Category: Television Page 10 of 19

Pushing Daisies and Hitchcock

So, what is up with all the Hitchcock references on Pushing Daisies lately? Two weeks ago, I thought the dog breeder’s death scene was vaguely reminiscent of Psycho, what with the black and white, the window looking over a nondescript city, the violin music, the shots of a knife NOT going into a body, his hand grabbing the wicker box (like Marion grabbed the shower curtain), and the circle motif as he lay on the ground.

Several minutes later, a VERY obvious Vertigo-esque dream made it clear that I hadn’t imagined the Psycho similarity:

And then tonight’s episode has a nearly exact recreation of the scene in The Birds where Melanie crosses Bodega Bay taking the love birds to Mitch. There are more birds in the Pushing Daisies version, but still. The body of water Molly Shannon is crossing is even called Bodega Bay, for crying out loud.

Obviously, as a huge fan of both Pushing Daisies and Hitchcock, I enjoy the tributes. But what is the point? Are they only doing it just to be doing it? There doesn’t seem to be any solid reason to connect any of the Hitchcock films with the episodes in which they’re referenced. Is there some bigger scheme I’m not seeing yet? Is Hitchcock the only one they’re referencing, or have I missed other references due to unfamiliarity? More importantly, have I missed any Hitchcock references? The Psycho one was relatively subtle, so now I’m wondering if there have been other subtle ones that I didn’t see.

In bad news, no new Pushing Daisies next week. Sadness. :(

24 in 1994

Some things are awesome. Other things are awesome. The show 24 is awesome. But this video is awesome. You understand the difference. What would 24 have been like if it had been made in 1994?
HT: Barlow

Writer’s Guild Strike Videos

It’s pretty hard to subscribe to as many film/television/media blogs as I do and not hear a LOT about the WGA strike. Which is fine; I really hope the writers get what they’re asking for. I can’t believe they only get 4 cents of a $20 DVD purchase. Anyway, here’s a good videos explaining the reasons for the strike.

And here’s some of the cast and crew of The Office, talking about all that “promotional” material they write, i.e., the shows.

It is sort of interesting to think about the term “promotional” in this situation. A lot of the fair use proponents/copyfighters have been using the term “promotional” for media provided on the internet for free to the consumer. That is, studios should see free music/file sharing/torrent downloading/streaming media for its promotional value in gaining new viewers. And I still think there’s truth to that. I’m watching a lot of shows and buying a lot of music that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t gotten it for free online first. However, now the studios are turning that around and trying to use the term “promotional” from the other side, as though because online media is a promotional tool, that means it’s free to produce. No, it’s free to consume. That’s what makes it promotional. Basically, a promo is an ad. So if you told an ad agency that they should provide you with an ad for free, because it’s a promo for your business and therefore should be free, they’d tell you exactly where to go. Seems like the same thing to me; or even worse, because the studio are selling ads around their “ads.” Plus, it’s pretty clear that online media isn’t going to be strictly for promotional purposes for very long. I already know people who watch a lot of their TV online rather than on broadcast. There’s a business model here that hasn’t quite been hammered out yet, but the WGA is doing the right thing by making sure they get a cut of the profits, however those profits happen to be made.

I’m bummed that the strike puts some of my favorite TV shows at risk, or at least delays them, but I’ll put up with it. Good chance for me and Netflix to catch up on all those HBO shows I’ve put off.

Pushing Daisies 1×02 (spoilers)

Okay, guys, now that I’ve seen the second episode of Pushing Daisies, it’s moved up to the “LOVE/ADDICTED/OBSESSED” category on my TV breakdown. Easily the best of the new shows. In fact, it’s been ages since I’ve been this delighted by a show.

Let me just tell you a few of the things that made me giddy this week:

  • The color scheme. Again. No, I will not get over this anytime soon, what with all the bright green and red and pink in large quantities.

Pushing Daisies 1×02 - Color

  • Nor will I get over the narration anytime soon, which is so perfect that I’m pretty much entranced as soon as it starts.
  • Emerson knitting. And knitting not just anything…knitting gun holsters.
  • Chuck being petulant about not getting shotgun (I just think she’s cute when she’s petulant).
  • Ned being adorable all the time.
  • Musical interlude!! They couldn’t put Kristin Chenoweth on the show and not have random musical numbers, though, now could they?

Pushing Daisies 1×02 - Chenoweth

  • The dandelion-car guy DROVE A HUMMER. Yeah, I laughed out loud.
  • Chuck and Ned kissing through bodybags. Aw.

Pushing Daisies 1×02 - Kissing

And I’ve heard it’s done well in the ratings so far, which is AWESOME. This is so totally the type of show that I usually fall in love with, only to have it canceled after four episodes (I’m looking at you, Wonderfalls…*sniff*). Hopefully that doesn’t happen here. Thank goodness it’s on ABC instead of Fox, that’s all I’m saying.

(screencaps courtesy of Jennifer on LJ)

Grey’s Anatomy 4×03

Grey’s almost redeemed itself tonight!

Spoilers after the jump.

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