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Spoilers What's on TV?
- Thread starter Huntn
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One of the WWII video games I played a few years ago included a "knock out the arty" chapter.
Just finished season one of Married. Absolutely funny. Watching The Strain and The Bridge still.
Lots of new TV shows coming this fall. Gotham looks good. And I need to see Garfunkel and Oates.
For older shows, I need to finish up The Wire and continue The Sopranos.
Lots of new TV shows coming this fall. Gotham looks good. And I need to see Garfunkel and Oates.
For older shows, I need to finish up The Wire and continue The Sopranos.
The Roosevelts- Tremendous historical documentary. Keeping in mind this is not PRSI , he resonated with the "little people". In contrast bankers and tycoons ("economic royalists") could not bring themselves to call him by name, instead, "That man in the White House". Interesting parallels
What are some new comedies that are starting or coming back this year? Has to be something that I can buy on iTunes because I work nights and I don't have a DVR. Comcast wants $17 per month for a DVR. I want to keep that $17 each month and just buy shows.
I liked the Office, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock and just anything that is silly and goofy.
I never liked too many dramas. The last show like that that I watched was 24 and Breaking Bad.
I never could make it past season one of the Wire or Entourage.
I liked the Office, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock and just anything that is silly and goofy.
I never liked too many dramas. The last show like that that I watched was 24 and Breaking Bad.
I never could make it past season one of the Wire or Entourage.
The Roosevelts- Tremendous historical documentary. Keeping in mind this is not PRSI , he resonated with the "little people". In contrast bankers and tycoons ("economic royalists") could not bring themselves to call him by name, instead, "That man in the White House". Interesting parallels
Is that worth watching? How do you find it?
Certainly, I would be interested in taking a look at it, if it is considered to be a good series
Actually, I have to say that the Roosevelts are a most interesting family, and their era spans a fascinating period of US (and world) history.
It was quite well done. Everything you'd expect from a Ken Burns movie.
If I were to level any criticism, it would be that its just a tiny bit too long. A full fourteen hours, over seven episodes, makes for a full week of TV watching. Some things were barely touched on: FDR's role in the dust Bowl gets nary a mention - but then Burns already did a whole movie about that.
Most interesting, to me, was the Eleanor Roosevelt parts. I'm a little ashamed to say I didn't know too much about her story, but she was a fascinating and inspiring woman. Apparently she and a female friend went on a "Thelma & Louise"-style road trip to Maine right after FDR was first elected. Driving around in Eleanor's Buick she was all but unknown. I'd imagine with the right screenplay, and cast, you could make a fabulous movie about that trip.
Lastly: If you have an Apple TV, the entire series is available via the PBS App. I ended up watching the last three episodes online, complete with a pause button. Very good use of the technology.
Thanks a lot for your detailed reply; much appreciated.
No, I don't have an Apple TV (and I'm neither in the States, nor from the States, so the joys of PBS are also beyond me). Indeed, although I was a teacher of history for some time, I am not a specialist in US history, and so much of F. D. Roosevelt's life - apart from the very obvious stuff, remains something of a mystery to me. Thus, I would actually be interested in watching a good - historically solid - series about the man, his times and his family.
Re Eleanor Roosevelt, she seems to have been quite an impressive character, and, certainly, until Hilary Clinton turned up in the White House as First Lady when Bill Clinton was first elected President, I doubt - until then - that any other First Lady had played such a proactive, policy driven role since the time of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Mind you, I had never heard about that road trip which you mentioned; sounds absolutely fascinating and I agree - it would make a terrific movie in the right hands.
Some stuff from BBC appears on PBS, I wonder if the reverse is true?
Maybe not as much as used to be the case 20 odd years ago. I suspect that it was more common to see such programmes years and years ago - these days, I suspect that the commercial channels (Sky etc) may manage to snatch up imports from the US.
However, I have been away so much over the past six years - and watch so little TV when I am home - that I really am no reliable guide as to patterns of purchase of imported series by the BBC and other state owned (and run) TV channels in western Europe.
Nevertheless, I do recall watching Sesame Street several years (um, decades) ago with my brother and thought it excellent.
I asked about this series, firstly, because it sounds interesting, and secondly, because, as I watch TV so rarely (and then usually only for news, current affairs, and documentaries), that unless I actually make a point of noting that a programme I might find of interest is about to be broadcast, (such as say, Downton Abbey, or Foyle's War, both of which I enjoy and will make a point of watching if I am around), I will not catch it, as I rarely even channel hop, instead, switching off the TV when the news is over.
