PRIDE of the comic industry

I just finished Pride of Baghdad and had to make my comments about, arguably, the best graphic novel of 2006 (unfortunately, I can't read many GNs anymore, but most critics made the book their Top Pick).

The DC Comics/Vertigo Imprint GN written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon takes a bit of real life and adds multiple dimensions to it to get a very complex look at the price of freedom.

In 2003, four lions escaped a Baghdad zoo and roamed the streets. Vaughan took that bit of information and molded a story around this pride of lions. He created a world where animals spoke (not in a cartoony way at all) and struggled with the concept and realities of freedom as they walked the streets.

The pride of lions consisted of the male, Zill, his mate, Noor, an older lioness, Safa, and a cub, Ali. Noor longs to escape the zoo, and when U.S. fighter jets bomb the area and damage their cage, she gets her chance. But Safa remembers what it was like to be in the wild, and she's perfectly content to remain where she has been safe for years. Ali wants to explore; his animal instinct hasn't been dulled yet by the easy life at the zoo. Zill doesn't seem to care (in the lion world, the lionesses do the work).

Through the conversations and situations the pride gets into, a very thought-provoking story comes out. I tend not to read too much into movies, comics, books, etc, but the intent is there. Vaughan wants us to wonder if freedom can be given, or does it have to be earned? Obviously, you can take it a step further and relate that question to what is going on in Iraq.

I don't want to give too much away, so I'll let you discover the story for yourselves. It's wonderous; funny at times and also gut-wrenching at times. There are scenes and panels that will stick with me for a long while. It's wonderfully written, and, as you can see in the pic, the art is amazing and the colors are beautiful.

Check it out from the library, or if you've got a GN collection, by all means, add this one to the bookshelf without hesitation.

Here's a link to the Vertigo solicitation:

http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=5723

Like Ya Didn't See THAT Coming...

As is typical with Van Halen and David Lee Roth, a wrench has been thrown in the works...

The tour that was planned (and never officially announced) is on indefinite hold.

I just can't believe something got messed up with this group.

But at least they were all together to take a picture (or maybe not; PhotoShop can do amazing things):




Ya gotta wonder what fifteen-year-old Wolfgang thinks of his fifty-year-old dad wearing a goofy hat for the shot. I can just imagine the after-picture scenario: "God, Dad, you're so embarrassing."

[Thanks to Brian for the info and the pic.]

Premieres and Notables Feb 19- 25

Well, I should be in bed since I have to get up earlier for work tomorrow, and exhaustion is going to beat the insomnia thing tonight, but since I know I'm such an invaluable resource, my dedication to giving you the lowdown on what's new every week demands I push on. I am an unstoppable force of TV info (those of you I work with know where the joke is in that... does anyone I work with actually read this?).

Besides, I can't do it during lunch anymore...

Monday, 2/19

The Wiggles; Disney. 6 am CST. Season Premiere.
I like the Wiggles, and my kids (well, the youngest one as the oldest has moved on) love them. I'm not a big fan of the show because it seems as if the secondary characters and animation has taken over, but the fact that this show is in its fifth season is pretty cool. I don't know if this season has Greg at all (he had to leave the group due to an illness), so it may be interesting to check out.

And, Brian, I am starting to get that "Wiggles: Behind the Music" bug again. Thanks again for putting it in my head.

Three never-before-seen episodes of Spongebob Squarepants debut on Nickelodeon at 6 pm CST.

And Pope returns to Prison Break; and, I'm guessing we'll get some follow-up to the splat from two weeks ago.


Wednesday, 2/21

Sit Down Comedy With David Steinberg; TV Land. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
The second season opens with a chat with Jerry Seinfeld.

Thursday, 2/22

Say goodbye to The O.C., bitch. Series finale at 8 pm.

And after, what, a MONTH of B.S. auditions, American Idol actually has a results show tonight.

A January repeat of Smallville brings us the episode when the Justice League formed.

Jan and Michael go public with their relationship on The Office.

Speaking of The Office, I've been meaning to mention that Rashida "Karen" Jones is in a Fall pilot, so if it gets picked up, the Pam/Jim/Karen love triangle will probably fall apart (good move on creators' parts by getting Roy and Pam back together early).


Sunday, 2/25

A little awards show called the Academy Awards finally happens. ABC gets the ceremony, which begins at 7:30 CST and ends who knows when. The TV Guide Channel and E! will be running Oscar-related shows all day long, so you'll know everybody's answer to "What are you wearing?".

Watch SCRUBS?

Scrubs has had a number of real phone numbers and web sites on it over the past few years that have actual content, and this past week had an awesome bit about a website called TheToddTime.

Check this link out. You probably won't "get it" if you're not a Scrubs watcher, but if you've got a juvenile sense of humor, you just may like it in spite of having no knowledge of "The Todd".

http://thetoddtime.com/

I've "Ignored" the VH Subject Long Enough

Anyone who knows me fairly well knows I'm a huge Van Halen/Sammy Hagar fan, so I'm sure it's a bit of a surprise to those people that I haven't had much to say about the Roth reunion. I've had lengthy e-mails with my buddy Brian (who, interestingly, I got "into" VH/Hagar and has since become my source of VH/Hagar info) about the situation, and we've covered most of the details I'm outlining below.

But when my friend, Tom, asked me my take, I wrote a pretty concise (and funny in parts) response back. Hopefully he'll forgive me for posting my personal response to him, but my brain's kinda fried from my current state of insomnia (let's just say I'm loving my job right now), and I felt I should use some of my awake time to post to this thing before people give up on it.


Here is my response to Tom about the Roth/Van Halen reunion. Get some info, get some laughs:


"I could, of course, write forever on the subject, but it's gotten obvious I just need to answer and leave the rest of the comments alone.

Roth is back with Van Halen-- for just a 40 date tour. It coincides very nicely with the B.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (B.S. because they should have gotten in already, and B.S. because Grandmaster Flash does not exactly count as RnR in my book). This is the third attempt at some sort of reunion with Roth, so I'm not holding my breath it'll be a happy ending.

Also, in a typical "Eddie's a prick" move: Michael Anthony is no longer in Van Halen. Ed's been pushing him out for a decade now, but since Mike's been touring with Hagar (like what the f*** else is he supposed to do while waiting for the VH Bros to actually do something?), Ed found this to be the perfect time to kick Mike to the curb.

Mike's replacement: Edward's son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Wolfie will turn 16 next month.

The pluses: 1. the teenage son/nephew of the Bros probably won't put up much of a struggle for power, leaving Roth all by himself. 2. Ed says he kicks all sorts of a** on bass, so I'm willing to believe it.
Minuses: He's SIXTEEN! Handing off the bass duties from one of the most beloved members of the group-- who got kicked out no less-- is a Hell of a lot of pressure for anyone, let alone a teenager.

For Wolfgang, pluses: a member of one of the most beloved bands of all time should get all the tail and drugs he could ever want.
Minuses: his dad and uncle will probably cock block him at every turn.

Up until a few weeks ago, Roth had never met with VH-- even though VH had put the feelers out for a tour with Roth singing. In the meantime, the VH Bros and son have been playing away amongst themselves, with Wolfie doing most of the singing.

My prediction: sometime before the end of the tour, they'll announce that Roth wasn't working out, and that Wolfgang will be handling the vocals.

It may not mean they won't finish the 40 dates with Roth, but he'll definitely be gone once their tour is up.

I'm excited to hear Van Halen again, but the s*** they've done to their former members really sours me on them. And putting Wolfgang in the band may seem good in the short-term, but the pressure and scrutiny he'll be under will be unbearable for a sixteen year old."

Maybe she should just go back to no panties

[Normally I wouldn't comment on this, but it's just too bizarre.]

Well, it seems as if K-Fed was actually the common sense in the marriage because Brit's apparently forgotten that there are good ways to get media attention. First, she was skankin' around with Lindsay Lohan-- goin' commando, no less-- and now she's shaved her head after a brief stint in rehab (or, as they call it in Hollywood: "a vacation").

Here's a link to the fun stuff:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5042740

Yeah, it's sad that a woman can't change her image a little-- or get tattoos-- without the vultures all over her, but it's also like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion. Have we reached the end of the crash, or does Brit have more in store? I'm thinkin' we'll get a short-term lesbian relationship to comment on by year's end.

Punkin' for the Lord

Just a quick recommendation for all of you who may be looking for something different:

Check out One Punk Under God that the Sundance Channel is airing. It's six (half-hour) episodes long, and Sundance has run it through a few times, so you should be able to catch up on it quickly. One episode airs multiple times every week.

The show follows Jim (and Tammy Faye) Bakker's son, Jay, as he tries to reconnect with his dad, comfort his dying mom, goes through a crisis of conscience (which results in a crisis to his ministry), and agonizes whether it is time to pack up and move, so his wife can follow her dreams.

I wasn't really keen on watching this show. As you can surmise from my comments in previous posts, I don't "go to church", and, frankly, I have a lot of issues with organized religion (I don't think they're wrong for people as a whole; just wrong for me). I've spent many years really being disgusted with the innundation of Christianity that has been shoved down my throat by politicians and other heads of churches the past two decades.

