Monday, 4/9
Thank God You're Here; NBC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
An improv comedy contest hosted by David Alan Grier and judged by Dave Foley. Those two men are enough to get me to watch, but if they aren't for you, the contestants tonight are: Wayne Knight, Jennifer Coolidge, Joel McHale, and Bryan Cranston. Recommended.
Falcon Beach; ABC Family. 6 pm. Season Premiere.
I know nothing about this show.
Wednesday, 4/11
'Til Death, Friday Night Lights, and Top Design all sign off for the season tonight.
Shear Genius; Bravo. 10 pm CST. Series Premiere.
As if Bravo didn't have enough crap reality shows, they're adding one about a hairstyling competition. Ooooooo...
And one of my all-time favorite shows, Green Wing, is airing the first three episodes of the nine-ep first season from 2:00am -5:00 am (technically on Thursday morning). I've complained before about BBC America's scheduling (airing some eps, but not others), but I'll keep my eye out for the remaining six eps. This is an insane show. And it's accessible to an American audience. This is the show (even more than The Office) that convinced me that BBC America is one of the best networks on the air.
The premise is similar to Scrubs: doctors having surreal adventures. But the FFC doesn't have a role in cable, so they go much farther than our friends on NBC can. The first ep ends with a doctor using a ski pole to force an especially large "loaf" she pinched down a clogged toilet. Hilarious.
I recommended this show a while back in a previous post. You can check it out here: http://teameck.blogspot.com/2006/08/episodes-of-note-coming-up.html
Thursday, 4/12
Notes From the Underbelly; ABC. 9:01 & 9:31 CST. Series Premiere.
This show was universally derided when previews went out last year. Expect ABC to burn off these episodes as soon as they can. I'll watch a few eps just to see if it's really as bad as every review I read said it was.
Now for something that actually should be funny: My Name is Earl finally has a new episode after a month and a half (7 pm NBC).
And ABC is getting ready for the home-stretch with its big hits. Ugly Betty (GREAT show) and Grey's Anatomy (huge fan base show I don't watch) are both having clip shows to bring viewers up to speed as each begin their final airing of new episodes for the season next week.
Friday, 4/13
Stargate SG-1; SciFi. 7 pm CST. Return.
The final 10 eps of the series begin.
Stargate Atlantis; SciFi. 8 pm. Return.
Painkiller Jane; SciFi. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
This series, based on a cultish comic I've never read, follows a DEA agent who finds out she is indestructible, but not impervious to pain.
Sunday, 4/15
100 Biggest Weather Moments; Weather Channel. 7 pm. Mini-series.
A five-part look at the big weather moments. I don't even know what to say about a list that puts the devastating Hurricane Katrina with the Wizard of Oz tornado.
America at a Crossroads; PBS. 8 pm. Mini-series.
An 11 documentary look at the post 9/11 world.
Drive; FOX. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
A probably typical crap FOX show (this time about a mysterious cross-country road race). But it does star the very underrated Nathan Fillion, so it's worth a look.
Ari's beleaguered assistant, Lloyd, gets his chance to shine on Entourage. Lloyd rules. And Turtle and Drama go trolling for ladies at a dog park. I'm
sure that will end well for them.
And I'll make my second recommendation to check out Planet Earth Discovery, DiscoveryHD, and Science Channel all air episodes throughout the week). Even if nature documentaries don't do it for you, you CANNOT deny how amazingly beautiful this show is. I'm way behind (I'm only on the second ep), but I refuse to watch the show unless I know I can sit in front of the TV and take it all in, uninterrupted.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Best... Druggie... Ever
On Tuesday, Keith Richards admitted snorting more than the white stuff that he is usually linked to.
"The strangest thing I've tried to snort?" Richards was quoted as saying in the magazine NME. "My father. I snorted my father.
"He was cremated, and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn't have cared. ...It went down pretty well, and I'm still alive."
Awesome.
Of course, the next day, Richards said he was just joking. But one must remember, he's been dealing with the press for over forty years. It's not as if he thought the comments wouldn't be released to the public. So why make it up?
I'll bet he didn't and realized he better do some damage control. At least I'm hoping he's just playing the "joke" card.
"...Grinding him up with a little blow." "...It went down pretty well."
Classic.
"The strangest thing I've tried to snort?" Richards was quoted as saying in the magazine NME. "My father. I snorted my father.
"He was cremated, and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn't have cared. ...It went down pretty well, and I'm still alive."
Awesome.
Of course, the next day, Richards said he was just joking. But one must remember, he's been dealing with the press for over forty years. It's not as if he thought the comments wouldn't be released to the public. So why make it up?
I'll bet he didn't and realized he better do some damage control. At least I'm hoping he's just playing the "joke" card.
"...Grinding him up with a little blow." "...It went down pretty well."
Classic.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Mid-season Disasters
There's very good logic about why mid-season replacement shows don't catch on (except in rare instances): if they were so good, they'd premiere in the Fall.
This season is no exception as shows are getting axed left and right.
The Black Donnellys will air, at max, two more episodes before it goes to that place where mobsters disappear to.
The Wedding Bells won't make it past this Friday, where it will likely air its last episode. FOX says it'll come back, but it'll be just to burn off what was filmed if it comes back at all.
Six Degrees gets the ax effective immediately. It's target audience (18-45 yr olds) wouldn't even tune in. It scored a 1.1 in the demographic (which, if I understand things correctly, translates to just over a million people). In the ultimate insult, Wife Swap REPEATS will air instead.
And the pathetic (or, as Matt Roush describes it: "vomitous") October Road gets a little reprieve. It was going to be pulled after four eps, but it's now just going to take a week off and then finish out its six-episode run. I so wanted to like the show, but the acting and writing are just dreadful; I mean just f-in' painful to watch. Poor Laura Prepon, who is the only good thing on the show...
And Seventh Heaven gets "non-renewed" for a second time. This time, it'll stay dead.
[Note: I have to give credit to Matt Roush for streamlining the info I just gave above. The link to his dispatch, where he describes things in more detail, is right here:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Midseason-Madness-End/800012096]
This season is no exception as shows are getting axed left and right.
The Black Donnellys will air, at max, two more episodes before it goes to that place where mobsters disappear to.
The Wedding Bells won't make it past this Friday, where it will likely air its last episode. FOX says it'll come back, but it'll be just to burn off what was filmed if it comes back at all.
Six Degrees gets the ax effective immediately. It's target audience (18-45 yr olds) wouldn't even tune in. It scored a 1.1 in the demographic (which, if I understand things correctly, translates to just over a million people). In the ultimate insult, Wife Swap REPEATS will air instead.
And the pathetic (or, as Matt Roush describes it: "vomitous") October Road gets a little reprieve. It was going to be pulled after four eps, but it's now just going to take a week off and then finish out its six-episode run. I so wanted to like the show, but the acting and writing are just dreadful; I mean just f-in' painful to watch. Poor Laura Prepon, who is the only good thing on the show...
And Seventh Heaven gets "non-renewed" for a second time. This time, it'll stay dead.
[Note: I have to give credit to Matt Roush for streamlining the info I just gave above. The link to his dispatch, where he describes things in more detail, is right here:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Midseason-Madness-End/800012096]
Monday, April 02, 2007
Prison Break "Sona"
I wanted to write this spoiler-free, but I just can't. So if you haven't watched the ep yet, stop reading. I read a number of newsgroups/blogs/etc, and no one got everything right. So watch the finale in innocent bliss and then come back.
So, was that a crazy-ass episode or what? I give the creators credit for not killing everyone (which was what sounded like the plan was for the most part most of this season). By not killing everyone, and from some quotes by actors in various things I read, the show is pretty wide-open for next fall.
First, there's C-Note. He wasn't in the last few eps, but that doesn't mean he can't play a role somewhere down the line.
Bellick is still alive and in jail. I think he and T-Bag will hook up at some point.
