Ad for Melrose Place on Nov 4th, 1996.

Ad for Melrose Place on Nov 4th, 1996.

Lost, Melrose Place, The Office

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

07.00 Lost
09.00 Melrose Place
11.00 The Office

Lost. Season 6, Episode 8. "Ab Aeterno" Richard

A perfect hour of TV for many reasons. Here are 3:

1. We were treated to a stunning performance from Nestor Carbonell. Everything about his every move was wonderful, particularly every scene related to Richard's wife, in any way, but the final one (with Hurley in tow) was particularly noteworthy. Carbonell sold the emotion of that scene with such passion that it burned into my own heart as I watched.

2. The story was epic. Forget for a minute that it answered key Lost questions, this was a wonderful story from start to finish. Epic and romantic. The type of story I love. Finding out that Richard has a 'lost love' cements him (in my affections) as even more of a favourite than before. The Richard-Isabella love story joins the stories about Sawyer-Juliet and Penny-Desmond as one of my most favourite on the show. I'm fond of the Faraday-Charlotte love story, too, and I have no time at all for Jack-Kate at this stage.

3. I also love the fact that a show can devote an entire episode to supporting performers and still be the show we know and love. Nestor Carbonell and Mark Pellegrino don't appear very much normally, but here's an episode where they (between them) occupy virtually every scene. Because we fans know and love Richard it doesn't really feel like a change-of-pace episode, but it is. You turn on every week pretty sure that you're going to spend an hour with one or more of the main six characters. This episode breaks with that expectation. And, by being different than Lost usually is it helps define what Lost normally is and clarifies why we love it so much.

A+ 10/10

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 14. "Stoner Canyon"

A perfect example of why I love this show.

1. The scene with Riley and Jonah reliving their happy relationship, with Ella watching on in torture, was the best of the episode. I love Ella as much as I dislike Riley and this wonderful scene played to the strengths of both characters (Ella suffers in silence and only the audience understands, while Riley is beloved by everyone on screen. Yuck.)

2. The speed with which new plots arrive. Riley is now working for Amanda's boyfriend?! Where did that come from? No matter, I love it. Can't wait to see where that goes.

3. New regular characters always interest me, in any show. And while I dearly love MP as it was, there is a part of me that is fascinated to see a show revamp itself. Having said that, this is a minor revamp: one new character played by Nick Zano. Best thing about him: he works in the hospital. This opens up the storylines set there, and gives us more than Lauren and Michael to watch at that location. In time, I'm sure he'll have a plotline of his very own. In the (short) time that's left, I mean.

4. The unveiling-of-secrets bit that MP always did so well. In this one, we get the news that David is the father of the kid. Big whoop. Much better: Michael finds out that Lauren is a call-girl. I loved that. As she walked up to the door I was saying: 'Please, please, let it be Michael' to myself. And I had a grin of delight when it turned out to be him. Why? Cos it's a great development in the story and I've always loved the character of Michael Mancini. The show is always fun when he's doing something crazy: like blackmail. Telling Lauren to break David's heart. Awesome. Like everything else in this fun show, I can't wait to see where it goes next.

The Office. Season 6, Episode 16. "The Delivery" Baby

Way too long and not very funny.

In order for the first third to the episode to work, Pam has to behave like a nitwit. Her refusal to go to the hospital is the engine that drives the start of the story and it rapidly becomes annoying.

Most of what happens in the hospital is too long drawn-out and lacking in laughs. The baby-mix-up gag, in particular, seems forced and unnecessary.

There were some minor bright spots (the cops calling Dwight by name, and Michael doing a bow for match-making Andy and Erin) but it's a prime example of an episode that is twice as long as it needs to be.

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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Better Off Ted, Melrose Place, The Good Wife, Barney Miller

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

05.30 Better Off Ted
06.00 Melrose Place
07.00 The Good Wife
11.00 Barney Miller

Better Off Ted. Season 2, Episode 1. "Love Blurts" Ted leads his new girlfriend to believe that he is of Indian descent.

One of the craziest, and funniest things, I've ever seen. The show uses one central idea (the company dictates dating/mating policy) and uses it to give all the characters something funny to do.

Jay Harrington has never been funnier.

And I love episodes where Veronica stops being a corporate cog and defends her team. Really cool.

Best line? Truly impossible to pick one.

Melrose Place. Episode 12. "San Vicente" The killer is revealed.

And I'm happy with it. It makes sense.

