Huh. Surprisingly, I have nothing to say about the upcoming Emmys -- or, rather, the nominees. Of course, I'll be watching; I love awards shows. Always and forever. But I've decided to stop hoping for anything other than the same ol' stuff. There are never any surprise wins, all the speeches are pretty run of the mill, and even the red carpet just seems like a been-there-done-that obligation for most of the nominees.
The fact is that no one's fooling themselves anymore. The Emmys aren't about rewarding excellence or innovation in the television arts. It's about the Academy telling themselves that they are. And that just goes against everything I love about the entertainment industry.
I'm not naive. I know the old chestnut: "It's show business." But it's a creative business. Most other industries strive for and reward innovation and change. Indeed, the science half of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences seems to be doing pretty well in this vein. Why is it that the arts side is not only content to churn out more of the same, but actually heaps praise on those who stay on the hamster wheel?
And that's just what the Emmy has become. A big nut cluster treat for the most dogged hamsters.
So I'll watch, as I always do, I'll simulpost to the extent that the shifty wireless coverage in my neighborhood allows, and I'll resign myself to yet another win by Tony Shaloub.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Zachary Morris, Esq.
Not that I left any room for doubt about my intentions, but... I watched Raising the Bar last night. And, good lord on a graham cracker it was terrible. Just abominable.
It should be called Raising the Barf since all of Mark-Paul Gosselaar's pontificating made my gorge rise. (FYI: Holier-than-thou grandstanding is only palatable coming from Jack McCoy.) Earnestly wanting to defend your clients doesn't give you carte blanche to be a douchebag to everyone. I was prompted to answer Zack's oft-promo'd question: "Yes, I am gonna hit a lawyer."
Or perhaps Raising the Soap Bar since Zack looks like he needs a bath throughout the episode -- even after he's just bathed. (Incidentally, I can't remember the character's actual name, which doesn't matter because I'd call him "Zack" no matter what.)
Or maybe Raising the Gay Bar due to the only real surprising element of the pilot. I immediately pegged the judge's clerk as gay. And then he's making out with Jane Kaczmereck. Wha? But then he actually is gay. Dude. It's one thing to be in the closet. It's a completely other thing to sex up your boss just to soften her towards your best friend with whom you're clearly actually in love. I mean, it's so soap operatic that you just have to love it.
My point being this: The pilot was so bad, that I was driven to punny alternative titles just to amuse myself.
That said, I'm still going to watch because, whatever, I'll follow Zack Morris to the cheesiest ends of the earth. Plus, it's my policy to give all shows 3-5 episodes to find their footing. And, finally, Stephen Bochco is infamous for pushing the envelope. And by "pushing the envelope," I mean "there's naked man ass in our future."
It should be called Raising the Barf since all of Mark-Paul Gosselaar's pontificating made my gorge rise. (FYI: Holier-than-thou grandstanding is only palatable coming from Jack McCoy.) Earnestly wanting to defend your clients doesn't give you carte blanche to be a douchebag to everyone. I was prompted to answer Zack's oft-promo'd question: "Yes, I am gonna hit a lawyer."
Or perhaps Raising the Soap Bar since Zack looks like he needs a bath throughout the episode -- even after he's just bathed. (Incidentally, I can't remember the character's actual name, which doesn't matter because I'd call him "Zack" no matter what.)
Or maybe Raising the Gay Bar due to the only real surprising element of the pilot. I immediately pegged the judge's clerk as gay. And then he's making out with Jane Kaczmereck. Wha? But then he actually is gay. Dude. It's one thing to be in the closet. It's a completely other thing to sex up your boss just to soften her towards your best friend with whom you're clearly actually in love. I mean, it's so soap operatic that you just have to love it.
My point being this: The pilot was so bad, that I was driven to punny alternative titles just to amuse myself.
That said, I'm still going to watch because, whatever, I'll follow Zack Morris to the cheesiest ends of the earth. Plus, it's my policy to give all shows 3-5 episodes to find their footing. And, finally, Stephen Bochco is infamous for pushing the envelope. And by "pushing the envelope," I mean "there's naked man ass in our future."
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