(Scooter’s Note: Only shows that completed at least one full season between September 1999 and August 2009 were eligible for this list. For a complete breakdown on the list, check out Breaking Down the 100 Greatest Television Shows of the 00's)
I was on the fence on whether to watch Defying Gravity. On one hand it stars Peter Gibbons and Daisy Adair. But on the other one, it has been described as “Grey's Anatomy in space”, the crappy flagship show that amplifies that ABC stands for the All Broads Channel since shipping off Monday Night Football to ESPN. Although Defying Gravity ended up relying the lone bastion of male watching block on the channel by utilizing some of Lost’s storytelling with plenty of flashbacks, many of which are pretty worthless.
The show focuses on a six year mission around the solar system taking the crew to seven different planets to the tune of ten trillion dollars. Hopefully in forty years all of Earth’s ills have been cured because that is a hefty sum. Although it seems as the conservatives will have won the abortion debate in the future as one of the astronauts seeks out an illegal abortion. The law goes as far that they don’t even sell home pregnancy tests anymore for some unknown reason. Yet for some reason abortion is outlawed yet they are allowed to destroy embryos aboard the spaceship.
The cast is expansive, but seems to currently only focus on two formal couples, Ron Livingston (Office Space) as your token loose cannon who will break with protocol if he thinks what he is right with the lone exception of leaving two fellow astronauts on Mars ten years prior. He had a one night stand with Laura Harris (Dead Like Me) which presumably resulted in the needed abortion but the flashbacks are ambiguous in their timeline. Also no conformation on the abortion but one can assume here inclusion in the crew means she went through with it and is now haunted by baby cries.
The other former couple that was only hinted at so far are Malik Yoba (Cool Runnings), the current commander who happens to be currently wed to the boss and Christina Cox (who I thought was much younger, blonder and Britisher) who is married the former commander who was kicked off of the mission last minute for some reason and replaced by Yoba. The other crew members have yet to be fleshed out including some dude with massive scars on his back (I sense an upcoming flashback), a horny German, some dude searching for porn and the moderately attractive Paula Garces (Man of the House) who films everything.
The main drawback to Defying Gravity is that it is slow. Excruciatingly slow. And the meaningless flashbacks just make it seems slower. The lone interesting plot point (that has a high potential for the plot point to be disappointing) is that there is something(one?) called Beta that apparently is pulling the strings, booting two crew members at the last minute and apparently “allows” things to happen. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Beta being akin to HAL 9000. The other big mystery being knowledge being withheld from the astronaut that they won’t be privy to until they reach Venus. Again, I would put my money on they are not expected to make it back to Earth. Either that or that viewers won’t be returning back to the show.
Defying Gravity airs Sundays at 10:00 on ABC. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Defying Gravity on iTunes (as I write this you can download the two part season premiere for free and in HD).
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.
Much like Buffy the Vampire Slayer before it, I was late getting into Angel. And much like I caught up to Buffy thanks to FX running two episodes a day, I got my daily dose of Angel on TNT going through whole seasons in less than a month before catching up with the new airings on the network. Angel started out as just an extension of Buffy, not really noteworthy in itself the first couple season, but finally came into its own and truly because better with each passing seasons and that is why it is this month’s induction into the Scooter Hall of Fame.
Please note this isn’t a post to try to capitalize on the annoying impotent vampire craze that is going on now (in fact it just shamelessly ties into a much bigger post being released this coming Tuesday, so be sure to come back then), because let’s face it; the title character was the least interesting on the show. The show was slow to start when it was just Angel, Cordelia and Doyle. But it finally hit its stride when Angel moved into the abandoned hotel and recruited what would end up being his core group by the end of the second season when Fred join Gunn, Wesley, Lorne in the cast.
And as good as that core group was in the beginning, the show went into overdrive in its fifth and final season. This is when Angel Investigations arch-nemesis Wolfram and Hart decided to give them the keys to their LA office for Angel to run and his buddies to get their own niche in the company. It probably wasn’t a coincidence that the season was the first in which creator Joss Whedon only had one show on the year and just came of a season that saw Buffy end and Firefly prematurely canceled.
The last season also saw the inclusion of comic relief courtesy of Harmony, a former classmate of Cordelia turned vampire as Angel’s receptionist at Wolfram and Hart. Not that the show needed more comic relief because even though Angel was routinely considered darker than Buffy, Buffy never had an episode as whimsical as when Angel got tuned into a puppet. And as tentative as I was as first as Spike joining the cast, it ending up a good thing if only for the astronaut vs. caveman debate. Not the mention the final season also saw a post-Firefly, pre-Chuck Adam Baldwin as the liaison to the Senior Partners.
But of course just when the show turned on its after burns in terms of creativity, the show got canceled. Yet somehow, the series finale with the gang opening up the gates of hell as repercussions of assassinate the Circle of the Black Crown was a satisfying ending in its ambiguity, and frustrating at the same time.
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 Chuck, Community, Wanted, Bollywood Hero, Alone in the Wild, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, The Bill Engvall Show, One EskimO, and TruTV.
- Any fan of Chuck (which should be everyone reading this) with definitely want to check out ChuckMeOut.com. There you can find the latest news from the set and around the net, web exclusive video from cast and crew, exciting tasks and activities challenging your creativity and your Chuck-IQ, and opportunities to interact with fellow Chuck fans. Soon you will be able to earn points and prizes and additional features (prizing, UGC tasks) will roll out over the next few weeks. For those that want to see what all the hype with Chuck is or want to relive it, the good people over at TV Screener are giving away the Complete First Season on DVD and a $10 Subway Gift Card every week for the next five weeks. And speaking of the previously mentioned exclusive video, here is one where they interviewed some Comic Con nerds on their favorite characters.
- NBC also launched a new site for upcoming show Community, so head over to greendalecommunitycollege.com to ‘enroll.” In other NBC news, you can currently check out the second episode of Wanted over at NBC.com.
- Coming to the IFC Channel next Thursday is Bollywood Hero starring SNL alum Chris Kattan. The three part miniseries will also feature cameos from Keanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph, David Alan Grier and Jennifer Coolidge.
- Bear Grylls has nothing on Ed Wardel. Ed is currently trekking across the Canadian Yukon for three months. Head over to the Alone in the Wild site to watch his video diaries, follow his progress on Google Map Locator and more. Then look for an Alone in the Wild show on the National Geographic Channel in September.
- I showed the trailer for Sparticus: Blood and Sand a couple days ago. Here is a behind the scenes look at the show:
- Here’s one for the kiddies (or grownups that have some), there is a new online activity that follows a character named One EskimO as he tries to track down his one true love. Flash Games will be up on findlittlefeather.com in September which is also when you can buy a video album from iTunes (you can currently pre order it). For right now, check out the trailer:
- TruTV (you may remember it used to be Court TV) is starting a new rebranding, below is one of their new promos. Also look for a new season of Black Gold returning to the channel Wednesday, August 19, at 10:00.
It seems like the Nazis are getting a lot of ink lately. Tom Cruise recently tried to kill Hitler to humorous effect in Valkyrie (a movie which would have been much better if it were meant to be a comedy and stared Ben Stiller instead). Soon Brad Pitt will lead a team of Nazi killers in the upcoming Inglorious Bastards. For those that don’t mind reading subtitles, you may want to check out the Norwegian film, Dead Snow which features Nazi zombies. Because seriously, what is more evil than Nazi zombies? Then this Sunday (August 2) a new documentary on the National Geographic Channel at 10:00 called Unearthing Hitler’s Hidden Holocaust.
It should go without saying that that it is not wise eating while watching something called Unearthing Hitler’s Hidden Holocaust but I bring it up mostly because I made such mistake. As the warning that precedes the documentary suggest, there are unnerving images throughout and even some footage shot by the Nazis and they follow out their orders from high.
The documentary follows the Nazis going from town to town in Eastern Europe before the formation of the concentration camps where the soldieries would line up families and neighbors and with one bullet would leave them in a ditch then cover them up with many of mass graves still uncovered. Check out a clip below:
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.
A pretty boring video, but the true entertainment comes from behind the scene. For those that listened to the song an d though that sounded like Beyonce’s Halo, well there is a reason, the same guy wrote both songs (the dude from One Republic) and was too lazy to come up with different backing tracks. Due to the similarities, Kelly Clarkson didn’t want Already Gone released as a single, but as Clarkson puts it “In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent.” Of course if you look close at the video, you can see Clarkson make a cameo despite her protest. And no word on Clarkson’s thought of Since U Been Gone completely ripping off The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Maps.
Is it wrong that a busted up laughing at the sight of the random Nick Lachey sighting in the new video from Amie Miriello. And that was really my only thoughts on the video. Well that and this chick is moderately attractive.
It is odd how some unwatchable shows can have spinoffs that are actually enjoyable. Take maybe the most morally corrupt television show ever Extreme Make Over which spawned one of the heartwarming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to give deserving people better cribs. Then there are the almost as morally corrupt … of Love shows on VH1 where twenty strippers and porn stars vie for the affection of washed up celebrities whose back accounts are probably receding faster than their hairlines.
Yet the … of Love shows take the rejects and put the biggest head cases and nobly (at times) tried to turn them in proper woman on the Charm School series. Sure the shows are completely staged with headmistress (Ricki Lake going where Sharon Osbourne and Mo’nique have gone before) changing criteria from week to week. Usually there is one person that benefits from this more than others with the award this season going to Ashley who stuck around to the finals despite constantly berating her competition even calling someone a retard multiple which was in itself expulsionworthy.
On the receiving end of that of most of Ashley’s slurs was the unofficial star of the season, Bubbles who never failed to put in her two cents usually to the dismay of her classmates, epically Ashley. The other stand out of the season was the drunken mess that was Marcia and her broken English who swore off alcohol half way through and to her credit didn’t take another sip for the rest of her tenure on the show and that includes a stint the show that was filmed in New Orleans.
In the end Risky took home the mantel of most changed girl even though it took her until the last episode to open up. But after hearing what she said, you can understand why she wouldn’t want to share the information to a national audience. Like the previous seasons, this one got less entertaining as the season went along, but that is not to say I won’t be turning in for the inevitable Charm School featuring the For the Love of Ray-J rejects.
The angry female break up song as perpetrated by Alanis Morissette a decade and a half ago has become such a cliché even lightweights like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have multiple songs in that vein. So it is refreshing to hear the first single On Vacation from Aimee Allen who actually sounds happy to get rid of that pesky boyfriend to the point that she “has no worries anymore” and even throws in a few whistling solos to keep the upbeat vibe.
What makes Allen’s debut album (not counting the one that got shelved) A Little Happiness listenable is the diversity. Aside from the upbeat break up song of On Vacation is another happy to rid of a boy Change in Weather, a slow bouncing sing along that will warrant hand claps during live performances. Then there is the spooky Calling the Maker, a march along, menacing choir including song that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Coen Brothers movie. She picks up an ukulele to turn Sublime’s Santeria, a song about heinas and toting around.45’s into a lovely song which you can forget is about a western shootout and hookers.
Elsewhere on the album is the lullaby like La La Land which launches a trio of sweet songs that follows with the title track and Lean into Me. Those songs are followed by the most surprising song on the album God Talks which may be the best secular song with heavy religious overtones since Jesus Walks. The song even comes complete with an organ beginning and a hand clapping choir to bring the song to a satisfying conclusion.
It seems like this may be the year of the webisode as there is more and more well produced ones hitting the intertubes frequently. The latest Funnel of Darkness debuts on exclusively DailyMotion tomorrow and will air on IFC.com starting August 1. The five part mockumentary follows Team Severe, a five man group as they compete in The Funnel Baggin’ Rally, an unsanctioned competition that gives out an award to those that capture the best tornado on film.
Unfortunately also joining Team Severe in the Oklahoma panhandle are acclaimed professionals, award winning scientists, hot chick with sponsorships and unfriendly locals. Also the fact they are as passionate about getting chicks and beer as shooting tornados and their Winnebago from the early eighties are not helping much either. And unlike other web series, Funnel of Darkness is much more crass in it humor and isn’t shy when it comes to gratuitous nudity. For a preview, check out the video below:
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.
(UPN/CW)
(FOX)
(HBO)
(WB/UPN)
(Comedy Central)
(CBS)
(HBO)
(WB)
(Showtime)
(NBC)
(ABC)
(TNT)
(NBC)
(NBC)
(ABC)
(WB)
(NBC)
(FOX)
(FOX)
(ABC Family)
(FOX)
(CBS)
(HBO/Bravo)
(UPN/CW)
(FOX)
(MTV)
(ABC)
(Cartoon Network)
(ABC)
(USA/Spike/USA)
(National Geographic)
(ABC)
(Bravo)
(Showtime)
(National Geographic)
(TBS)
in space”, the crappy flagship show that amplifies that ABC stands for the All Broads Channel since shipping off Monday Night Football to ESPN. Although Defying Gravity ended up relying the lone bastion of male watching block on the channel by utilizing some of 
’s storytelling with plenty of flashbacks, many of which are pretty worthless.
) as your token loose cannon who will break with protocol if he thinks what he is right with the lone exception of leaving two fellow astronauts on Mars ten years prior. He had a one night stand with Laura Harris (
), the current commander who happens to be currently wed to the boss and Christina Cox (who I thought was much younger, blonder and Britisher) who is married the former commander who was kicked off of the mission last minute for some reason and replaced by Yoba. The other crew members have yet to be fleshed out including some dude with massive scars on his back (I sense an upcoming flashback), a horny German, some dude searching for porn and the moderately attractive Paula Garces (
) who films everything.
. The other big mystery being knowledge being withheld from the astronaut that they won’t be privy to until they reach Venus. Again, I would put my money on they are not expected to make it back to Earth. Either that or that viewers won’t be returning back to the show.
(a movie which would have been much better if it were meant to be a comedy and stared Ben Stiller instead). Soon Brad Pitt will lead a team of Nazi killers in the upcoming Inglorious Bastards. For those that don’t mind reading subtitles, you may want to check out the Norwegian film, Dead Snow which features Nazi zombies. Because seriously, what is more evil than Nazi zombies? Then this Sunday (August 2) a new documentary on the National Geographic Channel at 10:00 called Unearthing Hitler’s Hidden Holocaust.
to that list.
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on my 
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on my 
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.