Sam rants about his new raves - the two BEST shows on TV
8:59 PM June 23, 2008
It is the number one song on i-tunes, and incredibly well deserving. If an important component of your life involves tween-age girls...really any young lady from 6 to 14...then you already know what I am talking about. It is the song from "Camp Rock" called 'This Is Me' an empowerment anthem that is sung as a duet at the end of the movie, by young stars Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.
"Camp Rock" is a Disney-by-the-book formula story involving a summer musical camp and a girl finding her talent and finding love with a not-so-bad-boy who wants to be good. At the very end of the movie, Demi sings her song, Joe realizes that hers is the voice that he heard earlier in the move; and he is so struck by her singing; he joins her in song. It is a cheesy as a large bag of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish....and.....it is great. Totally great. A complete goose bump moment. I have watched this particular final scene several times, and each and every time I have the exact same reaction. I don't intend to see a dermatologist, but rather, this scene for me raises the bar as to what "works" and "doesn't work" in entertainment.
There are several movies out right now, or coming out fairly soon that I have seen that for a variety of reasons don't quite work. They try and they miss. "Get Smart," "Hancock," and "Mamma Mia," all reach for the fences and to various degrees, in my view they don't hit the mark. There is no moment in any of these huge budget, high profile movies; that is as truly moving, as goose-bump inducing as the aforementioned scene from "Camp Rock."
As one would expect from a Disney product "Camp Rock" is truly for the whole family. What is that phrase from 6 to 60 to 160, anyone will like it, and some will really love it.
My next rave is reserved for a show that is on cable TV, that can best be described as a hard-R, and for it's intended audience, it is every bit as good, if not better, than "Camp Rock."
Have you seen 'Californiacation' on Showtime? I thought not. Happily, the show is on i-tunes and the first season DVD is just dropped. With the possible exception of the KTLA Morning News on certain rare days; 'Californiacation' is, hands down, THE best show on television.
It is the Southern California based story of a writer, the appropriately named Hank Moody, played by David Duchovny. Hank was married to a woman played by actress Natascha McElhone, who may well be the best looking woman on TV...ever...In any case, as a writer, Hank has lost the muse, and his life is slowly unraveling in a tangled web of sexual addition and all sorts of other problems that only people who have a little money left over from that great novel and that great screenplay can still afford.
In a word, 'Californiacation' is fantastic. Racy beyond belief; in fact episode 11 involves a dramatic and physical climax of sorts that I can't even begin to describe here. It is one of the most shocking and funniest scenes I have ever seen. I can't emphasise just how much for adults only 'Californiacation' is....but for its' intended audience...it is pure pleasure. And if you haven't seen it...and ratings would indicate you haven't. You need to find it. Stat. And let me know what you think.
Chances are neither 'Camp Rock' nor 'Californiacation' will get their due from the Television Academy and the Emmy's. In fact 'Camp Rock' is probably not eligible this year because of the date of it's premiere; and while I would love to see 'Californiacation' get it's emmy due, I think that is unlikely. Still in this era of so many chooses for entertainment and so few of them worthy, the emmy doesn't really matter much. Because the people involved in both these shows, must know, how good their wares are. They must know as I have to beieve there is a feeling you get, when you hit it out of the park. I think you can tell almost as soon as the bat hits the ball; and my guess is; and this is to me the most interesting part; when did the people involved in 'Camp Rock' and 'Californiacation' know, know that they really had something. We may never get the specific answer to that question....but if you catch both of these excellent pieces of entertainment, you will get the gist of what I am talking about here. I hope you'll take the time to seek them out.
Posted by Sam Rubin | Permalink | Comments (36) | TrackBack (0)
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I utterly agree with what you said about Camp Rock. I must point out that i'm not 10 years old. I'm 17 and I found the movie insanely entertaining and refreshing! [:
Posted by: Lety | June 26, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Well Lety, of course you find it "Insanely entertaining and refreshing" young one! You're the same age as the lead characters in the movie. Demi is almost 16 and Joe is almost 19. You're right in the middle of the age range that Disney is targeting!
Posted by: Dan | June 26, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Per Laura's suggestion, found Californification On Demand. The writing was good, but the storyline's mediocre. I'm not into drugged out alcoholics bedding numerous women indiscriminately while trying to raise a tweeny. Believe I saw one installment when it first aired. Didn't resonate with me. Sorry. No sale. Tho I LOVE Duchovny, give me Two and a Half Men any day.
