Tapeworthy 2000

It's my 2000th post!!!

So in the 3 years and 3 months that it's taken me to write 2000 posts, I've watched a LOT of stuff (as you may have noticed), and while the blog has expanded from its initial TV talk and as I lost my co-blogger (she found a boyfriend, moved to New Zealand and lived happily ever after. Bitch! (You know I still love ya "highbrow")), I've carried on ranting and raving about all the shows I've loved.

Since I basically write this blog just to put out my Best of Lists, I thought I'd take a look back at the shows that made it to #1 on my Best of TV lists. I however only just realized that only 3 shows have gotten that coveted spot since 2005.

Best of TV 2008
Best of TV 2007 - 2008 TV Season
Best of TV 2007
Best of TV 2006 - 2007 TV Season
Best of TV 2006
Best of TV 2005 - 2006 TV Season
Best of TV 2005

So here are the most Tapeworthy shows that were #1 on my Best of Lists since I've started the blog (in order from oldest to newest, though if you follow my blog, they're kinda obvious):

Everwood

Season 2 is FINALLY coming out June 16, 2009, 5 years after the first season DVD was released. You can watch on TheWB online in the states, or catch up on abcFamily. While the first season is a solid start, and the second season is enjoyable, it's really during the 3rd and the 4th and final season that Everwood becomes rock solid, and one of the best family dramas. And it topped my TV list during the end of its run, just as I had started this blog.

Lost

From the very first episode, and all through the first season, we were blown away as we got sucked into the lives of the surviving passengers of Oceanic 815. We discovered The Others in season 2, and while it may have gotten a little muddled around season 2 and 3, the third season finale made it all worth it and the show continued to confuse us and enthrall us during season 4. And of course, we just ended season 5, and I'm as confused as ever, and I cannot wait for more!!!

Friday Night Lights

I'm still amazed this amazingly honest and heartbreaking show still manages to be on NBC after 3 seasons (with 2 more seasons to come!). Thanks to a DirecTV partnership, the brutally realistic lives of an average Texan town are laid bare for all of us to watch, as we become as emotionally connected with the characters as they would in the townsfolks themselves.

Here are noteworthy shows that I've loved, but that just missed the top spot through the years:

Veronica Mars

I never actually put this at the top of my list but it always came mightily close in its short 3 season run. And if I had my blog a year earlier, it probably would have landed on top with its stunning first season. The second season only got deeper and richer and I'm not sure why I didn't rank it higher, because repeat viewings have not soften the gritty and witty edges of this show.

Pushing Daisies

Always a bridesmaid, the colourful show about death and life and life again never got the respect and time for growth it deserved, and had it ran longer, was probably going to top the list at some point, but alas, the show (which still has 3 episodes left to air on ABC starting later this spring, yet has aired everywhere else in the world) couldn't manage to stay alive to develop the twists and romantic turns on this mystery show.

So You Think You Can Dance

There was a lot of brilliance in this reality-tv competition and while I couldn't get into the first season, the second season sucked me in and I've never let go. From the entertaining and informative judges, the variety of thrilling choreography, and the numerous lovable dancers to root for as they get put through the choreography grind, makes the show such a fun summer watch.

The Office

While the show has faltered and risen again, the show was a splendid, superbly taut and sublime comedy especially when they managed to make their own US version its own against an already cult British original (especially during seasons 2 and 3). It always came SOOO close to topping my chart.


And here are shows that topped my list in the recent years before this blog Tapeworthy was born:

Gilmore Girls

Like a heartwarming yet sarcastic feelgood play on TV every week, and the first 6 seasons was the smartest comfort food TV since the other GG girls (The Golden Girls) were on the air. I have all the DVD's and can still watch them anytime, and I still watch it whenever I see a repeat.

Alias

Sydney Bristow kicks ass and she had an amazing team behinds her. And some great friends in her real world as spy lives, daddy issues and the blur between the good guys and the bad are blended here in an exciting and twisted first 4 seasons. It ended out messily but lets just erase that from our minds and focus on the great stuff.

Roswell

Aliens in high school but it was such an allegory for so much more, and between the emo music and the dreamy cast (I still dream of Jason Behr), the first season was beautifully written and emotionally enthralling. The following seasons lost track of its initial beauty and meaningful scripts but for the first season alone, it was all worth it.

The Amazing Race

Oh Phil! The travel porn show is always fun and exciting even during the bad seasons, but when it was great, especially when all of it was new and unknown, it was GREAT TELEVISION (especially the 2nd season).


And there are still many many many more that I haven't listed (Buffy! Arrested Development! Coupling (UK)!), some I'm still getting through (finally catching up with Dexter) but alas, that's why I've had 2000 posts to talk about them all and I'll continue to yammer away at more worthiness! Plus you can always check the sidebars including the DVDworthy section or the TVworthy sections and of course, the Tapeworthy sections for the best current shows worthy to be watched!


Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List

Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List

Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List

Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Reality Redux - The Amazing Race, Survivor, Project Runway Canada, American Idol

There seems to be a lot of second chances going around reality TV these days. I'm not sure how I feel about all that. Kinda puts an

The Amazing Race - Rooting Around in People's Mouths Could Be Unpleasant - Ep. 1408

Oh sure, a week after Mel and Mike were eliminated on a round I was SURE would be a non-elimination round, NOW there's a non-elimination round which saves Mark and Michael. WRONG MIKE. UGH. Not that I hate Mark and Michael but I wanted Mel and Mike to stay around a lot longer. Oh well, considering how far behind Mark and Michael are now with their penalty, AND the extra challenge they're going to have to do, I'm sure we will soon say goodbye to them.

Alas, I'm just waiting to see the "bitch" comment fallout with Luke.


Survivor: Tocantins - The First Fifteen Days, One of Those Coach Moments, The Dragon Slaye - Eps. 1806-1808

They finally merge and then get a reprieve from Tribal Council. Whew for them. Sucks for Joe (who was taken away for medical purposes). Still, I'm waiting for the real action to begin now that the sort of secret cross-tribal alliance are now together. I've felt before the merge, it came down to just surviving until the merge and losing some of the loose ends (seriously, I can barely remember who already got kicked off). Let's hope tonight gets more exciting, since it seems since the pointless recap episode (where about the only new and interesting thing we learned is that Stephen and Brendan like to cuddle on Exile), it's been calm, let's hope before a new storm.

At this point, I don't really know who to root for anymore. Well, besides Brendan of course. Well, I don't really care if he wins, as so much as I want him to marry me. Although if he does marry me, it would be nice if he had the million dollars. Am I asking for too much?

I like JT but boy better not make a boneheaded move, and I'm afraid he just might soon. Plus stop talking to Coach. If only for Coach's icky factor. I still like Taj but half the time I think it's just because she lucked out and teamed up with Brendan.

Also, because I'm shallow, is Stephen's body WAY hotter than you would have thought he would be?

More on Project Runway Canada, American Idol (Spoilers for those that haven't watched):

Project Runway Canada - The Final 3 Recap, Toronto Fashion Week - Eps. 211-212 - Season Finale

I love Iman. She makes this show. LOVE HER! Her presence has definitely kept this second season interesting because lets face it, it was the most predictable season of the show ever. Because Sunny just rocked it from the start. So if he didn't win, it would be a joke. And if he did, it would have been pretty much expected all season long.

Seriously, Sunny was heads above the rest and never faltered any week. Jessica did well, and it was so great to see her really come into her own but Sonny had been consistent right from the start.

Meanwhile, while I do think Jason has lots of talent, he still needs to hone in his imagination and figure himself out, cause boy is inconsistent. Plus, the fact that he was kicked off, then brought back in a save, makes his final 3 appearance in Toronto's Fashion Week a little bit of a sham. It should have been Adejoke. Jason's collection was decent though I am surprised at how badly he got criticized by the judges.

But alas, it doesn't really matter since the winner had to be Sunny. Who finally (and deservedly) got a second chance at Fashion Week.


American Idol - Top 7 - Results Night - The Cut from 7 to 6 (Or Not)

So they used the save on Matt huh? You know what this means? More people actually voted for Lil than Matt. Who ARE they? And WHY?

On the other hand, she's one of my pool picks so more points for me!

This also means next week could be a bloodbath, knowing America's inconsistent voting patterns. Since Allison was safe this week (whew!) and Anoop and Lil were bottom 3 still, whatever fans they may have left might run to the phones. I hope everyone else realizes that you need to keep dialing for Allison and Kris.

Oh well, I was hoping they wouldn't ever use the save and now it just really prolongs Matt's eventual ouster.

Oh, also, with Miley performing. It proves anybody can be a star. ANYBODY. And with Jennifer Hudson performing proves, you don't have to win to be a true star. So really, anything goes.

For more on American Idol:
Click here for the most recent posts.
Season 8:
Top 2 Performance
Top 3 Performance, Top 3 Results
Top 4 Performance, Top 4 Results
Top 5 Performance, Top 5 Results
Top 6 + Matt (Top 7 Redux) Performance, Top 7 Redux Results
Top 7 Performance, Top 7 Results
Top 8 Performance, Top 8 Results
Top 9 Performance
Top 10 Performance
Top 12 Performance, Top 12 Results
Top 13 Performance, Top 13 Results
Top 36:
Group 1, Group 2, Group 3
Wild Card, Wild Card Results
Pre-Top 36:
Who Are You Going To Vote For?
Handicapping the Alleged American Idols
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

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

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

Cupid - Pilot - Ep. 101

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

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

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


90210 - The Bad and the Trusted - Ep. 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dollhouse - Man on the Street - Ep. 106

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


Lost - He's Our You - Ep. 510

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

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

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


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

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


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

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



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

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

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

The Life And Times Of Spoiled Brats - The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, Gossip Girl, Kings and More

The Secret Life of The American Teenager - One Night at Band Camp - Eps. 122

OMG OMG OMG. The baby is coming the baby is coming! I'm assuming the baby will arrive tonight on the season finale of this surprisingly addictive show. I still can't believe how much I'm LOVING this show (from the creator of 7th Heaven, a show I despise with a passion), which is like the anti-Gossip Girl in terms of production value but in all it's low-rent sets and awkward acting, there's some hilarious dialogue and more soapy twists than Serena and Dan have been through.

And now we get to see it from the start! A last week's flashbacks took us back to BAND CAMP! When Ricky first met Amy and got Amy preggers. You gotta admit, the kid's got swagger and his current emotional state (getting him to ask Ashley to be a friend in true desperation) somehow rings true.

And LOVE that Amy is such a spoiled naive brat and is SOOO uninformed and ill-prepared about the pregnancy. Yes it HURTS. You're squeezing a whole HUMAN through your birth canal. And YES, you have one! (Hysterical!)

I also love that everyone somehow finds an excuse to come to the hospital, including Grace's brother Tom. Though as much as like the new Jack this later half of the season, I think it's wrong that Grace is considering going back to him. I am enjoying her friendship with Adrian though. Man, I can't get enough of this show.


Gossip Girl - The Age of Dissonance, The Grandfather - Eps. 218-219

Oh Gossip Girl, how I've missed you and your sarcastic narrations and twisty twisted soapy plots that change faster than the rules to a stimulus package.

And oh how I missed you Dorota! Who keeps Blair in check! Cause I certainly can't keep up with who she's with, who she's against, who wronged her or who she's siding with anymore. It's all getting too complicatedly delicious!

Last week she was all in a rage against Serena for blasting out to Gossip Girl herself, but it wasn't Serena, it was Dan, no it wasn't Dan, it was Rachel. Ah, her rage against Dan continues and now her rage against Rachel is back after the teach destroyed her Yale prospects.

Meanwhile, points for casting NYTimes resident theatre critic Charles Isherwood as NYTimes resident theatre critic Charles Isherwood in his Upper East Side debut. Especially when he loved the messed up version of The Age of Innocence performed by our resident spoiled brats. Yuki in a fat suit was particularly fabulous! Or Nate breaking the fourth wall. Or Dan making out with the disgraced teach Rachel in the costume closet!

In even bigger points for casting, tonight's episode casts Broadway's Aaron Tveit (Broadway's upcoming Next to Normal AND the upcoming Broadway-bound Catch Me If You Can, last years Saved, Next to Normal, Wicked, Hairspray) as Tripp, Nate's cousin. AND James Naughton (Chicago) as Nate's grandfather.

More on Gossip Girl, Kings, Degrassi: TNG, The Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters:

So Nate gets convinced to attend the big family reunion, the same family that pretty much disowned them when his father disgraced them, and gets slowly suckered back into his rich waspy world. Poor Vanessa, who with Dan, convinced the poor guy to basically walk away from the only healthy relationship he had. Oh well, more shots of Nate! and More shots of Aaron Tveit as Tripp!

Lily and Rufus decide to reveal their "lists" which is a clever way to create LOTS of backstory for young Lily in the spinoff (Britany Snow! hurrah!). Basically, Lily was a slut. And Rufus was not.

Meanwhile, slutty spoiled Chuck is trying to stop slutty spoiled Blair from falling into Carter Baizen's slutty spoiled hands (Sebastian Stan, also playing spoiled on Kings, see below). And instead Chuck loses Blair to someone ELSE? AGAIN? Oh Dorota, shouldn't you clean up this mess?


Kings - Prosperity - Ep. 102

Enjoyed the second episode but does everyone bad have to look so nefarious? It's like only the bad guys have bad skin. Lots of wrinkles? You must have been in the sun a lot and it therefore made you want to scheme and plot.

Well, Sebastian Stan doesn't have bad skin but I'm not sure his Jack is really all that bad (yet) and more just playing the poor spoiled misunderstood and underestimated son of the King. He's essentially Chuck on Gossip Girl, Stan's archenemy on that show.

I think now that I know they've filmed the whole season (thanks to RJ) so I know it will actually be wrapped up, puts me at ease about this show. I'm not sure I could watch this forever but I'm loving the whole production so far. Plus Brian Cox as the secret overthrown king hiding in some lair underneath King Silas' compound? Awesome!

I'm not sure if I'm getting all the symbolism and all the warring sides because it's either too complicated or too simple (and I'm just thinking it's complicated) but it's all kinda fun to watch and it feels all very grande!


Degrassi: The Next Generation - Touch of Grey, Heart of Glass - Eps. 815-816

That whole scene where Kelly gets caught with Emma's pot seemed a bit too coordinated. Of COURSE he gets caught while trying to dump her stash. How convenient.

Meanwhile, cutiepie (and a sort of younger Canadian version of Zac Efron, no?) K.C. (Samuel Earle) is apparently a rageaholic. Seriously? Even for Degrassi, that seemed to come out of nowhere to try to give him an "issue".

Then Alli continues her pursuit of Johnny only to sleep with him, but in a bigger shocker, Johnny was ALSO a virgin AND seems super sweet about it all. (Seriously, if you cut Scott Paterson's blond tresses, he's actually a really handsome fella) It was actually kind of a sweet episode, even though we knew this was coming all along.


The Amazing Race - Alright Guys, We're at War! - Ep. 1406

Camels!

Okay, so last week the flight attendants finally avoided elimination but alas, nothing really changed this week and it was the end for the skyhags (I've been one so I can say that). Not much new except that Mike and Mel continue to surprise. I was just thinking poor Mel seems to get all the hard challenges but Mike seemed to have noticed this week was a bad challenge to give his older father to do (to carry buckets of water back and forth).

I also think if Victor isn't out, he needs to come out now. Seriously, this trip seems to be a whole awakening for him.


Desperate Housewives - A Spark to Pierce the Dark - Ep. 518

The one where Edie gets killed. And where Orson almost gets killed.

I know the big shock was that Dave didn't end up killing Edie Britt and in a twist of fate, her escape lead to her own demise when she crashed into an electric pole and fried herself. How undignified and unsexy? Man, Marc Cherry really had it out for Nicolette didn't he?

Meanwhile, I'm actually liking the idea of Lynette working with Carlos (as it finally mixes in the men with the housewives' lives, though can she even really be called a housewife anymore?) but the storyline seemed more filler. Still, the comeuppance against Carlos' ex-now-VP (the much missed Leslie Boone, though I didn't really buy her sudden turn as a meanie) was fun, especially with Lynette pushing Gabi's girls to be bad.

I didn't care for Orson's continued downfall either except that it brought in more of Andrew to show up in a few scenes (but really, way too few).

I did love Susan with the return of ex-husband Karl. if only so that she could throw a can of paint on him in front of the headmaster.

Still, this was really the episode Dave was supposed to kill Katherine and where Edie catches onto his grand plan. Now what's the next twist?!


Brothers & Sisters - Spring Broken - Eps. 319

The episode where Ryan becomes a dickwad plot device again and turns Justin against Rebecca. And where Holly conveniently becomes nice when Tommy disappears and is let off the hook. Okay. Let's MOVE ON! And make Ryan nice again, cause I like looking at his face!

At least Greg Berlanti moved Matt Letscher over from his other show Eli Stone and brings him on as Kitty's new potential... something. Man, when did Letscher get so sexy? Loved him on The New Adventures of Old Christine but I still remember him as the annoying douchebag on Good Morning, Miami (yes, I don't know why I remember that show, but I do).

And Sarah goes BACK to Ojai. Again. And leaves hippieville. Too bad, I kinda liked the hippieville storyline. Plus it finally gave Eric Christian Olsen a respectable role for once.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Full Circle - ER, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock and More

ER - In Times of Old - Ep. 1519

It's the countdown to the series finale and I'm totally suckered back into watching (and have been since Noah Wylie came back). I mean, it started when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. Like before university. Before all my jobs. And that was a LONG TIME AGO. (Sadly, I had pimples then, and I still have pimples now. WTF?) So I think everyone had a mid 90's flashback when Carol and Doug, Benton and Carter are mixing it up with Neela and Morris. Plus was anyone thrown off for a second when you realized John Stamos is technically the replacement to George Clooney? I mean, love Stamos but really? Then again, Clooney wasn't Clooney until this show. Before that, he was just that dude with the big chin and big hair from The Facts of Life. Hmm.. maybe the similarities aren't so different after all. The Facts of Life = Full House.

Anyways, George Clooney, Noah Wylie, Julianna Margulies and Eriq La Salle's returns were nicely done, without any huge RETURN blinking over their heads. Even Susan Sarandon's guest spot seemed subdued. It was all very smoothly integrated into the current show. Though I'm sure we were all waiting for Doug and Carol to figure out that the organs were being donated to Carter but it never happened which was a nice touch for quality but not for wish fulfillment.

And while I stopped watching regularly and I know people say its not the same, I still like the current cast.

But man, just thinking back, a LOT of people have passed through the halls of County.


More on Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, The Office, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, Survivor: Tocantins, The Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Brothers & Sisters, The Mentalist, Lie To Me, Bones, Castle, America's Best Dance Crew, The Secret Life of The American Teenager:

Ugly Betty - A Mother Of A Problem - Ep. 318
30 Rock - The Funcooker - Ep. 314

Is it me or does Ugly Betty and 30 Rock seem more compatible than what their respective networks have given them? Between the real New York City setting, the zaniness of it all, and sharing Broadway guest stars (with Patti LuPone as both Frank's mom and Marc's mom), these shows really should be on the same network.

This week Christine Byranski is Matt's mom (when she isn't Leonard's mom and singing with Sheldon) and gives an even BETTER case for Matt to stick around. Because is beady-eyed cutie Matt is still around in Betty's life, so will Byranski's rich bitch mom to be a thorn in Betty's back.

Liz has to get out of jury duty but her crazy tricks (getting all Star Wars freakish) don't work in New York. Jenna goes crazy. Tracy goes crazy. Business as usual!


The Office - Golden Ticket - Ep. 517
The New Adventures of Old Christine - Too Close For Christine - Eps. 417
Gary Unmarried - Gary Uses His Veto - Eps. 116

Top respected comedies The Office and The New Adventures of Old Christine were good but... um... I think I laughed the loudest at Gary Unmarried this week. What's happening to me?

I mean, I still don't get the opener and closer at Dundler Mifflin (with the Knock Knock jokes and all) but the Golden Ticket was amusing with a great outcome. And Kristen Johnston guesting as a fellow parent of Richie's new friend (so awkwardly nerdy it's like they were being groomed to be future Dwight's) and who is simply as crazy as Christine.

But when Gary uses his veto power to stop his daughter Louise from taking chinese lessons, and then tries to sneak her to golf lessons, I couldn't stop laughing. Granted, as I keep saying, the two kids (Ryan Malgarini and Kathryn Newton) have amazing comedic timing and very showy but yet doesn't have that creepy kid-actors vibe.


The Amazing Race - She's a Little Scared of Stick, But I Think She'll Be OK - Ep. 1405
Survivor: Tocantins - You're Going to Want that Tooth - Eps. 1805

That snow machine in Siberia looks far more complicated than it has to be. But it kinda looks cool. And scary. I'm not sure what the last challenge's point was, other than to show gratuitous skin despite the cold weather.

Meanwhile, lots of gratuitous skin shots on Survivor. Duh, the main reason I still watch this show! Well, that and the blindsides. Anyways, while team hidden rainbow is leading the pack on The Amazing Race, with Luke (who isn't actually out on the show from what we know) lands in first place with his mom again, in-the-closet-on-the-island Spencer is out. Of the island that is. So much for that. Oh well, I like Brendan and Stephen and even farmboy JT more anyways.

I gotta say though, I still don't know which team to root for cause I kinda like most people on both teams. Well, except Coach. But who doesn't.


Desperate Housewives - The Story of Lucy and Jessie - Ep. 517

And again, Gabi is making me laugh. A lot. From her infinite smile at the funeral where Carlos finds out he's getting his dead boss' position. To telling Lynette that she's flattered but not interested after already having kissed Susan to prove her lesbian point? Hilarious! Then she's okay with Carlos' VP and ex-girlfriend? And she's Lesley Boone from Ed!?!? Awesome!

And then Swoosie Kurtz (from the sadly departed Pushing Daisies) is the lesbian after Susan's heart? Doubly awesome!


The Mentalist - Crimson Casanova, Scarlett Fever, Bloodshot - Eps. 114-116
Bones - The Bones That Foam - Ep. 415
Lie To Me - Love Always - Ep. 105
Castle - Pilot - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere

This week, The Mentalist Patrick Jane goes blind after someone sets off a bomb in the parking lot but he's still seems to see things better than everyone else does. Yet again, there's an easy red herring and the whole episode slyly leads us through the mystery, subconsciously guiding us along to think we're two steps ahead, and yet it's still really fun to watch. It helps that they are slowly fleshing out the gang now so that they can actually use Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti, and Tim Kang's acting abilities. Still, this is Simon Baker's show and he's having a ball and it's a lot of fun to watch him bounce off of Robin Tunney's Lisbon.

Lie To Me is Tim Roth's show though I do like his little lie-detector entourage and the little facts about lying and facial ticks are fun, I find myself half tuning out now.
Fellow FOX show Bones is still the gold standard of procedurals that goes beyond procedurals and adds heart, warmth, romance and humour to the genre. Plus I'm still enjoying the rotating replacements for Zack. (It was Brit Mr. Nigel-Murray, the one who spews facts and sounds arrogant but is actually just a ball of nerves). No procedural manages to balance all the elements well enough together like Bones (and this week directed by David Boreanaz himself!)

Meanwhile, ABC seems to recognize this and is trying their hand at it with Castle and it's all forced and jumbled but yet I found myself highly entertained because their lead, Richard Castle, is played by Nathan Fillion (Desperate Housewives, Firefly, Dr. Horrible). His charm is enough to fill a show full of stereotypes and cliches and make up for the lack of chemistry with his "partner". Bones and Booth they ain't.


Grey's Anatomy - I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Ep. 516
Private Practice - Finishing - Ep. 217
Brothers & Sisters - Spring Broken - Eps. 319

Amber Benson!?!? On Private Practice? You gotta admit that while the show has been nowhere near as good as we hoped, they were do cast well. First Emma Caulfield, now Amber Benson!!! Where's Xander?

Actually, both Grey's and Private seemed better this week. I was actually enthralled and entertained. Except for that whole Derek is down bit. It's a downer and Mer and Der have teetered on intolerability lately and this doesn't help, even if Derek batting away the wedding ring in front of Mer was a nice dramatic moment. I'm not sure it was worth it all just for that scene.

And while overwhelmed new mother Kitty and sick Robert are downers on Brothers & Sisters, at least they're smart enough to get Kitty to drive all the way back from Santa Barbara to escape and of course, land at Nora's door. And to meet Ryan for the first time!

While the brothers Kevin, Justin and Tommy go on a trip to Baja (because that's the first thing you do when you're about to go to jail) where it's Spring Break Bitches!

And as much as I don't want to, I'm loving Ryan (Luke Grimes).


The Secret Life of The American Teenager - Whoomp! (There It Is) - Eps. 121

The baby is coming the baby is coming!!! Just in time for Amy to miss the incredibly painful baby shower Adrian (yes, Adrian) and Grace (by default) was throwing for her. With guests like Mr. Molina's pregnant wife (is that Constance Marie? Who deserves better especially after The George Lopez Show).

And Jack kisses Grace? Ashley will move out with George? Adrian gets caught having sex with her step-brother by her FATHER? OMG. LOVE THIS SHOW!


America's Best Dance Crew - Season 3 Finale

I forgot to comment on this last week because I meant to put it in my "Battle of the Sexes" post. But by the end of the season, I kinda wanted the all-girls group Beat Freaks to beat the all-boys group Quest Crew. I mean, I LOVE Quest Crew but they've kinda been the front runner all season long, plus they had the advantage of a built in fanbase from So You Think You Can Dance thanks to DTrix, Hok and Ryan. But the girls in Beat Freaks were pretty awesome themselves and I thought they had a better final performance on top of all that.

But the two final teams were definitely the two best. Though while I liked Fly Khicks, I thought they kicked off Dynamic Edition too early just to get a semi finals with boys vs. girls. It seemed a bit too convenient.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

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

Ugly Betty - Sugar Daddy - Ep. 317

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

And Tim's goodbye to Jason? Definitely tearworthy.


30 Rock - Goodbye, My Friend - Ep. 313

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


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

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

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

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

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

Lost - LaFleur - Eps. 508

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

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

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


The Office - Blood Drive - Ep. 516

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


Brothers & Sisters - Taking Sides - Eps. 318

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


Chuck - Chuck Versus the Lethal Weapon - Eps. 216

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

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

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

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


Top Chef - Reunion - Eps. 515

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

Now when does Carla get her own series?

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...