T-Bag was cut loose by, presumably, The Company, and while it looks as if his story ended (and it very well could have), can you let a vile character like Theodore Bagwell (and a fantastic actor like Robert Knepper) just go away?
Kellerman does the right thing, and pays the price in what looks like an execution-style murder. But, in a show where blood flows freely, we didn't see any body. Is it possible the killers killed the guard instead of Kellerman? Yeah it's possible, and Paul Adelstein's interview in TV GUIDE left open the possibility that Kellerman is not done yet. Of course, Adelstein is also cast in the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, so maybe Kellerman really is dead. It's not as if the spin-off isn't gonna get picked up. But then, maybe Adelstein's character gets killed or isn't a regular cast member of the show, so he can still make appearances on Prison Break. I, for one, wouldn't mind. I was impressed by his work this season.
Mr. Kim: dead. Like it could go any other way.
Who is "Padman"? I thought he was mute, but he spoke at the end. And while I disliked the whole Company storyline, I admit I am intrigued about why he wants Schofield alive.
Sucre: at death's door. I'm happy he's still around (he was one of the most-predicted to die people in the Season One finale). He will be the link to the outside that Bellick has for a while.
Lincoln: free man. How does that change things for him? Will it matter because you know he's going to try to get his brother help.
Sara: Had a moment of perfect bliss and then lost it. And she killed Mr. Kim, which will (I hope) haunt her for a while. She's the most innocent of all the remaining characters, so I want the killing to torment her. It only adds salt to the wound that Michael is now lost to her again. Sarah Wayne Callies is pregnant in real life, so she won't be seen in the first few episodes next Fall. Rumor has it she will be kidnapped, which will keep her storyline on the back burner until she gives birth and can return to work.
Mahone: Thank God they didn't kill him. Not only that, he is now linked to Schofield as he too is in Sona. They will need to work together although I anticipate an extremely mistrustful relationship there since Schofield set him up-- and caused him to break ties with his ex-wife after almost reconciling. Maybe Mahone won't team-up with Schofield; he may just want to completely break him.
Schofield: Had it all (the money, a free brother, the girl) and then lost it. And then he gets sent to Sona for taking the fall for Sara. And the tattoo does him no good in this new environment.
And the show again will revolve around a Prison Break. Nice.
So, was that a crazy-ass episode or what? I give the creators credit for not killing everyone (which was what sounded like the plan was for the most part most of this season). By not killing everyone, and from some quotes by actors in various things I read, the show is pretty wide-open for next fall.
First, there's C-Note. He wasn't in the last few eps, but that doesn't mean he can't play a role somewhere down the line.
Bellick is still alive and in jail. I think he and T-Bag will hook up at some point.
T-Bag was cut loose by, presumably, The Company, and while it looks as if his story ended (and it very well could have), can you let a vile character like Theodore Bagwell (and a fantastic actor like Robert Knepper) just go away?
Kellerman does the right thing, and pays the price in what looks like an execution-style murder. But, in a show where blood flows freely, we didn't see any body. Is it possible the killers killed the guard instead of Kellerman? Yeah it's possible, and Paul Adelstein's interview in TV GUIDE left open the possibility that Kellerman is not done yet. Of course, Adelstein is also cast in the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, so maybe Kellerman really is dead. It's not as if the spin-off isn't gonna get picked up. But then, maybe Adelstein's character gets killed or isn't a regular cast member of the show, so he can still make appearances on Prison Break. I, for one, wouldn't mind. I was impressed by his work this season.
Mr. Kim: dead. Like it could go any other way.
Who is "Padman"? I thought he was mute, but he spoke at the end. And while I disliked the whole Company storyline, I admit I am intrigued about why he wants Schofield alive.
Sucre: at death's door. I'm happy he's still around (he was one of the most-predicted to die people in the Season One finale). He will be the link to the outside that Bellick has for a while.
Lincoln: free man. How does that change things for him? Will it matter because you know he's going to try to get his brother help.
Sara: Had a moment of perfect bliss and then lost it. And she killed Mr. Kim, which will (I hope) haunt her for a while. She's the most innocent of all the remaining characters, so I want the killing to torment her. It only adds salt to the wound that Michael is now lost to her again. Sarah Wayne Callies is pregnant in real life, so she won't be seen in the first few episodes next Fall. Rumor has it she will be kidnapped, which will keep her storyline on the back burner until she gives birth and can return to work.
Mahone: Thank God they didn't kill him. Not only that, he is now linked to Schofield as he too is in Sona. They will need to work together although I anticipate an extremely mistrustful relationship there since Schofield set him up-- and caused him to break ties with his ex-wife after almost reconciling. Maybe Mahone won't team-up with Schofield; he may just want to completely break him.
Schofield: Had it all (the money, a free brother, the girl) and then lost it. And then he gets sent to Sona for taking the fall for Sara. And the tattoo does him no good in this new environment.
And the show again will revolve around a Prison Break. Nice.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Premieres and Notables; April 2-8, 2007
Geez, it's been a week already? Sorry I went a week without writing anything (I hope not too many people took their own lives due to the wait). I had all the time in the world to write last weekend (wife & kids were gone a few hours on Sunday), but my lovely cable connection was down for 48 hours. No internet, no cable. Thankfully, most of my Sunday shows repeat during the week, so I didn't miss too much. But I did miss the third ep rerun of Frisky Dingo (I'm taping them all), which enraged me to no end.
Damn you, Charter Communications!
BTW: if your cable or ISP goes down, make sure you complain and get a credit. They screw you too much when the service works, let alone charging you for when it doesn't.
Okaaaay, the week beginning tomorrow:
Monday, 4/2
The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman; ABC. 8:45 pm CST. Season Premiere.
No princes, no actors... This time, the bachelor is a Navy medical officer. I got nothin' else...
Also, The SciFi Channel has been airing Star Trek: Enterprise in four-hour blocks every Monday for months, and the episode on Monday at 9pm ("The Expanse") is the set-up for one of the most exciting TV seasons I've ever watched. This second-season finale paved the way for the ambitious third season of the very underrated show. A probe destroys a large part of earth (including most of Florida) and kills millions of people. The Enterprise is charged with finding out where the probe came from and do what it can to stop the inevitable invasion. The entire third season (which begins reairing next Monday) has this as the conflict: one starship alone against an incredibly advanced civilization Hell-bent on destroying Earth.
Prison Break's season finale airs. I'll admit, this season hasn't been as exciting (or claustrophobic) as last season, but seeing all the pieces come together the past few weeks was a rush because I have NO idea what's going to happen.
I can make predictions, though (remember-- I know NOTHING): T-Bag and Bellick end up together in prison. Sucre breaks them out (so T-Bag will disclose where Maricruz is). T-Bag tells him where Maricruz is and then escapes, with Bellick right behind. Sucre finds Maricruz dead (or maybe doesn't find her at all). He then goes after T-Bag.
Kellerman is shot and killed before he can testify on Sara's behalf; Sara ends up getting 12 years in the clink.
Michael finds Mahone and Lincoln, and attempts to talk Mahone down.
Mr. Kim also shows up, and as he orders the two brothers to be killed, Mahone shoots and kills him and then is killed himself.
Now, I'll go out on a limb: One of the brothers takes a bullet in the firefight. Linc makes the most sense as his story is coming to a close, but wouldn't it be a shock if Schofield goes down...?
Next season: Bellick and Sucre team up to hunt down T-Bag. The surviving brother works to get Sara out of prison. C-Note is needed for some reason or another and since Mahone is dead, he doesn't have to stay in Witness Protection.
The thing is about this show: none of what I wrote above will happen. They'll find a better way to tell the story.
I'm just happy the conspiracy storyline will end (damn! I didn't predict how that would happen: hmmm-- okay: Kellerman's first words on the witness stand after he takes the oath and says who he is, is: "Lincoln Burrows is innocent." and goes on to explain the conspiracy, but gets killed before he implicates anyone specifically).
Creator Paul Scheuring said over half the remaining cast will survive to next season, which is a greater number than expected.
