The Bad Influence Speaks

BIS Top 5 Reality TV Shows

I'd like to say that I don't watch reality TV. Sometimes I'll even make that claim but really I'm only talking about reality contest shows and those stupid housewives-jersey-bimbo-look-at-me-I'm-so-special shows. I watch the ones that will impart some interesting facts or are good for a laugh.

 

5. Top Gear, BBC

I'm not all that much of a car girl, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying this show. Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are three lovable (well, somewhat lovable) misfits who are all about cars. Besides reviewing various new cars, most of which aren't affordable for the average person or aren't available in America, they take on hilarious challenges from their producers. Some days I think their producers are trying to do them all in. For example, this weekend I enjoyed a repeat of the amphibious vehicle challenge where they had to modify their cars from the previous amphibious vehicle challenge (Jeremy: motorboat truck; Richard: camper van; James: convertible sailboat) and cross the English channel. It's amazing the hijinks that ensue. I've spent many an episode laughing so hard there were tears pouring down my face.

 

 

4. Holmes Inspection, HGTV

In my house, we're divided on which channel is better: HGTV or DIY. I watch DIY primarily, but BISis got me hooked on Holmes on Homes which, of course, segued into being hooked on Holmes Inspection. The premise of the show revolves around construction guru Mike Holmes inspecting houses that had good pre-purchase inspections but 'developed' problems soon after the sale. His foreman, Damon Bennett, then comes in to fix whatever issues were found. It's shocking how what looks like something small can balloon into something major. One older house had had renovations done before the sale to create an open floor plan which compromised the structural integrity of the building. It ended up requiring a complete gut and rebuild including the foundation. It was shown over 2 episodes and was insane.

 

 

3. Ghost Hunters, Syfy

Who you gonna call?

Okay, I couldn't resist that line. The show started with two plumbers and a few friends that investigated possible hauntings in their spare time. It has since skyrocketed them into high popularity. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson begin investigations looking to debunk as many parts of the supposed haunting as they can. One of the things I've enjoyed most (well, besides Steve freaking out over spiders) is how they rarely claim a place is haunted without solid proof. Ghost Hunters has two spinoff shows: Ghost Hunters International, which investigates claims outside the U.S.; and Ghost Hunters Academy, which trains new investigators such as Adam Berry who now hunts with the team.

You can see a few episodes online at the link above. If you find any of their lighthouse episodes, you should watch them. They have pretty good luck with odd happenings at lighthouses.

 

 

2.  Mythbusters, Discovery

Do you know the breaking point of duct tape or how to make a lead balloon? Well, these guys do. Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage (along with co-hosts Kari, Grant and Tory) put myths to the test on this Discovery channel favorite. At some point in every episode, you know someone will get hurt, usually Adam or Tory. Their sense of humor keeps them in the saddle though (or once in Tory's case, drug behind it). Mythbusters is geek culture for the masses. Afterall, how can you not love a show that has done 2 duct tape and countless movie specials?

This show is also very responsive to fans who challenge how a myth was tested or suggest new myths to test. You can make suggestions on the community section through the link above.

 

 

1. Destination Truth, Syfy

Like monsters, ghosts, and drawled one liners?

You're going to love Destination Truth then. Josh Gates and crew travel the world investigating legends of monsters and spirits. I, admittedly, don't watch with the expectation of their finding proof. I watch for the humor and camaraderie. Even when things are bad, someone will have a wry comment. DT also has a few horror movie-like moments where you'll find yourself shouting at the screen, "No don't...(wander on the cliffside at night/traipse through the African wilderness in the dark unarmed/cross the frigid creek in the dark/etc)." How everyone survives relatively intact every time is occasionally a mystery to me. It's still a funny and exciting show though.

 

Check out other BIS Top 5 lists here.

BIS Top 5 Characters in a Science Fiction Series

This starts with the usual caveats. This list is my opinion. It's hard to choose only 5. I'm not a Trekkie. Sorry. I am a fan of science fiction whether tv, movie, music or book. If fascinates me that a genre loved by geeks and tech freaks focuses so much on the perils of technology. I'm also getting slightly off topic. This list is supposed to be about tv characters.

