Love the show-- and I was a bit of a Star Wars geek way back, so I like the "Han shot first" nod.
Oh Hellz yeah! Feb 9 can't come soon enough.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Premieres and Notables; January 31-February 6, 2011
Sorry this is late. I spent the weekend in beautiful Duluth, MN-- went back home (yes, even though it's been half my lifetime since I've lived there, I still consider it "home")-- for an exciting weekend.
Friday and Saturday nights, I got to see my first women's hockey games. Great stuff. And the best part was seeing the defending National champs, the UMD Bulldogs, sweep the Bemidji State ladies. Really tight games, and I was happy to see some punches thrown-- just like the good old days of watching the college men in the '80s. Women's hockey is a little more finesse than physical, but those two teams took their shots, and even though they can't check each other, we did get to see a few board crashes. (Not that I advocate the violence over the technique; but it sure is nice to see a physical game...)
But the big reason to visit there was to get into some of the events surrounding the 28th Annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. My wife and I attended the events about ten years ago and finally were able to make the timing work again this year-- and with kids along as well.
Saturday was the Cutest Puppy Contest. The accommodations were a little crowded (took a half hour to get a parking space, and the hallways of the old brewery were a little tight), but you can't beat a building full of puppies (40 entrants-- and dozens more who didn't get there in time). And, being a winter weather area, there were lots of my favorite types of dogs: huskies and malamutes-- and a gigantic Saint Bernard named "Bob" (who took second place in the fan voting. The top three finishers can see seen at 2011 Cutest Puppy.
And Sunday afternoon was the beginning of the full and half marathons. The full marathon is the longest in the lower-48, and the weather was beautiful: sunny and about 15 degrees. It felt warmer than that though, but the snow was still there and perfect (there have been years where the start had to be moved due to lack of snow).
And other than a lack of planning for fans by the marathon people (two busses running from the race to the parking lot; the wait was close to an hour-- and they could have groomed the fan area a little, so it wasn't so hard to walk through-- and bleachers like at the old place the race started at-- would have been nice), it was perfect. Not many athletes will let you hang out with them before the race like mushers and their dogs do. Right up to about a half hour before they were due to leave, fans could walk right up to dogs and pet them and wish them luck-- and ask mushers questions and wish them luck as well.
And when it was time to race, those dogs are crazy. I took lots of pics and videos of the dogs howling and jumping. Some teams were pretty calm, and others needed a team of humans to hold them back from taking-off early. Sled dog marathons can be exhausting-- but those dogs just love it.
If you're interesting at all in that race (would should be ending in a day or two), check out the John Beargrease Race website.
Okay, thanks for indulging me. Here are the premieres:
Tuesday, 2/1
Seriously Funny Kids; Lifetime. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Heidi Klum hosts this show that captures the funny things kids say (some of them are the "darndest" things, if you catch my drift).
One Born Every Minute; Lifetime. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This show goes behind the scenes at a maternity ward.
Wednesday, 2/2
Extra Virgin; Cooking Channel. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Debi Mazar and husband Gabriele Corcos take their online cooking vlog (Under the Tuscan Gun) and make a show of it.
Thursday, 2/3
If you missed last week's fantastic premiere of Archer Season Two, you can catch it again tonight after an all-new Archer (FX; 9 pm CST). This week, Sterling finds out his mom lost her savings in a Ponzi scheme. Last week, he had to protect an underage hottie who kept hitting on him. And Archer, a guy who will screw just about anything with a vagina, draws the line at underage girls.
Friday, 2/4
Who Do You Think You Are? NBC. 7 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Sunday, 2/6
There's a little thing called the Super Bowl (XLV) on Fox at 5:30 pm CST that pits The Pittsburgh Steelers against my adopted hometown state team The Green Bay Packers. Should be a good one. I may actually watch it...
If football's not your style, then check out Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VII. I've found it to be bland beyond ten minutes at a time (show's fault; not puppies' fault), but, c'mon: they're puppies!
And after the game, Fox gives us a special episode of Glee (roughly 9:30 pm-- be sure to overrecord if using a DVR because the game could very well "go long").
