It’s like The CW knows I’m a 14 year old girl at heart… why else would they couple vampires and the Winchesters together? They know I’m a total sucker, that’s why!
Believe it or not, I really enjoyed THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. I’m calling it my official guilty pleasure of the season. Is it TRUE BLOOD or BUFFY? Not so much. I would say its a little more on par with TWILIGHT in tone, music choices and quality of acting but hell if I didn’t fall head over fangs for the thing…
The pilot has some issues but compared to some other schlock I’ve seen for the upcoming Fall season it’s leaps and bounds above say THREE RIVERS or TBL. It starts off with a great SUPERNATURAL-esque cold open and features a ton of “Oh there’s ________” moments.
Obviously TVD stars Nina Dobrev from DEGRASSI, Ian Somerhalder from LOST and Paul Wesley EVERWOOD but there are a ton of other recognizable faces. I kept a cheat sheet of all the people I recognized and I hope you’ll play along at home…
I spy other cast members from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, BONES, EVERWOOD, RADIO FREE ROSCOE and FIFTEEN! Plus it’s got SCREAM/DAWSON’S scribe Kevin Williamson and KYLE XY’s Julie Plec behind the scenes and that kinda makes me a happy fanboy.
If you’re a huge admirer of Ian Somerhalder, I must warn you that for some reason he looks a little tranny in the pilot. I don’t quite know what that’s all about considering he’s super fine but it took me off guard and if I’m here for nothing than to help you identify beautiful men, so be it.
If you like vamp shows and plan on catching SUPERNATURAL at 9pm, just do me a favor and give THE VAMPIRE DIARIES a chance. Like I said, it’s not groundbreaking but it is one of the only new fall shows I’m super excited for.
TVD Preview:
TVD Promo Pics:
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES premieres tonight at 8pm on The CW (followed by the Season 5 premiere of SUPERNATURAL!)
CBS didn’t waste time getting The CW’s first 90210 cast photo online! Here’s the new gang from West Beverly High (sans new Guidance Counselor, Ms. Kelly Taylor aka Jennie Garth).
Photo: Frank Ockenfels/ The CW
They are from left:
Dustin Milligan, AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Walter, Shenae Grimes, Tristan Wilds, Lori Loughlin, Ryan Eggold, Jessica Stroup and Michael Steger
PS - How hot is Lori Loughlin for being like 100? Love that lady. Oh and Jessica Walters better not disappoint. I expect her drunk and belligerent because that’s how I like her. Shenae Grimes aka Degrassi’s Darcy… girl you know I love you and this makes my heart swell with gay pride that one of my Degrassi kids is making it big time (I hope).
Yesterday, GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) announced the list of nominees for their annual Media Awards from the Queer Lounge at Sundance (is that PC for bath house) and though I’m a day late posting these, I thought it was worth rattling off regardless of timing. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize fair and accurate portrayals by mainstream media of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered issues.
Here are the the nominees:
Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Degrassi: The Next Generation (The N)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Greek (ABC Family)
The L Word (Showtime)
Comedy Series
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Exes and Ohs (Logo)
The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy Central)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
The War at Home (Fox)
Individual Episode (in a series w/o a regular LGBT character)
“Boy Crazy” Cold Case (CBS)
“Do Tell” Boston Legal (ABC)
“Free to Be You and Me” Kyle XY (ABC Family)
“The Gangs of Camden County” My Name is Earl (NBC)
“Sin” Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
Television Movie, Mini-Series or Anthology
Daphne (Logo)
The DL Chronicles (here!)
The State Within (BBC America)
Documentary
Camp Out (Logo)
Cruel and Unusual: Transgender Women in Prison (WE tv)
For the Bible Tells Me So (First Run Features)
Freddie Mercury: Magic Remixed (VH1/Logo)
Small Town Gay Bar (Logo)
Reality Program
“Chase/Lane” Trading Spouses (Fox)
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo)
Project Runway (Bravo)
Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (SciFi Channel)
Work Out (Bravo)
Daily Drama
All My Children (ABC)
As The World Turns (CBS)
Talk Show Episode
“Born in the Wrong Body” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
“Gay Around the World” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
“Gay Athletes & Rappers: It’s Not In to be Out” The Tyra Banks Show (syndicated)
“Growing Up Intersex” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
“Transgender Kids” The Tyra Banks Show (syndicated)
TV Journalism - Newsmagazine
Born in the Wrong Body (MSNBC)
“A Church Divided” In the Life (PBS)
“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” 60 Minutes (CBS)
“My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children” 20/20 (ABC)
“A Royal Scandal” Primetime: Family Secrets (ABC)
TV Journalism - News Segment
“The First Casualty” Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN)
“Gay Homeless Teens” Uncovering America (CNN)
“Gospel of Inclusion” Uncovering America (CNN)
“Sent Away to ‘Change’” Good Morning America (ABC)
“Sex Change Controversy” Paula Zahn Now (CNN)
Big Big News for all of you Degrassi fans — Adamo Ruggiero has finally come out of the closet as a gay man! Ruggiero has played gay teen Marco del Rossi on Degrassi: The Next Generation for six seasons so it shocks me a little that it’s taken him this long to go public with his own sexuality.
A couple years back I saw that Degrassi Unscripted where we caught a glimpse of Adamo’s personal life (including his bedroom and friends) which was full of tell tale signs of total gayness (from all female BFFs to wardrobe to music choices) so this has been years in the making folks. Kudos to Adamo Ruggiero you little cutie patootie.
The WGA War rages on and this time the Screen Actors Guild Awards are being punished for aligning with the dark side. Some networks have decided not to financially back their stars’ attendance at the January 27th telecast. That means hair, makeup, and transportation will have to be paid for by the celebrities themselves. Oh how sad! You mean these millionaires won’t get more free stuff? I’m crying on the inside.
Halloween specials are kicking into high bloody gear this weekend and to start it off, we’ve got a killer episode of DEGRASSI called Degrassi of the Dead airing tonight at 8pm on The N.
Zombies, Breakfast Club references, Degrassi… that’s way beyond cuckoo-bananas!
Watch the rest of this undead version of Degrassi: The Next Generation tonight! I cannot wait! I heart Degrassi and here’s to hoping Liberty gets torn in half!
Ducky and GMMR are neck deep in Fall TV but we finally had some time to do another TV Podcast.
In TV Podcast #15, we discuss the fall television season and all of its overwhelming glory. We go day by day and talk about the shows that are on, what we’re watching, what we’ve already dropped, and what we hope to catch in reruns (networks willing).
New Shows We Talk About: Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Gossip Girl, Journeyman, Big Bang Theory, Aliens In America, Reaper, Private Practice, Bionic Woman, Moonlight
Returning Faves We Talk About: How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, Prison Break, House, Bones, Top Model, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Supernatural, Friday Night Lights, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters
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:
Step 1: Click on “Record by Phone”
Step 2: Dial the number shown and enter the four digit code when prompted
Step 3: Leave a message
Step 4: Listen to our next podcast to see if we answered your question
My friend from the North, TheTVAddict is reporting that Degrassi’s resident bad-boy/psycho killer/drag racer/fertility god Sean Cameron aka actor Daniel Clark is heading to Broadway’s SPRING AWAKENING in 2008.
There are no confirmations so at the moment this is speculation though I’ll email TheTVAddict to find his source as he see’s these Degrassi kids all the time. Plus, Degrassi did do that whole Spring Awakening Teen Summit thing last year.
This is old news I know but still people are talking about it so I had to write about it. That and its a Friday so I was thinking of Degrassi.
I kind of hope this is not true. As much as I love me some Degrassi and some Spring Awakening, I don’t necessarily love me some Daniel Clark’s acting.
**Update: I got word from a source at Degrassi that this is not true at all. Sorry kids!
It’s Friday, just think that in a couple weeks Friday nights will be filled with original network programming and millions will decide to sit down and watch television instead of going out. It’s a revolution! No, I’m not talking about that schlock-fest The Ghost Whisperer starring Jennifer Love Hewitt’s breasts and a bunch of bad writing… I’m talking about FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC) and MOONLIGHT on CBS.
For years my Friday nights have been filled by Degrassi and some accompanying show so it will be amazing to see such bigger and better quality shows on for my old decrepit ass. Bring on Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Matt Serecen, Jason Dohring and some Vamps!
Friday’s are PIGSKINS and PIGS BLOOD!
In the meantime, enjoy some fun links to get you through the afternoon boredom.
Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is back for a 4th edition and it may have the help of one infamous daytime diva. (AfterElton.com)
Need some more JASON DOHRING on MOONLIGHT Clips? DaemonsTV has ‘em!
THE N, home to Degrassi, South of Nowhere, The Best Years, Whistler (please for Season 2, please air Season 2) and many more tween (and Ducky) dramas is stepping out on their own. Currently The N shares channel time with their little brother Noggin’.
Come December, The N kicks those pesky kids to the curb and settles into more teen angst, drama, pregnancy, gays, drug use, and mischief! I cannot wait! I’m officially lame.
Friday nights are all about Ducky and some Double D’s - Degrassi and Doctor Who.
Over the border at Degrassi, we were treated to “Free Falling - Part 2″ which was the second half of second half of Season 6 premiere. That’s a mouthful (that’s what she said). Click here to read the Degrassi Free Falling Part 1 Recap.
Last week we left off with Paige setting her Banting dorm room on fire from all the pressures of College life. She was having panic attacks and bouts with overacting. Luckily this week the overacting and the panic attacks ended and Paige was back to normal (and only slightly smelling of fire).
With the 5pm deadline approaching for her business paper extension she hits crisis mode and instead of being able to focus and write, she ends up buying a paper off the internet. Sadly when Paige turns in the paper, the instructor instantly recognizes it (being the 4th time in two years she’s received said paper) and gives Paige a ZERO. Which in my book, is amazing because the alternative was being expelled.
Paige being Psycho Paige tells Banting to bite it and heads back home to Degrassi where she has friends and people get her and where she somehow thinks her Mom won’t realize that she’s not at school. Uh-huh good luck with that Paige.
Long story short, Alex becomes worried that Paige isn’t telling the truth and finds her burnt essays and exams in the trunk of her car. Seriously can we ask why Paige ran out of gas, or what the hell was going on in that scene? Gas stations hon, look into them. She was filling her car with a red plastic gas tank on the side of the road. Explain Degrassi, explain. Was it just bad exposition to get Alex to find the papers? There were better ways, I’m sure of it.
Paige tries to enter Toronto U but they aren’t having it without transcripts from Banting and seeing how its only mid-term, that aint happening. Paige tells everyone she got a scholarship to TU and that’s why she’s coming back.
Alex being the wise and now studious one gets a hold of Paige’s Banting Bred Mother and tells her something’s up with Paige. After a breakdown or two, Paige and her Mom hash things out. Paige is coming home (we guess).
It was a pretty good episode. It had plenty of Paige which is always a good thing. Plenty of Alex. Some girl on girl action and some Marco. So the gays were well represented. Here’s a question, when did Alex become so G-D’ing hot? Seriously, the girl’s a bombshell lipstick lesbian now and I’m bloody loving it.
I really like that they’re continuing the Alex/Paige storyline. They’re good for each other and they balance each other out. Toxic? Sure, to some degree but I think those crazy kids will work it out in the end!
Peter and Darcy have somehow decided to date. For reals? Do you not remember him posting half nudes of you online? Blackmailing Manny? Screwing over Emma? Framing Sean? Really, you want to date this sociopath? Over it.
Doctor Who
Somehow I didn’t realize it was a 2 episode premiere. The first was the Christmas Special from right at the end of Season 2 that never aired here in the states. Then was the first real episode of the season. Too bad I only caught the Xmas special…
Regardless, I love Donna The Runaway Bride. She’s amazingly bold, ballsy, and loud! She’s my kind of gal! I felt horribly for her that the love of her life turned out to be working with some Alien Spider who was controlling the Robot Santas. Crushed! It was a nice mirror to how the Doctor felt about losing Rose.
Glad to see he still feels something for the loss of Rose! I feel it too Doctor, I do too…
Anyhow, I’m psyched to learn that Donna will be back in Season 4 as the new Companion. She’s a great match for David Tennant’s Doctor and I cannot wait to see where they go with it! Great adventures I’m sure,
In the meantime, its Season 3 which I hope to catch the first episode of before Friday!
It was a busy weekend and I’ve not had much time to write so I wanted to quick let you know which posts I’m working on so you can come on back sometime today.
It’s Friday and I’ve got a busy night of television ahead of me. What? Ducky spends his Friday nights at home instead of out on the town? Obviously if you’re asking that question you don’t realize that I’m an old man who loathes people and crowds and nothing sounds worse than being “out on the town.”