I watch a fair bit of science fiction television though as you can tell from the list BBC and Syfy dominate my viewing habits. These are the 5 (well, 6) characters that have caught my fancy the strongest. Not all are dashing but they're all smart and snarky. Gods, I love some good snark.

 

5. Tie - Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood & Doctor Who (BBC)

Ah. The dashing captain. He's suave. He's charming. He's adventurous. He also does anything that moves. What did the Doctor call him? Omnisexual? Jack (John Barrowman) isn't the most consistent of men, but that smile can ease a lot of difficulties, and knowing Jack other things as well.

 

            10th Doctor, Doctor Who (BBC)

Now that we had the dashing captain, we have his compatriot, the good Doctor. They say you never forget your first Doctor and they're right. I first got hooked on Doctor Who when I saw "42" air on BBC Wales on a vacation my sister and I took in 2007. I've gone back to watch Eccleston (#9) and now watch Smith (#11), but David Tennant will always be the Doctor for me.

Smart and funny with a dry sense of humor tends to rock my boat. He looked at every adventure and dangerous situation as a new and exciting experience. This doesn't mean he didn't slide into his own bouts of melancholy but he could still find a laugh.

 

 

4. Mal Renyolds, Firefly (Fox)

Captain Tight Pants himself. The snarky, cranky, swashbuckler who flys through life by the seat of his pants. Got to love me some Mal Renyolds. Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion knew what they were doing when they created and shaped (respectively) their space cowboy. Even if his plan falls through, which it usually does, Mal can come up with something so his crew survives and maybe even get paid. He puts true to the adage that a flawed hero is a more interesting hero. Mal tries hard but he's not the most honest, even tempered, or understanding of men. Hell, he isn't even the smartest but he does have the smartest mouth.

That Firefly link above is to Hulu.com where you can view the entire series.

 

 

3. Douglas Fargo, Eureka (Syfy)

Fargo. What button did you press  now?

I understand this. My last words will probably be, "I wonder what this does." Buttons, particularly unlabeled buttons, are almost irresistible. Fargo (played by Neil Grayston) is the geek I think a lot of us are. He's smart, kind of adorable, always willing to help, and completely under-appreciated. Until this last season, he did much of the work (and, yes, caused a number of the crises), but tended to be run down by everyone.  It kept giving me the urge to reach through the screen and hug him. I've been there and gotten the t-shirt. Now, he's in charge of GD, and faking it until he makes it.

Looking through my screen captures for all 4 seasons, I noticed that all the ones of Fargo show him either in great peril or being a goof. I think I may need to remedy that once the show starts again this summer.

 

 

2. Connor Temple, Primeval (BBC)

I'm a geek (obviously) so I tend to be drawn to geek characters in movies and on TV. Connor (played by Andrew-Lee Potts) is a brilliant, generous and somewhat bumbling geek who stumbled on rifts that cause dinosaurs (and many other creatures) to travel to modern day Britain. After that, he manages to use his knowledge and creativity to take a place on the team that investigates and secures the anomalies.

He's got a quirky style and an engaging grin. It's hard to resist that boyish enthusiastic that invites you to laugh along with him.

 

 

1. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace, Battlestar Galactica (Syfy)

I'm probably going to get some grief for this one. BISis has already gotten on my case for not choosing Apollo.

Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) is someone I identify with more easily. She's also pretty damned entertaining with all that sass. She fraks things up but keeps trying and doing her best anyway. Not that she ever really learns to keep her mouth shut. Her fears may rule in her personal life but out in that Viper she is a fierce force to be reckoned with.  She'll take whatever measures are necessary to get the job done. She never gives up no matter the odds.

And yes, I've seen the original series, and still prefer Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck. I'll admit to the fact that the first I saw of the modern version was Razor and I hated Starbuck after seeing it but she really grew on me while watching the rest of the series.

 

 

Other Top 5 lists can be viewed here.

