Everyone's favourite spring and summer cable shows are finally coming back to TV! Seriously, I love cable and all, but it's hard to handle the too-short seasons and super-long hiatus between them. The HBO and Showtime networks have released the following premiere dates - so fans, go ahead and set your PVRs to record. Too early? Maybe so, but still... United States of Tara Season 3 (Showtime) starts March 28, 2011.
Nurse Jackie Season 3 (Showtime) starts March 28, 2011.
HBO's finally confirming that True Blood Season 4 (HBO) will premiere June 26, 2011. Thank God, cuz Waiting Sucks.
The unofficial word (as in, not directly from HBO) is that the premiere date for the 8th and final season of Entourage(HBO) is July 24, 2011 and I've heard rumors that How To Make It in America (HBO) will be back for it's second season sometime in April 2011, although, according to Lake Bell (Rachel on HTMIIA), they'll be shooting in NYC for the next three months.
UPDATE: The latest, straight from Bryan Greenberg himself, is that How to Make it in America's season 2 premiere date is sometime in September, 2011.
Personal Disclaimer: I am completely obsessed with TV, but I openly favour cable over network shows, for their freedom of creativity and all-around disdain for recycled material.
If I sit and go through all the notable categories, I will literally be writing for days, so instead, I’ll just highlight on a few main categories that I have an opinion on. As per usual, I expect the Emmy’s to mimic the Globes so we’ll probably see a lot of the same winners.
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Dexter (Showtime)
Mad Men (AMC)
Lost (ABC)
The Good Wife (CBS)
True Blood (HBO)
The Outstanding Drama category is a tough one for me, and I’m thrilled that it has recognized Dexter, Mad Men and True Blood. Although I love True Blood, the Mary Anne storyline was pretty far-fetched and annoying last season, while Dexter and Mad Men kept me wanting more. (and more and more). Dexter, for its ability to keep us on edge and managing to keep such a shocking twist under-wraps until the finale, and Mad Men, for taking us into a new era for its characters, with topics like divorce and depression, and Don’s ability to somehow, still make the audience love him despite his many shortcomings. While we impatiently wait for season 5 to start, take a look what’s to come for our dear Dexter.
My pick: Dexter
Outstanding Comedy Series
30 Rock (NBC)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Glee (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
The Office (NBC)
What a great year for fresh, new, comedies! This being the year of GLEE, I can’t ignore the fact that they’re the fan favourite, even with the gimmicky shift felt after the unnecessarily long, mid-season break. But, as a diehard Nurse Jackie fan (Edie Falco, you will always and forever be my Carmela), I love the show’s ability to make serious issues absolutely hilarious, especially with Dr. Coop, who steals the show. (Peter Facinelli, yes ladies, Carlisle Cullen) How this guy ended up being THIS FUNNY, I have no idea, but I find myself looking forward to every scene he’s in. This year will, however, go to Modern Family, with a very interesting and funny portrayal of the modern-day idea of what a family is. Don’t get me wrong, I watch and love Modern Family, but it’s sad that really off-the-wall, dark comedies don’t get credit where they should. My pick: Modern Family
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston on Breaking Bad (AMC)
Michael C. Hall on Dexter (Showtime)
Kyle Chandler on Friday Night Lights (DirecTV)
Hugh Laurie on House (Fox)
Matthew Fox on Lost (ABC)
Jon Hamm on Mad Men (AMC)
I’m torn between Michael C. Hall, whom I love as dark and demented Dexter Morgan and Jon Hamm, (my favourite sinner since Tony Soprano) from Mad Men. Michael C. Hall will definitely take this one, he won the Globe, and he was phenomenal as his character has come close as he probably ever will, to feeling love and loss for (spoiler alert!) his wife, who he found brutally murdered in the season finale. My pick: Michael C. Hall
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lea Michele on Glee (FOX)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus on The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Amy Poehler on Parks And Recreation (NBC)
Tina Fey on 30 Rock (NBC)
Toni Collette on United States of Tara (Showtime)
This is getting super super long-winded so let me just highlight on a few other memorable performances this past year. Toni Collette MUST WIN for Actress in a comedy, for her role in United States of Tara. She’s amazing, able to channel various different characters switching at the drop of a hat. And she won the Globe for her role, so deservingly. My pick: Toni Collette
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Sharon Gless on Burn Notice (USA)
Rose Byrne on Damages (FX)
Archie Panjabi on The Good Wife (CBS)
Christine Baranski on The Good Wife (CBS)
Christina Hendricks on Mad Men (AMC)
Elisabeth Moss on Mad Men (AMC)
We saw a different side of Christina Hendricks’ character this past season. She had more than two dimensions, emotions which she had previously kept tightly hidden from her colleagues and lovers. We saw beneath the surface at the first generation of the feminist, but with a twist. Instead of hating men and being pro-woman, she uses what she has been given as a woman (ahem, those gorgeous curves!!!) to her advantage. I love her. And her red hair. My pick (duh): Christina Hendricks
Enough with the rambling, tune in this Sunday, August 29th to find out if any of my favourites take home a statue!
