I'm Lost....and It's Alias!

Ha! Showing off my "sense of humor." ANYWAY...Alias. All summer WHO IS MICHAEL VAUGHN. I couldn't believe the season finale was obsessed and then for some reason as soon as they replayed it tonight I knew immediately that it was part of a coverup/conspiracy/out to get him thing. Don't know why it didn't register back in May. I might have had a little more sleep in the days that followed.

Well it seems Sydney and Vaugh/Micheau (that's my spelling trying to make it exotic) will never get to Santa Barbara. I had read all about his death and getting kicked off the show but I was still hoping it was a ruse and that we were getting false leaks. I was definitely caught up in the moment of the shooting and was a little shocked to tell you the truth. I'm not convinced he's done and that it could be a fake death with a bullet proof vest but that would be a little much. However it looks like it might be the last season, so ultimately who really cares if it's too much.

I was wondering what happenen to Arvin Clone and Arvin Sloane. It seemed Sloane was a little manic when we saw him in the cell and the Clone he just stopped showing up, does anyone know what happened to him?

Btw I never realized that with all of Sydney's talents she was a sketch artist too.

As the show ended in London for a second I figured Sydney would be working behind the bar and giving up the CIA life. I mean two of her life loves get killed/murdered because of what she does. If that is not a calling for a job change, I don't know what is.

As to the prophet 5 case. I have NO IDEA what they are talking about or what is going on. I don't get the Renee Ruin (again my idea of spelling and how things are going to turn out) or how the father, that cryptologist or anyone fits in. All I know is leave Rimbaldi out of it. Hopefully this one gets sorted out sooner than later so I can follow along.

Need a little help from DEsMONd

Tonight's premiere episode of Everwood got off to such a slow start I was hoping that DEsMONd would show up from Lost and give me some sort of clue on how he got there.

I didn't like the set up that from the beginning you knew Andy and Nina would work it out. Obviously they were but give us something. Additionally, I knew it was going to be Irv and Edna getting married, because anything else would be ridiculous. Not as ridiculous as that stupid centerpiece comment, but I digress.

Amy looked good and Delia is definitely growing up. It was funny when Irv said to the priest "to hell with that" and kissed Edna anyway. It was clear that Ephraim was going to show up at the end and it seems from the previews that Reed the "homosexual" is in the apartment so I'm not sure Bright's "secret boyfriend" is going to move in.

The episode did pick up some momentum near the end and hopefully it will hit its groove next week. I'm sure there will be lots going on because now that there is college involved and roomates that means more characters, more chaos. Hopefully, if anything, we lean more towards 90210 at CU than Saved by the Bell the College Years.

On the Docket

Fell a little behind this week. This weekend I'll be catching up on:

Boston Legal
My Name is Earl
Martha Stewart: Apprentice
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Reunion
O.C.
ER

Whew...I'm a little tired just reading all that.

More Interested in the Hatch

I'm glad that they brought a little attention to Michael and Sawyer, but I have to say I was much more interested in the hatch on Lost than whether or not we had an "open water" situation on our hands.

I was disappointed that we still only got to "it's you." I was hoping for a little more. Of course I'm all caught up in what year DEsMONd and Jack met and what year DEsMONd ended up in the hatch and how he got there. Also, even though I'm sure they are starving I definitely WOULD not have chowed down on any of that food. Who knows what it is tainted with and did you not see the sign that said Quarantine. I'm sure the Apollo candy was a reference to something, but I don't know what it was. Also, where'd all that food come from?

At first I was confused b/c I didn't understand why we were seeing a repeat of Locke going down the hatch. I then thought it would be interesting to see the entire show continually from each person's perspective ala Kate watching Jack enter etc. It's very Back to the Future with Marty watching himself go to the Under the Sea dance and punch Biff in the face.

It was totally weird that Locke took his shoes off when he entered the room. At first I thought he wanted to be quiet/sneaky, but I actually think it was more than that. Did anyone catch the look on Sawyer's face by the way when he saved Michael he was all smirks until Michael lambasted him and he was back to his regular angry self.

Next week should be interesting since we start to meet some other plane survivors as well as the extras that were evidently in the Michael Jackson Thriller video by the looks of things. Of course that would tie in to the 1980's being replicated in the hatch.

Oh, and of course the numbers. Obviously the 108 was all the numbers added together after Locke plugged them in the computer. What you may not know is all the numbers represent numbers that have been retired by the New York Yankees. No other team in baseball has all those numbers retired. Just something to throw out there.

Who was at the Door?

I have to say I was a little surprised it was Logan on Veronica Mars, as the last we left him he was looking to get thrown off a bridge.

I don't love the jumping from Logan back to Duncan and I definitely don't love the Logan sleeping with the mom thing. You would think he wouldn't be into that with his dad going after Lilly.

Everyone seems to be saying how this episode was awesome. I thought it was fine/good and then I really liked the ending as it really threw us into things.

Just when you thought maybe Weavel and Veronica would make up and maybe he would have her look into who really killed Felix you get that surprise ending. I think there could be some good mysteries this year and it was a good episode to get things started.

Gladly, things are not back to "normal."

The Race is On!

Here we have it, Amazing Race: Family Edition. It's a little slower than the regular race and less miles will be covered, but I'm sure there will still be the same amount of yelling. Now instead of one person yelling at the driver from the back we have three back seat drivers all yelling at each other. I'm just hoping we don't see any of those kids get their asses kicked by their competitive parents.

My first question. I live in NY and I constantly find myself watching NYC being used as the centerpiece of many a reality television show. Do I EVER see these people around town? No. Just once I would like to be in the EMS or the Dominos Pizza or the Deli when the Amazing Racers, the people of Apprentice or whomever come running in looking for help, clue, etc only to screw them up. Fingers crossed...one day!

I was really looking forward to family edition. I even thought about submitting me and members of my own fam. However the thought of being humiliated on national tv by my mother yelling at me was enough of a discouragement. Now after seeing the Hater family I mean the Paolo's I'm glad I didn't join.

There's still too many families and too many people to start giving them nicknames. I'll have to wait until the "characters" develop a little more and each family gets more air time. I was all ready with the "token black couple," but ironically their name...Black. Go figure! (more on them later.)

I like the idea of the son in laws with the father in law, but I have to agree with "frank" that the father is due for a heart attack. Hopefully those boys will carry them through.

With two families from Louisiana I was hoping maybe they would have done a thing on how they are doing after the Hurricane, etc. We'll probably find out on the reunion show or near the end, or when they get eliminated. I'm sure America is rooting for one of the families to win thinking they could probably use the 1 million more than anyone. If anything I'm rooting from the family from New Orleans. The other Louisiana family had the father who kept saying how the man in the house is king or whatever....f-that!

The one thing I don't understand is why people flip out at the beginning if they are not in first. Don't they know it really doesn't matter and as the race continues they will have to wait for ferries for 6 hours so everyone catches up. Plus there will probably be a plane that pulls away from the gate and then comes back to pick up some contestants...I'm still bitter.

Final thoughts/questions on tonight's episode:

• Favorite Line - "Can you tell me where the town of SOHO is?"
• What's wrong with the son of "widowed mother?" There's something not right there.
• What families play together like they showed in the intro?
• When are there so many parking spots in New York City, especially on Broadway?
• Who goes to 91st between park/lex on West Side Highway?
• Why do people still follow other people? Have they not watched this show before?
• If it's pouring out and you have to read a clue why not get in the car?

Lastly, I'm a little sad that the Black family was voted off. Not only was I sad for the kids, but I was sad for all the "token black family" jokes I had lined up.

Now with this two hour premiere I'll have to catch up on My Name is Earl and Boston Legal later in the week.

