This summer I've been sucked into an old favorite. TNT has remade the Dallas franchise of the '80s. Nope, they didn't re-cast JR and Bobby or Miss Ellie or Jock. They've taken the show to the present - JR and Bobby's sons (John Ross and Christopher) are the 'leads' now. They're fighting it out over South Fork while JR and Bobby wage their own war.
When I heard about the new show I was immediately excited, especially when I learned it wasn't a remake but a rejuvenation (that's how I describe it) of the old show. Cliff showed up a couple of weeks ago, Sue Ellen has a recurring role and I hope we might see Pam at some point - although Bobby's new wife Anne is great. No whiney/whimpering from her. No, sir. And she can shoot, too.
Romance novels are a little bit like this for me - because the formula (I hate that word, bear with me) is the same book to book: boy meets girl (or other boy, whatevs), sparks fly, Something Happens, boy and girl are separated, boy and girl make their way back to one another.
It's a comfort thing. I can root for the couple (like I root for Bobby and Christopher to win), I can enjoy the ride (like when JR or John Ross pull a fast one) and I hope beyond reason until they reunite (because we know, at some point, family will win...even with the Ewings).
So this summer as I'm writing my own version of a Texas family, Dallas has reminded me of one of the reasons I've loved Texas since I was a kid: those darn Ewings! The love-hate relationships, the big oil aspects and the family drama...makes for a nice, 60 minute escape from my ordinary life. Just as I hope my books give readers an couple-hour escape from their routine.
Do you have a favorite show - or book or movie - that helps you escape?
When I heard about the new show I was immediately excited, especially when I learned it wasn't a remake but a rejuvenation (that's how I describe it) of the old show. Cliff showed up a couple of weeks ago, Sue Ellen has a recurring role and I hope we might see Pam at some point - although Bobby's new wife Anne is great. No whiney/whimpering from her. No, sir. And she can shoot, too.
Romance novels are a little bit like this for me - because the formula (I hate that word, bear with me) is the same book to book: boy meets girl (or other boy, whatevs), sparks fly, Something Happens, boy and girl are separated, boy and girl make their way back to one another.
It's a comfort thing. I can root for the couple (like I root for Bobby and Christopher to win), I can enjoy the ride (like when JR or John Ross pull a fast one) and I hope beyond reason until they reunite (because we know, at some point, family will win...even with the Ewings).
So this summer as I'm writing my own version of a Texas family, Dallas has reminded me of one of the reasons I've loved Texas since I was a kid: those darn Ewings! The love-hate relationships, the big oil aspects and the family drama...makes for a nice, 60 minute escape from my ordinary life. Just as I hope my books give readers an couple-hour escape from their routine.
Do you have a favorite show - or book or movie - that helps you escape?
I watch THE WEST WING over and over (I own the whole series). Aaron Sorkin is my TV version of Kathleen Gilles Seidel--if he wrote (or created) the show, I'll watch it.
ReplyDeleteLiz,you should try Newsroom. If you don't have HBO, wait for it on DVD---it is classic Sorkin and Oh, so good. Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy is the anchor I want in real life.
DeleteI'm with you, Aaron Sorkin could write a napkin and I'd read it. Obsessively.
Summer television welcomes some of my favorite shows back---White Collar--just watching Matt Bomer provides escapism. Burn Notice, Suits, and Leverage--all a little outlandish that you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I love the West Wing! And, Margie, just found Newsroom - which makes me ROFL remembering the newsrooms I've been part of! - and love it! Oh, Burn Notice...Now I'm sounding like a TV-aholic!
ReplyDeleteI am a total tv-aholic! Nothing wrong with that :)
DeleteI like fantasy. I love Game of Thrones and Once Upon A Time. The drama and the magic gets me every time.
ReplyDelete