The Men Who Built America

Update: Part 4 of The Men Who Built America is now scheduled to air Sunday, November 11th rather than November 4th. The marathon is still set to take place prior to the final episode.

(My original intent was to write this post Monday night so that people would have the chance to check out the new episode which aired last night, Tuesday October 30th, however Hurricane Sandy had different plans. Oh well. Better late than never.)

This week's Real Television is taking a different route than normal. Rather than spotlighting a particular episode of a television series, I will instead be showcasing the History Channel mini-series, The Men Who Built America. This is not because I ran out of material, mind you. This Sunday's Boardwalk Empire was excellent. The Walking Dead took a big risk by not showing any of the core cast for a whole episode, reminiscent of my favorite episode of Lost, although falling way short of the same results. The Dexter story lines are more interwoven and complicated than ever giving the writers a challenge that will be difficult to overcome, but if successful, can result in a fantastic overall season. No, I certainly did not run out of material. The truth is, I stumbled upon this mini-series a couple weeks ago and have been hooked ever since.

The Men Who Built America chronicles a period in time where ruthless business moguls were able to run free with virtually no limitations or regulations as the golden age of capitalism shaped America, and ultimately, the world. The show's production values are top notch. Most, but admittedly not all, of the historical reenactments avoid the all-to-common pitfall of coming off as corny or unrealistic. The actors who play the likes of Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, and Carnegie do a good job delivering believable performances, while the environment and lighting effects create a nostalgic look for the audience. What makes this show so great, however, is the incredible true stories of these big name players who had such a large role in shaping the world we live in today. In today's financial world full of worker protection laws and unions, it is almost unimaginable to think that one single man could have such a huge impact on the world around him. As an example, J.P. Morgan was so rich and so highly respected as a banker that he loaned money to the United States of America to help them get out of debt. These people are economic superheros unlike any of the big name money makers of today. It is also important to note that in order for a person to rise to this level of fame and fortune, they must have a dark side as well. Difficult and often times downright cruel decisions have to be made along the way that separate the elite from the rest of the pack. Every mogul shows some shred of an insatiable appetite for power and success, acting as the driving force behind their rise to the top.

Possibly my favorite part of this show, however, is that I simply did not know any of this. Well, perhaps that is an exaggeration. I had heard of most of the people at some point in my schooling and had a simple understanding of what each of them did. For example, I knew that Rockefeller was the oil guy. I certainly did not learn anything close to this level of detail. I was also unaware of how interconnected each of these men were. The show does a masterful job at connecting the stories and explaining the motives and relationships that play such a huge part in the decisions that were made during this time, rather than simply stating a bunch of facts and events. Each episode features a movie-quality story line ending with a cliffhanger that grabs the audience and refuses to let go. The show normally airs every Tuesday, however, the finale of the four part series will air this Sunday, November 4th. In case you missed the first three episodes, most if not all can be found OnDemand. The History Channel will also feature a marathon starting at 2pm on Sunday leading up to the series finale, an episode featuring the inventor and innovator of arguably the most influential creation of the modern era, Henry Ford. For those of you who watch the show but didn't have power last night, like me, the most recent episode can be found on www.history.com. I strongly encourage everyone to check this show out. If you take to it, like I did, History Channel has been promoting an upcoming mini-series, entitled Mankind: The Story of All of Us that seems like it will be in the same vane with a focus on a broader spectrum of history. Definitely something to look forward to.

(The Men Who Built America: Traits of a Titan)

(MANKIND The Story of All of Us)

American Horror Story: Asylum

Season 2 of American Horror Story premiered last Wednesday. Although the name and a few of the actors are familiar, the plot and setting are completely new. This season takes place in an asylum for the mentally insane known as Briarcliff. The premier started in present day as a young couple explored an abandoned version of the asylum. The setting then shifted to the 1960s, when Briarcliff was at its peak, and the focus changed from present to past a couple more times as the episode continued. This holds the potential to be used for some pretty complex storylines in which certain clues are discovered in the present and then connected to the story in the past or vice versa.

As far as the season two scares go, some seem better than others. The budding alien abduction plot, featuring season one fan favorite Evan Peters, seems a bit strange. Obviously my opinion is not going to be shared by everyone, however I just don't find aliens to be that scary in comparison to some of the other horror movie concepts out there. On the other hand, a sort of 'mad scientist' plot seems to be emerging that shows some great potential. There are few things creepier than a scientist or doctor hell bent on recognition, despite the potential consequences. Some of the most haunting moments of season one surrounded the doctor who built the house for his wife, then proceeded to create an ungodly infant creature that scared the shit out of the audience while compelling them to come back week after week. It seems as if the writers, perhaps realizing what a success this story line was in season one, decided to recreate a similar plot for season two. Good move thus far. We'll have to see what direction the writers take this one.

