Showtime – Crasstalk

Should Polyamorous People Be Offended by Showtime’s ‘Polyamory’?

The first season of Showtime’s reality series Polyamory is nearing its end and many people are wondering what effect the show will have on the public’s perception of the polyamorous lifestyle (for those who don’t know, polyamory is the term for people who maintain loving relationships with multiple partners).

Polyamory may well have a positive effect, in that it gets people talking about a way of life that’s not familiar to many people. However there are some problems with the show that also may limit the positive effect that it could have on building awareness of the polyamorous lifestyle. Continue reading →

Meet Michael and Kamala, Showtime’s Polyamory Ambassadors

I was originally going to write a review of the Showtime reality series Polyamory, but I think any discussion of the show needs to focus on the Douche² couple that have dubbed themselves as the architects of the San Diego polyamory movement: Kamala and Michael. I understand they are also the face of a class action suit against SuperCuts. I suspect that these individuals represent the polyamory community about as effectively as Snooki represents the average woman who lives in the New Jersey area. Continue reading →

House of Lies Continues the Trend of “Despicable Chic”

Showtime just ordered a second season of its newest “quirky/awful protagonist” series House of Lies. Well, congrats, I suppose, to the writers and producers, the cast and crew, the executives and transpo guys. You have a job for at least another year. And the network has what passes for a hit these days on television. But I wonder if this “quirky/awful protagonist” business—practically patented by Showtime with series like Weeds, Californication, and Nurse Jackie—is starting to fray around the edges, turning from something fresh and interesting into something curdled and coarse. Maybe it’s just over-exposure; these protagonists seem to be turning up everywhere, not just in these half hour cable “comedies” but in feature films as well. At what point do we go from thinking, “Wow, I’ve never seen a character like this before! As the lead! How delicious!” to thinking, “I just want to have a nice cup of tea and make it go away.” For me, I think, that turning point has happened. I’m done. I love you, Don Cheadle—I love you even more, Kristen Bell—but I’m done. Continue reading →

Arrested Development Fans Rejoice! New Season and Film in the Offing

Fans of America’s favorite dysfunctional family (no, not the Lohans) are in a much better mood this morning, as word out of series creator Mitch Hurwitz is that Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi and the rest of the Bluth clan will return to the air sometime in the summer of 2013. Though, the show that Fox couldn’t figure out how to keep on the air will be a little more difficult to catch when it does air in the summer of 2013. Continue reading →