Let’s face it. There are just so many hours in a day and between work, sleep, reading, and master origami training, free time is at a premium. So when it comes to t.v., I tend to be very selective, often multi-tasking my way through certain shows – recording them and then watching them the following day during my morning work-out. Truth is, when it comes to my viewing schedule, the dance card is pretty full: House, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, 30 Rock (when it returns), Survivor, and The Amazing Race – with Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef in the back-up position. And Friday Night Lights whenever it comes back. Weeds, Nip/Tuck and Grey’s Anatomy with the wife. Trust me. That’s plenty. Still, there are shows out there that didn’t make the cut that nevertheless intrigue, shows that I have a feeling I would actually enjoy if I sat down and gave ’em a chance. Not that I have the time, mind you. But, if I did, these are the shows that give me pause whenever I set my DVR for the week…
The Big Bang Theory
Why I don’t watch it: I’ve never been a big fan of sitcoms, preferring single camera comedies.
Why I should reconsider: A lot of very funny people I know have nothing but great things to say about this show. Also, geek humor is right up my alley.
Bones
Why I don’t watch it: I’ve never been a big fan of procedurals either.
Why I should reconsider: I always catch the last couple of minutes because I record the show immediately following (House?) and I have to admit that, in the little snippets I’ve actually watched, the chemistry between the two leads is terrific.
Lie To Me
Why I don’t watch it: To be honest, I missed the premiere and seriously wondered how many “tells” they could unearth and analyze before tapping out.
Why I should reconsider: My writing-producing partner, Paul, a notoriously tough critic was just talking about this show the other day, noting how clever it is.
The Mentalist
Why I don’t watch it: Love the premise but simply never got around to sitting down and watching on a regular basis.
Why I should reconsider: I caught an episode earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, Simon Baker is terrific.
Criminal Minds
Why I don’t watch it: Call me a wimp, but I find the whole serial killer angle grisly and disturbing.
Why I should reconsider: Call me goulish, but I find the whole serial killer angle grisly and intriguing. Also, whenever she comes to town, my friend Rosemary who works at CBS always does a great job of teasing upcoming episodes.
Hey, all you television aficianados. I assume you’re familiar with some if not all of the above-mentioned shows. Your toughts?
Mailbag:
T’loc writes: “Regarding the 2 that went thru to the other plant, is it possible that the reason why the gate addresses were “locked out” was because those gates are space gates and the ship realize that its shuttles are not operational so it allows only the planetary gate to be opened.”
Answer: Unlikely given that the seeder ship was planting gates on planets. It’s more likely that those addresses were locked out because of a security protocol deemed them dangerous or incapable of sustaining human life.
Boookal writes: “On a side note, I’ve looked and looked for the KINO videos and can’t find them. Can ya point me in the right direction?”
Answer: Sorry, I have no idea when they’ll be making their appearance.
Jason “The Chef” writes: “I really like the title of the episodes being shown. You should also maybe have more fun with it like Japanese sized episode titles like “The rat finds no purchase in life without hair color.” or “Some say we walk with a little tilt””
Answer: Those are episodes titles for seasons 10 and 8 respectively. Alas, not my call on the onscreen titles. Sorry about that, chef!
Col. Mustard writes: “Col. Mustard writes: “Something that I noticed about Air II while watching Air III, what was Dr. Lee doing in Rush’s body while Rush was in Lee’s?”
Answer: Yes.
Of course! Now it makes complete since. I can’t believe I didn’t see that.”
Answer: Oops. I misread the question. I thought you were asking for confirmation tat Dr. Lee was in Rush’s body while Rush was occupying his. No doubt Dr. Lee was checking out the immediate area Rush retreated to use the stones.
Marjorie Liu writes: “Fantastic episode, and a wonderful start to a new series. I know I’m in love with a show when I find my mind wandering back to the characters, wondering/imagining what will happen next to them.
As well as where they’re going to get more toilet paper when that runs out.”
Answer: Hey, Marjorie. Very much enjoy your work in the comic field and do intend to check out one of your books sometime soon. Yes, toilet paper and bullets will be cause for obvious concern as time goes on.
Thornyrose writes: “The mailbag is appreciated as always. not that I expect an answer, but does the “not a shuttle” that left the ship have something to do with the more-battered than would be expected condition of Destiny?”
Answer: I’ll just say stay tuned. That and good guess.
Dusty Owens writes: “I dont know if I buy that the Destiny was never maned before. Because why would their be crew quarters with beds, life support or shuttles in the first place if no one was ever to be on it?”
