Macon Telegraph Logo

Show, Don't Tell | Macon Telegraph

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Customer Service
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Newsletters
    • Buy Photos and Pages
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Subscribe
    • Archive Search

    • All News
    • Local
    • Houston & Peach
    • The Sun News
    • Crime
    • Food Story
    • Education
    • Databases
    • Business
    • Nation/World
    • Opinion
    • Weird News
    • All Sports
    • High Schools
    • University of Georgia
    • Bulldogs Beat
    • Georgia Tech
    • Mercer
    • Columns & Blogs
    • MLB & Braves
    • NFL & Falcons
    • NBA & Hawks
    • Auto Racing
    • Golf
    • NHL/Macon Mayhem
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • All Living
    • Family
    • Food
    • Home & Garden
    • Religion
    • Celebrations
    • Mark Ballard
    • Dear Abby
    • Entertainment
    • Out & About
    • Celebrities
    • Music
    • Restaurants
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Horoscopes
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Submit a Letter
    • Blogs & Columns
    • Opinion Columns & Blogs
    • Your Say
  • Obituaries
  • Education Together
  • Best of the Best

  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Cars
  • Homes
  • Place An Ad
  • Contests

  • About Us
  • Mobile & Apps

TV

Show, Don't Tell

pramati

    ORDER REPRINT →

August 03, 2010 11:54 AM

I've figured out why I don't like USA's new series, "Covert Affairs" (USA, 10 p.m.)



Every week, both the episodes and the ads for the episodes tell me the same thing over and over: How great a spy Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is, how inexperienced she is, and how hot she is.



For the latter, I can indeed confirm that Ms. Perabo is hot. I can see that for myself.



As for the other two things, I apparently have to rely on the other characters on the show to remind me of this. We've seen a bunch of moments where the character's inexperience is presented, even when it doesn't have to be, but we haven't seen many moments as to why she's supposed to be a great spy or why the CIA would keep sending her out on missions when she is so experienced.



Contrast "Covert" with other USA series.



When we first met Adrian Monk, the very first time we see him is him solving a case by observing the smallest details as the cops look on in awe. We also see his neuroses and how his assistant Sharona must hover over him. No one needs to tell us about Monk's skills and phobias -- they are all there in that first scene.



Ditto Michael Westen. In the "Burn Notice" pilot, we see Michael operate as a top spy. In his case, Michael narrates his own process in improvising a bomb or making a car bulletproof. No one needs to tell us how great a spy Michael is.



Ditto Neil Caffrey. In the pilot of "White Collar," Neil goes through a complex plan to break out of prison. There's hardly any dialogue. It's just the viewer watching Neil go through a complicated plan to get out to show us he's a master criminal.



Ditto Hank Lawson. The first scene in "Royal Pains" is Hank making a tough medical call but saving the life of a guy he's playing basketball with. It tells us all we need to know about the guy.



In all of the other USA shows, the characters continue to impress us and make us care about them by showing them doing what they do best. We don't need characters to keep saying, "Wow, Hank Lawson, you're a great doctor!" We know he is; we see him doing his thing every week.



Not so much with "Covert Affairs," though. It's as if the writers keep finding excuses to let Annie go on a mission, only to have her inexperience get her into trouble before she figures a way out, with her colleagues constantly talking us through that process every step of the way.



I'm sticking with "Covert" a while longer, but the writers do need to let the actions of the characters speak for themselves.



TUESDAY'S BEST BETS: If you don't believe me, contrast "Covert" with "White Collar," (USA, 9 p.m.) and see if you can't spot the difference in storytelling.



Also on cable, TNT has new episodes of "HawthoRNe" and "Memphis Beat" from 9-11 p.m.



On "Rescue Me," (FX, 10 p.m.), Tommy (Denis Leary) comes up with a, shall we say, unique way to curb his daughter's drinking. Whether it works or not -- you'll have to wait a week to find out. Meanwhile, Garrity and Mike take a dying friend to the ballet, with predictably hilarious results, while Franco and Black Shawn have it out over their involvment with the Gavins. It's followed by a new "Louie" at 11 p.m.



On regular TV, a new season of "Shaq vs." (ABC, 9 p.m.) kicks off tonight as Shaq takes on Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a race. One question -- how did they find a car big enough for Shaq to drive? It follows "Wipeout" at 8 p.m.



Fox is new with "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef," while NBC has a new "Breakthrough with Tony Robbins" and two hours of "America's Got Talent."



Finally, the CW kicks off a new sitcom called "18 To Life" with back-to-back episodes. It's about two kids who decide to get married instead of going to college, much to the chagrin of their respective parents.

SIGN UP

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Telegraph

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

  Comments  

Videos

The best celebrity cameos of Super Bowl 51 commercials

Caliya Robinson reflects on performance following win over Ole Miss

View More Video

Trending Stories

If this plane could talk: A U.S. president’s plane rests in Warner Robins

February 17, 2019 05:31 PM

These men are breathing new life into Cotton Avenue District

February 18, 2019 03:19 PM

J.B. Holmes rallies to win a marathon finish at Riviera

February 17, 2019 10:04 PM

Several Middle Georgia teams taste victory and punch a ticket to the Sweet Sixteen

February 17, 2019 04:57 PM

This is Viewpoints for Sunday, February 17, 2019

February 17, 2019 09:00 AM

Read Next

No plan for Smollett to do follow-up police interview Monday

Celebrities

No plan for Smollett to do follow-up police interview Monday

The Associated Press

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 18, 2019 10:48 PM

Jussie Smollett's attorneys say there are no plans for the "Empire" actor to meet with Chicago detectives Monday for a follow-up interview about his reported assault.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Telegraph

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE TV

First-ever ‘Jeopardy!” team contest draws top champions

Celebrities

First-ever ‘Jeopardy!” team contest draws top champions

February 18, 2019 03:38 PM

Celebrities

Tennessee man changed wedding plans to compete on ‘Survivor’

February 18, 2019 12:30 PM
Chicago police seek follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett

Celebrities

Chicago police seek follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett

February 18, 2019 07:15 AM

Celebrities

Oklahoma, Arkansas towns among finalists for makeover

February 18, 2019 10:12 AM

TV

Next ‘This Is Us’ flashback response to fans’ demands

February 18, 2019 03:00 AM

TV

‘Flack’ fitting for Paquin’s storied career

February 18, 2019 03:00 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Macon Telegraph App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Archives
Advertising
  • Place a Classified Ad
  • Advertise with Us
  • Local Deals
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story