My Boys Are Back In Town

My Boys are back tonight on TBS (now on Tuesdays at 10:30pm, or in Canada, on E!Canada on Mondays at 9pm). It's one of my favorite comfort-food TV shows and when it hits its stride, it can be as clever as the best of them. If you've never seen the show, it's a bit like Sex and the City but with more men, more beer, and less gays (and I don't say that as a derogatory thing). Plus, it takes place in Chicago and definitely has more of that midwestern niceness feel.

My Boys - Welcome Back, Kalla Fötter, Private Eyes - Eps. 301-302

I got to check out the first two episodes and while I won't give anything away, we will find out what happened with P.J. and Bobby's brother Jack (Billy Burke, Twilight) while they're attending Bobby's wedding.

Meanwhile, the boys decide to have a mustache growing contest. It's ridiculous and hilarious and they milk it for what it's worth. Between all the relationship talks between P.J. and Stephanie (remember, now she's a best selling relationship writer), and the comfort of just hanging with the boys and all their boy talks, the season premiere definitely brings the 3rd season into wonderful stride.

We also get the conclusion to Bobby's wedding (the always welcomed Kyle Howard) though there's only a hint about Stephanie sleeping with Kenny.

In the second episode, P.J. finally lands a boyfriend but she hides it from everyone in fear of getting taunted, which of course leads the boys (and Stephanie) to play detective trying to find out P.J.'s secret.

Let's just say both new episodes felt so comforting and enjoyable that they flew by and I can't wait for the new episodes to come.


Jordana Spiro as P.J. Franklin:

Kyle Howard as Bobby Newman:

Kellee Stewart as Stephanie:

Reid Scott as Brendan Dorff:

Jim Gaffigan as Andy Franklin:

Jamie Keller as Mike Callahan:

Michael Bunin as Kenny Morittori:


Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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Where Did My Boys Go?

I know the Olympics have pushed some of the summer shows to end earlier but did My Boys really just end its second season after only 9 episodes on a cliffhanger like THAT? i didn't realize that we were only getting a shortened season this year. I WANT MORE! (and if you missed it, you can catch them online here).

And while I wasn't sure about some of the earlier episodes of the season (there wasn't enough regular bonding between the guys and the first half just wasn't that funny (with the exception of the Project T Shirt Runway moment)), I actually liked the slow build toward Bobby's wedding to the hot nanny, and PJ's trying to slowly get over Bobby as she falls for brother Jack. It's such a cliche triangle yet it so works!

So did Stephanie and Kenny's obvious opposites attract relationship. It sort of came from nowhere, but the whole build from the seasons start was such an obvious ploy, yet it totally was worth it and it totally worked. Especially after turning Kenny into the ladies man that Mike used to be. Mike Bunin carries off the role that could have so easily derailed into a creepy jerk, but instead makes Kenny even more lovable than ever.

The fact that Stephanie actually had a successful career with her book "You're A Great Guy, But..." made the Kenny/Stephanie thing made the whole thing even juicier, so much applause for Kellee Stewart and Bunin!

As for the ending, it couldn't have come together better. It was like a well rehearsed comedy farce with Bobby realizing that PJ's the one for him and walking in on her with Jack in the same bedroom. Loved it but I was actually shocked it ended that way. I know, every new romantic dramedy now ends with a storyline that ends something like that but My Boys pieced it together in perfect 4/4 time.

I've also been loving Brandon's newfound attempt to take his career seriously and his bromance with Bobby's best man. I love Mike but I did find Mike becoming pathetic to be getting... well... a little pathetic and annoying so I'm glad he finally got the Cougar in the end (guest star Mimi Rogers). I hope Rogers sticks around because her comic timing has been top notch since The Loop and being married to Tom Cruise. If that's not comedy training, I'm not sure what is.

I'm hoping the third season comes soon enough because I felt the second season was finally just getting back into the comedic rhythm of things that made the first season such a surprise joy.

Anyways, here was the preview clip for the finale John, Cougar, Newman Camp:

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Sexual Set Ups - Swingtown & My Boys

Swingtown - The Pilot - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere, Love Will Find a Way - Ep. 102, Double Exposure - Ep. 103
My Boys - Dinner Party - Ep. 202

I'm still not totally convinced about Swingtown yet. I love the sets and the costumes but I find my mind starts drifting away. And not even to anything dirty considering I'm basically watching some philandering adults and some a bit of spring awakening amongst the kids in the very white suburb of an American town circa 1976. I usually drift away into making grocery lists in my head or something very unsexy.

Still, I love Jack Davenport (Coupling UK) and Canada's Molly Parker (Deadwood) enough to stay with the show, but at this point, they are really the only characters I care for. It doesn't help that their kids look nothing like them, and in fact, the son looks SO much like Miriam Shor that I keep confusing which kid belongs to who.

Speaking of Miriam Shor (forever cool for being in Hedwig and the Angry Inch), I'm liking this new sexual awakening she's being forced to discover but I don't really buy her marriage to Josh Hopkins (Ally McBeal, Brothers & Sisters) and her character is a bit TOO shrill and conservative and I know its all part of the DRAMATICS to act shocked at her friends newfound interest in swinging with their new neighbours but they are lucky they cast Shor because for her, I'll buy into it just a bit longer.

Love Grant Show just because they actually cast Grant Show in something but I don't really care for Lana Parillo's sexually open character at this point.

Thank god that they brought in that new couple with (the always yummy) Mark Valley (Boston Legal, Once and Again and his former playboy bunny wife. It's a fun dynamics of a sexually open couple who don't annoy me as much (possibly because I'm always looking at Valley).

I'm hanging onto the show but barely. It seems like everyone else is loving the show way more than I am and wondering what I'm missing. At this point I think I still like the concept of Swingtown more than I like the actual execution.

On My Boys, now with that whole "who was on the plane" deal out of the way, and now that P.J. must move on (for now, because I'm sure they aren't going to let this go, but they can't resolve it either because it would just kill the show), the show gets back into its regular groove, and with this show, that's a good thing.

It may not be the most original of series, but it has a comfortable feel, like hanging out with your friends at the bar, which, hey, is what the show is about. (I guess it's a bit of Cheers mixed with Friends on a Sex and the City lite mode isn't it?). And at least they get to go back to Crowleys again!

This week, Andy shows the boys his new HOT nanny and the boys drool all over her.

Meanwhile, P.J. throws a dinner party that was supposed to be for singles to mingle where Mike brings a gay man for P.J. and Stephanie to fight over.

While I enjoyed the first episode of the new season and love that P.J. is considering Bobby again, it was this second episode that really felt like it got back into the groove this show does best, with all the boys and P.J. and Stephanie interacting together.

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My Boys - Second Chances

The Transitioning - Ep. 201 - Season Premiere

You know, I totally enjoy this show but I forgot that we are only just starting season 2. Didn't this seem like this show has already been on forever? I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign considering a lot went on during the extended first season (that actually DID start back in 2006, was split into 2 parts, and continued last summer) but while it's not my favorite show, I sure enjoy hanging back and hanging with My Boys when it is on since it's like a

So last time we were with P.J. and the gang, she was off to vacation in Italy with Stephanie, her boyfriend, and the man that P.J. asked to go along.

The choices again were botanist Evan (Michael Landes), roving reporter Thorn (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under, Law & Order) or baseball player Matt (Travis Schuldt, Scrubs) and who did she actually ask?

Much to Stephanie's surprise, but not really mine (and I'm glad my hunch was right), and P.J. asked Bobby to Italy.

He's rich, he's fun, he's cute, and he's her best buddy, and she secretly harbors feelings for him and they almost had a thing.

Of course, as Stephanie points out to P.J., does BOBBY know this? Knows her possible feelings? Her intentions on this romantic Italian trip?

Apparently not, since Bobby invites Stephanie to stay with them in their romantic villa when Stephanie's boyfriend becomes a dud and she breaks up with him on the first day of their trip.

Alas, Bobby is clueless to P.J.'s attention while Stephanie swears off boys for good and decides to write a book. Just like that.

Stephanie never really felt like she belonged in the boys gang but I kinda love her role as the girly girl in P.J.'s life and for adding a bit of the sex and a bit of the city into P.J.'s life (and the show).

Back in Chicago, Mike screws the scene up when he sleeps with the waitress at Crowley's, doesn't call and then gets the gang kicked out and banned for 2 weeks.

When P.J. gets the news upon her return, she goes and fixes the situation, but love that he leaves Mike out of the bar (after she learns that he adopted an accent during his seduction).

Meanwhile, P.J. hides her disappointment of the failed re-sparking of her and Bobby who is slightly hurt and offended when she jokes about her repulsion for him after they get riled by the boys.

AND poor Bobby's Kyle Howard yet again doesn't get the girl. When IS the poor boy going to ever get a good girl? On The Opposite Sex, Grosse Point, Related etc. etc. etc...

Granted, I guess the show would end if P.J. and Bobby actually got together.

I like that Brendan is still P.J's roommate and that their whole past is in the past, though at this point he's sort of there just to be pretty and needs another good storyline that doesn't involve that girlfriend.

Love that Andy is happy about selling out to work for the big bad law firm. I don't actually approve, but I think his whole shopping spree is hilariously disturbing.

So, I guess P.J.'s boys from last year are gone (though I guess Jeremy Sisto is too busy as a cop on Law & Order, Travis is busy crying over Elliott on Scrubs and Landes... goes back to oblivion (which is really too bad)) but I am glad her main boys are back to hang out. Crowley's or not.

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Welcome Back (My) Boys!

My Boys returns tonight (June 12th) on TBS at 9:30pm! (It will air on E!Canada on Mondays at 9pm). My Boys as in the TV show. I'm not talking dirty or anything here. For those of you in Boston, Kathie of GMMR is hosting a viewing party with guest Jamie Kaler (Mike) and all are welcome to hang with My Boys.

I had to look up a little refresher since the last season ended way back in September pre-Pushing Daisies, pre-writers strike, and pre-Gossip Girl... so it feels like REALLY long ago, but PJ was off on her trip to Rome with best friend Stephanie and still deciding between botanist Evan (Michael Landes), roving reporter Thorn (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under) or baseball player Matt (Travis Schuldt, Scrubs) as her vacation date.

Do people really do that? I wish I had the balls to ask someone pretty new to my life to go travel with (lord knows I've had great travel partners before (hey Jess! hey Dave! Steve & Michelle!) and horrendous ones (hey Cam! hey Sammy! since you'll never read this anyways and if you did, you won't know it's me (names were not changed for their own protection, in fact, their should be a public warning about those 2)). Anyways, let's hope things go better for P.J. in Italy with whomever she chooses!

Here's a little refresher they've edited to capture the entire first season in 4 minutes. Too bad the narrator is pretty dry and it doesn't capture any of the light fluffy fun that the show actually is.



For Americans, you can get in on the action and catch up with full episodes of the entire Season 1 online here.

Here's a sneak peak at tonight's Season 2 premiere episode The Transitioning:

go to My Boys page
more TBS widgets

Jordana Spiro as P.J.

Kellee Stewart as Stephanie

Kyle Howard as Bobby

Michael Bunin as Kenny

Jamie Kaler as Mike

Jim Gaffigan as Andy

Reid Scott as Brendan

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My Boys - Jimmy! KEITH! Billy!

The Estates of Hoffman
110 Percent Solution
Rome, If You Want To - Season Finale (already? Didn't the "season" just start? Well, at least Season 2 has just been announced (2? That was part 2 of Season 1? Why do the cable networks keep doing that? What's up with that?)

JIMMY OLSEN!!! The best one too! Last week, as the gang goes suburban (or at least Bobby hilariously tries), and Evan, the botanist, gets introduced into PJ's life, played by Michael Landes, who was the best Jimmy Olsen (on the version of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) before (according to imdb), he was unceremoniously dumped because he looked too much like Dean Cain (REALLY, That was the only reason why? No drug overdose? No bad attitude? I knew I had reason to like him).

The group plays tourist in Chicago where we see Bobby get a rash from going to the beach across the towers he grew up in (I love this rich storyline), and Kenny overcomes his fear of heights in the Sears Tower (loved Kenny dropping like a Jelly).

Last night, apparently real life gets in the way, and Evan is "swamped" with work which Stephanie and the boys read as a nicer way Evan dumps PJ. Wait. I always say that too and I'm not trying to dump anybody. I'm actually swamped. Oh wait. So is Evan, and he returns in the finale with an open schedule for PJ looking for more romance. But so does Matt (Travis Schuldt, Keith on Scrubs)! And so does Thorn (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under)! Oh the dilemma's. Why don't I have these dilemma's? Oh right. Cause I'm like Evan (the poker scene... ooohhh. shudder... poor guy. poor ME).

Then of course, since PJ is off to Italy with Stephanie and her boyfriend, PJ finally decides to ask someone to accompany her to Rome and we see her on the plane address him...

and that's it? Ugh, why do shows keep DOING THAT? My hopes on Evan but Matt seems more likely to have the money to upgrade PJ to First Class, and Jeremy Sisto is the most unlikely to return to the series as more of a regular (but then again, so is Travis who should be busy getting bossed around by Elliot on Scrubs).

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My Boys - Ryan Reynolds

Douchebag in the City - Does not refer to Ryan Reynolds, just a part he plays...

Did anybody catch Ryan Reynolds in his cameo on My Boys last night? What's up with that? I was excited but then, it was really only one scene.

Then they had to go into a spoof of Sex and the City which was part hilarious and part sad (because they had to spoof something 5 years too late) .


Meanwhile his new movie The Nines, opening this weekend, is getting some good reviews so far. Plus it stars Gilmore Girls Melissa McCarthy (Sookie!)! and Hope Davis! You know, cause that's the only reason I would want to see it.

Considering he's actually slowly building some respectability (uh. seriously. maybe not), I'm surprised he went back to TV right now, since I'm still trying to shake him off from the 2 Guys and a Pizza Place days (which I actually did love in the same way I love Saved By The Bell).

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My Boys - Just Jack, Oh, And Of Course Kyle

I'm not going to recap My Boys but I forgot to say yesterday that another reason why I love the show is because it has Kyle Howard on it. The guy is always good. I especially remember him from Opposite Sex (with him, Milo "Peter Petrelli" Ventimiglia, and Chris "The Flame" Evans. Can you imagine that combo NOW? HOT. ) and one of the best unknown shows around, Grosse Point.

Kyle hasn't gotten as big but he plays the friend-who-really-belongs-with-the-main-girl-but-she-doesn't-know-it-yet so well. One day Kyle. One day.

The other reason My Boys rocked last night was from a blinked-and-you-missed-it cameo from Jack McBrayer or better known as Kenneth the Page on 30 Rock. And even in his 20 seconds last night, he was a riot.

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My Boys - Better Than Men

I know I've never actually talked about it but I really enjoyed watching Season 1 of My Boys. It was like witty comfort food (can food be witty?) and it seems like it somehow vaulted from lamish cable show to a maintstream type favorite comedy with the bloggers and critics, except without the mainstream popularity and success, partially due to the fact that its on TBS and partially because actual mainstream success for comedies now consists of Two and a Half Men, so maybe actual mainstream success isn't what we want to strive for nowadays, is it?

Anyways, Season 2 of My Boys starts tonight on TBS at 10pm (9:30pm on CH in Canada). I'm actually kind of excited. Maybe it's because its summer and there's nothing else on TV but I watched it over this past TV season with all the competition, so there goes that theory.

Speaking of cable shows, Weeds starts soon (yey!), though I'm SO far behind on Entourage (though because I don't actually get it on the cable channels I get) that I worry that I'm falling too far behind and the TV fall season is just about to start again soon. And I haven't even had time to start on all the other new summer shows like Damages or Greek. Plus I still haven't managed to have time to watch The Wire, Big Love, Rome or Battlestar Gallactica on DVD yet. I know. Shamefull. I feel like a failure. Meanwhile, I already slather on the sunblock and yet I'm still getting really dark. I know people generally love that but I don't. I'm that guy under the palm tree at the beach (well, when I'm not in the water, which I guess is where the dark comes from?). I need to start hiding out indoors again and catching up on TV before I get crispy burnt.

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