In TV land, it has become a custom to have a Christmas episode of a TV show. These often just have Christmas in the background, with seasonal decorations on the set. But Christmas offers a chance to explore different themes, and there have been some cracking Christmas episodes. Here are some of my favourites:
4. Damned if you do: House, Season 1
What is it about this episode of the medical maverick that makes it so fantastic? Well, it was only the fifth episode of the hit medical drama, and it utilised the talents of Hugh Laurie to their fullest. His piano playing of silent night is enough to make the most hardened TV viewer feel immense pleasure, as we see a little into how the team spend their Christmas. A fantastic episode of one of the most refreshing shows in TV.
3. Bartlet for America: The West Wing, Season 3
The first of The West Wing episodes on the list, and my third favourite episode of the series. This sees the administration in the middle of the fervour for having kept the President’s Multiple Sclerosis secret, and Leo is on trial for his part in it. John Spence is magnificent as Leo, as we learn of his relapse: Leo was an alcoholic, and got drunk after meeting with some potential party donors. The script was fantastic, as we slowly learn what happened, as Sorkin examines the psyche of an alcoholic, with why they do what they do. This is all done through a series of flashbacks, from before the Presidential run to the end of the campaign. The end of the episode hits the hardest, as Bartlet thanks Leo for everything, reducing this rock of a man to tears through kindness.
2. The Christmas Show: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
The show only got commissioned for one season, and this was its best episode, but it is still one fantastic show. From the comedy of the Nazi Santa to the sadness of the New Orleans orchestra, this is one of the finest episodes of TV ever written, and one of the best Christmas shows ever made. The plot follows Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) deciding the write a Christmas show for Studio 60. Amongst the way we have Jordan (Amanda Peet) going for a pre-natal exam with Danny (Bradley Whitford), and Danny revealing his feelings for Jordan. A mix of comedy and drama, the episode convinced TV executives to give the show a full season: and rightly so.
1. Noel, The West Wing: Season 2
Following the events of the season 1 cliff-hanger, where the president and his entourage are shot at by gunmen, the administration is shaken. However, none more so that deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman (played by the fantastic Bradley Whitford), who is given an appointment with a psychologist. After a re-telling of a story where the staff realise Josh’s condition, which includes a shouting match a the President, Josh reluctantly accepts he needs help after he smashes a window with his hand. Aaron Sorkin expertly weaves a story that is both funny and touching, and if were not for the fantastic ‘Two Cathedrals’ episode, this has a shout for the best ever episodes of one of TV’s finest shows. The episode contains some of the most heart jerking lines ever spoken on TV, spoken by the great John Spencer:
"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up: "Hey, you! Can you help me out? " The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up: " Father, I'm down in this hole. Can you help me out? " The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by: " Hey, Joe, it's me. Can you help me out? " And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here. " The friend says: "Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out. ""
Merry Christmas to all my readers (that’s probably just 4 or 5 people, but the sentiment is there all the same)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Union Boy
For those of you who are lucky enough to read Leeds Student, there is a sketch every week entitled 'Union Boy' (Or Union Girl when we have alternated it). It is written by an anonymous member of the LS team. Last week, I was asked to attempt a version. The usual writer wrote it before I could submit my attempt, but for my first piece 0f satire, it isn't bad.
Therefore, for your viewing pleasure, I will paste that attempt here. Enjoy!
Well guys and gals, the LUU AGM swung into action this week, with a er...full house of 17 people in the audience. The meeting was so well supported that over a quarter of the audience were LS reporters.
That aside, it was one mighty fine shindig, with audit reports, an LUU reviews and a ban on debating the merits of being affiliated with the NUS. That's ok though, as that affiliation only cost the Union £47,214 last year, so it's not that important.
Nonetheless, it appears that the Union is in fine financial health, with a growing budget surplus. However, the Exec must be annoyed ... they could have forgone having their salaries cut and still had plenty of pocket money left over the buy plenty of giant globes to float around campus.
The referendum kicks off this week, and as you can see, yours truly – LS – is fully behind the motions, offering a democracy special. Actually, we've been going through the motion this week, interviewing real politicians such as David Milliband and Jack Straw.
The Referendum has never been afraid of controversial motions, and some of these will surely raise the hackles of a few on campus. However, some members of the Union must be hoping that the students are silly enough to pass one, as they will be able to make their first foray into the national media. But with all that attention, will they forget body beautiful Union girl?
Therefore, for your viewing pleasure, I will paste that attempt here. Enjoy!
Well guys and gals, the LUU AGM swung into action this week, with a er...full house of 17 people in the audience. The meeting was so well supported that over a quarter of the audience were LS reporters.
That aside, it was one mighty fine shindig, with audit reports, an LUU reviews and a ban on debating the merits of being affiliated with the NUS. That's ok though, as that affiliation only cost the Union £47,214 last year, so it's not that important.
Nonetheless, it appears that the Union is in fine financial health, with a growing budget surplus. However, the Exec must be annoyed ... they could have forgone having their salaries cut and still had plenty of pocket money left over the buy plenty of giant globes to float around campus.
The referendum kicks off this week, and as you can see, yours truly – LS – is fully behind the motions, offering a democracy special. Actually, we've been going through the motion this week, interviewing real politicians such as David Milliband and Jack Straw.
The Referendum has never been afraid of controversial motions, and some of these will surely raise the hackles of a few on campus. However, some members of the Union must be hoping that the students are silly enough to pass one, as they will be able to make their first foray into the national media. But with all that attention, will they forget body beautiful Union girl?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The American Elections
Well, it has been too long. Finally, I feel ready to post. So here goes...
The American elections are next week. Barack Obama looks like he is going to win, and win big. He must have quite a big lead to take 3 days of the campaign trail to visit his sick grandmother.
John McCain can try everything, from sleaze remarks to attacks associating Obama with terrorists, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Even Sarah Palin is starting to seem too radical (which she is), and her positive effect on the campaign has turned into a huge negative. Back to Alaska for her, methinks...
Many news agencies are already predicting an Obama win by the number of states that he will win. Many are still leaving 80+ electoral college votes uncounted as they are undecided states. Obama still has over the magic 270 anyway. So no cause for concern?
Well, a week is a long time in politics. Obama could still do something stupid (but it is highly unlikely). Only a major international diplomatic incident could see some swing back to McCain. Some people talk of an effect of people saying they will vote Obama, then voting the other way in the voting booth. I think this will happen, but not enough to wrestle the result away from Obama. The electoral map will be different to usual, but not as weird as it was once thought it might be.
I predicted months ago that a Democrat would win the White House. I thought it would be Hilary, but she had been foiled. A change is probably what is on order, as like in Britain, America is ready for a change after a prolonged period of one party. What Obama does with his first 100 days will be key, and highly interesting. The world is watching you, Mr Obama.
The American elections are next week. Barack Obama looks like he is going to win, and win big. He must have quite a big lead to take 3 days of the campaign trail to visit his sick grandmother.
John McCain can try everything, from sleaze remarks to attacks associating Obama with terrorists, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Even Sarah Palin is starting to seem too radical (which she is), and her positive effect on the campaign has turned into a huge negative. Back to Alaska for her, methinks...
Many news agencies are already predicting an Obama win by the number of states that he will win. Many are still leaving 80+ electoral college votes uncounted as they are undecided states. Obama still has over the magic 270 anyway. So no cause for concern?
Well, a week is a long time in politics. Obama could still do something stupid (but it is highly unlikely). Only a major international diplomatic incident could see some swing back to McCain. Some people talk of an effect of people saying they will vote Obama, then voting the other way in the voting booth. I think this will happen, but not enough to wrestle the result away from Obama. The electoral map will be different to usual, but not as weird as it was once thought it might be.
I predicted months ago that a Democrat would win the White House. I thought it would be Hilary, but she had been foiled. A change is probably what is on order, as like in Britain, America is ready for a change after a prolonged period of one party. What Obama does with his first 100 days will be key, and highly interesting. The world is watching you, Mr Obama.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
The most watched show on the planet returns
“Two thousand cases...now...two thousand suspects.” Queue The Who’s “Won’t get fooled agan”. CSI Miami is back.
CSI Miami returned to channel Five this week, basking in the glory that it is the most watched show in the world. Clean, sunny and brightly lit, the show highlights the grisly murders that take place each week within the glam of Miami, with a team of good looking, attractive forensic experts solving the case, with the usual twists and turns. It evens makes the science look sexy – something that is very difficult to do!
Now, in my opinion, Miami is the weakest CSI in the set. The original CSI has a better cast and a better lead in William Peterson’s Gil Grissom and CSI: New York is better written, darker and edgier. This doesn’t mean Miami is a bad show, but just doesn’t measure up favourably to the others. And the big problem with Miami is that it can be difficult to take seriously. This is due solely to David Caruso’s Horatio Caine.
Horatio is the perfect police officer (or cop): he is squeaky clean and has the morals of a saint whilst is perfectly pained at the same time. However, he comes across as a comic figure, mainly because of his cheesy lines and his stance (hands on hips, looking onto the horizon). The lines are acted in a dry, almost camp way, with Horatio making some fantastic title lines. In America dramas, we have the “tease,” which is a piece from the feature lasting 3 minutes or so before the title sequence. In CSI, this is used to show the murder that has taken place and introduce our intrepid team of investigators. Just before Roger Daltrey’s voice come in, Horatio can make some wise remark, which will always bring a smile to the face of a TV viewer.
It’s not just the start he dominates: it’s the end of the show too. After catching the villain of the piece, he stands up, puts on his shades, and places his hands on his hips, staring into the distance of a gorgeous Miami sunset. He also brings a smile to my face when he talks to one of the other members of the cast, a character named Ryan Wolfe, when Horatio calls him “Mr Wolfe” (probably just the suppressed Trekky in me). Caruso is man who carries the show – the rest of the actor’s are not so well known and do not get as much screen-time, as Horatio dominate the show. It is reminiscent of James Wood’s carrying Shark, another show in which an ageing famous actor gets (basically) his own show.
Horatio is the white knight in the piece (now if you want to see a good film, go and watch The Dark Knight), always saving the damsel in distress, or making a promise to the victim in the piece. One storyline had him pretending to everyone that a women’s young daughter were his so that his (dead) brother’s wife would never find out about her husband’s affair. There have been moments when Caruso does put in a show-stopping performance, such as in (perhaps Miami’s best ever episode) “Witness to Murder” when Horatio helps a developmentally challenged character, whose death at the end of the episode alongside Caruso’s acting brings a tear to the eye of even the most hardened TV viewer.
CSI Miami is not a bad show – far from it. Every week it offers an entertaining scenario which millions around the globe love. Maybe it is because of its superficiality and glamorous setting that people love it. The problem is that there are plenty of hour long dramas that have died within a season or a few episodes. These include the fabulous Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip starring Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford as well as the emotionally captivating Firefly starring Nathan Fillion (now of Desperate Housewives fame). I’m not saying these shows should be bought back, but they show that strong and clever writing alongside good acting does not mean that a show survives in the US TV world.
Perhaps Miami is the cleverest of the CSI’s, relying on the superficiality of real people to create a show that appeals to its superficial audience. In that capacity, maybe the show is perfect imagery of real life, which is becoming increasingly superficial, as we see these beautiful people struggle in real life, as how they look and how they dress is the most important thing. For what it’s worth, I think this is a reflection upon a society like that in Miami, where the rich and gorgeous (usually the same people) look for the perfect fan which will bring them the perfect life. Perhaps I’m just a cynic and a hypocrite, as despite my diatribe about the show, I’m quite happy to tune in every week.
And there lies the rub. CSI Miami isn’t bad. It’s even better than average. It’s just a sad reflection on American (and world) society. In the mean time, I’m quite happy to watch David Caruso painfully prance around as Horatio Caine, Miami’s super cop who will stop at nothing (well, perhaps he might to put on his sunglasses) to catch Miami’s most dangerous criminals. And long let him continue...
