BOX-EYED: Six Shows For Summer
By Dan OwenThe summer is traditionally a time where television takes a backseat, as networks are aware many viewers will be making the most of the clement weather, or going on holiday. That said, it's hardly a drought in this multichannel era, so here are my recommendations if you find yourself in front of the goggle-box on a warm summer evening...
My Own Worst Enemy, Sci-Fi Channel – Thursdays @9pm
This is another casuality of the cutthroat US system, axed after nine episodes. Christian Slater plays Henry Spivey, a middle-class guy in middle-management with two kids and a wife in the suburbs. Edward Albright is a womanizing secret agent who speaks 13 languages and can run a four-minute mile. The twist is: Henry and Edward share the same body, but only Edward is aware that his "cover" is the unassuming Henry personality. Sadly, the potential in this Jekyll & Hyde-meets-James Bond action-adventure never really gets going – thanks primarily to a premise that has more holes than a teabag and storylines that never really grab your attention. Still, I've seen far worse and MOWE does have a handful of nice surprises in its short run...
Lie To Me, Sky1 -- Thursdays @10pm
I'm not convinced this series has legs, but I'm sure a lot of people will find it entertaining for now. Britain's own Tim Roth plays Dr. Cal Lightman (and refuses to "do a Hugh Laurie" in feigning an American accent), a psychologist who's perfected the art of telling when people are lying. As a "human lie-detector", Cal's skills obviously come in handy when helping the police solve crimes. It's the usual thing: limp procedural, big star in the lead, intriguing gimmick.
Big Brother 10, Channel 4 – various, starts 4 Jun
If there's one TV show that heralds the beginning of British summertime, Big Brother is probably it. Davina McCall returns to hosts the three-month long reality show, where a group of fame-hungry housemates live together in what amounts to a big popularity contest. This is the tenth series of the divisive show and (despite rumours it's won't be back when Channel 4's contract with Endemol expires in 2010), I'm sure there'll be lots of tie-in surprises to celebrate its endurance.
Dollhouse, Sci-Fi Channel -- Tuesdays @9pm
Buffy creator Joss Whedon still has a rabid fan-base, but he's been somewhat pushed into the background by the likes of J.J Abrams in the '00s. Dollhouse isn't good enough to reverse that fact, but it's certainly an interesting show that gets better as it goes along. The premise involves a secret organization that imprint "actives" (or "dolls"), with personalities and skills to carry out various engagements for their clients – from being the perfect date to helping criminals steal priceless artifacts. Eliza Dushku plays the lead doll, Echo, a young woman whose original personality is bleeding through the mind-wipes she undergoes after every mission. Certainly worth checking out, but it only really starts to show some form after episode 6.
Torchwood, BBC1 -- July (TBC)
With Doctor Who reduced to only four specials this year, sister show Torchwood has similarly been curtailed to a five-part third season. The storyline is still under wraps, but we do know that "Children Of Earth" revolves around the terrible consequences of a deal the British government made with an alien race back in the 1960s. What's most interesting about Torchwood's return is its scheduling, as the series makes the leap to BBC1 for the first time and will air across five consecutive days. Hopefully, this will prove to be a short, sharp burst of creative energy, as Torchwood generally has a hard time keeping momentum with its usual 13-episode runs.
Chuck, Bravo/Virgin1 -- weekdays @8pm/TBA
Season 1 of the spy comedy is being repeated on Bravo every weekday, so now's your chance to catch-up if you've only heard about the show from its recent Save Chuck campaign (which saves the series from possible cancellation.) It's a light and amusing show about the eponymous geek who gets all the US government's secrets downloaded into his brain, which makes him an invaluable asset that needs protecting by two secret agents: badass Major Casey and the scrummy Sarah Walker, who goes undercover as Chuck's girlfriend. The first season is very hit-and-miss, but season 2 is a vast improvement – and Virgin1 will finally get around to showing those episodes very soon...
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If you enjoyed Box-Eyed, why not head over to Dan's Media Digest for more entertainment-related news, reviews and musings?
Dan's Media Digest - The Week's Highlights:
Breaking Bad: Season 2, Penultimate Episode
Quantum Of Solace movie review
The Apprentice: Week Nine review
Prison Break: The Series Finale
Ashes To Ashes: Series 2, Episode 5 review
I'm not convinced this series has legs, but I'm sure a lot of people will find it entertaining for now. Britain's own Tim Roth plays Dr. Cal Lightman (and refuses to "do a Hugh Laurie" in feigning an American accent), a psychologist who's perfected the art of telling when people are lying. As a "human lie-detector", Cal's skills obviously come in handy when helping the police solve crimes. It's the usual thing: limp procedural, big star in the lead, intriguing gimmick.
Big Brother 10, Channel 4 – various, starts 4 Jun
If there's one TV show that heralds the beginning of British summertime, Big Brother is probably it. Davina McCall returns to hosts the three-month long reality show, where a group of fame-hungry housemates live together in what amounts to a big popularity contest. This is the tenth series of the divisive show and (despite rumours it's won't be back when Channel 4's contract with Endemol expires in 2010), I'm sure there'll be lots of tie-in surprises to celebrate its endurance.
Dollhouse, Sci-Fi Channel -- Tuesdays @9pm
Buffy creator Joss Whedon still has a rabid fan-base, but he's been somewhat pushed into the background by the likes of J.J Abrams in the '00s. Dollhouse isn't good enough to reverse that fact, but it's certainly an interesting show that gets better as it goes along. The premise involves a secret organization that imprint "actives" (or "dolls"), with personalities and skills to carry out various engagements for their clients – from being the perfect date to helping criminals steal priceless artifacts. Eliza Dushku plays the lead doll, Echo, a young woman whose original personality is bleeding through the mind-wipes she undergoes after every mission. Certainly worth checking out, but it only really starts to show some form after episode 6.
Torchwood, BBC1 -- July (TBC)
With Doctor Who reduced to only four specials this year, sister show Torchwood has similarly been curtailed to a five-part third season. The storyline is still under wraps, but we do know that "Children Of Earth" revolves around the terrible consequences of a deal the British government made with an alien race back in the 1960s. What's most interesting about Torchwood's return is its scheduling, as the series makes the leap to BBC1 for the first time and will air across five consecutive days. Hopefully, this will prove to be a short, sharp burst of creative energy, as Torchwood generally has a hard time keeping momentum with its usual 13-episode runs.
Chuck, Bravo/Virgin1 -- weekdays @8pm/TBASeason 1 of the spy comedy is being repeated on Bravo every weekday, so now's your chance to catch-up if you've only heard about the show from its recent Save Chuck campaign (which saves the series from possible cancellation.) It's a light and amusing show about the eponymous geek who gets all the US government's secrets downloaded into his brain, which makes him an invaluable asset that needs protecting by two secret agents: badass Major Casey and the scrummy Sarah Walker, who goes undercover as Chuck's girlfriend. The first season is very hit-and-miss, but season 2 is a vast improvement – and Virgin1 will finally get around to showing those episodes very soon...
....
.....
If you enjoyed Box-Eyed, why not head over to Dan's Media Digest for more entertainment-related news, reviews and musings?
Dan's Media Digest - The Week's Highlights:
Breaking Bad: Season 2, Penultimate Episode
Quantum Of Solace movie review
The Apprentice: Week Nine review
Prison Break: The Series Finale
Ashes To Ashes: Series 2, Episode 5 review
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