We Don't Walk Slow

My Seinfeld Year – A Kindle Single by Fred Stoller

With my Kindle Fire I’ve been rolling through various books. The latest is a short little diddy by Fred Stoller about his year writing for Seinfeld. He was actually an actor on Seinfeld as well and you might have seen him playing the character who dated Elaine and could never remember meeting her. His best line was “once you lose the button the shirt’s ruined,” or something like that. He was also a writer on the show and outlined how he came up with the story of Eric Bania giving Jerry a suit and getting owed a meal. He describes how the role of a writer on that show is to come up with 4 storylines that all converge and how they all get passed through Jerry and Larry for approval. Plus the guy is sort of dorky or as Larry David called him “the proverbial schmuck.” I think the concept of the 2 dollar story on Kindle though is wonderful. A two bit performer like this guy can earn some extra money without needing a huge publishing house. I’m sure he’s not rolling in the dough but he’s doing alright. Check out Fred in this clip as an extra in Dumb and Dumber.

Who’s Fred Stoller?

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:32:22-04:00September 18th, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Ratings For Breaking Bad Are Breaking Bad

2.9 million people watched the premiere of Breaking Bad on AMC and 2.3 tuned in for the 2nd episode. Does anyone know how pathetic those numbers are? Here’s a look at the top 20 programs for Cable television. The first 3 are from TNT which I barely even knew existed let alone knew that so many people watch these shows. I might just watch one just to see if they deserve to be watched by this many people. WWE holds two slots because of redneck hillbillies. Storage Wars holds two spots which is pretty impressive for how worn out the show is. 3 Re-Runs of Family guy on Adult Swim garner this many views????? These shows can’t hold a candle to Breaking Bad.

BREAKING BAD CAN’T FIND THIS LIST?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? I honestly don’t get how a show that I feel is probably one of the top 5 TV shows of all time isn’t even close to a top 20 program in terms of views. The only thing I can think of is that it’s just not that well known. People just don’t have a clue about how good it is. They’d rather watch crappy TNT and USA programming than a show that’s unbelievable. I will be perfectly honest and say I didn’t know it existed for the first 3 seasons due to being unaware. People still don’t know the show exists as proof by the numbers. I’m sure there are better reasons for this occurrence but it truly just boggles my mind this show doesn’t get more notoriety.

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:35:27-04:00August 1st, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

The Best TV Series Ever

This webpage does a better job than me in ranking TV shows but I still have an opinion. I think that my 1,2,3 are without a doubt the best shows ever created. The excitement that’s created from these shows is what makes them top the list. This type of excitement isn’t found in network TV. Here are my 3 top TV series ever and then quick run down of some others that I’ve liked.

3. Breaking Bad

I think I finished the first 3 seasons on Netflix in 2 weeks and then watched the 4th in 3 days on tvlinks.eu. After every episode I couldn’t wait to start the next episode. The dynamic between Jesse and Walt is just pure chemistry and then your throw in awesome characters like Saul Goodman, Gus, and Mike the hitman. Seriously the characters are awesome, the story is awesome, and I can’t wait to see how they conclude in Season 5.

2. The Sopranos

I didn’t start the Soprano’s until 2011 and I watched all 7 or so seasons in a few months on HBOGo.com. This was really an effective way to watch it and I’m glad that I didn’t just dismiss the Soprano’s even though I was late to the show. Tony is one of the best protagonists of all time with great supporting roles from Little Steven (Dante), Tony Sirico (Pauly) and Michael Imperioli (Christopher). You really feel a part of a Mafia family and the details really make the show. I will add that I think it started to head downhill when AJ started getting older and Vito came out of the closet. The ending seasons weren’t nearly as good as the beginning.

1. The Wire

It’s been about 5 years since I watched all the seasons of the Wire and I probably won’t have nearly as good as a review as if it were fresh in my mind. I just remember watching episode after episode and just not stopping until I finished the season. McNulty became my hero for those weeks while watching. I started ordering Jameson at the bar and just thinking I was a real bad ass. Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell are recognizable in any circle unless your circle sucks. Even Marlow did a good job of filling the shoes. Plus they made the gangster Omar the hardest gay man alive. This shows realism is what sets it apart. The detective work combined with the drug trade in Baltimore was phenomenal for the 5 seasons it had. Deserved of this #1 spot.

Notables
Dexter – Really lagging in its later seasons. The Ice Truck Killer through the Trinity Killer were dynamite, since, not so much.
Californication – An edgy show that makes sexual situations hilarious.
Modern Family – The best comedy on Network TV.
Freaks and Geeks – A good series about high school life. I’ll lend my DVD’s to anyone who asks.

