What's Happening to Me?

Whenever I’m really into a show, I talk to the TV…

I try to guess what’s going to happen. I reason out the story during the commercial breaks. During “24,” I rarely shut up.

So Thursday night, I found myself asking the TV a lot of questions. Who are the other two? What’s the significance of $3.2 million?

But then, a more important question popped up…

What’s happening to me?

Because somehow, without even realizing it, I’ve become a Lostie [Cue the creepy music.].

I LOVED the pilot episode of “Lost,” but ever since then I’ve had a problem with the show. I’ve been annoyed by the constant hype. I’ve been annoyed by the arrogance of executive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. And I’ve been annoyed by the storylines that seem to go on and on without any real rhyme or reason to them.

But now, I am totally engrossed in the story of The Oceanic Six.

In fact, I could really care less about the island. I just want to know what happened to create the future we are now seeing.

And as for the lack of answers, you can throw that right out the window as we are now getting clues at a breakneck pace (Granted, they are not clues about the island, but like I said, I don’t care about that.)…

[Warning: If you have not seen Thursday’s “Lost,” stop reading now.]

We now know that Jack, Kate, Sayid and Hurley are part of The Oceanic Six. If Aaron counts as the fifth, then there is only one more to be revealed. Team Darlton has promised we will know them all by episode seven and has even added fuel to the speculation that Ben could be one as well, even though he wasn’t on the plane (Remember, he is a master of fake IDs.).

We know that one of the secrets the six are keeping is what actually happened after the crash. Apparently, the six concocted a story that there were only eight survivors, but two did not make it.

We also know that something happened to Claire since Kate has Aaron and Jack can’t bring himself to see him.

But it’s the questions that are left that have me hooked. Why is Sayid killing for Ben in the future? Who is the sixth person? Who are the other two survivors that Jack referred to when he said there were only eight? And what happened to everyone else?

Because of the writers’ strike, there will be some answers that we’ll have to wait for as the season will be cut from 16 to 13 episodes. But Team Darlton promises the answers will come.

And for some reason, I actually believe them.

Man, I really am a Lostie now, aren’t I?

What’s happening to me?

Pick of the Week: A Fashion Face-Off

This week, I’m going with part one of the conclusion of one of my favorite shows…

My Pick of the Week is “Project Runway.”

Two weeks ago, “Runway” gave us yet another first. Unable to decide between Rami and Chris, the judges decided to allow them both to design a final collection. The two will then face off on the runway with their three best looks to determine who will join Christian and Jillian at Fashion Week [Of course, that’s slightly deceptive since all four of them—and Sweet P.—showed at Fashion Week so as not to reveal the finalists before they were revealed on the show.].

Now you’d think I’d be really excited about this twist since Chris has been my favorite since day one. But he disappointed me last challenge by copying something he had already done and then sleeping instead of spending time making it look good.

Then, he committed the cardinal sin by refusing to listen to Tim, while showing a cockiness we had not seen from him before. So, I was actually okay with him being eliminated.

Having cheated and seen pictures and reviews from Fashion Week, I’m pretty sure I know what’s going to happen this week. And I’m pretty sure I know who’s going to win it all as well. But I won’t ruin the fun for you because I can guarantee you’re going to see some things you’ve never seen before…

“Project Runway” airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on Bravo…

Be Careful What You Ask For

So I asked for the strike to end, and it has.

But now, there's SO MUCH to tell you, I can't catch up!

Be careful what you ask for...

Feel free to use this post to comment on whatever you'd like and I'll get caught up as soon as I can...

Thanks, Mom

When I was a very little girl, my mother bought a new television so that I could watch “Sesame Street.”

And thus, my love of television began…

But my mom didn’t quit there. When I was in fifth grade, I had to be in bed by 8 p.m., except for Tuesdays when she let me stay up and watch “The A-Team.” And in September when the show had its two-hour premiere, I was allowed to stay up until 10. This was, after all, before VCRs.

When I was in eighth grade, we got our first VCR, and my mom used it to tape “Another World” for me every day.

Now, before you accuse my mom of being a bad influence, I should point out that I did manage to graduate Summa Cum Laude from both high school and college, so clearly the TV didn’t warp my brain too badly…

And when I finally moved out on my own, I don’t think I have to tell you who bought me my first “TV Guide” subscription.