Tuesday, 4/3
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
The third season of the risky crab fishing reality show begins.
The Shield; FX. 9 pm. Season premiere.
The sixth, and penultimate season begins with Vic on the rampage to find the person responsible for the death of a teammate. And he's going to be shocked when he finds out who it is. I've slipped on watching the series after the second season (I have the DVDs and tapes waiting to be watched), and I've heard each season is better than the last. Highly Recommended.
Wednesday, 4/4
In Performance at the White House; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). Season Premiere.
Thursday, 4/5
NBC is doing its "super-size" nonsense again. Thankfully, the folks at The Office and Scrubs (as well as Earl) add actual worthy content-- unlike shows of yesteryear (Friends, Will & Grace). Speaking of The Office, the first new ep in a few weeks shows what happens now that Roy knows about Jim and Pam's kiss. And a new Scrubs has a person leaving the staff. Alas, Earl is a repeat, but it's a good one guest-starring Christian Slater and also has Randy seeing people as if they were Claymation characters.
Friday, 4/6
P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy; HBO. 11 pm. Season Premiere.
Because when I think of "bad boy", I think of "P. Diddy".
Standoff; FOX. 7 pm. Return.
What do this show's producers have on FOX? Pictures of FOX execs in compromising positions, possibly?
The Office's Jenna Fischer is a guest (along with Entourage's amazing Jeremy Piven) on The Tonight Show. She's there to talk Blades of Glory, but you just know Jay will ask about her TV show as well.
Saturday, 4/7
If Friday's Piven appearance on The Tonight Show isn't enough for you, the Saturday Night Live he hosted in January repeats Saturday. As SNL has done for my other favorites the past few years, it manages to make him just as unfunny as the rest of the cast (will NBC PLEASE just take this show out back and put it out of its misery already?)
It's puppypalooza on WE:
America's Cutest Puppies; WE. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Adventures in Doggie Daycare; WE. 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Sunday, 4/8
In probably the biggest night of the year since American Idol premiered, we get the final episodes of the season and the series of The Sopranos on HBO at 8 pm. Highly Recommended.
As icing on the cake, we also get the second half of the third season of Entourage on HBO at 9 pm. And the second layer of icing on top of that icing is the fact that not only are Vince, E., Drama, Turtle, and Ari coming back to our TV sets, but the new episode also has Carla Gugino's debut as Vince's new agent (Ari screwed up big-time, so Vince fired him last summer). Highly Recommended. [If you want to see what the buzz is about, most major retailers are selling the first 2 DVD seasons (as well as Tuesday's Season 3 Pt 1 DVD set) for less than $25 this week.]
I also want to make a recommendation that you check out new eps of Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel on Sundays (and try to catch the repeats all during the week on the Discovery Network Channels). I caught the first fifteen minutes of the premiere a few minutes ago and had to shut it off because I couldn't sit and watch it. It is AMAZING! Camera crews set up all around the world over five years and took absolutely breathtaking shots. I haven't missed the High Def channels I cancelled last year until this show. Something that looked as good as it did on my regular connection would be crazy-good in HD. Highly Recommended.
Damn you, Charter Communications!
BTW: if your cable or ISP goes down, make sure you complain and get a credit. They screw you too much when the service works, let alone charging you for when it doesn't.
Okaaaay, the week beginning tomorrow:
Monday, 4/2
The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman; ABC. 8:45 pm CST. Season Premiere.
No princes, no actors... This time, the bachelor is a Navy medical officer. I got nothin' else...
Also, The SciFi Channel has been airing Star Trek: Enterprise in four-hour blocks every Monday for months, and the episode on Monday at 9pm ("The Expanse") is the set-up for one of the most exciting TV seasons I've ever watched. This second-season finale paved the way for the ambitious third season of the very underrated show. A probe destroys a large part of earth (including most of Florida) and kills millions of people. The Enterprise is charged with finding out where the probe came from and do what it can to stop the inevitable invasion. The entire third season (which begins reairing next Monday) has this as the conflict: one starship alone against an incredibly advanced civilization Hell-bent on destroying Earth.
Prison Break's season finale airs. I'll admit, this season hasn't been as exciting (or claustrophobic) as last season, but seeing all the pieces come together the past few weeks was a rush because I have NO idea what's going to happen.
I can make predictions, though (remember-- I know NOTHING): T-Bag and Bellick end up together in prison. Sucre breaks them out (so T-Bag will disclose where Maricruz is). T-Bag tells him where Maricruz is and then escapes, with Bellick right behind. Sucre finds Maricruz dead (or maybe doesn't find her at all). He then goes after T-Bag.
Kellerman is shot and killed before he can testify on Sara's behalf; Sara ends up getting 12 years in the clink.
Michael finds Mahone and Lincoln, and attempts to talk Mahone down.
Mr. Kim also shows up, and as he orders the two brothers to be killed, Mahone shoots and kills him and then is killed himself.
Now, I'll go out on a limb: One of the brothers takes a bullet in the firefight. Linc makes the most sense as his story is coming to a close, but wouldn't it be a shock if Schofield goes down...?
Next season: Bellick and Sucre team up to hunt down T-Bag. The surviving brother works to get Sara out of prison. C-Note is needed for some reason or another and since Mahone is dead, he doesn't have to stay in Witness Protection.
The thing is about this show: none of what I wrote above will happen. They'll find a better way to tell the story.
I'm just happy the conspiracy storyline will end (damn! I didn't predict how that would happen: hmmm-- okay: Kellerman's first words on the witness stand after he takes the oath and says who he is, is: "Lincoln Burrows is innocent." and goes on to explain the conspiracy, but gets killed before he implicates anyone specifically).
Creator Paul Scheuring said over half the remaining cast will survive to next season, which is a greater number than expected.
Tuesday, 4/3
Deadliest Catch; Discovery. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
The third season of the risky crab fishing reality show begins.
The Shield; FX. 9 pm. Season premiere.
The sixth, and penultimate season begins with Vic on the rampage to find the person responsible for the death of a teammate. And he's going to be shocked when he finds out who it is. I've slipped on watching the series after the second season (I have the DVDs and tapes waiting to be watched), and I've heard each season is better than the last. Highly Recommended.
Wednesday, 4/4
In Performance at the White House; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). Season Premiere.
Thursday, 4/5
NBC is doing its "super-size" nonsense again. Thankfully, the folks at The Office and Scrubs (as well as Earl) add actual worthy content-- unlike shows of yesteryear (Friends, Will & Grace). Speaking of The Office, the first new ep in a few weeks shows what happens now that Roy knows about Jim and Pam's kiss. And a new Scrubs has a person leaving the staff. Alas, Earl is a repeat, but it's a good one guest-starring Christian Slater and also has Randy seeing people as if they were Claymation characters.
Friday, 4/6
P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy; HBO. 11 pm. Season Premiere.
Because when I think of "bad boy", I think of "P. Diddy".
Standoff; FOX. 7 pm. Return.
What do this show's producers have on FOX? Pictures of FOX execs in compromising positions, possibly?
The Office's Jenna Fischer is a guest (along with Entourage's amazing Jeremy Piven) on The Tonight Show. She's there to talk Blades of Glory, but you just know Jay will ask about her TV show as well.
Saturday, 4/7
If Friday's Piven appearance on The Tonight Show isn't enough for you, the Saturday Night Live he hosted in January repeats Saturday. As SNL has done for my other favorites the past few years, it manages to make him just as unfunny as the rest of the cast (will NBC PLEASE just take this show out back and put it out of its misery already?)
It's puppypalooza on WE:
America's Cutest Puppies; WE. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Adventures in Doggie Daycare; WE. 8:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Sunday, 4/8
In probably the biggest night of the year since American Idol premiered, we get the final episodes of the season and the series of The Sopranos on HBO at 8 pm. Highly Recommended.
