Curb Your Enthusiasm is the most unusual and spontaneously funny show on TV. It is so brutally honest and argumentative.
Background: I am a huge Seinfeld fan. I grew up with the show, not only the new episodes, but also the re-runs. My family dinners growing up included Seinfeld reruns. The show changed my life and shaped my adulthood. I was 13 when the show came on the air and 22 when it went off the air. It was the first show I truly connected with.
Curb is a natural evolution of the ideals of Seinfeld. It lacks the element of New York but it adds the elements of being quasi-documentary and Hollywood insider-ness (not to mention the element of being on HBO). The new season starts next month and reports have been rampant that the season will feature a Fab Four of Seinfeld reunion. Now it turns out that not only will all four appear together but the story line that brings them together is a Seinfeld reunion.
The idea is that on Curb, throughout the whole season, Larry and Jerry will be writing, planning, and filming a Seinfeld reunion. Jerry, Julia, Michael, and Jason will appear in four to five episodes of Curb this season. Click here to read E!'s story. I think this will be the definition of Must See TV.
The Game, the Michael Douglas movie, was on the other night and it got me thinking...how un-re-watchable is that movie? The whole movie is the surprise. It is a good, arguably great, movie, but its re-watchability is zero for me.
It got me thinking about what were the best movies that are un-rewatchable.
Here are three that came to me pretty quickly:
- The Game
- The Usual Suspects
- The Sixth Sense
Finally, HBO on demand finally added HD! What the hell could have took so long?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Food Inc. and Me
I saw Food Inc. today and if I had to describe it in one word I would say - emotional. I have been on a voyage of food discovery for about two years but the machine of corporate food is something I haven't delved into very deeply. I think it was an intentional blind spot. I knew it was bad, in the same way I knew Big Papi cheated, but I didn't realize the level of manipulation and deceit there is in the food industry in this country.
Two and a half years ago, I gave up a 2 pack a day smoking habit after smoking for 15 years of smoking. I loved and hated smoking. I loved the mentality of smoking. Of being a smoker. An outsider. Blue collar all the way. A Non conformist. On the other hand smoking makes you feel powerless. And sick. And weak. Not to mention what it did to my body. To this day I still miss it.
Anyway, at that point in my life I had the food knowledge of a 3-year old. I knew nothing of nutrition and never made anything more complicated than mac 'n cheese. So I substituted food for smoking and gained 20 pounds. My cholesterol was literally a joke. I had just quit smoking in part because I didn't want to die only to find out I was killing myself with food.
Now when I say I knew nothing of nutrition, cooking, exercising, or anything involving healthy living, I mean I knew nothing. It was like learning a new language or more than that, like joining a new civilization. I was blind and now I can see. I learned a lot from magazines like Men's Health and Food and Wine and from the Food Network (especially Good Eats), but I also owe a lot of credit to my much-better-read brother. We share a desire to learn, a willingness to experiment, and a new found enjoyment in the creativity of cooking.
Two years later and I feel like I have a rudimentary knowledge both of art of cooking as well as nutrition and the role it can play on a person's quality of life. But there is so much more to learn and this movie offered me the next step.
This documentary shines a light on the amazing power the food industry wields in our country and how it all rests in a few companies. These companies are driven by the capitalistic goals of efficiency, profit, and market share. (And not in the health of the people it feeds.) Here are some of the tidbits that stuck with me most:
- the top 4 meat companies account for more than 80% of the meat we eat
- that the fast food chains and their business model is a huge contributing factor to the overall decline in quality of our food over the past 30 years
- how much genetically altered food products are in our diets (even including cloned meat)
- how unfairly the companies treat farmers and workers in meat processing plants
- how absurd the role corn plays in our diets (and the diets of our food)
- how utterly feeble the regulatory agencies are at protecting us
- how sad the lives are of the genetically mutated animals
...and lastly, how genuinely angry I was at seeing all of this laid out before me. Deep down, I feel like I knew all of these things. It was hidden from me partially because of the veil drawn by our society, our government, and by the influence of the corporations behind it all, but also because I wanted it that way. We all do.
1 in 3 children born after the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes. E coli outbreaks are more rampant every year. Soda is cheaper than water. School lunches are a joke. Maybe it's time we all pull the veil back a little bit.
