Big News of the Week: Scooter Is Moving on Up to the East Side: I have been lucky enough to nab a few interviews here at the 9th Green but the first time ever someone actually wanted to interview me. For those that have never heard of Showhype, it is a site that collects the most linked blog posts and you can even vote them up (or down) on its site. And the site decided to give me a nice write up and a short interview so head over to Showhype to get more inside on me and the 9th Green. And if you are already a member feel free to hit the up arrow on the story.
Another thing I have been quietly doing for the last couple months is being a contributor to the Hulu Awards where I have been nominating and voting on the best the site has to offer. The awards are still to be determined but you yourself can actually vote on the winners too by heading over to The Hulu Review and all the categories are on the top right column. And if you are not sure what to vote for, you cannot go wrong with Friday Night Lights for the categories it is nominated in.
Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:
Coalition Links of the Week: Gossip Girl is a great guilty pleasure — but would you watch a real-life version? (BuzzSugar)
This week, Sandie wished she knew how not to quit Heroes. (Daemon's TV)
Vance did some TV blog catch up and puts his two cents on American Idol, Lost and more. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace explored the history of the Cylon race on Battlestar Galactica and offered up some theories about Daniel, The Colony, and Kara Thrace. (Televisionary)
Dan finally caught up with the new Showtime series The United States of Tara, and discussed his troubling infatuation with John Corbett. (TiFaux)
This week, the TV Addict proved that he may have too much time on his hands by not only taking our favorite magazine, Entertainment Weekly to task for offering up their umpteenth Twilight cover. But going one step further and designing a mock-up of what this week's cover could have looked like. (The TV Addict)
Kate tried to decide which of the "real" housewives of NYC is the most recession-proof (TV Filter)
Free Download of the Week: Damages (iTunes): Not only can you grab the second season premiere for free, for those that enjoy that can for a limited time download the whole series for a discounted price.
Video of the Week: As seen earlier in the week, I bought a new computer. With my old computer I some problems watching even the standard resolution videos on Hulu let along the high definition ones. So I made up for lost time during the extended weekend last week when I wasn’t trying to uses the suspiciously titled Windows Easy Transfer (which tells me I need 65 GB on my old computer to transfer despite only having a hard drive of 55). A good chuck of my Hulu time has been devoted to clips of Attack of the Show’s Olivia Munn who was nice to condence her greatest bits into this two minute video:
Next Week Pick of the Week: 10 Items or Less, Tuesday at 11:00 on TBS: Aside from Leverage, which I mentioned last week, this Tuesday also sees the season finale of 10 Items or Less. In honor of the finale I may just finally release the video of star John Lehr talking about his time on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here!
There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I though 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.
I never thought anyone would ever beat out Puff Daddy for most inappropriate sample ever when he turned a song about stalking (Every Breathe You Take) into a song about a fallen friend (I'll Be Missing You), but Asher Roth now wins that title taking Weezer's song about an absentee father (Say it Ain't So) and flip it into a party jam. Yet I cannot hate on a dude for starting a song "I wanna go to college for the rest of my life." I feel you bro. Except who has enough money to drink Miller Lite? Natty Lite is the beer of college.
As proven by his attempt at singing, Kanye West is proving to be too ambitious for his own good. Like in his new video where which looks like when my cable box starts to read the cable bad and gets that off color, streaming effect. Instead of going off to work in the fashion industry, Kanye needs to go back to college and rediscover his roots. And destroy his auto tuner.
I may have my man card revoked for writing this but He's Just Not That Into You looks almost watchable, not that I am rushing to the cinema to watch it. Granted when I say it looks watchable I am really only talking about the scenes with Ginnifer Goodwin and the Mac Guy in an Ed reunion. The other parts look like your token romantic comedy drivel. For more on Eric McCarley, check out my review of her debut album: You Hold Your Head Up to the Sky and Say What Kind of Blue Are You.
I can typically get behind videos with puppets, and the last video from The BPA landed at number one of the Best Videos of 2008, but the Iggy Pop puppet just scares me a little. Of course the real one kind of has the same affect on me so I guess the video works on that level.
