I SAW IT ON TV: Generation Kill SHOCKS N AWES!

The latest HBO TV masterpiece, GENERATION KILL, the love child from the creator's of the networks critically lauded THE WIRE, and the ROLLING STONE writer's articles and book based around being an embedded Iraqi war journalist, is about to reach it's 7 episode mini series conclusion Sunday night. To say the show has been entertaining on many levels simply scratches the surface, but certainly, Generation Kill is a huge accomplishment, even for a network as rich in breakout success as HBO. Generation Kill is quite simply, amazing.

Even as we pass five year's since the invasion of Iraq, and the much maligned "mission accomplished" charade, very little in entertainment (or even straight up news) focusing on the war has found a resonance with our society. Many are frustrated, and increasingly fed up with the war and subsequent occupation, but there's generally not much Iraq war fair that has resonated in pop culture, pro con or otherwise. And while Generation Kill doesn't seem to have captured the buzz other recent HBO sensations like Entourage, or even The Flight of the Concords have, it's certainly on par in terms of production brilliance, with any effort the network has put together, Sopranos to Sex and the City.

A seven part series, each episode clocking in at over an hour apiece, Generation Kill is the true story of the Marines of First Recon Battalion and their journey into Iraq during the first 40 days of the war. It is massive in scale, and truly puts you riding along with the Marines, dozens of them, all captured with skill by a sharply chosen cast, and production values that have you question how, just how the fuck are they able to pull this shit off?!? From base camp, to moving out in country, and all the skirmishes and engagements that follow, across Iraq countryside and towns. The vehicles, the weapons, the settings, it's all of a scale and realism, that never has you question it's validity, but only how they're able to pull it off. It's visceral, it's engrossing, and it's damn funny!

The cast here are awesome, from the inept leadership, to the brilliant Sargents, and the myriad grunts we come to know, along with their colorful leader "Godfather" (named such since, a victim of throat cancer, he gives out the companies orders in whispered voice a la Brando), they all shine in their roles. Of course the credibility, heart, and truth to the effort all hang on the notes Rolling Stone's Evan Wright, a character in the series himself, took as an embedded journalist for the magazine, and subsequent book. Sure GK has all the hallmarks of the best military films, but it has another level of connection being utterly based in reality. These are real people, brought to life by those who were there (two of the people featured from First Recon were also brought in to help craft the show, and a third stars as himself), going through the utterly maddening paces that troops on the ground had to deal with, botched orders, improper gear, officers ego's and ambitions, all much more deadly than the ill prepared Iraqi resistance.

We all know how the war turned out, we all know Saddam's forces didn't put up any epic resistance, and we've all heard stories of the efforts, but we've never seen them, or any war, brought to life in such stunning and shocking detail. Generation Kill is unbiased, unflinching, and utterly genius. One can't help but come away with sheer respect for the soldiers that put their lives on the line here, and in the service of their country, when all they ultimately can trust in, is each other. Because the President, the country, or even your superiors may not be in your corner, but you've got a job to do, and a war to survive. It's amazing that journalists would throw in to this equation, and it's incredible that such a great work of art could be made from it!

Give Generation Kill a look if you haven't, either while it's still playing on HBO, or once the inevitable DVD hits, just be sure and...
GET SOME!

PERSONAL SKETCH CARDS - Star Wars The Clone Wars on eBay

Haven't seen STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS yet, but got the bug to do some quick sketch cards yesterday...
They're up on eBay now (well most of them are still there).
I've got a cool fan art that I've been meaning to do, roughed out, but haven't found the time, maybe after I see the movie...

I wish it could be as cool as most of the Genndy Clone Wars cartoons, but it likely won't. I've tried to avoid reviews, so we'll see. Can't wait regardless!

I SAW IT ON TV: Battlestar Galactica season 4.1 finale

Well,

Another epic show's mid/season finale is in the books...

Season 4 of Battlestar this time

AHOY MATEYS, THAR BE SPOILERS AHEAD !!!!


Did it live up to the hype?!
Who cares!!!

It was damn good, but no, my mind wasn't blown...

I was however quite shocked that we got to Earth at the mid-season mark though, that was nice. I thought we'd only get a fleeting glimpse of it in the finale, or you know a short lived time there.
Then of course, there's the twist, but not that big of one, when you're expecting one, or not expecting, but knowing there's one, cuz it's mid f'ing season ;)

Sooo, the ep, it was grand.

Lots of big moments, and pay off of the series, and the secret 4 cyclons especially...

But, is it me, or were they playing up that moment on the bridge between Gaeta and Dee?
Please, please tell me they're not putting them together!!!
She's soooo not on his level, and man, there's no character on the show I like less that Gaeta!!
From his increasingly greasy hair, to his lying on trial, and his annoying ass singing whilst losing his damn bitch ass leg!

Anyway, I thought Lee Adama's comment about children not reaching full potential til their parents are dead, was VERY telling.
Prop up ol Will Adama's tombstone right next to Rosalyn's (on Earth) in the finale!!!

The scene with Ad Adama an Saul was huge...
"I'm looking for options" Adama says...
Well, Saul's got one ;)

Then OMFG!!!
Anders (an Chief) exposed to Kara, point blank...
Was dying to see that play out, and I thought it was cool how she didn't go the standard Starbuck route and go bare knuckle, but got her s together and used it for what it was (that tricky viper, is it the 5th cylon? ...no that's the final revelation... hmmm).

But man, just how far did Kara have to run to spill the beans on that?!?
Ya know, to stop things at the last possible second... ;)
Did you really think they'd jettison Ty?!?

And I really liked Lee as the Pres, putting him at the center of things, just like Apallo on old school BSG... but ya know, in a different role :)

So, yeah.
Good good stuff.

But what's with this nebulous "COMING SOON" for season 4.2?!?
Is it really gonna be 2009!!!??
NoooooooOOOOOOooooOOOOOoooOoO!!!!!!!!

I SAW IT ON TV: MMA v MTV

Couple cool big broadcasts last weekend...

First was the all new CBS SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS: EliteXC MMA.
MMA's been around a long time, lurking on odd cable networks, but recently has been getting more mainstream, with stars like Chuck Liddell getting featured on Entourage an the like.
Now, any time I've caught MMA on TV, it never lives up to the "mixed" billing, more often than not, featuring two dudes grappling on the mat, and not much kicking, or boxing, or anything else exciting.
But when I heard internet street fighting sensation Kimbo Slice, and American Gladiator Gina Carano (Crush) were on the card lineup, I thought, what the hell, I'll check this out on DVR.

And the first couple smaller matchups (they showed 5) were quick TKO's that didn't showcase much action, but what action they did, was more upright and exciting.

However, the next match was the womens matchup, and it was too cool to see Crush from American Gladiators take on an up and coming scraper. Could she really fight? Was it all staged? Would we get to see some good action?
Well, it turned out to be another great fight, and Gina could in fact, kick ass!
Though this one was stopped early, but her opponent, Young, was on the verge of getting her face caved in...
Wow!

Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young - Elite XC Showtime
by moltisanti87

Then the fourth match, the middleweight title bout between Smith/Lawler, featured two 6' guys, just under 200 pounds. An interesting weight/size for middleweight, and the in show hype promised two exciting brawlers going head to head, and the bout lived up to it.
It was really exciting, and mostly upright punching, something I'd rarely seen in MMA (to me, all the other stuff is cool, but not a cool as quality boxing in terms of explosiveness, so at least mixing some of that in is good to see).
Ultimately, it ended prematurely in the 3rd round, after some epic swings in momentum, on an errant finger to the eye...

Then, unfortunately the main event was cut off by my DVR, as the show apparently ran 45 minutes over it's programmed 2 hours...
I was, to say it mildly, po'd.

Turns out the Kimbo/Thompson matchup was also controversially stopped early, with Kimbo getting taken to the matt and nearly ended, and then coming out striking early in the third, exploding a giant cauliflower ear on Thompson and getting ready to blow him up... (I caught it later online)

Kevin Ferguson vs. James Thompson - Elite XC Showtime
by moltisanti87

Was the show a success?
Well, it had many shortcomings, the woeful XFL style cheerleaders, Gina not making weight, and questionable ends to all the main events, but it did more for MMA for me than anything else to this point. I saw some truly intriguing matchups and fights, with plenty of good action, and not an overabundance of ground action.
Also, the ringside talent was decent, with a nice MMA basics up front that helped.

I understand EliteXC is a bit of the minor league of MMA, but if they can build on what they started here with CBS, it's all good.
Nothing saying an upstart can't shake things up for MMA and capture a larger audience. Not to mention the buzz around this show is more than any other MMA event I've ever seen.
I know I'm eager to see more!


