MTV’S JERSEY SHORE: Though the ratings for last night’s premiere were mediocre, I think word of mouth may get more people to watch the show because it’s a spectacle. A bonafide Jersey-centric spectacle complete with tanning beds, hair gel, alcohol, bar fights and indiscriminate sex. Most people are using the word “trainwreck” and that works too. For me, the horror came in the form of trying to imagine any of these people actually growing up and becoming part of the workplace. Then my compatriot Jethro schooled me and said that of course the girls on the show will grow up to become the Real Housewives of New Jersey, thus insuring us more reality TV. Check out this crew; they’re way worse than any REAL WORLD cast. JERSEY SHORE repeats tonight at 10pm PT / 1am ET on MTV.
PARKS AND REC: Loved the Tom-centric episode that had Tom and his green card wife Wendy divorcing and Tom realizing he actually likes his wife, that is, after Ron Swanson asked him if it’s ok to ask Wendy out. Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler were all strong in the episode.
THE OFFICE: I’m still stunned by last night’s episode because I thought it was sad and not even remotely funny. There was so much about it that was off kilter and out of whack; I’m not even sure how to comment on it but then, I have nothing nice to say so I’ll just stop right there.
30 ROCK: Happily, the hour turned around mightily with the “Dealbreakers” episode of 30 ROCK. Frank morphing into Liz was a stroke of comic genius and Judah Friedlander made the most of it. I’m still giggling over the HD camera bit that showed Kenneth as a muppet in HD and Jack as the younger Alec Baldwin (perfect) and Pete as a very old man. Bonuses: Jack going to Jenna for help with crazy Liz and Jenna said, “I’ll help you move the body” and Jack’s signoff to Devin Banks on their phone call: “A moron says what?” Tina Fey killed me too, especially when she was trying to pose for the Dealbreakers opening. Also loved Whoopi Goldberg schooling Tracy on the way to EGOT.
FLASH FORWARD: The show’s ratings sank to a series low of a 2.1 rating last night. Can’t say the episode was significantly stronger either which makes me wonder how much viewer interest will remain when the show returns in March 2010. I’m consistently frustrated by the show especially because the writers said they had written a very detailed show bible before they began writing. The show is not working and though they’ve made behind the scenes changes, I doubt they’re going to be able to drum up a lot of interest to bring viewers back in the spring.
ALICE ON SYFY: This two-night event premieres Sunday at 9pm / 8pm Central on Syfy. The big promo stunt for the event was lifesize rabbits wandering the streets of New York, which probably didn’t even make New Yorkers look twice. Reviews have been mixed despite the very strong cast. Here’s the basic info from Syfy PR:
“Using the classic Lewis Carroll books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass as a jumping off point, writer/director Nick Willing has created the modern-day story of Alice Hamilton (Caterina Scorsone), a fiercely independent twenty-something who suddenly finds herself on the other side of a looking glass. She is a stranger in an outlandish city of twisted towers and casinos built out of playing cards, all under the rule of the deliciously devilish Queen of Hearts (Oscar winner Kathy Bates) who’s not very happy about Alice’s arrival. In the course of her adventure, Alice enlists the help of an array of characters including the resistance fighter Hatter (Andrew-Lee Potts), resistance leader Dodo (Tim Curry) and the White Knight (Matt Frewer). Rounding out the stellar cast are Colm Meaney as the King of Hearts, Harry Dean Stanton as Caterpillar, Alessandro Juliani as 9 of Clubs, Timothy Webber as Carpenter, Alex Diakun as Ratcatcher, and Eugene Lipinski as Doctors Dee and Dum. For this re-imagined adaptation, writer/director Nick Willing mines the bizarre ingenuity and twisted logic of Carroll’s work to create a daringly different, boldly colorful and delightfully skewed dreamscape of his own. Willing also directed the record-breaking, Emmy-winning miniseries Tin Manfor Syfy in 2007. Serving as executive producers for this ambitious new event are Matthew O’Connor and Lisa Richardson from Reunion Pictures, Jamie Brown from Studio Eight and RHI Entertainment’s Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr.”
ROBIN WILLIAMS NEW SPECIAL: This is the result of Williams’ recent tour of stand-up gigs. I hear he doesn’t talk too much about his recent heart troubles but he covers a lot of ground (as usual). My big brother saw him in Chicago and said the show was amazing. WEAPONS OF SELF DESTRUCTION premieres Sunday night at 9pm on HBO.
EARLY HEADS UP FOR MONDAY: THE CLOSER returns at 9pm to start a three part special, MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE premieres after THE CLOSER Monday night. The new dramedy stars Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula. The script was pretty good but I’m hearing the premiere hour drags a little. I don’t have a screener so I’ll be tuning in Monday night to check it out.
