Quote of the Week: “The pasty, skinny kid who looks like one of those Twilight (expletive deleted)” (Maura Tierney, Rescue Me)
Song of the Week: I Got Messed Up – R.L. Burnside (Rescue Me)
Big News of the Week: MTV Video Music Award Nominees Announced: There is really nothing that makes me feel older the last five years than the VMA’s and this may be the first time I don’t watch the award show since I first got cable in 1989. The only category with any interesting nominees is the new one Best Video (That Should Have Won a Moonman). The network has long since avoided any nod to its history so it is surprising they would do so this year. The list includes:
Even though I think Sabotage should win (seriously, it features Cochise), I hope California Girls wins just for the potential David Lee Roth acceptance speech. I would actually tune in to see that.
Coalition Links of the Week: One more month until Glee!!! Whee!!! Can you tell Vance is really excited? (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace had an exclusive video interview with Doctor Who and Torchwood writer/executive producer Russell T. Davies and director Euros Lyn about what's coming up on the final David Tennant Doctor Who specials, a possible fourth season of Torchwood, the return of some familiar faces, and many, many other things. (Televisionary)
It's fun and it's quippy! Enter to win the first season of Leverage on DVD by e-mailing us with the last thing you stole. (TiFaux)
Matt can't wait to see Rachel Evan Wood on True Blood. As if this show could get any more fun/ridiculous! (TV Fanatic)
Kate wondered which oldie but goodie The CW will tackle next. (TV Filter)
This week, Sandie took at first look at Syfy's Alice, a re-imagining of "Alice in Wonderland." (Daemon's TV)
Rescue Me: They really went a long way just for a joke with Garrity’s, um, carrot. Maybe the best written episode of the season from an entertainment standpoint especially the discussion with Maura Tierney. But from a storyline stand point, the show seems to be coming off the rails again like it did last season. Hopefully they can pull it back in before the end of the season which only has three episodes left. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: Another great storytelling devise this week with Teddy defending himself to some Glen Beck type nutjob. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Defying Gravity (iTunes): I had a luke warm First Impression of Defying Gravity, but if you would like to check it out for yourself, you can download the two hour premiere for free and in HD.
Video of the Week: I really need to get DirecTV because I don’t think I can wait until next summer to see the new season of Friday Night Lights. Here is an interview with Julie Taylor from the TCA’s.
Next Week Pick of the Week: I got nothing. For those that need some sort of TV fix this week, may I suggest going through The 100 Greatest Television Shows of the 00’s and add some of the shows you have missed to your queue.
Big News of the Week: Ben Silverman Gets Canned: Thanks to his decision to make 10:00 the Jay Leno Hour I called Ben Silverman the Most Inept Executive in America and now it looks that I will be looking for a new mantle to lay that award upon now that Silverman “is returning to his entrepreneurial roots to form a new venture.” Basically a nice way to say dude got fired. Of course the Leno Hour was just one of many bad decisions that included the Knight Rider reboot, Kath & Kim import and at least thirteen other one and done shows by my count, failing to launch any show in his tenure despite marketing giants like the Olympics and the Super Bowl at his disposal.
Replacing Silverman as the Chairmen of NBC Entertainment is Jeff Gaspin who has been running Universal’s cable outlets including USA which, if I am not mistaken, has a higher rated Thursday thanks to Burn Notice and Royal Pains than NBC’s The Listener this summer. Before joining Universal, Gaspin worked at VH1 in the late nineties where we can thank him for Behind the Music and Pop-Up Videos.
Coalition Links of the Week: With the Project Runway premiere coming up, Buzz challenged you to match some past designs with their creators. (BuzzSugar)
And they made the final cut on So You Think You Can Dance and Vance KNOWS you're (expletive deleted) about stuff about the Top 4. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace had an exclusive interview with Doctor Who's David Tennant, who talked about his legacy to the Doctor Who franchise, the upcoming End of Time Christmas Special, and the Doctor's sartorial choices. (Televisionary)
Dan shared a video about a boy and his fake girlfriend by the band Telekinesis. (TiFaux)
Kings: Another week, another show to say goodbye to. As much as I appreciate the networks killing off all these shows for the summer instead of making up buy/rent the DVD to see them, it seems harder to watch these shows go now than knowing you are watching the last episode at the end of the normal television season. A great image of Silas walking down the street to crash his son’s coronation. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Pardon the Interruption: Not one but two new games on PTI when it is been years since the last time they introduced a new segment. I didn’t care too much for Word! but Making the Grade has some promise. But the true test of the games is just how bad Dan Lebatard will mess them up. You can download the PTI podcast on iTunes for free.