Then on Sunday, it was time for the MTV MOVIE AWARDS...
No one much cares about their actual awards, and the musical performers aren't usually too intriguing (it's MTV being all about the pre-teen audience after all), but the Movie Awards remains one of the only MTV productions that still plays to a wide audience with cutting edge entertainment (their music awards, once an annual staple of exciting programming have grown pointless) that doesn't dissapoint.
This year, hosted by Mike Myers, they kept the streak going.
It was a fun, often hilarious, show from start to finish, which was all enhanced by actually being broadcast live!
Good stuff.
Check out some of the better moments from the show, including the "viral video promo" for Tropic Thunder, and Seth Rogan and James Franco's (uncensored) blazing presentation:

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

I SAW IT ON TV: Lost 4.end

If you're as big a Lost fan as me, then last night was a big one.
The show is top notch all around, but they really go all out with each season finale, from blowing the lids of mysterious hatches, to giant 4 toed statue foot remnants, to mind bending flash forwards... the finales pack a wallop.

So how about season 4, last nights wrap up?

While not as crazy as season 2 or 3, it is a slow burner, stacked with plenty, and plenty, of tasty morsels.

I won't go into all of it, but man, I'm still in love with this show, and can't wait (8 months) for more!

If you follow the show and haven't checked it out yet EW.com's Doc Jensen is an indispensable source of scholarly Lost knowledge, check out season 4's finale wrap up HERE

I SAW IT ON TV: at least, what my DVR recorded of it...

Missed the ending of the American Idol finale...
Yes, I watch the show, and yes I saw the finale, but for the second straight year, we missed the very end, as for some reason FOX can't seem to put the correct run time in the programing.

Had I remembered before the show, like I did as it was winding down, that we'd likely miss the end (recording stopping prematurely) I could've corrected the record time and caught it all.
At least it doesn't cut out before the reveal.

I'm somewhat surprised, believing the votes had to be for that other munchkin David.
How cool, and a good show too, loved the Tropic Thunder guys (Stiller, Black, and Downey JR) as Pips, and it was good to see George Michael get it together (guess I'm a sucker for troubled artists)!

Oh yeah, and I Am Your Brother, together forever! (Love that guy!)

Now, isn't Indiana Jones about to start...

I SAW IT ON TV: summer roundup

Things have been so busy lately, I haven't had time to blog...
So, I'll try and touch on everything outside the realm of Super Real in the coming weekends (the upcoming weeks are reserved for behind-the-scenes material on the upcoming book)!

First up, here's some of the TV we've been watching this summer...

FLASH GORDON - SCIFI

Now three episodes in, this SCI-FI series is a decidedly vanilla, low budget affair.
The magic of the campy, fairly adult but goofy 80's movie romp that made me a Flash fan is barely found in the TV show. Nor the pure sci-fi action I vaguely recall from the cartoon series of the same era.

This new series settles into an Earth based drama, where "Flash" must try and continuously find portals to Mongo to eventually rescue his long lost father. Cue episodes of things coming to Earth one at a time and wreaking low grade havoc that's wrapped up by show end, and repeat. With questionable casting (most notably Ming and anything that passes for a villain) and horrible sets and costumes.

Yet somehow, I still find it mildly entertaining, certainly more for what it could be than what it is.
MILDLY RECOMMENDED

THE HENRY ROLLINS SHOW - IFC

Take one aging punk rock icon, apply his ever honest approach to all things real in life, and give him a show where he shares his views, sits down with an interesting and often iconic guest, and then showcases incredible musical acts you've either never heard of, or that no one else has.

Makes for a great counter culture show, that's so real and honest, you wish everything had the same spirit and craft.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS - HBO

Almost set to wrap up it's first season, Concords is the most original and fresh show on TV since Curb Your Enthusiasm, or any other HBO standout. Bret and Jemaine are two Kiwi's (New Zealenders) struggling to make it as a band in NYC. It's a half hour comedy with zany characters and deadpan humor, mixed with musical comedy. Yes, musical comedy skits. The boys break out into song according to the direction of any given episode, aping a style that suits it. Which makes for some often hilarious, and wholly original viewing.

