Hey!

There's really nothing good on TV all week. For once, I'm taking a break this time around and will enjoy the time away from the internet!

So, let me wish everyone a...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Be back in 2009.

Big Round of Applause for THE SHIELD

Just got done watching the finale to The Shield (which actually had its finale last November).

That was seven seasons of great TV right there.

I wish the cast and its crew could all see me applauding after the end credits ran. I'm just one viewer. And even as I am aware The Shield isn't exactly a big favorite compared to other series, there are still loads of us who marvel at how good this is.

Debuting in 2002, The Shield quickly became our favorite here at home because it was an edgy cop series. The theme around it was tense and high strung...but it was something you can't stop watching. In fact, I was reluctant to check this out before, thinking it's just another generic cop series. One season, two seasons, six seasons down --- and I can't stop following.

The lead character, Vic Mackey, who is every inch the anti-hero, carried a badge around but moved and acted like the criminals he arrested...sometimes even worse. Watching the episodes unfold used to pump me up. On one hand, you know that good has to triumph over evil. But on the other hand, there's a part of me watching, wishing he won't get caught in the web of lies, murders and treachery he created.

The way I see it, Vic Mackey isn't all evil. There are pitiable reasons to why he did some of those things. And it's mostly about one thing --- survival.

I loved that scene near the end, when he was walking out of The Barn after Claudette told him of Shane's fate...and Vic said he is the way he is because his job, the system, built him for it.

Eventually, it was this job that lead him to his fateful end.

Vic Mackey lost everything --- his family, his friends, their loyalty, the admiration from his colleagues, the respect or fear from the gangs he has busted in the past. It was so beautifully satisfying how Claudette was the one to show him all of that.

I don't know who to pity the most when it ended --- Shane, Ronnie or Vic. But hooray for Claudette and Dutch! Though I found Claudette a bit self-righteous even from the beginning, it just fits how these two very clever and highly capable detectives were crucial to the fall of the Strike Team.

And then, just when you think that was it, Vic even lost something worse. He was emasculated, no longer the king of the streets. And that was probably the biggest, most insulting, most anguishing moment for him most of all.

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST EVER!!!

Balthazar Getty is fired from Brothers and Sisters!

Whoa. This is quite a shock to read on Christmas day, is it? On the other hand...there have been whispers on the set and even outside the set a few weeks before. There have been blind items about it, that, if you follow the show, you'd probably see the news coming. Perhaps just not on Christmas Day.

From CDAN, who has been breaking entertainment news stories lately (it's the website that first broke the news about TR Knight's contract withdrawal from GA):

I am not too drunk to know what I heard when I was sober and that is that Balthazar Getty has been fired from Brothers And Sisters. I don't know the reason. I don't know if it is because of Sienna or because he was sleeping with someone else on the show or if he just wandered the set looking for twinkies all day and not working. All I do know is his publicist says Balthazar has not been fired, and I of course say his happy ass was canned just in time for the holidays. Balthazar was let go. Dismissed. Given a pink slip. Shown the door. Do you know how hard it is to get fired from a job like this. He must have done something completely f**ked up like snorting mercury or something with Piven in the back room while they looked at porn videos of the daughter of the producers.

Also read this news reported last week: Balthazar Getty Has No Friends On The Set Of "Brothers And Sisters"

Brothers and Sisters without Tommy? Much as I think he is the least talented one of all the actors, I still cannot imagine it.

What are they gonna do? Kill his character?

Upcoming New Show Alert: To Love & Die

I have not heard of this show until the press release came out today. I've been trying to look for previews or teasers to get a feel of it, but my search was fruitless. It's not even on the official network site that carries this show! Which is a shame because, from the way I read the pr, it's the kind of story I'd wanna follow.

To Love & Die stars Shiri Appleby (Roswell) as Hildy. She's a girl with abandonment issues jeopardizing all of her romantic relationships. To get to the bottom of this, she sought for the source of it all --- her father.

As she tries to make a relationship with her father, she learns why he isn't always around when she was growing up. Her father works as a contract killer.

And now, Hildy is going to work as one as well.

The series will debut December 30th, USA Network.

