Cool News
NBC Has Its Entire SOUTHLAND Pilot Online A Week Early!!
I am – Hercules!!
Longtime “ER” showrunner John Wells temporarily takes over the “ER” timeslot starting next week with “Southland,” a new drama about cops working unpleasant Los Angeles neighborhoods. It was created by Ann Biderman, who co-wrote with Michael Mann the fast-approaching “Public Enemies” movie.
“Southland” stars Ben McKenzie (“The O.C.”), Tom Everett Scott (“That Thing You Do”), Shawn Hatosy (“Alpha Dog”), Regina King (“Jerry Maguire”), Michael Cudlitz (“Band of Brothers”), Michael McGrady (“The Thin Line”), Kevin Alejandro (“Ugly Betty”), and Arija Bareikis (“Crossing Jordan”).
It uses language “Hill Street Blues” couldn’t when Mick Belker, Andy Renko and Howard Hunter inhabited the timeslot 30 years ago. (Though you may have to wait for the DVD to hear a lot of the language unbleeped.) Otherwise, it seems roughly as strong an effort as Wells’ “Third Watch.”
You can watch the first “Southland” episode now, one week early, with loads of exciting commercials, here.


Herc Says This Prequel
To Abrams’ Movie Rocks!!
SHIPPING NOW!!

Also In April?
The New Prequel About The People
Who Thought Cylons Were A Good Idea!!


Herc Says This Prequel
To Abrams’ Movie Rocks!!
SHIPPING NOW!!

