Got a suggestion for us? Is there a show you think we should review, or possibly just one you think we should be watching? Do you have a general question for any of us? Do you want to give us some feedback?
This is the place. Post your comment, and we'll read it.
80 comments:
Have to rave about Being Human for a second. Simply one of the best shows around at the moment.
Also Justified has quickly turned into one of my favourites. It’s really refreshing to have a crime show on TV that isn’t 90% forensic mumbo jumbo.
Plus it’s great to have Timothy Olyphant back in a cowboy hat (yeah, still missing Deadwood).
Keep up the great work everyone.
I'll have to give "Being Human" a try. And oooh. Love Timothy Olyphant. We're watching Justified, too and liking it, even though he's basically playing the same character he played in Deadwood. Strike "even though" -- make that "because."
I second that!
Plus, although it's set in modern days, Justified has a lot of the atmosphere of Deadwood. I miss it so much too.
Human Target has become a surprisingly good series too. Moreover, there's Amy Acker, which promptly makes me like a series.
Putting in a vote for Leverage.
OK, it's not going to win any Emmys but it's good, solid entertainment.
Especially love the numerous genre-geek references and in-jokes scattered throughout.
Seconding the vote for Being Human. Think I mentioned it a while back but to reiterate, it really is the best thing on British TV at the moment
I would love to see reviews of Dr. Who. I am new to this series and am enjoying it so far.
Hi, Patti:
We've done reviews of all of the new Who. http://www.billiedoux.com/doctorwho.html So I assume you mean the older Doctor Who? It's unlikely that we'll ever get to those, but our friends at Androzani have.
http://www.androzani.com/index.shtml
Thanks Billie - yes I mean the current ones "the Eleventh Hour" that played the other night. Thanks. I've bookmarked the review page.
I'd love to see you review Diaries. I watched the first two episodes when it started, and have the rest sitting on my Tivo just waiting for my spare time to appear.
If you're looking for something not on your current "under consideration" list, how about Eureka?
I strongly recommend everyone watch Hamlet (Wed, 8 on PBS) with David Tennant and Sir Patrick Stewart. It’s simply a brilliant production with two amazing performances by the former Doctor and Captain Picard.
Hi Billie, I hope I'm not too late with my suggestion - I'd like to recommend the BBC mini series Jekyll. It's a sort of a modern sequel/reimagining of the classic Jekyll & Hyde story (which I haven't read). It's by Steven Moffat of Doctor Who fame and it might just be the best thing I've ever seen on TV. Great story, excellent performances, plus it's only six episodes, so even if you don't like it, it will be over quickly :-)
Oh, and I'd also like to cast another vote for Being Human. I've enjoyed both seasons so far. It's not perfect but it's pretty good. (It could do with a bigger budget, though. When you have a show about a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost, you'd think you'd see a special effect at least occasionally.)
Billie, any chance you can put all your Lost reviews into a book? I followed you "religiously" for the first 2 seasons, then dropped out until the finale. I have a lot of catching up to do!
Dave B
Hey, Dave:
I only wish! No one has volunteered to publish my reviews yet -- go figure. They're all available and pretty easy to read on my main site, though. Or I hope they are. http://www.billiedoux.com/lost.html
Not really a comment, but just wanted to share the news that it looks like we will be getting another season of Torchwood!
http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/06/07/starz-picks-up-torchwood/
I know it ended a few years ago but I would love to see reviews of The Wire. It's an amazing show that should at least be watched
Have you considered The Dresden Files? Since it's just the one season, there's no big commitment and it could fill in if you have a gap in your viewing schedule...
What about the vampire show 'Forever Knight' that ran in the nineties with Geraint Wyn Davies and Nigel Bennett?
Not sure if you're still reading these, but I'll drop my two cents anyhow.
I'll have to agree with Valerie to check out the Wire if you haven't already though an episodic review system wouldn't be optimal. The show has been regarded as a novel each season and a write up of the entire 12 episodes each year would be best, albeit quite a hassle. So I would recommend just viewing it, not reviewing it.
AMC has two of my favorites in Mad Men and Breaking Bad. Neither of which are genre shows, so if you don't want to write on them but have some free time, check em out.
