"Cheer up, Hamlet; chin up, Hamlet; buck up, you melancholy Dane!"

[mandolin]

So I posted apologizing for being MIA and said I'd be catching up on comments and then... promptly disappeared again. Heh.

Well, my earlier comments still stand. I just spent the weekend visiting family and enjoying the last of the warm weather we're going to have for a while. So I didn't get a chance to post about my latest TV addiction.

Putting the back half of the house together has been a slow process, partly because I've been using the opportunity to reorganize while I'm at it and partly because stuff keeps disappearing randomly. I still can't find my second Wii nunchuck. In the meantime, I've been watching a lot of Netflix Instant play because hooking up the Wii to the small TV is a lot simpler and quicker than assembling the VCR/cablebox/ big TV/ corner TV stand. Last Friday night, I was idly scrolling through stuff to watch and wasn't in the mood for anything on my queue. So for the heck of it I decided to see what titles Netflix thought I would love - if nothing else, I figured it would provide me with a good laugh.

At the end of the list, I found Season 1 of Slings & Arrows.

I remembered hearing about the show a few years back when I was in an RP that had a Geoffrey and an Ellen and was amused that Paul Gross (Fraser of Due South) had gone from playing a straight-laced Mountie to an unhinged theatre director. Curious, I decided to start watching, and had finished off Season 1 by Saturday afternoon. (Each season is only 6 episodes long. I did get some sleep in between.)

I can't believe it took me three whole years to start watching the show. The premise is right up my alley, Shakespeare nut that I am, and brought back a lot of fond and not-so-fond memories of Tech Weeks past. The series revolves around a Shakespearean theater festival and its constant troubles, which involve a fairly unhinged artistic director, the ghost of the former director, and the business manager's tendency to be constantly led around by the nose by his corporate sponsor.

Seriously, just watch the trailer - it explains Season 1 better than I can.

Also, to all the friends who were Due South fanatics back in high school: I finally understand how hot Paul Gross is. Seriously. I caught a few episodes of Due South when it was on, appreciated how good he looked in uniform, but after watching him in Slings & Arrows, I finally get it. I am so sorry I never had the chance to see him do Hamlet in the Stratford Festival, because damn. We were two years too early, jennies.

Anyway, if I've piqued anyone's interest, all three seasons are available on Netflix Instant Play. Each season is six episodes long, so it's not an incredibly long viewing experience. (I will say that Season 1 picks up in the second episode - the first is largely setup, exposition, and a way of showing how blah Oliver's direction has become...) Also, the theme song will get stuck in your head, fair warning.

Sorry for the shameless plug, but I've been sitting on this for a few days and haven't been near the computer to post about it.

Comments

[mtgat]

"Slings & Arrows" is the single best series I've ever seen. *draws sparkly hearts*

[weirdweb.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I keep re-watching episodes of it over and over again. This is a very rare occurrence for me with a TV show lately. (Mostly the final performances, but dear God, watching Geoffrey completely freak Harry out throughout the entire "Macbeth" performance never gets old.)

[atalantapendrag.livejournal.com]

Oh my yes, Slings & Arrows is awesome! All three seasons are good in difference ways, but Paul Gross never falters.

[weirdweb.livejournal.com]

I still cannot believe it took me this long to pick up. The S&A invasion of Hogwarts Hocus was what, three years ago now?

[beachmom.livejournal.com]

I have your nunchuck up for hostage!

[weirdweb.livejournal.com]

And I'm glad it's in good hands. ♥