Filed under: OpEd, The Simpsons, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S19E19)"Mom, I can't believe you're here! You keep disappearing and reappearing and it's not funny! You're just like that show Scrubs" -- Homer to his mother after her unexpected return.

Over the past few Sundays this space has been reserved for deeper looks into The Simpsons. Despite the fact that it is an animated series there is usually an underlying base of themes, emotions, and psychoanalytical analysis that takes place amongst the Simpson family and those around them. In fact, one 22-minute episode can contain many layers of subtext that define each character further.

This week, though, not so much of that. What we may have thought to be a sweet story about the return of Homer's mother turned out to be a huge joke fest. Well, actually more a joke fest during the second half of the show than the first half. The first half was actually kind of sad as Homer couldn't take one more of Mona Simpson's promises that she had stopped running from the government and was now ready to devote her time to Homer and his family. The second half was a totally different Simpsons episode.

Continue reading The Simpsons: Mona Leaves-a

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Survivor, Episode Reviews

(S16E14) "May the best woman win." - Amanda

Well, this surely was a season of blindsides on Survivor Micronesia, wasn't it? Down to the finale, it just went on and on. After the excitement we had all season due to the strategical game play, I felt tonight's finale was a bit lackluster and full of filler. No, I'm not fussing just because my favorite didn't win. Heck, if that were the case, I would have been gone when Yau-Man hit the dust! Read on past the jump for my full review of the finale.

Continue reading Survivor Micronesia: Stir the Pot (season finale)

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S04E15) "Do you love Kayla?" - Dr. Joshua Dolan to Lynette

"Mother Said" was quite the eventful episode since it pushed forward all of the ladies' storylines and dealt with two big secrets: Benjamin's and Dylan's parents. It also featured scenes of the four main characters together, which we haven't seen much lately.

Continue reading Desperate Housewives: Mother Said

 

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Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S02E07) I need to point something out first. When they show Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the opening credits, he stares into the camera and widens his eyes just a little bit at the last second. It's perfectly sexy and haunting and dangerous at the same time. I know some readers have commented that his portrayal of Henry is insufferable at times (too much screaming "I'm the king of England" and the like). But I think Rhys Meyers' Henry VIII balances a good amount of wanting to do the right thing (or at least feel like he's doing the right thing) with wanting to do exactly what he wants, because after all, he's king.

A review of tonight's The Tudors (not just the opening credits!) is after the jump.

Continue reading The Tudors: Episode 2-07

 

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Filed under: Grey's Anatomy, Celebrities, Reality-Free

Even if Isaiah Washington is not longer part of the Grey's Anatomy cast, that doesn't mean he can't be at the center of more behind the scenes drama surrounding the show. This time, the actor is suing because the ABC show used a picture of himself portraying his Grey's character in last week's episode, "The Becoming."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor filed a complaint with SAG because the show used his picture without permission.

Continue reading More Grey's Anatomy drama involving Isaiah Washington

 

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Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by the season finale of Survivor and the Survivor Live Reunion Show.
• ABC has a new America's Funniest Home Videos at 7, then new episodes of Extreme Makeover, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters.
• NBC has the special America's Favorite Mom at 7, followed a mini-marathon of The Office.
• Also at 7: ABC Family has Mary Poppins, then the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
• At 8, FOX has a new Simpsons, then a new King of the Hill.
• There's a new Everybody Hates Chris on The CW at 8, followed by new episodes of Aliens in America and The Game.
• PBS has new episodes of Nature and Masterpiece.
• TNT has NBA Playoffs at 8.
• At 9, Sci-Fi has the new movie Never Cry Werewolf.
• Showtime has a new episode of The Tudors at 9, followed by a new This American Life.
• At 9:30, FOX has a new American Dad.
• At 10, Food Network has a new Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• At 12:15am, Cartoon Network has a new Squidbillies, then a new Assy McGee.

Check your local TV listings for more.

 

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Filed under: Industry, Cancellations, Reality-Free

If the rumors are to be believed, then the inevitable has occurred. Fox has passed on the Americanized version of Spaced (nicknamed "McSpaced") and its fans are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Producer McG made a huge mistake when he decided to not include the creators of the original, British version in his remake yet he included their as if they were still involved. Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes-Stevenson and Edgar Wright have been very vocal in their displeasure regarding the remake.

Known for its cinematic style and pop culture references, the original Spaced launched the careers of everyone involved. Pegg and Wright have gone on to bigger and better things (such as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) and Stevenson has starred in several British productions afterwards.

It's never a good sign when one is trying to remake a show and pisses off the original creators. NBC was smart enough to have the creators of The Office rewrite their original pilot and give them creator credits. Why couldn't Spaced?

[via Aint It Cool]

 

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, Ratings, Reality-Free

What do you do when you're losing a race, coming in last in a field of four, and have to justify your dismal performance? You change the scoring. What am I talking about? When asked about why his network is doing so poorly in the ratings, president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal, Jeff Zucker told Television Week, "It's not just about the ratings anymore."

