TVworthy - The Vacation Catch-Up

It's been a while since I've blogged about TV. Oh, I'm still watching lots (and tweeting about it), but since my Australia/New Zealand vacation, I've been trying to catch-up. Some, like Lost, I've caught up with right away of course (not that I have any idea what's going on) and the rest, I'm slowly working my way back to the current episodes (I'm finally caught up to late March for most).

Anyways, here's my thoughts in more than 140 characters (but not by much because I think my brain is starting work in 140 character thoughts now).

Lost - Seriously, I can't talk about it, because, I don't know how to talk about it. But man, I can never wait until the next episode, yet fear it because it's one less episode until the end. I'm assuming I'll get "it" on May 23rd at 11pm.

Bored to Death - Watched the first season. I always think I'll get annoyed at Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson, yet I'm reminded that I've enjoyed them before (Schartzman in Rushmore and any Wes Anderson film, Galifianakis in Hangover despite the movie being overrated, Danson in Help Me Help You and Damages) and I'm loving them in this and I can't wait for more episodes.

Ugly Betty - I am LOVING this season so far. Of course I am. It's cancelled! It can now join the ranks of Everwood and The OC. Shows that got cancelled in it's fourth, and best season.

Greek - Nothing is more comforting than going back to college and joining Cappie, Casey, Rusty and Beaver. Seriously, I'd go back if it was this fun. I'm enjoying the deepening of Evan and Rebecca's characters and kudos for the ongoing gay love story with Calvin and Grant and I love the Heath still lingers around.

American Idol - What can be said? Worst season ever. It's Bowersox's to lose but I don't even get that excited by her as I have past Idolers like Kris Allen, David Archie, David Cook, Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson. Maybe it's cause of all the Lilith Fair vibe. Maybe it's cause despite it supposedly being a girls year, the boys have prevailed, despite sucky voices. But hey, it's what happens when everyone is a sob story this year.

Life Unexpected - How much do I love this show? It has that comfortable reminder of the good years of The WB. Love Kristofer Polaha and Shirri Appleby and love all the minor melodrama.

Community, Parks & Recreation, Modern Family and Cougar Town have become such awesome comedies! Love them so much. Amazing too since 3 of them had such a shaky start. In fact, I find myself looking forward to them more than the old standard The Office (which I will say, has at least gotten better again in the new year).

The Good Wife - The cast is superb to begin with but they keep adding amazing guest stars and re-occuring characters. How much do we love Gary Cole's mustache? Or a creepy Alan Cummings (though when is he not creepy?). The writing has gotten better and tighter too and while the mysteries/cases still manipulatively feed us viewers, the interplay between the characters are snappy and solid. And still love that Archie Punjabi is now in a big US hit TV show.

Undercover Boss - It's so set up and manipulated (I mean, there's no way EVERY employee the undercover bosses speaks to has a sob story like the ones that do on this show) but while I wonder about the OTHER worthy employees, I'm a total sucker for it all. I can't stop watching, as fake as some of it may be.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains - When did Colby get so crabby? I'm still on team Boston Rob. I'm sad Cirie got kicked out so early. I wish Stephen (from JT's season) and Rob Cesterino was on this. UPDATE: Okay, I caught another ep. DAMNIT. Ugh.

Desperate Housewives - Okay, lesbian story aside (and I'm not totally caught up yet so bear with me), I've been loving this season.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Funny Friends - The Office, The Big Bang Theory And More

My friend Anthony wrote tonight's The Office episode Casual Fridays! So WATCH!!! And because I'm completely biased, I know it'll be fantastic and just as great as last week's terrific episode.

And, Anthony also made his own little web show called Dwelling for Strike TV (the web venue that was born from the writer's strike). It's cute and gets better (currently with 4 episodes) once they establish everything. So check it out!

The Office - Two Weeks, Dream Team, Michael Scott Paper Company, Heavy Competition, Broke - Ep. 519-523

Alright, so Michael quit Dundler Mifflin, started his own company, brought along Pam and Ryan, went broke, and got bought by Dundler Mifflin. I kinda loved that whole arch, especially when it ended in such a fairytale way, especially for this usually unlucky gang.

And now Pam gets to be a salesperson! And Ryan's back at Dundler Mifflin!

And as much as I love Jim, I'm glad someone finally didn't. When Idris Elba wasn't dealing with Beyonce and Nikki/Jessica (seriously, he was in Obsessed, and it was #1 last weekend? Is that a joke?), he was not becoming friends with Jim, and I enjoyed the way Charles loomed over the office folks.

More on 30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Corner Gas, Party Down, Greek:


30 Rock - Apollo, Apollo, Cutbacks, Jackie Jormp-Jomp, The Ones - Eps. 316-319

Dennis came back! Love Dean Winters. Love that he's hot and can play slimy and can go from serious (in Oz) to completely wacky (like here). Dennis slept with Jenna. Tracy goes into "space". Elisa is a crazy killer. Jenna "dies". Even Lutz had a funny moment. Kenneth saves the day, again. And Tina joins the ladies who lunch (with Xanadu's Kerry Butler!) and punch.

It's all getting so kooky it's becoming a blur, but while the stories are all kinda blending together with more zaniness on top of more zaniness, I've got to say, I still laugh out loud during the whole show.


The Big Bang Theory - The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition, The Hofstadter Isotope, The Vegas Renormalization, - Eps. 219-221

They've zeroed in on the Penny Sheldon comic dynamo so much that the other boys seem to have been relegated to side stories. Still, I'm LOVING it right now, so can you blame them?

Though I think I still laughed hardest when Rajesh woke up in bed with another woman, looked horrified, then accepted his position and enjoyed with a smile. Still, as funny as Rajesh can be when he's drunk, and the only time he can talk to women, they're gonna have to get Raj back into the action without needing to be inebriated everytime or else he'll move farther away from the Penny/Sheldon comedy.

I must have also lost some brain cells but I'm totally enjoying (and totally buying) Penny's date with Stuart (Kevin Sussman, WALTER! from Ugly Betty) and both his and Sheldon's response to Penny's romantic advances.

And loving any response Howard is giving (especially after finding out Raj and Leonard bought him a hooker) and ALL of HIS romantic advances (Or attempts actually).


How I Met Your Mother - Old King Clancy, Murtaugh, Mosbius Designs, The Three Days Rule - Eps. 418-421

Never one to pass up a Canadian joke, the whole Robin episode going back to her Canadian past kind of fell flat. At least Aaron Hill (BEAVER! on Greek) was on!

And while the ladies are hiding behind strategically placed plants and furniture (and with Lily conveniently absent from the bar lately as she has her real life baby), Marshall and Barney get even MORE attention, though if you think of it, considering Jason Segel is doing so well in films now, and NPH is... well... NPH!!!, it's credit to the show and the ensemble that the show isn't just the NPH/Jason Segel show and that they're hilarity blends in nicely with the rest of the show. (Though Barney's little outburst with Marshall when he rejected/loved Robin was genius).

Now if only Ted can get some more decent storylines like the last two episodes. I was reminded that I actually LIKE this character in the last two weeks, who I almost forgot up to this point.


Corner Gas - R2 Bee Too, Crab Apple Cooler, Happy Career Day to You, Get the F Off My Lawn, You've Been Great, Goodnight - Eps. 615-619 - Series Finale

I'm actually going to miss this show. A lot. It had a nice slow dry rhythm to it. And it was consistently funny. Kinda like a low rent Seinfeld, a show about nothing except this time in a place where there's nothing: the middle of Saskatchewan.

And as stupid as the jokes were, I kept laughing at all the F-in jokes (no really, the "F" and the "E" from Ruby's Cafe sign blew off and were flying around the town of Dog River. Letting them run with the F jokes all episode long. And I kept laughing).

The series finale got a bit too meta for me (I love the meta stuff but for this shows charms were in the daily boring and absurd lives of the townsfolk of Dog River. Well, except when the Canadian celebrity cameos popped in. Kiefer Sutherland's (which hinted at Jack Bauer) was completely out of the blue (and thus totally hilarious)) and actually reminded me a bit of Seinfeld's meta arch with his NBC show within the show.


Party Down - Pepper McMasters Singles Seminar, Investors Dinner, Sin Say Shun Awards After Party - Eps. 103-105
Greek - Engendered Species, Big Littles and Jumbo Shrimp - Ep. 213-214

I'm behind an episode on both these awesome cable comedies, but I'm LOVING them so much!

