57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/26/12

Once Upon a Time: I was half expecting that the guy under the gold amour to turn out to be motorcycle dude. Instead he just copied (I think) Henry’s book for some unknown reason (I still think he is the author). I also am assuming that August W. Booth is an anagram for something; I am just too lazy, and do not care enough, to figure it out. Either way I just hope they do not drag it out for that much longer.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Once Upon a Time on iTunes.

Shameless: Poor Jody, married for not even a full episode before getting kicked out. Hopefully he sticks around for the rest of the season to sing more horrible songs.

The Walking Dead: It is never a good sign for a show when one of the mail leads is left in pearl and the audience universally cheers for her potential death even though she is one of the main leads and everyone knows in the back of their minds knows that she will make it somehow. But I am sure there were a lot of watcher disappointed that Lori actually survived flipping her car twice and two zombie attacks. Another bad sign: the most entertaining moment of the entire episode was the unintentional comedy of Maggie brushing aside her father to hug Glen.
You can stream recent episodes over at amc.com. You can also download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Pan Am: It is too bad the show took itself too seriously in the beginning because now that they have started incorporated more absurd plotlines like Kate taking down a British intelligence agent, Collette dating a prince, and best of all, Ted’s open marriage (c’mon, who turns down a proposal to be married to the hot chick from the annoying vampire films and have the token hot chick as a marriage).
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: Very high on my list of potential “A” was the trio of Hermy the Hermaphrodite, the blind chick, and Mona, although if A is targeting Mona, that really puts holes in that theory. Unless Mona as A did it to through the Liars off her scent now that they are closing in. Although now that we know at least two of the Liars’ families have ties to that shut down law firm that was connected to the phone number, I wonder what exactly happened at the place.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

The Voice: Sure there have been three artists so far that I had on my iPod previous to the show, not only do I have Charlotte Sometimes in my music library, I have actually written about here on the 9th Green. And just to show how great talent scout that I am, four years ago I predicted a bigger career for Charlotte over Katy Perry (see Toss Up: Katy Perry vs. Charlotte Sometimes). Oops. But her song How I Could Just Kill a Man (which as it turned out was not a Cypress Hill cover) even came in at #44 on my list of The 100 Best Songs of 2008; #36 on The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 00’s; and #608 on The 1000 Greatest Songs of the 00’s.

One thing the struck me while watching Nicolle Galyon (who apparently stole Jennifer Morrison’s Thiller jacket from Once Upon a Time) play the piano is that maybe the coaches should be let in on what instrument the contestants are playing because that could be a selling point for the contestant especially for sandwich maker Jamie Lono whose guitar picking was what made his take on Folsom Prison Blues so unique. But then again the show is called The Voice, not The Musician.

One of the breakout moments of this season is just how irate Blake Shelton gets whenever someone presses their button after he does. It may overtake Carson Daly’s awkward high fives with contestants as most entertaining moments on the show. And what was with the blink and you’ll miss it cameo from Kirk Franklin who also landed on my Greatest One Hit Wonders but for the 90’s, which makes me wonder if Anthony Evans was in God’s Property. At any rate, Christina Aguilera again bolstered her old black dude contingent.

Oh yeah, and one more thing, what the heck happened to Ducky?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from the show through the widget at right.




How I Met Your Mother: Whew, we really dodged a bullet there with Ted realizing Robin was in love with Barney, I could not stand another season of that coupling.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Lying Game: They have hinted at it for since the beginning but it was nice to see Sutton go straight up evil this week having both Emma and Ethan think the other had an affair during their time apart.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Lying Game on iTunes.

Castle: I knew the rouge CIA guy was not the bad guy, but I did not see the Flashdancer being a KGB sleeper agent who had nothing better to do than bring down the world’s government. Now that is what I call a plot twist. I guess since Caste’s father was in the CIA I have a feeling he will end up tying into Beckett mother’s murder. Who knew Castle even had a dad?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Switched at Birth: Is it wrong that I was highly entertained by the fight in sign language?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Switched At Birth on iTunes.

