Treme: A closer look at Post-Katrina New Orleans

Treme, the new HBO series, takes a look at New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina. The name of the series comes from the neighborhood of the same name which has been home to many musicians that helped make New Orleans so famous. Treme comes from David Simon and Eric Overmyer, who both worked on Homicide: Life on the Streets (one of my favorite shows ever) and The Wire. Both of those shows were critically acclaimed in their time and known for their diverse casts and strong writing. In the first five episodes, I'd say Treme fits right in.

Treme Trailer:

Treme is a slowly unfolding story giving the viewers increasingly deeper glimpses into a large number of characters lives, from (in no particular order) a down-on-his-luck trombone player and his ex-wife and bar owner, a Mardi Gras Indian leader and his son, a lawyer and her Tulane professor/writer husband, a chef, a musical transplant couple, to a hyperactive DJ/musician. It is a large cast, with some big names and Homicide/Wire alums (John Goodman, Khandi Alexander, Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo, Wendall Pierce, and Clarke Peters to name a few). For the most part Treme has done a great job of building each characters story and making you care about them.

A show set in New Orleans, especially after Katrina, will necessarily have to deal with race and class issues. Since the whole show is slowly paced, this has come in fits and starts. We certainly see different classes and different races portrayed in the show--frankly the show would feel false if this weren't the case. There have been hints of commentary about it, mainly through John Goodman's character (the Tulane professor) who posts rants on YouTube about the many failings of the Federal, State, and Local Governments before, during and after Katrina. The show doesn't shy away from showing and commenting on the many racist and classist decisions that were made, from not re-opening some projects that were never flooded, to the pure chaos of the prison system that housed (and still houses) a predominately black male population. As of now, there has been very little tension between the classes and colors in Treme, but I hope that as the show grows, that is shown. Not because I wish tension to be dramatised, but because that tension does exist, but is not generally shown on mainstream television. If the most recent episode is an indicator, I'm confident this will be explored.

Music is used throughout the series, and gives a great excuse to hire local musicians, such as Kermit Ruffins. Music is used to underscore one of the biggest themes in Treme, the idea of 'real' New Orleans. Steve Zahn's character, Davis, is the biggest proponent of this 'real' New Orleans. His hyperactive and often times obnoxious character hits you over the head with it, constantly talking about 'authentic' New Orleans. This is the one area where I think Treme could improve. The idea of what it means to be 'real' New Orleanian is an interesting one to explore--is it the Mardi Gras chief, the Tulane professor, the black trombone player, the white DJ, the bar owner, the chef, the lawyer, or the music playing couple? Is it all of them, or do anyone them actually capture 'real' New Orleans. I suspect the answer is yes and no. A scene early on sees the male member of the music couple berating some church volunteers for going to the French Quarter and coming into his city. In later episodes, we learn he himself is not from New Orleans, originally. This nuanced idea of authenticity is interesting, but Davis yelling at everyone he thinks doesn't cuts it, isn't. I'm hopeful that Davis can show some growth, and I'm optimistic after watching the fifth episode.

Treme is beautifully shot and anytime a television show leaves New York or L.A. its going to get a look-see from me. The fact that is has a strong cast with actual black actors in lead roles with real stories and true character development, just like its white characters, keeps me around. Case in point: Treme takes what could be a sterotypical black character, played by Wendell Pierce, the guy who has three baby mamas, and gives him depth. He not a caricature, but a character. It reminds me of Homicide in that it revels in concentrating on a small detail, or lingers on a scene longer than one would expect a show to do. Treme has already been picked up for a second season, which I think is well-deserved. I know I'll be sticking around, and I hope you decide to give the show, and New Orleans, a chance.

40 Years of Sunny Days

I grew up in a small town in the middle part of America, the kind of town where the same families have lived generations, and everyone mostly looked like each other, which is to say, in my case, this was white. I point this out because for the most part my exposure until 18 or so to people who didn't look like me came from television, and as a small child, specifically from Sesame Street. In May, Sesame Street turned 40 years old, which makes it older than me, and also certainly make me part of the first generation that grew up with Sesame Street.

As someone who loves TV (obviously) it can certainly be easy for me to overstate the importance of a particular show in political or generational terms. And whilst I certainly do not want to say that, for example, Sesame Street is the only reason that Barack Obama was elected president, I think it is fair to say that Sesame Street played a part. So many of the people who elected him were 35 and under, or the Sesame Street generations.

I was an ideal canvas for Sesame Street I suppose. I grew up in a home not hearing racially motivated slurs of any kind, from a class position that would (especially as a kid) have been no higher than middle-middle class, and was generally taught, both in places like school and church, and by example from my parents, that all people were equal. What I lacked was many if any real life examples of People of Color, or even people with a disability. Sesame Street worked fit what I was being taught, and visually showed to me from a young age that Americans are all sorts of people. I think there were many children like me who were just as influence by this message.

Sesame Street was designed to give pre-K children a television learning experience, teaching us basic numbers and our Alphabet while also showing us life on the "Sesame Street." I somehow always knew that Sesame Street was in New York, and that New York was very different than my small town. But it was okay to be from a small town or a big city or somewhere in between! I can, to this day, count to 10 in Spanish, and know that "Hola means Hello." More importantly, because of Sesame Street, I knew that Gordon was Black, Linda was Deaf, Luis was Hispanic, Bob was White, Kermit was Green, and they all were friends with Big Bird, who is six. (I remember when I was six thinking how we were the same age!) Sesame Street has the most integrated cast in television, one that matches its message of acceptance.

Sesame Street has always gotten the biggest stars from film and politics and music, from Tina Fey to Jesse Jackson to Stevie Wonder. Sesame Street isn't "color blind"; it doesn't try and say there are no differences between us, but rather it says, we are all different in some way, and that's okay. I think the brilliance of Sesame Street is that is shows little kids what America should be like, before they realise that America is not like actually like that yet, and as they grow older these kids question why it is not like that. Sesame Street, and its progressive ideas on what America could be, have become part of our collective memories, and in turn, these attitudes have started to seep into our collective generational consciousness. We begin to believe that we can help make our country a bit more like Sesame Street. We are not where we need to be, but at least, we know we should be somewhere else.

Of course, the other great part about Sesame Street is that it is just so darn good! I could post about 20 clips that I love and remember from Sesame Street. Instead, I will stick to five.

1) This video, Me and My Chair, is one of those that has stuck with me after all these years. I certainly don't know why, but I never knew anyone who used a wheelchair when I was young so maybe that's why. Please excuse the bad video, and the bad voice, as I sing along.



2) I had to include this clip, sung by the Pointer Sisters. It routinely shows up in Best of Sesame Street lists. I can't argue because well, it is great. I warn you, it will get stuck in your head.



3) This is perhaps one of the saddest scenes ever in television. Big Bird can't understand that Mr Hooper (or Looper as Big Bird calls him) has died, and that this means he isn't coming back. I am old enough to remember when Mr Hooper was part of the cast and when he died. For some reason I have a memory of watching this at my Grandparents' house. It is a very pragmatic and real way of teaching children about death, and I sob every time I watch it.



4) The music is one of the best parts of Sesame Street, and there are so many I could include. There are the Bee-tles, Tammy Swine-ette, various musical guests, and a great version of Sing (sing a song). But for me, this one, sung by Ernie (and in this version) Aaron Neville, is one of the sweetest expressions of friendship in the form a very melodic, if slightly melancholic tune.



5) One of my absolute favorites, that I remember watching and singing to. It has the line, "my name is you" that I admit that as a kid, I didn't quite get what they meant but man, I totally wanted to play in that park with those kids. Who are all, like, 40 now. This is the perfect expression of "Sesame Street Values" and I for one think the choppy editing and crazy lip syncing add to its charm.



I really could go on and on, but once again, this post is so very long, and I didn't even talk about the Sesame Street records I used to listen to (like the one where Big Bird has to find the Orchestra). A great website to reminisce about Sesame Street is on Babble, where the author has posted 50 top Sesame Street moments, including the time when the adults finally see Snuffy. As one can see, when I love a television show, it is very easy for me to be idealistic and long winded!

So, I'll wind it up, with just one exaltation left to say: Happy Birthday Sesame Street, thanks for the memories, and keep up the good work.

Better Late Than Never: Sara's Best of 2008...

I’m a little late to the “Best of 2008” game, but I decided to go ahead and join in on the fun. I picked my Top 5 TV shows/moments this year, and while admittedly, I did not get to watch as much television as would have liked to, I think it’s a pretty good list. So, for what it is worth, here they are:

1) Lost
I have always been a big supporter of Lost, never missing an episode. I watched this entire season via iTunes, which was sometimes frustrating as I waited for each new episode to become available. This was the season that Lost showed its true sci-fi feathers (and I for one couldn’t be more happy), picked up the story telling pace, gave us a few answers and more mystery, got Penny and Desmond back together, and generally got its groove back. All those that left came crawling back, and those of us that stayed go to be smug about staying. He he. I can’t wait for the new season, and I suspect it will be one of the things that will get me through the dreary London winter.

