Matt's Musings

"We don’t consider a hashtag when we’re writing a title." — Shonda Rhimes, TV producer This post might make me seem sort of like a grumpy old man. I guess I'll have to be fine with that. But I don't get this fascination with attaching everything to Twitter. Sure, I have a Twitter account. I've even been known to post links to this blog on my Twitter account. I like reading some of the information and I think it's a fine Social Media outlet. Unlike much of the world, though, I'm not obsessed with it. Yesterday, during the annual press tour, Shonda Rhimes, the creator of shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," and the new "How To Get Away With Murder," was asked why she created a show with a title that didn't work easily as a hashtag. Her response to that question — which drew applause from a number of reporters in the room — is the quote above. Rhimes might be in the minority, though. Just try watching shows — particula...

In these weekly posts I take a look at the new shows this summer. And there have been a lot. I review the pilot and second episode of new shows. If you don't see a new show that premiered this summer please check previous weeks. Monday Nights : Backpackers, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on the CW About: The CW hasn't traditionally done sitcoms. Sure, they have "Whose Line Is It Anyway," but that's about it in the half-hour model. So it's interesting that they launched a pair of sitcoms in the middle of summer. Interesting, anyway, until you watch those sitcoms — then you start to understand why they haven't done any to this point. Maybe they don't understand the point, or know what comedy really is. That's all I could think to explain "Backpackers," which premiered last night and is, without a doubt, the worst new show I've seen this summer and the worst new show I've seen in quite some time. And that's really saying something since it...

"It was a test. Not for what came before but for what comes after. The test is what happens now." — Matt, "The Leftovers" There is a moment at the outset of the movie "Doubt" when Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) talks about the bond that comes when people wrestle with uncertainty. There are moments — in the case of the film its the example of the assassination of John F. Kennedy — that we don't expect, and that cause us to question the larger plan. That process of soul searching can be a bonding and healing experience. And Father Flynn reminds us that when we feel lost, we're not alone. But what if that process took us in another direction? Last night's episode of "The Leftovers" reminded me of that. As I've written about previously, this is a show that I have mixed feelings about. The set up and the plot premise holds a lot of promise. There are so many ways this idea can be explored. So much that can be pondered. Yet, the...

"I always wanted to be a Laker, and it will be a dream come true to still be here, but it's crazy." — Nick Young, Lakers' swingman They say it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Clearly this is something that Kobe Bryant has taken to heart. Last week, Bryant said he was happy with the Lakers' strategy this off-season, to swing for the fences, even if it resulted in nothing. Well, I guess we'll see how much he meant that. This time last week the Lakers were riding high. Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing a max deal and Pau Gasol was coming back. That seemed to be the core of a team built to compete in the powerful Western Conference. Today, not so much. Anthony re-upped with the New York Knicks, the team that could pay him the most. Gasol signed on with the Chicago Bulls, and the chance for an NBA title. Meanwhile the Lakers ended up resigning Nick Young, otherwise known as Swaggy P, and Jordan Hill, signed draft...

“We had a LeBronfire last night ... I burned everything I own with his name on it. My wife could sleep with my father and I wouldn't feel this betrayed. Born here. Raised here. Played here. Betrayed here.” — Cleveland fan responding to "The Decision" Four years ago, LeBron James was a free agent. After weeks of speculation and a ridiculous television special, James took his talents to the Miami Heat. For four years he teamed with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, going to the NBA Finals four years in a row and winning two titles. Then he opted out, beginning the vicious free agency cycle again. But this time it was different. James never asked for a media speculation, he never tried to make it all about himself, and he eschewed press conferences and a televised special. Instead, on Friday, he issued a personal, heart-felt letter announcing where he planned to play and why. More than a decision, it was a love letter to the community where he grew up and where he calls home. It w...

The Emmy nominees were announced on Thursday morning, leading to a lot of critiques, criticism, and joy. No awards show is perfect, and no list of nominees will make everyone happy. However, it feels like the Emmy Awards get it less perfect than most. That was true, again, yesterday. For every pleasant surprise, there are a half dozen head scratchers. Below are my thoughts on yesterday's announcement. Biggest Snub (Individual) : Tatiana Maslany, "Orphan Black." No one on TV does more for a show, gives more for a performance, or stretches themselves more than Maslany. She IS "Orphan Black," and the fact she didn't get a nomination is a crime. Biggest Snub (Show) : "Hannibal," on NBC. "Hannibal" has a visual style, pacing, and storytelling style unlike any show on TV. It may not get incredible ratings, but it is probably the best drama on network TV. It should have gotten at least one nomination for something. Best Surprise Nomination: Len...

By all accounts, 2014 has been a mediocre year for movies. Through last weekend (The Fourth of July weekend), the Box Office for 2014 is down four percent. That doesn't sound big, but when you factor in inflation, ticket price increases, and the prevalence of 3D, IMax, and other formats that jack up the prices, that's a bad sign about audiences. In fact, this year's Fourth of July weekend saw $100 million less in ticket sales than 2013, you know the year where "The Lone Ranger" landed with a thud. I wrote last week about the creative energy seemingly moving to the small screen, and these trends back that up. Traditionally many of our best movies come out in the fall (or more likely in late November and December). These are usually the award contenders, but they don't make the most money. That usually happens in the summer. There's still hope for summer. Perhaps the best action movie will be "Guardians of the Galaxy," which opens August 1. And the...