"Big Love" to get a 4th season

Great news for those who have become fans of America's most popular polygamist family (myself included), according to Varitey.com, HBO has picked up "Big Love" for a fourth season.

The show is averaging nearly 5 million viewers per episode when DVR viewing, encore runs and video-on-demand deliveries are factored in -- a performance on par with that of HBO's frosh hit "True Blood". Season-four production is set to start later this year with episodes slated to run on the pay cabler in 2010.

Personally, I am very excited. Right now, "Big Love" is HBO's best drama and there are several great story lines being played out this season. My only concern is that the addition of a possible fourth wife could provide unnecessary distractions from more exciting plot points, including Roman Grant and the concerns of happenings on the compound.

How to improve the American TV culture

An interesting article from Brian Lowry at Variety.com challenges current US broadcast television to maybe think more like the Brits. The idea of the more episodes the better may not be the best path going forward.

Via Varitey.com - A creative cure for TV: Less is more

Great News for "Burn Notice"

The sophomore season of USA network's "Burn Notice" has gotten off to a great start, according to Variety:

Returning with fresh second-season episodes, the spy drama tallied nearly 2.5 million viewers in the key demo, according to live same-day Nielsen data that doesn't factor in DVR numbers. The number's up 4% over last summer's second-campaign premiere, which drew the series' previous high.

The spy show starring Jeffrey Donovan was a surprise hit for USA in the summer of 2007 and continues to pull in strong numbers. I've seen about half of season 1 and enjoyed most of the episodes. The show takes place in Miami which adds to the cool factor; throw in Bruce Campbell as the comic relief and you get yourself a pretty decent program. If you are interested in an above average, hip action show give a try, but there are better shows readily available on DVD out there.

"Lost" - Season 5 Premiere

Last night the fifth season of Lost premiered averaging about 12 million viewers, and as seemingly always several questions were answered while more were brought up. Rather than spend time trying to explain the episode (besides, better sites do that: Lostpedia). I will give my brief review of the first episode and a quick outlook for the rest of season 5.

Since Lost has such an expansive cast and multiple storylines, it is sometimes easy to forget plot points of the past four seasons. But I feel the first episode got off to a good start trying to explain the biggest question from last season, how did the island just disappear? The show has focused more heavily on the science fiction element over the past couple of seasons so I wasn’t too surprised when the time travel topic was broached. Once Ben spun that wheel and “moved” the island, it set off an infinite loop of time jumping for those left on the island. It appears the only solution is to have the Oceanic 6 return to the island, which undoubtedly will not be that simple and will be the main arc of the this season’s plot.

Once an end date was set for the series, after season 7, I think the writers were able to develop a more focused outline for the show. The show continues to capture my interest and I have no doubt it will maintain the standards it has set for itself. Lost is the most original and captivating show currently on television and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

2009 Golden Globes

The 66th Golden Globe awards were handed out last night in Beverly Hills. Like many others I tuned in before the ceremony started to see all the celebs file in. I was again, as always, pretty disappointed with this portion of the night. It basically entails each celebrity having to answer the same mundane questions which the majority of them hate having to respond to. The one who took it best in stride was Steve Carell a true class act. Now let's get on to the good stuff:

Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama
Winner: Gabriel Byrne "In Treatment"

I caught about half of this expansive series on HBO and I must say Byrne likely had double the screen time (and work) then any of the other nominees. The series ran every night Monday through Friday for 9 weeks and cranked out 43 episodes.

Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama
Winner: Anna Paquin "True Blood"

One of the weaker categories but Paquin has been acting since she was 9 (she also won an Oscar for her performance in "The Piano"). "True Blood" was definitely one of the more different shows on this year and Paquin made it work.

Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy
Winner: Alec Baldwin "30 Rock"

Having Baldwin take home the honor is a bit disappointing (I wanted Carell), but he definitely has landed a perfect role in the later half of his lengthy career. He provides a great balance of charm and sarcasm in "30 Rock" and works well with the entire cast.

Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy
Winner: Tina Fey "30 Rock"

What more can be said about Fey? Not only is she the creator and one of the writers, but she is an equally talented comedic actor. I just hope that "30 Rock" can maintain its creative pulse for a few more seasons.

Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: Paul Giamatti "John Adams"

Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film
Winner: Laura Linney "John Adams"

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Winner: Tom Wilkinson "John Adams"

Not too surprised that "John Adams" swept all three acting awards within the miniseries/tv film category. Giamatti, Linney and Wilkinson all had to recreate historical figures without any basis to work from. The series brought to light an impressive life from the country's second president (Giamatti) and his close relationship with his wife (Linney) and Benjamin Franklin (Wilkinson).

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Winner: Laura Dern "Recount"

When I started watching "Recount" I wasn't expecting too much and was throughly impressed. The entire cast was phenomenal, but Dern definitely stood apart playing the role of Katherine Harris.

Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Drama
Winner: "Mad Men"

I have only seen the first season of the show, but "Mad Men" is more than deserving of this award. In a rather weak year for television dramas, the show about the ad execs in Manhattan is one of the most fresh and compelling shows on TV.

Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Winner: "30 Rock"

As long as the clever writing and superb acting continue, "30 Rock" will undoubtedly be a nominee in this category for years to come.

IzzyTV’s 10 Greatest Shows of the Past 10 Years (1996-2006)

1. Lost >> ABC >> 2004 - Present

The uncensored, commercial free environment of cable television provided a headquarters for ground-breaking, innovative shows. Few dramas on network television garnered the success seen on cable and Lost revived this seemingly extinct genre. From the first episode the show wraps the viewer into an island filled with so many questions even your know-it-all friend is clueless. The ensemble cast coupled with creative storylines creates a show unlike anything seen before. Flashbacks to the island survivor’s previous lives and their unexplained connections enthrall the viewer to keep watching. The combination of drama, action, comedy and even science fiction allows for a seemingly endless story arc. Scheduled to end in 2009, this show captures the audience every week and will have them on the edge of their couches for years to come.


2. The Office (UK) >> BBC >> 2001 – 2003

A generic replica of the office workplace allows this British comedy to attract a wide audience, but the comedic genius of Ricky Gervais makes it much more. Set in a boring paper supply company office, we see the daily lives of a dozen office drones. The insecure and ridiculous boss David Brent is played masterfully by Gervais. The proof of this show’s success is seen today with the United States’ version of the Office being one of the most talked about sitcoms. While this version only lasted a handful of episodes, it will keep the show’s legacy intact.


3. South Park >> Comedy Central >> 1997 – Present

A show that can be responsible for the degradation of a generation is also the best satire of American life today. The citizens of South Park, Colorado are a microcosm of the crazy and often absurd American lifestyle. With the ability to produce episodes in days, Trey Parker and Matt Stone can poke fun of current events while subtly making statements about our way of life. Nothing is too sacred to be mocked on this show, including a depiction of Jesus being splattered with excrement after Comedy Central blocked a picture of Mohammed from an episode (“either you can make fun of everything or you can make fun of nothing”). A program that is far more than its juvenile premise sometimes portrays, South Park is one show where you can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of life.


4. The Sopranos >> HBO >> 1999 – 2007

The anchor for HBO’s original programming and their best show to date, the Sopranos depicts the life of a mafia family in New Jersey. The Sopranos focuses on mainly on the patriarch, Tony, and his daily dealings at juggling the duality of being a mob boss and family man. Creator David Chase has constructed a show that is much more than another gangster depiction. Coupling the pressures and realistic nature of everyday life, Tony must deal with pleasing his family, occasionally committing murder and attend therapy for his chronic panic attacks. The multiple layers of symbolism and the ability to humanize an otherwise despicable man is one reason this show is a masterpiece.


5. The Wire >> HBO >> 2002 – Present

From the streets of Baltimore, Maryland the Wire hits you right in the mouth and tells it like it is. A show quoted by many as the “most realistic police drama on TV,” the Wire displays the life of Baltimore residents in varying capacities, from police detectives to drug dealers to union workers. The connectivity of these differing elements of the city creates deep dramatic plotlines rarely seen on television. A truly gifted ensemble cast shows the harsh lives of those on both sides of the law.


6. The Shield >> FX >> 2002 – Present

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7. Deadwood >> HBO >> 2004 – 2006

Mixing part history and part fiction, the old west is alive and well in Deadwood. The real town of Deadwood, SD was a center for economic prosperity in the late 19th century. Aside from the lives of historic characters such as, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, we see the development of Deadwood from a mining camp to a full fledged city. The citizens’ combination of eloquent, fin de siècle language with the vial obscenities of modern dialects gives rich insight to where our way of speaking began. History aside, this drama is packed with enough violence, politics, sex and suspense to please any new settler.


8. Curb Your Enthusiasm >> HBO >> 2000 – Present

From the man who inspired George Costanza, Larry David’s unique way of seeing the world is truly like no other. Taking part reality and part fiction, we see the day to day activities of Larry David and the constant predicaments he manages to find himself in. David’s neurotic behavior typically finds himself saying the wrong thing or offending someone. One may think this formula could tire quickly, but the infusion of seemingly endless celebrities and talented comedians proves otherwise. In addition, every episode is improvised which only adds to the remarkable performances provided by the entire cast. Some may say this is merely an R-rated version of Seinfeld. I say anyone who hasn’t seen this show shouldn’t compare the two. Curb is by far funnier, wittier, raunchier, more brash and outlandish then its predecessor.


9. Arrested Development >> Fox >> 2003 – 2006

And now the story of the Bluth family, the apex of dysfunction. With a stockpile of poorly written sitcoms on ever major network, Fox had a critical hit with Arrested Development and properly did what any smart network would, they canceled it. The family, created by a truly amazing cast, must deal with the patriarch stuck in prison and the seemingly only normal son trying to keep the family from imploding. Aside from less than stellar ratings, this sitcom does everything right by having a distinct and humorous back story coupled with absurd characters. This show was able to recruit a wonderful talented ensemble of characters yet the lack of recognition this show has received will make it a cult classic.


10. Late Night with Conan O’Brien >> NBC >> 1993 – Present

From his humble beginnings, no one would have thought Conan O’Brien would have his own late night talk show for over 14 years, now he is arguably the best of them all. Mixing witty, off the wall skits and inventive writing, Late Night is a trend setter when it comes to the late night talk shows. While Leno and Letterman hang on to the bigger ratings on their earlier shows, Conan is a favorite for the younger demographic and a minor hero in some circles. His ability to interview top notch guests and performances from bands, provide topical humor and also not afraid to offend speaks well to generation Y. His self-deprecating style and goofy mannerisms are a breath of fresh air for the television programs after 11pm.

The Cop Drama At Its Best

One of the more successful cable TV-series, "The Shield", will begin its seventh and final season in late 2007 or early 2008. The FX cable network which airs The Shield has been responsible for several critically acclaimed shows, but none as popular as this

The Shield depicts the lives of several varying ranks of police officers in the Los Angeles Police Department. Set in the fictionalized Farmington district of LA, the main character Vic Mackey is head of the Strike team which also includes Curtis Lemansky, Shane Vendrell and Ronnie Gardocki; a group of detectives responsible for gang related crimes. In addition we follow two patrol officers (Danielle "Danny" Sofer & Julien Lowe), the captain of Vic’s department (David Aceveda), as well as two traditional detectives (Claudette Wyms & Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach). From the first season we understand Vic and his team are effective and widely respected, but are corrupt and Captain Aceveda is looking to bring them down. In the first episode Vic is informed that one of his Strike team members, Terry Crowley, is in cahoots with Captain Aceveda and they are attempting to catch the Strike team in some illegal activities. Vic murders Crowley to save the team and claims he was gunned down by a drug dealer. This one incident will become an integral point for the entire series.

In addition to the Strike team, we see the day to day jobs of two patrol officers, Sofer and Lowe. Lowe is a rookie and receives tough love from his veteran training officer, Sofer. Their focus lies on the encounters seen daily by the foot soldiers of the LAPD, from shoplifting to domestic abuse to indecent exposure. The story lines provided by these two run from comical to bizarre, but also tend to last only from episode to episode.

The last two main characters I will discuss are detectives Wyms and Wagenbach. You can tell from the onset these two share an interesting and humorous dynamic. Wyms, the tough black female, and Wagenbach, the stuck-up know-it-all, are perfect foils for one another. While Wagenbach is a great detective, he is usually the object of jokes from Mackey and others in the Strike team. Wyms and Wagenbach are typically involved with story lines that can encompass several episodes. A recurring theme is that of Wagenbach’s desire to catch a serial killer and a serial rapist. Their dynamic shows the classical side of detective work, a stark contrast to that of the Strike team.

The Shield makes itself a unique police drama due to its ability to incorporate a realistic life on the gang occupied streets of LA. One reason I find the show so enthralling is that with each episode you will have a new character plot line in addition to continuation of stories from the previous episode and the even previous seasons. All the stories could make the show complicated and confusing, but creator Shawn Ryan and the writing staff do an excellent job of keeping the viewer interested. They create something new for one specific episode as well as providing fresh information about what happened on last week’s show. In addition to the crime plotlines, we are frequently taken into the personal lives of the characters. Vic Mackey constantly has to switch off his hard-ass demeanor once at home with his family. We are sympathetic to Mackey despite his corrupt behavior when we see he is usually doing it to better his family. The personal lives of officers Lowe and Sofer are critical parts of what real life struggles must be dealt with in any work environment.

After producing six seasons, The Shield, has redefined the TV cop drama. I have only approached a few of the characters brought to life on the show. Throughout the years, we see several members of the Farmington division rise to different ranks within the LAPD and beyond. Dozens of more characters play important parts in the Strike team’s continuing attempt to avoid exposure of their corruption. Through the five plus years on television, the show has been able to present realistic, dramatic and exciting conflicts. It is a shame to see this show end, but I am glad I was there to see it all go down.