Post by Naj on Nov 24, 2004 15:49:37 GMT -5
http://www.modbee.com/24hour/entertainment/tv/news/story/1865983p-9773754c.htmlRICK KUSHMAN: TV offers many reasons to give thanks
The Sacramento Bee
Last Updated: November 24, 2004, 01:03:15 PM PST
(SMW) - In my line of work - "work" being watching TV - there's an awful lot of complaining going on.
Too much this. Not enough that. Where's my show? Why's that still on? TV news is appalling.
I have no argument with any of those, especially "not enough that," but given the season, it's time to show some appreciation. And the truth is, there is plenty on TV to appreciate.
Television is not a vast wasteland. It is vast, and there's lots and lots of waste, but there is lots of good TV, too. Here, then, because it's what we do around Thanksgiving, are a few of the things about TV I'm giving thanks for:
"Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Jack & Bobby": All are new this year. All are original thinking on network TV. All show it can be done.
"The Simpsons": For 16 seasons, this cartoon every family has been the Rolls Royce of comedy and cultural commentary. Who better to show us our folly?
David Letterman: He's been at it for decades and, still, no one on TV can surprise like he can. Would anyone else deep fry his own tie?
"The Sopranos": A series so consistently brilliant, it's worth the year-plus wait between seasons.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The little guy taught us all that a big, innocent heart could be entertaining. Even in a sponge.
Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show": They're a voice in the wilderness saying the emperor, and the media, have no clothes. Plus they're very, very funny.
Oprah: The woman gave away 276 cars.
Ellen DeGeneres: She is silly, good natured and a blast of fresh air. Ellen asked Lance Armstrong if he crashed in the Tour de France because he didn't put his kickstand down.
"SportsCenter": You can watch touchdowns, home runs, slam dunks, and now, brawls over and over. And over.
Heart-warming holiday specials: Admit it, you love 'em. Especially "Peanuts" specials.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition": It gets ratings by being nice. And it makes us cry.
"Gilmore Girls": Such wit, such heart, such ironic pop culture awareness.
Anthony E. Zuicker: The creator of the "CSI" franchise infused his imaginative zest for life into shows about death and crime.
Dennis Haysbert's voice: What a voice, whether he's doing President Palmer on "24" or insurance commercials. I want that voice.
Aaron Sorkin: His lyrical writing for "Sports Night" and "The West Wing" set a standard for television literacy others are still trying to match.
The cast of "The West Wing": Though Sorkin departed and the quality crashed, they soldier on with spirit.
Dave Chappelle: He's different, he's iconoclastic, and mostly, he's funny.
Executive producers/writers Phil Rosenthal ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Bill Lawrence ("Scrubs"), Mitchell Hurwitz ("Arrested Development"), Marc Cherry ("Desperate Housewives") and J.J. Abrams ("Lost" and "Alias"): They stuck to their visions despite immense network pressure to be bland.
"Rescue Me": Denis Leary and FX made a show about firemen sad and clever and bracing.
"Law & Order" reruns: Seemingly all hours of the day.
Detective Lenny Briscoe: Jerry Orbach gives him world weariness and wit and he returns midseason on "Law & Order: Trial By Jury."
"Joan of Arcadia": It asks real questions about God without pandering to the scolds or zealots.
Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett: Their enthusiastic, inspired calls of the Tour de France are a joy. The accents don't hurt, either.
Ricky Gervais: His wretchedly desperate and unaware manager in BBC-America's "The Office" makes everyone feel better about their own bosses.
"Veronica Mars": A hardboiled detective drama/teen soap/long-range mystery. What's not to love?
Kathryn Morris: Her show, "Cold Case," is one of TV's best, and she gives it toughness and a soul.
"Frontline": There is still at least one news organization on TV with principles and guts. Among the subjects "Frontline" looked at this fall were advertisers, Wal-Mart and credit cards. I'll never shop again.
Rachel Ray: Delicious, easy-to-make, nutritious meals - and perk - all in 30 minutes.
"Nova": Who says you can't do science on TV?
Texas Hold 'Em: Who says you can't play poker on TV?
Larry David: He shared in the creation of "Seinfeld," and he gave us the acerbic, incredibly droll "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Jerry Seinfeld: How can you not like this guy, especially since he always gets off the stage before we get tired of him?
Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim": From "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law" to "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," it's a parade of iconoclastic brilliance.
"The Wire": Maybe HBO's best show. Absolutely TV's most under-appreciated show.
"South Park": Such pluck in kids so small.
Ken Burns documentaries: Odd music. Still pictures. Often unknown subjects. And yet, riveting television, even when the films last days and days.
Cable marathons: "NYPD Blues," "CSI," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," James Bond movies, "The Real World," "The West Wing," holiday cooking, "Gilligan's Island," "Law & Order," "King of the Hill," "Farscape." Who doesn't love a cable marathon?
Dog commercials: What can I say? I'm a dog guy.
"Monday Night Football": Still. It gives us something to look forward to on Mondays. As long as it's not a blowout.
"Saturday Night Live": Still. It gives us something to watch late Saturday night, and you never know when someone will get caught lip synching.
The Weather Channel: "Local on the 8s" is almost like haiku.
The Golf Channel: It makes the game look so easy.
Outdoor Life Network: Who else shows surfing, cycling, running and people getting caught in a mountain storm, all in the same afternoon.
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" movies: Because we all need to get a little teary-eyed now and then.
Disaster movies with lame special effects: They let us feel superior as we journey into the schlock.
Ken Jennings: He's the Michael Jordan of "Jeopardy!"
Jennifer Garner: Do you need to ask why?
TV on Thanksgiving: It gives the family something to do after dinner.
Pie: So it's not TV. It's pie.
Wow, that was a long article, i was wondering when i was going to get to Cold Case, took a while there 
<and he even included the pie ;D>
