monk and mary

Working nights at the coffee shop gives me absolutely no time to watch television. My knowledge of the latest shows is nonexistent. I used to watch the Simpsons on a regular basis. Then I started working every Sunday night, and I can honestly say I haven’t watched a new episode of the Simpsons on Sunday night in three or four years. You Tube has given me a Halloween show or two, but my knowledge of my favorite show is lagging.

Needless to say, I haven’t picked up a new favorite show in quite a while. The last show I tried was Lost when it premiered four years ago, but I couldn’t get into it. My favorite shows now are Sports Center and whatever is on the Military Channel at two or three in the morning. Encore movies round out my viewing pleasures, but I can only watch Mystery Men so many times before I want something different.

Monday afternoon last week I had a rare opportunity. As I thawed my dinner around four in the afternoon I made my usual rounds – what’s on ESPN, what’s on Military Channel, what movies are on Encore – and I noticed Monk was on USA. I’ve heard a lot about Monk. Apparently it’s a popular show and quite funny. I gave it a shot. I suppose I caught the first episode, because it was like the introduction of Monk. Watch the OCD guy and laugh at him because he’s not like you. The funny parts were funny. I’ll give it that. When you make a mystery show, though, it’s best not to solve the mystery in the first five minutes and then spend the rest of the hour having your characters fumbling to assemble the pieces the audience already has. I can’t sit for an hour wondering why the main characters are so stupid when the solution is maddeningly obvious. I guess Monk was the best detective in the city because all the others were worthlessly incompetent. I won’t be watching Monk again. It’s probably better that I don’t watch television anymore if Monk is the best they can do.

I will say that it was good to see Ted Levine in a role that got him away from Buffalo Bill. Anyone who has seen Silence of the Lambs will remember Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill. He plays the head detective on Monk. I kept expecting him to say, “You don’t know what pain is,” and, “Put the fucking lotion in the basket!” Actors like that have a rough time throwing off the one character that first brought them into the spotlight. Michael Richards will always be Kramer (and he will always be known as a crazy racist). Thomas Hayden Church had a rough time getting away from the shadow of Lowell on Wings. Skilled actors are able to play different roles and slide away from their typecast past. I think Ted Levine was in Heat, also. That’s a good movie.

Currently listening to: The Shapes We Make, by Mary Timony Band. All of my new music heroes are women. Sleater-Kinney, Kathleen Hannah, Mary Timony – they show these whiney indie boys how to do it. Just write some fucking music and stop emoting. Check out Helium, a band Mary Timony fronted in the 90’s. The Dirt of Luck is one of the best records you will ever buy.