Brothers & Sisters S2 E5: Domestic Issues

SPOILER ALERT!

Kitty is pregnant!

And look who's ecstatic and starts coming up with baby names:

• Tommy talks to Lena and tells her they should keep it professional. Lena is pretty blunt by saying she wished things were different. Holly talks to Lena, too but something else was about to happen. Bad, bad girl that Lena!
  
• Joe is a scumbag! He demands primary custody of Paige and Cooper in his divorce from Sarah. Kevin lawyers up for his sister. But Kevin isn't confident of his abilities but he still advices Sarah what to do. In the end, Joe won custody and Sarah is crushed. Joe picks up the kids while Nora's there, and momma dearest gives him the treatment he deserves. Whoo!
  
• Justin overhears his mom and Kitty....and gossips about it to the family.
  
• Kitty and Robert get into an argument about what this pregnancy would mean to the campaign. Kitty takes her stand, as always.
  

Ah, these Walkers, how tough they all are. Uhm, except for Tommy....he's tempted by a manipulative woman. :P

[Brothers and Sisters]

Samantha Who S1 E3: The Wedding

While listening to countless angry messages left on her machine, Samantha ponders about one truthful fact: "Everyone hated me, except for one friend from high school and, for some reason, my boyfriend." Until she receives her bridesmaid dress for a wedding she cannot remember, on account of her recovering from amnesia.

Samantha attends the wedding to know who actually liked her enough to make her bridesmaid. But before the ceremony even started, she meets the bride at the hallway and she wasn't too pleased Sam was there. Turns out, Sam had started a wedding pool to bet on how long the marriage will last and in the process, she got herself uninvited from the wedding. Only of course, she couldn't remember all those details.

So Sam tries to make peace with the bride, who happens to be moneyed and influential. While trying to be back in her circle, she inadvertently ditches her high school chum, Dena, for them. In the end, Sam realizes (via a flashback she conveniently remembers) these "friends" of hers are horrible people and tries to woo back the only friend who actually likes her (Dena).




Also present at the wedding was Sam's boyfriend, who she broke up with after her accident/amnesia, after realizing she wasn't treating him right. Boyfriend Todd is played by Barry Watson (Seventh Heaven), and it looks like he is starting to see the changes in Samantha. Will they get back together?

Samantha Who? is probably the surprise hit of the season. And other than Christina Applegate's perfect comedic timing, also equally delightful to watch is Jean Smarts, who plays her mother and Jennifer Esposito, who plays her other friend.



[Samantha Who]

October 29 - Monday's Ratings

1. “Dancing with the Stars” (8-9:30) (ABC) 21.57m
2. “Samantha Who?” (ABC) 15.36m
3. “CSI: Miami” (CBS) 15.19m
4. “Two and a Half Men” (CBS) 14.12m
5. “Rules of Engagement” (CBS) 11.24m
6. “The Bachelor” (ABC) 10.59m
7. “Heroes” (NBC) 10.45m
8. “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) 8.92m
9. “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS) 8.55m
10. “Chuck” (NBC) 7.03m
11. “Journeyman” (NBC) 5.93m
12. “House” (Repeats) (FOX) 5.82m
13. “K-Ville” (Repeats) (FOX) 4.00m
14. “Everybody Hates Chris” (CW) 2.50m
15. “The Game” (CW) 2.40m
16. “Girlfriends” (CW) 2.24m
17. “Aliens in America” (CW) 2.11m

Heroes continues to lose its audience, affecting the show following it (Journeyman). Now that one doesn't only lose audience week after week like Heroes, it couldn't even retain the audience from its lead-in. It continues to lose 35% of those who tune to Heroes. Not a good combination. Journeyman should be given a chance because it's a good one. A better time slot should work wonders.

Wounded Up

It's amazing how much I pressure myself when in a tight fix. It's like watching the Energizer Bunny. On sugar rush, yet. But it's actually these things I enjoy best. I tend to cram everything and stress myself out. When I'm doing that, it makes me feel very controlled and useful. That's the Virgo in me talking.

