The L Word: A free pay movie channel weekend gave me the chance to check out the critically acclaimed (they are dramatically interesting, not just nice on the eyes!) The L Word this weekend. I personally came away agreeing with a TV Guide reviewer that the show appears dramatically superior, but the characters agonize too much. The episode had at least three or four scenes with characters agonizing over some personal relationship matter, highlighting this show is not just about sexy lesbians -- it is clear "chick flick" material.
Actually, I'm not an opponent of such stuff, up to a point, and this episode crossed it. The apparently obligatory cameo of Sandra Bernard was okay. I did find the "Jordan" character refreshing, including her confusion when forced to order from a Starbucky coffee shop (overpriced and nothing special -- Dunkin Donuts also has lousy coffee -- give me black coffee off a truck any day! and why is "regular" coffee presumed to be "with milk?" is this a dairy conspiracy?).
Lizz Winstead: Meanwhile, a bit more on Lizz Winstead leaving Air America under mysterious circumstances. The buzz among those teeming hundreds that actually pay attention to Unfiltered (9-12 P.M., weekdays) is basically distraught over the whole thing, though a few don't like her breed of humor. Personally, I felt she (along with the early morning show duo) had a good chemistry with her more "straight" (not sexually) co-host, and they played off each other rather well.
It is annoying that Katherine is not given more of a chance (or is this by her choice?) to do the same with Al Franken, who clearly does need more of a safety valve from time to time (she is as liberal, but more levelheaded -- Franken is too strident at times). [The station, however, made a good decision by experimenting with hosts switching slots to fill-in for someone out that day.]
Anyway, Unfiltered suddenly (soon after the station had new management and contracts were up for renewal) had no Lizz, and now it clearly is lacking something. This, however, is but one of the problems. The other problem, one addressed by those previously mentioned fans, is that the station handled the whole thing badly. The station, a bit too isolated from listeners to begin with (content heavy, the shows often have very few calls), abruptly broke up a team that developed into a nice unit over the first year without respecting the concerns of the fans.
The week starts out with Lizz being "out," then both are out for the day, and finally it is abruptly announced that she was not coming back. And, Rachel Maddow was clearly not happy about all the developments, briefly referencing various rumors and saying she was not happy about the situation, but that it was not her decision. Blog comments suggest the station released a lame "she's seeking other options" line. Also, It appears to be a contract dispute matter.
This underlines my comment a few days ago that if we want to change the system, which is a major concern of Air America (it does not like the Republicans too much), we have to serve as role models. We have to show by our actions that an alternative way is possible. It is blatantly hypocritical to complain about the dictatorial moves of the Bush Administration with its penchant for autocratic abrupt actions with no openness allowed and then do something like this.
Air America is not supposed to be just another radio station, where a popular host just disappears without a chance to say goodbye [and like the Bush Administration's removal of distasteful details of fact, its website edited to remove any official mention of her] or the loyal listeners at least being given an opportunity to know what is going on. Yes, it is a business, but the whole ethos of Air America is that business should be regulated and act in socially enlightened ways ... and still manage to thrive.
As one Air America blog comment suggested, how can Unfiltered* have a "burying the lede" feature when the station itself buries the true nature of the departure of one of the show's hosts? This is a lousy way for it to approach the station's one year anniversary.
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* A "uncompromising program [that] puts politics and culture through the wringer, uncensored and unfiltered." This is not as lame as the suggestion that occasional guest Chuck D is a "co-host" but still.