KOOL TV CLASSIC IMAGE: 'MIAMI VICE'

Guns blazing! Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) and Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) take the heat in MIAMI VICE. Image: UNIVERSAL.

Before CSI boss Horatio Caine fought sun-soaked crime and murder with his pithy comebacks and gun toting sun-glasses wearing charisma, there were Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, principal heroic custodians of the hit TV series MIAMI VICE, an altogether different interpretation of the sun and sand of Miami: a seedy and crime ridden noir version of the popular beach and commerce resort more akin to New Wave chic meets SCARFACE than the high production valued colourful travel brochures of the kind now seen with the state in Anthony Zuiker's forensics adventures. As created and realised by show creator Michael Mann's this stylish 1980's drama meets pop video world pulled in the money and the kudos for NBC TV and UNIVERSAL for its five season running duration, capturing the imagination of the rising MTV style youth audience and launching the careers of street-smart, Armani suited stars Don Johnson (who is probably the only on-screen tough guy who could actually get away with wearing a pink T-shirt whilst chasing bad guys!) as Sonny Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, whose characters, despite an uneasy pairing at first, soon became a formidable, and fashion inspiring, action duo, taking on a world of eighties glamour-shoulder pads, big hair and make-up- mixed with a high octane world of hookers, pimps, drug dealers, big time robbers and gun runners-just your average scum of the Earth types to be sorted out in the under resourced world of the MIAMI-DADE PD, as led by the duo's charismatic boss, Castille (played by BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Commander Adama to-be Edward James Olmos).

One of the most expensive series then realised for television, backed up with high quality cinematography and very commercial music scores by Jan Hammer (whose Crockett's Theme, used on and off throughout the series, would become a European success in the singles music charts of the late eighties), MIAMI VICE's early years as a raw, breakout hit would ultimately be the best-where the gritty and often compelling, sometimes quite gloomy, fast paced storytelling, fine lead series pairing and visuals were a potent and memorable mix, before eventually being swallowed up by ultimately ridiculous and very thin plots, stars egos and inflated guest star cameo appearances got in the way of it all. (Starting off well with quality talent the likes of Pam Grier, Bruce Willis, Larry Fishburne and Liam Neeson, before descending to not quite believable pop star gimmick acting inclusions like Sheena Easton and Phil Collins.). At least Crockett's pet alligator, the charmingly named Elvis, was able to stay in his master's yacht home and keep his head down whilst eating the odd discarded limb or too!

Miami Vice - Opening Titles (Season 2) - YouTube
Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme (Miami Vice) - YouTube

Seeing continued potential in the show after its 1989 demise, Michael Mann, now a hit features director, resurrected Crockett and Tubbs, now played by Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx (the latter having helped launch the idea of a MIAMI VICE re-make in the first place), for an all-new original movie in 2006. Die-hard fans of the show may have been disappointed that the original TV series stars were no longer involved, but the finished product did keep the same kind of tough and stylish visual techniques that had made the original weekly show so successful. Swamped under press reports of an alleged friction between the two lead stars, an escalating budget and continued script changes, the movie was ultimately only a mild success and received mixed comments from critics. If you haven't seen it, I personally think it's quite under-rated and well worth a look.

MIAMI VICE seasons are available on DVD from UNIVERSAL PLAYBACK.

"WAR IS COMING": 'GAME OF THRONES' SEASON TWO

There can be only one! A Clash of Kings begins. Images: HBO.

NOTE: this feature contains Seasons One and Two spoilers.

That horrific and malicious little blond snot with the love of beheading honest men and degrading teenage puppy lovesters, King Joffrey Baratheon (as played by the sneeringly enjoyable presence of Jack Gleeson), may have his bonce currently parked on the mighty iron sword throne of Westeros, seeing in a new wave of cruel tyranny that even his own shocked mother, Queen Cersei (Lena Headey), could never have predicted, but how long will the boy's greedy reign ultimately last before his enemies from within and without make their final play to remove him from it? The noble Stark family of Winterfell, still in grief and thirsting for revenge over the loss of father/matriarch Eddard (Sean Bean) are gaining ground in their unleashed civil war (though such plans are also hampered by fierce family in-fighting), whilst the late King Barathoen's brothers also make their bid: young Renly (Gethin Anthony) and the older Stannis (Stephen Dillane), the latter taking swift retaliatory action from his island of Dragonstone to claim the succession, beginning the long and arduous sea journey to King's Landing. And then there's the exiled Daenerys (Emilia Carke) of House Targaryen, no longer the used and abused sister to Viserys, her rise to individual greatness seemingly short-lived with the unexpected death of her new husband and Dothraki warlord lover, Khal Drogo, but now back from the brink, her inner fire and determination renewed with the birth of two no longer extinct dragons, whose arrival in the saga and allegiance to her dynasty could swing the balance of power and ultimate destiny in her favour. And let's not forget Joffrey's own Lannister family, either, as the manipulative but decent Tyrion (brilliantly played by Peter Dinklage) is dispatched by his father Tywin (a suitably cold performance from Charles Dance) to rein in the boys violent excesses and keep a firm eye on diplomatic decisions-will this be the break that Tyrion needs in order to seize the throne for himself and rule more benignly for the family line?

Little monster! Prince Joffrey (Jack Gleeson).

Picking up the pieces: Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). 

Northern warrior. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) begins a vital expedition.

A boy's life. The fugitive Arya (Maisie Williams) has to keep her disguise.

Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) has new responsibilities to House Lannister in the new series.

As cometary signs and portents in the sky soon appear, such decisions and alliances, such emotion, such violent actions to come from these warring families will add further layers of history and grave complications for all the unique peoples and kingdoms of Westeros, but an even greater and seemingly forgotten danger looms on the horizon that could could engulf them all, as the heroic bastard son of Eddard Stark, Jon Snow (played with honour and vulnerability by Kit Harington), joins a brave expeditionary force of the Night's Watch protectors of the kingdom's north wall to discover more about the eerie and savage return of the legendary and terrifying beings known as the White Walkers. Just what horrific and potentially unnerving discoveries will be uncovered in the bloodied snow wastelands beyond?

New characters Melisandre (Carice van Houten) the priestess and Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane).

Liam Cunningham as knight and smuggler Davos Seaworth.

Natalie Dormer as the scheming Margaery Tyrell.

Gwendoline Christie as skilled knight Brienne of Tarth.

After such an incredible and pulse pounding finale to Season One, the second thrilling year of GAME OF THRONES, A CLASH OF KINGS, arrives on UK TV screens on the SKY ATLANTIC HD channel from April 2nd, and launches our character chess pieces once more across the fantasy environment board that is Westeros, in what is surely one of the most anticipated television events of the year, as complex new plotlines and new characters add to the already impressive mix of sex, skulduggery and swordplay brought to life by HBO from the equally mesmerising imagination and penmanship of George R. R. Martin, in a gritty but relatable story of wonder and brutality that has captured the imaginations of world television audiences beyond its printed novel reality. Though there are two less episodes this time around in the ten-part adaptation of the saga's second book, the huge production, with its War of Five Kings plot, shows no sign of being diminished in either scale or presentation, of which its creator remains firmly and happily involved in core creative decisions linked to its realisation. An epic episode showcasing the all-important Battle of the Blackwater has been promised, along with more of those cute put powerful dragons and the direwolves, too, and extensive location filming in Iceland representing the mysterious arctic realms beyond the wall...

Despite the pressures of living up to what would ultimately become such a successful premiere year, Season Two of GAME OF THRONES looks set to build and improve on its already addictive story-telling in ways that other TV shows can only dream of, retaining its own unique crown as both the landmark series of the last ten years and one of the biggest projects ever initiated for the medium and genre.

Check out KOOL TV's other features on the series here:

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'GAME OF THRONES': THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR. "GAME OF THRONES" RETURNS...
KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: "THE TUDORS" NATALIE DORMER
FAMILY FORTUNES! "GAME OF THRONES" SEASON ONE OVERVIEW

The Stark family will never forget the tragedy inflicted on them from Season One.

Season Two clips and previews:

Watch Season 2 Trailer: The More You Love and other Game of Thrones videos online on HBO.com
Game of Thrones Season 2 HBO GO Trailer - YouTube
Game Of Thrones Season 2: "Seven Devils" - YouTube
Game Of Thrones Season 2: "Shadow" Tease - YouTube
Game Of Thrones: Season 2 "Cold Winds" Tease - YouTube
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Character Featurette - Joffrey Baratheon - YouTube
Making Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Arya Stark's New Look - YouTube
Game of Thrones - Sky Atlantic HD

Check out some of the immense online coverage for the series here:

'Game of Thrones' executive producer D.B. Weiss talks Season 2, DVD - latimes.com
'Game Of Thrones' Season 2 Poster: Lord Stark's Head On A Stick (PHOTO) - The Huffington Post

'Game of Thrones' Season 2 Preview Gallery - The Hollywood Reporter

'Game of Thrones': Amazing season 2 photos | Inside TV | EW.com

‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 2: Jaqen H’ghar First Look – Exclusive Photo | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos

Dragons Are Coming! Check out the New Game of Thrones Season 2 Teaser Poster - Today's News: Our Take | TVGuide.com

EW's 'Game of Thrones' covers: Which do you like the best? | PopWatch | EW.com

Game of Thrones | 'Game of Thrones': 42 New Pics | Photo 26 of 42 | EW.com

What epic season 2 moment has Game of Thrones' author nervous? | Blastr

This Week's Cover: 'Game of Thrones,' the battle to make season 2 epic | PopWatch | EW.com

Game of Thrones: Season 2 is "Really Badass" - TV News at IGN

YOUNG, DUMB AND FULL OF... 'SOUTH PARK' SEASON SIXTEEN BEGINS!

No taboos exist for these guys. Yep, SOUTH PARK is back! Images: COMEDY CENTRAL.

Canada's public enemies number one: those weird and wonderful delinquents of SOUTH PARK (Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick), created by those equally lovable loons Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are back on the UK's COMEDY CENTRAL tonight (in an opening double bill) to unleash an always foul, always fascinating and often painfully funny new season-it's sixteenth, can you believe it! This year, those cold climes of Colorado are about to get a little bit warmer as the new series opens with the formula to making gold being discovered, then used and abused in the creation of a QVC-esque gems selling con, whilst Betsy Donovan, mum to Clyde (a long time com padre to the core stars), unexpectedly dies as the result of a toilet seat manoeuvre, later leading to a series of post 9/11 security regulations activated that trigger a gun waving Cartman into holding hostages in his bathroom!

Our team go for the wallets with their Cash 4 Gold scheme!

MAD MEN spoof trailer: SOUTH PARK CARTMAN MADMEN PROMO: SILHOUETTE CAMPAIGN for Comedy Central UK 2012 - YouTube

Always masters of the absurd, always spot on in their dark, malicious abusing of film and TV series, and never afraid to take down anyone whether they're alive or dead, young old, male, female, gay or straight, that this new season won't offend somebody somewhere in the world, and especially America, is all part of the series job description!

KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: 'COVERT AFFAIRS' KARI MATCHETT

Gentlemen prefer blondes. The cool and confident Canadian actress Kari Matchett. Image: ULIKE.

No stranger to playing determined, fiery women, office super bitches or crisp cool femme fatales across all kinds of TV series, lovely award winning Canadian actress Kari Matchett has had a very diverse and populist home country/Hollywood career ranging from mini-series (like the FIVE DAYS TO MIDNIGHT time travel thriller, opposite Timothy Hutton (who she would star with again in the LEVERAGE series) to hit shows like 24 (as Vice President Noah Daniels ruthlessly efficient personal assistant Lisa Miller), the medical ensemble world of ER (as Dr.Skye Wexler) and in her most recent series role as the conflicted DPD agency boss Joan Campbell in the USA NETWORK action drama series COVERT AFFAIRS. She's even been unrecognisable under tons of prosthetics as a creepily believable alien Taelon in the popular long running series EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT of the early 2000's, as well as playing one of the shows loyal human companion protectors, too-the Irish firebrand of Siobhan Beckett, and lover to fellow agent Ronald Sandoval (Von Flores), making a fine impression in the series first two seasons. Other sci-fi related work would include movie CUBE 2: HYPERCUBE and the popular, if only one season lasting, Florida set aliens on Earth series suitably titled INVASION (as possessed mom and career Doctor, Mariel Underlay). Other notable genre crossing work would include populist hits like THE NERO WOLFE MYSTERIES, CRIMINAL MINDS, UGLY BETTY, THE ELEVENTH HOUR, SHARK and Aarron Sorkin's witty if doomed STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP.

As an alien Taelon in early episodes of EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT. Image: ALLIANCE ATLANTIS.

Aliens amongst us? With William Fichtner in the short-lived but memorable INVASION series. Image: ABC.

Re-united with Timothy Hutton in several episodes of the hit series LEVERAGE. Image: TNT.

And as part of the ensemble cast of the popular action drama COVERT AFFAIRS. Image: USA NETWORK.

Recently making an appearance in the Brad Pitt starring/Terrence Malick directed THE TREE OF LIFE, Miss Matchett is now back to her Canadian roots: her next film project being as co-star in the drama TRACING IRIS, a mother/daughter drama based on the novel by Genni Gunn, alongside acting talents Aidan Quinn and Kenneth Welsh.

Always a welcome presence on high quality TV: the lovely Kari Matchett. Image: ULIKE.

KOOL TV WANTS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY: 'HILL STREET BLUES'

"Let's be careful out there!" The award-winning ensemble cast of the classic cop series HILL STREET BLUES. Image: FOX.

It's hard to believe, I know, but the seminal seven year running eighties cop-show created by Michael Kozoll and Steven Bochco, which changed the face of episodic TV forever and inspired/launched a whole new approach to the genre (tough and uncompromising, yet also showing a lot of heart and humour) and bringing us innovative multi-arc story telling (both in its scripting and visual realisation), alongside beautifully conceived and acted characters, is not properly available on DVD or Blu-ray. All those dedicated HSB fans are most likely shouting at their screens whilst reading this article that the first two seasons of the show were released on DVD in the US and later in the UK, but I'm not counting those, especially the CHANNEL 4 UK releases which were very low quality conversions at best, often from VHS tapes (the transfers containing picture noise! Something you should never get on a DVD!) which were notably cut versions of the episodes then edited down further for violence (HSB never shied away from it and always commendably presented it in a non fantastical, realistic way) so as to make the release palatable for general viewers as a 12 certificate. And, with only one of the UK season releases having any type of extras (a cast and crew reunion special and cast commentaries), it's not unfair to say that British fans of the show would be poorly served compared to what was on the US releases (extra commentaries, deleted and alternate scenes, trailers).

Season Six titles: Hill Street Blues - Season 6 Intro (1) - YouTube

Episode trailers for Seasons One and Two: Hill Street Blues - Trailers (1) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - Trailers (4) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - Trailers (5) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - Trailers (6) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - Trailers (8) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - Trailers (10) - YouTube
NBC PROMO - HILL STREET BLUES - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - A Season 4 Roll Call and Intro (Phil Esterhaus Dies) - YouTube
Hill Street Blues - The Last Scene - YouTube

Despite the differences, though, one thing was sadly consistent with HILL STREET BLUES debut on DVD, and that's the fact that, for reasons I just cannot understand, the two individual box sets failed to sell enough copies in either territory to make it commercially worthwhile for the TV companies to release further additional box sets- a real shame of a situation. With the passing of time since those mid-2000's releases, the way series are now released on home DVD and Blu-ray has thankfully changed considerably-as lots of well known older and classic titles which prior captured high esteem with critics/audiences are now being sought out for audience viewing consumption, as have selected attempts by TV companies, desperate for profits, to seek out additional special materials to accompany them.

I think the time is both right and ripe for somebody out there in Hollywood/FOX to re-evaluate the award winning HILL STREET BLUES and put it in a fully restored, complete and unedited form, entire series box set. If released with clever marketing, alongside a solid but not bank busting price tag, plus a really worthy set of extras alongside it, I think it would sell very well.

As one of America's finest and iconic ever TV series, of which shows like THE WIRE, THE SHIELD and SOUTHLAND owe it so much, it deserves no less special treatment...

LAW, KENTUCKY STYLE! 'JUSTIFIED' SEASON THREE

Another day in paradise for US Marshal Raylan Givens. JUSTIFIED is back. Image: FX.

"I got a feeling Mr. Arnett's about to ride a barrel over the falls."

Law-makers and law-breakers beware: Elmore Leonard's literary creation turned TV reality Raylan Givens, as well personified by the quirky but effective Timothy Olyphant, in his best laid back, authoritative and ass-whipping Clint Eastwood-esque modern cowboy impersonation/tradition, returns for the third enjoyable series of the hit JUSTIFIED, developed for television for Graham Yost, coming back to the UK's 5USA channel next Wednesday, March 28th. This year's 13 episode run, currently airing in the US to strong ratings and continuing to blend action, crime-noir and elements of black comedy into a popular mix, sees in the series inclusion of BAND OF BROTHERS star Neal McDonough as dangerous new Dixie Mafia boss baddie, Robert Quarles, soon locking horns with Raylan once the US Marshal's started recovering from last season's shotgun injuries. Adding to all that, our hatted Kentucky-based hero is also trying to amend some relationship problems, as well as getting immersed in a whole new plate load of criminal busting work, including, in its premiere episode, the hunt for a fugitive nick-named "Ice Pick."

It's a crazy life, but, hey, somebody's gotta do it!

Trailers: Justified Season 3 Trailer # 3 - YouTube
Justified Season 3 Teaser 2 - YouTube
Justified Season 3 - YouTube