TALK NERDY TV - SEPTEMBER 23rd 2016

ATLANTA

A Brand new show for you all to get into. Atlanta follows Earn, played by Donald Glover, a young man rising though the Atlanta rap scene. Sounds a familiar concept with a certain other programme that just recently hit Netflix for sure and for any fans of 'the Get Down', this show could fill the void while we wait for the next batch of episodes. It isn't a complete fit of course and has its own style to make it stand out on its own right. This series emphasises much more on comedy and there are laugh out loud moments in this very charming look at Earns life, a scene where he is waiting in jail is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while. Credit to Donald Glover, who not only plays lead role Earn but also wrote the show, and has given an incredible charm to the storytelling. Only up to episode 4 so far and with only half an hour episodes this will be an easy one to catch up with if it sounds your thing.

VICE PRINCIPALS

This comedy series really was consistently good in its first 9 episode season. It ended this week and left a superb cliffhanger as the plight of vice principal Gamby, and his counterpart Lee Russell, was up in the air. Their plot to oust principal Brown has come to an exciting conclusion which I simply didn't expect from a comedy series. But perhaps that shouldn't come as a shock as this series has had far more than just good comedy throughout, it's had decent moments of drama and has tugged at the heart strings more than once and that's credit to the excellent writing of the show. Danny McBride and Jody Hill should both be heralded for another very successful show, following the critically acclaimed Eastbound & Down, and personally I feel this show might even be stronger as an all round enjoyable watch. So if you have missed it go back and watch season 1 now before the next hits our screens sometime in 2017.

RED DWARF

You always knew what you would get with this show, it was silly and it was nerdy and that's why we loved it and the new series is exactly what you would expect again. This is not a show everyone will like, but if you're already a fan of Red Dwarf I think you’ll enjoy this latest effort too. Is it as good as it always was? I would probably say I preferred those early days of Dwarf more than the last few series but that's not to say it's still not an enjoyable watch. It's still silly and it's still very nerdy and as a silly nerd, it's still right up my street. The gang are back in episode 1 as we follow Lister, Kryten, Rimmer and the Cat in the latest exploits in deep space and the only negative I have is no sign of Holly who I always used to love, but I may be being greedy with that wish, none the less its still good to have Dwarf back on the tele.

BASKETS

Went back to visit this show that hit our screens back in January, it's a weird comedy but has something special and it's the perfect time to write about it following one of the characters surprise success at the Emmy’s this week. It follows Chip Baskets, played by Zach Galifianakis, who is an aspiring clown and follows his struggle from Clown college in Paris, France back to his struggling home life in Bakersfield, USA. Chip has to deal with his very attractive french wife who is clearly more interested in a green card than Chip himself, his brother Dale (also played by Galifianakis) who always seems interested in putting him down, new found friend Martha who I thought was played so well by the very dry Martha Kelly, and last but certainly not least, his mother played by Louie Anderson. It's a fabulous character and I was delighted upon finishing this series to hear he had won an award for the role at the recent Emmy’s, it may have shocked a few as I don't think this show was particularly well known but certainly shows its strength. What is unsurprising is how good and how funny this show was when I realised Louis CK was at the helm. It has a similar feel to previous CK shows but all have been remarkable in their own special way and this was no different.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY

I know this is a very popular show but I have to admit after watching the first season and losing interest, I just never revisited it. Upon hearing of a new series I thought I would dip back in to see what I was missing out on. It's well shot that is for sure but did episode 1 thrill me and excite me to go back for more? I’m sorry to say, it didn't really. It was ok but it's certainly not the best horror series I have seen and wouldn't match up to any of the classic horror movies that I love either. It seemed almost like a watered down horror show for people who would rather watch The Shining with the lights on, despite it being the middle of the afternoon. I will certainly keep watching for now just to see if this develops as a series because clearly episode 1 was more about setting the scene and introducing the characters, let's just say I wasn't blown away, thats for sure. ​


ROADIES


​I also finished the brilliant Cameron Crowe rock epic this week, typical of Cameron who also wrote my favourite ever movie ("Almost Famous"), he really tapped into rock culture on this one. All of the characters had their own great story, which were believable and very touching! The story of the people behind the lime-light had a sincerity aside the comedy, which was great throughout! I felt the series grew and grew and after episode 1 I thought I liked it, but by episode 10 I knew I loved it! There are so many sub plots in play that I was bursting with emotions beside the laughter! The music was also outstanding. Constantly using song of the day to showcase new acts while also using some legends of rock to tell the stories around them! Lindsay Buckingham and John Mellencamp being particular highlights! A superb cast made the characters complete and I felt so much like I was on that tour bus and that is testament to how much the story pulled me in. So once again if you didn't catch this show and you like a good rock inspired story, you should be getting on the road with 'Roadies'!