2009 Fall TV Lineup

ABC

RENEWED:

The Bachelor

Brothers & Sisters    -- seriously?

Dancing with the Stars

Desperate Housewives

Grey's Anatomy

Lost

Private Practice

Supernanny

Ugly Betty

Wife Swap

TO RETURN? STILL PENDING....

Better Off Ted

Castle

Cupid

In the Motherhood

Samantha Who?

Scrubs

Surviving Suburbia

The Unusuals

WORTH SAVING:

• Castle - This show is so much fun. It's the Bones of ABC. Fillion is awesome!
• Samantha Who? - a great show with feel good substance (something we need! Which is why Better Off Ted needs to go..who thinks the recession is funny?)
• Surviving Suburbia - Cute sitcom. Worth a shot.

CBS

RENEWED:

The Amazing Race

The Big Bang Theory

Criminal Minds

CSI's

Ghost Whisperer

How I Met Your Mother

The Mentalist

NCIS

Numb3rs

Rules of Engagement

Survivor

Two and a Half Men

TO RETURN? STILL PENDING

Cold Case

Eleventh Hour

Flashpoint

Gary Unmarried

New Adventures of Old Christine

The Unit

Without a Trace

Worst Week

WORTH SAVING: NONE

FOX -- dum dum dum

RENEWED

24

American Dad - not a fan, Family Guy is the gem stemmed from this necklace

American Idol

Bones

Family Guy

Fringe

House

Kitchen Nightmares

Lie to Me - not worth renewing, but Fox does not enjoy listening to their viewers...

The Simpsons

'Til Death - the third show from this category that makes me go, "?!"

TO RETURN? STILL PENDING

Dollhouse

Sit Down, Shut Up

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

WORTH KEEPING:

• Dollhouse !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

How are these two quality shows in the pending process while 'Til Death and Lie to Me are a shoe in? 

NBC

RENEWED

30 Rock

The Biggest Loser    -- worst show on television

Celebrity Apprentice

Friday Night Lights

Heroes

Law & Order(s)

Medium

The Office

Parks and Recreation

Southland

TO RETURN? STILL PENDING

Chuck

Kath & Kim

Kings

Knight Rider - this is still on? I thought they cancelled this...

Life - see above comment

My Name is Earl

WORTH KEEPING: NONE

THE CW

RENEWED

90210

America's Next Top Model

Gossip Girl - I don't understand the hype.. can someone please explain..?

One Tree Hill

Smallville

Supernatural --- I need to see this series! Target, Best Buy, Amazon.com: lower your prices so I can purchase the previous seasons!

TO RETURN? STILL PENDING

Everybody Hates Chris 

The Game

Privileged

Reaper

WORTH KEEPING: NONE  -- I honestly did not know that Chris was still on air, and I've never heard of The Game

Which shows should get canned? 

Which shows are worth saving?

Hump Day Trivia: Batman Begins

Happy 51st Birthday Michelle Pfeiffer!

Today's trivia comes from one of my favorite movies starring one of my favorite actresses: Batman Returns. Forget Halle Berry, Pfeiffer's Catwoman was superb. 

Pfeiffer's Catwoman is the only female character from the Burton/Schumacher franchise that deserves respect. The female leads are nauseating. Vickie Vale, the typical damsel who says a total of 30 words in the classic original Batman; Poison Ivy attempted  the sexy, "school teacher" appeal, but ends up looking like a sad, awkward nerd; And don't even get me started on Batgirl.

Take notes Chris Nolan....

• Annette Bening was cast as Catwoman, but was replaced by Michelle Pfeiffer when she became pregnant. Pfeiffer's $3 million salary was $2 million more than was offered to Bening.

• Paul Reubens and Diane Salinger from Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) reunite briefly at the beginning of the film as The Penguin's father and mother.

• The Batman costume weighed 55 lbs.

• The first film made in Dolby Digital.

