Wigging out

Thanks go to Evan, who has pointed out that in my TV review in the Listener, I said that the Shortie nurses should have purple Space 1999 wigs to go with their new uniforms, when in fact it should be purple UFO wigs. Oops, my geek credentials are totally ruined right now. Although I still think the wigs would be a good idea.

Emmy nominations always simultaneously delight and annoy. EW thinks they’ve blown it again by not recognising The Wire, only one of the best series ever made.

Another Sunday to Wednesday effort; more to come. Highlight: Flight of the Conchords on Letterman on Tuesday.

Update: Zap2it.com has details on how to get Jemaine's look.

Another update: OMG, was not expecting another murder on Shortie, but I have my suspicions as to whodunnit: Steve the orderly.

Sunday
• Top Gear (Prime) is a Winter Olympics special, featuring cars v humans and 10 Suzuki Swifts playing five-a-side hockey.
• Really looking forward to Persuasion (TV1). Sally Hawkins was really good in Fingersmith; Rupert Penry-Jones is apparently ”torso of the week” and it’s the return of Rupert Giles, in breeches. Huzzah!
• It’s CSI: Miami’s 100th episode. EW’s Michael Slezak thinks it’s a guilty pleasure; Salon’s Heather Havrilesky discusses the CSIs here.
• Artsville (TV1) features Andris Apse.

Monday
• 60 Minutes (TV3) has stories about a guy stopped with a bucketload of Ecstasy at Auckland Airport who says he was doing it to save the life of his kidnapped sister in Baghdad; politically incorrect campaigner Rick Berman, who is also known as Dr Evil; and cerebral palsy sufferer Rick Hoyt who has had a university education and who, with the help of his father, runs marathons.
• Writer, director and actor Paolo Rotondo is in the studio to discuss short film Dead Letters on Maori TV’s Iti Pounamu.
• Actor Bruce Willis, San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker and diving dogs demo on 53rd Street on Letterman.

Tuesday
• The series Who Do You Think You Are? (UKTV) is really good, although this is the first series from 2004. Tonight features British newsreader Moira Stuart.
• Damn you Outrageous Fortune (TV3), you made me cry last Tuesday! Although – yay – Pascalle’s back, plus, Munter and Kasey are at it like knives!
• Great episode of Battlestar Galactica tonight; watch the Comic Con San Diego panel with the lay-dees here.
• Actor Denis Leary and musical guests Flight of the Conchords on Letterman.

Wednesday
• Primeval finals, shame. However, there will be more. Tonight, the predator is from the future and is smarter than your average dinosaur, although sadly does not have a jet pack. Or a purple wig.
• Actor Kevin James, chef Jose Andres and musical guests White Rabbits on Letterman.

Thursday
• Stuck on You (TV3) isn’t bad.
• Morvern Callar (Rialto) is a modern classic, according to Philip in the Listener.
• Actor Don Cheadle, summer toy demonstration, musical guests Smashing Pumpkins and a Top Ten List presented by Wimbledon champion Venus Williams are on Letterman.

Friday
• So many laughs in Project Runway (TV3); they have to design for the “everyday woman” tonight. The whole, hi-larious episode is recapped here.
• In theory, Matt Damon is on Rove (TV3)
• Alan Carr carries on the great tradition of camp British TV presenters on The Friday Night Project (TV2).
• Elvis Presley’s 68 Comeback Special is on Prime.
• Fear, Stress and Anger is really dreadful, according to the Guardian’s Sam Woollaston.
• Lord of War (Sky Movies) is directed by New Zealander Andrew Niccol. There’s a brilliant opening sequence.
• Actor Robin Williams and Julie Chen, host of the CBS’ Big Brother 8, are on Letterman.

Graeme Edgeler, 15:14 Aug 12, 2007

I was pleasantly surprised by The Class yesterday - though it only lasts a season.

And don't forget that Lost Jr. heads straight into its second season this afternoon:)

And yet again, with the first series of Who do you think you are? thought good, TV One saw fit to air it at around 10am weekdays during the (I think summer) holidays...

So you all watched OF last week, huh? I stayed away in protest ... you killed Aurora boooo, hiss etc.

Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

Jackie Clark, 16:42 Aug 12, 2007

I was pleasantly surprised by The Class yesterday

Same, Graeme. Laugh out loud witty.

Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

InternationalObserver, 06:37 Aug 13, 2007

Actor Denis Leary and musical guests Flight of the Conchords on Letterman.

Looks like yet another week of re-runs - Dave must be in sunny Acapulco again.

Still, at least we get to see FOC -- since Prime bumped it for the league last time (when the original ep was meant to play).

Since Jun 2007 • 909 posts Report

Fiona Rae, 17:35 Aug 16, 2007

Hi guys, have updated for Thursday and Friday and speculated on the identity of the Shortland Street kill-ah. Also, Flight of the Conchords starting Sep 17 on Prime, also the new local sitcom Welcome to Paradise.

Point Chevalier • Since Nov 2006 • 34 posts Report

InternationalObserver, 00:51 Aug 17, 2007

Highlight: Flight of the Conchords on Letterman on Tuesday.

'Fraid not. Can you stick something sharp up the bottom of the Prime publicity dept? It's not the first time they've been found wanting ...

Fiona Rae, 09:22 Aug 17, 2007

Ah, stink. That's the info I was sent. I taped it too, but haven't had a chance to look. No point now.

Graeme Edgeler, 09:53 Aug 17, 2007

No point now.

There is always a point to watching Letterman.

Will it float?

Jeremy Andrew, 10:02 Aug 17, 2007

I taped it too

Real, genuine, old-school tape? Or that newfangled virtual tape stuff?

Hamiltron - City of the F… • Since Nov 2006 • 900 posts Report

InternationalObserver, 13:15 Aug 17, 2007

yup, I 'tape' it to my HDD recorder

__Omigod!__ That is the LAMEST part of Letterman, always sends me in to FFW ...

Bob Munro, 09:58 Aug 19, 2007

Whenever I see the The Wire mentioned I have to add my ten cents. This is one of the greatest TV series ever made in my opinion. If we are living in a golden age of American drama, surely The Wire stands there with any thing else. i think it's much better than the Sopranos. It has more breadth, characters, atmosphere and realistic truth. You can see why it is difficult to show in a regular TV format. It is not episodic and doesn't have cliff hangers or artificial peaks to end an episode. It must be murder to watch with add. breaks. But it is quite wonderful to watch in DVD format. Give yourself a weekend and settle in and watch the whole thing unfold langorously in all it's Dickinsean splendour.
But hang on you can't! Series two was broadcast on TV2 late at night, it's use of Baltimore patois does make it tricky for prime time. But at least you could get the DVD.
Series three is not even issued in Zone 4 DVD format. You cannot watch it in New Zealand unless you download it, which takes about a week it seems and you have to watch it on a computer screen. But believe me it's worth it.

Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

Graeme Edgeler, 11:03 Aug 19, 2007

Bob - season three of The Wire also aired late night on TV2 - and, unfortunately, will not be released in R4 at all...

Bob Munro, 14:52 Aug 19, 2007

Thanks Graeme. I've downloaded series three and watched it right thru on the computer. It is very fine. There was tremendous satisfaction in the final episode as it all came together. It's a tour de force.

Russell Brown, 17:35 Aug 19, 2007

And these are the people who didn't want us to have region-free DVD players either. There's a point where it starts to look like contempt.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

Bob Munro, 09:23 Aug 20, 2007

Yes Russell. It makes no sense. How much does it cost to run off a few DVDs? It's not like they're trying to keep the gene pool of quality up or anything. The Wire is a difficult series for both programmers and viewers in a regular broadcasting format but it is perfect on DVD. Once it's in the rental circuit I'm sure word would spread. Why wouldn't it become TV's Shawshank Redemption?
Anyway I see my mission in life to convert people to the Wire. Even one soul saved would be worthwhile. So please if you like any sort of detective series or police procedual type stories give The Wire a go.

Just for example, without giving anything away and the way series three is tied up is magesterial in the last episode - there is a regular part of a policeman's day that is the same through all the series, where they gather somewhere, I think it might be at the rear of the police station, and quaff a few beers at the end of a shift. The ritual is to squash the can and toss it on the roof. Right at the end of series three you see someone do this and for the first time we see where the cans land. The camera slowly pans across this nearly flat roof and there to see are thousands of cans slowly coming into view as the camera pans. In that shot is the long history of the rituals of the job, the people who have gone before and by implication those yet to come, there's also the sense that though the individuals change on both sides of the criminal fence the job goes on and tthe battle is never ending.
As well as that Solomon Burke's deep soul voice comes on singing Van Morrison's 'Fast Train'. one of the few times music is used over the top of the visuals. I don't know what the technical term is but there is a lot of music in The Wire of the gritty urban variety but it is always playing in the situation, from stereos, background radios, pumping out of the SUV's of the gangsters. It's a beautiful way to complement the audio in an authentic way and avoid the usual cliched use of music to dictate mood.
I could go on - and probably shall whenever The Wire gets mentiuoned.

Danielle, 11:05 Aug 20, 2007

I'd like to add myself to the tiny but dedicated chorus of Wire-lovers. We're at the end of season one right now, and it really is stellar in every respect. All these characters have such depth and complexity - it's incredible that I find myself supporting both sides at once. In fact, I suppose the show is really arguing that there aren't 'two sides' at all. I can't wait to see the other seasons, particularly season four, which concentrates on schools, and which by all accounts is amazing.

One of my future 'American pop culture' road trips is going to have to be a John Waters/Wire themed Baltimore journey...

Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

3410, 12:50 Aug 20, 2007

Don't forget "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993-99).

Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

Radiation by Fiona Rae

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