57 Channels and Only This Is On - 11/26/11

Quote of the Week: I’m winged on inter-agency cooperation. Nothing I like better than seeing the FBI stand around with their (expletive deleted) in their hands watching us work. (Saul, Homeland)

Song of the Week: Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) – Digital Planets (Suburgatory)

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Scene of the Week:



Big News of the Week: Ndamukong Suh Officially a Dirty Player: If bodyslamming quarterbacks WWF style or ripping guy’s helmets off their heads was not enough, Suh getting thrown out of a game on Thanksgiving for kicking sealed his fate as a dirty player. But the best part is that following the game Suh actually tried to convince everyone that he was not stopping on the dude but was just trying to get his balance not thinking we had slow motion, video evidence that he was trying to stomp the dude out.


The Walking Dead: I understand the sediment that you would want to keep your friends and neighbors around in case there is a cure, but there is no cure for death. I take it this is yet another zombie story where the characters live in a world where no one has ever come up with a concept of a zombie before.
You can stream recent episodes over at amc.com. You can also download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Homeland: I knew Brady explaining everything away last episode was a bit too easy, and we finally get conformation that Brody was working with Nassir. But now that he is “out” what now?

How I Met Your Mother: Robin is pregnant? But more importantly Winston Zeddemore asked Marshall, who you gonna call?”!!!
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, please no more Mega Mix Week please, even the best performance (Urban Method) was mediocre at best. Then, with a half an hour to go, they only had one more group to performance and I wondered if they were actually going to string the elimination for twenty minutes? Apparently they would and having the bottom two perform their “best song” was really poor planning on the show’s part. Couldn’t they brought in a guest performance or just have a second group performance? It did not help that all the while I actually thought they would advance all four groups to the finale like they did last season. Even after they voted I thought Nick would chime in saying he was voting for Afro Blue forcing a tie. It is a shame that did not happen because Afro Blue was my second favorite group of the season. But Antoine Merriweather made it and head over to NBC.com by Sunday at 9:00 AM to vote for him.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs from The Sing-Off on iTunes.

Parenthood: Watching Kristina lose her mind over the receptionist kissing Adam was painful enough, but knowing that some of the writers were also responsible for Friday Night Lights which handled someone dealing with someone else kissing their spouse the right way (remember Glen?), made it that much more painful to sit through.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: My first thought at the final scene was, “wow, they really killed of Clay, I thought if they were to do it, they would wait until the season finale!” But my second though was “Wait, it looks like the bullet went into his shoulder.” If it turns out to be a non fatal shooting, that would make the second cliffhanger death fake out this season which it two too many.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Suburgatory: I have long thought all the adults sans George are family worthless on this show, but this was the first episode where I actually enjoyed Dallas as she was stuck with Tessa for Thanksgiving Eve. While Dalia managed to get even scarier while planning the Thanksgiving dinner thanks to a new furry family member to torment her.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Suburgatory on iTunes.

Revenge: Oh snap, not-Amy Abbott just outted herself to the childhood church that she was actually Amy Abbott, or something to that effect. But hopefully Amy first deals with the annoying best friend of a troll because he wore out his welcome a month ago. Or maybe she will kill two bird with one stone soon.
You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Revenge on iTunes.


Free Download of the Week: Christmas Lights – Coldplay (iTunes): And if that is not enough free Coldplay for you, Google Music is offering up a free live EP from the band. And if that is not enough free Christmas music for you try heading over to Amazon MP3 for Eisley’s take on Oh Holy Night.

Deal of the Week: Black Friday to Cyber Monday Deals on Amazon

New Album Release of the Week: Adele Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Blu-ray/CD)

New DVD Release of the Week: Smallville: The Complete Series

Video of the Week: I have a long standing belief that Amanda Seyfried is one of the best actresses of her generation, the only problem is that she really needs to fire her agent because every movie she has been in since her first (Mean Girls) has been painfully bad and getting worse with every movie. Her upcoming film Gone does not look like it will completely buck the trend, but it has to be better than Red Riding Hood right?



Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Sunday (Tomorrow) at 9:00 on TNT: The show is back for the second half of their fourth season with eight new episodes every Sunday (yes including Christmas and New Years Day but without themed episodes). Look for a full preview tomorrow.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 8/20/11

Quote of the Week: I don’t usually get to do the shakedowns, it’s very exciting. (Dawn Summers, Weeds)

Song of the Week: Teenage Dream – Katy Perry (The Lying Game)

Big News of the Week: Miami the Most Corrupt of a Corrupt System: Maybe it is because I went to a college that won as many games as years I attended, but I never understood the fanaticism of college football. Then there is the whole no playoff thing. And it has shown to be the most corrupt system in all of America (which says a lot considering our political system). And the latest in the long line of corruption is a ponzie schemer rolling on the college who detailed years of kickbacks to players including a boat that got wrecked and even an abortion for a stripper. I would say the death penalty is warranted, but it is not like that is going to stop anyone.


Leverage: Best part of the episode: Eliot in his Indiana Jones outfit. Classic. We finally met the big bang and learned his motive. Interesting proposal, Nate gets the lowdown on the scummiest of the scum, but the other dude gets to profit Martha Stewart style. I’m guessing dude ends up in jail by the hand of Nate and his crew by the end of the season. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: Maybe I am just bored with “A” (I do not trust the promo monkeys when they elude that we may find out who (s)he is soon) but I do like this new evil step sister storyline. Evil is much more entertaining when there is a face attached to it. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Also check out my first impressions of The Lying Game and my last impressions of The Nine Lives of Chloe King.


Free Download of the Week: Magnifier.blogspot.com: Three months Google launched its new music site in beta. In it you can upload 20,000 songs to your account and use your Andriod devise to listen to your library on the go. But since I did not have an Andriod, I did not really care until Google launched Magnifier where you can add hundreds of free songs to your Google Music account. Of course there is a drawback that you cannot download these songs to your computer (or at least not yet, supposedly it is in the pipeline). The free music is an eclectic mix of everything from Alice Cooper to Wyclef Jean, Johnny Cash to John Legend, and even two songs from the dearly departed Jani Jane and his band Warrant. And be sure to bookmark the site because there will be a new free song every day. If you need an invite to Google Music, I have four invites to give, just shoot me an e-mail (sorry foreigners, Beta is currently only open to Americans) although I got an invite from Google less than twenty-four hours from requesting one.

Deal of the Week: Save up to 57% on Hit Movies & TV Deals (Batman Begins, Just Go with It, Planet Earth)

New Album Release of the Week: Muppets: The Green Album

New DVD Release of the Week: POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Video of the Week: American Horror Story has been dropping “clues” for the last couple weeks and now they have released the first promo featuring the actors from the show including Tami Taylor and, well, it is just as confusing as the “clues.” American Horror Story premieres October 5 on FX.



Next Week Pick of the Week: The Liquid Bomb Plot, Sunday at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel: I have a full review on this special tomorrow but I will leave you with what we call in the industry a tease: Ever wonder why you can only take three ounces of liquid on a plane? You actually have Tang to thank for it. Seriously.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 7/16/11

Quote of the Week: Texas forever. (Tim and Billy Riggins, Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: Heaven – Brandi Carlile (Friday Night Lights)

Big News of the Week: America Comes Up Short: Augments could have been made after the USA beat Brazil that it was the best game ever of any sport, right up there with the Miracle on Ice. Now that they came up short in the World Cup final, the Brazil match sits squarely in the second tier with all the other “Yeah, but” games. And the Japan win was eerily reminiscent of the US beating Brazil (sans any controversial referee moments) with a late goal in extra time and pulling out the win in penalty kick. They even got a red card, but only had to be down one player for seconds (and America was just about a foot away from possibly getting a penalty kick win in regulation). And if Alex Morgan is reading this, you are more than welcome to cry on my shoulder as long as you like.




Leverage: I would not have been opposed had they done an entire segment devoted to the team trying to get the douchebag to do something heroic. That was comedy gold. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Falling Skies: The creepiest moment of the short series has to be when the skitter led the children into the room and nested on them like a mama bird. It creeps me out just writing that. You can stream recent episodes over at tnt.tv. You can also download Falling Skies on iTunes.

Rescue Me: with just two months worst of episodes left, I am ready to say goodbye to this show. The part where Tommy took a drink so he could hear the dead people, just to spit it out was a little too much for me. Considering the show will end with the anniversary of 9/11, I am sure there will be a touching sendoff, but I fear the lead up will be too cumbersome. Granted the firehouse discussion of offensive stereotypes on reality television was entertaining. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: The finale is still a little fresh and am still formulating my thoughts (which will be too long for this space) so until I get the digital version of pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) check out Grantland’s Oral History of Friday Night Lights, which hopefully is a precursor of a 250-page book. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Free Download of the Week: Pilot - Alphas, Season 1

Deal of the Week: Favorite HBO Shows for Up to 65% Off (Deadwood, Eastbound and Down, Six Feet Under)

New Album Release of the Week: Universal Pulse - 311

New DVD Release of the Week: Young Justice: Season One V.1

Video of the Week: Earlier this week I reviewed her band’s Cocoon album (see I Gave Up on Giving Up on Me) and for those that that want to relive her time on the Voice, here is the Best of Dia Frampton (though you should go to Hulu and search her name for her full performances, or just go to iTunes and buy her songs).



Next Week Pick of the Week: Rescue Me, Wednesday at 10:00 on FX: With everthing going on last week, I almost forgot that Rescue Me was returning for its final season. First episode back was a little rocky (if I am not mistaken, the last two seasons were originally supposed to be one, but the network broke them up so the show could end just prior to the tenth anniversary of 9/11), but hopefully it ramps up for its series finale just days before we memorialize that tragic day.

Best of the Week - 4/29/11

Quote of the Week: Listen to me: I said you need to strive to be better than everyone else. I didn’t say you need to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. And that’s what character is: it’s in the trying. (Coach Taylor, Friday Night Lights)



Song of the Week: I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry (as sung by Amy Farrah Fowler, The Big Bang Theory)

Big News of the Week: NFL Back to Work: Just days after a judge ordered the NFL to end their lockout, the offseason officially started with the start of the draft last night. I thought it was going to be an early night for me with the Browns picking at number six but they quickly traded the pick to the tail end of the draft at twenty-seven (with four other draft picks). Thankfully they traded up to twenty-one just in time for my bedtime, so I wouldn’t have to stayup too late. Oddly the Browns traded their pick to the Falcons who picked a wide receiver, which was the Browns biggest need. But when they finally made a pick they addressed their second biggest concern, defensive line. Except they picked a nose tackle the season they switch to the 4-3 defense. Oh well, that is the life of a Browns fan.

Free Download of the Week: Live at Eddie’s Attic – The Civil Wars (thecivilwars.com): Last week I pointed you to a place where you could download a new song from The Civil Wars, if one song by the band is not enough, if you head over to their website you can download a full live album for free. The set includes my favorite of theirs, Poison and Wine as well as a cover of No Ordinary Love originally done by Sade. (Though not on the free album, I also recommend heading over to YouTube to hunt down live performances of Billie Jean, the Smashing Pumpkin’s Disarm, The Romantic’s Talking in Your Sleep, and the Jackson 5’s I Want You Back.)

Deal of the Week: $20 Pre-order Credit with Madden NFL 12: The cover of course is the Cleveland Browns own Peyton Hillis. I love how Browns fans have convinced themselves that the Cleveland curse and Madden curse will cancel each other out.

New Album Release of the Week: Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 - Beastie Boys

Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by Beastie Boys

New DVD Release of the Week: The Dilemma

Video of the Week: I passed on The Voice because I figured much like American Karaoke, it would be mediocre singers singing crappy songs. And judging but one of the contestants who made a “professional” music video, my assumptions look to be right as Kelsey Rey sounds like it came from the people who created Rebecca Black but instead of a random rapper, they randomly cut in Tag Team’s nineties jam Whoop! There it Is for no apparent reason and called it a “remix”. Of course if they bring out Tag Team to perform with Kelsey on the show, I may just have to tune in for that.

Kelsey Rey – Masquerade (Remix) ft. Tag Team


Next Week Pick of the Week: Justified, Wednesday at 10:00 on FX: Last season ended with a bang and it looks like the second will do the same after the writers pulled a quick one on us making us think that Mags was really going to give Raylan a pass on killing her son. At the beginning of the season I predicted that Loretta would exact some sort of revenge for Mags killing her father which I thought wouldn’t come true after they shipped her off to foster care, but considering she continues to randomly pop up since then, that she may still be in play for some revenge.

Best of the Week - 4/22/11

Quote of the Week: Wait! I think I hear future Lily sending us a message from her stripper pole. Thanks gay-dad dads; this dance is for you! (Cameron, Modern Family)

Song of the Week: Hard Times Come Again No More – Brett Dennen (Parenthood)

Big News of the Week: Weird Al Has a New Subject: Something fishy went on in the world of "Weird Al" Yankovic this week. Early Wednesday Al posted an extremely lengthy post on his website detailing the run around Lady GaGa gave him as he tried to get her approval to parody her Born This Way (permission by law he does not even need but does out of respect of the artist) only to reject his Perform This Way which Al then uploaded to YouTube for everyone to hear since we would not get it on his next album. Wouldn’t you know after a day of bad press, Gaga throws her manager under the bus saying she never rejected the song and now give full permission for Al to give it a proper release. Alrighty. Although given the song a lesson, it may have been for the best, because Perform This Way is not his strongest parody. Give the song a listen for yourself:



Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: 20 Years - The Civil Wars (Amazon MP3): The more I hear from this duo, the more it makes me want to find more. If you liked the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss album but wished they made more music together, you will want to check out The Civil Wars yourself, starting with this free track.

