The 67th Golden Globes Awards air tonight on NBC! I’m not a person that puts a lot of stock in awards shows but I do love me an awards show gathering. It’s chips and dip time y’all! Oh and the fact that Ricky Gervais is hosting makes this must watch television.
As I sit here this morning looking at the list of Golden Globes nominees, I’m realizing I don’t have much of an opinion when it comes to the film categories. Apparently I spend too much time watching films that grace the festival circuit and not the multiplex.
Does that mean I don’t have an opinion? Hardly, I always have an opinion!
Here’s how I’d like to see the Golden Globes shakedown when they air tonight (my picks are in bold). I’m not saying this is what I think will win, but in my heart what I wish would take home the golden sparkly thing. Let’s start with TV!
Best Television Series: Drama
“Mad Men”
“True Blood” “Dexter”
“Big Love”
“House” I really wanted to say TRUE BLOOD but some of that Maryann shit got cuckoo bananas and derailed the show at times. MAD MEN is always fucking crazy good but this season took some time to completely hook me. DEXTER on the other hand had possibly its best season to date. So gooooooooood!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series: Drama
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House” Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Simon Baker, “The Mentalist”
Bill Paxton, “Big Love” No contest in my opinion… Michael C. Hall should win. He played the charming, dutiful husband and father with LEAVE IT TO BEAVER grace but he also played a manic, hell bent, jealous and at times loose canon Dex this season. Scary good.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series: Drama
Anna Paquin, “True Blood”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Glenn Close, “Damages”
January Jones, “Mad Men” While I thought January Jones did a killer job this season, she’s no Glenn Close. But I didn’t pick Glenn Close because I’m ready for a newbie this year. I’m going with Julianna Margulies because her controlled yet crazy empowering portrayal of Alicia Florrick is mesmerizing to watch.
Best Television Series: Comedy
“30 Rock”
“The Office”
“Glee” “Modern Family”
“Entourage” Surely most of you thought I’d pick GLEE for this category. While I think it has a better chance at winning (I mean its hands down the most original series of the year), I’m still going with MODERN FAMILY! Family continues to be a smart, witty, laugh out loud dark family comedy that hits your heart from week to week. Best Series in any category… Period!
The rest of my Golden Globes TV and Film predictions are after the jump… (more…)
Fall TV is finally starting to kick into gear and tonight, NBC premieres one of my television staples, THE BIGGEST LOSER.
I was late to the LOSER game and only started watching with Season 4 but that doesn’t mean I’m not completely obsessed and a die-hard fan. I laugh, I cry and I get really pissed with the contestants each season and tonight’s premiere was no different.
We see the 16 contestants that will battle it out on the ranch and before introductions are even made, they are forced into a challenge that sends two of the contestants to the hospital. Introductions are made and this season we’ve got ex-athletes, kids with junkie parents, people battling weight their entire lives, people wanting to lose weight for kids, a firefighter, and a woman that lost her entire family in a car accident.
Teams are picked, a big training twist makes me incredibly happy and I may or may not have had tears streaming down my face thanks to one Ms. Jilliian Michaels.
This season is all about “second chances” but really it’s a life or death situation for many of these contestants. If you thought last season brought the biggest guy and girl ever, just wait until you see some of the initial weigh ins tonight. You’ll be shocked (as Bob & Jill were) to see that we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Of the 4 season premieres I’ve watched for this show, this might be my favorite. It goes above and beyond the traditional introductions and niceties and gets down to business before the first commercial break.
Without spoiling anything, I will give you my two favorite lines from the premiere and tell me which trainer said which quote.
Quote 1:
“You know why you can’t quit? Because you weight over 470 pounds so get on that fucking treadmill!”
Quote 2:
“Everytime you lay down I’m gonna think ‘Dead Father’ – GET UP!”
Here’s a preview of tonight’s THE BIGGEST LOSER 8 Premiere:
THE BIGGEST LOSER 8 Premieres at 8pm tonight on NBC
The new Fall TV season is less than a week away and while I’ve been busy trying to watch all the new pilots I have to say that I’m not super excited about the new crop of shows. Bummer huh?
My podcasting partner in crime GMMR and I have been trying to schedule time to talk Fall TV and we hope to have all of the network podcasts up in the next week so hold tight. We’ve posted our thoughts on the new shows for The CW so please listen to that podcast to see what we love and/or hate.
In the meantime here are the shows I plan on watching this Fall. Shows in BLUE are what I plan on watching LIVE or DVR’d. Shows in PINK are ones that I will have to catch online or via iTunes.
MONDAY (click to enlarge) Monday’s have traditionally been a pretty busy night of TV viewing for me. However, this year it’s looking pretty open.
I’m annoyed that the power hour that started my night of television last year has been split up because BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER was a partnership made in heaven. I’ll be interested to see what happens to BBT at such a late hour (and I hope to remember its on that late) and if I feel like the vibe is the same without it’s partner.
Another year, another chance to officially drop HEROES. Last year I decided to watch then within 5 episodes I dropped that lame duck for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. Going into Season 4, I’ve vowed to not even give it a single frame of consideration. Will. Not. Watch!
After a brief vacation from the kids on the Upper East Side, a summer marathon has renewed my love for all things GOSSIP GIRL. That doesn’t mean I won’t get annoyed with the repetitive storylines and the lame quick-wrap secondary storylines – it just means I’m excited for the show to return and kick some ass! Let’s not fuck it up Savage & Schwartz.
If you’re interested in ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE starring Jenna Elfman, Ashley Jensen and Grant Show you should watch. It’s a very traditional sitcom and paired with TWO AND A HALF MEN, I think it’s going to be a huge hit. I just don’t see myself watching it week to week. The pilot is cute, Elfman is adorable and the premise is fun. Mark my words, this is one of the biggest new shows in 09.
TUESDAY (click to enlarge)
Believe it or not, I’m only watching two shows on Tuesday’s but hell if that isn’t four frakkin’ hours of television.
I’m a total sucker for the weight loss and emotional meltdowns of THE BIGGEST LOSER so there’s no chance I’m not watching Bob and Jillian bust some fatties once again. Love that damn show.
Obviously you know I’m a huge SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE junkie so that’s a no brainer – or is it? I’ve been very vocal about how I don’t love the idea of bringing SYTYCD to the Fall. I love having it as my summer obsession because I have less shows to watch in the summertime which means more time for a Paso Doble or two. Pushing it on us in the middle of the onslaught of new and returning shows seems cruel and I hate that it’s going to take up two hours of my Fall TV schedule. There… I’ve said it.
I’m not gonna lie – from time to time I will probably watch The CW’s reboot of MELROSE PLACE. I actually enjoyed the pilot episode. It’s 100% better than I expected it to be and surely my partner Jon will want to pop in and out of that salacious complex.
*If you’re wondering about BETTER OFF TED, don’t worry its coming back after DwtS ends (which isn’t soon enough)!
**ABC’s reboot of V starts November 3rd at 8pm (shitty time slot for a show that is not suited for 8pm) and I’m super excited. I loved the original as a kid and I really enjoyed the pilot for the remake. Plus, it’s got Elizabeth Mitchell, Alan Tudyk and Scott Wolf!
WEDNESDAY (click to enlarge)
Wednesday night is really the only night I’m giving new shows a chance at making it into my live/dvr rotation.
SYTYCD has it’s results show at 8pm and that’s followed by GLEE (which we all know I flippin’ heart). It’s a great one-two punch and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday’s – thanks FOX!
Over on ABC, my favorite new comedy, MODERN FAMILY gets paired up with the pretty good COUGAR TOWN. Trust me when I tell you to tune in to MODERN FAMILY. The pilot has laugh out loud funny jokes throughout and one of the best, THE BEST, things I’ve ever seen in the final few minutes. COUGAR TOWN is fun, a little dirty and honestly who doesn’t love having Courtney Cox, Busy Phillips and Josh Hopkins back on their screens?
EASTWICK is not as bad as you think it might be. The hour grew on me as it progressed and I’m willing to give it a couple weeks which is more than I can say for many of the new shows this Fall.
This morning NBC announced the majority of their Fall 2009 TV Lineup and while we’re still waiting on the fate of CHUCK, there are a ton of returning and new shows to occupy our minds.
