Swimming In The Shallow End - The Big Bang Theory, 90210, Privileged, Friday Night Lights and More

Matt Lanter, David Monaghan, Robert Buckley. Not household names but hotties I've been following and all were showing up on TV this week! I know. I'm shallow. But by now, you MUST know I totally am and that it influences my TV watching. Come on, it's probably the sole reason I get sucked into The Bachelor and the "bad" reality shows!

The Big Bang Theory - The Maternal Capacitance - Ep. 215

Christine Baranski is Mrs. Hofstadter. Leonard's mom. And she's exactly as nerdy and unemotional and odd as Sheldon. Man, that was one of the funniest episodes to date! Between Penny and Leonard bonding over their lack of parental bonding and almost sleeping with each other, and Mrs. Hofstadter's analysis of the homoerotic bond Howard and Rajnesh have built to simulate intimacy, and Jim Parson's Sheldon and Christine Baranski as the mother of all nerds was hysterical. Loved how Mrs. Hofstadter basically dismissed everyone into the shallow end of the gene pool. And that includes her own son. Yet it didn't feel particularly mean!


90210 - Of Heartbreaks and Hotels - Ep. 116

Finally a reason to watch 90210! My favorite contestant from Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model (oh yes!) Matt Lanter (Commander in Chief) plays Liam, a bartender (even though he looks barely legal, though is 25 in real life) who sadly doesn't appear shirtless on this show so far. But at leaves gives Naomi's storyline something of interest! FINALLY!

Plus a second appearance by Friday Night Light's Aimee Teegarden who right off the bat, tells Ethan that she's tricked him.... and the drama continues to deflate by the second. Why must this show make everything so nice? TOO nice? Let Privileged do that (and yet that show STILL has more drama per hour than we've seen all season here so far).

Plus is it sad that Navid is not even more annoying than his drug addict pregnant not-girlfriend? And I had so much hope for him. And Silver too. Cause there's NO WAY she would have gotten a tattoo of "Dixon". She's too smart, cynical and smart for that. I'd say it would be out of character but I'm asking too much from this show aren't I?

I've update on American Idol in my Handicapping the Top 36 post (SPOILERS BEWARE)

More on Privileged, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, The Bachelor, Degrassi:TNG, Flashpoint, Ghost Whisperer, Leverage, Project Runway Canada:

Privileged - All About Confessions, All About Betrayal - Eps. 116, 117

You know this show is a fairytale fantasy when Megan gets a heartfelt confession of love (and a kiss) from Charlie (Michael Cassidy) before he splits for San Diego, breaks up with Will (Brian Hallisay) and then ends up in a world where the editor of Will's new magazine looks like Robert Buckley (above, Lipstick Jungle). Ah, and what a fairytale fantasy it is!

Okay, I'm still mad that Charlie is gone because sparks like Cassidy and JoAnna Garcia do not just happen everyday, but Buckley sure softens the blow. Though the fact that he's supposed to be a Harvard grad who got published in the New Yorker before 22, AND still looks like the way he does, seems a leeeeeeeettle far fetched. Plus, I guess there's really no logical way to get a magazine editor into his underwear, is there?

(By the way, if you're that young, that smart, and that handsome, and that successful, I then officially hate you. Do you want to go out on a date?)

The secret is out and Laurel knows that the girls know (about their real grandfather) but the twins finally decide to split up as roomates when Rose decides to grow up and rely on Sage less for support (since Sage has kept the secret of thinking she's killed their parents this whole time). Meanwhile, Grandpa's real daughter wants to sue Laurel.

Marco tries to woo Keith (David Monahan) back, while he's trying to have a baby with his faghag (the always loopy but hilarious Jennifer Elise Cox). Only this show can somehow play that storyline straight, dramatic and heartwarming, ending off with the ultimate fairytale when Marco proposes to Keith!!!


Friday Night Lights - How the Other Half Live, Hello, Goodbye - Eps. 303, 304

Seriously, how good is the Smash storyline? (And how good has Gaius Charles been? Amazing and Emmy worthy!). I think I'm going to cry just thinking about it all.

J.D. has become such a great foil for Matt Saracen, as the new star quarterback showing up in town (with aggressive parents in tow). Love that J.D. himself is not so much the enemy as it is the system they've created, with Buddy and the boosters (who are creating a nice big headache for Tami as well) having more control over everything than poor Coach Taylor it seems.

And just as Tyra was getting her life back in gear, the handsome and convincing Cash shows up and whisks her away. Hell, if someone like that showed up on my doorstep, I'd follow him anywhere too!

And oh, just you all wait to see where the show continues further on this season! It just gets better and better! Oh, and you'd better keep those kleenexes out!


Scrubs - My Absence, My Comedy Show - Ep. 809, 810

And so it begins. Zach Braff gets time off and doesn't appear in the episode because he's trying to move on with his life and try to be a movie star (or so I assume) and strangely, for a show that's centered around JD, I didn't really miss him. Again, which proves that Elliot and Carla are the true heart and soul of the show now (and kind of always actually).

Okay, and now that Aziz Ansari is gone, I'm getting to like the new interns more like Sunny Day (!?!), know-it-all Denise and that funny looking cute in the geeky way with the super low voice guy. (I know. Most people loved Aziz, but I think he would have worked better on another show. He was just plain annoying here. I could totally understand what Dr. Cox was feeling).

Meanwhile, I'm loving touchy feely Jimmy, even before his impression of Dane Cook at the talent show. (His other impressions were so so but the Dane Cook dig made up for it all). Plus, he's Taran Killam in real life. As in, Cobie Smulder's baby daddy in real life. So THAT'S who he is!

And maybe because we had a slight reprieve from Braff in the first half hour, I enjoyed having him back and all his bromance with Turk glory again. Plus, I almost forgot that Carla and Turk had a baby already. Just like Turk. It's getting a little deja vu but I guess that's the point that they so cleverly point out and run with.


