Best of the Week - 1/22/11

Quote of the Week: Thank you Veronica Mars. (Hanna, Pretty Little Liars)

Song of the Week: Is This Love – Whitesnake (as performed by Jeffster, Chuck)

Big News of the Week: Pilots Getting Ordered: There are still a few show announced last spring that have yet to premiere but networks are already ordered up a couple pilots this week. NBC looks to be keeping with their sci-fi leaning of late with 17th Precinct from Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica) about cops in a world of magic (Moore may be busy next fall because he is also working on a coast guard show for NBC and a Wild Wild West reboot for CBS).

While over at Fox they will try again to list by boycott against the network which I have not watch since the series finale of Arrested Development by ordering up a show by Party Down mastermind Rob Thomas called Little in Common about Little League families. If a perky blonde umpire who solves crime on the side is written into the show I may have to lift my boycott. One thing that won’t lift my boycott is another show by the dude who created Heroes who for some reason is getting another show with Touch about an autistic kid who can tell the future. Alrighty.

Then on the basic cable side of thing, USA continued its run of cheesiest show titles on television by ordering to series A Legal Mind, about a cooperate lawyer (natch) who recruits a brilliant but lazy college dropout, and Necessary Roughness which sadly is not a reboot of the awesome Scott Backula / Kathy Ireland nineties flick.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick picture of the Week



Free Download of the Week: Solo [Amazon MP3 Exclusive] - Tony Lucca (Amazon MP3)

Deal of the Week: Universal Studios Featured Deals (Saturday Night Live, The Office, Battlestar Gallactica)

New Album Release of the Week: Mission Bell - Amos Lee

New DVD Release of the Week: She-Ra: The Complete Series

Video of the Week: I love Lily Kane but, much like her buddy Veronica Mars, she needs to fire her agent quick because she has been in some horrible movies like Dear John which may be the worst movie ever in the history of cinema. And her latest maybe eclipse even Dear John in terms of unwatchability with Red Riding Hood. Does the world really need a full length movie based on a children’s short story sen through the eyes of the Twilight director? (SPOILER ALERT!: no.)

Red Riding Hood Trailer 2


Next Week Pick of the Week: 2000th Post, Monday at 8:00 AM, here on the 9th Green: Barring any unforeseen obstacles, Monday should be my 2000th post ever here on the 9th Green. And you should expect something big to mark the occasion with a post I have been working on for over three years.

Around the Tubes - 1/21/11

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 Game of Thrones, Mean Girls 2, Timmy Time, Face-Off, FX and HBO blogs, The Office, Celebrity Apprentice, and Showtime premiere dates.

- The new Game of Thrones promo hit HBO earlier this week, and naturally made it on the interwebs shortly after. After watching it, color me excited (though not excited enough to actually subscribe to the premium channel, but the DVD will hit the top of my queue as soon as they are available). I especially love the throne made of swords. Game of Thrones hits HBO April 17.



- The original Mean Girls landed in at number sixty-nine on my list of The 100 Greatest Movies of the 00’s and seven years later we finally get a sequel. A sequel without any of the original titular girls (but Tim Meadows is bad, so there is some continuity). Instead we get basically an all Disney Channel alumni cast including Meagan Martin (Camp Rock), Nicole Anderson (Jonas), Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Waverly Place), and Maiara Walsh (Cory in the House). You will have to wait nine years to see if Mean Girls 2 garners a spot on The Greatest Movies of the 10’s, until then tune in to ABC Family this Sunday at 8:00 to get a sense of where it might fall. Below is a trailer.

- For those out there with kiddies, Disney television series Timmy Time is hitting the DVD shelves next month with Timmy Time: Timmy Steals the Show. The DVD set will also feature a Timmy Time sing-a-long.



- Nancy Franklin watches the new Oprah Network for the New Yorker so you don’t have to.

- Syfy is debuting a new show next week and no Face-Off is not related to the John Travolta / Nick Cage film but a reality competition for special effect make up with judges Ve Neill (Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands), Glenn Hetrick (Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files) and Patrick Tatopoulos (Underworld, Independence Day, Resident Evil: Extinction). The show premieres Wednesdays 26 at 10:00. For those that were unable to try out for the show but think they could be great makeup artists, head over to syfy.com where you can enter to win a 15” Macbook Pro and other professional make-up tools by uploading your transformation.

- Fans of FX show, and if you are not one you should be because they have the best shows on television, will want to check out the production blogs for their various shows including Lights Out, Justified and Archer, the latter two of which return next month for their sophomore seasons.

- In other blog news, Big Love’s Margene has her own blog, head over to Margene’s Blog to read it which she recently updated with a video. Also getting into the blog game is Bill Maher to coincide with the new season of Real Time which shows you how you can listen to the show even if you do not subscribe to HBO.

- The Office has a new webisode, head over to nbc.com to check out The Podcast featuring Gabe trying to set one up for the Sabre website.

- Fans of the A&E show Heavy will be happy to hear that this Monday the show will be hosting a special fan chat and live Q&A session via streaming video. Click here to RSVP to the live Fanchat.

- Celebrity Apprentice returns March 6 with a new batch of has been’s including Gary Busey, Richard Hatch, and Lil Jon, you know, because he always tells the truth.



- Showtime has announced the return of two of its programs. The third season of Nurse Jackie will premiere March 28 at 10:00 promptly followed by the third season of The United States of Tara. Also announced by the premium channel is the debut their latest historical drama The Borgias on Sunday April 3 at 9:00 for a two hour premiere. Note that starting April 10, the show will begin airing at its regular timeslot at 10:00.

First Impressions: Perfect Couples

Tonight starts NBC highly touted three hour comedy block with critical darlings Community (8:00), Parks and Recreations (9:30), old stalwarts The Office (9:00), 30 Rock (10:00) with NBC’s highest rated new show from the fall Outsourced (10:30) pulling up the rear. The one new addition to the lineup Perfect Couples get the prime against the unwatchable $#*! My Dads Says timeslot at 8:30.

Much like the unfunny ABC freshman sitcom Better with You, Perfect Couples follows three couple and even features a similar type of cold open. Unlike Better with You, all the couples are not related aside from a brother and sister with the other relationship coming from common area of work. Olivia Munn (Date Night) and Hayes MacArthur (She’s Out of My League) are the uptight couple. Dave Walton (100 Questions) and Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) are the couple that always fight. While Kyle Bornheimer (You Again) and Christine Woods (Flash Forward) are the grounded couple.

Much like Better with You, Perfect Couples started out pretty laughless. But by the second commercial break, the show got better, but still well below Outsourced in terms of quality laughs. But Perfect Couples does have one ace in the hole: Olivia Munn. Anyone who watched her on Attack of the Show she is a hardworking star in the making that will make it worth tuning in every weak because if there were to get on track, she will be the reason why.

Perfect Couples airs Thursdays at 8:30 on NBC. You can also stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Perfect Couples on iTunes.

They Say I'm Better off Now Than I Ever Was with Her

The Script stormed stateside as an Irish version of Maroon 5, emotional yearning lyrics over funky pop beats. Danny O’Donoghue even bears resemblance to Adam Lavine. Where Maroon 5 dedicated a set of songs to a chick name Jane before moving on to various other girls and vaguely political tones of their sophomore album, The Script still seems hung up on the same girl that tormented them on their second album despite the Science & Faith album title.

Most of that first album seemed to be inspired by the preverbal one that got away with heartbroken odes like That Man Who Can’t Be Moved about a guy waiting for a girl to come back to the place they met and Breakeven about a guy who cannot put his life back together knowing his ex-girlfriend has moved on. And just looking at titles like If You Ever Come Back (which shares a very similar guitar riff from Breakeven), Long Gone and Moved On it is more of the same here.

While the thematic haven’t changed, the music has gotten much tighter than their debut disk. The band aim for anthemic from the start of the album with You Won’t Feel a Thing and for the most part reach it. There are also a few swing and miss moments on the album including out of leftfield rap from B.o.B throughout Walk Away of that sticks out like Flavor Flav at a debutante ball. The previous song This = Love features an even more awkward rap in the middle of the song.

Song to Download – Nothing

Science and Faith gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

I Want My Music Television - 1/18/11

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.

Back to December – Taylor Swift



I though the ten degrees and a foot of snow were bad here in Northeast Ohio, but at least the snow hasn’t come indoors like Casa de Taylor Swift. Though I am not entirely sure what is going on with random dude walking across small town winter landscape.


Rolling In the Deep - ADELE



I get the feeling the production crew just asked for three random situation and they came up with dude fighting in a room full of chalk, someone breaking dinnerware, a room full of glasses, and a drummer playing in a corner. To which the director goes, “not random enough.” “well how about adding miniature city going up in flames,” “brilliant, film it.” Ladies and gentlemen, ADELE’s latest video.


Monster – Kanye West featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj



It looks like Kanye West was also a fan of The Walking Dead, and sadly, Twilight. And I wonder when someone is going to point out that Jay-Z just latches on to great beats and really hasn’t spit a great verse since his un-retirement.


Radio - Raphael Saadiq



Not sure what is with the metallic Lady Gaga looking person, but I am excited for the new Raphael Saadiq album.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 1/16/11

Quote of the Week: Abrakazam jackass. (Beckett, Castle)

Song of the Week: Eric B. Is President - Eric B and Rakim (Glory Daze)

Big News of the Week: Obama Wrecks Havoc on Scheduling: No one should whine that a television show gets bumped by the president, but ABC could have done a better job with its programming when Obama’s address went long. Seriously, when it goes long, wouldn’t the smarter decision have been preempt Modern Family, and then do commentary until 9:30 and show the regularly scheduled Cougar Town at its regular time. And if you must air Modern Family twenty minutes late, at least repeat it later in the week instead of that horrible new doctor show (I feel bad that Matt Sarasan and Jane Tyler are slumming it on that crap) or on Friday or Saturday because I am sure a Modern Family repeat would do better rating than anything you had scheduled. Or even better yet ABC, how about putting Modern Family On Demand? Hurmph.

The Cape: I didn’t except much from the show because the promo made it look somewhat laughably bad, but thanks to those low expectation, I was actually entertained. Though it should probably not go two straight hours again and I hope that the other villains are more interesting than Cain. Plus I wonder if Vegas will let me bet on Orwell turning out to be Chess’s daughter. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Cape on iTunes.

Greek: They are not even back together yet and I am already sick of Cappie and Casey. What I am not sick of, and hope not to ever be of is slyly-evil Dale. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: This episode got me wondering what exactly is Beckett’s conviction record. Considering the dude was one of the richest dudes in the world, frozen assets or not I am sure he could find a good lawyer that could talk him out of a flimsy, and coerced, confession. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: Did Parenthood, in its second season, really rip off a storyline from the final season of The Drew Carey Show? The dot com boss taking over the company seems really similar. And did Amber really fake see a movie she was actually in (the latest Michael Cera movie being Scott Pilgrim vs. the World in which she was one of the seven evil ex’s and was number on on my 25 Best Movies of 2010 list)? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Glory Daze: And the least surprising plot twist of the week goes to Christy still having a copy of Joel’s notes / drawings. You can stream recent episodes over at TBS.com. You can also download Glory Daze on iTunes.

Also check out my Preview of Lights Out and television fans will want to check out my review of Clicker, the universal remote that you can open beer with.

Free Download of the Week: Frankie & Johnny - Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town: Fans of The Sing-Off will want to grab this song for the low price of nothing.

Deal of the Week: Save up to 47% on Select Blu-ray (Love Actually, Inside Man, I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry)

New Album Release of the Week: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes - Social Distortion

New DVD Release of the Week: Justified: The Complete First Season

Video of the Week: For anyone who has wondered how to pronounce “Golddigger” in sign language, here is someone performing a certain Cee-Lo Green song for their sign language class. Naturally not safe for work and doubly so if you boss knows sign language.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Comedy Night Done Right, All Night Thursday on NBC: After the Jay Leno Hour, it is hard to be surprised at anything NBC tries, but after Leno showed that comedy at 10:00 may not be the best idea, it is a little surprising that NBC is going three straight hours of comedy starting this Thursday (rumor has it they may be joined by ABC who may expand their Wednesday block to three hours also). We will have to wait to see how it plays out, but from the promo below it is clear what shows NBC are favoring. When it starts out talking about six people brought together, you would think it would be one from each show, but nope, it is Steve Carrell, Ed Helms (The Office), Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey (30 Rock), Amy Phoeler and Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreations). Sorry Community, Perfect Couples, and Outsourced, if (when) the network goes back to two hours of sitcoms, two of you are likely gone.

