Saturday, September 20, 2008

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. XLVII


Quote of the Week: If straight guys weren't so insensitive we wouldn't be left to clean up the pieces. (Deputy Leo, Greek)

Big New of the Week: RIP TRL: The music industry likes to blame illegal downloads and insiders say that the internet, video games, and DVD's have cut into the disposable income of music buying, but Total Request Live doesn't get enough credit for killing off the music industry. The show started modestly with band like Dave Matthews Band regularly appearing on the countdown. That was until the obsessive fans got involved. And by obsessive I mean teenagers who had nothing better to do with their time but sit in their bedrooms and vote for the latest Backstreet Boys video. Record executives caught on and spent most of their time and money catering to fans of the show and undoubtedly had interns themselves voting hoping to break new artist instead of actually cultivating fans the old fashion way of touring and actually play good music. Puddle of Mudd was even banned from the show for bribing people to vote for their videos. Thus the music industry only focused on acts that could get voted on the show and music that would appeal to anyone over twenty would not get any marketing push unless they were already a known commodity. That is when the music industry lost generations of previous loyal music fans who began content with filling their iPod's with golden oldies never to turn on the radio to be force fed the crap they tried to sell as music over the past decade. And soon an unwatchable show got even worse when they began only playing thirty second snippets for the videos. So goodbye TRL, you won't be missed.


Coalition Links of the Week:
Buzz wondered which TV shows made you feel the most emotionally attached. (BuzzSugar)

Marcia was thrilled to introduce a Pop Vultures spin-off site, The Spelling Bee, which is dedicated to the best of guilty pleasure TV. (Pop Vultures)

Vance makes a few casting suggestions for "Ryan" on Brothers & Sisters and has a slew of promotional and sneak peak photos from the new season. (Tapeworthy)

This week, Jace took an advance look at the first three episodes of Season Two of NBC's action comedy Chuck and loved every single second. (Televisionary)

Get it in gear LC, Spencer, Audrina and the rest of you guys on The Hills. At some point you're going to have to admit that you're on television for a living. No one is fooled. (TiFaux)

The TV Addict offers up five easy steps to fix Saturday Night Live. (The TV Addict)

Kate watched this week's episode of Gossip Girl with a drink and a candle. (TV Filter)


I Love Money: Poor Entertainer, first he has to stoop so low as to suck New York toes then he loses only because he cannot hold onto a poll. Big surprise at the vote off with Brandi C. quitting and there still being another elimination. Although everyone but one person is shown in the promo for next week so it is pretty easy to tell who gets voted in and voted out. Stupid promo moneys.

Greek: Two gay homosexuals doing the how I know you're gay bit: hilarious. Only funnier if they would have done that with a straight dude. But anyways. I am not sure how I feel about Casey hooking up with the RA. I still think it would have been better off if she stayed single for the rest of the semester. And I really hope Dale spills his heart out to Casey one of these days. You can download episodes of Greek on iTunes.

Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island: How did I forget to talk about the premiere last week? So this time around they have some Survivor-light living quarters and no teams, but they still are voting people off. Two episodes in and I still don't quite understand the rules. When do they start building the boats? Shouldn't the people with keys start on that? And there is nothing more annoying in these reality show when people just quit. And just because Abram asked to be voted off doesn't make him that much noble than the other dude.


Free Download of the Week: NBC continues with their free stuff on iTunes with pre-airing episodes of Lipstick Jungle and the updated Knight Rider.

Promo of the Week:Two new CBS shows premiere this week, The Mentalist on Tuesday at 9:00 and My Worst Week on Monday at 9:30 and I have your first look at the two freshmen series. Unless of course you have seen this somewhere else making this your second look.







Pick for Next Week: Survivor: Gabon, Thursday at 8:00 on CBS: The granddaddy of reality shows is finally coming to HD with a two hour premiere. Well at least for you that have an HDTV. I will be sure to pick one up myself as soon as the government bails me out of my rising debt. Although come to think of it, maybe I should add said HDTV to my debt before they bail me out with the HDTV as part of the bailout.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Cleaning Out My Inbox vol. VIII


A plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Frank TV, Whatever, Martha, Kimberly Elise, Cuba Gooding Jr. and The Hill. No seriously, I am actually going to talk about The Hills.

- Thne baseball playoff are around the corner and you know what that means: an absurb amount of ads for Frank TV. And just in time for the elections Frank Caliendo ia taking on both canidates.

McCain



Obama



- Finally someone is putting Martha Stewart in her place and that person just happens to be her daughter Alexis (who knew Martha ever procreated?). The new show Whatever, Martha premiered last Tuesday at 9:00 on Fine Living Network (whatever that is) and here is a look at the show:

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- Kimberly Elise has joined Cuba Gooding Jr. for the latest TNT orginal movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story about world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon who pulled himself out of the inner-city. No release date yet.