The River: Just when you think Eloise Mumford could not get any more geek chicier when she donned glasses last week, she breaks out an accordion this week. If she wears a Ramona Flowers wig next week, my head might explode. But the endings to these episodes are really getting cheesy. So far they have trapped an evil spirit in blood and dumped it in the river, traded the bones of a mother for another, appeased natives by simply saying they would sacrifice themselves (but not actually doing so), and this week they broke a curse by breaking a phone holding a sacred video. The show really needs to cross the proverbial lines one of these days.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The River on iTunes.

Justified: Where last season had a new showdown between the principals even other episode this season has been a much slower burn to the end with Raylan, Boyd, crazy Detroit Guy, and Bubba Gump playing some weird four person chess board that Sheldon Cooper would invent. Hopefully we start getting some checkmates soon and have them not all come in the season finale.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

Parenthood: Just when you think they could not make the Julia / Zoey storyline any more heartbreaking, there is Zoey at the end of the episode holding the son she could not bring to hold after delivery. I am still holding out hope that Julia just goes ahead and adopt Zoey and her kid. And someone should tell Crosby that when Dwayne Motherfracking Wayne tries to give you a million dollars, you take it. Does he not realize how many flip sunglasses that would buy?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Survivor: One World: Where the frack was Probst during the reward challenge? Are they slowly transitioning into a Probst-less version of the series in the near future? I really hope not. When they first showed the Immunity Challenge I thought it would originally favor the woman because females have better balance than med do, but forgot about other, um, assets women have that men do that would get in the way give the guys the heavy advantage. But again I was wrong after it was brought to my attention that the last Men vs. Women season, this exact challenge was won by the girls’ tribe and won before the guys could get a second member in. So apparently these women may be the most dysfunctional tribe in the history of Survivor. But on the bright side, Kat looks really good doing it.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Suburgatory: Yep, Dalia remains the most evil thing on television, her diatribe at the dance was downright spine tingling (although I kind of hope it is a bit of foreshadowing of what is to come). And it might be time to give Kimantha more screen time.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Suburgatory on iTunes.

Happy Endings: It is nice to see that I am not the only person that grows a beard in winter time. It is totally practical.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Happy Endings on iTunes.

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes: Watching Camilla’s drunken ten minute tirade I came to the realization that Survivor really needs to start have more alcohol related reward challenges.
You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download The Challenge: Battle of the Exes on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Bongo Solo!!!!!!!
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 1/29/12

Once Upon a Time: Seriously, Stealthy? I guess it should not have been a surprised that he did not make it to the end of the episode. But that was not even the most absurd plot point of the episode as the super secret item the motorcycle dude was carrying around: a typewriter. At least they did not drag that out for a couple seasons for an anticlimactic reveal like Lost would have done. I wonder if Vegas will let me put money on mysterious dude being the guy who wrote Henry’s fairytale book?
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

Shameless: I expect Frank to do some pretty despicable things, but I never thought he would turn down the heart transplant. And we all wish of going out while having sex, but I never thought of it though the eyes of whoever is on the other end of things, so to speak.

House of Lies: The problem with this show is right there in the opening sequence every week, right where Don Cheadle tells the camera, “You still don’t know what I do?” Um no, and that is not a good thing for the audience even if it is good for business, three episodes in and I still am not sure what it is all about. All I now with every passing episode, the less and less I want to vote for Mitt Romney.

Pan Am: When Pan Am started I was hoping the Token Hot Chick from the show would fill the hole that was about to be left by the Token Hot Chick from Chuck (both from Australia, note to self: talk to a travel agent) in its last but alas, she did not even last longer. Le sigh.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars:I cannot believe they did yet another epic scene of Aria and Ezra reunited, it is definitely not only natural. I was hopping her mom would catch them so she finally would realize it is time to turn the guy over to the police.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

The Lying Game: What? So let me get this straight: Cordelia Chase shows up as Annie, the twins’ mother, except Char’s aunt and their mother is no longer the same person. But now other Annie is no longer the twins’ mother and Cordelia is? This helps my theory that Ted is the twins’ father and it was a result of a one night stand with. Though if Annie Rebecca is the mom, how did Ted and Alex convince her to give up her kids and not tell anyone?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Lying Game on iTunes.

Castle: I cannot believe it took so long to realize the boyfriend / freeloader was the murderer, I figured that out because the title screen.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Justified: I assume legally they are not allowed to use the name Karen Sisco (Elmore Leonard’s other famous federal marshal) but I like how they not so subtly got around it by having her married and divorced within a month. But who knew Art was so ruthless (great scene even if there were no phonebooks around). And note to self: do not get on Bubba Blue’s bad side. But it should be interesting when all the pieces they put on the board these past two weeks start to come together.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: So apparently last week was not some elebroate dream sequence and Leonard and Penny are back together, but it may be even shorter this time around. But how disappointing was it yesterday when I searched for “Sheldon Cooper Fun with Flags” and there were not any videos of it on the internet. Massive fail on the CBS and / or Warner Brothers marketing department for not uploading any. (Note to self: next time you try searching for the video, make sure you do not forget the “L” again.)
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Chuck: Check back Monday for my thoughts on the series finale.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 1/14/12

Once Upon a Time: How dressing is it that the kid actually think his mother is some evil queen capable of killing a dude. Sure it turns out that he is right, but you would think he may start living back in the real world after the sheriff’s death.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

Leverage: Usually I rail against promo monkeys and their spoilery ways, but I am actually glad they actually told us who that was behind the bars because I had no clue who the guy was in the final shot.
You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Shameless: The Chicago cold was such a character of the first season it is weird seeing the cast walking around in summer clothes. Well, Fiona is still wear the same amount of clothing, little to none.

Pan Am: In other promo monkey news, thanks for letting us know next week Christina Ricci will be making out with the hot chick from those horrible vampire movies.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: Lucas as A’s lackey helps my theory that he, Mona and Jenna actually comprise as A and a wet Mona and an arguing Jenna also bolsters that theory. Of course with all that smoke I am beginning to think they are all just red herrings (which brings me back to my original theory that Allison really is not dead). But the biggest question now is how did Lucas get from the door to the middle of the lake in the time Emily talked to Spencer? Does he have an evil twin? Or was it just horrible writing? I will assume that latter until proved otherwise.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

The Lying Game: That was a great ending. Just as the credits ends with everyone eulogizing Sutton while I role my eyes (anyone who watches television knows no one is ever dead until you see the body, and even then there are exceptions) Sutton shows up at the door a second before the episode ends.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Lying Game on iTunes.

Castle: I do not understand how Ryan was so calm about learning his future wife was in a conquest book by some sleazy dude. I do not care about exclusivity; she had a one night stand with someone who is probably a hotel for VD. I would call off a wedding for less.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Switched at Birth: Whenever they go into silent mood whenever Emmitt is talking is always jarring but effective, but the silent mode when the cops showed up was really striking.
You can stream the show on Hulu. You can also download Switched At Birth on iTunes.

Suburgatory: I did not think Dalia could get any scarier, then I saw the 3-D laser rendering of her inside a paperweight.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Suburgatory on iTunes.

Modern Family: Funniest sight gag of the week was Hayley sticking an egg in Luke’s mouth after theorizing that the egg could survivor a story drop inside his mouth.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Happy Endings: It is nice to know I am not the only person who goes around copying The Wire without actually ever seeing an episode.
You can stream the show on Hulu. YYou can also download Happy Endings on iTunes.

Revenge: I have had the inkling since the beginning (the timeline set up very well), but actually hearing someone suggest that Charlotte may actually be Amanda/Emily’s half-sister was pretty jaw dropping (mostly because I had forgotten of this theory a long time ago). And it was nice to finally see Emily go back to destroying people’s lives. But I wonder if we will be getting the first scene of the series earlier than the season finale like I have always expected. By my count there are still ten episodes left and are they really going to string out Emily and Daniel’s inevitable engagement out that long?
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

Chuck: Isn’t Bo Derek a little before Morgan and Chuck’s time? Wouldn’t Kathy Ireland or Elle Macpherson been more age appropriate for the boys? But anyway. Is it a shame the writers did not have the foresight to make the Memento notes a season long gag.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 12/11/11

Once Upon a Time: We finally learn who the blonde is, she turned out to be the daughter of King Midas. Granted when he pulled out his arm out I thought he was Goldfinger who is just as much a fairytale character as King Midas. But I guess mythology opens the show up to a whole bunch of potential characters. And does Ted Mosby’s most annoying girlfriend seriously have the Thriller jacket is a rainbow variety of colors?
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

Homeland: So who is the mole? For the half an episode where Brady was absolved from being the person that passed his captor the razor blade, the thought that Saul did it crossed my mind. And Brady can be blamed for alerting the couple who bought the house near the airport, but someone inside the CIA had to alert Tom Walker about the meet unless the Saudi diplomat tipped him off and essentially became a suicide. Two more episodes left and hopefully the wrap this storyline up and move onto a new one next season.

Pan Am: Every spy show has done it, but I ever understood the steal a list of CIA assets mission before it is sold on the black market because wouldn’t whoever made the list just make another one if it is stolen? But anyway. I am just upset that none of my family friend’s daughters grew up to look like Ashley Greene.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Wait, what just happened? Did they really switch the narration of the show for the first time in seven seasons with Robin talking to her kids instead of Ted just to be all “Psych” at the end? Huh?
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: I am still disappointed Clay is still alive, but at least they came up with a better reason to keep him around than my prediction that he is hauled off to jail. I did not seeing Machete being CIA. But that twist kept there from being any action in the finale. I was waiting for the dad of the hit and run victim to show up at the end and go on a shooting spree, but I guess they planted that seed for next season. So we were left with a bit of a bore of a season finale, and really season four as a whole felt like a big tease, two cliffhanger deaths that did not end up happening and a big crackdown that got shut down but reval government agencies. It was not as bad as the Ireland season, but they better have plenty of payoffs next season.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Revenge: Maybe it is all the repeats recently, but it has seemed it has been way too long since Amy Abbot has destroyed somebody’s life. I want at least one person brought down per every two episodes.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

Community: As a straight heterosexual dude, I have naturally never seen an episode of Glee, but after watching Community’s awesome send up of the show I may have to check it out to see if is really that awesome, especially if they have a character like Annie Edison on the show.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Chuck: Please let there be an uncensored version of this episode leaked to the internets in the near future.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

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

Once Upon a Time: Do they really spoil one of the big mysteries of the show in the promo every week? It has been hinted at never outright said in the show that the Evil Queen knows of the fairytale world, but the preshow promo for the last two weeks comes right out and says she is the only one who remembers. Is this just the promo monkeys gone bad and making assumptions (which happened a couple times on Lost and the writers complained about), or are they actually spoiling the show?
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

The Walking Dead: We finally get a payoff at the farm with the discovery of the Walkers Barn. I take it that is the rest of his family that they are preserving in hopes that there will be a cure, though not as funny as the Shaun of the Dead ending. Which begs the question, when will Zombie Otis show up and join them?
You can stream recent episodes over at amc.com. You can also download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Homeland: The first forty-five minutes of this episode seemed like filler, but boy did they kick it into high gear. First, Carrie come right out and accuses Brady of being a turncoat complete with a Q&A session (though some of answers seemed too convenient to be red herrings like him seeing the head terrorist and lying about it). Then we learn that his partner is actually the POW that got turned. Wow. That is really a long con to throw your scent off someone by putting it on his partner. Cannot wait until the next episode.

Pan Am: The more absurd this show is the better. Landing in hostel Haiti for a heart attack patient: sure why not. Hopefully in the near future there is an episode where someone draws landing gear onto the plane like the Amazing Stories episode.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: The only thing that felt longer than Marshall and Ted’s trip for nachos was how I felt watching this episode. Seriously guys, it’s the comedy law of three not five.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Sing Off: Screw you promo monkeys who made me sweat all week thinking Antoine Merriweather might be axed this week. Turns out his group was not even in the bottom two this week. Bad promo monkeys. Of course I knew there was no way the Aires would be sent home after watch the Ignition (Remix) because that was my favorite performance of the season. With the Judges’ Pick next week, my head might exploded if they actually give them Trapped in the Closet.

The Sing-Off Week 7 Power Ranking (change from last week in parentheses):

1. Dartmouth Aires
2. Urban Method
3. Afro Blue
4. Pentatonix



You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

2 Broke Girls: This was a show I was really looking forward to, and even though it has been constantly funny so far, I was hoping for more and my disappointment mostly stems from Caroline who remains one note with a borderline annoying voice, but her White-Mariah routine was hilarious.

