Question: I keep hearing discussions about how good TV is these days with too many quality shows for any person to watch (Mad Men, Dexter, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, and so on). But I remember the rave reviews and accolades past shows (like Hill Street Blues or St. Elsewhere, for example) got when they were initially airing. And I loved these shows when they originally aired. But recently I watched a few episodes of these programs that I found in a box of old videotapes and, well, disappointed sums up my feelings. I found the acting stiff, the pacing uneven, the writing tedious, the directing flat and the characterizations cartoonish. Neither run of episodes could hold a candle to any of the shows I watch these days. (I enjoyed the old commercials more!) People grow and tastes change, I know. But shouldn't "artistic" quality hold up longer? Are we spoiled by the supposed quality of today's television, or will I watch my Mad Men Season 1 DVDs 20 years from now and feel the same ...
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Wanna play doctor? ‘Cause a whole bunch of our TV favorites have and scored big time. On screen, of course. And seeing how I have seen way too many doctors in the last week — two friends had babies and I had a checkup all within four days — I decided that it was the perfect time to examine some of the best medical shows on DVD. So turn your head, cough and please find someone to call me in the morning!Becker — Before Ted Danson got his creep on for Damages, he was a nasty Harvard-educated House in the Bronx from ’98 to ’04 in this surprisingly tart CBS comedy. A merciful far cry from the Tiffany network’s insult-coms of the last few years, the first season is finally available and totally worth the coin. To sweeten the deal, I’ll just add that Star Trek deliciousness Terry Farrell is on deck as the diner boss who wants to both fork Dr. Jerk and do something to him that sort of sounds like fork. Got it? Good.Buy Becker on Amazon.comER — Do...
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Although Ed Begley Jr. was recently killed off Veronica Mars, in reality he's all about staying alive. A veteran character actor who came to fame — and collected six Emmy nods — as St. Elsewhere's bumbling Dr. Victor Ehrlich, Begley is also a longtime environmental activist intent on helping the planet. Unlike many of his entertainment peers who ride around in gas-guzzling SUVs and live in mansions, Begley resides in a modest solar-powered home, drives an electric car and even takes the bus.
While fans admire his dedication, they don't have to live with him. His blonde-bombshell, image-conscious actress wife, Rachelle Carson, does, however, and she often finds hersel
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Question: Hey, Matt. I just wanted to get your opinion on the series finale of Alias. I have been a faithful fan from Season 1 and have written in to your column asking about Alias all the time. However, I felt the writers wrote a rather depressing ending. I mean, Renee, Nadia, Tom, Irina and Sloane all were killed, not to mention my favorite, Jack! I thought that Jack's death was totally unnecessary and mean-spirited toward the fans who have loved him from the first season on. And Irina, what's the deal? Why did they make her so evil? I mean, she saved the world at the end of Season 4 and then turned into her evil sister, Elena! It did not sync up and felt rather like a betrayal. Yes, I understand Rambaldi "changes you," but c'mon. I mean, I was happy with Sydney and Vaughn ending up together and Dixon as director, etc. But it was the finale. Make the fans happy all around; what can it hurt? I was waiting for Isabelle to run in and say, "Grandpa Jack!"
Answer: For my own analysis (one
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Question: A long time ago there was a sitcom set in New York (I think). It involved a Jewish boy and a Catholic girl who got married. (I might have their religions reversed.) Of course, the usual problems developed. I want to say it was called Beth and Bernie. Am I right? Thanks.
Answer: Close, A.C. Actually, you're thinking of Bridget Loves Bernie, a sitcom that debuted on CBS in September 1972 in a cushy slot between All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore. David Birney (St. Elsewhere, the TV version of Serpico) play
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