"Six Feet Under" is an American television series created by Alan Ball. It aired on HBO from 2001 to 2005 and follows the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles.
The show explores themes such as mortality, grief, and family dynamics. Each episode begins with the death of a person, whose body is then prepared for burial by the Fisher family. The series features a talented ensemble cast, including Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Frances Conroy.
The series received critical acclaim for its unique and unconventional approach to storytelling, as well as its ability to tackle difficult and sensitive topics with empathy and humor. It has been praised for its strong writing, powerful performances, and emotional depth. "Six Feet Under" remains a beloved and influential series that continues to resonate with viewers today.
An American crime drama, The Killing is based on a Danish television program titled Forbrydelsen which means The Crime. American writers say they used the original as a "blue print" but gave it a distinctly Americanized flair with characters that will be more appealing to the viewing audience. The setting for The Killing is Seattle, Washington and the show revolves around police investigators and their daily work load. Each episode will center on one day of an investigation into the homicide of a small girl and follows along with the investigating officers as they track down clues and work to solve the case before the trail runs cold. A dark show, The Killing is brutally honest in many respects regarding the why's and how's of a murder. The police deal with brutality and mayhem but never get used to it entirely. Cast members include Mireille Enos as detective Sarah Linden, Billy Campbell as politician running for Mayor of Seattle Darren Richmond, Michelle Forbes portrays Mitch Larsen (mother of the murdered girl Rosie), Brent Sexton as Stan Larsen (father of Rosie), and Joel Kinnaman who plays the part of Stephen Holder, Sarah Linden's partner and fellow detective
Based on the Italian fifteenth century Borgia dynasty, the made for the Showtime network series titled The Borgias follows Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons) rise to power and the Papacy. Called the original crime family, the Borgias amassed great wealth, influence, and power as family patriarch Rodrigo committed nearly every sin imaginable as he gained power and vast wealth. Such successors as The Godfather (Mario Puzo) and The Prince (Niccolò Machiavelli) were inspired by the original "bad family" the Borgias and made for entertaining viewing. But the originals were greedy evil people who had no morals. It is at the height of the Renaissance period that we find the Borgia family intriguing to watch and perhaps learn from. Besides Jeremy Irons there are many fine actors in the cast including Francois Arnaud as Cesare Borgia, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia, David Oakes as Juan Borgia, and Derek Jacobi portraying Cardinal Orsini. Look for this entertaining television series and see the original "Godfathers of crime".
"Body of Proof" will bring at least one more strong female lead to network television, bringing the sum total to approximately two. Too bad they will compete head-to-head in the same time-slot; good thing we have DVRs. "We need to have more smart women characters on television," says Dana Delany as she prepares to play medical examiner Megan Hunt in ABC's new drama, "Body of Evidence." As plots unfold on the new show, Dr. Megan Hunt's brilliance never will become an issue"”if anything she sometimes is too smart for her own good; but her compassion and human kindness frequently will be in doubt. Dr. Hunt brings a few issues to the autopsy room: Five years ago, she lost everything in the wake of a serious car accident"”her marriage, custody of her daughter,; and, most importantly, her extremely successful practice as a neurosurgeon. Promos for "Body of Evidence" are slick, stylish, sexy, and sassy. Ms. Delany looks seductively into the camera, promising, "Don't believe everything you've heard. The truth is much worse." Adding even more spice and power, Jeri Ryan ends her peripatetic travels across the dial, settling down to play Dr. Kate Murphy, the medical examiner. Set for debut on March 29, 2011, "Body of Evidence" promises to become a Tuesday ten o'clock favourite.
