wiseacre

I have a hard time creating lists that have any chronological order to them. Most of what I enjoy and like aren’t based on any logical method. It’s more ephemeral. So, below are the television shows I loved and enjoyed in 2011. They’re mostly typical but maybe there are a few surprises for you.

• Parks And Recreation
  This show feels as if it can do no wrong at the moment; each character is solid and engaging. It has quickly surpassed it’s predecessor (The Office) in nearly every way - laughs, plot, character and heart.
  
  
• Community
  During World War II American’s often used a “shibboleth” (a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people) to determine if hiding people were the enemy by saying the word “lollapalooza” (because the Japanese could not say it properly). The brilliance of Community is that the entirety of the show is a shibboleth to itself and popular culture. Sadly, this is also it’s downfall (as it’s creates a certain “barrier of entry” for a large audience of viewers). The show is brilliant, and it would be a shame to see it disappear.
  
  
• Breaking Bad 
  I understand that television as a form of entertainment, for most people, entales a certain mindless escapism (thus the popularity of shows like Two and  Half Men, The Jersey Shore, The Housewives of Orange County, et al). I am not one of those people. Breaking Bad is a difficult watch, a plot with a long arc, dark subject matter, subtle and complicated twists and rich, deep, flawed characters. Season 5 was nothing short of brilliant.
  
  
• Boardwalk Empire 
  It’s hard to look at Steve Buscemi for a prolonger period of time. It just is. He’s an ugly, ugly man. But he’s a brilliant actor. And the Atlantic City mobster series took what was an already wonderful debut season and destroyed your perceptions of where you thought they might go. Blood, sex, booze, corruption, politics and oh yeah, incest.
  
  
• Game Of Thrones 
  Speaking of incest… I have never hated a character more in my entire life than I hate Joffrey. It’s hard not to become demystified by the world the show occupies; but in the tradition of fantasy drama’s, the show mixes a lack of pretense and raw vulgarity that fits with our modern times. Highly enjoyable.
  
  
• The Booth At The End
  This Hulu exclusion show surprised me in it’s simplicity and concept. How could a half hour “drama” that takes place only in a booth be interesting at all? Well, it is. It really really is. Watch it.
  
  
• Parenthood
  Parenthood is great because it’s real; which I suppose doesn’t mean much of anything because what’s “real” to me may not be “real” to you at all. But if you’re married, or have kids (and relatives) then that “real” comes through. The dialog is, though sometimes hamfisted, so rooted in what happens in relationships, that you often find yourself wondering if the writers were watching you and your wife argue. It’s not an original show, it’s not groundbreaking, it’s just good and I love it.
  
  
• Justified
  Whenever I watch Justified I find myself walking in a strange gait, using a slow southern draw. Hell I might even wear cowboy boots and hat. Damn you Olyphant. DAMN YOU.
  
   
• The Walking Dead
  Sure it’s violent. The acting is stilted. The story arc is slow. But it’s also fun. And creepy. And I’m invested and find myself wondering where they’ll take it beyond the graphic novel.
  
  
• The League
  Hilarious, horrible and uncomfortable. It helps if you’ve ever been in a fantasy football league, or had friends that mercilessly tease each other (which I do).
  
   
• It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
  I never thought it possible that this show could make each character more revolting, self-centered, idiotic and overall horrible; but that seems to be the main challenge (and success) of the show.
  
  
• Misfits
  I discovered this show because Hulu kept pestering me to watch it. So I did. If you liked the idea of Heroes but got bored with it’s ultimate dive into uuuuuuuuuu — you might enjoy this quirky, violent, hilarious, vulgar British show. There are quite a few misses, but it has yet to become a soap opera of stupidity (and it doesn’t take itself too seriously). 

Shows That Are Now Dead To Me

• Dexter
  I want to kill each character. Especially Deb…
  
  
• 30 Rock
  I just don’t care anymore. I’m not sure why. But I’m tired.
  
  
• Rescue Me
  Even though it was already the final season, I didn’t even care to watch the final season.
  
  
• Chuck
  Same ol’ same ol’. The charm of it’s plot and characters is gone — which is what always happens when a show built around romantic and sexual tension and those main characters finally get “together” (see also Moonlighting, The Office)
   
• Family Guy
  Ugh. I don’t care about how many weird cultural asides, long awkward moments or stupid plots this show wants to create; I’ve tolerated the stupidity, I guess, out of habit; but I’m through. 

viafrank:

I’ve been thinking about Louis CK lately. I’m a fan of his show on FX, and I’m so happy his recent adventure in distributing his newest comedy special himself has been a rousing success. But my thoughts are going elsewhere to wonder why he has blown up in popularity in the past couple years, and why his comedy seems to resonate with these times. It always feels like there’s a comedian willing to address contemporary concerns with insight and honesty for each moment in time. All the greats had their focus: Richard Pryor and Chris Rock had race, George Carlin had absurdity, and I think Louis has hit on some sort of subterranean undercurrent of emotion that I didn’t realize might be swelling until I listened more closely: shame.

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Frank is spot on this his pointed analysis of the vulgar (and I mean vulgar in not only the sense of being “course and rude” but also in the sense of “current” and “unrefined”) truth of Louis. He does not filter his thoughts for the comfort of anyone. And his thoughts explore the depths of what most of us hide - that most of us are entitled, whiny, self-centered, well intentioned flawed people. Louis is at the top of his game (in the comedy sense) and is rightly being recognized for it.