TV Recaps Reviews

The highest compliment I can pay to a television show is to lament its ending years after the series finale. Such is the case with “Frasier” and “Monk,” shows that ran respectively on NBC and the USA Network for several seasons. The lead characters, Frasier Crane and Adrian Monk, were two of the fussiest characters who I liked despite their idiosyncrasies. Though “Frasier” ended in 2004 and “Monk” in 2009, the terrific acting and exceptional writing keeps me a fan all these years later.

“Frasier” ran for 11 seasons and featured an ensemble cast that included Frasier, his brother Niles, their father Martin and his health care aide, Daphne. Notoriously fussy, Frasier and Niles spent the series trying to outdo each other with purchases of tailor-made clothing, expensive wine, and fine art, often belittling those who lacked their refined tastes. Frasier in particular was guilty of elitism, choosing to make Daphne use the washers in the community laundry room rather than reveal his beloved hat closet disguised a hookup for a washing machine. Frasier would’ve been an unlikable character had anything in his personal life ever gone quite right. He often started ventures with Niles that did not go well, including opening a restaurant that featured a kitchen explosion on opening night. Frasier dated rather fruitlessly during the series, unable to find or hold onto a girlfriend for longer than a few episodes. As high as he sat on his pedestal, plenty came along to humble Frasier and bring him back to earth.

“Monk” lasted for eight seasons and also featured an ensemble cast – Monk, a former detective; his assistant Sharona Fleming (and later, Natalie Teeger); Captain Leland Stottlemeyer; and Lieutenant Randy Disher. Monk’s peculiarities resulted from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which severely impacted his life yet helped him solve crimes. Monk suffered from a whopping 312 phobias, including germs, elevators, and milk, and was stingy with money, often having to be berated into covering his assistant’s business expenses. Like Frasier, Monk would have been wholly unlikable had he often not gotten his comeuppance. As a result of his OCD, he was often uncomfortable and sometimes unable to function, yet always able to see intricacies of an unsolved crime that others had missed. The one time he was able to live tic-free was when he was medicated, which resulted in a different kind of hard-to-handle life. Monk’s solving of a case that has haunted him during the run of the series showed the character finally headed towards a place of healing.

Frasier and Monk’s bumbling adventures resulted in funny and enjoyable episodes each week they were on. The crisp writing made Frasier’s grandiose (yet ill-fated) plans seem possible and Monk’s quirks endearing instead of irritating. Though stuffy and stingy, the characters’ humanity continues my love for each show years after they’ve left the air.

Images courtesy of http://tv.yahoo.com

About the author: Kristine blogs on behalf of Sears and other quality brands, is very much in love with all things art, and is mildly obsessed with TV. When she is not watching all her favorite TV shows, she enjoys baking and walking her dog.

Continue Reading

Guest article by TV.com

Hollywood loves finding a fad, and this season fairytales are all the rage. From the multiple Snow White film adaptations, to the small screen where two new TV shows are bringing viewers their own spin on nursery tales: Once Upon A Time and Grimm. With both dramas tackling the idea that fairytales are real, to the untrained eye these two may seem identical. However, spend a little time looking at how Once and Grimm execute their fairytale-inspired plots and you will find you could not get two more radically different shows if you tried.

Let’s look at the first difference and the one most intrinsic to both show’s plots: the fairytales themselves. Once Upon A Time takes a literal approach. In the Once world fairytale creatures are real; there is a Snow White, there is a Rumpelstiltskin, there are spells and talking animals and the whole nursery rhyme shebang. Initially ensconced in their own magical kingdom, a wicked witch casts an equally wicked spell transporting Snow White, Prince Charming and the rest of the kingdom to our world. The spell also erases all knowledge of their magical beginnings; now all of the ex-fairytales are cursed to live out their lives sans memories in Storybrooke, a little town in Maine. (Maine specifically does not seem to be part of the curse, though really, it should be.) However, there is hope- Snow White’s daughter, Emma, was sent ahead of the rest due to a prophecy about her being the only one able to save them. Now a grown woman, Emma is persuaded to go to Maine by her son. The son, who she gave up for adoption, was raised in Storybrooke and recently uncovered the curse.

Grimm, on the other hand, gives itself a lot more wiggle room. The fairytale creatures in Grimm are actually a race of monsters called the blutbaden. Apparently back in the day two enterprising monster hunters, the Grimm brothers, catalogued the blutbaden’s profiles published them as fairytales, making it harder for the blutbaden to hide. Thus each type of blutbad, while matching up with a specific fairytale (the big bad wolf, the three bears) have their own twist — the ones that resemble wolves cannot stand the color red, the ones that resemble bears have complex coming of age rituals, etc. The plot then revolves around Portland, Oregon homicide detective Nick who learns he is a Grimm, a descendant of the original monster hunters, and must now take up their mantle.

[READ MORE]

Continue Reading

Continue Reading

The winter television schedule has a number of shows that should be worth catching. Stars gracing these new series include Kathy Bates, William H. Macy, Matthew Perry, and Allison Janney. Series to watch: If Shawn Ryan’s The Chicago Code is as good as FX’s The Shield and Terriers (a greatly under appreciated series), you won’t want to miss it. Check out the new series coming to your TV screen soon.

Bob’s Burgers (Fox)
Premieres: Sunday, January 9 at 8:30 p.m.

This is another animated series joining Fox’s animation Sunday. The show stars character Bob Belcher, a third-generation restaurateur running a burger joint, and follows the ups and downs of Bob’s business as well as life with his wife and three kids.

The Cape (NBC)
Premieres: Sunday, January 9 at 9:00 p.m.

This superhero series stars David Lyons as Vince Faraday, a decent cop unjustly framed for a murder and thought to be dead. Vince wants to reunite with his wife and son, and takes on the persona of his his son’s favorite comic book hero, The Cape, fighting against crime on the streets. Also stars Keith David, Summer Glau, and James Frain (The Tudors).

Shameless (Showtime)
Premieres: Sunday, January 9, 10:00 p.m.

Shameless is a remake of a British series that follows the lives of six siblings who care for their alcoholic father. The show stars William H. Macy (Fargo), which ought to tell you it must be worth watching. Also starring Emmy Rossum (Phantom of the Opera).

Lights Out (FX)
Premieres: Tuesday, January 11 at 10:00 p.m.

FX rolls out another series to join their stellar group of current and past drama series. Holt McCallany portrays Patrick “Lights” Leary, as a former heavyweight boxing champion whose career slump leads him to become a debt collector, but the boxer yearns to regain the glory of his fighting career. Also starring Stacy Keach, Catherine McCormack, and Pablo Schreiber.

Harry’s Law (NBC)
Premieres: Monday, January 17 at 10:00 p.m.

This legal drama stars the ever talented Kathy Bates as Harriet “Harry” Korn, whose recent firing leads her to open her own law firm where she calls the shots. This is another courtroom drama from David E. Kelley (The Practice, Ally McBeal).

The Chicago Code (Fox)
Premieres: Monday, February 7 at 9:00 p.m.

New police partners team up to work the streets in the Chicago Police Department. Starring Jarek (Brotherhood’s Jason Clarke) and Caleb (Friday Night Lights’ Matt Lauria), Jennifer Beals, Delroy Lindo, Todd Williams, Devin Kelley, and Billy Lush. FX’s Shawn Ryan (The Shield, Terriers) is the show’s creator, his track record for superbly written shows is a good reason to catch this new series.

Mr. Sunshine (ABC)
Premieres: Wednesday, February 9 at 9:30 p.m.

Arena manager Ben Donovan, deals with his mid-life birthday by realizing he doesn’t want to go through life alone anymore. Donovan’s personal life is entwined with his professional life, making things complicated. Starring Matthew Perry (Friends), James Lesure, Andrea Anders, and the most excellent Allison Janney (The West Wing).

America’s Next Great Restaurant (NBC)
Premieres: Wednesday, March 16 at 9:00 p.m.

Top Chef producers are branching out to mainstream TV with this culinary competition for aspiring restaurateurs who compete to win a restaurant chain. Chef Bobby Flay (Food Network) serves as a mentor and judge on the series.

Continue Reading

As the fall 2010 television season kicks off, the fall lineup for television has some interesting new programs you will not want to miss. The three shows featured here include an action series on NBC, a comedy series on FOX, and cop drama on FX. Each of these series features great scripts, talented actors, and a twist on your usual premise for a television show. Here is a sampling of new shows you will want to catch this season.

The Event
NBC Monday 9:00 p.m.

The Event is an action packed conspiracy-thriller that some critics have called a mix of 24 and Lost. The series stars Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia) as a young man who stumbles across a national secret while in search of his girlfriend, who mysteriously disappeared from a Caribbean cruise. The series co-stars Blair Underwood (L.A. Law, In Treatment) and Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls). The Event captures your attention from the first minute and does not let go the entire hour.

Running Wilde
FOX Tuesday 9:30 p.m.

Will Arnett (Arrested Development) plays Steve Wilde, a wealthy, immature playboy and son of an oil tycoon who can have anything in the world he desires except his old girlfriend Emmy (Keri Russell, Felicity), an uber-liberal humanitarian who hates everything Steve stands for. When Steve and Emmy meet again Steve will stop at nothing to win her heart. The series has some great secondary characters, including Emmy’s daughter Puddle (Stefania Owen, The Lovely Bones), and Steve’s sidekick Migo (Joe Nunez, Prison Break), and nanny Gertie (Jayne Houdyshell, Law & Order). The comedy works well here, and Arnett and Russell are a dream team of comic chemistry. Will Arnett is co-creator and writer of the series, along with Arrested Development alums Mitch Hurwitz and Jim Vallely.

Terriers
FX Tuesday 10:00 p.m.

Donal Logue (Grounded for Life) stars as Hank Dolworth, an ex-cop with a checkered past, teamed up with his best friend Britt (Michael Raymond-James, True Blood) as unlicensed private detectives. Dolworth has a knack for running into trouble with his ex-partner from the force, Detective Gustafson (Rockmond Dunbar, Prison Break, Soul Food). The first episode spends time setting up the storyline, and by the second episode the gritty characters, clever lines and action are the order of the day. This off the grid ex-cop against the bad guys show uses humor, great writing, and action to keep the audience enthralled. Terriers is the brainchild of show co-creator Shawn Ryan (The Shield).

Continue Reading

The Good Guys is a quirky action-comedy cop show that features Jack, an earnest, serious by-the-book young policeman paired up with Dan, a seasoned former detective, washed up alcoholic cop, underscored by a retro rock soundtrack. The show had a special premiere episode on Wednesday, May 19. Colin Hanks (Roswell) and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) star in this new buddy cop series from Fox, which has a style all its own but still seems to be refining that style. The action-comedy had some laughs here and there in the show and is an interesting premise. Whitford’s Dan avoids rules when it comes to the law, seemingly stuck in the 70′s with his retro mustache and interest in muscle cars. The banter between the young cop/old cop characters and the writing are promising from the premiere episode. An exchange from Dan to Jack gives you a feel for the series: “There are no small crimes, there are only small cops. Put that in your computer circuit. Look, you wanna get rid of me? You wanna work on your career? Grow a pair! Crack some cases!” The series is one you should check out, my hunch is with time the show’s characters will mesh and the writers will provide crackling dialogue as the partners step outside the law to solve cases.

The Good Guys stars Bradley Whitford, Colin Hanks, Jenny Wade and Diana-Maria Riva. Watch The Good Guys series premiere Monday, June 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT during the summer season, and on Fridays in the fall at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Fox. Check your local TV schedule for upcoming episodes of the series.

Continue Reading