I have to miss my shows for this?

World Series anyone? No? Oh, you all must be Philadelphia Phillies fans like I am then. Yeah it’s true the Phillies didn’t make it. Neither did the Yankees. All we are left with are the Texas Rangers and the San Fransico Giants. Now I’m sure they have fans and all who want to watch them play but how many could there possibly be here in Philly? Since I no longer have a stake in the World Series I am lamenting the fact that I can’t watch my usual FOX programming.

If you follow my writings then you are probably saying to yourselves right now, she doesn’t watch that many shows on FOX. This is true. But the shows that I do watch are now falling on the days when games will be played. The first game is being played on a Wednesday, which we all know is Hell’s Kitchen night. I am horribly devoted to Hell’s Kitchen since its inception. Having it put off for something as trivial as a game between the Rangers and Giants, I mean this is people’s lives here. They don’t make millions of dollars already like the ballplayers do. They need to win this show. And I don’t like to be put off while watching something so serious. It’s like being interrupted for a test of the emergency broadcasting system while in the middle of the State of Union address. It just simply shouldn’t be done. What’s worse is that if the World Series should happen to run into game 6 then I will be missing Hell’s Kitchen TWICE! TWICE! That is just unacceptable!

Other shows I am missing are The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad. I know I don’t speak about them on here but they are a few of my tried and true favorites. I have followed The Simpsons and Family Guy for many years now. I have a lot riding on them making my Sunday evenings comedic and hilarious. Many jokes have spawned from this Sunday evening programming. I didn’t appreciate when my Family Guy was taken away from me all those years ago and I won’t stand for it to be taken away again.

My favorite Saturday evening show, Cops, will also be missed. I love Cops. I have always loved Cops. I think it’s hilarious what some of these people think they can get away with. Now, don’t get me wrong, the caliber of crimes and criminals and chases and all that have severely gone down over the years, but it is still fine quality programming. I don’t like to miss my Cops. I will find myself staying up at 3am on weekdays just watch old reruns of it.

Now I know this whole post is somewhat hypocritical since if the Phillies had made it to the World Series to play the Rangers it’s very possible that I wouldn’t care that I’m missing these shows. And since the Phillies didn’t make it I care immensely. I fully admit to my hypocriticalness and I’m okay with it. Standing on this side of the World Series I mourn my regularly scheduled programming. I’m sure you do too.

So head over to j1studios.com in the forum and tell me what shows you are missing on FOX because of the World Series or just tell me to stop whining cause my team did itself in. Either way, I can take it.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Dexter - "don't get caught"!

Dexter

Season 5's premier begins directly after the unbelievable season 4 finale; Rita’s death, no, her murder! Truly, I mean, truly incredible. Everyone I know couldn't comprehend how the series could continue after the Trinity killer took Dexter's wife out, leaving him behind as a single father. In fact, neither could I. This is an apparent oxymoron - a serial killer as a functional & loving single parent to three kids? Aside from that, his guilt from that which could’ve been prevented, (prevented by him), is something quite new to him. Dexter has experienced a hint of this emotion called guilt when he kills his first innocent in Season 4. It happens as he rushes to end the life of a seemingly sick photographer only to discover that the culprit was instead the victim's the assistant. This was a violation of the code his father always drilled in him, to never kill an innocent. Yet what occurred before could easily be dismissed in light of the current truth: he had the opportunity to kill the Trinity killer before his wife fell victim. And he didn't. Now he has to decide what exactly is next. How does he now live his life; as a mourning husband, single parent, miami metro analyst, serial killer?

The pacing of this season started out slowly, and maybe deservedly so, for Dexter was fighting with this new experience. He actually loved her and doesn't know quite how to cope. His eldest two step children move, at least temporarily, and stay with Rita's parents while he remains living in (now) Deb's apartment with her and the baby, Harrison. He wants to believe that he can take it a step at a time, even avoiding his urges, yet we, and he, know better. Dexter's mental debates with the ghost of his father elaborate on the defense of his capability to keep his son out of his "adventures". Yet Harrison, in just the second episode, gets a trip with his father while Dexter tests a spot of blood, hinting at what we're all thinking; is Harrison going to end up just like his dad? And not even from biological tendencies, but from Dexter's direct influence?

