Big Lead Sports Chat: Alan Sepinwall, ‘The Revolution Was Televised’
Alan Sepinwall, who reviews TV at the blog What’s Alan Watching?, has written a book called “The Revolution Was Televised: The Cops, Crooks, Slingers and Slayers Who Changed TV Drama Forever.” The book looks back at 12 shows — “The Sopranos,” “Oz,” “The Wire,” “Deadwood,” “The Shield,” “Lost,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “24,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” — from the last 15 years that helped change the way TV dramas were made, and how seriously we took television. (The book’s now on sale at Amazon and for Nook; other digital versions, including iBook, will be coming out over the next few weeks.) He’s here today to take your questions about the book and TV in general.
Drop your questions in the comments – he’ll get to as many as he can in the next hour.
Previously: Livechat with Dan LeBatard
Previously: Livechat with Norman Chad
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November 27th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
I miss Lost. It feels like networks are trying to replicate the show – minus the island – with either actors from the show or similar ideas. Park Avenue 666 and Revolution come to mind. Think either of them (or any others) have a shot at becoming Lost?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:00 PM
So, Boy Meets World sequel talk part deux?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:00 PM
ABC pulled the plug on 666 Park last week (though the remaining episodes will air). Revolution’s been okay, but nothing special. I think all the things that happened in the creation of Lost (which I talk about in my chapter on it in the book) were so fluky, that it’s hard to see another show quite like it working again. But a good place to start would be by focusing on the characters first, and the concept second. I cared about Jack, Sawyer and the others long before I cared about Jacob or the smoke monster.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:00 PM
How much will the departure of Dan Harmon help or hurt Community this year? #sixseasonsandamovie
November 27th, 2012 at 12:01 PM
How excited are you for season five of The Venture Bros and why isn’t it the most successful and popular show in Christendom?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Why wasn’t Gossip Girl included in your book?
/TBL
November 27th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Is it true that since my last question NBC has moved Community back another 14 months?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Is there any buzz on mid-season pilots we should pay attention to? Please stop reviewing “HIMYM” for your own sanity. The show is done.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
I miss Lost. It feels like networks are trying to replicate the show
This. I get my LOST fix on Monday nights on g4. The run 4 straight eps
November 27th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
In your opinion, what’s the best heist TV show?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Do you think The Shield would have failed had they not changed the name from Rampart?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Was Freaks and Geeks considered for the book? I know it’s biggest legacy was comedy movies, but I wonder if it influenced or changed television at all, in your mind.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
He really does hate it so much. But he has to keep going, I think this is the last season?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
How much will the departure of Dan Harmon help or hurt Community this year?
Hard to imagine the show being better without Harmon (see also West Wing without Sorkin, NYPD Blue without Milch, etc.). But weirdly, the show being delayed as long as it’s been may wind up helping it. So many other NBC comedies are doing so terribly that even a mediocre performance might lead to another season (in the same way Chuck kept sticking around). Not getting my hopes up, but it feels more possible than a few months ago.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Most of those shows suck. Needs more SBTB and The OC.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Hannibal – I’m going to love it, right? Because I want to.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
The romanticism with Boys Meets World is because everyone who liked it was between 10-15 years is, right?
20 years later, we’re all going to say that show was bad, right?
Sometimes i feel that way watching ALF reruns.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
I’m curious how you think Deadwood changed anything. It helped make the HBO/Showtime era? It wasn’t even allowed to finish, had high production costs and wasn’t even the creator’s first wish (he wanted to do Rome).
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Is it just me, or does Lost not hold up well on repeat viewing? I wonder over to G4 on Mondays sometimes and watch a random episode and it just makes me mad discovering something else that was never addressed in the finale.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Loyal listener of your podcast. Are you and Dan good friends outside of work? He sometimes comes across a bit rude to you on your podcast.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
On Moonshiners, why don’t the cops just look for the satellite truck and then walk 300 feet straight into the woods to find the moonshiners?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
What’s the status of Parks and Rec? Will it get renewed?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Do you think The Shield would have failed had they not changed the name from Rampart?
I do think names matter to a degree — Terriers (also from Shawn Ryan) might have failed anyway, but it’s hard to imagine it doing worse with almost any other title — but Rampart’s not an awful name, and if they did the same marketing campaign, it could’ve worked about as well.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Is it just me, or does Lost not hold up well on repeat viewing?
Disagree. There’s no reason to bring back all the mistakes of plot, etc. I enjoy watching them mainly for the memories of watching it the first time. Desmond still in the top 5 characters of all time
November 27th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
sepinwall…you ever watch big break on golf channel? damn good reality shwo with good golfers.
i feel it should be mentioned that eraser is not a top 5 arnold movie of all time. something something your fingers.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Are you and Dan good friends outside of work?
Dan and I have known each other since college. He is among my closest friends, though we live 3000 miles away. People who see us in person compare it to a married couple bickering, though I’m not sure my wife would agree with that.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
I read your Lost recaps when the show was on. The writers totally fed you information, right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Mostly I’m just glad this isn’t about the insultingly stupid show “Revolution”.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Have you heard from anyone with a translation of what Eddie was saying in German from this week’s Boardwalk Empire?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
robbed by being named first team all-big?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Why do bad things happen to good people?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Why does the lady on Property Virgins never seem to be able to actually sell a house?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
oops…wrong post.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Is “Dog With a Blog” the worst show concept that Disney Channel has come up with?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Any discussion in the book as to how HBO, in particular, has changed the way we look at TV shows?
There are two HBO series (“Six Feet Under” and “Rome”) that are probably better, quality wise, than a couple of the shows that you cite as having “changed television”.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Any chance CRM Cooks gets picked up by The Food Network?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Interesting. I just remember the initial string of ads for it using that name and then it changing. Presuming some focus group caused that, or maybe they didn’t want it to just appeal to LA people who were familiar with the name.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Alan, do you have any guilty pleasure shows? Or is it all Breaking Bad and Homeland?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Googled … I was 4 when the show premiered.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I’m curious how you think Deadwood changed anything. It helped make the HBO/Showtime era? It wasn’t even allowed to finish, had high production costs and wasn’t even the creator’s first wish (he wanted to do Rome).
