Television Recommendation: Big Bang Theory

(picture courtesy of mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com)

The popular American sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" is already in its fourth season and has seen a great deal of success. Not only have they been able to get several celebrities on the show and offers multiple plot sequences to give the audience a little bit of everything. Although the show started off much nerdier (the characters were very awkward, skiddish, and used diction that wouldn't appear on most shows) the show has become more mainstream and easier to follow. Most jokes are explained rather than being referenced and the love story developing between the main character "Leonard" and his neighbour across the way "Penny" comes in whenever necessary. It has had more filler episodes and irrelevant plot ploys as of late but is still hilarious and checking out. Lots of great jokes and always a good time.

Television Recommendation: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

So you may want to facepalm when if you watch the video above, but thats pretty much your typical episode of its always sunny in philly. Not only do they make fun of every major controversial issue that is out there, but they take advantage of your typical joe's kindness and compassion to their fellow man. The main characters are selfish people that will go to no ends to benefit themselves- even if it means destroying the lives of others.

Anyways, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is one of the few shows that I try and watch that is currently being run on the major networks. Every single episode just turns into a yelling match between 4 friends. I love it.

Television Recommendation: Serial Experiments Lain

(picture courtesy of www.epic-anime.com)

So say what you will about anime. It's not for everyone. But let me get something straight for all the naysayers that continuously diss cartoons and japanese anime. Just like television, not all anime is the same. Their doesn't have to be giant gundams fighting each other, or pokemon battles. Rather, their are pyschological and philosophical ideals that are best exmplored through a different medium- anime. Much like seeing Homer Simpson continously getting up from what would normally be considered life or death situations with nothing but a scratch, anime allows us to have this different approach.

As far as Serial Experiments Lain goes, it brings up a series of interesting ideas regarding the internet and defining reality. It is a story about self discovery and finding out who one is in society. It brings in the cyberpunk element of artistry that I love and I think that it is a very underrated peice. Lain is essentially your typical school girl who lives a life like any other. That was until one of her friends committed suicide. To make things weirder, she receives a text messaged from her friend from beyond the grave. At first she thinks that it is a prank of sorts, but soon realizes that "the wired" is a medium that can be used between the living and the dead. She begins to question reality and even asks herself "Who is Lain?" It's one of those shows that isn't going to hold your hand while you watch it. Their is a lot of interpretation and you have to put some thought into watching it.

Like I said this isn't for everyone. As one review from animeworld.com states "Slow, surreal, layered with symbolism and a vague, wandering non-story, Serial Experiments Lain is a unique and defiantly weird series. As with most things that go this far out on an artistic limb, you're likely to either find it enthralling or be unable to stand it, but there's little room for middle ground." If you don't like anime, just ignore this post. Still, I love it and recommend it.