Armchair Commentary

The Best of 2009: TV

Creating the Best TV of 2009 list caused me quite a bit of anxiety for two reasons: a) it takes time away from my main hobby (watching TV), and b) since TV watching is one of our most popular American pastimes, I  know I can expect feedback on which shows I’ve overrated/overlooked.  In order to combat this condition, which I’m dubbing RLBPAD (Ranked-List Blog Post Apprehension Disorder) I took the following pre-blogging steps:

1.       Based this list mostly on shows I just really love, but also took into account nominations from the entire Amazon Movies & TV team.

2.       Promised to reward myself with a Tudors marathon once this is all over. (Thank you, Showtime costume designers--those doublets look like they were painted on.)

Our Best TV Shows on DVD/Blu-ray of 2009 are:

1. True Blood: Season 1: Vampires are real, and they’re coming out of the coffin to fall in love with sassy waitresses from rural Louisiana. Not only is this show juicy, action-packed, and 100% on trend, but it's also known to have one of the best opening credit sequences ever.

2. Mad Men: Season 2: This dialogue in this show about New York ad men in the 1960s is so good, I’m convinced that Matthew Weiner is either taking dictation from God, or he sold his soul to the devil. (Either way, congratulations on great second season!)

3. Glee, Vol. 1: Road to Sectionals: A gang of high school misfits sing their way to some sort of awesome choir-off known as "sectionals." You know who loves this show? J. Lo! You know who else? Madonna! Who are you to resist it?

 

4. Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series: Sadly, the packaging received mixed reviews, but I still can’t resist giving one more shout out this great series, which ended with a strong season 4.5. If you can resist the lure of the cylon figurine, the individual seasons are also well worth owning.

5. Lost: Season 5: It you like an ever-evolving mythology and lots of time travel, the further travails of the Oceanic 815 survivors are definitely for you. Even after five seasons, Lost still left fans excited for the final chapter.

   6. Dollhouse: Season 1: In the world of Dollhouse, a secret company imprints attractive "actives" with the perfect personality to fulfill their clients' fantasies. While this show got off to a slow start, it turns completely addictive by the end of season 1.

7. The Tudors: Season 2: The sweet, innocent romance betwixt Henry and Anne turns sour in season 2. (What?? I really thought those crazy kids would make it work!) Don’t forget, fans of lusty history—season 3 hits the streets this week.

8. Little Dorrit: This adaption of Charles Dickens’ novel stars Matthew Macfadyen of Pride & Prejudice fame, and it won seven Emmys.

9. Burn Notice: Season 2: Each episode of this show stays so true to formula (ex-spy Michael Westen is guilted into helping a civilian in trouble, shares awesome spy tips, saves them in a creative way, credits roll) that you could set your watch by it, but darn if it isn’t one of the most entertaining things on TV.

10. Eastbound & Down: Season 1: Telling is becoming exhausting, so I think I’ll point you to some of lead character Kenny Powers' best moments. (Warning: Danny McBride and lewd behavior go together like ham and cheese, so the faint of heart should beware.)

Whew! That’s a lot of ranking and judging, and I’m only halfway through our Best of TV list. You can see the rest of our picks here. And check out our top 100 DVDs, top 100 Blu-ray discs, and many other lists at http://www.amazon.com/bestmovies2009. --Leah

Cast Interviews: “Farscape”

As fans of space opera, interstellar romance, and sassy puppets probably already know, the Farscape: The Complete Series DVD set hits the streets on November 17. Armed with a camera (and not nearly enough microphones), I chatted with series stars Claudia Black and Ben Browder, as well as creator Rockne S. O'Bannon, at Comic-Con a while back, and learned fascinating secrets about the show and the cast, including:

1.    Why D'Argo often appeared on set half naked.
2.    Which famous singer Claudia would like to portray in a biopic.
3.    Where you can hear Claudia’s “Groovy” vocal stylings. (Spoiler: You can download this track from Amazon MP3.)

--Leah

Cast Interviews: "The Prisoner" on AMC

They’re not just numbers... except to AMC. This Sunday, the highly-anticipated remake of The Prisoner debuts (see showtimes), and we were lucky enough to catch up with Village-dwellers Jamie Campbell Bower and Lennie James, as well as writer Bill Gallagher, at Comic-Con earlier this year.

For those who might be asking themselves "where have I seen these up and coming stars before?", Lennie portrayed Robert Hawkins on the TV series Jericho, and Jamie played Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and will appear as (Twi-Hard alert!) Caius in New Moon, as well as (Harry Potter alert!) Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts I & II). --Leah

PS: Want to catch up with the original '60s Prisoner? The complete series is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Childhood: What Takes You Back?

There’s something about the impending holiday season that always gives us a hankering for the TV programs and movies we loved as kids. (And with relatives of all ages about to descend, it’s certainly a good time for entertainment that everyone can enjoy without fear of “adult themes.”) Here’s a list of our some of our favorite television shows and films from our younger days:

Peanuts/It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown: 
Charlie Brown and friends demonstrate the true meaning of friendship, family, and that happiness truly is a warm puppy. Though Charles Schultz created a classic animated tale for almost every holiday, with Halloween around the corner, it's hard to resist joining Linus' annual search for the most sincere pumpkin patch and the elusive Great Pumpkin. 

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory:
Tim Burton's 2005 update of this classic is, perhaps, truer to the spirit of Roald Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but just try not singing along with the Oompa Loompas and Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka as he guides Charlie and the other golden ticket winners through his mysterious world.

Sesame Street:
“Come and play, everything's A-okay ...” No lyrics were ever more inviting. Big Bird,
Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and the other neighbors--be they puppet or human--made learning so effortless that it was like spending the afternoon playing games with a best friend from down the street.

