Super Bowl Alternatives

Not everybody watches the Super Bowl, despite all hoopla to the contrary, so let's look at what some of the cable networks are throwing against it. There are some interesting choices!
Beginning first thing in the morning, Trio goes the Australian drag performer route, with an all-day Dame Edna Everage marathon, beginning at 8am going until 3am Monday morning. Though not to everyone's tastes, Dame Edna -- actually Aussie comedian Barry Humphries' alter ego -- is a hilarious Auntie Mame-type gal, with an underlying good-naturedness that's completely charming. There's a world of difference between your garden variety drag queen and the time-honored comic drag act; Dame Edna is the latter. Well worth checking out, and certainly there will be plenty of chances on Sunday.

Both Animal Planet and Food Network start their stunts at 2pm, with AP unleashing 14 consecutive hours of The Pet Psychic with Sonya Fitzpatrick. Notwithstanding whatever your feelings may be concerning animals and their place in the hereafter, there's no denying that Sonya has some sort of special empathy with the animals she interacts with on the show, and that's reason enough to tune in and enjoy the encounters. Animals grouchs need not apply here, as this is a show for those of us who love animals, and if nothing else you'll appreciate Sonya's underlying message of kindness to animals at all times. Worth at least tuning in to check her out if you haven't before.

Food is going with a twelve-hour marathon of the irresistible 2 Fat Ladies cooking show, at one time time quite the sensation but relegated to Saturdays at 9am of late. From the opening credits with the two gals tooling around the British countryside on a motorcycle with sidecar, to the easy and amusing banter as they cooked up their unique takes on traditional English grub, this show is a pure delight. The dark-haired member of the duo (and the one who piloted the cycle) -- Jennifer Paterson -- died a couple of years ago, and if you watch her here you'll understand why she'll be remembered fondly by all. Her co-star Clarissa Dickson Wright is equally appealing and amusing as only a sturdy, outspoken and quintessentially British broad can be. Definitely check this one out.

 
Hello and Introduction

Here's what you'll find here: media criticism...possibly cynical but acutely accurate observations, and of course kudos for the good stuff. I'll talk about television, movies, radio, videogames, websites, and any other medium that's out there. This is a great place to spit on popular consumer culture, too, if you've a mind to (and I often do!). I've been watching and analyzing TV all my life, been in the business nearly 25 years, and have a take on it that is both sentimental and brutal at the same time. Take a look at the main webpage and my bio if you want to check my credentials. Trust me, I'll always tell you the truth; that's one thing I always insisted on, even in the corporate world, and if you think that was easy...well, you probably know it wasn't!

All right. I love television as much -- no, actually much more -- as the next person, always have, but a lot of it is lousy...lousy as in boring, trite, trying-too-hard, awfully-pleased-with-itself, lame, pretentious, and biggest sin of all, not very entertaining. Of course, we all know it really only exists to sell consumer shit to people; it's the most evolved pickpocket ever devised, the smoothest hand that ever reached -- or tried to reach -- into your wallet to separate you from your money.

But certainly there are some high spots, really great stuff that you think you're the only one who watches (and you just might be). I won't normally write about the usual stuff -- no ER, no The West Wing -- unless I really feel passionately and can give a new and personal take on it. This kind of programming doesn't need help in attracting viewers; the real fun is in discovering new favorites. (Of course, I reserve the right to complain about everything!)

I especially want to hear from people who *don't* like what you're supposed to like, who venture beyond the usual sanctioned choices to find that elusive spark of creativity, that one moment of outrageous humor, just one genuinely entertaining moment...that might still be out there to watch.

What do you think is the best thing to watch right now? Is there anything you actually look forward to watching? I'll post my finds here. Write me with yours and I'll pass them along!