Ncuti Gatwa is a delight as Otis’ best friend, Eric. He is gay and lives with his religious family of Nigerian descent. Eric oozes vitality and is not the usual lame best-friend sidekick. Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) gets the biggest laughs as Maeve’s funny, genuine bestie. The headmaster’s son is a bully transitioning to a caring gay man. There’s a champion swimmer, popular mean girl with posse, and an oddball girl fixated on alien erotica. It all sounds crazy, and I suppose it is, but the students are so endearing that you become very engaged in their lives.

The sublime soundtrack is all over the place, in the best way possible. It introduced me to a startling American musician/songwriter and also provides an anachronistic mix of songs perfect for this eccentric show. First, Ezra Furman is the musical thread of Sex Education playing her back catalog, songs written for the series, and appearing with her band in a Season One cameo. After the first few episodes I kept thinking, “who is this?” It sounded like a new take on the familiar. A refreshing melting pot of classic rock and indie pop with some glam and punk thrown in. Second, the soundtrack is a steady roll call of glorious songs from the 80s and 90s mostly, but some 60s and 70s gems sprinkled along the way: Generation X, The The, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Devo, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Psychedelic Furs, The Cure, Ultravox, Thompson Twins, Roxy Music, and many more. The deep-track highlight for me: David Bowie’s “When I Live My Dream” from his folky psychedelic 1967 debut album.

Sex Education is truly one-of-a-kind. The rare show that doesn’t dismiss young love but treats it with respect. Its sexual message is responsible, not patronizing. The parents and school staff have their own problems with relationships and intimacy. The adults of Moordale could also learn a thing or two. The series is sex positive at its best.

(If you haven’t enjoyed this series yet, catch up with the first three seasons, 8 one-hour episodes each; a 4th and likely final season is on the way later this year.)

D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐

Trivia: Asa Butterfield starred as an eight-year-old boy in what 2008 holocaust drama?

Answer: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (I’ll never forget his impactful performance, along with that of his friend on the other side of the fence).

Seven public assistance programs, nine moves, 338 toilets cleaned, and two stints at the Domestic Violence shelter. Such is life for Alex (Margaret Qualley, The Leftovers) as she escapes an abusive relationship and struggles to provide for her three-year-old daughter, Maddy. She works as a maid while trying to navigate the red tape of governmental programs and dealing with her, to put it mildly, dysfunctional family. Inspired by Stephanie Land’s memoir – Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, the limited series (10 episodes, one hour each) is one woman’s account of the vicious cycle of abuse and poverty.

The series begins when Alex leaves home with $18 in her pocket after the latest rageful outburst from her boyfriend. A pop-up on the screen tallies her dwindling cash as she buys a few necessities. She has nowhere to go except her mother’s trailer. Paula (Margaret’s real-life mom, Andie MacDowell, Four Weddings and a Funeral) is one of the most infuriating, frustrating characters you’ll ever meet. She is manic and seems to suffer from an undiagnosed mental health disorder. It’s immediately apparent and gets reinforced over and over that Alex can’t count on her mother. It’s the other way around; Alex has to take care of her mother and her adorable Maddy. Qualley is fantastic in the lead role with an expressively reserved demeanor as she faces one setback after another.

The show is difficult to watch. You’ll know that right away. The catch-22 realities of poverty are relentless. First, she needs a roof over their heads. In order to get subsidized housing, she needs a job. The Value Maids job provides the thinnest layer of stability. She and Maddy have to leave the shelter and then stay with a revolving door of people and places – boyfriend, mother, abusive, now born-again father, former co-worker friend, her car, and the ferry station. She endures two custody battles with her ex and eventually loses her job and childcare for Maddy.

Luckily, the show has whimsical and lighter moments. Visual metaphors depict Alex’s state of mind. When she’s in court, every word she hears is “legal” as the judge and boyfriend’s attorney discuss her future as a mother. The stack of forms to fill out for County assistance literally mocks her. Maddy provides her the joy and comfort to keep going. Even the house cleanings, no matter how disgusting, offer a sense of order and routine. Her journal writing offers some dreams for the future.

Maid is gut wrenching. The obstacles Alex faces to survive are demoralizing and seemingly insurmountable. But the story is also about love and perseverance. The feel-good ending might be too sentimental for some. After experiencing this emotional series, you’ll need a hopeful conclusion. So do Alex and Maddy. It’s a beautiful ending.

D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐

Trivia: Margaret Qualley plays “Pussycat” in what 2019 film?

Answer: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGtaHcqsSE8

Some of the best American TV shows were based on foreign programs. In some cases, the original program was well known, in others unknown. The American versions sometimes take on a life of their own making the foreign originals a footnote. The wide world of TV is an oyster for American producers looking for compelling stories to tell. Of course, many U.K. series have been adapted. Australia, Israel, and that hotbed of international creativity, Scandanavia (particularly Denmark and Sweden), have all contributed to our television experience. A couple of my selections seem to appear on multiple worst-remake lists. As we’ve noted before in these columns, that’s the fun of best-of lists.

Honorable Mention – Gracepoint (based on the U.K. show Broadchurch):

Ok, this shouldn’t be on the best remake list. I’m using it in a backhanded way to plug the original, Broadchurch. The three-season crime drama is superb: from its smalltown setting along the coast of Dorset, England, to the convincing British cast, and the two detective leads, played by David Tennant and Olivia Colman. Gracepoint would have fared better on its own without the comparisons to the original. It’s a straightforward remake (with one notable exception) of Season One with Anna Gunn in place of Colman and Tennant reprising his role sans Scottish accent. The one exception is the ending which was a stretch of the imagination on Broadchurch and actually a great twist on Gracepoint. The first season of the show is self-contained (the killer is identified), where subsequent seasons (Broadchurch only) address the trial and aftermath. Both can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

10. Rake (based on Australian show of the same name):

This adaptation, starring Greg Kinnear as criminal defense lawyer Keegan Deane, lasted only one season on Fox. It was an enjoyable spin on the self-destructive antihero. He takes on the most difficult cases, while dealing with a heavy dose of life’s problems, including owing lots of people lots of money. A great role for Kinnear. The show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

9. The Killing (based on the Danish series, Forbrydelsen, The Crime):

This crime drama ran on AMC (3 seasons) and Netflix (4th season) from 2011-2014. The show, set in Seattle and filmed in Vancouver, followed the murder investigations of Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman). The Killing was met with mixed reviews. I liked the dark, moody atmosphere, relationship between Linden and Holder, and particularly Kinnaman’s performance. It’s available on Hulu.

8. The Bridge (Bron/Broen in Swedish-Danish):

Another one that I liked but wasn’t received all that well (see my previous post Ten TV Shows That Left Us Too Soon

The Swedish-Danish border is re-imagined along the U.S.-Mexico line as a murdered body is found on a bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez. Two detectives from opposite sides of the border (played by Diana Kruger and Demian Bechir) come together to solve the crime. It originally aired on FX, now available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

7. The Office (based on the BBC series of the same name):

Ricky Gervais created and starred in the U.K. original. The American version ran on NBC for nine seasons from 2005-13. The sitcom of the daily lives of office workers was a huge hit. Its single-camera mockumentary style without a studio audience or laugh track was notable and refreshing at the time. The main characters (Steve Carell as Michael, Rainn Wilson as Dwight, John Krasinski as Jim, Jenna Fischer as Pam) and the restrained, hilarious ensemble personified the employees of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. I was never a superfan but tuned in most every Thursday night and enjoyed the shenanigans. Catch up or watch again on Peacock.

6. Humans (based on the Swedish drama Real Humans):

Another Swedish show remade for American viewers by AMC (now streaming on Amazon Prime Video). This excellent series explored the social, cultural, and psychological impacts of the invention of anthropomorphic robots (“synths”). The series was filmed in England, starring Katherine Parkinson as lawyer Laura Hawkins and Gemma Chan as synth, Mia.

5. Survivor (based on the Swedish series Expedition Robinson)

Ok, I know, but aren’t we all allowed a guilty pleasure? Survivor’s been mine for about 20 years. Watch one episode and you can’t resist the mental and physical challenges faced by the contestants and that their fate in the game is voted on by the players who all had a hand in voting them out earlier. The show with the slogan “outwit, outplay, outlast” just celebrated its 41st season on CBS. Netflix is streaming just a few select seasons; Paramount + has the entire lineup available.

