Alex Israel

Television produces masterpieces of our time

When I first interviewed to write for The Phoenix seven (!) semesters ago, I was asked by my interviewer, the great Ian Yarett, why I wanted to write about television.

I explained to Ian that, in my o…

Niche programming comes with its pros and cons

_“I invite each of you to sit down in front of your own television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a p…

TV’s portrayal of alcohol is realistic, sometimes

Amidst the maelstrom of controversy that has been Charlie Sheen’s personal life of late, a lot of critics have been discussing his portrayal of booze-fueled playboy Charlie Harper on the popular CBS

“Community” is absurd, but ultimately fulfilling

For those who read this column regularly, you are doubtlessly aware of my love of “The Vampire Diaries” and “Fringe” (which reminds me: for the love of god, people, start watching “Fringe!” The rating…

Glee's homosexual storylines undermine message

Here’s the deal with “Glee”: I used to love it, and not just because I was temporarily insane, despite what some people might assume. I still maintain that the first half of the pilot season provides …

One of the last original shows hangs by a thread

Ever since “Lost” became a giant television phenomenon (and ultimately a giant disappointment), producers and network execs across the country have been desperately trying to find another “Lost.” …

The dead are walking, crawling, even jogging!

I shall preface this column with three words: I love zombies. Well, not zombies themselves, as they are about the least lovable kind of horror movie villain (seriously, they make the Wolfman look like…

Great TV theme songs go beyond bland hipness

The television theme song is a tricky thing to get right. In less than thirty seconds (unless, of course, your show is on HBO) you have to successfully set the mood, even if you don’t plan on explaini…

Offering a modern look at family, love, television

Sometimes, being sick has an upside. Two weeks ago I came down with the Swat plague and, being an extremely atypical Swattie (that is, prioritizing my health over my overachieving), I decided to stay …

The CW's Thursday night: Television's new MVP

Alright kids, it’s official; the 2010-2011 TV season has begun, and with it joy, happiness and a reason to live have returned to your columnist’s soul. Granted, most shows have not yet premiered for t…

Great comedy, great pain and a very human alien

Those of you who regularly read my column know that two of my favorite television genres are twisty sci-fi (like ‘Lost’) and absurdist British comedy (like ‘Spaced’). These particular styles could har…

One last chance for spewing crazy 'Lost' theories

Up until now, I’ve refrained from writing columns about my favorite TV show that are packed with half-crazed theories and overly detailed minutiae, forced connections with philosophical treatises and …

‘American Dad!’ takes on fan favorite ‘Family Guy’

“Family Guy” has always had something of a cult status among its fans; even though the show is doing well, earns reasonably high ratings, has garnered critical acclaim and has become the first animate…

A big bang of fan culture depictions in television

I’ve written about fan culture in this column before, specifically in the context of science fiction shows such as “Lost,” “Firefly” and “Battlestar Galactica.” Today, however, I want to talk about fa…

Holiday episodes highlight Alex’s TV-watching career

Two weeks ago, I had the supreme pleasure of watching the sublime Valentine’s Day episode of “30 Rock.” Now, I’ve traditionally been quite anti-Valentine’s Day — which in the words of Liz Lemon is “a …

In a world of “Lost” mythology, Alex finds reprieve

My longtime readers know that every year, around this time, a change occurs in your beloved columnist. My brain stops focusing on reading and problem sets, and instead becomes filled with conspiracy t…

Dear Mr. Jeff Zucker: An open letter to the NBC Universal President

Dear Mr. Zucker,

I suppose that, when one writes a letter to a powerful figure such as yourself, it usually begins with some sort of pandering formality that thanks you profusely for your time and att…

NBC talk show promotes profits over creativity

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how CBS’s Craig Fer-guson has been quietly reinventing the late-night talk show through his loopy monologues, hysterical, tangential interviews (if you haven’t seen his …

Alien entertainment: The new invaders among us

The other day, while watching the pilot episode of ABC’s “V: The Reimagined Series,” a.k.a. the network’s second attempt to find an appropriate replacement for “Lost” (after the excellent “FlashForwar…

Late-night host dishes out humor with honesty

The late-night talk show landscape has been very busy for the past few months. From the announcement that Conan O’Brien would be taking over that most hallowed of post-local news institutions “The Ton…

Alex’s picks: TV shows to catch up on during Break

It’s now October, which can only mean one thing: no, not that the air is getting colder, that the leaves will soon be changing, or that fall break is almost upon us, although all of those things are t…

'Spaced' brings the slacker to the small screen

This summer, I came to the realization that working from nine to five, Monday through Friday, is referred to as the “daily grind” for a reason. Even though I was working at an internship that I loved,…

The Crum Regatta '09

On a bright Sunday morning a crowd of students, parents and professors gathered at Crum Henge to watch several teams attempt to sail their homemade crafts down the Crum Creek at the annual Crum Creek …

Editor's Picks

Correction: April 17, 2009

Correction: This page incorrectly stated that the Spanish-language literary magazine, “ñ,” is holding an essay contest. The contest is actually a short story contest with th…

Why we love T.V. nerds

If you were asked to name your favorite character from “The Office,” who would it be? If I were asked, I would briefly touch on the entertaining, cute Jim, flirt with the incompetent Michael Scott, an…

Filmgoing in Philly: Week Two

Rudo y Cursi

Playing this past weekend at the Philly Film Festival was the Mexican comedy “Rudo y Cursi” directed by Carlos Cuarón. The film is about two brothers who get caught up in the world of pro…

‘Kings’ loses the sandals, keeps the story intact

Pop culture has long been wary of updating scriptural stories for contemporary times. Greek myths, Shakes-peare plays and Jane Austen novels have all been transplanted to the 20th (or 21st) century, b…

Cramer vs. Stewart: Comedy Central smackdown!

It was billed as a smackdown between two television titans. The weeklong feud of the century. Bigger than Lincoln vs. Douglas, Capulet vs. Montague, possibly even Paris vs. Nicole. It was… Cramer vs. …

Love ‘Lost’ and found, again and again and again

Most people in serious relationships make special plans for Valentine’s Day. Some go out for romantic dinners; some take in a show; and some buy sexy lingerie and prepare for some lovin’. I, however, …

Cooper event explores serious side of humor

Why do we find things funny? How does humor help us cope with oppression? Why do female comedians have such a hard time making it in the business? These are just a few of the questions sparked by the …

Bad cancellation decisions, part II: save our Bluths!

In the last installment of my column (which I sincerely hope that my loyal readers, unlike my so-called “friend” Emilia Thurber, read during the last TWO WEEKS), I promised that my discussion thi…

Trio(Blue) shows that jazz is alive and well

“We’re in some strange shit right now […] But the music lives. The art lives.”

So said William Hooker, drummer and bandleader of Trio(Blue), whose music left the crowd speechless in Bond Hall …

Bad cancellation decisions, part 1: Apatow’s revenge

As a Swarthmore student, I realize that winter break is supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation. After suffering through the protracted waterboarding session that was finals week — a torturous ti…

New linguistics course encourages awareness

In the minds of many, the history of the Philadelphia area is intertwined primarily with Protestant colonialism. The name of William Penn rises easily to the lips of most Pennsylvania residents, who t…

Sex, lies and Blair Waldorf

I should probably start this column by saying that I enjoy intellectual pursuits just as much as the next Swattie. I read Dostoevsky for fun, I strain to understand the symbolism of Bergman’s “The Sev…

Skeletal actresses set dangerous standards

The other day, as I was aimlessly surfing the Internet while procrastinating doing anything resembling actual work, I read a Newsweek story about pro-anorexia Facebook groups and the girls who join th…

Cinematic obsession with vampires has deep roots

Vampires have been enjoying special pop-culture status since before the publication of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” but in recent years vampire lore has undergone a surge in popularity that shows no signs…

Single walking, talking and shopping bundles of nerves

The other day I was perusing the television page of the New York Times—a favorite pastime of mine which often takes place in lieu of any sort of productive activity like, say, studying for midterms or…

‘Simpsons’ and ‘Sex’ have success at the multiplex

Now, those of you who read my column on a regular enough basis to be aware that the subject is television — and those who are sufficiently in the know to realize that I have never even thought the nam…

Jazz Symposium pays tribute to Ellington

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Music Department held a Jazz Symposium in Lang Concert Hall. The symposium consisted of three parts: a performance by five student jazz combos, two short lectures by Dan Pere…

Banned books

The Banned Books exhibit currently on display at McCabe Library is rather difficult to find. Tucked in a corner of the second floor amongst the stacks and pressed against the wall, it seems like an ex…

'Mad Girl's Love Song' does Sylvia Plath

“Mad Girl’s Love Song,” a solo performance piece written and performed by theater major Rachel Sugar ‘08, will be shown Oct. 4-6 at 8 p.m. in the Frear Ensemble Theater. The piece, directed by visitin…

'Greyhound' rocks the night

As rock concerts go, the Earl Greyhound show at Olde Club on Saturday night was pretty basic: three musicians, a good-size crowd and music so loud that my ears were still ringing three hours later. Ba…