If that's not Amy Poehler in lotsa makeup, who is it?
February 2010 posts
February 27, 2010
February 26, 2010
@infoMania on @currenttv -- Well Of Course Johnny Weir Isn't Too Gay for Figure Skating
I might not wanna watch a blond-wigged fop cavort in a bathtub with his trust fund baby pals while imitating Russian call girls but I would never suggest that he were too "anything" for "anything."
Too gay to skate? The ghost of Toller Cranston could do you some serious harm if he heard that.
Watch Bryan Safi's That's Gay segment from last night's infoMania on Current TV, just click this link.
(If you're lucky, you'll see a commercial that features Fringe producers/writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.)
The Sundance Channel has lots of Johnny Weir for you at this link.
And here's a clip from that show for those so disposed, the preview clip for episode five featuring Evgeni Plushenko.
I just joined this Plushenko Facebook group, you might like it too, it's called Evgeni Plushenko is a Jerk and you can find it at this link.
If you're planning to click away without watching those Toller Cranston clips behind the link in the secong paragraph you will be seriously hurting my feelings.
February 25, 2010
Video Top 5 -- Kathy Griffin on SVU, Condensed Soup, The Book Group, Justified
Kathy Griffin: Two more clips at NBC.com/SVU ... "We're dykes, we're pissed and we're not leaving until we get results" (LINK)
More Kathy on SVU, Babs (Griffin) hits on Olivia (LINK)
Soup is good for you, the condensed form from Joel and the gang at The Soup right before he got on a plane for Vancouver (LINK)
I've been watching a show on Ovation on cable called The Book Group from Channel 4 in the UK, stars Anne Dudek (Mad Men, Big Love) among others and is very quirkily funny. Watch the pilot episode from Hulu (LINK)
Behind the scenes with writer Graham Yost on the new FX series Justified starring Timothy Olyphant as a US Marshall that premieres on March 16 at 10 eastern (LINK)
New Doctor Who US Premiere Date is April 17
Press release:
BBC AMERICA announced today that the new era of the BBC’s iconic BAFTA-winning drama, Doctor Who, will make its U.S. premiere on Saturday, April 17, 2010, soon after the UK broadcast.
Doctor Who, BBC AMERICA’s highest rated series ever, continues its tradition of rebooting with new lead actors and creative team. Matt Smith debuts as the new, Eleventh incarnation of the famous Time Lord alongside a new travelling companion, the enigmatic Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).
“Britain has a tradition of reinventing its iconic characters, like James Bond and Sherlock Holmes - and Doctor Who. In introducing the Eleventh Doctor, writer Steven Moffat is opening the show to a whole new audience, while serving fans with an exciting mix of inter galactic, time travelling adventures. We can't wait to meet his new Doctor!" comments Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President Programming, BBC AMERICA.
BAFTA-winning writer Steven Moffat, creator of some of the most frightening and award-winning Doctor Who episodes to date, takes over as lead writer and executive producer. Writers for the new series include Richard Curtis (The Boat that Rocked, Love Actually), Chris Chibnall (Law & Order UK, Torchwood), Toby Whithouse (Being Human, Torchwood), Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock) and Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly, Hardware).
Guest stars include SAG Award winner Alex Kingston (ER, Flash Forward), Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo (The Secret Life of Bees, Hotel Rwanda) and Tony Curran (24).
Travelling both through time and space, the new series has the mysterious Doctor and Amy Pond together exploring sixteenth century Venice, France during the 1890s and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space. The first three episodes of the 13-episode series have been confirmed as The Eleventh Hour, written by Steven Moffat, The Beast Below, also by Moffat and Victory of the Daleks by Mark Gatiss.
Moffat’s work includes the hit comedy Coupling, the critically-acclaimed thriller Jekyll, the new BBC series Sherlock and along with Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, the screenplay for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - which is being directed by Steven Spielberg.
Piers Wenger (Ashes to Ashes) and Beth Willis (Ashes to Ashes) are the executive producers. It is a BBC Wales production for BBC ONE and distributed by BBC Worldwide.
Video -- Revealed! Why I Hate Daleks
It's the plunger.
I'm sorry if I've offended your Classic Doctor Who sensibilities, but it is indeed the plunger.
For the record, I also find the cyberconverter ridonkulous with it's spinning blades and probing and sticking devices.
Despite my protestations the Daleks are back for series five for sure, not sure about the Cybermen.
It just reeks of old Who. There was a reason I didn't watch old Who, I know it existed (it ran after Monty Python on public TV when I was young) but it looked like something someone made in their backyard with plumbing supplies and Halloween costumes.
Hey, maybe Steve Moffat can find a way to make each of them more relevant. Maybe the recent auction of Who props cleared out all the old Dalek guard and they're creating new ones, maybe without a plunger.
No, I'm not banking on that happening. Too many legacy fans would erupt in protest.
More on the aforementioned auction at this link and video at this link featuring John Barrowman from the BBC's The One Show. He also backtracks on previous Torchwood statements but says he wants to do a US version if it's made.
True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard Was in Zoolander? Yeah He Was!
I've been clicking around the web this morning looking at Zoolander reviews and clips on the news from Nikki Finke that Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux are in the beginning stages of bringing the character back to movie screens in a sequel to the original, which opening just two and a half weeks after 9/11 and never made a lot of money at the box office despite being a big hit on DVD and cable and one of the most referenced films of the decade.
I mean, when was the last time you were checking yourself out in the mirror before heading outside and you did a little bit of this?
Right? I said, right?
Earth to you, Zoolander II will be huge! But it will be even bigger and huge-er (huh?) if they use Skarsgard as the villian. Nikki's post from the morning touts Jonah Hill as the baddie in this one, but I just don't see it.
What, you're trying to explain to me that Skarsgard's character, Meekus (seen top of post with catwalk cohort Brint before they get in their Jeep to get orange mocha Frapuccinos) dies in the movie in a ball of flame?
Two words ... twin brother.
Also, I want to see what became of The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good and Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too.
See Skarsgard in a deleted scene from the DVD at this link.
Earth to moviegoers, this will be a hit.
February 24, 2010
While You Were Olympic-ing CBS Airs a Must-See 60 Minutes, Watch Here!
I know that the Winter Olympics happens just once every four years and 60 Minutes is on every week, but that's why you have a DVR, people.
While you were watching elite athletes frolic in the snow and on the ice (and slide big granite stones across said ice) the adults on CBS had one of their best, with features on Blackwater and a plane crash in Afghanistan from 2004 that apparently really didn't need to happen and killed a high-ranking US officer whose wife is suing the mercenary group, a story on an amazing new energy project and one on the failure of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to get things going at the World Trade Center site in NYC.
You can watch them by clicking the following links:
Furthermore, there are web extras for all the features. And, watching the show this way there are no fears that Andy Rooney's eyebrows will poke through the TV screen and scratch your cornea.
After all these years it's still the industry leader at what it does. While NBC's Dateline has gone all true crime and jackpot uterus on us and ABC wrangles celeb after celeb for 20/20 this show still comes correct each week with actual news.
And people watch it. Sure, they aren't the 18-49s in large numbers but they are people and they buy stuff. Like penis pills and cholesterol and bone density drugs. And a snuggie or two.
Video Top 5 - Dr. Coop, The Size of One's Rocket, Alex Skarsgard Naked, Pediatric Pedophiles and Kittens
Nurse Jackie's Dr. Coop (also known as Twilight's Edward Cullen), Peter Facinelli, shows us that the he and his castmates ares having entirely too much fun to be getting paid (LINK and a part two bonus Video Top 5 clip at this LINK)
The worst use of the high def spectrum on my cable system is a channel called MavTV. Imagine I can't get BBC America in HD but I can get mediocre stand up comedy shows, hot chicks on weight machine shows and this show which is kind of the best of what they've got and that I'm clipping out at number one. Jason Agnew and Matt Chin are The Conventioneers, two Canadian guy who go to conventions and mess with geeks. At the hobby show, Jason is relentless with the guy standing in front of the model rockets display, so relentless it actually becomes funny. I felt bad about laughing but I did anyway and now you must sink to my level (LINK)
True Blood season two is premiering in the UK on FX, ITN talks to Michelle Forbes, who claims her show's vampires could whip some Twilight ass, and Alexander Skarsgard tells them that as Scandinavians he and his parents watch the show together, naked (LINK)
As if you don't have enough to worry about, CBS News' report on pediatricians who are also pedophiles (LINK)
And finally, kittens, as a palate cleanser (LINK)
Better than sherbet.
February 23, 2010
Video Top 5 - #Weeds' Uncle Andy, Matt Berry on Filmmaking, Bobby Bottleservice is Back, #CraigFerguson,
Your Uncle Andy (Weeds returns a some date to still be determined on Showtime) is back and he's teaching TV/VCR repair at the University of Andy. What's a VCR you ask? It's some old invention that came out the same time as the wheat thresher, I think (LINK)
Matt Berry, one of the funniest men ever to spring from the loins of the United Kingdom, teaches you, the fledgling filmmaker, what he knows in a clip that you probably don't wanna watch at work (LINK)
Bobby Bottleservice is back and this time with Peter Papparazzo in The Case of When That Hot Filipina Girl Lost Her Tramp Stamp At Mini-Golf, featuring Fred Durst and the actual Ed Hardy guy (no, not Jon Gosselin, Christian Audiger) (LINK)
Craig Ferguson is one sexy f**ker, watch the sexy dance he does for the Robot Skeleton Army who are very definitely not married to Craig, but his interns do fake marry each other for his amusement (LINK)
BBC America's first posted clip from season two of The Inbetweeners, still on Wednesdays with the previous week's ep at 9 and a new one at 9:30: Will has designs on a new girl, Lauren, but blows it when he breaks out his Yoda imitation (LINK)
Actual Teen Mom Bristol Palin to Guest on ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teen
Brenda Hampton, the executive producer and creator of American Teen seems like a nice enough woman, and I've enjoyed some of her TV product throughout the years, so it's not a dig at her personally, but when I hear someone say this ... (THR.com):
"Bristol Palin is the most famous teenage mother in America," the show's creator/executive producer Brenda Hampton said. "I think she will bring additional attention to the issues facing teen parents that we've been exploring for a couple of seasons now."
... I think to myself, "Who is she trying to kid, us or herself?
Sure, this is a great move for the show and they'll get lots of press, it's season three and that can be a benefit with all those newer, shinier programs out there.
But think about it ... she's bringing this girl on to "bring additional attention to the issues facing teen parents" that hasn't really had to deal with said issues and in fact the birth of her child just keeps her in the public eye.
And no, I don't think this is a case where the negative overrides the positive. Here's a girl who got pregnant under her mom's roof (allegedly, okay?) and became a celebrity because of it. How the hell does that bit of business make mesh with the message that this show wants to put out?
I have no idea.
Why are we glorifying this young woman for irresponsible behavior and her mother for bad parenting? And, what in her life, with a famous mom now cashing in on her own weird moment in the sun that should have never happened (I blame you, McCain staffers), makes her relatable to standard issue American teens?
Basically I guess I'm saying, "WTF?"
This makes me sad.
The Most Inconceivable Thing in My Inbox This Morning from #LewisBlack
He looks thrilled about the prospect of this, right?
Well, he's bringing his parents so you know it's not a trap. I mean, he wouldn't invite you out to see and then pull the giant pantomime comedy cork out of the bottom of the ship and let his parents and us go down for the count. Would he?
Would He?
WOULD HE?
The whole idea of this just tickles me ... I imagine Black being rousted out of bed by the cruise organizers daily and sent down to the Lido deck to hobnob with the guests during the day and him being all grumpy and grousy and ... well you know, like Lewis Black.
Fortunately he gets to bring some comedy friends with him, including Kathleen Madigan, Ted Alexandro, Dom Irrera, John Pinette (yes, John Pinette, on a cruise. Finally someone for me to buffet with on the high seas!), Susie Essman (who I adore, a classic bit of hers here at this link, her "What are you doing? bit), Larry Wilmore from The Daily Show and John Bowman.
Not that I imagine that any of them would be any better after being rousted by said cruise organizers.
Lewis Black as titular host of a cruise. Still makes me laugh, even at the end of the post.
Click to the website, LewisBlackComedyCruise.com (HA!) for more details. And see Lew's most recent Daily Show appearance by clicking here. It's about Sarah Palin and that R-word that she thinks she owns.
February 22, 2010
SVU: Meloni Leaving? Since The Source Of This Rumor Already Vanished, I'll Say No
When the paper of origin for a story on Christopher Meloni leaving the show is in Australia, I think you have to consider the question, "Really, the NY Post, whose Page Six probably has a makeup assistant from the show on their payroll (allegedly, I said allegedly) didn't get this story before some paper half a continent away?"
Really?
C'mon gang, it's like driving through NY's meat packing district for the eight millionth time and still being stunned by the pre-op trannies that aren't wearing anything under those faux furs. And though Meloni leaving the show would be ... you know ... upsetting in a very personal way for many of you, it's not like he'd disappear. He's an actor, he'll be asking you to stare at a moving image of him again really soon.
Again, paper in Australia breaking news about a US TV show. Based on .. what exactly?
Exactly. And if they're right, fine but, and this is really not too surprising ... the link to the article at the Australian paper from E! Online is already showing a Page Not Found.
It's gone folks, it's gone. Just act like it never happened.
Can't wait to see Kathy Griffin's guest spot on the show as a lesbian activist. She showed a clip on Wendy the other day (a clip to which I now have no access, sorry) and she's all teary and dramatic ... acting, you know. Should be good. The only preview of the episode doesn't have Kathy in it but you can watch it by clicking here.
Was this just a reason to post Chris Meloni pics? Well, I do like to give the people what they love.
And, finally, upcoming on SVU? Get this ... Ann-Margret, Jaclyn Smith, Susan Anton, Morgan Fairchild, it's like they opened up a Bob Hope special and emptied it into Dick Wolf's lap.
Before I go, Chris wanted to say something to you about managing your diabetes, so click here and watch it (or just tune him out and look at him, your call ... but your life hangs in the balance!)
The more you know. Indeed.
Video Top 5 - Newfound Respect for Kristen Stewart, Mets Preview, Aunt Barbara, Tracy Ullman, Lady Gaga
Why do I have newfound respect for her? Because in her speech after winning the Orange Rising Star Award (votes on by fans) at the British Academy Film Awards she acknowledged pretty much that she wouldn't have won without those rabid Twiheads.
This is not her acceptance speech, it's the interview with the press after (LINK)
Long Island's favorite Tupperware lady (and mine, and my Cousin Joanne's) Aunt Barbara discussed her trip to Orlando Pride. It's an old clip, but as NBC used to say, if you haven't seen it, it's new to you (LINK)
On Tracey Ullman: State of the Union tonight, Tracey explores the dark underbelly of expensive stores, rich recessionistas and back entrances (LINK)
Francesco Vezzoli does petit-point embroidery. Lady Gaga sings. I think at the same time. And then Vezzoli does a portrait of Gaga. In petit-point embroidery. More info on this clip at this NY Times link, and ... the Jonas Akerlund footage in a clip (LINK)
Entertainment Tonight Video -- Hot In Cleveland's Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick
Re: Hot In Cleveland and its very well-cast, uh, cast ...
Dear TV Land,
Please send me the results of this photo shoot with the cast of Hot in Cleveland depicted in this clip from ET so that I don't have to use grainy stills from a YouTube clip.
Also, as this is gonna be a big show for you guys, please don't forget the random blogger who's posted about your other maybe not so popular show at your request over the last four years when you offer set visits to members of the press and other adjacent types.
Also ...
Dear Jane Leeves,
You look amazing! What are you doing that has you looking so great? People wanna know. Well, I'm not sure they wanna know but I betcha when they see you in this clip they'll be asking so I thought I'd ask in advance. We'll be looking for you to share your secrets in due time, happy to see you working with such a great cast on a project has great buzz attached to it.
More after the jump.
Spartacus on Starz is So Gay (or maybe it's just the filter I see it through?)
I spent another hour of my life this past weekend watching Rob Tapert and Steven DeKnight throw enough homo-charged sex and bloody violence into a blender for three or four regular pay cable shows and mix it into a frothy brew on Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
It's. So. Gay.
Well, it is to me. Probably to others, maybe you, too. Hey, if it wasn't a gay show (waiting for McHale to clip it out during his new segment on The Soup) why would they have intentionally showed me this scene from the second episode ...
... which is obviously supposed to reference this scene ...
... which is from Private Benjamin, which we all know is a gay top ten comedy no matter who you ask. C'mon, Goldie Hawn and Eileen Brennan? Classic master/slave relationship set on its ear when Judy gets the job of her lifetime as a purchasing agent at the SHAPE complex in Brussels and Capt. Doreen Lewis loses her shit over it.
You know, just like on this show.
Okay, so not quite like on this show, I don't remember Judy beheading Henri when she found out he slept with the maid, I'll give you that. Worst thing that happened was Lewis' shower raining blue dye on her.
More, including a clip from this Friday's episode, after the jump.
Continue reading "Spartacus on Starz is So Gay (or maybe it's just the filter I see it through?)" »
February 21, 2010
Video Top 5 -- #BAFTA Arrivals Edition (Special Thanks to ITN), Tonight at 8 Eastern on #BBCAmerica
It's BAFTA day, gang. BBC America has the ceremony for you tonight at 8 eastern, 5 pacific. I have my DVR set, do you?
What I really like about the BAFTA awards particularly on BBC America is that they tighten up the proceedings for US airing, at least it seems like they do. We love our award shows but they can get a little tedious, yes?
Watch some of the arrivals from ITN's YouTube account ...
Full Episode Video Bonanza -- Watch Some (Though Not All) #WGA #TV Winners Here!
The Writers Guild of America had their awards show last night. Writers I'm guessing are not telegenic enough or recognizable enough to be on your TV.
(Though I think the writers I know are fine looking people ... right Greenstein?)
Anyhow, here are the winners, and link take you to full episodes or clips from the episodes ...
Drama Series -- Mad Men, AMC (Clip from The Gypsy and The Hobo )
Comedy Series -- 30 Rock, NBC (Episode posted is Klaus and Jenna)
New Series -- Modern Family, ABC (Episode posted is My Funky Valentine )
Episodic Drama -- House, M.D., Fox, Broken Pts. 1 & 2 (a trailer is the best I can do)
Episodic Comedy (TIE) -- 30 Rock, Apollo, Apollo (Clip, Liz's Acting History aka This is Bijou)
Episodic Comedy (TIE) -- Modern Family, Pilot (Clip, Lion King)
Animated -- The Simpsons, Fox, Wedding For Disaster (Clip, Mr. Romance)
Comedy/Variety including talk (TIE) -- Saturday Night Live, NBC (Episode posted is Jon Hamm)
Comedy/Variety including talk (TIE) --The Daily Show, Comedy Central (Episode posted is with guest Brian Williams)
Comedy/Variety Specials -- 2009 Independent Spirit Awards, AMC, IFC
Longform Original Drama -- Georgia O'Keeffe, Lifetime (Canadian trailer)
Longform Adapted Drama -- Taking Chance, HBO (Scene labeled "The Brother")
And there are more, but you're gonna have to find your own clips. More from Hibberd at his THR.com blog at this link.
#SNL/#BettyWhite Update -- EW's Ausiello: "There's a Catch, But It's a Good One"
#Click to him for all the details, but the gist is that Betty would co-host with some SNL women from the past, possibly including Amy, Molly and Tina.
And purportedly they'd come up with some name for the event, like "Women of Comedy" or some such rot. And I guess that's pragmatic, an 88-year-old woman being in every sketch of a 90-minute sketch comedy show would probably be an issue.
Don't really know how much stamina Betty has, but I just keep going back to that dance around the fire she did in The Proposal and thinking that she has more oomph than people give her credit for. Then again that could have been shot over a couple days.
Notice, once again, that reference is being made to the women of Saturday Night Live and there is not one mention of Cheri Oteri, who just carried the show on her back for a few years and gets nothing but disrespect by the show and Lorne, and I just don't understand that.
There isn't even a collection of sketches with Oteri in them at the SNL video bank on NBC.com, and they have clip collections for guest stars like Steve Martin and Chris Walken, and not Oteri.
Lorne, this is why there are people who think you're a misogynist, and it makes you look petty. That's not a good thing for a rich, famous guy like you.
(Yeah, frankly I'm one of those people.)
To that end, I'm finding a Cheri clip and posting it at this link for you to watch, and while you're watching think about all the weeks of watching SNL when only Cheri saved the show with a cheerleaders routine or a visit from Collette Reardon, the drug-addled school bus driver.
Here's a Collette sketch from when Colin Quinn was doing Update, at this link. Sorry about the quality.
New episode of SNL comes this Saturday with host Jennifer Lopez. One more clip, though, from the last new episode (Kutcher) comes a web-only clip about Ashton and Twitter (LINK).
And what the hell, here another Cheri sketch, a cheerleaders sketch with Will, from Hulu.
Lorne Michaels, from here it looks like you have an anger problem. What the hell is that about?
New York Times Prints End of #FamilyGuy Guest Star's #SarahPalin Quote ... Finally!
Because apparently the online world gave them some shit for editing Andrea Fay Friedman's remarks about the episode where she lent her voice to a character who like her has Down's Syndrome.
The article is at this link. It made the front page in Saturday's edition.
I would still love to know who it was that leaked the fact that there was a edited passage of Friedman's email ... was it you? If so, send me a note and tell me why you did it. I won't post your name, I just think it's an interesting story behind a story.
Once again, you can watch that whole episode of Family Guy, the one in question, at this link.
BTW, no new episodes till the middle of March. March? March? MARCH?
WTF? Well I guess I'll just watch reruns. And although I understand not running two new eps during the Olympics it doesn't make me happy. C'mon, it's sweeps, gimme some new TV, and not some dreck like Past Life, which just sucked like a Dyson vacuum.
UK Royals Downgraded? BBC Drops Category 2 Crowd Including Prince Harry
Why are there lists like this in the first place, you might ask? I don't have that answer, but it exists.
According the UK's Daily Mail (with a grain of salt, people, a BIG grain of salt ... no, I don't care what the story is, even if it's about you and you know it's true you should still doubt stuff that comes from the Daily Mail -- notorious they are, to quote Yoda):
The BBC has downgraded five senior members of the Royal Family by ordering that their deaths should no longer trigger an automatic interruption of normal broadcasts.
Prince Harry, Princess Anne, Princes Andrew and Edward and the Countess of Wessex had formerly belonged to a special BBC list known as Category 2, which has now been abolished.
The list meant a specific ‘obituary procedure’ would be followed when they died, including news flashes and the broadcasting of pre-prepared documentaries.
Who's the Countess of Wessex? I have no idea. Has she been on Doctor Who? If not, I probably don't know her.
(Kidding, she's Edward's wife the former Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones.)
Why do I delight in this story? Because I just abhor this Royal Family thing. I get that it's a big tourism draw and all but besides taking some of the pressure for showing up at the opening of an envelope off the PM I find it pointless.
In my TV viewing I may be very British, but regarding this issue I'm totally American.
So, Harry's out, Will's still in. Harry was downgraded to Muhammed Ali status, which is still pretty damn good for a guy who did nothing more than get born to the right family.
And that's how I feel, and I'm sticking with that.
February 20, 2010
Video Top 5 -- #NBCCommunity FanVids, UK's #KatyBrand Does Beyonce, #TheSoup on new #AmazingRace cast, #SecretDiaryOfACallGirl Preview
A sure sign a show is catching on? Fans constructing tribute videos to the characters and relationships. dgmpepper8 on YouTube salute Community's Jeff and Annie (LINK)
Katy Brand, real woman (read: not a stick figure) does Beyonce's Single Ladies for BBC's Let's Dance for Sport Relief special (LINK)
Speaking of McHale, Joel reviews the new cast members including former Miss Teen South Carolina and Big Brother's Jordan (who can't read a clock) on The Amazing Race. Should be a race to the bottom for these two (LINK)
Speaking of Katy Brand, her ITV2 sketch comedy show premieres on BBC America soon, here's a clip of her spoofing Lady Gaga (LINK)
Hannah, Bambi and Ben contemplate the state of their relationships this week on Secret Diary Of A Call Girl this Monday at 10 on Showtime (LINK)
Video -- Brand Spankin' New #DoctorWho Dalek/Weeping Angels "Shot in 3D" Trailer
Yes, it's shot in 3D. You can't see it in 3D here, of course, or even anywhere in the States, it was shot in 3D for UK movie theaters (and it's a great idea, imagine all those Avatar ticket buyers and how happy they were to get an added extra something for their ticket price!).
And you can watch it by clicking here.
The first episode of the new series with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan premieres on Easter Sunday in the UK on BBC One. I have nothing yet on the premiere date on BBC America but I'm on it like a weeping angel on Sally Sparrow.
The beginning of the scene somewhat reminds me of the Doc10/Rose scene from New Earth. Do you agree?
Previously, new series key art with spoilers (LINK).
#ConanOBrien "I'm Literally With Coco" Tour Possibilities?
Yes, they should call it the I'm Literally, Actually With Coco Tour.
The Hollywood Reporter has a speculative piece on a Conan O'Brien live tour, which would of course skirt the restrictions on appearing on TV yet still allow him to promote whatever it is that he is going to do after the August 31 or September 1 (can't really figure out which) date that he agreed to when signing the deal with NBC to protect his staff and pay him off for treating him like yesterday's shit.
Yes, speculative, although they do mention someone privy to negotiations of the kind who doesn't wanna be named. As usual. Hate that.
Here's what I think ... I think Conie-Onie and Fox probably already have something agreed to in principle and this is coming out of some sort of promotional strategy meeting for the show. I have no confirmation of that but I've been around long enough to know that this kind of thing doesn't get leaked on a Saturday f0r no reason.
Fox shows already have experience going on the road, what with the Idol and SYTYCD tours, so they probably have all the people and info in place they need to consider this.
And, it's a great idea, especially good if they can get cranking fast and get Conan onto some big college campuses quickly. It is already mid February. May comes fast.
I would also make sure that Conan had a graduation speech gig this season, either in NYC or LA. In fact, it would be a good idea if that gig was at UCLA -- lots of press access, Fox could send someone cheaply to video the event and get it online (if that avenue hasn't already been blocked by the NBC contract).
Why UCLA? Because USC is stocked with rich kid pampered pigs and Conan is a man of the people, despite his Harvard degree.
It can't be Harvard, they're going with David Souter.
UCLA doesn't announce their commencement speaker until March 1, so they still have time to work something out. Maybe.
#Shatner Will Say #ShitMyDadSays, CBS Greenlights Pilot Based on Twitter Account
Best. Casting. Ever.
Funny, 'cause in my opinion Shatner's already doing a series that could have the same title. Have you seen his interview show on the Biography Channel? He'll say just about anything! AND ... I agree with him, a lot. A LOT!
Did you see his him talk to that fat drug-addled sonavabitch Limbaugh about health care? He gets the guy to contradict himself in the same sentence. Click this and see.
(Yes, drug addled. What else do you call a guy who took so much Oxy he went deaf?)
Anyhow, Shatner will be great spitting out lines like, "There's a word for people like that...No, I'm saying, there's a word and I don't know what it is. I'm not being fucking poetic."
Well, no f-bombs on CBS, I guess, but they'll find a way around it.
Click over to Justin Halpern's Twitter account to read more. I think it would be a good idea if some crafty young TV writer scoured the account for the best lines and wrote a spec script based on them. Too out there? My friend Jeff Greenstein informs recently that someone is passing around a great That Girl spec, now THAT's a novel idea.
(BTW, re the Limbaugh clip ... housing is nothing like health care. There IS a moral imperative to helping to make sure everyone is as healthy as they can be. AND, it's a national security issue as well with the issue of bioweapons. But Limbaugh can't see it that way because it flies in the face of everything he claims to hold dear. It's all an act, of course, he's the first person to tell you that he's just an entertainer. I'm still waiting to be entertained.)
"My Mother Did Not Carry Me Around Under Her Arm Like a Loaf of French Bread the Way Former Governor Palin Carries Her Son Trig Around Looking for Sympathy and Votes"
Didn't see this line in the header at the NYTimes.com's Arts Beat blog this week? Really? I think we should look into that, don't you? Yes? Good.
Andrea Fay Friedman played Chris' date with Down's Syndrome this past week on Family Guy. Sarah Palin, because everything that happens everywhere is about her, decided that the whole episode of the show was about her and not just that one joke about her being "the daughter of the former Governor of Alaska."
Sarah's been railing, as per usual. And you can't blame her, some people just feel like everything is about them. With the new DSM V coming out I hope we get that diagnosed for her.
Friedman answered questions via email and on the phone for the NY Times' Arts Beat blog about the episode, and said some things that the Times printed, and she said some things the Times (the paper of record) did not.
You can read the stuff they DID print at this link.
The only reason we know about the quote in the headline to this post is that someone at the Times apparently informed the gang at Gawker that there was some editing.
What up, NYT? Are ya scared of the people who support Sarah Palin? Don't you know they don't read the Times in the first place? Now, the publishers of the Pennysaver or Grit Magazine might have a problem alienating this crowd, but you, the Gray Lady?
What a frickin' wuss move on their part. No wonder newspapers are dying, they leave all the good stuff on the editor's office floor!
Watch the entire episode of Family Guy in question and see for yourself if it's stuff to be comdemned or enjoyed? Just click here.
If you just wanna see the musical number, click this link.
I love musical numbers. Yeah, I guess that's a given.
February 18, 2010
Video Top 5 --Nurse Jackie, #Glee & #BBCAmerica Survivors Previews, Old Spice, AmEx
Yeah, yeah, I forgot my brand new feature yesterday, it was only the second day and I forgot!
But I remembered today, so here's the Video Top 5!
Gleeks unite! New episodes return in April and here's a preview (LINK)
The second episode of Survivors, the best acted scifi/speculative drama I've seen, airs Saturday on BBC America (LINK)
My new FB friend Isaiah Mustafa in the hilarious Old Spice ad that I call "I'm on a horse" (LINK)
Very weird and not real American Express ads by Steve Agee from The Sarah Silverman Program (LINK)
Nurse Jackie season two trailer, returns March 23 on Showtime (LINK)
Do you have a clip that should be in my Video Top 5? Send it to me (contact info in the right hand column) with "video top 5" in the subject line.
Worst Better Off Ted #SaveTed News This Year -- Harrington, Anders Book Buzzy Pilots
Well this sucks, and you're to blame. Well, maybe not you but someone you know.
Looks like both Jay Harrington and Andrea Anders are attached to big buzzy pilots, one at ABC and one at NBC. And though both pilots are second position bookings (meaning if Better Off Ted gets renewed they stay with the show) we can stipulate that it doesn't look good for my favorite TV office comedy since NewsRadio.
(You can watch 62 full episodes of NewsRadio at Hulu by clicking here, or watch one of my favorite episode by clicking this link. (It's the season three finale that takes place on a space ship. Yes, on a space ship!)
Harrington's project is Nathan vs. Nurture, about a heart surgeon who reunites with his sperm donor and his other kids after 35 years. Anders is the female lead in her boyfriend Matt LeBlanc's former co-star Matthew Perry's ABC pilot Mr. Sunshine which also includes Allison Janney.
Shit.
More from The Hollywood Reporter at this link.
Shit. Shit shit shit.
Watch every episode you can of Better Off Ted at this Hulu link as punishment for letting this show circle the drain.
Shit.
And read all my BOT posts at this link.
Shit.
It's not that I don't think I'd enjoy the other shows, but I know and love this one.
Shit.
And you can by the season one box set by clicking here.
TV.com re #AmericanIdol: "Let’s Get It On Already"
See, this is why I don't watch the early rounds ... from their Matthew Jaffe:
Dear God, where is Dr. Conrad Murray when you really need him? Last night was a veritable "Man In the Mirror"-athon as male singer after male singer resurrected Michael’s ghost. That is, when they weren’t showing the importance of being earnest a la Jason Mraz's “I’m Yours.”
“Seventy-one lives are on the line, all trying to achieve the same end,” intoned Seacrest, with a solemnity more appropriate to a Russian submarine disaster or a hostage crisis. And Idol’s producers did turn this latest round of cuts into a kind of siege. They rounded up contestants, divided them, and then left them to await their fates for an eternity in brightly lit rooms with no chairs to sit on.
Who decided that a lack of furniture makes for good television? What about the product placement opportunities? And the carpeting was so garish that it looked as if it was designed to induce seizures. Was this Hollywood Week or Guantanamo Getaway?
This is why I wait until the top six, by that point the show isn't so keen on humiliating these poor kids. Of course, with six left there's less humiliating to do. I just can't bare it.
There are always some disqualification horror stories that come with the announcement of the Top 24, the LA Times Idoltracker blog has details from this season at this link.
I'll check in on coverage from time to time before I start watching in April.
His Chattiness on Tour: #CraigFerguson @CraigyFerg Adds October Carnegie Hall Date
Who do you get to Carnegie Hall? You do a crap show in the middle of the night that isn't really a crap show at all, turn in the funniest monologue on TV on a nightly basis, deconstruct the format just shy of where it cracks, book interesting people instead of just actors who have shows and movies to plug, learn a new Spanish word nightly, amass a Robot Skeleton Army on Twitter ...
... and then you get on the N train at 6th Ave. and travel uptown.
Note to everyone in the world ... I am more than happy to accompany you to the Scottish Conan guy's appearance at Carnegie Hall. Just send first class airline tickets and book me a suite at an Ian Schrager hotel and I'm there.
Okay, business class and a room at the New York Hilton.
Coach and a Quality Inn?
Baggage and The East Side Baths?
Bus and the Port Authority Bus Terminal?
C'mon people, I'm great company, you could at least pop for a Holiday Inn!
I guess I'll just have to continue to watch Craig nightly on CBS and at CBS.com.
Carnegie Hall tix at Live Nation.
And, Craig's Comedy Central DVD A Wee Bit Of Revolution is available by clicking this Amazon link.
Pandora Boxx From RuPaul's Drag Race Opens Up, Answers My Five Burning Questions
The myth of Pandora's Box ... (Wikipedia):
After Prometheus' theft of the secret of fire, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to create the first woman, Pandora, as part of the punishment of mankind. Pandora was given many seductive gifts from Aphrodite, Hermes, Hera, Charites, and Horae (according to Works and Days). For fear of additional reprisals, Prometheus warned his brother Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus did not listen, and married Pandora. Pandora had been given a large jar and instruction by Zeus to keep it closed, but she had also been given the gift of curiosity, and ultimately opened it. When she did so, all of the evils, ills, diseases, and burdensome labor that mankind had not known previously, escaped from the jar, but it is said, that at the very bottom of her jar, there lay hope.
One might imagine Pandora's apology tour of the mythical Greek media: "Sorry about all those evils, ills, diseases and burdensome labor, boys, but I lo-o-ove a surprise!"
Also, burdensome labor builds strong, sweaty bodies, and who doesn't love that!
Of course, replace Pandora with her 21st century namesake Pandora Boxx and the surprise would be all theirs, wouldn't it?
Well, it is Greece. To that end I can only say a good portion of those men wouldn't be surprised at all, they've seen it before.
Sharing a hometown (Jamestown, NY) with a red-headed legend, Lucille Ball, it's not surprise Pandora Boxx is the flat-out-funniest of the contestants on this season's edition of RuPaul's Drag Race (and you'll find that out in just a moment), but the red wig that our girl sports (yes, we officially support Pandora here, suck it world!) in the premiere of the show was an homage to that week's panel guest Kathy Griffin, which is what bonds the lovely Pandora (aka Michael Steck) and your TV Junkie and prompted me to seek out this email interview.
I thank Michael Barrett at Logo for getting it set up.
Ms. Boxx (profile video clip from the show at this link) sat at her computer from the frozen Great Lake-side City of Rochester, NY while I sat as usual, here on the 14th green at La Costa (in shorts and a t-shirt, do you hate me?) and you can read her responses to my queeries after the jumperoo.
No, one of my questions is not: "Why does it burn when I pee?" Burning questions, people, not questions about burning sensations. Click over and we'll get started.
Images courtesy Logo Online and Pandora Boxx, and I thank them.
February 17, 2010
New Doctor Who #11 & Amy Key Art, Are There Spoilers in This Image?
If you click on the image you can see a larger version.
So, whaddaya see? Is it worth discussion? You can use the comments below to present your evidence.
BBC One announced an April premiere date for the new series, BBC America is still sticking to the generalized "Spring 2010" arrival. Which is still better than months later, and I AM appreciative, but an actual date would be nice.
If you know something I don't, spill it!
(I mean something about the Doctor Who premiere, there are obviously too many things I don't know for everyone to be piling on.)
February 16, 2010
Video Top 5 -- #LadyGaga at Brit Awards, #FunnyOrDie on #HBO, Will & Amy in London, #Gervais, #Caprica
Trying this out as a daily feature. Bear with me if I forget from time to time ... remind me if you catch me.
Today's clips (click each link and the Apture.com plug-in should allow to you watch it here, email me with tech issues):
Lady Gaga, winner of four Brit Awards, salutes the late Alexander McQueen on stage at the ceremony at Earl's Court in London, the show will NOT air on BBC America this year (LINK)
- Someone gets smart enough to give the Funny Or Die gang a show, February 19 at midnight on HBO (LINK)
- Comedy couples from UK and US (Peter Serafanowicz & Sarah Alexander, Will Arnett & Amy Poehler) exchange pleasantries and spit on a London street from Funny Or Die UK (LINK)
- Preview clip from The Ricky Gervais Show this Friday at 9 on HBO (LINK)
- Caprica videoblog, To Be An Adama, featuring Esai Morales and Sasha Roiz (LINK)
You can also get a free download from iTunes of the premiere of the Gervais HBO series, which is an animated version of his oft-downloaded podcasts. Click here and your iTunes store will open, as if by magic.
Clip Bonanza -- Marge & Homer, Stephen Colbert ... The Cool Kids Are Curling! Learn More Here
Since all of your favorite TV types are enjoying the sport of the moment ... and who would have ever thought it would be curling ... I thought maybe you might be interested in knowing something more about it than Homer and Marge got a chance to teach you Sunday night (full episode video from Hulu at this link).
You know it's a hot sport when Stephen Colbert is into it (link to his curling team tryouts video).
But before you click around the net looking for your own curling gear (LINK) I thought you might like some more explanation, so I found THIS from Time Magazine's YouTube acct. that will give you the proper insight, whether you're just watching or wanna get involved like Stephen.
And, this year's Olympic curling starts today, look for some coverage from NBC on the prime time show, they love their quixotic sporting events. More on curling from Current TV at this link called Curling is Crack.
Secret Diary Video -- Hannah and I Consider Duncan, Her Editor
Worth consideration, yes? Well first off he's employed, that's a good thing. But he's her editor and that's not such a good thing.
Then again, who better to, ahem, consider (read: have lustful fantasies about) than the one guy besides the guy you call your best friend that knows your secrets and is okay with them.
And then again on the other hand who worse that the man that knows all your secrets.
But on the other other hand there's all that accent and distinguished tone and psychobabble on the nature of attraction and let's face it, all these two talk about is sex, it's gotta get one going, dontcha think?
Of course on the other other other hand (that's some interesting set of body parts, huh?) the guy looks like James D'Arcy.
She does has to work with him, but she's ... you know ... not someone that lets that kind of thing stand in her way.
So she's not acting in her own best interests, what twenty-something who just landed a book deal and screws for a living does?
(Insert reference to quill stuck in company ink.)
Watch the trailer for next week's episode by clicking here. Clothes make the man, but shoes and women is a relationship that lasts a lifetime.
Monday at 10 on Showtime, Thursdays at 10 on ITV2.
TED Conference Books @SarahKSilverman, Then F**ks Her (without even buying her dinner)
Note: See, this is why I was reluctant to return to Twitter. Now every time I click over there I'm transfixed by some heinous act reported by one of the people I follow (like Sarah, like Kevin Smith) and it just sucks me in. Not only does it suck the time away from me but it presents me with the impression that I'm covering breaking news, which while attractive is not what I set out to do here. So, this is the last TV celeb Twitter war story. Promise. I think. No, I'm resolute! I think. We'll see.
The TED Conference for those of you who don't know is an annual meeting of the best and brightest in the areas of technology, entertainment and design.
Sarah Silverman (seen above at a past red carpet event being Sarah Silverman) was an entertainer booked to appear this year at the conference.
Apparently it all went downhill from there. Would love to tell you what went on during Sarah's appearance but: a) I was not invited as I'm neither the best nor brightest, and b) her appearance has not been posted at the TED Talks YouTube page.
What I do know, mostly from reading this post at the Wash Post's TechCrunch blog, is ...
Silverman's crime? She made people uncomfortable by saying, over and over, that she wanted to adopt a retarded child. Like other comedians lately, she was using the word to remove its power to hurt people, and as a jab at Governor Palin's recent jihad against the word. Apparently the TED crowd didn't get the joke.
If you click over you can read a first person recollection of the bit, in which Sarah uses the word retard a lot. A LOT.
More after the jump.
February 15, 2010
Buy Valerie Bertinelli's Christian Siriano Heart Truth Red Dress at Clothes Off Our Back Auction
Friday's big Fashion Week event in New York was the Red Dress fashion show hosted by The Heart Truth, a campaign from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services that fosters awareness of women's heart health (their website at this link).
Clothes Off Our Back, one of my favorite noble causes founded by Jane Kaczmarek and her ex, Bradley Whitford, has a number of those dresses on auction today, including this Christian Siriano design that Valerie Bertinelli wore on the runway in last week's event.
And it can be yours.
You have 18 days (and some hours and minutes) from now to click over (LINK) and bid on the dress, as well as other items including red dresses worn by Paula Abdul, Kristy Yamaguchi, Susan Lucci and Olympics opening ceremonies star Nelly Furtado, and dresses and suits and other stuff worn by the likes of Jon Hamm and Colin Farrell at recent award shows to benefit Haiti relief efforts.
Always a good idea to click over to this very well-intended auction site to see what they're doing, and if you've got the coin and you're the right size (in some cases, there's stuff besides clothes, too) you might get yourself some fab memorabilia.
Video -- #DoctorWho Writers V. Margaret Thatcher -- Really?
Over three weeks in November 1988 BBC One ran the Doctor Who serialized story The Happiness Patrol, in which the evil leader of the human colony on the planet Terra Alpha, a woman named Helen A had made unhappiness a crime punishable by death.
(Watch a fan made recap of the episode -- sorry about the obtrusive music playing over it -- by clicking here.)
Today we learn that said evil leader was an allusion to Margaret Thatcher, who at the time for the British Prime Minister. Moreover, we learn from Doctor #7 Sylvester McCoy and script editor Andrew Cartmel that there was a team in place on the show that was inserting anti-Thatcher messages into the show.
McCoy, now 66, who took over as the Doctor three months after Thatcher's third election victory in 1987, said they brought politics into the show "deliberately" but "very quietly".
He said: "We were a group of politically motivated people and it seemed the right thing to do.
"Our feeling was that Margaret Thatcher was far more terrifying than any monster the Doctor had encountered," he told the Sunday Times.
Cartmel said it was almost a job requirement to detest Thatcher.
When asked by John Nathan-Turner, the producer, what he hoped to achieve in being the show's script editor, he recalled: "My exact words were: I'd like to overthrow the government.
"I was a young firebrand and I wanted to answer honestly. I was very angry about the social injustice in Britain under Thatcher and I'm delighted that came into the show."
I don't know a lot about Thatcher's UK, but I do know she was a Tory and that there were a few years of utter misery in the United Kingdom economically and socially during her stay at 10 Downing Street.
Of course there has been an immediate response from the conservative wing of the country, people protesting that it was this constant harping on Thatcher's agenda throughout the late 80s that resulted in the ultimate cancelation of the show in '89.
Yeah, it wasn't the cheesy sets or the downmarket villians made of plastic and rubberized whatever and stuff left at the bottom on your grandma's candy dish, it was the Thatcher bashing.
Interesting that McCoy, widely considered the least popular of the TV Doctors that we've seen so far, should come forward with this. You gotta wonder how many people across the years have blamed his portrayal of the Doctor for the show's demise. Do you think he's trying an end run around that opinion? I would bet some of these people would say so.
Whaddaya think? Use the very underused comment section below.
#AmericanIdol Format Tweak -- "Some" of Top 24 To Be Announced Tomorrow
The panel will deliberate before the cameras tomorrow night and choose some of what I'm guessing will be the easier calls for the Top 24. An effort to tamp down some of this Olympics fervor on another channel? Maybe.
(In primetime Tuesday NBC will have the Men's Figure Skating Short Program, which has the potential to steal some eyes away from Idol, I do believe.)
Of course, I don't show up until the Top 6, as is my tradition for the last few years, with minor incursions beforehand for anything Sanjaya-esque. You don't wanna be missing something like that, even if you have to listen to some bad singing of tired pop hits to experience it.
You know, I was just sitting here trying to come up with the name of the guy who won the thing last year and I just blanked. Yet I can describe for you in detail that hairstyle sported by the keyboard player that had Adam Lambert's tongue stuck down his throat during the America Music Awards. That event, in retrospect, seems to have worked out for the guy, huh?
Oh, Kris Allen. That's right. Hey, has his album come out yet? It has? Haven't heard one song from that album play on the radio. Ever. I'm guessing this is the hit (LINK) after doing some research, listening to it now ... for the first time.
I should at least record it Tuesday to see how Ellen's holding up. BTW, does Ellen just being there prevent Simon and Ryan for alleging the other is a girlyman? Is that why she's there? I still can't figure out that one out.
From the Fox press release:
In an American Idol first, some of the Top 24 semifinalists will be revealed in a special two-hour event airing Tuesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox.
On Tuesday evening, the remaining contestants will take the stage to perform their final solo number in front of Simon, Ellen, Kara and Randy in hopes of singing their way into the Top 24. Following these performances, the judges will deliberate, and for the first time in Idol history, will announce some of the Top 24 semifinalists.
More? There's always AmericanIdol.com for the official version of things, and after that those who are so disposed (you might enjoy seeing a woman's ribcage through her skin) can click over to Maxim to see Judge Kara's new photo shoot (one tame image from the set here to the right) complete with Coca Cola product placement, or watch the video right here by clicking this link.
Hey, here's an idea for replacing Simon next year, just hire this guy (LINK).
And maybe if you've got a moment, explain to me what is so unlikeable about Kara. I can't really put my finger on it but I don't feel her, at all.
February 14, 2010
Breaking on Twitter -- @ThatKevinSmith v. @SouthwestAirlines (I Picked the Wrong Day to Return to Twitter)
I'm not going to be able to help myself here since I've had worries in this area. And, I apparently can't help but share personal stories.
So, hours back at Twitter and of course I'm following Kevin Smith because I'm a fan, and his stream has erupted (hehehe, stream has erupted, call me Victor Mature) with his running commentary of a situation with Southwest Airlines from his trip last night from Oakland into Burbank.
Quickly (per the tweets) ... Smith buys two seats (as he usually does on Southwest per their PR) for himself from Oakland to Burbank. Decides he wants to leave earlier, so he queues up for standby and there's only one spot left, which the airline offers and he takes, though it's one seat only. He sits, fits himself within the armrests, belts up ... but apparently the Captain of the flight on his inspection has decided Smitty doesn't fit well enough and asks attendants to remove him from the plane.
Yes, after many people had ID'd the big guy as Kevin Smith.
Commence the walk of shame, but ... there's only shame if you let there be and I guess Kevin decided to take control of the event and in turn take to Twitter.
And his followers pelted Southwest with retweets ..."and they told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on" ...
Southwest responded. Click here for an apology from them, which is also at their site's blog, but those servers have been overrun.
And good for him, because I've had a fear of said walk of shame in the past. Good for him not really for using his Twitter army (but not a Robot Skeleton Army) though that is clever, but for standing up for the rest of us.
Because I would let the fat issue get in the way of my being vocal about the matter.
More after the jumperoni.
February 13, 2010
I'm Taking the Weekend Off, Talk Amongst Yourselves
Have a lovely weekend, weather be damned! For me it's a lovely blue-sky and temps in the 60s but I know there's been, um, issues weatherwise across the country.
I spent a few moments yesterday lifting a large stone on the front lawn. Shouldn't have, paying for it now. I should have called Fred and Barney.
I'm gonna lay down and heal this weekend, you do whatever it is that helps you to heal from last week, too. There's plenty of Olympics action to keep one occupied or it might be time for you to take a bite out of that DVR of yours.
Whatever it is enjoy it and we'll meet back here Monday.
February 12, 2010
Video -- Cougar Town's Ian Gomez, An Appreciation
It's about this time in the run of this year's new sitcoms that the writers' room gets around to throwing some good material to the supporting cast and this week on Cougar Town the recipients of this attention were Andy and Laurie (Ian Gomez, Busy Phillips) in a storyline surrounding Laurie's new BF Smith and his dad (Barry Bostwick) who Andy is courting professionally.
Of course, Andy likes Laurie and Andy wants Smith's dad's biz, but Smith's dad just isn't into the bra-strap adjusting, shimmying Laurie. Watch the scene by clicking here.
Later on Andy comes correct, choosing a defense of Laurie over his pocketbook, which I thought would result in wife Ellie (Christa Miller) combusting in some way but she actually stands up for her nemesis (of sorts) and good on her, though we don't want too much nice-nice between Ellie and Laurie. There needs to be some tension between the two at least over who's more important to Jules.
See? I didn't mention Courtney's character till the end of the third graph, which I guess to some extent backs up Gomez's remark to TVGuide.com, "It's funny how Cougar Town started as a show about a woman dating a younger man, and now it's kind of turning into an ensemble show about a bunch of friends and their misadventures."
(Also funny? How Jules is kinda turning into a divorced realtor from Florida version of Monica Gellar, but I don't really mind that, do you?)
Solid show, very funny, great cast and already renewed for next season.
Excellent.
Watch the whole episode by clicking here (US Only, sorry other people).
February 11, 2010
TV.com Has Hope For Another Season of Heroes, How About You?
Yes, despite all the brouhaha over yesterday's Hayden has changed her hair color news, Anna Hiatt at TV.com is still holding out for another go round for the series.
Today, at that site:
In Monday's season finale of Heroes, Samuel tried to have his big coming out party in Central Park. The plan was to bury a few thousand New Yorkers in one of his signature craters, and hopefully to be heralded as the king of the world. But as the carnival subplot wrapped up, a new volume began. Claire pulled a stunt in front of a hoard of news reporters, and jumped off the top of a Ferris wheel. And just like that, everyone found out about the "specials."Which means that for next season (if there is one), we're promised a whole new world.
So Anna is hopeful. Ratings aren't however. The show is still fourth in its time period, and by a lot. What's a lot? A little more than 5.5 million viewers less than 24 on Fox.
I would recap you on the show but I haven't watched in a long time. After a while even I stopped caring.
Video -- Five Must-Haves and Must-Nots for Your Spartacus: Blood And Sand Viewing Party
Great idea, huh? Check your inhibitions (and depending on your friends, your clothes) at the door, oil up (or get your drink on, whatev) and file on in like Batiatus' gladiators before the rich and powerful Romans of the day to be ogled and objectified ... and maybe even get pressed into service for the admiring throng in an adjacent room.
Or, you could just make copious amounts of food and provide troughs for the eventual vomiting, but the former is a much sexier alternative than the latter.
Well, unless you're really into vomiting.
Anyone? Bueller?
In any event, two lists for you today ... five must have items and five things you maybe leave at home or in the closet or dresser drawer, all in the name of the ultimate Spartacus on Starz viewing party.
And it's after the jump.
February 09, 2010
MTV's Jersey Kids Head To South Beach? "Shore," They Say
I still contend that it was foolish on MTV's part to rehire the same cast. I would have just found a new batch. It's not like they're searching for the next Stephen Hawking, after all.
(Sure, there's just one guy out there committed to the GTL lifestyle ... more like one million.)
So, striking while the iron is hot with a show that needs warm weather (you can't lift your shirt in a blizzard) requires a move south, and South Beach is about as south as you can get.
And while I think the guys will do okay in their new digs (which I'm sure will cost more and be even more luxurious than the Seaside Heights house) I see a problem for the women of Jersey Shore once they hit the modeling capital of the winter season, which is currently in full swing.
Here's a link to some of the women on Elite Model Management's Miami site. Go look at them, and then look at this below.
See what I mean?
Oh, btw, all the talk about the JWoww naked pics ... is anyone surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so. No pics have surfaced. Yet. I wonder, did MTV buy them and quash them? I would have.
Ten grand an episode? That should be enough for JWoww to get a fake ass, too. Or very very big collagen lips. Big fake lips, just like those candy lips from when we were kids.
Click to CNN.com to Read My Comments on Betty White
Betty is everywhere these days, even in the minds of CNN writers like Lisa Respers France, who called me a couple days ago to get my comments on the illustrious career of that fab gal Betty White.
Read it at this link.
Watch Betty's Super Bowl ad with Abe Vigoda at this link.
And, here's a prediction for you -- Betty's new TV Land series with Wendie Malick, Val Bertinelli and Jane Leeves called Hot In Cleveland will be the highest rated debut in the history of the cable channel.
Trust your TV Junkie buddy Joe, bet the farm on it (if you can find a taker), this will happen.
While you're thinking about Betty, go look for the online petition asking Lorne Michaels to have Betty host SNL and sign it.
I did.
Why Did NBC Say Yes to Letterman/Oprah/Leno Promo? And Who's Job Is It To Spy on Dave's Studio?
Could it be because they planned to promote the hell out of it in the days after, instructing their PR people to spin the spot as Jay's ad?
Because that's what's going on today. And, Jay talked about it on his low-rated and soon to be gone primetime show last night.
When I watched the clip the first thing that jumped out at me is the revelation that someone at NBC apparently has a spy hanging out near the Ed Sullivan Theatre where Letterman tapes his show watching the vehicles that come and go.
That's just sick. Weird. Smacks of someone at the network will a real problem that needs to be addressed. And it might not be the spy him or herself but whoever is assigning the task.
Shit, it's just television, it's not a matter of national security. Maybe NBC should send their spy to the White House to make sure people aren't crashing state dinners, it would be a better use of said person's time.
Or, maybe the guy scoping out Dave's lair is his extorter? Nah, I'm sure there's some sort of protection order against him, right? No? Well there should be.
Joe B.
Blogger, DVR superuser, comedy fan, sci fi guy, occasional period drama enthusiast, newshound ... also at http://www.facebook.com/TVJoe.
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