All you need to know about the debut album from Asher Roth, Asleep in the Bread Aisle is that instead of being released on the traditional Tuesday, it hit the shelves a day early on 4/20. Get it? If not, you may want skip the album. If you do, go straight to track number two, Blunt Passin’.
Despite that song and the special release date, the album isn’t all about the sticky-icky. Roth attacks what he calls the elephant in the room in that he has the skin tone as Eminem on As I Em. But the thing about Marshall Mathers is that like many of the rappers before him is that he knew about the struggle, how it is to either get a record contract or not be able to feed his child. The suburban stories that Roth tells just don’t carry the same weight. But Roth doesn’t address the second elephant in the room in if he had an uncle named David Lee.
Bad Day (which doesn’t sample Daniel Powder) is a boring romp that could have used some patented Eminem wit. Even Roth seems bored on the track. The ode to his father, His Dream, falls flat especially when you consider Kanye West showed us that songs dedicated to parental figures can avoid being cheesy and lame. And on Lion’s Roar, Busta Rhymes does just that but Roth just whimpers in comparison.
Roth may not have the life experiences that make other rappers stars, but the few stories he has do make for decent songs. Most notable is I Love College which got reworked on the album after being unable to secure the Say it Ain’t So sample (presumably Rivers Cuomo didn’t want his family problems turn into a drunk frat boy anthem). But it is hard not to reminisce about those days on campus and sing along by the end of the song.
Asher’s witty side does show up on the opening track Lark on My Go-Cart, an ode to Scheech’s favorite girl where he is able rhymes bumpkin with Tim Duncan all over a fuzzed out beat. Asher was able to clear a sample from Ben Kweller for Fallin’ where he thinks back to his day in middle school which works much better then when he tries to sound like other rappers of the day. It is too bad Asleep in the Bread Aisle doesn’t feature Roth Boys where Asher hijacks the Jay-Z beat because it would have been the second best track on this album.
We are a decade and a half since the heyday alternative rock when Lollapalooza was the lone traveling circus of semi-homogeneous musical acts. It was also the first to die out after Metallica overtook the headlining reigns turning the show into the cooperate entity that many early fans despised. Now back into its roots, the show now in festival form in Chicago, home of Company of Thieves, a band that would have fit right in during the early tours with the release of its debut album, Ordinary Riches.
The trio, fronted by pixie Genevieve Schatz, crafts poppy alternative rock that sometimes takes its time to gestate with some songs passing the five minute mark but manages never to seem that long thanks to changing tempos and deliveries. Take Under the Umbrella, a bouncy love song that turns into an arena rock shout along to the point you may think it’s two different songs. Then Oscar Wilde (the album title comes from one of his quotes), a song that starts off with a classic rock riff that turns into a groove before you hit the chorus where you will want to sing the ironically chipper delivered, “We are our own devil.”
Other standouts include the smooth Pressure which continues to build throughout the song before breaking during the chorus only for the song to end with a sweet acapella coda from Schatz. The album closes out New Letters, a soothing song the ebbs and flows for its six minutes as it builds up steam for an ending that will leave you wanting more.
The Big Bang Theory: Penny in a comic book store: it’s about time. But if she is going to slum it with a geek, why not have it be Sheldon? Maybe there is something there as he obvious was nerd blocking him with the Batman question. You know if the show lasts long enough it will happen. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Chuck: That was one of the more entertaining gun fights in recent memories. And I am down with any girl who can do a little double fisting. But how pathetic is Fulcrum that they would clear a whole building with two intruders? Seriously, you outnumber them 1000:1, you don’t need to retreat. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.
How I Met Your Mother: For the record, Scooter McGavin is better known as Stat Guy at work, the guy who plays with spreadsheets for fun. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.
Castle: So for an episode on voodoo they bring in Ray “Voodoo” Tatum. Now that is what I call great casting. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Castle on iTunes.
Cupid: Nothing more entertaining than watching Republicans and Democrats go at it. But that took a back seat to the casting: holy Anna Chlumsky! And it really makes me feel old to find out she is pushing thirty. She’s the little kid from My Girl for goodness sake. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Cupid on iTunes.
Lost: Well there goes my Sun is Candle’s kid theory. And of course Miles also has Daddy issues. But the big news of the week was Miles was once the star of Hook. The second biggest being is there may actually be another faction to keep track of with the What Lies Behind the Statue people. Or the Other, Other, Other. Yippie. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II: Why didn’t anyone tell me this show was starting up again? But the better question is why isn’t CT in jail by now? Or when is Congress going to call Bumin/Murray in for their own steroid investigation? Or do they really think that MJ and Nehemiah weren’t already in New Zealand knowing CT would be gone before they even started? You can also download Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II on iTunes.
Survivor: This may have been the most depressing episode ever. I thought Coach was going but know we probably have at least another month of him and Tyson. I may have to stop watching. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
My Name Is Earl: The scene with Randy and the needle may be the most disturbing thing I have ever witnessed on television ever. Ever. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.
Big News of the Week: A New Millennium Tea Party: Nothing more entertain when people make grand gestures but end up looking like idiots. Case in point when a bunch a yahoos littered the White House lawn with tea bags to protest the escalating taxes and all the bailouts. Now I am all for civil disobedience, but throwing individual tea bags lacks the gravitas of dumping crates of the stuff into the Boston Harbor.
Of course the irony of the whole thing is that original tea party wasn’t about high taxes. Remember the slogan: “No taxation without representation,” the people wanted to pay taxes, it is just they wanted the representation that should come along with paying it.
But that doesn’t top the most stupid tax related idea of the week. No, that goes to Texas Governor Rick Perry who suggested his state could secede from the Union because of the current tax situation. Yes, because the last time the state seceded when really well.
Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz took a look back at some of the best engagements (some broken, some still going strong) of the past TV season. (BuzzSugar)
This week, Sandie spoke with Eric Lange better known as Radzinsky on Lost about what is coming up for his character, his career, and more. (Daemon's TV)
Vance seriously can't get enough of the trailers for the new FOX musical TV show Glee. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace took an early look at HBO's Grey Gardens, a dramatized version of the cult 1973 documentary film, which stars Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange as Big Edie and Little Edie Beale. (Televisionary)
Jesse took issue with the tired old re-hashed formulas employed by the SNL folks on the most recent Zac Efron-hosted debacle. (TiFaux)
This week, theTVaddict.com is your source for Paley Festival '09 coverage with reports from Dr. Horrible, The Big Bang Theory, The Mentalist, Desperate Housewives, Pushing DaisiesBattlestar Galactica and Caprica. (The TV Addict)
After listening to the latest music on 90210, Matt knew he had to include a section for it on TV Fanatic. (TV Fanatic)
Free Download of the Week: Funny the Way it Is – Dave Matthews Band (RCA Records): The new trend these days is to give your first single off your album for free as it has been used recently by Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Counting Crows, Keane, and Michelle Branch. You can add DMB to that list as for a limited time you can download their first song off of the upcoming Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King due out June 2nd. Granted all these “free” songs require joining their mailing list, by hey, it’s free and you can always unsubscribe.
Video of the Week: We are heading into wedding season and if there are any Bridezillas in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area that still needs musical entertainment, take a look at the ad below for Here Comes Treble:
Next Week Pick of the Week: Locked Up Abroad, Wednesday at 10:00 on the National Geographic Channel: When the press release was sent out for this season of Locked Up Abroad, each episode was accompanied with a quote and two stood out above the rest. I already talked about the season premiere when one of the people uttered, “Sarah’s not only destroyed my life, but she’s also destroyed my faith in humanity.” This week features my other favorite, “I was the only American in jail and I was wearing a dress, and that’s probably not a good combination in a Mexican jail.” If that doesn’t make for Must See TV, I don’t know what will.
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 My Boys, Neighbors from Hell, Jimmy Fallon, New World Order, Earth Day, and Friday Night Lights.
- When I was previewing the new season of My Boys, I mentioned they would be participation in the game board decathlon and that episode is coming up this Tuesday. Then right after the show, you can head over to TBS.com to participate in a web chat with cast members Jordana Spiro (PJ), Kellee Stewart (Stephanie), Jamie Kaler (Mike), Reid Scott (Brendan), Mike Bunin (Kenny) and Kyle Howard (Bobby) beginning at 11:00 EST.
- TBS is also going to get into the animation game with the announcement that they have greenlit Neighbors from Hell. No word on a voice cast or an air date, but is coming from the Fox Animation and DreamWorks studio. Here is a synopses:
Neighbors from Hell centers on the Hellmans, a typical, all-American suburban family, with Balthazor; his wife, Tina; their two children, Mandy and Josh; and their dog, Pazuzu. The only thing that distinguishes them from the rest of the folks in the neighborhood is that the Hellmans happen to be from Hell. They have been sent to Earth to pose as normal suburbanites with a mission to keep humans from finding their way to Hell. Their task is made all the more complicated by Balthazor’s growing affection for humans and their odd but endearing qualities.
- Can’t say I have caught Jimmy Fallon yet on account it is on well past my bedtime, but whenever The Roots jam with someone I try to run down a video of that. But apparently he is running his own The Hills type reality called 7th Floor West. Below is the first part of the latest “episode,” for the second part, head over to NBC.com.
- This past week on Rescue Me we saw Franco spout his crackpot conspiracy theories about 9/11 and the reason why the writers gave him this to do is because the actor that portrays him Daniel Sunjata actually believes it and is appearing in a new documentary New World Order which premieres on IFC May 26 (and On Demand April 16). Below is a trailer:
- Next week is Earth Day and in honor of that next Wednesday, National Geographic Channel is showing a special at 9:00 about one of the world's most eco-friendly manufacturers, TerraCycle. I may have more on it later, but until then, take a look at the video below:
- Also I would just like to mention for those in Northeast Ohio like me who tuned into the Friday Night Lights season finale only to see a Indians’ rain delay, WKYC will be airing the episode Sunday, April 19 from 12 midnight to 1:00 a.m. (That's Sunday night going into Monday morning.) Also note your DVR program directory may not have Friday Night Lights listed at this time. For accurate recording, you will need to set your DVR to using the time and date rather than the program name. Of course you can always view the finale anytime on Hulu.
Earlier this month, VH1 unveiled their list of the 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80’s. So what if ten percent of the artist had a legitimate second (or more) hit. But this got me to thinking of all the artists on my iPod that only garnered one song, hence One Song Wonders. So I made up a playlist and took all the ones from the 80’s and hit random and these were the first twenty-five. And since I had an even seventy-five, you will likely see the other fifty eventually. 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. You see I wanted her real bad and I was about to give in. And that’s when she started to talking about love and talking about sin. (Keep Your Hands to Yourself - The Georgia Satellites; guessed by Angie) 2. I hear your name in certain circles and it always makes me smile. I spend my time thinking about you and its almost driving me wild. (Missing You - John Waite; guessed by Angie) 3. I said to the man “Are you trying to tempt me? Because I come from the land of plenty.” (Down Under - Men at Work; guesses by Angie) 4. Like the knife that cuts you the wound heals, but the scar, that scar remains. (Every Rose has its Thorn - Poison; guessed by Angie) 5. I’ll tell you one and one makes three. 6. Sometimes you have to try to get along dear. I know the truth and I know what you’re thinking. Down down down down da down down down. 7. All I know is that to me that you look like you’re lots of fun. Open up your loving arms. (You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) - Dead or Alive; guessed by Angie) 8. Not the word from your lips. You just took for granted that I want to skinny dip. (We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart; guessed by Angie) 9. London, Washington, anywhere you are I’ll run. Together we’ll be. 10. Face to face, out in the heat. Hanging tough, staying hungry. (Eye of the Tiger - Survivor; guessed by Angie) 11. She cuts my security; she’s got control of me. I turn to her and say… (Sunglasses at Night - Corey Hart; guessed by Angie) 12. We can act like we come from out of this world and leave the real one far behind. (Safety Dance - Men without Hats; guessed by Angie) 13. Baby, I know it makes you sad. But when they're handing out the heartaches you know you got to have you some. 14. An invisible man sleeping in your bed. (Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.; guessed by Angie) 15. We are young but getting old before our time. We’ll leave the TV and the radio behind. (Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson; guessed by Angie) 16. I’m not expecting to grow flowers in the desert but I can look and breathe and see the sun in winter time. (In a Big Country - Big Country; guessed by Anonymous) 17. Father wears his Sunday best. Mother’s tired, she needs her rest. The kids are cleaning up downstairs. (Our House - Madness; guessed by Angie) 18. Just one look and I knew you would make everything clear. Make all the cloads disappear. Put all your fears to rest. How do I love the best? (You Got it All - The Jets; guessed by Angie) 19. I don’t know what color your eyes are baby but your hear is long and brown. (So Alive - Love and Rockets; guessed by Angie) 20. People say I’m crazy, just a little touch. But maybe showers remind me of Psycho too much. (Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell; guessed by Angie) 21. Kissing like a bandit stealing time underneath the sycamore tree. (Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby; guessed by Angie) 22. So you think my sing’s out of time. Well it makes me money. (Cum on Feel the Noize - Quiet Riot; guessed by Angie) 23. Just a small town girl living in a lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere. (Don't Stop Believin' - Journey; guessed by Angie) 24. Do you wanna eat, do you wanna to sleep, do you wanna drown, just settle down, settle down, settle down. 25. Er war Superstar, er war popular, Er war so exaltiert because er hatte Flair. (Rock Me Amadeus - Falco; guessed by Angie)
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.
