Category: TV

This nation stands on the verge of a meltdown, a situation that has gone virtually ignored in Congress, in the White House or even in the press. I speak, of course, about the complete collapse and utter vapidity and sad destruction of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives”.

Last night’s season opener was completely baffling. The women found themselves with new children, new boyfriends, and missing boyfriends, missing husbands and missing children. Some people had inexplicably aged 15 years over the summer, while others had remained the same age.

Some of the ladies looked exactly the same, while the most attractive one had put on 40 pounds and looked 10 years older.

There was very little that was funny or dramatic and one can only surmise that a production which holds its audience in such contempt by drastically altering storylines and characters for no reason, has also forfeited the loyalty these viewers once had.

I cannot watch “Desperate Housewives” anymore. It really, truly sucks.

My favorite show of the year, AMC’s “Mad Men”, returned for its second season premiere last night. It was kind of disappointing.

What happened? It’s now 1962, and in a show that references old movies for its impressions of 1960 (“The Apartment”, “Butterfield 8”), it’s a couple of years closer to Hitchcock’s “Marnie” (1964). So Betty Draper (Tippi Hedren) is coiffed in a chignon, and goes riding in jodphurs and flirts with the tow truck operator. She also appears radiant on Valentine’s Day as she swoops down the staircase into the arms of her Brylcreamed husband. Stylish and stylized, this lovely attention to period fashion is exactly what makes this show delightful to watch. It could also spell the death of its substance, since what makes “Mad Men” so outstanding is its taut writing and finely observed characters and conflicts.

Last night’s second season premiere seemed to dwell monotonously inside a boardroom where the junior executives and Peggy were busy talking. I don’t remember a word they said, but I eagerly was hoping the scene would end quickly.

A minor story line, the arrival of a new piece of office equipment, was spoiled by a “Desperate Housewives” sort of double entendre from the delivery man: “I could put this anywhere ma’am” and “Where would you like me to put it?” I almost expected Gabrielle Solis to come rushing out of Don Draper’s office.

I hope the rest of the season returns to the riveting drama that made this show so absorbing.

The newest redundancy floating around on tongues across America is the phrase, “I have to say…”

Foremost user of this annoying preface is the “internationally renowned” fashion designer star of Bravo’s “Project Runway”: Michael Kors.

“Christian, I have to say, you are the most theatrical one on this stage”
“I have to say….. I’m not a fan of this type of pleating.”
“I have to say…..I’m pleased that you took our advice.”
“I have to say….. that I’m getting tired of Rami’s draping.”

If language is a metaphor for fashion, then Kors speaks like a denim shirt worn with denim jeans.