Flashforward Series Premiere

The whole population on Earth blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. While "asleep" the people get flashes of a future that takes place six months from now. Awake and fully aware of this cataclysmic event, some of them corroborated each other's visions, while others weren't so lucky to get one (which means they could already be dead in six months). Some found new life in what they "saw", others are mostly afraid of what the future holds. But the question remains --- why is this happening and what does it mean?

This is the incredible premise of Flashforward. It makes for a really good story, only if the writing is well executed. Sadly, for now, this is where I think the show is really weak. Maybe it was coz I had high expectations, but I was easily disappointed the first few minutes, waiting for awesome story-telling to win me over.

Although, I can name plenty of reasons to love Flashforward --- British actors Joseph Fiennes, Sonya Walger and Jack Davenport. Yeah, the cast list is impressive. Hope they won't be handicapped when the writing department needs to improve.

In the technical side of things, cinematography for this series is laudable. Shots are very beautiful and vibrant. But, I have to say, the show needs a decent soundtrack (which Lost has carefully mastered already) to help with the story-telling.

That moment of awesomeness came to me in the last few minutes of the program when the FBI discovered one guy in mysterious black trench coat (he had to be this awesome!) wandering about the football stadium as everyone dropped unconscious. If everyone in the world "fell like flies" for that short period, who and why is there one guy who remained fully awake the whole time??? And this is why I'm sticking around for more!

The NY MAG has rounded up most of the characters flashes to help understand the story better. Look it up here.

Canceled: The Beautiful Life

First cancelation of the season...and it's just the second week of premieres!

From THR:

We have the first casualty of the fall season.

After two episodes, The CW has canceled Ashton Kutcher's scripted drama "The Beautiful Life."

Production on the the show, which had been filming its seventh episode, was shut down Friday.

Wednesday's episode was seen by just 1 million viewers and generated a 0.5 rating in the adult demo.

The decision comes on the heels of two reality show pickups by the network, "Fly Girls" and a Tinsley Mortimer docusoap.

The CW's freshman revamp of "Melrose Place" has had difficulty achieving liftoff as well, but Thursday night's "Vampire Diaries" has been performing strong. Last night's third "Diaries" episode grew in the adult demo despite facing increased competition.

The CW has not yet announced a replacement for the "Beautiful Life" slot. The new reality shows won't be ready until January. One option is airing "Melrose Place" encores (like the way the network double-pumped "90210" last season). Another option, less likely, is to bring "Smallville" back into the midweek mix. "Smallville" was shifted to Friday nights for its final season and debuts this evening.

The main driver behind the CW’s order to“TBL” was the similarity in setting with the network’s veteran reality series “America’s Next top Model,” which served as its lead-in on Wednesday.

“TBL” got a lot of pre-launch publicity stemming from the medical problems of star Mischa Barton.

In July, the show’s production also was postponed by a week because the stages were not ready.

TV Ratings 9.25.09 - Flashforward Has a Fast Start!

Much hyped new drama series Flashforward debuts with really good numbers at 12.4M. It leads the pack in its slot, besting Survivor, a consistent top-rater.

Grey's Anatomy had its lowest premiere record in all of its six seasons, but remains the number one on Thursday nights and is still huge among the 18-49 target demo. CSI closely follows.

The Mentalist, now moved from Tuesdays, does well with 14.3M.

From TVByTheNumbers:

Breaking: Cameron is Leaving House

In all honestly, I could actually go with the House that aired last premiere ('twas good TV, that!) and could care less about the rest....oh, as long as Wilson is still there.

This news from NY Daily:

Actress Jennifer Morrison is leaving the Emmy award winning show, according to EW.com.

Though neither Fox nor Morrison's reps would confirm the departure, EW.com reports the blonde beauty did not quit, but instead is likely being written out of the script as a creative

decision on the part of the producers.

Distraught fans might find some solace in the fact that Morrison's character, Dr. Alice Cameron - a main member of Dr. House's diagnostic team - will supposedly not be killed off the way Kutner (played by Kal Penn) was last season.

Additionally, inside sources say that Dr. Cameron's husband, Dr. Robert Chase (played by Jesse Spencer) will not be departing the cast, leaving plenty of room for suspicion about what's in store for both characters.

"House" devotees might recall that it was only a few months back that series creator David Shore told EW.com that "Chase and Cameron fans will be happy with the way we're going to reintegrate them into the team."

Even Morrison herself admitted that she was looking forward to the new season, telling EW. com, "I have been working a lot. And there are things that happen to 'House' very early in the season that have a domino effect on all of the other characters."

So much for that idea, it seems.

Season 6 of "House" premiered Monday on Fox, with House confined to a mental hospital for his Vicodin addiction and frequent hallucinations.

TV Ratings 9.24.09 - Modern Family & Cougar Town Massive!

So I was wrong. Viewers loved Modern Family, which premiered last night at 12.7M (4.3M in the 18-49 market). Cougar Town also did considerably well following MF with 11.4M, retaining the same market.

Mercy, also a debuting series, is still lukewarm at this point, as is Eastwick.

Glee contends with the premiere of MF and CT with 6.62M only but was equally decent and solid, retaining its target demographic.

Glaring results for The Beautiful Life which has slide way down, with only 0.5M viewership from its target.

