Downton Abbey

It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since Masterpiece Theater broadcast Upstairs/Downstairs, the BBC series that followed the wealthy Bellamy family and their servants.  Well, this month a similar series is back on Sunday evenings - Downton Abbey - but this time it is the Earl of Grantham and his family.  The new series was created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, who also gave us Gosford Park.  Told in 1.5 hour episodes over four consecutive Sundays, I have thoroughly enjoyed the show to date.  The family in this story needs to deal with one large issue, the future of the family's wealth, as well as many small issues, including the role of women in the ever-changing society just prior to World War I.

One of the more interesting aspect of the show is the dedication to Downton Abbey itself.  You get the impression that the Earl is just as much a servant of the house as anyone else.  All of this is peculiarly British and fascinating to observe (in a time of housing problems of our own Stateside).

The original Upstairs/Downstairs program lasted for five seasons in the 1970s, and given the quality of this current production it would be nice to see a similar run for Downton Abbey.  The acting and setting is superb, as one comes to expect from the BBC.  I have already read that series will have a second season.  If you missed the first episodes, you can catch up on iTunes.

Update:  On April 10, a three-part sequel to the original Upstairs/Downstairs can be viewed on PBS' Masterpiece.  It includes Jean Marsh reprising the role of Rose Buck, who is helping the new owners of 165 Easton Place find the right mix of servants.  The setting is just before World War II and should offer some interesting insights into the period.  More episodes are expected to follow next year.

Fringe Remains Fantastic

The Friday night return of Fox's Fringe (season three continued on January 21) came back with a bang.  We learned more about the problem with traveling between universes, and actor Christopher Lloyd was on hand to help explain these consequences.  This show gets better with each episode (and each repeat viewing).  In addition to the weekly mysteries, the very back story is mind-boggling as we need to remember that two alternate universes are battling for their very survival.  SyFy's Blastr had a recent story on 83 differences between these two universes that reminded me how the series treats every detail with a level of attention that is hard to find on television these days.  For instance, here are some interesting differences between the two worlds:

-- Airships are commonplace over NYC by 1985 and through 2010, and the Empire State Building continued the use of observation deck as docking platform, as originally intended.  The show does a great job portraying this alternate version of NYC.

-- The White House and the Pentagon were destroyed in the Sept. 11 attacks. The White House was built with a glass dome in 2009, and the Pentagon was being rebuilt by 2010. In fact, in the series a polished bronze version of the Statue of Liberty serves as the new headquarters for the Department of Defense.

-- The American Flag has only 48 stars, not 50, designating that the geography of the United States is different.  We just don't know exactly what is missing, but we learn

• Texas is two states (North and South Texas), 
• Kansas and Oklahoma are a combined state (Midland). 
• North and South Carolina are a single state (Carolina).
• North and South Dakota are a single state (Dakota).
• Washington is known as Southern British Columbia.
• Michigan is two states, Michigan and Upper Peninsula.
• Virginia and West Virginia are not states, but are called the District of Virginia. 
• Louisiana is not a state, but a territory. 
• Nevada is not a state--in its place is Independent Nevada.
• The U.S. border seemed to extend into our Canada.

This is intelligent television and, luckily, the move to Friday night did not hurt the ratings.  I hope Fringe will be around for some time.

Update:  Fortunately, Fringe will be around for at least another season.   Entertainment Weekly had a good piece on the renewal and the uniqueness of the program: 

We each like Fringe for different reasons. You might be invested in the Peter-Olivia relationship, while others are happy just to tune in and see how eccentrically amusing Walter is going to be this week. Some fans want their Fringe more hardcore sci-fi, and to place it in the context of the history of speculative fiction, both literary and pop-culturally. (There are, for sure, papers to be written about Fringe as the inverse of the Robert Heinlein approach to sci-fi, or the layering of its Philip K. Dick/Samuel R. Delany/Cyberpunk synthesis.)

Why the Remakes When the Originals were Excellent?

I am not sure why SyFy found it was necessary to remake the BBC's fine series Being Human (see my earlier comments) about a ghost, vampire, and werewolf sharing a house.  The British version has fine acting, good story lines, and plenty of twists to keep you coming back for more.  The underlying theme of a vampire take-over of the world is both scary and fascinating (though we saw how this ended in the movie Daybreakers).  But I guess that was not good enough for SyFy, so tomorrow night the network is reintroducing Being Human as an American series set in Boston (really Canada) rather than Bristol, England.  Having seen other failures at Hollywood remakes, I am skeptical that this will work.  And why does SyFy need 13 episodes versus the BBC's first season of 6 episodes?  This will mean stretching the current story over twice as many nights, which I am hoping does not mean (1) poorly written back story or (2) diluted action.  I will get back to you on this.

And don't get me started on tomorrow night's MTV Skins, another remake of a BBC show.  This one follows the antics of a wild group of teenagers.

What is going on?  Do we have problems with the King's English?  And we have so many stories to tell in America about America (not to say we need to navel gaze, but we are crossing the seas to repeat shows rather than mine our own rich history), but first we need some good writers and, more importantly, big thinkers.  I believe HBO is one of the big thinkers with period pieces such as Deadwood and Boardwalk Empire.  And let's not forget Showtime's John Adams, a perfect mini-series covering a much forgotten period of American history.  If only such thinking was a bit more contagious.

Update:  I am surprised that I actually enjoyed the first episode of SyFy's Being Human.  While the acting and writing is fine, I was not a dark and unsettling as the BBC version.  This may simply be due to the non-American setting.  However, the actors portray characters that are just as lively and neurotic as the BBC version.  And the Boston setting works.  I would actually consider watching more if it wasn't for the fact that BBC is starting to broadcasting season three (beginning January 23 in Great Britain, though it will take some time for it to cross the Atlantic) and I would rather follow the original series for now.  I thought this review had some good insights on the show.  I may revisit the show at some point in the future.

New Show: The Cape

We are starting off 2011 with a new superhero, as if we were looking for one.  Even so, the early information on NBC's new show The Cape is encouraging.  Gone are the vampires of yore (last year), and back are the vigilantes in tights (or at least leather).  Everything I read indicates we are looking at the return of a humanoid Batman rather than an off-world Superman. Here is the official storyline from NBC:

An honest cop on a corrupt police force is framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. Forced into hiding and desperate to reunite with his wife and son, he recreates himself as a caped hero, determined to bring justice back to the city he loves. 

Sounds a lot like a zillion earlier movies, so the secret will be in the story development and most importantly the acting.  As far as stories go, I dropped NBC's Heroes after its first season due to the overly complex stories lines, endless flashbacks, and unlikeable characters (though I tended to like them the first season until they shifted).  It seems The Cape will be a little more grounded.  And the acting I have seen to date looks fair enough to keep the viewers coming back.  Here is the trailer for the show.  I just hope it follows the Christopher Nolan versions of Batman rather than the fun yet thin Tim Burton versions.  Maybe America needs a real superhero, for now.

Update:  Well, that was one horrible show and I cannot believe it will last for too long.  And this is after one episode.  I mentioned Christopher Nolan's Batman series in my earlier comments, but who knew The Cape would be a cheap knock-off?  The introduction of The Cape to the "bad guys" was identical to Batman Begins, where a mysterious, darkly-clad, caped  figure slowly picks off thugs packing illegal goods among various shipment containers.  Even the scenes of the caped crusader talking to a young boy among the building fire escapes was reminiscent of Batman Begins.  Was this really necessary, or did the writers simply miss the first Batman movie to revive the series?  And the silly flashbacks to figures we saw only 10 minutes earlier was insulting to any intelligent viewer.  By the way, what city was this supposed to be?  I saw the Chicago skyline from the air and palm trees at the street level.  Finally, the makers of the pilot could not even ensure The Cape could hold onto his cape through the first two hours.  If this was supposed to be cute it did not work.  The pilot was an absolute mess and embarrassing to watch.  And if you think it is just me, here are a few other reviews:

Hollywood Chicago:  The first two hours of “The Cape” feel like a program on borrowed time and it’s almost as if the writers and cast knew it. There’s desperation in nearly every scene and line of dialogue trying to sell you the importance of this story of the hero this dark world truly needs. I’ve been wrong before, but if “The Cape” doesn’t go the way of other pedestrian NBC genre efforts like “Knight Rider” and “Bionic Woman” then there must truly be some superheroes working at NBC because they know something I don’t know.

Hollywood Reporter:  If it’s not Batman -- though it sure gives off the Batman vibe without any of the interesting parts – then what exactly is The Cape? It’s another misstep by NBC, for starters. But more importantly it’s a series that looks like a whole bunch of cooks decided to build the most creatively awesome and different kitchen imaginable, forgetting for a moment that none of them can really cook. 

Second Update:  Time to hang up the cape (if you haven't lost it again), for the show has been cancelled.  UGO Entertainment pointed out that NBC was quick to jump ship, first cutting the season from 13 episodes to 10 episodes, and they showing the tenth episode online only.  Talk about running for the life boats!

A Pretty Good Year in Television

I cannot say I like year-end lists, yet I would like to highlight a few shows that demonstrated to me at least that television is alive and well.  Here are some of the new shows of 2010 that I believe are worthy of mention (and watching) in no particular order: 

-- Caprica - This Syfy series sets up the framework for the fine series Battlestar Galactic.  It has been a terrific series of story lines with fine acting from stars such as Eric Stoltz, Paula Malcomson, Esai Morales, and others.  It is worth watching just to see the virtual world created by the young people in the Caprican society, a very real and scary portrayal of how this such a technology may be used in the future by our own young people.  The final episodes of season one will be shown next year starting on January 4.  Sadly, the show is not expected to see a second season.  You can follow the future of the show at The Caprica Times.

--  Justified - Visit my past comments on this FX show.  Season two starts February 9.

-- How to Make it in America - Visit my past comments on this HBO program.  Season two is scheduled to start sometime next summer.

-- Louie C.K. - Visit my past comments here and here on this FX show.  It has been renewed for a second season to be shown sometime next summer.

-- Terriers - Visit my past comments here and here on this FX show.  Unfortunately, FX decided to kill the show, so one season is all we get.  The network executive who canceled the show had this to say: "I don't know if subtlety is something the American public is buying in droves." He added, "When I look at 'Jersey Shore' and the Kardashians and 'Sons of Anarchy' and 'Walking Dead'... I wouldn't say that subtlety and nuance describes the most successful kind of pop content in America today."

-- Rubicon - View my past comments on this AMC show.  The network has officially announced that a second season will not be produced.

-- Raising Hope - View my past comments on this Fox show.  This is the only major network program I included in my list.  It has already been renewed for a second season and new episodes will be broadcast in February.

-- Southland - View my past comments on this TNT show. Season three begins on January 4.

That's it.  Nine new shows in 2010, though three are already dead after their first season, while a lousy show such as The Bachelor is in its fifteenth season.  I would like to say it is the networks that are dumb here, but I am starting to think it is primarily the audience. Nonetheless, I will continue to highlight good TV here.

The New Alf?

Remember the TV show Alf?  Running from 1983 to 1990, the network put out more than 100 of these alien life form (ALF) episodes about a visitor from the planet Melmac who decides to stick around in the Tanner family's living room.

I never believed that prime time could support a puppet show, but I was proved wrong.  In fact, prime time also works for cartoons (e.g., The Simpsons, American Dad,  The Family Guy, etc.).  So I guess anything is possible.

And it appears that Elijah Wood will test that theory.  His new FX series, called Wilfred, will premiere soon.  It is basically an Australian transplant about a man who sees his dog as a man in a dog suit while the rest of the world simply sees a dog.  Elijah has been striking out as a leading man in a number of films, such as Oxford Murders, so he is hoping TV will offer him a new venue.  I cannot say the plot sounds all that intriguing.

Australia just finished viewing season two of their version, so some people seem to like it.  I just read a review of about the Australian version and already know the U.S. may not be ready.  It is defined as "a comedy series about a bong-smoking dog that has sex with a cat and a teddy bear." It is also "peppered with profanity, full-frontal nudity and jokes about rape."  Maybe FX can get away with this.  Stay tuned.   

Update:  The show premieres on June 23, 2011.

Southland Worth Another Look

I recently finished viewing the second season of TNT's Southland series (you can obtain free online episodes at TNT).  Originally broadcast on NBC, it was picked up by TNT when NBC was too dumb to know what it had (this seems to be pretty common with the dinosaur networks - large stumbling beasts with tiny brains).  The first season consists of seven episodes, followed by six episodes in the second season.  Technically, this is not even enough shows for a full season (which is usually 15-25 episodes), but this is what they decided to do.  Nonetheless, I have enjoyed each and every show.

The two leads on the show, rookie Ben McKenzie (officer Ben Sherman) and his partner Michael Cudlitz (officer John Cooper) make a great centerpiece to the show, being the present day Adam 12 team.  Ben McKenzie is a great fit as the "spoiled rich kid" who took to the streets, the modern day version of Platoon.  It's a nice role for McKenzie, who we last saw playing to down-and-out, adopted toughie on The O.C.  The rest of the cast, most as plain-clothed detectives, round out the show and provide the depth we come to expect from such law and order programs.  However, interestingly enough, there has been no courtroom order on this program.  You see what the cops see and that is all.  The only other competing interest is the public relations team, always sure to reroute resources too keep the taxpaying, connected well-to-dos happy.

I was surprised to see C. Thomas Howell in the series.  I did not recognize him at first given the amount he has aged. While he is only about 43 in the show, he looks about 60.  I don't know what has happened to him over the years,* but he gives a great performance as an annoying alcoholic who almost kills his partner.  While I thought he was only going to appear on the pilot, he has been a continuing character.

The last I read, TNT ordered 10 new episodes for season three, which is slated to start in January 2011.   The TNT website advertises a start date of January 4.  I look forward to seeing the cast of characters again for another season.  At least TNT seems to realize what they have here.

* Note:  According to comments in IMDB.com, C. Thomas Howell suffered problems back in 2003:

In 2003 he was hospitalized for 4 weeks because of a ruptured appendix, a very serious illness, fatal if not treated on time. He lost 45 pounds and surgeons had to take out 3 feet of his intestine among other things in order to save his life. That's the real reason behind his gaunt look in all his movies between 2003 and 2005. As of today he has fully recovered. He's currently working out with a trainer and he has already gained 12 pounds of muscles and his face has filled back. He's also following a strict protein and carbohydrate diet.