The first couple episodes are gold, then you catch the formula, and the repetitive jokes, and the next couple episodes are a bit flat, but from there they get better and better. It's one of the best things on TV!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI - HBO

Deadwood ended abruptly, and it's creator, David Milch, moved on with this surf-centric San Diego tale, that replaces an old west town and it's grimy cast, with a seedy SD burg and a dysfunctional family and their neighbors. It's often forced, Milch's trademark dialogue is far better suited for an old west saloon, then modern society, at least when everyone is given to spout the trademark cursing flourishes. Some of the actors, actual surfers, can be downright bad, and the whole things a bit out there, but darn if it wasn't mostly fun. (Not to mention, half of the huge ensemble cast were from Deadwood too.)

Too bad it won't be back for season two.

RECOMMENDED

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Star Wars turned 30 a week ago...

I was on the road for the big Memorial Day camp outing (where I obtained a copious dosage of poison oak I'm just now starting to recover from) when the big Star Wars 30th anniversary came about. Not that I needed to do anything to celebrate it, there'll be plenty more anniversaries...

I did catch the History Channel's Legacy Revealed special on Memorial Day though (which was advertised in comics btw), and that was pretty cool. It really examines the story and it's elements and where the themes and ideas came from, which was interesting to see the saga broken down like that.

And although there are no more movies to come from Lucas (insert joke/zinger here), there are TV shows in production, the first of which is the CG animated CLONE WARS, which looks to be a more serious take on the incredibly awesome Genndy Tartakovsky animated shorts (the best Star Wars since the original trilogy IMHO). You can check out the just released preview at the Star Wars website HERE

I'm down with the animated style here, but I know it'll turn off others, too bad for them. I really liked the one scene with the Jedi (Anakin?) hopping from one flying bot to the next... need to see it in full screen though.

I'm all for the TV shows and other media extensions of the property. I remember back in the early 80's when they created a Star Wars radio show, and I got all worked up about it, but it ran during the middle of the day. Well my parents were kind enough to let me out of school the first day (because I was in such a fever over it), and I camped out by the AM radio waiting for the show, only to be woefully disappointed. It was either incredibly short, or didn't have any real content that day (or both). Oh well. I'm sure the TV shows will be much better :)

I SAW IT ON TV: Lost finale

While I was away, fall TV wrapped up.

Idol was anti-climatic (Blake didn't wanna/need ta win), but you can't deny the power the show now has in the fading music industry.

Survivor was perhaps the best season since Pearl Islands and Rupert (or even longer), with many twists, shocking developments, and the ever prevalent wrinkles the producers throw out actually made for some great results again and again. (Plus I was pulling for Earl)

Heroes, haven't watched the last two episodes yet, so the jury's still out on that...
but I'll tell you now, I dug on Lost a lot more than Heroes after both came back from their respective breaks.

The Lost finale was great on so many levels and really paid off the whole third season in big ways, while also setting up a new formula to not only spin things around for the final 3 (shortened seasons), but hopefully do away with the dreaded, redundant flashback sequences!
So much action - the others beat-downs, big character moments - Hurly saving the day, cool settings - the undersea station, and the twist ending - bearded drugged-out future Jack.
For those that tuned out this season, you're missing out!

You can check out EW's comprehensive coverage of the show, including wrap ups and speculations, HERE

I SAW IT ON TV: Lost no more

Despite views to the contrary, and waning interest, I think Lost is beginning to hit on all cylinders again.
Sure they've stretched things out, and had some really weak moments, but as we swing towards season finale time, the show is getting much better.
Last nights episode was a great one, thanks I'm sure to the writing debuts of one Brian K Vaughan, so, if you're still getting your Lost on, you must check out the Entertainment Weekly episode wrap-ups. They're filled with much more than a play-by-play of the episodes, and delve into the subtext of one of the densest shows on TV, highlighting all the little elements that tell what ultimately is going on, and build what potentially may come.
They're very smart, and a great addition to the experience of following the show.

Check out the latest wrap up HERE

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Cool stuff!

First up, there's a new Grindhouse trailer HERE
Next, there're 2 new NIN songs HERE
Yes, Nine Inch Nails are on MySpace, and they're pimping the new album, YEAR ZERO, due in April!

An intersting animated webisode thing called AFTERWORLD is HERE or HERE
Story of all tech suddenly going dead, along with 90% of the worlds population...

And a possible peek at Yoda from the STAR WARS CLONE WARS 3D CG TV show...

I SAW IT ON TV: Rundown

Haven't posted about TV in a while, so here's a rundown of recent viewing...

Let's start with network TV...

HEROES continues to be one of the better shows on TV. It's not perfect, and some episodes and plots can be worse than others, but it's a great watch, and good TV viewing.

