I watched the full episode of Saturday Night Live because Neil Patrick Harris was hosting.
Sorry. Still not that funny.
Harris was awesome, especially anytime he was paired with Kristen Wiig (and now I can see why everyone is saying she's the best thing about the show right now) but I think I laughed about 5 times in 90 minutes - the musical portions (because even though I love Taylor Swift, she seemed boring/bored on that stage).
The best skit was the ladies one with Harris and Wiig. Harris rocked that wig and fake boobs and nailed the accent. The Broadway one was amusing but seemed to skim the surface of potential comic gold. Plus I know they were just playing to the rest of America who has no idea what actual Broadway shows are currently on the Great White Way but using Cats, The Music Man, Annie? Really?
The Burger King commercial is probably the only one that'll be youtubeworthy (in that it was funny but stands alone and isn't too long).
I'm probably the only one still watching Notes From The Underbelly and while we are on season 2 already, I never actually thought they would have the actual baby. But they finally did! And it will probably be the last episode of the show ever (since the remaining episodes are still in question and it's doubtful ABC will renew the underrated comedy).
Loved the crazy shoe shopping thing when Andrew keeps getting suckered into buying more Christina Louboutin shoes (you know, the ones with the red soles that you need to take out a mortgage for), and Peter Cambor's Andrew is still one of the funniest things about the show. His facial expressions are just precious.
As are Rachael Harris' line readings as sarcastic unemotional Cooper but I loved that she went with Lauren (and Julie) on the crazy roadtrip to deliver the backstage passes to Andrew and Danny at the outdoor music festival where of course, the baby finally arrives, making a father out of the extremely goofy Andrew. Seriously. Peter Cambor's face with that "eh?" look is genius.
As is Jonny Lee Miller's "eh?" look.
Which is still the main reason to watch Eli Stone. I agree the show isn't perfect, and I've said it each time, that the best part of the show is the casting, so let's continue/repeat it again this week!:
This week: a return of Tom Amandes who was on one of my favorite shows, Everwood!
A return of Tom Cavanagh who was on one of my favorite shows, Ed!
Tonye Patano is a judge in a custody case that Eli is propheted to help out, going against his fiance (Natasha Henstridge who I'm still not completely buying in her role here). And Tonye Patano is in one of my favorite shows Weeds!
There's still the regular cast members Julie Gonzalo from one of my favorite shows, Veronica Mars!
Victor Garber from one of my favorite shows, Alias!
Matt Letscher from the first season of one of my new favorite shows, The New Adventures of Old Christine!
Apparently I have a lot of favorite shows.
So on Eli Stone, which at least has one of my favorite casts, is already actually suckering me in, with this episode hooking me emotionally more than the first two epsisodes.
With Eli imagining war combat, he ends up helping out a female soldier with her custody case for her son against a possibly abusive husband. It just so happens that his fiance Taylor is representing the husband/father.
Eli flashes back to his own father (Tom Cavanagh) realizing the time his father was imagining being in war and shooting a gun into the wall, which Eli, own his own volition, ended up talking the blame for, leading him to figure out that the son's abuse was actually a ploy to sway the judge to give the mom full custody and was actually all a lie.
There's also the big engagement party being thrown, one that Eli made Patti organize, so Patti adds Beth Keller (Take the Lead's Laura Benanti) to the list, creating her own little revenge for Eli (since Beth was Eli's first and sparks flew when he helped her on the case in the pilot episode). It's a genius plan that angers Eli, vowing to avoid giving Patti the reigns to the wedding plans, which was her perfect plan all along! Genius!
But it was heartbreaking to watch Eli grow conscious in the cake when he has another bout of his imagination during the party. Those Jonny Lee Miller eyes help do it to me.
Um, I'm LOVING OneRepublic's new single "Stop and Stare" (hear it after the jump below), I really enjoyed 27 Dresses far more than I probably should have, especially since I KNOW it was not a great movie, and, um, in my most embarrassing confession, I actually REALLY REALLY enjoy watching Carpoolers. So yes, when I highlighted it in green on the list of remaining TV shows left because of the writers strike, it wasn't a mistake.
So let's just get down to it.
27 Dresses (written by Aline Brosh McKenna, directed by Anne Fletcher) is technically not great. The shmaltzy dialogue and Dr. Phil type speeches, every cliche in the romantic comedy book (outlined brilliantly by Manuel at A Blog Next Door), and no real standout scenes that are original and/or hilarious, yet, um, I kinda really liked it.
Hey, if the romantic comedy formula works? Why not? Why change it? I was charmed and sucked in and felt more compassion for these characters than the movie probably ought to have. And much of that credit goes to a finely tuned cast that milks their own personal charms for all its worth. I mean, starring roles for Katherine Heigl who is on a roll from winning the Emmy for Grey's Anatomy and surviving the boys in Knocked Up. I've been a fan since Roswell, which is one of those shows where I want to see everybody do well.
Then there's James Marsden, the man that never wins the girl. If there's someone who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride, it's James Marsden, who up until last year, was just a pretty face to me. A very pretty face, but a pretty face, but with his double whammy of Hairspray and Enchanted, I've gained a whole new respect for him.
Plus, as a TV fan, its fun to spot our favorites Maulik Pancholy (Weeds AND 30 Rock), Melora Hardin (Jan from The Office) and of course, Judy Greer (Love Monkey, Arrested Development, 13 Going on 30 etc etc) who at this point deserves a show AND movie of her own. You know you can save your movie slightly with some credibility by just adding Judy Greer into the mix, and she throws her acerbic wit around neutralizing some of the overly sugary movie. Plus Malin Akerman who is both pretty and can make a total fool of herself. Always a lovely mix! And while Edward Burns is always kind of a tool to me, he's a pretty pretty tool.
Yes, the whole cast is just very pretty. I'm a sucker for that okay? (And apparently the rest of the audience as well when the entire theatre collectively sighed every time James Marsden or Edward Burns came onto the screen. Hilarious).
I will write this as full disclosure though, I probably liked the movie far more than I should have because as my friend had whispered to another, Heigl's character really is a female version of me. I think I've been to over 40 weddings since 2000 (I actually lost count), 12 weddings last year alone (and I missed 2 on top of that). I don't know what to do with my Saturdays anymore when I don't have to throw on a suit and make small talk to new people or friends I haven't seen in a long time (but don't get me wrong, I do love it and still get misty eyed, I just wish the spending on gifts weren't racking up so fast). So I get 27 Dresses, it's my life. I'm just still waiting for my James Marsden to walk in one day.
27 Dresses = probably should be a C+ but I'm giving it a B
Meanwhile, I'm LOVING this song:
OneRepublic - "Stop and Stare"
Finally, um, I've been catching up with Carpoolers. It now takes the slot vacated by Reba and Freddie.
Created by Kids in the Hall's Bruce McCullough, the series isn't as kooky as it could/should be but kookier than a typical sitcom and Scott Thompson has already guested as a rival carpool so that's a bonus!
Meanwhile, I kinda love the cast, with Fred Goss (Sons & Daughters) as the straight laced guy in the carpool, Jerry O'Connell (Crossing Jordan) as the womanizer, Jerry Minor as the whipped black guy, and Tim Peper as the young naive goodie-two-shoes. Plus you have Allison Munn (That 70's Show) and Faith Ford (Murphy Brown, Hope and Faith) as wives, and throw in an overgrown son who seems to be off in his own world, and I laugh far more than I probably should.
In theory Jerry O'Connell should annoy me but I think I have a soft spot for him since My Secret Identity days, which I've been watching at the gym now that SUNTV in Canada is replaying it. I have the same soft spot for Faith Ford since playing Corky on Murphy Brown, and then you add the very funny Fred Goss and Jerry Minor and the cute as buttons newlywed couple Munn and Peper and Carpoolers has more to work with than first imagined.
Anyways, they somehow spin the show about carpooling as a device into these four guys lives and the show seems to be getting slightly more eccentric, I think with McCullough easing up on the "normal" now that ABC has let it run this long, and the more eccentric this show gets, the funnier it is. It's no 30 Rock but I secretly enjoy it enough to tape it and watch it when I have the time.
Oh, plus, you have to give points to Jerry O'Connell for this Tom Cruise mockery that's been flying around the net (and directed by Jerry Minor):
I still have my problems with The Sarah Connor Chronicles (like the fact that, as TiFaux nicely polled, Thomas Dekker is a total tool. Look, even Summer Glau thinks so.) but I enjoyed this week's episode, yet, if you were to ask me what it was about, I could not for the life of me tell you what the hell happened. Even when I was watching the show, let alone 2 days later with my bad memory.
All I remember is the teacher in Love Actually (Adam Godley) is the genius in breeding skin and a terminator forces him to help make some for him. Remind me not to eat dinner while watching this show anymore.
Yech.
Meanwhile, the robotic Summer Glau returns to school with John Connor and we get a nice 80's style Fox sitcom within the show. Seriously, technically the worst part of the show is also the best part of the show and my favorite as Cameron figures out the "human behaviour" in school and pisses off some of the mean girls. Except, wasn't she more "normal" in the pilot? I guess a time leap makes you forget some stuff. Seriously, I love Summer Glau. I don't even know why.
