tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post3057816322240061557..comments2024-03-28T16:21:30.329-04:00Comments on Patricia Abbott (pattinase): The Best TV Drama of the Last 25 years.pattinase (abbott)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-74282822395401225372012-03-06T11:31:15.987-05:002012-03-06T11:31:15.987-05:00There are two series that I always consider the be...There are two series that I always consider the best of everything I've seen: BRIDESHEAD REVISITED with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews - a series, really. Though, I suppose you'd call it a mini-series.<br /><br />And -<br /><br />THE WEST WING. I can watch Wing to this day with almost the same enthusiasm I felt the first and second times. Such a great cast. Such a beautifully acted show.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-27435915028356327812012-03-06T10:25:42.274-05:002012-03-06T10:25:42.274-05:00Just like lots of the old crime novels relied on f...Just like lots of the old crime novels relied on formula. Whodunnit rarely produces a great novel unless it's combined with great characters and atmosphere IMHO.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-42399220838187035512012-03-06T10:13:39.500-05:002012-03-06T10:13:39.500-05:00The writing on JUSTIFIED is top-caliber and hard t...The writing on JUSTIFIED is top-caliber and hard to beat. The characterizations on BOARDWALK EMPIRE are also of the first rank, thanks to a hand-picked cast. And I think THE SOPRANOS broke the new ground that these two shows now walk.<br /><br />There were some great older dramatic shows, like STUDIO ONE and THE FUGITIVE, but most of the older shows, IMO, relied much more on formula than writing and character. So as much as I like old TV, I have to say the newer dramas are among the best shows ever televised.Mike Dennishttp://mikedennisnoir.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-19171559370866928482012-03-06T08:48:38.004-05:002012-03-06T08:48:38.004-05:00I'd add Twin Peaks, Cracker, Boys From The Bla...I'd add Twin Peaks, Cracker, Boys From The Blackstuff, Our Friends In The North, Gangsters to the list.Paul D Brazillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12881642426845398389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-25119255023431015222012-03-05T23:09:31.585-05:002012-03-05T23:09:31.585-05:00I've enjoyed the episodes I've seen. I hop...I've enjoyed the episodes I've seen. I hope I can catch it in reruns at some point.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-76961816478939922212012-03-05T20:24:52.062-05:002012-03-05T20:24:52.062-05:00The highlight of course was the Briscoe-Munch meet...The highlight of course was the Briscoe-Munch meetings with Orbach and Richard Belzer, whether on L & O or on Homicide.<br /><br />Jeff M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-37811534501790353972012-03-05T20:19:41.352-05:002012-03-05T20:19:41.352-05:00Yup...though Noth/Orbach/S. Epatha Merkerson actua...Yup...though Noth/Orbach/S. Epatha Merkerson actually started a few seasons in...and they managed to improve reliably again in the last season or two, after going into a long slump (basically starting about the time Steven Hill quit), with scattered good episodes througout.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-91896891074476756752012-03-05T20:10:44.411-05:002012-03-05T20:10:44.411-05:00I would have no clue on picking a TV show. I guess...I would have no clue on picking a TV show. I guess I would vote for THE SOPRANOS or DEADWOOD.David Cranmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04749857752139212888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-85086225965743250712012-03-05T19:54:17.819-05:002012-03-05T19:54:17.819-05:00The first few years were good. I liked the Noth/Or...The first few years were good. I liked the Noth/Orbach team a lot. Then they fell into the ripped from the headlines plots and I lost interest. Especially after seeing a story I knew about on there.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-69287495825242048942012-03-05T19:35:45.755-05:002012-03-05T19:35:45.755-05:00Well, many of the Orbach episodes were the best on...Well, many of the Orbach episodes were the best ones of that series. It was pretty solid, for a while. (Today's COMEDY BANG BANG podcast, with Paul F. Tompkins portraying Ice-T, defined L&O: SVU as offering a cast of cops portrayed by "beautiful female models and gnarled, beat up male character actors," with "Ice" chiming in to note, "And me.")Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-51629154041649774702012-03-05T19:27:42.426-05:002012-03-05T19:27:42.426-05:00And you're probably the better for it.And you're probably the better for it.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-2605217241790379942012-03-05T18:56:50.864-05:002012-03-05T18:56:50.864-05:00Just reading all these comments makes me realize h...Just reading all these comments makes me realize how little TV drama I've watched. Of those I have, I'd pick TWIN PEAKS (up until they discovered who killed Laura Palmer) as my favorite drama. I love the reruns of LAW & ORDER (especially the ones with Jerry Orbach), but I never watched the show at night when it first ran.Debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-77505486819300224522012-03-05T18:39:35.050-05:002012-03-05T18:39:35.050-05:00SCRUBS had a little reunion of ST E cast in one ep...SCRUBS had a little reunion of ST E cast in one episode.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-35416649498479509012012-03-05T18:36:49.569-05:002012-03-05T18:36:49.569-05:00Sorry, Todd - missed your comment, though I know y...Sorry, Todd - missed your comment, though I know you've mentioned St. Elsewhere before. They had some wonderful crossover episodes with other MTM shows (Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart).<br /><br />Jeff M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-30903472270082950822012-03-05T18:00:37.161-05:002012-03-05T18:00:37.161-05:00If;s not gone by tomorrow, my post might all be on...If;s not gone by tomorrow, my post might all be on the comment section. Damn, blogger.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-73142974109812998912012-03-05T17:59:21.193-05:002012-03-05T17:59:21.193-05:00At least two times has it changed on my blog in th...At least two times has it changed on my blog in the last week or so. More looks different than is different in my case.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-57390932525940066242012-03-05T17:54:37.915-05:002012-03-05T17:54:37.915-05:00HAS ANYONE ELSE'S BLOGGER COMPLETELY CHANGED I...HAS ANYONE ELSE'S BLOGGER COMPLETELY CHANGED IN ITS METHOD FOR POSTING.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-12888495442120766042012-03-05T17:51:57.129-05:002012-03-05T17:51:57.129-05:00I'd suggest that NYPD, the relatively shortliv...I'd suggest that NYPD, the relatively shortlived 1960s series, and then the better episodes of KOJAK and POLICE STORY laid a Lot of groundwork for HILL STREET BLUES, but HSB certainly took an insouciance to the matter that Bochco and company had picked up while working on the likes of COLUMBO and THE ROCKFORD FILES. And ST. ELSEWHERE certainly could touch back to M*A*S*H and a few others, but certainly ST. ELSEWHERE took everything to a new level after Bruce Paltrow took over.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-89132027996799711512012-03-05T17:47:26.191-05:002012-03-05T17:47:26.191-05:00There are quite a few worthy of the title Best in ...There are quite a few worthy of the title Best in 25 years (1987-2012, if I did my math right). BABYLON 5, WEST WING (for the fantasy elements alone), JUSTIFIED, SHERLOCK, to name those I can think of at the moment.<br />But here is one that died to soon but could have made a difference: RAINES. It is available to watch on most downloading services.<br /><br />RAINES ran less than eight episodes on NBC and starred Jeff Goldblum as a cop who solved murders by getting to understand the victim. He would see them based on just what he knew and as he (and us) grew to know the victim, the ghost would change. No mystery has ever made the victim less of a plot device and more a real person. You experienced the grief the detective felt for the victim and how little closure really means.michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17812924049258701715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-70395811737850502252012-03-05T17:43:19.806-05:002012-03-05T17:43:19.806-05:00HILL STREET BLUES seems to have invented the moder...HILL STREET BLUES seems to have invented the modern police drama to me. And St. Elsewhere treating medical personnel as flawed people.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-36634645401791642722012-03-05T17:37:34.490-05:002012-03-05T17:37:34.490-05:00Except that I did mention ST. ELSEWHERE, Jeff. It ...Except that I did mention ST. ELSEWHERE, Jeff. It was brilliant after the weak first season (the creator/producers Brand and Falsey were fired, and they went on to do better with I'LL FLY AWAY and the first season or so of NORTHERN EXPOSURE).Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-67802648144463634942012-03-05T17:35:48.994-05:002012-03-05T17:35:48.994-05:00Having seen the pilot of LOST, I felt everything I...Having seen the pilot of LOST, I felt everything I saw afterward lived down to the original lack of promise...but I agree about HEROES...completely off the track very quickly. HEROES's Tim Kring is also responsible for the wildly uneven CROSSING JORDAN (brilliant episodes interspersed with idiotic ones) and the new TOUCH.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-29466235459160376352012-03-05T17:31:40.413-05:002012-03-05T17:31:40.413-05:00And since no one else has mentioned them, let me n...And since no one else has mentioned them, let me name St. Elsewhere and Hill Street Blues.<br /><br />Jeff M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-79919913036719564452012-03-05T17:28:04.654-05:002012-03-05T17:28:04.654-05:00When Leo died it was basically over. The first fe...When Leo died it was basically over. The first few seasons were pretty great, however, even though he did get pompous and preachy at times.<br /><br />Northern Exposure, the first couple of seasons. I like Justified too but will see where they go from here. It's hard when you lose a great character like Mags.<br /><br />We watched Lost to the bitter end (and yes, it was bitter) but it just never lived up to the initial promise. And speaking of same...we really did like season 1 of Heroes. Boy, did they blow it after that....<br /><br />Jeff M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33110302.post-17121141805146479732012-03-05T17:25:29.688-05:002012-03-05T17:25:29.688-05:00Oh, it was the writing (and the ignorance/misrepre...Oh, it was the writing (and the ignorance/misrepresentation) that sank THE WEST WING (as opposed to SPORTS NIGHT, which at least didn't ?unintentionally? lie about its subject/milieu). I managed to catch one TERRIERS or maybe two, and it did look promising. <br /><br />CHINA BEACH was rerun for a year or so on Lifetime. It and HOMICIDE were the only things I watched on that station at the time, since they'd already dumped the interesting-enough ANY DAY NOW.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.com