The Patriots defeated the Jaguars at home 35-7, clinching the AFC East title. This weekend they will be in Houston taking on the Texans. They made the playoffs and this game is kind of meaningless for the Patriots while the Texans have a shot at the wild card with a win. I pick Houston to win in a close game, given how badly the Patriots have done on the road and the fact the Houston has more to gain with a win that New England does, 21-14.
I saw Sherlock Holmes this past weekend. This film directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law was very good. Some Holmesian purists are complaining about the portrayal of Holmes and the acting of Downey. I thought he was very good and it was true to the spirit of the books, the movie was great and I look forward to a sequel. I also thought that Rachel McAdams was very good playing Irene Adler. A
The release of this film has encouraged the DVD release of a number of Sherlock Holmes films. Peter Cushing played the character in a series of BBC shows and the surviving episodes have been released. Also a number of public domain Sherlock Holmes films have been released in a collection called The Sherlock Holmes Archive. Boris Karloff plays a Mr. Mycroft in the Sting of Death, a retired beekeeper who discovers that one of his neighbors is raising Killer Bees. Very good and Karloff does a nice job of playing this mysterious character who may be Sherlock Holmes.
I have been watching the DVD set of Perry Mason from Season 3. Nice episode that featured a young George Taki whose love interest is suspected of murder. Also included is an episode where Paul Drake gets arrested for murder and another where Perry is on vacation and has to defend a young man who is hated by the entire town. I could watch those episodes all day long.
Oh well.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thoughts: 25-December-2009
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.
After my fun Sunday falling in the snow at work, I thought this weather could not get any worst for me. It did. I took the bus to see my optometrist and the bus broke down in front of Stop and Shop. The driver said that he did not know when there would be a replacement bus coming in, so since the City of Groton built all these nice sidewalks down Long Hill Road, I thought it would be an easy walk.
Of course I was wrong. None of the sidewalks were plowed so I had to walk on the highway praying cars would not hit me. Finally by the Hampton Inn, they had plowed the sidewalks so I could walk in safety. And of course I fell hitting my left knee hard on the sidewalk. Luckily the optometrist had some ibuprofen. then I found out I have the beginnings of a cataract on my left eye, which means that someday I will need that surgery. Joy.
I do have to say that I can now endorse Icy Hot and swear that it works. I covered my knee with it and it felt very good and have had minimum pain after that fall.
I am going to my best friend's house for Christmas dinner, we are going to have a ham. I got her, her husband, and her mom, whose birthday was yesterday, cards with CT scratch off tickets. I hope they win big as I am very happy and appreciative that they are having me over for Christmas.
The Patriots take on the Jaguars this weekend at home and a win would help out a couple of other team's playoff chances. I like the Patriots to win, 24-10.
I have been watching lots of DVDs these past few days. Here are some quick comments.
Loch Ness Terror. I saw this movie on the SyFy channel and wanted the DVD. Brian Krause, Leo on Charmed, and Don S. Davis from Twin Peaks were in this movie. No nudity or sex, but the monster kills quite a few people in a gory fashion. And none of those scenes were edited out on the SyFy Channel. I guess you cannot show nudity, but you can show gore on cable. C
The Twilight Zone Movie. I just finished watching the original series on DVD and had not seen this movie in years. I have to say that it holds up better than I remembered. George Miller's remake of Nightmare at 35,000 Feet with John Lithgow was excellent. I also found that Steven Spielberg's remake of Kick the Can was also quite good. I kind of wish that they did more original stories than remakes with this film, it did lead to a revival of the show on CBS which I have the DVD sets for. The Twilight Zone lives on. I also caught a lot of references to other episodes that I had missed previously. B
A Touch of Frost Season 14. I loved this show when A&E showed (when they still ran good shows and not crap like Dog the Bounty Hunter) and have been buying the DVDs Excellent shows and we still have one more set to come out. A
Oh well.
After my fun Sunday falling in the snow at work, I thought this weather could not get any worst for me. It did. I took the bus to see my optometrist and the bus broke down in front of Stop and Shop. The driver said that he did not know when there would be a replacement bus coming in, so since the City of Groton built all these nice sidewalks down Long Hill Road, I thought it would be an easy walk.
Of course I was wrong. None of the sidewalks were plowed so I had to walk on the highway praying cars would not hit me. Finally by the Hampton Inn, they had plowed the sidewalks so I could walk in safety. And of course I fell hitting my left knee hard on the sidewalk. Luckily the optometrist had some ibuprofen. then I found out I have the beginnings of a cataract on my left eye, which means that someday I will need that surgery. Joy.
I do have to say that I can now endorse Icy Hot and swear that it works. I covered my knee with it and it felt very good and have had minimum pain after that fall.
I am going to my best friend's house for Christmas dinner, we are going to have a ham. I got her, her husband, and her mom, whose birthday was yesterday, cards with CT scratch off tickets. I hope they win big as I am very happy and appreciative that they are having me over for Christmas.
The Patriots take on the Jaguars this weekend at home and a win would help out a couple of other team's playoff chances. I like the Patriots to win, 24-10.
I have been watching lots of DVDs these past few days. Here are some quick comments.
Loch Ness Terror. I saw this movie on the SyFy channel and wanted the DVD. Brian Krause, Leo on Charmed, and Don S. Davis from Twin Peaks were in this movie. No nudity or sex, but the monster kills quite a few people in a gory fashion. And none of those scenes were edited out on the SyFy Channel. I guess you cannot show nudity, but you can show gore on cable. C
The Twilight Zone Movie. I just finished watching the original series on DVD and had not seen this movie in years. I have to say that it holds up better than I remembered. George Miller's remake of Nightmare at 35,000 Feet with John Lithgow was excellent. I also found that Steven Spielberg's remake of Kick the Can was also quite good. I kind of wish that they did more original stories than remakes with this film, it did lead to a revival of the show on CBS which I have the DVD sets for. The Twilight Zone lives on. I also caught a lot of references to other episodes that I had missed previously. B
A Touch of Frost Season 14. I loved this show when A&E showed (when they still ran good shows and not crap like Dog the Bounty Hunter) and have been buying the DVDs Excellent shows and we still have one more set to come out. A
Oh well.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thoughts: 21-December-2009
Yesterday I go into work with tons and tons of snow out there. It came up halfway on my front door and was still snowing when I walked into work. I get to my place of employment and our landscape contractors are out there cleaning up the sidewalks and the streets. I figure on walking down to the parking garage and going in through there as that would be the easiest way to get to my lab. In front of the exit and entrance, there is a big pile of snow. I figure I can walk through it into the garage. I figured wrong.
