Friday, November 20, 2009

Reasons to Watch Modern Family

I'm going to confess that Modern Family is not a regular on my DVR. I do catch the show whenever possible online, and I have fallen for it. I think it's a great show, with some minor flaws.

  1. Ed O'Neil - He's an older, richer, slightly happier about life Al Bundy, but the extra depth his character has makes him loveable.
  2. Manny - This is Ed O'Neils hot wife's son. He's played by Rico Rodriguez. This kid is not only cute, but plays a wise beyond his years consultant to the family. He often steals the scenes he's in and you're happy he does.
  3. Claire and Phil - played by Julie Brown and Ty Burrell they're marriage dynamic takes a back seat to their parenting skills which are honest and exaggerated which makes them very funny.
  4. Mitchell and Cameron - The gay couple which show a lot more diversity in personality than other gay characters you see in primetime.
This show is consistently funny. The only flaw I personally have with it is I'm not really in the mood for a family show a lot and this is the quintessential modern family sitcom.

Reasaons to Watch Community

It's no secret that I was looking forward to NBC's Community. Now that we're well into the season I figured it's time to write my reviews of the shows I was looking forward to here. First up, Community.

  1. Joel McHale - His character is smooth talking but has enough hubris to be enjoyable.
  2. Chevy Chase - A great secondary role, and he can still take a fall and make it hilarious
  3. The rest of the cast - Everyone is awesome and I'd thank the writers. Not like the actors aren't talented, but the characters are well defined via dialogue, actions and story archs.
  4. It's hilarious - I laugh out loud at least three times every episode. That's a very good average.
If you're already into Community and want to love it some more I've heard great things about the extras on NBC.com. I'd also recommend following the show's creator, Dan Harmon on Twitter. He's very funny and sometimes discusses the making of the show and gives episode teasers.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

'Hung' A Reaction

I just got around to watching the pilot of Hung.
Um, excuse me all you reviewer haters - it's not that bad at all!

It's actually very watchable. In fact, it's kind of fun.

Hung's story line is relatable and farcical at the same time. It's about a man, Ray, who is trying to fix his family and finances. Ray, is a guy who seems to be unable to catch a break, is costing as a teacher/coach and isn't terribly talented. He does however have all the right assessts any lascivious woman would want in a man.

He decides via a series of events stemming from the self-help 'make me a millionaire' convention that he is going to become a man-whore, with the help of this 38 year old poet chick he bangs.

Now, it's not exactly what you'd call a family sitcom, excluding the fact that this does center around a "modern family" (which basically just reads as family dealing with divorce and realistic teenage antics). I can't help but liken it to The US of Tara, which is another show that many don't like because it doesn't feel real that a family would be put through a mother with multiple personality disorder.

I find it oddly heartwarming to watch these shows where parents do ridiculously scarring things to themselves and their children, but then are able to come back looking to their children for forgiveness.

I know we've long left the world of Leave it to Beaver behind. The Happy Days where kids do something wrong and then hang their heads down low and say, "Aw shucks, Mom, Dad, I'm sorry for taking the car." The comfort in these shows was the ideal that no matter what, your parents love you.

Current premium cable shows like Us of Tara and Hung have turned this ideal on it's head and taken it for a spin in the back of a Cadillac. The parents go to the kids and say, "I'm sorry I took the car and had sex with a bunch of tertiary characters."

While it's a disturbing commentary on the way American families have changed, I I can't help but be entertained by these shows. At the end of the episode, they tell us all, "It's ok, you'll always have your family." Which is sweet, until you realize that they're also saying, "...and you got to see some naughty things done, too."

But what the hell, I'm a fan of them. I love seeing people with crazier lives than my own.

True Blood, Look What You've Done to Me

For the past year I had given up on HBO.
It's not that I don't appreciate the quality of programming it's provided in the past.
It's that the more recent programs haven't been extra cable fee worth.

Let's take a look at what I'm saying:

Curb Your Enthusiasm
- This is a wonderfully structured improvisational sitcom with great music, but the storyline is repetitive. Larry David accidentally offends, he won't apologize, hilarity ensues.

Entourage - This show reminds me of the Kayne West song Good Life. It's all about trying to keep those roots while moving on up. In this case, it's about being a movie star and livin' large in LA with fast cars and hot women. It was really fun the first few seasons, crazy parties and loud Ari, but it's not a show I miss watching.

Big Love - I used to love this show, first and second seasons were pretty enthralling. At times this show reflected the power of families working together in criminal activities more than The Sopranos. Yet, the show has somehow meandered about and lost some of it's allure.

Hung- The ads alone for this show turned me off. They took over bathroom stalls in NYC to show how 'sexy fun' this show is going to be. If you have to try to make me think that with intrusive campaigns, I'm not going to believe you.

East Bound and Down - Here's where I get controversial ... I hated Fist First Way. I haven't even tried this show, but I hear I should give it a chance. Perhaps I will overcome my mental block because ....

True Blood - My friend and I rented True Blood one lazy weekend and got hooked. It's hard not to fall for this fast paced thrilling story. It's also easy to see why some people are so easily turned off by it. The characters, in the beginning of the first season especially, are in desperate need for southern dialect couches. Each episode ends on an edge of your seat cliff hanger though, that makes you want to know what happens next to these characters you unexpectedly fall for again and again. By the third episode we were cheering the sounds of the opening sequence. We want bad things to be done to us you crooner.

The second season was just starting the weekend we finished the first season. This is when I realized we had gone mad for True Blood. My friend and I started seeking out the new episodes - on the net, at friends houses. We'd been doing pretty good catching up here and there with the season, until this weekend rolled around.

