Showtime

Showtime’s ‘Nurse Jackie’ Starring Edie Falco

On May 7, 2009, In Celebrity, Television, Video, By LisaT

I was treated to a screening of the first two episodes of the new Showtime series Nurse Jackie a few days ago and holy crap, I think I have to add a new favorite show to my list. Already a staunch follower of Dexter, which led to my subsequent obsession with the book series on which it is based, the last thing I need is another awesome show to add to my list of things to watch. Alas, Edie Falco delivers such a great performance in Nurse Jackie, that I have no other choice.

Nurse Jackie is a classic anti-hero and Falco tears into the role with quick wit, a close-cropped haircut and convincing pathos in the spirit of any great compelling-yet-morally-flawed television character. Those tend to be my favorites. After spending years playing the frustrated mafia wife to James Gandolfini‘s perpetually unfaithful Tony Soprano, it surely must be a refreshing turn for Falco to flex her acting muscles and get a chance to be the one who gets to be naughty.

And it’s quite an acting muscle indeed. I already was impressed by her turn on 30 Rock as the polished politician engaged in a romantic relationship with Alec Baldwin, which revealed her comedic timing and ability to transform herself so easily out of the Carmela Soprano persona she’d conveyed so convincingly for so long. In her new Showtime series, Falco reveals that she’s more than just a skilled supporting character actress and in fact, I’ll be very curious to see what this first season holds for Nurse Jackie.

It’s worth mentioning that the entire cast of the show plays a charming array of supporting characters. Each one, from the doe-eyed first year nursing student who finds herself alternately throwing up and attempt to win over her coworkers with muffins, to the impeccably dressed female doctor with whom Jackie shares a close friendship, hint at some promising storylines down the road.

My personal favorite is Peter Facinelli, who plays a hapless doctor with an uncanny talent for diagnosis that is overshadowed by his nervous tic of acting out in inappropriate sexual advances when exposed to stress and his determination to maintain an uber-cool “Hey bro” persona. Between his role as Dr. Carlisle in Twilight film series and his new gig on Nurse Jackie, prepare to see lots of him in a lab coat over the next few years—and to love it.

Nurse Jackie premieres on Showtime on June 8 at 10:30 PM.

Tagged with: Edie Falco • Nurse Jackie • Peter Facinelli • Reviews • Showtime • Television

The United States of Tara

On January 15, 2009, In Celebrity, Television, Video, By LisaT

As I’ve found with most of my favorite Showtime shows, a certain suspension of disbelief is required in order to really get into their new series The United States of Tara. Because I don’t have an in-depth understanding of multiple personality disorder (except that I know it’s extremely rare in real-life, but a really convenient way to end an episode of any given procedural crime drama), I can’t refute the way it’s portrayed onscreen.

Suffice to say, I have my doubts, but mostly because shady Diablo Cody is involved. Her influence is apparent any and every time anyone under the age of twenty opens their mouths, including Tara’s teenage alter-ego “T.”

However, because I have much love for the star of the series, who is none other than Australian actress Toni Collette, I am able to put my reservations aside and revel in her performance. Much like one of my other favorite actresses, Kate Winslet, Collette is clearly comfortable with her body enough to joke about having a “muffin top,” flaunt her real-life jiggles in both “mom briefs” and sparkly, teenage G-strings, an occurrence that I feel (or maybe just hope) is becoming less rare these days on television.

You can watch the first episode here on YouTube. In case you haven’t yet, you should change your YouTube settings on your computer to utilize the ability to always watch video on the highest quality available. It makes a huge difference, and you should do it, if you’ve got the speed and bandwidth for it.

Tagged with: Psychology • Showtime • Television • The United States of Tara • Toni Collette

Oopsie

On October 27, 2008, In Celebrity, Food, Weird, By LisaT

So I upgraded to the newest version of WordPress. I’m pretty sure I did something wrong because now there are pictures missing and just links where they used to be. Sigh.

Of course.

Needless to say, it’s kind of late on a Monday night and I’m just waiting up for Keegan to get home from the Kings game and worrying that I might be getting a sore throat. Grr.

Earlier today, we had donuts in the break room and it’s not until now that I’m remembering how many I ate and…for a second, I felt a little donut eater’s remorse. But now I just kind of feel like…I wish I had some right now. I think it’s time for some pbj.

Keegan has recently told me that this actress reminds him of me. I can’t tell if I really believe that we look alike. It wasn’t until this morning that I mentioned it to Robbie and he told me that it was really her character on Dexter more than anything else.

“Yeah, I could totally see that. Because you’re…” and I interjected before he could worry about my reaction, “a total tomboy.” He said brightly, “I didn’t want to offend you because I was going to say ‘one of the guys.’”

It’s all good, Robbie. I know how I roll. Like a police officer with a blood spatter specialist serial killer for a brother. Funny thing is, I don’t even have a brother.

Now, about that sandwich…

Tagged with: Dexter • Doppelganger • Food • Jennifer Carpenter • Showtime