True Blood Season 4

On Sunday night I did something I rarely do to a television show I like.  I turned off True Blood with about 20 minutes to go in its season four finale... and I didn't care.  I still don't.  It's a symptom that a show may be past its prime for me to do something like that.

True Blood is based on the Sookie Stackhouse/ Southern Vampire novels written by Charlaine Harris.  I love their wit, charm, and their readability.. I can finish one in as little as a few days.  The show has strayed a little too far away from the books for my liking. 

Season one started off as horror; a tightly paced original show; a typically high-quality HBO series. Seasons 2, and 3 continued in the same direction using the  horror-fantasy genre introducing witches, werewolves, and shifters.  I loved Russell Edgington; probably the best bad guy of the whole series so far, but that was also where the series started to go camp.

Where do I start with season 4? The Sookie Stackhouse character has gone from the kick-ass heroine portrayed in the books to the damsel in distress, poor defenseless and waiting for Eric and Bill to rescue her.   The vampire women seem to have gotten all the good lines in the season too.The Sookie character in the novels is the books' heart, and humour.  She also has a more steely side to her.

Speaking of Eric and Bill.  Bill as vampire King doesn't act very kingly.  He's not as dangerous, as you'd might expect, and really you might hope for.  And Eric; in the book season 4 is based on he has to fight for her affections, it's more like the beginning of a relationship.  In the show there's barely any hints of that. 

Tara was useless.  Honestly if she left the show, I wouldn't care.  Her only purpose on it seems to be as the angry, and bitter character towards the entire supernatural world.   And also to discourage Sookie from choosing Bill or Eric; Tara doesn't have a life of her own besides her anger. Too much anger can be boring after a while.
 
Season 4 lacked cohesiveness for me.  Usually there is an 'aha' moment where all the puzzle pieces fall into place, and that there wasn't for me.  Does this mean I won't watch season #5 when Space shows it? I want to give it a second chance, so that means yes I probably will.  It's just not appointment viewing for me anymore.

Upcoming CBC Season

This Fall, the CBC will apparently contain up to 175 fewer hours of original programming... at least according to an article in today's Toronto Star. It's set against the backdrop of the network having its funding cut over the next few years, and an ongoing debate over the network's role in Canadian culture.

There is definitely a role for the CBC as it comes to Canadian culture, and news.  They cover international news better than the other networks, and go into more depth on the national news than the  other networks.  On the fictional side I'm a huge fan of Republic of Doyle, and also the move to bring Murdoch Mysteries over from CityTV... in fact it's my dream lineup to have those shows on back-to-back on say Wednesday nights?? I wouldn't change the channel if that were to happen.  And based on that cliff-hanger ending I'm pleased Adam Beach is returning with Arctic Air as well.

I think like every other television network on the planet the CBC fell into the trap of too much Reality TV, because it was easy, and got lots of ratings.  I'm not surprised at the cancellations-I never watched Battle of the Blades or the Debaters.  Judging from the bits I've seen of Michael Tuesdays and Thursdays it seemed to be a very niche, very smart show and that doesn't always appeal to the mainstream.  I might have added This Hour has 22 Minutes to the cancellation pile; it was very hit and miss funny for me- sometimes I'd tune in and I'd spend the whole time laughing.  Other times I'd scratch my head wondering "how is that funny?"

There's plenty of decent homegrown shows out there.  Global's found them in Rookie Blue, CTV's found them in The Listener, and Flashpoint.  Space has found it in Sanctuary (shot in British Columbia), and Being Human (U.S.) shot in Montreal featuring mostly Canadian cast.  Showcase has found it in the Toronto-shot Lost Girl, and Bravo has found it in its co-production of The Borgias featuring Francois Arnaud (Cesare Borgia), and Colm Feore (Del La Rovere)

I know most of those shows have some hefty price-tags that come with them so given its cost-cutting mood that buying homegrown television shows isn't option.  But that still leaves developing its own talent- and perhaps that's where the network could excel and become a true voice in Canadian culture.  You could even make it a reality show- call it "Pitch Me, get people pitching their ideas for the next CBC hit.

