‘Fringe’ Pattern
Since the viral marketing get up worked for Cloverfield, the J.J. Abrams gang have concocted a few radio spots to promote “Fringe”.
They even have a “Fringe” blog to keep track of all this viral nonsense before the September premiere. Boy, I really hope this show airs long enough to reveal this mysterious “pattern” they’re going on about.

Pacey muses on the “pattern”.
Source: Pop Candy
July 3, 2008 No Comments
Fear Itself: Horror on Network TV
Was I the only one confused with last night’s episode of “Fear Itself” called In Sickness and In Health?
I usually don’t like serial type shows like “The Outer Limits” or “Masters of Horror”, but when I saw that Maggie Lawson and James Roday from “Psych” were featured, I gave in.

It was also quite curious to see them play a bride and groom, especially since I just learned they are dating in real life. The episode was quite eerie and broken up with abrupt scenes of humor. Maybe that’s director John Landis’ influence? His movies to have a aura of camp to them.
*SPOILERS*
The episode follows their wedding, which is tainted by a note given to the bride (Lawson) claiming that Carlos (Roday) is a serial killer. Throughout the ep, she gets increasingly more freaked out and paranoid, especially when Carlos starts acting weird and hurting her. So at the end of the ep, the audience believes the note is true. But the twist is, the note was meant for Carlos! Meaning…she’s a serial killer? WTF?
If she was the killer, why did she act so freaked out by the note until she realized the mistake? Was it cause she thought he might actually be one too? Did it hit too close to home? I dunno, but it didn’t really translate on screen. We got the twist and she just smiled. The End.
And what was with her brother being the one who passed on the note (but in DRAG)? That was just plain creepy, esp since his apartment was filled with body parts in jars. If the brother is a killer, along with his sister, why would he warn the groom? Why not just kill him if he gets too close? Maybe he just wanted his sister to himself.
*END SPOILERS*
The whole thing assumes the audience can figure all this out in less than 30 seconds. Not sure if this an easy task for the summer viewer. I don’t think I’m going to be watching next weeks episode. Maybe this horror is simply too cerebral for my tastes.
Watch the episode on NBC and decide for yourself.
June 27, 2008 No Comments
Summer Marathons and Premieres
In the summer, many channels schedule marathons and reruns to fill up those empty blocks. Holidays and warmer weather create significant drops in viewership, which leads to less advertising dollars. Thus, networks can be more creative with the schedule.
There is the new trend of showing smaller budgeted shows during the summer as mid-season or summer only programs. I’ve discovered quite a few gems during this so-called down period like “Burn Notice”, “Mad Men”, “Eureka”, “Weeds” and “In Plain Sight”. As you may have noticed, mostly cable network or premium channels can so freely funnel money into summer shows, since you have to pay to see those channels anyway.
Here’s a list of reruns, premieres and marathons for July:
“Burn Notice” - Season 2 premiere on July 10th, 10pm (mini marathon on July 3rd)
“Weeds” - Season 4 already up and running, Mondays on Showtime at 10pm
“Mad Men” - Season 1 marathon on July 20th at noon, Season 2 premiere on July 27th (Thanks Whitney for the heads up!)
“Eureka” - Season Premiere on July 29th, 9pm (watch reruns online here)
“Supernatural” - Season 3 encore, Thursdays at 9pm
“Rescue Me” minisodes started on Tuesdays on F/X, but you can catch them online as well at Crackle.com
Don’t waste the day away in your sofa hammock, stay cool and catch up on all that great tv you missed earlier in the year.
June 26, 2008 No Comments
My Little Pony Revival
Hasbro Toys is coming out with a new line of My Little Ponies to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Some of the ponies will be designed by celebrities (like James Spader?). Who knew so many people loved plastic pony dolls?
I can’t remember whether I loved the dolls or the “My Little Pony” television show first, so I guess the cartoon worked its magic on me.
June 25, 2008 No Comments
Undeclared
“Undeclared” was Judd Apatow’s next foray into television after the demise of “Freaks and Geeks”. He even cast a few familiar faces in the pilot. The show follows the hilarious adventures of a group of college freshmen. Much of the dialogue was improvised, so I think that really heightened the humor.
Some people say it wasn’t as good as its predecessor, but I love both shows. It was the American debut of Charlie Hunnam, star of the British version of “Queer as Folk”, so I watched “Undeclared” first (and thus without predjudice for F&G). Not that it mattered much, since in typical Fox fashion, the show was short lived.
June 23, 2008 No Comments
Golden Girls: Thank You for Being a Friend
The cast of the “Golden Girls” were honored at the TVLand Awards. Presenter Steve Carell introduced a touching montage of celebrities praising the show as a pop culture icon.
I never thought of it as a ground breaking show, but I suppose it did paint elderly people as fun and interesting subjects. Over the years, I became quite familiar with the adventures of Blanche, Sophia, Rose, and Dorothy. My favorite character is Blanche. She’ll do and has done just about anything. However when I think back, all the characters had their fair share of outrageous moments.
All seven hilarious seasons are available on dvd today.
June 20, 2008 2 Comments
An Oldie but Goodie: ‘Dragnet’
The original “Dragnet” ran for a whopping eight seasons from 1951 to 1958. Jack Webb, wrote, starred and directed the cop drama that centered on the LAPD and his character, Sgt. Joe Friday. And then, in 1967, they revived the classic series, entitled simply “Dragnet 1967″. The four season run paired Jack Webb with Harry Morgan, who played Officer Bill Gannon.
I had no idea there were so many episodes out there. But it makes sense, since it was able to spawn that movie with Tom Hanks & Dan Ackroyd . I thought that movie was pretty cool back in the day. What wasn’t cool was the cheesy remake they tried to do back in 2003. Don’t bother watching a second of that permutation.
Find “Dragnet” and other tv shows from the 50s and 60s streaming for free at Oldies Television. The quality isn’t the best, so if you need crystal clear resolution for your Sharp Aquos tv, maybe you should go for the dvd collections.
June 19, 2008 No Comments
‘30 Rock’ Season 2: The Greatest Hits
“30 Rock” follows the exploits of Liz Lemon, comedy writer and producer of the fictional sketch show “The Girly Show with Tracy Jordan”. It’s an imaginative black comedy that parodies the behind the scenes antics that occur when trying to bring together coporate interest (GE) and creative expression.
The MILF Island episode:
I must own that episode on dvd ASAP! My other favorite from this season is “Subway Hero”. It features the return of Liz’s politically incorrect beeper salesman ex boyfriend, Dennis (Dean Winters) .

