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« Roush Dispatch
Cable's Summer Hits a New High
Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale in High School Musical 2 by Adam Larkey/Disney Channel
The ridiculous (in a good way) ratings for Disney Channel's multiple record-breaking weekend launch of High School Musical 2 was just the most spectacular reminder of what a great TV summer this has been — if you have cable.
Not even a big hit like TNT's The Closer can match HSM2's numbers, and some of the best series, like AMC's mesmerizing Mad Men, are only doing so-so. But that's only to be expected given the glut of programming on many nights — including Thursdays, when Mad Men goes head-to-head with USA Network's latest clever breakout caper, Burn Notice. I thought my DVRs would get a break this summer. Didn't happen.
Just look at the options we’ve had over the last few nights, including terrific new episodes of Burn Notice and Mad Men on Thursday. I’m really enjoying Burn now that ex-spy Michael Weston is getting closer to the truth about how he was set up to be fired. And what can I say about Mad Men besides the word I used to start my initial review of the show: wow. Loved the metaphor of creating an ad campaign about private executive banking accounts for men — or, as Don Draper put it, “Men need their own accounts beyond the family.” As Don’s attempts to compartmentalize his messy and secretive life (the family he left behind when he went by “Dick,” the mistress he sees for lunch) continue to shred, this show just gets more fascinating. “Who is Donald Draper?” wonders his brother Adam, whom Don refuses to publicly acknowledge. The answer to that question is making for great drama. (And wait until you see this week’s episode, in which Joan — the supremely sexy secretary played by Christina Hendricks — comes into her own.)
Then Friday not only brought us the premiere of the long-awaited High School Musical 2, which for all of its clunky corniness was a lot of fun to watc (and, I’m sure for many, watch again and again). But there were also new episodes of Psych, Monk and Doctor Who, all enjoyable summer diversions.
Saturday? Not a factor.
Sunday? Too much going on. Lifetime is in full gear with an all-new lineup, anchored by the breakout hit Army Wives. USA continues to score with its fantasy-based The 4400 and The Dead Zone (neither of which I have kept up with this summer, though I’ve been recording 4400 and am slowly getting back in the game). HGTV is getting record numbers for its fast-paced Design Star reality show, on which the contestants really are (as one survivor put it this week) “dropping like flies.” Two double eliminations in a row? They’re not wasting any time on this one.
But this Sunday, I was mainly glued to HBO — which was a change, now that John from Cincinnati is no longer around to frustrate and bore those of us who tried but couldn’t crack its pseudo-mystical surface. Big Love has taken up residence where it belonged all along, in the Sunday catbird seat, and was this week’s penultimate episode ever a busy one. When Barb told Bill, “I’d say we’re off the rails,” I’d say she’s right.
A son who’s dating twins, both of whom want to marry the same guy. A daughter who’s dating an older guy who wants to play the field, causing her once again to questions her tortured family values.
And those other wives! Nikki, who’s sliding into a gambling addiction, just what the family’s strained finances amid complicated business deals don’t need. Margene, who’s getting more than a little fed up by being on the low end of the wives’ social totem pole. She’s using the Weber Gaming conflict as her way up and out into a more public status as a WOB (wife of Bill), and it’s ruffling feathers right and left.
The domestic conflicts are juicy, and the sinister family/business intrigues are terrifically twisted (ending with that shot of the snakes writhing on Barb and Bill’s bed), but what really set this episode apart was the painfully poignant rift in Barb’s family, which came to a head at her mother’s wedding. Kudos to Ellen Burstyn, who might actually merit an Emmy nomination for this guest role (as opposed to the one she got last year for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in HBO’s Mrs. Harris). “I can’t just tolerate you. You’re my daughter. I’m responsible for your eternal salvation,” Barb’s mom cried as Barb flinched with the realization of what she has really sacrificed by letting her marriage to Bill evolve into this polygamist mess.
The complicated politics of religion that reared its head at the reception were fascinating, and something I’m sure many families can relate to — setting aside the particulars of the Mormon faith and the polygamist mavericks. Big Love really kicked into gear this season, and I can’t believe it’s already almost over.
As for Entourage: I can’t really argue with those who feel the show is off its game lately. (I’m beginning to find Vince more than a little annoying, not even showing a little concern over the possible impact of his insane writer-director buddy’s latest antics.) But still, I love the ensemble (especially the Ari-Lloyd moments), and it’s a gas to watch Ari joust with studio siren Dana Gordon (Constance Zimmer, whose talents are so much better used here than on Boston Legal). With a new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm on the horizon (I’ve only seen one new episode so far, and can’t wait for more), that’s reason enough to stick with HBO despite its recent ups and downs.
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Aug 20, 2007 12:09 PM
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I've never actually seen this show, but I am a Mormon. I'd just like to state that polygamists aren't just mavericks, they have absolutely nothing to do with the Mormon religion and haven't for over 100 yrs. I'm almost sure that if this show does have any mormon representation it is more than likely inaccurate. Thanks, and sorry for the rant.
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Aug 20, 2007 1:45 PM
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I'm almost sure that if this show does have any mormon representation it is more than likely inaccurate.
sherrbear - this statement is much more inacurate than Big Love is. You cannot comment generally about a show you have never watched, especially one as well written as Big Love is. I suggest you watch it and then let us know your opinions. I would be more interested in hearing them then!
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Aug 20, 2007 2:14 PM
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Not all polygamists are created equal. Did you watch the ABC report recently airing on this subject? I found myself understanding polygamy more. In certain settings, as the one on the ABC news report, it works - at least for those individuals. I don't think everyone is like Colorado City, which isn't a healthy environment. But there are varying degrees of what people chose to believe. Mainstream Mormons may not practice it any longer - but they aren't the only ones out there. Even the polygamists in the ABC show said they watched Big Love occasionally. It's like a romanticized, fantasy laden version of their life. TV usually isn't a realistic portrayal of anything. That's probably why we watch it.
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Aug 20, 2007 3:11 PM
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Thanks for the shout out to Army Wives. I'm loving this new series and am thrilled that it's doing so well. The only thing I don't like about it is that the finale arrives too soon (next week)!
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Aug 20, 2007 6:02 PM
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Well, I watch Adult Swim on Saturdays, so I wouldn't say it's "not a factor", whatever that means. Unless you mean ratings-wise, in which case, yeah, nothing on Saturday tends to do very well.
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Aug 20, 2007 6:43 PM
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Personally I think the decline in Entourage is because of the conflict they put in to spice things up.
I nearly stopped watching over the whole firing Ari thing, but more and more they're making the whole show about conflicts, what's going to go wrong, etc.
Damn it, I loved the show when everything goes right! It's the ultimate fantasy of going to Hollywood, risking it all and winning big time and time again.
And Vince just doesn't have anything to do since they're not focusing on the girls as much as they used to either.
I loved the bits with him and Mandy too.
And what the hell happened to the Turtle girlfriend bit? I loved those two, thought there was some chemistry and I would have loved to see a storyline with Turtle beginning to get some sense about his situation, how someday he might like to slow down and actually provide for a girl.
Anyway, that's what I'd like to see it go back to, more of the boys just hitting everything right, Turtle and the girl, Ari and Dana squaring off, and some goodness for Lloyd, who really deserves it - I'd really like to see Vince give Lloyd a cameo in something just because, or Lloyd start to take on a few clients like he did with Drama.
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Aug 20, 2007 11:00 PM
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Re: Madmen I'm pretty sure that it's not just his first name that Dick/Don has changed. His brother's last name was "Whitman". And the guy on the train two episodes ago referred to him by the same name. This coupled with the the purple heart with the name "Donald Draper" that this Don Draper had in the first episode has gone a long way towards convincing me that Richard/Dick Whitman has assumed the identity of a war buddy Donald Draper after the Korean war. So the show's Don isn't Don Draper at all.
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Aug 21, 2007 10:12 AM
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sherrbear said - I've never actually seen this show, but I am a Mormon. I'd just like to state that polygamists aren't just mavericks, they have absolutely nothing to do with the Mormon religion and haven't for over 100 yrs. I'm almost sure that if this show does have any mormon representation it is more than likely inaccurate. Thanks, and sorry for the rant.
I don't think you should worry about how the Mormon religion is depicted. I think they make it clear in the show that currently, Mormons don't practice polygamy. Bill has been asked whether he was Mormon, and he answered that he "does his own thing." Though they still abide by the underlying principles like no alcohol and no drinking and no premarital sex, they live by the Principle (plural wives), which to my understanding is not practiced by the Mormon faith and this is shown in the show when the family's former pastor comes over to visit and they don't let him know that they are living that lifestyle. I hope that helps you out.
