Things I Like

 Yes I know, the last entry was things that make me smile and now it’s things I like. A theme perhaps?
Who knows? But seeing as it’s MY diary, I can do what I want so without further ado…

WXRT (http://www.wxrt.com) – I’ve been
listening to the X for 27 years now. They still have most of the same
DJ’s – it’s like an old friend. They are not what they used to be but
who is after 27 years? Lin Brehmer & Susan Wiencek have this
chemistry in the morning – just the right mix of music, talk,
information (news, weather & traffic) not to mention Lin’s very dry
sense of humor. A great way to start the day.

Miles Ahead Jazz (http://www.milesaheadjazz.com) – I’ve only been really listening to jazz for the past 4 years
but for my drive home, this IS the show. Neil Tesser, who’s the author
of The Playboy Guide to Jazz, which I’ve read, hosts it. He’s funny,
entertaining and educational all at the same time. I always learn
something new or hear some music that I HAVE to purchase. It makes for
a delightful ride home.

24 (http://www.fox.com/24/) – This show
rocks! My wife, son and I look forward to this ENTERTAINMENT every
week. It beats the stuffing out of anything else on TV. Sure it is
unbelievable, but that is what makes fun. Remember when TV shows used
to be fun? This show is meant to be a roller coaster…not driver’s ed.
If I wanted reality, I’d watch the news or any of those “reality”
shows. For people who complain about the believability…have you ever
seen a James Bond movie? Great FUN, but totally unbelievable…and that
doesn’t seem to stop the franchise. The last 4 episodes are coming up
(May sweeps, you know?) so catch ’em even if you haven’t seen the prior
20. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.

Veronica Mars (http://www.upn.com/shows/veronica_mars/) – The smartest teen-oriented drama since Life
As We Know It (thank you ABC for killing THAT one off!). Explores the
insecurity of its 17-year-old protagonist, played by Kristen Bell. The
daughter of a former sheriff, Veronica helps out in her father’s
investigative firm and crosses boundaries not meant for someone as
young as she is. The show’s characters and mysteries are not unraveled
quickly. More remains unsolved than solved at the end. Bell’s acting,
very real and often very raw, is this show’s highlight. I also like her
interaction with Enrico Colantoni, playing her father. It features
enjoyable characters and clever dialogue and has all the sass,
strength, resolve and ingenuity of any of literature’s classic
detectives…embodied in a high school student who daily faces the
challenges of peer pressure, social hazing, romantic dreams and the
rigors of academics. It’s a quirky mix of light and dark, humor and
grit, sentiment and substance, sassily intelligent pop noir.
Refreshingly original. Catch the last 2 episodes or start from the
beginning over the summer as UPN re-runs it.

Lost (http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/) – One of the fall season’s most pleasant surprises, this stylish
adventure drama is about the survivors of an airline crash. The series
weaves the exotic, suspenseful tale of an eclectic group of people who
boarded a plane in Sydney, Australia, and then flew off to oblivion.
Oblivion being the strange, perhaps uncharted Pacific island where
their plane crashed. And where the sun-splashed tropical splendor
includes spooky beasts and otherworldly occurrences. It’s Twin Peaks
meets Twilight Zone with a touch of Jurassic Park thrown in. Not to be
missed.

Alias (http://abc.go.com/primetime/alias/) – My wife has given up on Alias. She declared, “It’s stupid” and has
stopped watching. But I still watch. Why? Because I think Jennifer
Garner kicks ass and Marshall is hilarious. Alias is as refreshing as
they come. I’ve always found Sydney Bristow to be a captivating
character. Yeah, she kicks butt and everything, but underneath her
tough exterior, she had a gentle, caring soul. She genuinely loved her
family and friends, and you often got the feeling that she was
extremely conflicted by her missions. Every time she was forced to kill
an enemy, a little part of Sydney died too. Sydney is a fascinating
heroine. They never drag things out. Cliffhangers galore. The cast is
unlike any other. I get caught up in every detail of every storyline.
The production values are generally of the highest quality. The show’s
cinematography is better than some motion pictures. The show mixes the
numerous interior locations with just as many exterior locations. So
the photography never gets stale. The cinematography, use of light and
shadow, production design, and lighting are all pretty amazing. At
times the show’s look could be described as film noir, or at least film
nourish, because shadows on characters’ faces are abundant. But then
they outdo themselves with beautiful vista shots and panoramic views of
sunlight skylines, beach shores, oceanfronts, and soft-colored
locations. The stylized look of the show IS the show most of the time.
It’s Mission Impossible with a living Barbie doll that can be anyone.

WWE (http://www.wwe.com/) – Wrestlers are great athletes, fans don’t care that it’s scripted. The
WWE freely admit that it ENTERTAINMENT, it’s just a TV show. The sorts
of things that would, without a doubt, cast most shows directly into
the tank, only serve to enrich the already colorful tapestry of WWEs
various storylines. There is no angle that is too outrageous or
implausible, in fact the more a storyline requires the viewers to
suspend disbelief, and in some cases, a large percentage of brain
function, the better it is! It is unlikely given the constraints
imposed prime time TV’s content police, Standards and Practices, that
RAW could get more profane or show anything in worse taste than it
already does. It’s like a car accident that you can’t turn away from
and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The major mantras of this show
are new characters, songs, cheesy catch phrases, guest stars, and
characters changing personalities. I enjoy it for what it is, mindless,
emotionally evocative, provocative FUN. Yeah it can be gross, and some
performers suck. Vince McMahon has made his empire into a billion
dollar empire by appealing to and appeasing the lowest of the low in
society’s wants and desires. Love him or hate him he’s a genius.

That’s it for now – hope you check out some of my “likes” and send me a few of yours.

Regards…
-B-