Dead Like Me

So it's been a bit of a busy week for me, with all the socialising and what-have-you, but I did manage to catch the Dead Like Me movie, Life After Death. Now if you don't know what Dead Like Me is, then take a step back. Look at your life and ask yourself "AM I TRUELY AWESOME". The answer is most probably no, unless you're me...or Barney Stinson.

Info: IMDB | Wikipedia

Dead Like Me was a TV show that ran for 2 seasons in 2003/4 on the Showtime (USA) network. Now if you've ever seen any Showtime programs (the best of which recently have been Dexter and Californication), then you'll no doubt love the deep dark humour that runs through this show. I'm still not entirely sure how I stumbled upon this show, but it's probably the same way I manage to find any of the stuff I watch...just pure luck. The premise of the show, following a group of Grim Reapers as they go about their day taking the souls of the soon-to-be-departed, was fresh and original. The reason the show got cancelled? NO IDEA.

So now we come to 5 years later and the release of a Direct-to-DVD movie which, unlike the series, lacks a lot of the humour and quirkiness that made the original series such a hit (with me at least). With the release of the movie, many of the questions that were left partially unanswered towards the end of the series finally get an answer. When most network shows get cancelled, it's usually because they're crap and no-body cares. When a show ends its run after many years, storylines get tied up and everyone lives happily ever after. Woo. But what happens to all the great shows that have problems with premature ecancellation? WHY WONT YOU JUST THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!

Now the real reason why I'm talking about this DVD isn't because it's that good. The plot is full of holes, 2 of the actors have left (one being replaced which was frankly a TERRIBLE move) and the entire film feels forced. But an end is an end, and who knows, maybe it'll spark everyone to petition to bring the show back and it will return to it's former glory. The real reason I'm mentioning this is because it's a great day for cancelled shows. With the return of Dead Like Me, and the impending return of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (BRING ON THE MOVIE!!), it signifies a shift. No longer will cancelled shows be left to rot in some fat guy's basement. If the fan's are behind it, why shouldnt good TV get its fond farewell? I've seen far too many decent shows being cancelled in recent years, only to be replaced with the the utmost tripe that i wouldnt even wipe my arse with. But slowly but surely, the fans are kicking back.

Futurama. Dead Like Me. and now Arrested Development?...all we need now is the return of Freaks and Geeks and I think i'll wet myself.

-Lazy