Slow to catch on

I like to keep up. News, music, TV, films, restaurants, magazines, etc.... But fall short most of the time. Just reading through the paper, blogs & daily trades could take me hours everyday, if i was thorough. Music, generally, is a constant underlying soundtrack, so (somewhat) easier to keep up to date. Daily NY Times crossword a given. But keeping up with TV can sometimes fall to the wayside, even with the DVR. I've always tried to watch a bit of all of the new shows, just to be in the know (and because i do love the TV.) But it is a time commitment. So with the strike continuing on, I finally sat down and watched two shows I "missed."

Project Runway - an obvious huge hit, and for years now. Just never saw it, any of it. Mostly (actually almost always) I find reality shows to be such an absolute embarrassment, that I stayed away. But last night I sat down and watched two episodes back to back. Have to admit, it's somewhat addictive. It's actually fascinating how addictive it is. Yes, it is completely and utterly formulaic. (Then, of course, so is Law & Order.) But it works. Maybe it is because these people actually have talent, as opposed to the seriously talentless inane people on most shows. Or that we can sit back and be the critic, judging what is good or bad. (Similar to American Idol, which I absolutely do get & have watched from time to time.) I'm actually not all that sure what it is - the reality thing is hard for me to judge. All I know is that it works - well. Can't say I'll tune in all the time because I care one way or the other about who wins the competition... but glad I'm in on it now.

On Super Tuesday night, after I withstood as much of the political punditry as I could, I turned to the DVR and finally watched two episodes of Mad Men. That it was given as much attention as it has, had critical acclaim & that the creator was an an ex-Sopranos writer/producer, Matthew Weiner, (i feel confident in saying the Sopranos was probably the best television ever made) I was pretty sure I'd like it. But that my brother, who is by far a harsher TV critic than I am & whose opinion I'm in sync with 98% of the time, gave it the nod, I was sure I needed to see it.... So the show - It is incredibly well done, smart - acting, writing, character development, art direction - top notch. It captures a time and place which although on the exterior looked perfect, bubbled attitudes that are less innocent. Although that's ultimately what gives the show its depth, those dark undertones and the element of intrigue made it all feel sort of creepy. And yet at the same time left me feeling a little bit cold too. Unlike Project Runway which although well done, I'm not completely compelled to turn in again (maybe because I also know it is stupidly addictive), Mad Men I will keep watching. Either to become completely hooked or to just figure out what it is about the show that attracts and repels at the same time...