It has become a time honored tradition for the lead Eminem single to ultra-pop-y and insult everyone he can in three minute. And ever since The Real Slim Shady, the songs have become exponentially more disposable. We Made You is just like Better Off Ted, yeah it causes a few chuckles but there is no reason to watch it ever again.
Can’t say I am the biggest country (I much prefer classics opposed to the hillbilly moron music that populates today’s country charts) but there is just something infectious about the debut from Gloriana. And the video is just enjoyable. I love anyone who can pull off the singing face to face without being absurdly cheesy, but they managed the allusive double face to face movie. You may recognize the blonde chick as Cheyenne form her MTV reality show of the same name. Although I cannot comfirm or deny that her band mates are Bradley Cooper, Billy Riggins, and Ashley Tisdale’s younger, hotter, and brunetter sister.
Might as well make this an all country post with the latest from Jessica Harp, who made up half of The Wrecker. But judging from this song, she might join the other guy hall of fame with Art Garfunkel, John Oates, and the dude from Wham not named George Michael. Note: this video is currently iTunes Free Music Video of the Week, so as long as the picture is of her, get it for free.
Just when I thought I couldn’t be happier after hearing that Friday Night Lights garnered a two season pick up, along comes the season finale. A nice tranquil beginning to the docile sounds of Jakob Dylan with a rundown of all the coupling and the funny juxtaposition of a near empty baseball stadium considering during the football season the whole town shuts down and shows up. Of course this turned out to be a little foreshadowing.
When you thought the Riggins/Collette marriage couldn’t get any funnier than Mindy’s Finding Nemo wedding vows, we get the whole white wedding complete with a mariachi band singing Peter Frampton. But my favorite part was the Taylors wonder why they got an invite because we all have gone to weddings were we didn’t really know the bride and groom but went because 1) you didn’t want to be rude, 2) open bar. With that said, how did Buddy Garrity get an invite?
The big new going into the fourth season was Joe McCoy’s power trip to oust Coach Taylor to institute his own patsy to guarantee playing time for his boy. As eloquent as his speech to the school board was, he really shouldn’t had said anything, just stepped to the mic and flashed his jewelry and say, “That’s all I have” and walked out. It should be interesting to see who follows Coach to East Dillon, Tami? Julie? Buddy? Lance? And even if the boosters redrew the district line, does Texas have open enrollment which may lead any Panthers to change his stripes to a Lion?
This season we saw emotional and heartfelt sendoffs of Small Williams and Jason Street, but the third season really belonged to one Tyra Collette. At the beginning of the series, she was basically the throwaway character bouncing from boy to boy without a discernable plotline to participate in for the first half of that season. The writers more than made up for that with Tyra’s determination to get into college this year. Sure there was a hiccup along the way named Cash, but the student body president got her biggest win with her getting admitted into UT thanks to an admissions essay that should hang on the wall of every teen girl’s wall to remind themselves of the potential they have.
Really, it would be silly to even debate any other show is the best one currently on television; Billy Riggins of all people gave a monologue when Tim pulled him aside after the reception was better than any other character on any other show. Seriously, Billy Riggins. But the third season puts Friday Night Lights in the discussion of the greatest of this decade if not all time. I can’t wait to root for the Lions, I may even get DirecTV just to be able to do that sooner than later.
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz got to wondering about the TV shows that are sort of the opposite of guilty pleasures, the ones you don't even like very much but can't seem to quit watching. (BuzzSugar)
In case you didn't know, Vance goes to the theatre a lot, and then blogs about it. He also likes to stalk celebrities like James McAvoy after the show. (Tapeworthy)
After thinking about a particularly shocking character death this week, Jace talked to former BSG and Buffy writer and current Caprica showrunner Jane Espenson and some other television industry insiders about the role of death on television today. (Televisionary)
Sara was all aflutter over the BBC reality show Any Dream Will Do, which is possibly the campiest thing she's ever seen. Hear that Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber? (TiFaux)
Kate was oh-so-pleasantly surprised by Southland. (TV Filter)
Matt didn't love the premiere of Parks and Recreation. But he won't give up on it yet! (TV Fanatic)
This week, the TV Addict wondered if casting Leonard Nimoy in Fringe is well, highly illogical. (The TV Addict)
Free Download of the Week: Geraldine – Glasvegas (Rcrd Lbl): If you like the song that closed out Chuck this week, it was by the band Glasvegas, a group that shows up what The Clash may have sounded like if Joe Strummer were Irish. Now the song on Chuck isn’t free, but another song, Geraldine is just as good.
Video of the Week: I haven’t watched Battlestar Galactica basically because I would rather watch the story in chronological order with Caprica first then BSG. Think how much Episodes I-III had you not seen IV-XI of Star Wars yet. Granted you would get spoiled on how Darth Vader was Luke’s father. But anyways. Caprica launches as a DVD April 21 (and will also be available by digital download that day) and here is its trailer. For more on the show, head over to Discover Caprica.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Friday Night Lights, Anytime on Hulu: This is for those of you in Northeast Ohio, like myself, who were unable to watch the season finale because the local affiliate would rather show a four-hour Indians rain delay than the best show currently on television. What’s worse is I sat through the last couple minutes of Howie Do It just for them to go back to the rainy field and not even mention FNL and when, or if, they planned on showing it. Major League Baseball is at much fault as my NBC channel with their absurd “if we start a game we will finish it even if it is after midnight” philosophy. Long story short, I will be watching Friday Night Lights on Hulu sometime today.
Kings: A little less confusing this week. Not that it matters as the show is getting banished to Saturdays which is becoming the new Friday: the day shows go to die. Caruso was first then ABC announced this week they would be killing off the final three episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and Dirty Sexy Money in succession. I guess this is better than making us get the DVD to see the remaining episodes like Foc always does. But it looks like I will be catching the remainder of Kings on Hulu. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Chuck: As predicted here about a month ago, not only was Orian not dead, he turned out to be Chuck’s father. But after watching Scott Backula’s “Oh boy” routine, I actually began doubting my prognostication until he showed up at Chevy Chase’s workplace. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.
Trust Me: Much like I said last week, if the beginning of the series was as good as the last for, maybe it would have been worth saving. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: Even though it gets ripped off all the time, nothing better than a silly Romeo and Juliet rip off for comedic purposes. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
Lost: I pretty much have a full understanding of everything that happens on Lost, but the two things that go way over my head while I scratch it are all the “constant” talk and the Smoke Monster. And really how does Ben and the Others not have a name for it? Like they have never talked to each other about it especially when their sacred temple just happens to be its home. And how, and why, does draining a pool summon it? You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Survivor: Nothing more boring than a tribal council-less episode. This episode especially considering each tribe was scatterbrained. I would have loved to see how the vote would have turned out. Now that they have three more days to figure things out, it may be less interesting. And I do not know how he did it, but Tyson actyually became more annoying than Coach this episode. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
Tonight sees the premiere of two new shows (well three if you count Southland; but you have had a week to see the whole premiere on NBC.com) and you really can’t get much different from the two shows. First up is Parks and Recreation over on NBC at 8:30 sandwiched between two new episodes of The Office, both show were created by the same people. Here is an extended preview of the show starring Saturday Night Live’s Amy Poehler.
