Well, four days later and I've finally watched the latest episode of Monk. Watching shows back-to-back is a good and a bad thing.
The bad is Adrian himself. He's so self-absorbed that it gets tiresome hour after hour. I ended up just wanting to smack him. It stopped being cute and lovable, I guess.
The good is all of the inside jokes. In the season 6 Christmas episode, the truck that's blocking the intersection is marked "BBQ" the quarry Monk and Kroger's son got buried in. Randy Disher is wearing the sweater his aunt sent him, the red one that she said she made, but one of the other cops knew came from the local big-box store. And the best part is they weren't mentioned, they were just there, as little Easter eggs to constant viewers.
What happens with my iTunes Store subscriptions to Monk and Psych are still unknown. They said they'd get back to me, but they haven't so far. I may have to resort to waiting to rent them from NetFlix again when the DVDs come out. Not a smart move, NBC/Universal. Happy New Year, y'all!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monk
Today I'm catching up on season's 4-6 of Monk. I bought it (I think I mentioned...) from the iTunes Store, and all those episodes have been sitting on my hard drive and iPod, just waiting for me. I'm enjoying every scrump-diddly-umptious episode.
Life on Mars, Season 1
Liking it so far (after 4 episodes). Dense story, requires attention, but worth the effort.
I can't deal with it this morning, however, so I'm on to season 4 of Monk (yeah, I'm behind). Monk's mild humor is more my style today.
More later.
I can't deal with it this morning, however, so I'm on to season 4 of Monk (yeah, I'm behind). Monk's mild humor is more my style today.
More later.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Psych, Season 2
I caught up with Psych today. Better than going to the movies!
I love this show's heart. James Roday and Dulé Hill have such great chemistry together. The show goes over the top without making me roll my eyes at it, and I love, love love all of the pop culture references (even the ones I don't quite get and have to Google!).
I bought a season pass for both Psych and Monk from the iTunes Store. When the Grinches at NBC/Universal pulled their content, it included these shows; USA Network is part of NBC/Uni. The CSRs at the iTS have told me that they're trying to work out what happens to the rest of my season pass.
About that I am not amused at NBC/Uni.
I love this show's heart. James Roday and Dulé Hill have such great chemistry together. The show goes over the top without making me roll my eyes at it, and I love, love love all of the pop culture references (even the ones I don't quite get and have to Google!).
I bought a season pass for both Psych and Monk from the iTunes Store. When the Grinches at NBC/Universal pulled their content, it included these shows; USA Network is part of NBC/Uni. The CSRs at the iTS have told me that they're trying to work out what happens to the rest of my season pass.
About that I am not amused at NBC/Uni.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Nip/Tuck, Season 5
Well, I caught up on Nip/Tuck today. I thought the move to LA would be interesting and refreshing for the show, and I was partially right. The addition of Bradley Cooper to the cast is brilliant (and hey, he's easy on the eyes!) but it appears that McNamara/Troy's problems have followed them to Cali from Miami. Matt is still with Kimber, and they're meth addicts, Julia's taken up with Olivia (Portia di Rossi, also very easy on the eyes!), who has a toxic daughter, Eden. By episode 8, Sean has slept with Eden, who is his ex-wife's lover's 18-year-old daughter. (Shudder) And even better, he's had a minor heart attack for his troubles. Matt has a small meth lab explosion and ends up with burns over about half of his body. All I can say is that it's too bad his eyebrows weren't singed off. I mean, look how much better Peter Petrelli looked after Sylar cut off that horrid bang!
I've decided to view this show as a dramedy, a parody of soap operas. The "show within a show" idea is clearly a self-parody, and as long as there's no Carver involved I'm still along for the ride.
I've decided to view this show as a dramedy, a parody of soap operas. The "show within a show" idea is clearly a self-parody, and as long as there's no Carver involved I'm still along for the ride.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Return to Paradise
I like Ghost Whisperer, so I started looking for some of David Conrad's past work. I found this 1998 film, Return to Paradise, which also stars Vince Vaughn, Joaquin Phoneix and Anne Heche.
The three boys spend a summer in Malaysia, being boys (i.e., stupid and thoughtless). Phoenix's character stays behind to work with orangutans, but we find out two years later that he's been imprisoned the entire time. Seems he was arrested for drug trafficking soon after the other two returned to New York. Heche plays Phoenix's American lawyer, who tells Conrad and Vaughn that if they don't return to Malaysia, Phoenix will be executed.
The cinematography was beautiful, the story simply told. Pace drags in the second half, but the ending was satisfying. At just under two hours, it was perfect for this rainy afternoon. DVD extras include only cast and director bios. It's a dual-sided disc including Standard and Wide-screen.
