Real 'quality' television...

[AJColossal]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

There are a lot of quality shows out there. IMO the Sopranos is the best TV offering of all time.

The Sopranos is probably my favorite thing ever in pop culture. Part of the resaon is because I'm Italian, and i can completely relate to a lot of the subject matter. But I can understand how that might not be everyone's cup of tea, so I can't say it's definitively the greatest this or that for everybody.

By that same reasoning, I can't get into other heralded shows like The Wire, 24, or Deadwood because the subject matter just doesn't grab me. But I recognize there is a lot of great TV out there and definitely something for everybody.

[aholbert32]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Agreed. "The Wire" will SUCK on regular TV. It will be a mere shell of itself after it's dissected like a biology frog to meet the censors' approval.

Don't bother -- get the DVD set or a torrent.

Take care,
PK

I'm intrested to see how BET edits it. I dont think they will remove the violence but the language and the sex will probably be gone. I cant imagine how they will edit the "f___" scene in Season 1.

[Graphik]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

I'm intrested to see how BET edits it. I dont think they will remove the violence but the language and the sex will probably be gone. I cant imagine how they will edit the "f___" scene in Season 1.

Regardless, BET will edit the hell out of it. Although BET does a good job with voice overs. "You mutha-sucka, I told your punk butt I was gonna kill you if you ever mess with my chick again". LOL

I wonder how A&E will handle the Sopranos.

Why does'nt FX get more of these shows. As far as I know, they are the only cable station that allows all profanity.

[aholbert32]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Regardless, BET will edit the hell out of it. Although BET does a good job with voice overs. "You mutha-sucka, I told your punk butt I was gonna kill you if you ever mess with my chick again". LOL

I wonder how A&E will handle the Sopranos.

Why does'nt FX get more of these shows. As far as I know, they are the only cable station that allows all profanity.

FX makes more money with their original shows. Even FX cant use the F word. I was watching "Its always Sunny" on FX and they used S___ and A Hole.

BET and A&E dont broadcast original dramatic programming and thats why they purchase the rights to those shows. Ive heard that the Sopranos is going to be edited way more than the Wire.

[Chaos81]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

So, who made you the single person who could decide what the definition of "quality" is.

The same person that decided everyone can have an opinion.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Just reading the original post slamming 24 is enough to not give any benefit of the doubt or any serious thought to watch the show suggested.

[neovsmatrix]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Don't get me wrong, 24 has some "whatever" moments. Sometimes I laugh at people who are sitting there thinking Jack is going to die. Sure, it might happen in this season, but the last 3, where he was the shows life, there's no way he dies. I still love the show.

Another show I think that has great potential, if they would just lose some of the lame stuff, is Criminal Minds. I've seen a few episodes where it really impressed me.

Since when did 24 stop being about Jack Bauer? It's pulp TV, and the only real reason the show is so great is because of Jack Bauer. He's a heroic figure, an icon. That hasn't changed, and if Jack Bauer were to die this season, it'd probably have to be at the last minute of the last ep.

In any case, 24 is not a "serious" drama, but it is a great show, and it is my favorite show on TV along withh Heroes. I don't attribute quality writing to either show, but they're just a lot of fun to watch.

[pk500]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

I'm intrested to see how BET edits it. I dont think they will remove the violence but the language and the sex will probably be gone. I cant imagine how they will edit the "f___" scene in Season 1.

Hell, yes, BET will edit the violence.

Think of Season 1 when Omar's boyfriend was murdered. Do you think they'll show the mutilated body on the car? No. That entire scene will be deleted. Think they'll show the autopsy scene of the murdered boyfriend or the scene where the public defender sees the autopsy photos?

Hell no.

Violence, profanity and grisly scenes are part of "The Wire's" power and realism. Delete that, and the show loses a lot of its power and realism.

Take care,
PK

[aholbert32]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Hell, yes, BET will edit the violence.

Think of Season 1 when Omar's boyfriend was murdered. Do you think they'll show the mutilated body on the car? No. That entire scene will be deleted. Think they'll show the autopsy scene of the murdered boyfriend or the scene where the public defender sees the autopsy photos?

Hell no.

Violence, profanity and grisly scenes are part of "The Wire's" power and realism. Delete that, and the show loses a lot of its power and realism.

