Ugly Betty and 24 coming to Blogher
by Maria Niles

Greetings to the television fans hanging out here at Blogher. I want to let you know that I'll be bringing you coverage of the un-reality shows (Elisa's got your reality jones fix). I've chosen Ugly Betty and 24 for your reviewing pleasure.

I've picked these two shows because of the interest shown in the lead characters here at Blogher (Betty and Jack Bauer) and because they are interesting in the ways in which both provoke thought about reality while giving us a totally fun fictional ride.

If there is another show that you would love to see covered here let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can do if there is enough of a demand.

Comments

 

Hello....Greys Anatomy

I think you should cover one of the most watched show especially by women- Greys Anatomy.

I could probably go on and on about Dr. McDreamy and McSteamy and how badly I hate Meridith.

 

Whoopee!! Two of my favorite shows...

I think these are two excellent programs to cover. I came to Ugly Betty a bit late (and still don't know how she won her job).. but I'm loving it more every episode I watch.

24. A scary but realistic appearing look at a possible future. I occasionally have problems with some the plot points... but it's an adrenylin rush hour.

My favorite show is one I think you have to have watched from the beginning: Battlestar Galactica (the best drama nobody is watching). So aside from strongly suggesting that people netflix the past seasons and start watching it, I wouldn't suggest you add it.

However... Heroes?? What would you if you suddenly had a super power??

A number of the TV shows have their own blogs and podcasts which adds a whole other component to the experience. Grey Matters is a must visit site on Fridays.. and catching Rob Moore's podcasts (hello?? a three hour semi-drunken podcast with members of the cast????) is ..uhm.. illuminating.

Beaming Beeman, the creative force behind Heroes.. completely worth reading. He gives back scene story like no one else.

This TV show is like a freight train moving 100 miles an hour. You have to jump on, dive out of the way or get dragged under the wheels.

I'm wondering if these blogs by the writers/directors/producers will become something of a norm for the the shows that appeal to a younger internet savvy crowd...

Ok.. I just realized demonstrating just part of my television/blog knowledge here is either a sign of a serious problem or way too much information. Excuse me while I continue to visit with that semi-drunken cast party...

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

 

Battlestar Blues

Unfortunately I missed the boat on Battlestar Galactica and am in the I need to rent and catch up from the beginning boat. I'm sure I'll love it someday!

And I agree - the blogs and podcasts from the creative forces are truly a fascinating peek behind the scenes.

Another similar blog is Jane in Progress written by Jane Epenson (who recently wrote a Battlestar episode and who wrote for Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Gilmore Girls and others) who blogs about the spec scripwriting process.

 

Grey's Anatomy

Hi Sarah,

Thanks so much for voting. And, if other Grey's fans want to see it covered here, join Sarah and speak up.

Unfortunately I'm in the minority (since Grey's is the most popular show on television) but I can't stand the show. I tried watching it during the first season particularly because I love that the creator is a woman and woman of color which is so rare and the wonderful diversity of the cast. But I loathe the Meredith character and most of the storylines (the Grey's Writers Blog is fascinating, though). Also, Thursday at 9 is taken up with watching The O.C. and DVRing Scrubs and 30 Rock.

However, if there is an outpouring of demand for Grey's reviews/recaps I will watch it on the net and cover it with a slight time delay.

 

Grey's Anatomy

You may be in the minority, Maria, but you're not the only one. Grey's Anatomy is NOT for me - and I aint exactly the pickiest television watcher, either! I like 30 Rock, the Tina Fey show that's on the same time as Grey's. At least Tina Fey portrays a successful adult woman who doesn't spend her workday moaning and mooning over some guy. And 30 Rock is funny!

My Travel Site

 

Love 30 Rock

Thanks for the solidarity, Jen. :)

And I also enjoy 30 Rock especially Tina Fey's relatable quirky single woman and Alec Baldwin's hilariously deadpan whacked out boss.

