Making Fun of AMC
What a difference a year makes! In last year's column, I spent over 200 words praising the network for their fabulous original programming. This year, I mostly dedicate space in this blog bashing them and their programming outside of "Breaking Bad" (which had another fantastic season this year, by the way)! In my defense, it's not like the network didn't deserve it. After all, they did almost everything they could this year to try to eliminate the goodwill they had from years past.
First, they had an intense negotiation with Lionsgate and Matthew Weiner that, by the time it was over on March 31st, it effectively delayed the production of season five until this past summer and it's premiere until February 2012 at the earliest, making this the first year since 2007 that fans of arguably the best show on TV would not be able to see the newest 1960s shenanigans of Don Draper and the rest of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce gang. Then, they aired "The Killing," the beyond frustrating cop mystery drama that is by far their worst show to date, with a season finale that practically made the Internet self-combust with rage. Then over the summer, they had another frustrating negotiation with another one of their great shows, "Breaking Bad," before officially renewing it for a sixteen episode final season, while also slashing the budget of "The Walking Dead" in a move that you could say was responsible for the departure of showrunner Frank Darabont. And then this November, they premiered "Hell on Wheels," which wasn't that great of a show either. Maybe the network will rebound in 2012 and we will all look back at their mistakes this year and laugh. But for now, I'm just glad that there was another network besides NBC and ESPN that I could ridicule, and I thank this network for making it possible.
The Short Return of the "Community"/"Parks and Recreations" Power Hour
During the 2009-2010 TV season, NBC aired one of my favorite two-hour comedy block of all time with "Community," "Parks and Recreations," "The Office," and "30 Rock." What was the best thing about this two hour comedy block was being able to watch "Community" and "Parks and Recreations" slowly morph into what were arguably the two best comedies on TV, almost regularly outperforming the hour of veteran, award-winning comedies that succeeded them. This past fall, after NBC shuffled the Thursday line-up last season, the network decided to once again bring these two shows (still the best comedies on TV) back together again into one fabulous one-hour line-up, and (as you might have guessed) I have enjoyed it immensely. However, because of NBC's decision to bump "Community" off the midseason schedule," this wonderful hour of comedy will be coming to an abrupt end on December 8th (when the last scheduled episode of 2011 for "Community" is set to air), which is a damn shame. While I am glad "30 Rock" is coming back to fill that 8 p.m. ET timeslot, having this line-up gone after only ten weeks is the epitome of bittersweet.
I first discovered this wonderful website in the fall of 2010, and since then it has quickly into what is by far my favorite pop culture website on the Web. Great writers, wonderfully written reviews and articles, interesting features, a tolerable group of commenters (one of the few ones on the Internet), and an overall great place to spend your time online. What more could one ask for?
The Resurging Bulls
While the NBA may be in a crippling lockout between two sides stalwart in their demands that has lasted for nearly five months and counting, it was at least nice to be able to see what was one of the most entertaining NBA seasons in a long time earlier this year. One the best parts of watching it for me, as a Chicago sports fan, was being able to see the Bulls playing their best basketball since the days when Michael Jordan ruled this city with an iron fist. And even though they lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference championship back in May, I have a feeling that with the presence of coach Tom Thibodeau, and the leadership of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and, of course, last year's MVP Derrick Rose, they will be in contention for the NBA title for quite a few more years to come.
Netflix
The network took quite a pounding to both their reputation and their stocks this year thanks in large part to their many poor decisions this year, including their infamous July price hike and their announcement/quick removal of their Qwikster DVD program in the fall. But I don't care. As a subscriber, I still enjoy Netflix just as much today as I did six months ago. After all, even with their 60% price hike, it's still cheaper and features a lot more choices than when I had to rent movies and TV shows at my local Blockbuster. Besides, they're bringing back "Arrested Development" in 2013! How can I possibly stay mad at something that's bringing me back one of my all-time favorite shows?
The Success of Adele in the United States
What the hell? A very talented musician dominating the U.S. pop charts this year?!?! What kind of a country is this?
The Last Day of the MLB Regular Season/The 2011 World Series
Two things this year that helped remind me why I love the game of baseball so damn much. The last day of the 2011 season was simply fantastic, filled with many great moments and wild finishes that helped draw the competitive wild care races to a dramatic close, while this year's World Series (the first seven game series since 2002) was one of the finest the game has seen in years (highlighted largely by the instant classic that was game six). Doesn't get any better than that, to be honest.
An NFL Season Without Brett Favre For a Change
On the other hand, it has led to an NFL season with the media coddling Tim Tebow, so I'm taking this reason for thanks with a grain of salt.
Louis C.K.
What else can I say about this man that hasn't already been said? The man is, to put it simply, the best working comedian in the bu siness right now. His material is both brilliant and hilarious and he puts out a new stand-up special seemingly every year now (what other high-prominent comedian can say that?) with fresh stuff that is great every single time. Plus, he has an Emmy-nominated TV show on FX, "Louie," that is coming off a pantheon-level season two that was just as much compelling and artistically moving as it was funny and one-of-a-kind. I'm a big fan of his, and you should be, too. If not, well...
You, The Reader of This Blog
I know I end this column every year saying this, but I just have to reiterate it. Thank you for stopping by here day after day, week after week, just so you can read my latest batch of pointless drivel. After all, this is a free blog done in a labor of love, and I'm just glad that someone, anyone (you) stops by to it.
Enjoy the rest of this holiday! I've decided to take the rest of this weekend off from writing, which means that there will be no "End of the Week" this time around. So, I guess I will see you Monday, then. Now, here's a brilliant Beetlejuice-themed Easter egg from the folks behind "Community" to end this post?
And this show isn't widely accessible...how?
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
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