From TVByTheNumbers:

Modern Family, Cougar Town, Glee & Gary Unmarried Premieres

So overwhelmed with Wednesday's TV line up...too exhausted to post per show watched. In putting my .02cents in, I'm doing this bullet style instead.

Modern Family, Pilot Episode
- Liking that it is done mockumentary style.
- Like that this is really a reflection of what a typical family is these days.
- Ty Burrel as the oblivious father? Most hilarious character.
- When a family schedules when they can shoot their son as a form of punishment (he shot his sister with a pellet gun; an eye for an eye)... it has to be the funniest!
- Too many stars from previously cancelled shows ended up in this one.
- Big, big cast but no problem with chemistry. Likeable, all....every bit of them, including the kids.
- "Circle of Life"? Crazy.
- Really liked it but I have a funny feeling it's not going to be well-received by the mainstream audience. Still too offbeat, me thinks.

Cougar Town, Pilot Episode
- First 10 minutes had me. The voices inside my head were screaming "Emmy for Courtney!"
- Then it went downhill. Felt like the first half of this was laid out perfectly, the other half was so crammed it was uneven. I think I remember reading somewhere they had to re-tool the pilot? Guess too many changes spoiled it.
- Love the mother/son dynamic. Love that kid who plays her son (from Aliens in America).
- Actually...love every bit of the characters, including the ex-husband.
- Hope it finds its direction because it is potentially funny.

Glee, Episode 4: Preggers
- Favorite moment of the week video, I could not stop grinning while watching this:



Gary Unmarried, Season 2 Premiere
- I actually missed this show and was glad it's back. Not watching it? Try it. Witty lines.
- The brother is a regular now?
- New job for Gary, so new characters from work, too? And possibly a new girlfriend? This is getting interesting!
- The actor playing the son is going to be the future Neil Patrick Harris. He's comedic timing is perfect and he's only about 14 (15?).

TV Ratings 09.23.09 - NCIS (and spin-off) Dominates

Crime shows ruled this night with huge openings for NCIS, it's spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles.

Of the two new shows up against each other --- The Good Wife and Christian Slater's new starrer, The Forgotten, the former edged out.

The remake of Melrose Place, which premiered a couple of weeks earlier, is really struggling that's why the big guns are now calling on Heather Locklear to guest star.

From TVByTheNumbers:

The Good Wife Pilot Episode

The opening scene to The Good Wife is all too familiar --- a corrupt politician apologizing in public for charges he claims he isn't really guilty of. His wife is standing solidly behind him, often looking numb or ambivalent. Throw in a little sex scandal, too, and you have a storyline that in today's time? It's so relatable. We've seen real-life stories like this unfold in the news too many times.

Fast forward six months later, and you have the wife, Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) picking up the pieces to a life shattered by her husband (Mr. Big, Chris Noth). She goes back to work as a Junior Associate in a law firm, having left this kind of life 15 years ago to raise her family. She now has prove to her colleagues she can do the job, while dealing with her husband (now in jail) and protecting her kids from the public. On top of that, she has to overcome her own trauma too.

Margulies is very effective. Not once did her vulnerable character come off as the victim, which I think is why this show works so well --- it is ambitious and confident, with the right pacing, albeit some predictability (it's a legal show, one cannot expect new and fresh dynamics from a tried and tested format). As husband and wife, Margulies and Noth are very believable.

I did very little reading before watching the show (the joy of being spoiler free!!!) so Josh Charles, who plays her former law classmate and now her boss, is a welcome surprise. Ditto Christine Baranski, her mentor. They are two more reasons for me to keep watching.

The Good Wife is from the Scott Brothers (Tony & Ridley) who also gave us Numb3rs and the movies Gladiator, Top Gun, Alien and Blade Runner.

Peter: Alicia, I know this has been hard on you but you have to believe I'm innocent...of the abuse of office charges.
Alicia: You think I give a damn about that, Peter? They are playing the tape in Grace's computer lab of you sucking the toe of the hooker. You think I care about the small print in your employment contract?

Accidentally on Purpose Pilot Episode

What happened to Jenna Elfman? When did she lose her luster? She plays a 37 year old film critic in this new series, but darn it, she looks older. Once, in the 90's, she was cute as a button as Dharma on Dharma and Greg. Nearly a decade later and Jenna on Accidentally on Purpose as Billie? Not so cute. Not so funny.

Still, she has it going in the wardrobe department, I have to say. I remember Jenna/Dharma used to be featured a lot in the glossy's best-dressed list. I liked this outfit from last night. And this black vest she wore over a cool red/white shirt and black leggings while taking her pregnancy test (no good photo...only have a partial!). I was already making a mental note of copying this style mwehehe.

Anyway, about the show:

It will remind you of Knocked Up, 'except less funny (which is bad) and less annoying than something with Katherine Heigl in it (which is good).

Did not easily warm up to it, though. I thought the first half of the pilot was terrible, middle was okay, and then back to terrible at the end. Found some characters not really registering well on me, like the sister, Abby (get rid of her, please!), and the sperm daddy, Zack (meh). But God bless you, Ashley Jensen (playing Jenna's character's BFF) --- you are really amazingly funny! She is going to steal some of Jenna's thunder.

Accidentally on Purpose is about a woman in her late 30's who gets pregnant by a stranger (almost). She keeps the baby and then decides to also keep her boy toy (who's living in a van). They're not together "together", choosing to remain only platonic, after finding out they are about to be parents. But life should be interesting for these two people now raising a baby together.

I know this series will be compared to Courtney Cox's Cougar Town a lot. Which one will last the season, I wonder?

Accidentally On Purpose is based on real-life film critic Mary Pols' memoir as a single mother.

Aussie Idol 7 Highlights, Week of 9.21.09

Some highlights from this week's Aussie Idol, Season 7:

If Christopher Cross, singer of songs like "Sailing" and "Arthur's Theme, sang AHA's "Take On Me", this is how I think he would sound like ---



...and someone in the audience has probably fallen asleep! No offense but this guy's voice is for easy Sunday afternoon listening only.

The kids from GLEE were the special guests (wheee!) and the contestants rendered "Don't Stop Believin", a song which was featured in the series' pilot episode. I was not happy with this group performance at all :P but yeah, kudos for the effort ---



This week's theme featured Top 10 Songs, with song choices like "Since You've Been Gone", "Drops of Jupiter" and "Kiss From A Rose". Overall, an okay week. Aussie Idol though is slowly losing its sparkle for me. Guess that happens when it's been around for awhile. To its credit, it does re-invent itself every year with its rule and format changes.

TV Ratings 09.22.09 - House Wins, Heroes Lose!

House was Monday night's most watched program with 16.5 million viewers (6.5/18-49). The two-hour premiere was described as something like a feature film. Meanwhile, Heroes lost 46% of its audience (against last year's premiere). Gossip Girl, also on this same time slot, whimpered.

The Big Bang Theory is climbing steadily. The junior series had a record almost as strong as Two and A Half Men, a viewer favorite. HIMYM did pretty well, too.

Dancing With The Stars had its poorest premiere rating, compared to its previous seasons.

New show Accidentally on Purpose, I think, did alright (8.99Million 3.2/18-49) but it's still too soon to tell if the show is sticking around. More on this later.

Sophomore series, Castle, bested Leno's show but it's CSI Miami which ruled 10 PM. No surprises.

From TVByTheNumbers:

Halpert-Beesly Wedding Site

Easily the most adorable couple on TV. And they have launched their wedding site. It's cheesy but if you love these two, you'll love the site: Click on this and don't forget to sign  the guest book!

And the first show to get a full season order is.....

...what else? It's GLEE!

Here's the full report from THR:

"Glee" is the first new show of the fall to get a full-season order.

On the heels of two strong performances, Fox has picked up the back nine episodes of Ryan Murphy's acclaimed musical comedy.

"The response we've received to 'Glee' has been remarkable," said Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly. "It's already got the makings of a cultural phenomenon. I've seen all 13 episodes, and Ryan Murphy, his team and the talented 'Glee' cast have knocked our socks off with their incredible work. We're happy to pick up this gem of a show, and can't wait to see what they'll do with the rest of the season."

Arguably the most inventive new series of the fall, "Glee" was previewed in May in what was then considered a risky move -- debuting a pilot several months before the series launches. But earlier this month, "Glee" officially launched to a strong 3.5 rating among adults 18-49, making it Fox's highest-rated scripted fall premiere in three years.

Week 2 was a particularly mild drop for the Wednesday night program, the series falling only 9% despite increased competition.

Nonetheless, a pickup after two episodes is pretty quick in broadcast TV, and comes before most competitors hit the airwaves during the next two weeks. "Glee" will face ABC's freshman comedies for the first time this week.

"It's fantastic to be the first show picked up and that this underdog series, like its characters, will get the chance to keep singing," said series co-creator/executive producer Murphy. "There are so many more stories to tell."

"Glee" is produced by Ryan Murphy TV with 20th TV.

How Do Rumors Get Started? The Office Season Premiere

Not one to be out of the loop, Michael, the big boss, gossips about Stanley's affair without first confirming it. When he found out it's actually true and could possibly ruin a marriage, he then spreads several other rumors to diffuse this truth.

Six seasons and The Office is still as funny as the first time! I'm so happy this show is back. So many things to love about Season 6 Episode 1:

• Parkour!!!
• Stanley totally going out of character. This is the most I've seen and heard of Stanley in all six seasons. So, he's not all about crossword puzzles. Does he actually have a relationship with Michael now? 
• Andy. Andy was, as they always say, comedy gold. "Michael....am I gay?" His scenes about being conflicted of his sexuality were the funniest!
• Michael's genius-stupid plan of diffusing the rumor he spread. Great idea, bad execution.
• Baby Tuna's ultrasound photo. Aww.
• The quibbling between PB & J while doing their talking heads. They're back to cute, people! Just love 'em.
• Jim to Michael --- "Do you even know if it's true? Do you have any idea? Because you might be ruining his life."
• Creed. One scene, one line, total crack-me-up!
• The interns --- Jet Li, Julia Stiles and Alan Thicke! LOL. Although Alan Thicke looked more like Matt Damon to me, Michael.

Is Glee Sex-ing It Up?

This week's favorite number...

It's kinda weird that in the last episode, the kids performed a suggestive routine with Push It and was opposed for doing it. And then this week, their teachers let loose with this one, and nobody complained (well, except Josh Groban, I think... who had an interesting cameo!):

fellas 2 @ Yahoo! Video

Hilarious, this Acafellas! Teacher Will had his groove face on and was really digging it. Looking really smokin' isn't he?