Always loved Adam Scott so glad he gets such a great role in Party Down, though as always Ken Marino totally steals all his scenes, giving his Ron Donald such a sadness to his goofy role.

Still, the entire cast is awesome (Martin Starr! Jane Lynch! Ryan Hansen! Lizzy Caplan!), and still love the rotation of guest stars and the links to Veronica Mars. Can't wait for Kristen Bell's appearance!

On Greek, I know Jesse McCartney doesn't have to do much to be the nice affable Andylicious and to be honest... I don't really care. He's totally dylicious looking. As is Andrew J. West as Fisher (below), Ashley's new hired maid/secret boyfriend. (Also loving the new trio of Rebecca, Ashley and Casey).

Plus, while I wasn't sure where they were going with downtrodden Evan, it gave us his brother Patrick (Robert Hoffman!!! Who I just spoke about last week!) and a reunion of sorts with Cappie! Evan, Cappie and Robert Hoffman in one room! Wow. That's a lot of white bread hotness going on there. And bonus points to Evan for dumping Frannie!

Loved Cappie's line of the incestuousness on campus, while talking to his little brother Rusty about Rusty's big sister Casey.

Oh, and an appearance from Janeane Garofalo? As a womans studies prof? Excellent! (Though she's looking mighty plasticized, which I'm kinda shocked about).

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Ken Marino Is Everywhere - Party Down, Greek, The United States of Tara

Is it me or is Ken Marino everywhere these days? What I love about him is that he's a pretty handsome fellow but he usually makes himself look pretty slimy and full in character on various shows. While he was lovely and charming on Leap of Faith, he was positively... icky/charming/doofusey as Vinnie on Veronica Mars.

I haven't even caught up with him on Reaper yet (this season or the second half the of the 1st season, I only got to the first few eps with him and Ian Michael Black as the devilish gay couple) but he's the main reason why I've haven't deleted the show yet. Plus he appeared in the pilot for In The Motherhood as yet another slimy coworker to Cheryl Hines.

Now he's in the new show Party Down from the Veronica Mars gang led by Rob Thomas AND co-created by Paul Rudd, he cameo'd in the season 2 part 2 (seriously, just call it season 4 would you abcFamily?) of Greek and he guest starred as a slimy convention guy in The United States of Tara. Does the guy rest?

So I'm behind on all three shows (because I just don't get those those US cable channels up here in Canada so it's all on delay) but I'm loving them all!

Party Down - Willow Canyon Homeowners Annual Party, California College Conservative Union Caucus - Eps. 101-102 - Series Premiere

Seriously, it's like a Veronica Mars reunion. Rob Thomas!? (Cupid), Ken Marino (Vinnie Van Lowe) AND Ryan Hansen (Dick Casablanca)! And a guest staring role for Daddy Mars Enrico Colantoni (Flashpoint) in the first episode and Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) in the second episode!

AND to have my favorite under-appreciated actor Adam Scott (Step Brothers, Tell Me I Love You, and who guested as a teacher on Veronica Mars) as Henry Pollard, the lead loser who winds up working for Marino's Ron Donald's party caterers company.

Add Jane Lynch (upcoming Glee, Role Models and apparently every TV show EVER, including of course, Veronica Mars), Lizzy Caplan (The Class, Cloverfield) and Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks, Superbad), I'm loving all the loser characters on this show.

I love that the show is partially serious but with a dry wit, yet is completely ridiculous without seeming like it's ridiculous. They've built a nice set of losers (with the great set of comedic actors to back them up) and then let them roll with a new party set up for every episode (the first one at a loser's suburban home (Colantoni) and the second at a college republican's group with Dohring AND Alona Tal (Meg Manning on Veronica Mars) as the plastique young republicans (LOVED Dohring's wiglike hair. Hysterical!!!).

Plus, Ken Marino, with that flattop buzzcut is such an outrageous character, but is nicely balance with Adam Scott's moroseness. Yet Marino never makes it like a sketch comedy character but reigns it in just enough to make it plausible (as is Lynch's portrayal).

Love the format, love the cast, and love the pseudo Veronica Mars reunion.