- Also in the TNT pipeline is a new show staring Jada Pinkett Smith called Time Heals. Smith stars a nurse nd single mother. The show is created by someone that had to do with St. Elsewhere and being produced by someone from My Boys. No timeline for when or if this will hit the small screen.

- One last TNT news, the network announced this week that they were renewing both Saving Grace and Raising the Bar.

- I am not sure what it is about the 9th Green that say, "Please send me information about The Hills" but I was actually sent information on the show. Apparently LC and Audrina were recently caught dancing onstage with Epic Records band The White Tie Affair, whose showcase just happened to be featured on last wwek's episode. You can find the picture here. Yes, completely spontanious dancing I persume. Oddly enough, I suddently have to urge to out gay celebrities and post pictures of Britney Spears without her lady garments on.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

2008 Fall Television Preview


Yesterday I mad a run down of the music that will fill the fall air this season but today I turn inside to the television that will put me firmly into my couch as the leaves turn colors. Well some of these shows are on a short leach like Gary Unmarried. But no shorter leash than on Heroes which was abysmal last season and the first season was not much better. It does not bodes well that last season I found myself switching over to I Love New York because I was so bored with Heroes. But anyways. Here is what I will be watching, and for the most part, enjoying and their start dates:


Monday
8:00 - The Big Bang Theory; CBS (September 22)
8:00 - Chuck; NBC (September 29)
8:00 - Monday Night Football; ESPN (October 13, November 17, December 15)
8:30 - How I Met Your Mother; CBS (September 22)
9:00 - Heroes; NBC (September 22)


Tuesday
9:00 - Greek; ABC Family (already started)
10:00 - Eli Stone; ABC (October 14)


Wednesday
8:00 - Friday Night Lights; DirecTV (October 1)
8:00 - Pushing Daisies; ABC (October 1)
8:30 - Gary Unmarried; CBS (September 24)
10:00 - Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island; MTV (already started)
10:00 - South Park; Comedy Central (October 15)


Thursday
8:00 - Survivor: Gabon; CBS (September 25)
8:00 - My Name Is Earl; NBC (September 25)
8:00 - Thursday Night Football; NFL Network (November 6)
9:30 - SNL Weekend Update Thursday; NBC (October 9)


Friday
8:00 - Everybody Hates Chris; The CW (October 3)
9:00 - Ex-List; CBS (October 3)
9:00 - Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Cartoon Network (October 3)


Sunday
9:00 - I Love Money; VH1 (already started)


Then for the midseason, I will be looking out for Lost, The Goode Family, Cupid and the NBC showing of Friday Night Lights. And specials like Hip Hop Honors on October 7 featuring Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick, and Too $hort. And of course the debates between John McCain and Barack Obama on September 26, October 7, and October 15 with Sarah Palin and Joe Biden going at it on October 2. I will also be trying to catch up on the second seasons of Dexter and Big Love as well as the third season of Weeds on DVD.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

2008 Fall Music Preview


To say the summer for music was bad would be an understatement. Between Coldplay and Metallica which was released this past weekend, there were no releases to get excited about unless you were a fourteen year old girl (horary Jonas Brothers). Need more proof, check out Tapeworthy’s list of the Best Songs of the Summer. Yeah, sad (but where was I’m Yours?). And fall got a little less anticipated with the recent announcement that U2 has pushed No Line on the Horizon back to 2009. But here is a list of the albums you can plan to give to loved ones for Christmas this year (dates subject to change; click the album name for Amazon pre-order and the artist name to check out them on iTunes). If I left off your favorite artist, let me know in the comments and I will add it later:

September 16
Learn to Live - Darius Rucker
The Way I See It - Raphael Saadiq
Keep Coming Back - Marc Broussard
Gift of Screws - Lindsey Buckingham


September 23
Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford - Everlast
Big Bad World - Plain White T's
Loyalty to Loyalty - Cold War Kids
Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis
Lenka - Lenka


September 30
Way to Normal - Ben Folds
Something Else - Robin Thicke
The Glass Passenger - Jack’s Mannequin
Covers - James Taylor


October 7
Dig out Your Soul - Oasis
OK Now - Jon McLaughlin
Break Up the Concrete - The Pretenders
Elephants - Rachael Yamagata

October 14
Multi-Dimensional Warrior - Santana
Gossip in the Grain - Ray LaMontagne
Pebble to a Pearl - Nikka Costa
Perfect Symmetry - Keane
Be OK - Ingrid Michaelson


October 20
Black Ice - AC/DC


October 28
A Hundred Million Suns - Snow Patrol
Evolver - John Legend
Come - Prince
Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty - Big Boi
Padded Room - Joe Budden


November 4
The Renaissance - Q-Tip
Folie A Deux - Fall Out Boy
Safe Trip Home - Dido
Scream - Chris Cornell


November 11
Fearless - Taylor Swift
On My Radio - Musiq Soulchild
Soul - Seal
Under the Radar - Daniel Powter


November 18
When the World Comes Down - The All-American Rejects
Untitled - Beyoncé
Untitled - Kelly Clarkson
Untitled - Nickelback
Untitled - David Cook
(Scooter’s Note: Anyone want to bet that at least three of these Untitled albums are moved?)


November 25
Day and Age - The Killers
24 Hours - Tom Jones


December 2
The Circus - Britney Spears


December 9
Before I Self Destruct - 50 Cent


December 16
808's & Heartbreak - Kanye West


You may also expect new albums from, Michelle Branch, Rhymefest, Fabolous, Goo Goo Dolls, Eminem, R. Kelly, Franz Ferdinand, and The Fray. Being Christmas season there is your usual Greatest Hits packages from Bob Dylan, Sarah McLauglin, Christina Aguilera, Switchfoot, Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, Bette Midler, and Tim. McGraw. Then actual Christmas albums from Faith Hill, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., Elvis Pressley, Kristin Chenoweth, Chris Isaak, Al Jarreau, and The Wiggles.

Then the battle of long delayed album is heating up again between Dr. Dre and Guns ‘n’ Roses. A tie in with Detox for Dr. Dre’s own cognac is scheduled to roll out this fall but no date for that or the album. While on the Chinese Democracy front, one track will be featured on the latest Rock Band game but no set date for the whole album. But cross your fingers because if it does come out this year, Dr. Pepper will give everyone in America a free can.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

You Are a Horrible Person Claire McCaskill


There has been a lot a talk ever since the end of the conventions that the election has taken a negative turn, which is has, but compared to past campaigns this one had been relatively tame. C'mon, Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton over the governor race of New York. Yeah Barack Obama likes to play the victim card, but scanning fact check organization like fackcheck.org and politifact.com, he has given his fair share of half truths, barely truths, and complete falsehoods. But that is how political campaigns have been ran since the first election. To the people that said this campaign had gotten dirty I respond at least there hasn’t been anything as low as the Swift Boat for Truth. That was until this weekend.

Senator Clair McCaskill of Missouri , and Obama campaign co-chair was on This Week with George Stephanopoulos and had this to say in regards to Sarah Palin:

“(I am) uncomfortable with anyone, regardless of gender, that is going to be vice president to one of the oldest presidents we've ever had, that has never met a world leader.”

Yeah, some ageism, but nothing he haven’t heard before. What happened yet is when Senator Clair McCaskill hit an all time low in politics during my life time. George called McCaskill out on the ageism charge and gave her a chance to back off, but not only did she not back off, she went further:

“I think what we’re talking about is a reality. Other people talk about his melanoma. We’re talking about a reality here that we have to face.”

How dare you, Clair McCaskill suggested that a cancer survivor is unfit to be president. Today we face such statistics that half of men will be diagnosed with some sort of cancer while woman have a on in three chance. Are you are suggesting that these people should just give up and die? You are insulting all the cancer survivors out there, all the people currently fighting the disease and disgracing everyone who lost their lives to the horrible disease. And you insult people like me who spent eight years of their lives who were the sole care giver of a two time cancer survivor. Did I just waste eight years of my life?

Obviously you have never sat their, watching a love one lose their hair, and only get out of bed to puke, and that is if they actually make to the bathroom, otherwise you would have to clean it out of the carpet while trying to get them to stop apologizing for doing so. But eventually the nausea subsides and some, if not all of the hair grows back, and they finally make it outside and they should be applauded that they beat the disease not demeaned.

Luckily you, senator McCaskill, were not there when Lance Armstrong was battling the disease because with your negativity he may not have gone on to win seven straight Tour de France titles. Maybe Jon Lester would have never thrown a no hitter had he took your advice. Do you even suggest Ted Kennedy should step down from his senate seat to focus on sitting around doing nothing?

Clair McCaskill, you should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting such a vile thing. Missouri, you should be ashamed that you elected someone who says such insulting things. Barack Obama, you should be ashamed to have such a horrible person as you campaign co-chair. Add this to you already bad track record when it comes to cancer issues as you would rather give a speech to a bunch of German than to attend the LiveStrong forum on cancer. You should be ashamed of such a blatant disregard of cancer survivor, people living with cancer, those that have died and thier caregivers.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Lyrics Quiz: Hot 100's Top 100


Fifty years ago Billboard introduced a new chart to see what songs fans were purchasing the most. I have cherry pitched fifty songs from that list that are on my iPod for the next two lyric quizzes. As always you need to put both artist and title in the comments section (or you can e-mail me) and if you are correct I will un-bold it and give you credit. The Lyrics Quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please do not use anything besides your own meandering mind to help you up with the answers (that mean no searching for the list to help you). Now onto the quiz:

1. Take me by my little hand and go like this.
2. Man it's a hot one like seven inches from the midday sun. (Smooth - Santana and Rob Thomas; guessed by Taylor Blue)
3. I took you to an intimate restaurant, then to a suggestive movie. There's nothing left to talk about unless it's horizontally. (Physical - Olivia Newton-John; guessed by Angie)
4. Take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her into your heart then you can start to make it better. (Hey Jude - The Beatles; guessed by Angie)
5. I need your arms to hold me now. The nights are so unkind. Bring back those nights I held you beside me. (Un-break My Heart - Toni Braxton; guessed by Rebekah)
6. I gotta keep it real now cause on a one to ten she's a certified twenty. But that's just ain't me. (Yeah! - Usher; guessed by Angie)
7. Her hair is Harlow gold, her lips are sweet surprised. Her hands are never cold. (Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carmes; guessed by Angie)
8. You're every breathe I take, you're every step I take. (Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie; guessed by Rebekah)
9. Don't say a word my virgin child. Just let your inhibitions run wild. (Tonight's the Night - Rod Stewart; guessed by Angie)
10. You were always the mysterious one with dark eyes and careless hair. You were fashionably sensitive but too cool to care. (Foolish Games - Jewel; guessed by Angie)
11. There's no love like your love, and no other could give more love. There's nowhere unless you're there. All the time all the way . ((Everything I Do) I Do it for You - Bryan Adams; guessed by Angie)
12. Pour the wine, light the fire. Girl your wish is my command. I submit to your demands. I will do anything, girl you need only ask. (I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Men; guessed by Taylor Blue)
13. Rising up, back on the street, did my time, took my chances. (Eye of the Tiger - Survivor; guessed by Angie)
14. Since you been gone I've been lost without a trace. I dream at night I can only see your face. (Every Breathe You Take - The Police; guessed by Angie)
15. All alone I have cried. Silent tears full of pride. In a world made of steel, made of stone. (Flashdance - What a Feeling; guessed by Angie)
16. And I know you're shining down on me from heaven like so many friends we lost along the way. (One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men; guessed by Angie)
17. There's nothing wrong with me lovin' you. And giving yourself to me is nothing wrong if the love is true. (Let's Get it On - Marvin Gaye; guessed by Rebekah)
18. Are you happy, are you satisfied? How long can you stand the heat? Out of the doorway the bullets rip to the sound of the beat. (Another One Bites the Dust - Queen; guessed by Angie)
19. You never worry, and you never shed a tear. You saying that my love ain't real, just look at my face, these tears ain't drying. (Say, Say, Say - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson; guessed by Rebekah)
20. These five words in my head, "Are we having fun yet?" (How You Remind Me - Nickelback; guessed by Taylor Blue)
21. Goodbye England's Rose. (Candle in the Wind - Elton John; guessed by Angie)
22. You and me together through the days and nights. I don't worry cause every thing's gonna be alright. (No One - Alicia Keys; guessed by Rebekah)
23. Music loud and women walk. I've been kicked around since I been born.
24. I'm your knight in shining armour and I love. You have made me what I am and I am yours. (Lady - Kenny Rodgers; guessed by Angie)
25. Love was out to get me, that is what it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams. Then I saw her face. (I'm a Believer - The Monkees; guessed by Angie)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

This Is the Sound That I'm Thinking Of


This Storm - Sonya Kitchell

Allow me to introduce the latest in the line of post Lilith Fair songstress, Sonya Kitchell. She is you token coffee house singer songwriter that would populate the second stage for the touring concert. In fact This Storm sound like a more polished version of Pieces of You. So everything you here on the nineteen year old major label debut you most likely heard before.

That is not to say there isn’t anything listenable on This Storm, but the album comes off like a Jewel album but without any really catchy songs to latch onto. Plus the songwriting is suspect at times like when she tries to rhyme “less” with “effortless.” And the passion seems to be lacking throughout the album like on Fire that should have more fire in her voice than she actually provides.

That fire does show up at time like on the album opener For Every Drop where she just lets loose on her crush to just give in. Soldier’s Lament is a sweeping song seen through the eyes of one. And Borderline (not a Madonna cover) is a minor key romp that flips into a happier sounding song. But do not consider any of these songs worthy of radio play.

Song to Download - For Every Drop

This Storm gets a Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW] on my Terror Alert Scale.