If Boston University won’t give us cable, why not bring that sweet, sweet cable to ourselves? Head to the nearest video store and grab yourself approximately 60 hours of incredible HBO programming by renting seasons one, two and three of both “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City.”
Using Chancellor Silber’s student lifestyle formula for seven hours of studying, eight hours of sleeping and six hours of fun per day, this means YOU have 10 days worth of fun covered! No need to make other plans. Television series rentals are hot, both as profit-makers for video stores and as a great alternative to renting the drivel that currently lines store shelves. Both “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City” feature some of the best writing and acting to be found on either the tube or the silver screen.
“The Sopranos” tells the story of a New Jersey mob family with two teenage children, handling normal family problems while dealing with the bloody and dark dealings of the Jersey mafia. The first few episodes are on the slow side, as the writer, David Chase traces out the main characters of the show: father and eventual mob leader, Tony Soprano; mother, Carmela Soprano; the children, Meadow and A.J. Soprano; Tony’s mother, Livia Soprano; Tony’s Uncle, Corrado “Junior” Soprano; and Tony’s psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi.
By episode five, the pace picks up significantly. “The Sopranos” proves highly addictive. By the end of season one, trips to the video store may become an every-other-day event.
What makes this series a winner is the writers’ ability to intertwine common issues with incredible ones. For example, in episode five, entitled “College,” Tony takes his daughter Meadow on a trip to check out colleges, while trying to knock off an ex-mafia member who ratted out family business to the feds.
The third season of “The Sopranos”, just released on Aug. 27, seems just as promising. Episode 27, “Mr. Ruggerio’s Neighborhood,” shows the Sopranos going about the activities of a typical family, tennis lessons, skipping school, etc., as the feds try to plant a wire tap in the Sopranos basement. This episode alone is worth watching all the preceding episodes, as the director cuts back and forth from tennis lessons to men sneaking into the Soprano home, one can’t help but laugh at the strangeness of this family’s lifestyle.
Though every episode on these tapes isn’t stellar, the majority of the shows are definitely worth the time and the money. You may want to invest in a thick pillow and some earplugs if you’re watching with an authority figure, as many of the shows feature graphic murders, full frontal nudity, and extensive cursing.
Speaking of cursing, HBO’s “Sex and the City” has taken the lead in turning taboo subjects into must-watch-TV. The show tells the story of four 30-something women living in New York City searching for good men and good sex — which are not always found in the same place.
Written primarily by Darren Starr, these episodes delve into the world of sex and love from tales of extramarital affairs to the wonder of Viagra. Narrator Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, is a newspaper sex columnist who explores the meaning of relationships and romance through the labor of her weekly columns. Perhaps the only aspect of the show that gets old fast is watching Carrie type out her idea for her column, the springboard for every show’s plot. Otherwise, watching Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda date hunks, geeks and freaks is a reliably enjoyable form of entertainment.
Though the series is mostly geared towards women, men have much to gain from watching these tapes with their girlfriends. Not only does every episode pack a belly-aching laugh or two, but the shows also provide insight into the world of women that most men never get to see. Men, take the time to learn what a Brazilian wax is and what makes a bad kisser — you never know when that information might come in handy.
What are you waiting for? Now that you’ve spent about five minutes reading this, you’ve only have a half-an-hour to run to the nearest video store, grab two tapes, come back and get started on those 60 hours of non-stop action and laughs. Get going.
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