Magic poison, magic plague

KT’s alternate title this week is “Nimueh poisons everybody.”

MERLIN:  1.03 “The Mark of Nimueh”
MERLIN:  1.04 “The Poisoned Chalice”

Oh, good grief.  If I had a nickel for every time the word “science” was spoken in episode 3, I’d… well, probably I could get a vending machine soda.  Which is actually still a lot of nickels, especially for a medieval drama — which is my point.

But I said last time that I was going to go easy on the anachronisms, so let’s just ignore that (and Gaius’ amazing number of pre-Gutenberg books) and move on.  And anyway, what science is really doing here is standing as a counterpoint to magic.  One is acceptable, the other totally verboten – although I have to repeat something else I said last week.  There’s an awful lot of magic going on in this kingdom where magic has been outlawed.

One other historical note, though.  Anyone notice how we had a plague, complete with a supposed witch, and not one mention of anything like religion?  The fact is that our medieval characters think in very twenty-first century ways.

Merlin and Arthur got a couple of nice comic scenes this week.  Both of Arthur’s fake-outs (“It’s called a cupboard,” and the mental illness called love) were well-timed and, I thought, convincingly played.  I also appreciate that Merlin’s crush on Gwen is as obvious to Arthur and Morgana as it is to us.  Although I was ready to believe that Morgana could have wanted to talk to Merlin about magic, given the character’s role in other versions.

On the other hand, we also got an obligatory scene with the Great Dragon in which he delivered his cryptic message as expected.  (Happily, he was absent from the fourth episode.)

Together, these episodes introduce the sorceress Nimueh.  She’s usually Merlin’s nemesis or lover, but I don’t know what they’re doing with her here yet (although Merlin is instantly smitten), except that apparently she’s eeeeevil, and Uther clearly has tangled with her before.

The fourth episode is largely Arthur’s story, and in some ways, its the most Arthurian plot so far:  Knight goes on dangerous quest to recover a rare flower that grows in only one cave and meets sorceress disguised as a damsel in distress.

This being a teen drama, though, it also has fatherly disapproval (and reconciliation), and a girl who knows how to push all his buttons.  I’m finding it a little weird that Morgana is sometimes acting as Arthur’s conscience in these two episodes.

Other complaints:

Do we have to say “You’re a servant, Merlin” in every episode?  Does the audience need that much reminding?  Does Merlin need that much reminding?  Stop it, show.

Did it have to be giant spiders?  Why are there always giant spiders?

And why would you even pretend to kill off the title character in episode four?  Although it did get Gwen to kiss him, which I suppose is something.

What you never want to hear them say

ELI STONE: 2.11 “Mortal Combat”

I don’t even like Maggie, and I felt bad for Eli in this episode. I mean, when she told him that her sleeping with him gave her closure on her feelings…ouch. And you know, I feel like that was still a little untrue. I mean, after her reaction in Sonoma–assuming that he was letting her down or blaming his aneurysm–you’d think there was something there. But maybe that anger is what shut the door.

Personally, I don’t want him with Maggie. But we’ve only got two episodes left, and I want Eli to sign off happy, so we should let him get together with someone. Taylor and Matt are so freakin’ adorable it hurts, so we can’t go back with the ex. It’s clearly Maggie to the rescue.

And it’s funny. I really hated the naive, stupid, annoying girl that was all over the first season of the show. You know, the Ally McBeal wannabe. But you know, the new, bitchy, empowered Maggie is just tough to handle. It hasn’t made her any more likable, even if she has learned how to dress more like a lawyer (though still no suits).

But Eli. Poor Eli. I’m so glad that he and Taylor are finally getting along because for a while there, it looked like he had no one. He’s angry at Dr. Chen. Angry at his brother. Maggie’s a bitch. Well, who else is there? Patty is busy trying to keep things organized with the disappearing business (I wish we had had more to her than the super-brief view of her digging through files). Keith has disappeared (think we’ll see any more of him before the finale?). Jordan’s always there, but he’s clearly preoccupied.

But anyway, perhaps it was my disappointment for Eli already welling up the emotion, but when I heard Taylor and Matt are going to have a baby girl, I think my eyes might’ve watered. This show’s so sweet with little details–why does it have to go away?

Ok, back to the episode. So what about the business? They have a new lawyer, which is clearly going to help them in the long run, but they can’t afford to pay him and they only have six months left before they run out of money. Some big win must be in their future. And my hope? Well, my expectation (if this show really does get a series finale) is that it will be against Maggie and her new beau, and it will allow Maggie to realize what a big jerk he is, just in time to fall into Eli’s open arms.

Then the show will end happily, with everyone back at Jordan’s firm, successful and in love. A good, happy family. Then we can have a spinoff–Deliberation and Dances: Eli Stone Entertainment Hour. It will be a half-hour comedy, of course.

Ok, so the last part won’t happen, but it sure would be nice. I think that overall, the episode was a good one. I didn’t see Eli and Taylor winning (sadly), but considering that the firm was on the line, I was still hoping for that win and surprised when it didn’t happen.

Anyway, they’ve got a lot of stuff to do in the next two episodes. I certainly hope that we really do get an ending to this story. Almost as much as I wished it’d never end at all.

A must-see Raising the Bar

image courtesy of TNT

If you weren’t planning on watching Raising the Bar tonight, I’d highly recommend it. Not only are we finally seeing Nick Balco finally in court, in the ruthless flesh.

And ruthless really is the right word. This is a man who only gets what he wants and doesn’t budge in negotiation.

So why is this episode so controversial? Well, you tell me. If someone posts a picture on their website and someone else uses it for illegal purposes, who’s to blame?

The defendant in this case is being brought up on child porn charges. He posted a picture of his son in the bath on his personal web page for friends and family (it was not determined whether this was a blog or a Facebook-like page in the episode). A third party then took the picture and posted it on their own site as child pornography, offering a $14.99 price to see the child’s nakedness.

So who’s to blame? Did the father do anything wrong? He was doing it innocently, but it was used incorrectly. At the same time, where is the line? Should a picture like that appear on a website in any case? Usually, a photographer is blamed in pornography cases, but if he didn’t mean any harm…

Honestly, both sides make a very compelling case, and it’s a little difficult to figure out who really was in the wrong. Should the father be held accountable–should he have realized the danger of what he was doing?

It’s something that we all deal with, now that we’re all in this technological age. All of our photos are digital and easily shared through Facebook, Flickr, blogs, Twitpic, etc. But it makes them more public than we may think, so should our actions have consequences? Well, I don’t know.

But I think this show makes a good attempt at opening your eyes to the dangers beyond the advantages of the new world of social media. And you know, the results of the case may just surprise you.

Demi Lovato: Single-handedly ruining royalty

PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM

Yes. Yes, I did. I did watch Disney Channel’s original movie Princess Protection Program. And I must say this: I don’t think Selena Gomez can be in anything where she is not adorable.

Of course, she was being compared to Demi Lovato, who was horrendous, so then again, maybe Selena wasn’t as stellar as you’d think. But anyway, I did want to give Selena Gomez props. Because the rest of this post might be painful.

I’ll admit this openly. I’ve seen–repeatedly–The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2. Demi Lovato is no Anne Hathaway. In fact, Demi Lovato plays royalty the same way Summer Glau played Cameron in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: as a robot. Of course, Summer Glau was supposed to be a robot.

You doubt me? Think about when she was bowling. She tossed the bowl down the lane, then stood there and watched with no expression as people cheered around her and the pins came down. Considering how interested she was in winning (she did ask, after all), you’d think she’d have some expression when the pins hit the floor.

Further, I felt like this was a very forced, yet stereotypical, way of playing a princess. Would you really imagine that today princesses don’t dress themselves? I mean, even Mia picked out her own clothes in The Princess Diaries 2, let alone put them on.

I must also say that the story itself was a bit weak. I mean, someone wants to take over the crown–a crown that a 16-year-old will take over in a month. Um, seriously? First, they’ll really  have her rule at 16? That’s a recipe for disaster, especially if she can’t even dress herself. Plus, once she flees, who’s to say that this guy wouldn’t just through a coup and take over? What’s the 16-year-old going to really do?

Moreover, the end. There wasn’t time to add five extra minutes to explain how Carter’s father knew to hop in that helicopter and save the day? And I certainly don’t want to analyze the real legal actions of claiming that he was being arrested internationally for kidnapping. She was willingly going with him, for one thing. Add in how complicated international relations are and the hows and whys and processes of actually arresting a visiting foreigner–yeah, it’s much more complicated than they showed.

A few other notes:

• If you’re going to throw a sword at someone’s head, don’t miss. It’s much easier to hit the person in the head than to get it through the rings of a crown.
• Why wouldn’t her mother just go with her? I guess that was to prevent the whole coup thing I mention above, but really, she ended up kidnapped and in prison anyway. What’s the difference?
• Ok, so there’s a Princess Protection Program. Original premise for a movie, but really? There are that many princesses that need protection? Taking a quick glance at Yahoo Answers, it looks like there are only 28 monarchies left, so could a program really be run? Whether this is accurate or not, you’re really looking at the number of possible princesses that are in danger at one time. That can’t be all that high.
• So they’re in Louisiana, right? I’m sorry, Disney. But Louisiana has an African American population of about 33.5%, and I think I saw one African American student at that school. Um, what?
• Dear, Jamie Chung. I’m very sorry you had to go from Samurai Girl to this. And by the way, how old are you? You play 20-something a few years ago and 16 now? Wow.
• Little red-headed squeaky girl: Sometimes your voice was high, annoying, and squeaky. Sometimes it wasn’t.
• Did anyone else think that Rosie overreacted to the blackmail? I mean, she was going to hand over the crown (oh yeah, the pool scene made no sense), and then they would leave her alone about her secret. So why did she have to go back? That would helped nothing.

Overall, the movie was probably cute for a young audience. It did, overall, have a good, positive message. And I do ask that of the Disney Channel movies that I see. So that’s good.

But on a true level, it needed some work. And perhaps a better person than Demi Lovato. Disney, just because two people are best friends and they’re your new up-and-comer, that doesn’t mean you need to make them the poster child for any new project you do.

I thought you learned this with the failed TV show that is JONAS.

Recap Review: John Ritter on NewsRadio

NEWSRADIO: 2.05 “The Shrink”

I bought the complete series package of NewsRadio. By the way, I really don’t recommend it. The DVDs themselves are held by a spindle, which leaves a lot of room for possible scratch-age (in fact, I’ve already had to return the set once). So let me just state for the record that if you want to invest in this series, get the individual seasons.

Why do I bring this up? Well, seeing as I have the entire series, it means I’m watching it all very quickly to make sure nothing’s wrong with any disks before the return deadline is up. And you know, it’s fun!

I tend to remember guest stars on this show. Like Lauren Graham. She came in as an outside source that was supposed to cut fat from the company–basically choosing to fire Matthew. A lot of people tend to forget she’s on it, but I liked her. First saw her there. Long before Gilmore Girls.

But one guest star I completely forgot about is John Ritter, who plays the therapist they have to hire to help the group get over their many issues with each other. I’m a sucker for John Ritter, so this episode really sticks out in my mind. It’s not like when he was Ted in Buffy. As much as I love John Ritter, that episode was pretty weak. This episode is just the opposite.

Dave spends the entire episode jealous because this guy comes in and repeats everything that he has already told the staff and becomes 100% more effective in problem-solving. What’s more? Of course, he slept with Lisa. (At this point, doesn’t it seem like a lot of people have slept with Lisa?)

And of course, John Ritter fits the bill for this therapist perfectly. Who could think of a calmer, nicer guy? Thoughts of Buffy aside, I don’t think anyone couldn’t be pacified just by hearing his voice and knowing that he wants to know what’s going on with you. Perfect casting, and the contract between his calm and Dave’s stress level is fantastic. Especially when Dave accidentally walks into an effective therapy session. Nice.

It’s really just a comedic episode. Add in Bill’s random cubicle that he sets up for privacy (he can smoke and wear only his undies and be comfortable). I think I most enjoyed seeing everyone snap at each other for no reason at all–so relatable for anyone who works in an office.

Anyway, it was nice to see John Ritter again considering his gone-too-soon status, especially in this fantastic show. Of course, thinking about him being a sex addict. Well, let’s not think about that too much.

The episode (and series) are definitely worth checking out, and I hope you do. Oh, speaking of guest stars, I’ve moved on to one that guests Bebe Neuwirth. Fantastic show. Fantastic cast.

Looks like I’m going to have a great Sunday afternoon!

You, sir, are in need of a Doctor

KT is Raked’s go-to girl for BBC goodness this summer.

DOCTOR WHO:  Christmas special 2008, “The Next Doctor”

Since we haven’t covered Doctor Who here on Raked before, I thought I’d start with a brief primer of the show.  Seriously, this is all you need to know to watch the show.

1) The Doctor is an alien.  Yes, he’s just called the Doctor.  (Doctor who? Exactly.)
2) He has a time machine/space ship called the TARDIS and it looks like a blue police box, but it’s really much bigger on the inside.
3) The Doctor likes to travel with friends, so he tends to pick up human companions and they go off and have adventures on other planets or in other time periods.
4)  One characteristic of the Doctor’s people is that they can regenerate.  This is basically like cats having nine lives, plus it allows the show to keep going even when the star decides that he’s ready to go do something else now.  This is how the show originally ran from 1963 to 1989.  It was brought back in 2005 starring Doctor number nine, and now we’re on number ten, played by the lovely David Tennant.

And yes, this aired in the UK last Christmas, thus the snow and all.

The best part about this episode is David Morrissey, who takes the Jackson Lake character from high camp to heart-wrenching seriousness.  In a way, those are the show’s two faces, so we get the whole gamut.  Morrissey and Tennant have great chemistry, and it especially paid off in the early scenes as the two men cicle each other and try to figure out the other’s identity.

Setting up a mysterious character who might be the next incarnation of the Doctor was a fun misdirect (especially as this aired after Tennant announced he was planning to bow out after 2009, but the BBC hadn’t yet announced his replacement), and I was initially surprised that Jackson Lake’s real identity was revealed so early in the episode.  By the end, though, I was glad that we got to see Lake adjust back to being himself.  The sudden introduction of the kid was a manipulative tug at the heartstrings, but what the heck — I can take a little cheese in the name of Christmas.  (Yes, even when Christmas falls in June.  I’m a sap, okay?)

I loved the business with the pocket watch.  The initial fake-out is a call-back to the season three episodes “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood,” but it turns out that, after a fashion, even the fake-out is a fake-out:  the watch really is useful in establishing Lake’s identity!  Like Lake’s “sonic” screwdriver and his hot air balloon TARDIS, everything is useful — just not in the way the viewer expects them to be.  And Jackson Lake showing off his screwdriver is easily one of my favorite moments in the episode.

The evil plot was weak tea, though.  Mercy Hartigan had a lot of promise — a strong, determined, clever character with a grudge against a certain set of people and a bitterness against men in general.  One of the things I did appreciate about the 2007 Christmas special, “Voyage of the Damned” — and mind you, large swaths of it were pretty dreadful — was that the villain of the piece wasn’t out to conquer planets or destroy civilizations or any of the Evil Nemesis 101 schemes. He just had a nasty little plan to get revenge on his personal enemies — who did not include the Doctor, at least initially.  So when Miss Hartigan started to do in the group of gentlemen at the funeral, it seemed that she was following a similar path.  (That’s a striking scene too, with the Cybermen coming out of the fog and Miss Hartigan’s gorgeous red dress standing out like blood against all the black and white in the snow.)

But when your allies are the clanking silver Cybermen (a recurring Who villain), we know that they’ll only let you order them around for so long.  Their notion of “liberating” Mercy Hartigan by getting rid of human emotion is a classic Cyberman sort of philosophy — another one is that their mechanical “perfection” entitles them to take over the world.  Only their methodology changes.  Clearly the use of orphans as a workforce is Miss Hartigan’s part of the scheme, while the Cybermen have tricked her regarding the precise nature of the Cyber King.  Resulting in… yes, yes, we have a giant robot trampling Victorian London.  WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT, OVER!  That’s the point where you just gotta laugh and hold on for dear life.

…And click the big red button.  Follow me!

R.I.P. to our legends

It’s been a really rough week. We lost three legends in the entertainment industry within the past few days.

image from of powayarts.org

Ed McMahon passed away Tuesday, after suffering from bone cancer. His voice was the most famous part about him, as most remember him as the voice that introduced Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Of course, we can’t remember him as the host of Star Search, either (always friendly to those little kids…). I even remember him on a Star Search-related Full House! Plus, who can imagine Publisher’s Clearing House or the Jerry Lewis Telethon without him? He was an icon in the entertainment industry, and it’s pretty clear that his legacy will long last his own life.

On the other side of the spectrum is Farrah Fawcett, who

image from gossipcheck.com

made making a hairstyle cool before “the Rachel” was even a common name for babies. One of Charlie’s Angels, it’s hard to see her go. She was the sex symbol of the 1970s and great actress to boot. She even had a recurring role in The Guardian and Spin City. Also losing a battle with cancer, Fawcett passed away Thursday. Though she’d been fighting the cancer for years (and even appeared in a documentary about her struggle on NBC a month or so back), it’s still a tough loss for entertainment.

image from channelme.tv

Lastly, and probably most surprisingly, was Michael Jackson, who also died Thursday. We’re still finding out details about his death–he went into sudden cardiac arrest–but as a pop icon for the 1980s, it’s a big blow. Despite his personal issues over the last few years, you can’t deny that his music has stood the test of time, and even today, people remember the “Thriller” music video and dance. You can be sure that his music is going to be played a lot over the next few weeks in memoriam, from his days as the adorable member in the Jackson 5 to his solo work.

It’s been a rough week, and one that has lost three bright stars in the industry. But they shone bright when they were here, and I don’t think their legacies are going anywhere, even if they themselves are gone.

Thursday Open Thread: Theme songs

I’m on a bit of a music kick today. Concert last night, good CDs in the car… Add the fewer shows on TV, and you’ve got some good stuff to do and listen to. Anyway, got me thinking…

What’s your all-time favorite TV theme song?

This is a bit harder than I thought it’d be. After all, there’s kinda two parts to this question: Favorite song itself and favorite theme sequence. Add in the fact that a lot of shows have gotten rid of their theme songs, and it limits your options.

For me, I’d have to put Angel in the forefront. I love Darling Violetta’s song. It’s wonderful. But then again, I do always dance to Big Bang Theory. And those options aren’t even thinking of the entire sequence–you know, what they put to the music.

I used to love One Tree Hill, of course, but that’s since disappeared. I’m a Gavin DeGraw fan, and I loved Lucas walking along the bridge with the basketball. Not sure why, but I did.

So toss your favorites in the comments!

A new show for me & worth checking out: The Cleaner

THE CLEANER: 2.01 “Hello America”

There are a few people that I really take stock in what they have to say about TV. If I hear from one of my parents that a show is really good, I tend to check it out. They’re pretty good at identifying if something could be better or whether it’s turned to meaningless pudding.

But The Cleaner is one of those shows that they suggested as a good one, so it’s one I’ve wanted to check out. Of course, it’s also one that’s on A&E, and I tend to forget when it’s on. Fortunately, I remembered that the season two premiere was on tonight, so I was able to check it out.

And for a show that I really knew little about (I knew he was an addict that now is clean and helping others), I was surprised how quickly I was invested in it. I mean, I even kept watching after discovering that Whoopi Goldberg was a guest star (and you know? She wasn’t that bad. She was a real character–not just Whoopi Goldberg).

The main story was great: An addict turned to pain killers and other drugs after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. His wife hires William to get him clean. What’s more interesting is that the wife actually stopped taking her own meds because of her husband’s addiction, which in the end is what makes him turn to rehabilitation.

It was a little far fetched in the end, imagining that this addict just suddenly did a 180 by the end of the episode, but the sadness in seeing that the wife was turning to morphine (and ultimately her death) just to be able to live a manageable life was something that really struck a chord. It was so bittersweet, watching her dance into the moonlight with her husband, knowning what we know.

Anyway, seeing as this entire series is inspired by a true story, I’m really intrigued. I think that there can be a lot of stories this show can cover, and I’m curious to see where it goes. And the issues behind it.

For example, Whoopi played PK, William’s former sponsor, who was a bit perturbed to see him after so many years. She’s of the severe belief that you can’t be clean without help. And I think that’s a merited opinion. But wouldn’t his success be proving her wrong? Granted, I don’t know how last season was, if he’s slipped at all or if there’s been struggles. But based on what she was seeing in this episode alone, it looks like he was doing quite well, and she should be happy for him. Perhaps it was more a personal hurt more than anything else?

I am interested, too, in William’s character and where we can go with his own addiction. I’m less interested in his family struggles (though maybe I should take a look through A&E’s website and check out the previous season), but the characters are likable, and I’m rooting for William and his wife to get back together.

Anyway, it’s definitely a show worth watching, so take a look. A&E on Tuesdays at 10:00. Check it out. (And if you missed tonight’s episode, there’s a good smattering of re-airings, so take a look at IMDB’s schedule of airings.)

What presses your buttons?

RAISING THE BAR: 2.03 “The Curious Case of Kellerman’s Button”

It’s pretty awesome that I got to talk to J. August Richards yesterday (see the interview), because his character Marcus McGrath really stood out in last night’s episode.

The hard-as-nails lawyer was the one to beat this week. And Roz sure did give it a try. To be honest, even as the episode ended, you really wondered if the abuse really was a hate crime. Maybe there were elements on each side. Who knows?

But it was interesting. Not just because Marcus put up a fight that couldn’t be beat. And it wasn’t just because I was thinking of J.’s own description of becoming Marcus–how he always thinks about the victim when he’s composing his character for the episode (and we even saw the victim this time, so how couldn’t we picture him?). It was more than just Marcus. It was everyone else in the courtroom, too. Especially Charlie and Richard, who both really let the case hit home.

As for Charlie, it was nearly impossible to take your eyes off of him throughout the trial. Talk about hitting close to home. And yet, at the end of the day, he was the one who felt that it was definitely not a hate crime and that if proven guilty, the defendant shouldn’t get the full sentence. And wasn’t Trudy’s response to this interesting? I think it will be a really neat aspect of the court system if we get to see the outside forces that determine a judge’s decision.

And Richard? Well, I was surprised at his reaction, but we haven’t seen that much of him, so maybe we will soon. He does have a softer side, and one of my favorite episode was the one when he was defending the old woman with the shopping habit, so if he didn’t have the heart, what would there be?

Meanwhile, Jerry was back in court. This was the main issue that I had: Last week, we ended with a cliffhanger of sorts. We were in the middle of trial, and Michelle had moved on to her sketchy new beau–that perhaps gave her fake evidence. So where did that case go? Why don’t we get to see the end?

However, his interactions with the new judge were enjoyable. I liked especially the scene in his office, when he was sewing on the button. He’s not just a quirky judge. There’s more to it (though there’s still a crazier side to him–clearly).

But good for Roz, you know? Throughout the episode, we were rooting for Jerry, weren’t we? We wanted him to win and get his time in court! His hijinks were funny, and frankly, I enjoyed them.

But what about those other defendants who didn’t get their time in court because of Jerry’s actions? We really didn’t think about them. And neither did Jerry. So good for Roz. And good for Raising the Bar for showing us something else to think about in this messy messy world we call the judicial system.

Exclusive interview with J. August Richards

image courtesy of TNT

As you know, J. August Richards plays Marcus McGrath on TNT’s Raising the Bar. Proving that a kid from a difficult background can grow up to achieve success despite obstacles, Marcus is one of the strongest prosecutors, refusing to give in for any reason.

J. is also known for his roles in Conviction and, of course, Angel. Fans all over the Whedonverse remember him as Gunn, the hard-edged vampire hunter–and lawyer, for that matter.

I had the opportunity to talk to J. for a little while and ask him a few things. It proved to be a really fun interview, and he’s a really cool guy.

So take a look! And don’t forget to watch him Monday nights on Raising the Bar on TNT.

I’m a big fan of Raising the Bar, and I have a few questions about that specifically. Your character Marcus McGrath is probably best known for never backing down and never giving up. Because of this, the viewers tend to root for the underdog. How does it feel to be one of the “bad guys” in the courtroom?

Yeah, it’s funny. Sometimes people watch the show and–even my friends and family–and call me and say, “How could you do that? Why did you do that to that young boy? Why did you do that to those old men?”

And, you know, in my own mind and hopefully in the mind in some of the viewers, you know, I spend a lot of time thinking about the victim of each case, who sometimes we see and sometimes we don’t. But especially, we never see the victim come in right after the crime. And creatively and imaginatively, I spend a lot of time with whoever the victim is that week; I think about them first walking into my office after they’ve been mugged, after they’ve been beaten, after they’ve been shot, whatever the case may be. And I think about the aftereffects of violence and crime. And in that regard, when I start thinking about that, I don’t think about my character as a bad guy. I think of my character as a very good guy, and so I play it with the strength from that point of view of thinking, that I’m trying to right someone’s wrong.

And so I never see my character as being too harsh or anything, but unfortunately other people do. [Laughs] That’s the nature of life, I guess.

[Read the rest of this interview after the jump!]

The Once and Future King’s Manservant

KT is trying to keep the history nerdiness to a minimum, promise.

MERLIN:  1.01 “The Dragon’s Call”
MERLIN:  1.02 “Valiant”

I heard good things about this Arthurian adventure series when the first season aired in the UK last year, so I’m pleased that NBC has picked it up.  I’m looking forward to it because Anthony Stewart Head (of Buffy fame) plays the tough, stern King Uther, and I’m looking forward to it because I have a soft spot for Arthurian stories

I admit I was a little put off when I found that this version of Camelot features a Merlin and an Arthur who are the same age (and oh, there’s more weirdness where that comes from).  But I suppose if anyone has the right to tinker with Arthurian legends, it’s the Brits.

And anyway, that’s the thing about legends:  when you get down to it, there is no One True Version, no author, no director’s cut.  The players and the events can be rearranged, re-imagined, re-interpreted, and this one says, let’s look at Merlin and Arthur as contemporaries, in a Camelot where Uther has outlawed magic for the past 20 years.

Because the basis for all this is legend, I don’t plan to be too hard on the show with regard to getting its history right.  The probable historical basis for King Arthur was a fifth or sixth century tribal chieftain, so definitely none of the clothing or architecture or social structures fit that period.  The Arthurian stories as we usually think of them come through the lens of the High Middle Ages (complete with courtly love, chivalry, and all that), which is closer to what we see here.

Mind you, that still leaves a big handful of anachronisms that pinged me between the eyes.  I’m thinking of things like the written sign that said “Court Physician” and the letter Merlin brought from his mother (people in Jane Austen novels bring letters of introduction; medieval peasants do not).  The existence of a celebrity singer was extremely out of place – as was her musical style, which belonged no earlier than the Italian Renaissance.

And how is young Merlin so ignorant of the class structures of his own time?  In the first episode he practically picks a fight with Arthur – even if he didn’t know Arthur was the prince, he obviously was a knight.  Bad call, kiddo.  And in the second, he grouses about having to work in a way that sounds natural for a 21st century teenager, but less so for a young man from the Middle Ages.  (This one could have been fixed, for note, had the writers put the focus more specifically on not wanting to work for Arthur.)  Unless his mysteriously literate mother is a noble (in which case, why has Merlin not had weapons training?), he has some strange gaps of common sense for being a commoner.

On the other hand, only a British production would pull out “Albion” as an old name for Britain, and that’s pretty awesome.

This is getting long, so meet me after the jump and we’ll talk characters…

Eli Stone’s triumphant return (start fanfare)

ELI STONE: 2.10 “Sonoma”

Eli Stone returned with new episodes this Saturday. You wouldn’t know it based on ABC’s stellar attempts at advertising it. Oh yeah. They didn’t. Moving on…

My heart breaks for this show. I love it. Why must it go?

We dropped right in from where we left–and had a song at the start, too! At first I was mildly annoyed: How dare they leave us with a life-endangering nosebleed just to have us start back up just fine? But nope, a dream.

Anyway, I’m very curious to see what the second aneurysm will do to Eli. Will he still have his visions? Will he be more likely to die suddenly? (I’m personally calculating whether if an aneurysm can kill him at any instant, whether two will double his chances or if they remain the same. If there’s an infinite number of chances to start…)

But I’m glad we didn’t continue with a long saga or else we couldn’t have had the fun plot that we had. I adored Matt hiding from his ex in Sonoma, and how he was immediately held in contempt for his actions ten years ago (though yes, Taylor was right to ask the judge to recuse herself from the trial). And how cute were Taylor and Matt, holding hands asleep in jail. Loved it.

But what about Eli and Maggie? Bah, Maggie. Can I blame the cancellation on how annoying Maggie is? I still hate their couply-ness. I still can’t stand the thought of them together. But methinks that we’ll end up with them as a couple, since she’s envisioned them together in a vision last season and we just had the awkward sex moment.

How old is she, twelve? Boo.

Anyway, I guess if it makes Eli happy, I should be happy, too, right? Though I personally wish he’d end up with Grace, but I think that option is long gone.

Really, the meat of the episode was cleary in the reveal of the black magic work done on Eli’s father. Personally, I think they approached this reveal slightly flawed. It had its punch, and it certainly was worth mentioning in this episode, and I love the twist. But why’d they have to reveal it twice? First to Nate, then to Eli?

I think the best thing to do was to make the discussion between Nate and Chen behind closed doors. Lead it up with “I have something to tell you” or something like that and then end the scene. We’ll assume they’ve talked when they end up on Eli’s doorstep together.

Then.

THEN we have the full reveal, so both the audience and Eli are completely shocked. And we see his reaction in full effect, not as an aftereffect since we know what they’re going to say.

Anyway, it’s still a worthwhile reveal. But clearly Eli won’t die in a week. So what will happen? What will the second aneurysm do?

And why are only three episodes left of this brilliant show?

Blah on all fronts

ARMY WIVES: 3.03 “Moving Out”

So, I hate to be harsh, but did anyone else find Army Wives to be completely boring last night? I mean, nothing really happened. I mean, stuff happened, but I really wasn’t enthralled.

Ok, what did happen? Roxy raised enough money to pay back the bank and transform Betty’s back into the Hump Bar. I’m pretty sure this entire plotline would be excruciatingly boring if they didn’t put her sons in the episode. Instead of excruciatingly boring, it was just kinda boring. And kinda unbelievable. Wouldn’t she have to make an overabundance of money just to break even–then to have room to put the Hump Bar back in its place, that’s just more debt.

And then there’s Trevor. For some reason, I’m still annoyed at Trevor. He’s been really disagreeable lately, not very supportive of Roxy, and just kind-of a bother. So the fact that he got reprimanded for not clearing someone’s weapon didn’t make too much of an impact in my eyes. Speaking of, did the actual kid who shot the gun get reprimanded at all? Didn’t look like it. I think they should have both ended up in the doghouse.

Speaking of houses, it looks like Claudia Joy won’t have to move after all, now that Michael’s back (another slight improbability, considering that he just started the new job and moved). But what about the people who were about to move into her house? And how did he just naturally get his job back when there was a replacement in place? And did anyone else want to smack Emmalin upside the head when she gave lip to her mother?

And as for Michael’s replacement, I completely forgot about him. It should be interesting to see where he goes now that Michael’s back, or just waht trouble will start up. Will he and Jennifer stay? Now that’s an intriguing question.

I kinda missed what was going on with Pamela, but I did appreciate the scene where she met the person who was moved by her radio show. I wish Pamela would end up back on that show. To be honest, that part was always the intriguing part of Army Wives because it really revealed the good and the bad–the real true-to-life struggles–of being a family in the army.

And honestly, that is what made me start watching the show. It was less the drama with the characters and more about how they fairly portrayed the truth of army life without being biased on one side or the other. Honestly, in some cases is sucks a big one, but in others, it really is fulfilling and meaningful. I think this needs to be inserted back into the show. I miss it. It’s what defines this show as quality rather than just another women-focused drama.

Anyway, I guess we’re only in the third episode of the season, so we have room to grow–or return to the basics–but last night didn’t impress me much. Bummer.

Amber Benson book signing

Well, if you were in the Boston area on Friday night, you might’ve heard that the Amber Benson, Chris Golden, and Thomas E. Sniegoski were at Pandemonium Books, signing their recent books. It was actually a neat event, and I was especially excited to hear about it, as I recently finished Amber Benson’s Death’s Daughter, the first in her Calliope Reaper-Jones trilogy. And hey, being a Buffy veteran didn’t hurt.

I was ultimately disadvantaged since I was unfamiliar with Thomas E. Sniegoski’s works (beyond comics, he wrote the novel that the miniseries Fallen was based on), but I am familiar with Chris Golden. He co-wrote the Ghosts of Albion series with Amber, and he’s also had a hand in the Buffy comics (refer to the Buffy Omnibus comics). But really, it looks like all three of them had a hand in the Buffy and Angel projects–which made the event a hub for Whedon excitement.

The event started with a Q&A from the crowd. The panel discussed everything from the Buffy reboot to Amber’s indie film Chance. And a lot about writing. Some of the most interesting parts were their discussion on how someone can move forward in writing (try, try, try; blog your writing; get it out there) and who their worst critic was (sure, the press is rough, but the worst critic seemed to be themselves–”well, there was this one guy…”). But really, the best part was seeing the writers all interact with each other, laughing and joking and enjoying the crowd.

After the Q&A, there was a signing. Of course, there was a plethora of Buffy paraphernalia. I was lucky enough to get both Death’s Daughter and Ghosts of Albion: Accursed signed. Overall, a good time.

But enough about that. How about some pictures of the event? (Sorry they’re not greater quality!)

Benson takes a Twitpic of the crowd

Benson answers a question in the Q&A

Golden and Sniegoski during the event

Sniegoski and Benson during the signing

Had to get this pic of Benson signing her own Buffy action figure

Golden, Sniegoski, and Benson at the signing

Benson and Death's Daughter

Anyway, it was nice to see someone famous for TV go outside of their comfort zone and enter into a new arena. Plus, books are always good. So this summer, support Tom, Chris, and Amber, and head over to the bookstore to pick up some new reads. It’ll be fun. I promise.

A Father’s Day Recap Review: 8 Simple Rules

8 SIMPLE RULES

It only seems right that on Father’s Day, I point out a great TV father. Who did I pick?

Well, it was hard. There are a lot. And overabundance–even though, while I was thinking about this, I did realize that there seem to be a lot of absent TV dads as of late–but still, a lot to choose from.

But then there’s John Ritter, who played Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules, a show that to this day I find completely clever and funny.

And how couldn’t it be? I mean, it’s got John Ritter for one. And the fantastic casting of Kaley Cuoco as his self-centered, popular daughter was a great one. I mean, when dealing with a teenage daughter in the midst of high school–and dating–how could a father not be exasperated and, therefore, hilarious? Add in the quiet, mopey middle child and a rebellious youngster of a son, and you’ve got a great setup for a comedy.

And Paul Hennessy shines. As much as he tries to put his foot down, it always seems like the daughters have him wrapped around their little fingers, and in the end, he just ends up collapsing in heap on the couch.

The best part? How his wife (played by the fantastic actress and singer Katey Sagal) just seems to find it funny. Of course, mothers find it a breeze when the husband struggles.

But it’s great. And the various things Paul gets himself into–unknowingly attacking Bridget’s boyfriend with a toilet brush, stealing a Polaroid just to get his daughter off shoplifting charges, sinking to a puddle of mush at the first sight of disappointment in his daughters eyes–are all perfectly handled in the show. Add in his excitement for “the boy!”, his only relief in the land of ladies, and it’s a perfect comedy equation.

Ok, so the show’s great, but why bring it up on Father’s Day? Well, this is one of those shows that had a very difficult transition. With John Ritter’s death, we really see the impact a father has on a family. Just thinking of the episode that reflected on his death alone–it’s heartbreaking. And while the girls had their grandfather and cousin to help them through the next couple seasons, it just wasn’t the same.

So take a moment today and think about fathers–and what we may or may not have put them through growing up. And if you have time, sit back and watch some 8 Simple Rules, a family experience with one of TV’s greatest long-lost dads.

U Rock 2 Giveaway!

Who rocks? U rock!

It’s Raked’s first giveaway, and I hope you like it. Disney.com is doing a brand-new promotion, and you can be part of it.

So here’s the deal. Head on over to Disney.com, and you can submit your own music video set to songs by your favorite Disney singers. Think Selena Gomez, JoBros, and more. Or, just look below for the songs in question.

• “One And The Same” by Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez
• “Paranoid“ by Jonas Brothers
• “Hey” by Mitchel Musso
• “Ready to Rock” by Steve Rushton
  

These videos will be voted on by fans, and the most popular video finalists will win a “rock star experience” including a trip to Los Angeles, an in-studio “take over” at Radio Disney, a visit to the set of a Disney Channel show, and more. How do you win? Watch and vote for your favorite videos online or over your cell phone. Just text UROCK to DISNEY (347639).

The deadline to submit videos, though, is July 12, so get moving! Finalists will be announced on the 17th, and you have the rest of July to vote. Head on over to the official site to find out more, read any rules, see videos, and submit.

But that’s not all. I’m having a giveaway to go with this promotion!

The Giveaway

I’ve got a prize pack that includes portable Disney speakers and a CD that includes the four songs included in the promotion. And I’m giving one of these to one of my lucky readers!

Here’s how you enter: Leave a comment telling me what Disney Channel show you would like to visit if you had the chance–and why. This is a required first entry into the giveaway. Don’t forget to leave an email address so I can get back in touch with you.

Want more entries? Here’s how you can get more.

• Tweet about this giveaway, and come back here to tell me.
• Blog about this giveaway and share the link in the comments below.

Please note that you need to come back and comment for each additional entry or else I won’t know to count you more than once!

I’ll be choosing ONE random winner for the prize pack giveaway on July 12–the same day video submission closes–so start commenting!

Recap Review: Bones Season 3 finale

BONES: 3.15 “A Pain in the Heart”

Last time this was on TNT, I missed it. I kicked myself heartily. This is one of the most heart-breaking episodes of Bones, and it’s definitely up there as one of my favorites.

Actually, it was this episode that got me back to really watching the show. True, it was suggested to me by one of my commenters that I should watch it regularly, but this episode really made a difference.

And the first time I saw it, I really wasn’t meaning to strike gold. I just needed something in the background as I cleaned, and suddenly I was completely enthralled–and of course, balling my eyes out.

Here’s the question presented: Which is worse? Finding out a loved one has died, or finding out a loved one is a completely different person than you knew?

Bones presented these questions beautifully, as the episode was bookended by Booth’s supposed death and funeral, and Zack’s reveal as Gormogon’s apprentice. Both sides of the coin. Which would you want?

Honestly, I think most people would say the death is worse, but as this episode presents, it’s much more heart-breaking to say good-bye the the one you knew and loved, when you found out it was all a lie. They’ll still be around, but not in the capacity you knew. At least there’s the option to believe that someone’s gone to a better place with death, but to find out that they’ll be hospitalized and that you never knew them? Zack’s future is so different than any of them expected.

And I must say, despite how surprising this turn of events was, they really set this up to be a believable ending to Zack’s stint with the group. Sending him off to war–and having him return–it really made you grow much more attached to the character who’s usually so detached from people. You almost deny that this can happen to someone like him until one line: When Caroline says that it was just a strong personality taking over a weak one.

Zack came back from Iraq weaker. For someone who’s so used to doing just about anything, the reveal that he was discharged because he was unable to conform–that inability weakened him. It’s easy to see how someone can swoop in and take over that weakness, even to the degree that Gormogon did. And it’s painful.

But beyond Zack’s reveal, I’m really impressed with the episode. How they made Hodgins’ helpfulness look sinister. I mean, the way everything seemed to slow down when he pressed the button to administer drugs to Zack. It looked like he was trying to shut him up, when really, he was just trying to help him to feel better.

And Sweets. Placing Bones’ threat in this episode–she and Booth are not guinea pigs for his psychological games–really made you start to question his motives. Once you see that he’s a suspect, you really start to wonder. And honestly, the first time I saw it, I think I thought it would be him. Much more than Hodgins and Zack.

It was a great and moving episode, and truly deserved to be a season finale. Bones needed a shake-up, and they certainly got it. And it certainly hurt.

The Secret Life A-no-no

Um, a slight vent. Feel free to imagine a vent-like voice to go along with this.

Can we please get rid of The Secret Life of the American Teenager? Every time I hear stupid Amy wimper, “I’m a teenage mother in high school; I’m missing out on everything,” I feel the need to throw various things through my TV. And my TV cost a good chunk of money. I’d rather not do that.

Of course, Amy would be missing out on things. That’s why you’re not supposed to get pregnant when you’re in high school. Why can’t someone just slap her across the face and tell her, “Stupid! This is why you should have been responsible! This is why you shouldn’t have had sex! Consider this your punishment for doing something really remarkably stupid. There are consequences for your actions and hey, this is what it feels like!”

But no. This show seems to idolicize teenage pregnancy. By all accounts, Amy Jeurgens seems to have had the perfect pregnancy. She threw up, what, twice? She was never uncomfortable. She seemed to have none of the swelling, pain, tiredness that all mothers seem to have. Considering how Brenda Hampton seems to want to force down the viewers’ throat the meaning of good Christian values, she seems to be showing that, hey, if you screw up, it will all be easy as pie.

It’s not a real view of what it would look like. Further, based on all the promos, it looks like she’s doing quite well taking care of her brand-new baby boy. She looks perfectly fine after giving birth, telling the baby, “You’re going home.” Where is the real story with the real pain? Are you really telling me that the biggest problem now in Amy Jeurgens’ life is that her boyfriend is jealous that she’s showing off her boobs? (And yes, that is in the season premiere.)

Meanwhile, you have Adrian running around, sleeping with anyone. Honestly, this show seems to be telling viewers to have sex, as opposed to cautioning against it. I understand showing a wide range of characters in your show, but they’re so one-dimensional that it’s painful. There’s no depth to anyone. Nothing to build off of.

And if the writing stays the way it is, I might rip out my eardrum. Just hearing the commercials makes me swear to never watch ABC Family again (which is disappointing, as generally I like the channel), but these people never do anything. Haven’t you heard, show, don’t tell? There is now show in this show. Just talking.

Lots.

And lots.

Of talking.

That’s all they do. I’m curious to know what the writers do in their lives. Do they talk like this? No one talks like this. It’s repulsive and unbelievable and painful to watch.

So on Monday night, everyone go out and have a nice hourlong break on your porch. Sit outside. Read a book. Learn how to read Shakespeare. Find culture. Don’t give the network more reason to keep it going.

If you don’t do it for yourself, please, do it for the safety of my TV.

Past, Porn, Pleasure, and Pain

THE UNUSUALS: 1.10 “The E.I.D”

Greetings. I am an EIV. Emotionally Invested Viewer. I love The Unusuals, and we might’ve just seen our last episode.

I hold out hope, I do. I noticed on Twitter that both Noah Hawley and TheUnusualsNYC called it a season finale yesterday. I’m hoping that’s true. Please, please, anonymous network that Hawley is talking to, please pick up this show! I know it’s a slim chance, but please? For me? And all the other EIVs out there?

So last night, we had a great mix of fun and serious plotlines. We had the entire team watching porn to catch someone breaking-and-entering. And on the absolute opposite side, we had Casey trying to find the criminals in the cold case.

Two notes: Sadly, Alvarez was missing in this episode. And I did miss him. Second, notice that Casey was an EID–emotionally invested detective. Turn that around and you get “die,” which, as we’ve seen from other procedurals, usually go hand-in-hand because you’re not careful.

Fortunately, Casey was fine. And the perfect person on the case. Casey, with her wealthy upbringing, understood what Margo grew up with–and what her attackers grew up with. She knew why people wouldn’t step up to help after Spring Break, and she was the only person who could really relate to Will in the end.

And I must say, I’m glad Will didn’t actively attack Margo. Because I really grew to like him, even if he did keep it all under his hat.

Meanwhile, wasn’t it heartwrenching to see Margo? Going from wig to wig (the blonde one was creepy, by the way) and seeing her deny the pain? Scared all the time and making up other attacks just to find someone to blame? It was really such a great way to set up an episode–and an interesting way to introduce a side of bottled-up pain that I’ve never seen before.

And then there was Cole, Beaumont, Delahoy, and Banks (man, I’m going to miss these guys). I 100% enjoyed this storyline. Banks and Delahoy watching porn–along with Banks’ “It’d be weird if I wasn’t watching it with you.” The fact that Cole could barely handle all of the references to pornography, let alone watching it–and that he got paired up with the one couple that found it funny.

You know, Cole’s really become this character that I really like. After the first few episodes with his secretive storyline, I was a little tired of him, but now, I really like him a lot. He’s become this character you can really feel for. Sigh.

Anyway, finding out the culprit was fun, but watching Cole and Beaumont undercover–man, I don’t know how these actors keep a straight face watching each other. Cole alone was a riot. Anyway, it was a good, original side plot.

But what about the end? We see now that ABC never intended for this to be a real sign-off to the show. It really just looked like it just stopped filming. Because we’re left seeing Delahoy wandering the streets after finding out the medical examiner was fired for helping him–sad in both counts. And there’s Casey, just sitting in the victim’s apartment, helpless.

It was really sad. And it definitely left room to build off of. It’s not really a fair way to leave the show–Banks still thinks he might die this year; Delahoy not only has a brain tumor, but now has no girlfriend or help; is Cole even engaged anymore?–and I want to know so much more.

I hope this isn’t our final good-bye to Walsh, Shraegar and crew, but if it is, I’m sorry they didn’t get a real sendoff.

Umm… About Hawthorne

HAWTHORNE: 1.01 “The Pilot”

So Hawthorne was not what I expected. To be clear, I’m going to stick it out for a while because I think it has promise, but it was not what I expected.

For example, the humorous quips I had mentioned were really non-existant. Maybe there were a couple at the end, but this show felt much more like ER than I had hoped. It seemed so…serious.

And it’s not that I expected it to be light. I mean, it’s a medical drama. Of course, it’s going to be heavy. But there was not really a break in the entire show from the heaviness of the plot. We had a baby and an angry homeless woman, a veteran almost killed by a nurse because of the doctor’s orders (that seemed a little pushed too far, by the way), and of course, Hawthorne’s friend jumping off a building.

I think part of the problem was trying to establish too much in the first episode. Hawthorne’s husband has died–partially because of her based on her daughter’s comment, meaning she probably couldn’t treat him–and his friend is so depressed on the anniversary (or maybe other things as well) that he tries to kill himself. That alone could be an entire episode.

Then you add in the homeless woman and the baby–both of who end up in the hospital by the end of the episode. Ok, that could be a decent side plot.

But then you add in the veteran? Not only is there a more-than-inappropriate nurse by his bedside, but we have someone overdosing him with insulin while just following the doctor’s orders. On top of that, the doctor is arguing back that she didn’t call that order–ok, this could be a multi-episode arc if it were really followed up with appropriately.

With all this drama (and you know TNT, they know their drama), how else can you fit in the lighter side? Even just a smile on someone’s face (even the chipper nurse is crying in the parking lot).

There’s just too much going on, and I think that’s all because it’s a pilot. It tried too hard to establish itself–including the very herioc-yet-failing attempt for Christina to get inside before  her friend jumped. (Seriously, that guard was ridiculous.) And establish the characters. I think I’ve started counting on two hands if you consider we’ve met two doctors, Christina, a male nurse, three female nurses, and that’s not even including the other people in the background. Oh and the woman with the artificial leg–why was this introduced in the pilot?

I do think this show has potential, and I think if it takes a step back, it really could do well. In fact, it probably will. There’s a lot of acting wealth in Jada Pinkett Smith, and they clearly have interesting backgrounds on the characters already in the mix. But we need more gradually and less now.

I’m hoping this was just a case of overactive pilot. I guess we’ll see next week. It’s still worth taking a shot at, I think, so I would definitely choose to watch this over Mental, but it does need some work.

Ugly Betty fans, do you like music?

One great thing about summer is that you can expand your horizons. You can read the complete works of Shakespeare. Or you can listen to music.

Which is what I’m doing. However, being the TV-obsessed person that I am, I’m forced to remain somehow in that genre. So here’s a new one for you.

Star of Ugly Betty, Vanessa Williams has a new CD out. Now, here’s what makes me chuckle. A good handful of the Ugly Betty viewers probably forgot (or didn’t know) that Williams actually used to be a singer before she started to act. But anyway, she’s returning to her singing roots in her newest album.

I grew up listening to Williams’ just because my family did. And this CD returns to her usual singing. Slow, romantic. You feel like you’re in the sweet parts of a romantic comedy when you listen to it.

I don’t know why I expected it to be different. Maybe because so many years have gone by that I assumed maybe she had changed–or that some of her quirky Ugly Betty-ness might rub off on her music. Or, maybe just that it might be able to used in the show somehow. You know, like how Kate Voegele’s music is in One Tree Hill or how Mandy Moore’s new album was used in an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

And maybe they will, I don’t know. I don’t watch enough Ugly Betty to know. But either way, the CD’s worth a listen, whether it ends up on-air or not, and it’s nice to see Williams back in the studio.

So let me know what you think if you listen. She’s got MySpace and an official site, if you’re interested in more.

I’ll try to do these music reviews sporadically throughout the summer–then I’ll see whether it’s worth doing once fall series kick in. Next up, I think I’ll write about one of Kate Voegele’s two albums. Or maybe I’m look into someone else. If you have a suggestion, please let me know. Actors that sing. Singers featured in a show. Let me know.

Give me more Judge Trudy

RAISING THE BAR: 2.02 “Rules of Engagement”

Raising the Bar introduced a new judge this week, played by the ever-talented John Michael Higgins. I’m personally a big fan of his—always enjoying movies like Best In Show and A Mighty Wind. Yet, something bothered me about his character. I get that places would have quirky judges, or maybe just have judges that are so strict that they have their own set of rules. Clearly, this judge did. But to pull a gun on someone in the middle of the courtroom (then of course, asking for someone to strike it from the record) and to be soooo outright with his pickiness…that all seemed to be a little too much like Ally McBeal than Raising the Bar.

And what about Trudy Kessler? Last week, she was terribly underutilized, and this week, we saw even less of her. Her curt demeanor seems to have weakened, and all we saw was her lamenting about no longer being with Charlie. Could it be that along with Jerry’s long locks, we’ve lost the one harsh individual in the land of lies and trials?

Considering how much she bugged me, I really miss her. I think that Higgins’ character can be a great additional recurring character to the show, but I want to see more of her. I can’t possibly imagine that her relationship and fight with Charlie at the end of last season would have done this much to change her. She’d still be harsh in the courtroom. Where did it go?

I hope by putting this as the second episode, it’s not setting a standard for the rest of the season (or series). There’s a lot of promise—and rage—in Kessler, and I want to see it come out again.

Otherwise, though, I liked the episode. I found it a little strange that after the sparks in the season opener, we’ve suddenly got such stress between Jerry and Michelle. (By the way, if you don’t follow them on Twitter, you really should. They’re fun to read along while watching the show—they comment as they go. Well, at least Jerry is. Michelle needs some work.) But how did this build so fast? Especially since they were hitting it off in the first five minutes?

And I’m a little disappointed. I think the twist with the cop was fantastic—I’m completely intrigued with whether he’s telling the truth or not, and I’m already rooting for Jerry’s client. Still a wee bit unsure as to how the murder charge fits in, but maybe I just missed that. But it’s really surprising how quickly I was ready to forgive Michelle for her last trick in court (last season). I was starting to like her again, and now? Completely hating her. Bah.

But isn’t Bobby adorable? Just that one encounter with her just makes you realize how great it would be to have Bobby and Jerry together. Crap, I’ve turned into a ‘shipper.

Anyway, by the end of the episode, I was 100% enthralled and waiting to see what happens in court. Just as the credits started to roll. Damn. So it looks like I’m going to be back for the next episode. Here’s hoping it lives up to expectations!

Roland: Perfection in a grumpy package

ARMY WIVES: 3.02 “About Face”

You know what this episode told me? It told me that Roland is perfect. Even in his grumpy, I-gave-up-what-I-wanted way.

I love this about Army Wives. Roland is one of those characters that you can miss occasionally. I mean, he’s the one man in the sea of women. He understands everything they’re going through, but he’s not quite one of the “wives” so he sometimes gets passed over.

But he’s the only one that can really communicate with Emmalin, and he’s the only one to volunteer to see Denise. He’s just great. And perfect. Even on his bad days.

By the way, if anyone thought it was a bad idea to complain to Pamela of all people about losing their career, you’re right. I saw that one coming from a mile away. Pamela has always been about leaving your career behind or the struggles of being an uprooted army wife. You don’t complain about that stuff to her.

But beyond that, Roland is my shining star. The only reason I was really interested in Denise’s storyline this week was Roland’s involvement. And the promos for the rest of the season seem to indicate that his presence is the only friendship she has in her life right now, so I’m really intrigued to see where it goes.

Meanwhile, there’s Emmalin and Claudia Joy. Man, at this point I just want to sock Emmalin, even though I feel really bad for her. But I mean, Claudia Joy is showing no discipline.

But wow. I completely forgot what a witch Jennifer is. Between her taking over Claudia Joy’s house (which just seems implausible, really) and the way she spoke to Denise, she deserves a but punch, too. Wow.

And then there was Roxy. Boy, Trevor really grated a nerve with me last night. It’s one thing to get mad at your situation and to get annoyed with the way Roxy is treating the bar and money. But to say that she should be home making babies–did that come off as somewhat sexist? I mean, kids are great, but if you’re already between a rock and a hard place with money, how would bringing new kids to the table help? Especially when the mother no longer has a job (not that Betty’s is really financially stable right now anyway)?

Plus, she mentioned to her new friend (who is great, btw) that she changed the Hump Bar to Betty’s–making it nicer, changing the menu, etc.–because she’s kind-of wanting to change herself. Where did that come from? I thought the point of changing it was to help those who felt the bar shouldn’t come back after the explosion. That if they changed it, it might feel like a new place while still keeping those remembered and Betty remembered. Where did this subconscious thing come from?

Beyond that, it was a pretty good episode. Not high-flying action. I mean, I was able to sort my laundry while watching without missing much, but it was a good episode. I just hope we move past some of these plots soon. Get Claudia Joy settled. Get Denise cleaned up. Get Emmalin adorable again. I wouldn’t mind seeing these women happy and fun again.

Hey, it happened before.

See what’s coming on Tuesday

Consider this your warning. TNT’s got some new shows coming up, and you should check them out.

Now, I’ve really only seen the trailers, but they look pretty good. You know in my analysis of NBC’s fall show Mercy, I’ve basically said that it’s the poor-man’s Hawthorne. Well, I guess we get to see if I’m right.

But before we get to that, let’s think about a completely different kind of show. First up is Wedding Day. It’s basically Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for couples. Instead of getting a new home, though, they get a wedding.

It takes a couple that’s had some sort of hardship–fiance in the army, overcoming disease, or in this case, a near-fatal car accident–and gives them a wedding of their dreams. In the first episode, this even includes an appearance by Boyz II Men. No kidding.

Expect tears. Lots and lots of tears. You can watch a sneak preview here.

I wouldn’t normally think about shows like this, but this one grabbed my attention. Why? Promotion. One really neat thing that TNT is doing to promote this premiere happens Monday, June 15. If you’re in the New York City area, watch out for “Random Acts of Brideness,” where brides will escort you to decked out cabs for a free ride to your destination. These aren’t just regular cabs. They’re bright pink, marked “Just married,” and with tin cans to boot. I think you’ll be able to spot them pretty easily.

Plus, you get the chance to see the show early. TNT will screen the first episode 24 hours in advance on the CNN board in Times Square at 8:00. With something like that to look forward to, why not give the show a shot? After all, why not have some warm fuzzies right before some drama?

And that drama is Hawthorne (and no, I will not spell it HawthoRNe). See a sneak peek here. I think this will be a quality show. Looks like it’s got a little humor–at least more than ER had. By no means does it look like a comedy, but just judging by TNT’s other original series (Raising the Bar, Leverage), I’m sure there’s some extra entertainment beyond the heavy hospital drama.

Plus, it’s got some strong acting. I have great expectations for Jada Pinkett Smith, and I have no doubt she can live up to them. I get a little nervous with hospital dramas. They have a way of either being too serious or too over-the-top, but based on what I’ve seen, this one seems to have struck the right balance so far. It’s worth checking out.

Anyway, looks like a pretty fun Tuesday–and heck, even an exciting Monday for those of you in the Big Apple. Man, I hope those random “brides” end up on YouTube somewhere. That would be funny to see.

I just play a bad guy in interrogation

BURN NOTICE: 3.02 “Question and Answer”

Well, we have our plot for season three. Finally, after two years, detectives discovered that there’s mayhem in Miami. Yes, somehow, it’s missed their attention that things keep getting blown up and people keep getting killed. Now, they know about it.

And all their attention is focused on Michael.

I must say, this could be a very intriguing twist to the show. I mean, it’s one thing to sneak around bad guys, but to have to sneak around good guys–that just adds another element that, really, I’m just excited about.

My only complaint is that so far, I’m not very convinced by Detective Paxton. See, the one good thing about Carla is that she had the authoritative, sexy, threatening demeanor about her. Something just made you realize that you didn’t want to cross her. But Paxton? I see that some might see her as authoritative, and in a way, she even has that sexiness about her. But threatening? Not so much. And I watch a lot of TV. I’ve seen threatening, sexy detectives. Right now, not that scared of her.

(By the way, Detective Paxton is played by Moon Bloodgood. What a name!)

Meanwhile, Michael has signed on to help Fi with some work. This meant a reverse interrogation for Michael and Sam. I found this really interesting. Now, let me clarify: You did have to take a lot on faith that this guy would believe everything that Sam and Michael were telling him. But then again, they told us awfully quick that he was new at the bad-guy game. Called him an amateur upfront, so I guess that’s what suspends our disbelief. I tended to believe it, but I know others felt it a little forced.

But the best part of the show had to be Michael’s birthday. Ok, ok. For the male viewers out there, sure, the hitting people and stealing things and all that was fun. But you can’t deny that the birthday party was just adorable? Michael’s mother attempting to cook (and of course, failing miserably). Plus his five-pack of beer–classic. And Fi gave him a sword. Who wouldn’t want that?

Overall, strong episode. Glad to see it. I did like it better than last week’s, and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.

The naked man in front of you

THE UNUSUALS: 1.09 “The Apology Line”

This was a good mix of an episode. We had the cases. We had Delahoy smelling horses. We had prank wars. And we even had a sad moment with Cole. Oh, and nudity. We had a good bit of nudity.

I have to say, the prank war won out in my view as the best part of the episode. And really, it’s what I love about this show. Sure, there are crimes to solve–and even those are quirky–but the main premise of the show are about the people. Here, we had Walsh and Alvarez in a prank war. I adored the tiny desk with the tiny fax. And the fact that their boss just didn’t care. But man, the way he got back at Walsh. I don’t care if Walsh ended up making him strip down at a “VIP’s funeral.” Just picturing Walsh’s face and confusion–and later his frustration–when Alvarez woke up next to him. That was fantastic.

And I liked Banks’ role this week. Honestly, we really never get to see him interact with the other people in the precinct, so it was nice to finally pair him up with Alvarez. Something nice and new.

And what’d we think of Delahoy? I like the little things revealed to indicate his progressing brain tumor. A few episodes ago, everything tasted like meat. Now, things smelled like horses. Now, I’m not sure what I thiink about his new relationship (of sorts) with the M.E., but she is cute, so I wouldn’t mind seeing where it goes. Right now, I don’t have a strong feeling left or right about it.

Then there was the naked man case. I personally found this to be pretty funny, and while I called the boyfriend as the killer from his first appearance, I found the reason and story behind it completely surprising. It made up for my prediction.

But the other real part of the episode that made an impact in my eyes was Cole’s reaction to the apology  line. They’ve really transformed him into a really likable character–someone you really sympathize with. Seeing him thinking back on his friend’s death was really heartbreaking, especially when you consider that his appearance in the city was Cole’s fault, and it was Cole’s own gun that killed him. His message on the apology line was just so sad, I was sucked in.

And man, if that’s sad, how am I going to handle next week’s episode? By all accounts, this is probably the series finale. There’s still a chance, since Noah Hawley tweeted that maybe, just maybe, a cable network will pick it up, but the chance is very small. If I hear how you can help continue the show, I’ll let you know, but come Wednesday night, we might be saying goodbye to our Unusuals.

But again, that was a great episode of a great series. I mean, what other show gives you nudists and quality TV at the same time?

David Carradine on ‘Mental’

MENTAL: 1.03 “Book of Judges”

I think Mental lucked out this week. I’m not sure people would have watched if it wasn’t for David Carradine’s appearance on the show. I don’t think I would have. With is death so recent, it was really a question as to whether they’d air this episode, but in the end, they did.

And it was ok. I was hoping for more, with such a great guest star. Less lying around like a lump and stern faces from his mind, and more actual acting that moved you. Sadly, while he was the focal point in our minds, the story went on and was about the cast of characters that we care little about.

We did, however, get a new side of Arturo Suarez. Finally, he’s moving past the player act and becoming someone who actually has a job at the mental facility. What I apparently missed is why he’s trying to dig up information on Jack for Malcolm. I think that was in the brief scene in the bathroom that I ignored.

Which is disappointing because clearly it’s something I should have paid attention to. Is it a flaw of the viewer or the writer to assume something had no relevance when instead it’s something important? I guess you all can decide. But in the end, clearly we’re finding out more information about Jack–and his sister, Rebecca–so there you go.

Meanwhile, Jack and crew are working on Gideon (Carradine), and it’s rather, well, annoying. Gideon’s daughter is annoying, which means I care very little for the kiss at the end of the episode. Meanwhile, I find it a little cliche to go through all the motions of doing a very dangerous test when, in the end, the machine wasn’t even plugged in. It all seemed very House.

At which point I really find this show to be a cop out. This guy seemed to have a real psychological problem, and by all accounts, he was cured because someone yelled at him. I don’t believe it.  In the least. It all seems too easy–and really, it is. I mean, if that were the case, why wouldn’t they have yelled at him at the start? Why do all the paperwork of a scary test if he’s not really going to do it and all he’s going to do is yell at him? It’s supposed to show that Jack is this fantastically different (yet successful) mental doctor, but in the end, it just appears to be bad writing.

But at least Carradine’s character was given his happy ending with his daughter. And I guess that’s something, even if it was a little bittersweet.

Thursday Open Thread: Comic Book Spinoffs

Remember when comic books were the geeky thing? Now, it seems like they’re everywhere. Perhaps, I’ve just moved over to the geeky side, but in some ways, I’m embracing it. What about you?

Do you read comic book spinoffs or adaptations of your favorite shows?

What’s funny is that you’d think it was just the sci-fi genre that really gets the fans, but it’s expanding. Sure, there’s Heroes and Battlestar Galactica. But most recently, there’s been The Muppet Show! Plus, add in the comics that extend a show past cancellation–Angel and Buffy are the obvious picks–or even the web comics that go hand-in-hand with things like Dr. Horrible (prequels all over the place), and you’ve got yourself a lot to catch up on.

So what do you do? Do you read them? And how? Do you pick one up as a tester, or do you wait for the trade paperback and make a $12.95 commitment?

Tell us in comments.

Zack is back (Zack Morris, that is)

I knew it was coming. I saw a Twitpic, and I knew. But I just couldn’t bring myself to stay up that late to watch. Sorry, Jimmy Fallon. It was an early night for me.

Fortunately, we’re in the digital age, where most everything on network television is now online. Including Zack Morris’ appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Now, you would think that I meant Mark-Paul Gosselaar, but no, I really mean that Zack Morris made an appearance. And I can’t help but write about it.

If you haven’t watched it, you can on Hulu. Just click here. Or, you can watch the video and hear Gosselaar’s thoughts here.

It was funny. I think it was great. It included the infamous timeouts, the theme song, “Friends Forever,” and even…wait for it…the hideously large cell phone. Add in the bleach blonde hair and the ’90s clothes, and you’re set.

Ok, here’s the story. Zack Morris was always Zack Morris, and he grew up to be an actor. Of course, he changed his name. His poor relationship with Kelly fell apart when she moved to a new zip code (awesome joke to 90210, the good one, by the way), and now he’s on Raising the Bar and, from what I can tell, dating Stacy Carosi. Oh, and yes, he’s still in Zack Attack. Again, if you haven’t seen it and you’re a Saved by the Bell fan, run–do not walk–to Hulu.

Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games. Well, very little of it wasn’t. But they did spend at least a couple times mentioning Raising the Bar, which premiered its second season opener last night.

The entire bit was to get the entire cast of Saved by the Bell on Jimmy Fallon’s show for a reunion. I really haven’t been watching Jimmy Fallon, so I was unaware of this, but it seemed like a fun stunt. It also appears that we’re only waiting to hear from Screech and Kelly for approval. (Though I can’t imagine anyone wants to hear from Dustin Diamond right now, what with his tell-all book coming out soon.)

Anyway, it made for some fun television. I fear that Gosselaar might be a wee bit disappointed the he had to do that instead of a real interview. I mean, how can people take you as a serious actor when you’re literally put back in the shoes of your childhood predecessor? But it went over well, they included a clip of his new show, and people laughed.

And that’s all you need for late night TV, right?

By the way, loved the timeouts when people could barely handle not laughing. Fan-bloody-tastic.

The ‘Bar’ is higher–and a hair shorter

RAISING THE BAR: 2.01 “Hair Apparent”

Oh come on. You knew that they were going to cut his hair. It’s been all over the publicity posters.

And honestly, they transitioned into it rather well, I think. When I first saw the posters, I was afraid that they’d rip the character apart, but it’s no surprise that he’d do something extreme for a case, even if it is changing his own appearance to sway one juror. And his staring into the mirror at the end, well, that just shows that the real Jerry might not have disappeared when the hair hit the floor.

By the way, if you’re a Twitterer, Raising the Bar had a fun live Twitter with @jerrrykellerman, who made comments throughout the episode. It was a fun little feature as you watched the show.

Anyway, the show itself was a good one. Tame for a season opener, but I think we need a little tameness. Kessler, the queen of lions, was the tamest of all. I know that we won’t be rid of her temper and irritation, but it was surprising to see her so quiet in this episode.

But you know what? It let someone else shine instead: Rosalind Whitman. I’m a big fan of Gloria Reuben, ever since her days in ER. And honestly, I was a little disappointed to see that she was so underutilized on the show last season. I mean, when a friend sees the promotional posters and says, “Is she even a well-known actress?,” you can tell that something is needed to distinguish her from the crowd. I’m glad she’s being brought out more, and it’s great to see such strong women in the cast.

Speaking of women, Jerry’s love triangle continues, as his possible relationship with Bobby is put on hold. Of course, this means he’ll be back with Michelle, which wasn’t my ideal couple, but sexual tension is what drives shows. And how sinister did Bobby’s husband look? I still think that a judge would side with Bobby, despite the hugging pictures (alimony? really?), but I guess they had to have something for her to do. Her husband was too dark a character just to have disappear.

Now, if he had a picture of that kiss last season, that would be something.

Anyway, I’m glad it’s back. I missed the back and forth of everyone–the prosecutors and the defense attorneys. I love the friendship despite it all–seeing everyone wearing those horrid Jerry-inspired wigs and then having his friends sneak into the courtroom just to see his new haircut. Really, they handled that transition marvelously.

I see good things for the new season. Now, I did see the preview with the judge in the courtroom pulling a gun; I fear that might jump the shark a bit. But looking at this episode alone, we’re seeing transitions for characters, development, and a harder line between the two sides, which makes for more difficult cases.

I say, bring it on!

‘Burned’ is back in business

BURN NOTICE: 3.01 “Friends and Family”

Sorry I’m a little late in posting on this ep, but I wanted to take some time to think about it a little bit before responding. And I’m glad I did.

I liked the episode. It was classic Burn Notice. From the great heisty situations to the voiceover tidbits of information that make you wonder, “Is that really true? People can do that?”

But something was amiss for me. There was something wrong.

First, let me say that I knew Harlan would be bad from the start. I mean, come on. His name is Harlan. Plus, you can never trust people from Michael’s past.

But aside from that, the plot was fine. They had their job, they made it work, they ran into trouble, and there were some fun car crashes along the way. So what was the problem?

Well, I guess I was expecting something bigger. The season finale of last season was incredible. I mean, I was on the edge of my seat. It seemed like every character was on the edge of their life, wondering if they’ll be the one to fall. Where was the extreme action in this episode?

I get it on one side. With the end of last season, one chapter closed. But I would have thought another would have reopened, at least a little more obviously. And I questioned Fi’s side of things. Where did this anti-government side come from? I mean, it’s no surprise, but she seemed especially vocal about it this episode and it really made me wonder.

Now, you have to take into account that I’ve missed some episodes in the past seasons and most of the ones I’ve watched have been out of order, so maybe this is something that I should have noticed, but I just didn’t. Your call.

And ultimately, I did enjoy the episode. As always, it kept you guessing and wondering what they could possibly do next. But where’s the part that links it to the killer season ender?

Anyway, I assume that a great story arc is sitting in someone shirtsleeve, ready to whip it out as soon as they get a good hand, so I’ll keep watching and waiting. And maybe I’m too critical on a show that’s especially action-packed.

But I don’t know. What’d you think?

Broken down and broken up

ARMY WIVES: 3.01 “Best Laid Plans”

Army Wives doesn’t exactly want to you to start off a season with a smile, huh? Last season, we were introduced to the heart-wrenching episode that left Amanda dead and all others sobbing (including those who were huddled in front of the TV). Last night, while no deaths occurred, we weren’t that much happier.

I didn’t know what to expect with this week’s episode. I was a little fuzzy on the season finale of last season–what with it being so long ago–and the cliffhanger of Emmalin’s disappearance didn’t grab me nearly as much as the writers hoped. Sure, I wanted to know what happened, but I wasn’t at the edge of my seat.

But I’d say they handled it well, discovering that she’s running off to get married. It bothered me a bit to find out that the entire storyline with Logan was written off within the first fifteen minutes (if that), but the rest of the episode didn’t disappoint with the family drama among Emmalin, Claudia Joy, and Michael. It does make me wonder how much we’ll see Michael from here on out and how Claudia Joy will be allowed to stay on base, but I guess that will work itself out.

The cliffhanger storyline that did bug me a bit was that of Roxy and Betty’s “nephew.” It wasn’t a story the dug at me throughout the show’s hiatus, but I did expect it to go on past the season premiere. Finding out rather suddenly that he was just a con man seemed like a cop out. I would have liked to see Roxy fight. Roxy is one of the strongest women on the show, despite her teeny-ness, so to see her grow and become someone who was willing to take it to court–I would have liked to see that.

Meanwhile, there was Denise. I felt bad for her, I really did. I’m surprised she didn’t speak up more when she was fired, considering that he was no longer a patient when she slept with him. He had been released. And when he broke up with her, well, that was just sad.

But my issue is that I’m caring very little for this storyline. I’m not a fan of Frank. They really turned him into the bad guy last season when Denise was trying to grow and become her own woman, and he was trying to hold her back. Now, we’re supposed to feel bad for him, or possibly even conflicted, with all their marital problems. But I still don’t like him.

Not that I want to see him die. I feel like they’re heavily setting up an incident for him. Whether that means he’ll be killed or injured, I don’t know. But even the promos tend to suggest it. I kinda wish they’d just write him out in some peaceful way, but then she wouldn’t quite be an army wife anymore, huh?

Anyway, it was a good start to the new season, though not as dramatic as last season (but can you really match an explosion?). I look forward to seeing where the show goes, though I hope it’s less in the vacinity of Denise’s bedroom and more back to the basic day-to-day lives of our women.

Neil Patrick Harris sings! (His closing number on the Tonys.)

This is what I was waiting for! As you read, I TiVoed the Tony’s last night, which leads to one small problem: The show cuts off if it runs over! Which means I missed this!

This is what I was wanting! Neil Patrick Harris to sing! I thought we’d get it in the opening, but hey, I can’t complain if it’s the closing.

Yay. This makes my Monday as shiny as Neil Patrick Harris’ tux. Thank you, YouTube!

The Tony Awards: Impressions

I admit it. I cheated. I TiVoed the Tony Awards and only watched the parts I wanted. Most of this was the musical numbers. And any time that Neil Patrick Harris spoke.

Let’s backtrack. Despite my focus on TV, I’m actually a big theater fan. It’s actually surprising that I am not a usual Tony Award watcher. In fact, this year was the first time I really watched most of it. Well, “most” might be a bit extreme, considering my confession above, but this was really the first time that I watched a good bit of the show.

And how could I refuse? Neil Patrick Harris was the host! That alone makes it completely must-watch TV.

Anyway, the main reason I’ve really never watched was because I never knew the newest shows. I never knew most of the stars of the shows. Have times changed? I mean, this was a star-studded night!

Ok, let’s go into random mode. I have a friend of a friend in Rock of Ages, so while I’m hearing a lot of skepticism about the show after the performances tonight, I’m really interested. Plus, with the performance of “Don’t Stop Believing,” it really made me realize that Glee might not quite be as original in its song choice as we thought.

Anyway, I’m completely intrigued by Billy Elliot, which was, of course, the big winner of the evening. This isn’t new. I wanted to see it before, but now it’s cemented in my mind.

Meanwhile, I definitely didn’t know that certain stars were on Broadway. I mean, I knew about Oliver Platt and Lauren Graham in Guys and Dolls. (Man, I love that show.) I was hoping to see Lauren Graham perform–that would be new for her, compared to only seeing in on TV. Sadly, we didn’t get to see her, but the crapshooters did make a great show, despite the bad reviews I’d read about the revival.

I had no clue Allison Janney was in 9 to 5. How fun! If only I could just be rich and see every show in NYC. That’d be great. Even Legally Blonde won me over.

The only show that I’m not swayed to see is Shrek. Sorry, I wasn’t a fan of the movie, and while the musical looks creative, I’m just not interested.

Anyway, it was fun, and though I missed the majority of the winners in my TiVo plan, I still enjoyed it. If any of you have thoughts, please share them.By the way, the only bad part of TiVo? I think I missed a closing number.

It’s almost unfortunate that more people don’t watch the Tonys. I mean, I’d love more people interested in theater. I hope NPH grabbed more attention. Though Tonys versus the NBA finals? Sadly, I don’t think the Tonys won in the ratins.

But it should have. That original musical number was fantastic.

Recap Review: Wildfire, The Pilot

WILDFIRE: 1.01 “The Pilot”
WILDFIRE: 1.02 “The Rescue”

“What’s the name of that horse?”

With the finish of the Belmont Stakes–the final of the three main horse races–it makes sense to me to write about one of my favorite deceased shows: Wildfire.

I remember when this show first came on the air. I didn’t think much of it when I saw it advertised. Then I saw the pilot, and I was hooked. And to this day, I think the two-parter premiere is still my favorite episode.

We’re introduced to Kris, who, despite her prison background, is extremely likeable. And what’s better? Her best friend is a horse. And it’s not a Mr. Ed-like relationship. It’s a real friendship that can only be understood between the two of them.

As part of her release, she’s sent to Raintree, where we meet the rest of the cast. Nothing to crazy: The nice-guy family farm versus the richer farm. Except for maybe Jean and Pablo, we really don’t see much dimension in the characters quite yet, but we’re still learning Kris’ story. Personally, I still scoff at the idea that Mr. Davis is trying to marry Jean–it really seems out of place as we go further into the series (though maybe who she ends up with in the end–I’ll keep it a secret for now–seems more like a stretch). And even in the first episode, I already get annoyed at Matt. Sure, he’s genuinely nice, but his puppy face gets on my nerves.

Ok, back to the good. I like the introduction to the family farm. Honestly, the overarching conflict of the fading days of the family farm is a great idea. It’s very true and it dictates the next four seasons of the show. It’s a great element that honestly never really gets old, in my opinion.

And while all the buildup and background is great, it’s not the strength of the episode.

It doesn’t matter how many times I see this episode. I still get excited when Kris steals Wildfire from auction. And each time, I get goosebumps as the Ritters and Davises watch the chase, and each person realizes what they’re watching. As Dani asks why she doesn’t just give up, Jean leans forward out of her chair, and Henry asks the name of the horse.

And Kris’ smile as she realizes she’s moving faster than the people trying to catch her…

Of course, it’s not exactly a happy ending. Kris is tossed back to Camp LeGrange, but Wildfire has a new home with Raintree.

And that’s just where it all begins. Man, I love this show. It does so much, gets you hooked, and then there’s so much more room to grow. It’s not just finding that through all this you just care for Kris, too. Suddenly, you’re interested in farms, horseracing, and most of all, Wildfire.

Joe Jonas meets Beyonce

Be careful what you wish for.

Earlier this week, I made a joke that the only thing that could make things better for tween—you know, after the Twilight trailer premiere and the news that Hannah Montana gets a fourth season—is if the Jonas Brothers got tighter pants. Apparently, Joe Jonas stepped up to the plate, and took it one step further.

He got tights.

Most of you have probably already seen this, but if not, well, here you go.

I couldn’t get through the entire thing. I don’t think that’s necessarily surprising. I mean, it’s Joe Jonas in tights. I’m not sure why he did this. Perhaps lost a bet? They say at the beginning that he must do it for the fans, but we don’t really know why. If you do, please let me know.

Apparently, people are a little perturbed by this video for other reasons (not just the scary Jonas legs in tights). People are annoyed that it’s a little too close to an SNL video with Justin Timberlake. See below.

I think they’re all a little upsetting personally. But hey, what can you say? It’s all viral. Here’s my real question: Joe Jonas is now 19 or 20 now, right? Do you think he looks back on his life and just sighs? Star of Camp Rock. His favorite fans are 12. Now this?

I’d be looking for some therapy if I were him.

When being safe isn’t safe

THE UNUSUALS: 1.08 “The Dentist”

I think this episode of The Unusuals is the best yet. I think this episode could have gotten this series renewed.

I hate ABC.

This episode was fantastic. Let’s start with Alvarez and crew. Alvarez is running the station this week, and in his own incompetant way, he was bringing it to ruins. And to be honest, I think that’s what we all expected.

But it was such an intriguing case. And I loved the development of Alvarez. In the end, he was the one that solved the case–and he deserved to! He’s been the guy that’s been walked all over constantly, and it’s nice to see him develop. More so, we find out that the reason he’s made it so far was in name alone. It wasn’t his work that got him higher in rank than the rest of our cast; it was his name.

Beyond this, the plot really kept you guessing. Unlike last week’s episode, where you easily identified the answer to the plot very early, we really didn’t know where this was going. Never would I have assumed that they’d mail the cash to themselves using a box from the sergeant’s office. That was brilliant (and I want one of those bobbleheads).

Meanwhile, Leo Banks (I LOVE Leo Banks) was at home, trying to avoid disaster, just to find it in his lap. First, let me say that I loved his apartment. I loved the inflatable furniture–”You sleep in a chair?”–and everything about it. I love him. I’ll just say it. Send him along with the bobblehead.

But really, this was just kind-of interesting. I was nervous when the show first started that Banks really would need to go to a counsellor or that he’d become agoraphobic, and his character would change massively. I was glad to see that his plan to avoid danger by staying at home just didn’t make sense (clearly, too, he had never seen the Final Destination movies).

And it’s something interesting to think about. In one episode, this show took two of the places that you’d assume would be safe–a police station and home–and made them a victim to crime. Suddenly, what you thought you knew wasn’t true anymore, and you realize that everywhere is vulnerable.

I really liked this episode. True, I can’t imagine that the fake U.S. Marshall would not realize there are cameras in the interrogation rooms (though apparently they assumed they’d get caught anyway), but beyond the minor holes, it was a solid episode. Plus, seen Delahoy try to get through the indestructible barrier of Banks’ apartment door? Priceless.

Once again, I must say that I’m going to miss this show. The more I watch, the more sad I get about it going away. We’ve taken characters that we’ve disliked–Alvarez, Cole–and made them sympathetic characters that you understand now. We’ve taken the hardcore cops–Walsh, Beaumont–and given them a well-rounded softness. And yet, though all of this, we’ve got the quirkiness–yet relatability–of fear in Banks and Delahoy.

I hate ABC. Cancelling this show feels like a punch to the stomach.

R.I.P. David Carradine

I wasn’t going to post about this because I really hadn’t seen David Carradine in much, but he’s a classic, well-respected actor, and he needs to be remembered.

If you haven’t heard, David Carradine was found dead in Bangkok today. He was found hanged and assumed to have committed suicide, which just makes the entire thing sadder. You can read about it here. He was 72 years old.

Carradine is well known for his 1970s series Kung Fu and most recently for his appearances in Kill Bill. I think you can tell from my usual write-ups that these aren’t the usual shows and movies I catch, so I’m unfortunately at a disadvantage.

I do, however, remember him from an episode of Lizzie McGuire, when he was teaching Matt about the ways of a Kung Fu master. Lizzie McGuire had the honor of his appearance because his brother appeared on the show.

Coming from such an acting family (read his bio on IMDB here), it’s no surprise that he was well known and well liked. He’ll be missed.

image from sptimes.com

Thursday Open Thread: Old School TV

I was thinking about Full House (as you could see, based on my Michelle Tanner post), and I came up with this question for today’s open thread.

What was your favorite show growing up? Would you still watch it today?

Personally, I loved The Wonder Years, but I was a Full House junkie, as embarrassing as that is to say now. I would totally watch The Wonder Years today–it was a great show. And even though I catch reruns of Full House, I still tend to cringe from time to time (especially in the later years).

So hop on down to comments, and reminisce with me. Hey, does anyone remember how we used to think Family Matters was cool? Ew. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum (and a few years later) was Fresh Prince, which to this day is still cool.

The mystery of Rebecca

MENTAL: 1.02 “A Beautiful Delusion”

The one thing I forgot to mention in my review of last week’s episode was the storyline of Rebecca. Which is unfortunate because it’s really the driving force of the show.

Last night’s episode of Mental was ok. The storyline was original–at least to me, someone who watches few hospital dramas–but it wasn’t something that was 100% invested in. The promo was by far more interesting than the case itself, and honestly, it felt a little too much like House: The in-question doctor sets up a fake surgery, costing lots and lots of money to the hospital and angering the hospital administrator. That wasn’t new to me. And as someone who seems to be watching House more than her beloved Buffy DVDs (thanks, JC), it just didn’t seem fresh.

Maybe without that part, it would have stood on its own as an episode for a new series, but really, it just had too much of a feeling of House. Further, the character development was lacking. Sure, the show was trying, but all we saw was one character with a secret affair (not new), a lesbian (the newest addition to TV this season, aka not new), and a player who likes the lesbian (again, not new). There’s just nothing grabbing me.

Except Rebecca. Rebecca’s mystery is the driving force of the show. It’s the one part that we want to know more about. It’s the one thing that casts a shadow over the usually jolly Jack Gallagher. Last week, we only had one phone call with Rebecca. This week, we had many.

And we almost got to see her.

Now, I can’t remember if Rebecca is a sister or a wife (someone help me out?), but we know that she’s missing and doesn’t seem to talk on the phone. It’s rather…creepy. But intriguing. We want to know what happened to her. Where is she? Why does he care so much? And what’s wrong with her? It’s this mystery that gives the show something to stand on.

But how long can it go on? Eventually, the breathy phone calls will get old, and if nothing more is revealed, people will lose interest. I can see this going on for about a season, and then they’ll need to reveal her. Then I guess, it’s his dealing with Rebecca in person, which isn’t nearly as intriguing.

But maybe I’m too picky. Maybe the House fans out there like the show. Personally, I’m not too invested, and I’ll be honest in saying that I only watched last night’s episode so I’d have something to review today. Next week, I might just choose a Recap Review.

What would you do?

Recap Review: Michelle Tanner

FULL HOUSE: Michelle Tanner

Now that it’s summertime, I’ve got more time to do crazy and wild things, like write Recap Reviews. I’ve really only done one character-specific review, but I kinda like them, so maybe I’ll keep it up.

The other thing about summertime, is that I get half-day Fridays at work. This means that I have the opportunity to catch up on old shows that are syndicated during the workday. One strong example is Full House.

I adored this show growing up. Really. It’s embarrassing how much I loved this show growing up. But I was right in their target audience, and I was right around Stephanie’s age, so there you go. I liked it. And the first season was adorable. Adorable.

Then, a few years down the road, it got bad. And I mean, really bad. I mean, I still watched it (which is a bit embarrassing to admit now), but I’m hoping part of that was because I felt that I should after so much dedicated watching. But it was bad.

The culprit? Michelle Tanner.

Here’s a slight flaw with TV. Sometimes, people watch a show because they like a character a ton. Then, the people in charge realize it and try to exploit it. This happened with Ruthie in 7th Heaven. And it may just happen with Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. That show is walking down a fine line.

This is what happened with Full House. The wee Olsen twins were adorable as babies, and the viewing audience just loved watching them grow up. But then, it became The Michelle Show. It wasn’t just that she was in the forefront of the series, but the family was making ridiculous decisions because of her.

Decision #1: Jesse and Rebecca live in the attic. Ok, ok, sure. They had to do this to really keep the characters in the show as much as they’d like them. But it was unrealistic. But then again, Michelle was still really cute, and Jesse was apparently now a wuss, so we kept them in there.

Decision #2: Jesse and Rebecca have twins. Gosh, Michelle was just so cute, let’s do it again! Not only was it ridiculous, but these kids did not have the same factor that the Olsen twins did, and now there were two of them. And added element to the show that was just kinda annoying the longer it went on all because of Michelle’s character success.

Decision #3: The family doesn’t move.

This is the real moment that the show became The Michelle Show. If you remember, the Tanners were offered a huge amount of money for their house. This would allow Jesse and crew to move out. All the girls would get their own rooms. You know, everyone would be normal.

But no. Michelle decides this is a bad idea, so Michelle sabotages the inspection and then the family stays, just because Michelle is sad. Really?! This has always bugged me. No family in the history of time would ever do this. And that was the turning point of the series.

Suddenly, everything revolved around Michelle, though Michelle wasn’t even cute anymore. She was older and bratty and obnoxious. Yet, they focused on most. So what? She kicked a winning goal into the wrong net. Why did the world have to stop? So what? She has two best friends. Why should the world stop?

Even in the series finale, it was all about Michelle. Michelle fell off a horse, got amnesia, had to find her way back. Personally, I could care less and wanted to make sure DJ got to prom.

So basically, Full House was brought down by Michelle Tanner. Which is disappointing, because like I said, it was really good to start. Looking back, I should have spent those last few season watching something else. I mean, it did compete (and win) over Saved by the Bell: The College Years in its last season. That’s just sad.

If the Jonas Brothers had tighter pants

Cover your ears and guard your loins. The tweenagers are amuck with good news. Not only is there a New Moon trailer, but Hannah Montana just got a fourth season (according to Breaking TV News on Twitter). The only thing that could make this day better would be if the Jonas Brothers had tighter pants.

(Ok, so this post isn’t really about the Jonas Brothers, but if you do want to read about them, I’ve got some posts here, here, and here. Or just search for them in my search box below.)

I know I’m not exactly a breaking news kind of blog, but I thought I’d share this little tidbit of information. I find it a little strange that the same day that Miley Cyrus tweets about how she’s working on the last episode of season three, we find out that there’s a season four on the way. So much for “the last song,” as Miley put it.

I remember the days when Disney Channel had a three-season limit for their shows, mainly because if they did more, the characters would be too old for the target audience. I lamented the end of Lizzie McGuire and thought there was potential for more (sans singing).

How are they going to do a fourth season of Hannah Montana, though? I mean, Jackson’s already sitting around at home looking for colleges and only working at Ricko’s. Are we going to transform him into a sad sack? He really is too old for the target audience, and his buddy system with Rico’s getting kinda old.

Meanwhile, Lily and Oliver are together, and everyone seems to be going through high school with ease. Add in the movie, and what else is there to do? We have happy ending written all over the place.

The renewal is a little disappointing. The freshness is gone. The acting has become overacting. And I think it’s just lost its flavor.

But in the end, it’s the fans that matter. And the fans like the show. More so, the fans buy the merchandise. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Miley get married one day. As long as there’s a person to buy the T-shirt, I think we’re set.

Update: This just in: Apparently, it looks like the show will be changing locations, which will allow for a new setting and new characters. I guess it’s nice to give the change, but does that mean we’re losing Lily and Oliver? If we lose Rico, I certainly won’t be disappointed, but I’d say that Lily is one of the strongest driving forces of the show. For one thing, she can actually act.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see. You nervous? Excited?

Oh Mercy Mercy me

I’m slowly going through the trailers for this fall. It’s not that I’m not excited about the new stuff, but if I go through them fast, I have nothing to write about all summer.

So next up: NBC’s Mercy.

Here’s my one-liner about the show: I was skeptical about this series–and still am to a degree–but I think it will succeed.

NBC’s tapping into an idea audience for them. They’re competing directly with the new TNT series Hawthorne, and actually, this show will probably start right as Hawthorne is ending its season, so people will want to see more shows about nursing. Plus, it’s tapping into the audience of ER, which has recently been cut free. Add in a little romance for the Grey’s Anatomy lovers, and you’ve got yourself an ideal audience-pleaser.

However, there is one problem. Michelle Trachtenberg. As you know, I’m a big Buffy fan. And as a big Buffy fan, I am of the consensus that she was very annoying in Buffy. And to be honest, she’s very young. If not young in reality, she’s at least young-looking. So I really can’t see her as a nurse.

I realize that this is probably her attempt to break out of her itty bitty tweeny roles, but still, it just seems like miscasting. I thought all of this before watching the promo, which you can watch below.

Ok, so it’s a little better. She’s a newbie–a newbie that covers herself in Hello Kitty and cupcake scrubs, one that no one takes seriously. That helps. And she’s cute; that helps, too. I’m still skeptical, though. I think she’s got a better case for being on it, but I’m still seeing her as the downfall to the series. Maybe I’ll be surprised.

I can’t say this is an entirely new premise. It’s just another hospital show to me. I appreciate the Ally McBeal-like relationship, where one person follows their sweetheart, only to discover that they’re happily married (enter tension), but it’s not really new–well, except that she was in Iraq. That’s interesting, though sadly, they probably won’t play it up enough.

I’d say this is a safe show. I think it can–and likely will–succeed. And maybe I’ll check out an episode or two to really see if Michelle can step up or if it’s anything different. But if you’re looking for something spectacular that’s about nurses, I’d probably suggest Hawthorne. I think it will get more to the gritty underbelly of complex plots, while this one’s just a surface crowd-pleaser.

OMG. A ‘New Moon’ trailer! Squeal giggle faint.

You knew it was coming. You didn’t know when, but you knew it would. And it has. The trailer for New Moon.

It was premiered at the MTV Movie Awards last night, though I don’t know if it was leaked before. It was introduced, of course, by the heart-throbby Robert Pattinson, a lackluster Kristen Stewart (seriously, she looked like she’d rather be having a root canal than introducing the promo), and the freshfaced Taylor Lautner. Watch it below.

Sadly, this video doesn’t include the swooning and screaming of the teenage girls watching it at the MTV Movie Awards. Apparently, while Robert Pattinson might make girls faint, a shirtless Taylor Lautner brings about explosions of teenage hormones in girly glee.

To be honest, I’m not that impressed with the trailer. I mean, I read the books. I wasn’t that impressed with the books, but they certainly have some interesting things to show. So just showing Jacob turn into a wolf (sorry, had to laugh at that effect, though at least it’s better than Edward’s glittery skin) and the party just seemed lame. I guess it’s an attempt not to give anything away, but it seems like a missed opportunity.

I know, I know. Teenage girls everywhere are going, “There was kissing and a shirtless Jacob! That’s enough for me!”

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll probably end up seeing it. Not in the theaters, but on Netflix. If you recall, I enjoyed the first one, given that I didn’t take it too seriously. In other words, I had to laugh at it from time to time. But I enjoyed it, and I’ll probably check out New Moon.

I wonder, though, if they’re really taking it to where the books took the story. I mean, Bella really had a dark transformation in this book, and (to an extent) so did the pansy Edward. I can see them playing up Edward, but I’m not sure that they will really put the darkness in Bella that I think it really needs, solely because of the young audience. Reading is one thing. Seeing is another.

But I guess we’ll see. In the meantime, please continue to replay the trailer. Just warn me before you squeal.