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Showing posts with label television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label television. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2014

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is unremarkable.
6 out of 10
 
I'll start by saying that my opinion will not be a popular one. Walter White has audiences and critics swooning. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why.
 
The show follows the life of Walter White, an underachieving chemist who is diagnosed with cancer and begins to cook meth with his former student, and drug addict, Jesse Pinkman. Turns out, their product is the purest ever and the two begin a dark journey to keep their business a secret and their loved ones safe.
 
Long ago I sat down to watch the first 2 episodes. I was not impressed. "Keep watching," they insisted. I was frequently told that it gets good later. It was actually quite comical, people even gave me the exact episode that changed their opinion. For example: "season 2, episode 8 is where it gets good." I can assure you the episode was nothing special.
 
The acting is inconsistent, ranging from riveting to barely passable (I think Aaron Paul was told to throw the words "b***h" and "yo" into his character's dialogue, a power he abuses.). Characters are also inconsistent, acting and behaving completely normal one episode and insane the next. I get that facing your own death and being in high pressure situations is stressful but it just gets exhausting. For example, Walt is fine and then the next episode he is completely insane, chasing a fly around his lab for the full 45 min (season 3, episode 10 aka one of the worst episodes of TV ever). Then the next episode, he is completely fine again!
 
Direction is adequate, occasionally pretentious. The whole black and white extended foreshadowing in season 2 was stupid, especially considering the event it leads up to which makes the whole thing feel like a waste of time. Breaking Bad is at its best when it remains modest.
 
Breaking Bad assumes that it is tense viewing. Many scenes have intense music and it assumes I am on the edge of my seat. It is wrong. I only felt any sort of tension thrice throughout the whole series (yes, I kept track). Perhaps, that was due to my lack of attachment to the characters but it didn't do much for me.
 
So what is it about Breaking Bad that makes it so widely loved? If I had to guess, I'd say it was the edge. This show is more edgy and gritty than some of the other shows on television (especially in its early seasons). However, it isn't too edgy in that most teens are able to tolerate it. Thus, it has become a rite of passage, of sorts.
 
It isn't bad, it just isn't that good. I know what you're thinking, who am I to disagree with all of your friends and every critic out there? I'm Skylar, and I write the purest reviews this side of the Mississippi. Remember my name.
 
Breaking Bad is rated TV-MA
http://meetinthelobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Breaking-Bad-Poster-Season-4-Large.jpg
Tags: Breaking Bad, Bad, Breaking, TV-MA, tvma, drama, amc, television, 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Glee starts strong but soon becomes awful.
5 out of 10
 
 
When the pilot of Glee came on as a "sneak preview", I was unconvinced. It was about a high school Spanish teacher who wants to reboot the school's glee club. He assembles a diverse group of singers to compete in show choir competitions and together they overcome many obstacles from bullying to the evil cheerleading coach. Basically, it is a teenage soap opera with music. When I sat down to watch the second episode, I was hooked. I am unsure what about the second episode I found so attractive but it was good. From then on, one night a week, everyone had to take a vow of silence because Glee was on. It soon became a family affair and I was lost in the bliss of Glee.

The first and second seasons were awesome! The show was edgy, but still not over the top. Characters were interesting and Sue, the evil cheerleading coach, was hilarious and a joy to watch. The plotlines were twisty and follow the teens as they jump from one romantic partner to the other. The cast of characters is extremely diverse and had a "feel good" message. However, the greatest aspect of Glee was the music. Glee took new actors and made them superstars, expertly showcasing their talents. The musical numbers were very well done, featuring a wide variety of songs. Glee was great... until it wasn't.
 