• The massive Gotham City sets were all constructed to be mobile, and were often shifted between days of filming. Michelle Pfeiffer routinely got lost on her way to filming each day.

• The crew had a hard time getting the shot where the monkey delivers the letter from Batman to the Penguin. Evidently, Danny DeVito's make-up terrified the animal.

• Michelle Pfeiffer got through 60 catsuits during the 6 month shoot, at a cost of $1,000 a time.

• Security was so tight on the production that even Kevin Costner was refused permission to visit the set. Warner Brothers employed a private investigator firm when some shots of Danny DeVito in costume made it into the tabloids.

• Marlon Wayans was signed on to play Robin in this movie and Batman Forever (1995) - he even went through costuming for the five minutes that he appeared in the script. But when the script was re-written and Joel Schumacher took over as director, the role went to Chris O'Donnell. Wayans was paid for both movies.

• Several modifications were made to the Batsuit, including the color scheme and chestplate logo. At the request of Michael Keaton, a zipper was also added to the pants.

• During one scene, Michelle Pfeiffer had to put a live bird in her mouth.

• Names thrown out who were considered to play The Penguin include Marlon Brando, John Candy, Dustin Hoffman, Bob Hoskins and Christopher Lloyd.

Override the President's televised speech: It's the "American" way

"Hi, I'm Ryan Seacrest."

Tomorrow night, Fox has decided to not televise President Barack Obama's  speech to the American public in fear that it will cut into the American Idol Result Show.

So let me get this straight, American Idol has the power to run into the excellent Sci-Fi series, Fringe but our United States President can not touch a mere second of Idol's 60, er more like 64 minutes of air time. (For the past two weeks, I have seen a double dose of Ryan Seacrest, 1.)During the actual American Idol, and 2.) At the beginning of what should be a full episode of Fringe on my DVR recording. Instead, I get more Sea"men"crest and less Walter! I would love to see an entire episode of Fringe. 

Which also reminds me, CW, could you also stop confusing my DVR regarding the time slot of 90210. Consistency is key! 

What do you think about the American debate? Who deserves the time: American Idol or the American President?

And are you also  having a "little failure to communicate situation" with your DVR?

Yer gonna get da horns..

Yesterday, Chicago made sports history. .. and get this... Michael Jordan had NOTHING to do with it... gasp!

The 2 1/2 hour televised NBA game, Bulls vs. Celtics was more multi-climactic than the majority of films under the Sports Genre (remember Whoopi's Eddie? Or more recently, Semi-Pro? Ya, me neither..)

I'm thinking of pitching an idea to the studios

In case you missed this gorgeous event let me outline a synopsis for you:

• Protagonist: Ben Gordon 
  
• Antagonist: the Celtics (hmmm wonder which team I was rooting for...)
• Climax: Overtime
• 2nd Climax: Ben Gordon three pointer to tie the game
• 3rd Climax: Double Overtime
• Falling Action: 5 seconds left, Celtics have ball, need a three pointer, sloppy nothings follow
• Resolution: Bulls vs. Celtics Final Score: 121-118

Ok, you may be wondering why I am writing a blog entry about this legendary game is because as I was watching the game, I came to a cinematic realization. Head Bulls Coach Vinny Del Negro closely resembles actor Luke Wilson, perhaps you know his older brother? Owen Wilson. 

*Sidenote: How did Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian get greenlit? That money could be utilized for more worthy projects (i.e. Dollhouse.... ah hem..) Fox...grrr arrrg.

Things that make you go, hmmmm

"Perhaps I can play some other role in the show."

"I'll see you tonight in the privacy of your home..."

Continuous Proof that ex Illinois Rod Blagojevich needs to be put in a sound proof isolation room, for ---ever. I'm just waiting for Hollywood to Greenlight a Blago BioPic.

Here are some fresh classic quotes from the today's NBC Press Conference held today in Los Angeles.

