Test Pilot #39: Kings Debut date: March 15, 2009 Series legacy: Yet another one of NBC’s failed late-aughts drama series Welcome back to Test Pilot guys and gals! With that extra-special Joss Whedon Theme Week behind us, it’s time to fall back into the typical, but still lovely rhythms of the feature. Today, we continue … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #39, Kings
Tag: Deadwood
Test Pilot: File #38, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
Test Pilot #38: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. Debut date: August 27, 1993 Series legacy: One of the more beloved one-season wonders, mostly for its curious mix of genres, styles and imagery Welcome back to Test Pilot guys and gals! With that extra-special Joss Whedon Theme Week behind us, it’s time to fall back … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #38, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
Test Pilot: File #29, Lucky Louie
Test Pilot #29: Lucky Louie Debut date: June 11, 2006 Series legacy: Louis C.K.’s first major foray into television, and one that should be forgotten For nearly a decade-and-a-half, HBO has been the biggest power player in the television industry. More than any other individual network or entity, HBO has shaped our perceptions of quality … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #29, Lucky Louie
Test Pilot: File #28, The Comeback
Test Pilot #28: The Comeback Debut date: June 5, 2005 Series’ legacy: A flawed, lukewarmly received mockumentary that was perhaps a bit before its time For nearly a decade-and-a-half, HBO has been the biggest power player in the television industry. More than any other individual network or entity, HBO has shaped our perceptions of quality … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #28, The Comeback
Test Pilot: File #27, Carnivàle
Test Pilot #27: Carnivàle Debut date: September 7, 2003 Series legacy: A rabidly-beloved series that was deemed too dense and too slow for even the refined pallets of HBO’s audience For nearly a decade-and-a-half, HBO has been the biggest power player in the television industry. More than any other individual network or entity, HBO has … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #27, Carnivàle
Quality television-by-the-numbers: On AMC’s continued misguided laziness
This is not a review for the pilot episode of Hell on Wheels. You see because I don’t think I could barely muster up more than 150 words about that initial offering. At the pilot stage, Hell on Wheels is dull, sloppy, clunky and generally trying to do way too many different things without accomplishing … Continue reading Quality television-by-the-numbers: On AMC’s continued misguided laziness
Test Pilot: File #26, K Street
Test Pilot #26: K Street Debut date: September 14, 2003 Series legacy: An odd, too inside-baseball-like look inside the Beltway’s power players Hello again, loyal Test Pilot fans! It is nice to see the six of you. It is time for a new theme! The last time we explored a network in Test Pilot we … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #26, K Street
Compelled, not connected: On my lack of emotional connection to Boardwalk Empire (and why it doesn’t matter)
I don’t know about you folks, but to like a television program, I have to feel some connection to the characters in that program. I don’t necessarily have to adore every lead or cry when a character gets murdered, but I almost always have to care, in some way. Clearly everyone is different and what … Continue reading Compelled, not connected: On my lack of emotional connection to Boardwalk Empire (and why it doesn’t matter)
Friday List: The best 15 television pilots
If you’re a regular reader of TV Surveillance, you know I love a good list. Or a mediocre list. Or even a horrible list. The point is I have a lust for lists. This fall, I’d like to provide you folks with more lists than ever and hopefully that will result in a weekly or … Continue reading Friday List: The best 15 television pilots
Friday List: Top 10 individual television seasons
If you're a regular reader of TV Surveillance, you know I love a good list. Or a mediocre list. Or even a horrible list. The point is, I have a lust for lists. This fall, I'd like to provide you folks with more lists than ever and hopefully that will result in a weekly or … Continue reading Friday List: Top 10 individual television seasons
Post-hiatus musings: I don’t want your stupid movies, cult television
After nearly a month, my fairly substantial hiatus here at TVS is over. I am happy to be back providing content for you folks on a regular basis. In my time off, I’ve missed all sorts of television, both viewing- and writing-wise. To combat that, I’ll be whipping up a number of random posts with … Continue reading Post-hiatus musings: I don’t want your stupid movies, cult television
Waiting for Superman, week three: What’s the legacy of Smallville?
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first two pieces here and here if you missed them. As we get … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week three: What’s the legacy of Smallville?
Catching up on DVD — What changes?
One of the best TV critics around, Myles McNutt, has a poll up on his web site right now that will help him choose what series to catch up on via DVD here in the coming months. Obviously, DVD has done wonders for television viewers. We can wait until a entire season -- or series … Continue reading Catching up on DVD — What changes?