CSI Miami returned to channel Five this week, basking in the glory that it is the most watched show in the world. Clean, sunny and brightly lit, the show highlights the grisly murders that take place each week within the glam of Miami, with a team of good looking, attractive forensic experts solving the case, with the usual twists and turns. It evens makes the science look sexy – something that is very difficult to do!
Now, in my opinion, Miami is the weakest CSI in the set. The original CSI has a better cast and a better lead in William Peterson’s Gil Grissom and CSI: New York is better written, darker and edgier. This doesn’t mean Miami is a bad show, but just doesn’t measure up favourably to the others. And the big problem with Miami is that it can be difficult to take seriously. This is due solely to David Caruso’s Horatio Caine.
Horatio is the perfect police officer (or cop): he is squeaky clean and has the morals of a saint whilst is perfectly pained at the same time. However, he comes across as a comic figure, mainly because of his cheesy lines and his stance (hands on hips, looking onto the horizon). The lines are acted in a dry, almost camp way, with Horatio making some fantastic title lines. In America dramas, we have the “tease,” which is a piece from the feature lasting 3 minutes or so before the title sequence. In CSI, this is used to show the murder that has taken place and introduce our intrepid team of investigators. Just before Roger Daltrey’s voice come in, Horatio can make some wise remark, which will always bring a smile to the face of a TV viewer.
It’s not just the start he dominates: it’s the end of the show too. After catching the villain of the piece, he stands up, puts on his shades, and places his hands on his hips, staring into the distance of a gorgeous Miami sunset. He also brings a smile to my face when he talks to one of the other members of the cast, a character named Ryan Wolfe, when Horatio calls him “Mr Wolfe” (probably just the suppressed Trekky in me). Caruso is man who carries the show – the rest of the actor’s are not so well known and do not get as much screen-time, as Horatio dominate the show. It is reminiscent of James Wood’s carrying Shark, another show in which an ageing famous actor gets (basically) his own show.
Horatio is the white knight in the piece (now if you want to see a good film, go and watch The Dark Knight), always saving the damsel in distress, or making a promise to the victim in the piece. One storyline had him pretending to everyone that a women’s young daughter were his so that his (dead) brother’s wife would never find out about her husband’s affair. There have been moments when Caruso does put in a show-stopping performance, such as in (perhaps Miami’s best ever episode) “Witness to Murder” when Horatio helps a developmentally challenged character, whose death at the end of the episode alongside Caruso’s acting brings a tear to the eye of even the most hardened TV viewer.
CSI Miami is not a bad show – far from it. Every week it offers an entertaining scenario which millions around the globe love. Maybe it is because of its superficiality and glamorous setting that people love it. The problem is that there are plenty of hour long dramas that have died within a season or a few episodes. These include the fabulous Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip starring Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford as well as the emotionally captivating Firefly starring Nathan Fillion (now of Desperate Housewives fame). I’m not saying these shows should be bought back, but they show that strong and clever writing alongside good acting does not mean that a show survives in the US TV world.
Perhaps Miami is the cleverest of the CSI’s, relying on the superficiality of real people to create a show that appeals to its superficial audience. In that capacity, maybe the show is perfect imagery of real life, which is becoming increasingly superficial, as we see these beautiful people struggle in real life, as how they look and how they dress is the most important thing. For what it’s worth, I think this is a reflection upon a society like that in Miami, where the rich and gorgeous (usually the same people) look for the perfect fan which will bring them the perfect life. Perhaps I’m just a cynic and a hypocrite, as despite my diatribe about the show, I’m quite happy to tune in every week.
And there lies the rub. CSI Miami isn’t bad. It’s even better than average. It’s just a sad reflection on American (and world) society. In the mean time, I’m quite happy to watch David Caruso painfully prance around as Horatio Caine, Miami’s super cop who will stop at nothing (well, perhaps he might to put on his sunglasses) to catch Miami’s most dangerous criminals. And long let him continue...
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