Ok, it didn't take long for me to vent about "The Tudors." The Showtime series started with great expectations. I've always loved English history and who doesn't mind looking at Jonathan Rhys Myers for an hour? Problem is the series is starting to seem like a movie (and maybe a sequel - starring Cate Blanchett?) stretched into hours and hours, in multiple seasons. My God, we're midway through the 2nd season and KH VIII just married Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth is but a few hours old! I'm starting to get a little bored. Perhaps if they just pick up the pace a little. The cast is terrific, and the quality of the production is top notch. But it's so, so serious. A little humor would go a long way. After all, it is cable TV - we've come to expect a few good laughs (or at least some irony).
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tudors Tune-out?
Ok, it didn't take long for me to vent about "The Tudors." The Showtime series started with great expectations. I've always loved English history and who doesn't mind looking at Jonathan Rhys Myers for an hour? Problem is the series is starting to seem like a movie (and maybe a sequel - starring Cate Blanchett?) stretched into hours and hours, in multiple seasons. My God, we're midway through the 2nd season and KH VIII just married Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth is but a few hours old! I'm starting to get a little bored. Perhaps if they just pick up the pace a little. The cast is terrific, and the quality of the production is top notch. But it's so, so serious. A little humor would go a long way. After all, it is cable TV - we've come to expect a few good laughs (or at least some irony).
You know, I certainly love Showtime dramas, but have been completely cold on "The Tudors" -- promos even looked too grim for me. I'm sorry to hear it's indeed such a drag; the net had such a great run with the second batch of "Dexter" and this doesn't sound as though it's been able to take advantage of the buzz and viewership coming off that. Maybe historical drama is best left to HBO, who seems to be able to pull it off with some aplomb and style!
ReplyDeleteLisa, it's so true. Showtime has had it's moments ("Six Feet Under" & "Dexter") but beyond that and a few other shows, they never seem to match the calibur of HBO. Even "Queer as Folk," as good as it was, didn't have scripts like "Sopranos" or "Sex in the City" or even "Dream On." I'm a little too invested to stop recording Tudors right now, but I could reach that point at the end of the season and not come back!
ReplyDeleteWell folks, I'm afraid the Tudors disconnect may have something to do with us being "out of the target demo". I too had watched the first couple of episodes and didn't find it compelling enough. On the other hand, my 18 year old kid has not missed a single one, he is transfixed. Hmmmm. For my money, I'd rather watch John Adams again, 6 or 7 times!
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention...LOVE J.R. Myers, especially that picture you posted, Scott. Dear Lord, King Henry 8 never looked that good a day in his life!
ReplyDeleteWow -- I wonder if that's indeed it. Too old!? I am chagrined and depressed! :-) Congrats at least to Showtime for being able to concoct something with the perfect age-specific dramatics to attract the young 'uns.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's time for us to don our buckled shoes and walk again around the Paris garden with Thomas Jefferson, methinks!