Fringe - The Transformation, Ability - Eps. 113, 114

I still never feel compelled to watch this show, but then I catch up with it and love it again. After being totally grossed out of course. Ugh, seriously, totally grossed out. First those nasty slugs last week, this week the melty face thing. I have got to get my Joshua Jackson fix another way, preferably without the sci-fi scariness. Yet there's just enough humour to hold me in.

I partly still love the conspiracy arc but in the same breathe, I'm so confused and lost track of who is who and who is bad and what not that I've kind of given up on it too and just enjoying the show for what it is.


Desperate Housewives - Mama Spent Money When She Had None - Ep. 514

I enjoyed Dave's little reassurance to Edie that their marriage was "real". Real because he doesn't have fairytale expectations. LOVED her face. Loved Susan making a fool of herself trying to keep MJ in private school (though when was keeping a kid in private school a right? No wonder yuppies are spending beyond their means and no wonder the public school system is failing).


Brothers & Sisters - Owning It - Ep. 314

The gays have taken over! Finally!

Now if only they can take over Ojai or whatever is left of that company.

But was I the only one creeped out by the site of John Glover as Saul's new boyfriend Henry? Not because they are an older gay couple to balance off Kevin and Scotty. No, I was creeped out because I still think of him as Lionel Luther from Smallville.


The Bachelor - Jason Mesnick - Ep. 1306

I've got to champion Gillian since she's the Canadian girl but I'm not really sure Jason is all into her. I think Jason thought Gillian was crazy when she started telling him about Ogopogo.

But not as crazy as meeting Naomi's family. Man, Jason should be given the Emmy Award just for keeping a straight face during that whole ordeal.


Degrassi: The Next Generation - Causing a Commotion - Eps. 811

Finally, a revolt against The Shep. I mean, who was this principal Shep anyways and how could he have gotten the Best Principal award after only a few months? So yay Claire (along with Alli and K.C. above) for stepping up against the douchebag! Especially when The Shep was being a tool against Connor, who apparently now has aspergers, the new go-to-disease for TV shows it seems.


Flashpoint - Ep. 107

I don't even know what the episode was called last week but the two brothers, particularly the "good" one with the deep blue eyes and dark hair was enough to help convey pity. I'd give him a hug! (Hey, the title of the post says it all man. I'm totally shallow).


Ghost Whisperer - Slow Burn - Ep. 414

I think it was the first time I watched a full episode of this show. And you know what? It wasn't that bad. I was actually entertained and I almost cried. ALMOST I SAID. I DIDN'T. Okay, but seriously, I was intrigued by the promos that had been running all week and decided to catch the Love -Hewitt show and a) forgot that Jamie Kennedy AND Cameron Manheim were on the show now and wondering... b) what happened to Aisha Tyler and didn't Jay Mohr join the cast at some point? c) Kenneth Mitchell is in this show now? (As the guy whose body David Conrad spiritually took over). and d) it's only in season 4? It feels like its been on forever. You mean I've only dismissed the show for 4 years? That's it?

Things that surprised me: 1. JLoveHewitt didn't bug me at all. I didn't hate her (like I did on Party of Five), 2. David Conrad (above) is still hot. Man Miss Match should have taken off. 3. I actually really enjoyed the mystery and the sappiness of the mystery.

Also to note, the actor playing the troubled youth who Gretchen Egolf (Journeyman) was trying to haunt, Will Rothhaar, has this really nice intensity and handsomeness that I think will get him far. I'm just saying, I saw him first.


Leverage - The Juror #6 Job - Ep. 111

Data and Lauren Holly! It's like the early 90's revived all over again! Loved the new twists and turns of 12 angry jurors. Totally preposterous but boy was it fun to watch Lauren Holly get screwed over (and I'm talking in a non-sexual, karma's a bitch cause she's a bad person kind of way... you know, just to clarify).


Project Runway Canada - Claim to Fame, Colour Me Right - Eps. 202, 203

Week 2 (which apparently you can now watch on youtube, so catch it while you still can) had Elisha Cuthbert as the BIG CELEBRITY GUEST. I guess Celine was busy. It's Canadian TV. It's about all we can get. I was half waiting for a cougar print as part of the challenge.

I like Jessica's personality at this point, but Sunny is probably the strongest designer here. His L.A. party dress for Elisha was GORGEOUS because it was so subtle (and the pic doesn't do it justice since you can't see the rays stitching on the blue dress). I think it should have won, but Jason's dress was pretty nice too and it was nice to see him go from bottom 2 to winner.

In Week 3, it's the first team challenge and Sunny and Baylor team up. Of course. Two of the stronger designers that are Asianish. (Well, Baylor is Venezuelan but he looks Asian to me). Seriously, I just wrote the previous sentence at the start of the show and since, every other designer has been like "omg, Baylor and Sunny together? I'm scared to see what I have to compete with" or something like that. And they don't disappoint. Especially Sunny, whose green tule outer shell over a basic dress is STUNNING. Holy cow, I don't think I've ever seen tule constructed like that. I usually find designers on this show use tule the wrong way and end up in the bottom but as Shawn notes, Sunny is someone to contend with. At episode 3, does Sunny have it in the bag?

Vancouverite Christie doesn't measure out. Basically because she's terrible when she isn't already spazzing out with the workload (uh, hello, welcome to the rest of the world where people work past 5pm to actually earn a living).

I get what Jeff's trying to do but he needs to get moving. Adejoke is good but keeping quiet. Baylor is good but just not as good as Sunny. Kim and Gen haven't been very convincing or even noticeable until this week but they came up with pretty good dresses. But I barely remember them and on this show, being normal and nice wins you no airtime.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

TeleMADdo - 30 Rock, Ugly Betty and More

30 Rock - Generalissimo - Ep. 310

Some people have complained that Salma Hayak's guest role is underwhelming and not starry enough. But that's what I love about her appearances. It's not GUEST STAR. She's just another character in a show full of CHARACTERS. (Plus she still delivers some pretty darn good lines and I still laugh at ""I find that authoritative rapid Spanish subdues white people.").

Still, how is it that Jon Hamm (looking all great with his loose and swoopy hair AND a smile) is this week's BIG STAR over Salma Hayak? We're Mad over the Men indeed!