Deal of the Week: Seed Your Cloud: Amazon is continuing to deeply discount great ablums to announce their new Cloud and you can get albums by The Avett Brothers, Drive By Truckers, Jay-Z and The Black Crowes or under four dollars.

New Album Release of the Week: Layla and Other Love Songs [Super Deluxe 4CD, 2LP, DVD] - Derek and the Dominos

New DVD Release of the Week: Growing Pains: Complete Second Season

Video of the Week: I have distaste for crappy talent competitions so I will not be tuning into The Voice this Tuesday at 9:00, but I am intrigued by the competition aspect of the “mentor” picking their singers to compete against the other ones. But at the end of the day it is just dudes singing karaoke. But on the other hand, this happened:



Next Week Pick of the Week: NFL Draft, Thursday at 8; Friday at 6; Saturday at Noon on ESPN: During the Super Bowl, the NFL likes to run a commercial saying everyone is undefeated tomorrow. This gives fans of perennial bad teams a sense of optimism for a couple months. That optimism usually ends draft day when the offseason gets kick started. After a great draft last year and Peyton Hillis on the cusp of being the first player voted onto the Madden cover (EA Sports would not actually let dog killer Michael Vick win right?) things are looking up for my Browns. Of course that is they actually play any games in 2011.

Best of the Week - 3/19/11

Quote of the Week: Yeah, I really got Jewish personed out of that one. (Peirce, Community)

Song of the Week: Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tennille (as sung by Rajiv, Outsourced)

Big News of the Week: Bracket Busted Already: For the first time in over a decade I had one of my Final Four teams go out in the first weekend. Thanks St. Johns. I guess I should have gone all high seeds like BaChalke Obama did yet again this year. Seriously, what self respecting basketball fan picks all number one seeds? At least he didn’t shamelessly go with all swing states like he did last year.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: Young Blood – The Naked and Famous (iTunes)

Deal of the Week: Save up to 50% on Hit TV Series: (Weeds, Mad Men, Boy Meets World)

New Album Release of the Week: Hello Fear - Kirk Franklin

New DVD Release of the Week: Ernest Double Feature: Ernest Goes to Camp & Ernest Goes to Jail [Blu-ray]

Video of the Week: Not to go all Leave Britney Alone on the internet, but I do not understand the vitriol hate for Rebecca Black’s Friday. Is it horrible, sure, with inane lyrics that for some reason details the sequence of days of the week but is it any worse than anything that Justin Bieber has put out in the past year? And the lyrics could be Dylanesque compared to Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold. So shut up internet and just be happy like I am that YouTube didn’t exist when you were thirteen.

Rebecca Black – Friday


Next Week Pick of the Week: Pretty Little Liars, Monday at 8:00 on ABC Family: The latest show from ABC Family may have been much more guilty than pleasure, but it did keep me watching all season. Hopefully the girls finally out “A” for the finale, but I doubt that will happen.

March Madness Baby! 2011 Edition

It became very clear this year that the selection committee hate me. My alma mater Kent State University wins the regular season MAC championship, but loses the conference tournament in overtime (one a questionable no call on a would be game winning shot) which apparently made them unworthy to make to the big dance so numerous teams in “big” conferences that were one and done could get at large bids. Then Cleveland State University, where I did graduate work at, had the second highest RPI of teams left out after Harvard but since they are also considered a mid major, they can be left out so lower RPI “big” schools can get that at large bid. Maybe it is time to give two automatic bids for each conference, especially if they continue to expand the number of play in games. But anyway. Here are my picks and some upsets I have in my bracket.


East
Finals: Ohio State over Syracuse
Upset Special: Marquette over Xavier

West
Finals: Duke over San Diego State
Upset Special: Missouri over Cincinnati and Connecticut

Southwest
Finals: Georgetown over Kansas
Upset Special: Georgetown over Notre Dame

Southeast
Finals: Sr. Johns over Butler
Upset Special: Butler over Pittsburg

Final Four
Duke over Ohio State
St. Johns over Georgetown

Championship
Duke over St. John’s 70-65

Best of the Week - 3/12/11

Quote of the Week: You’re like the hillbilly whisperer… put you on Oprah. (Art – Justified)

Song of the Week: Sea of Love – Cat Power (Pretty Little Liars)

Big News of the Week: Sheen off the Charlie: Last week’s media blitz was entertaining with all the tiger blood and warlock talk but that wore real quick when Charlie Sheen went from crazy fun to just crazy. I’ve talked more about Two and a Half Men over the past two weekes than the two season before and now it is time to not caring about one of the least funny shows on television.

Free Download of the Week: Childish Gambino EP (iamdonald.com): Last week I brought you the new video from Community’s Donald Glover’s rap alter ego Childish Gambino and you can download that and the rest of the songs on his EP for free on his website.

Deal of the Week: Blu-ray for Under $15 (Kick-Ass, Sin City, 300)

New Album Release of the Week: Scandalous - Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

New DVD Release of the Week: Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Season One, Part Two

Video of the Week: After a decae of making a name for himself on the backs of Beta Males, Judd Apatow’s next film in his production teny will focas on the quintisential Beta Female, the bridesmaid.

Bridesmaids Trailer


Next Week Pick of the Week: March Madness, Starting Thursday at Noon on CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV: It’s the most wonderful time of year, Spring, Shamrock Shakes, St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness all happening this Thursday (assuming McDonalds doesn’t run out prematurely like they seem to do every year). Seriously, can we just declare it national holiday because nothing will get done. Or just make next Thursday a half day like we had in grade school? To get geared up, tune into Selection Sunday starting at 5:00 on CBS while ESPN will have a three hour braketology special. And the field gets expanded to 68 teams with the last eight in battle Tuesday and Wednesday during the newly announced First Four round.

Best of the Week - 2/12/11

Quote of the Week: Here’s what I wonder about zombies: what happens if they can’t get any human flesh to eat, they can’t starve to death, they’re already dead. (Raj, The Big Bang Theory)

Song of the Week: Wind of Change – Scorpions (Chuck)

Big News of the Week: Super Bowl Shuffle 2011: It’s clear that if go around raping chicks that referees will no longer give you the same home cooking that let you win your previous championships (well at least in the NFL, NBA refs apparently have short memories). And in the first yea in a while, the commercials were just as good as the game thanks to Darth Vader, dog destroying doors and Eminem. Unfortunately the same could not be said about the halftime show where The Black Eyed Peas managed to limbo under the low bar The Who set last year. Here is a suggestion for next year: Dave Matthews Band; they are only the biggest touring draw of the past decade.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick picture of the Week



Free Download of the Week: Your Pick: Scooter's Note: This offer is no longer available, check back later for more free offers. Nothing really caught my eye on the free front this week so I will be giving away two free songs via Amazon MP3. Just e-mail me (ScooterKSU(at)aol(dot)com) what song you want by 5:00 PM tomorrow (Sunday) and I will be sending two people the song they picked tomorrow. Note this is only available for people with an American account and make sure you e-mail me, with subject line Free MP3, with the account that is linked to your Amazon account.

New Album Release of the Week: Go-Go Boots - Drive By Truckers

New DVD Release of the Week: Waiting for Superman

Video of the Week: And for anyone who managed to miss it, here is the previously mentioned Eminem Super Bowl ad.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Survivor: Redemption Island, Wednesday at 8:00 on CBS: After drawing it out longer than they should, Survivor unveiled the worst kept secret in that they were bringing back Boston Rob and Russell, neither of which are the redeemable especially Russell who just got caught spoiling the previous two seasons he was on. Should make for an interesting reunion show if Jeff Probst brings it up. Hopefully they are both out early (keep I mind the only time they brought back two previous contestants, one went out early while the other made it to the final tribal) and get booted promptly from Redemption Island soon after that. My preseason pick is Andrea Boehlke.

Best of the Week - 1/29/11

Quote of the Week: The rich girls steal, the pretty girls lie, the smart girls play dumb, and the dumb girls spend their days trying to be all of the above. (Caleb, Pretty Little Liars)

Song of the Week: When the Night Comes - Dan Auerbach (Lights Out)

Big News of the Week: Keith Olbermann Fired: After the shooting in Arizona there was a lot of talk about civility, and I thought it was just that: talk, and it would die down and we would be back to politics as usually within a month. Surprisingly last Friday MSNBC fired the biggest offender of lack of civility (and their highest rated talking head), Mr. Worst Persons in the World himself Keith Olbermann. Now if only Glen Beck, Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow follow him into the unemployment line we can actually get back to civility.

Ironically, shortly afterwards it was announced that Aaron Sorkin was working with HBO on a series about the backstage of a cable new show much like Countdown with Keith Olbermann, note that Olbermann former gig on Sportscenter was the inspiration for Sports Night.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick picture of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: El Camino - Amos Lee (Amazon MP3): If one free Amos Lee song is not enough for you, you can also get his song Violin for the low, low price of nothing on iTunes.

New Album Release of the Week: Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh PA September 23, 1980 [2 CD Deluxe Edition]

New DVD Release of the Week: Let Me In

Video of the Week: Just in time for his departure, Michael Scott met his British counterpoint David Brent on The Office this week. For those that missed it, below is the meeting of the minds.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Super Bowl XLV, All Day Next Sunday, Fox: Even if you a fan of one of the teams playing, it is wise to stay in the comfort of your own home and watch the game on your HDTV because word on the streets of Texas that there is a rapist in Arlington and he’s climbing in your windows, he’s snatching your people up trying to rape them. So y’all need to high your kids, hide your wife. In fact you may want to hide your husband ‘cause they’re raping everybody out there. After the big game is a new episode of Glee which I’ll probably have to skip because I liked the show a lot better when it was called Kids Incorporated.

