This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Sunday, July 22, 2007 12:00 AM

I Like to Watch

"Mad Men" leads a midsummer night's dream of new cable dramas -- but "John From Cincinnati" wipes out! Plus: Do Emmy voters watch TV?

Read other letters about this article

  • Saturday, July 21, 2007 08:39 PM

    I don't know Butchie instead.

    ho. here we go again. another reviewer who constantly rails against the tried and true railing against a non-formula program because it doesn't follow the tried and true.

    the intention of john from cinninati is mise en scene (i'm referring to the andrew sarris definition of the term) first and character-driven plot device second. and it portrays its intent quite well.

    the lack of dynamic tension drove me to distraction for the first forty minutes of the first episode.

    then i got it.

    instead of using a tried and true plot device to ratchet up expectations and deliver laughs, pathos or thrills, milch confronts with the mystical; practically daring us to deny its existence. that makes following the proceedings a little more work and a little less play, yet it is in-the-moment and exhilarating work.

    a bit like surfing.

Most Active Letters Threads

361

I'm thankful I'm not President Obama

Backers deride Katrina-style negligence, haters hate him more each day. Can this presidency be saved? Of course
332

The extreme secrecy of the federal courts

Judges are not only permitted, but required, to conceal anything the government declares to be secret.
317

Greg Craig and Obama's worsening civil liberties record

A new Time account of the fall of Obama's White House counsel sheds much light on rule of law issues.
222

Praying for Obama's death

Pastors are invoking Psalm 109 -- "May his days be few" -- in hopes of saving our country, and our souls
205

Tough-guy John Bolton, hiding under his bed

As usual, right-wing pseudo-warriors are drowning in extreme cowardice.

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon