Coalition Links of the Week: With his new series, What Would Brian Boitano Make?, Brian Boitano proves that while the famed figure skater may not be a master chef, he is cute as a button. (TiFaux)
With September fast approaching, so to are 75 new and returning TV shows. And here to ensure you don't miss a moment of your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) show is theTVaddict.com with our printable and downloadable season premiere calendar. (The TV Addict)
Hot blood suckers playing football? See, we told you The Vampire Diaries was nothing like Twilight! (TV Fanatic)
This week, Sandie interviewed 90210's newcomer Trevor Donovan. (Daemon's TV)
Afro Jazz. Capoeira. Disco that doesn't suck. This is the So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 20, eh! and Vance rates the season 2 batch. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace offered an advance review of USA's fantastic and stylish upcoming drama series White Collar, starring Tim DeKay and Matthew Bomer. (Televisionary)
Raising the Bar: In two season, this may have been the first time any of the public defenders didn’t believe in their defendants when Lindsay Wagner passed the pregnant drug addict. Naturally Zach Morris got all high and mighty when they tried to keep her in jail when everyone else on the planet knew what was best for mother and child was some forced rehab. It seems like every other episode Zach gets a DA to do a favor yet he never compromises on anything, and if there was one case he could have, it would have been this one. You can stream current episodes over at TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Rescue Me: Bummer, I had Damian in the who was going to bite it this season office poll. Oh well. And could Ellie’s death been any more telegraphed? She just had to pick up the dog after downing a whole glass of alcohol? You would think, despite being a family of drunks, none of the Gavin clan would be stupid enough to get behind the wheel considering what happened to Conner. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
Leverage: It was bound to happen that the gang would run into their doppelgangers and it certainly lived up to the hype besides the silly car alarm fight the computer geeks had. Too bad they won’t turn up to battle each other later, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some of them individually again. Hopefully the main guy gets a new crew together to get Nate back for double crossing him. You can stream current episodes over at TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Acoustic EP – Kate Walsh (Amazon MP3)
Video of the Week: I am not sure how VH1 could possibly top the inaugural season of Tool Academy, but they are trying starting tomorrow. As looking at the supertrailer, there may be more violence this time around, and a Tool so toolish, he says he would even hook up with a girl’s brother if he had a nice, um, well, just check out the video:
Next Week Pick of the Week: Rescue Me, Tuesday at 10:00 on FX: It was revealed this week that the show has an end date of 2011, a decade after 9/11 with nineteen episodes spanning over the next two years. Oddly enough co-creator Peter Tolan says Maura Tierney may also return. But the current season comes to a close Tuesday and something big likely coming down as both Janet and Sheila were conspicuously absent last episode.
Quote of the Week: Oh, Eric with a “C”, nice and friendly. Erik with a “K”, evil. (Parker, Leverage)
Song of the Week: Pony (It’s OK) – Erin McCarley (When in Rome trailer, see Video of the Week below)
Big News of the Week: The Beatles Break Up: Or at least that is what constitutes big new over at Rolling Stone as their cover story this week is Why The Beatles Broke Up. Almost forty years after the fact. Very timely guys. I wonder how much the Rock Band guys, who will be releasing The Beatles edition next month, paid for a Beatles cover story (and yes there is an ad for the game in the edition). And people wonder why print media is dying. Another sign comes in the other periodical I subscribe to, Newsweek, who released two double issues in a row. When I first subscribed, they only released two a year, in the summer and the year end edition, both you could tell by the six were double issues. The last two you wouldn’t know unless you saw the fine print that it was. If you are going to keep on releasing multiple double issues, at least double up the content if you want me to continue to subscribe.
