Classes begin this week this at my place of graduate studies, the University of Chicago. To celebrate my upcoming year of paying to work harder than when I was paid to work, I’m praising the many fictional graduates of this fine institution. So if/when I fail out, we’ll know which fake people are smarter than me (let’s remember Cameron Diaz from My Best Friend’s Wedding graduated in a major that doesn’t even exist here).

7. Kitty Pryde

University of Chicago isn’t so bad. Apparently it’s better than a night out with Magneto.  The walking-through-walls mutant member of the X-Men spent some time away from super heroics at the University. Unfortunately her powers were not enough to make X-Men 3 a good movie.

6. Hal

Wunderkind mathematician Hal made quite a name for himself during his days at the University, long before appearing in the play and film Proof.  Of course, like most students here, he ended up suffering mental problems after leaving and struggled to accomplish anything else.  So he turned to theater. That U of C degree really opens doors.

5. Richard Kimble

Renown vascular surgeon Richard Kimble graduated from University of Chicago and made sure to visit like all good alumni. Kimble actually spent some time at the University’s science library, John Crerar, in his big screen Fugitive, as he tried to find the truth behind his wife’s murder. Now that’s a helpful library.

4. Brandon Shaw and Philip Morgan

Two murderers might not be the ideal representatives for a respected research institution, but creative murders have to deserve some credit.  Brandon Shaw and Philip Morgan starred in the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Rope based on University of Chicago students Leopold and Loeb. So technically the characters aren’t even U. of C. students - the real murders are. Best to avoid those classes.

3. Jack McCoy

New York City’s newest District Attorney and long time Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy brings Law and Order on an hourly basis across almost half a dozen TV stations.  His aggressive, bend the rules for justice gives all ethical standards come finals time.

2. Harry and Sally

The love duo known for late night phone calls and picky eating habits began their life on the steps of the University.  After both completing years of learning, the two drove to New York City and began their hilarious two hour life together.

1. Indiana Jones

Talk about the perfect graduate. He’s a super smart action hero with a kick-ass whip and a sexy smile.  Not the most common combination on campus in a student, let alone an archaeology professor. It’s good to have something to aspire to.

Most bad guys don’t provide obvious calling cards.  That’s where detectives come in.  These masters of deduction break through the lies and deceptions and put together clues to uncover what wasn’t mean to be found.  Being a truly master detective requires not only a brilliant mind, but an equally brilliant rival to provide the challenge, proving their skill.  Here are the 7 most unique and masterful detectives.

7. Philip Marlowe

One of the classic hard-broiled film noir classic style detectives, Philip Marlowe is known for his repartee as much as his drinking.  Detective work falls somewhere in between.  Featured in several dozen books and movies, Marlowe stops drinking and smoking just  enough to launch his successful private detective agency, exposing murders, blackmailers, and femme fatales of all kinds.

6. Robert Goren

The most serious crimes are handled by detectives of the Major Case Squad.  The most serious of those cases are handled by Detective Robert Goren.  Goren focuses on the psychology of the criminals, often playing on that psychology to get criminals to reveal themselves.  He has an incredible memory and sense of smell (very handy) combined with odd social tendencies leading some to believe he suffers from some kind of high-functioning autism which would be supported by his obsession with solving crimes.

(more…)

Law and Order spin-off Criminal Intent moved to cable station USA after six-years on the NBC network.  Criminal Intent faced declining ratings on the network, running against juggernaut shows like Desperate Housewives and House MD.  Of course, Law and Order episodes make most of their money in syndication so NBC decided kept the show alive.  But ratings continued to decline, so NBC decided this season to move Criminal Intent to USA, a cable station NBC owns, as a way to continue making new episodes and tons of syndication money.

Finally a network using its cable stations to their advantage.  Cable shows need less viewers to be a hit than on a broadcast station.  Criminal Intent logged 4 million viewers on USA, less than half its network audience, but can now be considered a major cable hit (and one of the highest rated cable shows).  And in addition to having a hit on their hands, Criminal Intent gives USA a high-profile show to flaunt, one that will likely attract new viewers to the station who not get to see promos for other USA shows. 

Regrettably other shows have not had the luck of rejuvenation on cable, many shows that could easily have found excellent numbers on more niche cable stations, like Firefly, Arrested Development, Wonderfalls, and Sports Night.  Maybe seeing Criminal Intent’s success on cable will inspire other networks to follow.