Charm School with Ricki Lake: And Risky is the winner. Yawn. And are they not doing a reunion show this season? You can also download Charm School with Ricki Lake on iTunes.
Rescue Me: The girls pretty much interacted why I dislike texting. Seriously, just talk to the person, not text them calling them a cunf (granted, that was funny). Well that and hate typing on such a small keyboard. Despite knowing it was going to happen sooner or later, it was weird seeing Maura Tierney after everything that was going on with her. That and it was just an odd sequence. And really, the more of chief’s wife, the better. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: Another great exotic setting of… San Diego? But I love that Teddy’s punishment for stealing credit card was to force him not to fight, the ultimate insult to a marine. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Pawn Stars (iTunes): Go behind the scenes of a Las Vegas pawn shop on the latest History show where you can find suck artifacts as a 1996 Gold Metal, Benny Binion’s hat, and a Patriot’s Super Bowl ring. Hey, it takes a lot of money to cheat like Bill Belichicken and his goons do. You can also check the show Sundays at 10:00.
Video of the Week: I really never understood the concept of Comic-Con. Why fly all the way out to San Diego just to spend the week indoors under a costume? It is even more worthless now that pretty much everything goes on gets leaked to YouTube eventually. And now studio some studios are even releasing full panels for everyone to watch suck as the Chuck panel as seen below. Unfortunately they do not include the Jeffster performance. But that is what YouTube is for.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green, Tuesday at 8:00 AM on your Feed Reader: A little bit of self promotion as I hit my 1500th post on Tuesday (barring any unforeseen calamities). And dare I say it is my most ambitious post to date on the 9th Green. And it should considering I have been working on it for two years. So set aside a few minutes on Tuesday because it may take a while to digest it. And if you have not done so already, subscribe to the 9th Green so the post will land up in your feed reader on Tuesday so you will not have to remember to return then.
Big News of the Week: A Chris Brown Comeback?: I keep a close eye on the iTunes charts and there was an auspicious addition to the top 25 earlier this week with Forever by Chris Brown making an appearance. Why would a year old song by a convicted woman beater become one the most downloaded songs in the country? Apparently Chris has a viral video to get him some good press. And I am not referring to his apology video he issued this week. Nope, he has this video to thank for making his music relevant again.
Now I am not the biggest fan of weddings or viral videos, but that was pretty cool. If I ever get conned into getting married, one of the stipulations will be I allowed to bust a move down the aisles, preferably to Bust a Move because getting married to a dude who beats his girlfriend might not be a good omen for a marriage.
Coalition Links of the Week: After watching the long-awaited DVD release of The State: The Complete Series, Marisa was pleasantly surprised to see how well the show stood the test of time. (TiFaux)
After Mischa Barton's mental and physical issues, Matt is glad the CW working on a contingency plan for The Beautiful Life. (TV Fanatic)
For us, the summer is all about So You Tthink You Can Dance. If you're a fan, check out the latest SYTYCD Edition of The TV Talk Podcast with GMMR & Ducky. We talk performances, the 100th ep & why we love/hate Katie Holmes. (The TV Talk Podcast)
Buzz wondered if TV series reboots like 90210 and Melrose Place are better or worse off for bringing back old characters. (BuzzSugar)
Vance wanted no hate for the remaining Top 8 dancers, but he felt the Cancer Dance was a little manipulative on So You Think You Can Dance. (Tapeworthy)
Kings: Wow. You know n episode is great when you think it over, look at the clock and it still is only half way through. I was for sure that it was the end of the episode when the King got shot and we would have to wait for the finale to see the outcome. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Rescue Me: I really don’t have much to say because I am still trying to understand that ending. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: I am with Teddy’s wife, why fly her to Kosavo for a surprise. And for it to turn out to be a dedication to their dead son made it even more befuddling. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Chuck vs the First Date (iTunes): If I recall, iTunes offered up this episode when it first premiered last fall, but this time around it is also available in HD. So if you been wondering if you wanted to get into the show or not, here is a good primer.
Video of the Week: I still haven’t gotten around to watch season three of Dexter as the DVD set isn’t out to next month, but for those that have Showtime and are caught up, here is a promo for season four which premieres on September 27 at 9:00:
Bonus Video of the Week: I had this 57 Channels all ready to post last night, but I had to add this trailer for Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I really had no idea what to expect when I watch the video because I never heard of the show before someone at Starz sent me the link (granted the dated Kirk Douglas movie popped into my head). And it was jaw droppingly good. If you liked HBO’s Rome or the movie 300, watch this promo and then try not to get depressed that it doesn’t premiere until January (and if you are too cheap to get premium channels like me, it will be at least an extra six months wait until a DVD). Crash was as bad as the movie and as entertaining as Head Case and Party Down are, they certainly no watercooler shows, but if Spartacus lives up to this promo, it will put Starz on the map.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Charm School with Ricki Lake, Monday at 9:00 on VH1: Like most Charm Schools, the last couple episodes have been boring. But one this is for certain, win or lose, the three finalist will probably end up on I Love Money in the near future.
Quote of the Week: This is Armani. Pimp! Armani! (The Hateable Dan LeBatard, Pardon the Interruption)
Song of the Week: Say, Say, Say – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson (as sung by The Hateable Dan LeBatard and J.A. Adande, Pardon the Interuption)
Big News of the Week: ABC Trickles onto Hulu: Three weeks ago Hulu announced their Hulu Days of Summer releasing something new for two months straight. The first two week saw the addition of Dead Like Me and mostly movies but I wondered how they would actually be able to do so all summer. Well this past Monday saw the inclusion of Grey’s Anatomy thus launching ABC’s addition to the video streaming site. That was followed by Desperate Housewives, Better Off Ted, The Superstars and I Survived a Japanese Game Show. So far only shows from ABC proper had been added but I expect other subsidiaries (ABC Family, Disney Channel, Soap Net, etc.) will soon follow in upcoming weeks.
Kings: See, I told you the Queen should kill that chick. Seriously, what took her so long? And it looks like Silas is back to flip flopping on David. Ugg. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Eli Stone: What was with the random Grace-centric episode? She was only in one episode and was never heard about for most of the season with Eli moving on to Maggie and then out of nowhere Eli is thinking about her only for him to see her in a flashback. Just odd. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Eli Stone on iTunes.
Charm School with Ricki Lake: This is what I hate about this show, they boot the person who has changed the most for the one that “needs more work.” When you are done to the final five you can’t pull they, they should know by now not to call other people “retards.” Not that it will keep me from watching. You can also download Charm School with Ricki Lake on iTunes.
Rescue Me: No drug induced musical number this week? Well of course the male stripper doesn’t count. That scene just went on too long You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: I an era where every show seems to use narration ad nausea, the show is sure clever with it’s narration, be it trying to impress a barmaid, avoiding a hostile takeover in the board room or chatting up a prime minister. Creativity always gets points in my book. Although Paris is certainly not as exotic as Nigeria or Burma. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: X5 Free Sampler - Golden Voices (Amazon MP3): Here is one for the fans of the classics with songs by Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and three others to ask your grandparents about. Not as old, but while at Amazon you will want to also pick up this free live Sam Cooke song.
Video of the Week: One show that was ready for Upfronts was Day One and the first glimpse of the show leaked to the interwebs this week. It actually had me sucked in until the curly headed dude started screaming, “it doesn’t matter, they’re already dead!” which caused me to laugh and it was all downhill from there. But it still stars the highly likeable Julie Gonzalo so I may still give it a try. And hey, it can’t possibly be worse than Heroes. Right? Hopefully NBC releases a better quality trailer soon. When they do I will repost it.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Wednesday at 9:00 on TNT: Leverage was the surprise show of last season having just the right mix of action, drama, and comedy. With a new season comes a new game to coincide with the new season. Head over to LeverageHQ.com to play Get Ready to Get Even.
Leverage will be followed by new show Dark Blue which comes with its own game you can find at DarkBlueUndercover.com. Look out for more on both shows before their premieres.
Before I get into the best of the past week, let me remind you to enter the Ice Road Trucker Giveaway where you can pick up the first two seasons on DVD and more. Click the banner to the left to see how to enter.
Quote of the Week: Save it for your inevitable reality show. If Mr. Stone does work for God I’m not going to chance damnation by disqualifying him. (Judge Marcia Phelps – Eli Stone)
Big News of the Week: Michael Jackson: After passing away late last week, Jackson dominated the news this week which I am sure Mark Sanford was happy to see happen. And that looks to continue with his public viewing next week and funeral. His death even highlighted how bad the record business is these days as four of his albums outsold the Top 200 number one album last week. And are there really that many people out there that didn’t already have a copy of Thriller or were those just people updating their cassettes, vinyl, or 8-track to CD or digital?