I fall into the snow pile and like a turtle on this back cannot get up. I slip and slide as there was no traction or leverage. I get to one knee and there is nothing but snow to grab on to and I fall down. Finally on my hands and knees I crawl into the garage and by the wall manage to pull myself up. Now I am not hurt, the snow cushioned my fall. I dust myself off and walk a few feet into the garage when I hear "Are you okay?"
Why do people ask if you are okay after you get up from falling in the snow? Of course I am frakking okay, I got up. How about cleaning the frakking snow piles up in front of the openings to the garage. It never ceases to amaze me how people are quick to offer help after it is clear that you are okay.
Patriots beat the Bills 17-10 in Buffalo. New England is now 9-5 with games against the Jaguars at home and the Texans on the road, two teams New England should beat but will struggle against.
The Bills are 5-9 and have gone 7-9 in the last three seasons. Can they make it four straight seasons? They have the Falcons on the road and the Colts at home, which looks to me like a 5-11 season for them.
Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (BBC America) had its US premiere this past Saturday. What a dark tale of the Doctor allowing power to go to his head. I love this more mature look at the Doctor, these shows have been a big hit. A
Oh well.
I fall into the snow pile and like a turtle on this back cannot get up. I slip and slide as there was no traction or leverage. I get to one knee and there is nothing but snow to grab on to and I fall down. Finally on my hands and knees I crawl into the garage and by the wall manage to pull myself up. Now I am not hurt, the snow cushioned my fall. I dust myself off and walk a few feet into the garage when I hear "Are you okay?"
Why do people ask if you are okay after you get up from falling in the snow? Of course I am frakking okay, I got up. How about cleaning the frakking snow piles up in front of the openings to the garage. It never ceases to amaze me how people are quick to offer help after it is clear that you are okay.
Patriots beat the Bills 17-10 in Buffalo. New England is now 9-5 with games against the Jaguars at home and the Texans on the road, two teams New England should beat but will struggle against.
The Bills are 5-9 and have gone 7-9 in the last three seasons. Can they make it four straight seasons? They have the Falcons on the road and the Colts at home, which looks to me like a 5-11 season for them.
Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (BBC America) had its US premiere this past Saturday. What a dark tale of the Doctor allowing power to go to his head. I love this more mature look at the Doctor, these shows have been a big hit. A
Oh well.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thoughts: 20-December-2009
Tons of snow out there, halfway up my front door. And of course today I have to go into work to run a stupid experiment that just could not wait until January. I curse the project team and its leader.
The Saints got their first loss of the season, Cowboys beat them yesterday. I thought that New Orleans would run the table, but I guess not. Of course this loss may improve their chances of winning the Super Bowl, I still cringe at the memory of my Patriots falling to the hated New York Giants.
I finished reading Kristin Chenoweth's autobiography, A Little Bit Wicked. It was a pretty superficial account, I thought she may go a little more in depth on her philosophy of life and her Christian beliefs while working in an industry that really makes it hard for someone to have a public expression of faith. I did learn that after I turn fifty next month to never ever eat any cookies baked by her, an inside joke from her book. C
Dollhouse (Fox) actually was pretty good this week. Echo and the rest of the Dollhouse regulars are going to take down the system. Maybe if Joss Whedon had gotten to this point much earlier, the show would have had better ratings. B
Nip/Tuck (FX) has a terrible season finale this past week. Point by point complaints:
1. What happened to Julie's mother after she got busted for cocaine possession at the airport? A plot line that just disappeared.
2. Matt was the Mime Robber, one would think that he would be fairly notorious in this media climate. He kills his rapist in prison and nothing happens to him. Then he Christian and Shawn suck out the fat of this death role inmate he gets out of jail? And no media coverage of these plastic surgeons doing this? Where does any of this make sense?
3. And not only does Matt not get charged with murder, he finds out from an inmate that this death role guy is innocent of the crime. What a lame plot development.
4. Wilbur shows up after being absent all season for a cameo dinner appearance. Kind of wondering what he has been up to or do I care at this point?
This season of Nip/Tuck has been quite bad. The show returns for its last nine episodes in January. Maybe the Carver will return and put this show to rest, that was the last time this show was must see TV. F
American Chopper (TLC) had its last new episode of the year and boy did it suck. Point by Point complaints:
1. Jeanette Lee, the famous Black Widow professorial pool player, comes in to get a bike built for her. She comments on how her fans think she inspired the Black Widow OCC bike, which helped put OCC on the map. A bike designed by Jr. when OCC actually did creative and innovative bikes. Sr. vows to build a bike that looks better than Jr's creation. Jason Poole goes to design a bike.
a) First they thrown Jason's design out and do their own design on the fly. No fabrication on the tank, some really crappy looking webbing on the fenders, then off to paint. Jason starts complaining and Sr cuts him right down. So Jason starts trashing Paul Jr Designs to get back into Sr's good graces. So this big better than Jr's bike turns out to be the usual slap together bike that they have been making for the last several builds.
b) Lee gets the bike and she cannot even turn it on. She is the OCC customer that they like the best, one who knows nothing about bikes and accepts what ever they slap together. The paint job on the tank looks nice, showing Lee playing pool, other than that a big ripoff for the customer. No wonder guys like Jay Leno and Billy Joel who know something about bikes were not happy with the OCC product.
2. We get lots of trashing of both Jr and Mikey in this show, one where Mikey gets out of rehab. Sr barely acknowledges it at the show, eating an apple while supposing having this emotional talk with the crew. Then he goes to Grandma Tetuel's house where he trashes his sons for not visiting her and we get to hear from her on how Sr is a saint, which explains why the sons do not visit her. She must hound them to reconcile with Sr. We also find out that Sr does not talk to any of his sons, no surprise here.
3. On the TLC Turbo website, I saw on the message board that Sr is suing Jr. It seems that Jr owns 20% of OCC and Sr wants to buy him out. Problem is that they cannot agree to a buyout price. So Sr is suing Jr for millions. I do not understand why Sr would sue Jr, it seems Jr should be suing? I am sure more information will be coming out on this and I also think that may explain the trashing of the sons on the show. Comments have been very negative toward Sr for this and could backfire with a jury deciding the case. I also find it interesting that Jr owns 20% and still gets fired by Sr. It would seem to me that Jr should be getting a 20% share of the profits that OCC generates. I am very interested in following this story.
This show needs to end soon and it gets worst and worst. F
Oh well.
The Saints got their first loss of the season, Cowboys beat them yesterday. I thought that New Orleans would run the table, but I guess not. Of course this loss may improve their chances of winning the Super Bowl, I still cringe at the memory of my Patriots falling to the hated New York Giants.
I finished reading Kristin Chenoweth's autobiography, A Little Bit Wicked. It was a pretty superficial account, I thought she may go a little more in depth on her philosophy of life and her Christian beliefs while working in an industry that really makes it hard for someone to have a public expression of faith. I did learn that after I turn fifty next month to never ever eat any cookies baked by her, an inside joke from her book. C
Dollhouse (Fox) actually was pretty good this week. Echo and the rest of the Dollhouse regulars are going to take down the system. Maybe if Joss Whedon had gotten to this point much earlier, the show would have had better ratings. B
Nip/Tuck (FX) has a terrible season finale this past week. Point by point complaints:
1. What happened to Julie's mother after she got busted for cocaine possession at the airport? A plot line that just disappeared.
2. Matt was the Mime Robber, one would think that he would be fairly notorious in this media climate. He kills his rapist in prison and nothing happens to him. Then he Christian and Shawn suck out the fat of this death role inmate he gets out of jail? And no media coverage of these plastic surgeons doing this? Where does any of this make sense?
3. And not only does Matt not get charged with murder, he finds out from an inmate that this death role guy is innocent of the crime. What a lame plot development.
4. Wilbur shows up after being absent all season for a cameo dinner appearance. Kind of wondering what he has been up to or do I care at this point?
This season of Nip/Tuck has been quite bad. The show returns for its last nine episodes in January. Maybe the Carver will return and put this show to rest, that was the last time this show was must see TV. F
American Chopper (TLC) had its last new episode of the year and boy did it suck. Point by Point complaints:
1. Jeanette Lee, the famous Black Widow professorial pool player, comes in to get a bike built for her. She comments on how her fans think she inspired the Black Widow OCC bike, which helped put OCC on the map. A bike designed by Jr. when OCC actually did creative and innovative bikes. Sr. vows to build a bike that looks better than Jr's creation. Jason Poole goes to design a bike.
a) First they thrown Jason's design out and do their own design on the fly. No fabrication on the tank, some really crappy looking webbing on the fenders, then off to paint. Jason starts complaining and Sr cuts him right down. So Jason starts trashing Paul Jr Designs to get back into Sr's good graces. So this big better than Jr's bike turns out to be the usual slap together bike that they have been making for the last several builds.
b) Lee gets the bike and she cannot even turn it on. She is the OCC customer that they like the best, one who knows nothing about bikes and accepts what ever they slap together. The paint job on the tank looks nice, showing Lee playing pool, other than that a big ripoff for the customer. No wonder guys like Jay Leno and Billy Joel who know something about bikes were not happy with the OCC product.
2. We get lots of trashing of both Jr and Mikey in this show, one where Mikey gets out of rehab. Sr barely acknowledges it at the show, eating an apple while supposing having this emotional talk with the crew. Then he goes to Grandma Tetuel's house where he trashes his sons for not visiting her and we get to hear from her on how Sr is a saint, which explains why the sons do not visit her. She must hound them to reconcile with Sr. We also find out that Sr does not talk to any of his sons, no surprise here.
3. On the TLC Turbo website, I saw on the message board that Sr is suing Jr. It seems that Jr owns 20% of OCC and Sr wants to buy him out. Problem is that they cannot agree to a buyout price. So Sr is suing Jr for millions. I do not understand why Sr would sue Jr, it seems Jr should be suing? I am sure more information will be coming out on this and I also think that may explain the trashing of the sons on the show. Comments have been very negative toward Sr for this and could backfire with a jury deciding the case. I also find it interesting that Jr owns 20% and still gets fired by Sr. It would seem to me that Jr should be getting a 20% share of the profits that OCC generates. I am very interested in following this story.
This show needs to end soon and it gets worst and worst. F
Oh well.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thoughts: 18-December-2009
It was a very busy week at work, long studies and lots and lots of data crunching. And I get to go in both days this weekend to boot. I hate December.
The Patriots take on the Bills in Buffalo this Sunday. New England has not won a road game in the U.S.A. this year. Buffalo has a really bad team and their O-Line is the worst in the league. Who will win? The Patriots should by a big score, but I am calling it 14-3 in a very cold and snow filled day in Buffalo.
Dexter (Showtime) had a great season finale. Dexter kills the Trinity Killer, but unknown to him Rita forgot something on her way to the Florida Keys, comes home, and gets killed by Trinity. Dexter finds her in the bathtub dead with his son sitting in a pool of water and blood on the bathroom floor. Great ending for the season, and what will Dexter do? If he calls the cops and they investigate, they will find out about him posing as Kyle Butler when he was stalking Trinity. Can he fake a suicide or will he just get rid of the body or what? I cannot wait for the next season. A
Eastwick (ABC). Watching a cancelled show is kind of boring. While it is watchable enough, you know it will end soon and perhaps with unresolved plot lines. Same deal with Dollhouse (Fox), at least Eastwick is not as bad a show as Craphouse. C
Oh well.
The Patriots take on the Bills in Buffalo this Sunday. New England has not won a road game in the U.S.A. this year. Buffalo has a really bad team and their O-Line is the worst in the league. Who will win? The Patriots should by a big score, but I am calling it 14-3 in a very cold and snow filled day in Buffalo.
Dexter (Showtime) had a great season finale. Dexter kills the Trinity Killer, but unknown to him Rita forgot something on her way to the Florida Keys, comes home, and gets killed by Trinity. Dexter finds her in the bathtub dead with his son sitting in a pool of water and blood on the bathroom floor. Great ending for the season, and what will Dexter do? If he calls the cops and they investigate, they will find out about him posing as Kyle Butler when he was stalking Trinity. Can he fake a suicide or will he just get rid of the body or what? I cannot wait for the next season. A
Eastwick (ABC). Watching a cancelled show is kind of boring. While it is watchable enough, you know it will end soon and perhaps with unresolved plot lines. Same deal with Dollhouse (Fox), at least Eastwick is not as bad a show as Craphouse. C
Oh well.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thoughts: 14-December-2009
Patriots beat the Panthers 20-10 and did not look good doing so. I think that we are going to be looking at an early exit for the Pats in the playoffs.
