BB

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:01 pm

Buckle up, negroes.

[youtube][/youtube]

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:53 pm

Seriously, I want Retro's horrible, horrible post in this thread (not that GoT isn't a fine show) split off from this, because I am sick and fucking tired of his self-important meh-pumping post-emo passive-aggressive grandstanding about everything.

In its stead, I pose to you this PUZZLE:

I just noticed that, at least since Season 3, in the opening credit graphic where all the periodic elements and weights are flying all over the place, the date (one would assume?) "6.21.1972" arrives on the right hand side of the screen and quickly fades out.

My searches have proven futile to discern what secret message "6.21.1972" means to convey, or what relevant event occurred on this date! Or even if it's meant to represent a date at all!

So! Go forth and figure it out! I have found several pages asking the question, but no answers, so if you manage to nail it, this could be a real marketing coup for this website!

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 3:01 am

It's the summer solstice, does that help?

Flack · Post by **Flack** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:58 am

June 21st is the birthday of both Michael Gross (Stephen Keaton, from Family Ties) and Meredith Baxter (Elyse Keaton, also from Family Ties).

Keep an eye out this season for Nick to make an appearance.

Yo.

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:27 am

I want all of these posts split off.

RetroRomper · Post by **RetroRomper** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 9:16 am

pinback wrote:Seriously, I want Retro's horrible, horrible post in this thread (not that GoT isn't a fine show) split off from this, because I am sick and fucking tired of his self-important meh-pumping post-emo passive-aggressive grandstanding about everything.

You do realize I just picked the most obtuse, contrived, and self afflicted position to take because it was vaguely more interesting than saying "Game of Thrones is better than Breaking Bad... Bitch!"

But here is a deeper question for you; we've had some of the best television ever in the last five years (Breaking Bad, the remake of BSG, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, True Blood, etc) seemingly come out of no where. Is this just part of a trend for a grittier, more realistic portrayal of television or is this a sort of movement of refinement and creativity in the medium?

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 10:20 am

The examples you gave stretch back almost ten years (BSG remake started in 2003). And this is all due to the Sopranos proving you could do shows that were both good and successful.

I also agree that Game of Thrones is a very good show, but on its best day it couldn't lick a single hair on BB's fat, greasy ass.

RetroRomper · Post by **RetroRomper** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:04 am

Honestly, it doesn't feel as long (I remember discovering BSG after I had access to the mini-series and seeing the potential therein) though its far longer especially if the Sopranos are factored into it.

Would you include BB, GoT, BSG and the Sopranos (perhaps even True Blood and the Walking Dead) in their own genre? The Sopranos triggered a movement where story arcs, quality writing and acting became important as opposed to the continuity of the Star Trek television shows or Seinfeld. Its also interesting to see this trend trickle out to channels such as AMC (Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead) and general cable (though CBS, NBC and ABC are still following the older, trite formula).

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:12 am

The genre is "serial television". Though to distinguish them from, say, General Hospital, I guess you need some other tag.

NEO-SERIAL TELEVISION.

RetroRomper · Post by **RetroRomper** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:29 am

What were other shows such as Babylon 5, Farscape, Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Jericho that followed this formula within their own frameworks?

I guess they could be called "serial television" but this sort of revival of actually developing a story in line with a novel as opposed to easily accessible one shots every week, has shown a resurgence as of late but does have older examples. Isn't there a more specific term since Baywatch, Miama Vice, and the A Team could also be considered serial television?

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:47 am

Whoa, let's not get crazy about Game of Thrones. The production values are good, but come on. It's kid stuff by comparison to BB or the Wire.

Of course, I watched every one, don't judge me.

RetroRomper · Post by **RetroRomper** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:52 pm

Ice Cream Jonsey wrote:Whoa, let's not get crazy about Game of Thrones. The production values are good, but come on. It's kid stuff by comparison to BB or the Wire.

Game of Thrones is more macro drama (the conflict of the seven kingdoms) than either the Wire or BB; those shows are all about the conflict that arises around the actions of a few specific individuals, where GoT is about the larger ideological battles between nations and how singular entities influence that conflict (or arguably, how the fighting on that side of the wall will determine the response to an even larger conflict, that against the white walkers).

Flack · Post by **Flack** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:34 pm

Are all these shows on cable channels? Maybe that is part of the difference in quality?

RetroRomper · Post by **RetroRomper** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:52 pm

Yes they are, actually...

But when your on episode 250 or 300 of a sitcom (Big Bang theory I believe), there really isn't the question of should we expect lower quality from network television, than why are they pumping such shit onto the airwaves?

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:02 pm

One week from tonight. Hoooly shit.

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:49 pm

Three hours to go.

Let's DO this shit.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:05 pm

I like how there is no fucking way to see when this show will be on in my time zone. God, television on the actual television is dinosaurs trying to fist each other.

(I will split this post when the show is on. Not that I have any idea when that is.)

Actually, tv shows "start", for me, when they get uploaded to Usenet. That's when shows start for me.

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:19 pm

Holy shit you guys.

YOU GUYS??

Man.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:57 pm

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah sorta wishing that someone had said, "It's on at such and such a time, mountain." TV doesn't do that, so I don't care if I miss their shows.

In other news, it's downloading now!!!

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:58 pm

Oh. When looking for the time of the show, a goon from the fabulous and not at all putrid website "Something Awful" said it was "kinda meh" for an opener.

Kinda meh! Those SA goons! Nothin' impresses 'em!!