 

And he just won a Golden

And he just won a Golden Globe for playing that whacked out boss! ...of course, Grey's Anatomy won a Globe too, but whateverrrr. :)

My Travel Site

 

Grey's and Boston Legal

I confess, I am a Grey's Anatomy junkie -- and also a huge fan of Boston Legal. I have started to watch Brothers and Sisters (or is it Sisters and Brothers?)and really feel myself getting dragged into the plot. Sally Fields is magnificent, and apparently un-Botox'd. She looks like a real human being who is getting older. Granted, she is a Hollywood human being with (most likely) a trainer and a cook and perfect hair and makeup -- but human nonetheless.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs relentlessly at Time's Fool

 

No Confessions Needed

Be proud of your television addicitions, Mata! I must advocate that position ;-)

I've started watching Brothers and Sisters as well now that the latest season of The Wire ended and after reading several rave reviews. I enjoy it - especially Sally Field and even Calista Flockhart of whom I'm not generally a huge fan.

 

I thought it was just me.

I don't like Grey's Anatomy either. I think it's actually really silly, and all the female actors are apparently directed to speak in the same cadence, which is really strange to me. Everyone disses ER in comparison, but after all these years I still love it and would rather watch Goran Visjnic any day than Patrick Dempsey. He was my least favorite part of Freedom Writers too. I'm such a hater. ; )

I would love to get back into 24 but can't seem to catch up with it. A fun way to watch it is to rent old seasons on dvd and watch them in a day or two. Real time madness.

Laurie

lauriewrites

 

24 Season 5

Laurie - I urge you to go rent season 5 as soon as possible. It was the best since season 1 in my, and many others', opinion. And you can easily drop into this season without the background. You've missed only the first 4 hours and I'll help you get caught up and the first four episodes have already been released on DVD.

 

Not-so-guilty addictions...

Grey's Anatomy: yeah, Meredith is sorta squirmy, and McSteamy leaves me cold, but I love the rest of 'em. And the writing is exceptional--at times.
The Unit: I wrote about this on my blog. It's not a shoot-em-up Boys Only drama. It was created--and is often written by David Mamet, he of Pulitzer Prize fame. As one would expect, the writing is exceptional.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: It's not another story about Hollywood, people; it's Life In A Microcosm, no matter the tidepool. Again, the writing is exceptional--always.

Obviously I'm a sucker for good writing.

By Jane
ByJane.blogspot.com

 

Me too, Jane

Totally agree with you on Grey's writing which is why I find the writer's blog far more interesting that the show itself.

Hmmm, I didn't know that about The Unit and David Mamet. It is home to the late President Palmer from 24 so I'll have to check it out - thanks for the tip!

And Studio 60 taunts me - Sorkin is good and the writing is great but sometimes too much - character development and engagement are too often sacrificed to the walk-and-talk. I want to love this show but I merely like it - I can't stop watching and hoping, though.

 

Alrightly Then

Well it seems that I might be one of the few Grey's fans here so ou got lucky Maria.

Yeah I hate Meredith also but come, all shows are unrealistic, even reality shows these days are! I think the story lines are good and I also think alot of the characthers have great chemisty together. I like to live in LA LA land from time to time so I enjoy the thought of McDreamy and McSteamy in my mind.

 

Nothing Wrong With That

"I like to live in LA LA land from time to time so I enjoy the thought of McDreamy and McSteamy in my mind." I'm all for enjoying entertainment enough to think of the characters as real - to me it's a sign that the creators are doing their job well.

And you've got some company with Grey's fans here (see comments to this post, this post and this one) - more likely it was just the opportunity for us "haters," as Laurie so aptly put it, to share.

Even though it looks like I won't be covering Grey's for you here's several recommended links...

TV Squad
Television Without Pity
TV Guide
Entertainment Weekly

 

Another Grey's Anatomy blog

Another great Grey's Anatomy blog since you won't be covering it here: Grey's Anatomy News

Sheila
GetSheila
Medium Dreams

 

Thanks Sheila!

Thanks for sharing this resource!

 

You Will Be Happy To Know

Hey Maria,

Well as of 6pm tonight I will be officially sitting on my couch with a couple of gals and watching the first two (4 hours- good lord) episodes of 24 for the first time ever. I have heard that it is okay to start from scratch as long as you start watching season from begining to end. So now I can have something to chat about with all of you! Have a good weekend!

Sarah

 

Yay, Sarah!

Have fun and do report back what you thought. I'll be getting up my recaps of those four hours over the weekend.