Meanwhile, I'm reluctantly enjoying Cashmere Mafia more and more. I still have problems with it. I can't believe we are are only on episode 3 because it feels like it's been on forever (in a bad way) but I'm still reluctantly enjoying it. Mainly because I'm really liking Lucy Liu and her whole Chinese dating storyline.
Wait. Lucy Liu is Chinese? She's ASIAN? Strangely, I've never really thought of her that way. I've never thought of her having parents either though (wonderfully played by Jodi Long who is always such a hoot as a character actress that even though she stands WAY out in any show she's in, she should still be in it despite being a bit overdramatic sometimes) but her intrusive Chinese mother (ah yes, I can hear the voices that I ignore already, yea yea mom, go away, I'm watching TV) sets Lucy's Mia Mason (Mason?) up with a nice handsome Chinese doctor Jason (Jack Yang) which goes surpsingly well. Until the whole "I don't date Asians" gets in the way.
Wow. I'm so glad they went there. I think it's kinda hilarious they went there.
Jason admits to it, and Mia realises she does (or doesn't date) it too. There could be whole studies on this.
But it's TV so Mia asks Jason to playflirt with her as they attend a party with her ex Jack (Tom Everett Scott) and his new arm candy Liz (Tara Westwood) and of course, things go way better than expected and they actually start feeling things for each other. Usually I would groan but having ANY Asian Male lead on a TV show can only be a good thing. Yeah, you Latino's and Blacks think you're underrepresented on TV? HA!
Meanwhile, Zoe is still having problems at work and being undermined by Katherine and Clayton but in the end they get their comeuppance and everything works out perfectly well for Zoe with her perfectly handsome husband (Julian Ovenden). How perfect. Okay, moving on.
Juliet and Davis are still working things out and they go back and forth and back and forth and she suspects he's still cheating but instead it's a money protection thing blah blah blah, thank god I love Miranda Otto and Peter Hermann looks good without his shirt on or I'd be bored.
Finally, it's episode 3 and Caitlin has already discovered she might be lesbian, kissed Alicia (Lourdes Benedicto), gone to a lesbian baby shower, and then is now flirting with some random hot dude Sam and gives him her card. You go girl!
Who wouldn't give their number to Sam (Chris Beetem)?
I just read at What's Alan Watching and Variety that ABC asked Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) to revive Cupid, the AWESOME show starring pre-Entourage Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall.
Alan found a youtube poster that put up EVERY EPISODE (separated into 5 parts) since it's not available on DVD.
So The King of Queens is ending it's run soon (it's still on you say? That's what I said too), but I've always liked Leah Remini enough that I'm glad she's had a good continuous paycheque finally and she almost makes me want to watch the show regularly. Almost.
Here are 4 other actors that I enjoy enough to almost make me want to watch their shows, but still don't.
Angus T. Jones on Two And A Half Men Seriously, he's 3 times as funny as everyone else on the show.
Anna Belknap on CSI: NY Is she even on anymore now that she had her baby in real life? Too bad because she was really the only light in the dark and too-broody-for-its-own-good show.
Jonathan Togo on CSI: Miami Cause really, after seeing David Caruso's Sunglasses On, Sunglasses Off schtick, we need an eyes-cleanser palate. Plus, he visited our little set last year so here's another shout out!
Kyle Sullivan on The War At Home Can we pluck him from that show to another one PLEASE???
I would have added Jonathan Tucker on The Black Donnelly's but that's not even on the air anymore so doesn't count. There are a few others like Diane Farr on Numbers, Jay Mohr (JAY MOHR???) on The Ghost Whisperer or Aaron Ashmoreon Smallville but they all joined in later seasons and were never part of the original cast so I discount that too. Constance Marie on The George Lopez Show came close too (and she's proven she can do WAY better on Spin City) but I draw the line somewhere.
Was there a show Dave Foley wasn't on last night? I like the addition of the Kid (in the Hall) on Christine but what the hell was he doing on Thank God You're Here? Was he a judge? Why the hell was he even needed on that? It was basically the same commentator thing he does on Celebrity Poker. Considering we know Dave Foley was on the brilliant Newsradio, I think he needs a better agent.
As for Thank God You're Here, Bryan Cranston was actually pretty funny but "Newman" Wayne Knight was NOT. I missed Talk Soup's Joel Hale which I would have liked to see but generally, that was such a filler show. Man, NBC are really making us pay while waiting for Heroes to return (April 23). And you wonder why The Black Donnelly's tanked? (Okay, the fact that it sucked didn't help).
Of course now that Andy Barker PI is cancelled, maybe Andy Richter can return onto Christine as Sad Dad and compete with Dave Foley for Christine's affections?
Who would have thought there could be a show on TV more absurd than Boston Legal?
Of course to be THAT absurd, The Shat had to also take part in the new game show Show Me The Money, which if you tuned into ABC at 10pm last night, you might have mistaken for another episode of Boston Legal.
A mix of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, Dancing with the Stars and Deal, or No Deal, I have to hand it to Shatner who was not even the most insane part of the show. I'm not sure if it was the Shat directing the model girls to start dancing at every commercial break or the scrolls, or the contestants on last night seem to over-exagerate every emotion as if they were trying to pull through the botox lining, but Show Me The Money makes for one weird viewing. I'm guessing it should probably be watched like The Teletubbies; high as a kite. Cool Set though. I like the twinkly lights...
Of course, I did go to McGill University where the student union building was entitled (unofficially) The William Shatner Building (or "Shatner" for short) so I'm not sure who has the last laugh at this point. (William Shatner went to McGill for a while but dropped out before he could finish, apparently). Man, I hope my degree is still valid after this.
The Todd comes out… to be just a crazy hornball, and was I the only one excited to watch Teachers. (am I the only one watching this bad show?) to see the Coupling Universe collide with Susan from UK Coupling (Teachers. regular Sarah Alexander) and Patrick from US Coupling (McGill Alum Colin Ferguson)? Weird watching them start a relationship since I’m like, didn’t they kind of go out already in some weird-alternate-TV-across-the-pond universe? I think I watch too much TV.
Survivor Panama: Exile Island I’m not sure who is more stupid, the Crazy Casaya people or Terry for not using his two immunities to his advantage more. This one was the one week Casaya could have drew the hidden immunity out of Terry (or Sally, if they though she had it), but they totally wasted it for some burgers, fries and coke. Only Aras knew he had to fight for it… UGH…I hope Aras wins now.
American Inventor I saw the last 10 minutes as they played Westlife’s version of Josh Grobin’s You Raise Me Up, over and over again as they gave the final word to the contestants if they made it to final 12. have to admit, its cheap but moving, and it works. No wonder it’s a hit. Simon Cowell is involved in Westlife though which explained the music choice (since this is his show).
The Loop – The Rusty Trombone That had BETTER not have been the Series Finale because damn that show is funny. Great casting of Adam Brody as Phillip Baker Hall’s long discussed gay son (also, Bret Harrison’s real life roommate).
The New Adventures of Old Christine – The Other F Word Wanda Sykes is finally not annoying and funny again. Love the homophobic black folks, then the racist homo’s that Christine tries to invite to the “White Bread” school.
How I Met Your Mother – Nothing Good Happens After 2 AM Finally, great way to break up Ted and Robin for good, though not enough time for Neil Patrick Harris to give his one liners.
Without a Trace – Expectations Another Finally: Finally Martin is “better” and we can move on. Though I did like the bonding between him and partner Danny Taylor.
Scrubs – My New Suit The only good thing to come out of the demise of Love Monkey is that Tom Cavanaugh can return as J.D.’s useless brother. The almost threesome with Keith and Elliott was so quick yet hilarious.
Supernatural – Provenance I am NEVER buying an antique EVER AGAIN.
Commander in Chief – State of the Unions Time to undo everything Steven Bochco ”fixed”/screwed up. Hope this show survives, it’s the ultimate fantasy show, plus I love that it can combine Oscar winner Geena Davis, should be Oscar winner Donald Sutherland, underated Ever Carradine and Anthony Azizi, and Manhunt reality show contestant Matt Lanter. LOVE THAT. Manhunt. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. Also, Meg and Jake Kane together! (more Veronica Mars Alum people…)
Teachers. – Schoolympics I should be ignoring this show by now but somehow it’s comforting to me. Kinda like a Growing Pains episode. Not great but somehow cozy to watch. Or maybe it’s because its Sarah Alexander. After UK Coupling, I will give her more than enough chances after she being in the brilliant Coupling.
Modern Men – Timmy Can You Hear Me If only for Eric Lively, who gives a new meaning to naïve but lovable dimwit.
The OC – The Dawn Patrol Totally hooked into the manipulative and silly plot that is Seth and Summer breaking up, because Seth is too proud to admit he didn’t get into Brown. If only to get Summer to jump on the coffee bar to profess her love, or getting her to pair up with Taylor Townsend to do some scheming. But PLEASE don’t bring back drinking Kiki.
Supernatural – Something Wicked Izzie’s Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) returns in flashbacks as Sam and Dean’s father, and a bunch of ghost hunters asks the all important question during a perilous situation: WWBD (What Would Buffy Do?)
The OC – The Day After Tomorrow Marissa got into Berkeley? I’m also digging the whole Jeff Hephner bruised look. Also liking the Marissa plus skank guy, if only to remove her from the rest of the gang, especially the Summer and Julie Cooper Nichol Cooper Roberts bonding sessions.
The New Adventures of Old Christine – I’ll Show You Mine Flat out funny. Though I’m sad to see Burton go. Girls, some of you should be watching this, because you have said the same thing right after you dumped a guy. Do I love him?
Teachers. – Field Trip Isn’t it a little weird and disconcerting to watch Cosby kid Kenny (Deon Richmond) now all grown up?
My Name is Earl – The Bounty Hunter So that’s how Joy and Earl got married! Poor Bounty Hunter. She should be back in comedies.
Yah! Carla and Turk are finally pregnant! This week? Everyone doing anything nice basically get’s screwed. Turk does not want to be J.D.’s date on Thursday nights, Liver-giver gets screwed from giving his own liver to his brother, and Dr. Cox is forced to spend time with Keith, who Elliot and Jordan groom into Dr. Cox (aka whipped husband). The identically matching outfits were just too precious! Carla gets ignored by everyone for being the messenger for Kelso.
I love the game Liz and Jenna (on Sons & Daughters) played at the old people party, where they had a shot for every lesbonic moment between the two old aunties.
And where did they find that kid that plays Jenna and Whitey’s kid? SOOOOO CUTE!
As for Pepper Dennis? Or Ally McBeal meets Murphy Brown only with Rebecca Romijn who at least looks like she eats, and can probably eat up Calista Flockhart? Amusing, but a little tired. Entertaining enough but not sure if it is appointment television. I do like seeing Brooke Burns in a comedic role though, and almost makes you forget North Shore. Almost.
Ally McBeal alum Josh Hopkins is looking older, but I like him enough, though I still say they should have expanded his re-occuring character on Without a Trace (from the first season).
My Name is Earl - Boogeyman Hey Michael, we found Walt! The Others didn't take him, Earl did! Sort of...
I'm too lazy this week but Scrubs, Sons & Daughters, The Loop, The New Adventures of Old Christine, were all great eps.
Teachers - Pilot I so wanted to like this show, but it's not great, though it's not completely terrible either. At least it's better than Four Kings. I'll give this show a chance if only for Kali Rocha (Buffy, Grey's Anatomy) and Sarah Alexander (UK Coupling).
The New Adventures of Old Christine - Open Water Blind Date HELL but HILARITY for US. The sad thing is, You KNOW some guy pulled out homemade chicken on a date with one of the writers on this show. Kudos to Matt Letscher as guest star Burton as the perfect blind date (just not Christines) for making us forget he was on Good Morning Miami.
Scrubs – The Extra Mile “The TODD” is the SECOND BEST SURGEON competing for the Surgical Resident spot?
Sons & Daughters – Family Finance, Karaoke I’m totally impressed with ex-Much Music VJ Amanda Walsh. Didn’t think she could pull it off. I think my favorite moments are with her, Whitey (the always funny Greg Pitts) and Wylie, together or separately in scenes.
Boston Legal – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang William Shatner’s Denny Crane tells guest star Tom Selleck’s Ivan that they are just like two big stars that had their own shows… LOVE that this show is where former TV Icons get to play now.
Out of Practice - Model Behaviour FINALLY, Christopher Gorham changed that godawful mullet hair he had in the first half of the season. Henry Winkler's former Happy Days Co-star (and Grandma Gilmore) Marion Ross guest stars as a visiting friend who still doesn't know that Lydia and Stewart got divorced. Oliver still steals the best lines.
The George Lopez Show/Freddie – George Gets Cross Over Freddie, Freddie Gets Cross Over George A Crossover with The George Lopez Show and Freddie where George’s son chats online with Freddie’s niece, only Freddie and George thinks the other is some sicko pedophile, and each try to trap the other. The second half was not as funny as George is invited to Chicago after all the misunderstandings are resolved.
Heist – Pilot Man, Dougray Scott must hate Tom Cruise more than Katie Holmes does. Poor guy misses the X-Men start date due to delays on Mission Impossible 2, and loses his job as Wolverine, to be given to then unknown Hugh Jackman, and as they say, the rest is history. Well. Dougray Scott stars in this new pilot from Doug Liman (Go, Swingers, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The OC), about a group of criminals planning to rob three jewellery stores on Rodeo Drive on the night of the Oscars. More entertaining than I would have thought, though with a slightly disturbing scene where poor pizza delivery guy is taken hostage (from another group of criminals) and blown up. Kinda doesn’t jive with the slick, fast paced humourish action the rest of the story was going for (think Get Shorty, or other Doug Liman projects). I’m wondering if they can hang on to a series about a bank robbery and keep it interesting, then again, who knew Lost would be so great? Not as clever as Lost, but still watchable.
The Loop - Tiger Express I'm still annoyed by Eric Christian Olsen as Sam's brother Sully, but the rest of this show is totally hilarious. I will give you that the Sully's invention of the meat version of Sam (you have to see it to understand) during the launch of Tiger Express (a new Asian airline Sam's company is launching) was great though.
My Name is Earl – Y2K One of the funnier episodes of a very funny show, where we get flashbacks of Earl and gang circa 1999 right before Y2K is about to happen. The reveal about Crabman’s past was hilarious and clever, and the entire apocalyptic-living in the local K-martish store, FANTASTIC.
The OC – The Undertow Why did they bring back that slut Jess just to cause problems for Ryan only to have it all resolved again at the end of the episode so he could finally hook up with Nikki which was inevitable anyways? Finally they get Marissa out of the loop and then they bring Jess back? UGH…Still, leaves us with some GREAT Seth and Summer moments, with Taylor trying to help their sex life. When did Taylor become the poor joke? Do they always do this to an original nemesis? (See Chris Carmack’s Luke)
Free Ride - Procrasti-Nating I know why I get annoyed with this show. Nate's friend, the straight-out-of-80's-headbanger-band is VERY Annoying and not funny like Sebastian Bach is on Gilmore Girls. Plus, the parents sex issues are a little tiring and kinda give me the creeps. Which is too bad because Josh Dean as Nate is VERY likable and his flirtations with Amber are very cute and amusing.
I don't get why Miranda feels like she has to get involved even after the ghost tells her he doesn't want her help. How does she pick and choose which ghosts need her help the most? Especially when she goes to a place where there are many ghosts that all plead for her help. She gets annoyed by these ghosts, but the ghosts that are annoyed by her she insists on helping.
And what's with the Magician's younger brother? All he ever wanted was to be as good a magician as his brother, always left in his big brother's shadow, so he goes ahead and falls in love with his brother's girlfriend who's admitted that she'll never love anyone the way she loved the Magician? I totally didn't buy his character. I felt like there should have been some more development there. Maybe it all ended up on the cutting room floor....
Is Jim, Miranda's hubby, a biscuit or what? I just want to eat him all up! I know there's always great guys on tv that don't exist in real life, but this season we seem to be inundated with the most understand men EVA!: Jim, Burke (Grey's Anatomy), Booth (Bones), and Marshall (How I Met Your Mother). But seriously, after Miranda almost gets run off the road by a ghost, Jim's all concerned but continues to let her pursue this obviously dangerous spirit. He's all, "just be careful," and she's all, "I always am." Lady! You just got your breaklines cut by an earthbound spirit! That ain't "safe"!
This show has gone from sweet storylines, to scarier ones, in order to cash in on the public's apparent undying (heh) thirst for horror, but it still makes me cry at the end. Yes, I am now 17 tearing-ups out of 18 eps.
At this point in the season of a popular show, do we really need Melinda's (the Ghost Whisperer's) background story at the start of each episode? Especially, if they insist on airing the full opening credits shortly thereafter! I say "NO!"
Melinda and Andrea have been hired to sell off all the antiques and furniture of a successful fashion designer played by Lori Loughlin. (Uncle Jesse's wife from "Full House" - while Vance will watch follow cast members from quality shows, I'll follow the careers of those from "Full House"!!) She's a career-driven, single mom who's family broke up when her first child died. He's still around though, haunting the family and causing havoc for the new baby's nannies. He even manages to sneak into Jim's subconscious and haunt his dreams which I do not think we've seen before on this show. The ghosts seem to get more powerful with every episode, but I guess the premise wouldn't last if it was all nice and easy goodness.
Melinda tells the boy to go into the light, but he's got some unfinished business. He tells Melinda to find his old nanny, Rico's wife from "Six Feet Under," which she does at an old folks home. Nanny tells Melinda the story of how the boy died. He'd run down the stairs after an argument with his mother, grabbed the car keys, ran outside and started the car. The kid's only about 10, people, so he don't really know what he's doin', and of course as he moves out of the driveway he's T-boned by an oncoming SUV. He whispers his dying words to the nanny, as his mother comes running out of the house and blames the nanny for not doing something to stop it all. Okay, folks! I warned you! This is the part of the show where I started to cry. There's just something about this show that gets me EVERY time!!! He wants Melinda to tell the nanny that it wasn't her fault. That there was nothing she could have done to stop him. He wants the nanny to do one more thing: he wants her to tell his mother what his last words were.
So Melinda and the nanny sit down with Lori, and the nanny proceeds to say that she was never going to tell her this but her son's last words were, "I wish you were my mother." WAY HARSH! Lori thinks so too and is about to leave, when Melinda does her thing where she opens her eyes really wide to show that she's honest and genuine and then tells them something only the person and the ghost knew. In this case, it's "the promise" that mother made son. A neglected son gets his mother to promise to take him to a ball game and then pizza afterwards, but come the day she gets caught up in work. Upset, the son tells his mother he's going to go himself and runs down the stairs, and well, you know the rest. He wants to tell his mother that he knew she loved him but wishes she'd just show him sometimes. He didn't want all the things her success could buy him, he only wanted her. Finally, he wanted her tell her that she needs to be different with his new sister. He sees the light and says goodbye.
Other notes, baby talk arises in the Gordon household. Jim wants a baby, like, NOW! And Melinda is all, I don't think so! We, the viewers, figure out waaaaay before the characters do that Melinda is scared to pass down her gift, especially since she's discovered that it does not skip a generation. She doesn't want their child to be ridiculed, as she was, for being different. Jim's all supportive and irresistable as usual (why do these men only exist in television?!) and is all, we can handle it because we love eachother and will love our child. I may not be able to speak to dead people, but I see a baby in season 2! Also, at the old folks home, Melinda promises a ghost that she's "owe him one" if he helps her find the nanny. At the end of the episode, guess who's coming for dinner?
This will be short since... tada... the Oscars will be on tonight and I've finally seen all the movies in 14 categories (damn Syriana, or else it would have been 2 more).
Courting Alex - Dumping Alex. I know. I stayed in the relationship longer than I should have, but as charming as Josh Randall may be, and as much as I want to see Hugh Bonneville again, I must purge the bad dates and move on.
Scrubs - I now have the nightmare of seeing The Todd and his green glow after being in "chinatown", and poor Michael Learned... to be continued...
Boston Legal - Finally after a full season and a half, the producers got rid of all the superfluous characters (see ya wallpaper Ryan Michelle Bathe and Justin Mentell, we hardly knew you) and we are down to the amazing core cast. Thank god. Like they didn't realise this last season when they fired Monica Potter, Lake Bell and Rhona Mitra already? I mean, if you didn't know what to do with Rhona Mitra, what are you going to do with even less famous actors?
Free Ride - There's Arrested Development, and then there are these type of One-Camera shows. So much potential but somehow just don't live up? (see M.Y.O.B. with pre-Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham, The Opposite Sex with pre-Gilmore Girls Milo Ventilmiglia, Maybe It's Me although that was kinda kooky and Fred Willard made it pretty good) Somehow they are shot in the real world but feel clausterphobic as hell (and not in the AD good surreal way). Maybe cause the lead is too cute and "acting"?
ER - Noah Wylie was back. Guess he had nothing to do...
Looks like all our favourite old characters are coming back for one last hurrah during the last few episodes of The West Wing. Personally, I think they should make Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) the new VP to take the place of our dearly departed Leo McGarry. A little birdie also told me that Josh and Donna are going to FINALLY lock lips in an upcoming ep! The West Wing is planning on goin' out with a BANG!!! Yee-Haw!
Boston Legal – David E. Kelley writes again! And casts two former Chicago Hope members AND we get a pairing of Magnum P.I with Murphy Brown! Plus Rene Auberjois gets a storyline for once!
Survivor: Panama Exile Island – TERRY finds the immunity idol? Boring.
Freddie – Seriously? When did Brian Austin Green become so funny? I can’t believe Freddie didn’t choose Rose.
Olympics – Were they still on? Go team Canada! Congrats on their best showing ever! Is Avril Lavigne the best we can do to represent us? I mean. I love her, but STILL. Will she even be around in 4 years when we have the Vancouver 2010 Olympics? (Granted, her careful move to film and spokesperson for Gucci is a brilliant career move).
