Weekend Rant - The Week in Review

It's still damn busy with the viewing schedule (for all my complaining last year dealing with the strike I really can't complain this year about having nothing to watch) and slowly but surely I have been catching up with my favorite shows. We just went through Election season here in Canada and that helped make it an even busier than usual week.

The bad news is that there hasn't been that many new shows added to the Watch List. So far Fringe and Knight Rider have fallen to the wayside (honestly, it was another case of tried it and didn't like it) and there are still a couple of shows that feel on the bubble (Sanctuary is borderline at this point and I can hardly wait until Stargate Atlantis ends and I am even running behind on the episodes right now, I will catch up when we hit some repeats later this fall). I was glad that this season of Project Runway finally wrapped things up (congrats to Leanne -- at least Kenley didn't win) but even the 2 part finale sucked. I still can't believe that JLo dropped out at the last minute as guest Judge of the Finale due to a foot injury ( I heard that she ran a marathon after the episode) and it was probably another case of rats deserting a sinking ship. The rumor mill is non stop about the legal problems with the show moving to the Lifetime Network and who knows when or if we will see another season. Time will tell, things don't seem to be advancing that quickly on this side of the border either and no launch date mentioned for the Canadian version either.

The good news is that I am completely addicted to a couple of new series such as True Blood and I am ecstatic that it has already been picked up for another season. This is a vampire series that I can sink my teeth into, and Jason Stackhouse played by Ryab Kwanten is the sexiest redneck living in the Bayou that I have ever seen. Seriously. Not only is this is the best vampire series on TV since Angel and Buffy, it is definitively the most adult. I know you Moonlight fans are still lamenting the demise of the series, but I really suggest checking this series out if you like a dark and sexy show. If anything, I find some interesting similarities between the Vampire Universe that Sookie and her friends live in and that of the the Vampire Universe created by Anne Rice.Louisiana seems to be a very hospitable environment for these beasts and there is something sensual and sexy about things being hot and steamy all the time. It certainly brings out the sexual vibe from the characters and linking sex and blood seems to be a natural fit with the nature of things. It certainly hits a nerve as well as the similitude's between being a minority (vampire) is on the same level as being gay in today's society, and having to deal with being out but not accepted by the mainstream population. It's an interesting reflection on society.

and damn sexy watching.

On a polar opposite and bordering the realm of the ridiculous is the addictive Paris Hilton's My New BFF. I can not stop myself from watching this train wreck of a "reality" show and it was hysterical so see boy-girl Onch have a complete meltdown during the "Always look Hot Challenge" as the contestants had to look good while being on roller coasters. I have never been in such a state of complete awe and shock after seeing someone have a meltdown like that and being so over the top. Onch is such an over the top drama Queen that I was just laughing my ass off as s(he) was sticking his head in sideways to puke into the garbage can while carefully holding his cigarette off to the side. Later we had the big on knees and begging to be released from this challenge moment that was so pathetic that it was priceless. In other circumstances I would tell Onch to grow a pair.. but I think he already wants to hide the ones he has so no pressure there.

All drama aside, I love the girly-boy and think he would make a fabulous addition to Paris' Posse. Everyone needs a fabulous bitchy-girly boy as a pet and it would certainly keep some of her fans occupied. Besides, the girls are pretty fake for the most part, but I imagine that Paris wants someone as scripted and fake as her for company with no real personality that could be a challenge or take any attention away from her so it may go to the fakest of them all. God help the virgin if it's her.

It's all very entertaining and a highlight of the week.

My other favorite moments of the week were the return of Samantha Who?, still as funny as ever with our amnesiac good/bad girl. Jean Smart is so fricking hilarious as Sam's mother that she is a huge scene stealer and I love the chemistry between all of them.

Pushing Daisies is the greatest and most wonderful adult fairy tale that I have ever seen. This past episode with the Nuns and the truffles was too hilarious. Pigby is a great addition to the crew and I can hardly wait to see what happens this week with Olive going back home. It's nice to see some closure but the bomb that will be dropped on Chuck will be huge... just wait until she finds out that Lily is her mother! I can't believe the MADtv alumni that guest starred as the Truffle expert Sister Larue (Mo Collins, one of my long time faves) and the very funny Father at the Nunnery (Michael Hitchcock who had played Simeon on The Lillian Verner Game Show). Both of them were hilarious and it's a shame that we don't see more of them on TV.

Smallville has been keeping me very happy with all the gratuitous Green Arrow shirtless scenes, some decent stories and a ton of Lois and Clark. Erica is starting to become my favorite Lois out of all the series and I wonder if they can get her to do the jump to the big screen, she really has the character down and does a great interpretation. I am still unhappy that Chloe has ditched the reporter angle (too close to Lois I think) and it's getting interesting with her going into Oracle mode and helping to coordinate things (channeling the former Batgirl from Birds of Prey), but her intelligence is going to hit the fan when they do the return of Brainiac. The viewing is better and I hope that they continue in the adventure vein that they have started.

Supernatural has been great this season and this week's black and white adventure was fantastic as a "gimmick" episode. I loved all the old style credits and themes, and it was too funny with Dracula, the Wolf Man and then the Mummy. I called the mummy before it happened, and was hoping for either a Frankenstein or Creature from the Black Lagoon but they were only mentioned. I love how they did their own homage to the old classic monster thrillers. The boys were as hot as usual (black and white can be very flattering) and I loved Dean's idea that he was now a virgin again due to his rebirth. Oh those naughty boys. Still it was a great, light episode and felt like old times, just like it was supposed to.

The last and best thing of the whole week was the continuing competition on So you think you can dance Canada. The level of competition is incredible and most of the couples are dancing way harder than I have seen in the American version. Nico & Arassay are the most amazing couple so far and their Dark Angel dance was phenomenal.

I didn't agree with who was voted into the bottom group, I could see why the judges chose Dario and Romina to leave. I didn't understand why either Joey nor Izaak were in the bottom group as they clearly didn't seem comfortable dancing with their partners. Maybe the boys should dance together instead... it seems more up their alley.

I think the most frustrating thing is the Results Show, CTV has only given them 30 minutes and so all you hear is " we don't have much time so I'll get right to it" as the dancers are let go. It might be nice to have a tad more time to do their walk of shame before exiting the stage.

Weekend Rant - The Week in Review

Since this is the big start to the new TV season, there is a ton of ranting to do.. so start your engines and off we go...

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is continuing it's sophomore season with some interesting developments but some of the plot lines have me scratching my head and going hmmm a bit too much. This past episode has Cromartie kidnapping Charley's wife, Michelle (Penny from Lost) and setting up an elaborate Mousetrap to keep the gang busy while he goes after John. The stupid thing is that Michelle gets injured and Charley (the paramedic) can't do anything to save her. Bad paramedic.... I am not sure if it's to get him more involved with the team (and possible love interest once again for Sarah) or if it's another example of the sacrifices that she will have to make to protect John. I am not sure if I would want a semi competent paramedic on my team. Shirley Manson is still freaking me out as the ultra slick Catherine, who (apparently) is on a quest for Terminator bits and pieces (she says) and is recruiting poor Agent Ellison over to the dark side. All part of the bigger picture I imagine.

Cameron had a couple of great moments this week showing her robotic/naive side. Her assessment of the centre of the house was great, and her super strength manipulations at the computer store were so matter of fact to her but bad for her cover story/secret identity. I estimated that in the time she took chasing after John and finding him, her truck was probaby emptied out in no time and someone else got some nice shiny new computers. These are those moments that you wonder if stuff like that is intended or is it just more impressive characterisation by Summer. Stealing from a Terminator is probably not a smart thing to do and it will more than likely result in death. The chase scene with John at the Pier seemed strangely familiar, and I was glad to see the fact that these particular Terminators can't swim (or float) exploited. I wonder if future versions could be water adapted or specialised? That could be an interesting version to see. It was also a tad strange that Catherine was drinking water .... something about water and that one.

Bones continued it's season with a great episode and another one of those witty titles "The Perfect Pieces in the Purple Pond" that brought some of the old energy back. It was great seeing Zack again and having some follow up to his story. It's nice to see that he is recovering from those nasty hand injuries and hasn't really lost his touch when it comes to figuring things out. It turns out that he didn't actually kill anyone ... but I still have this nagging feeling that Sweets is more involved in the whole Gargamel story line than we know and I will not be overly surprised when that fact is revealed. I am so loving the "intern of the week" dynamic that is happening with the gang (it reminds me of Murphy Brown and the never ending cycle of secretaries that she went through) and I wonder if it's a temp thing until they get Zack back. I loved seeing the old chemistry back.... now if we can Hodges and Angela back together again the world will be alright.

I love how they have been humanizing Bones more and trying to show different facets of her very complex personality. Last week with her interest and obvious affection for the dogs and the very touching memorial that she gave, and this week and her tender moments with Zack. Yes, she is terribly logical and literal but she has a good heart. It's time to take things up a whole 'nother level with Booth, you can see how much they like each other and they have such a perverse pleasure in toying with Sweets.

Knight Rider crashed and burned coming out of the gate this week and I knew it was going to be a dud. The writing is as bad as the made for TV movie (I still don't understand why they thought it was such a success that it deserved a regular series, but then again this is the same network that gave us the Bionic Woman fiasco.) The transforming car is just too much and I didn't understand how someone could go from the back of a pick up to driving the car with a few simple transformer moves with out being crushed ... but not much of this show is that logical. Unfortunately part of me still likes the pretty tech( ooh! science!) and the pretty new Michael Knight, I just don't know if I will try to follow it and consider me officially on the fence about this one. There is a lot of choices on the tube and I have the feeling that this is falling to the wayside.

Smallville started the season off not bad last week with some of the Justice League looking for Clark after he some how ended up in a Russian Work Camp. While I don't try to understand some of the story lines, I love that Green Arrow (Justin) is a regular this season, they tried to fix some of the costume issues with the Black Canary by giving her a Birds of Prey inspired one (good move) but they are still relying on her throwing a lot of knives. That still sits funny with me and would prefer if they could go all ninja with her and make her the kick ass martial artist that she should be... but improvements none the less. Aquadude was great... the shower scene certainly showed off his assets... something has to be said about those swimmers bodies... wow...

It's a shame that Lex has vanished (I am hoping for a guest appearance at some point), but I am shedding no tears over the departure of Lana. Our new CEO of Luthor, Tess whatsherface, is a cookie cutter version of some of the great ladies that have worked for Lex, and I think she will be an interesting counterpoint to the good guys. She obviously can't be on the side of Angels and it looks like she is trying to get her own Injustice League (or Suicide Squad?) together to battle the Justice League. Bette (aka Plastique) is an interesting addition to the others (I have to see more) and the show seems to be going into a different adventurous direction.

The developments with Chloe have me scratching my head a bit, all the sudden changes (and now she is no longer interested in being a reporter? what?), only reinforces that I think that part of Brainiac is inside Chloe's head. She can't heal, is smarter in weird ways, and there are a few things that just aren't adding up. I don't really want to get into the angst thing and new love triangle that seems to be developing with the ambulance guy and Jimmy. I could do with out all of that but it wouldn't be the CW if there wasn't some sort of teen like angst happening, they do realize that the kids are no longer in school right?

It looks like this year Lois and Clark will be getting closer and working together, and I really do like Erica as Lois. She does a great, strong take on the character and you can start to see more of the spark between them. Lois is certainly more street smart and damnm does she know how to dress a man. I won't be surprised if Clark starts flying soon. I think that rule can be tossed aside now that we are getting more out of Smallville and in to Metropolis... with all the changes you might as well change the name of this show to Metropolis, it looks like Smallville is just a nickname for our farm boy now. I am appreciating this show more this year and if it doesn't fall into severe emo/teen angst territory it should be a fun watch.

Supernatural found a way of bring Dean back from Hell (Plucked by an Angel it appears, and that almost sounds dirty), but I am having a problem believing that the Hunter culture can know so much about demons and the other ilk and know nothing about the good guys. You would think that you would know a bit more about Angels since Demons piss their pants if they see one... it's a skewed view of the universe that seems unbalanced... and for me is less a question of faith than one of logic, obviously if all this evil exists then there should be a counterpoint.

The whole Apocalypse storyline seems interesting (and face it, shows like this end up saving the world at least once per year) and I am glad that Lilith is still involved on some level. The humor has been lacking a tad this season, but we are only 2 episodes in and there had to be some explaining about Dean's miraculous return. The writing is good, the boys look great and I am looking forward to this season.

This week I am really excited by the return of The Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Chuck and Pushing Daisies. I am so happy to be getting full seasons of some of my favorites and I can hardly wait to jump in to that delicious Pie Heaven that is Pushing Daisies. It's the most original thing on the tube.

On Canadian TV, we finally get around to some new This Hour has 22 Minutes, The Rick Mercer Report and Air Farce Live and So you think you can Dance? Canada starts back up with stage 2 and the selection of the Top 20. It's going to be another busy week....

Weekend Rant - Start your engines...

This week heralds the main part of the Fall TV launch, and I can hardly wait to see a few of my favorite shows starting up this week. The Watch List will be filling up more and more each evening and this year things are well prepared at Couch Potato Central. Recent system upgrades mean that there is now a PVR for each satellite (yup, both of them) and with several different time zones there is less of a chance of missing something. This also means that a bad show will not last for long on the Watch List. There are just too many shows and simply not enough hours to watch everything, and only those shows that are truly well written and entertaining enough (an easy way to slip in those Guilty Pleasures that may be less cerebral but have their endearing qualities none the less) will be regular viewing.

The Big Bang Theory will be back on Monday, and it's the first new comedy in the past few years that I have really grabbed on to. It must be all the nerd references but I find the characters funny and charming in the oddest way, and love the smart side of their comedy. The best news is that Sarah Gilbert will be a regular character and I have loved her chemistry with Johnny Galecki since they were together on Roseanne. It's always a trip to see some actors work together again, especially when they have great chemistry together.

Heroes will also be returning this Monday for a big 2 hour event and it should be some fun viewing. I am hoping for some more Elle this season, she was truly one of the best things about last year. I am eager to see how some of the characters will survive their apparent demises. .. time will tell ( or will that be travelling in time?) the fate of some of our characters but I am pretty stoked about the whole Villains storyline coming up.

Dancing with the Stars will be back in a 3 night event, which should be lots of fun and games. ABC is really going full force with this show and staggering the opening over 3 nights is a pretty big thing... it will make for a lot of late nights this week as each night is getting pretty full and not all the shows are back yet. I am stunned that Cloris Leachman is one of the contestants, and am eager to see how some of these "Stars" will do in the first couple of rounds. The best news is that Maks is back after being off last season and he is one of my favorite dancers to watch.

So you think you can dance? Canada will be back (it appears that the big premieres of all the shows are delaying the competition part until after the rush) a the beginning of October and almost all of my regular shows will be back on. The auditions were great, and I may be jaded but the Montréal dancers were definitely the hottest ones there. The Judges were in awe with all the circus influenced movement and now I can hardly wait to see who will make it out of the second part of the auditions. The talent pool is quite bit different here than in the US.

I will check out Knight Rider, but if it is anywhere near as crappy as the TV movie then I am officially calling it this year's Bionic Woman... which most of you know is not a compliment. NBC doesn't have a great track record with remakes and I have the feeling this will be another one of them. Let's see if they can prove me wrong.

Survivor is back and this season it's in HD. I love that they are back in Africa again, and am hoping this will be better than the Kenya edition. The HD might be a mixed blessing... sure the countryside will be gorgeous but you know how skinny some of those contestants get as the game progresses not to forget about how dirty it is... this could be interesting but I could be setting myself up for a good fright ... or if I luck out some kind of delight... with this show you never know but just the thought of a gross food challenge in HD is just so wrong ... they will have to do it for sure now. It's a great study in human interaction and I love seeing how it plays out and trying to figure out the winner and who is playing the best social game.

Fringe is hanging on by a thread at this point... I will give it one more episode but there are other fish in the sea and unless I start getting more interested (the last episode just bored me to death) I don't think it will last long. Our Mad Scientist is a big yawn-fest, Boy Wonder is just as boring and our lead character Olivia just doesn't catch my interest. Our trio is referred to as the unlikely team and I think it is unlikely they will last a complete season at this point and time. The unbalanced story line in the last episode and the mention of something called The Pattern has me worried about another Rambaldi mess and I am not sure I want to add another complex story to my schedule. This means it sorry JJ Abrams, but not everything you touch is gold and this one misses the mark with me ... it may have been that there was way too much hype and it didn't live up to all those expectations, or maybe I am just not willing to invest in to something that will be long in developing when I have other well written shows that I would rather see developing further like Lost and Battlestar Galactica.

Knight Rider - Oh No! Not another remake!

I think that if I hear the words "remake" and "NBC" in the same sentence I am going to run and hide.

After the complete disaster that they called Bionic Woman, the Peacock network has the gall to "re-imagine" the Knight Rider series (which was okay the first time around but nothing that spectacular) and churn out a 2 hour movie that had me bored senseless. NBC, I would like those 2 hours of my life back please and no more crap like this. DO NOT make a series out of this.
Seriously, you will just be wasting my time (and yours) and that's enough said.