Premieres and Notables June 25- July 1, 2007

Finally... a light week.


Monday, 6/25

Arthur; PBS. 7:30 am CST (check local listings). Season Premiere.
The eleventh season begins.

Wayside; Nickelodeon. 11:30 am CST. Series Premiere.
An animated series, based on the Wayside School book series.

History Detectives; PBS. 8 pm (check local times). Season Premiere.
Season Five.

Semper Fi: One Marine's Journey; Showtime. 7:30. Documentary.
A gay Marine gets outed and loses his job.


Tuesday, 6/26

Shaq's Big Challenge; ABC. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
Shaquille O'Neal and a team of experts help six adolescents with their weight problems.


Thursday, 6/28

Burn Notice; USA. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Bruce Campbell alert! He guest-stars in this series about a spy who is suddenly cut loose, and now he has to find his way in civilian life-- which he does by helping people with his unique skill set all while trying to figure out why he was let go from the spy game.

Hey Paula; Bravo. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Another C-list celeb lets the cameras film her life. This time, Paula Abdul tries to convince us she's not on drugs.

The most abused show of the 2006-2007 season, Men in Trees, beings repeating at 9:01 on ABC. The show really hit its stride in the third episode, so sit through the pilot tonight and promise yourself you'll come back the next few Thursdays. It's worth it.

Another slow-starter ends its life tonight. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip airs its last episode at 9:00 on NBC. I never found the problems others had with the show because the main characters shared my views. Sadly, that wasn't the case for most of America as the views were not as even-handed as they should have been at first (okay, Matt was downright condescending-- which fit the character but turned off viewers). The last run of episodes were well-done and balanced out the preachiness (like when Harriet gave an explanation on why Danny should pray to God while Danny explained why he was not comfortable with it-- it was a great scene where no one was right or wrong) or just plain had great moments like when Matt realized why he had to suggest to Danny to have Jordan make Danny the guardian of her child in the event of her death. It wasn't my favorite show, but I'll miss it.


Friday, 6/29

Degrassi: The Next Generation; The N. 7:00. Return
Kevin Smith's favorite show (okay, I know he's a fan-- and guest-starred as himself in a few eps--, but I shouldn't say "favorite") returns.

The Best Years; The N. 7:30. Series Premiere.
Best described as a college-aged Degrassi.


Sunday, 7/1

The Loop airs its last three episodes (FOX, 6:30, 7:30, & 8:30). It wasn't a fantastic show, but the actors were great and I laughed quite a bit. I'll terribly miss Philip Baker Hall's boss. Every time that guy was on screen, I laughed. At least one of the most promising young comedic actors, Bret Harrison, has already found a new gig starring in next season's Reaper.

Booooo, CBS!

After three whole airings, CBS pulled Creature Comforts from the schedule, to be replaced by more repeats of New Adventures of Old Christine (could'a been worse: Two and a Half Men).

So much for CBS trying something new. Some parts of the show worked better than others, but the scene where the two voices are smelling wine but the on-camera characters are dogs sniffing a butt was riotous (it's a lot more classy-- and funny-- than it sounds).

Boo, CBS. You do a solid for fans by bringing back Jericho (which said as much for your weak pilot season as it did that you listened to fans), but Pirate Master isn't burning up any ratings records, either.

Who Knew She Was Funny?

I'm behind on The Sopranos (although I do know how it ended), but even I found the humor in the spoof Hillary Clinton did of the show's finale. Ya gotta love "Mac Daddy" Bill's reaction to the appetizers Hillary ordered.

And the clip even had a cameo by Vince "Johnny Sack" Curatola.

Check it out here.

Premieres and Notables June 18-24, 2007

One I forgot last week: tonight is Robot Chicken's half-hour Star Wars special on [adult swim]/Cartoon Network at 10 pm and then reairs a few more times this week. George Lucas liked the skit when Darth Vader called the Emperor about the destruction of the Death Star so much, he agreed to lend his voice to the special. If you like Star Wars, or making fun of Star Wars, then check it out.


Monday, 6/18

Curl Girls, Logo. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Lesbian surfers...

Age of Love; NBC. 8 pm. Series Premiere.
A 31-year-old tennis pro gets to pick from a smorgasbord of women in yet another reality dating show. But this one has a twist: the women are either "kittens" (women in their twenties) or "cougars" (women in their forties). I'm sure it'll be classier than what you'd expect...

Simon Schama's Power of Art; PBS. 8 pm (check local listings). Series Premiere.
A documentary series examining the stories behind some of art's masterpieces.

Heartland; TNT. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Treat Williams stars in this medical drama about transplant surgeons.

The Closer; TNT. 8 pm. Season Premiere.

And a fantastically funny episode of The New Adventures of Old Christine reairs tonight at 7:30 (CBS). I'd put it in the top ten funniest episodes of the past TV season.


Tuesday, 6/19

P.O.V.; PBS. 9 pm (check local listings). Season Premiere.
The 20th season begins.

AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Al Pachino; USA. 8 pm. Special.
Is it me, or does this seem to happen more than annually?


Wednesday, 6/20

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies; CBS. 7 pm. Special.
It's been ten years since AFI listed its 100 greatest American films list, and it'll be interesting to see what new films made the cut-- and what old films got pushed out.


Thursday, 6/21

There's a The Office marathon from 7-9 pm (NBC).

Live From Abbey Road; Sundance. 9 pm. Mini-series (12 part).
A look at what it takes to put on a live concert and includes rehearsals at the famous studio. The first ep features Norah Jones and John Mayer.

American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals; CNBC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
A look at the lengths people will go to get rich (except work).


Friday, 6/22

Expose: America's Investigative Reports; PBS. 9 pm (check local listings). Season Premiere.

I've Got Nothing to Wear; TLC. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
I've got a headache writing that these stupid shows keep cropping up.

Stargate Atlantis; SciFi. 8 pm. Season Finale.

And my hat's off to Stargate SG1 (SciFi, 7 pm) for wrapping up its tenth and final season (the longest-running American sci-fi series). I didn't get into it (admittedly, I didn't try real hard), but it deserves its props.

Premieres and Notables, June 11-17, 2007

Man, remember when the summer was a time to relax because everything that was on was a repeat? Not anymore.


Monday, 6/11

Making News: Texas Style; TV Guide Channel. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A behind the scenes reality show set at a local TV Station.

Kyle XY; ABC Family. 7 pm. Season Premiere.
The dude with no past (or navel) returns.


Tuesday, 6/12
More reality shows that sound just wonderful. I'm not wasting too much time typing.

I Propose (Style, 7 pm)
Miami Ink (TLC, 9 pm)
Bad Girls Road Trip (Oxygen, 9 pm)
Fight Girls (Oxygen, 9:30)


Wednesday, 6/13

A little better lineup than last night's.

Rescue Me; FX. 9 pm. Season Premiere.
The much-acclaimed show returns for a fourth season. Recommended.

Last Comic Standing; NBC. 8 pm. Season Premiere.
It loses a little something each year. Hopefully it's only loss this time is host Anthony Clark (who's horribly underrepresented on imdb.com-- dang it was hard to verify that this turd hosted the show last year). This year is hosted by Bill Bellamy. Pray he'll be better.

Top Chef; Bravo. 9 pm. Season Premiere.
Not of any interest to me-- but the premiere will (should?) have an appearance by Anthony Bourdain (who really opened my eyes to the food world with his book Kitchen Confidential).

Lil' Bush; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
The misadventures of the elementary-aged Prez and his friends Lil Condi, Lil' Rummy, and Lil' Cheney. I'll check it out, but the show is about four years too late to really poke fun at the F-Bombing idiot in the big white house. And is it wrong to make fun of an easy target like President Shitforbrains? Is it also wrong to make light of this guy and his cronies who have made America (and the world) a much worse place? I just don't find that funny.


Thursday, 6/14

Soundstage; PBS. 9 pm (check local listings). Season Premiere.
The fourth season kicks off with an hour-long Rob Thomas concert.


Friday, 6/15

The 34th Annual Daytime Emmys; CBS. 8 pm. Special
Nothing I care about here-- other than the wonderful Curious George series, which is nominated for Outstanding Children's Animated Program.


Sunday, 6/17

Entourage; HBO. 9 pm. Season Premiere.
Sure, Season Three just ended two weeks ago, but it's back with a different kind of season that follows Vince and E on the shoot of Medellin in Columbia (?). No telling if Drama and Turtle come along (doubtful), and Season Three was marred a bit by not having the gang in scenes with Ari, and it looks unlikely Ari will make the trip (he does have a business to run and other clients to take care of). And the Season Three finale where Walsh informs E the movie will be entirely in Spanish ("Because I've got final cut.") is not a good omen that the rest of the film making process will be any easier.

Flight of the Conchords; HBO. 9:30. Series Premiere.
Two New Zealand troubadours try to jack up their careers by moving to NYC.

And more pellet premieres:

The Dead Zone (USA, 7 pm)
Bridezillas (WE, 8 pm)
Platinum Weddings (WE, 9 pm)
Ice Road Truckers (History, 9 pm)
Meadowlands (Showtime, 9 pm)
The 4400 (USA, 8 pm)

MODOK's Back

My comic book buying has dropped to about two titles a month (which I buy about every three months or so), so I'm way out of the loop.

But sites like newsarama.com keep me abreast of developments. Seems as if the ridiculous villain an MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) has returned to the Marvel Universe. This drug-induced being is, basically, a giant head with minuscule arms and legs who rides around on a floating chair has come back to cause problems for Ms. Marvel.

But creators and fans still can have a little fun with this guy, as newsarama has posted "interviews" between MODOK and Ms. Marvel #16 creators, writer Brian Reed and penciller Aaron Lopresti. And there's a link to MODOK's official blog, which I haven't read yet, but soon will: BLOGDOK.

I love how the first question he has for Reed and Lopresti right out of the gate is "Please describe your head. Use as much detail as possible."

A New Must-Read Blog For Me

My friend Brian restarted his blog at dahlyvh.blogspot.com, and I recommend trying it out. He took my Best Of challenge and tripled it with his Best Of mix CD recommendations for Sammy Hagar, The BoDeans, and U2. Check out the links for his lists. I'll probably post them here sooner or later to keep the Challenge going, but who knows when (if) I'll get that far.

He's my go-to guy for music. If I have questions on somebody in the music biz, I go to him first. He knows his stuff.

