Results tagged “adambuckman”

Gothamist is a big fan of the FX show, Rescue Me - it's incredibly funny, realistic, and riveting but also difficult to watch. And last week's episode was no different, as Denis Leary's character may or may not have raped his estranged wife in the final scenes. The ambiguous scene, where firefighter Tommy Gavin overpowers his wife into having sex (she protests some, but seems to have enjoyed it by the end; he leaves with a smirk), has prompted a lot of debate in the news. And executive producer Peter Tolan even went to the Television Without Pity messageboards to explain and defend the scene. We were distressed by the scene, but it seemed to work with Tommy's overall moral depravity and lack of control when it comes to his personal life (another recent example - Tommy beating his brother to a pulp over said estranged wife in front of his children). And while some critics say the show is merciless towards women, it's actually merciless towards everyone.

Gothamist was pretty wary about NBC's version of The Office, but the commercials and previews have make it look very watchable. And we love shows that touch upon how insanely soul-crushing the office life can be. The American cast even looks pretty schlubby - a rarity this side of dumb-oaf-male leads on some sitcoms (you know, the ones where you're wondering "How did he land Leah Remini?") - which must have been an answered prayer to all those people labeled "character actors." We'll be tuning in tonight at 9:30PM, after the other office comedy, The Apprentice.

NY Magazine gets city coroner Jonathan Hayes to write about the latest CSI spinoff, CSI: NY, set in our great city. Now, Gothamist is predisposed to the reigning cop-and-lawyer show in town, Law & Order, especially since it actually shoots its episodes in NY, but we won't mind seeing CSI:NY in reruns or on Spike TV at some point. Gothamist did like Hayes's insights about being a coroner:

There’s a forensic saying that “there is only one honest witness to every murder”—the victim. And we talk about the Five Questions: Who are you? How did you die? When did you die? Where did you die? Who killed you? But we don’t ask those questions out loud. Watching Khandi Alexander [of CSI Miami] caress and murmur to the bodies creeped me out, both for its bedroom-level sensuality and its tacit New Ageism. Aesthetic issues aside, that sort of sentimentality is just not an option if you’re going to stay sane doing this work.

CSI creator and producer Anthony Zuiker tells Hayes that "[The New York series] will be more desaturated, colder in winter, oppressive, muscular. Less gloss, less glamour," and from the commercials, the photography does have that slick Bruckheimer touch.

Everyday People was written and directed by Jim McKay, who also made the fantastic Girls Town about three young female juvenile delinquents.

You can buy the five earlier Prime Suspect movies on DVD from Amazon. Also check out the Prime Suspect-Helen Mirren Appreciation Society. Other great Helen Mirren films: The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, & Her Lover, The Madness of King George, and Gosford Park.

One word: Boring. Okay, maybe seeing Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci together is cute, and we liked that Fred Rogers got two shout-outs, but come on - Doris Roberts for the third year in a row? Tyne Daly again? Gothamist spent our childhood watching Tyne Daly rack up FOUR Emmys for Cagney and Lacey - hey, Television Academy, she's talented, but spread the love. This is why no one cares about the Emmys, when Frasier or Kelsey Grammer wins year after year. John Larroquette won four Emmys in a row for Night Court - his randy D.A. Dan Fielding was funny, but not THAT funny. Ugh, we were right when the nominations came out earlier this summer: We weren't happy while watching.

Adam Buckman of the Post has seen the Buffy finale and say it's awesome. But Gothamist did not realize there was talk of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer cartoon - Joss Whedon wanted it to be on par with "Animaniacs or Batman: The Animated Series." [ Read more in The Hollywood Reporter interview with Joss.]

Adam Buckman of the Post claims that alcohol helps keep those reality matchmaking shows going. "From 'High School Reunion' to 'The Bachelorette, alcohol has emerged as a crucial tool in the effort to promote social interaction and loosen inhibitions." Mr. Buckman, have you never seen a group of twenty- and thirtysomethings out on the town? HEY, THIS IS THIRSTY WORK