Quote of the Week: You listen up, Pierce! I'm gonna tell you what my mother told me when I wanted to quit cheerleading: You're not very pretty, you have no boobs, and you can't do a basket toss to save your life. But you made a commitment. So pick up your pompoms, Pierce, stuff your bra, and get ready for the team bus to forget you at a Taco Bell, because life is tough. But we soldier on, and that's just the way it goes. (Annie - Community)
Big News of the Week: Don’t Bring Chuck Back Early: Last week when I talked about Southland being canceled I pondered what that meant for its midseason shows. Right after I wrote that rumors started up on the internets that Chuck could return as soon as this month. As much as I would like to bring back the Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week, this is a bad idea to end all bad ideas. Bringing it back with only a week or two to promote only to air for a month before taking a holiday break, then air a couple more episodes to be preempted by the Olympics will most likely kill Chuck. There is not even a street date for the second season DVD yet. If NBC is truly making a killing monetarily with Jay Leno despite low ratings, the network should just bite the bullet.
Then they can relaunch the network in a sort after the Olympics where (along with the NFL playoffs) the can promote the return to quality programming of Chuck, Parenthood (which looks to be good and hopefully the stuff behind the scenes doesn’t disrupt that too much) and if they were to move up the premiere of a show, make it Friday Night Lights. Promoting FNL during the NFL playoffs and the biggest sporting event of the year, what a novel idea. But I am not holding my breathe that NBC will do the smart thing because they didn’t even air one FNL promo during the Super Bowl last year.
Coalition Links of the Week: This week, we offered up some valuable lessons ABC, CBS, NBC and the CW can learn from the success of GLEE. (The TV Addict)
Vance loved what may have been Mia Michael's last choreography for SYTYCD on So You Think You Can Dance Canada's Top 6. (Tapeworthy)
Free Download of the Week: Glitter and Doom Preview – Tom Waits (tomwaits.com): Usually when an artist does a preview of their upcoming album, you may get one download, but Tom Waits is letting you download an eight song sampler from his new live album.
Video of the Week: The two Congressmen featured represent areas in and around Cleveland, luckily not mine. But I implore my neighbors to make sure they do not vote for either of them when they come up for reelection next year.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Mercy, Wednesday at 8:00 on NBC: Now that the fall season is in full swing, it may be time to give a chance to a new show you have overlooked. Sure Modern Family is the closest to undisputed best new show of the fall while Mercy got killed by critics. But it is not as bad as they would let you believe. Well, actually it is, but that is the charm of the show and sometimes I laugh more and harder than I do at Modern Family or some of the other sitcoms currently on air. Then for the November 4 episode, be on the look out for Elizabeth Moss who gets admitted into the hospital according to tvguide.com.
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 Friday Night Lights, Tidy Songs, Eventual Salvation, Saturday Night Live, Shameless, and Dexter.
- We may be six months away from Friday Night Lights actually airing on NBC (assuming it doesn’t get pushed up, check back tomorrow when I suggest the network does just that, but not Chuck) but is nice to see the network is still doing a little promoting for the show. Here is a behind the scenes look at a commercial filmed for DirecTV. Now if you excuse me, I have to go door to door to see if any of my neighbors subscribe and don’t mind me coming over every Wednesday for the next thirteen weeks.
- Is your iTunes library a mess with missing album art or other missing or misspelled information? Not me because I am obsessive compulsive when it comes to your libraty. But if you have a lot of songs that need archived properly you may want to give TidySongs a look.
- Documentary fans will want to tune in Monday at 9:00 on the Sundance Channel for Eventual Salvation where Dee Rees follows her 80-year-old grandmother Earnestine Smith, as she returns to her adopted home of Liberia to help rebuild a country emerging from 14 years of civil war. In other Sundance Channel news, their blog has just added Village Voice columnist Michael Musto as a writer for SUNfiltered.
- When Saturday Night Live announced their first months of hosts, Gerard Butler was the only one that said must see TV to me. Here’s hoping for a 300 parody. In other SNL skit wish list, could Mike Myers have a Kanye West discussion with Taylor Swift when she hosts next month?
- Showtime has announced that they are importing the long running English show Shameless to their network staring William H. Macy (Wild Hogs) for the pilot. In other Showtime news, starter October 25, Dexter is getting its own animated series Dexter: Early Cuts which you will be able to find on Sho.com.
It is hard for any hip-hop head not to have chills during this year’s Hip Hop Honors dedicated to the twenty-five years of Def Jam (although who invited Ja Rule). I am doing my own dedicating to the label with this month’s lyrics quiz. All of the songs came directly from the label or were produced by Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin and in some cases that is both. As usual, place your guesses in the comment (or e-mail me), both artist and song title (make sure to get your guess to songs released in this decade), and 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 quiz:
1. You still acting up. Running around here like some brand new (chicken) about to get (plucked). 2. Shadowboxing when I heard you on the radio. I just don’t know what made you forget I was raw. (Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J; guessed by Doug) 3. So like my girl Foxy, a (expletive deleted) went Def. So (expletive deleted), who’s your to ten? Is it MC Shan? Is it MC Ren? (Hip Hop Is Dead - Nas; guessed by Rose) 4. You give me your number, I call you up. You act like your (expletive deleted) don’t interrupt. I don’t have no trouble with you(expletive deleted) me. But I have a little problem with you not (expletive deleted) me. 5. So I took a big chance at the high school dance with a lady that was ready to play. (Walk This Way - Run-DMC and Aerosmith; guessed by Rebekah) 6. Hey, we don’t know each other well so why I keep picking up my cell? Memories just keep ringing bells. Ding, ding, ding, ding. 7. You will see him on TV, any given Sunday. Win a Super Bowl and drive off in a Hyundai. (Gold Digger - Kanye West and Jamie Foxx; guessed by Doug) 8. I got a squad with a list of complainers. I should have started R.A.P.E.: Rappers Against Phony Entertainers. (Pop Goes the Weasel - 3rd Bass; guessed by Doug) 9. The fellas want to have a barbecue tonight. I think it’s on about 5:00. They say it’s gonna have many Daisy Dukes and this is gonna be live. (Sweet Potato Pie - Domino; guessed by Doug) 10. The rap era’s out of control, brothers selling their soul to go gold, going, going, gone. (Crossover - EPMD; guessed by Doug) 11. Since these girls peeping me I’m a glide and swerve. These hookers looking so hard they straight hit the curb. (Regulate - Warren G and Nate Dogg; guessed by Doug) 12. Foot on the pedal - never ever false metal, engine running hotter than a boiling kettle. 13. Bass, how low can you go? Death row? What a brother know? (Bring the Noise - Public Enemy; guessed by Doug) 14. What I got you got to give to your daughter. You do a little dance and drink a little water. (Give it Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers; guessed by Doug) 15. First time I shot her, I shot her in the side. Hard to watch her suffer but with the second shot she died. (Delia's Gone - Johnny Cash; guessed by Rebekah) 16. Get the feeling of peace at the end of the day. And when your bulldog barks and your canary sings, you’re out there with winners. 17. I’m not a martyr. I am not a prophet. I won’t preach to you, but here’s a caution: You better understand I won’t hold your hand. 18. The year is ’94 and my trunk is raw, and in the rearview mirror is the (expletive deleted) law. (99 Problems - Jay-Z; guessed by Doug) 19. The truth is, I don’t stand a chance. It’s something you’re into and I just don’t belong. (Beverly Hills - Weezer; guessed by Rose) 20. I don’t mind saying it’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger. (Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks; guessed by Doug) 21. Hand grenade pins in every line. Throw ‘em up and let something shine. Going out of my (expletive deleted) mind. Filthy mouth, no excuse. 22. Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. Are you aware the shape I’m in? My hands they shake, my head it spins. Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. (I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers; guessed by Rebekah) 23. Guess who he saw? Dave the dope fiend doing dope and he don’t know the meaning of water or soap. 24. I’m a b-boy, standing in my b-boy stance. Hurry up and give me the microphone before I bust in my pants. (Slam - Onyx; guessed by Doug) 25. I got a love jonz for your body and your skin tone. Five minutes alone I'm already on the bone. (I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By - Method Man and Mary J. Blige; guessed by Doug)
With all the acclaim around its other programming on its network, it is sometimes easy to remember that one of the first buzz shows on FX, Nip/Tuck, is still on. Although not for long as it enters its sixth and final season starting tonight with ten straight episodes before concluding with the second half of the season sometime in 2010.
The season starts off with a prerequisite “previously on Nip/Tuck” that reminds us that Christian learned that his cancer prognosis isn’t as bleak as his doctors once thought after marrying Liz and Sean’s escalating relationship with his anesthesiologist Teddy. Then we get a humorous montage telling what has happened between last season’s finale and the new season and apparently plastic surgery isn’t recession proof. Although it isn’t explained why Teddy had so much plastic surgery that made her turn from Katey Sackoff into Rose McGowan.
This explains why they team up with a yet another Miami transplant Mario Lopez who managed to figure out the one recession proof surgery still left. And naturally more homoerotic situations ensue. The recession also hit Matt who is resigned to a new occupation that will have you laughing. The season premieres also features Wayne “Newman” Knight and Barry Bostwick going somewhere where Elaine has already gone before on Arrested Development. Although she never asked Michael Bluth to do what he asks Christian to do. Then next week’s surgery may go down in the pantheon of McNamara/Troy patients.
Nip/Tuck airs Wednesdays at 10:00 on FX. You can stream recent episode on Hulu. You can also download Nip/Tuck on iTunes.
With Cops going into its twenty-second season, it is odd there hasn’t been that many imitators over the year that try to capitalize on its longevity. The National Geographic Channel will give following law officers a try starting tomorrow night with Alaska State Troopers. What the show has going for it is the setting is a beautiful landscape that is probably more stunning for those that have access to the channel’s HD Channel. But on the other hand, most criminals try to get away with their infractions at night and I can’t image HD at night is much more stunning than standard definition.
The first episode takes you to the annual Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic which s the Alaskan version of spring Break where the drunken buffoons outnumber the troopers 750-1. Unfortunately with temperature regularly below zero, no girl going wild are found, but with alcohol freely flowing, there are still plenty of other stupid human tricks for the State Troopers to reign in including one especially bad liar they run into.
Later this season, the Alaska State Troopers run into illegal moos hunters, an eleven year old runaway (Alaska has the highest rate of missing persons reports in the country), snowmobile accidents, and the occasional shootouts. Although as of the first couple episodes, no troopers have made an appearance at the Palin compound.
Alaska State Troopers airs Wednesdays at 10:00 on the National Geographic Channel. Check out a preview clip below:
Tomorrow is the debut of Hip Hop Honors celebrating the twenty-five years of seminal rap label Def Jam. And to do a little honoring of my own I am highlighting one of my personal songs that the label produced that seems to get lost in the cracks in the annals of rap history. This despite being one of the few rap songs that even non-rap heads can appreciate (I remember a guy in high school who wore nothing by Metallica t-shirts who would walk around singing the Nate Dogg parts all the time) thanks to the late back rhymes of Warren G, a sing-a-long hook courtesy of Nate Dogg (and with all due respect to Mary J. Blige, he is the best of all time), and samples provided by Michael McDonald and Young Guns, where the title comes from. I dare you to press play and not instinctively sing along with ever word.
Tool Academy: I need someone to explain to me again how running across tapioca pudding leads to maturity? Shouldn’t playing with your food show a lack of maturity? And sadly Big Big got the ax, things will be less fun without him. You can stream recent episodes over at vh1.com. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
Trauma: I though the show was going to turn the corner when Herc told the gang bangers “Don’t shoot the white guy” but unfortunately the character stuff just isn’t living up to the bang bang stuff. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Trauma on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: To answer Sheldon’s question he posed at the end of the episode: yes, every hot chick to walk this planet. Or at the very least every one I have ran into. You can stream current episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Castle: It always has to be the naïve husband, doesn’t it. But what does it say about me that I was thinking that the babysitter would turn out to be the culprit. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.
Sons of Anarchy: One of the most intriguing relationships of the show is that between Hale and Unser, well Captain American Hale and anyone. But the scene where Unser told Hale why he made Hale his number two was a great one. But Hale has been uncharacteristically grey recently. First he doesn’t do anything about Darby’s meth lab and then he gives Jax the video of Opie at the scene of the crime. If Hale’s moral compass starts to drift east, is there any hope for Charming? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.
Mercy: Even though I saw it coming, I can’t believe they let a raccoon loose in the hospital. And then Dawn Summers killed it! Good times. Although Rescue Me did a much funnier Russian internet bride storyline. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: It was a little disappointing that we did get to learn what Louis said to the bully. One could deduce that it was something global warming related as it caused the kid to stay in front of The Weather Channel. But it would have been nice to know the exact threat she gave him. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download Gary Unmarried on iTunes.
Modern Family: After keeping the families separate last episode, it is clear the show is at its best when they interest. The fake producers should force the families to have at least one family dinner a week just to have an excuse to do so. And I found it odd that the eldest daughter’s boyfriend has been in more episodes than the daughter herself. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.
Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: Someone who still watches MTV really needs to remind me when there is a new Challenge because I always seem to miss the start and have to play catch up. And oh so much happened in the first two episodes. Except any punches thrown. Instead we get a lot of head butting, literally. But my favorite moment so far was Darrell’s housewife comment. He may have said it just to get under the skin of Wes, but he basically insulted every female on the show because Kelly Anne may not even crack the top five sexual partners on the show. But what be the most shocking is Brad being on the challengers team. How many of these has he participated in and hasn’t won any yet. Even Katie and Tonya have managed to scrape out a win over the past decade. You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins on iTunes.
Survivor: Samoa: I was really hoping that the one tribe was going to go 0-for until the merge. And how you could blame Monica (who thankfully didn’t go home because she was my pick to win it all) because you still were leading coming off the rope portion of the competition. You lost because you couldn’t get the final blocks to stay. Hopefully Russell’s tribe gets back to its losing ways, wise up to his shenanigans and vote him off. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.
Community: From the pilot I thought making Annie the lead would be best for the show and after this episode I realized how they should go about it. For a spin-off, follow her in her pursuit of a psychology degree because those scenes were the funniest of the series so far. I could pass along some plot ideas from the experiments I participated during my college days. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.
Quote of the Week: I’ve actually been in this situation many times so I’m just going to be upfront: I’m not allowed to date students. Even though you’re an eight, which is a British ten. (Professor Duncan – Community)
Big News of the Week: NBC Cancels Southland: Here is one of the most surprising cancelations ever as NBC has canceled Southland before it even airs. I have heard of networks canceling new shows before they air, but this is the first time I have heard of an already established show getting the ax before the season premiered. But being optimistic guy I am, hopefully this means that Friday Night Lights can return early 2010 instead of having to wait until that summer for those of us without DirecTV. Because it is not like NBC has much left to fill hole left with Day One getting cut to miniseries status; just Chuck and Parenthood (if they ever get around to recasting Maura Tierney(Scooter's Update: Never mind. Lauren Graham just signed up)). Or NBC is going to turn 9:00 into the Dateline NBC hour and only have scripted shows at 8:00.
Coalition Links of the Week: We keep hearing that the only thing keeping us from an Arrested Development movie is scheduling conflicts, so BuzzSugar checked in on what each cast member is up to now. (BuzzSugar)
Vance agrees with Mia Michaels who said that the remaining Top 4 Girls in the current So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 8 is the strongest ever. But Vance still loves Vincent best. (Tapeworthy)
Video of the Week: Another once in a lifetime performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as Chritopher Cross is joined onstage with Michael McDonald all the while backed by The Roots for Ride Like the Wind. I can die in peace now.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Hip Hop Honors, Tuesday at 9:00 on VH1: I am not sure how I feel with instead of honoring individual rappers this year instead honoring Def Jam as a whole. VH1 could have honored the label on a separate occasion because there are still a lot of artists Hip Hop Honors still need to get around to. Def Jam legends Public Enemy, DMX, Method Man and Redman will share the stage with Eminem, Wale, Kid Rock and many more during the show all backed by house band The Roots. Hopefully Christopher Cross will be nowhere to be found.
It is hard to image that The Dog Whisperer is entering its sixth season because in his hundred plus cases Cesar Millan has yet to come to the McGavin compound to tame my dogs yet. Of course of the episodes I have seen, my terrors (see Ren and Snoopy’s Doghouse) are like angels compared to most of the dogs Cesar has come up against. And for the sixth season premiere of The Dog Whisperer, Cesar is doing a little something different.
Instead of going to our houses to correct problems our dogs have, for the season premiere Cesar is showing us How to Raise the Perfect Dog (there is also a book of the same name out that Cesar has written) so we don’t have to contact him in the future. To demonstrate, adopted for new dogs of different breeds: a Labrador pup Marley, a Miniature Schnauzer Angel, an English Bulldog Mr. President, and a Pit Bull pup Junior. The latter Cesar hopes that he can groom to help him in tougher cases as he number two Daddy gets up there in age.
But after the premiere, Cesar will be back into the field helping with other people’s dog featuring thirty new episodes starting tonight. Cesar will even be heading Down Under to Australia this season as well as to Texas to work with NASA astronauts. And of course visits some well known dog owners in the next couple weeks including The Biggest Loser’s Jillian Michaels and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum.
The Dog Whisperer airs Fridays at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel. You can stream select episodes over at Hulu. You can download episodes of The Dog Whisperer on iTunes. You can also buy previous seasons and specials of The Dog Whisperer on Amazon.
At the start of the decade, I would have put money on David Gray would at the end of the decade would be one of the biggest. On White Ladder he effortless mixed a singer-songwriter and electronic music with a pop sensibility better than anyone had before. But some tragedy between albums led to a darker A New Day at Midnight and Life in Slow Motion didn’t get much sunnier. So with months until the end of the decade I am glad I am not a betting man.
But that is not to say Gray didn’t deserve to stay in the public consensus as there were plenty of great songs on those two albums. And he has put out another strong effort with Draw the Line, the first album without longtime contributor Craig McClune. Without McClune, the album has a folksier feel to it, dropping the electronic sounds of previous work. Gray also brought in a pair of singing partners, Jolie Holland adds some sweet harmonies on Kathleen. The other being a very angry Annie Lennox, whose voice I first thought was Meat Loaf until I looked at the liner notes, closes out the album with Full Stream.
Draw the Line starts off with the impassioned Fugitive which stands up with anything in the Dave Gray catalogue. And the simplistic Transformation is Gray at his best that starts with just him and the piano. But if there is a criticism to be had with Draw the Line is that as a whole it is a little too melancholy and you just wish he would let go like on Fugitive. Then there is Harder which gets too close like sounding like Run by Snow Patrol. But for those that have stuck with during his dark period will still find the classic David Gray on Draw the Line.
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.
Ask me on the right day and I say this is my favorite Dave Matthews Band song off their latest album. And this video just looks cool with all the additions to the band as the song progresses.
When The Roots signed on to be Jimmy Fallon’s house band that we would get less music from the band. But maybe being tied to one place means more albums with How I Got Over coming later this year. Speaking of The Roots night job, one byproduct is some awesome collaborations including the recent one where they backed Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald. I think I can die in peace now.
When did Norah Jones become the go to hook singer for rappers? An odd composition from Q-Tip with just one verse that just name drops his favorite rappers that doesn’t even start until a minute and a half of Jones crooning. I like it though.
Some music supervisors on television shows care more about breaking bands these days than actually fitting the best song with a scene. And writers are more than willing to write these musical montages because they can no longer fill forty-two minutes worth of dialogue anymore. I even remember reading one silly article about a feud between the supervisors of One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy on whom broke an artist first.
Then you have a show like Friday Night Lights which builds its show around the spacey soundtrack provided by Explosions in the Sky and artfully selects music not base on what is on the radio or some silly chest thumping my a music supervisor that they single handedly broke a band but on what songs would heighten the mood of the scene. This was most notably evident with the Tony Lucca’s version of Daniel Johnston’s Devil Town that bookended episodes in the first season.
Another standout from the musical department at Friday Night Lights was the song the accompanied the official coupling of Landry and Tyra with If it’s the Beaches by The Avett Brothers. I can count the number of times I rushed to my computer to find a song I heard on a television show on one hand of a shop teacher, and that is one of them. The song managed to be heartbreakingly romantic without being sappy and got massive airplay on my iPod since Friday Night Lights helped me discover it.
Now after almost ten years on the indie circuit, the brothers Seth and Scott signed to Rick Rubin’s American Recordings with Rubin producing I and Love and You. And as Rubin shown on his session with Johnny Cash, Rubin has no problem producing great country music even with the Avett Brothers eclectic set up of acoustic guitar, banjo, piano, upright bass, trumpet and cello.
For those that lone introduction to the band is their contribution to Friday Night Lights, start right off with the first single, title track, album opener, I and Love and You (three word that became hard to say) that packs the same emotional punch as If it’s the Beaches and with all due respect to Jay-Z and Mos Def, I and Love and You is the best ode to Brooklyn since the Beastie Boys refused to sleep until they got there. From the title track, move to Heart Full of Doubt where the band prefects the emotional punch of previous work with the brothers vocals soaring with intertwining harmonies.
But the Avett Brothers just don’t settle with battling with Ryan Adams for the title of sappiest artist from North Carolina, there are also have plenty of songs that could kick start any hootenanny that just beg to be heard like Kick Drum Heart, Tin Man, Slight Figure of Speech, and Laundry Room which ends with a killer fiddle solo. The even wraps up the emotional punch and upbeat party into The Perfect Space effortlessly and to great effect.
Back in 2007 I called Paramore the band of the year (See The 100 Best Songs of 2007). Granted that isn’t as prestigious as it sounds as I also called 2007 the most mediocre year ever. And Paramore just fit that description, they were nothing to write home about (or a blog about as that was the first and last time I wrote about the band on the 9th Green until today) but not bad enough that you will want to plug your ears. Plus lead singer Hayley Williams is a highly likable person that you really can’t say anything bad about (unless of course you consider being called mediocre an insult).
The band’s formula hasn’t changed much for their third album Brand New Eyes but they do sound tighter as a band and that may be attributed to the band aging (though most of the members are still unable to buy beer) and new producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day). This can be heard most on first single Ignorance that sounds like their breakout hit Misery Business but bigger. Brand New Eyes should be right up the alley the rabid fanbase it garnered with the release of Riot! or anyone who was like Avril Lavigne but wish she was more edgy (but not too much).
For those looking for a primer to get into the band, look for Brick by Boring Brick. And for anyone looking for something difference, check the slowed down The Only Exception and Misguided Ghost which makes you wish the band would go with the, soft, simplistic, acoustic route more often. Or combine the two songs like do on the album closer All I Wanted. If Paramore was able to perfect their sound on Brand New Eyes, hopefully on their next album that can expound their sound.
Tool Academy: That was a morbid therapy session. I’m not sure I would want to teach a girlfriend how to appreciate me. And another week another peak into Leah’s world. Last week we learned she was a stripper and this week she has a kid whom I am presuming is not Dre P’s. I can’t image that the Rebecca-Manscaped Tool will last that long because he was ready to dump her after the challenge even though she was a perfect lady during the date. I can’t image it would last much longer after she sees that footage. Plus as we saw from the dress she wore at elimination, she is way out o his league. You can stream recent episodes over at vh1.com. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
Greek: Holy Olivia Munn sighting! Let’s hope that she stick around a while. As an added bonus, having Cappie and Evan catering may be comedy gold. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.
The Big Bang Theory: I was really hoping that the Leonard-Penny relationship would flame out because I had the under. Plus the sooner that happens, the sooner we can get the drunken Penny-Sheldon hook-up. You can download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Castle: You pretty much knew there was going to be some sort of draw when they doubled up on the head shaving. Too bad, because the dresses side bet would have been funny. But watching Beckett get in on the action almost made up for it. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.
Sons of Anarchy: After some slow burning so far this season, we get to see a boiling point between Jax and Clay. But I get a feeling we will have to wait until the end of the season before something big goes down. You would think Piney would take things into his own hands if Jax doesn’t do something soon though. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.
Mercy:I think I may had laughed more during this episode than any of the sitcoms this week. And that wasn’t even because of the dude from Saturday Night Live because I rarely laugh at him when he is on SNL. Although I laughed pretty hard when no one tried to stop him when he cut off his ear only for a delayed tackle from the orderlies. This show may turn out to be watchable after all, but maybe not for the reasons the show wants you to watch. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.
Modern Family: Really the only thing funnier than a racist (Al Bundy calling Superman and Manny’s father illegal aliens had me on the floor), is a racist that is actually married to a minority. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.
Survivor: Samoa: Well that was a letdown. The promo made it seem like Jaison was going to plot against Russell but he just wanted to get Ben out. Hurph. And what is with all the comined immunity and reward challenges? They haven’t done a separate one yet expect for that mini one in the premiere with just the four participants. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.
Quote of the Week: Truth is, I was an idiot back then. You saw the goatee. (Ted, How I Met Your Mother)
Song of the Week: Centuries – Stars of Track and Field (Greek)
Big News of the Week: The Olympics are Heading to Rio: It is probably a slow news week when the big news is something that won’t happen for another seven years. But the Olympics will be heading to South America for the first time ever beating out Chicago despite the presence of the Big O’s. I never really understood the Chicago nomination because as a resident of the Great Lakes, I cannot imagine anyone wanting to do any open water swimming in Lake Michigan and when I think summer, The Windy City never has ever crossed my mind. Instead the games will be heading to the sandy beaches of Ro de Janeiro which may be the most visually striking games since Barcelona. And as an added bonus, it is only one hour ahead EST so none of the silly tape delays that plague NBC whenever the Games are held in the other hemisphere.
Coalition Links of the Week: Vance ranks the new shows he's checked out from best to worst. Where did you think he put Glee and Modern Family? (Tapeworthy)
In the wake of the much ballyhooed Jenny Slate controversy, Kyle examined indecency, SNL, the FCC and drew one conclusion -- who cares? (TiFaux)
As the third season of Mad Men rolls on, BuzzSugar's got the rundown on what other projects the talented ladies of the show have lined up. (BuzzSugar)
This week, we took a first look at Al Pacino in HBO's new original movie, You Don't Know Jack. (Daemon's TV)
Free Download of the Week: Trauma (iTunes): I was lukewarm on the premiere (see First Impressions: Trauma) and I cannot imagine the explosions and helicopter crashes will look better on an iPod, but for those interested you can download the episode for free.
Deal of the Week: Halloween Sale (Shaun of the Dead, Beetlejuice, Freddy vs. Jason, Ghostbusters)
Video of the Week: As a straight man, I am a huge fan of breasts and feel obligated to promote breast health every once in a while and have even participating in a few Relay for Life walks and the like. Being Breast Cancer Awareness Month here is a public service announcement featuring Minka Kelly, Alyson Hannigan, Emily Deschanel, Jamie King, and Katherine McPhee. The clip may be from Funny or Die, but early detection is no laughing matter.
Next Week Pick of the Week: 30 for 30, Tuesday at 8:00 on ESPN: No one does self congratulatory like ESPN, their 25th anniversary seemed to last five years. For thirty years on basic cable, the network is handing the reigns over to thirty directors to do a documentary on a story of the past three decades including Barry Levinson (Colts leaving Baltimore), Steve Nash (Terry Fox), John Singleton (Marion Jones) and Ice Cube (the Raiders in LA). The celebration kicks off Tuesday with Friday Night Lights creator Peter Berg looking into Wayne Gretzky’s trade to Los Angeles.
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 In Gail We Trust, Mercy, Trauma, Yo Gabba Gabba, The 20 Most Shocking, Poliwood, Episodes, and 15 Duo Who Should Do It.
- Right off of the success of CTRL, NBC’s latest foray into digital programming is In Gail We Trust starring Eliza Donavan. The ten part series is already up to its sixth episode, but for a primer, here is a trailer for the show:
- After this week’s episode, I think we can go ahead and firmly put Mercy in the guilty pleasure category. I think I actually laugh more at Mercy than any of the comedies that aired this week. And that unintentional comedy isn’t exclusive to the television as the character Chloe (You may know her better as Dawn Summers) has started a blog over at nbc.com which is pretty nonsensical. In other NBC blog news, the real Aimee Garcia has one taking you behind the scenes of her show Trauma also on nbc.com.
- Here’s one for those that have kiddies, Yo Gabba Gabba is heading out for its first tour with tickets currently on sale for American Express users (the rest can get theirs October 6). Head over to their website for times, dates and locations.
- On TruTV tomorrow in the premiere of new series The 20 Most Shocking at 8:00. The show will feature some of the most shocking things ever caught on film like practical jokes gone wrong and after-hour misadventures.
- The press release for Poliwood that looks into the convergence of politics and Hollywood actually has a line in it that says, “The film gives the viewer a front-row seat and backroom access to the most significant presidential campaign of the 21st century.” You know, of the two presidential campaigns we have had so far in the 21st century. But anyways. The documentary airs Tuesday November 2nd at 7:30 on Showtime, a week before people forget to go out and vote. In other Showtime news, Matt LeBlanc will star in Episodes about a show within a show set to air sometime in 2010.
could return as soon as this month. As much as I would like to bring back the Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week, this is a bad idea to end all bad ideas. Bringing it back with only a week or two to promote only to air for a month before taking a holiday break, then air a couple more episodes to be preempted by the Olympics will most likely kill Chuck. There is not even a street date for the second season DVD yet. If NBC is truly making a killing monetarily with Jay Leno despite low ratings, the network should just bite the bullet.
. Although she never asked Michael Bluth to do what he asks Christian to do. Then next week’s surgery may go down in the pantheon of McNamara/Troy patients.
, where the title comes from. I dare you to press play and not instinctively sing along with ever word.
- Will Hoge
(there is also a book of the same name out that Cesar has written) so we don’t have to contact him in the future. To demonstrate, adopted for new dogs of different breeds: a Labrador pup Marley, a Miniature Schnauzer Angel, an English Bulldog Mr. President, and a Pit Bull pup Junior. The latter Cesar hopes that he can groom to help him in tougher cases as he number two Daddy gets up there in age.
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