Monday, 3/31
Bingo America; GSN. 6 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Patrick Duffy + quiz show + bingo = something I plan on not watching.
Barney tries to figure out who is sabotaging his love life on How I Met Your Mother by putting the 64 most likely women into March Madness brackets and narrowing it down from there (CBS; 7:30-- watch this show, dammit!).
CBS's much-abused comedy (yet one of its best-- just behind HIMYM) The New Adventures of Old Christine signs off for the season (8:30 pm).
Tuesday, 4/1
Big Ideas For a Small Planet; Sundance. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Hell's Kitchen; FOX. 8 pm. 4th season premiere.
Wednesday, 4/2
Jean-Michel Clousteau: Ocean Adventures; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). 3rd season premiere.
Ultimate Fighter; Spike. 9 pm. 7th season premiere.
Criminal Minds; CBS. 8 pm. Return.
CSI: NY; CBS. 9 pm. Return.
DEA; Spike. 10 pm. Series Premiere.
COPS + the DEA + Al Roker as host = another show I'm not adding to the DVR.
Thursday, 4/3
My Name is Earl; NBC. 7 pm CST. Return.
New eps of Earl! Yay! Guest-starring Paris Hilton! Boo! Well, keep in mind, I can think of only one guest star that didn't do so hot on the show (Roseanne), so maybe it'll work out. Maybe not. C'mon-- New Earl!
Step It Up & Dance; Bravo. 10 pm. Series premiere.
Leave it up to Bravo to finally catch up to a trend that's just about spent...
Miss Guided (ABC, 7 & 7:30 pm) finishes its first season. It was okay; nice distraction from having so little new airing at the time...
Make Me a Supermodel (Bravo; 9 pm) ends its latest season as well. I have no idea about it other than the titles is so rude.
CSI; CBS. 8 pm. Return.
Friday, 4/4
Duel; ABC. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Really? I have heard nothing about this show and whether it really needed to return.
Ghost Whisperer; CBS. 7 pm. Return.
Numb3rs; CBS. 9 pm. Returns with stupid-ass spelling of title as well.
Battlestar Galactica; Sci Fi. 9 pm. 4th season premiere.
The first half of the final season begins here.
Saturday, 4/5
Date My House; TLC. 7:30. Series Premiere.
Hey look! Another selling a house show. There aren't enough of those. This one lets potential buyers do what they want to the house (stay overnight, host parties) to see if it's "The One".
Split Ends; Style. 5 pm. Season premiere.
Sunday, 4/6
Wire in the Blood; BBC America. 7 pm. 5th season premiere.
I've heard good things about this series. I guess this season is a departure as the Brit lead character has to go to Texas for a trial.
America's Port; National Geographic. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
No idea; something to do with an American port...? I'm guessing a reality show...
The Star Wars reimagining via the Family Guy characters repeats Sunday on FOX at 8 pm.
And two I missed last week, but ran into this week. Sunday, March 30 has:
Comedy Central airs the direct to DVD movie Futurama: Bender's Big Score at 6 pm.
And Cartoon Network/[adult swim] airs the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie at 10:30 pm (repeat at 2:00 am, March 31). The [swim] "bump" last week mentioned they might air it backwards. I thought it was funny. And then I remembered it was [adult swim] we're talking about; they just may do it.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
HIMYM Dictionary
Here's a link to a couple-minute-long video clip giving definitions for some of How I Met Your Mother's infamous words.
Most (all?) are from the first part of this season, so there are still lots of new words to discover by checking out the DVD sets or repeats.
Here's a taste: http://video.tvguide.com/ID/828627?autoplay=true
Most (all?) are from the first part of this season, so there are still lots of new words to discover by checking out the DVD sets or repeats.
Here's a taste: http://video.tvguide.com/ID/828627?autoplay=true
A Big PRISON BREAK Change
Okay, I'm not going to be the spoiler, but, seriously, there is no way the show is going to be able to keep this quiet for the next six months. Heck, they'll probably scream this news from the rooftops themselves this summer.
Here's the link if you want to check out the news (I promise not to spoil it below, either): http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Ausiello-Scoop-Prison/800036399
Okay. I'm not exactly sure what to think other than I already had this thought in my head while watching last season.
Implausible? Yeah, probably, but c'mon-- this show stopped being plausible about three episodes into the series. What this is, is HUGE news. It's a way to correct a very terrible wrong (done for the right reasons). It's also a way to get back to the "promise" we were given way back in season one. You know, how something just has to go a certain way. This plotline wasn't why I kept tuning in, but it was a nice counter to all the other stuff going on.
Congrats to all the parties on making this happen.
The Fall can't come soon enough...
Here's the link if you want to check out the news (I promise not to spoil it below, either): http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Ausiello-Scoop-Prison/800036399
Okay. I'm not exactly sure what to think other than I already had this thought in my head while watching last season.
Implausible? Yeah, probably, but c'mon-- this show stopped being plausible about three episodes into the series. What this is, is HUGE news. It's a way to correct a very terrible wrong (done for the right reasons). It's also a way to get back to the "promise" we were given way back in season one. You know, how something just has to go a certain way. This plotline wasn't why I kept tuning in, but it was a nice counter to all the other stuff going on.
Congrats to all the parties on making this happen.
The Fall can't come soon enough...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Great news and not-so-great news
First the great news: Prison Break is coming back for a fourth season.
Now the not-so-great news: it's getting a full season.
I loved the first season, was kinda blah about the second, got into the third more, but the thought of a full 22 episode season next year has me wondering when it's going to end. The show has ventured into ridiculous before, but it's getting almost comical how the guys are put into worse and worse situations.
I hope the show wraps itself up next season. I think it was on the road to doing it this season but got side-tracked with the writer's strike and had to settle for a planned mid-season finale versus a real season or series finale.
Here's to hoping the show gets itself back to what it was and is able to tie up the loose ends by the end...
Now the not-so-great news: it's getting a full season.
I loved the first season, was kinda blah about the second, got into the third more, but the thought of a full 22 episode season next year has me wondering when it's going to end. The show has ventured into ridiculous before, but it's getting almost comical how the guys are put into worse and worse situations.
I hope the show wraps itself up next season. I think it was on the road to doing it this season but got side-tracked with the writer's strike and had to settle for a planned mid-season finale versus a real season or series finale.
Here's to hoping the show gets itself back to what it was and is able to tie up the loose ends by the end...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Have a FRISKY Tuesday
Forgot to mention in my notables post that Frisky Dingo Season One goes on DVD on Tuesday.
It's a bare-bones episode-only DVD, so that's a bummer there's no extras. But from what I've read, we're lucky we're getting what we are.
I've mentioned the show before and because it's an [adult swim] series, it's not for everyone.
But I love it.
And because the DVD is a stripped-down season set, it's cheaper. I ordered my copy from deepdiscount.com for $13.59. You can't even buy a new DVD feature movie for that anymore.
Here's the link: http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=30942841
Season Two is almost over, so check it out. Just don't get attached to the characters-- the last few episodes have been especially unkind to them.
It's a bare-bones episode-only DVD, so that's a bummer there's no extras. But from what I've read, we're lucky we're getting what we are.
I've mentioned the show before and because it's an [adult swim] series, it's not for everyone.
But I love it.
And because the DVD is a stripped-down season set, it's cheaper. I ordered my copy from deepdiscount.com for $13.59. You can't even buy a new DVD feature movie for that anymore.
Here's the link: http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=30942841
Season Two is almost over, so check it out. Just don't get attached to the characters-- the last few episodes have been especially unkind to them.
Better Late Than Never
I've spent the past ten years of my life in Northeast Wisconsin. That's by Green Bay.
Now, growing up in Northern Minnesota, I learned that a true Minnesotan (which I really, truly believe I still am even after all these years) can't like the Green Bay Packers.
So a few of my Minnesotan friends who may read this will probably give me Hell for this, but I just gotta write it:
Congrats on your retirement Brett Favre.
(That wasn't so hard, really. And just because it's been a few weeks doesn't mean it's not sincere.)
As I always qualify my remarks when I write about sports: I don't follow them. Just not my thing. But you cannot live in this part of the country and not have an appreciation for the history and legacy of this team.
And for the past sixteen years, you could not separate the Green Bay Packers from Brett Favre.
While I watched very little of Favre at work, I am acutely aware of what he meant to the team, to its fans, and to this area in general. Also, since I've started paying attention to the NFL for Fantasy Football, I have become aware of just how important he was to the league.
It is truly astounding that he was traded to a team who had experienced two decades worth of bad seasons, the smallest team in the market, and the only publicly-owned company in the league (three really bad strikes against the team for this young player), and led it to a Super Bowl and kept Championship dreams alive for almost twenty years.
Even more astounding: he started every single game for the Packers since he took over for an injured Don Majowski in the third game of the 1992 season. A quarterback! The player every player on the other side of the ball wants to get a piece of.
You've probably heard the accomplishments besides the remarkable consecutive games started. Many of those accomplishments came this year: most career touchdown passes, most career passing attempts, most career passing yards. He also won a Super Bowl as well as played in another. And he is the only three-time MVP in history.
But the records, although enormous, weren't what he was about. The guy played balls-out every game. Sometimes it got him into trouble-- he also owns the most career interceptions (although INTs come with the territory when putting the ball in the air as much as he has). But sometimes it allowed him to complete truly astounding plays as well. He has been called the last of his breed-- the guy who can go out and pull off a miracle nearly single-handedly (and although he always gave the props to his team, it was his leadership and confidence that allowed things to happen)
And off the field, his accomplishments were probably even greater. His notoriety in this area allowed he and his wife to start two foundations to help people in need. These programs will most assuredly continue even though Favre's career has ended.
For years, Favre led the team, but had usually had some help. But this year, the 37-year old had the entire team on his shoulders; especially in the early part of the season when the run game was truly pathetic and most of the five guys he had to throw to were second-year players or younger. But he led the team to a 14-4 season and was one throw away from another Super Bowl appearance. That's just crazy, but he did it.
But it got to be too much. And how couldn't it? I mean, not only an entire NFL football team carried their dreams on his shoulders, but an entire state also relied on him. That's a huge burden, and although he could still play at a high level next season, he decided he couldn't live up to the expectations that would be on him. And you have to respect that.
He gave everything he had to this team and to its fans and to the league for sixteen years, and we're all grateful. He will go down in history as not only one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, and not only as one of the greatest players ever-- but also one of the greatest people to ever play the game.
Congrats again, Brett. You have earned it.
And for those of you who may not have read it, check out the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (only the third quarterback ever to have the honor) article about him from last year at the attached link. It truly captures the essence of who this man is.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/12/03/sportsman.2007/
Now, growing up in Northern Minnesota, I learned that a true Minnesotan (which I really, truly believe I still am even after all these years) can't like the Green Bay Packers.
So a few of my Minnesotan friends who may read this will probably give me Hell for this, but I just gotta write it:
Congrats on your retirement Brett Favre.
(That wasn't so hard, really. And just because it's been a few weeks doesn't mean it's not sincere.)
As I always qualify my remarks when I write about sports: I don't follow them. Just not my thing. But you cannot live in this part of the country and not have an appreciation for the history and legacy of this team.
And for the past sixteen years, you could not separate the Green Bay Packers from Brett Favre.
While I watched very little of Favre at work, I am acutely aware of what he meant to the team, to its fans, and to this area in general. Also, since I've started paying attention to the NFL for Fantasy Football, I have become aware of just how important he was to the league.
It is truly astounding that he was traded to a team who had experienced two decades worth of bad seasons, the smallest team in the market, and the only publicly-owned company in the league (three really bad strikes against the team for this young player), and led it to a Super Bowl and kept Championship dreams alive for almost twenty years.
Even more astounding: he started every single game for the Packers since he took over for an injured Don Majowski in the third game of the 1992 season. A quarterback! The player every player on the other side of the ball wants to get a piece of.
You've probably heard the accomplishments besides the remarkable consecutive games started. Many of those accomplishments came this year: most career touchdown passes, most career passing attempts, most career passing yards. He also won a Super Bowl as well as played in another. And he is the only three-time MVP in history.
But the records, although enormous, weren't what he was about. The guy played balls-out every game. Sometimes it got him into trouble-- he also owns the most career interceptions (although INTs come with the territory when putting the ball in the air as much as he has). But sometimes it allowed him to complete truly astounding plays as well. He has been called the last of his breed-- the guy who can go out and pull off a miracle nearly single-handedly (and although he always gave the props to his team, it was his leadership and confidence that allowed things to happen)
And off the field, his accomplishments were probably even greater. His notoriety in this area allowed he and his wife to start two foundations to help people in need. These programs will most assuredly continue even though Favre's career has ended.
For years, Favre led the team, but had usually had some help. But this year, the 37-year old had the entire team on his shoulders; especially in the early part of the season when the run game was truly pathetic and most of the five guys he had to throw to were second-year players or younger. But he led the team to a 14-4 season and was one throw away from another Super Bowl appearance. That's just crazy, but he did it.
But it got to be too much. And how couldn't it? I mean, not only an entire NFL football team carried their dreams on his shoulders, but an entire state also relied on him. That's a huge burden, and although he could still play at a high level next season, he decided he couldn't live up to the expectations that would be on him. And you have to respect that.
He gave everything he had to this team and to its fans and to the league for sixteen years, and we're all grateful. He will go down in history as not only one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, and not only as one of the greatest players ever-- but also one of the greatest people to ever play the game.
Congrats again, Brett. You have earned it.
And for those of you who may not have read it, check out the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (only the third quarterback ever to have the honor) article about him from last year at the attached link. It truly captures the essence of who this man is.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/12/03/sportsman.2007/
Premieres and Notables March 24-30, 2008
I'll be using "return" a bit in the upcoming weeks when I know something's coming back from a break or airing new episodes after the strike.
Monday, 3/24
CSI: Miami; CBS. 9 pm CST. Return.
Greek; ABC Family. 7 pm. Return.
And while this may look like cheap stunt casting, Britney Spears plays a potential love interest for Ted on How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30). Sounds bad on paper, but, c'mon, it's HIMYM. You just know it's gonna work...
Tuesday, 3/25
Autism: The Musical; HBO. 7 pm. Special.
HBO's music-based stories about youngsters are remarkably good. This one looks at a group of autistic children who wrote, rehearsed, and performed their own musical.
Evel Dick returns on Big Brother 9 (CBS, 8 pm). I hope he gives Natalie a dollar and tells her to buy some self-respect.
And, the bad news came in last week: tonight's finale of Jerico (CBS, 9:00) is a series finale. The fans tried, but couldn't get the ratings up. At least the producers thought this could happen and filmed endings for both a season-ender as well as a series-ender, so, hopefully, there is some closure for fans when the credits roll.
Wednesday, 3/26
Every mag I read about upcoming TV mentioned this show:
Great Performances; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). Special.
This episode features the half-hour stop-motion animation adaptation of "Peter and the Wolf" that won this year's Oscar for Best Animated Short. And it's told without narration or dialogue...
Thursday, 3/27
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?; PBS. 9 pm (check local listings). Mini-series.
A four-part look at the causes of socioeconomic and racial inequality in heath care.
Saturday, 3/29
Dance on Sunset; Nickelodeon. 8:30. Series Premiere.
A new show that offers easy steps for the latest dance moves.
Kid's Choice Awards; Nickelodeon. 7 pm. Special
Hosted by Jack Black.
Sunday, 3/30
The Capture of the Green River Killer; LMN. 7 pm. Mini-series.
A two-part mini about the 20-year manhunt for one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. It's supposed to be good. And it stars one of my favorite TV actors: Tom Cavanagh.
The Tudors; Showtime. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union; Showtime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Newly American citizen Ullman takes looks at life in America in her new sketch comedy series.
Monday, 3/24
CSI: Miami; CBS. 9 pm CST. Return.
Greek; ABC Family. 7 pm. Return.
And while this may look like cheap stunt casting, Britney Spears plays a potential love interest for Ted on How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30). Sounds bad on paper, but, c'mon, it's HIMYM. You just know it's gonna work...
Tuesday, 3/25
Autism: The Musical; HBO. 7 pm. Special.
HBO's music-based stories about youngsters are remarkably good. This one looks at a group of autistic children who wrote, rehearsed, and performed their own musical.
Evel Dick returns on Big Brother 9 (CBS, 8 pm). I hope he gives Natalie a dollar and tells her to buy some self-respect.
And, the bad news came in last week: tonight's finale of Jerico (CBS, 9:00) is a series finale. The fans tried, but couldn't get the ratings up. At least the producers thought this could happen and filmed endings for both a season-ender as well as a series-ender, so, hopefully, there is some closure for fans when the credits roll.
Wednesday, 3/26
Every mag I read about upcoming TV mentioned this show:
Great Performances; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). Special.
This episode features the half-hour stop-motion animation adaptation of "Peter and the Wolf" that won this year's Oscar for Best Animated Short. And it's told without narration or dialogue...
Thursday, 3/27
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?; PBS. 9 pm (check local listings). Mini-series.
A four-part look at the causes of socioeconomic and racial inequality in heath care.
Saturday, 3/29
Dance on Sunset; Nickelodeon. 8:30. Series Premiere.
A new show that offers easy steps for the latest dance moves.
Kid's Choice Awards; Nickelodeon. 7 pm. Special
Hosted by Jack Black.
Sunday, 3/30
The Capture of the Green River Killer; LMN. 7 pm. Mini-series.
A two-part mini about the 20-year manhunt for one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. It's supposed to be good. And it stars one of my favorite TV actors: Tom Cavanagh.
The Tudors; Showtime. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union; Showtime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Newly American citizen Ullman takes looks at life in America in her new sketch comedy series.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Premieres and Notables March 19-23, 2008
I missed on from yesterday's post:
Tuesday, 3/18
The Riches; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd season premiere.
Wednesday, 3/19
Most Daring; TRU TV. 8 pm CST. 2nd season premiere.
Thursday, 3/20
Myles of Style; HGTV. 7:30. Series Premiere.
Apparently this "Myles" person won Design Star or something...
Sunday, 3/23
The Game; CW. 8 pm. Series return.
And before this show, check out Everybody Hates Chris and Aliens in America-- they've been great the past few weeks.
Tuesday, 3/18
The Riches; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd season premiere.
Wednesday, 3/19
Most Daring; TRU TV. 8 pm CST. 2nd season premiere.
Thursday, 3/20
Myles of Style; HGTV. 7:30. Series Premiere.
Apparently this "Myles" person won Design Star or something...
Sunday, 3/23
The Game; CW. 8 pm. Series return.
And before this show, check out Everybody Hates Chris and Aliens in America-- they've been great the past few weeks.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Premieres and Notables; March 17-18, 2008
Sorry-- Not much time, so here are Monday's and Tuesday's listings.
Monday, 3/17
Hannah Montana; Disney. 6 pm CST. Return.
First new episode since January.
Dancing With the Stars; ABC. 7 pm CST. 6th Cycle Premiere
America's Prom Queen; ABC Family. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Ten girls compete to be the top prom queen in America.
The Bachelor; ABC. 8:32 pm. 12th cycle premiere.
Oh, and some new episodes of CBS comedies return after the strike-induced hiatus. Big Bang Theory (7:00), How I Met Your Mother (which needs ratings help-- even though it's the best network comedy airing-- so watch! 7:30), and 2-1/2 Men (I think; 8:00).
Tuesday, 3/18
The Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals; BIO. 9 m. Series Premiere.
Bleh...
Miss Guided; ABC. 9:32 pm. Series Premiere.
Judy Greer stars as a former high school geek who returns to the school as a guidance counselor. I really like Judy Greer, but I think this one will bomb.
Monday, 3/17
Hannah Montana; Disney. 6 pm CST. Return.
First new episode since January.
Dancing With the Stars; ABC. 7 pm CST. 6th Cycle Premiere
America's Prom Queen; ABC Family. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Ten girls compete to be the top prom queen in America.
The Bachelor; ABC. 8:32 pm. 12th cycle premiere.
Oh, and some new episodes of CBS comedies return after the strike-induced hiatus. Big Bang Theory (7:00), How I Met Your Mother (which needs ratings help-- even though it's the best network comedy airing-- so watch! 7:30), and 2-1/2 Men (I think; 8:00).
Tuesday, 3/18
The Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals; BIO. 9 m. Series Premiere.
Bleh...
Miss Guided; ABC. 9:32 pm. Series Premiere.
Judy Greer stars as a former high school geek who returns to the school as a guidance counselor. I really like Judy Greer, but I think this one will bomb.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Premieres and Notables, March 10-16, 2008
Monday, 3/10
Canterbury's Law; FOX. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Julianna Margulies stars as a rebel defense attorney (as if there can be any other type on TV) who is haunted by the fact that her son is missing.
High School Confidential; WE. 9 pm CST. Mini-series.
An eight-part series that captures four years in the lives of twelve girls in a Kansas high school.
Cheerleader U; 10 pm. WE. 2nd season premiere.
Following University of Central Florida cheerleaders as they defend their championship.
Tuesday, 3/11
Beauty and the Geek; CW. 7 pm. season premiere.
Beauties and geeks-- but this time, they're not paired off. It's every wo/man for her/himself.
College Hill; BET. 9 & 9:30 pm. 5th season premiere.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels; A&E. 9 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Wednesday, 3/12
South Park; Comedy Central. 9 pm. 12th season premiere.
Lewis Black's Root of All Evil; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Black plays judge as two comedians play attorneys defending positions. In the premiere, the "trail" is : who is more evil? Oprah or the Catholic Church?
Idol Tonight; TV Guide Channel. 7 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Just in case you don't get enough American Idol from the airings, or from the entertainment news, or YouTube, or blogs, newspapers, magazines, or any other thing, you can watch Rosanna Tavarez, Justin Guarini, and Kimberly Caldwell give their takes on this season.
Top Chef; Bravo. 9 pm. 4th season premiere.
Thursday, 3/13
Lil' Bush; Comedy Central. 9:30. 2nd season premiere.
How did this piece of crap get renewed? I hate Big Bush, but I absolutely loathed Lil' Bush.
Reaper returns with new episodes (CW, 8 pm)-- FINALLY!!!
Who Knew? With Marshall Brain; National Geographic. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Brian explores how things are constructed. The premiere looks at golf balls.
American Idol Extra; FOX Reality. 6 pm. season premiere.
Just in case you still don't get enough Idol-- even after last night's Idol Tonight-- Constantine and Gina give their opinions on the show this season.
Friday, 3/14
The Return of Jezebel James; FOX. 7 & 7:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Parker Posey stars in Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's new show about a children's book editor who decides she needs to have a baby. Had a lot of buzz last spring when the show was announced, but now it's regulated to the burn-off day: Friday. I don't expect a long life.
Saturday, 3/15
Flip This House; A&E. 10 pm. 4th season premiere.
Sunday, 3/16
John Adams; HBO. 7 & 8:10 pm. Mini-series.
This seven-part series is based on the David McCullough Pulitzer Prize winning biography. Stars Paul Giamatti as Adams, Laura Linney as his wife Abigail, David Morse as George Washington, and Tom Wilkinson as Ben Franklin. Exec-produced by Tom Hanks and airs on HBO. I am so looking forward to this. Highly recommended.
Canterbury's Law; FOX. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Julianna Margulies stars as a rebel defense attorney (as if there can be any other type on TV) who is haunted by the fact that her son is missing.
High School Confidential; WE. 9 pm CST. Mini-series.
An eight-part series that captures four years in the lives of twelve girls in a Kansas high school.
Cheerleader U; 10 pm. WE. 2nd season premiere.
Following University of Central Florida cheerleaders as they defend their championship.
Tuesday, 3/11
Beauty and the Geek; CW. 7 pm. season premiere.
Beauties and geeks-- but this time, they're not paired off. It's every wo/man for her/himself.
College Hill; BET. 9 & 9:30 pm. 5th season premiere.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels; A&E. 9 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Wednesday, 3/12
South Park; Comedy Central. 9 pm. 12th season premiere.
Lewis Black's Root of All Evil; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Black plays judge as two comedians play attorneys defending positions. In the premiere, the "trail" is : who is more evil? Oprah or the Catholic Church?
Idol Tonight; TV Guide Channel. 7 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Just in case you don't get enough American Idol from the airings, or from the entertainment news, or YouTube, or blogs, newspapers, magazines, or any other thing, you can watch Rosanna Tavarez, Justin Guarini, and Kimberly Caldwell give their takes on this season.
Top Chef; Bravo. 9 pm. 4th season premiere.
Thursday, 3/13
Lil' Bush; Comedy Central. 9:30. 2nd season premiere.
How did this piece of crap get renewed? I hate Big Bush, but I absolutely loathed Lil' Bush.
Reaper returns with new episodes (CW, 8 pm)-- FINALLY!!!
Who Knew? With Marshall Brain; National Geographic. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Brian explores how things are constructed. The premiere looks at golf balls.
American Idol Extra; FOX Reality. 6 pm. season premiere.
Just in case you still don't get enough Idol-- even after last night's Idol Tonight-- Constantine and Gina give their opinions on the show this season.
Friday, 3/14
The Return of Jezebel James; FOX. 7 & 7:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Parker Posey stars in Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's new show about a children's book editor who decides she needs to have a baby. Had a lot of buzz last spring when the show was announced, but now it's regulated to the burn-off day: Friday. I don't expect a long life.
Saturday, 3/15
Flip This House; A&E. 10 pm. 4th season premiere.
Sunday, 3/16
John Adams; HBO. 7 & 8:10 pm. Mini-series.
This seven-part series is based on the David McCullough Pulitzer Prize winning biography. Stars Paul Giamatti as Adams, Laura Linney as his wife Abigail, David Morse as George Washington, and Tom Wilkinson as Ben Franklin. Exec-produced by Tom Hanks and airs on HBO. I am so looking forward to this. Highly recommended.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
CLONE WARS Trailer
Click the link below to see a sneak preview of the upcoming Star Wars Clone Wars animated feature/series:
http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000478.html
Looks like it could be cool...
http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000478.html
Looks like it could be cool...
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
You Need to See This Movie ONCE
The film Once is a love story that's not a love story; a musical that is not a musical. What it is to me is an amazing surprise.
Like many obscure DVDs I watch or books I read, I read about the movie in a magazine (I'm going to guess it was Entertainment Weekly), and it got a good review. So I did what I usually do: I put it on hold at the library and waited until it became available. I'm ahead of the curve because I usually only choose obscure movies to watch if they get great reviews, but even then, I can be blindsided by how good some are.
I knew it was a love story that revolved around music, but I had no idea how moved I would be by the time it ended. Even more bizarre to me is the music isn't what I'd normally listen to, but it was the glue that held the entire movie together. The performances weren't particularly awards-worthy, but there was a genuineness to them that transcended mere acting ability.
The story goes as such: a heart-broken guy, who fixes vacuum cleaners by day and sings in the streets for pocket change at night, meets a girl, who has baggage of her own, and tries to play the piano whenever she gets a chance. They both see the unrealized musical potential in the other, and they spend a week writing, rehearsing, and eventually recording a demo tape of their music.
I'm not going to say any more than that because part of the beauty of the experience of watching it, for me, was to just watch the relationship unfold.
As I said before, this isn't a typical Hollywood love story, no matter what the DVD cover picture and back cover description may lead you to believe-- and that is probably the best thing about it.
Director John Carney enlisted former band mate (from The Frames) Glen Hansard to play the guy (no, he is not given a name) and Hansard suggested his sometimes collaborator Marketa Irglova to play the girl (not named either). So while we didn't have actors in the lead roles, we did get very good musicians, and that, of course, cemented a sense of credibility to the music (most of which Hansard wrote himself).
So, listen, do yourself a favor: rent, borrow, or buy a copy of the movie. Sit in front of the TV for the less than 90 minutes it takes to watch, and just let yourself be taken in by it. You won't be sorry.
I can give no higher recommendation to a movie other than to say I plan on buying this to own at some point in the near future. Not because it fits into my collection or is part of a series I already own, but because it is that good.
A little side note: this is the second movie (the first being Joyeux Noel) I've watched that completely blew me away to the point where I had tears in my eyes by the end because of its beauty. Something that struck me as odd-- even though it probably shouldn't have-- is they are both foreign films (Joyeux Noel is from France and Once is from Ireland). When is Hollywood going to get its crap together and make movies that can elicit a reaction like tears just from the sheer beauty of them? Neither movie was particularly sad-- or happy for that matter. They just told a powerful story in a unique way.
Like many obscure DVDs I watch or books I read, I read about the movie in a magazine (I'm going to guess it was Entertainment Weekly), and it got a good review. So I did what I usually do: I put it on hold at the library and waited until it became available. I'm ahead of the curve because I usually only choose obscure movies to watch if they get great reviews, but even then, I can be blindsided by how good some are.
I knew it was a love story that revolved around music, but I had no idea how moved I would be by the time it ended. Even more bizarre to me is the music isn't what I'd normally listen to, but it was the glue that held the entire movie together. The performances weren't particularly awards-worthy, but there was a genuineness to them that transcended mere acting ability.
The story goes as such: a heart-broken guy, who fixes vacuum cleaners by day and sings in the streets for pocket change at night, meets a girl, who has baggage of her own, and tries to play the piano whenever she gets a chance. They both see the unrealized musical potential in the other, and they spend a week writing, rehearsing, and eventually recording a demo tape of their music.
I'm not going to say any more than that because part of the beauty of the experience of watching it, for me, was to just watch the relationship unfold.
As I said before, this isn't a typical Hollywood love story, no matter what the DVD cover picture and back cover description may lead you to believe-- and that is probably the best thing about it.
Director John Carney enlisted former band mate (from The Frames) Glen Hansard to play the guy (no, he is not given a name) and Hansard suggested his sometimes collaborator Marketa Irglova to play the girl (not named either). So while we didn't have actors in the lead roles, we did get very good musicians, and that, of course, cemented a sense of credibility to the music (most of which Hansard wrote himself).
So, listen, do yourself a favor: rent, borrow, or buy a copy of the movie. Sit in front of the TV for the less than 90 minutes it takes to watch, and just let yourself be taken in by it. You won't be sorry.
I can give no higher recommendation to a movie other than to say I plan on buying this to own at some point in the near future. Not because it fits into my collection or is part of a series I already own, but because it is that good.
A little side note: this is the second movie (the first being Joyeux Noel) I've watched that completely blew me away to the point where I had tears in my eyes by the end because of its beauty. Something that struck me as odd-- even though it probably shouldn't have-- is they are both foreign films (Joyeux Noel is from France and Once is from Ireland). When is Hollywood going to get its crap together and make movies that can elicit a reaction like tears just from the sheer beauty of them? Neither movie was particularly sad-- or happy for that matter. They just told a powerful story in a unique way.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
TV show return dates
Here's a link to tvguide.com's blog post with the expected return dates of some favorite shows (and how many episodes are expected to air). Should be a help through the next three months.
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Tvguidecoms-Strike-Recovery/2008-Return-Dates/800033845
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Tvguidecoms-Strike-Recovery/2008-Return-Dates/800033845
Premieres and Notables; March 3-9, 2008
I'm not sure if I mentioned that Everybody Hates Chris and Aliens in America returns with new episodes tonight (CW, 7 & 7:30 pm CST), and I know I didn't mention that Frisky Dingo finally returns ([adult swim]; 11:15).
Life is good...
Monday, 3/3
Little People, Big World; TLC. 7 & 7:30 pm. Season Premiere.
The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom; TLC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Host Tracey Gold offers stay-at-home moms a chance to work at their dream job.
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles (FOX, 7 pm) airs its two-hour season finale.
My Name Is Earl begins its syndication run tonight on TBS at 9 and 9:30. This is mandatory viewing-- especially if you missed the beginning.
And How I Met You Mother airs the awesome "Slapsgiving" episode from last November. One of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows. Life really is good.
Tuesday, 3/4
New Amsterdam; FOX. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
John Amsterdam saved a Native American girl in the 1600's, and she put a spell on him that made him immortal until he found his true love. Now he's a cop (or PI, I'm kinda hazy on the details), who, nearly 400 years later, may have finally found her.
Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?; Style. 9 pm. Season premiere.
Real Housewives of New York City; Bravo. 10 pm. Series Premiere.
Just what the world was missing: a reality show about five real NYC women. One is a former actress working up the social ladder, another was a runner-up on Apprentice: Martha Stewart, and a third descended from French aristocracy. You know, real housewife types...
Deliver Me; Discovery Health. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Reality series that follows three ob-gyns through their lives.
Wednesday, 3/5
Destination Truth; Sci Fi. 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
High School Reunion; TV Land. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The class of 1987 from a Dallas school reconvenes for a two-week vacation where relationships and rivalries are renewed. Seriously? It's been 20 YEARS, people. There are reasons why reunions are a weekend long at most. Two weeks...?
Tyler Perry's House of Payne returns with new episodes (TBS, 9 pm)
Thursday, 3/6
Elephant Diaries; Animal Planet. 6 pm. Series premiere.
A reality show based in an elephant nursery in Kenya that shows the struggles of a herd of orphans as they grow to become the world's biggest land animals.
Crime 360; A&E. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Richmond homicide detectives try to solve crimes.
Saturday, 3/8
The Spectacular Spider-Man; CW. 9 & 9:30 am. Series premiere.
Teenager Peter Parker is bitten by a spider and gains super powers. It's a new take on an old franchise (which has already had five animated series). They're going back to the Stan Lee/ Steve Ditko days and contemporizing the stories.
Adventure Camp; Discovery Kids. 8 pm. season premiere.
Flip that Restaurant; TLC. 7 pm. Series premiere.
What is all this "flipping" bullcrap? Can't someone just buy something and live there/ run it?
Sunday, 3/9
Ax Men; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A reality show looking at lumberjacks in Oregon.
Keeping Up With the Kardashians; E! 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
And, after five very critically acclaimed seasons, HBO's The Wire ends its run with a 93 minute finale beginning at 8:00 pm. I can't wait to dig into the series. Hey, HBO-- how about lowering the ridiculous prices of the DVD sets?
Life is good...
Monday, 3/3
Little People, Big World; TLC. 7 & 7:30 pm. Season Premiere.
The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom; TLC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Host Tracey Gold offers stay-at-home moms a chance to work at their dream job.
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles (FOX, 7 pm) airs its two-hour season finale.
My Name Is Earl begins its syndication run tonight on TBS at 9 and 9:30. This is mandatory viewing-- especially if you missed the beginning.
And How I Met You Mother airs the awesome "Slapsgiving" episode from last November. One of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows. Life really is good.
Tuesday, 3/4
New Amsterdam; FOX. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
John Amsterdam saved a Native American girl in the 1600's, and she put a spell on him that made him immortal until he found his true love. Now he's a cop (or PI, I'm kinda hazy on the details), who, nearly 400 years later, may have finally found her.
Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?; Style. 9 pm. Season premiere.
Real Housewives of New York City; Bravo. 10 pm. Series Premiere.
Just what the world was missing: a reality show about five real NYC women. One is a former actress working up the social ladder, another was a runner-up on Apprentice: Martha Stewart, and a third descended from French aristocracy. You know, real housewife types...
Deliver Me; Discovery Health. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Reality series that follows three ob-gyns through their lives.
Wednesday, 3/5
Destination Truth; Sci Fi. 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
High School Reunion; TV Land. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The class of 1987 from a Dallas school reconvenes for a two-week vacation where relationships and rivalries are renewed. Seriously? It's been 20 YEARS, people. There are reasons why reunions are a weekend long at most. Two weeks...?
Tyler Perry's House of Payne returns with new episodes (TBS, 9 pm)
Thursday, 3/6
Elephant Diaries; Animal Planet. 6 pm. Series premiere.
A reality show based in an elephant nursery in Kenya that shows the struggles of a herd of orphans as they grow to become the world's biggest land animals.
Crime 360; A&E. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Richmond homicide detectives try to solve crimes.
Saturday, 3/8
The Spectacular Spider-Man; CW. 9 & 9:30 am. Series premiere.
Teenager Peter Parker is bitten by a spider and gains super powers. It's a new take on an old franchise (which has already had five animated series). They're going back to the Stan Lee/ Steve Ditko days and contemporizing the stories.
Adventure Camp; Discovery Kids. 8 pm. season premiere.
Flip that Restaurant; TLC. 7 pm. Series premiere.
What is all this "flipping" bullcrap? Can't someone just buy something and live there/ run it?
Sunday, 3/9
Ax Men; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A reality show looking at lumberjacks in Oregon.
Keeping Up With the Kardashians; E! 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
And, after five very critically acclaimed seasons, HBO's The Wire ends its run with a 93 minute finale beginning at 8:00 pm. I can't wait to dig into the series. Hey, HBO-- how about lowering the ridiculous prices of the DVD sets?
Friday, February 29, 2008
A Killer Trailer
I don't get excited for movies-- even the big ones coming this year. But you just have to like what Iron Man is shaping up to be.
IM was the first super-hero I got into. I read Iron Man #215 and was immediately hooked on the character. I picked up everything and anything he was in from the '80s.
Then he got weird. Marvel was looking for big changes, and they killed him off and brought back a younger version, who was retconned (basically forgotten about) away. Then a new version was introduced that was also retconned away. Then the original character was brought back, but I had already lost interest. Now, lately, he's pretty much a dick in the comics, and I'm sure that, too, will eventually change-- especially if the movie takes off.
I'm looking forward to Indy 4 (yeah, I know that's not the title), but it seems like that movie should have bene out ten years ago. And then there's The Dark Knight... And while I have faith in the creators and actors of the movie, I'm a little hesitant because it looks very dark.
And then there's Iron Man. I'm trying not to get excited. I've found that keeping my expectations low helps me enjoy the movie more (it worked for Star Wars Episode I).
But when I see trailers like this one (beware possible plot spoilers), it's really hard not to get excited.
IM was the first super-hero I got into. I read Iron Man #215 and was immediately hooked on the character. I picked up everything and anything he was in from the '80s.
Then he got weird. Marvel was looking for big changes, and they killed him off and brought back a younger version, who was retconned (basically forgotten about) away. Then a new version was introduced that was also retconned away. Then the original character was brought back, but I had already lost interest. Now, lately, he's pretty much a dick in the comics, and I'm sure that, too, will eventually change-- especially if the movie takes off.
I'm looking forward to Indy 4 (yeah, I know that's not the title), but it seems like that movie should have bene out ten years ago. And then there's The Dark Knight... And while I have faith in the creators and actors of the movie, I'm a little hesitant because it looks very dark.
And then there's Iron Man. I'm trying not to get excited. I've found that keeping my expectations low helps me enjoy the movie more (it worked for Star Wars Episode I).
But when I see trailers like this one (beware possible plot spoilers), it's really hard not to get excited.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
SCRUBS saved?
One of the biggest casualties of the writer's strike was the unlikely "proper send off" of NBC's much-abused Scrubs. This was to be its last year, and the strike kinda pushed the whole plan out the window because the season could not be finished.
Head honcho Bill Lawrence was even in discussions to do a direct to DVD finale because it didn't look like NBC would let the show finish.
Well, wheels are in motion (again) to have ABC pick the show up. Some of you may remember that ABC announced a year ago that it would air the show's seventh and final season if NBC didn't pick it up. NBC picked it up (possibly to keep it out of ABC's hands) and was on its way to letting the show end the way it should. But the strike happened, and NBC isn't keen on letting a ratings-challenged show on its way out take up more airtime.
Thankfully, ABC would. And who could blame it? Name an ABC comedy... Name a funny ABC comedy. (If you said Carpoolers, I'll give you half a point.)
But ABC isn't planning on just airing the back half of the season, they've offered to fund and air EIGHTEEN more episodes. That should be more than enough to let Lawrence send the show off the way it deserves.
Now the only question is if they can convince Zach Braff to do another eighteen. His contract is up (he almost left the show after last year's season due to his movie career, which has fizzled a bit in the last 12 months). But even last year, Lawrence said he would make the best of a Braff-less season if it came down to it, so it is possible...
Head honcho Bill Lawrence was even in discussions to do a direct to DVD finale because it didn't look like NBC would let the show finish.
Well, wheels are in motion (again) to have ABC pick the show up. Some of you may remember that ABC announced a year ago that it would air the show's seventh and final season if NBC didn't pick it up. NBC picked it up (possibly to keep it out of ABC's hands) and was on its way to letting the show end the way it should. But the strike happened, and NBC isn't keen on letting a ratings-challenged show on its way out take up more airtime.
Thankfully, ABC would. And who could blame it? Name an ABC comedy... Name a funny ABC comedy. (If you said Carpoolers, I'll give you half a point.)
But ABC isn't planning on just airing the back half of the season, they've offered to fund and air EIGHTEEN more episodes. That should be more than enough to let Lawrence send the show off the way it deserves.
Now the only question is if they can convince Zach Braff to do another eighteen. His contract is up (he almost left the show after last year's season due to his movie career, which has fizzled a bit in the last 12 months). But even last year, Lawrence said he would make the best of a Braff-less season if it came down to it, so it is possible...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Premieres and Notables, Feb. 25-March 2, 2008
Monday-- Nothing.
Tuesday, 2/26
Quarterlife; NBC. 9 pm CST. Series premiere.
This web-original series looks at twentysomethings and their angsty lives. It's created by My So-Called Life and Once and Again creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.
Primetime: What Would You Do; ABC. 9 pm CST. Mini-series.
A five-part look at the split-second decision-making process hosted by John Quinones.
Back to You; FOX. 8:30. Return.
Wednesday, 2/27
Men In Trees; ABC. 9 pm CST. Return.
This much-abused show comes back with new episodes. It's pretty good; check it out.
Friday, 2/29
Battle 360; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A series looking at the strategy, campaigns, tactics, weapons, and personnel of historic conflicts. The opener looks at the USS Enterprise and its exploits in WWII.
Your Mama Don't Dance; Lifetime. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Ten pro dancers team with one of their parents-- and they have a dance competition.
Saturday, 3/1
George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya; HBO. 9 pm. Special
The comic's fourteenth HBO special.
And, if you didn't catch it the other two times I mentioned it, now's your chance to catch one of the funniest hours of TV this season: Mad TV's season premiere/best of. It's a riot. FOX, 10 pm.
Sunday, 3/2
Human Body: Pushing the Limits; Discovery. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
A look at the limits of the human body under certain tests. The pilot looks at strength.
Oprah's Big Give; ABC. 8 pm. (8 part) Series premiere.
Oprah gives money to contestants who have to then give the money to others in this reality contest.
Here Come the Newlyweds; ABC. 9:02. Series premiere.
Seven newlyweds compete in challenges.
Unhitched; FOX. 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Four thirty-somethings find themselves suddenly single.
Dirt; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Somehow, this show got renewed...
Tuesday, 2/26
Quarterlife; NBC. 9 pm CST. Series premiere.
This web-original series looks at twentysomethings and their angsty lives. It's created by My So-Called Life and Once and Again creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.
Primetime: What Would You Do; ABC. 9 pm CST. Mini-series.
A five-part look at the split-second decision-making process hosted by John Quinones.
Back to You; FOX. 8:30. Return.
Wednesday, 2/27
Men In Trees; ABC. 9 pm CST. Return.
This much-abused show comes back with new episodes. It's pretty good; check it out.
Friday, 2/29
Battle 360; History. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A series looking at the strategy, campaigns, tactics, weapons, and personnel of historic conflicts. The opener looks at the USS Enterprise and its exploits in WWII.
Your Mama Don't Dance; Lifetime. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Ten pro dancers team with one of their parents-- and they have a dance competition.
Saturday, 3/1
George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya; HBO. 9 pm. Special
The comic's fourteenth HBO special.
And, if you didn't catch it the other two times I mentioned it, now's your chance to catch one of the funniest hours of TV this season: Mad TV's season premiere/best of. It's a riot. FOX, 10 pm.
Sunday, 3/2
Human Body: Pushing the Limits; Discovery. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
A look at the limits of the human body under certain tests. The pilot looks at strength.
Oprah's Big Give; ABC. 8 pm. (8 part) Series premiere.
Oprah gives money to contestants who have to then give the money to others in this reality contest.
Here Come the Newlyweds; ABC. 9:02. Series premiere.
Seven newlyweds compete in challenges.
Unhitched; FOX. 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Four thirty-somethings find themselves suddenly single.
Dirt; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Somehow, this show got renewed...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
2007 Movies/DVDs Top Ten
1. Joyeux Noel— One of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen. I liked it so much, I watched it twice this year—and ended up buying a copy for myself to watch over and over. I believe it will be my yearly Christmas movie to watch from now on. It’s absolutely beautiful in both cinematography and spirit. The documentary/interview with the director on the DVD is a must-watch—and will make you love this film even more. A.
2. Children of Men— An amazing film. This is another film beautiful in spirit—although one has to dig much deeper to get to it. If the ending doesn’t get to you, you are truly heartless. Great performances by Clive Owen and Michael Caine, and Alfonso Cuaron did a beautiful job directing. Worth watching twice just for the mind-blowing single-take scenes. A
3. V For Vendetta— Based on a graphic novel I had an incredibly hard time understanding, this movie pared down all the extraneous bits from the book and ended up being very tight. Great performances and direction here as well. A
4. 300—theatre— Maybe not as great as I raved initially, but it’s still an incredible-looking flick. Gerard Butler owned that role as Leonidas. We’ve seen charismatic leaders before in movies, but I really believed in him. Some movies just grab you, and this was one of them. Maybe it didn’t follow reality perfectly, but so what? This is a well above-par pure-adrenaline movie. B+
5. Weeds Season 2— This show really took off after the shaky first season. Everyone seems to have found their role here. There is some drama here—and lots of laughs. And it’s impossible to take your eyes off Mary-Louise Parker… One of the best moments I’ve seen on TV this year was at the end of the season finale when Shane gave a “valedictorian” speech as his class graduated elementary school that degraded into a scathing review of society’s parenting skills. A-
6. Thank You For Smoking—I wish I could remember more of the details after nearly a year, but I know I loved this movie and its black humor about society and the “fat cats” that reside there. Aaron Eckhart was fantastic in it. A-
7. Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.—Not the best TV show ever made, but it was fun—something TV seems to have forgotten to be of late. This is probably Bruce Campbell’s finest performance so far, and his cowboy lawyer/bounty hunter is just plain fun to watch. If there’s anything to complain about, it’s that the damn DVD set costs too much (and it doesn't have closed captioning). B+
8. This Film Not Yet Rated—A great argument against the movies ratings system. The director tracked down the ridiculously secretive ratings board to prove that these people were not “you and me” as the ratings board boasts, but people who don’t necessarily qualify based on the boards’ own rules. I could write an entire (long) post on this movie. I think it’s vital on a creative standpoint, but it all seemed to be too much given that it won’t change much in the big scheme of things. But I guess if even slight changes are made to level the playing field, then it has performed its duty. Merit points to the film for including excised scenes from movies that moved them from NC-17 or X to R, ensuring that this film does not get rated. And many of the scenes were not “bad” in any sense, just not what the board deemed appropriate for R. B
9. The Seven Samurai— A Japanese movie that inspired so many American ones (including Star Wars), that was, oddly enough, inspired by American Westerns itself. One of the longest movies I’ve ever seen (3-1/2 hrs), but it never felt that long. The band got together around the end of hour one, and it felt as if it had been 30 minutes at most. The length allowed us to explore the villagers, who were being terrorized by bandits, as well as the rag-tag band of samurai they hire to protect them, and also gave enough room to see a number of skirmishes instead of a rushed final battle. There were happy moments, sad moments, beauty, ugliness, silliness all rolled into it. If you can make time for it, it’s worth it. B
10. Juno—theatre—A very solid, funny movie about a teenage girl who gets pregnant. It’s a current movie that’s been getting plenty of well-deserved awards buzz. I liked it quite a bit and only had two quibbles: the nearly clichéd end result of Juno and the adoptive dad’s friendship and Juno’s ability to be a mature teenage smart-ass through the whole movie. I mean, what girl is going to have her shit that together in this situation…? A-
2. Children of Men— An amazing film. This is another film beautiful in spirit—although one has to dig much deeper to get to it. If the ending doesn’t get to you, you are truly heartless. Great performances by Clive Owen and Michael Caine, and Alfonso Cuaron did a beautiful job directing. Worth watching twice just for the mind-blowing single-take scenes. A
3. V For Vendetta— Based on a graphic novel I had an incredibly hard time understanding, this movie pared down all the extraneous bits from the book and ended up being very tight. Great performances and direction here as well. A
4. 300—theatre— Maybe not as great as I raved initially, but it’s still an incredible-looking flick. Gerard Butler owned that role as Leonidas. We’ve seen charismatic leaders before in movies, but I really believed in him. Some movies just grab you, and this was one of them. Maybe it didn’t follow reality perfectly, but so what? This is a well above-par pure-adrenaline movie. B+
5. Weeds Season 2— This show really took off after the shaky first season. Everyone seems to have found their role here. There is some drama here—and lots of laughs. And it’s impossible to take your eyes off Mary-Louise Parker… One of the best moments I’ve seen on TV this year was at the end of the season finale when Shane gave a “valedictorian” speech as his class graduated elementary school that degraded into a scathing review of society’s parenting skills. A-
6. Thank You For Smoking—I wish I could remember more of the details after nearly a year, but I know I loved this movie and its black humor about society and the “fat cats” that reside there. Aaron Eckhart was fantastic in it. A-
7. Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.—Not the best TV show ever made, but it was fun—something TV seems to have forgotten to be of late. This is probably Bruce Campbell’s finest performance so far, and his cowboy lawyer/bounty hunter is just plain fun to watch. If there’s anything to complain about, it’s that the damn DVD set costs too much (and it doesn't have closed captioning). B+
8. This Film Not Yet Rated—A great argument against the movies ratings system. The director tracked down the ridiculously secretive ratings board to prove that these people were not “you and me” as the ratings board boasts, but people who don’t necessarily qualify based on the boards’ own rules. I could write an entire (long) post on this movie. I think it’s vital on a creative standpoint, but it all seemed to be too much given that it won’t change much in the big scheme of things. But I guess if even slight changes are made to level the playing field, then it has performed its duty. Merit points to the film for including excised scenes from movies that moved them from NC-17 or X to R, ensuring that this film does not get rated. And many of the scenes were not “bad” in any sense, just not what the board deemed appropriate for R. B
9. The Seven Samurai— A Japanese movie that inspired so many American ones (including Star Wars), that was, oddly enough, inspired by American Westerns itself. One of the longest movies I’ve ever seen (3-1/2 hrs), but it never felt that long. The band got together around the end of hour one, and it felt as if it had been 30 minutes at most. The length allowed us to explore the villagers, who were being terrorized by bandits, as well as the rag-tag band of samurai they hire to protect them, and also gave enough room to see a number of skirmishes instead of a rushed final battle. There were happy moments, sad moments, beauty, ugliness, silliness all rolled into it. If you can make time for it, it’s worth it. B
10. Juno—theatre—A very solid, funny movie about a teenage girl who gets pregnant. It’s a current movie that’s been getting plenty of well-deserved awards buzz. I liked it quite a bit and only had two quibbles: the nearly clichéd end result of Juno and the adoptive dad’s friendship and Juno’s ability to be a mature teenage smart-ass through the whole movie. I mean, what girl is going to have her shit that together in this situation…? A-
2007 Movies/DVDs #11-20
And now my top 20, ranked in order. Yes, I'm aware the grades don't match their rankings, but I went with my gut here.
11. Little Miss Sunshine—Good performances all around by the actors, but the real pleasure of this movie was I had no idea where it was going, and when the movie got to each “stop”, it all made sense. B+
12. Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show— An unusual show, but it definitely has an HBO “feel” to it. Writing and acting were great and lots of dry humor. The DVD set also had a large number of extras that are worth watching. This was a pretty groundbreaking show that still feels current—unusual for a comedy. A-
13. Super Troopers—This isn’t a great movie, but it’s funny as Hell. The weak plot pretty much is there just to hold all the gags together and that’s okay because the gags are hilarious. B-
14. Ratatollie—theatre— You’d almost expect any Pixar flick to make it to the top, so it’s not really surprising. What is surprising is that a movie about a mouse who loves to cook can get that love across to the audience. I’m a Big Mac type of guy, but I almost understood where the chefs in the movie were coming from. B+
15. Knocked Up—theatre— Not great, but funny enough to stand out. B
16. Casino Royale— The first uncut Bond movie I’ve seen (the only other Bond flick I saw was Moonraker on ABC many, many years ago), and I’ve heard that I picked the right one to start watching. It’s a “smart” action movie in the Bourne trilogy vein. B+
17. The Little Rascals—The Best of Spanky— I can’t remember the exact shorts included on this DVD, but it doesn’t matter. These mini-movies transcend generations. I loved the Little Rascals when I was a kid (and I still do), and now my kids love them as well. The effects are choppy, and the kids may not have won any Oscars, but they were funny. And the headliner of this DVD, Spanky, was often the cream of the crop. It’s mind-blowing to see what that guy could do at such a young age. We have some Little Rascals DVDs in the house, and when we need some craziness, they go into the player, and we laugh like hyenas at the kids’ shenanigans. A
18. Meet the Robinsons—theatre—A much better movie than I expected it to be. If I wouldn’t have seen the “twist” coming a mile away, it may have been nearly perfect. B
19. Idiocracy—Mike Judge was reading my mind when he created this movie. I firmly believe the average person is getting more and more stupid, and Judge’s take on a potential future agrees with that sentiment—and does it with laughs. If it wasn’t funny, I’d be pretty sad at seeing humanity in this state because it’s a road we’re going down. B
20. A Christmas Story— A classic that probably should have been nearer to the top. B+
11. Little Miss Sunshine—Good performances all around by the actors, but the real pleasure of this movie was I had no idea where it was going, and when the movie got to each “stop”, it all made sense. B+
12. Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show— An unusual show, but it definitely has an HBO “feel” to it. Writing and acting were great and lots of dry humor. The DVD set also had a large number of extras that are worth watching. This was a pretty groundbreaking show that still feels current—unusual for a comedy. A-
13. Super Troopers—This isn’t a great movie, but it’s funny as Hell. The weak plot pretty much is there just to hold all the gags together and that’s okay because the gags are hilarious. B-
14. Ratatollie—theatre— You’d almost expect any Pixar flick to make it to the top, so it’s not really surprising. What is surprising is that a movie about a mouse who loves to cook can get that love across to the audience. I’m a Big Mac type of guy, but I almost understood where the chefs in the movie were coming from. B+
15. Knocked Up—theatre— Not great, but funny enough to stand out. B
16. Casino Royale— The first uncut Bond movie I’ve seen (the only other Bond flick I saw was Moonraker on ABC many, many years ago), and I’ve heard that I picked the right one to start watching. It’s a “smart” action movie in the Bourne trilogy vein. B+
17. The Little Rascals—The Best of Spanky— I can’t remember the exact shorts included on this DVD, but it doesn’t matter. These mini-movies transcend generations. I loved the Little Rascals when I was a kid (and I still do), and now my kids love them as well. The effects are choppy, and the kids may not have won any Oscars, but they were funny. And the headliner of this DVD, Spanky, was often the cream of the crop. It’s mind-blowing to see what that guy could do at such a young age. We have some Little Rascals DVDs in the house, and when we need some craziness, they go into the player, and we laugh like hyenas at the kids’ shenanigans. A
18. Meet the Robinsons—theatre—A much better movie than I expected it to be. If I wouldn’t have seen the “twist” coming a mile away, it may have been nearly perfect. B
19. Idiocracy—Mike Judge was reading my mind when he created this movie. I firmly believe the average person is getting more and more stupid, and Judge’s take on a potential future agrees with that sentiment—and does it with laughs. If it wasn’t funny, I’d be pretty sad at seeing humanity in this state because it’s a road we’re going down. B
20. A Christmas Story— A classic that probably should have been nearer to the top. B+
2007 Movies/DVDs S-Z
Scary Movie 4-- Garbage. F
School for Scoundrels— I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this movie before even though it was called something else. I’m pretty sure it starred Billy Bob Thornton, too. C-
School of Life – I’m a Ryan Reynolds fan. I’ll admit it, even if he usually does crappy movies. But this one was different. It was good. It had a good heart and a good message. I’d like to see Reynolds in more movies like these. B+
Sherrybaby— Great performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, but I just didn’t get into this movie which so many critics and fans liked. It just felt like another “I was so abused growing up that now I’m damaged” movie that’s been done before. B-
Shooter— It was okay. C+
Shrek the Third—theatre— This series loses a little more each time they go back to the well. C
Shut Up and Sing— I thought the whole Dixie Chicks saying they’re not proud of George Bush fiasco was bullshit. We do live in America, where people are free to say such things. Kinda ironic that the rest of the country caught up with the Chicks a few years later. Not that any of the piece of crap talk show hosts or radio station managers would admit they made a mistake… B-
Sicko— Not as eye-opening as Moore’s other films. I mean, we all know the health care system is in the toilet in America. B
Smokin’ Aces-- This movie is all style, little substance. I liked Ryan Reynolds (as usual) as he played against type by not being a wiseass. C+
So Goes the Nation-- A documentary looking at the 2004 Presidential Election and how Ohio factored into it. I was hoping to get some in-depth nuggets here, but the only real thing I took away from it was how “Everyman rancher” George Bush bought his Texas ranch not much earlier than his first run at president. Every politician does it, but he wrapped that rancher tag around him like a cloak. C+
Spider-Man 3—theatre-- I didn’t hate it as much as many people did. It fell into the too many characters problem that super-hero sequels have fallen into since Batman Returns. Some dumb plot coincidences hurt it, and while I like Topher Grace, I would have liked to see a more comic-true bruiser playing Eddie Brock/Venom. B-
Stomp Out Loud!-- amazing. Just shows you that there’s music everywhere. A-
Stranger Than Fiction—Will Farrell plays against type and has a very solid role in what was a much better film than I thought it’d be. B+
Street Fight-- An idealistic younger man takes on the entrenched incumbent in this doc about a mayoral race. A pretty good microscopic look at the problem with politics today. B
Superman: Doomsday-- A story close to my heart as it’s a loose adaptation of one of my favorite comic book runs. The knock-down, drag-out fight between Supes and Doomsday was pretty cool, but the movie had to pack too much into too little. Sadly some of the biggest cuts were from the most effective parts of comic series: how his death affected the world’s population. And the movie also couldn’t make a mystery out of his return from death like the comics did (I was in my comic shop EVERY week to make sure I got the next installment). Quick note: the extras included a great look at the comics this movie was based on and included interviews with most of the creators of them. And two final notes: I like much of Anne Heche’s work, but she was miscast here as Lois Lane. I never bought it. And Superman’s face is pure ugly. Whoever approved the massive cheekbones that were drawn as two gigantic “scars” on direct frontal views should get slapped around. B (movie), A- (extras)
Talledega Nights-- Another goofy Will Farrell movie. It is what it is. B-
Transformers-- I wasn’t a fan of the cartoon or the toys, but I read the comics for about 5 years. This was a decent popcorn movie. My quibble with it is how it clumsily injected more mature elements in some scenes to get a PG-13 rating. B
Uncovered: the Whole Truth about the Iraq War-- With the thesis that the Iraq War was pretty much bunged up from the beginning, it wasn’t a real surprise. B-
Who Killed the Electric Car-- Maybe I’m just burned out on politicians/businessmen screwing the average person. I wasn’t as mad as I should have been. And the answer of who killed the electric car was pretty unsatisfying. C+
Why We Fight— An interesting look at how Dwight Eisenhower predicted that we would become a military-based society over 50 years ago, and how we actually have become one. It doesn’t pile all the blame on Darth Bush and his cronies, but they do get their share. B
Wordplay— I so did not get why this movie was held in such high regards. Was it interesting to learn just how hard it is to make a New York Times crossword puzzle? Sure. But that was about it for me. I’m not knocking it, but it got pretty rave reviews for something that was pretty pedestrian. C
School for Scoundrels— I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this movie before even though it was called something else. I’m pretty sure it starred Billy Bob Thornton, too. C-
School of Life – I’m a Ryan Reynolds fan. I’ll admit it, even if he usually does crappy movies. But this one was different. It was good. It had a good heart and a good message. I’d like to see Reynolds in more movies like these. B+
Sherrybaby— Great performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, but I just didn’t get into this movie which so many critics and fans liked. It just felt like another “I was so abused growing up that now I’m damaged” movie that’s been done before. B-
Shooter— It was okay. C+
Shrek the Third—theatre— This series loses a little more each time they go back to the well. C
Shut Up and Sing— I thought the whole Dixie Chicks saying they’re not proud of George Bush fiasco was bullshit. We do live in America, where people are free to say such things. Kinda ironic that the rest of the country caught up with the Chicks a few years later. Not that any of the piece of crap talk show hosts or radio station managers would admit they made a mistake… B-
Sicko— Not as eye-opening as Moore’s other films. I mean, we all know the health care system is in the toilet in America. B
Smokin’ Aces-- This movie is all style, little substance. I liked Ryan Reynolds (as usual) as he played against type by not being a wiseass. C+
So Goes the Nation-- A documentary looking at the 2004 Presidential Election and how Ohio factored into it. I was hoping to get some in-depth nuggets here, but the only real thing I took away from it was how “Everyman rancher” George Bush bought his Texas ranch not much earlier than his first run at president. Every politician does it, but he wrapped that rancher tag around him like a cloak. C+
Spider-Man 3—theatre-- I didn’t hate it as much as many people did. It fell into the too many characters problem that super-hero sequels have fallen into since Batman Returns. Some dumb plot coincidences hurt it, and while I like Topher Grace, I would have liked to see a more comic-true bruiser playing Eddie Brock/Venom. B-
Stomp Out Loud!-- amazing. Just shows you that there’s music everywhere. A-
Stranger Than Fiction—Will Farrell plays against type and has a very solid role in what was a much better film than I thought it’d be. B+
Street Fight-- An idealistic younger man takes on the entrenched incumbent in this doc about a mayoral race. A pretty good microscopic look at the problem with politics today. B
Superman: Doomsday-- A story close to my heart as it’s a loose adaptation of one of my favorite comic book runs. The knock-down, drag-out fight between Supes and Doomsday was pretty cool, but the movie had to pack too much into too little. Sadly some of the biggest cuts were from the most effective parts of comic series: how his death affected the world’s population. And the movie also couldn’t make a mystery out of his return from death like the comics did (I was in my comic shop EVERY week to make sure I got the next installment). Quick note: the extras included a great look at the comics this movie was based on and included interviews with most of the creators of them. And two final notes: I like much of Anne Heche’s work, but she was miscast here as Lois Lane. I never bought it. And Superman’s face is pure ugly. Whoever approved the massive cheekbones that were drawn as two gigantic “scars” on direct frontal views should get slapped around. B (movie), A- (extras)
Talledega Nights-- Another goofy Will Farrell movie. It is what it is. B-
Transformers-- I wasn’t a fan of the cartoon or the toys, but I read the comics for about 5 years. This was a decent popcorn movie. My quibble with it is how it clumsily injected more mature elements in some scenes to get a PG-13 rating. B
Uncovered: the Whole Truth about the Iraq War-- With the thesis that the Iraq War was pretty much bunged up from the beginning, it wasn’t a real surprise. B-
Who Killed the Electric Car-- Maybe I’m just burned out on politicians/businessmen screwing the average person. I wasn’t as mad as I should have been. And the answer of who killed the electric car was pretty unsatisfying. C+
Why We Fight— An interesting look at how Dwight Eisenhower predicted that we would become a military-based society over 50 years ago, and how we actually have become one. It doesn’t pile all the blame on Darth Bush and his cronies, but they do get their share. B
Wordplay— I so did not get why this movie was held in such high regards. Was it interesting to learn just how hard it is to make a New York Times crossword puzzle? Sure. But that was about it for me. I’m not knocking it, but it got pretty rave reviews for something that was pretty pedestrian. C
2007 Movies/DVDs G-P
Ghost Rider— Much better than I expected. Not great, but good enough. B
The Godfather of Green Bay-- Probably no one outside the western Great Lakes area has even heard of this movie, but for those who would “get” the humor, it was pretty good. It stars Lauren Holly, so you have someone great to look at while watching. B+
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—TV—These films kinda all flow together for me, so I don’t remember the particulars of this film. But I will say I haven’t watched one that I was disappointed in. Incomplete
Hollywoodland—I read part of Hollywood Kryptonite, so this wasn’t too foreign for me. For others, it may have been. But the performances were great, and it had Superman ties, so it was right up my alley. B+
Hot Fuzz—theatre—Like I said earlier, I’m not a big horror movie buff, but I really liked Shaun of the Dead. I liked some of the ‘80s action-packed buddy flicks this movie “spoofed, but I wasn’t as enamored with it as I was with Shaun. Go figure. But it’s definitely above average and worth watching. Maybe it’s better on DVD. B
The Hudsucker Proxy—TV-- I like much of what the Coen Brothers do, but this one didn’t pull me in like some of their other films do. B
Ice Age: The Meltdown— Not bad, just meh. C+
Jesus Camp-- Many Christians seem to have a problem with what they see as the rabid fanaticism of Muslims, so I find it ironic that these people think “Well, the Muslims go hardcore with kids, so we need to as well.” What these Christians preach is creating an army for God. There were a number of scenes were I actually cringed seeing these kids who have so much thrust on them that they don’t seem to be kids anymore. C-
Jet Li’s Fearless— I believe this was touted as Li’s final martial arts flick, and although I haven’t been exposed to many of those films, this was a good movie—definitely worthy of Li’s retirement in the genre. B+
John Tucker Must Die-- Pretty good teen movie. Worth watching just to see the chops some of these young actors have. B
Joseph Campbell: A Hero’s Journey-- Campbell has mainstreamed the shared human experience of storytelling, but this documentary didn’t really excite me as much as it should have. B-
Junebug—Decent. Nothing really memorable other than Amy Adams. Incomplete
Keeping Up With the Steins— I didn’t expect it to be good, and it wasn’t. I sort of feel bad for Jeremy Piven; he’s been so good as Ari Gold on Entourage that it seems he only gets those types of roles now. C-
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang-- Better than I had expected. Worth watching. It’s a terrible thing that Robert Downey Jr. has had so many personal issues that he isn’t in as many movies as he should be with his talent. B+
The Last King of Scotland— One of those Oscar-bait movies. Forest Whittaker definitely deserved the Oscar he received, but the movie kind of drug at times. But there was one torture scene near the end that turned my stomach in its brutality and woke me up a bit and kind of pieced the film together for me. I’m cringing just thinking about it. B+
The Last Kiss— I don’t remember anything about this movie other than thinking “Rachel Bilson is pretty hot.” Okay, two things-- because I remember being bored as well. C-
Let’s Go to Prison— Crap. The only thing that made it watchable was Chi McBride. F (extra credit for McBride, who earned a B)
Living with Wolves— Interesting. B-
Lucky Number Slevin-- One of new takes on noir movies that come and go. Wasn’t bad. B-
The Matador-- Decent; don’t remember much about it. C+
Maxed Out— It should come as no surprise that banks screw with their customers, but this movie opened my eyes a little bit more to their tactics. B
Monster House— An animated movie for older kids, which may have kept it from getting more popular, but it was pretty good. B
Nacho Libre— Starring Jack Black. You know what you’re going to get, and you’ll get it. C-
The Notorious Betty Page-- Okay. Seemed a little too clichéd. Gretchen Mol did a decent job as the titular character. B-
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest-- A bunch of “cool scenes” barely held together with a plot. Johnny Depp’s work as Jack Sparrow exceeds what is expected of him. B-
Premonition-- Could have been good had it explained some things a little better (what was the deal with the glass door?) and if Sandra Bullock’s character didn’t get instantly dumb at the end. I really only watched it to get a fix of one of my favorites-- Peter Stormare. Unfortunately for me, he had all of three or four minutes of screen time. C-
The Godfather of Green Bay-- Probably no one outside the western Great Lakes area has even heard of this movie, but for those who would “get” the humor, it was pretty good. It stars Lauren Holly, so you have someone great to look at while watching. B+
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—TV—These films kinda all flow together for me, so I don’t remember the particulars of this film. But I will say I haven’t watched one that I was disappointed in. Incomplete
Hollywoodland—I read part of Hollywood Kryptonite, so this wasn’t too foreign for me. For others, it may have been. But the performances were great, and it had Superman ties, so it was right up my alley. B+
Hot Fuzz—theatre—Like I said earlier, I’m not a big horror movie buff, but I really liked Shaun of the Dead. I liked some of the ‘80s action-packed buddy flicks this movie “spoofed, but I wasn’t as enamored with it as I was with Shaun. Go figure. But it’s definitely above average and worth watching. Maybe it’s better on DVD. B
The Hudsucker Proxy—TV-- I like much of what the Coen Brothers do, but this one didn’t pull me in like some of their other films do. B
Ice Age: The Meltdown— Not bad, just meh. C+
Jesus Camp-- Many Christians seem to have a problem with what they see as the rabid fanaticism of Muslims, so I find it ironic that these people think “Well, the Muslims go hardcore with kids, so we need to as well.” What these Christians preach is creating an army for God. There were a number of scenes were I actually cringed seeing these kids who have so much thrust on them that they don’t seem to be kids anymore. C-
Jet Li’s Fearless— I believe this was touted as Li’s final martial arts flick, and although I haven’t been exposed to many of those films, this was a good movie—definitely worthy of Li’s retirement in the genre. B+
John Tucker Must Die-- Pretty good teen movie. Worth watching just to see the chops some of these young actors have. B
Joseph Campbell: A Hero’s Journey-- Campbell has mainstreamed the shared human experience of storytelling, but this documentary didn’t really excite me as much as it should have. B-
Junebug—Decent. Nothing really memorable other than Amy Adams. Incomplete
Keeping Up With the Steins— I didn’t expect it to be good, and it wasn’t. I sort of feel bad for Jeremy Piven; he’s been so good as Ari Gold on Entourage that it seems he only gets those types of roles now. C-
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang-- Better than I had expected. Worth watching. It’s a terrible thing that Robert Downey Jr. has had so many personal issues that he isn’t in as many movies as he should be with his talent. B+
The Last King of Scotland— One of those Oscar-bait movies. Forest Whittaker definitely deserved the Oscar he received, but the movie kind of drug at times. But there was one torture scene near the end that turned my stomach in its brutality and woke me up a bit and kind of pieced the film together for me. I’m cringing just thinking about it. B+
The Last Kiss— I don’t remember anything about this movie other than thinking “Rachel Bilson is pretty hot.” Okay, two things-- because I remember being bored as well. C-
Let’s Go to Prison— Crap. The only thing that made it watchable was Chi McBride. F (extra credit for McBride, who earned a B)
Living with Wolves— Interesting. B-
Lucky Number Slevin-- One of new takes on noir movies that come and go. Wasn’t bad. B-
The Matador-- Decent; don’t remember much about it. C+
Maxed Out— It should come as no surprise that banks screw with their customers, but this movie opened my eyes a little bit more to their tactics. B
Monster House— An animated movie for older kids, which may have kept it from getting more popular, but it was pretty good. B
Nacho Libre— Starring Jack Black. You know what you’re going to get, and you’ll get it. C-
The Notorious Betty Page-- Okay. Seemed a little too clichéd. Gretchen Mol did a decent job as the titular character. B-
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest-- A bunch of “cool scenes” barely held together with a plot. Johnny Depp’s work as Jack Sparrow exceeds what is expected of him. B-
Premonition-- Could have been good had it explained some things a little better (what was the deal with the glass door?) and if Sandra Bullock’s character didn’t get instantly dumb at the end. I really only watched it to get a fix of one of my favorites-- Peter Stormare. Unfortunately for me, he had all of three or four minutes of screen time. C-
2007 Movies/DVDs A-F
American Dreamz— I liked this movie quite a bit, actually. B
A Brief History of Time— I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but this was way over my head. C+
A Christmas Story— A classic that probably should have been in the top. B+
A Good Woman— I’m a Scarlett Johannson fan, but this movie was boring as Hell. D
Accepted-- A “dumb comedy” that wasn’t completely awful, just cliched. I also like Justin Long, so that made it watchable. C
Al Franken: God Spoke— I like Franken, but this was a boring documentary. C-
An Inconvenient Truth-- One of the most important movies I saw last year. Probably didn’t rank higher because I had been exposed to the content in all the press the film received. But it’s a critical one to watch. Here’s my take on global warming: Even if it isn’t “real”, do we want to chance it by continuing how we live? Do we really need to pump crap out our tailpipes and smokestacks when we have alternatives? Think about it. B+
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters for DVD— Followed the SNL ‘90s film curse: about 70 minutes too long. C
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres—theatre—The extras made the DVD. It even included an entire alternate movie (which was funnier). Dumb move though—the “alternate” movie was sketchy because many scenes were deleted before they were animated. Except a good chunk of the beginning WAS animated (and shown in some of the extras), so why couldn’t those scenes have been “fleshed” out on the deleted movie? B-
Art School Confidential—I don’t remember it very well. Incomplete
Barnyard— Not great. C+
Bee Movie—theatre— Better than Barnyard; not as good as the ones in the Top 20. B-
Beerfest-- It was decent enough; I mean you know what you’re going to get with these guys. I love the non-Broken Lizard actors the troupe is getting to appear in their movies. The villains of the movie are some of my favorite “B/C” level actors. B
Bill Cosby: Himself— A classic standup film. Cos gets ripped a bit because he’s not edgy and because he has been saying some African Americans’ problems are their own fault, but there’s nothing wrong with either of those things. Besides, this film is just, plain standup—something he excels at. A-
Blades of Glory-- Another case of knowing what you’re going to get. I’d give it an above average marks as a Will Farrell movie. B
Borat— As with An Inconvenient Truth, I think the fact that I knew so many of the gags from all the press the movie received kinda ruined it for me. But it was a well above average movie for me. B+
Bottom’s Up— I have no idea what this movie is… Okay, let’s check imdb.com: hmmm... it starred Paris Hilton and Jason Mewes. Oh, damn! Now it’s back in my brain! F
The Breakup—TV— pointless; I also remember the ending as being really dumb. C-
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread— My least-favorite Broken Lizard movie. It was a horror movie send-up, so maybe that hurt it for me (as I’m a not a horror movie guy). Or it could be that the jokes fell flat. C
C.S.A.—Confederate States of America-- What if the South had won the Civil War? A one-joke premise that didn’t find ways to make the joke funny enough to fill 90 minutes. C+
Catch and Release—theatre—I liked the actors, but this was a completely clichéd “chick flick”. There’s nothing wrong with so-called chick-flicks, but when one can see dang near every twist and turn coming, that’s just plain boring. And it’s too bad because there was a decent cast. C+
Clerks II— The original was a classic. This was just uninspired. Smith tried to salvage the movie by actually making the movie about something (growing up), but it was just crass. Crass and funny is one thing; crass and unfunny/boring is another. C
Crank-- Shut your head off and watch the pretty explosions. Bonus points for having Amy Smart in it. B-
The DaVinci Code-- Nothing special. C+
Death of a President-- Didn’t live up to the hype. An interesting premise: what could happen if President shit-for-brains got shot and died. Oddly enough, things would be worse according to this movie. And it’d be boring. C-
Derailed—TV— This movie took a while to get going, but it did pick-up as it reached the end. I like Clive Owen, and it was nice to see Jennifer Anniston play against her type. B-
The Devil and Daniel Webster-- This old movie was pretty good. No big effects and sets; just a story about a guy who made a deal with the Devil and then attempted to win his soul back. B
Employee of the Month— Considering it starred Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson, it wasn’t completely awful. C-
Epic Movie-- Shit. A complete waste of 70 minutes. Yes, I said 70 minutes, and I think the last ten minutes were just the end credits musical montage. F
The Family Stone-- One of those “actor” movies where everyone has a good role because there is so much unnecessary drama (see: TV’s Brothers and Sisters). The good: Craig T. Nelson and Rachel McAdams. The bad: Sarah Jessica Parker and Dermont Mulrony playing the same role they always seem to play—and being boring at it. C
Fantastic Four 2— It was pretty good. It was made with kids in mind, and that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. I would like to see a special effects laden super-throwdown in one of these movies, though. B-
Farce of the Penguins-- With the comedy talent working on this film, you’d think it would be at least a little funny. But all this is is stupid sex jokes and juvenile humor. It did have some good lines, mostly from Samuel L. Jackson’s narration, but it should have been better. D+
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift— I loathed the original, but Lucas Black is one of my favorite actors, so I had to check it out. It was relatively dumb—but didn’t completely insult my intelligence like the original did. And Black made it worthwhile. C+
Fast Food Nation-- Haven’t read the book (which I’ve heard is good), and this movie (which only very loosely follows the book) didn’t make me want to, either. Watching this movie was like watching meat go bad. D+
Flags of Our Fathers-- A good movie that just didn’t do much for me. B
For Your Consideration-- I know it’s unfair to expect Best in Show quality in every film this crew does, but, dammit, I want something that makes me roar in laughter. This didn’t have it (nor did A Mighty Wind). C
Friends With Money-- I can’t remember a thing about it other than I wasn’t impressed. Incomplete
A Brief History of Time— I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but this was way over my head. C+
A Christmas Story— A classic that probably should have been in the top. B+
A Good Woman— I’m a Scarlett Johannson fan, but this movie was boring as Hell. D
Accepted-- A “dumb comedy” that wasn’t completely awful, just cliched. I also like Justin Long, so that made it watchable. C
Al Franken: God Spoke— I like Franken, but this was a boring documentary. C-
An Inconvenient Truth-- One of the most important movies I saw last year. Probably didn’t rank higher because I had been exposed to the content in all the press the film received. But it’s a critical one to watch. Here’s my take on global warming: Even if it isn’t “real”, do we want to chance it by continuing how we live? Do we really need to pump crap out our tailpipes and smokestacks when we have alternatives? Think about it. B+
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters for DVD— Followed the SNL ‘90s film curse: about 70 minutes too long. C
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres—theatre—The extras made the DVD. It even included an entire alternate movie (which was funnier). Dumb move though—the “alternate” movie was sketchy because many scenes were deleted before they were animated. Except a good chunk of the beginning WAS animated (and shown in some of the extras), so why couldn’t those scenes have been “fleshed” out on the deleted movie? B-
Art School Confidential—I don’t remember it very well. Incomplete
Barnyard— Not great. C+
Bee Movie—theatre— Better than Barnyard; not as good as the ones in the Top 20. B-
Beerfest-- It was decent enough; I mean you know what you’re going to get with these guys. I love the non-Broken Lizard actors the troupe is getting to appear in their movies. The villains of the movie are some of my favorite “B/C” level actors. B
Bill Cosby: Himself— A classic standup film. Cos gets ripped a bit because he’s not edgy and because he has been saying some African Americans’ problems are their own fault, but there’s nothing wrong with either of those things. Besides, this film is just, plain standup—something he excels at. A-
Blades of Glory-- Another case of knowing what you’re going to get. I’d give it an above average marks as a Will Farrell movie. B
Borat— As with An Inconvenient Truth, I think the fact that I knew so many of the gags from all the press the movie received kinda ruined it for me. But it was a well above average movie for me. B+
Bottom’s Up— I have no idea what this movie is… Okay, let’s check imdb.com: hmmm... it starred Paris Hilton and Jason Mewes. Oh, damn! Now it’s back in my brain! F
The Breakup—TV— pointless; I also remember the ending as being really dumb. C-
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread— My least-favorite Broken Lizard movie. It was a horror movie send-up, so maybe that hurt it for me (as I’m a not a horror movie guy). Or it could be that the jokes fell flat. C
C.S.A.—Confederate States of America-- What if the South had won the Civil War? A one-joke premise that didn’t find ways to make the joke funny enough to fill 90 minutes. C+
Catch and Release—theatre—I liked the actors, but this was a completely clichéd “chick flick”. There’s nothing wrong with so-called chick-flicks, but when one can see dang near every twist and turn coming, that’s just plain boring. And it’s too bad because there was a decent cast. C+
Clerks II— The original was a classic. This was just uninspired. Smith tried to salvage the movie by actually making the movie about something (growing up), but it was just crass. Crass and funny is one thing; crass and unfunny/boring is another. C
Crank-- Shut your head off and watch the pretty explosions. Bonus points for having Amy Smart in it. B-
The DaVinci Code-- Nothing special. C+
Death of a President-- Didn’t live up to the hype. An interesting premise: what could happen if President shit-for-brains got shot and died. Oddly enough, things would be worse according to this movie. And it’d be boring. C-
Derailed—TV— This movie took a while to get going, but it did pick-up as it reached the end. I like Clive Owen, and it was nice to see Jennifer Anniston play against her type. B-
The Devil and Daniel Webster-- This old movie was pretty good. No big effects and sets; just a story about a guy who made a deal with the Devil and then attempted to win his soul back. B
Employee of the Month— Considering it starred Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson, it wasn’t completely awful. C-
Epic Movie-- Shit. A complete waste of 70 minutes. Yes, I said 70 minutes, and I think the last ten minutes were just the end credits musical montage. F
The Family Stone-- One of those “actor” movies where everyone has a good role because there is so much unnecessary drama (see: TV’s Brothers and Sisters). The good: Craig T. Nelson and Rachel McAdams. The bad: Sarah Jessica Parker and Dermont Mulrony playing the same role they always seem to play—and being boring at it. C
Fantastic Four 2— It was pretty good. It was made with kids in mind, and that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. I would like to see a special effects laden super-throwdown in one of these movies, though. B-
Farce of the Penguins-- With the comedy talent working on this film, you’d think it would be at least a little funny. But all this is is stupid sex jokes and juvenile humor. It did have some good lines, mostly from Samuel L. Jackson’s narration, but it should have been better. D+
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift— I loathed the original, but Lucas Black is one of my favorite actors, so I had to check it out. It was relatively dumb—but didn’t completely insult my intelligence like the original did. And Black made it worthwhile. C+
Fast Food Nation-- Haven’t read the book (which I’ve heard is good), and this movie (which only very loosely follows the book) didn’t make me want to, either. Watching this movie was like watching meat go bad. D+
Flags of Our Fathers-- A good movie that just didn’t do much for me. B
For Your Consideration-- I know it’s unfair to expect Best in Show quality in every film this crew does, but, dammit, I want something that makes me roar in laughter. This didn’t have it (nor did A Mighty Wind). C
Friends With Money-- I can’t remember a thing about it other than I wasn’t impressed. Incomplete
DVD Best Of 2007 Preview
The most difficult thing about writing this blog is the lack of time I have to make meaningful, thought-provoking posts. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when I really have something to say, and by the time I get it all together, the time to say it has passed.
This is one of those cases.
I've been writing down the movies/DVDs I've watched and the books I've read since December 2006 with the intention of going back and reviewing some. Sadly (for me) I'll never have the time for that.
So I'll do what I can manage (even though it's been, like, six weeks of playing with the list on and off) and make a mini-review of them-- and then rate the top ones.
I think it's important to note which DVDs I watched before I give a Best Of list. I watched a stupid amount of DVDs (averaging 2 a week), but even I can't watch every single one that comes out.
I think I got that idea in my head from reading TV critics give their best of the year lists. There's no way a critic saw every single show. I know from personal experience that I don't watch shows I know I'll love due to time or media constraints.
So I'm listing every DVD, film (in theatres), or TV airing (premium, uncut cable versions) I saw from December 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. And I (probably unfairly) am including TV shows I watched for the first time on DVD. My blog, my rules...
As a way to rank them, I gave them grades. The A grades are must-sees, B grades are above average and recommended, C's could go either way, D's are ones to avoid (but may have one or two redeeming qualities), and F's are ones I saw nothing worthwhile whatsoever in.
Please note: this is my list and my rankings. What mood I was in could play a slight part in my grade, as could how I saw it (ones I saw in the theatres tended to rank a bit higher). Finally, these grades were made by me in Jan of 2008, so there could be a gap of 13 months from when I saw a movie to when I graded it. It didn't change things too much, but there was more than movie I had to go to imdb.com to jog my memory about. Usually those unmemorable ones got a lower grade (I mean, I couldn't remember it, for cryin' out loud!).
And finally, sorry for any spelling mistakes. I combed the list over and over and spellchecked it in Word (Blogger's spellcheck seems to have stopped working for me, though). I'd edit it even more, but then I'd never get this posted.
Finally, all the movies listed I watched on DVD unless noted ("TV" means I watched it via HBO/Showtime/Cinemax, uncut, so like DVD but no extras).
Okay, here's the first batch coming up.
This is one of those cases.
I've been writing down the movies/DVDs I've watched and the books I've read since December 2006 with the intention of going back and reviewing some. Sadly (for me) I'll never have the time for that.
So I'll do what I can manage (even though it's been, like, six weeks of playing with the list on and off) and make a mini-review of them-- and then rate the top ones.
I think it's important to note which DVDs I watched before I give a Best Of list. I watched a stupid amount of DVDs (averaging 2 a week), but even I can't watch every single one that comes out.
I think I got that idea in my head from reading TV critics give their best of the year lists. There's no way a critic saw every single show. I know from personal experience that I don't watch shows I know I'll love due to time or media constraints.
