Premieres and Notables; November 10-16, 2008

Monday, 11/10



We've had two team members perish the past two episodes of Prison Break (FOX; 8 pm CST). Are there more going to follow? Probably, but doesn't sound like it this ep as it focuses on Michael and his ever-worsening condition.



And How I Met Your Mother (CBS; 7:30 CST) has been fantastic of late. Now's a good jumping-on point. Stella just left Ted and ran back to her ex. Last week, Ted realized that she was happy, so he had to move on. Sounds serious, and it is. But this show can mine comedy from anything-- and it does.

Tuesday, 11/11

Lincoln Heights (ABC Family; 7 & 8 pm). Season Finale.

Cha$e; Sci Fi. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Reality competition where contestants try to avoid "hunters" with virtual weaponry.

Extreme Trains; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A look at the world's largest engines.

Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in the World; Logo. 9 pm. 2nd Season Premiere.

Deliver Me; Discovery Health. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A show about pregnancy complications. Surely, it'll be the feel-good show of the year.

Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist; Lifetime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I'd say "We may have hit the bottom of the barrel," but I'm sure something will go even lower next week.

espn.com premieres Kenny Mayne's new web show Mayne Street today. I don't watch espn, but I do make sure I tune in to Mayne's hilarious short "news pieces" on NFL Countdown. This cat is funny; whether you like sports or not.

Wednesday, 11/12

Top Chef: New York; Bravo. 9 pm. 5th Season Premiere.

Human Wrecking Balls; G4. 9:30. Series Premiere.
Two martial artist brothers break stuff. They dismantle a car with their bare hands in the premiere.

Thursday, 11/13

Did you notice how much funnier The Office (NBC; 8 pm) was last week than in previous weeks? That's because it was directed by co-creator Stephen Merchant.

30 Rock (NBC; 8:30) welcomes guest star Jennifer Aniston. I'm not all that excited, but everyone else in the world seems to be.

On It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the gang decides to do an extreme home makeover for a new neighbor.

Anthony Edwards guest stars on ER (NBC; 9 pm). Isn't his character dead? Yes he is, but they found a good way to bring him back for this single episode.

Plastic Makes Perfect; Fine Living. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Does cosmetic surgery make people happier and more successful? This show looks to answer that question.


Friday, 11/14

Batman: The Brave and the Bold; Cartoon Network. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
A "lighter", more kid-friendly, Batman teams up with another hero each week to defeat the villains (just as in the old Brave and the Bold comic book).

And I need to point out that last week's new episode of Phineas & Ferb (Disney Channel; 7:30 pm-- or three or four times throughout the day, every day) was hilarious and filled with all sorts of inside jokes for viewers who have seen a number of episodes. If you have kids, this is mandatory viewing. If you don't, it's still worth checking out.

Saturday, 11/15

TBS airs the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas (6:30 pm)

Ricky Gervais: Out of England; HBO. 8 pm. Special.
The Office and Extras co-creator/star brings his stand-up show to HBO. I've heard some griping that his act is the same show to show, but I've never seen him do stand-up before, so it'll be new for me.

Arab Labor; Link TV. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A sitcom about an Israeli-Palestinian journalist working in Israel.


Sunday, 11/16

Sound Revolution; Smithsonian. 7 pm. Mini-Series.
Six-part look at the birth of the blues hosted by Morgan Freeman.

Chef Jeff Project (Food Network; 9 pm). Season Finale.

Robot Chicken (adult swim/Cartoon Network; 10:30) does its second Star Wars special. The first was pretty good, and even got some voice work (and blessing) from George Lucas. This one has Billy Dee Williams pitching in.

Post-Election Thoughts

First off, I'm shocked that Prop 8 passed-- although I'm not heartbroken because it was by a slim margin. I thought if any state had a more enlightened populace, it would be California's. Interestingly, the minorities that Obama's people pushed to "get out the vote" for him were the ones that helped Prop 8 pass.

It's times like this that make me wish I had pursued a sociology degree because I find it very interesting that white voters were split on the issue, but African Americans and Latinos were in favor of it. On first thought, you'd have to think those two minorities would be more sympathetic to those being prejudiced against. On the other, much more cynical, hand, I wonder if a small part was the fact that they may have wanted same-sex couples to be discriminated against to take some of the heat off them.

But the big excuse is probably stereotypical: Latinos are predominantly Catholic, and we all know how intolerant the high-level muckety-mucks in that organization are. As for African Americans; well, there have been some people who have proposed that they are more homophobic than other people. I know it's not true of all people, but there are enough that it's become a bit of a stereotype.

The good news is: we as a people are heading in the right direction. California had a similar proposition in 2000, and the vote passed with over 60% in favor.

And there's always the possibility that the courts will step in and declare a ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional again. I'm all for democracy, but if we learned anything in the 2000 & 2004 Presidential Elections, the people are not always right.

On to the other vote I was following: the Minnesota Senatoral race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken. Yes, that Al Franken; the guy from Saturday Night Live. I've read all of Franken's books, and they have increasingly become more political. I give him props for putting his money where his mouth is and running against a tough opponent. Sure, Franken's running in honor of Paul Wellstone-- and against Norm Coleman, who has become his nemesis the past few years-- but I also think he can bring some new ideas to the Senate.

Unfortunately, he's trailing. From somewhere between 500 and 1000 votes, depending on how many more votes have been counted that hour. Both candidates have 1.2 million votes and change. We are talking a difference of one-half of one-half percent. The closest major election in Minnesota history. Absolutely insane. A recount is in the works, and I've read that most players don't think this will end without the courts getting involved somehow.

One little tidbit more about the race: A big shout out to St. Louis County, who voted in favor of Franken more than any other county in the state (according to the stats compiled by the Star Tribune ). Being born and raised in that area, it makes my heart warm to see "my people" vote as I would have if I didn't live in Wisconsin now.


And finally, did you ever imagine that a person of color would be president five years ago? It's mind boggling. Part of it was because I knew there is still just too much prejudice out there and part of it was there's never really been a candidate of color that could talk without rhyming, which when used too much, is about as credible as a candidate rapping.

But the thing is, I think Obama was the best choice for someone who could lead the people and the country out of the mess that President Shitforbrains has gotten us into in his too-long tenure. You may not like Obama's politics, but I think he's qualified to inspire us as well as mend some fences our Nimrod-in-Chief has demolished in his eight years.

As for our current president: don't count him out yet. He's still got a solid two months where he can [f-bomb] up something bigtime. I think the odds he'll blow another opportunity is about even because I imagine his people will do everything they can to keep him away from dangerous things like Iran, South Korea, the economy, butter knives...

And the absolute best thing about the vote: we don't have to hear about a damn race anymore. Is it me, or is two freaking years a bit too long to run for a job you'll hold for only four years (maybe eight, but you've got to sell yourself again for a second term)?

I'd Rent It

See more Taran Killam videos at Funny or Die

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor

This is both one of the dumbest and one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Just Throw in a Colt 45, and He's Got My Vote

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Okay; A Little Over The Top

But it sure is cool in an odd way.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Okay-- I Didn't See That Coming...

Natalie Portman and Rashida Jones remind us to vote.

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

And they offer up a solution to the economic crisis in this one:

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Take Off Your T-Shirt

Funny, inventive video about posers.

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Premieres and Notables; November 4-9, 2008

Monday, 11/3

Raising the Bar (TNT; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Tuesday, 11/4

All you need to know is vote first, then watch TV.

If you've read my blog a while, you can get a little taste of where I'm coming from, but no matter whether you agree or disagree with me, the important thing is to vote.

But if I may stump a little: remember, third party/independent candidates need your vote, too-- even more than the Big Two parties, which have pretty much screwed any chance of a third voice being heard amongst their nonsense (and working campaign laws to make third parties' campaigns doomed to failure). If you don't know who to vote for, vote independent. No, odds are, that person won't win, but what it will do is legitimize another voice-- and increase the odds that those voices will be heard in the future.

Down with Red and Blue. Purple is a nicer color. I'd love to see purple all across the country when the networks show the country and what precincts have reported.

(And for those of you who are like me and don't get metaphors: purple is a mix of the other two colors.)

Anyway the main networks are covering this important election coverage, so don't expect new episodes or repeats on any of them. The CW, though, is airing new 90210 and Privileged episodes (as is FX airing a new The Shield). I'm not saying one is right or wrong-- although, seriously, how many f-bombing hours of election coverage do we need? Give us a one minute recap every commercial break and maybe a five minute recap at the top of every hour and then let the local and national news give full reports after prime time. It's not as if much is known until later in the night anyway.

Finally, there is also a new (and cool sounding) election episode of Wordgirl airing on PBS (10 am-- check local listings). I've never seen the show, but a link to this teaser was sent to me, and I think it was cute, a little humorous, and I'm sure also informative for younger viewers.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cawSBHnYm_A


Wednesday, 11/5

Don't forget, NBC moves Life to 8 pm CST and Law & Order (which may be a season premiere; I'm not sure about that due to this being a late sched change) moves to 9 pm.

Top Design (Bravo; 9 pm). Season Finale.


Thursday, 11/6

I'm still not as in love with this show (or the guest) as everyone else seems to be, but it should be noted that 30 Rock (NBC; 8:30) snagged guest star Oprah. I'm guessing it'd have to be pretty good for either to do the stunt.


Friday, 11/7

Law & Order: Criminal Intent; USA. 8 pm. Season Premiere.

Shadow Force; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A look at expert mercenaries. The pilot shows them going after pirates off the coast of Liberia. [Don't know if you've heard, but pirates have been capturing a number of ships the past few months.]

Survivorman; Discovery. 8 pm. Season Premiere.

Whale Wars; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Captain Paul Watson and his band of merry men sail around Antarctica and thwart Japanese whale hunters.

Henry Rollins: Uncut; IFC. 9:30 pm. Season Premiere.
I'm mad I don't get IFC with Charter cable. Sucks...


Saturday, 11/8

True Jackson, VP; Nickelodeon. 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.
A 15-year-old designer becomes the youngest VP at a fashion label.

My Bare Lady 2: Open for Business; FOX Reality. 9 pm. Season premiere.
Porn stars try to run a business. Wow....
I'm not mad I don't get FOX Reality...


Sunday, 11/9

Ruby; Style. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Ruby Gettinger starts her weight-loss journey at 477 lbs, and presumably it goes down from there.

Summer Heights High; HBO. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Instead of adapting a show from another country and then screwing it all up, HBO decided to just air the original. This one is from Australia and is a mockumentary looking at life in high school. I've heard good things about this show. It's worth at least a looksie.

And over on Entourage (HBO; 9 pm), Seth Green shows up. If you've seen the show before, you know there will be fireworks as Seth and Eric do not get along so well.