What are you watching right now?

**DoctorDodge** · 10-04-2011 12:04 PM

Now watching: Cracker - The Mad Woman in the Attic

I've been meaning to watch this for some time. Everything I'd heard about it sounded fantastic: Robbie Coltrane playing a chain-smoking, alcoholic, gambling addict expert psychologist out to catch criminals. Only a few minutes in, but let me tell ya something: there are some films (and yes, I think I'll use this word here, as it really look, sound and feel like a film at times) where you know you're gonna absolutely fucking love it from the very first moment. This is one of those.

"I'd prefer you not to smoke."
"Tough."
"It's been scientifically proven that I inhale 20% of what you smoke."
"You get it for nothing though, don't you?"

Jean, I think I just found our new favourite show!

**Shannon** · 10-05-2011 02:57 AM

Three episodes in ... The Playboy Club has been cancelled. Not enough viewers.

I've only caught up on the first episode, but it was VERY good. Such a shame. More cancellations to come soon, I think.

**DoctorDodge** · 10-05-2011 03:24 AM

After 3 eps? Haven't watched it myself, but the rate of cancellations that US network tv makes are ridiculous. They hardly give them the chance to find an audience before quickly pulling the plug.

There are things I do enjoy about UK tv: whilst our series are ridiculously short a lot of the time, in storytelling terms, it really does help. A lot of series over here aren't made one ep at a time, but instead are commissioned at 6 eps in advance if they're a sitcom, sometimes 13 if they're a drama, before transmitting them months later. Jekyll was a fantastic series even at only 6 eps, because it had a story with a clear beginning, middle and ending, something that too few shows have these days, imo. I think Peep Show is one of the best examples of why cancelling series based purely on ratings alone can be a bad thing: I think with practically every series, Peep Show gets ridiculously low ratings, mostly because of the unusual way it's filmed, which is through the eyes of the characters. Literally, you only see what characters in that scene see from their eyes. It's now had seven series made though because, when each series is released on dvd, the dvd sales are always quite high. Strange, I know, but I'm glad it's a method that works: Peep Show is easily one of the best comedies of the past ten years, imo.

**pathoftheturtle** · 10-05-2011 09:01 AM

I know; I could name any number of U.S. shows which deserved to be allowed to develop... but "The Playboy Club" is one that never should have gone on at all, IMO. That's the other side of it -- the good stuff is often not popular, but they do try lots of junk.

**DoctorDodge** · 10-05-2011 09:12 AM

Yeah, and although we do have a lot of great programmes over here, we also have our fair share of crap. The family sitcom "My Family" springs to mind. The only funny moments of that show were usually with the oldest, dim witted son, and he left a couple of series in anyway, so we pretty much had nothing but crap from that show for about ten years. So glad to hear that the BBC finally pulled the plug on it recently.

I am worried about Who, though. There's been so much stuff in the press about how it's gotten too complicated, how families can't follow it and how it's only getting a pitiful 6 million viewers an ep. They're gonna cancel it any day now!

Spoiler:

**Shannon** · 10-05-2011 11:19 AM

pathoftheturtle, did you watch any episodes of The Playboy Club? I saw the preview and didn't think it would be decent at all. But, I figured "Hell, I'm only watching 30+ shows at the moment, why not try one more?" lol. The first episode was VERY good.

There's no way I would direct/produce/make a tv show and not have it in the CONTRACT that it gets a certain number of episodes on air. It screws over everybody, most of all the FANS.

"I could name any number of U.S. shows which deserved to be allowed to develop ..." Yeah, FIREFLY, anyone? lol

**DoctorDodge** · 10-05-2011 11:28 AM

Which they aired in the wrong order, if I heard right Shannon? Although, with that dvd sales were actually taken into account when Universal did the film. Not much, I know, but at least a continuation was made. So although it's rare, it's nice to know that with a few really good US shows at least, some shows are given a 2nd chance.

Now what to replace that current gap with, Shannon...?

Spoiler:

**Shannon** · 10-05-2011 11:55 AM

Yep, the station (I forget which one at the moment) aired the episodes out of order! Fucking idiots, lol. The movie wasn't half-bad, it summed up some things, and it had some GREAT fight scenes.

