The Writer’s Room on the Sundance Channel

Posted on August 20, 2013 at 8:00 am

Oscar-winning writer Jim Rash (with Nat Faxon he co-wrote “The Descendants” and “The Way Way Back”) hosts one of the best new shows on television, “The Writer’s Room.” The writers and key cast members of Breaking Bad, Parks & Recreation, Dexter, New Girl, Game of Thrones and American Horror Story tell the stories behind the stories that keep us coming back week after week. Highly recommended.

And while we’re on the subject of writing, check out this interview with Marc Norman (“Shakespeare in Love”) from my friend Robert Elisberg.

Related Tags:

Television Writers

What the Colors of the Clothes on Breaking Bad Tell You About the Characters and Story

Posted on August 18, 2013 at 8:00 am

I love stories like this wonderful analysis by John LaRue about the way the costume designers on “Breaking Bad” use the colors of the characters’ clothes to tell you what is going on.

There are a lot of patterns that emerge, so much so that each character has an identifying color.

After Walt’s cancer diagnosis, his colors become stronger, and eventually go black. When the cancer returns or when he’s defeated, the drab khaki returns. The closer he gets to Gus, and the stronger his ties to blue meth, the more blue shows up in his barcode.

Skyler starts out blue, but turns dark once she starts to figure out Walt’s secret. Her timeline turns deep blue, almost purple, as her flirtation with Ted grows, and then it turns green once she discovers Walt’s stash of money. The more complicit she becomes in Walt’s criminal activity, the blacker her timeline gets to the point that it’s pitch black in season 4.

Fascinating!

The New Dr. Who: Peter Capaldi

Posted on August 4, 2013 at 2:41 pm

And the new Dr. Who is…Peter Capaldi, most recently seen in “World War Z” but perhaps most memorably seen in “In the Loop,” as the purveyor of the most impressively, explosively, excoriatingly profane tirades of invective ever put on screen. And that includes David Mamet. I will always remember him fondly as the sweet Scot from “Local Hero.” I look forward to his portrayal of the Time Lord.

Related Tags:

Actors Television

This Week on the Disney Channel: Teen Beach Movie

Posted on July 14, 2013 at 3:59 pm

I have a lot of affection for the teen beach movies of the 1960’s starring the late Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, with guest stars including Buster Keaton and “Little” Stevie Wonder. There was a nice update, “Back to the Beach,” and a knowing tribute to the genre in Tom Hanks’ “That Thing You Do.” I am really looking forward to this week’s Disney Channel salute, “Teen Beach Movie,” premiering July 19.

Related Tags:

Musical Stories about Teens Television

Tribute: “Glee’s” Cory Monteith

Posted on July 14, 2013 at 11:19 am

It is with special sadness that we bid farewell to the talented young actor who played Finn on “Glee,” Cory Monteith. The cause of death is not yet known but he struggled with substance abuse.

Here he tells Ellen Degeneres about his audition for “Glee.”

He had such a charming, unaffected presence and his portrayal of the gentle football player who loved to sing and struggled with his affection for the ambitious Rachel (sometime off-screen love Lea Michelle) and his gay step-brother Kurt (Chris Colfer) was in many ways the heart of the show. He will be missed.

Related Tags:

Actors Television Tribute