Last night we got to finally see the powered serial killer Sylar, and it turns out he's Tory's gay friend from So Notorious!! Woo hoo. Otherwise, we got the cool backstories on all our cast, in what could have easily felt forced, or lame, but was done well. Memo to the Heroes writing staff, don't follow the Lost formula and go back to the flashback well repeatedly, that would suck.

Some of last night's developments really bother me as they're very similar to some of the things I'm working towards with Super Real, but what can you do...

AMAZING RACE is great reality television. Although this is only my second season watching, as we reach the final four, I find myself again more engaged with the show just as things ramp up, in addition to thoroughly enjoying the full throttle trek around the globe...

SURVIVOR continues to add enough new variables to keep things entertaining. And though I've wondered if casting is lacking, I'm not sure it isn't just the fact we've been there done this so many times...

JERICHO has survived to become a regular show for me, unlike The Nine (yuck), or Studio 60 (boring). While it's far from perfect, at times its sappy, goofy, or downright dopey, its got a great concept and storyline. Not everything can achieve the quality of the better HBO programs (especially on network television), but Jericho has enough going for it to be a fun watch. Like any decent serialized show, you want to see where it's going.
Fit this one into your viewing if you've got the time.

LOST may have finished it's "fall season", but I'm anxious for more. I'm glad they broke it up (as many others are also now doing) into two uninterrupted chunks, I can't wait for 16 episodes in a row. As long as we're not left with as many doubts about the show as we are now by season end, and that this thing won't end up going the way of X-Files...

DAY BREAK which replaces Lost during it's hiatus, has been pretty good so far. At least enough to keep me watching. Diggs is a great lead, the supporting cast is solid, and the production is top notch (I love HD shows). We'll see if they can continue to skate the fine line the concept provides, or if they fall down trying...

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is a surprise watch for me. I didn't want to watch it, but heard good things, and I'm very glad I did. Due to the elections a couple weeks back, I missed an episode, so I haven't yet skipped past that and continued on... But this has a great cast (Kyle Chandler is great as the coach/lead), stellar production, and rich storylines. Give this one a shot if you haven't.

And now cable...

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA maintains it's high quality level now in the third season. Even while making bold moves and changes, picking up where season 2 left off, but now restoring things to status quo while also moving things forward considerably. Best show on TV.

MASTERS OF HORROR began it's second season, and while season one was a fun mix of quality horror based/themed offerings, season two seems weaker both in quality, and horror. It's still a fun series, like a twighlight zone, where you never know what you'll get, or where they'll take you.

And finally, Animation...

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES was a new cartoon I talked up a few weeks back, and while I still think it's a great cartoon, recent episodes have focused more on juvenile fun, than superheroic storytelling. This is shaping up to be less engaging for any age than I originally thought, and more just for a younger demographic (a Saturday morning cartoon just for kids, imagine that).

HELLBOY ANIMATED MOVIE: SWORD OF STORMS
This was one of the stronger animated treatments of a comic I've seen. Definitely more mature than Saturday morning fare, but not too mature as to be for adults only, a good mix. The production and animation was superb throughout, and the designs by Sean Galloway were great, very much along the lines of Jeff Matsuda (current Batman Animated). The story also had very imaginative touches for a basic hero's journey setup, with really creative foes for Hellboy to square off against (a hallmark of the comic), yet being completely new for the movie (I believe). The third act was probably the biggest let down of the production though, not that it was bad, but things resolved in a very straightforward and predictable fashion, especially compared to the rest of the outing.
I myself don't really dig the Hellboy franchise, I think it's creative and fun, but I'm not too engaged with the main character or the core concept of the BPRD. That said, I'd recommended this to any fan of animation, comics, or Hellboy. It's a well done, fun, animated film!

I SAW IT ON TV: Legion of Superheroes

I only ever tuned in to the first episode of Justice League, saw a handful of Teen Titans, and missed Justice League Unlimited altogether (but heard plenty of good things about it), I have however caught all of the new Legion of Superheroes cartoon! Probably because I always loved the concept of Legion, and was never a big DC guy, so the notion of all their big guns in JL doesn't amp me up, and the recent Teen Titans cartoon, good as it was, was still aimed at tweens. To me, sci-fi superheroes is about as cool as it gets, I love science fiction, and love super heroes, so concepts that blend the two are perfect. As much as I love the concept, I've never much gotten into the LOSH comics, as DC editorial tastes fly against my own (particularly on this title), I did follow and love the recent Abnett and Lanning run on the title along with the fantastic art of Oliver Coipel (and was sad to see them replaced by the very vanilla, but accomplished stylings of Waid and Kitson).