As icing on the cake, we also get the second half of the third season of Entourage on HBO at 9 pm. And the second layer of icing on top of that icing is the fact that not only are Vince, E., Drama, Turtle, and Ari coming back to our TV sets, but the new episode also has Carla Gugino's debut as Vince's new agent (Ari screwed up big-time, so Vince fired him last summer). Highly Recommended. [If you want to see what the buzz is about, most major retailers are selling the first 2 DVD seasons (as well as Tuesday's Season 3 Pt 1 DVD set) for less than $25 this week.]
I also want to make a recommendation that you check out new eps of Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel on Sundays (and try to catch the repeats all during the week on the Discovery Network Channels). I caught the first fifteen minutes of the premiere a few minutes ago and had to shut it off because I couldn't sit and watch it. It is AMAZING! Camera crews set up all around the world over five years and took absolutely breathtaking shots. I haven't missed the High Def channels I cancelled last year until this show. Something that looked as good as it did on my regular connection would be crazy-good in HD. Highly Recommended.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Premieres and Notables March 26- April 1, 2007
Monday, 3/26
Two episodes of Prison Break left. Everyone's going in different directions, which are all going to end up coming together. Season finale next week.
Tuesday, 3/27
The story point that caused a brief Friends-gasm is finally airing. Dirt has a special guest star in Jennifer Aniston, and she locks lips with Courtney Cox. I still don't think it is going to help this show get renewed.
Great American Dream Vote; ABC. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Eight contestants compete to have their dreams come true, with voters deciding who gets their wish. [Thank God ABC has the most pilots in development for next season; if this is what they've got on the shelf for the rest of the year, I won't have any idea what to watch with my extra time.]
Driving Force; A&E. 9 & 9:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Thursday, 3/29
Don't forget: FIVE (repeat) episodes of The Office air on NBC tonight from 7-10 pm (except from 8:30-9). This HR-centric marathon is hosted by Paul "Toby" Lieberstein.
1000 Places to See Before You Die; Travel Channel. 8 & 9 Pm. Series Premiere.
This wildly ambitious (who thinks they'll get to place #1000?) show looks at Alaska in the pilot and then at Italy in the second ep.
Friday, 3/30
Raines moves to 8 pm Fridays.
Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search; CMT. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
Sunday, 4/1
Mind of Mencia; Comedy Central. 9 pm. Season Premiere.
The Tudors; Showtime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The early years of King Henry VIII. I've heard decent things about this show. Recommended.
Sons of Hollywood; A&E. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Randy Spelling and Sean Stewart (sons of Aaron Spelling and Rod Stewart) star in yet another reality series.
[Does anyone know if A&E still stands for "Arts and Entertainment"? Just curious.]
Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award; HBO. 8 pm. Special.
This tribute (from November-- what the Hell was the wait?) is hosted by Anderson Cooper and has appearances by Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, and Robert Klein.
Two episodes of Prison Break left. Everyone's going in different directions, which are all going to end up coming together. Season finale next week.
Tuesday, 3/27
The story point that caused a brief Friends-gasm is finally airing. Dirt has a special guest star in Jennifer Aniston, and she locks lips with Courtney Cox. I still don't think it is going to help this show get renewed.
Great American Dream Vote; ABC. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Eight contestants compete to have their dreams come true, with voters deciding who gets their wish. [Thank God ABC has the most pilots in development for next season; if this is what they've got on the shelf for the rest of the year, I won't have any idea what to watch with my extra time.]
Driving Force; A&E. 9 & 9:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Thursday, 3/29
Don't forget: FIVE (repeat) episodes of The Office air on NBC tonight from 7-10 pm (except from 8:30-9). This HR-centric marathon is hosted by Paul "Toby" Lieberstein.
1000 Places to See Before You Die; Travel Channel. 8 & 9 Pm. Series Premiere.
This wildly ambitious (who thinks they'll get to place #1000?) show looks at Alaska in the pilot and then at Italy in the second ep.
Friday, 3/30
Raines moves to 8 pm Fridays.
Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search; CMT. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
Sunday, 4/1
Mind of Mencia; Comedy Central. 9 pm. Season Premiere.
The Tudors; Showtime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The early years of King Henry VIII. I've heard decent things about this show. Recommended.
Sons of Hollywood; A&E. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Randy Spelling and Sean Stewart (sons of Aaron Spelling and Rod Stewart) star in yet another reality series.
[Does anyone know if A&E still stands for "Arts and Entertainment"? Just curious.]
Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award; HBO. 8 pm. Special.
This tribute (from November-- what the Hell was the wait?) is hosted by Anderson Cooper and has appearances by Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, and Robert Klein.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
PRISON BREAK Renewed
In what I thought was already a done deal, Prison Break was officially renewed for a third season.
Here's a link to TV Guide's Matt Webb Mitovich's talk with Break creator Paul T. Sheuring about the next season. There aren't spoilers per se, but from reading between the lines, you will know of at least three characters who will survive to next season.
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={6777747F-5F75-4827-A0B8-63E69359E0D4}
I hope to give my predictions on what will happen the next two episodes, but, odds are, I'll run out of time. But if anyone has any predictions themselves, leave a comment.
Aaaaaand discuss...
Here's a link to TV Guide's Matt Webb Mitovich's talk with Break creator Paul T. Sheuring about the next season. There aren't spoilers per se, but from reading between the lines, you will know of at least three characters who will survive to next season.
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={6777747F-5F75-4827-A0B8-63E69359E0D4}
I hope to give my predictions on what will happen the next two episodes, but, odds are, I'll run out of time. But if anyone has any predictions themselves, leave a comment.
Aaaaaand discuss...
A Little EXTRA
Bad news time: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant decided to not do another season of Extras. They'll close out the series just as they did The Office, with a special.
Neither would comment on how soon we'd see the finale.
It's a total bummer because I thought the second season (I've seen about half so far) was even better than the first.
But then any show which has a guy masturbating to a novelty pen has to jump to the top of anyone's favorite list...
Neither would comment on how soon we'd see the finale.
It's a total bummer because I thought the second season (I've seen about half so far) was even better than the first.
But then any show which has a guy masturbating to a novelty pen has to jump to the top of anyone's favorite list...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Get Your Irish On
Yesterday was a Perfect Storm type of day for me.
The city I live in is called New London for 51 weeks out of the year. The week of St. Patrick's Day, though, it undergoes a change in style and name to New Dublin. All things Irish are celebrated in my little city, and it all culminates on the Saturday nearest St. Patrick's Day with a big parade and a few bands playing in a beer tent.
I hadn't really had any plans other than I knew I was going to watch the parade with the family. But then my wife went and got cash, so now I had some greenbacks in my pocket, the beer seemed to be going down the throat a little easier than usual, my in-laws told us to go to the tent after the parade, I saw one of my favorite people in the world (who even made a point to find me), and ran into two other very fun people I used to work with, and then we all partied right in front of this kick-ass Celtic Rock band called Reilly.
I can't say as I've heard much Celtic/Irish music, and I know Reilly is a bit of a departure from Traditional Celtic music, but, damn, if they weren't fun to listen to.
Like I said, a perfect storm: family, friends, beer, and rock.
Of course, every storm fades sometime. It happened about 8 pm, when I headed upstairs to my bedroom and went dead to the world until 3 am.
I'm such a wuss...
Hey, here's Reilly's webpage. Check it out:
http://www.reillyrocks.com/
The city I live in is called New London for 51 weeks out of the year. The week of St. Patrick's Day, though, it undergoes a change in style and name to New Dublin. All things Irish are celebrated in my little city, and it all culminates on the Saturday nearest St. Patrick's Day with a big parade and a few bands playing in a beer tent.
I hadn't really had any plans other than I knew I was going to watch the parade with the family. But then my wife went and got cash, so now I had some greenbacks in my pocket, the beer seemed to be going down the throat a little easier than usual, my in-laws told us to go to the tent after the parade, I saw one of my favorite people in the world (who even made a point to find me), and ran into two other very fun people I used to work with, and then we all partied right in front of this kick-ass Celtic Rock band called Reilly.