The complete press release below:

WORLD PREMIERE OF USA ORIGINAL "TO LOVE & DIE" PREMIERES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30

Starring Shiri Appleby, Tim Matheson, Frances Fisher and Ivan Sergei

New York, NY December 23, 2008 Shari Appleby stars in the world premiere of TO LOVE & DIE, a USA original movie debuting on Tuesday, December 30 at 8/7c. The film also stars Tim Matheson ("The West Wing," "Animal House"), Frances Fisher ("Titanic," "Laws of Attraction") and Ivan Sergei ("Crossing Jordan," "The Break Up"). A repeat will air at 12/11c.

TO LOVE & DIE revolves around a young woman (Appleby) with abandonment issues, convinced that her dating problems would be resolved if only she were able to track down the father (Matheson) she never knew. When she finally does find him, she discovers that he's a contract killer. It's right then and there that it all comes together, and she realizes that not only do her relationship issues make sense but also that she may have found a new career path. Fisher stars as Janet, Appleby's secretive and protective mother. Sergei stars as Blue, a prospective love interest for Appleby who also works for Matheson.

TO LOVE & DIE comes from NBC Universal Television Studios and Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels ("Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock"), Andrew Singer ("Sons & Daughters") and David Kanter ("Crime & Punishment") serve as executive producers and it was written and executive produced by Sara Goodman.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in 94 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

Sherlock Holmes Comes to TV

The Brits will do it first! That may not sound so right because I think Sherlock Holmes has been done on TV before. And Hollywood is doing the movie with Robert Downey, Jr (showing in 2009).

But for one that is set in modern day? On television? The Brits are doing it first!

And this guy to the right (Martin Freeman, from The Office UK) is going to be TV's Sherlock.

Benedict Cumberbatch and The Office's Martin Freeman are to star in a modern-day adaptation of Sherlock Holmes for BBC1.

Cumberbatch, who featured in Starter for 10 and Stuart: A Life Backwards, will take on the role of the cerebral sleuth Holmes, while Freeman will play Dr Watson in Sherlock, a version of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales. Rupert Graves will play Inspector Lestrade.

The one-off 60-minute drama is described by the BBC as a "thrilling, funny, fast-paced take" on the Holmes story set in present-day London. But the names, Holmes's address – 221B Baker Street – and the villain, Moriarty, will remain the same.

BBC1's update of the classic drama is the brainchild of Steven Moffat, the new showrunner on Doctor Who, and the League of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss, who has written and starred in episodes of the revitalised sci-fi drama.

"Everything that matters about Holmes and Watson is the same," said Moffat. "Conan Doyle's original stories were never about frock coats and gaslight; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, the hell with the crinoline."

Full story here.

I have enjoyed reading Sherlock Holmes as a teenager and I am very excited about the Robert Downey movie...and now this? Best news ever!

Screen Actors Guild Awards TV Nominations

Actor® Awards Ceremony will be Simulcast Live on
Sunday, Jan. 25, on TNT and TBS
at 8 PM ET/PT, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
RALPH FIENNES / Bernard Lafferty - "BERNARD AND DORIS" (HBO)
PAUL GIAMATTI / John Adams - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)
KEVIN SPACEY / Ron Klain - "RECOUNT" (HBO)
KIEFER SUTHERLAND / Jack Bauer - "24: REDEMPTION" (FOX)
TOM WILKINSON / Benjamin Franklin - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURA DERN / Katherine Harris - "RECOUNT" (HBO)
LAURA LINNEY / Abigail Adams - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)
SHIRLEY MacLAINE / Coco Chanel - "COCO CHANEL" (Lifetime)
PHYLICIA RASHAD / Lena Younger - "A RAISIN IN THE SUN" (Lifetime)
SUSAN SARANDON / Doris Duke - "BERNARD AND DORIS" (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - "DEXTER" (Showtime)
JON HAMM / Don Draper - "MAD MEN" (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Gregory House - "HOUSE" (FOX)
WILLIAM SHATNER / Denny Crane - "BOSTON LEGAL" (ABC)
JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore - "BOSTON LEGAL" (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker - "BROTHERS & SISTERS" (ABC)
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" (NBC)
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko - "SAVING GRACE" (TNT)
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson - "MAD MEN" (AMC)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson - "THE CLOSER" (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - "30 ROCK" (NBC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - "THE OFFICE" (NBC)
DAVID DUCHOVNY / Hank Moody - "CALIFORNICATION" (Showtime)
JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold - "ENTOURAGE" (HBO)
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk - "MONK" (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly - "SAMANTHA WHO?" (ABC)
AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez - "UGLY BETTY" (ABC)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - "30 ROCK" (NBC)
MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin - "WEEDS" (Showtime)
TRACEY ULLMAN / Various Characters - "TRACEY ULLMAN’S STATE OF THE UNION" (Showtime)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
DEXTER (Showtime)
HOUSE (Fox)
MAD MEN (AMC)
THE CLOSER (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
WEEDS (Showtime)

No shocking nominations...same old, same old.