How Ugly is The Beautiful Life?

Critics didn't love The Beautiful Life, and apparently, so did most of its targeted young viewers (for which shows like this are made). The premiere episode this week only earned a measly 1.4M+ in ratings.

I was expecting a sharp, edgy and intense program. This is, after all, a look at all the ins and outs of the fashion industry, a most intriguing world. But for all the drama it's supposed to have,  some scenes registered flat, some plots were overwhelming. It was something trying very hard to have depth and substance, when it's just not there.

I was watching, wishing I could skip some parts, but then that wouldn't make my viewpoint objective. I noticed, I couldn't stand most of Mischa Barton's scenes and I don't know why.

It's the first time I'm watching her (never saw The OC) and her character is the least one I'd likely invest on.

However, I found real chemistry between the characters of Chris Andrews (Ben Hollingsworth) and Raina Mayer (Sara Paxton). If only the show was ALL about them! I'd be rooting for TBL to get really better, only for these two.

If not, then it's two or three more episodes, then I'm outta here.

First Look: 5 Minutes of Grey's Anatomy Season 6

Swore this show off from my list, but I'm still gonna put this video on this blog since...I have to say, this show did a lot to boost this site.

Here's the first five minutes of Grey's Anatomy's season 6.

And yup, spoiler alert, Izzy lives, George dies, Izzy is going to be away for awhile (Heigl's gonna do a movie) and there's a new doctor on board. ----> This, coming from someone who has stopped watching the show mid-Season 5! Heh! (Hey, when you follow a lot of TV news and read some of it at random, information actually stick in your brain!)



The season kicks off September 24th.

The Magic that is Glee!

Which of the following is true for you? You watch GLEE because...

• You like music.
• You like high school.
• You like High School Musical.
• You get the teenage vibe.
• You want to relive your own teen vibe.
• You remember how it was at your own Glee club.
• It was nothing like the show, but...what a nice fantasy it would make.
• You want to be entertained.
• You want something light and funny.
• You're the type to do a Showmance.
• You are gay. (And that is fine!)
• You are not gay but a guy's guy...you just enjoy the music. (Hey, I pitched this to some guys and asked them to watch...loved it!)
  

Whatever reasons you have underscored, all that Fox hoped for this show is working. "Glee" is fast becoming its new money-making machine and a lot of us are so sucked into watching it. I don't mind being that sucker. I'm having fun watching, thank you very much, Fox geniuses!

Sure, there are a few technical things to iron out (such as the lip synching, the editing, and the repetition) but I tend to overlook that once they get into the singing...

And the singing? It is grand. Not only do they pick great songs to cover, they sound pretty good too. I applaud every time, every number. Last episode, my favorite was Rachel's version of Rihanna's Take A Bow. It's theatrical and over-acted (and I love that it is!), but you can't fault her voice. She is wonderful:



I also took note of how no one is normal in this show! I love that many of the characters are all flawed, cartoonish and crazy. It also helps that they packed this show with wisecracks, clever double entendres and black humor. It all works out.

This brings me back to a time when "Pushing Daisies" first premiered...not many people liked it, some thought it was cheesy but to me it was magical and now, Glee feels the same way.

So very glad for shows like this! It makes me genuinely happy!

The Vampire Diaries - Season Premiere

Dear Diary,

I had no intention of watching this. Even if I did, I was expecting to be disappointed. I do not like watching teenagers and their hormones, when it's not a light program or a comedy. But as it turns out, the premiere went a little bit okay. I am not enthused, only slightly amused (Thank you, Ian Somerhalder!) but I wouldn't be telling people not to watch this one because it's rubbish...when it isn't. It's bearable.

"The Vampire Diaries" is told pretty much the same way every other vampire story is told today. I'm not saying it's terrible and I'm not complaining. Only, if you're expecting a new and different vampire lore, then there is none to expect.

I never read the book (which this show was based on), nor do I follow "Twilight"... so I wouldn't know which is better or worse. But I do know that watching this reminded me too much of "Dawson's Creek", too.

I've warmed up to the lead female character, Elena (played by Nina Dobrey). She is refreshing to watch. But I sense the lead guy, Stefan (played by Paul Wesley), doesn't have quite the magnitude or effect as someone like...say, a certain Edward Cullen. Something feels lacking with his character...or with the actor playing him. Stefan was portrayed in the first few scenes as someone who could possible take your breath away. But I when I saw his face, I was still breathing fine....KWIM?

It is Damon, Stefan's brother (played by Ian Somerherald) who gets my strong approval. What can I say? Sexy bad boys are cliche, but they are such a turn on.

"The Vampire Diaries" did pretty alright for it's season premiere. No, actually...it did really well, earning the highest premiere record for The CW with 4.8 Million viewers (Gossip Girl and 90210 didn't win this much when its pilot episodes aired).

I'm gonna stick around a few more episodes to see if this is worth keeping watch over the whole season.

Best line, this episode...

Elena: For months people have been asking me that…if I'll be okay
Stefan: What do you tell them?
Elena: That I'll be fine.
Stefan: Do you mean that?
Elena: Ask me again tomorrow..

Here's a clip from the pilot:

Noooo, Not Ellen DeGeneres!!!