Here though, the new Legion of Superheroes cartoon continues the superb legacy of DC cartoon adaptations that started in the early 90's with Batman, and though I think the driving creative forces on this new series are different than most any preceding it (I'm not entirely sure), it fits nicely in both style and tone. Classic clean animation, solid storytelling, great characterization, and a familiar house style. Only this time, it's applied to some of the coolest characters in the DC universe, with Superboy (dubbed Superman here for legal purposes) in tow.

Aside from the solid writing and production that's a hallmark of modern DC/Warner Bros. animation, what really stands out in this series is the remarkably choreographed super powered action and fisticuffs. The latest episode, featuring the evil Superman, Drax, highlights the phenomenal combat sequences that truly make the new LOSH a joy to watch for any fan of super powered action. The creators flesh the Legion members and their abilities out, and weave complex, smart, confrontations that show the real scope and impact these super abilities would afford. Coupled with the fantastic character designs and fun concept, it's really a treat to watch!

Check out this series if you haven't, it's good fun.

I SAW IT ON TV: LOST

We're three weeks in on Lost so far, and it's been hit or miss for me, I'm still enjoying the show, but not completely. I thought Locke's flashback was lame, and that whole episode would've been better as a subplot.

For fans of the series, you can check out Attack of the Show's Dhorkma films that summarize episodes, and provide some insight. Although their latest, from last week and episode 2, was light on nuggets of wisdom...

Jimmy Kimmel Live is also doing a series of spoof shorts, placing the incomparable Billy Dee Williams in the show. Check out ol' Lando Cal hangin with the polar bear here:


So, why's Desmond seeing the future? And how did he, Locke and Echo survive the hatch implosion?

I SAW IT ON TV: Tune the frak in!!!

Can't wait till later tonight to catch the new ep of Battlestar Galactica season 3.

For me, the premiere ep was a misstep, good, but too direct in it's mirroring of current events/themes, but they got the 'ol ship steered in the right quadrant last week.

Also, anyone else think something's up with Colonel Tigh's missing eye?
Episode one/two the Cylons claimed they weren't torturing prisoners, and it'd be mighty convenient if ol' Tigh popped that bad boy out himself, to fuel the resistance movement he heads up....

I SAW IT ON TV: New fall shows

Okay, the fall TV season debuts are in full swing, so thought I'd weigh in quickly on what I've seen...

HEROES - NBC: The debut episode was good. I like how they weave different elements coming together, the people with powers, the professor/conspiracy plot thread, the bigger picture purpose. I don't like how it's a hodge podge of X-Men and Rising Stars/Supreme Power. We'll see.
RECOMMENDED

JERICHO - CBS: I love survival situations, zombie, nuclear war, anything that plays with those themes is interesting to me and worth a watch. That said, there was a lot to like here, but quite a bit to be leary of too. The concept and plot were great, most of the cast were good too (Gerald McRaney was great in Deadwood, and I like him from Simon and Simon back in the day, and Ashley Scott I've liked since Birds of Prey), but the script and some of the acting was suspect. As with all of these, and really any new show, the jury is still out. But I look forward to where this is going, and learning more about the mysteries the series sets up... just what has transpired?
SPOILER WARNING - My early guess, some kind of terrorist plot that's set off US nuclear silos. Otherwise, why was there no advance warning regarding the assumed nuclear explosions?
RECOMMENDED

SMITH - CBS: This one boasts an all-star cast, with movie actors in all the roles, but the theme was a heist drama, and we got a lame attempt at that last season on NBC, so I was a bit leary coming in. After watching the debut, I was beyond impressed. I loved the cast and their characters (Simon Baker and his dementedly twisted character stood out, and Lioata in the lead is fabulously reserved as the Tony Soprano of the bunch), the writing, the plotting, everything. I love how there's more to it than just the heist/challenge driving things. Many layers. It's good. Not sure how they can do this on regular basis, network series schedule though. But wow, it was great!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP - NBC: So far it's been fun to watch. The writing's a bit too on the nose at times, but it's a good time. Not sure there's enough there to make a series out of, but I'll keep watching to find out.
RECOMMENDED