Bree is the Star

Bree definitely carried this season opener of Desperate Housewives. From her waiting until the "appropriate" time of 9:00am to let people know "about her news," to the threatening of her mother-in law and the priest about the way the funeral would go she was excellent.

Of course the piece de resistence was the funeral itself. Not only was Edie dressed perfectly, with the schmata on her head and her breasts popping out of her "black appropriate ensemble" nothing could have topped Bree forcing Lynette's husband to remove his tie and then in front of everyone change Rex from his "momma boy costume" to the man Bree loved. And then of course walking straight up the aisle out the front door. Maybe one of the best moments in television in a long time.

I do have to admit that I was hoping to see George somewhere in the congregation, but I'm sure he'll be showing up soon enough. It was nice to finally see the children again and Andrew's line about the grandma being "our bitch" was classic. I was a little surprised not to see the women of Wisteria lane sitting together at the funeral.

With regards to other aspects of the episode I have to admit I sort of was hoping that Zach was dead and it was nice to see that Carlos was finally in jail. I liked the setup of Lynette's storyline of going back to work and I had read that her new boss is actually preggers in real life so it could be interesting how that gets worked in, if in fact it does. It seems that ABC has us wondering what's in the hatch and now, what's in the basement. Hopefully this story line will evolve and we won't hit the sophomore slump.

Grey's Anatomy

I thought the episode was fine. I always love George and it was nice to see the episode keep it's fast pace. It was a very beginning of the new season episode. Answered some questions, brought up some more and throwing in a few surgeries in the middle.

All Caught Up...Mostly!

This weekend I spent my time watching The O.C., Reunion, Everybody Hates Chris, E.R. and Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Weekend well spent in my opinion. I still haven't watched Prison Break and now that it is just piling up on the TiVo it seems so daunting that I may have to drop it before I even begin. Therefore, if anyone has an opinion on whether or not I should get involved feel free to chime in.

I don't need to review all of the shows in detail because most of it isn't worth commenting on. So far I haven't been impressed at all with The O.C. I'm not giving it up, but none of the stories are interesting. The dean is clearly sleeping with that perky blonde girl and Jerri Ryan is obviously some single white female stalker. So far this season is what the Marissa and Ryan are going through...the worst year ever!

As for Reunion, I am definitely intrigued and may be the happiest with this new show than all the others. I'm happy to see the girl from North Shore and The O.C. has a job in another cheesy-guilty pleasure show. I am not sure how this show could sustain an entire season, but I'm willing to find out.

The only reason I was able to check out Everybody Hates Chris is because Alias hasn't started yet. Therefore this won't be part of my normal routine. I thought the show was okay funny. Definitely funnier than Joey so for those people I would make the switch to UPN. I'm hoping that as shows get shuffled around this one goes to a time that I could check it out a little more.

I won't really even comment on E.R. because I know I'm only one of like five people who still watch it. I just have to say it's always funny when they bring in a new actor to play the same character and hope the public doesn't notice.

Now for The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. First of all I'm glad that I gave up the regular Apprentice. Mostly because this show is almost the same if not identical and I definitely did not need two Apprentices. Plus I was so sick of the Donald that I am happy to give someone else a shot. Like the Apprentice, this is a show you could just become addicted to.

As for the bad/awful:

• The cigar - It's ridiculous and I can't believe Martha puts up with it. Charles cannot connect with his audience if he's waving that cancer tube around.
• Jim - So annoying and the way he slouched in the conference room was not connecting with his audience either.
• Jeff - he deserved to go home. He was unbearable and I'm glad he has to go hang his head.
• Primarius - It's the WORST name EVER

The good:

• Martha writing a note to the person who "did not fit in."
• Martha calling up to the loft.
• Matchstick--not the team, just the name

I'm Lost!

Even though I have seen every episode of Lost thus far I still tuned into the recap episode. However since I started when the premiere episode already started I got too excited, fast forwarded and went straight for the good stuff.

