GRINDHOUSE Review

I was able to catch Grindhouse this weekend, the new double feature by the clever directing duo of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. I whole-heartedly recommend the movie with two caveats: 1) you must be willing to take a wild, self-referential, bloody ride; and 2) you have to make it through the much-too-bloody first half by Rodriguez to uncover the real gem that is Tarantino's new movie.

Rodriguez and Tarantino should both get credit for having fun. That's what these two 90 minute movies are about. Unabashed crazy blood-and-guts wild-ass fun. From fake horror movie previews to grainy film and missing reels, the directors throw in every old school gimmick but the kitchen sink.

The first part of the movie, Rodriguez's Planet Terror, might as well be a video game. Full of fast-flying bullets and exploding zombies, the over-the-top gore finally just begins to wash over you after 45 mins or so. There are some laugh-out-loud moments, which you might expect. But who in the world could have known that Rose McGowan (of Scream and Charmed fame) could be such a kickass heroine? And cutie Freddy Rodriguez (from Six Feet Under) plays a charming, gun-toting love interest.

While Planet Terror has genuine moments of suspense, Tarantino's Death Proof is the movie that actually keeps you on the edge of your seat. You know from the movie trailer that Rose McGowan gets in Kurt Russell's "death proof" car, and he tries to kill her. But that's only about 1/4 of the movie. The rest of Death Proof is balls-to-the-wall girl power. Not since Buffy have I seen some gals kick such ass.

If you don't mind gore and you want to have some fun, Grindhouse will certainly fit the bill. You'll probably get squeamish during Rodriguez's first half, but hold tight because Tarantino's second half redeems the double feature as a whole. Now I just want Tarantino to get back to making another great drama, a la Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown. Hell, even Kill Bill would do.

Addie and Her Uncle

My Humps

Most of you have seen this already, but props to my friend Cathy for sending it along. Alanis Morisette has covered Fergie's "My Humps" in his hilarious video. It's astounding, so be sure to take a look.

Today's Addie Pic

Your Daily Addy Pic

Addison Elizabeth Dunstan

Happy Birthday, Niece!

A 7lb 9 oz, 21 inches bundle of love! Congrats to my brother Adam and his wife Jenny. You can't imagine how exciting it is to have my first niece or nephew, and how happy the family is. More to follow when I stop blubbering.

Madonna and H&M Video

Props to Jeoff for forwarding me this hilarious Madonna commercial.

Mayans Rebuff Bush

This story in The Washington Post caught my eye because the title was so bizarre: "Priests to Purify Site After Bush Visit."

It's funny at first glance when you think about Mayan priests "chanting and burning incense, herbs and candles" to remove the "bad spirits" from Bush's visit. But the more you consider the relevancy, how over and over and over again other countries and their various communities are turning away from the war-mongering United States, the more disturbing this story gets.

A person speaking for the Mayans said, "That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture." He's certainly got a point, and it goes beyond how sick so many people are of Bush's faux-cowboy bravado. It shows that for more and more people, Bush's double-truths, greed, stubborness, and "fuck you" attitude have reached beyond simple machiavellian tactics to become almost the epitome of American political indifference, bullying, and evil.

What the Frak?

If you haven't watched this week's Battlestar Galactica then read no further. I'm warning you.

What the hell? I'm so confused. BSG is a great series, and last night was actually a good episode, but it felt a bit like Lost. After being promised big revelations and getting a huge build up, we learned zip, nada, zero.

Instead, a major character "died" for no reason, despite months of talk about her "destiny." It made no sense, and I'm hoping that the showrunners know where they're headed with this. And my hope is that Katee Sackhoff isn't off the show entirely--she gave a real spark to the series.

My guess is that Starbuck comes back as a Cylon in future episodes. Another friend has suggested that maybe it's her death that precipitates the discovery of Earth. In any case, the best show on television threw me a major curve ball last night, and I can't say I'm jazzed about it.

How Do These People Get Paid Millions?

I just read in Variety that ABC is doing a show about cavemen living in modern day Atlanta. Kind of like the Geico commericals.

WTF???

How do these tv people ever get paid what they get paid to come up with "ideas" like this. I mean...it's been a fairly non-funny commercial bit for a few years now, and that somehow translates to a "funny" sit com? I read this article and couldn't believe it. The only thing that's funny to me about the show in the making is that they chose Atlanta of all places.

Hardly Fun and Nancy Who?

So, it's raining like hell in DC tonight and nothing is on tv. After a quick stop to Amersterdam Falafel, I decide to take a sneak peek at the netflix treat I had been saving for this Sat or Sun afternoon: disc 1 from the 1976 Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries tv series. (I figured Family with Kristy McNichol has rocked enough 70's weekends lately--time for a change).

I climb up on the sofa and push play, just giddy to see Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson and Pamela Sue Martin in all their wavy-haired glory. And there they are and guess what--it stinks.

Eh, stinks isn't really the word. The crazy ass music is just as eerie and good as I remember. But the "plot," (and I use quotations purposefully), is just terrible. No pacing, no story. Just lots of cats hissing, and mirrors, and trap doors, and screaming. Granted, Parker Stevenson is just as cute as I remember, riding around town in his underwear on his trail bike, but even Parker sans clothes just doesn't lift my spirits as much as I hoped he would. Plus the DVD has the shows out of order--there isn't a whiff of Nancy to be found, except in the credits. From what I remember, when the show was originally on, each week alternated between the boys and my Nancy.

So...I may just skip to season two, when the Hardy Boys actually meet Nancy Drew and they chase Dracula together. Perhaps then all will be right with the world. I can hope anyway...

West Bank Story

How many of you remember the super cute guy who won the Oscar last Sunday for his short film West Bank Story about a falafel stand caught up in the fight between Israel and Palestine? Ari Sandel's quick, empassioned speech about short films being a vehicle for new voices and talent was heartfelt and really stood out that night.

Turns out Ari is the brother of one of my friends Toby, from Alaska. West Bank Story was his MFA project in Directing from UCLA. Can you imagine winning an Oscar for your graduate thesis? Well, visit the site for Ari's movie West Bank Story. I'm going to order a copy.

(check out Ari and Steven Spielberg above, at the Academy Awards nominee luncheon in January).

Um, Well, Er, Harry Potter is Kind of Hot

People have been talking about Daniel Radcliffe in the London play "Equus," but I hadn't paid much attention. But now after seeing the pictures, I'm like, well, it's just, I don't know how to say it but Harry Potter is kind of hot.

Eddie Murphy and the Oscars

Ted Casablanca at E! is reporting that Eddie Murphy left the Oscars last night just after he lost. If you wondered why I was rooting for Alan Arkin and not Eddie Murphy, you have your main answer. I think Eddie feels entitled to the Oscar--which is ridiculous.

Think about the sound guy who has been nominated 19 times now and didn't win (again) last night. What about all the really great actors who don't have Oscars, including Peter O'Toole who (again) went home without Oscar gold last night.

IEddie is a brilliant comedian. I think he's hysterical. But in Dreamgirls his performance was only okay. Not terrible, not great. And really, his part didn't even have all that much meat to it. So I was hoping for Alan Arkin to get the win, and last night I was happy he took gold. Now after hearing that Eddie left the Oscars in a disappointed huff after losing, it makes me even happier Arkin won.

OSCARS!!!

I didn't win the work Oscar pool yesterday or the contest at my own party. The big trip-ups I made: 1) voting for Peter O'Toole because I honestly thought they'd give it to him after 7 previous nods. 2) I didn't catch on to the momentum for The Departed. I voted for Babel instead. 3) I also picked Pan's Labyrinth over The Lives of Others for foreign picture. Oops. So...those were major losses for me in terms of points. In terms of Oscars, I didn't too much care.