Degrassi’s “Free Falling” Part 2 airs tonight at 8pm over on The N. We’ll see if Paige burns up in her crazy ass college dorm room pyro incident or if she lives to see another day and call another person “Hon!”
Then over on Sci-Fi, it’s the Season Premiere of DOCTOR WHO! And the geek factor just jumped through the roof. I cried big boy tears at the end of Season Two. Having to say goodbye to Rose Tyler was traumatic. She was so personable and lovable, and watching the Doctor leave her behind (though we knew it was coming) broke my damn heart!
Billie Piper really grew into an actress in that role and to be honest, she was really the only Companion I ever knew. Sure I’d seen some of the Doctor Who eps when I was a child. I knew enough of the show to realize how amazing it was to have the Dalek’s and the Cybermen back on board. I knew who Sarah Jane Smith was when they did her episode with K-9. But Rose Tyler was my first Companion and I cared deeply about her and her relationship with the Doctor. It still pains me to think that tonight she won’t be around.
In the Season 3 premiere we’ll be introduced to the Doctor’s new Companion played by Freema Agyeman who we met briefly last year and from there, I have no idea. I’ve not read up on the episode so it should be fun to just enter the series tonight with very little expectation or spoilage.
That being said, there are big spoilers out there for Doctor Who fans this week. It was announced that Kylie Minogue will be in the Christmas episode this year and last years Christmas bride will be joining the show in Season 4 as the Doctor’s Companion for a while. Lots to look forward to (not to mention the pumping tension of waiting for TORCHWOOD to finally come stateside).
One of my blogging friends from the north, VANCE at Tapeworthy has all the scoop on an upcoming mashup between Degrassi and Evil Dead:The Musical. While I love Degrassi and I love Evil Dead (the movie and the musical), I’m not so sure I need to see Paige and Marco go toe to toe with Ash and an Angry Forest. I mean, which one does the angry forest rape?
For all the details of this Toronto based Mashup, head on over to Tapeworthy.
Paige is losing it, burning her dorm room down, exploding turkeys, and dissin’ herlesbo lover Alex… it’s tough for a Banting girl. Too bad the kids of the internet make sure you relive every second of the over acting… again and again and again.
My Mom was a Banting girl and I’m a Banting girl… No Paige, you’re a frakkin’ maniac right now. Seriously, Degrassi returned this past weekend and it went there again. While I thoroughly enjoyed the return of Degrassi, I have to say that it bothers me somewhat.
Lauren Collins, as much as I heart you and your portrayal of the uber-bitch Paige Michalchuk, I have to say you missed the mark this week. While some of it may have been the writing and the directing, there were some moments of pure soap opera worthy over acting going on. And that’s not usual for you! You’re always one of the best actors on the show and you have proven you can bring the pain (confronting Ellie about her cutting, your empowerment over Dean, and the best… your Mall singing of “I’m Not Your Poor Thing”) while bringing the catty bitch act as well.
The hyperventilating was a bit much and you went from calm, cool, collected, and all together Paige to being a raging pyro without us seeing the transformation. I know the show is about Degrassi, and one of the joys about the show is that we didn’t follow Paige to college, we left the shows focus in T.O. and around Degrassi but we could have used a hint or two that Paige was going kookoo bananas.
That being said, loved the turkey blowing up in Paige’s face. Loved Marco and Dylan still trying to hide the fact that they are butt buddies from the other Delrosies. Loved Alex coming in and being secure enough to swing along her new girlfriend. Go Alex, hooking up with a Radio Free Roscoe alum.
My last worry…
I worry that Degrassi will turn into 90210 The College Years. As my partner Jon pointed out, Degrassi:TNG is all about Emma and the show needs to end the minute Emma graduates from Degrassi. I completely 100% agree. The show started with the original Degrassi cast’s High School reunion and we were introduced to the bug eyed anorexic Emma, all grows up from her days in a stroller on Degrassi High. We’ve watched her grow and change and be fabulous and a fabulous mess all wound into one and I hope the show does not lose sight of that.
Luckily, we have another year before Emma, Manny, and Toby graduate so they have time to resolve the storylines and please, I beg of you… bring back my Joey Jeremiah!
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