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Various Television ProgramsLast updated 28 May, 2006 Fly-by-nights—those I only watched for a while. Or those I watch regularly, but don't have much to say about.
Boomtown
What suffers in the approach, though, is the character development. There is a lot of potential richness there, but it hasn't been explored all that much, except for Fearless and the DA. I want to know more about the rest of them, and at this pace, it could be years before we get there. But at least we won't be bored on the way. The Chris Isaak Show
The Daily Show
The Eleventh Hour
At any rate, this is the only new Canadian drama series this year (2002). It's about the creation of a W5-style news program. Only three or four episodes have aired so far, but they've been pretty good. If I can possibly fit it in, I'll probably keep watching. Felicity
Firefly
The thing is that, even through this half-viewing, I could tell that the show was getting a lot better. Even more striking: despite the large cast, I definitely had a sense of all the characters. Even in a half season half watched, each became a distinct individual. But now it is cancelled, and though a return is possible, it's not likely. And TV will be the poorer for it. Flick
FriendsI don't catch it every time, but when I do? It's still fun and funny. No mean feat nine years later. Pioneer QuestCanadian reality television. See two couples struggle as pioneers in Manitoba this year -- which has featured the wettest summer and the coldest winter in a long time. The Shield
In the way of all strong television series, however, the supporting characters are very strong as well, particularly the team of Dutch and Claudette, talented detectives both, who manage to solve cases in a more traditional approach than that taken by Vic's team. The SopranosIt's not the violence, it's not the sex and nudity, it's not the coarse language. It's not even, really, the plotlines. It's the characters. Every one of them — Tony, Dr. Melfi, Carmella, Janice, Uncle Junior, Adriana — presented in such vivid 3D that you feel you know them, even though you probably haven't known anyone quite like them. They are all deeply flawed, yet not without redeeming qualities (well, except Ralphie, maybe. Haven't found much redemption there.). It can be very uncomfortable viewing, but it's never boring. Will and GraceExcept for the gay factor, not really all that striking or original, but often worth it just for the eye-popping lines that come out of Jack and Karen's mouths. |
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Copyright © 2001–2006 - Jean Lefebvre
and Catherine McNair
All Rights Reserved
Webmaster: Catherine McNair
Others
Competing
with Everwood as the most-praised new show, Boomtown
is definitely interesting. Each episode is like a puzzle you have to put
together, as scenes are shown from different perspectives and, often,
out of sequence. The whole thing only makes sense at the end, and it's
definitely an interesting journey. 
I'm
still watching this, and I'm still not entirely sure why. Is it actually
good, or am I just too sleepy to be discerning at that time?
This
is a changed program since September 11. Based out of New York, and previously
strongly critical of Bush and featuring mostly actors as guests, it has
changed its format and features a lot more serious journalists as guests.
I don't expect The Daily Show to be touching and informative, but
sometimes it is, now. And with the anthrax scare (“America freaks
out!”), it's often funny as well.
Why
must so much play on Tuesdays? What is up with that?
This
show started out annoying this season, but by the end Jean and I were
thoroughly hooked again. And then what happened? CTV pulled it again,
of course! 70 channels, and not one carries Felicity. That's just
not right. (And she's in New York, too. Hmm.)
The
first few episodes of this were just not that good. They weren't bad;
but they weren't strikingly original or compelling either. Combined with
the cancellation rumours that soon started buzzing around this program,
and I decided I just wasn't going to give it my full attention. So I sort
half-watched each episode: It was on while I did something else, or whatever.
I
rather liked this Canadian movie review show; I wonder if it will be back.
New
to free Canadian TV this year, its short season already over, this is
what NYPD Blue could have been if it were more brave. The main character
is Vic Mackie. In the first episode, he seems thoroughly corrupt (yet
thoroughly compelling), going so far as to (shockingly) murder another
cop, in stark contrast to the upstanding captain who wants to expose him
for what he is. As the series progresses, shades of gray are introduced.
Mackie may take ethical shortcuts, but he does have a big heart, does
love his family, does have a sort of moral/ethical code. And our stalwart
captain seems less stirling as his raw political ambition, with its own
form of duplicity, is revealed.