Slings & Arrows
Another plug for today’s Slings & Arrows marathon at 3pm on Sundance.
Again, this is Must See TV for Shakespeare fans and theatre folk, and well worth the watching for everyone else. It’s hysterically funny, true to life, and really gets at the heart of what it means to be passionate about Shakespeare.
The actors are all top-notch. They’re Canadian, so you might not recognize them, but that just adds to their believability. Fans of Kids in the Hall or Saturday Night Live will be familiar with Mark McKinney. And if you only know Rachel McAdams as The Hot Chick or one of the Mean Girls, then Season One will show you a whole new Rachel McAdams.
Sundance is showing all six episodes of Season One of Slings & Arrows today, Sunday, from 3pm to 8pm. This is the Hamlet season. Just start watching at 3pm, and if you’re not hooked by the end of the theme song, there’s no need to watch any further.
All six episodes of Season Two are availble on Time Warner Cable’s On Demand (under “Free Movies on Demand”), if you have it. This is the Macbeth season.
Season Three starts February 18 at 8pm. This will be the King Lear season. I’m giddy with anticipation in that very special Shakespeare Teacher way.
You can use the comments section of this post to discuss Season One. If there actually turns out to be any interest, I can start putting up a weekly post so we can discuss Season Three.
February 11th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Not wishing to spoiler the third season for you, but it is absolutely brilliant -far better than season two (which lost its way a little in my view) and perhaps some parts are even better than the marvellous season one. In particular, look out for the (numerous) scenes between Paul Gross and William Hutt – amazing!
February 11th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Belinda, thanks for visiting, and thanks for the spoiler-free preview of Season Three! I suppose you’re in Canada, if you’ve seen the episodes already.
I agree that Season One was much better than Two, so I’m excited to hear such a review of Three!
I don’t know who William Hutt is, but Paul Gross has been phenomenal as Geoffrey, particularly in his scenes with Martha Jones, who has also been a pleasure to watch.
IMDB says William Hutt was born in 1920, so I guess he’s our Lear. Can’t wait!
February 11th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Thanks, Bill, for the tip about Slings and Arrows! It’s recording now on my Tivo.
Incidentally, my Tivo says that Season 2 will be shown on Sundance next Sunday, February 18, from 3 to 8, followed immediately by, apparently, the first episode of Season 3.
I’m very happy to hear that William Hutt will be in Season 3. I’ve been a fan of his work at Stratford for two or three decades. My favorite of his many roles was as a gentle, almost scholarly Feste in Twelfth Night. When Orsino says (I think), “Take this for thy pains,” he offered Feste not a coin but a small book, which Feste lovingly accepted.
But Hutt’s Lears have also been memorable. My favorite was on the intimate stage of the Tom Patterson Theatre, so I have a feeling he’ll do very well on the small screen.
By the way, this week’s conundrum is driving me mad! Many thanks.
February 11th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Welcome back! Thanks for the tip about Season Two. I know that not everyone has On Demand, and those who do may have different offerings from time to time. So this is a big help. As I said, I thought Season One was better, but Season Two is still better than most TV. And it has Sanjay (Colm Feore), who just steals the season.
And thanks for the info about William Hutt. I’ve only had the chance to make it up to the Stratford Festival once (it’s quite a trek from NYC), but I had a wonderful time when I was there. I like the take on Feste. It has always seemed to me to be out of character for him to refuse Orsino’s offer of money, or even to make Orsino offer twice.
As for this week’s Condundrum, there are some additional clues in the comments area that should help. I’ll add the answer there Tuesday morning when I post the new Conundrum, which I think you’ll enjoy.
March 28th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Please, someone tell me. I just finished the lastest episode of Slings and Arrows; the King Lear. Was this the third season or the second? And, is there to be another? Geoffrey just left the festival. Is that the ends end? Thanks.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
You were watching the third season, and the series finale at that.
Season 1 = Hamlet
Season 2 = Macbeth
Season 3 = King Lear
And that’s the last season. But if you haven’t seen the first two seasons, I would absolutely recommend them.