Win$100,000 in Online Game Based on the TV show LEVERAGE

This press release came from my e-mail and the good people from TNT.

If you've been watching Leverage starring Timothy Hutton and Gina Bellman, you may get a chance to win $100,000 in an online game inspired by it. If you haven't caught on it yet, here's a sneak peek:



The full press release is below. Please read the fine print to the game mechanics:

Starting this Sunday, Dec. 7, viewers will have a chance to win $100,000 by helping the team from TNT’s new series LEVERAGE get payback against a dirty double-crosser. The exciting, multipart “Get Ready to Get Even” online game1 will launch at leverageHQ.com in conjunction with the commercial-free premiere of LEVERAGE, starring Academy Award® winner Timothy Hutton.

The “Get Ready to Get Even” game involves the LEVERAGE team’s attempt to plant $100,000 in bribe money in the office of a corrupt executive. Their plan goes awry, however, when they are double-crossed and forced into hiding, leaving the money stashed in the trunk of a Hyundai Genesis2. Game players are encouraged to complete 11 missions over the course of the series to recover the cash and solve the mystery of who double-crossed them. Those who complete a mission will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win $100,000 in prize money.

TNT’s LEVERAGE follows a team of thieves, hackers and grifters who seek revenge against those who use power and wealth to victimize others. Hutton stars as Nate Ford, a former insurance investigator whose son died as a result of corporate greed, paving the way for his new profession. His highly skilled team is played by Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. LEVERAGE comes to TNT from Electric Entertainment and executive producers Dean Devlin and John Rogers. The series will premiere Sunday, Dec. 7, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), then move into its regular timeslot, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), beginning Dec. 9.


1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older. Sweepstakes ends 2/25/09. Void where prohibited. Subject to complete official rules available at www.LeverageHQ.com or by mail to “Leverage $100,000 Mission Sweepstakes Rules”, c/o LeadDog Marketing Group, 159 W. 25th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001. SPONSOR: TNT Originals, Inc.

2 No money is hidden. Search for money is for entertainment purposes only; all searching must be conducted online at www.LeverageHQ.com through game play

A Fringe-mas Story by Walter Bishop

How does Fringe wish you all a Merry Christmas? Just with this awesome storytelling by Walter Bishop.

Here he summarizes what has been going on in Fringe so far, following the narration to "Twas the Night Before Christmas". It sounds like someone's senile grandpappy telling a frightening Christmas story, but it's actually entertaining to watch, if you're a Fringe fan.



Source

It's getting hot in here...watching the new Burn Notice teaser.

Counting the days till the January premiere.

I've said it once and I'll say it again --- YUM, JEFFREY DONOVAN!

Upcoming New Show Alert: UNITED STATES OF TARA - Trailer

There seems to be several things good about this show, beginning with the fact that it's a Steven Spielberg and Diablo Cody collaboration (she, of the Juno fame).

United States of Tara stars Toni Colette. The actress has got quite a range, you'd agree with me. She can do any role and be very, very good at it. In this new comedy/drama, she plays Tara, a woman with multiple personality (so, yeah...imagine the challenge).

It also marks the return of John Corbett in a series. Last I saw him, he was moving on from Carrie Bradshaw.

Premiering Jan 18th on Showtime, here is Tara's trailer:



Read more of Tara in my mid-season calendar.

OMG! Jack Black comes to The Office!

Not feeling the holiday spirit yet. Le Body's been experiencing all sorts of something. Signs of aging? I don't know. But it is really getting harder to get up in the morning.

This piece of news woke me up though (for a while, then I instantly felt weak again :P) ---- movie actor Jack Black is visiting The Office.

The Ausiello reports:

The Office's post-Super Bowl episode just scored the equivalent of a touchdown with a two-point conversion: Jack Black has signed on to guest star in the hour-long episode, sources confirm to me exclusively.

The hitcom's producers are keeping the specifics of Black's stint under lock and key, so the only detail I've been able to uncover is that the funny man won't be playing himself.

As previously reported by TV Week, the Feb. 1 episode, which will air immediately following NBC's Super Bowl telecast, will revolve around the staff of Dunder Mifflin roasting Michael (Steve Carell).

Maybe Black will serve as roastmaster? Or is he Dwight's long lost brother?

Craaazeee!

Will write about it some more on WatchingTheOffice.com later.

Victory has ugly feet and other musings...

Have you done your Christmas shopping? I did quite a bit of that yesterday. But 'twas a big mistake. I did not realize it was just payday. My intention of just staying at the mall for under 3 hours? Stretched to a whole day and I was so tired! By the time I got home, I didn't have enough time to catch up on TV I missed this week.

Good thing they were only a few. One of them was Lipstick Jungle...which is down to its last few episodes. The show isn't in NBC's mid-season schedule for Jan to May. So, despite white Brooke Shields said? It's gone.

Speaking of... I don't know why this made it to the cutting room --- this shot of Victory's feet. It was dirty and ugly; when the whole storyline to this was that she was conscious of stripping down naked for a photo shoot and she doesn't think her body's that beautiful and someone had to prep her up and say she was.

Not that I don't have ugly feet myself but...they could have done something to hide this with that kind of a storyline.

I got too into it, I played this scene over and over.

See? Ugly feet ---



***

I was two episodes behind Dirty Sexy Money and I was just done watching last, last week's episode a few hours ago.

Let me just say this --- Karen slapping Nick George? Soap opera-ish. Classic. Priceless. It was unconsciously something I've been wishing for, ever since Nick has turned into this first class jerk in a matter of four or so episodes.





Made me even happier Karen was the one who got to do it. If there's anyone I looooove on this show, it's her.

Would have been a lot happier if she goes on a slapping frenzy. Karen, do your mom, do your dad, Jeremy, Simon and Lisa George for me, too! Hee! What a sick world that place is.

***

I had a couple of comments on this blog that I've mistakenly disapproved early today. I blame it on my disorientation. My body was still tired from yesterday.

So, if you're one of those who left to comment --- much appreciated! But I'm sorry, I moderated it by mistake. :(

***

This week, most of my favorites are officially going on a hiatus. Which means I have plenty of time to catch up on other programs.

But then again, I'm also leaving town for the holidays in a few of days so Too Much TV might translate to Too Much Partying in the next two-three weeks. I'd do my best to keep a few more updates though...I cannot NOT watch something while on vacation. That's just crazy.

TV Round-Up: Science has invaded scripted television

I thought I was the only one who has gone cold talking TV. If you've noticed, my postings have been short and it's an effort to do it on a daily basis these days. TV's been sooooo bad this season, these TV bloggers are feeling the same way I am and have even written something about it:

• DUCKYDOESTV
• POPVULTURES

Katherine Heigl Debuts on Highest-Paid Actresses List. So, I'm gonna shut up wondering why she's sleeping with dead people on her show. She can demand for anything she wants.

I don't exactly like her and I don't know why that is. But Paula Marshall has been unfairly tagged as the Show Killer (as in every show she's been on has been canceled!). With Gary Unmarried looking to last the season, she's no show killer anymore. Good for her. - With ‘Gary Unmarried,’ Paula Marshall overturns her rep as a show killer.

I have dropped The Amazing Race this season...I still love that show, but I think I'm getting TAR burnout. Anyway, the siblings won. The brother's girlfriend, who lives with them, had nary a clue that they did until she saw the finale. Now, that confidentiality agreement is really binding! Watch the video.

TV Trend: Science on TV. From Mentalist, to Big Bang Theory, to Fringe, to Numb3rs....

NBC gets to keep Jay Leno, who is vacating his Tonight Show seat next season. This must suck for Conan because it doesn't change anything for him. They both just got earlier time slots, essentially.

Speaking of Conan, I cannot wait to watch the episode of Inside The Actor's Studio with him in it!

Jimmy Fallon's late night test run did not turn out funny according to this review.

Time Magazine picks The Shield as the #1 TV Show for 2008. Also on the list? Mad Men, Breaking Bad, the elections coverage, Lost, Chuck and four other shows.

Tom Welling is leaving Smallville next season? Wait, this show is still on?

Why did they drop Idol Gives Back?

Lawrence Fishburne debuts tonight on CSI.

