hackthis_archive ([personal profile] hackthis_archive) wrote2010-03-01 11:07 am

Get your words out.

1. Tomorrow is March 2, 2010. It is not just a day. It is THE DAY. It is the premiere of Season 2 of Southland on TNT. Now I know everybody's like, oh, well, I'll watch the repeat after White Collar or I'll catch a download later this week. NO! Not okay!

When TNT bought Southland from NBC last year (tl;da - too long; don't ask) they did so to see how the series performs on cable and they will make their decision about future episodes based, in par, on tomorrow's premiere. That means that if Southland doesn't jump out the gate, they are going to be less inclined to order more episodes. And I want more episodes. You want more episodes. Southland is the only series I enjoyed in all of last year* and if you've enjoyed anything I've written in the last year -- Southland gets partial credit for that.

So, I am asking. No, I am begging. Please. If you've thought about it, if you've been curious, if you've ever thought, I'll get around to it eventually -- tomorrow is eventually.

Tuesday night at 10 p.m. Watch Southland on TNT


ETA: TNT is running a marathon of S1 before the premiere, it starts at at 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday. Please watch my show. PLEASE.

*GK was 2008, doesn't count


2. I am looking for stories to read. I need some entertainment. Things wot I am eyeballing currently: Southland, Iron Man (IM2 in May baby, I iz gonna write it. Believe that.) Terminator Salvation (Marcus/Kyle - wot?), James Bond - the Daniel Craig iteration, Jason Bourne (Is it time for the Green Zone or what), or anything else you think might catch my fancy.


3. You people don't know what kind of crack [livejournal.com profile] sparky77 is capable of. Last week we gave Lady Gaga and Johnny Weir a baby named Spectacular Magenta Sparkle Weir, or Steve for short. Two days ago she had me outlining hockey RPS. I don't even like hockey!


4. Someone on my reading list posted the other day about the spate of Christina Hendricks love, wondering if perhaps all this attention to body might smack of fetishization. I cannot speak for anybody else or what they're into, but I will summarize what I said, which is this:

I have been watching Mad Men since the pilot. I love the show whole-heartedly, except for most of the Don/Betty foolishness. I would recommend it without hesitation. My adoration for Christina has to do with her character, the way she portrays her character and the fact that finally, fucking FINALLY, there is a woman on TV who looks like a woman and not a 13 year old boy masquerading as a pneumatic girl. I love CH's style and I love the way she carries herself. She wears dresses and skirts and headscarves. She plays the accordion (or else that was awesome faking). She is unbelievably awesome and she makes me happy.

I am crazy about CH's portrayal of Joan Holloway (I refuse to acknowledge that she married that asshole). But what I like about Christina Hendricks *the woman* is that she's happy to be herself. That she is happy in her life and doesn't feel the need to apologize for being real and not wearing a size 00. In a time when even my beloved Michelle Obama is talking about her children's BMI (no, man, just no) it's nice to see some acceptance of self.

The fact that CH is in magazines *finally* and they are putting her in corsets and dresses with cleavage is fine with me, because she is getting attention. She doesn't choose what she wears, that's the stylist's job, but she wears it well. No, wears it better than well. And she's just as hot in a denim shirt and boots. The fact that a lot of the press (both print and internet) is basically, "Look, she has tits and ass and isn't ashamed! Shocking!" That I have issues with.

To my mind, she is not the same as Beyonce and J. Lo and Mariah Carey. They have curves it's true, but they have Hollywood curves where you're practically zaftig at size 6. I also find them tacky as hell. If I were to mention someone equally classy then I'd think of, like, Jennifer Hudson, who is damn awesome. And also, talented.

So, I say all this to say, everybody's got their own reasoning, I just want mine to be clear. I call Christina Hendricks damn hot, because she is, but I enjoy her and talk about her because I respect her as an actress and because she makes me happy to have a hips and ass, but I do not fetishize her body. I respect it. Now my interest in her red hair may be another story...

[identity profile] romanticalgirl.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
You might also want to mention that TNT is doing a marathon of the other episodes before the premiere that night too. Because they are. So that is AWESOME.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
*makes ETA*

Cooper! Ben! Lydia! Chickie! OMG! OMG!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Spectacular Magenta Sparkle Weir is the best fun ever!!!!!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I love Steve. I kind of really really want to write about him a lot. Don't tell Q!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Doll, you shouldn't have told ME that!! *makes hopeful eyes at you*

It really would be the funniest thing EVER!

P.S. I'm so glad TNT reran Southland, and I got to see all the episodes. It's such a great show. Can't wait for the new season!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
You watched Southland and you liked it?!

YAY!!!

*\O/*

[identity profile] lunatics-word.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Southland has been recently recommended to me and I have first episode, but I haven't seen it yet. So, I suppose, I should do it asap.

english is hard.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Every language is hard in its own way.

[identity profile] lunatics-word.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I suppose so.

[identity profile] alethialia.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
YAY SOUTHLAND!

You know what's funny about your list of things you want to read? They're all badass, blow-shit-up fandoms. Except for the lack of GK. I assume that's 'cause you've read everything anyway.

In conclusion, CH is awesomesauce and people should stop projecting/harshing on the squee, jfc.
ext_3450: readhead in a tophat. She looks vaguely like I might, were I young and pretty. (goddess by taste_is_sweet)

really just commenting to say icon love

[identity profile] jenna-thorn.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
You know what's funny about your list of things you want to read? They're all badass, blow-shit-up fandoms. Except for the lack of GK. I assume that's 'cause you've read everything anyway.

Never let it be said I don't know what I like ;-)

[identity profile] sparky77.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Southland Hockey AU!

[identity profile] sparky77.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
And speaking of people who should have babies - http://www.patfullerton.com/christina/gallery/christinahendricks-gallery-44.jpg

And one of my favorite ironman stories ever - http://subterrain.livejournal.com/21980.html
Edited 2010-03-01 18:34 (UTC)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
JFC, you are the worst influence ever. Thank god [livejournal.com profile] dsudis wrote the definitive hockey!AU for Due South so I don't even have to entertain the idea. I will read your IM rec now. I am SO excited for new Bob.

[identity profile] chicklet-girl.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
THIRTY-ONE HOURS, BB. I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL MAKE IT WITHOUT EXPLODING.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG! OMG! OMG! WE'VE ONLY BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST MAY!

(People don't know how we suffer do they?)

[identity profile] redheadaholic.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Now my interest in her red hair may be another story...

Word. Her awesome body is just a bonus. However, I loved Christina Hendricks way back when she was on Firefly, so my love is long-lasting. Does that neutralize the accusation of fetishizing?

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you have to make that decision for yourself.

[identity profile] verselle.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
(random person randomly commenting)

For Marcus/Kyle you may want to check out [livejournal.com profile] hollycomb, there's a masterlist link on her profile. :)
Edited 2010-03-01 21:06 (UTC)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the rec!

[identity profile] svilleficrecs.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
While I don't disagree with the sentiment about watching Southland live, the thing is, unless you're a Nielsen family, your live TV watching isn't really measurable by the networks. However, DVR viewing and online (on the network site/hulu/etc) is measurable. So while watching live is quite cool, it's worth noting that those who want to up Southland's chances for survival should absolutely DVR it and rewatch within a couple days *and* view the episode online at legit sources. (note, if you've already seen the ep enough times, it's easy enough to load up the viewer and mute it/set it in the background to up their numbers.) That way your eyeballs get counted. Watching live (unless you're a Nielsen family) not so much.

[identity profile] alethialia.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
This is right on, but I want to add a little nuance for everyone else. Like live TV, DVR viewing only matters if you're a Nielsen family. Advertisers buy based on Nielsen's C3 ratings (that's commercial ratings + 3 days of DVR playback); if you're not a Nielsen family, you're not included in Nielsen's numbers and therefore not likely to have much of an impact. Some other providers measure viewership and demo data, but those measurements aren't included in the C3 numbers. (For example, TiVo sells demo data of their direct subscribers, but I'm not sure what effect it has, if any, on renewal chances. Since TiVo makes up only about 10% of all DVR viewing, the effect is likely negligible.)

It goes without saying, but if you're a Nielsen family, it's best if you watch live. If you must DVR it, watch it with the commercials within 3 days. Fast-forwarding doesn't count. Advertisers pay for C3, so if you don't view the commercials, you won't be counted.

But none of that affects you unless you're a Nielsen family. For most people, legit online viewing is probably the only way to have any kind of impact. Sites like Hulu report the number of views, but they're limited by their lack of demographic data (which at Hulu is dependent on voluntary self-reported registration info). It's unclear how much networks are influenced by big Hulu numbers, especially since they can't sell those viewers to advertisers (who only care about certain demographics). But at the very least, they'll see them, so I guess that's something.

If anyone wants more in-depth info on the effect of DVR viewing, this is a good explanation: FAQ: Do DVR Viewers Matter?

[identity profile] svilleficrecs.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm curious about On Demand numbers (IDK if TNT's doing this, since I'm 'paid-for-cable' free at the moment.

IDK about hulu's numbers, but I do know that TNT is showing the episodes on their own website (which I have to assume they've got numbers-access for). I'm sure it's a drop in the bucket compared to nielsen viewings, but It's one of the only guaranteed ways to show them that you're watching, and I highly recommend that all of us who care about Southland go to TNT.com this week and watch (or "watch", and let it run in the background while you do other stuff) the full run of the show. It takes only a minute or two to set it running, and it gives TNT advertiser eyeballs and hard numbers about our beloved show.

[identity profile] alethialia.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
If TNT's website is streaming it, people should absolutely watch it there. Hulu reports total numbers, but watching on tnt.com will give TNT more immediate access to raw numbers. So yes, everyone should watch there. That's probably the only way for normal people to get their attention.

TNT does do On Demand. (Huh. Who knew?) I'm not quite sure when new episodes are available, but it looks like they have the last 3 episodes up. Regardless, watching via On Demand is not included in ratings info. (This will change when Nielsen starts measuring On Demand numbers - and On Demand shows will then likely get the same commercials as live shows - and thus they'll be included in C3.) Once Nielsen does begin measuring them, it'll be Nielsen families they measure.

Since On Demand numbers generally aren't available, it's tough to find any data about use. By all accounts it's miniscule. Here's a piece that references trends: Video On Demand usage still relatively puny, lags DVR and online video viewing.

[identity profile] slashfairy.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
i'll get the family i work for to dvr it (don't have that capacity here) AND will write to the site/hulu/network etc it as often as i can.

[identity profile] romancandles.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Dude, when you said "I refuse to acknowledge she married that asshole," I definitely thought that you were referring to CH's husband, of Super Troopers snozzberry fame and I was like "Whaaaaaaaat he seems like to a totally cool dude!" I really like Christina Hendricks and I think it is awesome to see some body-acceptance going on. She seems like a genuinely cool woman, too. It just irks me that most people can't talk about her without talking about her body, too. I suppose that's the price one pays for being an anomaly though.

I've been catching up on Southland very slowly (behind the times as usual!).

[identity profile] inmyriadbits.livejournal.com 2010-03-02 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
WHOOOOOOO SOUTHLAND! SO EXCITED! :D

[identity profile] snowybaby.livejournal.com 2010-03-04 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
so, lil story: i watched gk for a number of reasons - - for one, who wouldn't want to watch beautiful guys (i mean, really, reeally gorgeous guys), teach a master class is subtle, emotional acting? - - and eventually stumbled upon the gk fandom. then i found your fic. amidst my flailing, and swooning and much jaw-agaping at the sheer hotness of brad/nate, i started reading your livejournal comments. consequently, i started watching southland. like any self-respecting person would, i became quite the fan. in conclusion: your fic is so great, i became obsessed with a tv show. your powers are vast and stealthy; wield them wisely :)

getting to the reason i started this post: i came across some info. it's not that spoilerific, just something cool concerning a fav character's storyline. in case you're totally against scoop, i put it in white; just highlight the area between the colons. thanks for leading me to great reads & nifty viewing. you rock! ::The March 16 episode is a big one for Ben McKenzie and his alter ego, Ben Sherman. The former gets to sink his teeth into some meaty material when the latter goes out on patrol alone for the first time and gets a little too invested in a domestic violence case. - Ausiello (EW.com)::