First of all when the show first started I thought this was a flashback. I was trying to guess if the guy was Jack, Sawyer, etc and the suddenly we are in the god forsaken cursed hatch.

Then quick cut to the darkness of the island and Hurley with those numbers. Did anyone notice how much scruff the dude had on his face. I felt like he was one big hair ball.

Anyway, all the darkness, fire, Shannon seeing Walt really starts to stress me out. This show makes me nervous. Then when Locke gets Kate to go first. I have to say if that was me, fuck that if you want to know what's in the hatch so badly you go. And by the way the trees NEVER hold. I mean that is the oldest trick in the book.

Oh we interrupt this program about a plane crash to show you a Jet Blue plane making an emergency landing with basically no real front landing gear. (For those of you who don't know the outcome the plane landed safely and all the people were fine...which I can't say for those on this island!)

Then Jack goes for the hatch...AY. Why does he throw the fire down. He knows there's water it's not going to help. My stress level is getting more and more.

The entire time I am interested in the Island, the hatch, etc, but not so much Jack's backstory. I felt I kind of knew all this stuff before and was a little blah...but then....IT'S YOU!!!!!...the guy who said he'd see Jack in the next life!

We interrupt this episode of Lost to show you a COMMERCIAL for Jet Blue. ie the same airline that is currently making an emergency landing.

Ack..until next week. What will happen? That hatch is freakin' crazy. It's like the biosphere in there. I just hope this season is as good or better than last season and doesn't go all sci-fi on us.

By the way, when did keyboards say execute rather than enter?

Oh and that damn dog. It's the devils dog I say!

What a Rockstar!

Before we get to tonight's winner of Rock Star: INXS let's discuss the show a little bit.

First enter former contestants. I was hoping that this show wouldn't be true Mark Burnett style and have the kicked off contestants involved in some way. Thankfully they just sat there and swayed. A few of them, ie Ty and Jordis looked totally unthrilled to be there and were cursing the contracts they probably signed that obligated them to be.

We start off with Mig who we know has know chance. The only thing he has going for him is that he is from Australia, but that really doesn't add up to much. He's good, but too theatrical and "just not right for the band...INXS." Anyway, he busts out with Bohemian Rhapsody. I have to say, for someone who does this for a living (the lead in a Queen play) he wasn't that good. I would have expected to be blown away...I wasn't. Although he was clearly going home anyway. Even if he sang Pretty Vegas.

Mig is followed up by J.D. The rockers were allowed to choose any song that had been done on the show. It would have been pretty funny if he did Trees. He seemed so nervous, in fact I think he hit himself with the microphone. I'm not sure I would have chosen the song that he did, but he rocked it. He is such an incredible performer.

Marty is now up and he looks petrified after J.D.'s performance. Marty has always freaked me out a little bit and tonight is no exception.

Now for the vote off. I love how INXS pretends they are deliberating. Clearly they have made their decisions already. Off goes Mig. He doesn't thank his wife? Maybe that was her in the balcony? Maybe it was the girl crying? Who else would be crying...CRYING...I mean c'mon.

Down to the final two and once again we hear songs by INXS. Enjoyed watching the performers...the songs...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Once again INXS pretends to deliberate, how could they even hear the performer while they were performing? And the winner is....

J.D.

Finally, one of these reality shows gets it right! Despite his cockiness he was by far the better performer and exactly what this band...INXS... needs.

To wrap up this summer filler...the most important lesson I learned is that I enjoyed the show, would watch a variation again, but I won't be buying any INXS albums anytime soon. They are just not that good. Maybe they'll redo their image now with J.D., but I found myself bored during many of their songs and wondering why I liked them in the first place.

What's next?:

Rockstar: Simon & Garfunkel
Rockstar: Billy Joel
Rockstar: Beatles

Save NBC

That's what NBC was hoping with My Name is Earl. It was clear on Emmy night that Will (from Will & Grace) didn't find the joke about floundering NBC all that funny. I was all psyched up for this premier given the buzz and the fact that I was hoping to return to an NBC of yore.

The verdict...EH!

Once again loved the no or very limited commercials. That was the best part for me. I like the concept, like the illegitimate kids, like crabman but the execution...EH.

However, with all pilots they get another chance, so lets see what happens next week.

Doogie

Tonight was the premier of How I Met Your Mother. I have to say, while I didn't laugh out loud I didn't mind sitting there watching the show. I might even go as far as to say that I was intrigued.

I was able to watch the show without thinking about Doogie, and Bob Sagat's voice didn't even really bother me. I didn't love the character that Neil Patrick Harris played, but it is just the pilot so I'll let that go.

I would definately watch it again. The coloring seemed a bit weird to me, but I think that is CBS it is very much like other CBS shows that I have seen. It's hard to explain, but trust me. It didn't totally have that comic feel.

In Comparison....

At the same time is Kitchen Confidential on Fox. I decided to watch it late last night before falling asleep and therefore make an addition to this entry first thing this morning.

I have to say just like HIMYM above, I'm enjoying these short commercial breaks on these pilot episodes. I realize I watch these shows on TiVo, but they seemed shorter than ever.

Anyway, I liked this show. I enjoyed the fast past, the set up of the premise and of course Bradley Cooper. I am sorry to see him leave Alias but really what was he doing there except getting saved every once in a while and eating ice cream in Sydney's apartment.

I enjoyed the chaos that came through in this show and expect much more. And, unlike the show above I believe I chuckled a few times out loud.

To reply to the blogger who made a comment below before I posted this new edition, I agree. I am interested to see how both show maintain throughout the season to keep my interest, but for now they shall remain on my season pass manager.

As you know I'm still waaaay behing on Prison Break.Not event sure when I'll catch up.

Oh and just a little TV note for those of who you don't know...Tori Spelling and her man split. Now maybe she can get together with David Silver.

Emmy Review

Before I get into the meat of the night a few quick notes on this week's episode of The O.C.

It's funny how Tate Donovan is still listed as a guest star. Clearly that "marriage" is not going to work out.

The Jerri Ryan story is annoying to me. I mean first of all she has been there two days and she's out. Kristin isn't suspicious about her new stalker and then she goes to her house? I mean c'mon. Put down the hootch and take a look around.

I love how that carnival gets planned in one day AND how Seth and Summer are stuck on the ferris wheel as Ryan and Marissa walk away ostrasized by the dean who looks slightly like a younger Greatest American Hero.

Like Summer, I hope this is the best year ever although after seeing the first two episodes I'm not so sure.
_________________

ANYWAY.....the start of the television season is upon us (albeit a few started already that I am still catching up on.) Before we officially kick off the 2005-2006 season let's get it started by looking at "the best" of last season's TV with the Emmy Awards:

Highlights (in no particular order):

Opening sequence. Although I thought that guy from Earth, Wind and Fire had died or was near death after seeing him on American Idol a few months back.

Great Carson Tribute by Letterman

Trump and Megan M. singing the theme song from Green Acres. (downside though is I thought this whole theme song thing was going to be funny for all of the songs)

Kristin Bell doing the theme from Fame. Although again on the funny, it would have been great if she did the Jeffersons. I see her "trumping" the Trump with a Veronica Mars musical on Broadway.

Bobby C. from Will and Grace not being able to read roman numerals when handing out the award to the director of the XXVIII Olympiad.

Felicity Huffman speech

John Stewart

Lauren Graham running to catch up to Jennifer Love Hewitt when walking out to present an award.

Charles from New Orleans. Thinking of adopting him.

Jennifer Gardner. All the magazines have really been downplaying her pregnancy. It was nice to finally see her really preggers.

William Shatner's face when he didn't win Emmy idol.

Peter Boyle - does that guy know he is in fact alive?!

