Friday, June 26, 2009

Q & A: Appointment viewing...

Jordan and Sam discuss who in TV, Music, and Film they can't ever miss when they come out with something new.

6 comments:

  1. Ok, So first off, its difficult for me to whittle these lists. Being the entertainment nerd that I am, I tend to have a lot of "appointment viewing" but I shall do my best to keep the lists small, with one clear front runner. In terms of film, I would have to say that my biggest appointment filmmakers are the Coen Brothers. I like almost everything they do (I even thought their remake of The Ladykillers was decent and entertaining) and when they knock it out of the park, they really shoot for the stars. With classics like No Country For Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother Where Aet Thou? under their belt, you can bet that when a new Coen movie comes out, I will be there on opening day. Other directors that top my list are Wes Anderson, Terry Gilliam, and Quentin Tarantino. None of these people is flawless (did anyone besides me see Brothers Grimm? I'm sure Sam did...) yet when I hear they are making a new movie, I plan to be there. Additionally, I feel its necessary to point out that Charlie Kaufman is a definitive appointment writer for me (and director after the brilliant Synecdoche, New York).

    In terms of television, I would say my appointment shows on tv right now are How I Met Your Mother and 30 Rock, though I also think we are living on the other side of televisions latest golden age. At its peak, 24 was probably my biggest appointment show. I would sooner have killed my family then miss what was happening next in the early seasons, though lately I find myself watching online (though still within a few days. I haven't totally lost my mind!). During their time on the air, The West Wing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Arrested Development were all huge appointment television for me, and reflecting that, anything done by Joss Whedon (including Dollhouse, thank god for Season 2!) Aaron Sorkin (Studio 60, how briefly we knew you...) and Mitch Hurwitz will definitely be appointment television for me when they premiere (and for the record, Sit Down, Shut Up had several AMAZING jokes in every episode. It just also had a lot of crappy jokes...).

    Musically, my list is easier to whittle. While I am becoming more and more interested, and even obsessed with music as I get older, few bands captivate me enough that I count down the days to their newest release. Usually, I find myself pleasantly surprised when a band has released a new album, and then I check it out. But when a new album by The Decemberists is being released, I will be buying it at 12:01 the day it comes out on itunes, and listening to it straight through. The same goes for Stars (who, for those of you who don't know, sing the songs of my soul). And as far as new bands that I expect will become appointment listening for me, I can tell you the when the next album by Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver comes out, I will be there, waiting happily.-Jordan

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  2. Sam's Appointment Viewing:

    Movies:

    For each of these there are probably going to be a few but I'll try to go with just one. For movies it's probably Tim Burton. I try to catch every single of his new movies (even the most terrible Planet of the Apes re-make). But I can't wait for his next Alice and Wonderland flick. I enjoyed the Willy Wonka remake, his Batman movies, Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Sweeney Todd, and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.
    Runners Up: Scorsese, Gilliam, Johnny Depp, Guillermo Del Toro, Tarantino

    TV:

    While it is no longer appointment television it was for many years in my house the only TV show I would watch with my entire family: The Simpsons. It was the only show that could bring together my entire family for a half hour every sundday at eight. Now the show has declined in quality my brother and I are no longer in the house, and my parents miss the show cause we're not there to remind them its on. When it's all said and done, The Simpsons is my favorite tv show ever (The Wire is the best TV show ever, mind the difference). Providing a bottomless well of quotes and a preemo pop-culture education The Simpsons has been an important part of my life.
    Runners Up: How I Met Your Mother, The Wire, Mythbusters, 30 Rock

    Music:

    My appointment listening would be Neutral Milk Hotel, but that would mean coming out with albums I can make appointments to. With that out of the running I have to say The New Pornographers are my appointment listening (I'm saving The Decemberists for Jordan's list). Fleet Foxes seem like they will be an appointment band but they only have one album. I'm confident that they will be a great band for years to come and become one to make an appointment to.
    Runner Ups: The Decemberists, Comedy Albums (I had no idea where to put this on the list), Los Campesinos!

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  3. OH MY GOD. I cannot believe I left Tim Burton off of my list. He is ABSOLUTELY appointment viewing for me. I watched Planet of the Apes AND Sleepy Hollow in theaters, and I didn't even hate myself too much after. In fact, Edward Scissorhands may have been the movie that made me love movies. Also, though Henry Selick directed it, The Nightmare Before Christmas is flat out amazing. This is why I keep you around Sam: To remind me of my idiocy.

    In terms of Neutral Milk Hotel, we can only dream that they would be appointment listening, but dream I shall anyway. And I love The New Pornographers, and did in fact buy Challengers the day it was released (and enjoyed it thoroughly), but I honestly don't know when theie next album is going to be...If i find out though, I'm sure I'll schedule it as appointment listening (as both AC Newman and Neko Case have released excellent solo albums so far this year. JUST MAKE MORE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS CDs...and more solo stuff. Can't you guys just be busier?).-Jordan

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  4. Also, I only wish I had been alive to call The Beatles appointment listening. Can you imagine that many albums of such high quality being released that quickly...No wonder everyone was having so much sex in the 60's. They were in a constant state of orgasm...-Jordan

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  5. Jordan, I think TNP are coming out with a new album this year. I can't believe I got to mention the Cohen brothers they are definitely appointment viewing.
    --sam

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