Kings: What I don’t understand is why didn’t the Queen have the chick that was blackmailing her killed? She’s the Queen. Certainly there is someone loyal enough to her that would do that and get her back all the incriminating evidence. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Eli Stone: So by sleeping with Eli, Maggie was able to over him? Huh? Doesn’t that women more clingy? If only that worked in the real world. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Eli Stone on iTunes.
Charm School with Ricki Lake: Well that was anticlimactic. Bay Bay Bay is given the chance to bring somebody back, which she never should have in the first place, just to agonize over it and in the end doesn’t do so. You can also download Charm School with Ricki Lake on iTunes.
Rescue Me: Hopefully just because Garrity is awake he will still be pumped up with enough drugs to give us a couple more musical numbers. Or maybe have Teddy try to suffocate him again. But what a disturbing ending with Tommy burning himself. Hopefully that doesn’t get revisited. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: Nice little history lesson with some entertainment. Surprising though, that after much discussion that Burma is the better name, Myanmar was the name of the episode. This episode was hurt a little by the recent news story about how some nut job was able to swim to the house and stayed the night. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Free Download of the Week: Pilot - 10 Things I Hate About You (iTunes): ABC Family has always been good about free downloads and now you can get the premiere of their new show 10 Things I Hate About You for free before it even airs and in HD. Want more free stuff from the network? You can also download the first episode of their other new show, Make it or Break It for free and in HD.
Deal of the Week: TV Under $15 (Sledge Hammer!, The Lone Gunmen, King of the Hill)
Next Week Pick of the Week: Eli Stone, Saturday at 10:00 on ABC: Only two episodes left. And just when you thought being banished to Saturday wasn’t bad enough, having the second to last episode air on July Fourth is just mean. But I guess that is why God gave us a VCR (or Tivo’s for you pretentious types).And it will also will be available on the network’s website. Which gets me thinking, when exactly is ABC going to add their shows to Hulu?
Quote of the Week: I can’t believe you got Feinberg in your corner. It’s like the Jets and the Sharks joining forces and becoming one giant gay, dancing, singing street gang. (Ken, Rescue Me)
Big News of the Week: Bryan Fuller Leaves Heroes… Again: One of the many sad stories that came out of the cancelation of Pushing Daisies was that series mastermind began slumming it again on Heroes. But as he told Ain’t it Cool News, he will be likely creating two pilots for NBC Universal. No work on what either of those may be, but one would assume the lead female will have a dude’s name (George, Jaye, Chuck). Speaking of the George portion, I started watching Dead Like Me recently, currently into the second season. Certainly below Wonderfalls in the Bryan Fuller pantheon, but I still haven’t decided if I like it more than Pushing Daisies yet. But certainly worth a look if you do not have anything better to watch this summer.
Coalition Links of the Week: With network TV ratings on the decline, Buzz wondered if you — yes, you! — are watching less TV this Summer than usual. (BuzzSugar)
Other than So You Think You Can Dance, Vance didn't have much time to watch TV last week because he was out in the park watching Twelfth Night starring Anne Hathaway, Raul Esparza (Pushing Daisies), Audra McDonald (Private Practice), Hamish Linklater (New/Old Christine) and more. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace offered an elegy for ABC's canceled The Unusuals and offered advance reviews of FOX's Virtuality and the first four episodes of HBO's Hung. (Televisionary)
After this week's episode of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Sara has the irresistible urge to become BFFs with Kathy and Paula Deen. (TiFaux)
Eric is so glad that Lafayette is back for season two of True Blood and even happier to find out how he gets out of imprisonment this week. (TV Fanatic)
Kings: So did Silas make a deal with Death (what, no George Lass?) who for some reason wears a cowbell in the form of piano that he would step aside willing (presumably for Mr. Boston) or will be taken by her? And just as puzzling is the princess being promised to God yet not a nun. Alrighty. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Eli Stone: Much like Pushing Daisies, it was a little hard getting back into the show knowing there will only be two more after this. But once the car pulled up to Eli’s house to reveal a road trip, I was drawn back in. What is sad that after a second season let down after a superb first one, we finally get the first great episode right before getting pulled. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Eli Stone on iTunes.