4. Veep (based on the BBC program The Thick of It):

Veep is a classic series. The political satire has got the trophies to back it up; three Emmys in a row for Outstanding Comedy and six (!) consecutive for Lead Actress, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Just thinking about it makes me laugh…VP (and briefly President) Selina Meyer letting rip an expletive-filled rant surrounded by her dimwit staff as they encounter yet another political farce. Rapid-fire zingers with perfect timing. The show ran for seven seasons on HBO and can now be seen on HBO Max.

3. All in the Family (based on the Brit series Till Death Do Us Part)

Did you know that this was based on a British series? For 231 episodes, “Those Were the Days” signaled 30 minutes of priceless and groundbreaking comedy. The show depicted social issues previously considered unsuitable for U.S. audiences, such as racism, antisemitism, homosexuality, religion, abortion, and the Vietnam War. Archie (Carroll O’Connor), Edith (Jean Stapleton), Gloria (Sally Struthers), and Michael or “Meathead” (Rob Reiner) exemplified the cultural clash between the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers.

2. House of Cards (based on the BBC series of the same name)

I was behind the times in originally signing up for Netflix streaming, but once I did, this was the first show I watched (it was also the first original show from Netflix). Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Robin Wright) embark on an elaborate plan of betrayal to become President of the United States. A cynical, ruthless, manipulative power play. Brutal. The fateful scene with Frank and Zoe (Kate Mara) is one of the Holy Shit! moments in the history of television. Michael Kelly, playing Doug, the loyal (putting it mildly) Chief of Staff is a supporting character for the ages. Unfortunately, the final season was turned upside down by the allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey. Wrapping the series up without him was near impossible, but Robin Wright was amazing in bringing Claire’s journey to fruition.

1. Homeland (based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War):

This was an easy call for me. Homeland is one of my all-time favorites. The espionage thriller ran for eight seasons on Showtime from 2011-2020. Claire Danes, plays impulsive, conflicted, bipolar CIA officer, Carrie Mathison. She’ll forever be in my actress hall of fame for this role. She has a special relationship with CIA Director, Saul Berenson (played by the eminent Mandy Patinkin). He is a father figure, mentor, friend, and sometime nemesis. Damien Lewis as Sgt. Nicholas Brody and Rubert Friend as CIA operative Peter Quinn turn in memorable performances in the early seasons. As with many shows that stick around awhile, Homeland got off the rails at times by killing off a main character, questionable casting choices, and pushing Carrie’s reckless decision making beyond the boundaries. The series got back to its edge-of-your-seat suspense and was able to conclude on its own terms in a satisfying manner. If you liked the series 24 and haven’t seen Homeland, start streaming it on a Showtime channel. Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon created both series.

A girl being chased through a snow-covered forest is suddenly impaled by falling into a hole filled with large, sharp sticks. Fast forward 25 years and a journalist asks, “what really happened out there?” This is the enticing and foreboding opening of Showtime’s Yellowjackets, the network’s latest outstanding contribution to Sunday night TV. It just completed its 10-episode first season run on January 16th (now available to stream on Showtime.com or adding the Showtime channel to your Hulu or Amazon accounts).

In 1996, a girls soccer team flies to Seattle for a national tournament and their plane crashes into the Canadian wilderness. They are left on their own for 19 months. The series depicts their descent into madness and cannibalism and toggles back and forth from survival in the forest and the current lives of those that made it home. In 2021, the survivors are receiving mysterious postcards that could expose the long-held secrets about what they had to do to survive.

The right cast is essential for a show portraying the same people a quarter century apart. The cast of Yellowjackets is spot on, both the young and older actors. The 2021 survivors are haunted by their experience, despite some initial suggestions of a happy family life or successful career. The decisions they had to make in 1996 still distort their actions today. Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), plays Shauna, a suburban Mom with a husband who she thinks is cheating on her and a rebellious daughter. She lives her own secret life re-connecting with fellow survivors to find out who is blackmailing them. It leads to deadly consequences which don’t seem to faze her too much. Tawny Cypress (Unforgettable) plays Taissa, a State Senator running for re-election, who sleepwalks herself right back into the wilderness and dines on dirt (you’ll see). Christina Ricci (The Addams Family) is unrecognizable as Misty, who on the plane appears sweet, but a little odd. In the forest, she single-handedly takes everyone’s fate into her hands, and in 2021, is basically a sociopath. Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers) is Natalie, an angry substance abuser guided by revenge. Yes, Ricci and Lewis together. It’s a treat watching them tear each other apart as they have very different ideas on how to pursue their mission.