Golden Globe Nominations 2009 - Television

If I had made a bet with a friend, I'd lost. He got most of the nominees right! Good for him. Spot on analysis.

Bummed for some categories. There's no Lost nor Pushing Daisies nomination for Golden Globes this year. Hmph!

The complete nominee list is on the official site, I took the ones only for Television.

The winners will be awarded January 2009.

15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Showtime/John Goldwyn Productions/The Colleton Company/Clyde Phillips Productions
2. HOUSE (FOX)
Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions
3. IN TREATMENT (HBO)
Sheleg, Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
4. MAD MEN (AMC)
Lionsgate Television
5. TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Your Face Goes Here Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. SALLY FIELD – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
2. MARISKA HARGITAY –LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
3. JANUARY JONES – MAD MEN
4. ANNA PAQUIN – TRUE BLOOD
5. KYRA SEDGWICK – THE CLOSER

17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. GABRIEL BYRNE – IN TREATMENT
2. MICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTER
3. JON HAMM – MAD MEN
4. HUGH LAURIE – HOUSE
5. JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS – THE TUDORS

18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc.
2. CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, And Then...
3. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
4. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios
5. WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
Lionsgate Television

19.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. CHRISTINA APPLEGATE – SAMANTHA WHO?
2. AMERICA FERRERA – UGLY BETTY
3. TINA FEY – 30 ROCK
4. DEBRA MESSING – THE STARTER WIFE
5. MARY-LOUISE PARKER – WEEDS

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. ALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK
2. STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE
3. KEVIN CONNOLLY – ENTOURAGE
4. DAVID DUCHOVNY – CALIFORNICATION
5. TONY SHALHOUB – MONK

21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. A RAISIN IN THE SUN (ABC)
Sony Pictures Television
2. BERNARD AND DORIS (HBO
Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films
3. CRANFORD (PBS)
A Co-Production of BBC and WGBH Boston.
4. JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
Playtone in association with HBO Films
5. RECOUNT (HBO)
Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. JUDI DENCH – CRANFORD
2. CATHERINE KEENER – AN AMERICAN CRIME
3. LAURA LINNEY – JOHN ADAMS
4. SHIRLEY MACLAINE – COCO CHANEL
5. SUSAN SARANDON – BERNARD AND DORIS

23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. RALPH FIENNES – BERNARD AND DORIS
2. PAUL GIAMATTI – JOHN ADAMS
3. KEVIN SPACEY – RECOUNT
4. KIEFER SUTHERLAND – 24: REDEMPTION
5. TOM WILKINSON – RECOUNT

24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. EILEEN ATKINS – CRANFORD
2. LAURA DERN – RECOUNT
3. MELISSA GEORGE – IN TREATMENT
4. RACHEL GRIFFITHS – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
5. DIANNE WIEST – IN TREATMENT

25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS – HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
2. DENIS LEARY – RECOUNT
3. JEREMY PIVEN – ENTOURAGE
4. BLAIR UNDERWOOD – IN TREATMENT
5. TOM WILKINSON – JOHN ADAMS

Sarah Chalke: Maneater. Love it!

Loving this idea.

Sarah Chalke, gorgeous funny girl + Gigi Levangie Grazer, who wrote Starter Wife (which I'm really enjoying!) = fun!

This project sounds like a perfect vehicle for Sarah Chalke.

THR Reports:

Sarah Chalke has signed to star in Lifetime's four-hour miniseries "Maneater," based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's book.

In addition, Timothy Busfield has come on board to direct the Sony Pictures Television-produced mini, which is being adapted by Suzanne Martin ("Frasier").

"Maneater," airing next year, centers on Clarissa Alpert (Chalke), a shallow thirtysomething socialite in a panic because she's still single. Setting her sights on a Hollywood producer, Clarissa puts into motion a plan to land herself a husband.

Martin and Grazer ("The Starter Wife") are exec producing "Maneater" with 3 Arts' Stephanie Davis.

"Scrubs" co-star Chalke worked with Lifetime on the movie "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy."

Busfield has directed episodes of "Lipstick Jungle," "Las Vegas" and "Ed." He also served as executive producer on "Jungle."

And its a short four hour series. Just the right amount of time frame. Because women-centric TV programs usually go bad some 30 episodes or so later (Hello, Desperate Housewives, Sex and The City!).