Lowlights (in no particular order):

Ellen Degeneres. I am a HUGE fan of hers so for me to be disappointed is a lot. I just thought she would be a lot funnier. Therefore I have to put her in the lowlight category.

Stockard Channing - she looked awful.

Patricia Arquette winning

Tony Shaloub winning

Macy Gray - first of all was she drunk? Second of all she is a professional singer and was not the best by far. Also is it fair that she is involved in a "singing competition?"

Is Huff still on?

Not really for me but for Hedi Klum...gets out of bed 6 days after having her child because her show is nominated and then she doesn't win. She's pissed.

Peter Boyle never winning an emmy.

What were your highlights and lowlights?

Let the TV season begin (start music/drumroll/cutting of tape)

NYC Entertainment

Now I know my blog is mostly dedicated to television and everything to do with it, but I also like to discuss other things entertainment. In that vain I would like to tell those of you in NYC about some things you should check out:

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

This broadway show next to Wicked on 50th street is really funny. You sit in the round in what appears to be a high school gym. They use audience members as part of the play which adds to its hilarity. There are, as with any show, some slow moments but overall you will find yourself laughing and at many times in hysterics. Or if you are the woman near me crying with joy...literally out with the tissues.

Basically the premise is a county spelling bee to send the winner to nationals. The group is made up of various misfits and run by a demented vice principial and a former county spelling champion.

It seems you can get tix each day for $25 by going to the theatre or there seem to be standing room tickets as well. The show is a little less than 2 hours.

Nadine G - Singer Songwriter

Yes, I am doing a plug for a very good friend of mine, but I would only do it if she warranted it. Nadine, as I said, is a singer songwriter who has been in a bunch of festivals and has been awarded all sorts of acclaim.

Her tone is a little scat, a little jazz, soul, folk, rock, she has it all. I checked out her show the other night and it rocked. Sometimes she plays with her band and sometimes she goes solo. In both instances she's great.

If you live in NYC check out her website www.nadineg.com to see where she is playing next. If you don't check out her website to hear some of her music. You can even buy a song or two on itunes if there is something you like.

Like I said, I know the plug is shameless but she is really good and if you are looking for some new independent music to add to her collection check her out.

Fall TV

I apologize, it has been a while since I have posted. When I got back from LA my grandmother passed away so I have been spending time with my family. I have been TiVoing Prison Break and Reunion but haven't had a chance to watch them yet.

In the meantime I figured I would tell you what I think I'm going to watch this TV season:

Sunday:

Desperate Housewives (9-10/ABC)
Grey's Anatomy (10-11/ABC)

Monday:

King of Queens (8-8:30/CBS)
How I Met Your Mother (new--8:30-9:00/CBS) AND Kitchen Confidential (new--same time/NBC)

Prison Break (9-10/FOX)

Tuesday:

The Amazing Race (9-10/CBS) AND My Name is Earl (9-9:30/NBC)
Boston Legal (10-11/ABC)

Wednesday:

The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (want to check it out - 8:00-9/NBC)
Lost (9-10/ABC) AND Veronica Mars (same time/UPN--caught up over the summer)

Thursday:

The MOST difficult night -

Alias (8-9/ABC) AND The O.C (same time/FOX)--Also will try and catch Everybody Hates Chris on reruns since I don't have enough recorders.

Giving up The Apprentice (unless Reunion sucks) and instead -

Reunion (9-10/FOX) AND Everwood (same time/WB)

ER (10-11/NBC)

_________

So, what do you think?

First Episode of The O.C.

I finally got to watch the first episode of The O.C. I have to say I was fine with it. I was glad they tied up the Trey shooting issue b/c that would have annoyed me had it gone on longer. It's always nice when they come back from the summer hiatus show scenes from last season with the actors, reenacted but they look different and it's supposed to be continuous time, but it was clearly taped at a later date. However Ryan looked good, seemed a little more buff. I liked that they played around with the opening creds a little bit. Hopefully the O.C will get back to basics. Let's cross our fingers for a good season.