Best of the Week vol. LII

Quote of the Week: She also designed the iconic red and black jacket in Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, which I’ve never viewed in its entirety as I find zombies dancing in choreographed synchronicity implausible. And also it’s very scary. (Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory)

Song of the Week: (Expletive Deleted) You – Cee Lo Green (No Ordinary Family)



Big News of the Week: Get Ready for the Ryan Bowl: This season I just hoped the Browns would get blown out in every game. We managed to put a string of wins together at the end of last season because the Mangenius realized that Josh Cribbs was the best player on the team so maybe they should give him more touches. Coming in this season I was hoping for the team to at least be competitive in games with maybe six or seven because the Jake Delhomme / Seneca Wallace was a slight upgrade from Derek Anderson / Brady Quinn tandem. Then they both got hurt with just one win to show for in five games.

Then the Colt McCoy era started. You really could not pick a worse situation to start your career, on the road in Pittsburg against the returning Ben Roethlisberger (who got his suspension reduced because he managed to go without raping anyone for four weeks straight), and yet put up a valiant fight giving us Browns fan the most hope since Bernie Kosar wore the jersey. And if that wasn’t bad enough start, his next two games he had to go toe to toe against two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks. And he outplayed them both, granted the defense beat the Saints and Peyton Hillis (thanks Denver for thinking he was a good trade for Quinn; finally some cosmic retribution for The Drive) beat the Patriots.

Which leads us to this week, going into this four game stretch, it was clearly the hardest four game string any team had to play this season and we could possibly go 3-1. And if knocking out three Super Bowl contenders in as many games wasn’t enough, there are plenty of storylines that NBC may have wished the flex schedule was in effect this week (well maybe if they didn’t already have Steelers vs. Patriots). Twins Rex (Jets head coach) and Rob (Browns defensive coordinator) going at each other (hunt down Rex’s recent press confress where he dresses up like his brother if you have not already), the Mangenius going against the team that fired him, Braylon “Brick Hands” Edwards going against the team and fans that could not wait to drop him like he does footballs, and rookie quarterback McCoy vs. sophomore Mark Sanchez. I do not think I have been more excited for a football game since the Browns returned.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Video of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: Blue Suede Shoes (Viva Elvis) - Elvis Presley (iTunes): Elvis recently got his own Circ de Soil show and this is a version that is featured in the show.

Deal of the Week: 202 Blu-Ray's Under $10 (Office Space, 3:10 to Yuma, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog)

New CD Release of the Week: ...Featuring Norah Jones

New DVD Release of the Week: Avatar (Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live) [Blu-ray]

Video of the Week: Ever few years two movie studio decide to release the exact some movie within months of each other whether it be about volcano, asteroids or animated bug. There were even dueling reality spring break movies. 2011 will be the year of casual sex with two trailers hitting the interwebs this week. Friends with Benefits stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis which is described “The story centers around two professionals who meet but are too busy to find a mate. They agree to have an intimate relationship with no strings attached. Things get complicated when the guy falls for the girl, who’s dating someone else.” It is scheduled to be released July 22. No Strings Attached stars Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman (I guess she needed something more embarrassing on her resume than the Wal-Mart baby one) which is described as “This film is about two people a woman named Emma Franklin and Adam Kurtzman who try to have a emotionally free sexual relationship, but they have a revelation of wanting more in a relationship.” It has the jump on the other movie as it is currently set to hit theaters January 21. And don’t forget NBC has a sitcom set for midseason also titled Friends with Benefits. Below are the trailers so you can decide which one you want to avoid more.

Friends with Benefits – Red Band Trailer


No Strings Attached Trailer


Next Week Pick of the Week: Glory Daze, Tuesday at 10:00 on TBS: For those that saw my list of The Best New Shows of Fall 2010 you may have noticed I snuck on a show that had not even debuted yet, Glory Daze which I called the funniest original show ever on TBS (sorry Outback Jack) and better than the similarly theme ABC Family show Greek (though not as good as similarly period piece Everybody Hates Chris). Be on the lookout for my full review of the show later this week and be sure to come back Monday for my eighties-tastic Lyrics Quiz in honor of the show’s debut.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXLVI

Quote of the Week: I'm glad you are as confused as I am 'cause when I first heard it I thought it was a big number. You know after a jillian come pavilion. (Sean, Rescue Me)

Song of the Week: Whatever Hot Chip song they played on Rubicon, but I am just not gay enough to know the name of the song. You know is gay enough? Apparently Cale’s rent boy. Didn’t see that coming.

Big News of the Week: TV Fall Season Kicks Off: FX will be getting a jump of its network counterparts with the premieres of three show next week. Here is the schedule of what I will be watching this fall and the date of when they return:

Mondays
8:00 - Chuck (September 20)
8:00 – How I Met Your Mother (September 20)
9:00 – The Event (September 20)
10:00 – Castle (September 20)

Tuesdays
8:00 – No Ordinary Family (September 28)
10:00 – Sons of Anarchy (September 7)
10:00 – Parenthood (September 14)

Wednesdays
8:00 – Survivor: Nicaragua (September 15)
9:00 - Friday Night Lights (October 27)
9:00 – Modern Family (September 22)
10:00 – Terriers (September 8)
10:00 – The Challenge: Cut Throat (October 6)

Thursdays
8:00 – The Big Bang Theory (September 23)
8:00 – Community (September 23)
9:30 – Outsourced (September 23)
11:00 – I Love Money 4 (September 16)

Sundays
10:00 – The Walking Dead (October 31)


Leverage: Finally back to the overarching plotline of getting that dude who the Italian chick sprung him from jail for. I almost forgot about that whole storyline. And even more back story in the process when we learn that Sophie may actually be royalty. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Rescue Me: Assuming that Damien really isn’t faking, is Tommy now hallucinating the living know? Did Damien die right there? But last week would have been the better end to the season. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes. You can also check out my season review: He Wasn't Bulletproof and Neither Are Any of You.

Covert Affairs: My biggest complaint about the show is: are we really supposed to believe that Annie really fell that deeply in love after one meeting? And how exactly does the agency know about the tryst and even think anything of it? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Covert Affairs on iTunes.

Persons Unknown: Weren’t we promised an actual ending? That seemed like a pretty big cliffhanger to me. Like what is with the cages the editor and the ambassador were put in? Just too many things that were not explained are not well enough explained for my liking. And the last episode seemed so rushed and seemed to be missing major scenes and just jumped to the end because they were out of time. At least the elevator took them up to a church where patchy explained that the town was a place they created so they could meet up in some other dimension. You can also download Persons Unknown on iTunes.

Free Download of the Week: NFL Follow Your Team (iTunes): The new NFL season kicks off this week and iTunes has released 2009 highlights fall all thirty two teams to remind you how your team did last season.

Deal of the Week: 100 Albums for $5 (Amazon MP3): This deal includes albums by John Mayer, Pink Floyd, Sara Barielles, and The Avett Brothers.



Video of the Week: In a story I broke last month, Friday Night Lights hits syndication on ABC Family this Tuesday and will air weeknights. So if you missed it the first time around, or just want to watch it again from the beginning, here is your chance. Below is a promo:

Next Week Pick of the Week: Terriers, Wednesday at 10:00 on FX: Forget AMC and all their pretentious shows, FX has the best dramas on basic cable. They landed three shows on my list of the Best Shows of 2009-10 and they may increase that total on next year’s list with their latest program Terriers. Look out for a full review later this week.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXXXIX

Quote of the Week: Man, I haven’t seen this many girls on a football field since the last time we played the Steelers. (Chad Ochocinco, Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch)

Song of the Week: Tightrope – Janelle Monáe (2010 Espy Awards)

Big News of the Week: George Steinbrenner Died: It is natural whenever people die to remember the good times and gloss over their bad attributes (see Michael Jackson) but the George Steinbrenner coverage is downright bizarre where his worst attribute has be hailed as a positive. His collection of players that resemble a fantasy roster more than an actually baseball teams what has ruined baseball in my lifetime (along with steroids) to the point is almost unwatchable. Yet in the wake of his death, people are applauding his ruthlessness. This would have been like when Richard Nixon died had be lauded for having the wherewithal to spy on his opposition for political gain.

Leverage: How can they include a town called Arcadia and not have anyone named Joan from there? How disappointing. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Rescue Me: It is always good whenever Shawn and Mike put their brains together and them coming up with a worthy charity may be the best conversation since discussing God with Katie after Conner died. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

2010 ESPY Awards: It was cathartic to hear LeBron get booed during the show. Even though the monologue was entertaining, some of the bit were pretty lame with Paul the octopus and the creator of the vuvuzalas. But my second favorite part of the night (after LeBron getting booed) was Lindsey Vonn calling out Marky Mark.

Persons Unknown: Me wonders if the new black chick is also a plant as a replacement for Joe. It is a little convenient for someone to have antifreeze in a town with no cars. You can also download Persons Unknown on iTunes.

Also check out my preview of Covert Affairs.

Free Download of the Week: 2010 SideOneDummy Records Summer Sampler (Amazon MP3): This set includes songs by The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly and Anti Flag.

Deal of the Week: Save up to 44% on TV Shows (Rescue Me, Diff’rent Strokes, Damages)

Video of the Week: New show on the National Geographic Channel tonight at 10:00, Monstar Fish follows fish biologist Zeb Hogan as he tries to find the world’s largest fresh water fish. Tonight is just a sneak peak before settling in to its permanent timeslot tomorrow also at 10:00. Here is a preview:

Redneck Fishing Tournament


Next Week Pick of the Week: My Boys, Sunday (7/25) at 10:00 on TBS: It has been over a year since the last new episode of My Boys aired so I have completely forgotten what is actually going on with the gang (was it common knowledge that Andy took a job in China?) Look for more on the new season of My Boys this week.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXXXVIII

Quote of the Week: We don’t have any money. I’m in the 10th grade. It was my first time. I threw it away, and I don’t want to throw my life away. It’s just really obvious that my mom wants me to have this abortion because I was her mistake and she has just struggled and hurt and everyday she wanted better. And I knew better. I was just thinking forget about what she wants, what do I want? Maybe I could take care of this baby. And maybe I would be good at it and I could love it and be there for it. Then I think about how awful it would be if I had a baby and I spent the rest of my life resenting him or her. (Becky – Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: Percussion Gun – White Rabbits (Friday Night Lights)

Big News of the Week: LeBron Is Gone: As someone who has lived in Northeast Ohio all his life, the only sports championship I have witness in my lifetime was by the Cleveland Crunch (bonus points for anyone who can name the sport). So really came as not much as a surprise that LeBron would be “taking his talents to South Beach” (really, is the a more douchebagery way of saying you are leaving) but it still stung a lot coming from a guy who should know very well events like The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Blown Save, and Art Modell. Things are so bad here in Cleveland, the past decade, we were not even good enough in anything to have a gut wrenching loss to name. Instead we get events like watching game one of the World Series where the starters of both teams were a year before, both Indians.

So I am totally with Dan Gilbert’s douchebagry letter and I hope he is right that the Cavs with a title before the Heat and that the Cleveland Curse will follow LeBron down to South Beach. And that highlights what may be the worst byproduct of this trade: if the Heat end up playing the Lakers in the finals next year like many predict, I will have to root for Kobe Bryant for the first time ever, and I even secretly hoped he didn’t win Olympic Gold a couple years back. On the funnier side of the trade, you can now buy a LeBron James Fathead for the deeply discounted price of $17.41 (cut from $99.99), which just happens to be the same year that Benedict Arnold was born. Also keep in mind Fathead is also owned by Dan Gilbert.

Persons Unknown: Another Lost parallel, they killed off the Token Hot Chick way too early (as in ever). Hurmph. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Persons Unknown on iTunes.

Rescue Me: Of course Tommy’s great idea to get his daughter off the sauce was to pour more down her throat until she didn’t want to drink anymore. I may have to try the overindulge approach whenever I need to hold my next intervention. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

Happy Town: The final two episodes popped up online this week (check out the Hulu link below) and all I have to say about it is that I really did not care for the reveal of The Magic Man (though I correctly guessed the gender). You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Happy Town on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: It must have been heavy discussion with you parents week with Becky, Luke, Vince and Jess (you can also throw in Tim as Billy raised him) all had heart to hearts with their parents. And watching this episode reminds me of how Tami really needs more screen time with the students because those are what got her the much deserved Emmy nomination (congrats to Coach Taylor for finally landing one also). Big laugh of the week, though, goes to the Riggins brothers for their ill conceived plan to bury the car skeletons. And even though Tim asked him to quit, I have a feeling it will not be easy to get out from under Vince’s buddy (and how heartbreaking was him getting into the car was). You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Free Download of the Week: Rubicon Sneak Preview - Rubicon, Season 1 (iTunes): I am not as enamored with AMC’s critically adored series as most, so I have not checked out Rubicon yet. But if you want to check it out before it’s August 1 premiere (and didn’t catch the sneak peak after the Breaking Bad finale), you can do so for free.

Deal of the Week: TV Spotlight Deal: Save Up to 58% (The Dark Knight, Planet Earth, Watchmen)

Video of the Week: LeBron may be leaving Cleveland but John Mayer will be playing here soon as he proclaims in this almots funny video.

Announcement


Next Week Pick of the Week: The Closer, Monday at 9:00 on TNT: Click here for my Preview of the new season of The Closer, which will be followed tomorrow by new show Rizzoli and Isles which you can look out for a review tomorrow.