As for a show to review (if you don't have enough already) I would recommend Farscape. My reasoning is completely selfish since I have just found myself racing through the first season. I'm sure, however that many people on this site have seen/enjoyed the show and wouldn't mind the addition.
And lastly, HBO is coming out with A Game of Thrones next spring I believe. It's by far my favorite book series and one that's closely involving the author, George R.R. Martin.Looking forward to that more than anything.
Ha! Just moments after writing this I noticed a link to future Farscape review. Guess I missed it. =)
Hi, Jay:
We're definitely still reading this thread, and we see every comment that's posted, even if it's on something older. Yes, Jess Lynde will start posting Farscape reviews in a couple of weeks and I think it'll be a great addition to the site. Josie Kafka is a big fan of the books and is planning to review Game of Thrones, too. I love Breaking Bad and Mad Men, but at this point we don't plan to review them. Wish we had the time.
And coincidentally, I am currently watching The Wire for the first time. Just finished season four. It's exceptional television, no doubt about it. It's possible that there will be reviews at some point, and you're right that they should probably be seasonal, not episodic.
Thanks, Jay. You obviously have your finger on the pulse of our site. :)
I don’t know if it’s available anywhere in the US right now but I strongly recommend everyone try and track down the brilliant French crime series Engrenages, also known as Spiral. So far three seasons have been aired in France and the UK with, blimey, a fourth, fifth and sixth season already on the way.
Much like The Wire does with Baltimore Spiral takes an unflinching and often unfavourable look at inner workings of the French justice system from the cops and criminals to the judges via the prosecutors and lawyers. It’s a simply fantastic series with a great, if deliberately photogenic cast (after all, this is the French we’re talking about here).
I've been searching everywhere for reviews of The Tudors and ROME. I'd love to see if you were able to review those shows.
There is also a show called Underbelly, here in Australia, which is pretty amazing and has cult status, seeing as it was banned in Victoria, due to the Carl Williams trial. It deals with the gangland wars.
Hi, Billie
I've been watching Covet Affairs, and it has some serious Alias and Nikita vibes. I think you might like it. Besides, watching a show without coming here right after for a review isn't as satisfying.
Hi, Gustavo:
We've been watching Covert Affairs but so far, it hasn't inspired me to write anything. I mostly keep looking at Piper Whatsherface and seeing Jennifer Garner.
I would love to see someone review the movie Wolf Creek. It's too terrifying for me to watch, because I'm chicken, but I think it would be a great movie to review.
Hi Morgan,
I just put Wolf Creek on my to-watch list. When I finally get round to seeing it, I'll make sure to write a review and pester Billie until she lets me post it (any excuse to review a scary movie, teehee).
I looked around a bit because I'd never heard of it. Apparently, Wolf Creek is a classy, well-done, well-received scary movie, and like Morgan, I am too chicken to watch it. Go for it, Dimitri.
Just to add my 2 cents:
"Wolf Creek" is a great and intense scary movie. The concept isn't anything too unique, but it's definetely well-done.
And just a question, is anybody planning on reviewing the latest Harry Potter film. I just got back from the midnight showing and although the past Potter films left me disenchanted this one blew me away. It has the most inspired moviemaking since the third one, and I think the decision to split the novel into two was ultimately a good one (even if it was motivated by monetary purposes), as we actually get time to spend on character development rather than just leaping from one even to the next like some of the films of the past.
Well, I will end my delirious, sleep-deprived HP rant here. But as always, love what's been happening with the site lately. Keep up the good work everybody!
At the moment, I'm (rather slooowly, I must confess!) just starting to watch through some Xena: Warrior Princess for my own blog, and I was wondering if you had any plans to do some retrospective reviews here? I'm at www.popclassicsjg.blogspot.com and I do reviews, but my blog is based around looking at how various shows/films/books use ancient Greece and Rome so I can't go into all the detail I'd like on all aspects of the show (though some shows, like Rome and Spartacus: Blood and Sand get full, massive re-caps!). I'd love to read some other opinions on Xena! The same goes for Stargate SG-1, though I've been a fan of that show for years.
Hello, Juliette:
It's hard to tell where our muses will take us, but at this point we don't have plans to review Xena or SG-1. Although I watched and loved both of them.
Your blog is awesome. I just bookmarked it.
Thank you! I'm so glad people like it. Sometimes I get way too tempted to branch out and talk about everything I love, but I think if I did that I'd never get any work done, ever... :)
Hey Billie,
You should check out Terriers. Its one of the best shows on TV. The acting is superb and the writing is sharp and terrific.I think you would enjoy it....
I know you don't usually review books but I finally got around to finishing The Hunger Games trilogy and it blew my mind. It's a really fantastic series and I'm already depressed that there isn't anything more for me to read. Also I've heard that they may be making a movie out of it so that might be something interesting in the future too.
Hi Billie Doux staff!
First of all, I owe you, Billie, personal thanks. Your reviews were what first got me interested in Buffy, which is now my favorite show of all time. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you converted someone to the Cult of Joss Whedon, where I now happily worship!
I love your site and have been writing episode reviews of my own for some time. I enjoy the kinds of shows that you cover (sci-fi/fantasy/cult) and I check the site at least once a day.
This season, you haven't been covering The Event, which is not really that great a series, but kind of fun nonetheless.
I've written a sample review of last night's Event episode in a style that I think would fit your site well, which I've posted here: http://oharasamplereview.blog.com/
I would be more than thrilled to cover The Event for your site. Actually, I'd be happy to cover any other genre shows you'd like as well (Twin Peaks, The Prisoner). Writing reviews is just fun and I would very much enjoy it.
Anyway, thank you! You guys are great!
Hi O'Hara,
I'd like to contact you privately. Would you email me at josie.kafka at gmail dot com?
How about Misfits? Its a very British tongue in cheek version of the super hero/super powers genre. It has very sharp writing and acting, think Being Human for the asbo generation, and in Robert Sheehan it has a superstar in the making.
Lovin the Dexter reviews.... Fingers crossed for Lumen eh?
Peace and Love...Dave Eco.
How about Babylon 5? I know it's an older show and some of the specific effects were not really well done. But it's a superb story with great characters and plots.
Hi, Yong Yong: I was deeply, *deeply* obsessed with Babylon 5 while it was running, and wrote brief reviews for my friends. They were my first reviews, and probably not very good. Those reviews are lost now, or there would be brief B5 reviews here on the site. I don't have plans to do it again, mostly because I already did it and it feels like too much. But maybe someday. Who knows?
Thanks Billie. Great to know that you think highly of the show as well. Really enjoy all the reviews posted on this site. Keep up the good work!!!
Hey Billy, love your blog. Love that you love all my favorite things. As per the usual, except for Supernatural, I may have been the only person on that bandwagon from episode 1, I am now watching the X-Files for the first time ever (fyi: I only watched, and became obsessed with, Buffy about a year ago). I was excited to see that there was a reviewer on it--but it seems that Jess abandoned that quest long ago. Any chance you could get someone else on it? I just love reading about things I just saw, and reviews help put things in perspective. Especially shows with a mythology like the X-Files.
Thanks!
Hi, Anonymous, and thanks for your comment. Actually, The X-Files is a fairly new endeavor and it's something of a rainy day endeavor as well since it's not current and it's freaking huge. I think we'll eventually finish it. It's just not going to be soon.
I haven't abandoned The X-Files, Anonymous. Reviews for that show are a summer project for me. I'm planning to start on Season 2 this summer (2011), but as Billie said, it's going to be slow going to finish the whole series! I doubt I'll even get through all of Season 2 this summer. But hopefully, I'll get better than half way. I'm sorry to keep you waiting!
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I was curious if you were considering reviewing Sanctuary. I remember watching the first episode back when it first aired and remembered not being too impressed. I just recently realized that the show is still around and considered giving it a second go.
I was considering it, Felipe, but ended up getting drawn into Eureka instead. I haven't completely abandoned the idea, but to be honest I'm not sure I enjoy Sanctuary as much as I need to to do reviews. I do really love some of the characters (Helen, Druitt, Henry, and Tesla are big favorites), and when I watch it, I usually enjoy the episodes (usually), but it doesn't compel me to watch. It took me months to finally watch the last five episodes of Season 3.0! So, unless someone else wants to take it on, reviews for Sanctuary could be a long time coming. Sorry!