2) Summer Heights High
My most recent post tells you why I love it, and it ranks as my best find of 2008. It also is my first non-American or English show to fall in love with, and is indicative of what I get see while in England. Hopefully this will lead to some exciting new posts.

3) The calling of California, Washington, and Hawaii for Barack Obama on the BBC, and the subsequent election coverage…
On a cold November morning, at 4 am GMT, thousands of miles away from my country, and in the quiet of my living room, I watched history being made. The BBC had a countdown, the calling of the win, and then just showed the jubilation, sans commentary for a few minutes. It was the best way to cover it since the election itself had all the pieces to a good drama, with suspense, a history making aspect, and most of all great dialogue. I was glued to the television that night through Obama’s speech, and after some sleep, all the next day. I can say it is a television moment (and a life moment) I will never forget.

4) Battlestar Galactica
While not its best year, it still delivers better than most. With great acting, generally great storytelling, and the weight of a penultimate season, it, like Lost, has me biting my nails to see what’s next. This leads me to ask of you, once again, please rent the DVDs from previous seasons, realize what a great show this is, and give it the send off it deserves.

5) Comparing the two Life on Mars
I tried not to do it, but do it I did. As a major fan of the BBC’s Life on Mars, I just couldn’t help comparing the American version to the original. Once I realized I was going to compare, I embraced it, and went all out. It was fun to be in the know on many storylines, to wonder about the differences in the two shows and why they were made, argue with myself on the merits of John Simm v. Jason O’Mara, or more importantly Philip Glenister v. Harvey Keitel, and to wonder just how different the ending will be.

A television related highlight for me, that didn’t occur on TV, was being a featured blogger on TV Guide.com. Unfortunately, TV Guide.com has ended that community, but it was fun while it lasted! It was for my post, originally published here, about how hard it is to watch tv legally. I was going to link to it, but it seems to have disappeared. In fact I see there are a lot of changes at that website, and I'm not sure I like it. But, that's another whole post!

I should also give Ashes to Ashes, Lost in Austen, The Bill, Fringe, and SNL’s election coverage aHonorable Mentions, for entertaining me greatly this past year.

I also cannot let the new year pass without some Two Girls in Love, with TV resolutions. The first being: BLOG MORE OFTEN. The rest are a little more nuanced, and start with watching Mad Men, catching up with 30 Rock, discovering new British shows, and oh did I mention, BLOG MORE OFTEN.

I am also really going to work to increase the readership of the blog, so if you read please comment and send your friends on over here. I promise there will be posts on a more regular basis.

I will see you all soon. Happy New Year!

Guilt and Politics

I am offically a bad blogger. I intended to blog AT LEAST every week, but alas, I have not kept up with my end of the deal. I do love tv, and I do watch too much. I just need to type more.

Less than a week ago I was watching the election results, counting up electorial votes, red/blue states and biting my nails. Happily, it seemed to end early around 10pm central time...no hanging chads, recounts or shadiness. I, once again, am proud to be an American, it has been awhile. Although, even as a midwest girl, I am vastly disappointed in the citizens of California and the crazy power of crazy christians. What does gay marriage have to do with heterosexual marriage? It's about equality and second-class citizens. But, I digress.

I am currently watching "Dancing with the Stars" as I type this, and I am so glad that the remaining duos can actually dance. After this, will be Gossip Girl, which I am LOVING this season. I heard rumors that Jenny's character is being groomed for a break-off show. Not loving the crazy black eye make-up or prep girl turned grunge, but I love the storyline. I still feel like it is too mature for a highschool show and I am not sure how I feel about my much younger sibs watching it, but in this case, bad is good. (btw, who in high school was clubbing at martini bars?)

VOTE

Because it is finally Election Day in the United States, and because the election will be covered on television, then consider this your twogirlsinlove friendly public service message: PLEASE VOTE.

Oh, and believe in hope.  I know we do around here.

political mayheim vs. entertainment

The US national election is in 3 weeks and the last of 3 presidental debates is currently on television. I know who I am going to vote for (Obama all the way), yet I am still watching the debate, not for the issues or entertainment, but because it is the only thing on tv. Typically Wednesday's nights in our house are full of tv, so much so that my dvr can't record it all: Bones, ANTM, Private Practice, Lipstick Jungle, Dirty Sexy Money, CSI New York, Project Runway...yes, I actually watch ALL of these shows from ONE night. (Thanks for whomever invented the DVR, you are my god) But, noooo, all of these *quality* programs are not available because our country can't figure out the issues for themselves, and enjoy watching a verbal banter of politicans. (one who is becoming more old and pastey as the weeks go on) I realize I am being narrowed minded and slightly joking, but I am hormonal (tmi) and I want my tv.