More important, Ella and Jonah get together. They are my favourite TV Couple of the moment and I love that fact that the show put them together. Katie Cassidy was great in their final scenes together. She lifts the material and makes it sing.

The Good Wife. Episode 8. "Unprepared" Arson.

Another one of those "only on TV" ending, but it doesn't take away from the fact that this is a superb show.

Julianna Margulies owns this show. Often without saying a word.

Scene one, here, is devoted to Chris Noth, scene two is driven by Josh Charles while Matt Czuchry is the center of the third scene. Three actors with considerable screen presence. Julianna Margulies barely speaks in these opening scenes, yet our attention never wavers from her and from her perspective. We are always invested in her, no matter who else is on screen or speaking.

Man, they lucked out when they cast her.

Aside from the case-of-the-week, which was basic and fine, we got some great material on the conspiracy storyline. I love the way the show has chosen to make the children the investigators. Clever. Loving it.

Barney Miller. Season 2, Episode 4. The cops walk into an "Ambush"

Much weaker than usual. There are no crooks on screen, for a change, and - therefore - no stories to tell. It's all about the cops and, I suppose, a bit too self-conscious.

Highlight? Better Off Ted (funny)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Scrubs, Melrose Place, The Good Wife, I Dream Of Jeannie

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

07.30 Scrubs
08.00 Melrose Place
11.00 The Good Wife
12.00 I Dream Of Jeannie

Scrubs. Season 9, Episode 1. "Our First Day of School" JD as a teacher.

Strong start to the new season/version of Scrubs, with a good balance between new characters and established characters.

Melrose Place. Episode 11. "June" Jonah and Ella have a serious fight.

Ella is my favourite character in the show, and I particularly love her unrequited love for Jonah (it's pretty much the only thing that makes him interesting). This is a great episode for that storyline. The show makes Jonah the IT guy at Ella's company long enough for him to go snooping and find out that she lied to him about something major that happened earlier in the season. Result: he storms into her office and chews her out, making it clear that their friendship is over. Brilliant. Can't wait to see how Ella gets out of this.

In other developments, David and Lauren grow closer as they plot to lay a trap for Michael.

Great stuff. Reminds me of the best of the original show.

The Good Wife. Episode 7. "Unorthodox" A slip-and-fall case.

Another superb outing with lots and lots of grey areas. The case-of-the-week is very clever. It loses a few points with me for having one of those only-on-TV endings, but the rest of the episode is flawless: Alicia's dealings with her co-counsel, her boss and her son make for rivetting viewing.

I Dream Of Jeannie. Episode 2. "My Hero?" Tony in ancient Persia.

Not as funny as the opening episode. The formula for IDOJ requires Tony to be embarrassed in front of his friends/co-workers to raise laughs, so an episode like this (which features none of the regular cast) doesn't work quite as well. There are a few small laughs to be had (all due to Larry Hagman) but nowhere near the hilarity of the excellent pilot.

Highlight? The Good Wife (grey areas)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Melrose Place, V

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

05.00 Melrose Place
06.00 V
11.00 Melrose Place

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 9. "Ocean" The Police find the murder weapon in Auggie's apartment, David steals his half-brother away for the day, Jonah and Ella pretend to be a couple.

I love Ella/Katie Cassidy! The character, on paper, appears to be a clone of Amanda, but it's obvious that she's more of a heroine, thanks to Cassidy's performance, than the original character was. It's much easier to root for her. Let's be honest: Ella's not that bad, really. She's tough. That's about it. Tough does not equal bad.

In this episode Ella openly declared her feelings for Jonah, confronted him about the flaws in his relationship with Riley and invited him away to the nearest hotel room. I thought everything about this scene, and everything about the way Ella carried herself in the scene, was fresh and enjoyable.

It's been obvious from the start of the series that Ella has had a crush on Jonah, and it's probably my favourite element of the new version of Melrose Place: the fact that somebody as cold and hard and tough as Ella would like someone as dreary and bland as Jonah. In fact, the idea that Ella has feelings for him is pretty much the only thing that I like about Jonah. (And I definitely detest his 'sweeter-than-sweet' girlfriend Riley.

Their confrontation scene together impressed me with regard to how self-assured and confident Ella was throughout. She hasn't pined away in secret, the way hundreds of television characters (both male and female) have done over the years. Rather, she bided her time, waited until there was a weakness she could exploit (a fight in the relationship) and she struck. She made her declaration. Openly and honestly.

And when Jonah rejected her advances, she responded without any shame or self-pity, she took it in her stride. I do believe that everything she said to him in the aftermath was quite honest.

She's a much more realistic, and admirable, character than I was ever expecting to find on Melrose Place when I started watching it. I'm loving the show. And I'm loving her.

V. Episode 3. "A Bright New Day" Death Threat.

Another dreadful episode. Erica has to protect the visitors (oh, the irony!). Except that, of course, all is not what it appears to be (oh, the irony!).

A really bad show.

Melrose Place. Episode 10. "Cahuenga" Amanda!

Heather Locklear shows up, and she is fantastic. It was great to see her. Amanda, as written in this show, was every bit as good as Amanda on the old show. It looks like she will be making quite an impact on the show over the next couple of episodes and I'm fine with that.

This is the fourth original cast member to show up, and in each case it has been perfectly logical and perfectly natural.

Highlight? Melrose Place (Ella openly declared her feelings for Jonah)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Brothers, Melrose Place, V, The Good Wife

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

05.30 Brothers
06.00 Melrose Place
07.00 V
08.00 The Good Wife

Brothers. Episode 4. "Snoop/Fat Kid" Snoop Dogg as a lawyer.

After three episodes that made me laugh, the show delivers one that makes me cringe. The two storylines were awful, and completely devoid of laughs, while the episode was padded out with cameos from famous people.

Awful.

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 8. "Gower" Jonah and Riley film a wedding, Ella confronts Lauren.

All the storylines continue. More cracks in the Jonah/Riley relationship, more cracks in the web of lies that Lauren must tell and more clues as to the night that Sydney died.

V. Episode 2. "There Is No Normal Anymore"

The action picks up directly from the end of the previous episode. Well, 'action' might be too strong a word. Fact is: this is slow, plodding stuff. Kinda boring. And not different to anything else you've seen in the genre before.

The Morris Chestnut character is the best, in that he shows potential. The Scott Wolf character is being written at too simplistic a level, but he also shows promise. Elizabeth Mitchell is completely wasted on the awful part of Erica. Total waste of a talented lady.

The Good Wife. Episode 5. "Crash" Freight train crash.

Another superb outing. In this one Mrs. Florrick has to ruin the life of a woman who was having an affair because, in the bigger picture, it served a greater good. With stories like this, the show is moving away from the easy endings of those first few episodes ("And the real murderer is...!"). It takes the show away from situations of black and white, also. Which makes it a better drama series.

Julianna Margulies brings quiet dignity and strength to the role. She is mesmerising.

Highlight? The Good Wife (Julianna Margulies)
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Brothers, Melrose Place, The Good Wife

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

05.00 Brothers
05.30 Melrose Place
06.30 The Good Wife

Brothers. Episode 3. "Mom at the Bar/Train Buddy"

Very basic comedy. But the cast (particularly CCH Pounder) makes it funny.

Melrose Place. Episode 7. "Windsor" Daphne Zuniga guests!

Another episode to remind me that I don't really like Riley and look forward to the day that Jonah breaks up with her. She spends most of this episode being a pain over the opportunity that she has been given, and - in the final scene - when Jonah appears to be going on a date with (gorgeous) Jenna Dewan I felt like giving a cheer.

The Good Wife. Episode 4. "Fixed" Did someone bribe a juror?

Rather than settling in a predictable story-formula every week, this show seems willing to tell different types of stories every week. If that is going to be the case then we have another reason to stick with the show for long haul (I'm already hooked by the fantastic lead character).

Aside from a fresh story idea, this episode earns major points for a downbeat ending.

Highlight? The Good Wife (downbeat ending)
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Brothers, Melrose Place

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

05.00 Brothers
05.30 Melrose Place
06.30 Melrose Place

Brothers. Episode 2. "Anniversary" The boys try and have girlfriends, while their dad forgets something very important.

Old fashioned comedy show. It's like it fell in from a timewarp or something.

But it sure makes me laugh.

Melrose Place. Episode 5. "Canon" Ella vs. cops.

This episode is a hoot from start to finish. It's a lot of fun watching these characters. Ella is running around trying to throw the cops off her trail, Lauren is trying to balance her friendships with her (new) life as a prostitute, Jonah is confronting David about his tendency to steal expensive necklaces, and Violet (rapidly becoming a close second favourite with me, after Ella) is busy framing a rival - at work - for theft.

All the stories are fun, and they move fast. And I like all the characters (except Riley).