And he keeps me informed about the Sammy Hagar and Van Halen goings on, which is kinda funny since I had to work him pretty hard to be a fan (he was one of those "It ain't Van Halen without Roth" types before I got a hold of him).

And since he upped the ante with the Best Of Challenge, I guess I better get my rear in gear and make some more. Of course, my music experience is horribly limited compared to his.

[Before I go too far, I should pass along Brian's suggestion to actually make a Best Of CD if something really trips your trigger using iTunes. I forgot there's an actual way to make your own CD of songs you don't own-- and give the artists their due.]

I love the look of his blog, and he's much more apt to include pics than I am, so I see a few ideas I'll probably eventually steal. Check it out.

And if you're a fan of NASCAR, this is a must-read site.

Remember, it's not too late to make your own Best Of for inclusion. I started with music, but I'll open it up to other areas. What's your favorite TV shows of the last season? All time? Movies? Show up Entertainment Weekly and make your own Sci-Fi list. How about web sites? Everyone is an expert at something. Share your knowledge.

Post your list by commenting on this (or any) post, or e-mail me at teameckblog@charter.net.

EW (sort of) Corrects a Mistake

A few weeks ago, I posted about a travesty: that Entertainment Weekly kept Babylon 5 off it's 25 Best Sci-Fi of the Last Twenty-Five Years list. Excluding it was insane.

If you've already forgotten, read it here here. Don't worry, I'll wait for you.

Well, they followed up in the June 1, 2007 issue with fan reactions (something I admire the mag for doing when it makes lists of nearly all kinds). They listed the Top Ten Sci-Fi shows/movies fans felt should have been on it and an explanation of why they weren't (in the order of number of responses).

Here it is (along with EW's explanations for why they didn't make the list):
1. Stargate. Longevity (it is the longest running sci-fi show ever) doesn't mean quality.
2. Farscape. Stopped watching the show because of the puppets (see my rant below).
3. Babylon 5. The epic story turned them off; it was too insular (see rant #2 below). But they admitted it should have been on their list.
4. The Fifth Element. Too much flash and not enough substance.
5. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (or Angel). Concluded that it was not sci-fi.
6. Gattica. Great film and would have been on a longer list.
7. Dark City. A beautiful film, but didn't compare to The Matrix.
8. Dune. Too much of a mess.
9. Independence Day. Lost credibility when having the heroes download a virus from a PowerMac to defeat the enemies. (See rant #3)
10. 12 Monkeys. Didn't feel Terry Gilliam needed two movies on the list, and they liked Brazil better.


And my rants, in order:

#1. Didn't watch the show because of the puppets? Are you F-Bombing kidding me? If they really did stop watching, they missed a fantastic show. Inventive, crazy, shocking, and wonderful are just three words I'd use. If you like Han Solo and not having any clue about what could happen next, check this show out.

#2. Firstly: props for EW for saying this show should have made the list and that it was a mistake that it didn't (the only entry on this fan's response list the mag said it would do over). Secondly, the epic storyline was what made it work. Watch it from start to finish, and get a story. Aside from a few cast and timing things, this series was, from start to finish, what JMS wanted it to be. A truly landmark series in that regards (and we're seeing a trend for letting producers end shows on their terms after they've told the story with current shows like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Sopranos, and The Shield).

#3. Independence Day? Really!? Yeah, sometimes fans have it wrong. Was it fun? Okay, I'll give it that. But was it a great movie? No. Great Sci-Fi? No again.


Okay, there you have it. Again, nice work, EW, for admitting your mistake.

On a related note: one film that made the mag's Top 25 was one I watched this past week. Children of Men was only sci-fi in the loosest sense (set in 2027 with very, very little different than 2007 and has a fertility plague), but it was good. Really, really good. If you do or even if you don't like sci-fi, I highly recommend it.

I admit I don't understand directing completely, but I know Alfonso Cuaron worked some serious magic. The long takes were absolutely amazing, and I didn't even notice them until near the end of the film. And Clive Owen's character was probably the most real movie hero to come along in some time. No Bruce Willis or Arnold Schwarzenegger ass-kicking here. Just a guy who starts down a path reluctantly and has to find the hero within to save another life-- all while wearing flip-flops.

I'm not sure if it deserved to be in the Top 25 Sci-Fi movies/TV of the last 25 years, but it should fall into one of the best movies of the last few years (and it did make a great number of critics' Top 10 films of 2006).


And one, final, off-topic diversion. The issue of EW I referred to above also had an article about the decline of ratings; going so far as to say our viewing habits with "timeshifting" (using DVRs and checking episodes out on the Internet) has lowered ratings.

Let me just say this: timeshifting is the only way I can watch TV due to the fact that I have a family, and my TV watching doesn't happen until after 9 pm. It's also the only way I can watch as much as I do (an hour-long show is about 42 actual running time minutes). I highly recommend watching TV this way, and who gives a crap unless you report your viewing to Neilsen? They don't count what I-- or the vast majority of you--watch; we're all lumped into the averages of the viewing that the people Neilsen get reports from watch.

So people aren't watching as many commericals. Sorry, but seeing the Lexus ad on Studio 60 has not made me rush out and buy one. Or the Tide, Budweiser, or Viagra ads, either. Entertain us (or, at least stop airing them hundreds of times) during the commercial breaks, and maybe we won't FF through them.

Justice is Served

#1. Paris Hilton spent three days in the clink and then the sheriff department allowed her to finish her term under house arrest due to "health issues". Well, the county attorney saw through the B.S. and asked for a hearing. First, Hilton thought she could make her case over the phone, but the judge felt that she should be at the courthouse-- and even had some nice officers go pick her up (awesome). In the end, the judge felt that she could handle jail, so back she goes.

I doubt this will get Hilton's shit together, and I doubt she'll learn anything other than "the system sucks" and look to blame anyone but herself-- but it sure is nice to see. Hopefully, the media will have no access to her, and she can drop off the planet for the next few weeks.

Why, oh why, didn't she go to rehab like everyone else looking to escape their fates?

For a funny take on it, check out TV Guide's Matt Webb Mitovich's post here .


#2. Isaiah Washington's contract wasn't renewed for the next season of Grey's Anatomy. He (allegedly) used the new, improved F-word at work, which caused a flap; then the jackass uses it again-- at the Golden Globes during an interview; then he does the rehab/sensitivity training/etc etc etc circuit. All the while, producers never let on that he wouldn't be back, so he finishes out the season, and his storyline ends with him leaving his fiance at the alter and leaving town. Sure, he could have come back next season, but I guess the show went in a different direction.

Hmm. I guess you shouldn't disparage someone at work and then (indirectly) do it again without remorse in public on one of Hollywood's biggest nights, and then do the routine where you try to look like you're sorry but don't really do anything to show you've changed.

And, get this: his people are considering legal action. Good luck with that one. They've cited all the things he's done (the rehab/sensitivity training) and he even requested he do a PSA. That reminds me of the Sam Kinison routine where a rocker who got busted for drunk driving has to a PSA about it or go to jail, so the PSA goes, "Hi! Don't drink or drive, or you'll have to do a commercial like this one."

Too little, too late.

On the subject, has anyone noticed that there are now two F-words? No mainstream magazine I read used the actual word (it was "fag", okay), they called it "the f-word". Now could that be confusing? What if readers thought Washington called Knight a "fu**"? (even I won't put that word in here).

I propose the original F-word gets upgraded to "F-Bomb", and we'll let the new F-word be the lone one. I think that will help things.

Holy Crap! Fans help show!

Okay, I'm not so naive to think maybe it wasn't pre-planned, but I'll take the "win".

Michael Ausiello confirmed a rumor he posted yesterday": Jericho got a half-renewal.

Nina Tassler, head of CBS, wrote a letter about the show and posted it to cbs.com. Sh, basically, said CBS will bring the show back mid-season for seven episodes. If ratings are good, it could get picked up for more. After that, she said CBS would do what it could to promote the show (including reairing the show over the summer and making a big Internet presence), but she urged fans to get the word out because even though the fans of the show are very loyal, there aren't enough to sustain the show long-term. She said the show needs more fans.

Pretty cool. Fans have saved shows before (in EXTREMELY rare instances), but it's always good when a show that is supposed to be decent (oh you know I'll be catching up this summer now) gets a break.

Here's Ausiello's post with the news (and Tassler's letter):
http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/700000049

Premieres and Notables June 7-10, 2007

Whoops-- forgot a premiere in the last post:

My Life on the D-List; Bravo. 9 pm. Season premiere.
I liked this Kathy Griffin show at first, then it got a little less interesting as the seasons went on. I don't know if I'll even give it a chance this time.


Thursday, 6/7

Fast Cars and Superstars: The Young Guns Celebrity Race; ABC. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Celebs and stock cars.

Speeders; Court TV. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Wild drivers, and their excuses to the police, caught on tape.


Friday, 6/8

Standoff; FOX. 8 pm. Return.
And the show has its second return tonight. There can't be that many eps to burn off yet, are there?

My Daddy the Crocodile Hunter; Animal Planet. 8 pm. Special.
Bindi Irwin talks about her dad.


Saturday, 6/9

Bindi the Jungle Girl; Discovery Kids. 4 pm. Series Premiere.
I've heard some whining that Bindi is being exploited after her dad's death, but her work was already in motion before her father died.


Sunday, 6/10

One of TV's most influential shows, The Sopranos, ends its run (HBO, 8 pm). Will it be a bang (as most people want) or quietly (as would fit the series)?

The Tudors closes its first season (Showtime, 9 pm).

John From Cincinnati; HBO. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
David Milch's quirky new series about a California surfing clan who takes in John, from Cincinnati. Will fans give the show a chance, since it is a prime reason why there's no more Deadwood?

Building the Future; Discovery. 8 & 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The pilot looks at alternative energy sources, and the second show looks at construction to withstand natural disasters.

Premieres and Notables, June 4-6, 2007

Lots of comings and goings this week, and not much time, so I'll split the week up in my posts.

Monday, 6/4

A late-notice "marathon" as BBC America airs six episodes of Bromwell High from 2-5 am. It's quality goes up and down, but bad-ass Keisha is pretty funny (think a "smart Cartman", but is even more self-centered).

The Riches ends its debut season (FX, 9 pm CST).

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is on Inside the Actor's Studio (Bravo, 7 pm). Could be good stuff.

The 5ive; BET. 6:30. Series Premiere.
A weekly Top 5 of what's cool. Funny it's on BET. Remember the SNL skits Chris Rock did as Nat X where he's say he could only do a Top Five because The Man wouldn't let him do ten?

