Two Tivos To Paradise 09.07.07
Posted by Al Norton on 09.07.2007
The Fall TV Season Is Still A Couple Of Weeks Away But The News Is Already Rolling In...Click Here Now To Become One Of The Informed!
Hello Friends. Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekends with plenty of responsible partying along with side orders of rest and relaxation. I managed to run my Fenway record to 14-3, but the bigger story was the game I didn't go to (more on that later). Also have a lovely meal at the Texas Roadhouse with my family, although I did not have the guts to go for the Bad Larry. Maybe next time.
News is in the air, everywhere I look around.
Measles Make You Bumpy, And Mumps Will Make You Lumpy, And Chicken Pox'll Make You Jump And Twitch
TVGuide.com is reporting that Alyssa Milano is My Name Is Earl bound, signing to do at least 8 episodes as a love interest for Jason Lee's title character. Milano's last regular TV gig was as one of the leads on the long running Charmed, and was set to star in a dramatic series this fall as a single Mom but the pilot was not picked up.
First off, it's high time that Earl got a girlfriend; two years is too long to be single, especially on TV, and other than Christine Taylor's guest spot at the end of season one, Earl has not exactly been feelin' the love. Secondly, and more importantly, we are now only a Drew Barrymore cameo away from scoring the Poison Ivy trifecta (hence my headline, which I am sure is lost on those of you under 35, which is to say, all of you). Here's hoping the writers come up with some funny reference when Milano (PI2) and Earl co-star Jamie Pressly (PI: The New Seduction) share a scene.
I've Looked At Love From Both Sides Now, From Give and Take And Still Somehow
MTV unveiled plans for a new dating show with a groundbreaking twist this week. A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila will debut in October and will feature 32 contestants competing for a shot at a relationship with the MySpace superstar, with the finalists living with her in a mansion while she makes her narrows them down. The twist is that the group trying to win her love is made up of 16 men and 16 lesbians, making A Shot At Love…the first bisexual dating show in TV history.
To be honest, I had to go to Wikipedia to find out who Tila Tequila was. Turns out she was in Playboy (not real Playboy but one of their special issues) as well as Playboy.com, hosted a show on VH-1, and then was the front person for the first season on Pants Off-Dance Off. Apparently she sings a bit, too. Her real claim to fame is that she has more "friends" than anyone ever on MySpace. A bi-sexual dating show will generate some buzz for MTV but doesn't do much for me other than offer some equal opportunity humiliation to lesbians; hey why should straight people get all the chances to make total asses of themselves in front of millions of people. What a country. Great, now I owe a $5 royalty check to Yakov Smirnoff.
Come Easy, Go Easy, All Right Until The Rising Sun
HBO's comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm returns to the airwaves on Sunday night after a two year hiatus with their sixth – and possibly final – season. One of the major storylines of this year will be Larry and Cheryl taking in an African American family displaced by a hurricane. The show, which has been nominated for 26 Emmys, runs Sundays at 10:00, following the debut of Tell Me You Love Me, HBO's new dramatic series that (graphically) follows the sex lives of three couples.
Anyone who loves uncomfortable humor knows that Curb is the definition of season pass material. I don't mean uncomfortable like when you watch House Of Payne and wonder if the reason you don't think it's funny is that you are not black, I mean situations that make you squirm in anticipation, waiting for things to go wrong and wondering what you would do if it were you. That's the key to Larry David's appeal; he is like Estelle Getty on The Golden Girls, with no sensor to prevent him from saying whatever he thinks, whenever he thinks it. Also they look a bit alike. I even heard Larry David was the first choice for Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot. Thanks to the kind folks at HBO I got to see the first three episodes of the season and let me tell you, they are more than worth the wait.
And I Said, "Daddy, I'm So Afraid. How Will I Go On With You Gone That Way?" The Office begins its run in syndication this week with back to back episodes on TBS running Tuesdays at 10. The show will start running every night reruns in the fall of 2008 on stations throughout the country. No, that's it, that's the whole story. The best comedy on TV is now on more – that's not enough of a story for you??!?!?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica. More of The Office on the airwaves is a very, very good thing, and will give late-to-the party fans a chance to catch up on what they missed, especially all the early Jim & Pam flirtation. The first couple of episodes of season one were word-for-word remakes of the BBC episodes, so you can track how the writers gave voices to all the supporting characters. I will do my best to monitor the episodes and let you know when some of the classic ones are on, like the office Olympics.
Sky Of Blackness And Sorrow, Sky Of Love, Sky Of Tears
Many networks are marking the six year anniversary of 9/11 with special programming on Tuesday, including Countdown To Ground Zero, the History Channel's all day slate of shows. MSNBC is re-running three hours of their actual 9/11 coverage starting at 9:00 AM, while PBS reruns the NOVA special Building On Ground Zero. Larry King Live is in New York for the occasion, and HBO is running United 93 multiple times throughout the day on their various channels.