The finale occurs tomorrow night and we began trying to figure out how we could get HBO. "Maybe you could go out and meet a dude with HBO..."
No! I won't pimp myself!
"Maybe we could chip in and get a hotel room..."
Is it really worth $50 each?
Then, I came to ridiculously simple epiphany - I can just get HBO. For like $12 more bucks a month I'll get it just so we can see the end of this saga.

So, this morning, I called up and got the channels and I'm re-watching the season with bated breath waiting for tomorrow.
Perhaps I'll try these other shows again, or for the first time, to see if they'll change my mind. Who knows? They might be a fun way to pass the time.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Say Goodbye to Summer

There are a lot of people who say summer is a slow season for television, and to those people I say,
"Get cable."

This summer there was some of the best TV going on, I hope you got in on it. If not, here's what you should catch up on this Labor Day weekend.

Nurse Jackie -I'm going to be honest here, I'm a little biased because the character lives near by me in Queens. There's a neighborly comradery I feel with this over-worked, drug-addicted, nurse. Edie Falco is wonderful, as always, but the supporting cast also shines. After viewing the entire season I think what makes this such a gem is it's ability to show chaos as a way of coping. Also, once you see the entire season, please note the call back of the last season of the season to the first scene of the season. A lovely call back.

Rescue Me - If you gave up on this show after the dark seasons that followed the first, I understand. But I insist you come back and give this season a try. The humor is back and Tommy Gaven is more responsible for his actions. The season finale didn't disappoint and left me, as always wanting more of this hilarious dark comedy.

True Blood - I cannot believe how addicted I am to this show. It's absolutely ridiculous, full of plot wholes, with eccentric characters and porn-like sex scenes. With all this said, the story line is still full of Alan Ball goodness with honest dialogue and beautiful choices for directors and cinematography. If you start this show, be forewarned, you will have a hard time stopping.

Weeds - Oh! The madness that is Nancy Botwin's life didn't get any easier this year, even though she did settle down, get married and have a baby. Her children, and career choices are still spinning out of her control, and while she doesn't have as much interaction with her friends: Ceila, Doug, and Dean their B-story was a little more zany and fun this season because of it. Overall, it wasn't the best season, but there were some fantastic episodes. If you ever had a problem with how Nancy seems to get away with everything unharmed, this season has retributions that are worth a second-go for this show and you.

Rachel Zoe Project - I always have to name one awful reality show, and this one is it. I think my absolute favorite part of this show, is that the things that Rachel flips out are almost always absurd life problems that you would never even consider as you're cooking up your tuna and pasta recession special. Oh no! I have a thousand dresses, but not the right one! Life is tough for you Rachel. Go buy some more turquoise and feel better... and remember food is for suckers. (They NEVER eat on that show.)

So, those are my favorites from this summer. What I'm looking forward to this fall:

  • Community
  • Modern Family
  • The Good Wife
  • Dexter
  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
  • House
What did you love this summer? What are you jonesin' for this fall?
Leave a comment below!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Behold, The Wonderfulness of the Internet

I woke up this morning with the "theme song" from the Family Guy cutaway My Black Son in my head and I couldn't get it out.
Then, I Googled it.
Then, I found this site.

New favorite site = TelevisionTunes.com
For those of you that love television and want to relive all the great theme songs, check it out.
They also will make the song your ring tone.
Fabulous!

In other news...

I found a new Law & Order and I can't wait to watch it.
Law & Order: UK is a new show that I have been frantically trying to obtain since I found out about it. Well, congratulations, search is over: http://circle65.com/lawandorder/

and now...

Summer show obsessions/confessions:
  1. I'm in love with the new season of Weeds it took a couple of episodes, but I think it's the best character growth I've seen in a while from any show in a single season, and it's just begun!
  2. Nurse Jackie is some kind of wonderful. It's as if America didn't realize how much we needed Edie Falco until she returned in another fabulous role.
  3. I've become a big fan of How I Met Your Mother, and Robot Chicken. I feel like Robot Chicken is more shocking that I enjoy it. At first, I found the show overly juvenile, but after seeing other episodes, I find myself a true convert. I'm amazed at how the show is able to hit all levels of humor and culture.
  4. ....and last, but not least - The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien gets the honor of being the only late night show I've ever DVR'd more than once NOT based on guest. It's hilarious. He's doing a great job, and if you're not watching here's your chance to stop missing out.

Monday, June 22, 2009

About.com Newsletter

Hey Pals!

I know I haven't been updating lately, but I've been working at the day job.
I'm an editor at About.com and I'll be writing their new weekly newsletter about TV and Movies called "The Screening Room".

If you're interested in getting this free newsletter, please sign up here:
http://talk.about.com/

(FYI, I also write for The Shopping List)

So, check those out!


And now, I leave you with this moment of Zen:

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Not Yet Famous: Internet Shows to Watch

Here's some stuff I've seen on the interweb lately that I've enjoyed:

A new web series from comedian Sean O'Connor and Jillian Federman, Sean and Jilly Move In is a funny look at when a couple in NYC moves in together.
Check it out by clicking here.
Don't want to commit to a new web page?
Here's the premier episode, you'll click on it after I bet to see more:

Sean and Jilly Move In - 1 from Sean and Jilly on Vimeo.



and another yet to be big time is MisGuided from writer/director/comedian Joe Brian Shell. It's a story about a reluctant guidance counselor (read: a guidance counselor). It's a submission for the NYTVF (New York Television Festival) that I'm hoping gets picked up because it's promising. Check out the trailer:

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Return of Scrubs?

Here's some breaking news I'd rather not report on.

Apparently, even though they had an amazingly perfect final episode, Scrub stars Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke say they'll go for another season.

Really?

I love Scrubs. It's not a popular statement to make, but I think it's a great show with wonderful characters and reliable comedy.

With that said, it's done. We had a wonderful ending, we mourned together discussing the beautiful final moments, and we've accepted it's death.

Let's let dead be dead, ok ABC?

Have you not seen the advertisement's for Chalke's Maneater on Lifetime?
It seems to be the similar launch they did for Will and Grace's Debrah Messing's show The Starter Wife on USA. Billed as a movie event, but expected to be a series.

Chalke's show looks like another stupid estrogen comedy about a woman dumped who finds herself. Sure, it's trite, but it could still make it - why go back to Scurbs?

We know that Chalke loves the double duty though, with her work on and How I Met Your Mother and Scrubs this season. But will she really give up her own series, or was she dumped at the first-airing-alter and crawling back to the "reliable hit"?

I guess we're gonna have to put this in the hands of TV fate.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Scrubs Last Episode

Verdict is in, it was a great last episode.

From start to finish it did all that a last episode should do.
Here's what you need for a good end:

1. Don't leave too many loose ends

2. Don't make it seem like it's going to just keep on going the same way, it should be an end.

3. Reflect on the great years of the show

4. Have a backstage moment afterwards

In honor of the last Scrubs here are my 3 favorite "Last Episodes"

1. Family Ties - The ending where everyone came out and took a bow was magnificent. From beginning to end you knew where it came from and that it was never going to be the same for the characters, and it ended at the right moment for the series characters and actors alike.

2. Cheers - To be honest, I think my favorite part of the ending was the LIVE feed from the "actual" bar in Boston where it was said that "Never were there so many genuinely drunk people on television." It was a fun farewell.

3. M*A*S*H - All of America was a part of Hawkeye leaving Korea (It remains the highest rated television show ever.) and it was genuinely an end of an era. I don't believe any other show was able to capture the dramedy quite as well. (Although, I wish the entire series was never given a laugh track.)

I hope that even though this is the end of Scrubs, we don't see the last of Randall Winston. He produces great sitcoms that have a fun twist, it would be a shame if he quits here.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sarah Chalke Moonlights and Raises Speculation on Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother



Spoiler Alert
– giving away the ending of May 4th, 2009 episode of How I Met Your Mother

Last night’s episode of the CBS comedy that should be number 1, How I Met Your Mother, was a build up to the meeting of – the mother.

We think.

It’s an elaborate story that Bob Sagat unfolds for his character Ted Mosby (played well by Josh Radnor, though it doesn’t make sense why he doesn’t narrate as well… Are we to believe his voice just gets deeper and deeper with each child this so-called Mother bares?) goes out on a walk that could’ve gone several ways, but goes on one direct path, due to many factors, that leads him to –Sarah Chalke???!?!

Yes, Sarah Chalke aka “The other Becky”, or as more modern TV watchers know her as Elliot Reed from Scrubs. Fans of HIMYM know, that she’s also Ted’s ex, Stella. She returned last night, outstretched her arm and placed it on Ted’s shoulder and began what we’re led to believe is the final chapter of how Ted met his unenthused children’s mother.

There’s more holes in this theory than the Swiss’s cheese though.

1. On HIMYM they had a cut away that showed what it would’ve been if Stella and Ted got married and the kids were different.

2. Sarah Chalke’s on another show…though it is completely feasible that this season is the last for Scurbs. Zak Braff is leaving the show and if they continue on I fear it will be as entertaining as that last season of That '70s Show
without Eric Foreman.


So, I ask you fellow HIMYM watchers, do you think Stella’s the mother of Ted’s kids, or can we look forward to another plot twist?

Monday, May 4, 2009

Fall Preview: NBC Comedy Excitement

Alternative title for this entry:
OMG Chevy Chase in something funny on television



I LOVE Joel McHale and I'm excited to see this preview, but it does make me a little worried about The Soup...
Can I have your job Joel? Please?

Also, please note comedian Donald Glover as part of the cast. He's part of the sketch group DERRICK, a former writer for 30 Rock and a hilarious stand up. Keep an eye on this kid, more hilarity to ensue for sure.

Friday, May 1, 2009

TV Theme Songs - Exciting and New!

Ok, here's a new wanna be BFF folks...
Answering the question, when is that second "I'm no superman", the obviously gifted -
Edarem


...and in case you question the gift, check him out getting down to 30 Rock

Flashback Friday: Arsenio Hall

Now, wave that fist in a circular motion and whoop it up like you just don't care about anything BUT Arsenio Hall.

I used to do my darnedest to catch Arsenio Hall, but I really don't recall anything more than us whooping up. I certainly forgot about this aaaahmazing interview with Vanilla Ice.


Oooh, Arsenio, you did get to the bottom of it. :(

and now, my gift to you - A clip of Michael Jackson with Eddie Murphy AND Arsenio Hall:


This was part of Michael Jackson Day on VH1...which I believe they now celebrate as molestation awareness hour.

Denis Leary Commercials

New Hulu commercial with the theme of "Hulu taking over the world" is fitting for a Leary rant:


But let's be honest, it's no I want my Cindy Crawford MTV (God, remember House of Style?)

Kumail Nanjiani, Comedian

In case you missed it last night, Kumail's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
It was hilarious, check it out:

Thursday, April 30, 2009

When's the Next South Park?

It's season 13 of South Park.
Isn't that nuts? Remember when they mocked the Simpson's for going on too long?

Well, I wouldn't say it's time to give up, in fact I'm asking - Where's the rest of the season?

We've only had 7 episodes, some of which were freakin' great...
I mean - will anyone ask you if you like fish sticks, without you responding with giggles, ever again?

So, where's the rest of the season?

Apparently, the Pirate episode (Fat Beard) was the "Mid-Season Finale" and the writers are all going on retreat to take a creative break.

Well, I guess that's ok.
But don't take too long.

I mean, we need your help with this swine flu! Jokes are awful and people are going nuts. I'm pretty sure Kenny, Kyle and Stan can figure it out...while Cartman profit's from it somehow.

Did you hear that South Park writers?
Make it so.

LOST and Jimmy Kimmel

I rarely watch Jimmy Kimmel, but the other night I caught this hilarious sketch with the writers from Lost:


Apparently, I've been missing out on an entire series where Kimmel utilizes the secretive nature of the show and characters from it to unveil funny, quick "secrets"

Other favorites:
Hurley!


and Kate does one as well...


But the best are the ones with Ben. They fit actor Michael Emerson's creepy delivery perfectly:




Check out Jimmy Kimmel tonight, when he hosts one of my FAVORITE comedians, Kumail Nanjiani.

Rescue Me, Back to Season 1 Basics in Season 5

How great was classic Denis Leary?
Comedian, Singer, Asshole:


Rescue Me -the first season was great because it took the Denis Leary character from his stand up, and heightened the character he played in The Job which if you aren't aware of or have never seen - it's Denis Leary playing a cop with most of the cast of Rescue Me. The difference is, in Rescue Me they are fire fighters coping with 9/11 and their crazy lifestyles.

The great thing about Season 1 Rescue Me was the sense of humor. It was definitely a dark comedy, but there was plenty of comic relief moments. As the series went on though, it got really bleak and Leary's character Tommy went off the deep end with booze, sex and other risky behaviors in a way that teetered between dark drama and Lifetime Original. It's still a wonderful series, and I recommend the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seasons to people who love dramas - but it veered away from the great formula of black comedy that it did so well in the first season.

Season 5 has brought back the jovial firehouse antics, and the real moments of coping with loss, in a magnificently humorous way. Instead of tuning in expecting more death and sadness, season 5 seems almost like a rebirth of Tommy Gavin. He's off the booze and trying to deal with all the shit he's been through.

At the season premiere party that was shot for FX to play as bumpers between the airing of the premier on FX, many of the cast were taped saying, "This is the best season yet," and I am on board with this theory.

I mean, how could they be wrong with Michael J. Fox on the cast as a guy in a wheel chair that is dating Tommy's ex-wife and willing to kick Tommy's ass when need be?

If you're not watching this season because you thought it went too dark, I beg you to check back in on this hilarious dramedy.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Transatlanticism on Six Feet Under



I miss this show and wish the complete series box set
wasn't so darn expensive.

Here's the link to the entire song:
http://www.jango.com/stations/118614337/tunein?song_id=8544

Hulu's Not the Only Game in Town

Remember the days when all video was just on YouTube?

Then Hulu came around and got all these high quality videos from the studios and we were all so excited to have such access?

Well, there's more free goodness on the web lately.

FanCast, as my twitter followers have seen, is a new favorite of mine (speaking of new favorites, I LOVE How I Met Your Mother).

But the big news is that Sony's in the game with Crackle. Targeting men (isn't everyone though?) they have movies and tv shows. Get excited to watch all the Charlie's Angels you want this afternoon.

Dexter is Coming Back - Not Soon Enough



I love Dexter and season 3 was pretty great. It proved that Jimmy Smits is pretty awesome at being a serial killer you fear, where as Michael C. Hall is one you root for.

According to a new site I'm frequenting, TVBuddy, filming starts in May and we can expect Dexter to return to his Robin Hood Serial Killing ways in the fall.

If you can't hardly wait, watch season 3 on demand, or buy it, it's a decent price for a great season of television.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Jeff Goldblum is the Perfect Fit for Criminal Intent

THANK YOU!

Law & Order : Criminal Intent finally lived up to the very long hype.

On Sunday, April 26th the first Jeff Goldblum episode premiered making this season finally worth waiting for.

The episode entitled, “Rock Star” kicked off with a beautiful parade of hilarious Williamsburg stereotypes -they completely left out the Puerto Ricans though, have they become so extinct in this neighborhood that not even writers, that possibly live there, know they used to walk amongst the locals? The set up for the divide between hipsters, Orthodox and Bushwick natives was pretty priceless and dead on. It made me wonder if we can hope for an episode later this season where the Stuyvesant town Vets take on the Yuppie Off-Spring families.

The character Goldblum plays, Detective Nichols, was taken directly from a Law and Order generator:

-He’s a maverick genius

-He’s got a mysterious past

-He’s quirky

But the catch with Goldblum is that he has this Autastic* magnificence about him. He repeats things and says them with certain rhythms – and in one of the most campy L&O moments ever – he shows off his musical skills by sitting down and tickling the ivories with a pretty little ditty.

While Goldblum’s Nichols is charming to watch, and the writing and storyline far surpassed the season premiere, I couldn’t help but wish there was a scene that brought D’Onofrio’s Goren to match Nichols. I feel if these two were on the case it would be a magical symphony of sleuthing. I will stayed tuned in with eager anticipation.

*Autastic - hybrid of the words Austistic and fantastic

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Dirty Desmond from LOST Accused of Sexual Harassment

Oh LOST cast members, you constantly remind us how no one is perfect.
With all your DWI's we loved you still...even now that the DWI cast members are gone.

But now with a lawsuit claiming that Henry Ian Cusick molested a crew member that was subsequently fired
, how do we feel?

Is this the end of the Desmond storyline? or are we going to have an old fashioned soap opera switch....

Yhe role of Desmond will now be played by...(insert non-sexually threatening actor here).

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Bea Arthur Died, Saturday, April 25, 2009

It is a sad story to write that today, we've lost another Golden Girl.

Bea Arthur died this morning at age 86. While many remember her for her wonderful portrayal as Dorothy, on Golden Girls, she was also known as sassy liberal Maude which aired on CBS during the 70's.

Maude
was a spin off of CBS's other 70's hit All In The Family.

One of my favorite Bea Arthur television moments though was more recent in her role as the babysitter on Malcom in the Middle.

She often took roles where she played a tough woman, but Bea had a great sense for comedic timing and sense of humor about herself. Below I've put in one of my all time favorite parodies of Sex in the City. Bea did this with other classic TV actors for the TV Land Awards in 2008.



Bea Arthur you will be missed.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Oprah's 90's Headline Show

I am going to admit something that I probably shouldn’t.

I’m not a fan of Oprah.

There. I SAID IT.

My sister will tell you that this is because I don’t like anything that everyone else likes. If there is something popular I hate on it and love the weirder, less commonly loved product. I hate Sex in the City, but I loved Two Guys, A Girl, …and a Pizza Place.

I don’t purposely hate all TV that most people love, I think it’s just that I consume more TV than most and have realized that Oprah kinda has the same show over and over and again. If it’s a good guest it might be worth a watch, but really it’s not something I’d ever DVR.

EXCEPT –

If she has my 90’s idol, Tanya Harding, on the program.

Ok, so I didn’t really idolize Tanya Harding, but I was a fanatic of her and the case brought against her regarding her involvement in the Nancy Karrigan knee-whacking.

So, when I saw the commercial preview of the interview I just had to watch Oprah.

I DVR’d it and watched it this morning and I have to say the interview with Tanya was everything I wanted it to be. She admitted her biggest mistake was to marry an idiot, and then said she’s sick of apologizing to Nancy Kerrigan.

Oh Tanya! You never did change. Well, she does seem a little older, and wiser.

The best part of the interview was when Oprah asked her, “Now, really what would you say to Nancy Karrigan if she were here? And, don’t worry, this isn’t the type of show that would bring her out to surprise you now.”

Silly Oprah! You should do a show about your show in the 90’s, because you totally used to do that.

I doubt there will be daily DVRing of miss O, but I have to say I do dig the older, wiser Oprah as well. I really liked her inspirational speeches about how we just have to overcome the fear of getting what we dream to be, and how we have to continue to move forward in life.

When it comes to life advice though, I still say I’m sticking to listening to RuPaul. Because honey – if you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love anybody else?

Can I get an Amen in here?!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

LOST Catch Up Show...is Anyone Falling For This?

I came home early enough to catch Jeopardy today, which is always the sign of a nice night in.

And then realized that it's also Wednesday, so I can watch LOST
live tonight instead of tomorrow morning. (God bless ye, DVR)

But, I check the line up and sure enough there's a freakin' catch-up show.

Come on! Let's be honest ABC, you should know by now that there's no one jumping aboard at this point of the journey.

It's not that simple, I mean there were 4 seasons before this that we loyal fans didn't just "watch" we freakin' researched each episode and built charts and maps to follow it. We spent weekends of our lives re-watching it instead of going outside, drawing the blinds if it dare get sunny and glare the screen causing us to miss the most delicate clue.

Don't fool us by saying all you need is a clip show to catch up.

But...

I will say after watching the recap show in the beginning of this season my instant reaction was - I can't believe I've spent four years of my life obsessing when they just summed up all that shit in an hour.

So, if you ever thought about checking out LOST try a clip show.

But....

I still have to try....

ABC what if I made you a deal and promised to make like 2 friends watch LOST? And all of the LOST fans promised this, so you don't have to run these stupid filler shows and we can get on with the answers.

I'm just really pumped for the Faraday episode, and it sucks that I'll be watching the clip show tonight.

Oh, yeah, I'll still watch a clip show. I'm a LOST fan, we're all kinda nuts like that.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Law and Order Criminal Intent Overhyped

For the past two months whenever I've been at home watching my Law & Order: SVU or CI, or Monk marathons on USA I've seen the commercials for the new season of Criminal Intent and gotten progressively more and more stoked.

Not only was the crazy-ass detective Goren (played by the equally crazy-ass amazing Vincent D'Onofrio) going to be back, but Jeff Goldblum was joining the cast!
Look at him, he looks like a wily detective - this had awesomeness all over it.

So, I patiently waited for the ability to program my DVR and watch this amazing debut. To psych myself up I watched the entire marathon of Criminal Intent all day on Sunday. While watching though the commercials seemed to hype Goldblum less, and less...

I still wanted to watch though, because they promised it would be disturbing. Although I hate scary movies, I adore creepy stories of killers being brought to justice - I'm aware that's a little odd.
Anyway, I deciced I was going to DVR Family Guy and watch Criminal Intent live because I had waited so long for it's triumpant return.

What a f'in let down.

It was a straight forward story, with a little bit of sexual abuse that SVU would've handled much better, and all-in-all a giant disappointment. It didn't even have a really break-down crazy interrogation scene. Boooooring.

I should've watched Family Guy instead. That had a better legal thriller afoot. The medical marijuana episode was way more epic than the Criminal Intent premier. Which proves again, I should go with my teenage viewing instinct and save my adult contemporary viewing for a rainy day.

Let's hope next week's episode is more Goldblumier, or even a little Goldblumy.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Importance of TV Show Themes

I remember around the mid-90's my mother telling me that she had read an article stating that they were no longer to have theme songs on television shows.
"It takes up time for commercials, if they go straight into the show, it makes more money."

This was devastating to me. I love theme songs. I still do.
And to show the importance of good theme songs, I now present to you a clip I found from YouTube, called Disturbing Stokes.


It's as if Alan Thicke and all his composing glory never existed!

Creepy Commercial



If your orgasm is like a fog horn, you really might need KY gel. There shouldn't be steam.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

House M.D. Suicide Special, For the Good of the Nation?

SPOILER ALERT

Loyal watchers of House know that last night (4.6.09) something absolutely inexplicable happened.

Kutner, was found with a bullet to the head by 13 and Foreman.

WTF?

The episode dealt with everyone's reactions and of course, House was inappropriate and self centered and Wilson tried to pull him through (sleep with each other already!)

But apparently this character self assassination was for a higher power. Apparently, the character is going onto the White House to serve the president.

That's right folks, Kumar aka Kutner aka Kal Penn is going to be President Obama's public relations guy.

Fine, you got a more important job, but was it necessary for the suicide, and let's not forget the memorial page plug??

Friday, April 3, 2009

Rescue Me from Trust Me

Remember when I loved Trust Me?

Well, this week I realized I fell out of love with it when I saw on my DVR list that I had two hours of unwatched episodes and had no desire to watch it.

What happened? I really like the characters, and the concept is fun. So, why is it that I'd rather re-watch an episode of The Real Housewives of New York then sit through my Trust Me catch-up?

The storyline got a little too real. After finally getting the big deal from taking a big risk, the entire advertising firm is hanging by a thread with the threat of cutbacks due to the bad economy.
Ding, ding, ugh.

There's a reason why Paul Blart: Mall Cop swept the country as the number 1 comedy (but do we really have to do it all again?). People don't want to think at all about the horrible state of the economy. If I wanted to watch people work their asses off to keep their job, I would just go into the office for funzies on a "mandatory vacation" day.

It's not to say we don't want any realistic dramatic television. I can't wait for the new episodes of Rescue Me(April 7th...so close!!). I know this season will not be anywhere near as whimsical as season 1, in fact this show gets darker each season, but at least it's got the humor to match it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, dramadies might be a little darker these days, but let's try to make them so real not that it loses the feel of entertainment. Trust Me had such promise for upbeat quirkiness, but now I am not interested in tuning in because it's going to be as upbeat a business report.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Do you know Spike Feresten?

You should.

With all the news about Conan taking the Tonight Show, and Jay Leno's mid-life crisis at the Ten Spot, and Jimmy Fallon nabbing The Roots as his house band...it's easy to overlook the best damn late night talk show, but it doesn't mean you should.

Tape it, DVR it, or stay up late for it - it's Talk Show with Spike Feresten and it's hilarious.

Here's an interview he did with Carl Reiner:



And check out this link with his 99 year old cast member.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Trust Me, You Should Watch Trust Me

TNT's dream duo, Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny, which gave us The Closer, have another hit to add to their IMDB listing with Trust Me.

Based on the advertising, you wouldn't think this show is a great program about advertising wizards.
I mean, their tag for the show, that is supposed to make you want to see the show is:

They'll Sell Everything But Their Friendship.

Barf.

What Convey and Baldwin should've done is write the ad campaign themselves. Because what Trust Me does is what Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip failed to do.

Eric McCormick and Tom Cavanagh are completely believable as a successful advertising duo.

Where as on Sorkin's show the leads were equally amazing Matthew Perry
and Bradley Whitford were never written as believable comedic geniuses that could pull of a successful comedy show. (To see how this is done, please see 30 Rock. Like, immediately. Right now.)

Ok, I admit it, I'm just still not over the loss of Studio 60. I love Aaron Sorkin's writing. I just wished he'd hire me to write the comedy aspects of the show.

Sidenote: NBC wants to forget Studio 60 was ever part of the family apparently: http://www.nbc.com/Studio_60_on_the_Sunset_Strip/

Anyway, Trust Me is the point here.

It's exciting to watch because it not only has a well executed premise, but the storylines are realistic and smart. While the show does center around the friendship of the two male leads, the supporting cast do a wonderful job creating a modern familial office feel. People are getting laid off, the agency is losing money, and everyone is working together as hard as they can on projects, while trying to have a personal life as well.

The nice thing is, they touch upon all of these real, trying problems with appropriate humor that you can't feel but feel a little upbeat after watching it.

Ahhh, relatability with humor. Dramedy done well is refreshing.
Thanks, TNT

Friday, February 27, 2009

Top Chef Season 5: And The Winner is...

Hosea.

My reaction: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

He's a nice enough guy, but can't one of the winners ever be a big personality?
Hosea is all fish, AND he wimped out on dessert.

Carla, man, what a heart break. Why did she not listen to her heart?
It's funny because you would think the bad pick was Hosea giving Stefan the alligator, but really the dud of the evening was Carla having to work with Casey. Her willingness to work with others' ideas was her downfall there.

I still would rather go to Alchemy Caterer's than Hosea's fish place. But either way, at least he showed Leah.

For more on Top Chef winner Hosea, read this interview where he basically admits that it's Richard that put him over the top.

Monday, February 23, 2009

TV's Go HD June 12

Why not just get yourself cable now?

I mean, there's soooo many good shows.

Like Mad Men, which is supposedly returning summer 2009.

Ugh! I can't wait!

So, throw those bunny ears away pals, it's time to ring in '09. Hook it up!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Howie- Don't Do It

Today a co-worker of mine brought up the show Howie Do It
and asked me, "So, do you know about that show?"

