Category : TV

Frakking Toasters ...

LostFinale.jpgThe Primetime Emmy nominations were announced this morning by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and of course, exiting "The Sopranos" earned 15 nominations. The good news for the nominations: "30 Rock" earned 10, including Best Comedy Series, Comedic Actor (Alec Baldwin) and Comedic Actress (Tina Fey). "The Office" earned nine, including Comedy Series, Actor (Steve Carell) and Supporting Actress (Jenna Fisher). Both of these shows deserve to win and are NBC's only saving graces as far as I'm concerned.

Now for the bad news: ABC's superb "Lost" was again overlooked by the Academy. "Battlestar Galactica" wasn't nominated, but that was expected; the Emmys are one giant popularity contest and genre shows -- especially those set in space -- don't stand a chance. But no love for "Lost"? Did voters just not watch the last half of season three, easily the most creative and intense episodes of the entire series thus far? Maybe t=they were too busy watching "Heroes," which was nominated, as was "Boston Legal," "Grey's Anatomy," "House" and "The Sopranos." At least Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson earned Supporting Actor noms, but a second-straight snub for the show itself is ridiculous. You're dead to me, Emmys. Dead.

On that note, let's watch a clip of the "Lost" season three finale and keep coming up with theories about what it all means. A great night to re-watch this season's episodes on iTunes would be Sept. 16 -- the night of the Emmys. If it's just going to be a "Sopranos" love-fest with parodies of the "Don't Stop Believing" ending, I'll pass.

Fillion Watch

NathanFillion.jpgSome encouraging news on the TV casting front: Nathan Fillion ("Waitress," "Firefly," "Serenity") is in talks to join the cast of "Desperate Housewives" along with Dana Delaney and Lyndsy Fonseca, who is in negotiations. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Delaney and Fillion would star as a woman and her much-younger husband who move to Wisteria Lane with their daughter (Fonseca).

Adding to Fillion to the roster could only help ABC; his cult-like status thanks to his roles on Joss Whedon's ("Buffy," "Angel") "Firefly" TV series and "Serenity" film pretty much ensures his fans will follow him where ere he goes -- even if that means (gulp) watching "Housewives." It will provide us geeks a warm-up on Sunday nights before we change the channel to Sci-Fi for "Battlestar Galacitca." Life can't get much better than that. For the uninitiated, read up on Fillion over on Pajiba.com, where he was voted by readers as the No. 1 sexiest celebrity.

Waitress.jpgIf you haven't seen Fillion's latest role in the indie film "Waitress" starring Keri Russel (pictured at left with Fillion), Jeremy Sisto and Cheryl Hines, do it now. It's not perfect, but its sweet story is infectious.


The Summer of Our Discontent

Tudors.jpgIn the past several months, I have added -- in increments -- $50 to my Internet/cable bill. As an entry-level employee in a West Texas city of 120,000, increasing my expenses isn't always wise; however, I've learned that the more cable channels and packages I buy, the better my summer becomes. To make it through the summer TV season without cutting yourself is to turn to cable channels and/or TV on DVD. Watch your "America's Got Talent," and I'll watch my "Entourage."

But If the summer reality TV schedule wasn't enough to have me down, I can now add another of my favorite shows to the list of series that won't return until 2008 and have already been snubbed by the Emmys: "The Tudors." It joins "Lost" and "Battlestar Galactica" (in its final year) as shows I have to wait at least half a year to see, and although "Tudors" isn't as addicting as the other two, it was one of the few bright spots among such depressing fare as "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "The Age of Love."

The first "Tudors" season ended with a throat-slitting, a burning-at-the-staking and some uncomfortably realistic love-making. As the credits rolled, a Showtime voice told me to return in '08 for the continuation of the story (O'Ghoul joins the cast!) of Henry VIII's impending marriage to and ultimate beheading of Anne Boleyn (Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer, pictured). The expensive series had an uneven and rushed start but picked up momentum as the sixteenth century double-crossing and adultery went into overdrive. Its return next year makes sense in light of its complex storylines and on-location filming that takes time to produce, but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow. Adding insult to injury, I've learned that it isn't on the short list of Emmy voters for a Best Drama nod, joining other great shows like "Battlestar," "Brothers & Sisters," "Gilmore Girls" (well, it wasn't that great this year), "The Riches" and more that were overlooked for more mainstream appealers "Grey's Anatomy" and "Heroes." At least "Lost" is in the running, and with the submission of the superb finale "Through the Looking Glass," the drama deserves a place on the ballot this year. But what about "The Tudors"? Where's the overdue "Battlestar" love? How about love for "Veronica Mars" and "Gilmore Girls"?

My annoyance of waiting until next year to continue the "Tudors" story is nothing compared to what I feel about "Lost" and "Battlestar," both of which ended with doosies of finales. With few standbys this fall to tide us over until '08, we TV lovers are likely doomed to follow and soon love new shows, only to have them ripped away from us by TV executives who drop the axe when ratings aren't instantly high. Why do I have to go broke just to ensure I'll have quality TV year-round, be it on cable or on DVD? And why do Emmy voters rarely give credit where credit is due, voting for the most popular show instead of the one that deserves to win?

I have no answers -- only the need to start selling plasma to cover my cable bill.

Fire In the Sky, Clouds Burning In the Night

This one's for the ladies:

It's now my firm opinion that attractive men in flight suits should be featured on TV as much as possible. I'd like to thank Jon Stewart for helping me come to this conclusion. That's all.

"Private Practice": When Ally McBeal loses her wit, goes to medical school

GreysKiss.jpgABC unveiled its 2007-08 lineup today, and low and behold, the much-loathed "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off "Private Practice" will air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. CT. More than 21 million people tuned in for the pilot, which was spliced together with a regular "Grey's" episode two weeks ago, a number up from the average 19 million viewers "Grey's" has earned this season. If execs took the large viewership as a sign of approval and not as one of people tuning in out of curiosity/because it was the only way they could watch "Grey's," they're delusional.

"Private Practice" made our heroine, Addison Montgomery/Shepherd/McSomething (Kate Walsh), into a babbling, walking contradiction who mugged for the camera and hoped to come across like the eccentric Ally McBeal (or Calista Flockhart's latest character, Kitty, on "Brothers & Sisters"). It didn't work. Instead, Addison's venture to SoCal to take a breather from the tumultuous goings on at Seattle Grace was bizarre; she talked to herself, believed she was hearing voices, made inappropriate comments to a man on an elevator (Tim Daly, pictured) 20 seconds after meeting him, pined for having a child although her character had shown no interest in the matter before, made out with said elevator man in the stairwell after she had rambled a bit more, etc. Meredith is a wretched enough heroine; why give us another one to hate? When was it made a rule that strong female characters had to have eccentric, bubbly, silly, spastic sides? Do women characters have to not only have softer sides, but flighty sides, to attract male viewers?

Addison was the strong, rational one. She could have been the evil, cheated-on wife but was taken in a different and better direction. She had depth, she had class, and while she had problems, she rose above the level of neurotic to vulnerable -- there's a difference. Although McBeal was neurotic enough for several characters, as were her castmates (who had a chemistry "Practice" is eagerly trying to duplicate -- $10 their office has a unisex bathroom), it was part of her personality and it was sold with great success by the talented Flockhart. Addison's character shift was jarring and forced, which fit the feel of the bloated two-hour episode that jumped from plot line to plot line, Santa Monica to Seattle, much too quickly. The other characters (played by a who's who of former TV stars) were fair, but again, not enough time was spent on any of them to make me care what happens in their lives.

Perhaps when it's able to stand on its own "Private Practice" will grown into itself, but if the current season of "Grey's" is any indication -- having gone downhill since its disastrous "Meredith totally died" three-parter -- "Practice's" cast and viewers would be better served if Shonda Rhimes would make up her mind, stop believing her own press and provide us characters worth caring about.

Don't Molest the Host

In case you missed last night's "The Colbert Report," here's a video of Colbert's interview with Jane Fonda. Picking up where she left off last time she was on his show (she kissed him twice as they baked apple pies with Gloria Steinem), Fonda again locked lips with her host, this time sitting on his lap and starring in one of the most hilarious/uncomfortable things I've seen in a while.

If You're Out on the Road ...

gilmore-girls.jpgIt's a sad day in TV Land: After seven seasons, "Gilmore Girls" has officially been cancelled. Not that the show's end wasn't expected; now that Rory's about to graduate -- and considering the show's creator Amy Sherman-Palladino left last year -- the show is in a perfect place to call it quits. Still, I'll miss my weekly Stars Hollow fix. I actually got into the show rather late, coming in at season five and catching up as I go. But I've come to love the rapid-fire dialogue and the quirky mother-daughter relationship. And this week's episode? Amazing. As the bleary-eyed Lorelai sang "I Will Always Love You" at Karaoke night to Luke (it started out as a joke for Rory), I knew I'd always love this show.

Now that this has officially gotten cheesy, I'll call it quits and save my complete ode to the show for the May 15 finale.

California, Here She Comes

GreysAddison.jpgAll right, "Grey's" fans: The much-talked-about possible spin-off for the dramedy airs tonight in a two-hour chunk, presumably switching between Cristina's pre-nuptial woes, Izzie's and George's continued infidelity shame and Addison's escape to California (at left she's pictured with star Tim Daly). Addison is one of the stronger, more likable characters on this once-awesome soap, but with the way Mopey Meredith and the gang have been acting lately, I can't blame Addison for wanting to bail. She deserves better. WE deserve better. Maybe the spin-off is what we're all looking for?

In other "Grey's" news, Isaiah Washington (Burke) will appear in a public service announcement on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Still in damage-control mode from his use of an anti-gay slur backstage at the Golden Globes as he was trying to defend himself about not having said the slur in the first place, Washington's counseling must have done the trick. All celebrities who spew any kind of racial or sexual slurs should be forced to make PSAs. That'll teach 'em.

A Message of Hate for the Weather Gods

Weatherlogo.jpgDear Weather Channel and/or Suddenlink Communications,

As I sat on my couch last night watching "Brothers & Sisters" and recording "The Tudors" (you can't beat a soapy, modern-day family drama as a lead-in to a look at the mother of all dysfunctional families), my TV was attacked by the Emergency Alert System (EAS). I lost control of the remote; the channel was automatically changed to the Weather Channel, and I couldn't turn it back until your stupid EAS message warning me about thunderstorms in Merkel was over. Oh, and each time the message took my TV hostage, my DVR would stop recording. This made for an expletive-filled evening as I frantically tried to get back to my scheduled programming while not missing major plot points. (I knew "B&S's" Rebecca wasn't innocent! I totally did not know that Lord on "TT" was gay!)

Why did you hijack my TV, Weather People? Why can't a crawl on the bottom of the screen warning me of thunderstorms -- as if I couldn't hear them -- suffice? I had already used the Internet -- a magical series of tubes you should consider sticking with -- to check up on the weather. That was my TV time you invaded. Mine. I'm obviously addicted and in need of help, so why would you twist the knife further and rob me of my much-need soap fix?

I'll get to the bottom of this -- trust me. For now, Weather Channel, you're dead to me. I'll no longer be in need of your services. Need to know what the weather is like? Step outside and take a guess. It worked for centuries.

The Shrew Should be Tamed

Rosie2.jpgRosie O'Donnell, the former "Queen of Nice," will not extend her one-year contract with ABC's "The View," opting to leave the show in mid-June after her contract expires. Both sides say the split is amicable and comes from not being able to "agree on key elements," not from O'Donnell making offensive caricatures of Chinese, jumping in on the Clay Aiken-Kelly Ripa bitch-slap-fest, or for igniting a petty feud with Donald Trump, one of the few people on the planet more annoying than her. According to Variety, sources say she's been in talks with Warner Bros. about a possible return to daytime syndication with her own show.

Now, I was a fan of "The Rosie Show" as a young teen, flipping between it and "Oprah" after school while eating a snack (before I took a nap) because I didn't know any better. Her Tom Cruise obsession was humorous, it being before they each went off the deep end, and she had her funny moments. But that was before her political side reared its ugly head, stunning lonely, Streisand-loving housewives everywhere. Their sweet Rosie was kissing women, shaving her head and picking fights?! If that weren't bad enough, Oprah went and prescribed "Anna Karenina" for her book club. The last thing desperate housewives need is a fallen leader and Russian lit to sooth them from their suburban despair. Can Rosie really come back after all the negative headlines? What about after the retina-destroying appearance on "Nip/Tuck"? Is even Star Jones's saggy skin preferable to O'Donnell, whose disposition belies her name? Does anyone care what happens to anyone remotely involved with "The View"?

After garnering banner ratings this year, "The View" may be in for a rough spot. But it's humanity that has already lost out by giving credence to, new term, the Queen of Harpies.

Editor's note: People don't use the term "harpy" enough. I'm bringing it back.

So long, Rosie. We won't miss you, but considering you work in the entertainment industry, we won't be allowed to forget you, either.

This Week in Censorship

fcc-logo.jpgThe Federal Communications Committee will make recommendations to Congress, to be released in a report within the next week, on how it can "enact legislation to give the government unprecedented powers to curb violence in entertainment programming, according to government and TV industry sources. The Federal Communications Commission has concluded that regulating TV violence is in the public interest, particularly during times when children are likely to be viewers -- typically between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., FCC sources say."

