by swerb » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:28 pm
Sopranos
Layoffs are brutal, and the last season was disappointing, but this is still a very good show. Forgot how good it was until I went back and watched the 1st three seasons. Epic moments were when Janice shot Richie Aprile, and when Tony whacked Ralphie in his kitchen after he found out he torched Pie O My. Love my boy Miami Steve Van Zandt (Springsteens gituarist) as Silvio. New season starts in March, 12 episodes. 8 more bonus episodes in Jan '07.
Rome
Very impressive first season that chronicled the rise and fall of Ceasar. Very interested to see how the following seasons play out with Anthony and Octavian rising to power, and Cleopatra taking a bigger role. Epic moments were Pullo's slaughterfest in the pit, and Ceasar getting stabbed on the Senate floor to end the 1st season. Also the beheading of Pompey. Loved Atylla as a sexy and evil villan. Pullo's character was great as well. Thought the guy that played Ceasar did well also. HBO shows all littered with great acting.
Deadwood
Like Consig I was leery, but fell in love. Swerangen = one of the best characters of all time. Cy Tolliver as well. Great villans, even likable villans. Doc Cochran was phenomenal as well, and the annoying EB Farnum was a great role also. Next season is coming up soon, need to rewatch seasons 1 & 2 to get caught back up. Highlights were the beef between Swearengen and Bullock, and the hard to watch scenes where Swearengen was near his death bed. A great show.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Hands down the funniest half hour comedy on TV right now, and every bit the equal of Seinfeld. This show has me in tears almost every episode. Fat agent Jeffs wife is a classic. Larrys wife is hot. Larry himself is hysterical. Im also a big Richard Lewis guy. Read somewhere that none of this is written out, all ad libbed on the set, just basic outlines are prewritten.
Entourage
Another great show. Half hour comedy that follows the life of fictitious actor Vincent Chase and his entourage of brother and fringe actor Johnny (Kevin Dillon, easy role for him brother to Matt), manager and friend Eric, and tagalong pal Turtle. Agent Ari, played by Jeremy Piven is one of the greatest roles ever. Hysterical show executive produced by Mark Wahlberg and loosely based off his life. Funny, funny shit.
The Wire
Probably the least watched of all the shows, but incredible. Three seasons in the books, season 4 coming later this year. Follows a Baltimore special task force. Season 2 was one of the greatest seasons of any show ever in my mind, it focused on dock workers union headed by Frank Sobotka. Love the McNulty role, love Bunk as well. Edgy, edgy shit ... each season has had a different spin. Seasons 1 and 3 focused more on the Baltimore drug ring, and their attempt to topple it.
Six Feet Under
Done running after 5 seasons, maybe the best of all these shows. No bull shit. If you haven't seen it, and can go back and rent them or watch them On Demand from the beginning .... do so and thank me later. Follows the Fisher family and the funeral home they own, operate, and live out of in LA. An amazing show that it's hard to summarize in a couple paragrahs. Incredible acting, even better writing, and edge of your seat drama. Toys with your emotions, and a hard show to watch at times ... but done amazingly well.
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