I (Blanked) This

Yet another Tumblr from Shaun Swick, maker of Lost Lunch and Shaunline… Tumblng.
Posts tagged television
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What: This American Life, Season 2Where: Netflix streaming to my Tivo (greatest thing ever, by the way)When: September 10–11, 2009Why: I’ve always been a huge fan of the radio show, even if I don’t take the time (even with the podcasts) to listen to it that much. That said, the first season of the TV version was one of the most consistently enjoyable television programs I’ve seen in the past decade. Season 2, as it turns out, is even better. The only way to describe this show is with a series of insufficiently nuanced adjectives: Remarkable. Uplifting. Heartwarming. Thought-provoking. Inspiring. Affecting. Fascinating. I could go on and on. Episode 1, “Escape” features the stunning story of Mike Philips, whose inability to speak allows us to hear his emails read by none other than Johnny Depp. Episode 2, “Two Wars” featured one of my favorite segments of the season, where a young Iraqi put himself in a question booth and had frank conversations with all walks of life about his country, ours, and the war. Episode 5, “Every Marriage is a Courthouse”, kicks off with another charming animation from Chris Ware to accompany a funny story of a mis-remembered event in the life of one married couple. The entire season, as great as it is, pales in comparison to the final episode, an hour-long feature dedicated to the life of “John Smith”. Not just one John Smith, mind you, but seven, from all stages of life. We first meet 11 month old John Smith and eventually say goodbye to 79-year-old John Smith. Along the way, the show deftly weaves storylines and life lessons, juxtaposing young discovery with old wisdom, and vice versa. The episode was, without a doubt, one of the finest hours of television I’ve ever watched. I urge anyone and everyone out there to find it however they can. Oh, and Showtime, you better give Ira Glass, Chris Wilcha and the rest of the Chicago Public Radio crew more money for another season. America—and the world—needs more of this show.

What: This American Life, Season 2
Where: Netflix streaming to my Tivo (greatest thing ever, by the way)
When: September 10–11, 2009
Why: I’ve always been a huge fan of the radio show, even if I don’t take the time (even with the podcasts) to listen to it that much. That said, the first season of the TV version was one of the most consistently enjoyable television programs I’ve seen in the past decade. Season 2, as it turns out, is even better. The only way to describe this show is with a series of insufficiently nuanced adjectives: Remarkable. Uplifting. Heartwarming. Thought-provoking. Inspiring. Affecting. Fascinating.

I could go on and on. Episode 1, “Escape” features the stunning story of Mike Philips, whose inability to speak allows us to hear his emails read by none other than Johnny Depp. Episode 2, “Two Wars” featured one of my favorite segments of the season, where a young Iraqi put himself in a question booth and had frank conversations with all walks of life about his country, ours, and the war. Episode 5, “Every Marriage is a Courthouse”, kicks off with another charming animation from Chris Ware to accompany a funny story of a mis-remembered event in the life of one married couple.

The entire season, as great as it is, pales in comparison to the final episode, an hour-long feature dedicated to the life of “John Smith”. Not just one John Smith, mind you, but seven, from all stages of life. We first meet 11 month old John Smith and eventually say goodbye to 79-year-old John Smith. Along the way, the show deftly weaves storylines and life lessons, juxtaposing young discovery with old wisdom, and vice versa. The episode was, without a doubt, one of the finest hours of television I’ve ever watched. I urge anyone and everyone out there to find it however they can.

Oh, and Showtime, you better give Ira Glass, Chris Wilcha and the rest of the Chicago Public Radio crew more money for another season. America—and the world—needs more of this show.

What: John Adams Parts 1 & 2When: July 5, 2009Where: my couchWhy: I had these on my queue for a good many months, and have had the first two discs in my possession for nearly two weeks now. With nothing better to do late on Sunday, still a little lacking in energy after a 17-hour work day, I sat down and watched parts 1 & 2. I didn’t think much of what it meant coming on the heels of yesterday’s celebration, but now I can’t imagine a more perfect way to better appreciate the reasons why we held a big party and sent exploding rockets into the sky yesterday. Adams is stirring, personal look at history we all learned as kids, but never really could grasp as anything other than legend.

What: John Adams Parts 1 & 2
When: July 5, 2009
Where: my couch
Why: I had these on my queue for a good many months, and have had the first two discs in my possession for nearly two weeks now. With nothing better to do late on Sunday, still a little lacking in energy after a 17-hour work day, I sat down and watched parts 1 & 2. I didn’t think much of what it meant coming on the heels of yesterday’s celebration, but now I can’t imagine a more perfect way to better appreciate the reasons why we held a big party and sent exploding rockets into the sky yesterday. Adams is stirring, personal look at history we all learned as kids, but never really could grasp as anything other than legend.

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