I can't say as I've heard much Celtic/Irish music, and I know Reilly is a bit of a departure from Traditional Celtic music, but, damn, if they weren't fun to listen to.
Like I said, a perfect storm: family, friends, beer, and rock.
Of course, every storm fades sometime. It happened about 8 pm, when I headed upstairs to my bedroom and went dead to the world until 3 am.
I'm such a wuss...
Hey, here's Reilly's webpage. Check it out:
http://www.reillyrocks.com/
24 Season Seven Plot?
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know about the rampant stupidity of Boston's reaction to the [adult swim] guerrilla marketing of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie.
But what if it was real? What if the Moonites really did plant a bomb? Who could possibly save the day? 24's Jack Bauer, of course.
National Lampoon gave us a taste of what it would be like in this less than 4 minute video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid203712201/bclid192880073/bctid474534652
But what if it was real? What if the Moonites really did plant a bomb? Who could possibly save the day? 24's Jack Bauer, of course.
National Lampoon gave us a taste of what it would be like in this less than 4 minute video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid203712201/bclid192880073/bctid474534652
Trend-setter hits 10 years
One of TV Guide critic Matt Roush's reader's offered up this question: has any show impacted the TV landscape to the extent Buffy The Vampie Slayer (which premiered ten years ago last week) has in the past ten years?
I found that to be an interesting question. While Buffy didn't hit the ratings jackpot, it certainly created/reconstructed how some stories could be told. Arguably, without Buffy there would be no Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, and Alias. The reader also went as far as saying Buffy's style also impacts multi-genre shows like Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, and The O.C.
I'd have to agree with the argument (as Matt did; saying only The Sopranos has had as much an influence on the last decade of TV as Buffy).
Any thoughts?
BTW: the link to the article is below. The question posed above is at the end.
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Ask-Matt/Default.aspx#01heroes
I found that to be an interesting question. While Buffy didn't hit the ratings jackpot, it certainly created/reconstructed how some stories could be told. Arguably, without Buffy there would be no Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, and Alias. The reader also went as far as saying Buffy's style also impacts multi-genre shows like Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, and The O.C.
I'd have to agree with the argument (as Matt did; saying only The Sopranos has had as much an influence on the last decade of TV as Buffy).
Any thoughts?
BTW: the link to the article is below. The question posed above is at the end.
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Ask-Matt/Default.aspx#01heroes
Premieres and Notables March 19-25, 2007
Monday, 3/19
Dancing With the Stars; ABC. 7 pm CST. Season Premiere.
I saw Billy Ray Cyrus in a publicity photo for the show. You'd think after the "Achy Breaky Mullet", he wouldn't take styling risks.
Tuesday 3/20
The Whitest Kids U'Know; Fuse. 10 pm CST. Series Premiere.
TV Guide said this show has the same type of comedy as Kids in the Hall-- but edgier. The mag also says it premieres Tuesday, but I checked my DVR scheduler, and there are episodes airing Sunday and Monday nights.
Tori & Dean: Inn Love; Oxygen. 9:30 CST. Series Premiere.
Newlyweds Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott open a bed and breakfast. And they brought the cameras along. For real...
Thursday, 3/22
Penn & Teller: Bull!; Showtime. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
I love this show. I wish I had Showtime again, so I wouldn't miss it. In the fifth season premiere, the guys tackle the country's obesity problem and go after "peddlers of diet misinformation".
This American Life; Showtime. 9:30 CST. Series Premiere.
Ira Glass brings his NPR program to the video screen.
Friday, 3/23
Six Degrees; ABC. 8:01 CST. Return
Critics usually find one or three shows every TV season to beat up on (they usually have good reason to). This was one of those shows for the current TV season. ABC either believes in this show, or it wanted to stick its tongue out at the people who snickered when the show was promised to return after it got pulled last Fall. Or maybe it just wants to keep creator J.J. Abrams happy.
Acceptable TV; VH1. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Although I have banned the craptastic VH1 and MTV shows from this blog, I thought this would be of interest. Viewers can submit homemade shorts to this show, which will be aired along side professionally made sketches. I predict a lot of crap, but maybe some diamonds in the rough will pop up from time to time.
Sunday, 3/25
Planet Earth; Discovery. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
This 11-part series "examines Earth's habitats and wildlife by touring more than 200 locations around the globe".
Gene Simmons Family Jewels; A&E. 8 pm Season premiere.
The season begins as that wacky Gene searches for his missing costume and not-wife Shannon takes a pregnancy test.
Finale-a-palooza: Rome and Slings and Arrows go to that TV network in the sky with their series finales, Battlestar Galactica (whose finale is supposed to rock-- I've heard how big it is for months now) and The L Word just have season finales, and Grease: You're the One That I Want and Surreal Life Fame Games will, hopefully, never pollute the airwaves again.
Dancing With the Stars; ABC. 7 pm CST. Season Premiere.
I saw Billy Ray Cyrus in a publicity photo for the show. You'd think after the "Achy Breaky Mullet", he wouldn't take styling risks.
Tuesday 3/20
The Whitest Kids U'Know; Fuse. 10 pm CST. Series Premiere.
TV Guide said this show has the same type of comedy as Kids in the Hall-- but edgier. The mag also says it premieres Tuesday, but I checked my DVR scheduler, and there are episodes airing Sunday and Monday nights.
Tori & Dean: Inn Love; Oxygen. 9:30 CST. Series Premiere.
Newlyweds Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott open a bed and breakfast. And they brought the cameras along. For real...
Thursday, 3/22
Penn & Teller: Bull!; Showtime. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
I love this show. I wish I had Showtime again, so I wouldn't miss it. In the fifth season premiere, the guys tackle the country's obesity problem and go after "peddlers of diet misinformation".
This American Life; Showtime. 9:30 CST. Series Premiere.
Ira Glass brings his NPR program to the video screen.
Friday, 3/23
Six Degrees; ABC. 8:01 CST. Return
Critics usually find one or three shows every TV season to beat up on (they usually have good reason to). This was one of those shows for the current TV season. ABC either believes in this show, or it wanted to stick its tongue out at the people who snickered when the show was promised to return after it got pulled last Fall. Or maybe it just wants to keep creator J.J. Abrams happy.
Acceptable TV; VH1. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Although I have banned the craptastic VH1 and MTV shows from this blog, I thought this would be of interest. Viewers can submit homemade shorts to this show, which will be aired along side professionally made sketches. I predict a lot of crap, but maybe some diamonds in the rough will pop up from time to time.
Sunday, 3/25
Planet Earth; Discovery. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
This 11-part series "examines Earth's habitats and wildlife by touring more than 200 locations around the globe".
Gene Simmons Family Jewels; A&E. 8 pm Season premiere.
The season begins as that wacky Gene searches for his missing costume and not-wife Shannon takes a pregnancy test.
Finale-a-palooza: Rome and Slings and Arrows go to that TV network in the sky with their series finales, Battlestar Galactica (whose finale is supposed to rock-- I've heard how big it is for months now) and The L Word just have season finales, and Grease: You're the One That I Want and Surreal Life Fame Games will, hopefully, never pollute the airwaves again.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Racing Reality
Here's a link to TV Guide dot com's news about ABC's new celeb reality racing show Fast Cars and Superstars.
Brian: you definitely need to check it out. You'll like at least one of the celebs.
Me? I'm pumped to see Shatner mashing the pedal to the floor. The WWE's John Cena should be entertaining as well (the dude is funny).
http://community.tvguide.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800010733
for more info, here's another link:
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={B8AF9929-B069-431E-B78A-CADF5BC0298C}
Brian: you definitely need to check it out. You'll like at least one of the celebs.