The Smurfs:
Kermit may lament that it's not easy being green, but the Smurfs know all about true blue. Papa Smurf uses his considerable knowledge of alchemy to keep Smurfette, Brainy, Jokey, and the rest of his mushroom-residing cerulean citizens safe from the bumbling Gargamel week after week.

The NeverEnding Story:
Who didn't want a luck dragon like Falcor of their own after escaping into this magical world? Become a part of the story with bookish Bastian as he escapes from the neighborhood bullies and then follows Atreyu's journey to save Fantasia's fantastical creatures and our imaginations from the looming Nothing.

Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood:
Slipping into his iconic sweater and sneakers, Mr. Rogers promised us a beautiful day in his neighborhood. Speaking simply and directly to the viewer brought us into his living room. And no episode was complete without hopping onto the trolley and into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
As narrated by Boris Karloff, this classic Dr. Seuss tale offers none of the computer graphics or costumes of the newer Jim Carrey version, but the simple line drawings tug at the heart all the same.

The Muppet Show/The Muppets Take Manhattan:
Kermit and friends learn that taking on the Big Apple is no piece of cake, especially if you're a frog. With the help--and despite the scheming--of a plethora of '80s stars (the cameos alone make this worth repeat viewings!) the Muppets try to get their musical produced on Broadway.

Looney Tunes:
Although the best-known character from the Looney Tunes arsenal is wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny, this
classic cartoon offers something for everyone, from westerns to science fiction to slapstick comedy. Marvin the Martian, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, Wile E Coyote and the Road Runner did more than just make us laugh, they led the way for new classics like The Animaniacs spin-off and a host of movies and specials.

The Care Bears:
"Care Bears...prepare to stare!" As the call to action went out, Cheer Bear, Funshine, and Grumpy Bear, and the rest of the Care Bears combined tummy symbols--unique to each character--to form a ray of love and good cheer. With each person the colorful bears helped, they demonstrated the value of kindness and working together.

Which TV shows and movies from childhood wrap your heart with warm fuzzies? Discuss. --Jill Corddry & Leah Weathersby

(PS: Amazon’s Family Classics Event runs through Oct. 27—save up to 50% on DVDs the entire clan can enjoy.)

Our Interview with the Man in the Yellow Hat

It’s not even Halloween yet, but it’s already shaping up to be a curious holiday season. Curious George is back with a new DVD, Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas, and we caught up with George’s friend and roommate, the Man in the Yellow Hat, to find out all about the new movie, what it’s like living with a primate, and perhaps most importantly: Why yellow? Listen below, or in our Curious George Store.

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" Interviews

2009 has been a great year for foodie film & TV buffs. Top Chef Masters showed us that even great cooks can falter in the heat of competition (and that Rick Bayless would be an awesome boss). Julie & Julia celebrated the art of French cuisine. But the biggest food phenomenon may be still to come: This month, Columbia Pictures is set to release Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs the movie, starring Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, Andy Samberg, and yes, Mr. T. Check out the trailer and our red carpet interviews with Cloudy directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller below.  --Leah

Our Interview with Tim Kring

What Heroes fan wouldn’t like to get inside Tim Kring’s head? Well, we don’t have Matt Parkman’s gifts, but we do have this exclusive interview with the series creator, in which he talks about his biggest challenge as a writer on the show, what super power would he most like to have, and perhaps most importantly, what’s coming up in season 4. (You can also catch a preview of the next season for free on Amazon Video On Demand). --Leah

PS: Still a season behind? No worries. Heroes: Season 3 hits the streets on September 1.

Our New Interview with Barbie

Barbie is back with a new movie, Barbie and the Three Musketeers, and we caught up with the busy Malibu babe to talk about her BFFs, her fashion icon status, and more. Listen below, or on Amazon.com. --Leah

Star-ving with Bud Bundy and Parker Lewis

In case you’ve been wondering what ever happened to David Faustino (a.k.a. Bud Bundy) and Corin Nemec (formerly Parker Lewis) since Married... with Children and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose went off the air, one word: Star-ving. 

Faustino and Nemec were considering different reality show concepts when it hit them: if anyone was going to exploit them, they should do it themselves. And so was born the (fictionalized) Crackle.com Web series, in which former TV stars named David Faustino and Corin Nemec strive to recapture their former glory—or at least make a little cash and score some weed—through various means, including, but not limited to:

• Kidnapping Alan Thicke
• Cooking meth
• Running a porn shop
• Battling Seth Green for the Bud Bundy role in Married... with Children, the feature film
• Stealing back David’s celebrity memorabilia at gunpoint

This show is so crass, it makes Married... look like Masterpiece Theatre. But it’s not without flashes of brilliance, and Faustino and Nemec have proven that they’re willing to do anything (anything) for a laugh.

We met David and Corin at Comic-Con, where they were kind enough to share their insights on the making of the show, their thoughts on their previous work, and a tantalizing look at their future. Heads up, ladies: Faustino is still single, and you may soon have the chance to win not only his hand in marriage but also a cash prize. (Light serfdom will be required.)  --Leah

Cast Members Talk “State of Play”

Hey, fans of sophisticated political thrillers, I’d like to briefly call your attention to State of Play. The new film (based on the acclaimed BBC miniseries) presents Russell Crowe *girlish sigh* as a street-wise reporter and Ben Affleck as a congressman with a dead mistress (briefly portrayed while alive by Strangers with Candy’s Maria Thayer—we love you, Tammi Littlenut!). Let the intrigue begin.

Some prospective viewers might wonder if a two-hour movie from a major studio can compete with the Brits when it comes to complex storytelling, but the film version does a fine job of streamlining the plot, and should be found highly entertaining—even for those who can’t tell the house from the senate. Below, members of the star-studded cast comment on the project. --Leah