Melrose Place. Episode 6. "Shoreline"

Riley annoys me, and this storyline is an example of why. She gets a big break and doesn't want to take it. I'm annoyed on two levels: within the show, she's just an annoying character and when you step outside the show to think about what you are watching this is annoying because we know that it is padding. We know she's eventually do the 'right' thing and become a jeans model. Otherwise there's no story.

That one flaw aside, this was another fast and funny episode: Lauren and David being on the same boat at the same party, both with secrets to protect, while (crazy) Violet runs off to fake seduce Michael... Hilarious and Hilarious.

Great, fun show.

Highlight? Melrose Place (fun show)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Brothers, Lie To Me, Melrose Place, The Good Wife

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

06.00 Brothers
06.30 The Good Wife
09.30 Melrose Place
11.30 Lie To Me

Brothers. Episode 1. "House Rules" Two brothers, who bicker a lot, realise they must work together to keep a restaurant afloat.

It sounds like a very average sitcom idea, but - as executed here - it is very funny and the cast are terrific.

Pedestrian concept aside, this one sparkles. Virtually every line will make you chuckle and all four cast members are a hoot to watch.

The Good Wife. Episode 2. "Stripped" A stripper who was raped. Meanwhile, Alicia's children find photos of their father with a call-girl.

A step-up - quality-wise - from the pilot, with a much more complex case and some interesting developments in the backstory. Paloma Guzmán plays a stripper (and ex-hooker) who says she was raped by a rich businessman. Will takes the case (with Alicia as second-chair) but there are several twists and turns, so the viewer isn't sure where all of this is going. This particular viewer certainly wasn't. And I loved that.

Once again Julianna Margulies brings a quiet dignity to the role of Alicia and there are times when your heart hurts for her. Yet, she's far from perfect (she doesn't research one witness fully and embarrasses Will at one point in the courtroom) which only serves to keep her human and interesting. And gives the viewer even more reason to root for her.

There are many, many scenes where they show could mess it up and deliver the types of scenes we've seen in other shows before. But that never happens. Instead, Michelle King and Robert King keep the characters off clichéd paths and - as a consequence - keep the audience engaged.

This show, which didn't interest me very much pre-season, is poised to become my favourite new drama of 2009-2010.

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 4. "Vine" Jane Mancini (Josie Bissett from the original show) shows up and blackmails Ella into helping her fashion business. Violet is arrested, and Riley helps her over Jonah's objections. Riley also finds time to lie to a big time director and get Jonah a big break. Lauren's life as a prostitute sees her taking a beating from a scummy client, and Augie gives David a job but David causes a fight.

Great fun. Jane's blackmailing plot is hilarious and adds extra tension to Ella's plotting. Jonah's (common sense) reaction to Violet also makes for a few loud chuckles.

Bottom line: I like all the characters, and I like all the storylines. As the show zips from one to the other I never lose interest.

Lie To Me. Season 2, Episode 1. "The Core of It" Multiple Personality Disorder. Judge.

Tim Roth continues to be the best thing about this show. He rocks. His character, however, still looks/feels like a cheap House knock-off. The stories are still rather pedestrian and the supporting cast are underused and bland.

Highlight? The Good Wife (complex)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Arrested Development, Melrose Place, Cupid, The Good Wife, The Forgotten

Wednesday, September 23rd

06.00 Arrested Development
06.30 Melrose Place
07.30 Cupid
08.30 The Good Wife
09.30 The Forgotten

Arrested Development. Season 3, Episode 4. "Notapusy"

Strained. For once. It's a long time before the hearty laughs arrive, and when they do arrive they are scarce.

Rita appears very briefly and - as a consequence - works much better. But she's still not funny.

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 3. "Grand"

I was really looking forward to this all week. So, I guess, that means I'm becoming a fan.

I like the way Lauren, David and Michael are interwined (in the same storyline) now, with Lauren and Michael both trying to use the connection to David for different ends.

And I love the way Ella is interested in Jonah and he's unaware of it. They make an adorable couple, really. The bitchy and bitch and the nice guy.

Cupid. Episode 3. "The Great Right Hope" Trevor meets a kid who is trying to get his parents together. They have never met before, but the guy donated his sperm many years ago...

Better than #2, but not as good as the pilot. The guest casting is simply fantastic, Lee Tergesen, Constance Zimmer, Julie Hagerty, but the story (while pretty good) doesn't tug on the ol' heart strings.

