« I hate Hurwitz! | Main | Priceless programs on free Showtime »

About that list | March 30, 2006

So, my latest list didn't generate as much buzz/comments as the one I wrote last week, but it seemed more ... controversial.

So, I feel inclined to respond to and/or clarify a few things.

First of all, I would like to say that my top four (The Shield, Battlestar Galactica, Everwood, and Veronica Mars) are pretty fluid. In fact, after watching this week's Veronica, I'm ready to declare it No. 1. Or 2. The point being that my top few are great and I love them. After that, I LIKE the others, and sometimes love them, but they're not in the same league for me as the top few.

So, John, that puts 24 out of that league, obviously. But, for me, it's hard to drop 24 off of that list, despite some ridiculous plots simply because of the Kiefer factor and because of the originality of the concept from the beginning. Those first 13 episodes of the first season were fabulous -- on par with some of the best dramas on my list right now. It's just that it lost it a little after that. Unlike The Shield, for example.

That brings me to the anonymous/unnamed commenter: Bones made my list simply because I don't think there are 10 DRAMAS on TV that are better. I think there are nine. And maybe some new ones (The Unit, Heist or The Evidence have potential) will get to "great" before Bones does. But, yes, right now, the drama that I consider to be 10th-best is not yet "great." Can YOU name 10 "great" or better dramas? If so, well, I guess that just means our opinions differ. Which is kind of what makes them opinions. ;)

Katie, the reason I find Lost manipulative is because the showrunners make things up as they go along. I think the best mysteries (Veronica Mars and even Battlestar Galactica) so clearly have their complete stories planned in advance that you never get wacky, irrelevant plot holes or details. And, yes, the first season of Veronica IS on DVD. And I have been making three copies of all second-season episodes so that I can help people like you get caught up!!

And, Raj, I have no problems with violence, and I am talking about the gruesomeness of CRIME SCENES on CSI. I do NOT consider the violence on Battlestar Galactica -- which is MILITARY and set at a future time when women are so equal to men that there really is no difference between hitting a man and hitting a woman (I find it interesting you only mention the women getting hit in the face, and not the men; do you think that's because you're placing our own society's gender issues on this future military? Or do you think women are hit more in the series than men?) -- to be gratuitous. It all furthers the plot, and is essential to the story. But, please give me examples of how/when you think it's gratuitous, because I am very interested (always) in differing opinions on my shows -- or shows that I don't watch, even.

(And, M, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but American Idol WAS on EW's list under reality shows. I only covered dramas in my post because ... well, it was long with just those 10 so I had to set a limit.)

Posted by deann in Other Stuff | permalink

10 Comments

I agree that it is a stretch to even come up with a "top 10" list of dramas.

Regarding Bones, I lost all respect for that show the very first episode where they showed a plane landing with the Capitol in the background and the tagline read "Dulles International Airport". Simple fact-checking would have shown that to be impossible since Dulles is firmly entrenched deep in the suburbs of VA.

Regarding 24, this season has been great, but your complaints about the Lost writers "making up stuff as they go along" certainly holds true for 24. You would think the writers for 24 would at least sorta plot out the entire season, but they don't and it shows. It's basically a crap shoot season-to-season and the viewers are comin' out Sevens left and right THIS season, at least.

I keep hearing about Battlestar Galactica - is it too late to get on board? Will they air repeats in the summer, I wonder? Is it too late for Everwood, as well?

Posted by: cagey | March 30, 2006 08:03 AM

I hear you about Keifer. I think he's great, I really love his work. It just seems that everything I've ever seen in 24 was just awful, though. But HE was always great, no matter how ridiculous everything else going on around him was. I would love to see him get back to movies, though... but who could blame him for sticking with this cash cow he's got??

Posted by: john | March 30, 2006 09:35 AM

I just wanted to let you know that last night I added "Battlestar Galactica" and "The Amazing Race" to my Tivo.

I'm worried that I'll be too far behind that I won't be able to catch up. What do you think?

Also, should I add "Everwood" and "Bones"??? Will I be able to know what's going on on those shows???

I totally appreciate your advice. TOTALLY!

(oh, and Rhett Miller is scheduled to be on Carson Daly's NBC show tonight. Check him out!)

Posted by: Isabel | March 30, 2006 11:43 AM

Hm. I've seen interviews with the creators and writers saying they DO have a plan and they DO know where Lost is going. And I feel like that's true. Have you read otherwise?

One comment that I think has been misunderstood is, when asked "what do the numbers mean?", one of the main Lost honchos said they didn't mean anything. What he meant was, they specific numerals themselves don't have significance. Like the number 42 wasn't selected for a specific reason. They could have picked 44.

But they didn't mean that the reoccurence of the numbers didn't mean anything. Do you know what I mean? :) I talk in circles.

And I do need to rent Veronica Mars.

Posted by: Ktpez | March 30, 2006 01:22 PM

Thanks. Sadly, right after I posted, I saw that it was under their top Reality Shows list. Ugh. And I thought pop culture was getting saner. :(

Posted by: M | March 30, 2006 09:29 PM

If i was that anonymous letter, i am sorry for not writing my name. I think Bones SUCKS.........what about The Unit ?

Posted by: Glenn | March 30, 2006 10:53 PM

Ok I so have to agree with you on the Lost thing. I quit watching that show because so many mysteries were left unsolved, or dropped at the end of season 1, that I couldn't handle it anymore. They may say that have somewhat of a plan for Lost, but that don't have the type of planning that went into Veronica Mars, and anyone who has seen both shows would totally know that. The only reason I keep watching Alias, (same problem, no master plan) is because it's almost over anyway. But as soon as I started watching Veronica Mars, I realized how important and nice it is to have a series that is as well written and thought out as it is. That being said, 24 does have it's issues, (even though they are not as bad as Lost's, at least their mysteries are usually solved in each season, most of them at least), but Kiefer keeps that show going, and although I will never love it as much as the first season, it is still a pretty decent show.

Posted by: Jen | March 31, 2006 01:07 PM

its never to late to get on the battlestar bandwagon.. the first season is out on dvd and the second can be purchased in its entirety on itunes for a pretty reasonable price. thats how i caught up.. its well worth it.

dont you love the weblog comment haters?

Posted by: shane | March 31, 2006 02:12 PM

Gosh, I love TV. I was bored yesterday so I read the pilot episode of Veronica Mars on TwizTv (I love to read scripts. I'm weird). Hmm, maybe I should buy the first season. Someone I know keeps talking about how great it is...who could that be?

Posted by: DM | April 4, 2006 12:14 AM

Regarding CSI and BSG: CSI is scientific. Real people do suffer the fate of the fictional victims, in similar manners. It's not pleasant, and I cringe on occasion, when they get a little too graphic. But the show is instructional. It also highlights how depraved humanity can get in present day. The show's not for everyone, I understand. I am a geek, so maybe I enjoy it more. (Funny thing, though; I could never watch live surgery TV. Don't know why.)

BSG irks me for two reasons. One is primarily for the same reason I despised Deep Space 9 so much: minimal scene change. My idea of sci-fi is being able to explore fictional new worlds. BSG barely changes locations, so it's already on my bad side. (Despite my having liked the original series when I was a kid.)

But really, slugging in each other in the face furthers the plot? Really? Wow, that's a new one to me. Over several decades, I've watched all kinds of fake wrestling, read violent novels, watched violent shows, rewatched fights with Klingons, etc.

I enjoy a good fake fictional but necessary fight. But I just don't get how slugging women in the face is a plot point. I'm a writer myself. I enjoy 60% of each hourly episode - but that's not enough for me to keep watching it. Now, if you knock someone out by whacking on them across the shoulder blades - well, that's different :)

Posted by: | April 6, 2006 06:19 AM

Post a comment: