I don't think I watch as much TV as a should. If you've been reading, you know I'm a big fan of Entourage, South Park, and House. I'm also pretty big on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, and 30 Rock - although you won't see me breaking appointments for those like I would for the previous three.
I don't watch 24 or Lost like so many other TV geeks out there, but those shows never really got to me. I don't think I've watched a new sitcom since Family Guy. Maybe it's because I was disenchanted with TV for most of the beginning of this decade, or maybe it's because TV just sucked for a long time.
DVD box sets (and subsequent marathon watching sessions) got me interested again, and lately I've been trying to give new shows a chance - especially if I'm met with a topic that sparked some interest. This is how I got into 30 Rock, and even how I started wandering back to NBC. I don't think I've given the Peacock any real attention since they lost the NBA, Seinfeld disbanded, and Will Ferrel left for greener, Hollywood pastures. Conan was a solid late night choice if nothing else, but NBC generally sucked for a long time.
But things may be turning around...
Up until recently, NBC's Thursday night consisted of the afformentioned 30 Rock and The Office as well as Scrubs and My Name is Earl. All of these shows are very watchable, and it looked like NBC was trying to get back to the glory days. However, a quick glance at the scheduling for this week shows that they've jumbled everything up! Why? You almost had me tuning in weekly, and now you're going to go with a different lineup?
I know 30 Rock and The Office will both be back eventually, but when and where? Why are you trying to screw everything up NBC? Are you that sore about passing on Lost? It seems like they'll make crazy decision after crazy decision in a psychotic, prideful attempt to get back on top.
Enter Heroes and The Black Donnellys. These two dramas seem to be an attempt by NBC to show America that they are in fact paying attention. If America wants addicting dramas where the plot progresses episode to episode, then NBC will bring it................very, very poorly.
Ok, maybe I shouldn't lump Heroes in with The Donnellys. The plot is fairly interesting. It reeks of X-Men, but it doesn't have the full-on "this should be a cartoon" comic book feeling. I was never really hooked on it, but I can certainly see how an addiction could happen. My problem with the show is that it's a big tub of maize and mozzarella. Corny line after corny line and cheesy situation after cheesy situation. I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next, but I had to wade through gobs of gouda and produce to get to it. And then when I got there, I was unsatisfied (which is strangely similar to the same unsatisfaction of eating an entire bag of Orville Redenbacher's.
But that, in no way, compares to the abomination that is The Black Donnellys. Paul Haggis, what have you done now?! For those who haven't caught it yet, the show revolves around 4 Irish 20-somethings coming of age in New York's Hell's Kitchen. I don't know where that is or what I should think of it, but it sounds like a rough place to grow up. Donnellys aspires to enter the mafia show pedigree and join the ranks of The Sopranos. I mean, Paul Haggis is arrogant and certainly a hack, but to think you can move in on Sopranos territory? The man should be stoned! At the same time, his Irish angle isn't even original. I've been told Brotherhood on Showtime is an infinitely better Irish mob show. I will look into it and get back to you. But why do I hate this show so much? Well, let me show you...(Warning:There is a mild spoiler in this clip, but it's not really anything huge. It's the first episode of the series, afterall.)
That clip pretty much somes up everything that's wrong with the show. Two of the main characters are way too baby-faced to be mobsters of any brand. Imagine if Tony Soprano, Frank Costello, or any one of the Corleones (except Fredo) were to come across one of the Donnellys? Tommy Donnelly would crap himself if he had to go up against Sonny Corleone! And I'm supposed to watch this show and think he's a badass?
And the music! What is that? Is that supposed to create intensity? Wait wait, let's compare that to the Soprano's intro...
Now that's what I'm talking about! It's manly, it has grit, it feels like the mob! Where is this in Donnelly's? The Donnelly's doesn't have grit, it's got a bunch of pretty boys wandering around to music of Snow Patrol and Andain.
It's a mob show for chicks. That's all there is to it. My buddy Carl said I was describing "The Sopranos meets Grey's Anatomy". He hasn't seen the show (I've advised him not to), but I couldn't think of a more accurate description. After the first episode, I figured this show was pointed at women, but by the 3rd episode I was certain. In episode 3, Tommy Donnelly gratuitously strips down to his plain white briefs (does anyone still wear these?!?), to reveal he's more ripped than anyone who pays to see The Kansas City Royals. The guy has abs on top of abs. Does anyone not see what they're getting at? Ugh.
I'm disgusted. I need to stop thinking about it. What can I do to get this terrible taste out of my mouth? I know...!
That's much better.
As for NBC, I don't think they'll stay down forever. Saturday Night Live could get better again real soon. And hey, they might even find a good drama as well!
Let's pray they milk 30 Rock for all it's worth.
Maybe they should just go back to airing reruns of Seinfeld.
Tschüs!