Me? I'm pumped to see Shatner mashing the pedal to the floor. The WWE's John Cena should be entertaining as well (the dude is funny).
http://community.tvguide.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800010733
for more info, here's another link:
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={B8AF9929-B069-431E-B78A-CADF5BC0298C}
More Van Halen HoF Induction Thoughts
After a lively communication via e-mail today with my music guru, Brian, I thought I should follow-up on with some comments about the post I made last night after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Brian told me that the bit at the end of Velvet Revolver's rendition of "Ain't Talkin' About Love" was supposed to be "Runaround". I've been a hardcore VH fan for 20 years, and I must have heard that song hundreds of times. The fact that I couldn't recognize the song when VR performed it means it was a complete botch-job. I'm sure VR is a good band. I've heard good things about them, and they do have some talent just on reputation. But if they couldn't do a recognizable rendition with a few weeks preparation, then they shouldn't have made the attempt.
Brian also gave me the idea to make sure Paul Schaffer got props for the obviously last-minute addition of "Why Can't This Be Love?" that Sammy and Mike performed with Schaffer and his CBS band. The word I got was that Sam & Mike were not going to be able to perform because the rets of the band wasn't going to attend. Schaffer, presumably, pulled some strings and allowed the two to bask in the moment and take the stage just as the others inductees got to. That's a classy move right there, and I gained much respect for Letterman's "sidekick" from that.
Also, I know I've been pretty snarky about Eddie's timing on his latest rehab stint in previous posts, but I do want to make clear that he IS in rehab, and from what Sam & Mike alluded to last night, he needed it. I do wish the guy luck and success. When he returns, hopefully clean and sober, there will still be problems, but maybe they can be worked on and the fans can get what they've been craving for over 20 years: a reunion and tour with Roth. Talent like Eddie's should not go to waste. I feel like his latest work was his best (the Van Halen 3 work; not the Hagar reunion work). He should not be relegated to soft-core porn soundtracks like he did last year. Hell, I didn't even buy the porno, and I bought the awful Wild Life movie Eddie did the soundtrack to in the '80s.
Brian told me that the bit at the end of Velvet Revolver's rendition of "Ain't Talkin' About Love" was supposed to be "Runaround". I've been a hardcore VH fan for 20 years, and I must have heard that song hundreds of times. The fact that I couldn't recognize the song when VR performed it means it was a complete botch-job. I'm sure VR is a good band. I've heard good things about them, and they do have some talent just on reputation. But if they couldn't do a recognizable rendition with a few weeks preparation, then they shouldn't have made the attempt.
Brian also gave me the idea to make sure Paul Schaffer got props for the obviously last-minute addition of "Why Can't This Be Love?" that Sammy and Mike performed with Schaffer and his CBS band. The word I got was that Sam & Mike were not going to be able to perform because the rets of the band wasn't going to attend. Schaffer, presumably, pulled some strings and allowed the two to bask in the moment and take the stage just as the others inductees got to. That's a classy move right there, and I gained much respect for Letterman's "sidekick" from that.
Also, I know I've been pretty snarky about Eddie's timing on his latest rehab stint in previous posts, but I do want to make clear that he IS in rehab, and from what Sam & Mike alluded to last night, he needed it. I do wish the guy luck and success. When he returns, hopefully clean and sober, there will still be problems, but maybe they can be worked on and the fans can get what they've been craving for over 20 years: a reunion and tour with Roth. Talent like Eddie's should not go to waste. I feel like his latest work was his best (the Van Halen 3 work; not the Hagar reunion work). He should not be relegated to soft-core porn soundtracks like he did last year. Hell, I didn't even buy the porno, and I bought the awful Wild Life movie Eddie did the soundtrack to in the '80s.
Monday, March 12, 2007
A Class Act
I'm a huge Van Halen fan. Have been for 20 years (I "discovered" them in 1987, and yes, that puts me in the Sammy camp). Admittedly when Sammy left/got booted from the band, some of the magic was lost. I was excited Gary Cherone got the gig after Sammy, but that fell flat (no fault of Gary's). Then the breakups and makeups. The "almost reunions" and then nothing from the Van Halen Bros for so long. Mike getting the boot for daring to go on tour with Hagar (like he was just supposed to sit around for almost a decade). And then the past two months...
But to say I was excited the band finally got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a little of an understatement (even though I think the whole thing is a farce at times).
Of course, drama seems to plague the band. First Roth and Sammy joked that "who knows what'll happen" at the induction, hinting that there could be some good backstage antics/fights. Then Van Halen announced a tour with Roth, but without Mike. Then Ed and Alex weren't going to go to the induction. Then Dave hemmed and hawed (yeah, like Roth would ever shy from the spotlight). Then Ed announced he was going into rehab. Then Dave said if he couldn't sing with Velvet Revolver (the band that was tapped to play VH songs at the induction), he wasn't going. The only thing anyone knew for sure was that Sammy and Mike were going to be there.
Frankly, I was tired of it all. It's a big honor, and some of the children weren't going. It's embarrassing that Van Halen has become a punchline as opposed to just being the best band in the world/universe. I was pretty soured by it (and the past ten years of B.S.).
But as I FF'ed through the 4+ hrs of the live induction ceremony, I stopped at the part I was interested in: the Van Halen induction. The opening "package" reminded me that this band was it in their heyday. When these guys got together, magic happened.
After the package, the members of Velvet Revolver introduced the band as inductees into the Hall. Why this band was chosen, I can't guess. It was like watching five clowns behind the podium. Thank God they weren't drunk (or didn't act like it).
As expected, only Sammy and Mike were there to accept the honor (I can't believe Roth didn't show, but maybe he was discouraged from attending by the Brothers Van Halen). Mike started out by thanking the people and the band members who helped make the band what it was. You saw real emotion there. This guy got what it was all about-- a celebration of the accomplishments a band he was in had. He wished Eddie luck (maybe there really is something to the whole rehab thing-- I admit I thought it was an excuse to not attend). He also gave a shout out to Gary Cherone, which was a classy move. He said Gary was a part of the band, so he deserved some recognition. Poor Gary has been erased from existence (think you'll ever see a Cherone song on a future VH "Best Of"? Don't hold your breath), and that's tragic.
After Mike spoke, Sammy said some words. He, too, wished Eddie luck. He also expressed how honored he was that he was included. One of the B.S. parts of The RnR Hall of Fame is they can induct certain lineups and exclude others (for example: Gary didn't get an award). And not including Hagar could have happened-- especially since Van Halen pulled Roth back into the fold for a tour as the inductees were announced. Hagar knew the worth of the honor as well.
Which is what's so disappointing that Dave, Alex, and Ed didn't show. You get inducted once. Maybe Ed & Alex can be inducted with the Gary lineup, but I'm not thinking that'll happen. And while I like some of Dave's solo stuff, I don't think that'll be his second-chance ticket into the Hall. Childish antics robbed them of a chance to be honored by their peers.
Back to the show: after Sammy and Mike left the stage, Velvet Revolver sang "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love". I'll give the band the benefit of the doubt and say the mix sucked. If you're a fan of cymbals, then the performance was for you. If you like vocals, then you were out of luck because the mic was turned way down. And Weiland's movements were unnerving and distracting. Are we sure he's not on the nose-candy again?
After VR left the stage, Paul Schaffer's band (with Mike on bass) backed up Sammy in a rendition of "Why Can't This Be Love?". Again, the mix sucked. And I know Schaffer's band isn't hard rock (although Paul does have a healthy appreciation for bands such as Van Halen), but horns during the song? Didn't work. But at least Sam and Mike got to do their thing on stage. That could have been a last-minute addition as VR was supposed to play Hagar-era song "Runaround". And Dave's comments that he wasn't going to attend because he couldn't sing also lead me to believe that last-second changes were made.
And at the end of the show, we got to see the jam song, where the inductees and presenters (except Velvet Revolver) all come together. Sammy got some good solo time-- and I could actually hear him.
After they were inducted, we got to see a little bit of Mike and Sammy in the press area. They looked to be on top of the world posing for the cameras. And while I couldn't hear some of the questions, it looked as if Mike was explaining why he was booted from the band. His answer: an incredulous "I don't know". Sammy also answered a reunion question by saying Roth needs to go out on tour with the band. When that one's done, everyone needs to grow up-- himself included-- and go out together; he and Dave and the others.
