TV Watch

by KenThe promised (threatened?) Parenthood post mortem is still in the works. I haven't been slacking, though. I went back and re-watched the pilot, which is spectacular, then rewatched it with the audio commentary by developer-showrunner Jason Katims and pilot director Thomas Schlamme, which I discovered I'd never done, and wound up watching all four episodes on the first DVD, before rewatching the series' final two episodes. Amongst the many things I learned there are a whole bunch that bear on what makes a show work (or not), and what can make a show really memorable.

"From 2011 to 2013, an average of 11,000 children under age 18 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries involving TVs or injuries involving both televisions and furniture, according to a new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

RIP, Joe -- an American originalby NoahJoe Franklin was, for real, an American original. He is one of the earliest childhood memories I have of media, along with people like Sandy Becker, Soupy Sales, and Ernie Kovacs. He got on radio and television and was successful by -- like the others I just mentioned -- being himself. He was proudly unscripted. His everyman qualities, eccentricities and all, endeared him to those who tuned in, and they tuned in for over 40 years starting in the 1950s.Franklin's show was no-frills, no-bullshit.

Better Call Saul showrunners Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan"The character of Jimmy McGill has taken us places we never expected. Jimmy's not yet Saul Goodman: he's his own man, and he's messy and struggling and still finding himself."-- from the open letter from Vince and Peterby KenI realize that I'm risking becoming a PR shill for Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad prequel that AMC is unveiling in a two-part premiere Sunday and Monday, February 8 and 9, at 10pm/9pm CT.

"Money is not 'beside the point.' Money is the point."-- Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), aka Saul Goodman,in AMC's Better Call Saulby KenThanks for clarifying that, Saul . . . er, Jimmy. Note that as we edge closer to the two-night premiere of Better Call Saul, February 8 and 9, AMC has released this "extended trailer."Which still leaves the matter of a second possible Breaking Bad prequel that has been discussed, The Rise of Gus. While rummaging around online, I found this interview with Giancarlo Esposito which was posted in May 2014.

HBO's trailer for Season 2 of Looking -- the new season launches tonight.by KenIt's Premium-Cable Premiere Night tonight, meaning most importantly the start of the new seasons of HBO's Looking (Season 2) and Showtime's Episodes (Season 4), both of which had simply spectacular seasons last time out.

Cheer up, Hamlet! Chin up, Hamlet!Buck up, you melancholy Dane!So your uncle is a cad who murdered Dad and married Mum;that's really no excuse to be as glum as you've become.So, wise up, Hamlet! Rise up, Hamlet!Perk up and sing a new refrain!Your incessant monologizing fills the castle with ennui;your antic disposition is embarrassing to see;and by the way, ya sulky brat, the answer is: "Ta BE!"You're driving poor Ophelia insane!So shut up, you rogue and peasant,grow up, it's most unpleasant,cheer up, you melancholy Dane!

Valerie (Lisa Kudrow) and her nemesis Paulie G (Lance Barber) on the set of Seeing Red, in The Comebackby KenSince I last wrote (briefly) about the resuscitated season of The Comeback last week, a couple of things have happened.

AMC is running a complete Breaking Bad marathon.by KenIf you're reading this now, chances are pretty good that you're not in at the start of AMC's complete-series segmented marathon of Breaking Bad, which began this morning at 10am ET/PT, 9am CT, and 8am MT (as best I can tell -- if ever there was a time to consult your local listings, this is it), but you've still got oodles of time to join in.

Why so pensive, Murray? Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) of Mad About You share the love seat with the greatest of all TV dogs. (I didn't say the smartest, just the greatest. Go get the mouse, Murray!)"As you know, for seven years I put every ounce of my life-blood into Mad About You and remain enormously proud of what we all accomplished. I think it more than stands the test of time, and still shines.