Creature Comforts; CBS. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
This British import takes voices of everyday people talking about everyday things, and marries them with Aardman (of the brilliant Wallace and Gromit films) animations. The British show is good, so I hope CBS doesn't screw this one up.

Hell's Kitchen; FOX. 8 pm. Season Premiere.
The third season begins. Who would have imagined it'd last this long?

World Series of Blackjack IV; GSN. 10 pm. Season Premiere.
Who would have guessed that Orel Hershiser, Penn Jillette, Shannon Elizabeth, and Caroline Rhea were so good, they'd be the World Series of Blackjack?


Tuesday, 6/5

The Loop; FOX. 8:30 pm. Season Premiere.
Now I thought this show got picked up last year. I guess we know what happened to it. Enjoy it while you can as star Bret Harrison already has a new series, Reapers, in the Fall. But I like Eric Christian Olsen, and Mimi Rogers and Phillip Baker Hall are great in this show.

The Shield (FX, 9 pm) ends its sixth and penultimate season.

MI-5; BBC America. 7 pm. Series Premiere.
Sort of series premiere... This well-reviewed series aired on A&E already (where it got treated like dirt), but BBC America is airing it from the beginning tonight. It's a British spy drama, and it's supposed to be good (I didn't get on board early enough when A&E aired it, but I won't miss it this time).

Animal Battlegrounds; Animal Planet. 8:30. Series Premiere.
A show looking at how animals defend their turf.

America's Got Talent; NBC. 8 pm. Season Premiere.
America does have talent-- you just won't find it here...


Wednesday, 6/6

Weeks (months?) ago, I told you to record the first three episodes of the BBC America mini-series Bodies because it's freakin' brilliant (dark, painful-- but brilliant). Well, the net is finally showing the remaining three episodes from 2-5 am.

House of Payne; TBS. 8 & 8:30. Series Premiere.
Tyler Perry created this series about a firefighter and his family (and continues to milk his Madea character with her appearance in the pilot). Reviews were not kind to this show...

Footballers Wive$; BBC America. 7 pm. Season premiere.
The fifth, and final, season if this trashy soap begins.

American Inventor; ABC. 8 pm. Season premiere.
I got nothin'...

Destination Truth; Sci Fi. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
The network goes to the "investigate unexplained phenomena" again.

How Quickly They Lose Faith

FOX announced that On The Lot will be airing just once a week after disappointing ratings last week.

It's doubtful they'll cancel the show entirely because they want to stay on Mark Burnett & Steven Spielberg's good sides...

NBC Follows McDonalds' Lead

NBC announced it will not super-size any of their comedies this year. It claims that the odd start and end times wreak havoc on viewers, and if their DVRs are off by just a little, then parts are missed.

I can't say I'm disappointed. Although I do think the shows that were super-sized last year were done well, I still have the Friends and Will & Grace super-size bad taste in my mouth. You remember, when they'd be super-sized with 10 pointless minutes that were obviously tacked on to super-size themselves? You also knew the pointless minutes could be easily excised from the syndicated versions.

Don't forget that The Office will be getting five hour-long episodes next season, but that doesn't count as super-sized because they don't disrupt the schedule, just that one show (probably Scrubs will not be on that week).

BG Announces Its End

Battlestar Galactica producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore announced that the upcoming 22 episode fourth season will be the show's last.

I haven't watched it yet, but any critic or person I talked to who gave it a chance called it one of the best shows on television.

It's a bummer, but at least it's going out on the producers' terms, which means there should be some sort of closure. And they should be able to fit in a lot of closure in 22 episodes.

The Hagar Best Of

So, here's the mix CD I made for a friend.


A couple of notes: she has the Van Halen Best of Both Worlds, which is pretty comprehensive, so no need to add Van Halen songs to the mix. I also added a few songs that might not normally make the cut because there are a few that were tailored to her. And after nearly two-dozen albums, he's got a lot of songs to choose from. I added a few songs in this mix that maybe wouldn't make the cut on a different day because I may have feel more strongly about something else. That's the tough thing about Best Of's...

I'll get around to my definitive Hagar Best Of in the future. I will say that there are some official Best Of's out there: namely The Essential Red Collection and the remastered Classic Masters. Most of this mix CD I made came from those because they're remastered. I'll try to include the original album (if I could determine it-- his Capitol label era has tons of best of and live stuff) as well as the album I used to make the mix.



1. "Bad Motor Scooter"; Montrose (Montrose)/Essential Red Collection. Hagar's first tune, made when he fronted Montrose. It's also got a meaning for my friend-- or at least I tie the song to her.

2. "Red"; Red/Essential Red. The song that will forever link him to the color and gave him his Red Rocker nickname.

3. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"; single/Classic Masters. This Otis Redding cover was a hit for him. It also showcases his talented voice.

4. "Rock 'N' Roll Weekend"; Red/Classic Masters. Just a cool tune. You can imagine him and his friends hangin' at the beach, drinking beers, and listening to the radio.

5. "Cruisin' & Boozin'"; Red/Classic Masters. I like the rhythm of the verses. And it's just a fun song.

6. "I've Done Everything For You"; B-side to "Dock of the Bay"/Classic Masters. If you listen hard enough, you can hear the disappointment in his voice when he realizes all his efforts were for naught. And, for the record, Hagar wrote the song (and put it on vinyl), and Rick Springfield covered it three years later.