One thing that American Horror Story promises to deliver is excitement. The writers do a masterful job combining sex, terror, and mystery. The sex and terror keep the heart racing and holds the attention of the audience while the mystery keeps them coming back for more. No matter how much the show scares viewers away, they are simultaneously forced to persevere and continue watching to find out all the secrets behind each character and subplot. If season one has taught us anything, it's to not underestimate the twist and turns that this show is capable of delivering. Expect to hang on the edge of your seat and to be caught off guard on more than one occasion. This show is perfect for the Halloween season. Tune in Wednesdays at 10pm on FX to avoid missing out.

The Walking Dead

The zombie genre is taking off like never before. Zombieland and The Walking Dead are just two examples of recent high quality productions featuring our favorite brain eating undead counterparts. Coupling the mysterious reality of a post apocalyptic world with the constant threat of death at any moment makes for one of the most exhilarating viewing experience an audience can get their hands on. What makes the genre so exciting and unique, however, is that despite the hordes of roaming corpses, the plot doesn't solely rest on the shoulders of the dead. The central conflict rarely involves a struggle between the zombies and the survivors, but rather a conflict within the group of survivors itself. As The Walking Dead slogan so succinctly states: "Fight the Dead. Fear the Living."

Last night marked the return of the hit AMC series. The season 3 premier was riddled with gore, action, and excitement, something that season two was lacking. It seemed as if the writers were releasing some pent up frustration that accumulated on Hershel's farm. Not to worry character-development-fans, the plot did not suffer. This season has a lot of promise. For the first time, the plot is going to take place in two major settings rather than just one. In the past, every character in the show had been more or less grouped together at all times. Now that Andrea has been separated from the group, however, the show will be split between watching the core cast adjust to prison life and watching the Andrea and Michonne story develop. The last 10 minutes of the first episode were simply thrilling. A cast member gets bit, a leg is amputated with a hatchet, and a huge curve ball is thrown at the characters in the last second, leaving the audience begging for more. I'm definitely excited for what the rest of the season has in store.

P.S. One of my biggest zombie apocalypse questions will be answered soon and I can't wait. Let's say, for example, you are bit in the hand by a zombie. If you promptly lop off that same hand, presumably before the infection has a chance to spread throughout your body, can you avoid turning into a zombie? Seems like it is definitely worth a try at the very least. What do you have to lose?

Fall Premiers

Fall is a big month in television. Each year, networks throw their best shows at us with hopes that we will choose their product over a rival's. The result: lots of great options for the viewers at home. So with so many premiers coming up, I'm going to dedicate this week's Real Television to profiling the most anticipated shows of the upcoming season.

5) Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire is getting the five spot by default because they cheated and got a head start, as they are already three episodes deep. However, the season has been spectacular so far. This show has always done a fantastic job using real life players and story lines from the prohibition days. The casting in this show is superb and outside of one or two mediocre performances, the writers get the best out of each and every actor. New episodes air Sundays at 9pm on HBO. Also, if you are interested in the true story behind the characters of Boardwalk, I recommend you check out How Booze Built America on the Discovery Channel.

4) The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead comes in at the four spot. It's third season is set to premier Sunday October 14th at 9pm on AMC; and yes, that also means we have our first scheduling conflict. Thank god for DVR. The walking dead takes a stylistic approach to the zombie genre, often using bleak colors and dank surroundings to reinforce how dire the characters' situation really is. As is the case with all good monster movies/shows, the true struggle is not about Man versus Monster, but instead about Man versus Man. The monster is simply the force that creates the conflict. After spending two full seasons with the cast... well those that lasted that long anyway... the audience has developed quite the connection with each character so that when somebody dies, the audience is genuinely upset about it. I am very optimistic about the new season. Check it out.

3) Community

NBC's Community has been one of my favorite shows since it first premiered back in 2009. Show creator, Dan Harmon, is responsible for some of the most out-of-the-box, cleverly written moments in television history. In fact, other than Arrested Development, I can't think of sitcom with better production value and overall entertainment than Dan Harmon's Community. So why is it only number three? Well the simple fact is that it's Dan Harmon's Community no longer. Harmon was fired after the completion of season 3. So although the show has been one of the most consistently hilarious shows on TV since it's inception, there are some big questions going into the 4th season. So has Harmon steered the show in a clear enough direction that it will stay successful without him, or will this autopilot version of Community be the end? I guess we'll have to wait and see. Be sure to tune in at an all new time slot; Friday, October 19th at 8:30 on NBC.

