Category — TV

Haven’t had much time to post lately.

I have been extremely busy at work and the kids and family take all of my spare time.

“The Wire” from HBO
Since the television writer’s strike slowed down my TV watching, I began renting these DVD’s starting from the first season. Several friends and co-workers have been trying to get me to watch it, but I didn’t want to take the time to go back and get caught up.

This has to be one of the best TV series of all time and right up there with the Soprano’s in my mind. If you haven’t seen it, then you don’t know what your missing. What kept me interested in that it shows many of the give and take, politics, ego’s, and ambitious personalities that are involved in the running of a city. You think that the police just go out and fight crime where it occurs. Reality doesn’t work that way. It takes city government, the media, personal agenda’s and other things that dictate where law enforcement concentrates their efforts.

All of these factors are intertwined around a drug problem in the city. This is a must see for everyone and take the time to rent the first season from blockbuster and then you may have to rent the other seasons on-line.

Check this out from Wikipedia:

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the drug trade, the port, the city bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is “really about the American city, and about how we live together. It’s about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how…whether you’re a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge [or] lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you’ve committed to.”[1]

Despite never seeing great commercial success or winning any major television awards,[2] The Wire has frequently been cited by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time.[3][4][5] The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, artistic ambitions, and uncommonly deep exploration of sociological themes.

Well that’s enough for now. Gotta go.

The wife has finally given me the ok to jump into the digital age. We have been spending time at a friend’s house who has a nice HD TV and Mommy Bacchus has finally seen what all the fuss has been about. I have had plans to start getting some for the house, but not until next holiday season. Fortunately for me, she has loved watching TV in HD and wants to contribute funds to the cause. So off I went to the internet and did my research. Talked to some friends and a good buddy developed the below list that I found very helpful.

• Darkest blacks possible
• 120 Hz is better
• DLP is the best for the price
• LCD is the best picture
• Plasma has a better picture but they’re about to be discontinued because of problems
• Mitsubishi probably the best big screen maker
• Measure how far your seat is from where the TV will be and get that distance away at the store
• Go HDMI – go digital its worth it but don’t buy expensive cables because digital is always digital – a 1 is a 1 and a 0 is a 0
• Fry’s is a good place to shop – online is a better place to buy
• Go with the picture you like the most and pay few hundred extra if you have to. You don’t want to be stuck with a TV you’re not happy with a year down the road and you could’ve spent just a few extra bucks.
• The TV will look bigger in your house than it does on the show room – trust me on that one

We were limited in the size that we could get, but got the best we could afford and fit in the space we planned for it. MB had been talking with her friends and decided that because of the two active kids we have, she made one hard requirement.

The Ultimate Mommy Toy: HD Flat Screen TV Wall Mounting

Because a couple of MB’s friends had children involved with some type of accident with the flat screen TV, she insisted that the TV be mounted on the wall. Initially it didn’t bother me because the mounts I saw in the stores cost a $100-200, but the real problem was the cost to get someone to actually do the mounting for you. Wow!!!! It was almost the cost I paid to buy the TV. I bit the bullet and got someone reputable. MB knows that I am good for finding a friend of a friend, but mounting a TV is not something you want to trust to just anyone. I decided to go with Circuit City Firedog service, and hopefully everything will go well.

Now What???

Since we needed the TV mounted and the existing TV stand would have to be taken down, MB thought that I would just leave the TV in the box and wait until the installers came. Nope, not gonna happen. I had the TV out of the box within 30 minutes after we got it in the house. Put it in the bedroom for the time being and watched my first show on fuzzing regualr TV. Oh, did I forget to mention that I now need to get a new satellite box that will bring the HD signal to the new TV. Oh, and you need to purchase HD wiring, Oh, and you need HD package for your satellite service……..IEverytime I looked up there was another “Oh.” I just hope everything will turn out ok. If anyone can think of anything that I missed, please share what you know.

The other week I joked about this being one of the few shows I would watch during the writer’s strike, but have now found that my oldest son loves the show. He gets into some of the Gladiator personalities and has claimed that powerball is his favorite event.

I have to admit that as a teenager in the 80’s I watched the show every time it was on. Maybe I didn’t notice how cheesy it was back then, but I have found several problems with the current version.

• The Contender Comments before and after each event seem so scripted.
• Couldn’t they find a ref who shows some semblance of athletic ability. His gut is bigger than mine.
• What’s up with Ms. Ali’s wardrobe. She’s a stunning lady, so please give her some sense of fashion and stop making her look like a jock in a dress.
• We need more personality from the female Gladiators. Other than Helga, the rest look like robots.
• Hulk Hogan, love your enthusiasm, but he has more than the competitors. Let’s take it down a notch.

So, those are my thoughts and we look forward to the finals next week.

Since the Dallas Cowboys are out of the picture and I can't stand cheaters,  I have to go with the New York Football Giants.  If the Pats do win, I will sign the petition to record the season with an asterisk.

We are having wings, family and fun during the game. What are your plans and or predictions? 

I came to this realization when I noticed that the highlight of my TV viewing week was watching American Gladiators and Carpoolers…..

Slowly some shows are coming back, but it has been a month or so. If it wasn’t for sports I don’t know what I’d do.

Prior to the holidays I as enjoying Journeyman and Bionic Woman. Those were two shows I couldn’t wait to view on my TIVO/DVR. I am trying to stick with Terminator: Sarah Connor Series, but after the premier episode, it’s kinda dragging. If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know.

Now were talking technology advancement.  If they could only figure out how to get my DVR to work when I simply think of a TV show to record.  See the article link below for more details of how this technology may be available to you soon. 

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Personal Technology

The number one office talk topic at my job was not the president's speech, not 24, not the Maverick's Victory over the Spurs, not the Cavalier's victory over the Pistons, but "I can't believe they killed off Denny." (Grey's Anatomy)

While everyone else was watching the season finale of Grey's Anatomy, I was watching the Dallas Mavericks overtime win against the Spurs (Go Mavs ).  I had my trusty laptop and was surfing the blog boards and realized that no one was on-line……..I recorded Grey's Anatomy, but Mommy Bacchus (MB) watched it live in the other room.  Now I don't know why I recorded it because I heard MB in the other room moaning, screaming and crying (keep it clean folks). Afterwards, she felt it her obligation to fill me in while I was still trying to watch the 4^th quarter of the game.  So it may take me a couple of days to find time to watch the final episode, but at work I have heard the details of each and every scene at least twice before noon. 

So if I were to use this as my measuring stick, Grey's Anatomy is a pretty good show……..Congrats on a great second season, now I just need to delete the show from my DVR.

"You know what really pisses me off about my dad? He did all these really great things, then, before he was my dad…now he's just an asshole."

A.J. will enter the family business and ascend to be in position to take over for Tony.  He shares Tony's temperment and it's clear he's not going to do anything else in life.

Mommy Bacchus and I have been watching this show each Saturday evening.  It is a wonderful look into the lives of a mixed family of both little and normal size.  I think this is a must see for all families and you should measure the size of a person’s heart and not their height. Check it out and let me know what you think.  

 1. Don’t let your child grow up to be like A.J.

2. If your in waste management, don’t bring your son to work.