IAmATVJunkie.com is a Torchwood Spoiler Free Zone Until July 20

Rare Sean Penn Sighting On "Colbert" Set

Colbert, at his best in these situations. The man's a genius, Manilow be damned:

I Must Be The Most Selfless TV Blogger Out Here

Because I'm even posting on a travel day.

I'm off to Oklahoma today, and Janet, Jim and I will be watching the first Sanjaya-less Idol ep of the season Tuesday. I'll have lots to say, since I haven't really heard any of them sing yet. Note about your host -- I was a member of the 1977 All NY State High School Choir (Me, in the chorus? Pshaw...) so I have not only an affinity for young singers, I also die a little inside when anyone bombs. In fact, that's one of the reasons that I don't start watching until six weeks out.

I've been told to be on the lookout for Jordin Sparks, that's she's just hitting her stride now.

Of course, I'll be keeping up with favorite shows, Janet has already preset the DVR.

I'm also soliciting restaurant picks from you guys. I'll be outside Oklahoma City in Edmond and I'm looking for great barbeque, so start sending in those suggestions. Also, outside my trip to the memorial, I don't have a lot planned, so if there's anything you think I should see, let me know.

Joe@IAmATVJunkie.com.

While I'm in transit, you guys should be watching this train wreck on E! called Katie and Peter. E! is running the whole series this afternoon today starting at 2 Eastern and then they'll run them weekly after that. I guess this run is to create buzz about the show, and from what I've seen they'll need it.

This couple looks to me to like a very poor man's Posh and Becks. In prep for the show, you should read this Wikipedia entry to find out what a Chav is.

UPDATE: Watched the first half of the first ep of Katie and Peter, and all I have to say is, "There's nothing like a trashy girl with an even trashier one-named alter ego

New VH1 Series "The Springer Hustle"

If you haven't seen it, the clips here at VH1 VSPOT don't even begin to convey the horror.

This new VH1 series takes you behind the scenes at Springer in Chicago and into the lives of segment producers who compete to find the people you would least like to admit are members of your family and then get them all riled up and throw them in front of a national TV audience to air the filthiest, the dirtiest of their dirty laundry.

And I have to tell you that the ep I watched last night before Best Week Ever was oddly compelling. There was this producer (her pic is above, didn't get her name) and I have a sense that her ambition and drive comes from the same place that fuels most of these "brother's cousin's sister's boyfriend's gay tranny loving Dads" that show up from the trailer parks of America to populate the Springer stage. I think she's just two bad shows away from freaking out on her own relatives.

Anyhow, the only way I can explain it is the way people have been explaining the Springer syndie talk show for years, it's like watching a car wreck. This wreck just happens to benefit from some prompting.

My Surprising Acceptable.tv Picks for This Week

My first pick was "FBAbdullah," because I love the premise and they carried it out much better than expected. Terrorist Abdullah is convicted and sentenced ... to run the FBI, and hilarity ensues:

Now, you might have thought that "Gayliens" would be my second choice, and don't get me wrong, I love the idea of two bearded burly bears from another planet landing on earth and having their life-changing advancements ignored because everyone wants to know how they have sex and reproduce ... oh what the hell, I'll post it as well so you can decide:

Ultimately, I had to go with the latest "Mr. Sprinkles" episode, because he kills to earn the trust of his new prison gang. Oh, Dr. Seuss, I can feel the breeze from your spinning in your grave:

Yes, "Kitten Calendar" is funny, but the head calendar guy is a rip-off of a Bob Odenkirk character which is why I've never voted for it. And the "High-Five" guy didn't work for me.

Watch and vote at Acceptable.tv until Monday at 3 ET.

Two "Soup" Clips in a Row? But This One Has ... Sanjaya!

LINK

Here's Your Reminder to Watch "The Soup" Tonight

With another message for Britney, this time from your pal Joel McHale:

Tonight at 10 on E! I fyou enjoy this blog and you are not watching The Soup, you're missing out.

My Worlds Are Colliding Again! Wolfowitz/World Bank -- "The Office" Mashup by Hillary "1984" Ad Creator

The latest from Philip de Vellis:

If you don't know what this is all about, click this and it'll explain the current story, or click here if you don't know what the World Bank is (and c'mon folks, you should know this stuff, it's important, almost as important as Lindsay's hair color).

Why Bill Moyers is My Hero

And listen to what Bob Simon says at the beginning of this clip (it's under five minutes, just watch it, especially you Jack G.). It's what I was saying from as far back as November 2002, and I didn't have to be in the Middle East to know those facts, they were available to all of us.

LINK

What this short clip manages to do is show you just how dangerous the NY Times' Judith Miller was in this escapade. She's no press freedom martyr, she's a very dangerous woman.

This show airs on PBS stations starting April 25th, and you should check your local listings.

Norm MacDonald Breaks Out the Burt Reynolds Imitation for "Earl" Episode

I hope you caught My Name is Earl last night, because it was a great one with Norm MacDonald, who, you'll remember, did a funny Burt Reynolds imitation on Saturday Night Live back in the day and took it out of mothballs to play the son of the strip club owner played by Reynolds earlier on this year's second episode.

You can now watch Earl online at NBC.com, btw, if you weren't aware. Great way to waste some time at work if you're not getting your keystrokes logged.

Greg Garcia and crew continue to handle Jaime Pressly's pregnancy better than any other writing crew on television ever. Very creative use of flashbacks and camera angels, and, last night, a big fluffy white terrycloth robe.

I'm kind of hoping that MacDonald's Little Chubby character (how ironic a name you will say after watching the episode) comes back.

Dear Britney, Stop Talking to the Papparazzi

Dear Dear Britney,

Girl, you gotta stop talking to the cameras that are following you around 24/7. I know that you think they are your friends because they're always around, but they aren't. I don't mind so much what your saying to them, it's just that every time you open your mouth to the guy from X17.com, the play it on the teevee, and I just don't want to see you there.

I don't care about how you feel about getting "railroaded" into rehab or what you think about your ex's music or your former manager Larry Rudolph (although he seems to be the only rational person you've ever met) or your relationship with your dad.

I don't care how you feel about anything. Really, most of us don't. But I'll tell ya, it's awfully tacky to dis your Dad to the papparazzi. Is that what they teach you down in Kentwood?

If you could just go about your business (whatever that is these days) without uttering a word, it would be greatly appreciated.

Yours,

Joe