Even factoring all those things in — and I do think the ending they did works better as an ending than it should, given how abruptly the plug was pulled — it’s one of the 5 best dramas in TV history (probably in the top 3), and it’s in the book because of how Milch’s story illustrates what happened at that time when HBO was giving so much autonomy to creators who had spent their careers working for the broadcast networks.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Have you watched this season of Sons of Anarchy? At times, I thought it has been at its violent soap opera-y best. Still, highly enjoyable season if you suspend all disbelief.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Thought on MTV’s “Fear”. Ahead of it’s time? Greatest reality show ever?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
If you had to choose one reason why The Office has fallen off from it’s lofty heights, what would it be?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
What’s up with Donal Logue’s character on Sons of Anarchy? Is it just a case of too many plot lines diluting the quality of the show, or do you like this plot turn?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
This has always bugged me!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
did you know ndub hates crm?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I’m curious how you think Deadwood changed anything.
It gave us Raylan Givens.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Why can’t there be a soap opera catering to welfare alcoholics about welfare alcoholics? I feel they are the only people who will be watching TV in the future.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Stop That!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I’m finishing up season 5 of The Wire right now. Which show would be best to move onto next: West Wing, Breaking Bad, Deadwood?
/yes I realize all these shows came out years ago but I never watched them.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Does the network a show is on greatly affect the product that is put out? For example, if “Lost” or “Breaking Bad” were on HBO would it be a lot different and could you even imagine “The Wire” on ABC?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
on a similar note, Moonshiners is totally set up right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
For the series finale of Dexter will he kill his sister and make all of the viewers happy?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I don’t get how anyone hates this show or idea. That is the best idea I have ever heard of. You must not have a dog or a soul.
Also fans of Deadwood should see The Sessions, Saul puts in one of the best acting performances of the year and Helen Hunt’s vulva is on display.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Howso?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Please! He has to update his twitter more first, though.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
The most hated character on television, Margaret Schroeder, has her story meander on. Is this the opposite of trying to keep Richard Harrow around for future use? Writers didn’t realize he’d be so great, and have worked him to keep around, and they didn’t realize she’d be so hated and don’t know the best exit for her?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Alan,
Your thoughts on the Fringe series farewell thus far? I’m enjoying it.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:12 PM
If you don’t treat Sons of Anarchy like English Lit and treat it like, say, a comic book, Sons is pretty decent entertainment.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:12 PM
And that’s why I was happy with the way the show ended.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I read your Lost recaps when the show was on. The writers totally fed you information, right?
Nope. Almost any communication I had with them at the time appeared on the blog or in the newspaper as interview transcripts.
And to answer the earlier question about how well Lost holds up, I’d say really well. One of the best parts of writing the book was having an excuse to go back and rewatch large chunks of these shows on my iPad (or, in the case of The Shield — the only one of the 12 not on Netflix or HBO Go — on DVD), and the parts that I remembered as being great still were, and some of the things I was less wild about the time aged very well. (I think Sopranos, for instance, has gotten weirdly downgraded in the last five years, and I wound up thinking more highly of it than ever by the time I was done with that chapter.)
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Can you get Scripty a job?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
This times 100.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?
Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck?
What was your underage drinking strategy?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Was it vealy?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
I officially hate Dana Brody more than Margaret Schroeder Thompson.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Any thoughts on Treme? I used to love that show until that lady got her own restaurant and Bourdain started writing foodie b.s. into the show. Speaking of, TV has done a lot for food in the last decade or so.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Alan: Will networks ever end their reliance on reality shows, or is that just a pipe dream?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Is Treme going to be able to wrap up their story lines in just five episodes ? That doesn’t seem like enough time. Also will we get another David Simon show soon thereafter ?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Remember Square One? Great show.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
This x10000. Yeah, we get it, teenage angst. That shit is inconsequential.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
The romanticism with Boys Meets World is because everyone who liked it was between 10-15 years is, right?
I’m just outside the show’s demo (Saved by the Bell, too), but there are plenty of shows I loved as a kid and am nostalgic about that I imagine I would despise if I were seeing them for the first time today. Brady Bunch is the classic one of those for Gen X.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:15 PM
For Season 1 for Lost, Sopranos, Deadwood and 24, what was the best season and what was the most important?
I’d say 24 for the high concept, stars they attached to it and the execution for best overall.
I’d say Sopranos for more important due to being on paid platform.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:15 PM
And that’s why I was happy with the way the show ended
Agreed in full
November 27th, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Is CNN hiring Anthony Bourdain the official death of American journalism as a respected source of relevance in the world?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Remember Square One? Great show.
I may or may not have had a thing for Kate Monday from “Mathnet” back in the day.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Totally. I’m so happy the actress playing Dana has mastered the teenage pout face. Would love if she went to acting school and learned other emotions as well.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Unless Richard kills Margaret. Ultimate hat tip.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:16 PM
This is exactly right. But I do hope they settle down this season… it’s been a bit too diluted for my taste. I guess there’s only so many plot lines for running guns and riding motorcycles. Also… you can kill Opie but not Clay? Screw that.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Will network television ever be able to make a high-concept show without annoying teenagers/kids in the cast? I’m looking at you Terra Nova and Revolution.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:16 PM
AHH! You people are all asking stupid questions and I need to know what Eddie was saying in German!!!!! COME ON!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Alan, what if you were a Jehovah’s Witness that was merely pretending to be into Christmas, gathering clues and blending in to take down the holidays from within?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Will networks ever end their reliance on reality shows, or is that just a pipe dream?
No, they’re here to stay. Too cheap and, in many cases, too popular. And, at times, they help justify the networks taking risks on scripted programming that they otherwise wouldn’t if they didn’t know they had an American Idol or The Voice to back their play.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
FMK (maybe for after Alan leaves): Dexter’s sister, Margaret Schroeder, Gemma Teller
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
You still keeping tabs on It’s Always Sunny this season? Ever seen anything quite like what it appears they’re doing with a “Greatest Hits” of sorts revisiting old episodes and plot lines? I’m digging it
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
How many books will you have to write to do a section on The Killing? Do the people that did Veronica Mars (season 1 is one of my favorite tv seasons ever) look at that show and shake their heads?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
My daughter just turned two, and she enjoys Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Why is there always a mystery Mousekatool…Toodles just likes to keep you guessing? Do you ever do The Hot Dog Dance?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
AHH! You people are all asking stupid questions and I need to know what Eddie was saying in German!!!!! COME ON!
Commenters on my site suggested he was only reciting the Rudyard Kipling poem over and over, and then briefly listing a German address for his family (suggesting they’re either still there, or that they died before he came to America).
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
What do you miss most? Boss’ Kitty O’Neill and her sex scenes or what could have been with AMC’s Rubicon?
