HBO? Yeah, I used to watch that.
I wonder how many people are going to start saying that, and if I’m going to be one of them.
For years, the only original programming I watched regularly on TV was on HBO.
But here’s what the past two nights have been like:
- “The Sopranos” ended. And not well. The blackout ending wasn’t clever, it was cute. Cute being a not-good thing. As in, “too cute for its own good.”
- Then I watched the premiere of “John from Cincinnati.” My son said he thought it was the worst first episode he’d ever seen. He’s only 16, so one could take that with a grain of salt. But I’m, um, significantly older and as he was saying that I was wondering whether or not it was the flat-out worst episode of television I’d ever seen. Of any sort. Including “Mind of the Married Man.” Including “Who’s the Boss.” Including “Super Nanny.” Worst. At least these other shows weren’t self-important. If “The Sopranos” was cute, this was willfully obscure. And annoying. Deeply annoying.
- And tonight I watched the season premiere of “Big Love.” I didn’t care for it last season, but this time as I lay there watching this I actually started thinking about chores and errands I had to catch up on in the next few days. Then I thought about switching off the show and getting started on that early. Then I actually did that.
HBO. Remember when it seemed important?
June 14th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I haven’t seen any of those shows, though a lot of guys at work talk about The Sopranos. I can’t imagine why they’re interested in castrati opera singers.
What I am eager to watch is the new program coming to AMC called, I think, MADMEN. It’s about an advertising agency in the 60’s, so I assume the title refers to MADison Avenue MEN. Anyway, my wife and I watched a making-of program about it and were impressed by how much effort went into getting all the details right, as well as showing the period attitudes of the characters involved.
I plan to watch at least one episode and, unless it’s a complete mess, might even keep up with it. The only shows I currently follow are the original CSI and Monk.