Take care,
PK

I'm willing to bet that they show those scenes for two reasons: 1. Its cable not network TV and 2. The Wire is airing after 10pm. FX has shown way worse stuff then that on the Shield, Rescue Me and Nip Tuck and the reason it can is because its on basic cable and its after 10.

[BGarrett7]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

The same person that decided everyone can have an opinion.

There's a slight difference in stating your opinion and preaching it as the gospel.

[Court_vision]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Quality tv? Laughable. Between the 4,000 channels out there and the 7 million sitcoms, dramas and reality shows, everyone can find what their looking for.

Maybe American tv lacks quality...but some of the BBC (British) dramas are absolutely superb.

Great actors...great writing...absolute quality.

I'm not British...but BBC dramas are, at times, absolutely superb.

[Court_vision]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

So, who made you the single person who could decide what the definition of "quality" is.

BBC and ITV dramas have been acknowledged world wide for being some of the best 'quality' television ever made....

[Court_vision]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Not ONE person here watches anything "non american"???????

I find that pretty amazing...no one has even seen 'Wire in the Blood'? A show acknowledged world wide as one of the best dramas ever made?

Wow.

Review below:



"Wire in the Blood" is bloody brilliant.

Robson Green plays Dr. Anthony "Tony" Hill, a psychologist who helps the police solve cases involving serial killers. While he solved cases in the "Touching Evil" movies, Robson Green does less running around and more thinking than he did previously. Frankly, even though "Touching Evil" was very exciting and very good, "Wire in the Blood" is the more believable of the two series since Tony Hill is more equipped to match wits with his opponents than Green´s previous crime solver. Since there are various levels of intellectual and psychological games to play in "Wire in the Blood", it is never less exciting than "Touching Evil" even though it is less physical. In fact, the terrors are comparably visceral between the two series because the criminals in "Wire in the Blood" think the kinds of terrible thoughts that we all try to bury.

As the movies were shown on British TV, they´re each divided into two parts (presumably for two weeks´ worth of airings). There are three movies in Season 1: "The Mermaids Singing", "Shadows Rising", and "Justice Painted Blind". The first two were based on McDermid´s novels; the last one was based only on McDermid´s characters. Because they were based on novels with complex structures, the narratives of the first two entries are more complicated than the last one. However, the last one is better than the first movie, and it is almost as good as the second one.

In "The Mermaids Singing", we meet Tony Hill and the Criminal Investigator who recruits him, Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris). The two head a team that attempts to capture a serial killer torturing, killing, and mutilating single white men. In "Shadows Rising", the murders of two girls are found to be connected to the death threats made against a celebrity couple. In "Justice Painted Blind", a series of execution-style stranglings mystifies the investigative team because of all the possible suspects involved in the case.

First and foremost, I have to discuss the actors. They´re all very good. Robson Green gives his character a lot of eccentric tics that aren´t irritating but definitely add dimensions to Hill´s personality. Hermione Norris doesn´t have a flashy role as the steely, driven, and very professional Carol Jordan, but you root for her all the same. Also making memorable impressions are Alan Stocks and Mark Letheren as Jordan´s deputies. Letheren does a good job of playing a character who disgraces himself by leaking news to a reporter in "The Mermaids Singing" but who redeems himself with excellent work in "Shadows Rising" and "Justice Painted Blind".

The writing is also top-notch. In every movie, you have to think your way to the criminal´s lair. Unlike the usual Hollywood thriller, you don´t know the bad guy´s identity until the hero does. Therefore, the tension rises dramatically as you realize, at the last second just like the protagonists, who the guilty party is. I found myself intellectually tickled by the thinking process, and I also found myself biting my nails several times during the movies. "Wire in the Blood" is chilling and smart.

[pk500]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

Not ONE person here watches anything "non american"???????

1. "Trailer Park Boys," produced and filmed in Canada for Showcase Canada. Perhaps the funniest show I've ever seen.
2. "Dream Team," an English soccer soap opera produced by Sky TV in England.
3. I revered the BBC version of "The Office."

Take care,
PK

[Court_vision]

Re: Real 'quality' television...

1. "Trailer Park Boys," produced and filmed in Canada for Showcase Canada. Perhaps the funniest show I've ever seen.
2. "Dream Team," an English soccer soap opera produced by Sky TV in England.
3. I revered the BBC version of "The Office."

Take care,
PK

Good to hear bro