Top Shot - Saturday Show Recommendation

Top Shot. 

Top Shot has become one of my favorite reality TV shows this past season.  Running over the summer and into the regular season, the show brings some of the best shooters from around the country together to compete in different shooting events.  These marksmen are from all walks of life - though most are from some sort of law enforcement (however, my favorite contestant so far [Dustin] is a Christian camp counselor who took up shooting in his spare time). 

The competitions we have seen so far this season have made use of some very interesting weapons.  They have included anything and everything from an antique Gatling-gun to throwing rocks at targets.  The contestants must be masters of all sorts of firearms and able to compete physically in challenges as well.  It tests one's overall fitness and ability to adapt to unique shooting situations.

I think what draws me to this show, more than anything else, is it looks like something I'd like to take part in.  The main focus of the show is target shooting and some of the competition events have seemed really fun.  It's almost like playing a video game in real life. Having only ever shot a gun at overnight camp when in 7th grade, I'd clearly fail at basically every challenge on the show - but I'd sure love to give it a "shot."

This is the third season of the show, and while I haven't watched the first two, at some point I think I may go back and check them out.  More than anything else, it's nice to see a reality show about actual skill and not getting drunk and partying. 

A very interesting show and I'd recommend it.  Airs on Tuesday nights on the History Channel.

Until the next episode...
Chris

New Season Of TV

So, the fall season of TV kicked off in full steam this week, which is both a good and a bad thing - good because I want to know what happens in a few cliffhanger shows and bad because I'll be watching far too much TV daily now. But I digress. The reason for this post is the plethora of TV shows which have begun before this week, are beginning this week, or are yet to come. 

First, we begin with shows that have been running for a couple weeks now.  At the top of that list: Breaking Bad.  If you don't watch this show, well, you really should.  The acting involved in it is top notch, the story lines are captivating, and the seasons never get dull.  In fact, though this is the 4th season, I don't think there's been an episode yet that I have thought was even remotely boring.  That is not the case with all AMC shows - no matter how good - (ahem, MadMen).  And in the past few episodes, Gus' character has really come to life.  He is showing himself to be the mastermind he always clearly was, even though the show had never really delved into it.  Furthermore, he's showing that he has some serious nerves.  I kinda love/hate Gus.

Also currently running - Project Runway.  Interesting season so far.  Pretty tame, collectively for the show.  But there are some interesting characters on it, and as things continue to progress, I really do think they have the true talent still in the running - which is generally not the case with that show.

Weeds.  I consider this the tame Breaking Bad.  If you want a similar storyline, but don't want the intensity of the other show - watch Weeds.  There's a little bit of something for everyone in this show.  For me...Andy is probably the biggest reason to watch it.  He's hilarious, constantly coming up with some sort of hijinx, and some of his one liners are amazing.  Kevin Nealon is great too.  Very funny show. 

On to returning shows for the season.  Show's I'm most excited about: Big Bang Theory, HIMYM, The League, and The Good Wife.   Certainly there are others that I love to watch, but these are shows that I watch immediately whenever they are aired.

As far as I can tell the best days for TV as far as I'm concerned are in this order:  Sunday (Breaking Bad, Good Wife, Downton Abbey); Thursday (Big Bang, The League, Archer, Community, Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist); and Monday (HIMYM, Weeds, 2.5 Men).  Followed somewhat closely by Tuesday (NCIS, NCIS LA, Parenthood, Glee). 

I'm not going to go into much detail on shows already aired this week - so those who TiVo'd their first episodes won't be upset with me.  I'll just say I was happy with the way that HIMYM ended the hour - seems the show may be getting back on the right track.  Also Modern Family had a great opening episode, I thought both NCIS's got off to a decent start, and Archer is irreverent as always.  Oh, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, while totally crossing the line as always, had some of the funniest moments I've seen on TV in a while in their season opener last week. 


NEW SHOWS:

Here are some new shows I've watched so far which you may or may not want to look out for:

New Girl:  This is funny TV.  In the past couple years a lot of sitcoms have come out with male/female friends living in an urban setting that feel very much like some sort of Friends ripoff.  This is not one of them.  Zooey Deschanel is hilarious, the comedy seems fresh and relevant and overall it's very funny.  I'd suggest watching. 

Unforgetable: The first episode was anything but what the title suggested to me.  Maybe it will take shape in a few more, but it seems like it's just another cop show that doesn't have a quirky character like Bones to keep it interesting. 

