The current marathon of Doctor Who that Erin and I have been going through with various levels of intensity is almost over, as we've switched from Netflix to DVR to watch the episodes from the fall. After going through six series, plus the tenth doctor specials, plus a couple episodes from the current one, I have to say I've enjoyed the show. My favorite overall was probably the fourth series, and I like David Tennant the best of the three doctors. That isn't to say I've not enjoyed the adventures of Amy, Rory, and the Doctor, but I think the Tennant era was just a bit better. I also liked the first series with the ninth doctor a lot as well, even with Rose, who I am not a fan of for the most part. All in all, I'll be sad to finish up the current episodes, as that will leave yet another show to anticipate coming back.
The past couple of nights I finally gave in and started Portlandia on Netflix. There are only sixteen episodes and one special on Netflix, so this will be a pretty short marathon, considering I've already gone through eleven of them so far. I've enjoyed it so far. It's not exactly rip roaring funny, but it's a fun show. My favorite episode so far is the one involving a Battlestar Galactica marathon taking over the life of a couple characters in the show. Not only is it a pretty funny episode that includes guest spots by a couple of the actors from the show (and Ron Moore), I can relate to it because I believe I downed the entire series in about a two week span. Basically, if I wasn't working or sleeping I was watching BSG. Fortunately, I did not lose my job nor convince someone also named Ronald Moore to write another episode of the show.
I'm still working through Saturday Night Live on Netflix as well, having reached the 1988-1989 season. Mike Myers made his first appearance a few episodes before where I am now. I know that the rights and financial issues are too prohibitive, but I wish they'd add complete episodes beyond the first five seasons. Some of the best sketches are being left out because of this, and it just bugs my completist side. Still, it's a good thing to put on while I'm working, cleaning, or making dinner.
After I wrap up Doctor Who and Portlandia, I'm not sure what I might do from there. I have some other shows that have been sitting in my queue for a while, so it might be a good time to check them out. Of course, there are also a lot of movies I have queued up as well, both streaming and on disc, so perhaps I'll switch gears for a while. I guess we'll find out next week.
Showing posts with label Saturday Night Live. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saturday Night Live. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Saturday, September 8, 2012
TV Week: Posted, from Ridge Farm, It's Saturday Morning!
Note: I'm aware that this was posted almost four hours after midnight on Saturday, and that I didn't get a TV Week post done on Friday. This one counts as the Friday post because a) I've yet to go to sleep, so it is still Friday night to me and b) I turned my imaginary clock back to before midnight, all Illinois General Assembly style. Besides, as this is about SNL, it seems appropriate I post on Saturday.
Ask anyone which years of SNL were there favorite and you are likely to get many different answers. If they were born before 1964, it almost assuredly will be the "classic" edition (1975-1980). If they were born after 1964, then it will almost assuredly be the years that fall between when they were 11 and 17. It doesn't matter if that six season blocks includes 1980-1981, 1985-1986, or 1994-1995*. You'll stick up for the years you watched in that age group. As such, I have a soft spot for both the Farley/Sandler/Spade/Schneider years, as well as the beginning of the Ferrell/Morgan/Shannon years. However, for people a few years older than me it would be Lovitz/Hartman/Carvey**, and a few years older than them it would be Murphy and Piscopo. I would guess those who just became legal drinkers fondly remember the Poehler and Myers, as kids just going into high school are sad that Forte, Samberg, and Wiig are no longer on the show.
Anyway, the point of this isn't to discuss which is the best, but to state that I've begun availing myself of the SNL episode runs on Netflix streaming. I actually had started several months ago, but only made it through the first season. After letting it sit in my queue for months, I decided to start back up, with the goal of going through every one up to the most recent in the list.
Unfortunately (of fortunately, depending on the season), only the first five are uncut. From season six on the episodes are edited and cut, most likely removing any sketches and musical acts that would create rights issues. Some episodes appear fairly intact, others are cut to the bone (I saw one latter day episode cut to 17 freaking minutes). On the plus side this will let me get through them quicker. On the minus side, however, I'll miss out on the complete experience, whether good or bad.
Don't worry, I won't be blogging every episode, because that would be far too much. But I might pop in here and there to write about it, particularly as I reach the end of the various cast runs. Expect opinions on whether the "Classic" episodes hold up***, the notorious troubled seasons, and much more.
So stay tuned, and remember in a different timeline I could be talking about thirty-eight seasons of Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell/Dan Dierdorf****
* The usual consensus for the three worst seasons, at least from the 20th century
** Truth be told, this is my favorite group, particularly 1987-1990. I caught the tail end of them, but enjoyed their reruns the most when they aired SNL sixteen hours a day on Comedy Central during college. However, my heart is still with those slightly later groups. My favorite season from that run is actually probably 1995-96, which had a few holdovers from the previous group (Spade, Macdonald, and Meadows) while introducing Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, and Cheri OTeri.
***One season and four episodes in it's been good, but not earth shattering. I didn't expect it to be, considering how what was totally brand new in 1975 is now the bedrock for most of my favorite comedy, and thus rather commonplace. The Muppets kind of suck, though. I think they might deserve their own post at some point, possibly quite soon.
****Of course, in our timeline this show was gone after a season or so, and NBC's Saturday Night was able to add "Live" to its title, giving us our beloved SNL. Since Howard Cosell would probably be dead or retired by now in that alternate timeline, I imagined Dan Dierdorf would take over for him. No basis of fact, I just thought it was funny. It's almost 4AM....why?
Ask anyone which years of SNL were there favorite and you are likely to get many different answers. If they were born before 1964, it almost assuredly will be the "classic" edition (1975-1980). If they were born after 1964, then it will almost assuredly be the years that fall between when they were 11 and 17. It doesn't matter if that six season blocks includes 1980-1981, 1985-1986, or 1994-1995*. You'll stick up for the years you watched in that age group. As such, I have a soft spot for both the Farley/Sandler/Spade/Schneider years, as well as the beginning of the Ferrell/Morgan/Shannon years. However, for people a few years older than me it would be Lovitz/Hartman/Carvey**, and a few years older than them it would be Murphy and Piscopo. I would guess those who just became legal drinkers fondly remember the Poehler and Myers, as kids just going into high school are sad that Forte, Samberg, and Wiig are no longer on the show.
Anyway, the point of this isn't to discuss which is the best, but to state that I've begun availing myself of the SNL episode runs on Netflix streaming. I actually had started several months ago, but only made it through the first season. After letting it sit in my queue for months, I decided to start back up, with the goal of going through every one up to the most recent in the list.
Unfortunately (of fortunately, depending on the season), only the first five are uncut. From season six on the episodes are edited and cut, most likely removing any sketches and musical acts that would create rights issues. Some episodes appear fairly intact, others are cut to the bone (I saw one latter day episode cut to 17 freaking minutes). On the plus side this will let me get through them quicker. On the minus side, however, I'll miss out on the complete experience, whether good or bad.
Don't worry, I won't be blogging every episode, because that would be far too much. But I might pop in here and there to write about it, particularly as I reach the end of the various cast runs. Expect opinions on whether the "Classic" episodes hold up***, the notorious troubled seasons, and much more.
So stay tuned, and remember in a different timeline I could be talking about thirty-eight seasons of Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell/Dan Dierdorf****
* The usual consensus for the three worst seasons, at least from the 20th century
** Truth be told, this is my favorite group, particularly 1987-1990. I caught the tail end of them, but enjoyed their reruns the most when they aired SNL sixteen hours a day on Comedy Central during college. However, my heart is still with those slightly later groups. My favorite season from that run is actually probably 1995-96, which had a few holdovers from the previous group (Spade, Macdonald, and Meadows) while introducing Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, and Cheri OTeri.
***One season and four episodes in it's been good, but not earth shattering. I didn't expect it to be, considering how what was totally brand new in 1975 is now the bedrock for most of my favorite comedy, and thus rather commonplace. The Muppets kind of suck, though. I think they might deserve their own post at some point, possibly quite soon.
****Of course, in our timeline this show was gone after a season or so, and NBC's Saturday Night was able to add "Live" to its title, giving us our beloved SNL. Since Howard Cosell would probably be dead or retired by now in that alternate timeline, I imagined Dan Dierdorf would take over for him. No basis of fact, I just thought it was funny. It's almost 4AM....why?
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