BIG LOVE: We’re only two episodes in and there’s a whirlwind of events happening because this season of BIG LOVE is only nine episodes. Bill has decided to run for political office which worries the wives because of possible exposure of their unique lifestyle. J.J. is still trying to control Nicki and Cara Lynn. Barb is working at the new family-friendly casino on the Indian reservation the family has invested in. Margene’s home shopping venture is taking off and Ben’s attraction to her has resurfaced (yowsa!). Joey is still haunted by his final encounter with Roman Grant and his role in Roman’s death. Wanda is not a strong accomplice either which makes things even shakier. Roman’s son Alby, played with spooky greatness by Matt Ross, has indulged his longing for male companionship and has found love in the form of attorney Dale Tomassen, another closeted Mormon who is married with children and wants to serve the lord but has “terrible urges” (Dale’s words, not mine.) Benjamin Koldyke is very good in the role of Tomassen and his scenes with Matt Ross are riveting.
This week’s episode also introduced Sissy Spacek as a powerful D.C. attorney who Bill offends at first but with Nicki’s help, starts to win over. The show is trying to do a lot and for the most part, they’re succeeding. What strikes me most is Bill’s sense of mission as he started his new church with his family and how set he is on winning the special election because that will get them all to a place where they can be honest about their lifestyle. I’m not so sure that’s true but it’s a very intriguing thought. This season of BIG LOVE promises a lot of change and turmoil – just like last season.
Much has been said about the show’s new opening titles; I might be in the minority here but I think the new titles are gorgeous and the song “Home” by Engineers perfectly encapsulates the characters’ current struggle/journey to find a place they can truly call home and realizing who the people are that define home to you. I’m back in love with BIG LOVE; it’s still one of the best dramas on television. BIG LOVE airs Sunday nights at 9pm on HBO and repeats throughout the week.
HAITI TELETHON: I wrote about the ratings and fundraising success of the telethon yesterday but I completely overlooked the musical success of it. My favorite was Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris’ cover of “Hallelujah” and Madonna and a choir performing “Like A Prayer.” Usually Springsteen is my fave but I wasn’t nuts about “We Shall Overcome.” Beyonce sounded wonderful with “Halo” and Mary J. Blige’s cover of “Hard Times Come Again No More” was also a standout. All the music is available for purchase on iTunes with proceeds going to the cause. Did you have a musical favorite?
LIFE UNEXPECTED: The show is soapy and I have to confess that I teared up a couple of times during last night’s episode as Lux, Kate and Baze came to grips with some hard truths. Lux heard Kate deny on the radio that she was pregnant as a teenager, Baze had to face up to the fact that he wasn’t equipped to parent Lux (at least not yet) and Kate had to confront her fears or lose Lux for good. I didn’t mind the emotional manipulation because the performances are solid. I was unsure of Shiri Appleby at first but she’s growing on me. I’ve been a fan of Kris Polaha for years and I think he’s very good as Baze. Brittany Robertson as Lux is good but she’s got some actress-y tics that need to be smoothed out. I’ll keep watching.
CHUCK: I adored Kristin Kreuk in this week’s episode as a potential love interest for newly minted spy Chuck Bartwoski. I also loved that Chuck’s first solo mission was on a plane and that Brandon Routh’s character became his handler this time. I think Rough is great in this role and I’m hoping he’s around for awhile.
THE INBETWEENERS: I watched one of the two episodes that aired last night. It’s British teens torturing each other socially and there’s quite a bit of funny to the show. It’s a light half-hour and it’s yet another reminder of how cruel teenagers can be to each other.
THE REAL BELLE DU JOUR & THE TV BELLE MEET: Actress Billie Piper sat down for a chat with the real Belle du Jour, Dr. Brooke Magnanti, and Showtime taped the conversation which was a very frank (not for the kids) talk about why Brooke decided to become a high-priced call girl. In a nutshell, it was for the money and she did it because she loved sex. She had a 32 year old boyfriend when she was 16 years old and she learned a lot from him in the bedroom. It’s an interesting half hour and I’m sure Showtime will be repeating it this week since the start of the new season of SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL is next Monday February 1.
DAMAGES: The writers crafted a very meticulous, carefully laid out premiere. I say that even though they kept jumping up and back in time with the “six months earlier” and “six months later” technique. They love to do this and as past seasons have shown, the timeline keeps getting filled in as the episodes progress. All I know after last night’s episode: Patty’s car accident was no accident, Keith Carradine’s “sort of an architect” character is probably up to no good, and I’m already sad about Tom Shays but dying to watch more and find out the backstory. It’s wonderful to see Campbell Scott (as Joe, the son of the alleged Ponzi scheme perpetrator played by Len Cariou) and Ben Shenkman (as Ellen’s new boss); they don’t work often enough and I’m elated they’ve signed on for this show. Also fantastic to see Martin Short and Lily Tomlin in serious roles; they’re both comic geniuses but it’s great to see them stretch.
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: “Don’t Rain on My Parade” – GLEE style as sung by Lea Michele
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj54q_fgk7I&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-3-HM
The Tuesday night rundown:
ABC: Scrubs, Better Off Ted, Scrubs, Better Off Ted, Lost (repeat of Season 5 finale)
More TED tonight! Savor it until ABC yanks it away from us. Yeah, that IS a chip on my shoulder. It’s not pretty, is it? Thank you Steve McPherson.
You can prep for next week’s LOST premiere by re-watching last season’s finale tonight.
CBS: NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife (repeat)
NBC: Biggest Loser: Couples (2-hrs), The Jay Leno Show
FOX: American Idol, Human Target
CW: 90210 (repeat), Melrose Place (repeat)
A&E: Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal, Paranormal State, Paranormal Cops
Animal Planet: Wild Recon, Maneaters
BBC America: 9pm: Last Restaurant Standing
BIO: Shatner’s Raw Nerve
BRAVO: 10pm: Millionaire Matchmaker
Discovery: Dirty Jobs, Howe and Howe Tech
Food: Chopped
HBO: 10pm: Jimmy Johnson: Race to Daytona (season premiere)
History: How the Earth Was Made, Life After People
IFC: The Jon Dore Television Show
MTV: Teen Mom (90-minutes, season finale)
Oxygen: The Bad Girls Club
Science: Seeing Black Holes (special), Physics of the Impossible: How to Teleport
Spike: Blue Mountain State, Blue Mountain State
Syfy: ECW
USA: White Collar
WE: Little Miss Perfect – this show is like TODDLERS & TIARAS so if you’re into little kids being forced into pageants, this show is for you.
That’s a wrap for now.
