A look back at the best and worst of TV in the past week (Aug. 22-28), and a peek at what’s coming up. I’ve been a flake all week, so I’m trying to make up for it with an extra jam-packed version.
Highlights
1. “Being Human” (BBC America, Saturday). I know I should be totally bored by yet another vampire story, but the one on this series is cooler than most. I love Harrick, the head vamp; so creepy, yet still oozing charm. Over on the ghostly side of things, I wish Annie’s story had a more satisfying resolution, Owen really deserved to suffer. What kind of jerk makes a cute ghost cry like that? But Lauren’s storyline made up for it, her transformation from bloodthirsty to heroic vampire was an unexpectedly nice touch.
2. “Mad Men” (AMC, Sunday). On the face of it, a pretty slow episode. But look a little deeper, and oooooh, there are layers upon layers of subtext. Peggy gained the self-awareness that even though she’s no Ann-Margret (which the men in the office made clear time and time again), she’s still alluring enough to walk into a bar and hook up with a random guy. Very Don-Draperish of her; like Don with the stewardess, she seemed to have a fling just because she could, not because she particularly wanted to. Then there’s budding activist Paul’s self-destructive pitch with the Madison Square Garden folks. Liberal activism in 1963, hmmm, where could that lead? (Mississippi, anyone?) Don seemed a little off his game too, until he decisively took control of a family spat and opened his home to Betty’s father. Was that kindness or a power play? And how about Don at the end, grazing his fingers against the grass as he’s entranced by the Maypole-dancing teacher? A moment of lust or of peaceful, perfect familial bliss? Makes you think. . . .
Kelly + Tommy = One big mess (FX photo)
3. “Rescue Me” (FX, Tuesday) Oh my god, Tommy has finally found someone who may be more emotionally damaged than he is. Maura Tierney’s Kelly has a suitcase full of issues — literally. She’s so good. I saw that Ellie situation developing from a mile away (gee, there are consequences to binge drinking?), but the ending was still disturbingly jarring. But did anyone expect any differently? This is the Gavin family, after all.
4. “Hung” (HBO, Sunday). It took me a while, but I’ve finally realized the series isn’t really a comedy about a well-endowed guy who becomes a man-ho. Look closer, and you’ll find a drama about loneliness. Every single character is desperately lonely, reaching out to find someone — anyone — who they can connect with. It’s deeper and darker than you might think.
5. “Entourage” (HBO, Sunday). A Gollum-free episode! Woo hoo! And how awesome is Bob Saget? His lecherous, depraved version of himself just kills me. Scott Caan was terrific as E’s sleazy new rival at the agency. Hope we see more of him. Everything involving Vince was boring as usual, but it’s the secondary characters that make this series ntertaining.
6. “Diners, Dives & Drive-thrus” (Food Network, Monday). Guy Fieri took a break from inane Twitter updates (no, seriously, they’re an assault on the English language) and showed off Santa Rosa’s La Texanita taqueria. Nice little hometown shout-out. Those tacos looked amazing.
Lowlights
1.”Man vs. Food.” (Travel Channel, Wednesday). I hyped this episode because it was set in San Francisco, but it pretty much sucked. That burrito from La Cumbre didn’t look particularly big; I’ve certainly had bigger ones in the Mission. And what was up with that Mexican getup Adam put on? Waaaay too cheeseball and borderline insulting. Speaking of cheeseball, that Haight acid trip dance was just stupid. And the last straw was trying to pass off that Walnut Creek ice cream place as being in San Francisco. That’s just insulting. It all looked that much worse when compared to Anthony Bourdain’s recently aired San Francisco episode of “No Reservations” that perfectly captured the soul of the city.
2. Ashley’s whining on “Top Chef” (Bravo, Wednesday). I get her point about being hurt and angry because she’s not allowed to marry who she wants. I even agree with her. But her outrage and the sulking that followed over being “forced” to take part in a bachelor party-based challenge was ridiculous and unprofessional. So what, she’d never cater a wedding? (How about a bar mitzvah? She couldn’t take part in that either.) Besides, you’re in a game show, and this is part of the game. Go ahead and air your grievances, make your point, but then suck it up and do your job. Besides, there’s no law against lesbian couples having a kickin’ bachelorette party. Oh, and don’t do a dessert unless you know what you’re doing.
As an aside, I was so completely unsurprised to see Eve pack her knives. With her underwhelming cooking skills and deer-in-the-headlights personality, I’m baffled how she even made the show.
3. “Crash Course” (ABC, Wednesday). Regular folks get to try crazy stunts involving careening cars and walls of flame. How could that go wrong? Um, by adding announcers Dan Cortese and Orlando Jones to the mix, apparently. This show’s a cross between “Wipeout” and “Top Gear,” only without all the elements that make those shows fun. It was a truly obnoxious hour.
Uncategorizeable
1. “What Would Brian Boitano Make?” (Food Network, Sunday). All I saw was this highlight, but it looks like the most bizarre show ever made. I think it helps to be totally high when you watch it. I’m pretty sure the producers were. You need to watch this:
Looking forward to . . .
1. “Rescue Me” (10 p.m. Wednesday, FX). The season finale. Janet and Sheila meet Kelly. Rarrrrr! I can’t see this ending well.
2. “Being Human” (9 p.m. Saturday — tonight — BBC America). Another season finale. Will Mitchell survive his stake sandwich? (Of course, we saw him in the previews.) It looks like there’ll be a climactic showdown between the roomies and Harrick’s forces of eeeevil.
3. “Glee” (9 p.m. Wednesday, Fox). An encore presentation of the pilot that got a ton of buzz. I’m not typically into musicals, but I might check it out and see what all the hoopla is about.
