Topic: The TV Show Thread

@Tjuz Now I'm worried I quit it too early. Who knows maybe I'll try it again eventually.

@Tjuz You have made me pay attention to The Leftovers, I've never really noticed it before.

Finished off season 2 of The Boys there. Brilliant final episode, although this season has not been as good as the first imo with more episodes not quite doing it for me. Still high quality stuff though, the cast all round do a fantastic job. Anthony Starr as Homlander has been consistently great over the 2 seasons and manages not to over act which can be an issue in the kind of roles. Can't wait for season 3 which has already been commissioned.

@RogerRoger I didn't even know the difference between a Republican and a Democrat until around 2004 when I voted for what I think was the first time. Needless to say political shows weren't really my thing back then so I never got into The West Wing.

Though I've never heard anything but good things about it, I'm hesitant to watch as I worry it won't translate well. By that I mean things are so different today. Surely they cover universal themes and all but I just imagine it all coming off so naive in contrast to our current political landscape.

@zupertramp Naïve is the word for it. I’m not really an Aaron Sorkin fan anyway but The West Wing always came off to me as really quite flag-waving. The problem is that at that point, Bush was in charge and Sorkin felt that making a ‘what if’ show of if the Democrats were in charge was a good idea. Nowadays after both Obama and Trump, there’s no way it could be taken seriously. Considering that people were wanting Martin Sheen to actually stand for President after the show, it somewhat shows the utter stupidity of the voter pool. It’s decent drama, with a somewhat saccharine, bum-licking take on the Democrats.

@RogerRoger That's a well reasoned and persuasive write-up. I guess my concerns were that the show would depict politicians as "a bunch of ... characters trying to do what they think is right." Just seems like a bridge too far. A high school science teacher turned drug kingpin? Sure, why not?! But politicians acting in good faith to solve problems for the good of the country? Har har. But I take your point about it just as easily being a book club for all you care.

This does make me wonder if I'd be more likely to enjoy a similar show about British politics. It's all so far removed from what I know politics to be, I'd probably have an easier time with it. Especially since, with the exception of someone like Nigel Farage, from my view everyone seems somewhat on the level. I know I'm probably wrong but it's all foreign enough that I can believe that.

@zupertramp Just watch The Thick of It. Sure it is probably not a very accurate portrayal of British political life, but it is not supposed to be being a satire. It's hilarious however and I've never been able to see politicians and those that work with them in the same way again. A word of warning though, it is extremely heavy on the swearing.

@zupertramp The original House of Cards is a great look at the British political system. A Very British Scandal was also fantastic and focuses on one of the most insane political scandals in somewhat recent memory.

Has anyone else made it to the end of Bly Manor?

I appreciate what they were trying to do, but blimey that was hard work

@Gremio108 I watched episode 4 the other day. It has been quite slow paced up until then but episode 4 answered a few questions (and opened up a few more) which had me hooked again. I'm not finding as scary as Hill House though.

@Gremio108 Yeah the whole thing was extremely tedious. And I get we're dealing with supernatural elements here but even then I found myself having to really stretch my suspension of disbelief.

Aside from Hill House just being more clever it was also actually scary/creepy at times. This one was neither. Some sweet moments but not really worth the time sink.

@RogerRoger Yeah it is probably not satirical any more!

@JohnnyShoulder @nessisonett Just now realizing I never responded to your British politics recommendations. I might look into those although I think I've had a bit of a revelation that I don't really even like politically themed shows/movies. Like I can't think of anything I'm a fan of. Which is weird because I'm really into politics irl.

I don't think that's something I've ever noticed until now.

@zupertramp Not really into politics that much irl and don't watch any of it on TV. Don't mind the odd film now and again being a shorter experience. The Thick of It you don't really need to be into politics to enjoy it I found as it was so darn funny.

@RogerRoger Yeah makes sense I guess.

@JohnnyShoulder I'll definitely keep it in mind next time I need a good laugh. Does seem like British comedies are way better anyhow.

@zupertramp Every time the Americans remake a good British comedy and ruin it, I die a little inside. I had the distinct misfortune of watching both the American Peep Show pilot and The Inbetweeners. They’re insanely terrible, like some of the worst TV I’ve ever watched. I’d probably say the original Peep Show is my favourite TV show of all time as well!

@nessisonett Yeah I'm not real sure why we do that.

@zupertramp @nessisonett With regard to political shows and also American remakes of British shows, Veep fits in the former catergory whilst being an example of a remake done well. It probably helps that Armando Iannucci who created The Thick of it also went and wrote the US interpretation. Also helps that it has an excellent cast.

@nessisonett @BearsEatBeets @zupertramp I've not watched it myself, but the american version of The Office is supposed to quite good. That is what I hear from people that have watched it from this side of the pond.

@JohnnyShoulder As someone who has a username which is a reference to something from the US Office I consider it another example of a British program done right. After a few episodes where it tries to copy the original too closely it finds it's own identity and is all the better for it. It loses it's way a bit after Steve Carrell leaves but overall it's one of my favourites and I watched them many times.