The report concludes that Congress has the authority to regulate violence on TV, though it is vague on the definition of "violence," and goes so far to say that the government can even control what appears on basic cable channels, which customers pay for. The FCC concedes that parents are the "first and last line of defense in protecting their children," but that giving Congress more legislative powers over what the parents' children see is beneficial to all. The times of most concern to FCC officials are the times when children are likely to be viewers -- typically between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

First, that's practically the entire day. Adults only get the middle of the night to watch engaging dramas? Second, when I was growing up, I had a bed time up until middle school and had certain times when I had to turn my TV off or couldn't talk on the phone. I didn't have my own TV until I was in my early teens, when my parents trusted me to make the "right" decisions on what or what not to watch. Sure, I hated them for parental controlling out MTV until I was 13, but I got over it. They were being parents, and I grew up on the joys of Nick@Nite and the Disney Channel; I got to be a kid.

Let the FCC mess with broadcast cable if it must, but not basic, and certainly not extended basic channels like HBO or Showtime. "The Sopranos" for 10-year-olds? How about not letting your kids watch "The Sopranos" in the first place? My vote is for the a la carte plan: "According to FCC sources, the report's recommendations include the creation of an "a la carte" system that would allow consumers to buy only the cable channels they want -- a favorite plan of [FCC Chairman Kevin] Martin's that is widely opposed by cable companies." That way, if parents are set on controlling what their kids see but refuse to turn the TV off, they can pick and choose their channels.

russell.jpgIn other news, Russell Simmons (pictured) and Benjamin Chavis, leaders of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, encouraged recording and broadcast industries to "voluntarily censor the 'misogynistic' words 'bitch' and 'ho' and the 'racially offensive' N-word from future recordings." The Don Imus dustup has spurred activists in the black community to turn their attention to rap and hip-hop lyrics that degrade women.

"'We recommend the formation of a music industry Coalition on Broadcast Standards, consisting of leading executives from music, radio and television industries,' Simmons and Chavis said on behalf of the HHSAN, an advocacy group dedicated to the cultural relevance of hip-hop music. 'The coalition would recommend guidelines for lyrical and visual standards within the industries.'"

"Grey's Anatomy": Time and Time Again

GreysIzzie.jpgA more appropriate title for "Grey's Anatomy" might be "Stevens' Anatomy," making official what has gradually become apparent for the drama: Izzie Stevens is, in many ways, the star. Since Denny's untimely, blood-clot induced death last season, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) has steadily received more airtime, stealing scenes away from suicidal Meredith, easily the most waif-like and annoying heroine on TV. She's had her clumsy, overly idealistic moments -- her "I believe" speech to George when Meredith was frozen stiff comes to mind -- but Heigl's wounded Izzie always wins back fans, and last night's episode "Time After Time" was no exception.

Still reeling from her drunken night with George (T.R. Knight), Izzie tried confessing as a way to clear her guilty mind and move past her hurt feelings when George refused to deal with the issue. The encounter wasn't a mistake to her, and while her developing feelings for George seem contrived -- is every castmate going to sleep with everyone else by the end of this thing? -- last night almost had me convinced that a George-Izzie relationship isn't a bad idea. Except for that whole "George is already married to a woman who could crush Izzie" thing, but that's for a later episode. Last night Izzie was seeking atonement, but what she received was more pain: The adoptive parents of the 11-year-old child she gave up came to Seattle Grace looking for her. The child, Hannah, has leukemia, and she needed a bone marrow transplant from her birth mother to have a fighting chance. Izzie confided in Bailey, who dropped her clinic duties to help her, and after swallowing the blow that her daughter didn't want to meet her, she decided to give Hannah the transplant. George found out about the transplant just in time to trade places with Bailey in the procedure room and make amends.

He dropped everything -- including a coffee date with wife Callie -- to be with Izzie, even though he tried to run away again when she brought up their indiscretion. Their friendship means too much to each of them, but their past will eventually catch up with them. That's what season finales are for. The show's writers often do their characters a disservice in the plot devices they come up with, but Heigl and Knight each saved their scenes from descending into melodrama.

Meanwhile, Cristina played a game of mind chess with ex-boyfriend and visiting surgeon Colin Marlow (Roger Rees), driving home the point that she's happy as the soon-to-be Mrs. Burke; Derek realized his relationship with Meredith might hurt his chances of being chief, seeing that Richard promised Ellis he'd look after Meredith and doesn't want to see her hurt like his wife was; Meredith was rude to her stepmother, rebuffing her desire to take care of her, but eventually had her cold heart warmed by the attention; Richard tried to get back in the dating game with Mark as his wingman; and Alex grew closer to Eva, the injured amnesiac, who had her bandages removed and found a family that mistook her for their long-lost daughter.

Au Revoir, Winter Icon

I'm guessing last weekend was our last bout with wintry weather until at least November (though this being Texas, it's hard to say for sure), which means one very important thing: It's time to bid a fond adieu to the snowman.

snowman.jpg Sure, the flakes never really fell hard enough for us to build a mammoth snow sculpture, but every time the cold white powder started fluttering to earth, didn't you just pray there would be enough to construct your own little multi-tiered man, accented with a stylish hat crooked atop his frigid head? Didn't you rummage through your closet, hoping to select the perfect scarf -- hey, maybe one with snowmen on it! -- to wrap around his snowy neck in the off-chance that snowy neck would no longer just be part of some weird daydream and enter the realm of reality? No? Well I did. You know why? 'Cause snowmen are freakin' AWESOME!

Just think of all the cool movies and television shows that have featured snowmen: "Frosty the Snowman," "Jack Frost," "The Magic Snowman," "Santa vs. Snowman," "The Snowman who Saved Summer" (which I must see immediately), "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Oh, and "Man Beast." For real. Plus, I hear among Mormon kids, snowmen are ranked third in popularity, playing runner-up only to Jesus and Joseph Smith.

So it makes me sad that I have no real hope of seeing a snowman until much, much later in the year, if at all. A very good friend of mine is a snowman, but he morphs into a fire-man in the summer, which is also awesome, but the headgear isn't as neat. My suggestion: Unless, like me, you dream about snowmen every night, satisfy your thirst by renting a snowman movie or two. Call it Christmas in, er, April, I guess.

Blogger's note: Yes, this is a random entry. Enjoy it for its peculiar charms. Or don't.

TV's Guilty Pleasures: The confections that cure our most insatiable sweet tooth

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We should feel bad about loving these shows ... but we don’t.

1. "The Girls Next Door" (above)
Airs: Multiple times throughout the week on E! (Suddenlink channel 66)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): You’d think the shenanigans at the Playboy mansion would get pretty one note (or at the very least, too hot for TV.) Not so; these three bunnies prove there’s some toughness to their fluff. Hef’s main squeeze Holly (center) shows initiative by setting up many of the mag’s spreads; Bridget (far right) boasts a B.A. in public relations, a master’s degree in communications and is working on another master’s in broadcast journalism; and Kendra (far left), well ... she’s kind of dumb, but she does have the trio’s most distinctive laugh (often lampooned by “The Soup’s” Joel McHale.) So that’s something. — Erin Steele

0419oc.jpg2. "The O.C."
Airs: In our hearts, on SOAPnet (Suddenlink channel 226), on DVD
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): “The O.C.” ushered in a new wave of primetime soap operas and introduced the world to brooding Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie), troubled Marissa (Mischa Barton), the wonderful Cohens and the rest of the dysfunctional gang. It was the show to watch in its prime — the perfect, bubblegum cure for a long day at work — brimming with affairs, a surprising amount of wit and the joy of watching Ryan go “all Chino” and punch people. Unfortunately, “The O.C.” took a turn for the worse in season three, killed off Marissa and never fully recovered in the ratings. At least we’ll always have the DVDs. — Sarah Carlson

0419newyork.jpg3. "I Love New York"
Airs: Throughout the week on VH1 (Suddenlink channel 37)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): What are the ingredients for a guilty-pleasure reality show? Try half a cup of crazies with nicknames such as “Pootie,” “12-Pack” and “Chance”; a leading lady whose face is eerily similar to Lambchop’s (blame the big false eyelashes); and a season finale filled with the most entertaining dolphin encounters since “SeaQuest” left our fair airwaves. Yes, this is the world of “I Love New York,” which (to my dismay) recently wrapped its first season. But since star Tiffany “New York” Patterson was unceremoniously dumped by “Ninja Turtle-lookin’” Tango, let us all cross our fingers for a season two. — ES

Continue reading "TV's Guilty Pleasures: The confections that cure our most insatiable sweet tooth" »

We All Everybody

LostDesmondBeach.jpgAll right, "Lost" fans: Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen may be obsessive in his theories, but he's provided a few interesting insights into the "Lost" world and its possible philosophies. Tonight's episode, "Catch-22," is Desmond-centric and some of Jensen's ideas on it and the series are quite a stretch. Although his thought-out piece at times reads like a recap of the philosophy classes you forgot about, I think he's on to something in his look at the works of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard and how they relate to the overall themes of the show. He also could be giving the show's writers way too much credit, as they obviously made storylines up as they went, but here's hoping he's right and that there is a good reason we've stuck with the show so long.

That's Metaphorlicious!

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Sean Penn has accepted Stephen Colbert's challenge for a Metaphor-Off after Colbert -- friend of the site -- called Penn out on his show over Penn's nearly illiterate metaphors about Bush and his cronies. At a March 24 town hall meeting in Oakland, Calif., Penn had this to say about Dubya:

"We cower as you point your fingers telling us to support our troops while you and the smarmy pundits in your pocket, those who bathe in the moisture of your soiled and blood-soaked underwear, can take that noise and shove it."

Colbert criticized Penn's sloppy, confusing metaphor about Bush's undies, challenging him to a duel of comparisons, which will go down Thursday. My vote is for Colbert -- he's pretty smart, Penn. You might want to be an eighth-grade English textbook and study up. Hopefully, Colbert will point out that you only added fuel to the fire by criticizing Bush and his Bushies, which didn't leave all the king's men smoldering but rather mocking your tangled web of hair, which sprouted out of your head like weeds. Damn -- that ended with both a mixed metaphor and a simile. Good luck, guy.

Will the Price Ever Be Right Again?

CBS has narrowed the candidates in the running to replace Bob Barker, host of "The Price is Right," down to three: "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Mark Steines, actor George Hamilton and Las Vegas' "The Price Is Right" stage show host Todd Newton. Barker will tape his last show in June, retiring after 35 years of holding that skinny mic and feigning disappointment when contestants ended up with a ceramic poodle instead of a yacht. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "CBS might hold off on announcing Barker's successor until its two-night primetime sendoff to the 50-year showbiz veteran on May 16 and 17."

So, which one of these guys do you want to see hosting the best game show ever? Take our poll. We'll be sure to send the results to CBS. It will totally make a difference. We swear.

This 'Stranger' is Perfect

The new Halle Berry and Bruce Willis flick, "Perfect Stranger," is sitting at an 11 percent fresh rating on rottentomatoes.com at the moment -- another flop (at least critically) for Berry, whose Oscar-winning days are a thing of her pre-"Catwoman" past. Instead of torturing yourself this weekend by seeing "Strangers," or by renting her award-winning film "Monster's Ball" (also is torture in my book), just watch this YouTube clip of the better "Perfect Stranger" -- "Perfect Strangers," that is. If I could create a perfect TV channel, this show would be on it. I miss Cousin Larry and Balki. But doesn't everyone?

America's Got Crappy Reality Shows

leonid.jpgNBC unveiled its summer TV lineup yesterday to the excitement of no one, and unless you hate yourself or have a penchant for watching horrible reality shows, you should probably triple your summer reading list. It's going to be a long one.

"America's Got Talent" (May 29), "Last Comic Standing" (June 13) and "The Biggest Loser" (TBA) are all returning, and a new "dating show with a twist, "The Age of Love," will premiere June 18. Fox is bringing back "So You Think You Can Dance?" and ABC will launch a new series, "The Next Best Thing: Who Is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?"

The biggest loser in this batch is undoubtedly "America's Got Talent," which unleashed Leonid the Magnificent (pictured) on an unknowing public -- not to mention David Hasselhoff. (For more bizarre pictures of Leonid, whom The Hasselhoff kept around on the show as a "wild card," visit his Web site. It doesn't disappoint.) Millions of talentless Americans will likely tune in to all of these shows, giving the networks the go-ahead to create even more crappy reality shows. Quit being Hollywood's enabler, people. Just say no.

This is why I pay for extended cable channels. I'm counting on all my HBO, Showtime and Encore channels to sustain me through the scorching summer months.

"Lost": Keep Your Friends Close ...

LostJulietPurple.jpgOh, Juliet. Her soul isn't quite as tortured as those belonging to other "Lost" characters, but she is one of the hardest to figure out. We’ve never known where her loyalties truly lie, but in last night's excellent “One of Us,” we stepped much closer to discovering her motivation for cooperating with the Others and who’s side she’s really on: Her own.

Juliet made it back to the beach with Jack, Kate and Sayid, and the question on every survivor's mind was whether she could be trusted. Jack stood by her, using his position as leader to demand respect for, or at least tolerance of, his new friend -- someone who happens to be “one of them,” a group that kidnapped Claire, nearly killed Charlie and held several of them captive. Juliet has Jack convinced, and she almost had the viewers as well … that is, until the final minutes of the episode.

But first, her background: She went to the island under the false pretense that she’d be able to return to home to Miami in six months. The Others needed her medical skills and research to try and solve their community's problem: Women can’t stay pregnant. Their bodies attack the fetuses as a foreign object, and they die. Considering Juliet made her infertile and cancer-ridden sister, Rachel, pregnant, she was to be the community’s hope. The details for her job were vague, and Richard Alpert and Ethan Rom, under the guise of employees at Mittelos Bioscience, wouldn’t tell her where she was going. But with the promise that she’d be able to make a difference in the world, to use her special talents to help others, she quickly signed up for the journey. That was three years ago.

