Off the Cuff - #113 – The Origin Story

darkhawk

Off the Cuff – Edition 113
By Eric Barrett

Comics, Cartoons, and all things related

Craig Reade

darkhawk · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

Are you going to share? Razz

_________________
Adding to the pointlessness of the internet - Off the Cuff: the blog

Gaming for those on the go - The Save Spot

b. schatz · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

Nyope. But let's all point at Craig and laugh because it's totally his fault. Very Happy

I'm with you on Heroes and Smallville, but I gotta' say, Friday Night Lights is a fantastic show - and I'm saying this as a person who could care less about football.

They didn't show the show a whole lot on peasent vision here in Canada - because the Canadian networks can sort of pick and choose the shows they air from America, and if one isn't getting them huge ratings, they'll shunt it off in favour of... hurm, what did they replace it with again? Scrubs was replaced by American Idol, and Friday Night Lights was... Oh! What's In The Box. The briefcase game.

Anyway, my access to it was limited - they even stopped airing the eps I missed out on over the year in favour of Big Brother 8 this year - so when the DVD set came out, I was all over it. That, and it was only $25 Canadian (seriously, an amazingly priced box set). And I have to say, that show is incredible. Despite one or two clunkers for actors, everything else is done so well, the writing, the camera work, everything. And holy crap do I believe the Taylors are a real family. Their interactions are just... gah. Just so perfect.

Anywhich. I'm on a high with that show right now, and surely, I'll have to figure out a way to watch it this year (maybe now that it's on Fridays, Global might actually air it. Hopefully).
_________________
I once punched a robot in the throat.

Craig Reade · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

Yeah - I have to cop to that. I suppose I can get off my ass and fix that...

In terms of shows that look appealing to me, I am sorry B, but Friday Night Lights is near the bottom of that list. In fact, I would go so far to say as on the surface, that show seems to be a shining example of what is wrong with television today Smile

But that is speaking as someone who doesn't watch it, and probably never will...
_________________
Well, okay, but some of the comments I've heard about fans is that they're idiots. -Peter A. David

There is no such thing as a job Americans won't do. There are only jobs Americans won't do for slave wages.

darkhawk · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:31 pm Post subject:

What got me thinking was Bill Simmons, who I like as a writer and sports columnist, was talking about how FNL is one of the top shows on TV. I tend to agree with him on a lot of things...but I still can't bring myself to care.

Plus I remembered you, Brandon, saying something about how you liked the show. I dunno, maybe I need to watch an episode or two so I can be bitter when they take it off the air. LOL

_________________
Adding to the pointlessness of the internet - Off the Cuff: the blog

Gaming for those on the go - The Save Spot

BlakeMP · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject:

I'm neither a proponent nor a detractor of "Friday Night Lights," but c'mon, Craig, "a shining example of what is wrong with television today"? In what way? Especially when we live in a universe that still has shows like "Kid Nation," "Jerry Springer," "The View," "Wife Swap" and whatever Bill Maher is doing these days.
_________________
Why the hell aren't you reading Think About It Central? It's funny schtuff.

Craig Reade · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject:

Well, it is totally unoriginal - a show that ripped a concept off (oh, I mean "adapted," sorry) from a movie that was "adapted" from a book, which also glorifies some of the very same self-indulgence that is like a disease among teens today.

Admittedly, exaggeration. But that is just the impression that I get of it.

And Jerry Springer was ALWAYS harmless. It never pretended to be anything more than what it was. Most of your list is "Trash TV" anyway. FNL pretends at something more.
_________________
Well, okay, but some of the comments I've heard about fans is that they're idiots. -Peter A. David

There is no such thing as a job Americans won't do. There are only jobs Americans won't do for slave wages.

b. schatz · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:10 pm Post subject:

In the way that he is really just bugging me. Razz

I understand that it isn't for everyone, but eh. I still say, the reason why a lot of television is crap these days is because people refuse to watch well written, quality shows. Smile

_________________
I once punched a robot in the throat.

BlakeMP · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

Craig Reade · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

But in EVERY form of media - there is art, and there is garbage. My point is - having garbage on TV is one thing. But when garbage starts to be held up as the art - then you have a problem.

If Jerry Springer was getting Best Daytime Talk-Show Emmys, I would be worried as well.
_________________
Well, okay, but some of the comments I've heard about fans is that they're idiots. -Peter A. David

There is no such thing as a job Americans won't do. There are only jobs Americans won't do for slave wages.

BlakeMP · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

Okay, that I can agree with. So are you saying that "FNL" is garbage?

If so, have you actually seen an episode, or are you just basing that opinion on the fact that it's a series based on a movie based on a book based on "real life"?

Because honestly, if you haven't seen an episode, how do you justify that opinion?
_________________
Why the hell aren't you reading Think About It Central? It's funny schtuff.

b. schatz · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

This is fun *smiles*

Okay, the movie was adapted from the book, which was adapted from real life. The television series was put into production by the guy who produced the movie. But - serialized television made it impossible to re-tell the story. So, they kept the name of the team, the concept of high school football, and the name Friday Night Lights because - well, name recognition. And then, they went about crafting an entirely new "cast".

If I were to point at any episode of the show as a prime example of how it works, I'd choose the "I Think We Should Have Sex" episode. (consults box) Number 17. Any scene with the family is just... wow. Seriously, like a real family. And any kind of indulgence on the show ends up having pretty nice consequences...

But at the same time, I know it's probably not for everyone. Though, I think it would be awesome if you gave one eppy a try before calling it trash. Very Happy

_________________
I once punched a robot in the throat.

Craig Reade · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:49 am Post subject:

I did preface that initial opinion by saying I hadn't seen any, and that it was based on impressions of the marketing.

But no, I don't think Ill be giving it a shot. It just doesn't look appealing to me at all, no matter how I look at it.
_________________
Well, okay, but some of the comments I've heard about fans is that they're idiots. -Peter A. David

There is no such thing as a job Americans won't do. There are only jobs Americans won't do for slave wages.

darkhawk · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:43 am Post subject:

Maybe I'll just rename my column to "Friday Night Lights" to generate discussion. LOL

_________________
Adding to the pointlessness of the internet - Off the Cuff: the blog

Gaming for those on the go - The Save Spot

BlakeMP · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

You write a column? Shocked

_________________
Why the hell aren't you reading Think About It Central? It's funny schtuff.

darkhawk · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

Of course not. In best hollywood fashion, I have my people write a column, and then I put my name on it.
_________________
Adding to the pointlessness of the internet - Off the Cuff: the blog

Gaming for those on the go - The Save Spot

BlakeMP · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

You have PEOPLE? Shocked

_________________
Why the hell aren't you reading Think About It Central? It's funny schtuff.

Craig Reade · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

You can write your name???
_________________
Well, okay, but some of the comments I've heard about fans is that they're idiots. -Peter A. David

There is no such thing as a job Americans won't do. There are only jobs Americans won't do for slave wages.

darkhawk · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

Actually, I let their people write my name. Why bother with the details?
_________________
Adding to the pointlessness of the internet - Off the Cuff: the blog

Gaming for those on the go - The Save Spot

b. schatz · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

We will know that Eric's people have quit when we get an Off the Cuff written by erik schmelkelstien.

Actually no, I totally copyright that name. Very Happy

_________________
I once punched a robot in the throat.