Over on CBS at 10:00 is their new ambitious series Harper’s Island which they are dubbing and a thirteen-week event. It is a murder mystery where a wedding group is trapped on an island with one guest being killed every week. And we are promised, “By the end of the 13 episodes, all questions will be answered, the killer will be revealed and only a few will survive.” Since it is only thirteen episodes, hopefully CBS doesn’t get an itchy trigger finger and cancel the show before the resolution (Fox’s Reunion comes to mind as a parallel).
To prepare yourself for the show, you can check out The Globe, Harper’s Island newspaper (where you can also check out pre-show minisobes). Also, below is an extended promo for the show. But please note, if you are not a horror fan, you may want to pass on the show and watching the clip, because it can get graphic (but from the clip isn’t any more graphic than Dexter):
On a personal note, I would like to put my money on the bride. Take a look at the other suspects below.
Cupid was a show I remember seeing but not caring that it got canceled. Sure Jeremy Piven was thoroughly entertaining as a guy who may or may not have been the Roman God of Love and Paula Marshall was likeable, but certainly not must see television. Which is unlike the next show Rob Thomas created Veronica Mars. But since very few people compared Veronica Mars to Cupid (1998), it would be unfair to compare Cupid (2009) to Veronica Mars.
Naturally it is fair game to compare the two Cupids. Both shows follow a dude named Trevor who lands himself in a mental institution because he thinks he is a Roman God whose case is taken on by a psychiatrist named Claire. Upon release Trevor takes a job at a bar. This time around the story gets transplanted from Chicago to New York City.
From the promos I feared that Bobby Canivale (Snakes on a Plane) was going to just do a Piven but turns out to more subtle than his predecessor. Unfortunately I was right in thinking that Sarah Paulson (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) is a huge downgrade from Paula Marshall. Paulson is as uptight as her character requires but lacks the likeability that Marshall brought to the role.
Inside the bar we meet owner Rick Gomez (The Adventures of Pete & Pete) taking over the role of Jeffery Sams who gets a sister this time around the comes in the form of Camille Guaty (The Nine) whom I hope starts to take screen time from Paulson. The bar adds some extra depth to the show as it is more of a club with performances and a mariachi karaoke night (which is as cool as it sounds; assuming you think it sounds cool) which is the catalyst of some great music like Donnie Hathaway, Hall & Oates, and Pat Benatar.
Granted it looks like the second go around for Cupid may actually end up airing fewer episodes than its prematurely canceled predecessor. But maybe if we are luckily, third time will be the charm in 2020 when Ryan Pinkston and Hayden Panettiere take over the lead roles.
Cupid airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on ABC. You can stream episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Cupid on iTunes.
It has been nineteen months since the time Rescue Me aired a full length episode. To put that in perspective, Pushing Daisies debuted, got renewed and then canceled all in the time since Rescue Me last aired. Naturally a lengthy “Previously on Rescue Me” is warranted for the fifth season premiere. Like who remembered that Tommy’s dad died at a baseball game right when they finally reconnected? Also Tommy is in some hot water when the new chief writes him up for being crazy partly to get back at him for leading on his daughter and partly for wearing his dead cousin’s gear when off duty.
After three very strong seasons, the fourth season went off the rails with absurd storylines that just got weirder and weirder, the extended time off seemed to do the show well as at the start of the season it is back to its strong self with most of the action taking part on the job instead of following the boys outside the firehouse. One storyline that keeps the story inside the firehouse deals with a French journalist, Karina Lombard (The L Word), who is doing a ten anniversary retrospective on 9/11 and in interviewing the crew. Also the boys go on a very explosive call which they end up bring back to the house.
Even the outside the house antics seemed better contained like Mike, White Shawn, and Franco get in business to buy a bar. Certainly that can’t go very well but will at the very entertaining for us the viewers. And Tommy’s girls all have new men in their lives, Colleen has been seeing Black Shawn while Janet has started something up with Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future), and naturally that doesn’t sit well with Tommy but Fox isn’t one to back down so there is going to be plenty of fireworks.
Also show up sometime this season, which will last for twenty two episodes, is Maura Tierney (Finding Amanda) who shows up at the firehouse after being saved by the group. Tawny Cypress (Heroes) will be spending some quality time with Franco. And Milena Govich (Law and Order) returns as the hooker that stole Lou’s money. We will even get to met some members of Sean’s family this season.
