Tag Archives: Television

David Letterman, Full Circle

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Tom Garrett

I don’t know which fact is more surprising (depressing?): 1. David Letterman is older than Johnny Carson was when Carson retired. 2. I’m older than David Letterman was when he began hosting Late Night. When Johnny Carson aired his final Tonight … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged Andy Kaufman, CBS, Chris Elliott, Commentary, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Johnny Carson, NBC, Paul Shaffer, Television, The Late Show, The Tonight Show | 5 Comments

A Last Word on Mad Men

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Tom Garrett

I began to get worried at about 10:58. Realizing there wasn’t much time left in the series, I wondered how Matthew Weiner would be able to conclude Mad Men in a way that made sense and was true to the characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged AMC, Commentary, Don Draper, Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, Michael Ginsberg, Pete Campbell, Reviews, Roger Sterling, Television | 49 Comments

At the End, What Do We Make of Mad Men?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Tom Garrett

The “Mount Rushmore of ________” is a tired construct at this point, but still serves a decent enough purpose: Trying to winnow down a presumably deep category to its four best examples can be a worthwhile exercise. When I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged AMC, Commentary, Don Draper, Joan Harris, Mad Men, Peggy Olson, Pete Campbell, Roger Sterling, Television | 1 Comment

The Most Transitional WrestleMania of All Time!

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Tom Garrett

WrestleMania has always been a little different. From its inception, when it was the only annual pay-per-view in the World Wrestling Federation’s arsenal, celebrity involvement was a point of emphasis. From Liberace to Billy Martin to Muhammad Ali, the WWF … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Television, Uncategorized | Tagged Bork Laser, Bray Wyatt, Brie Bella, Brock Lesnar, Commentary, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Hideo Itami, John Cena, Lana, Nikki Bella, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Rusev, Sheamus, Sports, Sports Entertainment, Sting, Television, The Undertaker, Triple H, WrestleMania, WrestleMania 31, WWE | Leave a comment

Booking Brock

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Last month, Brock Lesnar committed acts of violence rarely witnessed on contemporary WWE programming. Not only that, but he perpetrated those acts against then-WWE Champion and “face of the company” John Cena. This was exactly what should have happened. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Brock Lesnar, Commentary, John Cena, Narrative Integrity, Night of Champions, Paul Heyman, Sports Entertainment, Television, WWE | Leave a comment

Beast For Business – SummerSlam 2014

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Tom Garrett

In just a few days’ time, shrewd businessman and creative genius Vince McMahon’s troupe of fairly compensated independent contractors will put on their second-biggest show of the year. Originating from its now-annual home, L.A.’s Staples Center, SummerSlam features a complete … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Bork Laser, Brock Lesnar, Commentary, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Lana, Paul Heyman, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Rusev, Sports, SummerSlam, Television, The Miz, WWE, Zeb Colter | 4 Comments

RAW in Richmond

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Due to a last-minute offer of (excellent) tickets, I was able to catch Monday Night RAW in person at the Richmond Coliseum this week. Here, in no particular order, are some observations and live impressions that I’ll jot down before loading up the television … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged Commentary, Dean Ambrose, John Cena, Monday Night Raw, Pro Wrestling, Reviews, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Sports Entertainment, Sting, Television, The Miz, WWE | 2 Comments

This is How You Heel

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Three weeks ago, I discussed the looming problem the WWE has in light of its use of heels with face-like qualities. Summarizing, the WWE has embraced the “smart” reaction to effective heels, essentially turning any heel who gets over into … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Chris Jericho, Commentary, Dean Ambrose, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Sam Roberts, Sports, Television, The Miz, WWE | Leave a comment

The WWE Has a Big Problem. Here’s the Solution. Really.

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Tom Garrett

The WWE has a problem. Surprisingly, I’m not talking about anything related to stock value or corporate governance. I’m referring specifically to the aspect of pro wrestling that matters most to me as a fan: Storytelling. And, whether the creative … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged Bad News Barrett, Bray Wyatt, CM Punk, Commentary, John Cena, Monday Night Raw, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Television, The Miz, Wade Barrett, WWE | 6 Comments

YES-lemania: The WrestleMania 30 Preview

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Tom Garrett

A scant four weeks ago, I was convinced that WrestleMania XXX was in big trouble. It looked for all the world that the WWE had an almost insurmountable task ahead of it creatively. Specifically, it appeared as though the main … Continue reading →