The things that did make me happy last night: that Alan Arkin won over Eddie Murphy, even after Murphy won every imaginable award before the Oscars. That's a twist I saw coming. I was also happy that Helen Mirren and Jennifer Hudson won, though we all both were fairly certain.

Aside from the terrible length of the broadcast, it was a fun show. DeGeneres was goofy and childlike, but not stupid. Though we could have done without 5 minute nominee sketches here and 5 minute music dedications there.

It was such a great year for movies that the Oscar nominations really seemed on the mark for the most part. And it seemed like November through January I saw a fantastic movie every weekend. Well, as I wrap this up, I leave us with the hotness that is Ryan Gosling.

Confused about Lost

Last week's Lost was incredible. It answered some mysteries, solved others. And I actually began to think that the writers knew what they were doing. I got excited again about that show--which hasn't happened in nearly a year.

Then last night we get another esoteric "how in the world does this fit in" episode. Sure, there was maybe one shock or two, but the showrunners don't seem to understand the thin ice they're on with most people. Everyone I know who watches the show, or used to, is just kind of fed up with the storyline. And "filler" shows like last night's, don't really help.

Where is Paker Stevenson?

I admit, I'm feeling nostalgic lately. This past Sunday I actually watched four episodes of the television show Family from 1976. You know, the show with Kristy McNichol and the mother (Sada Thompson) who had soul-less eyes? Anyway, I was only like 5 or so when the show started, but it was certainly in my consciousness--I remember the sad music, the longful glances, and it did make McNichol a star (and frequent contestant on Battle of the Network Stars).

But I was terribly surprised to discover that it wasn't just Mike Nichols' baby--the show had writers and directors such as the Thirtysomething guys Herskovitz and Zwick. Sigh, I miss them. And double sigh that I never really got to appreciate the brother on the show, Gary Frank, when he was in his prime (see above far right). As far as I can tell, he embodied all that was hot and steamy in the 70's.

I have ordered another Family DVD from Netflix and am also expecting a Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew DVD soon. Imagine my horror today to hear that no-talent Tom Cruise is turning the sleuthy brothers--one of my old favorite shows--into an action comedy vehicle for him and Ben Stiller. It truly makes me want to vomit. As old as Parker Stevenson is, he could still take the wee-little Tom Cruise in a fight.

Re: Tim Gunn--I Told You So

When Bravo was intimating months ago that they may go ahead on the next season of Project Runway without Tim Gunn, I said they were full of crap--they were bluffing and playing hardball with Gunn. Turns out, I was right.

Gunn announced that though he's leaving Parsons School of Design to work at Liz Claiborne, he's definitley in for the next season of Runway. My guess is that Bravo knew they couldn't fuck with a winning combination. Gunn is the heart of the show and his wit is priceless--just look at the difference between how well he does his job and how bloody awful that cutie Todd Oldham is on Top Design.

I honestly believe Runway would lose mega amounts of viewers if Gunn left. And even though Top Chef is doing well in the ratings, Bravo can't afford to lose Runway, the little show that could. It keeps building steam.

So, hurrah for Tim and hurrah for us! I can't wait.

Joss Whedon Says Adieu to Paradise Island

It sounded fun, didn't it? Buffyverse creator Joss Whedon signing on to develop and direct the new Wonder Woman film for Warner Brothers. Imagine what he could do with the mythology of Wonder Woman and Paradise Island. Think about the sharp quips Diana Prince could make as she deflected bullets with her magic bracelets.

But alas...it was not meant to be. Joss announced on Friday that he's left the film after more than a year of developing and writing a script (for which he reportedly received at least $2 million). My guess is that his Wonder Woman was a little too edgy, or he wanted to take too much creative license with the character's mythology.

Good news is--maybe this will free him up to work on more television goodness. I know he's doing another movie and two comic book series, but we can hope.

Mama Mia Fiasco

It slipped by my radar, but Variety reported last month that Meryl Streep will be playing the lead role in the movie adaption of the ABBA Broadway musical Mama Mia! While I think Streep has an amazing range, from Out of Africa to The Devil Wears Prada, I just can't see her in this. I wouldn't be surprised if she proved me wrong, but when I think about Streep singing "The Winner Takes it All," the emotional heart of the musical, I just get scared. I mean, can she even sing? Has anyone heard her sing?

Sadly, I've heard reports that Cher was up for the role initially. And this could have been just the kind of nutso, cool role she would have either completely made her own or just sunken into complete disaster. Either way, I think I would have loved it.

But my friends, the true indication that this movie is probably headed to flopsville is that it's produced by the no-talent Tom Hanks. Terribly Tommy has already cast his wife Rita Wilson and there is speculation that he's going to cast Bruce Willis as well.

Eh, I guess Rita could do this kind of fluffy stuff, though I'd rather see pretty much anybody else. Rita is like Tom--she's just kind of there as an actress, albeit 1000 times less annoying. But then you think about casting Bruce Willis? In a musical based on the music of ABBA? What-the-fuck?

We'll have to wait and see, but I'm hoping this is all one big early April Fool's Day joke. If not, we're in for a smorgasbord from Hell.

Finally Caught Babel

After missing Babel for the past few months, I finally took the time to catch it about a week ago. It's funny, because it hadn't gotten fantastic reviews I was skeptical. Sure it had Cate Blanchett and Gael Garcia Bernal, but I was like, "eh...if it were that good, someone would have said so."

Well, I'm saying so.

Babel is a long movie. A slow movie. And it isn't chock full of action either. But it has the kind of wonderful performances that just kind of mezmerize you. For me, Adriana Barraza steals the show as the Brad and Cate's nanny/housekeeper. She displays the uncannily real kind of fear a person has when he or she realizes that a life-changing mistake has just been made. And I'll tell you, Brad sure shines in his desperate role too.

My only real criticism of the film is that although I love the story about the deaf Japanese girl (played so well by Koji Yakusho), it didn't fit into the film well on a narrative or tonal level. Sure, Babel is all about how people in our world fail to connect. But Koji's story of dispair and distance from her father, didn't have the kind of cross-cultural relevance as the rest of the film. It felt tacked on.

But all in all, the movie's a gem. Know you'll be sitting in your seat for a while, and be patient. If you do, you're sure to learn a thing or two about taking a walk in someone else's shoes.

Pan's Labyrinth is a Great (Albeit Gory) Film

I was able to sneak in time this past weekend to see Guillermo del Toro's new film Pan's Labyrinth which I had been dying to see. It's one of those films that came out over a month ago in L.A. and New York and only made it to one theater in D.C. just this past weekend.

The movie is fantastic in both its originality and cinematography. Del Toro weaves a strangely realistic fairy tale set in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. A small girl named Ofelia has to battle both the monsters in her backyard labyrinth as well as the evil stepfather who is a captain in Franco's army.

The film gets a bit cluttered in characterization and does meander a bit, but overall it comes together well. And for those who hate fantasy films, Pan's Labyrinth may have a faun, and a giant toad, and a monter or two lurking about, but it's not meant to be a Lord of the Rings movie. No, it's firmly grounded in a bloody, terrifying, landscape of modern war. If anything, the gore is what was most surprising.

But for me, the real shocker is when the man with no eyes lifts his arms toward Ofelia and we see the strange eyeballs on the palms of his hands. Even though this scene was in the preview, I still think everyone in the theater gasped.

Grey's Anatomy Cast Member Lets Loose Again

Notice I used the words "cast member" not "star." And that's simply because Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington is probably the least integral, least stealthy actor on the show. Everything he does is over the top.