Dear Leafs

Leafs Owner Larry Tanenbaum has in a one-page letter to fans in most of the Toronto papers apologized for the team's bad season.  As every letter deserves a response, here's mine:

Dear Leafs,
On behalf of my fellow disgruntled Leaf fans,I'd like to say that I'm sorry.  I'm sorry that I haven't found another team to root for; I just didn't pay more attention to say the Habs, or the Penguins or even heaven forbid the Senators.  But call it a misguided sense of eternal optimism, or hope but I really thought you were going to do better this year.

I'm sorry too that I can potentially see myself never going to a game.  You have long priced your tickets out of the realm of affordability for anything but the nosebleed sections.  Granted, they probably have more fun up there- still there's a lot to be said for watching the hockey game without binoculars.  If you wanted to reward us for putting up with seven years of bad hockey perhaps a price reduction on tickets may be an order?

I'm sorry that Brian Burke comes across as being well to put it nicely a bit of a jerk.  Let's face it: in hindsight being  he probably should've fired Ron Wilson a long time before he actually did. If it happened at the all-star break maybe you guys might well be playing hockey right now.  And that whole fiasco with a certain well-known Toronto morning show host? He was just doing his job; asking the question any journalist or fan who has five minutes alone with Burke would ask.  

I'm sorry Leaf management is delusional.  Your constant search for the next Gilmour, or the next Gretzky, or the next Crosby keeps you distracted from surrounding the decent players you have with other equally decent players through drafts and trades.  You are "The Leafs," one of the richest franchises in all of sports, it wouldn't go amiss if you spent some money out on the players? There probably is an endless supply of players who would do anything to play here.

Perhaps though what I'm sorriest of all about is that you guys don't appreciate  the fans passion.  The fact that this whole hockey thing.. has sinisterly morphed from being about those fans to being merely a game of dollars and cents.  It has gone from being the game that is practically a national religion in this country to being based on a philosophy of "how can I make the most money?" And you don't even realize it.  It's so bad that it's as if the passionate fans; the ones that paint their faces for every game... the ones who watch on television with the endless supply of hope this would be the year aren't being heard. 


I hope I've given you a lot to reflect as you hit the links and spend time with your families.  Have a great summer.

From:
One Sorry Leaf Fan
 

Bell/Astral Merger: The Eternal Optimists perspective

Bell Media has bought Astral Media.  The sentence means nothing if you don't follow media business, but if you do it means that Bell media has become one of the largest media companies in the country.  They say they made the purchase to gain a foothold in Quebec, where their largest competitor is QuebecOr parent company to the Sun Media Newspaper chain.  In small part it is about that, but a much larger part is providing content for smartphone, and web platforms.

Critics raise concerns about the concentration of ownership.  With the purchase Bell Media adds to their properties television stations TMN (The Movie Network), and HBO Canada, as well as radio stations in Quebec, and Ontario.  In Toronto alone the purchase will bring NewsTalk1010, Boom97.3, and Virgin 99.9 under the same banner as the Chum family of radio stations.  Another concern has to be about editorial voice; I'd have to imagine  the new company will speak with one singular voice across all platforms, for example: if the company is pro Conservative on a given issue then that could be reflected in the way stories are covered across all platforms. For people who crave a different point of view having that singular voice isn't a good thing.

I don't think it's a done deal yet. The CRTC (Canadian Radio Telecommunications Commission), and the Competition Bureau still have to look at it. I think both will have to consider the big picture; how this deal will impact on Bell's last deal which saw them purchase a chunk of the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (including the Air Canada Centre, LeafsTV, and Raptors TV). 

The competition bureau will look at the monopoly angle of it.  Using the Toronto example, that will bring several stations in the Toronto under the same banner.  I'd imagine Bell Media would be asked to likely sell at least one of them off.  In an obvious position to benefit would be Rogers Communications.  However, I don't think they would being in a similar position to Bell Media; the two companies are rivals in a sense.

