what's on the tube?

since the finale of the wire, the only television worth watching included the conclusions of strike-shortened seasons of the office and lost. summer television is usually filled with an endless black hole of reality television.

but if that reality television show is so you think you can dance? (on fox) that's alright with me. i was a little bummed when will was sent home last week, especially after his james brown' impersonation in the top 8. however, there was little drop-off with the final four guys so the result wasn't a blow to the show. the top 6 was exceptional with the repairing of joshua and katee (the two best dancers on the show). but the other two couples did really well, too. there wasn't a misstep on any of the routines. i guess when you're down to the final six dancers, you better step up.

i really can't stress how much i love dancing, even though i am completely and utterly incapable of doing it myself and know nothing about it. maybe it's that lack of familiarity that makes it so interesting and intriguing. the way you can use the movements of your body to express such a wide range of emotions...wow.


but the summer television season also brought with it some dramatic flare this week, a much-needed break from the reality overload. while i haven't viewed the first season in its entirety, i've seen enough of mad men (on amc) to know i should be watching it whenever i get the chance. the show is about madison avenue advertising executives set during the 1960s. created by matthew weiner, david chase's right-hand man on the sopranos, you can expect that a simple plot description is out of the question. just as the sopranos was never just about the mob, neither is mad men just about advertising. it merely serves as the launching point for the show to explore a world outside the grasp of many today. and the acting is incredible. jon hamm, wherever he came from, i could listen to him talk all day long.