Kind of like when he and Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy) came to fistacuffs a few months ago after Washington called T.R. Knight (George) a faggot. All sorts of things happened: T.R. came out of the closet. The cast was banned from talking to the press.

Well this Monday Isaiah took the microphone during a Golden Globes post-show interview and suddenly yelled "I did not call T.R. Knight a faggot." The guy is nuts. Crazy. They just won best drama at the Globes, a great feat and moment for the cast and this moron taints everything in his bizarre and awkward attempt to save face.

The worst part is that he's a liar. T.R. Knight tells it like it is on Ellen Degeneres today. Grey's should dump Isaiah on his ass.

Notes on a Scandal

I haven't had a chance until today to talk about Notes on a Scandal which I saw this past weekend after Children of Men. As you would imagine, it contains superb performances by both Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett--two actresses I'd almost say can do no wrong.

I went in thinking it was going to be a prep school love story between a teacher and student, kind of having a sad nostalgia about it. But I couldn't have been more wrong. The movie is a tense drama, almost a thriller, where the tension builds and builds and builds until something finally has to collapse.

The powers that be are selling the movie in an odd way, with barely a glimpse of the movie and just suggesting you should see it for Dench and Blanchett alone. But my guess is that if they better diplayed the movie's tension and drama, they might get more than just an arthouse crowd. And I have to say that though Judi Dench has never looked uglier in a role (purposefully, I'm sure), where she goes dramatically was surprising as hell.

Trump Ratings Low, Rosie Screams at Barbara

I don't want to spend much time on this at all except to gloat that Trump's Apprentice debuted to its lowest ratings yet. It got beat by Desperate Housewives, Without a Trace, and Brothers & Sisters. Too bad Trump can funnel some of that crazybig ego into some solid ratings. Instead, he fires Carolyn and gets mean with Rosie, but to no avail.

Rosie herself got mean to Barbara Walters on Monday, or so PageSix says. The paper reports that the day she returned to the show after vacation she screamed at Barbara behind the scenes. Rosie said that Trump was telling the truth, and that Barabara regreeted hiring her. That's why Barbara never really defended her, or stood up to Trump and said he was lying.

Children of Men

I went into the scifi thriller Children of Men this weekend not really knowing what to expect. I love Julianne Moore and Clive Owen, but the movie seems to be completely under the radar. Maybe every once in a while a tv commercial will come on that says, "A Bladerunner for the 21st century," but that's about it.

But I'm glad I gave the movie a chance because was riveting. It was terribly difficult to watch and completely stressful, but also thought-provoking and mezmerizing. I'm convinced more than ever that Clive Owen is a brilliant actor. He does just as well in this sort of "every man" action role as he does in the very character-specific dramatic roles of say Gosford Park or Croupier.

When you go to the theatre to check out this film, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of decay and violence. There are images that seem just out of of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, and scenes of terrorist bombings that could be taking place in almost any major city today. This "future" is so bleak that humans have even lost the ability to have children.

What's so harrowing about Alfonso Cuaron's new film is that it is meant to take place only 20 years in our future. Sadly, his vision of 2027 seems fairly convincing--a place where pollution, war, and the suspension of human rights and dignity have created a world in which none of us will want to live. You might even say a world in which none of us would want to bring new life.

Oh the Power of Pop Tarts

I love this story about the Ken Barnes, Jr. (above left), the American who tried to sail alone around the world. Last week around South America's Cape Horn, his boat began to sink and he had to stay afloat and alive in ice-cold Pacific Ocean waters until he was rescued by a fishing boat. He stayed alive by eating Pop Tarts and granola bars.

I can only imagine who will play the good looking sailor when his story is optioned for a tv movie. I nominate cutie actor Richard Ruccolo (above right), though he'll have to get all gruff and sport a beard. But can't you already hear it, "brought to you commercial free by our friends at Pop Tarts."

Mario Lopez News

Hot off the presses...

For those of you missing Mario Lopez since his second place finish (he was robbed!) on Dancing with the Stars, he'll be hosting this year's Miss America Pageant on January 29.

I'd Return to Volver

The spanish word volver is an infinitive that means "to return" or "to come back." And after seeing Pedro Almodovar's newest film, I can easily say I'd retun to check it out again.

Almodovar's movies are always quirky and fun, but their overall effect can be hit or miss. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and All About My Mother were dramatic and funny all at once. But when you examine Bad Education or Talk to Her, you realize that often his over-the-top mentality doesn't lend itself well to telling a compelling story. As much as I loved seeing Gael Garcia Bernal in dripping wet tighty whities, when I left Bad Education I wasn't sad it was over.

But Volver is a movie that sticks with you. It lulls you into its funny spell and by the time it takes darker turns, you're already hooked. Centering on what it means to be a family, the story is both familiar and surprising.

The biggest surprise for me is that Penelope Cruz can really act. She's not just a doe-eyed dark-haired vision, walking through the part. Forget that she once dated Tom Cruise. Don't let it bother you that Almodovar made her wear a prosthetic ass so that her butt seemed more dumpy. Cruz owns her character of Raimunda, and she'll certainly be nominated for an Oscar.

In fact, all the acting is sensational. I'm not sure what strange rock Almodovar looks under to find his let's say "off beat-looking" supporting actors, but they have acting chops as well. And when you take great acting and pair it with a story that feels fresh and new, you get a movie that only adds to Almodovar's already prestigious arsenal.

Courtney Cox's Dirt is the Worst Kind of Unclean

Dirt = vanity project.

It's Tuesday night and I'm in the middle of this new sho and all I can think is "poor Courtney Cox."

This is Courtney's first series post Friends and you have to give her credit because she did go for a new "gritty" show on the cable network F/X. Trouble is, it's horrible. It's about a Hollywood tabloid magazine. It should be hip, and funny, and smart. Like Melrose Place meets The OC with a dash of The Shield.

But instead it's like F/X is trying to remake Robert Altman's The Player for television and it just doesn't work. A show that could be fun and easy digestible is really only a self-important vehicle for Courtney Cox. She deserves better, and so do we.

Dreamgirls is More Like Dreamgirl

I caught Dreamgirls over the holidays and I wish there was some really keen observation I could make that hasn't already been said. But really there isn't.

The movie belongs to Jennifer Hudson. Heart. Soul. Voice. Emotion. All of it. She's nothing short of amazing, and I'm sure she'll be nominated for an Oscar. She may even win.

The movie overall? It's great. Full of heart, with tons of emotion. Who would have thought Eddie Murphy could give a great, dramatic performance? Beyonce is even okay. She starts off a bit too wide-eyed, but she finally nails it toward the end of them movie. Close your eyes and it's uncanny how much she begins to sound like Diana Ross.

The movie only has two real downfalls: 1) It seems to lack some energy. Maybe I'm being picky, but even during most of the showstopping numbers I wanted more. I'm not sure if the cinematography is too intimate, or maybe it is the lighting and staging. But I wanted more pizazz. And again...this is just a small flaw. 2) The only real downfall of the movie can be summed up in two words: Jamie Foxx. He's terrible. Really just awful. A truly wooden, one-note performance. He sleepwalks through the film.

But none of that really matters in the end. The movie belongs to Jennifer Hudson. Go and watch her shine. It's her music, her voice, her journey. It's even her movie (and her character Effie's)--we're just along for the ride.

P. Diddy Sells Dog Fur Jackets

Granted, Sean Combs probably had no idea that his made-in-China "high fashion" jackets were actually made of dog fur, not faux fur. But I liken this to the Kathy Lee Gifford sweat-shop story.

