CliqueClack

American Horror Story: Asylum is about … aliens?

After the success of the first season of American Horror Story — and the then announcement of FX’s pickup of the show for a second season — we learned that not only was the new season going to be an entirely new locale, time period and story altogether, but a good number of the cast would transition over as well. If that wasn’t confusing enough, the cast would be playing entirely different roles than they had in the first season. In a previous post, I brought up the possibility that this unusual change would confuse and anger fans, since a good many of those viewers aren’t keeping up with fine blogs such as this one, to learn of these complete story changes; that theory remains to be seen, now that the season’s kicked off. It could just be that everyone who cares about this show is keeping up with TV websites, guides and watching promos — who knows?

I compared this series to The Twilight Zone, but instead of each episode being self-contained, it’s each season. And like Twilight Zone, there were some actors who’d played different roles in subsequent episodes. This season takes things another step in that direction by not merely continuing the theme of hauntings and ghosts, and instead brings a bit of sci-fi into the mix. There’s blood, gore, murders and mayhem and all-around creepiness, but now there’s a new twist: aliens.

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Seth Green is the King of all Geeks

The nice thing about talking to another comic geek is he probably has a fully-indexed mental rolodex of every single comic ever created and when. I loved Robot Chicken’s DC Comics special alongside the Star Wars specials, and wondered if Robot Chicken might hit Marvel next with the Phoenix Saga. I’ll call Seth’s a Geek’s Geek because, after I said “Phoenix Saga,” he instantly  knew what I meant. In fact, the entire press room interview went that way, with people throwing out casual questions/comments which rolled into a table conversation before another question rolled out. It was the least competitive press room table ever. And I loved it. Like kids showing the coolest geek in school, wanting his approval, people even showed him their Superman comic purchases. Maybe Geek King isn’t the best word for him; Geek Godfather probably works better.

I noticed that most of the Adult Swim cartoon guys didn’t do the pretty posing pictures or, if they did, it wasn’t for too long, which probably accounts for the enjoyable, casual vibe. Seth arrived in the press room without fanfare, plopped down at our table  and started talking. And, we just followed his lead. The reason I jumped on the Robot Chicken pressroom is not only due to my enjoyment of the show and the specials, but my longstanding respect for the 2009 Roller Skating Party. When I was a graduate student living in Upper State New York, I drove all day to Philadelphia only to stand in line for one-two hours (more like one hour) for the opportunity to roller skate at the Robot Chicken Gym Class Heroes roller party. I even took a bitchin’ picture with Matt  Senreich (which I later learned he took with everyone!)  I remembered watching Seth skate around the rink like a tiny speed rocket, easily outpacing the rest of us. So, of course I asked about the roller skating party and their ideas for the next Robot Chicken special.

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There’s been a whole lot of lackluster on Face Off

I was really excited about going into season 3 of Face Off. And it started off with a bang.

Joe Castro — who we barely met in the first episode — not only tossed his weight around like it was nobody’s business but got his panties in a wad and walked off the show because he was called on his BS bulldogging by partner Tommy Pietch**. We never got the opportunity to see if Joe was all he purported to be … which ended up making for a terrific start to the season.

Well, it seems Joe and his attitude might have left with a lot of the inspirational creations and  imagination in tow because there hasn’t been much to get excited about.

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Nicki Minaj versus Mariah Carey on American Idol — seriously?!

Anyone that knows me is privy to the fact that I love music just as much as I adore quality television … the keyword being quality. However, since I loathe reality programs, I usually find myself skipping such music oriented shows as The Voice, The X Factor and American Idol. In spite of this, new buzz about Idol has now sparked my interest … and it has absolutely nothing to do with its aspiring singers.

It seems to be an accepted fact that the judges on Idol change as often as the actors portraying James Bond. This season includes veteran Randy Jackson, country music star Keith Urban, and dueling divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, the two of which are the subject of this week’s Clacking in Color. You see, I don’t keep up with American Idol. In fact, I stopped watching after Fantasia won when I was back in high school. However, when I heard that Carey and Minaj were brought on board, I actually thought they’d work good together. Perhaps I should have my head examined.

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Castle and Beckett in a relationship? Yeah, it works.

I know we’re only four episodes in to the Grand Castle/Beckett experiment but so far, it’s been working pretty damn well. Despite the positive attitude I’ve had about the impending connection for the past season or so, I had my doubts. No, not doubts … concerns? I mean, The Moonlighting Effect is a real thing – just look at what has happened on Bones this season. But on Castle things have gone much better. But why?

Simply, the fact that Rick Castle and Kate Beckett are making the naughty has not changed the way that the two characters interact, and I don’t think it is going to. Rick is still Rick, Beckett is still Beckett. The characters have not experienced some crazy fundamental shift just because they’ve gotten … a little friendlier.

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NBC’s Revolution: high concept, low execution

What would happen if today’s world was suddenly thrown back to the hardships of the Industrial Revolution? The premise of NBC’s new series, Revolution, poses an intriguing question about mankind’s ability to adapt to sudden change. The latest LOST clone develops and then wastes that high concept idea, hoping rather to draw viewers in with a confusing mythology involving magical USB necklaces and apparently un-aging, post-apocalyptic survivors.

We can’t blame LOST for the recent surge of high concept, low execution series to premiere (and get cancelled) on prime time television. LOST started strong, establishing its characters and developing the central question of what would happen if you crashed on a deserted island. But people don’t remember that first, amazing season of LOST that focused more on the mystery of the plane crash survivors and only peppered in the mystery of the island. They remember the DHARMA initiative, pushing the button, that Richard Alpert never ages (and then later try to forget the donkey wheel, time travel, and a pointless final season flash sideways). It’s the “mythology” that LOST is remembered for, and that mythology is often associated with the show’s success. But the show’s initial focus on character created mystery without mythology. It was only after those core characters were established and viewers were drawn in and connected to them that they threw in every possible reference to literature, Greek mythology, and string theory to keep people asking questions the following morning at the water cooler. TV executives see LOST and think that a grandiose mythology was the key to its success, so they develop ideas around a mythology instead of focusing on the basics of storytelling.

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A study in leadership in The Walking Dead premiere

When you take on a leadership role, you automatically accept much more than just a position of command. There’s so much more that goes with it. Yes, there’s the satisfaction and triumph of a decision (evident by Rick’s glee as he realized the prison was soon to be theirs) but there is the responsibility, the criticism, the burden and the second-guessing oneself as well.

Rick has taken his leadership role on The Walking Dead to a very interesting level. He’s used his “Let’s get one thing straight: If you’re staying, this isn’t a democracy anymore” line and up’ed that ante to a virtual dictatorship. What he says goes. No ifs ands or buts about it.

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New York Comic Con expands

I had an absolutely great time covering New York Comic Con this weekend, although my fellow Clacker Jeremy couldn’t make it, I’m hoping other Clackers can attend next year. I had an awesome time covering the press rooms. I am officially in love with Kevin Bacon of Kevin Williamson’s new FOX show The Folllowing, coming out in January. And James Purefoy, who plays the villain, scares the hell out of me (in the show and reality). Both Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick kicked my ass for talking about Venture Brothers in the past tense (it returns in October). Voltron Force writer/producer Jeremy Corray is a charmer. I went in hating the show and left a total fan. I had a surprisingly small and cozy geekcenteric roundtable with Robot Chicken’s Seth Green. I wound up 5 minutes late to my Haven press room because my Person of Interest table ran over talking to Amy Acker. Even cooler, I passed the redoubtable Carrie Fisher smoking a blue cigarette while walking a tiny black dog. So, basically, good times.

This year’s New York Comic Con was EVEN larger than last year. I literally avoided using the restroom (or drinking) all day Saturday because I COULDN’T find a restroom without twenty people in line before me. Don’t worry, I paid for it later. The Manga/Anime software people at Micro Smith kept pushing water bottles on me, so, clearly, I looked tore up from the floor up. NYCC this year felt disorganized in places compared to last year and could’ve used more volunteers for the larger panels. But, I still went away with a warm fuzzy feeling despite the daily commute. I know I am slow when it comes to transcribing interviews (Shut up, Michael); however, I hope to post my interviews once a day (or every other day). So keep checking here or the main site for the ensuing weeks. But, for cosplay pictures (which I know you want), keep reading!

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Louis on Dexter: what a disappointment

You might recall that last season I published some thoughts on who the thorn in Dexter’s side — and intern for Vince Masuka — Louis Greene might be. He appeared out of nowhere and seemed to have Dexter in his crosshairs, first having asked him for help with his serial killer video game, then messing around with Ice Truck Killer evidence. It wasn’t clear if Louis was out to get Dexter or just attract his attention, but there sure seemed to be something more to his actions than simply being a weirdo.

Last season, a commenter noted that Louis might be Dexter’s nephew — Brian Moser’s son — and I felt that was a pretty decent theory. It would’ve made for some interesting stuff for the series, going forward. Now, after this latest episode, we find that Louis’s purpose on the show was … well, pretty much nothing.

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Cartoon Network pulls DC Nation for 2012 … and I’m not happy

Dear Cartoon Network,

Considering this is a cartoon column, it shouldn’t surprise you that I’m a fan of your work. I was a huge fan of Dexter’s Lab, Powerpuff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and your other mid-to-late 90s work. I think Regular Show and Adventure Time are both fantastic. And more importantly, I’ve been completely smitten with pretty much all your content on Saturday morning’s DC Nation — Green Lantern, Young Justice, the various shorts … all of it really, with my absolute favorite of the line-up being the fantastic story and characters you have in Young Justice.

So imagine my surprise when I wake up this morning to catch the hour-long superhero block full of all new episodes and … nothing. You gave us Johnny Test and Riders of Berk reruns instead. And as I was writing this carefully polite letter, you cheerfully announce that DC Nation will be back! … in January.

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