What do you mean its 6th/32nd season? They're doing prequel seasons? So confused, lol

**DoctorDodge** · 10-05-2011 12:03 PM

I mean the 6th season of Who since it's revival in 2005, but it's 32nd overall. The revival is basically the same series, albeit set years after the original, so i prefer to go by the larger number myself, even if the dvd box sets say otherwise!

**Shannon** · 10-05-2011 12:22 PM

lol gotcha. I thought you meant they just finished the 6th out of 32nd season. One day one day!

**Heather19** · 10-05-2011 01:28 PM

I was actually disappointed in The Playboy Club. Not that I was really expecting much from it, but I thought the premiere was pretty bad. That's the only one I watched so I don't know if it got any better. But based off of that I wasn't surprised in the least to hear it got cancelled right away. Although that is one thing that drives me crazy with tv over here, they cancel shows so easily, sometimes after one episode. Which just seems silly, regardless of how many viewers it has, you think they would at least give it a fair shot.

**pathoftheturtle** · 10-06-2011 08:44 AM

Anyone else catch "American Horror Story"? A little corny so far, but I kind of enjoyed it.

**Shannon** · 10-06-2011 09:07 AM

Downloaded, haven't watched it yet. Tonight.

Looking forward to it.

**Heather19** · 10-06-2011 11:19 AM

I completely forgot that was on. I'll have to see if I can find it.

**Shannon** · 10-06-2011 06:09 PM

Amber and I just watched American Horror Story. We both liked it a lot. I personally liked how DIFFERENT it was. It wasn't generic, wasn't predictable, was just ... WEIRD. Reminded me a little bit of Twin Peaks. And man oh man was that maid sexy ... lol

**Hannah** · 10-08-2011 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by pathoftheturtle

Anyone else catch "American Horror Story"? A little corny so far, but I kind of enjoyed it.

We DVR'd it and just watched it last night. I liked the experience, the lack of transitioning between scenes, but I don't know if I'll keep watching it.

**alkanto** · 10-08-2011 12:11 PM

Just finished The Pandorica Opens, now on to the Big Bang, with awesome conversation/discussion!

**Heather19** · 10-08-2011 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Hannah

Originally Posted by pathoftheturtle

Anyone else catch "American Horror Story"? A little corny so far, but I kind of enjoyed it.

We DVR'd it and just watched it last night. I liked the experience, the lack of transitioning between scenes, but I don't know if I'll keep watching it.

They finally put it up on ondemand. Watched it last night, I really enjoyed it. And I agree I loved the way it was shot, definitely added a creepy/uneasy feel to the whole thing.

**Hannah** · 10-08-2011 12:45 PM

I thought the way it was shot was the best part about it. It was a very unique experience, very unlike anything that's on tv right now. That being said, I'm not a big fan of horror/ghost stories, which is probably the only reason why I might not keep watching it. I did think it was good though ... more of a personal preference than that I thought it was bad.

**Heather19** · 10-08-2011 12:48 PM

And I always gravitate towards those types of shows

**Letti** · 10-08-2011 09:29 PM

Started reading Salem's Lot. Just because of Callahan. (I am absolutely not into vampire stories.)

**Shannon** · 10-08-2011 10:40 PM

I was a little underwhelmed by 'Salem's Lot. BUT ... it's a classic. It's a classic and it's a MUST READ King book. And a lot of people like it, so ... Enjoy.

**Letti** · 10-09-2011 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by ShannonsMovies

I was a little underwhelmed by 'Salem's Lot. BUT ... it's a classic. It's a classic and it's a MUST READ King book. And a lot of people like it, so ... Enjoy.

Yeah, many people recommended it so I am really interested in it by now.

**pathoftheturtle** · 10-09-2011 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by ShannonsMovies

Amber and I just watched American Horror Story. We both liked it a lot. I personally liked how DIFFERENT it was. It wasn't generic, wasn't predictable, was just ... WEIRD. Reminded me a little bit of Twin Peaks. And man oh man was that maid sexy ... lol

I agree. Totally. It could be really, really good if the rough spots clear up as production goes on.

**Brice** · 10-09-2011 12:00 PM

Now watching: YOU

Thread: What are you watching right now?

Thread Tools

Display

Posting Permissions