Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I'm Back Baby...

According to Nielson numbers this week, more people read my blog than watch Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News. At least I have that going for me. Seriously, what a brutal miscalculation of epic proportions. The only bigger miscalculation might be coming next summer when Leno is forced to retire for Conan. For the average awesome American, this is the best late night news since Letterman got the CBS gig. But as we all know, most of America is not awesome and thusly prefers Leno and 'doesn't get' Conan which means NBC will get destroyed in the ratings and mainstream media and Letterman will become king and Leno will go to ABC or TNT or PBS or CW and start to kill again in the ratings with his witty brand of brutal Branson, Missouri-made humor. You will see I am right here. But for the rest of us? Conan, Jimmy, and Dave at the same time pretty much? Sweet.

We just got back from the Carribean, if you want to see pictures let me know - it was awesome. I have so much TV to catch up on I feel blessed. So I will be logging some serious hours later this week. I did however watch LOST and it rocked so hard it almost made me applaud again. I will do a double review after tomorrow night.

Friday, April 18, 2008

The Office: Rewind

I'm getting ready to go on vacation, so don't come back here next week. Take some time off, but don't forget about me. I am sure I might have a few things to say about the viewing habits of the natives on Turks and Caicos. I figure if I ask them pointed questions about their TV viewing, then I can write the trip off as a business expense. Of course this blog is not a business, but I am sure we can work something out. In the meantime, I did some research, and it looks like Beaches clearly has several American channels available to be me. But BREAKING NEWS, I am actually planning to not watch TV for the next seven days - turns out they have these things full of sand and water called beaches, and of course all you can eat. So I will probably come back burned, 20 pounds heavier, poor, and if I am lucky at least no one will have spoiled the new 'Gossip Girl' airing this Monday on CW.

Regarding Mondays at 7 central. We have Big Bang/HIMYM on CBS, Gossip Girl on CW, Bones on FOX, and Greek on FAM. I knew there was a reason I have 3 DVRs. I am going to need a new tool to remind me which TV everything is on, but thank god the strike is over.

Oh yeah, The Office. Funny. Sometimes laugh out loud funny (thanks Phyllis!). I think Michael Scott also invented a new word or two I might to sneak into my vocabulary. I enjoyed meeting the 5 families, I look forward to more of that. And you know what, the writers (BJ Novak in this case) do a great job keeping Pam and Jim cute and interesting, and it really doesn't affect the show one bit. It was great to be back inside the office this week with Oscar, Phyllis, Kevin, Andy, Creed, Angela, Stanley and the gang. Andy's goodbye dance to the construction trucks was replayed in my house several times last night. He is a great character and Ed Helms plays it subtle and perfect.

Didn't get through 30 Rock, but great to see the Beeper King again. "Stern Rules, Ba Ba Booey. I say Subway, you say hero."
Just classic stuff.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Jennie Garth leaves new sitcom

Oh My! Stop the presses! Is she quiting her new comedy gig at CBS for a chance to reprise the great Kelly Taylor for the 90210 spinoff? One can only hope so. I mean what is left for the girl who was raped, burned, joined a cult, did hard drugs, worked out too much and stopped eating, got shot.....what else? I know there was more.

Well color me excited either way. Nostalgia rocks.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

SNL OK? **

Was it?** I didn't hate it, so that means it must have been tolerable, even funny at times I think. I shouldn't be surprised to say it, they were due for an episode with at least three good sketches in it - even Weekend Update cranked up the funny a little bit. Normally I hate Weekend Update guests that aren't 'real cameo' guests, but Kristin Wiig's 'just kidding' routine was impressive and even Armisen's 'newspaper reading comedian' made me chuckle.
I thought the opening skit was ANOTHER FRICKIN' RETREAD on the Obama gets a free ride campaign they have been beating into us for weeks now. But the monologue wasn't bad considering it was Ashton Kutcher, the cougars skit was actually funny (thanks to a great Cameron Diaz cameo), the Digital Short was good because it was a very nice rip on Gnarls Barkley and I respect them for going through with it, and the 'Death by Chocolate' thing had some legs. Literally. I have already blanked out on the rest of it.

**My in-laws were here since Wednesday, so it's possible anything was going to be funny. I keed, I keed.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Thursday Night Rewind

I will start on a down note. I didn't like '30 Rock' at all. I don't know if I was expecting more out of MILF Island or what, but I thought the episode was kind of dumb. Outside of an unfortunate set of circumstances involving a vending machine, the episode just wasn't very funny.
I just think the anticipation and yearning led to such a build up in my mind about how great it might be that first time that it could never be as perfect as I would have hoped. And I didn't like the episode either. Hey-O.

On the other hand, 'The Office' killed. I once wrote that the show only seems to work when it stays within the four walls of Dunder-Mifflin. Last night threw that notion right out the window. The episode was so clever, so funny, so subtle, and so uncomfortable that I cannot wait to watch it a second time. And I can't wait for the first time I get to describe a glass of wine as having an 'oaky afterbirth'. I also would like to get me a Michael Scott plasma TV for my living room.

'Scrubs' was as solid as ever -- funny, comfortable, and entertaining. I am so glad it will be back for one more year. 'Scrubs' isn't breaking any new comedy barriers these days, and might even be going through the motions a bit, but the characters are so familiar and consistent, even after 8+ years. You cannot say that about a lot of shows. Can you?

GEEKY TV INTERESTING NOTE OF THE WEEK**:
The Minnesota Wild 3-2 overtime loss on Wednesday night scored an 11.3 rating (192,857 households) and 22 share on TV here in MPLS-STP beating every show in the market including "American Idol" (10.3/19). Now that is Minnesota for you. The NHL should put that story in every press release from here until the end of time. I bet its the first thing EVER to beat Idol. Ever. Someone prove me wrong.

Just for fun, on the same night, "the Twins' 12-5 victory over the White Sox had a strong 8.9 rating and 16 share on WFTC (Ch. 29); the woeful Wolves' 122-90 loss to New Orleans managed a minuscule 0.1 rating (1,707 households) with a 0 share."

Go Wolves!!! 1707 houses in the whole frickin market had that game on while perhaps 5000 people were in attendance. The NBA, it's Fan-tastic.

**Information provided by the Star Trib.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Return of Must See TV

Could it finally be here?
Tonight marks the return of '30 Rock' and an episode called 'MILF Island'. For 30 Rock watchers, you know that can only mean that Jack's reality TV plan has come to fruition. This is going to be awesome me thinks.

'The Office' returns tonight with an awkward dinner party at Michael and Jan's. Yeah.

'Scrubs' is back as well...I love that show. Looks like the show will move to ABC for sure next fall for one more season, and it looks like Laverne (the dead nurse) is coming back as Laverne's twin sister. Not tonight, but at some point.

'ER' is back. I'm mostly kidding since I haven't watched it in 9 years since I boycotted the show following Anthony Edward's cancer story-line that took over six weeks to kill him off and say goodbye. I have heard that next season they will be bringing back a lot of old faces for an episode here and there to say goodbye. Somebody let me know when Clooney is back on, or if they dig up Anthony Edward's grave.

Watched very little else so far this week due to real-life commitments (which just get in the way) and the return of baseball. 'Greek' was good as usual, not stellar, but a nice outing none-the-less. Great line though....

"I feel like I'm in a boy band and I am the fat one."
"I think it's pronounced Fa-tone"

cute.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

SNHell and Greek Recommendation

Yeah, its not breaking news, but it still sucks.
The opening was pretty decent actually, the Bill and Hillary finances bit was cute. Darrel Hammond can do no wrong as Bill Clinton, and that is saying a lot since Phil Hartman mastered it.
Christopher Walken's monologue was very funny, but that was all Walken...
The Grease Lightning sketch was fairly inspired, and then that was it.
Digital Short - brutal
Other sketches I have forgotten already - awful
Weekend Update - surprisingly benign
Rest of show? Don't know, fell asleep during weekend update.

GREEK
If you are not watching it, you might want to be. I have blogged about it before, but its worth mentioning again - 2 episodes into this second-half of season 1 of Greek is an easy and fun watch on ABC Family. This is not a family show though - no way. It is very much a cliche and somewhat honest look at Greek life on campus, and it's a lot of fun.
The reason I wanted to talk about Greek this week is because less than 24 hours after I celebrated Neil Patrick Harris's ode to Doogie Howser on HIMYM, Alan Ruck shows up as the Dean of Students on Greek -- you know Alan Ruck -- Matthew Broderick once said you could shove a lump of coal up his ass and it would come out a diamond.....yes, he was Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
So there we are in Greek as the Dean is busting a frat party unexpectedly, and cut to one of the sorority girls trying to explain to him that Ferris Bueller is this generation's Great Gatsby.
I enjoyed that moment even though no true 19 year old would ever make that connection considering Ferris is as archaic to them as Leave it to Beaver. But the writers would, and the shout out was to 'us', not the core demographic of 15 year olds that love this show. I know this because my babysitter told me so.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Double Barf

CSI:Miami had its best ratings outing of the year thanks to Elizabeth Berkley's appearance this week. I love Jesse Spano as much as the next guy, but playing David Caruso's ex-lover/mother of his child? Putting her and Caruso together almost equals one whole actor. Almost.

NKOTB is reuniting, writing a new album, and going on tour. Someone call Shari Lasser and let her know. Here is an awesome quote from Donnie Wahlberg, "We absolutely will [also] do the old songs for sure,"

Really Donnie? You think so?

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

NBC Announces new Fall, Winter, Spring...and Summer Schedule

Here it is -- the new NBC schedule starting this summer I guess.

Knight Rider is in there -- BUT, the dude that ran Las Vegas (Gary Scott Thompson?) is in charge of the new show, so as bad as the pilot movie was, the new show will be very different (hopefully).

Friday Night Lights got renewed -- this is a big deal to like nine people. But its nice that NBC renewed a show because it was quality, even if no one watches.

The Office is getting a spin-off. WTF?????????? But my people tell me that no one from the current The Office is going to be on it, they are just going to introduce brand new characters from a different office, on The Office, then they will all get their own show. OK, whatever -- its definitely not bad news.

Saturday Night Live is milking their election sketches into a Thursday night show. Lauren is going to be so excited (yawn). But she will be happy that Lipstick Jungle is ba

So here we go courtesy of TVGUIDE -- I will sleep on this one and get back to you:



NBC PRIME TIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2008-09

*New programs in UPPERCASE (with the exception of ER)

MONDAY
8-9 pm: Chuck
9-10 pm: Heroes
10-11 pm: MY OWN WORST ENEMY

TUESDAY
8-9:30 pm: The Biggest Loser: Families
9:30-10 pm: KATH & KIM
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: KNIGHT RIDER
9-10 pm: Deal or No Deal
10-11 pm: Lipstick Jungle

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm: My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 pm: 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm: The Office
9:30-10 pm: The Office/SNL THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE*
10-11 pm: ER

* THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE will air for three weeks leading up to the presidental race.

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: CRUSOE
9-10 pm: Deal or No Deal
10-11 pm: Life

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: Dateline NBC
9-10 pm: KNIGHT RIDER (Encores)
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Encores)

SUNDAY
7-8:20 pm: Football Night in America
8:20-11 pm: NBC Sunday Night Football

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR WINTER 2009

*New programs in UPPERCASE (with the exception of ER)

MONDAY
8-9 pm: Chuck
9-10 pm: Heroes
10-11 pm: THE PHILANTHROPIST

TUESDAY
8-9:30 pm: The Biggest Loser: Couples
9:30-10 pm: KATH & KIM
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: KNIGHT RIDER
9-10 pm: Deal or No Deal
10-11 pm: Law & Order

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm: My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 pm: 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm: The Office
9:30-10 pm: THE OFFICE SPIN-OFF
10-11 pm: ER/Celebrity Apprentice

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm: Friday Night Lights
10-11 pm: Life

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: Dateline NBC
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Encores)
10-11 pm: Law & Order (Encores)

SUNDAY
7-8 pm: Specials/Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Specials/MERLIN
9-10 pm: Specials/Medium
10-11 pm: Specials/KINGS

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2009

*New programs in UPPERCASE

MONDAY
8-9 pm: American Gladiators
9-10 pm: AMERICA'S TOUGHEST JOBS
10-11 pm: Dateline NBC

TUESDAY
8-9 pm: Most Outrageous Moments
9-10 pm: America's Got Talent
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Encores)

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: SHARK TAGGERS
9-10 pm: America's Got Talent (Results Show)
10-11 pm: Law & Order (Encores)

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm: The Office
8:30-9 pm: THE OFFICE SPIN-OFF
9-10 pm: Last Comic Standing
10-11 pm: THE LISTENER

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: CHOPPING BLOCK
9-11 pm: Dateline NBC

SATURDAY
8-9 pm: Drama Encores
9-10 pm: Drama Encores
10-11 pm: Drama Encores

SUNDAY
7-8 pm: Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Monk
9-10 pm: Nashville Star
10-11 pm: KINGS (Encores)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

18-for-48 / HIMYM

Two things to talk about since I last posted. One is regarding my weekend in Detroit, the other is about last night's How I Met Your Mother -- lets take them in order:

I cashed in a gillion miles to fly to Detroit for the weekend to see the Badgers in the Sweet 16 -- I told collegeroommate.Beno in NYC that if the Badgers made the second weekend in Detroit, then he was responsible for the tickets and hospitality in his home town -- what I didn't realize is how seriously he took me.

For 48 hours it was like I was 18 again, someone's mom and dad to house me, feed me, drive me, feed me, and make sure I was having a good time -- I didn't have to do a thing. Breakfast? The bagels and Lox buffet was waiting. Lunch? Ben's mom took us out for Coney Island Dogs and Gyros. Dinner? How about a reservation at Cameron's for steaks in front of a TV to watch the Carolina game. Naps? Sure, why not -- the bed was magically made from the night before, don't mind if I do. What a flashback and what a weekend. Ben's dad even hit the piano after breakfast for a mini-concert. And the best part was that he knew every word and cord to the song he wrote for Ben's Bar Mitzvah 20 years ago...but Ben's wedding song from just a few years back? Nope, not a word. If anyone is interested in a bootleg of the show, email David Antler.

Speaking of Mr. Antler (college buddy/weekend roommate in Michigan), he is a guest at Ivanna Trump's wedding next weekend in Florida. He had to buy a white suit, white shirt, white tie. Unfortunately there are no cameras or cell phones, otherwise I would demand he live-text blog the whole wedding right here on Op-EdTV. At a minimum, I asked him to let Don Jr. know how much I appreciated his deep insights and opinions week after week on 'Celebrity Apprentice'. I really feel like he brought a lot to the table and his dad couldn't have made any decisions without his son's key input.

The Badgers were dismantled and had their heart ripped from their chest about 24 minutes into their game -- at some point is was like 41-38 Davidson, and then before I could throw out another complaint about the stadium, we were down 15 and Steph Curry was hitting shots with a blindfold on while in a moving car. The crowd was eating it up, and as you heard, the entire Davidson College was there to shove it in my face. It hurt. I won't lie. But when it was over, and I was in the concouse changing my flight, I realized that at least we lost to a classy school like Davidson where the fans were unbelievably giddy, genuinely excited, and super nice. They reminded me of what I usually love about Wisco at traveling events -- we take over, dominate the building in red, and are loud as hell-- this time it was Davidson's turn, and since they were wearing red the whole night was confusing to begin with.

Ford Field is hands-down the worst place in America to watch college hoops. If you get tickets to the Final Four next year, don't say I didn't warn you. They have to work on it - it was sterile, too big, cavernous, and the sight lines were a joke - not to mention that the closest fan to the court was about 100 yards away -- total disaster. And the worst part is, we had the highest price ticket and still were a million miles away. Too bad, definitely didn't help with the night overall. Congrats to all my Davidson readers, I am glad we lost to you I guess.

And a public thank-you to the Riback's for the home-from-college hospitality flashback.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

If you saw it you know what I am talking about -- probably the best episode ever. An NCAA tourney style bracket of all the women Barney slept with then screwed over, in order to figure out which girl he hurt the most -- the winner is the woman most likely sabotaging Barney's future conquests. He needs to find her and apologize. Trust me, it was genius.
But what made me stand up and applaud (almost quite literally) was the ending in which Barney was at his computer writing in his blog about what he learned. That's right, Neil Patrick Harris writing into a computer.....so as a favor to the televisions viewing audience between the age of 30-40, they played the 'Doogie Howser' theme song that played over every episode as he typed out his thoughts and the voice-over read them to us. The scene was even equipped with the giant cursor that used to be on Doogie's screen. It was a self-reflexive classic, and moves to the top of my list for all time 'wink-wink' moments in TV history.