Every comic book fan has story ideas. I don't know if it's the abounding love of characters and concepts or the prevalent belief among fanboys that they could do better if a company would let them work on their favorite book.
Hey, even I have a kick-ass idea for an epic comic book series I've never told anyone about just in case I ever get the chance to write a it (yes, delusion also runs in the veins of fanboys). Although my ideas have been used in Star Trek Voyager, Wolverine, The Hulk, The Avengers, many by Brian Michael Bendis, and on and on. It sucks when my ideas are formed over fifteen years ago and were stolen from me-- and I never got to tell my story!
Just kidding. (About my rage.)
I'm still available to Marvel if they want me to send my series outline...
Anyway, here's a fun blog post by a guy (tongue-in-cheek-ish in spirit, but the dude would take the shot if DC gave it to him) who's offering his ideas for Legion of Super-Heroes. I love this guy's enthusiasm-- and the post was a great reminder of why I love that team.
Don't forget to read the word balloons. Most are pretty funny.
Here's the link: http://mightygodking.com/index.php/i-should-write-the-legion/
I thought the ideas were kick-ass, and that's why I love comics-- everyone's got ideas.
("UltraBoy will not be a stupid [f-bomb]ing jackass"... Classic.)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The 2008 Q1 DVD list: A's & B's
Once-- I raved about this one in a previous post, and I will again because the movie has stuck with me a month later. I just listened to some songs from the film soundtrack, and it all came back. There are great movies to watch, and then there are very rare gems that “change” you after watching them. This is one of those gems. A
The Simpsons Movie— At the beginning of the movie, Homer stands up during a showing of the Itchy and Scratchy movie and asks, “Why pay for something we can see for free?” Because you can’t get this kind of quality on free TV. Everything you love about The Simpsons is multiplied by a hundred for the movie. The animation was better and more adventurous, and the story was also beyond what would fit into the show (props to the creators for making an actual movie, and not something that could conveniently be broken up into TV episodes). I still like The Simpsons, but I haven’t loved it in years. I loved this movie, though. A-
The Bourne Ultimatum— A great capper to a great series. Jason gets closer to the truth of his existence. I must say I was surprised to learn his “origin story”. The action was smart and crazy, and the cast was stellar. A-
Eastern Promises— The story was good enough, but the direction and the performances really put this film near the top of the heap. Viggo Mortenson was phenomenal. A-
Shoot ‘Em Up— Imagine every action movie you’ve ever seen turned up to 11. This movie went beyond the point of ridiculous (as was intended), and it’s a testament to Clive Owen (as well as Paul Giamatti)’s abilities that kept it all within the context of the story. Lesser actors would have easily lost control of the ludicrous situations herein. I mean, is there any other actor you can think of that could make chewing a carrot stick as badass as Owen does? The film was a satire of sorts, but the kind where the players are winking at us as if to say “Listen, we know this is beyond over the top, but doesn’t it look cool?” And if you have time, check out the special features on the DVD as they’re pretty funny in their own rights, like the question asked of cast and crew of how many people are killed in the movie and then get answers like “Lots” or “I lost track after 100/200/300”. A-
3:10 To Yuma-- Christian Bale and Russell Crowe at their best. Wow. Just a pleasure to watch them work. And the story was great as well. You kinda know who's gonna die by the credits(there is a bit of a "formula"), but there were a few twists just before and after it that made it very interesting. A-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-- Each film in the series has a more grown up Harry, and this no exception. Harry gets a band of “rebels” together to fight against Valdemort because no one else will. Good moments and effects, and the kids are growing into pretty good actors (how cool are their lives, working with the incredible talent they get to work with?) B+
Dexter: Season One -- It’s a cheat that I’ve included a TV series, but it’s a really good one that I saw for the first time on DVD. B+
Stardust-- I read a number of mixed reviews about this fantasy movie, but I really enjoyed it. The effects were good and the story and characters had a nice humor about them. B+
Rescue Dawn—Great story, but nothing groundbreaking other than Christian Bale’s usually great work and Steve Zahn’s very great attempt at pure drama. B
Hairspray— I watched this on a whim, but I’m glad I saw it. I’m not one for musicals, but it worked in this movie. The young cast was great—and the message of the movie was a good one to keep in mind. The biggest downside to this movie was John Travolta’s ridiculous-looking makeup job to look like a woman. I know the part is traditionally played by a man, but they could have done better. Not that Travolta was bad (he was actually quite effective), but I never saw "Mrs. Turnblad", I just saw Travolta in drag. B
The Waitress— I liked the “realistic” attitude of the movie (sometimes pregnancy is not a “wondrous gift” due to circumstances), but some of the characters were a bit over the top. It was very funny (black humor) in many spots, so it’s worth watching. B
Live Free or Die Hard— About half-way through this movie, I completely expected John McClain to get caught in an explosion and emerge from the flames with his skin melted off and continue the movie as a Terminator T-800. I haven’t watched a Die Hard movie since Die Hard with a Vengeance was in the theatres, so I forgot how unbelievably over the top they can be. This one was even more so. But it was fun. And it had Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant (who I really wish could snag a movie role that comes close to the ultra-cool/badass Sheriff Bullock he played in Deadwood). B
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters— A documentary about the struggle between two men to attain the highest score ever achieved on Donkey Kong. It was crazy. And pretty effective. B
Underdog— I watched the cartoon as a kid, but I don’t remember hardly anything about it, so this was a fresh take for me. Yeah, it’s a kid movie, but there were some good lines and good scenes. I doubt I would have watched it if I was childless, but the boys and I liked it enough. B
Superbad— funny but vulgar. But that’s what you can expect from the Apatow clan. Laughs, laughs, and then the inevitable thing that makes you say, “Okay, that was a bit much.” And then repeat the cycle. B
No End in Sight— I don’t know why I do this to myself. Let’s see: a movie that looks at the failings of the United States as it created the Iraq War. No big surprises here when I say the Administration [f-bomb]ed up. Not that the movie isn’t worth checking out—especially since the irritation at the clowns in the White House seems to have worn off for the average American. We should remember that a group of complete morons got us into a war that we’re going to have an incredibly difficult time getting out of. I (and the movie) am not saying we shouldn’t be there to help out—but it’s obvious we went about it the wrong way. B
The Best of the Colbert Report-- Good on moderation. Don’t try to watch the whole thing from start to finish like I did because it almost becomes a chore. B-
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End-- Kind of a mess. Okay, quite a bit of a mess. It had enough action and fun scenes, but it tried so hard to wrap up storylines that it jumped around quite a bit—even though the film was squarely hinged on Captain Sparrow; most everyone else was just a player in his story. Depp was better than he should have been considering the movie didn’t expect much from anyone else. B-
Pan’s Labyrinth— Pretty to look at, but very odd. I have to admit I didn’t know what was going on half the time. And the ending made the usual quote from critics: “fairy tale for adults” pretty much sum it up. B-
The Waterhorse—film. Another movie for kids that worked well enough for adults. It did follow the kids adventure formula strictly enough, but Alex Etel was fun to watch as Angus. B-
Iditarod 2007: As Tough As They Come-- I’ve always been intrigued by dog sledding (maybe because the biggest race in the lower 48 states begins in the area I grew up in), and this was a good recap of the 2007 race, but I wish there would have been more than just an hour-long recap of the race. I wonder what HBO Sports could have done with it. Now that would be awesome. B-
Mr. Bean’s Holiday-- Another movie for kids, but an adult can appreciate the goings on as well as the realization that Bean doesn’t speak hardly anything resembling English in the whole movie. It’s tough to have an audience sympathize with a character through just his actions (most of which get him into some sort of trouble). B-
The Simpsons Movie— At the beginning of the movie, Homer stands up during a showing of the Itchy and Scratchy movie and asks, “Why pay for something we can see for free?” Because you can’t get this kind of quality on free TV. Everything you love about The Simpsons is multiplied by a hundred for the movie. The animation was better and more adventurous, and the story was also beyond what would fit into the show (props to the creators for making an actual movie, and not something that could conveniently be broken up into TV episodes). I still like The Simpsons, but I haven’t loved it in years. I loved this movie, though. A-
The Bourne Ultimatum— A great capper to a great series. Jason gets closer to the truth of his existence. I must say I was surprised to learn his “origin story”. The action was smart and crazy, and the cast was stellar. A-
Eastern Promises— The story was good enough, but the direction and the performances really put this film near the top of the heap. Viggo Mortenson was phenomenal. A-
Shoot ‘Em Up— Imagine every action movie you’ve ever seen turned up to 11. This movie went beyond the point of ridiculous (as was intended), and it’s a testament to Clive Owen (as well as Paul Giamatti)’s abilities that kept it all within the context of the story. Lesser actors would have easily lost control of the ludicrous situations herein. I mean, is there any other actor you can think of that could make chewing a carrot stick as badass as Owen does? The film was a satire of sorts, but the kind where the players are winking at us as if to say “Listen, we know this is beyond over the top, but doesn’t it look cool?” And if you have time, check out the special features on the DVD as they’re pretty funny in their own rights, like the question asked of cast and crew of how many people are killed in the movie and then get answers like “Lots” or “I lost track after 100/200/300”. A-
3:10 To Yuma-- Christian Bale and Russell Crowe at their best. Wow. Just a pleasure to watch them work. And the story was great as well. You kinda know who's gonna die by the credits(there is a bit of a "formula"), but there were a few twists just before and after it that made it very interesting. A-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-- Each film in the series has a more grown up Harry, and this no exception. Harry gets a band of “rebels” together to fight against Valdemort because no one else will. Good moments and effects, and the kids are growing into pretty good actors (how cool are their lives, working with the incredible talent they get to work with?) B+
Dexter: Season One -- It’s a cheat that I’ve included a TV series, but it’s a really good one that I saw for the first time on DVD. B+
Stardust-- I read a number of mixed reviews about this fantasy movie, but I really enjoyed it. The effects were good and the story and characters had a nice humor about them. B+
Rescue Dawn—Great story, but nothing groundbreaking other than Christian Bale’s usually great work and Steve Zahn’s very great attempt at pure drama. B
Hairspray— I watched this on a whim, but I’m glad I saw it. I’m not one for musicals, but it worked in this movie. The young cast was great—and the message of the movie was a good one to keep in mind. The biggest downside to this movie was John Travolta’s ridiculous-looking makeup job to look like a woman. I know the part is traditionally played by a man, but they could have done better. Not that Travolta was bad (he was actually quite effective), but I never saw "Mrs. Turnblad", I just saw Travolta in drag. B
The Waitress— I liked the “realistic” attitude of the movie (sometimes pregnancy is not a “wondrous gift” due to circumstances), but some of the characters were a bit over the top. It was very funny (black humor) in many spots, so it’s worth watching. B
Live Free or Die Hard— About half-way through this movie, I completely expected John McClain to get caught in an explosion and emerge from the flames with his skin melted off and continue the movie as a Terminator T-800. I haven’t watched a Die Hard movie since Die Hard with a Vengeance was in the theatres, so I forgot how unbelievably over the top they can be. This one was even more so. But it was fun. And it had Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant (who I really wish could snag a movie role that comes close to the ultra-cool/badass Sheriff Bullock he played in Deadwood). B
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters— A documentary about the struggle between two men to attain the highest score ever achieved on Donkey Kong. It was crazy. And pretty effective. B
Underdog— I watched the cartoon as a kid, but I don’t remember hardly anything about it, so this was a fresh take for me. Yeah, it’s a kid movie, but there were some good lines and good scenes. I doubt I would have watched it if I was childless, but the boys and I liked it enough. B
Superbad— funny but vulgar. But that’s what you can expect from the Apatow clan. Laughs, laughs, and then the inevitable thing that makes you say, “Okay, that was a bit much.” And then repeat the cycle. B
No End in Sight— I don’t know why I do this to myself. Let’s see: a movie that looks at the failings of the United States as it created the Iraq War. No big surprises here when I say the Administration [f-bomb]ed up. Not that the movie isn’t worth checking out—especially since the irritation at the clowns in the White House seems to have worn off for the average American. We should remember that a group of complete morons got us into a war that we’re going to have an incredibly difficult time getting out of. I (and the movie) am not saying we shouldn’t be there to help out—but it’s obvious we went about it the wrong way. B
The Best of the Colbert Report-- Good on moderation. Don’t try to watch the whole thing from start to finish like I did because it almost becomes a chore. B-
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End-- Kind of a mess. Okay, quite a bit of a mess. It had enough action and fun scenes, but it tried so hard to wrap up storylines that it jumped around quite a bit—even though the film was squarely hinged on Captain Sparrow; most everyone else was just a player in his story. Depp was better than he should have been considering the movie didn’t expect much from anyone else. B-
Pan’s Labyrinth— Pretty to look at, but very odd. I have to admit I didn’t know what was going on half the time. And the ending made the usual quote from critics: “fairy tale for adults” pretty much sum it up. B-