If you are going to put your name on something, which means you are authenticating it as a product you endorse...then you better damn well make sure that it's up to your standards. Do some background work, or better yet, pay your staff to do the background work. But apologizing later after a horrible discovery has been made just seems too little too late.

Barbara Walters is a Genius

By inviting Rosie O'Donnell to cohost on The View, Babs killed several birds with one stone: a) she got no-talent Starr Jones off the air; b) she improved ratings for The View tremendously; and c) she got people talking about The View--she created buzz for a show that was well past its prime.

The thing I like about Rosie, is that she offers a real opinion. She may put her foot in her mouth, and she may not always have a smart thing to say, but she's honest. This feud with Donald Trump is hilarious simply because Donald is trying to get ratings for his new Apprentice--a show that has also passed its prime. Remember when the last Apprentice came out? Donald attacked Martha Stewart. A month or two ago they release the news that he fired Carolyn. And now he's attacking Rosie.

If anyone is a "bully," it's the Donald. He's a dumbass bore with a bad sense of humor.

Kiefer Sutherland a Cowboy?

Who ever would have thought that hunky Kiefer (one my first crushes) is a bonafide cowboy? After that horrible 1994 Woody Harrelson (ugh) cowboy movie called The Cowboy Way, Kiefer got into roping. He actually won two national roping titles in 1998.

The Lost Room is Over...

....At least for now.

I'm hoping SciFi picks up the miniseries as a bonafide series sometime next year. From the completely unique and quirky plot to the great acting by Peter Krause and Juliana Margolis, it was a fantastic show. If you didn't catch all three 2-hour episodes this week, SciFi is replaying them in a marathon this Sunday. Don't miss out!

The Lost Room

The first 2-hour segment of SciFi's 6-hour miniseries The Lost Room premiered last night and I have to say I was floored. While it was a little slow to get going, the show is fascinating. Part of me wants to compare it to Twin Peaks because the show is so smart and ahead of its time. But whereas Twin Peaks was rife with humor, The Lost Room is awash in paranoia and loss.

It's a great show and I can't wait to see Peter Krause again tonight.

Ellen Rocks My World

When I saw a shorter version of this Ellen Degeneres commerical for Amex the other day, I nearly wet my pants. But the long version is even funnier.

Ellen is a genius.

Catch The Lost Room Tonight

SciFi is airing the first 2 hours of its new miniseries The Lost Room tonight. It starts Peter Krause of Six Feet Under (and Buffy) fame. It looks fantastic, and the network has been promoting the hell out of it.

Let's chat about it tomorrow.

Tyler and James win The Amazing Race...

And finally the boring season is over.

Was it me or were the laughs and fights and general drama too few and far between this season? I'm not sure when it begins again, but I hope it doesn't follow football or baseball or whatever. I barely watched because it never aired on schedule.

Battlestar News

Kristin at EOnline has posted a great chat with Ron Moore, the creator of SciFi's Battlestar Galactica--the best show on tv. Moore discusses everything from the other cylon models we haven't seen to the search for Earth.

But what alarmed me most is that there are only two more episodes before we take a Battlestar break until Spring 2007. Sad...

Project Runway and Tim Gunn

There seems to be an anxious buzz lately about the next season of Project Runway. When will it begin? Is it true that Tim Gunn may not be a part of the show.

Mark my words: Bravo will do whatever it takes to get Gunn back for the next season. Project Runway is the only true bonafide hit that Bravo has, and its buzz is off the charts. There is no way they are going to mess with a winning formula.

Remember how Kathy Griffin was having trouble getting a second (and third) season pickup for her My Life on the D-List? I think Bravo just likes to play hardball to see how much $ they can save. But the thing about Tim Gunn is that Bravo needs him more than he needs Bravo.

My Sleep Study

The term seems simple enough: sleep study. As I sleep, doctors will study me, right? But no, my friend. Though the term implies sleep, there was almost none of that to be had last night in Chevy Chase, Maryland as I was hooked up to 17 electrodes and one in the nose breathing tube.

Let's start at the beginning. I snore. Horribly. Forcibly. Sometimes waking myself up and making strange noises. A few friends, one of them a doctor, mentioned that I might have sleep apnea. So I began the ordeal a month ago when I visited an ENT. Dr. Schonfeld walked in and said, "Yep, you've got bad anatomy. Tiny nasal passages. I bet you snore."

So there I was last night at the sleep center where they would record me sleeping and measure my brainwaves, breathing, leg twitching. You name it, there was a wire hooked up to it. (Well, not every single thing). I'm in bed at 10:30. That's the most laughable thing because I haven't been to sleep before midnight in years. And I was hooked up to the aforementioned 17 electrodes: one on each leg, several in my hair, on my face, on my chest. A heart monitor on my finger. It was horrible. My nurse Jackie even put a breathing tube in my nose so she could measure my breathing.

Jackie leaves the room and I hear her in the dark like the voice of God, "Blink five times. Move your left ankle. Clear your throat." I fully expected Ashton Kutcher to walk in with a friend or two and say I'd been punked.

You can't imagine what it's like to sleep with wires all over your face and on your legs. I roll around when I'm trying to get to sleep and every time I turned or moved last night, I had to pull a bundle of wires and make sure the air tube hadn't come out of my nose. With all this discomfort, and the pressure of knowing I was being watched and recorded, it took at least an hour to get to sleep. Ususally it takes 10 minutes or so.

I woke up at 1:30 a.m. What I dreaded most had come true: I had to go to the bathroom.

I lean up in the dark and wave at the camera. "Jackie, I have to go to the bathroom," I say. Nothing. No voice of God. No light comes on. I fumble across the desk to try to turn the light on but instead send my cell phone flying across the room. I sit up in bed for about 10 minutes feeling like a child or an adult who can't take care of himself. Jackie finally walks in and unplugs me from the machines, but then I have to go in the bathroom carrying the box which has all 17 wires still plugged into it.

Nightmare.

So I get back in bed, and this time I bet it takes me another hour, maybe an hour and a half to get back to sleep. God, er, Jackie, wakes me up at 6:15 a.m. and rips all 17 electrodes off. The only saving grace is that I had a baseball cap to cover the globs of goo that were still in my hair.

Suffice it to say, should you ever need a sleep study, dread it. Avoid it. If you go, don't drink anything beforehand, and be sure to bring a baseball cap to wear home. I can imagine no worse fate than leaving sticky globs on the benches of the Metro as you ride home from Chevy Chase at 6 a.m.

NEWSFLASH: Congress to Work a 5-Day Week!

Can you believe this is even news--the fact that some members of Congress are mad that starting in January when the Dems take over, they will have to work a 5-day work week?

It shows how crazy our elected officials have gotten. Look at this quote by Republican Jack Kingston from Georgia: "Keeping us up here eats away at families. Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."

Hmm. Maybe what this says is that the Democrats are tired of people like Kingston flying home on Thursdays and returning to Washington on Tuesdays. Maybe the Democractic leadership wants Congress to actually have to work like the rest of us.

Back to the Rudeness Issue

Last week I made fun of President Bush (surprise) when he said to Senator-elect Jim Webb, "how's your boy?" and Webb told him that he thought we should be out of Iraq. Of course Bush answered, "That’s not what I asked you.”

Republicans on tv and in the media began talking about how rude Webb was, and I mentioned how Cheney can flick off all of Congress and yell "fuck you" and no one talks about him being rude.

Turns out, Webb's son had a "recent brush with death" a few weeks ago and Bush was warned to be sensitive about the issue. Yeah, right.

So imagine that you're Webb. Your son is in a war that has no purpose and has been handled poorly from the beginning, he nearly died a week or so ago, and your head-in-the-sand Commander in Chief shoots out a "how's your boy?" with a smile.

