57 Channels and Only This Is On - 5/14/11

The Killing: Now that is an ending, I finally was able to pick up my jaw around the time the “next on” segment came on (which sort of implies the FBI are not an important player as the situation is never addressed). I was a little disappointed that Richmond’s wife’s death was just a drunk driver; I was expecting something seedier when people were comparing it to Rosie’s death. At least they are finally moving away from the teacher (who has lawyered up twice now, yet they have not drug him in for official questioning yet) and onto his buddy. You can download The Killing on iTunes.

Chuck: When Vivian called Chuck to tell him that he would see someone close to him suffer I was chanted please be Morgan only to be shocked that it turned out to be Sarah. Of course it will turn out that Vivian just doesn’t have it in her to kill somebody which is why the does she gave to Sarah will not be fatal. And let me go on record that the “Oh boy” twist ending is Sarah is pregnant. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: I actually thought the big plan was to put the lion’s head on the new GNB building, but I guess it works better in Barney’s bedroom. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Event: I love how the acting president ordered air strikes on American soil and only one dude walked out of the Situation Room. Isn’t that grounds for impeachment? Although I guess Martinez already did that this season. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Castle: Just in case people would not get the obvious Donald Trump homage with the sleazy hotel owning, pageant runner, they just had to put a bad wig and eyebrows on Michael McKeon. What, was Darrell Hammond too busy? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: I hate the episodes that push a contestant so hard as if they are going to be voted out because the editors are trying so hard it becomes obvious the person they are targeting is the person that will end up winning immunity much like Ashley this week (it is not a good sign of the quality of this season that after thirteen episodes I actually had to check to see what her name was). You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Modern Family: I wonder what the over / under is for the number of times we will ever see that dog again. 1? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



The Big Bang Theory: When I heard this episode was about Howard’s mom in the hospital I thought maybe we would finally get a glance at her. Silly me. I wonder if we will see her at the wedding. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: So is Annie going to kiss a new group mate every season finale? It was Jeff last year and Abed this year. Thankfully the show has been renewed for a possible Annie / Britta make out session next season. But it is a shame that they could not switch this episode with last week’s because the spaghetti western motif was much better than the Star Wars theme. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: Of course just hours after launching my Save Outsourced campaign, NBC had to go and cancel the show. Oh well. At least we got to see Gupta and Charlie serenade a horse before it rode off into the sunset. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: Oh snap, that Julie getting confronted was painful to watch. But at least there were plenty of great scenes featuring Billy Riggins, Luke rapping, Buddy Jr.’s lipstick, the desk clerk, and Tink’s movie festival. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Best of the Week - 5/13/11

Quote of the Week: Success is not a goal, it’s a byproduct. (Coach Taylor, Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: Let’s Stay Together – Al Green (as sung by Gupta and Charlie, Outsourced)

Big News of the Week: Save Outsourced: Ever since the internet saved Chuck a couple years back there has not been a good save this show campaign, maybe because there has not been one worth saving. But let me make a case for Outsourced. Sure it is not the funniest show on television (I’ll let Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, and Community battle for that title) but it may be the most consistent. Diedrich Bader is good for an absurdly funny moment every episode. Anisha Nagarajan (Madhuri) may not talk much but has some of the funniest reaction shots currently on television. But the MVP of the show is Rizwan Manji who play Rajiv is the comic foil to everyone at the call center (and multiple butts of their jokes) who would rule with an iron fist, but is only the assistant manager but pesters the manager like he is Wile E Coyote and Todd is the Road Runner.

But who cares about quality, Outsourced is worth renewing by the numbers. It was the network’s highest rated new series. It also pulled in higher numbers than the already renewed Parks and Recreations in the post-The Office timeslot and comparable ratings to the already renewed Community in a less comedy friendly timeslot. Plus Outsourced did it will very little help from the NBC PR team like those already renewed. And NBC should not forget other lowly rated / critically ambivalent freshman series like Cheers, Seinfeld, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. And the network should not bank too much on big names like Christina Applegate (*cough*Paul Riser*cough*) and the last time they won bidding wars like with Chelsia Handler include J.J. Abrams and Aaron Sorkin which turned into one season wonders Undercovers and Studio 60. Outsourced may not be the sexiest choice to remain on the NBC schedule, but it may be the smartest. So renew Outsourced.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: Booker T created the most recognizable instrumental in pop music with Green Onions and he has a new album out and you can get two different songs for free. Over at Amazon MP3 you can get Progress featuring Yim Yames (the solo alias of Jim James from My Morning Jacket) while at iTunes you can download Representing Memphis featuring Matt Berninger and Sharon Jones.

