Frenemies: Network TV & Diversity

2010 saw some interesting developments on television. Here are the highlights!

FOX

Glee! Audiences around the world became self-professed Gleeks. The show did well in the ratings and set an example with its diverse cast. Here's to more Glee!

with Dianna Agron, such a doll!(check out her new movie)

NBC

This network really challenged themselves with an attempt at being MORE COLORFUL. Some of you may remember their commercials last fall showcasing the iconic peacock with those two words in the tag line. Although they had a failed attempt with Undercovers (the first prime-time scripted drama with black protagonists as the lead? really?), at least they tried. They put the big guns behind it too (J.J. Abrams), but for some reason it just didn't stick. I only caught one episode, and I think I understood why. It was a bit slow for TV, and showed like a very tired espionage entanglement. Spying is supposed to be exciting, sexy, dangerous, a la Jolie and Bond. It seemed like Abrams was trying to take the show in an entirely new direction to avoid Alias comparisons, but perhaps he focused too much on the departure thereby ruining what make his shows good.

Maybe a better promo pic would've helped?

Although Undercovers didn't survive, NBC still fared best in the diversity department, boasting 7 shows with more than 2 minorities on the main cast, while ABC only had 4 shows like this, and FOX only did so with Glee. Let's just keep mum on CBS for now, they are a disaster, but boast the best ratings...

CW

The CW network is also a strange case, but since their roster is largely made up of teen soaps and reality programs, no one expects much from them. The writers however, are either really bored, or interested in making some sort of statement, even if they are few and far between.

On Gossip Girl, Chuck Bass issues a dating fatwa on Queen Bee Blair preventing her from dating anyone else. This surely left tweens across America googling the strange word to discover its meaning. Very clever.

Had the writers investigated the term a bit further, they would have realized that a fatwa is just a religious opinion on any religious law given by a scholar in the Muslim faith. It's non-binding, as anyone who calls themself a scholar can issue one. So unless Chuck is the Grand Mufti of Love (and even if, who cares), I don't quite see the analogous Ah-Ha! moment.

Also on the CW is the spy-drama Nikita, based on the French film from the 90s. The title character is played rather well by Maggie Q (Vietnamese-American) and is choc full of action and suspense. On a recent episode, operative Michael (remember Shane West?) is captured by Kasim, a Yemeni who had betrayed and killed Michael's family years ago. During this ordeal Kasim explains the reason for the betrayal by quoting the Qu'ran no less. He says, "Fight in God's cause against those who fight against you," to which Michael responds, "..but do not commit aggression. You forgot that part of the Qu'ran. If you're going to twist its meaning at least quote the whole passage." Who thought a script with bite would exist on the CW? Well done.

CBS

Over at CBS, Zach is listening to 'Muslim music'. Let me start by saying I think The Good Wife is a great show. The acting is on point, the writing is great, and there are even some diverse characters on: it's fantastic. But I did have a WTF moment. In the "threesome" episode, Alicia's son Zach has a friend advise him that he can get anything he wants from his parents by playing a cd she gives him. The cd contains none other than the at'han, the muslim call to prayer. This of course is not 'muslim music', and the fact that the writers were so quick to offer it up as something to be mocked is quite upsetting. It was so unapologetically ridiculed which I found very disturbing. The only slight positive in this scenario is that Alicia completely dismissed this as something to be feared as her mother-in-law suggested with her reporting, but nonetheless left a terribly awful taste in my mouth.

CBS had the least diversity in their programming. They are the highest-rated tv network.

ABC

ABC was right behind NBC in effort. It seems that they also tried to be innovative, but fell behind. One show I felt had promise was MY Generation. I thought it was a really interesting concept: uncovering the superficial 'where-are-they-now' curiosity while also exposing the problems of a generation who became adults in perhaps the most complicated of times. And of course, who isn't nostalgic for the 90s? The flashback scenes were great. But more importantly, the show employed a mockumentary format that was both fresh and engaging. The cast was impressive, capable, and diverse. This could have been good ABC, but you canceled it after 2 episodes.

I'm beginning to think Mehcad Brooks is cursed. Ever since they killed him off on True Blood, he hasn't had the best luck. The Deep End (also on ABC) was canceled. Now MY Generation. Please don't cancel his Calvin Klein ads.

Let's hope we see some more interesting programming on Network Television in 2011. Perhaps by some miracle the networks will give shows more than 2 episodes to get the ratings. Here's to hoping CBS takes a cue from NBC, don't we all have color TV sets these days (c'mon it was intro-ed in the 50s and pretty sure became standard in households in the 60s!!)

2010's Most Underrated Films

All the best and worst lists that came out at the 11th hour this past year (weird to say that) got me thinking about all the movies that didn't get a mention, because even for the Razzie winners, there is no such thing as bad publicity. So here's my two cents:

5- Bright Star

Can't say I had high hopes for this, especially since Abbie Cornish's angsty face is on the poster, but boy did this little film show me. Don't be afraid, it's not a John Keats biopic, and it's not an over the top melodrama either. The story is subtle yet captivating, and the cinematography is stunning. Abbie Cornish is rather good as well. Check it out, you won't be sorry, and read some Keats to fuel your pretentious ways while you're at it.

4- Nowhere Boy

Never ever will there be enough creative content on John Lennon. He is probably one of the most fascinating human beings EVER. That said, I was very confused as to why this film didn't receive more attention. For one thing, the acting, particularly by Aaron Johnson, who played the young Mr. Lennon was brilliant. So many of these 'before they were stars- type' films make annoying foreshadowing gestures, but this film makes you forget the enormity of his future celebrity, and really focuses on the coming-of-age story. Ah-mazing.

3- A Single Man

Two Words: Tom Ford.

I was going to leave it at that, but between this film and An Education I wish I could time travel back to the 60s, and never come back...yes, just freeze me in that decade, thank you.

2- Sin Nombre

Talk about impactful. I challenge you to watch this and not feel something. I just learned that it was EP-ed by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal, so if you don't trust my opinion, then their association should say something. Not only does this film add perspective to the immigration debate, it raises questions often left out of the discourse. MUST WATCH.

1- Never Let Me Go

For those of you who have seen One Hour Photo, you might have a slight idea of what you're in for. But only slight, because Romanek (who is mainly known for his music videos, remember MJ and JJ's Scream? yea, that was him) is given MAJOR ammo to work with thanks to Ishiguro's fantastical novel. If you've read the book and are afraid the film won't live up to it, fear not. Yes, it's that good. If you haven't read it, you most likely will after watching. Carey Mulligan is perfect. Please just see it because anything I say won't do it justice.

** some of these may have technically been in production in 2009, but were not released until 2010 (in the US). Just go with it people.

Most underrated film composer of 2010

Alexandre Desplat

His score for Coco before Chanel (also completely underrated, Audrey Tatou was fabulous) was awesome, and he also did these other little movies some of you may have heard of, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But more notably check out his work in The Painted Veil (and also for Ed Norton!)

War-HOLLA Back!

The Dandy Warhols Album Cover

Whether or not you like Warhol, which I can't understand why you could dislike such an iconic force that essentially represents much of American culture in the 60s (which was probably one of the most creatively glamorous times in history), you can't deny the mark he has left not only on the art world, but on culture across all categories...

The Dandy Warhols and The Velvet Underground

Aside from the nod they give to Warhol in the name of their band, The Dandy Warhols riff on the album cover artwork Andy Warhol did for The Velvet Underground in their own album art. Interestingly enough, the band cites The Velvet Underground as one of their musical influences…a dose of postmodernism perhaps?

Lady Gaga

I am sure you are all thoroughly sick of my posts on Lady Gaga, and I have been told by colleagues that the idea of Lady Gaga being a force in art made them nauseous...but I don't care. I found a quote from her from some time ago that might respond to this notion in a very Warholian way...

She says, "The Fame [her album] is about how anyone can feel famous. Pop culture is art. It doesn’t make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it’s a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle."

She's inviting everyone to the party. If you're not sold on that point, keep in mind that there is a category called Performance Art, which clearly has her name stamped all over.

Around the globe...

Just to add to the discussion that Warhol is in fact an international icon, I just read an article that there are plans to open a Warhol museum in the United Arab Emirates. I find it interesting that the UAE, which is definitely more conservative than Western culture still sees the appeal in Warhol's work, which goes back to my original question...How can you really dislike Warhol? (just my opinion, of course!)