7. "You Make Me Crazy"; Musical Chairs/Classic Masters. Another early hit. I like the tune of it.

8. "Three Lock Box"; Three Lock Box/Unboxed. One of those great "singalong" songs that are cool to hear live.

9. "There's Only One Way to Rock" Standing Hampton/Essential Red. Great hard rock vibe. Also a great one to hear live. He did a mean version with Van Halen on Right Here, Right Now where Ed just went wild.

10. "I'll Fall in Love Again"; Standing Hampton/Essential Red. One of my favorite songs. It's one of those turning point songs everyone has when they're growing up. It really got me through some rough times.

11. "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"; Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack/Essential Red. One of my friend's favorite movies. And the song has some cool sounds in it.

12. "Heavy Metal"; VOA/Essential Red. Great hard rock tune.

13. "I Can't Drive 55"; VOA/Essential Red. Probably the song he's best known for.

14. "Give to Live"; I Never Said Goodbye/Essential Red. Another of those seminal songs for me growing up off the first Hagar album I ever bought.

15. "High Hopes"; Unboxed/Essential Red. Probably doesn't need to be in here, but I was feeling it at the time.

16. "Little White Lies"; Marching to Mars/Essential Red. Probably my favorite Hagar song (which changes depending on my mood-- it's always in the Top Five). This song proved to me that he'd be okay after the Van Halen split. The rage from the Van Halen mess just comes through so clearly. He got some game-changing help from friends like Slash and Huey Lewis as well. The acoustic opening with the crunching electric guitar breaks during the first two verses, sliding into Lewis' harmonica solo (with the ominous electric getting closer), and then the full-blown hard rock ending that just drops on you. Perfect.

17. "Mas Tequila"; Red Voodoo/Essential Red. A "reimagination" of "Rock and Roll II" that he made his own. A fun song to party with.

18. "Let Sally Drive"; Ten13. Another one that maybe didn't need to be included, but it's a fun song nonetheless. I love when everything stops for a split-second and then "Drive drive drive, Sally drive!"

19. "Serious Juju"; Ten13. I love this song. It didn't work so well live, but the studio track is great. It's dark and mean and a departure from regular Hagar fare. And I'm not clear on who did the lead guitar (Sam or Vic Johnson), but it sure ruled. It'd be perfect entrance music for Al Gore when he does his global warming presentations. "Mother Earth will punish you... with some... serious... juju."

20. "Sam I Am"; Livin' it Up. A fun little tune off his most recent album that my friend said she liked.

21. "Let Me Take You There"; Livin' it Up. Another borderline tune, but it's different, so I thought it would round the mix out.

Not a bad track listing if I do say so myself. It runs the gamut from his first song to his most recent. There's some rocking songs, party songs, serious songs, ballads; some that feature his voice, others that feature his guitars. Some that you just need to sing along with, and others that you don't dare try to sing. And, most importantly, they are all his songs (or ones he put his own touch on). You can play any one of them, and say "This is a Sammy Hagar song."

So, I'm going to sound the call out again: who is your favorite artist? Who are you an expert on? Make a Best Of mix that tells a novice everything they need to know about your favorite. [One of my loyal readers is a Hagar expert himself, so I'm curious to hear what he thinks (you know who you are).]

Write a comment to this post with your Best Of, or e-mail me at teameckblog@charter.net, and I'll work it into a post. As I said in my last post, there are no right or wrong answers. There are no right or wrong artists. This is just suppsoed to be a fun exercise-- and maybe a little way to brag about what you're an expert on. Do a track listing of 15-20 songs that you'd play for someone who wanted to know what your artist is about; what "their sound" is. And, for fun, throw in an oddball you really like as a "bonus track" (for Hagar, I'd probably do one of his guest appearances on another artist's album).

I'd like this to be a summer-long project. Send your Best Of for a favorite band and then spend some time on another artist. I could do a Hagar one, a non-solo career Hagar, a Van Halen one, a Roth-era VH, a Hagar-era VH, a Best of Eddie Van Halen. Hell, I've got all but one of Roth's albums, too, so I could even do one of his. Make a workout album like I posted about a few months ago. The possibilities are endless.

And you may be surprised by what happens when you do it. I made a Traveling Wilburys mix for my four-year old that had Wilburys tunes (the ones that weren't too adult-- amazing how being a parent of little people changes your outlook) and Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty songs from around the time of the supergroup. I couldn't even put all my favorite tunes in due to content and whatnot, and I was amazed by how much I actually liked the album anyway. It totally brought me back to that magical time in my life: high school. It's also funny to hear my little guys sing songs that I just couldn't help but sing along with in front of them (I do not have a good singing voice, so I tend not to sing around them at all).

So, hey, have fun. If you're shy, don't tell me your name (and if I know it, I won't offer it unless given permission).

Who knows, you might just create a new fan for your favorite artist. The friend I made the Hagar mix is becoming a fan because of me. The Hagar expert I hoped would share his thoughts on my list? Who do you think turned him on to Hagar? Do the same for your favorite.

Best Of's

I'm gonna kind of link some various thoughts I've alluded to on previous posts together. Bear with me.

I don't get a chance to listen to music much. When I'm driving in my own car, I tend to listen to talk radio or audiobooks (because I just can't stop thinking). My car also has a cassette player, so I've got nothing to play on it more recent than 1991, and what I do have to listen to has been listened to a lot in my day and even though it's been years since I've listened to it, it's still tiresome for the most part.

I also just haven't found any really good music lately. The radio stations around here (and any other place I've lived) suck. You have your classic rock, which is, basically, the same 100 songs-- no matter what station you're listening to. You have your modern rock, which is just a little too much; there's nothing there that really hooks me (or wasn't when I actually tried listening to it). And it's all about how depressed people are and how their daddies didn't love them. What happened to good old sex, drugs, and rock and roll?

But I've found that music is extremely powerful at evoking memories and feelings. I went through a bit of an emotional crisis in February. My company decided to relocate my department, and my three minute commute became a thirty-five minute commute (thirty, if I'm really running late). My favorite people to work with were all leaving in droves, and I felt this enormous loss. But I also pulled out some tapes to play during my long drive and found comfort in the music I listened to during my last big emotional crisis-- the dreaded high school and girls mix. It was comforting-- and it helped me cope with the upheaval in my life now just as it did for me half a lifetime ago.

Music is important. It's also one of the few things I try not to disparage. If a TV show sucks, I'll usually say it to anyone who asks my opinion (and even those who don't). Same with movies, comics, books, etc. But music is sacred. I guess I look at music being so personal, it's hard to say "that sucks" because it may mean as much to someone else as my favorite music does to me.

That attitude probably also stems from the fact that I was a big late-'80s Van Halen fan. That meant Sammy Hagar. I spent my high school and college lives hearing how Roth was better in the band, and I had to defend my favorite lineup whenever the subject came up.

Hmmmm. I'm not wrapping it up real well, am I?

Let's just get to the point:

I noted in a recent post that it's hard to come up with a Best Of list of any sort unless you're an expert on the subject. I'm not an "expert" at much, but I do know a lot about a few things (TV of the last ten years, comic books of the last twenty-five, Van Halen). So, when a friend asked me to make her a Sammy Hagar mix CD, I jumped at the chance. Here, I was able to actually put my knowledge to use-- and try to create another fan. Then I thought: what a great idea for a blog post.

And also: what an idea to actually get some communication going. I've gotten good feedback from people I know who read this, but I don't give much of an opportunity to open the gates.

So here it is. Time to earn your keep. Make a best of CD of your favorite band. Make an 80 minute mix for me (15-20 songs). If you were going to make a fan, what would you put on the CD? And, as a bonus, throw in a song that means something to you that may not get put on an "official" Best Of; a bonus track if you will.

I'm out of time, so I'll post my Hagar Best Of within the next day or two. In the meantime, get to work. I know one of my readers is a U2 fan and another is a Queensryche fan. Sell me on them.

Post a reply to the post or e-mail your best of to me at teameckblog@charter.net .

And sorry I didn't proofread this-- outta time....

Turning the Other Cheek

I can't in good conscience recommend [adult swim]'s Moral Orel because it's pretty sacrilegious (I'm not religious myself, but there's no need in getting the Bible-thumpers all pissed off about a show that's well under their radar.) "Sacrilegious" may be too strong; let's just say it takes Christian dogma and views it from a skewed angle.


But I have to say the episode that aired two weeks ago, "Turn the Other Cheek" was pretty good-- even if you don't find humor in religion.

Orel is a very enthusiastic young Christian who wakes up early and listens to a song about turning the other cheek. One day, school bully Walt punches him to the ground. Orel is ecstatic because he can finally turn the other cheek. He tells his friend Dougie that he's going to teach Walt a lesson, and he turns his other cheek. And Walt gives him a second black eye.

This goes on, day after day. Orel gets beaten to a pulp, and he enthusiastically asks for more.

Soon though, his mom is worried because Orel's clothes are getting so bloody. She takes the problem to her husband, who sees no problem that she has to wash clothes every day. ...Until she informs him that she has to double her laundry detergent budget.

Orel's dad asks him what's going on (because it's so bad that his wife has to talk to him, and "no one wants that"). After Orel explains, his father tells him that God wants him to protect himself and maybe it's time Orel makes Walt turn the other cheek. He also tells Orel that a fist is just one hand praying by itself, so it's not really a bad thing to make one.

Orel finds a new purpose in life: teaching God's word by his actions. He starts beating on Walt, then a sick kid who needed to make a fist to have blood drawn, then other school kids, then a cat he kicks across the street. He's terrorizing the neighborhood and is oblivious to the whole thing.

Finally he comes home and sees his mom's fist, holding a feather duster. He knocks her to the ground and starts wailing on her. His dad comes home and sees Orel going to town on his mom. He hesitates for a second and then screams at him. He reaches for the spanking paddle Orel made in shop class (made because his father's pants fall down every time he has to take his belt to Orel) and got ready to connect.

But Orel sees the fist clenched on the paddle and springs on his dad like a wild animal. I practically fell off the couch from laughing. Anyway, Orel's laying into his dad; even going so far as grabbing the paddle and giving his dad a few whacks, while enthusiastically informing him that he's "Getting a lesson from Jesus."

It was one of the funniest things I've watched since the season finales of my favorite shows a few weeks back.