No snarky comments from me here, just urging people to take a moment on the day and reflect, not just on the lives lost but the direction our country has gone since then. Good or bad, there have been a lot of changes in the last six years and with a Presidential election coming up we all need to decide if we are comfortable with who we are, and where we are, as a people. Not taking sides here at all - if you think we are on the right path you should vote accordingly – and not making 9/11 a political issue any more than it already is, just suggesting that we all bonded together as Americans on that morning, and part of being an American is having a voice, a vote, and having that voice be heard is a both a right and a responsibility.
Hope You Need My Love Babe, Just Like I Need You
Lots of summer shows wrapping things up before the onslaught of new fall programming from the networks hits. Presented for your viewing pleasure, the next seven days in noteworthy shows, with series premieres noted with an *…
Tonight The Dog Whisperer, National Geographic Fashion Rocks, CBS
Saturday America's Most Wanted, Fox Cops, FOX Trading Spaces: Design Destinations Grand Slam Finale, GSN Torchwood, BBCA
Sunday Curb Your Enthusiasm , HBO Deserving Design*, HGTV MTV Video Music Awards Tell Me You Love Me*, HBO
Monday The Closer Finale, TNT Greek, Finale, ABC Family Monday Night Football, ESPN My Boys, Finale, TBS Sin City Law*, Sundance
Tuesday The Biggest Loser, NBC
Wednesday America's Next Producer Finale, TVG Decision House*, MNT Inside The NFL, HBO Rescue Me Finale, FX Top Chef Marathon, Bravo
Thursday Burn Notice Marathon, USA I Hate My 30's, Finale It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, FX
Torchwood is a Dr Who spin off that is getting all sorts of raves. The Grand Slam final match pits hero Ken Jennings against the ultra evil Ogi Ogas; Mrs. Tivo has vowed to throw a can of Sprite Zero at our new TV if Ogi wins. MTV is doing something different with their VMA's this year in that they are showing them only once; no more marathon weekend airings – if you want to see them, you have to tune in. If you have missed any of this season's Top Chef you can catch up with the all day marathon that leads into a new episode on Wednesday. T the funny but I never watch it IASIP returns on Thursday; I don't know why I don't watch it other than it premiered with Starved, a show I LOVED, and when Starved got cancelled and Sunny got renewed, I got bitter. Or rather, bitterer. Those of you who are ready to take my constant advice and jump on the Burn Notice bandwagon can use Thursday's marathon of all this season's episodes to-date as a way to become members of the cult of Michael Weston. MTV has confirmed that Brittney will be the opening act on the VMA's, which will make more people tune in, if for all the more reasons…
But You Were Up To Your Old Tricks In Chapters Four Five And Six
All you need to know about the Nielsen's for the last week…Honestly, I've got nothing this week. Seriously. Seriously. We could all use a week off from stressing about numbers and just enjoy life, don't you think?
All The Young Dudes Carry The News
Industry Notes, Pilot Updates, & Casting News…Fox has ordered a pilot for The Fixer, based on the character Jodie Foster played in the film Inside Man; both the movie and TV show are written by Russell Gerwitz…Peter Jacobson, who is fast becoming a Two Tivos Favorite, has joined the cast of House for the upcoming season. Also signed up for at least several episodes is ER and Homicide: Life On The Street alum Michael Michele…She may be leaving ER but Busy Philips has already lined up a new gig at How I Met Your Mother, at least for an episode…Amanda Righetti (The OC, North Shore, Reunion) will reoccur on K-Ville…CMT is following up on the success of The Next Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader with I Want To Look Like A Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, where the trainer for the cheer squad gets regular women back into shape…TBS renewed The Bill Engvall Show for a second season…HGTV is accepting applications for season three of Design Star…Bad news for Dr Who fans – season five won't be finished until 2010 because series star David Tennant is doing Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The break will be made palatable by three one hour specials and a Christmas show…General Hospital's Annie Wersching (Amelia) will be helping Jack Bauer save the world on 24 this season, as will The Nine's John Billingsley. Is it just me or does 24 have the biggest cast in the world? Don't answer that until you read that Jeffrey Nordling, who stands out as the slimy publisher on Dirt, is also on board as a regular…Rebecca Romijn will play her real life husband Jerry O'Connell's ex-wife on the upcoming Carpoolers…Sara Gilbert is reuniting with former Rosanne co-star Johnny Galecki on CBS' The Big Bang Theory…The circle of life over at TNT this week, with Heartland getting cancelled and Leverage, a new drama about high tech thieves who only rob people who deserve it, getting the greenlight…Craig T Nelson will play the warden at Jason Lee's new home on My Name Is Earl…That Girl Marlo Thomas is but the latest in Ugly Betty's seemingly endless stream of guest stars…Rumor has it that next season's Rock Of Love will feature Tommy Lee as the headliner looking for a romantic connection…Look for a second season of Scott Baio Is…on VH-1, this time focusing on the former Teen Beat cover boys trials and tribulations planning a wedding and preparing to become a Dad for the first time…The Disney Channel has started production on Camp Rock, a new musical movie starring pop sensations The Jonas Brothers…The Food Network let Mario Batali go this week…A RIDICULOUS amount of casting news right at my deadline - Oscar winner Diane Wiest is now a part of Fox's mid-season replacement, The Return of Jezebel James…Lee Majors is doing several episodes of The Game on The CW…Jessalyn Gilsig, best known as Nip/Tuck's Gina, will be playing Tami's (Connie Britton) sister and a new resident of Dillon, TX on Friday Night Lights…Henry Thomas will be a thorn in Anthony LaPaglia's side on Without A Trace…Edie Falco's first post-Sopranos TV gig will be a three episode stint on 30 Rock…Janine Garofalo won't be too busy with her 24 gig to stop by Two And A Half Men for a night this fall…ER's Ming Wen is also visiting Two And A Half Men, albeit for a longer run as a potential love interest for Charlie Sheen…
Turns Out Not Where But Who You're With That Really Matters
The top thing I watched since the last column went to press AKA The Best Of What's Around…Some baseball fans go their entire lifetimes without seeing a no hitter; me, I've given tickets away to them TWICE. The first time was back in 2004 and I was supposed to help my brother move so I gave my seats to the husband of a co-worker who got to see Derek Lowe throw his gem. This past weekend I thought to myself, "I am already going on Sunday and Monday, so why don't I give my seats to my friend Chuck and his daughter?". Bad choice, but it did give me the chance to watch Clay Buchholz pitch his masterpiece in high def, which is why Saturday's Sox-O's game was far and away the highlight of my TV viewing week. The lesson to be learned? If I ever offer you Sox tickets, TAKE THEM!!!
People Say I'm Crazy Doing What I'm Doing. Well, They Give Me All Kinds Of Warnings To Save Me From Ruin
What's flashed before my eyes the last seven days…Part one of The Closer's season finale was the typical high quality the series is known for, including some fine comic relief from G.W. Bailey. Hope they manage to give Fritz some balls before the end of next week, although the obvious revelation of his alcoholism may get in the way…I like that Vince's movie sucked on Entourage but at the end of the episode I found myself wondering if these characters have grown up, matured, or even learned a single thing in the four seasons the show has been on the air? I am not saying they all should become upstanding citizens but some sort of character development might be in order at this point, don't you think? The only relationship on the show that has gotten any deeper is Lloyd and Ari, which is why they are the most entertaining people on the show…Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations has reached season pass status in our house; he's the guy from all of these cooking shows I would most like to have dinner with…Caught a few episodes of Dirty Jobs during their Labor Day marathon and greatly enjoyed them…This past week's Rescue Me featured a ton of the great "guy" dialogue, so it was no wonder it was written by Jon Scurti, who plays Lou on the show…
TV Pick Of The Week
We all have our list of all-time favorite TV episodes; for me it includes Homicide's Every Mother's Son, Battlestar Galatica's Downloaded, Angel's I Will Remember You, Will and Grace's Last Ex To Brooklyn, and this week's TV Pick Of The Week, Buffy The Vampire Slayer's Once More With Feeling. Doing a musical episode may seem passé now, what with Scrubs and Oz doing them and the Ugly Betty version on the way, but at the time it aired, OMWF was as unique a concept as TV had seen in some time. Truth be told I was not a Buffy fan for the first few years – resisting in direct proportion to how much people told me that I had to watch – and it was only after catching this episode than I gave in to the genius that is Joss. The episode airs on Monday at 7:00 am on FX and then sadly, Buffy reruns are gone from the weekday line up, airing only on weekends in the same time slot. Don't miss the chance to catch some TV history – I guarantee you'll be humming at least one of the songs during the day.
Two Tivos To Paradise, Weekly Update 30 Days, The 4400, After The Catch, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Antique Roadshow, The Apprentice, Battlestar Galactica, Best Week Ever, Big Love, Bones, Boston Legal, Brothers And Sisters, Burn Notice, The Closer, Criss Angel Mindfreak, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Dead Zone, The Deadliest Catch, Desperate Housewives, Destination Truth, Entourage, Extras, Eureka, Everybody Hates Chris, Flipping Out, Ghost Hunters, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, The Hills, House, How I Met Your Mother, Jericho, King Of Cars, Laguna Beach, Last Comic Standing, Law And Order, Law And Order: Criminal Intent, Law And Order: Special Victims Unit, Lost, Mad Men, Medium, My Name Is Earl, Monk, The New Adventures Of Old Christine, Next Food Network Star, The Office, On The Lot, One Tree Hill, Painkiller Jane, Project Runway, Psych, Real Time With Bill Maher, Rescue Me, The Riches, Rules Of Engagement, Saturday Night Live, Scrubs, Shark, Shear Genius, The Soup, Supernatural, Top Chef, Top Design, Ugly Betty, Welcome To The Parker
Additions :Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Deletions :None
Here ends another edition of Two Tivos To Paradise. We'll be back next week with the big Emmy preview as well as some reviews of the new fall shows. Enjoy the week and don't forget to check back with 411mania.com for all the daily news reports.
Feedback is encouraged at twotivostoparadise@yahoo.com.
Sources for this week's column include Daily Variety, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and Hollywood Reporter (as well as the web sites for those publications) as well as Aintit.cool.com.
