Although it is highly uncool to admit it, my screening of the revised “Dexter” suggests the edited version can stand proudly next to the original.CBS has retrofitted the edgy Showtime series starring Michael C. Hall (“Six Feet Under”) as a forensics expert who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer, by trimming the expletives and the most offensive glimpses of body parts and gore.
Aficionados of the series may be disappointed to see any of the gruesome details drained from the new version. But the new CBS audience, which could be triple what it was on Showtime, will witness all the cold and empty psychological horror, bizarre humor and chilling, strict personal standards of the protagonist, without premium cable’s showy, over-the-top rudeness.
The revised “Dexter,” premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on KCNC-Channel 4, becomes the first full season of a premium cable series to be shown on broadcast TV. The decision to make the graphic series available to a wider (nonsubscribing) audience is, naturally, a side-effect of the writers strike, intended to reinforce the CBS schedule with help from its Viacom sibling, to make it “strike-proof.”
Works for me, better than the reality drivel that NBC resorted to during the strike and beyond.
“Dexter” is not an easy series; it keeps viewers off-balance by inviting us to find the emotionally damaged killer a sympathetic character. How edgy is it? The self-appointed national nannies at the Parents Television Council want CBS to yank the show. Like “The Sopranos,” this smart drama makes us feel uneasy about aligning with the central character.
Make no mistake, even in edited form “Dexter” is often a grim spectacle. There will be blood. Blood is what drives Dexter Morgan’s most eloquent, soul-searching soliloquies. But the visuals are no worse than what you see on the various grisly “CSIs.” The dark character study remains intensely weird, and the exploration of psychological factors that shaped young Dexter lose nothing in translation to the network. The writing remains vivid, clever, unnerving.
The most troubling aspect of the adaptation of the series to suit the broadcast standards is the slicing and dicing caused by the commercial interruptions.
Like the hand-wringing that accompanied the toning- down of “Sex and the City” when it moved from HBO to TBS, a certain amount of complaint is bound to greet “Dexter’s” retooling. That’s mostly longtime fans wanting credit for their loyalty. The rest of the audience won’t complain during those few instances when the perfect word was erased from the soundtrack.
News and notesIn radio, at “The Mountain,” Mike Casey takes over morning drive from Archer. He’ll host 6-9 a.m. and commercial-free 9-noon, on KQMT (99.5 FM). Robbie Knight moves from nights to midday, noon-4 p.m. Pete MacKay continues to host afternoon drive, 4-8 p.m. Beau Raines takes over nights from Knight.
KQMT program director Raines said the Entercom station is continuing to evolve “from a niche, eclectic format to a more accessible mass-appeal radio station.”
A&E is producing its first scripted drama in six years, slated for summer: “Cleaner,” starring Benjamin Bratt, is inspired by the true story of an “extreme interventionist,” an addict who devotes his life to helping others get clean.
ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost” and “Ugly Betty” have been picked up for another season; second seasons are assured for “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies” and “Samantha Who?”
Post-strike, fresh episodes of CBS Monday-night comedies “How I Met Your Mother,” “Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men” will air March 17.
by Joanne Ostrow
Joanne Ostrow’s column appears Tuesday, Friday and Sunday: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com.
