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sports, tv

next week 7/21

July 19, 2008 2 Comments

New and notable in the week ahead…

Monday

Wanna Bet (ABC, 9pm) Series Debut – Celebs earn money for charities by betting on the outcome of random people’s random stunts.
Heidi Fleiss (HBO, 9pm) – This special takes a look at the would-be madam of crystal.
Date My Ex (Bravo, 10pm) – I’ve never caught the Real Housewives of OC but apparently alum Jo De La Rosa is looking for love with her ex Slade Smiley.
Legally Blonde the Musical (MTV, 10pm) Season Finale – And a new elle woods is crowned.
Breaking Bad (AMC, 12am) – If you missed this series last season they are replaying the pilot episode.

Tuesday

Deadliest Catch (Disc, 9/10pm) Season Finale – The finale is followed by a behind the scenes look.
How to Look Good Naked (Life, 10pm) Season Premiere – I hope Carson is helping these women with their self esteem issues though I wasn’t all that entertained by the one show I caught.
General Hospital: Night Shift (Soap, 11pm) Season Premiere – I’m just including this because we couldn’t figure out what Antonio Sabato Jr had acted in, and apparently this is it.

Wednesday

Buzzin’ (MTV, 10:30) Series Debut – Who was saying more reality of nobodies? If you raised your hand, check out Cisco Adler (of dated Mischa Barton fame) doing something somewhat music related.
Criss Angel: Mindfreak (A&E, 10/10:30pm) Season Premiere – I don’t really understand this guy but apparently he does ‘magic, mentalism, and dazzling pyrotechnic effects’.

Thursday

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader (Fox, 8pm) Season Finale – I think the answer to that is usually no.

Friday

Dale Jr (ESPN, 7pm) Season Finale – Apparently Dale is switching racing teams and we’ve been following right along.

Saturday

Beach Volleyball (NBC, sa/su 11:30am) – The Crocs tour stops in Long Beach.

Sunday

Tour de France (Vs, 4:30am, and all week leading up to this – also CBS, 10am) – Well they’ve been riding for three weeks and as they ride into Paris who will be wearing yellow? Earlier stages throughout the week on vs. and several times each day but CBS is doing what will probably be a recap and final on Sunday.
Shark Week (Disc, 9pm – shows throughout the week) – Mythbusters kicks on shark week doing what they do best, busting myths and these are of course shark related.
Mad Men (AMC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Folks do seem to like this period show about ad guys.
The Next Food Network Star (Food, 10pm) Season Finale – And a food network star is chosen.

For those of you who somehow missed it, I am a big fan of Joss Whedon (aka creator of the Buffyverse among other things). Well whilst we wait for his next television endeavor, Dollhouse with Eliza Dushku scheduled for midseason, you can still catch some good stuff.

Joss had a little downtime during the strike so he and some of his friends created a supervillian musical. Yes, you read that correctly. Joss has some musical success with the epic episode of Buffy (they were affected by some sort of magic). And he has a fantastic cast with Broadway and How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris and Firefly star Nathan Fillion, along with the lovely Felicia Day.

For a limited time only the three parts are available for free viewing online releasing July 15, 17, and 19 at http://drhorrible.com/. Each part looks to be under 15 minutes. They’re only up until midnight Sunday the 20th and following that will be available for a nominal download fee from the likes of itunes and eventually on dvd.

emmy nominations

July 17, 2008 3 Comments

Well the nominations are in and what do we all think? I honestly don’t pay a ton of attention to these and I just can’t bring myself to comment on all the things that should have been nominated.

I will tell you for best dramatic series I didn’t get into Damages so dropped it after a couple eps, and I was in a very anti advertising mood when Mad Men started and couldn’t bring myself to watch, maybe I was wrong. I’m loving Dexter and Michael C Hall’s performance and still watch Lost though I’m not sure I was as into this season as previous ones and House is always good but other than Hugh Laurie I just don’t think it’s a great show, oh and is Boston Legal still on? Also happy to see a nod to Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad which I thought was really compelling. Holly Hunter is fantastic in Saving Grace and honestly no real dis to Mariska but really, again?

As for the comedic fodder 30 Rock and The Office both have moments of greatness, and Two and a Half Men, really? I’ve caught a few Curb and it’s the kind of painful funny I can’t believe I’m laughing at, and again I thought Entourage was over. I’m glad to see some Pushing Daisies actors in the mix, which I loved, though Lee Pace’s quieter role doesn’t have a shot against Steve Carell and Alec Baldwin (maybe fantastic Kristin in supporting). Glad to see Christina Applegate mixing it up with Fey and JLDreyfus, though I admittedly don’t watch Ugly Betty (don’t dig) or Weeds (don’t get).

I’ve noted the major cats below, for a full list check out the official site or eonlines clean post and of course there are the actual awards given out September 21.

Outstanding Drama Series

Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

Outstanding Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

James Spader, Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damages
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart, Samantha Who?
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

best, tv

top 5, or so, tv

July 16, 2008 4 Comments

My posting a top 5 movies list caused a little bit of wonderment about my top 5 all time tv shows… The thought of picking 5 was a little daunting, but Entertainment Weekly recently did a special episode on “The New Classics” which listed some modern faves in all the mediums so it got me thinking about this again. And then I stopped because I just couldn’t do it.

Once I realized I just couldn’t do it, I did it, but instead of top 5 what I’ve done is cheated just a little:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – This show brought together both the fun cheesiness of a teen show with real intelligence and drama all wrapped up with monsters, delightful verbal quips, a strong lead, and an excellent supporting cast, but creator Joss Whedon kept things up in making spinoff show Angel a great show unto itself, and in short lived Firefly he gave us great characters in a space western creating yet another intriguing version of reality, these three might each be in a real top 5.
Gilmore Girls/Veronica Mars – If Joss and Buffy get number one then I’ll share this second spot with my other favorite sassy gals, these two shows differ in tone but bring me more of the gals with humor and heart, the Gilmores add a crazy quirky supporting cast to its family drama whilst Veronica gets herself into crazy criminal messes while helping out PI dad or working on her own.
Beverly Hills, 90210 – Now I was a little torn on including any shows that I didn’t dig the whole of them but 90210 tops the category of the soapy shows that are delightful until they’ve done it all, and then they just can’t help but keep going, anything after Brenda left for me is a disappointment but when this show was paired with Melrose Place it was the best night on tv, and along those lines I also dug The OC when it mixed super fast unfolding of crazy drama with its self aware humor.
Sopranos – This show gets the nod for the cable invasion of quality dramas followed closely by Six Feet Under, having support to push things from content to characters to the way the stories unfolded it drew people in, though I’m really just still catching up on those that others tout including things like The Wire and Battlestar Gallactica.
MacGyver – If you’re still with me this is where I might lose you but this is the tops in what I’m considering the nostalgic category, I just love macgyver and his ability to get out any situation, other shows that I remember with a grin are Wild Wild West, Kung Fu, and the original Star Trek.

And because great television is not in the hour format alone I’ve done another group of half hour shows for that extra comedic value:

Friends/Seinfeld – Not sure these need much explanation and they’re never not on in syndication, Seinfeld made you laugh whether original or stupid or unlikable in the show about nothing, whilst the friends grew into characters that made you wonder from week to week who you liked the most, you don’t need a really good premise to have good funny just good writing and good characters and they made the perfect comedy block.
MASH – I catch this in reruns now and again and am still impressed by their ability to create such different moods and tell such different stories that still ring true today, whether dramatic or silly it was great even with all the versions of the cast.
Mary Tyler Moore – I have to admit I saw an Oprah reunion of this recently and just remember how much we all loved Mary, if not because of, despite what a great gal she was, also in the nostalgic category I’d throw Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, and Soap.
Sex and the City – I really don’t know that it was the no holds barred sex talk on this show that made it what it was, this was a side of chicks and dating and of course new york that was as unrealistic as it was realistic but these potentially cookie cutter stereotypes became real people and still made us laugh as they dealt with issue after romantic issue with a heavy dose of fashion.
And in my later nostalgic category I’ll add the family gems, different sensibilities but funny nonetheless: Cosby, Roseanne, and Family Ties.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something that was dear to me throughout the years, besides Sesame Street which just didn’t seem appropriate on this list, and I might make this list a little differently each time I did it. Since I’m not including any current television I may have to update this in a few years anyhow. Other good lists include Time’s 100 Best TV Shows and Pop Matters The Best of TV on DVD.

sports, tv

next week 7/14

July 11, 2008 No Comments

New and notable for the week ahead… live times are noted as pst, always check your local listings.

Monday

The Bachelor (ABC, 8pm) – Where are they now? Or you can look it up on tvguide.
The Closer (TNT, 9pm) Season Premiere – I have been watching reruns of this on TNT and just realized that they are skipping episodes and not showing the whole seasons, now I’m debating whether trying to netflix just the episodes I missed which is kind of a pain, they are doing a marathon throughout the day.
Saving Grace (TNT, 10pm) Season Premieres – I’ve been looking forward to season two of Holly Hunter drinking and sleeping with inappropriate men and dealing with her angel Earl.
China’s Stolen Children (HBO, 9pm) – The latest special…

Tuesday

The Cleaner (A&E, 10pm) Series Premiere – Benjamin Bratt is a now clean but not problem free addict who helps others get clean, and for some reason has a crew of folks to help him out.
From G’s to Gents (MTV, 10pm) Series Premiere – Can they make these bad boys go good, a new reality competition was definitely needed to answer that.

Wednesday

Project Runway (Bravo, 9pm) Season Premiere – I think the whole gang is back for the new crew of competition.
Dog the Bounty Hunter (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – This guy is apparently back with a vengeance.
Celebrity Circus (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – Wee man, Stacey Dash, and Antonio ‘actor” Sabato Jr. compete for… circus bragging rights.
Family Foreman (TV Land, 10pm) Series Premiere – Apparently we need to see more of George Foreman in this reality series.

Thursday

The Gong Show (Comedy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Dave Attell (?) hosts the new version of this classic hit of wacky acts.
Reality Bites Back (Comedy, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – What could follow the Gong Show better than comedians competing in classic game show feats from gladiators to smarter than a 5th grader.

Friday

Monk (USA, 9pm) Season Premiere – Tony Shaloub plays a nutso phobic private detective.
Psych (USA, 10pm) Season Premiere – A particularly observant guy pretends to be psychic and solves crimes with a buddy.

Saturday

Action Sports Tour (NBC, sa/su 1pm – also on USA sa/su 12am) – The Right Guard Open is the Cleveland stop of the Dew Tour.
Beach Volleyball (NBC, sa/su 11:30am) – The AVP Crocs Tour shows us the finals from Brooklyn.
Skateboarding (CBS, 12pm) – The Maloof Money Cup Championships from Costa Mesa, Ca.
And of course you could catch up on more of the tour de france, moving right along…

Sunday

High School Musical: Get in the Picture (ABC, 8pm) Series Debut – Nick Lachey hosts this competition for kids to get into the action of the High School Musical franchise, and I think the winner gets shown in the closing credits.
ESPYs (ESPN, 9pm) – Justin Timberlake hosts as they recognize sports achievements throughout the year.

sports, tv

michael phelps is a genius

July 7, 2008 1 Comment

Now he’s also a great athlete and apparently his feet are so big they act as flippers but… In catching some of the US Olympic Trials getting all geared up for the Olympics I couldn’t help but think he has somehow beat the system by picking the right sport.

First there is the injury factor, of course a swimmer could get injured, but not like these other sports. After watching those little gymnasts’ limbs snap like twigs I wondered if it was all worth it. Picking the team wasn’t just about picking the best gymnasts it was about predicting the future of kids held together with tacks and tape. How long will it take them to heal, how long will it take them to get back into shape? At the end of the day will they be the best?

And then of course there are the sports where you have to depend on someone else? Team sports like soccer and even the pairs of beach volleyball. Counting on someone else can bring an incredible camaraderie. But what happens when they have shoulder surgery and may or may not be ready for the event that comes once every four years. (#1 beach volleyball team member Carrie Walsh looks great with or without a 100% shoulder by the way)

Then there is the nice calm race factor where everyone stays in their own lanes and the competition is completely about how well you race your race. No one is getting in your way, like those track people where they all smush together in the same lane, this one guy in track literally elbowed his way out of the pack to move forward, or cycling where people can actually crash and take you down with them (brings to mind speed skating of the winter Olympics).

And, I can barely imagine competing at world class level under any circumstances, but if you add random weather into the equation I might melt. Why Phelps he just dives into the water that is kept at whatever the appropriate world record setting temperature is. What could be easier?

Now I look at all of these things and already think he’s made the right call. Now add on to that the fact that he’s competing in a sport where it is possible to compete in a bunch of different events and win a bunch of different medals. This six time gold medalist (plus two bronze) has the possibility to get eight more at the 2008 games. He’s competing in five individual events, four that he holds the world record in and one that he beat the world record holder at trials, and then three relays.

Makes you almost feel sorry for those people who only win one gold medal…. Though who I won’t feel sorry for is a woman who is putting me to shame, can I no longer use my age as my reason for not being in great shape? 41 year old Dara Torres won the 100 and 50 free in the trials. Though she already has nine Olympic medals from her four previous Olympics, four of them gold. See what I mean. It’s almost like they’re cheating.

sports, tv

next week 7/7

July 4, 2008 No Comments

New and notable this week, live events are typically noted as pst, check your local listings.

Monday

Bachelorette (ABC, 810pm) Season Finale – Will DeAnne leave without love once again, or will she join what I think is one other successful Bachelorette in beating the odds? And of course the After the Final Rose following.
The Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly Not for Sale (HBO, 9pm) – Artist paints and talks and drinks.

Tuesday

Hell’s Kitchen (Fox, 8pm) Season Finale – Gordon Ramsay hasn’t chased all the contestants away?
Celebrity Family Feud (NBC, 8pm) – The Hickies and the Camden County Allstars from My Name is Earl compete.
Baldwin Hills (BET, 10pm) Season Premiere – Rumor has it this show is like The Hills, which I don’t watch, but apparently the people aren’t quite so vapid.

Wednesday

Click & Clack’s As the Wrench Turns (PBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – Car Talk in animation…
Scare Tactics (SciFi, 10pm) Season Premiere – Tracy Morgan hosts as they trick folks in a scary and mean way.

Thursday

Greatest American Dog (CBS, 8pm) Series Premiere – Well I know a few dog owners who think they know the answer to who is the greatest, not sure what the dogs/owners need to do to prove otherwise.
Burn Notice (USA, 10pm) Season Premiere – As our ex spy tries to figure out why and by whom he was burned he gets forced to help the folks who did it, with help of sidekicks I’m sure.

Friday

Joan of Arcadia (SciFi, 8pm) – Missed this show the first time around or just miss this show, catch the pilot and fall for it again.
Flashpoint (CBS, 10pm – replays on Sun) Series Premiere – This elite police unit might not have much going for it but with Mr. Veronica Mars in the cast I’ll at least check it out.
Stargate Atlantis (SciFi, 10pm) Season Premiere – Space or water and a portal or stargate, I think.

Saturday

Tour de France (VS) – Perhaps today should be a catch up day for the previous week’s nearly 24 hour coverage of the tour, with Stage 8 today.
Beach Volleyball (NBC, Sa/Su 11:30/10:30am) – Men and then women compete in the final in the Chicago stop of the AVP Crocs tour.

Sunday

Big Brother (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – As we head into season 10 I can vaguely recall tuning into the first season and wondering how they could possibly get people to watch this terribly dull and cheesy show three nights a week, I can be wrong.
Foyle’s War (PBS, 10pm) – Masterpiece brings us the fifth round of this series.
Miss Universe (NBC, 9pm) – Now the prettiest in the Universe must be prettier than the prettiest in America, either that or they’re now screening super heroes.
Generation Kill (HBO, 9pm) – This miniseries kicks off about a Marine Unit heading to Iraq, and though the Entertainment Weekly review notes the initial difficulty in telling the troops apart they warm up to it and give it an A-.

sports, tv

wimbledon

July 3, 2008 2 Comments

Well after a few early round upsets the grass courts of the Championships at Wimbledon are clocking in as many expected. Men’s have a round on Friday for one last chance at upset. Roger Federer (1) is playing Safin and Nadal (2) is taking on Schuettler in the semis. The two are scheduled to meet Sunday morning in a much anticipated rematch.

Roger wasn’t able to step it up in their last meeting at French, Nadal’s best surface. Nadal has improved his game on grass and he came close in last year’s finals. Questions of Roger’s fade could be countered by noting his mono early in the year, though his poor performace in the French final wasn’t a good sign. He hasn’t dropped a set yet here on his favorite surface and we’ve seen moments of his greatness yet again. Is it enough to stop Nadal’s rise or will Nadal stop Roger from taking his sixth Wimbledon title? I should note that even if he is able to take this one, his track record at the upcoming US Open isn’t quite as optimistic.

On the women’s side we’re all set for the final on Saturday. There are some groans as Serena (6) and Venus (7) Williams are set to go. The top seeds have all fallen but Venus and Serena are no strangers to the top spots, they just haven’t played enough or consistently enough to get their rankings up. It seems they’re rededicated and in shape, and their performance shows it.

As for the groans, when the Williams sisters first made their way to the tops their play against each other was always quite lackluster. Though this is their first final meeting in five years so we’re hoping they’ve matured to give us a good show. And who will win? Anyone’s guess as Venus has had more success here at 4 to 2 but Serena’s had a stronger path in. The gals are also doubles partners heading into the semis tomorrow for that as well.

I always forget how much more coverage of this slam there is than any other, they say it’s because it’s more popular, chicken/egg I say. Regardless, tune in to see who will end up triumphant. NBC network coverage (times noted are PST) and full coverage at: http://www.wimbledon.org

Friday noon – Men’s Semis
Saturday 6am – Women’s Final
Sunday 6am – Men’s Final

strike 2?

July 1, 2008 1 Comment

Well as some may have heard rumors of strike, as of last night the actors contracts are up for both SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). SAG actors received a last minute offer that is currently being reviewed. Until then no lockout or authorization to strike vote so all parties might keep working. Initial comments on the offer were that they hadn’t addressed all the actors concerns.

AFTRA, reached a tentative deal in May and is waiting for a vote to ratify the agreement which should come, or not, next week. Since the unions overlap with more than half of AFTRA’s 70,000 members also in SAG, some members of SAG have been leaning on AFTRA not to ratify as they think the deal isn’t quite good enough, and of course their united power would be that much greater.

At this point we’re talking about nuances in contracts similar to the precedent set by the writers’ strike. Issues like new media as well as minimum payments and product placements are some of the concerns. What is fair is a little unclear. What is clear is that a deal is preferable to a strike.

Should we face a strike there is some hope that all other aspects of the shows could keep moving. Now that we have writers on board, and could be ready to start shooting again the moments the actors walk back on set, as opposed to taking weeks to get rolling again. But how long would the actors be out?

Things are already winding down production to prepare for the worst. Some contingency plans are being made for reality and a few foreign based shows but the real question is would the networks air just a few episodes produced if that’s all they’ve got. Comedy and standalone drama perhaps. But shows like Heroes and other new ones waiting….

I guess the real, real question is if we face another strike would people permanently find something to watch besides television?

next week 6/30

June 27, 2008 No Comments

Monday

Bachelorette (ABC, 8/9pm) – After the final three go to the Bahamas the ‘Men Tell All’.
Wimbledon/Update (NBC, 11:35pm) – For those of you who don’t have enough time or channels to watch all the coverage this is the update time that runs through Friday, you can catch NBC and ESPN2 full coverage throughout the week.

Tuesday

Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Fam, 8pm) Series Premiere – Done by folks of 7th Heaven, Molly Ringwald is mom to what looks like a girl who gets pregnant at band camp.

Wednesday

2008 Tour de France Preview (Vs, 1:30pm) – Catch the preview to find out who’s in and who’s out (for drug related and other issues) then catch the tour in nearly 24 hour coverage starting Saturday for Stage 1.
Pussycat Dolls Presents (CW, 9pm) – Did you miss this the first time around? Did you care? Check out the fifteen women who started, again.

Thursday

Burn Notice (USA, 6:30am) – For those of you who missed season one start with the pilot and get a whole marathon of the first season shows through the evening.
CSI (Spike, 9am) – For an alternate marathon option start with the CSI that started it all (in 2000 if you can believe it) and stay put for a day of crime solving.

Friday

US Olympic Swimming Trials (NBC, 8pm – Sat 8pm – Sun 7pm) – Lots of events… also shown on USA throughout the previous week.
4th Of July Fireworks (NBC, 9pm – CBS, 10pm) – Macy’s on NBC and Boston Pops on CBS and of course check your local listings or actually go outside for some fireworks near you.

Saturday

Beach Volleyball (NBC, 12pm – Sun 1:30pm) – AVP Crocs tour take us to Boulder for the men’s and women’s finals.
US Olympic Track Trials (NBC, 2pm – Sun 7pm) – Lots of events here too… also shown on USA throughout the previous week.

Sunday

Wimbledon (Sat/Sun, 6am) – Breakfast at Wimbledon with the Championship coverage.
I Love Money (VH1, 9pm) Series Premiere – “Stars” of Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, and I Love New York compete for $250k.

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