Friday and Saturday nights, I got to see my first women's hockey games. Great stuff. And the best part was seeing the defending National champs, the UMD Bulldogs, sweep the Bemidji State ladies. Really tight games, and I was happy to see some punches thrown-- just like the good old days of watching the college men in the '80s. Women's hockey is a little more finesse than physical, but those two teams took their shots, and even though they can't check each other, we did get to see a few board crashes. (Not that I advocate the violence over the technique; but it sure is nice to see a physical game...)
But the big reason to visit there was to get into some of the events surrounding the 28th Annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. My wife and I attended the events about ten years ago and finally were able to make the timing work again this year-- and with kids along as well.
Saturday was the Cutest Puppy Contest. The accommodations were a little crowded (took a half hour to get a parking space, and the hallways of the old brewery were a little tight), but you can't beat a building full of puppies (40 entrants-- and dozens more who didn't get there in time). And, being a winter weather area, there were lots of my favorite types of dogs: huskies and malamutes-- and a gigantic Saint Bernard named "Bob" (who took second place in the fan voting. The top three finishers can see seen at 2011 Cutest Puppy.
And Sunday afternoon was the beginning of the full and half marathons. The full marathon is the longest in the lower-48, and the weather was beautiful: sunny and about 15 degrees. It felt warmer than that though, but the snow was still there and perfect (there have been years where the start had to be moved due to lack of snow).
And other than a lack of planning for fans by the marathon people (two busses running from the race to the parking lot; the wait was close to an hour-- and they could have groomed the fan area a little, so it wasn't so hard to walk through-- and bleachers like at the old place the race started at-- would have been nice), it was perfect. Not many athletes will let you hang out with them before the race like mushers and their dogs do. Right up to about a half hour before they were due to leave, fans could walk right up to dogs and pet them and wish them luck-- and ask mushers questions and wish them luck as well.
And when it was time to race, those dogs are crazy. I took lots of pics and videos of the dogs howling and jumping. Some teams were pretty calm, and others needed a team of humans to hold them back from taking-off early. Sled dog marathons can be exhausting-- but those dogs just love it.
If you're interesting at all in that race (would should be ending in a day or two), check out the John Beargrease Race website.
Okay, thanks for indulging me. Here are the premieres:
Tuesday, 2/1
Seriously Funny Kids; Lifetime. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Heidi Klum hosts this show that captures the funny things kids say (some of them are the "darndest" things, if you catch my drift).
One Born Every Minute; Lifetime. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This show goes behind the scenes at a maternity ward.
Wednesday, 2/2
Extra Virgin; Cooking Channel. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Debi Mazar and husband Gabriele Corcos take their online cooking vlog (Under the Tuscan Gun) and make a show of it.
Thursday, 2/3
If you missed last week's fantastic premiere of Archer Season Two, you can catch it again tonight after an all-new Archer (FX; 9 pm CST). This week, Sterling finds out his mom lost her savings in a Ponzi scheme. Last week, he had to protect an underage hottie who kept hitting on him. And Archer, a guy who will screw just about anything with a vagina, draws the line at underage girls.
Friday, 2/4
Who Do You Think You Are? NBC. 7 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Sunday, 2/6
There's a little thing called the Super Bowl (XLV) on Fox at 5:30 pm CST that pits The Pittsburgh Steelers against my adopted hometown state team The Green Bay Packers. Should be a good one. I may actually watch it...
If football's not your style, then check out Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VII. I've found it to be bland beyond ten minutes at a time (show's fault; not puppies' fault), but, c'mon: they're puppies!
And after the game, Fox gives us a special episode of Glee (roughly 9:30 pm-- be sure to overrecord if using a DVR because the game could very well "go long").
Monday, January 24, 2011
Quick Recommendation-- The King's Speech
Normally I'd wait until my quarterly/half-yearly review section, but seeing as how it's in theaters now, I thought I'd mention it.
I saw The King's Speech this weekend. I knew it would be good, but I didn't realize just how good it would be.
Funny thing: I didn't want to see a movie this weekend. I've been getting my teeth kicked in at work for some time now (why I haven't finished my last six months-worth of movie reviews) and was just looking forward to a quiet night at home. But my wife and I found ourselves childless for a night, so we decided to take advantage of it. Not much showing that we knew to be good, and even though I was thinking The King's Speech would be fine to watch at home on Blu-Ray/DVD, I have to say I'm very glad I saw in a theatre. The way the film was shot, seeing the close-ups of Colin Firth on a big screen as he struggled through some scenes as the stuttering Bertie, really highighted the incredible acting he was doing.
Anyway, The King's Speech is about King George VI (whom his family called "Bertie"), who found himself thrust into the throne through a few family events that didn't go his way (he had no desire to be king). Bertie was a good family man and knew him being king would have come from some deaths in his family. He also suffered from a terrible stutter, and it did little to make him seem very royal.
And to add his panic over being a stuttering king, his country was also on the precipice of war. Hitler and the Germans were running roughshod through Europe, and his people needed a king they could stand behind.
Bertie needed someone to help him find his voice, and he finally comes into contact with Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, an Australian who has a pretty unorthodox teaching style.
I don't want to give too much away, but it's pretty safe to say the path seems pretty standard: oddball speech therapist offends the Royal, they have a spat, but he realizes that the therapist was making headway. They work together and form a bond neither thought would happen when they started. But even though the plot seems standard enough, the two lead actors brought an incredible depth to their roles-- and to the friendship the two men form.
It's a truly wonderful film, and it's amazing to watch those two actors work their roles as they did, so do yourself a favor and check it out.
I saw The King's Speech this weekend. I knew it would be good, but I didn't realize just how good it would be.
Funny thing: I didn't want to see a movie this weekend. I've been getting my teeth kicked in at work for some time now (why I haven't finished my last six months-worth of movie reviews) and was just looking forward to a quiet night at home. But my wife and I found ourselves childless for a night, so we decided to take advantage of it. Not much showing that we knew to be good, and even though I was thinking The King's Speech would be fine to watch at home on Blu-Ray/DVD, I have to say I'm very glad I saw in a theatre. The way the film was shot, seeing the close-ups of Colin Firth on a big screen as he struggled through some scenes as the stuttering Bertie, really highighted the incredible acting he was doing.
Anyway, The King's Speech is about King George VI (whom his family called "Bertie"), who found himself thrust into the throne through a few family events that didn't go his way (he had no desire to be king). Bertie was a good family man and knew him being king would have come from some deaths in his family. He also suffered from a terrible stutter, and it did little to make him seem very royal.
And to add his panic over being a stuttering king, his country was also on the precipice of war. Hitler and the Germans were running roughshod through Europe, and his people needed a king they could stand behind.
Bertie needed someone to help him find his voice, and he finally comes into contact with Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, an Australian who has a pretty unorthodox teaching style.
I don't want to give too much away, but it's pretty safe to say the path seems pretty standard: oddball speech therapist offends the Royal, they have a spat, but he realizes that the therapist was making headway. They work together and form a bond neither thought would happen when they started. But even though the plot seems standard enough, the two lead actors brought an incredible depth to their roles-- and to the friendship the two men form.
It's a truly wonderful film, and it's amazing to watch those two actors work their roles as they did, so do yourself a favor and check it out.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Premieres and Notables; January 24-30, 2011
Monday, 1/24
RuPaul's Drag Race; Logo. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
And now... a public service announcement:
Tuesday & Wednesday
Turner Classic Movies ends its celebration of Hal Roach Studios this month with some longer-form movies from 7 pm Tuesday to 7 pm Wednesday (CST). Like I noted two weeks ago, there are some real gems in here. I mentioned that Laurel & Hardy's best work were in shorts (because many of the longer films relegated them to bit parts; still funny, but not really what I consider "Laurel & Hardy"), but there are some gems that were closer to an hour. I admit to not knowing all the stars Hal Roach Studos had, but let me lay-out the L&H films in this marathon-- and also a long-form Little Rascals film as well.
Tuesday, 1/25
***7 pm CST-- Sons of the Desert.
Stan and Ollie lie to their wives about being sick, so they can attend their lodge meeting.
It doesn't go well.
Highly recommended. This plays out like an hour-long short. The focus is squarely on the duo, just as it should be.
8:15 pm CST-- General Spanky.
An hour and fifteen minute Little Rascals film that finds Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat in the Civil War.
Wednesday, 1/26
12:45 am CST-- Zenobia.
Only Oliver Hardy is credited here. Not sure if it follows the "L&H" pattern, but I thought I'd mention it.
***3:30 am CST-- Way Out West.
Stan and Ollie in the Old West, doing what they do.
Like "Sons of the Desert", this one is like an hour-long L&H short. Some gags held together by a fairly simple plot. Lots of great stuff here to recommend as well.
4:30 pm CST-- Bonnie Scotland.
A classic film (80 minutes long) that I have to admit, I'm not 100% sure I recall the details well enough to say this is like the others I mentioned. It's one of their more famous films, so it is worth a look.
And now, back to our regular premieres post...
Tuesday, 1/25
Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?; WE tv. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A reality show that follows Joan and Melissa Rivers.
You know you've been waiting for something like this. Admit it....
A Stand Up Mother; WE tv. 9:02 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Tammy Pascatelli (a former contestant on Last Comic Standing) gets her own reality show.
Wednesday, 1/26
Desert Car Kings; Discovery. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A reality show that follows the lives of an Arizona auto-parts family-business.
Clean House; Style. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
With Tempest Bledsoe taking over for former host Niecy Nash.
Being Erica; SoapNet. 10 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Thursday, 1/27
Archer; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Highly recommended. Even if it's "not for everyone", it's still worth a try.
Especially if you like old-school Adult Swim sensibilities, secret agents who screw anything that walks, office personnel who get aroused from being choked, drunk "mad scientist" types, traitorous heads of spy agencies, and a near-complete disrespect for manservants...
Listen: just try it...
Friday, 1/28
Working Class; CMT. 7 and 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
CMT's first scripted series. This one's about a single mom and a nosy neighbor (or coworker, depending on what magazine I read) played by Ed Asner.
Sunday, 1/30
Brick City; Sundance. 7 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
RuPaul's Drag Race; Logo. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
And now... a public service announcement:
Tuesday & Wednesday
Turner Classic Movies ends its celebration of Hal Roach Studios this month with some longer-form movies from 7 pm Tuesday to 7 pm Wednesday (CST). Like I noted two weeks ago, there are some real gems in here. I mentioned that Laurel & Hardy's best work were in shorts (because many of the longer films relegated them to bit parts; still funny, but not really what I consider "Laurel & Hardy"), but there are some gems that were closer to an hour. I admit to not knowing all the stars Hal Roach Studos had, but let me lay-out the L&H films in this marathon-- and also a long-form Little Rascals film as well.
Tuesday, 1/25
***7 pm CST-- Sons of the Desert.
Stan and Ollie lie to their wives about being sick, so they can attend their lodge meeting.
It doesn't go well.
Highly recommended. This plays out like an hour-long short. The focus is squarely on the duo, just as it should be.
8:15 pm CST-- General Spanky.
An hour and fifteen minute Little Rascals film that finds Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat in the Civil War.
Wednesday, 1/26
12:45 am CST-- Zenobia.
Only Oliver Hardy is credited here. Not sure if it follows the "L&H" pattern, but I thought I'd mention it.
***3:30 am CST-- Way Out West.
Stan and Ollie in the Old West, doing what they do.
Like "Sons of the Desert", this one is like an hour-long L&H short. Some gags held together by a fairly simple plot. Lots of great stuff here to recommend as well.
4:30 pm CST-- Bonnie Scotland.
A classic film (80 minutes long) that I have to admit, I'm not 100% sure I recall the details well enough to say this is like the others I mentioned. It's one of their more famous films, so it is worth a look.
And now, back to our regular premieres post...
Tuesday, 1/25
Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?; WE tv. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A reality show that follows Joan and Melissa Rivers.
You know you've been waiting for something like this. Admit it....
A Stand Up Mother; WE tv. 9:02 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Tammy Pascatelli (a former contestant on Last Comic Standing) gets her own reality show.
Wednesday, 1/26
Desert Car Kings; Discovery. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A reality show that follows the lives of an Arizona auto-parts family-business.
Clean House; Style. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
With Tempest Bledsoe taking over for former host Niecy Nash.
Being Erica; SoapNet. 10 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Thursday, 1/27
Archer; FX. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Highly recommended. Even if it's "not for everyone", it's still worth a try.
Especially if you like old-school Adult Swim sensibilities, secret agents who screw anything that walks, office personnel who get aroused from being choked, drunk "mad scientist" types, traitorous heads of spy agencies, and a near-complete disrespect for manservants...
Listen: just try it...
Friday, 1/28
Working Class; CMT. 7 and 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
CMT's first scripted series. This one's about a single mom and a nosy neighbor (or coworker, depending on what magazine I read) played by Ed Asner.
Sunday, 1/30
Brick City; Sundance. 7 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Premieres Teasers
Okay, back to trying to show a little something about upcoming series.
Harry's Law:
Being Human:
Perfect Couples:
Fairly Legal:
Portlandia:
Harry's Law:
Being Human:
Perfect Couples:
Fairly Legal:
Portlandia:
Premieres and Notables; January 17-23, 2011
Monday, 1/17
I'm in the Band; Disney XD. 6 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Piers Morgan Tonight; CNN. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Morgan begins his gig in the timeslot Larry King left when he retired.
Being Human; Syfy. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Stop me if you've heard this one: a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost all live in a house.
Syfy gives a try on remaking a BBC series; one I've heard is pretty good (and is still producing new episodes itself).
Harry's Law; NBC. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Another quirky law-firm drama brought to us from David E. Kelley.
Kathy Bates stars a a patent attorney who gets tired of the grind and starts a criminal defense firm.
I like to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt, but I haven't heard much good about this one.
Tuesday, 1/18
Life Unexpected (The CW; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Likely the series finale as well.
I slogged through all of last season and the first 3-4 eps this season, and while I liked the actors and characters, the repetitive plots got to me.
Pioneers of Television; PBS. 7 pm CST (check local listing). 2nd Season Premiere.
Now narrated by Kelsey Grammer.
White Collar; USA. 9 pm CST. Mid-season Return.
Glory Daze (TBS; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Wednesday, 1/19
American Idol; Fox. 7 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Now we can finally see if the extreme makeover worked.
And endlessly hear about the results from now until June...
Blue Bloods; CBS. 9 pm CST. New Night & Time.
Hot in Cleveland; TBS. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Restaurant: Impossible; Food Network. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Dinner: Impossible host Robert Irvine plies his trade with entire restaurants...
James Ellroy's L.A.: City of Demons; Investigation Discovery. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Ellroys hosts this six-episode series that looks at some of Los Angeles' most famous crimes.
Retired at 35; TV Land. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A New Yorker leaves the city and his life behind and moves into his parents' retirement community.
I haven't heard good things-- even with George Segal and Jessica Walter as the parents...
Thursday, 1/20
Perfect Couples; NBC. 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Three couples (who I'm guessing aren't "perfect") are the focus in this new comedy.
If you can call a show that's not funny (from just about everyone who's seen an episode and reported their thoughts) a "comedy"...
Yet another lame attempt by NBC to do something with it's Thursday lineup (remember all the duds the network tried in the Seinfeld and Friends days?).
BUT-- let's all remember that The Office and Parks and Recreation were pretty bad at first as well...
Royal Pains; USA. 8 pm CST. Mid-season Return.
Parks and Recreation; NBC. 8:30 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Now let's see if all the fans who have had blue balls waiting for this show to return are still as excited about it when new episodes arrive.
Me, I thought Season Two was a huge step-up from Season One, but I don't think it's something to get crazed about like many have been.
30 Rock; NBC. 9 pm CST. New Time.
Fairly Legal; USA. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Life's Sarah Shahi stars as a legal mediator.
Because this is USA, expect a light-hearted romp featuring a "rebel" protagonist who doesn't always follow the rules.
That's about all I know-- and that critics have "fallen" for Shahi's work in the pilot.
Outsourced; NBC. 9:30 pm. New Time.
Friday, 1/21
Medium (CBS; 7 pm CST). Series Finale.
After seven years, the show ends-- but gets a proper send-off that looks ahead a few years.
Fringe; Fox. 8 pm CST. New Night.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena; Starz. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This six-episode prequel series was made to give a little more time to the parent show (star Andy Whitfield had to undergo cancer treatment; he's since decided he can't return and the show is looking for a replacement), but it also helped fill-in some of the backstory to the House of Batiatus with a look at the first slave they take on: Gannicus.
Portlandia; IFC. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein created and star in this comedy about Portland.
I'm in the Band; Disney XD. 6 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Piers Morgan Tonight; CNN. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Morgan begins his gig in the timeslot Larry King left when he retired.
Being Human; Syfy. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Stop me if you've heard this one: a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost all live in a house.
Syfy gives a try on remaking a BBC series; one I've heard is pretty good (and is still producing new episodes itself).
Harry's Law; NBC. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Another quirky law-firm drama brought to us from David E. Kelley.
Kathy Bates stars a a patent attorney who gets tired of the grind and starts a criminal defense firm.
I like to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt, but I haven't heard much good about this one.
Tuesday, 1/18
Life Unexpected (The CW; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Likely the series finale as well.
I slogged through all of last season and the first 3-4 eps this season, and while I liked the actors and characters, the repetitive plots got to me.
Pioneers of Television; PBS. 7 pm CST (check local listing). 2nd Season Premiere.
Now narrated by Kelsey Grammer.
White Collar; USA. 9 pm CST. Mid-season Return.
Glory Daze (TBS; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Wednesday, 1/19
American Idol; Fox. 7 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Now we can finally see if the extreme makeover worked.
And endlessly hear about the results from now until June...
Blue Bloods; CBS. 9 pm CST. New Night & Time.
Hot in Cleveland; TBS. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Restaurant: Impossible; Food Network. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Dinner: Impossible host Robert Irvine plies his trade with entire restaurants...
James Ellroy's L.A.: City of Demons; Investigation Discovery. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Ellroys hosts this six-episode series that looks at some of Los Angeles' most famous crimes.
Retired at 35; TV Land. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A New Yorker leaves the city and his life behind and moves into his parents' retirement community.
I haven't heard good things-- even with George Segal and Jessica Walter as the parents...
Thursday, 1/20
Perfect Couples; NBC. 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Three couples (who I'm guessing aren't "perfect") are the focus in this new comedy.
If you can call a show that's not funny (from just about everyone who's seen an episode and reported their thoughts) a "comedy"...
Yet another lame attempt by NBC to do something with it's Thursday lineup (remember all the duds the network tried in the Seinfeld and Friends days?).
BUT-- let's all remember that The Office and Parks and Recreation were pretty bad at first as well...
Royal Pains; USA. 8 pm CST. Mid-season Return.
Parks and Recreation; NBC. 8:30 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Now let's see if all the fans who have had blue balls waiting for this show to return are still as excited about it when new episodes arrive.
Me, I thought Season Two was a huge step-up from Season One, but I don't think it's something to get crazed about like many have been.
30 Rock; NBC. 9 pm CST. New Time.
Fairly Legal; USA. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Life's Sarah Shahi stars as a legal mediator.
Because this is USA, expect a light-hearted romp featuring a "rebel" protagonist who doesn't always follow the rules.
That's about all I know-- and that critics have "fallen" for Shahi's work in the pilot.
Outsourced; NBC. 9:30 pm. New Time.
Friday, 1/21
Medium (CBS; 7 pm CST). Series Finale.
After seven years, the show ends-- but gets a proper send-off that looks ahead a few years.
Fringe; Fox. 8 pm CST. New Night.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena; Starz. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This six-episode prequel series was made to give a little more time to the parent show (star Andy Whitfield had to undergo cancer treatment; he's since decided he can't return and the show is looking for a replacement), but it also helped fill-in some of the backstory to the House of Batiatus with a look at the first slave they take on: Gannicus.
Portlandia; IFC. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein created and star in this comedy about Portland.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
UH Marching Band Kicker
This cool.
The University of Hawaii did this as part of one of their halftime shows.
The University of Hawaii did this as part of one of their halftime shows.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Premieres and Notables January 10-16, 2011
Monday, 1/10
If you missed The Cape's premiere last night, the first two episodes reair tonight at 8 pm CST (NBC).
Tuesday, 1/11
I already mentioned the Laurel & Hardy marathon that starts at 7 pm tonight on TCM. Check out the last post for details.
I, Predator; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
The pilot is called "Great White Shark vs. Cape Fur Seal", so you can guess what the show is about.
Pipe Dream; Golf. 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Former golf pro Mark Burk tries to get a fresh start on his life, which at its lowest point previously found him living in construction pipes.
The Haney Project; Golf. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Tiger Woods' old coach helps others with their game.
The Game; BET. 8 pm CST. 4th Season Premiere.
The CW cancelled it in 2009, but BET is bringing it back to life.
Lights Out; FX. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
FX brings us a drama in the world of boxing, where a man who suffered a terrible beating five years previously in a title match tries to decide what to do with his life as it falls apart.
Tosh.0; Comedy Central. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Onion Sportsdome; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A sports-channel parody brought to us by The Onion gang. Sweet. I expect it to kick ass the first two or three weeks, and then start sucking.
Wednesday, 1/12
Off the Map; ABC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes brings us a show about hot doctors with personal issues practicing medicine in some South American country.
Last Woman Standing; Planet Green. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Five female athletes compete in ancient sports around the world.
Thursday, 1/13
Swarm Chasers; Animal Planet. 6 pm CST. Series Premiere.
The pilot looks at the 2010 Australian locust invasion.
Beyond Scared Straight; A&E. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Kids with problems meet convicts with real problems.
Friday, 1/14
Flying Wild Alaska; Discovery. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Don't really know what it's about. An airline-owning family in Alaska is the subject.
The Ricky Gervais Show; HBO. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Just not as funny seeing it as hearing it.
Real Time With Bill Maher; HBO. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Conviction Kitchen; Planet Green. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Never heard of this show before. A chef oversees a Vancouver restaurant staffed by ex-cons?
I think sometimes these shows are made just to fit into a cool-sounding show title.
Funny or Die Presents; HBO. 11 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Love the website. Hate the TV show.
Sunday, 1/16
Big Love; HBO. 8 pm CST. 5th Season Premiere.
The final season kicks off with the fallout of Bill's election-night revelation.
If you missed The Cape's premiere last night, the first two episodes reair tonight at 8 pm CST (NBC).
Tuesday, 1/11
I already mentioned the Laurel & Hardy marathon that starts at 7 pm tonight on TCM. Check out the last post for details.
I, Predator; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
The pilot is called "Great White Shark vs. Cape Fur Seal", so you can guess what the show is about.
Pipe Dream; Golf. 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Former golf pro Mark Burk tries to get a fresh start on his life, which at its lowest point previously found him living in construction pipes.
The Haney Project; Golf. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Tiger Woods' old coach helps others with their game.
The Game; BET. 8 pm CST. 4th Season Premiere.
The CW cancelled it in 2009, but BET is bringing it back to life.
Lights Out; FX. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
FX brings us a drama in the world of boxing, where a man who suffered a terrible beating five years previously in a title match tries to decide what to do with his life as it falls apart.
Tosh.0; Comedy Central. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Onion Sportsdome; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A sports-channel parody brought to us by The Onion gang. Sweet. I expect it to kick ass the first two or three weeks, and then start sucking.
Wednesday, 1/12
Off the Map; ABC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes brings us a show about hot doctors with personal issues practicing medicine in some South American country.
Last Woman Standing; Planet Green. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Five female athletes compete in ancient sports around the world.
Thursday, 1/13
Swarm Chasers; Animal Planet. 6 pm CST. Series Premiere.
The pilot looks at the 2010 Australian locust invasion.
Beyond Scared Straight; A&E. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Kids with problems meet convicts with real problems.
Friday, 1/14
Flying Wild Alaska; Discovery. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Don't really know what it's about. An airline-owning family in Alaska is the subject.
The Ricky Gervais Show; HBO. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Just not as funny seeing it as hearing it.
Real Time With Bill Maher; HBO. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Conviction Kitchen; Planet Green. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Never heard of this show before. A chef oversees a Vancouver restaurant staffed by ex-cons?
I think sometimes these shows are made just to fit into a cool-sounding show title.
Funny or Die Presents; HBO. 11 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Love the website. Hate the TV show.
Sunday, 1/16
Big Love; HBO. 8 pm CST. 5th Season Premiere.
The final season kicks off with the fallout of Bill's election-night revelation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)