Marvel Comics is cancelling Ms. Marvel with issue 50. I liked this book, my only complaint was that there were too many tie-ins to the big story lines going on and not enough focus on the character. I always thought that Marvel wanted to make this character their big female superhero icon like Wonder Woman over at DC Comics. Maybe it will be rebooted.
Marvel has not had much like going with a female lead in their comic books. Right now only Spider-Woman is the star of her own book. DC, on the other hand, has Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, and Power Girl as stars of their own books. Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Posion Ivy are featured in Gotham Sirens. And in Detective Comics the lead feature is now Batwoman with a female version of The Question as the second feature. I guess DC has better creative teams for their female characters than Marvel does.
CSI: NY (CBS) had a very clever episode this past week. Someone in the 1930's created a deathtrap in this penthouse to get revenge on someone who cheated him out of his inventions. That person gets killed and the penthouse gets sealed for 100 years and at that point two people break in and get caught in the trap. Very interesting and enjoyable. A
CSI (CBS) had a fun episode where Dr. Jekyll makes his next appearance killing two people. And the birthday adventure in Harry's Hog Heaven was just too funny, I love this episode. A
Dollhouse (Fox). TV.com claims that now that this show is cancelled, it is getting good. I wonder what show they are watching, what I watch is one crappy show after the other. When will they finish broadcasting Craphouse? F
Santa Baby 2 (ABC Family) was the sequel to Jenny McCarthy's turn as Merry Claus, the daughter of Santa who saved Christmas in the first film. This time around, only a couple of actors bothered to come back to reprise their roles, the plot made no sense and was a tad dopier than last time. Should have just rerun the first film rather than make a sequel. D
While watching ABC Family, I did see tons of promos for the old Christmas specials that run quite a bit on this network. Some are classics, some are just okay, and some are unnecessary sequels like Santa Baby 2 and the Miser Brothers Christmas. I saw the latter last year and while it was okay, why did they have to make everyone so nice when they were originally mean?
Oh well.
Marvel Comics is cancelling Ms. Marvel with issue 50. I liked this book, my only complaint was that there were too many tie-ins to the big story lines going on and not enough focus on the character. I always thought that Marvel wanted to make this character their big female superhero icon like Wonder Woman over at DC Comics. Maybe it will be rebooted.
Marvel has not had much like going with a female lead in their comic books. Right now only Spider-Woman is the star of her own book. DC, on the other hand, has Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, and Power Girl as stars of their own books. Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Posion Ivy are featured in Gotham Sirens. And in Detective Comics the lead feature is now Batwoman with a female version of The Question as the second feature. I guess DC has better creative teams for their female characters than Marvel does.
CSI: NY (CBS) had a very clever episode this past week. Someone in the 1930's created a deathtrap in this penthouse to get revenge on someone who cheated him out of his inventions. That person gets killed and the penthouse gets sealed for 100 years and at that point two people break in and get caught in the trap. Very interesting and enjoyable. A
CSI (CBS) had a fun episode where Dr. Jekyll makes his next appearance killing two people. And the birthday adventure in Harry's Hog Heaven was just too funny, I love this episode. A
Dollhouse (Fox). TV.com claims that now that this show is cancelled, it is getting good. I wonder what show they are watching, what I watch is one crappy show after the other. When will they finish broadcasting Craphouse? F
Santa Baby 2 (ABC Family) was the sequel to Jenny McCarthy's turn as Merry Claus, the daughter of Santa who saved Christmas in the first film. This time around, only a couple of actors bothered to come back to reprise their roles, the plot made no sense and was a tad dopier than last time. Should have just rerun the first film rather than make a sequel. D
While watching ABC Family, I did see tons of promos for the old Christmas specials that run quite a bit on this network. Some are classics, some are just okay, and some are unnecessary sequels like Santa Baby 2 and the Miser Brothers Christmas. I saw the latter last year and while it was okay, why did they have to make everyone so nice when they were originally mean?
Oh well.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thoughts: 11-December-2009
I have to go in this weekend and work both days. Just a couple of hours each day, but a drag to have to do it. Get to do it again next weekend.
The Patriots take on the Panthers at home this weekend. The Panthers are a pretty bad team but the way the Patriots have been playing who knows? I will go with New England, 21-7.
Penn State will be traveling to the Capital One Bowl to take on LSU. This is a pretty good team for the Nittany Lions to play, I remember how last year USC manhandled them in the Rose Bowl. I don't think that Penn State will have an easy time of it, hope that I am wrong.
TV is winding down for the year as most shows are going on hiatus before the holidays. For some reason TLC is showing some very depressing episodes of American Chopper which really do not fit in with the season. Fox is burning off Dollhouse episodes, cannot blame them there.
Fringe (Fox). This season has been very good, great shows that are getting bad ratings because Fox decided to air Fringe on Thursday at 9 pm. What they should do, is rerun episodes on a different night, say Tuesday at 9 pm, and then start showing new episodes in 2010 at that time. Why Fox is wasting such a good show in a bad time slot is beyond me. A
Dexter (Showtime) has its season finale this Sunday and it is going to be good. This show gets better and better, and has been renewed for another season. A
Oh well.
The Patriots take on the Panthers at home this weekend. The Panthers are a pretty bad team but the way the Patriots have been playing who knows? I will go with New England, 21-7.
Penn State will be traveling to the Capital One Bowl to take on LSU. This is a pretty good team for the Nittany Lions to play, I remember how last year USC manhandled them in the Rose Bowl. I don't think that Penn State will have an easy time of it, hope that I am wrong.
TV is winding down for the year as most shows are going on hiatus before the holidays. For some reason TLC is showing some very depressing episodes of American Chopper which really do not fit in with the season. Fox is burning off Dollhouse episodes, cannot blame them there.