So while I still can't recommend the show to everyone, I still think it's worth checking out if you can accept the humor. The thing is, Orel is unbelievably naive, but his desire to be the best Christian he can be is what makes the humor work (and it makes Orel someone to root for-- even if he's more dedicated than the most fanatical fundamentalists). And, in my opinion, there are lots of things that people have taken too far in the name of religion and anything that can show the ridiculousness of such things is something worth watching.

Or just forget the religious aspects altogether and just laugh at the antics of a young man who is completely clueless about the world around him.

TV GUIDE's Dream Emmy Noms

For the sixth year in a row, the TV Guide crew made a dream Emmy nominations list. I can't say I disagree with it (and I find numerous faults with most lists-- as my post about the EW Sci-Fi list proved).

Kinsey and Helms from The Office may have been a stretch; deserving, yes, but don't have enough screen time compared to others who could have made the list. But they were inspired choices, for sure.

Another quibble: 30 Rock isn't that great. It's funny, but it was painful to watch the early episodes. Baldwin did (and should have) gotten on the list, but some of the others (including the show itself)...?

But at least, there are no groaners (like Kelsey Grammar's way too many noms for Fraiser).

Check it out at the link:

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/2007-Dream-Emmy/800016062

And EW makes my WTF!? list

I really like the Entertainment Weekly magazine. I think the articles are informative without being trashy, and the reviewers are not too snobby and they actually are quite helpful when it comes to what to watch/read.

But they certainly didn't earn an "A" in a recent issue. My friend, Tom, tried to warn me before I read it (I borrow it from the library, so I'm always a week or three behind), but we ended up getting into a discussion of how much of an expert does one have to be before s/he can make a credible "Best Of" list? So his warning didn't hit me until I actually had the issue in my hand.

In issue #933 (May 11, 2007), the editors/critics/staffers made a list of the Top 25 Sci-Fi movies and TV of the last 25 years. The list isn't too bad. I'm certainly no expert anymore, and I haven't seen all the entries, but they did make one glaring omission. Now that I think of it, they also missed another big one. Now, if it was me, you can expect something being forgotten about, but I don't get paid to make lists that should be credible-- and I also work solo. There were TWELVE different people who wrote the explanatory pieces for each show/film, so it can be assumed that at least those twelve came up with the list.

Let's see what they did pick:

1. The Matrix. Hmm. Haven't seen it. Heard it's good. Also heard it's overrated.
2. Battlestar Galactica. (The current show). I've heard nothing but good about it. Probably deserves to be here.
3. Blade Runner. Haven't seen it from beginning to end, but it's considered a classic among those "in the know".
4. The X-Files. Acceptable.
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Naturally.
6. Brazil. Haven't seen it, but I've heard it's excellent.
7. E.T. Absolutely. Not my idea of sci-fi, but the the conceits of these lists is: as long as it's set in the future or deals with time travel or alternate histories or has an alien, it's sci-fi.
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation. Probably the best pure sci-fi show ever.
9. Aliens. Sure.
10. The Thing. Another I haven't seen (I really have to dig out the tape I have of it...), but have heard it's excellent.
11. Lost. Heard it's good. Could be stretching the term "sci-fi" a little, though.
12. Back to the Future. Another one I don't think of as sci-fi, but the time travel makes it a viable candidate.
13. The Terminator/Terminator 2. Sure.
14. Children of Men. I have heard this is sci-fi, but it certainly didn't fall into my sci-fi radar. Heard it's an excellent film, too.
15. Firefly/Serenity. I liked the show, and liked the movie much more than I thought I thought I would. Acceptable, considering some on this list, but I think it's overrated.
16. Total Recall. Okay.
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Haven't seen it, but have never seen it referred to as sci-fi until this list.
18. Heroes. Ummm; it makes the list before the first season is even done? It could totally be worthy of the list, but I think it made it just to give it some "current stuff" love. And if this show made the list, where are the super-hero movies (Spider-Man, Batman) of the past 25 years?
19. Starship Troopers. Worthy. Unfortunately, the write-up just called it harmless fun. It is more than that.
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars. Worthy for sure.
21. Futurama. Okay, but not at the expense of what was left off.
22. Quantum Leap. Another I don't think of as sci-fi, but it's great it made the list. It's completely underrated.
23. Doctor Who. Haven't seen it in any incarnation, but it's a classic.
24. Galaxy Quest. Great movie; but not at the expense of what's not on the list.
25. V: The Miniseries. I was huge into this when I was a kid. I'm glad to see it get some love.

So, as you can see, it's a pretty good list. And some things were on it that maybe should be, and others aren't on that should be but there are two omissions that are unforgivable.

Firstly, where is Farscape? The craziest, most inventive sci-fi series I have ever seen, and it doesn't make the list? WTF!?

And the biggest error: no Babylon 5? SERIOUSLY!? Are they on f***ing crack? Yeah, it had its flaws, but the pure saga of it all should have made it a shoo-in. I know I personally place it higher on my list (my favorite TV series-- ever) than it deserves to be, but, c'mon! Are they out of their minds?

I guess everyone makes mistakes.

So, take the list as I typed it out and make it it a Top 27. Throw the much-deserving Babylon 5 and Farscape on it and be happy.

Me? I'm just gonna add this to my to-do list if I ever rule the world: "Fix the Entertainment Weekly Sci-Fi list."