We threatened to never do another TV Talk Podcast if you didn’t flock to iTunes and leave us comments… well I’m happy to report that you love us as much as we love you! Thanks to your generosity, we are back and this week’s podcast is a lot of fun!
We revise our thoughts on Swingtown now that we’re both completely caught up (and loving it), we talk about my chat with Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) and her stint on Burn Notice plus some scoop on her new Fox pilot Inseparable.
Next we tackle one of the most talked about Fall pilots, J.J. Abrams FRINGE! Kath and I will review the plot, the mystery and the hotness that is Josh Jackson but don’t worry we don’t spoil anything for you! We’re good like that!
Then it’s time for some listener emails because you guys are cramazing!
Who wants to talk Comic-Con? No? Tough because we run down the shows that will be in San Diego and vent our frustrations over the scheduling. If you’re going to be in town for Comic-Con and you’re a reader or listener, let us know… we’d love to see you!
Before wrapping up this week we have a little fun with our TV version of F, Marry, Kill! That’s right, we each pick one we’d boink, one we’d marry and one we’d go Dexter Morgan on. join in the fun and leave us some comments about who you’d F, Marry and Kill based on our choices. We’ll read some of them on the air in our next podcast.
We’re still two months away from the actual EMMY Awards, but with all of the short-list action being revealed, I had to do a quick Emmy post about where all of our favorite shows stand in the race for Gold. Thanks to Tom O’Neil at GoldDerby for keeping all of us on top of this crazy Emmy process.
Kristin Chenoweth (hey girl, love me some Pushing Daisies) and my main man Neil Patrick Harris will reveal the nominees on July 17th.
Here’s how the categories are shaping up for the pre-Emmy short-list. From these nominees below, the final groups will be determined - but know this… someone or something below will win!
*Updated: 7/2/08 - Still to be announced is the Best Male Comedy which rumor has it, features my boy Lee Pace!
BEST DRAMA ACTOR
Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment” (”Paul and Gina: Week 4″)
Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights” (”Last Day of Summer”)
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (”Pilot”)
Patrick Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy” (episode?)
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter (”There’s Something About Harry”)
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (”The Wheel”)
Eddie Izzard, “The Riches” (”Last Temptation of Wayne”)
Hugh Laurie, “House” (”House’s Head”)
Denis Leary, “Rescue Me” (”Babyface”)
James Spader, “Boston Legal” (”The Court Supreme”)
BEST DRAMA ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, “Medium” ( “Aftertaste”)
Glenn Close, “Damages” (”Pilot”)
Minnie Driver, “The Riches” (”Dead Calm”)
Sally Field, “Brothers and Sisters” (”History Repeating”)
Mariska Hargitay, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (”Undercover”)
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace” (”Tacos, Tulips, Duck and Spices”)
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” (”The Hobo Code”)
Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica” (”Faith”)
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” (”Manhunt”)
Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Big Love” (”Take Me As I Am”)
BEST SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTRESS
Jane Alexander, “Tell Me You Love Me” (Episode 10)
Candice Bergen, “Boston Legal” (”The Mighty Rogues”)
Rose Byrne, “Damages” (”Because I Know Patty”)
Jill Clayburgh, “Dirty Sexy Money” (”The Watch”)
Sharon Gless, “Burn Notice” (”Identity”)
Rachel Griffiths, “Brothers and Sisters” (”Domestic Issues”)
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men” (”Babylon”)
S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law and Order” (”Bottomless”)
Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy” (”The Becoming”)
Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment” (”Paul and Gina: Week ?”)
Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy” (”Lay Your Hands on Me”)
“The Sacrifice” is the story of four guys who are driving in a pickup truck. Two are brothers (including FNL’s Jesse Plemmons), one’s just a douche and the other has some huge unexplained gapping hole in his chest. When they drive over something in the road that so obviously sabotages their ride, they trek across a frozen lake to a walled in turn of the century-esque village for help. Riiiiight!
