The idea of entertainment, for me, has changed over the years. It used to be quite easy to feel entertained. But I am getting older, and more and more things just seem like a re-hash of older things.
TV is the main place where I feel less entertained. Shows these days are just unbearable to watch, with a few exceptions. Fringe, The Sarah Conner Chronicles, House (I’ve come very late into this show, but the lead character just kills me with every viewing), The Colbert Report, The Shield (sad to see it end, but I’m glad something was able to complete a story arc and move on…); these are all fine examples of TV. The writing, acting and visuals all make for a compelling watch. Case in point: the last episode of the shield was filled, mostly, with silence. It was fantastic to watch, and ended the series very nicely. The writing on Fringe is top notch, the characters (with the exception of Olivia Dunham, who is growing on me, but that’s more to do with the actress than the role I think…) are all well written and acted.
These things entertain me, but here in North America, TV shuts down for almost 2 months on all the good shows. What the christ am I to watch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights with dinner? Sure, I could catch up on the TV series that we have purchased, or downloaded, but watching things on DVD is not as fun as it could be. We usually end up watching 2 or 3 episodes a night, and then I just burn out on the show. Instead I take to reading, comics mainly.
The medium of comics has always been looked down upon by “serous” authors and critics. I can see why, a lot of the pap of the 60s, 70s and 80s was just that, pap. It was meant for children. Sure as a child I loved reading Spiderman, The Punisher, Judge Dread, etc…, but those issues were meant for children, or early teenagers. Now with Warren Ellis, Brian Bendis, Joss Whedon, J Michael Straczynski, Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Mark Millar and Ed Brubaker the medium has exploded! The stories are all very entertaining, thoughtful, engaging, and in some cases hilariously funny. These are the people who should write TV shows and movies. Some already have: Whedon with Buffy, Angel and Firefly; Straczynski with Babylon 5; and Ellis has been wrapping up some deals to produce various TV shows in the future.
I think more people should switch off the box during this “down” season, and turn to books, and in particular comic books for their entertainment. It would inject some cash into the scene, and allow these writers to continue to produce new material.
I for one, am off to the couch, with a coffee, some music playing in the background and a few comics to relax on a Sunday morning…
Roxy Music “Jealous Guy”
I was dreaming of the past
And my heart was beating fast
I began to lose control
I began to lose control
I didn´t mean to hurt you
I´m sorry that I made you cry
I didn´t mean to hurt you
I´m just a jealous guy
I was feeling insecure
You might not love me anymore
I was shivering inside
I was shivering inside
I didn´t mean to hurt you
I´m sorry that I made yoy to cry
I didn´t want to hurt you
I´m just a jealous guy
I was trying to cach your eyes
Thought that you were trying to hide
I was swallowing my pain
I was swallowing my pain
I didn´t mean to hurt you
I´m sorry that I made you cry
I didn´t mean to hurt you
I´m just a jealous guy
This time from “Geraldine” by Glasvegas, a band that has me depressed, but I can’t stop listening to them:
When your sparkle evades your soul
i`ll be at your side to console
when your standing on the window ledge
i`ll talk you back from the edge
i will turn your tide
be your shepard and your guide
when your lost in the deep and darkest place around
may my words walk you home safe and sound
when you say that im no good and you feel like walking
i need to make sure you know thats just the prescription talking
when your feet decide to walk you on the wayward side
up upon the stairs and down the downward slide
i will turn your tide
do all that i can to heal you inside
i`ll be the angel on your shoulder
my name is geraldine, im your social workeri see you need me
i know you do
Another fantastic song with another fantastic lyric!
Frank Black “Hermaphroditos”:
Hermaphroditos is my name
Whatcha playing?
Hermaphroditos is my name
Worship me
Hermaphroditos is my name
Why are you saying?
Hermaphroditos is my nameHow do you love me
Deeply with your scalpel?
I got a mouthful
Of suicidal drugs
I am a dog
I am a sculpture
You hate my features
You name me for a GodHermaphroditos is my name
Whatcha playing?
Hermaphroditos is my name
Worship me
Hermaphroditos is my name
Why are you saying?
Hermaphroditos is my nameForget you yin
And go fuck your yang
It seems that you rang
And it seems I’m only answeringRemember when
I was almost ready?
But it was then
That I was gone alreadyAnd I’m still around
But who wants to listen
To my voice in
Your prison?Hermaphroditos is my name
Whatcha playing?
Hermaphroditos is my name
Worship me
Hermaphroditos is my name
Why are you saying?
Hermaphroditos is my name