Walking Dead or Boardwalk Empires

[bush_cheney2004]

I completely agree that the DVR cat is already out of the bag and that there's nothing to be done to put it back....

Well..yeah...you pretty much have to agree, even if we had to force it out of you.

But as to it being PERFECTLY LEGAL to create derivations of copyrighted works that amount to a new edit of the material, no, it's not. Not even close.

Yes it is....removing commercial breaks is not such an edit. The NFL gods state this during each telecast of a game:

"This telecast is copyrighted by the NFL for the private use of our audience. Any other use of this telecast or of any pictures, descriptions, or accounts

of the game

without the NFL's consent, is prohibited."

You really think just because software is available, that makes it perfectly legal to use it? If so, there are a million torrent downloaders suddenly absolved of their sins.

Yes...as long as it is privately used as intended without any "other use".

But it appears the content providers are giving up on fighting it in court as they realize the fight is unwinnable, and are looking at new ways of generating revenue.

Yes, because they were as wrong and foolish as you are on this matter.

Edited October 22, 2011 by bush_cheney2004

[BubberMiley]

Yes it is....removing commercial breaks is not such an edit. The NFL gods state this during each telecast of a game:

That's just the NFL gods, who only deal with the game. The network has the rights to the whole broadcast, and they have argued that they are the only ones with the rights to edit it.

[bush_cheney2004]

That's just the NFL gods, who only deal with the game. The network has the rights to the whole broadcast, and they have argued that they are the only ones with the rights to edit it.

But you have been moaning about the losses to "content creators", no? Networks don't create NFL football games. Make up your mind!

[Boges]

Both episodes last night were excellent.

Walking Dead first Boardwalk second, No Question. Then you watch this talk show called Talking Dead afterwards.

[Black Dog]

The Walking Dead is awful. Awful awful awful.

[fellowtraveller]

The network has the rights to the whole broadcast, and they have argued that they are the only ones with the rights to edit it.

They are wrong of course. As long as I pay my cable bill, or the network continues to provide the content at no charge for on-air material. I have the right to view and record(for personal use only).

If I choose not to watch any programs or commercials, that is also my right.

In the case of cable, it is bought and paid for monthly.

[Boges]

The Walking Dead is awful. Awful awful awful.

There's a pretty rare opinion

http://www.times-herald.com/local/AMC-s--Walking-Dead--earning-big-ratings--1895594

The basic cable show earned a 3.8 rating in the adults aged 18 to 49 demographic, compared with a 2.7 for "Desperate Housewives" and a 3.4 for "X Factor."

These latest ratings rank "Walking Dead" -- at least for now -- as cable's top-rated non-football series on any night of the week.

[Black Dog]

There's a pretty rare opinion

That lots of people enjoy terrible TV shows is no news flash.

[Boges]

That lots of people enjoy terrible TV shows is no news flash.

Elitist opinion from you? No way!

Perhaps you could give a few reasons why it's so horrible. Even though there's no real debate for taste.

[Black Dog]

Elitist opinion from you? No way!

How is it eltist to state that a popular show actually sucks? Aren't you forever whinging about "Little Mosque..." despite it being one of the most popular Canadian shows when it debuted? Hypocrite.

Perhaps you could give a few reasons why it's so horrible. Even though there's no real debate for taste.

It'd be easier to list what's good. The zombies, when they bother to include them in this zombie show (which is rarely), are pretty cool. In every other respect-acting, writing, direction, pacing-it's absolutely dire. But if a bunch of unsympathetic stock characters making mind-boggingly stupid decisions and talking interminably about their feelings and occasionally running across some zombies is your thing, join the masses.

[Shady]

"Little Mosque..." despite it being one of the most popular Canadian shows when it debuted?

LOL! Nobody watches that stupid show!

[Boges]

How is it eltist to state that a popular show actually sucks? Aren't you forever whinging about "Little Mosque..." despite it being one of the most popular Canadian shows when it debuted? Hypocrite.

It'd be easier to list what's good. The zombies, when they bother to include them in this zombie show (which is rarely), are pretty cool. In every other respect-acting, writing, direction, pacing-it's absolutely dire. But if a bunch of unsympathetic stock characters making mind-boggingly stupid decisions and talking interminably about their feelings and occasionally running across some zombies is your thing, join the masses.

I'm curious what shows you like.

Again I can't argue with your opinions. I'll just respectfully disagree. But zombie shows really aren't about the zombies. It's about how people react to the zombies.

[Black Dog]

I'm curious what shows you like.

Out of the new crop, I'm enjoying "Homeland". "Boardwalk Empire" is okay as well, though they could pick up the pace a bit. "Treme." "Misfits." "Mad Men." "Bored to Death." I've not followed "Breaking Bad" but i've caught a couple of episodes and they've been quality.

But zombie shows really aren't about the zombies. It's about how people react to the zombies.

I get that. But it would help to have characters who are believable, likable or at least interesting. They don't. I'm really down on this show because it represents a real missed opportunity. I watched the whole first season and the drop off in quality from the first episode to the finale was precipitous. Season 2 has picked up right where they left off: in the crapper.

Incidentally, what do you enjoy about it?

[Boges]

Out of the new crop, I'm enjoying "Homeland". "Boardwalk Empire" is okay as well, though they could pick up the pace a bit. "Treme." "Misfits." "Mad Men." "Bored to Death." I've not followed "Breaking Bad" but i've caught a couple of episodes and they've been quality.

I get that. But it would help to have characters who are believable, likable or at least interesting. They don't. I'm really down on this show because it represents a real missed opportunity. I watched the whole first season and the drop off in quality from the first episode to the finale was precipitous. Season 2 has picked up right where they left off: in the crapper.

Incidentally, what do you enjoy about it?

I think the comic is great. A lot more fast paced than this show. But to claim "believability" about a show about Zombies is pretty funny. I don't think that's the point.

This new character Herchel is very interesting. Darryl is a very intriguing character considering who his brother is. So is Dale, he's sorta like my Father-in-Law.

[Black Dog]

I think the comic is great. A lot more fast paced than this show. But to claim "believability" about a show about Zombies is pretty funny. I don't think that's the point.

Nuh uh. I'm talking about believability in the sense that, notwithstanding the essentially fantastic premise of the show, these people could actually exist and their behaviour would in some way reflect that of real people. You have to buy into them; that shouldn't go out the window just because there are zombies.

Take Grimes, for instance. The first couple of episodes were entirely about him trying to find his wife and kid. And yet, literally within minutes of reuniting with them, he buggers off again to put his life at risk to try and save a total stranger. Or how about the last episode where he thinks telling his wife his their kid has been shot is more important to him than staying and actually helping to save the kid's life.

Or my personal fave, near the end of last season when the countdown is on at the CDC and that annoying blonde wants to stay and kill herself and the wise old guy takes great pains to convince her that life is still worth living, but leaves several other characters to die with nary a peep.

Perhaps it would make sense if it came out that they've actually all been driven mad by the trauma of the zombie apocalypse.

[Boges]

Nuh uh. I'm talking about believability in the sense that, notwithstanding the essentially fantastic premise of the show, these people could actually exist and their behaviour would in some way reflect that of real people. You have to buy into them; that shouldn't go out the window just because there are zombies.

Take Grimes, for instance. The first couple of episodes were entirely about him trying to find his wife and kid. And yet, literally within minutes of reuniting with them, he buggers off again to put his life at risk to try and save a total stranger. Or how about the last episode where he thinks telling his wife his their kid has been shot is more important to him than staying and actually helping to save the kid's life.

Or my personal fave, near the end of last season when the countdown is on at the CDC and that annoying blonde wants to stay and kill herself and the wise old guy takes great pains to convince her that life is still worth living, but leaves several other characters to die with nary a peep.

Perhaps it would make sense if it came out that they've actually all been driven mad by the trauma of the zombie apocalypse.

Actually only one person killed themself at the CDC, other than Jenner. That character was sort of a throwaway character, she wasn't even in the comic.

Dale and Andrea have a special bond, in the comic they actually have a romantic relationship. The whole CDC part wasn't that interesting to me.

Grimes is always leaving doing other stuff, that's actually accurate to the comics. The episode does a nice job comparing how Lori and Rick react to a loved one being shot by the first scene of the show.

In a later comic he get trapped and his hand gets cut off by a crazy person that's taken control of a town.

It's in his Alpha Male personality I suppose.

Him leaving in the Vatos episode provided more drama. With Darryl, Shane and Rick there the Zombie attack would have been so severe. Of course he needed the bag of guns. And now we know Merle is alive, without a hand and holding a grudge.

Also that episode showed that scene with the head of the Vatos saying how this event has only made human's worse not better.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Boges

[Hydraboss]

I'm actually leaning towards BD's opinion here. My son and I watched season 1 and he (at 13) noted that every second episode sucked. Kinda had to agree on that one. The season opener this year was...okay at best. Second episode...sucked. I had huge hopes for this show; finally going primetime with a premise I like. Zombies, post-apocolyptic - excellent.

They're blowing it.

Character development is VERY weak. They should just kill off T-Dog in an interesting cliffhanger-type scene. He's useless for plot development. Unlike many shows, this one has the ability to introduce any character they want without even raising an eyebrow as to possibility of occurence. Why the hell don't they? Bring back what's-his-dork and his kid from season 1. Introduce some bad guys (ala the bikers from the 1980's version of Dawn of the Dead).

DO SOMETHING INTERESTING!