Coalition Links of the Week: This week, Jace had an exclusive interview with True Blood's Anna Camp, in which they discuss Sarah Newlin, Camp's original audition (for the role of Sookie, no less!), the love triangle between Sarah, Jason, and Steve, Sarah's darker side, Camp's theatre work (opposite Daniel Radcliffe in Equus), whether the Newlins are gone for good, Mad Men, and lots more.. (Televisionary)
TV Fanatic doesn't care if FlashForward is a rip-off of Lost. Each preview looks better than the one before. (TV Fanatic)
It may be summer vacation, but TiFaux was back in high school this week with three separate posts about the new DeGrassi: The Next Generation. For one, Marisa provided a "Where Are They Now?" for some of the more notable DeGrassi alumni. (TiFaux)
Buzz is thrilled to see some new pics from the upcoming season of How I Met Your Mother! (BuzzSugar)
This week, Sandie took at first look at Wil Wheaton guest starring in Leverage's new episode "The Two Live Crew." (Daemon's TV)
GMMR has been sucked into summer reality shows in a big way this week. Big Brother has been crazy, America's Best Dance Crew has been hot, and now we get new episodes of Project Runway - a blessing or a curse? (Give Me My Remote)
It's not TV related but Vance loved the new production of A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse in London starring Rachel Weisz. (Tapeworthy)
Rescue Me: One thing the show likes to do is have absurdly long scenes and when they work, like when the ghosts started to revisit Tommy this season, there is nothing better on television. Then you have the bedroom scene this episode which was just excruciatingly painful to watch. And is there anywhere I can bed that the chick Franco ends up fighting is his ex-girlfriend? You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
Leverage: It looks like another television show might be tapping my phones as I had the theory that people putting “K” in their names where “C” should be as being evil for over a decade. If the show ever brings up my theory of chicks who put “I” at the end of their name instead of “Y” I may have to call my lawyer. You can stream current episodes over at TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Deal of the Week: Movies as Low as $6.99 (Shaun of the Dead, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Friday Night Lights: The Movie)
Video of the Week: As a dude, I am preconditioned to not like romantic comedies, and for the most part I do with a few exceptions that mostly involve John Cusack. But from the look of the trailer, When in Rome may join that list. C’mon, it features Veronica Mars and Ned the Piemaker as old flames. Throw in Gob Bluth and Danny DeVito as guys who have a love spell put on by Ronnie. Although does guy really need some magic to fall for Vee?
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Wednesday at 9:00 on TNT: Please note that many outlets have this week as the Leverage Summer finale, but TNT announced this week that they were extending it two more episodes so make sure you mark your calendar for September 2 and 9 as there will be new episodes on those days.
Quote of the Week: Miss Gilardi, I don’t like conspiracy theories. I don’t think Princess Diana was murdered by the Royal Family. I don’t think they dissected aliens in Roswell. And I’m pretty (expletive deleted) sure that the grassy knoll in Dallas, just a grassy knoll. (Judge Albert Farnsworth, Raising the Bar)
Song of the Week: Walk Away - Dropkick Murphys (Rescue Me)
Big News of the Week: Oz’s Ernie Hudson Joins Heroes: Okay, nothing Heroes does anymore can be considered “Big News” because no one, including myself, watches it anymore. The big news is the title itself where everywhere across the internets wrote just that: “Oz’s Ernie Hudson Joins Heroes.” I had to do a double take each time I saw that thinking, “was there another Ernie Hudson that happened to be on Oz?” because when I think Ernie Hudson, I think Ghostbusters. Is there really anyone out there that hears the name Ernie Hudson and thinks Oz first?
Coalition Links of the Week: It's summer, it's hot, and Vance's brain can no longer think in more than 140 characters. He hasn't blogged much lately, but he's twittered the summer away. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace had an exclusive interview with Bones showrunner/executive producer Hart Hanson about what to expect from Season Five of Bones, Booth's mental state, Brennan's Guatemalan trip, Angela's celibacy vow, a possible return to London, Stephen Fry, and much more. (Televisionary)
Design Star -- it's no Project Runway, but it'll do during the summer doldrums. Also, Nathan and Dan are good enough eye candy to keep tuning in. (TiFaux)
Dr. Gregory House trying to actually connect with people?!? Matt is excited to see if this House spoiler become a reality. (TV Fanatic)
Buzz geared up for Mad Men's third season with a little quiz about the first two years of the show. (BuzzSugar)
Sandie interviewed Michaela Conlin, who plays Angela on Bones. (Daemon's TV)
Rescue Me: That may have been the most low key wedding ever in the history of television. Made even more shocking with the knowledge that the hooker is apparently loaded. I still don’t see this ending well. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
Leverage: It was pretty funny that they ran a Nancy Grace commercial during an episode that called out her and her ilk for being shady and corrupt. You can stream current episodes over at TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
The Philanthropist: Well that was a surprised that Madestone turned out to be the governor’s brother. Surely didn’t see that one coming. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Fire Escape – Diane Birch (Rcrd Lbl): If you saw my review of the debut album from Diane Birch, Bible Belt (if not see: Love Makes the Price Good Enough to Wanna Pay) then you may have noticed the Song to Download was Fire Escape which you can download for free.
Video of the Week: Just a reminder that CTRL is still airing new episodes (I think they have two more left). The latest, where Buster Bluth learns what CTRL-Z does, may be the funniest yet. Or click the link to view the entire series so far.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Shaq Vs., Tuesday at 9:00 on ABC: Every week the newly Cleveland resident will be taking on other athletes in their sports with Shaq getting a handicap. Hopefully he shows his city’s loyalty by getting in a cheap shot to the knees of Ben Roethlisberger. Also expect Shaq to go up against Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Oscar De La Hoya, Albert Pujols, Kerry Walsh and Misty May-Treanor.
Leverage was the surprise hit of last year and really the only new watchable show of last season that didn’t involve a bunch of tools. No these were a bunch of thieves hit with a touch of the Robin Hood syndrome when they realized they could make as much money stealing from the rich and corrupt and giving back to the poor and needy and live off their cut of the profits. Granted the end of last season saw the group going their own separate ways.
Naturally by the time the second season starts up this Wednesday at 9:00, the gang will somehow find their way back to each other, this time in a new town and even a new coast three months after the events of last season. The first case back is ripped from the headlines. Well sort of in that it involves evil bankers who put both hand out to the government after their ineptitude. But there is definitely a twist that you won’t see in any newspaper.
Leverage airs Wednesdays at 9:00 on TNT and is followed at 10:00 by new show Dark Blue. You can stream recent episodes at TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand (see below). If you cannot get enough Leverage, head over to LeverageHQ to play the Get Ready to Get Even game.
Quote of the Week: This is Armani. Pimp! Armani! (The Hateable Dan LeBatard, Pardon the Interruption)
Song of the Week: Say, Say, Say – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson (as sung by The Hateable Dan LeBatard and J.A. Adande, Pardon the Interuption)
Big News of the Week: ABC Trickles onto Hulu: Three weeks ago Hulu announced their Hulu Days of Summer releasing something new for two months straight. The first two week saw the addition of Dead Like Me and mostly movies but I wondered how they would actually be able to do so all summer. Well this past Monday saw the inclusion of Grey’s Anatomy thus launching ABC’s addition to the video streaming site. That was followed by Desperate Housewives, Better Off Ted, The Superstars and I Survived a Japanese Game Show. So far only shows from ABC proper had been added but I expect other subsidiaries (ABC Family, Disney Channel, Soap Net, etc.) will soon follow in upcoming weeks.
Kings: See, I told you the Queen should kill that chick. Seriously, what took her so long? And it looks like Silas is back to flip flopping on David. Ugg. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Eli Stone: What was with the random Grace-centric episode? She was only in one episode and was never heard about for most of the season with Eli moving on to Maggie and then out of nowhere Eli is thinking about her only for him to see her in a flashback. Just odd. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Eli Stone on iTunes.
Charm School with Ricki Lake: This is what I hate about this show, they boot the person who has changed the most for the one that “needs more work.” When you are done to the final five you can’t pull they, they should know by now not to call other people “retards.” Not that it will keep me from watching. You can also download Charm School with Ricki Lake on iTunes.
Rescue Me: No drug induced musical number this week? Well of course the male stripper doesn’t count. That scene just went on too long You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: I an era where every show seems to use narration ad nausea, the show is sure clever with it’s narration, be it trying to impress a barmaid, avoiding a hostile takeover in the board room or chatting up a prime minister. Creativity always gets points in my book. Although Paris is certainly not as exotic as Nigeria or Burma. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: X5 Free Sampler - Golden Voices (Amazon MP3): Here is one for the fans of the classics with songs by Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and three others to ask your grandparents about. Not as old, but while at Amazon you will want to also pick up this free live Sam Cooke song.
Video of the Week: One show that was ready for Upfronts was Day One and the first glimpse of the show leaked to the interwebs this week. It actually had me sucked in until the curly headed dude started screaming, “it doesn’t matter, they’re already dead!” which caused me to laugh and it was all downhill from there. But it still stars the highly likeable Julie Gonzalo so I may still give it a try. And hey, it can’t possibly be worse than Heroes. Right? Hopefully NBC releases a better quality trailer soon. When they do I will repost it.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Wednesday at 9:00 on TNT: Leverage was the surprise show of last season having just the right mix of action, drama, and comedy. With a new season comes a new game to coincide with the new season. Head over to LeverageHQ.com to play Get Ready to Get Even.
Leverage will be followed by new show Dark Blue which comes with its own game you can find at DarkBlueUndercover.com. Look out for more on both shows before their premieres.
Last year’s television season felt weird because the writer’s strike took a big chunk out of that season and the ripples were still felt this year as there were no new great shows and the shows that had been gone since December 2007 returned to a resounding thud in terms of ratings. And this year is when Saturday is becoming the new Friday with networks running off episodes there after canceling them. But anyways. Here are the best television shows of the past twelve months.
A nice even split among the networks this year with cable getting a larger share of the pie this year. Below is a breakdown as well as a running tally of the shows that led in numbers of Quotes and Songs of the Week from my weekly 57 Channels and Best of the Week rundowns:
Quotes of the Week
Chuck (6) The Big Bang Theory (5) Lost (5) The Middleman (5) Pushing Daisies (3) How I Met Your Mother (3) Eli Stone (3) Pardon the Interruption (3) Friday Night Lights (2) Greek (2) I Love Money (2) Gary Unmarried (2) My Name Is Earl (1) Leverage (1) Survivor (1) Ten Items or Less (1) Cupid (1)
Songs of the Week Chuck (12) My Name Is Earl (6) How I Met Your Mother (3) The Big Bang Theory (2) Eli Stone (2) Tool Academy (2) Lost (1) Pushing Daisies (1) Cupid (1) Saturday Night Live (1) Trust Me (1) 30 Rock (1)
Leverage is a show that may not show up on a lot of critics list at the end of the year but managed to put together the most entertaining new show in the post writer’s strike era that isn’t populated by a bunch of Tools. This could be that the show knows it isn’t inventing the wheel (it has a modern A-Team feel to it) and doesn’t take itself too seriously (some episodes pack more laughs than most sitcoms).
The selling point for the show is that they brought together five different, but likeable in their own way characters. The MVP of the group is Alec Harrison, the resident nerd who doesn’t care to get his hands dirty but is quick to remark on anything. Then there is Parker who may have a screw or two loose as shown in her penchant to jump off tall buildings and stab guys even if it blows her cover. For muscle is the inexcusable longed hair Eliot Spencer. The interaction between these three really amps up the humor as they deal with each other’s eccentricities.
The mom and dad of the group are Nathan Ford, the guy who realized how effective the group could be, an d Sophie Devereaux who can only act herself out of a bag when she is conning people. Their relationship should be interesting going forward with the introduction of Ford’s ex-wife for the last two episodes.
Leverage isn’t without its flaws, the loss of Ford’s son gets heavy handed at times especially for the first couple episodes. And Nathan’s drinking problem seemed to come and go depending on if the plot needed it or not, but the writing for the most part was witty to help ease these annoyances.
The season finale of Leverage airs tonight at 10:00 on TNT where the gang takes another try at trying to steal David miniture. You can catch up on the whole season with a whole day marathon on TNT or download the show on iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand. Check out a clip from the finale tonight below:
Quote of the Week: He’s Korean, I’m from Encino. (Miles, Lost)
Song of the Week: Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers (as sung by Raj, The Big Bang Theory)
Big News of the Week: I’m Sorry Alex Rodriquez, You’re Just a Tool: I’m not sure what was less surprising, that Michael Phelps got caught with his lips halfway down a bong pipe or that A-Roid failed a drug test. Which begs the question, what will opposing fans taunt A-Roid more about next year: his steroid abuse or hooking up with Madonna. Or option C that A-Roid will get caught up in something else will come up between now and opening day.
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz threw caution (and logic) to the wind and made her picks for this year's American Idol top 12. (BuzzSugar)
The smile and blond hair have a lot to do with it, but Vance still defends The Mentalist (with Simon Baker) is way more fun to watch than a procedural has any right to be. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace reviewed the first few episodes of Joss Whedon's new FOX drama Dollhouse, starring Eliza Dushku. (Televisionary)
Yeesh! Not even a decent Weekend Update could save a pretty dismal Bradley Cooper-hosted Saturday Night Live. (TiFaux)
Kate and Raoul rounded up all of their remaining questions about Battlestar Galactica. (TV Filter)
Tool Academy: It is pretty clear that Tommy should win because he was the only one who opted out of getting the Tool Academy tattoo. And not only did the other Tools got the tattoo but they got a huge version of the crest of it. That alone should disqualify them. And after this episode it is clear that they need to do a female version of the show. Although I am not sure what they can call it because all the common derogatory terms for females won’t get past the censors. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: Leonard’s mom being a female version of Sheldon was cheesy, cliché formulaic and fracking hilarious. Her calling out Raj and Howard’s homosexual relationship may have been the funniest thing the show has ever done. The look on Howard’s face was priceless. Then Leonard made possible the dumbest mistake since Chris Webber trying to call a time-out. Just shut up and head for home. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Trust Me: The whole Conner going after a pregnant ex-girlfriend really struck me the wrong way like the writers were purposefully trying to destroy the character before the show could get off the ground. Really quite disturbing. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes.
Lost: I have this sinking sensation that soon we will be dealing with three separate time period: the people still on the island circa 2006 (or wherever they may be), the Oceanic Six circa today, and Locke circa wherever he may have been warped to via the frozen donkey wheel. Of which supposable stopped the time warp according to Jack’s dad. As annoying as the multiple warping per episode I’ll be disappointed because there are still plenty of unanswered questions I thought we would get during all the flashes.
Freshest in my mind is there are still holes in the Rousseau backstory. Like we learned that she wasn’t in fact crazy and killed her team for no reason but what exactly infected her team and why did she survive? Or how did she go from having a French accent to a strong Serbian one?
We also can deduce a few things like that Locke will come back to life because he still has to tell non aging dude where, and when, to find him after being shot by Ethan. We may also be able to assume that when Locke un-jammed the Donkey Wheel that the people still on the island won’t get warped back to 2006 but will be stuck in whatever time they last were. And considering Faraday has to tell Charlotte not to come back to the island and he starts working for Dharma, as seen in the premiere, that they are suck in the sixties somewhere.
As for the Oceanic Six, we get the most anti-climatic reveal of the show that Faraday’s mother is the person working with Not-Henry. And not a peep from Desmond who saw her in his flashback/mind warp thing. And then after making a big deal about everyone going back for two seasons, she just like oh well when just three of them show up. Although I wonder if Not-Henry knows about Penny and Desmond and deduce that she is in the vicinity to kill. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: I’m not sure what was the best part of the episode, Landry listening to Skid Row, Riggins repeating Buddy’s mantra to everyone, or Herc defense as to why it is okay to have pornography around babies. Oh have I missed Herc. They really need to work him into the show more. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Free Download of the Week: Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip) - N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the The 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Tuesday at 10:00 on TNT: Gotta love the promo for the show that hypes “Either Nate gets his vengeance or his friends go to jail for the rest of their lives.” I am going out on the limb and predict that the latter won’t be happening. But anyways. Tuesday starts off a two part season finale of what turned out to be the best new show of 2007. Then if in time for the second part on February 24, TNT is running an all day marathon airing the previous 12 episodes beginning at 10:00 A.M.
I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Gifted Hands, Charles Darwin, Eastbound and Down, 30 Rock, Leverage, and Meet the Browns.
- On Saturday at 8:00 TNT is presenting Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. As you would expect it is cheesy, overdramatic, and sappy. Of course it is also touching, powerful, and uplifting at the same time. Check out a clip below:
- February 12, 1809 was a pretty good day for births: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were both born on that date. To celebrate the latter, The National Geographic Channel is holding a two day celebration next week. Here is a rundown:
Sunday 8:00 - MORPHED: FROM DINOSAUR TO TURKEY digs 230 million years back into the fossil record to witness the emergence of the first dinosaur and follows different dinosaur species as they respond to changes in the earth's environment. Sunday 9:00 - MORPHED: WHEN WHALES HAD LEGS examines the environmental pressures that turned a wolflike creature that hunted in shallow waters into a leviathan of the seas. Sunday 10:00 - MORPHED: BEFORE THEY WERE BEARS travels back 30 million years to watch the bear's doglike ancestor climb down from the trees of central Europe and set out on a journey that spanned the planet. Tuesday 9:00 - DARWIN'S SECRET NOTEBOOKS; Using Darwin's own diary and field notes as a travel guide, National Geographic Channel retrace Darwin's expedition beyond the Galapagos to uncover the forgotten evidence that inspired his revolutionary work. We see how fossils in Argentina, seashells in the Andes and fish in the South Pacific helped him cultivate his radical theory of evolution. Tuesday 10:00 - EXPLORER: MONSTER FISH OF THE CONGO; Join a team of adventurers and scientists and travel deep into the heart of Africa's Congo River Basin in search of an elusive man-sized predator known as the tiger fish. While locals believe this ravenous relative of the piranha is cursed, scientists believe the fearsome fish may hold the key to understanding the evolution of an extraordinary array of bizarre creatures found throughout the Congo.
- Danny McBride, you may remember him from recent movies Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express, is starring in a new HBO show Eastbound and Down about a major league pitcher who returns home to North Carolina to teach Phy. Ed. The show debuts February 15 at 10:30 and head over to HBO.com fore some behind the scenes video.
- My sources tell me that Valentines Day is next week. And for those that you want to get something but don’t want to give them the wrong idea by actually spending money on them, head over to NBC.com to send them a 30 Rock e-card.
- A couple weeks back Leverage featured a trio of Whedon-verse actors and the show continues to cater to the sci-fi genre despite not actually being a part of that genre by recruiting three Star Trek alums Brent Spiner, Armin Shimerman and Kitty Swink for an episode where Parker gets stuck on jury duty. Naturally all the social interation doesn’t sit well with her. As an added bonus, the episode is directed by Jonathan Frakes who was on The Next Generation. In other Leverage news, the show has been renewed for a second season which is currently set to return later this year.
- Good news for those that like TBS’s Meet the Browns, after becoming cable’s number one ad supported comedy on cable for its original ten-episode run, TBS has announced they are going to produce another seventy episodes for a total of eighty.
Quote of the Week: Now, let me be your mother. That is my job. (Mama Smash - Friday Night Lights)
Song of the Week: Freedom ’90 - George Michael (Trust Me)
Big News of the Week: Networks Party Like it’s 1989: Since Bionic Woman, Knight Rider, 90210 remakes bombed miserably (I have a feeling we will be able to add Cupid to that list soon enough), all the networks are going to try it again this time by recreating the short lived movie to television show Parenthood (NBC), The Witches of Eastwick (ABC), DC Comic turned failed ABC show Human Target (FOX), and Americanized version of Absolutely Fabulous (FOX), and the two times mini-series turned failed series V (ABC) which gave us the first lizard/human baby ever. And for those that cannot get enough of the 80’s there is Lost in the 80’s from ABC set in the time period. CBS, I assume, will just recycle CSI with another different name. Wake me up when they get around to remaking Sledge Hammer!
Coalition Links of the Week: With tons of pilots in the works for next Fall, Buzz wondered if you could tell the real ones from the fakes. (BuzzSugar)
Vance discusses Degrassi:TNG, Lie To Me, Bones, Scrubs and Lost this week. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace took an early look at next week's episode of NBC's Chuck, presented in box-busting 3D. (Televisionary)
Who's the next to die on Battlestar Galactica? Dan made a graph to help try to figure it out. (TiFaux)
This week, the TV Addicted posted our exclusive interview with Buffy, Angel, and Dollhouse mastermind Joss Whedon. (The TV Addict)
Tool Academy: Note to self: if you ever run in to Cameron, never, under any circumstance piss her off. And is it too soon to cast the (hopefully) inevitable Celebrity Edition of Tool Academy? If not, here are my suggestions: Ashton Kutcher, Terrell Owens, Sean Hannity, Pete Wentz, Spencer Pratt, Al Gore, Sean Avery, Donald Trump, and the dude you’re getting a Dell guy. I would have also suggested Ryan Seacrest but the show involves having a girlfriend, so he may have to wait until Beard Academy. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
Leverage: An interesting Whedon-verse reunion Lindsay and the father/son tandem of Jonathan and Holland even without any wink-wink connection to their pasts. But when did Nathan become a raging alcoholic to the point random cops knew this? You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Lost: Let me be the last person to predict that Faraday’s mother is the old chick last seen talking to Not-Henry and only other time seen in Desmond’s dream/flashback/mind trip. There in lies one of many problems with the show is they build up these big reveals that everyone sees coming, and then pays I off a couple episodes too late. Hopefully I am wrong and it turns out that it is really Jack mom.
As for the twist I don’t think anyone saw coming, we got a double dose of Charles Whitmore. And in true Lost fashion, that is all we got, a glance, no explanation of how he become an Other, why he had a falling out with them or how he got off the island. I have a bad feeling that Whitmore is going to turn out to be Biff Tannen who became rich thanks to knowing what happens in the future. But does that make Not-Henry Marty McFly? You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: Poor Matt Saresen, if only they had instant replay, they could see he clearly had possession when the ball crossed the plane, and that is all you need no matter if it gets loose (assuming that Texas football has they same rule as the pros, college, and intramural flag football). And nice swerve by the promo monkeys that made it looked like the Riggins Boys get caught. And if Mama Smash is looking for some extra income, I wonder if the Taylor’s could use a nanny for baby Grace. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Deal of the Week: Take 10% off all Battlestar Galactica: Visit SCIFI.com and click on the shop tab. Then use Coupon code: "BSGFAN". Excludes QMx items and Cylons.
Video of the Week: The second episode of Trust Me is a little stronger than the first even though it gets into Studio 60 skit territory where you wonder why they are so behind their tagline. But anyways. Here is a clip for the upcoming episode (and be sure to check out my Preview of Trust Me):
Next Week Pick of the Week: I Love Money 2, Monday at 9:00 on VH1: This should go to Chuck and its special 3-D episode on the same day but an hour earlier, but I am bitter because of all the trouble I am having locating the special 3-D glasses. This is mostly because they don’t have them at my local grocery story and haven’t looked for them anywhere else yet.
Big News of the Week: Class of 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Announced: Run-DMC, Metallica, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck (who gets in for the second time, the first as a member of the Yardbirds seventeen years ago), and Little Anthony and the Imperials all get in this year. This year’s ceremony should be extra special for Womack because for the first time in twelve years, the induction will actually be held in his hometown of Cleveland where the Hall is located. Of course I am within driving distance to the ceremony so if anyone has an extra ticket or press pass, shout me a holla. I have the date cleared on my calendar.
Also going in this year are Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson who is being inducted as an early influence as well as three sidemen: Elvis Presley’s bassist Bill Black and his drummer D.J. Fontana, as well as Dewey Lyndon “Spooner” Oldham, who has played piano with everyone from Neil Young to Aretha Franklin to the Drive-By Truckers.
Coalition Links of the Week: From the Gossip Girl spinoff to Chuck's dad to the rise of Adrianna on 90210, Buzz scooped up some news at the TCA press tour. (BuzzSugar)
Sandie watched for the first time and fell in love with The Biggest Loser. (Daemon's TV)
Despite some flaws and some overly Diablo Cody-speak, Vance really enjoyed Toni Collette's new show The United States of Tara and can attest that the episodes get better from there. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace posted an advance review of Season Three of Skins and interviewed series co-creator Jamie Brittain. (Televisionary)
Marisa had long since given up on The Real World, too, but the show's new setting of Brooklyn lured her back. This week she compares the MTV BK with the real thing. (TiFaux)
Heather got to sit on a darkened screening room and watch the first two episodes of the fifth season of Lost and mighty fine she says they were, too... (TV Spy)
Confessions of a Teen Idol: Sadly Time Warner still hasn’t dumped VH1 so I was stuck watching the second episode (but that wasn’t the worst, check the next item for that). I am just glad that the guy whose name I can’t remember called out the stylist for wearing that hideous green shirt. And how does having Marilyn Manson and P!nk on your résumé make you a credible stylist? You can also download Confessions of a Teen Idol on iTunes.
Tool Academy: Just when you think no one could limbo under the bar Ryan Seacrest set with Momma’s Boys, somehow VH1 slithers under that bar for the lowest reality show of the year. With that said, I enjoyed every minute of it. And they couldn’t have done better job casting the Tools. The fashion show where the Tools thought they were competing for Mr. Awesome was the highest of high comedy. The only drawback, much like the Charm School series, is the show is completely rigged where the more interesting people get to stay even if they are much bigger Tools. There is no reason the chair throwing Tool should not have gotten booted for that. As for a prediction, I may have to go with Matsuflex because he seems to be only one that is self aware that he is a humongous Tool. And his girlfriend is definitely the hottest out of all of them. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: Yeah, that was enough Walowitz-centric episode for, like ever. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
How I Met Your Mother: Is it really that hard to think of stuffing the magazine in your pocket like I always do? Of course the only problem I run into is a bathroom in the break room and I tend to come out to a dull house that all wonder what I was doing for half an hour. But when you have yet to read about Obama getting elected, you have to get some extra reading in sometime. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Leverage: Is it every episode where someone says, “This isn’t a typical job we do.” It is only six episodes in, they don’t have a typical job yet, let alone one ever week. Still an enjoyable episode. And they lucked out with next week’s ripped from the headlines story even though the episode was filmed months ago as the gang gets on a plane that may have to make an emergency landing complete with Sheldon’s last girlfriend, Sara Rue, as someone who isn’t very good a flying. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: There was really nothing more predictable that the art teacher to actually turn out to be hot because she really had a Rachel Lee Cooke in She’s All That quality to her where you’d still hook up with the ugly version. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
Free Download of the Week: The Fear - Lily Allen (iHeartMusic.com): It is a little cumbersome to get: you have to give them your e-mail to which they will send a link to for you to download; but it is a great song and in MP3 format so it is worth the extra minute out of your day to get.
Deal of the Week: Buy Two ABC Family DVDs and Save $10 Buy any two of these ABC Family DVD’s: Greek Chapter Two, Kyle XY Season Two, or The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and save $10 on your total purchase.
Video (Game) of the Week: Instead of the usual video this week, here is a game you can play. Based on last night's episode of The Office, The Duel, where you can choose to play as either Dwight or Andy, choose various weapons of attack and defense, and see what the outcome is! There are tons of scenarios so be sure to try them all!
Next Week Pick of the Week: Lost, Wednesday at 9:00 on ABC: I always find the fandom around Lost puzzling, its like people latch onto things they don’t understand in the hopes to not look dumb or out of the loop. I personally resigned myself not to be hugely let down by the inevitable end that I stopped really caring somewhere during third season and just went along for the mind numbing plots: mental time travel, sure, moveable islands, why not, frozen donkey wheels, why not. I’m not sure what is in store from the penultimate season (see what you learn by watching Gary Unmarried), but I’m sure it will result with a bunch of fanfare by people that have no clue what is going on but want people to think they do. And if you cannot get enough Lost, tune in at 8:00 that night for a recap hour where they will most likely forget Shannon, Boone, Nikki, Paulo and the Tailies ever existed.
Quote of the Week: Fate can be changed, Eli, except for when it can’t. (Frank, Eli Stone)
Song of the Week: No music this week, except of course you count my list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008
Big News of the Week: Welcome to 2009: Is anyone else disconcerted that we are one year away from the end of the decade and we have yet to settle on a nickname for the 00’s. I prefer it as O’s as in Cheerios but I have also heard the Aught’s. Even VH1 copped out naming their (premature) rundown of the decade I Love the New Millennium. So just for clarification purposes, if I were to make any best of the decade lists this year, I would want everyone to pronounce the decade like Cheerios when you read the title.
Leverage: It was a little too soon for anyone to get injured on the show. The show is much better the lighter it is and they really should have waited until the second season at least before they made a partner in serious peril episode. With that said, a nice twist being able to solve a second case while in the middle of a different heist. You can stream current episodes over at TNT.com. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Eli Stone: Hopefully that was it for the dark arts. Of course with only three episodes left there isn’t much time for anything. Let’s hope the show goes out with a bang. Actually let’s hope it doesn’t so I don’t have to ponder an ABC boycott. Of course one quick way to a boycott would be not showing them or the final Pushing Daisies episodes so we aren’t stuck having to get the DVD. The least they could do is burn them on Saturday when they just show reruns anyways. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Eli Stone on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Pony (It’s OK) – Erin McCarley (iTunes): I heard this catchy ditty a while ago and have been waiting to take a listen to a full album which comes out this Tuesday (although you can currently download it on iTunes).
Next Week Pick of the Week: Rock of Love: Charm School, Tonight at 7:00 on VH1: Nothing I watch returns this week sans My Name Is Earl, but what I am really looking forward tonight is the reunion show where Sharon Osborne, the headmaster of Charm School who was there to teach the contestant how to be more like ladies, beats down one of her pupils. It is a little fishy that she just happens to attack Megan Hauserman who just happens to be getting her very own reality dating show and apparently no charges were filed. Not that I am accusing that anything VH1 does is staged.
Watching Leverage, one has to think how hard is it to make a television show that is watchable (which ninety-five percent of it isn’t). Yet Leverage doesn’t have great writing, the acting isn’t stellar (even with Academy Award Winner Timothy Hutton) but the show is still highly enjoyable. The show actually reminds me of one of my favorite shows of all time: The A-Team.
Of course the concept is updated for the new millennium with gadgets, higher bounties, and, thankfully, moderately attractive chicks. Hutton (Beautiful Girls), who comes up with the plans that he loves when they come together, fills the shoes of Hannibal. Christian Kane (Carrie Underwood’s So Small video) provides the muscle much like B.A. Baracus and even does so with his own unconventional hair style (what is with dudes on TNT and their long hair?).
The resident nut job is Beth Riesgraf (My Name Is Earl and mother of Pilot Inspektor) who might as well share a cell with Murdock. The Face of the operation is Gina Bellman (Coupling, the English version) who play any role to get her team in except when on stage or in front of a casting director. While Aldis Hodge (Friday Night Lights Voodoo Tatum) rounds out the team with his technology knowledge.
The rag tag group of former thieves are much like The A-Team when it has a very select pool of clientel. And even though it doesn’t have the government after them (even though they all broke out of jail in the first episode), there seems to be a building nemesis in Hutton’s former employer, an insurance company that pulled the plug on his son’s health insurance that may have kept him alive. They get mentioned quite a bit, and if there is one complaint is that they bring up his son way too often, and next week the company gets a public face in Hutton’s replacement.
Much like The A-Team, each character is unique and likable in their own way which brings me back to my original thought because some television show manage not to have one likable character on their whole show. And the differences creates plenty of humorous friction of former advisories, Kane and Hodge looking for gang members in the Christmas episode airing December 23. And how the team comes together in the episode tonight is reminiscent of The Justice League and is so entertaining you almost wished it was a weekly gag.
Leverage airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on TNT (catch a reairing of the first episode tonight at 9:00). You can download . Leverage at Amazon Video on Demand. And for those interested in an extra $100,000 spending cash this Christmas (although I think you will not recieve the money until after the holidays), head over to LeverageHQ.com to play Get Ready to Get Even.
– Kate Walsh (Amazon MP3)
(Miami Vice, The Office, House)
guys, who will be releasing The Beatles edition next month, paid for a Beatles cover story (and yes there is an ad for the game in the edition). And people wonder why print media is dying. Another sign comes in the other periodical I subscribe to, Newsweek, who released two double issues in a row. When I first subscribed, they only released two a year, in the summer and the year end edition, both you could tell by the six were double issues. The last two you wouldn’t know unless you saw the fine print that it was. If you are going to keep on releasing multiple double issues, at least double up the content if you want me to continue to subscribe.
. Is there really anyone out there that hears the name Ernie Hudson and thinks Oz first?
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on my 
. Check out a clip from the finale tonight below: 
- N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the 
is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
), who comes up with the plans that he loves when they come together, fills the shoes of Hannibal. Christian Kane (Carrie Underwood’s 
. And for those interested in an extra $100,000 spending cash this Christmas (although I think you will not recieve the money until after the holidays), head over to