So I'm listing every DVD, film (in theatres), or TV airing (premium, uncut cable versions) I saw from December 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. And I (probably unfairly) am including TV shows I watched for the first time on DVD. My blog, my rules...
As a way to rank them, I gave them grades. The A grades are must-sees, B grades are above average and recommended, C's could go either way, D's are ones to avoid (but may have one or two redeeming qualities), and F's are ones I saw nothing worthwhile whatsoever in.
Please note: this is my list and my rankings. What mood I was in could play a slight part in my grade, as could how I saw it (ones I saw in the theatres tended to rank a bit higher). Finally, these grades were made by me in Jan of 2008, so there could be a gap of 13 months from when I saw a movie to when I graded it. It didn't change things too much, but there was more than movie I had to go to imdb.com to jog my memory about. Usually those unmemorable ones got a lower grade (I mean, I couldn't remember it, for cryin' out loud!).
And finally, sorry for any spelling mistakes. I combed the list over and over and spellchecked it in Word (Blogger's spellcheck seems to have stopped working for me, though). I'd edit it even more, but then I'd never get this posted.
Finally, all the movies listed I watched on DVD unless noted ("TV" means I watched it via HBO/Showtime/Cinemax, uncut, so like DVD but no extras).
Okay, here's the first batch coming up.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Premieres and Notables; Feb 18-24, 2008
Monday, 2/18
Pass Time; Speed. 6:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Speed's first ever game show. Contestants guess the times of cars racing a quarter mile. Must see TV, I'm sure...
My Dad is Better Than Your Dad; NBC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Father and son/daughters team up to prove which dad is stronger, smarter, and a better parent.
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious; CW. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
The Pussycats hold a competition to find three women to make up the new Girlicious group.
History of the Joke; History. 8 pm. Special
Lewis Black searches for the best joke in this documentary and goes to many of the best joketellers to find it. I've heard nothing about this show, but I think I could give it a recommended with confidence.
Inside the Vietnam War; National Geographic. 7 pm. Special.
A three-hour look at the conflict, including interviews with over fifty vets.
Prison Break (FOX; 7 pm) airs what is probably its season-- and possibly series-- finale tonight. Michael faces off against Susan B, a major player dies, another gets a life-threatening injury-- and T-Bag reminds us that he is one of the most vile characters on television. I think the show has about run its course, but I also think it deserves a proper send-off that an hour probably can't manage with all the plotlines that need to be tied up.
Wednesday, 2/20
America's Next Top Model; CW. 7 pm. 10th season premiere.
Drag Race High; Speed. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A Tennessee high school shop class builds drag racers and competes against a rival school.
Friday, 2/22
Amne$ia; NBC. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Dennis Miller hosts this This is Your Life/Jeopardy fusion where people have to answer questions about their own lives...
Saturday, 2/23
Lots of Academy Award movies airing today on various networks, but Encore takes the top prize as it airs EIGHT Best Picture winners, starting with Marty at 5:30 am, then going to In the Heat of the Night, Annie Hall, The Sting, The Deer Hunter, Dances With Wolves, Rain Man, and Platoon.
Independent Spirit Awards; IFC. 4 pm CST. Special
Rainn Wilson hosts this Indie awards show.
Sunday, 2/24
The 80th Annual Academy Awards; ABC. 7:30 pm CST. Special.
Jon Stewart hosts this awards show, which should be about normal now that writers can work on the show.
And, of course, with the Oscars at night, there will be dozens of hours of coverage on many networks all day long.
Pass Time; Speed. 6:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Speed's first ever game show. Contestants guess the times of cars racing a quarter mile. Must see TV, I'm sure...
My Dad is Better Than Your Dad; NBC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Father and son/daughters team up to prove which dad is stronger, smarter, and a better parent.
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious; CW. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
The Pussycats hold a competition to find three women to make up the new Girlicious group.
History of the Joke; History. 8 pm. Special
Lewis Black searches for the best joke in this documentary and goes to many of the best joketellers to find it. I've heard nothing about this show, but I think I could give it a recommended with confidence.
Inside the Vietnam War; National Geographic. 7 pm. Special.
A three-hour look at the conflict, including interviews with over fifty vets.
Prison Break (FOX; 7 pm) airs what is probably its season-- and possibly series-- finale tonight. Michael faces off against Susan B, a major player dies, another gets a life-threatening injury-- and T-Bag reminds us that he is one of the most vile characters on television. I think the show has about run its course, but I also think it deserves a proper send-off that an hour probably can't manage with all the plotlines that need to be tied up.
Wednesday, 2/20
America's Next Top Model; CW. 7 pm. 10th season premiere.
Drag Race High; Speed. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A Tennessee high school shop class builds drag racers and competes against a rival school.
Friday, 2/22
Amne$ia; NBC. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Dennis Miller hosts this This is Your Life/Jeopardy fusion where people have to answer questions about their own lives...
Saturday, 2/23
Lots of Academy Award movies airing today on various networks, but Encore takes the top prize as it airs EIGHT Best Picture winners, starting with Marty at 5:30 am, then going to In the Heat of the Night, Annie Hall, The Sting, The Deer Hunter, Dances With Wolves, Rain Man, and Platoon.
Independent Spirit Awards; IFC. 4 pm CST. Special
Rainn Wilson hosts this Indie awards show.
Sunday, 2/24
The 80th Annual Academy Awards; ABC. 7:30 pm CST. Special.
Jon Stewart hosts this awards show, which should be about normal now that writers can work on the show.
And, of course, with the Oscars at night, there will be dozens of hours of coverage on many networks all day long.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Post-Strike Situation
The WGA strike is over, but what does that mean for your favorite shows?
Well, TV Guide's Michael Ausiello made up a show list, the number of shows left to air, number of shows expected to be filmed, and other tidbits.
Check it out:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Wga-Strike-Favorite/800032698
Well, TV Guide's Michael Ausiello made up a show list, the number of shows left to air, number of shows expected to be filmed, and other tidbits.
Check it out:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Wga-Strike-Favorite/800032698
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Premieres and Notables, Feb 11-17, 2008
Monday, 2/11
Crossroads on CMT (7 pm CST) features a concert with Alison Kraus and Robert Plant. Normally I don't note any CMT shows, but I've heard this is outstanding.
Tuesday, 2/12
Jericho; CBS. 9 pm. 2nd Season Premiere.
CBS claims the fans brought this show back from cancellation, so it's up to the fans to keep it on the air for the seven episode mini-season.
Big Brother 9; CBS. 8 pm. season premiere.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of this winter edition plan. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I was kinda enjoying the lack of new episodes to watch on TV by watching shows I have collected on tape/DVD the last few years.
And Scott Bakula alert! He shows up on Boston Legal (ABC, 9 pm) as an old flame of Shirley's (Candice Bergen). That's a big deal for two reasons: 1. He's a great television actor, who's had numerous guest apperances on various shows as well lead roles in two fantastic series (Enterprise and Quantum Leap) and 2. he and Bergen played lovers on Murphy Brown fifteen years ago.
Wednesday, 2/13
American Idol (FOX, 7 pm) finally gets to the final 24...
Thursday, 2/14
I just saw that Chiller TV is airing the second episode of Profit at 7 pm. I've heard great things about this show; check it out. Unless you have Charter Cable-- they don't have Chiller (at least in my neck of the woods). Gotta start thinking about a Dish, I think...
Sunday, 2/17
Knight Rider; NBC. 8 pm. Movie
This movie is a (planned) pilot for a new series and just needs good ratings/buzz to get made weekly. David Hasselhoff has a cameo to ensure this movie gets considered a sequel (NBC has sequel rights, but not remake rights), but otherwise everything is new, right down to Will Arnett as KITT's new voice.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown; Food Network. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Yet another "bake-off" competition show. Yawn...
Bulging Brides; WE. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Personal trainers and nutritionists put brides-to-be through their paces to trim them down for the big day.
And finally, CBS is airing the Showtime hit Dexter at 9 pm CST. It's worth checking out from what I hear (I'm holding out for the DVD set from the library-- three more weeks before it's "mine"). It's edited mostly for time on CBS, and the lines with naughty language was shot using less harsh words during filming, so there won't be any bad dubbing. Let's hope this works out as I'd really like to see other premium channel shows on networks (Weeds would be great).
Crossroads on CMT (7 pm CST) features a concert with Alison Kraus and Robert Plant. Normally I don't note any CMT shows, but I've heard this is outstanding.
Tuesday, 2/12
Jericho; CBS. 9 pm. 2nd Season Premiere.
CBS claims the fans brought this show back from cancellation, so it's up to the fans to keep it on the air for the seven episode mini-season.
Big Brother 9; CBS. 8 pm. season premiere.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of this winter edition plan. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I was kinda enjoying the lack of new episodes to watch on TV by watching shows I have collected on tape/DVD the last few years.
And Scott Bakula alert! He shows up on Boston Legal (ABC, 9 pm) as an old flame of Shirley's (Candice Bergen). That's a big deal for two reasons: 1. He's a great television actor, who's had numerous guest apperances on various shows as well lead roles in two fantastic series (Enterprise and Quantum Leap) and 2. he and Bergen played lovers on Murphy Brown fifteen years ago.
Wednesday, 2/13
American Idol (FOX, 7 pm) finally gets to the final 24...
Thursday, 2/14
I just saw that Chiller TV is airing the second episode of Profit at 7 pm. I've heard great things about this show; check it out. Unless you have Charter Cable-- they don't have Chiller (at least in my neck of the woods). Gotta start thinking about a Dish, I think...
Sunday, 2/17
Knight Rider; NBC. 8 pm. Movie
This movie is a (planned) pilot for a new series and just needs good ratings/buzz to get made weekly. David Hasselhoff has a cameo to ensure this movie gets considered a sequel (NBC has sequel rights, but not remake rights), but otherwise everything is new, right down to Will Arnett as KITT's new voice.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown; Food Network. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Yet another "bake-off" competition show. Yawn...
Bulging Brides; WE. 9 pm. Series premiere.
Personal trainers and nutritionists put brides-to-be through their paces to trim them down for the big day.
And finally, CBS is airing the Showtime hit Dexter at 9 pm CST. It's worth checking out from what I hear (I'm holding out for the DVD set from the library-- three more weeks before it's "mine"). It's edited mostly for time on CBS, and the lines with naughty language was shot using less harsh words during filming, so there won't be any bad dubbing. Let's hope this works out as I'd really like to see other premium channel shows on networks (Weeds would be great).
Saturday, February 09, 2008
R.I.P. INFL
I was watching what I thought was the season finale of HBO's Inside the NFL when it was announced at the beginning of the epsidode that it was also the series finale of the long-running series.
I've said before (numerous times) that I'm not into sports all that much, but HBO Sports has a way of drawing me in with the insight, humor, and drama their shows possess. Inside the NFL was even more impressive in that regards because it was, essentially, a weekly recap show. It gave high and lowlights of the previous week as well a brief look at the upcoming week's games. And once or twice an epsiode, we got a short look at some unique aspect of the game that could be either uplifting or heartbreaking, or both.
The hosts were a fun gang to watch every week. Dan Marino, Cris Collinsworth, Chris Carter, and Bob Costas were a perfect team. This season was especially wonderful. We got a real, honest, look at a great player who sees his greatest accomplishments get surpassed on an almost weekly basis when Brett Favre broke a number of Dan's records in 2007. While Marino never whined about it-- probably helped because he respects Favre-- you could see a little disappointment whenever the others ribbed him about being 2nd in the record books. Collisworth grew even more as an analyst, and I could see him getting his own show someday. Carter had a few moments, notably when he gave a very intelligent and emotional answer to a question Costas asked him about what can be done to help young players to keep out of trouble, and also, on the last episode when he had just learned he lost his only on-air job-- and was also deeply hurt he didn't get voted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 the previous weekend.
And then Costas, a guy who I'd listen to explain anything he had a passion for. Truly one of the greatest on-camera sports newsmen who have ever lived. And I love Costa's comment to Collinsworth in the finale that they didn't get fired; someone at HBO made a "boneheaded decision". I'm sure he hadn't forgotten that he also hosts the monthly Costas Now on HBO when he said it.
And we can't forget Peter King's weekly reports that really dug into the sport. Or Lewis Black's infrequent rants.
And, finally, the work of Ed Sabol and NFL films was exclusive to the show. These weren't just highlights, those were mini-movies of every game. If you took NFL Films and the outstanding voiceovers by Harry Kalas and applied them to grass growing, it'd be just as exciting as any movie. These people really elevate the craft of filming sports. That may be the biggest loss with INFL's cancellation.
But just because HBO cancelled the show doesn't mean it will disappear forever. The NFL is shopping it around (a few pissed off fans actually blame the NFL for pressuring HBO to cancel the show, so it could gain leverage for its NFL Network with cable companies). But because much of the show's production was through HBO, there are sure to be changes. I expect the newest version to be full of flashy graphics and loud hosts, something the HBO version definitely was not.
I said it earlier, and I'll repeat it: this show was classy. That's the major loss for fans of not only football, but of just, plain good television.
Apparently, the decision to cancel the show came soon before the final taping on Wednesday, so that made things even worse because no one was really able to address it. HBO announced that the landscape of the NFL and media had changed too much in the past 30 years. Now everyone can get replays and highlights on a multitude of networks.
Too bad INFL's own network couldn't see the gem it had.
Talk about devastating. For thirty-one years, the show gave us an inside look into the NFL that no other show has come close to in class and integrity. I only watched the last three seasons, but I'll miss it as much any other show I had grown to love.I've said before (numerous times) that I'm not into sports all that much, but HBO Sports has a way of drawing me in with the insight, humor, and drama their shows possess. Inside the NFL was even more impressive in that regards because it was, essentially, a weekly recap show. It gave high and lowlights of the previous week as well a brief look at the upcoming week's games. And once or twice an epsiode, we got a short look at some unique aspect of the game that could be either uplifting or heartbreaking, or both.
The hosts were a fun gang to watch every week. Dan Marino, Cris Collinsworth, Chris Carter, and Bob Costas were a perfect team. This season was especially wonderful. We got a real, honest, look at a great player who sees his greatest accomplishments get surpassed on an almost weekly basis when Brett Favre broke a number of Dan's records in 2007. While Marino never whined about it-- probably helped because he respects Favre-- you could see a little disappointment whenever the others ribbed him about being 2nd in the record books. Collisworth grew even more as an analyst, and I could see him getting his own show someday. Carter had a few moments, notably when he gave a very intelligent and emotional answer to a question Costas asked him about what can be done to help young players to keep out of trouble, and also, on the last episode when he had just learned he lost his only on-air job-- and was also deeply hurt he didn't get voted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 the previous weekend.
And then Costas, a guy who I'd listen to explain anything he had a passion for. Truly one of the greatest on-camera sports newsmen who have ever lived. And I love Costa's comment to Collinsworth in the finale that they didn't get fired; someone at HBO made a "boneheaded decision". I'm sure he hadn't forgotten that he also hosts the monthly Costas Now on HBO when he said it.
And we can't forget Peter King's weekly reports that really dug into the sport. Or Lewis Black's infrequent rants.
And, finally, the work of Ed Sabol and NFL films was exclusive to the show. These weren't just highlights, those were mini-movies of every game. If you took NFL Films and the outstanding voiceovers by Harry Kalas and applied them to grass growing, it'd be just as exciting as any movie. These people really elevate the craft of filming sports. That may be the biggest loss with INFL's cancellation.
But just because HBO cancelled the show doesn't mean it will disappear forever. The NFL is shopping it around (a few pissed off fans actually blame the NFL for pressuring HBO to cancel the show, so it could gain leverage for its NFL Network with cable companies). But because much of the show's production was through HBO, there are sure to be changes. I expect the newest version to be full of flashy graphics and loud hosts, something the HBO version definitely was not.
I said it earlier, and I'll repeat it: this show was classy. That's the major loss for fans of not only football, but of just, plain good television.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Dog Diary/ Cat Diary
I got this joke today. Funniest one I've read in a long time...
The Dog's Diary:
8:00 am: Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am: A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am: A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am: Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm: Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm: Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm: Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm: Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm: Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm: Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm: Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
The Cat's Diary:
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe ... for now.
The Dog's Diary:
8:00 am: Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am: A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am: A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am: Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm: Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm: Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm: Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm: Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm: Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm: Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm: Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
The Cat's Diary:
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe ... for now.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Premieres and Notables; Feb. 4-10, 2008
We've heard this before, but I've got a good feeling this time: rumors abound that the Writers and Producers Guilds are close to an agreement.
Monday, 2/24
The New Adventures of Old Christine; CBS. 8:30 pm CST 3rd season premiere.
One of the most underrated comedies out there is finally back (what is CBS thinking by treating it so shabbily?). Recommended.
Welcome to the Captain; CBS. 7:30. series premiere.
Jeffrey Tambor, Fran Kranz, and Chris Klein star in this show revolving around the wackos in a Hollywood apartment complex. I haven't heard a good thing about it. Poor Tambor, who excelled on The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development, gets another dud.
And CBS repeats an October How I Met Your Mother (7:00) that introduces Barney's "Crazy Scale" for women. Good stuff.
Paradise Hotel 2; My Network TV. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Tuesday, 2/5
Big Gay Sketch Show; Logo. 9:00 pm. Season premiere.
