TV Talk with GMMR and Ducky is back! After 7 weeks, we were finally able to see each other and dish all the dirt on our favorite shows.

Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, House, Gossip Girl, American Idol, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica, Brothers & Sisters, So You Think You Can Dance, Ugly Betty, Greek and so much more.

We take some last minute listener questions on which finale’s we’re most looking forward to and also which hot summer movies our fave TV stars are popping up in. Not to mention Kath gets to wax The Office finale after one Canadian listener begs for finale information.

Also, be on the lookout for the return of TWO IDIOTS TALK LOST! We watch the show but we’re not experts, sue us.

It’s TV Talk with GMMR & Ducky #21!

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Interested in catching up on our past podcasts? Head on over to the podcast page where you can listen to all of our previous episodes.

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Free Voice Mail (Comments/Questions):
This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!

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This is a great way to spread the word about our podcast and it really helps new listeners determine if they want to subscribe to us or not based on YOUR COMMENTS. Subscribing to the joint podcast between duckydoestv.com and givememyremote.com is the best way to listen to us.Please comment on Ducky Does TV and Give Me My Remote’s TV Podcast at iTunes.

With the Indepedent Film Festival of Boston just 8 days away (check out our blog), I’ve barely seen anything on television for the last couple weeks. I’ll break it down for you…

I’ve watched The Biggest Loser (finale tonight, GO ALI) and Battlestar Galactica (Katee Sackoff was phenom this past week and I wept like a little bitch) and that’s about it.

I forgot to even record 30 Rock or The Office from last Thursday not to mention I totes forgot to record the last two weeks of How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory (though, have they even been on?). I’m still a couple weeks behind on Torchwood (maybe only 1 week), Idol is youtube when I have a minute or two at work and who knew last night was the return of Bones?

In other words, TV is so not happening until May. That also means I’m going to miss the return of Gossip Girl next Monday and Supernatural next Thursday (though I can watch it today, if I had time… might find the time).

Hey gang, as a bunch of our favorite TV Shows are only a week or two (or 5 months) away from returning after their WGA Strike imposed hiatus, a handful of TV Bloggers got together to share their favorite characters currently on television.

Below is a list of the Top 25 Characters of Television! Did your favorite make the cut? Share your Top 10 in the comments section below if you like!

1. Kara “Starbuck” Thrace (Battlestar Galactica)
2. Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)
3. Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)
4. Benjamin Linus (Lost)
5. Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
6. Coach Eric Taylor (Friday Night Lights)
7. Landry Clarke (Friday Night Lights)
8. Dwight Schrute (The Office)
9. Lily Rush (Cold Case)
10. Omar Little (The Wire)
11. Gaius Baltar (Battlestar Galactica)
12. Olive Snook (Pushing Daisies)
13. Shawn Spencer (Psych)
14. Sheldon Cooper PhD (The Big Bang Theory)
15. Dr. Juliet Burke (Lost)
16. Michael Weston (Burn Notice)
17. Captain Jack Harkness (Torchwood)
18. Dr. Miranda Bailey (Grey’s Anatomy)
19. Chuck Bartowski (Chuck)
20. Brenda Leigh Johnson (The Closer)
21. Emerson Cod (Pushing Daisies)
22. Ned “The Piemaker” (Pushing Daisies)
23. Liz Lemon (30 Rock)
24. Stephanie Lane (My Boys)
25. Stewie Griffin (Family Guy)

Also receiving multiple votes: Desmond Hume (Lost), Major John Casey (Chuck), Jack Donaghy (30 Rock)
Voters: Dan, Ducky, Jo, Kate, Sandie, Scooter McGavin, TVFan, Vance

It’s Tuesday night and while we can’t watch a new episode of BONES, it’s nice to see the show getting some broader audience love. Starting tonight at 10/9c TNT will begin airing Bones from the beginning. That’s right, each week at 10 you’ll be able to watch every episode of Bones in order. Experience Booth and Brennan’s first meeting. Experience the overly physical Bones as she kicks perps asses (thankfully scaled down as the series moves on). Experience Angela and Hodgins before they were Angela and Hodgins sitting in a tree k-i-s… you get the idea.

I got Bones Seasons 1-2 on DVD for Xmas and I am on the Season 1 finale as we speak. There are some very first season hiccups (over exposition I’m looking at you) but over all it is a great ride. The characters are developing nicely and it’s fun to see where it all began. I started watching Season 3 so I never knew any of the backstory or development of Bones’ team so I’ve been really excited to see how it all gets to the characters I now know in Season 3.

I’ve pretty much decided that Emily Deschanel is a goddess and that my world was lacking before she came into my life. If you’ve never watched Bones, record the premiere and enjoy.

Happy New Year and welcome to TV in 2008 — something the likes you’ve never seen before. The WGA Strike has completely changed the landscape of television for the upcoming winter/spring season and we’re here to dish about it.

Dan and Kath are back for TV Podcast #18 and while shows are still new we’re covering the latest from Friday Night Lights, Gossip Girl, The Amazing Race, and Project Runway.

We also give you the latest counts for original episodes remaining for our favorite shows as well as returning faves like LOST, PSYCH, TORCHWOOD and KYLE XY. What about newbies like TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and NEW AMSTERDAM? What about AMERICAN GLADIATORS? Yup, we chat about those too.

*Just a warning there are major spoilers for the finale of GOSSIP GIRL which has yet to air.

Subscribe and Listen via iTunes

Listen Online: TV Podcast #18

Interested in catching up on our past podcasts? Head on over to the podcast page where you can listen to all of our previous episodes.

Have a question for Ducky and GMMR? There are a couple ways to contact us:

Free Voice Mail (Comments/Questions):
This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!

It’s super easy and free to leave us a message:

iTunes Comments:
This is a great way to spread the word about our podcast and it really helps new listeners determine if they want to subscribe to us or not based on YOUR COMMENTS. Subscribing to the joint podcast between duckydoestv.com and givememyremote.com is the best way to listen to us.Please comment on Ducky Does TV and Give Me My Remote’s TV Podcast at iTunes.

So it looks like Fox is going to hold the three remaining pre-WGA Strike episodes of BONES until May Sweeps and it’s going to air on Monday nights.

I was in the hospital and then the dentist since basically 5pm yesterday so this is news to me. The funny thing is that I just posted a report yesterday how Bones would be moved to Friday’s then Fox amended their previous press release.

So from now until the end of April, Bones will air on Friday nights at 8/7c and then on Monday April 28th, new episodes of Bones will air in the 8/7c timeslot for 4 weeks.

There are only 3 remaining pre-strike episodes left to air but a never before broadcast 4th episode from last season (involving a Virginia Tech type shooting) will finally see the light of day.

I’m depressed. I want my Bones and Booth now!

FOX is killing me, first and foremost because they’re moving my new favorite obsession BONES to Friday nights at 9/8c. What the frak is that all about? If there were new episodes with Booth and Brennan would they still make the move? This is bothersome to me.

I guess you’re wondering what’s moving to when and where. They’ve once again delayed the premiere of NEW AMSTERDAM until March, same goes for CANTERBURY’S LAW. If you’re wondering, Parker Posey’s JEZEBEL JAMES gets a Friday stinker premiere in March as well. HOUSE moves to Mondays, IDOL takes on Thursdays, and TIL DEATH moves as well.

From Fox’s Press Release:

New drama series NEW AMSTERDAM and CANTERBURY’S LAW will air Mondays on FOX. NEW AMSTERDAM debuts Monday, March 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) with special previews of the first two episodes airing Tuesday, March 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, March 6 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), respectively, on FOX. CANTERBURY’S LAW starts making its case Monday, April 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). And new comedy THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES will premiere Friday, March 14 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) following a sneak preview airing after AMERICAN IDOL on Wednesday, March 12 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).

All-new episodes of BACK TO YOU will air Tuesday, Feb. 26 and Wednesday, Feb. 27 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) following extended 90-minute AMERICAN IDOL episodes. On Wednesday, March 19 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), BACK TO YOU makes its time period premiere, then returns one week later on Tuesday, March 25 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) with an all-new episode following a new extended AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). ‘TIL DEATH also kicks off all-new episodes when it makes its time period premiere Friday, March 14 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).

In addition, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER? will air an original episode after AMERICAN IDOL on Thursday, Feb. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). HOUSE will now encore on Mondays at 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT beginning March 10 and encore episodes of BONES move to 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT – the show’s time period premiere – on Friday, March 14.

Due to the STATE OF THE UNION address on Monday, Jan. 28, PRISON BREAK will now have its season finale Monday, Feb. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), and TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES will end its season with an explosive two-hour finale Monday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Additionally, NEW AMSTERDAM will air its last episodes of the season during a two-hour finale Monday, April 7 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

What’s with the super short seasons for New Amsterdam and Terminator? I understand the strike killed these shows as well but come on, these were heralded as Fox’s big shows way back in May 2007.

Everyone’s sick of end of year lists but how can I not do one on my favorite TV shows of 2007? I always find these lists hard to do because 12 months is a really long time and we watch a LOT of TV. I wish I could prepare enough ahead of time to write up some great “moments” that stand out but let’s be honest… I don’t get paid to do this so that’s not gonna happen.

Regardless, the end of the 2006-2007 season provided lots of thrills and even a few tears. The 2007-2008 season started off so promising but as we all know, many shows just didn’t live up to the hype and the WGA Strike has kind of killed any hope of making this a banner year for television. So what did I choose? Did I pick a previous favorite that ended last May? Did I give a sophmore series about superheroes another nod? Did those Housewives make a showing after being off the list for so many years? Here goes.

Ducky’s Favorite TV of 2007:

30 ROCK I was late jumping on the 30 Rock train but once I gave it a chance late last winter, I instantly fell in love. 30 Rock is the successor to Arrested Development and I actually may love it even more. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin together are impossibly brilliant and the supporting cast only add to the mayhem and madness. Highlights: Season 1’s “I love NY in springtime” moment, Season 2’s return of Will Arnett, “Me Want Food” and “Gay for Jamie“.

CHUCK Chuck Bartowski, how I love you! The funniest thing about Chuck is that GMMR and I had seen the pilot probably 10 times before we hit Comic-Con where Zac Levi and crew got a superheroes reception from the geek gala. I don’t know that the show has lived up to my expectations but I can’t say that I don’t love watching it every week. There’s an inherent sweetness to this action-comedy that makes me squee. Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski are magnificent together and anytime Adam Baldwin gets to be a smartass, I’m on board. So sad that the WGA Strike put an end to our enjoyment of the Nerd Herd! Highlights: The Pilot, Chuck and Lou, Captain Awesome’s many skin shots, and the return of Bryce Larkin.

DAMAGES Week after week this intense drama built to a shockingly graphic climax and it kept me guessing every step of the way. Glenn Close, Rose Byrne and Ted Danson delivered crazy intense performances for 13 weeks, proving that summer is not for the lazy brainless reality shows any longer. It was great interviewing most of the cast this summer, it really made me realize how brilliant the writing of the show really is. Kudos to FX for sticking with Damages and granting us 2 more seasons. Highlights: The endless time shifting and the seemless togetheness of it all, Glenn Close’s reaction to Ray Fiske blowing his brains out, the closing moments on the dock.

DOCTOR WHO/TORCHWOOD The one-two punch of Doctor Who and Torchwood coupled with my going to Comic-Con made 2007 my geekiest year to date. Season 3 of Doctor Who was probably the best of the new series. While I loved and miss Rose, Martha was a great companion. Capt. Jack may have ended up on Who at the end of Season 3 but more importantly he kicked some demon ass all season on his own show, Torchwood. Harkness, Gwen, Ianto, Owen, and Tosh made their show so much more than a spin-off. Torchwood delivered thrills, chills, and tears and I cannot wait for it’s return early in 2008. Highlights: Who’s Donna the Runaway Bride, “Human Nature” and the scary intense weeping angels of “Blink”. Torchwood’s gayness, “Random Shoes” with Eugene, Billis the scariest wrinkled creepy since the Preacher Kane from Poltergeist.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS The Dillon Panthers won State, the audience won another season and all seemed great down there in Texas. Then poor Tyra and Landry had to dump a body in a river leading to the most interesting coupling the show could ever have concocted. Some balked at the stunt plotline but I welcomed it once I saw how unbelievable both Adrianne Palicki and Jessie Plemons would make their roles. The Taylors continued to bring one of the most realistic and beautiful families to television not to mention Connie Britton’s acting her ass off. Highlights: Winning State, Plemons acting, Santiago’s first moment in the game during “The Confession”… breathtaking.

LOST Say what you will about Season 3 of LOST but the addition of Juliet and the jump forward solidified the show as greatness in my book. While it took a bit to flesh out Ben’s backstory, Juliet’s arrival on the island, Mr. Friendly’s allegiance, and the involvement of the Whidmore’s it was all worth the wait. We got some great answers this season, some scary twists and turns, some great revelations, some wonderful death’s, and HELLO, the chaos surrounding who’s coming to the island in Season 4? Matthew Fox continued to bring anxiety and sadness to the role of Jack and it’s a damn shame he wasn’t nominated for something this year. I’m psyched for it’s return on January 31st! Highlights: The story of how Juliet came to the island, the death of Charlie, the flash-forward, and Patch!

MAD MEN Seriously, do I even need to explain why Mad Men is on the list? The acting, the writing, the art direction, the costuming, the genius? Another summer sleeper that rocked my socks! Highlights: Jon Hamm as Don Draper, any scene with Joan, the sadness of the era, Don Draper’s carousel pitch.

PUSHING DAISIES The facts are these: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth and Chi McBride are my favorite finds of 2007. Bryan Fuller created a vivid, magical world I didn’t realize was missing from making my life complete until it slapped me in the face. My favorite pilot of 2007 led to stalking Fuller and Co. at Comic-Con, creating a fansite called ThePieMaker.com, and landed me on the Red Carpet interviewing these great talents. What a summer and fall leading up to the premiere of Pushing Daisies. This show makes me beyond happy and I cannot wait for its return in 2008. Highlights: The pilot, Ellen Greene, the musical numbers, Ned & Chuck, Bryan Fuller and Lee Pace recognizing me on the red carpet with hugs all around. Swoon…

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE I have to include SYTYCD because seriously could there have been a bigger obsession all summer long? Sure I loved Damages and Mad Men but sweet lord did it not compare to my lunacy over Neil Haskell and the rest of the dancers on SYTYCD. Highlights: Neil and Sabra’s boardroom brawl, Cat Deeley’s flawless hosting, Mary Murphy’s continued screaming, Wade Robson’s increased involvement, Debbi Allen and Shankman, backstage on tour.

SUPERNATURAL Love those Winchester’s. In a year that saw Sammy go real dark, the demise of YED, and a soul searching Dean, how can I not love Supernatural? The end of Season 2 was a wild wild ride but the beginning of Season 3 proved that this show is not and will not be stereotyped. Broadening the horizons of the demon world has suited the show nicely. Sure the addition of Ruby and Bela has been problematic for some but I can overlook that because the suspense and the gore has increased! Highlights: Visiting the set last May, blood and more blood, Supernatural:Origins comics, the return of Gordon.

The rest of the best: Battlestar Galactica, Big Bang Theory, Brothers & Sisters, Gossip Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Project Runway, Psych, The Closer, The Office, Top Chef and the end of Veronica Mars.

Should be on the list but isn’t for one reason or another: Dexter (never finished Season 2 because we got rid of Showtime but I’m dying to see the rest), Bones (just got addicted so I felt it couldn’t be added just yet - though let it be known that I’m obsessed), Dirty Sexy Money (something just isn’t right just yet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it).

Have a safe and Happy New Year! Looking forward to a wonderful and hopefully television filled 2008.

I can post this now as it’s officially December 26th. The Ghost of Christmas Past, aka a couple minutes ago has done a Ducky well. The TV box set was represented in the form of Bones, Extras, The Comeback and Season 1 of Battlestar Galactica which I didn’t have. I have 2.0 and 2.5 but for some reason never owned 1 until today. I got a couple Wii games and now my arm hurts from those damn Raving Rabbits, I’ve yet to even start on the Sonic/Super Mario Olympics. Some books, some clothes, a blender, a Jonathan Adler statue, a painting from this great Boston artist, a ton of gift cards, a Dwight bobblehead, and best of all the High School Musical 2 postcard and poster book!

I got a couple duplicate presents and those will be traded in and combined with my plethora of gift cards to make more and more presents for me to enjoy in the coming days.

Sorry I haven’t posted much, I was out of town from Friday until Xmas Eve and then it was Christmas Zone time and to be honest, I barely even looked at my computer today. I watched Christmas Story a good 3 times all the way through and then popped in and out a number of other times. It’s still an incredibly brilliant film and it makes my heart sing with laughter no matter how many times I watch it. I would say that in total I’ve probably seen the film about 100 times in my lifetime and I’m ready for another 100.

I hope you all had a great holiday, that you’ve gorged yourselves, that you’ve received all the presents you wanted, and that you’re ready for the New Year. You’re all the best, Happy Holidays!

We’re about to enter Week 5 of the WGA Strike so GMMR and I give you the rundown on how many original episodes are left for most shows. We then discuss this season’s plot points thus far as well as whether or not each show is living up to our expectations.

Sit back and relax, it’s our TV Podcast #17 and here are the shows we’ll cover in depth.

Chuck, Prison Break, Heroes, House, Bones, Pushing Daisies, Gossip Girl, Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Supernatural, Friday Night Lights, The Amazing Race, Brothers & Sisters, Project Runway and more.

Subscribe and Listen via iTunes

Listen Online: Podcast #17

Interested in catching up on our past podcasts? Head on over to the podcast page where you can listen to all of our previous episodes.

Have a question for Ducky and GMMR? There are a couple ways to contact us:

Free Voice Mail (Comments/Questions):
This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!

It’s super easy and free to leave us a message:

iTunes Comments:
This is a great way to spread the word about our podcast and it really helps new listeners determine if they want to subscribe to us or not based on YOUR COMMENTS. Subscribing to the joint podcast between duckydoestv.com and givememyremote.com is the best way to listen to us.Please comment on Ducky Does TV and Give Me My Remote’s TV Podcast at iTunes.

BONES Recap by Mel
Episode 3.09 “Santa In The Slush”

Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and good cheer, and apparently this year is no different: BRENNAN KISSED BOOTH. WITH TONGUE. AND GUM-SWAPPING. It was a delightful sight to behold, which we will discuss and be overjoyed by in just a moment.

So, two elves found a body, and Angela’s sketch of the victim was one of a chubster face, rosy cheeks, and a red hat- you got it, it was Santa. The vic had legally changed his name to Kris Kringle and lived in a beautifully decorated apartment (way to go, prop department!) above a toy shop. Seriously, there was a train and toys and lights, and the glee on Booth’s and Bones’ faces when they entered was priceless, as were their arguments about Santa:

Brennan: Kris Kringle from the North Pole, lives above a toy store- this is further evidence that our victim is indeed the mythic figure known as Santa Claus.
Booth: Mythic! Coming from the latin ‘Myth’ meaning ‘doesn’t actually exist’!
Brennan: No, from the Greek ‘Mythos’ meaning ‘word’.
Booth: [exasperated] He does NOT—

They both break off for a second when they realize the guy they’re questioning is totally listening in on their ridiculous argument, but soon get right back into it:

Brennan: Where did he work?
Old Guy: Uh, an employment agency called Temp Times on 7th, by the Convention Center.
Booth: Ha! It couldn’t have been Santa!
Brennan: Why?
Booth: Because Santa wouldn’t have worked at a temp agency!
Brennan: Well, why not?! His work is seasonal!
Booth: It doesn’t… he wouldn’t–

And the old guy is still watching them bicker like twelve year olds- love it!

So, they found some money in Kris Kringle’s things and thought that he might’ve been a pick-pocket, but it turns out that he had seen a younger Santa volunteer pick some pockets, confronted him, they fought, rolled around in some bird soup goop (GAG), and Young Bad Santa ended up killing old Kris Kringle. Not the most breath-taking case ever, but it was plenty entertaining, and set up the background for the really juicy stuff.

Brennan is trying to book the conjugal (ha!) trailer at the jail so that she, Max, Russ, Amy and the kids can all spend some time together, but Caroline is putting up quite the battle:

Caroline: Did [Booth] say I’d ask you to kiss him?
Brennan: [laughing] No. [Stops laughing] Wait, are you?
Caroline: No cheeks, no noses- right on the lips.
Brennan: People kiss people on the nose?
Caroline: I want you to kiss him under some mistletoe.
Brennan: [laughs nervously] Kiss Booth?
Caroline: That’s right, cherie.
Brennan: Why?
Brennan: Because it will amuse me.
Caroline: Why?
Brennan: Because you’re all “Dr. Brennan” and “Special Agent Seeley Booth” and it’s Christmas and I have a puckish side that will not be denied.
Caroline: Puckish?
Brennan: What’s the matter? You don’t think I can be puckish?
Brennan: I… never thought about it.
Caroline: You want me to write that letter, you kiss booth on the lips for no less than… one steamboat, two steamboats… five steamboats.
Brennan: That’s blackmail.
Caroline: That’s correct.
Brennan: That’s unethical.
Caroline: That’s the deal, take it or leave it.

(more…)