According to TVshowsonDVD.com, “30 Rock” season two could be out as early as September!
June 12, 2008 No Comments
Grey’s Anatomy Finale: D.O.A.

I’ve finally caught up on a few of the television finales and decided the worst one (that I watched) came from “Grey’s Anatomy”. It was the same ol’ crap just re-packaged to make some of the doctors have a happy ending while others went deeper into their self-destructive hole. McDreamy and Meredith finally, after years of break-ups/make-ups and working together and fighting together have decided to give a final shot. But only after she made a breakthru in therapy that is….
If this was season two or three, perhaps I would care. But seriously, four seasons of dating, adultery, and false relationship starts really wears on a viewer! I simply just don’t care.
Who do I care about? Bailey, but it took an entire season of her running around being a Doctor/Head Resident to realize that doing all that and taking care of a baby just don’t mix. She gives the clinic to Izzie. End of Story, everyone wins.
The Chief got back with his wife…ewww old people kissing…I guess it works.
Alex and Izzie fight and kiss again, but now with more sadness and pathetic words.
Callie and Erika are kissing…boring…way to try and get the male demographic back.
George gets to redeem himself and retake his Intern test. Here’s hoping he doesn’t flug it up twice.
Will I watch next season? I really don’t think so. I’d almost rather watch “ER”, which I hate. So that’s saying something.
June 9, 2008 1 Comment
A Babka Dilemma
I was stuck on a plane this weekend, so I was subjected an endless onslaught of rom-coms on that tiny lcd television. Thus, I was absolutely delighted by The Dinner Party episode of “Seinfeld”.
“Seinfeld” always makes you smile no matter how annoyed you are. Why? Because no one can complain as much as those four people. They can’t even pick out a dessert for party without complaining!
Transcript below (for the full effect):
ELAINE: Well how about a carrot cake?
JERRY: Carrot cake? Now why is that a cake? You don’t make carrots into a cake. I’m sorry.
ELAINE: Black Forrest?
JERRY: Black Forrest? Too scary. You’re in the Forrest, oohh.
JERRY: How about a Napoleon?
ELAINE: Napoleon? Who’s he to have a cake? He was a ruthless war monger. Might as well get Mengle.
JERRY: That wa sour Bobka. We had that Bobka!
ELAINE: What’s this one?
CLERK: That’s cinnamon Bobka.
JERRY: Another Bobka?
CLERK: There’s chocolate and there’s cinnamon.
JERRY: Well, we’ve got to get the cinnamon.
ELAINE: No, but they got the chocolate. We’ll be going in with a lesser Bobka.
JERRY: I beg your pardon? Cinnamon takes a back seat to no Bobka. People love cinnamon. It should be on tables at restaurants along with salt and pepper. Anytime anyone says, “Oh This is so good. What’s in it?” The answer invariably comes back, Cinnamon. Cinnamon. Again and again. Lesser Bobka - I think not.
June 6, 2008 3 Comments



