I think I’ve put my finger on what is bothering me about 24 this year.
In any season, 24 episodes are divided up between “Jack Stuff” and “Non-Jack Stuff.” The “Jack Stuff” is, and always should be, more interesting than the “Non-Jack Stuff.” But in past seasons, the “Non-Jack Stuff” has at least been entertaining. Not so this season. This season, the show grinds to a complete halt during the “Non-Jack Stuff.”
Why is this? I think it’s because the show has repeatedly gotten rid of almost all of the supporting characters we, the audience, gave a damn about. No David Palmer, no Sherry Palmer, no Mike Novick, no Secret Security Agent Aaron Whatshisname, no Charles Logan, no Martha Logan, no Nina, no Tony, no Michelle, no Curtis. All we have left is Chloe and Bill Buchanan, and Bill got kicked to the curb this last episode. (Kicked to the curb in an almost identical manner and identical point in the season as last year, I feel compelled to point out.) And so, when we cut away from “Jack Stuff” (which we have to do at some point, because there are times Jack is doing stuff that just isn’t that interesting, although at this point, I think Jack stopping to get a bite to eat would be more interesting than yet another cut away to a White House scene). I’m not sure what can be done at this point – bringing any of the dead back to life would be contrary to the realism the show has established (though there was always something more than a little suspicious about Tony’s death – I think you could construct a scenario where he hadn’t really died) but creating new characters hasn’t really helped either.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
24 Woes
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Watching TV- Rituals
No, I'm not talking about blood-letting into a pint of Ben and Jerry's while watching Dr. Phil, though I could understand why one would. I'm talking about the rituals some of us have when watching certain TV shows. Most of us have had at least one, maybe it was waking up before the crack of dawn on Saturdays to grab a bowl of Cocoa Puffs and watch Bugs Bunny while our parents tried to sleep in. And we wonder why our moms were so cranky at the grocery store later in the day. I definitely had that ritual, and the post-grocery store spankings to prove it.
When I was a bit older, but still young, I would go to my grandmother's apartment on Fridays to spend the night. Grandma and I would watch "The Dukes of Hazzard", "Dallas" and "Falcon Crest", and she'd let me eat all the junk food I wanted. We'd burn up the calories laughing in bed at her crazy jokes. Then I started getting into football, and would watch the games on Sunday with my dad explaining the rules and my mom asking how many goals the teams had. I'm totally serious, she still does this. I blame it on my brother's soccer playing.
It would be much later when my next TV ritual began. My freshman year of college, "Beverly Hills 90210" premiered, and "Melrose Place" not too long after. A bunch of us would gather up at my friend Suzi's apartment, make dinner, and watch the shows. Suzi was so serious about these shows, she would keep a spray bottle of water clutched in her hands, and if you talked, you got spritzed. Like a cat. To this day, if I unfortunately happen upon one of those shows in syndication, I have to fight the urge to grab my umbrella.
Then "Survivor" hit the boob tube, and with it, a new ritual. I'd watch it over a big bowl of angel hair with vodka sauce, get sauced on vodka tonics, then meet fellow drunks in a "Survivor" chat room after the show. Shortly after, and continuing to this day, is the "American Idol" ritual, with my mom calling me at every break to dish and bitch about the performances and judges. It's way safer than the ritual drinking games involving Paula and what meds she is on each week.
If you feel so inclined, please share your own TV show-watching rituals!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Elimination Station
Need a bit more of an Amazing Race fix each week? Head to Elimination Station. Losing racers are being sequestered at a resort in Acapulco, an each week a new short video clip airs showing the arrival of a new team or, in the event of a non-elimination, the eliminated racers hanging out and having fun. It’s pretty cool to watch.