BIS Top 5 Supernatural Characters on Tv

I have decided to start adding Top 5 lists to the Bad Influence Speaks. As always, these are my views on TV shows, books, and movies. Not everyone will agree (and really, I would hate it if that happened). Also, only doing a top 5 will inevitably leave out some favorites as will how well I remember a show at the point I'm making the list.

Shows with supernatural or non-human characters are generally fascinating. Being "other" allows for so much more range in the actions and character development. I mean, you can understand that you can take a vampire more places (writing wise) than a accountant.

So on to the list. And, yes, I realize that it's vampire heavy. Click on the pics to enlarge them.

 

Bad Influence Speaks' Top 5 Supernatural Characters on TV

Number 5: Henry Fitzroy, Blood Ties (Lifetime)

Henry Fitzroy was a vampire whose youthful appearance belied his age as he was the bastard son of Henry VII. He was one of those smart, creative, and charming guys whose smile (not to mention vampire powers) could get him past any troubles. He was played by Kyle Schmid in a charming and playful fashion that drew you in even if his young looks did make you feel ancient. I think Kyle was 23 when he had the role.

The Blood Ties series aired for 1 season (2 in the US) about 5 years ago. It was based on the Blood Books series by Tanya Huff that followed the interactions of Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox), a legally blind former cop turned private investigator, her old partner, Mike Celluci (Dylan Neal), and her new partner, Henry Fitzroy, as they faced supernatural threats.

 

Number 4: Spike, Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel (WB/CW)

I'm sure I don't have to explain Spike to anyone. This charming bad boy stole the show when he appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Even though he was originally one of the villains, Spike was one of the most interesting and attractive characters on the show. He was utterly unashamed of who and what he was.  Confidence (and a smart mouth) can be so attractive in a man. Spike was played by the irresistible James Marsters in a way that cemented his role in television history.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the brainchild of Joss Whedon, aired for 6 seasons and spawned the sister show, Angel. Both series made such an impact on pop culture that they encompass entire tracks at conventions and are even the focus of university courses.

 

Number 3: Aidan, Being Human (Syfy)

As you can tell, I like vampires. Aidan (played by Sam Witwer) is the more vulnerable of this group though.  After years spent reveling in the excesses of vampirism, he is struggling to stay on the wagon. Sure there are a few slips but he is putting the effort out to live a more normal life.

Syfy's Being Human was created by the same person who does BBC's Being Human. While many of the major plot lines are the same, there are enough differences that you can easily consider them separate shows entirely.  Being Human is in its first season and airs on Syfy at 9 pm EST on Monday nights.

 

Number 2: Methos, Highlander

I think Methos might be the favorite character for all Highlander fans. Besides being the oldest (and most fabled) of the immortals, he was one of the most charming and sarcastic men from the show. What can you really say about a man who knew "how tall Nero was," but doesn't know that Chubby Checker popularized the twist. I have a page of rules for living that was based on Methos quotes and my favorite is never apologize for who you are. 

Methos appeared in seasons 3-6 of Highlander and was played (masterfully in my opinion) by Peter Wingfield. He also appeared in the Highlander: The Source, a movie that came out in 2007. If you've never seen the show, you can find it on Hulu.com. I'd highly recommend checking it out. After all, would I lie to you?

 

Number 1: Castiel, Supernatural (CW)

My, my, my, Castiel. An angel that rebels against his brethren in order to save humanity. When Cas first appeared in Supernatural, he had questions but still followed orders. Now, after an averted apocalypse, he is the rebel leader in a civil war in Heaven. I'm not sure I would call him kind since he is more than willing to kill to get the job done, but he is compassionate. His time on Earth has taught him that however flawed people may be they are still to be valued. He's done a good job of picking up sarcasm as well.

Supernatural is in its sixth and final season. It airs on the CW at 9 pm EST on Friday nights.

 

Quotes and pictures for Supernatural, Being Human, and Blood Ties can be found on my blog.

 

As always, comments are welcome. Who are your favorite supernatural characters?