Jude Law reads the poetry of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face". A brilliant performance if I do say so myself. He can do more than just Shakespeare! Who knew?
Did I mention I bonded with him this past weekend? We totally had a moment. Okay, it was like a 20 seconds moment and were surrounded by tons of his fans at the stage door of the Broadhurst Theatre where Hamlet is playing, but it was a moment. (Kinky right?)
(Since I had friends going to the performance Saturday night, I decided to join them after my show and meet them at the stage door and try to get my London Donmar Warehouse Program signed since I didn't get a chance to stage door Hamlet when I went to see it in London. Luckily I got a great spot right up front, got a clear view (he is NIIIIIICE) and he made a double take when he realized he signed my London Program and then returned to ask me about it, when I went to London, what I thought and so on. We totally had a moment! (Okay, not quite the bonding I was hoping for but I'll take it).
So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Top 10 Results Night - The Cut from 10 to 8 - Ep. 217 Judges: Jean-Marc Généreux, Tré Armstrong, Luther Brown, Blake McGrath
So You Think You Can Dance - Auditions - Atlanta & New Orleans - Eps. 604-605 Judges in Atlanta: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Lil C Judges in New Orleans: Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman, Lil C
Top 10 Group Dance Style: Contemporary Choreographed by: Stacey Tookey Song: "Hometown Glory" - Adele
First of all, Adele is like another Imogen Heap. Anytime they do a dance to them, it looks amazing.
And of course that amazing contemporary group dance was by Stacey Tookey. I should have guessed! It was so beautifully constructed and wonderfully used the group factor to great affect, having dancers mostly in sync except for random individuals that would break from the pattern. For once I almost wanted to hit the cameraman and director for going for their fancy shots and would have preferred a still wide shot capturing it all.
My Predictions From The Top 10 Performances: Bottom Four: Amy, Jayme Rae, Cody, Austin (It doesn't have to be a couple but I have this bad feeling for Jayme Rae and Austin) Should Go Home: Amy and Cody Going Home: Jayme Rae and Austin (Lord I hope I'm wrong)
But as always, before I get to the results, let's check out So You Think You Can Dance's auditions in Hotlanta and N'Awlins. Here's some dancers of note:
Billy Bell - 19, Loxahatchee, FL So cute in his interview, and then the passion that came out of him from dancing took me aback. I didn't think he'd be that good.
Jamal Jackson - 19, Decatur, GA Is he related to Amber, the one that sort of just stared off into space and died off and was called for it? Okay, I know just cause he's black, a Jackson and from the same town, he doesn't have to be. Luckily he was far better than the other Jackson from Decatur.
Victor Smalley - 20, Miami, FL Okay, I'm over the mini-hawk thing, but if we can ignore the hair, he seemed kinda hot and his dancing was just as smoldering.
Anthony & Antwain Hart - 22, Linden, NC Okay, I'm sick of all Black Eyed Peas songs, despite these coolvideos, but that was still fun to watch these twin dance in sync in the same outfits. Antwain doesn't make it through choreo but twin brother Anthony does.
Jessica Jensen - 25, Pensacola, FL The girl that had to cut off her hand or else face death. These dancers that have to face addition adversity are tailored made for sob stories and while I highly doubt Nigel will ever put one of these dancers into the Top 20, it makes for great heart tugging TV, and if the stories weren't so uplifting, I'd probably groan. Still, when Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" started playing, I will say that I give a lot of respect to Jessica for dancing really well and getting through to choreography.
Thomas Hamilton - 20, Scottsdale, GA He doesn't remind me so much of Brandon but actually more of Ryan Rankine from Season 2 (who was good but too quiet and probably lost out because he got overshadowed in personality by the others). Another sad story but Nigel also notes that he needs to connect to the audience more.
And that's it for Hotlanta. Onto Nawlin's!
Shelby "Skip" something The New Orleans Bounce. Um, the judges loved it. I didn't see anything special at ALL. I thought it was just a lot of leg shaking.
Jonathan Litzler - 18, Loveland, OH OMG So cute. And is combo contemporary/acrobatics and he does it by mixing the two with fluidity and charm. Loved it and loved him. AND he's soooooooooooooo cute.
Another bunch of pretty good dancers in a quick montage whose names I missed (Allison, a Jr. and someone that looked like Smash Williams)
Justin Kenney - 23, New Orleans, LA The judges loved the b-boy and I thought he did a good job but not great enough to warrant the gushing from the judges. On the other hand, they only sent him to choreography so maybe it was just words.
Kimalee Piedad - Fort Walton Beach, FL Did the super cool lift and did she come from the figure skating world? Unfortunately, I can't enjoy this ep. much due to the results from SYTYCDCanada (see below).
Jakob Karr - 18, Orlando, FL Lift that leg boy! And keep it there! Now come into my bedroom and do that! Oh man, Jonathan Litzler is going to have competition. This guy seems to have a more ballet skilled training.
Diana Drezler - 29 Lexington, KY She cried in her pre-interview and then danced to a song with lyrics "take my pain away". I'd groan if I wasn't already happy from seeing Jakob Karr just previously (who boosted my spirits after the bummer Canadian results. Again. see below). She cries again while being judged. Oh, her grandpa just passed away the day before. Okay. That is sad. FIIINE. I'll let it go. Admittedly she was a pretty good dancer.
And the bottom 4 dancers were: Melanie and Amy were the bottom 2 girls. Cody and Austin were the bottom 2 guys.
I got it all right except Melanie. i picked the other early girl front runner Jayme Rae but I had a feeling Kim and TJ would be safe.
And while Mel and Austin are anything but the worst 2 dancers, the fact that they (and Cody) are from Toronto, starts giving a little credence to the regional voting blocks (only Everett could also be considering from the Toronto region from the remaining dancers).
The bottom 4 redo their solos. Austin's is completely different and totally awesome.
In the end, Canada voted for (or in actuality, didn't vote for) Amy Gardner to continue on.
And alas, Canada votes out another A+ dancer, Austin Di Iulio. GASP.
WAT. THE. FAK. CANADA
Not to disrespect Cody because I do like him but SERIOUSLY? Over AUSTIN? Probably my second favorite dancer and Vincent's only main competition for my devoted love? WHAT THE FRICK CANADA.
It was also noted in another conspiracy theory that since the SYTYCD S5 Tour was in Toronto on the same night as Top 10 voting for the Canadians, that Toronto fans were probably at the tour watching it instead of home voting, thus counting out any local fans. Granted, there's also a lot of Toronto apathy (we watch but probably feel too cool to vote, or just to busy to vote (I'll admit, I was out at a movie premiere so didn't get a chance to vote either)) so between the combo, it could have affected Mel, Cody and Austin's hometown votes.
ARGH. I can't believe Austin is gone. And just after he got a nice spiffy haircut and looking SHARP! ACK! SOOOOOO MAD.
So there you go Canada, the Top 8. Without Austin, who I was hoping to be with Vincent as the final 2 males.
So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Top 10 Performance Night - Ep. 216 Judges: Jean-Marc Généreux, Tré Armstrong, Luther Brown, Blake McGrath
Top 10!
And while there were a few other eliminated dancers that I thought should have made it to the Top 10, it was still a fantastic night with some terrific dances. In fact, if anything, only the choreography will split the differences in some of the pairings as I thought most of the dancers did a great job with what they were given.
So, here are the new pairings! (I discuss the solo's after the couples dances):
Melanie Mah & Vincent Desjardins Style: Paso Doble Choreographed by: Natalli Reznik & Francis Lafrenière (from Season 1) Song: "Conquest" - The White Stripes Grade: A
Wow. They actually put the two powerhouses together in the first week of the new match ups. I actually thought the choreography was a little jumpy and staccato and went from tricks to tricks for the wow show factor and there weren't as many transition moves as there should have been, but generally it was fun and powerful.
So while the piece itself was okay, I thought Mel and Vincent did a bang up job. Wow. Pairing the two powerhouses did not disappoint and they made the piece look AMAZING. Seriously, both Mel and Vincent have been amazingly versatile. They can even make this choreo look great (sorry, love you Francis but it wasn't my fave) so I'd love to see them do a Mia or Stacey routine.
Here's the video of Melanie and Vincent's Paso Doble:
Amy Gardner & Cody Bonnell Style: Contemporary Choreographed by: Stacey Tookey Song: "Come Home" - One Republic feat. Sara Bareilles Grade: B
Wow, so they just paired up Mel and Vincent's other halves? Arguably the weakest dancers left. But the judges love them. And then they give them Stacey Tookey, who can make donkeys look good dancing. And then there's a prop. All dances with props become memorable. Hmm...
I thought they did a lovely job, again, much thanks to Stacey and the couch, and both looked like they were giving it their all, but I was still not fully convinced about Cody, who felt hesitant and gangly, and Amy doesn't seem as fluid as she should be, especially considering this is her genre. I'm glad Luther called her on it. It was a really good job BUT for Top 10, it needs to be GREAT.
Here is the video of Amy and Cody's Contemporary:
Tara-Jean Popowich & Emanuel Sandhu Style: Samba Choreographed by: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin Song: "Samba Vocalizado (The Vocal Samba)" - Luciano Perrone Grade: A-
Now here's a fun latin ballroom routine! TJ is just awesome and has totally grown on me. She's just a tiny ball of energy isn't she?
Now. As for Emanuel, a polarizing dancer. Honestly, his body danced it great. I was very impressed and he can totally move (though that one butt shaking move was a little awkward) but what's with his face? He keeps scrunching it up and trying to look sexy or something but it comes off looking more like he's constipated. Still, I thought he danced it extremely well and I'm surprised at how well TJ and Emanuel danced together.
Here's the video of TJ and Emanuel's Samba:
Kim Gingras & Everett Smith Style: Jazz Fusion Choreographed by: Sean Cheesman Song: "St. James Infirmary Blues" - The White Stripes Grade A
Two White Stripes songs tonight. I guess they made contact and got the rights and decided to go all out while Jack was in a good mood still, eh?
Everett is becoming like the Benji Schwimmer of the competition for me. Even if he's not perfect, he's got so much energy and likability that it's still fun to watch. But I actually thought he did a great job this week and partnered well with Kim and I loved how he got all into character. (And yah, also love his bangs down).
And I totally thought Kim was dead. And since she's playing a dead girl coming back to haunt her killer, it was PERFECT! Man, she was so fab. Loved her in this.
LOVED the choreo. What a fun routine.
Here's the video of Kim and Everett's Jazz Fusion:
Jayme Rae Dailey & Austin Di Iulio Style: Hip-Hop Choreographed by: Sho-Tyme Song: "Da Rockwilder" - Method Man & Redman Grade: A
Jayme Rae is a BEAST. Austin is a BEAST. If Mel and Vincent are the power couple, Jayme Rae and Austin is the competing power source. WOW.
I was actually amazed and so impressed by Austin and I was surprised the judges had minor problems with his Hip-Hop. I thought he was superb.
Here's the video of Jayme Rae and Austin's Hip-Hop:
The Solos
Kim Gingras Song: "Kiss from a Rose" - Seal Grade: A- I actually liked that solo a lot. It showed me a different Hip-Hop side to her, something more feminine yet soulful and hip.
Everett Smith Song: "Everybody Dance" - Chic Grade: A That was great. I know I've been harsh on Everett recently but I still think he's great and when he does his tap, he's pure brilliance. And such the SHOWMAN! Such a fun solo and he knows how to work that crowd. Love it!
Jayme Rae Dailey Song: "Make Me Over" - Keyshia Cole Grade: B+ Oh much better girl! Love Jayme Rae but I've been slightly underwhelmed by her solo's. They've been getting better (and seemingly following the same progression that Jeanine had) and as it was destined to be, here we have another week and another improvement. Still not the SOLO I'm wanting out of Jayme Rae, but she seems more relaxed and playful and enjoying that the solo is unified by her (literal) interpretation of the song, giving it some semblance of a plot narration.
Austin Di Iulio Song: "Always Midnight" - Pat Monahan Grade: A And to think people almost dismissed him as solely a tricks boy with no dancing skills. I am LOVING his solos. They feel passionate and they show off a great mix of dance movements and jumps and tricks.
Amy Gardner Song: "Wanted" - Vanessa Carlton Grade: A- I was actually impressed by that solo. Standard contemp stuff but she did a great job. And you know she's my least favorite girl at this point so that's saying a LOT.
Cody Bonnell Song: "I Need A Girl (Part Two)" - P. Diddy feat. Ginuwine, Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri Grade: A- Oh Cody, he's so adorable. And so suave and its adorable that he's so boyish trying to act manly in his smooth Hip-Hop solos. It's great to see him do his thing.
Melanie Mah Song: "The Fame" - Lady Gaga Grade: A- Mel has gone all naughty! Not the best solo but her dance skills within each component is so tight. I wish it was a little less vampy/ stripperish as a whole but the technical skills are there to back her up, so gotta give her props.
Vincent Desjardins Song: "Can You Feel It" - Reel 2 Reel Grade: A- I think Vincent has done better before, but he's still freaking awesome no matter what, and he's such a showman and again, like Mel, has the skills to back up his playfulness. He's had better unified solo's but again, he set the bar so high for himself that the lower grade is really only relative to his amazing past performances.
Tara-Jean Popowich Song: "Relief" - Chris Garneau Grade: A- Seriously, I'm starting to really love TJ and I thought her solo was solid and beautiful and mixed in some funkiness to add some colour. I just wish the transitions from one movement to another were less abrupt and smoother instead of one trick to another.
Emanuel Sandhu Song: "Bridge" - Amon Tobin Grade: A- He sure can dance, and it was a great solo routine and even ended without doing a silly dance. And his footwork is awesome. Now he just needs to tone down on that face scrunchiness. And that momentary jazz hands could have been toned down a bit. I keep thinking of that scene from Bring It On!.
Here is the video of the girls solos:
Here is the video of the guys solos:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The Final Roundup:
Best Couple of the Night: Kim and Everett's Jazz Fusion Second Best Couple of the Night: Melanie and Vincent's Paso Doble Third Best Couple of the Night: Jayme Rae and Austin's Hip-Hop
Best Male of the Night - Couples: Vincent Desjardins Best Male of the Night - Solo: Austin Di Iulio Best Male of the Night - Overall: Everett Smith
Best Female of the Night - Couple: Kim Gingras Best Female of the Night - Solo: Kim Gingras Best Female of the Night - Overall: Kim Gingras
Worst of the Night - Couple: Amy and Cody Worst Solo of the Night: Wow, I can't believe I'm saying this because I liked this solo, but Jayme Rae by default might have had the "worst" solo.
Predictions: Bottom Four: Amy, Jayme Rae, Cody, Austin (It doesn't have to be a couple but I have this bad feeling for Jayme Rae and Austin) Should Go Home: Amy and Cody Going Home: Jayme Rae and Austin (Lord I hope I'm wrong)
I think my list from favorite to least looks like this right now (#position from last week in parenthesis):
1. Vincent (1) 2. Austin (2) 3. Melanie Mah (3) 4. Tara-Jean (5) 5. Everett (8) 6. Kim (6) 7. Jayme Rae (4) 8. Emanuel (9) 9. Cody (11) 10. Amy (12)
That was actually a GREAT Top 10! It's going to be some hard eliminations towards the Final 4.
Well, you knew I was going to love this, but I'm surprised it's getting such quick backlash usually reserved for the big show of the year. Yes, it's getting tons of PR from Fox (shockingly) but the musical TV show is still an underdog (and netting only abotu 6-7 million viewers which isn't huge in the overall picture) and I think its genre will always make it so. I know this show just won't be for some, but I've been surprised at who has been hating it and who hasn't.
For one, a major complaint is it's constantly changing tones and cheesiness. To me, that's the shows biggest asset. I love that the show changes from complete absurdity to a heartfelt moments to a cheesy musical number. It's hyperkinetic, absolutely ridiculous and thus completely winning and hysterically funny.
I'm also willing to be patient as the episodes slowly introduce all the characters into the mix, recently adding in Puck and Quinn Fabray more into the central storylines, and fleshing out Kurt and Sandy. I know everyone loves Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester and we all want Lea Michelle's Rachel Berry to sing everything but it's a SERIES, not a movie, so there's a whole lot more coming people. Patience!
Anyways, I'm just still loving it all and looking forward to where it's all going. Plus with the great Broadway star guest appearances (so far, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Josh Groban (well, not Broadway but he did do Chess galas) and Kristin Chenowith this week), I can't wait to see what else they do with the glee club this year!
And if anything, even if the show ends up tanking, the larger world will now know the tremendous voice of Lea Michelle. Seriously, her "Take A Bow" is even better than Rihanna's original. I can't wait for Michelle and Cory Monteith's updated version of "No Air". Finally there will be a version to replace the Chris Brown one.
Modern Family (New Series Premiered Sept. 23 2009) ABC/CITY Wednesdays 9pm ****1/2 - Pilot - Ep. 101
While it's almost like a toned down, more realistic and less absurd Arrested Development, it's also a modern version of the family sitcom. In both style and substance. The title couldn't be more correct.
The jokes are subtle and observant, the hilarity and awkwardness rings true, and every character in the large extended family of 10 (including the kids) is distinct. Okay, not all the jokes are subtle, but when they're big (like the "Lion King" entrance), they're absolutely hilarious.
Plus the cast includes my faves Julie Bowen (Ed, Boston Legal), Ty Burrell (Back to You) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The Class) and Ed O'Neill is back! And makes Sofia Vergara lovable!
FlashForward (New Series Premiered Sep. 24 2009) ABC/ATV Thursdays 8pm - ***1/2 - No More Good Days - Ep. 101
Okay, so essentially it's Lost Lite, and even includes Lost alum Sonya Walger and Dominic Monaghan in the cast. It even opens similarly with a our lead Joseph Fiennes waking up disoriented and in the middle of some sort of mysterious disaster with big explosions included. Flashbacks, flashforwards, a huge ensemble, and an apparently billboard with Oceanic 815 in the background (I didn't see it but apparently it was there) and the show seems to resemble the fellow ABC show.
Who cares? I was thoroughly entertained, I got into the mystery (and if it is lighter, that might be a relief since Lost is taking up too many brain cells) and I LOVE the ensemble cast which includes John Cho (Harold and Kumar), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Sonya Walger (Lost, Coupling US), Jack Davenport (Coupling UK), Brian F. O'Byrne (Broadway's Doubt), and Courtney B. Vance (L&O: Criminal Intent) and I noticed Shohreh Aghdashloo will show up in future episodes. Can't wait!
Community (New Series Premiered Sep. 17 2009) NBC/CITY Thursdays 8:30pm - ***1/2 - Pilot, Spanish 101 - Eps. 101-102
Joel McHale. What can I say? I just love the man. And the series, while not perfect, is amusing and enjoyable and had a better start than Parks & Recreation (which at least, has gotten better this season). Plus, you know, I love me some Joel McHale wherever and whenever I can get it.
Even Chevy Chase isn't annoying me and in fact, is part of a great ensemble that surrounds McHale.
The Good Wife (New Series Premiered Sept. 22 2009) CBS/Global Tuesdays 10pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101
A solid standard drama about a woman scorned and restarting her life as a working mother. While I'm not a Julianna Marguilies fan, I always forget that I do like her when she's on TV. And with the ensemble that surrounds her, with Christine Byranski (The Big Bang Theory, The Birdcage)! Josh Charles (Sports Night)! Matt Czuchry (Friday Night Lights, Gilmore Girls)! Archie Panjabi (Bend it Like Beckham, The Constant Gardener)! Even the son is played by Graham Phillips who made his Broadway debut last season in the underrated musical 13!
While the show is essentially standard lawyer show mixed with working mom mixed with spurned wife, the cast alone elevates the material and with some smooth direction, I thoroughly enjoyed the pilot so far.
The Vampire Diaries (New Series Premiered Sep. 10 2009) The CW 8pm/CTV 7pm - *** - Pilot, Night of the Comets, Friday Night Bites - Eps. 101-103
I liked this FAR more than I thought I would, and think I should. But it's like a return to old style WB dramas, and not unexpected since it's Dawson's Creek's Kevin Williamson at the helm. Plus I'm kinda digging the collision of Panther worlds Degrassi:TNG with star Nina Dobrev and Friday Night Lights' Zach Roerig (he was evil Cash). Plus add in faves Ian Somerhalder from Lost and mini-Ephram Steven R. McQueen (above with Dobrev) from Everwood, and the series is a whole lot more fun than it probably deserves to be. Love the angsty atmospheric aura (how many fog machines does the production have anyways?) and the show somehow stays on earnestness without falling into high camp, all while being a vampire show and somehow it all works.
I'm still not completely sold on Paul Wesley as lead paramour vamp. He annoyed me on every show he's been on (especially Everwood) but he's growing acceptable to me here. Which is a start. At least he's usually next to Nina, Ian or Chris William Martin (another Canadian on the cast, Felicity) so it all balances out.
Cougar Town (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) ABC/CITY Wednesdays 9:30pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101
Okay, there are dirty jokes, double entendres and some are real zingers, while others fall flat, but you gotta give Courtney Cox credit for not resting on her Friends money (seriously, does she really ever have to work ever again?) and going for the gusto here as the central cougar in question (in a town with a football team called The Cougars). I like her rapport with Busy Phillips (Dawson's Creek) and I LOVE her rapport with her son Dan Byrd (Aliens in America).
Dan Byrd is simply AWESOME! And he holds things together on this show and grounds it as it's about to fly off the deep (throat) end. The show even makes Josh Hopkins funny (and hot), Brian Van Holt (usually hot) funny and a bit sad and slimy, and Ian Gomez (not hot but very funny, though will forever be Javier on Felicity to me) gets to be back on TV again (not that he, married to My Big Fat Greek Wedding riches ever needs to work again either)!
Christa Miller (Scrubs), married to creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) plays the same character she played on Scrubs. I wonder how she got the job? Surely it's not for her face, which has totally been botched up by some plastic surgery. Seriously, she's become so grating and while once it was funny, it's become so annoying that she really puts a damper into this show.
Eastwick (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) ABC/ATV Wednesdays 10pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101
Okay, I'm still not sure I buy good'ol Canadian (and former fake Due South Mountie) Paul Gross as the Devil but I enjoyed this show far more than I thought I was going to as well.
Okay, so it's really Desperate Ghost Whispering Charmed Cashmere Lipstick wearing Housewives and using Stars Hollow seems sacrileges (even though I know that set has been around forever), but while I have a feeling this will all wear thin very fast, I actually enjoyed the pilot.
Big plusses go to two actresses I never feel I like but do when I actually see them in shows. Lindsay Price grew on me in Lipstick Jungle and Rebecca Romijn proved herself by playing a transgendered fashion mogul on Ugly Betty and so far the likability is carrying through here.
Add in Sara Rue (Popular, Less Than Perfect and hottie Johann Urb, narration by Veronica Cartwright, and gratuitous shots of Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) with his shirt off and belly button back on, and I'm kinda sold for another few weeks at least.
The Beautiful Life (New Series Premiered Sep. 16 2009, Cancelled Sep. 25th 2009) TheCW/ATV Wednesdays 9pm
Well so much for that! I had a feeling that by the time I got this post out, this show might not even exist, but I'm still surprised at how fast it all happened. Especially considering the show is far better than Melrose Place which got a far bigger push from the network (and hence probably why it got far bigger ratings. I barely heard about TBL). So TBL joins yet another notch in The CW's self-destructive fulfillment. Too bad, cause I kinda enjoyed this gratuitous show about beautiful people and I liked leads Sara Paxton and Ben Hollingsworth (who incidentally was the gay hustler in Degrassi:TNG who almost got Marco a new way to earn money!).
Okay, so Mischa Barton was majorly annoying, as was Jaime Murray's blackmailing cougar who uses Chad Corbin Bleu for her own sexual pleasure, but whatever, it was frothy and showed a lot of skin and had more interesting and plausible storylines compared to MP.
Mercy (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) NBC/CITY Wednesdays 8pm ** - Can We Get That Drink Now - Ep. 101
Trauma (New Series Premiered Sept. 28 2009) NBC/CITY Mondays 9pm *1/2 - Pilot - Ep. 101
Mercy/Trauma are both sort of ripoffs of Grey's Anatomy/ER and feel like sad knock offs. Mildly entertaining, and I applaud sticking in non-white leads in both shows, but while I didn't hate either show, I'm not sure I'm really going to follow all season long. Despite the great creatives behind Trauma (who also are behind Friday Night Lights) and the great ensemble cast on Mercy who include Margo Martindale (Paris, Je T'aime) and Guillermo Díaz (Weeds).
James Tupper (Men In Trees) is a plus on Mercy and I like Michelle Trachtenberg here, but I love her more on Gossip Girl and feel like Merritt Wever has already done the innocent naive nurse far better on Nurse Jackie now.
There's not really characters on Trauma as there are explosions with people who are in the vicinity. It's invigorating to see the selfish dimwit who MUST txt on the phone while speeding on the highway, then causing a massive pileup and getting hurt, but really, I don't need to see that ALL that much.
Melrose Place (New Series Premiered Sep. 8 2009) TheCW Tuesdays 9pm (Global Wednesday 10pm) - *1/2 - Pilot, Nightingale, Grand - Eps. 101-103
Thank goodness for Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), Colin Egglesfield and Michael Rady or else this would have been long gone from my list.
What a bore. I know they're trying to evoke soapy darkness but all it is so far is poorly lighted overly glossy wallpaper. It may look nice but it doesn't do anything.
I want to like Canadians Shaun Sipos and Jessica Lucas (who was far better guesting on 90210 last year) but they're not exactly given much to work with. And don't even get me started with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Wench more like it.
Michael Rady still exudes his nice guy charms (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Greek) which sort of doesn't fit into the darkness they're trying to evoke here. Only Colin and Katie have that pretty with a hint of darkness down pat.
Let's hope Heather Locklear's Amanda can re-start this series up like she did the first time around.
Accidentally On Purpose (New Series Premiered Sep. 21 2009) CBS/CITY Mondays 8:30pm - *1/2 - Pilot, Memento - Eps. 101-102
Ashley Jensen left Ugly Betty for this? Okay, so she was getting like 3 lines every 5 episodes but those were at least 3 very funny lines. Better than the many lines she's getting here, none of which are funny.
And yet, I did laugh out loud 3 times in 2 episodes here. Accidentally I think. It's gotta be a relative thing. On the other hand, I do like me some shirtless Jon Foster. When did that boy get muscles and abs? Wowza!
And I don't actually hate Jenna Elfman, but she's not exactly grabbing me here either. Though watching Grant Show do comedy (not since Melrose Place days is kinda fun.
N.C.I.S. Los Angeles (New Series Premieres Sept. 22 2009) CBS Tuesdays 9pm - * - Identity - Ep. 101
Well, it has Linda Hunt, Peter Cambor (so funny from Notes from the Underbelly), and Chris O'Donnell (I love me some whitebread) but it's N.C.I.S spinoff. This is just not my thing. Granted, O'Donnell paired with LL Cool J is actually a nice buddy cop thing (and really, if you think about it, O'Donnell and LL Cool J? The 90's wouldn't believe it) but still, it's N.C.I.S.. I'll pass.
The Forgotten (New Series Premiered Sept. 22 2009) ABC 10pm
I forgot to watch.
I also skipped Brothers and The Cleveland Show. Two black shows. I didn't skip it cause they were black shows, but just cause they were Fox weekend shows.
The Good Wife (Season 2) CBS/Global 10pm ****1/2 (Low: 4)
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Tapeworthy Shows On Hiatus
Grade system
***** - 5 Stars TAPEWORTHY AND WILL watch it LIVE for fear the recording will mess up. Do not attempt to call or try to make plans during this time.
**** - 4 Stars Tapeworthy and I will TRY to watch it LIVE
*** - 3 Stars Tapeworthy, will watch it live if I'm around but if not, will catch it later in the week.
** - 2 Stars Might tape it to watch later as long as I have space and no conflicting shows that have higher priority.
* - 1 Star Won't tape it but if I need something to watch while I fold my laundry (and I'm done all my tapes), I will watch it (ie. Reba).
0 - 0 Stars Will NOT turn on the TV for fear of coming across this show. (ie. According to Jim).
Grades only reflect current new airings. Does not necessarily apply to previous seasons. Grades are subject to change at any moment. Apologies to TV Gal for half borrowing her system.