Answer: It was meant to be manned but the Ancient never got around to actually boarding it.
Answer: Why, yes. I’ll be at home watching Darkness of course.
Mary writes: “The first time you meet him, he’s locked up, and then he almost attacks an unarmed and much smaller woman. He’s the only person we see stealing food.”
Answer: We don’t know the circumstances that led to his incarceration. He was certainly going to confront her, but to say he “almost attacked her” is a bit of a stretch. He did not steal any food. That was someone else (Sgt. Spencer).
Zac B. writes: “ Is there any chance you could post some shots of the Kino remote?”
Answer: If I remember later in the week, I’ll track down a pic for ya.
Matt Boesch writes: “I dont know if this has been asked yet but when Will you guys find about a renewal for Season Two of Universe?”
Answer: We should know by January at the latest.
Alex Deva writes: “You just said: “I don’t know. At the risk of spoiling the rest of the season for me, I haven’t read any scripts past those for the first three episodes.”
On the other hand, on April 21st you said: “today, I read Brad’s finished version of Darkness and Light.”
Which one is it?”
Answer: Both. I read the script and provided notes, then had those parts of my memory erased using the device we got from that planet in SG-1’s Collateral Damage. Cool, no?
Michael writes: “If Atlantis left for Pegasus “Several Million Years Ago” according to “Rising”, was Rush mistaken in his estimate that Destiny left Earth “Hundreds of Thousands” of years ago?”
Answer: He misspoke or was speaking sort of off-hand, assuming he wasn’t going to be called on it by a knowledgeable fan.
Wraithfodder writes: “Ah, Joe, greyhounds are wonderful dogs. I’ve seen a few rescued ones and they’re gentle, loving and quite good looking.”
Answer: Just what first-time visitors to the production offices say about Exec. Producer Carl Binder. I rest my case.
Jean de Montreal writes: “Do we really need a quick justification to everything we don’t understand right on the spot?”
Answer: Good point. Quite a few (not all) of the problems some viewers have had with the show so far stem from the fact that their questions have not been immediately answered. Patience. Patience.
Ranthus writes: “What should we call the new gates?”
Answer: Harold and Pedro.
Guiguioh writes: “Is there a specific reason to use Dr Lee in the pilot, apart from a nice cameo purpose?”
Answer: Well, that and the fact that he IS one of the Stargate Program’s most trusted scientists.
DasNdanger writes: “Not sure if you saw my question the other day, but I was wondering if you had finished Aaron’s first Weapon X arc (ending with #5).”
Answer: I read #1 and #2 and loved ‘em and have picked up #3 and #5. I want to get #4 before sitting down and finishing the arc.
DasNdanger also writes: “Wraith telepathy – early on I believe it was said that only Queens have the ability to get into human minds, and Teyla was only vulnerable to Wraith in general due to her Wraith DNA. Later, however, it is suggested that Michael got into Carson head, and in Vegas McKay tells Sheppard (regarding Todd, who – as far as I know – is not a Queen… ), that they can get into ‘your head’, suggesting that Todd had read Sheppard’s mind and that’s how he had learned his name. Was this change supposed to be a reflection of better human understanding of Wraith abilities, or something else?”
Answer: The Queen’s ability to influence lesser minds far surpassed those of other wraith. In the case of the second tier wraith (again the keepers), they all possess the ability to a certain extent – but their relative influence varies from individual to individual. I believe this ability is innate in all wraith and in the case of the warrior-drones, almost negligible.
Noelm writes: “ Do hulu viewers show up in the ratings?”
Answer: No, they are not factored into the overnights, same day +1’s or the +7’s. That said, they are factored into the show‘s “big picture” performance numbers that include iTune and DVD sales.
Suskiekew writes: “Will we find out just why Greer was in detention?”
Answer: Yep. Soon. Soon. Pay close attention to the Young-Greer corridor conversation near the end of Fire.
Michael Jones writes: “What is Vanessa James’ rank?”
Answer: Second Lieutenant Vanessa James.
Susiekew also writes: “Just had to say that I’m so glad you had the chance to tell us all what a nice guy Jamil really is. I’m telling you, he must be a hell of an actor ’cause he has me totally convinced that his character is borderline psycho with a REALLY big chip on his shoulder.”
Answer: Yeah, in terms of how the individual cast members line up vis-à-vis their characters: Robert, Louis, Alaina, Elyse, Jamil, Lou, and Ming are most UNLIKE the characters they play while Eli and Brian have a lot in common with their onscreen personas.
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