Quick Hello & TV Show Review: HBO's Getting On

First off, I would like to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and sorry I have been away for the last little bit. What with all the Christmas stuff, and the New Year stuff, time has slipped by me. I hope y'all had a wonderful holiday and spent some quality time with your fam jams. However, now is the time to buckle down and move forward with this posting and writing thing I have committed myself too. I have written down some reviews of things I have finished watching or reading since my last post and would like to share some with you. I am also going to be whittling down the "Song of the Day" posts into a couple ones per week instead of having one everyday. Now, let's get down to business.

A comedy series set in an extended care unit of a memorial hospital may not seem that funny to begin with, but thanks to some sharp humor and spot on performances from the entire cast, Getting On is a very smart satire.

I'm sure many of us have had to deal with doctors that are unfortunately as "Dr. Jenna James," played to the egotistical hilt by the great Laurie Metcalf. Metcalf is smart in the way she plays the role though, giving weight to Dr. James' sympathetic side, making us feel sorry for her while cringing at her massive ego. Alex Borstein and Niecy Nash are also quite brilliant as the nurses working under her. Nash's "Nurse Didi Ortley" is the most sane one of the bunch while Borstein's "Nurse Dawn Fourchette" is almost as neurotic as "Dr. James." Maybe just a wee bit less. It is very entertaining to see each of their personalities clash with each other. 

One thing that I love is that the great cast also extends to the other hospice care workers and patients around the area. From Mel Rodriguez as harried supervising "Nurse Patsy De La Serda," to June Squibb as foul mouthed patient "Varla Pounder," to Molly Shannon as a daughter of one patient, to Jean Smart as the daughter in-law of another patient, to the heartbreaking Carrie Preston as a patient looking for some light at a grim moment in her life. Everyone does a great job of balancing the drama with the dark comedy. It's also nice to see everyone's various story lines collide in very humorous ways. Some of the ones that have gotten the biggest guffaws from myself have been "Dawn" and "Patsy's" confusing and contentious relationship, "Varla's" verbal tirade against everyone trying to help her, and "Dr. James'" feces and anal sphincter studies concerning rats and humans. There have also been the quieter stories involving "Didi's" family and her tough, but loving relationship with them.

Getting On has the ability to hit us in a tender spot close to home, but can also tickle the funny bone just as well. What is tragedy without humor at times. I love how this show hits it's mark and isn't afraid to shy away from the more melancholy side of life. HBO is such a vital television network that has always gone this route with their shows and I think we should continue to embrace them. Here's to hoping that they renew Getting On for a well deserved third season.

Getting On - Season 1: A

Getting On - Season 2: A-

Favourite Episodes: If You're Going to San Francisco [Season 1]

                                      Nightshift [Season 1]
                                      Doctor Death [Season 2]