Review: John Ortved’s The Simpsons, The: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History

Simpsons, The: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History by John Ortved

Let’s start with the best part of this book. Ortved offers up a history of The Simpsons, probably the most important (and certainly the most culturally relevant) show of our time. There’s a trove in information here in the genesis of the show and about the principals behind it. And Ortved’s done his homework. Although he doesn’t always speak to the principals, he sees to it their voices – Matt Groening and George Meyer stand out in particular – still appear, albiet from other sources. His book explains how, and more importantly why, the show came to fruition and rose to become, well, The Simpsons.

Talking Walking Dead: Episode Three

Welcome to the third installment of Talking Walking Dead, a weekly email exchange of AMC’s smash-hit, fun-t0-nitpick show about zombies. This week we’re joined by Jenn from the Pretty Little Losers podcast.

Mark: this is going to be a very Shane-heavy installment. Jenn, I’m going to leave a few lines here since I’m sure you have very strong feelings (I do and I don’t even hate the guy like you).

Jenn: Why is he alive, should be shot in the face by carl. I hate him, etc, etc. Nothing new.

Mark: Okay, on with the thing.

Talking Walking Dead, Season 2, Episode 1

Mark: They’re moving on to Fort Benning. I’m not sure where all their cars came from – notably the sweet chopper – and I’m not sure how they’re moving (weren’t they out of gas?), but, like Willie Nelson, they’re on the road again. Until they hit what looks like the 401 at rush hour: a pile of discarded cars blocking the highway. And a horde of zombies, too.

I thought it was a nice intro, even if it did push it a little. A nice touch was Daryl helping T-Dog out. Wish he got more screen time (and maybe a real name), though.

Mad Men Chat: Renewal Edition

Mad Men Chat is briefly back with a small discussion surrounding it’s renewal and subsequent delay until 2012.

Mark: How relieved are you that AMC and Matt Weiner have reached an agreement? What about when you consider the timeframe?

News broke on recently that AMC and Weiner/Lionsgate Television have reached an agreement to continue Mad Men, probably for three more seasons (more on that in a sec), an agreement that hinged on a smallish change: two minutes will be cut from each episode (down from 47 minutes to 45). What’s more is that some of the rumors surrounding the agreement seem to be unfounded – especially the one that the show would be cutting characters. However, new episodes won’t air until 2012.

Talking Walking Dead Part Five

Your weekly roundtable chat for AMC’s The Walking Dead. New to Talking Walking? Read any of the previous entries here. Joining myself and Jenn this week is Chel, one third of the Pretty Little Losers podcast.

Mark: This is a very Shane-centric episode and kind of presents two sides to Shane… which may really be one, big side.