Until season 3, I had never missed an episode of Glee. However, somewhere in the middle of season 3, I lost interest. What was once fresh and edgy was now dull and tired. The show focused too much on stupid romantic interests and the result was disappointing. I occasionally tuned in to an episode but never really liked it. Everyone just felt annoying. Glee is now a prime example of a show that refuses to give up even though it is time. It no longer feels genuine and is frankly a waste of time. Last week a Glee clip caught my eye on Youtube. Turns out it was a performance of "What Does the Fox Say?" done by the cast also holding puppets. It saddens me that Glee has fallen to such a level. Overall, Glee starts out fresh and engaging but fails in its later seasons.
 
Glee is rated TV-14
 
http://stuffpoint.com/glee/image/64878-glee-glee-poster.jpg
Tags:comedy, drama, musical, FOX, tv, television, tv14, TV-14, Glee

 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Skins (U.K) starts out edgy and addictive but becomes dark, weird, and semi-ridiculous.
7 out of 10
 
 
Note that this review applies to the U.K version. There is an American version of Skins, it's just terrible. Because the show is from England, it is uncensored. Skins follows a group of British teenagers as they navigate life and find strength in their friendships. Each episode centers on a different character but everyone's lives are largely intertwined.
 
When I began the first season, I was immediately hooked. It all felt so fresh and new. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone had an accent but it was a whole new experience for me. The show expertly deals with heavy and relevant issues among teens such as eating disorders, drug addiction, depression, and so much more. It would seem like the show would be a downer but it isn't! Instead, it mixes complex topics with humor. It should be noted that this show is largely aimed at teens due to the fact that the characters themselves are teens and behave in extremely questionable ways. The whole first season was fantastic. The show was funny yet dramatic (at times) and never failed to entertain.
 
Season 2 centers around the same characters but is a somewhat different. The show is considerably darker. For example, one episode centers on a stalker who stalks one of the regular characters. Throughout the season, she does some pretty crazy (and disturbing) stuff. The show is less humorous, instead opting for a more dramatic script. It succeeds in being heart-wrenching but sometimes takes it too far and becomes downright depressing. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable. The more dramatic side of the show was a great and refreshing aspect to add. The end of season 2 is particularly interesting and left with a cliffhanger. I often found myself marveling at the honesty of the show and found it incredibly enjoyable. After season 2, the show says goodbye to the characters and picks up a new cast in season 3 (every 2 seasons there is a new cast).
 
Season 3 has an all new cast and is (once again) different from its previous season. The show once more opts for a more humorous side and the result is somewhat off-putting. Where the show was once clever, it is now crass. One of the new characters, Cook, is a disgusting human being and made the show uncomfortable. Aside from him, the other characters are still good. The story is still occasionally heart-wrenching and beautiful but is sometimes ridiculous (putting Ecstasy in brownies and feeding them to a mother? Come on). The result (sometimes) feels more like a sitcom than the raw and honest show it once was. It is still fun... enough to make me sit for a 4th season.
 
Season 4 was the darkest and craziest yet. The show now feels entirely different but remains engrossing. The season starts out with a suicide which sets it up for the dark product it was. Some parts were good and enjoyable but towards the end, things get strange. It almost felt like the show's writers were sitting in a room thinking of ways to throw "curveballs to viewers". The show feels a little ridiculous but I tolerated it. After all, how much worse could it get. The answer was a lot worse. The season 4 conclusion was appalling. It completely shocked me, in a very bad way. After it was over, I immediately swore off Skins. I also began to notice a pattern that the show follows every 2 seasons. Season 4 was less than perfect.
 
After season 4, Skins was no longer released in the US (apparently they have different DVD players in England) but all 7 seasons are available on Netflix. I plan to continue watching the show and will add to this review once I finish watching. Overall, Skins is an addicting show but is inconsistent.
 
Skins is rated TV-MA
http://static.rookiemag.com/2012/01/1326966179skins-season-1-2007.jpg
Tags: comedy, drama, skins, TV-MA, tvma, TV, television


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Awkward manages to entertain despite inconsistency
7.5 out of 10
 
 
 
Awkward is a scripted show on MTV centering on a girl named Jenna. One summer, she begins a causal relationship with the school hottie, Matty McKibben. She returns home to find a letter addressed to her. Inside is a list of reasons why Jenna sucks signed by "A friend." A freak accident follows that looks a lot like a suicide attempt and changes her from "invisible girl" to "that girl".
 
 Season one follows Jenna and her friends as they begin a climb up the social ladder and as she struggles to maintain the attention of Matty, all the while trying to find out who wrote her the letter. The result is utterly engrossing. Sure, it is stupid but it is also raw, honest and often funny. The show itself is utterly ridiculous as illustrated by fast talking and word-inventing Tamara and the completely inappropriate guidance counselor, Ms. Marks. Plenty of other character are interesting such as Jenna's parents and school bully, Sadie Saxton. Jenna is a character I could really root for as she generally had the best of intentions and was a victim of circumstance. All the actors and actresses are fantastic all the way through. They are funny and generally authentic. The mystery of the letter also adds a unique dynamic to the show. A sort of whodunit part left me wanting more and contributed to a successful first season.
 
With the drama of season 1 behind her and the mystery of the letter solved, season 2 find Jenna back but changed. She is now considered popular and has a new set of problems. Jenna is considerably more annoying, always complaining about her life. She often fights for the man she wants, changes her mind, changes it again... so on and so forth. Jenna, who was once the adorable underdog, now comes off as a floozy. I frequently found myself screaming at the TV, "PICK A MAN JENNA! STOP MAKING OUT WITH EVERYONE AND PICK A MAN!" And so I came to regard season 2 as the show's darker days, as it was ultimately less inspired. Let me be clear, the show still has some redeeming qualities, such as humorous scenes and a memorable heart wrenching moment, but mostly just feels like a cheesy teen soap.
 
Season 3 part 1 finds Jenna finally settled on a man... until she meets a new one. And just like that, all certainty goes out the window. Immediately, it veers into some darker territory by killing off one of the supporting characters. The characters then begin to try to piece together the death and determine the cause all throughout the first part of the season. This seems to be an attempt to recapture the "mystery" aspect of the show but ultimately fails. The show seemed more humorous than its previous season but still managed to frustrate. Jenna's promiscuous nature was really getting on my nerves and I wasn't sure if I could handle the inconsistency any longer.
 
When season 3 part 2 came around, I was skeptical. I sat down and once again found myself pulled in. It is a completely different product than the first season but still manages to be entertaining. Jenna is still confused about what she wants and in this season makes some terrible choices, which was an utter joy to watch. For once, she finally seems sorry for her infidelity and shares a lot of teary-eyed, heart-wrenching moments. The show finally is able to balance its humor with emotion and never feels sappy. Dialogue is poignant and affecting. I once again felt satisfied when the credits rolled and find it a joy to finally see scraps of a deeper, emotional component of this show. I am certainly glad I stuck with the show because this season is what I was waiting for. Awkward is almost done airing its 3rd season. Overall, Awkward is fun but very inconsistent.
 
Awkward is rated TV-14
http://www.sonotstraight.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/awkward-girl.jpg
Tags: MTV, comedy, drama, television, tv, TV-14, tv14, awkward, awkward.,

Monday, December 2, 2013

Friends is a television rarity that is utterly hilarious.
9.5 out of 10
 
How many sitcoms are about attractive young adults living in NYC? Countless. How many times do you see those young adults complain about lack of money while living in an impossibly large apartment? Too many. Well, Friends is one of those shows, but there is something more that makes this show such a success. The show follows a group of six friends that navigate life as adults in NYC. Such a loose and simple premise allows for plenty of freedom when it comes to keeping the show fresh.

 What allows the show to be so impressive is the characters and the actors that played them. Ross is an awkward science nerd that works in a museum. He begins to develop a crush on the newcomer Rachel. Rachel is a spoiled "daddy's girl" who has decided to live independent from her father. She is attractive (played by Jennifer Aniston) and naïve and relies on her new friends to navigate the concrete jungle. Monica is Ross' sister and is loud, crazy, and very OCD. She is a chef that is obsessed with cleaning and is always searching for "true love" and her future. Chandler is the "funny guy" of the group, always using humor as a way of defense. Joey is an aspiring actor. He loves to eat and is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Lastly, there is Phoebe (my personal favorite). She is a fan of the alternative lifestyle. Extremely spacy and always hilarious, she manages to be a hilarious addition to the show. Together, the Friends create a fantastic dynamic that is an utter joy to watch.

Another thing that need be noted is the writing. It takes great finesse to create 10 seasons of a show that never feels stale. Every new episode brings new surprises and adventures. The quick and clever dialogue is immensely satisfying. In its earlier seasons, Friends seems to opt for a more sentimental feeling. Every episode has heartfelt moments followed by laughs to break the tension. The show seems to cut out the heartfelt portion rather quickly which I see as a very good move. In the show's later seasons, the show becomes all about the laughs and the plotlines take a back seat. Instead of an overarching plotline, each episode functions almost entirely independent of the others which allows for a less affecting but goofier experience.

 The show ran for 10 seasons, all of which were spectacular. Overall, Friends is a TV gem absolutely worth watching.
 

Friends is rated TV-14
http://www.panicposters.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/f63dc5ec28f3175f8a7f615bd217eb71/p/p/pp31558-friends-poster.jpg
 Tags: Comedy, TV, TV-14, tv14, friends, recommended,

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Carrie Diaries is fun but may not appeal to fans of the Sex and the City.
7 out of 10
 
I was told this was what I would get instead of a 3rd movie. In preparation, I read the entire book series that the show is based on. The show follows a young Carrie Bradshaw living in Castleberry, Connecticut. After her mother's death, she falls in love with New York City and gets an internship. At home, she falls for the mysterious Sebastian and has to navigate family, high school, and all the other challenges of being a teen. The show does a pretty good job recreating the 80's... lots of neon... but something about the show is missing. It fails to capture the spirit of its base material. The Carrie Diaries often feels over sweet and stereotypical, kinda like an afterschool special. Characters are not very complex, just confused. Confusion and complexity are entirely different things and the show would do well to remember that. The characters act like stupid teens and then sit around and cry about it. That said, some fans of Sex and the City may be interested in Carrie's roots. Sex and the City never talked about the character's family so as to not lessen their independence. Seeing where Carrie came from is cool... only one problem: the show has no connection to Sex and the City. If the main character was not named Carrie Bradshaw, this show could function completely independent from Sex and the City. However, if you can remember that the main character is Carrie Bradshaw, you may find the show fascinating. Due to its high school setting and problems, I doubt this show will appeal to the older and more mature Sex and the City fans. The show is airing its second season on CW. Overall, The Carrie Diaries is occasionally fun but often cliché.


The Carrie Diaries is rated TV-PG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/The_Carrie_Diaries_Season_1_Promotional_Poster.jpg
Tags: tv, television, tvpg, TV-PG, CW, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City, the Carrie diaries, Carrie, diaries

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Sex and the City is a fun and heartfelt look into sex and relationships in the 21st century.
9.75 out of 10
 
Sex and the City is a fun and fantastic story 4 women as they attempt to navigate love, sex, and relationships in modern NYC. Carrie is sex columnist. It is her job to observe and write about sexual trends in NYC, but her analytical tendencies start to conflict with her budding relationship with the mysterious Mr. Big. She narrates the story and acts as the main character. Samantha is a loose and highly sexual woman and believes that women are just as strong as men. She is an independent woman who feels no need to conform to society's norms. Miranda is the definition of a jaded New Yorker. Often cynical and frigid, she serves as the anchor of the group by providing the hard truth. Charlotte is a preppy optimist. A believer in true love, she constantly searches for the man to settle down with and start a family. Together, they team up to conquer the NYC social scene. Sex and the City was such a smash for the simple reason that it's amazing. Each character adds a new dimension to the group and allows any topic to receive a complex analysis. It was a bold show, able to speak candidly about sex. The writing team was able to accomplish something amazing: making the characters feel real. Through witty and occasionally poignant dialogue, each scene feels full and satisfying. Each episode features a "coffee table scene" in which the girls process the events in their life. Each one is complex and hilarious with characters never missing a beat. The show demonstrates a certain finesse by being able to talk about sex but not feel over the top. The girls are strong, independent and ultimately admirable. Sure, they may make questionable decisions... but who doesn't? They are realistic characters who the viewers are able to become very attached. In the first 2 seasons, the show is somewhat rough. During each episode, a topic will be mentioned and then multiple people will be consulted for their opinions. This provides more of an analytical feeling, which is fine but doesn't help viewer attach to the character. The show finds firmer footing in its 3rd season by cutting out confessionals. By creating solid narrative, the show was able to evolve and ultimately become stronger. The show ran 6 seasons, all strong and magnificent. Never once does the show feel stale; each new boyfriend brings something new. Even the returning boyfriends never feel stale. The show was followed by 2 movies and inspired a prequel spin-off. Overall, Sex and the City is a blissful television experience.
 
 
Sex and the City is rated TV-MA
http://amymcculloch.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/sex_and_the_city_poster.jpg
Tags: tv, television, tvma, TV-MA, HBO, recommended, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City

Sunday, November 10, 2013

House of Cards is a dark and satisfying political drama
8.5 out of 10
 
House of Cards is a new Netflix show aired entirely on the internet. Dark and slick, it serves up good, albeit slow moving drama. Frank Underwood (Spacey) is a congressman who thinks he is going to get the Secretary of State nomination but the president elect screws him over. Hungry for revenge, he embarks on a twisted quest to destroy the presidential administration from the inside. Frank himself is a very interesting character; an intriguing anti-hero. The young reporter he manipulates, Zoe, is even more interesting and makes one question the price of ambition. Lighting is dark and sets a dreary and daunting tone to the show. Music creates a very tense atmosphere and manages to keep you on your toes. Characters are complex and have their own ambitions and personalities which makes the show as interesting as it is. Wonderfully directed and skillfully acted, it makes you question the need for cable. If a show this good can be made in the internet, why should I pay for cable? One thing I must note is that the show is very political and talky. To be honest it is the definition of no action show. However, if you can stick with it, you may be greatly rewarded. It has one season available on Netflix and the second season is set to air in 2014. Overall, House of Cards is a slow but intriguing political drama worth considering.
 
House of Cards is rated TV-MA
http://www.impawards.com/tv/posters/house_of_cards_ver2_xlg.jpg
Tags: drama, tv, television, TV-MA, tv, tvma, recommended, House of Cards, cards, political

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Game of Thrones is a television triumph
9 out of 10
 
 
Game of Thrones is an absolute gem. Utterly engrossing and addicting, it is the definition of quality television. Welcome to the land of Westeros where summer can last for years, and winter even longer. Noble houses rule the land all united under a single king, protector of the realm. Lord Stark of Winterfell knows that winter is coming. He begins a journey up the political ladder. Complex plotlines and interesting plot twists follow and he learns that in the game of thrones, you either win... or you die. There is no question, Game of Thrones is worth the hype. It may start out slow but it achieves great success and provides great reward for those who can stick with it. Game of Thrones is the definition of excess; excess violence, sex, and money. Make no mistake, it may look like Lord of the Rings, but this is an entirely different ballgame. The violence is gratuitous and occasionally cringe inducing. Anyone who doesn't handle violence well will most likely not find comfort in this show. Sex is also extremely prevalent in this show, which I do not have a problem with except it doesn't always service the story. Occasionally, graphic sexual content is thrown in just for the sake of it and can lead to some very uncomfortable moments. I understand the show is on HBO and is allowed freedoms but those freedoms do not need to be used constantly. This show also has a very large budget, and it is used very well. A whole new world is created filled with lush scenery and interesting sets. Each landscape and city offers a new and interesting setting. The characters and actors are stunning. The characters are complex and never fail to entertain. There is a healthy balance of characters I love and characters I love to hate. Multidimensional characters allow for a more complex and dynamic viewing experience. The plot is also amazing with betrayal and intrigue around every corner. The show certainly does a great job mixing it up as it will kill off a major character without a blink of an eye. It has aired 3 seasons and has been renewed for a fourth. Overall, Game of Thrones is a very mature and complex fantasy absolutely worth checking out.
 
