Top Ten Television - SiR Style
I haven't watched many movies lately, but I've got quite a list waiting for me to get to, once the holidays are over and I'm done re-taking the GRE (I didn't realize they expired. Lucky me). In the meantime, television has been my distraction of choice, and here are my favorite distractions this year (I mean, except my typewriter, of course) ("Opry calls it multi-tasking"). Since I don't have any actual satellite, cable, or air television, I catch all of these shows LEGALLY online, streaming on the Wii, or by ordering the discs.
10. The Pretender
I watched this show briefly as a kid, and thought it ended pretty intriguingly, so I decided to give it another try, via hulu.com. I imagine it didn't win many awards, but for fluffy time-killing, it works just fine. Michael Weiss's acting does get a bit tedious, but I'm hoping he warms up in later seasons. The thing I find fascinating about this story, like most of the things I watch, is the villain. Miss Parker started in the pilot episode as a two-dimensional, mustachio-twisting Snidely, but it's not just the bunnies; even knowing exactly where she's going, I'm interested in how she gets there. And I like watching anorexic b****es get their comeuppance.
9. Fringe
I've actually caught up on this show. J. J. Abrams typically complicates the story (here too), but he does have some refreshing twists. The characters are amusing, which I find is an essential aspect to my interest. Plus, I like science-fiction, and romance.
8. Jonathan Creek
Quite a shift from the "romance" idea, actually, this show has an extraordinarily simple premise: a clumsy nerd who designs magic tricks solves locked-room mysteries at the urging of a quirky/pushy journalist. It's another in a longish string of specialist murder mystery shows, like Rosemary and Thyme, the pair of quirky gardeners who solve plant-related mysteries. I like this one, though, simply because it's usually good for a giggle. Plus, I like seeing how things work.
7. Criminal Minds
I like psychology. I love mysteries. This show is just a bit more grown-up than the juvenile procedural dramas I'm used to, but I find it refreshing, in small doses. I have to say, I'm going to miss Mandy Patinkin but from what I can tell, the show recovers without any trouble, so we'll see.
6. Lie to Me
Introducing another in the series of sociopathic Brits, this show, based on a series of articles in the New Yorker that I actually did read, still manages to bring out some real issues. Recently, we've been given permission by a character with a more sensible eye to see the main character, Cal Lightman, from a more realistic perspective, but he still manages to maintain his hero status, however tainted, unlike House.
5. The Good Guys
New! Yay! This show NEEDS to keep going! It reminds me of Psych in its unconventionality and humor, as well as its retro/nostalgia thing, which obviously goes back a bit further than Psych's exuberant youth. It shows up the comparison show in several ways, though. Firstly, I prefer Collin Hanks as an actor. Secondly, I really like Jonathan Frakes's directing. Thirdly, the main character hasn't turned into a jerk. Yet. It's hilarious. Check it out.
4. Nero Wolfe
I just discovered this delightful mystery series starring Timothy Hutton (a particular favorite of mine, ever since Made in Heaven). I can't believe I haven't been watching it already. It's set in the fifties, and really captures that overwhelming sense of denial that so characterized the age. I love Archie as a character, although (just like the books) I still don't quite understand his thing with women, or how it's relevant.
3. Leverage
Timothy Hutton again, with a colorful cast ranging from mediocre to stunning. The characters are criminals with varied specialties who band together to help worthy underdogs and victims against other kinds of criminals. It's very Italian Job, but much less selfish.
2. The Middleman
"Campy" is the word. I really liked it, though. It lasted just long enough to round out the story in a bit of a flurry, but I really did like the quirky, super-hero-style adventures, the gizmos and doodads, the cute guy (also a regular on Lie to Me), and the quick dialogue and pop-culture references. The art isn't bad either.
And finally, my top pick for 2010. . .
1. Wonderfalls
I really related, although I found myself envying the main character's trailer and social life. Remember, 2010 is the year I started working in retail, too. Incidentally, "Mouth Breather" will become a regular on Eureka, as Fargo. This show has the spark of true creativity. It's honestly original, and it involves some really deep and truly realistic relationships, although they're mixed with the usual amusing, plot-pushing twists. Watch it.
10. The Pretender
I watched this show briefly as a kid, and thought it ended pretty intriguingly, so I decided to give it another try, via hulu.com. I imagine it didn't win many awards, but for fluffy time-killing, it works just fine. Michael Weiss's acting does get a bit tedious, but I'm hoping he warms up in later seasons. The thing I find fascinating about this story, like most of the things I watch, is the villain. Miss Parker started in the pilot episode as a two-dimensional, mustachio-twisting Snidely, but it's not just the bunnies; even knowing exactly where she's going, I'm interested in how she gets there. And I like watching anorexic b****es get their comeuppance.9. Fringe
I've actually caught up on this show. J. J. Abrams typically complicates the story (here too), but he does have some refreshing twists. The characters are amusing, which I find is an essential aspect to my interest. Plus, I like science-fiction, and romance.8. Jonathan Creek
Quite a shift from the "romance" idea, actually, this show has an extraordinarily simple premise: a clumsy nerd who designs magic tricks solves locked-room mysteries at the urging of a quirky/pushy journalist. It's another in a longish string of specialist murder mystery shows, like Rosemary and Thyme, the pair of quirky gardeners who solve plant-related mysteries. I like this one, though, simply because it's usually good for a giggle. Plus, I like seeing how things work.7. Criminal Minds
I like psychology. I love mysteries. This show is just a bit more grown-up than the juvenile procedural dramas I'm used to, but I find it refreshing, in small doses. I have to say, I'm going to miss Mandy Patinkin but from what I can tell, the show recovers without any trouble, so we'll see.6. Lie to Me
Introducing another in the series of sociopathic Brits, this show, based on a series of articles in the New Yorker that I actually did read, still manages to bring out some real issues. Recently, we've been given permission by a character with a more sensible eye to see the main character, Cal Lightman, from a more realistic perspective, but he still manages to maintain his hero status, however tainted, unlike House.5. The Good Guys
New! Yay! This show NEEDS to keep going! It reminds me of Psych in its unconventionality and humor, as well as its retro/nostalgia thing, which obviously goes back a bit further than Psych's exuberant youth. It shows up the comparison show in several ways, though. Firstly, I prefer Collin Hanks as an actor. Secondly, I really like Jonathan Frakes's directing. Thirdly, the main character hasn't turned into a jerk. Yet. It's hilarious. Check it out.
4. Nero Wolfe
I just discovered this delightful mystery series starring Timothy Hutton (a particular favorite of mine, ever since Made in Heaven). I can't believe I haven't been watching it already. It's set in the fifties, and really captures that overwhelming sense of denial that so characterized the age. I love Archie as a character, although (just like the books) I still don't quite understand his thing with women, or how it's relevant.3. Leverage
Timothy Hutton again, with a colorful cast ranging from mediocre to stunning. The characters are criminals with varied specialties who band together to help worthy underdogs and victims against other kinds of criminals. It's very Italian Job, but much less selfish.2. The Middleman
"Campy" is the word. I really liked it, though. It lasted just long enough to round out the story in a bit of a flurry, but I really did like the quirky, super-hero-style adventures, the gizmos and doodads, the cute guy (also a regular on Lie to Me), and the quick dialogue and pop-culture references. The art isn't bad either.And finally, my top pick for 2010. . .
1. Wonderfalls
I really related, although I found myself envying the main character's trailer and social life. Remember, 2010 is the year I started working in retail, too. Incidentally, "Mouth Breather" will become a regular on Eureka, as Fargo. This show has the spark of true creativity. It's honestly original, and it involves some really deep and truly realistic relationships, although they're mixed with the usual amusing, plot-pushing twists. Watch it.
Honorable Mention goes to "Haven" - a remake of Stephen King's "The Colorado Kid" which I haven't read. From the direction the show's going, though. I suspect I shall be very depressed.
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