Is Gigi Levangie Grazer the new Candice Bushnell?

Fringe: Spot "The Observer"

Anyone watching Fringe is keeping a sharp eye out for The Observer, this mysterious figure who randomly appears in the scene of the crime.

This site has more information about him. And this video below compiles all of his appearances so far.

And honestly? The video scared the crap out of me, eventually. Someone reeling on every scene like that? Like a ghost but not really a ghost? Creepy!

How Grey's Anatomy Writers Will Kill Off George O' Malley

He's still in, he wants out, he got fired --- who cares? I have not been a big fan of the whiny George O' Malley character, who the other week reminded all of us still watching (why am I still watching, dammit!!!) he did open heart surgery inside an elevator. That seems to be the only decent storyline George has gotten from this.

So, for two days and sometime last week...the rumor mill has been busy. It started with blind items from EW and E! saying an actor from Grey's Anatomy is leaving.

And then finally a ballsy gossip site (which I actually frequent ---- guilty! Hey, I like that it's ballsy!), CDAN, named him yesterday, causing entertainment sites to pick up their phones and confirm it.

The official statement released hours after that news exploded says the actor is still on the show and he isn't leaving.

But when the tides cleared this morning...we're hearing a different tune.

TR Knight, who plays George, wants out. He wants to leave the show. Reports say, he is negotiating for a graceful exit. The kind that isn't like the exit Brooke White got, or some brilliant heart surgeon from Season 3 got for that matter.

Since the stupid writers on this show are always looking for ways to shock us with dramatic, catastrophic but nearly impossible plot developments, I've got a suggestion to how George has to go ----


It cannot get any more symbolic than that!

Image from Google Images

Who will these young TV stars look like when they are older?

Can't say that this one just came out of nowhere because I have actually been noticing the similarities before. Do you agree with me or do I need to get my eyes check asap (and yes, for the record, I do have bad vision...).

These are who these actors will look like when they age ----

Michelle Trachtenberg, who playes someone's sister on Gossip Girl (I think?) and also Buffy's sister, will look like Julie Andrews when she's older. Don't believe so? How about taking a look at this photo of Miss Andrews back in the day?

Close right?

Now, this next pair...

I was watching Miley's new MTV off Youtube earlier this afternoon. The 16-year old kid was trying very hard to look sexy in her video (ugh!). But I just don't see it. Poor girl. She doesn't have sex appeal, I'm sorry.

Instead, I saw Brooke Smith, who was most recently in the news as the actor who got fired on Grey's Anatomy.

They so look alike, huh?

Next...

Now this, I hate to bring up because I loooove the woman I'm comparing the young actress to. But they do share the same features, I have to say.

Shenae Grimes, from 90210? She looks older than her 16 year old character, right? In fact, she appears old enough...she looks like the high school principal, the very character Connie Britton plays on Friday Night Lights!

Either Shenae is too mature looking or Connie does look so young for her age. Connie is fan-tastic!

I recently saw a photo of Seventh Heaven actress and now some kind of a movie star, Jessica Biel, looking glam and fab...like a younger Raquel Welch.... like so:

For more celebrities who look like other celebrities, here's 150 of them!

Hey, ABC! Can Lee Pace star in this please?

When I read this news item from The Hollywood Reporter, I immediately thought of Lee Pace.

Go ahead, read and see why ----

DC Comics' "Fables" is heading to ABC.

The network has handed out a put pilot commitment to the fantasy project, based on the comic book created by Bill Willingham and published by DC's Vertigo imprint.

"Six Degrees" creators/executive producers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner are penning the script for the hourlong drama set at Warner Bros. TV.

David Semel has come on board to direct "Fables," which revolves around characters from fairy tales and folklore living in exile in modern-day New York.

"Their lives become interconnected in vary big way," Zicherman said. "They share a secret and a bond."

Zicherman and Metzner wouldn't elaborate which fairy tale characters will be featured in the TV series, but noted that Big Bad Wolf and Snow White, who are central to the comics, will have a similar role on the show.

The comic book series' first storyline followed Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf, who investigates the murder of Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red.

"We set up a structure to allow any fairy tale character to show up in any one episode," Metzner said.

The fairy tale characters will keep some of their trademark characteristics. For instance, Prince Charming will be handsome, while Big Bad Wolf will have to shave a four-day shadow from growing back every day.

But overall, "they are just like real people in the real world who live and breathe and look just like you and me," Metzner said.

