TV Shows

Party Animals

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:20:00 -0400

This show only lasted one season and is probably now better known as the show Matt Smith did before Doctor Who. That is certainly the reason I watched it. As a Doctor Who fan, the first episode is certainly interesting to watch, but after that you will probably just begin to enjoy the show in its own right. It really is rather enjoyable, if unremarkable for the most part.

The show centers around two brothers who work in politics—one a lobbyist and one a researcher for an MP. Both are Labour faithful and their dad used to be a Labour MP. Other central characters include a co-worker of Smith’s character and the MP Smith works for. On the other side, there is also a Tory MP and his researcher who has to cope with the racial and sexual tension that the show depicts as prevalent in the Tory party at the time. The show is set in the years of the Brown Parliament. Names of real MPs are never mentioned, but the atmosphere of 2007 is captured well. The characters lives are all closely intertwined. The lobbyist begins to accept work for the dark side (Tory party) and therefore comes into close contact with the attractive young Tory researcher.

The show is fairly dark and slow paced. It is not an easy watch, but it does reward a careful viewing. There are lots of subtle jokes and dry wit, some of which would not be out of place in The West Wing. However, apart from the odd clever one liner and the political setting, it does not have a lot in common with its American cousin. The MPs in question are fairly low key and little of note really happens throughout the series. That said, for those very reasons it unquestionably is the UK’s version of The West Wing.

As is often the case with these British shows, there is an incredibly realistic feel to it. Many scenes reminded me of times I went to the pub after work in London, and that is captured well. I live in DC now, and never feel like I am living in The West WIng!

The actors all put in really solid performances. Matt Smith’s scouse accent is at times appalling and I am unsure why he had to have the accent in the first place. The show could have coped well without it. Other than that, I thought the actors put in excellent, low-key performances that were suited to the characters and the show as a whole.

The show did not get enough viewers to warrant a second season. That is probably no bad thing. I enjoyed the show, but it did not feel like one that could keep going for years on end. The series told a story, and told it well. Besides, if the show had continued we may not now have Matt Smith as Doctor Who!

7/10

doctorwho: accio—timelords: I am laughing so hard… and then...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:06:21 -0500

doctorwho:

accio—timelords:

I am laughing so hard… and then buying this.

T SHIRT VERSION

Only Fools and Horses - funny clip. Still probably my favorite...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:04:42 -0500

Only Fools and Horses - funny clip. Still probably my favorite moment from my favorite show of all time!

Simpsons take on Game of Thrones

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:52:26 -0500

Simpsons take on Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons’ sofa scene mocks Game of Thrones. This is simply brilliant and just shows how funny and topical The Simpsons can still be.

Phenomenal trailer for the 2nd season of Game of Thrones!

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:11:56 -0500

Phenomenal trailer for the 2nd season of Game of Thrones!

Mad Men (Seasons 1-4)

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:00:51 -0500

This review encompasses all four seasons of Mad Men aired to date, so it will contain a few spoilers. I will try not to drop any huge ones, but you should probably not read it if you have not watched Mad Men and would like to at some point.

Most people have heard of Mad Men, and most know that it is a phenomenal show. That said, it does not have huge viewing figures compared to other successful shows. This is a shame, but since it has not led to any worries about it being cancelled, it doesn’t bother me too much. Hopefully I can convince more people to watch it.

The star of the show is undoubtably Don Draper, who just exudes cool at every step. Strangely, for the star of a TV show, he is also a bit of a bastard. In fact, he is a complete bastard for most of the show. He treats people badly and cheats on his wife more often than I have a cup of tea. BUT you still want to be him!

Don is a partner in an advertising firm, so the show features a lot of brainstorming ideas, schmoozing potential clients, and dealing with the technological changes that the era was famous for. Apparently people also drank a lot of whiskey! Every time anyone walks into an office the alcohol comes out.

The show does a good job of sharing screen time between many different characters. There is the vile Pete Campbell, the old school Roger Stirling, the career girl Peggy, and the gorgeous secretary Joan. The show moves at quite the pace, but you still get to know a lot about all the characters and will soon decide which ones you like and which ones you despise.

So the characters are interesting and the show gives and insight into life in NY in the 1960s, but why is the show entertaining? In theory, it should all be rather boring. Fortunately the script is absolutely golden. It really shines in two main ways for me. First, there are great one liners and witty remarks. Not quite as in-your-face as, say, the West Wing, but it is there. You can easily miss them if you are not paying attention. Second, the script is unpredictable. You honestly never know whether a character will react with sympathy, or get mad. It doesn’t feel arbitrary and sporadic, just unexpected. I remember really liking a character one minute and then being genuinely appalled at the reaction of some of the characters to a colleague coming out as gay.

I have no idea what it was like to live in the early 60s, and I have no idea how accurate Mad Men is, but it certainly captures a fantastic atmosphere. You can’t help but feel nostalgic for a more simple time. Stupid of course, but that is how powerful this show is. You must watch this show.

9/10

"The only time you should wait one month before having sex with a girl is when she is 17 years and 11..."

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:17:27 -0500

“The only time you should wait one month before having sex with a girl is when she is 17 years and 11 months old”

- Barney, How I Met Your Mother

Game of Thrones - Season 2. Only 5 weeks to go!!

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:37:00 -0500

Game of Thrones - Season 2. Only 5 weeks to go!!

"What is a weekend?"

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:20:52 -0500

“What is a weekend?”

- Countess Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:12:00 -0500

I do not generally go in for period dramas, but after listening to all the hype I decided to give it a go. I really is a fantastic piece of television. It feels completely authentic (although I am sure there has been a lot of creative license!) and yet has just enough going on to keep you interested.

The show revolves around a family who own a big estate, and the servants who run it. There is a large cast of characters and it can take a bit of time to get the hang of who everyone is. The show centers around one main storyline—who will inherit the estate. It all sounds rather dull. The estate needs and hier and the nearest one is a distant cousin. The poor daughters will only be left with a small fortune and no estate. It shouldn’t make for gripping television, but it really does. The story brings out the vicious personalities of the central characters, and the more sympathetic characters of some of the better ones. For me the star of the show is Maggie Smith, but I am sure everyone will have their own favourite. There is another big storyline but I will not go into that here for it would be a bit of a spoiler.

In addition to some great acting, there is a scintillating script. It manages to get a balance of brilliant one liners, without ever feeling like the writers are showing off. It reminds me a lot of Mad Men in that respect. Both shows feel authentic and make you feel nostalgic for what you imagine to be a better time, even though that is almost certainly not the case.

I can’t wait for the second series!

9/10