Posts tagged television
Television 1: Silverscreen 0
Apr 3rd
I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but here goes… Hollywood (and the silver screen) is getting pummelled into oblivion by television. That’s right, I said it — TV is besting Hollywood. And although the spectre of reality TV still poisons the pudding, television is riding a wave of intelligent, provocative programming while Hollywood is fading fast.
I can tell you, in a single word, why this is happening — books. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen of the Dark Hayride, the reason television is besting Hollywood is because of its source material.
Email PostAmerican Horror Story: Asylum review
Jan 30th
It’s over. Season two of American Horror Story completed last week. And now, American television is left with a vast cavern of a whole. How is that? When there is so much quality programming on at the moment, how is is possible a single show could leave behind such a gaping abyss?
It was that good.
My Top “Stuff” for 2012
Dec 26th
Don’t deny it, you were waiting for a post of this design. The thrill of knowing just what Jack… okay, I can’t continue the thread of that thought with a serious face. 
But what I can do is share with you my top “stuff” for 2012. This can cover music, movies, books, moments… whatever I consider “stuff”.
And so, without further fanfare, let’s to the stuff!
Is television jumping it’s own shark?
Nov 14th
Welcome back to the Jackverse, where the power is always on and the soda pop is free flowing! Today’s topic might well be near and dear to you all — television! That’s right TV’s TV! And here in the Jackverse, there’s a theory building up that television itself has jumped the shark.
For those that don’t understand the phrase “jumping the shark”, let me explain. There once was a show called “Happy Days” that enjoyed quite a long, successful run. It wasn’t until the show aired an episode of it’s main character (Fonzy) jumping a nest of sharks on water skies. After that episode it all went to Hell. The show officially tanked and shortly after it was done. Hence the term “Jumping the shark”.
Clive Barker bringing Hellraiser and Nightbreed to TV
Aug 8th
When I first read the news, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Let me lay this Prada bag of gory glory down on you so you can raise your hands and your voice in celebration:
Clive Barker is attempting to bring both Hellraiser and Nightbreed to life in the form of two fabulous television series.
Now, how does that feel? In the immortal words of Larry David… “Pretty…pretty…pretty…good!” Let’s examine the possibilities.
TV One Season Wonders
Jul 27th
With Hollywood unable to create anything but reboots, sequels, prequels, and crap, many are turning back to good ol’ TV. But some tune in to find their favorite show gone! What gives? You ask “Why in the frak did Hollywood cancel that show while all this dreck is still inducing people to go slack jaw in front of their telly’s for hours on end?
Well, I frequently ask that same question, only this time I’ve come up with ten really good shows TV said goodbye to too soon. Let’s take a look.
My take on True Blood thus far
Jul 6th
Ah True Blood — that show that takes the smexy to eleven and the plot lines to the moon and back. It’s obsessive-level fans drool and bleed for each and every episode and it is undeniably one of the hottest shows on the ol’ tellebubbly. But what is my take on this season? We’re four episodes into the season now and things are on a tanning bed fire ride straight to Hell. Let me offer up my feelings on how True Blood, season five is shaping up.
Fear not, no spoilers are included.
The Walking Dead: The question of humanity
Mar 7th
The Walking Dead has brought some serious street cred to the zombie. And it’s about damn time! The Vampire has had his sparkly time in the spotlight. So move over Count Abula and let some moaners and walkers have their fifteen minutes (but let’s give them a bit more than that, as it takes them a bit longer to get around). With the viewing of the latest episode, I want to address something that has come up. As per usual, I will not give away spoilers.
The Horror of it all: New “Seasons”, new frights
Feb 15th
This last week was a banner week for horror and television. How you ask? Well, one brand new show smacked us upside the sexy face and one familiar fright came shambling back to the screen. Those shows: The River and The Walking Dead.
Fabulous Friday: Larry Blamire and his movies
Dec 16th
I think I’ve made it fairly clear, I’m a fan of B Movies. Love ‘em. You can learn so much from them. In fact, I did a recent post to that effect (see “10 Things I learned from B Horror“). One of the most wonderful B Movie arteurs to hit the scene in recent years is Larry Blamire. Mr. Blamire has done something so incredibly fabulous, he deserves today’s spot on Fabulous Friday.
Humpday Horror: Christmas horror movies to get you through the holidays
Dec 14th
Let’s face it, the holidays can be a nightmare! All that good cheer, the family, the prezzies, the snow… the pressure! So what’s a horror fan to do? I know, watch some holiday-themed horror films! That’s right, holiday horror! So I thought I would list out some of my favorite (and mostly cheese-tastic) horror films to help you make it through this holiday season. I’ll warn you, Santa might be prone to shouting “MU HA HA” instead of “HO HO HO”!
Humpday Horror: Hollywood-induced beauty
Nov 9th
Oh Hollywood, you vile temptress you. How you taunt the planet with your idea of what beauty is. You toss caution and logic to the wind in lieu of an image of beauty no mortal could ever achieve. You force your children to spend the vast majority of their days in the gym and with trainers instead of honing their craft. And why? Because you think that’s what the public wants to see. That is a travesty to beauty.
Humpday Horror: Travesty Vision
Nov 2nd
Just what does that title mean? It’s a secret. Okay, not really. Today’s Humday Horror is about television — specifically what gets canned vs. what remains. The trash that lasts vs the gems that die. It’s about the thinking man’s loss vs. the simpleton’s gain. Could I be more cryptic? Hell yes I can! Let’s get busy!
Review: The Walking Dead Season 2:1
Oct 18th
When last we met our intrepid crew from The Walking Dead they were leaping from an exploding CDC. But more than that — the show itself was starting to slowly descend into too much feel-good family fluff about sisters and dolphin necklaces and too much concern for everything BUT the namesake of the series — the undead. With the ninty minute opening episode of season two all of that changed and the zombie horde came out in force.
Review: American Horror Story episode two
Oct 15th
Horror, true horror is such a rarity these days. Decent horror on a television series is even more rare. True, frightening horror on the television is completely unheard of (unless you count the train wreck called reality TV — to me that is just beyond horror!) That is why I am so hesitant to really fall in love with American Horror Story on FX now. Why? Because it is quite good and, at times, quite frightening. Episode two went far to prove this to me.
Dexter: The big tease
Oct 10th
The season opener of Dexter set up and promised a lot for us fans of horror and all things creepy. A new religio-fanatic killer on the loose intent on spreading some kind of twisted message, Dexter picking up the pace on the kills, a little bit of emotional chaos here and there. Last night’s episode was more an exercise in “Remember what we promised you last week? Well, let us remind you of it.”
American Horror Story: Creeptastic fears too much for the average public viewer
Oct 7th
It finally arrived — a horror series worthy of the genre “horror”. It’s been a long time since I could say a television horror series had serious potential. American Horror Story is just that — full of potential. But the horrors this show brings might well be too much for the average public viewer.
Dexter: A serial killer searching for faith
Oct 3rd
The latest season of Dexter fired itself up last night and I thought it fitting, since we are now officially in the haunting season, to start my Halloween Haunts reviews with episode one of Dexter, season six.
True Blood thus far (aka: TV for the ADHD)
Jul 6th
I’m a fan…I must confess…just like millions of others. My wife and I tune into True Blood loyally, every Sunday night to watch the next installment and hope like hell we get to hear Bill say “sooookie” yet one more time. For us, this show has been a bit of a mystery. At first we simply couldn’t watch it…that first episode is much like the books, a bit hard to swallow until you acquire a taste for the…well, I’m not really sure. But this season is far removed from that first season. Only two episodes into the season and the only thing I can seem to say is WOW!
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