Shows I still have to watch:
Arrested Development – I’m 15 episodes and don’t really see the significant hype
Mad Men – I watched episode 1 and didn’t find it good.
Louie – I hear it’s good
Homeland – Good reviews
Shameless – Watched the first 2 episodes and didn’t really get it

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:43:41-04:00February 1st, 2012|Tv|1 Comment

Tabloid Tuesday – Jennifer Diley on American Idol

Those are some tiny shorts but that is one fine body. I think it’s her complexion which is really great too. Pointing out how hot this 19 year old though isn’t the reason for this post. This girl doesn’t need to win this contest to make it in life. Just by being on this show and being seen by 10+ million viewers will initiate some sort of positive reaction. I thought it was hilarious when Seacrest asks her “what would you do if you weren’t singing” and she answers with working with animals or kids. How about modeling? How about Playboy after this audition? This type of exposure is what millions of people around the world long for. I’m surprised more people don’t dress up like whores and pretend to sing just for the attention. The other story is that apparently 10 minutes before Diley went to audition Steven Tyler told her she would guarantee pass to the next round. Oops!

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:44:05-04:00January 24th, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Alcatraz on Fox

Just a quick post on this new show because I spent 2 hours watching it. I think it’s retarded. First off it’s network TV which means it’s immediately dumbed down. The characters are borderline awful. Sam Neill is decent but the other characters have no chemistry whatsoever. The lead girl is just so generic and her and the fat guy from Lost are supposed to carry the show? They can’t and they won’t. I also was cringing at the end of the 2nd episode the way the final scene with the sniper played out. What kind of police work was that?

I was immediately put off when they have a guy not aging after he disappears and the idea seems to be some sort of time travel masterminded by a “villain”. From all the twists I’ve been watching lately it wouldn’t surprise me if Sam Neill is behind it all. Problem being, I just don’t care. Like this mystery of how the one girl who got shot in the 2nd episode and how she was in 1960 is supposed to keep me wondering what’s going on. All I’m wondering is why the hell am I watching the show. It probably wasn’t as bad as I’m making it out but compared to all the actual good shows out there, there is better TV to watch. I won’t be tuning in next week because the chance of this show coming to fruition is exactly 0.

By Tom Stortz|2016-11-01T23:27:30-04:00January 16th, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Shipping Wars on A&E

A new show on A&E is called Shipping Wars and I find is pretty fascinating. It is a show about truckers who pick up items and deliver them around the country. They bid on cargo which ranged from a boat, a telephone booth, a Venus fly trap and a 3,800 lb bronco. This hit me in a real life scenario because just recently I was in a situation of moving 4 skids, 1,200 lbs each, from Philly to Brooklyn and it’s not nearly as easy as you think. Loading them onto a truck, marking sure the skids fit, finding the location, and generally dealing with driving a truck takes experience. I think this show does a great job of showing the realism of moving cargo across the country. The characters are pretty entertaining too as they range from experienced drivers to complete noobs. Watching the noobs get themselves in sticky situations that end up costing them money is great. I also find it really neat how the better movers are able to tackle difficult items and load them on a truck. Watching the one guy Jarrett not know whether he can fit the cargo and constantly low ball items is hilarious. I actually found the whole concept awesome.

By Tom Stortz|2016-11-01T23:27:21-04:00January 10th, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Watching a TV Series

Anyone else find it extremely difficult watching a TV series week to week? 7 day break for a half hour (or hour) of television? Not to mention that each season is separated by months and month of inactivity. I noticed this especially with Californication last night when I couldn’t remember who the hell Karen’s new husband was. I know I’ve seen him before somewhere in the previous 4 seasons but I couldn’t remember him or just about any of the other plots in past seasons. Which brings me to the point that the best way to watch TV is through DVD’s all at once. I won’t even bother starting watching episodes of a show that’s new because I just wait for the reviews and decide if I want to watch in one shot. This worked splendid for Breaking Bad as I got to catch up on 3 seasons in a 7 day period and now am anxiously awaiting how I’m going to watch the 4th, plus I’m geared up for any new material. I also notice this in books too. I read all the Game of Thrones books and am waiting on the 6th of the series and I already forget what happened in the past 5 books. It just doesn’t make me want to take on anything new without hearing whether its worth it or not. I’m considering watching Shameless because I’ve heard people say it’s a good show. That varies greatly from trying to just pick up a show like Fox’s Alcatraz which I find mildly interesting but most likely won’t waste my time on a week to week basis. I think this just moves into the shift of 2012 of entertaining yourself in a more efficient process. I can’t be the only person to watch TV this way.

By Tom Stortz|2016-11-01T23:27:39-04:00January 9th, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Storage War Episodes 1/3/12

New episode, Brandi’s First Time (yeah right), of Storage Wars aired tonight and it proved one thing for sure, the show is way better without Jarrod. Coming from a complete character perspective without the looks, Brandi has way more balls than Jarrod in the bidding process. The fact that she goes after units without backing down at all really worked in this episode. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for her considering she lost 2k on the locker but it was even more fun seeing her lose Jarrod’s money. Watching Barry puss down because he’s being “the selector” is sort of bizarre. He must be losing tons of money at these auctions but you’d think with all the fancy cars he drives, he wouldn’t care. The whole high fiving with Darrell and his son is really, well, gay. Dave Hester seems to have evaporated from the show. I feel like A&E told him to stop being such a villain because their audience is a bunch of stay at home mom’s and children. Still I thought the episode was enjoyable.

I also want to give A&E a huge thumbs up for getting that crappy Texas version off the air. Those characters were completely awful and the show flat out stunk. I’m happy to see they pulled the plug after only a couple episodes. The next episode, Hooray for Holly-Weird is starting to show an interesting dynamic that wasn’t apparent in earlier episodes. The fact that the show and the characters are growing, also means their businesses are growing. This means that they all have more capital expenditures and also an increase of pressure to come through at these auctions. I can’t tell how real this dynamic is because they could be making tens or even hundreds of thousands for the show which would pretty much negate any amount spent. Nevertheless, it’s still interesting. Another thing to notice is when Dave has 15,000 books, it might take him 10-20 years to sell them all. Seeing him act like it’s a gold mine is a little presumptuous. I liked seeing some new faces bid up the lockers as well. Barry seems to get taken on a ride every time. Watching Brandi and Jarrod fail is also sort of nice. I at least found this week’s episodes fun to watch.

Also if you haven’t read the comments on this post, they are really turning hilarious.

By Tom Stortz|2016-11-03T15:15:58-04:00January 3rd, 2012|Tv|0 Comments

Drone Wars – Storage Wars 12/21/11

In tonight’s episode you had people spending a lot of money and seemingly making out well. The valuation part of the show needs to change. That aside, its interesting to see how the prices of the lockers rise with the popularity of the show. The bidding process still seems somewhat real to me. Watching Dan push Barry aside when he flew the chopper into the locker seems too real to be staged. Darrell did seem to possess some knowledge of the contractor locker but I think they value things on retail pricing, not what Darrell can actually get. If he went to a place with all that tile, I can’t believe they’d pay 10 bucks per piece. The Jarrod bidding against Nabila did end somewhat abruptly which was odd. I find it weird when they just keep bidding against each other just because. It was nice to see Jarrod and Brandi lose on a locker especially when he just starts popping out values for items. This means he probably got his ass handed to him on it. Barry luckboxed his way to a win which seemed pretty lucky but I did learn how to tell real pearls from fake pearls (real are gritty against your teeth). That is one thing I do like about the show, it does give you an idea of what to look for and a general valuation. Interesting episode but the formula is getting routine.

By Tom Stortz|2016-11-03T15:16:23-04:00December 20th, 2011|Tv|0 Comments

Smoke em’ if you find em – Storage Wars 12/13/11

Now we’re talking. This episode was exciting. The addition of Nabila was exactly what the show needed. More competition, more action, more people who know what they’re doing. The idea of watching people who value a unit and then either bid up another person or actually continue bidding higher because they think the unit is valuable is interesting. Nabila getting that last locker for $450 didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me the way all the lockers were being bid up. I even liked Jarrod having the balls to continue bidding all the way up to 3,300 bucks which I believe a less experience Jarrod would have backed down on. The values of his unit were preposterous the way they were adding up 100 dollar bills with that furniture and the old golf clubs I assure you nobody would want, but naturally they hit a gem in the cigarette cases getting completely lucky. For some reason I prefer for them to lose. Barry bidding on the mystery unit was nothing unusual and seeing him lose money was also typical. I sort of liked the feel to this show more than the last few. I can’t really explain why though. I will not be watching the newest episode of the Texas show.

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:49:12-04:00December 13th, 2011|Tv|1 Comment