Huntn: On related matter, Downton Abbey (Season Five) started this evening on ITV (the independent British channel) when Episode One was broadcast.
I've seen bits of this. Very well done. Thanks for the tip about PBS, might bring it up on Mom's iPad 2.
Oooo. It will pick up here in the Winter, Jan?
The title Foyle's War reminded me of a 1971 movie called Murphy's War. I need to see if that's available for streaming.
Oooo. It will pick up here in the Winter, Jan?
The title Foyle's War reminded me of a 1971 movie called Murphy's War. I need to see if that's available for streaming.
Yes, I'd imagine that Downton Abbey will air in the US early in the coming New Year, as has been the case for the past four seasons. Tonight's opening episode was half an hour longer than the usual episode, running (including ad breaks) for an hour and a half.
Foyle's War is an extremely well written, researched, and acted series which used the device of a detective police-procedural to examine World War II (and, in the more recent series, post WW2) British society, culture, and history. It also allows itself to ask questions about how law, and rights are upheld in a society where many values are undermined by the need to wage (and hopefully win, or survive) a major war.
Historically, it is meticulous (an area about which I am hugely - and loudly - intolerant) in that the sort of events depicted in every story which was covered actually occurred at that particular point in the historical timeline, although - as most of the series is set in Hastings, in south east England, naturally enough, most of what was depicted didn't actually occur in reality in Hastings.
What new shows are you hyped about? I've seen nothing so far that has really grabbed me as I get ready to review the EW Fall Preview Issue.
Thanks for the info. I'll see if that is Netflixable?
Thanks for the info. I'll see if that is Netflixable?
Huntn,
Foyle's War, seasons 1 & 2, are (currently, at least) on Hulu. If you access Hulu via a PC/Mac (in a browser), you can watch for free, otherwise you need a Hulu Plus sub to watch on other devices.
On Netflix (streaming), various seasons of Foyle's War have been available (at times) and then suddenly fewer seasons or perhaps even no seasons will be available. Apparently, the series comes and goes at Netflix as contracts expire and are renegotiated, etc. I'm not certain if Netflix currently has it available (for streaming) or not (I cancelled my Netflix sub months ago.) If you find it's "up" on Netflix, then watch it quickly, before it disappears!
It is excellent, however. Well worth the hassle of tracking it down to watch it.
Foyle's War, seasons 1 & 2, are (currently, at least) on Hulu. If you access Hulu via a PC/Mac (in a browser), you can watch for free, otherwise you need a Hulu Plus sub to watch on other devices.
On Netflix (streaming), various seasons of Foyle's War have been available (at times) and then suddenly fewer seasons or perhaps even no seasons will be available. Apparently, the series comes and goes at Netflix as contracts expire and are renegotiated, etc. I'm not certain if Netflix currently has it available (for streaming) or not (I cancelled my Netflix sub months ago.) If you find it's "up" on Netflix, then watch it quickly, before it disappears!
It is excellent, however. Well worth the hassle of tracking it down to watch it.
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Good to know and most unfortunate that the quality of the recordings are not very good.
American Experience: Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid- fantastic PBS documentary about these two famous outlaws especially if you are a fan of the 1969 movie of the same name. Viewed on Netflix.
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Interesting notes- The Pinkerton Detective Agency had more employees and paid informants than the US Army.
After their famous train robbery of the Union Pacific, members of the gang were tracked by Pinkertons by virtue of where associated serial numbers of stolen bills appeared at banks.
The gang received support from the local populace, I assume because of the resentment common folks had for large corporations and banks. The same sentiment was portrayed in Bonnie and Clyde.
They initially fled to Argentina to go straight, but when discovered by the Pinkertons and threatened with arrest, they end up fleeing to Bolivia and you probably think you know the rest, but there is a surprise element that would not do for the movie.
Fascinating. I knew that the Pinkerton Agency were large, well resourced, and rather influential; I hadn't realised quite how large and powerful they actually were. This sounds like an absolutely fascinating documentary.
Actually, I thought that the role of Major Winters was played by the excellent British actor Damien Lewis.
It is very good indeed, agreed. I watched the entire thing when it first aired in the UK around 12-13 year ago.
