Tell Me What You Don't Like About Yourself

This is the recurring phrase from, in my opinion, the best show on television right now, "Nip/Tuck". Lately I have been wondering about T.V., why it has gone down the entertainment crapper and then I discovered FX's shows. There big ones are "Nip/Tuck", "Rescue Me", and "The Shield". I'm not big on "The Shield", but "Rescue Me" and "Nip/Tuck" are creating a little revival of T.V. for me. With all the fake "reality" that's dominating the coaxial lines lately I found myself watching less of the box in the past couple years; I can't stand to watch people stoop to new lows for a price tag, but that's another rant.
This past summer I stumbled upon "Rescue Me" and was hooked immediately. The writing was brilliant and the acting was fantastic. The show centers around Dennis Leary's character of Tommy who is a New York City fireman. Tommy battles with personal demons of a failed marriage, alcoholism, friend betrayal, and, like any good sibling, a relationship with his dead brother's wife. On the surface it my not seem like a good show, but until you watch a few episodes, don't be to quick to judge.
When the season of "Rescue Me" ended "Nip/Tuck took it's time slot (Tuesday's 10:00 PM EST). Mom has watched this show for a few years now and I decided it was worth a peep. Now, I cannot wait for Tuesday nights. I thought that "Rescue Me" was brilliant, well this one is on another level completely. The basis for this show is two plastic surgeons in Miami who are surrounded by a world that wants to be beautiful and with our human obsession with putting on beautiful faces to hide our ugly souls it fits right in with modern society. The writers on this show piece together a story line that even a jigsaw puzzle couldn't top. Almost every line has a meaning. Every patient's issue ties into the bigger issue in each episode that Sean and Christian, the surgeons, are dealing with.
I don't know who is writing for these shows, but maybe they can moonlight with NBC to get the "West Wing" back on track. That show has gone over the top with stupidity. That has always been NBC's problem. I used to love "ER", but it went from being a mild drama to being way past the realm of belief. NBC feels it has to go bigger with more effects and "twists" that it almost seems like they are taking ideas from the mailman at Rockefeller Plaza. I know that TV and movies are going to be a stretch of reality by nature. That's what keeps us attached, living out a fantasy that we know would never happen, but we wish it would and the characters can do it for us, but, sometimes I get to the point where I just don't buy it any more. So now the "West Wing" has gone the way of George Clooney and Anthony Edwards "ER" reruns that I watch with fond memories. Hopefully FX doesn't follow NBC's example of trying to keep people watching.
So, "tell me what you don't like about your self" and let Sean and Christian and the writers of "Nip/Tuck" make you say; "Holy shit!" every Tuesday at 10:59 PM. Then your hooked.

Urban Cowboy

I haven't written anything in a long time, and I have the feeling people don't even stop by anymore. I guess it's because nothing has really peaked my interest lately. I don't have any emotional filled rants to give. So...
Last week I went to Havelock, NC, home of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. That was so desolate and sad looking. I've gotten so used to the "big city" that small towns make me laugh. I don't know if I could take living in small town U.S.A. anymore. Although part of me wants to live in a place where my biggest problem or fear is the politics at the Mason Lodge, but part of me loves the feel of the urban. The traffic, the noise, the glass and concrete, sometimes even the anonymity of the city. I love the diverse cultures of the shops and restaurants. The choices of entertainment, the fact that there is entertainment. I'm sure as I move along in life I'll want the quiet life, but right now I'm drawn to places like Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Tampa, and even New Orleans, when it dries out and is rebuilt, better than before I'm sure. I had thought of moving to New Orleans earlier this year, I guess I'll have to wait, but I still just might make it happen. I fell in love with the Crescent City when I was there and I can't wait to go back again, even if it's only for a visit, because then the novelty doesn't wear off.