Though I jumped onto the Law and Order bandwagon very recently, I've had
plenty of time to watch this season's episodes, as well as the many seasons
past on various basic-cable networks. It's hard to find a time when Law
and Order is not on television. My first experience was with Dennis
Farina (Joe Fontana) and Jesse L. Martin (Detective Ed Green) playing the
roles of the investigating officers, but the previous seasons with other
investigating detectives (including Benjamin Bratt, Chris Noth, Jerry Orbach,
Paul Servino, etc.) are just as captivating. Like ER, though the acting
positions have a high turn-around rate, the new characters are just as good as
the previous ones.
While, initially, this show caught my attention, especially because I am a fan
of James Caan, it has rapidly spun out of my favor. The story and
plot-lines become more and more ridiculous, contrived, and repetitive.
After all, how many different ways can a casino get robbed? And how many
different ways can technology solve a problem? Because those two
questions are answered in a limited manner, more and more asinine and silly
stories are contrived. The characters are operating on less than two
dimensions.
A show is only as good as its lead players and characters. While the boy
holds his own for his age, the others are practicing soap-opera portrayals of
people. The plot doesn't thicken as the writers try to develop the
less-than-intriguing mystery. I find myself caring less and less about
what happened, is happening, and will happen. The plot and characters'
development is getting sillier and sillier.
Again, this is another show in which I was initially interested, but it
quickly went downhill for me as the poor acting and one-dimensional characters
prevailed. The combination of writing and acting is making this
potential story less than exciting to watch. I could care less about any
of the characters, and the "mystery" involved is not enough to keep my
attention. The show had hope, and may still, yet, but it hasn't met its
potential. I suggest one find copies of the old TV series "V" for a more
groundbreaking show in this genre.
As a big David Boreanaz fan (TV's Angel star) I had high hopes for this
show, especially since the cancellation of Angel. But this show
is a flop. The acting is poor. The writing is poor. The
directing is poor. The casting is poor. It is an idiotic show that
cannot foster interest from even the least discerning souls. I could
care less about any of the stories or characters.
I had high hopes for this show, especially because of the non-Republican and
non-Fundamentalist family and church dynamic, but it is too creative and edgy
for its own good. It is yet another failed attempt to break ground and
compete with pay-cable networks, but the public network executives have
belly-flopped. I blame it on the extreme diversity, which has no
grounding in reality. These characters, no matter how good the acting
is, cannot maintain a truly interesting program.
While the BBC version of The Office reigns supreme, Steve Carrel's adaptation
of Ricky Gervais's character (David Brent), Michael Scott, is different enough
to make this show a must see. American John Krasinski's "Jim Halpert"
(British Martin Freeman's "Tim Canterbury"), Jenna Fischer's "Pam Beesly"
(British Lucy Davis' "Dawn Tinsley"), and Rainn Wilson's "Dwight" (British
Mackenzie Crook's "Gareth Keenan") all provide great, original characters
reflecting great, original writing. This is a brilliant show, but not as
groundbreaking and brilliant as the
BBC's version,
which is a must-own!
This is a quirky show that has captured my heart and funny-bone. It is
unique and original in both plot, idea, characters, cinematography, and
directing. The characters are more than caricatures, providing a genuine
interest in their lives and actions. Jason Lee (Earl) was born to play
this part. It is truly enjoyable.
Arrested Development is probably the most original American TV show to air in
years.