As great as the adult cast is, it’s the young ensemble that really pulls you in. They are teenage dead ringers for their older counterparts, particularly Shauna (played by Sophie Nelisse) and Misty (played by (Sammi Hanratty). They goof around, hunt and forage, find some shelter, and embark on scouting missions to seek help. The attempt to find civilization in episode eight, led by Laura Lee and her belief in God, is both hopeless and awe-inspiring. The girls (there are three guys, as well) embody the evolving emotions of being stranded: carefree at first, assuming they’ll be rescued shortly, to the gut-wrenching realization that help is not on the way, to facing starvation with the Canadian winter approaching. This is the situation when Season One ends. It’s going to get very dark. (There will be a Season Two, and likely more).

The soundtrack is a rocking composite of the 1980s and ’90s. The songs accompany quieter moments, suspenseful action scenes, and violence: Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Hole, PJ Harvey, Ultravox, Jane’s Addiction, Dinosaur Jr., Love and Rockets, and more. Even the rousing one hit from Republica, “Ready to Go.” Come on, we can hear it now, “Baby, I’m ready to go, I’m back, I’m ready to go, From the rooftops shout it out, Shout it out.”

Yellowjackets could be viewed as a blend of Lord of the Flies, Alive, and Lost. While it undoubtedly contains similar elements, it’s two compelling timelines move the story forward, as opposed to the side-trip backstories of Lost. It may have progressed a little slowly, but each week sets up tension and anticipation for what’s to come. It gets better each episode, culminating in a riotous finale which begs the question: Are the girls starting to go insane or is there something supernatural going on? Or both? In the words of the marooned girls, ” I’m starting to think something out there has other ideas.” And, “I have no idea what is right or wrong out here.” I’m ready for the second season.

D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐

Trivia: Christina Ricci had her film debut at nine years old as Cher’s daughter in this 1990 film?

Answer: Mermaids

Trivia: Juliette Lewis was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at 18 years old for her role in this 1991 Martin Scorsese remake?

Answer: Cape Fear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX22D65TqAs

Looking for that funny, wholesome comedy to carry on the warm-fuzzy feel of Schitt’s Creek? Look no further than the Candian comedy, Kim’s Convenience. It’s about a Canadian-Korean family trying to navigate both sides of their culture in Toronto. The parents run a mom-and-pop shop, Kim’s Convenience – they live above the store, so it’s literally a mom and pop. The series is based on the play of the same name. The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) show first aired in 2016 and became available on Netflix in 2018. It ran for five seasons of 13 short (22 minutes) episodes each. A planned sixth season never materialized.

Mr. Kim (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and Mrs. Kim (Jean Yoon) reprise their roles of the play as the proprietors of Kim’s Convenience. Daughter Janet (Andrea Bang) is in-between in life. She’s getting out on her own in an apartment, attending photography school, and building relationships (or trying to). On the other hand, she frequently works at the store and lives for stretches of time upstairs with her parents. Son Jung (Simu Liu, yes, now famous for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is estranged from his father and working at a local car rental company. His best friend, Kimchee (Andrew Phung) and boss/girlfriend Shannon (Nicole Power) also work at the Handy Car Rental. Kimchee is a hoot as the energetic roommate and co-worker. Shannon is a self-proclaimed dork, more so as she tries to juggle being the boss and girlfriend.

The show provides a pleasant, heartwarming diversion. It’s funny, but not laugh out loud hilarious. Awkward, real humor as when traditional Korean values come up against the cosmopolitan melting pot of Toronto. Kim’s Convenience also explores generational family issues we can all relate to, such as, being impatient and annoyed with our parents while also loving them deeply and being stubborn and not wanting to be the one who gives in. The family bickering on these matters is sometimes cutting, mostly light-hearted, and always delivered with great timing.

The show was canceled after five seasons when the two co-creators left to work on other projects. After the show ended, several of its actors cited a lack of diversity behind the scenes of the show, particularly the lack of Korean writers. It’s unfortunate that the show’s last season seemed a little rushed due to these circumstances. Season Five also hints at the upcoming Shannon CBC spin-off in which she moves to Hamilton, Ontario to run an animal shelter. None of the main characters from Kim’s Convenience are in the spin-off, Strays.