Don't get me wrong. I love this woman a lot. She's one of the best persons to watch on TV. But whoever it was who thought to bring Ellen DeGeneres to replace Paula Abdul on American Idol is only after two things --- buzz and ratings. But yeah, why should that surprise me? It's the oldest marketing trick in the book in this industry.

Is Ellen musical? Yes. Is she part of the music industry? No. Is she a qualified judge? Hardly. Do those things matter? Not really. Paula was one of three and she stayed on for eight seasons.

Is she opinionated? Yes. Is she coherent? Not especially. It's not easy to get her jokes sometimes, she jumbles her punchlines. Have you been watching her show? It's cute when she does that....on her show. Will you find this cute when she's doing this on Idol?

Will what she say be interesting as judge? Will it help the contestants? Based on her guest judge appearance in last Summer's "So You Think You Can Dance" Ellen was mostly comic relief and did nothing to help the dancers. She was pretty useless, I'm sorry. Not to jump the gun and assume she will be this way on American Idol....but then again, what if she will be (just the comic relief)?

I don't mean she wouldn't take her new role seriously because we haven't seen her do this yet. Though right now, I am only sure I will love that she will be on Idol because she will be able to deliver the entertainment value.

But call me the Doubting Thomas, I am not sure how effective a judge she will be, to do this for 10-12 weeks no less.

And... I smell an overdose of Ellen in the long run (she's going to be on 5x daily, and 2x nightly now). Will Ellen lose her charm now that she's judging the most watched TV program on the face of the earth? (Hey, someone's bound to end up hating her guts no matter how likeable she is!)

I honestly hoped they picked somebody like Victoria Beckham for two reasons --- if she does well judging and is the biggest surprise of the season, then I would love this show back and sing my praises. But if she does poorly? Then put it this way: it's easier to hate the guts and viewer-critique someone like Posh, than hate someone like Dory.

Go, Go Nora! [Brothers and Sisters S4 E1 Sneak Peek]

Someone asked me the other day when Brothers and Sisters is returning to television. When I asked why he wanted to know that, I was told it seems I needed my weekly dose of catharsis (my emotional release). He's partly right, though. With this show gone for like six months or so, I really was in need of my fix, especially when I've started looking for drama elsewhere. :P

There's still a three week wait till Brothers and Sisters is back. So, the sneak peeks will do for now.

I really enjoyed this one with Nora and Holly going at each other again. Go, Nora!!!



Saw the other preview with Kitty too. Am getting a vibe I'm going to relate so well and so close to this show this season so I've got to watch prepared with a box of tissue on hand!

Fall Season TV 2009 Premiere Dates [Sept to Dec]

* This is taken from the LA Times Blog.


Tuesday, Sept. 8
90210, 8 p.m. (CW)
Melrose Place, 9 p.m. (CW)
Sons of Anarchy, 10 p.m. (FX)

Wednesday, Sept. 9
America's Next Top Model, 8 p.m. (CW)
So You Think You Can Dance, 8 p.m. (Fox)
Glee, 9 p.m. (Fox)
Destination Truth, 10 p.m. (Syfy)

Thursday, Sept. 10
The Vampire Diaries, 8 p.m. (CW)
Supernatural, 9 p.m. (CW)

Saturday, Sept. 12
Cops, 8 p.m. (Fox)
America's Most Wanted, 9 p.m. (Fox)
Robin Hood, 9 p.m. (BBC America)

Monday, Sept. 14
One Tree Hill, 8 p.m. (CW)
Lincoln Heights, 8 p.m. (ABC Family)
Gossip Girl, 9 p.m. (CW)
The Jay Leno Show, 10 p.m. (NBC)

Tuesday, Sept. 15
The Biggest Loser, 8 p.m. (NBC)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
The Beautiful Life, 9 p.m. (CW)
The Ultimate Fighter, 10 p.m. (Spike TV)

Thursday, Sept. 17
Bones, 8 p.m. (Fox)
Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday, 8 p.m. (NBC)
Survivor: Samoa, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Parks and Recreation, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)
Fringe, 9 p.m. (Fox)
The Office, 9 p.m. (NBC)
Community, 9:30 p.m. (NBC)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 10 p.m. (FX)

Friday, Sept. 18
Crash, 10 p.m. (Starz)

Sunday, Sept. 20
Curb Your Enthusiasm, 9 p.m. (HBO)
Bored to Death, 9:30 pm (HBO)

Monday, Sept. 21
Dancing With the Stars, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Heroes, 8 p.m. (NBC)
House, 8 p.m. (Fox) (two-hour premiere)
How I Met Your Mother, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Accidentally on Purpose, 8:30 p.m. (CBS)
Two and a Half Men, 9 p.m. (CBS)
The Big Bang Theory, 9:30 p.m. (CBS)
Castle, 10 p.m. (ABC)
CSI: Miami, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Tuesday, Sept. 22
Dancing With the Stars, 8 p.m. (ABC)
NCIS, 8 p.m. (CBS)
NCIS: Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (CBS)
The Forgotten, 10 p.m. (ABC)
The Good Wife, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Wednesday, Sept. 23
Mercy, 8 p.m. (NBC)
The New Adventures of Old Christine, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Gary Unmarried, 8:30 p.m. (CBS)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 9 p.m. (NBC)
Modern Family, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Criminal Minds, 9 p.m. (CBS)
Cougar Town, 9:30 p.m. (ABC)
CSI: NY, 10 p.m. (CBS)
Eastwick, 10 p.m. (ABC)