But new media looks at religion by shows like Big Love (yeah, they're polygamists, but it was fascinating to see their love of God as an every day thing), The Book of Daniel (a very positive show that got the shaft from right-wing nutjobs who hadn't watched the damn thing), Joan of Arcadia (a sometimes overdone show, which had a great version of God as a character), and, yes, it's true: Real Time With Bill Maher (which had an episode that summed up my disgust with religion mixed with politics so perfectly, I was able to let go of the rage) gave me a new look at religion.

No, I didn't find God or anything, but I was able to be reminded that there are many more religious people out there in the world than the zealots that whine about anything rated above something a 7-year-old could watch, or say gays or single mothers or divored people are affronts to humanity, or politicians who say they prayed for guidance-- and then did the wrong thing.

Aaaaanyway, to get back on track (I did feel I needed to explain my background a little, though), One Punk gives us a look at a man who started a church (called Revolution) that meets in a bar, and has taken in many people whom other religions have left behind. Jay, himself, would probably be shunned (or given strange looks) at many churches because he's scraggly, he smokes, he's got tattoos all over his body, and he's got a few piercings to boot.

It was pretty inspiring to see the kind of church he built. I've long felt that the outdated views some religions have will ultimately be their undoing.

And to add to it, he's trying to reconnect with his father, and, throughout the six episodes, you really get a sense of how each views the other-- and I have to say what happens in the final episode couldn't have been better if it was written that way. He's also trying to comfort his terminally ill mother, and he lets the camera film how he deals with it. To see a woman who knows she is dying fight through it to spread her message as long as she can was pretty inspiring.

And, just as warning (because it could turn some people off), Jay felt that God spoke to him and said gay people are okay. So Jay gave a heartfelt sermon about how, maybe, it's wrong to discriminate. As you can imagine, his backers (who, oddly enough, are Christian Conservatives) pulled out, which sent his ministry in a tailspin.

That storyline right there (especially when he discusses the events with his father) sums up large religion for me. Jay went out on a limb by saying "the right thing", and forces conspired to shut him down. Because Jay doesn't pass the collection plate around at church, he really relies on his financial backers. I won't say what happens to him and the church, but I will say he stuck with his convictions which, in it's own way, is very heroic (and Jim comments about that in the finale).

Well, I certainly wrote more than I expected (and ended up saying very little), but if you're looking for a very well-done reality show (Jay really let us see into his life) or maybe to get a glimpse of an alternative religion, then check it out. It's a very honest look at one man's life. The ups and downs, triumphs and defeats.

I'm glad I took Entertainment Weekly's advice and watched it, and I really don't think you'll be disappointed if you watch it too.

Premieres and Notables Feb 12- 18

Sorry for the lateness again-- but this is a quiet week (finally), so you're not gonna miss anything.


Wednesday, 2/14

Catch up with one of the hottest new shows of the season when CBS runs a Jericho recap at 7 CST. Next week begins the new epsiodes.


Thursday, 2/15

Buffy creator, Joss Whedon, directs an episode of The Office where Michael speaks at Ryan's business school, and Dwight tangles with a bat in the office.

Friday, 2/16

Instant Star; The N. 7:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.

Mail Call; History Channel. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
I wish I had more time to watch this fascinating show.

Real Time With Bill Maher; HBO. 10 pm. Season Premiere.
Must See TV, right here.

Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry; HBO. 11 pm. Season Premiere.


Saturday, 2/17

Justin Timberlake's last hosting duty on Saturday Night Live caused a buzz with the video "Dick in a Box", and tonight's your chance to catch it again (or the first time). But since SNL sucks-- hard-- here's a link to the (uncensored) video without having to watch all the rest of the garbage:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1dmVU08zVpA

SNL usually makes me puke, but those three minutes made me laugh.


Sunday, 2/18

Amazing Race; CBS. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
I had been a faithful watcher of the show until last year, when I stopped watching due to time constraints. But this season is an All-Star one. Yeah, frickin' Rob & Amber are on it (now using family and friends' fifteen minutes of fame, apparently), but so are Kevin and Drew-- two of the funniest reality show contestants on any show. Recommended.

Planet Carnivore; National Geographic. 7 & 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Series looking at some of the most skilled predators on the planet. The first ep is about a lioness in Tanzania.

An, finally, the Sundance Channel airs the entire second season on Slings and Arrows from 2-7 pm CST (six 50-minute episodes). Admittedly, I wasn't as excited about the second season as I was the first, but it's still great television. The 2nd season followed the attempts to get a performance of MacBeth made. Also, there was some great moments and commentary about marketing when the festival's main financial contributor pulled out, and the marketing firm hired to raise awareness of the show continually insulted all their season ticket holders as well as theatre itself.

After the season rerun, the third season of the show begins (7 pm CST).

The Perfect Addition to Any OFFICE

Ed Helms, whose character, Andy, was last seen punching a hole in a wall after a prank on The Office, has been made a series regular.

