I did not see TOP MODEL but I plan to catch the Friday night repeat because I MUST see Andre Leon Talley as the new judge. I hear he was very forthright and on the mark. I expect nothing less.
As I’m not watching IDOL for more than a few minutes here and there, I thought something was odd when Ryan Seacrest tweeted the name of the person who went home BEFORE the show aired on the west coast, which actually impacted the ratings for the show. IDOL still did well but west coast viewers were ticked off at Seacrest for revealing that information. I couldn’t bring myself to watch IDOL last night because I was too afraid of the amateurs ruining the Rolling Stones catalog.
On the DVR: Last night’s SOUTH PARK episode about Tiger Woods. I’m still learning when shows air on DirecTV so I’ve had to record more and do some timeshift viewing. The episode repeats tonight at 930pm if you missed it last night. Also waiting on my DVR: episodes of LIFE UNEXPECTED and CAPRICA.
LOST: “Recon” – I liked this Sawyer-centric episode that showed us Sawyer as a detective in his sideways life, with Miles as his partner no less! Sawyer is still focused on getting revenge on the grifter who swindled his father and caused his father to kill himself and Sawyer’s mother. Not sure how Sawyer dating Charlotte fits in but it was lovely to see Rebecca Mader again, without blood trickling down her face.
Island Sawyer was playing AlternaLocke and Charles Widmore against each other and I can’t think that will work out well in the end. He’s still Sawyer though as he’s focused on getting himself and Kate off the island. Actually, it surprised me that he’d want to get anyone other than himself off the island. The moment that jolted me out of the show’s story: the first shot of Sheila Kelley; I thought Tina Fey was on LOST!
Next week’s episode has the backstory for Richard Alpert aka the man who never ages, played by Nestor Carbonell aka the man who wears guyliner.
THE GOOD WIFE: Another strong, quietly emotional episode that had a powerful Alicia/Will scene in which their long-simmering attraction to each other came to a bit of a boil. I’m not sure what to make of Peter’s spiritual counseling; the easy conclusion is to think he’s doing it solely for image but spending time in prison changes a man so it could be something more. I thought the scene where Alicia came home after her “moment” with Will and had sex with Peter – in the maid’s room, NOT the bedroom – was really well done. Loved the zoom in on the cross hanging on the lamp stand, that was a nice touch. Finally, I’m still admiring Alan Cumming as campaign manager Eli Gold and Joe Morton as Peter’s attorney. The two have a quiet command of the screen that I never tire of.
SOUTHLAND: I’m still watching and I think it’s still the best cop show on the air since THE SHIELD left the airwaves. I can’t stop thinking about Ben McKenzie’s performance – and trust me, that’s a sentence I NEVER thought I’d type. His entire demeanor is believable in this role and he’s one of the main reasons to watch the show, especially his scenes with Michael Cudlitz as his training officer. McKenzie subtly drives home that while he’s chosen this career, learning the lessons that come along with the job isn’t easy or easily digestible. This is McKenzie’s breakout role.
Amaury Nolasco (from PRISON BREAK) is also delivering a terrific performance as a flashier guy – he gets to wear a suit in this show – and his chemistry with Regina King is very good as she gradually warms up to working with him. King is always a wonder to watch and her sadness at losing the partner she loved working with (Tom Everett Scott’s character) is very apparent in these episodes. SOUTHLAND airs Tuesdays at 10pm on TNT.
FLASH FORWARD RETURNS TONIGHT: My plan is to watch the NBC comedies when I get home and then I’ll watch FLASH FORWARD. The show really tried my patience with their first crop of episodes because they kept throwing more stuff into the pot and there was zero payoff. The show has gone through behind the scenes changes which doesn’t inspire confidence either because the original producers bragged heavily at their summer TCA session about how carefully they had mapped out the entire first season. So much for that plan I guess. I’m not betting the show will be much better but for some reason, I feel like I should give it a chance. Are you going to watch?
ARCHER SEASON FINALE: The very funny animated series closes out their freshman season tonight. The show has already received a season two pickup. The ARCHER season finale airs tonight at 10pm on FX.
EARLY HEADS UP FOR FRIDAY NIGHT: Donald Glover’s Comedy Central special airs Friday night at 11pm. You may know Glover as Troy on COMMUNITY but his stand-up is a whole ‘nother thing. He’s a brilliantly creative guy with more star charisma than I’ve seen in a long time. Also Friday night, new episodes of HBO’s THE LIFE & TIMES OF TIME, THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW and a new edition of REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER.
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: A groovy medley of TV theme songs sung by two very talented twin brothers. Does anyone know who these guys are? I like to credit the talent.
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/03/18/clip-du-jour-the-tv-theme-medley/
Bonus song for today: The Replacements’ “Alex Chilton” in memory of Alex Chilton – he passed away suddenly yesterday. Rock and roll lost one of the greats. R.I.P. Mr. Chilton.
Tonight’s rundown:
ABC: 8:00pm. FlashForward (2 hours) 10:00pm. Private Practice
CBS: 7pm: 2010 NCAA Basketball: First Round – Day 1 (from 7 p.m.)
NBC: 8:00pm. Community 8:30pm. Parks and Recreation 9:00pm. The Office 9:30pm. 30 Rock 10:00pm. The Marriage Ref
Tony Hale guests in tonight’s episode of COMMUNITY. Love to see Hale in any show, whether it’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, CHUCK or COMMUNITY.
Andy Samberg guests on PARKS AND REC tonight.
Michael Sheen is in tonight’s episode of 30 ROCK. Still as Liz’s future husband I guess.
Cedric the Entertainer, Martha Stewart and Jason Alexander are on THE MARRIAGE REF panel tonight.
FOX: 8:00pm. Bones (R) 9:00pm. Fringe (R)
THE CW: 8:00pm. The Vampire Diaries (R) 9:00pm. Supernatural (R)
A&E: Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force
Bravo: 10pm: Real Housewives of NYC
Comedy Central: 10pm: Important Things with Demetri Martin 1030pm: Sarah Silverman Program
FX: 10pm: Archer season finale
History: 8pm: Modern Marvels, 9pm: Food Tech
MTV: 10pm: America’s Best Dance Crew
TLC: 10pm: LA Ink
That’s a wrap for now.
[...] TV critic believes Southland is a breakout role for Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan, The [...]