The Waterhorse—film. Another movie for kids that worked well enough for adults. It did follow the kids adventure formula strictly enough, but Alex Etel was fun to watch as Angus. B-
Iditarod 2007: As Tough As They Come-- I’ve always been intrigued by dog sledding (maybe because the biggest race in the lower 48 states begins in the area I grew up in), and this was a good recap of the 2007 race, but I wish there would have been more than just an hour-long recap of the race. I wonder what HBO Sports could have done with it. Now that would be awesome. B-
Mr. Bean’s Holiday-- Another movie for kids, but an adult can appreciate the goings on as well as the realization that Bean doesn’t speak hardly anything resembling English in the whole movie. It’s tough to have an audience sympathize with a character through just his actions (most of which get him into some sort of trouble). B-
The Actual Q1 DVD List; C's-F
License to Wed—John Krasinski doing what he does best (being a lovable goof), Robin Williams doing what he does best (side gags around the script), and Mandy Moore (sadly) not really a part of it. I’m kinda stuck here. The movie wasn’t much, but it did have good performances at times. At times I was bored and at others I was interested. I didn’t find it great, but I also didn’t find it as bad as many reviews I read said it was. C+
Chalk— A humorous documentary-style look at teaching (think The Office, just not as funny). It had good moments, but I just didn’t care about the characters. C+
Hot Rod—Another one that I had low expectations for. It was dumb and not particularly funny, but worked for a Saturday night. C+
Reno 911: Miami— I usually tire of Reno 911 part-way through the season. This movie was pretty much the same. But instead of great gags in a bare plot as on TV, we got a decent (if unbelievable) plot and not many great gags. C
Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams— I had heard such good things about this import from Serbia, but it was just so depressing, and it waited too long to get to the “reveal” that I wasn’t grabbed by it as I wanted to be. C
The Nanny Diaries—Good performances by Scarlett Johannson, Laura Linney, and a great one by Paul Giamatti, but I just didn’t care about them. C-
The Dead Girl—depressing. I can’t say it wasn’t a good movie but I was completely uninterested in these depressing as Hell characters. And that’s too bad because the movie took a unique approach at the aftermath of the murder of a young woman by showing a number of different angles/stories of women who were affected by it. C-
No Reservations—I wish there’d be a movie that explains the brains of “food people”. I read Kitchen Confidential but even that was a bit too “inside” for me (although I know not to get surf meals from Friday to Monday and that chefs used to get hopped up on some sort of drugs to keep going). This movie did nothing for me. Even though it starred Aaron Eckhart, I still wasn’t drawn in. It was everything a “chick flick” should be because it followed the formula to the letter. D+
Thunderpants—A story about a boy with terrible flatulence, and how he parlayed that “curse” into a gift by saving the world. I didn’t have any great expectations about it, and it certainly didn’t deliver. D-
Waiting—TV. I like Ryan Reynolds and I like Justin Long, but I did not like this movie. It tried being a 21st Century Clerks but it wasn’t funny; it just was vulgar. F.
Chalk— A humorous documentary-style look at teaching (think The Office, just not as funny). It had good moments, but I just didn’t care about the characters. C+
Hot Rod—Another one that I had low expectations for. It was dumb and not particularly funny, but worked for a Saturday night. C+
Reno 911: Miami— I usually tire of Reno 911 part-way through the season. This movie was pretty much the same. But instead of great gags in a bare plot as on TV, we got a decent (if unbelievable) plot and not many great gags. C
Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams— I had heard such good things about this import from Serbia, but it was just so depressing, and it waited too long to get to the “reveal” that I wasn’t grabbed by it as I wanted to be. C
The Nanny Diaries—Good performances by Scarlett Johannson, Laura Linney, and a great one by Paul Giamatti, but I just didn’t care about them. C-
The Dead Girl—depressing. I can’t say it wasn’t a good movie but I was completely uninterested in these depressing as Hell characters. And that’s too bad because the movie took a unique approach at the aftermath of the murder of a young woman by showing a number of different angles/stories of women who were affected by it. C-
No Reservations—I wish there’d be a movie that explains the brains of “food people”. I read Kitchen Confidential but even that was a bit too “inside” for me (although I know not to get surf meals from Friday to Monday and that chefs used to get hopped up on some sort of drugs to keep going). This movie did nothing for me. Even though it starred Aaron Eckhart, I still wasn’t drawn in. It was everything a “chick flick” should be because it followed the formula to the letter. D+
Thunderpants—A story about a boy with terrible flatulence, and how he parlayed that “curse” into a gift by saving the world. I didn’t have any great expectations about it, and it certainly didn’t deliver. D-
Waiting—TV. I like Ryan Reynolds and I like Justin Long, but I did not like this movie. It tried being a 21st Century Clerks but it wasn’t funny; it just was vulgar. F.
2008 Q1 DVDs
If you recall, earlier this year I gave my mini-reviews on all the movies I watched last year via DVD, premium cable channel, or actually in the theatre. The posts were a big hit (in my mind-- no one commented on the posts).
Part of the trouble of doing things that way was there was a pretty big distance between me watching and then "reviewing" some of them; sometimes a time gap of a year or longer.
I had some time to go over what I've watched so far this year (I'm on an even larger movie-watching pace than last year) and thought I should try to do it by quarter this year, so here are the movies I watched from January to March, 2008.
I tried to rank them from favorite to least favorite this time. Partially so it made a little sense (and since I haven't watched 100 movies yet this year, it made doing a Top 20 tough) and partially because I am able to remember all the movies I've watched so far better than doing a year at a time.
Before I begin, let me lay down the ground rules (hopefully they're similar to last time's): they were watched on DVD unless noted. Why's that important? I found last year that I graded films I saw in theatres maybe a half-grade higher probably because I was influenced by that experience. Also, DVD extras can play a part in determining a grade (if noted).
A friend of mine asked me how I see so many better than average movies, and the simple answer is: I try to keep abreast of good things out there. There is way too much crap on DVD, in theatres, in books, etc that I use critic reviews as guidelines often (not for my "reviews", but as a kind of guidebook to what to watch or read). If Entertainment Weekly or my newspaper gave a book or a movie a good review, I either put it on hold at the library or write it down on my "to watch/read someday" list (which is getting much too large). I also use friends a little (I'm usually the most-informed person I know of such things-- not bragging, just keepin' it real) and sometimes I just take a chance. And I watch 75-100 movies a year as well as around 100 TV shows a year, so I'm getting pretty good at picking out what I'll like. That's why you'll find many, many more B's than D's. I'm able to make better choices for me.
Maybe my choices can help you. I wish I had more time to review each one, but I barely had the time for these little writeups.
Like last time: A's are the cream of the crop, and a heartily recommend them. B's are better than average and good for entertainment in most cases (or at least showcase good to great acting or directing). C's still have value, but could be above or below average slightly (depending on how I was feeling when I watched it). D's have little going for them; maybe a good performance by an actor or enough funny lines to make watching it not completely a waste of time. F's have no redeeming value, and you are only going to put yourself through the misery I went through.
One last thing: if you actually paid any attention to the 2007 grades, note that I didn't consult that list to make these grades. It's possible that a movie I gave a B+ to last year would have earned a B- this year. Don't take too much stock in the grade other than just as the guidelines I established in the last paragraph. Ranking them as I do this year will help with that, too.
Lovely... My intro took up more space than I thought.
Okay, next post will be the list (or a part of it-- we'll see how big it gets).
Part of the trouble of doing things that way was there was a pretty big distance between me watching and then "reviewing" some of them; sometimes a time gap of a year or longer.
I had some time to go over what I've watched so far this year (I'm on an even larger movie-watching pace than last year) and thought I should try to do it by quarter this year, so here are the movies I watched from January to March, 2008.
I tried to rank them from favorite to least favorite this time. Partially so it made a little sense (and since I haven't watched 100 movies yet this year, it made doing a Top 20 tough) and partially because I am able to remember all the movies I've watched so far better than doing a year at a time.
Before I begin, let me lay down the ground rules (hopefully they're similar to last time's): they were watched on DVD unless noted. Why's that important? I found last year that I graded films I saw in theatres maybe a half-grade higher probably because I was influenced by that experience. Also, DVD extras can play a part in determining a grade (if noted).
A friend of mine asked me how I see so many better than average movies, and the simple answer is: I try to keep abreast of good things out there. There is way too much crap on DVD, in theatres, in books, etc that I use critic reviews as guidelines often (not for my "reviews", but as a kind of guidebook to what to watch or read). If Entertainment Weekly or my newspaper gave a book or a movie a good review, I either put it on hold at the library or write it down on my "to watch/read someday" list (which is getting much too large). I also use friends a little (I'm usually the most-informed person I know of such things-- not bragging, just keepin' it real) and sometimes I just take a chance. And I watch 75-100 movies a year as well as around 100 TV shows a year, so I'm getting pretty good at picking out what I'll like. That's why you'll find many, many more B's than D's. I'm able to make better choices for me.
Maybe my choices can help you. I wish I had more time to review each one, but I barely had the time for these little writeups.
Like last time: A's are the cream of the crop, and a heartily recommend them. B's are better than average and good for entertainment in most cases (or at least showcase good to great acting or directing). C's still have value, but could be above or below average slightly (depending on how I was feeling when I watched it). D's have little going for them; maybe a good performance by an actor or enough funny lines to make watching it not completely a waste of time. F's have no redeeming value, and you are only going to put yourself through the misery I went through.
One last thing: if you actually paid any attention to the 2007 grades, note that I didn't consult that list to make these grades. It's possible that a movie I gave a B+ to last year would have earned a B- this year. Don't take too much stock in the grade other than just as the guidelines I established in the last paragraph. Ranking them as I do this year will help with that, too.
Lovely... My intro took up more space than I thought.
Okay, next post will be the list (or a part of it-- we'll see how big it gets).
Something's Not Right
I don't want to jump on any bandwagon or anything, but something struck me as very odd this afternoon:
I went to Burger King to work on completing my Iron Man toy collection, and my cheeseburger meal came to $2.84.
I drove a mile down the road and noticed the price of a gallon of gas is $3.64.
I got a cheeseburger, a small Coke, and small fries-- and a freakin' toy-- for almost a dollar less than a gallon of gas. Crazy.
I also heard earlier today that the major oil companies had better than expected first quarters again this year.
Well, thank goodness the economic troubles we're in isn't affecting everyone.
Let's end on a happier note (for me anyway; I feel bad for you other suckas): my ticket to the first Iron Man showing on the big-ass UltraScreen tomorrow night just printed out of my printer. I don't let myself get excited for much (keep expectations low), but I am excited for this movie. I love Batman and Indiana Jones, but I was a BIG Iron Man fan back in the day...
I went to Burger King to work on completing my Iron Man toy collection, and my cheeseburger meal came to $2.84.
I drove a mile down the road and noticed the price of a gallon of gas is $3.64.
I got a cheeseburger, a small Coke, and small fries-- and a freakin' toy-- for almost a dollar less than a gallon of gas. Crazy.
I also heard earlier today that the major oil companies had better than expected first quarters again this year.
Well, thank goodness the economic troubles we're in isn't affecting everyone.
Let's end on a happier note (for me anyway; I feel bad for you other suckas): my ticket to the first Iron Man showing on the big-ass UltraScreen tomorrow night just printed out of my printer. I don't let myself get excited for much (keep expectations low), but I am excited for this movie. I love Batman and Indiana Jones, but I was a BIG Iron Man fan back in the day...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Premieres and Notables, April 28- May 4, 2008
Monday, 4/28
Return:
House (FOX, 8 pm CST)
Season finale:
High School Confidential (WE, 9 pm CST)
I'm a Star Wars fan, but I don't know if I'm this much of a fan: Deal or No Deal (NBC, 7 pm) has a 2-hr episode built around a Star Wars theme, with Stormtroopers, models in "slave girl" outfits, Chewbacca, Darth Vader as The Banker, and an appearance by Carrie Fisher. Can I get myself to watch this thing or not? If anything comes of it, it may be that the Star Wars Holiday Special from the '70s may not be a low point for the franchise on TV anymore.
Tuesday, 4/29
Raw Nature; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Filmmakers get up-close and personal with dangerous animals.
The Streak; ESPN2. 8 pm. Special
This documentary looks at the pressure for wrestlers at Brandon High School in Tampa, who have a 451-match winning streak-- started in 1974!
Robin Williams plays a rabble-rouser who wants people to question authority on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 9 pm).
Season Finale:
The Riches (FX, 9 pm)
Return:
Shark (CBS, 8 pm)
Women's Murder Club (ABC, 9:02)
Wednesday, 4/30
Farmer Wants a Wife; CW. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Ten city girls compete to win the affections of one farmer.
Move/new day:
Boston Legal (ABC, 9 pm)
Thursday, 5/1
Earl finally gets out of the coma on My Name is Earl (NBC, 7:00). I love that the show still takes chances, but the coma thing didn't work for me.
Stanley has enough of Michael and tells him so in a meeting, and Michael decides to give him an "attitude adjustment" on The Office (NBC, 8 pm).
After Dr. Kelso's classic (but not classy) exit last week, Dr. Cox finds himself the Chief of Medicine on Scrubs (NBC, 8:31).
Friday, 5/2
Speed Racer: The Next Generation; Nicktoons. 6 pm. Series Premiere.
Speed's son takes over the family business.
Return:
Man vs. Wild (Discovery, 8 pm).
Sunday, 5/4
TCM acknowledges the tenth-anniversary of the death of Frank Sinatra by offering blocks of music and movies featuring him every Sunday and Wednesday night in May.
This American Life; Showtime. 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Season finales:
Wire in the Blood (BBC America, 7 pm)
Family Guy (FOX, 8 pm)
Return:
House (FOX, 8 pm CST)
Season finale:
High School Confidential (WE, 9 pm CST)
I'm a Star Wars fan, but I don't know if I'm this much of a fan: Deal or No Deal (NBC, 7 pm) has a 2-hr episode built around a Star Wars theme, with Stormtroopers, models in "slave girl" outfits, Chewbacca, Darth Vader as The Banker, and an appearance by Carrie Fisher. Can I get myself to watch this thing or not? If anything comes of it, it may be that the Star Wars Holiday Special from the '70s may not be a low point for the franchise on TV anymore.
Tuesday, 4/29
Raw Nature; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Filmmakers get up-close and personal with dangerous animals.
The Streak; ESPN2. 8 pm. Special
This documentary looks at the pressure for wrestlers at Brandon High School in Tampa, who have a 451-match winning streak-- started in 1974!
Robin Williams plays a rabble-rouser who wants people to question authority on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 9 pm).
Season Finale:
The Riches (FX, 9 pm)
Return:
Shark (CBS, 8 pm)
Women's Murder Club (ABC, 9:02)
Wednesday, 4/30
Farmer Wants a Wife; CW. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Ten city girls compete to win the affections of one farmer.
Move/new day:
Boston Legal (ABC, 9 pm)
Thursday, 5/1
Earl finally gets out of the coma on My Name is Earl (NBC, 7:00). I love that the show still takes chances, but the coma thing didn't work for me.
Stanley has enough of Michael and tells him so in a meeting, and Michael decides to give him an "attitude adjustment" on The Office (NBC, 8 pm).
After Dr. Kelso's classic (but not classy) exit last week, Dr. Cox finds himself the Chief of Medicine on Scrubs (NBC, 8:31).
Friday, 5/2
Speed Racer: The Next Generation; Nicktoons. 6 pm. Series Premiere.
Speed's son takes over the family business.
Return:
Man vs. Wild (Discovery, 8 pm).
Sunday, 5/4
TCM acknowledges the tenth-anniversary of the death of Frank Sinatra by offering blocks of music and movies featuring him every Sunday and Wednesday night in May.
This American Life; Showtime. 9 pm. 2nd season premiere.
Season finales:
Wire in the Blood (BBC America, 7 pm)
Family Guy (FOX, 8 pm)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Premieres and Notables, April 21-27, 2008
Monday, 4/21
Robin's "previous life" as Robin Sparkles comes back to haunt her again when old flame James Van Der Beek shows up on How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30 CST).
Return:
Gossip Girl (CW; 7 pm)
Season Finale:
America's Prom Queen (ABC Family, 8 pm CST)
Tuesday, 4/22
The Pixar Story; Starz. 9 pm. Movie.
Documentary that charts the history of the famed studio. How many other studios have as high quality a "batting average" like they do? I'll tell you: none.
Wednesday, 4/23
Secrets of the Dead; PBS. 7 pm CST (check local listings). 7th season premiere.
National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth; PBS. 8 pm & 9 pm (check local listings). 2nd season premiere.
And I wanted to point you in the direction of 'Til Death (FOX, 7 pm), which has really taken off (or gotten some) in hilarity with the addition of J.B. Smoove. Good stuff.
And Jesse L. Martin ends his 9 year (almost 200 episodes) run on Law and Order (NBC; 9 pm). I've never seen the show, but that's an impressive tenure-- and it's been getting lots of press, so it might be worth checking out.
Season finale:
Pussycat Dolls Presents: Girlicious (CW, 8 pm).
Thursday, 4/24
Michael and Dwight hit the NYC clubs with Ryan on The Office (NBC; 8 pm). I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I expect some awkward fish-out-of-water moments.
Returns:
Ugly Betty (ABC; 7 pm)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC; 8 pm)
Supernatural (CW; 8 pm)
Lost (ABC; 9:02 pm)
Friday, 4/25
Return:
Moonlight (CBS; 8 pm)
Saturday, 4/26
The Mighty B!; Nickelodeon. 9:30 am. Series Premiere.
Amy Poehler voices this 9 year old tween who only needs 4584 more Honeybee troop badges to turn into a superhero. The commericals have been funny, so who knows?
And I want to point you in the direction Phineas & Ferb (Disney; 7:30 pm-- don't let the DVR scheduler fool you, it hasn't been on at 7:00 in a month). This show is awesome-- even if you're not a kid. Just sit back and marvel at the way the writers can wind three plots together that all converge by the end of the 12 minutes. (Nearly) every ep follows the same formula, but how they get there is pretty amazing-- every single time. And it's full of funny lines. Highly Recommended.
Robin Hood; BBC America. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
And if you're lucky enough to have the Monsters HD Channel, check out the Bruce Campbell triple feature of Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Bubba Ho Tep that begins at 7 pm.
Sunday, 4/27
Carrier; PBS. 8 & 9 pm (check listings). Mini-series.
A 10-part series airing from tonight to Thursday looks at life on the USS Nimitz.
Celebracadabra; VH1. 8 pm. Series premiere
I normally avoid even mentioning VH1 shows, but this one I think just encapsulates why I think this network sucks ass. Here is a show about seven celebs (as defined by VH1 standards: C. Thomas Howell, ANT, Chris "Kid" Reid, Hal Sparks, Lisa Ann Walter-- who?--, Carnie Wilson, and Kim Wyatt-- who again?) who train as magicians. You know that VH1 barely considers these people celebs when their own damn website won't even list all the names on the front page of the show (I had to go to tvguide.com for the info).
Return:
Aliens in America (CW, 7:30). Hey, check this awesome show out; it needs the ratings.
Season Finale:
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union (Showtime, 9 pm). I like Tracey and all, but this show was not funny (unless it got way better after the first 20 minutes of the first episode, which is all I could watch).
Robin's "previous life" as Robin Sparkles comes back to haunt her again when old flame James Van Der Beek shows up on How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30 CST).
Return:
Gossip Girl (CW; 7 pm)
Season Finale:
America's Prom Queen (ABC Family, 8 pm CST)
Tuesday, 4/22
The Pixar Story; Starz. 9 pm. Movie.
Documentary that charts the history of the famed studio. How many other studios have as high quality a "batting average" like they do? I'll tell you: none.
Wednesday, 4/23
Secrets of the Dead; PBS. 7 pm CST (check local listings). 7th season premiere.
National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth; PBS. 8 pm & 9 pm (check local listings). 2nd season premiere.
And I wanted to point you in the direction of 'Til Death (FOX, 7 pm), which has really taken off (or gotten some) in hilarity with the addition of J.B. Smoove. Good stuff.
And Jesse L. Martin ends his 9 year (almost 200 episodes) run on Law and Order (NBC; 9 pm). I've never seen the show, but that's an impressive tenure-- and it's been getting lots of press, so it might be worth checking out.
Season finale:
Pussycat Dolls Presents: Girlicious (CW, 8 pm).
Thursday, 4/24
Michael and Dwight hit the NYC clubs with Ryan on The Office (NBC; 8 pm). I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I expect some awkward fish-out-of-water moments.
Returns:
Ugly Betty (ABC; 7 pm)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC; 8 pm)
Supernatural (CW; 8 pm)
Lost (ABC; 9:02 pm)
Friday, 4/25
Return:
Moonlight (CBS; 8 pm)
Saturday, 4/26
The Mighty B!; Nickelodeon. 9:30 am. Series Premiere.
Amy Poehler voices this 9 year old tween who only needs 4584 more Honeybee troop badges to turn into a superhero. The commericals have been funny, so who knows?
And I want to point you in the direction Phineas & Ferb (Disney; 7:30 pm-- don't let the DVR scheduler fool you, it hasn't been on at 7:00 in a month). This show is awesome-- even if you're not a kid. Just sit back and marvel at the way the writers can wind three plots together that all converge by the end of the 12 minutes. (Nearly) every ep follows the same formula, but how they get there is pretty amazing-- every single time. And it's full of funny lines. Highly Recommended.
Robin Hood; BBC America. 8 pm. 2nd season premiere.
And if you're lucky enough to have the Monsters HD Channel, check out the Bruce Campbell triple feature of Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Bubba Ho Tep that begins at 7 pm.
Sunday, 4/27
Carrier; PBS. 8 & 9 pm (check listings). Mini-series.
A 10-part series airing from tonight to Thursday looks at life on the USS Nimitz.
Celebracadabra; VH1. 8 pm. Series premiere
I normally avoid even mentioning VH1 shows, but this one I think just encapsulates why I think this network sucks ass. Here is a show about seven celebs (as defined by VH1 standards: C. Thomas Howell, ANT, Chris "Kid" Reid, Hal Sparks, Lisa Ann Walter-- who?--, Carnie Wilson, and Kim Wyatt-- who again?) who train as magicians. You know that VH1 barely considers these people celebs when their own damn website won't even list all the names on the front page of the show (I had to go to tvguide.com for the info).
Return:
Aliens in America (CW, 7:30). Hey, check this awesome show out; it needs the ratings.
Season Finale:
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union (Showtime, 9 pm). I like Tracey and all, but this show was not funny (unless it got way better after the first 20 minutes of the first episode, which is all I could watch).
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Robin Sparkles Returns
On the April 21st episode of How I Met Your Mother, we get to experience the B-side to Robin's smash hit (in Canada) "Let's Go to the Mall" in a little ditty called "Sandcastles in the Sand".
If you can't wait until then, here are links to the song and for a one-minute preview of the video of Robin (with James Van Der Beek, Alan Thicke, and Tiffany for spice).
As TV Guide's Mickey O' Connor said, the "song is made of crack cocaine". Be careful-- because it'll be in your head for days.
If you can't wait until then, here are links to the song and for a one-minute preview of the video of Robin (with James Van Der Beek, Alan Thicke, and Tiffany for spice).
As TV Guide's Mickey O' Connor said, the "song is made of crack cocaine". Be careful-- because it'll be in your head for days.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Premieres and Notables, April 14-20, 2008
Monday, 4/14
Returns:
Bones (FOX); 7 pm CST
Rules of Engagement (CBS); 8:30 pm
Season Finale:
New Amsterdam (FOX); 8 pm
Tuesday, 4/15
I read that Secret Talents of the Stars (CBS) got canned after one ep, so you'll have to watch something else in place of it. I know you really wanted to see Jo Dee Messina do urban dance, but those are the breaks...
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm. 4th season premiere
NOFX: Backstage Passport; Fues. 9 pm. Series premiere.
A reality show following punk-band NOFX on tour.
Deion & Pilar Sander: Prime Time Love; Oxygen. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Good old Neon Deion still marches to the beat of his own drum as we see in this premiere ep, which has him refusing to make the bed. You see, Primetime don't make no beds.
Work Out; Bravo. 10 pm. Season premiere
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm. 4th season premiere
Return:
Law & Order: SVU (NBC); 9 pm
Season Finales:
The Biggest Loser: Couples (NBC); 7 pm
The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo); 9 pm
Wednesday, 4/16
Under One Roof; MyNetworkTV. 7 pm. Series Premiere
A sitcom about a recently released convict who moves in with his well-to-do brother and his family. Sounds like a classic. Oh, did I mention that it stars Flavor Flav? Yeah-- now you'll be tuning in...
The Big 4-0; TV Land. 9 pm. Series premiere
A look at people's last 40 days before their 40th birthday.
Thursday, 4/17
Returns:
Smallville (CW); 7 pm. Lex goes closer to the dark side as he kills someone. (I've heard it's a pretty major character.)
Season Finale:
Eli Stone (ABC); 9 pm
Friday, 4/18
Doctor Who; Sci Fi. 7:30 pm. Season premiere.
Season Finales:
Canterbury's Law (FOX); 8 pm
Your Mama Don't Dance (Lifetime); 8 pm
Saturday, 4/19
Season Finale:
Torchwood (BBC America); 8 pm.
Sunday, 4/20
Kimora Lee Simmons: Life in the Fab Lane; Style. 7 pm. 2nd season premiere
Return:
Brothers & Sisters (ABC); 9:02. The most depressing family on TV is back!
Finales:
Oprah's Big Give (ABC); 7 pm. Season finale
John Adam's (HBO); 8 pm. Mini-series finale
Returns:
Bones (FOX); 7 pm CST
Rules of Engagement (CBS); 8:30 pm
Season Finale:
New Amsterdam (FOX); 8 pm
Tuesday, 4/15
I read that Secret Talents of the Stars (CBS) got canned after one ep, so you'll have to watch something else in place of it. I know you really wanted to see Jo Dee Messina do urban dance, but those are the breaks...
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm. 4th season premiere
NOFX: Backstage Passport; Fues. 9 pm. Series premiere.
A reality show following punk-band NOFX on tour.
Deion & Pilar Sander: Prime Time Love; Oxygen. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Good old Neon Deion still marches to the beat of his own drum as we see in this premiere ep, which has him refusing to make the bed. You see, Primetime don't make no beds.
Work Out; Bravo. 10 pm. Season premiere
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm. 4th season premiere
Return:
Law & Order: SVU (NBC); 9 pm
Season Finales:
The Biggest Loser: Couples (NBC); 7 pm
The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo); 9 pm
Wednesday, 4/16
Under One Roof; MyNetworkTV. 7 pm. Series Premiere
A sitcom about a recently released convict who moves in with his well-to-do brother and his family. Sounds like a classic. Oh, did I mention that it stars Flavor Flav? Yeah-- now you'll be tuning in...
The Big 4-0; TV Land. 9 pm. Series premiere
A look at people's last 40 days before their 40th birthday.
Thursday, 4/17
Returns:
Smallville (CW); 7 pm. Lex goes closer to the dark side as he kills someone. (I've heard it's a pretty major character.)
Season Finale:
Eli Stone (ABC); 9 pm
Friday, 4/18
Doctor Who; Sci Fi. 7:30 pm. Season premiere.
Season Finales:
Canterbury's Law (FOX); 8 pm
Your Mama Don't Dance (Lifetime); 8 pm
Saturday, 4/19
Season Finale:
Torchwood (BBC America); 8 pm.
Sunday, 4/20
Kimora Lee Simmons: Life in the Fab Lane; Style. 7 pm. 2nd season premiere
Return:
Brothers & Sisters (ABC); 9:02. The most depressing family on TV is back!
Finales:
Oprah's Big Give (ABC); 7 pm. Season finale
John Adam's (HBO); 8 pm. Mini-series finale
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Why This Is the Best Show on TV
On last week's How I Met Your Mother, there was a reference to one of Barney's former conquests making a website called tedmosbyisajerk.com. Why is one of Barney's one-night-stands hating on Ted? Barney used Ted's name and occupation (architect) with her instead of his own.
Well, as HIMYM and Scrubs have been doing, they actually made a website using that name.
Check it out: http://tedmosbyisajerk.com/
In it, you get a little background on why this woman thinks "Ted" is a jerk. Then click the link to "the letter"-- classic.
What makes this site even more fun is this particular conquest was actually part of a past episode. Barney did use Ted's name, did have a one night stand, and did bail on her as she took a shower-- and left a note claiming he was a ghost.
For an even more obscure reference, the link to Ted as a porn star is from another episode where Ted found out there is a porn star with his same name. I don't remember all the details, but the "Lance Hardwood: Sex Architect" sounds very familiar from the episode.
I love this stuff. I love that the creators/writers of this show are weaving a web of past, present, and future events within the "mythology" of the series. What's even better is you don't need to know any of these to enjoy the episodes. All the episodes are self-contained.
But if you've been watching from the beginning, there's that extra little rush when something like this happens.
Well, as HIMYM and Scrubs have been doing, they actually made a website using that name.
Check it out: http://tedmosbyisajerk.com/
In it, you get a little background on why this woman thinks "Ted" is a jerk. Then click the link to "the letter"-- classic.
What makes this site even more fun is this particular conquest was actually part of a past episode. Barney did use Ted's name, did have a one night stand, and did bail on her as she took a shower-- and left a note claiming he was a ghost.
For an even more obscure reference, the link to Ted as a porn star is from another episode where Ted found out there is a porn star with his same name. I don't remember all the details, but the "Lance Hardwood: Sex Architect" sounds very familiar from the episode.
I love this stuff. I love that the creators/writers of this show are weaving a web of past, present, and future events within the "mythology" of the series. What's even better is you don't need to know any of these to enjoy the episodes. All the episodes are self-contained.
But if you've been watching from the beginning, there's that extra little rush when something like this happens.
Shedding a Little Light on the NBC Sked
I wrote a quick post with a link to the upcoming NBC schedule here.
But now I have a little scoop on the new shows, courtesy of this week's Entertainment Weekly.
Here's what some of these new shows are about.
Knight Rider: the "you knew it was going to happen" ongoing series based on the sequel movie that aired over the winter.
Robinson Crusoe: a "retelling" of the story according to EW. Don't know if it takes place in the original time, in the present, or in the future...
Kings: the "updated" King David story. Again, no details beyond that-- other than it stars Ian McShane, the f-bombing star of HBO's f-bombing Deadwood, f-bomber. [If you don't get that, buy/rent the awesome series.]
My Own Worst Enemy: Christian Slater stars as a secret suburban spy.
Fear Itself: a horror anthology.
Kath & Kim: a remake of the Aussie series that could be found on Sundance at one time (don't know if it still airs there; I tried it but didn't stick with it); this one stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair.
But now I have a little scoop on the new shows, courtesy of this week's Entertainment Weekly.
Here's what some of these new shows are about.
Knight Rider: the "you knew it was going to happen" ongoing series based on the sequel movie that aired over the winter.
Robinson Crusoe: a "retelling" of the story according to EW. Don't know if it takes place in the original time, in the present, or in the future...
Kings: the "updated" King David story. Again, no details beyond that-- other than it stars Ian McShane, the f-bombing star of HBO's f-bombing Deadwood, f-bomber. [If you don't get that, buy/rent the awesome series.]