Lyrics Quiz: Best Songs of 2001

Since 1996 I have been making best songs of the year lists and on the tenth anniversary I like to look back on those with a lyrics quiz. Keep in mind that this list was made back in 2001 and may not reflect I how I view them today. If you want to know my current songs from that year, I suggest you keep an eye out in a week or so. As always leave your guesses, both artist and song title, in the comment section or e-mail me. If you are correct I will un-bold the lyric. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them.

1. When I touch your hand, it’s then I understand the beauty that’s within. It’s now that we begin.
2. She checks out Mozart while she does Tai-Bo. Reminds me that there’s room to grow. (Drops of Jupiter - Train; guessed by Anonymous)
3. Well I woke up in too many beds with girls I didn’t know. I’ve seen lots of brothers at top, and I’ve watched them come and go.
4. You know I'm seeing it so clear. I've been afraid to tell you how I really feel, admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made.
5. It’s getting so lonely inside this bed. Don’t know if I should lick my wounds or say woe is me instead.
6. I shake my jelly at every chance, when I whip with my hips you slip into a trance. (Bootylicious - Destiny's Child; guessed by Anonymous)
7. I remember Christmas in the blistering cold in a church on the upper west side. Babe, I stood their singing, I was holding your arm, you were holding my trust like a child. (New York, New York - Ryan Adams; guessed by Anonymous)
8. I’m not gonna hate on you in a magazine, I/m better than that. I’m not gonna compromise my Christianity.
9. I can’t love my business if I can’t get a trick down on Sana Monica where tricks are for kids.
10. It seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal. But lately I’m beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel. (Drive - incubus; guessed by AJ)
11. Pick me up, oh, from the bottom, up to the top, love. (Everyday - Dave Matthews Band; guessed by Anonymous)
12. Hey, don’t write yourself out yet, it’s only in your head you feel left out, or looked down on. Just try your best, try everything you can and don’t worry what they tell themselves when you’re away. (The Middle - Jimmy Eat World; guessed by Anonymous)
13. Oh no, I see, a spider web is tangled up with me. And I lost my head, the thought of all the stupid things I'd said. (Trouble - Coldplay; guessed by Anonymous)
14. See you at my job, you carrying yourself so well. I made myself a promise not to get emotional.
15. Sometimes I love you, sometime you make me feel blue. Sometime I feel good, sometimes I feel used. (Fallin' - Alicia Keys; guessed by Anonymous)
16. My tea’s gone cold and wonder why I got out of bed at all. The morning rain clouds out my window and I can’t see at all. (Thank You - Dido; guessed by Anonymous)
17. I’m finding my way back to sanity again. Though I don’t really know what I'm going to do when I get there.
18. I got this (expletive deleted) that after twelve million sold, mommy’s a narcoleptic always sleeping on (name). Gotta tie back of her head like Duece Bigalow.
19. I got half of mind to scream out loud. I got half a mind to die. So I won’t ever have to lose you good. Won’t ever have to say goodbye. I won’t ever have to lie.
20. Would you tremble if I touched your lips, would you laugh, please tell me this.
21. Your faith in me brings me to tears even after all these years. And it pains me so much to tell that you don’t know me that well.
22. She wants a car with a cup holder arm rest. She wants a car that will get her there. She’s changing her name from Kitty to Karen. (Short Skirt/Long Jacket - Cake; guessed by AJ)
23. You share the same last name. As a joke I sent a bottle of whiskey, as you choked, I knew it made you feel dirty.
24. I'm not trying to pressure you. Just can’t stop thinking ‘bout you You ain’t even really gotta be my girlfriend. I just wanna know your name and maybe some time we can hook up, hang out, just chill.
25. Two blondes, both arms feeling like Fonzie. You can find me drunk, whipping it might crash. Or find me chilling with crackers who like thrash.

