What's good, homies!? We've been lacking in TV talk over the last few months so we've decided to go all-out as we begin to close out the year! This is the New Golden Age of TV episode! "Huh? What is that?", you might ask. Fear not, your favourite Bird Boys are here to break it all down for you, discuss some of our favourite shows from this era of television, and ask some serious questions about the current and future state of TV. Join us for some spirited conversation about HBO, AMC, Netflix, Amazon, Showtime, the death of cable, and the shows we love from the latest wave of peak television!
We start this episode by giving some context to the New Golden Age and explaining how it happened, what it is, and what made it so special. When did it start (roughly)? How long did it last (or is it still going)? What are the major characteristics and conventions of the period? What circumstances (cultural, technological, or otherwise) brought about this rise in "Prestige TV' quality? Is the New Golden Age over? What's next? In answering these, we raise further questions that we intend to unpack and discuss further in the next episode.
After this, we dive into four of our favourite series from this period. We start with the show that, to many, marks the beginning of the New Golden Age and exemplifies most of the qualities that define it - "The Sopranos". Otis and other, more acclaimed critics and thinkers, suggest that it's the greatest TV show ever made. It just might be. It's a critically lauded dark and morally ambiguous anti-hero-driven series filled with humour, adult themes, realism, and violence. "The Sopranos" sets the template for everything that comes next. It had to be on the list. From there, we move to another series that shows how the "Prestige TV" formula and HBO effect trickled down into cable shows - "Mad Men". PALMREADER was wowed by the show's themes, writing, and performances (especially the charming and charismatic performances from Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss). Otis also praises the production value and excellent set design. Then, we move to a show that quietly influenced this period and many of our favourite creators - David Lynch's auteurist and experimental series "Twin Peaks". We both discuss how Lynch's willingness to take charge of the show creatively began the trend of cinematic auteurism bleeding onto the small screen. Finally, we talk about a show we both love - the gritty, witty, and violent "Deadwood". This might be one of the best Western TV shows ever made and is one of those "it's a little ahead of its time" TV shows that was critically beloved but somehow ended way too early. All of these shows exemplify the core tenets of the New Golden Age and completely rip. You should watch them, if you haven't.
Then, we call the episode and promise to return next week with six more shows and a whole lot more discussion. We're sure you'll be able to guess some of them but we hope to maybe put you on to something new. What are some of your favourites from this era? Let us know and, as always, remember to...
INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!
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