Back – For now.

While it’s been quite a while since I’ve even logged into this blog, this post will keep with its predecessors and discuss Television.

The most compelling TV show ever might be Intervention. I’ve watched 3 in a row. Some are better than others, but overall this show is amazing. The last two that have been on have been incredibly sad. One was of a guy who had a drinking problem, to the point that his liver didn’t function and he was covered in gross bruises. His motor skills deteriorated because of the Grand Mal Seizures he had as a result of alcohol poisoning. The pictures of him as a healthy normal person were unrecognizable. After pretty much being coerced into going to rehab he was asked to leave after a month for not fully committing himself to treatment. He ended up dying at home a month later from esophageal bleeding.

I think that might be the first time I’ve seen someone die on the show.

The one that’s on right now is about a heroine addict. The shows involving IV drugs gross me out to no end. The dude is talking about how painful it is to inject the heroine into his butt. Really though – what is the guy expecting?

The thing I really don’t understand about this show is that most people have some sort of MAJOR issues from their past which ‘led them to’ abuse whatever substance. I’m fairly certain about 90% of the people I know have had some sort of legitimate dramatic ‘episode’ of some sort in life and (as far as I know) no one has resorted to hard drugs or felt that they have no where to turn to. This is not to say I don’t sympathize with any of the situations – I can’t really imagine such a level of despair that the only way to escape is something so extreme that it takes hold of your life and consumes you.

(Side note: If I NEVER see another E-Harmony commercial again in my life, it might be too soon)

I am curious to know how long a show like Intervention can keep working before people start catching on that they’re not actually in the type of documentary they think? Or is that part of the gimmick – hard core substance abusers are too busy and/or messed up to realize what’s going on and the show will prevail everytime.

I find it really bothersome when people refuse the treatment. They are getting spoon-fed a second chance in life and they can’t get over themselves long enough to realize how fortunate they are. Really, how many people would kill for the chance to get that kind of help but are so stuck in the disastrous rut that they don’t have any family (or anyone at all for that matter) to hook them up with a tv show for a chance at rehab. They WOULD get the help, but really how do you go about doing that when all you know is scoring your crack 8 times a day.

That’s one aspect of the show that bothers me. Why not find the crack-heads who don’t have anyone to help them out – no family support or friends to stage the intervention. I’m sure there are exponentially more addicts who don’t have a soul to help them. The majority of the time there’s a strange irony as family members are more or less enabling the person by giving them all the luxuries of living with family. While I don’t know if putting them out on the street would help any or send some sort of message, I certainly know that the perks of living ‘at home’ don’t help at all and seem to only encourage people.

Anyway, here’s hoping that the ‘intervention’ level of desperation never looms near.

Best. Season. Ever

The latest episode of The L Word has roped me in even further. Didn’t think it was possible.  With some shows, it’s hard to juggle multiple story lines and keep each one interesting nevermind captivating.  The most obvious story dying for comment is the Bette/Tina reunion ^_^  While it’s been a long time coming, it did not disappoint me at all. They’ve always had such good chemistry whether they were together or hating each other.  I want them back together. Jodi was fun while she lasted. Also, quick note -  all the juicy stuff between them was REALLY well done.  You didn’t really want it to stop.

Too bad Alice and Tasha broke up.  I don’t quite think it’s really over yet, but who knows.  Alice was annoying in the previous episode in all her outing-someone-else glory.  I think if that actually happened there’d be a bigger stink though and the ‘Outer’ would sit on the hot seat a tad longer.  But hey…

Jenny’s movie has been amusing.  I still can’t stop gushing about how amazing Mia Kirshner has been this season. She always came off as flakey in the past and you were never quite sure if it was her over doing it or the character, but this season she’s been spot on.  You (I) love to hate her

Funny moment of the episode  – PsychoSheBar lady’s rats running through the Planet and Angelica calling them puppies.  HAH! That’s classic. Speaking of PsychoSheBar lady, I don’t really enjoy her at all. She’s annoying me more than anything and needs to get lost.

I’m curious about what’ll happen with Adele. Right from the start there was something kind of off about her, she seemed innocent enough though. I hope it doesn’t drag out too long though, there’s too much main character stuff to fit in.

Nip… it in the bud

I’m sitting watching episode 12 of this season.  I’ve liked this show from the start, able to put aside how ridiculous some of it is and just enjoying it for what it is.  This season though, something is rubbing me the wrong way.  I think it has something to do with the number of additional characters and stories going.  Let’s count:

1. Kimber and Matt come back
2. Julia is temporarily gay with Olivia
3. Olivia’s mental case daughter Eden and all of the antics she brings along
4. Gina coming back out of nowhere
5. Sean’s crazy killer agent

These are only a few of the many that are jam-packed into any given episode.  The Kimber story seems redundant this time around.  She’s annoying me a LOT.  I really liked the Julia/Olivia arc.  Portia de Rossi was great on the show. It’s too bad she was only on for a few episodes.  I think it was the sense of normalcy she brought that I liked (crazy daughter not included). The entire Eden thing is garbage. I don’t like the look of her face and she isn’t bringing anything particularly interesting to the show. Actually, that’s a lie, I’m curious to see what she poisoned Julia with.  Gina coming back as the receptionist was ridic.  I’m semi happy she’s dead, she was more or less out of track with where the character could go.  Christian accidentally killing her was a bit out there, but I guess it was fitting.

Something that isn’t annoying me this season is Sean.  While he used to be in the back seat, he’s more assertive now and his stories are much more interesting (cue girlfriend taking a dump in the hot tub). Christian’s stories are somewhat redundant as well – He’s always wanted to be in the spotlight, nothing new and has always envied/undermined sean in someway, blah blah blah.

As mentioned, I’m watching episode 12 right now.  Perhaps the least entertaining of the season.  Too much Kimber and too much Christian getting it on.  While I’m sure a lot of people watch solely for these reasons, a lot of loose ends need tying up and it’s just not happening right now.  Stupid fillers…

Oh – Sean’s crazy agent lady is also annoying.  As if he’d stick it out with her. I know plausibility isn’t exactly at the forefront with this show, but she’s too irritating.

Anyway…

L what?

This season of the L Word has been one of the best yet, if not THE best.  It’s only 5 episodes in and I’m completely invested.  There’s something really different about this season. You can’t quite touch on one thing in particular because clearly everything is a bit different.  In the past, good story lines have saved questionable acting and vice-versa. This time around though, everyone’s at the top of their game – actors, writers etc.

Two stories have stood out through these first five episodes.  The first is Jenny.  While she’s been the one people love to hate, for a variety of reasons, this season she’s been doing a great job at being amazingly hate-worthy.  I almost can’t stand the sight of her and know that some ridiculous comment or request is coming from her as soon a she’s on screen. She’s impossible, unreasonable and over the top in the best way possible. Thumbs up to Mia Kirshner.  The second story that I can’t get enough of is from Tina.  I’ve never really cared that much about her, but this season she looks GREAT and I definitely think Laurel Holloman has become a (way) better actress.  There’s something else about her that I can’t pinpoint but she is getting my attention big-time.  It also goes without saying that the Bette/Tina thing so exciting. The tension is good times.

As a sidenote Shane looks great this season as well. She’s not wearing much makeup and it’s definitely working for her.  Bette looks beautiful as always and the slow unraveling of Bette and Jodi has been delicious.  Alice and Tasha playing on social commentary has been interesting.  I don’t always agree with Alice (even though she’s my favourite), but her and Tasha present a good dichotomy.

Go L word Go

Enough Kobe, seriously.

Why do the Raptors LOVE letting Kobe Bryant light them up? 46 points is ridiculous. Not nearly as bad as 81, but still – come on. The guy pretty much goes where he pleases and gives almost any shot he takes a good chance of going in. With all of this in mind, he is still only one guy, so how is it that one guy is beating five guys on the other team?

While they do have some big wins over big teams (Dallas, San Antonio, Boston to name a few), they let some games get away from them for no apparent reason. Tonight’s loss might be a result of crummy bench scoring though – only 18 points between 3 players. No Humphries tonight either. What gives? Benching Joey Graham I get, but Humphries has been decent more times than not and could’ve helped out. It also doesn’t help the situation when Jamario Moon only puts in 4 points. Acrobatically, he’s the Raptors’ answer to Kobe, he NEEDS to be driving and dunking and NOT shooting 3’s or any mid to long range jumpers to be effective. To be fair, I’ll also rag on Delfino. He’s been too good in a lot of games to periodically crap out and be a non-factor. We all know he loves to shoot and some nights it works out better than others. Like Moon, he needs to get inside more as well. He didn’t shoot a free-throw tonight – kind of brutal and only took 3 shots that weren’t 3’s – also kind of brutal.

Anyway, enough about that. Bottom line – the game was within reach at half, must stop screwing yourselves over for one quarter.  Let’s hope they make it up on Monday.