Highbrow Magazine - arrested development https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/arrested-development en What’s in Store for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ This Season? https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3984-what-s-store-orange-new-black-season <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 09:54</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1orangeshow.jpg?itok=AmHOd2bX"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1orangeshow.jpg?itok=AmHOd2bX" width="480" height="240" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>The past few years have not only brought about excellent new TV shows, but also a changing landscape for television distribution. Some of the best shows today aren’t even available on ordinary or cableTV channels, but instead can be found only online. Internet-only access to shows is a system that appears to be growing rapidly, especially when considering Yahoo’s recent announcement that<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2615468/Yahoo-2-comedy-series-video-expansion.html"> it, too, will be producing a series soon</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>Of course, the reigning king of online Web series is still Netflix. With a power portfolio of critically adored shows such as<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856010/"> <em>House of Cards</em></a>,<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/"> <em>Arrested Development</em></a>, and, of course,<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372162/"> <em>Orange Is The New Black</em></a>, the streaming giant has suddenly become poised to compete against previous power players like HBO.</p> <p> </p> <p>Perhaps Netflix’s most vocally admired show is the aforementioned <em>Orange Is The New Black</em>. Critics love the off-kilter dark comedy, a main factor which likely secured the show the TV Program of the Year award this past year from the American Film Institute. <em>The Washington Post’s </em>Hank Stuever also sang the show’s praises, particularly for allowing its largely female cast to explore multiple characters and personas that have otherwise been kept off limits on traditional television series.</p> <p> </p> <p>As Stuever said <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/netflixs-orange-is-the-new-black-brilliance-behind-bars/2013/07/11/d52f911e-e9aa-11e2-8f22-de4bd2a2bd39_story.html">in his review of the first season</a>, “Watching the show, one begins to realize that all the good parts for women truly have been kept locked up somewhere; now, here they all are, free (in at least one sense) to be portrayed.” He’s not alone in his praise of the strong female cast, with the Boston Globe’s <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/television/2013/07/10/orange-new-black-yuppie-interrupted/sfQieZah74YFAVWZYugu2O/story.html">Matthew Gilbert also declaring</a>, “Schilling is surrounded by uniformly strong performances. [Laura] Prepon is a revelation as Piper’s ex, and [Uzo] Aduba masterfully balances humor and terror as the woman who falls for Piper and calls her ‘Dandelion.’ As Red, [Kate] Mulgrew is a top dog who only needs to be scratched in the right spots to relax a bit.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Even now, almost a year after the first season was released, the series is still being discussed by fans on social media, as evidenced by scores of tweets compiled by social media tracking tool<a href="http://www.viralheat.com/"> Viral Heat</a>. Even a few celebrities are getting in on the action as well.</p> <p> </p> <p>With the second season of <em>OISTB</em> set to be released on June 6th, many fans are practically panting with anticipation for the new episodes (which are all released at once, making it prime binge-watching material). Of course, speculation about where the second season will go has run rampant since last summer, and Netflix has been good at keeping a lid on all the show’s secrets. However, there are a few major theories out there that seem to have lots of logic and support behind them. Let’s take a look at a few directions this next season could go:</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Piper &amp; Alex: What’s Next?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>To say that Piper and Alex have a complicated relationship is like saying the Empire State Building is just an office building. The amount of resentment, tension, love, and anger between these two women is enough to exhaust anyone. Despite rekindling their romance while in prison, Piper still blames Alex for her being there in the first place. There is also the ever-growing strain in Piper’s relationship with her fiance, who broke up with her because of her relationship with Alex during the season finale.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2orangeshow.jpg" style="height:313px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>What we do know is that Laura Prepon, who plays Alex, won’t be returning as a series regular this season. Despite the initial reports stating she would only appear in one episode, the word currently is that she’s actually set to<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/laura-prepon-orange-is-the-new-black-season-2"> come back for four episodes</a>. This likely means Alex and Piper will go their separate ways and the plot will revolve less on Piper’s romantic life.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Will Piper Get Some Street Cred?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Season one saw Piper catching flack from her fellow prisoners for being an educated, rich, slightly entitled white girl. While she used her strengths for her own benefit, and helped others as well, she still didn’t get much respect, and spent most of her time being mocked. However, in the last moments of the season finale, we saw Piper finally stand up to Pennsatucky, and the two were in the midst of a full-on brawl before the final credits rolled.</p> <p>Beating up Pennsatucky (something many of us have likely wanted to do) may just get Piper some respect from her fellow inmates. We’ll see her less as a victim and more as a seasoned inmate this time around.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>More Sophia</strong></p> <p>Sophia, played by Laverne Cox, has become the breakout star of the series for her accurate portrayal of a transgendered woman, something regular television series have yet to capture. Cox has emerged as one of the biggest faces for trans rights, and continues to lead an emotional and brave fight for visibility and respect for those in her community.</p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/21/laverne-cox-time-100_n_5186612.html">Cox’s ever-increasing popularity</a> will likely be reflected this season. We expect her to take on more of a lead role, especially since characters like Alex and Tricia are likely to be less prominent this season.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/3orangeshow.jpg" style="height:313px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Red Will Be Back in Power</strong></p> <p>Red is a character of whom you’re simultaneously terrified and also rooting for. While at first Red is difficult to like, when you learn her backstory you can’t help but understand her actions. Plus, Kate Mulgrew is a dynamic force when it comes to her portrayal of Red, which means the show’s creators would be silly not to showcase it. When Red lost control of the kitchen it was akin to cutting off one of her limbs, and we know she’s going to do everything within her power to get it back (as we have already seen after the fire incident).</p> <p> </p> <p>With so many unique characters and stories to tell, season two is sure to be just as eventful as the first. Many are wary of becoming too involved with such an acclaimed series, due to the knowledge that for every highly praised show that continues its trail of excellence, there are two that buckle under the pressure (looking at you, <em>Homeland</em>). The creative team behind <em>OITNB</em>, which includes the real-life Piper, <a href="http://piperkerman.com/">Piper Kerman</a>, and <em>Weeds</em>’ <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0463176/">Jenji Kohan</a>, have no shortage of talent, so we can hope that the series will continue in its success.</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Season two of </em>Orange Is The New Black <em>season two premieres exclusively on NetFlix on Friday, June 6th.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Kate Voss is a contributing writer at </em>Highbrow Magazine.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/orange-new-black" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">orange is the new black</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/netflix" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Netflix</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/netflix-shows" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">netflix shows</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hollywood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hollywood</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/television" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">television</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tv-shows" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tv shows</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/arrested-development" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">arrested development</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/house-cards" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">house of cards</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/watching-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">watching TV</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Kate Voss</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 15 May 2014 13:54:57 +0000 tara 4717 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3984-what-s-store-orange-new-black-season#comments The Ongoing Revolution of Television https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3741-ongoing-revolution-television <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-features" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News &amp; Features</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Mon, 02/17/2014 - 10:09</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumhouseofcards.jpg?itok=srigo2hD"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumhouseofcards.jpg?itok=srigo2hD" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>As Robin Wright accepted her Golden Globe for best actress in a TV drama, she made sure to thank Netflix for casting her as Claire in the original series <em>House of Cards</em>. Best actress in a TV drama was just one out of the six categories that Netflix was nominated for this award season. Another was a nomination for outstanding directing for David Fincher’s work in <em>House Of Cards. </em></p> <p> </p> <p>The win and nominations in a major industry award category solidified Netflix as serious competitor for networks like Fox, NBC, ABC, and CBS. It highlighted Netflix’s impressive roster of writers, directors, and actors --Kevin Spacey, Jason Bateman, and <em>Weeds </em>creator Jenji Kohan--who are helping the Internet-based service produce successful and artistically rich original content. But if anything, Netflix’s strong presence at the Globes suggests a broader and more significant change within the television world. </p> <p> </p> <p>With the rise of new media platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, audiences have more places to watch TV. Sellers also have more programmers to sell their series to and television has become a buyer’s market.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Media platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and even Amazon have all released successful series this past season. They have lured big-time writers and directors like <em>Weed's </em>Jenji Kohan and “Fight Club’s” David Fincher. TV is now drawing big-time players like Matthew McCaughey (<em>True Detective</em>), Martin Scorsese (<em>Boardwalk Empire</em>), and John Goodman (<em>Alpha House</em>) to the small screen,  which was unthinkable 10 years ago.</p> <p> </p> <p>Yet this “Golden Age” in TV also means fierce competition. With the rise in popularity of digital platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, the television landscape has been severely altered. Internet channels have revolutionized the way television is consumed and produced. Audiences are no longer restricted by a network’s broadcasting schedule. And these alternative programmers are producing original content with the luxury of time, money, and flexibility. These channels are creating original, critically acclaimed content like <em>Orange</em><em> Is The New Black, Behind The Mask, </em>and <em>Alpha House</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p>According to <a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire/2013/binging-is-the-new-viewing-for-over-the-top-streamers.html">Nielsen’s Over-the Top Video Analysis</a> report, “45 percent of Netflix streaming subscribers say the types of shows they watch when they stream are original programming, such as <em>House Of Cards</em> or <em>Lilyhammer</em>.” As a result a debate has ensued within the television industry in which critics argue that the “traditional” television model is outdated and perhaps restrictive with changing audience demands, habits, and desires.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/1arresteddevelopment.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p>The “traditional” broadcast television model runs on what is known as the pilot season. The season runs from January through May. It’s during this period that a new slate of shows are developed and shot. In May, the new pilots are presented to advertisers who then decide which new shows they will back. This means that broadcast networks are controlled by the time restraints and inflexibility of the pilot season. This can’t change until advertisers change the way they spend money. This is why critics argue that the pilot is a broken system. </p> <p> </p> <p>Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have recognized the space for original content and are reaching out to fill the need that is left behind. These media platforms don’t work under these time and financial restraints when producing original content. They have the luxury of spending more flexible time and with certain programs more money on developing content—a convenience that broadcast television does not always have.</p> <p> </p> <p>In a February 1, 2013 <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/01/technology/innovation/netflix-house-of-cards/">CNN Money</a> article, Juliane Pepitone wrote that, Netflix spent $50 million per season on <em>House of Cards</em>. This kind of capital and time flexibility also allowed Netflix to secure a star-studded cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Kate Mara. Some have argued that quality is sacrificed under the tight and inflexible time restraints that pilot season creates. Time flexibility means you can get feature actors and artists who are weary of the 22-episode model. Networks, the argument goes, should spend less time on pilots, and more time on developing talent and content. Critics claim successful networks should focus on series rather than pilots.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/1alphahouse.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Perhaps the biggest indicator of these shifts and changes was FOX’s announcement that it would bypass pilot season. On January 13, 2014, <em>The Hollywood Reporter </em>reported that at this year’s Television Critics Association’s press tour, Fox announced that it will now focus on developing series rather than pilots. (The network already has nine projects in the works under this model).  “RIP pilot season,” joked FOX chief executive Kevin Reilly at the press tour. Reilly explained that, “The broadcast development system was built in different era and is highly inefficient.” He argued, “It is nothing short of a miracle that talent can still produce anything of quality in that environment. When they are competing, frankly, with a huge swath of cable that has a lot of flexibility and order pattern and flexibility in when the shows can go on, cable networks are able to course correct creatively and reshoot and recast." Fox’s decision to move away from pilot season is a huge marker that perhaps TV’s traditional development system is antiquated.</p> <p> </p> <p>It is important to note, however, that broadcast television can still be successful. This past season, NBC’s <em>The Sound of Music</em> drew in 18.5 million viewers live and with the DVR numbers, viewership jumped to 21.8 million. And with the its biggest competitor being the Olympics, <em>The Big Bang Theory </em>still drew in 17.5 million viewers.</p> <p> </p> <p>Similar to most creative industries, new technology has brought about major changes in the world of television. Companies must get creative to adapt to the new landscape and successfully compete within their industry. This can be seen with Amazon’s <em>Betas</em> and <em>Alpha House</em>, which are the first shows to be chosen directly by consumers. This past season, Amazon put out a new slate of pilots that are voted on by Amazon users. Based on the audiences’ decision, Amazon will develop those pilots into series. Critics argue that broadcast television must do the same in order to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Veronica Mendez is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hulu" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hulu</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/netflix" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Netflix</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/amazon" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">amazon</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/television" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">television</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tv-shows" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tv shows</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/alpha-house" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">alpha house</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/house-cards" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">house of cards</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/arrested-development" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">arrested development</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/streaming" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">streaming</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/networks" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">networks</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/abc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">abc</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nbc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">nbc</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/fox" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">fox</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/cbs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cbs</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">TV</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/watching-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">watching TV</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tv-stars" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tv stars</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hollywood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hollywood</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Veronica Mendez</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:09:14 +0000 tara 4282 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3741-ongoing-revolution-television#comments