You complete me...

Over the past few years, several great shows have made their mark on television. I'm not just talking premium cable, either. Even better, the DVD/Netflix combination has made it possible to bring these shows home. So, now you don't always have to watch in real time or syndication. Instead, you can watch a season a week and even an entire series in a month.

As Fall approaches and the days get shorter, here are some shows to keep you comfy and reality free in the evening. Even better, these are completed series, so resolution awaits you.

Alias -












Okay, so I was a long time hold out of this show. What little screen time I'd seen of Jennifer Garner, in particular '13 Going On 30', had left me wondering what all the hub bub was about.

It wasn't until I saw the JJ Abram's Mission Impossible 3, along with a recommendation from a friend, that I decided to give it a shot.

Take whatever reservations you may have and toss them aside. If you like the storytelling of Lost, then you'll definitely appreciate it's predecessor. Honestly, even though Lost has yet to run it's course, I believe that Alias is the better show. Suspenseful, action packed, dramatic, and at times humorous, you'll find it hard not to watch 3-4 episodes per night.

I implore you, give Jennifer a chance kick her way into your heart. The show will grab you in the opening scene, promise.

The Shield -












FX's breakthrough drama ended it's run last Fall, but I'm still haunted he series finale. It's like, someone ran my emotions through a juicer.

I've already blogged about this show in the past, so I'll keep it short. The last five minutes of the pilot episode sets the stage for the rest of the series. It sets the timer, and then winds down to the series finale where it all finally explodes.

Pulling for a bad guy has never been so much fun.



Battlestar Galactica -












The name alone isolates an audience. Then, for those who are old enough, there's the image Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene fighting those clunky ass Cylons. Cheese whiz in space.

Well, fuck all that. Start with the mini-series and settle in to the one of the best shows ever written.

For more info, see the 'Trying to get regular' post.




The Wire -










Brilliant. I mean, I'd heard so many great things about this show, that I was determined to find fault. Sure, there are some things I didn't like about the story, but that was the story. You are an observer, and these characters aren't there for your entertainment.

It did take me awhile to get fully involved in the show. It was a slow burn, but once you're hooked, you'll be glad that you stuck around.


24 -












Well, technically this show has not ended, but most 24 fans will tell you that it's long been over. Personally, I think the end of season 4 should be the stopping point for newbies.

Let's face it though. How many times can you make the real time scenario work? How much shock and awe can you deliver before it becomes predictable or just ridiculous? The show is a victim of it's own success, and in turn has become a parody of itself.

However, the first 4 seasons maybe some of the best 96 hours in television history. After that, just walk away.

Der-be, or not der-be

This past week I had my demolition derby virginity taken from me, compliments of the Cheatham County Fair. Let me first say, I rarely travel outside the Nashville city limits, so Cheatham county itself was it's own experience. Yet, it was very reminiscent of my rural North Carolina home of Rockingham County.

Before I could even get the stands to watch the derby, I witness a girl get puked on during one of the rides. At this point my appetite is a goner, and I push quickly towards the bleachers. As we sit down and wait we are entertained by the drive by mullets, as well as the master of ceremonies who appears to be intoxicated.









(photo by Agnes Barton-Sabo)

Now, although I've never seen a demolition derby in person, I'm very aware of the concept. Not much to read between the lines on that one. What I didn't realize is that the cars already looked as if they had lost the derby. When the cars, or what's left of them rolled out, it looked as if somebody had raided the set of 'The Road Warrior'. Some drivers had no shirts but wore a helmet, others had a shirt but no helmet. Some smoked cigarettes, which was completely bad ass, albeit stupid. The lack of safety precautions in general was alarming, yet pretty fucking amazing.

I guess every 'sport' has it's stars, and the Demolition Derby is no exception. This night, the crowd favorite was easily, 'Joker II'. As soon as the pink and neon green station wagon rolled out, he owned the crowd. Not sure what happened to 'Joker I', but this guy got his name honestly. He was chaos and anarchy on wheels. His first move of the night was literally a show stopper, as he backed up and into some poor guy, ripping his opponent's roof off much like a opening a sardine can. What's even more amazing is that no one was injured. Decapitated, to be more specific.









(photo by Agnes Barton-Sabo)

Once the carnage was cleared, Joker's next move was equally as stunning. Running full speed in reverse across the length of the field, he plowed into some poor bastard then jumped over the log gate that was supposed to keep the cars inside. This move, like the other, almost claimed somebody's life. Thus, the Joker was ejected.

A disappointed crowd begin to chant, 'let him play', 'let him play'...

While everyone had thought they had seen the last of the Joker, you can only imagine the cheers of excitement when he later rolled out to compete in the final match. What happened next was one of the most amazing 15 minutes of my life. The 'Joker' unleashed an ass whipping of biblical proportion. While all the other drivers worked to demolish him, he could not be stopped. How that car still kept going is a mystery, and can only be explained as the will of one man. One man that was determined to fuck you up. With one wheel almost completely off, the Joker still maneuvered almost effortlessly. At one point, he struck the broken and axle of another car, almost flipping over; but, it was not to be.

Finally, two cars were left, the 'Joker', and some other poor motherfucker. As the crowd came to their feet, the 'Joker' and his opponent backed up and positioned themselves to go head to head. I have to admit, even after all that I had seen, I really didn't think they were that stupid. I was wrong, and within seconds the two cars collided head on. For several minutes following, billowing smoke was the only thing left to see, then a man arises from one of the cars. Raising his arms in victory, it was indeed the 'Joker'.









(photo by Agnes Barton-Sabo)

I'm not sure who this guy is, nor do I care to. Chances are if you meet him, it's not likely that you'll live to tell the story. I will say, to all those who plan to compete in other regional derby's - if you see a pink and green station wagon with the name 'Joker III'... think about your family. Go home and hug them.

Vick-tory?

It's been over two years since Michael Vick took his last NFL snap. That is, until last night.



As a football fan, Madden player, and dog lover, I was devastated when the news broke that Michael Vick was involved in a dog fighting ring. Even more disgusted to find out the he himself participated in the (deep breath), killing of dogs. Okay let's stop there.

There was no player in the NFL as electrifying as Michael Vick. Often criticized for his inaccuracy and poor decisions, he was not considered a 'conventional' NFL quarterback. Regardless, I thought he threw some of the prettiest passes in the league, even if they did go to the wrong spot. No, Vick's strength were his legs. Something that kept the opposing defensive coordinators up at night. Oh yeah, and I definitely kicked some serious ass on Madden (as Vick), lighting up chumps and scoring into the hundreds.

(Sigh) So, I have to admit - it was good to see him on the field last night.

Not that my feeling comes without conflict. I am lover of dogs. I love spending time with them, training them. I also have a special affection for working with abused dogs, and have a love for pit bulls. Two of my neighbors have adopted pit bulls, both of which were abandoned in a nearby park probably because they wouldn't fight. Both had evidence of abuse. I also have a hound/pit bull mix that was abused and still has a BB in his chest from when he was a puppy. It breaks my heart. You can see the long term affects of the abuse in his mannerisms, although he's come a long way. Needless to say, the details of the Vick case sicken and anger me.

That brings us to the here and now. There are those that think Vick should never play football again, while others feel that he deserves a second chance. Where do I come out? Well, when the story first broke in '06 I would have said, 'hell no, hell fucking no'. That being said, although I'm still unable to reconcile his actions, I do believe he belongs back in football and in the NFL. Two years in jail and bankrupt, he's payed his price and he's starting over.

The NFL is Michael Vick's best chance for redemption and the most effective way to give back to society. It helps that Vick has folks like Coach Crocodile Dun-gee in his corner, and from all we can see thus far he seems remorseful. I don't want to make excuses for Vick, but you have to take into consideration how his past has affected him. Honestly, I don't know much about his childhood. However, both he and his brother Marcus have had run ins with the law, which leads me to believe that bad influences were in play. Again, I speak in ignorance and can only speculate.

All I can say now, is welcome back Michael. The NFL is a better place with you there. Now, honor this second chance, and honor the fans and supporters by not fucking up. Oh yeah, Madden is better with you too.

Nothing Rhymes With Alex

So, it's been a bit of a stressful weekend. Not enough food in the house for starters, which leads to overspending and overeating. Then, I accidentally erased my itunes folder. That's right, accidentally, and let's not even go there. I do back up, but it's been a awhile.

Moving on, if any of you know me, then you know that one of my favorite shows is the NBC sitcom Wings. (By the way, you can read my other thoughts about how they mistreated the DVD release in previous blogs.) In an effort to cure the cranks, I was happy to discover that you can find most of the episodes on YouTube, thanks to user: teddyfalconer.

If you're not familiar with Wings, you should definitely keep this in mind if you find yourself alone on a Friday night. Oh shit, that's probably just me. Well, not that I endorse this, but it's probably good for slow days at the office as well.

While it's hard to choose a favorite episode, here's a few favorites to get you started.

Attack Of The Clone

Hells to the yeah. Today was a great day.

As a huge fan of the Jim Rome show, it was an incredible honor for me to have my text included in the Huge Text Contest today. I'm also especially proud, as this is the first text I've ever submitted. The winning text was composed in the Burger King parking lot on 8th Ave (Nashville, TN). I made sure to pull over so that I did not text and drive. That's the law.

Now, for the award winning text.

'Packer fan feels betrayed? How do you think we feel? This was supposed to be our year. Sincerely - the good ole boys who wear wranglers and play in the mud. War the guys laugh that sounds like you're cranking a lawn mower. '

Trying to get regular, with my blogging of course

So, just a few months after the end of Ronald Moore's re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, those money grubbing bastards at Universal Pictures are fast-tracking yet another, BSG movie for the theaters.

It looks as if they've signed on Bryan Singer to direct the new, um, newer, excuse me, newest version of this space opera. I can almost see a Les Grossman-esque (Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder), movie mogul, slapping that ass while talking about the G-5. Yes, the airplane.

As a kid, the original series was a favorite of mine. As I look back though, it was more like 'Star Wars' for your television, at a time with home video had yet to hit. I had BSG toys, hell, I had BSG birthday parties. Needless to say, when Sci-Fi Network announced that they were releasing an updated Battlestar Galactica mini-series in the December of 2003, I couldn't wait. I mean holy shit, Starbuck's a girl and Adama is Lt. Castillo from Miami Vice? It's fucking brilliant.

While I expected an update to the classic, what I got instead was an amazing drama with depth and layers that you rarely find in television. Ronald Moore's version of Battlestar Galactica was more social commentary then swash-buckling space adventure. Politics, religion, terrorism, and segregation, as well as some pretty cool space shit. Not gonna lie.

I won't go on about the greatness of Moore's BSG, only suggest that you Netflix that moe foe if you haven't yet seen it.

So that brings me back the point, if there is one. I'm really disappointed by the news of yet another remake. At only 34, I've lived long enough to see 3rd generation remakes. Sad. Remake Star Wars motherfucker, and let the goodness be. Better yet, go see District 9 and get inspired to make something different.

Or, you can always develop a Thundercats movie.