Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad
a kate west recommendation
AMC Network





Vince Gilligan (a creative force behind "The X-Files" and "The Lone Gunmen") has created a daring new drama. "Breaking Bad" concerns a high school Chemistry teacher with terminal lung cancer. In order to leave his family (and especially his disabled son) with the best possible nest egg, he decides to put his chemical brain to work concocting the purest crystal meth the DEA has ever seen.

Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle") plays the modest strait-laced teacher brilliantly, desperately driven down the road by fate towards becoming the town's next kingpin. Cranston has always done heart-wrenching drama extraordinarily well (as evidenced by a role in "The X-Files" when he was a man with an exploding brain) and can obviously do nuanced and broad comedy. The man can do practically anything.

With "viewer discretion" warnings galore, this show shocks and pulls no punches (blood, gore, murder, drugs and cancer), although the bleeped swearing is a bit odd. But absolutely worth a look to see one of the current best performances on television. Plus, hooray for filming television shows in widescreen!

Creator/Writer
Vince Gilligan

Director
Adam Bernstein

Series Cast
Aaron Paul ... Jesse Pinkman (8 episodes, 2008)
Bryan Cranston ... Walter White / ... (5 episodes, 2007-2008)
Steven Michael Quezada ... Gomez (5 episodes, 2008)
Carmen Serano ... Carmen (4 episodes, 2008)
Raymond Cruz ... Tuco (3 episodes)
Anna Gunn ... Skyler White (2 episodes, 2008)
Dean Norris ... Hank (2 episodes, 2008)
Betsy Brandt ... Marie (2 episodes, 2008)
RJ Mitte ... Walter White Jr. (2 episodes, 2008)
Maximino Arciniega ... Krazy 8 (2 episodes, 2008)
David House ... Dr. Delcavoli (2 episodes, 2008)
John Koyama ... Emilio (2 episodes, 2008)
Charles Baker ... Skinny Pete (2 episodes)
Jesus Jr. ... No Doze (2 episodes) Read more!

Dexter

Dexter
a kate west favorite
Warning - Spoiler Alert!





Michael C. Hall has migrated from HBO to Showtime for a show wildly different from the family angst driven "Six Feet Under". In it's second season, the hit show "Dexter" still captivates audiences with it's intriguing glimpse into the mind of a serial killer. With such an innocuous name like Dexter, who would have thought that behind that angelic smile lurks the heart of a mad man.

Hall plays the unlikely anti-hero, who only murders murderers. Raised by foster parents after watching his mother torn apart by a chain saw, Dexter realized early on that he was very different from other little boys. His foster father tells him to direct his dark leanings toward bad men and to always say the opposite of what he actually wants to say, in order to pass undetected through society's radar. This works well, until the second season when the police find the remains of Dexter's victims dumped in the bay.

The fun part of the show is that Dexter works with his foster sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) for the Miami Police Department. He's the blood specialist, a medium in which he obviously excels. Erik King plays Sergeant Doakes, the suspicious police officer who swears there is something off about Dexter. All outward appearances are normal, however, even to the extent of Dexter having a girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz). Secretly though, he does things like kill off the elusive Ice Truck Killer, who just happens to be his real brother Rudy (Christian Camargo). Life's a bitch, sometimes.

It's a testament to Hall that although his character is a cold-blooded killer, we still have sympathy for him and don't want him to get caught. During "Six Feet Under" we never thought of him other than the sweet, gay funeral director son who just wants everyone to get along. Now he fully owns the character of the ultimate outsider, alienated from human feeling. The writing is strong, much of the dark story taken from the Jeff Lindsay novel (see below). Great stuff. But it's mostly Hall we keep tuning in to watch. Will Dexter be found out? Stay tuned.

Created by	James Manos, Jr.
	Starring Michael C. Hall Julie Benz Jennifer Carpenter Erik King Jaime Murray Lauren Vélez David Zayas James Remar C.S. Lee Devon Graye Dominic Janes Christian Camargo

The Series:
Dexter - The First Season

Where We Know Michael From:
Six Feet Under - The Complete First Two Seasons (2-Pack)

The Book:
Darkly Dreaming Dexter Read more!

The Sopranos

The Sopranos - HBO
a kate west recommendation







In six seasons, Tony Soprano captured the imaginations and even the hearts of HBO (Home Box Office Cable television) viewers. He's a villain, an unscrupulous mafia boss, who orders the execution of anyone getting in the way of his business, including extended family members. It is a credit to the writers that he is made sympathetic and that we all root for him, in spite of that unseemly dark side. Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" saga revolutionized the depiction of La Cosa Nostra* in film and, in a much less grand scale, "The Sopranos" does it in television, bringing everyday modern mob life right to your living room.

The Sopranos are a normal suburban well-off American family to all outward appearances. They just happen to have their basement bugged by the F.B.I. and most of their photos posted up in police headquarters. Tony (James Gandolfini), his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and their two kids, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and Anthony Jr. (Robert Iler) live, love, shop and eat all in the utopia of New Jersey. Right from the now well-known opening credits of Tony driving in from Manhattan with his big fat cigar to the tune of A3's "Woke Up This Morning", we get to know each of them intimately, especially Tony. For one thing, he's in therapy with Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) working through his emotions until she finally catches on that a sociopath will never live a real human life. Then there's his dealings with his family, from constantly cheating on his wife to trying to understand his troubled son. Not to mention his whole motely crew, doing his bidding, while sometimes covertly plotting against him. Is there honor among thieves?

The full experience can only come from watching the entire series. And in that amount of time, anyone you encounter may be capable of the most heinous acts - mothers, uncles, friends and fiances, alike. Please note - great characters abound, but don't get too attached, as they might not have the longest shelf life. Also, fans complained loudly about the series finale, but creator David Chase likes to keep it real, so, in ambiguity, he allows his characters a little life beyond. Theirs is not a tidy world.

Series Directed by
Timothy Van Patten		(20 episodes, 1999-2007)
John Patterson		(13 episodes, 1999-2004)
Allen Coulter		(12 episodes, 1999-2004)
Alan Taylor		(9 episodes, 1999-2007)
Henry Bronchtein		(4 episodes, 1999-2002)
Jack Bender		(4 episodes, 2001-2006)
Steve Buscemi		(4 episodes, 2001-2006)
Daniel Attias		(3 episodes, 1999-2002)
David Chase		(2 episodes, 1999-2007)

Series Writing credits
David Chase		(86 episodes, 1999-2007)
Terence Winter		(25 episodes, 2000-2007)
Mitchell Burgess		(22 episodes, 1999-2006)
Robin Green		(22 episodes, 1999-2006)
Matthew Weiner		(12 episodes, 2004-2007)
Frank Renzulli		(9 episodes, 1999-2001)
Michael Imperioli		(5 episodes, 2000-2004)
Todd A. Kessler		(4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Diane Frolov		(4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Andrew Schneider		(4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Jason Cahill		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lawrence Konner		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)

Cast:
James Gandolfini: Anthony Soprano
Lorraine Bracco: Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Edie Falco: Carmela Soprano
Michael Imperioli: Christopher Moltisanti
Nancy Marchand: Livia Soprano
Jamie-Lynn Sigler: Meadow Soprano
Dominic Chianese: Corrado `Uncle Junior' Soprano
Robert Iler: Anthony Soprano Jr.
Steven Van Zandt: Silvio Dante
Tony Sirico: Paulie `Walnuts' Gualtieri
John Ventimiglia: Artie Bucco
Vincent Curatola: Johnny `Johnny Sack' Sacramoni
Vincent Pastore: Salvatore `Big Pussy' Bonpensiero
Drea de Matteo: Adriana La Cerva
Joseph Badalucco Jr.: Jimmy Altieri
Aida Turturro: Janice Soprano
David Proval: Richie Aprile
Steven R. Schirripa: Bobby `Bacala' Baccalieri
Robert Patrick: David Scatino
Federico Castelluccio: Furio Giunta
Joe Pantoliano: Ralph Cifaretto
Steve Buscemi: Tony Blundetto
Robert Loggia: Michele `Feech' La Manna
Joe Gannascoli: Vito Spatafore
Jerry Adler: Herman `Hesh' Rabkin
Frank Vincent: Phil Leotardo
Julianna Margulies: Julianna Skiff
Sharon Angela: Rosalie Aprile
Kathrine Narducci: Charmaine Bucco
Maureen Van Zandt: Gabriella Dante
Max Casella: Benny Fazio
Tony Lip: Carmine Lupertazzi
Ray Abruzzo: Little Carmine Lupertazzi
Dan Grimaldi: Patsy Parisi
Peter Bogdanovich: Dr. Elliot Kupferberg



*The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a notorious Italian criminal secret society which first developed in the mid-19th century in Sicily. In North America, the Mafia often refers to Italian organized crime in general, rather than just traditional Sicilian organized crime.

The Original Classic Influence (and a Kate West Favorite):
The Godfather DVD Collection (The Godfather/ The Godfather - Part II/ The Godfather - Part III)


Sopranos First Season:

The Sopranos: The Complete First Season Read more!

Pysch

Psych - USA Network 

2020-21 Update: Well it looks like I might have to walk back some of what I said. Maybe even most of it. The pandemic and shelter-in-place changed all of our perspectives and our tastes. And this show seemed to fulfill a need for some mindless lightheartedness. But even that wouldn't have been enough without the delightful chemistry between the two leads. That friendship makes the show and helped me stay positive. So I binged. Go figure! #SorryNotSorry OK fine, I completely apologize. This was the exactly what I needed. Who knew? (Also now I'm in love with Timothy Omundson).

=========================================

Original Post:

I hate this show. Shawn Spencer (James Roday, pictured middle above), the pretend psychic, is obnoxiously cocky and every episode is the same exact scenario but with a different crime setting, kind of like a recurring Saturday Night Live character who does the same shtick but against different backgrounds. I just can't believe the other characters buy his act and I can't believe the viewers don't get tired of it. But then again, I detest arrogant smart-aleck men. Spencer was trained as an expert observer by his cop father, Henry Spencer (Corbin Bernsen, pictured above left). The oh-so-sly "wax-on-wax-off" wisdom passed down from father to son show up in flashbacks such as little Shawn wanting the toy prize in a box of cereal, but sadly resigning himself to eat the whole darn box. Lo and behold, the father flips the box upside down and now the prize is on top. That makes him smarter than the poor real-life cops Spencer tortures? Apparently it qualifies him to pretend to be a psychic private investigator, but he really just pays attention to obvious clues, like unbuttoned shirts or what have you, that anyone with two eyes can plainly see. Except for the bumbling police, that is. Tedious. Dulé Hill (pictured above right) plays Spencer's weary, stereotypically comic-relief partner Gus, who keeps saying this is the last time he'll put up with their extreme antics, but you know it's not true. They've got a show to sell. Just not to me. Great shows get axed ("Arrested Development"), but this one gets to stay. I even strongly prefer the universally panned "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", also nixed. Boo. Actors: James Roday - Shawn Spencer (21 episodes, 2006-2007) Dulé Hill ... Burton 'Gus' Guster Timothy Omundson ... Carlton Lassiter Corbin Bernsen ... Henry Spencer Maggie Lawson ... Juliet O'Hara Kirsten Nelson ... Karen Vick Liam James ... Young Shawn Sage Brocklebank ... Buzz McNab Directors: Mel Damski (3 episodes, 2006-2007) Michael Zinberg (3 episodes, 2006-2007) John Landis (2 episodes, 2007) Tim Matheson (2 episodes, 2007) Writers: Steve Franks (21 episodes, 2006-2007) Andy Berman (5 episodes, 2006-2007) Kerry Lenhart (2 episodes, 2006-2007) Anupam Nigam (2 episodes, 2006-2007) John J. Sakmar (2 episodes, 2006-2007) Douglas Steinberg (2 episodes, 2006-2007) James Roday (2 episodes, 2007) Classic SNL: Saturday Night Live - The Complete First Season

Read more!

Monk

Monk - USA Network





"Monk" is in its sixth and possibly weaker season, but Tony Shalhoub is still amazing as the multi-neurotic former Detective Adrian Monk. Never having recovered from his wife's murder, Monk lives in isolated fear of everything, venturing forth to brilliantly solve every crime and inspiring loyalty among his peeps, even while driving them all crazy.

Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) is Monk's current and very patient assistant ever since his previous employee, Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram from "There's-no-crying-in-baseball 'A League of Their Own'"), supposedly quit and moved away, though in real life there were rumors of a contract dispute. Ted Levine finally sheds his creepy serial killer from "Silence of the Lambs" as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer, Monk's loyal friend and supervisor and a man of integrity and dignity. His assistant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) is less dignified and often the bumbling comic relief. John Tuturro is Monk's brother Adrian, and is even more reclusive and odd than Adrian himself. Monk's father Jack (Dan Hedaya) even makes an appearance to bond briefly with his son in an especially touching episode. Of special note is guest star Tim Bagley as Harold Krenshaw, Monk's rival and nemesis as fellow neurosis patient. A delightful comedian from the famous Groundlings troupe and years on "Will and Grace", his facial expressions enhance all of his scenes with Shalhoub. Then there's Monk's quietly steadfast therapist Dr. Kroger (Stanley Kamel). It's a great cast overall.

Monk is an intriguing character and well worth watching. Hopefully, season seven will step up the pace a bit (the writers do seem a bit tired and less sharp this time around). Sometimes the murderer is painfully clear and you can see what's coming a mile away. But the show is not so much plot based as it is more character based. Shalhoub gives us a fresh look at dysfunction and while the show is mostly a comedy, his performance is still dimensional enough to make him quite vulnerably human and that's why we keep tuning in.


Created by:
Andy Breckman

Cast:
Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) Former police detective
Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) Assistant to Adrian Monk
Julie Teeger (Emmy Clarke) Student, daughter of Natalie Teeger
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) SFPD Police captain
Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) SFPD Police lieutenant
Dr. Charles Kroger (Stanley Kamel) Adrian Monk's psychiatrist
Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) Former Assistant to Adrian Monk
Ambrose Monk (John Tuturro) Brother to Adrian Monk
Jack Monk (Dan Hedaya) Father to Adrian and Ambrose Monk

Series Directed by:
Randall Zisk (23 episodes, 2002-2007)
Jerry Levine (11 episodes, 2003-2006)
Andre Belgrader (6 episodes, 2004-2007)
Anthony R. Palmieri (3 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ron Underwood (2 episodes, 2003)
Stephen Surjik (2 episodes, 2006)
Wendey Stanzler (2 episodes, 2007)
Michael W. Watkins (2 episodes, 2007)
Adam Arkin (1 episode, 2002)
Jefery Levy (1 episode, 2006)

Writing Credits:
Andy Breckman (30 episodes, 2002-2007)
Daniel Dratch (10 episodes, 2003-2006)
Joe Toplyn (6 episodes, 2004-2007)
David Breckman (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Tom Scharpling (4 episodes, 2006)
Lee Goldberg (3 episodes, 2003-2006)
Daniel Gaeta (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Peter Wolk (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Nell Scovell (2 episodes, 2005)
Jonathan Collier (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
Jack Bernstein (2 episodes, 2006)
Hy Conrad (2 episodes, 2006)
Michael Angeli (1 episode, 2003)
William Rabkin (1 episode, 2006)

The First One:
Monk - Season One Read more!

The Closer

The Closer - TNT Network
a kate west favorite




Krya Sedgwick is more than remarkable in this acclaimed television show about Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson who transfers from Atlanta, Georgia to a whole different world of crime in Los Angeles, California. Three seasons worth of investigative work have endeared her to audiences everywhere. She has the accent down perfectly and the subtle characterization is amazing. It is quite heartening to see an "older" (Hollywood older, not real people older) in such a gratifying role. She won the 20007 Golden Globe award for best actress and deserved ten more. Lord, what a dream come true for a working actor. The rest of the cast comprising her crew is wonderful as well.

Each week another crime is solved by Johnson's finesse at cornering her suspects into admitting the truth. She's brilliant at what she does, which makes her all the more human in her vulnerable moments outside the interrogation room. She has a rabid sweet tooth and hides all sorts of chocolate goodies in her desk drawers and purses, forever tempted into sin by the stresses of her job. She works with her ex (J.K. Simmons, Assistant Chief Pope), and is engaged to an F.B.I. agent (Jon Tenney as Fritz Howard) who loves both her strength and her neurosis, lucky, lucky her. In one recent episode, she puts off a visit to her doctor, assuming she's having a pregnancy scare, only to find her brave front is big, fat, facade when they discover she's actually going through early menopause. Her despairing cry that she will now get "all old and wrinkly" is hysterical.

The show was created by James Duff and the Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. Check it out.


Series Directed by
Michael M. Robin (10 episodes, 2005-2007)
Arvin Brown (5 episodes, 2005-2007)
Elodie Keene (4 episodes, 2005-2007)
Rick Wallace (4 episodes, 2005-2007)
Gloria Muzio (3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kevin Bacon (2 episodes, 2006-2007)

Series Writing credits
James Duff (35 episodes, 2005-2007)
Hunt Baldwin (8 episodes, 2005-2007)
John Coveny (8 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ken Martin (7 episodes, 2007)
Wendy West (6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Mike Berchem (6 episodes, 2006-2007)
Adam Belanoff (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Steven Kane (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Rick Kellard (2 episodes, 2005)
Roger Wolfson (2 episodes, 2005)
Nancy Miller (1 episode, 2005)

Cast:
Kyra Sedgwick ... Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
J.K. Simmons ... Asst. Police Chief Will Pope / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Corey Reynolds ... Sgt. David Gabriel (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Robert Gossett ... Commander Taylor / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
G.W. Bailey ... Det. Lt. Provenza (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jon Tenney ... Agent Fritz Howard / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Anthony John Denison ... Det. Andy Flynn / ... (35 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michael Paul Chan ... Detective Mike Tao / ... (34 episodes, 2005-2007)
Phillip P. Keene ... Buzz / ... (34 episodes, 2005-2007)
Raymond Cruz ... Detective Sanchez / ... (33 episodes, 2005-2007)
Gina Ravera ... Detective Daniels


To Catch Up:
The Closer - The Complete First Season

Speaking of older women, check out the trendy over-40 magazine MORE at www.more.com. Read more!

The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair
a kate west favorite






Top action Director John McTiernan remade the 1968 Norman Jewison film, (originally starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway), with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in 1999. Suavely directed, suave Thomas Crown (Brosnan) suavely steals famous pieces of art straight from museums (unlike the bank robbing original character) and suavely romances Insurance Investigator Catherine Banning (Russo). Dennis Leary is the not so suave Detective in charge of catching billionaire Crown who obviously doesn't need to steal; he just does it for the fun of it. Banning is completely captivated by Crown, matching his style and witticism, stride for stride.

Brosnan and Russo are great together and how the movie compares to its predecessor is almost irrelevant, as it stands fully on its own in style. Sure it has flaws (unfortunate weak ending as well as a few minor plot "surprises"), but it is so smoothly directed, that it's entertainment value is well worth it. Plus, sultry singer Nina Simone provides a great rendition of "Sinnerman" in a cleverly executed and deftly choreographed final museum scene in which the dapper Thomas Crown eludes capture. Oh, and an added bonus: featured paintings by Monet, Renoir and Magritte. Scrumptious.

Directed by
John McTiernan

Produced by
Michael Tadross
Pierce Brosnan
Beau St. Clair

Written by
Alan Trustman
Leslie Dixon
Kurt Wimmer

Starring
Pierce Brosnan (Thomas Crown)
Rene Russo (Catherine Banning)
Denis Leary (Michael McCann)
Faye Dunaway (Psychiatrist)
Fritz Weaver (John Reynolds)
Frankie Faison (Detective Paretti)
Ben Gazzara (Andrew Wallace)
Mark Margolis (Heinrich Knutzhorn)
Esther Cañadas (Anna Knutzhorn)

Music by
Bill Conti

Cinematography by
Tom Priestly

DVD:
The Thomas Crown Affair

Soundtrack:
The Thomas Crown Affair: Music From The MGM Motion Picture

Classic Steve McQueen:
The Steve McQueen Collection (The Great Escape / Junior Bonner / The Magnificent Seven / The Thomas Crown Affair) Read more!