Just yesterday, I managed to:

• write my income-producing blogs
• cook a pasta dish
• prep the living and dining room
• throw a lunch party with my extended families
• take a nap in the middle of that
• gush at my baby niece who I just want to pinch all day
  
• subscribe to live feeds on Big Brother
• did transcripts of that for a few minutes, for my GirlTalkin' sisters
  
• watch my TV backlogs
• visit a friend in nearby Pasig
• had an incident at a gas station which took at least an hour to be done
  
• watch regular TV
• read a book
• sleep for more than my usual four hours

Anyway, catching up on TV

Heroes S2 E5 - Fight or Flight: This was the episode Kristen Bell makes her appearance and for obvious reasons, I could not shake Veronica Mars off her. Especially when she questioned the Irish guy on Peter Petrelli's whereabouts --- that's usually what VM does.

Bionic Woman: Ah...I purposely did not watch last week's episode. I am considering dropping it now. I've wasted enough time.

Chuck S1 E5 - Chuck vs The Sizzling Shrimp: The episode felt like Rush Hour or some Hong Kong movie. What's with the freeze framing on the fight scenes, though? There are attempts at showing Chuck's personal life and relationship with his sister, perhaps to give this show some heart. But it was slightly creepy. In the premiere episode, it took me awhile to get into the idea that they are siblings. And it's still the same after five episodes.

Dirty Sexy Money S1 E5 - The Bridge: This show is my Brother & Sisters for this year, in terms of watchability... and alright, maybe in similar ways, it's a lot like B&S because of the family element to it. DSM just keeps getting better and better. It's fun watching how they live, with the kind of lifestyle they have. It's also interesting to see how they fix their mess. Or how Nick fixes it for them.

• The twins are bratty millionaires but I'm still hoping they get their act together and come out winners.
• Brian, the pastor, is evil and ill-tempered in many ways but I love the fact that, more than God, he's afraid of his wife. Bwahaha.
• Karen is the manipulative sweetheart, hence her character is likeable.
• The only Darling sibling I don't warm up to is Patrick. Politicians just suck.

Friday Night Lights S2 E4 - Backfire: Julie realizes the young guy she's got her eyes on isn't exactly prince charming material. Thank god she saw that very early. And hooray for the coach! He returns to Dillon Panthers! Although, I know this is just a set-up for what should happen next. Lawsuits may be involved, as the fired coach accuses Coach Taylor of backdooring him so that he gets his job back.

Journeyman S1 E5 - The Legend of Dylan McCleen: I hated the fact that Dan's ability (time traveling) is starting to affect even his son. But, what can he do? He still doesn't know how to control it well. Traveling back to the 70's and talking to his father at work was interesting to watch. Journeyman is an underrated show that deserves more attention.

Life S1 E5 - The Fallen Woman: It's difficult to watch a procedural drama when I have guests in the house. But what I have managed to gather from this episode is that a diabolical character plays nemesis to Charlie Crews. Cool. Potential recurring character.

[Heroes], [Dirty Sexy Money], [Journeyman], [Life], [Chuck], [Friday Night Lights]

October 28 - Sunday's Ratings

1. “World Series Game 4” (8:30-11) (FOX) 19.72m
2. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC) 18.10m
3. “World Series Game 4 Pre-Game” (FOX) 16.58m
4. “NFL Football Overrun” (FOX) 15.42m
5. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC) 14.07m
6. “60 Minutes” (CBS) 13.02m
7. “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC) 12.75m
8. “The OT” (FOX) 12.21m
9. “Cold Case” (CBS) 11.69m
10. “Shark” (CBS) 10.27m
11. “CSI” (R) (CBS) 9.41m
12. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC) 9.16m
13. “Movie: The Bourne Supremacy” (8-10:30) (NBC) 5.88m
14. “Dateline” (NBC) 3.59m
15. “Football Night in America” (NBC) 3.58m
16. “America’s Next Top Model” (CW) 1.42m
17. “Life is Wild” (CW) 1.10m
18. “Aliens in America” (R) (CW) 0.75m
19. “CW Now” (CW) 0.74m

