Summer TV: Weeds, Californication, and The Closer

[yendi]

(Still 1-4 episodes behind on Eureka, Burn Notice, The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Damages, and Big Love)

Weeds: Now that we have Showtime, I figured I'd give it a shot, and after the first two episodes of Season 3, I'm hooked. The show gets major points for making a clearly complicated plotline accessible enough for newcomers, and the cast is wonderful, delivering all that great dialogue perfectly. Mary Louise Parker is just amazing.

Californication: I think I might be the only person who actually likes this show, at least judging from TWOP and other places. Between Madeline Zima here and Nicholle Tom on Minor Accomplishments, those Nanny kids have done a nice job of growing up. More significantly, I just like the utter zaniness of some of the scenes (like Paula Marshall -- topless! -- and David Duchovny attempting to have sex until, while stoned, he falls to the floor, and they both lose their lunches while in giggle fits as the rest of the household walks in on them; it shouldn't have worked, and doesn't on paper, but they made it work somehow), and I love Duchovny's relationship with his daughter. Plus, Evan Handler (who was great as Charlotte's hubby on Sex and the City) is wonderful as Duchovny's agent. And this is the only show I've seen that has discussed the all-important topic of vaginal restoration.

Of course, since Paula Marshall has appeared on it, it'll be cancelled in three weeks.

The Closer: Barry Corbin as Brenda's dad may be the best casting choice this show has made. He's been perfect these past two weeks, and has wonderful chemistry with Frances Sternhagen. Plus, we finally get a good spotlight episode for Lt. Tao! This show keeps getting better, and this entire season has just clicked on every cylinder.

Comments

[herongale]

I completely agree with you about Barry Corbin. Considering the two season build up, he had to be dead-on, and he is. This is probably the best season of The Closer yet (which is great, because season two had several amazing stand-alone episodes but in general was not as good as the first). Favourite summer show, bar none.

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Paula Marshall -- topless!

ZOMG FTW. This happifys me. I became an immediate Marshall fan from the first episode of Cupid. I became a heterosexual man...well, when I was born. So those three words touch me in my special touchy places.

Of course, since Paula Marshall has appeared on it, it'll be cancelled in three weeks.

Which would make me shake my fist at the unfairness of the world. Probably not as much as noted Paula Marshall fan Rob Thomas does. But maybe the power and effect of Paula Marshall topless will negate that...

[mirvana.livejournal.com]

My housemate and I love Californication! It seems to be about getting into the most embarrassing or awkward sexual situations...we laugh hysterically.

[ewin.livejournal.com]

The used car speech had me doubled over and gasping with laughter.

And !!!! people talking about PCOS on television! I'm so excited.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

Again, I agree.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Our whole household loves it, too.

[coffeeinhell.livejournal.com]

I love Californication. So there are at least two of us.

[yendi]

If it were on during the fall, it'd still be one of the two or three best things on the air.

[yendi]

True. I mean, she wasn't topless on Cupid or Veronica Mars.

[yendi]

More, even, judging from this thread. I'm just pleasantly surprised.

[alexmegami]

Mine too.

[yendi]

The Closer is not like other shows. :-)

[brak55.livejournal.com]

You just don't watch enough reality TV. Dr. 90210 talks about vaginal restoration all the time. Actually, Dr. 90210 is one of the funniest shows on TV (if you're married to someone that can appreciate your warped sense of humor, because the Divas that get worked on are just SO much fun to make fun of).

The Closer has been amazing this year. The writing is superb, especially the crime/drama mixed in with Brenda's homelife and the quirks of all her detectives.

[brak55.livejournal.com]

Ever time I see her now, all I can think of is that godawful retch in your mouth piece of garbage, Out of Practice.

[yendi]

I watch exactly enough reality TV, thank you very much. :-)