Showing posts with label EW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EW. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

WACKY WEDNESDAY: SYFY PREPARES ANOTHER SHARK THRILLER!


If you thought Sharknado was horrifically bad odd and you were left wanting a little more cheesy shark fun then today is your day. Syfy has released the trailer for its next original horror movie, Ghost Shark.


"If you're wet, you're dead"...that's the tagline for Syfy's newest movie. So what the hell is exactly a ghost shark? Well the premise of the new shark thriller is that a great white shark (we'll call him Jabberjaw just for kicks) is hunted, tortured, and killed by a fisherman. Unfortunately for him, and the entire human race, Jabberjaw returns from the dead and gets revenge on all humans. Yeah basically the shark becomes the Freddy Krueger of the waterworld. The dead shark can appear in basically anything that has water, and from the looks of the trailer, that includes the ocean, pool, bathtub, car wash, and slip-n-slides. Hell, we're pretty sure the ghost shark can pop up in your toilet and gobble you up while handling your business.


Ghost Shark stars Mackenzie Rosman (remember little Ruthie Camden from 7th Heaven?...we won't even start on her Maxim spread that came out) and Richard Moll (Bull from Night Court). Ghost Shark is scheduled to premiere on August 22 as part of Syfy's month of original movies. We think the network is aiming to break its recent Twitter record when Sharknado originally aired.


Keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television!

Monday, July 15, 2013

THE 100 ALL-TIME GREATEST TV SHOWS CONT'D...


Stay Tuned continues to review Entertainment Weekly's list of the 100 All-Time Greatest Television. Today we will highlight the shows ranked #80-71.

So let's hit that 'Rewind' button and flash back to some good ol' days...

#80 - The Office (U.S. version)
More of a mockumentary than comedy, depending on the person you're asking, the U.S. version of The Office followed the day-to-day operations of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, PA. More importantly, it filmed the lives of the employees and their daily interactions with Regional Manager Michael Scott. While Michael wasn't the most politically correct manager, as expressed in frequent uncomfortable situations between him and his employees, he was the core character that held the unit together. Though The Office wasn't a ratings powerhouse, it was critically acclaimed for its premise, use of single-camera setup, and reliance on an ensemble cast that were mostly improvisational actors. The Office showed us that oddly interesting characters exist even in the most mundane locations.

#79 - Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond ushered the return of the television family sitcom when it premiered in 1996. The show followed sportswriter Ray Barone as he balanced the challenges of his work life with an often hectic and lively family life in Long Island, New York. Ray and his wife Debra, and their three children, lived across the street from Ray's parents, Marie and Frank Barone, and brother Robert. Much of the antics focused on the family arguments between the members of the Barone family, in particular the long-running friction between mother Marie and daughter-in-law Debra. Everybody Loves Raymond took real-life experiences and situations that were considered "behind closed doors" and delivered the hilarious results in our living rooms every week. We all had embarrassing moments growing up with our parents and just because we move out of their house and start our own family doesn't necessarily mean that those moments end. At some point in our lives, we are Ray Barone.

#78 - Dawson's Creek

Okay, you just started singing the Paula Cole theme song after reading the title? We won't hold it against you.
Dawson's Creek wasn't the average, run-of-the-mill teenage angst show, and that is exactly why the show became both a critical and ratings hit. Premiering on The WB in 1998, Dawson's Creek helped solidify the network's increasing teen-centric line-up and introduced the world to Capeside and the high school drama surrounding principal character Dawson Leery. Along with best friends Pacey and Joey, and new girl with a shady past, Jen, the foursome soon captivated audiences with its realistic dialogue and racy, and sometimes controversial, plots (remember Pacey having sex with his teacher?). Viewers appreciated a show that showcased how teenagers really spoke to one another. On the show, friendships soon became crushes, which later turned into romances, followed by triangles and quadrangles, and pretty soon you needed a scorecard to keep count of everybody. New characters were introduced (including having a gay character in a supporting role for the remainder of the series), older characters written out (we still are raw about the way they killed of Daddy Leery...shout out to John Wesley Shipp!), and the tough television transition of filming a high school show to filming a college show. As the kids matured so did the audience and pretty soon the matters of The Creek were things of the past.

#77 - Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal was a breakout hit for FOX during the late '90s. Considered one of the first 'dramadies' on network television, the show focused on lawyer Ally McBeal's world as she begins working at the Cage & Fish law firm. While the legal cases were sometimes odd (fat department store Santa being fired and replaced by a thin Santa) and sexual innuendo oozed throughout each episode (who could forget Ally's romp in the car wash with a total stranger?), the show stood out for many other reasons: Imaginary CGI baby dancing, spontaneous musical numbers, the sparkling clean unisex bathroom, Barry White woo-sah moments, and Ally's short-short skirts during that first year. The complex characters of the ensemble cast helped the dynamics of the show which focused more on the personal stories rather than legal blah. As the show got older, its appeal began to wane and the new characters just couldn't replace the departing cast members (we still are raw about Billy dying from that brain tumor). Ally McBeal represented the independent woman of the late '90s and new millennium balancing the abnormalities of everyday life.

#76 - Game of Thrones
HBO's epic fantasy drama series Game of Thrones chronicles the struggle of power between various dynastic noble factions in order to gain control of the Iron Throne. Feuding families and civil wars scratch the surface of the underlying tones of social hierarchies, religion, crimes and punishment. Based on R.R. Martin's series of books, Game of Thrones contains an ever-increasing cast of characters that attempting to memorize them all just creates headaches. The show also hasn't skirted away from the nudity and violence demonstrated in the books, and the bloodshed appears to increase each season. The writers and producers also don't mind killing off central and popular characters (Ned's beheading in the first season, and the recent season's 'Red Wedding' episode). Game of Thrones brought big-budget fantasy to television, a feat that was nearly impossible in the past, and continues to captivate viewers with its mix of storytelling and element of surprise.

#75 - Beverly Hills, 90210
If there was a TV series that defined the '90s then Beverly Hills, 90210 would be the show. The premise of the show was following the transplanted wholesome Walsh family of Minnesota to the exclusive zip code in the U.S., Beverly Hills, California. Twins Brandon and Brenda had to adjust and adapt to a whole new culture and found themselves trying to fit in with the privileged world of the rich and richer. Behind the lush mansions, pools, Rodeo Drive, and exotic sports cars, Beverly Hills, 90210 didn't shelter the teen angst and drama from viewers, and portrayed its characters experiencing issues related to sex, violence, drug abuse, alcoholism, racism, and poverty. Pretty soon we saw that the rich had worse problems than the middle class and the poor. During its decade-long run, viewers saw how the characters matured as they transitioned from high school to college and later into the real world. Most importantly, the show spawned the eternal debates of Brandon vs. Dylan and Brenda vs. Kelly. The fans are still undecided...20 years later.

#74 - Homeland
Showtime's psychological spy thriller has become a major hit for the cable network due in part to its premise and entangling storylines. Homeland follows CIA officer Carrie Mathison's investigation into former POW, USMC sniper Nicholas Brody after believing that Brody has been turned by al-Qaeda and is a threat to the United States. To further complicate matters, the relationship between Carrie and Brody has slowly been heating up and adds another layer to the investigative thriller. Homeland provides viewers with the multi-layered drama and mystery of the intelligence community and terrorism, and with the recent NSA scandal regarding phone records, it will be interesting to see how if the show will enter that territory.

#73 - Six Feet Under
Set in the family funeral home business, Six Feet Under explored the intricate interpersonal relationships of the Fisher family after the death of patriarch Nathaniel Sr. Each episode began with a death of that week's client and the topic and effects of death would resound and reflect the personal problems and/or misfortunes the Fisher family were experiencing. Considered at times as a black comedy, Six Feet Under explored the perspective of life and the living through the element of death. And each enlightenment would ultimately help unravel the problems that plagued the family and unite them even more.

#72 - Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica follows the crew of last surviving humans after a nuclear annihilation. The sci-fi drama focuses on the crew's pursuit of a lost colony while evading a race called Cylons intent on exterminating the remaining survivors. Throughout its four season run, the war between the humans and Cylons increased with the usual twists expected of a space opera. Viewers ultimately were watching the war between man vs. machine and the effects extensive technology had on the human race.

#73 - Beavis and Butt-head
The '90s introduced the era of sitting around and do nothing except watch music videos all afternoon. At least that's what it did for four years with Beavis and Butt-head. The teenage duo managed to grab a loyal following thanks in part to its network, MTV. Hilarious hijinks, ridiculous gags, and annoying laughter was what the show was all about. The animated shorts incorporated popular music videos of the time, which was either beneficial or detrimental for the artists depending on how Beavis and Butt-head really felt about them. The animation was also unique for its time and actually influenced future animated series like Daria and King of the Hill. Whether you loved them or hated them, we all were Beavis and Butt-head at one time during our adolescence, and we all managed to watch at least one episode. Admit it. You did.

Well that concludes our review of the #70s on EW's all-time greatest list and while the magazine has chosen some memorable shows of the past, it is refreshing to see the inclusion of current shows (Homeland, Game of Thrones) in the mix. It is important to note that some television shows might not be the best in terms of content or characterization, but its influence on a genre or a certain storytelling merits their placement on this list.

What are some of your memories of these shows? Would you agree with the current selection or placement of shows? Comment below and share with us.


Remember to Stay Tuned for the next review of Entertainment Weekly's list of the 100 All-Time Greatest TV Shows!

Monday, July 8, 2013

THE 100 ALL-TIME GREATEST TV SHOWS CONT'D...


Stay Tuned continues to review Entertainment Weekly's list of the 100 All-Time Greatest Television Shows. Today we will highlight the shows occupying the #90-81 spots.

So without further ado, shall we begin the reminiscing?

#90 - Felicity
First let me say that my friend Courtney would be the ideal person to write a quick blurb about Felicity. Scratch that. She could write a whole review of the show and do an extraordinary job. She is the only person I know who has bought all the original DVD releases, watched every episode from front-to-back and back-to-front, and probably can recite the most important storylines presented in this college drama. Felicity premiered on the WB during a period when the network wanted to attract teenage viewers. Having success with other teen-centric shows like Dawson's Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the WB tried its hand with a show focused on the college experience and finding oneself in that environment. The premise of the series is Felicity following her high school love to college, which then evolved into the whole Ben vs. Noel see-saw for the run of the series. Probably the most buzzed about moments of the show was when Felicity cut off her long, curly locks. The media had a field day with it and viewers kept tuning in each week to see who Felicity would choose. Felicity became a role model for teenage girls and young women. She was relatable and realistic for those who were coming-of-age.

#89 - Mystery Science Theater 3000
MST3K is a personal favorite of Stay Tuned. The show's dry humor and wittiness was ahead of its time but it gained a substantial audience and loyal cult following over time. The premise of the series was to showcase horrible, cheesy movies and literally tear them down frame by frame. The host, Joel (and later Mike), is shot into space with robots Tom Servo, Crow, Gypsy, and Cambot, and is forced to watch movies sent to him by the mad scientists. The lot of movies watch over the 10-year run of the show were just plain terrible but listening to the quips and mockery from the space gang made them watchable and propelled MST3K to an enjoyable experience. We highly recommend the MST3K vs. Gamera DVD set that Shout! Factory released a few years ago. Listening to the MST3K poke fun at a giant flying turtle monster is priceless!

#88 - Perry Mason
Perry Mason is credited as being one of the most successful and longest-running series of all time. Raymond Burr wonderfully depicted the lead title's role, and despite having a few replacement actors in the role over the 30-year span of the series and TV movies, Burr is and forever will be our Perry Mason. The series episodes were based on real-life stories written by Erle Stanley Gardner and each hour was broken into two parts. The first part of the show featured the victim's homicide and the arrest of the suspect. The second part of the hour featured defense attorney Mason making a case for his client and usually proving the innocence of the suspect. In fact, Perry Mason never lost a case. Those he didn't win were declared mistrials, of course off-screen. Perry Mason set the precedent for future legal, police, and crime dramas in part for its gritty stories and dramatic use of camera movements and orchestra scores.

#87 - South Park
Undeniably a breath of fresh air when it premiered in 1997, South Park gained recognition for poking fun and parodying current pop culture, pushing the buttons on taboo subjects like religion and politics, as well as its liberal use of graphic violence (How many times has Kenny been killed?) and obscenities. The off-beat humor and cutout technique animation has been appealing audiences, young and old, for 16 years now and it shows no sign of throwing in the towel. Thanks to finding a home on Comedy Central, South Park was able to test the boundaries and air its content on cable TV, in contrast to other animated shows regulated on network TV. Most importantly, South Park paved the road for future animated sitcoms that followed similar off-color humor and satire...*ahem* Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Archer, Adult Swim, etc etc. South Park found a niche that would forever change the landscape of animation in primetime television.

#86 - 24
Jack Bauer was the man. Jack Bauer lived through it all. Jack Bauer could actually say "I've had a rough day" and it would be true. FOX's 24 introduced a unique formula to the action serial model by making one whole season happen in the span of 1 day...24 hours. Each season consisted of 24 episodes and each episode represented one hour Jack Bauer had to divert the planned assassination, nuclear bomb, biological warfare, or kidnapping that plagued a particular season. Every hour brought twists and turns that complicated the main protagonists and lead up to the climatic ending of the season. Apart from Jack Bauer, everyone else on the show was pretty much expendable. Viewers clearly saw the liberty writers had at killing off key characters when Bauer's wife, Teri, was shockingly killed minutes before her rescue in the show's first season. 24 had to incorporate the flash-forward technique between seasons, usually anywhere from 18 months to 3 years, before giving Jack another bad day. I mean, how many bad days could you have in a row, at least in Jack Bauer's world? The show's popularity remains to this day and FOX has already greenlighted a limited series return for the spring of 2014. The 12-episode return will still highlight one entire day but with the exclusion of several hours between each episode. More 24? We will definitely Stay Tuned!

#85 - Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie was a family western drama that focused on the Ingalls farm life in the late 1800's. The show's core focus was on the Ingalls' family life with the struggles and pitfalls related to the farm and/or neighbors in the background. Despite suffering through disastrous floods, failed crops, loss of livestock, and even the death of the family pet, Little House tried to end the story on a light note with a bright side moral of the story. The show also tackled serious issues such as blindness (daughter Mary loses her eyesight at the end of one season), adoption, racism, and alcoholism, as well as racier subjects like drug addiction and rape. If we were left with anything from watching Little House on the Prairie, it was that you could depend on family to get through all of life's hardships.

#84 - Family Ties
What do you get when two liberal hippies get married and have a family? You get a conservative, yuppy son like Alex P. Keaton. Family Ties introduced the world to the Keaton family, a family with 1960s ideals trying to raise their kids in the '80s. Parents Steven and Elyse encountered the challenges of generational differences while raising their three (later four) kids. While it is considered a sitcom, Family Ties often brought awareness of serious issues in that half hour each week. Drug abuse, child abuse, unexpected death, and alcoholism were just some of the topics the Keatons tackled over the show's seven year run, and we realized the realities Steven and Elyse faced through their rose-colored glasses.

#83 - Oz
Oz has the distinction of being the first hour-long dramatic television series produced by HBO. Unlike similar dramas presented on network TV, Oz depicted the grittiness and despair of living behind the bars of a maximum-security prison. Nicknamed "Emerald City," the Oswald State Correctional Facility emphasized the rehabilitation and correctional learning techniques applied to its inmates. In the background, however, the seedy prison life of drug trades and power plays, as well as the struggle between rival gangs, was the true highlight of the show. Oz took advantage of the cable TV outlet and offered frequent images of violence, deaths, nudity, and sex. With an ensemble cast in place, Oz also benefited from cameo and guest appearances from big-name talent at the time. Though it has been several years since it went off the air, Oz remains in high regard as no other drama since has matched or exceeded the creative and production values of the show.

#82 - Good Times
Good Times transplanted Florida Evans, the Findlay maid from Maude, to the inner-city projects of Chicago where she lived with her husband, three kids, and nosy neighbor Willona Woods. The Evans family faced obstacles and challenges each week as they tried to keep their heads above water (hehe...that's part of the theme song) while tackling the issues that plagued the African-American community living in city projects like racism, unemployment, poor health care, welfare, child abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, and gang-related violence. Despite losing out in the end, the Evans always had each other to face the next hurdle that stumbled across the following week. Good Times was another show featuring an all African-American cast in lead roles and became another hit for Norman Lear. Much of the success was attributed to exposing the double standards and racism within the U.S. society at the time and the show became a cornerstone model for future black shows, in particular having a strong father present in the household. When James Evans was killed off the show, Good Times lost a fundamental piece that would never be recovered in spite of many creative efforts and it contributed to the show's eventual demise.

#81 - In Living Color
In Living Color helped usher the '90s with a return to skit comedy. Mostly parodic in nature, In Living Color offered a new and comical view of pop culture. Nothing was left unscathed from the humor of the ensemble cast. TV shows and movies were skewered, music videos re-written and hilariously sung, and who could forget the introduction of memorable characters like Homey D. Clown, Benita Butrell, Fire Marshal Bill, Hand-Man, and Wanda. Apart from poking fun at the latest entertainment, In Living Color also brought a refreshing view on the American political system as well as exposing the racial and social inequities of the '90s. The show constantly pushed the limits and its creators were often in a battle with the network over censorship of certain material, which wouldn't be considered controversial by today's standards. In Living Color also helped the hip-hop and R&B music scene by allotting time from the show for musical performances by up-and-coming and popular artists. While there has been a setback for a potential reboot, In Living Color has gained its place in television history for delivering topics such as racism, sexism, and human sexuality to viewers' living rooms.

Well that pretty much sums up the second tier of EW's all-time greatest TV shows list. While we may have different opinions for the actual placement of these shows on the list, we can't help but agree that each one of these shows deserves a place on this list. They were all fundamental stepping stones for future series in their genres and they have made a lasting impact not only in our society but also in our hearts and memories.

What do you remember most about these shows? Do you have a particular favorite one? Which one can you watch non-stop in rerun heaven? Share with us your thoughts in the Comments box below.


Remember to keep an out for the next chapter in this review, #80-71. Stay Tuned for further posts from our TV guru, Max Headblog!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

THE 100 ALL-TIME GREATEST TV SHOWS...

Entertainment Weekly has released a special double issue for the first week of July with a countdown of The 100 All-Time Greatest Movies, Albums, Novels, and of course, TV Shows.

EW's list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all-time already has generated a lot of buzz with the typical complaints of "Where's this show?" and "Why is this show included?" and even the "This show should have been ranked higher/lower!"...nobody is ever happy, right?

Well STAY TUNED just wants to give some exposure to this wonderful issue (including an excellent tribute to the late James Gandolfini) and hopefully generate some talk in the TV Den. So grab your bean bag chair and glance at the countdown.


Today we'll highlight the bottom ten shows, #91 - 100, on EW's all-time list.

#100 - The Brady Bunch
Who could forget that addicting theme song? The Bradys showed us that families can blend together through the bonds of a second marriage.

#99 - Alias
Sydney and Vaughn. Spy Daddy and Spy Mommy. Francie and Doppelganger Francie. Huge, gaping 2-year flash-forward. Alias brought the spy game to television viewers and probably was the first show to implement the flash-forward technique halfway through its run. Part of us wanted to be part of the Bristow family. The other part thanked reality for not having a zany family.

#98 - Bewitched
Samantha Stephens was one foxy witch. It was the twitch of the nose that set things off. Bewitched introduced the world to witchcraft in a comedic setting and it hit the ball right out of the park. The effects were top notch for its time and made the show believable. It also spawned the eternal debate that remains to this very date, Darrin #1 vs. Darrin #2. Each actor brought a uniqueness to the role but it's ultimately Darrin #1 (Dick York) that was the better Darrin. And let's not forget Endora, Samantha's mortal-hating mother. Endora stole the show every single time she appeared on screen.

#97 - The Comeback
Lisa Kudrow's show was on the air for a short amount of time. I mean if you blinked you would have never known that Kudrow had returned to television with this witty show on HBO. Probably the strongest vehicle for Kudrow post-Friends, it received praise and positive reviews but failed to capture the fickle audience. HBO made a mistake in not renewing the show for a second season.

#96 - Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle was a refreshing comedy that brought the family back to the core. The show featured a typical American family with the internal dysfunction and problems most of our families have experienced. Malcolm had the ability to showcase family strife without vulgarity, as was the case of similar shows during the 2000s. Sympathizers and sufferers of middle-child syndrome related to Malcolm and the pains of growing up in that family environment. It's also great to see Bryan Cranston pre-Breaking Bad.

#95 - Grey's Anatomy
It's drama. It's soapy. It's a dramedy...of sorts. However you want to define it, Grey's Anatomy has been one roller coaster of a show. Hospital dramas can sometimes get boring and bogged down in the depths of dull if there is more medical jargon than storyline. This show has managed to overcome that hurdle and provide outstanding, eye-opening, mouth dropping stories for the last nine years. Just when it seems that Grey's can't top itself, it always finds a way to go over the top. Shootings, plane crashes, deaths, deaths, and more deaths. Most of the audience has been torn between McDreamy and McSteamy, while others root for McBreathy (as in "I hope my favorite character makes it to next week's episode"). Whatever your feelings are about the show, you have got to give it up to homegirl Grey for getting through all the ish she's been through in almost a decade on the air.

#94 - Project Runway
I really have nothing to add to Project Runway. I'm not going to say anything too horrible because my friend Chanelle watches this program religiously when she's working out at her gym. The show has provided an outlet for talented designers to demonstrate their ideas and gain entry into a difficult industry. If anything, the cattiness of the contestants and harsh, honest creative criticism of the judges make this show worth watching.

#93 - The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was a variety show that pushed the buttons and limits with its frequent political humor. Airing during a time when variety shows were hot commodities, audience grabbers, and ratings winners, the Smothers Brothers mixed comedic skits with musical acts, most times by the actual Smothers Brothers themselves but other times bringing in hot (what we would consider indie these days) artists of the late '60s. After reviewing some clips of the show, it makes one wish variety shows would make a comeback.

#92 - Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son was a groundbreaking comedy on many levels. It became a popular show featuring an entire cast of African-Americans, including the lead characters of Fred Sanford and his son Lamont. The setting of the show was the Sanford junkyard, the family business which was another rarity at the time. The show centered around an African-American-owned business, a huge leap from the supporting television roles of house cleaners, maids, butlers, and menial employees in the late '60s through the '70s. Fred Sanford (played brilliantly by the late Redd Foxx) Controversial material was almost the norm as the show consistently tested the boundaries in its half-hour format. In fact, Sanford and Son helped pave the road for future African-American television.
And who could forget the Sanford and Son theme?!?

#91 - Star Trek
Space...the final frontier. Star Trek wasn't exactly a ratings winner but it gained a loyal following and has increased its cult status thanks to syndication, spin-offs, movies, and books. In retrospect, Star Trek was following the trend of space-centered television shows in the mid to late '60s. The premise was fascinating: space in the future, advanced technology, and traveling to different worlds and encountering strange beings and alien life forms. And let's be honest, that space ship was neat-o. As the show continued on during its three year run, it became a habit to wonder how exactly the extra in the red shirt would meet his or her demise. Because let's face it, if you wore a red shirt on the shirt then you pretty much were going to die. Star Trek also made television history by being the first American show to feature an interracial kiss (Cap. Kirk and Uhura). That jungle fever kiss, Spock's pointer ears and hand sign, alien green women, and furry little balls called Tribbles were just some highlights associated with this cult classic.

Well there you go. EW's list has opened the floodgate of memories. There were some surprises so far. I wouldn't consider The Comeback and Grey's Anatomy as part of the 100 greatest shows of all-time. They're good shows, but deserve an honorary mention status.

What do you think of the EW's list so far? Chime in if you loved, hated, watched any of these shows mentioned. Stay Tuned will be back with the next set #90-81!