Parenthood: Is it wrong that I laughed historically at all of Sydney’s hissy fits. Quality entertainment. Though the ending of the storyline was a bit cheesy. But I knew as soon as Adam told Crosby not to hook up with the absurdly attractive receptionist, she would come onto him instead. Hopefully they do not fire her because she can just blame it on the alcohol and seriously Adam, you only escort a girl to her door if you are expecting a kiss.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: Wait, did they actually blow up that one dude? But it looks like they are going to spread out the someone killing Clay out for the rest of the season. I fear every new episode until them will introduce someone new as the potential killer and next season we will be stuck with a Who Killed Clay storyline.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: South Pacific: It is about time Survivor finally realize that they should go two Tribal Councils per episode after the merge. Hopefully that continues for most of the rest of the season.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Revenge: I have long only liked Amy Abbott on the show, but they finally introduced a second character for me to root for: her alter-ego. She looks to give Claire Danes a run for her money in the crazy department.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I’m disappointed we were denied seeing Sheldon and Penny actually going on a date.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Community: When Jeff came onscreen as the Dean I actually thought that it was really David Cross. And I am sure I have said this before, but more Crazy Annie please.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Beavis and Butt-Head: Having the boys watch other television shows was mildly entertaining to begin with but they get less funny every week. I cannot believe I am actually going to suggest anyone watch Lady GaGa, but how have Beavis and Butt-Head not watched any of her videos yet? I need them to rip her to shreds.
You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Beavis and Butt-Head on iTunes.

Chuck: Boo, why could they not finally kill off Morgan? And if I could actually live in a world where Indiana Jones was still a trilogy.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

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

Once Upon a Time:I still have not completely bought into the show, but one of the more interesting aspects of the show is whenever they introduce a new character in the real world my mind instantly tries to predict who they are in the fairytale world. Some are pretty obvious like Slutty Red Riding Hood, but we still do not know who the sheriff is, and this week we were introduced to the sleazy doctor. But the writers need to make sure they do not take too long to reveal the characters’ alter ego because much on Lost, everyone stopped caring about how Locke got into a wheelchair about two seasons after they finally revealed the reason. Also, where were the seven dwarfs?
You can stream current episodes on Once Upon a Time. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

The Walking Dead: I did not think they would able to out-gross the scene where they checked out the contents of the zombie’s stomach, but the well zombie comes very close. Though I wonder why they went straight for human bait before trying out a squirrel or smaller animal first. At least Glen got some sweet lovin’ for his troubles.
You can stream recent episodes over at amc.com. You can also download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Homeland: She may like to fly so close to the flame that she could beat all the boys at chicken at the local train tracks, but having sex with someone you are convinced is a terrorist is completely over the top. And the further down the rabbit hole Carrie goes, the more entertaining her character is. Though I am a bi suspicious about the polygraph test, are these people trained on how to beat one incase they are captured in the field? Plus if Beavis and Butt-Head know how to beat one, how hard can it be?

Pan Am: If I have one complaint about the return of Smash Williams to television was when he started talking about his mom I was hoping we were going to get an appearance from Momma Smash. Oh well. And I wonder what happened with the pilot hooking up with the mistress of his boss? I thought he would get in trouble for that or did Maggie tell him something different?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Was there anyone out there that knew the Slap Bet was still going on? And now there are actually two more to go. And the writer still seem to be taunting us again this week when the boyfriend asked that Ted’s story be as log as possible. With that all said, even though it was the cheesiest of all sight gags, I could not stop laughing whenever the bear attached Marshall.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Sing-Off: If the rating were not reason enough, how strong this episode with ten less groups than the original sixteen was is a strong sign that an abridged two week, Christmas time airing is probably the best for the show then a weekly series. I doubt we will see the Sing Off in the fall next year, but hopefully they do bring it back for the pre-Christmas slot like they had the first two seasons. And if it does come back, make sure to have Antoine Merriweather return in one of the show’s patented Supergroups like The Backbeats and Delilah (it is a shame they got kicked off this week before they let the attractive redhead sing the lead in any song). So many strong performances this week, but the opening number Wake Up may be the best group performance ever on The Sing-Off.

