Question:
First let me say I'm an unabashed Sopranos fan, and I love that the series takes its own sweet time as the storyline unfolds slowly over the 13 episodes. But what was the deal with the April 18 episode taking the subplot almost verbatim from an episode a few years ago? An outside acquaintance (Tim Daly/Robert Patrick) gets drawn into the high-stakes card game and gets taken for more than he can possibly repay. Christopher/Tony assumes the debt, and when it can't be satisfied, they rough the poor guy up and take almost everything the guy owns. The final kicker being taking possession of the guy's car. I love the show, but feel the series is way too young to recycle plot lines already! — Tim D.
Matt:
You have a point, but I felt the circumstances were different enough — Robert Patrick lived in the community, the father of a friend of Meadow's; whereas Tim Daly was a Hollywood burnout and rehab buddy of Christopher's — that I didn't mind much. The Sopranos is so unlike a
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Question:
I just wanted to say bravo to 24! At first, when I saw that Kim was getting involved, I was very scared considering her stupid past, but the writers came up with a very intelligent, suspenseful storyline. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire sting operation. Overall, I thought the episode was exceptional. What did you think of Kim's latest exploits? — Tom B.
Matt:
Having been among those who said at the time that they killed the wrong Bauer at the end of the first season, I'll admit I was impressed — especially by the way Kim stood up to her father to remind him she wasn't a charity case and she had to do her duty. But I don't think I was caught up in the suspense as much as in the fear that she would be kidnapped, and that we'd have to go through all of that nonsense again. Thankfully, they went another way. And I can't wait until the next episode.
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Question:
I have been as big a fan as any of 24 this season, and the show has delivered all season long so far, but having just finished watching the April 18 episode, I have to say that I think I might finally be let down by the show. There's always been a line between strong and meaningful plot twists and excessively unnecessary plot twists. I'm still in shock at the execution of Ryan Chappelle on 24 this past episode, and what's more, I'm still not sure how exactly I feel about it. Was it going too far? Was it more for shock value than a necessary plot event? Part of me wants to rank it with the helicopter blade severing a certain doctor's arm on ER earlier this season. You take a character like Chappelle, who is pretty much an insensitive jerk throughout the entire season, and suddenly put him in a position where the audience has no choice but to develop a sympathetic connection to him. He admits he has no family to speak of and no real friends, and the entire scene just
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Question:
I loved those reality miniseries PBS has made in the past few years, especially Manor House. These shows were a cut above most of the other reality programs, as well as incredibly interesting. Do you know if there are any plans for any more "historical" reality TV? — Rebecca
Matt:
You're in luck. The multipart Colonial House will begin airing on PBS on May 17. And I agree. This takes the reality concept of real people taking on extraordinary challenges to a much higher level.
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Question:
I've stuck with The Practice for many seasons now, continued to watch during the upheaval and was glad they brought it back after the firings. I think James Spader should be nominated for an Emmy and we're seeing more depth added to his character each week. I even planned on continuing with the new show and kind of like the addition of Rebecca De Mornay as the Lara Flynn Boyle replacement. But William Shatner may single-handedly cause me to quit. I honestly can't think back to any other character on any other show that has annoyed me more than this Denny Crane. It would be one thing if he was the least bit "David E. Kelley-quirky," but I'm at the point where I'd rather watch a show centered on the Sharon Stone character than this. From the repetition of his name to the blank stares, this character has to go for me to stay with the show. What's your take and have you heard from anyone else on this topic? — Adam
Matt:
I've heard pros and cons but none quite so passionate
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Question:
As a fan of the Law & Order franchise (my heart belongs to Special Victims Unit), I have been dismayed by the recent spate of episodes touted as having been "ripped from the headlines." I don't think occasionally drawing from reality is terrible. However, I don't look to these shows to rehash the nightly news — I watch to see things I couldn't have read about anywhere else. A recent "ripped" SVU episode followed a millionaire pedophile who was effeminate and lived in a toy-stocked mansion that had a fantasy atmosphere. Yes, I got it. I was also bored to tears by it. Why can't they stick to creating compelling original story lines, and leave the news to Dan Rather? Can you tell me if this is a ratings ploy, and if so, does it work? — Nancy D.
Matt:
Well, Law & Order and its offshoots have been using the "ripped from the headlines" promo strategy for years, and it's worked pretty well so far. But I agree with you that, first, that Jacko-inspired episode was probably the
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Question:
I understand that Bobby (Dylan McDermott) of The Practice is coming back next month, but wasn't he supposed to come back at the beginning of the season to explain why he, Lindsay, Rebecca and Helen left? That didn't happen — why? As a fan of The Practice, I hate that half of the staff is gone. I hate that they left with no reason. I understand why Bobby and Lindsay left, but why did Helen and Rebecca leave? We finally got a reason why the receptionist left, but I feel let down by David E. Kelley and ABC. I also hate that they are using so many of the last few episodes of The Practice to develop the spinoff. I like the concept of a serious Ally McBeal-type of show, but I love The Practice. I want the final episodes to be about the people in Young, Frutt and Berluti. — R.N.
Matt:
It will always be a puzzlement why we didn't get a bit more exposition at the start of this season about why so many regular characters had disappeared and where they'd gone to. And I've never
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Question:
I love Alias and 24, and I am usually satisfied with saying that they are both equally entertaining and thrilling. However, after April 18, I can finally say that 24 has the upper hand. Both shows were in similar positions of possibly killing off major characters, but only 24 shocked us all by actually going through with it. The death of Chappelle (Paul Schulze) was television at its very best. On the other hand, Alias is, of late, getting kind of predictable. What are your thoughts on the unshocking survival of Sloane? — Luis C.
Matt:
First off, just let me say that Ron Rifkin's excellent understated performance as Sloane more than compensates for the show's kooky, baroque plotting. Both Alias and 24 have been favorites of mine since they premiered during the same season, and for a while, it depended on which week you asked as to which was my favorite. This season has been trickier. Alias was really hurt by losing Lena Olin, by bringing aboard the ineffectual (until
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Question:
I gave The Restaurant's season premiere a chance to see what they were gonna possibly do this season. With the big battle of owner vs. owner and the usual employee chatter that you can find in any restaurant, one thing really bothered me: Rocco's mother. She looks so completely lost that I honestly feel bad for her. I think it's cruel what they are putting her through on TV. Not just the corporate half of Rocco's but her own son, as well — not to mention NBC! Shame on everyone involved with this show, and shame on anyone who enjoys watching the confusion and fear in Rocco's mother's eyes. If she were my mother and a television producer did that to her, I'd wrap a camera around his head. And that's being nice. This show needs to go, but let me guess: It had great ratings and isn't going anywhere. Well, either way, I won't be watching again. — Anthony P.
Matt:
Several viewers wrote in with deep concern for Rocco's mother, which didn't really register with me as I watched.
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Question:
I just love The Office! I have both seasons on DVD, but I wanted to know if there was going to be a third season. I looked on the website and there isn't any information about an upcoming season. Do you know if there will be? — Melissa
Matt:
The shelf life of a British series, even one as brilliant as The Office, is often much shorter than in the U.S. — although this season, an offbeat new show would have to be considered lucky to last 12 episodes, which is as many episodes of The Office as there are or are going to be. Ricky Gervais & Co. filmed a Christmas special last year, which I'm assuming BBC America will show us next season and which will eventually show up on DVD. But beyond that, the show is over. They didn't want to risk diminishing the show by carrying on too long, and the end of the second season does seem like a perfect place to stop telling this bleakly funny story. But sometimes I wish there were a middle ground between British series calling it quits so
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