THE MORNING AFTER
The Vienna episode marked a temporary return to what many believe I do best:
Getting stupid-ass drunk, shoveling heavy food into my gob, making embittered dick jokes and generally careening around an unfamiliar city. A journey of discovery so to speak. I don’t know. I know I had I had an unexpectedly good time making the show, that Vienna was a pleasant surprise—and that it was particular delight working again with veteran producer and good friend, Tracy Gudwin.
But that’s not what I’m going to write about today. I twatted along with the show last night, so whatever backstory or points of interest might not have made it into the commentary, I got to then. .
I thought I’d talk about what I’ve been watching lately, or anticipating watching, given that it’s very difficult for me to watch anything regularly. Most films, I don’t get to see until they’re on the plane—or I can Netflix them on my iPad. TV shows I care about I follow as long as I can, catching up on the episodes I’ve missed on On Demand. If I’ve missed too many of them and fall behind too much, chances are I lose the thread entirely. Which is why I’m at least a season behind the brilliant BREAKING BAD and am unlikely to catch up soon. It’s just too strong, too engaging—even exhausting—to watch too many in a row. You need time to breath between episodes. But I miss it. I look forward to a time when I can catch up at my leisure.
CALIFORNICATION has an unholy grip on me. Of course, I love it. It’s about a writer, after all. The father of a little girl. A guy whose dark side resembles , at times, some brief, darker episodes of my former life…so I relate. It’s a show that’s basically about a scumbag. A funny scumbag, but a scumbag just the same. And I enjoy how unsparing it is of its protagonist, how there are consequences (awful ones) for his behavior. The writing is ridiculously sharp—and I love it for making the unlovable lovable on a regular basis—without apologizing or mitigating the general atmosphere of amorality, cynicism and loathsomeness. Which is to say, it’s a love story. Never thought I’d be a Duchovny fan, but there it is.
JUSTIFIED is another pleasure. When did writing for television become so good?
The Elmore Leonard produced series has some of the best dialogue going—and between, this series, MAD MEN, CALIFORNICATION and EPISODES, provides further evidence that television—of all things—has far outpaced the film industry in providing well written, thoughtful, difficult, morally complex and clever material.
You see what passes for writing in a major studio release like MORNING GLORY (a film in which , to my shame, I am name-checked), and you wonder how some screenwriters look at themselves in the bathroom mirror every morning. WHO, in even an alternate universe, talks like these freakish cartoons? Actually, that’s an insult to cartoons—because the best writing coming out of Hollywood these days is often animated.
I DID like TRUE GRIT, largely because it was not the previous version—and because nearly every line came directly from the awesome original work by Charles Portis. Let me urge you to read the book. There’s a reason the Coen brothers were so reverential in their treatment of the material—and why they made the film again in the first place. Because it’s a masterpiece. The “voice” of TRUE GRIT’S heroine and narrator is unforgettable and for every second, totally believable. One of the great characters of modern literature.
Of course, I love TREME, not just because I’m having the most fun of my writing career writing a little for it, but because it’s the most fully fleshed, most ambitious, most uncompromisingly paced thing on television—and because the performances are just as amazing as the stories and dialogue. Having anything to do with this project is the greatest honor of my professional life.
I am fascinated by REAL HOUSEWIVES of NEW JERSEY, but can only watch a few minutes at a time. It’s too ugly. Like donkey porn, or Brit Porn. You can only watch a few seconds before needing to take your brain out and boil it. Just the same, I keep checking in, mostly to look at Teresa’s hairline—and at the sweaty little Ooompa Loompa she lives with (is that her husband?)
TOP CHEF? Well, I know who won now…so the thrill is kind of gone…
Late at night, up early with jet lag In Asian hotel rooms, there seems to be an entire television channel dedicated to the lesser works of Steven Seagal. I’m fascinated by all of them—every direct to DVD title unseen by Western eyes. Particularly fascinating to me is discerning what strategies of lighting or camera angle or blocking the various Thai, Uzbek, Romanian and Serbian directors utilize to conceal the fact that their “action star” is big as house, multi-chinned, and can seemingly barely waddle across the room. His bizarre Dynell mullet is mesmerizing to me—as are his wardrobe choices, long flowy leather and cowhide custom made jackets and overcoats—which he insists on wearing buttoned up even inside in warm climates. Presumably he thinks that’s a “slimming” look. It’s not. He looks like a soon-to-rupture-any minute sausage. That said, it was Seagal who inspired me to lose 18 pounds recently. Un-tucking doesn’t help him. It wasn’t helping me.
Another anomaly of Asian television is you see small indie films you might never have heard of—as well as repeats of not-quite classics you might feel sentimental about: In the latter case, saw the much better than remembered original SHAFT, the original ITALIAN JOB with Michael Caine, THE CAINE MUTINY, ANZIO, the insipid LOGAN’S RUN. In the former category, a quirky lovable Woody Harrelson flic I’d never heard of called DefendOr, about a simple minded guy who moonlights as a super hero.
All in all, not bad viewing for 4 AM, looking to nod off.
Next week– Ozarks
Very educational, thank you very much.
This was very informative. I have been reading your blog alot over the past few days and today it is in my bookmarks.
Great post friend. I\\\\\\\’ll recommendI already have liked it on Face.
Amazing blog friend. I will shareI\\\\\\\’ve already shared it on Facebook.
Interesting article and one which should be more widely known about in my view. Your level of detail is good and the clarity of writing is excellent. I have bookmarked it for you so that others will be able to see what you have to say
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I love to explore I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first commen
This is my first visit in this blog, and I'm impressed a lot. Before this – I've visited many blogs, but didn't get quality information from them. But this blog is different; I've got some unique information from this. It's really impressive. I want to thanks to the webmaster of this blog.
You got a really useful blog. I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and ur wisdom is very useful to me.
I’m now not sure the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend a while studying more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I used to be searching for this information for my mission.
I have learned result-oriented things as a result of your blog.
You completed certain fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly people will go along with with your blog.
Kudos for creating content is on this particular subject. There is not a great deal of information published about it (not particularly helpful anyway). It is nice to see it receiving some more coverage. Cheers!
Great, candid facts. Danke!
I have to show my gratitude for your kindness for persons that require help with the issue. Your special dedication to getting the message throughout had become remarkably productive and have in every case empowered guys just like me to arrive at their targets. Your entire helpful report implies so much a person like me and especially to my colleagues. Warm regards; from all of us.
for nice worksearched in the blog post. It rightfully is muchpleasing. I will visit againto read over againon that folkshas to tell concerning that. i thoughti whouldgotto wait and go through if any article what create by admin.
My post (in moderation), paragraph should read “as she has neither the grounds”
Heya! Thank you for the article. So, I really thought I’d show you that something seems not working with all your RSS list.It’s possible it’s just for a moment however, you may wish to check that.
I used to be suggested this web site by means of my cousin. I’m no longer certain whether or not this publish is written by way of him as no one else understand such targeted approximately my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my web site =). We may have a link trade agreement among us!
[...] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]
Intriguing, good work thanks
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Learn grammar and how to spell before you expect your senseless opinions and death wishes to make any sense. From Ann Arbor