Visually Stupid

2007-02-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Astronaut Farmer

L.A. Times ***1/2
Richard Roeper ***
UsaToday *
TvGuide *1/2
Ew B+
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
60%

Amazing Grace

L.A. Times ****
Chicago Sun-Times ***
TvGuide ***
Ew C+
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
69%

The Number 23

L.A. Times *
Chicago Sun-Times **1/2
UsaToday *1/2
TvGuide **
Ew B-
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
9%

Reno 911: Miami

L.A. Times **1/2
Chicago Sun-Times **1/2
TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
42%

Starter for 10

L.A. Times **
UsaToday ***1/2
TvGuide ***
Ew B
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
86%

2007-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/23/07

Monk
Psych

2007-02-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

Monday
2/19/07

How I Met Your Mother
Stuff
Despite the seriousness of the episode, I still liked it. I don't think Robin should've given her dogs away. Never do that for a guy. I think she and Ted should've made a compromise. They both keep their exes' stuff. And Ted should've proposed that to Robin before he brought his stuff back in. Obviously this moving in is just a quick-fix. The Barney/Lily story was amusing.
B+

2007-02-20T16:47:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/20/07

American Idol
8-10 pm
Veronica Mars
Boston Legal

2007-02-19T15:29:00.000-08:00

I bought Gilmore Girls season one on DVD. Finished it in a week. It's that good. Can't wait to get season two. I'm finished with the show after season three because I hear it's only good in high school. I'm not sure why Amy Sherman-Pallidino started the show in tenth grade. I wish Rory and Tristan would get together. I know that's not gonna happen, but I like them much more better than Rory/Dean. Those two are sweet, but a little plain. I'm excited to see Jesse because I saw season three's They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They and I loved their chemistry. But why is there no commentary on the DVD?

I bought The X-files season two on DVD about two months, but stopped watching right before a really bad episode (Fresh Bones, which somehow got the highest ratings of the first two seasons) and just put off watching it for a month. I hope to watch as much as I can before school starts (Wednesday). I just finished Endgame, but Fearful Symmetry (aka tv.com's lowest viewer rated episode of the season) is up next. I will buy it up to the fifth season.

2007-02-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

Sunday
2/18/07

Desperate Housewives
The Little Things You Do Together

This felt like a season finale, didn't it? So, is that it? Mystery solved? No more Orson/Gloria/Bree stuff? Hope not. This was one of the best episodes I've seen. I'm glad Orson didn't kill Monique. I was hoping he didn't. So, everything seems wrapped up that area. Lynette and Tom once again get in another fight. And I didn't believe that Gaby had sex with Zach. I wonder when she and Carlos will hook up. And Ian proposed to Susan. I wonder if he did it just because he found Mike's ring and wanted to secure Susan for himself. Anyway, very good.
A-

2007-02-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/18

The Simpsons
Desperate Housewives
Battlestar Galactica

Star Trek: The Original Series
12-1 am, NBC
2.01, Amok Time

2007-02-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday
2/15

My Name is Earl
The Birthday Party
No retribution here. I thought it was a bad idea to invite everyone to the party. Just have Randy, Joy and Darnell there. He should get props for doing good for a year, though he seemingly didn't get that. But it was all a trick. Nice, overall.
B+

The Office
Business School
So Ryan disses his job, but brings Michael there to bump his grade. He's not high on my nice list now. But kudos to Michael for downgrading him and placing him near Kelly. The bat plot was cute. It was way too easy for Dwight to fall for that vampire trick. Wish Pam hadn't drawn her drawing on construction paper. They weren't great, but not bad for a beginner. I was kinda annoyed at Michael for being too over the top in Ryan's class, but he more than made up for it by hugging her and buying her art. This episode was directed by Joss Whedon, who created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly.
B+

Scrubs
My Perspective
Is there some sort of cure for J.D.'s condition? I don't want him passing out all the time! Turk's storyline didn't do much for me. And thetoddtime.com is a real site!
B+

30 Rock
The "not saying the c word" story was done on How I Met Your Mother and much better. Not that this episode was bad. Liz was too nice here, but she later realized it and changed her ways. No candy, no letting employees leave early. And I knew that Tracy did not have a daughter. Rip Torn, who played that executive, was in Men in Black, voiced Zeus in Hercules and was Lionel on Will & Grace.
B+

Grey's Anatomy
Drowning on Dry Land
How long was Meredith in the water? 20 minutes? That dream sequence at the end was neat. Denny and Dylan were back! If Meredith was some random patient, the doctors would've given up after 5 minutes. But they know and love her, so they'll keep on trying. Of course she won't die. Izzie got off probation. Thought it was odd of her to tell George it was a mistake for him and Callie to get married in the middle of her big speech.
B+

2007-02-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

Wednesday
2/14

Bones
The Man in the Mansion
Hodgins centric episode. He wanted to help, so he didn't tell. Stupid, very stupid. Booth thinks that rich people think they can get anyway with anything. I don't Hodgins thinks that way, but he wasn't thinking so smart here. Sully needs to leave soon. He's not really contributing anything other than a relationship with Bones and they're not a great couple. This episode was okay.
B

2007-02-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

Tuesday
2/13

Veronica Mars
Postgame Mortem
I feel so sad. Sad for Logan. That little girl he baby-sat was cute. And idealistic. Wallace appeared for two scenes. I want more! And when Veronica's client was walking behind her on the cliff, I thought he was gonna push her off. I'm not sure about him. He may be guilty. And he got Veronica arrested. Never good. Dean O'Dell apparently like Veronica enough to give her a glowing recommendation and there were advances on his murder case. Satisfying overall.
B+

House
Insensitive
This episode made me squeamish. They tried to inflict pain on the patient. Very House-like idea. Did not like seeing a drill going in her head. Or that worm being pulled out of her stomach. Everyone got moments in this episode. I didn't care for Cuddy calling House on his feelings for her. Their chemistry is an unspoken thing. And Chase and Cameron may be doing it. You know, "it". And I think House has it better than Hannah. Not feeling pain is worst than feeling it. And he did not win the argument by saying he was shot. She still has it worst. And Cuddy's specialty is endocrinology (study of hormones, how boring!).
B

Boston Legal
Fat Burner
Denny's on trial for the typical silly crime. Forget that it's a crime, he gets off. Clarence tries his first trial and he wins. It puzzled me how the girl wanted to be the woman's slave again. I got the impression that she hated it. And is Jeffrey gone for good? I'm guessing so.
B

2007-02-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

Monday
2/12

How I Met Your Mother
Lucky Penny
Much better than last week's. It was funny and cute. And is Barney still on the subway? "We are Marshall" may have been a shout out to the movie We Are Marshall.
B+

2007-02-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

Monday
2/11

The Simpsons
Little Big Girl
I loved Lisa's storyline. Thought it was very cute and sweet. Bart's was just okay. Natalie Portman, who voiced Darcy, was Padme in the Star Wars prequel movie trilogy, was in Garden State and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Closer.
B

Desperate Housewives
I Remember That
Did Orson put that bag on the ladder or was it someone else? I like him, so I'm reluctant to believe that he killed Monique. Looks like we have another person locked up in a house. Last year, it was that Applewhite boy. Now it's Alma. I think Gloria Hodge never wanted Orson to go to jail, so that's why she locked her up. Susan's storyline was lame. We have another "Lynette controls the relationship and Tom doesn't like it" storyline. I'm glad that Gaby didn't get with that guy, he was way too dumb to be with her. Overall, typically nice episode.
B+

2007-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Breach

L.A. Times ****
Richard Roeper ****
TvGuide ***
UsaToday ***
Ew B
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
80%

Bridge to Teribitha

L.A. Times ****
Chicago Sun-Times ***1/2
TvGuide **1/2
UsaToday **1/2
Ew C+
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
84%

Ghost Rider

TvGuide *1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
28%

Music & Lyrics

L.A. Times Yes
Chicago Sun-TImes ***
TvGuide **
UsaToday ***
Ew B-
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
65%

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls

TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
26%

2007-02-16T18:31:00.001-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/16/07

Psych

2007-02-06T17:33:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/06/07

American Idol
San Antonio, Texas
House
Veronica Mars
Boston Legal

2007-02-03T16:17:00.000-08:00

House
One Day, One Room

I applaud David Shore for trying something new. There is medicine in this episode (it is a hospital after all), but no medical mystery. No, wait, there was! The mystery of why the rape victim wants to talk to House. She hardly spent any time with him in the clinic. Very little time to make jokes, allow House to show off his charming personality. All House did was diagnose Eve with chlaymidia and try to give her pills. And she wants to talk to him. Why? "I don't know". We heard that about ten times, but no answer was received. I'm on Chase's side with what House should do. I'd ignore her and I'm not even as mean as House. But the show would be pointless if House ignored Eve, so he talks. It's not very interesting. It's just about abortion and rape and God, etc. My problem is that their talk is way too heavy-handed, like the characters are trying to give us a "message". I didn't find it interesting and this is officially the worst episode late. We also got Cameron's dying patient with echoes of her cancer patient in Acceptance. I found it annoying that the guy refused pain meds so she would remember him. That's how I like to remember patients, how much pain they were in. But I didn't find Cameron annoying here, even though I probably should have. I'm feeling a little effy with this season, so, hopefully, next week will be better.