I miss Rubicon. And Terriers.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
also I wish this chat was on Deadspin. At least there would be some order here.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Do you think you have to be a fan of (or at least be familiar) with all of these show to get the full impact of the book?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I always rooted for the pac-man like thing but that damn tornado always ate him.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Probably because people discovered “The Wire” on DVD after having not watched it on HBO.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Who do you think is the worst major character out of all the books you talked about in your book?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:19 PM
I may not watch as many shows/sitcoms as many people do here, but I’ll say that Cheers is the best sitcom to come out in the last 30 years.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:19 PM
How about Carl emerging as a legitimate character on The Walking Dead this year?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Is CNN hiring Anthony Bourdain the official death of American journalism as a respected source of relevance in the world?
I really hope you aren’t holding up CNN as a respected source of American Journalism.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Was Lost the first show that really incorporated the internet with TV? By that I mean instant recaps, discussion forums, ect… Part of the reason I became such a big fan of the show was the ability to chat with other fans online.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Thanks for turning me onto FNL. I don’t need a movie–the show was great enough. Do you want a new FNL movie?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Fuck Boy Meets World. Bring back Salute Your Shorts
Awful Waffle! Awful Waffle!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Can you give us somethingon the David Simon TV show arc? Homicide begat The Corner, which begat The Wire, etc?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I miss Rubicon
Goddamn this! I will always hate AMC for pulling the plug on this show for some stupid dragged out murder plot.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Who do you think is the worst major character out of all the books you talked about in your book?
Kim Bauer. Easy.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Me too. There were so many more potential story lines with that show than there are with Homeland (and I love Homeland).
November 27th, 2012 at 12:21 PM
No Arrested Development talk? Is that not up Alan’s alley, or do we not have any details/prognosis as to how good it will be?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:21 PM
I was surprised not to see The O.C. included. Did you decide to leave it out because it wasn’t as serious as the other dramas or was it not as influential as the rest? Or did you just say everything you needed to say about it in your first book? Thanks Alan.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:21 PM
You still keeping tabs on It’s Always Sunny this season? Ever seen anything quite like what it appears they’re doing with a “Greatest Hits” of sorts revisiting old episodes and plot lines? I’m digging it
Are they doing this for the whole season?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Who was shooting at the outrigger in LOST???
November 27th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
How about Carl emerging as a legitimate character on The Walking Dead this year?
They’ve done a good job of rehabilitating him, and the show in general. There are still some missteps (I think Michonne’s been a big misfire — someone who was cool on a comic book page but doesn’t feel like an actual character so far), but this has been the best overall season by a long stretch.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
While its breaking rating records and it gets crazy fan reaction why critics doesn’t exactly like sons of anarchy? What’s the main problems for the show? Is it Kurt Sutter’s fault? Would someone else do it better?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Not sure, kinda loooks like it the way things have gone…an interesting idea at least, like a comedy in its 8th season recognizing there’s only so many other stories to tell and circling back around
November 27th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
I’m going to buy this book, right now.
Hi Alan. Remember I bought your book when you’re considering blocking me on twitter.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Follow up questions: Where do any of the other characters live? Why is Pete the only one who works? How blown was your mind when you found out Pete is a cat? Can Goofy and Pluto communicate to each other via barking?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Homeland becomes more and more”24″-like each week, meaning shock for the sake of shock and plot hole after plot hole. Do you agree?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Be honest, The Wire is clearly superior to The Sopranos, but you can’t say that publically because of where you live, right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
CAN YOU BRING BACK TERRIERS!?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:24 PM
What’s your opinion on AJ from the Soprano’s as the worst character from the shows in your book? He was especially terrible in the later seasons.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Any thoughts on Shawn Ryan and any current/future work? I thought it was really a shame that he had both Terriers and Chicago Code (which I thought had a chance to be okay) cancelled.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:24 PM
No Arrested Development talk?
The book focuses on drama, but I loved AD. We’ll see about the Netflix episodes, though; everything the creative team has done since that show ended (including Running Wilde, which had Will Arnett and David Cross) hasn’t been nearly as good. I don’t want it to be that everyone just caught lightning in a bottle for three years, but if it’s what it was? Then that’s the best “TV” development in a long time.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:24 PM
How badly did the writers strike kill 24 after the 5th season?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
CAN YOU BRING BACK TERRIERS!?
God, if only.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Hi Alan, big fan.
Worse series finale LOST or Battlestar Galactica? Try to answer without referring to the sudden appearance of a GOD character in both.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Alan, is First Take the biggest piece of shit show on tv? Or is it Around the Horn?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
I miss the Rubicon from the pilot, not the show that Rubicon became. And I still miss Terriers.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Where do you think Game of Thrones will fit into this down the line? You think they can sustain that show through the rest of the books?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
I think my best friend and I might be the only people under the age of 35 watching the Good Wife. I really love that show even though there have been some misses this season (mostly the Kalinda/husband story line). Last week’s episode was so excellent. Do you still watch this one?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Thank you, your order has been placed.
OK, thanks for the one free not-being-blocked, Alan.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
I think Michonne’s been a big misfire — someone who was cool on a comic book page but doesn’t feel like an actual character so far
/confused scowl with raised eyebrow
Why are there so few black people in Walking Dead? It is in Georgia. Hotlanta at times. Doesn’t make sense.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
IS HIMYM getting another season? Now that Last Resort is ending (RIP), does this free up Shawn Ryan for that Kickstarter-backed Terriers movie he mentioned a while ago?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Woah woah woah. Minnie obviously runs a Bowtique now,
November 27th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
In Adventure Time where are all the princes?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
I’m probably 1 of 2 people on here who actually watched and liked The Unit.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
So what did really happen at the end of Lost? Vincent was God the whole time right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Counterpoint to my first question: Better series finale? The Shield (truly amazing) or Sopranos (ground breaking in its attempt at originality)?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Be honest, The Wire is clearly superior to The Sopranos, but you can’t say that publically because of where you live, right?
I was on record as preferring The Wire over Sopranos way back when The Wire season 4 started, and that was when I was still writing for The Star-Ledger. I expected to come out of writing the book with The Wire still clearly as the best show, but as mentioned above, I was reminded of so many of the great things Sopranos did. Wire was definitely the more consistent show — no Columbus Day episode, no Christopher the junkie, no Vito in New Hampshire, digital ghost Livia, etc. — but I’d put The Sopranos at its best up against anything.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Does Nick still have shows like this anymore?
Pete and Pete was always one of my favorites. Calrissa. Alex Mack. Did they stop making those type of shows?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
//curses at Martin to start writing faster
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Alan, everybody here hates Don Drapers new wife. To steal a phrase, do you think “she’s a predator posing as a wallflower” or inconsequential and a drag on (Don D. and) the show?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Was the documentary on Marion Jones the worst 30 for 30 piece? I think the one on Wayne Gretzky nearly doesn’t get the scorn it deserves.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Hi Alan, big fan…
Can you block @ClaytonCargill on twitter? Thanks!
/kidding
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
This plus your thoughts on Cheers makes me want to buy your book.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Philly, how in God’s name did you make it that far?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Obviously because all the black people have to be killed first per the Hollywood quota.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Counter-counterpoint: Talking about TV all day can get really tiresome when you deal with people who have extreme opinions about shit that ultimately doesn’t matter.
/BRING BACK FIREFLY!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
/raises hand
Loved that show.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Do you ever see TV series getting intertwined with movies? Like what has been proposed, and subsequently shot down, for Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” series?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Why are there so few black people in Walking Dead? It is in Georgia. Hotlanta at times. Doesn’t make sense.
I’ll answer that one. Weak ankles. Black people have weak ankles, and they get eaten by zombies all the quicker. I learned that from Jimmy the Greek.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
The writers still don’t even know.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Not sure, kinda loooks like it the way things have gone…an interesting idea at least, like a comedy in its 8th season recognizing there’s only so many other stories to tell and circling back around Butters
If Charlie and Mac are doing their thing and there is just the right amount of Frank then I’m a happy camper. Dennis has gotten really creepy. It is uncomfortable at times. And not funny uncomfortable.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Best TV theme song of all time: Gunfight Epiphany vs. Having An Average Weekend
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Roll Tide/War Eagle was the worst of the worst when it comes to the ESPN docs.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
This might take me days to fully grasp.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Better series finale? The Shield (truly amazing) or Sopranos (ground breaking in its attempt at originality)?
I’ve rewatched The Shield finale more times, and it’s a more emotionally satisfying/devastating one, but The Sopranos finale wasn’t trying to be that. I love the boldness of what Chase did at end of Sopranos, but in terms of making me feel like the entire series was being paid off in the end, Shield wins.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Don’t forget the storyline when Ginny Sack tried to lose weight and Johnny walks in on her hoarding candy bars.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Does Nick still have shows like this anymore?
Pete and Pete was always one of my favorites. Calrissa. Alex Mack. Did they stop making those type of shows?
Victorious is a really good show, if you like horrible television and underaged girls.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
I was proud of my old man this weekend when he said he watched Prometheus and hated it
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Agreed. Sometimes I yell “Family Meeting” just to scare my wife and kids.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Last night was the worst HIMYM episode I’ve seen. I’m just about out entirely on that show, and that takes a lot for me with a comedy I’ve been loyal to.
I’m really liking that everyone here is playing up the Terriers talk. I really hope Shawn Ryan can get a good project with some freedom to let it develop.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
I watched every season of 24. Season Six is among the most contrived, worst seasons of TV I’ve ever watched. Season Seven was a good bounce back, and Season Eight was tired. I still maintain that Season 4 is the best season of 24.
Black Giraffe Tongue FTW
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
The other is Coop.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Everyone? They hate her more than Betty? I don’t hate Megan but I’m getting sick of her childish behavior. I guess it’s to be expected since she’s young but I could do without so many episodes focused around her tempter tantrums.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
I still like her more than Betty
/obligatory
November 27th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Do you ever see TV series getting intertwined with movies? Like what has been proposed, and subsequently shot down, for Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” series?
I think the reason Dark Tower keeps getting shot down is that it’s too complicated to pull off. I remember when McG was doing his Terminator movie at the same time that Sarah Connor Chronicles was still on Fox, and both creative teams went out of their way to say that one story had nothing to do with the other, and it would be more trouble than it was worth to try to make them match up.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
/glances at Banders
November 27th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
iCarly ?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
The HS reunioun episodes were really brutal with Dennis. But we’ll always have the D.E.N.N.I.S. systems and the sex tapes featuring the same angle.====
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
The Soprano’s dream episodes are what Margaret Schroeder’s scenes have become. I just fast forward right on through.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
I’m probably 1 of 2 people on here who actually watched and liked The Unit.
The other is Coop.
And Moleman knocks another one right out of the park.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Still a fan of Cheers.
Just re-watched Band of Brothers…
The Pacific > Band of Brothers in the opening theme department.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
His new wife is turning into his old wife before our eyes. Don, once again, married the wrong person for the wrong reason and it will end badly.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Why didn’t Friday Night light catch on. It had a cult following and was a darling of the critics but not the public.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Well he’s been either a serial killer or a serial rapist the entire run of the series, seems like they’re trying to make that more obvious late in the game
November 27th, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Best TV theme song of all time: Gunfight Epiphany vs. Having An Average Weekend
I’m old school (as in, two shows that were on before I was old enough to even be aware of them): Hawaii Five-O or Rockford Files. Love Gunfight Epiphany and the Kids theme too, though.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Hate dream sequences on TV shows, curious if Alan thinks they’re a good trope to use
November 27th, 2012 at 12:33 PM
How in the hell does a show that’s not funny keep winning Emmys for comedy?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
iCarly ?
sadly, that show is over. They never did tell us who the murderer was.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
I need someone to write a 1200 word movie review that’s due for my college class. Any advice?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Hmmm, not sure about that. I am sure that Pacific as a show was incredibly inferior to BoB.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
24 is one of my favorite shows of all time but even as a die hard fan I realize that it went on about 2 or 3 seasons longer than it should have. When did 24 jump the shark in your opinion?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Why didn’t Friday Night light catch on. It had a cult following and was a darling of the critics but not the public.
Wildly overgeneralizing: women didn’t want to watch a show about football, and men didn’t want to watch a high school drama. It wasn’t really either of those, but you had to watch it to get that. I know very few people who actually watched the FNL and then said, “Not for me.”
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Alan, I just started on the 5th Game of Thrones book and I don’t see how The Dark Tower would be any harder to pull off than that. Am I missing something?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
and by “watched the FNL,” I mean “watched the FNL pilot.”
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
It sucks that the Magnum, P.I. theme is the second best theme on a show about Hawaii.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
I fast forwarded through the hospital scenes but I liked her with Mr. Slater (because he’s hot). I fast forward through all Dana scenes on Homeland. I can’t stand the sight of her pout anymore. It makes me crazy.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Have Gun Will Travel
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
did Seinfeld ever jump the shark?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Do you think the runaway success of AMC’s Walking Dead will lead to more comic books becoming Tv series. The medium has made tons of cash for hollywood via movies. Seems Tv is even more suited for the ongoing comic medium.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Hawaii Five-O or Rockford Files
I used to watch Reruns of Rockford Files with my mom when I was a kid. That show was great.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:36 PM
The guy was a horrible father. I understand being in the military, but he stopped in to visit like what, twice in 5 years? Dont military kids usually live with their parents? And how does Spencer afford that apartment, selling his horrible sculptures?!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:36 PM
I never watched FNL and that’s probably because I had already read the book and seen the movie. Not sure what else I needed after that.