The Sing-Off Week Six Power Ranking (change from last week in parentheses)

1. Afro Blue (+1)
2. Urban Method (+2)
3. Dartmouth Aires (-2)
4. Pentatonix (+2)
5. Vocal Point (-1)

You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: That fight between Gemma and Clay went way too long. You can get the same idea across with being that graphic. But it looks like someone will be joining Piney in the big biker bar in the sky, but we may have to wait until the end of the season to find out who and by whose hand, a bunch of possibilities there.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: South Pacific: I do not know how you can say you are playing with honor and then sit out a challenge for food. But anyway. I fear if Albert and / or Sophie does not do something soon, this season will play out just like the previous one with Coach / Brandon / Edna taking the place of Boston Rob / Philip / and the hot chick whose name I have already forgotten as the mastermind / psycho / worthless person and that is not a good thing. And note to Survivor producers, please stop casting people who cannot come up with a better insult that “wiener” and definitely do not bring them back three times.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Chuck: I did not think that Morgan could get any more annoying but he even managed to outdo his annoyingness this episode. Hopefully the assassin assign to kills him is successful.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

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

Once Upon a Time: I was a little surprised that we did not see Maleficent in the real world. At first I thought it was because the Evil Queen was going to remove her heart for the spell as I was unaware that the old dude was her father. I thought it was just her man servant. But the most interesting scene was The Evil Queen and Rumplestiltskin talking in the real world. Sure the kid thinks everybody in town is walking around in a haze, but you have to wonder who exactly knows what, and these are the two leading candidates to actually have memories of fairytale land. Snow White’s grandkid just does not happen to get adopted by her archnemesis in a town populated by fairytale characters.
You can stream current episodes on Once Upon a Time. You can also download Once Upon a Time.

The Walking Dead: Sure Shane is a jerk and all, but I did not see him leaving the fat dude for dead (morally aside, how was he going to be able to get back to the truck and then the farm without him, and in the dark at that). I just picked up my jaw at that scene about an hour ago.
You can stream recent episodes over at amc.com. You can also download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Pan Am: This may be the episode where the show finally turns the preverbal corner as it was the first one I whole heartedly enjoyed if it were not for the pilot subplot. Hopefully he gets fired because the pilots have never quite fit in to the show very well. But Christina Ricci’s back-story was extremely enjoyable. Note to self: start tipping waitresses three cents and if they call me on it, tell them it is to get them from getting complacent in a no end job. Brilliant. Bonus points for next week when Smash Williams makes his return to television.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Seriously, the Slutty Pumpkin? Wasn’t that season one? Just because everyone complained that Lost did not tie up most of it loose ends does not mean that this show does. If everyone has forgotten about the storyline, you really do not to bring it back up even if it is unresolved.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Sing Off: With three all-male college groups left in the competition it is not surprising they finally gave one the ax, but after giving the best Swan Song of the season, is it too late to give the University of Rochester YellowJackets a reprieve? Maybe they should start rewarding the group that gives the best Swan Song performance and let them back in the competition at some point. The Dartmouth Aires regain their spot on the top of my power rankings this week for the first time since the second week thanks to a rousing Queen medley (insert your own Antoine Merriweather singing Queen joke here), but it was still disappointing that Bohemian Rhapsody got resigned to a medley, they should have just performed that because it is basically three different songs in one anyway.


The Sing-Off Week Five Power Ranking (change from last week in parentheses)
1. Dartmouth Aires (+1)
2. Afro Blue (-1)
3. Delilah (+3)
4. Urban Method (-)
5. Vocal Point (-)
6. Pentatonix (+1)



