Thursday, April 03, 2008

Thursday Thirteen




Last Thursday I settled down to watch my Thursday guilty pleasure, Lipstick Jungle, when much to my dismay, I discovered it was not being aired. Since I was plunked down on the couch in front of the boob tube anyway, I decided to watch Eli Stone. Thank goodness I did, because this is a very quirky, different type of show that I think I can get into. It doesn't hurt that it features Jonny Lee Miller, he of the starter marriage with the female half of Brangelina. I've been a fan of his since he played Sick Boy in Trainspotting.



But what happened to Lipstick? Turns out that the previous episode, number 7, was the last of the season. When I started this post, I didn't know if it had been picked up for the fall season --I've since found out that it has. And I'm glad because it annoys me when the networks do not let a show have enough of a chance to gather a fan base before they drop the axe.

For today, I've got thirteen TV shows that in my opinion, ended too soon. I found it interesting that my watching patterns changed a bit after I had the first of my kidlets in 2000.

1. The Equalizer (1985 – 1989). Edward Woodward, a gentleman and a tough guy.

2. Thirtysomething (1987 – 1991). I watched this when I was in my 20s, thinking that it could be my life by the time I got to my 30s. I dreamed of having Michael and Hope's marriage; I was of course totally in love with Peter Horton (Gary, sigh) and his long shaggy blond locks. I didn't have any professors who looked like him while I was in university. Cannot believe they killed him off.

I think it's pretty amazing that a lot of the cast is still heavily involved in some of today's TV hits, in acting and directing, producing capacities (including Lipstick Jungle I believe; who would've thought that neurotic Elliot would direct here and on Without a Trace?).


3. Beauty and the Beast (1987 – 1990). What a romantic I was. But there was something magical about this fable that took place in modern day NYC.

4. Life Goes On (1989 - 1993). Corky was so cute; Patti Lupone an amazing actress and Becca (Kellie Martin) was such an earnest geek. I thought Chad Lowe was so much more talented than his older, better looking brother at the time.


5. The Wonder Years (1988 – 1993). Fred Savage was just the CUTEST kid, and his friendship with Winnie was so poignant.

6. Quantum Leap (1989 – 1993). Great timetravel show.

7. Party of Five (1994 – 2000) Charlie, Charlie, didn't think you'd grow up and get Lost. You're still darn cute though.

8. Relativity (1996-1997). Hubs and I LOVED this show. We were routing for the unlikely couple, Isabel and Leo. This was such a well-done show on 20-somethings (of course, we watched while we were 30-somethings). I was so disappointed when it was cancelled.


9. Felicity (1998 – 2002). This is how obsessed I was: Ben and Noel were both on my shortlist to name my first born.


10. Once and Again (1999 – 2002) Can you think of a more beautiful "older" couple? As in parents? Not the Brady Bunch, that's for sure. The quality of the acting was superb. Even McDreamy was on as a recurring character.

11. Arrested Development (2003 – 2006). I did not follow this one religiously, but every episode I watched had me howling. Thank goodness for reruns. Revived the career of Jason Bateman and introduced us to the talented young Michael Cera.


12. Love Monkey (2006). Why didn't they give this one a chance? I loved the music and Tom Cavanagh. He's Canadian to boot. Hey, small world, he's now appeared as Eli's Dad in a recent episode.

13. Smith (2006). Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen. RAY and VIRGINIA ... AND Jonny Lee Miller! This was such a cool show; a hot team of thieves, cool cars, cool toys; double life. I was so into this one.

Big question... when Lipstick comes back, it better not be up again Eli. Without PVR, I will be torn.

12 comments:

Reiza said...

I agree on a bunch of these. And oh what a walk down memory lane this was.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who watched Once and Again. It was a great show, but many people have never heard of it.

MarĂ­a said...

JOURNEYMAN!!!

Momisodes said...

Okay, can I please tell you how much of a Felicity fan I was?!?! I was accepted into NYU twice, but couldn't attend so I lived vicariously through Felicity's NY college life with her 2 hotties, Ben and Noel....oh Noel *sigh*

OHmommy said...

Dude... awesome list! We could be friends IRL.

Rima said...

Trainspotting! So THAT's where I recognize that Eli Stone guy from. He looks so familiar.

Gina said...

I loved thirtysomething! I'm still waiting to be that mature though...

The Littons said...

Yes - Beauty and the Beast is sadly missed.
No, I mean it. Plus, I had a big teenage crush on Linda Hamilton.

Family Adventure said...

I love how this post meandered from one show not being on one night to shows that should never have stopped.

I loved thirtysomething, too, btw :)

Heidi

The Library Lady said...

I am watching "Party of 5" on DVD this week. I think I got hooked on it when I was home on bedrest before my second child was born. And though I didn't name her for a character on the show, she does have the name of one of the characters!

Anonymous said...

Once and Again. I loved that show. LOVED. And I was very sad when the last episode aired of Lipstick.. no more Kirby for the summer.. sniff sniff.. :(

LunaNik said...

I <3 Eli Stone!!!

And, you forgot the BEST show to ever be cancelled way to early:

My So Called Life!!!!!

Haven't seen it? Rent it IMMEDIATELY!

Allison said...

I didn't watch many of these (would you believe I was really too young to watch one or two? I was still in my teens with thirtysomething. But I watched Life Goes On religiously---I cried about when Chad Lowe's character---asked her out? died? something like that---thinking I'd never find love. And then I got married at 19. But I never watched Party of Five. It wasn't me).

ED is definitely one that should of gone longer. Eli's dad was the main on there.

Oh, and the dh and I agree with immoral matriarch---Journeyman ROCKED!!! It's one of the dvr'd shows! :-(

Eli's my secret fun show---I LOVE IT!!!!! No one else gets it saved for them! It's all mine! :-)

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