No problem. It just isn't the same watching a show without the prospect of reading a review of it here afterward. Suppose I was just looking for another reason to watch other then Amanda Tapping. Knowing that you do enjoy it is a plus. (side note: Does Tapping's accent get any better, I remember it being rather distracting)
Eureka is also on my to do list so I'm glad you're reviewing it.
That's lovely, Felipe. Thank you.
Hi!
First of all- love your page! I visit regularly to read reviews of many of my favorite shows :)
A few weeks ago i saw the movie "I am number four", and i thought that was the sort of movie that would be reviewd here..? It's science fiction, it's been described as a mix of Twilight and Transformers and I believe it's the first in a series of four movies (?).
I know I would love to read your thoughts about the movies(s).. :)
I also wish you would have continued writing about Hawaii Five-O, because I really love that show..! But I understand that a cop show isn't your thing..
Hi, Johanne:
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't seen I am Number Four yet but it's on my list. I'm also a fan of Hawaii Five-O; it's getting better all the time and the Iron Chef tie-ins make me laugh. But you're right that we probably won't be covering it any time soon. Too many shows! Too little time.
Hi, my name's Alex, I'm a big fan of your blog, especially the Doctor Who reviews. I'm on blogspot as well, but I'm still new to blogging, and I wanted to set up my blog similar to yours. How did you set up the home page and all the tabs with links to other pages? I've been trying to figure it out, but I just can't seem to make it work. Do you have any tips?
Hi, Pottergirl:
Thank you so much for the good words!
This is just a standard three column blog. The show index pages are all just regular blog posts, but I put links to each one in a simple html box on the left in order to organize the reviews. We dated the show index pages with a very early date so that they'd file before any of the other posts.
I really can't give you that many tips on how we put the site together because I'd be writing for hours -- it took a lot of time, and I don't even remember where we found everything. Just experiment a lot, try out the different features, and when you need something specific, look around the net. There are a lot of sites with blogger advice.
Billie,
I totally understand not being to explain everything, haha. Actually, what you described is just what I need to get myself started on my blog. Thanks so much! :)
Best of luck with your blog, Alex! It does take some effort to get it the way you want it, but worth it.
Look who's joining Dexter! I can't believe it! It's Adams!
http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/05/24/edward-james-olmos-joins-dexter-cast/
Have you heard about the show on BBC called Merlin? It basically has Merlin as Arthur's servant having to hide his magical abilities. This show has some great humor (Clotpole? anyone) and everything about it is awesome!
It definitely includes some of the myth/legend but it twists them like having Gwen as a servant to Morgana. I am sooooo in love with the show right now which is all due to Colin Morgan (Merlin).
I love your blog so much!
A retro review of Carnivale would be awesome...
How about Falling Skies? I'm not an alien junkie but this show is really great!!
Hi Billie,
I just finished the book Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde and thought you might like it! Perhaps you've already read it, but if not it's definitely a sci-fi/dystopian wonderland! The book is about a dystopian society many years in the future where color has become a commodity. Almost everyone can only see one color (red, purple, green, etc.) and many people can't see any. Society is arranged in a hierarchy based on color perception. There's also a lot of authoritarian 1984 vibe, but with much more witty humor and much fewer spoons (you'll get it if you read the book). Fforde's other novels also might interest you, especially the Thursday Next series. Just thought I'd drop by my favorite site and hopefully make your literary day!
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Emma. I haven't read Fforde but he's definitely on my "try someday" list."
American Shameless
Huge fan of all the reviews on this site - just wanted to suggest you guys watch and/or review Lost Girl. its a canadian series that reminds me at times of Buffy which is why i thought it would be in the wheel house of you guys - would love to hear your thoughts on it!
Will you be doing Grimm?
-Trey
Hi, Trey: We'll definitely be reviewing the pilot of Grimm. If it's wonderful, one of us might take it on. We'll have to see how it goes.
