Special Event/Holiday
|
|
Hello RTV people, Time once again to take a look back at our TV year for this site - though I must say, it hasn't really been a great year for television fans. Last year at this time, I had a couple of paragraphs dedicated to the incredible series finale of "This Is Us". Also a mention of the fantastic series premiere of "So Help Me Todd" (which is finally scheduled to return for a second season soon). But in 2023, I truly cannot think of anything memorable in the area of scripted TV. Nothing new premiered; well, nothing to get excited about, anyway. We did have one milestone, though. Long running "NCIS LA" reached its conclusion after fourteen seasons, and while I have not been able to catch up with the series in time to be affected by it, we do have the world's biggest fan of series star Hetty on our site - who was deeply excited to hear her voice a couple of times in the final series episodes. Her enthusiasm really makes me want to watch the series from the start - but you know what? This is one show that seems impossible to find for binge-streaming. It runs on many channels in syndication; but it's hard to find it from episode one! Hopefully someday. In the meantime, a bit of Australian TV has reached our shores in the form of yet another NCIS spinoff, "NCIS Sydney". I have seen every episode so far and while the first couple were just okay, the last were fantastic. One had a bunch of DOGS in it, WM (Were they taking a bite out of Australian crime?)! I plan to continue to see where it goes. Some British TV has also come our way in the form of the UK version of "Ghosts". While I had seen the episodes before, how much more fun are they to watch with a chat. The "caveman" is funny (and obviously my favorite since I keep saying that!) Moonah! But now we will move on to the reason this site exists: reality TV. And in particular "Survivor". Since New Year's Eve 2023, we've had a USA season 44, a USA season 45 and an Australian season: "Heroes Vs. Villains". There is also a new UK Survivor that I haven't yet watched. Let's begin with season 44 of "US Survivor". What do I remember about season 44 - other than that it wasn't my favorite. (or even anywhere close). Hmmm...looking at this cast, Caroline stands out the most. Such a bizarre, all-over-the-place personality. And no one took her seriously. In the end no, she didn't win. But she played a game that could have. Perhaps WM will remember details better. I do recall the winner was Yam Yam Arocho. Not the person I would have picked episode one but I suppose he deserved it as much as anyone. My enthusiasm runneth over. WM. Help. (It confirmed for everyone what we had seen since "new era Survivor" began: your social game is what wins seasons. Strategic and physical games might GET you to the final three, but only a good social game can WIN it for you. Yes, some winners - MaryAnne, last month's Dee - were strong in all three games. But other victors - Erica, Gabler, Yam Yam - had us scratching our heads at their victory because television cameras couldn't fully capture the impact their personalities had on the people who select the Sole Survivor: the jury. Will this trend continue for all future seasons? We can only watch and find out.) But look at all those CATS on his shirt! The other thing to take note of is that on the first episode, we lost a player due to a challenge accident who went on to play in season 45.... with a much better result! I'm speaking, of course, of Bruce Perreault. Season 45 Survivor.... geez I miss those cheesy theme names. A far better season than 44 with a far better cast, in my opinion; I'm sure others would disagree. But seriously, overall a good group. There were a couple of people that were ... difficult (Kendra). But inexplicably, they completely missed the act of "splitting votes". This long running strategy was designed to protect against idols being played for a unanimously chosen target. Had this group never seen that played before - or did they just not didn't see value in it? But I did love some of the cast members: Kaleb, for example. Voted out far too early but still a member of the jury. Emily: my goodness, she rubbed everyone the wrong way (other players and audience alike) on the first episode - and then went on to win us all over by the time she was voted out in seventh place. Jake: awkward and goofy with that Boston accent, but in the end, a respectable third place finisher. And Austin..... ... the one I was rooting for who got blinded by a crush on eventual winner Dee - and lost his focus. Austin... put his love for Dee ahead of making good game choices - such as keeping vital information to himself. By contrast, Dee understood that, relationship with Austin or not, she was there to win a game. She kept him in the dark when that was the smart play. And it paid off. "Australian Survivor" had yet another fantastic season. Seriously, I will go on the record and say I enjoy these Aussies more than the US these days. And they have not yet given up on the cheesy themes. January 2023 brought us a "Fans versus Favourites" season which they chose to name "Australian Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains" Inexplicably, this was a half returnee / half newbie season. Having never seen their behaviour before, how does one know if newbie player should be a "hero" or a "villain"...one might ask. And we did. And never got an answer. But despite that, it turned out to be a great season anyway. You can tell from the promo pic who they expected to rule the season: returning players Hayley and George (from two seasons previous, "Brains vs. Brawn") Hayley had won that year with some excellent game play that proved her ability to think her way out of any situation, no matter how bad it looked. Then there was George, the self-appointed "King of Survivor". Such a big ego. So condescending. And yet... his game play was simultaneously fascinating and exasperating. So easy to hate - but in the end, a game to respect. Still, coming in as returning players who finished first and second only two seasons before, you would imagine they would have had a HUGE targets. Yet somehow they managed their threat levels and both survived very deep in the game: Hayley left in seventh place, and George in fourth. "Australian Survivor" is what you want to watch if you miss old school Survivor and don't like it "watered down" as the US version feels to me sometimes (don't hate me for saying that). Australia features a 49-day game. Interesting and difficult challenges. A twist just about every episode (not always a fan of that, but...) And also, several episodes a week, so the edit includes a lot more at-camp strategy. This season also had in its cast Nina Twine, Sandra's daughter in her second attempt at the game (unfortunately, injuries removed her the first time). She once again proved she is a player to respect. The eventual Sole Survivor, Liz, very much so deserved her win. Again, a player whose victory you never would have called on episode one. But in the end, she was a worthy winner. Just a single season of "The Amazing Race" in 2023 but it was a great one. Oh, sidenote: 2023 was the year CBS finally broke down and gave it's fans their long-time wish: a full ninety minutes for both "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race". Of course, this had more to do with the writer's strike than anything else. But the longer episodes will continue this spring! Now back to "The Amazing Race 35"! A great cast. Not a single team to dislike. Some great challenges. Overall, a very enjoyable season. My favorite team was the deaf dad and son, Rob and Corey. So great to see a father/son team handle the race with so much respect and joy. They were such fun to watch. So glad to see them in the final three, along with Garrett and Joel (the "stache" team) and brothers Greg and John (the eventual winners of the race). I approached that finale sure that Rob and Corey would win the day. Was sad they didn't - but honestly, all three of these teams were very deserving. It would be a win for me no matter who won. The new show "Traitors" started in the UK and now seems to be traveling the globe. We've seen two seasons in Australia, and one in the US and New Zealand. Even Canada has gotten into the fun. The sad thing is, the US has become my least favorite version. Why NBC thinks we want to see repeat RTV hogs in every cast is beyond me. I just don't get it. But thankfully, the other versions are fantastic. I was introduced to this show by EJetson, who discovered the UK version. However, I watched the US first. Then was fascinated watching the other versions the last year. Australia is the only country that has shown two seasons so far - and sadly, their first was fantastic (a favorite for me) but the second was a disappointment. Not because of the cast. No, I enjoyed the season right up till the finale. It ended in such a way that it angered all the fans. I hear they are not doing another season in 2024. I think that is a mistake. It shouldn't be cancelled forever. But they need to know: NOBODY wants to watch a show that ends on such a sour note. If you've seen this season, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, then sorry for the spoiler. New Zealand jumped into the "Traitors" game this year and I actually think that season was my favorite of them all. Truly loved the host, and the entire season was just fun. I should have started with the UK - since they were the first - but must say that first season is high on my favorite list too. Claudia is a fantastic hostess and I am truly looking forward to what they do next. As for Canada, I did enjoy the season very much. It's probably not topping my favorite list, but it was a pretty good version. However, the hostess needs a new stylist. Almost every episode was a running joke about how bad her clothing choices were. The game was a fun watch though. Looking forward to more seasons, though I'm struggling over whether or not I want to watch the second US season. The cast list truly annoyed me. The writer's strike really did affect the fall TV season as far as scripted shows go. Nothing of real interest in new TV. However, it was the fall where we saw the CW turn into a network with some content of interest to me (it's been a while). The first three seasons of "The Chosen" aired in autumn on the CW, finishing just in time for a Christmas special to air and before the new season begins in 2024. Always a pleasure to watch this fine show. They also pulled in some Canadian TV, and my favorite was "Sullivan's Crossing". A little sad. A lot of drama. But overall, a good show. I actually spent quite a bit of time on the Great American Family channel during seasonal movie times. They are quickly becoming my favorite network and with their merge with Pureflix, I expect great things in the future. This might be the best I can do. I know I didn't cover everything. Some things that happen on this site, I don't participate in so please... feel free to comment on your favorite things about tv in 2023. And if WM would like to add whatever he wants up here.... he is welcome to do so. I'm not even going to bother giving much info on the competition shows. Except to say: Niall Horan was the winning coach on "The Voice": back-to-back victories on his only two seasons as a coach. Who needs Blake Shelton, hee hee. Perhaps Niall will get his chair after all. Happy New Year everyone! Here's hoping for a better 2024 TV season!
Comments
|
Catlover04Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|