Why It’s Worth A Watch Wednesday – These Are Their Stories

As 2011 winds down, so does the need to tell you about any new programming on the TV. As a matter of fact, a lot of shows start showing reruns, leaving our DVR queue a little quiet.

This week, Tiffany and I share a few of our standby shows. They’re the ones we turn on while we fold endless piles of laundry, bake cupcakes, or pretend to get something done in the house.

My pick is one of a large and successful franchise: Law and Order. Specifically, Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

The original Law & Order has been around since 1990, and at the time of its final episode last year it was the longest running crime drama around. Criminal Intent began in 2001 and ended just this past May. While not as long running as the original, it definitely held its own with a ten year run, and for this TV watcher, it was the one that kept me tuned in.

Where the original series focused on the police catching criminals and the prosecutors bringing them to justice, L&O:CI paid more attention to the motives of the criminals. The show spent time singling out the criminal, showing what drove them, and generally ended with a confession. Unlike the other L&O series, Criminal Intent did not focus on the prosecutorial element.

So, for a TV viewer who likes good court case viewing, what made me choose the one L&O that shies away from the courtroom?

Simply put, Detective Robert Goren. The primary detectives working cases during the length of the series are Goren and Eames. Goren is a detective who has pays close attention to minor details, has a wide array of knowledge, and possesses a special knack for getting into the head (and often, under the skin) of the criminals he encounters.

Regular readers know how much I love the guys with a gift – Shawn Spencer, Dr. House, Patrick Jane – so it should come as no surprise that the character of Detective Goren holds a special place in my TV heart. After all, it is rumored that his character, like House, is based on Sherlock Holmes.

As the series continued, elements of his life are very slowly revealed that bring to light how he could be so good at what he does, and why he isn’t always appreciated for it. As a matter of fact, this is an element of CI I didn’t expect to appreciate; the characters personal lives are rarely touched on in the show.

Aside from loving the character, I will admit that the fact that he is played by the brilliant Vincent D’Onofrio is the biggest reason that this show is on regular rotation in my house. Whether he’s doing Kubrick, playing a demented serial killer, a tormented writer*, or an alien, I’ve never been disappointed with him in any role. Detective Goren’s character is occasionally over the top in interrogations, but D’Onofrio’s delivery keeps me watching.

While I wasn’t thrilled when the show added another set of detectives to share the caseload, it was definitely still watchable, particularly with actors like Chris Noth joining the cast for a few seasons.

Is this show an amazing feat of writing? No. The cases are often predictable, and some lines are occasionally cheesy, which is why I give this show the MacTV rating. But just like my mac n’ cheese, I’ll eat it by the bowlful, even the cheap kind from the box. Low on the nutritional value, but it will forever be a pantry staple.

Given my earlier post, I opted for a "mature" photo here.

And yes, I did, and probably forever will, have a bit of a crush on Mr. D’Onofrio.

Are you a fan of any of the L&O franchise? Does anyone share my admiration for the “actor’s actor”, Vincent D’Onofrio? What’s your laundry day go to?

Now click over to Tiffany’s blog and find out what she tunes in to when the household chores are piling up.

Come back next week to see what we have cooking!

Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.

*The Whole Wide World is based on the memoirs of Novalyne Price, following her relationship with the writer Robert Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian. Random trivia time: Renee Zellweger thanked him when she accepted her Oscar for Cold Mountain. This movie is the reason why.

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
GMacTV (Gourmet MacNCheese TV): A combination of fine wine and comfort food
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
TBPTV (Twice Baked Potato TV): Part gourmet and delicious, while absolutely horrible for our cholesterol
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – All About the Law

This week on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday, Tiffany and I talk some more legal drama, with her take on the last surviving member of the Law and Order franchise, and my views on the much newer Harry’s Law.

For you regular readers, you’ll recall last week that I confessed an unexplained love for legal TV shows.  It would stand to reason that I would be excited about a new addition to my list.

Harriet Korn (Kathy Bates), or “Harry”, was a successful patent lawyer.  That is, until she loses her drive and is fired when her boss finds her watching cartoons and smoking pot in her office.  Shortly after this, a man trying to commit suicide jumps off a building and lands on her.  She survives, only to be hit by a car right after being released from the hospital.

Um.  Okay.

It gets better.  The guy who hits her, Adam (Nate Corddry) happens to be a young lawyer who thinks she is amazing and wants to work for her.  So, of course, it only makes sense then the two lawyers, along with Harry’s former assistant Jenna (Brittany Snow) go into business together.  They set up shop in a high end shoe store in the ghetto.

Yes.  For reals.

So, here is the thing about David E. Kelley, the show’s creator.  He knows how to write and he knows law, having had a practice in Boston.  This isn’t the first time he’s combined his talents, not by a long shot.  L.A. Law, The Practice, Ally McBeal, The Practice, not to mention non-legal drama like Doogie Howser, Chicago Hope and Boston Public.

Kelley often writes quirky, if not odd characters, doing it so well that you find yourself willing to go along for an unrealistic ride. I’m not hating on that fact.  As a matter of fact, Boston Legal is currently sitting in my DVD player (and not just for James Spader and Craig Bierko).  I can’t recall a closing argument delivered in Boston Legal, no matter how silly the case, that I wasn’t pulled in by the witty, heartfelt delivery.

Harry’s Law, however, seems to have gone just a bit too far into ridiculous territory.  As I mentioned the lawyer sets up shop in a shoe store, which just happens to still have a stockroom full of designer shows.  Jenna the assistant sees no reason why they shouldn’t sell shoes and be a law practice.  Well, Jenna, maybe because that sounds dumb.  What purpose does this serve beyond quirk?

Don’t get me wrong, there are some watch worthy moments, with the comedic timing of Nate Corddry and the talents of Kathy Bates.  However, even a Bates-delivered closing argument, while heartfelt and even moving, seems to be missing the wit of Kelley’s past shows.

For that reason, I can only give Harry’s Law a JFTV.  I will still tune in, because Kelley’s undeniable style is present, and I hope the show tightens up. It’s okay to be quirky, silly, and perhaps unbelievable, but it still needs to be witty and smart.

What do you think of David E. Kelley’s latest legal dramedy?  Are you generally a Kelley fan?  What’s your favorite past Kelley production?

Now, for more opinions on the law, or at least the law on TV, check out Tiffany’s take on Law and Order: SVU.

Come back next week when we switch over to FOX and review two supernatural programs – the new hit, Terra Nova, and the returning favorite, Fringe.

Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.  We’re currently working on our September schedule and would love to chat with you!

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – The Good Wife

This week on Why It’s Worth a Watch, Tiffany and I continue to give some love to CBS with reviews of The Good Wife and Criminal Minds.

I’m a big fan of legal drama, old and new.  Suits, Law and Order, Boston Legal, The Practice, The Guardian; be it serious or funny or something in between, I enjoy the various elements that go into trying a case.  A television one at least.

The Good Wife delivers not only interesting legal battles, but a great out of the courtroom drama.  The show focuses on Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), a woman who appears to be “standing by her man” as he becomes the center of a sex scandal and allegations of corruption in his role as State’s Attorney.  Sound familiar?  The creators were inspired by public figures like Eliot Spitzer, Bill Clinton, and John Edwards, to name a few.

In an effort to provide for her two teenage children while her husband Peter (Chris Noth) sits in prison, Alicia returns to work in a law firm as a junior litigator, after many years of being a stay at home mom.

A long way from Gilmore Girls...

Work brings its own challenges; Diane (Christine Baranski), a female partner who seems unsure of Alicia’s value to the firm, Will (Josh Charles), an old friend who she may or may not have feelings for, and Cary (Matt Czuchry), a young and ambitious associate who realizes that Alicia may be his biggest competition.

Despite the challenges, Alicia’s work brings her an opportunity to present herself as a strong woman dealing with the chaos of her husband’s public indiscretions, rather than a woman quietly wallowing or seeking out pity from others.

While the wider story is about Alicia’s life, the writers never phone in the legal battles.  In fact, the case prep brings us Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi), the firm’s private investigator who secures information, sometimes via unethical means.  The courtroom arguments deliver solid and satisfying dialogue, not to mention excellent guest appearances, like Michael J. Fox and Martha Plimpton.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Alan Cumming’s role, but to tell you who he plays might give something away if you don’t already watch, so just know that he is amazing in his delivery of the character Eli Gold.

In a show that houses so many actors I love (Julianna took home the Emmy this year, Alan Cumming is a genius in everything he does, and I’ve had a crush on Josh Charles since Sports Night) it should be no surprise that I give this show a GTV.  The writers manage to keep every character engaging, and every storyline crisp and entertaining, no small feat with everything this show has going on.

And I did mention Josh Charles, right?

Thank you, The Good Wife.

(N.B. According to online sources, the majority of the writers for this show are women. Another reason to love this show.)

If you’ve never watched, you can order Season 1 from Netflix (it currently is not a streaming option) or find episodes on iTunes.

If you aren’t watching this yet, why aren’t you?  Are you already a fan?  What makes you love or hate this show?  What is your favorite past legal drama?

Now head over to Tiffany’s blog to check out Criminal Minds, one of the few crime shows I haven’t seen! *gasp*

Come back next week when we click over to NBC and review two of the channel’s hit programs – Harry’s Law and Law & Order: SVU.  Can you guess which one you will find here?

Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.  We’re currently working on our September schedule and would love to chat with you!

A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:
GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – CBS Hits

This week on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday, Tiffany and I take on CBS Hits.

When it comes to hit dramas, the idea of a super observant crime solver is not a new one. Law and Order: CI, Monk, and Psych all have a primary character that seems to have a super sense when it comes to piecing together clues to solve a crime.

The Mentalist tells that same tale through Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), the titular character, a former con man who now consults with the California Bureau of Investigation. Jane found great success in his con days as a psychic medium, so why would he now be living a life solving crime instead of committing them?

While a psychic, Jane appeared on a TV show and made mention of his psychic skills making it possible for the police to profile a serial killer known as Red John. Not appreciating his statements, Red John kills Jane’s wife and daughter. Wanting to avenge the death of his family, Jane using his skills of observation and understanding of human behavior to help the CBI catch criminals, specifically Red John.

Senior Special Agent Teresa Lisbon leads the team Patrick consults for, assisted by Special Agents Cho (Tim Kang), Grigsby (Owain Yeoman), and Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti). Each agent has a distinctly different approach. Of the three, Van Pelt is the “greenest” agent, who occasionally butts heads with Jane over her belief in religion and her moral ideas.

The story lines are well put together, and watching Jane solve crime in unconventional ways, particularly when those ways put him at odds with his colleagues keeps the show interesting.

Unlike last week’s crime solving selection, Castle, this show has a darker, more serious tone. There is humor at times, but the primary character’s seeming lack of empathy and his mission to avenge the death of his family offers up a colder, more personal tale.

While the premise for the show is strikingly similar to Psych (fake psychic, consulting for the police) it is executed in such a way that you won’t find yourself drawing comparisons between the two.

This show is deserving of a GTV, a well paced story with interesting characters, whose back stories are only gradually revealed. It keeps you coming back to find out more about everyone’s motivation, not just the titular character.

Are you a fan of The Mentalist? Or at least Simon Baker? Who is your favorite character?  Is there a crime show you love more or less?

Now head over to Tiffany’s blog and see what she thinks of the CBS hit Blue Bloods and find out what we’ll talking about next week.

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Cop Dramas

This week, Tiffany and I head off to different networks, both returning with some cop dramas for you.  The direction I head is an unlikely one for me, even if I do fall in the demographic they’re aiming for.

I bring you a Lifetime original, The Protector.

We can do better.

Let’s start with some kudos.  Lifetime, thank you for producing something on your channel aimed at females that does not involve a woman being beaten, chased, raped or a victim in general.  We all know how much you cling to those themes, and I, for one, thank you for abandoning them for 2.5 seconds.

Having said that…really?  This is what you came up with?

I realize that there are only so many stories to be told.  But if there are several shows on TV with a similar theme, you need to do something special to grab me.

The Protector stars Ally Walker as a police detective and single mother.  She’s the kind of detective who notices everything and is always right.

Like Sean on Psych.  Or Detective Goren on Law and Order: CI.  Or Patrick Jane on The Mentalist.

I love all of those shows.  Each one has something about the “know-it-all” formula that works.

In The Protector, the main character is neither likeable nor unlikable.  There are a few moments when she is being motherly that are nice enough, but nothing to write home about.

Every cop drama has a partner backing up the main character.  Gus (Psych) occasionally uses his great sense of smell to help Sean solve mysterious crimes.  Eames (L&O:CI) is a capable detective in her own right.  All the detectives that work with Jane’s consultant character (The Mentalist) have their own strong traits that contribute.

How about The Protector’s partner?  Played by Tisha Campbell-Martin, this “partner” (or more accurately, sidekick) seems more concerned with bedding other detectives than figuring out the current case.  When she is “helping” with a case, it generally involves following her partner around with no mind of her own.

And everyone else?  Well, that’s exactly it.  They are just “everyone else”.

I wanted to like this show.  I did.  I like “know-it-all” characters.  No matter how many shows deliver them to me.  And with a creator like Jeffrey Bell, known for projects like Alias and Angel, I was hoping for more.

The Protector just didn’t deliver.

While I should probably give this a L&OTV rating, I didn’t hate it as much as other shows.  But I also don’t think it qualifies as a guilty pleasure either.  So, I will have to make up a new rating.

Right now. On the spot.

Let’s call this “Nyquil Induced Viewing”.  When I have a cold, and am under the influence of large quantities of Nyquil, I have been known to tune in to Lifetime, shake my head, and eventually drift off to sleep.  In that respect, this show delivered what I should have expected.

Want more cop drama?  Head over to Tiffany’s blog and check out her review of Memphis Beat. 

Did you watch The Protector?  Were you even aware that Lifetime did new series?

Next week, Tiffany and I both give you a double header (does that make it a quadruple?) from the USA network.  I’ll be talking about Covert Affairs and Necessary Roughness, she’ll be covering Burn Notice and Suits.  You won’t want to miss this one.