Two and a half years ago, I gave up a 2 pack a day smoking habit after smoking for 15 years of smoking. I loved and hated smoking. I loved the mentality of smoking. Of being a smoker. An outsider. Blue collar all the way. A Non conformist. On the other hand smoking makes you feel powerless. And sick. And weak. Not to mention what it did to my body. To this day I still miss it.
Anyway, at that point in my life I had the food knowledge of a 3-year old. I knew nothing of nutrition and never made anything more complicated than mac 'n cheese. So I substituted food for smoking and gained 20 pounds. My cholesterol was literally a joke. I had just quit smoking in part because I didn't want to die only to find out I was killing myself with food.
Now when I say I knew nothing of nutrition, cooking, exercising, or anything involving healthy living, I mean I knew nothing. It was like learning a new language or more than that, like joining a new civilization. I was blind and now I can see. I learned a lot from magazines like Men's Health and Food and Wine and from the Food Network (especially Good Eats), but I also owe a lot of credit to my much-better-read brother. We share a desire to learn, a willingness to experiment, and a new found enjoyment in the creativity of cooking.
Two years later and I feel like I have a rudimentary knowledge both of art of cooking as well as nutrition and the role it can play on a person's quality of life. But there is so much more to learn and this movie offered me the next step.
This documentary shines a light on the amazing power the food industry wields in our country and how it all rests in a few companies. These companies are driven by the capitalistic goals of efficiency, profit, and market share. (And not in the health of the people it feeds.) Here are some of the tidbits that stuck with me most:
- the top 4 meat companies account for more than 80% of the meat we eat
- that the fast food chains and their business model is a huge contributing factor to the overall decline in quality of our food over the past 30 years
- how much genetically altered food products are in our diets (even including cloned meat)
- how unfairly the companies treat farmers and workers in meat processing plants
- how absurd the role corn plays in our diets (and the diets of our food)
- how utterly feeble the regulatory agencies are at protecting us
- how sad the lives are of the genetically mutated animals
...and lastly, how genuinely angry I was at seeing all of this laid out before me. Deep down, I feel like I knew all of these things. It was hidden from me partially because of the veil drawn by our society, our government, and by the influence of the corporations behind it all, but also because I wanted it that way. We all do.
1 in 3 children born after the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes. E coli outbreaks are more rampant every year. Soda is cheaper than water. School lunches are a joke. Maybe it's time we all pull the veil back a little bit.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
So You Think You Can Dance? (and the Yankees)
Honestly, one of the worst show titles of all time. How can you take yourself seriously with a title like that? Also, I don't think this show is fixed and here is why...1) the judges kick the dancers off until they get to the top 10, 2) there are no stars to be made on this show in the there is on Idol, and 3) there therefore is no big payday out there post-show.
Watching the episode tonight, I started thinking in terms of other TV shows and movies. When I saw the broadway routine, it made me want to watch 1941, the classic John Belushi comedy directed by a dude named Speilberg.
The disco routine made me want to watch Fez dance the disco. I miss That 70s Show. I still think Jeanine is the best.
On to a topic more in my wheelhouse, I was able to watch about 5 innings of the Yankee game tonight. I love that Joba has stepped up and had a handful of really good starts. With the news that the Wanger is out for the rest of the year and Aceves having shoulder issues, we need Joba to be more than a 5 inning guy. Speaking of pitching needs, what do I need to do to get Brian Bruney a 1-2-3 inning??
Anyone else get burned by the Bacholerette finale? I went to my DVR to watch Better Off Ted and found the final 30 minutes of the B-ette finale. I hate when there is a breakdown in the DVR system.
Watching the episode tonight, I started thinking in terms of other TV shows and movies. When I saw the broadway routine, it made me want to watch 1941, the classic John Belushi comedy directed by a dude named Speilberg.
The disco routine made me want to watch Fez dance the disco. I miss That 70s Show. I still think Jeanine is the best.
On to a topic more in my wheelhouse, I was able to watch about 5 innings of the Yankee game tonight. I love that Joba has stepped up and had a handful of really good starts. With the news that the Wanger is out for the rest of the year and Aceves having shoulder issues, we need Joba to be more than a 5 inning guy. Speaking of pitching needs, what do I need to do to get Brian Bruney a 1-2-3 inning??
Anyone else get burned by the Bacholerette finale? I went to my DVR to watch Better Off Ted and found the final 30 minutes of the B-ette finale. I hate when there is a breakdown in the DVR system.
Is American Idol Fixed?