Maybe they didn’t brand the show properly?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Am I odd for being one of the few people in my generation who didn’t watch Boy Meets World?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Bring back The Flash!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
It’s on Netflix. When I want to kill some time, it’s Rockford Files or Magnum, P.I.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Am I the only one that thinks Kurt Sutter blatantly ripped off the character of Clay Morrow from Jim Henson’s Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and the character of Chuck, leader of The Riverbottom Nightmare Band?
Alan, given your history with Kurt Sutter, I understand if you don’t feel comfortable confirming.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
It always bothered me that The Wire only utilized the Orioles for any sports storylines. I don’t understand how Avon, String, and Marlo didn’t worship at the altar of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Any explanations for this?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
When did 24 jump the shark in your opinion?
The amazing thing about 24 is that it had the ability to jump the shark and then un-jump it. People make fun of the cougar, but in season 1, Teri Bauer got amnesia for several episodes, just because the writers couldn’t think of anything better. Yet the end of that season is amazing. I had big issues with the third and fourth seasons, but the fifth is one of the best. And even those bad later seasons still had some good moments, thanks to Kiefer being Kiefer.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
lol…FNL: for the social conservatives and fiscal liberals.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
C Bear and Jamal: http://youtu.be/Q4n7XPREW1Y
Adventure Time has the best in episode song: http://youtu.be/hVK6szA7X0w
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
In a recent HitFix post, you referenced “structural issues” in Season Two of Game of Thrones. What didn’t you liek about Season Two, and do you think it will improve next season?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Do you have a favorite scene from The Sopranos. Mine would be Christopher and Paulie fighting over ketchup packets in Pine Barrons. One of them pulls a gun on the other, then they both start laughing.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
In the finale, Spencer asks the Dad to keep sending money.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Do you have a favorite scene from The Sopranos. Mine would be Christopher and Paulie fighting over ketchup packets in Pine Barrons. One of them pulls a gun on the other, then they both start laughing.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Of these underrated shows that weren’t given a fair shake by HBO, which do you wish would come back: Mind of the Married Man or John from Cincinnati?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Brody embraces extreme elements of Islam (again).
Daughter sleeps around. Does drugs.
Brody stones her to death.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Alan,
Is it okay to say that Community has fallen off? The 2nd half of Season 3 only had two or three good episodes. Should we expect Season 4 to suck out loud or should we expect it to suck quietly?
Also, do you hate Big Bang Theory or do you like it and only pretend to hate it around your cool TV Reviewer friends?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Alan – After hearing all the hype and the Emmy wins, I finally watched Homeland, expecting something smart/sophisticated along the lines of FNL or Breaking Bad in quality.
While I have enjoyed watching it and appreciate the performances of the leads, I find it more like a 24 (probably not surprising) – fast-paced/interesting, but full of illogical plot contrivances.
How would you rank Homeland on a scale of 1 to The Wire?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
I know very few people who actually watched the FNL and then said, “Not for me.”
a lot of us here did. Because in that first season, the football game scenarios were beyond ridiculous.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Loved how butthurt all those people got by the end of The Sopranos. Mouthbreathers – all of them. Fucking balls ending by Chase.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Wildly overgeneralizing: women didn’t want to watch a show about football, and men didn’t want to watch a high school drama. It wasn’t really either of those, but you had to watch it to get that. I know very few people who actually watched the FNL and then said, “Not for me.”
I made it six episodes in on Netflix. It definitely wasn’t for me.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Oh man, I loved that show!!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Yet, for some reason, only Superman has been able to keep a TV series going for multiple years previously.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
those are bongs.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Do you believe the producers of “Alphas” have dirty pics of David Straithairn forcing him to be on that awful awful show?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Alan, I just started on the 5th Game of Thrones book and I don’t see how The Dark Tower would be any harder to pull off than that. Am I missing something?
It’s the idea of trying to coordinate a movie and a TV show so they’re telling one continuous story. The way TV production works, and the amount of improvisation required (even The Wire had to change its plans from time to time, usually when one of the actors died in real life), makes it all but impossible to do some kind of master plan tying it to a movie that has to be filmed much further in advance.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:40 PM
No. That show sucked. Cory was a pussy and never nailed Topanga before they got married either. The remake will crash and burn.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Am I the only one that thinks Kurt Sutter blatantly ripped off the character of Clay Morrow from Jim Henson’s Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and the character of Chuck, leader of The Riverbottom Nightmare Band?
The grass does not grow on the places where we stop and staaaaand……Riverbottom NIghtmare Band.
I sing that song all the time.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:40 PM
The Chechnyan “interior decorator” not coming back is why I quit on that show.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Why didn’t Friday Night light catch on. It had a cult following and was a darling of the critics but not the public. Unpaid Intern Ronny Carlton
McIntyre made you submit this, right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Is it ever going to be possible (again) for a network drama to be great?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Because in that first season, the football game scenarios were beyond ridiculous.
They never improved. The football strategy was definitely not a strong point of the show — I sometimes compare Coach Taylor to Herm Edwards (great motivator, mediocre tactician, horrible clock manager) — but the way it captured the culture of the team and the town was brilliant.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Why isn’t the chick intern asking questions?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Lisk, are you old enough to have watched HBO’s “1st and Ten” back in the ’80s? Much better depiction of football. Wonder if those are available anywhere?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Jimmy McNulty might still be my favorite character of all time.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Someone’s not watching The Mob Doctor
November 27th, 2012 at 12:43 PM
TEXAS FOREVER?
/ we don’t really say that here
November 27th, 2012 at 12:43 PM
The Chechnyan “interior decorator” not coming back is why I quit on that show.
In the book, there’s an anecdote about how close Terry Winter (who wrote Pine Barrens and later created Boardwalk Empire) came to convincing Chase to give closure to that story in the final season, before Chase ultimately stuck to his guns about not wanting to bring the Russian back, ever.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Lisk, are you old enough to have watched HBO’s “1st and Ten” back in the ’80s? Much better depiction of football. Wonder if those are available anywhere?
I used to sneak back in and watch that show. Boobs every week. Never Delta Burke’s though, back when that would have been a treat.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:43 PM
I charge an Eifling rate of a bottle a whiskey (Rye to you cur). What movie is it and how comfortable is your professor with the word “cunt”?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Jimmy McNulty might still be my favorite character of all time.
watch John Carter. You’ll switch right over to the Bunk.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Loved how butthurt all those people got by the end of The Sopranos. Mouthbreathers – all of them. Fucking balls ending by Chase.
After the initial, “Did my fucking cable go out?” horror, I thought it was brilliant. Not some labored, make shit up to tie everything together ending like Lost.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Are you a little nervous about the direction Mad Men is taking? Either we get very little Peggy or we get the normal amount with her working with Ted Chaugughough.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
I used to watch that show and I’m sure Delta Burke looks back on that time (and waistline) fondly.
I could be misremembering, but didn’t “1st and 10″ use stock footage from the USFL?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Any updates on where they are at with producing the 24 movie?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Seems like others have already commented on this…but I will too say “It was not for me”.
Now you can still say “I know very few people…” but amend it with, “…but a couple of cool cats on a sports blog I once did a chat on did not like it…”
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Why does Community get any credit whatsoever for being “innovative” when David Mirkin created Get A Life over twenty years ago and also included jokes?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
On shows like Mad Men and Homeland do they initially think characters like Bobby Draper and Chris Brody will become something and it just doesn’t turn out that way or are they geared as such from the start?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Is it ever going to be possible (again) for a network drama to be great?
Parenthood is pretty close to great this season. Good Wife’s often been close in the past. It can be done. It’s just harder, because network shows (still) are expected to pull in a bigger audience, and that’s easier to do with something like NCIS (which I do like as comfort food) than if you tried to do Breaking Bad on ABC.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:45 PM
How do you see Gossip Girl ending? Will Sabrina and Dan end up together? What’s next for the talented cast?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Bad guys win. Good guys lose. Everyone else dies.
/(C) WWoS
November 27th, 2012 at 12:45 PM
They had the intern liquidated you little shit. She was insolent.
/Luge lessons
November 27th, 2012 at 12:45 PM
DVR’d that this past weekend becasue I was curious (no Coop). I should just delete it now, huh?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Alan, what do you think showrunners can do about the “wife” character on shows featuring male anti-heroes? Most people tend hate Skyler, Betty Draper, Megan Draper, that girl on the Walking Dead etc. Is there a way to make these characters more interesting and less of the nagging wife stereotype?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Or 300. Or Punisher War Journal. He is NOT a good actor, whatsoever.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Alan, I just bought the Kindle version of your book. My best friend, Clayton Cargill, and I look forward to reading it together via the Twitter.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
“The Son” is one of the best hours of television, I’ve watched. Incredible performance by Zach Gilford.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Saul Berenson is one of the best, most convincing characters on television right now. How has Mandy Patinkin not had more prominent roles? Some of his most recent work was being a voice in the freaking Princess Bride video game.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
I could be misremembering, but didn’t “1st and 10″ use stock footage from the USFL?
Yes. The California Bulls were really the L.A. Express.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Hey Alan,
Between BBC America and PBS… do you think the ever growing influence of British television can stick? I like some of the things that they’ve brought over here (Top Gear, Downtown Abbey, Luther, Strike Back, etc.)
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
You can get the complete series on Amazon for $5, but the first couple of seasons they used the syndicated version so no boobs for you.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Is Walter White going down in flames like Tony Montana did?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Alan- any good midseason shows that look promising?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Alan, I know you’ve seen some screeners for upcoming tv pilots. What new show are you most excited about for spring season?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Follow up question: what kind of things would you eat out of the ass of the girl in Dead Like Me?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:47 PM
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
How is this not mentioned as the most innovative TV show of all time? It’s gotta be on the short list, at least.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Alan, what do you think of CBS doing Elementary, but blowing it every week by showing the guest star/villian in the first or second scene?
And how many people are allergic to rice? Or have a peanut allergy so severe, they hire a chef to prepare them nothing but Chinese food?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
How has Mandy Patinkin not had more prominent roles?
He allegedly can be difficult to work with and has abruptly walked away from several shows in the past. The execs at CBS recoil in horror if you mention his name. All I know is that the same guy played both Saul Berenson and Inigo Montoya, dammit.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Bobby Draper makes AJ Soprano look like an intriguing puzzle.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Mole, I take it you didn’t like that one?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Alan,
David Tennant is the best Doctor, right?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Also, in the current incarnation, which was your favorite Doctor, and which was your lease favorite companion? And you can’t say Rory.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
The trouble with Mandy Patinkin is coffee in a cardboard cup.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Sunday’s episode was EXCELLENT. Hope you saw it!
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Is “Three Men and Adena” from Homicide’s early years one of the best single episodes of TV you’ve ever seen?
And, what’s your pick for the best single episode of Breaking Bad?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Sherlock
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Tim -
Mandy has a music career. Can’t be doing everything all the time.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mandy-patinkin/id153478
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Alan, I know you’ve seen some screeners for upcoming tv pilots. What new show are you most excited about for spring season?
I actually was deep into book writing when all the network pilots arrived over the summer, so I limited myself to just watching the ones for fall. I think the only midseason show I’ve seen so far is ABC’s “Family Tools,” which was… called “Family Tools.”
November 27th, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Follow up question: what kind of things would you eat out of the ass of the girl in Dead Like Me?
All kinds of things if her name wasn’t Ellen Muth. Or are you talking about the blonde chick?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Margaret Schroeder is just the worst because this is show that is supposed to be about old school gangsters killing each other. Instead it’s the 2nd protagonist attending vagina classes while she cries about the cheeeldrun
November 27th, 2012 at 12:50 PM
They’ve had, like, 3 different Bobby Drapers on the show and every one of them was better than AJ.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:50 PM
The Event > Revolution?
The Event was horrible and the previews for Revolution looked even worse.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Is there a better comedy duo on TV right now than Shawn and Gus?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Really?! Man, that bums me out. I enjoyed Dead Like Me almost solely because of Mandy Patinkin.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
David Tennant is the best Doctor, right?
I’ve only watched the modern show, and I like all three guys a lot. I like Moffat’s writing more than Davies’, so overall I might prefer the Smithera to Tennant’s, but that’s more about the stories than the guy with the screwdriver.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I’m telling you, if you just imagine her lines in the voice of the Lucky Charms leprechaun it’s a lot better.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
After watching S1 it was very clear there was a mole in the CIA (Saul even admitted as much to Carrie when she was in the hospital after the explosion in square). Seems like the show dropped that pretty quickly and after seeing Saul do recon work on Quinn (after Quinn got hit in Gettysburg), the lack of action on the CIA mole is frustrating.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
I’d watch a spinoff starring Mandy Patinkin’s beard, wouldn’t you?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Alan, do you ever see a network take a shot at the BBC model of short-run seasons? Not only was the first episode of Sherlock Holmes one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, but 3 to 6 episodes of a show create a nice anticipation. If anything, our networks do the exact opposite, destroying a great show as they chase the dollar.