Thursday, Sept. 24
Flash Forward, 8 p.m. (ABC)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 9 p.m. (CBS)
Grey's Anatomy, 9 p.m. (ABC)
The Mentalist, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Friday, Sept. 25
Brothers, 8 p.m. (Fox)
Smallville, 8 p.m. (CW)
Ghost Whisperer, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Law & Order, 8 p.m. (NBC)
Dollhouse, 9 p.m. (Fox)
Medium, 9 p.m. (CBS) (new network)
Numb3rs, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Saturday, Sept. 26
Saturday Night Live, 11:30 p.m. (NBC)

Sunday, Sept. 27
60 Minutes, 7 p.m. (CBS)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 7 p.m. (ABC)
The Amazing Race, 8 p.m. (CBS)
The Simpsons, 8 p.m. (Fox)
The Cleveland Show, 8:30 p.m. (Fox)
Desperate Housewives, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Dexter, 9 p.m. (Showtime)
Family Guy, 9 p.m. (Fox)
American Dad, 9:30 p.m. (Fox)
Brothers & Sisters, 10 p.m. (ABC)
Californication, 10 p.m. (Showtime)
Cold Case, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Monday, Sept. 28
Lie to Me, 9 p.m. (Fox)
Trauma, 9 p.m. (NBC)

Tuesday, Sept. 29
Hell's Kitchen, 8 p.m. (Fox)
Shark Tank, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? 8 p.m., (My Network TV)
Dancing With the Stars, 9 p.m. (ABC)
The Hills, 10 p.m. (MTV)
The City, 10:30 p.m. (MTV)

Wednesday, Sept. 30
Hank, 8 p.m. (ABC)
The Middle, 8:30 pm. (ABC)
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, 10 p.m. (MTV)

Thursday, Oct. 1
Private Practice, 10 p.m. (ABC)

Friday, Oct. 2
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, 8 p.m. (Cartoon Network)
WWE Friday Night SmackDown, 8 pm, (MyNetworkTV)
'Til Death, 8:30 p.m. (Fox)
Stargate Universe, 9 p.m. (Syfy)

Sunday, Oct. 4
America's Funniest Home Videos, 7 p.m (ABC)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Three Rivers, 9 p.m. (CBS)

Monday, Oct. 5
Sherri, 7 p.m. (Lifetime)
Rita Rocks, 7:30 p.m. (Lifetime)

Tuesday, Oct. 6
Scare Tactics, 9 p.m. (Syfy)

Wednesday, Oct. 7
South Park, 10 p.m. (Comedy Central)
Secret Girlfriend, 10:30 p.m. (Comedy Central)

Friday, Oct. 9
Ugly Betty, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Sanctuary, 10 p.m. (Syfy)

Saturday, Oct. 10
The Girls Next Door, 10 p.m. (E!)

Tues, Oct. 14
Nip/Tuck, 10 p.m. (FX)

Thursday, Oct. 15
30 Rock, 9:30 p.m. (NBC)

Friday, Oct. 16
Supernanny, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Monday, Oct. 19
Little People, Big World, 10 p.m. (TLC)

Thursday, Oct. 22
The Jeff Dunham Show, 9 p.m. (Comedy Central)

Friday, Oct. 23
Southland, 9 p.m. (NBC)
White Collar, 10 p.m. (USA)

Wednesday, Oct. 28
Friday Night Lights, 9 p.m. (DirecTV 101 Channel)

Tuesday, Nov. 3
V, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Wednesday, Nov. 4
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, 9 p.m. (TBS)

Saturday, Nov. 7
The Wanda Sykes Show, 11 p.m. (Fox)

Monday, Nov. 9
Lopez Tonight (Mon.-Thurs.), 11 pm (TBS)

Friday, Nov. 13
The Very Funny Show (by Tim Meadows), 11:30 p.m. (TBS)

Monday, Dec. 7
The Closer, 9 p.m. (TNT)
Men of a Certain Age, 10 p.m. (TNT)

What's On Friday's TV Schedule Fall 2009?

I now understand why Fridays spell death for TV shows when it's scheduled there. There's nothing on this line-up I really am eager to watch right away!

• 8:00 Supernanny (ABC), Ghost Whisperer (CBS), Law & Order (NBC), Brothers (FOX)/‘Til Death (FOX), Smallville (CW)
• 9:00 Ugly Betty (ABC), Medium (CBS), Southland (NBC), Dollhouse (FOX), America’s Next Top Model rerun (CW), Monk (USA)
• 10:00 20/20 (ABC), Numb3rs (CBS), The Jay Leno Show (NBC), Psych / White Collar (USA)

No wait, lemme correct the statement above...

Alright, White Collar is promising, I will have to check it out pronto. Ditto Brothers, just because it's new though I haven't seen previews and have no idea what it's about.

I am going to save episodes of Southland and Dollhouse for later.

I gave up on Ugly Betty last season.

Guess on Friday nights, I can take a break.

What's On Thursday's TV Schedule Fall 2009?

I used to love Thursday night line-ups from two or three years ago. But when net execs started shaking up this day's schedule, it stop becoming the TV day I look forward to (now it's Mondays & Wednesdays!).

