Refreshing wit. Responsible social commentary. Courtroom drama. Slapstick comedy. George Michael.
What's not to like about ABC's Eli Stone?
Jonny Lee Miller stars in Eli Stone as the title character, a corporate attorney who begins to hear George Michael songs in his head - in the same way that bipolar patients hear voices. While this may seem odd in and of itself, when coupled with Miller's gift for physical comedy, in Eli Stone it's downright hilarious. Soon, in fact, Eli begins to not only hear George Michael's voice - but see him, too - and he begins to think that he's got something severely wrong with him.
Eli's doctor brother, Nathan (Matt Letscher) is consulted, but he - along with everyone else, including Eli's fiance, Taylor (Natasha Henstridge) and his assistant Patti (Loretta Devine) - thinks it's just stress. Instead, thanks to the insights of a Chinese acupuncturist, Eli begins to wonder if something more... spiritual is at work, sending divine messages to his ethical conscience via George Michael songs. Because when he does "what's right," the voices - and visions - disappear.
Odd as this all may sound, Eli Stone manages to meld physical comedy with charming anecdotes without coming off as campy. Grounding the show is Eli's boss - and soon-to-be father-in-law - Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber), as well as Eli's co-worker Maggie (Julie Gonzalo) - who both bring wit, charm, and seriousness to the show. All in all, the show merges real-life dramas (both in and outside of the courtroom) with laugh out loud funny moments. In the pilot alone, there are at least a half dozen moments of absolute hilarity not the least of which is a scene where Eli sings and dances to George Michael's "Faith" in the lobby of his high-end law firm - while everyone else looks at him as if he's lost his ever-loving mind.
The DVD version of Eli Stone: The Complete First Season is a must-have for fans of the show. Not only is it a series that you'll want to see more than once, but extras like an extended pilot episode, behind the scenes bloopers, and several featurettes - including one entited "Acting On Faith: Eli and George Michael" are well worth watching. The only feature worth skipping is the voice-over commentary, which does little to enhance the episodes.
Eli Stone: The Complete First Season is a godsend to TV viewers who have been waiting for something new to come along. Thanks to the campiness of Eli's George Michael visions - and resultant song and dance numbers - the sappy message of "be good to one another" doesn't seem quite so nauseating. In fact, it comes across as cute and endearing and downright entertaining. It's a feel-good dramedy - and something that, frankly, we need more of. In an industry filled with cops and crime scene dramas - one NYPD Blue and/or CSI clone after another - Eli Stone is, simply put, a breath of fresh air.
Eli Stone: The Complete First Season starring Jonny Lee Miller, Natasha Henstridge, Victor Garber, and Julie Gonzalo ABC Studios, Rated TV-PG. Available online at Amazon.com.
About the Author
Carly Hope Finseth spends much of her time pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. She alternates between days filled with cozy socks, hot tea, and meditative reflection - and others, which are loaded with caffeine fixes, grueling commutes, and one fire to put out after another. When she’s not sifting through e-mails, dropping her cell phone, or sticking another reminder Post-It on her desk, Carly also somehow finds the time to write and reflect on important (and the occasional not-so-important) feminist issues.
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Orna Ben-Shoshan: Artist Statement
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Refreshing wit. Responsible social commentary. Courtroom drama. Slapstick comedy. George Michael. 
Carly Hope Finseth spends much of her time pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. She alternates between days filled with cozy socks, hot tea, and meditative reflection - and others, which are loaded with caffeine fixes, grueling commutes, and one fire to put out after another. When she’s not sifting through e-mails, dropping her cell phone, or sticking another reminder Post-It on her desk, Carly also somehow finds the time to write and reflect on important (and the occasional not-so-important) feminist issues.
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