October 26 - Friday's Ratings

1. “Deal or No Deal” (NBC) 10.50m
2. “Ghost Whisperer” (CBS) 9.87m
3. “Numb3rs” (CBS) 9.68m
4. “Women’s Murder Club” (ABC) 8.90m
5. “Moonlight” (CBS) 8.56m
6. “Las Vegas” (NBC) 8.18m
7. “Men in Trees” (ABC) 6.51m
8. “Friday Night Lights” (NBC) 5.88m
9. “Friday Night Smackdown!” (8-10) (CW) 4.61m
10. “Grey’s Anatomy” (Repeat) (ABC) 4.31m
11. “The Next Great American Band” (8-10) (FOX) 2.87m

Ugh. With so much to do this week, I was not been able to watch a quarter of shows on my list. And November Sweeps is starting. I don't think I can catch up.

On the brighter side, this week's long holiday is a time for family bonding. Slowing down on TV watching affords me to spend time with my big extended family, on both sides.

• Extended in-laws from abroad are visiting.
• My cousins and their kids are coming over. Since school is out, the kids have more time to play. Or fight. Whatever comes first.
  
• Our baby niece is learning how to react to people now. Watching her, talking to her --- it takes all the tiredness I feel away.
• My son and his elder half-sister are catching up on each other and that's great.

I've got my own family drama or sitcom to watch this week. And you know what? It's the best show yet.

Ugly Betty S2 E5: Hot Dates

• Betty goes out on a real date with a guy she meets online. She wasn't what he expected. And Betty thought they were having a good time. She ends up kissing Henry, though.
• Mode is in big trouble. Advertisers started pulling out. They need money to run the magazine, so siblings Daniel and Alex meet with their dad to ask for a loan. But Alex suddenly remembers the real stand of her relationship with Bradford Mead. And how she actually planned to kill her father.
• Justin has skipped school, has driven his mother's car towards a tree, has gotten arrested by the police. Hilda talks to Justin. They both miss Santos very badly.
• And the cliffhanger of this episode: Christina, who is also looking to date somebody online, does meet someone in the chatroom. But, it turns out --- he's her husband.
  

[Ugly Betty]

Scrubs S7 E1: My Own Worst Enemy

Hey, sports fans...I smell something awful. And it isn't Turk (who embarrassingly admitted he smelled like eggs when he sweats!)

In last night's episode...JD realizes he doesn't love the woman who is pregnant with his baby; Elliot realizes she doesn't love Keith enough to want to marry him. So, are the writers setting up how this show finally ends? With JD and Elliot actually getting together? Are we going back there again? And why am I getting a Garden State-ish feeling about JD in this episode?

I still have lots to love about the premiere though:

• Dame Judy Dorian tells Tony Shalhoub to suck on it. (Zach Braff was nominated and lost to Tony Shalhoub for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Emmys in 2005. Putting that in as a joke was clever.)
  
• The short squeaky intern
  
• Janitor's lady friend named Lady
  

JD: "Who's named Lady?"
Janitor: "She is! She has a brother named Him. So what?"

This would be Scrub's final year. Will you be missing it or do you think it's finally the right time to bow out?

[Scrubs]

Grey's Anatomy S4 E5: Haunt You Everyday

This would have been another episode with quality for Grey's Anatomy, but the Gizzie story line has thrown me off once again. Callie out Izzie in? They are actually together now? Tell me, when did that happen between episode 4 and 5?

Equally surprising (but totally loving the idea!) is the return of Dr. Hahn. Or Dr. Hahn's red scrubs (lovin' it!). Or her confirmation as the new head of cardiothoracic surgery. Or her bitchin' at Christina. Something more is coming from this story line and that's what I want to see!

Meredith washes her mother's ashes in the sink just outside the OR. She's been haunting Mer in her dreams and Mer believes this is where her mother wants to spend forever and ever. Mer's also been trick and treating around the hospital. A little boy is in need of new ears, and she is helping him get that. Mer is in her whimsically dark place....we let her be. Meantime, Derek, who was barely in this episode, realizes he needs to start dating again. Wha? Didn't he just say last week he wants to marry Meredith? Again, tell me what I missed between this week and last?

Ava/Rebecca returns. And leaves... with only her bra? After spending time with Alex in the on-call room (e.g. they had sex), she leaves her blouse on top of the pillow, for Alex to smell. ????