Fringe (Fox). This season has been very good, great shows that are getting bad ratings because Fox decided to air Fringe on Thursday at 9 pm. What they should do, is rerun episodes on a different night, say Tuesday at 9 pm, and then start showing new episodes in 2010 at that time. Why Fox is wasting such a good show in a bad time slot is beyond me. A
Dexter (Showtime) has its season finale this Sunday and it is going to be good. This show gets better and better, and has been renewed for another season. A
Oh well.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thoughts: 08-December-2009
Theatermania.com reports that As the World Turns will be signing off Sept 2010. The only two soap operas my mother (80 years old) watched was this and the Guiding Light which bit the dust this past September. Why are these two soap operas are getting the ax and not all of them? Who watches them other than senior citizens in their 70's? I know of nobody in my generation who watches them, and none of the younger kids are.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) had its 2009 last new episode which was the plane crash into Wisteria Lane. Bree, Orson, and Carl were battling in Santa Claus' house when the plane crashed into it, my guess is that Bree lives and Orson and Carl get killed. Kyle Mclaughlin has been wasted this system and I don't really care about Carl. Bree will feel tremendous guilt over the death of her husband and lover. The nurse who showed up three episodes ago who tried to blackmail Angie out of $67,000 was the first to get hit by the plane, my guess she is dead. TV.com speculated that Lynette in saving one of Gabrielle's kids loses the twins. If that is true, that would end a very bad and awkward subplot that I did not care for. Catherine (another waste of a good actress aka Dana Delaney) gets committed by her daughter and could be the end of that subplot. Overall not bad, but I hate waiting until the end of January to find out who is still alive. C
Carrie Underwood, A holiday special (Fox) was on last night. Most of the show focused on Underwood and her music. I was expecting more Christmas songs and more duets with Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate (who was very good in the musical number she did, I can see why she got a Tony nomination). Too much American Idol promotion and I loved how they did not mention Kristin's Emmy for Pushing Daises or what show (on ABC) that Christina won her TV Guide award. And come on, Kristin could not be allowed to do one duet with Dolly Parton in a two hour show? I felt that Underwood, in her first TV special, was not secure enough to let her co-stars do more. Underwood had some nice bits, thought she was a tad awkward about the gay jokes, and has a great voice. Her duets with Dolly Parton were very nice. B
Oh well.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) had its 2009 last new episode which was the plane crash into Wisteria Lane. Bree, Orson, and Carl were battling in Santa Claus' house when the plane crashed into it, my guess is that Bree lives and Orson and Carl get killed. Kyle Mclaughlin has been wasted this system and I don't really care about Carl. Bree will feel tremendous guilt over the death of her husband and lover. The nurse who showed up three episodes ago who tried to blackmail Angie out of $67,000 was the first to get hit by the plane, my guess she is dead. TV.com speculated that Lynette in saving one of Gabrielle's kids loses the twins. If that is true, that would end a very bad and awkward subplot that I did not care for. Catherine (another waste of a good actress aka Dana Delaney) gets committed by her daughter and could be the end of that subplot. Overall not bad, but I hate waiting until the end of January to find out who is still alive. C
Carrie Underwood, A holiday special (Fox) was on last night. Most of the show focused on Underwood and her music. I was expecting more Christmas songs and more duets with Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate (who was very good in the musical number she did, I can see why she got a Tony nomination). Too much American Idol promotion and I loved how they did not mention Kristin's Emmy for Pushing Daises or what show (on ABC) that Christina won her TV Guide award. And come on, Kristin could not be allowed to do one duet with Dolly Parton in a two hour show? I felt that Underwood, in her first TV special, was not secure enough to let her co-stars do more. Underwood had some nice bits, thought she was a tad awkward about the gay jokes, and has a great voice. Her duets with Dolly Parton were very nice. B
Oh well.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thoughts: 07-December-2009
Dec. 7, 1941 A Day that shall live in infamy.
Patriots lose to the Dolphin 22-21 blowing a big lead in the fourth quarter. These are the games that the Patriots must win, no excuses to lose to the Dolphins. While I still expect the Patriots to go to the playoffs, I am now expecting an exit by them in the first round.
Private Practice (ABC) had back to back episodes this past Thursday. Who comes up with these dumb plots is beyond me. Addison's father has affairs because his wife is gay and has a live in lover to take care of her. Cooper, who is the biggest asshole ever, should be on his knees thanking God that a great lady like Charlotte would want to be with him, instead of being bent out of shape that she did not tell him that she was previously married. Yeah Coop, she used to be married and you used to troll for sex on the internet, who is the class act in this picture? Bratty teenagers, meth addicted moms who blow up themselves and their homes, just one barrel of laughs after another on this show. Hard to believe that these characters are doctors in their 40's. F
American Chopper (TLC) had one of the worst episodes I ever saw this past week. They build a theme bike for the Iraqi Star Foundation who pays for plastic surgery for disfigured vets from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Now when Paul Jr. was with OCC, he would have designed and build a great bike with lots of fabrication. Instead, we get a house bike with a simple desert army paint job. No fabrication that I could see, and Robb who usually does a great paint job, just did a fairly simple job. And Sr. bitches how he cannot understand why Jr. and Mikey do not want to build bikes for a great cause like this. Again, you slap a bike together without any creativity and while the auction raised 100 grand it had to come from Sr., Dr. Phil, Gary Sinise, and Jon Vought. I doubt that anybody else would have bid on this bike. Then TLC ruins a plot development that happened in the last minute of the show, by running a commercial telling us that Mikey was in rehab. Unbelievable. F
12 Men of Christmas (Lifetime) was a nice fell good Christmas movie with Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins who was on Pepper Dennis (last new series on the WB before it merged with UPN and was very underrated). Nice chemistry and I always like seeing Kristin perform. B
Cold Case (CBS). This show pretty much follows a formula where the cases get solved with a lot of luck and the murderers usually end up confessing. The reason I mention this today was because of a line in yesterday's show that made me laugh out loud. This kid, who is on a prep school debate team, comes home to his dad suffering from PTSD and using beer and pills to deal with it. He asks his son if he ate and the son replies that he had sushi. The father says, that is not a real meal, want me to fry you up some scrapple. Scrapple, a real meal! LOL Growing up in PA, I have seen this "food" offered at rural diners and low cost restaurants and have never been able to figure out what the hell is is made of. Some meat products from the pig, some corn meal, and something else mixed together to make a patty. People eat it with maple syrup, or with ketchup, or with steak sauce, or well I guess about anything you can think of. I have no desire to eat that stuff and still find it funny that they mentioned it on Cold Case. B
Oh well.
Patriots lose to the Dolphin 22-21 blowing a big lead in the fourth quarter. These are the games that the Patriots must win, no excuses to lose to the Dolphins. While I still expect the Patriots to go to the playoffs, I am now expecting an exit by them in the first round.