He hasn't been in the last few episodes because he was in Anger Management class, but when he returns he'll be around for longer than the 13 episodes he was originally hired for.

I wasn't sure about the long-term success for Andy, but he does let us sympathize with Michael and Dwight when needed (like when Dwight quit).

After last week's episode, I hope Helms (and Andy) return soon. Michael was waaaaaay over-the-top, and there has to be some way to make him sympathetic (and just plain pathetic) again. I had hoped the crazy-obnoxious Michael Scott was dead and gone, but it doesn't look like it.

Better Late Than Never News

So, this weekend, I read that Joss Whedon is officially off the Wonder Woman movie. I'm not a huge WW fan, but I've been impressed with Whedon's dedication to his shows Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly (and the movie sequel Serenity), so I was looking forward to seeing what he would do with the comic book icon.

Of course, part of the fun of comic book movie speculation is guessing who will be cast in roles (until it gets so heated on some fan boards that it's ridiculous). With Wonder Woman, I have to say I was pulling for someone who has gotten lots of work from Whedon over the years: Charisma Carpenter.

But through the whole process, Whedon insisted he never even got to the casting part (he's been hung up on the script). And, when he announced he was officially off the project, he continued to insist that he had no one in mind for the lead role.

Then, right at the end of his announcement, he admitted he had thought of the perfect actress for the role: How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smulders.

Now, that could have been interesting movie.

And I'm sure the message boards will be all fired up with opinions on Smulders as Wonder Woman... I like it. I guess we'll have to see who gets tapped for directing (and maybe writing) the movie now, and learn what s/he thinks of casting.

Premieres February 5-11, 2007

Monday, 2/5

Sara and Michael reunite on Prison Break, and a third escapee takes a dirt nap. Here are my odds (and my comments are strictly my own-- I know nothing):

Michael: 1,000,000 to 1. I think one of the bros dies by season's end, but it's way too early for that yet.
Lincoln: 250,000 to 1: Not Linc's time (yet).
T-Bag: 200,000 to 1: Yeah, right. There's lots of story left with Mr. Bagwell.
Sucre: 100 to 1: Getting to the more likely suspects, but ya can't kill off Sucre before he finds Maricruz.
C-Note: 5 to 1: He could go down saving his wife or daughter, but I think there's still something left for him story-wise.
Haywire: 2 to 1: The only escapee who is not a series regular (and barely appears at all); he was good for a laugh, but his actions last week reminded us he's got a violent screw loose. I don't see Mahone in on it at all, though.

Rules of Engagment; CBS. 8:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I've, actually, liked David Spade on most of the shows he's done (even if it's usually the same type of character), and it's also got Patrick Warburton (who I've always liked) and Megyn Price (who I just love). But the commericals have looked pretty crappy and the premise (think 'til Death, but with the addition of a smarmy single guy) looks weak. I'll check it out, but don't expect it to make it past April, when King of Queens returns.

NASCAR Now; ESPN2. 5:30 CST. New Series.
Racing-fever is now hitting more mainstream sports channels...


Wednesday, 2/7

Lost returns after 13 weeks with an uninterrupted run of episodes through May. And it's moved to 9:00 CST to stay out of harm's (American Idol) way.


Thursday, 2/8

Survivor; CBS. 7 pm. Season premiere.
The fourteen season begins. This time, the two tribes are split between those with lavish (for this show) digs, and the others with nothing. I keep thinking I can stop watching the show, but it always manages to keep me watching.


Friday, 2/9

Ladette to Lady; Sundance. 8 pm. Season Premiere.
Rough around the edges women learn to become "proper" ladies.


Saturday, 2/10

Kim Possible; Disney. 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, & 8:30. Season Premiere.
The fourth season of this (supposedly good) show starts with 4 new eps in a row.


Sunday, 2/11

The Grammys are on CBS at 7pm if you care about that sort of thing. I don't care, so that's probably why I don't recognize more than one or two songs up for nomination.

And a show I just inexplicably loved also airs its entire first season on Sundance from 2-7 pm (six 50-minute episodes). The show is Slings and Arrows, and it follows the trials of getting a theatrical production of Hamlet going after the director has died-- and the replacement is a guy who had a nervous breakdown in the middle of playing Hamlet years before.

There's way too much to this show to give it the proper introduction. Let's just leave it at "trust me". It's funny, dramatic, and superbly well-acted (lead actor Paul Gross absolutely grabbed my attention every time he was on screen in one of my all-time favorite performances). I couldn't believe that a show about a Shakespearian play would be this enjoyable, but it is.

And did I mention that it also co-stars Rachel McAdams? If you don't recognize the name, shame on you. She's one of the rare young actresses who's actually very good (and hot, if you go for that sort of thing-- admittedly, I do).