Meanwhile, the Lord is now Tracy's new best dude friend/intern. Dude! It's Lord Marcus!

And while I still think Tina deserved the Emmy and Golden Globe, it was sort of this episode where I was really convinced of her ACTING (as opposed to just playing herself) as she hilariously tricks her neighbour Drew (Hamm) into falling in love with her.

Then in a reminder that Salma Hayak has brought all the funny parts of Ugly Betty onto this show, Jack looks exactly like an actor on a telenovela that Hayak's Elisa's grandmother watches. Tracy takes roofies, and Liz takes tips from the telenovela to win Drew's heart. And Jack uses Telemundo to change his Spanish soap opera gay counterpart. And changes the Today show to be more lighthearted. I don't know but it all brilliantly worked together and probably one of the funnier half hours in a long time!

More on Bones, Ugly Betty, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scrubs:

Bones - The Hero in the Hold - Ep. 413

The Gravedigger Killer? What's going on? I had to look it up to remind me what happened the first time around. Cause that was WAY back when wasn't it?

I hate it when shows treats its audiences like idiots but um... some reminders might have been nice here, other than Jack and Brennan getting buried in the car. What else happened? I'm getting confused with the CSI ep. when hot dude got buried alive.

Anyways, Bones has been kidnapped by the Grave Digger and friction in the gang emerges as they frantically try to save him.

It's all a little disconcerting seeing Bones and Hodgins butt heads. I know it's drama but this show is so great usually because the gang works so well together so it feel's disorienting somehow.

Meanwhile Brendan Fehr is back as Booth's brother, as is Marisa Coughlin as Agent Perotta, both in their attempts to save Booth, but alas, there's the twist that would have been nice if it wasn't totally out of the blue. No?

Oh, and did I mention Bones had a ghost friend Parker (whom he named his son after) to help him escape from his kidnapping?

It was a very strange episode. A little too Ghost Whisperer. They were trying to make it all suspenseful and dramatic with some haunting theme but it just felt a little muddled and a little out of character.


Ugly Betty - Kissed Off - Ep. 313

What did happen to the telenovela snippets on this show? Bring back the camp please!

Jesse (Val Emmich) is back though! And reminding Betty why she wants to stay in Manhattan. Because living with your family in Queens will dampen her game.

Amanda and Marc (yey!) help Betty get her groove back after Jesse disses Betty after an impromtu kiss. Betty tracks Jesse down and forces him on a date but in the end, he ends up being really boring and she moves on. (Though the little "me me me" song was pretty hilarious).

While I love Daniel and his heart to heart talks with Betty, the whole drama with him and Connor over Molly is pretty lame. Or, Connor is pretty lame then (and he's so hot, don't make him lame, please). At least Wily has caught on and we get a few more scenes of Eric Mabius looking remorseful. It's a cute look. I just wish it was with bigger and campier drama.

(Which makes me wonder, where is Christina and the Mead baby? She's got to be pretty huge by now).

And I love the Suarez's but they need to be treated less as a different world with Mode and get integrated more. Like when Justin interned at Mode way back when. We need more of that and less of the family holding Betty back from the Mode world and her career.

I still enjoyed this episode and this season but I will admit that a lot of the zip is gone. It used to seem faster paced with intertwining stories weaving back and forth. Even the Marc/Amanda scenes used to stretch further than they do right now? Though they are still appreciated! And at least now they are roomies! Let's hope the show uses this to their advantage!


UPDATE: Oops. wrong show. I just heard Cheyenne Jackson will be guesting on this show as a gay dad! WOO!!!

The Office - Lecture Circuit: Part 1 - Ep. 514

Rashida Jones is back!!! Why oh WHY did she leave for that AWFUL show? (At least you'll be in the new non-spin-off show Parks and Recreation with Amy Poehler! Though as a different character. So does that mean no crossover?)

Pam and Michael go see Karen for work purposes and Michael gets to act like an idiot again, but Pam gets closure with Karen who is now married and preggers, which leads to NEXT week's episode where I assume Michael will get closure with Holly! Yey!

Love that Jim and Dwight, the new co-party planners forgot Kelly's birthday. Love it cause Kelly is pissed and pissed Kelly is very funny! As is Andy hitting on a client.


Grey's Anatomy - Beat Your Heart Out - Ep. 513
Private Practice - Acceptance - Ep. 215

I feel a bit suckered. I know. I probably should have given up a while ago but I tend to give the benefit of the doubt, but after last week's reminder of the awesomeness of Supernatural, plus all the ads for ER's VERY LAST FEW EPISODES, I was about to switch away but I kinda wanted to see the crossover episodes but I thought it was this week. Then by about 10:30pm, realized it just wasn't happening and it's actually going to be next week. Ugh, meanwhile, I was bored again by both shows.

When George spoke, I yet AGAIN forgot he was actually still on the show. No wonder T.R. wanted out. Granted it's a nice cushy salary for very little work. And in this economy, you can't really complain about that. I even forgot about Izzie's sickness.

I just wanna see more of Audra McDonald. Audra, TR and Taye. They could do their own Broadway show together.


Scrubs - My New Role, My Lawyer's In Love - Ep. 807, 808

Dr. Cox is finally boss! And Ted has found a girlfriend (Kate Micucci, who I love)!

Carla has always been the secret weapon for this show but so far this season, Carla and Elliot are REALLY the heart of this show and the main reason I'm still enjoying Scrubs since a lot of the other silliness is getting a little old.


Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Confessions of a TV Drama Queen - American Idol, Privileged, 90210, 30 Rock and More

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com:

I confess:

I'm mad at Privileged.
I'm still watching Grey's Anatomy AND Private Practice. And over Supernatural which I'm now so far behind in (DUCK... and run for it from the SPNfans...).
I've actually been watching 90210 AND Gary Unmarried. I'll explain below. Actually, I really don't know why but I'll write about it anyways.
I'm liking My Name Is Earl again. Just as it's going against Bones, Ugly Betty and Survivor. Crap.
Also, 30 Rock is not a good comedy. More on that below.

And Yes, I'm watching a lot of TV. It's COLD OUTSIDE GAWDAMNIT. (Okay, that's just an excuse I can finally use but I would have made up something else if it weren't).

I'd also chime in on Friday Night Lights, Top Chef, The Real World: Brooklyn, Damages and The Secret Life of The American Teenager but I don't actually get them here on time so SHHHHHHH... I'm avoiding the spoilers until I get to catch-up.

More on Privileged, Scrubs, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, 90210, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, My Name Is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, American Idol below:


Privileged - All About Tough Love - Ep. 114

Even when I'm mad at this show (for moving Michael Cassidy to "special guest star" from the main cast list), it's hard to stay mad at Privileged and its quirky and cherubic charms, even with one of the more dramatic episodes. Lily's in jail and Megan's dad refuses to bail her out and Megan outwardly supports the decision while Megan's mom sees through her tough love decision. Loved the tension built with Will trying to do the right thing, and how everyone was basically trying to do what they thought was the right thing and still drama was abound. And that was even before Will finally gave Megan's mom the bail money, against Megan's wishes, and Megan's mom ran off with it.

Luis and Sage are all "High School Musical" cutesy but the (gift)knives come out when the difference in classes gets scratched to the surface. Zach writes Rose a poem but Marco figures out that it's copied. Somehow both stories were extremely cute without getting too saccharine, with credit to Lucy Hale and Ashley Newbrough and to the little quips Marco (Louis Allan) provided. (But yey! Marco misses Keith!).

What a great dramatic and yet still hilarious episode where every character can actually be likable within a soapy dramedy (are you hearing me 90210, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice?).


Scrubs - My Saving Grace, My Happy Place - Ep. 803, 804

Best line: Dr. Maddox (played by Courtney Cox) making a comment about Dr. Cox's crazy last name.

Sarah Chalke (as Elliot) is a really really good actor isn't she? I kept noting that this week. I think she's so good that I've usually taken her for granted since she can bounce between the zany crazy pace of the show and still have a deep emotional 3 dimensional character.


The New Adventures of Old Christine - Notes on a 7th Grade Scandal - Ep. 413

How have I not written about Christine since the season premiere? It's been slightly uneven this season and not enough usage of brother Matthew but it's still been hysterical and funnier than my other CBS fave How I Met Your Mother (also why it landed on my Top 20 while it pained me to boot out HIMYM). Now Stephen Tobolowsky shows up as the principal at Richie's school while Lee Tergesen was Christine's old classmate that she HATES (why does that not surprise me?). I'm diggin' this nicer and funnier Lee (as opposed to his Oz days).

Considering how little Marly and Lindsay are on the show, these two really pack a punch with their little barbs. Speaking of which, Barb was at her best when she scared the teen line-jumpers. That was awesome!

And Clark Gregg is still the BEST as Richard. Just is giggling at the sex education syllabus at the parents meeting made me giggle, as silly and stupid as it was. Love him!

And don't get me wrong because I haven't outright said it. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is comic gold and a total riot with her facial expressions. Seinfeld was not a fluke.


Gary: Unmarried - Gary Dates Louise's Teacher - Ep. 112

I confess. I've been watching Gary Unmarried. Like not just one or two episodes. But the whole season so far. It's usually cause I just tape the whole hour following Christine but really, it's cause every year I pick one "bad"/"family" comedy to watch and this year it's this one (previous years include Reba, Freddie, Carpoolers). And yes, I laugh at the stupidity (and I know it's hypocritical and inconsistent considering how much I rant against Two and a Half Men and According to Jim).

Plus considering the talents of Jay Mohr (though oh how much has he fallen?), Paula Marshall (oh how much has she fallen?) and Ed Begley Jr. (oh how much has he fallen?), is it wrong that I think the best actors on the show are the two kids? Ryan Malgarini and Kathryn Newton are actually quite good as Gary's kids Tom and Louise and it seems like they have been bumping up their parts more and more in recent episodes now that they know they are actually great on screen. I've actually gained respect for Jaime King who actually delivers here. I've never really thought much of her before this.

Still, it's so wrong (like this week's episode where Gary ends up dating both of Louise's teachers, the hot one cause he wants to, and the dowdy one who turns out to be hot because his daughter wanted to. Then somewhere in there, there's a boxing match with one of the spurned woman. So wrong) yet I laughed. A lot. I know. So wrong. In my defense, James Burrows directs all the episodes. (On the other hand, I also keep laughing at the Paul Blart: Mall Cop commercials, especially when Kevin James is trying to slide behind the poster billboards so take me with a grain of salt).


90210 - Love Me or Leave Me - Ep. 113

Another confession: I've also been watching all of 90201 on The CW. I don't even know why, especially considering I've now fallen so behind on the far superior Supernatural.

The problem with this show is it doesn't know if it wants to be a sweet heart warming show (cue stories with Annie, parents Harry and Debbie, the romance between Annie and Ethan (cute), the romance between Dixon and Silver (cute)) or a bitchy soapy sexy drama (cue Naomi, Adrianna, the hilarious Jessica Walters as grandma Tabitha). It's even confusing former bitchy vixens Brenda and Kelly and turning them into good girls. What's the fun of THAT?

I actually have no problem with the sweet parts when they are done right (see Privileged which can still be dramatic) and because of my devotion to Degrassi, I don't mind Shenae so much and Dustin Milligan is cute whether he was Canadian or not. But why does this show teeter on boredom so MUCH?

Just when things were getting exciting with the fake student/drug enforcement officer and her affair with hot teacher (Ryan Eggold) and Naomi and Annie shared a stepbrother who shows up to shake things up, those stories seem to be excised for... well... I'm not quite sure yet.

Yet I still watch. Why? (no really... why do I keep watching?)

Also, why does AnnaLynne McCord look so old?


Grey's Anatomy - Sympathy for the Devil - Ep. 511
Private Practice - Homeward Bound - Ep. 212

So yeah, instead of watching Supernatural, I keep falling back to my old habit of Grey's and now Private Practice follows so it's like a double dose of disappointment.

Well, at least they had Tim Guinee as Seth who discovers his mom is a lesbian, on Private Practice. I think that's about the only thing that registered with me. (I liked his eyes and his 90's swoopy hair).

You know, I've half-watched the whole season and it was only when I looked up David Sutcliffe on imdb did I finally realize his character name was Kevin. THAT'S how much I wasn't paying attention. Honestly, I was still referring to him as Christopher.

Nothing really registered with me on Grey's this week either except the reminder that Eric Dane is still pretty hot (despite the fake grey's they stick in his hair). I forgot he was hot. That's how this show has made him. Sad.

What happened Shonda Rhimes? You have some of the hottest actors on both your shows and it's become really uninteresting and unsexy. I'm also getting confused to the plotlines now that these two shows are back to back. Whose father/mother is lesbian/dying/visiting?


The Office - The Duel - Ep. 511

Oh man. I forgot Andy didn't know about Angela and Dwight's affair.

And I confess, I've been getting annoyed at Dwight a lot of late. And the show for relying on his oddness to spur the comedy. Ditto with Michael's stupidity. It's a crutch for the show.

But bringing out Dwight's affair with Angela and the whole office looking onto the triangle with Andy was hilarious. Especially between Angela and Andy (a kudos to Angela Kinsey's performance) and Andy and Dwight's eventual Duel.

Oh, and LOVE Creed! ("You're Welcome" after Andy accuses the office of lying and covering up the affair from him)
Love Kelly! (After Angela comments on the dual over her, Kelly: "I guess people have less choices as they grow older")

Meanwhile, it was great to see Michael get praise for a great performance record at the Scranton Branch from the main office!


30 Rock - Flu Shot - Ep. 308

As I said before, 30 Rock is not a good comedy. It's a f#$ken GREAT comedy!

Between the new comic duo of Tracy Jordan/Morgan and Jenna Jane Krakowski (when did they become a comic duo... how did I notice this slowly creep on in the show?), the horror movie spoof with sick people chasing after an about-to-be-on-V8KEK4TICK152 (Vacation)-Liz, and Salma Hayak and Jack going on dates while she's still working, and the thousand other zingers. I'd repeat them but there are just way too many.


My Name Is Earl - Estra or Nada - Ep. 415

This show seriously still really belongs to Jaime Pressly, doesn't it? Darnell helps, but it's all JOY!


American Idol - Ep. 801, 802

Yes, the addition of Kara DioGuardi is good. No, it doesn't really change the show in any dramatic fashion. Groan.

Having 4 judges can be too much (see Canadian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance Canada) where they drone on and on and you just want to shut them up and get back to the contestants but so far I've only noticed (and this is probably simply due to editing and/or not prolonging the arduous audition process) that with 4 judges, it just means they get a shorter time to talk, which is a good way to keep things short with Randy and Paula. In fact, with Paula only allowed to say one line, maybe two max, she actually sort of makes sense! Thanks Kara!

As for the auditions, it's same old, lame old. Though the 2nd night had a few people that seemed to annoy everyone at first until they actually sang (including widower Danny Gokey (who actually lost points with me with his tearful story but won it back with his singing) and straight-laced Indian dude Anoop Desai. I wasn't as impressed with Ashley Anderson who sang the Leona Lewis song. Lil Rounds (really? That's her name? For real?) was good but again, another sad sappy story to pull our heartstrings? Gag me. (I'm sorry but if you're 23 with 3 kids already, you had BETTER be ready for responsibility).

Arianna Afsar (the girl that helps old people) is about the only person I remember from the first night of auditions. There was another girl and I think another guy I thought were decent but so far no one stood out like David Archuleta did in his audition (when I called it WAY back THEN... and yes. I know he didn't win, but yes he did with the poprific "Crush"). Then again, Kelly Clarkson didn't really stand out until the live performances. And we all know we LOVE her!

Man, if it weren't for a pool I was entering, I would totally just skip the auditions. Instead, I need to pick someone by Top 36 week. So let me know who stands out and who y'all are voting for, cause papa needs a new pair of shoes.

More After the Jump...

Queens of Heart - Privileged and Scrubs

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com:

Privileged - All About What Lies Beneath - Ep. 113

You know why I love this show? Because somehow they can write in a scene with a synchronized re-telling of the plight of the Cuban migration to America.

And you dismissed this show as silly and dumb didn't you?

Since Sage likes the new cook Luis (Ignacio Serricchio above), and they think he's Cuban, Sage and Rose decide to throw a charity benefit to Cuba so that they can make Luis the chef in charge and Sage and Luis gets to spend more time together without just bickering. Hence, the whole synchro Cuban thing. I know. It was out of the blue on the show but that's what makes it hilarious!

You know another reason why I love this show? Because as good and wholesome as this show is, like it's main character Megan, it can be a little dirty, like when Marco reacts to Megan finally getting it on with Will in the supply closet at the hospital:

Marco: "so trashy... that's so Grey's of you"! Oh snap! (Also, HOW they got to the hospital? It may be old and it may be slapstick but it was hilarious nonetheless)

Another reason I love this show? Marco may be the snippy, witty and sarcastic gay chef/sidekick but Allan Louis plays it cold and it works. And this time we find out he has a boyfriend! None other than David Monahan as Keith (who I've been in love with since he dated Jack on Dawson's Creek, and who I think is dating Larry Sullivan in real life. It's amazing what you can find out on the net with a little digging).

Too bad the boyfriend didn't last very long as Marco and Keith have differing fights leading them apart.

They sure aren't doing a great job at keeping the hotties on this show? Especially now that news that Michael Cassidy will be leaving the show due to budgetary reasons. How are they going to be paying for Robert Buckley then who joins the show for a few eps? Not that I'm complaining. But how hot would it have been to have both Buckley AND Cassidy together in a scene? The hotness would be too much to bear!

As for now, I'm still happy enough with the charming glow of JoAnna Garcia who can even turn a story of trying to get laid by her boyfriend (who thinks she's the good girl) into something that seems extremely sweet and wholesome (and very funny).


Scrubs - My Jerks, My Last Words - Ep. 801, 802

The gang from Sacred Heart are back! For season 8 (already!???)! And they're at their new home on ABC where even the website is already better set up than the NBC one they were given. I really hope this does well, if only so that they can say SUCK IT NBC but while the first two episodes were improvements over that last season on NBC (which sort of petered out, what happened to the episodes NBC couldn't even be bothered to burn off?), it still has lost a lot of its original zing.

Still, the addition of our good friend Courtney Cox (looking more and more like Demi Moore) as new chief Dr. Maddox seems to work both for the show and her career (not that she needs to work with all that Friends money but at least we know she can be someone other than Monica). I'm not sure I'm really buying the new interns (especially since word is if the show were to continue, this new batch would probably be the shows new stars) who so far are equally as annoying as all the new interns on Grey's Anatomy.

Pitting Cox and Maddox has a nice balance to it, and love that there is finally someone even Jordan has no power over. Love that Maddox fires Janitor and wasn't kidding. Still glad that Keith (the yummy Travis Shuldt) is around and still sad over the breakup with Elliot. Glad that Carla actually tells Elliot the truth and that Turk stays on Carla's side (if only for the sanctity of his marriage). In fact, it's nice to see the whole gang again except if I'm getting slightly tired of one person, it's actually Zach Braff's J.D., whose childish antics may have seemed cute when he was younger (most notably reminded in the original opening where he looks SOOOO much younger) but now that it's 8 years later, it's the weakest part of the show. And oddly, his final year of his contract is the main catalyst to end the show after this season.

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Yup, They're One Of Us! - Canada Day Edition

Happy Canada Day!

In honour of our home and nation land, here's my favorite Canadians on TV because you know we are slowly taking over Hollywood (hehe) and that as a rule, there must be one Canadian on each show for it to be good. (Well, okay, the Australians and British are slowly taking over that rule but at least we are keeping it in the commonwealth). Though actually, looking below, seems like ABC is actually employing the most Canadians (as well as the Gays). I knew there was a reason why ABC is now my favorite network!

Sandra Oh as Christina Yang in Grey's Anatomy

Emily Vancamp as Rebecca in Brothers & Sisters

Luke MacFarlane as Scotty in Brothers & Sisters (who also made the Pride Edition! Gay AND Canadian!)

Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights

Cobie Smulders as Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother

Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop in the upcoming Fringe

Donald Sutherland as Tripp Darling in Dirty Sexy Money

Evangeline Lilly as Kate Austen in Lost

Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reid in Scrubs

Victor Garber as Jordan Wethersby in Eli Stone

James Tupper as Jack Slattery in Men In Trees

Some Other Canucks:

Plus Half the cast of Men In Trees including Sarah Strange, Suleka Matthews, Timothy Webber, Ty Olsson, Nicholas Lea and Currie Graham
Natasha Henstridge as Taylor Wethersby in Eli Stone
William Shatner as Denny Crane in Boston Legal
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in 24
Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang in Smallville
Vik Sahay as Lester in Chuck
Jeremy Ratchford as Nick Vera in Cold Case
Tyler Labine as Bert 'Sock' Wysocki in Reaper
Missy Peregrym as Andi in Reaper
David Cubitt as Detective Lee Scanlon in Medium
Tricia Helfer as Number Six in Battlestar Galactica
Grace Park as Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii in Battlestar Galactica

Did I miss anybody?

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Tapeworthy - Men in Trees, Desperate Housewives, Samantha Who?, Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, Bones, Corner Gas

Men In Trees - Wander/Lust - Ep. 215, Kiss and Don't Tell - Ep. 216
Desperate Housewives - In Buddy's Eyes - Ep. 412
Samantha Who? - The Butterflies - Ep. 112
Scrubs - My Bad Too - Ep. 707, My Manhood - Ep. 708
The Big Bang Theory - The Bat Jar Conjecture - Ep. 113
Bones - Player Under Pressure - Ep. 311
Corner Gas - Final Countdown - Ep. 518 - Season Finale

Men In Trees: Seriously, with my pathetic love life, I have to live vicariously through Men in Trees. I really should just move to Alaska shouldn't I? I especially love/live through Jane and Plow Guy Sam the most. Seriously, adorable! Loved when he bought the ring from the lost and found at his work (the sanitary dept. for the city) and Jane was grossed out, lost the ring, fell in love with it and had it returned right to her on her doorstep. Cute and a complete fairy tale but a fairy tale I so needed.

Also loved the awkwardness of Julia's (Kelli Williams) return last week AND Cash's (Scott Elrod) return this week. It's so silly that Marin and Jack can't seem to have friends of the opposite sex and be cool with it but the way they write it, it actually seems real and grounded.

Patrick finally has the gumption to go on his round the world trip and stops in New York joining Jane at her workplace where he charms Sofia Vergara and everyone else in the office with his small town boy charms! Annie finds herself alone in Elmo but charms newly single Buzz (from losing Mai's Hawaii-in-the-home fund to a gambling addiction) and all the radio listeners when she replaces Patrick at the mic. Annie was adorable getting Buzz to trust her ("hell no!") but why has no one even mentioned her adorable short haircut?

I had to laugh when Sofia Vergara's character asks Jane to essentially pimp out Patrick to her in exchange for her book deal. I love that this show throws in salacious things all the time and it still somehow feels like a wholesome show.

Desperate Housewives: As much as seeing Jason Gedrick again is not a terrible thing, I kinda hoped the pizza place thing and Lynette's family troubles would simmer down a bit. For goodness sake, let something good happen to the woman for once!

Orson's sleep walking was truly disturbing, and when he unknowingly revealed all in front of Julie, I had shivers Lost style on me. CREEPY!

Bree's comeuppance at the awards ceremony that was intended for HER was cliched yet still hilarious and her newfound respect/realization of Katherine as a perfect frenemy seems potentially frentastic!

Samantha Who? and Scrubs: One's new, one's getting old, and both are not at the game level they should be playing at (but both may be on the same network come fall), but I like the main characters enough to continue to stick by, even though I'm not laughing as much as they could be making me.

I'm still contending that Judy Reyes and John C. McGinley deserve Emmy Awards so I almost want Scrubs to continue staying on until they get a nomination in the very least.

