Why can't every channel be premium?

Recently I was considering which TV shows are truly my favorite. I am a man who is certainly guilty of claiming that something is my "favorite" far more times than there are open positions for such an honor. But I am a man of passion and I don't feel guilty for such things. But recently I truly assessed modern telivsion and which shows have my attention. Sure, network TV has a few gems; In my opinion currently The Office, Lost, Smallville and Grey's Anatomy are television shows that are either truly funny, well written, or simply extremely captivating. But then I compared these shows with those that pervade the premium channles HBO and Showtime, and there truly is no comparison. I do not believe it is necessary for there to be graphic violence or language for a show to be good. But I do believe the censorship of network TV makes its writers feel trapped creatively. This can be seen in the sheer creativity and unique plotlines of these premium channel shows. To help you grasp the types of shows I am talking about it is important to know which shows I am considering when discussing this topic. The four shows I consider elite in the scheme of ALL current television including network, cable, and premium, all come from premium channels. They are as follows in no particular order: Entourage (HBO), Dexter (Showtime), Weeds (Showtime), Californication (Showtime). These four shows are truly the pinnacle of modern television. Entourage began as a man's Sex and the City, and it was great even at that point, but as its 5th season has concluded it has grown and developed a unique sense of plot and struggle. Californication certainly satisfies the writer's side of my life (I've referenced it in previous blogs if you're curious) but it is extremely well written, and has a sense of character development unlike anything I have ever seen save Dexter, which is in its own unique category. I can't explain what is so special about Dexter without ruining it so if you know nothing about it I simply recommend you take time to check it out. Then comes Weeds. A perfect blend of comedy and drama. Never has a show had me laugh so hard, and care so much about its characters at the same time.

But this isn't supposed to be a review of these shows, at least that's not what I had originally intended. What I am really trying to stress is the fact that these shows are given free reign over their content, allowing them to flow wherever the story takes them creatively. As a result the shows are able to span a much more wide base of plot and conflict. Sure some may be controversial but that's life. That's what these shows are trying to mirror or comment on in the first place. Our life is not censored, and neither are these four elite shows, and I think it is that simple fact that has allowed these shows to sky-rocket and propel their actors and actresses to begin dominating the Emmy's over those on network TV (See Mary Louise Parker and David Duchovny).

Entourage:

Weeds:

Californication:

Dexter:

Goodnight Delilah...

Last night, all I wanted to do was listen to some christmas music. Seeing as my car is in the shop, I was borrowing my roomate's car for the evening. Some of my friends had changed all 6 of his presets to the same Christmas station, making it extremely easy for me to fulfill my desire to play holiday tunes for the ride. However I had the unfortunate timing to be listening while Delilah was manning the booth.

I had heard of Delilah before, but never actually given her a listen. I cannot say anything has made me as annoyed as hearing her speak between songs. It almost took the joy out of Christmas for me. If you have never heard her before listen to her in the background of the stupid video below (ignore the girl trying to mouth what Delilah is saying).

I honestly have never heard someone sound as calm and relaxing as her, but this persona is so extreme it comes off as clearly fake. I have seen her in interviews and out of the booth and she is nothing like what she does on the radio. She even seems somewhat cool to hang out with in these interviews, so why the need for the AWFUL radio personality.

I guess what I really want to see is that annoying, overly verbose lady try to take some kind of leadership position in a time of crisis. Just watching someone try to do something effective using that voice would be extremely entertaining to me. O well. I strongly dislike Delilah. Bottom line.

This is all in good fun of course. But seriously, don't fucking turn her on while I'm in the car with you.

Christmas music rant... and other various and related topics...

I have a specific self-enforced rule regarding Christmas music, and the more I have shared it with friends and family, I have learned that many people feel a similar way.

The rule...

Absolutely NO Christmas music before thanksgiving.

This rule is crucial for multiple reasons. For one it ensures that the holiday season doesn't extend all the way back through November and to Halloween. Christmas is a 1 day thing. Unless you count Christmas Eve, I'll give that to you. So ok it's a two day thing. UNLESS you're into the 12 days of Christmas thing. OK thats where I draw the line. It can be 12 days... but... by this point we're already talking December 13th... we may as well make it the whole moth of December at this point. TWENTY FIVE DAYS. But Thanksgiving is so close to December 1st. Why not just let Christmas begin right after Thanksgiving?

See what I mean? It's an addicting mind game that can take over your life. There needs to be support groups for this kind of thing.

BUT, I have exhibited some level of self control, despite the fact that in my mind I have let a single day holiday extend back into the previous month... making a 24 hour event somehow become a 30 day event. BUT I mean business when I say no celebrating it before Turkey Day.When the clock strikes midnight and Thanksgiving has passed, start up those radio stations that play the tunes non stop, and let the celebrating begin. And what better way to celebrate christmas than with christmas music.

A NOTE ON CHRISTMAS MUSIC: In reality, christmas music is actually just a collection of about 20 songs, performed by countless different artists. During what other time of year can you hear artists from such different spectrums as these two below, cover the same tunes or in this case go as far as to perform them together...

If you were to take the music and put it outside of the context of Christmas it would be a completely absurd notion: Listening to 40 variations of the same song. But we do it. And most of us love it. I am no exception. I counted the minutes to midnight when I put on Dustin Kensrue's new Christmas album, titled "The Good Night is Still Everywhere" (A GREAT folk christmas CD if you're into that kind of thing. I wanted to post a link but its not on YouTube. It is on iTunes however...) and rocked out. I recommend you do the same... its good for the soul, regardless of your beliefs. Most of them are more about the season than the holiday itself. Its more marketable that way...

A TIE??!!

ESPN Feature Comment 11/17/08:

"At least with a loss you can look at what you did and improve. A tie is the worst thing in sports"

I always knew it was possible but it is such a rarity to see a tie in any professional sport. And having it happen to a team I like, itfinally put things in perspective by making me realize 2 things.

1. A tie in any sport shouldn't exist. The game is played to determine a winner and a loser.

2. NFL overtime is stupid. Not that college overtime is the answer but there is no reason a team should lose without having a chance to respond. The sudden death system has to go.