You may have noticed that I’ve been conspicuously absent from this corner of the blogosphere for a few days now. Some of this has been because life in general has been keeping me busy. I also had a period of sub-broadband speeds for our home internet connection — something which I assure you I’ll cover in a blog entry quite soon. (Hint: it has to do with Twitter and Comcast.)
But the reality here is that there’s been something else sucking up my time and energy to an extent which would make a Dyson vacuum cleaner shudder. I’ve been procrastinating quite a bit and neglecting by blogging — to the extent that I, indeed, missed an important post yesterday.
Yesterday was July 13. And I completely neglected to post a “List on the 3s.” The sad thing? I was well-aware of it. Had I simply forgotten about it, I would easily forgive myself. But no — I simply watched the day creep away while I was engrossed in a weekend-long activity.
And I think it’s time for me to come clean about this addiction — not something I’m very proud of, but something which must be admitted and acknowledged.
I’m Shiny. And I’m addicted to Weed(s).
I’ve known that the show has been out there. The only stars of the show whom I knew were Mary-Louise Parker (whom I knew from The West Wing among other shows) and Kevin Nealon (from SNL). When I was discussing the show with the lovely Hilly not more than a week ago, I really had no desire to see it. All I knew was that it was Parker as a drug dealer living in the suburbs — hence the hilarity. Hilly mentioned some interesting things about the show — including the presence of Albert Brooks in season 4 and some of the Jewish content — and I decided to give it a try.
I’ve watched approximately 43 episodes of the show over the past few days. Good gravy the show is addictive! But now I’ve caught up — and I have no need to seclude myself simply to watch one specific show.
July 13 is gone. However, today is July 14 — or 7-14. And if you add up those numbers you get another number which, if you add those digits together, you get the sum total of 3. For this reason I present:
“List on the 3s” (kind of): Shiny’s Top 5 Things He Likes About “Weeds”
5. The character development is impressive. It reminds me a lot of what Alan Ball did to the characters on Six Feet Under or even American Beauty. The notion that everything seems normal on the exterior but, when you look a little closer, everyone has his “freak flag” is one that makes our characters human — whether they be drug dealers, moral compasses of the community, children, or anyone else. You find yourself rooting for — as well as rooting against — pretty much everyone.
4. My impressions of Kevin Nealon has risen above the very, very low expectations I had originally bestowed upon him. I’ll be honest — I never was much of a Nealon fan on SNL. Maybe it’s because he was part of the same cast as the likes of Dana Carvey and Jan Hooks. Hell, he took over anchoring the news from Dennis Miller who — believe it or not, kids — used to be kind of funny. Kevin Nealon’s delivery on Weekend Update was simply sub-par — he would flub jokes and simply look nervous.
In “Weeds,” however, he plays city councilman Doug Wilson — a corrupt bastard who loves to have fun (read: get high) and remain completely self-absorbed. But some of his lines are amazing. I found myself laughing out loud at him and his chutzpah — and the way he said the word “cankles.” Touche, Kevin…
3. It’s a sexually and verbally explicit comedy on Showtime. It makes me wonder how they would have done Arrested Development on Showtime or HBO. It opens up the genre to more raw monologues such as this one where Shane gets a lecture on masturbation from Uncle Andy. Brilliant! (And NSFW.)
Bananas. Who knew?
2. They do the Jewish stuff somewhat right. The main family in question (Mary-Louise Parker’s family) are the Botwins — the father of whom was Judah Botwin, a Jewish guy with Jewish ties. In the first season we see Judah’s unveiling (a Jewish ceremony in which the gravestone is, well, unveiled), one of the Botwin kids shouting out Shma Yisrael! before a karate match, and more. The second and third seasons focus on Andy’s (Judah’s brother) brush with rabbinical school (which, from what I’ve heard, is way off base), and the fourth season shows the Botwin clan (with grandfather Lenny played by Albert Brooks) experiencing Shiva. Some are hits and some are misses. But it works. Most of the time…
1. The way they used “Little Boxes” as the theme song for the first three seasons. It’s a cute, catchy tune with a fun, comedic video montage that goes along with it which provides some well-executed visual commentary. The first season had the song performed by Malvina Reynolds…
… but the second and third seasons changed it up a bit by having other artists perform the theme song, such as Regina Spektor…
… and Elvis Costello …
… and Death Cab for Cutie …
… and children’s music group, The Laurie Berkner Band …
… and, of course, Billy Bob Thornton.
I’ll miss it for season 4 (which has its own clever title card motif). I just wish that other shows would be as bold…
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I’ve heard it’s awesome, but I already watch SO MANY tv shows. I’m going to wait until (god forbid) it’s canceled, then watch it all at once
Amandas last blog post..Some Trust In Faith
You have no idea how much of a Snoopy Dance I have done since finding out that not only did you LIKE the show I recommended but also OBSESSED over it. WooHoo!
“Weeds” is probably one of the best shows out there as far as character development goes. Clearly, I love all of the same things that you do about the show, especially the addition of Albert Brooks this season. He’s sort of like icing on the cupcake.
I hope you enjoy “No Man Is Pudding!”.
Hillys last blog post..Snackie’s Confession Booth: Summer of Sinaliciousness!
I’m afraid to start watching Weeds since I’ll then become addicted to yet another show and have to wait for seasons to come out on DVD because I don’t have any premium cable channels. It’s enough to deal with our current addiction (my wife and me… no, I don’t refer to myself in the plural) to The Closer.
kapgars last blog post..You can call me any, any time…
*writes “Weeds” on her list of videos to rent* I don’t have Showtime. I’m already addicted to more than one HBO series. They are almost all the TV shows I watch. Can I afford another?
I’ve caught the “Weeds” bug too! I spent most of this weekend watching seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix and am expecting Season 3 on DVD this week! Woot! I’m so glad I found another thign in common with you, Shiny! 🙂
Seriously, a great show….also a great show? The Tudors…seriosuly, hot….
Cissa Firehearts last blog post..I signed up for PPP…and it’s a Murphy’s Law Day
Welcome to the club…my hubby and I just finished the Season 3 DVD last night. I think Seasons 1 & 2 are classic; Season 3 isn’t quite as brilliant, but definitely enjoyable. It’s a great show!
Can’t say that I’ve seen it.
BUT and much more importantly, I wanted to say thanks for the level/measurer thingy. The Man loves it. It served as a very late father’s day present, but he wants to know who Shiny is and why he’s sending me tool. So I gave him your address. I think you can take him. 😉
(Thank you!)
What Kapgar said! I’m going through Big Love Season 2 on DVD and am having trouble finding the time to watch it because I also am addicted to Big Brother and can’t pull myself away from the live feeds.
sometimes i forget to tell you, but i just love you!
hello haha narfs last blog post..Tipping
Amanda: That may be my plan with Battlestar Galactica.
Hilly: Brooks was amazing. It’s nice to see characters who don’t have to be so squeaky clean…
kapgar: I’ve heard wonderful things about Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer.” That may be another one which will wait for DVD…
Finn: We got rid of our premium channels as a cost-cutting measure. Do I miss it? Sometimes. But sometimes it just means waiting a little longer for certain shows…
Cissa Fireheart: I have a co-worker who swears by “The Tudors.” I just don’t know if I can get that into a period piece…
Tracy: Season 3 builds up to quite a crescendo, but yes — it goes in a different direction than seasons 1 and 2. Season 4 is quite different altogether.
Nat: Glad you received it! Those things are great as a blunt object to use in case, you know, an angry Canadian is charging at your home. 🙂
BlondeBlogger I’ve been off of Big Brother for a few years now. I guess watching it originally in Germany when it was really hot back in 2000 ruined it for me. 🙂
hello haha narc (Narc! Because of Weed! Ha! Get it? *sigh*) You, too, are wonderful, m’dear…
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