Don’t let the abrupt ending of the series turn you away from Kim’s Convenience. There is some closure at the end, but it’s really about each individual episode. It’s a safe and happy place to be. Pretty soon you’ll be loving the Mr. Kim-isms: “Stop!,” “Ok, see you,” and “ah, that’s a sneak attack.”

D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐

Trivia ? – Simu Liu had another recent high-profile appearance on this late night comedy in November, 2021?

Answer: Simu Liu hosted SNL on November 20th.

That TV show that grabbed you right away. You got invested and hooked as it filled in the storylines, introduced new characters, and posited intriguing situations to explore. Then the all too common bombshell after a season or two. Cancelation. What, how could they? Easy, poor ratings. That’s the answer, no matter the network or streaming service. All the ten shows here were critically acclaimed, award-winning, and had devoted, enthusiastic fan bases, but didn’t connect enough with viewers.

#10 – Twin Peaks: In 1990, I was hooked after one of the greatest pilots of all time (“a body wrapped in plastic”) and a landmark first season in television drama. It’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had with a TV show (so much so, that when I next visited my brother in the Seattle area, he asked me what I wanted to do. I said let’s go to North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls where much of the series was filmed). The show was so quirky and eccentric with the The Log Lady, Killer Bob, the Red Room, and Agent Cooper. Angelo Badalamenti’s revolutionary soundtrack was like nothing we’d ever heard before in TV programming. But maybe it was too good to last. The story became muddled and drawn out in the second season (1991), particularly after Laura Palmer’s murder was solved. Then the sequel (and prequel) film (1992) Fire Walk with Me received a mixed reaction, mostly vehemently negative, and couldn’t capture the magic of the first season. Fast forward 25 years and out of nowhere Showtime releases a third season of Twin Peaks. It had its moments as only David Lynch can imagine, but it was also just plain weird. David Lynch is weird. He directed some of my all-time favorite movies (The Elephant Man and Wild at Heart) and one of the most obscure and frustrating for me (Inland Empire, anyone?) So, I’m not sure if Twin Peaks left us too soon necessarily, but I sure would have loved more of it with that debut season’s campy, mind-bending drama.

#9 – Limitless: A spin-off from the 2011 film starring Bradley Cooper, Limitless lasted just one season on CBS (2015-16). The series picked up four years after the movie and continued the saga of a young man’s discovery of a mysterious drug that brings enhanced mental capacities. Greatly enhanced. As you’d expect this comes with severe side effects. A secretive U.S. Senator (Bradley Cooper back again creating and appearing) provides an immunity shot to counteract the effects. You root for the lead character (Jake McDorman) as he bounces back and forth between his advanced state and normal behavior. It was a fun, lighthearted show with more intriguing situations to explore. My wife really liked this one.

#8 – Rubicon: Another one-season program (2010), this time a conspiracy mystery on AMC. It was a challenging show to watch and took some effort to appreciate its dark, subtle ambiance. The show centered on an intelligent analyst (James Badge Dale, Hightown) investigating the mysterious death of a mentor and discovering it was part of a much larger conspiracy. It was slow-paced and complex, modeled after 1970s films such as Three Days of the Condor and The Parallax View.

#7 – Enlightened: Laura Dern (one of my favorite actresses) plays Amy Jellicoe who suffers a mental breakdown at work and a subsequent awakening at a rehab center. She returns to the company to fight corruption. Mike White (White Lotus) created the series and stars in it along with Luke Wilson as her ex and real mom Diane Ladd as her mother. I loved the beginning of the series; the meltdown in the office was classic. It was envisioned as a trilogy, but HBO canceled it after two seasons. It was unconventional, peculiar and original.

#6 – Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: A spin-off of the Terminator film series picking up where Terminator 2: Judgement Day left off. John Connor fights enemies in the present and future as the series leaps ahead to 2007. Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) is Sarah Connor and Thomas Dekker plays son John Connor. Summer Glau is a smash as Terminator Cameron and Shirley Manson, lead singer of the band Garbage, has a key role in season 2. The show got off to a great start with high ratings and good reviews. In season two the ratings declined and Fox canceled the series.

#5 – Santa Clarita Diet: Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) are husband and wife realtors living the good suburban life in Southern California. That is, until Sheila turns into a zombie. Joel goes on a crusade to find a cure, while Sheila craves human flesh. The teenagers add a lot to the story; Liv Hewson as their daughter and Skyler Gisondo as a neighbor. It was GORY in a funny, horrific way. At three seasons, the show did have some time to grow, but Netflix canceled it abruptly in 2019 and deprived it a proper wrap-up.

#4 – The Bridge: A murdered body is found on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez. Two detectives from opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexico border join forces to solve the crime. It’s a great premise modeled on a Danish-Swedish series. Diana Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Demian Bichir (Land), Matthew Lillard (Scooby-Doo), and Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs) all were outstanding in their roles. Once again, upon the seemingly inevitable decline in ratings of the second season, FX decided “the numbers just weren’t there” and canceled the series in 2014 leaving some disappointed fans, including me.

#3 – Rome: One of HBO’s finest moments (and yes, I know that says a lot). Created by John Milius (Big Wednesday), the series recreated 1st century BC as Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire. Julius Caesar, Young Octavian destined to be Augustus, and Anthony and Cleopatra are all noteworthy characters in the epic drama. The two main protagonists, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pollo (Ray Stevenson) lead the show through their intertwined travels and adventures. The show was planned for five seasons; when the show’s demise was imminent, they put material for the 3rd and 4th seasons into the final season two. No doubt the show was damn expensive to make. It’s huge production costs, included numerous soundstages, massive period reconstruction set pieces, and hundreds of extras. The show went for historical authenticity as opposed to accuracy. The decadence of the time period was on full display, too. More orgies than most TV programs have.

#2 – The Knick: One of the finest TV shows nobody has ever heard of. A Cinemax show of all things (later becoming a HBO property). The Knick, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starred Clive Owen as a doctor addicted to heroin and coke in early 20th century New York City. “The Knick” refers to the fictionalized Knickerbocker Hospital. Dr. Thackery gives his patients drugs, which he then begins using himself. He’s a high-functioning drug addict amidst his dogged pursuit of new medical treatments. It’s a fascinating study of a trailblazing surgeon’s struggles against the medical understandings and limitations of the time. Much of the medical experimentation takes place on live patients with doctors observing in a circular operatory. I don’t think anybody made it out alive. Then they discover that there are different blood types. Well, no wonder! Electrification brings new light to the hospital and the discovery of x-rays opens up a new world for medical diagnoses. Alas, the show didn’t fit with Cinemax’s action-show lineup, so it was canceled after two seasons in 2015. I just found out that Soderbergh announced in September, 2020 that a new season is under development focusing on Andre Holland’s character Dr. Algernon Edwards.

#1 – Vinyl: I’ve already let you know how I feel about this one and I’m sticking with it (see previous Post, “10 Songs That Made Memorable Moments on TV”). And I seem to be the only one in the universe that has Vinyl on a list of shows that ended too soon. The Martin Scorcese/Mick Jagger production (yeah, think about that for a minute) starred Bobby Cannavale (in a career-defining performance as Richie Finestra) as a NYC record producer in the 1970s. Richie is a coke-snorting wild man trying to hang on to his wife (played by Olivia Wilde) and save the label by moving away from classic rock to a more contemporary sound (“I don’t want to hear any fucking Jethro Tull”). I was in TV heaven. I still get mad at HBO for canceling the show after one season. If I had to quibble, the murder side plot detracted from the story and some of the casting for the rock stars (Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, and many more) was not ideal. It’s the latter point that might have doomed the show for HBO. I still don’t get it though, but let’s face it, they had me at the word “Vinyl.”

Predictable big winners, a few surprises, some lame segments, and nice shout-outs for three recently departed performers. And once again, we’re asking ourselves do we really need a host for these Awards shows? Here’s a closer look at the 73rd Emmy Awards.

Ted Lasso and The Crown won big in the Comedy and Drama Awards. No surprise here as most prognosticators predicted so, including yours truly (see previous Emmy post). Ted Lasso won for Best Comedy, Best Lead Actor (Jason Sudeikis), Best Supporting Actor (Brett Goldstein), and Best Supporting Actress (Hannah Waddingham). The Crown won Best Drama (for the first time!), Best Lead Actress (Olivia Colman), Best Lead Actor (Josh O’Connor), Best Supporting Actor (Tobias Menzies), and Best Supporting Actress (Gillian Anderson).

