TV edition

So I admit to watching 3 TV series religiously. Prison Break, Lost, 24 and Studio 60. All make for compelling viewing. Prison Break is definitely one of the more exciting shows to hit the waves in the last few years, and it has enough twists to surprise even a cynic like me, who predicts plot twists with the confidence of someone who has seen everything in the book. The season ender was outstanding. Lost had a bad second season, which though still watchable lost (no pun intended) most of what made the 1st season so memorable...i.e. intrigue, suspense and interesting character development. The 3rd season though has drawn me in. Studio 60 is a bit preachy, using the goings-on behind a skit show as a soap box upon which to discuss weightier issues like censorship, politics, religion etc. But it is very well written, witty, smart and well acted. And I don't want to miss an episode.

HOUSE - I watch this show occasionally, and it amazes me. Most of the show is Dr. House diagnosing weird medical situations and explaining them to his team of young experts. And the writers, it seems, throw in every single medical term ever invented. Needless to say if you don't have an MD beside your name you will be lost for the majority of the episode. It would probably be easier to understand a Greek person trying to explain Shakespeare to a Chinese person...using ancient Gaelic. Yet people seem to enjoy it. Ask them afterwards to explain the episode and I guarantee 90% wont' have a clue what they've witnessed.
"Um, House saved the little boy?" or "They stuck a needle in the guy's thinga-majig and cured his whatcha-ma-callit?
Yet the writing is sharp, and the title character is indeed a lovable misantrope if that's at all possible. And that's all it takes - the key, I think, is making people THINK they understand, and hence making them believe they're smarter than they actually are. In the end, this is probably the best possible outcome from an hourlong drama.


peace.