Ju'Not Joyner, an ex-Idol almost ran, came right out and claimed Idol is fixed. He said it is a reality show, not a talent show. Maybe I am just cynical about this stuff, but I absolutely believe this. Check out the article here.
Roundabout logic
I saw this article, entitled "Estrada Returning to Film Making". Of course, I automatically thought of Eric Estrada and not the Filipino filmmaker. And thinking of Eric Estrada made me think of Sealab 2021, the old Adult Swim cartoon.
Sealab 2021 was the funniest and quirkiest 15 minute cartoon ever. In my opinion, it is the best Adult Swim cartoon ever. (Also in consideration is The Brak Show and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law)
If you never saw Sealab 2021, please find a DVD or go to the website (there are at least 10 episodes you can watch online) and give a couple episodes a chance. Special recommendation for anyone with ADD...the story lines never last more than a few minutes...absurdity is the norm.
Sealab 2021 was the funniest and quirkiest 15 minute cartoon ever. In my opinion, it is the best Adult Swim cartoon ever. (Also in consideration is The Brak Show and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law)
If you never saw Sealab 2021, please find a DVD or go to the website (there are at least 10 episodes you can watch online) and give a couple episodes a chance. Special recommendation for anyone with ADD...the story lines never last more than a few minutes...absurdity is the norm.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A few tidbits
No Reservations is the combination of Insomniac with Dave Attell and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
I watched 10 minutes of Hell's Kitchen and saw the best/worst moment of the season. Some guy flipped out when Ramsey asked who should be in the bottom two and why. Flipper out how? By leaving formation, ripping his coat off, getting a foot away from Ramsey, and calling him a bitch repeatedly. That's it for that show. No where to go but down.
I also watched 10 minutes of More To Love. I hate the Bachelor so this show isn't for me.
I finished Season 1 of Big Bang Theory. Awesome. Hilarious. Absolutely addicted. Sheldon is quickly moving up the list of all-time great characters. He makes every scene unpredictable and yet somehow familiar and accessible. Why doesn't season 2 come out until September??? I may break down and watch online.
Firefly is next. A show I feel obligated to watch to keep my fanboy membership card.
I watched 10 minutes of Hell's Kitchen and saw the best/worst moment of the season. Some guy flipped out when Ramsey asked who should be in the bottom two and why. Flipper out how? By leaving formation, ripping his coat off, getting a foot away from Ramsey, and calling him a bitch repeatedly. That's it for that show. No where to go but down.
I also watched 10 minutes of More To Love. I hate the Bachelor so this show isn't for me.
I finished Season 1 of Big Bang Theory. Awesome. Hilarious. Absolutely addicted. Sheldon is quickly moving up the list of all-time great characters. He makes every scene unpredictable and yet somehow familiar and accessible. Why doesn't season 2 come out until September??? I may break down and watch online.
Firefly is next. A show I feel obligated to watch to keep my fanboy membership card.
What to Watch tonight - 7/28/09
Season finale of Deadliest Catch at 9 on Discovery - Sig is the man.
Better Off Ted at 930 on ABC...
Rescue Me at 10 on FX - My dad tells me it is not as depressing these days. This show can be downright funny when it wants to be. The problem is that is also just about the most depressing show I ever watched. Suicide, dead children, cancer, Alzheimer's, alcoholism, depression, loneliness...all key themes of the show. Sad bastard TV isn't for me...so if my father is right that they are laying off the depressing stuff, maybe I will give it another chance.
Warehouse 13 at 9 on SyFy - I finally got through the 2 hour premiere. It was not great at all. It was slow and bordered on lame. But the premise is cool enough to give it another shot. Plus, it now has Number Six from Battlestar Galactica, Tricia Helfer.
Better Off Ted at 930 on ABC...
Rescue Me at 10 on FX - My dad tells me it is not as depressing these days. This show can be downright funny when it wants to be. The problem is that is also just about the most depressing show I ever watched. Suicide, dead children, cancer, Alzheimer's, alcoholism, depression, loneliness...all key themes of the show. Sad bastard TV isn't for me...so if my father is right that they are laying off the depressing stuff, maybe I will give it another chance.
Warehouse 13 at 9 on SyFy - I finally got through the 2 hour premiere. It was not great at all. It was slow and bordered on lame. But the premise is cool enough to give it another shot. Plus, it now has Number Six from Battlestar Galactica, Tricia Helfer.
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