Slackers serving Satan as his bounty hunters? At a bare minimum, "The Reaper" does offer conclusive proof that colluding with the devil is considerably more exciting than a job at the Work Bench, a fictional Seattle home improvement store. Imagine Sam Oliver's surprise when he learns on his twenty-first birthday his parents negotiated a long-ago deal with the captain of the underworld: Save daddy's life, and they will give Satan their first-born child. Of course, mom and dad used every form of contraception imaginable until Satan released their doctor from his gambling debts in exchange for Doc's telling mom and dad they could not conceive. Sam ensues. Satan himself shows-up at the big twenty-first gala to detail "The Reaper's" new job description. Sam, who once complained that college "made him sleepy," naturally balks at the devil's deal; but the devil is at least as persuasive with Sam as he was with Eve. Satan tells Sam, should he decline, his mother forfeits her soul. Sam grudgingly accepts new super-powers and goes to work hunting down wayward sinners who have contrived to escape Hell. Television drama ensues. "The Reaper" earned an extremely devoted"”albeit somewhat cultish"”following. A representative review explained the attraction: "This show is so refreshing - great premise, great characters, and they don't take themselves too seriously. The Devil is a hunk, and just couldn't be played better than Ray Wise."
A spin off to the popular 16 and Pregnant (also on MTV), Teen Mom 2 follows along on the challenges and rewards faced by four teenage moms that were last seen on season three of 16 and Pregnant. There are many problems facing those who are still practically children themselves who attempt to raise their own babies. Family, peer pressure, school, and romance are a enough to struggle with before adding on the burden and reward of child rearing. The show attempts to show it can be accomplished with help from all relationships involved. The parents can provide much needed guidance and they can get an emotional boost from friends and romantic involvements too. Following four young women who become pregnant during their senior year of school, Janelle, Chelsea, Leah, and Kailyn have different problems and solutions but they are each determined to keep and raise their babies themselves. Boyfriends and parents complicate issues but basically stand behind the life altering decisions made by the new mothers. This program is reality programming at it's finest as it depicts life in real time.
It's a long-long way from flying nun to matriarch of a powerhouse television family. Sally Field has landed in a very good place, anchoring a powerful cast on ABC's award-winning "Brothers and Sisters." The "Brothers and Sisters" plot undoubtedly fits together for viewers who have remained faithful from the very first episode, in which William Walker, pater familiae and founder of Ojai Foods, drops dead. Kitty, his wife, mourns properly and just as properly takes charge as her grown children and their families gather around her. Mourning grows complicated as William Walker's deep-dark secrets come to life, and family life heats up as different family members cope with different secrets in different ways. From five family members come forty possible combinations and recombinations, and from those possibilities spring infinite plots"”even before writers and producers add significant others and children. "Brothers and Sisters" can hold its exalted Sunday night place indefinitely. Unlike some riveting family dramas, "Brothers and Sisters" does not show bitter, fierce, destructive sibling rivalry. For the most part, these big kids like one another, and their mother loves them all. Of course, one is an Afghan war veteran with a drug problem, and another is a gay lawyer, the favourite son and heir has both financial and marital difficulties, but the real odd-ball is the daughter who breaks the family's liberal tradition and takes-up with the likes of Ann Coulter and Mike Huckabee. Did we mention that "Brothers and Sisters" has the stuff to go on indefinitely?
Once upon a time MTV was all about music videos but ever since they began producing their own television series like The Hills they have evolved into a powerhouse in TV entertainment. The Hills is about the lives and ongoing happenings for several young women who reside in Los Angeles, California. Lauren, a young woman striving for her own independence, moves to LA with best friend Heidi and meet up with Audrina. Lauren interns with Teen Vogue, a teen magazine and becomes interested in the fashion industry. When her ex-boyfriend follows Lauren to LA they decide to get back together, which complicates her life. This show has the "reality TV" formula that is popular and gained The Hills some high accolades from the entertainment industry and spawned quite a few copy cat programs. While the young women have their romantic partners each is trying to make it and become successful, especially in the magazine and fashion industries that drew them to LA in the first place. As this is a show based on reality it's sometimes difficult to determine where reality leaves off and drama simply takes over. Still The Hills is fun to watch each week.
