Grid Effect

Too tired still for a proper introduction, lets just jump write into the links. Oh, and I will say it was great to have Stewart and Colbert back last night. Though the lack of a sufficient writing staff Colbert was reduced to dancing in his audience to some song that I know I’ve heard but couldn’t put an artist or title too. Still, both of them excel at the late night game and it at least gives me some television to watch. Stewart just seems to have a firm grasp on the political machine in this country, and mocks it accordingly.

Oh, and sorry for the lack of strike coverage. But virtually any link I could provide says the same thing from a different source. So for at least today we’re just going to skip it. All that seems relevant to add is that it is still taking place and there is still no end in sight. The end.

Links…

Much like The Sopranos saga was youtube-d down to a seven minute summary, The Wire was at least given the courtesy of getting over four. Not sure how one is so much shorter than the other since I haven’t watched the latter, but how much time would other series’ warrant? I think you could rundown the 143 seasons of ER they’ve aired in about fifteen seconds.

David Simon is responding to any and all online criticisms about his new season. While it does seem that the new season has a different tonal setting, is shot a little differently and appears to be the most far-fetched of the four, aren’t we all getting a little too critical? It might seem a bit hypocritical for this site to criticize someone’s perceived disparagement, but Simon has brought us four seasons of some of the most moving, groundbreaking, introspective television to ever air in the world. Nitpicks over the believability of the fifth season seem a little tedious and misguided.

Someone with an immense amount of time on their hands posted a rundown of all the journalistic shorthand on this season of The Wire. While we appreciate the effort, all insider slang used on the series for any institution depicted has been explained over time, and has made the series that much more interesting on second viewing.

After seeing the 2nd episode this season, you can count Greggs in.

In case fans and surveyors of the series haven’t quite figured it out, David Simon is completely disinterested in winning an Emmy. Good. Has there ever been a more flawed and asinine awards ceremony? Why should he need some arbitrary award for a false sense of validation? At this point its almost better for the series’ legacy if it never claims an award from the “top” television awards show. If I were him I’d aspire to head AFI’s top series of the year more so than win a fucking Emmy.

Since Seinfeld and his hack wife have been acting like such elitist pricks over this entire cookbook scandal, we’re actually pleased to announce that there lowly rival is holding their feet to the fire in court. But I’m sure the two of them will get out of this jam untarnished, since celebrities are above the law and all.

Okay, just one piece of strike related news: Stephen Colbert handed out chili to writers picketing his show and is obviously good-natured about the entire thing. Unless, dare I say, it was Mr. and Mrs. Scott Tenorman chili.

Dexter reruns are being syndicated by CBS with heavy, heavy editing. Hopefully it results in cutting down some of that awful narration and hackneyed, cliche dialog. Something tells me that the acting from the girlfriend will still be in full throttle, and that just might kill the series for the masses.

And finally, just to prove my theory that male alumnus from American Idol have a far lower ceiling for career longevity than their female counterparts: Taylor Kicks has reportedly been dropped by his recored label. And this to me was really surprising, I really thought a 29 year-old who looked forty-five would thrive in the world of pop music. Guess you learn something new everyday.

Back tomorrow with recaps for The Wire and FNL.