Happy Holidays! [40 TV Christmas Moments]

Got this off one of my favorite TV sites.
This holiday, I'm revisiting old TV shows I've loved watching like Community, Sports Night and Frasier...and whatever I find that is worthy of a second (or 42nd!) viewing. I've just caught up on new shows like Person Of Interest and will also catch up on Enlightened. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas!

Snowhite's Letter to the Evil Queen in Once Upon A Time

"She put others before herself, and yet you hate her..."

--- The Huntsman

Dearest Stepmother,

By the time you will read this, I will be dead.

I understand that you will never have love in your life because of me. So, it is only fitting that I will be denied that same joy as well.

For the sake of the kingdom, I hope my death satisfies your need for revenge, allowing you to rule my father's subjects as they deserve --- with compassion and a gentle hand.

I know what you think you're doing is vengeance. I prefer to think of it as sacrifice. For the good of all...

With that in mind, I welcome my end. I want you take my last message to heart: I'm sorry and I forgive you.

NEW SHOW ALERT: "House of Lies" with Kristen Bell, Don Cheadle

Why, hello Veronica Mars! You've really grown up now!  Kristen Bell stars in this new comedy series, House of Lies, headlined by Don Cheadle, who plays her boss.

If the teaser below is any indication, it does look like this show's slick and ballsy.

HOUSE OF LIES is SHOWTIME's new half-hour comedy series from the hit tell-all book House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time by Martin Kihn. It's a scathing look at a self-loathing management consultant from a top-tier firm. Oscar(R) and Emmy(R) nominee Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2) stars as Marty, a highly-successful, cutthroat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his way with and for his clients. Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) plays a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works on Marty's team, along with Emmy(R) winner Ben Schwartz (Parks & Recreation) and Josh Lawson (Romantically Challenged); Dawn Olivieri (Vampire Diaries, Heroes) is Marty's acerbic ex-wife; Emmy(R) winner Glynn Turman (In Treatment) is his psychoanalyst father; and Donis Leonard Jr. (The Fresh Beat Band) rounds out the cast as Marty's young son. Created by Matthew Carnahan, HOUSE OF LIES is executive produced by Jessika Borsiczky, Matthew Carnahan.

The show is on Showtime (cable) and begins January 8th.

Recommend a show I should be watching during this Winter Hiatus, please.

Early this week, I told myself I should be getting back to watching Entourage.

The last time I caught it on TV, Turtle still had all those...uh... baby fats. I knew somewhere in the middle of the series, he went serious about working out, got buffed and scored the pretty chick.

But by then, I've stopped watching the show. And I don't why. And I've forgotten what went on.

So, I planned on re-watching. From beginning to end. Only, what I thought was three (3) seasons long, it turns out? It's actually eight (8) seasons.

Where was I when Entourage was on air for EIGHT SEASONS??? That's as much seasons as Curb Your Enthusiasm. I did not realize they debuted at the same time.

Just thinking about how many episodes I have to watch to catch up is making me tired. Is it worth spending time over? Should I go ahead and watch all 96 episodes of Entourage?

If not this show, then what else is there I must follow? I still have a long list, to be honest. Before you make a suggestion, you have to know these:

• My ultimate goal? The one show I should be able to watch before I die ---- The Wire? Ehh. Could not even finish two seasons. Darn series come with episodes that are too long and heavy. No wonder they call it "Shakesperean". :P 
• I keep saying I've never seen Alias past the first season. Or Gilmore Girls. I am missing a lot, I know that.  I keep saying that a lot, too. :P  And I keep putting it off, just the same. I think its relevance is already lost on me. 
• I would like to get on with Fringe, but I think I'm not mentally ready for that right now.

So, given all that --- what show should I be checking out this holiday break?

Help?

Called It!!!

Dorky post ahead...

I know I'm the only one who's mighty pleased about this. I just love it when I've guessed something TV related and I get it right!

This storyline, the false rape accusation, unfolded on this week's Ringer.

So, I was right! Woot! I'm giving myself a mental high five now.

Dork.

New Show Alert: COMMON LAW on USA Network

On January 26, USA Network will premiere Common Law, a cop buddy series that has all the right elements to every show airing on this cable channel, such as White Collar, Psych, Royal Pains, Burn Notice & Suits.  

Here's a checklist. Tell me if Common Law does not fit the bill:

• It features two guys.
• The guys are sassy and snarky.
• The show is light, never really heavy and serious.
• The title is uncreative (I did have a problem with "Suits" before). 

The formula is a demand from the network itself. And it's a similar demand for their shows that star women (Covert Affairs, Fairly Legal, Necessary Roughness). But the guy series rate better. Which is why I sometimes get confused with Franklin & Bash being on a different cable network. That one would've been perfect for USA.

Anyway, here is Common Law's teaser trailer below:

The new original series COMMON LAW kicks into high gear when two cops discover they have one problem - each other. Despite their differences, they are still the best detectives on the force but when things come to a head on the eve of their "seven-year itch," their captain forces them into couples' therapy to save their "marriage." The 12-episode one-hour series stars Michael Ealy ("The Good Wife," "Californication"), Warren Kole ("The Chicago Code," "24"), Jack McGee ("The Fighter," "Rescue Me") and Sonya Walger ("Lost," "In Treatment") and is currently in production in New Orleans.

Common Law fits the formula, right? And I do like watching some of the show's on USA, even if they all look the same. Because they're fun to watch and easy to get. It balances out my viewing experience after watching something intense or heavy, such as Homeland or The Walking Dead.

Are you that way, too?

Will you be checking out Common Law? I know I will.

Oh, dear lord! These women aren't going away!!

The Kardashian Sisters. They're always in the news, aren't they?

Five (5) things you must know about me and my aversion for anything Kardashian:

• I've NEVER seen an episode of their Reality TV show. It does not appeal to me. 
• Well, except that one time when I was at a friend's house and the show was what was on her TV. And it was Kim's wedding special (married to Kris Humphries). 
• I feel something's grating my ears when Kim Kardashian talks. The first time I heard her speak was when she was on Conan O' Brien. I think I saw the episode early this year. Yep, that was my first "encounter" with Kim. Honest to blog. 
• I know about the Kardashians only because I read and follow online stuff. When they're on TV, I switch channel, leave the room, or turn it off. Which explains #3. 
• They are always in everything I read. Thus, I can't avoid them online because the stuff I read are research sources. :P

One (1) fact you must know about the Kardashians:

THEY ARE  NOT GOING AWAY!!!  If anything, there will be more of them from (some of the) stuff I read online! In fact, they are already in Glamour's January 2012 Edition!

Who keeps putting these girls everywhere??? The publicity army's good and hard at work, I give them that. But man, I wish they'd already disappear!

Program Interruption: An Invitation to a Charity Party for Cancer Patients

I participated in a charity blog last September to help Stef of Life and Fever organize something for cancer patients and their families.

Stef informed us that since the charity blog was a success, a charity party will be held on December 3 and 4...and 50 people will get to enjoy the affair!

Stef wrote:

Interested? Head to Stef's blog to learn how you, a friend or family member diagnosed with cancer, can join the party.

There will be presents, comics, mentalists and magicians to entertain everyone. Santa will also make an appearance. Isn't that amazing??!

Bless you Stef for organizing this! =)

Random Observation: Revenge Episode 9, Season 1

Nolan had lipstick on.

The shade suits his skin tone well.

It even matches his bowtie's color!

"You can't pull this look off, Tyler."

The Good Wife: Who's In Trouble?

DIANE: Stop it. 

WILL: Stop? 

DIANE: Alicia. Peter Florrick is coming after you because you are sleeping with his wife. Don't lie to me. It's wrong. You are her boss. He is the States Attorney. Even if it weren't wrong, it is not smart. Stop sleeping with his wife. Do you understand me?

Will is in deeeeeep shit.

Lyrics To How I Met Your Mother's Cheating Song On The Boat

♬ You fool around on your baby
Now the least you could do is to tell the truth,
Yes, you in the suit
Or the secret will eat up your soul

Coz the guilt's gonna drive you crazy (crazy...)
You couldn't live with this lie,
Kevin's such a nice guy
Gotta tell him tonight
Tell him right here on this boat

You're like scum on the edge of a toilet bowl (flush!)
What the hell is in that place?
Well, you should have a soul (slut!)
You did these two wrong,
Don't wait too long
In fact, you know what,
Tell 'em while I'm doing this song (tell him, tell him, tell him...) ♬

Random Observation: Once Upon A Time, Episode 4 Season 1

I'm seriously enjoying watching Once Upon A Time. Someone's imagination is working big time on this show. Kudos to the writers!

And I'm loving all the twists and the real-world counterparts of storybook characters I've read as a child. I also love that in the real world, this is how the writers see Ruby, who is actually Little Red Riding Hood.

LITTLE RED RIDING HO

I can't wait to see what's her story. All we know is that she works in that diner/cafe Emma frequents (Granny's Cafe), while in fantasy land, she was part of the War Council.

Are you watching this show? What do you love about it so far?

Look-A-Likes: My Kraaas (Crush) & Will Arnett (Gob)

I think that even if I'd live to be 85 years old, assuming I would live that long without being senile, I'd still harbor school girl crushes. :P

Well, I have a crush.♥

On TV.

Or I used to have a crush, because I think I'm almost over it (coz the show is almost done heh!).

From this guy on The Sing-Off.  Whose name I keep forgetting (there it goes, sign of senility!), although one of my friends on Twitter mentioned his name to me. (Thanks!)

Watch him perform:


Isn't he dreamy? ♥ ♥ ♥ (On that video, the judges call him Jake. His name is Jake. I have to remember that!)

Anyway, last night while re-watching Arrested Development, I came to a scene where Will Arnett, who plays Gob in the series, was performing his magic trick.

And that's where I saw the resemblance.



My crush and Will Arnett are look-a-likes!

But here's the thing...I'm not crushing on Will Arnett at all. NOT AT ALL. And I'm not happy about them being look-a-likes.

No offense to the actor, as I'm know he is well-respected in the industry,  but he comes off as a d-bag to me.

And it's not his fault. I just see Gob in him so much and Gob was such a douche. Which is probably why, after Arrested Development, I haven't really liked any of the series Will Arnett has done, even if I try liking it.

So, there.

You've got a TV crush? Spill!

The Mentalist's Rigsby is Welsh??

I kinda learned something new this morning and it had me saying "Homaygad!" out loud on my screen. 

I've been watching The Mentalist since it started four (?) years ago and would have never guessed the actor playing Rigsby, Owain Yeoman, is not American. I would have gathered that from the name alone. But Hollywood has plenty of people with fancy names, so who would've thought?

He also speaks with a thick Welsh accent, the kind you hear when Sir Anthony Hopkins speaks.

Watch him in this interview with TV Guide:



I also learned that Owain Yeoman is the ex-husband of Lucy Davis, whose character on The Office UK is someone I also liked:

Lucy was, in fact, a guest on The Mentalist last season.

I'm bummed about the divorce news. But I was really so surprised to learn a lot more about Rigsby!

Previously on 24...

It has been 10 years since 24 started its successful 8-season run. Do you remember these?










I don't know the status of the movie version of 24, though. The last I read, plans to do this is still active.

Incidentally, Keifer Sutherland is starting a new show by spring of 2012. Two years after 24 bowed out on Fox, and a decade after he gave life to one of the most iconic characters on television, (There is no one like Jack Bauer on TV, I dare say.) Keifer is returning to Fox for his new series, Touch:

Random Observation: Gossip Girl Episode 6, Season 5

I mentioned more than once on Twitter that Dan Humphrey's current hairstyle looks really bad. It's like this whole new character on the show. Blair Waldorf even calls it 'muppet hair'.  I'd call that muppet 'Fugly'. But I doubt if Fugly could even get a gig on Sesame Street. That's how bad it looks.

What beef do you all have about DA HAIR?

But it's not just Dan's hair that has gone really bad on this show, as I would notice. Gossip Girl used to be the one program fashion savvy people and fashion wannabes look to for style points. Lately? It's as if someone abducted the show's stylist and everyone is left to dress themselves up or do their make-up.

Blair Waldorf's adorable, freshly made-up face was always refreshing to see in previous seasons:

Gorgeous doll face, as I'm sure you would agree. Lately though, she comes off looking haggard with her hair needing a lift or new cut and her aura in serious need of this:

What happened there, Blair? (Photo grabbed from Tumblr)

"I don't know. I'm supposed to be pregnant on the show.
This pretend-baby is probably sucking all my glow, it's so realistic!"

And what about all-American, Sunshine Girl Serena Van Der Woodsen? Who took her glow? When did she start dressing up dowdy?

What, this? This is a fashion statement!
And the statement is: I dress with my curtains now and don't wash DA HAIR.

You and the love of your life, Dan, are really meant to be. :P

At Diana's media party, Serena and her boss were made to look like twins. Did you catch that? There must be a song and dance number from these two, on the show's DVD version.

So, what is going on with Gossip Girl's make-up and wardrobe department??

The Vampire Diaries' Uneven Mid-Season Finale Has Compelled Me To Post This

Up until last night, I've been marvelling at the fact that The Vampire Diaries was having a good run this season. But the mid-season finale episode pointed to a lot inconsistencies in the mythology. Some of it are starting to not make any sense or confuse me.

I went to bed thinking about the episode I just watched and woke up with it still on my mind. I woke up, in the wee hours of the morning, still thinking about it! Not since Lost did I have this...uh, compulsion (or addiction, if you really look at it) over a show.  I've officially gone mad trying to tie pieces together, I think I just made myself even more confused. The only thing missing is when I start dreaming of TVD. (Which happened when I was watching Lost!)

Where was Alaric??? Of everyone, I thought he could make sense of everything that went on last night. Why was he missing from this all-too-important event --- the night Mikael faces off with Klaus?

Anyway, chime in the comments and confirm or dispute what I've drawn out from watching the Homecoming episode, will you?

MIKAEL

The show has been building up on the fact that Mikael, the father of the original vampires, was gonna bring a shitload of chaos when he wakes up and seeks Klaus, his hybrid son. He was THE vampire other vampires feared...or it sounded like that. Ghost Anna warned everyone through Jeremy that he was going to be that guy who'll wipe out vampires. Scary! Say "Mikael" to his children and they panic. Here is where the writers of the show are hoping we get the point: Mikael = Fear.

Then for all that information laid out from the first episode of this season and up until last night --- why the hell was it so easy to kill Mikael? 

Dead. For real.
Or until TVD writers think of ways to bring him back .

STAKES & DAGGERS

I thought all along that one type of weapon can kill vampires. I've seen it in other shows and movies before. Wooden stakes are the best weapon against them.

But on TVD, there are apparently different types of weapons you can use (as Alaric pointed out and demonstrated in previous episodes). And with Mikael, Klaus and the other Originals, you would have to use a special type of stake.

I'm confused though --- are stakes and daggers one and the same kind?