You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

Castle: Early on I actually pegged the one hostage as an inside man until he had a seizure then I just figured I had too big of an imagination. I guess maybe they should have sent in an actual medical examiner instead of Beckett and maybe they would have know he was not epileptic.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: Julia kind of overreacted a bit with the sushi. Really having her doctor explain to her baby mama what she could and could not eat would probably have been a better idea.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Survivor: South Pacific: First off: bad promo monkeys who spoiled the merge. I was eagerly hoping that there was not going to be a merge to see Ozzy’s face when he learns he would have to spend a couple days at Redemption Island, only for it to be ruined for me on Sunday. Booooo. With that out of the way, I never understood why there are not more people flipping votes after a tie. I would much rather bail on my alliance than go to rocks even if there is a Redemption Island safety net. Though I have to question Coach for not using his Immunity Idol to try to save himself or somebody in his alliance.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Revenge: I still hate the start of the series and really do not care for any of the characters beside Amy Abbot, but gosh darn is this show getting good. Two major what the frack moments this week. I have long pegged the annoying little frat boy as a gay homosexual con man, but what I did not see coming was the computer nerd blackmailing him for sexual favors. Then the other was Not-Amy Abbott bashing in the skull of the bodyguard then showing up all happy, happy, joy, joy on Amy’s doorstep. I cannot wait until the next episode (which sadly I will have to because of some study country music award show next week).
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

Grimm: I originally thought this episode would be about Hansel and Greta, thankfully I was wrong when they started having sex and it ended up being the Goldilocks and the Three Bears. But they really took way too long to have the only interesting character in the cast to show up. The Big Bad Wolf did not even make an appearance until over half way through. But it was worth the wait when he hysterically tore some dude’s arm off.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Grimm on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 10/16/11

Pan Am: The sixties seem so long ago, and WWII even longer it is hard to put the two in perspective for one person’s lifetime. It never really dawned on me why Collette would avoid Berlin up to this point, and when she said why I did not realize why it would hit her so hard until she told her story at the end of the episode.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: C’mon Marshall, the second season of Friday Night Lights was not that bad. If FNL were U2, season two would be Pop, yeah it is not as good as the rest of their catalogue, but it is still better than ninety percent of music out there.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Sing Off: First off, it is time to retire “pitch” from the judges vocabulary, they all use it way too often. Sonos really got a bad rap for their version of I Want You Back. You want an example of the song that does not share the iconic hook but is still great check out The Civil Wars version. I would have had them above The Collective and Pentatonix (who continued their streak of horrible songs this week) and maybe even the Deltones. The stand out performance (and I cannot believe I am saying this considering the show featured Antoine Meriwether singing about balls that inspired Shawn Stockman to talk about ding dings) was the old dudes doing The Dougie in lounge chairs. And not to get too Adam Levine on you, but I have never heard The Rocketeer song before, is that really considered a hit? But anyway. Here is my Power Rakings for the second week (and their movement from last week in parentheses):

1. Dartmouth Aires (-)
2. North Shore (-)
3. Afro Blue (+1)
4. Urban Method (+2)
5. The Yellowjackets (-2)
6. The Deltones (-1)
7. Vocal Point (+2)
8. Delilah (-)
9. Pentatonix (+2)
10. The Collective (-)



You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

The Lying Game: They really did a poor job braking down the story because they took way too long to get Sutton to Las Vegas because Sutton in Sin City is way more enjoyable than Emma in Phoenix. And unfortunately Sutton only stays there for one episode. But it should be an interesting reaction from Sutton when she realized someone took over her life and none of her friends and family noticed but Becky Spoles knew she was not Emma right away.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Lying Game on iTunes.

Castle: The was a nice trick to have someone in witness relocation fake their own death to make the transition easier, but how do you avoid the family from seeing the body before the funeral? I am also trying to figure out who looked sillier this week, Detective Esposito or Adam Braverman.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: It is about time someone called out Jason Ritter for whatever that is that is sitting on his face. Many cite poor writing and bad acting that sank The Event, but it is clearly his choice of facial hair that doomed that show. A note to every guy out there, if you cannot connect your goatee with your moustache, then you should really shave every day. But anyway. In the least surprising turn of events, the latte girl decided to give Julia her baby. I wonder if there is a chance they also adopt the latte girl and make her an official Braverman too.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: Gee, if a porn star and a gang member cannot make it after about a month, what chance do the rest of us have? Onto more surprising news, was it common knowledge that Tig had two daughters? I vaguely remember it being alluded to but I do not actually remember either of them ever show up before.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: South Pacific: That has to go down as one of the most disgusting, and evil challenges ever (making contests bite down on protein but making them spit it out). And Keith may have to be a late addition to my list of The Dumbest Survivor Contestants Ever because his voting strategies may be the dumbest in the alphabet one. Instead of choosing side (and essentially controlling your tribe) now both Ozzie and Jim’s new alliance cannot trust you. Going into the merge with a tribe fractured like this spells certain doom (unless Brandon goes Brandon again messing with the Coach alliance). Even though he has the hidden immunity Idol in his back pocket, I wonder if Ozzie’s best strategy is to allowed getting voted out next, go to Redemption Island and hope to win, come back into the game with his Idol in tack and assess the situation then.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Modern Family: The four guys tackling the fake ID guy may be the funniest sight gag since Cameron hoisted baby Lily to the sounds of The Lion King back in the very first episode.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Revenge: What a letdown Hamptonsexposed.com is. They just have the same videos we saw in the episode and dummy links that lead to the show’s Facebook, Twitter and ABC pages.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

