Dirt: Season 2, Episode 1 “Welcome to Normal” (C+)
I am by no means a regular watcher of this show, having found it terribly unimpressive in its first season, tuning in only for the season finale after giving up on it early on. Finding nothing else to watch, I decided to give the season premiere a shot. To its credit, it is better than last season, and while it has not gotten everything back together, it may be on its way (not enough to grasp my interest, however). Don’s talking-cat hallucinations seem to have subsided for the moment, and his close relationship with Lucy, as her only real friend, is being fleshed out fully now. I never bought Lucy’s attitude, which seemed to stem only from Cox’s “Friends” character Monica’s ultimate fantasy of being in control of everything. The celebrity gossip cases are not fascinating enough and Lucy’s car strikes me as being a little out of her skill set. The new hire seems far too naïve for the line of work he is in. Alas, all this will continue playing out but I will not be around to see it. I have far better things to do with my time, like watch “Carpoolers” (joking, sort of).
Showing posts with label Dirt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dirt. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sunday, July 22, 2007
What I'm Watching: The Riches
The Riches: Season 1, Episode 9 "Cinderella" (B)
Despite the fact that "The Riches" is such an original and enticing show, it often seems that it is following a predictable trajectory as far as new series go in that many episodes feel very required, such as the "troublesome fiancee moves in with the family" and this week's "ex-cellmate comes in peace, but will wreak havoc." This is one of the more far-fetched hours, but a certifiably entertaining one. Gregg Henry is always fun as Hugh, and the Riches' neighbor couple is great as well. Eddie Izzard has been taking a backseat lately, which is fine for Minnie Driver, who continues to give a tremendous performance as the Rich/Malloy family matriarch.
Earlier this morning, FX announced that "The Riches" has been renewed for a second season, along with the hardly deserving "Dirt." This is fantastic news, and means that the show can continue to improve and go in new directions next year.
Despite the fact that "The Riches" is such an original and enticing show, it often seems that it is following a predictable trajectory as far as new series go in that many episodes feel very required, such as the "troublesome fiancee moves in with the family" and this week's "ex-cellmate comes in peace, but will wreak havoc." This is one of the more far-fetched hours, but a certifiably entertaining one. Gregg Henry is always fun as Hugh, and the Riches' neighbor couple is great as well. Eddie Izzard has been taking a backseat lately, which is fine for Minnie Driver, who continues to give a tremendous performance as the Rich/Malloy family matriarch.
Earlier this morning, FX announced that "The Riches" has been renewed for a second season, along with the hardly deserving "Dirt." This is fantastic news, and means that the show can continue to improve and go in new directions next year.
In Praise of Show Previews
Making a show look good through promotional ads that may run for up to a few months before the premiere is half the battle for me. I love when I see a preview that makes me want to watch a show, whether it showcases scenes that look great or it just seems like or a good show, or if the ad is simply very clever (FX leads the way in those). The best ads to this point that I have seen:
"Dirt" (FX)
Even though the show turned out to be terrible, the previews were direct-to-the-point and ingenious. Courteney Cox walks over to a male model or faceless celebrity and places her hand on his chest. When she walks away, there is a handprint made of dirt. (finished its first season, yet to be renewed for a second season)
"The Riches" (FX)
This simply looked like an amazing show, partially based on the fact that the preview ended with the title of the show and a voiceover by Minnie Driver, "What if I like it?" The teaser ads, with Eddie Izzard talking about the American dream and how he "took the shortcut" were funny and very intruiging. (airing now)
"The Shield" (FX)
The preview starts with a shot of L.A. which zooms in swiftly until we see Vic and Shane standing in a cemetery looking down on a grave. He looks at the camera with a determined, vengeful glare before the camera swoops above his head and fades into the title of the show. (airing now)
"Rescue Me" (FX)
The teaser ads for season three from last year were beyond clever. Denis Leary is put into numerous scenarios where he walks into a bar, or through the street, while he is on fire. Direct to the point, and basically says what he show is about. The ads that have just begun for the current season are great too. Denis Leary madly drives a fire truck through New York City while another Denis Leary hangs on to the back of the truck. They are very representative of the show. (returns in June)
"Heroes" (NBC)
During Thursday night's "30 Rock," a preview for the long-awaited (by me and by avid "Heroes" fans") preview for the superhero drama added. Set to Nickelback's song "If Everyone Cared," it showcases scenes both old and new, but the brilliance is in the selection and ordering of the clips. Making a show look like the best thing ever is certainly a plus, and this promo tries hard and for me succeeds quite well. It begins with Claire saying, "What's wrong with wanting to be normal," flashing forward to Peter asking her "By saving you, did I save the world," and her quotable response, "I don't know, I'm just a cheerleader." A flash of fun and confusing images featuring Nathan, HRG (Horn-Rimmed Glasses, a.k.a. Claire's dad), Claire, and Sylar appear on screen, including many of Claire running as she always tends to do, but it's the ending that really seals the deal. The newly-introduced Linderman leans down and asks Nikki's son,with the proud mother smiling at his side, "how would you like to save the world today?" I know I'm excited. (returning April 23)
I would also like to take a moment to praise the new Sopranos print ads, with James Gandolfini and other cast members in the foreground with famous monuments in black and white in the background, with the priceless tagline, "Made in America." The Sopranos premieres its final season this Sunday, April 8.
"Dirt" (FX)
Even though the show turned out to be terrible, the previews were direct-to-the-point and ingenious. Courteney Cox walks over to a male model or faceless celebrity and places her hand on his chest. When she walks away, there is a handprint made of dirt. (finished its first season, yet to be renewed for a second season)
"The Riches" (FX)
This simply looked like an amazing show, partially based on the fact that the preview ended with the title of the show and a voiceover by Minnie Driver, "What if I like it?" The teaser ads, with Eddie Izzard talking about the American dream and how he "took the shortcut" were funny and very intruiging. (airing now)
"The Shield" (FX)
The preview starts with a shot of L.A. which zooms in swiftly until we see Vic and Shane standing in a cemetery looking down on a grave. He looks at the camera with a determined, vengeful glare before the camera swoops above his head and fades into the title of the show. (airing now)
"Rescue Me" (FX)
The teaser ads for season three from last year were beyond clever. Denis Leary is put into numerous scenarios where he walks into a bar, or through the street, while he is on fire. Direct to the point, and basically says what he show is about. The ads that have just begun for the current season are great too. Denis Leary madly drives a fire truck through New York City while another Denis Leary hangs on to the back of the truck. They are very representative of the show. (returns in June)
"Heroes" (NBC)
During Thursday night's "30 Rock," a preview for the long-awaited (by me and by avid "Heroes" fans") preview for the superhero drama added. Set to Nickelback's song "If Everyone Cared," it showcases scenes both old and new, but the brilliance is in the selection and ordering of the clips. Making a show look like the best thing ever is certainly a plus, and this promo tries hard and for me succeeds quite well. It begins with Claire saying, "What's wrong with wanting to be normal," flashing forward to Peter asking her "By saving you, did I save the world," and her quotable response, "I don't know, I'm just a cheerleader." A flash of fun and confusing images featuring Nathan, HRG (Horn-Rimmed Glasses, a.k.a. Claire's dad), Claire, and Sylar appear on screen, including many of Claire running as she always tends to do, but it's the ending that really seals the deal. The newly-introduced Linderman leans down and asks Nikki's son,with the proud mother smiling at his side, "how would you like to save the world today?" I know I'm excited. (returning April 23)
I would also like to take a moment to praise the new Sopranos print ads, with James Gandolfini and other cast members in the foreground with famous monuments in black and white in the background, with the priceless tagline, "Made in America." The Sopranos premieres its final season this Sunday, April 8.
What I'm Watching: Dirt (Season Finale)
Dirt: Season 1, Episode 13 "Ita Missa Est" (F)
Dirt started off interesting, but at a lower quality level than the other FX original series (The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Thief). I stuck with it for a few episodes, then gave up when it got very bad and didn't get any better, and returned to see how it all played out. It felt as if I had missed nothing, that is, that little had actually happened aside from the downspiraling of all of the characters. I suppose Courteney Cox is the right actress for the lead role, and Ian Hart, as schizophrenic Don, is certainly very well cast. But the addition of Jennifer Aniston as a rival magazine editor is awful. Even NBC's dreadful Friends spinoff "Joey" was prepared to wait a few seasons to have a former Friend guest star (though it was axed during its second season and never got the chance). And the promotion of the episode's brief kiss between Aniston and Cox did the show a great dishonor - reducing an entire plotline to a stunt attempted to boost ratings. Aniston, who showed decent dramatic acting skills in films like "Derailed" and in some of her scenes in "Friends with Money" and "The Break-Up," is essentially playing a wannabe-obnoxious and mean version of Rachel Green, and the character falls flat. The episode itself feels more and more like one of Don's schizophrenic hallucinations, and its ending is at the time predictable and preposterous. I would hope that this is the show's series finale, but only time will tell.
Next week at this time: Tune in to FX for the season premiere of "The Shield." It should be great!
Dirt started off interesting, but at a lower quality level than the other FX original series (The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Thief). I stuck with it for a few episodes, then gave up when it got very bad and didn't get any better, and returned to see how it all played out. It felt as if I had missed nothing, that is, that little had actually happened aside from the downspiraling of all of the characters. I suppose Courteney Cox is the right actress for the lead role, and Ian Hart, as schizophrenic Don, is certainly very well cast. But the addition of Jennifer Aniston as a rival magazine editor is awful. Even NBC's dreadful Friends spinoff "Joey" was prepared to wait a few seasons to have a former Friend guest star (though it was axed during its second season and never got the chance). And the promotion of the episode's brief kiss between Aniston and Cox did the show a great dishonor - reducing an entire plotline to a stunt attempted to boost ratings. Aniston, who showed decent dramatic acting skills in films like "Derailed" and in some of her scenes in "Friends with Money" and "The Break-Up," is essentially playing a wannabe-obnoxious and mean version of Rachel Green, and the character falls flat. The episode itself feels more and more like one of Don's schizophrenic hallucinations, and its ending is at the time predictable and preposterous. I would hope that this is the show's series finale, but only time will tell.
Next week at this time: Tune in to FX for the season premiere of "The Shield." It should be great!
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