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Anonymous Critic


The Tudors: More Sex, Fewer Treaties

May 14, 2007

acritc_tudors_320x214.jpgI admit that I've grown desensitized to sex on television -- I grew up with it. I come from the era of high school boys who discovered the "Red Shoe Diaries" on Cinemax, which also places me squarely in the demographic for the soft-core history lessons that have been cropping up on pay cable. "Rome," "Carnivale," "Deadwood," "The L Word," or the grandpappy of needless nudity and sexual encounters, "Queer as Folk" -- these are the order of the day.

Which is why I'm confused by Showtime's latest offering. More than halfway through "The Tudors" -- the ten-episode original series hailed as fun, sexy, and scandalous, I'm starting to wonder who's doing the hailing and how much they're getting paid to do it. Don't get me wrong: the series isn't exactly bad, it's just so damn squeaky-clean that I often find myself wanting a little more, well, fun, sex, and scandal.

After a half-dozen episodes, viewers can count on one hand all the bare backsides, bosoms, and bits from this all-star cast of hotties. On the other hand, if ratified treaties, princely edicts, and trials for high treason really do it for you, look no further; "The Tudors" is a XXX-throwdown for that kind of thing.

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Anonymous Critic Archive


Television Without Pity | Television Without Pity

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On Mother's Day, the Wisteria Lane women try to be more endearing, but they fail miserably.

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Mother-Effer's Day

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The holiday for mothers becomes a showcase for bad behavior: putdowns, threats, blackmail, deceit, and violence. Go, Hallmark!

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Survivor

Survivor

Fans vs. Favorites Reunion

{ Recaplet }

The cast is back and they are out to get Probst.

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Survivor

Survivor

Stir the Pot

{ Recaplet }

The winner of the 16th season is crowned, after yet another twist.

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Smallville

Smallville

'Torso,' They Say

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Lex and Clark both get sliced up about the chest in a crazy game of Kryptonian symbol body art. Lex wins, though, because he finds the last piece of the puzzle before he finds Clark's secret. The chest stabbing was worth it!

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Brothers and Sisters

Brothers and Sisters

Prior Commitments

{ Recaplet }

Another secret sibling? Are you kidding? How much action did William Walker get on the side anyway?

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Cuddy's Living Nightmare

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House diagnoses his favorite soap star from afar with a brain tumor and then kidnaps him to treat it -- all while PPTH is being inspected by the accreditation committee.

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The van der Woodsens finally spill their giant secrets, and everybody goes crazy about it; in other news, the Humphreys still have poor judgment in most areas.

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Don't Write Checks Your Ass Can't Cash

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Michael complains his way to elimination.

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Ugly Betty

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...Baby One More Time

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While Hilda makes eyes with (and cuts ears off of) Justin's gym teacher, Daniel finds redemption through work, Christina learns the genesis of the demon spawn growing inside her, and Betty tries to befriend Charlie. Charlie repays her for this gesture by giving birth in Betty's living room.

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