If ABC can't picture it yet, then here...I can help them out and give them an image:

A shot from Pushing Daisies Season 1, 3rd Episode, Fun In The Funeral of a "princely" Ned
Fitting, huh?

*Photo from Pushing-Daisies.com

Boston Legal Ends Tonight

After five seasons and a number of Emmy Awards, the legal drama from David E. Kelley --- Boston Legal --- is ending tonight with a two-hour finale.

I am not a Boston Legal avid viewer. I've barely gone through the first two seasons, trying to catch much of it as I can on cable. And I've often wondered how it kept winning Emmy's.

But I'm watching the series ender later. Just to see how it went.

According to USA Today, Boston Legal's end marks David E. Kelley's first time without any show on the schedule for the rest of the season.

Legal's end marks the first time in more than 20 years a Kelley show won't be on the broadcast schedule, a string stretching from L.A. Law through Picket Fences, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, The Practice and others. But he has two series in the works, including Legally Mad, a one-hour NBC legal-comedy pilot about a father and daughter who work in a "cauldron of eccentrics" that he says has tones of Legal and McBeal.

Never a big ratings grabber (averaging 9.2 million viewers, down 6% this season), Legal almost ended in May, but ABC added a 13-episode sendoff. Kelley thinks the show could have gone a bit longer but was glad to have time for a full-fledged finale.

Upcoming New Show Alert: BETTER OFF TED - Watch its trailer!

Here it is! I've been waiting for a clip of it off Youtube since I've seen the teaser the previous week at another site. Better Off Ted stars some familiar people --- Portia De Rossi is one; and Andrea Anders is another.

The comedy series is expected to air by early next year on ABC, but its schedule hasn't been confirmed.

First impressions based on this short clip?
Whimsy, check!
Quirky, check!
Absurdity, check!
Arrested Development-ish and The Office-ish humor, check!

I'm kinda liking what I see! Watch the teaser and let me know if you feel the same ---



If you'd like to see a list of upcoming new shows, I've just updated it over here.

The Abomination That is Grey's Anatomy

I will let Joel Hale speak for my utter disappointment of Grey's Anatomy via this segment from his show, The Soup.

The phrase, "Sorry I died..." has never been made funnier than in this context:



I have come to my senses. But when? When will I stop watching this crap? @#@%!!!

Pushing Daisies: Olive sings Eternal Flame

The following scene brought tears to my eyes. And it can be because of three things:

1) my hormones are acting up.

2) Kristin Chenoweth sang this so well, it really moved me, or...

3) it reminded me of what I'm absolutely gonna miss about this show.



It all ends in four more episodes.

*sigh*

So glad to be back online! Now here's another TV Round-up!

I was out of internet for two days and didn't have a reliable internet back-up. There are lots of things I need to catch up on...I'm making up for lost time. So let's get right to it with this week's round-up, yeah?

Whaaat? The coaches daughter on FNL is heading to 90210?

Gossip Girl stuff:

• What were the cast of Gossip Girl doing before GG? Check this.
• A Gossip Girl spin-off, Hmmmm....
• The show will follow Serena and the girls through College.

A Full House Spinoff with the girls, Candice Cameron and Jodi Sweetin? Hmmmm....

Caprica, the Battlestar Galactica spinoff is coming in 2010.

On Battlestar Gallactica, you say, "Frak!" and it be cussing or cursing at something/someone. In Ikea, you say "Frack!" and it is this. I love it.

Kelsey Grammer and Megan Mullally are doing a movie together. The remake of Fame. They aren't the stars though. What does that tell you?

Guess who is playing Gambit in the Xmen movie? It's Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) from FNL!

Coupling and Swing Town's Jack Davenport's new project. I like!

He may have lost Eli Stone, but he's found a new blessing --- his new baby. Congratulations Jonny Lee Miller!

Knight Rider is on all stop. NBC has ordered to cut the series and may possible not get a second season.

I cannot wait for Castle, Cupid and The Unusuals --- the three shows ABC replaced Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money with!

This seasons hottest leading men include Kevin McKidd, Lee Pace, Simon Baker and Jon Hamm.

Hot Tina Fey. And here's how she looked before looking like that.

The most powerful women of Hollywood, 2008. Oprah is tops.

25 Smartest People of TV. List includes Tyra Banks, the women of The View, Jon Stewart, Chuck Lore for The Big Bang Theory.

Dirty, Sexy hot Jennifer Aniston in a 2009 Calendar. With a nipple slip. This woman is pushing 40?

I'm off to watch the shows I've missed in the last two-three days.

Be back in a few...

Upcoming New Show Alert: CASTLE - Watch its trailer!

For Nathan Fillion's sake, I do hope this series stands through the test. He's had no luck with his projects sticking around for one season. His last show, Drive, aired for about four episodes.

Castle, from this trailer, looks like a crime procedural, a fairly popular format among the viewing public in the US. It's a story of mystery-thriller writer who discovers that a copycat has been doing the crimes from his books for real. And he offers to help police solve the cases.

I tell you what right now --- I am not feeling the female lead and I don't know why that is.

Here's the trailer to Castle, which will be airing beginning March 2009 on ABC.

Upcoming Show Alert: KINGS - Watch its trailer!

Kings is one of those I look forward to because for one thing, I like the basic premise of it --- power and deception. Those elements just makes stories interesting, doesn't it? For another thing, I'm also waiting for this because I like watching Ian McShane back on TV. That man's got a terrifying presence on screen. I can't not stay put and watch.

But will Kings be of interest to many viewers?

The show is loosely based on the story of King David (of David and Goliath) but it is set in the present day. A TV critic calls the script "bold, bizarre and fun". For network television (as Kings will be airing on NBC this mid-season), it is something that has not yet been done before. Which means it can either be 1) too good, it becomes a success; or 2) too difficult to grasp, it will fail.

Watch this teaser and see if you like it ---



First impressions based on this short video? It looks like serious TV, man! And I'm starting to have doubts. Not about the show, but on whether or not I'd be able to follow it! I have a feeling I'd be falling under Group #2 or those who'd have a hard time grasping the story! Hah! The teaser looks complex.

Anyhow, there isn't a date set for the premiere. But I'd update this on my list as soon as it's announced.

Leverage Premieres Tonight!

Finally, something new on American TV. I was beginning to get restless because this season is really sucking. Hopefully, Leverage will pick my interest up. That, and the entire final season of The Shield, which I should start watching soon, right?

Anyway, this heist show will begin airing today/tonight. I've previously written of it here, having watched the pilot episode some months back.

And here's the teaser ---



My excitement meter is up!

Courtney Cox on Scrubs - Teaser

I don't remember how many episodes she'll be on in Scrubs but it's good to see Courtney Cox doing comedy again. The only "Friend" not ever been nominated for an Emmy Award, I think she's due for something like it real soon. Courtney is great at comedy...which is why I am anticipating Cougar Town's (her new TV series) airing!

Here's a preview of her on Scrubs:

Rome, the movie in the works. What would that do for Kevin McKidd

Since he is now becoming a series regular on Grey's Anatomy as Major McHottie, would Kevin McKidd be so willing to leave the show so he can do Rome's movie version? He has to do the film, right? He's one of the two important characters on Rome, so he cannot take a pass. And they don't shoot in a studio, I suppose. They travel overseas for those authentic sights and background. What would that do to Major McHottie?

I read about Rome creator, Bruno Heller's, interview last week. He was talking about The Mentalist and mentioned Rome in passing. Although he did say, the movie is still under "talks", so it's premature to assume there will actually be one, unless the camera starts rolling.


But I would much rather see Kevin McKidd on this film than on Grey's Anatomy. Yeah, he's giving that show new life. It's probably why I'm still watching it. But I'm afraid the way things are going downhill over there, he's pretty much part of a sinking ship. And Kevin McKidd cannot be part of a sinking ship! His TV show before this, Journeyman, did fail. But that one at least had a decent story when it ended.

That said, I cannot wait for the film to get started.

Source

Upcoming Show Alert: LIE TO ME. Watch its trailer!

Here's a brand new TV series dealing with the study of human behavior in helping solve crimes. It's a subject I'm fascinated about, personally...so yes, this show does peak my interest.

Lie To Me stars Tim Roth and will begin airing January 21st on Fox.

“Lie To Me” is a drama series about the science of lying. It focuses on a team of deception experts who have a private agency that’s contracted by law enforcement, every government agency, corporations and private individuals when they’ve hit a roadblock in their search for the truth. So they work on the most difficult cases where there’s a web of lies that needs to be untangled. --- Source

The teaser is below: