Nip/Tuck

The first time I heard of Nip/Tuck I was hesitant and reluctant to see it. Plus I felt that the show was not going to last and that it stereotypes plastic surgeons. But as I continued watching the show I got addicted to the offbeat humor, the gross surgical procedures, and its characters. Julian McMahon is sexy and gives his character a vulnerability and humanity that is not typical in sex-crazy handsome male characters. He gives his character a reason to like him and yet he will also give audiences a reason to despise him. Dylan Walsh shines as Dr. Sean McNamara. Proving himself worthy as an actor, he shows us a character with everything in the world and yet has inner self-destructive part that is hidden from everyone else.

Additional performances by Joely Richardson as a woman who may have some skeletons in her closet and is loved by both McMahon and Walsh. Excellent writing and dialogue that leads you to want more.

This is one of the biggest surprises of my 50+ years of television viewing. I love this show! The characters are complex; the story lines are interesting and entertaining. I think the show is so well done. The special effects to depict the surgeries looks so real. I didn't watch the first season because I thought it would be superficial but it is so much more than that. I rented the first season on DVD to get caught up from the beginning of the series. It is intoxicating at times; funny, diverse, with the plots intertwining. Walsh's character is mostly good; McMahon's character is more the bad boy but they show the opposite sides in both making you love both for the all their attributes and flaws. We love flawed heroes. Thank you FX for some of the best dramas on television.

I want everyone who has access to FX to watch and give it a chance with an open mind.

I eagerly anticipated this series because of my admiration for Julian McMahon (Charmed). The entire cast is great, and the subplots are the real masterpiece of this drama/comedy. Sure, the premise is built around the issue of plastic surgery, but it is everything outside the operating room that provides the substance to this show. The triangle of Christian / Julia / Shawn is by now (second season) ripe for some real turbulence, especially with Christian's crisis and Julia's secret. I, for one, can't wait to see how the season unfolds - or explodes, I expect. The theme is also well-represented in showing how people can so easily take plastic surgery way too far - surgeons included. This show has a lot of life to it, and I can't wait to see where it takes us.

It's sad to watch one of the best series in television self-destruct, but that's what has happened to NIP / TUCK over the last three seasons. Season One contained some of the finest moments in television history. While not as good, Season Two had many memorable moments. Even Seasons Three and Four had worthwhile performances. However, by Season Six, all of the main characters are so decadent, they've become unpleasant and, worse, boring. Christian, while always dis-likable, at least had some interesting demons. Sean, on the other hand, has become a whiny pedophile. Julia, the weakest of the leads, has now become a caricature, as has Matt. Sad to watch, but thanks for the memories. Also, PLEASE GO BACK TO Miami!!!

It's riveting, it's controversial, it's explicit, and it's steaming up the small screen! Nip/Tuck is certainly not your average cable television show, but its material is presented in such a way that you're hooked after the first couple of episodes. It's real, it's bloody, and it gets under your skin. But personally, I think Nip/Tuck is a real gem - and the acting is totally off the page. Just when you think it can't get any better, Ryan Murphy throws you another delicious twist. I recommend that everyone watch at least one episode. This show offers the opportunity for talents like Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon to shine in truly unique roles. FX definitely scored with this one.