Dancing with the Stars – Season 2 Finale – How is Stacy not in the Top 2? I can’t believe my heart was actually beating before the final announcement for fear that Jerry would actually win that ugly looking trophy. I mean, Jerry seems like a great person but come ON, we have some honour to uphold! This is the Dancing with the Stars trophy! It deserves some RESPECT! As Ugly as it may be. So thankfully, Drew “98 Degrees” Lachey wins the trophy and restores the Lachey name no thanks to Nick. But before I leave this season, did he say that Cheryl was like his SISTER? Eww, cause those two were so HOT together I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls a Billy Crudup and leaves his pregnant wife for another woman.
Supernatural - The Benders - Hardy Boys Sam and Dean fight off the scariest of creatures this week. Not monsters, vengeful ghosts or untamed beasts but the motherlode of scary: The Human Psycho Redneck Hunter. This week, as the boys follow a lead of a disappearing man outside a bar, Sam himself gets caught and locked into a cage, only to figure out that they are "released" to become prey for a killer-happy family. Dean and unconvinced girlcop search, girlcop gets caught as well, and then after a few scenes of me hiding behind my hand, all survive and the rednecks are dead.
Boston Legal - Smile - The Crazy Story of the Week - Brad (Mark "Jack Devereaux replacement" Valley) is blackmailed to help out "Denny Crane"'s fiance to save her cat Barry Manilow (do they think we don't watch Gilmore Girls and the dog Paul Anka?) from having the plug pulled off the resuscitator due to her ex-husbands' request. Mildly Crazy but somewhat plausible Story of the Week - Alan Shore (James Spader) fights for a girl to be accepted into a private school because her mother believes she was turned away because the girl does not smile (due to the lost of muscles in her face after an accident). This is James Spader at his best, when he is dealing with a kooky case that is still heartfelt letting him show some dramatic range and not the surreal foolishness that begat the first half of this second season. Important Story of the Week - Shirley Schmidt (the great Candice Bergen) teams up girl power style with Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen of "Ed" fame. Remember how I follow all "Ed" alum? watch Julie Bowen in Boston Legal or Lost and you will see why) to defend a pregnant-from-a-rape girl whose request for the Morning-After Pill was rejected at a Catholic hospital. We are finally getting to see more action with the female leads after a men-heavy first half of the season, and with Candice Bergen and Julie Bowen as counterpart for James Spader and William Shatner, including the end of show bonding session over drinks (and cigars for the boys), this show has finally seemed to find the right balance amongst their heavyweight actors which is the greatest part of this show. Still, no idea why Ryan Michelle Bathe is in the credits since we haven't really seen her since her introduction in the fall. Justin Mentell seems to have been sidelined off as well and only kept for some wallpaper* material (something nice to look at but kinda useless).
Survivor: Exile Island - I can't remember anything in this episode anymore because I'm still traumatized/turned on(?) from the all-out wrestling in the immunity competition and trying to erase/remember it from my head. Misty gets the boot in the end, who was one of my picks for final four. So much for what I know.
Everybody Hates Chris - Everybody Hates the Lottery - I really like this show but I never really have anything to say about it. Although, Tichina Arnold deserves an Emmy just for her scenes where she is chewing her beloved Turtles.
Dancing with the Stars - Results Show - So did Michael Buble lower his ratings points by appearing on this show? or did the show just boost its points for snagging Michael Buble? I can't tell but I love the fact that this show can accommodate Buble, the Pussycat Dolls AND Barry Manilow (the real singer, not the cat). What demographics DOES this show have? So Jerry Rice's football fanbase apparently DO watch this show because he is safe but Lisa Rinna's soap opera fan base does not. What's happening to this world?
The Good Wife (Season 2) CBS/Global 10pm ****1/2 (Low: 4)
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Tapeworthy Shows On Hiatus
Grade system
***** - 5 Stars TAPEWORTHY AND WILL watch it LIVE for fear the recording will mess up. Do not attempt to call or try to make plans during this time.
**** - 4 Stars Tapeworthy and I will TRY to watch it LIVE
*** - 3 Stars Tapeworthy, will watch it live if I'm around but if not, will catch it later in the week.
** - 2 Stars Might tape it to watch later as long as I have space and no conflicting shows that have higher priority.
* - 1 Star Won't tape it but if I need something to watch while I fold my laundry (and I'm done all my tapes), I will watch it (ie. Reba).
0 - 0 Stars Will NOT turn on the TV for fear of coming across this show. (ie. According to Jim).
Grades only reflect current new airings. Does not necessarily apply to previous seasons. Grades are subject to change at any moment. Apologies to TV Gal for half borrowing her system.