This is where the short-term confusion becomes long-term calm.  Being an eternal optimist I believe that after all these deals are put under a microscope, and all the negotiations finished; the smaller companies will eventually benefit.    There is always room for another voice; Astral may have merged with Bell.  But there could be someone out there getting ready to create another company  to replace Astral or that will do something better than what came before.  In an era of constant demand for content there could eventually be a place where freelancers prosper.  The Bell-Astral Merger could be doom and gloom now, but it could all work out in the end.

Arcitc Air: Season Review

Arctic Air ended its first season on Tuesday.  It starred Adam Beach as a kind of wayward son type; Bobby Martin, who left home for school, and never looked back until he took a business trip to The Yukon from Vancouver on a business trip, and ends up staying to run the airline.   The series tells the story of his bid to readjust to life in the North, and as a co-owner of Arctic Air.

At first I wanted to give up on the show.  But I kept saying to myself  "it's Adam Beach, I've got to give it one more week."  And before I knew it,  I really got into it; loving the characters, stories and humour.  And the Northwest Territories plays just as much of a character was a plus too exposing many viewers to a place of beauty few know about.

Even though I loved the stories, they could be the show's weak point as well.  The writers would hint at one development; and then not deliver for weeks, and we would barely see the characters as well.  I'm thinking specifically of the storyline about Bobby discovering his kid.  They'd hint about them finding out about each other, and then nothing would happen.  I suppose it's meant to build the tension, and draw the viewers in, and it's worked for me.  But the only way the anticipation works if you see the characters on a regular basis and a few episodes would go by before we'd see either.

The season finale had a great payoff at the end. It ends with a kiss, and cliffhanger.  It was an emotional kiss between Bobby (Beach and Krista (Pascale Hutton) as her father lay dying on the operating table.  And the cliffhanger was just as the doctor came and talk to her.  Would her father live? Would she finally get it together with Bobby, a childhood sweetheart of sorts? These questions await the announcement of another season.

I hope there is one, because I'd love to know the answers.

Still in Love with Downton Abbey

True confession time; I'm still in love with Downton Abbey.  It's not for everyone; Period British dramas are admittedly a bit of a niche.  And there are those out there who have stopped watching, who have given up on the show.

But I'm not one of them. And last night's episode cinched for me.  Oh sure, there have been moments this season that have been eye-rolling in their over-the-top melodrama... usually involving Matthew or Mary; or some combination of the two.  And others where I have wanted to tell Daisy to grow a backbone; which she finally has now.  Or tell Thomas to be a little nicer.  But I've stuck with it.

I've stuck with it mostly because of the characters.  I'm in love with Lady Violet's (Maggie Smith) gloriously inappropriate one-liners.  This week it was to Sir Richard as he left the season he tells her she might not see her again; she responds: "do you promise?"  It's as if she speaks for the viewer sometimes.

Series 2 told the story of  how the family and servants dealt with World War I. It really made the social classes even; Matthew had William as a fellow soldier, Sybill fell for Branson the chauffeur, and Anna seemed more a part of the family than the servants' world.  Mary was ready to wed Sir Richard, a newspaper magnate from what could be called "new money."  At the start of season 2 there were two separate worlds one above stairs, and one below.  When season 2 ends; it's as if they're one.

The season finale was the Downton Abbey Christmas special.  The family gathers at the house for the holidays.  Anna's husband Jon Bates stands accused of the premeditated murder of his ex-wife and is about to go trial.  Sir Richard is determined to set a date for his wedding to Mary, but ends up as the Earl says "putting her teeth on edge."  


 The episode's ending was worth waiting two seasons for.  The final scene was between Matthew and Mary out in the courtyard at Downton.  They start talk about the scandal that left Mary "damaged goods;" and Mary's plans to go to America.  And it ends up with Matthew making a proposal of marriage.  The scene is the perfect way to end the Christmas special; the snow is falling on New Year's Eve, it's dark and there's nobody around- just the right amount of romance made it the perfect way to end the season.  It made me realize why I am still in love with Downton Abbey.

How Is that Okay Grammys?

I don't think I can sum up my reaction to Chris Brown better than Gossip Columnist Lainey Liu did in a recent blog post.  She wants people to be angry with the academy, and I am.   How could they legitimize a guy who would beat a woman like that? Ask him to perform, and give him an award for his music too.

I get wanting to give someone a second chance. and in most cases I agree, just not this one.  Because what Brown did was unforgivable; he beat a woman.  That should be career suicide, it should mean he's a social pariah.  I remember Jay-Z saying at the time he would make life difficult for Brown; he would ruin his career.  What happened to that? And now he comes back to win a Grammy three years later? What's wrong with this picture?

How is that okay Grammy Academy?  Essentially that's what you're saying by giving him an award.  At one point he may have been a talented musician, maybe.  But his actions have spoken louder than words here; he is a violent, angry man and I just can't get past that- any normal human being shouldn't get past that.

You're setting a horrible for young women. How many women in similar situations to Brown's and Rhianna's won't speak up now, because virtually nothing has happened to him? You had a chance to make him pay a price here by refusing to let him perform, and refusing to give him any awards, and you didn't.  How is that okay Grammy Academy?

There's an old cliche that people often buy awards.  This proves it.  As Lainey says in her column; Be angry with the academy.  And I am.  So are others.  To share your anger sign this petition... because the Grammy academy awarding Chris Brown, is not okay.

Capsule Review: Smash

I had three good reasons to watch Smash Monday night: Angelica Huston, Debra Messing, and Jack Davenport.  I only caught parts of it as I flipped between that and another show, but what I did catch was brilliant.

The premise is about the struggle to bring a musical based on Marylin Monroe to Broadway.  Messing plays the writer, Angelica Houston plays the producer, and Davenport plays the director.  They're joined by Megan Hilty, and Katharine McPhee (yes, that Katharine McPhee from Idol) as actresses competing to play the lead role. 

I've heard it explained as "Glee" for grownups.  I rarely watch a full episode of Glee, but I'd say Smash is better.  It has more of a story to it, where Glee's stories are often kept to only one episode. Not to mention Smash I think has a few original songs in it, where I think Glee for the most part has none.  I think Glee has gotten too campy, and the story has been lost in favour of how many guest stars they can pack into a given season.

 I watched just enough to whet my appetite, and will probably end up streaming the first episode online and watching the rest of the season on television.

Disappointed by Ricky Gervais

I started watching the Globes Pre-show on E.  I found it really superficial, and focused too much on the gowns, and celebrity.  One anchor commented on the fact Brad Pitt opened the car door for Angelina; I just rolled my eyes and said: "Well what do you expect? They are practically husband and wife" .   And honestly it made me long for E-Talk's live coverage and Ben Mulroney.  When Mulroney interviews someone- he manages to do both successfully.  At times Ryan Seacrest was by the celebrity glitz and glamour of it.


One thing that stood out for me about last night's Golden Globes: Ricky Gervais.  He was funny; I found myself  laughing out loud at his jokes.  But he wasn't as funny as he was last year.  Yes, I get that maybe he went a little too far at times, but he seemed pretty much muzzled this year.   The unpredictability of his jokes was gone. 

It was disappointing- I don't know exactly why. It may have had something to do with the fact we'd seen it before the previous year, or this constant fear of offending someone with what could be considered in some circles as the truth.  And that's what Gervais was good at; blunt jokes that after you finished laughing had some tiny kernel of truth in them.  That's what I missed in his performance last night.  And there didn't seem to be enough of him- of course I did turn it away to watch Downton Abbey for an hour at 9.

As for the awards themselves; It was nice to see Christopher Plummer win Best supporting Actor for Beginners.  I thought it was a little unfair of Meryl Streep won for the Iron Lady; a movie  that has only just been released, and has generated more than a little controversy over whether it should've been made in the first place.  I've never heard of the show Kelsey Grammer won for, and am not  really a fan.  The movie "The Artist" won, and that was a bit of fresh air; as always it was nice to see the underdog win.
Elton John did look pissed.  I would be too if I lost to Madonna- W.E. wasn't in wide release, and from what I  hear of it; it was a pretty bad  movie.  

As far as awards shows go; it was okay.  It had its surprises; its moments; it actually ended early which I'm sure a lot of people appreciated.  I'm sure the Oscars will improve on it.