There they meet a trio of blone siren-like girls who are more than willing to help. I smell all kinds of trouble for these yahoos. How stupid are men? I mean come on, you’re in the middle of M. Night’s The Village with a friend dying in the other room and you’re willing to let these random Children of the Corn help you? And here’s a thought, don’t be a douchebag and go as far as to try and tell some Little House on the Demented Prairie girl that she’s about to have the ride of her life? Dude, you’re so destined to get skinned alive for trying to mack on Laura Ingles. What an asshat! Oh and kids, when they offer you hot stew - it’s destined to be something other than beef, I’m just sayin’.
Rachel Miner (Macaulay Culkin’s ex) is incredibly beautiful in that Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas kinda way. She seems sweet and helpful and warns the boys that the they’ve never set foot outside the village walls. She’s like a war nurse, that is until she started sowing up Navarro’s lips and driving a stake through his chest… hello! Also, girl can swing an axe like no one’s business.
Overall I really dug the vibe that they created in “The Sacrifice” because it not only took some common horror film conventions and made them believable on the small screen but they used some elements of the supernatural and folklore which helped make this more than a straight out slasher/vampirey/twisted village tale. It has a twist ending as all things “horror” must nowadays but I actually found this one to be kinda sad and apropos.
Next week should be incredible as Brad Anderson takes the reigns for his installment “Spooked.”
I have really high hopes for NBC’s new horror anthology FEAR ITSELF. I was so excited when Showtime’s Masters of Horror began but then I felt it just turned to shit (and quickly). I realize that I should expect the same from this series but I’m opting to remain hopeful and now I wait patiently to see some blood, gore and suspense on primetime.
Tonight’s premiere episode is entitled “Sacrifice” and stars FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS‘ Jesse Plemmons (Lance Landry) and Rachel Miner (surprisingly clothed).
Check out a video preview of “Sacrifice” which airs at 10pm on NBC
Next week is what I’m most excited for when Brad Anderson (Sessions 9, The Machinist, Transsiberian) directs “Spooked” starring Lost’s Cynthia Watros.
As the series unfolds the following actors will participate: Brandon Routh (”Superman Returns”), Shiri Appleby (”Charlie Wilson’s War”), Jesse Plemons (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”), Elisabeth Moss (”Mad Men”), Eric Roberts (NBC’s “Heroes”), James Roday and Maggie Lawson (“Psych”), Colin Ferguson (“Eureka”), Briana Evigan (“Step Up 2: The Streets”) and John Billingsley (”Star Trek: Enterprise”)
In an hour I’ll be heading to the airport and leaving Los Angeles. It was a crazy amazing week for this TV fan/blogger with Pushing Daisies (and after party, holla), Chuck, Friday Night Lights, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I’ve posted tons of pictures and podcasts from the week but sadly I don’t think that my Buffy recap will be up before my flight. I promise to get it written on the plane and posted late tonight so please check back. Kath and I were so dead tired that we didn’t have time to podcast but hopefully my way too long recap of the night will shed some light on the event.
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose… So started the FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Paley Panel last night and if ever a show had the heart, the quality and the drive to make it, it’s FNL. TV Guide’s Pooper Scooper Michael Ausiello moderated the night honoring those down to earth, frighteningly realistic, and always lovable Dillon Panters.
In attendance were Exec. Producer Jason Katims, Jeff Reiner (Co-Exec. Producer/Director), Ms. Tami Taylor herself the flawless Connie Britton, Scott Porter (#6 Jason Street), Minka Kelly (Lyla Garrity), Aimee Teegarden (Julie Taylor), Zach Gilford (Saracen), Adrianne Palicki (Tyra Collette).
That’s right folks, no Coach Taylor. Kyle Chandler was scheduled to be there but the film he’s shooting in Vancouver ran long and he couldn’t get in. And gals, Taylor Kitsch, Mr. Tim Riggins was MIA as well (probably off having a beer). You’ll all have to swoon later.
Kath and I did a podcast so I’m not going to write up much but I would like to comment on how incredibly sweet and honest this crew was. They seem beyond appreciative of the support the fans have given them, NBC’s determination, and the ability to be on a once in a lifetime show like Friday Night Lights. From the writing process to the shooting style all the way down to the casting of bit parts, FNL goes for authenticity and almost always succeeds.