Grade

B-

Focus On

Cameron

Fans

People were divided over this episode. Some liked it, some didn't.

Music

Grey Room
Damien Rice

Listen Here
Eddie Harris

2007-02-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/03/07

SNL
Drew Barrymore
Lily Allen

2007-02-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

Veronica Mars
Poughkeepsie, Tramps and Thieves

The preview tricked me! I thought it was gonna be revealed that Logan was with a hooker while he and Veronica were broken up. Nope, turns out it's worse. Madison? Maybe she's making it up. Fingers crossed. Sometimes there are episode that are too confusing to be enjoyable. This was one of them. First, she's a regular girl. Then, hooker. Then hooker with a contract. But what was with Wendy's agent? Did the judge call up her up? And if Wendy was lying about her "agent" beating her up, why did we later see her, in the judge's car? Was it just the beating that was faked? It's was just too confusing. And Logan's answer about Mercer and Mexico wasn't quite satisfying? Was he lying? At any rate, he definitely didn't help him.

Grade

B

Notes

Percy Dags III, Tina Majorino, Ryan Hansen, Julie Gonzalo and Chris Lowell did not appear

Pop Culture

Veronica: The one that got away . . . she was dressed as a Cylon and you only knew her as six, right?

Six is the name of a cylon robot on Battlestar Galactica

Title

Poughkeepsie, Tramps and Thieve is a play on the Cher song, Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

Ratings

2.74 million viewers

2007-02-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Battlestar Galactica
Taking a Break From All of Your Worries

I didn't believe for a second that Baltar was a cylon, so I knew that opening was fake. It's way too obvious to have the evil guy be a cylon. Laying in water with absolutely no light looked terrifying. No wonder the light looked so good to Gaius. And how scary was Roslin when she yelled at him? I didn't think he'd break, though. They didn't even tell him he could be saved. But what to Baltar say to Gaeta. Does Baltar know something naughty about him? And we have more Kara/Anders/Lee/Dee angst. Either they get together or don't. Stop teasing us!

Grade

B+

Returning Characters

Anders, Dee, Gaeta, Tigh, Tyrol, Cottle

Notes

Grace Park did not appear

Edward James Olmos directed, his first time since season one's Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

Survivors

41,403

2007-02-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Because I Said So

L.A. Times *
Chicago Sun-Times **
UsaToday *
TvGuide *1/2
Ew D+
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
5%

Factory Girl
L.A. Times **1/2
UsaToday **1/2
TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
17%

The Messengers

TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
27%

2007-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/02/07

Monk
Psych

2007-02-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

I recommend . . .

The X-Files: Fight the Future
9-11 pm
Cinemax
***

To me, The X-files movie didn't quite work. Try to look at it as an outsider. You got alien conspiracies, shadow government types, killer bees, etc. Kinda weird. It works as a tv show, but has a harder time as a movie. Despite this, I'm still recommending. It's a treat for any sci-fi fan.

2007-02-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

The Simpsons
Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times

The Count of Monte Fatso

This was my favorite one. Moe always seems to betray Homer, doesn't he? Didn't he marry Marge in that Hamlet story? And let Homer go to jail so he could be with Helen Hunt? Anyway, I liked the scenes in jail, Burns and the escape hole. But, as the story tells, revenge ruins all.

Grade

B

Revenge of the Geeks

Nice idea, but didn't quite work. Milhouse has had enough and gets revenge on everyone who wronged him. Kinda one-note.

Grade

B-

Bartman Begins

Kinda cute, but it didn't quite work. Maybe because it copied the movie too much. Is it too much to ask for some originality?

Grade

B-

Overall

B-

Highlight

Dedicated to All Who Died in the Star Wars Films

Darth Vader
Darth Maul
Greedo
Uncle Owen
Storm Trooper #5
Jango Fett
General Grevious (Droid)
Storm Trooper #22
Dak
Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi
Whoever Jimmy Smits Played (Bail Organa)
Hutt Jabba the
Sy Snoodles
Unforunately, not Jar-Jar Binks
and everyone on both Death Stars when they blew up

Returning Characters

The Count of Monte Fatso

Lenny, Helen Lovejoy, Moe, Wiggum, Lou, Eddie, Carl, Reverend Lovejoy, Burns, Mayor Quimby, Sideshow Mel, Judge Synder

Revenge of the Geeks

Milhouse, Martin, Skinner, Allison, Janey, Database, Nelson, Wendell, Louis, Willie, Dolph, Kearney, Jimbo

Bartman Begins

Lou, Eddie, Wiggum, Smithers, Sideshow Mel, Lenny, Flanders, Skinners, Kirk Van Houten, SNake, Apu, Grampa

Other

Rich Texan

Title

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times is a play on the Klingon proverb, Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold. Klingons are aliens from Star Trek.

Ratings

TvPG
DV

8.04 million viewers

Pop Culture

The Count of Monte Fatso

This is a play on the book The Counte of Monte Cristo

Revenge of the Geeks

This is a play on the movie Revenge of the Nerds

Bartman Begins

This is a play on the movie Batman Begins

King Kong

We see an image in Bartman Begins of an ape atop a tall building, similar to what we see in King Kong

2007-02-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

Psych
From Earth to Starbucks

I like astronomy, so this episode was nice. It was really sweet how Shawn wanted to solve a case to boost Lassiter self-esteem's and not to get money. Of course, everything he and Gus found out had not been figured out by him, so they had to tell him he did. And when Gus solved the case for the very first time, the credit had to go to Lassiter. And I knew the astronomer was the guilty party. It was so obvious he'd want the credit all to him. But what about that discovery he made? It was never followed up on.

Grade

B+

Quotes

Gus: You heard about Pluto? That's messed up, right?

Notes

Nicole Lyn, who played Jessica, is Dulé Hill's real-life wife

Where Are They From?

Richard Kind, who played Hugo Rainer, has guest starred on Scrubs

References

Shawn: I predict we'll solve it Friday at 10:01pm, then maybe watch some cable

This is a nod to the fact that the show airs Fridays at 10 pm on cable

Pop Culture

Shawn: I only need you for a minute, like when Kenickie needed Danny Zuko. And you get to be Travolta in the analogy

Kenickie and Danny Zuko are characters from the broadway musical/movie Grease. John Travolta played Danny in the movie.

Shawn: See, you're already in character, like Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is an actor who was in Ocean's Eleven (2001), Crash and nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for Hotel Rwanda

2007-02-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
2/01/07

My Name is Earl
The Office
Scrubs
30 Rock
Grey's Anatomy

2007-01-31T14:43:00.000-08:00

Monk
Mr. Monk is at Your Service

I enjoyed this one. Monk's OCD serves him well as a butler. Well, not always. Paul got annoyed at the tie thing and everyone hated the "fork centimeter" thing. But it was definitely amusing. Sean Austin was definitely creepy and not just in an "I'm a murderer way". His obsession with Natalie was icky. But she was the one to solve it this time! She really wants the creep locked up, while Monk couldn't be happier about his new job. The hiring freeze really got to him. But, luckily, the Captain fixed that. The Captain and Randy got the short end of the stick here. All in all, a satisfying episode.

Grade

B+

Returning Characters

Dr. Kroeger

Notes

Traylor Howard was pregnant while filming this, so that "baby bump" was real

Where Are They From?

Sean Austin, who played Paul Buchanan, was Sam in the Lord of the Rings movies

Focus

Natalie

2007-01-31T14:42:00.000-08:00

Grey's Anatomy
Great Expectations

So, Amish people. Interesting how the patient actually wanted to go back home. Felt sad for her friend. She's gotta do it all alone. And we also had Bailey's free clinic. Why does she want it? That was never explained. But Izzie was nice in pitching in. Is this gonna be a continuing storyline? Will we eventually see a clinic? If Izzie's offering up some of her money, we probably will see it. She's spending that money pretty quickly, isn't she? And Alex and Addison are over? At first, I thought he was bluffing when he said he didn't want to be with her. But maybe not. And the big four want Webber's job. Big four=Burke, Derek, Addison and Mark. Burke lied about his hand,, soo he won't make it. Too bad. He'd make a hell of a chief. I've always viwed plastic surgery as a private practice, so no chief for Mark. And Addison seems like an OB-GYN first, surgeon second, so no for her. That leaves Derek. Rather have Burke, but that's fine. And Sloane was gonna skip town. Since Webber obviously isn't going anywhere, is he gonna leave? I didn't think Derek should be make at Meredith for letting the "chief is leaving" rumor slip out to Mark. And I didn't buy her "I've never been in a relationship and when people fight, it's over". So lame. And so done for a heartwarming scene, which was not heartwarming at all. Since the writers obviously weren't gonna write him off the show, I wondered how they were gonna make him stay. Well, Adele's over him, so that's how. And I was expecting George's proposal. I got spoiled for that. But Burke's?

Grade

B+

Quotes

Bailey: I know you all have your messy love lives and your secrets and your silliness. But I want more.

Ratings

21.50 million viewers

Title

Great Expectations is a song by KISS

2007-01-31T14:27:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/31/07

Bones
American Idol
9-10 pm
Los Angeles

2007-01-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

Veronica Mars
Show Me the Monkey

So Mac and that boy. He was pretty cute. Maybe she pulled away because of Beaver. He messed her up pretty bad. But they kissed at the end, so maybe all is forgiven. As if Veronica's case, I didn't think she'd lie to her employers. She's after the truth, but she did the nice thing and told them she couldn't find their monkey, who looked suspiciously like Marcel from Friends. But in the end, it was for nothing, because they were just gonna get another monkey. And Veronica leaps back in Logan's arms. Sweet. But I was super surprised that Keith believed that Dean O'Dell's death was a suicide. But, predictably, Veronica's paper was used. "Goodbye, cruel world"? Pretty lame.

Grade

B+

Notes

Percy Daggs III and Michael Muhney do not appear

Ratings

3.23 million viewers

Title

Show Me the Monkey is a play on the famous movie quote "Show me the money!" said in Jerry Maguire

Music

Funiculi Funicula
Luigi Denza

One Week
The Barenaked Ladies

Lara's Theme
Maurice Jarre

Fair
The Annuals

Long, Long Time
Linda Ronstadt

Creature of Habit
Kingsbury Manx

Pop Culture

Mac: What's missing is a hole in the wall, shaped like The Hulk

The Hulk is a comic book/tv show/movie about a man who changes into a big, green man when he gets angry

Mac: Cause they're doing 2001 in 70 mm tomorrow night . . .

2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic sci-fi movie (adapted from a book)

Logan: Garden State was never a book

Garden State is a movie directed by and starring Zach Braff about a depressed actor who goes back home, to New Jersey (called the garden state)

Dick: What are we, on The View? Am I Rosie O'Donnell?

The View is a daytime talk show with four women, including Rosie O'Donnell

Veronica: All we need is one more angel and we got a show

Charlie's Angels was a '70s tv series about 3 female detectives

2007-01-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Let Him Eat Cake

This was a mess of an episode, wasn't it? And I mean that in the best way possible. Christine gives New Christine a gift idea for Richard, then she wants credit and bad birthday juju at the party. I thought New Christine should just get the credit, but then Christine messed everything up. New Christine got on my nerves a little bit at the party. And what's so good about Jello cake? I want a taste.

Grade

B

Highlight

Ritchie's magic trick gift to his dad and all the trouble it ensues

Ratings

12.81 million viewers

2007-01-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/30

American Idol
Birmingham, Alabama
House
Veronica Mars
Boston Legal

2007-01-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

How I Met Your Mother
Columns

This episode didn't quite work for me. Druthers was annoying as ever, but seemed even more so here. He just acted like a baby. Ted didn't have to fire him. His boss didn't even know who he was, so I doubt he knew who Druthers was. And Lily's paintings weren't all that good. Of course, it's just like Barney to want one. Lily ruined for reasons I can't understand other than to humilate him.

Grade

B

Lowlight

The before and after makeup scene with Robin. Way too obvious that her makeup artist was going to make her look bad after being fired. Why didn't Robin fire her after getting her makeup?

Quotes

Barney: She left out Little Barney, Barnacle Junior, My Barnana, Barnito Supreme

Ratings

9.42 million viewers

2007-01-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

Desperate Housewives
Come Play Wiz Me

I can't believe that Gaby would go out with Zach just to get Susan a lawyer for Mike. Well, she did it anyway. You could definitely tell at the end that Mike likes Susan. The tables have definitely turned, haven't they? Gaby, meanwhile, seemed to be having a nice time with Zach. Until he shoved his tongue down her throat. And then we have the devious Alma, who has delusions of Orson coming back to her when she gets pregnant with his child. Let's hope it's a delusion. I'm glad Bree was able to get right away that Alma drugged him. Can you imagine if she actually thought he had sex with Alma out of his own free will? Lynette's storyline wasn't that engaging. I was really surprised when she told Tom she turned down her boss's offer to work for him again. This is a pretty big storyline change for her, though.

Grade

B+

Returning Characters

Ian, Paul, Mrs. McCluskey, Alma, Julie, Danielle, Andrew, Zach

Title

"Come Play Wiz Me is from the 1964 Sondheim Broadway musical Anyone Can Whistle" (tv.com)

2007-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/28/07

The Simpsons
Battlestar Galactica

2007-01-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

Year End Special

P I

Best Drama

The Departed

I loved this movie. I thought it was perfect on all levels.

Best Comedy

Thank You for Smoking

This was my surprise movie of the year. Didn't expect that it would be this good.

Best Sci-Fi

Children of Men

Not a good year for sci-fi. V for Vendetta, X-Men: The Last Stand and Superman Returns. All I wanted was a good one. I got a great one. Definitely a classic.

Best Fantasy

The Illusionist

I know people liked The Prestige more, but I didn't. The Illusionist was softer, prettier and just plain more likeable.

Best Action/Adventure

Casino Royale

He's back and better than ever. I didn't why everyone was whining about Daniel Craig. Well, those whines were quieted. Very good.

2007-01-27T16:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday Night Live
Jeremy Piven/AFI

Cold Open

Have they ever done Hardball as an opening? I thought they'd do a Hilary Clinton piece and they did. Amy nailed the impression.

B

Monologue

This was kinda sweet

B

Urigo

Not bad

B

That'll Move the Chains

This was okay, but a little weak

B-

Tv Funhouse

Everyone's a chipmunk? Dumb.

B-

First Person in the History of the World to Dance

Not as dumb as I thought, but not brilliant either

B-

MacGruber

Obvious take on McGyver, but it wasn't bad

B, B, B

Two A-Holes at an Adoption Agency

I never get tired of these two

B

Weekend Update

Okay

B-

Common and Blizzard Man

I find BM to be pretty funny. I'm glad they brought him back.

B

The Unicorn

This just fell flat on it's face. Plus, you could see the boom mike.

B-

Nurse Nancy

A dumb take on an even dumber movie

B-

Lansford Brothers & Associates: Hangmen at Law

Not really much of anything

B-

Grade

B-

7.7

Analysis

Not good as last week's, but it gets .4 more last week's. Go figure.

Best Sketch

Two A-Holes at an Adoption Agency

2nd Best

Common and Blizzard Man

Worst

The Last Unicorn

2007-01-27T15:59:00.000-08:00

Monk
Mr. Monk Makes a Friend

So Monk has never had a friend before. Hal rubbed me the wrong way because he was just too nice. Of course, I knew he was the killer, though I probably wouldn't like him even if I knew that. But I did feel kinda sad when he pointed out to Natalie, Randy and the Captain that they weren't really his friends and how they immediately thought that any friend of Monk's wasn't really his friend. But why did Hal have to hang out with Monk? Couldn't he just grab his mail somehow? Him going after the mail definitely made me suspicious and I knew that was the key. But how many apartment people get their mail through the slot? Aren't there mailboxes?

Grade

B

Returning Characters

Julie

Where Are They From?

Andy Richter, who played Hal, has guest starred on Just Shoot Me, Malcolm in the Middle and The New Adventures of Old Christine

David Eigenberg, who played Tim, was Steve, Miranda's boyfriend on Sex and the City and guest starred on The 4400

2007-01-26T18:50:00.001-08:00

Grading the Movies

Catch and Release

L.A. Times ***
Chicago Sun-Times ***
TvGuide **1/2
Ew C-
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
22%

Seraphim Falls

L.A. Times **
Chicago Sun-Times **1/2
UsaToday ***
TvGuide **1/2
Ew B-
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
46%

Smokin' Aces

L.A Times ***
Chicago Sun-Times ***1/2
UsaToday *
TvGuide ***
Ew B
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
27%

Epic Movie

TvGuide *

2007-01-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Grey's Anatomy
Six Days (Part 2)

I was a bit shocked when Addison told Mark he'd make a crappy dad. But upon talking to Callie, she realized she was right. And then there was the kiss! Addison and Alex. Let's see where this goes. George, of course, went nutso upon learning that Webber and Bailey lied to him. I was shocked when he told his family that they should let his dad go. It was very sad. And I was kinda upset at Bailey. Izzie predictably gave her money to the VATERS girl and Bailey wanted to know why. Izzie gave the right respone, in my mind. But Bailey thinks that the right answer should've been "Because I want to do surgery". If any other surgeon were in Izzie's place, "I want to help" would've been an acceptable answer.

Grade

B
Ratings

21.89 million viewers

Music

Here It Goes Again
OK Go

Fidelity
Regina Spector

The Way That I Am

Ingrid Michaelson

Love Will Tear Us Apart
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra

Falling Awake
Gary Jules

Life In Disguise
The Slip

2007-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

Grey's Anatomy
Six Days (Part 2)

I was a bit shocked when Addison told Mark he'd make a crappy dad. But upon talking to Callie, she realized she was right. And then there was the kiss! Addison and Alex. Let's see where this goes. George, of course, went nutso upon learning that Webber and Bailey lied to him. I was shocked when he told his family that they should let his dad go. It was very sad. And I was kinda upset at Bailey. Izzie predictably gave her money to the VATERS girl and Bailey wanted to know why. Izzie gave the right respone, in my mind. But Bailey thinks that the right answer should've been "Because I want to do surgery". If any other surgeon were in Izzie's place, "I want to help" would've been an acceptable answer.

Grade

B+

Ratings

21.89 million viewers

Music

Here It Goes Again
OK Go

Fidelity
Regina Spector

The Way That I Am

Ingrid Michaelson

Love Will Tear Us Apart
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra

Falling Awake
Gary Jules

Life In Disguise
The Slip

2007-01-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

30 Rock
The Head and the Hair

I loved this episode. It was the best one yet. We got lots of Kenneth, courtesy of him switching jobs with Jack. Even with everything at his feet, Kenneth was still a simplistic guy. It was very amusing to see Jack take drink orders and get abused by everyone. Anyway, I just loved this one.

Grade

B+

Highlights

Kat Cour Su

Goldcase

Where Are They From?

Brian McCann, who played The Head, is a sketch player on Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Rating

Tv 14
D

5.06 million viewers

Pop Culture

Liz: So you guys been watching Heroes? I like the Asian dude.

Heroes is an NBC sci-fi show about ordinary people who gain super powers. The Asian dude is Hiro Nakamura, the most popular character on the show.

KAT
COUR
SU

This is a reference to Katie Couric, a former The Today Show host, who now hosts a nightly news show that competes with Brian Williams's NBC Nightly News

2007-01-26T18:15:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/26/07

Monk
Sean Austin guest stars
Psych

2007-01-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

Scrubs
My Musical

I liked the Buffy musical, I really did. But this just didn't work for me. Maybe musicals don't work for comedies. The Buffy songs were serious stuff, which these weren't. I just didn't like it. Also, the patient heard people sing, not saw them dance. It's an auditory hallucination, not a visual one.

Grade

B-

Quotes

Elliot: My mom was so mad she slept with him and ruined his marriage

Notes

The songs were written by the creator of the broadway show Avenue Q

Sarah Chalke is not a good singer, so she doesn't sing much here

Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who played Mrs. Miller, was in Avenue Q

Continuity

Janitor: It all started with a penny in the door. There was a hatred I had never felt before.

This is a reference to the pilot, My First Day, where Janitor thought J.D. had stuck a penny in a door to jam it and said if he found one, he would get J.D.

Songs

Welcome to Sacred Heart

Everything Comes Down to Poo

We're Gonna Miss You, Carla

You Annoy Me

When the Truth Comes Out

Guy Love

She's Dominican

Friends Forever

What's Gonna Happen

Pop Culture

The Friends Forever Song is very similar to We'll Be Together, from Grease

2007-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

The Office
The Return

So, Andy's psycho. I kinda wondered where they were going with him. Dwight's a suck up, but he's a managable suck up. The problem here is that Andy was following Michael everywhere. Got to be a little bit creepy. Then came prank time. You knew that Jim was gonna ask Pam and it'd get him in trouble with Karen. I just never thought he'd admit that he still likes Pam to Karen. And is Andy going away now? Dwight is back, with everyone missing him, even Jim.

Grade

B+

Highlight

Michael saying that he wants someone to suck-up because they love him, not because they want to further their career

Quotes

Jim: I miss Dwight. Congratulations, universe. You win.

Rating

Tv 14

9.1 million viewers

2007-01-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/25/07

Grey's Anatomy

2007-01-24T19:11:00.000-08:00

My Name is Earl
Kept a Guy Locked in a Trunk

Earl wanted to give the guy a massage. That's the simpliest "make up for my sin" solution ever. Why doesn't he do it for everyone on his list? Maybe that was the only thing that fitted this particular item on the list. And how could he expect everyone to behave at the guy's funeral. They don't know him and the guys are the nicest people ever. The ending was sweet, though. He had tons of friends online. And big news! Joy feels bad. First time ever.

Grade

B+

Highlight

Darnell names the cactus Mr. Prickly

Ratings

Tv 14

9.7 million viewers

Earl's List

#270

Kept guy locked in trunk

Where Have I Seen Him From?

John Waters, who played Walter, directed Pink Flamingos, widely considered the most disgusting movie ever made and guest voiced a character on The Simpsons

Bob Clendenin, who played Slow Roger, was on Scrubs, That '70s Show and Monk

Pop Culture

Slow Roger: My fifth favorite Tom Hanks movie is Philadelphia

Tom Hanks won the Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia, a 1993 movie about a gay man dying of AIDS who sues his law firm for firing him for being gay

Slow Roger: Did you see Saving Private Ryan on tv last night?

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 war movie starring Tom Hanks that won Steven Spielberg the Oscar for Best Director

2007-01-24T19:04:00.000-08:00

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Endless Shrimp, Endless Night

Since when does getting up at 6 am get you out of sorts? What time does she normally wake up, anyway? This was a good episode, I found it fun. Christine definitely felt awkard at the party. German speaking, environmentalists, Matthew's ex, etc. I thought what Matthew did for Christine after her divorce was sweet, but his ex clearly doesn't deserve him if she saw those things as womanly. And there's also Richie, who wants to run a woman's gym. Of course, Richard can't allow that and tries again to get him interested in his construction work. And fails. Why did Ritchie wear gloves? Would've prevented the splinter incident.

Grade

B+

Notes

Emily Rutherfurd does not appear

Pop Culture

Christine: That's an Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth is an Oscar-nominated documentary hosted by Al Gore about global warming

Christine: And, god, we watched Under the Tuscan Sun about a thousand times . . .

Under the Tuscan Sun is a chick flick starring Diane Lane

2007-01-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/24

American Idol
8-10 pm
New York City

2007-01-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/23/07

American Idol
8-9 pm
Memphis
Veronica Mars

2007-01-22T17:33:00.001-08:00

Desperate Houswives
Not While I'm Around

Interesting that Susan found out about Austin and Danielle this fast. But is the whole thing over? I thought they were kinda cute together and it breaks my heart to see Julie cry over it. And wasn't it cute to see Carlos protecting Gaby? And he was protecting her from Zach. Zach may be as old as John, but I think that Gaby's not attracted to him. Lynette want to help Tom, but she's pretty dominating their relationship that it's good that he helped him without him knowing. At first. But luckily, he didn't make too big a deal out of it. And there's also the Bree/Orson/Alma thing. I think that Alma wanted Bree to find the teeth.

Grade

B

Returning Characters

Porter
Parker
Preston
Alma
Zach
Austin
Paul
Mrs. McCluskey
Andrew
Danielle

Ratings

Tv PG
DSLV

Title

Not While I'm Around is a song from the Stephen Sondheim's 1979 musical Sweeney Todd

2007-01-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight

The New Adventures of Old Christine
How I Met Your Mother

2007-01-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday Night Live
Jake Gyllenhaal/The Shins

Cold Open

The whole catch of this (having everyone, including mailmen join the army) wasn't partly catchy

B-

Monologue

Jake's arms are just too muscly to pull off being a girl, but it was fun anyway. Who knew he could sing?

B

Deep House Dish

Andy Samberg's character always save this sketch

B

Bronx Beat

I didn't really think it was funny until the woman starting fawning over Jake

B-

The Apprentice Press Conference

Darrell Hammond is great at impressions, as usual

B

Cool Food

Talking meatballs? Not funny.

B-

Laser Cats 2

This is so dumb, it's funny

B

Stock Footage Awards

I thought this was about the stock market. Nope, it's news footage. Kinda amusing in a silly way.

B

Weekend Update

This was okay, nothing special

B-

Law and Order Master Class

Not nearly as clever as it wanted to be

B-

The Wheelchair Sketch

Somewhat amusing, but not enough

B-

Kaplan, Liebowitz and Dolemite

What on earth was this? Not funny at all.

B-

Grade

B-

7.4

Analysis

Good host, okay show

Best Sketch
The Apprentice Press Conference

2nd Best
Laser Cats 2

Worst
Kaplan, Liebowitz and Dolemite

2007-01-21T15:56:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/21/06

Desperate Housewives

Battlestar Galactica
10-11 pm
3rd midseason premiere

2007-01-20T17:03:00.000-08:00

Grey's Anatomy
Six Days (part one)

The Cristina/Burke saga continues. They're being so childish. Actually, she's being childish. Just ask him about his arm already! Maybe she sees that as giving him too much power. It must be hard for Bailey to do the confidential surgery when George wants to know everything about his dad's conditional. It's a conflict, which this show loves to do. Something tells me George will not be happy about this. And then we got Heather, the bitchy patient. It's pretty obvious that Izzie's gonna use her check to help her. Too obvious. We also have Addison and Alex almost kissing and wimpy Thatcher around.

Grade

B+

Returning Characters

Tyler, Olivia, Joe

Notes

The scene at the end with Addison in the elevator is from season two's Yesterday

Where Are They From?

Mae Whitman, who played Heather, was Ann on Arrested Development and guest starred on Desperate Housewives

Title

Six Days is a song by DJ Shadows

Six days are passed between the start of this episode and the end of the next

Music

Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same
The Research

Passion Play
Passion Play

Beggars Prayer
Emiliana Torrini

Rest Of My Life
Michelle Featherstone

Love Will Come Through
Travis

2007-01-20T16:54:00.000-08:00

30 Rock
The Rural Juror

When a friend asks you how their bad movie was, say "Fine!". Apparently, Liz didn't think that was gonna cut it. Or she'd rather not lie and just tell the truth about how good the hairstyling was. But surprise, surprise, turns out Jenna's not a complete moron. This episode was just okay, though.

Grade

B

2007-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Oscar Prediction Nod
2007

Best Picture

The Departed
The Queen
Babel
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine

Best Director

Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Stephen Frears, The Queen
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Babel
Bill Condon, Dreamgirls
Clint Eastwood, Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Peter O'Toole, Venus
Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness
Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson

Best Actress

Helen Mirren, The Queen
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada
Kate Winslet, Little Children
Penelope Cruz, Volver
Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal

Best Supporting Actor

Jack Nicholson, The Departed
Matt Damon, The Departed
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine
Michael Sheen, The Queen
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine
Adriana Barraza, Babel
Rinko Kikuchi, Babel
Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal

See you Tuesday!

2007-01-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/20

Saturday Night Live
Jeremy Piven

2007-01-19T15:52:00.000-08:00

Scrubs
My Friend with Money

I didn't really think J.D. was jealous of Elliot's extra goodies she gets as a Private Practice doctor. But turns out he was. She makes more money and gets to dump her patients on Cox at the end of the day. Sweet. And we get more of Carla's depression. Did Cox tell Turk about that in the last episode? Guess not. I'm glad that Kim is gone because I don't think she and J.D. are a great couple. Nice overall.

Grade

B+

Highlight

Jordan talking to a depressed Carla about her own post partum depression

Lowlight

Keith's in the episode, but there wasn't much Elliot/Keith goodyness

Returning Characters

Laverne
Jordan
Todd
Kim
Keith

Pop Culture

Jurassic Park

The scene where the water in the cup ripples because Jordan is stomping towards everyone is similar to the one in Jurassic Park where water in a cup ripples because a T-rex is stomping towards them

Mistakes

Keith's hair in the flashback does not look like the hair he had back then, but the hair he has now

2007-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

The Office
Traveling Salesman

That was a very nice thing Dwight did for Angela. Not the quitting thing. The fixing her mistake thing. But why couldn't she confess about their relationship? Dwight wouldn't have to quit. Interestingly enough, Michael is a good salesman. And Andy is not. And did you see that look Angela had on her face when looking at Andy. She's kinda scary.

Grade

B+

Returning Characters

Stanley
Phyllis
Angela
Toby
Karen
Andy

2007-01-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/19/06

Monk
5th midseason premiere
Andy Richter guest stars

Psych
1st midseason premiere
Kurtwood Smith and Ashley Williams guest star

2007-01-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight . . .
1/17/07

American Idol
8-10 pm
Seattle

2007-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

My Name is Earl
Buried

This episode should be nominated for the Best Writing in a Comedy Series Emmy. It's kinda of like Rashomon, all these different points of views. It was definitely different. And it was a lot of fun.

Grade

B+

Notes

Nadine Velasquez does not appear

Crabman graduated college at 14

On the List

#52

Dig up and return buried treasure

Pop Culture

Joy: You know the kind of woman who could have been the next Faith Hill . . .

Faith Hill is a country music singer

Randy: I think the same thing would've happened if we stole from the kid from Diff'rent Strokes

Diff'rent Strokes was a '70s tv show about two black kids from Harlem who are adopted by a rich white man. The kid is most likely a reference to Gary Coleman.

Music

Ball and Chain
Social Distortion

Rocky Mountain Way
Joe Walsh

Breathe
Faith Hill

2007-01-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Boston Legal
Angel of Death

We have ourselves a new lawyer, Vanessa Walker. She's not the most interesting character ever, but she's not bad. She needs Alan to do her case, a New Orleans one. Interestingly enough, Alan has a tough time, too. Denny tells him to think of it from a New Orleans point of view, which he evidentally does and it helps him win the case. Then we have Clarence suing an all-girls gym because they won't let him in. Letting him go in while he was dressing up like a girl was a stretch, but okay. But not letting him in when he's a guy is fine. I'm sure he wouldn't have won that one. Luckily, it got dropped when his friend, the owner of the gym, agreed to go out with him. We also have the complicated Denise-Jeffrey-Brad triangle. This is going to end well.

Grade

B

Notes

Gary Anthony Williams is added to the cast

Where Are They From?

Merrin Dungey, who played Sandy, was Francie on Alias. She and Gary Anthony Williams played a couple on Malcolm in the Middle.

Nia Long, who played Vanessa Walker, was Lisa, Will's girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

2007-01-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

House
Woods and Deeds

Finally, it's over! Buh-bye Tritter! But I did find the resolution pretty lame. So Cuddy lied and House is free. That's it? And Tritter's good luck? Whatever. This storyline just did not work on any level. I did guess that the patient had broken heart syndrome because the Scrubs House parody had it the week before. You'd assume someone would've talked to the non-girlfriend before zapping the guy's brain, but apparently not. And now the guy doesn't remember any of his childhood. Can't he sue the hospital. This would've been a good episode if there was no Tritter-ness.

Grade

B

Highlight

House apology to Wilson

Returning Characters

Tritter

Where Are They From?

Vyto Ruginis, who played Assistant District Attorney Velez, was Russell Winters on Angel

Pop Culture

House: When I lead the big patient revolution, Voldemort here is the first to go

Voldemort is an evil wizard from the Harry Potter books who is always trying to kill Harry

House: But that Andre the Giant guy was powerful.

Andre the Giant was giant wrestler/actor who was in The Princess Bride

Music

Season of the Witch
Donovan

2007-01-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Ritchie Scores

This episode was just okay. We see Christine wanting to be with Mr. Harris. Is it just me or does Blair Underwood have chemistry with every woman on tv? I'm not sure where the non-romance is going, just hope it doesn't get boring.

Grade: B

Returning Characters

Mr. Harris

2007-01-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight . . .
1/15/06

Golden Globes
NBC
8-11 pm

How I Met Your Mother (probably a repeat)

The New Adventures of Old Christine

2007-01-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

How I Met Your Mother
First Time in New York

There wasn't much plot, but it was really funny. At first, like Robin, I protested her sister wanting to have sex with her boyfriend. But girls have sex. If her sister had just gotten with the guy, then no on sex. But, turns out I was wrong. Doing it would've been disasterous. I loved the flashbacks. It makes a whole lot more sense that Ted was actually the one stayed in the bedroom while his girlfriend ran out. Barney's was hilarious though. The Dirty Dancing sequence, not the actual "it was my friend's mom" story. Overall, very funny.

Grade

B+

Highlight

Barney runs out of the room when he hears there's a spider

2007-01-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Desperate Housewives
No Fits, No Fights, No Feuds

I didn't really like the guy Gaby was dating. He was so blah. But who is this secret admirer? Have we seem him before? Or is it a her? And why didn't she keeping looking through the flower cards? Kayla has turned into a brat since Nora died. Not unwarranted. She thinks Lynette is trying to be Nora replacement. I know she's not ever gonna love Lynette, but saying it is so sad. Alma is back and she seems nice. Like Bree, I couldn't wait to see the look on Susan's face when she saw her. But what was with the shots? And Austin is cheating on Julie? I'd hoped those crazy kids would stay together. No wonder Danielle was encouraging Julie to not have sex with him. Can't wait until Susan finds out. She'll kick his ass.

Grade

B+

Highlight

Lynette's kids dragging Kayla out of the restaurant

Returning Characters

Alma, Danielle, Andrew, Porter, Parker, Preston, Ian, Kayla, Paul Young, Austin

Ratings

18.6 million

Title

"No Fits, No Fights, No Feuds" is a line from the song Together, Wherever We Go from the 1959 Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne musical "Gypsy." (tv.com)

2007-01-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

Golden Globes
2007

Movies

Best Actor in a Movie-Drama

Should Win

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed

Leo gave his best performance, showing us that he can do gritty and dark

Will Win

Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland

Winning all the award

Dark Horse

Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness

While not exactly the most intense performance, it certainly is one of the most enjoyable

Never Gonna Happen

Leonard DiCaprio, Blood Diamond

Movie's not good and his performance isn't good enough get a win

Best Actor in a Movie-Comedy

Should Win

Aaron Eckhart, Thank You for Smoking

It's hard to play swarmy and slicky and still be likable

Will Win

Sasha Baren Cohen, Borat

One of the most talked about character performances

Dark Horse

Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean 2

The movie may not have been great, but he certainly was

Never Gonna Happen

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kinky Boots

No one is talking about the movie or performance

Best Actress in a Movie-Drama

Should/Will Win

Helen Mirren, The Queen

The best performance of the year and one of the best in recent years. There's no way she can lose.

Dark Horse

Kate Winslet, Little Children

The other talked about best actress performance

Never Gonna Happen

Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal

She's a better actress than Penelope Cruz, but there's not much talk about her performance

Best Actress in a Movie-Comedy

Will/Should Win

Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada

There was Oscar buzz when it came out. In the summer!

Dark Horse

Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine

Not the best performance in that movie, but people loved the movie

Never Gonna Happen

Renee Zellweger, Miss Potter

There's just no one talking about the movie

Best Supporting Actor-Movie

Should Win

Jack Nicholson, The Departed

I've never seen a great Nicholson performance, but I found him to be amazing

Will Win

Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls

People are talking about his performance more. Perhaps because Nicholson's was too showy

Dark Horse

Mark Wahlberg, The Departed

He was really intense

Never Gonna Happen

Ben Affleck, Hollywood

Hearing good but not great stuff

Best Supporting Actress-Movie

Should/Will Win

Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

Though it wasn't the best performance of the movie, it was good and people loved her in it

Dark Horse

Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal

Looks like she was good

Never Gonna Happen

Emily Blunt, The Devil Loves Prada

A bit too funny of a performance

2007-01-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

Tv Tonight
1/13/07

Saturday Night Live
Jake Gyllenhaal

2007-01-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

The Simpsons
The Wife Aquatic

So far, this season has only given us one good episode. One! I hoped to start the new year off with a good one. And I did. The first half was lovely. It was funny and beautiful and sweet. But the second half didn't work at all. It felt like they didn't know how to end it, so the writers tacked on sea storm. But the first half was great.

Grade

B

Returning Characters

Comic Book Guy
Milhouse
Luann Van Houten
Kirk Van Houten
Hans Moleman
Dr. Hibbert
Ned Flanders
Rod Flanders
Todd Flanders
Moe
Lenny
Carl
Kearney
Dolph
Jimbo
Patty
Selma
Grampa
Snowflake 2

Rating

Tv
PG
V

Title

The Wife Aquatic is a play on Wes Anderson's 2004 movie, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Pop Culture

The Science of SpongeBob (museum exhibit)

Spongebob Squarepants is a Nickelodeon cartoon about a pants-wearing sponge who lives in the occean

Jaws

Homer is hung from the pole on the deck like the shark was in Jaws

Homer: The Romans . . . Aquaman

Aquaman is a comic book undersea hero from Atlantis. He uses his powers to defend the ocean.

Continuity

Lisa: This is the most disgusting place we've ever been.
Bart: What about Brazil?

This is a reference to season thirteen's Blame It on Lisa

Mistakes

Marge watches her video on DVD, but the Simpsons have no DVD player hooked up to their tv

Music

At Last
Etta James

2007-01-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Golden Globes
2006

Movies

Best Movie-Comedy

Should Win

Thank You for Smoking

It's the best of the bunch

Will Win

Dreamgirls

It's exactly the kind of movie critics eat up

Dark Horse

Little Miss Sunshine

Everyone loves this one. Except me.

Never Gonna Happen

The Devil Wears Prada

Only nominated because of Meryl's performance

Best Movie-Drama

Should Win

The Departed

The best movie of the year

Will Win

The Queen

The second best movie of the year, plus it's got Helen Mirren in it!

Dark Horse

Babel

The most Golden Globe nominated film this year

Never Gonna Happen

Little Children

This may be better than Bobby, but it hasn't been getting nominated as much as it

Best Director

Should Win

Martin Scorsce, The Departed

Like I said, best movie of the year

Will Win

Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima

Never doubt the power of Clint!

Dark Horse

Stephen Frears, The Queen

The only other deserving person for this award this year other than Scorsce

Never Gonna Happen

Clint Eastwood, Flags of Our Fathers

FooF sucked and if he gonna win the award, it'll be for LfIJ

Best Foreign Language Movie

Should Win

Pan's Labrynith

Critics absolutely love it

Will Win

Letters from Iwo Jima

Clint Eastwood directed. Are there are more three powerful words in Hollywood today?

Dark Horse

Volver

A small film, but getting a nice amount of acclaim

Never Gonna Happen

The Lives of Others

Has anyone even heard of this?

Best Animated Movie

Should Win

Monster House

It's the only animated movie I saw. And it had some good stuff.

Will Win

Happy Feet

It made a lot of money

2007-01-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Golden Globes
2007

Tv

Best Tv Series-Drama

Should Win

Grey's Anatomy

Nobody's betting on this because it didn't win the emmy. Too bad, it's one of the most enjoyable, funniest and heartbreaking series on tv.

Will Win

Heroes

Very popular and very new. HFPA loves stuff like that.

Dark Horse

24

Won the emmy

Never Gonna Happen

Big Love

Why was this even nominated?

Best Actor in a Tv Series-Drama

Should Win

Hugh Laurie, House

Is there any better actor on tv?

Will Win

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

After winning the emmy, Kiefer was the frontrunner. But the buzz for Michael C. Hall's performance has been getting stronger and stronger. I sense a win.

Dark Horse

Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Won the emmy, though people are talking about Hall's performance more

Never Gonna Happen

Bill Paxton, Big Love

Shouldn't have been nominated

Best Actress in a Tv Series-Drama

Should Win

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Critics love her performance

Will Win

Edie Falco, The Sopranos

She gives a fantastic performance and will be rewarded

Dark Horse

Ellen Pompeo, Grey's Anatomy

Have you seen the sh*t Meredith has gone through?

Never Gonna Happen

Patricia Arquette, Medium

I never know why she keeps getting nominated

2007-01-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

30 Rock
The Baby Show

This episode was okay, it just felt flimsy, like not a real plot. How can wanting encompass an entire show? They did it, it just didn't work.

Grade

B

2007-01-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

Scrubs
My House

I loved this episode! Of course, Cox is nicer than House, but the comparision is still cool. But wasn't there a guy on House who was orange and House told him he ate too many carrots? At first, I thought Mr. Orange had eaten too many carrots, but turns out carrots make you turn yellow. Carla's depression thing was obvious, not really a mystery. And broken heart was done on Grey's Anatomy. I'm just saying. And Kim is gone, but not forgotten.

Grade

B+

Pop Culture

House

House is medical drama about a sarcastic and rude doctor who uses a cane and solves unsolvable medical mysteries. The answer to the mystery is usually figured out through a moment of randomness (which we see here as Cox figures out the answer after seeing red and yellow mixing together).

2007-01-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

On Tonight . . .
1/09/06

House
Boston Legal

2007-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Golden Globe Predictions

Only a week away!

Tv

Best Tv Series-Comedy

Should/Will Win

The Office

There's no better comedy out there. Plus, it won the emmy.

Dark Horse

Ugly Betty

Everyone loves this newbie show

Never Gonna Happen

Entourage

This is a fun series, but nowhere near the best

Best Tv Actor-Comedy

Should/Will Win

Steve Carell, The Office

The strongest of all five and they rewarded last year

Dark Horse

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

The Globes loves newbies and Baldwin gives a fantastic performance

Never Gonna Happen

Tony Shaloub, Monk

Sorry, Tony, you've had your time in the sun. Let someone else win.

Best Tv Actress-Comedy

Should Win

Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives

She was absolutely amazing last season

Will Win

America Ferrara, Ugly Betty

She's a newbie and a pretty good one at that

Dark Horse

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine

She won the emmy. Could happen again.

Never Gonna Happen

Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives

She was mostly nominated for her work in that hostage episode instead of stellar work all season, like Marcia Cross

2007-01-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Office
Back From Vacation

I wasn't quite won over by this episode. Just seemed kind of silly. It was interesting to see Jan say that against her better judgment, she really wanted to be with Michael. It's an interesting romance. But what broke my heart was Pam crying. She was very mature in helping Jim with his problem, but we see later it really hurt her to do so. Dwight was really sweet when he comforted her, but then he ruined it by saying it was just PMS. Poor Pam!

Grade

B

Quotes

Pam: No, I didn't mind helping Jim with his problem. That's what friends do. I help Phylis all the time. Just yesterday I untangled a piece of tape from her hair.

Returning Characters

Jan, Roy

2007-01-07T14:53:00.000-08:00

My Name is Earl
Our "Cops" is On

This episode didn't quite work. There was no list crossing-off. Just the gang doing bad things on Cops. It was amusing, it just felt careless. Like there was no point. What happened in this episode? Tv watching. Really, nothing to talk about.

Grade

B

Returning Characters

Kenny, Patty

Notes

Mike O'Malley reprises his role as Officer Stuart Daniels

Where Are They From?

Kathy Kinney, who played Officer Bobbi Bowman, was Mimi on The Drew Carey Show

Music

Right Place, Wrong Time
Dr. John

Afternoon Delight
The Starland Vocal Band

2007-01-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

I've deciding to not tell you what the episode is about or who's starring in it. Just what's on.

What's On Tonight

The Simpsons
Desperate Housewives

2007-01-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Code Name: The Cleaner

L.A. Times ***
TvGuide **
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
5%

Happily N'Ever After

L.A. Times **1/2
Chicago Sun-Times **
UsaToday *1/2
TvGuide **
Ew D-
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
6%

Freedom Writers

L.A. Times ****
Chicago Sun-Times ***
UsaToday **
TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
64%

2007-01-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

What to Watch
1/04/07

My Name is Earl
Earl and co. were on Cops. Wouldn't expect anything less.

The Office
Michael returns from vacation. But there's a certain photo.

Scrubs
House parody. Guess who's supposed to be House.

30 Rock
Liz thinks about her martial status and Jack has mommy issues. Chris Parnell guest stars.

2007-01-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Dreamgirls

Everyone was talking about this movie. But it didn't quite work for me. It's the story. It's very flimsy. Like something out of a tv movie. Sure, Walk the Line's story wasn't great, but it worked well enough. Here, it's like they've taken every heartbreak of every music group and smushed it together. It feels clumsy and just doesn't work. But the music was fabulous and though I felt Jennifer Hudson's big number was a bit long, it showcased her amazing singing talents just right and the audience cheered. Her performance is good, just not THAT good. Who really impressed me was Eddie Murphy. Hope he gets an Oscar nod. Beyonce, sadly, displays that she is not ready to be an actress. She plays it too light and not with enough fire. Dreamgirl is a musical with great music but thin on story. I'm sure it will win the Golden Globe for Best Musical/Comedy and I fear it'll triumph over the more deserving The Departed come Oscar time.

B

PG-13

Language, mild sex scene and drug content

2007-01-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

Children of Men

I saw this on the day it came out and the theater was packed. It's a really depressing movie. Not in that "I wanna kill myself" way I felt after I saw House of Sand and Fog. The world is a bleak place in this movie and for some reason, woman are infertile. No explanation is given, but one woman, Kee, is found to be pregnant. Claire-Hope Ashitey, as Kee, is a true discovery, injecting the character with whimsy and curiousity. Clive Owen is good, as well as Michael Caine. Unfortunately, Julianne Moore, as Clive Owen's ex-interest, is important to the story because she leads Clive's character Theodore to Kee, but she doesn't really work here. This is the best sci-fi movie of the year.

A-

R

For strong violence (explosions, shootings), language and brief nudity (breasts)

Violence Level

1/5

2006-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

Casino Royale

Sorry this took so long. I found Daniel Craig to be a fine Bond. He's a bit more cutthroat than Pierce Brosnan's Bond and not as warm, but equally as effective. The movie starts off with an awesome stunt sequence and we see a brutal fight in a bathroom. The poker scene being the climax of the movie is problematic because it's just not that interesting. Eva Green is not the best Bond girl I've seen, but that doesn't matter because Daniel Craig is one of the best Bonds ever.

Grade

B+

PG-13

2006-12-29T17:49:00.000-08:00

Monk
Mr. Monk and the Leper

I probably couldn't be too close to a leper, either. Natalie didn't believe this, until she found out her date used to have leprosy! Hyprocrites. I didn't actually believe the guy was a leper. I just had this feeling. Randy and the Captain had little to do here and I still can't quite picture Randy with leprosy, even with that photo. I was a bit afraid Monk would rather die than touch a former leper's hand, but he sucked it up. This was a nice episode, but not great.

Grade: B

Returning Characters

Julie

2006-12-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Miss Potter

L.A. Times Yes
UsaToday ***
TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
82%

Pan's Labrynith

L.A. Times Yes
rogerebert.com ****
TvGuide ****
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
99%

2006-12-28T16:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake

Cold Open
I'm not really sure what this was supposed to be. It just felt lame.
B-

Monologue
You'd think an Alvin & the Chipmunks sketch would be funny, but it just wasn't
B-

Homelessville
Similar to an omelet sketch JT did in his first hosting gig. The funniest part was when JT referred to his penis as "croutons".
B-

Target Greatland
What's the name of KW's characters? This didn't fail totally because of how funny JT was.
B

D*ck in a Box
Hugely popular on youtube, this is so much better than last year's lame rap video (I never got why it was popular). Not great, but definitely amusing.
B

The Barry Gibb Talk Show
Jimmy Fallon is back! This sketch is always amusing, if a little lame.
B

Dry Eyes
The writers must've been really desperate when they wrote this. Not funny in any way.
B-

Hip Hop Kids
Felt more like a Saturday morning cartoon
B-

Christmas Elf Auditions
I don't know why I find Mrs. Hastings so funny
B

A Holiday Message from Nancy Grace
A bit long, but still good
B

Grade

B-
7.5

Analysis

One of the better. JT is turning out to be one of the better hosts.

Best Sketch
A Holiday Message from Nancy Grace

2nd Best
D*ck in a Box

Worst
Dry Eyes

2006-12-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Notes on a Scandal

L.A. Times ***
Richard Roeper ****
UsaToday ***
TvGuide ***
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
81%

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

L.A. Times **1/2
UsaToday **
TvGuide **1/2
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
61%

2006-12-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

Battlestar Galactica
The Eye of Jupiter

Nowhere near the brillance of Pegasus, but not bad. I don't really think that Adama's gonna blow up the algae planet. But I love how much he's faking it. He's got the cannons ready to go. How will the eye point the way? Give them a general direction (east)? And Baltar was on Galactica. And Sharon knows about her baby. I always thought that Adama knew, but guess not. Considering how good Sharon has been to them, maybe she should've gotten to keep her baby. Overall, not bad, just not earth shattering.

Grade: B+

Highlight

Gaius's face when the cylons offer Gaius to the humans

Returning Characters

Cally, Tyrol, Anders, Dee, Brother Cavril, Tigh, Gaeta, Helo, Leoben, D'Anna

Notes

According to Jane Espenson, who wrote The Passage, the original title was The Eye of Zeus

Survivors

41,402
18 less

2006-12-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

30 Rock
The Break-Up

So, Jack is dating Condeleeza Rice. This is more a side plot, which seems to work better. Sort of a wink wink, nudge nudge thing. There's also the sensitivity training. But one important thing to me was the sketch at the end. Something about Star Jones and cooking. It's exactly the sort of thing SNL would do. Studio 60, I've heard, has failed to produce any remotely funny sketches.

Grade: B+

Returning Characters

Dennis

Rachel Dratch Plays . . .

Pamela Smew, the sensitivity trainer

2006-12-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Scrubs
My Coffee

How will Elliot be working for that guy if she's still at the hospital? Maybe all her patients will be his? Hope this makes things more interesting for her. And is Kim really going? That's awfully convenient. The big hook here was Coffeebucks, obvious take on Starbucks. Janitor got more airtime with this. And return of Doug!

Grade: B+

Returning Characters

Todd, Ted, Kim, Doug

Music

All in All
Lifehouse

2006-12-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

The Office
A Benihana Christmas, Parts 1 & 2

A whole hour of Office-ness. People haven't thought of this episode surpassing last year's Christmas episode brillance, but I'm sure they were pleased nonetheless. As was I. It was Angela vs. Pam/Karen. Nice to see those two getting along. It was obvious everyone would choose the latter's party over the former. Angela had good food. But margaritas, who can resist those? I felt a little sad for Angela, though Karen didn't. Luckily, Pam did and she invited Angela over to their party. Fun episode.

Grade: B+

Notes

This was an hour long episode

This episode was directed by Harold Ramis, who directed Groundhog Day and Analyze This and starred in Ghostbusters

Benihana is a chain of Japanese restaurants that is known for preparing your food in front of you on a steel grill

Pop Culture

Bridget Jones's Diary 2: The Edge of Reason

Jim and Karen give each other the Bridget Jones's Diary sequel, which is not as good as the original

2006-12-22T15:41:00.000-08:00

What to Watch
12/22

Monk
9 pm (black and white), 10 pm (color)
Screw black and white! I'm watching in color!

2006-12-22T15:27:00.000-08:00

Bones
Judas on a Pole

This episode included a lot of history. And a lot of conspiracy. Too much conspiracy. I wasn't able to follow it and was just confused. I totally did not see that twist coming, though I'm sure many people did. This episode was not stand alone and those usually work better. I was also confused about the mystery. It took so many twists and turns, I had no idea what was what in the end. Okay, I do know that Bones's dad is a murderer, which is never good. Her dad doesn't strike me as a murderer. Note to casting people: cast eviler looking dad. They can bring him back, even if the actor doesn't want to. Just say he got more plastic surgery. And I hate Zach's look. Evil, more evil than Bones's dad!

Grade: B

Returning Characters

Russ

Where Are They From?

Ryan O'Neal, who played Father Toby Coulter, guest starred on Desperate Housewives

Patricia Belcher, who played Asst. U.S. Attorney Caroline Julian, has guest starred on How I Met Your Mother, Boston Legal and My Name is Earl

Notes

Kathy Reichs, who played Professor Constance Wrights, is the author of the Bones books and was the inspiration for this show

This episode was directed by David Duchovny, who was Mulder on The X-files, which included many conspiracy plots

Patricia Belcher, who played Asst. U.S. Attorney Caroline Julian, played Caroline Gillian in season one's The Man in the Morgue

Title

Judas betrayed Jesus

2006-12-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Children of Men (opens 12/25)

L.A. Times ****1/2
Richard Roeper ***
UsaToday ***
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
92%

Good Sheperd

L.A. Times ****
rogerebert.com site editor **
UsaToday ***
TvGuide ***
Ew B
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
52%

Night at the Museum

L.A. Times **
Chicago Sun-Times **
UsaToday **
TvGuide **
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
52%

We Are Marshall

L.A. Times No
UsaToday *1/2
TvGuide ***
Ew C+
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
48%

2006-12-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Grading the Movies

Letters from Iwo Jima

L.A. Times *****
UsaToday ****
TvGuide ***1/2
Ew A
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
92%

The Painted Veil

L.A. Times **1/2
UsaToday ***1/2
TvGuide ***
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
76%

Rocky Balboa

L.A. Times **
Richard Roeper ***1/2
UsaToday **1/2
TvGuide ***
Ew B
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
77%

Venus

L.A. Times ****1/2
UsaToday ***
TvGuide ***
Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Rating
86%

2006-12-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

House
Merry Little Christmas

I didn't really like this episode. House wasn't as mean as last time, which was good. But he went downhill here and it was hard to watch. Cameron annoyed me here as well. She regarded Wilson as a traitor and treated him as such. If he only made the deal to make his life easier, he would've done it weeks ago. Wilson is doing it to help House. Nothing wrong with that. I wish more time was devoted to the Chase/House punch. I really didn't want Cuddy to give into House and give him more Vicodin. I felt torn about that since there was a girl's life at stake, but I've ultimately decided I was right. House was being awfully bitchy to Wilson here when I felt he had no right to. In the end, House makes the right decision too late. Only one more Tritter episode to go!

Grade: B

Returning Characters

Tritter

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Meredith Eaton-Gilden, who played Maddy, is Bethany on Boston Legal

Music

'Zat You Santa Claus
Louis Armstrong

2006-12-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Crash

This was not a lightweight episode. After championing her energy saving car, of course the dealership would only have non-hybrid cars. Marly infuriated me to no end here. Since we only saw it from Christine's side, it's possible that the accident could've been her fault. But Marly didn't want the insurance companies involved. And then she wanted Christine to pay for her damages. Luckily, the school films everything. You don't usually get that with school parking lots, but it's a rich school. Allowances have to be made. Of course, being as rich as she is, Marly handed $3000 over to Christine in about five seconds. This episode was still funny, it just felt more serious than usual.

Grade: B+

2006-12-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

How I Met Your Mother
How Lily Stole Christmas

The big question on everyone's mind is . . . what word was it? Couldn't have been bitch, because you can say that on tv. Must've been c*nt, though it's hard to believe Ted would actually Lily that. As shocked as Lily was, she should've understand why Ted said that. Whenever someone close to you breaks up with someone, you have free rein to diss them. Even if you really liked them. It's about making the other person feel better. This was a very fun episode and a great way to end the new year.

Grade: B+

Where Have I Seem Them Before?

Harry Groener, who played Clint, was the Mayor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Notes

Ted's middle name is Evelyn

Title

How Lily Stol Christmas is a play on the Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas