Last night, I watched the entire first season of Slings & Arrows, a Canadian television series. I didn't intend to watch both disks, but I got so wrapped up in it that I couldn't keep myself from putting that second disk in. Mostly the behind the scenes goings on of the fictitious New Burbage Theater, the series is witty, blackly funny, intelligent, and fascinating. The characters are marvelous. The series had me from the opening song:
Cheer up Hamlet
Chin up Hamlet
Buck up you melancholy Dane
So your uncle is a cad
Who murdered Dad and married Mum
That's really no excuse to be as glum as you've become
So wise up Hamlet
Rise up Hamlet
Buck up and sing the new refrain
Your incessant monologizing fills the castle with ennui
Your antic disposition is embarrassing to see
And by the way you sulky brat the answer is To Be
You're driving poor Ophelia insane
So shut up you rogue and peasant
Grow up it's most unpleasant
Cheer up you melancholy Dane
Chin up Hamlet
Buck up you melancholy Dane
So your uncle is a cad
Who murdered Dad and married Mum
That's really no excuse to be as glum as you've become
So wise up Hamlet
Rise up Hamlet
Buck up and sing the new refrain
Your incessant monologizing fills the castle with ennui
Your antic disposition is embarrassing to see
And by the way you sulky brat the answer is To Be
You're driving poor Ophelia insane
So shut up you rogue and peasant
Grow up it's most unpleasant
Cheer up you melancholy Dane
We loved all three seasons of this wonderful series! You have more to look forward to! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who finds herself going over the top when it comes to boxed sets of TV series. Buying all seven seasons of Buffy in a single box very nearly resulted in complete TV burnout.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice feeling to be caught up, huh?
ReplyDeleteBeing caught up with "reviews" is a blessing I never seem to achieve, Jenclair, so congrats on reaching that state. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been postponing one for a "stinker" for the last several days, in fact, because the author is well thought of and the book has gotten rave reviews from the big shot reviewers of the world. I may give it a shot this weekend...I really hate that I wasted my time on it but it was kind of like looking at a bad train wreck and I couldn't close it for good.
I hadn't heard of Slings and Arrows, so I went over to youtube to look at some of the episodes. What fun! Then I looked at Aaron's facebook page and saw that he's a fan of the show.
ReplyDeleteCanadaBoy was showing me other Canadian TV shows recently, like Little Mosque on The Prairie.
Robin -- I'll have to wait a bit for the next two seasons because I didn't move the next ones up on Netflix que quick enough. I'm SO looking forward to them!
ReplyDeleteAnn -- I loved Buffy from the first episode! When Angel split off, I wasn't much impressed, but then later watched them all and adored them for all of the literary references.
Lisa -- Oh, yes, being caught up feels good, even though it never lasts long.
Sam -- Since I finished one yesterday, "caught up" no longer applies. It will take me a while to decide what to say about that one.
The stinkers that get good reviews from everyone are more common than they would seem. I've had a quite a few that make me wonder about the influence a famous author and big shot reviewers have on our thinking.
Bybee -- I think you will love the series. I hope Little Mosque on the Prairie is available through Netflix! Thanks for the heads up.
the song has sold me....off to see if it can be had through our public library!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonderful season- all three seasons. One of the priests at our church told us about the series. I'm glad to hear you like it as well.
ReplyDeletekimy -- I hope the library has it! I got them through Netflix.
ReplyDeleteJill -- :) Well, that is recommendation, indeed!
my library system is THE GREATEST - I have season one on hold...... and more are available!!!
ReplyDeleteI do love Slings & Arrows. Little Mosque, well, let's just say I don't buy the premise. Corner Gas is much better!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great series, and each one features a new song! Do you remember a PBS version of Beverly Cleary's Ramona from twenty years ago? Well, Sarah Polley, who played R. is in S&A, as is her dad. He is one of the singing fellows. And Sarah P. also directed the film, Away From Her (which I posted about on my blog a while ago). The last season features King Lear, and is sadder than the others, and in fact the man who plays Lear did indeed die since it was made. I'm pretty fond of Mr. Gross.
ReplyDeleteI too loved loved LOVED "Slings and Arrows," as have all of the friends I have recommended it to (usually literature or theatre people in one way or another). It is just so smart and well constructed. I am glad you are enjoying it too!
ReplyDeleteMelanie - Haven't heard of Corner Gas! Another one to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteNan - I'm already sad because I don't want it to end!
Pour of Tor - Sometimes shows like this (especially when I can watch the episodes one right after the other) the characters seem more real than real life. These characters are all so human. I especially love Geoffrey's explaining his interpretations, his visions of the plays...it is so heart-felt!
Season 3 is on the way.