THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM: I like this show a lot. It’s not a big, broad show but it’s funny in the same way as Comedy Central’s 1995 show DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST. I immediately got Steve Dildarian’s sense of humor and there were lines that came out of nowhere that cracked me up. That happens very rarely these days. Full episodes aren’t online at HBO’s site but you can see lots of clips that will give you a good idea of the dry, often deadpan humor of the show at hbo.com. The first short ANGRY UNPAID HOOKER won Best Animated Short at the 2006 Aspen festival and that’s the one that led to the show. When you see it, you’ll understand why. I had the pleasure of talking to Mike Clements, one of the show’s exec producers – that interview is at the end of today’s email. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM airs Sunday nights at 11pm on HBO.
HEROES: This week’s episode had Parkman wandering in Africa and the man forcing him to take a spirit walk leads him to a place where he’s painted scenes from Parkman’s life on various rocks. Hmm, isn’t this the same as Isaac the painter depicting scenes from Peter Petrelli’s life? Have they run out of story devices already? I can’t believe they’re repeating this same device. I still think HEROES is all build and no payoff. They’re lucky they have these actors or the show would be completely unwatchable.
WORST WEEK: This week’s episode was a much lower key episode but it still made me laugh with the dead bird bit (and the dog who wouldn’t stop playing fetch with it) and the crazy guy who worked in the bird shop. Kyle Bornheimer is so good in the lead role of Sam, the well-meaning guy who can’t do anything right and the more he struggles to fit in, the worse it gets. For me, he’s the reason to watch the show.
REGIS ON HIMYM: Not the strongest episode of HIMYM but I loved seeing Reege with the gang being his bombastic self and manhandling Barney.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The show has its fall debut on Direct TV tonight at 9pm on Channel 101. I will be watching the show on Direct TV but when I comment on it, you’ll have to highlight the text to read it. I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you who won’t see the show til NBC airs it in early 2009.
SNL STEPS UP THE HOST BOOKING: Anne Hathaway (upcoming film “Rachel Getting Married”) hosts this Saturday with musical guest The Killers, Josh Brolin (upcoming film “W”) hosts the 10/18 show with musical guest Adele, and MAD MEN’s Jon Hamm hosts the 10/25 show with musical guest Coldplay.Anne Hathaway was also on Letterman last night and she once again demonstrated why she’s one of the loveliest gals in the business. After she mentioned her summer had been a little rocky (not mentioning the name of her ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri – he’s now cooling his heels in prison), Dave asked how long she’d been dating the guy and she replied “Four years.” Then Dave asked, “Didja ever find that things were missing from your purse? Did he ever introduce you to someone and say ‘This is the Pope’?” Hathaway laughed along with the audience which was completely endearing. What a good sport she is. She must be comforted by all the rave reviews she’s getting for RACHEL GETTING MARRIED. The early buzz on the film is very positive.
PAUL NEWMAN: Robert Redford did a short Q&A with ABC News about his dear friend Newman. Both Newman and Redford have always been known for the lengths they went to in order to maintain their personal privacy.To read the transcript, click to http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5913158&page=1TCM will air a 24 hour tribute to Newman October 12. The tribute begins at 6am with the 1956 “The Rack,” followed by “Until They Sail” at 8am, “Torn Curtain” at 10am, “Exodus” at 12:15pm, “Sweet Bird of Youth” at 3:45pm, “Hud” at 6pm, “Somebody Up There Likes Me” at 8pm, “Cool Hand Luke” at 10pm, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at 12:15am, “Rachel, Rachel” at 2:15am and “The Outrage” at 4am.
EARLY HEADS UP:Tomorrow, Thursday 10/2: The Vice-Presidential Debate at 6pm PT. Or as I like to refer to it: the comedy highlight of the week as Joe Biden debates Sarah Palin.This Friday 10/3:EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, THE GAME return – THE CWGHOST WHISPERER returns, THE EX LIST premieres, NUMBERS return – CBSWIFE SWAP return – ABCLIFE – NBC – timeslot premiereSANCTUARY – SCIFIMonday 10/6: SAMANTHA WHO? returns – ABCWednesday 10/8: THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM returns with a new crop of episodes on Comedy Central kicking off with a two-night premiere October 8 and 9. And speaking of Ms. Silverman, she’s doing her part to get out the vote:http://www.thegreatschlep.com/site/index.htmlThursday 10/9:CSI season premiere, ELEVENTH HOUR premiere – CBSSNL in primetime debuts with election/political theme sketches – NBCLIFE ON MARS premiere – ABC
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: “Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping” by Air from their “Pocket Symphony” disc.That’s a wrap for now.
kewl stuff