Continue reading ""Lost": Keep Your Friends Close ..." »

THE SELLECK® Might Return to TV Along With Its Owner, Tom

TomSelleck.jpgTom Selleck is in talks to take the lead of NBC's "Las Vegas," a show I wasn't aware was still on and that I'm pretty sure no one watches. According to The Hollywood Reporter, and a writer that appears to really like this show, Selleck would "play the smart, powerful, fun-loving new owner of Montecito Resort & Casino, a new character designed to fill the void left by the recent departure of the show's star James Caan."

Selleck gracing the casino halls of Vegas would mark his first return to a regular role on a drama since his glorious Magnum, P.I. days. His stint as Richard on "Friends" is my favorite Selleck role (although the episodes in which he'd shaved his moustache are noncanonical in my book), but is the world ready for the return of Selleck, not to mention The Selleck®? I say yes, but not on a show that co-stars that guy from "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton." If you want to really please fans of short shorts and facial hair everywhere, NBC, not to mention finally find that perfect show to air after "Heroes," bring "Magnum" back. Now.

Barbie and Ken voted off "Dancing"; Himalayas in an uproar

shandi.jpg I know "Dancing with the Stars" is a popular show, but I never knew how popular until a Google search revealed that Former Miss USA Shandi Finnessey and her poor-man's-Richard-Grieco-looking partner getting booted off the program is so important even the Himalayan Times (the leading English daily in Nepal) carried the story.

This revelation made me envision a sherpa paperboy who climbs the mountain each day to deliver news about "American Idol" and Drew Barrymore and Nicole Richie, and everyone on the mountain dreams of how one day they could move to the United States, where even someone as untalented as Sanjaya Malakar can be famous.

And it makes me wonder if people think the U.S. is like a big musical, where everyone sings and dances, even if they only have one leg or happen to be the president's evil rapping sidekick. (Isn't it amazing how Rove makes Tom Cruise's dance of shame look good by comparison? Scientologists everywhere bless you, KKKarl.)

Still, I guess the news of a giant blonde beauty queen not winning something in this country is fairly unexpected. Maybe too many dudes assumed her name was Boobs McJiggle, and when they didn't hear that option on the voting menu, just hung up and went back to watching old episodes of "Baywatch" or whatever guys watch when they aren't watching ESPN or the History Channel or that show where the dude teaches you how to survive in the wilderness with nothing but a toothpick and a wish (and a cameraman, apparently).

Anyway, I bid Shandi a fond adieu, but as I mentioned last week, I didn't really want them to keep her around. As I also predicted last week, Billy Ray Cyrus made a completely unfunny joke out of his only hit song, braying that the dancing has given him "an achy, breaky butt," and thereby cementing his status as the single most mentally-challenged country musician outside of Toby Keith (if you happen to be a Toby Keith fan and am totally offended by that statement, let's just agree to disagree. Because you will never convince me his lyrics aren't written by a second grader.)

I know it's kind of early to start betting on winners, but I kind of hope Joey FatOne wins, because unless you're gay or Justin Timberlake, former N'Syncers just don't get any love. And I think it's time for the FatOne to shine. I'm pretty sure the Himalayas would agree.

"Lost": Turning Points

lost_kate.jpgAfter the love-it-or-hate-it episode last week, last night in "Left Behind" we were treated with a Kate-centric episode that brought back memories of the good old days of "Lost": Kate picking fights and running from the law in the past while the survivors are having fun on the island in the present. Several new developments unfolded: The Others left their encampment, and Locke went with them, but not before they knocked Kate out by throwing a gas canister in her holding room. She woke up in the jungle handcuffed to Juliet, and the two tried to make it back to the Others' living area without strangling each other -- or getting attacked by the Smoke Monster.

The flashbacks showed Kate attempting to get in touch with her mother, Diane, who had given her daughter up to authorities for killing her father. She enlisted the help of Cassidy, a woman she caught conning fellow travelers. They each knew the other was up to no good and bonded over their shared aversion of the law. Cassidy helped Kate avoid the U.S. Marshals guarding Diane, and when Kate confronted her mother on why she had so easily betrayed her, Diane said she had hoped Kate was there to offer an apology. Diane told Kate that despite his abusive ways, she had loved her husband and couldn't accept how Kate had killed him in cold blood. Kate didn't kill him for Diane; she killed him for herself. You can't help who you love, Diane said, a notion Cassidy echoed as she told Kate about her unnamed ex -- Sawyer, who conned her out of her money and who is the father of her unborn child.

Kate and Juliet had a few handcuffed tussles on the way to the Others' camp -- a punched face here, a dislocated shoulder there -- but the real dosage of pain came when Juliet informed Kate that the reason Jack didn't want her to come back was because she broke his heart by sleeping with Sawyer. The two drew lines in a strange turf war over Jack, but Juliet wouldn't answer why the Others left her behind. Their conversations never lasted long, though: Smoke Monster kept showing up. Juliet at first acted surprised by the giant cloud of smoke that chased them and flashed lights in their eyes, but by its second appearance, she admitted the Others were aware of the monster but had no idea what it is -- only that it doesn't like their electronic fences. She also revealed she had had the key to the handcuffs the entire time, but lied out of fear of being left behind again.

Continue reading ""Lost": Turning Points" »

Monday Bloody Monday

SixDegrees.jpgMonday was a dark day in TV land, with several shows getting whacked:

In the infinite stupidity of network TV executives, the ones at ABC brought back struggling drama "Six Degrees" two weeks ago with little fanfare, dumped it in a Friday night timeslot and were surprised when no one watched. Now, "Six Degrees" has been axed, effective immediately. I may have been one of the only ones out there watching the show, happy that my DVR is smart enough to record it again after such a long hiatus (it left around Halloween), but I'd at least like to know what happens. Throw me a bone, ABC. Give me an extra episode to wrap storylines up. I know you taped them: Previews had shown that Josh Charles was going to show up, and that guy could use some work. ABC will show "Wife Swap" repeats in its place. Seriously? You're replacing a series starring Hope Davis and Campbell Scott with reruns of a reality show about people swapping wives for kicks? You're on my list, ABC.

NBC has pulled "The Black Donnellys" from its Monday night pre-"Heroes" rotation after April 16, airing only 8 of the show's 13 episodes and making room for the new hidden camera reality series "The Real Wedding Crashers." "Donnellys" tried too hard to be the Irish "Godfather," and failed quite miserably at getting its viewers to invest any kind of emotion in the two-dimensional characters. I'm not sad to see it go, and I'm vindictive enough to be glad that something helmed by Paul Haggis was a flop.