The Big Bang Theory: Jim Parsons = hilarity. Jim Parsons + guest star Sara Gilbert + her former Roseanne costar Johnny Galecki = something far funnier than all of Chuck Lorre's previous efforts combined. I found myself already laughing out loud several times as Leonard, Rajnesh and Howard ask Leslie to beat Sheldon in a quiz showdown, but Howard's victory strip took it to another level.

I actually like Kaley Cuoco but at this point, her Penny is pretty useless to the proceedings. They really need to ask Sara Gilbert to join permanently.

Bones: Someone remind me not to eat dinner while I watch this show, which always seems to happen. And then I end up sitting with my mouth open in disgust, this time when a star college basketball player gets SQUEEZED through a grate. Ewwwwwwww.

It's also a second week in a row where one of the suspects/creepy people is a Lost alum! This week with Artz (Daniel Roebuck) as someone suspected of giving the star player some steroids.

But again, the real fun is back at the lab, with Hodgins uses Cam's personal blender to mix larvae (again, remind me NOT to eat while watching this show), Cam attempts to get Angela to keep Hodgins in check, and nicely blackmails her with a surveillance tape of the storage closet at lunch time that features starring roles with a naked Hodgins and Angela. I love that Cam was nice about it and that Angela ends up being quite proud of the tape!

Corner Gas: On the season finale, Brent turns 40 and plans to drink the 20 year old whiskey he bought 20 years ago that Hank had used 20 years ago. Loved Emma and Lacey's cake bake off fight but this was also the episode that seems to be getting some attention in the states for the small random cameo from Kiefer Sutherland as himself, living in his mother's (Canadian actress Shirley Douglas who has been on the show as someone else and just guest starred on Degrassi) house.

Here's the clip where Davis calls for backup and get the son of Shirley Douglas on the phone:

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The ABC's of Ensembles and Peacock Comedies

Ugly Betty - Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ep. 206
Grey's Anatomy - Kung Fu Fighting - Ep. 406
The Office - Branch Wars - Ep. 406
Scrubs - My Hard Labor - Ep. 702
Men In Trees - I Wood If I Could - Ep. 204
Desperate Housewives - Now I Know, Don't Be Scared - Ep. 406
Brothers & Sisters - Two Places - Ep. 206

Betty goes to see Wicked, Jim ends up going to see Karen, brides-to-be are fighting for a wedding dress and somehow George falls into the middle of it, JD is actually a father (scary), Marin keeps rebuffing Jack's advances (WHAT THE???) while she throws Annie and Patrick each a bachelorette and bachelor (or O'Bachelorton actually) party, respectively, and Danielle has her baby while Kitty will not.

I had heard that the Ugly Betty goes Wicked episode was its weakest one yet (well, just from one reviewer) but I'm glad to say that I loved the episode. So much that I would even consider seeing Wicked again to see if maybe I missed something (since I kinda hated it). That's how good Ugly Betty was. It made me even reconsider Wicked just a little bit.

Betty is secretly seeing Henry, afraid of what everyone might be warning her of, and tells a concerned (and cute) Daniel that she's dating the annoying (to her, adorably annoying to us) Gio the Sandwich man. Daniel gets them tickets to Wicked, Betty's favorite musical, only to end up joining her while trying to woo a new client (Marlo Thomas) by trying to seduce the elder woman. Betty and Henry try to secretly see each other at Wicked, only to wind up in a compromising position in front of the entire audience. Amanda discovers Marc's new boyfriend Cliff after Marc shuns him in public (because the fashion industry can be SOOOO homophobic!), while Justin discovers that mom Hilda has been working at a joint that makes Hooters look classy. Wilhelmina overhears Marc and Amanda dissing her sad love life and also must gain some pounds to fill out her Vera Wang dress. Yes. I said Wilhelmina is EATING. And eating a LOT. Eating whatever Betty is eating!

So many hilarious moments, so little Ugly Betty time!

Grey's Anatomy has yet another great episode that can now officially count itself as back and in good health again (not seen since the days of Denny), George winds up as a surrogate contest player for a bride-to-be that gets injured against another bride (Chryssie Whitehead, so adorable as Kristine last year in the revival of A Chorus Line) while their fiance's (one of which is Steve Sandvoss, so hot in Latter Days) watch on in eager anticipation of the $100k wedding prize. It's an evil situation George is placed into by McDreamy much to the enjoyment of Callie. Thank god Callie is regaining her personality again and mournful Callie is sucking it up and moving on. You go girl! Meanwhile, thank goodness Izzie and George are played by Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight because if it weren't for the terrific actors, I'd really get irked by the continuance of Gizzie, but right now, I'm just letting it get played out and trying not to get grossed out when I see them together (since they are more like brother/sister buddy buddy and not lovers buddy buddy). Izzie is determined to give George a big romantic date but she gets a terrific case (that Christina is yet again, trying to steal) with Dr. Hahn which tires her out into a blubbering mess when they finally make it into a romantic bubble bath.

Dr. Hahn is here and is here to stay. Awesome. I LOVE Dr. Hahn. I don't know why I love her level of strong and smart woman in power where KaDee Strickland annoys the hell out of me on Private Practice but I think the actors have a lot to do with it. Brooke Smith totally rocks! And she's rocking the boat when Richard tries to have a gentleman's night out with the McBoys (which sounds a little gay to me anyways). Apparently being gentlemen means playing Monopoly (my rule of thumb? By everything you land on, then when you make back your original starting amount, move it to the side and play only with the extra money. Yes, I'm a saver.)

If Ugly Betty perfects the level of cartoon hilarity with some hidden emotional depth and realism, I worry that The Office which perfected the art of hilarity within the mundane reality of life, is becoming more cartoonish and silly. I mean, there's always been Dwight but Michael's antics and yes, it's still funny. Very funny. But when Michael, Dwight and a dragged-along Jim put on moustaches to infiltrate Dunder Mifflin Utica in order to poach a salesperson to replace Stanley (who was just poached by Utica manager Karen), it got a little too off-the-wall and unbelievable for my beloved The Office which really excels in the smaller moments, like when Pam quietly apologizes to Oscar and Toby after she lets Jim into the Finer Things Club. To be honest, I was a little suprised this was another episode directed by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and God to some, I don't think he's God per say but he's a pretty good TV creator, I'll give him that).

I loved that other than having sex with men, The Finer Things Club is the gayest thing Oscar does!

Jim reunites with Karen in Utica and she's a bitter bitter girl (I would be too if I left The Office for a midseason replacement). Especially after hearing how happy Jim and Pam are. Andy tries to join The Finer Things Club and Stanley's branch switching bluff is inadvertently called out by Michael. Stanley rocks!

Elizabeth Banks has a baby on Scrubs and now can return to her movie career. I wish I loved Scrubs more right now, and while it's still a good show, the latecomers to the series have already missed the boat on earlier high points. Now I'm just watching for closure and out of duty. Carla still rocks and calls out Turk for not being a more supportive friend to JD when the baby is due. Jude Reyes really needs an Emmy. Oh wait. I just read this from tvtattle! "Scrubs" star Judy Reyes inks talent deal with ABC Studios

On Men In Trees, Marin dreams of Jack, yet when Jack's wood gesture (bringing chopped wood for Marin, what did you think I was talking about) is rebuffed, I'm all confused. Jack wants to go on the date they never managed to have (because of Lynn's surprise arrival) but Marin wants lots of time to deal with it (uh, whatever, you can deal with it in the hunky hunky man's arms). Either way, she's busy trying to plan Annie's perfect bachelorette party and a bachelor party for easy going Patrick. Neither claim they want strippers but the rest of the town (or at least the men) are insistant of it. Celia will have none of it, being the respectable police chief, while Sara and the hot pastor Eric (Nicholas Lea!) get even closer, until he reveals he cannot have sex until marriage, which puts a damper on Sarah, who while respecting the honourable gesture, lives in the real world with real needs (say it sister!) and isn't sure how much she wants to commit to the relationship. Especially when staring into someone like Nicholas Lea's face. That's just cruel.

Everything unravels though when Marin agrees to go canoeing with Jack and fall into the water. Hot pastor Eric goes to help Sara when Matty gets sick and bonds with the boy, making him even hotter to Sara (and us). Sara (the hot Suleka Mathew) is hot and beautiful enough to make Eric reconsider his pastor vows. Annie gets her perfect bachelorette party and while Celia had been giving her the cold shoulder throughout the planning, is an emotional love-in as a drunk, finally letting her true feelings about Annie out in the open (and it's a good response, saying Annie is the best thing for her son Patrick). I love Celia drunk. I love Cynthia Stevenson for taking the role of Celia and that while she usually does twisted dark things like Todd Solondz movies, she can do fluffy shows like Men In Trees. Patrick finally reveals his secret desire and Marin gets him a mud wrestling woman. Too bad she didn't specify TWO HOT women instead of ONE SCARY one. After letting Jerome mud wrestle, Patrick braves the fight but in a losing battle, he's saved by Annie when the parties merge. Awww... though George's original party plans might have been a little more my taste, the episode was still cute enough. Speaking of cute enough...

The gay neighbours try to make nice by throwing a Halloween party for the Desperate Housewives, except Susan who they hate, and is forced into a boring storyline about Mike's killer father (though at least it gives James Denton a few more lines and some screen time this season). Bob and Lee accidentally catch a glimpse of Danielle and Bree explains it off as Andrew in drag, forcing him to be Cher for Halloween! Orson looks funny in his costume but nothing tops Danielle who shows up as Bree as a way to piss the real Bree off. At least until Danielle's water breaks and Bree asks Adam (dressed as Frankenstein) for help, letting him in on the secret he already knows about.

In a great scene, Lynette's kids, ready to play a trick on Bree and Orson for not answering the door as Danielle's having her baby, sneaks in the back and catches Frankenstein holding up the icky new baby!

Meanwhile, Lynette is trying to kill an opossum. Really. That's what her storyline was. Yet, in another showing of how great acting can overcome odd storylines, Felicity Huffman and Doug Savant turn the hunt for rodent into an emotional breakthrough against her cancer which she finally finds out, she is clear from. Poor Doug Savant is totally underated.

Edie is out to screw Gabrielle and Carlos as she brings the affair news to Victor, but only after he convinces Gaby of staying (after Gaby tries to leave him over a hotel answering machine). Edie knows of Carlos' off-shore accounts and brings the news to the IRS (or as Gaby puts it, the money he embezzled, half of which she deserved in the divorce settlement). I'm liking these little twist and turns between Gaby and Carlos and everyone else involved, though I wish John was back in the loop somehow. Still, evil Edie is mad and vengeful so I'm interested to see where this is going.

Finally, in another slightly downer episode of Brother & Sister, Kitty is forced to have a shotgun wedding with Senator McCalister after an expert/ruthless political advisor/pr consultant (more 80's moviestar power, Danny Glover, appearing on the series) advises her as Robert's best career move in his bid for Presidency. The consultant meets the always fiesty Nora when Nora busts in on Kitty at work, screaming and yelling (always good fun with the Walkers on this show!). Nora agrees to get the whole family involved in planning the wedding, and thus pulls Tommy away from his affair with Rebecca's friend Lena. Rebecca takes Justin out with Lena and catches them making out. Sarah deals with a Paige, still upset over the divorce, and Kevin helps out poor Scotty when he finds out he's homeless due to tuition payments.

Everyone is forced to help out with Kitty's wedding until she finds out that the baby hasn't survived and it's time to bring on the sadness to Brothers & Sisters. Not my favorite episode and we are still dealing with druggie Justin and Sara's divorce but on the plus side, Scotty is really back in Kevin's life which I'm sure will cause some interesting annoyances when hot pastors Jason McCalister returns. Or at least that's how I wish it to happen.

I'm also glad they are giving Tommy something to do, but does he HAVE to have an affair with the new girl when Julia is gone? So obvious and lame...Now if Kevin had an affair with Scotty... well... that's a different story.

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