Reboots and Second Chances - Cupid, 90210, Dollhouse and More

There seems to be a lot of reboots and second chances on TV these days. Cupid is back in a whole new reincarnation. Dollhouse and 90210 seem completely revamped already, a Top Chef-like twist ACTUALLY HAPPENED on Project Runway Canada, Scrubs continues its new life on ABC, and In The Motherhood regurgitates a former (and funnier) ABC show Notes From The Underbelly.

Cupid - Pilot - Ep. 101

Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) brings his Cupid back to TV and a re-do, this time with Bobby Cannavale in the role as Trevor, the possible crazy delusional man or cupid himself. Sarah Paulson is Claire, the psychiatrist in charge of keeping tabs on him. Trevor claims he's been banished from Mount Olympus and must pair up 100 true loves together before he gets sent back. Basically, it's an excuse to have a romantic comedy every week with different guest stars while Trevor and Claire play their own romantic dance game.

While the original with frenetic Jeremy Piven (who has since become a thermometer according to David Mamet) and Paula Marshall had a zip and chaotic edge to counterbalance the ooeygooeyness of all the matchups, this version feels a bit softer and glossier, and without the edge. But I think I've been determined to like this Thomas reboot so much that despite the faults and the fact that it's pretty cliched, I still enjoyed it. Then again, I also liked Valentine so you have to take me with a grain of salt. Apparently I love me thee love coupling shows.

Plus Sarah Paulson is so luminous, I sometimes wish I were a lesbian. And LOVE Bobby Cannavale. But I will admit, these two really don't have that much chemistry together and seem more like best friends at best. Which won't work over the long run for this show if it's to go where it's supposed to.


90210 - The Bad and the Trusted - Ep. 117

Whoa, the new showrunners formerly from Gilmore Girls seem to be purging all the dirty thoughts they had that they couldn't use on that wholesome show and are using it on this reboot of a reboot. The new filming quality with the dark and edginess makes the new 90210 look like one of those teen horror flicks. It even has a lot more sex like those horror flicks. Now Dixon and Silver are all hot and heavy. At least until Silver goes from my favorite and nice character into a CRAZY. Whoa? Where are they taking this?

And then Naomi imagines getting hot and heavy with Matt Lanter's Liam. THAT? I'm TOTALLY okay with! In fact, word that Matt Lanter will be upgraded to full-time cast is TOTALLY okay with me. Seriously, I'm LOVING this new bad boy Liam/Matt Lanter and will definitely hook me to the show because I'm enjoying the visual porn. (Oh wait, the porn with Matt is just in my head... nevermind...).

Liam is bad and Naomi tries to tutor him. Ahem. Yah, right. Then it becomes and episode of Fast and Furious. More darkness, more darkness. Silver is all romantic and poetic until she shows her porn film she made with Dixon (unbeknownst to him) and shows it to her film class and then blames Ryan Matthews. Then goes CRAAAAAZEEEEEE. More darkness.

Oh, and Annie's still on the show. Annie? Meet Rhonda (Aimee Teegarden). The girl that Dustin Milligan kissed before he's getting tossed off the show for being too sexy and boring (always okay to me though, so I'm sad to see him go). Also, the girl who acts circles around you here and on Friday Night Lights.

Anyways, the reboot seems very lowbrow and a cheap ploy to attract more viewers by foregoing any sense of real human reactions or moral senses but as long as they keep Matt Lanter and that adorable haircut, and maybe dropping trou or losing his shirt once in a while, I'll keep tuned in. Though have him be slutty and not just hooking up with looks-old-for-her-age-Naomi which makes the whole thing a little Cougar-like. Maybe have him make out with Dustin Milligan before Milligan leaves.

More on Dollhouse, Project Runway Canada, Lost, Scrubs, In The Motherhood, The Amazing Race:

Dollhouse - Man on the Street - Ep. 106

I couldn't remember when Joss Whedon was retuning to write for the show but as soon as this episode came on, it felt like a whole new show, and lo and behold, Whedon was in charge again! And boy, it was SOOOO MUCH BETTER. At this point, they should just drop the first 5 episodes and assume this is the pilot, because it made the show have purpose and make sense.

And Whedon did it by brilliantly re-adjusting the show to the core strengths and giving the show an actual direction. And this meant bumping up Tahmoh Penikett's Agent Ballard front and centre and pushing Eliza Dushku's Echo a little back. And OOOOOH Tahmoh Penikett! Bonus points for having him shirtless and giving him Mellie, his neighbour and confident.

Seriously, Whedon's episode seemed to streamline the whole direction of the show as well as all the moral and philosophical issues behind it. Loved it. I was dreading watching this show but now I'm invigorated again. And extra bonus points for having Patton Oswalt (Remy in Ratatouille, United States of Tara) guest star in the episode.

I'm still not sure about Dichen Lachman as Sierra, but I do like Enver Gjokaj as Victor for obvious reasons. I still haven't watched the following episode so I hope it wasn't a one time fluke, but at least now I feel like I know what the whole idea of this show is, which was never made clear at the start.


Project Runway Canada - Return of the Supermodel, Gimmie Shelter, Boardroom to Bedroom - Eps. 208-210

Okay, they FINALLY got rid of Genevieve and just needed to get rid of Kim to have a perfect final three of Jessica, Sunny and Adejoke and then they pull a Top Chef and let ousted contestants back in? It makes for a dramatic twist and stretches the show back out (especially after all the drop outs in the 1st episode), but it's SOOO NOT FAIR.

So Genevieve and Jason (who I did admit probably got cut too early) were allowed to compete again with the final 4, but as a team. And they WON. Well, they TIED Jessica and Sunny. Because there cannot be a week where Jessica or Sunny doesn't win. And I'm not even saying that facetiously. Seriously, Sunny's stuff is so brilliant, I'm kinda laughing now when he wins because they should just assume he won and award 2nd prize. At least that would give us some drama. Because no way can Sunny lose at this point.

So Gen and Jason WIN. Which automatically kicks Adejoke and Kim out. Kim fine, good riddance. But because of Kim's bad taste and poor construction skills, Adejoke is out too since it's a TEAM challenge. WTF???

ADEJOKE. You were ROBBED of a spot at Toronto Fashion Week.

Now Jason will take your place instead. At least it wasn't Gen, who made another boring outfit this week and got cut AGAIN. HA. Hope that stung AGAIN.


Lost - He's Our You - Ep. 510

Boy, what happened to Sawyer? Talk about second life! He's now earned respect on the Dharma compound and Hurley, Jack and Kate must follow. And the slow soap opera drama unfolding as they realize Sawyer is now with Juliet? Priceless.

Okay, but I did NOT buy that Sawyer would have not stopped Sayid from being drugged and interrogated. He would have done SOMETHING to stop it. I know it moves the story along having Sayid reveal the whole story but I didn't buy that Sawyer could do nothing to stop it.

Still, loving what's going on, even though I really don't know what's going on. Especially now that young Ben's been shot? WTH?


Scrubs - My Nah Nah Nah, Their Story II - Eps. 809, 810

While it's nowhere near the quality when this was at its peak, it's still enjoyable and I'm getting to like a lot of the new batch of interns. I doubt they will renew this show for them to continue, but if they did, it wouldn't be so bad. Especially Sunny and Jimmy (the guy who likes to touch and hug a lot, and played by Taran Killam, Cobie Smulders babydaddy).


In The Motherhood - It Takes A Village Idiot - Ep. 101

This show was funnier when it was called Notes From the Underbelly. And to think Cheryl Hines AND Megan Mullaly are in it. AND Rachael Harris FROM Notes from the Underbelly is in this. AND Ken Marino (Veronica Mars, Reaper, Party Down). There were some mildly amusing things and I LOVE Cheryl Hines and I love that office she works in, but Megan Mullaly felt like she was coasting here. Like she was just doing something to busy herself instead of counting all her WIll & Grace residuals. I think I preferred her on Broadway.



The Amazing Race - Gorilla? Gorilla?? Gorilla??? - Ep. 1407

Okay, if anybody should get a second chance, it's Mike and Mel. I was SOOOO sure it was a non-elimination round so I was didn't worry all episode when they made a fatal mistake and didn't follow everyone else to the zoo. So I was shocked when it was actually an elimination round. Crap.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Broadway Babies - Ugly Betty, Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock and More

Ugly Betty - Sugar Daddy - Ep. 317

Not that one can overload on Cheyenne Jackson, but I sure saw a lot of him last week. In pure coincidence, I happened to catch up with the episodes of Life on Mars and Lipstick Jungle that guest starred Cheyenne from earlier this season. Then he shows up as a hot new baby daddy that Marc meets on the street. Then they have a playdate! Well, a baby play date (Marc borrows MiniWily) much to Marc's dismay.

And now Cheyenne is going to be on Glee! If there's any series that seems to be built for great network crossover appeal with Ugly Betty, FOX's Glee sounds like it (and I haven't even seen it!). Plus the two shows could share their guest roster of Broadway performers.

Loved that Ugly Betty was dealing with the economy and shaking things up by making the Meade's and Wily financially in trouble (yet still living it up on the town). But really it's cause I loved that it forced Wily onto a bus. A BUS!

Meanwhile, Betty's new Matt is not only cute (still loving his beady Josh Grobanish eyes) but he's RICH RICH RICH. Some girls just get all the luck.

And Steve Schirripa, taking a break from giving Ben, Ricky and Amy a reality check, lovingly guests as a TV Chef competing with Ignacio so that the Suarez's could win enough money for a downpayment to buy their house. (Love that Mo Rocca was the host of the TV cook-off).

Still, seeing Wily and Daniel on a New York City bus was too precious!


Friday Night Lights - New York, New York - Ep. 308

I wonder if Tim Riggins enjoyed Patti LuPone's performance in Gypsy?

Jason's farewell episode took him and Riggins to New York City (though no sightings of Wily on a bus), in a bold move to leave Dillon, Texas and find his way in the world (and to support and be with Erin and his baby). For me, it was a lovely and sad last episode with the always awesome Scott Porter (who blogs about it here, and started off in the original Off-Broadway cast of Altar Boyz). It's also sadly the last we will probably see Herc (Kevin Rankin, also on Lost on the same week! See below), who has been such a great cheerleader to Jason's life since the accident that put him in the wheelchair.

And Tim's goodbye to Jason? Definitely tearworthy.


30 Rock - Goodbye, My Friend - Ep. 313

So after performing for Tim Riggins and Jason Street, Patti LuPone shows up on 30 Rock as Frank's overbearing mother (does Patti play any other kind now?).


Now they just have to get Cheyenne Jackson to show up and team up with Jane Krakowski again (esp. after they were originally meant to do Xanadu on Broadway together).

Meanwhile, Spring Awakening's Phoebe Strole pops up as donut girl, a pregnant girl that Liz follows and befriends in the hope of stealing adopting her baby.

Jenna and Tracy compete for birthday party attention. And Jack makes Frank into himself with Frank leaving the show to become a lawyer, much to Frank's mother's dismay.

Each story was hilarious but there seemed to be a whole lot of story this week that they could have spread them out a bit more. I mean, while using Harry and the Hendersons as a plot point was probably genius, having John Lithgow show up and having a barely memorable moment isn't.

More on Lost, The Office, The Amazing Race, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Top Chef, Dollhouse, Corner Gas:

Lost - LaFleur - Eps. 508

Oh LaFleur! Oh Sawyer! You big ol' lug of a man!

While some complained that it was one of the more emotional and love centric episodes, I liked that they used a Sawyer-centric episode to explain a lot that has happened on the island between all the flash forwards, flashbacks, time jumps, and the Oceanic 6's eventual return. I mean, it was a nice smooth transition from seeing Juliet and Sawyer all domesticated as Dharma folks, and then see Sawyer's reaction on his face upon Kate's return to the island. It was a simple moment, but it said tons.

I thought considering all the time jumping, it seemed like an amazingly smooth episode that flowed really well. I mean, I still want MORE but doesn't every episode of Lost do that? Isn't that the point?


The Office - Blood Drive - Ep. 516

Michael makes a pass at a girl while donating blood. Meanwhile, Creed is still my hero. Not my favorite episode, and apparently it's now March sweeps since NBC held back this Valentine's Day episode but what a way to rub it into us single folks again. Thanks a lot!

At least I don't work at Dundler Mifflin where I would have had to deal with Michael hosting all the singles. On the other hand, couple Pam and Jim went to dinner with couple Phyllis and Bob Vance and accidentally sees them doing the Valentine tango in the restroom. I'm not really sure which would have been worse.


The Amazing Race - It Was Like a Caravan of Idiots - Ep. 1404

Girl Friend: Don't you want Mike and Mel to win?
Me: Yah, but don't you love Luke and Margie too?
Girl: Something about him bugs me.
Me: But he's so CUUUTE. And isn't Margie awesome?
Girl: There's something about him.
Me: He's cute AND he's gay.
Girl: He just seems bitchy.
Me: Duh, that's cause he's gay.
Girl: Oh I guess.

This week, a new twist appears on the show with a Blind U-Turn. U-Turn another team without having to reveal yourself. So Luke uses it against "perfect couple" Amanda and Kris. How deliciously evil. Of course it would have been better if Kris and Amanda wasn't already in last place, but at least it showed that Luke can play just as dirty as the hearing.

BTW, that toboggan slide thing looks SOOO FUN! I love me anything on tracks and rollercoaster like (HUGE FAN) so I've seen the summer bobsled but it's usually concrete. I'm even more seduced by the shiny tracks (seriously, I love trains, monorails, rollercoasters etc).


Desperate Housewives - Crime Doesn't Pay - Ep. 516

Gaby still makes me laugh. Even though she essentially inadvertently killed Carlos' boss (by forcing him to fess up to his infidelities).

Lynette and Tom were hilarious competing for a job Bree had set up and it reminded me that Doug Savant can be really really funny when he's finally given the chance again. I mean, his moping was funny this week (though not in all the episodes that led up to this demise), but when he finally got jealous of Lynette, the true hilarity came out.

Ditto on Susan and Katherine's battle over Mike AND the devotion from the other housewives. Again, Teri Hatcher can be funny and she's been a hoot this whole season and not annoying at all!


Brothers & Sisters - Taking Sides - Eps. 318

I want to hate Ryan in theory because I still think the whole "Rebecca isn't a Walker, OH, there's a NEW illegitimate "R" in the Walker family" story but Luke Grimes sure has got that emo-moppy, greasy hair cute Robert Pattison look-a-like thing down pat. Just please don't make him go out with Rebecca in the future. Please don't go there.

While anything that gathers the Walkers together into the same dining room is always awesome, having all the brothers & sisters together (except Kitty who is dealing with recovering Robert) for Ryan's arrival, but all hiding Tommy's trial, worked out better than I anticipated. Now if only they could do all that without ever showing Holly.

Seriously, I usually love Patricia Wettig but I cannot stand her on this show anymore. I know the whole family hates her character and we must too, but as much as it can drive the family apart, and Justin and Rebecca apart, I'm not sure what the whole point is, other than having an obvious evil nemesis to the Walkers on hand.


The Big Bang Theory - The Terminator Decoupling - Ep. 217

Summer Glau AND Dr. George Smoot guest star! (who and who? I know. One is Joss Whedon Cult fave actress from the little scene Firefly, the other is Nobel Prize winning Physicist, and both have funny names).

(Incidentally, 2 Firefly alums on TV again on one night? Wow! Awesome! I'll have a review of Castle with Nathan Fillion in the next TV post. And yes, he, as always, was awesome!)

Sheldon, Rajesh, Howard and Leonard take an 11 hour train to a conference in San Francisco and Summer Glau shows up, much to Howard and Rajesh's delight! Let the creepy flirtation competition begin!

Meanwhile, Sheldon is Sheldon and Leonard is there to pick up the pieces as Sheldon tries to talk Penny (back at the apartment) through some instructions. Genius! not Sheldon, but the way Penny figures out how to open Sheldon's secret box!


How I Met Your Mother - Sorry, Bro - Ep. 416

Laura Prepon is Karen, Ted's annoying college ex. She's one of THOSE people who proudly announces that she doesn't watch TV. As if it's something to boast about or something. I hate her already.

(Seriously, why do some (douchey) people think NOT watching TV is actually something to be proud of? Um, it doesn't mean you're smarter. It just means you have more free time to be pop culturally irrelevant).

Sadly, apparently after a whole episode of Ted slowly admitting he's gotten back with Karen, and then dumped her again, he's actually back with her for real this time. She had better not be the mother. I didn't love her in the 70's, I didn't love her on October Road, I didn't like her in the 80's/90's, and I'm not going to like her in the 2030's.

On the good news side, another appearance by Scooter! Also known as David Burtka, or NPH's real life love.


Chuck - Chuck Versus the Lethal Weapon - Eps. 216

After all that, Chuck ISN'T going to live with Sarah? ARGH.

But Morgan and Anna will? At least SOMEONE else will be taking care of Morgan now.

Cole (Jonathan Cake, yummy!) was back to help out Chuck, Sarah and Casey with their latest mission and basically, Chuck shoots someone, learns to kick people in the knees, and finds out Orion is the dude that made the Intersect and the guy that could help Chuck out.

So he writes it on his secret board of information (aka, the back of his Tron poster. I KNEW that Tron poster had to be good for something. Cause it can't be actually for real right? That movie was WHACKED. And they're making a sequel? Tr2n?)


Top Chef - Reunion - Eps. 515

I think if they took the poll for favorite chef later in the run (it ran quite early through the episodes), I think Carla would have won, because she really peaked in the second half of the series. Before that we just thought she was a kook. Instead, obvious winner Fabio got it, but now that we know he has his own SERIES now, I kinda wish he didn't.

Now when does Carla get her own series?

Oh, and I still kinda love Stefan. And I still find Leah and Hosea a little annoying. And I actually secretly kinda love Jeff even though that's so wrong.


Dollhouse - Ghost - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere, Gray Hour - Ep. 104

Anson Mount? Man, what happened to him? Wasn't he supposed to be the next big thing at some point? Now he's a minor guest star on a cultish TV show no one is really watching.

Another somewhat enjoyable episode that still doesn't convince me to return the following week. Does that even make sense? That's just how I feel.


Corner Gas - Cat River Daze, Super Sensitive, TV Free Dog River, Queasy Rider - Ep. 611-614

Considering they show some of the best bits on the commercials, it's still fricken hilarious. I mean, I think I saw the bit where Hank kisses Emma on the lips by accident about a dozen times and it was still funny on the show. The sensitivity training? Hilarious! The No TV thing Emma tricks everyone into doing? And then the impending show Hank and Wanda end up "putting on"? Genius!

I'm actually going to really miss this show when it ends later this season.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Family Ties - Friday Night Lights, How I Met Your Mother and More

Friday Night Lights - Every Rose Has Its Thorn, It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy, Keeping Up Appearances - Eps. 305 - 307

Okay, I'm way ahead on these eps. and finally just watched the season finale and I'll just say, WOW. I was practically in tears. Also I say finally because I was sort of saving it, and alas, I want MORE (so there had BETTER be season 4, do you hear me NBC/DirecTV?)

Anyways, after Smash's tearful swan song (on the show, not his actual character thankfully), it's now Jason's (above, the stoic and handsome Scott Porter who has given such depth to the straight-laced-good-guy jock role that in lesser hands, would have been a flat performance) turn as he tries to find his place in the world.

On a side note, with Jason soon to be moving on, I'm also going to totally miss Herc (Kevin Rankin, who incidentally, will be on this week's Lost!).

I'm still loving that J.D. (Jeremy Sumpter, above with Moffett) has become the star player and bumping Matt out of the quarterback spotlight, yet he isn't a bad guy, and that his pushy father Joe (a perfectly coiffed D.W. Moffett) is like a slow-burn creepy bully.

Also love Landry's new band. Hilarious! Landry and Devin. Oh poor Landry... lol.

Oh man, I don't want to spoil too much for the rest of the season but I just get teary eyed thinking about it. I love these characters too much.


How I Met Your Mother - The Stinsons - Ep. 415

The gang follows Barney and finds out he has:

a) a mother (Frances Conroy) who likes to share too much about her whory youth. Barney IS his mother's son.

b) a wife named Betty (Betty and Barney?) and a son Bam Bam Tyler

Turns out Barney hired actors to be his "family" for his mother's sake. Loved the whole episode.

Loved that Lily revealed that she hates her mother-in-law. Loved that Ted wanted to be an actor and really connected with "Betty". Loved that they caught Ted and Betty kissing and Ted improved a reaction. (Loved Lily's Cyrano moment of makeup with Marshall's mom on the phone later in the cab ride home).

Of course, the whole thing gives Barney another push towards Robin when he reveals all the lies to his mom. Could "Betty" be Ted's "mother" in question? I doubt it but it was a fun episode nonetheless.


More on Brothers & Sisters, The Big Bang Theory, The Bachelor, Chuck, The Amazing Race, True Beauty, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, Top Chef, Dollhouse:

Brothers & Sisters - Family Legacy: Part 1 & 2 - Eps. 316 - 317

Kitty and Robert have a baby (well, their babymommy does). Then Robert has a heart attack. Spread over 2 hours. Add in some evil Holly doing battle with bad Balthazar Tommy. Shake.

