“Dexter” has been on Showtime for six seasons now. That’s longer than the broadcast runs for “Friday Night Lights,” “The Wire,” “Deadwood,” “Twin Peaks,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Battlestar Galactica.” It’s been renewed for two more after this one, which will leap frog it over “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men,” and “The Shield.” Just say that out loud: Eight. Seasons. Of. “Dexter.” And if the next two are anything like the formulaic-to-a-fault one that mercifully finishes on Sunday, may God have mercy on us all. The two Big Bads (a term that means the main villain in a single season) this year, played by Colin Hanks and Edward James Olmos, have been the main problem. Why? Well, read on, as they’re one of the nine worst single-season villains in TV history.

(Spoiler alert, obviously.)

Read the rest of this entry »

No rock and roll star has ever looked less cool than Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, but Finn’s first solo album more than makes up for it: it’s called Clear Heart Full Eyes, a juxtaposed reference to the famous refrain of Coach Taylor in “Friday Night Lights.” Finn says that “FNL” was…

“… a TV show that excited and moved me and also happened in Texas. “Clear Heart” signifies honesty and transparency, and “Full Eyes” suggests experience. Thus, it’s about being optimistic and open without succumbing to the weariness or doubt that comes with age and experience. To me, that is what it’s all about.” [via]

Considering that half of Finn’s songs are about young people and Jesus, it makes sense that he’d dig a show about family and high school that takes place in Texas. “Friday Night Lights” set the bar pretty high for musical acts. I’m not sure if Finn can top Crucifictorious.

In a fortuitous twist of romantic fate, Warming Glow’s listmaker-in-chief Josh Kurp and I both got engaged within the same month this fall. No, NOT TO EACH OTHER, har har har. The coincidence got us to talking about TV’s finest marriage proposals, and we knew right away that it needed to be added to the official pantheon of Warming Glow lists.

However, instead of letting Josh do his usual thing and just make a list for you, I demanded to get in the way and talk about TV episodes I’d never seen. It’s one of my better gifts. What follows is Josh’s list and our accompanying Gchat (edited for clarity). Spoilers follow, if you’re five years or a decade behind on watching TV.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m much too old and cynical to be watching MTV’s Video Music Awards, but as a blogger I’m required to acknowledge that they happened. So here’s everything you need to know: Beyoncé announced on the red carpet that she’s pregnant, Lady Gaga dressed in drag, Justin Bieber looks more like a lesbian than ever before, and people remembered that Amy Winehouse died. There you go. I just saved you four hours with that one sentence.

You know what I watched last night? A little bit of the Saints-Raiders preseason game and seven episodes of “Friday Night Lights.” I’m watching from the very beginning, and even though I’ve seen most of Season 1, I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I come to tears almost every episode. That’s how awesome Minka Kelly looks in a cheerleading uniform.

The Television Critics Association (TCA) presented its annual awards on Saturday night, and while I don’t find the winners to be as refreshing as the TCA’s list of nominees, TV critics are still 800 times better than the collection of mongoloids and zoo animals who vote for the Emmys.

“Mad Men” and “Modern Family” were recognized as the best drama and comedy, respectively, while “Friday Night Lights” got a victory lap as Program of the Year. Also, since the TCAs don’t have separate awards for actors and actresses, Jon Hamm’s win for Individual Achievment in Drama came at the hands of Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) and Margo Martindale (“Justified”) — as well as Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”), Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), and Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”). Ty Burrell and TCA host Nick Offerman shared the award for Individual Achievement in Comedy, proof that ”Modern Family,” despite its excellence, is officially overrated. Sorry, but Ron Swanson shouldn’t have to share awards any sooner than he’d share his personal time with co-workers or his paycheck with the government.

Full list of awards below.

Read the rest of this entry »