Random Ramblings As The Summer Winds Down

Well, I don't know how hot it is in your neck of the woods, but here in the desert southwest, it's still warm enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. And we're at that zone where summer is almost over, but the fall TV season is still weeks away. So allow me to rant and rave on various topics this time around. (Heck, I'll do it even if you don't want me!) As Buddy Holly once sang, rave on:

TOO MUCH RYAN: Can "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest step up his game a notch or two? We'll soon find out, as this announcement makes clear:

"Ryan Seacrest will host the 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 16 (8:00-11:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, FOX, said: "Ryan Seacrest is known and loved by television audiences around the world. His work on AMERICAN IDOL is unparalleled in the industry. He's a consummate host of major live broadcast events and a proven talent who always makes it look easy, which makes him the perfect choice for this year's Emmy telecast."
"Ryan Seacrest appeals to a broad audience, including the highly desirable young adult demographic, so he should serve as a magnet for attracting a diverse array of viewers to our Emmy telecast," said Dick Askin, Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy. "He is charismatic and talented, and he will be very comfortable in the production environment that has been created for this year's telecast."

I say: Who's been drinking the Kool-Aid? (The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, of course!) Sure, I expected Fox to have a major say in this year's host (after all it's Fox's turn to air the Emmy telecast this year). But Ryan Seacrest? You need a host who can keep a three-hour show moving, and who has charm, humor and self-depreciation. Last year, NBC's Conan O'Brien was superb as Emmy host, funny and lively at the same time. Seacrest will have to prove he's Emmy material--and can move beyond his "Idol" duties. (Doing red carpet duty for the E! cable network does NOT count!)

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: THIS GENERATION'S "GREASE"? To be honest, I have not watched The Disney Channel's original made-for-TV song and dance story "High School Musical." Or its sequel, which aired this past week. But a lot of people did--mostly those under 25. More than 17 million Americans tuned into "High School Musical 2's" debut on August 17th. It was the largest audience ever for a basic cable program, bigger than "The Sopranos" finale, and nearly beating the June season finale of Fox's "House"!
I'm not knocking a show that's relatively clean and fun compared with some of the content out in the cable world these days--and if kids grow a passion for musicals the way the Harry Potter books helped spark an interest in reading among the young, there's nothing wrong with that. But Corporate Disney (the one with the giant mouse ears and large bank account) is milking the HSM phenomenon to death. Books, soundtracks, DVD's, probably a feature ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World; a big screen feature planned for 2008--and the endless hype! Hype! HYPE!
There's so much temptation to ride the money train for a sweet profit, but that same inclination can lead to disaster for Disney if kids see through its promotion machine. Look, the Disney folks have a good thing going with the HSM franchise. Don't overdo it. (But they will.)

A GOOD SUMMER FOR DRAMA: It has been a very pleasant summer for dramatic series in the States. Thanks to cable, I've been able to enjoy some great performances and shows. Lifetime's "Army Wives" is a cut or two above average; though the plots may be a bit thin, the acting from its ensemble cast is sharp and no other series has tackled the Iraq war with equal amounts of respect and regret better. AMC--which butchers pretty decent films and considers B-level films "classics"--has redeemed itself with "Mad Men," a period drama about 1960 America, the world of advertising and the roles of men and women in an era where the male had the power and women mostly relied on their charms to get by. Another great ensemble series that asks serious questions which resonate today.
I'm not a big fan of FX's new legal drama "Damages" (the plots seem to be heavy-handed), but star Glen Close more than makes up for its flaws with a brilliant performance as a troubled lawyer who has a dark side as well. Also on FX, the returning "Rescue Me" is unabashedly sexist and amoral, but Denis Leary's emotionally unrescued Tommy Gavin remains the solid foundation which this series rests upon.
HBO may no longer have "The Sopranos," but it does have "Big Love"--which has grown from a interesting saga about a modern-day Utah polygamist into a complex, rich character and behavioral study. The parallels between "Big Love's" approach to bigamy and the debate over same-sex marriage are clear: Everyone involved wants to just be left alone, but those on the outside want to make personal decisions their domain.
It's a shame none of the broadcast networks could come up with a good summer drama this year. But let's see what happens when they unveil the fall lineups.

Until next time, happy viewing!