The Twesume... really??

When I was in journalism school my instructors suggested that we be a bit more careful about what we put up on social networking sites because our future employers would likely find it.  Just as social networking sites such as LinkedIn, facebook and even twitter are used to check out future employees,  they are being increasingly used by job searchers.

Enter the Twesume; that's right you can now tweet your resume.  Mashable.com has a detailed article  on it.  Basically get a twitter account, and tweet your professional achievements, and what your career goal is; it can even include whether or not you want to relocate.  According to the article, it's recruiting using social networking or social recruiting is considered the next trend in job searching in 2012.

Now, I'm a fairly active user of social networking sites- I use mainly facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn.  But I think this is going a little too far.  Tweeting a resume?? Granted it does force job searchers to focus in a little more on their field, say directly what they want without wasting any words.  But how do you sum yourself up in 140 characters?  I don't think it's possible.

Take me for example; I mainly tweet about politics- but I have other interests, and I don't like being so serious all the time.  I tend to be a little less guarded on Facebook, using it mostly for socializing.  On LinkedIn, I'm professional focusing in on my career related experience in Journalism.  And again I feel I've done enough that I can't exactly sum up those experiences in merely 140 characters.

What is facebook but a snapshot in time? What is Twitter but a lingering thought to be shared with the world? People are more  than facebook, more than twitter.  Arguably you can present yourself any way you want to online, and you can never get the full picture of someone.

Don't get me wrong, technology, and social networking are both great.  Just keep in mind job searchers are more than their online profiles, and definitely more than 140 characters.

My Top 5 Wishes for television in 2012

Everyone is providing their top lists of what they want to see happen in the world of television for 2012.  Here's mine

1. The Death of Reality Television: I just want the concept to die.  I'd argue there's no such thing as true "reality" some of it always ends up on the cutting room floor.   "Dancing With The Stars" it seems reaches increasingly for the dregs of Hollywood food chain the longer it goes on.  American Idol is getting so that I can predict who they'll take based on the stories at the auditions- "the Single Mom" "the sick one," etc.  And there are the serial reality contestants- Clay Aitken won on Idol, and is now on Celebrity Apprentice.  "Boston Rob" has done Survivor at least twice, and the Amazing Race once. He's now is hosting some kind of car-related shows.

2. A Return to Scripted Dramas:  A return to relying on well-crafted scripted dramas.  One of my favourites this season has been Once Upon A Time.  It's like someone took the world of fairytales put it in a blender and turned it on.  The Evil Queen from Snow White, is friends with the evil witch from Sleeping Beauty... who'd have thought?  I've loved the twists and turns of it; those who watched last night's episode know what I'm talking about... see Rumplestiltskin (aka Robert Carlyle).  Pan-Am the show about the airline of the same name should be given another chance; what I saw of that it was smartly written, and stylishly presented.  It's got some of the same names attached to it on the production side as West Wing did and that show was classic.

3. A Torchwood return? I got watching a Space marathon  one day over Christmas where they ran the last two seasons (Children of Earth, and Miracle Day) all day and I longed for that show's return... especially after "Miracle Day"'s ending.  However only if it's more like Children of Earth; Miracle Day's story was good, but didn't have nearly the tension in  the story as Children of Earth did.

4. This one is more of a hope; That CBC keeps the Murdoch Mysteries the same as it is right now.  I've just really started getting into that show watching it on DVD, and the writing has gotten better every season- the dialouge has had more of a crispness to it every season.  And I really like that it keeps me guessing.  I'll be watching it, and have it reasoned out who the murderer is.. then baam there's a twist that completely changes it.

5.  A Return to Soap Operas: I've read elsewhere online that the ratings for ABC's pair of lifestyle shows aren't the greatest.  My wish is that they return to the land of soap operas.  I've watched parts of "the Chew" and found it disjointed.  I hope network executives realize people don't really want to watch that.  If they do, then they'd flip it to the Food Network.  People want that daily dose of escapism that only Soap Operas deliver.  If they do come back, hopefully someone will realize that these are driven by storyline.  Without a decent storyline, everything else falls by the wayside.