Sabbatical

Well, loyal readers, er, reader, I am neck deep in work-related doo-doo. I've got so much to do, I'm going to continue this de facto blogging sabbatical I've been on for the past week. I barely have time to watch TV, let alone write about it.

This was fun. But, life is forcing me to take a break.

In the meantime, enjoy all the Lost-Alias-Nip/Tuck-DesperateHousewives-VeronicaMars-24-Threshold-GilmoreGirls-CurbYourEnthusiasm-MyNameIsEarl-ArrestedDevelopment-PrisonBreak-EverybodyHatesChris-AmazingRace-ProjectRunway-America'sNextTopModel-Invasion-Scrubs fun you can!

P.S. While I'm partially dying that Lost is taking a three-week hiatus, I can't help but be grateful for its timing.

TV DVDs

The previous post about Veronica Mars prompted me to reflect on the TV series that make for the best DVD viewing. There are some shows that just have more "pop" -- are more exciting or engaging -- when viewing them without commercial interruptions and without waiting a week between episodes.

Fullmoon has commented on the pleasure of watching Lost Season 1 on DVD. Highly recommended.

What other shows are better viewed by DVD?

My vote for the most enhanced enjoyment through viewing on DVD is 24. The adrenaline and tension created in the show remains at a constant high. The commercial breaks are gone and so the plot keeps you hurtling forward like an out-of-control train. Cliff hangers are exciting, yet not the least bit frustrating, because you simply start the next episode or stick in the next disc. Last season was the first I watched 24 as it aired on Fox. I still loved it, but I really missed the high-impact experience of a 24 marathon viewing session. If I had even a scintilla of self-control, I think I'd sit out this season of 24 when it starts in January and wait for it to come out on DVD. Sadly, though, self-control and self-discipline are not among my strongest traits. (One drawback of viewing 24 on DVD is that the continuity and improbability issues are intensified. But, if you're willing to suspend disbelief, it's a heck of a ride.)

I imagine that watching Alias on DVD would be an experience similar to watching 24 on DVD. I've simply been too committed to watching Alias as it airs to ever have the DVD-watching experience.

From what I've caught of Prison Break this season on Fox, I'm thinking it could be a winner on DVD.

Anyone have other recommendations for shows that translate well to DVD, perhaps even improved over watching them as they air?

Intelligent Life on Mars

I caught this week's episode of Veronica Mars. (Actually, I taped it and watched it at midnight in anticipation of my all-nighter on Wednesday night.) It's on against Lost, so it requires intentional and meticulous planning if I want to watch. As Wednesday evening comes nearer my excitement over Lost has a tendency to render me paralyzed and incoherent. So, I haven't caught every episode of Veronica Mars this season.

At any rate, I was reminded of how excellent this show is. If you're not watching it, you should. If you're in the market for a show to watch on DVD, watch Veronica's first season.

Desperate for Developments

Did anyone else feel like last night's Desperate Housewives episode was nothing more than marking time?

We saw some character development with Gabrielle, but it was pretty clearly going to happen at some point.

We got a little more in the "is-George-a-total-psycho?" department, but really only more questions.

Unfortunately, Susan is becoming a parody of herself. Maybe, if the teasers for next week pan out, she'll get more to do with the reintroduction of Zach into the storyline.

I like the Betty Applewhite character, but I'm not yet hooked into the prisoner-in-the-basement mystery. There has to be more to it than revenge against an abusive spouse. Right?

I don't know what to think of Lynette's (to this piont weak) workplace drama.

Loved to see Harriet Sansom Harris back. Too bad she's going away. Loved Felicia.

It looks like next week's episode may be a return to form, though.

Firefly . . . Better Late than Never

I loved Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I never watched the short-lived Firefly, though.

With some favorable buzz for Serenity, the recently released theatrical film which is a continuation of the Firefly story, and with my love for Whedonesque imagination and dialog, I decided to add the Firefly DVDs to my Netflix queue.

I watched the pilot episode last night. Loved it. I'll keep you updated as I watch the rest of the episodes.

I hope I'll be able to find the time to catch Serenity in the theater as well.

Karmic Hilarity

Wasteland Spouse and I caught two replayed episodes of My Name is Earl last night on NBC. Four words: Hill. Air. Ye. Us.

You know a show is a potential classic if it can pull of a stupid carrot-smoking gag with a straight face . . . and make it funny!

Earl Hickey is a treasure chest of a character. The karma cleansing hook is great and can be sustained for quite some time (especially if Earl has to keep adding more wrongs to his list with each one he rights).

The revelation in this show, though, is Jaime Pressly as Joy, Earl's bottle-blonde, redneck, former beauty queen ex-wife who lives with her collection of children and the dim witted -- but lovable -- Darnell in a rented 1972 trailer with a documented carbon monoxide leak. Joy is a great character and Pressly fits her like a glove. My favorite line came after Joy informed Earl that she'd pawned his heirloom cuckoo clock and, in response to Earl's shocked reaction, said, "What, you don't think cigarettes grow on trees?"

(P.S. Thanks, Fullmoon, for the nudge to watch the show!)

Fullmoon: Let's Talk Lost! (UPDATED)

So, two stellar episodes of Lost have come and gone during my self-imposed blogging hiatus.

Loved 'em! Let's see . . . Can I summarize how much I love Lost this season? It's "honey-will-you-sleep-in-the-wet-spot" good, that's how good this show is.

A few random observations/questions:

• If you haven't visited Dharma Industries yet, you should. Not much there, but still.
• Same goes for the Hanso Foundation webpage.
• Sayid is the MacGuyver of the island, no? Soon he'll be building a nuclear warhead from coconuts and polar bear feces.
• Lots of faith/science stuff still floating around
• Jack: hero, anti-hero, or villain?
• Ana Lucia . . . good, bad, or just plain badass?
• How cool was the training video? I love that the really crucial stuff was damaged or spliced out.
• Electromagnatic qualities, polar bears, and sentient homocidal black smoke. What doesn't the island have to offer?

What's been your favorite little tidbit of the last couple of episodes?

UPDATE: Via 815 (which is a great, and usually hilarious, source of Lost minutia) I point you to the following:

• There's a blind link at the bottom of the Hanso Foundation website's Active Projects list. Click on it to see the training film that Locke and Jack watched.
• Britain's Channel 4 has a great flash site filled with little hints and tidbits here.