It'll never happen, but it was a nice thing to say, and a nice dream to give a guy after 20 years.
But to say I was excited the band finally got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a little of an understatement (even though I think the whole thing is a farce at times).
Of course, drama seems to plague the band. First Roth and Sammy joked that "who knows what'll happen" at the induction, hinting that there could be some good backstage antics/fights. Then Van Halen announced a tour with Roth, but without Mike. Then Ed and Alex weren't going to go to the induction. Then Dave hemmed and hawed (yeah, like Roth would ever shy from the spotlight). Then Ed announced he was going into rehab. Then Dave said if he couldn't sing with Velvet Revolver (the band that was tapped to play VH songs at the induction), he wasn't going. The only thing anyone knew for sure was that Sammy and Mike were going to be there.
Frankly, I was tired of it all. It's a big honor, and some of the children weren't going. It's embarrassing that Van Halen has become a punchline as opposed to just being the best band in the world/universe. I was pretty soured by it (and the past ten years of B.S.).
But as I FF'ed through the 4+ hrs of the live induction ceremony, I stopped at the part I was interested in: the Van Halen induction. The opening "package" reminded me that this band was it in their heyday. When these guys got together, magic happened.
After the package, the members of Velvet Revolver introduced the band as inductees into the Hall. Why this band was chosen, I can't guess. It was like watching five clowns behind the podium. Thank God they weren't drunk (or didn't act like it).
As expected, only Sammy and Mike were there to accept the honor (I can't believe Roth didn't show, but maybe he was discouraged from attending by the Brothers Van Halen). Mike started out by thanking the people and the band members who helped make the band what it was. You saw real emotion there. This guy got what it was all about-- a celebration of the accomplishments a band he was in had. He wished Eddie luck (maybe there really is something to the whole rehab thing-- I admit I thought it was an excuse to not attend). He also gave a shout out to Gary Cherone, which was a classy move. He said Gary was a part of the band, so he deserved some recognition. Poor Gary has been erased from existence (think you'll ever see a Cherone song on a future VH "Best Of"? Don't hold your breath), and that's tragic.
After Mike spoke, Sammy said some words. He, too, wished Eddie luck. He also expressed how honored he was that he was included. One of the B.S. parts of The RnR Hall of Fame is they can induct certain lineups and exclude others (for example: Gary didn't get an award). And not including Hagar could have happened-- especially since Van Halen pulled Roth back into the fold for a tour as the inductees were announced. Hagar knew the worth of the honor as well.
Which is what's so disappointing that Dave, Alex, and Ed didn't show. You get inducted once. Maybe Ed & Alex can be inducted with the Gary lineup, but I'm not thinking that'll happen. And while I like some of Dave's solo stuff, I don't think that'll be his second-chance ticket into the Hall. Childish antics robbed them of a chance to be honored by their peers.
Back to the show: after Sammy and Mike left the stage, Velvet Revolver sang "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love". I'll give the band the benefit of the doubt and say the mix sucked. If you're a fan of cymbals, then the performance was for you. If you like vocals, then you were out of luck because the mic was turned way down. And Weiland's movements were unnerving and distracting. Are we sure he's not on the nose-candy again?
After VR left the stage, Paul Schaffer's band (with Mike on bass) backed up Sammy in a rendition of "Why Can't This Be Love?". Again, the mix sucked. And I know Schaffer's band isn't hard rock (although Paul does have a healthy appreciation for bands such as Van Halen), but horns during the song? Didn't work. But at least Sam and Mike got to do their thing on stage. That could have been a last-minute addition as VR was supposed to play Hagar-era song "Runaround". And Dave's comments that he wasn't going to attend because he couldn't sing also lead me to believe that last-second changes were made.
And at the end of the show, we got to see the jam song, where the inductees and presenters (except Velvet Revolver) all come together. Sammy got some good solo time-- and I could actually hear him.
After they were inducted, we got to see a little bit of Mike and Sammy in the press area. They looked to be on top of the world posing for the cameras. And while I couldn't hear some of the questions, it looked as if Mike was explaining why he was booted from the band. His answer: an incredulous "I don't know". Sammy also answered a reunion question by saying Roth needs to go out on tour with the band. When that one's done, everyone needs to grow up-- himself included-- and go out together; he and Dave and the others.
It'll never happen, but it was a nice thing to say, and a nice dream to give a guy after 20 years.
300 reasons to see 300
I don't get pumped up for movies. I've found that if I keep my expectations low, I'm much more satisfied (how do you think I got through Star Wars Episode 1?).
But ever since I saw the 300 trailer, when Leonidas screams, "We are Sparta!" and kicks the Persian messenger into the well, I knew I needed to see this movie.
I watched it last night, and I have to say I was not disappointed in the least.
Here are 300 reasons to see this movie (no real spoilers here):
1. Gerard Butler kicks all sorts of ass.
2. The Spartans have funny phrases and act like any action heroes do-- but I actually believed it when they laughed at death instead of thinking it was the usual heroic posturing.
3. Visually stupendous (there were no sets; just actors and a green screen).
4. If your favorite color is red, you'll see lots of it.
5. For the ladies: the Spartans wore loincloths and capes in battle.
6. For the guys: the ladies didn't wear much more.
7. A movie based on a graphic novel without the requisite cartoony stuff-- and the movie wasn't as full of itself as, say, Sin City was.
8. "Then we'll fight in the shade."
9. Leonidas eating an apple while his men are making sure the piles of bodies contain dead opponents.
10. The wall the Spartans build before "The Immortals" arrive.
11. Leonidas would make Arnie, Stallone, and Eastwood piss their pants.
12. Xerxes' travelling throne.
13. The men laughing while being bombarded by arrows.
14. Learn about anatomy as various body parts are split from the torso.
15-299. It just plain kicks ass.
300. "We are Sparta!"
Seriously, I wish I could write more, but I don't have time. Maybe after my friend, Tom, sees it this week, he'll fire my memory up a little more, but I just wanted to put it out there that this is a must see movie.
Note: If you haven't heard, it's pretty violent, so if that kinda thing makes you queasy, you may want to pass.
But ever since I saw the 300 trailer, when Leonidas screams, "We are Sparta!" and kicks the Persian messenger into the well, I knew I needed to see this movie.
I watched it last night, and I have to say I was not disappointed in the least.
Here are 300 reasons to see this movie (no real spoilers here):
1. Gerard Butler kicks all sorts of ass.
2. The Spartans have funny phrases and act like any action heroes do-- but I actually believed it when they laughed at death instead of thinking it was the usual heroic posturing.
3. Visually stupendous (there were no sets; just actors and a green screen).
4. If your favorite color is red, you'll see lots of it.
5. For the ladies: the Spartans wore loincloths and capes in battle.
6. For the guys: the ladies didn't wear much more.
7. A movie based on a graphic novel without the requisite cartoony stuff-- and the movie wasn't as full of itself as, say, Sin City was.
8. "Then we'll fight in the shade."
9. Leonidas eating an apple while his men are making sure the piles of bodies contain dead opponents.
10. The wall the Spartans build before "The Immortals" arrive.
11. Leonidas would make Arnie, Stallone, and Eastwood piss their pants.
12. Xerxes' travelling throne.
13. The men laughing while being bombarded by arrows.
14. Learn about anatomy as various body parts are split from the torso.
15-299. It just plain kicks ass.
300. "We are Sparta!"
Seriously, I wish I could write more, but I don't have time. Maybe after my friend, Tom, sees it this week, he'll fire my memory up a little more, but I just wanted to put it out there that this is a must see movie.
Note: If you haven't heard, it's pretty violent, so if that kinda thing makes you queasy, you may want to pass.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Did you listen?
I just finished watching Frisky Dingo episode 2 ("Meet Awesome X"), and I was reminded how freakin' hilarious that show is. Hopefully you took my advice last week and watched it.
