“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

Defamer’s “Top Ten Countdown of TVs Coolest Cats”:

1. Jack Bauer - “24″
2. The Fonz - “Happy Days”
3. Cord Walker - “Walker, Texas Ranger”
4. Will Smith - “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
5. Don Draper - “Mad Men”
6. Officer Tom Hanson (Jonny Depp) - “21 Jump Street”
7. Hannibal - “A-Team”
8. Dr. Ross (George Clooney) - “ER”
9. Conrad - “Weeds”
10. Parker Lewis - “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”

The Walker pick is undeniable (he always gets his man!), but I’m not sure that I can back up the rest of their choices. Dr. Ross, Hannibal, and Jack Bauer (sorry, Kiefer) have got to go. Why? Because the grittiest character on there is Don Draper. Don’s got nothing on the folks in “The Wire”. HBO’s B-more crime drama has the coolest cats around in my opinion.

Stringer “It’s just Bizness” Bell

Jimmy “I’m working a case, so it’s okay when I drink a fifth of Jameson” McNulty

And Tommy Gavin of “Rescue Me” is the craziest, yet coolest firefighter in the history of television!

Watch Molly McAleer’s hilarious compilation video on Defamer and make your own top ten list.

As many before me have said, “The Wire” is simply one of the best television shows ever made.

David Simon and Ed Burns set out to depict the underbelly of Baltimore and managed to create a five season masterpiece. Each season is like another level of the city, revealing another layer of the tragic city. I love it for its realistic depiction of Baltimore, which the producers have gone to painstaking lengths to create.

Simon himself has said he doesn’t really care about awards. He just set out to tell a story and that’s what he did. Still, though season five was the bleakest season yet, I really think the Emmy voters should take notice. TV Addict said it’s in the top 10 of the drama category, but will it win? Things don’t look good if it’s nominated against “Lost”.

What I remember most is the acting. It is simply phenomenal, so the least they could do is nominate all or some of this fantastic ensemble.

Rent or buy this show, like now. Seriously, it may start slow, but it’s totally worth it.

The Wire - The Complete Seasons 1-4

JJ Abrams new show, “Fringe”, officially got picked up by Fox this week.

It stars Joshua Jackson (”Dawson’s Creek”), Anna Torv, and Lance Reddick (”The Wire” and “Lost”) as they investigate an unusual Boston plane crash. It’s supposed to “thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality”.

I dunno, that sounds supspiciously too good to be true since I’ll watch just about anything with a “Wire” cast member or involves science fiction. Still, I wholeheartedly agree with /Film who says it totally looks like an “X-Files” rip-off.

I wonder if Chris Carter agrees? I bet he doesn’t really care and he’d probably just tell Abrams to watch his back since Fox cancels everything (i.e. “Harsh Realm”).

Find more photos at /Film