Fox is pulling the plug on David E. Kelley's "The Wedding Bells," letting the show air once more this Friday. I don't know what would be worse to hear as an actor or worker on a show that's been cancelled: That your show is kaput, or that your network had already decided to preempt it with a showing of the Wayans brothers' movie "White Chicks." Either way, your life sucks, but to have a network prefer to show black men dressing as white women for a few hours than to show your series goes beyond adding insult to injury. Maybe Kelley ("L.A. Law," "Chicago Hope," "Ally McBeal," "The Practice," "Boston Legal") will now devote more of his time to working out the song licensing issues and release "McBeal" on DVD.

In other cancellation news, say goodbye to the Camden family -- again. After the series was brought back from the dead last spring, "7th Heaven" is finally calling it quits May 13, ending its 11th season as the longest-running family drama on TV. "Heaven" was supposed to end last May when its network, the WB, died as well, but media coverage and a touch of nostalgia drew in great ratings and the new CW network decided to pick it up for one last go-around. Big surprise: Not enough people watched.

Reviewing the Photos: Kids' Choice Awards

Sometimes, taking a stroll through the Associated Press photo galleries for certain events is more entertaining than watching the events themselves. On this lazy Monday, enjoy these priceless images from the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards," filmed Saturday in LA.

ZacEfron.jpgZac Efron: "Just because I rocked 'High School Musical' and have an androgynous face doesn't mean I'm not manly. I'll really show the critics when I star in 'Hairspray' and 'High School Musical 2: Sing It All or Nothing!' I wonder if they can see the lines from my face bronzer ..."







Reviewing the Photos: Part 2

DakotaFanning.jpgDakota Fanning: "Hehehehehehe. My therapist says that if I just smile, the dark feelings inside of me will go away. Mommy says it's OK that I can't get the tune to "Hound Dog" out of my head. Oscar, here I come!"












Reviewing the Photos: Part 3

MandyMoore.jpgMandy Moore: "I hate you all."


















Reviewing the Photos: Part 4

MaguireCarell.jpgI can't even think of a caption for this one.
















Oh, the Chads. The Chads!!!

chadhang1.jpgFresh off of doing not a whole lot, director Sydney Pollack has set his sights on "revisiting one of the most dramatic events in U.S. election history": The 2000 presidential election. "Recount" will look at the turmoil of the Florida Voting Machine Meltdown that caused a legal showdown at the Supreme Court, declared Bush the winner and sent Gore to live in a haze of bloating and self-loathing out in the wild. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the HBO Films project "chronicles the weeks after the 2000 presidential election and goes behind the scenes of the recounts in Florida to explore the human drama of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary event that would decide the leadership of the country."

Extraordinary? What's extraordinary is that The Goreacle-Hollywood love fest is spreading so quickly. HBO Films president Colin Callender said the film won't take sides, but you know Gore is already trying to schedule Power Point presentations on the film at your local Kiwanis Club. I personally can't wait to revisit Tim Russert on election night holding up the dry-erase board with the words "Florida Florida Florida"; the stupid old people who were confused by the machines; the countless volunteers who stared at pieces of paper and to this day twitch when they hear the words "hanging" and/or "chad"; Dan Abrams on the Supreme Court steps reading the verdict on air and trying to figure out what the hell had just happened; etc. Ah, it just sounds so awesome. Who said Hollywood is running out of ideas?

Taye Diggs is the Ultimate McDreamy

TayeDiggs.jpgUpdates on the potential "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off, thanks to the L.A. Times:


"Following her recent disastrous romantic misfortunes, Addison (Kate Walsh) travels to Santa Monica to seek advice from her old medical school pals, Naomi (Merrin Dungey) and Jackson (Taye Diggs) whom she believes have it all: a beautiful teenage daughter, a great marriage and a highly successful health cooperative.

Addison quickly learns that Jackson, also a successful TV health guru, has divorced Naomi. During the visit, Addison also meets the rest of the gang at the cooperative: a widowed alternative medicine doctor, a self-doubting therapist, and a male gynecologist who knows little about women, and realizes she is on familiar ground.

Addison concludes that the personal lives of the people around her may be a mess, but professionally they stand out. (Sounds like those crazy interns, right?) So she decides to leave Seattle Grace behind and join the Oceanside Wellness Group team."

As completely uninteresting as watching the goings-on at the Oceanside Wellness Group would be, the show will give us another chance to bask in the glow of Taye Diggs. I'm still not sure how I feel about Addison leaving "Grey's." She's one of the better characters, and the show has already descended so far into the realms of soap opera hell that losing one of its best assets might help do it in for good. But if that happened, would it be so bad?

I've watched the show since it debuted with an engaging half-season, and it's sad to say that what we're treated with now is not what the show set out to be, or could have grown to be. Maybe Kate Walsh will take her talent and make the spin-off something worth watching -- something not like "Grey's." If Diggs sings on the show, I'll die happy. Maybe be could moonlight as a lounge singer? He and Wahlberg could get an act going. Now that would be the best act ever.

"Lost": The Tangled Webs We Weave

lost.jpgEither the "Lost" creators think we're stupid, want to teach us a "Twilight Zone"-ish moral lesson, or both. Last night's episode, "Exposé," focused on the new additions to the cast, Nikki and Paulo, at times playing on the fact that they were added this season and no one knows who they are, while at other times going to great lengths to build them into the first few seasons. A little digression from the main plot is fine, but not after last week's episode. Instead of the great character development and action we were treated with in "The Man From Tallahassee," last night we got another glimpse into "Lost's" identity crisis and my love-hate relationship with the show's writers.

The opening sequence might be my favorite of the entire series, simply because it was insane: We see Nikki burying something in the jungle before she heads off running, then it cuts to a flashback where she's dancing at a strip club. She's actually filming a TV show, "Exposé," in Sydney along with Lando Calrissian that played out almost like a porn, but probably not as entertaining. Her guest-acting stint on the show was over, but her relationship with her Creepy Older Director wasn't.

Flash back to present: She stumbles onto the beach in front of Hurley and Sawyer after running through the jungle, mumbles something and collapses. Sawyer's about to go get help until Hurley stopped him with "Dude, Nikki's dead," to which our favorite Southerner replied, "Who the hell is Nikki?"

Good question. To the chagrin of fans everywhere, Nikki and Paulo were introduced this season as the castaways who had always been there, you just hadn't noticed them, stop asking questions. For this episode, they actually went back and reshot the opening beach scene when the plane first crashed to get Nikki and Paulo in the shots. Although this provided a great opportunity to see Shannon and Boone (may they rest in peace) in wigs and the science teacher I forgot was even on the show reprise they're now-deceased characters, I couldn't help but feel insulted. I'll play along with polar bears and Smoke Monsters, but not with the notion that Nikki and Paulo had been there from the start.

