tuesday
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Early in this television season, I read an article somewhere about 24 that gave me the distinct impression that the people making the series had no longrange plan mapped out. They knew some things, but weren’t really sure of all the places the series would go, let alone what would happen in each episode. This, of course, frightened me. Shouldn’t you have to map out a show that had a premise like this one? (You know, how each hour-long episode is an hour of a single day in a character’s life). I wish I could find the article, I should take the time to seek out all I can about the show sometime (feel free to email me URLs). Whether this is (or was) true or not, it may explain why I can always predict what will happen in a given episode. If you assume they’re making stuff up on the fly as they go along, it’s not too hard to figure out; if you assume there’s a master plan, it’s harder.
[Well, would you look at that! It just so happens that salon.com published an interview today with one of the show's creators. And he confirms that they don't know where the show is going, exactly. Or how it will end. Thanks to James Ellis for emailing me the link.]
Maybe 20+ years of watching soap operas (in particular) and TV and movies (in general) has left me with an uncanny ability to guess what’s coming.
Do I like the show? Yeah. Do I think it’s the best new series or best show on the air? Hardly. But it, like Alias, is well-made, has slick production values, and is a whole lot of fun. Both series are breaking some ground; both series get increasingly far-fetched the longer they go on– but even that is part of the fun.
If you haven’t watched 24 thus far, I wouldn’t recommend jumping in now. It sounds extremely likely that FX will be running a marathon of all the episodes at some point, so you can catch it all (or catch up to where the rest of the episodes are at) then if you’re so inclined.
The secret to guessing what’s going to happen? Assume that there is no big master plan; don’t read too much into what’s gone previously. And ask yourself “what would shock viewers the most this week?” You’ll probably figure it out. Or, at least, have fun trying.
Robert Benchley Shorts (TCM, 8:30pm-10pm)
Gilmore Girls (WB, 7pm)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (UPN, 7pm)
24 (FOX, 8pm; reruns on FX on Sunday and Monday)
That ’70s Show (FOX, 7pm, 7:30pm)
Scrubs (NBC, 8:30pm)
Smallville (WB, 8pm) and Roswell (UPN, 8pm)
Steve Harris (of The Practice), Amy Brenneman (of Judging Amy) on The Rosie O’Donnell Show (syndicated, check your local listings).
Dr. Phil’s on Oprah again, this time talking about sexual incompatibility (syndicated, check your local listings).
Faith and the Mayor are up to no good, and then there may be a more mundane threat at the school in the “Enemies” and “Earshot” episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (FX, 5pm and 6pm).
Dean and Jess bid against each other for a picnic date with Rory on Gilmore Girls (WB, 7pm). I hate Jess and really like Dean so you can imagine I’m nervous about all of this. I know, it’s just a TV show, I should really just relax.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (UPN, 7pm) decides (finally) to investigate why Spike can hit her (despite having a certain chip in his head).
Turner Classic Movies kicks off a month-long salute to short films with a new documentary called Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (TCM, 7pm-8:30pm and 10pm-11:30pm) that’s all about short films. Narrated by Chevy Chase, put together by Leonard Maltin and some award-winning producer guy, should be interesting.
Ian McKellan and Brendan Frasier star in Gods and Monsters (AMC, 7pm and 1am), a look at the life of James Whale.
Back to back new episodes of That ’70s Show (FOX, 7pm, 7:30pm). Featuring a tornado and a guest appearance by Luke Wilson.
Mysterious deaths seem to follow Declan’s new teaching assistant on Mysterious Ways (PAX, 7pm).
Zeljko Ivanek and Tamara Tunie (two of my favorite actors, who I’ve mentioned here frequently) make guest appearances on 24 (FOX, 8pm; reruns on FX this weekend).
Clark works with a hermit to try and save the Kent family farm on Smallville (WB, 8pm).
Liz begins experiencing all sort of physical oddness that the TV listings call “life-threatening alienlike changes” on Roswell (UPN, 8pm).
I think Niles is supposed to propose to Daphne or something on Frasier (NBC, 8pm).
J.D. and Elliott struggle to keep their relationship a secret on Scrubs (NBC, 8:30pm).
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of Mr. Robert Benchley. So I’m delighted that as part of TCM’s salute to short films, they’re airing Robert Benchley Shorts (TCM, 8:30pm-10pm), a collection of Benchley shorts (obviously) including his “How To” series (one of which, “How To Sleep,” won an Academy Award). I could go on singing the praises of Mr. Benchley, but you can read more about him and these shorts here. And you can find collections of his writing at many fine bookstores.
New episode of 100 Centre Street (A&E, 9pm and 1am).
There are also new episodes of JAG (CBS, 7pm); The Guardian (CBS, 8pm); Judging Amy (CBS, 9pm); NYPD Blue (ABC, 8pm); Philly (ABC, 9pm). Can’t say that I care about any of these shows anymore myself, but I note this in case you do.
Greta Van Susteren on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).
Amy Brenneman, Shakira on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Willie Nelson on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).
The astonishing and strangely entertaining Dogville Shorts (TCM, 11:30pm). With the talking dogs? Remarkable.
Dave Attell on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:35pm).
Chris Klein, Marla Sokoloff (of The Practice) on The Late Late Show (CBS, check your local listings).
Jason Schwartzman on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).
Everything changes when three detectives are shot in the line of duty in “The City That Bleeds” episode of Homicide: Life on the Street (Court TV, midnight). Part 1 of 4. I preferred the series’ original, more believable take that most detectives never fire their weapon or get fired at, but if they had to go this route . . . these episodes handle it wonderfully.
Chicago Hope (Lifetime, midnight).
