There are a lot of new shows available at the moment, but just because something is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth wasting 30 precious minutes of your time. I realize the ones I select won’t be to every-one’s taste, but seeing as I have penchant for streaming niche US shows, at least your attention will be drawn to a wider variety. I tend to favour eclectic, eccentric shows, that are clever, insightful, and if there’s a little bit of fantasy in there as well, so much the better.
The new ones:
These have either just been released in the UK, or are on Season 1 in the USA.
Glee
A high school show based around musical numbers may sound like your idea of hell, but let me explain! This is no soppy High School Musical spin off, it’s a cynical satirical look at a high school Glee club, complete with bumbling energetic teacher and OCD therapist. It’s sharp, smart and witty, and yes, there is some singing and dancing. Enjoy watching stereotypes disintegrate (the chaste cheerleader becomes pregnant and plans to sell the baby) and they even have Joss Whedon on board to direct an episode. Yes, the WHEDON man, creator of Dollhouse and Buffy. The cheerleaders are called the ‘Cheerios’, there’s a fabulous gay kid, and somehow the show manages to really hit home with tangible points. Should be coming to the UK soon, but the first 5 episodes or so are available online *cough*. Read more…
I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a play since I heard the orchestral intro to the Terry Pratchett adaptation of Only You can Save mankind, the first book in his Johnny Maxwell trilogy. OK, that became an album rather than the stage show I anticipated, but the same heart fluttering excitement was to be had. When the above image popped into my inbox I was excited all over again, though I’d rather they’d chosen one of his Discworld novels to adapt, rather than his reworking of the Lord of the Flies.
Mark Ravenhill, creator of The Cut has adapted the book for the stage, with the first showing on November 11th 2009. There’s also a competition running in conjunction with this which gives young auteur’s the chance to get involved. The categories are for 10-14 and 15-17 year olds, and they need to film a 3 minute YouTube clip featuring an extract from the novel, with the winning entries reshot and screened in January.
Get your tickets here before they sell out!! They’re currently starting at £22 for adults, and seats are going fast.
-Trying to use my oyster card to open my front door.