What? (Imagine that as said by the Aflac duck). Do you think he really meant it, or is Jeff just hoping that the advertisers won't mind that his primetime lineup is getting its collective butt kicked by CBS, ABC and Fox most every night on the week?

Just to be fair, Zucker explains that the ratings don't matter because the network is fulfilling the expectations of the advertisers. "We're in an era where - we've made a commitment to our advertisers to a schedule. Advertisers have an expectation. It's not just about the ratings anymore. It's about our relationship with our advertisers and what their expectations are."

Continue reading NBC's Zucker says ratings don't matter anymore

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Saturday Night Live, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S33E11) I honestly was not worried about Shia LaBeouf delivering a less than stellar performance, as his first stint on Saturday Night Live showed that he works well with the cast and is naturally very goofy. With a funny guy like this, one can only pray that the writers use him as much as possible and work super-hard to give him embarrassingly crazy sketches. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Again. The writing was okay, but it did not do LaBeouf justice. Also, there seemed to be a strange flow to the episode, as the energy of sketches would start dying halfway through and eventually end on a really weird line. Let's hope the writers aren't already losing steam. They still have a season finale!

Continue reading Saturday Night Live: Shia LaBeouf/My Morning Jacket - VIDEOS

 

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Filed under: American Idol, Judges, News and Gossip

Now, maybe Simon Cowell's already had a tell-all book about his life, or revealed his childhood a hundred times, but if he has I never saw it. So when I saw this short story about his childhood, it struck me on several levels. In it he stated that he was "always bored" growing up. Apparently, he still hasn't licked that problem because today on American Idol he still looks bored half the time, except when he's pissed at a kid for rearranging "I Shot the Sheriff."

He also indicated that frustration with his life led him to thoughts of suicide, though it isn't made clear if we're talking more serious contemplation than most teenagers, who consider it at one time or another in moments of extreme emotion. So now he pushes other kids to those emotional extremes to make sure they're made of tough enough stuff. I hope they have a suicide watch in Hollywood!

Continue reading Simon Cowell grew up criticized, depressed

 

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Filed under: American Idol, Contestants, News and Gossip

Reports are now circulating that Jeff Archuleta, father of American Idol favorite David, has been banned from any rooms where his son is learning or rehearsing his songs. Nobody official is talking about it yet, but the anonymous sources have tales to tell. TMZ's source tells them that Jeff has caused problems with producers, the band, vocal coaches, and other contestants.

The tipping point seems to have been David's version of "Stand By Me." It's said that Jeff insisted on inserting a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" and the unauthorized change cost the show money. Now, I balk at anyone from Idol worrying over money, considering how much the show makes, and how little they pay the contestants, but I can see how a meddling stage parent could be a headache. And it does seem like a reasonable offense to help justify the bringing of the banhammer. Jeff will still be allowed to watch the live show from the audience, but will no longer be involved in any of the backstage preparations. The more interesting question is whether or not all of the bad press will have an effect on voting.

[Thanks Johari]

 

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Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Cancellations, Reality-Free

Two weeks ago, I posted about Aliens in America's Adhir Kalyan landing an important recurring role on FX's Nip/Tuck. At the time I reported that news, it was unknown if The CW comedy would be renewed or not but it sure didn't smell good for the series since Kalyan, one of the show's star, got that other gig and rumors claimed that Scott Patterson was shopping around for a new job.

The grim reaper made a new victim: Aliens in America was canceled this week.

Continue reading Aliens in America gets axed

 

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Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Celebrities, Dancing With The Stars, Casting, Reality-Free

Actress Jennie Garth, who portrayed Kelly Taylor in almost 300 episodes of the hit series Beverly Hills, 90210, will appear on the series' spin-off set to premiere this coming fall season on The CW. The actress, who will appear in a recurring capacity on the spin-off, will reprise the same role that helped put her on the map in the 1990s.

It's not unusual to see original cast members make their way in spin-offs. And when said spin-offs have teens attending school, it's a regular occurrence to see the original cast member be part of the school's staff. Kelly Taylor is no exception here. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Kelly Taylor will become a guidance counselor at West Beverly Hills High. Nothing more is known at this point about the character and if other 90210 original cast members will join her on the show.

Jennie Garth was also part of the cast of What I Like About You and of Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars.

Continue reading Jennie Garth will be part of the 90210 spin-off

 

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Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free

• FOX has the Sprint Cup: Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race all night.
• At 8, TLC has a new Flip That House, then a new Date My House.
• Nickelodeon has a new iCarly at 8, followed by new episodes of Naked Brothers Band and Dance on Sunset.
• At 9, CNBC has a new Suze Orman Show.
• Lifetime has the new movie Mom, Dad, and Her at 9.
• TruTV has a new Missing Persons Unit at 9.
• Also at 9: BBC America has a new Robin Hood, then a new Graham Norton Show, with guests Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers.
• At 10, CBS has a new 48 Hours Mystery.
• TLC has a new Moving Up at 10.
• At 11:30, NBC has a new Saturday Night Live, with guests Shia LaBeouf and My Morning Jacket.

