Addison dropped in to talk some sense into the Seattle Grace denizens.
The results of her visit:
- Potentially causing Mer and Der to re-evaluate things? Is Addy's 'pep' talk with Meredith going to be the catalyst for their re-coupling?
- Izzie getting her medical groove back, maybe some respect from her interns?
- Callie now insecure about her friendship with Hahn, which led to:
The Funniest Exchange of the Night
Callie: "Anyone ever think you two are a couple?"
Meredith: "No, because we screw boys like whores on tequila."
Christina: "And we either try to marry them or drown ourselves."
Other happenings in the episode...
Christina's been following Hahn around like a needy puppy seeking attention and approval. Hahn not-so-nicely helped her snap out of it.
Izzie was jealous of George and his new intern buddies. How very high school. Yawn.
Ava/Rebecca was back to give Alex some news: Surprise! She's preggers! He doesn't take to it well...or at least not until after helping to save the baby with the outer-body heart. That's all fine and dandy, except she's NOT ACTUALLY PREGNANT!
Izzie knows the truth, how long will it take for the rest of the gang to find out? And what exactly is Rebecca up to?
And my other favorite moment? McDreamy and all his women [past, present, and future (as promised by Shonda Rhimes, Meredith and Derek will reunite)] in the elevator. And of course McSteamy's response to it all :)
5.04.2008
Grey's: Addison as the Voice of Reason?
4.20.2008
My Hawaiian name is Kinipela
Caught "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" last night. Overall, a riotous good time. Although there is full frontal male nudity in this one (which is a nice change for us female-moviegoers), it's a tad bit less raunchy than the other Apatow flicks (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up).
And hey, you can't go wrong with Veronica Mars and Kenneth the Page in it can ya?
After you see it, check out this fun link ; the post title will make a lot more sense.
4.17.2008
Dollhouse: The Next Big Buzz Show?
Fans of "Angel" rejoice! Amy Acker (aka Fred) is joining "Dollhouse," uber-genius Joss Whedon's pilot for FOX. Check it.
You can't go wrong with Eliza Dushku as the ass-kicking star. Here's the breakdown on the plot:
"Dollhouse" revolves around Echo, a young woman who is one of a group of men and women called "Actives" who can be imprinted with personality packages and be whomever paying customers want them to be. Their assignments can be romantic, adventurous, outlandish, uplifting, sexual and/or very illegal. When not imprinted with a personality package, Echo and the others are basically mind-wiped, living like children in a futuristic dorm/lab dubbed the Dollhouse, with no memory of their assignments—or of much else.
The show revolves around Echo's burgeoning self-awareness, and her desire to know who she was before, a desire that begins to seep into her various imprinted personalities and puts her in danger both in the field and in the closely monitored confines of the Dollhouse." Source: SyFy Portal
3.09.2008
I'm Not Drinking the Kool-Aid
As I type this, I'm sure my self-imposed reality show ban will cease sooner rather than later.
Like many others during the writer's strike, I changed my TV-viewing habits. Over the last two months, it's been increasingly easier to just simply, not turn on the TV (save for the midseason shows I normally watch). While the networks piled on the reality shows, my interest in watching live TV waned.
I have yet to watch more than 15-30 seconds of American Idol. I have yet to get sucked into the ear-splitting, mind-numbing AI madness. And for that I am proud. Marissa doesn't think I'll last too much longer. She's been teasing me by sending my YouTube clips.
The top 12 round is normally the point at which I would start tuning it. The interest just isn't there for me this time around. Check back with me when they whittle the pack down to two.
As I've said before, I tend to have a weakness for the CelebReality shows on VH1. But nope, not this time around either. No Flavor of Love #345698. No Celeb Rehab. Nothing. HOWEVER, maybe when New York's new show premieres.....
I will however, concede my one reality show guilty pleasure - Making the Band. Watching Danity Kane and Day 26 (Side note: couldn't Diddy come up with a name that wasn't so...lame? Oh wait, he's a grown man and wants to be called Diddy. Never mind) mix it up has been entertaining. I also like Donnie - now is it just me or is something kind of, off with his hair? He and Aubrey are a bit Ghetto Ken and Barbie when you put them together.
I am just grateful that we had new episodes of scripted TV during this time. Thank goodness for: Lost (which has been AWESOME), Wildfire, and Supernatural. And I had time to check out new shows like: Eli Stone, Cashmere Mafia, Lipstick Jungle, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles (which I surprisingly liked). And oh yeah, there's still One Tree Hill, which has given me nothing but headaches and a desire to throw things at my very lovely 40-inch HDTV.
2.23.2008
I Think I Hate Nip/Tuck
Six words I never imagined I would say (OK, maybe never is exaggerating a bit).
The finale was a horrendous end to a horrendous season. So why did I continue watching you ask? I'm a glutton for punishment apparently. Part loyalty, part morbid fascination with the extreme lengths to which they will go to shock the audience.
I've been watching from day one - the continuous transformations of Sean, Christian, Julia, Matt, etc. Or in Christian's case, very little development. Just when you think he's cleaned up his act in attempt to redeem himself, he falls right back into his old habits. That whole high-end male gigolo storyline was just, ick.
The one thing I did like about this season was the Christian-Sean role reversal.
Dr. Troy was no longer the hot, go-to doc in town.
Let's recap the completely and utterly annoying happenings in the finale:
- Julia was shot in the face by Eden (why haven't they gotten rid of the little conniving skanky biyotch yet?), who claimed Julia had attempted suicide
- Julia awoke from a coma, only to have retrograde amnesia (How convenient)
- Matt fell for his half-sister (cause really, he doesn't have enough issues as is); then her mother showed up, reconnected with Christian during an alcohol-fueled pity session, and of course, slept with him. A slight positive - it looks like Julian McMahon finally got a tan on his pale behind.
- Pyschotic pseudo-agent Colleen pleaded with Sean to fix her self-inflicted wrist scars. Then she showed up on the set of "Hearts and Scalpels." Sean found the CAA agent/stuffed bear Bob in his closet (ewwwww - did we really need to see that again??). Then predictably, Colleen popped up in the surgery room of McNamara/Troy and stabbed Sean.
All I want to know is, WHAT THE $*#@?
2.11.2008
Oh Happy Day!
The writers strike is thisclose to being ovah!
The good news is most of the shows will be able to squeeze out a few more eps during the spring.
The bad news is the newbie shows won't return til fall. BUT there will be major relaunches for Chuck, Pushing Daisies, etc.
Ausiello has a handy dandy chart predicting the possible # of eps to be produced and return dates.
Not that it wasn't nice to have a little relief from the scheduling overload of the fall tv season, but this little TV addict will be doing the Snoopy dance once fresh episodes are back in full force!
2.01.2008
Lipstick Jungle - Jenn's Review
Please note that the following review was written after viewing the original pilot back in August. A few of the characters have been recast and, from the looks of the previews, some other minor changes made as well.
After viewing this pilot, I was anxious to see "Cashmere Mafia." While many critics are giving the (slight) edge to "Lipstick," I personally enjoy "Cashmere" more. While it's certainly not Emmy-worthy, I find it to be fun and the cast more likable.
However, I will definitely be tuning in on Feb. 7th to see if all the changes made to "Lipstick Jungle" were for the better.
Without further ado, my original review:
The opening gives us two contradictory quotes: one from Rudyard Kipling (“Now this is the law of the jungle as old and as true as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die”) and the other, Katherine Hepburn (“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun”). Then cut to multiple shots of animal print-clad high-heeled feet.
We get it. It’s a “jungle” out there. And these women are the ones “ruling” it. Point taken.
“These women aren’t looking for Mr. Big, they are Mr. Big.”
That’s the official tagline from NBC. How true that actually is, well, let’s just say it leaves plenty of room for debate. The main message I got from this pilot was “That’s just the way it is.” That is referring to the misogynistic view of women in the workplace. Well, let me take that back. It’s referring more to women of power in the workplace. We hear all the old clichés – women are “too emotional” and “involved with their work” to ever realistically attain a CEO-level of success.
OK, so if you couldn’t already tell -- too many years spent in college scrutinizing message/meaning in films (especially when it comes to portrayals of women) resulted in my overly-nitpicky analysis of this particular show. I should really take it for what it was meant to be: a hour of frilly, supposed girl-power message-filled fun.
So let’s just look at it from a strictly entertainment point of view.
The Pros:
- Casting did a semi-decent job with the three leads. Kim Raver (Nico) came off as the most believable.
- Cameo alert! Edward Hermann (aka Grandpa Gilmore) graces us with his presence as big CEO boss to both Nico and Wendy.
- Cameo alert part 2! welcome back Andrew McCarthy! Long time no see. He’s a smarmy, egomaniacal billionaire with a thing for lil Miss Victory. Luckily, he’s got some endearing qualities; there may be hope for him yet.
The Cons:
- We’ve seen a lot of these plots/scenarios before: nice gals finish last, women with careers on the rise while personal lives are in shambles (or vice-versa) women can never make as much money as men, blah blah blah.
- The name of Lindsay Price’s character? Victory Ford. Seriously?
- As if they didn’t think we got the message before (say, from the opening scene), Joe Bennett lets Victory know why it’s a rarity that women are billionaires unless they’re spoiled heiresses (“too emotional to make the right decisions,” etc). The delivery seemed slightly forced (maybe because even he couldn’t believe what he was saying)
The Verdict: Give it a few episodes before making a final decision (but really, with the limited choices we have these days, it might fill the guilty-pleasure quota)
Personally, the longer Andrew McCarthy sticks around, the more inclined I might be to watch.
1.24.2008
New TV Tonight!
The last pre-strike "Ugly Betty" episode airs tonight @ 8PM. As much as I'll miss the Mode crew, there's something I'll miss a bit more -- the official Ugly Betty podcast with the fabulous duo of Michael Urie and Becki Newton! Three words: Pure comedy gold!
You can either subscribe via iTunes or go here.
What will I do without my weekly dose of the 'blink blink' song and show 'call ins?'
In the new episode "A Thousand Words by Friday," Betty (America Ferrera) is excited about an assignment to interview writer Phil Roth. Unfortunately, this guy isn't Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Philip Roth but some dude who writes books about picking up women. Daniel (Eric Mabius) learns a shocking secret about a new lust interest (Gabrielle Union). Rocker Gene Simmons also guest stars. (Zap2it)
We also get a "Chuck" two-fer at 8 PM and 10 PM (sandwiched in between is, ugh "Celebrity" Apprentice).
I love both of these shows, so while it's nice to have new eps, it's also incredibly depressing that we have no clue how long it will be til we see them again! Frickin strike.
On a more serious note, if you haven't already read this, head over to Michael Ausiello's blog and check out his wonderful post: "Grieving Heath Ledger via Ennis Del Mar"
It had me in tears. Have your hankies ready!
1.22.2008
Complete and Utter Shock
Unbelievable shock is the general feeling at the moment.
Heath Ledger is dead at the young age of 28.
Reports from the media:
NYTimes: Heath Ledger, Actor, Is Found Dead at 28
People: Heath Ledger’s Rep Calls Death ‘Accident’
Our thoughts are with his family and 2 yr. old daughter Matilda.
1.06.2008
In Honor of This Week's Premieres...
"Some people are just born evil. That kid from "The Omen."
- Gus (Psych)
The Children of the Corn. Chad Michael Murray."
Ditto Burton Guster, you wise sage.
The oft-ignored bastard child of my TV roster, One Tree Hill, returns with a two-hour premiere on Tuesday. The "kids" have flashed forward four years, which might make things slightly more believable - No more 28 year olds trying to pass for 18. Then again, they've cast K-Fed as a rock star.
Moving on...
A show I've never been ashamed to admit to watching, Psych returns on Friday with its second season winter premiere. Anyone else giddy to see the "Big Adventures of Little Shawn and Gus?" Check out these cute bios for the little tykes. Apparently little Shawn is repelled by broccoli and Molly Ringwald, but shares Gus' love of Mr. T.
This week also brings the beginning of the end of fresh new episodes. Desperate Housewives concludes the tornado disaster storyline tonight, followed by the series premiere of Cashmere Mafia. Read on for the rest of the week's schedule and deets.
SUNDAY 1.07
9 PM (ABC) - Desperate Housewives [season finale due to strike]
"Following the tornado, Wisteria Lane residents begin to rebuild their lives, but with Mrs. McCluskey's house completely destroyed, Lynette faces the possibility that her family and Ida Greenberg didn't survive. Meanwhile, Katherine finds out that someone knows the truth about her mysterious past."
10:01 PM - Cashmere Mafia (ABC) [series premiere]- from "Sex and the City" creator Darren Starr
"Four ambitious, sexy female friends in Manhattan share the ups and downs of their careers and personal lives in a girls-club setting. First up: Mia (Lucy Liu) and her fiancé vie for the same promotion; Caitlin (Bonnie Somerville) falls in love; and Juliet (Miranda Otto) decides to avenge her husband's indiscretions."
TUESDAY 1.08
8 PM - One Tree Hill (The CW) [season premiere]
"As the fifth season opens, the series flashes forward four years to postcollege life. While most of the gang struggle to find their footing in the working world, now-famous fashion designer Brooke faces the challenges success brings her in New York City."
9 PM - One Tree Hill
"Skills and Lucas enter Jamie in a soap-box derby and begin coaching the Ravens. Meanwhile, Haley encounters difficulties on her first day as a teacher and interviews potential nannies for her son."
WEDNESDAY 1.09
9 PM - Gossip Girl (The CW) [season finale due to strike, grrr]
In "A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate," Serena is seen purchasing a pregnancy test, and this info gets reported on Gossip Girl's Web site before the facts are all checked.
10 PM - Cashmere Mafia (ABC) [timeslot premiere]
"After being appointed publisher of the Barnstead Media Group, Mia is ordered to fire her mentor. In romantic matters, Zoe has a new rival for Eric's favor; Kate and Alicia take their relationship to a new level; and Juliet and Davis' counseling hits a snag."
THURSDAY 1.10 - the last Thursday of an almost full slate of new eps :(
8 PM - My Name is Earl (NBC) [season finale]
"When his postprison life offers no home, no job and no money, a bitter Earl renounces karma and regresses to his old bad self. As Randy plans a Christmas-morning intervention, karma comes calling for Earl in the form of Billie (Alyssa Milano) and a car."
8 PM - Ugly Betty (ABC)
"Amanda seeks help from a clairvoyant (Annie Potts) in the search for her father's identity; a visit to the magazine by Justin and his classmates prompts Betty to coax Daniel to change the image of Mode's models; a new twist develops in Wilhelmina's designs on the Meade empire. Rappers Bow Wow and Omarion appear as themselves."
8:30 PM - 30 Rock (NBC) [season finale]
"As Jack wheels and deals with German TV bigwigs to close a huge television project, he also works to keep his long-distance romance with C.C. (Edie Falco) alive and well. Meanwhile, Liz buys into real estate. And here's the buzz on Kenneth: He becomes addicted to caffeinated coffee. Singer Gladys Knight guest stars."
9 PM - Grey's Anatomy (ABC) [season finale] -- can I just vent for a quick sec? I hate ABC's promo dept. If any of you've seen the preview for this ep, the big drama has already been spoiled. I really hate ABC's promo dept.
"While Bailey's family faces a medical trauma, the doc faces a marital one. Meanwhile, a surprise visit from George's mother (Debra Monk) comes as a shock to both Izzie and Callie; a faith healer challenges Erica and Alex's beliefs in Western medicine; and Derek must deal with the aftermath of his kiss with Rose (Lauren Stamile)."
10 PM - Big Shots (ABC) [returns w/ the first of three new eps]
"Duncan tries to distract himself from Lisbeth's marriage to Terrence by pursuing a rival company's model; James eyes an opportunity for a proper date with Katie; a stranger (Charisma Carpenter) charms Brody; Cameron discovers shocking news about Zack."
10 PM - ER (NBC)
"Abby returns from rehab and feels judged by her peers. Elsewhere, she treats a young fire victim who may have problems with her eyes, and Harold gets an ego boost after a night with Neela's cousin."
FRIDAY 1.11
10 PM - Psych (USA)
"A woman claiming to be Gus' wife hires Shawn to search for someone. Kerry Washington guest stars."
1.01.2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
While I'm sure we all made some soon-to-be-broken resolutions, maybe we should create a few for the studios and the networks, such as:
- Resolve the damn strike already!
- Stop relying on crappy reality shows to fill your schedules; while it's nice that a few scripted programs were held back to air at midseason, I never asked for "According to Jim." Take it back, take it back!!
- Air reruns of your newbie shows to maintain interest (by the time "Chuck" and "Dirty Sexy Money" come back, we'll need a refresher/recap)
My resolution is to freakin update this blog more!
12.19.2007
Not Cool USA Network, NOT Cool
"The 4400" is kaput.
On a slightly more positive note (well, as positive as you can get during this crazy strike), NBC will re-air eps of USA Network's other shows, as opposed to completely filling their schedule with reality crap.
Here's an official statement from "The 4400" creator, Scott Peters:
To all the wonderful fans of The 4400
It's with great sadness that I pass along to you the information I've just received -- The 4400 has been cancelled. We've had a great time bringing you this story and submersing you in the lives of all these incredible characters. Thank you especially to the folks on the board here whose tireless devotion to the show is nothing short of remarkable.
Shout out to Bubba, by the way! I love your posts, man.
I just spoke to Joel and we had a great talk about what we all accomplished and how much we'll miss our family that is our crew and our cast... and our fans. But at least we got to go out with a bang! I had an awesome time directing the last episode. I think I got to make almost every single cast member cry (on camera). How much fun was that?!
So let me raise my metaphorical glass to you all and thank you for being so loyal and so dedicated. I wish we could go on forever, but the party has come to an end. Be well and on behalf of all of us at The 4400 -- thank you, it's been a pleasure.
Scott Peters
Creator / Executive Producer
The 4400
12.16.2007
"Are You Having a Laugh?"
This holiday season: be careful what you wish for. Andy Millman — now the star of a hit, albeit lowbrow, sitcom — discovers success isn't all it seems. Desperate for respect, Millman is about to take drastic measures that will turn his life upside down.
But does Andy have the talent and savvy it takes to get his wish: to be both respected and famous?
Special guest stars: George Michael, Clive Owen (yay!), David Tennant and Gordon Ramsay.
This BBC site has a great recap of the entire series.
CLICK TO READ MORE...
12.14.2007
Christmas Christmas Time is Heeeere....
If you need a bit of help getting in the Christmas spirit (like me), here's a little something from my pals Alvin, Simon and Theodore: