I don't watch a lot of TV these days. Let me qualify that-- I don't watch a lot of scripted programs nowadays. NFL and NCAA regular and postseason make me rearrange gall-bladder operations... and the NBA and MLB playoffs catch my eye until the teams I love and teams I hate are bounced. But as far as network TV, first-run programming? I'm the Nielsen nightmare.
But let the record show that when I find a program-- I'm with it usually to the bitter end. And in TV, most ends are bitter. Remember how Cheers limped through its last season to an underwhelming final episode? Couldn't leave the party early. Recall how Dallas lost its way after the killing and then dreamily resurrecting Bobby? Locked in. Or how 90210-- never Shakespeare or high drama-- was completely unwatchable for the last season and a half? Hanging out at the Peach Pit. Or how much Happy Days and The Love Boat sucked in their final seasons? On the hook for every last recycled plot-- from Ted McGinley to... Ted McGinley.
Two of my shows went off the air last spring-- one to plenty of fanfare (LOST) and the other to "we've already done everything possible in sixteen different combinations-- plus every body's been killed" (24). That left me with The Office-- which will be on Threat Level Midnight with Steve Carrell (ultimate sit-com glue guy) departing-- and How I Met Your Mother.
HIMYM's premise is Bob Saget's voiceover (no stories about Uncle Jesse playing bongos for the Beach Boys or Dave Coulier hooking up with Alanis Morrissette, unfortunately) leading his kids through the journey about how he met their mother. And it's been a long and winding road. Through meeting the girl of his dreams (I'm still on the hook for Cobie Smulders) to getting engaged (Sarah Chalke never made sense) to the latest season involving a scary captain, an imploding building, and guest spots from Ben Vereen and John Lithgow as baby-daddys turned responsible men.
The season finale leads us to think that we'll meet the mother... but it never happens. Instead we're treated to Barney (played by perfection by Neil Patrick Harris) continuing his maturing from rake to nice, sweet, sensitive guy. Remember when Steve Sanders would go "sensitive" in "very special" 90210 episodes-- from "LETS CHUG!" to "Brandon, why do all the girls like you instead of me?"-- that's the amazing growth we're seeing.
This is a big moment because although the character Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) is technically the lead, Barney has long been the meal ticket for laughs-- both cheap and inspired. Over the series run, HIMYM has been a TV version of a well-drilled basketball team. Ted is the point man... running the offense through each week's premise. Marshall is the big man in the low post who provides a moral center more often than not. Barney is the small forward wildcard who can generate laughs from the inside or outside. And the girls (Robin and Lilly) screen and rebound while the guys run around like fools. I have a feeling next season will be all about Barney and his road of redemption from rake to groom. Which means more laughs, and no mother. Like that damn sled at the end of Citizen Kane, the "mother" is merely a MacGuffin-- look it up. Can't wait for September.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Turgeon a Terp as the College Coaching Carousel Continues...
So much for easing into his tenure at College Park. Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson makes the second of two program defining changes in his first year on the job. Less than six months after ending Ralph Friedgen's ten year tenure and replacing him with fresh-from-the-Fiesta Bowl Randy Edsall... Anderson replaces the retiring Gary Williams with a coach who has four straight NCAA Tournament appearances under his belt.
Mark Turgeon comes to College Park having built a program at Wichita State (Sweet Sixteen in 2006--they lost to George Mason in the regional semis)... and having continued Billy Gillespie's success at Texas A & M (averaging 24 wins in four seasons). His hoops roots are solid-- having played for Larry Brown at Kansas in the mid-80's and then having served as an assistant under Brown and Roy Williams. Turgeon's won wherever he's been... from Jacksonville State to Wichita State (2006 Sweet 16 run that ended with a loss to George Mason) to Texas A & M.
His tenure in College Station saw four NCAA appearances-- one #5 seed, one 7th seed and two #9's... going 3-4 with three trips to the round of 32 (sorry, NCAA-I can't call it "Third Round" just yet). A&M gained the reputation as a guard oriented team under his tenure... playing man to man with occasional zone defensively. Turgeon's recruited locally in the Lone Star State (8 of 14 players on last years roster) and will likely maintain his contacts in Houston and Dallas. He's not unfamiliar with ACC country-- having landed players from Baltimore, South Carolina and Miami in recent years.
The more things change-- the more they stay the same. In 1989 Maryland hired a 44-year old coach who'd been at three stops previously with an average record of 19-12 over 11 seasons. This year the Terps tap a 46-year old who'd had three previous head coaching jobs-- averaging a 19-12 mark over 13 seasons. This in no way guarantees Turgeon will be a slam-dunk... but all signs point to this being a good move for both the new coach and his new employer.
Foggy Bottom Forecast-- George Washington brings Mike Lonergan home to the district... the onetime Catholic University coach (led the Cardinals to the 2001 Division III National Championship) comes to the Smith Center fresh off six successful seasons at Vermont (including 2010 NCAA and 2011 NIT appearances). Lonergan looks to bring an up-tempo feel to the Colonials and can definitely build on the progress begun by coach Karl Hobbs over the last decade. Different types of coaches have won at GW, from Mike Jarvis to Tom Penders to Hobbs... and there's no reason to think Lonergan won't do the same.
VACANCY-- Navy has an opening... after seven seasons at the helm, Billy Lange leaves Annapolis for Jay Wright's staff at Villanova. The Midshipmen were 93-113 under his guidance-- with a peak of 19-11 two years ago and a second place Patriot League finish in 2008. He'd previously been an assistant with the Wildcats. Navy's last postseason appearance came in 1998 under Don DeVoe... and the troubles of recruiting to a service academy (one with height restrictions to boot) is always a challenge in basketball.
Mark Turgeon comes to College Park having built a program at Wichita State (Sweet Sixteen in 2006--they lost to George Mason in the regional semis)... and having continued Billy Gillespie's success at Texas A & M (averaging 24 wins in four seasons). His hoops roots are solid-- having played for Larry Brown at Kansas in the mid-80's and then having served as an assistant under Brown and Roy Williams. Turgeon's won wherever he's been... from Jacksonville State to Wichita State (2006 Sweet 16 run that ended with a loss to George Mason) to Texas A & M.
His tenure in College Station saw four NCAA appearances-- one #5 seed, one 7th seed and two #9's... going 3-4 with three trips to the round of 32 (sorry, NCAA-I can't call it "Third Round" just yet). A&M gained the reputation as a guard oriented team under his tenure... playing man to man with occasional zone defensively. Turgeon's recruited locally in the Lone Star State (8 of 14 players on last years roster) and will likely maintain his contacts in Houston and Dallas. He's not unfamiliar with ACC country-- having landed players from Baltimore, South Carolina and Miami in recent years.
The more things change-- the more they stay the same. In 1989 Maryland hired a 44-year old coach who'd been at three stops previously with an average record of 19-12 over 11 seasons. This year the Terps tap a 46-year old who'd had three previous head coaching jobs-- averaging a 19-12 mark over 13 seasons. This in no way guarantees Turgeon will be a slam-dunk... but all signs point to this being a good move for both the new coach and his new employer.
Foggy Bottom Forecast-- George Washington brings Mike Lonergan home to the district... the onetime Catholic University coach (led the Cardinals to the 2001 Division III National Championship) comes to the Smith Center fresh off six successful seasons at Vermont (including 2010 NCAA and 2011 NIT appearances). Lonergan looks to bring an up-tempo feel to the Colonials and can definitely build on the progress begun by coach Karl Hobbs over the last decade. Different types of coaches have won at GW, from Mike Jarvis to Tom Penders to Hobbs... and there's no reason to think Lonergan won't do the same.
VACANCY-- Navy has an opening... after seven seasons at the helm, Billy Lange leaves Annapolis for Jay Wright's staff at Villanova. The Midshipmen were 93-113 under his guidance-- with a peak of 19-11 two years ago and a second place Patriot League finish in 2008. He'd previously been an assistant with the Wildcats. Navy's last postseason appearance came in 1998 under Don DeVoe... and the troubles of recruiting to a service academy (one with height restrictions to boot) is always a challenge in basketball.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Gary Gone-- in other words... Williams waves goodbye.
Gary Williams retiring should not be a surprise.
He's 66 years old in a sport dominated by much younger men willing to recruit 24-7/365. While his age is merely a number, his attitude is regarded as antiquated: Williams has remained above the fray in an era when even the seemingly righteous run into ethical issues bringing players to campus... and the questionably dirty are downright filthy. And he's accomplished everything a coach could: guiding his Alma mater to a first ever Final Four... and then a National Title a year later... followed by an ACC Tournament title (as a #6 seed with an overtime win over Duke in the finals) two seasons after that. Plus, he outlasted his biggest critic as former Athletic Director Debbie Yow is reduced to firing shots from Raleigh.
Why now, though? Why make this move in May? Finding a successor of his caliber will be nearly impossible. The next Maryland coach will also have to fill the huge hole of Jordan Williams-- now officially departing for the NBA. Regardless... this is opportunity #2 for less than a year at the helm Athletic Director Kevin Anderson to make a statement hire. Or is it in the best interests longterm of this program to hire a stop-gap for a year... and then open the job again in 2012 when the candidate field will be better and more apt to make a move?
Gary Williams rebuilt a proud program from the dark, dismal days of the Bob Wade era (what's worse than 0-14 in the ACC? How about double-secret probation!) and guided the Terps to places they only dreamed about. The gold standard of Maryland basketball remains the era that began during Joe Smith's freshman year (and the takedown of Georgetown)... the first of eleven straight NCAA seasons (wrapping up with the improbable ACC title run). In the seven years since-- just a pair of over-500 in the ACC seasons...one trip to conference semifinals and no sweet sixteens at a program that was beginning to expect such situations as annual birthrights. So despite the fact that nobody will ever coach this team and represent this program as well as Gary, maybe it is time for him to walk off into the sunset.
Williams retirement also completes a near-clean break from the ACC's glory days: eight schools with no play-in games or rounds come conference tournament time... a coaching fraternity that included Dean Smith and Jim Valvano... as well as Bobby Cremins and Terry Holland. The league has morphed from hoops heaven with a football chaser into a football wannabe plus an unwieldy basketball bonanza... and Coach K is now the only link to the 80's... or even the 90's. And the best basketball league has now been turned into a Blue Devil playpen (10 of last 13 tournament titles). Gary's been the second-longest tenured coach for some time-- now that honor (do we dare call it the Prince Charles Award?) goes to Florida State's Leonard Hamilton.
He's 66 years old in a sport dominated by much younger men willing to recruit 24-7/365. While his age is merely a number, his attitude is regarded as antiquated: Williams has remained above the fray in an era when even the seemingly righteous run into ethical issues bringing players to campus... and the questionably dirty are downright filthy. And he's accomplished everything a coach could: guiding his Alma mater to a first ever Final Four... and then a National Title a year later... followed by an ACC Tournament title (as a #6 seed with an overtime win over Duke in the finals) two seasons after that. Plus, he outlasted his biggest critic as former Athletic Director Debbie Yow is reduced to firing shots from Raleigh.
Why now, though? Why make this move in May? Finding a successor of his caliber will be nearly impossible. The next Maryland coach will also have to fill the huge hole of Jordan Williams-- now officially departing for the NBA. Regardless... this is opportunity #2 for less than a year at the helm Athletic Director Kevin Anderson to make a statement hire. Or is it in the best interests longterm of this program to hire a stop-gap for a year... and then open the job again in 2012 when the candidate field will be better and more apt to make a move?
Gary Williams rebuilt a proud program from the dark, dismal days of the Bob Wade era (what's worse than 0-14 in the ACC? How about double-secret probation!) and guided the Terps to places they only dreamed about. The gold standard of Maryland basketball remains the era that began during Joe Smith's freshman year (and the takedown of Georgetown)... the first of eleven straight NCAA seasons (wrapping up with the improbable ACC title run). In the seven years since-- just a pair of over-500 in the ACC seasons...one trip to conference semifinals and no sweet sixteens at a program that was beginning to expect such situations as annual birthrights. So despite the fact that nobody will ever coach this team and represent this program as well as Gary, maybe it is time for him to walk off into the sunset.
Williams retirement also completes a near-clean break from the ACC's glory days: eight schools with no play-in games or rounds come conference tournament time... a coaching fraternity that included Dean Smith and Jim Valvano... as well as Bobby Cremins and Terry Holland. The league has morphed from hoops heaven with a football chaser into a football wannabe plus an unwieldy basketball bonanza... and Coach K is now the only link to the 80's... or even the 90's. And the best basketball league has now been turned into a Blue Devil playpen (10 of last 13 tournament titles). Gary's been the second-longest tenured coach for some time-- now that honor (do we dare call it the Prince Charles Award?) goes to Florida State's Leonard Hamilton.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Drafting Dozen- and will the sun set in the sunshine state?
Another step from the NFL wilderness was taken by the Burgundy and Gold as the brain trust of Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan not only kept their original allotment of draft picks... but added picks through trades and had a total of 12 selections-- their most since 1985. And that was with a 12-round draft and five picks after the seventh round. This year's crop features 8 of the first 178 players picked. Can Ryan Kerrigan adjust from being a 4-3 defensive end into a 3-4 outside linebacker? Will Jarvis Jenkins solve the nosetackle issues? How quickly will Leonard Hankerson affect the passing game (let's be honest, the Skins haven't had great luck drafting wide receivers recently)? And will the band start to learn the lyics to "Hail to the Huskers"? With twelve picks, you'd think at least four or five will work their way into the two-deep--with most of the rest getting a "redshirt year" on the practice squad. It's a shame the lockout is preventing this year's rookie class from assimilating itself to the Redskin system.
Capsized-- Two games at home against Tampa Bay-- and two tough losses that saw Dwayne Roloson turn into a brick wall (61 saves on 65 shots)... a power play vanish (0 for 11)... and a bad line change turn into a game losing goal in overtime. Down 0-2 with two games on back to back nights in the Tampa Bay the Bruce Boudreau Era is meeting its moment of truth. Another early exit could doom a regime that has revitalized the Red... as well as hockey in the district.
Capsized-- Two games at home against Tampa Bay-- and two tough losses that saw Dwayne Roloson turn into a brick wall (61 saves on 65 shots)... a power play vanish (0 for 11)... and a bad line change turn into a game losing goal in overtime. Down 0-2 with two games on back to back nights in the Tampa Bay the Bruce Boudreau Era is meeting its moment of truth. Another early exit could doom a regime that has revitalized the Red... as well as hockey in the district.
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