“Dancing with the Stars” started this week, and I watched it for the first time. I would never watch such a show in my real life, but I figure I ought to expose myself to new and terrible things. Hey, it’s in the interest of finding television blog fodder. Nevertheless, rather than unleash my tirade over everything wrong with that show today, I’d rather keep spirits high. It is a Friday, after all. So, I’ll save it for another day, allow the hate stew to simmer, and tell you about something I do like: Carnivàle.

I remember this show when it first began airing on HBO back in 2003, but it looked weird. Too weird. So, I never bothered trying to get into it; plus, the only person I knew who did watch it was an imbecile. Years later, a non-imbecile friend swore up and down that it was his favorite show, and I began to reconsider it.

Long story less long, I put the first disc of Season 1 at the top of my Netflix queue, and wound up watching the entire series within a two week span, slowed down only by the sluggish pace of the United States Postal Service.

It even got to the point where I would bring some of the discs to work to watch at my computer. Granted, I was trying to get fired, but that’s neither here nor there. The moral of the story is, Carnivàle is indeed weird, but it’s a good weird, not “John from Cinncinnati” weird.

The show only lasted two seasons because it was too expensive to produce, considering it wasn’t getting “Sopranos” ratings. But, it is certainly one of the most unique shows I’ve seen, above all, and I watch loads of television. Even if you don’t love it as much as, say “The Wire” (and who could?), it’s worth a look. So, check it out. Go. Go do it now.

DVD shopping links:
Carnivale - The Complete First Season
Carnivale - The Complete Second Season

The last act of “The Shield” premieres next month and I’m still two seasons behind!

I know this may be sorta sacrilegious for a supposed television revivalist, but my favorite television anti-hero is Vic Mackey on “The Shield” . Most people say Tony Soprano (HBO’s “The Sopranos”), but Tony S. just doesn’t do it for me. Obviously I recognize that “The Sopranos” is an excellent drama that I love to watch, but if we’re talking comparisons here, I’m simply more entertained and impressed with FX network’s cop drama.

I love “The Shield’s” gritty realism, with its handheld camcorder style and episode writing that repeatedly pushes the envelope. To me, “The Sopranos” focuses more on its own microcosm of mob and familial issues. “The Shield” does all of that AND raises issues of society. It jumps into that dark realm of ambiguity and examines the effectiveness of politicians and the entire criminal system.

Plus, Vic Mackey is such an amazing character to watch evolve over these last 6 seasons. At times, he scares the crap out me when he so willfully crosses the line. While other times, I end up rooting for him to do just that in the name of justice. I seriously need to finish those last few season 5 dvds and buy “The Shield” season 6, since it came out today! There’s no way I can jump into the final act without being prepared.