Shawn Ryan, the writer and creator of possibly the second greatest police/crime drama series ever made for television was asked by website C21 Media if he had a million dollars what would he invest in.
His answer was to fund a national search for real men to teach them how to act and mold them into powerful TV stars. In his own words:
‘It’s really hard to find some solid male TV stars these days.’
You can watch the short interview video by charting a course for HERE. Hey Shawn, if you happen to ever read this flimsy article we just want you to know that we are pirates and Scottish and can be reached by email; hmsfriday@gmail.com.
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! That’s the collective sound of the crew of HMS Friday letting off some frustrated steam on deck, because once more our TV channels this winter are clogged up with property evaluations, failed attempts at losing weight, wanting to look ten years younger, please vote for me on this talent contest, listen to how I sing don’t I look great, look at how I’m dancing don’t I look great, there are spiders in my hair but don’t I still look great based programmes, which suck the very f@cking soul from our seafaring bodies. There exists an enormous lack of reasonable, decent, engaging programmes on British TV for people who would love to actually look forward to something on their box which didn’t feature a cast of no-mark, no-name, self appointed celebrities jostling for attention.
Just to accentuate our point and prove that we Brits are pretty hard done by in the TV entertainment stakes we’ve put together a list of five shining examples of quality programmes we are missing out on. Five fantastic shows that you’ve probably never heard of and know nothing about becasue they’ve either been hidden away from view or ignored completley.
1.Breaking Bad
Yes, we are fully aware seasons one and two were actually shown in Britain but they were broadcast on FX a channel not everyone in this country has and the second series was aired at stupid o’clock in the morning on Five US. Considering the series is now entering it’s fourth season with 33 episodes under it’s belt along with six Emmy awards it’s about time a mainstream channel picked it up and gave it a reasonable time slot.
Concept – Chemistry teacher finds out he has inoperable lung cancer, to provide extra cash for his family he starts to make and sell crystal meth, with help from an ex-student turned drug dealer. Both are sent sprawling over the line into a life of crime. One of the darkest and most engaging programmes in TV history.
2. Bored To Death
To our knowledge this has never been aired in the UK and is now about to enter into it’s third season.
Concept – Jonathan Ames, played by Jason Schwartzman, is a struggling novelist who has read a ton of cheap detective novels, so when his girlfriend leaves him he advertises his services on a website as an unlicensed private detective and starts taking on cases. Accompanying him is best friend and comic book artist Ray Hueston, played by Zach Galifianakis, who also suffers from various psychological issues and George Christopher, played by Ted Danson, Jonathan’s boss who also happens to be addicted to alcohol, cannabis and sex. Hilarity ensues.
3. Terriers
First season has finished in the States and so far there are no plans to air it over here in Britain.
Concept – Ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth, played by Donal Logue, (Blade), sets up yet another unlicensed private detective agency with help from friend and former criminal Brit Pollack, played by Michael Raymond-James, (True Blood) investigating cases in and around Ocean Beach, the beach front neighbourhood of San Diego. It’s from the creator of The Shield what more of a recommendation do you need?
4. Community
Now in it’s second season Community did air here in the UK on October 5th hidden away on Viva, yes there is actually a channel called Viva. No plans as of yet to show the second season.
Concept – A suspended lawyer, played by Joel McHale, has to attend community college after his degree is found to be invalid by the bar association. While attending college he meets a collection of misfit students at a Spainsh study group. The series plays heavily on movie parodies and references. Think Spaced with a touch of Glee. Plus Chevy Chase is in it, what more do you people want?
5. Party Down
Ah, the best to last. The crew here at HMS Friday have been lucky enough to watch the entire first season of this hilarious series…through purely legitimate methods of course, (ahem!). Unfortunately only two seasons were made and to date neither have been shown on British TV.
Concept – A group of somewhat unfortunate aspiring actors and writers in Hollywood fill their days earning a crust working for an event catering company. Dreaming of one day making it big they drift from one party to the next meeting and sometimes clashing with guests and clients along the way. Seek this series out if you can.
HMS Friday 