Around the Tubes - 1/14/11

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 The Ricky Gervais Show, Skins, Being Human, Drugged, Law and Order, Big Love, Funny or Die Presents, and Heavy.

- The Ricky Gervais Show returns for its second season tonight at 9:00 on HBO, but why wait until then to watch it when you can watch the entire season premiere below. For those that wish to download the episode for later viewing, you can also download it free on iTunes. And do not forget my review of the first season of The Ricky Gervais Show.



- MTV has certainly not skimmed on the marketing for its new scripted series Skins, even premiering it after a special airing of Jersey Shore. The show finally hits this side of the pond Monday at 10:00 and here is a promo which kind of looks like a serialize version of The Prodigy’s Smack My (Expletive Deleted) Up video. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud.

- Wonder what Being Human is (besides a show premiering on Syfy Monday at 9:00), well here is a primer video:

What Is Being Human?


- On the heels of last year’s Drug Inc., National Geography featuring a three episode follow up, Drugged, over two days starting Sunday with High on Marijuana at 8:00. That is followed by High on Cocaine and on Monday at 9:00 there is High on Ecstasy. All three episodes will look at what each effects each drug has on the human brain and body.

- Law and Order fans will want to head over to its Facebook page where you can enter to win the First Year DVD Collection autographed by Dick Wolf, Law & Order SVU Zip Hoodie, Law & Order Mug, and a Law & Order Sound Gavel. I wonder if the sound gavel makes the “chung chung” sound when you pound it.

- Big Love returns for its final season this Sunday at 9:00 on HBO (for those that need to catch up like me, season four was just released on DVD) and here is a promo of the upcoming season:



- In other HBO news, Funny or Die Presents also returns this weekend at midnight tonight. Here is a preview of something you may see:



- Even more television premiere news (c’mon, it is freezing outside, it’s not like we have anything better to do) A&E is launching its new original series Heavy Monday at 10:00 where twenty-two individuals participate in a six-month weight loss program. Each episode will focus on two new subject.

- What would football be without a little alcohol? And if plain old beer isn’t enough for you during the Patriots-Jets rubber match, here are some drink suggestions from Dobel tequila.

TEAM JETS

DOBEL Diablo
Sizzle like Sanchez with this fiery, Spanish-themed drink.
1 1/2 oz DOBEL tequila
1/2 oz Creme de Cassis
1 lime wedge
Ginger beer

Method: Combine Maestro DOBEL tequila, orange curacao and vermouth with ice, shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

TEAM PATRIOTS

DOBEL Neat
Don’t want to mess up your hair? Try this – inspired by Pretty Boy Brady! This cocktail blends elegance, with a touch of arrogance – just like Brady.

2 oz DOBEL Tequila

Method: Combine DOBEL Tequila and ice, shake and strain into a chilled snifter,

Introducing Clicker

You know Universal Remotes are useful in that they eliminate having to go from remote to remote to turn on all the components of your home theater system. But do you know what they are missing: a bottle opener. If you have ever thought that or have sat down with a beer only to realize you forgot to take off the cap, well I have a product for you: Clicker a Universal Remote that can operate up to nine devises and, yes, even has a bottle opener attached to it. And with the Super Bowl in three weeks away, this makes for a great, and very practical, conversation piece, or a great gift for someone nice enough to invite you to their Super Bowl party (because going to a party without bringing something would be rude).

The Clicker is no novelty item; it is a fully functional Universal Remote, check out the picture above for the layout. You can program up to eight devises at a time including your TV, DVD player, Cable box, DVR, Satellite, CD, AMP, VCR and it also supports twin view and Picture-in-Picture functions. Programming is similar to other Universal Remotes in that you have to punch in codes that correspond to you devise, I would recommend checking out the online manual to see if your devises are compatible. For those not on the list there is a “Learning function” where you hold up the Universal Remote with the devise’s factory remote. The Clicker will take two AAA batteries to use.

