Let's hear it for Showtime On Demand!

I recently discovered this show and I've been watching the first season all week now, 2-3 episodes a night, thanks to Showtime On Demand. This is the kind of series that's been growing on me, more so than something I've loved from the get-go, like say Queer As Folk or Weeds. But grow on you it does, and now I would say I am addicted and when ya get a chance, I think I might need therapy, Dr. H.

The characters are all deeply flawed and also deeply human, and you grow to understand and even love them as the episodes go on. I like the son, Byrd, in particular; as portrayed by the incredible Anton Yelchin, he's sensitive and not afraid of being so. And there's Teddy, Huff's mentally-challenged brother, magnificently brought to life by Andy Comeau. The show ALSO features a tour de force weekly performance from Oliver Platt (as the insanely drug/sex addicted lawyer Russell), and even though he provides a lot of the series' comic relief, he's not a caricature either, he's a genuine person with genuine feelings, genuine pain.

Hank Azaria and Paget Brewster get the pleasure of portraying beautifully-drawn characters week after week as well, of course, 3-dimension people who are coping the best they know how with the monumental challenges of their lives, and Blythe Danner (as Huff's mother) is equally blessed, with a sublimely conflicted character whom I couldn't stand at first but now I think I wanna give a big hug.

Last night I watched the Christmas episode, "Christmas Is Ruined", which I would say is one of the best family holiday episodes I've ever seen. It felt true, pure and not in the least bit derivative, which is a huge compliment considering how many family holiday episodes on TV and holiday films there have been in the recent past.

I feel compelled to comment on another episode in particular, which I believe is the best one they've given us so far. It's called A Cornfield Grows in L.A.; it was the 8th episode of the 2nds season. The interwoven subplots were stunningly written and executed ~ deeply rich material, perfectly and seamlessly edited for the most powerful effect possible. My favorite scenes involved the Ecstasy therapy session between Huff and Anjelica Huston's character, Dr. Lena Markova. Those scenes were simply amazing, in every possible way. Hank and Anjelica should be both be nominated on the basis of their work in this episode, if there is any justice in the TV world at all. When this episode was over, last night, I stayed and watched it over again (since Showtime runs it twice in succession on Sunday night), it was that good.

If you're a feeling, intelligent human being on this planet, and you are currently subscribing to Showtime, there's no excuse for your not checking this series out. If you don't have this channel available to you at this time, I have one word for you: DVD.

Added on 6/28/06: So Showtime cancelled the series, after only 2 seasons, citing 'low ratings'. Is this exasperating or what?! Isn't the entire point of premium cable supposed to be to run programming for reasons OTHER than ratings?! Hopefully another more forward-thinking network will pick up this brilliant series. To leave the show in the lurch, the way they're doing, is tasteless, tacky and pathetic, in my opinion. Showtime viewers and everyone connected with the series deserve better, much better.

8/07: Nobody's picked it up. I definitely need therapy now, or at least one of those really soft blankeys you cuddle with.