Tom,

I think you are supposed to hand wave.

somehow was appalled and charmed at the same time.

Ari does that. A LOT. I also swear I heard (probably here) that he's based on Rahm Emmanuel's brother, who's a real-life H-wood agent.

Because it sounds like he likes her acting very much, but at the same time, it's not too reductive or anything. And, yes, I read that. Those family occasions must be really...something.

I went to the Big Love panel at the Paley Festival last night. In person were:

• Bill Paxton
• Jeanne Tripplehorn
• Chloe Sevigny
• Harry Dean Stanton
• Grace Zabriskie
• Matt Ross (Alby)
• Mark Olsen (co-creator)
• Will Scheffer (co-creator)

Ginnifer Goodwin and Amanda Seyfried were supposed to be there, but had filming conflicts.

They showed a lengthy clip reel from last season, which was awesome. The cast was seated in the row right behind us during the reel, so we heard a lot of laughing and commenting going on as they watched the reel. Bill Paxton wants a Big Love movie as he thought it translated well to the big screen (it did).

They all seemed like genuine, nice people with the possible exception of Harry Dean Stanton, who came across as, well, pretty much crazy. He complained frequently at various intervals about being killed off and would launch into these bizarre tirades about religion and the individual. I can see why they wanted him for Roman - they seem to have a lot in common! He also made a comment about Chloe's legs (she was wearing short dressy shorts) and she looked embarrassed by it.

Jeanne T. is gorgeous in person. She had a super cute new haircut. Chloe S. is also prettier in real life than in pictures. The ep that got the most play was the road trip one, which DW and I didn't care for. Sure it had some important things happen in it, but the road trip parts? Boring! They had fun stories about it though, like everyone eating at the local El Torito and Chloe S. getting a dance party started in the bar.

Interesting tidbits:

• There are no Mormons or former Mormons among the creators and writers, though there was a former Mormon writer during season 1.
• The creators had 6 seasons all mapped out but they reached the end of their map with season 3. They ramped it up!
• Next year we'll see Margene start maturing ("she can't be a babydoll forever!"). Bill put on a mock sadface at that one.
• Next season will have more on the subjugation of women (Jeanne and Chloe both raised an eyebrow at that one).
• Roman is really, truly

It was a fun evening! I think it was my favorite this year and that's saying something as we attended the events for Dr. Horrible, Dollhouse, and Battlestar Galactica/Caprica.

The creators had 6 seasons all mapped out but they reached the end of their map with season 3.

That's hilarious!

I watched the first episode of this season's In Treatment, but the schedule was too overwhelming for me to keep up and it kept breaking my DVR for some reason, so no more than that as of yet. I expect to catch up on On Demand at some point and I will pay close attention to the childhood in America business when I do.

Wow, I am SO envious, Glam! How awesome. (The Paley Panel that makes me die with envy is the Arrested Development. I'd have KILLED to be in that audience...)

Glam awesome awesome report. Thanks.

Things I love about Deadwood:

Al Swearengen
Trixies blouses taped to her nipples
Al's monologues as he gets a blowjob --hysterical!
Jane's over-reactions and over-aggressiveness to the simplest of comments
Wild Bill Hickock (gone too soon, imho)*
Charlie Utter, 'nuf said
Al
The set
The music**

* my love of the first season is greater than that of seasons 2 and 3. Too much weight seems to have been transferred to politics and maneuvering, and TO's Bullock became less interesting to me with the loss of Wild Bill. Seriously, his performance seems to have gone downhill in the last two seasons. Extra stiff body language and extra on the crazy eyes in a non-character-enhancing way.

Also, Tolliver will always be the sleazy dad from Legend of Billie Jean and I can't stand a single scene he's in. Same goes for E.B. Farnum. I loathe them more than I loathed Rygel. Which was a lot. Even Dr. Kelso gets more love from me (if Al were Dr. Cox, that is). And Hearst scares the bejeezus outa me. Al is a fucking teddybear and it pains me to see him under his thumb. Bullock is embarrassing at this point (just starting season three).

** The theme song is driving me crazy. It sounds like Thomas Newman's The Horse Whisperer and Jeff Beal's score to Carnivale. And yet it's composed by two or four other guys.

Add Calamity Jane and Julie's list is a lot like mine. But I really came to appreciate Farnum's comedy as well. Some of those episodes are pretty dark and it's nice to have a laugh when you find one. Ha...if swergin is Cox, and Tolliver is Kelso, that leaves Seth Bullock writing in his journal with the unicorn on it, doesn't it? Funny thought, that.