With a Writer’s strike going on right now, it would seem odd that I would be posting a piece on must watch television. But it’s not so strange, since I’ll be talking about some great shows that just started up this month, that aren’t affected by the strike.
jPod – Produced here in Canada by the CBC, is a new series that started this month, based on the novel of the same name, written by Douglas Coupland. I suppose I’m biased because I’ve been a long time fan of Coupland, but after watching the first episode, which follows the exploits of a team of co-workers who are employed at a video game software company, I was completely hooked and constantly on the floor laughing. There is a fine line here, of the show being totally Canadian cheddar and being insanely brilliant. But most importantly, I’m entertained and I can’t stop watching.
Torchwood (Season Two) – Produced in Wales by the BBC (co-produced by the CBC), the second season of the acclaimed Doctor Who spinoff, Torchwood started airing this month. I’ve recently watched the first two episodes of the season, and the show continually pushes the limit, with it’s blatant sexuality, mixed with it’s fantastic, sci-fi reality. John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack Harkness, keeps me coming back for more and I can’t stop the feeling of wanting to jump on a plane to totally check out Cardiff in person some day. On a related note, if you haven’t seen season 1, it was released on DVD this past week and retails for $69.99.
Trading Spaces (Season Eight) – Produced by TLC, Trading Spaces has jumped back on my radar, when I found out that they have brought back Paige Davis as host of the popular home renovation show. Her first episode aired tonight, and it totally feels like she never left the show. With her, she’s brought back some of her favorite designers, like Doug and Hildi back into the fold, as well as their original $1000 budget. The twist however is in the homeowner pairings, which they’ll be doing on the show. Being neighbours no longer make the cut. They’ve decided to focus on interesting relationships and dynamics between the participants. The first episode featured a divorced couple who had to renovate each others bedrooms. Season teasers, also mentioned, boss and employee trades, as well as a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law switch. If you were like me, and slowly tuned out, after Paige left the show. Now is the time to tune back in every Saturday.
Has Torchwood started on the CBC yet? If so I’ve missed them. Dang! I’ll have to torrent them.
Troy…
CBC hasn’t started airing S2 Torchwood yet…and knowing the CBC aren’t likely to anytime soon. If you have a satelite package…HDNet Canada will be airing Torchwood S2 uncut and unedited starting in the spring sometime. Otherwise…torrent is the only other way to go. I’ve seen the first two episodes of S2 and both, so far have been fantastic.
For any fan of Doctor Who, I also just found out that there was a special charity mini-episode which should be watched between the season finale “Last of the Time Lords” and the 2008 Christmas Special, “Voyage of the Damned”.
The episode is called “Time Crash”
ahhhhhhh !! i missed that Torchwood started again? I will have to DL the currently available episodes. unlike most, i love the show and all it’s schmaltzy scifi.
POSSIBLE SPOILER
i thought the charity episode was between the end of first season and the Xmas Invasion? I remember the Last of the Time Lords actually ending with the Titanic reference…
David,
The Charity Episode, Time Crash was aired in November 2007. And definitely sits between the Last of the Time Lords and Voyage of the Damned. I assume it was written in after the production of the last season was complete, as an after thought.
LOVE jPod.
I think it’s one of (if not the) most clever thing CBC has aired. Umm… Including all the shows that I’ve worked on. Oops. Not that I don’t love my shows equally.
I wish I worked on jPod though!
Ohhhh, so much for trusting wikipedia
there is more than one charity episode. p.s. watched VotD last nite. Squeeee, that was a fun episode playing off The Poseidon Adventure.