BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: MY TOP 10 TV SHOWS, RIGHT NOW
By JOHN YOUNGREN
You know, the season’s about two-thirds of the way over now, meaning we have roughly 6-8 episodes left of our prime-time favorites before the end of May.
You can tell by the way all the networks are promoting what they have left this season: NBC has even started a rather grim deathwatch for Anthony Edwards’ Dr. Marc Greene (suffering from a brain tumor) on "ER."
So I figured now’s as good a time as any for me to share my current "Top 10" list of prime-time shows. Keep in mind, these are distinctly personal choices – made by someone who’s made a 35-year career out of watching television. They’re not always the most popular programs in terms of ratings, or even with critics. And I’ll probably revise the list once May has come and gone (my game; my rules).
But these are the 10 best that I’m watching right now. So, in no particular order:
1) "Alias" (Sundays, ABC). Suddenly hot in recent weeks (since its star, Jennifer Garner, won a Golden Globe, she’s made the cover of both Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly), this ABC spy drama is worth it for the kicks (no pun intended) alone – the plots make little sense, but watching "Alias" is pure entertainment. And Garner’s Sydney Bristow centers the drama with a kind of emotional weight, particularly given her complicated relationship with her father and her mixed emotions about her convoluted double-secret-agent job. (Sydney also happens to be a hot superbabe who can kick bad guy ass, but that’s another column.)
2) "NYPD Blue" (Tuesdays, ABC). Only Dennis Franz is left from the original cast of the drama that premiered on ABC nearly nine years ago. But his character, Det. Andy Sipowicz, is now at the center of a show that has shown renewed life during its golden years, rare in network television (see "ER." Or better yet, don’t). Recent cast changes have added spark, and "Blue" has returned to its satisfying mix of police work, quirky cases and personal drama after the rather predictable mish-mash of styles it had become in the post-Jimmy Smits period of the past 2-3 years.
3) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (Tuesdays, UPN). Forget the silly title, the gorgeous title character or the ridiculous vampires-and-demons premise. When it’s at its best, which is frequently, "Buffy" is the best-written and conceived show on television, period. No network drama is more true to its own sense of mythology, ethos or history. Star Sarah Michelle Gellar brings incredible depth to her role as Buffy, better than ever in her sixth season (and talk about kicking ass – what Buffy beats up isn’t even human). Furthermore, creator/producer/writer/director Joss Whedon never ceases to amaze; this year’s special musical episode was one of the most fascinating hours of network television ever produced. If you haven’t watched, I’m not going to convince you here, but you’ve been missing one hell of a party.
4) "Friends" (Thursdays, NBC). The cast is having enough fun – and still making enough money – to want to come back for a ninth season next year, and viewers are still tuning in enough to make this TV’s highest-rated comedy. Critics are falling over themselves to determine reasons why – "safe" TV in the light of Sept. 11? The engrossing Rachel-is-pregnant storyline? – "Friends" is hot again, but I have an answer: The show never cooled, even during supposed "off" seasons. For proof, witness the syndicated repeats of the successful sitcom – always consistent, always winning, comfortably and enjoyably steered by a charismatic, attractive cast that has stuck together, and truly ranks with the best in television history.
5) "Boston Public" (Mondays, Fox). While "The Practice" is showing its age and "Ally McBeal" is just showing its stupidity, producer David E. Kelley’s high-school drama is simply showing improvement in its second season. As principal Steven Harper, Chi McBride has emerged as one of the great soulful characters in current television storytelling; he’s on par with Franz’s Sipowicz when it comes to brooding likability, even when the character is less than likable in terms of his actions. Kelley’s plotlines can be a bit overwrought (Kathy Baker has a particularly thankless role as a woman who lost her hand when her son left her shackled in the basement for weeks on end), but "Public" is generally a consistent, provocative winner.
6) "Gilmore Girls" (Tuesdays, WB). Like "Buffy," this is one of the best shows you’re not watching, a second-year drama that continues to break new ground in terms of voice and depth of relationships. "Gilmore" star Lauren Graham is one of TV’s brightest and most beautiful faces; her Lorelai is at the axis of a complicated grandmother-mother-daughter dynamic that drives "Gilmore." Never preachy, "Gilmore Girls" explores the heart of romance, teen angst and relationship woes with a pure, literate bounce.
7) "The West Wing" (Wednesdays, NBC). The predictable backlash has begun – and in this, its third season, critics are taking shots at the once impervious "Wing," which suddenly and paradoxically might have become too popular. But Aaron Sorkin’s drama remains in top form, particularly when one considers the evolutionary storytelling arcs Sorkin manages to squeeze out of what could be a rather limiting format: Martin Sheen’s President Bartlett and his men (and women) continue to emerge as more than stereotypical characters; the ensemble gels in every imaginable combination and Sorkin’s writing, while sometimes too glib, snaps with its dialogue and pace.
8) "Ed" (Wednesdays, NBC). Often underappreciated, this second-year network "dramedy" (from David Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants), continues to impress with its slice-of-life stories in the fictional small town of Stuckeyville. What could be a one-note joke (a lawyer who owns a bowling alley, imagine that!) has evolved into a quirky tapestry of eccentric characters, unpredictable storylines and fun guest stars. In addition, "Ed" is one of the funniest shows on TV – not laugh-out-loud, rat-a-tat comedy, but character-driven wit traditionally overlooked by spoon-fed TV audiences.
9) "Once and Again" (Mondays, ABC). It’s been given a last chance on ABC’s Monday nights, but this drama – down to six new episodes to prove itself this season – by producers Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz and their "thirtysomething" team deserves so much better. Much like "thirtysomething," the much-missed "My So-Called Life" and even the forgotten "Relativity," this human drama doesn’t revolve around crime scenes and emergency rooms – but instead explores very real people’s emotion, relationships, sexuality, depression and longing. It’s never going to be a Top 10 staple, but ABC has clearly mistreated this articulate drama, making one wonder why Zwick and Herskovitz keep taking all their dramas to the network, only to watch them fail.
10) "Sex & The City" (Sundays, HBO). My only cable entry on the current list is here because it manages to surprise, week after week, even given a format that is seemingly restrictive – these four women have to remain single, don’t they? – and an approach that at times drifts into self-parody. Nevertheless, star Sarah Jessica Parker and her appealing castmates keep even the most outlandish moments of "Sex" grounded in a kind of heightened reality, and the show still does have its share of "I’ve-been-there" moments that make it charming and witty, if not always particularly believable.
# # #
That’s it for this time. Tune in again soon for another edition of "Pop Stew!"
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
LETTER FROM SALT LAKE: I FINALLY FOUND MY ROOTS!
By JOHN YOUNGREN
SALT LAKE CITY -- Nearly a month since the beginning of Utah's 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and I finally got in.
To Roots, that is. I finally got into Roots.
If you've read "Pop Stew" over these past few weeks, you know all about Roots. Hell, if you've lived on Earth over these past few weeks, you know all about Roots.
It's the Toronto-based company -- established in 1973 -- which designed the American team clothing for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's Roots that came up with those snappy-looking leather-sleeved jackets, those baby blue (Salt Lake City blue, in Roots parlance) fleece sweatshirts and yes, those bedazzling berets.
From the evening of Feb. 7, when the USA athletes first wore those navy and red berets into Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium on the University of Utah campus, I knew they were going to be a hit. Everyone -- man, woman, blonde, brunette -- just looked good in those hats. Never mind that these are well-built, healthy athletes. It only stood to reason that people would think to themselves, "If those athletes can look that good wearing one of those berets, than I can look good wearing one of those berets."
That Friday night, it was a hint. By Saturday, a forewarning. By Sunday of that first weekend, I actually had visited the Roots store in Park City, Utah, and the alpine heart of the 2002 Winter Olympics. They were all out of berets on that night, but there were no lines outside the store and -- what the hell? -- they might have had berets in the back somewhere.
The fact that they didn’t should have been the final tip-off.
For by Monday, it was clear it was something else, indeed. The Roots U.S. team berets had taken off, and in a big way. Around Salt Lake City, those navy fleece hats became the look to wear. And around the country -- from Katie Couric to Sheryl Crow to the athletes as they appeared on the Medals Plaza -- those who were in the chic crowd were the ones wearing them.
Stories abounded about lines at the Roots stores -- the one in Park City and two, both at the Gateway Plaza, in Salt Lake City. Four, five, six hours waiting was the norm. Smart people were saying they'd ordered the berets off the Internet -- but that seemed to be missing part of the fun. The real action was buying a beret and wearing it around the streets of Salt Lake City.
Counterfeits were plentiful. So were stories of heroics -- of husbands waiting in line to surprise their wives, or scalpers paying $200 or $300 just to buy a beret.
As recently as last Saturday -- a disturbingly cold day in Salt Lake City, and a week after the Olympics had ended -- the Roots stores at Gateway were still surrounded by lines of people that looked like they'd been there for hours, maybe since Feb. 7, or so.
But Tuesday night, after work and before "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," I slipped down to Gateway and assessed the line. Twenty to 30 minutes, tops. Word from the Roots guy at the door was, "plenty of berets" on hand.
Two was the limit, was the word.
Finally, for the first time since the torch was lit, I settled into the line.
And finally, for the first time since the torch was extinguished, I made it into the store.
Once in, nothing big. Nirvana doesn't have much of a selection left, that's for sure. Maybe it's because most of the Olympics fans blew town a week or 10 days ago, but much of the Roots merchandise on the shelves had a picked-over, low-stock feel, like Macys on Dec. 26th.,
No matter. At the checkout stand -- they accept everything but Discover, including, as they pointed out, cash -- were the berets, behind the counter. It was all a matter of stepping to the front of the line, announcing your intentions, and slapping down the cash.
A total of $42.54 later -- I bought two, one for me and one for my sister -- and I was on my way out the door, my pair of Roots berets in hand.
The people in the line looked at me longingly. Little did they know.
Never mind that I basically look like a goof in the Roots beret -- even if its adjustable size string does stretch out to my head width. Never mind that the heavy fabric of the beret feels a little heavy on this, a suddenly spring-like day in Salt Lake City. Never mind that once Olympics fever passes (and it's cooling, believe me), wearing a Roots beret will seem like (to borrow a friend's analogy) wearing Mickey Mouse ears outside of Disneyland.
Never mind that the berets look better on U.S. athletes -- and good-looking women, including Katie Couric and Sheryl Crow -- than they do on almost anyone else.
I own one now, damnit.
So never mind.
# # #
That’s it for this time. Tune in again soon for another edition of "Pop Stew!"
By JOHN YOUNGREN
SALT LAKE CITY -- Nearly a month since the beginning of Utah's 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and I finally got in.
To Roots, that is. I finally got into Roots.
If you've read "Pop Stew" over these past few weeks, you know all about Roots. Hell, if you've lived on Earth over these past few weeks, you know all about Roots.
It's the Toronto-based company -- established in 1973 -- which designed the American team clothing for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's Roots that came up with those snappy-looking leather-sleeved jackets, those baby blue (Salt Lake City blue, in Roots parlance) fleece sweatshirts and yes, those bedazzling berets.
From the evening of Feb. 7, when the USA athletes first wore those navy and red berets into Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium on the University of Utah campus, I knew they were going to be a hit. Everyone -- man, woman, blonde, brunette -- just looked good in those hats. Never mind that these are well-built, healthy athletes. It only stood to reason that people would think to themselves, "If those athletes can look that good wearing one of those berets, than I can look good wearing one of those berets."
That Friday night, it was a hint. By Saturday, a forewarning. By Sunday of that first weekend, I actually had visited the Roots store in Park City, Utah, and the alpine heart of the 2002 Winter Olympics. They were all out of berets on that night, but there were no lines outside the store and -- what the hell? -- they might have had berets in the back somewhere.
The fact that they didn’t should have been the final tip-off.
For by Monday, it was clear it was something else, indeed. The Roots U.S. team berets had taken off, and in a big way. Around Salt Lake City, those navy fleece hats became the look to wear. And around the country -- from Katie Couric to Sheryl Crow to the athletes as they appeared on the Medals Plaza -- those who were in the chic crowd were the ones wearing them.
Stories abounded about lines at the Roots stores -- the one in Park City and two, both at the Gateway Plaza, in Salt Lake City. Four, five, six hours waiting was the norm. Smart people were saying they'd ordered the berets off the Internet -- but that seemed to be missing part of the fun. The real action was buying a beret and wearing it around the streets of Salt Lake City.
Counterfeits were plentiful. So were stories of heroics -- of husbands waiting in line to surprise their wives, or scalpers paying $200 or $300 just to buy a beret.
As recently as last Saturday -- a disturbingly cold day in Salt Lake City, and a week after the Olympics had ended -- the Roots stores at Gateway were still surrounded by lines of people that looked like they'd been there for hours, maybe since Feb. 7, or so.
But Tuesday night, after work and before "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," I slipped down to Gateway and assessed the line. Twenty to 30 minutes, tops. Word from the Roots guy at the door was, "plenty of berets" on hand.
Two was the limit, was the word.
Finally, for the first time since the torch was lit, I settled into the line.
And finally, for the first time since the torch was extinguished, I made it into the store.
Once in, nothing big. Nirvana doesn't have much of a selection left, that's for sure. Maybe it's because most of the Olympics fans blew town a week or 10 days ago, but much of the Roots merchandise on the shelves had a picked-over, low-stock feel, like Macys on Dec. 26th.,
No matter. At the checkout stand -- they accept everything but Discover, including, as they pointed out, cash -- were the berets, behind the counter. It was all a matter of stepping to the front of the line, announcing your intentions, and slapping down the cash.
A total of $42.54 later -- I bought two, one for me and one for my sister -- and I was on my way out the door, my pair of Roots berets in hand.
The people in the line looked at me longingly. Little did they know.
Never mind that I basically look like a goof in the Roots beret -- even if its adjustable size string does stretch out to my head width. Never mind that the heavy fabric of the beret feels a little heavy on this, a suddenly spring-like day in Salt Lake City. Never mind that once Olympics fever passes (and it's cooling, believe me), wearing a Roots beret will seem like (to borrow a friend's analogy) wearing Mickey Mouse ears outside of Disneyland.
Never mind that the berets look better on U.S. athletes -- and good-looking women, including Katie Couric and Sheryl Crow -- than they do on almost anyone else.
I own one now, damnit.
So never mind.
# # #
That’s it for this time. Tune in again soon for another edition of "Pop Stew!"
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)