And remember that most people haven't read the comics (not me anyway). The show shouldn't follow the comic storyline in any event - makes it predictable. Christ, they have the #1 tv spot for shows. And therefore a ton of cash. Write some better material and pick up the frickin pace already. And if it's not too much to ask.........COULD YOU PLEASE USE SOME ZOMBIES IN THE STORY?????????

[Shady]

I really liked season 1. So far, the second season has been so-so.

[Black Dog]

Actually only one person killed themself at the CDC, other than Jenner. That character was sort of a throwaway character, she wasn't even in the comic.

I think that says something about the show that they'd bring in a character outside the canon only to kill her off a few episodes later for no particular reason. Generally feeds into my feeling that they are/were making it up as they go.

Dale and Andrea have a special bond, in the comic they actually have a romantic relationship. The whole CDC part wasn't that interesting to me.

The CDC was their attempt to bring in some "Lost" flavour. And its no wonder all the writers and show runner got shitcanned.

Grimes is always leaving doing other stuff, that's actually accurate to the comics. The episode does a nice job comparing how Lori and Rick react to a loved one being shot by the first scene of the show.

Again, do we need a flashback to do that? Clumsy.

Him leaving in the Vatos episode provided more drama. With Darryl, Shane and Rick there the Zombie attack would have been so severe. Of course he needed the bag of guns. And now we know Merle is alive, without a hand and holding a grudge.

Oh the Vatos. Don't get me started on the gangstas with a heart of gold.

Also that episode showed that scene with the head of the Vatos saying how this event has only made human's worse not better.

There's a maxim in writing that goes "show, don't tell." TWD's writers have never heard it.

As far as post-apocalyptic morality goes, these clowns could take some cues from The Road (both the book and the film) and 28 Days Later. Hell, even Jericho did a better job with those themes.

Edited October 27, 2011 by Black Dog

[Boges]

Robert Kirkman brought in new characters so that people that are familiar with the comic would have no idea what's happening, it's a far different story.

Would you say the same about characters that get eaten by zombies? Which happens frequently in this storyline. How about the death of Andrea's sister was that wrong of them to do?

By now Shane should be dead.

The head of the Vatos was a janitor and the people at the hospital were service staff there. The gangsters were helping them out because their relatives were patients there. Maybe it's not believable. It's a glimpse into how people may react positively.

I'm curious if we'll see them again.

I've never seen the Road, I saw 28 Days later and the only real reaction the main group of characters had with other "survivors" is this group of soldiers that wanted to enslave the women to ensure their survival and get their jollies off. Totally believable.

Oh and having the main character become some primal commando after they attempt to kill him was weird.

Another wildly unbelievable part of that film was the fact the main character actually survived. So much so that there's an alternative ending available where he dies.

Edited October 27, 2011 by Boges

[Shady]

It could be worse. It could be Little Mosque On The Prarie. Made with tax money. At least the Walking Dead spends their own money.

[Black Dog]

Robert Kirkman brought in new characters so that people that are familiar with the comic would have no idea what's happening, it's a far different story.

That's not the point. Mess with the canon all you want, but at least do so in a way that adds something. That character served no purpose whatsoever. Ditto T-Dog. Is Short Round still on the show?

The head of the Vatos was a janitor and the people at the hospital were service staff there. The gangsters were helping them out because their relatives were patients there. Maybe it's not believable. It's a glimpse into how people may react positively.

Again, I get what they were going for. They just handle everything so ham-fistedly. I find it funny that they have a feature called the Talking Dead, since I quipped to a friend that that is what the show should have been called in the first place due to all the speechifyin'.

I've never seen the Road, I saw 28 Days later and the only real reaction the main group of characters had with other "survivors" is this group of soldiers that wanted to enslave the women to ensure their survival and get their jollies off. Totally believable.

The point of having the soldiers turn out to be scumbags was to show the essential commonalities between the infected and regular folk.

Oh and having the main character become some primal commando after they attempt to kill him was weird.

Agreed. Again, I think the point was he was getting in touch with his own "rage virus."

Another wildly unbelievable part of that film was the fact the main character actually survived. So much so that there's an alternative ending available where he dies.

That's actually the original ending and I agree that it's much better. Focus groups, eh? What can you do?

[Boges]

I think the complaints that this series is slow are totally legit.

The entire first episode was dealth with in 3-4 pages in the comic.

I'm hoping thinking that things will pick up.

As for that "humans showing their true side thing" If it stays with the comic's narrative that should show up with what Herchel's actually been doing with the zombies and what happens when they leave his farm.

[Black Dog]

I think the complaints that this series is slow are totally legit.

I watched the last two episodes last year at 1.5X speed. Improved it immensely.

[Shady]

I watched the last two episodes last year at 1.5X speed.

No you didn't.