Best of TV, No. 9 (Tuesday)


Today I continue my look at my favorite TV series of all time with a show about a teenage sleuth.

Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
Network: UPN/CW
About: I have to admit, I was late to the party with "Veronica Mars." I caught up with the whole series after it had been cancelled and was on DVD. But it didn't take long for me to see the allure to a gaggle of fans, very few of whom were actually in high school. This show may have been about a girl in high school and college, but it appealed to a wide audience. That was due in large part to the characters and the writing. Creator Rob Thomas did a great job of creating a fun, vibrant world. The show had interesting self contained cases, but it was the way it wove a season-long mystery into the narrative thread that helped separate the show from others. Kristen Bell was great in the lead role, and Enrico Colantoni was great as her father. Jason Dohring was good as the mercurial Logan and Percy Daggs III was fun as Veronica's friend and confidant, Wallace. The first season of the show was easily its best, though the mystery in the second season was somewhat compelling also. By the third season, the show shifted to the new CW, and it was clear that network interference in the format (meant to help the show find more of an audience) had an adverse affect. Still, the show was solid for three seasons, and the constant rumors of a follow-up movie show there is still a great deal of interest in the show even five years after it went off the air. Of course, that could also have to do with the sort of cliffhanger ending for the series; another sign that it should have been allowed to continue. However, "Veronica Mars," like so many shows on the WB/UPN/CW was cancelled too soon so that "One Tree Hill" could stay on the air... For those that haven't seen this show, it's a fun one to dive into during the summer when you can clear 22 episodes in a week or two.
How to See It: All three seasons of "Veronica Mars" are available on DVD.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more