TV roundup and WIRESPOTTING special

It’s the new “Fall” season and I’ve been sampling some of the new shows and the new seasons of old favourites. I really do value tips regarding what’s out there, so if you’re onto something you think I might enjoy, please do drop me note!

Also included in this blog is WIRESPOTTING in celebration of a large number of ex-The Wire actors getting work.

Season 4: It’s always sunny in Philadelphia

More madness from the four friends (and Danny Devito) who run a failing Irish bar. Looks to continue in the same rapid fire, absurd and occasionally offensive fashion. If in doubt, grab these episode to check it out, but have patience as it is a grower: 3.1 The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby or 2.3 Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare.

Season 1: True Blood

Steamy!! It’s all about sex this one, but what fun. Our heroine, post Buffy telepath, Sookie is romancing with sullen Bill the “Only Vampire in the Village”. Deaths and murders in the small Southern town continue to test Sookie’s faith in Bill, whilst (bizarrely, Aussie ex-Home and Away star) Jason, Sookie’s brother keeps having BDSM-style sex with women who end up dead. It’s picking up a little speed now after an underwhelming pilot. Love the True Blood titles, by the excellent Digital Kitchen who also created the classic Six Feet Under titles.

WIRESPOTTING: Weary union man Frank Sobotka reappears as weary cop Andy Bellefleur!

Season 1: Fringe

This show looks promising, and JJ Abrahms has stated that it shouldn’t be quite as frustrating and fickle as Lost or Alias. Cute, crap actor Joshua Jackson (Pacey from Dawson’s Creek) is the genius playboy son of a mad scientist. He and his father (actor John Noble who adds refreshing comedy senility) are recruited to aid a (rather serious) female FBI agent to solve cases on the “Fringe” of science. It’s very X Files, and I mean, very X Files but this isn’t a bad thing. Does anyone remember 2005’s speedily cancelled Threshold, same pretext although less about aliens being the baddies and more likely some sinister company. It is however rather good. They don’t spare the blood and guts and seem to knowingly bandy around the silliest pseudoscience which is a good laugh. Lets hope that they don’t go too far seeking The Truth as the X Files did. Monster of the week is good enough!

WIRESPOTTING: “Black Skeletor” – Lt Cedric Daniels reprises the suited boss role as Agent Phillip Broyles! Same Same!

Season 4: Prison Break

That wikipedia link kindly explains

This article is about a television series. For the act of escaping prison, see prison escape.

Back in the USA, our survivors are now a sort of super investigative group seeking some more bogus technology belonging to The Company called Scylla. Mildly more engaging than Season 3 (which, WIRESPOTTING! contained “Bunny” Colvin as top-con Lechero!) . Ex-FBI agent Alexander Mahone (actor William Fitchner) has become my favourite. Nice to see him brefly in The Dark Knight as “Bank Manager“, Oh come on, he’s great, someone give that man some more roles!

Season 4: Entourage

More throwaway silliness from Vincent Chase, his friends, and the inimitable Ari Gold. Vince is reduced to Sweet Sixteen party appearances whilst E is finding his Indie script may just be the next blockbuster, but without Vince.

Season 3: Heroes

Anyone who hasn’t moved on from the dogs dinner of Season 2 will be following the new season wondering if they can put things right in season 3. I’m not convinced that it will happen that easily. Angry-future-Peter keeps skulking around (he needs to die, him and that rubbish scar included as a device so we don’t get confused which Peter he is), Mohinder Suresh has become Jeff Goldblum in The Fly, and the most unlikely, Sylar apparently reinvented as a good guy overnight. Nikki/Jessica’s actress has been written back in after her character’s death last season as a clone. What? A clone? Is this the best you could come up with? It seems Heroes can do whatever it likes (like Lost) and no-one questions it, or expects it to make any sense. Ah well, Clare is still cool, and we saw a glimpse of her in the future looking all cat suity and bad ass. This season is airing both in the US and on BBC iPlayer.

WIRESPOTTING Hardened criminal Marlo Stanfield reappears as hardened criminal with added super powers, Benjamin ‘Knox’ Washington!