Yes, when I look back on it, I don’t think there’s any question that it was my mom who ignited my love for television…

However, we didn’t really love the same shows. She watched all the procedurals—“Law and Order,” all of the “CSI” shows, “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case” and, of course, her beloved “NCIS.”

When I was younger, it was all about “Family Ties.” So it was only appropriate that last week, the “Today” show featured a reunion of the “Ties” cast.

I also remember that Mom (and Dad) loved “St. Elsewhere.” Of course, that was WAY past my bedtime. But when we got our VCR, Mom taped it for me. I remember her urging me to watch the series finale so she could see if I loved the way it ended as much as she did (I think we were the only ones on the planet that thought it was great.).

Mom didn’t like anything tawdry—although she got a good laugh out of “Two and a Half Men”—but she did make time for “Knots Landing” every week. However, I think that’s just because she had a thing for William Devane. And why wouldn’t she?

As I’m sure you’ve figured out, my mother passed away while I was gone last week. And I miss her more than I could possibly tell you…

But because she gave me my love of TV, there’s no doubt that she would want me to continue to share that with all of you.

So if you enjoy my blogs, don’t thank me. Thank my mom...

I know I do, for that, and so much else...

Going Away

I have to be away from the blog for a little while, but I’ll be back soon…

Maybe when I come back, this whole writers’ strike nightmare will be over…

Pick of the Week: The Walls Start Tumbling Again

Normally during this week in February, I would just pick the Daytona 500 and be done with it.

But I know not everyone is into NASCAR; and there’s another pretty big TV event going on this week.

My Pick of the Week is the season premiere of “Jericho.”

As you well know by now, CBS cancelled “Jericho” in May, but brought it back for seven episodes after a massive fan campaign. Now, with the lack of new shows, CBS is thrilled to have it on the schedule.

And with the current state of the pilot season, good ratings will guarantee what was once unthinkable—a third season.

I’ve seen the first five minutes of the premiere and they’re pretty intense as the new federal government moves in to restore order and stop the fighting between Jericho and New Bern.

And here’s something interesting. In the world of “Jericho,” the country is split in two with capitals in Cheyenne, Wyoming and—are you ready for this?—Columbus, Ohio…

“Jericho” premieres Tuesday, February 12th at 10 p.m. on CBS…

"Hannah" Hits the Big Screen Again

On the heels of the monstrously successful “Hannah Montana” concert movie. Disney has announced a “Hannah” feature film will go into production in April.

Now, before you snicker and scream overkill, I would like to point out that “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” was pretty good…

Is the End in Sight?

You’ve probably heard that the writers’ strike could be over very soon.

I haven’t said anything about it because I really didn’t want to jinx it; and if you remember, I’ve taken you down this road before (Thanks a lot, Nikki Finke.).

But this time it looks like the end could really be in sight—possibly as early as Monday.

Saturday, the WGA members will meet and the guild leadership will present the details of what has been proposed. If the members are receptive, the strike order could be lifted, allowing the writers to go back to work while the formal ratification process takes place.

So, if the strike does end next week—as most insiders believe—what does that mean for your favorite shows?

It depends on what your favorite show is…

TVGuide.com reported last week that ABC plans to shoot at least four more episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives” and air them in May. New shows like “Pushing Daisies” and “Dirty Sexy Money” won’t return until fall so they can be re-launched. According to the report, CBS is planning to use that same strategy with its veteran and new shows.

New shows that were not given full-season orders before the strike will not be back. That would include “Bionic Woman.”

The networks will also have to figure out how to deal with their serialized shows. “Heroes” will not return this season and FOX is still trying to figure out what to do with “24.” ABC will need to decide whether it can squeeze in the remaining eight episodes of this season’s “Lost.”

And several shows are on the bubble, including CBS’s “Moonlight.”

We’ll know much more once this thing is actually settled.

So stay tuned…

“Gone Country”: Reality Has Gone Endearing

In my “Idol Chit-Chat” blog, I bemoaned Diana DeGarmo’s participation in the CMT reality show, “Gone Country.” After all, the show should be really stupid and pointless.

So how come it’s so gosh darn endearing?

“Country” is a reality show starring John Rich (of Big and Rich), which pits seven celebrities in a competition with the winner releasing a country song that Rich produces. The music is the main part of the show, but the celebrities also have to engage in country-related challenges.

The celebrities are: Bobby Brown, Diana DeGarmo, Julio Iglesias Jr., Maureen McCormick, Sisqo, Dee Snider and Carnie Wilson.

In the first episode, the celebrities board the tour bus one at a time from stops around Nashville, allowing us to see the cast learn about each other for the first time. Immediately, we see that Carnie is the class clown. Maureen is the cheerleader, who gets excited about everything—except Bobby being on the show. But when Maureen discovers that Bobby smokes, the two form an unlikely bond. Dee fancies himself the rebel, but Bobby gives him a good challenge for that title. Sisqo is still kind of quiet, and Julio is totally clueless. Diana is the spunky little sister.

Since the challenges don’t pit the contestants against each other, they have a chance to bond and it’s really sweet—in a weird, reality sort of way. You honestly want them to succeed and you can’t wait to see how they do it.

John Rich is a perfect choice to star in the show with his constant switch between mentor and instigator. And his larger-than-life persona plays well with the celebrities.

As for who I think has the best shot to win this thing, my early favorite would have to be Diana. She’s got a great voice that’s perfectly suited for country. But we’ve seen her choke before (“Idol” finale night, anyone?).

I think there’s a chance Bobby could surprise some people, if he’s able to stay sober.

And I have a feeling Maureen has got something special, but I can’t say for sure because we haven’t heard her sing yet.

It’s nice to see a reality show that isn’t so stuck in the mud that it can’t show us a human side.

I may have been a skeptic at first, but I have now gone country…

“Gone Country” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on CMT…


Photos courtesy of CMT.com

Review: “Jungle” Needs More Lipstick

As much as I hate Audrey Raines, the character she played on “24,” I love Kim Raver.

So I really wanted her new show, “Lipstick Jungle” to be good.

But unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want as “Jungle” is completely blah with unbelievable characters in situations we could care less about.

And as a “Sex and the City” rip-off, I’d have to say it’s even further away than “Cashmere Mafia”…

“Jungle” follows the lives of three successful female friends in New York:

Wendy (Brooke Shields) is the CEO of a movie studio. She and her husband, Shane (Paul Blackthorne), have two kids. In the premiere, she’s trying to lock up Leonardo DiCaprio for a film about Galileo.

Victory (Lindsay Price) is a washed-up fashion designer who’s trying to get her career back on track. In the premiere, she’s romanced by an obnoxious billionaire (Andrew McCarthy).

Nico (Kim Raver) is the editor of “Bonfire” magazine. Her marriage has lost its spark, so when a younger man shows some interest in her, she shows some back. She’s also being squeezed out at work, thanks to the maneuvers of her boss, Hector (Julian Sands), who is also Wendy’s boss (Go figure.)…

I like Brooke Shields, but she’s a little miscast here. I buy her as a harried mom and wife, but there’s no way anyone would hire her to run their movie studio. She’s just too much of a lightweight. Lindsay Price is well cast, but her character is a huge cliché—and not a good one at that.

The only one with real substance is Kim Raver, who is fabulous as usual. It would just be nice if she had something fabulous to do.

Although I have to admit the young guy she hooks up with is pretty fabulous…

I feel like I should say something more, but I can’t. The show is just so blah, there’s nothing more to say.

Personally, I think “Lipstick Jungle” could use a little more lipstick…

“Lipstick Jungle” premieres Thursday, February 7th at 10 p.m. on NBC…

So you’re changing it, why?

The “Hollywood Reporter” reported yesterday that Disney Channel is making big changes to one of its hallmark shows…

“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” is going to become “The Suite Life on Deck.” The show’s setting will move from the Tipton Hotel to the SS Tipton, a luxury cruise ship.

Zack and Cody (Cole and Dylan Sprouse) and London (Brenda Song) will enroll in a semester-at-sea program. Mr Moseby (Phill Lewis) will also be on board.

Gary Marsh, president of entertainment at Disney Channels Worldwide, told the “Reporter,” “Our audience has shown us that after 88 episodes, ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’ remains one of their favorite sitcoms ever.”

So you’re changing it, why?

One person who will not be on deck is Ashley Tisdale, who is leaving to focus on her film career, but she could return as a recurring guest star.

The report also did not mention Kim Rhodes, who plays Zack and Cody’s mom…

I understand a show wanting to keep things fresh, but stripping away the entire premise of the show after only three seasons is crazy. I’ve got a feeling Disney has some marketing reason behind the whole thing…

Game Good, Commercials…Not So Much

You can’t really talk about the Super Bowl without talking about the commercials.

It’s just too bad that all of the talk this year is about how boring the commercials were.

Personally, there were several of them that I wouldn’t have spent $5 to air them, let alone $2.7 million…

Like the CareerBuilder.com commercial where the woman’s heart popped out of her chest and walked down the hall. Ewww…

And the Bud Light “gives you the ability to” commercials? Not funny…

And what was up with that car commercial with the guy waking up to find the front end of a car in bed with him? Yes, I know that was a take-off on “The Godfather,” but how many people actually got that? And even if you did, did it make any sense to you?

For the record, my favorite commercial was the Planters Cashews one with the woman rubbing the cashews all over her to attract men. I also liked the Coke commercial with the fighting balloons. And the T-Mobile Charles Barkley-Dwayne Wade ad was pretty cute.

And I did enjoy seeing Joe Buck doing the "What Is Love?" head bob in the Pepsi Max commercial...

But my actual favorites were two FOX promos: The “American Idol” promo with Ben Roethlisberger singing “The Pina Colada Song” and “The Moment of Truth” promo with Chad Johnson as a contestant. They were the two funniest spots of the night, but since they’re promos, they don’t actually count as Super Bowl commercials.

In case you’re curious, the viewers’ favorite ad, according to the annual “USA Today” ad meter, was the Budweiser ad with the Dalmatian training the Clydesdale. I had that one called as soon as it aired…

As for the halftime show, I have to say it was one of the most culturally irrelevant I’ve ever seen. That’s not to say I don’t like Tom Petty, or that I think he was bad, I just can’t come up with a good reason for the NFL to choose him other than he was a nice safe choice in the post-Janet Jackson era. I dare say that 75% of those people on the field listening to him had no idea who he was. Someone like Bon Jovi would have spanned the generations much better.

But personally, I would prefer they just analyze the game and then get back to it. That way there wouldn’t be any worry about wardrobe malfunctions—unless Terry Bradshaw decided to do something crazy…

As for the game itself, I have to say that though I’m happy that Ahmad Bradshaw has a ring, I’m pretty disappointed. For whatever deluded reason, I want Randy Moss to have a ring too. And I wanted to see history…

But I do get a small satisfaction out of knowing the frustration that must be in the mind of the smug Tiki Barber this morning. When he played for the Giants last year, he insulted Coach Coughlin, he questioned Eli Manning’s toughness and the team fell apart behind the scenes. This year, they win the Super Bowl and Eli Manning is named the game’s MVP without Tiki. Coincidence? I think not…

On second thought, that gives me a lot of satisfaction…

So, what are your thoughts as we put another Super Bowl extravaganza in the books?

UPDATE: Here is the Ben Roethlisberger and Chad Johnson promos.

Pick of the Week: On the Air

So, if politics is your thing, then you’ll want to check out Super Tuesday coverage on all the networks Tuesday, February 5th…

If NASCAR is your thing, they you’re thrilled about the first event of the season, the Budweiser Shootout Saturday, February 9th at 8 p.m. on FOX…

And if music is your thing, the Grammy Awards are Sunday, February 10th at 8 p.m. on CBS…

But after getting a hilarious clip from my second favorite Canadian, my Pick of the Week is “Free Radio”…

“Radio” is a partially improvised comedy starring Lance Krall as an intern turned DJ at a radio station. In the premiere, he botches celebrity interviews with Angela Kinsey (“The Office”) and Kiefer Sutherland (always a great reason for a Pick).

“Free Radio” premieres Friday, February 8th at 9:30 p.m. on VH1…

You can see the clip that inspired my Pick here.



And since I used to work in radio, I can tell you that these guys really do exist…

“Lost”: Three Down, Three to Go

Without “24,” there hasn’t been a show in a long time that caused me so much tension it gripped my stomach.

But the opening sequence of last night’s “Lost” season premiere fixed that.

Admit it. You were intently watching every second looking for clues as to whether the scene was a flashback or flash-forward.

[Warning: If you haven’t seen last night’s “Lost,” stop reading now.]