I can't describe it; ya just need to watch. Definitely catch this episode, though.
"You paid five million dollars for a blow job?"
See if YouTube has it...
I can't describe it; ya just need to watch. Definitely catch this episode, though.
"You paid five million dollars for a blow job?"
See if YouTube has it...
Premieres and Notables March 12-18, 2007
Quite a bit of stuff to get to. Here goes:
Monday, 3/12
The Prisoner airs on BBC America every weekday for the next 17 days at 3 pm CST. I happy I can finally catch this classic mystery-drama from the beginning.
Style Her Famous; Style. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
And while I heard the movie isn't that great, A&E is airing Kings of South Beach at 8 pm. It's notable because two stars of the much-missed Boomtown (Donnie Wahlberg and Jason Gedrick) star in it.
The Riches; FX. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver star in this show about a family of con-artists who move into the house of a dead couple and take on their identities. Sure, Dirt let us down, but since this is an FX show, it's recommended.
And even though some members of Van Halen are being dicks (*cough* Eddie *cough*) and won't show, Sammy and Mike will still be there, watching Velvet Revolver perform some of their hits on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airing on VH1 Classic at 7:30 pm CST. Watch it here as it's live. Who knows what will be cut out when the official broadcast airs later in the week?
[Official note: The offical word is Eddie Van Halen is going/has checked himself into rehab, so he can't attend the ceremony. My best wishes to him. Although, it's awfully suspect timing, don't you say?]
Tuesday, 3/13
Bullrun; Spike. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Described as The Amazing Race meets Cannonball Run, so it's sounds interesting. But it airs on Spike and is hosted by Bill Goldberg, so it'll probably crash and burn.
American Heiress; MyNetwork TV. 7-9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I smell something. Oh yeah: crap.
The real American Idol begins tonight as they've actually finally gotten to the Final 12 after 2 months.
Wednesday, 3/14
Saint and Sinners; MyNetworkTV. 7-9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
More crap.
Jon Stewart is the guest on this week's Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg (TV Land, 9 pm).
Halfway Home; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Another improvised comedy show. This one is based in a halfway house for paroles.
Thursday, 3/15
As I noted in a previous post, The Office (NBC, 7 & 7:30) is airing repeats, but ones that have been reworked to include new footage.
Andy Barker, P.I.; NBC. 8:30 CST. Series Premiere.
I've liked Andy Richter's shows in the past, but I've been reading that this newest show isn't as good as 30 Rock, and that's saying something because Rock's pretty uneven.
Raines; NBC. 9:01 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Jeff Goldblum stars as a homicide detective who imagines the victims in his investigations are speaking to him, trying to help him solve the murders.
October Road; ABC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A young author returns to his hometown after ten years.
The Showbiz Show with David Spade; Comedy Central. 9:30 CST. Season Premiere.
Spade normally grows old fast, but this show is a hilarious enough send-up of the ridiculous entertainment shows (Entertainment Weekly, Access Hollywood, The Inside) that by the time the half-hour is up, I kinda miss him. Highly recommended.
Addiction; HBO. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
The beginning of a 14-part documentary series (made up of different specials) looking at substance dependency and addictive behaviors.
Friday, 3/16
Identity; NBC. 8 pm. Return.
The Penn Jillette-hosted game show returns for a seven week run.
Saturday, 3/17
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony; Vh1. 8 pm. Special
The "official" broadcast of Monday's ceremony. Should have the extraneous things clipped out, but not the "live" moments (you know someone's gonna drop the F-Bomb).
Hellboy: Blood and Iron; Cartoon Network. 6 pm. Special
The second animated sequel to the motion picture airs before you can buy it on DVD.
Sunday, 3/18
Galapagos; National Geographic. 7-10 pm CST. Special.
A look at the ecosystem that helped Darwin form his theories on evolution.
Christopher Titus: The 5th Annual End of the World Tour; Comedy Central. 9 pm. Special.
Get your fix of Titus that has been missing since his sitcom was canned.
And the top-notch supermarket hostage episode of Desperate Housewives repeats tonight (ABC, 8 pm). If you gave up on the show after last season (I don't blame you), check this one out and see what you've been missing. Laurie Metcalf better get an Emmy nom from this.
Monday, 3/12
The Prisoner airs on BBC America every weekday for the next 17 days at 3 pm CST. I happy I can finally catch this classic mystery-drama from the beginning.
Style Her Famous; Style. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
And while I heard the movie isn't that great, A&E is airing Kings of South Beach at 8 pm. It's notable because two stars of the much-missed Boomtown (Donnie Wahlberg and Jason Gedrick) star in it.
The Riches; FX. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver star in this show about a family of con-artists who move into the house of a dead couple and take on their identities. Sure, Dirt let us down, but since this is an FX show, it's recommended.
And even though some members of Van Halen are being dicks (*cough* Eddie *cough*) and won't show, Sammy and Mike will still be there, watching Velvet Revolver perform some of their hits on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airing on VH1 Classic at 7:30 pm CST. Watch it here as it's live. Who knows what will be cut out when the official broadcast airs later in the week?
[Official note: The offical word is Eddie Van Halen is going/has checked himself into rehab, so he can't attend the ceremony. My best wishes to him. Although, it's awfully suspect timing, don't you say?]
Tuesday, 3/13
Bullrun; Spike. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Described as The Amazing Race meets Cannonball Run, so it's sounds interesting. But it airs on Spike and is hosted by Bill Goldberg, so it'll probably crash and burn.
American Heiress; MyNetwork TV. 7-9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I smell something. Oh yeah: crap.
The real American Idol begins tonight as they've actually finally gotten to the Final 12 after 2 months.
Wednesday, 3/14
Saint and Sinners; MyNetworkTV. 7-9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
More crap.
Jon Stewart is the guest on this week's Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg (TV Land, 9 pm).
Halfway Home; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Another improvised comedy show. This one is based in a halfway house for paroles.
Thursday, 3/15
As I noted in a previous post, The Office (NBC, 7 & 7:30) is airing repeats, but ones that have been reworked to include new footage.
Andy Barker, P.I.; NBC. 8:30 CST. Series Premiere.
I've liked Andy Richter's shows in the past, but I've been reading that this newest show isn't as good as 30 Rock, and that's saying something because Rock's pretty uneven.
Raines; NBC. 9:01 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Jeff Goldblum stars as a homicide detective who imagines the victims in his investigations are speaking to him, trying to help him solve the murders.
October Road; ABC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A young author returns to his hometown after ten years.
The Showbiz Show with David Spade; Comedy Central. 9:30 CST. Season Premiere.
Spade normally grows old fast, but this show is a hilarious enough send-up of the ridiculous entertainment shows (Entertainment Weekly, Access Hollywood, The Inside) that by the time the half-hour is up, I kinda miss him. Highly recommended.
Addiction; HBO. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
The beginning of a 14-part documentary series (made up of different specials) looking at substance dependency and addictive behaviors.
Friday, 3/16
Identity; NBC. 8 pm. Return.
The Penn Jillette-hosted game show returns for a seven week run.
Saturday, 3/17
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony; Vh1. 8 pm. Special
The "official" broadcast of Monday's ceremony. Should have the extraneous things clipped out, but not the "live" moments (you know someone's gonna drop the F-Bomb).
Hellboy: Blood and Iron; Cartoon Network. 6 pm. Special
The second animated sequel to the motion picture airs before you can buy it on DVD.
Sunday, 3/18
Galapagos; National Geographic. 7-10 pm CST. Special.
A look at the ecosystem that helped Darwin form his theories on evolution.
Christopher Titus: The 5th Annual End of the World Tour; Comedy Central. 9 pm. Special.
Get your fix of Titus that has been missing since his sitcom was canned.
And the top-notch supermarket hostage episode of Desperate Housewives repeats tonight (ABC, 8 pm). If you gave up on the show after last season (I don't blame you), check this one out and see what you've been missing. Laurie Metcalf better get an Emmy nom from this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)