The other day, a friend asked me about what movies look good at TIFF this year, so I put together a quick breakdown of the films I want to see at this year's festival.
TRUST:
Directed by David Schwimmer (yes, Ross from Friends!), this movie is anything but the comedy we're used to seeing from him.
"A drama that examines the build-up and aftermath of a teenager's (Liana Liberato) seduction by an online sexual predator. Clive Owen and Catherine Keener are perfectly cast as the grieving parents, but relative newcomer Liberato's slow-burning self-realization and climatic breakdown is undeniably heartrending." (Tiff.net)
THE TOWN:
By now, I’m sure everyone has seen this trailer, which was shown (at least around Toronto) in theatres before Inception. By the looks of it, we’re in for another fantastic crime film set in the dark and rough city of Boston. As someone who’s obsessed with crime films, this looks captivating to say the least. And, with a cast like this one: Jon Hamm from Mad Men, Ben Affleck, and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), and, looking at Ben’s last amazing foray into Directing (Gone Baby Gone), we are sure to be left with a bitter-sweet taste of the dead-end of South Boston.
“Four best friends who moonlight as bank robbers are busy dodging the FBI, but things get complicated when their leader falls in love with a woman behind the till. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, The Town is a gritty exploration of crime and its consequences.” (Tiff.net)
IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY:
I’m a huge fan of ‘coming of age’ films, especially ones that are bizarre and awkward as hell, even though I’ve already come of age what feels like ages ago. I think I love and will always love the spirit of teen angst and confusion about growing up. Add funny-man Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) to the mix and Keir Gilchrist, (Toni Colette’s gay son on The United States of Tara) I’m definitely expecting some dark humour of sorts.
"A teenager's week in the adult psych ward brings new meaning to 'coming of age.'" (Tiff.net)
NEVER LET ME GO:
This is a must-see for me because I absolutely love Carey Mulligan in her Oscar-nominated role, An Education. Plus, the trailer for this movie looks so fascinating in that it gives you just enough to keep you wanting more, but still leaves you confused as to what’s really going on with this weird Boarding School they go to. Read my review from the premiere screening at TIFF 2010.
“Hailsham is an idyllic English boarding school, presided over by a strict but fair headmistress (Charlotte Rampling). Children are held to an imposing health regimen, have no parental contact and live in fear of leaving the school grounds. It soon becomes clear that something is not quite right at Hailsham. Young Kathy (Carey Mulligan) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) are fast friends; the former bold and confident and the latter soft-spoken and caring. They befriend Tommy (Andrew Garfield), a tormented and socially awkward boy prone to fits of anguish, and the trio hesitantly stumble their way into early adulthood under the guidance of their teachers, without ever having contact with the outside world. Now eighteen-year-olds, Kathy, Ruth and Tommy must leave Hailsham for The Cottages, a mysterious place outside the safety of their school, to learn the ominous future that awaits them. Confronted with a secret that threatens to tear their lives apart, they struggle to thwart their fate.” (Tiff.net)
BLUE VALENTINE:
No trailer for this one yet! Why so hush-hush?
“Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams turn in powerful performances in this portrait of two lovers at the beginning and end of a relationship.” (Tiff.net)
BURIED:
It’s a very common nightmare to be buried alive, and it will be very interesting to see an entire film developing literally within a box. One-man films are difficult to accomplish (remember Castaway- and even Tom Hanks had Wilson to keep him company). When conversations and interactions are one-sided and, it can be difficult to engage the audience, and with Ryan completely enclosed inside a coffin, this concept is so intriguing. Imagine being claustrophobic and having to film this! Read my review from the Maple Pictures advanced screening.
“Ryan Reynolds stars as a civilian contractor who wakes up in Iraq, buried underground with only a Blackberry and a lighter. Astonishing one-man thriller.” (Tiff.net)
The season finale of United States of Tara is on tonight, and I'm very interested to find out the root of Tara's dissociative identity disorder (DID) if they actually let us find that out in only the second season. Love the characters and Toni Collette's acting but I feel so bad for her family that I just want them to figure out what has made Tara need to cope so badly through various identities. We know now that the sisters were in foster care for sometime, although we don't know why so tonight should be a good one!
Also, big big big news for any General Hospital fans out there! Don't laugh or mock me, but I've been watching this show since I was literally in diapers and can somehow stop watching for years but pick it back up anytime. Anyway, the always gorgeous Vanessa Marcil (90210, Las Vegas, ex-girlfriend to Brian Austin Green) is set to make yet another return as the epic character Brenda Barrett sometime in mid-August. I read this on PerezHilton.com so I'm hoping this has serious validity to it because I'm already too excited to claim that I'm normal. With Sonny single right now (as in, not married to Carly like he has been four times already - got to love Soap Operas and how they make being married 6 times seem normal) and all torn up about his son being in prison, her return couldn't have come at a better time. Last time Vanessa returned to GH's Port Charles for a visit, viewership increased somewhere around 30% PLUS, James Franco is also said to be returning again for a guest-spot. It's looking to be a sweltering hot summer in Port Charles!
And, last but not least, the hit deadly drama, Dexter, won't be back for a 5th season until sometime this fall but news hit the stands today that Julia Stiles will be joining the cast for at least 10 episodes, probably as some sort of a woman-friend to our beloved Dexter. Since the earth-shattering, shocking season finale where (spoiler alert!!!!) Dexter's wife Rita was found murdered in the bathtub by John Lithgow's character, Julia will most probably develop some sort of relationship with Dexter while he copes with the aftermath of Rita's death. Way to keep us fans interested in the off-season!
Two fantastic female-first shows are forcing viewers into serious submission. We’re definitely in the post-Sex and the City revolution where the forty-something leading lady is taking over. It’s hard to believe that leading ladies like the gritty and genuine, un-botoxed Jackie and Tara, exist in the same world as The Hill’s Speidi and the gang from MTV’s Jersey Shore. Maybe people only really watch these no-brain cells necessary shows because we’re secretly laughing at them. Not going to lie but I, myself, do get quite a kick out of the Jersey Shore shenanigans. The only way to explain that phenomenon is: it’s like driving past a car crash – where you can’t help but slow down to take a peek at it while passing. Must be that same sadistic part of us that is secretly fascinated when Britney Spears shaves her head and acts crazy all around LA.
If you haven’t started watching these two shows yet, you should. Just starting off their second seasons, both are dark comic genius, with some of the most entertaining characters on cable.
Basically, what Jackie and Tara do, is offer an alternative to the ‘normalcy’ that floods TV. With the same recycled story lines, how many more family sitcoms and medical dramas can we watch without the much-needed twist offered by Jackie and Tara. They don’t just offer an escape from reality, but a brutal, in-your-face kind of reality that gets you thinking – a lot more than the Gym-Tanning-Laundry routine does, no doubt.
