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Winterim Viewing
I must admit, I was really happy this year when all of my favorite shows went into rerun mode. And not just because that means I get a breather from writing the columns-formerly-known-as-Watercoolers. This is also a great time of year for all of us to gather 'round the DVR, DVD player and computer to catch up with all those shows we've been meaning to watch but couldn't because of the pressing desire to know what happens next on Heroes/America's Next Top Model. I'm already on vacation as I type this but here's a brief list of what I've been watching during the December hiatus. Please share your lists, too.
1) Smart stuff. The Sundance channel is rerunning its Iconoclast series (the second season began in October) many times throughout the week for procrastinators like me. So far, I've seen organic-food pioneer Alice Waters and her old friend Mikhail Baryshnikov share their world-changing visions, dance steps and meals; then pals Fiona Apple and Quentin Tarantino met for the first time in five years to discuss film, music and violence. It all makes me wish I had a famous friend to chat with. Can't wait to see the episode with Dave Chappelle and Maya Angelou; I hear it's wacky. I'm also tuning in to Sundance's One Punk Under God, about Jay Bakker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. The tattooed and pierced 31-year-old hold his own super-liberal church services in a bar in Atlanta. Though I'm not a Christian, I find this intimate portrait of his relationship with his parents and wife compelling. It's especially touching to see him with Tammy Faye, who is suffering from Stage 4 colon cancer. Jay's effort to reconnect with his father, who hasn't spoken to him in years, is one of the driving plots of the show so far, and I'm anxious to see how that plays out.
2) Silly stuff. Last Wednesday's Colbert Report was the perfect way to start my vacation this morning. It was the "Countdown to Guitarmageddon," in which Colbert settled a months-long dispute with rock band the Decemberists — he claims they ripped off his Green Sceen Contest — with a battle of guitar solos. But that wasn't enough drama for the final episode of the year. In addition to Chris Funk, the Decemberists' guitarist, Colbert's guests included Henry Kissinger (via satellite), Morley Safer, New York Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer, Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen (who wrote the Colbert theme song). I won't give away the outcome of the battle. Just watch it on ComedyCentral.com.
And I'm finally getting around to clicking on all those links to funny videos my friends have sent me. But why had I not seen Kelly's "Shoes" video before? For those of you as clueless as I was before this week, Kelly is the teenage-girl alter ego of comedian Liam Sullivan, who seems to me like the long lost Kid in the Hall. "Shoes" and its follow-up, "Text-message Breakup," are the funniest things I've seen online in months (second only to Justin Timberlake's "D--- in a Box"). Words can't really do Kelly justice (but I will warn you that there's some offensive language in it), so just watch her and the many tribute videos fans have made in her honor. Consider it the Internet's Christmas gift to you.
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Dec 23, 2006 11:54 AM
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I like rerun season as well. This break is nice to catch up on some shows and decide what I need to cut (that the networks haven't already) as well.
I started watching 24 a few months ago and finished up the last 16 episodes of season 3, and all of seasons 4 and 5 in 5 days last week. I'm glad I did because it's now one of my top 3 shows.
I saw the first disc of Six Feet Under awhile ago and have been meaning to rent more of it. I just got an HBO free trial and the first season is OnDemand so I may try to finish that up at least.
"Shoes" and "Text Message Breakup" were pretty funny, although not as good as my friend made them out to be. I'm a bit surprised that "D**k in a Box" has become the next "Lazy Sunday" but the uncensored version is hilarious (I wasn't that impressed while watching the original broadcast)
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Dec 27, 2006 12:06 PM
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IV ENJOYED "MY BOYS" ON TBS DURING THE WINTERMISSION.
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Dec 27, 2006 1:00 PM
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OMG SHOES
lets get some shoes...
lets party!
funniest video ever. me and my friends cant stop quoting it.
by the way betch...
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Dec 28, 2006 4:01 AM
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Winter break, besides allowing me to get out of my house more, led me to appreciate the BBC channel. I've been watching Afterlife (basically a darker, less "Hallmark moment" Ghost Whisperer) and Dr. Who. I also caught up on the episodes of 30 Rock I had DVR'd.
Didn't love Kelly. Hmmm?
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Dec 29, 2006 9:11 AM
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Well, I'm planning on watching Afro Samurai on Spike TV starting on January 4th. Samuel L. Jackson and samurais. They'd have to try really hard to screw that up. And of course, there's always Adult Swim.
I'm also planning on buying the first season set of 24 this weekend since I really didn't start watching the show on a regular basis until season 4.
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Dec 29, 2006 3:23 PM
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Like kcmullis, I have been enjoying BBC America in the past few weeks. I rediscover BBC-Am every so often & I'm always glad I did. Afterlife is a great show & the movies they air are often really good.
Next up: I try to watch Dr. Who (I think that's the title - w/Christopher Eccleston) from the start. Hopefully, they'll put it on BBCAM On Demand (which, by the way, has all the Afterlife episodes for anyone interested in catching up).
Also, History International has some great programming--especially good stuff to watch right before bed.
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Jan 3, 2007 1:16 PM
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