The three boys spend a summer in Malaysia, being boys (i.e., stupid and thoughtless). Phoenix's character stays behind to work with orangutans, but we find out two years later that he's been imprisoned the entire time. Seems he was arrested for drug trafficking soon after the other two returned to New York. Heche plays Phoenix's American lawyer, who tells Conrad and Vaughn that if they don't return to Malaysia, Phoenix will be executed.
The cinematography was beautiful, the story simply told. Pace drags in the second half, but the ending was satisfying. At just under two hours, it was perfect for this rainy afternoon. DVD extras include only cast and director bios. It's a dual-sided disc including Standard and Wide-screen.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tonight, Kid Nation
New on FOX tonight: Back to You and ’Til Death (notice I got the apostrophe right, FOX?) and Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.
New on The CW: America's Next Top Model and Gossip Girl. I don't care if Kristin Bell is doing the voice overs, I'm not watching it. Can't wait to get me some Miss Tyra, though!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
BB8 Finale (spoilers)
So, Evel Dick wins $500,000. Info and screen caps at Big Brother Updates. Daniele wins $50K. She can buy a nice car with that. And nothing else, evil grin!
The Real feeds are back, showing the "first night" in the house, which we know was a week after they actually entered. Hmmm. A Dustin/Carol alliance I missed!
Also tonight, the premiere of Beauty and the Geek and Live from Lincoln Center, reviews to follow.
The Real feeds are back, showing the "first night" in the house, which we know was a week after they actually entered. Hmmm. A Dustin/Carol alliance I missed!
Also tonight, the premiere of Beauty and the Geek and Live from Lincoln Center, reviews to follow.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Prison Break, K-ville first impressions
Mondays on FOX are going to be dark.
Two disclaimers:
I was distracted by moderating Big Brother Updates.
I was frustrated by the lack of KTVI's DT signal quality. I had to keep futzing with my antenna to get a constant signal. KTVI and our PBS station, KETC Channel 9, have the worst signal quality for DT.
Prison Break is dark. Michael is in Hell, and Linc is powerless. Think "Lord of the Flies" with adults. Bellick is there, in tighty whiteys...and nothing else. T-bag, too. The photography and underscoring are phenomenal, and yes: I'm sucked back in to this world.
K-ville is a harder sell. Everyone is damaged, including the city itself. Again, the photography and scoring are great; I even buy in to the shaky hand-held camera stuff. They won't get much of a chance with me if it's not much better next week, because the season is in full swing in seven days. Next week K-ville is up against Heroes, 2-1/2 Men and Dancing with the Stars. If you're gonna get better, K-Ville, now's the time. I have only so much tape and a limited number of hours.
Two disclaimers:
I was distracted by moderating Big Brother Updates.
I was frustrated by the lack of KTVI's DT signal quality. I had to keep futzing with my antenna to get a constant signal. KTVI and our PBS station, KETC Channel 9, have the worst signal quality for DT.
Prison Break is dark. Michael is in Hell, and Linc is powerless. Think "Lord of the Flies" with adults. Bellick is there, in tighty whiteys...and nothing else. T-bag, too. The photography and underscoring are phenomenal, and yes: I'm sucked back in to this world.
K-ville is a harder sell. Everyone is damaged, including the city itself. Again, the photography and scoring are great; I even buy in to the shaky hand-held camera stuff. They won't get much of a chance with me if it's not much better next week, because the season is in full swing in seven days. Next week K-ville is up against Heroes, 2-1/2 Men and Dancing with the Stars. If you're gonna get better, K-Ville, now's the time. I have only so much tape and a limited number of hours.
It's a new season!
As I yawningly hang on for the last two nights of Big Brother 8, with the lovely Donatos pére and fille, I slowly prepare for the Fall season, beginning tonight.
The Donatos have spent the last several days and nights slamming the evicted houseguests, the jury questions, and anything else they can think of. I'm still moderating at Big Brother Updates, and will be for the next few weeks. After Big Brother 8 ends Tuesday night, I'll sample Kid Nation, beginning Wednesday; and Survivor:China starts Thursday. And yes, I'll be moderating at Survivor Updates. Please join me!
I stopped at my favorite big box store on the way home from work, to pick up an 8-pack of 8-hour tapes. Fresh stuff to feed to the four VCRs. New this season is the Elgato EyeTV, for HD recording to my computer. I also have a new DVD recorder that isn't quite hooked up yet.
On to tonight's lineup. It's still sparse: FOX has premieres of Prison Break and K-Ville; CBS, CW and ABC are still in reruns; and NBC is debuting game shows Deal or No Deal and The Singing Bee before repeating last season's Heroes finale. I think I'll save the game shows for reruns in December.
Prison Break looks to be awfully dark this year, with Michael in a Panamanian prison and Linc trying to break him out, in reversal from season one; K-Ville, set in post-Katrina New Orleans, sounds good, but critics' reviews are mixed.
The Donatos have spent the last several days and nights slamming the evicted houseguests, the jury questions, and anything else they can think of. I'm still moderating at Big Brother Updates, and will be for the next few weeks. After Big Brother 8 ends Tuesday night, I'll sample Kid Nation, beginning Wednesday; and Survivor:China starts Thursday. And yes, I'll be moderating at Survivor Updates. Please join me!
I stopped at my favorite big box store on the way home from work, to pick up an 8-pack of 8-hour tapes. Fresh stuff to feed to the four VCRs. New this season is the Elgato EyeTV, for HD recording to my computer. I also have a new DVD recorder that isn't quite hooked up yet.
On to tonight's lineup. It's still sparse: FOX has premieres of Prison Break and K-Ville; CBS, CW and ABC are still in reruns; and NBC is debuting game shows Deal or No Deal and The Singing Bee before repeating last season's Heroes finale. I think I'll save the game shows for reruns in December.
Prison Break looks to be awfully dark this year, with Michael in a Panamanian prison and Linc trying to break him out, in reversal from season one; K-Ville, set in post-Katrina New Orleans, sounds good, but critics' reviews are mixed.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Fourth, America!
I'm such a sentimental sap. I'm sitting here on a national holiday, working on a database deployment while watching Keith Lockhart conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra from the Esplinade. Curiously, hosted by Craig (the Scot) Ferguson. Balanced out by John Mellencamp. Oh, look, drunk college girls gone wild. (sigh)
There also are lots of military personnel there, especially Navy boys and girls.
Back to the sentimental sap train of thought. I'm typing this through tears. Yep. All those years sweating almost to death, playing outdoor concerts for the St. Louis Philharmonic and the Compton Heights Concert Band. Sometimes at the height of heights, sometimes just looking for the paycheck -- pause for comment, the BSO clarinets are, from Principal to third, colored red, white and blue. Hokey, but I love it. And Lockhart, for some unexplained reason, is using three batons to conduct. OK, I'm back. Sometimes it was awful, sometimes great, but I always came away knowing that I'd made some people happy.
So thank you, BSO, for entertaining me tonight. And Maestro Lockhart, you're still very easy on the eyes!
There also are lots of military personnel there, especially Navy boys and girls.
Back to the sentimental sap train of thought. I'm typing this through tears. Yep. All those years sweating almost to death, playing outdoor concerts for the St. Louis Philharmonic and the Compton Heights Concert Band. Sometimes at the height of heights, sometimes just looking for the paycheck -- pause for comment, the BSO clarinets are, from Principal to third, colored red, white and blue. Hokey, but I love it. And Lockhart, for some unexplained reason, is using three batons to conduct. OK, I'm back. Sometimes it was awful, sometimes great, but I always came away knowing that I'd made some people happy.
So thank you, BSO, for entertaining me tonight. And Maestro Lockhart, you're still very easy on the eyes!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Jericho, on CBS
Thanks to tons of nuts, and the fans that sent them, Jericho will be back for a second season. I like the show; it has heart.
To build the fan base over the summer CBS has started Jericho Rising on the CBS Web site. If you haven't watched the show, this is a great place to start catching up. CBS plans to air the first season's midseason recap later this summer, then the second half of the season before September.
Even if we only get the promised eight episodes, at least there will be a resolution to the story.
To build the fan base over the summer CBS has started Jericho Rising on the CBS Web site. If you haven't watched the show, this is a great place to start catching up. CBS plans to air the first season's midseason recap later this summer, then the second half of the season before September.
Even if we only get the promised eight episodes, at least there will be a resolution to the story.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Big Brother 8 (US): 5d5h4m to go!
I've been watching Big Brother for 8 seasons now. I've had the live feeds for three. I suppose I'm a true voyeur, because I have no interest in actually being on the show/in the house; I just want to watch.
This year the twist appears to be enemies. People who hate each other, or are uncomfortable around each other. So far it looks like a pair of cheerleaders, a father and his daughter, and possibly a couple of gay exes.
As every summer, when I'm not working or sleeping, I'm in front of the computer watching the live feeds and moderating at BigBrotherUpdates. Come check us out and join the board! Even if you just want to lurk as a guest, you're welcome, and you can sign up for the live feeds from a link on the main page.
This year the twist appears to be enemies. People who hate each other, or are uncomfortable around each other. So far it looks like a pair of cheerleaders, a father and his daughter, and possibly a couple of gay exes.
As every summer, when I'm not working or sleeping, I'm in front of the computer watching the live feeds and moderating at BigBrotherUpdates. Come check us out and join the board! Even if you just want to lurk as a guest, you're welcome, and you can sign up for the live feeds from a link on the main page.
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