Topic: Never Ending TV Marathon (short reviews)

[samuelrichardscott]

Grey's Anatomy: Season 1 (2005)

Overview:
Grey's Anatomy is "a winner," raves the New York Daily News. Both a critical hit and fan favorite, season one burst onto the television landscape with gripping plot lines, a sensational soundtrack and hot stars, including Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, and Sandra Oh. Now you can experience all the drama, romance and excitement of Grey's Anatomy from the very beginning.
Meet Meredith Grey, a brilliant first-year surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital. Together with her fellow residents in training, Meredith navigates her way through the daily traumas and social landmines of life inside the hospital and out in the real world. Grey's Anatomy is a smart and witty look at young people struggling to be doctors and doctors struggling to stay human.

My Thoughts:
I recently finished watching ER: Season 4, a show I have been really enjoying so it's hard not to make comparisons with Grey's Anatomy even though they are quite different in tone and in nature. ER feels a lot more... 'busy' I guess you can say, and the characters, at least so far, are much more likeable and it also has stronger storylines. However, a show needs more than nine episodes to get going so I won't be hasty in my judgement, especially when there are things I really like about it. I find the dark humour to really suit the tone the show and on more than one occasion I found myself laughing. Although the characters aren't developed too well yet, the cast are very good, especially Pompeo. Right now, I think I'll like this show more in season 2 but for season 1, I recommend a high-end rental. 3/5

[addicted2dvd]

looking forward to your thoughts once you watch season 2. 

[samuelrichardscott]

Primeval: Series 5 (2011)

Overview:
Back at full strength, with Abby, Connor, Lester, Jess and Matt on board - the ARC team must race against time once again in its fight to save the public from the terrifying creatures appearing through the anomalies. The members encounter vicious burrowing creatures, enormous underwater predators, a raptor on the rampage in Victorian London; a Tyrannosaurus Rex prowling the streets and a mass of ferocious future-beetles laying siege to the ARC Headquarters.
But even as the team faces its most formidable challenges yet, it may have more to fear from inside the organisation. Can any of them they trust the new lab assistant April? Why is Connor set on helping Philip? And can Matt and Abby do anything to stop them? As secrets, plans and betrayals come to light, it’s time for the team to decide just whose side its on…

My Thoughts:
Although this series did waver a little in quality compared to previous series, I still thoroughly enjoyed the final outing of Primeval. The story really moves forward fast and comes to a satisfying end which ties up a few loose ends well, and also leaves the option open for another series (not Primeval: New World) without making in a cliffhanger. The cast is very good, in particular I really like Hannah Spearitt, Andrew Lee-Potts and Ben Miller who have all exceeded my expectations throughout. The special effects aren't great, but here in the UK, TV shows don't have budgets like US shows and they have done reasonably well and made the monsters better than passable. I recommend the entire run of this show, I'm just disappointed it's over. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Fast Show: Series 1 (1994)

Overview:
The complete first series of the popular comedy sketch show. Features Ted and Ralph, Channel 9 News, Unluck Alf, coughing Bob Fleming, Ron Manager, the 'Suits you' tailors, Tommy Cockles, The Fat Sweaty Coppers, and Professor Denzil Dexter.

My Thoughts:
The Fast Show was one of the biggest comedies in the UK at the time and for good reason. Whilst most sketch shows are 50/50 between funny/unfunny sketches, The Fast Show is a rare gem that is consistently very funny. My personal favourites are Tommy Cockles and the Suits You tailors who never fail to get me laughing. For fans of British comedy who want to see early work from Paul Whitehouse, John Thompson and Caroline Aherne, then look no further. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

30 Rock: Season 1 (2006-2007)

Overview:
All 21 episodes of the high-calibre US comedy series set in the offices of an American TV network. Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is head script-writer for comedy sketch show 'The Girlie Show', who has to use all her political skills to keep her eccentric new star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) and arrogant, new-ideas boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) in check, while she tries to keep the ship from sinking.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- Consistently funny and the storylines pan many episodes.
- You don't often get much character development in comedy, but you get enough here.
- Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin play off each other really well and Tracy Morgan can be exceptionally funny.
Cons:
- I sometimes find some of the supporting cast out of place, especially Jane Krakowski who I really liked in Ally McBeal.
Overall:
Solid US comedy. Not three words I use often. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Season 5 (1994-1995)

Overview:
The Banks family, a respectable Californian family, take in a relative - Will Smith, a street-smart teenager from Philadelphia. The idea is to make him respectable, responsible and mature, but Will has got other plans...

My Thoughts:
The Fresh Prince is a show people either love or hate and I have to admit that I am firmly in the love camp. I like all the characters, the stories are fun and better than your average family based sitcom and there are some great guest stars. Of course, it also has one of the best theme tunes ever. Recommended. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Flying Monsters (2011) - A good way to start my 3D watching with my new projector. Attenborough is excellent as always and this documentary really brings things to life and is exactly what 3D is made for. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Glee: Season 2 (2010-2011)

The second season involves more musical numbers, some big names as guest stars (Gwyneth Paltrow is great) and the secondary cast becoming more prominent, especially the likes of Artie and Brittney. Like season one, this is a guilty pleasure - mainly thanks to the ever brilliant Sue Lynch. Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

That Mitchell and Webb Look: Series 2 (2007)

I gave the first series a 3/5 earlier in this thread and said that with the recurring characters it had started to get better. Unfortunately, series two felt like astep-back. Rigby is still here but not as funny and some of the funnier recurring characters have not returned for the second series at all with the replacements being a bit dull. Skip it. 2/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Las Vegas: Season 4 (2006-2007)

I thoroughly enjoyed the first three seasons of Las Vegas, a series that follows the workers of the Montecito Casino, in particular the security staff. Unfortunately, the first half of this season strayed from that too much for my liking although it did reign itself back in for some great episodes. The casting is very good, James Caan being the best, though the cast also includes Cheryl Ladd, Josh Duhamel, James Lesure, Nikki Cox, Vanessa Marcil and Molly Sims. I'd recommend the first few seasons, but would say season four is worth a rental only. 3/5