"No," I replied.

"Oh, ho ho really miss-I-love-tv-more-than-you? YOU don't know about a television show?"

"No, I only watch good tv."

I blocked this show from my brain after seeing the commercial. My question is, who was really longing for Punk'd and Candid Camera and decided, ya know who I can't get enough of? Howie Mandel.

It's not enough to watch him host the most pointless game show on television.
-Deal or No Deal
is the equivalent of "How many fingers do I have behind my back?" except there's money. It's an hour long, and then a person that's not you gets money. I've literally optioned to watch paint dry instead.

Honestly, NBC, we have enough to fear on our minds right now, we don't need this...

LOST Bringin' it Back

There's a lot of speculation regarding ABC's LOST. Many have doubted if it would ever go anywhere.
I believe this season pretty much proves all nay-sayers wrong.
I was really happy with this week's episode, 316.

For the past few season's LOST has given it's loyal followers a ton of information that has often left us with dumbfounded responses and confusion. Season 5's pretty much turned that around with time hopping through windows and character ties that are starting to really bind the story.

I'd give more information, but really, you just need to watch.








...or you can try to watch LOST: Untangled. Which, honestly is awfully produced to make you feel like you're retarded rather than a Guide to helping you understand.

If you want to take a quick route, try just buying Season 4
and watching some of the recap shows online.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Everything I Do, Family Guy, I Do It For You.

Family Guy came back for an all new season this Sunday, February 15th and it was just what the doctor ordered.

There was pretty much everything you expect from a Family Guy episode: A song, a crazy scheme, funny random critiques of pop culture.

The best part, the part I think we all rewound and watched more than once was of course Stewie's song:


The Peter with Christian Bale tape ran too long, but was also good.

I think the most surprising part is that Bonnie finally had the baby. This was exciting for old timey fans like myself. It also makes the comment about the Bonnie/Louis sex tape a little more appealing, I guess?
Not sure what I'm talking about? You should watch more Spike Ferensten:

New in Comedic Variety

There were three premiers this past week of new comedy/variety shows. I watched them all for you and have graded them on the class A-F scale.

The CollegeHumor Show - B+

Brought to you by the gang from the website CollegeHumor, this is a show loosely based on working at an Internet company with random sketches inserted in. As someone who works for a website, I enjoy the premise. A lot of the jokes made me sad though, mostly because I realized I am no longer in the "college humor" demographic. I'm 5 years out of college and I find a lot of these jokes out of my scope, but that doesn't mean it's not funny. It's a clever show that's definitely watchable, but if you're not someone who normallly watches MTV, don't bother switching over to this, you most likely won't be getting gauffaws.
If your channel surfing on a Sunday, check it out. It is definitely entertaining.
If you are in that demo - party on! (Do kids even say that anymore?)

Important Things with Demetri Martin - C+

I was skeptical of this show after watching Comedy Central's 2 minute preview last week. It didn't seem high energy and seemed to lack gut busting humor. I think this may be because I'm not a huge Demetri fan.

I tried to put all this bias aside and watch the entire premier with an open heart. I have to say, I feel as though he's an undeniabley talented fellow, but not really exciting to watch. The sketches he's in lack emotion, which was illustrated well in his sketch with Amanda Peet. I found the funniest sketch was one he wasn't even in which was a Diamonds are Forever parody commercial. Even this though, has been done.

This show was billed as the next Chapelle Show, and I have to say if that's what you're going for - it's a swing and a miss. If you're going for a sketch show, my suggestion is to downplay Demetri and add some high energy bit characters.

If you're a fan of the comic, you probably also enjoy other things I don't, such as Emo music and skinny boys with hair in their eyes. If that describes you, raise the grade to B+ and check this show out.

Delocated -A

Never heard of this show? Not a surprise. I beleive Demetri Martin bought all available ad space that this show could've been plugged in.

Delocated is brought to you by the very talented Jon Glazer, and the only downside is, it's only 15 minutes long. The premise is a family that is relocated via the witness protection program and willing to do a reality TV show. The catch is they had to have their vocal cords permenantly changed to disguise their voices and wear ski masks the entire time.

It's silly, but it's also laugh out loud funny. I think the best part so far would be Eugene Mirman's character as the Russian mobster that is after the Delocated character.

I found this show via word of mouth and am happy to spread it.
If you're a fan of Adult Swim definitely give this live action show a try.
If not, set your DVR's for this show, and tell your friends to check it out, too!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Reality TV Report February 2009

There are a ton of new reality shows out there and some old ones that are interesting this year. Here's what's worth watching on the Sue Funke scale:

You HAVE to see this:

RuPaul's Drag Race -
Do I really have to explain it after that tittle? Honey! It's hilarious tranny messes and successes at their bestests. Check out FREE Episodes by clicking here.

You Should Miss this:

Real Housewives of Orange County -
Midlife rich bitches being catty. Here's your cliff's notes version:
Gretchen's fiance is wicked old, and dying. It's tough for her, and she claims not to get out of the hospital much but is never shown there except for some interviews taken in front of a sign that says HOSPITAL.

Tamra's
a bitch. She also has a bizarre relationship with her son who obviously wants to bang a woman just like her. Oh, but feel bad for her because her parents got divorced when she was like 18.

I'm pretty sure if you put your ear to Lynne's you could hear the ocean. She's desperate to be the cool Mom, so her daughters are spoiled annoying brats. She seems to still be in love with her husband and vice versa, which is kinda sweet.

Jeana
and Vicky? A little more crazy than previous seasons. It's a little disturbing how depressed Jeana is and Vicky's power hungriness has left her with no appetite at all for her poor good natured husband.

And Lauri left because even though she's got the story book life, her son's in prison and she wants to take care of her family. Wise choice Lauri. The ship is sinking. You got out!
Now, please add the f*ckin' E to your name.

If you haven't seen it by now...
You HAVE to see this season's Top Chef.

The characters that are cooking this season are THE best.
If you see one episode only make it Season 5's Kitchen Wars.
This regularly fan favorite episode of every season, pits two teams of 3 against each other to open a restaurant within a very limited amount of time.

Click here for the recap, and do yourself a favor and check out the next airing of this dramatic and fun episode.

Fun to watch if you're a chick

Jon and Kate Plus 8. The kids are adorable and the marriage squabbles funny, because it's not me.
If you ever felt your life was disorganized, Kate will make you feel worse.
Jon's reactions to Kate's understandable madness are also hilarious.

I don't understand the appeal, Ladies...
Of The Bachelor. I watch it and fear for that poor man's life. They all seem like crazy stalkers.
My pal Andrea blogs about it though and her humorous take aways almost make it seem worth while... I'd rather read her take though.
Click here to read Andrea's blog on the most awkward episode of the Bachelor.
Yipes. Mighty Awkward!

And, show of hands, who is still watching...

American Idol? It was on at a bar I was at (it was a very slow night) and I saw the judges sitting on thron-like chairs in a house setting. It was rather creepy. It looked like there was a rape room somewhere behind a wall facade.
That was probably the most exciting thing about Idol I have seen.

Girls Next Door? It's lost it's charm. We know the axe has fallen and they're going seperate ways, who cares if they go to New Orleans and realize Katrina still hasn't been cleaned up?

Let us know what you think, and if there are Reality TV shows out there I'm missing.
I'm guessing no.

Guest Blog- Mama Spell Loves TV, Too!

While on hiatus due to moving I asked for submissions.

Here's my pal Sharon Mama Spell's take on TV:

I love television. I love the good shows and the not so good shows, and I even love the commercials. I mainly love how accessible it is for everybody, or at least it is until June 12th when the government mandates that all TV be digital. I'm not quite prepared for what comes next, as I don't currently have a cable subscription nor have I ordered the new converter box that will enable my current set to receive digital transmission.


And I must confess that as much as I love television, there have been times in my life where I lived without a tv in my home. The first time was when I was in college, you know, "the experimental years," and I had a friend who didn't have a television. I had never heard of such a thing as not owning a tv. He went so far as calling it a lightbulb -- a noisy lightbulb. That revolutionized my thinking, because I'd grown up in a house where the television was always on but light switches had to be off the second before you left an empty room.


After meeting that TVless friend in college I decided to live without it for a while. I technically did have two TVs still, but one was already broken and I took it apart and turned into an actual lamp, fashioning a stained glass screen for it. The second TV would turn on, but didn't pick up any channels, just "snow." I perched it on top of my refrigerator for an atmospheric night light in my kitchen.


I digress. I got back onto the television wagon when, for my 22nd birthday, my parents gave me a television set. After I'd expressly made a point to tell them I did not want a television set, my parents, actually my mother, decided that I did in fact need one. They showed up on my doorstep with the brand-new tv set still in the box, and I knew I was toast. I was able to pick up one, maybe 2 channels without cable, and that was that. I started getting hooked again. And in just a few short years I had developed full-blown cable. Again.


TV simultaneously isolates and connects us. You can be alone but not feel alone. I love tv as background noise while I work at home. I like having it on with the sound off during parties, or with the sound on at parties where I don't want to talk to people. I love tv!


But I got my love under wraps again after I moved to NYC, scaling back on my channel selection because my roommates and I don't have cable. And besides, I'm in NYC and I didn't come here to watch tv. But it is nice to come home to and unwind with.


And when I'm in that state of mind, I'll watch just about anything that's on. If I had cable, I'd probably never have watched Tyler Perry's House of Payne as it's pretty unwatchable. But it's on a lot and I do watch it. Oh, and my other guilty pleasure are those Sunday mornings when I can sleep in then catch the mini-marathon of DeGrassi TNG.


So here I am in the romantic phase of love again, and soon I need to decide whether to buy a TV converter box or not. I don't really like having to make a choice based on the order of a third party (unless it's community service to avoid jail time. That might not be so bad). I'd made the decision in the past to go without a tv set, nobody forced my hand. But now it looks like I'm facing an all or nothing agreement with the Feds. And after February 17th, if all non-digital tv fades to black, I'm not even sure if my current set would even work as a lightbulb. And on that note, if all non-digital cable fades to black, will future generations even know what tv "snow" is?


The big question is: if I love TV so much, why would living without a television even be a question again? Well as the saying goes, if you love something, set it free. If it's meant to be yours, it'll come back to you. No matter how many times I've tried to live without TV in my life, it keeps reentering, nestling itself into the crook of my arm saying, "I love you too, Mama Spell."





...My roommate and I just had a nice chat about getting cable.


-The above article was contribute by Mama Spell
She is not only a gifted writer, but she's also a comedian.
She hosts the FUN, FREE "Shrink" show at Otto's Shrunken Head EVERY WEDNESDAY at 8pm.
She's also a gifted artist:

Friday, February 20
I Love Paintings: An Introduction to The Art of Mama Spell
Closing Party
@ The Fall Cafe
307 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231
I’ll be showing old and new paintings at The Fall Cafe from January 16-February 25, 2009. More info TBA!
Free. 7-9 pm. (718) 403-0230

Monday, February 9, 2009

M.I.A Wins at Grammy's..

Meanest Outfit Put on a Pregnant woman, ever.