The Limited Series Awards went to Mare of Easttown and The Queen’s Gambit, again as expected. Mare of Easttown won Best Lead Actress (Kate Winslet), Best Supporting Actor (Evan Peters), and Best Supporting Actress (Julianne Nicholson). The Queen’s Gambit won Best Series and Directing (Scott Frank).

Despite the predictability, there were a few surprises. None bigger than Tobias Menzies winning for his portrayal of Prince Philip in The Crown. Michael K. Williams, known for his roles in The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, and nominated for an Emmy in Lovecraft Country, was an odds-on favorite to win. (The votes were in before his sudden death on September 6th.) This was the one moment of the night where disappointment seemed to ripple through the crowd. (Similar to Anthony Hopkins winning the Oscar, instead of Chadwick Boseman.) Unfortunately, Tobias Menzies was not in attendance or at The Crown party in London. Other milder surprises were Ewan McGregor winning Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Halston (over Hugh Grant in The Undoing) and The Queen’s Gambit winning Best Limited Series over Mare of Easttown. Hey, I called that last one!

The show itself had some real clunkers. The ladies of The Neighborhood (in which Cedric stars) jumped up from their “nosebleed” seats complaining that they were promised good tickets. Sounds kinda funny, but it wasn’t. Even worse, were the Tom Brady Super Bowl trophy and the fly on Mike Pence’s head skits. Awful. The always poignant “In Memoriam” segment had some technical difficulties for TV viewers with full-screen shots of the people being remembered alternating with reduced portraits of some being overtaken by seeing the band playing. The “where’s my Emmy” sketch was pretty good with a group of actors whining about never winning and then Dr. Phil comes out with his two Emmys. “Daytime Emmys.”

The opening of the show was a pretty cool, uplifting audience sing-and-dance-along honoring Biz Markie with his song “Just a Friend.” (Rapper Biz Markie died on July 16, 2021.) Several presenters had beautiful words about the talented and generous Michael K. Williams and the comic genius of Norm McDonald.

Cedric the Entertainer was energetic and funny at times, but when he came back at the end of the night to say goodbye, it was like, “oh yeah, I forgot about this guy.” When you have presenters like Amy Poehler, Awkwafina, Seth Rogen, Jennifer Coolidge, and more funny people it ensures that the jokes will fly throughout the night. The show is pre-programmed on a tight schedule (although, they went over time for the first time in years last night), so it really doesn’t need a MC to keep it on track. The Emmys have a long list of hosts; they’ve also tried no host and two hosts in recent years. What’s the answer? I don’t know, but I’ll keep watching every year to see what (who) they come up with next.

True crime dramas are all over TV and seemingly getting more popular all the time. How ’bout O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton? Gianni Versace, too. American Crime Story was one of the first to jump into this genre and tackled these three crime stories and has more on the way. American Crime Story is a true crime anthology originally airing on FX and currently available on streaming and cable services (seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix and Amazon, season 3 is currently running on FX, Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. PST.) Each season is a self-contained miniseries, independent of other seasons. The first season was a huge popular sensation and received 22 Emmy nominations, winning nine, as well as two Golden Globes. The second season was also well received and won three Emmys out of its nine nominations. Season 3 will have its third episode this week and a fourth series is now under early development.

The People v. O.J. Simpson – Series One

I still haven’t watched this, mistakenly wondering if we really needed more about this saga. After watching season 2 of American Crime Story and researching this article, I’ve changed my mind. The consensus is that the 10-episode show proves that the O.J. murder case and trial are still topical, compelling, and the series actually sheds some new light on the facts. It won the Emmy for Best Limited Series, Best Actor (Courtney B. Vance as Johnny Cochran), Best Actress (Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark), and Best Supporting Actor (Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden). Other key cast members include Cuba Gooding Jr. (as O.J.), David Schwimmer (as Robert Kardashian), and John Travolta (as Robert Shapiro).

The Assassination of Gianni Versace – Series Two

While I didn’t watch this originally in 2018, I did watch the nine-episode series in 2020. The series chronicles the 1997 killing of fashion designer Gianni Versace and the manhunt for the murderer. It starts with the assassination and works backwards from there, sometimes haphazardly, but often riveting. Andrew Cunahan (Darren Criss) killed four other people on his killing spree. The reason to watch the show is Criss. From Glee to a sociopath! A remarkable acting range and mesmerizing performance. A charming, sadistic killer if you could ever imagine such a thing. Pure creepy evil. He swept the lead acting awards. Other key cast members include Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as Donatella Versace, Edgar Ramirez (Carlos) as Gianni Versace, and Ricky Martin as Versace’s long-time partner.