Deal of the Week: Over 1,500 Albums $5 Each Through May: With that many discounted albums, I thought I would highlight four more digital albums you can get for the great price of $5 including Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, The Pharcyde and Huey Lewis and the News.



New Album Release of the Week: Rome - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi

New DVD Release of the Week: ESPN Films 30 for 30 Gift Set Collection, Volume 2

Video of the Week: Last summer ABC debuted its guilty pleasure Pretty Little Liars which will return for its second season one month from today at 8:00. Premiering right after it on Tuesday is new show The Nine Lives of Chloe King. It stars the new guy from Friday Night Lights and the chick from Caroline in the City not named Lea Thompson. Will it be as good of a summer diversion as Pretty Little Liars was last summer? Check out a promo below to see for yourself if it has potential.



Bonus Video of the Week: Also debuting this summer on ABC Family and starring the chick from Caroline in the City that actually is named Lea Thompson will be Switched at Birth. Constance Marie and Friday Night Lights’ Joe McCoy also star. Though not explained in the promo below, hopefully they explain how a Hispanic took sixteen years to realize that her redheaded daughter isn’t really hers. Or how the WASP’s did not figure out that their Latina daughter did not come from their loins. Switched at Birth premieres Monday June 6 at 9:00.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Chuck, Monday at 8:00 on NBC: After two uneven seasons, I will not be completely upset if Chuck does not make it onto NBC’s schedule next fall which will be announced just hours before the season / series finale airs (although “sources” says it already has which makes me wonder now that Friday Night Lights is over that Chuck will inherit its coveted Friday during Spring at 8:00 timeslot). But the best part of this season, Timothy Dalton, will be returning for one last time so the show will at least go out with a bang. Apparently the show is a glass half full because the episode is entitled Chuck vs. the Cliffhanger.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 5/8/11

The Killing: One of the reasons I never watch Six Feet Under is because I had no desire to see a dead body prepared every week, and I could have done without seeing Rosie getting ready. But I guess we have to have the teacher’s wife very high on the suspect list. Now that we are at the halfway mark of the season I wonder if we are going to start narrowing down the suspects or keep adding to the list until the end. You can download The Killing on iTunes.

Chuck: Early on I actually thought Volcoff was Agent-X before changing my pick to Mama Bartowski. But I love the people who think the show went with Volcoff to explain away Timothy Dalton’s in and out Russian accent. Here is hoping he gets reunited with his mother at some point. I would not be surprised if she exchanged information with Casey. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Hopefully my special talent that is brought out by a special mix of cocktail never gets revealed to the general public. And how disappointing was the Arcadian? It is supposed to be some great historical landmark (as so Zoey would have us believe) but it looks like it should be condemned and torn down even if it were her childhood home. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Event: If there are plenty of nutjobs out there that believe Obama is a foreigner and Bush ordered the Twin Towers destruction, I do not understand how the evidence they already have against the vice president would not be enough. But my favorite part of the episode is they just so happened to have an antidote laying around to give to the president. How convenient. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Castle: Nice to see Billy Riggins still getting work, and he was the butt of the best gag of the episode, a fake interrogation room as they were brought in by actors. But I am disappointed that we did not get any more on Beckett’s mom’s case. Wasn’t the detective killed involved with it in an earlier episode? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: One thing that amazes me about the remaining players is that none of them are paranoid. Have none of them actually watched the show before? It’s like they are all playing checkers when they should be playing chess. It is a shame that any of the remaining players made it this far let alone even got cast. After a couple busts in a row, it may be time to get a new casting director, because casting just a pretty face makes for boring television. Seriously, is Natalie actually going to be the first winner ever to have less screen time in a season than the first person to get voted off? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



The Big Bang Theory: I now want to play three person chess. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: If you scroll the 2000+ posts I have made you will notice that I never talk in hyperbole, so believe me when I say Spaghetti Western Annie is the greatest thing ever. EVER. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: Wow, we actually got to hear the bearded dude talk. Although if he picks up the quiet chick in the office, I wonder what those conversations would be about. And as great of an episode Community’s second paintball one was, no sight gag was funnier this week than Pinky on the bike. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: The Lions continues its theme of players from the island of misfit toys with the addition of Buddy Jr. (I’m guessing it is not the same actor). It is nice to see Mindy warm up to Becky just by saying her butt is small (and can we please get a Riggins family spin-off sitcom next season? I’d watch that). And note to East Dillon High: In School Suspension, it is way worse punishment that out of school suspension, just sitting in a small room for eight hours staring at a wall and you only get to leave twice a day to go to the bathroom. And if you do not follow the rules, more time in The Box (as we affectingly called it when I was in high school). But seriously, how has Texas yet to come up with a more cruel and unusual punishment than Ohio? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 4/17/11

The Killing: Wow, that video popping up was shocking. It does help my case that the dad could be involved, getting rid of Rosie maybe to cover up such a video from getting out. You can download The Killing on iTunes.

Chuck: I am a little surprised the show didn’t go full Hannibal Lecher and wheel Volcoff in with the mask on. But this show has been much more fun this season (with the exception of the C.A.T. Squad) with Timothy Dalton on the screen. Great scenes with him and the gun runners and the chess bit. It is a shame he did not escape. Hopefully with Vivian having the weapon, they will have to wheel him back in a couple more times before the end of the season. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: As entertaining as Graduation Goggles was, the longer Jennifer Morrison sticks around, the bigger a drag she becomes. Hopefully next week is the break up episode because it is time for her to go. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Castle: Finally my theory of the most recognizable guest actor as the killer did not come to fruition because I had Erik Palladino pegged from the moment he popped up on screen. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: I was surprised to look at the description for next week to see it is already the season finale. Even though we got ten extra episodes this season, it doesn’t feel like it should be over all ready. And it should be a great one with the Braverman’s coping with Amber’s accident. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: Thank goodness there were two eliminations this week because watching the slow decimation of the old Zapatera tribe. Hopefully someone on the old Ometepe tribe comes up with a big play soon because this is becoming excruciating to watch. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Justified: Somewhat of a filler episode. We did get a great scene between Raylan and Art, but everything else seemed to be a transition to the stretch run of the season. But it was nice to see Herc up and walking again. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

Community: You really cannot go wrong with a good Veronica Mars reference. It is about time the pop culture junkies on the show finally gave her a shout out. Speaking of which, when is Community going to get around to making a noir episode? You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: I remember when I got my palms read back in college and how we made fun of it the whole time. But the chick did say I had a long life line and I am still alive, so she had that going for her. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

For those looking for my thoughts on the Friday Night Lights return, I wrote about them back when it premiered on DirecTV, check them out at First Impressions: Friday Night Lights: The Final Season.

Also check out my Preview of Happy Endings.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 4/10/11

The Event: How James Bond villain of them to order the death of the token hot chick only to let her burn up in a fire. What, would putting a bullet in her head been too messy? But anyway. It looks like the president was too stupid to put a GPS in the buses. Not surprising. But I like how he is getting seriously paranoid more and more with every passing episode, the glance he gave his wife at the end, essentially questioning if she is indeed non terrestrial. Can’t say anything else in the episode was particularly as interesting. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Castle: Just last week I complained how Alexis was too goodie-goodie and this week she gets in a catfight. It is about time they gave her some edge. But of course I just happened to be eating some pizza when I watched this episode. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Lights Out: Well that was a depressing, if not unexpected, ending. Though it would have been interesting to see where The Justice League, as Barry put it, would go next season, not having a sophomore season may have been for the best. Watching someone lose there mind is not high on the things I would like to watch list. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: How do you talk about the game rewarding big moves, then not execute your big plan? It is hard to root for Matt again at Redemption Island for making such a boneheaded move. But big boneheaded move goes to Boston Rob, when Matt tells you that the other tribe is willing to give him an immunity idol, you tell him to get the idol from them. What sucks is this season has been begging for a bold move since Russell got voted out, and now we are set for another month of the lemming following Boston Rob until the former Zapatera is eliminated. Ugg. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Justified: I guess nothing could have possibly lived up to Boyd’s tease that he figured out what Mags was doing. A land grab to limit driving access is not very sexy. I am a little surprised that the Loretta storyline came to a head already. I thought they would save that for the season finale. But I am disappointed that she was not the one that exacted revenge on her father’s behalf. I guess there are still two Bennett’s left, but I do not see her escaping Foster Care to hunt down Mags. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Oh drunken Raj, who would have guessed he would out catchphrase Sheldon’s Bazinga. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Outsourced: Out of all the dumb bets I suffered through during college, I am glad no one thought of pepper roulette, I am not sure if I could have made it past one game. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 3/20/11

Shameless: When Liam’s blood test came back with Frank as his father I was convinced that someone swapped it because I didn’t see how there were going to explain it any other way. I guessed the title of the episode, Nana Gallagher had an Affair should had tipped me off. Speaking of Nana, we actually get to meet the matriarch tonight.

Chuck: The top of the Greta crop were the Old Spice Guy and Stacy Keibler? Didn’t the latter get knocked out by Stone Cold Steve Austin? It is too bad Olivia Munn and Summer Glue were too busy slumming it on shows that are already doomed. Also not to producers in charge of finding Regis’s replacement: drunk Olivia Munn would be rating gold. (If you do not know what I am taking about, Google it.) You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

The Event: I really hate when show insult my intelligence. Just minutes after complaining that the prisoners at Innastranka didn’t have the security of the nuclear plant, they only guard the transported uranium with two guys and three drivers? If you still do not trust Sophia, how about using a small army as an escort? But I did like the unintentional comedy of the token hot chick being paranoid that guys were watching her. Of course every guy is tailing her, she is absurdly attractive. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Lights Out: No better fight promotion that an impromptu brawl that probably hit YouTube before either fighter made it to jail. Almost makes you wonder if Barry K. Word did some puppet mastery behinds the scenes to make it happen. I know Don King is kicking himself for not thinking of it first. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: We have finally reached the point in the season where it has gotten too predictable. No matter who wins immunity it is clear who will be going home. Hopefully there is a blindside or switched tribes, because this could get boring quick. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Mr. Sunshine: This show really needs to incorporate more lingerie football matches into the show. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: I am a little surprised that they are expanding the Wynona theft storyline into multiple episodes. I assumed that when Raylan found the bill that would be the end of that. I am not sure how more of this can continue being entertaining. But I guess if they can include something as funny as Art’s footrace with the guy who needs an oxygen tank in the next episode, it will be entertaining enough. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

Community: Jeff really needs a hair intervention. If you have a receding hairline, you have no business trying the Justin Beiber. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: Why are we not celebrating Holi here in America? It could be right up there with the biggest drinking days in college along with Fat Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. My college experience now feels incomplete having not throwing a Holi party. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/27/11

Shameless: The Gallagher family seemed a little too fine with helping faking their father’s death. Maybe wishful thinking. Then tonight there is even more family bonding when Frank actually goes sober. No, seriously. But of course it is for money.

Chuck: Holy Robin Givens Sighting! Did she just take the 00’s off? And working in Castle means we may be seeing more of her as she teases Casey with what is behind door number two. The rest of the episode was pretty obvious who the chick would turn out to be and the necklace being the key. But what exactly did she see? I am kind of hoping it is another Intercet. It is about time Chuck met his own match. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Greek: Thankfully they cut to commercial after Catherine slapped Casey because I need the entire break just to stop laughing. I can’t believe it took five seasons to realized that Casey needed a good slapping. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: There is nothing I hate more on television than the clichéd “x amount of time earlier” start. And this episode of Castle was even worse because it completely failed to live up to the intro. When the episode started I had thoughts of ET rolling through my head. But when the scene came rolling around again, we learn there was really no reason for Castle to be resisting. And to make matters more boring, they ended up being let go like that. No tests or anything. Hurmph. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: Eww, they really need to add a warning whenever they are going to show graphic scenes of old people making out. That scene seemed to never end. I had to run to sink to wach my eyes out like Alex Dunphey. That aside, I do not know what Crosby is thinking but I would totally give up my first born to get Minka Kelly. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Lights Out: This is the reason why I tend to avoid fictionalized sports stories. So Lights hasn’t fought in five years and he is able to knockout a fighter who has never been knocked down before in the second round with a bad eye? Alighty. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: I really have to laugh whenever Boston Rob talks down about his tribe mates calling them amateurs while he continues the same boneheaded moves that gets him voted out pre-jury. Sure he has seen the coupling alliance before as he utilized it for the closest thing to success that he has ever had in the game, but a couple is only a threat when your alliance gets down to four, and that are certainly not less than a week into the game. Yet he is repeating the same problem that got him voted out during his first go-around, an alliance means nothing if you cannot make it to the merge. And with the new twist in the game, I am certainly not blindsiding someone who could come back and haunt me. Now Rob has to shrink his alliance even more by getting rid of Andrea too because if Matt comes back and she is still around, they can both flip (not to mention he has to get rid of Kristina too because she would be easy to flip also).

But I cannot wait until next week (I wonder if this is going to be another season of Survivor where the previews are the best part of the episode). First my girl Andrea goes on a warpath and then the “biggest blindside ever.” I have a feeling that it is Russell that will be on the wrong side of the blindsided this time. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Modern Family: Poor Alex, she never seems to come out on top of her far inferior sister. You knew somehow Hayley was going to get away with her lack of a waitressing job. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Justified: Most cop shows are better when the badge take on master criminals, not for Raylan Gibbons, he is at his bed when taking on the criminal inept, and his greatest adversary just may be Dewey Crow. This guy’s stupidity knows no bounds. Raylan questioning the witness was classic. Too bad Raylan’s deputy doesn’t come around more often, and I am guessing Oxy trafficking and impersonating a Marshall may keep him behind bars for a while. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Hopefully Sheldon’s new crew gets back together every once and a while because they were comedy gold. Can’t Sheldon make Thursday karaoke night? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Outsourced: Instead accepting any of them, isn’t the correct answer to your least favorite Backstreet Boy be all of them? If you accept multiple answers, it was for the March question, because you should be able to also accept March Madness. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/20/11

Chuck: If Chuck were not to be renewed for next fall, here is hoping they pick up a prequel spin off featuring the C.A.T. Squad, I’d totally watch that over the proposed Charlie’s Angels reboot. Now if only they could work Casey into the series. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Finally Marshall is back in New York, his dad’s death storyline went on for far too long. And what is with Barney dating a British chick? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: So that is why the swimmer was acting so weird last week. I totally did not see that coming. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: I thought this show took place in Ohio? As someone who has lived in the state for his whole life, we have had plenty of snowstorms that bad or worse, that couldn’t have been the first one they have witnessed. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: Of course Castle and Beckett both had to be right, his buddy didn’t murder his wife, but she was right that he was involved with his father’s murder. I saw that ending coming a mile away. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: I can’t believe I just watched Lyla Garrity talk down Ben Linus. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Mr. Sunshine: Hopefully they find a way to keep the pyromaniac secretary around because she was my favorite part of the show after Allison Janney. Certainly her son won’t be able to help out Matthew Perry. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: Interesting that weed lady lied to the girl about her daddy dying instead telling her that he went on a business trip. What is she going to tell the girl when he doesn’t return? I guess he will “die” on the trip if she doesn’t find out the truth in the meantime. Here’s hoping she goes Hit Girl on the family if she does find out. And what was with Ava and Boyd? Did they hook up or is that the only place he thought he could go after getting beat up? But this episode featured my third favorite scene with the apricot line coming in just after the series opening and “Use it or throw it away.” You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I don’t really think we really needed that “previously on segment.” You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Outsourced: It’s a shame we only got to hear three seconds of karaoke Sister Christian, hopefully there is an extended version unleashed on the internet in the near future. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

You can also check out my First Impressions of Survivor: Redemption Island.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/13/11

Shameless: It’s parent-teacher conference tonight on Shameless and not surprisingly Frank is opposed to the idea despite many people needing him to show up. Someone will also get the Suge Knight treatment sometime during the episode. And for anyone who just watches in hopes to see Emmy Rossum in various states of the undressed will not be disappointed with tonight’s episode.

Chuck: Sarah and Chuck cannot elope because they have to have a big wedding with Jeffster as their house band. And who would be against a lengthy guest stint from Gary Cole. Which begs the question; do we know what happened to her mother? I do not remember her ever being brought up. I may have to re-watch the original Gary Cole episode to see if she was mentioned at all. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: I didn’t think this show could find a worse actor than Britney Spears, but Katy Perry managed to be even more painful to watch. She even made Jennifer Morrison’s comedic styling compliant. And hopefully Marcus visits Marshall frequently when he goes back to New York. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: What a weird turn face from the swimming teammate, a rain soaked apology followed by a biking accident. I thought she was going to blame the accident of the lesbian, but no, she just had to learn to swim for herself. Alrighty. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: I really thought Casey would be mad that Cappie took advantage of her last week, but I guess the writer are not waiting for the series finale to get the two back together. And just when I thought Ashleigh hooking up with Dr. Burton would be icky, Rusty joined the love triangle. Double eww. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion with a Silver Spoons style train in it. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: They are not really going to hagve Shooter McGavin hook up with Kathy Bates are they? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Lights Out: They cut off the episode about five minutes too early because I really would have liked to see the conversation between Hal Brennan and Barry Word. I wonder if Brennan was the one who actually put the concrete in the punching bag. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Modern Family: It is always good to see Dylan back (though I wish we would have gotten more of his song) but I wonder if had seen Hayley lately before going Jon Cusack on her lawn because she was looking really frumpy this episode to the point I did not even recognized her on the couch and thought maybe she was a friend of Manny. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Mr. Sunshine: A solid start and it clear the Allison Janney’s crazy version of Marge Schott is the breakout star of the show. And I would mind more of the psycho assistant. But less of the co-worker with benefit, I am not sure how she still gets jobs on sitcoms considering she isn’t very funny. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: That is the first time I remember a show opting just to show the previous episode’s late couple minutes in lue of the usual “Previously On” segment. And I guess growing up the son of a con man gets you in with a pretty bad crowd being good friends with the Crowder family and the new weed family. Ava and Winona must be very good in the bed because I cannot think why he would want to stay in Harland with these families when he was offered his job back in Florida. But I liked the ending with Boyd once again uttering the title of the story the show is based on, “Fire in the whole.” Can’t wait to next week to see what he is up to now. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Just when I thought nothing would get ickier this week than Dr. Burton hooking up with Ashleigh, Lucille Bluth had to go and seduce Lenard. Now if you excuse me, I need to go and wash my eyes out Alex Dunphy style. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: Just how hard is it to get shows On Demand the next day? It seems like every other week Community and Outsourced take different amount of days getting On Demand (where I tend to watch them) which makes little sense to me. And as I write this, Community still is not available. Technology should makes thing easier not harder. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: By bringing new meaning to a double date, Manmeet has officially upgraded to G status. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/6/11

Shameless: Showtime was nice enough to give me a preview of tonight’s episode and I didn’t have much expectations going to the show but it was highly enjoyable. I am not sure it happens every week, but the episode starts up with the greatest “previous on” segment where William H Macy is sitting in a hospital bed saying, “Here is what you missed on Shameless last week: I got really drunk… I’m not sure what happened after that.” Sure I have now seen Emmy Rossum do her lady business more than I would like to, which is something you would have to see every week because it is in the title sequence, and you get a bonus scene as part of tonight’s episode which also features an bachelor and bachelorette party while Frank learns that his third testicle may not actually be a good thing. If you have missed Shameless, Showtime is reairing the first four episodes starting at 5:00 tonight which give you time to catch up before a new episode at 10:00 after new episode of Episodes and Californication because it is not like there is anything worth watching tonight.

Chuck: Is it wrong that I was disappointing it is Volkoff going off to jail not mama Bartowski, because I would much rather have Timothy Dalton stick around long that Linda Hamilton. At least we got more Jeffster. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Greek: If Ashleigh hooks up with Dr. Mike Burton I will be totally creeped out even more than Cappie taking advantage of a drunken Casey. I do not think she will be happy when she wake us tomorrow. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



The Cape: When I saw we had our first female baddie of the week I was hoping for a good old girl fight with Orwell and how disappointed that we only got a punch out of each of them. Hurmph. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Cape on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: Hopefully the fast food lawsuit goes forward because Scoote McGavin remains to be the best (and really only good) thing about the show. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Lights Out: It has long been debated what would happen if a boxer took on an MMA with the consensus being that neither could beat each other at the other’s sport. Except of course in a fictionalize setting with Lights taking out an MMA fighter in the octagon. Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I am jealous that Dr. Cooper was never lectured a class I attended. I may be more jealous that I never got acting lesions from Penny. It should also be pointed out that Outsourced had a much more entertaining Bollywood dance sequence two weeks ago. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: I still can’t Chang’s elf out of my head. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: I do not know if the getting on train thing is real, but I hope it is because it was hilarious. I would also like to point out that I was The Pretzel king back in my team building days. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 1/30/11

Chuck: Seems a little naïve that Mama Bartowski has been working to bring that Volcov for two decades but Sarah thinks she can do so in short order. But if next week truly is the final showdown between Chuck and Volcov I will miss Timothy Dalton who has been a short in the arm this season. If Mama Bartowski goes down with him, I won’t be as sad to see her go. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: Holy Meg Manning sighting! One thing that has bugged me since the show returned is that the final scenes I have always been under the impression what we are seeing is the scene through A’s eye. Like this week we see what I assume is A picking up his (her? But they looked kind of manly) coat and gloves from Aria’s mom at the dance. Here is what bugs me, last season; we see what we assume to be A destroying Allison’s memorial. But at the start of this season, nerd boy admitted to destroying said memorial. Does that mean he is A or is the last scene not necessarily always A? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: From the first segment, I was hoping that they were actually going to cram Beaver into every scene Lost style, but alas the writers were not clever enough to figure out how to make that happen. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



The Cape: So it has all but said our load that Orwell is Chess’s daughter, but how long has it been that Chess couldn’t even recognize his own daughter even behind a thin mask? Is this a Superman glasses situation? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Cape on iTunes.

Castle: I found it a little creepy that Castle was all but professing his love for Beckett while she was trying to solve her mother’s mother. But we did get another puzzle piece. Which begs the question who is behind it all, the chief of police, a politician, Castle’s buddy, the mayor? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: If they added Shooter McGavin to the cast, I would watch this show every week. He would make a much better foil for Harry than the balding dude. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Lights Out: I bet that the person slyly taking a picture of Lights giving a gift to the DA’s kid will come out in the near future. Once you owe a favor to a guy like that tends to never go away. Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Community: I wonder if Pierce saving Annie is sowing the seeds for the group to move into his house at some point when they cannot conceivable have the whole study group in the same classes every year. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: I’m with Todd that the fart-o-matic is hilarious. But not as funny as Rajiv’s attempt at making a joke that turned out to be a math problem. And I swear the nameless guy at the lunch table is really just C. Thomas Howell circa Soul Man. Also, bonus points for the sitar infused version of Is She Really Going Out with Him? while Todd was revealing to Charlie that yes, she was really going out with him. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 1/23/11

Chuck: Aw Jeffster, you still rock even if it for the most uncomfortable five minutes on television. And more Jeffester would have been better than the how will Chuck screw up the proposal storyline which need more anti-French Casey rhetoric. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: I was really dreading this episode and it was more depressing than I thought it would. A Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion deserved better than this. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: I swear Hefty Hanna gets heftier in ever subsequent flashback. But anyway. I am surprised that we actually got to see Allison get murdered (I think, almost) on camera or at least heard. It will be interesting to see what the girls do with that information. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: Holy Dr. Mike Burton sighting! More surprising appearance though was Katherine. It is ironic that Rusty was making fun of Lost because at least on Lost, there were actually character that never returned to the island unlike Cypress Rhoades where everyone inexplicatively comes back. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



The Cape: In a story I broke last week, Orwell will turn out to be Chess’s daughter and that was all but confirmed this week. At least I hope everyone out there is smart enough to put two and two together. And I am already bored with the kid storyline, how about cutting him out of the show until the series finally when he reveals to his son that he is The Cape. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Cape on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: I would have like this show a lot more if instead of following a shoe store lawyer in a big Ohio city, it followed a bowling alley lawyer in a small Ohio town. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Skins: I made it to the first commercial break before I had to turn it off and had to seriously consider joining the PTC. I guess I can add this to my list of things that officially make me old. You can stream recent episodes on MTV.com. You can also download MTV's Skins on iTunes.

Glory Daze: Did they really need to ship Annabelle away in a cult? I understand they want keep Brian as a player, but they didn’t have to send the character away like that because I was hoping they would keep the actress around because she was highly likeable. On the bright side, the show’s use of Sister Christian rivals Boogie Nights as the greatest usage of the song ever. You can stream recent episodes over at TBS.com. You can also download Glory Daze on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: This really could have been a two parter, an episode devoted to the car pool and a second just at the convention. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: With meta jokes being so popular these days, I wonder at what point do they ask the guest if it is okay to reference their past. Like did they pitch the Cosby’s joke when they were negotiation with Theo Huxtable, afterwards or just slipped it into the scrip and hoped he would complain? If you didn’t catch it, Theo was wearing of Cliff’s patented ugly sweaters which he said he got from his father.) You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: I guess we have Glee to thank for this episode, thankfully without the distractingly bad lip-syncing that the unwatchable is known for. Bonus points for the getting in early on the Behind the Music episode. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CLVI

The Walking Dead: I kept on waiting the whole episode for that grenade Rick picked up to come into play (I wonder why he never tried to find the keys to the tank?); I thought he might toss it down the ladder when he realized the Walkers might climb up. I thought he might use it in the front of the department store with all the Walker broke through the first window. I thought he might use it on the grate in the sewers. I thought he would use that as the distraction as they went to get the truck. But in never came into play. Hopefully we have a good pay off with the grenade.

I thought while watching the credits this week, if these were in fact spoilers. Is it safe to assume that those that didn’t make the title sequence are essentially redshirts for the zombies to eat? Thankfully none of the actors have much name recognition so I really do not know who cast members are and who are just supporting actors. You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: So Barney finally get the name of his father in the same episode we meet Zoey’s father husband. Not that I really cared much about either as I kept hoping the whole episode would be Ted saying “wieners”. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Event: What the frack was with that ending? I think that creeped me out more than anything on The Waking Dead this week. But anyway. Didn’t Sterling have a picture of Thomas, how didn’t he recognize him in the elevator. Wasn’t his flashback about how he was going to pay attention to detail to everything, how he missed an alien standing right next to him. And what is with the promo about finally learning who tried to assassinate the president? Don’t we already know it was Hal Holbrook and his shady cabal? And how did his crony go from a broken leg held at gun point by a Federal Agent to standing on two legs free? Did I miss something? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Castle: Wow, that was the least sad I have ever seen anyone who had just been told their pet ran away. I know as a guy I have been more lenient to a big butt and a smile than I should, but I would be very happy if some token hot chick lost one of my pets, I’d at the very least want some tears before I even considered accepting an apology. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: Just as I predicted, Patty Pryor and Vince Howard hooked up and it was as creepy as I expected. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: I can’t believe they let the incest go as far as they did, but I guess I should not expect that Sons of Anarchy will not step over the preverbal line considering just earlier in the episode they went all Hostel on one of the characters. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: Nicaragua: It has been pretty clear that they decided to cast a whole group of Russell’s and this season is suffering greatly. I’m hoping the teaser was a meteor that killed half the tribe which means they will have to end this season early. And hopefully the next season isn’t the much rumored Russell vs. Boston Rob season. Of course if Survivor were to ever bring back Russell how do you not vote him off the first tribal he goes to? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Terriers: It has been song long since they mentioned it, I almost forgot the overarching plot. And they brought it back with a vengeance with that reporter poking into that land developer. Though I do not understand why Hank presented himself to the guy afterward, seems like a risky proposition considering his henchmen is good at concealing murder. And it was nice seeing the Nerds of Dooms back again as the worst kidnappers ever. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Terriers on iTunes.

The Challenge: Cutthroat: Who would’ve guessed that MTV would have a stronger concussion policy than the NFL? You can stream recent episodes on MTV.com. You can also download The Challenge: Cutthroat on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I have never been a fan of a female version of Sheldon, but Amy continually checking out Wikipedia for things to do at a slumber party was pretty hilarious, especially when she tried lesbian activities.

Community: I do not know what a bottle episode is and I do not care what a bottle episode is, I am just disappointed I had to see Chevy Chase in his underwear, but Annie never stepped out from behind the desk. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: India really needs more holidays where Charlie can shoot off his guns in the streets. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.