Category: TV (Page 98 of 595)

American Idol: Chastize me over Elvis Presley’s grave

April 15, 2010 /

As guest blogger, I will open in the only way I should: by offering my sincerest apologies for not getting the blog for last night’s “American Idol” completed in a more timely fashion. I’ve been battling an allergy attack since yesterday (the result, I feel certain, of all the dust I kicked up in my office while scouring the joint for tax receipts), and, quite frankly, I feel like crap. But I know Mike’s got a lot going on these days, what with his big move and all, so I was always going to do this for him. I just had to build up my strength, which I have now done, so with my cup of hot lemon tea with honey sitting by the keyboard, let’s get to talking about who got the boot.

Things kicked off last night with a medley of Elvis Presley songs – “Burning Love,” “Teddy Bear,” “Return to Sender,” and “Viva Last Vegas” – which neither did damage to the reputation of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll nor did it any favors. The best part about “Burning Love” was the cute moment where we saw Katie working her knees for all they were worth, and Lee’s vocals on “Teddy Bear” sounded like those of a lounge singer, but I actually kind of dug it. Otherwise, though, I was pretty underwhelmed by the performances, and when “Viva Las Vegas” kicked off, all I could think of was how much better the Dead Kennedys did the song.

From there, the program went green for a minute or so as we were treated to a Ford-sponsored commercial with several of the contestants performing a version of…wait for it…the Polyphonic Spree’s “Light and Day / Reach for the Sun.” How completely and utterly surreal, but it sounded a damned sight better than any of those Elvis covers.

Moving on to the first of the night’s departures, Cap’n Seacrest narrowed down the playing field to three contestants:

* Casey, whose version of “Lawdy Miss Claudy” Mike described as “not bad at all vocally, but just a so-so rating on the entertainment meter.”
* Aaron, who offered a take on “Blue Suede Shoes,” which Mike called “cheesy but not horrible.”
* Andrew, who Mike buried in the Not So Good column last night, saying, “It wasn’t awful, but not at all star quality and easily the worst of the night.”

So long, Andrew…and, really, was there ever any doubt that you’d be one of the two players leaving the game tonight? But, hey, at least we got your version of James Morrison’s “You Give Me Something” as a farewell, which served to remind us that, all things considered, America probably made the right decision.

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American Idol, External Entertainment, External TV, Reality TV, Reviews, TV, TV Reality

American Idol: paying homage to the King, sort of

April 14, 2010 /

Last night’s episode of “American Idol” was mercifully 90 minutes instead of the usual 120, meaning the judges’ snarky comments and Ryan Seacrest’s annoying banter were kept to a manageable minimum. After Crystal led off, it all kind of was just, as Simon would suggest, like bad karaoke. Of course, they propped up a few that didn’t deserve it, but really, this is still Crystal’s competition to lose now. And the guest mentor? Adam Lambert. Remember him? Here is the recap:

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American Idol, External TV, Reality TV, TV

Lost 6.12 – Everybody Loves Hugo

April 13, 2010 /

After back-to-back weeks of great episodes, tonight’s Hurley-centric story was a bit dull in comparison, but it did have a few WTF moments that definitely made up for some of the slower sections. I mean, did anyone even see that death coming? It was straight out of a “Final Destination” movie. One minute, Ilana is lecturing Hurley about how she’s been training her whole life to serve as Jacob’s bodyguard (all while Hurley warns her to be careful with the unstable dynamite), and the next minute, kablooey! And with Ilana out of the way, it makes it a lot easier for Hurley to plan his next move: blowing up the Black Rock (and all the dynamite inside it) by order of Michael’s ghost. On a related note, I love how Michael has literally been relegated to a whisper.

Richard didn’t seem all that happy with Hurley’s decision to suddenly take a stand, but after he realizes that there still might be explosives at the Dharma camp, he leaves determined to blow up the plane. Of course, that only begs the question, if there were still other explosives on the island, why the hell did they try using the dynamite with a history of blowing up prematurely? It’s about as nonsensical as Hurley’s decision to meet up with the rest of the Losties so he can have a chat with Smokey. Jack, Sun and Lapidus also tag along, but aren’t they just playing into Smokey’s hands by walking right into his camp? Granted, he can’t harm the three of them since they’re candidates, but I’d hate to see Hurley go through all that trouble only to get Lapidus shot. Then again, they’re going to need someone to operate that plane when they leave the island, so I think it’s safe to say that Lapidus doesn’t have to start looking over his shoulder just yet.

lost_6-12

Plus, Smokey has far more important things to worry about right now, like Desmond. Though he tells the truth for the most part when Smokey interrogates him, I don’t think he was able to completely fool him into thinking he didn’t know why he was there. After all, he even admitted that he was well-informed about his immunity to the electromagnetism coursing through the island, and I don’t think Smokey is willing to take any chances with a wild card like him. His solution? Toss him down a well. Of course, that’s hardly going to stop Desmond, who’s already following through with a plan of his own back on Earth-2.

While most of the Earth-2 story was dedicated to Hurley’s reconnection with Libby, (a sweet subplot that finally saw the two characters going on their big date while also progressing the concept behind the merging realities), it was Desmond’s brief appearance that made it so memorable. After watching their reunion from a distance, I couldn’t help but feel like Desmond was fast becoming the new Jacob of the “Lost” universe. He obviously has a vested interest in getting the Losties to realize the connection they have with one another, and I think he’s using that in order to convince them to make the best of their lives in this reality. In order to do so, however, he might need to hurt a few people in the process – like, say, running over John Locke with his car.

It sucks to think that Locke might not get his happy ending, but considering that he already had to sacrifice himself once, he may need to do it again. I think Desmond understands the connection between the two realities, and in order to prevent Smokey from getting off the island and wreaking havoc on the world, he needs to kill Locke from Earth-2 as well. It’s just a theory, but with only a few more episodes before the series finale, it’s becoming painfully obvious that the two realities have a connection for a reason. Then again, maybe Desmond was just having a case of the Mondays.

External TV, Lost, TV, TV Dramas, TV Sci-Fi

24 8.17: Bury my lovely…again

April 12, 2010 /

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

Someone damaged Renee Walker’s perfect breasts.

Two weeks ago, I said:

I was sure that Jackie was going to get picked off though, but it’s too soon for a dramatic death scene like that. That one comes in Hour 23. Book it, Dan-O.

This week, I get punched in the face. Actually, this was worse than a punch to the face – it was a full-scale mugging. My beloved Crazy Jackie, picked off by some douchenozzle Russian hit man. These guys haven’t meant shit to the plot for half the season, and now the Russians are suddenly the phantom menace. Fuck that.

Can you tell I’m unhappy about the latest development?

24_7AM8AM-Sc1631_0051

“I’ve lived a full life, and these are the eyes/breasts that I want you to remember.”

Look, I knew that Jackie would die shortly after a moment of bliss with Jack (did anyone else notice that her hollow, raccoon eyes suddenly looked perfect for their big kiss?), and it stands to reason that the Russian mob would be the ones pulling the trigger. But now? You kill my favorite character on the show with six hours left and leave me with President Buck Buck Brawwwwwwk as a replacement? I’m sorry, but those terms are unacceptable to me. Maybe they knew that killing her in the final hours would be too predictable, so they offed her now. That’s a logical play but also a shortsighted one, because now they’ve only pissed people off by killing her now; I think noted philosopher Eddie Murphy said it best when he said, “Ha ha, very funny, muthafucka.” Thank God they didn’t subject Agent Aaron “Old Yeller” Pierce to a similar fate, that’s all I’m saying.

So yes, the Russians are in deep with this whole thing in ways we couldn’t anticipate. In the early hours, it was merely some criminal kingpins profiting off the IRK’s instability, but now it looks as though Mother Russia has a vested interest in it as well. And the only hope of getting the Russians to sign the peace treaty is…Charles Logan? Hell, he was as dead as Tony Almeida last we saw him. He conspired with the Russians to have David Palmer killed, for God’s sake. He’s your Hail Mary? Madame President finished their chat by saying something along the lines of “I better not be wrong about you,” but has Logan ever been sleazier than he was in those few minutes? There are six hours left, which means no good can come from this, except possibly killing Logan once and for all.

While we’re discussing outrageous predictions, though, I did get this one right:

… [it] makes me wonder if Chloe is next in line to run CTU. She may still have that personality disorder, as Big Balls Bill Buchanan (RIP) once said, but she also has a good sense of right and wrong…”

Wow. I thought they were saving that one for the movie. And as soon as she inherited the crown, Chloe proved her worth by moving up the toxicology report of former terrorist mastermind Samir – did anyone else know that he was one of the guys that Jack shot when trying to save Slumdog President? Why on earth would he stay behind? – and confirming her suspicion that he was poisoned. Better call Jack and let him know what happened. “Oh hey, Renee…”

Fuck. Still not over her death yet.

An amusing Fox crossover moment came during Madame President’s scene with Logan, as his executive assistant is played by Reed Diamond, a.k.a. Dominic from “Dollhouse.” He was sent to the Attic on that show for betraying the director of the dollhouse, and he’s serving President Buck Buck Brawwwwwk here. Just throwing that out there.

So Crazy Jackie’s dead, and Chloe’s in charge of CTU. Logan’s in play, and Starbuck still hasn’t given them a lead. (Apparently my death-by-hate-fucking idea from last week was rejected.) I may not agree with the decisions the show is making, but give them this: they’re making things a lot more interesting now that they know they can play dirty. Still, damn, man. Not Jackie. Not now. This is the most heartbreaking death in the show’s history for me. Jackie is also the second character to receive two ceremonial silent clock ticks, one for her faked death in Hour 5 last year, and another for her much more real death tonight. You will be sorely missed, Renee/Crazy Jackie. And because you’re so special, your death merits two songs: the one that I referenced in the title, and one using your Christian name. (*wipes tear*)

24, Actors, Actresses, External TV, TV, TV Action

Conan lands on…TBS?

April 12, 2010 /

Can’t say as I saw that one coming, but, hey, fair enough: I always knew I’d watch him wherever he turned up, and it’s not like there’s anything inherently wrong with TBS…well, not anything that a purge of any and all series containing the words “Tyler Perry’s” in its title couldn’t fix, anyway.

Here’s the story, straight from TBS:

Comedy icon Conan O’Brien is joining TBS to host a late-night talk show that is expected to debut in November. The Emmy-winning comedian’s new program will be followed by “Lopez Tonight,” which will shift to a midnight time slot.

O’Brien began talks in earnest with TBS just last week, after George Lopez personally called him to ask that he consider joining the network’s late-night line-up.

“I can’t think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in,” Lopez said. “It’s the beginning of a new era in late-night comedy.”

Said O’Brien: “In three months I’ve gone from network television to Twitter to performing live in theaters, and now I’m headed to basic cable. My plan is working perfectly.”

O’Brien and Lopez will give TBS a dynamic lineup in late-night television. TBS – which has built a programming slate that appeals to a young, diverse audience – expects O’Brien to be a long-term addition to the network’s late-night landscape. O’Brien will host his hour-long, yet-to-be-titled show Mondays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. (ET/PT).

“Conan has been the comedic voice for a generation. TBS already has a huge audience of young comedy lovers, and Conan’s show will give these fans even more reasons to watch our network,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks.

With the addition of O’Brien’s show, TBS will establish two hours of late-night talk. “Lopez Tonight,” while just a few months old, has already become a destination show for a diverse audience. The “Lopez Tonight” audience is young as well, with a median age of just 34.

“For decades, late-night TV has been dominated by broadcast television,” Koonin said. “Now, with a young audience and a growing late-night lineup, TBS is set to be the choice of comedy fans for years to come.”

So what are your thoughts on Conan’s move to TBS? From my perspective, it was becoming increasingly clear that Fox was never going to successfully clear the hurdles set by their affiliates, and even if they had, they probably wouldn’t have been nearly as tolerant of fluctuating ratings – huge numbers upon his return, a probable big drop immediately thereafter, then middling out as people figure out which host they want to watch regularly – as TBS almost certainly will be. TBS can afford to let Conan build a presence on their network, whereas Fox…well, I think we all know how forgiving Fox is with their low-rated series.

External Entertainment, External TV, News, TV, TV Comedies

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