Community: If it wrong that the Troy getting the pizza was the only timeline that I actually laughed during?
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 10/9/11

Pan Am: I wonder if we ever seen the former spy again? If there were a real spy show, I’d put the over/under at Christmas, but this show seems to be taking a more realistic approach, so she may be stuck in Kansas for the rest of her life.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pan Am on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Again, the writers are just messing with us with actual characters saying they are talking way too long to get to the end of a story. That is the second time this season.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Sing Off: Scanning the playlist prior to the show I was dreading the “current hits” but give it up to a capella music to make most of them at the very least listenable, although how does Whataya Want From Me qualify as a hit if Adam Levine had never heard it before? Naturally the second half was way more enjoyable with Urban Method pulling out the best performance of the night with Dance to the Music, a song I could have sworn only had one line and one note, but they killed it (I feel as if I should give TJ Lavin royalties for saying that). And a not to future Sing-Off contestants, unlike Kingfolk 9, do not hold your best performance for your Swan Song. Then next week on The Sing-Off, Antoine Meriwether and his boys sings a song about balls. Blaine Edwards has to show up for some commentary on that.



You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

The Lying Game: Holy Beck Sproles sighting! To think how much better the show would have been had she shown up much earlier. Hopefully she follows not-Emma around for a while. But I am beginning to wonder if Laurel’s boyfriend in part of the twin’s mystery, he was nosing around the photo book a while, and maybe Sutton and Emma are actually not twins, but actually triplets. Dude being a blonde kind of hurts this theory especially if my other theory that either the adoptive dad or the guy from Heroes is actually the biological father of the brood.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Lying Game on iTunes.

Castle: Frozen heads and no Futurama references? Boooooo.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

The Playboy Club: I have long asserted that the show was not a Mad Man rip off (despite Eddie Cibrian stealing everything from Don Draper) but American Dreams for adults. Case in point: the first guest singer on American Bandstand on the show was Leslie Gore. Not that any of this matters anymore. Although I hear that NBC is shopping the show around to other, possibly more skin friendly, networks, but I think “we’re shopping it around to other networks” is code for “please do not send us crap in hopes that we revive the show.”

Parenthood: It is not enough to make a drinking game out of, but this show really enjoys making Michael Cera references, two by my count in this episode along. “You’re like my musical soulmate” was a direct line from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: I completely forgot the Tom Arnold storyline even existed. Seems a little random to bring it up now.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: South Pacific: First off I would like to apology to Brandon for repeatedly calling him a psychopath, it was wrong of me and hopefully he forgives me as I try to become a better man. Look out for next week when I end up apologizing to Stacey for laughing at how she said she did such a great job at the challenge when she could not outlast the scrawny Dawn at a weight holding challenge.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.



Happy Endings: When I was previewing the season I mentioned that Megan Mullally shows up at some point as Penny’s mom. Well, that episode is coming up this week and will also feature one hundred percent more Natalie Imbruglia.

Revenge: I was a little disappointed that Amy Abbott waited until off screen to release the love child to the press, c’mon, make it part of his speech where the viewer can see the embarrassment.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: My favorite part of the episode was when Penny had to explain to everyone that the handicap were inherently nice people. Though I am not entirely sure why Raj could talk in front of the deaf chick, I thought the mere presence of them made him mute; the ability of not being able to hear him just seems silly. But not silly good.
You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Community: It is a surprised with all its homages; it took them to the third season for a “noir” episode.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.