Rescue Me airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on FX. You can stream every episode over on Hulu or download them on iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
My sources tell me that Chuck is on the bubble and so I and some other TV bloggers have decided to make a consorted effort to bring to the attention of those that are not watching why they should watch and to the big wigs at NBC (and possibly any other networks that it is worth a Friday Night Lights type deal), that Chuck is worth saving.
For my part I decided to run down the hottest Token Hot Chick Pictures. For those that patron my weekly Best of the Week posts (and the occasional 57 Channels and Only This Is On) ever week I pick the hottest screen cap of the week from the CIA’s finest and here is the best of the best. If any red blooded American boy takes a look at these pictures and doesn’t start watching Chuck immediately, you may want to move to Iowa.
10. Chuck Verses the Crown Vic
9. Chuck Verses the Seduction
8. Chuck Verses the Lethal Weapon
7. Chuck Verses the Imported Hard Salami
6. Chuck Verses the Sandworm
5. Chuck Verses the Beefcake
4. Chuck Verses Tom Sawyer
3. Chuck Verses the Third Dimension (note: the picture is in 3-D if you still have the glasses)
2. Chuck Verses the Fat Lady
1. Chuck Verses the Truth
For more Chuck related articles, head over to Give Me My Remote for the aptly dubbed Chuck vs. the Network Pick Up for those which will be added throughout the week. If you would like to paticipate, you can find out over there. Also many thanks to Strahotski.com where I stole borrowed the above pictures from. And of course you can catch up with Chuck on iTunes, Amazon Video on Demand and/or DVD (and of course Chuck airs Mondays at 8:00 on NBC):
![Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-iVFV0hXCTSYP16K_V0Rrxp3GqFrtBIJKeTUyQ2LpxZQ9XKHFj6QGtqqa7oxhLadLV8vUj8R84AftD8IKUSfN0u_u0CYDtJwhrpCPN2DBWquAIDv0jbVlhZL0mDFKlPKluGyxw/s400/small_elevated.png)
on my Terror Alert Scale.
![Terror Alert Level: High [ORANGE]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebDZ0qqwOVKMZj7oFSUe8Hm3ax54U9Hp1fThJPgiddTyzcdwx_5SV6E3b7hkKyxbaDiym4COmUXT2YJnsKCUjBHI_a2xZtNoY7qFQRslP5AGO5gLkJwn2ZbO0wIF80ycbKrgPPA/s400/small_high.png)
(Scrubs, Desperate Housewives)
wedding vows, we get the whole white wedding complete with a mariachi band singing 
![Terror Alert Level: Severe [RED]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjcsCV5I3jWQDVTcnVoXbArSx3kHl02FZ8FkOHBBKP2w8mQulcCF614SIw1GjuB2JtKV2YcQOKXtMlnW2ulLSOvYvvXzDwZ3JF4Mlh0Dt2nfEL1oGLh0sk7O-GRHWbCPvJmMMKg/s400/small_severe.png)
on my 
. But since very few people compared Veronica Mars to Cupid (1998), it would be unfair to compare Cupid (2009) to Veronica Mars.
) was going to just do a Piven but turns out to more subtle than his predecessor. Unfortunately I was right in thinking that Sarah Paulson (
) is a huge downgrade from Paula Marshall. Paulson is as uptight as her character requires but lacks the likeability that Marshall brought to the role.
debuted, got renewed and then canceled all in the time since Rescue Me last aired. Naturally a lengthy “Previously on Rescue Me” is warranted for the fifth season premiere. Like who remembered that Tommy’s dad died at a baseball game right when they finally reconnected? Also Tommy is in some hot water when the new chief writes him up for being crazy partly to get back at him for leading on his daughter and partly for wearing his dead cousin’s gear when off duty.
), who is doing a ten anniversary retrospective on 9/11 and in interviewing the crew. Also the boys go on a very explosive call which they end up bring back to the house.
), and naturally that doesn’t sit well with Tommy but Fox isn’t one to back down so there is going to be plenty of fireworks.
) who shows up at the firehouse after being saved by the group. Tawny Cypress (
) will be spending some quality time with Franco. And Milena Govich (
) returns as the hooker that stole Lou’s money. We will even get to met some members of Sean’s family this season.