But when Hurley stepped out of that classic Camaro, we realized not only that it was a flash-forward, but also that “Lost” will never be the same, as the flash-forwards open up so much more story for the show—especially with those six little words Hurley screamed at the police: “I’m one of the Oceanic six.”

So only six people make it home. Three down, three to go…

There were tons of other questions raised by the episode as the big secret among the six once again reared its ugly head. But this is basically all I can say about the show since I didn’t see the whole hour. I tried to watch it on tape later, but when Hurley approached that house, I got creeped out and shut it off (“Lost” late at night is never a good idea.).

However, feel free to discuss the episode by posting a comment. I’ll give you some topics to get you started: Who was the mysterious man that came to visit Hurley? What is the “it” Hurley was referring to when he told Jack “It wants us to come back.” And just what is the big secret Jack was afraid Hurley would reveal?

Discuss…

“Eli Stone”: Gotta Have Faith

So tell the truth. How many of you that watched “Eli Stone” last night woke up this morning with George Michael’s “Faith” in your head?

And how many of you who didn’t watch are now wondering why I would ask that question?...

If you missed it, Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) is an ambitious lawyer who has it all. He’s engaged to his boss’ daughter (Natasha Henstridge) and he’s representing a major drug company in a slam dunk case.

But suddenly, Eli starts having hallucinations of George Michael singing “Faith” (And yes, the real George Michael appears.). With some help from an acupuncturist, Eli remembers that the woman who is suing the drug company and now wants Eli to represent her was his “first time,” which was accompanied by “Faith.”

Clever, huh?

Then the hallucinations start reminding Eli of how he was going to “change the world” and help people.

But then, Eli is thrown a curveball when the cause of his hallucinations is discovered to be an inoperable brain aneurysm. However, his acupuncturist believes the hallucinations—no matter what their cause—are actually signs and that Eli is a modern day prophet.

So, of course, Eli takes the case against the drug company and decides to become the decent lawyer he always aspired to be.

It would be easy to think that “Eli” is from David E. Kelley, the man behind “Ally MacBeal” and “Boston Legal” since there are so many similarities. But “Eli” actually comes from Greg Berlanti, the man behind “Brothers & Sisters” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” To say “Eli” is quirkier that those two combined is a major understatement.

I mean, George Michael performs in Eli’s living room for goodness sake!

Often times, quirky is just another way of saying something is really stupid, but that’s not the case here. “Eli” is actually quite endearing thanks to Miller’s performance. And he’s surrounded by a great supporting cast, including the always fabulous Victor Garber (I love it when he plays sleazy.).

And, “Eli” doesn’t get so caught up in all the craziness that it forgets the drama. In fact, the craziness just helps to resolve the drama.

My concern, though, is that the show will have trouble actually sustaining its premise over an entire season.

But hey, I gotta have faith…

“Eli Stone” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC…

My Thoughts on the Miley Cyrus Photo "Scandal"

I hadn’t said anything about this because I honestly consider it a non-story.

But then last night, a local newscast (I won’t say which one.) told us that tonight they plan to interview people going to the Hannah Montana concert movie and ask them about the Miley Cyrus photo scandal to see if they feel she is no longer a good role model.

Now I’m forced to say something…

I have seen the pictures, so let me put all the Hannah Montana fans’ minds at ease by telling you they’re no big deal. And the idea that this is a scandal is absolutely ridiculous.

[If you don’t know what I’m talking about, alleged photos of Miley Cyrus have hit the Internet that some say tarnish her image.]

The picture everyone refers to shows Miley in what appears to be her underwear slightly pulling up her shirt (You can’t see anything.) while making a puckery face to the camera. This is not Vanessa Hudgens trying to impress a boyfriend here. This is a little girl trying to imitate something she saw in a magazine or on TV. That’s all…

You probably heard that one of the pictures features Miley and another girl—which sounds scandalous—except that the picture is a goofy cheek-to-cheek pose you would see a dozen times a day in a photo booth.

And the rest of the “racy” photos? Miley in a bikini…at the beach.

GASP! How dare she?

Look, I know there are lots of people out there who are sick of Miley and Hannah. But one day, the fad will fade and they both will become footnotes in Disney history. So until that day comes, why can’t we just let Miley enjoy the ride?

And whoever the “friend” was that shared those pictures should really get a life…