• "Trying to survive in a jungle somewhere would have been my first choice," Blagojevich said. "I sold myself that this was my way to be a modern day Teddy Roosevelt. I'd be in a jungle, but would have had the advantage of being with interesting celebrities, while he didn't." 
• Asked why he was interested in becoming a reality "star", Blagojevich said he's a fan of California's Governor Ahnuld. "When I was the governor of Illinois, my second favorite governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now he's my favorite. Doing something like this is sort of the reverse [career path] as Arnold's."
• "Even if I can't participate, I can promote it and talk about it," he said. 
• Although the judge has denied Blago from becoming a contestant on the show, the producers are trying to find a way to incorporate him into the show.---I am scared. It's all about the ratings..

Ok, do you think Blago is completely nuts? Or he is playing the  "Is Chicken of the Sea with chicken?" bit (gloriously coined by Jessica Simpson.)

ROSEMARY’S BABY: An unplanned pregnancy leads to complications.

I stumbled upon (thank you stumbleupon.com) a wonderful blog site called Post Modern Barney.com

On April 14, the entry was titled "Uncomfortable Plot Summaries". It certainly intrigued me.

I was pleased indeed. 

The entry has a list of various films, old and new with one sentence summaries.

Here are a few of my favorites from the list. Click HERE for the full collection.

• 8 MILE: White man successfully coopts black culture to impress other whites.
• BILLY ELLIOT: Union worker turns back on strikers for personal gain.
• BOOGIE NIGHTS: Deformed boy goaded into life of crime.
• CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Deranged pedophile big-business industrialist tortures and mutilates young children.
• E.T.: Out-of-control pet causes mayhem, sadness.
• FIGHT CLUB: Deranged sociopath guides yuppies to their deaths.
• IRON MAN: Alcoholic rich white man with technology fetish goes vigilante.
• JUNO: Teen fails to get abortion, ruins lives.
• KARATE KID: Boy gains acceptance through violence.
• KILL BILL: Irresponsible mother wants custody of her child.
• LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: Retarded man doesn’t know what sex toy is for.
• LORD OF THE RINGS: Midget destroys stolen property
• LOVE ACTUALLY: Prime Minister risks war with United States over a sexy secretary.
• MY GIRL: Boy killed by female friend’s irresponsibility.
• ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST: Disruptive mental patients treated.
• RISKY BUSINESS: Privileged rich kid gets everything he wants with no consequences.
• ROSEMARY’S BABY: An unplanned pregnancy leads to complications.
• SPIDER-MAN: Nerd gets bitten by spider, complains about how this ruins his life for years to come.
• TERMINATOR: An unplanned pregnancy leads to complications.
• TITANIC: Crazy old widow disregards lifelong memories of husband, children, and grandchildren in favor of that one time she fucked a bum.
• V FOR VENDETTA: Dystopian government overthrown by faceless conformity.

Socially awkward conversations may arise.

Hump Day Trivia: Jack Attack

Jack Nicholson is 72 years old today. Wow! Really? Grandpa Jack is 72?! Crazy.

To celebrate wacko Jacko's birthday, I devote this week's Hump Day Trivia  to my favorite Nicholson film (which was extremely hard to choose): One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. 

For a film to be inducted into my "favorite films list", it must be a film that I can 

a) Watch more than 5 times and still feel emotionally connected

b.) Can watch the entire film in one sitting

c.) Will watch it on cable even though my personal copy is in my movie library, which is only 2 feet from the television set.

  •Many extras were authentic mental patients.

• Most of Jack Nicholson's scene with Dean R. Brooks upon arriving at the hospital was improvised - including his slamming a stapler, asking about a fishing photo, and discussing his rape conviction; Brooks's reactions were authentic.
• With the exception of the fishing segment (which was filmed last), the film was shot in sequence.
  
