Monday, November 27, 2006

Catching Up On The Boob Tube

The only reality show that I watch is The Amazing Race. Unlike some of the other big ones from recent years, like Survivor and The Apprentice, TAR is all about who runs the best race, subject to the luck or karma or whatever that can intrude on any contest of skill. There is no subjectivity or popularity contest. Other than the last leg and with certain exceptions for non-elimination rounds, the last team to get to the finish line goes home. When it's down to three teams, the first team to the finish line wins.

This is now the third season of TAR that I have watched. While the race itself has been up to snuff in terms of challenges and locales, this is the first time where Mrs. Zwicker and I don't really care who wins. Of the four teams, the beauty queens are phony wenches, the 'Bama girls complain too much about how nobody likes them and Rob and Kimberly annoy us with their bitching, usually at each other. That leaves the reformed druggies/models as our favorite team, albeit by process of elimination. We will, of course, keep watching because the contest is still compelling. Also, I was laughing loud and hard last night at the preview of next week's episode, where the locals in an unnamed country pelted Kimberly with tomatoes.
Last night Mrs. Zwicker and I finally caught up on Heroes, the new excellent show on NBC. I have refrained from commenting on it here earlier since we have been behind since the first episode and I didn't want anyone to spoil it for us. We agree with Noah Daddy (ND-it looks like you made a good call on Claire's father) that Heroes is the best new show this year. The concept is a new one for television and the writing and acting are great. The show manages to weave together multiple compelling stories without being contrived. If you cannot get this season's earlier episodes online somewhere, I highly recommend closing your eyes and ears to Heroes and catch it on DVD.

1 comment:

Noahdaddy said...

The best part of the show is that while there are mysteries to be solved, they don't pile up endlessly. The writers give you a few nibbles each week and you feel as though the plot is moving along.

It looks as though I was wrong on the Sylar theory. Oh well.