Up all Night: I wanted to like this more than I did.  Will Arnet is basically playing GOB, which I don't mind at all.  There was just something off.  I will watch a couple more episodes and report back.

Free Agents: I did not like this show.  And it's a shame.  I generally do like Hank Azaria - this was just not the best work I've seen him do.  I won't be tuning in again. 

I'm sure there are plenty of shows that I'm forgetting right now, but I'll no doubt get to them later.  This should give you a healthy idea of what is new this season and what to look out for in the coming weeks.  For now, all my sights are set on the Big Bang premiere happening tonight - there's a reason Jim Parsons keeps winning that little Emmy award...

Until the next episode...
Chris

Ringer

Ringer.  Yesterday night, the CW premiered a new show called Ringer starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.  The premise of the show is that there are two twin sisters - one poor and one rich - who have led very separate lives while growing up.  The poor one has made some obviously bad choices and they have lead her to a serious low point in her life (testifying against a known killer).  The rich one married "well" and lives in the upperclass society of NYC - a "perfect" life.  They are not close and clearly do not share much about their lives with each other.

Just before she is to testify, the poor one, Bridget, shakes her FBI protection to go and visit her sister, Siobhan (I totally love the spelling and pronunciation of this name, just a side note).  They go to her summer house - ridiculously adorned and huge - and decide to take a sisterly ride out in a boat on the lake near the house.  On the boat ride it is clear that Siobhan drugs Bridget and the latter wakes up to find her sister gone, her diamond ring on the boat and a piece of her clothing (I think) floating in the water.  Thinking her sister has drowned, Bridget jumps in the water to try to see if she can save her to no avail.  Siobhan is gone - Bridget believes she has committed suicide.  However, instead of telling anyone about this (and thereby ending the episode and series) she takes the place of her wealthy sister and becomes Siobhan - thus begins our tale. 

Back in NYC, though certain things about her are slightly different (weight, preference in housing, and just overall lack of knowledge of things going on in her sister's life) people accept Bridget as Siobhan.  As time continues, it becomes clearer to her that things are not what they seem.  That though her wealthy sister's life may have seemed perfect on the outside, it was full of secrets and sadness when examined up close.

Do I like this show?  I found it entertaining.  Some of the acting was less than stellar and some was very good - but that's almost always to be expected from shows on the CW.  What really struck me was how similar I found the show to Gossip Girl (also on the CW).  Sure, no one is in high school (except Siobhan's step daughter), but the general feeling of that slimy extremely wealthy life on the UES came pouring through.  The deceit felt very familiar, as did the sense of mystery over just what drama will be revealed next.

I found the story slightly incredulous, but most TV is like that anyway, and I am interested enough to watch a few more episodes to see how this pans out.  If you like Sarah Michelle Gellar or Gossip Girl, I'd say this would definitely be up your alley.  If you just like twisted mysteries that unfold over a season - this may also be for you.  And if you, like me, are just addicted to everything that comes through that little box resting on your TV cabinet, then you probably already saw the show and will be watching whether you like it or not. 

Until the next episode...
Chris

I'm Baaaaacccckkkk!

That's right - I am back in Germany, and after wrestling with the idea of whether or not to post on this blog again - I'm back.  It's been a long and busy summer, and is looking to a busy fall as well, so posts will be less frequent would be my guess, but we'll see.

However, there has been a lot of TV that has aired since I last posted, and though I won't comment on all of it now - here are a few shows to certainly see some blog-time in the near future: Suits, Weeds, Breaking Bad, Bones, Top Shot, Friends with Benefits and the ever-popular: Bachelor Pad 2. 

"Bachelor Pad 2?" you may be thinking?  Ok, I'll toss this one in this opening post as a freebie.  Back when I was in Australia I had no TV.  In fact, only one person I knew had a TV - my friend Josh.  I rarely would see any tv programs and basically read a lot and went to the beach a lot.  BUT, once a week we would all gather at Josh's to sit around a tv and watch this horrible show called "Paradise Hotel."  It was a trashy reality show that took place at a hotel which was basically paradise - go figure.  Anyway, we watched it every week and for some odd reason watching Bachelor Pad 2  takes me back to the days of cheering for Keith to win.  Except on this reality show, I'm just hoping that Kasey falls and hits his head...cause that guy sucks.

So anyway, stay tuned for the return of the tv blog.