• Ken Kesey, who wrote the original novel, said he would never watch the movie version and even sued the movie's producers because it wasn't shown from Chief Bromden's perspective (as the novel is).
• Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman were offered the McMurphy role before Jack Nicholson.
• During filming, a crew member running cables left a second story window open at the Oregon State Mental Hospital and an actual patient climbed through the bars and fell to the ground, injuring himself. The next day The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon reported the incident with the headline on the front page "One flew OUT of the cuckoo's nest".
• Christopher Lloyd's film debut.
• Louise Fletcher was so upset with the fact that the other actors could laugh and be happy while she had to be so cold and heartless that near the end of production she removed her dress and stood in only her panties to prove to the actors she was not "a cold-hearted monster".

I'm Not a Celebrity...Don't Bother Getting Me Out of this Remote Island...

How is the wannabe celebrity version of Survivor still on the air, while Freaks and Geeks gets cancelled after one phenomenal season? But that's beside the point..

Some of the contestants are Janice Dickinson, talk show host Geraldo Rivera, Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" (nice), and The Hills couple Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt.

Ex Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is rumored to join the "D"og meat cast if the court gives the final approval.

Including crazed out Blago would skyrocket NBC's summer ratings. More people will tune in to watch the crazy politician go all ape on his components.  Smart move NBC, smart move.

I think this calls for another dose of Movie Poster Mash Ups: The Political Version

Well Twittle E Dee

Yep. I'm a NitTwit.

Oprah is on Twitter. 

Oprah is God.

Twitter is now officially a Pop Culture Phenomenon.

I must admit, I am part of the Tweeter flock. I am Twittering, Tweetling, Tweeting, Twattering..(sorry inappropriate)

Anyways, a main reason as to why I have joined another social media platform is because

  

     a.) I am hip

     b.) Oprah told me to

     c.) I want to read the cute sayings that Ashton Kutcher and his wife, Twitter username mrskutcher (Demi Moore) relay to one another

Oh wait, no I have been a user prior to these events.

Ok, the real reason as to why I am on Twitter is:

•  find blogs 
• post my new blog entries
•  stay in touch with friends. 
•  follow some high status Twitlebrities
• I like the Twitterology. Tweet, nitwit, twittle, etc...

Twitter is an excellent Marketing tool. I use it to let my followers know of my newest blog posts (which is going to be quite ironic after I have posted this)...

Anyways, I think Twitter is simple, basic, and the best online social media Marketing Tool to date. Goodbye Myspace!

Here are some Twitterific folks that I am following:

• Active Dollhouse: Dollhouse is an Excellent Show. FOX..... don't cancel this....
  
• 
  
• Team Jacob. Taylor Lautner is hot. Don't judge. I don't even know if this is the real Taylor Lautner, but that is ok. 
  
• 
  
• Cinematical: One of my favorite movie blogs. Worthy of my stalk time.
• 
  
• EWPopWatch: Entertainment Weekly is one of the few magazines that I read on a weekly basis, now I get a daily dose of Popness!
• 
  
• EWAusielloFiles: I enjoy Mr. Spoiler, he keeps me guessing..
• 
  
• Mashable: Hands down my favorite birdie. The mashable site is the prime resource guide for every social media platform: Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Blogger, etc. Up to date news, lists (my favorite way to retrieve info), and other guides pertaining to the social circuit world.
• 
  
• someecards: My daily dose of chuckles
• 
  
• TinaFey: duh
• 
  
• darthvader: My second favorite cyber friend
• 
  
• amber_benson: Initially followed her just because she is part of Whedonverse, but her tweets are very entertaining. Pictures, musings, happenings.
• 
  
• imdb : because having it as my homepage isn't enough..
• 
  
• whedonesque: everything Joss
• 
  
• The Ellen Show: Ellen's tweets are quite amusing. Also, it helps me determine whether I need to set my tivo for that day's show.

Who are you following? 

Suggestions?

Who should I be following that I've left off this list?

Every Creature on Earth Must Watch This

It is British Television at its finest.

If Susan doesn't make your heart melt, a rare smitten Simon certainly will!

