The Best TV Show You’ve Never Heard Of

If you’re Canadian, you may never have heard of the Showtime network. Indeed if you’re Canadian, don’t bother clicking on that link because all you’ll see is this:

No Sho

Fortunately, the Wikipedia can tell us more, including:

Showtime is a US cable TV network that primarily shows motion pictures as well as some original programming and occasional boxing matches… As of 2004, Showtime is owned by Showtime Networks Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc.

Part of the “some original programming” on Showtime is Huff, a series produced by Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Friends, The Birdcage, Shattered Glass). And it’s stunningly good television.

Huff concerns the life of Dr. Craig ‘Huff’ Huffstodt (Azaria), his wife Beth (Paget Brewster), son (Anton Yelchin), mother (Blythe Danner), brother (Andy Comeau) and best friend (Oliver Platt). It’s a stellar cast, with no holes: when they’re flying — and that’s almost all of the time — it’s some of the best television you’ll ever see.

Because Showtime isn’t available in Canada, you’ll have to find a helpful friends who will let you borrow their copy. It’s worth the effort. Update: turns out (thanks Derek!) that The Movie Network (aka “pay TV”) carries the show in Canada. Here’s their Huff schedule: the first episode airs Feb 1.

Comments

Derek Martin's picture
Derek Martin on January 4, 2005 - 21:45 Permalink

bell ExpressVu has Huff, I think on the movie channels.

Charles's picture
Charles on January 5, 2005 - 02:47 Permalink

Hey Peter,

If you want to view the Showcase website, you can use an open proxy server to get around the IP check. There is a list of a few at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P… I remember I needed to use one in order to checkout the Jeremiah web page, which is also a Showtime show.

I’ve been watching it on TMN via Bell, and I wish they’d show more of the psychiatrist parts and less of his $@$%%ing $@$%%%@@ of a mother. She’s annoying. Good show though.

Mandy's picture
Mandy on January 5, 2005 - 15:02 Permalink

Yeah, I view the Showtime site to see their Queer As Folk section, as it’s better then the one Showcase uses…

Speaking of Showcase, they have been really pissing me off of late. Their website is going down hill fast. I used to be a big fan of it, and it’s discussion board area.

Ken's picture
Ken on January 6, 2005 - 16:04 Permalink

I’ve seen Huff, and it’s not bad, but seems like a tweaked Six Feet Under/Curb Your Enthusiasm. Tries too hard to titilate, yet mildy titilating in an unoriginal way. IMHO.
The charactors haven’t grown on me yet.

s.wicken's picture
s.wicken on May 23, 2005 - 00:25 Permalink

HUFF IS THE GREATEST SHOW…. IN NEW NEALAND WE ARE JUST STARTING THE SERIES. NOT MUCH ADVANCE PBULICITY — SHOWN ON TUESDAYS — A TRADITIONAL MEETINGS NIGHT. JUST THE NAME ‘HANK AZARIA’ = GOT TO BE GOOD!
gREAT CHARACTERS, ALL WITH PLENTY OF POSSIBILITIES.
IS IT TOO GOOD TO LAST????