Versace’s family was not involved in the series and was not happy with the portrayal, declaring that it “should only be considered as a work of fiction.” Producer Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) countered that the series was “not a work of fiction, but a work of non-fiction with docudrama elements.” In true Ryan Murphy style, the show is glossy, the architecture grand, and the fashion divine. It’s colorful (Miami pops out of the screen and sunshine) and a little over the top.

D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐

Impeachment – Series Three

The current American Crime Story focuses on the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandal and has aired two episodes (out of 10) at the time of this post. I’m not sure yet about Clive Owen as Bill Clinton and Edie Falco’s Hillary has just peeped out once so far. But the story centers on Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart) and Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulson, is she ever not great?!) They are both outstanding and I’m cringingly excited about seeing their relationship continue to unfold over the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtipQ3EsGWo

I’m going to enjoy the rest of Impeachment and also go back to 1994/95 and re-live the O.J Simpson trial. The next subject for American Crime Story is Studio 54; the Broadway theater and former disco nightclub. While at first, this subject matter doesn’t interest me as much, I’ll keep an eye on it, because the series has delivered captivating crime stories with stellar casts.

Trivia ? – Originally there was a different story announced for the second season of American Crime Story based on this 2005 event? (The storyline was canceled and they went ahead with the Gianna Versace show.)

Answer: Hurricane Katrina

It’s time again to honor the best-of primetime TV. The Emmys will be held on Sunday, September 19th at L.A. Live’s outdoor/indoor space, the Event Deck, airing at 5:00 p.m., PST on CBS and Paramount +. As reported in these pages and many others, Awards shows are no longer the go-to destination entertainment event. Ratings have plummeted in recent years. For many, the gala no longer glitters. But if you’re reading this post, chances are you still like an annual celebration of, in this case, the medium that brought millions of us extra pleasure and diversion during a worldwide pandemic.

Two things stand out to me with this year’s nominees. The field is not quite as strong this year in the Best Comedy and Best Drama categories and a couple of shows appear almost certain to run off with multiple awards. And, one marquee category is a toss-up.

Let’s start with Best Comedy. Ted Lasso. Twenty nominations; the most ever for a freshman comedy. Best Series, Best Lead Actor (Jason Sudeikis), and multiple nominations in the Supporting categories. A clear favorite in most of these. I can’t offer any personal comments since, I haven’t signed up for Apple TV + yet.

The Crown seems destined for similar achievement in the Drama Awards. The stars are aligned for the show to win its first Emmy Best Drama Award, on this, its fourth nomination. The introductions of Diana and Margaret capped another captivating season about the Royal Family. Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), Emma Corrin (Princess Diana), and Gillian Anderson (Margaret Thatcher) all better be prepared to go up and receive their statuette of the winged woman holding an atom.

The Best Limited Series (defined as two or more episodes, a total running time of at least 150 minutes, and a complete , non-recurring story) is once again a loaded category. (Recent winners include Watchmen, Chernobyl, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.) This year it should come down to Mare of Easttown or The Queen’s Gambit, and likewise Kate Winslet or Anya Taylor-Joy. It’s a toss-up. How ’bout Kate wins for “Mare” and The Queen’s Gambit wins for series. Yeah, that’s my prediction.

Cedric the Entertainer will host the 73rd Emmy Awards. A first-time host; he’ll take over from Jimmy Kimmel and try to lead us through another ceremony constrained and impacted by the pandemic. I just touched on a few major categories. There are many other opportunities for your favorite shows to win, whether it’s Pose, Hacks, This is Us, The Mandalorian, Lovecraft Country, The Flight Attendant, The Kominsky Method, Bridgerton, WandaVision, I May Destroy You, and more. In these uncertain and isolating times, TV was always there providing an array of sights, sounds, and emotions. Let’s ask ourselves this question: would your COVID experience have been better or worse without TV? If TV did provide some sort of shelter over the last year, let’s continue the tradition started in 1949, tune in to the Emmys, and recognize the best in TV.

Trivia ? – What was the Emmy Award named after?

Answer: A French alteration of the word “immy;” an informal term for the image orthicon tube common in early television cameras.