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The Best TV on DVD
Part 4 of 5
By Laura Reineke, Blogger
February 15, 2008 | 8 p.m.
While a show generally can be classified as either “good” or “bad,” it can also transcend expectations and reviews. For the fourth of my five-part series, here are three shows that capitalized on their promises, however briefly.
“The Mole” Season 1 (ABC, 2001)
For as much as I rave about scripted television, I used to be a HUGE reality TV buff. This game show, hosted by Anderson Cooper, was at the top of my must-watch list during its entire first season. Combining the globetrotting of “The Amazing Race” with the mind games and alliances of “Survivor,” 16 contestants are put through a series of tasks to earn money for the group pot. One participant, however, is out to sabotage the game. A surprisingly diverse cast and incredibly well thought out challenges made the first season of “The Mole” addictive. The second season was canceled after only half the episodes aired. The series was retooled into a two-season mess known as “The Celebrity Mole,” starring Stephen Baldwin, Kathy Griffin and Erik von Detten. Seriously.
“Boomtown” Season 1 (NBC, 2002)
NBC set out to shake up the crime procedural genre with this short-lived series. Its potentially disastrous conceit: watching one case unfold through multiple points of view, including those of police (Gary Basaraba), detectives (Donnie Wahlberg and Mykelti Williamson), the district attorney (a mesmerizing Neal McDonough), reporters and paramedics. I was surprised at how thoroughly I enjoyed watching this show, and despite its somewhat inconsistent tone, the first season is a showcase of great writing and amazing performances. (Some standout episodes include “Reelin’ in the Years” and “Blackout.”) The second season, on the other hand, was canceled when multiple points of view became too much to juggle.
“House, M.D.” Season 1 (FOX, 2004)
I feel a little guilty about including this one on the list because I still watch it semi-regularly. However, this medical drama about a permanently cranky doctor (the charming and incredibly talented Hugh Laurie) was at its best in its first season when its formulaic storytelling techniques weren’t quite so obvious. A stellar supporting cast (including Robert Sean Leonard, Lisa Edelstein and Omar Epps) made the far-out cases believable, and a mid-season arc featuring Chi McBride (“Pushing Daisies”) piled on the suspense and intrigue. Later seasons seem to lack the spark of this initial run, and the first season also contains “Three Stories,” which, in my opinion, is one of the best prime-time TV episodes in recent history.
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For more from the mind of Laura Reineke, check out her blog, OH HONESTLY, at ohonestly.blogspot.com.