TV Time
Since it has been rather warm lately, I’ve been holed up on the couch watching TV. It’s not the best use of my time, but I do enjoy it so. Besides, I’m just preventing heat stroke by staying inside with the AC running. Am I right?
Anyway, I have reignited my love of BBC America. Before it was Dr. Who, then all things Chef Ramsey (F Word and Kitchen Nightmares), even before that it was How Clean is Your House and How Clean in your Colon (You Are What You Eat). But now, I am unabashedly a fan of Torchwood: Children of Men.
In a time where American TV is chock full of the same reality shows (another season of Big Brother?) and lacking in any sort of shows other than stupid sitcoms or crime dramas, a great science-fiction story is a breath of fresh air. Tautly written and paced, and easy enough to get a grip of (hello Lost, are you listening?) it is a good story, good characters and fine acting. While I have 2 more shows to go, I’m hooked.
I know there are good shows out there. There has to be. We invented the bloody machine afterall. Isn’t TV the great American invention of the last century? But it is so much easier to gather a bunch of half-wits, chunk them into some sort of competitive situation and film the hijinks. Rinse, repeat, profit. Unfortunately, this spills over into movies, where it has become far easier to either write numerous formulaic sequels or re-make movies from the past (Karate Kid I’m looking at you…). C’mon Hollywood, earn that money for hookers and blow, give us something to think about, something to delve into, something that can stand up to the giants that went before.
American entertainment has become stale. To often the cycle of mediocrity is repeated and we’re all the suckers for buying into it. All hail medicority, the American Way!
Maybe I’m kidding. Maybe not…