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: One of my eternal holiday favorites, Eartha Kitt’s classic version of “Santa Baby” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMmSbxB_Sg
Tonight - Friday, December 4, 2009
ABC: Dreams Come True: A Celebration of Disney Animation (special), Ugly Betty, 20/20
Anyone still watching UGLY BETTY? I haven’t tuned in lately because I’m now very taken with MEDIUM and DOLLHOUSE on Friday nights.
CBS: Ghost Whisperer, Medium, Numbers
NBC: Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (special, repeat), Dateline, The Jay Leno Show
FOX: Dollhouse (2-hours)
Look for a slew of guest stars in the episodes: Summer Glau & Alexis Denisof tonight and in future episodes: Alan Tudyk and Keith Carradine return. I hear Maurissa Tancharoen (she’s married to Jed Whedon and is one of the show’s writers) also guests in one of the episodes.
The Chicago Tribune’s Maureen Ryan did a terrific interview with Joss Whedon – click here to read:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/12/dollhouse-fox-joss-whedon.html
CW: Smallville (repeat), Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (special, repeat)
MyNetworkTV: WWE Friday Night Smackdown!
Animal Planet: I’m Alive (season finale), Pitbulls & Parolees (season finale)
Comedy: Live at Gotham: Rob Riggle
E!: 10pm: The Soup
Fine Living Network: Bartender Wars
Food: Chefs vs. City
History: Ancient Discoveries (special time period)
Planet Green: Renovation Nation
Sundance: Shameless
SyFy: Stargate Universe (winter finale), Sanctuary
Travel: Ghost Adventures
USA: 9pm: Monk (series finale, part 2), 10pm: White Collar (fall finale)
A lovely piece about MONK from the Star Ledger’s Alan Sepinwall can be found here:
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/12/the_legacy_of_monk_-_sepinwall.html
On WHITE COLLAR’s fall finale: The FBI investigates a spectacular jewelry heist and all the clues point to Neal. Now Peter must figure out if his partner is telling the truth or if Neal is pulling a con of his own. Hmm. Sounds pretty much the same as the last couple of episodes. I’m afraid the writers are running out of ideas; hope I’m wrong.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
ABC: College Football: Big 12 Championship (season finale)
CBS: Medium (repeat), CSI:NY (repeat), 48 Hours Mystery
NBC: Parks and Recreation (repeat), Movie: The Incredibles (repeat)
Saturday Night Live: GOSSIP GIRL’s Blake Lively hosts with musical guest Rihanna
FOX: Cops, Cops (repeat), America’s Most Wanted, The Wanda Sykes Show
Animal Planet: Superfetch, Dogs101/Cats 101
BBCA: Robin Hood (series finale), The Graham Norton Show
BIO: Ghostly Encounters, Celebrity Ghost Stories
Food: Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (special)
Hallmark: Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle (special)
History: Cowboys & Outlaws (special time period), Cowboys & Outlaws (season finale, special time period)
Lifetime: 12 Men of Christmas (special) – with Kristin Chenoweth
Nickelodeon: iCarly, True Jackson, VP, The Troop
Science: Head Games
Showtime: Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam (special, 90-minutes)
Spike: Ultimate Fighter (season finale, 3-hours), 1000 Ways to Die (season premiere), MANswers (season premiere)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
ABC: America’s Funniest Home Videos (repeat), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters
It’s the Justin & Rebecca wedding episode of BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
CBS: 60 Minutes, Amazing Race 15 (season finale), Cold Case, NCIS: Los Angeles (repeat)
I think Meaghan and Cheyne are going to win the big money on THE AMAZING RACE. They’ve been very strong and they’re fierce competitors.
NBC: Football Night in America, Sunday Night Football: Vikings @ Cardinals
FOX: NFL Football, The OT, BCS Selection Show (special), The Simpsons (repeat), Family Guy (repeat), American Dad (repeat)
BIO: I Survived (season premiere), Shatner’s Raw Nerve (season premiere)
Comedy Central: Comedy Central’s Hot List (special)
E!: The Girls Next Door, The Girl’s Next Door (season finale, special time)
G4: Sexpo Australia (special, 2-hours)HBO: 9pm: Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (special, 90-minutes)
HGTV: Celebrity Holiday Holmes (special), House Hunters, House Hunters International
History: Cowboys & Outlaws (series debut)
Science: Vampires from the Abyss (special)
Showtime: Dexter, Californication
SyFy: 9pm: Alice (special, parts 1&2)