• 8:00 Flash Forward (ABC), Survivor: Samoa (CBS), SNL: Thursday Update then Community by 10/15 (NBC)/Parks and Recreation (NBC), Bones (FOX), Vampire Diaries (CW)
• 9:00 Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), CSI (CBS), The Office (NBC)/Community or 30 Rock (NBC), Fringe (FOX), Supernatural (CW)
• 10:00 Private Practice (ABC), The Mentalist (CBS), The Jay Leno Show (NBC), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)

I am excited over: Flash Forward.

I am glad it's back: The Mentalist... and with a new character to boot, yeah?

I am curious to see PB & J's wedding on The Office.

I have already stopped watching Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice altogether and I think I'll check out Fringe now and then, not necessarily gonna tune to it weekly.

I wish I could already finish the back episodes for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia so I could catch up. Obviously I can't do that right now...

What's On Wednesday's TV Schedule Fall 2009?

Why is this day so busy?? It's going to be a full house every Wednesday nights, with plenty of the comedies (funny!) and young adult shows (fun!).

• 8:00 Hank (ABC)/The Middle (ABC), The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)/Gary UnMarried (CBS), Mercy (NBC), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), America’s Next Top Model (CW)
• 9:00 Modern Family (ABC)/Cougartown (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Glee (FOX), The Beautiful Life: TBL (CW), Ghost Hunters (Syfy)
• 10:00 Eastwick (ABC), CSI: NY (CBS), The Jay Leno Show (NBC), Nip/Tuck (FX)

Aside from SYTYCD's results night, Gary Unmarried is the other returning show I'm watching. Glee, The Beautiful Life and Cougar Town are the new ones I am really looking forward to seeing, I'm very excited for the three.

I'm gonna have to check out the fresh ones, of course ---

• Hank - starring Kelsey Grammer. I'd always root for this guy even if he's in crappy shows
• Mercy - hospital drama. Potentially another Grey's Anatomy. Ugh
• The Middle - forgot who is in this one, Patty Heaton? The show they say is similar to Malcolm in the Middle, yeah?
• Modern Family - like Brothers & Sisters, only a comedy.
• Eastwick - this feels like Charmed, with older Halliwell girls.

It's Modern Family I'm liking best from these five new ones.

What's On Tuesday's TV Schedule Fall 2009?

Tuesday is rest day... judging by the number of shows that do not interest me. This works out well for me because the Wednesdays are going to be crraaaazy!

Below is Tuesday's schedule:

• 8:00 V (ABC 11/3), NCIS (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), 90210 (CW)
• 9:00 Dancing with the Stars (ABC), NCIS: LA (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), Melrose Place (CW)
• 10:00 The Forgotten (ABC), The Good Wife (CBS), The Jay Leno Show (NBC), Sons of Anarchy (FX)

So You Think You Can Dance....dance....dance... it's the only show I'm excited about! Love that they're back another season and not just for a short time during the summers.

I'm going to check out The Good Wife with Juliana Margulies because it's new. I forgot...she plays a lawyer here, right? After being set back as a housewife, she comes back to work, right? Gotta check out teasers again.

The Forgotten is also worth checking out because it's new but I know I will get tired of it easily. It's from Jerry Bruckheimer. Yep, procedural. Yep, crime show. About unidentified victims.

I would have wanted to see Sons of Anarchy, but I skipped Season 1. I hear the cool factor on this show has gone high up so am putting this under my watch-sometime-in-the-future column.

What's On Monday's TV Schedule Fall 2009?

Lists -- am a huge fan. I go geek over it. The list I look forward to the most? Fall Season TV! I'll chronicle is this year's schedule beginning with Monday.

I honestly am equally excited and unprepared for the new season. Excited, because, of course what else? --- New shows to follow. Unprepared, because I haven't been watching TV in a while and am finding my way back into a new routine, my couch is about to get warm. (Hey, I checked all the other TV blogs I used to visit...what happened? Most of them stopped writing about what they're watching almost the same time as I did! A virus must have hit all of us somewhere...).

Anyway, here's what's on Mondays:

• 8:00: Dancing With the Stars (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS)/Accidentally on Purpose (CBS), Heroes (NBC), House (FOX), One Tree Hill (CW), Lincoln Heights (ABC Family)
• 9:00 Dancing With the Stars (ABC), Two and a Half Men (CBS)/The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Trauma (NBC), Lie to Me (FOX), Gossip Girl (CW), Greek (ABC Family)
• 10:00 Castle (ABC), CSI: Miami (CBS), The Jay Leno Show (NBC)

HIMYM and Big Bang Theory are going to be my regulars. I am excited for BBT most especially as the show is gaining a following from the mainstream audience and the critics. Probably the best comedy show there is now.

House is still on my list. But after last season's disappointments, I am not sure I'm going to look forward to it weekly. It's the same with Castle. Nathan Fillion rocks, but the show is probably gonna get a lukewarm reception in our household.

Am gonna check out Greek now and then, because it's campy fun no matter when I watch it.

I am probably going to watch Lie to Me but I bet I will be skipping some parts and won't be missing it that much.

I will be checking out Trauma because it's new.

Mini Dose of Joy: Puppies Dress As Cats

I saw this the other night and couldn't stop the song playing in my head. Also? Puts a huge smile on my face.

A good video to watch as you are waking up in the early morning!

Click on the image to be redirected to the video or you can click here.

So, I found you Matt Bomer!

I have been wondering when you're going to turn up on "Chuck". If you even are. I know I said sometime back, you should get your own show, not just a short guest stint. It's a waste to not be able to see those beautiful eyes anywhere.

So, I found you! Six months of not watching too much TV, and I've found you!

And you've gone from Matthew to Matt.

And you're going to be in my Fall TV line-up.

And I think your show is not original. But so what? You've got your very own show now!

White Collar is about the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer), a charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Stokes (Tim DeKay). When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail, Neal suggests an alternate plan: he'll provide his criminal expertise to assist the Feds in catching other elusive criminals. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that can't be found on the right side of the law. --- Wikipedia

Watch the teaser:

Lily As A Stripper and an HIMYM Season 4 Recap

Photo credits: TV Addict


Not so bad at all, not really. Especially not after having her baby in real life. Why Lily is wearing THAT and why she has her hands on the stripper pole, is something we can look forward to when How I Met Your Mother returns on the 28th. (There are more pictures of Lily and the cast at the TV Addict's site.)

I have read the synopsis for the first two episodes.... something I read made me wonder when it happened. Because I lost my mind some months ago, I really have forgotten some of what went on in Season 4 and I am ordering myself a marathon of it sometime.

Meantime, here's a quick 3-minute recap of it though, courtesy of SpoilerTV.

They're hyping this as the next LOST

From what this teaser shows, it does seem something worthy of your viewing time. Well, okay...my viewing time at least. I got goosebumps watching it!

It's been called the next Lost. Clever marketing ploy. With Lost is on its last season, they instantly have this to fill the void. They've already got Penny in it! But you know what? There's always suckers like me who will believe the hype.

Is it going to be as confusing as Lost, though?

Goyer and Guggenheim say they are making the show as they want to, but their customized format — many character stories that wrap up in one episode, quick answers to major questions and a simplified but not dumbed-down mythology — also may make it appeal to a broader audience and casual viewers. "It's not that kind of show where if you don't catch it at the beginning you'll be lost," Vance says.

At the same time, more devoted fans will be rewarded with numerous little clues and hidden references. "You'll come across the true genius that is David Goyer, which is these Easter eggs," Fiennes says. "There's so much information that you could certainly go crazy trying to work it all out."

As another viewing incentive, Goyer promises to resolve virtually all questions raised in the pilot by this season's end. "We made the commitment very early on to answer some big questions and have some reveals very early. The audience will be surprised at some of the cards we turn over that early."

ABC has an interest in series that are "something epic in scope but also really emotional," network executive vice president Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs says. Characters must be at the core, she says, whether the serialized program is Lost,Grey's Anatomyor FlashForward. --- USA TODAY

Well, good. I guess. I don't think I would want to brain bleed anymore trying to figure out stuff like Lost drove me crazy.

Series Premiere: Thursday, September 24th, 2009. 8/7c on ABC.

Teaser:

Paula Abdul on Drop Dead Diva. This post is not really about her.

Did not really want my first post back to be about Paula Abdul but this isn't actually about her at all. I just have something to say about the show, Drop Dead Diva, and here it is --- the lady who plays the lead ANNNNNOOOOYYYYS the hell out of me! The way she walks or flips her hand...CAPTAIN, MAJOR, GENERAL ANNOYING!

God bless Brooke Elliot. Because by all accounts, she is a good actress. She's playing some sort of an Elle Woods character.... in Plus Size! So, I think she meant to play her that way. With the way I'm reacting, it's probably working then! But I don't know if that is good or bad. I've stopped watching the show after six episodes. I still want to. But I just can't stand Jane's habits for now. I wonder how many people feel the same way I did and stopped watching altogether, too?

Brooke Elliot plays Jane, who is actually Deb, an aspiring model trapped inside Jane's body. See how that works out now?

Anyway, where were we? Ah, Paula Abdul. Here's the news clip about her guest stint on Diva from THR.

Paul Abdul is back in the judge's seat -- but not on the "American Idol" stage.

Abdul cameos in Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" as a gavel-banging, glammed-up version of herself in a dream sequence set in a courtroom. In the over-the-top scene, the former "Idol" judge dispenses oh-so-fabulous justice in a vocal and fashion critique to Jane (played by Brooke Elliott), a plus-size lawyer possessed by a skinny model.

At one point in her scene from the Sept. 20 episode, "Judge Paula" rises from the bench to reveal her "belted and bedazzled" ensemble -- a chunky belt and glittery skirt below a flowing top crafted from a black judge robe. Abdul appears in Jane's dream to motive her to sue a clothing retailer that only sells small dresses.

Back For Good, Hopefully!

I wasn't trying to be a comedian when I said last June that I was going to start writing on this blog again...and then I didn't. I did not mean to NOT take that seriously. It's not so much as not keeping a promise, but not having the energy to do it.

But that's not gonna happen now. It's real this time.

I'm back on the couch!

But right now, my mind is keen on fixing this site's aesthetics. There are widgets I'd like to remove, colors I'd like to improve, a theme I'd like to change.

And then...there's the actual watching of TV shows. I don't even know where to begin. So, I guess what I really must do is begin taking it one step at a time.

Anyway, Too Much TV updates shortly...