Bailey's marriage is in trouble. It would have been the first night her son gets to experience Halloween and she missed it. While agonizing over that, George apologizes to her with his adultery, and for becoming a disappointment. And Bailey said something that should actually make sense. Except that I got lost in it. What was it about again?

This episode has got me very confused.

But there's one thing I know now ---- Don't get married if you're interning at Seattle Grace. Because all marriages turn really, really bad here.

[Grey's Anatomy]

Oct 24 and Oct 25 - Weds and Thurs Ratings

Oct. 24

1. “World Series Game 1” (FOX) 16.87m
2. “Criminal Minds” (CBS) 14.93m
3. “CSI: NY” (CBS) 13.64m
4. “Private Practice” (ABC) 11.77m
5. “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) 9.45m
6. “Dirty Sexy Money” (ABC) 8.56m
7. “Phenomenon” (Series Debut) (NBC) 8.35m
8. “Kid Nation” (CBS) 8.03m
9. “Bionic Woman” (NBC) 7.78m
10. “Life” (NBC) 6.85m
11. “America’s Next Top Model” (CW) 4.72m
12. “Gossip Girl” (CW) 2.55m

Oct. 25

1. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) 17.95m
2. “World Series Game 2” (FOX) 15.64m
3. “CSI” (R) (CBS) 14.76m
4. “Survivor: China” (CBS) 14.16m
5. “Without a Trace” (CBS) 12.75m
6. “Ugly Betty” (ABC) 9.84m
7. “ER” (NBC) 9.12m
8. “The Office” (NBC) 8.98m
9. “My Name is Earl” (NBC) 8.23m
10. “Big Shots” (ABC) 8.08m
11. “Scrubs” (Season Premiere) (NBC) 7.03m
12. “30 Rock” (NBC) 6.53m
13. “Smallville” (CW) 4.50m
14. “Supernatural” (CW) 3.27m

Surprised for Bionic Woman rating very low against debuting show Phenomenon when the latter wasn't even worth watching.

The Office S4 E5 Local Ad:

Episode Summary: When the Scranton branch is asked to participate in a Dunder Mifflin ad, Michael seizes his chance to exhibit his creativity. Meanwhile, Dwight explores the online world of Second Life.

RECAP IN FULL
*If you don't see it yet, please check back 10 AM USA Eastern Time*

[The Office]

24 Season 7 Preview: In Which Jack Bauer does Die Hard

Alright, except for the fact that this awfully feels like a Die Hard movie, I think the preview kicked ass. Hence, my face went like this:








Tony is back from the dead...and appears to be the bad guy. But I highly doubt that's the case. Please, let this season be as good as this trailer shows!

Watch here.

[24 Season 7]

Private Practice S1 E5: In Which Addison Finds A Showerhead

This week on Private Practice, I learned that:

1) Addison does not masturbate. And I'm guessing if you had a McDreamy and a McSteamy, you wouldn't need to.

2) She constantly dreams of Pete passionately kissing her.....the effects of a McDiet!

3) The girls, Violet and Naomi, encourage self-gratification....and Naomi needs to get some real soon. The other week it was cakes and now this?

4) Naomi and Sam handle their daughter like grown-ups this time around.

5) Violet handles work as a therapist as efficient and professional as possible, despite going through some emotional issues with her Ex-husband. Allen, shooo!

6) Cooper is a sweetie. I learned that before, so I'm just stressing the fact.

7) Addison shows why she's a board-certified neo....something. When advising boy nurse Dell on what to do before going down on Lady Town (i.e. papsmear), Addison exuded credibility. There's that the doctor I learned to love on Grey's Anatomy!

8) This I learned not from the show, but from googling --- Pete, or the actor who plays him, Tim Daly, is 51 years old!!!


[Private Practice]

Friday Cuteness

I interrupt the program for.... teh cuteness!!!

Chris Pirillo is this geek whose techie videos my husband subscribes to; and he posted something really cute a few days ago.

Look at how well-behaved these two puppies are. They don't move an inch as their human daddy points the video cam at them. What could be going through their minds, I wonder?



