Category: TV

All about what’s on the boob tube!

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Ashes to Ashes: the definitive playlist

Being a huge fan of both New Wave music and the show Ashes to Ashes, I thought I might share a list of songs used on the show.

Season 1’s list follows, and season 2’s will follow at the conclusion of the current season.

Season 1, Episode 1

Ultravox – “Vienna”
The Clash – “I Fought the Law”
Tubeway Army – “Are Friends Electric?”
The Stranglers – “No More Heroes”
David Bowie – “Ashes to Ashes”
The Passions – “In Love With A German Film Star”
Duran Duran – “Hungry Like the Wolf”
Duran Duran – “Careless Memories”
Roxy Music – “Same Old Scene”

Season 1, Episode 2

Tenpole Tudor – “Swords of a Thousand Men”
Madness – “The Prince”
Imagination – “Body Talk”
The Flying Lizards – “Money”
Visage – “Fade to Grey”
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “Souvenir”
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – “Geno”
The Pop Group – “We Are All Prostitutes”
Heaven 17 – “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang”
Jon and Vangelis – “I Hear You Now”
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – “Show Me”
Chas and Dave – “Gertcha”

Continue reading “Ashes to Ashes: the definitive playlist”

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Ashes to Ashes: Season 2, Episode 1

The first episode of season 2 of Ashes to Ashes aired on BBC1 in the UK last night… and boy, does it look like this might be an awesome season for the show! So, enough messing about, let’s get right to the recap!

The episode begins with a shot of a television. On the TV, a newsreader is talking about the disappearance of DI Alex Drake. Because the TV is a widescreen model, we can safely assume that this is taking place in 2008. The camera pulls out, and we see that we are inside a hospital, and two nurses are attending to someone in a bed. Who is it? We don’t know (see the “Other Stuff” section, below).

One of the nurses wonders where Drake is, and we next see Alex walking around in a sewer with Gene Hunt, Ray Carling, and Chris Skelton. Hunt, less than happy to be walking around in a sewer, asks Drake if she’s sure the tunnel they’re in is unused. Drake says that she called the water board and they confirmed that “tunnel 96” hasn’t been used for decades. A nervous Chris looks at the tunnel number on the wall, and sees that it’s tunnel 69. The gang then hear a noise, like a heavy door opening or a large lock turning. They then hear the sound of running water. Chris, in a bit of foreshadowing, screams “Oh shittt!”

We next see Drake in her apartment, cleaning the sewer water off of Gene’s precious cowboy boots. Alex has the TV on, and the news is reporting about the HMS Invincible leaving port to head off to the Falkland Islands. Alex finds a thumbtack in the sole of Gene’s boots, removes it and for some reason zones out on it. When she does, the TV switches over to another program. In it, Alex’s daughter, Molly, is being scolded by the headmistress of her school. Apparently the other kids are harassing her, telling her that her mother has died. Towards the end of the conversation, Molly appears to cheer up slightly, and says that “there’s news” about Alex’s disappearance. Alex, of course, rushes to the TV, begging Molly to tell her what the news is. Before Molly can say anything else, the screen fades to black and the shows’ end credits start to roll. Alex bangs the TV set, hoping to learn more. The TV turns to static, and the opening credits for Ashes to Ashes roll.

Continue reading “Ashes to Ashes: Season 2, Episode 1”

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Life on Mars is cancelled…

ABC is giving fans of “Life on Mars” some closure.

The network has told producers that it won’t be ordering any additional episodes beyond the 17 currently in the works for this season. But rather than play the usual “Let’s-wait-until-May-before-we-make-a-decision” game regarding the fate of “Mars,” ABC brass have admitted to producers that they won’t be ordering another season of the show.

That means that, rather than letting “Mars” drift away with no resolution, producers will be able to write and film a definitive ending to the saga. Production is expected to continue for at least a few more weeks, with the finale expected to air no later than early April.

via ABC Gives ‘Life on Mars’ a Finale – TVWeek – News.

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Should the length of a season be cut? – TV Squad

There’s an interesting article online about the networks’ attempt to combat the recession. It suggests cutting the number of episodes per season, following the British model for scripted fare.

The writer is referring more to the British scripted dramas rather than comedies. In England, comedies are (usually) written by the creator(s). As a result, a British comedy usually has only six episodes per season. This both helps keep costs down and presents no haggling over ownership rights since there are fewer writers.

via Should the length of a season be cut? – TV Squad.

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TV News

Two quick items from the world of TV:

– Yes! Matthew Weiner, the show runner for Mad Men, signed a seven-figure deal with Lionsgate to create (at least) two more seasons of Mad Men, as well as another show and a movie! Hurrah! Read more about it here.

– ABC hasn’t forgotten Pushing Daisies. The Alphabet Net says that it will run the final episodes of Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone this summer. I’ll believe it when I see it, but it’s good news for those of us missing the last three episodes of Daisies.

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Daisies Canceled?

Is ABC going to break my heart? Is it true? Is Pushing Daisies really canceled?

It is, according to certain reports. In fact, Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone have apparently been given the ax by the Alphabet Net. While ABC has not officially commented on the shows’ statuses, word is that they will not give them full season orders.

Which is a crying shame. Pushing Daises was (is?) a quirky, unique show that deserves a place on TV. I could wax philosophically about how another network might pick it up, or how it might move to cable… but the fact is, I’m resigned to Daisies fate. I’m still bent out of shape that the networks killed off Arrested Development and Veronica Mars, so I don’t see why I should shed any tears for Daisies. Oh, and word initially was that ABC was going to kill off Life On Mars too, but they’ve finally listened to the thousands of TV blogs that helpfully suggested that they move it to the post-Lost timeslot. I think Lost and Mars back-to-back is a winning combo. But what the hell do I know? My seconid favorite show just got canceled!

RIP, Pushing Daisies! I’ll miss you so much!