Putting our Emmy Predix into the 2017 Emmy Time Capsule
We take a look at what next year’s Emmy landscape may look like in the Comedy, Drama, and other categories in our 2017 Emmy Time Capsule. Based on the absence of two major 2016 contenders: Downton Abbey and Drama winner Game of Thrones, what drama series will compete for the prize? Who stands to gain the most? And in the Comedy race, since all major contenders are returning, will anything break in? Or is it Veep’s to lose?
Before that, we take a brief look at Rolling Stone’s recent “100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” list. Is this a comprehensive list? Does it make sense to even try to build such lists? Also, Joey and Megan look at the recent JonBenet Ramsey true crime documentary. (Podcast)
Now that Emmy season is over, it’s time to immediate dive into the 2016 Fall TV season. This year, it feels especially packed with new shows, so it’s hard to keep up with everything. Networks and streaming platforms are debuting their their new content in the next few weeks, so, believe me, there’s so much to check out.
What makes the grade so far this season? What will we quickly delete from our DVR? Find out at ADTV. (Fall TV)
Sweet Christmas! ‘Luke Cage’ Knocks It Out Of the Park
Luke Cage, the latest Netflix/Marvel streaming series, wins on two fronts. First, it offers an engaging and realistic vision of what amounts to be a comic book superhero. Even in the origin episode, nothing feels overtly ridiculous or improbable… to an extent, of course. This is a super hero series after all. Above that, Luke Cage boasts a fascinating portrait of black culture consolidated within a compelling vision of Harlem. It’s a subtle, intriguing, and unexpected celebration of decades of black history. For that, Luke Cage feels deeper and richer than its Netflix/Marvel predecessors and, as a result, compellingly binge-worthy. (Luke Cage)
Cheo Hodari Coker On the Strength of ‘Luke Cage’
Luke Cage is Netflix’s latest critically acclaimed Marvel adaptation. Rather than focus solely on the superhero aspects of the story, the series paints a vivid portrait of modern day Harlem life and its historical significance within the black culture. Luke Cage also offers complex roles for its stars and not just male leads Mike Coulter or Mahershala Ali. Female leads Alfre Woodard and Simone Missick shine in complex and beautifully written roles as well. For these things and more, you can thank series creator Cheo Hodari Coker.
Of course, the ever modest Coker defers credit to the original Marvel source material, which does offer more culturally and gender diverse storytelling than people realize. Still, Cheo Hodari Coker and his team of writers should be praised for ensuring such a smooth transition to the small screen. This blend of superhero action and subtle insight into black culture makes Luke Cage a pleasantly profound addition to the Netflix/Marvel canon.
And Cheo Hodari Coker couldn’t be happier to hear that. (Interview)
Netflix October: Where the Heck is the Horror?
Now that summer is over, it’s time for some scares. You’d think that Netflix would have a bevy of new spooky stories coming down the pike, but there’s not as many as you’d imagine coming this month. Make sure you have some horror movies and specials stocked at home, because Netflix October is a bit disappointing in the horror department on the streaming service. (Netflix October)
‘Westworld’ Offers Much to Get Wild About
Don’t let anyone tell you that HBO’s latest mega-series Westworld is just a pretty picture. Sure, it offers stunning vistas and beautifully rendered locales and exquisite costumes. From the opening five minutes, the show immediately feels like one of those properties where every penny spent shows onscreen. But look only skin deep at the richness of Westworld, and that’s all you’ll get. Look closer, and you’ll see that Westworld offers much, much more beneath its slick surface. (Westworld)