Wednesday, 2/6
UFO Hunters; History. 9 pm. Series premiere.
I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the History Channel because it typically finds some sort of history within its increasingly bizarre lineup, but it's starting to look a little ridiculous...
Thursday, 2/7
Lipstick Jungle; NBC. 9:01. Series Premiere.
Sex in the City creator Candice Bushnell's new series. Let's hope it's at least a smidge better than Cashmere Mafia (which I watched a whole 20 minutes of before deleteing from the DVR forever).
Survivor: Micronesia-- Fans vs. Favorites; CBS. 7 pm. Season premiere.
Ten obsessed fans of the show take on ten former players.
I checked out Eli Stone last week and have to give it a thumbs up. One of my favorite pilots-- and I hope it continues. Check it out on ABC at 9:02.
The Black Canary makes her first appearance on Smallville (CW, 7 pm). Saw a pic of her costume-- yuck. Props for giving her the fishnet stockings that BC is so well known for, but the "mask" is brutal, and where's the long blond hair?
Friday, 2/8
That Mitchell and Webb Look; BBC America. 8:20 pm. Series Premiere.
Robert Webb and David Mitchell star in this comedy sketch show. I really hope it's decent; I loved BBC Am two years ago, but lately their comedies have been pretty blah.
Saturday, 2/9
Petfinder; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Animal behaviorists find the right pets for families.
Bernard and Doris; HBO. 7 pm. Movie
Susan Sarandon and Raplh Fiennes play Doris Duke and her butler Bernard Lafferty in this fictionalized account of their relationship, which resulted in her bequeathing her fortune to him.
Sunday, 2/10
The Grammy Awards; CBS. 7 pm. Special.
Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, and the Foo Fighters perform.
British Academy Film Awards; BBC America. 7 pm. Special.
Monday, 2/24
The New Adventures of Old Christine; CBS. 8:30 pm CST 3rd season premiere.
One of the most underrated comedies out there is finally back (what is CBS thinking by treating it so shabbily?). Recommended.
Welcome to the Captain; CBS. 7:30. series premiere.
Jeffrey Tambor, Fran Kranz, and Chris Klein star in this show revolving around the wackos in a Hollywood apartment complex. I haven't heard a good thing about it. Poor Tambor, who excelled on The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development, gets another dud.
And CBS repeats an October How I Met Your Mother (7:00) that introduces Barney's "Crazy Scale" for women. Good stuff.
Paradise Hotel 2; My Network TV. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Tuesday, 2/5
Big Gay Sketch Show; Logo. 9:00 pm. Season premiere.
Wednesday, 2/6
UFO Hunters; History. 9 pm. Series premiere.
I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the History Channel because it typically finds some sort of history within its increasingly bizarre lineup, but it's starting to look a little ridiculous...
Thursday, 2/7
Lipstick Jungle; NBC. 9:01. Series Premiere.
Sex in the City creator Candice Bushnell's new series. Let's hope it's at least a smidge better than Cashmere Mafia (which I watched a whole 20 minutes of before deleteing from the DVR forever).
Survivor: Micronesia-- Fans vs. Favorites; CBS. 7 pm. Season premiere.
Ten obsessed fans of the show take on ten former players.
I checked out Eli Stone last week and have to give it a thumbs up. One of my favorite pilots-- and I hope it continues. Check it out on ABC at 9:02.
The Black Canary makes her first appearance on Smallville (CW, 7 pm). Saw a pic of her costume-- yuck. Props for giving her the fishnet stockings that BC is so well known for, but the "mask" is brutal, and where's the long blond hair?
Friday, 2/8
That Mitchell and Webb Look; BBC America. 8:20 pm. Series Premiere.
Robert Webb and David Mitchell star in this comedy sketch show. I really hope it's decent; I loved BBC Am two years ago, but lately their comedies have been pretty blah.
Saturday, 2/9
Petfinder; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Animal behaviorists find the right pets for families.
Bernard and Doris; HBO. 7 pm. Movie
Susan Sarandon and Raplh Fiennes play Doris Duke and her butler Bernard Lafferty in this fictionalized account of their relationship, which resulted in her bequeathing her fortune to him.
Sunday, 2/10
The Grammy Awards; CBS. 7 pm. Special.
Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, and the Foo Fighters perform.
British Academy Film Awards; BBC America. 7 pm. Special.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sometimes I like these heartwarming stories, but this one is incredible.
In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mbembe approached it very carefully.
He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.
Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder.
The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe' s legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.
He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.
Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder.
The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe' s legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.
The New Dance The Kids Are Doing
It's the summer of 1960 and Harold goes to pick up his date, Peggy Sue. Harold's a pretty hip guy with his own car and a duck tail hairdo.
When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's mother answers and invites him in. "Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you have a seat?" she says. That's cool. Peggy Sue's mother asks Harold what they're planning to do.
Harold replies politely that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive in movie. Peggy Sue's mother responds, "Why don't you kids go out and screw? I hear all the kids are doing it."
Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Harold and he says Wha...aaat?"
"Yeah," says Peggy Sue's mother, "We know Peggy Sue really likes to screw; why, she'd screw all night if we let her!"
Harold's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening. A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes, and announces that she's ready to go. Almost breathless with anticipation, Harold escorts his date out the front door while Mom is saying, "Have a good evening, kids," with a small wink for Harold.
About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at her mother:
"Dammit, Mom! The Twist! The Twist! It's called The Twist!"
When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's mother answers and invites him in. "Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you have a seat?" she says. That's cool. Peggy Sue's mother asks Harold what they're planning to do.
Harold replies politely that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive in movie. Peggy Sue's mother responds, "Why don't you kids go out and screw? I hear all the kids are doing it."
Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Harold and he says Wha...aaat?"
"Yeah," says Peggy Sue's mother, "We know Peggy Sue really likes to screw; why, she'd screw all night if we let her!"
Harold's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening. A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes, and announces that she's ready to go. Almost breathless with anticipation, Harold escorts his date out the front door while Mom is saying, "Have a good evening, kids," with a small wink for Harold.
About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at her mother:
"Dammit, Mom! The Twist! The Twist! It's called The Twist!"
Premieres and Notables, Jan. 28- Feb. 3, 2008
Today: I guess there's a new episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force at 10:45 ([adult swim]/Cartoon Network). There may have been a new one last week as well. All I've been watching of late on the network is Boondocks, so I'm sure I missed the ATHF bumps.
Monday, 1/28
State of the Union Address; ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, FNC, MSNBC, NBC, and PBS. 8 pm CST. Special.
What's so special about it? It's Darth's last one.
In Treatment; HBO. 8:30. Series Premiere.
HBO's ambitious new series may bite off more than it can chew. Five half-hour episodes a week over the next nine weeks. Gabriel Byrne plays a therapist who counsels a different patient each day from Mon-Thurs and then sees his own therapist on the Friday installment. Reviews I've read say the Friday shows (with Dianne Weist as Byrne's therapist) are the best, but I think I'll be intrigued by the Tuesday episodes as well (with Blair Underwood as the patient).
Cities of the Underworld; History. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Ancient Discoveries; History. 9 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Michael Palin's New Europe; Travel. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Palin visits former Soviet states.
Harlem Globetrotters Special; MNT. 7 pm. Special.
Footage from a current game interspersed with a look back at their eight decade existence.
Wednesday, 1/30
America's Ballroom Challenge; PBS. 7 pm (check local times). 3rd season premiere.
ABC airs last year's Lost finale (7-9), and I read somewhere that there will be extra bits added to this repeat; the way I understood the article, it was like a "Pop Up Video" episode. Wish I could find the article to verify, but I couldn't.
Thursday, 1/31
Lost; ABC. 8 pm. 4th season premiere.
After an hour-long recap shot at 7 pm, the most-anticipated scripted show of the spring returns with just eight episodes. I'm sure that's enough to get people into a frenzy and then pull the rug out again.
Eli Stone; ABC. 9:02 pm. Series Premiere.
Johnny Lee Miller stars as a lawyer who starts to see visions (most notable of George Michael) and believes he may be a prophet.
Friday, 2/1
Dinner For Five; IFC. 9:30. Special.
Jon Favreau's show that ended in 2005 gets a special episode with Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsly, Justin Long, and Keir O'Donnell, and I get that sick feeling in my stomach that reminds me that Charter Communications doesn't have the damn channel on its programming. Booooooo!!!
Sunday, 2/3
Well, the whole day revolves around the SuperBowl, which FOX airs this year (pregame at 1 pm, kickoff sometime around 5:18 pm). I'll have to take some interest as Tom Petty is the featured performer of the halftime show.
After the SuperBowl is a special new episode of House; it wasn't the episode the producers wanted to air, but it's the one they have due to the strike.
And if you're not into football, but are into TV marathons, there's quite a few. A partial list:
Mythbusters; Discovery. 8 am; 18 hours
The Closer; TNT. 11 am; 12 hours
Puppy Bowl IV; Animal Planet. 2 pm; 3 hours (but repeats through 2 am)
Wedding Cake-themed episodes of Food Network shows. 2 pm. 6 hours
Rich Bride, Poor Bride; WE. 3 pm. 5 hours
Suburban Secrets; TRU TV. 5 pm. 10 hours
Monday, 1/28
State of the Union Address; ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, FNC, MSNBC, NBC, and PBS. 8 pm CST. Special.
What's so special about it? It's Darth's last one.
In Treatment; HBO. 8:30. Series Premiere.
HBO's ambitious new series may bite off more than it can chew. Five half-hour episodes a week over the next nine weeks. Gabriel Byrne plays a therapist who counsels a different patient each day from Mon-Thurs and then sees his own therapist on the Friday installment. Reviews I've read say the Friday shows (with Dianne Weist as Byrne's therapist) are the best, but I think I'll be intrigued by the Tuesday episodes as well (with Blair Underwood as the patient).
Cities of the Underworld; History. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Ancient Discoveries; History. 9 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Michael Palin's New Europe; Travel. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Palin visits former Soviet states.
Harlem Globetrotters Special; MNT. 7 pm. Special.
Footage from a current game interspersed with a look back at their eight decade existence.
Wednesday, 1/30
America's Ballroom Challenge; PBS. 7 pm (check local times). 3rd season premiere.
ABC airs last year's Lost finale (7-9), and I read somewhere that there will be extra bits added to this repeat; the way I understood the article, it was like a "Pop Up Video" episode. Wish I could find the article to verify, but I couldn't.
Thursday, 1/31
Lost; ABC. 8 pm. 4th season premiere.
After an hour-long recap shot at 7 pm, the most-anticipated scripted show of the spring returns with just eight episodes. I'm sure that's enough to get people into a frenzy and then pull the rug out again.
Eli Stone; ABC. 9:02 pm. Series Premiere.
Johnny Lee Miller stars as a lawyer who starts to see visions (most notable of George Michael) and believes he may be a prophet.
Friday, 2/1
Dinner For Five; IFC. 9:30. Special.
Jon Favreau's show that ended in 2005 gets a special episode with Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsly, Justin Long, and Keir O'Donnell, and I get that sick feeling in my stomach that reminds me that Charter Communications doesn't have the damn channel on its programming. Booooooo!!!
Sunday, 2/3
Well, the whole day revolves around the SuperBowl, which FOX airs this year (pregame at 1 pm, kickoff sometime around 5:18 pm). I'll have to take some interest as Tom Petty is the featured performer of the halftime show.
After the SuperBowl is a special new episode of House; it wasn't the episode the producers wanted to air, but it's the one they have due to the strike.
And if you're not into football, but are into TV marathons, there's quite a few. A partial list:
Mythbusters; Discovery. 8 am; 18 hours
The Closer; TNT. 11 am; 12 hours
Puppy Bowl IV; Animal Planet. 2 pm; 3 hours (but repeats through 2 am)
Wedding Cake-themed episodes of Food Network shows. 2 pm. 6 hours
Rich Bride, Poor Bride; WE. 3 pm. 5 hours
Suburban Secrets; TRU TV. 5 pm. 10 hours
Monday, January 21, 2008
Premieres and Notables, Jan. 21-27, 2008
Sorry this is later than usual. Luckily the Monday premieres will probably repeat a few times more this week.
Monday, 1/21
Wildfire; ABC Family. 8 pm CST. 4th season premiere.
The Naked Brothers Band; Nickelodeon. 7 pm. 2nd (?) season premiere.
Life After People; History Channel. 8 pm. Special.
A look at what Earth could be like after the death of the human race.
Tuesday, 1/22
The Real Hustle; Tru TV. 9 & 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Pro scammers show you how they steal from others in an attempt to show you how to protect yourself.
Millionaire Matchmaker; Bravo. 10 pm. Series Premiere.
A matchmaker hooks up rich people.
Wednesday, 1/23
Moment of Truth; FOX. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
I'm sure you've heard of this game show: contestants strap themselves into a lie detector and answer personal questions. I give it three weeks before American Idol expands to fill the slot.
Pros vs. Joes; Spike. 10 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Regular "joes" face pro athletes. I'll be checking out tonight's ep because it features Kurt Angle, one of the best athletes I've ever seen. He is an (exceptional) pro wrestler now, but remember, the guy won an Olympic Gold Medal with a "broken freakin' neck".
Thursday, 1/24
ESPN kicks off four days of its Winter X Games.
Friday, 1/25
Gone Country; CMT. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
More singers try to "go country", which will cause "real country" fans to go apeshit because this crew isn't really country. Who'm I talkin' about: Bobby Brown, Dee Snider, Diana DeGarmo, Sisqo, Julio Inglesias Jr., Maureen McCormick, and Carnie Wilson. Niiiice.
Saturday, 1/26
Torchwood; BBC America. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; Disney. 8 & 8:30 am. season premiere.
Sunday, 1/27
SAG Awards; TBS and TNT. 7 pm. Special.
Writers can be hired for the show, and actors won't have to cross picket lines to attend, so this may actually look like a normal awards show.
Monday, 1/21
Wildfire; ABC Family. 8 pm CST. 4th season premiere.
The Naked Brothers Band; Nickelodeon. 7 pm. 2nd (?) season premiere.
Life After People; History Channel. 8 pm. Special.
A look at what Earth could be like after the death of the human race.
Tuesday, 1/22
The Real Hustle; Tru TV. 9 & 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Pro scammers show you how they steal from others in an attempt to show you how to protect yourself.
Millionaire Matchmaker; Bravo. 10 pm. Series Premiere.
A matchmaker hooks up rich people.
Wednesday, 1/23
Moment of Truth; FOX. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
I'm sure you've heard of this game show: contestants strap themselves into a lie detector and answer personal questions. I give it three weeks before American Idol expands to fill the slot.
Pros vs. Joes; Spike. 10 pm. 3rd season premiere.
Regular "joes" face pro athletes. I'll be checking out tonight's ep because it features Kurt Angle, one of the best athletes I've ever seen. He is an (exceptional) pro wrestler now, but remember, the guy won an Olympic Gold Medal with a "broken freakin' neck".
Thursday, 1/24
ESPN kicks off four days of its Winter X Games.
Friday, 1/25
Gone Country; CMT. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
More singers try to "go country", which will cause "real country" fans to go apeshit because this crew isn't really country. Who'm I talkin' about: Bobby Brown, Dee Snider, Diana DeGarmo, Sisqo, Julio Inglesias Jr., Maureen McCormick, and Carnie Wilson. Niiiice.
Saturday, 1/26
Torchwood; BBC America. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; Disney. 8 & 8:30 am. season premiere.
Sunday, 1/27
SAG Awards; TBS and TNT. 7 pm. Special.
Writers can be hired for the show, and actors won't have to cross picket lines to attend, so this may actually look like a normal awards show.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Anger Management
Once in a while, I'll read a passage in a book or hear a line on TV that just makes me stop and think. I found this one in Tommy Lee's autobiography Tommyland.
He explains how he had to take anger management classes when he was released from jail. His class was at 6 pm-- right in the middle of rush hour. He believed the class was at that time because people would be jacked up and angry from the drive and had good odds of being late due to the traffic.
"I was late a few times and I always stayed, hoping to get credit for good behavior. I never did, and that made me really [f-bomb]ing angry. Thank God, I was learning how to deal with that."
It's not Shakespeare, but I thought it was pretty funny...
He explains how he had to take anger management classes when he was released from jail. His class was at 6 pm-- right in the middle of rush hour. He believed the class was at that time because people would be jacked up and angry from the drive and had good odds of being late due to the traffic.
"I was late a few times and I always stayed, hoping to get credit for good behavior. I never did, and that made me really [f-bomb]ing angry. Thank God, I was learning how to deal with that."
It's not Shakespeare, but I thought it was pretty funny...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Premieres and Notables; Jan. 14- Jan. 20, 2007
Monday, 1/14
American Experience; PBS. 8 pm. Season premiere.
The first ep looks at "Oswald's Ghost"-- the fallout and conspiracy theories of the assassination of JFK.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles moves to its regular timeslot of 8 pm CST on FOX. I've been hearing good things: recommended.
Top Sniper; Military. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I'm guessing the title says it all for this reality competition.
Prison Break (FOX, 7 pm) returns for a five-episode run. From what I've read, there are big things going down. Some prisoners get out (some in body bags), new prisoners arrive, Susan continues to find ways to get Lincoln to do her bidding, Sucre and Linc team up to cause trouble, T-Bag makes a move that gets him into the escape plan, and Linc and Whistler's lady start getting close. This show has its ups and downs, but I think we're getting into late-first season territory here-- the really good, exciting stuff.
Tuesday, 1/15
10 Items or Less; TBS. 10 pm. 2nd season premiere.
A show that had flashes of goodness (not greatness) last year-- but may be worth watching just because there's not much else on. Oh, and the premiere is supposed to have some good moments.
American Idol; FOX. 7 pm. 7th Season premiere.
The juggernaut that is Idol should decimate the TV landscape even more this season.
Wednesday, 1/16
Smash Lab; Discovery. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I don't really get the concept here, but this is what TV Guide had to say: "Engineers take a fresh look at established products and technologies and think outside the box to find new uses for them. In the opener, the crew attempts to adapt aviation technology for use on the nation's roadways, thus preventing vehicles from veering into oncoming traffic."
They're going to do all that in an hour?
Reno 911!; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm. 5th season premiere.
Another up-and-down show, but with flashes of greatness.
Thursday, 1/17
American Chopper; TLC. 8 pm. 5th season premiere.
Friday, 1/18
George of the Jungle; Cartoon Network. 6:30 pm. Series Premiere.
I don't "get" these "kids networks" sometimes. The series premiere is tonight-- yet I recorded an episode for my kids last Friday.
Saturday, 1/19
About a Girl; The N. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
Husband For Hire; Oxygen. 7 pm. Movie
Included because I have a friend who digs My Name is Earl's Nadine Valazquez, and she stars in this made-for-TV movie. Now if Valazquez is enough to get you on the fence, but not over it, the movie also stars: Mario Lopez, Tempestt Bledsoe, Mark Consuelos, and-- wait for it-- Eric Estrada. Yeah, that's right. You're welcome...
Sunday, 1/20
Breaking Bad; AMC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Bryan Cranston stars in this series about a chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer-- so he starts making crystal meth to provide for his family. The creator insists he came up with the idea before Weeds went into production, but it doesn't really matter. It sounds like a different type of show (weed is considered more harmless than meth, so expect a darker show here). I've read reviews which gave this show-- and Cranston-- good marks, and AMC may not churn out many scripted original shows, but what it has aired has been good. Recommended.
American Experience; PBS. 8 pm. Season premiere.
The first ep looks at "Oswald's Ghost"-- the fallout and conspiracy theories of the assassination of JFK.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles moves to its regular timeslot of 8 pm CST on FOX. I've been hearing good things: recommended.
Top Sniper; Military. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I'm guessing the title says it all for this reality competition.
Prison Break (FOX, 7 pm) returns for a five-episode run. From what I've read, there are big things going down. Some prisoners get out (some in body bags), new prisoners arrive, Susan continues to find ways to get Lincoln to do her bidding, Sucre and Linc team up to cause trouble, T-Bag makes a move that gets him into the escape plan, and Linc and Whistler's lady start getting close. This show has its ups and downs, but I think we're getting into late-first season territory here-- the really good, exciting stuff.
Tuesday, 1/15
10 Items or Less; TBS. 10 pm. 2nd season premiere.
A show that had flashes of goodness (not greatness) last year-- but may be worth watching just because there's not much else on. Oh, and the premiere is supposed to have some good moments.
American Idol; FOX. 7 pm. 7th Season premiere.
The juggernaut that is Idol should decimate the TV landscape even more this season.
Wednesday, 1/16
Smash Lab; Discovery. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I don't really get the concept here, but this is what TV Guide had to say: "Engineers take a fresh look at established products and technologies and think outside the box to find new uses for them. In the opener, the crew attempts to adapt aviation technology for use on the nation's roadways, thus preventing vehicles from veering into oncoming traffic."
They're going to do all that in an hour?
Reno 911!; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm. 5th season premiere.
Another up-and-down show, but with flashes of greatness.
Thursday, 1/17
American Chopper; TLC. 8 pm. 5th season premiere.
Friday, 1/18
George of the Jungle; Cartoon Network. 6:30 pm. Series Premiere.
I don't "get" these "kids networks" sometimes. The series premiere is tonight-- yet I recorded an episode for my kids last Friday.
Saturday, 1/19
About a Girl; The N. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
Husband For Hire; Oxygen. 7 pm. Movie
Included because I have a friend who digs My Name is Earl's Nadine Valazquez, and she stars in this made-for-TV movie. Now if Valazquez is enough to get you on the fence, but not over it, the movie also stars: Mario Lopez, Tempestt Bledsoe, Mark Consuelos, and-- wait for it-- Eric Estrada. Yeah, that's right. You're welcome...
Sunday, 1/20
Breaking Bad; AMC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Bryan Cranston stars in this series about a chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer-- so he starts making crystal meth to provide for his family. The creator insists he came up with the idea before Weeds went into production, but it doesn't really matter. It sounds like a different type of show (weed is considered more harmless than meth, so expect a darker show here). I've read reviews which gave this show-- and Cranston-- good marks, and AMC may not churn out many scripted original shows, but what it has aired has been good. Recommended.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Decision
A man wakes up in the hospital, bandaged from head to foot.
The doctor comes in and says, "Ah, I see you've regained
consciousness. Now, you probably won't remember, but you were in a pile-up on the freeway. You're going to be okay, you'll walk again
and everything, but..... Something happened. I'm trying to break
this gently, but the fact is, your willy was chopped off in the
wreck, and we were unable to find it."
The man groans, but the doctor goes on, "You've got $9000 in
insurance compensation coming to you, and we have the technology now to build you a new willy that will work as well as your old one did - better in fact! But the thing is, it doesn't come cheap. It's $1000 an inch."
The man perks up at this.
"So," the doctor says, "it's for you to decide how many inches you
want. But it's something you'd better discuss with your wife. I mean, if
you had a five inch one before, and you decide to go for a nine incher,
she might be a bit put out. But if you had a nine inch one before, and
you decide only to invest in a five incher this time, she might be
disappointed. So it's important that she plays a role in helping you make the decision."
The man agrees to talk with his wife. The doctor comes back the next
day.
"So," says the doctor, "have you spoken with your wife?"
"I have," says the man.
"And has she helped you in making the decision?"
"She has," says the man.
"And what is it?" asks the doctor.
"We're getting a new kitchen."
The doctor comes in and says, "Ah, I see you've regained
consciousness. Now, you probably won't remember, but you were in a pile-up on the freeway. You're going to be okay, you'll walk again
and everything, but..... Something happened. I'm trying to break
this gently, but the fact is, your willy was chopped off in the
wreck, and we were unable to find it."
The man groans, but the doctor goes on, "You've got $9000 in
insurance compensation coming to you, and we have the technology now to build you a new willy that will work as well as your old one did - better in fact! But the thing is, it doesn't come cheap. It's $1000 an inch."
The man perks up at this.
"So," the doctor says, "it's for you to decide how many inches you
want. But it's something you'd better discuss with your wife. I mean, if
you had a five inch one before, and you decide to go for a nine incher,
she might be a bit put out. But if you had a nine inch one before, and
you decide only to invest in a five incher this time, she might be
disappointed. So it's important that she plays a role in helping you make the decision."
The man agrees to talk with his wife. The doctor comes back the next
day.
"So," says the doctor, "have you spoken with your wife?"
"I have," says the man.
"And has she helped you in making the decision?"
"She has," says the man.
"And what is it?" asks the doctor.
"We're getting a new kitchen."
Something New
So I've got these really big ideas for posts, right, but I don't often have the time to type, edit, and post them, so I thought, "If people are going to read this thing, then post something. So I thought "Why not these joke e-mails I get?
They're funny and they're easy to post. So here goes one for today (and I apologize for any I may repeat in the future).
Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns
Dear Walter:
I hope you can help me here.
The other day I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a mile down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help.
When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with a neighbor lady making mad passionate love to her. I am 32, my husband is 34 and we have been married for twelve years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that he'd been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him.
He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don't feel I can get through to him anymore. Can you please help?
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheila
Dear Sheila: A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the jubilee clips holding the vacuum pipes onto the inlet manifold. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber.
I hope this helps.
Walter
They're funny and they're easy to post. So here goes one for today (and I apologize for any I may repeat in the future).
Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns
Dear Walter:
I hope you can help me here.
The other day I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a mile down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help.
When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with a neighbor lady making mad passionate love to her. I am 32, my husband is 34 and we have been married for twelve years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that he'd been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him.
He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don't feel I can get through to him anymore. Can you please help?
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheila
Dear Sheila: A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the jubilee clips holding the vacuum pipes onto the inlet manifold. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber.
I hope this helps.
Walter
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Premieres and Notables; Jan 7-13, 2008
I don't remember if I had ABC's Cashmere Mafia premiere tonight on last week's post, but it premieres tonight at 9:01 CST.
Monday, 1/7
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Travel. 9 pm CST. 4th season premiere.
Medium; NBC. 9 pm. 4th season premiere.
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann; ABC. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Two judges from Dancing With the Stars find something to do until the March premiere of that show.
Tuesday, 1/8
How Much is Enough?; GSN. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Corbin Bernsen hosts this gameshow that has four people competing to not be the greediest...
One Tree Hill; CW. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
In a ballsy move, the show jumps forward four years in time, to the post-college years of the characters. Kinda cool-- it avoids the whole B.S. "everyone ended up going to the same college" storyline that other shows have fallen into.
Street Patrol; MNT. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
This COPS knock-off is brought to you by COPS creator John Langely.
Parking Wars; A&E. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
This reality show looks at the Philadelphia Parking Authority officers who enforce parking laws. [Are you f-bombing kidding me?]
Carpoolers (ABC, 8:30) returns from a brief hiatus, and the pilot episode of House airs tonight on FOX at 8:00 pm.
CBS tries to air the People's Choice Awards at 8 pm. Somehow it's "hosted" by Queen Latifah (without help by the striking writers) and will incorporate acceptance video clips by the winners since no one will cross the picket line.
Wednesday, 1/9
Ghost Hunters International; Sci Fi. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
A ghostbuster team investigates the paranormal. Geez... and I thought the network's endless airing of s-bomb-y made-for-TV movies was bad.
The Jewish Americans; PBS. 8 pm (check listings). Mini-series.
This three-part series explores Jewish-American history.
And Cashmere Mafia goes to its regular timeslot (9 pm, ABC).
Thursday, 1/10
Live From Lincoln Center; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). 33rd season premiere.
Thirty-three seasons? Dang!
Soundstage; PBS. 9 pm (check listings). 6th season premiere.
The first two weeks feature a Tom Petty concert in Florida.
Make Me a Supermodel; Bravo. 9 pm. Bravo.
Well, Thank God Bravo finally stepped up to the plate and responded to the dearth of modeling reality shows. Now young women have a show to go on and compete for a modeling contract. Pretty ingenious idea...
And it just may be possible that one of the the Charisma Carpenter guest-starring episodes of Big Shots that ABC keeps pulling from the schedule just may air tonight at 9:02.
Friday, 1/11
Comedy Central Presents; Comedy central. 9 pm. 12th season premiere.
Stephen Lynch opens the season. [I thought Com Central had given up the stand-up shows... Nice to see they're still there once in a while.]
My Big Redneck Wedding; CMT. 8:30. Series Premiere.
I usually don't include CMT programs in these posts but I had to mention this one. As if redneck weddings weren't cool enough, the show is hosted by Tom Arnold. I just may watch this one.
Monk has some premiere of some sort (season premiere?) on USA at 8 pm. It's hard to tell with all the premieres and specials and all that where this show lies in the "premiere" department.
Real Time With Bill Maher; HBO. 10. 6th season premiere.
Oh good! I was feeling less informed than usual of late. I can't wait until this show comes back. Recommended (wow, it's been a long time since I wrote that in one of these posts).
Saturday, 1/12
Jamie at Home; Food Network. 8:30 am. Series Premiere.
Chef Jamie Oliver lives in a farmhouse, grows his own vegetables, and then cooks 'em up.
Rachael's Vacation; Food Network. 8 am. Series Premiere.
Rachael Ray milks one more second of her fifteen minutes of fame in yet another show.
Sunday, 1/13
Masterpiece; PBS. 8 pm. 38th season premiere
The formerly named Masterpiece Theatre splits its shows up into thirds this season. The first third is classic dramas. Tonight opens with Jane Austin's "Persuasion".
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; FOX. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Tonight and tomorrow launches one of the most-anticipated (even more so now that the strike has killed many shows) new shows of the year. Sarah and John try to rebuild their lives while avoiding the Terminators sent to kill them.
I have a few friends who watch this, so I'll mention it: VH1 airs a second season of Rock of Love, where 20 new skanks and media whores are trotted out so Bret Michaels can eventually drop them all and have a season three. The fun begins at 8 pm.
And NBC will air the very quiet Golden Globes at 7 pm. Writers won't be writing for the show, and the Screen Actors Guild announced that their members will not cross the picket lines this week. At least this way, the show shouldn't run over 3 hours...
Monday, 1/7
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Travel. 9 pm CST. 4th season premiere.
Medium; NBC. 9 pm. 4th season premiere.
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann; ABC. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Two judges from Dancing With the Stars find something to do until the March premiere of that show.
Tuesday, 1/8
How Much is Enough?; GSN. 8 pm. Series premiere.
Corbin Bernsen hosts this gameshow that has four people competing to not be the greediest...
One Tree Hill; CW. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
In a ballsy move, the show jumps forward four years in time, to the post-college years of the characters. Kinda cool-- it avoids the whole B.S. "everyone ended up going to the same college" storyline that other shows have fallen into.
Street Patrol; MNT. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
This COPS knock-off is brought to you by COPS creator John Langely.
Parking Wars; A&E. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
This reality show looks at the Philadelphia Parking Authority officers who enforce parking laws. [Are you f-bombing kidding me?]
Carpoolers (ABC, 8:30) returns from a brief hiatus, and the pilot episode of House airs tonight on FOX at 8:00 pm.
CBS tries to air the People's Choice Awards at 8 pm. Somehow it's "hosted" by Queen Latifah (without help by the striking writers) and will incorporate acceptance video clips by the winners since no one will cross the picket line.
Wednesday, 1/9
Ghost Hunters International; Sci Fi. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
A ghostbuster team investigates the paranormal. Geez... and I thought the network's endless airing of s-bomb-y made-for-TV movies was bad.
The Jewish Americans; PBS. 8 pm (check listings). Mini-series.
This three-part series explores Jewish-American history.
And Cashmere Mafia goes to its regular timeslot (9 pm, ABC).
Thursday, 1/10
Live From Lincoln Center; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). 33rd season premiere.
Thirty-three seasons? Dang!
Soundstage; PBS. 9 pm (check listings). 6th season premiere.
The first two weeks feature a Tom Petty concert in Florida.
Make Me a Supermodel; Bravo. 9 pm. Bravo.
Well, Thank God Bravo finally stepped up to the plate and responded to the dearth of modeling reality shows. Now young women have a show to go on and compete for a modeling contract. Pretty ingenious idea...
And it just may be possible that one of the the Charisma Carpenter guest-starring episodes of Big Shots that ABC keeps pulling from the schedule just may air tonight at 9:02.
Friday, 1/11
Comedy Central Presents; Comedy central. 9 pm. 12th season premiere.
Stephen Lynch opens the season. [I thought Com Central had given up the stand-up shows... Nice to see they're still there once in a while.]
My Big Redneck Wedding; CMT. 8:30. Series Premiere.
I usually don't include CMT programs in these posts but I had to mention this one. As if redneck weddings weren't cool enough, the show is hosted by Tom Arnold. I just may watch this one.
Monk has some premiere of some sort (season premiere?) on USA at 8 pm. It's hard to tell with all the premieres and specials and all that where this show lies in the "premiere" department.
Real Time With Bill Maher; HBO. 10. 6th season premiere.
Oh good! I was feeling less informed than usual of late. I can't wait until this show comes back. Recommended (wow, it's been a long time since I wrote that in one of these posts).
Saturday, 1/12
Jamie at Home; Food Network. 8:30 am. Series Premiere.
Chef Jamie Oliver lives in a farmhouse, grows his own vegetables, and then cooks 'em up.
Rachael's Vacation; Food Network. 8 am. Series Premiere.
Rachael Ray milks one more second of her fifteen minutes of fame in yet another show.
Sunday, 1/13
Masterpiece; PBS. 8 pm. 38th season premiere
The formerly named Masterpiece Theatre splits its shows up into thirds this season. The first third is classic dramas. Tonight opens with Jane Austin's "Persuasion".
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; FOX. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Tonight and tomorrow launches one of the most-anticipated (even more so now that the strike has killed many shows) new shows of the year. Sarah and John try to rebuild their lives while avoiding the Terminators sent to kill them.
I have a few friends who watch this, so I'll mention it: VH1 airs a second season of Rock of Love, where 20 new skanks and media whores are trotted out so Bret Michaels can eventually drop them all and have a season three. The fun begins at 8 pm.
And NBC will air the very quiet Golden Globes at 7 pm. Writers won't be writing for the show, and the Screen Actors Guild announced that their members will not cross the picket lines this week. At least this way, the show shouldn't run over 3 hours...
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