And So Goodbye To Cable

[CitizenRob]

This season saw my restoration in faith of the TV gods. Hollywood finally found it's balls and stepped up against the Bush administration. It is the job of the media to keep us informed, and while the TV News talking heads managed to keep from informing the public, shows like The Practice got important messages out.

It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to The Practice in what was truelly the finest season ever. Camryn Manheim, as Ellenor Frutt, fighting tirelessly agains the evil injustice of the Patriot Act and other Ashcroftian evils. Eugene Young, played by Steve Harris passionately fought for the rights of the accussed, to find himself elevated to the status of judge. This season saw Sharon Stone who's incredible acting skills rendered the touchingly misguided lawyer that won every case she took on.

Perhaps the greatest enhancement to the cast was the addition of James Spader as the do-good-by-doing-wrong lawyer Alan Shore that destroyed the firm on which The Practice was based. David E. Kelly's excellent writing ability was proven once again with this wonderful character. He does wrong, is a sociopath, and yet is a hero in his own way. The Practice may have died, but the character lives on. This fall will see the birth of a new show staring Spader reprising his role as Alan Shore.

It is with great hope that David E. Kelly will find the time to once again rally against the evils of the Bush Administration and the tearing at the fabric of our country and our rights. It is with heartfelt sadness that I say goodbye to the spectacular Practice, and with a glimmer of hope that I welcome Fleet Street.

Also sadly gone will be Angel, a show gone before it's time.

Even more unfortunate the ridiculous CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will remain on the air. Is it me, or has CBS just fully sold out it's soul to the Republican party? This weeks episode was about a porn queen who was murdered... of course it turns out that she was underage, she couldn't just be a consenting adult in films: she had to be a victim of the films themselves. Then it turns out her murderer had some made up mental illness where porn becomes so important that he can't have sex with actual women. Where does CBS come up with this garbage? Maybe from the American Family Association with it's pseudo-science, and it's chicken little "sky is falling, give us money so we can stop it and by a few mercedes at the same time" perspective on faith.

With all my favorite shows (except for Alias with the ultra sexy Sidney Bristow played by Jennifer Garner) off the air after this season, what reason do I have to keep cable? Well there is the olympics... but then what? I think I'll just save myself some money, and tune into NPR where facts are abundant... and hysterics are minimal.

[Eric J in MN]

1. I recently cancelled cable, too (nt)

nt

[Amerpie]

2. NPR?

You should read FAIR's latest report on NPR. Liberal it ain't.

http://www.fair.org/extra/0405/npr-study.html

* PUBLIC VS. ELITE SOURCES
* WOMEN SCARCE
* REPUBLICANS AMPLIFIED
* THINK TANK SOURCES SKEW RIGHT

[indepat]

10. Surely NPR is loftily among the swelling ranks of media whores who

slant the news and worldview far far to the right.

[Senior citizen]

3. Not even a TV here

and didn't have cable anyway. I get by with Air America, DU, and my local radio station, Free Radio San Diego, Pirate 96.9 FM, which carries Democracy Now, and a wide selection of music, much of which, unlike on other stations, I haven't heard before. Oh, and my library card, of course.

[peacefreak]

4. 'Nother cable-free household

and I don't miss it all that much.

[Miss Authoritiva]

5. This phenomenon has it's own term: telecide.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't got rid of the little black cable box yet. I'm addicted to those really esoteric educational programs that come on after the late late shows end but before the paid programming starts. And, of course, without cable there's no "Daily Show" or "South Park." Forgive me, I am weak.

[bemildred]

6. I have never had cable.

Time is precious. TV makes you stupid.
Spend the money on books, DSL, anything but
the flat-earth drivel on TV. Stare at the
wall, you will still be better off.

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. I heard that Camryn Manheim

may get a spin off as well, or a whole different show.

Don't worry. David E. Kelly isn't retiring. He'll come up with something new that you'll like.

But if they outlawed "reality shows" I wouldn't really mind - LOL.

[Sugarbleus]

8. I only watch news..

I rarely ever watch TV for entertainment anymore. It's all so insipid.
I do love my C-span and the odd news program. I too listen to talk radio and get my info from internet and books.

I'd rather be working in the yard or anything else than sit to watch TV. I used to be a boob tube rube. Those days are gone.

It's amazing how unimportant TV becomes to one's daily life after you get over the withdrawals. ;)

[glitch]

9. there are only three reasons to keep lower cable: cspan - pbs - cbc

and even then only 20% of the time. But when it's good it's worth it to me. Al Gore this week on cspan, Nova rerun of World in the Balance on pbs.
I cancelled higher cable last year in protest of the cable news rightwing slant so I do miss watching Monk on the USA network. But lucky for me it's coming out on dvd!
Oh, and Criminal Intent on nbc. It's almost unbearable to watch because of the commercials, but if I have the remote handy and am vigilant with the mute button it's enjoyable. I can't wait for the second season to come out on dvd too.
I never saw the Practice, I guess I missed out.