Two types of weapons are supposed to be used against the Originals:

• Silver daggers peppered with white oak tree powder - regular vampires like Damon and Stefan cannot use them against originals, lest they die. Original vampires can use it against other vampires, including originals. This type of dagger does not kill the vampire totally, but only neutralizes them (which is why Klaus' family is still, technically, alive inside the coffin). 
• White oak dagger - Mikael's pabaon which he has been keeping even when stuck inside a coffin. It's the one dagger that can kill Originals completely, like so:

Yeah. He should be really dead.

That burning thing Mikael is looking at is the White Oak Dagger, which was meant for Klaus. Anyone can use it and won't die, which is why Damon had it with him, borrowed from Mikael, of course. But now that it's burned to ashes just like Mikael (or I assume, we never got to see this on TV, didn't we?)... nothing can kill Klaus now. NOTHING.

Unless...the writers come up with another twist. Or if Damon can rip Klaus' heart out, if he's strong enough to do so.

HYBRIDS

Hybrids are Klaus' creation, the werewolves he turned to vampires. Because he "engineered" or sired these creatures, they are bounded to him forever. Supposedly.

The night Klaus was to face-off with his father, he brought a pack of hybrids with him, to protect him against anything or anyone who would attack.  I love that he had a Mindy hybrid, inspite the fact that she was pretty useless.

Here's one thing I don't understand about hybrids: unlike vampires, do they need an invite to get into someone's house? These hybrids pretty much came in and went out Tyler's house, where the funeral/party for Mikael was happening. This suggests that they don't need an invite.  However, during the very first episode of Season 3, Klaus, the original hybrid, had sought an invite to get inside Ray's house and Ray's housemates did ask him in. So, what's that about?

Mikael has power over Klaus' hybrids. Whatever Klaus' has asked from his army is overriden by Mikael's compulsion. Which makes one storyline decidedly weak...

• Katherine mentioned towards the end of the episode that Damon, who was supposed to stake Klaus, was going to be attacked by an army of hybrids had he done that. But if Mikael has compelled Klaus' army, isn't that "order" essentially cancelled out, and Damon would still be "safe"? Why then did Katherine ask Stefan to foil Damon's plan? Stefan could still be sitting at home, enjoying Dancing With The Stars (thank you, Caroline!) and his brother would remain safe.
• And if the army is under Mikael's spell, what's that vervain bomb for, Katherine? They wouldn't have attacked even if Klaus died, coz Mikael's their boss-man now.

Hybrids are generally weaker than anyone of the main vampires like Damon, Stefan, Katherine & Mikael, especially. They're still learning about their powers, which essentially, makes them vampire newbies. An army of vampire newbies has nothing on these four (Damon, Stefan, Katherine & Mikael) because these four could take an army, ya know. They could even add Bonnie into the mix and have her witchy-migraine everyone.

Bottomline: it was so easy to kill Klaus and have Stefan, Katherine and Mikeal free of every issue they have with him. Hybrids are useless accessories. AND THEY DANCE FUNNY! I wouldn't want a hybrid to my own party. :P Well, except Tyler. Coz he is hoooot.

So, why then did Stefan and Katherine butt in and change the plan??

HUMANITY

The one thing I loved about the episode was the parallel between Elena's humanity and Stefan's humanity.

• Stefan said that if anyone should make a mistake with Project Occupy Klaus, it would have to be Elena. Because Elena cares too much. And so she needed to stop caring too much, so she can carry out the plan well. 
• Katherine told Stefan that in order to save his brother Damon from Klaus, he needed to turn on his humanity and start caring. 

One needed to turn the notch down, the other needed to turn it up.  Isn't the poetic contrast beautiful?? At any rate though, whatever went wrong with Project Occupy Klaus could be attributed to one thing --- HUMAN ERROR.

KATHERINE

She was Damon's big surprise to the plan. I knew it was her the moment I saw her talking to Klaus at the party. She had curly hair, and that's my only clue! Why the other vampires can't tell that, is sorta the reason why people in Metropolis can't tell the difference between Clark Kent with glasses and Superman. :P

Katherine is up to something because whatever crazy plan she had to stop Damon from killing Klaus....was, well, kraaazy.

I doubt we saw the last of her.  And I doubt Stefan realizes Katherine has manipulated her into seeking revenge against Klaus.

She's so evil, I love her.

So, these are the things that have occupied my thoughts last night. And now that I've written it down and organized them in print, I'm hoping I wouldn't have to think of TVD for a while. Because I don't think I can keep analyzing this for a month and a half. The answers won't come until the show is back on January the 5th.

What have you got to say about last night's episode?

Look-A-Likes: Krycek and Brody

I knew there was something familiar about Damian Lewis! For years, I've been trying to figure it out --- Who does this guy look like?

Damian Lewis

And then I read this news that had Nicholas Lea's photo on it. The report said he was going to be a guest on this show I don't watch, so I didn't bother reading the whole text.  But his thumbnail photo stuck with me.

Nicholas Lea

There's the answer to the thing I've been wondering about all these years! Don't they look-a-like? The resemblance is striking!

I remember Lea on The X Files. He played the agent, Alex Krycek. Years later, I would watch Damian Lewis on Band of Brothers and every show he's been on after that. And there was this nagging thought that his face definitely looks familiar.

Now I know.

My mind's at peace.

Hehe.

Nicholas Lea appeared as a semi-regular on shows like The X Files and Kyle XY. He also had several TV guest stints. He was last seen on V. He will soon appear as guest on Supernaturals. 

Damian Lewis was on Band of Brothers and Life. He is currently starring in Showtime's Homeland, which is only like, my most lauded new show of this season.

Screencaps: ANTM Featuring Georgina Wilson and Bench/Body

The last time I tuned to America's Next Top Model was the year that blonde Carrie-something won. That was, what? Between Cycles 6 to 8. And I don't really know if she went to become an actual 'top model' in the industry. (Did she?)

But I was surprised to learn that this episode I specifically watched today was already on its Cycle 17. Which means, I have not been watching this show half the time it was on air. Way to go, Tyra Banks! Who would've thought this was going to last this long, huh?

Anyway, the reason why I tuned to ANTM after all those years was because Twitterverse was exploding with news that a Filipina model and a Filipino clothing brand were going to be in it.

Curious, I checked the episode and took screen caps of the most important scenes my kababayan would want to see.

Georgina Wilson was indeed in that episode and her total exposure time was something like 2-3 minutes.

The stylist for this episode, Filipina model Georgina Wilson.

But before her, another Filipino talent was also on the show:

His part didn't have anything to do with Georgina's. And apparently, according to the show, he's been on ANTM before. This is his second time. Filipinos are so well-represented on ANTM, then. Good to know that!

Anyway, the shoot for this week's episode took place in Greece and the models were supposed to wear swimsuits/bikini/undies provided by....

Filipino clothing brand bench/body.

For this, they got Nikos Papadopoulous, obviously a local (Greek), as photographer:

And here are more screen captures:

This model says the underwear line is adorable.
Maybe, I should go out and check bench/body at the mall.

She didn't want to model underwear.

Her issue with it was that she's married and she believes her husband

is the only person who should see her in her undies.

And so Georgina tells her,
"No offense but, it's easier to change the model than the prototype."

So, that was it.  A short but remarkable exposure for Georgina.

And props to Bench for having six (or was it seven?) girls model their underwear on American TV. Tune to the show when it airs on cable, to see what the models wore.

The show aired on The CW this week. In the Philippines, you can catch the episode on ETC, airing November 14th.

Sneak Peek: GOOD CHRISTIAN BELLES

This series is going to get into hot water, that's fer syer. Based on the title alone. Because it has the word "Christian" on it. And because the show doesn't really present itself with "good" Christians. Its characters consist of mean girls, horny bitches and hypocrites. And in the land of TV, people like that equate to fun and interesting stories.

Adapted from a controversial book (Good Christian Bitches), Good Christian Belles is set to come in mid-season and is rumored to be replacing Pan Am, which has been performing poorly with ratings.

The show is also expected to replace the void Desperate Housewives will be leaving once the latter finally bows out in May 2012.

Based on the trailer alone, this show's like Hart of Dixie meets Desperate Housewives meets Mean Girls meets Revenge.

Juicy, huh?

Here's the teaser:

The Walking Dead: Why can these freaking zombies run?

I cannot believe I am starting November 1st by looking into information about zombies.  How appropriate! And how uncharacteristic of me.

Zombies are the least of my favorite creatures ever. But watching the last few episodes of The Walking Dead left me with no choice but to look into something online.

Because... I just had to know the answer to why the zombies on this show can run after the humans.

Before the second season started, I read about how one person was able to get through an episode watching the show without freaking out, by putting this thought in her head --- Zombies are freaky. But they can't kill you if you can outrun them. Because zombies are slow. And you only die from their attack if you're trapped and there's nowhere to run.

I thought that was cool. I thought that, with that way of thinking, zombies suddenly seemed less scary.

And then TWD Season 2 started. And I saw how zombies were running fast!

That wasn't supposed to happen!!!  Seriously, why can these freaking zombies run?

What I found out only proved I know so little about these creatures.  I schooled myself in Zombie 101 within minutes of Googling.

Apparently, there are three types of zombies:

1.  The zombies that basically just feeds and feeds  on the brain. They're the most basic, dull zombies we know.
2. The zombies that are possessed. They look like normal people but have lost the ability to control themselves. Someone else is controlling them either because of a curse, hypnotism or a microchip.
3. The evolved zombies. They have become zombies because their genetic make-up has been altered. These are the ones that can run or jump (or roll over and play dead?).

George Romero, the creator of zombie film cults like Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead (films I wouldn't watch even if you pay me!),  stuck with the first type of zombies in that his zombies were slow and stupid.

Over the years, movies about zombies have portrayed them in a lot of the variations of these three types. Romero's films, for instance, when remade, featured evolved zombies. Running zombies aren't new, apparently. The movies have been doing these for years and have shown teleporting zombies even.

So going back to The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, the writer of the book series, is a huge fan of Romero's zombies and follows the same rule book to zombie-storytelling. But the producers of the TV show did a lot of changes (in every sense, like firing the original showrunner), and translated the book's stories into a television series with a slightly different take, to fit the medium.

So, now you see not just creepy-looking, vomit-inducing zombies. They can open doors, pray inside a church and pretty much? Outrun your grandmother.

And it's all for the purpose of entertainment, which make sense because an audience is so much harder to please these days.

THE KITCHEN MUSICAL Becomes The AVALON

I guess this answers my question as to whether or not The Kitchen Musical retains its original Asian components when it's shown in the US.

It won't.

In the US, the series will be known as The Avalon and the story will take place in LA. Casting for this series should be announced soon.

I grabbed this off Deadline.Com

Would You Like to Be on TV?

Just for the record, I have no association with this production and have no knowledge of what this show is about. I only came across this post on Craigslist Manila and immediately thought of The Kitchen Musical for some reason. But I also wondered what kind of Reality TV show would require "NO ACTING EXPERIENCE, SPECIAL TALENT, OR NUDITY"? A competition Reality Show like The Amazing Race, perhaps?

Anyway, you or someone you know would probably want to try out.  Again, I'd like to make it clear --- I know nothing about this ad, I just saw it online.

The full listing is here.

