Medium: A Eulogy

I've enjoyed Medium since day one, being an avid fan of Patricia Arquette ever since she stared in the best film of all time, True Romance. She's a rare breed; sexy but not threatening, cool, intelligent, and extremely likeable. She's also beautiful with lovely hair, and built like a real woman, which must be difficult to manage in Hollywood.
Medium was always a safe place to go- somehow warm and cosy, despite featuring gruesome murders every week. The safeness was in Allison's family unit, three fantastically-cast daughters, and her cynical-but-caring husband Joe Dubois. It's not too great a leap to say that their (fictional-ish) romantic set-up made me realise what was possible from a relationship- to have a partner who challenges you, but who is also your best friend. I'll miss their chats in bed, even if I do wonder why Allison always sleeps in those bloody pyjamas.
That's not to say I've always approved of Joe; he was casting doubts on Allison's psychic abilities for long after he should have just accepted that SHE IS RIGHT. But on the whole, their relationship was a thing of wonder and warmth, and I always envied it. They spoke to each other like real people do. The acting by all involved was excellent, but especially by the children, considering I can't stand children usually. Bridget is just like a mini adult.
I think it must be quite difficult to strike a balance with a drama about ghosts to not go too schlocky, but I think Medium managed it. That's not to say it didn't have it's quirky (OK, bonkers) moments. But on the whole, the ghosts were the least most important thing. I didn't even mind that most of the time you could guess what was going to happen at the end. I liked seeing her wake up again and again and again. I knew where I was with things then. Plus it's cool that the main character is female, and her husband just has to rub along with her life.
I remember thinking in the early days that Allison might have a bunk up with Lee Scanlon, the hunky detective, but she never did. I wasn't sure about his missus at first either, but apparently they're a good match (see the last series for confirmation). I will miss him. I will miss Devalos, too- even though he was an old cynic for way too long, as well. But mostly I'll miss Allison. She was one of the most realistic people on TV- even though I don't even believe in psychics! She was just cool and kind, and I would have liked her as a friend.
OK, so the last episode was a bit rubbish (I won't spoil it). But at least the series didn't get cancelled before they got to write one.
If you have a suggestion for something to fill the Medium-shaped hole, something warm and safe and predictable, but with a good heart, just let me know. Until then, I'll be watching Misfits (also ace).
Night, Allison. At least you can get a good night's kip, now.

Girls of The Playboy Mansion

I’d never seen this show before, then I watched 4 episodes in a row. It’s every feminist’s worst nightmare and every wrinkly old man’s greatest fantasy.
Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends are as follows: Holly (Gwen Stefani’s mum) Bridget (melted Barbie) and Kendra (the thick one- well, thicker).
As if them all sleeping with a geriatric isn’t bad enough, it is truly sickening that they aren’t allowed to have other boyfriends. They are essentially just kept prostitutes.
There is another extremely creepy undercurrent running through the show, in that all the women seem incredibly infantilised. They all have pink bedrooms and puppies and kittens, and there is something really teenage about them, even the ones in their 30s. This coupled with the regular nudity, plus the obvious jealousy between the women and it all adds up to a big old wrong with a capital ‘w’. Even the title is dubious- are they topless, sexual children? No. They are desperate, plastic surgery-deformed women.
So far I’ve not really seen any one on one time between Hef and his ‘wives’, he just seems to flounce in and bugger off again in his disgusting crusty old dressing gown. I bet he doesn’t wash it between bimbos.
Holly seems to be the ‘proper’ girlfriend, and she is the nicest, but she is obsessed with image and Hef’s exes (sharing your boyfriend would make you feel somewhat insecure though, I’m sure). It's a bit weird when his exes come round and they are twice or three times the playmates age. Bridget and Kendra just seem to be in it for the cash. Kendra isn’t even good looking, and certainly doesn’t have a good personality. And Bridget is definitely knocking on… she’s one botox injection away from being replaced by a prototype.
In the episode I watched yesterday one of their sister’s came to stay, and she was a sweet, fresh faced girl. They decided to give her a playgirl makeover and nylon hair and orange skin and stuff.. It was amazing how she went from being cute in her own right to being a generic blonde doll. It was celebrated that at last she ‘fitted in’ and ‘looked beautiful’.
The programme was very light-hearted in tone, basically making fun of the girls for being stupid. I can'tt say it's not entertaining, it is, in the same way other fluffy reality stuff is. But it felt like the real story was taking place somewhere else, in what wasn’t said or seen. I basically find the whole set up offensive and insulting to women. I find their whole ‘look’ to be unimaginative (their dissing of anyone brunette spoke volumes). But the real villain here is Hugh Hefner, and anyone who goes to his house, where women are treated as brainless commodities. Shame on you all.