Southie Pride: Boston’s Sub-Culture Is Wickeder than Yours

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Anni M.

Image source: Huffingtonpost.com

Here’s what makes a good reality show: pride that runs deep, rivalries that are forever, militant home-town patriotism, hot babes, wicked good accents… oh and 495 Productions, the masterminds behind Jersey Shore. Get ready, America. Coming this fall, TLC will be bringing you a brand new reality show to sink your greedy vampire teeth into. It’s called Southie Pride (working title) and it’s going to be so revolutionary, so completely outside-the-box, so totally post-postmodern and, like, a comment on society. I’m only kidding in some ways…

I do admit to sharing my country’s fascination with the reality television phenomenon. Yes, much of it has gotten completely out of hand, trying to make entertainment out of the boringest people doing the boringest things (I’m looking at you, Say Yes to the Dress). But there are still some gems worth spending your life on. If you’ve been reading for a while, you may know how I feel about Jersey Shore. I love watching those strange, self-identified guidos and guidettes represent an underbelly of a culture of excess that’s just gotten so darn full of itself its liable to bust… like popped implants. It really is a comment on what we’ve become, and an orange brick road to where we’re going.

That’s why I’m actually wiggling in my boots over Southie Pride, and not cause I have to pee. I grew up near Boston and had a few good friends from Southie. It’ll be like watching Jersey Shore having known a guido. I think you can understand how thrilling that would be. Of course, the people of South Boston may not share my enthusiasm, and if I lived there I sure wouldn’t either. There’s no doubt in my mind that Southie Pride will make the citizens of Southie less proud—at least in the eyes of America. Leave it to reality T.V. to strip a place of the single thing that makes it great. Moving on…

Image source: Massholesports.com

Thanks in large part to the brothers Damon-Affleck and their homage to the neighborhood in Good Will Hunting, Southie has been mythologized in popular culture as some kind of working man’s community picnic. FYI, Damon and Affleck DID NOT grow up in Southie. They grew up in Cambridge—home to Harvard University and MIT and very rich people and Au Bon Pain. My point is, how many relatively poor, kinda dirty, drug-riddled, crimey neighborhoods in America can you think of that seem so darn romantic?

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting

Image source: Freeextras.com

I know this show might suck. So much depends on the casting… and the direction, the editing, the film crew… the “movie magic” behind the “reality.” One thing it really has going for it is its all-girl cast. I’m a girl too! I can already relate. I’m also excited for the welling-up feeling I’ll get watching a bunch of charismatic, down-on-their-luck, tough-as-nails working ladies being there for each other. Sorry, people of Southie, but a cup of that, a tablespoon of good old Southie tradition, a pinch of violence, a gallon of Red Sox, three un-washed illegitimate children, a dab of boob flashes, some vodka shots: now that sounds like a recipe for good T.V.

Spin-Off Spotlight: Torchwood

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Mia R.

Torchwood Children of Earth Gwen Jack and Ianto

Image source: geekshow.us

Do a quick search and you’ll find many articles about hit British television show, Doctor Who. And for good reason; this hugely popular sci-fi has recently found a passionate cult American audience. But what about Torchwood? This Doctor spin-off (no Spin Doctors pun intended) is nothing like the original show, except for the fact that it shares a central character and alien technology. So what is it about Torchwood that makes it worthy of the spotlight? Continue reading →

Jersey Shore Producers Set Out to Ruin Classy Film Cred of South Boston

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Bailey C.

Image Source: boston.com

Though they’ve so far been portrayed in only the most dignified of ways (onscreen in Oscar darlings Good Will Hunting, The Fighter and The Departed, to name a few), the denizens of South Boston will now be put under the small-screen microscope as Jersey Shore producers move forward with a reality show examining Boston’s most notorious neighborhood. So let’s all start practicing saying, “Why’d you pahk the cah in the yahd?” now just so we won’t be left behind. Continue reading →

Don’t Miss This Episode: Angel’s “Five By Five”/”Sanctuary”

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Bailey C.

Image Source: angel.fcpages.com

Our new blog series Don’t Miss This Episode takes you in to the standout episodes of your favorite shows.

At their very best, television episodes play upon the mythology of the series, the characters they’ve built and the major moral or philosophical themes the show has dealt with. You will likely remember this sort of thing in that one episode of The Hills where Lauren Conrad must choose between buying a Fendi purse or really going all-out for the Chanel. Continue reading →

CBS Buys Show About Girl Hacker Detective That is Totally Not Lisbeth Salander, Not At All

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Bailey C.

Image Source: 20min.ch

First there was Armageddon and Deep Impact. A Bug’s Life and Antz. Gordy and Babe. Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror, Mirror. And now, thanks to CBS, we have a new War Between the Screen Entertainments With Similar Subjects. Continue reading →

Dwight Schrute Might-Maybe-Sorta-Kinda Get His Own Spinoff Show, Perhaps

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Bailey C.

Image Source: Troll.me

Cue the “Breaking of the Fellowship” theme music people, and bust out your hankies. The slow disintegration of the Fellowship of the Office may have just fractured a little further. Deadline Hollywood reports that Dwight Schrute may be the next to cast his little elven boat off across the river of television, Continue reading →

Seven Compelling TV Characters That Deserve Their Own Spin-Offs

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Kris M.

Image: ew.com

Does The Cleveland Show leave you wondering what makes Cleveland so interesting that he got his own series? Were you outraged when Joey was picked out of all the Friends to be the star of his own show? Does the thought of a Snooki spin-off make you want to cry?

If so, you’re probably suffering from spin-off fatigue—the inability to enjoy a mediocre TV show just because it was spun-off from a show you love. The only cure is to watch plenty of Frasier and Angel reruns as you wait for any of these compelling TV characters to star in their own spin-off series.

Troy Barnes and Abed Nadir - Community

Yes we’re including Troy and Abed as a pair—you just don’t break up a great comedy duo. With Community possibly on its last legs, this might be our only chance of seeing six seasons and a movie. The series would follow Troy and Abed as they make movies and rip on pop culture.

Lafayette Reynolds – True Blood

Image: blogspot.com

Lafayette has gone from drug dealing short-order cook to magical spirit medium. He continues to be one of the most interesting people in Bon Temps. We want to see him reunite with the spirit of his dead boyfriend Jesus as he guides Lafayette around the south, helping restless spirits to find peace.

Gus Fring – Breaking Bad

Image: mostlyjunkfood.com

The Machiavellian meth dealer was the most mysterious, meticulous and powerful character we’ve seen on TV in a long time. Even though Gus was recently killed off, we’d still love to see a prequel series that tells the story of how he became the southwest’s biggest drug kingpin and fried chicken restaurateur.

Joan Harris – Mad Men

Image: letspolka.com

Even when she didn’t work at Sterling Cooper, the cameras couldn’t help but follow Joan. She has a red-hot personality but underneath is a complex woman who wants to be both desired and respected. We want to watch Joan as part of the women’s lib movement in the 70s, finally achieving the success she deserves.

Michael Scott – The Office

Image: tumblr.com

We know Steve Carell wants to focus on his movie career, but if that doesn’t pan out we’d welcome Michael Scott back with open arms. The series could give us a peek into the married life of Michael and Holly, the dorkiest couple in the world. Add some adopted children to the mix and that awkward humor pretty much writes itself.

Artemis – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Artemis is Sweet Dee’s friend, Frank’s former sex partner and one of the most interesting reoccurring characters on the show. She has next to no shame, zero class and a raging food fetish—stick her into any premise and we’re watching.

Andy Botwin – Weeds

Image: tumblr.com

The Showtime series Weeds has gotten a little long in the tooth lately and Andy has always been one of the funniest, clever characters on the show. The best plan for moving forward would be to ditch Nancy and her drama and focus on Andy and Doug, getting stoned and planning their own schemes.