Critical Realizations

We all want the light bulb moment. We want the Aha. We want the epiphany.

We want to be awakened to knowledge, understandings, knowings.

This is a thing of dreams.

Limitless: From Bland to Experimental

CBS’ Limitless is a sequel to the film which starred Bradley Cooper in 2011. The series begins several years after the film. Eddie Morra has become a senator (Bradley Cooper) and NZT is once again available in NYC.

After Lemonade: #Real Relationship Goals

When the reality television boom began in earnest, I did not flock to it. I automatically equated it to fool’s gold; glittery with little value much like soap operas and novellas. The genre’s ‘unscripted’ dating, relationship and competition shows troubled me: The Real World (1992), …

Immimnent Death?

Television ratings have been experiencing arrhythmia. They have been irregular, rhythmless. Even ratings juggernauts Empire, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Scandal have seen declining ratings. This is sending tv and ad executives to the ER seeking immediate fixes to avoid infarctions. Ironically, they would all be elated with tachycardia ratings; bradycardia would be their death.

Disappointing Game of Thrones season six premier ratings would send Hollywood into a tailspin!

Studios are reactionary. No doubt show runners have had far more notes this year. When year end ratings arrive next month, so will the far fetched ideas, cancellations, abrupt changes in production and the green lighting of absurd shows. A pendulum shift should be expected. If only stories mattered. With that I am off to enjoy Games of Thrones after drinking far too much Lemonade this weekend.

One More Reason Melissa Harris-Perry is The Public Intellectual We Need!

I awoke with a yearning for The Melissa Harris-Perry Show. I wanted to hear varied voices rap thoughtfully if not poetically and even combatively about all we experienced this week: primaries, surprising endorsements, potential wars, trans outing,  births, deaths… The void is deafening. I filled it …

Empire’s Dilemma

Are Empire‘s creators as lost and misguided as critics believe, or are they capitalizing on social media commentary  and hate viewing? Empire is many things simultaneously: prime-time soap opera, comedy, musical, mystery, family drama… Well into the second year and third season, the show has not quite gelled. It’s …

Thwack, There Goes Scandal’s Likeability and Ratings

Scandal is not the sappy soap opera that is Grey’s Anatomy or the complex story telling that is How to Get Away With Murder. It isn’t even heightened or elevated drama. It is reminiscent of  The Good Wife with echoes of 24, Homeland and even Law and Order. It has become the epitome of …