The video below does not need a description. It speaks volumes... beautiful volumes...

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
Uploaded by dwarthy

Hump Day Trivia: Knocked Up

Happy Birthday Seth Rogen! Apatow's teddy bear turned 27 today. To celebrate his day of birth I am dedicating this week's Hump Day to Knocked Up. No pun intended.

• The film's translation in Russia is "A little bit pregnant"
  
  
• This movie was originally going to be a follow up to The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005), having Seth Rogen and team to reprise their roles as the Smart Tech team.
  
  
• During the credits, when the cast and crew's actual family photos are being shown,Joanna Kerns' photo with her child is the same photo that was used in the opening credits of her sitcom show "Growing Pains" (1985).Much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors or fed to them in the moment by Judd Apatow just before a take.
  
• 
  
• The kids who play the children of Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd) are actually the real children of Mann and director Judd Apatow, her husband
  
• 
  
• .Anne Hathaway was originally cast as Alison Scott but left due to 'creative differences'. In an interview, she revealed that she objected to the use of the footage of a real birth.
• 
  
• Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kate Bosworth and Portia de Rossi were all considered for the role of Alison Scott.
• 
  
• Judd Apatow was originally planning on using real footage of a woman giving birth for the delivery scene. However, at the last minute, he was unable to because he needed a worker's permit for the yet-to-be-born child.
  

*To Ponder*

     Anyone else think he looks like this year's Idol Danny Gokey?

The New Blair Witch Effect

2 hours of shakes and quakes gave many people the urge to purge back in 1999 with The Blair Witch Project.

Now, people may reconnect with their inner "selves" again in 2009. 10 Year Anniversary: Vrooom Vroom let's vomit during the newest film showing of 2009's Fast & Furious.

In my recent Entertainment Weekly, there was an article about the newest interactive experience at the movies. And no, I'm not talking about the mass tsunami of Digital 3-D that is taking over all forms of pixel media. 

The Newest Interactive Experience: Simulated Movie Theatre Seats! 

Ah yes, let's make a larger economic dent to the ailing amusement parks.

These new chairs vibrate, move, sway, and mimic movements that are adjacent to the actions on screen. A movie theatre in Los Angeles has installed a row of these interactive seats for the newest installment of the ultra-adrenaline automotive franchise, Fast & Furious.

When Vin is revving his engine, the viewer will be sharing the motor vibrations. 

I don't know how I feel about this new, innovative way of watching a film. I am still trying to accept that every animated film will now be distributed in digital 3-D (After 30 minutes of wearing the psychedelic goggles, it gets old and I get a headache). 

What if I just want to go to a movie and.... WATCH a movie? My eyeballs would love a little downtime, and I know what it feels like to drive a car, I don't need a 2 hour interactive demonstration.

Thoughts?

To Steal a Phrase: "Grrrrr... Arrrrgh"

Networks usually air movies that pertain to a specific American event.

For example, during the month of December, the networks air the traditional holiday favorites:  Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, and claymation classics such as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Additionally, we expect Rudy, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and The Replacements to air before America's unofficial holiday, The Super Bowl takes place.

But do networks air specific movies when a major news story hits CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc?

For example, last week a stirring story took over airtime (Is there still a war overseas?.. ah hem.) The Pirate story. You know it. Even if you get your news from Jay Leno. The story took over all forms of television, including AMC.

Yes, the cable network, AMC, the American Movie Channel. The channel that plays bi weekly Godfather marathons, weekly Dirty Harry marathons, and finds room to include Donald Draper once in a while.

Earlier today, AMC aired the 1991 Peter Pan version, Hook.

At first, I thought it was leftover candy from the Easter Holiday weekend but then about 1 hour ago it hit me. Hook=Pirates=News Story

Subliminal television messages portrayed through the mascara applied eyes of Dustin Hoffman. 