 
Game of Thrones is rated TV-MA
http://www.pagepulp.com/wp-content/gotseas1.jpg
Tags: Game of Thrones, Throne, Thrones, Game, HBO, TV, television, drama, action, fantasy, tvma, TV-MA, recommended, 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Smash starts out fresh and fails in its second season.
7.5 out of 10

I stumbled onto Smash accidentally. Shortly after I abandoned the sinking ship called Glee, I saw a large amount of promos for Steven Spielberg's new musical. I sat down and watched the pilot and was immediately hooked. It centers around a group of New Yorker's who are trying to create a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Julia and Tom are the writers and the struggle to figure out what they want their show to look like. Ivy wants the starring role and believes she deserves the part. She has served her year in the ensemble (and is a close friend of Tom). Karen is the new girl from the south who appears suddenly and is graced with a chance at the part of her lifetime. And so enter other great characters into the web of lies and betrayal that is Broadway. Season one was amazing. The show brilliantly captured the tension and stress and created a lot of drama while never being too cliché. The characters all weaved together very nicely and the product was rich and elegant. One very interesting thing about Smash is that every single character is unlikable in some way, yet I stay attached. Such characters demonstrate a certain finesse. After season one, I was left waiting for more. I was overjoyed when I sat down for the 2 hour start of season 2. About halfway through, I remained unconvinced that season 2 would be any good. I shook it off and thought the new season just needs to regain its footing. It never did. Season 2 was a huge and insulting downgrade. New characters were not only unlikable, but annoying. Old characters became stale. The whole show was just a mess of tangled plot and bad writing. To its credit, season 2 featured some great music but the predictable story was problematic. About halfway through, it was switched from its primetime spot on Tuesday to Saturday... a death sentence. Sure enough the show was canceled... but not before the writing was degraded to sitcom antics. Overall, season 1 is a stunning showcase of betrayal on Broadway but season 2 is a less inspired mess.

Smash is rated TV-14
http://cdn.smallscreenscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/smash.jpeg
Tags:smash, NBC, TV, television, tv14, TV-14, drama, musical, recommended

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Weeds is fun but its plotlines get repetitive in its middle seasons.
8.25 out of 10
 
Weeds is brimming with colorful and interesting characters and some very interesting plot twists. There is no way around it, Weeds is a highly addictive series. Well, at least it starts out that way. Nancy Botwin is your average soccer mom from California. Recently widowed, she is forced to start selling weed to maintain her lifestyle and support her family. The show follows her struggle to balance work and family as well as manage the dangers of being a drug dealer. Nancy turns out to be the  ultimate badass. Mary Louise Parker is absolutely hilarious and does an excellent job with the character. Her supporting characters are what really make the show shine. Each character has their own personality that makes them likeable in their own way. Weeds has an excellent first 3 seasons. In fact, I watched the first 3 seasons in 1 week (season 2 and 3 on one weekend). Weeds first 3 seasons were edgy and fun. They had raunchy humor but also a lot of emotion which made it very easy to feel attached to the characters. In season 4, the show seems to become less inspired. After some major changes at the end of the 3rd season, it almost feels like an entirely different show. Season 4 is by no means bad, just different. Season 5 is similar but season 6 caused me issues. It felt less anchored. Again, it is not bad, just not nearly as good as the first 3 seasons. Season 7 is able to stabilize the show and bring is to a satisfying (albeit strange) conclusion in its 8th season. Weeds is the perfect show to binge watch and its easy accessibility on Instant Netflix make it that much more enticing. Overall, Weeds is a highly addictive show definitely worth watching.
 