Reply to: realityshow.sg@gmail.com CASTING GUYS AND GIRLS FROM THE PHILIPPINES FOR NEW REALITY TV SHOW We are looking for interesting and outgoing people to be featured in an upcoming reality show, shooting in Singapore in the Summer of 2012. Travel to Singapore will be paid for by the production. Candidates must be: - Filipino/Filipina - 18-29 years old - Comfortable speaking ENGLISH - Open to living with other people on camera - Willing to travel to Singapore in the Summer of 2012 (all flights paid) NO ACTING EXPERIENCE, SPECIAL TALENT, OR NUDITY REQUIRED! If interested, please send us your contact info, a photo or link to your Facebook page, and a few sentences about yourself -- interests, occupation, hobbies, background, etc. so we can know more about you. We look forward to hearing from you! Location: Singapore - all flights paid Compensation: negotiable.

First Thoughts: ONCE UPON A TIME

Two series based on fairy tales are premiering this week --- Once Upon A Time (OUAT) and Grimm.

I caught up with OUAT last night. The show airs on ABC, a Disney company, which would make sense that their fairy tale is based on Disney's take of my classic childhood favorites.

As a child, I didn't like Snow White all that much. Because her story was tragic. ("Why'd she have to die???" --- I asked this as a child. I loved Cinderella way better. Her shoes? To die for. Hee!)

Anyway, the series dramatizes the tragedy further.

It takes off after Snow White's Prince Charming found and saved her. They marry and she becomes pregnant, and the Evil Queen enters the picture and makes their lives miserable (of course!).

Without giving too much of the plot away, lemme just say that the birth of Snow White's daughter, Emma --- a twist I thought was actually cool --- triggered the change in their fairy tale world. This is what OUAT would like to build on --- giving an old classic its new way of telling the story.

So now, we see this alternate world where Snow White is a school teacher and her prince is on a hospital bed somewhere, in a coma. (Role-reversal! Fantastic!)

And all the rest of the fairy tale characters are either accountants or policemen; basically, common folks like the rest of us. They don't have any memory of who they really are. Snow White, especially, moves and talks as if she's in a trance.

The Evil Queen, however, seems to know. In the alternate world, I'm not sure what she is (Mayor's wife?), but she is the same cold-hearted bitch.

The key to all of these is Henry, a kid of about 9 or 10 years old. He lives in the alternate world, and is, in fact, adopted by the Evil Queen (who now goes by Regina). Henry has gotten hold of an acient book that gave him these ideas about who these people are.

And the other twist is --- Henry is supposedly SnowWhite's grandson, Emma's biological son.

Intrigued yet?

I'm also quite intrigued by how similar these lead characters look physically. Ever since the promo posters for Once Upon A Time came out, I've wondered how all these women's characters are connected.

SNOW WHITE

EMMA, Snow White's daughter

THE EVIL QUEEN, SNOW WHITE's Step Mom

Anyway, the pilot was not impressively written as I would have expected. Although none of that matters now, because the pilot, which actually aired last Sunday, was well-received. The highest-rated debut of a new show for this season, in fact.

My beef though is that the exposition of some of its storylines, to me, felt forced. And I think the problem lies with trying to lend a 'darker tone' to a Disney fairy tale (where it's mostly sugar and spice, right?).  But towards the last few minutes of the episode, the story picked up. If you plan on watching, I suggest you muster a little patience and sit through it because it DOES get better.

I've watched Jennifer Morrison, the central character (Emma), on House all those years and I was never sympathetic to her character there. It's not the same case for me for OUAT. I thought she did great and I thought there was chemistry between her and that child who plays Henry.

Henry, however, is lacking in charisma.

This is the kind of show viewers would love to pick apart, especially since we all know our fairy tale characters well. (Coz we read books of it during our time. There were no Angry Birds to play with!)

And once Grimm does air by the end of the week, it would interesting to see how these shows stack against each other. Grimm, being Grimm, is expectedly morose.

Which fairy tale based program would live happily ever after in TV world, where viewership matters?

I'll Be Right Back...

I'll be on a brief TV, blogging, Facebook and Twitter break and will switch to limited mobile access in a few.  I hope TV is boring for the next five days. Or else, I'll miss a lot. Boooo....