A Modern Day Nurse

“Nurse Jackie”
Showtime
Created by Liz Brixius, Evan Dunsky & Linda Wallem
Starring Edie Falco
Current Season: 1
Number of Episodes to date: 4
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Nurse Jackie is Showtime’s newest original series which premiered on June 8th. One of the best female actors out there, Edie Falco, stars in the title role. I’m glad to see her back on television since the Sopranos ended in June of 2007. Her ability to depict strong-willed, powerful women is seemingly her go-to role, but this character is more real and troubled than most. Through the first 2 episodes we see that Jackie typically needs prescription meds to get through her day (Adderol, Percocet, etc.) and lives two separate lives (one at the hospital and one at home with her family). The battle ensues between Jackie’s desire to help others, while she simultaneously destroys herself with drug abuse and extra martial affairs. Aside from Falco, the performance of Merritt Wever playing the new nurse Zoey stands out for me. There is just something about the way she portrays the young nurse who wants to impress and feel welcomed. I think we have a future award winner on our hands. Still, the show doesn’t stand out for me as something exceptionally different. While I love the performances of Falco and Wever, the overall cast is mediocre at best and the conflicts on the show, so far, are pretty mundane. I hope the writers pick up the pace as the season goes on.

My New Guilty Pleasure

Several months ago I stumbled across a wonderfully addicting show on the Food Network and have recently added it to my DVR rotation. I feel I need to spread the word on this fun, quaint program. “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” airs several times during the week and explores a seemingly endless number of small restaurants scattered throughout America. The show is hosted by Guy Fieri, a previous winner of the Food Network’s equally addicting show “The Next Food Network Star.” You may recognize Fieri more from his semi-annoying T.G.I. Friday’s commercials, but he comes across more personable in this show. In each episode, Guy will visit between 2 or 3 different restaurants in various cities in America each with similar food themes. The main goal of the show is finding equally unique and delectable menu items at these establishments. Fieri will stand with the chef or proprietor as they explain the preparation for the entrée and will sample the finished product. The Food Network airs the show in high definition which only amps up the level of hunger when viewing the delicious creations. The beauty of the show is its simplicity as well as the connection it creates to everyday, hard-working Americans creating wonderful foods all over the country. Give the show a try, it won’t disappoint.

The Beginning of the Tonight Show

Last Monday night marked the debut of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. I have been a huge fan of Conan on his Late Night show since around 1998-1999. His combination of self deprecating humor and outrageous, risqué skits have been a welcomed change to the late night television scene. I have high hopes that Conan can continue with great success at his new, earlier time slot. The first week of shows displayed his preparedness for the spotlight in Los Angeles. The monologue throughout the week had some hits and misses, but what I was most glad to see was that several bits from Late Night have carried over including “Celebrity Survey” and an updated version of “In The Year 2000” (3000 now). But where Conan shines brightest are the remote pieces where his ability to improv creates for hilarious situations. Undoubtedly, it will take Conan some time to get comfortable in his new gig, but I am certain he is up to the task. The writing staff Conan has surrounded himself with will find a way to keep the younger audience connected while attempting to bring in new viewers. Johnny Carson hosted the show for 30 years, Leno for 17 years; the ever changing media landscape will likely prevent Conan from ever coming close to Carson, but I think ten years from now you’ll still be watching Mr. O’Brien in the Cone-Zone.

Lost - Season 5 Finale

The season five finale of Lost was exactly what you’d expect from the show at this point. Several issues were resolved, even more questions were created. The biggest surprise of this finale was discovering more about the mysterious Jacob and how he had interacted with several of the main characters throughout their lives. The episode opened with an interesting dialogue between Jacob and someone we will call Jacob’s nemesis. I won’t spend time breaking down the plot points of the episode, for that visit this amazingly detailed site here.

As far as Lost finales go, this one would probably be the 3rd best. Nothing will top the excitement of the hatch and mystery of the numbers in the season 1 finale and everyone was thrown for a loop with the introduction of the flash-forwards at the end of season 3. The biggest mysteries to contemplate this summer is who really is John Locke, what happened when the bomb finally went off and did things in fact go back to before the first flight crashed?

Quite frankly I am concerned with the direction the show will take as the final season begins. The various plots this show has created in the 5+ years all need to be resolved, and some things haven’t been talked about for several seasons. Here are just a few subjects that need resolution:

* The numbers
* The statue
* The Black Rock
* Jacob’s purpose on the island
* Why doesn’t Richard age
* How does Jack’s father and Claire fit in
* Is Locke really Locke

Lost is undoubtedly my favorite show on broadcast television, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little bit hesitant about a satisfactory ending to the tale of those on the island. Rarely am I so enamored with a program, so I truly hope for the best. I put my faith to those involved that the conclusion of Lost can match the intensity with which I’ve dutifully watched since season 1.

Summer Season Premieres

Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite shows that will be coming back for the summer of 2009:

“Weeds” – Season 5 premieres June 8th, 2009

When season 4 came to a close, Nancy informed Esteban that she was pregnant with his child, while he was contemplating her own life when it was discovered she had been talking to the DEA. Celia is somewhere in Mexico after her daughter kidnaps her in revenge, Doug has hit rock bottom after his “dream girl” falls in love with Andy, and Andy contemplates his own desire for his sister-in-law Nancy.

While I must admit I was a bit disappointed with season 4, mainly because I felt season 3 was near perfect, the family’s location near the Mexican border offers a plethora of storylines to mimic real life situations. The current drug wars going on in Mexico are absolutely brutal and vicious. I am not sure I’d like to see the show drift from its comedic roots, but incorporating some of the violent conditions of the drug trade would open people’s eyes. At the same time, I do get the feeling that their stay in Del Mar is not for the long term and I could easily see Nancy moving the family once again.


“Entourage” – Season 6 premieres June 28th, 2009

Vince’s latest big budget film Smoke Jumpers becomes a disaster, ending with Vince being fired. E attempts to track down Gus Van Sant to get Vince a role in his upcoming film. It doesn’t work and Vince briefly fires E as he believes E’s over persistence ruined his chances. All is forgiven when minutes later Vince gets a call from Martin Scorsese who wants him to be the star of a re-envisioning of The Great Gatsby. Like all past transgressions, the 5-some (Vince, E, Drama, Turtle and Ari) remains intact.

Expect the Martin Scorsese movie to be a main plot point as well as new regular cast members Gary Cole (Ari’s old colleague Andrew Klein) and Kate Mara as E’s new assistant. My prediction is Mara will be a household name in a few years and is just beginning to break onto the scene. Additionally, there will be no shortage of celebrities with the list of confirmed cameos includes Lil’ Wayne, Tom Brady and LeBron James.

Season Finales

As the summer approaches, so does the end of some of our favorite shows (mostly on broadcast television). I’ll take a brief look at some of the intriguing cliffhangers that will leave us in suspense over the next 4 months.

“The Office” – Finale premieres May 14, 2009

The short-lived Michael Scott Paper Company has closed up shop and everything seems to be back as it was when the season began. The love triangle of Andy/Dwight/Angela has been resolved, Pam and Jim seem happy as always and Michael is once again the boss at the Scranton branch. Taking a sneak peek at the synopsis for the finale, it appears Michael and the adorable Holly reunite at a Dunder-Mifflin company picnic. I think everyone would love to see them get back together…


“30 Rock” – Finale premieres May 14, 2009

As much as I enjoy “30 Rock”, there is hardly any carry-over drama in the series. I wouldn’t be surprised to watch the finale and have nothing shocking occur. Liz will continue to struggle with her relationships, Tracy and Jenna will continue to get into precarious situations and Jack will some how resolve all the problems. “30 Rock” is one of the wittiest, best written shows on television but as far as compelling story lines go you shouldn’t expect too much.


“How I Met Your Mother” – Finale premieres May 18, 2009

Nearing the conclusion of season 4, we are not anywhere closer to finding out who Ted marries. Granted, this is the central plot of the show but we really haven’t gained any new possibilities of who it may be. The under lying conflict is Barney’s not so secret love for Robin. How, when or if he professes his love will undoubtedly become a major plot point and could seriously alter the series’ funniest character. Let’s not forget, I think Marshall has a few more slaps left for Barney…

One Woman, Four Times the Fun

"United States of Tara"
Showtime
Created by Diablo Cody
Starring Toni Collette
Current Season: 1
Number of Episodes to date: 12
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Showtime’s newest original series, "United States of Tara", explores the idea of multiple personalities and the repercussions it creates for those involved. Toni Collette stars as Tara, a married mother of two who has multiple personality disorder and the "normal" life she attempts to live.

The show is based on an idea from Steven Spielberg (also an executive producer) and developed by Diablo Cody (Oscar award winner for "Juno"). Throughout the series you experience Cody's unique and extremely realistic dialogue. This help drives the character development aside from Tara and her alters. The main cast includes Tara's husband, Max, her two teenage children Kate and Marshall and her sister Charmaine.

Collette's acting is truly an accomplishment. She essentially plays four characters and does a masterful job. I'm not sure many actors could pull of this role with such ease. In each episode she plays a minimum of two completely different characters, ranging from a teenager to a redneck (a man, by the way). Other standouts from the show include Keir Gilchrist as Marshall who plays a gay teenager having to deal with his sexual identity and Rosemarie DeWitt as Tara's sister.

For those who had issues with the dialogue from "Juno" may have the same feelings about "Tara". Cody's writing style is sometimes confusing, but also contains more real-life talk. I'm interested to see how the next season plays out, the first season mostly deals with Max trying to determine what caused Tara's multiple personalities to appear in the first place. There isn't any deep conflict and that brings me cause for concern. Overall the show is well done with some great acting on display. I'd say give it a chance if you can appreciate good writing and superb acting chops.