From Chris' description of this video:

This year, our two puppies are getting dresed up as Princess Leia and Darth Vader. My wife, Ponzi, came up with the idea.

One minute after I recorded the video, Pixie peed in place and Wicket bit my left hand.

Cuteness!

Pushing Daisies S1 E4: Pigeon

Episode Summary: A plane crash into an apartment building leaves the trio with a case - did the pilot commit suicide? - while Chuck finds herself drawn to the man who appears to be the sole survivor (guest star Dash Mihok), much to Ned’s distress. Meanwhile, Olive takes a wounded messenger pigeon to the Aunts for help.

RECAP IN FULL HERE
*If you don't see it yet, please check back 10 AM USA Eastern Time*

[Pushing Daisies]

Daemons

This is one of those days when I sometimes wish I had another body to do all that I want to do. I took a break from TV yesterday and saw a couple of movies and caught up with reading (a book, yes! NKKBSPA-ko! LOL!).

A friend of mine lent us the Dark Materials series to read before we go and watch The Golden Compass (showing in December). Incidentally, if you visit their official website, there's a quiz there that tells you what your Daemon is. A Daemon in The Golden Compass is like a pet you have with you all the time. Except that, that pet is your "soul". If it dies, you also die.

Daemons are supposedly a reflection of your personality traits. So, the hubby, my son and I took the quiz to find out what creature best represents who we are.

Hubby had a really interesting result, his Daemon was like this magnificent bird or whats-it-called, I forgot. My son's Daemon was a Jaguar or Panther, I forgot too but it was something beastly.

And guess what mine was? A little lady bug (ladybird in the UK)!!!! It's the tamest, safest Daemon you can get. And that could only mean one thing --- I was boring.

Hubby: Kapamilya ng ipis yan, eh! Ipis! Ipis!
Me: Aahhhh! Ang corny ko talaga! Hindi ako ipis! Ang baduy ko! Bakit kayo ang gaganda ng creatures niyo?

My son was laughing at my results and got teased endlessly. :P

Anyway, so.... my TV viewing list is piling up. I'll better hurry up and catch some of it later today. But not without leaving these news first, check it!

• Tomorrow, the trailer for 24 Season 7 will be up at 24Trailer. The show will begin in January 2008.
• Prison Break spin-off, Cherry Hill, in the works!
  
• Amazing Race Season 12 premieres on Nov. 4! This was originally planned for airing in February 2008 but Viva Laughlin has been canceled and that time slot is now ready for another show to occupy.
• CSI and Without A Trace is doing a cross-over. Mother of All Crime Dramas, that's just WOW! The episode will air on November 8. I plan to watch that as soon as it airs.
  

Be back later. I remember, I've got to work on the Pushing Daisies recaps! That takes me three hours or so...man, the things I do for the love of TV. Haaaackkk!

October 23 -Tuesday's Ratings

1. “House” (FOX) 17.87m
2. “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC) 17.82m
3. “NCIS” (CBS) 17.09m
4. “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC) 12.17m
5. “20/20 Special” (ABC) 10.92m
6. “The Unit” (CBS) 10.86m
7. “Bones” (FOX) 8.82m
8. “Cane” (CBS) 7.98m
9. “The Biggest Loser” (8:30-10) (NBC) 7.17m
10. “Carpoolers” (ABC) 7.13m
11. “The Singing Bee” (NBC) 6.82m
12. “Cavemen” (ABC) 6.55m
13. “Beauty and the Geek” (CW) 3.20m
14. “Reaper” (CW) 2.57m

Wonderful episode from House this week. He sent one more fellow packing, mimicking The Bachelor's way of booting a contestant. And now they are down to six aspirants. Next week, Foreman is back at the hospital, working as...House's boss it seems.

October 22 - Monday's Ratings

1. “Dancing with the Stars” (8-9:30) (ABC) 19.96m
2. “CSI: Miami” (CBS) 15.48m
3. “Samantha Who?” (ABC) 14.35m
4. “Two and a Half Men” (CBS) 13.74m
5. “Rules of Engagement” (CBS) 10.82m
6. “Heroes” (NBC) 10.70m
7. “The Bachelor” (ABC) 9.20m
8. “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) 8.72m
9. “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS) 8.60m
10. “Prison Break” (FOX) 7.45m
11. “Chuck” (NBC) 7.14m
12. “Journeyman” (NBC) 6.28m
13. “K-Ville” (FOX) 6.12m
14. “The Game” (CW) 2.54m
15. “Everybody Hates Chris” (CW) 2.53m
16. “Aliens in America” (CW) 2.35m
17. “Girlfriends” (CW) 2.14m

The Monday line-up seems to be my busiest. I am not actually able to watch everything at once, some of these, I skip to watch on weekends. Like last night, I got to watch only two from the line-up: Aliens in America and Samantha Who?

But I backtracked a little and watched the first episode of The Big Bang Theory. Yes, that is back on my list! Evidently, from what I've read, it's the best new sitcom around and I'd like to find out if it really is. I had seen the pre-air last July and found the laugh track very, very, very annoying. I still feel the same after one episode. But I'm supposed to watch the show develop to fully appreciate it. 1 episode down, 4 more to go...

And speaking of Samantha Who? --- ABC Television has found another hit in this one. Look at the ratings. It remains steady with 14+ Million for this week and previously. And you know what? The show ain't so bad either. I'm enjoying it immensely! Samantha Who? stars Christina Applegate (see first photo above) and is a comedy about a woman who wakes up from a coma to discover that before her accident, she was this ultra-bitch who didn't have any good relationships. Realizing that it's not the life she wants to have, Samantha tries to change for the better, while struggling with the fact that she couldn't stand how her former self behaved and treated people.

How I Met Your Mother earned its season high this week, with the funniest episode to date, How I Met Everyone Else. Have yet to watch it but this the first one I'm gonna do later today, when I'm done with real life (e.g. work, family, etcetera...) Speaking of those other distractions, I'm close to sulking in depression again. It's back at the bottom for me, in this roller coaster we all call life. UGH. I refuse to get dragged down by it. Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! Things will fall in its proper place, I know.

Kristen Bell appears on Heroes this week. And she supposedly delivered and saved the show from becoming a one season wonder. How bad is Heroes' free falling?

09/24/07 16,970M 7.3
10/01/07 11,960M 5.5
10/08/07 10,910M 5.1
10/15/07 11,410M 5.2
10/22/07 10,700M 4.9

Those numbers on the far right are crucial. I'm pretty sure Heroes will have another season after this one, but it will continue to lose viewers.

Journeyman --- now that's a show to watch. Never mind the sorry ratings it is getting.

Also on this list is the show Rules of Engagement. It's not part of my regular viewing list but I've gone through Season 1 earlier...and did not enjoy it. :( It's about 30-something couples, people my age, dealing with problems people my age deal with. So, I'm supposedly its audience but I hated this show. Studio 23 is bringing this to local free TV, why????

[Samantha Who?], [The Big Bang Theory], [How I Met Your Mother], [Heroes], [Journeyman]

October 21 - Sunday's Ratings

1. “NFL Football Overrun” (FOX) 20.91m
2. “MLB ALCS Game 7” (FOX) 18.09m
3. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC) 17.78m
4. “The OT” (FOX) 13.74m
5. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC) 13.56m
6. “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC) 11.92m
7. “Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh at Denver” (NBC) 11.82m
8. “Cold Case” (CBS) 11.44m
9. “60 Minutes” (CBS) 11.14m
10. “Shark” (CBS) 10.93m
11. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC) 8.36m
12. “Viva Laughlin” (CBS) 6.77m
13. “Football Night in America” (NBC) 6.28m
14. “America’s Next Top Model” (R) (CW) 1.61m
15. “Life is Wild” (CW) 1.58m
16. “Aliens in America” (R) (CW) 1.28m
17. “CW Now” (CW) 0.89m

Viva Laughlin is toast. Putting it before Cold Case has slightly affected the ratings of Cold Case.

Desperate Housewives, for the curious, is experiencing a "very creative year", critics say. They've been bringing up the ante, delivering a better show, episode after episode after episode.

Brothers & Sisters 2.4 - State of The Union

Last night on Brothers & Sisters... (SPOILER ALERT)


- Bangs, they're back?

- Justin is an addict to pain killers. Again. He's also addicted to the TV show, The Hills. Note to self: Check that one out!

- Predictable, but ugh! Tommy and Lena...I'm so nervous they'll be having an affair. And Holly's the (angry) voice of reason for Tommy, his father's mistress. Unlikely!

- Saul denies to Kevin he is gay. Still hiding in the closet....

- Too much shouting from Calista...her throat must be hurting.

- Nora needs a new project. She's driving her kids crazy. She's driving me crazy, even if I know how she's feeling!

I love you. You're my children. When you're in trouble, I'm in trouble. I'm sorry I don't know how to say, "Oh ladida, I think I'll go play golf..." You're everything I've ever done with my life. Believe me, I lay awake at night praying you guys would get your lives together so I can get some sleep.



[Brothers & Sisters]

Nothing Compares To Your Umbrella...ella...ella....

Caught up with talent shows last night, and heard two songs sang in two different contests. Which one do you think did the cover better?

NOTHING COMPARES 2U (Prince/Sinead O'Connor)

Natalie's done the Prince version and she did a nice job, vocally. She was supposedly experiencing something like it, having broken up with her boyfriend 7 hours and 13 days ago (as the song goes), but it didn't connect with me.

Niki did the Sinead version and she showed vulnerability and emotion. It's the exact copy of the original but her delivery was flawless. I like hers better.


Natalie Gauci
Australian Idol Top 6 Part 1
Judge's Pick
Media from Idol Fanatic


Niki
The X-Factor Top 12
Representing: Over 25's
Mentor: Louie Walsh

UMBRELLA (Rihanna)

I'm so tired of hearing Umbrella, so I've got no favorite.

Natalie did her own version sans the "Ella...Ella..." and it didn't feel right to me.

The group, Hope, turned theirs into a Pussycat Doll performance. Guys probably went, "Wow!" but I got bored.

Other people have done better with this song, if you search YouTube for "Umbrella cover version".


Natalie Gauci
Australian Idol Top 6 Part 2
Pick Your Own Song


Hope
The X Factor UK
Representing: Groups
Mentor: Simon Cowell



[Australian Idol], [The XFactor UK]

Friday Night Lights S2 E3: Are You Ready For Friday Night?

This episode of Friday Night Lights deserved a standing ovation...from me at least (and I did give it one!). The writers and producers got it right this time. It's gone back to its first season quality --- raw, gripping, sympathetic and real.

• The Dillon Panther and its new coach are not getting along.
• Jason, the former player and now the assistant coach, isn't being given the chance by the new coach to do what he can.
• Riggins is back on an alcoholic binge.
• Saracen (former captain) and Mash (new captain) are at odds.
• Julie has broken up with Saracen and she is now with someone else, someone who's bad news.
  

Plus this:

With Coach Taylor working far away and is only home every weekend or so, Tami, who has just given birth, is left to hold the family together. It's tough taking care of the baby, much less taking care of it all by yourself. And it's tougher if you also have a teenage daughter to watch over, especially if she is in this rebellious phase.

In this scene, Tami confronts her 15-year old daughter because she hasn't been behaving herself...watch:



Julie so deserved that slap. I cheered for that. Yeah, Mrs. Taylor!

I feel for Tami. :(

[Friday Night Lights]

Canceled!

Oh, I'm going to embark on a crazy week beginning tomorrow. And I still haven't catch up on the previous episodes!

Anyway, so, one month after the season premieres...which new TV show do you think is bowing out? Based on the poll I ran for 6 weeks, visitors of my blog think Cavemen will be the first one canceled, with 17 votes or 28%.


Well, the show is hanging in there but yes, it isn't doing very well. But officially, Nashville is this season's the first casualty...although it wasn't included in my poll selection.

On Sept. 25, TV Week reports:

Looks like Fox isn’t going let “Nashville” coast after all. After two episodes, the network is pulling the Friday night docu-soap reality show in favor of “K-Ville” repeats for at least two weeks. The show debuted to a 1.0 rating among adults 18 to 49, then dropped to a 0.8 last week.

As for the rest of the series?

• Gossip Girl is officially the first new show picked up for a full season.
• The Big Bang Theory is officially the first new sitcom to get a full season order.
  
• Additional scripts were ordered for the following series: Journeyman, Cane, Chuck, Bionic Woman, and Life
• Private Practice is leading the pack of new shows in terms of ratings. Update: It has gotten a full season order. Dirty Sexy Money is also fairing better.

But it's not all good. There is still some uncertainty for all of the shows we're watching this season because of the looming Writers' Strike, which sources say, could take effect anytime this week.

October 19 - Friday's Ratings

1. “Numb3rs” (CBS) 9.72m
2. “Women’s Murder Club” (ABC) 9.67m
3. “Deal or No Deal” (NBC) 9.32m
4. “Ghost Whisperer” (CBS) 8.92m
5. “Moonlight” (CBS) 7.78m
6. “Las Vegas” (NBC) 7.51m
7. “20/20” (ABC) 6.75m
8. “Men in Trees” (ABC) 6.42m
9. “Friday Night Lights” (NBC) 5.48m
10. “Friday Night Smackdown” (CW) 4.66m
11. “The Next Great American Band” (Series Premiere) (8-10) (FOX) 3.57m

Liking lots: Women's Murder Club. Yeah.

I have Phoebe!

P as in Phoebe.
H as in Heebee
O as in Oebee.
E as in Eebee.
B as in Beebee.
E as in 'Elo there, mate!

Who is Phoebe?

She looks something like this.

So named after a favorite FRIENDS character by her previous dad. And we've adopted her. My son is now asking we get an Ursula for him next. Nyak.

I'm getting to know Phoebe now. I love her already.

Threesome with Me, Conan O'Brien and John Cusack

It's something I've longed wished to happen --- this late night threesome with me and two men I've long admired: John Cusack and Conan O'Brien. That is, me watching Conan interview John on TV. (Why, what were you thinking? Mwehe.)

I had no intention of watching Conan late last night since I wanted to retire to bed early (Man, those Office recaps wear me out!). But it's a good thing the TV was tuned on ETC, or else I would have completely missed this moment. And apparently, based on the interview, John's been on Conan a few times and I wasn't able to see those! :(

click to watch video

• Conan was his usual goofy self, very gabby and animated ... which is what I love about him.

• John was very uncomfortable and hardly supplies anything personal about himself (as with most interviews) and keeps a certain polite but charming appeal... which is what I love about him.

These are two men I've been crushing on since I've learned to recognize my taste in the opposite sex. We've got the the dorky class clown and the anti-social (those are my types?? LOL!) --- someone who makes me laugh and someone so private and distant, I'm so challenged to pick into his brain and his emotions to discover who he is.

And with that, my night was complete. :)

[John Cusack], [Conan O' Brien]

October 18 - Thursday's Ratings

1. “CSI” (CBS) 20.80m
2. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) 17.67m
3. “Survivor: China” (CBS) 13.92m
4. “ALCS Game 5” (FOX) (8:30-11) 12.81m
5. “ER” (NBC) 10.01m
6. “Ugly Betty” (ABC) 9.67m
7. “Viva Laughlin” (Series Premiere) (CBS) 8.83m
8. “The Office” (NBC) 8.50m
9. “Big Shots” (ABC) 8.34m
10. “My Name is Earl” (NBC) 7.26m
11. “30 Rock” (NBC) 6.27m
12. “Smallville” (CW) 5.06m
13. “Supernatural” (CW) 3.06m

I'm only checking out Viva Laughlin this week. Reviews for this show's premiere are very, very bad so I have very low expectations.

My Name is Earl had the oddest episode ever. It had animation, a mascot, some singing and dancing...odd, odd, odd. Odd in a way that my son and I enjoyed very much. But also odd in a way that others hated it, too.

I still have to watch the rest of Thursday's line up sometime this weekend.

The Office S4 E4: Money

Episode Summary: As Jan renovates the condo, Michael confronts his growing debt every way he can, which includes pressuring his employees for a loan. Pam and Jim spend a night out on Dwight’s family farm, now a bed and breakfast.

RECAP IN FULL HERE
*If you don't see it yet, please check back 10 AM USA Eastern Time*

[The Office]