The idea of censorship is an issue of major importance to me. My beloved comics books have been plagued with idiot government officals looking to make a name for themselves by picking on an easy target during election years for decades. The FCC has made waves about going after cable networks the past few years (they don't use the public airwaves, morons), and the TV industry has started to pull back on their attempts to diversify their products. Let's also not even mention the freakin' debates over whether Saving Private Ryan on ABC or a PBS documentary chronicling soldiers' experiences should have the F-Bomb. Sure, let's hack up a masterpiece that would otherwise run uncut over a word that military personnel (and most others) use in conversation.
An interview I read with [This Film Not Yet Rated] director Kirby Dick is what got me on this tangent. He explains what he found when he did an investigation of the MPAA Board that rates the motion picture industry. As a father, I have to say I like having the idea of the ratings, but as an American, I have troubles with how they get to the ratings-- and how directors and studios "play the game" to get the rating they need.
For example: I was watching Eight Below with my kids (4 and 2-1/2 years old), and I was disappointed that they needed to say "Hell" so much (at least three times) to get the coveted PG rating.
The MPAA's guidelines are nebulous at best and contradictory at worst. Here's the link. Hopefully it works. If not, it's from tvguide.com's Insider section for 9/1. It's worth a look.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Insider/default.htm?cmsGuid={1773DCD6-A322-4087-AAF4-685E134AAD23}
Friday, September 01, 2006
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Emmy fallout
I couldn't wait any more. It was bugging me.
I went 5 for 20 on my Emmy predictions.
I got Keifer Sutherland, The Office, Jeremy Piven, Leslie Jordan, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition right.
I'd like to handicap it a little by saying not many other prognosticators made picks for mini-series or TV movie categories, so if you remove those (which I admitted I knew nothing about), I have a more respectable 5 for 16.
And I'd like to mention it was way too hard to find the winners. I actually didn't find all the winners of the 20 categories I picked from until I actually visited the Television Arts and Sciences webpage. Couldn't find it on tvguide.com, cnn.com, or a few others I Googled. Pathetic...
I went 5 for 20 on my Emmy predictions.
I got Keifer Sutherland, The Office, Jeremy Piven, Leslie Jordan, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition right.
I'd like to handicap it a little by saying not many other prognosticators made picks for mini-series or TV movie categories, so if you remove those (which I admitted I knew nothing about), I have a more respectable 5 for 16.
And I'd like to mention it was way too hard to find the winners. I actually didn't find all the winners of the 20 categories I picked from until I actually visited the Television Arts and Sciences webpage. Couldn't find it on tvguide.com, cnn.com, or a few others I Googled. Pathetic...
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Odds and Ends
Sorry for not posting for a few days. Just got too busy and couldn't get on the computer. Here's random stuff I read on tvguide.com or from shows I watched:
The Emmy predictions: I haven't counted the tally of how badly I picked, but Michael Ausiello went 4 for 11, and he gets paid to do this.
All I can say is I'm glad Jeremy Piven won, so I don't have to take a dump on anyone's front porch...
Lane Garrison (Prison Break's "Tweener") confirmed that the first escapee he runs into is T-Bag. In Utah. Uh oh.
Sounds as if this will be Zach Braff's last season as a member of Scrubs. Producers of the show say they will go on without him (assuming NBC doesn't do something stupid like cancel it).
Jenna Fischer and John Krazinski of The Office say that the first episode will touch on the Jim/Pam kiss.
Ricky Gervais (the co-ator of BBC America's The Office) said the episode he wrote will focus on Michael trying (and failing) to be more P.C. And Jim and Pam send Dwight out on a wild goose chase. Gervais also said that the British cast is not slated to appear in the U.S. version, and that some tabloid spread it around and it somehow became gospel. Finally, he said there is little to no chance of a reunion show with the British cast. It saddens me, but the British series ended perfectly (and that ending is why I'm not happy about the Jim/Pam revelation from the NBC season finale).
If you're a Desperate Housewives fan, you may want to know that the main character who gets killed won't be Mike. And I have a good reason to think it's a she.
Well, I better wrap it up. Hopefully next time, I'll fess up and admit how badly I did on my Emmy predictions (seriously, I don't know yet) and maybe touch on some Prison Break thoughts from the second ep.
The Emmy predictions: I haven't counted the tally of how badly I picked, but Michael Ausiello went 4 for 11, and he gets paid to do this.
All I can say is I'm glad Jeremy Piven won, so I don't have to take a dump on anyone's front porch...
Lane Garrison (Prison Break's "Tweener") confirmed that the first escapee he runs into is T-Bag. In Utah. Uh oh.
Sounds as if this will be Zach Braff's last season as a member of Scrubs. Producers of the show say they will go on without him (assuming NBC doesn't do something stupid like cancel it).
Jenna Fischer and John Krazinski of The Office say that the first episode will touch on the Jim/Pam kiss.
Ricky Gervais (the co-ator of BBC America's The Office) said the episode he wrote will focus on Michael trying (and failing) to be more P.C. And Jim and Pam send Dwight out on a wild goose chase. Gervais also said that the British cast is not slated to appear in the U.S. version, and that some tabloid spread it around and it somehow became gospel. Finally, he said there is little to no chance of a reunion show with the British cast. It saddens me, but the British series ended perfectly (and that ending is why I'm not happy about the Jim/Pam revelation from the NBC season finale).
If you're a Desperate Housewives fan, you may want to know that the main character who gets killed won't be Mike. And I have a good reason to think it's a she.
Well, I better wrap it up. Hopefully next time, I'll fess up and admit how badly I did on my Emmy predictions (seriously, I don't know yet) and maybe touch on some Prison Break thoughts from the second ep.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Emmy picks
Not much time, so I'll jump the chase. As flawed as the Emmy's are, how can I not make picks?
Outstanding Drama Series:
All good choices from what I understand (I don't watch Grey's Anatomy, and I haven't gotten to the tapes of House, Sopranos, or 24 yet; and West Wing was good but not great).
I think it's Grey's Anatomy's year.
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series:
I think it's Sutherland's, but I understand Leary has a legit show. Who knows if the Emmy voters will actually give FX its due?
Keifer Sutherland.
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series:
No idea. West Wing was the only one I watched, and Janney wasn't a main player (although, believe it or not, that's not really an Emmy consideration).
I think it's going to Kyra Sedgwick.
Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series:
All are good choices. I'm gonna give the front runner status to Gregory Itzen and Alan Alda. I've heard Itzen had a huge turn on 24 and Alda was great as the man who we should hate (but couldn't) on West Wing.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Gregory Itzen.
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series:
I'd have to say Jean Smart and Chandra Wilson are the front runners. Some people are hoping for a Smart win to pair with Itzen, but I think Grey's Anatomy is going to have a huge year.
Winner: Chandra Wilson.
Outstanding guest actor in a drama series:
I don't much about these nominees, but they all got props when they appeared. I did see Michael J. Fox's appearances on Boston Legal, and I thought they were great. And it had nothing to do with his Parkinson's-- it was a very powerful role that any actor could have played, but not many could have played it as well as Fox.
I'll go with Fox.
Outstanding guest actress on a drama series:
Wow. Didn't see a single performance. Haven't heard anything about them either. There's a lot of love for Six Feet Under, but, like I said, Grey's is gonna be big.
Christina Ricci for Grey's Anatomy.
Outstanding comedy series:
Tough group (so tough, Two and a Half Men got in over many other worthy choices-- I'll chalk that up to split votes). I'd love to see Arrested Development get a nice goodbye, but with its screwed up scheduling last year, I think it lacked what previous seasons had. Curb Your Enthusiasm has always been solid, but it slipped a little this year. Scrubs badly needs the win, but I think The Office will take it.
Winner: The Office.
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series:
Jason Lee. What? He wasn't nominated? Oh yeah, of course-- there wasn't room after Kevin James and Charlie Sheen's noms (I'm trying not be hard on those two because they are competent-- but the best? Hardly). Larry David and Tony Shalhoub are worthy candidates, but I think Carell's taking it.
Winner: Steve Carell.
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series:
Jane Kaczmarek seemed to be going through the paces this year. She was much more worthy in years past. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is funny on Christine, but I don't know if she's outstanding. Stockard Channing wasn't either. I haven't watched Will & Grace since it was good, so it's been a few years since I can remember Messing when the show was decent. I gave Kudrow's The Comeback about two eps before I gave up. But she's got big buzz.
I'll give it to Lisa Kudrow.
Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series:
All the nominees are decent, and I'd love to see Will Arnet get props for Arrested Development, but Piven deserves this Emmy like no other candidate in the entire show.
If Jeremy Piven doesn't win, I will personally visit each Emmy voter's house and take a crap on their front door.
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series:
Nominees aren't bad in this category, either, but Pressly has to win. She probably won't because redneck characters usually don't get love-- look at f-ing Jason Lee's snub--, but I'm not gonna pick anyone but her and hope voters have a brain.
Winner: Jamie Pressly.
Outstanding guest actor on a comedy series:
Patrick Stewart and Ben Stiller were great on Extras, but Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin are the "sexier" noms.
But I'm going to pick the deserving Leslie Jordan for a long history of fantastic supporting characters. It's not the right thing to do (pick a winner for a lifetime's work instead what s/he was actually nominated for), but it's done all the time.
Outstanding guest actress in a comedy series:
All decent nominees, but Kate Winslet was a blast as the dirty-talking "self" dressed a nun on Extras. Besides, Emmy voters love to pick motion picture actors/actresses as winners to keep them coming back.
Kate Winslet.
Outstanding reality program:
I only watched Penn & Teller's Bullsh-t and Kathy Griffen: My Life on the D-List, but Bullsh-t is not only funny but informative. And it doesn't rely on weepiness that will probably give the statue to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
I'll have to go with Extreme Makeover, but I'd love to be proven wrong by having Penn Gillette give an acceptance speech.
Outstanding reality-competition program:
I like Amazing Race and Survivor, but neither series was at its peak this year. American Idol has done its part to dumb down people's expectations when it comes to music. Dancing with the Stars is the hot program right now. But...
I've heard good things about Project Runway, so I'll pick that.
Outstanding miniseries:
I only saw the slow-starting, but solid as a whole Sleeper Cell, but the rest were given high praise in the things I read as well.
I'll give it to Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre) just because it got lots of press time.
Outstanding made for television movie:
Don't know.
Let's guess: Mrs. Harris.
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie:
Big names. Still no idea.
Let's say: Donald Sutherland.
Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie:
More big names. But one stood out in all the reviews I read:
Gillian Anderson.
There you are. If you want a list of nominees and don't have TV Guide handy, print off a list here:
http://online.tvguide.com/special/Emmys2006/nominees.asp
I won't be watching the show live. FF-ing through the commercials and stuff I don't care about will drop my watching time to about an hour with the DVR. I can't even recommend watching these shows anymore because they're so lame, but they're a big deal in the TV world, and the TV world is a big deal to me. And you never know when someone will knock your socks off with a joke or a speech...
Outstanding Drama Series:
All good choices from what I understand (I don't watch Grey's Anatomy, and I haven't gotten to the tapes of House, Sopranos, or 24 yet; and West Wing was good but not great).
I think it's Grey's Anatomy's year.
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series:
I think it's Sutherland's, but I understand Leary has a legit show. Who knows if the Emmy voters will actually give FX its due?
Keifer Sutherland.
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series:
No idea. West Wing was the only one I watched, and Janney wasn't a main player (although, believe it or not, that's not really an Emmy consideration).
I think it's going to Kyra Sedgwick.
Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series:
All are good choices. I'm gonna give the front runner status to Gregory Itzen and Alan Alda. I've heard Itzen had a huge turn on 24 and Alda was great as the man who we should hate (but couldn't) on West Wing.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Gregory Itzen.
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series:
I'd have to say Jean Smart and Chandra Wilson are the front runners. Some people are hoping for a Smart win to pair with Itzen, but I think Grey's Anatomy is going to have a huge year.
Winner: Chandra Wilson.
Outstanding guest actor in a drama series:
I don't much about these nominees, but they all got props when they appeared. I did see Michael J. Fox's appearances on Boston Legal, and I thought they were great. And it had nothing to do with his Parkinson's-- it was a very powerful role that any actor could have played, but not many could have played it as well as Fox.
I'll go with Fox.
Outstanding guest actress on a drama series:
Wow. Didn't see a single performance. Haven't heard anything about them either. There's a lot of love for Six Feet Under, but, like I said, Grey's is gonna be big.
Christina Ricci for Grey's Anatomy.
Outstanding comedy series:
Tough group (so tough, Two and a Half Men got in over many other worthy choices-- I'll chalk that up to split votes). I'd love to see Arrested Development get a nice goodbye, but with its screwed up scheduling last year, I think it lacked what previous seasons had. Curb Your Enthusiasm has always been solid, but it slipped a little this year. Scrubs badly needs the win, but I think The Office will take it.
Winner: The Office.
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series:
Jason Lee. What? He wasn't nominated? Oh yeah, of course-- there wasn't room after Kevin James and Charlie Sheen's noms (I'm trying not be hard on those two because they are competent-- but the best? Hardly). Larry David and Tony Shalhoub are worthy candidates, but I think Carell's taking it.
Winner: Steve Carell.
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series:
Jane Kaczmarek seemed to be going through the paces this year. She was much more worthy in years past. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is funny on Christine, but I don't know if she's outstanding. Stockard Channing wasn't either. I haven't watched Will & Grace since it was good, so it's been a few years since I can remember Messing when the show was decent. I gave Kudrow's The Comeback about two eps before I gave up. But she's got big buzz.
I'll give it to Lisa Kudrow.
Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series:
All the nominees are decent, and I'd love to see Will Arnet get props for Arrested Development, but Piven deserves this Emmy like no other candidate in the entire show.
If Jeremy Piven doesn't win, I will personally visit each Emmy voter's house and take a crap on their front door.
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series:
Nominees aren't bad in this category, either, but Pressly has to win. She probably won't because redneck characters usually don't get love-- look at f-ing Jason Lee's snub--, but I'm not gonna pick anyone but her and hope voters have a brain.
Winner: Jamie Pressly.
Outstanding guest actor on a comedy series:
Patrick Stewart and Ben Stiller were great on Extras, but Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin are the "sexier" noms.
But I'm going to pick the deserving Leslie Jordan for a long history of fantastic supporting characters. It's not the right thing to do (pick a winner for a lifetime's work instead what s/he was actually nominated for), but it's done all the time.
Outstanding guest actress in a comedy series:
All decent nominees, but Kate Winslet was a blast as the dirty-talking "self" dressed a nun on Extras. Besides, Emmy voters love to pick motion picture actors/actresses as winners to keep them coming back.
Kate Winslet.
Outstanding reality program:
I only watched Penn & Teller's Bullsh-t and Kathy Griffen: My Life on the D-List, but Bullsh-t is not only funny but informative. And it doesn't rely on weepiness that will probably give the statue to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
I'll have to go with Extreme Makeover, but I'd love to be proven wrong by having Penn Gillette give an acceptance speech.
Outstanding reality-competition program:
I like Amazing Race and Survivor, but neither series was at its peak this year. American Idol has done its part to dumb down people's expectations when it comes to music. Dancing with the Stars is the hot program right now. But...
I've heard good things about Project Runway, so I'll pick that.
Outstanding miniseries:
I only saw the slow-starting, but solid as a whole Sleeper Cell, but the rest were given high praise in the things I read as well.
I'll give it to Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre) just because it got lots of press time.
Outstanding made for television movie:
Don't know.
Let's guess: Mrs. Harris.
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie:
Big names. Still no idea.
Let's say: Donald Sutherland.
Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie:
More big names. But one stood out in all the reviews I read:
Gillian Anderson.
There you are. If you want a list of nominees and don't have TV Guide handy, print off a list here:
http://online.tvguide.com/special/Emmys2006/nominees.asp
I won't be watching the show live. FF-ing through the commercials and stuff I don't care about will drop my watching time to about an hour with the DVR. I can't even recommend watching these shows anymore because they're so lame, but they're a big deal in the TV world, and the TV world is a big deal to me. And you never know when someone will knock your socks off with a joke or a speech...
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