The 2011-2012 television season has been over for almost a couple of weeks now, which means a sufficient amount of time has passed and we are primed to reflect. Over the next handful of days, I will be producing some pieces and lists looking back on the season that was. I missed out on a … Continue reading 2011-2012 season wrap: Top 10 series of the season
Tag: Matthew Weiner
Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “Lady Lazarus”
It’s that time again, folks. This is the Barker Chappell Daglas Reviewing Agency. It’s time to reconsider our life insurance policies and sleep with our favorite WB starlets, as Les, Andy and I take on this week’s great episode of Mad Men, “Lady Lazarus.” Cory: Welcome back, gents. I'm sorry. I said I was out … Continue reading Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “Lady Lazarus”
Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “Signal 30”
Hey all, it’s that time again. This Sunday’s Mad Men was one of the strongest the series has ever done, and the Barker Chappell Daglas Reviewing Firm is here to break it all down for you. Enjoy this, or Les will challenge you to a round of gentleman’s fisticuffs. Cory: Les, Andy: Welcome back to … Continue reading Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “Signal 30”
Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “A Little Kiss”
The world doesn’t really need three more 4,000 word opuses on Mad Men each week, so Andy Daglas, Les Chappell and I decide to combine our powers for the sake of good (and brevity). After each new episode of Mad Men’s fifth season, the three of us plan to exchange a bunch of emails about … Continue reading Barker Chappell Daglas Mad Men Roundtable: “A Little Kiss”
Showrunner Series: Ryan Murphy = Matthew Weiner (Except, you know, awful)
I received the book Prime Time, Prime Movers for Christmas and have been plowing through it over the last week or so. As these things go, reading a book about the big individual creative forces in television history has me thinking about contemporary writer/producers. Therefore, today, I debut a new occasional feature where I will discuss … Continue reading Showrunner Series: Ryan Murphy = Matthew Weiner (Except, you know, awful)
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
TV Surveillance Podcast Episode 13 — Boardwalking Dead? More like Bored, Walking Dead
In the latest episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Les Chappell and Andy Daglas for TVS' first three-man pod. We discuss the second seasons of Boardwalk Empire (yay!) and The Walking Dead (ugh.). Remember, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, if you like that kind of thing.
2011 Primetime Emmys: Clear eyes, full hearts, moderate confusion
I don't have a whole lot to say about tonight's Emmy ceremony, if only because I said so many things on Twitter tonight that I'm mostly over talking about it already. This also might have something to do with the fact that I barely guessed any of the major winners correctly, which isn't the worst … Continue reading 2011 Primetime Emmys: Clear eyes, full hearts, moderate confusion
2011 Primetime Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Writing for Drama and Comedy Series
The 2011 Primetime Emmys are so close! September 18th to be exact. Up until the ceremony airs on FOX, I’ll be working through most of the major categories and discussing who could win, who should win and of course, who will win. I’ll likely be tackling two categories in each post, just so you know. Happy … Continue reading 2011 Primetime Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Writing for Drama and Comedy Series
Season Finale — Mad Men, “Tomorrowland”
As someone who is coming to the Mad Men finale "Tomorrowland" criticism late, I feel as if there might not be a whole lot of value in me spewing thousands and thousands of words with my interpretations when there are so many great writers who have done an exceptional job since 11 p.m. last night. So … Continue reading Season Finale — Mad Men, “Tomorrowland”
Mad Men, “Blowing Smoke”
Penultimate episodes often make things really, really bad for characters, creating a world where there looks to be no hope. Even in a series like Mad Men where characters are not necessarily in mortal danger and when things have already been unraveling at a consistent rate, "Blowing Smoke" has no problems making things just a little worse. … Continue reading Mad Men, “Blowing Smoke”
Mad Men, “Hands and Knees”
Ed note: I'm currently with a laptop, so that's why there was no posting over the weekend, why this is later than usual and why there might not be any other posts the rest of the day. Sometimes Mad Men is more obvious with its thematic concerns, but in most cases, that's okay. If the themes … Continue reading Mad Men, “Hands and Knees”
Test Pilot: File #1, The Sopranos
Test Pilot #1: The Sopranos Debut date: January 10, 1999 on HBO Series legacy: The dawn of a new era for television, a cultural phenomenon in its early years, one of the 2-3 best drama series in the medium's history. Welcome to the newest regular feature here at TV Surveillance, the fantastically titled, Test Pilot. … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #1, The Sopranos
Huh? Reflections on the 2010 Emmy Awards
The 62 Annual Emmy Awards just wrapped up a few minutes ago, and if there's one thing I'll say about this telecast: It was far from boring. Well, at least the first 90 minutes weren't boring. I did a live blog for the folks over at TV Overmind (you can check out that out here … Continue reading Huh? Reflections on the 2010 Emmy Awards
Mad Men, “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword”
I'm actually glad that graduate school started today and I had more time to think about the latest episode of Mad Men, even if my opinion didn't really change with that time. Thematically, it seems like this episode wanted to discuss how people act out when they're still uncomfortable with some sort of new equilibrium … Continue reading Mad Men, “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword”
