Category Archives: TV

TV

FX’s new hush-hush drama ‘American Horror Story’

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As some of you may know, I am a Glee fanatic. Most people – at best – tolerate that about me. I always said that the reason Glee is so well received by ladies my age is because of the original concept. It is geared towards several different groups of people, or “cliques”, and so a lot of fans find it relate-able. I am glad to say that the creators of Glee seem to have done it again! Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk (also creators of FX’s Nip/Tuck) have come up with an another idea that FX apparently loved: AMERICAN HORROR STORY, the cables station is picking the show up for a 13-episode season.

While I am very excited about this show, it is mainly because I am a fan of the creators. In fact, after a lot of internet hounding, I have yet to find out much about the plot. Here’s what we do know: The show will star Dylan McDermott (Dark Blue, The Practice) and Emmy nominee Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights, Spin City, 24) as ‘Ben & Vivien Harmon’, husband and wife from Boston who move to Los Angeles to overcome some kind of family trauma – and move into a seemingly haunted house…

Creator Murphy stated:

“What do you think the thing in the basement is? That’s my favorite question and I get so many great answers because I know what it is. He’s my little favorite creature. It’s based on a real thing! When we were shooting, everyone was freaked out by it, even the actors. We had a lot of insomnia. The weird thing is we also had a lot of accidents during the shooting. The house that we are shooting in is supposedly possessed — which I knew when I signed on for it. That was an added benefit.”

Now that’s all pretty vague, and people know about the production problems that plagued the sets of The Exorcist and Poltergeist, so it’s not uncommon to hear things like this, but anything green lit by FX has to be at least watchable – right? So while Horror isn’t an overly popular genre on TV, this could shape up to be pretty good.

Aside from McDermott & Britton, other cast members include film star Jessica Lange (King Kong, Big Fish, Cape Fear) in her first permanent TV role. From the vampire communitty is True Blood‘s ‘Russell Edgington’ himself – Denis O’Hare, and Christian Serratos of Twilight, – all of them apparently. Finally, newcomer (and sister of The Departed star Vera Farmiga) Taissa Farmiga will play daughter ‘Violet Harmon’.

All I can find about this show is what Murphy and Falchuk are saying which is that it will “blow your mind”. Here is a snipet from the official Press Release:

Continue reading FX’s new hush-hush drama ‘American Horror Story’ →

TV

‘The Playboy Club’: a Video Update

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I am one of many looking forward to this frisky drama! NBC’s ‘The Playboy Club’, is one of this Fall’s most anticipated new series. Recently there have been new video clips implanted into the internet machine, and we would like to share them with you.

First and foremost,  I LOVE this little interview with Hef about the show.

I found a little behind-the-scenes clip which I thought was endearing.

I hope you are as excited as I am to see this tantalizing throwback show!

TV

Give it a Chance: ‘Misfits’

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In the lull of summer comedy series, I think I have stumbled upon a very promising series known as Misfits, which has already received the BAFTA Television Award.

This story revolves around a young set of delinquents serving community service, who find themselves in the midst of a freak lightning/Hail storm. Once struck by lightning the group’s probation officer goes insane with rage and attempts to kill them all. But in the midst of all this chaos they discover that they have developed superhuman abilities and kill their probation officer. Drama quickly ensues as each learns to cope with their abilities.

As cliché as the story arc is, the delectable palette of characters are what makes the series phenomenal. More notable characters such as Nathan Young (Robert Sheehan), an outspoken prick that puts Corey Feldman’s character ‘Mouth’ to shame, and Simon Bellamy (Iwan Rheon) who plays a socially crippled loner, make this dark comedy exactly what it is, genius.

And when it comes to Dark Comedy, Misfits delivers! Creator/Writer Howard Overman leaves nothing sacred, as the cast engages in everything from drug use to granny sex in a South Park style of comedy.

There are currently 2 seasons of Misfits, the first of which is on available on Hulu, whilst the ‘Second Season/Christmas Special’ are currently streaming on various websites. There has been confirmed filming of the third season, consisting of the original cast minus Robert Sheehan, who is pursuing other career opportunities, and looks very promising.