Still, there were moving moments when Holly wasn't sneering or Robert wasn't getting all political again (which is starting to get boring again).

At this point, lets just get it over with and bump Tommy/Balthazar out, bring in Ryan and let the rest of the Walkers emotionally beat down on Ryan. From the previews, looks like it's all coming down next week (!).

Maybe I was just sentimental but the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as Ryan comes to Walker's door (with Rebecca and wanna-be-a-doc-Justin answering) was a nice touch. Schmaltzy but effective.


The Bachelor - Jason Mesnick - The Women Tell All, Season Finale, After The Final Rose Part 1 - Eps. 1308-1310

DeAnna finally came back. dun dun DUN. But only after a REALLY REALLY long finale/season. Boy they sure milked Jason's pretty mug this year (Not that I blame them).

First, The Women Tell All is usually my favorite. Love these reunion episodes when people must feign happiness and politeness to not seem like the crass, bitchy, vengeful people that they are. LOVE. Sadly, this ep. wasn't as good since really only a couple of them women really showed their claws but generally, everyone seemed really nice, especially Jillian, who now seems set up to be the next Bachelorette. I guess because the REAL drama was still coming in the finale. (Still, while they were truly stretching the 2 hours by looking at the hookups abound with the men of the The Bachelorette and the girls from The Bachelor but YAY for Fred and Noelle! So cute! The others were still kind of painful to watch, especially Jesse-now-sans-DeAnna)

But it wasn't with DeAnna. Wow. That was kinda disappointing. Cause Jason was EXTREMELY gentlemanly when he turned down DeAnna's return for him. I wanted that CRYING seen on the balcony that we kept seeing in the previews. Boy, the editors are geniuses and we are such suckers. Still, Jason's reaction makes me love him even MORE now. Can that even be?

But boy, Jason's ultimate decision to reject Molly, and her surprised reaction, was strangely honest and moving and like DeAnna's rejection of Jason, seemed ultimately REAL, especially for a "reality show". Unlike most other times on reality shows, it really didn't seem like they were playing to the cameras. Probably why Jason's become such a popular bachelor and why ratings were up again. I mean, yah, he's hot and seems intelligent and extremely likable but I think this season has done so well because ultimately, he seems pretty honest to the camera.

That said, I kinda felt Melissa was a bit too perky and would be a bit controlling after the camera's stopped, and her reaction to Jason's break up on the after show, about 10 minutes (on TV) after he proposed, kinda showed how annoying she could be. Granted, I'd be pissed too, but Molly and Jason just seemed to be more on the same level.

As caddish as Jason's move was to dump Melissa to pursue Molly again, I really didn't think he came off looking bad or caddish at all. Considering how awful it was for Melissa, and how bitter she was (and had the right to be), I actually felt bad for Jason.

But call me crazy but I actually think Jason and Molly might actually make it. Love how Molly was trying to hide her smile and look confused when Jason started explaining everything.


The Big Bang Theory - The Cushion Saturation - Ep. 215

They've found something for Sara Gilbert's Leslie to do! And it's to become Howard's lover. LOVER! Howard's getting some! Wait, is Howard getting more than I am? Sad. DId I just share too much? Hehe. Kidding. KIDDING.

(okay, not really).

This show is really on a role isn't it? And totally becoming a weekly fave and guaranteed laugh. Okay, it's silly but it's not even just the particulars of Sheldon anymore (though Jim Parsons still is the breakout star of the show). Now that they've moved on from a potential love story between Penny and Leonard, there's a big breath of relief between these two and I find them much funnier now without that will-they-or-won't-they hanging over them. They even COULD have a will-they-or-won't-they like the recent kiss and it still feels freer than before.


Chuck - Chuck Versus the Suburbs, Chuck Versus the Best Friend, Chuck Versus the Beefcake - Eps. 213 - 215

Loved the suburbs episode. I keep underestimating Jenny McCarthy. I keep thinking I hate her but I really don't.

And LOVE Andy Richter. He seriously needs to control the universe again. (Too bad Chuck stopped him and the rest of the cul-de-sac gang).

And for once, I kinda loved Morgan as he's spying on Anna and Chuck's humiliating him to discreetly save his life. What's with the resurgence of Africa these days? First there's Karl Wolf's new single, and then Jeff and Lester audition for Ellie's wedding with a really really bad slow version.

Of course then Morgan shows us the full Morgan and kind of ruins it all again (for us and Ellie). Chuck (after being pre-tortured (seriously, what a FUNNY torture scene!)) decides to move out of Ellie and Awesome's place and with Morgan (freaking out Ellie) but alas, now Chuck has to move in with Sarah to keep cover. I don't even care what crazy reason forces this new plot twist, if they can recreate that suburban house they had to go undercover in, with posed Sears portrait photos and all, I'm going to love it!


True Beauty - Ep. 108 - Season Finale

Someone won. It wasn't the older straight dude with frosted tips, and it wasn't the other muscular dude who only looked hot in that last photo where he was drenched in water. The last girl standing won. Cause she was beautiful on the inside. yey. now i can move on with my life and rest comfortably that the true beauty did in fact win True Beauty. yey.

Strangely, I still kinda liked the not-gay frosted tips guy in the end of it all.


The Amazing Race - I'm Not Wearing That Girl's Leotard! - Ep. 1403

My recording was really bad so I could hear it all but I couldn't see everything so I missed the full extent of hilarity at seeing everyone do gymnastics but I did hear Victor and Tammy fight like brother and sister. And see Mike and Mel win 1st place for the leg! yay! Sad to see old couple go. They were kind of a cool old couple.


30 Rock - Larry King - Ep. 312

That was a total ridiculous episode (when Tracy Jordan inadverntently causes mass pandemonium on Larry King). And I still laughed like crazy. Unbelievable but hilarious nonetheless.

And yay! Kenneth is Liz's FRIEND!

It was a great 22 minute public service announcement to never lose your cell phone, or at least, cell phones where you've taken "adult" photos of yourself.

And never trust anything on Larry King (unless Kathy Griffin is guest hosting).


Ugly Betty - Things Fall Apart - Ep. 316

I know why I automatically like Matt (other than the fact that this show is really good at bringing in new male paramours and make us fall in love, but then doesn't really know what to do with them after. See Henry, Gio, Jesse, Connor, etc.). The actor (Daniel Eric Gold) has the same adorable beady eyes like Josh Grobin and kinda looks like his brother or something.

Meanwhile, Connor is screwing over Meade and Wily chooses career over love, but not in enough time as Connor gets away with the Meade money leaving Wily, Claire and Daniel with... ??? is there a magazine left?

Nice twist but what a quick way to write Connor off the show. It was a nice soapy dramatic twist in exchange for some developed character development (and after all that time), so I'm not sure if I loved it or thought it was a copout.


Top Chef - Finale Part 2 - Eps. 514

Speaking of copouts, WHAT???

Okay, if Stefan was going to lose, we assumed Carla would be there to pick up the win. Nowhere in the plans was there room for Hosea to actually win this shindig? Ridiculous. I mean, it was nice that he pulled off the final menu so perfectly but does the whole season not count? I know it comes down the theory of how to judge these things (does it come down to the final challenge and ONLY THAT? or should the past influence things?).

So now that Carla didn't win, can we now give her a show of her own? She would be an AWESOME host. I mean, they're giving Fabio his own show (!!!), I think Carla should get one too!


Dollhouse - Ghost - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere, The Target - Ep. 102

So I watched Dollhouse and... hmm... uh...

it's alright, but I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. Which is probably the worst thing you can say about a Joss Whedon project.

Then again, I didn't really discover Buffy until later seasons (and then caught back up) so maybe this show needs to get into its groove first. "They" do claim that it really gets good in episode 6 (and episode 3 this past weekend sucked). And I always say, new TV shows really need to get time to really get into their flow and that we really need more patience.

Still, I want to see more, just because it's Whedon and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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Why I Haven't Watched Dollhouse Yet

I haven't watched Dollhouse yet.

Here's why.

I'm not a crazy Whedon fan in that I'll follow him to conventions kind of way, but I do love Buffy and Angel (minus near the end of Angel, that part got a bit weird) and I enjoyed Firefly/Serenity (though I don't have the DVD's as opposed to the other 2 shows). So yes, I love his shows. But like Firefly, I fear that FOX isn't going to be patient and pull Dollhouse after 4 weeks when the ratings tank (which they are). So why get emotionally attached?

And with the reviews, I'm afraid the show won't live up to "Whedon standards" and I'll just be disappointed in the first place. And I won't even get emotionally attached and have the Whedon named blemished.

But I know, I need to get over that emotional/psychological hump and just watch it. It IS Eliza Dushku AND Tahmoh Penikett!

The Cast of Dollhouse

Eliza Dushku as Echo

Tahmoh Penikett as Paul Ballard

Olivia Williams as Adelle DeWitt

Harry Lennix as Boyd

Fran Kranz as Topher

Enver Gjokaj as Victor

Dichen Lachman as Sierra

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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Reminder: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog! Starts Tomorrow!

I know most blogs have already posted about this but I was reminded again by ManuelB about it and I'm basically posting this for myself so that I don't forget to watch Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, the internet musical show by Joss Whedon starring Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion. Which starts streaming tomorrow, July 15th, with a new act/episode on the 17th, and then finishing on the 19th, and stays on the net only until July 20th when it will be taken off the net. (It will be released on DVD after that).

I probably haven't written a lot about Joss Whedon but if it didn't come through in my 2+ years of blogging, it's that I'm a big Whedon fan. Not a want-to-bare-his-children fan but enough to follow him with whatever shows he puts on since I'm one of those big Buffy fans, I actually loved Angel (well, except somewhere near the end when it got a bit messy for a bit) and while I wasn't a Firefly fan at first, I did grow to enjoy it immensely and thought the movie Serenity was pretty good. Now there's next year's Dollhouse with one of his former muses Eliza Dushku!

But first up, his new internet musical!

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog!!!



I really have no idea what to expect but Once More With Feeling was NOT an overated musical episode and personally I thought was brilliantly executed for working well both within the arc of the series as well as a one-off episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Plus Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog stars one of our favorite gays Neil Patrick Harris (from How I Met Your Mother) as the singing villain!

And the hunky Canadian Nathan Fillion (another muse of Whedon's appearing in Buffy and leading Firefly, lately battling Desperate Housewives) as the hero!

Simon Helberg from The Big Bang Theory also stars!

Here's the trailer after the jump:


Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Release Dates:
ACT ONE (Wheee!) will go up Tuesday July 15th.

ACT TWO (OMG!) will go up Thursday July 17th.

ACT THREE (Denouement!) will go up Saturday July 19th.

All acts will stay up until midnight Sunday July 20th 2008.

To be released on DVD after that.

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Fringe & Dollhouse - Let the Cults Begin! - FOX 2008-2009 Video Previews

And the excitement begins. For Dollhouse, the new Joss Whedon/Eliza Dushku show which won't even premiere until the Winter 2009 season, and for Fringe, the new J.J. Abrams show that premieres Tuesday August 26th, both for Fox next season.

I'd do a bigger video preview for all of FOX shows but who are we kidding, all we care about and are giddy in anticipation for are these two shows. Jace thinks Fringe is GREAT already, having seen the pilot.

The trailers are out for the two shows!!! Here's the video clips:

Fringe Trailer 1:

Fringe Trailer
Uploaded by BriKO

Fringe Trailer 2:


Fringe Trailer 2
Uploaded by GoFutago

WRITERS
J.J. Abrams
Roberto Orci
Alex Kurtzman

DIRECTOR
Alex Graves

CAST
Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham
Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop
John Noble as Walter Bishop
Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles
Kirk Acevedo as Charlie Francis
Mark Valley as John Scott
Blair Brown as Nina Sharp
Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth

Just saying JJ Abrams AND Joshua Jackson AND Mark Valley in the same breath has already got me excited. DAMN!

Then Fox brings Dollhouse Midseason!!!

Dollhouse Trailer:


Dollhouse Trailer
by tehdownloads

EXEC PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR
Joss Whedon

CAST
Eliza Dushku as Echo
Olivia Williams as Adelle
Tahmoh Penikett as Paul
Fran Kranz as Topher
Dichen Lachman as Sierra
Enver Gjokaj as Victor
Harry Lennix as Boyd

Tahmoh?!! (Battlestar Galactica) Hot! Harry Lennix!? (Commander in Chief) Terrific! Olivia Williams! I'm still not sure about Fran Kranz since Welcome to the Captain was a little annoying but he seems okay here. And of course Eliza! Bring It On! Buffy! Enough said!

For the CBS 2008-2009 Video Previews

For more on the 2008-2009 TV Upfronts:

Fox 2008
ABC 2008
CBS 2008
NBC 2008
The CW 2008

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