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February 2008

February 29, 2008

Talking About Talking: "In Treatment"

Shifting Channels

Episode 8: Harold talks with guests Jon Brooks and Molly McCall about the new half-hour HBO drama, In Treatment, and about other recent television portrayals of psychotherapy.

Show notes:

  • In Treatment - Gabriel Byrne heads a talented cast recreating an Israeli show (Be'Tipul) about a therapist and his patients
  • Narrative Junkie - guest Jon Brooks' site about movies and television
  • "He Listens. He Cares. He Isn't Real." - a New York Times piece on audience reaction to Paul Weston, the main character of In Treatment
  • Tell Me You Love Me - Did anyone like this show? Not our guests.
  • The Sopranos - Dr. Melfi is perhaps the most well-known therapist from recent history of television, but she is certainly not universally loved.
  • Irvin Yalom -this Stanford University Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry shared his impressions of TV therapists on KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny

February 22, 2008

Is There a Detective in the House?

Shifting Channels

Episode 7: Classic detective shows, past and present. Plus, we give our differential diagnosis of House -- is the main character a doc or a dick, or both?

Show notes:

  • Magnum P.I. - Tom Selleck's career-making turn as a Ferrari-driving, shorts-wearing, Detroit-Tigers-loving houseguest / detective.
  • High Road to China - Selleck tries to keep up with the Indiana Joneses. We liked this film, but apparently it's not beloved enough to make it to DVD.
  • TV Eyes - a pretty good all-inclusive list of television detectives.
  • Matt Houston - he was rich, he solved mysteries, and the ladies loved him.
  • Remington Steele - Pierce Brosnan's career has held up a lot better than this early-80s detective show.
  • Tenspeed and Brownshoe - Jeff Goldblum and Ben Vereen starred in this short-lived Stephen J Cannell series. Truly great, if you're 12 years old.
  • Monk - Tony Shalhoub is kinda kooky, and kinda great.
  • Seven Second Delay - radio comedy show on WFMU, with Andy Breckman, creator of Monk. You can also listen to the hosts on The Sound of Young America.
  • Bones - Angel alum David Boreanaz is the best thing about this overly formulaic oddball detective duo.
  • Sleuth Channel - this cable network's web site will soon start streaming classic detective series. Fingers crossed for Hardcastle and McCormick.
  • House - we love Hugh Laurie, but we're on the fence about this repetitive and far-fetched medical mystery series.
  • A couple of favorites Harold neglected to mention: The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, Nero Wolfe, Miami Vice, The Equalizer, Sherlock Holmes, Veronica Mars.

February 15, 2008

Strike's Over

Shifting Channels

Episode 6: Nicole and Harold talk about the resolution of the Writers' Strike and the resumption of regularly scheduled programming. Plus a quick preview of Fancast, an entertainment site with some interesting streaming content.

Show notes:

  • WGA - the members of the Writers Guild are going back to work and will vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.
  • "Entertainment Industry's Future is Anyone's Guess" - a short segment from NPR's Morning Edition
  • Current TV - a younger network, trying to employ new business models.
  • Scrubs - The end is near, but we're not sure how or where it will arrive.
  • Journeyman - no more new episodes. Ever.
  • Fancast - brand new entertainment portal with a decent amount of shows available online and on demand.
  • Hallelujah - our podcast image courtesy of Kanaka Pacifica, Creative Commons, and Flickr.

February 08, 2008

Science Fiction

Shifting Channels

Episode 5: Nicole and Harold talk about sci-fi and speculative fiction shows they've enjoyed over the years.

Show notes:

  • Lost in Space - Nicole's first sci-fi crush.
  • Battlestar Galactica - the original series was one of Harold's early favorites.
  • Lost - Harold lost faith after the first season; Nicole continues to enjoy the adventure...
  • Heroes - that first season was pretty great, until the last episode.
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - Nicole was a casual fan; Harold loved the original Star Trek with Shatner and Nimoy and the gang, but never watched the spinoffs.
  • Alias - was the Rambaldi storyline enough to make this series qualify as sci-fi? Discuss.
  • Alien Nation - wasn't Mandy Patinkin in this show? Must have been the movie, not the show.
  • V - The much loved mini-series led to a weekly show, which didn't really catch on.
  • Jericho - Kyle likes it, so it must be good.
  • Firefly - a sci-fi show with absolutely no vaguely humanoid aliens.
  • The Sarah Connor Chronicles - a promising start to bringing The Terminator to the small screen.
  • Torchwood - a British sci-fi spin-off from the Doctor Who universe.
  • Upside Down and Halfway to Happy Land - a Buffy podcast

February 01, 2008

Our Favorite Sitcom

Shifting Channels

Episode 4: Nicole and Harold discuss their favorite situation comedy of the last few years, and preview some TV-related titles that just came out on DVD.

Show notes:

  • 30 Rock - What a shocker! Yes, we love Tina Fey and the whole gang.
  • Damages - the popular new F/X show is now available on disc.
  • This American Life - DVDs of the first season of Ira Glass's Showtime series are exclusively available at Borders, but you can also buy episodes on Amazon Unbox.

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