Hmmmm

Furthermore and probably the most important question in this blog entry: 

What is the fate for the annual "Talk Like a Pirate Day"? (Which occurs on September 19)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Bring on the Peeps! 

You can pretty much do anything with the fun little marshmallow figurine, (I enjoy putting one in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Result: The cousin of Stay Puft.)

One man decided to replicate the entire classic film, The Wizard of Oz, in Peep Form.

I give you The Wizard of Peeps

Happy Easter Weekend!

Happy Easter! Let's celebrate with a 30 second re enactment of Sixteen Candles performed by....Bunnies!

10 Shows facing Network Judgement Day..

Fillion!

Tv.com recently reported the 10 shows that could be axed, chopped, cut up, and thrown into a special edition DVD pack.

Which ones are worth saving? Which ones should peace out?

In addition to the 10 shows listed, I have included my personal opinion: STAY or FILLET (get out the George Foreman)

10. Without a Trace / Cold Case- CBS : FILLET : please, just go away already. Both of You's

9. Knight Rider- NBC: FILLET: I honestly thought this show was cancelled last year.

8. In the Motherhood- ABC: STAY: This show has potential. This week Oprah plugged this show into her Monday episode, "Secret Lives of Moms". If Oprah can not attract the target audience for this show, then it's a goner. Only ratings will tell..

7. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles- FOX: STAY: This has a good chance of staying on air. Mainly because McG's "Terminator: Salvation" is hitting theaters this May. 

6. My Name is Earl- NBC: FILLET: I know this show is a favorite for many, but it bothers me. Earl has an annoying voice. 

5. Kings- NBC: STAY: Ok, I haven't watched it yet, but I have all the aired episodes on my DVR. NBC, wait for the delayed demo!

4. Castle- ABC: STAY: PLEASE! If I had to choose one show to save from this list, it would be this gem. I love it! Fillion!

3. Reaper- CW: FILLET: Ya, no.

2. Dollhouse- FOX: STAY: I love Joss Whedon. Fox, you toy with my emotions. I would like to dedicate the following song "Time after Time" to you. You cancel my shows "time after time...."

1. Chuck- NBC - FILLET: This show has a devoted fan base (similar to the Whedonite clan) but as every Whedonite knows, that means nothing! There's a slim chance it will remain on air for the 09-10 season. It may be another casualty caused by the Leno Effect.

*Leno Effect: The term coined by myself as to explain the 10PM/ET time slot that will be reserved 5 days a week, to Jay Leno. 

Hump Day Trivia: House, M.D.

If you have not read yesterday's entry, let me recap for you (but still read it): The newest episode of House M.D. was one of the finest hours in television. It was brilliant.

Therefore, this week, I bring you fun tidbits from the recently re-invented Fox television show, House M.D.

• Hugh Laurie's own father was a doctor, and he feels a twinge of guilt at "being paid more to become a fake version of my own father."
•  
• The Production Company credit at the end of the show for Bad Hat Harry productions ("That's some bad hat, Harry") is a reference to the movie Jaws (1975).
• 
  
•  Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer) is an intensivist, a doctor who specializes in intensive care. This specialty is new and uncommon in the United States, but well-established in Australia, where the character is from.
• 
  
•  Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison became engaged in December of 2006. This was at roughly the time they were shooting the first episodes in which their characters, Dr. Chase and Dr. Cameron, began a romantic relationship.
• 
  
•  On "Inside the Actors Studio" (1994), Hugh Laurie admitted that when he first read the script for House (which did not have the title of "House M.D." at the time) he believed that the character of Wilson was the lead. He just couldn't believe that a man such as House could be the star of the show.
• 
  
•  During Hugh Laurie's audition, producer David Shore told how Bryan Singer, one of the executive producers, said, "See, this is what I want; an American guy." Singer was completely unaware of the fact that Hugh Laurie is British.
•  
  
• Omar Epps' character, Eric Foreman, shares a name with the lead character on "That '70s Show" (1998), played by Topher Grace.