On tap in the next week, a crime drama set in Memphis starring Jason Lee; a sitcom with an abundantly talented cast of women of a certain age, set in Ohio; and a deadly serious documentary that ranges across 34 states.
In chronological order:
“Gasland” Monday at 8 p.m. on HBO
You’ve seen the local news stories, now see the 2010 Sundance Film Festival-honored documentary about the hazards of domestic natural gas drilling. The tone is folksy, almost humorous at times, an eerie contrast with the chronicle of hideous damage done by chemicals from oil and gas company drilling.
“It’s a free-for-all,” says one homeowner whose land is the site of endless drilling. Halliburton’s name surfaces often between mentions of brain damage, carcinogens and assorted hideous illness.
First-time filmmaker Josh Fox opens and closes with pictures of Washington, D.C., committee meetings. “Start at the beginning, this is Dick Cheney. No, start at my house . . .” Fox declined an offer of $100,000 in exchange for drilling rights on his property. Instead, he launched a cross-country tour to learn about naturalgas drilling and the exemptions enjoyed by oil and gas companies from various environmental restrictions. Drilling is ongoing in 34 states. “Fracking” results in bad water and sick people and animals.
The journey takes Fox to Colorado’s Weld County, where residents light tap water on fire (KDVR news footage is included). The filmmaker puts himself on camera, sometimes in a gas mask, strumming a banjo, a later-day Woody Guthrie. He speaks in a quiet conversational tone as he educates us about the toxic chemicals, politics, history and geography of drilling. You’ll feel sad, angry and worried.
The victims who have fought against health risks and environmental damage emerge as heroes. Another hero of the piece: U.S Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who has pushed for disclosure of chemicals used in fracking.
The film is overlong, but valuable.
“Memphis Beat,” debuting at 8 p.m. Tuesday on TNT
Jason Lee makes like detective on the Delta in a new TNT drama.
The “My Name is Earl” star plays Dwight Hendricks, the sort of cop who sings Elvis at a local club, dotes on his mama (Celia Weston) and drawls lines like “Have mercy!” when he encounters a crime scene. His life is devoted to keeping the musical spirit of Memphis alive.
Alfre Woodard, the modern, efficiency-minded lieutenant whose training as a mother taught her all she needs to know about managing cops, delivers life lessons in a Southern accent.
Awkward sidekick Sutton, played by DJ Qualls (“My Name is Earl”), is reminiscent of Mackenzie Crook as Gareth in the U.K.’s “The Office.”
The background music is terrific, and the attention to Memphis lore is fresh, even if the plot points are accentuated for easy viewing. We’ll hope there aren’t as many Elvis impersonators per square inch in coming episodes.
“Hot in Cleveland,” Wednesday at 8 p.m. on TVLand
Can “cute” carry a comedy?
Wendie Malick is terrific, Jane Leeves is nasty-funny. Valerie Bertinelli is a hoot. Betty White is endearing. Put them all together and you have a less-than-good sitcom.
When their flight from L.A. to Paris makes an emergency landing in Cleveland, the three big-city women of a certain age discover they are desirable by Ohio standards.
“I haven’t felt like a piece of meat in so long!” Leeves’ character rejoices.
The culture is different from in L.A., too: “Everyone’s eating, and no one’s ashamed!” And, what’s more, “We appear to have landed in a dimension where men hit on women their own age.”
And so on. It’s a one-joke show. When they suggest they try Cleveland for a couple of weeks, that sounds about right for us and “Cleveland,” too.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
