THAT clever (in my opinion)reversal of HBO ‘s slogan – “It ‘s not TV,it ‘s HBO ” – is meant to describe the current state of this pay-cable channel,whose original series are widely considered to be better than the average TV show.
Right now,though – as HBO introduces a new series starring Lisa Kudrow and brings back two existing series – the home of “The Sopranos ” and “Sex and the City ” is looking just average.
That ‘s not to say that a critic doesn ‘t look forward to the arrival of DVDs and videotapes of upcoming shows from HBO.I can ‘t speak for others,but HBO programs usually go straight to the top of my pile upon arrival and are viewed immediately.
As a result – and thanks to HBO ‘s generosity – I have seen the first five new episodes of “Entourage,” the first two
episodes of the new Kudrow show,”The Comeback,” and the first four new episodes of “Six Feet Under.”
Watching them wasn ‘t the worst 7 ½ hours I ‘ve ever spent, but when it was all over,I was struck by how ordinary these shows are.
“Entourage ” and “The Comeback ” were particularly undistinguished,perhaps because they deal with essentially the same thing – ego–tripping and back-stabbing in contemporary Hollywood.
“Entourage,” starting its second season Sunday night at 9, takes on the movie business, while “The Comeback,” premiering right after “Entourage ” at 9:30,takes on TV. With their relentless name-dropping,ceaseless references to
Hollywood delis,clubs and street names,plus cameo appearances by various has-beens playing “themselves,” “Entourage ” and “The Comeback ” are not too far removed from Showtime ‘s “Fat Actress ” with Kirstie Alley.
And when HBO shows start to look like Showtime ‘s,you know the behind-the-scenes-in-Hollywood sitcom is playing itself out.
As for “Six Feet Under,” which starts its fifth and final season Monday night at 9 on HBO,this once-rich drama has ceased to say anything new about life and death.
What is left is a soap opera about a family – the Fishers – that is so dysfunctional they can ‘t hold a wedding or throw a birthday party without someone having a nervous breakdown or, at the very least,using these otherwise happy occasions to somberly question the meaning of their lives.
All three of the HBO shows having their premieres this week take place in southern California.And on “Entourage ” and “The Comeback ” at least,,it ‘s a sunny place to visit – unless you plan on attending a party at the Fishers ‘.