My Own Worst Enemy: Christian Slater stars as a secret suburban spy.
Fear Itself: a horror anthology.
Kath & Kim: a remake of the Aussie series that could be found on Sundance at one time (don't know if it still airs there; I tried it but didn't stick with it); this one stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair.
Premieres and Notables; April 7-13, 2007
Monday, 4/13
Extreme Fisherman; Bio. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere
A reality show that looks at professional fishermen off the coast of Scotland.
Return:
Samantha Who? ABC @ 8:32 pm
Season finales:
Canterbury's Law; FOX @ 7 pm
Cheerleader U; WE @ 10:30 pm
Tuesday, 4/14
Secret Talents of the Stars; CBS. 9 pm. Series premiere
Clint Black tries being a stand-up comedian, Marla Maples tries gymnastics, Danny Bonaduce rides a unicycle and George Takei takes up country music singing.
American Idol (FOX, 7-9 pm) has its second "Idol Gives Back" episode to raise money for charities. Guests this year include Fergie, Brad Pitt, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Reese Witherspoon, and Bono. Note: this could also take place on Wednesday; I've got conflicting information from TV Guide. Because f-bombing Blogger won't let me cut-and-paste, I'm leaving it here.
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo; HBO. 9 pm. Special.
Rape survivor Lisa F. Jackson filmed rape victims in the Congo-- and then turned the camera on the rapists.
Just For Laughs (ABC, 7 & 7:30 pm) has its season finale.
Wednesday, 4/9
High School Reunion (TV Land; 9 pm) has its season finale-- and an appearance by an "awesome" '80s band.
Thursday, 4/10
Returns (all on NBC):
30 Rock; 7:30 pm
The Office; 8:00
Scrubs; 8:31
ER; 9:01
Friday, 4/11
The Sarah Jane Adventures; Sci Fi. 6:30 pm. Series premiere
The 90-minute opener for the second Dr. Who spin-off; this one focuses on former Who companion Sarah Jane, who rolled with the Doc from 1973-1976.
Saturday, 4/12
Groomer Has It; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Series Premiere
Another cleverly titled cable show... yawn. Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez hosts this new reality competition based around dogs. Poor Jai-- he always was the forgotten Queer Eye guy...
Sunday, 4/13
Night of Too Many Stars: An Overlooked Benefit for Autism Education; Comedy Central. 7 pm. Special.
A live fundraiser with guests such as Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert hosted by Jon Stewart.
Return:
Desperate Housewives; ABC, 8 pm.
Season finales:
Rock of Love 2 (VH1, 8 pm)-- My fingers are crossed he finds his true soul mate among the skanks VH1 surely picked out for him...
Dirt; FX, 9 pm. Wow, that was a fast season. I swear I wrote the season premiere notable just a few weeks ago.
Extreme Fisherman; Bio. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere
A reality show that looks at professional fishermen off the coast of Scotland.
Return:
Samantha Who? ABC @ 8:32 pm
Season finales:
Canterbury's Law; FOX @ 7 pm
Cheerleader U; WE @ 10:30 pm
Tuesday, 4/14
Secret Talents of the Stars; CBS. 9 pm. Series premiere
Clint Black tries being a stand-up comedian, Marla Maples tries gymnastics, Danny Bonaduce rides a unicycle and George Takei takes up country music singing.
American Idol (FOX, 7-9 pm) has its second "Idol Gives Back" episode to raise money for charities. Guests this year include Fergie, Brad Pitt, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Reese Witherspoon, and Bono. Note: this could also take place on Wednesday; I've got conflicting information from TV Guide. Because f-bombing Blogger won't let me cut-and-paste, I'm leaving it here.
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo; HBO. 9 pm. Special.
Rape survivor Lisa F. Jackson filmed rape victims in the Congo-- and then turned the camera on the rapists.
Just For Laughs (ABC, 7 & 7:30 pm) has its season finale.
Wednesday, 4/9
High School Reunion (TV Land; 9 pm) has its season finale-- and an appearance by an "awesome" '80s band.
Thursday, 4/10
Returns (all on NBC):
30 Rock; 7:30 pm
The Office; 8:00
Scrubs; 8:31
ER; 9:01
Friday, 4/11
The Sarah Jane Adventures; Sci Fi. 6:30 pm. Series premiere
The 90-minute opener for the second Dr. Who spin-off; this one focuses on former Who companion Sarah Jane, who rolled with the Doc from 1973-1976.
Saturday, 4/12
Groomer Has It; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Series Premiere
Another cleverly titled cable show... yawn. Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez hosts this new reality competition based around dogs. Poor Jai-- he always was the forgotten Queer Eye guy...
Sunday, 4/13
Night of Too Many Stars: An Overlooked Benefit for Autism Education; Comedy Central. 7 pm. Special.
A live fundraiser with guests such as Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert hosted by Jon Stewart.
Return:
Desperate Housewives; ABC, 8 pm.
Season finales:
Rock of Love 2 (VH1, 8 pm)-- My fingers are crossed he finds his true soul mate among the skanks VH1 surely picked out for him...
Dirt; FX, 9 pm. Wow, that was a fast season. I swear I wrote the season premiere notable just a few weeks ago.
Friday, April 04, 2008
NBC Announces Fall/Winter/Summer Sked
Not much time to write my thought, but here's a link to the announced NBC schedule for the next twelve months (take the winter and summer 2009 skeds with a grain of salt):
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Nbc-Fall-Schedule/800036704
Quick takes:
I was hoping The Office spin-off rumor was just a bad dream. Considering the mother show hasn't been super this season so far, I'm hoping it doesn't get diluted.
Last Comic Standing coming back? Interesting.
Not a surprise, but I held out hope that Journeyman could catch a break.
And, finally, major props to NBC for thinking outside the box and finding a way to bring Friday Night Lights back-- even if it is a second-run from Direct TV.
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Nbc-Fall-Schedule/800036704
Quick takes:
I was hoping The Office spin-off rumor was just a bad dream. Considering the mother show hasn't been super this season so far, I'm hoping it doesn't get diluted.
Last Comic Standing coming back? Interesting.
Not a surprise, but I held out hope that Journeyman could catch a break.
And, finally, major props to NBC for thinking outside the box and finding a way to bring Friday Night Lights back-- even if it is a second-run from Direct TV.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Premieres and Notables, March 31- April 6, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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