More on Greek and The United States of Tara:

Greek - Take Me Home, Cyprus-Rhodes, From Rushing With Love - Ep. 211-212 - Season 2 Part 2 Premiere

Okay, so Ken Marino's little guest cameo seemed a bit wasted as a camp counselor at Rusty's summer job. I kept thinking it would be far more hilarious than it was. But let's face it, the real awesomeness is back at Cyprus-Rhodes.

Especially now that it's FINALLY a brand new year and Rusty is finally a Sophomore. And new pledges are descending upon the Kappa Tau house (and every other house on the block). And Jesse McCartney is Andy, one of the new rushes!!!

Seriously, how cute is the new bromance rush crush developing between Rusty and Andy?!!

Plus I'm actually loving this new Frannie rival house IKI (stupid and hilarious) and Rebecca as the mole.

Plus I can't believe how much I miss The Beaver (the adorable Aaron Hill) and I love that Heath (Zach Lively) is still prominently featured as a glorified extra, if only to remind us that gays do exist in the greek system. (Though Heath's reaction to Beaver's girl callout was freaking funny and a nice way to slip in a gay shout out).

I'm also glad Max is back (Michael Rady) and I like the subtle meta-joke when some of the Zeta Beta girls declare their love to the hot greek guy in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.


The United States of Tara - Revolution, Transition, Alterations, Abundance, Possibility, Betrayal - Eps. 105-110

I still haven't finished watching the final 2 episodes of the terrific first season but while I initially had some reservations for the show, I grew to really love the first 4 episodes, but since then, I found it's only gotten better and richer and deeper, especially with Tara's sister character Charmaine (a terrific Rosemarie DeWitt) and Tara's husband Max (John Corbett who is finally really growing on me with this show).

Obviously I was loving Marshall (Keir Gilchrist who is WAY beyond his actual years in maturity and understanding his character) and his gay storyline with religious Jason (Andrew Lawrence). I like that Max is cool with it, and that Charmaine has this strange relationship with Marshall. Plus, kissing the hot religious boy-next-door story is always hot.

Brie Larsen has also made Kate so much more than just the pretty misunderstood blonde teenager, and her hilarious outburst, reactions and actions against Tara, her job, and the creepy boss Gene (Nathan Corddry, so good at the geek creep thing).

And Tara/T/Buck/Alice. It's already a role made for awards. Still, you have to give Toni Collette credit for making you forget it's a role and making you believe that this Tara really does exists. It's simply fabulous but she doesn't overplay it either (which could have been so easy here) and she doesn't take over the whole show. It's to her credit (and writer Diablo Cody) that she's just part of the marvelous ensemble that bounces off this odd situation the family is put in.

And while the show may have started like some kind of cable gimmick with the multiple personalities, it's really turned into a compelling family drama.

Oh, and yeah, Ken Marino was hilarious as the creepy guy at the convention, who with his friend (Ryan Eggold! Teach! from 90210) were trying to pick up Tara and daughter Kate. Also, bonus points for the show for having Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille)!

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

I'm Moving Into The Greek House or Melrose Place

Aw crap. I was going to totally ignore the new desperate plea Melrose Place remake for The CW, especially after this year's 90210 turned out so blah (then again, the original was too, but it is getting a leeeettle better).

But now they go and cast Michael Rady from Swingtown (with the original MP Jake, Grant Show) and more importantly, Greek!

AND, after JUST watching the promos (below) for the new season of Greek, Michael Rady WILL return as geeky Max, Casey's new boyfriend (still!) which of course puts a damper on things for Cappie! Awesome!

The new season of Greek will start Monday, March 30th at 8pm on abcFamily once The Secret Life of the American Teenager finishes its (AWESOME) season.

Plus, Jesse McCartney will join the cast for 6 episodes! Check out the new promo that uses his video "How Do You Sleep":



Here's another promo trailer for Season 3 (is it? Or is it S2 Part 2? I can never get it straight for this show):



As for the new Melrose Place being directed by Davis Guggenheim, "On the project, penned by "Smallville" exec producers/co-showrunners Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer, Rady" (who was also the hot greek guy in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie series) "will play Jonah Miller, a cute and quirky 25-year-old aspiring filmmaker who makes his living as a videographer of weddings and bar mitzvahs for the rich and famous after moving to Los Angeles with his fiancee a year ago. Apparently it's the "Billy" (Andrew Shue) role.

I will say this about the new Melrose Place. I have been saying that there needs to be a show about 20somethings post-university trying to break out into the real world, cause there hasn't been something like that in a while now (the last show that really felt like that, Felicity, wasn't even about post-uni). I know Gossip Girl FEELS like it but if you remember, they're technically only in high school. The Secret Life of the American Teenager has the high school part pegged, Greek has the college part pegged, but now we need a dramatic soapier version of How I Met Your Mother and MP could fill the void.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

A Canadian Giving Thanks - Friday Night Lights, Ugly Betty, The Office, Privileged, Burn Notice, Greek and a LOT More!

It's Canadian Thanksgiving and while I have my usual things to thank for (family, great friends, fabulous life on a measly budget and you READERS! WOW, I still can't believe people (who are not my friends that I'm forcing to check my blog) are actually reading this! Thank you whoever you are! Thank you person from Clackamas, Oregon whoever you are! Strangely, I've actually BEEN to Clackamas County and what a gorgeous place!)), here's some of the things I'm thankful for on television.

Friday Night Lights - I Know You When - Ep. 301 - Season Premiere, Tami Knows Best - Ep. 302

Despite it being only on DirecTV until NBC airs it in 2009, Thank You anyways for having a new season of Friday Night Lights so that its out there... ahem...and for being one of the most BEAUTIFUL shows EVER (and I don't mean that on surface value (although yes, everything and everyone is real pretty too) but in a soul enriching way). Season 3 has so far been a return to Season 1 PERFECTION.

Thank you for the teary-moments of the week. The show still gets me every time. When Tyra asks for Tami's help in the Season Premiere, and when Matty is to become the help in Ep. 302.

Thank you for still having Gaius Charles returning as Brian "Smash" Williams if only to continue his story post-Panthers. Thank you for Eric still having faith in him.

Thank you for Adrianne Palicki who turned a one-note Tyra from the pilot into one of the most fascinating underdogs on television.

Thank you for the heartbreaking storyline of Matt Saracen taking care of his grandma and the his surprise visit this week. Not to mention his smile when Julie and Matty play nice again.

Thank you for making Tami Taylor the new principal of Dillon High and causing trouble right from the start when she decides to re-allocate the funds Buddy rounded up for a new Jumbotron towards academics.

Thank you for scenes with Landry and Matt again, for Tim Riggins just being on screen (and bonus points for Lyla pushing for his future) and thank you for Eric and Tami Taylor, the greatest parentals on TV.

Ugly Betty - Filing For The Enemy - Ep. 302, Crimes of Fashion - Ep. 303

Thank you for this:

Thank you for Vanessa Williams' Emmy-worthy performance as Wilhelmina, who has out-bitched them all this season, whilst still showing a tiny bit of her Gucci-black heart when Christina was broken.

Despite never really knowing what to do with Rebecca Romijn and throwing her to the fashion dogs by making her guilty of pushing Christina, Thank You for the nice twist of making her Daniel Jr.'s actual father. I did NOT see THAT one coming!

The Office - Business Ethics - Ep. 502

Thank You for Oscar nominee Amy Ryan having enough confidence for turning to TV post nomination and willing to go up against Michael at The Office.

Thank You for Meredith's lack of business ethics. How is it wrong to have sex for a discount and steaks? Doesn't that help Dundler Mifflin? Isn't it win win for everyone?

Thank You for the return of great episodes worthy of Season 2 greatness.

Survivor: Gabon - She Obviously Is Post-Op! - Ep. 1702, It Was Like Christmas Morning! - Ep. 1703

Thank You for now having the three hottest guys, Marcus, Charlie and Dan on the same team now. Thank You for Charlie's continuing crush on Marcus and the possibly train-wreck/cute bond to come.

Thank You for making it so easy to hate on Ken and co. Seriously, stupidest moves EVER.

Grey's Anatomy - Dream a Little Dream of Me: Part 2 - Ep. 502, Here Comes the Flood - Ep. 503

Thank you for being good again.

Thank you for mostly shutting up Meredith, despite finding a new patient to listen to all her whining.


Privileged - All About the Power Position - Ep. 104, All About Friends and Family - Ep. 105

Thank You for being the Best New Show of the season.

Thank you for bringing JoAnna Garcia and Michael Cassidy back to TV.

Thank you for making Lucy Hale actually likable and a complete opposite from her Bionic Woman days.

So You Think You Can Dance Canada

Thank You for whoever is sticking the videos on youtube so that people can watch the Top 20 dances online. (And Thank You Miles, Romina, Allie, Danny, Lisa, Francis, Lara, Nico, Arassay, Izaak, Vincent for a great first week!)

Burn Notice - Breaking and Entering, Turn and Burn, Trust Me, Comrades, Scatter Point, Bad Blood, Rough Seas, Double Booked, Good Soldier - Eps. 201-209

Thank You for renewing the show for Season 3.

Thank You for Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Westen and his hilarious facial expressions. Thank you for the moment Michael had to pretend to be a lab geek.

Thank You for another great season (with still more to come!) with more great individual cases as the over-arching story slowly builds little by little.

More on Greek, Grey's Anatomy, The Amazing Race, Brothers & Sisters, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Worst Week, Chuck, Project Runway and Pushing Daisies.

Greek - Pledge Allegiance - Ep. 205

Thank You for Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Greek guy (Michael Rady) for being on Greek. And getting his "nerd" Max to date Casey.

Thank You for actually writing Calvin and Michael's relationship in a serious light. And making their relationship foibles realistic, messy and touching.

Heroes

Thank You for having other people finally realizing it's totally sucking so that I don't have to force myself to follow the damn show anymore, thinking I'm missing out on anything good. Cause I'm not.

The Amazing Race - Do You Like American Candy? - Ep. 1302

Thank You for Nick being so cute AND being a nice guy (so far though I haven't watched last nights episode yet).

Desperate Housewives - We're So Happy You're So Happy - Ep. 502

Thank You for being funny and making us care again.

Brothers & Sisters - Book Burning - Ep. 302

Thank You for ridiculous and silly premises that somehow gather the Walkers together again into one room, and always with alcohol involved.

Chuck - Chuck versus the Seduction - Ep. 202

Thank You for bringing the show back despite that very few people are watching it. I am and I'm loving it still. Though less of Morgan still please.

Pushing Daisies - Circus, Circus - Ep. 202

Thank You for Ned and Chuck and Aunt Lily and Aunt Vivian and Emerson and Olive.

Thank You for some of the greatest dialogue and strangest stories around.

Thank You for casting a second cast member from Notes from the Underbelly Rachael Harris this season.

The Big Bang Theory - The Codpiece Topology - Ep. 201 - The Barbarian Sublimation - Ep. 202

Thank You for pairing up Jim Parson's Sheldon with Kaley Cuoco's Penny in the oddest and most surprisingly funny odd couples around. And not actually making them a couple.

How I Met Your Mother - I Heart NJ - Ep. 403

Thank You for bringing Sarah Chalke back.

Thank You for the frank discussion between the burbs vs the city. Even though I grew up in the burbs but love the city, I appreciated Stella and Marshall's thoughts.

Thank You for the nice twist on Robin's career (and the quick reaction shot from Barney).

Worst Week - The Bird - Ep. 102, The Monitor - Ep. 103

Thank You for casting Kyle Bornheimer who makes the whole premise actually work.

Project Runway - Season 5

Thank You for keeping Leanne in the finals. Thank You for keeping Kato (even though I didn't like the wedding dress either).

Thank You for keeping things interesting by having Kenley still in the race, because frankly, I thought Jerrell's stuff is sometimes FUGLY. Not always, but at least as much as Kenley's, if not more.

More After the Jump...

Overheard At The Airport On The Way to LAX

"Do you know Jake McDorman? He's on that really crappy show that I'm on" - Clark Duke from Greek and Clark and Michael to his young traveling friend.

I don't think it was so much a slight at Jake McDorman but it was kinda funny. Ah young actors. Always biting the hands that feed them just so that they can seem cool to their friends.

More After the Jump...

Before The Summer Heat Goes Away - Gossip Girl, Greek, The Secret Life of The American Teenager, 90210, Privileged, Mad Men, Do Not Disturb

Gossip Girl - The Dark Knight - Ep. 203
Greek - Brothers & Sisters, Crush Landing, Let's Make A Deal, Gays, Ghosts and Gamma Rays - Ep. 201-204
The Secret Life of The American Teenager - Back to School Special, Just Say No - Ep. 110-111
90210 - Lucky Strike, The Bubble - Ep. 103-104
Privileged - All About Honesty - Ep 102
Mad Men - Three Sundays, The New Girl, Maidenform, The Gold Violin, A Night To Remember - Ep. 204-208
Do Not Disturb - Work Sex, Birdcage - Ep. 101-102

Some quick thoughts on everything that's been new on TV this summer before Fall officially begins this week and the onslaught of all the new TV starts and I get lost in it all. (And I'm still behind on Weeds and Burn Notice since we didn't get them this summer in Canada).

How good has the sophomore seasons of both Greek and Gossip Girl have been so far? I'm LOVING them! I can't believe The Secret Life of The American Teenager ended like THAT. I SOOOO want more. And all three of those shows have been FAR more interesting than 90210 which so far has only been interesting in seeing how many plugs for Spring Awakening they can fit in each hour.

Meanwhile, I loved the second episode of Privileged just as much as the first. And I think I almost cried when Joan Holloway was tossed aside for the TV Marketing Research position for a guy who knew nothing on Mad Men.

And serves me right for bothering with Do Not Disturb. I knew I should have listened to the title.

Gossip Girl has been deliciously naughty as usual, with lots of camera time spent on Chace Crawford's Nate's face and that mop of his (which I love), and how deliciously tangled web he's gotten himself into. I mean, gigolo? That's fantastic. Even the blackmail The Duchess (Madchen Amick) pulled on Vanessa to back off was quite brilliant.

As was Chuck's creepy and sneaky way back into Blair's heart, which was SO obvious and still deliciously evil and fantastic!

Also, loving Jenny's career goals and that Evelyn (the great Margaret Colin)

And just how pretty is the whole cast? So pretty... (pet)

Things haven't dumbed down on Greek in its second season either. So much to love.

From the return of Charisma Carpenter as Tegan.

The return of Max Greenfield as Calvin's boyfriend Mike. (And that both Charisma and Max had parts in Veronica Mars is another cool point too). Love that Heath (Zack Lively) is still around the Kappa Tow house and that he was awkwardly in the middle of Mike and Calvin at the gay bar. This usually happens more often in real life but TV shows rarely show it because usually they wouldn't have kept the actor around long enough for this to happen, so it's totally great that they can have Calvin hide his frosh fling while still being forced to see Heath all the time while around Mike.

I just love that the side characters in the background are always there. Love Beaver (Aaron Hill).

Though the addition of Max "The RA" Tyler was a bit obvious, it was nice to have a big version of Rusty, and even better to have Casey fall for the nerd (though somehow it doesn't creep me out even though Max is just like a big Rusty). I JUST realized that Michael Rady who plays Max was also Costas in The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. WOW. That makes Max even hotter than before, and I was rooting for him and Casey already!

Plus we get some more brother/sister bonding between Casey and Rusty and that's always nice. Jacob Zachar and Spencer Grammar really have incredibly likable vibes. Kelsey should be proud.

Glad Frannie is being ignored for dating Evan. Meanwhile, I was just getting used to the idea of Cappie and Rebecca. Oh well. Now if only they can find someone for Ashleigh. Once she pays off her charge card (again, I like that they carried a long forgotten little side storyline from way long ago as if it were in real time. It's a nice little bonus).

I'm also enjoying some of the cribbing the writers are doing. Usually it annoys me when shows "borrow" famous stories but the blatant use of 21 and Bring It On! both somehow worked and made sense and was still enjoyable. Though maybe because we got to see Evan, Cappie and Beaver in cheerleader outfits. That's just funny.


I still can't believe how much I loved The Secret Life of The American Teenager. Even worse, I can't believe I actually agreed with a lot of its morals and how the characters are behaving. Even Grace.

I can't believe the parents Anne and George are going to actually split though. That was an ending I wasn't really expecting. It was real and harsh and not sugar coating it (The hooker storyline was particularly funny with another great cameo from veteran character actress Jennifer Coolidge). Then again, a lot of the show doesn't sugar coat life's ups and downs which I did NOT expect from this show. Bravo! The acting can still be wooden as hell but I kind of like the flatness to it all. Can't wait for the next season (coming in 2009)!

90210. I know. The backlash was inevitable and it's been almost too easy (like some of the girls on the show). But I almost feel sorry for Tristan Wilds and I have to keep remembering he can apparently act (in The Wire) especially when all he's given to do is clean up at The Peach Pit.

Shenae Grimes must have made it in Hollywood though now since word on the street is she's a big anorexic diva, but I can't help but feel so proud of the Degrassi alum when she share the Spring Awakening stage with Jessica Walters (who was a hoot singing "Mama Who Bore Me". It was SOOO wrong and about the only bright spot in the episode.

And was Luke being the babydaddy the most anti-climatic duh! ever? Please. Who DIDN'T assume it was Luke's?

Privileged is really a Cinderella story in a way isn't it? with JoAnna Cassidy's Megan as the new Cindy and Anne Archer's Laurel as the sort of evil stepmother but in this case, just a hard driven rich woman who expects perfection. I guess the same thing.

At least Megan has TWO Prince Charming's to choose from. Brian Hallisay's Will (above with Garcia) and Michael Cassidy's Charlie. Will sure is pretty to look at but pick Charlie! Pick Charlie!

There are no prince Charming's right now on Mad Men, unless you count Father Gill who has a strange closeness to Peggy.

But seriously, between Joan being looked over for a job she would be perfect for, from Betty's breakdowns at home AND being used for Don's own career advancement, the new girl secretary being used by the boys to gain access to an office, then being reprimanded by Joan, and Kitty Romano (below with Salvatore and Ken Cosgrove) who lives in a marriage where Salvatore is obviously gay (from out 21st century hindsight), are ANY of the woman happy? I feel sorry for them all.

Stupid men.

Do Not Disturb still sucks. In fact, they re-cast the most likable character (Brando Eaton as) Jason with Dave Franco (yes, James' brother, and yes, he's also one of those side background characters on Greek) as Gus, a surly unlikable character.

They also totally skipped the pilot, which now looking back, wasn't that bad at least compared to subsequent episodes.

Seriously, someone needs to save Niecy Nash from this show. She's so much better than this dreck.

More After the Jump...

So You Think You Can Dance, Eh?

CTV finally announced the date.

So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

2 hour premiere.
Thursday, September 11th. 8pm.

(Above l-r, Judge Tre Armstrong, Host Leah Miller, Judge Jean-Marc Genereaux)

I'm pretty surprised they are showing this during the fall considering CTV already has SO many shows to squeeze in its lineup that it's giving half its shows to AChannel now that they own it. Still, I'm very excited!

I know they ALWAYS say this before the season of these competition shows but "apparently" this is one of the strongest Top 20 dancers of any SYTYCD. Or so "they" say. (I have no idea who "they" are).

Still, considering the level of talent on (most) Canadian Idols and Project Runway Canada, I have no doubt that there will be some talented Canadians out there!

So I'll try to post what I can and upload videos so that our friends south of the border can watch (and I've been given direct orders from a friend moving back to Dallas from Toronto to keep feeding her more SYTYCDCanada stuff (Who's going away party is incidentally tonight. Going to MISS YOU!)), especially given that my Project Runway Canada and SYTYCD posts are some of my most popular posts. So much for trying to convince you all to watch Gavin & Stacey, Mad Men or Greek (which starts again tonight on ABCFamily, though no idea if CTV is airing it since in their one bonehead move, they scheduled the premiere on the Friday after Canada Day when everybody went on holidays and then yanked it off the air when it got bad numbers. No? Really? You think?)

For More So You Think You Can Dance:
Check here for the most Recent current postings and Latest News on SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance Canada:

Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performance and Results
Introducing Canada's Top 20

Auditions:
Toronto Week - The Cut to the Top 20
Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Montreal - West, East, Middle and Quebec
Toronto - Toronto's Best Foot Forward

The Judges
The Host
The Teaser

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:
Finale
Top 4 Performances
Top 6 Performances and Results 6 to 4
Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20

Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

More After the Jump...