One Culture Junkie's Take on the Best TV Shows of 2011

Photos via hitflix, fanpop, tvfanatic, thedailybeast.

I’m hesitant to call this a Best-of-2011 TV list, because let's be honest, I don’t watch every show on TV. I’m picky about what I choose to watch and hardly watch half-hour sitcoms so even though I may chuckle at a passing episode of Happy Endings, I much prefer the one-hour intensity of a TV drama. So instead, let’s call this what it is: one culture junkie’s take on the best shows of 2011.

Oh, and SPOILER ALERT.

Friday Night Lights
One of the most realistic (if you pretend season 2 never happened), heartwarming, and artfully written television shows came to an end this year after five seasons of disappointingly low viewership. When Coach Taylor said his final "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose", I’m not ashamed to admit my stomach was in knots and tears were inevitably streaming. I’ve never been so emotionally attached to a cast of characters before - there will never be a family quite like them. And of course, saying goodbye to Riggins was pretty much heartbreaking.

Revenge
Officially the guilty pleasure show of 2011 and what I consider to be the best new show on network TV. A prime-time soap complete with enough secrets, betrayal and treachery to keep any soap lover content. Takes place in the Hampton’s, where elite socialites and lavish parties provide the backdrop for some very juicy scheming.

Boardwalk Empire
The last three episodes of season two were absolute, jaw-dropping, game-changers. When Angela was taken out, we knew that no one was safe and that it was a definite possibility that the main characters we came to love over the past two seasons could potentially start dropping like flies. As cringe-worthy as the penultimate episode was (incest is really having a moment right now on TV), and even though we knew a showdown of sorts was coming, nothing could prepare us for the torture of having to see Nucky actually put two bullets into the man he pretty much raised. Well, at least we still have Richard Harrow.

Breaking Bad
Hands down, the best hour on television right now, with the most satisfying season finale I’ve seen on TV, maybe ever. Plus, the plot twist in the very last scene was completely unexpected and disturbing. For four seasons, we’ve watched the once-timid, cancer-ridden chemistry teacher evolve into a ruthless criminal capable of unimaginable lows. And I can’t reference this season without at least mentioning the shocking death scene of arguably the creepiest bad guy to ever exist on television - Gustavo Fring, who literally got his face blown off à la Walking Dead.

Halloween Mask for Boardwalk Empire's Richard Harrow

vulture.com

Richard Harrow (John Huston) is arguably the best character on TV right now and it looks like the writers at Boardwalk Empire have finally clued in because he's been getting a lot more screen time lately. Now it looks like he's getting his own Halloween costume (even if it is a DIY one) which basically means he's made it. I'm seriously considering doing a last minute switcheroo so I can be Richard Harrow this Halloween. 

Just the like Dexter Ben & Jerry's ice cream and the True Blood sunscreen, this is from illustrator Jon Defreest, designed especially for Vulture. Download your own full-size Richard Harrow masks here and here.

HBO Recreates Vintage Subway for Boardwalk Empire Season 2

gothamist.com

Well, HBO has done it again! Their marketing efforts know no bounds, that's for sure. This time, to promote Boardwalk Empire's season 2 premiere this fall (September 25th), they are completely transforming the New York City subway system! Taking it old school - like really, really old school, HBO is bringing in vintage trains completely decked out Boardwalk Empire-style, so New Yorkers can travel like Nucky Thompson. Buzz marketing at its best.

gothamist.com

More details from gothamist: 

Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.

This is SO cool and in the words of Liz Lemon, I want to go to there.

Latest on HBO's Boardwalk Empire & How to Make It in America

Going out to all the HBO fans and addicts (like yours truly!), here's the latest update on the TV shows we are so desperately waiting for.

In case you haven't seen this yet, here's what we can look forward to for the highly anticipated second season of Boardwalk Empire, premiering in September. Looks like Nucky's in for some competition from surrogate son, Jimmy. Although all I'm hoping for is some more screen time for the intriguing and always-captivating, Richard Harrow (Jack Huston).



Plus, season 2 of How to Make It in America gets a second chance to wow us in October. (October 2nd is what I've read.) I think when this one came out last year, we all thought it'd be like 'the new Entourage', but it's a different show and I'm willing to give it another shot to really give me more than just the stellar cast and breathtaking New York scenery.



Speaking of Entourage, it's a bittersweet ending to a ground-breaking television bro-mance that will be missed. Whatever, it's not like I'm shedding too many tears since Entourage will live on in syndication and get extensive replays in my personal DVD collection, that's for sure. The final season, only 8 episodes, starts this Sunday (July 24th) and things are definitely up in the air. Vince's career, Ari's marriage and it looks like Sloan sent back E's engagement ring.

Two-Face Richard Harrow, 2010's Best Television Character

After only one season, Boardwalk Empire has already become a fan-favourite, flaunting its gorgeous, intricate set designs, period costumes and colourfully conflicted characters. It ran the risk of becoming just another mob drama (not that I'm complaining) but halfway through the season, we were introduced to a mysterious man donning a tin mask to cover up his half-blown-off, face-disfigurement from the war. Just watch Richard Harrow's (Jack Huston) mannerisms, with quiet, abrupt speech, slurping every couple of words due to the fact that he's, well, missing half his face. It's mesmerizing.

Skillfully portrayed by Jack Huston, who's pretty much Hollywood royalty (his grandfather was John Huston the director, and his aunt is Anjelica Huston). If you kind-of, sort-of, recognize him, it's because he was in Eclipse, so no point in hiding the fact that you saw it now. Even with his small, bit-part as Rosalie's fiancé, and rapist in that movie, he made quite an impression. Atlantic City Mob Boss in the making? We can only hope.

In December the people over at HBO announced that Huston would be a series regular on Boardwalk Empire next season, after making a serious impact in just five episodes. I guess we ain't seen nothin' yet.

'I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world' - Baz Luhrmann takes on The Great Gatsby!

Profilekiss.com

It's official! Carey Mulligan has signed on to play spoiled little rich girl Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann's rendition of the classic American novel, The Great Gatsby. Since the rumors started, I've been hoping they'd pick her for this role, craving to see more of her since her phenomenal performances in An Education and Never Let Me Go.

Now before you start recalling the torture of reading this book in high school, let me add that the role of Jay Gatsby is being filled by Leo Dicaprio. Swoon. And Nick Carraway (although who really cares after you have Leo) will be played by Tobey Maguire. Although it may have been a bit much to grasp in high school, this novel had all the elements of a great drama: love, betrayal, jealousy, misconception... Ok, now it sounds more like an everyday episode of General Hospital.

Perfect timing for this film adaptation, with Boardwalk Empire getting us all warm and fuzzy over the 1920s and prohibition era (as some of you may already know, Gatsby is a bootlegger!). The clothes, the music, all of it is so intriguing and addictive to watch, to be completely drawn into. Plus, Baz Luhrmann (with the exception of the torturous mistake that was Australia) is a genius, having made two of my favorite movies, Moulin Rouge, and the only rendition of Romeo + Juliet that I can actually sit through. He's already proven to be capable of staying true to the themes of classic literature, but we'll definitely be in for some of his signature flash and pizazz. And of course his great taste in music - both Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge have two of the best soundtracks of any film.

Boardwalk Empire: 1920's Never Looked So Good

I love a good period-piece, getting a glimpse into a time and life I never got a chance to live through. Add Martin Scorsese to the background, and Steve Buscemi (best known for playing Mr.Pink in Reservoir Dogs and Tony B. on The Sopranos), and HBO’s definitely got a hit on their hands.

Buscemi plays this larger than life, high-rolling gangster. He’s a Government man and seems to have the public convinced he’s one of the good guys, although he’s got his hands in just about everything illegal in Atlantic City, from prostitution to gambling and of course, bootlegging. He’s the perfect anti-hero, a crooked wiseguy with a soft heart. And we see that sensitivity when he has a woman’s abusive husband killed. He’s obviously got a thing for her, which I’m sure will come up later.

The setting is perfect: The roaring 20s with Prohibition, post-war damage to the returning soldiers, and Womens' rights just starting to develop.  At a time when it was illegal to sell and consume alcohol. Talk about the golden age for gangsters. If there’s a demand for something and there’s no supply (because it’s outlawed in some way), it’s the perfect opportunity for gangsters to come in and do their thing. After all, that's the American Dream.
  
And with Scorsese’s deliberately tight, 'in your face' camera shots and freeze frames, you feel like you’re right there with them, experiencing it all.