Malcolm in the Middle – CliqueClack Flashback
It’s only been three years since Malcolm in the Middle went off the air, and yet it feels like much longer. Why? Well, I suppose it doesn’t help the longevity of the show that high costs for music rights have hampered a number of TV on DVD releases, including Malcolm’s. A release can sell well, but if it’s not predicted to be a big enough hit to recoup costs and make a tidy profit…. And so, unlike most shows today, Malcolm essentially died when the show went off the air.
Which is why I’ve so been enjoying re-watching the show. Ever since Nickelodeon announced its syndication agreement with the series and began airing re-runs this past summer, I’ve been catching episodes left and right on a bunch of channels. In fact, only the playoffs and the World Series prevented me from watching the entire series before sitting down to write this — overrun on FOX led them to preempt Malcolm on the nights that baseball was on.
The series as a whole stands out more for moments than for anything overarching. I was actually a big Frankie Muniz fan while watching the show, but looking back, he doesn’t really blow me away as an actor. And, in fact, it was Jane Kaczmarek’s Lois who was really the center of the show by season two (I still can’t get over her being married to Bradley Whitford). Read the rest of this entry »
The Week In Clack – Paula quits, Paris on Supernatural, and Anna engaged
With the big TCA presentations going on, it’s been a pretty big week for TV news. However, all of the talk about what we can look forward to in the fall was trumped by one short little burst on Twitter, from Paula Abdul. She chose that unconventional venue to announce that she’s leaving American Idol. What does that mean for the show? With any luck, the beginning of a steady decline that ends in cancellation. Until we are visited by those glorious days, it looks like it will be business as usual.
Kara DioGuardi will be back. According to Mike Darnell, president of alternative at FOX, “Kara’s spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused American Idol with a new energy last year.” Well, one man’s “spitfire personality” is another’s “bitchy haranguing.” Paula will be replaced during the auditions by a collection of pop stars. So far, that includes Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham. I like that idea, but I hope they’re ready. Those are some awfully crazy shoes to fill. It’s unclear what will happen once the competition begins.
Lots of non-Idol news, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
See Jane Clack – Weeds vs. Hung vs. Breaking Bad
While pondering a topic for this week’s See Jane Clack, I was struck by the number of shows featuring characters who turn to unscrupulous or illegal means to make a living. These are tough times, but would I turn to selling pot, prostituting myself, or becoming a drug kingpin to make a living? Probably not. I’m too much of a chicken.
Still … with a family to feed, and no other immediate way to pay the mortgage and buy groceries, some of these options do have their appeal.
These folks are not that much different from the rest of us. Their connecting link is that they’ve all experienced a life trauma that’s made them desperate, and/or fearless. It’s stuff that could happen to any one of us. Lives and luck can turn in a split second.
Seinfeld – CliqueClack Flashback
I had a friend growing up who was completely enamored with Seinfeld. He was one of those guys who drank in everything that their older brother had to offer, and so he picked up on the show, one that wasn’t really meant for those of us in junior high. Yet, even with his constant chatter about Seinfeld, his random quoting from Seinlanguage, even his dressing up as Kramer when the occasion called for it, I wasn’t interested.
In fact, none of us were. Sure, we all watched the series finale of the acclaimed sitcom, but that was just because it was something that you did. People talk about the unprecedented audience for the M*A*S*H finale, but part of that unbelievable number lay in the fact that that’s what you did: you watched the swan song of a legend. Of course, with no frame of reference for the series, I was left with a rather unsatisfied feeling when Seinfeld drew to a close. But, the show was over, and would surely drift into the night.
A few years later, as a college freshman, I knew a guy who was very into the whole Internet thingy. He would scour the web, capturing and burning all manner of shows that both were, and weren’t, on the air anymore. With nothing to keep me occupied during my time in college, I started to borrow random CDs from him, catching myself up on hundreds of hours of television that I’d never before seen. Among those discoveries? Seinfeld. And that’s where the love affair began. Read the rest of this entry »
Webisode Clack – Five minutes of talk with Bob Kushell
The name Bob Kushell may not mean anything to you, but you probably know his work. Writer and producer of Samantha Who?, producer on Malcolm in the Middle, executive story editor on The Simpsons … just to name a few. Now, add to that the title of Internet Talk Show Host. Yes, even people behind the cameras like to get in front of them once in awhile!
Anytime with Bob Kushell, which airs on the ever-expanding Crackle.com is a funny five (sometimes six) minutes that takes a jab at the late-night talk show format. And, while some of it may be parody, it’s a full talk show, complete with monologue, sketches, and star interviews. We’re not talking about C-list stars like The Hills Spencer and Heidi, mind you. Thanks to his many years in Hollywood, Bob is able to pull in some decent A and B-list talent for his little talk fest.
Breaking Bad is suffering from CSI Syndrome
After watching this past Sunday’s episode of Breaking Bad (for the second time — I have the first seven episodes as screeners), I was about to write up my usual weekly post about the episode. Then I took a look at the traffic we get for posts about the show and my heart sank. This show is not getting the attention it deserves!
Then I remembered the good news I read the other day, that Breaking Bad was renewed for a third season. Wait a minute — if this show got post-sophomore season renewal already, then people must be watching it. So why aren’t people coming online to read about it? Do fans just not care to read about the episodes? Maybe my posts just stink?
The answer, I believe, is that Breaking Bad suffers from a phenomenon I dub CSI Syndrome.
Breaking Bad season one DVD and more – CliqueClack Giveaway
When I first heard about Breaking Bad, I wasn’t really sure I’d like it at all. First of all, it was airing on AMC which, to me, isn’t really known for having stellar original series. Also, the premise about a high school teacher turning to his chemistry skills and a life of making crystal meth to pay for his cancer treatment seemed really out there, especially when it seemed this wasn’t being billed as a comedy. Add to this that Bryan Cranston of Malcolm in the Middle was starring, and I was completely confused … and eventually, extremely curious.
A pleasant surprise, Breaking Bad is much more than what appears on the cover. There’s a deep story here, and while it’s not meant to be outwardly funny, it definitely has its moments. Just look at the cover of the DVD and you’ll see what I mean.
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