You Can Know God

Writers Strike

If this writer's strike lasts a long time, then they will probably fill up the airwaves with more crappy reality tv shows (which don't require writers...or plots, or intelligence).  So, since I may never find out how Heroes ends or see the new season of 24, I might have to go to the store and get some old shows on DVD.  I've never watched Lost, so maybe I will buy Season 1.

Which is ironic, because I understand the writers are striking mainly over shared revenues from DVD sales.

Superbowl Commercials

All of them, here.

Studio 60

Last nights Studio 60 was the best yet.  (Watch it here online for free). Of course, it has the usual great writing and great acting, especially from Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford.  A special appearance by John Goodman as a mid-western Judge was fantastic.  The paintball gun and the girl getting over a breakup were hilarious.  You will laugh out loud.  And then of course there was the dialog about gay marriage between two characters that just opens the door to discussion. I say again, if you are not watching this show, you are missing the best show on television right now.

Studio 60 Stays

After some speculation that the show was done, NBC has ordered a full season of Studio 60, one of the top 5 shows on television.  Great writing, great producing, and terrific actors.  Trust me, if you will watch this show instead of reality game show dancing celebrity crap, you'll literally become smarter.

Engaging the Culture: Studio 60

I've written before about how I like Studio 60.  I think it's one of the best and smartest shows on TV today.  It's got great acting and great writing. If you're not watching it, you're missing out.  (Watch free at NBC's website.)

Harriet is one of the characters on the show.  She's a Christian living in LA, surrounded by the world.  I love her portrayal on the show.  She's not a dumb, ditzy Christian...her character is smart and funny.  That's something new for Christians on TV.   There was an article in the Atlanta paper yesterday, and Tim Stevens was interviewed.

Aaron Sorkin, the creator of the show, based Harriet's character on the real life actor Kristen Chenoweth, whom he met while working on West Wing.  In real life, Kristen is a Christian who lived out her faith on the set of the West Wing.

So a real life TV producer meets a real life Christian and comes to respect her...her ability and her faith. When that show is over, the real life TV producer creates a character for a new show based on her life.  Now that's engaging the culture!  I love the fact that a Christian actress could influence a non-Christian producer to the point that a fictional character is created.  Whether Kristen Chenoweth meant to or not, she's directly influenced the portrayal of Christians on TV.  By engaging the culture, she's changed the dynamic a little bit. 

Dumb Survivor Experiment Over

Looks like 2 episodes of the big race experiment was enough.  CBS has merged the racially segregated  tribes.  I don't really understand.  If the point was to segregate for some grand experiement, why only devote two measly episodes to it?  Why no explanation?  What was the big outcome of this stunt?  Why give up so fast?  Perhaps because it was a dumb idea in the first place.  What did they think they were going to learn?  Anyway, I wish most of the reality shows would go away.  And I'm glad there are some smart and creative shows like Studio 60 out there.

Studio 60

Since West Wing finished up last season, and 24 doesn't start until January, I figured it would just be football this fall.  But I just watched the 2nd episode of Studio 60 at nbc.com and it's great.  A lot of the West Wing folks, combined with some other great actors, writers and Aaron Sorkin make this a great show.  And there's some interesting evangelical Christian references to boot.

Watch it online.  Hit the DVR.  Or tune in Monday nights at 10.

Television Update

It's been a pretty good season of 24, with 3 more hours left I think.  The story line has been all over the place, but it's been entertaining.  Apple announced that they will offer 24 and Prison Break on iTunes, so that's good.

One of my favorite shows has been The West Wing.  It took a little spin after season 4 but in it's day, it was some of the best writing on television.  Next week is the series finale.  Should be pretty good.  Aside from sports, those are really the only two shows I watch.  I don't really care for reality anything, American Idol or any competition shows. 

American Idol

I'm not really into it, but I watched American Idol for the first time this season.  I cannot believe how bad all of these people sounded.  Queen songs are pretty tough I'm sure, but there was not a person singing on that show that I would like to listen to.  Hopefully, they are better than they came off last night.

I can't see any of these folks selling a lot of records.  None of them look to have the talent of some of the past winners.

More People Died

Another Monday night, another excellent 24.  These last four or five episodes have quickly valulted this season into one of my favorites.  The writing is great.  The story is great. 

Tonight, two more main characters bit the dust, to go along with a big surprise last week.  I'm sure they will introduce more wild and crazy stuff as the season goes on. If you're not watching this show, you're missing out.  Get the DVD's and join the cult.