Also In April?
The New Prequel About The People
Who Thought Cylons Were A Good Idea!!
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can you tell us if its anygood?
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i was surprised how much i enjoyed it
very much the shield for a network
though benjamin mckenzie is so one note
but i still like him whatever def worth checking out -
All the cliches in one show.
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As opposed to yet another shitty cop show
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http://www.hulu.com/watch/65741/southland-sneak-peek-pilot
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ill pass.
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since I finished The Wire. I just can't imagine myself taking anything of it very seriously when it doesn't seem real compared to The Wire. I'll probably try and watch the first episode though.
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L.A. is a fantastic locale for cop stories and Ann Biderman is class, but is there a point in getting involved with any new NBC show, given their current low ebb? If LAW & ORDER isn't even a lock for next year, it doesn't look good for a lowly midseason drama being launched in one of the slots that Leno will soon be taking over...
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You know what this show needs? JERICHO CANE.
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that feeling of disappointment you feel about tv shows since the wire, won't only restrict itself to cop shows.
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OOoo! A police procedural. How original. I hope one of the cops is estranged from his family and angry at the world!
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Gad I hates the big three broadcast networks.
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I really hate procedurals, but this one held my attention the whole time and seemed to leave out most of the melodramatic BS that the other "law shows" like to throw in every week. The cast really clicked for me, too. It definitely felt more Wire/Shield than Law & Order/CSI. Not that it could ever live up to the Wire or the Shield being on a broadcast network, but I definitely liked the vibe.
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Hrm. I enjoyed it! I don't really get the sense that it's a procedural, yomomma... I agree with others that it tickles the spot I've been missing gettin' tickled since The Wire and The Shield ended. It definately had that... ER slow burn thing though, too. I'm curious to see the next few episodes now. I think the term "procedural" is more commonly used to describe shows like CSI, or Law and Order. Every episode of Law and Order follows EXACTLY the same story arc (Or procedure). Crime happens, investigation, trial, done. Week in, week out. Procedurals don't tend to be character driven. Southland, by contrast, gave me the sense that it's more going to follow season-long character arcs.
To put it another way: Procedurals tell their stories within an hour period, and there really isn't much overlap in storyline between episodes. Thanks for trying, but you might wanna brush up on your terms before tryin' to snark smart. -
Am I the one with the broken definition for "procedurals"? Will research and get back.
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Wikipedia: "In television, "procedural" specifically refers to a genre of programs in which a problem is introduced, investigated and solved all within the same episode. These shows tend to be hour-long dramas, and are often (though not always) police or crime related."
And before you say "WIKIPEDIA is wrong about lots 'o stuff, FAIL lolcats" please find me a definition from another source that doesn't agree with Wikipedia's to back your argument. -
You're right, I used the term too loosely. But I do hate all non-Wire/Shield "cop shows." Except this one now.
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I went in to this one kind of expecting to be under-whelmed but came out pleasantly surprised. It’s not the kind of show where the good guys win out in the last few minutes of the show making the big save. Bad shit happens to innocent people and sometimes all the cops can do is clean up afterwards. There were times when I thought I was watching Fox’s “Cops.” The shaky camera work and the bleeped curse words kind of lent itself to this feeling at times, but all and all I liked it. Calling it Third Watch in LA seems a little off-base to me, however. Third Watch always seemed a little too polished, the actors a little too pretty. Southland, at least this first taste we have gotten, seems more gritty and more realistic. I’ll definitely be tuning in to this one.
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whether cop shows, legal, etc. have ruined me on similar network stuff. It would have to be exemplary, and this doesn't sound like it is.
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From the previews of this show I didn't think I would care for it and didn't plan to watch it but it was far more interesting and entertaining than I thought it would be. Thanks for posting the link I wouldn't have bothered on my own and missed out. This could be a really good show. Hope they have the stories and can keep the high quality. It is not like all those other cop shows on tv right now.
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Police can't just search a car stopped for a traffic violation without consent or probable cause. And the Black Female detective could not have gotten a search warrant for the blonde guy's house based solely on her hunch that he was a pedo bear. Not a bad show though. The Shield and NYPD Blue it is not.
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something is RIPPED from the HEADLINES! or A VERY SPECIAL EPISODE, I will withdraw my support, I want to like this show.
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I always felt that it got cancelled way too soon. It was a great show. This is a lot (A LOT) like that show, but so far not as good...
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It didn't make me care much about anyone but the rookie. Maybe if they focus more on him, I will care. But the side plots, or whatever you want to call them, were kind of dull.
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....not particularly original. I guess I'm another one of those spoiled by The Wire (the best of all time) and The Shield. I did like Regina King, but I think she deserves a better show.
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I was kinda surprised as I usually don't enjoy this type of show. I enjoyed Michael Cudlitz in Band Of Brothers so I thought I'd give this a shot. Pretty decent. I'm like others though. Not sure if I want to get heavily invested in ANOTHER NBC show.
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Michael Cudlitz training that kid from the OC. They were the best part of the show by far.
Whats Bad:
Too many cops to watch, Id cut out a pair of cops, and then have the show about the unis (Cudlitz and Mckenzie), and the detectives (King and Scott). Its like they are forcing 6 main characters on you. 4 is enough! -
I had the exact same reaction. I watched HOMICIDE and am now on the second season of THE WIRE. These are, hands down; the two most realistic cop shows ever made. My girlfriend was an LAPD cop for 10 years and she hesitated to watch the David Simon shows because she says every cop show she's seen is utter bullshit but she did a 180 when we started watching HOMICIDE and she absolutely loves THE WIRE. Last night, after we finished watching an episode; we turned on the TV and the first thing we saw was a trailer for SOUTHLAND. She laughed her ass off.
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Yeah, for those of you jonesing for another show like THE WIRE, you should check out HOMICIDE, for sure. Made by the same people who brought you THE WIRE, it's a little tamer because it was an NBC show but the realism, writing, great charchters and great performances are all there. Even a lot of the actors from THE WIRE show up on it and it also takes place in Baltimore. When I started watching THE WIRE, i had the feeling that this show takes place in the district right next door to HOMICIDE. And i think they do take place in the same world because I've read that the character of Munch from HOMICIDE shows up in the fifth season of THE WIRE. Incidently, you can also see Munch on LAW AND ORDER: SVU of course, X-Files and ARRESTED DEVELOPEMENT. Munch gets around.
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...knows about Homicide and its connection to the show. Or am I giving people too much credit?
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you never know man. Not everyone is so well informed.
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Good Lord! Where oh where do these writers come up with these 'maverick' ideas?
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Cop, Law, and Doctor TV shows are the new thing....for the last 40+ years.....
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for every sociology student in the world. Hell, for everyone. Nothing can match its layers and depth. Homicide, though similar, is not nearly as "authentic". The shield, though decent, is was way too over the top.
I may try southland based on the good feedback here. -
I will be interested in seeing where they go with character development. Really enjoyed the main char as the young officer on his first day. Stick with it this time NBC and make sure to give Kings, and Life extensions. I also enjoy both of those shows as well.
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