Boss

Study material for political scientists among us. Machiavellianism as a real, unadorned face of (not only) overseas everyday politics à la season four of The Wire. Kelsey Grammer as the most charismatic (not to be confused with the nicest) character of contemporary TV broadcasting. A big city atmosphere like from Mann. On the outside cold, but under the surface overflowing with emotions - emotions from the dark side of the human soul, it should be said. The best, but also the least “viewer-friendly" drama series around, even despite the redundant (but good) storyline with the daughter, the full-frontal sex or the one-dimensional, supporting characters. And when David Novotný is at least another ten years older, I want to see a similarly uncompromising and truthful local version about Prague City Hall. (17.10.2012)

I would say that most Czech politicians watch Boss and take careful notes. ;) An engrossing insight into the headquarters of new-age monsters who thirst for one thing alone... power. Every episode moves the standard upwards and the actors, led by Kelsey Grammer, are all great. Not one positive character appears in this series. Very realistic... And season two brings no respite, the infection has spread deeper into Kane’s brain and errors are on the increase. The supporting roles are gaining clearer contours and their stories intersect interestingly. Cracks are beginning to appear in the mayor’s porcelain shell of untouchability (trust nobody), but the King still stands. (11.06.2012)

A cinematic illustration of Machiavelli's "The Prince" with eight hour-long acts that switched sociological research into core politics into 'hardcore' mode. I thus forgave it at the end for the fact that Kane's journalistic nemesis is an unsympathetic moron and that the pretexts for sex tend to be cheaper than in 1980s GDR porn. However, Kelsey Grammer's charisma is something I could watch for days. (20.09.2012)