Also, Luther rocks.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Was the river in The River really a river?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
The worst acting in the history of HBO has to be from Silvio’s wife (who is his actual wife). I don’t even think it’s close.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Not even close..The Event was horrible…
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
How can anyone consider The Wire the greatest show when the 5th and final season is utter dog shit? The fake serial killer. Anything newspaper related. HBO condesning them into 10 hours.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Mr. Slate-ter.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Shame on me… completely forgot about Sherlock.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Thing is, Moffat’s writing was much better when he wasn’t running the show. The only episode that can even remotely come close to Blink, The Doctor Dances, Girl in the Fireplace, etc, is Vincent and the Doctor. Show has gone downhill rapidly.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Is “Three Men and Adena” from Homicide’s early years one of the best single episodes of TV you’ve ever seen?
Yes. Amazing. I wish more shows would have the guts to devote almost a full hour to an interrogation like that.
And, what’s your pick for the best single episode of Breaking Bad?
Hard to choose. Love many for different reasons. “4 Days Out” is probably the most purely rewatchable, but “One Minute” has both the shootout and Jesse’s speech in the hospital, “Half-Measures” has Walt saying “Run” and everything Jesse does leading up to it, “Box Cutter” is just insanely tense, etc.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Mandy has a music career. Can’t be doing everything all the time.
I really wanted him to be cast as Mance Rayder, because he sings so nicely.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
They still haven’t discussed how Nazir got into the US and instead of having the audience not think about it have had Saul and others ask…it’s going to still be a thing and someone high up’s going to be involved
November 27th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Google just purchased on ISP with the goal of rapidly advancing internet infrastructure, usage based billing is not going to be tolerated by the public. As more people cut the cord and watch everything online and the TV industry refuses to adapt to consumers do you see this as the last decade of big budget television?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Tom Baker, and it’s not even close
November 27th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
My fantasy football team name is The Battleship Mandy Patinkin. Baseball: Patinkin City Limits. ALL PATINKIN ALL THE TIME
November 27th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Agreed that HBO’s best show was John From Cincinnati
November 27th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Also, Luther rocks.
I just started this and finished it recently. I was overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Luther.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Oh, sweet sassy molassy! The thing that sucks with the old shows is what gets lost due to networks, licensing issues, and recuts. WKRP and Emmett Otter are two prime examples.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
^This
November 27th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
There was a lot of potential in that season, with those story lines, that got frittered away.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
The worst acting in the history of HBO has to be from Silvio’s wife (who is his actual wife).
Both Sopranos and The Wire used a lot of people who were non-actors, or had only been acting a very short time. Sometimes, that paid off (Furio, Johnny Sack, Snoop). Sometimes, it didn’t.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:56 PM
But I believe it has been 9-12mo since that explosion in the square in Homeland timeline. Seems like a long time to do nothing, imo.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Everyone on Veep except Mike
November 27th, 2012 at 12:56 PM
It’s why MST3k died and will never be brought back.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:56 PM
alan, I ordered my book twenty minutes ago, and it still hasn’t arrived. Can you call amazon on my behalf and ask them what the hold up is?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:57 PM
AJ
November 27th, 2012 at 12:58 PM
You hate Veep just because everyone thinks you’re stupid for hating Veep. It’s like your “thing” now. Shut your face.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Soused, if you’re referring to the ICOA acquisition, that was a hoax.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Alan, do you ever see a network take a shot at the BBC model of short-run seasons? Not only was the first episode of Sherlock Holmes one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, but 3 to 6 episodes of a show create a nice anticipation. If anything, our networks do the exact opposite, destroying a great show as they chase the dollar.
Also, Luther rocks.
I think we’re starting to see this a little, though at first because of actor availability. Fox’s new Kevin Bacon serial killer show is only going to be 15 episodes each year because Bacon didn’t want to do more. If Missing had succeeded, it would have had even shorter seasons because Ashley Judd wouldn’t commit to longer. The idea was to do The River as a string of short seasons so they wouldn’t exhaust the idea. What we need is for one of those shows to be successful enough for other networks to copy it, and yet have some kind of built-in excuse to prevent the network from saying, “Okay, now we want 22 episodes a year of this.”
And I like Luther, but it can get silly at times.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
This is brutal on DVD. Bands just need to suck it up and take pennies on the dollar so WKRP can have it’s music back. It’s amazing what the played in the original episodes.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
So Quinn and Estes are doing some shadow ops work with the VP to cover up the bombing once Nazir is killed?
November 27th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
I already received mine, tree killer.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:00 PM
I saw a commercial for this and it was being hailed as “Groundbreaking” and “Revolutionary.” Is it not a Dexter ripoff?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
It’s gotta be Robert Iler (AJ Soprano) and it’s really not close.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
legit LOL.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
I wish networks would try mini series. So many new shows come out where I think, that would be a great premise for a mini series, but would never work long term. And they never do. How many possible season could they have seen getting out of The Last Resort?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Does anyone know what “The Event” was? I gave up after about 5 episodes. The Event, Flash Forward and V was just a giant mix of horrible.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Thank you for the explanation…I was wondering where the hate was coming from.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
I would never hate a show just to make it a personal meme, I hate it because it’s bad and you jackwads keep trying to say it isn’t…and not that we didn’t already know that the Emmys are terrible but JLD winning for that season further hit home the point
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Time for only a couple more questions.
So Quinn and Estes are doing some shadow ops work with the VP to cover up the bombing once Nazir is killed?
Not sure Walden’s in the know. This may just be Estes’ way of covering his ass for allowing a suicide bomber into the room with the VP and the Joint Chiefs.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Whoa, I didn’t know he was doing a serial killer show! When is that starting???
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
I already received mine, tree killer.
alan gets more money from my purchase than yours, because the publisher fudges the numbers on iBook sales after the fact.
So he probably likes me better.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Worth noting that Detective Joseph Quinn is superior to Homeland Quinn.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Fat Vito getting a whole season arc devoted to him wasn’t exactly enjoyable TV viewing.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
I didn’t like Veep because it seemed too accurate and relied so heavily on phones and technology for humor. It’s well written and I do love many of the people in it, but good god I hate phone humor.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Whoa, I didn’t know he was doing a serial killer show! When is that starting???
three weeks before it gets cancelled.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Was the river in The River really a river
I laughed
November 27th, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Exactly. +1
November 27th, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Worth noting that Detective Joseph Quinn is superior to Homeland Quinn.
