RAVE
A fifth “Sopranos” season?
HBO now owns the rights to a possible fifth season of The Sopranos–an enticing prospect, and for any fan of the show, a necessary prospect as well. While the show’s third season concluded hopelessly mired in loose ends, two future installments would give the series’ writers time to properly complete the mob saga. The drawback: the show’s fourth-season debut has been reportedly pushed back until September 2002. HBO’s answer to the decision to delay production: seasons one through three will be shown in their entirety, starting this August.
One other drawback: by the time season five begins, actor Robert Iler could already be some inmate’s bitch.
RANT
Last call for “Big Brother 2“
Finally, we’d found a good reason to tune into Big Brother 2: drunken militant behavior. When banished houseguest Justin Sebik–a man who was possibly nuts to begin with–pulled a knife on a fellow contestant in a drunken stupor, it was Animal House all over again. Unfortunately, campus has gone dry: the show’s producers decided against the provision of booze to houseguests.
So many enticing moments denied. So many viewers tuning out. If producers know what’s good for them, a permanent Jack-and-Coke faucet needs to be installed pronto.
RAVE
Bravo for “thirtysomething”
Finally, one of TV’s best-written shows has returned, this time on Bravo, as original episodes of thirtysomething are now being shown weeknights at 10 p.m. EST. The show rattled around on Lifetime for a while in the mid-1990s, attaining that sought-after 1 a.m. timeslot. But now, viewers can savor the searing dialogue of the show–especially the unforgettable exchanges that took place in the series’ third and fourth seasons. A more chilling character than Miles Drentell (David Clennon) is rarely found.
RAVE
“Glick” clicks on Comedy Central
Comedian Martin Short’s latest foray into the utterly bizarre–Comedy Central’s Primetime Glick–has proven to be a better show than expected. Glick, an aging, overweight talk show host, explodes with a nervousness that’s more endearing than unsettling. When Glick interviewed basketball great John Salley on a recent show–asking, “Now, John, you don’t go to hockey games because…you’re…black?”–a freshness suddenly emerged on Comedy Central. Not vulgar–not over-the-top. Just remarkably new. And the commercial spoofs involving Tommy Lee Jones shooting up everything in sight are eerily entertaining.
RAVE
It’s not your parents’ TNN
Recently, TNN–previously The Nashville Network–changed its name to The National Network. Would the new and improved TNN prove to be, well, new and improved? Absolutely. The network is unveiling five new original series in August, ranging from daring new “road trip” reality series, celebrity interview programs, high-tech wrestling leagues and ruthless revenge challenges. And, apparently, the revamped network will be drawing more attention to itself: TNN has obtained the rights to broadcast syndicated episodes of CBS’ Emmy-nominated hit drama CSI. Nothin’ redneck about that.
RANT
Wanted: meaningful TV
You hear terms like “extramarital affair.” You see O.J.’s former “dream team” spout off on cable news programs. But, throughout the Chandra Levy controversy, only one program, America’s Most Wanted, dedicated itself this past week to actually finding the missing intern. The show generated over 150 viable tips following Saturday night’s broadcast, proving that–now and then-hard-hitting TV can still be worth watching.