Rude? No. If anything Webb showed a great deal of restraint.

Heroes

The show is taking interesting turns, but I'm skeptical....

Glad glad glad that Eden bit the dust, but a little thrown off about a few things: a) how did Sylar use his powers like that? b) did Peter stay around the radiation guy a while? Is that why he's the one who blows up?

I guess Heroes is the kind of show you just enjoy, and don't really think too much about. I won't be sitting on the edge of my seat until January 22, but I will certainly be watching when it comes back on next year.

Eyecandy Not Gay in Real Life

Interesting story on TMZ today about Shawn Pyfrom. Evidently he was a presenter at a recent benefit for gay teens. But there was so much whistling and oogling and shouting as he introduced a musical performance by Lucy Lawless, that Shawn became "visibly uncomfortable."

I guess it goes to show that playing gay for pay is just that...playing gay. Even if you are a dreamboat. But kudos to him for going to the event in the first place.

Team Bama Sucks

No, I'm not talking sports--I'm referencing the The Amazing Race. I've barely been able to follow the show this season because Sunday night football means that the Race starts at a delayed time--which my TiVo doesn't like. So I was getting like the first 30-40 mins of each show and then would miss the ending. Not fun.

But, the Bama team (two single mothers from Alabama) are the first all-female team ever to make it to the final three and they couldn't be less deserving. They aren't great racers, they're petty, and they are mean as shit. The only reason they made it to the end was that the Cho brothers (who were nice but stupid) carried Bama the whole way.

So, I'm not rooting for Bama. And I'm not rooting for the pseudo-gay, drug addict, bedhead models. That means I'm left with Rob and Kimberly to root for which is a nightmare. Did you see Kimberly scream as people threw tomatoes at her in Barcelona?

To wrap up: Elke and I should have been on The Amazing Race this season. Anyone who knows us will concur that we would've won--big time. Yes, I know it's easy to say, but it's true. Elke would've done all the eating challenges in record speed. I would've done all the competitive running around challenges. And Elke's amazing sense of direction would have been our ace in the hole. Plus, we may have fought or bickered, but we would have had tons of fun and looked good doing it. Alas...

The Train Wreck that is Lindsay Lohan...

Lindsay Lohan's mother and publicist are on a mission: to let the world know that Lindsay is working on her drinking. She's even been attending AA meetings.

It's a "positive step" blah blah. And "give her time" blah blah. But the funniest thing of all was actually said by Lohan's own publicist, Leslie Sloane.

Talking of Lohan and the AA process Sloane says, "and, by the way, she's not saying ... she'll stop drinking tomorrow." Yeah, thanks for clearing that up.

First Awful Battlestar

Well, statistically speaking, it had to happen. Battlestar Galatica had a shitty episode.

I wondered from the previews how boxing (???) and Battlestar were going to mesh. What I discovered is that they didn't mesh. The whole back and forth structure (a la Lost) just didn't work for the show. That's sad too because it was a great dramatic revelation that Starbuck and Apollo are in love, but Starbuck went ahead and got married out of fear. A revelation that was wasted in a terrible episode of such a great show.

DeVito as the Penguin

I didn't see a drunk Danny DeVito on The View this week, and I'm a little sad about it. But maybe I can go rent the Batman movie where he plays the Penguin. I bet it's just the same.

Tears, We're Talking Tears, Folks

Grey's Anatomy made me cry last night. Granted, I had a shitty day overall--work, money, love--but the episode was just so good.

I know that Grey's is melodramatic. And I know that half the stuff on the show would never happen in a real hospital. But last night's closing dialogue about closeness and how each of us needs it was heartwrenching. To me it wasn't schmaltzy or contrived--it felt emotionally earned. Of course the closing shot was of Meredith clinging to her mother who has Alzheimers, the camera moving in closer and closer to her face where you can see she's starting to cry.

Smallville Reminder...

You can't forget to watch Smallville tonight on the CW. It looks to be the cheesiest most nutball episode of the season. Clark discovers his newest power..... wait for it...wait for it...super breath!

The episode is called "Sneeze." And no, I'm not kidding. Smallville is the definition of guilty pleasure.

God Bless Nora Ephron and Jim Webb...

I read this blog on Huffingtonpost and had to link to it. Nora gets it right about newly-elected Virginia Senator Jim Webb--finally someone in Washington has the balls to call frat-boy Bush on his shit. I love it.

When I hear that Jim Webb showed bad manners, I ask what people thought about our Vice President flicking someone off then yelling "fuck yourself" on the floor of the Senate. Now that's manners.

How Did I Forget to Mention Veronica?

I was crazy busy yesterday and just failed to mention my thoughts on Tuesday night's fall finale of Veronica Mars.

As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of the heroine running in slow motion to angsty music while her hair flies behind her. (Well, I guess I mean Buffy mostly). And it was cool that the episode started at the height of action (that's en media res for you literary types), then went back and showed us how we got there.

But I don't know. I was a bit--just a bit--disappointed. I think I expected something more shocking. And as fun as it was to watch Veronica attack someone with a unicorn....eh.

(Oh, the slutty Kristen Bell (Veronica) pic is for any straight male readers I may have). I need to stay fair and balanced.

Shame on Bones

I've gotten really hooked on Fox's show Bones because it's really well written and has great chemistry between the main leads. But last night's "ripped from the headlines" story was just sad. It was a complete rehash of The Blair Witch Project and it just stank to high heaven. I'm hoping this was just one small misstep for the series and not a turn in the wrong direction.

Trump - Carolyn = Grating

NBC has announced that its moving The Apprentice to Sunday nights when it begins this January. I've always found Donald Trump especially repulsive, but at least his stupidity was tempered in part by Carolyn and her mean smiles and icy cold stare.

But with Carolyn gone, since Trump "fired her" last year, I'm not sure I'll stick around for this version of the show. We'll see...

Real World Hits an All-Time Low

The Real World may be in the mile-high city, but it seems to be sinking lower and lower, and faster than ever. The funny, drunk hi-jinx of seven strangers picked to live in a house has become a sleazy, lushy, slutty parody of itself.

Whereas we used to get fairly interesting, smart, and half-real kids with pretentious names like Elka, Amaya, Puck, Ruthie, Cyrus, now we get grade-A dumbasses that can barely do anything sober and have trouble formulating even a simple sentence. It's not just the kids that get more extreme--MTV has tried to outdo itself each year with the house, the job, and the trips the cast takes.

Viewers have noticed the change. Real World numbers are waaaaay down. I hope the producers learn their lesson. They forged what we call reality tv with a little show called The Real World nearly 15 years ago. It's sad they've embraced airheads and drunks for contrived drama, when watching real young adults live together would be so much more interesting. It used to be kind of a guilty pleasure to watch Real World--now it's nearly excruciating.

Tomorrow I'll talk about the Denver cast...

Poor Luke

A coworker of mine has been super sad and super mad at the 180 degree story turn the Gilmore Girls has taken this year. With Lorelai pursuing a romance (and now married) to her old flame Christopher, it hasn't looked good for a return to the loving days of Luke and Lorelai.

For 3-4 episodes, Luke was barely in the picture. 2 minutes with his daughter in this show segment. Another minute or 2 in the diner with customers. But if anyone was really worried that Luke was going the way of the doodoo, last night proved Luke is around to stay. Have you noticed we're seeing more and more of Luke each episode--he even had a fairly long scene with Lorelai weeks ago. And it looks like he will be battling for rights over his newfound daughter, or at least having more smackdowns with the mother.

So as Luke tv time increases, we also see that no one in Lorelai's life seems to be warming up to her marriage with Chris. But I, for one, love that the couple ended up together after having a daughter 20 years earlier--it's romantic. And I get all tingly when sexy Chris is on screen. But as great as I think Chris is, it's clear the writers are now penning him into a corner--he's immature, he's bratty, he throws his money around. I think the writers aren't developing him fully on purpose, because we all know Lorelai will end up with Luke. Sad, but true.

Hot Hot Hottie

In all, I may have watched 84 minutes total of ABC's series The Bachelor. That's less than an hour and a half, and we're talking a cumulative total of viewing minutes for all 9 Bachelor shows so far.

But ABC has just gotten their new bachelor for season 10, and he is hottie mchot. Andy Baldwin is a a 30-year-old Navy “undersea medical officer for a special operations dive unit stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.” He went to Duke, was a triathlete, a swimmer, and has competed in the Ironman a number of times. He is a gay man's wet dream. Check him out.

D-List Love!

Rock the fuck on! I'm just tickled pink that Bravo has renewed Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List for a third season! Sure it's only 6 more episodes, but you can TiVo back and forth to make Kathy dance or say funny things over and over.

I heart her. And I heart her rat costume video.

ABBA Museum

Who wants to go to Sweden with me in 2008?

Golden Globes Already

Believe it or not, Golden Globe nominations are almost upon us--December 14th! The only thing I'm sure of is that The Queen and Helen Mirren will be up. Also...buzz is big that Dreamgirls is the picture to beat this year. It's gotten fantastic reviews.

Rob Lowe to Stay on Brothers and Sisters?

Michael Auseillo at TVGuide is reporting that producers of Brothers and Sisters are in talks with Rob Lowe for him to join the show for good. It's fantastic news for a few reasons. 1) Lowe is good and 2) It's a show of faith for the ABC drama.

On Sylar and Studio 60

Heroes was great again last night. And it even seemed like they brought in some better writers to give the actors real things to say. I was impressed.

How freakass creepy is Sylar, that he can look into the people and see what's "wrong" with them--hence his need to take their brain (and their talents). Bizarre. You go, Tori Spelling's best friend.

And Studio 60 was funny, but they still need to dig deeper into the characters. Um, who do you think got Jordan pregnant?

Taylor Hicks is a Thankless Hack

Read this article about Taylor Hics on realityblurred.com. The thankless fucker is already talking about how he doesn't watch American Idol and hated the songs they made him sing. Now that he's a "big" "star" (yeah, right), he wants to put distance between himself and the show. Kelly Clarkson is the only real idol that the show has ever produced.

Kramer is "Shattered"

Yeah, right. "Shattered" that he got caught be racist. Too little, too late, my friend.

Emory University and Revenge of the Nerds Remake?

I just read this article about the Revenge of the Nerds remake at Emory University. I wish my Atlanta friends had let me know what was going on at my alma mater.

A) I'm not surprised that Fox was planning a remake. It's the kind of film you could easily update. B) I'm not surprised Emory University agreed to let the movie shoot up to 1/3 of the film on campus--Emory loves/wants/craves (not needs) money. C) I am surprised that no one at Emory looked at the script before they agreed. Evidently the movie was too raunchy and Emory pulled the plug on filming.

Evidently the movie moved to Agnes Scott, also in Atlanta, but now that's not working so the project is in limbo. Shout out to my administration peeps at Emory for keeping an eye on things, but I'm sure the name of the college would have been changed. What's the deelio? Why not take the money and run?

Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars

I can't can't can't wait to see Veronica Mars next week. I love the show, but I'm completely lost about this "catch the rapist" storyline. She intimates there is no rapist, but we know there's been at least one rape. Anyway...next week has a death, has all sorts of slow motion running with grief (a la Buffy). I'm there.

Gilmore Girls was great last night too. Perfect, "I'm such a good writer" Rory had to own up to being mean. What, Rory be mean? Well, she's always condescending. But I'm interested to see how this Christopher/Lorelai thing works out. I love Chris (see hottie pic), so I hope they don't make him do something entirely out of character and jackass-like. Oh, and did anyone notice that the scene they showed in the previews--with Luke and Christopher about to fight--wasn't in last night's show. The CW is tricky!

Tom Serenades Katie

Blech! Check out this People article that talks about how Tom sang "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" to Katie during his wedding reception. It makes me want to puke.

But of course it is kind of funny that even Tom knows on some level that his best, brightest, and most popular acting days are behind him--he had to resort to cannibalizing his own career just to get a laugh and a tear at his own wedding. Again, blech!

ps--This pic looks like an ugly homecoming pic from high school. She's like a foot taller than him and he's combed his hair like he's 15.

Rosie, Clay, Kelly

Stories like this are why I love the internet. All I had to google was "Rosie Ripa" and this tv bitchfest came up.

For those who haven't heard, Clay Aiken co-hosted with Kelly Ripa last week on Live with Regis and Kelly. During one part of the show, Clay put his hand over Kelly's mouth so he could say something and Kelly pulled his hand away and said, "Oh, that's a no-no. I don't know where that hand's been, honey."

Enter Rosie, who has been really stirring some coals on The View lately. She said Ripa's remark was homophobic (which it was, mildly). But the real trouble started when Kelly called The View today to bitch at Rosie. If you watch the clip, look at Rosie's face. It's priceless.

I didn't see either of these shows live, so I don't want to make a real judgement. But honestly, it's not even worth talking about. It is worth laughing about though.

Robert Altman Has Died...

And I'm terribly sad. It's actually a sad day for cinema.

Nashville and M*A*S*H are two of the best American films in the last 50 years. It's sad to think we have lost someone with such a wonderful knack at narrative and such an original style.

Kramer = Racist

So what's going on with crazy racist celebrity rants? I'm sure you've all seen or heard the story by now where Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) went balistic last week at a comedy club in LA. He was being heckled and people were talking over him so he launched into a barrage of the "n" word at some black audience members. And he kept it up.

The only thing worse might have been the crazy-ass apology on David Letterman last night. It was surreal. As he apologized via satellite (talking to Dave and to Jerry Seinfeld), the audience didn't know what to make of it. They laughed. Out loud. To where Richards could hear them. It was nuts.

But despite his apology, it goes to show a few things we already knew: a) racism permeates Hollywood; and b) Michael Richards is crazy.

Crazier than Richards' rant (or Mel Gibson's for that matter) is the fact that these stars seem to think that an apology is a cure all. And that they actually have the balls to claim that they aren't racist and they don't know where the words came from.

Heroes

Sure, it was a good episode last night, but kind of a let down. I liked the fact that Peter "died" and that it took Claire to save him. But did we really find out the meaning to "Save the Cheerleader - Save the World" as NBC promised? Um, short answer...no.

So it was kind of shitty for NBC to blatantly LIE to us, but am I surprised? Um, short answer...no. But I'll keep watching because it's a good show, and because it's hilrious that Tori Spellings "best friend" on her VH-1 show is the killer Sylar on Heroes.

OJ

I don't want to spend much time on this subject because really does he need any more press? We all know what he is starts with "m" and ends in "urderer."

So...glad to hear that his book is being pulled and so is the Fox special. But I'm sure we'll end up seeing both in the media someway, somehow. Sad.

George Clooney the Sexiest Man Alive...

...says People magazine. I won't argue either.

I also think he's one of the smartest Hollywood people around. I heard him talk about years ago when his career was taking off he did enough. He did the Batman movies and The Perfect Storm so he could make enough money that he'd never have to do a project he didn't love. That takes cajones and smarts.

Killing Jack off Lost?

That's the rumor. And I'll tell you, if they do. I'm done. That's it.

My brother keeps telling me he things Sawyer is going to meet his maker really soon which upsets me too. But it wouldn't keep me from watching the show. But if you kill Locke, or Kate, or Jack, I'm gone.

Have Any of You Watched Bones?

I tend not to really fall for shows on Fox because they have the whole weird "we're gonna stop showing our new shows for the whole month of October and show you baseball instead" thing. But last year I did get interested in Bones, the procedural about a group of scientists who work with skeletal remains at the Smithsonian (oops, the Jeffersonian) in Washington, D.C. to help the F.B.I. with its cases.

But the show has gotten more and more intruiging lately, mostly due to the chemistry between Dr. Brennan (Bones) and Agent Booth--Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz sizzle on screen together. In last night's show Bones and a coworker had been buried alive (yes, I know, Kill Bill 2 and CSI both did it), and when Booth finally pulled Bones out of the dirt I cried! I was at the gym on the damn eliptical machine crying (almost sobbing even).

So check Bones out on Wednesday nights. It's quirky, funny, thrilling, and even heartwarming.

Emmitt Wins!

I'll admit I was surprised that Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke won Dancing with the Stars. I haven't been following the show religiously, but the few times I watched Mario Lopez shake his ass and throw those muscled arms into the air, I knew there was a God.

So, I can't (and won't) claim Mario was cheated--like when Kelly Monoco originally won over John O'Hurley. But I will say that I will miss seeing Mario jiggle, and stride, and thrust his way across the stage.

Missing Lost

Okay, I'll admit it: despite the ups and downs of this season's Lost, I'm going to really miss the show until it returns in early 2007. Just today I was like, "Oh, it's Wednesday. Lost is coming on." Then the realization that I have months to wait.

But on another note, at least I get some Cameron goodness on the season finale of Laguna Beach tonight. It promises to be an extra-special hour episode of inane and awkward conversations.

Tour de France Scandal

I don't know enough about the Tour de France and what happened with Floyd Landis' positive testing for drugs to make an argument for or against his win. But I do think it's a sad state of affairs. Landis continues to claim that there has been a mistake and he wasn't doping, and now it turns out that the French lab that conducted both tests made an error. Lab officials say the error has no bearing on Landis' positive test and that he's still guilty of doping. But it sounds awfully fishy to me.

3 lbs Not Worth its Weight

I watched the new show 3 lbs about brain surgeons last night. Yes, how very esoteric that 3 lbs is actually the weight of the brain and those smarty pants producers actually knew that! Ugh.

Well, the show isn't all that good, which is sad because Stanley Tucci is usually great and Indira Varma rocked it hard on HBO's Rome. And we can't forget the smoking hot Mark Feuerstein (see pic). But alas, the show was high on concept and low on character development and plot. Maybe it'll get better. I'll watch a few more eps to make up my mind (and to see Mark).

Christopher and Lorelai and Luke

I'm not one of those people who are sad that Christopher and Lorelai are together now on Gilmore Girls. A) Christopher is cuter. B) It's just a nice back story that after years apart, and a child, they are finally married.

But if you don't like Christopher, you might as well rejoice. I have more than a hunch that Lorelai will be with Luke before the end of the season, even though she eloped with Christopher. Did you see her face last night when she said how happy she was? Looks like they'll get a quickie divorce or an anullment. Seems a lot of people, including Ausiello at TV Guide agree.

Stand in Defiance of Tom Cruise

A tad bit dramatic maybe, but please please please all of you promise to do one thing for me this weekend. At any point on Saturday or Sunday, I urge you to stand on your sofa, jump up and down, and plead for the Scientology gods to let poor Katie Holmes be free of Tom Cruise.

Maybe if we do that, the Scientology aliens will release their spirits into the air and free Katie from her hypnotic stupor before her wedding to the nutty, queer, lost-his-mind Cruise.

The Ruins is a Creepy Book

I'm about halfway through The Ruins by Scott Smith and I'm really loving it. I can't argue that it's literary fiction in any way, but it is well written with rounded out characters and a great sense of forboding. The setting alone is sensational.

Smith wrote A Simple Plan years ago. I never read it, and the movie wasn't my cup of tea. But The Ruins is great for anyone who likes thrillers. And as mentioned...it's CREEPY! It's alos a page-turner: I read more than 100 pages in one sitting last night.

It came out earlier this year and won't be in paperback until next spring, but if you can check it out at the library or borrow a friend's copy, you should think about it.

Monday Night TV Catch Up

Prison Break isn't a bad show. It's got hotties galore, good plots, fast pacing--but I'm not sure how high the stakes really are in the plots and that's a problem. Sure, they kill people off left and right on Prison Break. But the only characters any of us really care about are Scofield and Sarah, and we know that they won't be killed. So I watch the show every week, but I don't find it as satisfying as I did the first season.

Heroes was great again last night. Tiny little clues scattered everywhere. We meet this great new character--a waitress who can suddenly remember everything she reads or hears--and then she gets killed. Only, Hiro went back in time and there was a sense that he was able to save her. And right now it's looking like the only baddie on the show is Sylar, since HRG (horn rimmed glasses) gets more understood each episode. Of course next week is when "save the cheerleader, save the world" comes to a head! I can't wait.

Oh, and Studio 60. My dear Studio 60. It's a good show--no denying that. High quality, good acting, and the like. But again, there is some kind of spark missing. With Sorkin's The West Wing there was inherent gravitas because the weekly battles and decisions were political and we were made to see how each tiny decision can (or might not) affect America. But with Studio 60, I feel like we're just watching people who are really talented and like their jobs do their jobs. There isn't a larger resonance for me. Maybe if they dug deeper with the characters I would care more. But at least we get to see--NBC ordered a full season despite the show's pathetic ratings. So if you used to watch The West Wing, then you should probably tune in to Studio 60.

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

I can't believe I forgot to mention how great it was to see Dixie Carter back on tv. She was great last night on Desperate Housewives as Bree's new mother-in-law. She looked fantastic and was as firecracker hot as always.

Oh...and let's just remember how fierce Carter can be. Turn your volume up a bit for this clip.

Personal Life

Most everybody that reads this stuff knows me pretty well. It's not like I have legions of fans who have never met me--though I wish I did. :)

But I want to say the past three or four months have sort of flown by. I started dating someone this summer. Then my stepfater Tom was sick and then died in Savannah. My job took me to three different conferences in a row across the United States, 1, 2, 3. I closed on a new condo and moved in and bought furniture. It just seems like it has been nonstop.

But everything has worked out really well and I'm trying to remember to stop and enjoy life a tad bit more, as cliche as it sounds. Randall and I went to the Shenandoah mountains Sunday a week ago. Though we had missed the peak of the leaves changing, we still saw some great colors and it was cool and beautiful outside. It really made me think about how lucky I am to live where I do. And my mom was here this weekend really helping me fine tune my new studio. We bickered and got testy, but it was fun.

So despite the real dramas and the hard times and the craziness, be thankful about all the good things that add up in your life. For me it's a lot: a great new book I've just started, a visit (and subsequent shopping trips) with my mother, a trip to the mountains with a fantastic boyfriend, two cutie kitties that are fun to come home to every day, upcoming visits by two friends and a stepmother, tons of great friends, and a soon-to-be-arriving niece this March. Life isn't all that bad when you think about it.

Oh...and um, forgot all about the election! :)

Battlestar and Brothers and Sisters Catch Up

Battlestar Galactic rocked it again this weekend. If you had told me a few years ago that a new Battelstar would be one of my favorite shows on tv, and not in a cheesy indulgent way, I'd have thought you were nuts. But the show continues to be political and relevant--especially when our own country is at war.

And as much as I was afraid Brothers and Sisters was going to turn into a schmaltzy, teary, hug-fest, it hasn't. You really have to hand it to Greg Berlanti (of Everwood fame). He has takent a show which had all the earmarks for sacchrine melodrama and has helped it become probably my favorite show to watch right now. Not best, mind you, but favorite.

There are so many reasons to like Brothers and Sisters. A) It has a gay character who actually has a love life. And his being gay isn't his only defining character trait. B) It has the best cast on tv right now--bar none. Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin, Treat Williams, Patricia Wetting, and Sally Field (who hardly ever cries anymore on the show, unlike every appearance she's ever made on ER). C) It's well written, suprising, and heartfelt. This last episode is the first drama on tv which I've seen that used September 11th in an integral way to the show. It wasn't forced or contrived, though certainly emblematic. This show deserves heaps of praise and I can only see it getting better.

What a Difference Two Years Makes

I want to start by saying, wouldn't you have liked to hear Rove explain to Bush that the Whitehouse was sinking? Or maybe hear Bush congratulate Nancy Pelosi?

I didn't want to repeat 2004 and get all excited prematurely, then get depressed when I realized that most of America was either a) sleepwalking through any sort of political life or b) just didn't care. So last night was low key for me. I ordered a pizza and just hunkered down alone to watch the election returns (and Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars).

By 9:30 CNN was projecting the Democrats would eek out House control, but the numbers coming in looked nothing like the tidal wave I hoped for. It was a bit depressing, but I was happy that that the tide was turning--if just gradually. Then as the night wore on, more and more races started tilting Democratic. James Carville (who is crazy, I know, I know) mentioned that a lot of the earlier returns were from the South which is the only place Democrats didn't expect to do well.

I went to bed at midnight thinking, "well, at least we won the House and gained a few Senate seats." You can imagine how surprised I was to wake up and realize that the Senate was still in play. And I'm sure hoping we take it too.

I'm glad that America is finally starting to wake up to the real Bush. And I'm jubilant that Bush's finger pointing, mean spiritedness, and tyranny are finally going to be put in check. So thanks, America. I just hope in the future we can work on putting the kabosh on the anti-gay ballot initiatives.

Britney News

No...not her appearance on David Letterman, or her new album. Britney is...wait for it...divorcing K Fed. Who ever could have guessed it would happen?

By the Way...VOTE!

I don't want to jinx anything, but let's hope we wake up tomorrow in a better, saner, world--albeit one still too embroiled in politics.

But however you identify politically, whichever candidates float your boat, be sure to vote today!

Heroes Gets Better and Better

They really know what they're doing at NBC. Well, sometimes...

Heroes just gets better each week. Tighter writer, spookier mysteries. I'm loving it. But it's sad the follow-up show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is pretty much tanking. Sure, the show is basically The West Wing but set in tv instead of politics. Sure, it's self-important. But it's damn funny. My guess is we won't see a single Studio episode in 2007.

Faith Hill Shows it Like it Is

Coworker Caroline sent this link to me today, showing Carrie Underwood winning big a big Country Music Award. I don't give a rat's ass about country music, but watch Faith Hill's face when she hear's Carrie's name called. It's priceless.

***UPDATE***
Now Faith is saying it was a joke. Riiiiiight.....

Desperate Sundays

Okay, so Desperate Housewives was a bit better last night, but it felt much more like a "very special episode" than an attempt to get the show back on track. Hey, but at least Nora got killed. Because (aside from Susan's awkward daughter) Nora was the worst story and worst actress on the show. Completely grating.

Brothers and Sisters just keeps getting better and better. I'm loving it actually. Compare last night's funny, heart-felt (and just a bit too much contrived) episode with the first episode of the season and you'd think it was a completely different show. As long as showrunner Greg Berlanti can ditch the melodrama and focus on simple interactions between the main characters, I can see the show doing really really well. It's no Thirtysomething but it'll do.

Gay Doogie

Somehow I missed this last week, but you probably all heard it anyway: Neil Patrick Harris of Doogie Howser and How I Met Your Mother fame came out last week. Just out of the blue.

With T.J. Knight the week before, and now Doogie, maybe we'll get another star coming out this week. That'd be nice, huh?

Copying Beethoven

Last night I saw a preview of what I'm sure Ed Harris thinks is the movie that will nab him an Oscar. Um, no.

It was a beautifully shot film with an interesting story about Beethoven late in his career when he is already deaf and relying on a copyist to help him write and conduct. But the writing wasn't up to snuff--it went from fairly on the mark to scenes from a bad sit com or ABC Family drama. I actually liked the copyist actress--Diane Kruger. You might know her from National Treasure and believe it or not she has acting chops. Randall said she seemed like a younger, straighter Jodie Foster with a dash of Kate Winslet. I can buy that.

But what I can't buy is truly recommending this movie to anyone. I'm glad I saw it, and it was free, but I wouldn't give it more than 5 or 6 out of 10.

Lost Letdown

While Lost is still better than 95% of what's on television, I have to say that this season is really disappointing so far. Last night's show was no exception.

Lately we've been learning some stuff: that the Others are on another island, that the polar bear had escaped from a cage the Others had, that the Others live with technology. But do you see a theme? We've learned a lot about the creepy Others, and been introduced to mysterious Juliet, but the hardcore fans of the show want two things: to know what's happenning to the original Losties and to solve some of the island's mysteries.

But this year there has been so much investment in the Others, and so much time watching Jack and Sawyer and Kate being held captive that the show just isn't fun like it used to be. We've gotten precious little Hurley or Sayid or Locke for that matter. And mysteries haven't been revealed either. Was it just me or did the black smoke look like that red valentine heart monster from that old bugs bunny cartoon.

Anyway...I hope the showrunners can pull it together, but with Lost losing so much of its ratings, I fear that it may have already become Alias--a great show that couldn't keep up with its original conceit.

Death on Lost

I'm finally back from travelling for work. No more of it for the rest of the year so blogging will be more frequent.

News is that a series regular will die on this week's Lost! My bet is Ecko. What do y'all think?

Set Your TiVO for Madonna!

If you haven't already heard...Madonna will be on Oprah this Wednesday to talk about her new adoption and all related drama. It should be worth a peek.

The Foxes of Fall TV

With the studs of summer a thing of the distant past, at least we have the handsome (and sometimes talented) foxes of fall to look forward to. Here's my (incomplete) listing of where you can find some great male eye candy on the tube this fall:

• ABC has a bevy of cuties: Dave Annable and Matthew Rhys who play brothers Justin and Kevin on Brothers and Sisters. Rhys gets extra points for playing gay. Owain Yeoman plays the baddie Lucas Dalton on The Nine and Jay Hernandez is the hunky public defender Carlos on Six Degrees. Don't leave out Shawn Pyfrom who stars as the cutie gay troublemaker Andrew on Desperate Housewives. And we can't forget the adorable dancer with the huge-ass arms on Dancing with the Stars--Mario Lopez.
• NBC has at least two hotties: Adrian Pasdar Congressman wanna-be on Heroes and security man Josh Duhamel on Las Vegas.
• Could CBS have any more procedurals? Isn't every show a whodunnit in the crime lab? But at least we get to see George Eads from the original CSI as Nick Stokes. And there's Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray on NCIS.
• SciFi has Battlestar Galactica goodness including: Jamie Bamber (Apollo), Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), and Aaron Douglas (Chief).
• The CW has hottie Jason Dohring as bad boy Logan on Veronica Mars. But there may not be anyone who beats Justin Hartley (ex-Passions lover) as Green Arrow on Smallville.