 
Weeds is rated TV-MA
http://www.tvposter.net/posters/weeds_2005_247_poster.jpg
Tags: Weeds, TV, television, comedy, drama, tvma, TV-MA, recommended

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Girls provides a darker and genius look into growing up in a modern world.
9 out of 10
 
Many compare this new HBO show to Sex and the City. There are similarities but ultimately it is an entirely different product. Girls is an experience unlike anything I have seen before. Brimming with cynicism, Girls is an explicit and often hilarious look into the lives of 4 women. Hannah is in her 20's and lives in New York City. The pilot finds her being cut off from the financial support of her parents. As a writer, she struggles to find a way to make money while figuring out who she is and who she wants to become. She doesn't stumble along the way, she falls flat on her face and her journey is truly something to behold. Her best friend Marine seems to have it all figured out. She has a committed boyfriend and a successful job, but is she happy? Jessa, their English friend, appears once more having just returned from her latest trip. She is a flaky and loose girl who has traveled the world and doesn't really have a set plan in her life. And Shoshanna, Jessa's cousin, is a virginal college student that doesn't know how to shut up. Together, they embark on a journey of self discovery that the show describes as, "Living the dream. One mistake at a time." Writer/director/star,  Lena Dunham (plays Hannah), is simply amazing. Her characters come to life in an extremely realistic way. I found it incredibly easy to relate to them. However, due to their realistic nature, they make mistakes. Some of these mistakes are very obvious and thus create a feeling of annoyance but in the end, they are still awesome. Girls is one of the most mature shows I have ever seen. Some scenes are very sexually explicit and made me uncomfortable (no easy feat). If you do decide to watch Girls, know what you are signing up for. That said, the show is not all twisted sexuality. There are moments of genuine joy that set this show apart from the rest. One of which is a dance party Hannah has after receiving some distressing news. Such displays of innocence are a joy to watch. Season 2 further refines the show, toning the sexual content down (not by much! It is still very explicit). Is it perfect? No. However, it does provide a very interesting look into one of the most whiny and self-indulgent generations. Overall, Girls is a fun and explicit look into maturing in today's world. It is absolutely worth checking out, if you can handle it.
 
Girls is rated TV-MA
 
http://pics.filmaffinity.com/Girls_TV_Series-683166605-large.jpg
Tags: Girls, HBO, recommended, television, tv, TV-MA, tvma,
The Newsroom is a fresh and inspiring look at what TV should be.
9.25 out of 10
 
 
HBO's The Newsroom is a stunning look inside journalism and the news today. It features wonderful and stinging social commentary. Will McAvoy is a famous news anchor on the fictional news network ACN. He follows the status quo until Mackenzie McHale appears and shakes up his world. From that moment, the ACN newsroom covers real life news with a very interesting and honest twist. It is filled with colorful characters (Sloan Sabbath is particularly interesting) and a fair share of relationship drama (just the right amount). Inspiring and well written, The Newsroom had me cheering for more. It's second season was more focused in its narrative and was just as wonderful as the first season. A third season has been confirmed and I anxiously await its release. Overall, The Newsroom is a wonderful (and very mild by HBO standard) show and is worth checking out.
 
The Newsroom is rated TV-MA
 
http://store.hbo.com/imgcache/product/resized/000/374/644/catl/00374644-746785_500.jpg?k=c0933ad8&pid=374644&s=catl&sn=hbo
Tags: comedy, drama, HBO, news, newsroom, recommended, television, the newsroom, tv, TV-MA, tvma