TV

Showtime’s ‘House of Lies’ – Coming Soon to a Boob Tube Near You!

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House of Lies - Book

Summer is still in full swing, but one thing is captivating the minds of TV execs – Fall TV programming!  With so many shows crashing and burning in the last year (The Event, Camelot, Detroit 1-8-7) and so many veteran programs having seen their last (Friday Night Lights, Smallville, Rescue Me), there are some large spots to fill.  Showtime promises to provide some interesting heavy hitters under the regime of new president, David Nevins; including an order for 12 episodes of House of Lies, written and executive-produced by Matthew Carnahan (Dirt).

House of Lies is loosely based on the novel House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time by Martin Kihn, a satirical commentary that attempts to break down the fluffy misconceptions of the consulting business.  His stance is that consulting is mostly a joke that became profitable; and that anyone will listen to an Ivy Leaguer with an MBA who wears a nice suit and uses fancy-pants words like “paradigm” and “granular.”  Even if this finely pressed suit is spooning you information that you already know and taking credit for a success that isn’t theirs.

House of Lies (the TV show) will be a dark comedy that follows the career of consultant, Marty (Don Cheadle), who is described as “cutthroat,” without a moral compass to guide him as he does anything and everything necessary to succeed.  The show will also star Kristen Bell (that native Detroiter that we love!) as Jeannie, a razor-sharp Ivy League grad, who is alleged to act as a voice of reason.

The show will also star Ben Schwartz (Jean-Ralphio from Parks and Recreation) who is  about twelve shades of hilarious, and Josh Lawson, who has been in only B-movies and crappy TV shows.

I think this show has the power to premiere to strong numbers.  Not only does it have an all-star cast lineup, but it sounds pretty darn interesting and hilarious.  Having worked for a consultancy firm, I’m curious to see how much steam they take from Martin Kihn’s book.  I’ve heard he really tears the whole institution apart in it.  Which is funny in my book, because consultants are all self-righteous stuffed peacocks who think that the ground they walk on turns to gold and that they shit sunshine and rainbows.  If the show makes fun of consulting as much as I hope they do, I will be a fan for life.

Kristen Bell, Don Cheadle, Josh Lawson, Ben Schwartz

[Editor’s Note: I’ve included an interview with Bell that has almost nothing to do with the show. How can you not like her?!?!]

House of Lies has started production and will begin filming soon.  Look for it to hit Showtime in the Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 lineups!

TV

AMC’s The Walking Dead: Season 2 Preview

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First is a clip from back in March in which we see an interview with Gale Ann Hurd, producer on The Walking Dead. She explains how the first month that the cast is in town, they go over characterizing and talk with the writers about their take on the show. I love that they do this. She said that before they ever write, this is their process. She also describes season 2 as the “road season” – meaning that you don’t know where they are going to end up, or what they will run into. (Something that I did not know: Gale also worked on the Terminator and Aliens movies.)

Next, AMC did a “looking ahead” piece after the end of season one. The co-producer Denise Huth said in this that she spoke to the creator of the Walking Dead comics – Robert Kirkman – and asked him if he had any thoughts about the way it would all end. He responded by saying that it will never end. Again… extraordinarily exciting.

The Walking Dead will premiere this Fall on AMC.

The Man, The Myth, The Legend – Robert Kirkman
TV

Falling Skies: Episode 6 – “Sanctuary Part 1” Review

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If you missed any past episodes: Click Here.

We open up this weeks episode with the good doctor getting rolled for medical supplies by a family wishing to leave the protection of the 2nd Mass. They fear things are not safe after the death of Dr. Coward and the arrival of the harnessed kids last week. What a bunch of ungrateful bitches. Needless to say, they are able to leave, but a soldier stops them and confiscates the stolen medicine. Who was this mystery man you ask??? Well he turns out to be the Lieutenant Clayton, one of the few survivors of the 7th Mass, and he comes bearing bad news. Not only was a majority of the 7th Mass killed and their children taken, but a skidder attack is soon approaching. Don don dooooooon.

The Good Doctor. Before the invasion.

Continue reading Falling Skies: Episode 6 – “Sanctuary Part 1” Review →