Slings and Arrows is (was) the best thing on Canadian and American television. Well crafted drama and comedy- it's about a Shakespearean Canadian Theatre company and their characters on and off stage. I first caught this show in its second season on Comcast On Demand (if you don't have this service that's unfortunate). Anyway, at first pass I immediately fell in love with the antics of Geoffrey, Ellen and the director's ghost. Oh yes there's a ghost. How Shakespearean I dare say. I soon caught the 3rd season airing on the
Sundance Channel (a fantastic cable TV channel- pay for upper tier TV peoples!).
This last week I received the 1st season from Netflix. Everything was revealed to me about the plots that stumped me a bit in season #2 and #3. I highly recommend renting season one and two now. NOTHING is on TV right now and jump in to this wildly hilarious world of quirky insane theater people. Let me make something clear- this is not a
Waiting for Guffman rip off. This is a very well written drama/comedy about the inner workings of REALLLY talented actors.
My favorite character is Geoffrey. I've got a mad crush on him. First of all he's brilliant and secondly completely insane. Really he had a nervous breakdown on the stage. Then my second one- Richard Smith Jones (of Kids in the Hall fame) -- he's truly quirky and neurotic.
While researching this show (yes I research tv shows) I found out that two leads - Geoffrey and Ellen- are married in real life. And they both were members of the REAL Shakespearean theatre in Canada,
Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Love this!
AND, I've got to admit that this is the first time I've loved anything Canadian. I hate to say it (dear friends there) but usually my husband and I when we find out that a famous actor is Canadian we usually remark "oh, i knew there was something about them!" Take that how you will.
----this show looks like it will not be renewed for another season-- so rent it on DVD.
so unfortunate that my 2nd blog post is on another TV show laid to rest :(