Check your local TV listings for more.

 

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Filed under: Other Reality Shows, The Apprentice, Survivor, Game Show, Casting

A day hasn't gone by where we haven't received some sort of tip or email asking us, the TV Squad, how to get on [insert reality show here]. Unfortunately no, Simon Cowell does not work for us, and Donald Trump isn't my BFF, so we really can't help all that much.

The folks at RealityWanted.com often send us a list of new and existing reality shows that are looking for new, er, talent, and they've given us permission to make mention of them here. We'll try to make this a regular feature as often as we get a new list.

This time we have The Real Housewives of NYC ,The Moment of Truth and other new shows.

Continue reading Reality Show casting calls

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Moonlight, Reality-Free

(S01E15) "What do you think of Elliot for a boy?" Beth to Mick about their imaginary future children, kidding.

This was a great episode, with a twist! But the twist can wait until after the jump. One of the most interesting things about this episode was how Mick's longing to be human (with Josef hilariously teasing him about blood oranges and how confusing that must be) was the bread at the beginning at the end that sandwiched the rest of the episode. His longing has always been there, but it has become more pronounced in some ways because of his short stint as a human, and also because of certain revelations from this episode.

We also got to find out Josef's one regret about being a vampire, which I don't think he admits to very often. But first things first: There is a little boy missing, and Mick is going to find him.

Continue reading Moonlight: What's Left Behind

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Children, Game Show, Reality-Free

Right about this time of year, most of the true children of the nineties are graduating from four years of Hell and preparing for a lifetime of also Hell, this time sans meal plan and floor meetings. Take a break from job-hunting and crying about student loans, children, and join me in wading in this pool of nostalgia, for your dreams have finally come true. Yes, yes. It looks like Nickelodeon's totally awesome sports challenge show, GUTS, is coming back.

Continue reading Nineties kids rejoice: GUTS is back

 

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Filed under: Programming, Pickups and Renewals, Weeds, Reality-Free

The New York Post has gotten some dirt on big changes for the next season of Weeds. Season four is going to have some major overhauls.

The show is about a suburban housewife played by Mary-Louise Parker who has to sell marijuana in order to make ends meet after her husband unexpectedly passes away. It's known for having the song "Little Boxes" played in the intro.

Except that it won't anymore. Gone will be the intro song and the location of the show will change to a rundown seaside California town near the Mexican border. This should come as no surprise to regular viewers since the fictional community they lived in burned down at the end of season three.

Continue reading Big changes afoot on Weeds

 

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Filed under: Cancellations, Pickups and Renewals, Reality-Free

Fox has made the call, and it's a big "see ya later" for Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. But their loss is someone else's gain. The pilot for the Jason Bateman directed comedy series The Inn has been picked up for a 13-week commitment, while Back to You has been axed. The Brad Garrett-Joely Fisher sitcom, Til Death, meanwhile, has been given another year.

Bateman, who starred in Arrested Development -- the Emmy-award winning comedy that the network dumped unceremoniously because of low ratings -- was behind the camera for The Inn pilot. The show, which is about the haves and have-nots in a fancy, five-star New York City hotel, has a promising cast of funny folks including Niecy Nash (Reno 911!), Jerry O'Connell (who looks like Jason's twin), and the really hilarious Jesse Tyler Ferguson (remember him on The Class -- he was so funny!).

Continue reading The Inn is in, but Kelsey & Patty are dumped

 

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Filed under: Battlestar Galactica, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S04E06) More than a few people thought last week's episode was filler. Things picked up again this week, with a lot of reveals along with a few more questions. Throw in another "red shirt" death and some other surprises (that I won't mention here in case there are spoiler-phobes about), and you've got the makings of a good episode.

This week I didn't bother with the ten minute preview online. In an interview with Mark Verheiden regarding last week's episode, he indicated that this episode was originally going to start off at a different point. So, in essence, if you were watching the preview today, you were seeing what was meant to be in last week's episode, originally.

Continue reading Battlestar Galactica: Faith

 

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Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy Enterprises, has given his consent for Miley Cyrus to pose for the magazine that is the cornerstone of his empire. This is only once she's of legal age of course.

Miley Cyrus is the 15 year old daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and star of the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. She is already well on her way to becoming a billionaire and I don't think she needs the publicity.

Continue reading Hef requests a favor from Miley

 

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Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free

Here's who's on the late night shows tonight.

• Charlie Rose: Susan C. Schwab, Bernard-Henri Levy, and Umberto Eco
• The Late Show with David Letterman: Barbara Walters, Colbie Smulders, and Penn & Teller
• Jay Leno: Harrison Ford, Carly Simon, and William Moseley
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kelsey Grammer, Alex Trebek, and Ludo
• Tavis Smiley: Henry Winkler and Richard Zoglin
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Seth Meyers, Becki Newton, and Tokio Hotel
• The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Reba McEntire and Vinnie Jones
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Leelee Sobieski and Ben Harper (repeat)

 

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