Camp Rock. Checked it out on YouTube. Not bad. Sweet to see the formula boy-meets-girl-at-summer-camp is still fun. Rock on Disney!!
Posted by: jozielee | June 28, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Sam,
Thank you for the recommendation of "Californication" ... I will check it out via Netflix. However, I can't believe anyone could write better TV than Joss Weeden and David Milch. (Nothing can ever top "Deadwood" for me.) That's MY opinion.
Pat
Posted by: Pat | July 01, 2008 at 05:01 PM
From Pat:
However, I can't believe anyone could write better TV than Joss Weeden and David Milch. (Nothing can ever top "Deadwood" for me.) That's MY opinion.
I have to agree with you Pat, Deadwood was one of the best show hands down on TV. What is sad is David Milch didn't fight for it with the network. He stated to fans when the show was canceled we would get two, two hour TV films to end the story. We never did. Like so many time before, the viewers are left high and dry by wisdom of TV management.
Posted by: Mean Tristan | July 07, 2008 at 05:30 AM
I can't believe any of this stupidity. These guys sound like they should be the only people with an opinion.
Sure u don't have to agree with Sam's opinion, but don't act like u r the correct opinion. Act growen up and make a good comment or arguement to make people agree with ur opinion.
I can't agree or disagree with Sam about either programs, as I have not seen them, but he does give u something to think about when checking things out.
As for role models, woo!! who is allowing the children to check out these role models? How about giving our kids something that is good. A little parental control would be nice. Usally if the parents are not checking out the role models they do, the kids would have different role models also.
Please, if you are a parent, think a little harder about "A child learns more by example than any other teaching tool!!".
I guess I'll shut up for now, but wow! I cAn't believe the hate I read in these comments.
I still love you guys in the morning and hope you keep up the good work.
Me fro Mira Loma
Posted by: I dont believe u guys | July 07, 2008 at 09:11 AM
I have to admit...I really hated the Original Movies on Disney Channel about less than 6 months ago. "Gotta Kick it up"; "Jump in"; "HSM 1 & 2"; and the "Cheetah Girls 1 & 2". They just seemed so cheesy at first to me. My daughter has loved every single movie that Disney has put out marketed to the tween sensation. But when I actually took the time to watch them with my daughter...yes...they are clean, bubble gum like and unashamedly and admittedly fun. I wish other movie producers and tv execs could see what Disney has made a coup on the market and follow suit. They are tapping into what our kids are asking for. Our kids like clean fun. They want clean fun. I know high school girls having movie parties on these movie sensation! So why do other movie/tv execs think our kids want to watch sex, violence and cursing? They obviously don't. A lot of people complain that you, Sam, are on crack because you actually enjoyed something wholesome??? No...I think as a culture on a whole....we're on crack to think our kids are stupid for wanting to watch clean, fun movies. So what if our kids want to watch a sappy show..clean...about a teen girl fulfilling her dreams and getting the guy at the same time....no sex involved? I think it is great. I just wished I had discovered that sooner.
On the flip side...I went to Sex and the City and felt horrible to see women dragging their kids (3-10) along to see it with them....too young to be subjected to that. Loved the movie...but for kids? Especially with the widely noted penis viewing?
Why is it wrong to talk to your kids about drugs, alcohol, smoking, cursing, and sex and limit their viewing of it? And why is ok for others to poke fun at those who choose a cleaner lifestyle and let their kids enjoy their innocence in viewing a cute show...like High School musical...or Camp Rock?
As my 13 year old says...It's just a movie. So why are people getting worked up about it?
Posted by: Shawna W | July 08, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Hi Sam,
I love everything you DO!!!!
Who was it that made the mistake of hiring Michaela.
She is so overbearing, on everything. She is MISS KNOW IT ALL....I use to watch the show every morning.I also Love Cher.She should be the one sitting next to Frank.I am a nurse,I only watch when your doing your spot. Love ya, I know this won't be read over the air.If you did,there
will be so many more like me who feel the same about Michaela. Would love to watch the show again.
Becki
Posted by: Becki | July 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
OMg camp rock was the Best movie ever demi is a magnificiant singer.......And JONAS BROTHER I LOVE YOU GUY YOU GUYS AR AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US...:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Posted by: martha | July 28, 2008 at 03:22 PM
GOD BLESS DEMI AND THE JONAS BROTHERS + THERE FAMILY
GOOD LUCK AND BLESSING TO ALL OF THEM ccccc:::::
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Posted by: Marti | October 02, 2008 at 08:55 PM