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Aug 21, 2007 1:46 PM
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Matt, I can't believe you left The Kill Point off your list of Sunday night shows.
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Aug 21, 2007 2:10 PM
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As for Saturday not being a factor, try watching Jekyll on BBC America.
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Aug 21, 2007 2:13 PM
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Matt
What about the best reality show of the summer "Ice Road Trucker." The thing is that it is all real, with real dangers, and real rewards.
Big Love, which I like, is no more LDS then The Unit reflects special ops, Desparate Houswives reflects suburban America, 24 reflects how threats are really handled, hip-hop reflects AA culture, or Bush reflects what a good President does.
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Aug 21, 2007 2:19 PM
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Matt,
I too tried to like JFC, but found it to try TOO hard to be "heavy"; it ended up being silly. For me, a show has to be somewhat grounded in reality when it attempts to go out of the box - sorry, it simply never happened for me.
I'm loving Big Love also. What I've always respected about this show is that it knew what it wanted to say, it knew how to say it, and it said it clearly. The layers were peeled slowly so the audience could follow; it never set out to paint a Cleaver X 3 household -- instead, it showed the positives and negatives to each situation. It's well done, excellently acted, and with the exception of the SNAKE, wonderfully cast.
I too am enjoying Mad Men. I'm not getting too analytical about the show; I am trying to watch it as a period piece. I look for inconsistencies in wardrobe, hairstyles, etc., but can't find any. The show has been carefully structured. Relationships are sad, yet probably accurate for the times. While WHO Don is will be the ultimate question, I'm not focused on the answer - I just love watching the stories develop.
Entourage used to be a must see for me. I viewed it as being something FUN to watch. I didn't look below the surface; I just enjoyed the guys being guys. But something has happened recently. If Ari/Lloyd aren't prominent, the show has a gaping hole in it. I could do without E and Turtle all together. I even like Billy's egocentric antics better than E or Turtle. Vinnie is irrelevant; whether he's ON or not no longer impacts the show. It's Ari/Lloyd/Johnny all the way for me.
I'll add Californication to the discussion. Episode 2 was better than Episode 1, but I'm not feeling it. It seems too stereotypical to me. I don't like shows that BECAUSE they can swear and show nudity feel the need to base a show on that privilege. Ultimately the show will rise or fall on its characters, and if they're not likeable, the show will fail (sort of like JFC). Hank needs some anti-depressants, a shower/shave, and a job. His pity party is already getting old, as is his acting out behavior.
Finally, WEEDS. Never having been a fan, I find myself less and less inclined to follow the show. "Irrelevant" comes to mind; the show doesn't tell us anything we don't know already.
Can't wait for DEXTER -- that is my definition of the best of the best of the best.
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Aug 21, 2007 2:31 PM
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I am LDS, and I watched all of Season 1 of Big Love and I'm a few episodes behind on Season 2. I work in Sandy UT, the city where the Henriksens live.
The portrayal of the weirdly complex polygamist group does justice to the FLDS church, which just recently blew apart after the "prophet" Warren Jeffs was arrested and admitted he's never been a prophet. i keep wondering why Bill is such a believer in the "principle" when he knows the allged prophet Roman Grant is a lying murderer.
As for the LDS church, I have yet to see a normal Mormon on this show. Every LDS character is either judgmental, naive or idiotic, or all three. I cringe whenever actual LDS people come up because they have yet to make one not a caricature. Tina Majorino's character would be eye-rollingly naive in any community, including Sandy. If The Sopranos could have the occasional non-murderous Jersey Italian, surely Big Love can find a way to be a little more realistic with Utah folk.
Examples: The bishop has these pamphlets to help with chastity. The top one is called "Satan's Thrust." There has not or ever will be a pamphlet remotely like that in a bishop's office. Where's the love of Christ?
Tina Majorino's character feels like she's up on music but she's never heard of Iron Maiden?
The neighbor sours up and condemns Margie when she says she's a surrogate mom. Seriously, the vast majority of Mormons who would have a problem with that would still be nice about it.
The missionaries got all snarky and condemning once they realized Nikki was a polygamist. I served a mission. Very, very rarely are missionaries condemning. We're nice to polygamists, strippers, druggies, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, wicca, atheists, etc.
That said, it's a very complicated, compelling, well-acted show. But if anyone's basing their opinion of Mormons off this show, you're doing yourself a great disservice.
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Aug 21, 2007 4:11 PM
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