Until the next show!
Chris

So if you were thinking of outrunning them on a horse...I would try a cheetah.

The Office.  It was Michael's last episode.  The end of an era, really.  How will the show fare without Steve Carrel in the driver's seat?  Time will only tell, I suppose. 

It was a sad episode.  Michael spent the time alloyed in his last day saying goodbye to everyone in the office in his own way.  He was a man who could be so awkward at times - and that was not lost in this episode.  His awkward goodbyes with Phyllis, Ryan and Toby were great.  His gift to Oscar - hilarious. 

But at the same time, Michael always had the biggest heart around the office - and this was also present in his final episode.  The scenes with Dwight were especially pleasing.  Their friendship throughout the years, though at times one sided was shown as the true friendship it always was.   It always seemed that Michael took Dwight for granted, but in the end -it turns out- they both appreciated and needed each other. 

And the scenes with Jim and Pam - especially the last two.  Of course it would be Jim who figures out Michael's plan at the end.  Again, in a situation where we always felt one party was more attached than another it turns out that both Jim and Pam need and love Michael as much as he does in return.  In the end, they were all one big happy family.  And it won't be the same going forward.

I don't know what the office is going to be like without Michael Scott.  If the final scene of this episode was any indication, I probably won't be tuning in very often.  The problem with Ferrell's character is that it is too one sided.  Michael had the boss side, he had the psychotic side, he had the awkward side, but he always had the side that made you love him too.  Thus far, Ferrell misses that.  Will they end up giving it to him or whoever ends up being the new Michael Scott?  I certainly hope so, or I doubt the show will have much of a place on NBC in the future.

Coming up this week, I think I'll go through some of the best Michael Scott moments.  A good way to remember such a funny and lovable character.  

Until the next episode...
Chris


TWSS

Celeb Doppelganger 2

Lately I have been watching a lot of Bones...and it has lead me to believe that David Boreanaz looks an awful lot like one-time boyband member Nick Lachey. Anyone else agree?  Plus, they both have had marital problems...so they've got that going for them...which is nice...


Until the next episode...
Chris

Guilty Pleasure Shows

The Real World. One of my biggest "guilty pleasures" on TV is the genre of reality TV shows. Over the years I have watched a myriad of shows that can fit under this descriptor, including: Top Chef, Project Runway, Next Food Network Star, Jersey Shore, Fear Factor and - of course - The Real World. I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about that last show that draws me in when I watch it.

The history of The Real World is an interesting one. In 1992 MTV set out to produce a scripted TV show, very similar in form to a soap opera. But after realizing they didn't have the budget to continue with the project - they decided that cutting actor and writer fees (among other things) would work with their funding. They also figured that putting 8 interesting people in a house together would create enough drama in itself - easily as much as a scripted program. And, as they say, the rest is history. In the first few seasons of the show - it really hit on some difficult issues, no more compelling than that of the cast member on the third season who had AIDS. In those early days, the show was actually full of substance, bringing important issues to light, and allowing real people to talk about them in front of millions of others.

Sadly, in the past years, the show has degenerated into an excuse to put 7-8 people together in a house to drink, pass out and hook up. Not always in that order. In the most recent season, airing now, there are 7 young people living in the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. One (Adam) has already been kicked off the show for getting so drunk he broke just about everything in the suite, and also was breaking things in the hotel's clubs which the cast members frequent. He had been warned once, and instead of responding like a normal person ("I'm sorry, this won't happen again), he told the other cast members that he couldn't promise it wouldn't happen again and continued to act exactly the same.  He seems like a real winner...as you can see from the following video:



Furthermore, this past week, a new cast member joined them to replace the recently kicked off Adam. Instead of welcoming her in a friendly way, the females on the show decided she was ruining their status-quo and proceeded to attack her verbally (I'm rather surprised it did not come to fisticuffs - yes you heard me, fisticuffs). It was quite atrocious to watch.

Most of this season has been that way - really difficult to watch. And yet...I do. I watch every week. I even get excited to watch. Why? Maybe I live vicariously through their "free" and young lives. Maybe I find it interesting to observe people with such different value-systems than I adhere to.  Maybe I just find it fun to watch people screw up their lives on national TV.  Whatever the reason may be, I tune in every week and will probably continue to do so. 

And there we have it, the first of my "guilty pleasure shows."  I'm sure there will be more.

Until the next episode...
Chris