Well, at least Fox got this one right!
With so much going on in the world today--a war with Iraq, the presidential campaign, the volatility of the stock market--something as inconsequential as 24 getting might not seem like such a huge big deal. But, to me, it is a huge, big deal and some news that I'm genuinely pleased to hear. It just means that we will get yet another roller-coaster ride day in the life of Jack Bauer and company. And while I know this year has struggled at times to be great, the past couple of episodes have reminded me of why it's just such a must see show and one that I would be sorry to see gone from the schedule.
Because let's face it--if it ain't American Idol, it ain't got a good track record at FOX. First of all, they cancel the little show that was ready to bust out, Firefly (I think the DVD sales and the fact that they're doing a movie should show there was an audience, but putting the show on Fridays and airing it out of order (note to Fox: in all things, defer to the wisdom of Joss Whedon) wasn't the best way to go). But then, they also go this year and yank off Wonderfalls, after pulling it all over the schedule. Now, I was interested in Wonderfalls because it was by some of the guys who did superlative work on Angel and so I would've watched no matter what. But I think no one at FOX has a clue how to market a show and establish it. If it's not a day one hit, it's gone. I guess they really have become a real network. Congrats to you guys! You're on the road to greatness.
Those last two lines were sarcasm for those of you reading at home who couldn't tell.
And in a season where a lot of the shows I consider appointment TV going the way of the dodo--such as Angel (still pissed about that one!), I'm glad to see one staying. Now, I have TV that I like to watch and then there are things that I must see or I will be grumpy for days on end. Angel and 24 are those shows for me right now, added in with the Sopranoes. So, to have one of the two survive is GREAT news for me. I am doing the dance of joy right now.
Also along those lines, you've gotta hand it to George Lucas. First he makes the entire Star Wars fan nation weep for joy that he's decided we're worthy of having the original Star Wars trilogy out on DVD in time for Christmas (aka, he say the all powerful dollar signs and the trucks of money that would be pulling up to the Skywalker Ranch). But now he's figured--why not put some footage from episode three on there as a hidden extra. I have to admit I like the strategy. For one thing, it's gonna get some buzz going about the new movie--which after episode two got overshadowed by the greatness that was Spider-Man (which Spidey 2 cannot start playing soon enough, thank you!) and the Lord of the Rings won the hearts of fanboys everywhere, he needed something. Don't get me wrong--Star Wars is, was and always shall be Star Wars. But it needs some positive buzz and I think this is gonna be it. Episode three should be dark and brooding, like Empire was. It ain't gonna have a happy ending and I think that will be good. But, back to the DVDs...I have to love that George Lucas has learned from Peter Jackson. One thing that the Lord of the Rings super box set, kiss your family goodbye because damn there's a lot of footage on these things! showed us was that you use the current product to tease the future product. Which it's interesting--seeing how Star Wars built on Lord of the Rings which the movies built on Star Wars success and now George is taking lessons from them. It's like the Circle of Life but without the dancing animals.
So, all of that took me away from my main point today--looking at the rest of the UT football team for next year. But I will get to that eventually. Just stay tuned!
posted by Michael Hickerson at 4/21/2004 03:16:00 PM |
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