The Good Wife. Episode 1. "Pilot" Alicia goes back to work.

I had no high expectations going into this, and I found that I really enjoyed it. I found myself rooting for the lead character very early on. When I read about this series I assumed I would not like her. I thought they wanted me to like her because of what had happened to her and the choices that she had made afterwards. But, instead, I liked her because everything in her world was stacked against her.

The Forgotten. Episode 1. "Pilot" Who is the dead girl?

The premise is absurd, and the execution is inept.

I have a great difficult in buying this concept: ordinary people find the time to solve murder cases. While holding down jobs and (I presume) personal lives of some sort.

But, even if I could get past that, I wouldn't have bought the dopey story they told in this first outing. Seldom have I seen a cop show where the revelation at the end was as unsatisfying and weak (murder over a cancelled move to LA?), and seldom has the route to that revelation been so convoluted (a sister who wrote down three years worth of wrong numbers!! Really??).

Highlight? The Good Wife (I really enjoyed it)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Bored To Death, Melrose Place, Cupid

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

05.30 Bored To Death
06.00 Melrose Place
07.00 Cupid



Bored To Death. Episode 1. "Stockholm Syndrome" A guy, on an impulse, places an ad where he claims to be a private detective and... he takes a case.

Not sure what to make of this. It didn't make laugh. But it is mildly amusing. I think. Maybe.

It's not dramatic. I'm sure of that. And I'm pretty sure that I'm not supposed to take any of what happens very seriously, so I guess that leaves it as a comedy.

An unfunny comedy.

But I liked the central idea a lot. And I liked the supporting cast (Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis).

More than that I cannot say. Wish it had made me laugh. Even once.

But it didn't.

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 2. "Nightingale" Ella tries to sign a major client, Lauren turns prostitute one more time, Riley gets jealous over Ella, Violet confronts Sydney and Auggie fights with Sydney.

More fun than episode 1 as the show finds it's groove somewhat. The Lauren storyline is my favourite, it might be predictable but it is a classic Melrose storyline.

Ella is a lot of fun to watch in action (much like Amanda was, really) and despite the fact that her own storyline had false tension written all over it she made a strong contribution to all the other characters storylines.

Violet was a much more interesting character this time around.

Jonah is still a drip, but I like the fact that Ella likes him.

Cupid. Episode 2. "Live And Let Spy"

Oh dear. A big step down from the pilot. Sadly predictable and lacking in charm. Great cast, yes, but the magic of the original series is missing here.

Highlight? Melrose Place (fun)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago

Arrested Development, Melrose Place, Cupid, Barney Miller

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

05.00 Arrested Development
05.30 Melrose Place
06.30 Cupid
01.00 Barney Miller

Arrested Development. Season 3, Episode 1. "The Cabin Show" Everyone heads to Reno.

Very strong opening to the third season. Particularly in the George Michael and Maeby storyline, where they are now on the verge of Pop-Pop (or so George Michael thinks).

Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 1. "Pilot" A dead body is found the pool, and anybody could have done it.

Not completely awful. Not as much fun as Original MP, but I did end up liking some of the new characters and if I have a free hour next week I'll watch episode two.

Cupid. Episode 1. "Pilot"

Bobby Cannavale is no Jeremy Piven, and Sarah Paulson is no Paula Marshall but - to my surprise and delight - the new Cupid show is good. I liked the characters and I liked the story-of-the-week. Count me in!

Barney Miller. Season 2, Episode 1. "Doomsday" William Windom guests as a man who straps a bomb to himself and takes everyone hostage.

Abe Vigoda steals the show out from everyone (even a typically strong Windom) and Fish is simply one of the funniest/greatest TV characters I have ever seen. Vigoda's slow dead pan delivery is a total joy to behold and his every utterance is laugh-out-loud funny.

The early part of the episode establishes that Fish is constantly going to the bathroom, then later (just after the mad bomber has unveiled his device) Fish calmly raises his hand and asks if he may leave the room!!

I laughed and laughed and laughed.

Wonderful stuff.

The story, meanwhile, is grim with a guest shot from Steve Landesberg (as a fake priest) proving the only laughs as the Windom character paints a very bleak view of the world.

This is also a great episode for Barney the character, and Hal Linden the actor, we get to see Barney acting like a true selfless hero and later thinking very deeply about the stuff that the mad bomber said to him.

It really doesn't get any better than this.

Highlight? Barney Miller (Fish)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago