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watch this: arrested development

March 16, 2013 No Comments

Is there a new model for television, and does it involve an old television series? Netflix seems to think so. I have yet to get on the House of Cards bandwagon (the first original with full season posting exclusively to Netflix) something about it all being available may encourage binging but it makes it a little daunting and a little less pressing for me to get started. And without a start the rest of my TiVo queue is just more imminent.

But what I will tune in for immediately is the long awaited fourth season of Arrested Development. After much hope for a possible flick a new season is in the works and will be posted exclusively to Netflix in May. Full season all at once, however will I pace myself!? And to prepare myself for this I have been rewatching the initial seasons. And I must say, they hold up well. The docu-style format is aptly utilized with the voice over and artful cutaways and inserts.

And truly a well-drawn dysfunctional family. They all are created as unique characters and yet are all clearly versions of this irregular family raised by somewhat parental figures played by Jessica Walter and Jeffrey Tambor. Jason Bateman as the ‘normal’ one adds just enough of his own quirks to keep him in the picture along with twin sis Portia de Rossi with somewhat husband David Cross, elder bro Will Arnett, and younger Tony Hale. Alia Shawkat and Michael Cera show how the dysfunction keeps going into the next generation. And the guest stars, they can’t all be as good as Liza Minelli but they’re mostly pretty darned good.

What have our characters been up to since last we saw them? Rumor has it each episode focuses on differing directions that they’ve gone and you know they’ll have to all end up together. Because if luck holds out a movie will follow. Now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together. It’s Arrested Development.

Details: Arrested Development, Netflix streaming, the current season is also available on Hulu.

watch this: breaking bad

August 16, 2012 2 Comments

I’m pleased to introduce our inaugural guest post, our first guestinator is our very own reader Leslie Zellers. Send the procrastinator a note if you’re interested in adding a “watch this” or other post or having the procrastinator contribute to your site.

Do you ever find yourself talking out loud to the TV, imploring the characters to make a different choice other than the obviously stupid choice they are about to make? Breaking Bad is one of those shows for me. I actually consider this a sign of good TV, since it means I am invested enough in what they are doing that I want to see it turn out ok for them. Although who are we kidding, things are not going to turn out ok for Walter White of AMC’s Breaking Bad.

For those who haven’t watched the show, which recently returned for its fifth season, I won’t give too much away. Even without watching the show for the first three seasons I knew that Walt – played by Bryan Cranston, who is utterly transformed from his role as dad on Malcolm in the Middle – is a high school chemistry teacher turned meth cook in order to provide for his family in the wake of a lung cancer diagnosis. Ok, that explains his motivations in season 1 but Walt’s reasons for continuing in the meth business become more complicated as the show goes on. Or maybe his reasons for continuing are simple – greed, power, and hubris – but it’s his life that becomes complicated in the wake of his decision.

Not only does Walt need to worry about getting caught by law enforcement, as anyone in the illegal drug business would, he also has to figure out how to hide his business from his family and navigate the territorial battles of rival drug dealers. All of which introduces us to the rich cast of supporting characters orbiting Walt. Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul) is Walt’s partner in the drug business. As a chronic underachiever in life, Jesse is treated with a mix of contempt and resignation from his former chemistry teacher, whom he refers to. Mr. White for all 5 seasons of the show even though Jesse probably knows Walt better than anyone.

Walt’s extremely uptight wife (Anna Gunn) vacillates between fear, hatred, and confusion the more she learns about Walt’s secret life. When Walt finally tells his wife where the money to pay for his cancer treatment came from, his distinction that he is a drug manufacturer not a drug dealer does not put Skylar at ease about the safety of her two children. And did I mention that Walt’s brother in law is a DEA agent? That would be enough intrigue for most shows, however Breaking Bad delves deeper into questions of morality and right and wrong by introducing us to a bad guy who is often more likable than Walt, the supposed “good guy” of the show. Giancarlo Esposito’s portrayal of cool and calculating chicken franchise owner Gus Fring features prominently in seasons 3 and 4 and is not to be missed.

Which brings me to the question of how to watch Breaking Bad. If you are a show novice I strongly recommend you follow the advice that I ignored and watch the show from the beginning. Whether you “binge” on multiple episodes in one sitting as described by Jim Pagels of Slate or watch the show at a leisurely pace is up to you. However I find that each episode requires my full attention — no going to the kitchen for a snack, because each scene serves a purpose.

For those who are already fans of the show, what do you want to see happen in this final season? Do you want Walt to get his comeuppance or would you like a “happy” ending?

Details: Breaking Bad, AMC, Sundays at 10pm (catch S5 with On Demand or from the start with Netflix streaming).

watch this: bunheads

July 16, 2012 No Comments

First let me say this is one of the dumbest titles. That said, much like a Cougar Town we must accept and get past it. Even with all of the television that I watch there are certain categories of shows that I’m missing. I like some good dramas, I like some good comedies, I like some good procedural, and then there’s Bunheads.

The easiest and most apt recommendation for this show is if you miss Gilmore Girls this show is for you. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino doesn’t stray far from the GG feel and although it’s not quite Lorelei and Rory it’s got enough of the good ingredients and enough potential that it fills a spot for me that I missed.

Main character Michelle (not Lorelei) played by Broadway star Sutton Foster is a classically trained dancer who ended up as a Vegas showgirl. In a moment of weakness she marries an admirer who sweeps her off to a small beach town, Paradise (not Stars Hollow). And lo and behold his mother is played by Mrs. Gilmore herself Kelly Bishop, but this time as a former dancer she channels the more artsy while still managing to spar delightfully with not Lorelei. The not Rory role is filled by four aspiring ballet dancers, aka bunheads, who each fit a type of girl. This is an ABC Family show after all.

From the quirky small town traditions to the eccentric characters (yes in need of development) to the overly verbose witty banter, so far I dig it. And as noted it’s still hitting its stride but I’m interested to see Michelle’s fish out of water gal get entrenched with the ballet studio and the main characters while they continue to develop the world they live in. Here’s hoping that it lives up to the potential and becomes something so that I actually don’t think of it as not GG.

Details: Bunheads, ABC Family, Mondays at 9pm (catch it from the start with On Demand).

watch this: the glee project

June 18, 2012 1 Comment

Here’s a new feature we’re trying out at pchron, ‘watch this’ throws a light on some shows that may be under your radar and are worth checking out. This first feature is a little nugget on Oxygen, The Glee Project. I caught this show last summer and was sucked in. But this year with deciding that singing competitions and Glee just sort of sucked, I wasn’t sure I’d be as enamored.

What keeps this engaging is its unique slant, this isn’t a competition for the best singer, it is casting for a specific show, Glee. And with the actual casting agent, vocal coach, choreographer, and creator of Glee making the call we get insight into the reality of the process. I don’t think watching Glee is a prerequisite, but having seen it might enhance your enjoyment.

The format is jam packed, the gang starts with a ‘homework assignment’ which is basically them being given a song and doing a group number, each person has to try to shine. The special mentor (someone from the Glee cast) picks the winner who gets some one-on-one time and an extra feature in the video. Then there’s the video, first they learn choreography, then they get in the vocal booth, and then we watch the shoot. It’s always a bit of a mess but at the end of the day they piece together a pretty good video, though they are all aware of who flailed.

The mentors (casting, vocals, and dance) pick the bottom three who then get to do a ‘last chance’ performance in front of creator Ryan Murphy. The first part of the show is more about whether they can bring it while fitting into the group and keeping up with the multiple demands of the musical numbers that make up the show. This second part gives them opportunities to not only perform but share a bit of their personality for Ryan who needs to decide whether the person is someone they can create a unique misfit character for. And when I say unique, they pick people from your standard geeky musical theater backgrounds but also like to add in peeps with a good story like a blind kid and a transgendered kid.

The kids are of course a mix of sweet, and annoying, and driven and all that, and there’s just a touch of their off screen time to add to the mix. As with all reality competitions at the end of the day I don’t so much care who the winner of the next The Glee Project is, but I enjoy tagging along for the competition.

Details: The Glee Project, Oxygen, Tuesdays at 10pm.