TV v JT Episode 3: The Emmys

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Welcome back to TV v JT. This week we honor the most important night for television come every year: the Emmys! Unfortunately, both Andy and I were very disappointed with the results. Among the most upsetting outcomes was the Emmy for best lead in a comedy series, which goes to John Cryer this year for his role in Two And A Half Men.

Other disappoints include Bryan Cranston not winning again this year for his role in Breaking Bad, the utter lack of nominations for Game of Thrones, and Homeland sweeping everything (even though nobody has ever seen it).

Hats off to the Emmy board for this one.

Also, I do apologize for skipping a week. I thought it was already done, and I did not realize that an entire week passed from my last show. Time sure does fly.

This episode really highlights how incredibly exhausted I was during taping...

Hope you enjoy the show, and see you next week!


TV v JT Episode 2: Product Placement

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This week's episode of TV v. JT we take a moment to look at product placement in shows: both good and bad. As usual, we commend shows like White Collar and Mad Men while we chastise Hawaii 5-0 and others.

The best examples of product placement include the item as a part of the narrative of the show. Obviously, a show like Mad Men--which is based upon a group of people who work in advertising--can get away with great product placement without losing touch of the story. Most other shows, however, have a much more difficult task ahead of them, trying to balance the integrity of their show with the longevity offered by whatever product they need to integrate into the story. NBC is notorious for being able to do just that with programs like 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and Community.

This also leads into why certain genres of shows are picked up by networks in the first place. For instance, Game of Thrones would struggle on a major network simply because there is no opportunity for advertisers to claim a stake in their mythology. The story would have to be broken by commercials, which would destroy the flow of story. Future-based sci-fi/fantasy, however, can get away with this by utilizing "future" product (where are our hoverboards?).

On our recurring segment "A Word On Our Sponsors", we send a hats off to So Co for their regular AMC spot. Afterward, Andrew gives a lively description of the hypersexualized version of French thirst quenching.



Thanks for tuning in, and see you next week!

TV v JT Episode 1: Do It Yourself

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Welcome to episode 1 of TV v JT, a podcast dedicated to television. I will cover all topics associated with television, including reviews, previews, in-depth analysis, production, commercialism, and generally prodding around the medium.

This week, Andrew and I approach one of the founding principles of the United States: self-sufficiency. The mantra during the creation of this nation involved rolling up one's sleeves and accomplishing greatness. We stood up to the world's most powerful bully to gain our independence; we plowed through thousands of miles of swamp, mountains, and desert to create one of the most fertile lands on the planet; we forged cities and dams from the blood of hard work and raw determination. In essence, our national motto could very well be converted from e pluribus unim to operor is vestri, "Do It Yourself".

Therefore, when an entire television network nominates itself as the "Do It Yourself" network, you'd expect a hurricane of hard labor broadcasting 24/7. Instead, what awaits you is a destruction of the fabric of what those words mean. Indeed, the most basic of verbs, "do", fails to be represented at any point during a 24-hour period of programming on this horrifying network. Andrew and I will discuss one of the worst offenders on the DIY Network, called Yardcore.

To soften the otherwise harsh chastisement of television, we also take a glance at our favorite reality show, Master Chef. I do apologize for posting this later than planned, the finale has already aired. Therefore, no spoilers!

A regular segment on the show will be dedicated to the best and worst commercial campaigns airing on TV.

If you like what you hear and wish to suggest your favorite commercials, please drop a comment here or visit my website at Jasonsan.com! Thanks again to the Jedi Cole Universe for expanding your network to accommodate the likes of myself and TV fans everywhere.