Merlin: I sat down to check the series out only to find golf. I understand you don’t cut into golf to air new programming, but couldn’t NBC put in a scroll saying Merlin will start in “X” amount of minute or after this hole or just have the announcers acknowledge that golf is running over thanks to the rain delay? So I waited a minute or two and just ended up watching a couple more episodes of Dead Like Me. I may catch Merlin on Hulu sometime this weekend if the weather is crappy.
Rescue Me: Hopefully Garrity stays in a coma for a while so we can get a couple more musical numbers. The fruit song may be the funniest thing ever that nobody should have been laughing at. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
The Philanthropist: NBC managed not to blow the premiere of this show. It reminded me a little like Kings in that they both have a big scope to them and at times are too big for their own good. And they certainly get heavy handed at times (seriously, Teddy’s dead son leads him to the village?). But the show is defiantly likeable. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download The Philanthropist on iTunes.
Video of the Week: We have hit the oversaturation point for vampires I am actually glad they are rebooting Buffy the Vampire Slayer, even if it is without Joss Whedon, so she could come back to slay all the Twilight, True Blood and the sure to be unwatchable new CW show vampires as well all their annoying fan. As for supernatural fair, sign me up for the upcoming Zombieland which looks from the trailer like it will battle Snakes on a Plane as the greatest horrible movie of the decade (and I mean that as a good thing, check out my review of SoaP: I Have Had it with These Mother(Expletive Deleted) Snakes on This Mother(Expletive Deleted) Plane).
Next Week Pick of the Week: Nothing: Fourth of July is next Saturday, enjoy the outdoors.
I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Stargate Universe, Merlin, The Philanthropist, Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union, Locked Up Abroad, Stories from the Vault, and Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story.
- The latest Stargate staring I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’s Lou Diamond Philips is hitting The Sci-Fi Channel Syfy this fall and here is a sneak peek to whet your appetite:
- Coming this Sunday at 8:00 is the premiere of Merlin on NBC. Here is a preview:
- Also debuting next week on NBC is The Philanthropist Wednesday at 10:00. It looks interesting but I am not sure I can watch it because I have seen the lead completely naked, and as How I Met Your Mother showed me this season, once you seen a dude in all his glory, you can really look at him in anything again. And for all the ladies out there wondering, pick up the HBO series Rome. Actually everyone should pick up the show, because the full frontal male nudity aside, if I were to make a list of the best shows of the ’00, Rome would most likely crack the top ten. But anyways. Here is a preview of The Philanthropist:
- A new season of Locked Up Abroad is coming to the National Geographic Channel July 15. This season the show will feature people stuck in Iraq, Barbados, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and India.
- Nurse Jackie isn’t the only show Showtime is renewing these days; Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union is getting a third season. Seven new episodes should hit the channel early 2010. Also Penn and Teller’s that will go unnamed will become Showtime’s longest running series returning for its seventh season Thursday June 25 at 10:00.
- Still not sure if I have the Smithsonian Channel, but I may want hunt it down by July 12 because that is the new season Stories from the Vault premieres which it hosted by Tom Cavanagh (Ed). Also coming to the Smithsonian Channel September 4 (Labor Day) is a two part documentary that tells the story of the Federal Writer’s Project of the 1930’s called Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story. So those that have the Smithsonian Channel, mark your calendar.
(Office Space, Spaceballs, UHF)
by Chris Brown making an appearance. Why would a year old song by a convicted woman beater become one the most downloaded songs in the country? Apparently Chris has a viral video to get him some good press. And I am not referring to his apology video he issued this week. Nope, he has this video to thank for making his music relevant again.
because getting married to a dude who beats his girlfriend might not be a good omen for a marriage.
, watch this promo and then try not to get depressed that it doesn’t premiere until January (and if you are too cheap to get premium channels like me, it will be at least an extra six months wait until a DVD). Crash was as bad as the movie and as entertaining as Head Case and Party Down are, they certainly no watercooler shows, but if Spartacus lives up to this promo, it will put Starz on the map.
song.
, 
and a 
reunion of Trent and Mike? Yes please.
was that series mastermind began slumming it again on 
. But as he told 
recently, currently into the second season. Certainly below 
in the Bryan Fuller pantheon, but I still haven’t decided if I like it more than Pushing Daisies yet. But certainly worth a look if you do not have anything better to watch this summer.
: Just in time for the Fourth of July, here is a ten song sampler of four American classic along with six songs from the various factions of the armed forces.