2) American Horror Story

American Horror Story is, hands down, one of the creepiest things I have ever encountered in my life. Scarier than most horror movies, this show keeps the audience on the edge of their seat each week from beginning until end. Believe it or not, the show stems from the collective mind of the creators of Glee but the writing is far from gleeful. The interconnected characters and complex story lines drive the plot deep into the subconscious and create lasting, haunting memories that leave you begging for more. The only reason I didn't put AHS in the number one slot is because season 2 is a whole new story. One of the coolest, albeit riskiest, things about American Horror Story is that each season features a completely new cast and plot. So although the first season was amazing, there is no telling whether the second season will be as good, better, or completely bomb. Set to take place in an insane asylum, Season 2 certainly shows a lot of promise. Be sure to catch the premier Wednesday October 17th, at 10pm on FX.

1) The League

The League is one of the funniest shows on television. The liberty that FX gives its programs allows The League to continuously push the envelope week after week. Lucky us. The cast has a chemistry unmatched by nearly every sitcom out there. I'll be honest, I was a little late to board the train. I had always heard good things but until about halfway through the last season, I didn't follow the show. I caught up quick though. I found the absurd antics and countless references to football and pop culture extremely addicting. Once I began watching the show, I couldn't stop. And it is for that reason that I'm putting The League as my number one most anticipated fall premier. As a fantasy football player myself, I'll admit that there are definitely some bonus incentive to watch the show, but even if you know nothing about football, the rapport between characters and overall relatability is enough for anybody to enjoy. Season premier is Thursday, October 11th at 10:30pm on FX.

Dexter

Everybody's favorite serial killer is back. Season 7 of Dexter premiered on Showtime last night with an explosive episode to kick things off. Last season ended with a twist that was extreme even by Dexter standards. I'll admit, I was a little worried that the writers may have gotten themselves in too deep a hole; that they could never recover from the implications of Deborah Morgan discovering Dexter in the act of killing somebody. I was truly puzzled at the idea of how to keep the story going. After giving it more thought, however, it made perfect sense. Since the lowly beginning of Deb's career as a police officer in season 1, she has become a much more competent investigator, with the ability to trust her instinct and think like a detective. In the early days, Dexter had to help her along with leads and evidence so that she could keep up, but over time she has turned into a top-notch cop. So it seems only natural, based on her ever increasing talents and her being the closest person to Dexter his whole life, that she would eventually catch on.

What I admired most about the season premier was that instead of fearing the possibility of putting Dexter under too much pressure and backing off, the writers decided to pile it on. Deb seems unable to deny her investigative instinct and keeps digging and digging. The episode ends with Deb finding out the whole truth after ransacking Dexter's apartment, at which point he has no choice but to confess. Plus, there is the added pressure of LaGuerta finding the blood slide and connecting it to the Bay Harbor Butcher. (It was nice to hear James Doakes mentioned again). Finally, the side plot developing with Dexter and Lewis' strained relationship seems to have a lot of promise and it would probably be a good idea to keep an eye on that story. It will be very interesting to see where things go from here. So far, everyone in the show who has had any idea of Dexter's secret has ended up dying. Could the same fate be in store for Deb? If so, could the show last without such a main character to add intricate layers to the plot? I am definitely excited to see what the rest of Season 7 has in store. I think Michael C. Hall said it best in an interview about the new season: "This show is always at its best or most potent when Dexter's in hot water and the water is really as hot as it's ever been now."

Boss

This week we'll be checking in with Boss. Season 2 of the break out hit from Starz, starring Kelsey Grammer, is coming to an end. If you have managed to make it this long without checking it out, I strongly recommend taking an hour out of your day to give it a test run. The first scene of the series premier demonstrates the powerful drama and edge of your seat angst that is often used as a tool to propel the plot lines to the highest level of entertainment. As with all top tier dramas, the ambiguity of good or bad is strong within each character, creating multidimensional story lines that leave the viewer wondering who to root for and who to hate. Kelsey Grammer steals scene after scene as you debate whether to pity or fear him. New episodes air Fridays at 9pm. The first episode of Season 2 is available for free online.