Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Summer is for normals– beach chairs and beers, towels draped around necks, flips flopping, sixers in hands and twelves hoisted on shoulders. Meanwhile I’m grappling with the season’s ‘ultimate Cliff hanger!’ with no relief in sight till late September. In an effort to salve this obvious crisis point, I tried to dance outside my normal low-brow range. Unfortunately, I often found myself shown back to the velvet rope:
American Gods This show has three critical lures: created by Bryan Fuller, the man behind Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies and Hanibal, based on the Neil Gaiman book of the same title, featuring a cast of excellent actors including Jonathan Tucker. I had hoped his appearance here would soften the Kingdom series finale blow.
Going in, I knew this one was over my head with old gods battling new gods, I needed intel, bad. I watched YouTube videos discussing the origin stories of the old gods. It was like experiencing the new wave version of Cliff Notes. I hit play on episode one, even with the blood bath, I continued on. I hit play on episode two, I got an early hit of Jonathan Tucker, and then struggled to get through the final fourteen minutes. I ‘live tweeted’ with a friend–who actually has an interest in Greek/Roman/Norse Gods–who implored me to put myself out of my misery and stop. I didn’t rest till that drunk bastard on-screen was done singing his song. I was exhausted and I haven’t returned since.
Silicon Valley Let’s make this one easy. I’m not cool and I get easily frustrated with buffoonery thwarting best-laid plans. The end.
13 Reasons Why Ooooffff. Okay, let’s try this. I did a lot of YouTube previewing and comment reading to emotionally prepare. One viewer warned, ‘I was in a good, stable place going into the show, coming out of it, not so much.’ I knew of the three most violent, gut wrenching acts in the series and in which episodes they occurred, all I needed to do was watch enough to get to know the format of the 13 tapes, the protagonist, Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), her love interest Clay Jenson (Dylan Minnette), and friend Alex (played by Parenthood alumni Miles Heizer, so we know he’s good people). I decided to take the Mad Men approach, fast forward through most, check out the characters and key scenes mentioned above and move on. I knocked the series out in an afternoon, got my zeitgeisy on and quickly exited the building.
Going further beyond these dalliances is to ignore my low-brow brand. I was raised with the words, "Sit Ubu, sit. Good dog." And to deny that is to deny my core being. Where’s the MTV soundtrack? Where are the longing looks of teen angst? Where are the smartass remarks? The Fall TV Season, that’s where. Let’s start the countdown:
Riverdale S2 premiere date: October 11, CW
Feedback: For Veronica, less French, less Audrey, less Blair, you got this, V, stand on your own. For Archie, let the writers figure that one out. And for the styling, yes and please. Continue your masterful blend of new and vintage–vintage fashions silhouettes with new details and cutaways, retro tracks with a pop twist, and oh god, the glorious colors throughout! Yes and please.
Lethal Weapon S2 premiere date: September 26, FOX
Feedback: Please continue kicking ass and having fun. Stay awesome.
Dear White People S2 premiere date: TBD, Netflix
Feedback: Give Jonelle her own episode, more Jonelle and Gabe friendship, more Jonelle and Sam friendship, more Lionel.
Peace out, beach blankets and heatwaves. Bring on the flannel shirts and fanfare.