Author Archives: Ross McQueen

The golden age of television

OK, so just to clarify the rules one more time. In the last few years television has gone through somewhat of renaissance, from something that is just there to eclipsing film as the exciting medium for storytelling. The Golden Age of Television is an attempt to try and capture the shows that have been responsible for this renaissance.

The shows have been selected through a mixture of appeal and influence. We have tried to limit it to the past 10 years , because that is when this resurgence has largely come about, however this does lead to difficulties. Generally any show that started before 1997 is out, but there are exceptions. For example Larry Sanders and Seinfeld are both out of the timeframe. Larry Sanders was pivotal in creating HBO as we know it so it is in, where as Seinfeld, while undoubtedly very influential but no so much in creating this ?Golden Age? is out. Confused? Excellent.

Obviously it is all very subjective (I mean Firefly??!? Phhhttt, what a joke), and we would love to hear your thoughts and comments. What should be in, what should be out. Tell us how wrong we are. We value your opinion, but remember – the envelope is always right?

THE OFFICIAL amended LIST:

Arrested Development
Buffy
Carinvale
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Deadwood
Entourage
Firefly
Futurama
Friday Night Lights
I?m Alan Partridge
The Larry Sanders Show
Lost
Love My Way
Nathan Barley
The Office
Oz
The Shield
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
South Park
Weeds
The Wire

And by popular demand:

THE WEST WING!!!!

(the people have spoken)

THE PERIPHERALS:

Heroes (originally in, but tossed out on reflection)
The Newsroom (disappeared from the list at the 11th hour)
Sex And The City (again, unlucky not to be included)
The Games (the greatest Aussie comedy?)

ice ice baby!!

Congratulations to Ice TV which won it’s long running court case against Channel 9 today. Great news for the young Aussie company. Onwards and upwards.

Boxcutters Episode 97

This week we talk the talk with our always entertaining international correspondent James Talia.

Perfect 10 or wipeout? We look at the mysterious John From Cincinnati.

Crap TV focuses on some dodgy gag editing and credits erasing, while Crap Press examines a pointless spoiler.

Plus, it’s the return of the Quiz. Win stuff from us.

Your ears:

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    Boxcutters Episode 95

    Trust us – even if you have only got Dodo broadband this weeks show is worth a quarter of your monthly download.

    In the Golden Age of Television we look at a couple of ‘the’ shows – namely The Shield and The Wire.

    There is also double trouble in I Don’t Buy It focusing on two different types of rip offs.

    There’s some chat about reality show On The Lot. Plus News and Pork.

    And stay tuned for details of our long awaited Crumpler Beanbag comp giveaway! (see below)

    Listen here:

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    Boxcutters Episode 93

    Big ep.

    James Talia calls up for a chat and a special Raywatch. We go in depth on ‘Who Killed Channel 9?’. Plus News, Quotes, Pork and other other general good stuff.

    93 – made to enjoy.

    Emotions:

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  • Thoughts.

    Paris burns

    Thanks to our European correspondant for putting me onto this.

    A newsreader refusing to read a Paris Hilton story.

    Now it is getting ridiculous…

    The idiots are winning. At least they think they are.

    Hot on the heels of Jericho and Veronica Mars, there is now a campaign to save dire, unfunny comedy The Class, with an online petition and an urge to send the network – wait for it – ERASERS! Genius.

    Never mind the whole ‘how could anyone even watch The Class, let alone want to save it’ question – shows get axed, it’s a fact of life, deal with it. And if you are going to try and save it make sure the show is something worthwhile, not a show that should never have been made in the first place.

    Already I have read breathless ‘Lets do a petition’ talk about Studio 60, ‘It worked with Jericho’. Where will it end?

    Maybe we can start looking retrospectively at shows. Gee that Suddenly Susan was a great show, maybe we can send the network lazy susans. Or we can send potatoes to save M.A.S.H. Or drugs to get Miami Vice back.

    Any suggestions? Come on people, we have the power…

    Boxcutters Episode 90

    Lots of good stuff

    Lots of News

    Lots of Jess McGuire (after lots of time with none)

    Lots of anger over Telstra and Sopranos spoilsports

    Lots of animated Golden Age of Television

    A little Sesame

    Lots of pork

    Lots of fun

    Lots of ways:

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  • Lots of feedback.

    fascinating TIVO developments

    Very interesting article about how Packer selling up his share in Nine will lead to the free to air networks finally taking on Foxtel as a whole.

    Maybe TIVO won’t as doomed as we first thought.

    Odd programming

    Tonight SBS are screening a repeat of Sunday night’s Big Love in the Friday night porn slot and have subtitled it Complete and Uncut. Are we to assume by this that the Sunday night eps are being cut? Very disappointing if they are. I can’t remember anything that would require cutting anyway, even at an 8:30 timeslot, but it was a while ago I watched them and maybe I just didn’t notice.

    Also, Alias Season 5 finally makes it to our screens Sunday night. Better late than never I suppose. Worth keeping up with if you are a fan, especially towards the end of the series where things come together (although there is no certainty it will last that long on our screens).