I have owned a couple of high end universal remotes that turned into very expensive paperweights, but maybe the greatest draw to the Clicker is its price, only $25. Seriously, there is no reason to spend over a hundred dollars for a one of those fancy touch screen remotes (who’s advantage is the ability to let the internet program the remote for you), when the Clicker is almost as good for a tenth the price. And of course, you can also open your beer while watching the game with the Clicker. Head over to myclicker.com to learn more and to buy one, of which there is plenty of time to get shipped in time for Super Bowl Sunday, and as I write this, shipping is free.

Full Disclosure Notice: The Clicker Universal Remote was given to me for to purpose of reviewing the product.

Feed Your iPod vol. LIII: Sad Songs and Waltzes

Cake released their new album this week after a six year hiatus, Showroom of Compassion and it is pretty much what you would expect a Cake album with monotone singing and quirky lyrics. One thing that is missing from their album, and their last couple, is an off the wall covers which they have done in the past ranging from Gloria Gaynor to Black Sabbath. My favorite of their covers is of Willy Nelson’s obscure gem Sad Songs and Waltzes but adding a horn to the track, but keeping the melancholy. Sad songs and waltzes may still not be selling for the fourth straight decade, but the song is still worth a lesson and maybe the Teens (is that what we should call this decade despite the first three years are technically teen years?) will finally be the decade of sad songs and waltzes.


Cake – Sad Songs and Waltzes




Sad Songs and Waltzes – Willie Nelson

Previewing Lights Out

If you didn’t go into Lights Out knowing that it was about a boxer, you may mistake the opening scene for yet another medical show with a lifeless, bloodied remains of a man laying in a solitary room. But the beaten body is that of Holt McCallany (Three Kings) as Patrick Leary, you can call him Lights, after his last fight as a boxer who is only accompanied by his wife, Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) who waives off the doctor to sew up his cut herself.

The show quickly jumps five year and Lights living almost every ex-boxer cliché, he squandered it all away by lavishly living, gifts to his family: wifey gets a medical degree, pops gets a gym, sister gets a diner, and his brother gets an MBA to manage his finances which he poorly invests away, leaving Lights to appear at bingo parlors and cheesy local advertisements; but he hasn’t quite hit rock bottom just yet because he has yet resorted to the one place careers go to die: Dancing with the Stars.

With his wife in school, Lights has because Mr. Mom to his three daughters, Meredith Hagner (Royal Pains) is the materialistic oldest, Ryann Shane (Amelia) is the middle studious one (which reminded me of Modern Family in the first episode), with Lily Pilblad (Fringe) as the runt of the family who is too young to remember daddy as a fighter and wonders why he is getting punched by other dudes whenever old fight footage comes on television. Lights also has an obligation to his father / trainer Stacy Keach (Titus) who seems to care more about his failing gym than his own failing health. And he does not seem to get any help from his brother Pablo Schreiber (Vicky Christina Barcelona) who has put him in his financial troubles.

It is a good thing for Light Out that the boxer stays out of the ring because it is very hard for sports stories to work (there were only four sports movies released in 2010) when you can flip on ESPN at any given time and see something more amazing than anything a writer can dream up. Friday Night Lights didn’t hit its stride until it focused most of its storylines off the field. When Light Out does focus on the sport is some of its weakest spots like a training montage in episode three that you cannot help but think of Rocky or Lights encounter with a Mixed Martial Arts fighter which may be the most unbelievable part of the show, which says a lot considering the lead character is a Caucasian American former Heavyweight champion (something that hasn’t happened in my lifetime).

Light Out is reminiscent to Men of a Certain Age in that it is depressing to watch. But where there is a glimmer of hope for Ray Romano and his buddies, it seems like things get progressively worse for Lights with every passing episode trying to dig himself out of his hole, only to find himself deeper in it as he has runs in with Bill Irwin (Rachel Getting Married), a shady businessman, Billy Brown (Race to Witch Mountain) as the man who took his title five years ago, and Brown’s fight promoter Reg E. Cathey (American Psycho) who would like to see that rematch finally take place.

Lights Out airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on FX. You will be able to stream episodes on Hulu after they air.