Television Addict 1

I have cable TV for the first time in my life. I also have wireless broadband at home for the first time. Yes, look at me. I know what year it is! So the combination has led to a lot watching of TV shows. And current stuff! Not just Press Gang on DVD. As it’s finale season…

The Office (US)
I know people who feel it’s a crime to watch this show. You are missing out. It’s taken the place that Arrested Development left in my heart. If you only know the UK version, well, a lot has changed. Its more of an ensemble piece. Every character is great and have their own story. And there is more subplots – it’s the one thing the US are great at – building tension over weeks.

Steve Carell is amazing. Very different to Ricky Gervais. He’s not a mean soul, more of a loser. The Rainn Wilson/Dwight character is also very different now to the Gareth character. Rainn is a nerd. His perfect woman is an anime character. He loves Battlestar Galactica. The new character of Andy is possibly my favourite of them all.

But it’s the love story. Handled with beautiful subtlety. Season Two was the highlight. And after three years, I think they finally nodded again to the UK series, and turned a classic scene on it’s head. When Jim asks Pam out, quite publically, she says yes, and the season ends. It was such a great hour of TV.

Really, you’re missing out.

Heroes
Well, it started of great. Television Sci Fi is always touch and go. We see so much in movies that the cheap production values and lack of planning really comes through. But the concept and the style is great. And they don’t try to be too much more that bubblegum adventure either.

Pity then that the season finale is so shit. Plot holes everywhere. The mystery has no pay off. It reminds me of the hollow feeling I had after Spiderman 3. I’ll watch next season, sure. But we expected a lot. And this show was built on hints and shadows and didn’t pay off.

Lost
If you’re a fan then you probably know what happened by now. Brilliant, eh?

They kind of lost their way for a bit, but they are back on track. There is a mission. The characters are in fascinating places. And always, it’s so well done. We’re getting answers thick and fast.

I just wonder how they are ever going to resolve it ALL. Like, how will they possibly tie up every single weird thing? How can there possibly be a single explanation that makes us go ‘of course!’? But I’m so there. So there.

Doctor Who
A new discovery. How could I not? It’s the one big geek show I’ve never discovered. And when I heard David Tennant based his Doctor on Jarvis cocker, I was set.

British Sci Fi has such a rich, peculiar history. It’s usually made on low budgets, so they usually have less spaceships, and less explosions (and less cast). And then there’s that British sense of humour, that Douglas Adams view of the universe. That’s all come into force in the new Doctor Who.

It doesn’t try to be American. Production-wise, it reminds me of Harry Potter. But it’s all about David Tennant as the Doctor. He will be a defining character for generations. The scripts are always brilliant – th cream of British writers (including my hero, Steven Moffat).

The episode just aired here was Human Nature, with the girl from Spaced/Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I’m so happy to be around for this. I want a sonic screwdriver light pen thing I saw on Amazon.

The Sopranos
When you watch TV on DVD, you get to a point where you go…one disc left, it’s almost over…what will I do now?

There are two episode left in the Sopranos. The stage is set for all hell to break loose. They’ve been killing people off, left right and centre. And they still manage to have something to say.

I loved the episode ‘Walk Like A Man’, all about AJ being the emotional boy after a break up, descending into depression, and all it says about being a tough guy in the modern day. This show is just so damn good, so sophisticated, without being flashy. The violence is down to earth, making it more disturbing. They still talk about people who died years ago, they aren’t just written out and forgotten.

What will I do without this show? I’ll have to visit Jersey one day. The bigger question though, is how will this all end? How do you end one of the greatest TV series of all time?

So that’s usually my Saturday. Watch TV on my computer until Doctor Who hits at 7pm or so. I’m going to miss it. Heroes, Lost and the Office are done. Sopranos is not far behind, and only a month or so of Doctor Who left. Sigh.

Maybe it’s time to go out and see my London more.

Danny
London