Jason Katims was quick to own up to the fact that there was no pressure by the network to create the Landry/Tyra/Rapist Murder plot. It was all his own. While he understands folks frustrations (and is honored by the level of commitment and love for the show it brought out) he and the rest of the cast agree that the outcome was well worth it. Adrianne and Jesse Plemons worked their asses off this season and have given us fans one of the coolest TV Couples in recent history.
Everyone on stage was great. Connie Britton is beyond stunning and had cleavage for miles! Minka Kelly was gorgeous (as you can imagine). Adrianne Palicki looked classy and was very fun. She talked at one point about how when she read the script about the rapist, she loved Tyra so much that her first instinct was to kill the bastard (rapist). How’s the for honesty? Zach Gilford was quiet and seemed really nervous about the panel but was more open and entertaining in person during the signing. Aimee Teegarden is so young but adorable (that dress though?). Scott Porter’s shirt put Will Truman’s skin tight shirts to shame and fans of that hideous movie with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant will be pleased to know he performed some dance moves for the crowd.
Overall such a different panel than the nights before but no less interesting, insightful and fulfilling.
gang, as you know I’m in LA for the week and I’ll be attending the Paley Festival with my girl GMMR and I’ll also be having a couple other things in the works (fingers crossed) that you’ll want to know about. Aside from Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Friday Night Lights and Buffy, I’ll be visiting my favorite people in Los Angeles whom I haven’t seen since I left here in 2000 and roaming around town. Visiting with my favorite Casting Agent Jenny and meeting up with someone that will hopefully be giving me (& you) some inside scoop on the return of Supernatural. Not to mention we’ll be podcasting our asses off.
If you want to stay on top of all my nonsense, follow me on Twitter:
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)
While everyone’s known that Kathie would be attending Paley next week, I’m happy to report that I will now be joining her… officially! We’ll be hanging with our friends from PUSHING DAISIES, geeking out with CHUCK, molesting Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton and the rest of the Panthers from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and vamping out with my girl BUFFY and her gang of Scoobies!
We’ll be doing nightly podcasts from Paley so now’s the time to subscribe to our TV Podcast so you don’t miss a single minute of our trip.
The WGA Strike continues well into the Day 90s so the television landscape is like no winter we’ve seen before. Kath and I are back to talk about Lost’s return as well as the return of American Idol.
Also on the agenda are Friday Night Lights, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Prison Break, American Gladiators, Paradise Hotel, Project Runway, Torchwood, Pushing Daisies, Comic-Con 2008 and much more.
Have a question for Ducky and GMMR? There are a couple ways to contact us:
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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”
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You’d be surprised to hear that I’m attending a sporting event this weekend; my very first live hockey game. No I’m not playing, I’m just going there hoping to see copious amounts of blood spilled! My mantra leading up to the game has been “There Will Be Blood” and I better not be made a liar.
Aside from my butching it up at the rink, there’s a ton of great television to watch this weekend. Starting tonight I’ve got Friday Night Lights and Psych!
Friday Night Lights “Humble Pie”
Brian “Smash” Williams (Gaius Charles) confrontation at the movie theater has turned from bad into worse as charges are being pressed against him. Smash must now decide whether he must swallow his pride and apologize or stand up for what he believes is right. Elsewhere, Jason Street (Scott Porter) finds a new career. Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) is hired by Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) as the girl’s volleyball coach and turns to Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) for help. Meanwhile, Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) faces tough times as he tries to express what he is feeling to Lyla (Minka Kelly).
Psych “LIGHTS, CAMERA…HOMICIDIO”
The set of a Spanish soap opera filmed nearby is rocked when someone is murdered, and Shawn and Gus are determined to uncover the killer; the pair investigate the set, following every possible lead, while wreaking havoc for the actors. Just wait until you see Shawn’s hair… hideous way mucho!
Saturday night is a little more gay as the Second Season of TORCHWOOD kicks off with special guest star James Marsters (Spike aka Blondie Bear from Buffy) as Capt. Jack’s one time “partner”! Hello… cannot wait.
Watch a bonus clip from Torchwood “Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang”
Then over on TLC its the long awaited (at least by me) return of Paige Davis to TRADING SPACES! I’ve missed the little pixie host and with her comeback is a new twist to the show that will hopefully bring some much needed spunk back into this dying design staple.
God how much did I obsess over Trading Spaces back in those early years? Too much. So much so that I was featured in a Boston Globe article about my obsession with the show. Yeah, I’m a freak.
Sunday night the Screen Actors Guild Awards are on and people congratulate themselves on being wonderful.
While some fans will say that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has jumped the shark (and I agree on some counts), last night’s episode “Jumping the Gun” was pretty much dead on for what I want FNL to be. There was a ton of focus on character, family, football and how those three intertwine to give us the characters we’ve grown to love over the last season and a half.
Coach Taylor started the episode in a bad mood and it got much worse before it got any better. He finds Riggins sleeping in the equipment room at the school after kicking him on his ass for supposedly macking on young Julie; He fights with Tami’s over-stayed-her-welcome Sister and sends her packing to a hotel and after repeated attempts at making Laribee’s Coach feel welcomed he gives up on the guy. But in the end, Coach Taylor does what he always does and helps everyone because he’s that kind of guy. He’s a good man through and through; one you can count on and that’s one of the reasons why I love him.
All of the family drama was incredibly believable and really heartfelt. When Julie confesses that Riggins was only trying to protect her and that she didn’t say anything because she was drunk and didn’t want to get in trouble all Coach said (three time though) was “Damn.”
That one word expressed so much disappointment and pain and both actors played the scene aces. Moment’s like this or his conversation with Tami after Shelly left are what center Friday Night Lights and no matter how stunty the show gets at times, will always set it on the highest pedestal in my book. Kyle Chandler can bring the pain like no one and while his character can sometimes frustrate the hell out of you it’s only because you know deep down he’s going to come around and be your best friend at any cost. Look at how he turned the stern conversation with Julie into the most affirming proclamation of love a child could hope for when they’re expecting to be grounded until they’re 40. Look at how he manned up and apologized to Riggins for “jumping the gun” or how he gave some Fatherly advice to Smash about holding out for the right school for the right reasons.
And Connie Britton’s Tami is right there with Coach Taylor. She’s complex and wonderful and sexy and just darn sweet… a character you can really count on and trust. Watching how she dealt with Mama Smash and the pesky recruiter or how honest she was behind closed doors about the intrusions of her sister mesmerize me in their freshness. No moment rings false. No moment seems scripted. She’s a living, breathing, flawed woman you can root for.
Same with Smash Williams. I want good things for the kid no matter how pompous or selfish he can be. And his Mother? Forget about it. She’s brilliant! Deep down he is a sap, his Mother’s Son through and through. That pesky Naomi or whatever her name is freaks me out a little though. What’s her deal? I know her Brother used to play for Dillon and is now some bigshot College player so she has some experience in the field but didn’t you get the idea that maybe she was a plant? Like the college her Brother attends sent her in to persuade Smash into signing with them? Is she really that good of a person that she’s helping him out of the goodness of her heart? Nah.
Overall this was one of the most Season 1 feeling episodes so far this shortened season. My only issue is the Riggins storyline. I enjoyed watching him go home at any cost. I’m glad he was able to talk to his neighbor and patch things up before she and that hideous kid moved. I’m glad that he was worried about his future and that he was looking to better himself. That’s why I have an issue with Riggins and his worthless Brother stealing $3,000 from his fat underwear rompin’ ferret owning ex-roomie. We don’t need theivery and gun play to make Friday Night Lights flashy, that’s what the football’s for. We need honesty and good dialogue with supreme acting. Save the stunts for Las Vegas or something crappy like that. Keep my FNL simple stupids!
I’m going to stop now because I’m not really saying much other than I love my friends in Dillon and do not want it to all end in the next couple weeks. Long live Friday Night Lights.