Huntn,
Foyle's War, seasons 1 & 2, are (currently, at least) on Hulu. If you access Hulu via a PC/Mac (in a browser), you can watch for free, otherwise you need a Hulu Plus sub to watch on other devices.
On Netflix (streaming), various seasons of Foyle's War have been available (at times) and then suddenly fewer seasons or perhaps even no seasons will be available. Apparently, the series comes and goes at Netflix as contracts expire and are renegotiated, etc. I'm not certain if Netflix currently has it available (for streaming) or not (I cancelled my Netflix sub months ago.) If you find it's "up" on Netflix, then watch it quickly, before it disappears!
It is excellent, however. Well worth the hassle of tracking it down to watch it.
Delighted to see that someone else shares my very high opinion of Foyle's War; it is one of my personal all time favourites, and is a series that I will clear a diary and/or night to watch; woe betide anyone who dares to try to contact me while it is on.
However, the research, acting (both Michael Kitchen - who plays Christopher Foyle, and Honeysuckle Weeks, who plays Samantha Stewart, are simply superb), script, and stories are all excellent.
Get 'em While They're Hot!
Foyle's War, seasons 1 through 8 are currently available on Netflix US streaming.
After the first season, I think most Foyle's series had between three or four episodes. So binge-watching the entire series in a couple of weeks is certainly doable.
I quite liked Foyle's War, although I thought the series lost a few point in some areas: I thought them making Foyle's son a heroic Spitfire pilot was a little over the top. And - like so many British TV series - every time an "American" shows up, you wonder if the actors portraying them, or the writers penning their dialogue, had ever actually met an American.
This is nitpicking somewhat, but I found the sight of Foyle visiting a late 1940s London filled with gleaming white Portland stone buildings somewhat jarring. Until the late 1980s most London buildings were absolutely filthy black from the effects of a couple hundred years of coal smoke.
Best part of the series, for me, was the delightful Honeysuckle Weeks, and her metamorphosis from gawky middle-class schoolgirl to a professional woman in her own right.
Foyle's War, seasons 1 through 8 are currently available on Netflix US streaming.
After the first season, I think most Foyle's series had between three or four episodes. So binge-watching the entire series in a couple of weeks is certainly doable.
I quite liked Foyle's War, although I thought the series lost a few point in some areas: I thought them making Foyle's son a heroic Spitfire pilot was a little over the top. And - like so many British TV series - every time an "American" shows up, you wonder if the actors portraying them, or the writers penning their dialogue, had ever actually met an American.
This is nitpicking somewhat, but I found the sight of Foyle visiting a late 1940s London filled with gleaming white Portland stone buildings somewhat jarring. Until the late 1980s most London buildings were absolutely filthy black from the effects of a couple hundred years of coal smoke.
Best part of the series, for me, was the delightful Honeysuckle Weeks, and her metamorphosis from gawky middle-class schoolgirl to a professional woman in her own right.
Agree entirely re the brilliant Honeysuckle Weeks - she has taken what - admittedly, was a dream of a character anyway, and further infused her with terrific life, the clichéd 'jolly hockey sticks' type of middle class girl, gawky but enthusiastic transformed into a professional woman who still carries traces of that youthful enthusiasm. It is a brilliant rendition of a character, and I agree with you, she is wonderful.
Actually, Honeysuckle Weeks herself is a wonderfully engaging and slightly eccentric individual with a First Class Honours degree from Cambridge, and hippy parents, and very happy marriage to an older chap she described, with a grin, as someone who is 'not one of life's rabbit-catchers'.
I think the point with the Spitfire pilot son was to allow for an exploration of some topics (the radar story, for one), and also, to subtly highlight the class element found in the various branches of the RAF, where, for example, - especially in the earlier years of the war, before casualties compelled changes - the fighter pilots, the officers who served in Fighter Command, many of them, were indeed upper middle class ex-public-school (and university) men, whereas those who served in Bomber, and Coastal Command (even as officers) tended to have come from less privileged backgrounds.
For, while Foyle himself is not from a privileged background, it is clear that Andrew has done well, and has attended Cambridge before joining the RAF. In the earlier years of the war, the Andrews of the world would have joined Fighter Command, partly for reasons of image (it was more dashing), partly for reasons of class, social networks, and snobbery (there were so-called 'millionaires squadrons' in the early days of the war, in Fighter Command, individuals who had the means to pay for private flying lessons before the war), and partly also due to the fact that the sort of plane which had the capacity to travel to Germany (and return safely) for bombing raids, - such as, say, the Lancaster - had neither been designed nor built in the first few years of the war. Andrew as a character hardly appears after 1941, and that, too, is in keeping with the era.