And a notable mention I've seen from my DVR schedule:
[adult swim]'s Moral Orel now airs every night from Monday to Thursdays from 11:15-11:30 pm and repeats the ep at 2:45-3:00 am.

This is a brutally funny show about a naive young boy who is all about Jesus and the church. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite understand life, so he usually completely misinterprets the teachings of the Bible and the religious leaders he speaks to and things get all screwed up (usually nothing so bad that a meeting with his dad's belt can't fix) . Much like the major religious leaders of today ("What, no touching little boys?", "But GOD wants me to make a million dollars a year-- even if that means a little embezzelment.").

So, okay, the show isn't for everyone (mainly religious people with no sense of humor), but for anyone who can take a joke-- or can at least see some of the folly of religious dogma, check it out.

Highlights this week:
Tuesday's episode "God's Chef" where Orel discovers masturbation-- but learns that God doesn't want anyone's seed go to waste. So he thinks way outside the box and keeps from wasting his seed (I won't say what he does, but I will admit I was shocked). It also has one of my favorite lines on any TV show when Orel's principal asks him if he knows what happens to boys who masturbate, and Orel replies with, "Well, up until a few days ago I didn't. But since then, a whole new world has opened up for me!" Reading the line DOES NOT do justice to how Orel delivers it on the show.

And my favorite episode of the series, "Waste", airs on Thursday. In this one, Orel learns from his scoutmaster that in a pinch, one's urine can be consumed if there isn't anything else to drink. Shortly after, Orel's pastor gives a sermon that says to waste is a sin. So Orel decides he can be even closer to God if he doesn't waste anything-- including his urine. Soon after he starts drinking it, he breaks school records in track. Now everyone wants to try Orel's "sports drink". There's also a great line in this ep when Orel is asked by a friend if his drink has Vitamin C in it, and Orels replies with, "I don't know about Vitamin C... but it does have Vitamin P." Classic.

The Terrorists Have Won

A guy at work told me about how Boston is going after some people who were promoting the [adult swim] movie Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and I thought, "Man, this doesn't sound good for the network."

Then I checked out a post on newsarama about it and realized the authorities in Boston are just fu**ing morons.

Here's the link:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=99821


Okay, so the "Cradle of American Democracy" (my label, as I believe the colonists in Boston had the largest effect on gathering support in the bid for independence) is planning on sticking Turner Broadcasting and the two performance artists who "planted" the advertisements with a million dollars worth of charges. Over some LED artwork.

There are number of things wrong here:
1. The artwork looks like a f***ing Light Brite!!! Are they nuts?
2. The figure has its middle finger sticking up. Do we think al Queda is going to be that obvious when they plant bombs?
3. NINE (!!!) other cities had the exact same guerrilla marketing go on, and there was not one single instance in any of them that there was some sort of terrorist plot.
4. Did it really cost a million dollars to investigate? (I did a little more reading on the story, and the whole thing took less than 11 hours from the beginning to when Turner said they were responsible).
5. Does Boston really think they can hide behind the "Well, after 9/11, things are different" bullshit that the White House has been feeding us for five years?

All this is, is an attempt to blame a governmental fu** up on something else. "Let's make this story WAAAAAY bigger than it is, and maybe the populace will forget how stupid this all is."

Morons.

Here's a link to a writer who noted the story:
http://www.peterdavid.net/

Follow the link on his page to a Boston TV Channel webpage (I tried doing a direct link, and it didn't go right to the story) and then scroll through the stories and click on "Boston Hoax Suspects Mock Media" for the best press conference I've ever seen. Since the guys who put the ads all over the city were advised by their lawyer to not discuss any elements of the case, they held a press conference discussing '70s hair styles. Classic.

It thumbs their noses at the jackass media and the city-- and does it all with an [adult swim] flair.

Something to make your head hurt

I was reading some posts on newsarama.com, and from out of nowhere, someone posted this song from Melt Banana.

Here's proof that the whole MP3, MySpace, anyone can market their own songs, is not the perfect filter of decent music:

http://www.skingraftrecords.com/mp3/LP_MP3/MeltBanana_RoughDogs.mp3

Okay, Here's Your Second Chance...

Now I've recommended you all watch [adult swim]'s Frisky Dingo a number of times. Hell, it even made my Top Ten of 2006.

Now you've got a second chance. [adult swim] (Cartoon Network's night schedule) is reairing the series on Sunday nights at 11:30 pm CST.

Okay, I missed informing everyone about it last week as the first episode ("Meet Killface") aired last Sunday, BUT-- the second episode is actually the better one to watch first because it gets right into it by introducing Awesome X, the alter ego of Xander Crews. Crews is an absolute riot. He's Bruce Wayne mixed in with a any of the smart-asses from Sealab 2021.

Besides, any hero whose sidekicks are called X-Ticles is a hero worth following.

You didn't miss much from the first episode. There was the introduction of Killface, a powerfully built, white "man" with a skull face, red eyes, hooves for feet, and who wears no clothes (don't worry, he's got the "boy parts" of a Ken doll). Killface built a giant engine called the Annihilatrix that will send the Earth hurtling to into the sun. But he wants the world to know what he's going to do, and he used all his money to build the Annihilatrix, so he's put his plans on hold until he can raise more capital.

We were also introduced to Killface's son, Simon, who mumbles in such a soft voice, I could never understand him (I think it was all gibberish anyway). Simon is a good boy, but he's rebelling against his father; but his biggest act of defiance is slowly pushing his cereal bowl off the counter.

We also met Sin, a beautiful cyborg who is Killface's assistant. Paul, the technical guy who is building the Annihilatrix, and has a wife who hasn't lost the baby weight (it's been six months). Valerie, one of the people Killface kidnapped to market his plans. And twin film students Trent and Brent. There's no reason to remember them; Killface killed them both by the end of the episode.

So, anyway, check it out. The series is only thirteen 10-minute episodes long, and it's bat-shit insane. But it's funny. Really funny.

And beautiful as well. The look is kind of like the look from the film A Scanner Darkly, painted over pencils.

Check out episode 2 and then go to YouTube and check out the first episode (do a "Frisky Dingo" search, and at least the first few episodes are there as two 5-minute clips).

And while you're at You Tube, check out this awesome minute-long clip of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It has the Birthday Song Master Shake got Zakk Wylde (for real) to play and Geddy Lee (fake) to sing. It's awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5ft7EhX5W8&mode=user&search=

"Gee willikers. It must be Obvious Day at Camp Stupid."


If you find yourself entertained, do some "Aqua Teen" or "Venture Brothers" searches. There are some great clips on YouTube.

Oh Baby!!!! I found it!!! My favorite clip of The Venture Brothers; when Dean sets his crotch on fire. Check it out. And then check it out again (it's only 90 seconds long):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwuxLYcrTJU&mode=related&search=

And if you've got a slow connection, here's the best part in a 30-second clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuBiAnJLpXg

"Dude!! ...Stop wailin' on my junk!"
And don't miss the minion mention that he's got to take a "Count Dookoo".

T-Bag Links

I read an interview with Prison Break's Robert "T-Bag" Knepper in Entertainment Weekly from a few weeks back, and have to commend the guy for being so obviously humble and warm-- despite the fact that he plays a truly villianous character. A link to part of the interview is here:

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,__20008040_4,00.html

And TV Guide online just did a feature on him as well. The link is here:


http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={316FE6E1-87BC-423B-893F-1517B293E0A0}

I hope they work. If not, you should be able to copy and paste it in your browser. (Someday, I'll figure out how to link in this thing...)

Premieres and Notables: Jan 29 - Feb 4

Whoa! Time sure flies. Sorry (to my half-dozen readers) this is late. But to just let you know my commitment to this blog: I could be watching Prison Break on the big screen TV right now-- but I'm writing this post.

Feel blessed...

Monday, 1/29

Sorry you missed it: the Miss America pageant, hosted by Mario Lopez.


Tuesday, 1/30

Camp Reality; Fox Reality. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Former reality show contestants face off in a series of challenges. Johnny Fairplay is now using someone else's fifteen minutes of fame because his ran out with Kill Reality.

Some sh** shows on MTV premiere tonight; one actually has something (just barely) to do with music. Check out the website because I'm boycotting the network.


Wed, 1/31

Top Design; Bravo. 10 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Yet another crap reality show from a formerly respectable network. If the title doesn't give it away, this one is about: interior designers. I'm excited; how about you?

The Supreme Court; PBS. 8 pm CST (check local listings). Series Premiere.
Four-part special on the history of the court.

America's Ballroom Challenge; PBS. 7 pm (check local). Season Premiere.
I'd dismiss it, but PBS is airing it. Maybe there is some value to it.


Thursday, 2/1

On The Office, Michael hires a Ben Franklin impersonator and a stripper for Phyllis' wedding shower. 'Nuff said.

Paul Reubens guests on 30 Rock as a foreign prince. I watched Pee Wee's Playhouse on [adult swim] this summer as well as have been watching Pee Wee's Big Adventure with my kids, and I have to say I'm glad Reubens is working again. He's a genius.

After the jaw-dropper end two weeks ago, you gotta be there for Ugly Betty this week. Ca-razy!!!!

The Sarah Silverman Program; Comedy Central. 9:30. Series Premiere.
Mildly funny, but mostly offensive for offensive sake (and I'm not an easily offended person-- unless the show/bit just sucks-- then I'm offended). I'll check it out, but I don't have high hopes for this show.

Friday, 2/2

Jon Stewart guests on Jack's Big Music Show, which totally kicks ass. It's on Noggin at 11 am. Let's just hope he doesn't sing (his appearance on Elmopalooza wasn't his finest hour). Thankfully, "pros" get the best musical spots on the show. This episode features a video by alt rock band Flaming Lips members Steven Drozd and Steve Burns (formerly of Blues Clues). Wouldn't it be awesome if the dude is covered with tats now?

Saturday, 2/3
I hate how BBC America runs some of it's shows (the amazing first epsiode of Bodies airs this week-- with no mention of when the other five air next), but you may want to check out the first three eps of the fourth season of Coupling on BBC America from 3-5 am this morning. Yes, the show does have a continuing plot, but you can catch up as you watch (I did it this summer). The first ep was great. It follows the gang as the episode shows the same 9-1/2 minutes from a different point of view three times. It's a definite taste of the brilliance of the show, and, hopefully, the network will air the rest of the series soon. This is highly recommended, and puts American comedies to shame.


Sunday, 2/4

A little thing called The Super Bowl has scared away almost all the shows tonight. Take a rest and watch the game. Or catch up on shows you're behind on, like I will.

Change of plans; another person's 15 mins up; older and hotter

When I was a hardcore (free TV) WWE watcher, one of my favorite parts was finding out what went on behind the scenes and then seeing how it played out on TV. A guy tapped to be the next Champ gets hurt and plans change. The fans don't take to another guy, and his program is scratched. Stuff like that.

I found it interesting that Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross needs to be on bedrest until her twins are born in April-- a bit sooner than they had hoped. So producers had Bree's house brought to Cross' by building the character's set into the first floor of Cross' home. All in an effort to wrap up the Bree character's arc for the season.

In the meantime, Nicolette Sheridan will benefit from the extra time (of having less Bree than expected) and see her character getting more screen time and becoming a main character.


Speaking of changed plans, David Chase needed (and got) a ninth episode for the last Sopranos run. The final nine episodes begin on April 8 (along with the back half of Entourage).


And it seems as if Paula Abdul just won't go away. Bravo has ordered a reality show that follows her around. It's bound to be a masterpiece.


And normally I don't mention birthdays and such, but I saw this jawdropping picture of one of today's birthday celebs. The absolutely beautiful Diane Lane turned 42 today. I haven't followed her career at all, and have only seen a handful of her more recent films, so I don't know what she was in or how she acted in her twenties, but the Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohans, and Paris Hiltons of the world could learn a lot about what is attractive by taking a look at her.

Let's go old school today: "Peace out!"

Top Ten Honorable Mentions.

Just a quick follow-up to my post a week ago on my Top Ten of 2006. Obviously, I couldn't include everything that deserves a shout-out. This is pretty much off the top of my head, here, so if I missed something, I apologize.

I mentioned Noggin's The Upside Down Show before, and if it played more for adults, it would have made the Top Ten. Also, I've mentioned before how I tend to dislike animated voice work by people we know from in front of the camera, but William H. Macy's work on the PBS Curious George series deserves praise.

There are many BBC America shows that are worth watching-- especially if the American comedy show scene has got you down.

Shows that I couldn't include because I didn't watch new episodes-- but were f-ing brilliant are: Bodies (BBC America; I've praised it before); Coupling (BBC America; four seasons of fantastically funny stuff); Deadwood (HBO; vulgar, violent at times, and incredible); The Sopranos (HBO; while not seeming as groundbreaking now as it was when it premiered, it's still earned everything it's gotten).

Peter Stormare's "Vee Dub" commericals. Like 'em or hate 'em, you gotta love Stormare's work. Ever since Abruzzi was Swiss-cheesed by the feds on Prison Break, this is the only way you'll see him (unless you check out his numerous movie/TV appearances from the past).

ESPN's NFL Countdown on Sundays has a feature called "Mayne Event" that still has me watching-- well after the Fantasy Football season is over. Every week, Kenny Mayne finds some ridiculous story to comment on-- and he gets players and coaches to go along with it. Like when he did a piece on players throwing the football out into the crowd after a touchdown. One player lamented his actions by saying, "The worst is the fine. Two thousand dollars! Sure, it doesn't hurt me too much, but what about the college players? They don't get paid as much as they used to." Check it out; it usually airs in the last half-hour.

And, finally TV Guide Channel's Square Off. It's not exciting, it's certainly not sexy, but that suits me just fine. Kevin and Andy talk to actors, producers, network execs, and others in a straight-up manner. No "Who are you dating?" or "Who are you wearing?" bullshit. But more along the lines of "How do you see the future of TV?" or "What did you go through to get this show on the air?" If you want to get a glimpse of how TV works behind the scenes, check it out.