This past weeks episode 4, entitled "beauty and the Beast", introduces us to a character who will remain throughout the rest of the season: Lumen, played by Julia Stiles. After the surprise Boyd gives him in trying to capture him, Dexter "secures" the site for his extermination yet finds out that not only was he not alone, there was a witness: Lumen. Lumen is Boyd's planned victim who, naturally, has little family and certainly none looking for her. Dexter in his debonair way ;), convinces her he means her no harm. He certainly doesn't want a liability but also doesn't want to end the life of one who hadn't done a thing. The closing scene reveals that Lumen wasn't victimized by Boyd alone, thus segwaying into what will likely be Dexter and Lumen's avenging adventures. We are also following Deb's investigation of the beheading murderer, Quinn's determination to implicate Dexter as being a killer and LaGuerta & Battista's internal affairs situation, all over a bar fight about LaGuerta's, er, bedroom (or closet) tendencies. I'm anxious to see how this season will play out. I try not to do much predicting as I honestly love the surprises, but I'm sure Deb & Dexter will not live together that much longer; as much as they all love and need one another, Dexter's secretive lifestyle can only stay that way with minimal questions.

Seasons one through four were a blast, between Dexter's discovery of his blood brother to the ego struggle of Miguel vs. Dex; I have no doubt that what is to come will bring more nail-biting and breathe-holding fun!

In addition, here is a link to those desiring some further Dexter indulgence: http://dexterwiki.sho.com/

P.S.: The season's guest appearances are: Jonny Lee Miller, April Lee Hernandez, Shawn Hatosy, Julia Stiles and Katherine Moennig.

So far I give this season a three and a half frames out of five:



Here's a preview of the next episode, entitled "First Blood":



Shoot me an email or post on the forum for more Dexter Discussions!!

Danae signing off!!

source: youtube.com

They're dropping like flies

So already this new season we have lost at least 2 shows that were supposed to be big, My Generation and Lone Star. What is really sad is that these shows were canceled after only two episodes each. Personally I don't think these shows were given a chance. How are you really supposed to know how well a show will perform after only two episodes?



Lone Star was much publicized and hyped up. The critics loved it. I thought it wasn't that bad. It had potential. It was airing on Mondays on FOX. Yes Mondays are packed with shows that are pretty good and now we have Monday night football so that's always tough. It was a hard sell for that night. I think that if they had moved it to a different night, or just started it on a different night all together it could have gone further. The show had a good premise (see an earlier review of mine of the upfronts) and good, strong actors to carry it. I think FOX let this one go too soon.




Unlike Lone Star, My Generation got next to no publicity. And the publicity it did get was all through the internet. They tried to make it some sort of viral text, blog undercover thing. They wanted to market it to the younger crowd so they thought that sort of ad campaign would draw it a following. Unfortunately, they were wrong. Hardly any people heard of it. They only started to show commercial previews and put up billboards and whatnot about a month before preview date. I think by then it was too late. The idea of the show made sense. I could see where the younger set might find it interesting. I just think they went about it the wrong way. Documentary style is interesting, but too many things are being done that way now that it no longer is as interesting as it once was. I think this show may have been canceled in the near future, but not until mid season when they trot out the shows they didn't have too much confidence in.

I'm sure these shows won't be the last in early cancellations. There may be shows out there on better days and times that seem to be drawing attention but in the end will lose out to tried and true shows that everyone is use to. What positive thing can we say for these shows? At least they didn't end up like Blonde Charity Mafia, Day One, or Our Little Genius. What? You haven't heard of these? I'm shocked you never heard of shows that never even made it to air. So at least My Generation and Lone Star got two episodes. There are many other shows that got the axe after one. Talk about no hope or faith in their abilities to produce an audience. Well, I salute you shows. You made a valiant effort. You could have been amazing. You could have been a contender. But your networks failed you in either one way or another. You weren't the first, and you certainly will not be the last.

In your honor, instead of awarding you frames, I will award you a moment of silence consisting of five seconds for each show. You will be missed by some and not by many since they never got the chance to experience you.

Head on over to the forum at www.j1studios.com and discuss what you think about networks canceling shows early, if you thought these shows should have been given a chance, or even what shows you think should get the boot next. Or just put it in the comments here.

Till next time kids, this has been Hava.