Re Americans, the stories where they appear actually happened when they were supposed to have happened; whether this was how the Americans actually were, I cannot say, but I think part of the point of the series is to inform the viewer that this was how the British may have viewed them, or, this is how they may have appeared to the British.
Homeland
I've been binge-watching the first Three seasons of the Showtime drama Homeland.
While the show is definitely above average in the vast wasteland of televised entertainment, and probably in the top half of Showtime's offerings - I find it frustratingly uneven.
The good parts are very, very good: The intricately plotted twists. Solid acting from a diverse cast.
The problem is that every once in a while the writers toss in something that is either completely irrelevant (I was sorely tempted to simply fast forward through scenes involving Brody's daughter or Faber and the rest of his Marine buddies) - or simply stretches credibility beyond all belief. (Sure: Arab terrorists could gun down six Federal agents in downtown Gettysburg without apparently anyone in the police noticing...)
I can't figure out if its the best crappy show on TV - or the worst great show.
The upcoming premiere of Season Four (presumably without Sgt. Brody) will be a test. Part of me wonders if Damien Lewis' acting chops, and the tension between his character and that of Claire Danes wasn't the glue that held the show together. And part of me wonders if, freed from the constraints of holding together a wildly implausible basic premise, the writers can finally produce a story arc that doesn't take odd side trips to loony land.
We'll see soon enough.
I've been binge-watching the first Three seasons of the Showtime drama Homeland.
While the show is definitely above average in the vast wasteland of televised entertainment, and probably in the top half of Showtime's offerings - I find it frustratingly uneven.
The good parts are very, very good: The intricately plotted twists. Solid acting from a diverse cast.
The problem is that every once in a while the writers toss in something that is either completely irrelevant (I was sorely tempted to simply fast forward through scenes involving Brody's daughter or Faber and the rest of his Marine buddies) - or simply stretches credibility beyond all belief. (Sure: Arab terrorists could gun down six Federal agents in downtown Gettysburg without apparently anyone in the police noticing...)
I can't figure out if its the best crappy show on TV - or the worst great show.
The upcoming premiere of Season Four (presumably without Sgt. Brody) will be a test. Part of me wonders if Damien Lewis' acting chops, and the tension between his character and that of Claire Danes wasn't the glue that held the show together. And part of me wonders if, freed from the constraints of holding together a wildly implausible basic premise, the writers can finally produce a story arc that doesn't take odd side trips to loony land.
We'll see soon enough.
Typically subplots are designed to flesh out the story. (I know you know that.
) I did not mind them, especially the impact of Brody's actions on his family. For myself, any inconsistencies I've been able to forgive. I agree that this is a turning point for the show.
My thoughts of the new Fall lineup premieres from the last couple weeks:
Gotham - I had high hopes for this but the pilot didn't quite live up to expectations. It may be interesting though if they keep with the villain-origins stories. I'll stick with it for a few more episodes before deciding.
Forever - Enjoyed the first couple episodes so far. The story is twisty enough to keep me watching for now. The acting by the supporting cast isn't very good though.
How To Get Away With Murder also started off pretty interesting, putting a somewhat new twist on the stale crime-solving procedural. Another series I'll give a further viewing.
Also watched the first 1-2 episodes of Madam Secretary, Mysteries of Laura, Black-ish, and Scorpion, but wasn't impressed with any of them.
Upcoming shows that look good from the previews: Stalker and The Flash
Gotham - I had high hopes for this but the pilot didn't quite live up to expectations. It may be interesting though if they keep with the villain-origins stories. I'll stick with it for a few more episodes before deciding.
Forever - Enjoyed the first couple episodes so far. The story is twisty enough to keep me watching for now. The acting by the supporting cast isn't very good though.
How To Get Away With Murder also started off pretty interesting, putting a somewhat new twist on the stale crime-solving procedural. Another series I'll give a further viewing.
Also watched the first 1-2 episodes of Madam Secretary, Mysteries of Laura, Black-ish, and Scorpion, but wasn't impressed with any of them.
Upcoming shows that look good from the previews: Stalker and The Flash