And, in the same vein, check out Bill Carter's book Desperate Networks. It's a great look at the stories behind Survivor, Lost, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Joey, and many others as he sees how luck and hard work saved some companies (ABC, CBS) and the lack of luck and hard work ruined others (NBC). You may know how the story ends, but you'll be amazed to find out how they got there.

Fax From Sarajevo

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how humanity can transcend borders, as depicted in the film Joyeux Noel.

Now the other side: Fax From Sarajevo. Legend Joe Kubert relates (via graphic novel) the true story of Ervin Rustemagic and the eighteen months of Hell he and his family went through during the ethnic cleansing of Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1992.

Ervin was a respected businessman and art agent in Sarajevo, and had gained many friends all over the world in his decade of dealings. Then the Serbs decided to rid the country of anyone not of Serbian blood. And the world just watched...

Due to iffy electrical and phone lines, Ervin found his best method of communication to be via fax. Using it, he updated his friends (including Kubert) about the goings-on in the city.

I was in college at the time of the war, and like most college students, the world wasn't really a consideration for me. I must say I'm embarrased that I was alive while this was going on-- and I never knew how bad it was. I'm even more embarrassed that my country (and the rest of the world) did little to nothing as it went on.

Just a little list of atrocities: Entire cities were leveled; tanks would run through a neighborhood and keep shooting until nothing was left standing. Men were rounded up and killed on sight. Women (from young girls to older women) were taken to "rape camps" and abused by soldiers in an effort to create more Serbians. The roads were nearly impassible (even by clearly marked emergency vehicles).

And, the most heinous thing of all: snipers were given $300 for every target they hit. The favored target were children because after they went down, parents/adults would try to save them (and, thus, becoming targets themselves).

I don't really want to give too many details about the story, but don't let the fact that it's a graphic novel keep you away. This is an important story about survival that is well worth checking out. It only helps that Kubert is a master of the craft-- and had a very personal stake on the main characters.

And it's important to just be reminded (or taught, if your knowledge of the war is like mine) of what went on half a world away just fifteen years ago.

Premieres and Notables Jan. 22-28

Monday, 1/22

Big big big day here.

Heroes; NBC. 8 pm CST. Return from hiatus.
The new season's hottest show returns to face its greatest enemy: 24. They're pulling out all the stops with the addition of former Dr. Who Christopher Eccleston into the cast as well as planning major events for February sweeps.

Digging For the Truth; History. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
The third season's first show is the search for Atlantis.

E-Vet Interns; Animal Planet. 8 pm & 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams; E!. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
The pilot looks into Leif Garrett's troubles.

The Bryan Cranston-guested How I Met Your Mother I noted last week (which never aired) is supposed to air tonight.

Todd Bridges begins a recurring role as a "crazed ex-military man" on Everybody Hates Chris.

Marjorie returns on What About Brian?, so that's probably not gonna help his fling with Bridget.

Oh yeah I almost forgot:
Prison Break; FOX. 7 pm. Return from Hiatus.
Who will T-Bag kill next? Is Kellerman really one of the good guys? Will Sucre get the girl? Will Sara figure out what the key is for? Will Avocado make guacamole out of Bellick? Can C-Note save his wife while keeping himself out of jail? How close to Holland will Haywire get? Is Maghone dead? And just how much ass are Michael and Linc going to kick as they take the fight to The Company?
And how will this show manage to answer all those questions in the nine episodes they have left?


Tuesday, 1/23

Rickey Gervais talks Extras on Letterman (10:35 pm, CBS).

The Oscar Nominations are announced on the morning shows at 7:30 am, or catch TV Guide Channel's special at 7 pm.


Wednesday, 1/24

George Lopez; ABC. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
The sixth season starts here.


Thursday, 1/25

Pros vs. Joes; Spike. 9 pm. Season Premiere.

Best Evidence; Discovery. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Conspiracy theories are put to the test. The prem features the theory that TWA Flight 800 crash of 1996 was caused by a missle.

NBC's "C0medy Done Right" lineup chooses some of their best episodes of the current season, with The Office also getting ER's slot tonight (that's right: three episodes).

And I can't believe there is no new Ugly Betty on tonight after the jaw-dropper ending of last week's episode...


Sunday, 1/28

King of the Hill; FOX. 7:30. Season Premiere.
The eleventh season begins here.

And Daniel Radcliff sheds the Harry Potter persona he's had the last few years and goes raw as a hormonally-charged young man on Extras. Anyone who saw Orlando Bloom make fun of himself on the show last week should know what an appearance on this show "as himself" should do to Radcliff.