I really started to feel cheated, though, when Paulo turned up dead as well.

Continue reading ""Lost": The Tangled Webs We Weave" »

Paulina Whats-her-name-a booted off "Dancing"

Sad fact of the day: "Dancing with the Stars" is rated second only to "American Idol" in terms of popularity with television audiences. Which is kind of like saying, "Hey, you're runner up to a big pile of poo. Congrats."

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I have to admit, I successfully avoided both "Idol" and "Dancing" until this season. Actually, I'm still avoiding "Idol" -- perhaps not like the plague, but more like a really terrible television show I have no interest in watching -- but the B-list allure of "Dancing" has caught my attention, in that same sort of guilt-ridden way the Oxygen network's French-Canadian conundrum "Bliss" did (if you haven't seen "Bliss," prepare for hours of laughter, head-scratching and ultimately, a much necessary brain-bleaching. But it's awesome. For real. And now available on DVD.)

This season, the insanity of a one-legged ex-McCartney attempting to Foxtrot has been the biggest motivation for many to tune in, but I say "nay" -- Heather Mills could lose her good leg, an arm and an earlobe while performing her Mambo for the world, and she'd still be boring to watch. What gives? If you really want to glean some ratings from limbless quasi-celebs, get a pirate to join the cast. Not only would he have a visible peg leg, but also an eye patch and maybe a parrot. And imagine his reaction when he gets voted off. I bet at least two of the three judges would lose their lives, and considering America's affinity for gratuitous violence, that would mean ratings gold, right?

Continue reading "Paulina Whats-her-name-a booted off "Dancing"" »

You'd Cry, Too, if You Had to Sit Through a Taping of "American Idol"

For those of you who aren't on a hunger strike until the day Sanjaya Malakar is kicked off "American Idol," have fun at his expense thanks to the Washington Post's style gurus. They've imagined what the tone-def crooner would look like with various coiffures, and you can even print your own cut-and-fold copies to liven up your day at the office. Or you can watch him compete in "Idol's" Top 10 tonight on Fox. It's your call.

Oh, Sanjaya -- how you've won over prepubescent, sobbing 13-year-olds with your suave hairdos and eardrum-splitting renditions of Kinks classics. Don't ever change.

art-sanjaya.jpg

"Battlestar Galactica": Holy Frak!

Battlestar.JPG"Battlestar Galactica" ended its third season Sunday in true "Battlestar" form: It dropped several plot bombshells on its fans, smirked, and sauntered out of the room. Now we're left to debate with our fellow geeks several developments -- the revelation of four Cylons among the fleet, the 'not guilty' verdict for Gaius Baltar and the return of thought-to-be-dead Starbuck to lead the human race to Earth -- until the show returns for a full fourth season in ... 2008? We have to wait until January to get a few more answers? I'm still getting used to it being 2007, and I've only thought as far as June in terms of making life plans. Are fans even going to remember what happened and/or care as much about the show 10 months from now?

At least we'll be treated to a two-hour episode in the fall that will bridge the gap between the third and fourth seasons, and the depressingly long hiatus will give us a chance to re-watch the entire series on DVD. But I'm still unsatisfied. What can stand in for one of the most culturally-relevant shows on TV?

This season of "BSG," and especially its People vs. Gaius Baltar trial, offered up more pain and beauty and truth than you can rightfully ask for these days in a television show. The People wanted justice -- justice for the near-annihilation of the human race, justice for the death of their friends and loved ones during the Cylon occupation on New Caprica, and justice for President Baltar, the man everyone sees as a traitor to mankind. But as Lee Adama eloquently pointed out when he was called to the stand as a witness for the defense, Baltar was no more at fault than everyone else was. Baltar isn't evil; he's the definition of selfish. He was a puppet at the hands of the Cylons in a lose-lose situation, and although his lack of intestinal fortitude is deplorable, he doesn't deserve to be made a scapegoat for all of the problems the remainders of the human race are facing. Why string him up when you pardoned far more heinous crimes committed by members of the fleet? If we create a bloodthirsty form of justice, as well as use the reason of being at war as an excuse to create our own vengeance-bent rules, we’re completely disregarding the aspect of our society that's supposed to keep it civilized: Due Process.

Lee's plea for rational thinking and a fair trial won Baltar's judges over and freed the former president, with the elder Adama casting the deciding 'not guilty' vote. Now he's at odds with President Roslin, but what's more pressing is the new development they've yet to discover: More of their friends are Cylons. Colonel Tigh, Chief Tyrol, Sam Anders and Tory Foster were all drawn together after hearing the same, eerie tune. They all knew they were Cylons, but all chose to go about their daily lives for the time-being. Will they be like Sharon (Caprica Sharon, not Boomer) and choose to side with the humans? Will they out themselves to friends and hope they'll be accepted? One of "BSG's" strengths is that there are never clear-cut right and wrong sides to any situation, and now that these characters are indeed machines, they're not automatically the bad guys. Having certain humans turn out to be the very thing they've been fighting reiterates the need to step back and realize that we're not so different from the enemies we create.

I have plenty to think about from now until January. In the meantime, I'll be parsing the lyrics to "All Along the Watchtower."

"Lost": All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues

lost_ben.jpgMichael Emerson (right) scares the crap out of me. I was distracted by what his character, Henry/Ben, was saying on last night's episode of "Lost" because I just couldn't stop staring at his face. At one point in a close-up, his eyes looked like glass. Seriously -- he's an odd-looking man, which only makes Ben all the creepier, and Ben is one of the redeeming qualities of a show that, until recently, had continually lost momentum after its stellar first season. Ben is a great villain because he can pass for that guy who works in the IT department who no one really notices -- that is, until he's tried to kill you. Ben could kill your best friend in front of you, turn around and successfully convince you that it was a good idea.

While me being terrified of Emerson is a digression, it's the kind of manipulation that Ben worked on Locke in last night's episode, "The Man From Tallahassee," that's really worth noting. The episode is an example of how "Lost" can be great when it tries to be -- provide an engaging backstory that actually progresses the plot and couple it with compelling action sprinkled with a touch of mystery and even more answers. Locke's backstory is the best developed out of all of the characters, and Terry O'Quinn is arguably the best actor of the lot (aside from Emerson).

Daddy issues were the name of the game: Locke was coming to terms with the fact that his con-man father, Anthony Cooper, is the reason he was in a wheelchair for four years prior to the crash, and we saw a glimpse of Ben's rocky relationship with his daughter, Alex, who is also Rousseau's daughter. Is he her biological father? I'm guessing not, mainly because Alex doesn't look like a cross between a possum and a Muppet like Dad does (sorry, guy). But what's really linking Locke and Ben is their connection to the island. Ben was born there; Locke is able to walk there. But Ben is still stuck in a wheelchair after his surgery, which Jack performed in exchange for a one-way ticket off the island via a submarine. If Locke was healed by the island, why hasn't Ben been healed?

Continue reading ""Lost": All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues" »

American Idols: How the candidates measure up

Considering more people vote for "American Idol" contenders than presidential candidates, we decided that perhaps the best way to get out the vote is to put this whole election charade into perspective: Really, there's very little difference between our favorite singers and our picks for politicians. Except, you know, singers just make CDs, while presidents run the country. Aside from that, though, they're really very similar. We'll prove it.

Here's a look at a few of the candidates who have placed their hats in the ring for the 2008 presidential election and their "American Idol" counterparts. Or doppelgangers, if you will. That's a fun word, don't you think?

THE DEMOCRATS

Hillary Clinton & Clay Aiken

hillary.jpg ClayAiken3-1.jpg

Just like Aiken, Hillary has staunch supporters (though maybe not as crazy as the Claymates) and equally emphatic detractors ... but hopefully no scandalous text messages about secret hookups in North Carolina hotel rooms, if you get my drift (that’s more Bill’s speed, anyway). And though Aiken was the clear favorite in season two of “Idol,” he eventually lost the contest to Ruben Studdard; will Hillary face the same fate thanks to Obama? - ES

Barack Obama & Kelly Clarkson

obama.jpg clarkson.jpg

Obamania appears unstoppable. Like Clarkson, he's America's sweetheart. Clarkson was the first of her kind -- the first American Idol -- and charmed every crowd member with her likability and talent. After her win and first album, she continued to gain more fans by ultimately being true to herself (pretend "From Justin to Kelly" never happened). Sound familiar?

Obama captured Democrats' attentions at the '04 Democratic Convention (forget about his unsuccessful run for the House in 2000), gained a strong following and track record, gained even more fans by being the only potential nominee that opposed the Iraq War in the first place, and is the first black candidate to actually have a prayer at getting the nomination.
He's not perfect -- you wouldn't pick him or Clarkson out of a crowd as someone with star power -- but he's just so likable. And really, who would want to see Clay Aiken in concert when they could see Kelly Clarkson instead? - SC


John Edwards & Fantasia Barrino

edwards.jpg fantasia.jpg

The Carolinas sure do produce rags-to-riches stories. Edwards is the offspring of a textile mill worker and postal employee in South Carolina. At 17, Fantasia was an unwed mother and high school dropout in North Carolina.

With the help of a lucky break (well, Edwards went to college and law school and worked his way up from there), they climbed their way to the top -- all the while reminding the public of their humble beginnings. Sympathy votes from their fellow "common man"? Or actual talent? It's hard to tell, but at least Fantasia won her battle. Edwards teamed up with another candidate living in his past, and their campaign platform sunk faster than a swift boat. Fantasia's first album was a hit, but her second flopped. Now that Edwards has ditched his "Small Town" theme song, can he pull off another comeback? -SC


Continue reading "American Idols: How the candidates measure up" »

Leave YouTube Alone

FerrellOscars.jpgI was distracted by our live-blogging extravaganza during the Oscars when Forest Whitaker took to the stage to accept his Best Actor award, so I missed what many are calling the best speech of the night. I figured I'd catch it on YouTube, but I figured wrong: According to Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has requested YouTube take down all videos of the 18-hour awards show.

Want to see the amusing bit by Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly about how comedies are generally overlooked by Oscar? Too bad. You can watch a few clips on Oscar.com, which don't have sketches in their entirety, but those will soon be pulled to" whet people's appetite for next year's show."

Considering an average of 39.9 million viewers tuned in this year, making it the third time in the past six years the show hasn't broken the 40 million mark, isn't having clips from the show available to all a good thing? Wouldn't that whet your appetite? This isn't as annoying Viacom's refusals to allow YouTube users to post clips from shows on stations it owns (including Comedy Central), but it does make me wonder what these media companies are thinking.

Now what are we supposed to watch when we're bored at work? What do you like to watch on YouTube?

"The Black Donnellys"

Donnellys2.jpg

Friday night I watched “The Departed” again -- an entertaining look at the world of Irish organized crime in Boston, brought to you by Martin Scorsese. Sunday night, I celebrated its win for Best Picture and proclaimed my love for all things Mark Wahlberg.

But last night, I watched “The Black Donnellys,” a one-hour drama brought to you by Paul Haggis, writer of “Crash” and “The Last Kiss,” and NBC's latest attempt at a comeback from its perpetual ratings slump. Perhaps this sequence of events wasn’t wise; how can you go from Scorsese to Haggis? Well, you can’t -- at least not easily. Sure, “Donnellys” and “Departed” are from different mediums, one with much stricter decency guidelines to follow, but if our culture already has so many tales of organized crime done so right, why do we need a watered-down version? With Dignam on my mind, and as a firm hater of “Crash,” me not being one who enjoys cliché-riddled melodramas, I approached “Donnellys” with skepticism.

In the pilot, we’re introduced to four Irish brothers carving out a living on the streets of New York’s Hell’s Kitchen: Tommy, Jimmy, Kevin and Sean Donnelly. Tommy is the good, artistic one; Jimmy (played by Smalls, from “The Sandlot”) is the troublemaker, stealing trucks and doing drugs; Kevin gambles too much; and Sean makes out with girls whenever the opportunity arises. In a flashback, told by narrator Joey Ice Cream, we learn that when he was a kid, Jimmy’s leg was accidentally run over during a sort-of hit and run, an event that caused him to walk with a limp, stunted his growth and changed all of their lives.

Continue reading ""The Black Donnellys"" »

"Grey's Anatomy": Are You There, God? It's Me, Meredith.

GreysShock.jpgViewers who trudged through the three-part "Grey's Anatomy" ferry disaster/suicide case study should get a prize. After all, we not only endured Izzie's forced optimism about life and death and her cruel behavior toward George, but we had to watch a dead Meredith come to terms with her "lack of kicking and fighting" in the ocean that led to her demise. Oh, and our departed Denny had to talk her through it while the girl who was impaled kept bleeding out and the guy from "Early Edition" stood by and watched. Awesome.

To recap: After being accidentally knocked into the ocean while helping a wounded civilian from the ferry fiasco, Meredith, already dark and twisty and still smarting from being called 'ordinary' by mom, gave up on kicking and chose to head toward the light. She spent the better part of the second installment drifting gracefully through the water until the Demon-Possessed Child, whom she had been helping, lead a worried McDreamy to the water, pointing out to sea and implying that Meredith was swimming with the fishes. Derek goes in and gets her, but she's pretty much dead. While her fellow surgeons are trying to revive her in part three, Meredith is hanging out with Denny, Bomb Squad guy and two other deceased patients. They are there to help her come to terms with the fact that yes, she did give up, asking herself after a few moments in the water, "What's the point?"

Good question.

Continue reading ""Grey's Anatomy": Are You There, God? It's Me, Meredith." »