We’re in the middle of a weird Quinn epidemic. There’s also Quinn on Glee and Quinn on Scandal.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiit. Well they still built a better internet in KC, more internet access more Google profit. Still though, TV business model not going to last.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:04 PM
As George Costanza once said, that’s it for me! You’ve been great!
November 27th, 2012 at 1:05 PM
All of this. That was my first thought of the pilot. I just wish someone could have the rationale and sensibility to let a good story be told instead of it being forced to do a certain amount of episodes. I actually thank God that Breaking Bad and Mad Men get delayed or cut in half or what have you.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Yet another show that should be a mini series. How long can you really watch people get killed, while Kevin Bacon chases after the same guy? Depressing.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Alan, is your book going to be available in stores or just online?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
http://www.lmgtfy.com
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Thank you Alan. This was fun.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
That was fun, thanks Alan
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
That hair is outrageous.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
And Tim Ryan swoons.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Oh, also, since I gave Jason the links for that intro the book went up on iBooks, if that’s you’re preferred eReader.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Alan, is your book going to be available in stores or just online?
As of now, just online.
And now I really must go. Podcast time!
November 27th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Later Alan.
TBL: This is my favorite thing you’ve done here. GREAT DAMN GET.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:08 PM
The Thorn Birds. Legends.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
TBL: This is my favorite thing you’ve done here
I think I’ll agree with that.
/Craig James kicks a rock
//and a hooker
November 27th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
GREAT DAMN GET
is it a “get” when a guy is going around doing chats for book publicity?
Also, make sure you buy the book. That’s your part of the deal.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
So many new shows come out where I think, that would be a great premise for a mini series, but would never work long term
The North and South would not have worked as a standard drama.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Agreed. Long-time fan. Love reading the What’s Alan Watching archives for a show I get to years after the fact.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Artie Lange did it for the sheer joy of the commentators.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:11 PM
How many people heard of Sepinwall outside of New Jersey before Bill Simmons? I don’t much care for Simmons’ takes on the NFL or mainly anything anymore, but you have to give him some credit for making Sepinwall “mainstream.”
November 27th, 2012 at 1:11 PM
This as well as some sort of anthology. I’m surprised there’s no Twilight Zone, ALfred Hitchcock Presents, Amazing Stories-type show out there.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Completely agree. Alan is the best!
November 27th, 2012 at 1:12 PM
When you self publish a book can you still get on talk shows or late night tv (Daily Show / Colbert) to promote it?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Funny, I hate Simmons, but found out about Sepinwall this way. Came to TBL via the Cowherd incident.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:13 PM
It either drove him to a suicide attempt…or kept him happy enough to make those slits “hesitation cuts”.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:13 PM
AHA! It’s been a Fake Alan Sepinwall the whole time! The REAL Alan Sepinwall would have said:
when he signed off.
What have you done with the real Alan?!?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:13 PM
He did? I cant remember how I started reading Sepinwall’s blog, but I know it was during Lost.. it was actually probably linked in the comments here.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Agreed (even though I only lurked). Great get, TBL.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:14 PM
I found out about Sepinwall thru Simmons, too.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:15 PM
When you self publish a book can you still get on talk shows or late night tv (Daily Show / Colbert) to promote it?
now that would be a good “get”, but for Sepinwall. Colbert has certainly had lesser guests than Alan who sell books on his show.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I first heard of Sepinwall from a BS Report. I believe it was during Lost, maybe the start of Mad Men.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:16 PM
TBL didn’t get anything. This is like a book signing with audience participation.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Whatever you wet ass blankets, this was still awesome.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:19 PM
Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman > Detective Joseph Quinn > Homeland Quinn
November 27th, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Yeah, when Sepinwall was still writing for the Ledger, Simmons brought him up in a couple columns then eventually had him on in 2009. Then had him on a lot in 2010.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:21 PM
I think it’s clear that Alan liked me the most.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Whatever you wet ass blankets, this was still awesome.
speaking of ass blankets, what jerky will be in here one minute ago trying to act like Alan like him more than he liked me? My money is on Hef.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Sad that I missed this. Here’s an awesome Aaron Paul tweet from last night:
“I just finished reading the first episode of the final season of Breaking Bad and words can not express what I just experienced. Holy shit.”
June can’t come soon enough.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Anyone else surprised that “Alan Sepinwall” was still available as a screen name?
/registers Bill Simmons, Ralph Macchio and Mandy Patankin for future interviews
November 27th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
No one asked him a question about Oz? Fuckin dorks.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Different sets and actors each week = massively expensive = no chance in hell.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
more like alan septicballs, amirite?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Where was NDUB? This would have been right up his alley.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
June can’t come soon enough.
Is it possible Breaking Bad can make the leap into Wire/Soprano’s territory with a great final season?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
CRM filed a restraining order
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
hating on CRM? agreed.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Different sets and actors each week = massively expensive = no chance in hell.
Quantum Leap’d
November 27th, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Oh really? More of a rift or a banhammer?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:32 PM
I thought he might have been morose since the Tigers lost the W.S.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:33 PM
I think it’s already there, plus it’d be tough for them to do any worse than the Wire’s 5th season.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Good point, Quantum Leap was indeed made at a time when every network was ditching high price scripted programming for game shows and reality TV.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Great questions but I was hoping to see:
Do you think Car Ramrod would be a great name for a cop dramedy?
Did Joannie really love Chachi? Or did he drive her to partying when she found out he’s a republican?
Do you think Mulder and Scully ever boinked when they were searching for the truth?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:37 PM
I think it’s already there, plus it’d be tough for them to do any worse than the Wire’s 5th season.
It’s there among fans of the show, but most critics hold the wire on a pedestal.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Good point, Quantum Leap was indeed made at a time when every network was ditching high price scripted programming for game shows and reality TV.
It’s almost all green screen nowadays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=clnozSXyF4k
November 27th, 2012 at 1:39 PM
^^quote fail^^
November 27th, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Question I forgot to ask Sepinwall. Greatest season ending cliffhanger ever? Lost had a few, 24 had one, I’m sure there are others.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Enjoyed this…but no Louis CK questions? Has he gone from underrated to overrated?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:58 PM
is Sledgehammer in your top 5 or top 10 sitcoms of all time?
November 27th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
really sad I missed this