I recommend the new UK series The Fades airing on BBC3. It's about ghosts a.k.a "Fades", but it's not your typical ghost story, it's from some of the creative team of the original Being Human.
I really didn't think much of the first 2 episodes, but the third really upped the ante and the 4th, which aired in the UK last night, blew me away! So stick with it even if you don't like the pilot
Hi Stephen,
No matter where you put it, Billie and I read it.
I haven't heard of Fades--it sounds good!
Watched Jeykll recently (the 6 episode series). It was pretty darn amazing. Loved it, and would love to read about it here. I know it was suggested before, I just want to second the suggestion. Great, great show.
Hey Billie! Love your reviews, especially about Buffy, which, ever since I was ten, has remained my favorite show ever. (I'm 20 by the way, so a decade strong and I'm still obsessed!)
But my tastes are very similar to yours, so I was thinking you should give Breaking Bad a shot. It's quickly becoming one of the greatest shows of all time. Heck, people even rank it higher than The Wire, if you can believe it. It is brilliant. You should check it out.
Hey, Marshall: As luck and timing would have it, about an hour ago I posted a comment that I'm going to review Breaking Bad. I've been a fan for awhile, but I just had too many other shows that I was committed to reviewing. I was waiting until I was sure that I wouldn't be taking on something this fall to announce it.
Retro reviews of Breaking Bad will start going up in December, and I'll be covering the final season as it airs.
YEEEAH! Thank you!
You've got to start reviewing Michael Fassbender. He's amazing as Magneto in x-men first class. He pretty much elevates all the movies he has been in.
I would really recommend Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror, a 3 episode TV series that aired a few weeks ago in the UK and I've only just caught up on. Each episode is like it's own self-contained short film, with a different cast, plot and "universe" it is set in.
They're linked by the theme that each is set in the near future, but comments on the way we live our lives today, and the way our world is headed.
I enjoyed the first episode, based on Twitter and social networks and how news is spread through them, but ultimately found it a bit silly, but the second "15 Million Credits", absolutely blew me away!!! It's the most futuristic of the three, but you can completely imagine it being the way the world will turn out. I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but I rate this episode as one of, if not THE, best pieces of television ever made.
The third episode "The Entire History Of You" has a really interesting concept, but I found it felt a bit rushed, we needed more time to find out about the world the characters are living in, and the concept could have been covered more thoroughly in a longer film or mini-series.
So WATCH IT :)
P.S the creator of this series, Charlie Brooker, also created Dead Set, a zombie mini-series set in the Big Brother house. It sounds absolutely daft, but it makes a great zombie apocalypse story in it's own right, as well as being a parable for the reality tv age.
Just a heads up, The Fades airs in the Us on BBC America tonight :)
Thanks, Stephen. I have it set up on the DVR. Never heard of Black Mirror, by the way, but I'll keep it in mind.
Ooooh.... a Suggestion Box, eh? Alright. I'll bite. There's more then a few shows I'd love to see reviewed here. But I'll just mention a few.
- Big Bang Theory
- Burn Notice
- Psych
.... actually, that's all of em, heh.
Wait, no. I do gots one more. Deadwood!!!
Funny you mention that, Greg. I'm watching it right now.
REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!!!! :D
Also... thought of another one.... Arrested Development. :)
The best book i have read in couple years is, "Dr. Norrell & Jonathan Strange." An amazing read, clever witty, challenging and its written from the perspective of someone living in the 1800s. Look this book up i guarentee you will be glad you did.
Ps, "Fringe" has to be the best series ever, over every category. Amazing stories, plots. hidden clues alternate universe it has everything. I only seen my first episode during season 2. It was literally that good i bought the box sets now im hooked . If you giv fringe a chance you will love it. 10/10
Lost In Space
This is something of a longshot but I would highly recommend Avatar: The Last Airbender. I watched it when I was younger and I just went back and re-watched the series and was so impressed.
While it entertained me as a kid, as an adult I can now see the complexities within it and see that it is a very intricate and emotional tv show for a children's cartoon. Also, with the sequel, Legend of Korra, currently airing on Nickelodeon, it's perfect timing to get (back) into it.
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