We've watched a few eps of CSI:Miami

[bovil]

The running joke is that Torchwood is CSI: Cardiff. It's not really a joke, Davies has said that they took some inspiration from CSI.

We don't watch much CSI.

Now I understand.

CSI: Miami has all the structural and pacing problems of Torchwood and more. The acting is rougher. The production design and technology are less realistic.

Comments

[yanijc.livejournal.com]

CSI: Miami is the worst of them.

[genuine-snark.livejournal.com]

It's worth noting that the three CSIs have very different flavors, with Miami being particularly overdramatic and stylized. NY goes for grim and gritty, and Las Vegas has more of a dark (if glossy) thriller setting.

I'm a Las Vegas fan, myself, and have more or less decided that Caruso's scenery chewing in Miami is just too painful to watch.

I haven't watched much Torchwood yet (wanted to get through some of the new Doctor Who first) but it seemed like the basic procedural structure was a fairly common formula. That would put it in company with CSI, NCIS, Dangerous Minds, and so forth. Of course, the nature of the plots differentiates the show well. :)

[bovil.livejournal.com]

CSI features two things in common with Torchwood that aren't just part of the procedural formula.

There are the loads of aerial shots of the city to remind you where you are. That's kind of cool for Cardiff, a city that doesn't usually get that sort of treatment.

There is the ensemble cast, with a central character but weekly story-lines focused on the supporting characters. The way both shows handle this structure is very similar.

Still, Torchwood handles all of this in a more subtle fashion.

Fiddler Crab

[maurinestarkey.livejournal.com]

I lived in Las Vegas for over fourteen years. CSI is the one I watch just to see what's different in the on-location shots. But I have to say I've gotten hooked on the other two CSIs. Mac Taylor's (Gary Sinise) Lilly-livered love affairs are groaners. Some of the stories are interesting. CSI Miami has the best comedy going. I don't know, are they trying to be funny? David Caruso as Horatio Caine gives a continual sideways performance. We have affectionately name him...'Fiddler Crab' guy. Have you noticed how he comes in camera view? Always from the side. Always in the process of either removing or putting on his sun glasses. What's with this sunglasses shtick? And the comments from off screen or over the shoulder..."You will be. You will be..." or "Not if I have anything to say about it. And I do, I do..." or "I'll stop you. I'll stop you. It's my job." and he repeats everything at least twice.

Fiddler Crab...I am a fan.
Maurine

Re: Fiddler Crab

[nitroace.livejournal.com]

Most of the locations are stock shots. Friends and I refer to CSI Vegas, Miami and New York, as CSI: Santa Clarita, Long Beach and Spring Street (major street in downtown LA).

I really like Vegas, turned of Miami after an episode or two and have only seen a few short bits from NY. Vegas is pretty good.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

Las Vegas I'll tune in for.

Miami I'll tune OUT for. I'd rather watch paint dry than that one.

New York's okay.

[kproche.livejournal.com]

Let me put it this way. The fake technology in Torchwood adds to the ambiance.
The bad techno-gewgaws in CSI: Miami just piss me off.