While I’m on pins and needles for CHUCK (fate will be determined on May 19th), I’m pretty psyched for the 3rd incarnation of PARENTHOOD (sans Keanu but with Peter Krause!!!) and DAY ONE not the mention THE SOUP’s Joel McHale in COMMUNITY!
Returning Shows: THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, THE BIGGEST LOSER, CELEBRITY APPRENTICE, LAW & ORDER: SVU, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, HEROES, SOUTHLAND, PARKS AND RECREATION, SNL: THURSDAY UPDATE and JAY LENO’S 10pm crapfest.
Returning Shows Still on the Bubble: CHUCK, LAW & ORDER, MEDIUM, MY NAME IS EARL
New Comedies: 100 QUESTIONS
Emmy winner James Burrows (“Will & Grace,” “Friends”) directs “100 Questions,” a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan (“For Your Consideration”) that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, “Peep Show”) is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals — but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, “The Ex List”) – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, “Women’s Murder Club”), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s “Law & Order”), Mike (Christopher Moynihan “For Your Consideration”) and Wayne (David Walton “Quarterlife”). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West (“Psych”), Kelly Kulchak (“Psych”) and Michelle Nader (“King of Queens”) join Moynihan as executive producers.
COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) comes “Community,” a smart comedy series about higher education — and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, “Community” focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, “The Soup”), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs (“The Book of Daniel”); Yvette Nicole Brown (“Rules of Engagement”); Danny Pudi (“Greek”); Alison Brie (“Mad Men”); and comedy legend Chevy Chase (“Saturday Night Live”). “Community” is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff (“The Soloist”), Dan Harmon (“The Sarah Silverman Program”), Joe Russo (“Arrested Development”), Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) and Gary Foster (“The Soloist”) serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.
New Dramas: DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander (“Heroes,” “Lost,” “Alias”) and director Alex Graves (“Fringe,” “Journeyman”), “Day One” tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world’s infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors — played by Adam Campbell (“Date Movie”), Catherine Dent (“The Shield”), Julie Gonzalo (“Eli Stone”), David Lyons (“ER”), Derek Mio (“Greek”), Carly Pope (“24″), Thekla Reuten (“Sleeper Cell”) and Addison Timlin (“Cashmere Mafia”) — strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories — and heroes are born every day. “Day One” is a Universal Media Studios production.
More Fall 2009 NBC Drama Previews after the jump… (more…)
We said we’d be back with another TV Talk Podcast in a week but it took almost a week and a half, I think you survived just fine. GMMR was at the Upfront presentations so there’s plenty to talk about including her celebrity sightings, stalkings, and dancing partners. We’ll even talk about Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE and J.J. Abrams FRINGE starring GMMR’s mega crush Josh Jackson. So You Think You Can Dance might get a couple minutes or five along with her time with The Office and Tina Fey!
Back to your regularly scheduled podcast, we head right into GOSSIP GIRL, AMERICAN IDOL, THE OFFICE, GREY’S, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more. Plus, it’s the return of TWO IDIOTS TALK LOST (*we talk about the finale being this week but listener Michael pointed out that it’s not until May 29th – phew!) where we rehash the first hour of the three hour Season 4 finale, once again proving that even idiots can enjoy Lost. And as a bonus feature, we have a special guest to help us talk about the Season 3 finale of The CW’s SUPERNATURAL.
Sit back and relax because this Podcast almost hits 90 minutes. You read that right, 90 minutes of babbling, giggling, bitching, and TV Talk!
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”
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It’s all the buzz on every TV blog within a galaxy’s radius… FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is *this* close to being renewed for a 3rd season which will give some folks, 2 chances to watch 6, Riggs, Coach Taylor, Tami, Smash, Tyra and Landry make and break our hearts.
According to Deadline Hollywood and all but confirmed by sources close to E!’s Kristin Dos Santos, NBC and DirecTV are hammering out details to renew FNL and broadcast it on both NBC and a DirecTV dedicated channel.
While I’m so excited to hear that the Dillon Panthers will have another chance at State, I’m even more excited to see them all at Paley in less than 2 weeks! Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton need to watch out because I’ve got grab-hands ready to molest those two!
You know I love me some horror and I’m pleased to announce that NBC is getting in the game with a new series called FEAR ITSELF. Similar to Showtime’s Masters of Horror anthology series, Fear Itself will pair horror directors with horror writers and a bunch of hollywood b and c-listers to try and scare the bejesus out of us. Can’t wait for Brad Anderson and Mary Harron!
BURBANK — March 3, 2008 — A host of provocative directors, actors and writers — including award-winning directors John Landis (“An American Werewolf in London”), Darren Bousman (“Saw II, III and IV”), Ronny Yu (“Freddy vs. Jason,” “Bride of Chucky”), Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”), Breck Eisner (upcoming Universal Pictures film “Creature from the Black Lagoon”), Mary Harron (“American Psycho”), Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) and Ernest Dickerson (NBC’s
“Heroes”) — have been signed for NBC’s “Fear Itself,” a new 13-episode suspense and horror anthology series from Lionsgate in association with Industry Entertainment.
Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”), Shiri Appleby (“Charlie Wilson’s War”), Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”), Cynthia Watros (“Lost”), Eric Roberts (NBC’s “Heroes”), John Billingsley (Star Trek: Enterprise”), Russell Hornsby (“Lincoln Heights”), Pablo Schreiber (“The Wire”), Stephen Lee (“Boston Legal”), Stephen R. Hart (“Shoot ‘Em Up”), Jack Noseworthy (“Judging Amy”) and Larry Gilliard Jr. (“The Wire”) are among the sought-after actors who will be portraying various characters in three episodes of the series.
Among the writers set are Joe Gangemi (“Wind Chill,” the novel “Inamorata”), Steve Niles (“30 Days of Night”), Dan Knauf (“Carnivàle,” “Supernatural”), Lem Dobbs (“The Score”), Matt Venne (“White Noise 2: The Light”), Richard Chizmar & Johnathan Schaech (“Masters of Horror,” “From a Buick 8″), Victor Salva (“Jeepers Creepers”), Mick Garris (“Riding the Bullet,” “Amazing Stories”),
Drew McWeeny & Scott Swan (“Masters of Horror”), Kelly Kennemer (“The Music Within”) and Max Landis (“Masters of Horror”).
The announcement was made today by Teri Weinberg, Executive Vice President, NBC Entertainment. “We’ve teamed up with some of the most illustrious writers, actors and directors to create a distinctive, scare-filled series that will push the boundaries of this classic genre,” said Weinberg. “‘Fear Itself’ will deliver memorable and horrifying moments that will keep fans on the edge of their seats, begging for more on this fun-filled ride of terror.”
“We and our partners at Industry Entertainment couldn’t be happier about NBC’s enthusiastic support of ‘Fear Itself’ and the caliber of artists who have been drawn to the project,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s President of Television Programming and Production. “Our goal is to offer audiences a fantastic thrill every week and we’ve certainly got the all-star team to do it.”
“Eater,” is directed by Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator,” “Masters of Horror”) and written by Cemetery Dance Magazine publisher and editor Richard Chizmar (“From a Buick 8″) & actor Johnathon Schaech (“Masters of Horror,” “That Thing You Do!”). A rookie cop (Moss) must spend her first night in the precinct watching over a serial killer, coined “The Eater” (Stephen R. Hart, “Shoot ‘Em Up”). When her fellow cops start acting bizarre, she quickly learns that no one is
who they seem. Russell Hornsby (“Lincoln Heights”), Pablo Schreiber (“The Wire”) and Stephen Lee (“Boston Legal”) also star.
“Spooked,” is directed by Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) and written by Matt Venne (“White Noise 2: The Light”). While on a stake out in a haunted house, a private eye (Roberts) is made to confront the demons of his past. Jack Noseworthy (“Judging Amy”), Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) and Larry Gilliard Jr. (“The Wire”) also star.
“Community” is directed by Mary Harron (“American Psycho,” “The Notorious Betty Page,” “Big Love”) and written by Kelly Kennemer (“The Music Within”). When a young married couple, played by Routh and Appleby, find the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood, their lives seem…well…perfect. But as the dark underbelly of their neighborhood creeps to the surface, they soon realize that their neighbors will go to any extreme — even murder — to make sure that they comply with their twisted sense of conformity. John Billingsley (Star Trek: Enterprise”) also stars.
“Red Snow” has a screenplay written by Mick Garris (“Riding the Bullet,” “Amazing Stories”), from a story by Del Howison (“Dark Delicacies”). Breck Eisner (“Creature from the Black Lagoon”) will direct. When four criminals find themselves stranded in an old, snow-covered fort, they slowly discover both the fort and the seductive trio of sirens who reside there are filled with deadly
secrets.
“Chance” is written by Lem Dobbs (“The Score”), with a director to be announced later. In the vein of such classic doppelganger stories as “Jekyll & Hyde” and Poe’s “William Wilson,” the episode explores a dreadful, classic battle that ensues when a man is confronted by his evil self.
“New Year’s Day” will be directed by Darren Bousman (“Saw II, III and IV”), and is written by Steve Niles (“30 Days of Night”) from a story by Paul Kane. A young woman wakes up in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by horrifying zombies.
“Family Man” will be directed by Ronny Yu (“Freddy vs. Jason,” “Bride of Chucky”) and is written by Dan Knauf (“Carnivàle,” “Supernatural”). This action-charged, psychological thriller focuses on a likeable family man who switches bodies with a serial killer after a near-death experience. Now, he
must fight from behind bars to keep the murderer from adding his family to the long list of victims.
“Skin & Bones” is written by Drew McWeeny & Scott Swan (“Masters of Horror”) with a director to be announced later. When a cattle herder returns home to his family after being lost in the woods for days, he just doesn’t seem the same. Soon, a terrible mortal struggle ensues against the terrifying monster possessing him.
“Something With Bite” is a reinvention of the classic werewolf story from writer Max Landis (“Masters of Horror”), the son of John Landis. Ernest Dickerson (NBC’s “Heroes”) will direct.
In “Nightmare in Lace,” John Landis (“An American Werewolf in London”) will direct an episode written by Victor Salva (“Jeepers Creepers”). On her wedding day, a beautiful bride receives a mysterious note that reads: “The person you are marrying is a serial killer.”
UPDATED: The Golden Globes as we know them are dead (this year at least). According to Variety.com…
NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. are trying to work out a deal to present Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards as an hourlong NBC News special featuring award winners reacting from parties or a press room at the Beverly Hilton hotel.
As of Monday afternoon, HFPA was in talks with the Writers Guild of America to determine whether the guild would still picket the event, thus deterring top celebs from appearing. NBC News scribes are covered under a separate NABET contract from the entertainment division and are not on strike against the net.
Sources cautioned that the sides are still discussing the particulars of the deal, and it could quickly fall apart if the WGA refuses to hold back its pickets. The HFPA’s hope is to still have a red carpet procession and the traditional Globes parties. Notion is that stars would go down the red carpet and then proceed to the various parties. At a set time an HFPA official would read will off the film and TV winners on the live telecast. Cameras would then cut to star reactions from the various party sites, or winners would have the option of heading to a press room to give reaction statements.
ORIGINAL POST:
I have to admit it, if NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press decide to cancel this Sunday’s Golden Globes I’ll be a little sad. I traditionally love watching the Golden Globes because the celebrities are loose lipped from all the booze stock piled at each table, this year I was looking forward to seeing those same celebrities be loose lipped… on the picket lines just outside!
With SAG vowing that no member will attend, what would NBC come up with for a telecast? Would one of the Attorney’s from Price Waterhouse or better yet L.A. Law’s McKenzie & Brackman get up there and wing it in the absence of a celebrity host? Maybe NBC should get creative and face the picket lines head on.
Can you imagine the always outspoken Katherine Heigl accepting an award from the picket lines? That’s what I want to see! I’d kill to have mutt-faced Rumor Willis (this year’s Ms. Golden Globes) walk the line in some ridiculous Flashdance like oversized sweatshirt and a beret handing out the gold statue to each and every winner as they scream “Fair Is Fair” for all the world to see. Why not take it to the streets NBC?
I guarantee that they’ll have the highest ratings in years if that was the case! Something to ponder.
USA Today is reporting that NBC won’t let threats from the WGA and Actors spoil their planned festivities for the January 13th telecast of the Golden Globes.
NBC said Sunday that it would air the Golden Globes Awards as scheduled Jan. 13, despite plans by striking Writers Guild of America members to picket the Los Angeles ceremony. The planned pickets sparked fears that nominees would boycott the ceremony and hurt ratings and led to early discussions about canceling the broadcast of the annual movie and TV awards given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Actors also have been leery about appearing on late-night talk shows affected by the strike.
Question though, how fun can the awards be if half the actors nominated don’t show up?
It’s New Year’s Eve which means I’ll be in bed by 12:01 a.m. — whoo-hoo! Yeah, I’m increasingly more smug and old manish on New Year’s Eve. When I was a kid my parents would always have a huge party so it was great fun. When I was old enough to celebrate it with friends, it was a bunch of hardcore kids, a cactus accident, and no booze as all of us were straight-edge. Well, a decade or so later and I’m still not going to toast the new year with a drink so it’s kind of lost it’s luster.
I’ll probably head downtown for the parade and the “family” fireworks (over by 7:10 p.m.) and then head back home where I pray noone in my building is having a party so I can settle in to watch Cat Deeley, Strokey Clark, and some others until it’s time for me to say goodnight to 2007.
Remember back in the day when MTV had the best New Year’s Eve show ever? It was a huge countdown of the best videos of the year, then a huge party with a bunch of amazing artists performing. The best always being the alternative bands performing covers of 80s tunes just after the stroke of midnight. MTV’s gotten increasingly shitty so at most in recent years I’ve popped over for a second or two, enough to know I hate every one of their on air “talents” and enough to know that I hate almost every “artist” out there today.
This year we have even less to look forward to on MTV as that whore Tila Tequila basically has the night to her skanky self. Then add Perez, Kid Rock and Good Charlotte… hold on while I jump up and down looking for rope to hang myself with. How Mary J. got hooked into this telecast is beyond me. Girl, get out while you can. Tila Tequila’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2008 (11 pm/MTV)
Ex-MTV goldenboy Carson Daly is back on NBC with Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz. Project Runway’s recent dress form Tiki Barber is a correspondent. I don’t care for the newish waifish Carson Daly nor Alicia Keys… and is it New Years 1995 because I know Lenny Kravitz hasn’t had a hit in at least 10 years. New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly (11:35 pm/NBC) (more…)
Seriously, I cannot believe I just watched the entire overbloated two hour premiere of NBC’s Clash of the Choirs. It was craptacular to say the least but somehow I got sucked in and had to see how each of the 5 celebrity singers did with their choirs.
Nich Lachey was up first and honestly all I could think about (well for the first minute or so) was, why his head is so huge. It’s abnormally watermelon large, right? That little Drew’s head looks normal but Nick’s got some kind of disease (probably from that skank Vanessa Minnillo but you didn’t hear that from me) or somethin’. I don’t know that I believe Nick had much input in the musical training of the choir but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, it’s charity after all. They performed “Unwritten” The Hills Theme Song and it was okay if not a little hokey. There was a little too much American Idol Live group singing and not enough choir, or at least what I expect a choir to be.
Next up was Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child. Girl you go get yours and further distance yourself from that bitch Beyonce. Show her you too can make it… on a really cheesy… reality show… wait! Tell the world you don’t need to show your goods or have your dress blown up into the wind showing off your boobs and cooch to get fans! Yeah, you stick it to her Kelly Rowland. Team Rowland did George Michael’s “Freedom 90” though they didn’t credit the “90″… I’ll let that slide. It had a couple more choir-ish moments but overall it was once again too karaoke/talent searchish for my liking.
I had huge high hopes for Michael Bolton. The man’s sold over 50 million albums and has one of my personal fave song titles… “I Said I Loved You… But I Lied.” He’s bagging Nicolette Sheriden and thankfully working the short locks still. Sadly, Bolton was as big a disappointment as his unfortunate mullet from back in the day. He decided to have a lead singer and made the mistake of choosing a song from a New Jersey artist to showcase his small town Connecticut choir. It was hands down the worst high school talent show crap of the night. I felt let down Michael, now I know why Ashely Judd left you.
Someone Country artist named Blake Sheldon was fourth and I was shocked. I feel like I’m a pretty in touch guy, a pretty well rounded pop cultural kinda fanatic yet I’ve never heard of this hillbilly in my life! He reminds me of one of Paula Dean’s son’s (and now you know I watch too much of The Food Network) and that’s not a bad thing. He had humor and personality and for being a country boy with no formal musical background, his hand picked choir kicked some ass tonight. They performed “Life is a Highway” and made it their own. It had soul, it had heart, and most of all it sounded like a choir. For the first time tonight, I’m impressed.
And last we had the great Patti LaBelle. Girl schooled ever fool up in the house tonight! She went old school church choir on our asses and it had the rafters shaking, the pews a swaying, and my gay ass singing praise! This is what I was waiting 2 hours for! This is what each and every choir should have been striving for. THIS IS A TRUE CHOIR! If there is any justice in the world, Miss Patti and her Philly Choir will win this whole competition. Amazing! They rocked “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and there ain’t a group that could top them.
I’m glad this is a charity event, not just a television reality show. The fact that one charity will walk away with $250,000 is a huge deal and something everyone involved should be proud of. I’m Team LaBelle all the way and even voted for her. Why do I do it to myself? I get sucked into these hideous shows… each and every time!
Did you guys watch? What did you think?
Tuesday night at 8 p.m. we find out which choir is eliminated first. Wednesday night is another performance night where each of the remaining four choirs perform my faves… Christmas songs. Please tell me I won’t be watching all week, someone please come and slap me senseless until I come to my senses.
Tonight is the last new CHUCK episode of 2007. Don’t worry though, in 2008 we already have 2 new episodes to air that were filmed before the WGA Strike blackout.
“Chuck Versus The Crown Vic” Promo
“Chuck Versus The Crown Vic” Description
A COUNTERFEIT CHRISTMAS–Still licking his wounds after realizing Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) continues to have feelings for Bryce, Chuck (Zachary Levi) must assume the cover of being Sarah’s husband on a mission to foil a politically connected counterfeiter and yachtsman. Emotions and sea legs are tested when Chuck, Sarah and Casey (Adam Baldwin) have to head to the marina to scuttle a plot that also puts an unwitting Morgan (Joshua Gomez) and Anna (Julia Ling) squarely in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, It’s time for the annual Buy More holiday party, but the party comes with lots of rules from Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence).
“Chuck Versus The Crown Vic” Pictures
How are there no pictures of Sarah in some slutty Santa outfit? I guess Big Mike will have to do!
CHUCK’s newest challenge is tackling a 22 episode order without missing a beat. NBC has finally given the superb freshman action/comedy Chuck a full season order.
That’s great news considering I completely forgot to DVR Chuck Bartowski and friends tonight and it’s now 9:05 p.m. — whoops.
Oh yeah, the peacock also gave LIFE a full season pickup. I didn’t even realize that was still on the air.
There has been so much talk about whether or not NBC would bring the webseries QUARTERLIFE to the airwaves or not and it’s finally official. Beginning in early 2008, NBC will begin airing the 30something, My So Called Life, Relativity, Once & Again, helmers’ webseries about a 25 year old blogger and her subjects friends.
Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick’s Quarterlife debuted last week at quarterlife.com and is currently on episode 4. New episodes premiere every Sunday and Thursday night.
I sat down yesterday and watched Quarterlife’s first 3 installments and I love it. I think that Bitsie Tulloch (already an online famer, who honestly I’d never heard of or seen in my life) is unbelievable as Dylan. She brings this sincerity and pain to the role that continues the tradition of frustrated female characters at a crux in their lives in Herskovitz/Zwick productions. From Angela Chase to all the women from Relativity to the kids on Once & Again, these two know angst and can deliver the painful reality of life like few other show creators can.
Will quarterlife be a breakout hit for a network? I’m not sure. As a webseries, it is hands down the most well produced in well acted product on the market but I have reservations about whether it will translate to the screen.
All 36 parts of quarterlife will be aired but as 6 1-hour episodes.