Got to love those people that do the write up on the back of DVD’s. For Cold Prey it says that, “If you think this is going to be the usual ‘trapped teens stalked by a maniac’ movie, you’re dead wrong.” The finishes off the blurb by quoting Arrow in the Head that says, “If you enjoyed the original Friday the 13th and Halloween, you’re going to love Cold Prey.” Two movies that created the “trapped teens stalked by a manic” genre.
First off, it should be noted that Cold Prey is actually Fritt Vilt and is from Norway and is spoken in all Norwegian (aside from the occasional English songs). Naturally reading and horror flicks do not mesh very well as you are reading what they are screaming but are distracted by the words you sometimes miss what they are actually screaming at.
Despite what the back cover would have you to believe the movie is about a bunch of teens being stalked by a maniac (of whom it is pretty easy to figure out within the first five minutes). The one thing that differs is that they are not stuck in a warm climate conducive to fornicating but instead takes place in an abandoned cabin resort. The kids are stuck there as one of them has a snowboarding accident and it is too far to drag them back in the impending snowstorm to their car and just happen to see the cabin just up ahead.
The injured friend makes for a hard dilemma of flight or fight when one of the five comes up missing. Even with all the reading, you can still sense the fear and claustrophobia that the snowboarders feel as someone in an oversized parka, ski goggles, and an ax hunting them down and manage to frightening and entertaining even as it goes through more than one horror clichés. And if you are grossed out by gore, you can still enjoy this movie as it doesn’t show much because it cares much more about the hunt than the kill, cleaning up the broken leg is as gruesome as onscreen gore as it gets in the movie. And being five character the maniac takes his time getting to each of them.
Apparently the Windows Easy Transfer does not live up to its name as I try to transfer files from my old computer to my new. It does not help that I have been trying to do it through my network and I keep getting disconnected during the transfer. Of course if it were truly Easy, it would let you start right back up instead of making you start from the beginning. But anyways. As I try to do this successfully (I am going to try doing it through my iPod today) take a listen of two of my favorite songs of the new year.
I recently bought a new computer and if you are reading this then I am still transferring files. Hopefully I can get everything configured the way I like it soon and get something posted by tomorrow. One advantage to this new computer is I can watch Hulu without a choppy video which i spent too much time this weekend on when I should have been doing the transferring stuff like this clip from Chuck. And really who need a Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture when there is a Gratuitious Token Hot Chick Montage.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day so I’m sure many people pulled out their Sweet Lovin’ playlist and I though I would share a few songs on mine (please not that the Sweet Lovin’ playlist is not to be confused with the Dirty, Dirty Sex playlist which is basically Prince’s catalogue on an infinite loop). 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. Now onto the lyric quiz:
1. Girl I’m in love with you, this ain’t the honeymoon, past the infatuation stage. (Ordinary People - John Nlegend; guessed by Rose) 2. Tonight let’s be lovers, tomorrow, go back to being friends. (Say Goodbye - Dave Matthews Band; guessed by Angie) 3. Suppose I never ever saw you. Suppose you never ever called. Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my fall. 4. Do me wrong or do me right. Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight. (Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight - James Taylor; guessed by Rebekah) 5. My back is broke and it’s a hurtin’. All I want is for you to make love to me. (Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones; guessed by Angie) 6. Do my best to follow through, come up with a master plan, a home hit, a winning stand. A guarantee and not a promise that I’d never let your love slip from my hands. 7. And the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize just how much I love you. (Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton; guessed by Anonymous) 8. It’s undeniable that we should be together. It’s unbelievable that I used to say that I’d fall never. (Back at One - Brian McKnight; guessed by Angie) 9. I don’t mind spending every day out on your corner in the pouring rain. (She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5; guessed by Angie) 10. Baby, baby, baby, I can wait for the first time. My imagination is running wild. (U Don't Know My Name - Alicia Keys; guessed by Rebekah) 11. Pour the wine. Light the fire. Your wish is m command. (I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men; guessed by Rebekah 12. When you kiss me on the midnight street. Sweep me off my feet. Singing ain’t this life so sweet. 13. When your secret heart cannot speak so easily. Come her darling, let the whisper start. (Have A Little Faith In Me - John Hiatt; guessed by Rebekah) 14. September’s coming soon; I’m pining for the moon. And what if there two side by side in orbit around the fairest sun. (Nightswimming - R.E.M.; guessed by Rebekah) 15. I said I love you and that’s forever. And this I promise you from the heart. (Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel; guessed by Rebekah) 16. It’s our God forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved. (I'm Yours - Jason Mraz, guessed by Molly) 17. Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill. (Kiss From a Rose - Seal; guessed by Angie) 18. That helping hand, someone to understand. When you have lost your way you have someone there to say I’ll show you. (Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie; guessed by Angie) 19. I just remembered that time at the market. Snuck up behind me and jumped on my shopping cart and rode down aisle five. (Comfortable - John Mayer; guessed by Molly) 20. I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you know. (Wonderwall - Oasis; guessed by Angie) 21. Now would you die for the one you love? Hold me in your arms tonight. (Hero - Enrique Iglasias; guessed by Angie) 22. Think I’d leave you down when you’re down on your knees. I wouldn’t do that. I’ll tell you you’re right when you’re aren’t. 23. You said you’d give me a highway with no one on it. A treasure just to look upon it. (All I Want Is You - U2; guessed by Molly) 24. I’m quiet you know. You make a first impression. I’ve found I’m scared to know I’m always on your mind. (Collide - Howie Day; guessed by Molly) 25. Love, I get so lost sometimes. (In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel; guessed by Molly)
Quote of the Week: He’s Korean, I’m from Encino. (Miles, Lost)
Song of the Week: Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers (as sung by Raj, The Big Bang Theory)
Big News of the Week: I’m Sorry Alex Rodriquez, You’re Just a Tool: I’m not sure what was less surprising, that Michael Phelps got caught with his lips halfway down a bong pipe or that A-Roid failed a drug test. Which begs the question, what will opposing fans taunt A-Roid more about next year: his steroid abuse or hooking up with Madonna. Or option C that A-Roid will get caught up in something else will come up between now and opening day.
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz threw caution (and logic) to the wind and made her picks for this year's American Idol top 12. (BuzzSugar)
The smile and blond hair have a lot to do with it, but Vance still defends The Mentalist (with Simon Baker) is way more fun to watch than a procedural has any right to be. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace reviewed the first few episodes of Joss Whedon's new FOX drama Dollhouse, starring Eliza Dushku. (Televisionary)
Yeesh! Not even a decent Weekend Update could save a pretty dismal Bradley Cooper-hosted Saturday Night Live. (TiFaux)
Kate and Raoul rounded up all of their remaining questions about Battlestar Galactica. (TV Filter)
Tool Academy: It is pretty clear that Tommy should win because he was the only one who opted out of getting the Tool Academy tattoo. And not only did the other Tools got the tattoo but they got a huge version of the crest of it. That alone should disqualify them. And after this episode it is clear that they need to do a female version of the show. Although I am not sure what they can call it because all the common derogatory terms for females won’t get past the censors. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: Leonard’s mom being a female version of Sheldon was cheesy, cliché formulaic and fracking hilarious. Her calling out Raj and Howard’s homosexual relationship may have been the funniest thing the show has ever done. The look on Howard’s face was priceless. Then Leonard made possible the dumbest mistake since Chris Webber trying to call a time-out. Just shut up and head for home. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Trust Me: The whole Conner going after a pregnant ex-girlfriend really struck me the wrong way like the writers were purposefully trying to destroy the character before the show could get off the ground. Really quite disturbing. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes.
Lost: I have this sinking sensation that soon we will be dealing with three separate time period: the people still on the island circa 2006 (or wherever they may be), the Oceanic Six circa today, and Locke circa wherever he may have been warped to via the frozen donkey wheel. Of which supposable stopped the time warp according to Jack’s dad. As annoying as the multiple warping per episode I’ll be disappointed because there are still plenty of unanswered questions I thought we would get during all the flashes.
Freshest in my mind is there are still holes in the Rousseau backstory. Like we learned that she wasn’t in fact crazy and killed her team for no reason but what exactly infected her team and why did she survive? Or how did she go from having a French accent to a strong Serbian one?
We also can deduce a few things like that Locke will come back to life because he still has to tell non aging dude where, and when, to find him after being shot by Ethan. We may also be able to assume that when Locke un-jammed the Donkey Wheel that the people still on the island won’t get warped back to 2006 but will be stuck in whatever time they last were. And considering Faraday has to tell Charlotte not to come back to the island and he starts working for Dharma, as seen in the premiere, that they are suck in the sixties somewhere.
As for the Oceanic Six, we get the most anti-climatic reveal of the show that Faraday’s mother is the person working with Not-Henry. And not a peep from Desmond who saw her in his flashback/mind warp thing. And then after making a big deal about everyone going back for two seasons, she just like oh well when just three of them show up. Although I wonder if Not-Henry knows about Penny and Desmond and deduce that she is in the vicinity to kill. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: I’m not sure what was the best part of the episode, Landry listening to Skid Row, Riggins repeating Buddy’s mantra to everyone, or Herc defense as to why it is okay to have pornography around babies. Oh have I missed Herc. They really need to work him into the show more. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Free Download of the Week: Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip) - N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the The 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Tuesday at 10:00 on TNT: Gotta love the promo for the show that hypes “Either Nate gets his vengeance or his friends go to jail for the rest of their lives.” I am going out on the limb and predict that the latter won’t be happening. But anyways. Tuesday starts off a two part season finale of what turned out to be the best new show of 2007. Then if in time for the second part on February 24, TNT is running an all day marathon airing the previous 12 episodes beginning at 10:00 A.M.
Why Survivor. Why must you vote out the hottest chick first? It happened last season and again this season. Sure Carolina Eastwood had an annoying voice, possibly the most annoying of any reality contestant ever, but that is why God gave us the Mute button. Unfortunately her tribemates didn’t have the luxury of a Mute button which may have led to her demise.
The big draw of Survivor: Tocantins was that they were voting for people right off the truck. But much to the surprise of everybody, the top vote getters were not taken right out of Brazil but got a helicopter ride to their camps, bypassing the four hour hike in 100 degree weather. I am not sure what Sierra Reed looked more upset about, that she got the most votes our her and her strep throat had to stay in the game.
But that is just where the fun began, I liked that they were given the option of either searching for a hidden Immunity Idol. But I wonder why not both? Did they dig up Sierra’s Idol so she could never get it later since she choose to set up the camp and forced Sandy Burgin not to do any work after she gave up looking for the Idol? And how could she possibly not know how long ten paces are? Has she never seen a pirate movie ever in her life?
This year may also have the most famous contestant ever Tamara Johnson-George who you may know better as Taj from 90’s R&B group SWV (don’t tell me you don’t remember Weak). And to add to her net wealth is the George part of her last name that she got from ex-Tennessee Titan Eddie. Eddie also went to Ohio State, the state’s whose former Miss Ohio Candice Smith is also a contestant this season although I don’t think we got to hear a word from her yet. There is also a multi-millionaire on the show but I don’t care enough to look that up but I will just assume that it is entrepreneur Brendan Synnott. The only other contestant of note is Mormon, nudist, professional cyclist Tyson Apostol. Here are some of my predictions:
Will Be Most Loved: Spencer Duhm
Will Be Most Hated: Brendan
Most Likely to Quit: Taj
Will Be Voted Off Next: Erinn Lobdell
Most Likely to be Blindsided Before the Merge: Benjamin “Coach” Wade
Contestant I’d Most Like to Have Dirty, Dirty Sex with Even if She Hasn’t Take a Shower in a Month: Sydney Wheeler
Survivor: Tocantins Winner: James “JT” Thomas Jr.
Back Up Choice: Jerry Simms
Survivor: Tocantins airs Thursdays at 8:00 on CBS. You can also download Survivor: Tocantins on iTunes or through Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
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 Eastbound and Down, The Closer, Heroes iStory, Tracy Jordan, Kindle 2, and free Mieka Pauley.
- In a story I broke last week, February 15th at 10:30 sees the premiere of Eastbound and Down starring Danny McBride of Pineapple Express fame. So those with HBO, cozy yourself up next to your Valentive and take a look. Before then, check out this behind the scene look at the show.
- Amy Sedaris starts up a two episode arc on The Closer this coming Monday at 9:00 as the sister of the groom and phychic who wants to help Brenda on a case which hilerity will surely follow. Check out a clip below:
- For those have yet to jump ship on Heroes, Heroes iStory recently returned with The Agent, a story that parallels Volume Four of the show. For fans not familiar with the iStory, the interactive feature at NBC.com puts fans in the seat to decide the outcome and fate of the story. I get the sence it is kind of like the old Choose Your Own Adventure books from our youths. Head over to NBC.com to check that out.
- Not to be upstaged by Christian Bale, Tracy Jordan of 30 Rock fame went on his own rant recently. Head over to NBC.com to give that a listen.
- When the Kindle arrived, it was supposed to be the iPod of reading but a year later and I have not met anyone that owns one. Maybe with the release of the Kindle 2 it will finally catch on. It totes a 25% longer battery life, more storage (1500 books), 20% faster page turns, a Read to Me function for the deaf or lazy people like me that hate to read. So if you have $359 burning a hole in your pocket, check out the banner below. Presumably you could read the 9th Green there but I am not entirelym sure how.
- For those that do not have that kind of money to spend on luxury, how about something for free? For a limited time Amazon MP3 is offering up the entire album by Mieka Pauley for free. She is kind of in the acoustic singer-songwriter in the vein of early Jewel. So give a listen to the clips below and if you like it, you can get it for nothing as long as it is still says free.
There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I though 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 fairly boring video with just the members of U2 playing in front of a green screen with just random stuff happening behind them like a more psychedelic iPod commercial. Hopefully the song isn’t n indication for what No Line on the Horizon is going to be as the song is just a weaker version of Vertigo. Luckily U2 tend to release some of the weakest songs of an album as the first single and Get on Your Boots may rival Discoteque in its absurdity.
Oh snap! It was the friend that he was cheating with. Okay, it wasn’t that surprising. And Taylor Swift may want to sticking to videos with no dialogue.
This new Sara Bareilles video reminds me a more colorful version of Fiona Apple’s Never Is a Promise video in the look and sound which is a good thing in my book.
It is easy to tell that Lily Allen has a huge inferiority complex. She dropped a great Mark Ronson produced album but a month later it was his other album with Amy Winehouse that got all the awards. Then Katy Perry completely stole her style to the point where she should collect a royalty check, and then scored the biggest of the summer with a watered-down version of Lily’s much catchier music.
So for her sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You she tries to distance herself from her retreads. Gone is Ronson, instead replaced by Greg Kurstin (The Bird and the Bee), and gone are her attacks on ex-boyfriends (aside from Not Fair which might as well have been called Not Big part II). Instead she has bigger targets like George Bush on (Expletive Deleted) You which although catchy can get old considering the song was officially released after the dude left the album and all the attacks on 43 have been heard multiple times before (daddy issues, racist, intelligible, war mongering).
She also goes for bigger targets like God where she ponders if the Big Guy has ever done drugs, who he would vote for, or if his favorite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival on Him. Allen even gets on her social commentary hat on with the opener Everyone’s at It where she points out the hypocrisy of people who take prescription drugs criticizing those that take the illegal time. The Fear is a tongue in cheek look at today’s materialism and fame. But you have to wonder how tongue and cheek the song is with lines like “I’ll take my cloths off and it will be shameless but everyone know that’s how you get famous” considering she spent most of last summer getting her picture taken without a bikini top on.
The lack of Ronson, who may or may not be the subject of I Could Say (“Since you gone I’ve lost that chip on my shoulder, since you been gone it’s like the whole world is my stage”), is what really brings down the album. His retro horns and Motown hooks gelled really well with Allen’s snarkiness. Kurstin does bring some diversity mixing his danceable track with barroom pianos (22), techno (Back to the Start), piano balled (I Could Say), French cabaret (Never Gonna Happen), oldies folk (He Wasn’t Time) and even country (Not Fair). But not diverse enough to keep you from thinking how some of the song could have used the Ronson magic touch.
A fairly low key event this year at the Grammy’s missing the usual goosebumps moments the show is known for instead there were too many head scratching moments. Really, the big surprise of the night was Stevie Wonder performing with the Jonas Brothers. And if I am not mistaken, this was the first year they didn’t run the “Awards previously handed out earlier” segment instead opting for a “go to gammy.com” to see those. Granted I am too lazy to do so. Here are some other thoughts from the night:
- Even though they were not up for any award, U2 opens up the show. Hopefully Get on Your Boots isn’t a preview of what is to come on their new album as it is just a Vertigo retread. Then we get our first awkward moment of the night with Bono throwing to Whitney Houston.
- I know they were engaged, but it is hard not to start laughing seeing I Love New York castoff Punk next to Jennifer Hudson, who takes home worst dressed award (M.I.A. gets a pass on account that she is nine months pregnant).
- The biggest showdown in the night didn’t actually take place in any announced category, but between The Rock and Jay Mohr between for most uncomfortable dialogues.
- The Rock throws to the next awkward moment of the evening with Justin Timberlake rambling on about stalking Al Green or something. Granted this performance was rushed together after Rihanna canceled her performance early Sunday after she may or may not have been assaulted by Chris Brown.
- I was a little disappointed that Coldplay didn’t get served during their performance. I actually thought that was Jay-Z was doing before I recognized him. And is Coldplay winning a Grammy for Viva la Vida the musical equivalent of Barry Bonds being the home run king?
- Miley Cyrus should go back to lip-syncing Hanna Montana songs for ten year olds. Singing live just isn’t her strong suit.
- A little part of my soul died watching Stevie Wonder slumming it with the Jonas Brothers. And isn’t Superstition a little too heavy for the teens. Will they be performing Walk on the Wild Side with Lou Reed next year?
- Do we really need a Blink-182 reunion? Certainly their sophomoric rock was fine when you’re twenty-three, but not when you are thirty-three.
- Did I miss the point of My Grammy Moment? Wasn’t it to perform with someone on stage at the Grammy’s, not having your video played on a screen behind someone for about twenty seconds? And one of the Jonas Brothers looked a little too excited during the Katy Perry performance.
- And here is why CBS is the number one network and NBC will be battling The CW soon. During their big event last week, NBC only promoted one night of television, while CBS actually spread out all their shows including upcoming ones. Although if I am Vegas, I setting the Over/Under on Harper’s Island at 5 episodes. That just looks cheesy. And can I go ahead and predict the Bride does it.
- It may be time for a Kanye West intervention. It is never a good sign when you are starting to look and dress like Michael Jackson circa Off the Wall.
- Well at least the Adele / Sugarland wasn’t as bad as when the country band joined Beyoncé onstage for Irreplaceable.
- Why is USC the go to marching band? Certainly being in Los Angeles has something to do with it. But can’t someone give UCLA a little love?
- Shouldn’t T.I. be in jail by now? Since when do we let felons just wonder the country for a couple months before repaying their debt to society? To make maters worse, I have to sit through that horrible Justin Timberlake collaboration. That should add a couple more months to his sentence.
- Holy Neil Diamond sighting. But how do not get an all-star chorus to sing a drunken backup like has happen in every bar for the past thirty years? That could have been the highlight of the show.
- I would like to make it known I am completely against doubling and tripling up the tribute portion of the program.
- And the least surprising part of the night was the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss sweep. And that is your 2009 Grammy’s. Yay.
Tool Academy: Thanks to the promo monkey who basically gave away who go kicked off this week as it became pretty apparent that M.E.G.A.’s girlfriend would turn out to be the Tool that gets her boy kicked off this wee. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
Chuck: Yeah that 3-D stuff sucked. When I watch something in 3-D, I want object to feel like they are an inch from my nose not look like they just come an inch out of the television. And except for the flying knife during the elevator screen, there really wasn’t much that was 3-D worth. And they really glossed over Chuck being disturbed that he saw the Token Hot Chick killed someone. That was supposed to be the big cliffhanger and she was able to explain her way out of it in less than a minute. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.
How I Met Your Mother: So was the theme of this episodes was that I should delete that I am an award winning actor and a Safety Town volunteer off my résumé? You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.
Trust Me: Do Thumbthing seems like the tag line equivalent of a Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip sketch to the point I spent most of the episode thinking, they are doing everything they can to keep Do Thumbthing? And Ed made my point to the focus group because as someone who grew up with a speech impediment (or three) who had to be pulled out of elementary classes two times a week for a half hour, I found it a bit offensive. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Lost: Now that was a huge shocker: Rousseau was actually quite attractive in her youth. But anyways. It was odd that Sawyer would call the Polynesian Boat people Other Others because I thought Faraday and his ilk were the Other Others. I originally thought that it may be the Oceanic 6, but they don’t really need two boats, but it seems obvious that that time is somewhere in the future. So I’ll go with my old standby when I don’t know and predict that it is Whitmore people. Speaking of time travel, they should really limit themselves to one flash per episode like in the perennial time travel show of all time Quantum Leap. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: What a bunch of heart wrenching scenes between Tyra telling Landry she chooses the rodeo dude and Matt telling off his mother. But at least they followed those up with the scene at Texas A&M (which Jo apparently thinks is a great school or something, I mean, it is no Kent State or anything) between Coach, Smash and the A&M coach which will go down in the anneals as on of the best Friday Night Lights scene ever. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Big News of the Week: Michael Phelps, I’m Sorry, But You’re Just a Tool: Naturally whenever you make list, right after you publish it you think of a couple thing you forgot. Like last week when I gave my dream Celebrity Tool Academy list but forgot to include Michael Phelps. And that would be a deserved spot even before his most recent picture came out, but being dumb enough to put your lips half way down at a house party with dozens of co-eds with camera phones.
Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week (in 3-D!):
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz wondered what's been driving viewers away from Ugly Betty this year. (BuzzSugar)
Now that the spoilers are out, Vance handicaps the alleged Top 36 American Idols and needs help making his picks for an Idol pool! (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace landed quite a few scoops, celebrated Televisionary's third birthday, and marveled at the latest installment of HBO's deliciously taut polygamist drama Big Love. (Televisionary)
Scrubs has its faults, we all know this, but Jesse decided that people should give it a little more credit than it gets. (TiFaux)
Free Download of the Week: Sonny with a Chance (iTunes): Here is one for the kiddies. My sources tell me that Demi Lovato is huge in the underage crowd.
Video of the Week: No specific date set yet, but Rescue Me returns sometime in April. But since there hasn’t been a new episode since August 2007, I guess another two months won’t hurt. Maybe I can finally get around to watching the minisodes while I am waiting. Here is a promo:
Video Has Been Removed Due to Terms of Agreement with FX
Next Week Pick of the Week: Survivor: Torantins - The Brazilian Highlands, Thursday at 8:00 on CBS: The last time, and only other time, Survivor hit Brazil was the first time the show spilt up tribes by gender. But the show is moving out of the Amazon and to the Highlands. And please excuses me if I get weak in the knees if Tamera “Taj” Johnson-George takes it downtown to a win because it is only human nature because she is always on my mind. Although I may have root for my former Miss Ohio Candice Smith. Fun Fact: her predecessor, Kim Mullen, was in the Palau cast.
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 Gifted Hands, Charles Darwin, Eastbound and Down, 30 Rock, Leverage, and Meet the Browns.
- On Saturday at 8:00 TNT is presenting Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. As you would expect it is cheesy, overdramatic, and sappy. Of course it is also touching, powerful, and uplifting at the same time. Check out a clip below:
- February 12, 1809 was a pretty good day for births: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were both born on that date. To celebrate the latter, The National Geographic Channel is holding a two day celebration next week. Here is a rundown:
Sunday 8:00 - MORPHED: FROM DINOSAUR TO TURKEY digs 230 million years back into the fossil record to witness the emergence of the first dinosaur and follows different dinosaur species as they respond to changes in the earth's environment. Sunday 9:00 - MORPHED: WHEN WHALES HAD LEGS examines the environmental pressures that turned a wolflike creature that hunted in shallow waters into a leviathan of the seas. Sunday 10:00 - MORPHED: BEFORE THEY WERE BEARS travels back 30 million years to watch the bear's doglike ancestor climb down from the trees of central Europe and set out on a journey that spanned the planet. Tuesday 9:00 - DARWIN'S SECRET NOTEBOOKS; Using Darwin's own diary and field notes as a travel guide, National Geographic Channel retrace Darwin's expedition beyond the Galapagos to uncover the forgotten evidence that inspired his revolutionary work. We see how fossils in Argentina, seashells in the Andes and fish in the South Pacific helped him cultivate his radical theory of evolution. Tuesday 10:00 - EXPLORER: MONSTER FISH OF THE CONGO; Join a team of adventurers and scientists and travel deep into the heart of Africa's Congo River Basin in search of an elusive man-sized predator known as the tiger fish. While locals believe this ravenous relative of the piranha is cursed, scientists believe the fearsome fish may hold the key to understanding the evolution of an extraordinary array of bizarre creatures found throughout the Congo.
- Danny McBride, you may remember him from recent movies Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express, is starring in a new HBO show Eastbound and Down about a major league pitcher who returns home to North Carolina to teach Phy. Ed. The show debuts February 15 at 10:30 and head over to HBO.com fore some behind the scenes video.
- My sources tell me that Valentines Day is next week. And for those that you want to get something but don’t want to give them the wrong idea by actually spending money on them, head over to NBC.com to send them a 30 Rock e-card.
- A couple weeks back Leverage featured a trio of Whedon-verse actors and the show continues to cater to the sci-fi genre despite not actually being a part of that genre by recruiting three Star Trek alums Brent Spiner, Armin Shimerman and Kitty Swink for an episode where Parker gets stuck on jury duty. Naturally all the social interation doesn’t sit well with her. As an added bonus, the episode is directed by Jonathan Frakes who was on The Next Generation. In other Leverage news, the show has been renewed for a second season which is currently set to return later this year.
- Good news for those that like TBS’s Meet the Browns, after becoming cable’s number one ad supported comedy on cable for its original ten-episode run, TBS has announced they are going to produce another seventy episodes for a total of eighty.
Bit busy today so I will keep it brief. The album I am most looking forward to this spring not named No Line on the Horizan is by Michelle Branch. I am not sure when it is coming out but both of her previous solo album are worth checking out. My favorite song off of Hotel Paper is the song below.
The Fray are basically a band for those that want to get into Coldplay but in the end find them too artsy. That made it appropriate that the band got its big break by being placed in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, a television show for women who would like to get into daytime soap operas, but find them to wordy.
There are no deviations on The Fray’s self-titled sophomore album from their debut. Lead singer Isaac Slade is still doing his best Chris Martin impersonation on the ivories while his band follows along with paint by numbers accompaniment. The lyrics are still geared toward relationships, be it friends family or that significant other.
But much like their big hit off the first album, How to Save a Life, when everything comes together, they can still deliver an emotional punch much like on the first single You Found Me that finds the band talking to a chain smoking deity on a street corner.
But much like the first album, when they cannot muster up enough to land a punch, it can be pretty sleep inducing like Ungodly Hour which should go into heavy rotation at any sleep inducing clinics. And when the band finally tries to change the mid-tempo, heart-bleeding template from their debut, like near the end of The Fray with the straight ahead rocker of We Build Then We Break, it just seems forced.
Coldplay were able to break their own mold with their forth album, hopefully The Fray can do that next time out with their third.
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- N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the 
is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
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