Private Practice (ABC) had back to back episodes this past Thursday. Who comes up with these dumb plots is beyond me. Addison's father has affairs because his wife is gay and has a live in lover to take care of her. Cooper, who is the biggest asshole ever, should be on his knees thanking God that a great lady like Charlotte would want to be with him, instead of being bent out of shape that she did not tell him that she was previously married. Yeah Coop, she used to be married and you used to troll for sex on the internet, who is the class act in this picture? Bratty teenagers, meth addicted moms who blow up themselves and their homes, just one barrel of laughs after another on this show. Hard to believe that these characters are doctors in their 40's. F
American Chopper (TLC) had one of the worst episodes I ever saw this past week. They build a theme bike for the Iraqi Star Foundation who pays for plastic surgery for disfigured vets from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Now when Paul Jr. was with OCC, he would have designed and build a great bike with lots of fabrication. Instead, we get a house bike with a simple desert army paint job. No fabrication that I could see, and Robb who usually does a great paint job, just did a fairly simple job. And Sr. bitches how he cannot understand why Jr. and Mikey do not want to build bikes for a great cause like this. Again, you slap a bike together without any creativity and while the auction raised 100 grand it had to come from Sr., Dr. Phil, Gary Sinise, and Jon Vought. I doubt that anybody else would have bid on this bike. Then TLC ruins a plot development that happened in the last minute of the show, by running a commercial telling us that Mikey was in rehab. Unbelievable. F
12 Men of Christmas (Lifetime) was a nice fell good Christmas movie with Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins who was on Pepper Dennis (last new series on the WB before it merged with UPN and was very underrated). Nice chemistry and I always like seeing Kristin perform. B
Cold Case (CBS). This show pretty much follows a formula where the cases get solved with a lot of luck and the murderers usually end up confessing. The reason I mention this today was because of a line in yesterday's show that made me laugh out loud. This kid, who is on a prep school debate team, comes home to his dad suffering from PTSD and using beer and pills to deal with it. He asks his son if he ate and the son replies that he had sushi. The father says, that is not a real meal, want me to fry you up some scrapple. Scrapple, a real meal! LOL Growing up in PA, I have seen this "food" offered at rural diners and low cost restaurants and have never been able to figure out what the hell is is made of. Some meat products from the pig, some corn meal, and something else mixed together to make a patty. People eat it with maple syrup, or with ketchup, or with steak sauce, or well I guess about anything you can think of. I have no desire to eat that stuff and still find it funny that they mentioned it on Cold Case. B
Oh well.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thoughts: 05-December-2009
I have to enjoy this weekend, the next two weekends I have to go into work. Ugh.
Three Fictional Characters that inspire me and why:
1. Walter Bishop from Fringe: I love the way he is stimulated by the joy and love of scientific discovery and that he gets results by doing it his way. Granted he was a skewed view of reality and tends to say what he thinks. That makes him more of a real person to me. Best scientist on TV ever. Though I do like the Doctor (Time Lord from Gallifrey) and John Hood from the Eleventh Hour.
2. Edgewood Dirk from the Magic Kingdom of Landover series: A Prism cat who had powerful magics at this disposal, tends to provide information in such a way that the person he is trying to help needs to figure it out on their own, which is the best route to go, and he is a cat. I love cats even though I am very allergic to them. I wish a Prism cat would help me out through life's dilemmas.
3. Wally from Dilbert: A lazy non working employee at the company Dilbert and crew work at, he learned how to play the game. Drink coffee, evade doing the worthless tasks set before you, and go with the flow. I wish I could adapt Wally's nonchalance at my job, things would go a lot better for me as I would not get so worked up at the dumb stuff that they make us do that detract from real work.
Real life Scientist who are my inspiration: Robert Ballard and Stephen Jay Gould.
Monk (USA) had its series finale last night. Trudy's murder is solved and the guilty party is punished, if only Monk had opened her last gift to him years ago. Everyone has a happy ending, and Monk with Natalie will continue to solve crime in San Fransisco. A
White Collar (USA) had its fall finale last night, will return in January. Great cliffhanger that I did not see coming. I cannot wait until January to see how it gets resolved. A
Burn Notice, Psych, and White Collar return to USA in January, The Closer starts a three episode arc this Monday on TNT. Lots of good stuff coming on.
Kristin Chenoweth has a Christmas movie on Lifetime tonight, 12 Men of Christmas. She also appears on the Carrie Underwood Christmas special this Monday on Fox. My heart is overjoyed at getting to see Kristin in two new TV outings. I also see that she will be back on Broadway March 2010 in Promises, Promises. Also will be reprising her guest role on an episode of Glee next year. I also see that Entertainment Weekly named Wicked the best stage musical of the decade, a show I got to see Kristin in and and which made me a big fan of hers. Now Hollywood, let's get Kristin and Indina Menzel and make the film version already.
Robin Hood (BBC America) comes to an end tonight. Great show, sad that it will end so soon.
Oh well.
Three Fictional Characters that inspire me and why:
1. Walter Bishop from Fringe: I love the way he is stimulated by the joy and love of scientific discovery and that he gets results by doing it his way. Granted he was a skewed view of reality and tends to say what he thinks. That makes him more of a real person to me. Best scientist on TV ever. Though I do like the Doctor (Time Lord from Gallifrey) and John Hood from the Eleventh Hour.
2. Edgewood Dirk from the Magic Kingdom of Landover series: A Prism cat who had powerful magics at this disposal, tends to provide information in such a way that the person he is trying to help needs to figure it out on their own, which is the best route to go, and he is a cat. I love cats even though I am very allergic to them. I wish a Prism cat would help me out through life's dilemmas.
3. Wally from Dilbert: A lazy non working employee at the company Dilbert and crew work at, he learned how to play the game. Drink coffee, evade doing the worthless tasks set before you, and go with the flow. I wish I could adapt Wally's nonchalance at my job, things would go a lot better for me as I would not get so worked up at the dumb stuff that they make us do that detract from real work.
Real life Scientist who are my inspiration: Robert Ballard and Stephen Jay Gould.
Monk (USA) had its series finale last night. Trudy's murder is solved and the guilty party is punished, if only Monk had opened her last gift to him years ago. Everyone has a happy ending, and Monk with Natalie will continue to solve crime in San Fransisco. A
White Collar (USA) had its fall finale last night, will return in January. Great cliffhanger that I did not see coming. I cannot wait until January to see how it gets resolved. A
Burn Notice, Psych, and White Collar return to USA in January, The Closer starts a three episode arc this Monday on TNT. Lots of good stuff coming on.
Kristin Chenoweth has a Christmas movie on Lifetime tonight, 12 Men of Christmas. She also appears on the Carrie Underwood Christmas special this Monday on Fox. My heart is overjoyed at getting to see Kristin in two new TV outings. I also see that she will be back on Broadway March 2010 in Promises, Promises. Also will be reprising her guest role on an episode of Glee next year. I also see that Entertainment Weekly named Wicked the best stage musical of the decade, a show I got to see Kristin in and and which made me a big fan of hers. Now Hollywood, let's get Kristin and Indina Menzel and make the film version already.
Robin Hood (BBC America) comes to an end tonight. Great show, sad that it will end so soon.
Oh well.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thoughts: 04-December-2009
The Patriots open up a four game stretch of easy opponents in December starting with the Dolphins at Miami, Panthers at home, the Bills in Buffalo, and the Jaguars at home. This team should and needs to go 4-0 with this schedule. I like the Patriots to rebound after the loss to New Orleans to win their first real road game 38-3. I do not count the win in the UK over Tampa Bay as a real road game as neither team had a home field advantage.
Marvel Comics cancels Son of Hulk with issue 17 and War Machine with issue 12 coming out next week. Son of Hulk followed the adventures first of Skaar and then his twin whose name alludes me on planet Hulk. Skaar is now battling and working with his father, Bruce Banner aka the Hulk in the Incredible Hulk while his twin will show up in a new series in Feb. I never cared for the book or the characters, I do like Skaar better in the Incredible Hulk series, the twin could care less.
War Machine on the other hand, is a character who was in his own series previously and a member of the West Coast Avengers when that book was around. With the Iron Man 2 due out next year, I am surprised that Marvel did not make better use of this character. The book was a bit boring and the character unrecognizable from previous runs. Not going to miss this book at all.
TNT canceled Raising the Bar after two seasons according to TV.com. I liked the series and the interplay between the DAs and Public Defenders. Too bad, given that Private Practice (ABC) is still on the air.
Last night I recorded back to back new episodes of Private Practice to watch over the weekend. This viewing pleasure will be joined by back to back new episodes of Dollhouse (Fox). Four hours of crap TV, at least I am warmed by the fact that Fox has cancelled CrapHouse.
Sons of Anarchy (FX) had its season finale and what a way to end the season. Gemma on the lam from the police after killing Zobelle's daughter. Jak's son kidnapped by one of the IRA gun runners. What a great show, and it has been renewed for two more seasons. Check it out on DVD if you have not seen this great show. A
I read A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks, the latest book in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series. I had read the previous five books in the series and enjoyed them alot. So it was ten years ago that the last book had been written when I read this newest book. I did not care for the main character of the Mistaya Holiday at first, I thought she was a teenage brat who needed a can of whoop ass opened up on her. Then I saw why Brooks wrote the character the way he did, so that we can see her grow and become a more mature and better person as a result of her trials and tribulations. My favorite character in the series, Edgewood Dirk, a Prism Cat, has a big role in the book. I thought that folks were talking a bit mean about him, they seem to want him to just give out the answers to all the problems instead of allowing the person to learn and reach their own solution. I also like Strabo the Dragon and he was used quite well in this book. All in all a good read and Brooks sets up the return of Nightshade in the conclusion of the book. B
My three favorite characters who inspire me:
Walter Bishop from Fringe
Edgewood Dirk from the Magic Kingdom of Landover series
Wally from the Dilbert Comic strips.
Why, that is to be continued.
Oh well.
Marvel Comics cancels Son of Hulk with issue 17 and War Machine with issue 12 coming out next week. Son of Hulk followed the adventures first of Skaar and then his twin whose name alludes me on planet Hulk. Skaar is now battling and working with his father, Bruce Banner aka the Hulk in the Incredible Hulk while his twin will show up in a new series in Feb. I never cared for the book or the characters, I do like Skaar better in the Incredible Hulk series, the twin could care less.
War Machine on the other hand, is a character who was in his own series previously and a member of the West Coast Avengers when that book was around. With the Iron Man 2 due out next year, I am surprised that Marvel did not make better use of this character. The book was a bit boring and the character unrecognizable from previous runs. Not going to miss this book at all.
TNT canceled Raising the Bar after two seasons according to TV.com. I liked the series and the interplay between the DAs and Public Defenders. Too bad, given that Private Practice (ABC) is still on the air.
Last night I recorded back to back new episodes of Private Practice to watch over the weekend. This viewing pleasure will be joined by back to back new episodes of Dollhouse (Fox). Four hours of crap TV, at least I am warmed by the fact that Fox has cancelled CrapHouse.
Sons of Anarchy (FX) had its season finale and what a way to end the season. Gemma on the lam from the police after killing Zobelle's daughter. Jak's son kidnapped by one of the IRA gun runners. What a great show, and it has been renewed for two more seasons. Check it out on DVD if you have not seen this great show. A
I read A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks, the latest book in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series. I had read the previous five books in the series and enjoyed them alot. So it was ten years ago that the last book had been written when I read this newest book. I did not care for the main character of the Mistaya Holiday at first, I thought she was a teenage brat who needed a can of whoop ass opened up on her. Then I saw why Brooks wrote the character the way he did, so that we can see her grow and become a more mature and better person as a result of her trials and tribulations. My favorite character in the series, Edgewood Dirk, a Prism Cat, has a big role in the book. I thought that folks were talking a bit mean about him, they seem to want him to just give out the answers to all the problems instead of allowing the person to learn and reach their own solution. I also like Strabo the Dragon and he was used quite well in this book. All in all a good read and Brooks sets up the return of Nightshade in the conclusion of the book. B
My three favorite characters who inspire me:
Walter Bishop from Fringe
Edgewood Dirk from the Magic Kingdom of Landover series
Wally from the Dilbert Comic strips.
Why, that is to be continued.
Oh well.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thoughts: 01-December-2009
The Saints beat the Patriots 38-17 and look like the team to beat this year. I do not see anybody beating them in the NFC and the Colts look like crap compared to the Saints.
Bobby Bowden, the FSU head football coach, retires withe 388 wins. Joe Paterno has 393 wins and I am betting that he retires in two years, after he builds a nice little 20 game cushion over Bowden. I know that both coaches say the record is not important to them, but in the current College Football climate, nobody is going to have the longevity of Bowden and Paterno.
Charlie Weiss was fired as the head football coach at Notre Dame. I predict that he will be back in the NFL next year as an OC for somebody. Look for big improvements in that team's offense.
Not too much to say about TV. Nothing is really outstandingly bad or good enough to blog about.
CBS is putting Three Rivers on hiatus for a bit, Cold Case will start airing at 9 pm on Sunday. Does not look good for Three Rivers to be renewed.
Oh well.
Bobby Bowden, the FSU head football coach, retires withe 388 wins. Joe Paterno has 393 wins and I am betting that he retires in two years, after he builds a nice little 20 game cushion over Bowden. I know that both coaches say the record is not important to them, but in the current College Football climate, nobody is going to have the longevity of Bowden and Paterno.
Charlie Weiss was fired as the head football coach at Notre Dame. I predict that he will be back in the NFL next year as an OC for somebody. Look for big improvements in that team's offense.
Not too much to say about TV. Nothing is really outstandingly bad or good enough to blog about.
CBS is putting Three Rivers on hiatus for a bit, Cold Case will start airing at 9 pm on Sunday. Does not look good for Three Rivers to be renewed.
Oh well.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thoughts: 27-November-2009
Interesting Thanksgiving day this year. I had a great meal at my friends, Pat and Steve, the meal turned out to be the best Pat has made ever for this day. Everything was perfect. She also was very nice to give me enough leftovers for two days of feasting.
The only bad part was that we watched Twilight, Pat's niece's favorite movie. I thought that the film would be bad just from watching the trailers, oh if only I had for seen how bad this film is. First the lack of acting ability among the cast, I seen better acting in kindergarten plays. Then, the big time lack of chemistry between the leads. I mean really, this was the best casting you could do?
The dialogue was just as bad as what I had seen in the first ten minutes of the Vampire Dairies. Such lame dialogue that made me laugh out loud on several occasions. And everyone would in that film was pale white, what is up with that? No tanning booths in Forks, Washington?
And these vampires were the biggest woozes that I ever saw. They spend all their time posing like GQ models and grunting at each other. Blade or Buffy could have wiped them all out in ten minutes. I can see why they are afraid of the werewolves, who look tan and buff and would rip them up with seconds of the prefight GQ posing.
What a terrible movie and why is it so popular, you got me? Give me the Blade film trilogy and TV series, Buffy and Angel, and of course True Blood. Give me the Christopher Lee Hammer Dracula films, Dark Shadows, and the Lost Boys films any day. Those are real vampires.
Twilight gets a mega big F from me.
Oh well.
The only bad part was that we watched Twilight, Pat's niece's favorite movie. I thought that the film would be bad just from watching the trailers, oh if only I had for seen how bad this film is. First the lack of acting ability among the cast, I seen better acting in kindergarten plays. Then, the big time lack of chemistry between the leads. I mean really, this was the best casting you could do?
The dialogue was just as bad as what I had seen in the first ten minutes of the Vampire Dairies. Such lame dialogue that made me laugh out loud on several occasions. And everyone would in that film was pale white, what is up with that? No tanning booths in Forks, Washington?
And these vampires were the biggest woozes that I ever saw. They spend all their time posing like GQ models and grunting at each other. Blade or Buffy could have wiped them all out in ten minutes. I can see why they are afraid of the werewolves, who look tan and buff and would rip them up with seconds of the prefight GQ posing.
What a terrible movie and why is it so popular, you got me? Give me the Blade film trilogy and TV series, Buffy and Angel, and of course True Blood. Give me the Christopher Lee Hammer Dracula films, Dark Shadows, and the Lost Boys films any day. Those are real vampires.
Twilight gets a mega big F from me.
Oh well.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thoughts: 26-November-2009
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Patriots defeated the Jets 31-14 getting a nice measure of revenge against Ryan and Sanchez. The Jets have really taken a fall since they opened the season with those wins. The Patriots take on the Saints in New Orleans this weekend and I think that the Saints will win 25-21, I hope that I am wrong.
The faculty senate of Notre Dame wants to join the Big Ten according to the rumor section of Sports Illustrated. Right now the TV contract with NBC to show all the home games of the Fighting Irish is keeping them independent. My guess is that if Notre Dame wants to compete for the National Championship, they will need to join a conference at some point, just don't think that it will happen any time soon.
Heroes (NBC) and American Chopper (TLC) are getting so bad that it is a chore to watch those shows. I was watching the latest episode of Heroes last night and was very bored. Ditto for American Chopper. Both shows get a D and it would be a blessing for their cancellation to occur.
The Good Wife (CBS) is really starting to get very interesting. I liked Chris Noth getting tough on his hooker/mistress, and the revelation that he was set up by folks who are not going to let him out of jail is very intriguing. I like this show very much. A
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) had a very nice show where Abby from NCIS pays a visit to help track down a serial killer. She was very good in the show and I liked the way it played out. This is the top rated new show and I can see why with episodes like this. A
I saw on TheFutonCritic that Lie to Me (Fox) is getting a full season order of 22 episodes. This is another good show that I hope Fox will stick with.
Dollhouse (Fox) returns next week with double episodes for the next three Fridays. Do I want to watch this or not? On one hand, I have watched all the episodes of Craphouse to date, on the other hand I really do not like this show.
Oh well.
Patriots defeated the Jets 31-14 getting a nice measure of revenge against Ryan and Sanchez. The Jets have really taken a fall since they opened the season with those wins. The Patriots take on the Saints in New Orleans this weekend and I think that the Saints will win 25-21, I hope that I am wrong.
The faculty senate of Notre Dame wants to join the Big Ten according to the rumor section of Sports Illustrated. Right now the TV contract with NBC to show all the home games of the Fighting Irish is keeping them independent. My guess is that if Notre Dame wants to compete for the National Championship, they will need to join a conference at some point, just don't think that it will happen any time soon.
Heroes (NBC) and American Chopper (TLC) are getting so bad that it is a chore to watch those shows. I was watching the latest episode of Heroes last night and was very bored. Ditto for American Chopper. Both shows get a D and it would be a blessing for their cancellation to occur.
The Good Wife (CBS) is really starting to get very interesting. I liked Chris Noth getting tough on his hooker/mistress, and the revelation that he was set up by folks who are not going to let him out of jail is very intriguing. I like this show very much. A
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) had a very nice show where Abby from NCIS pays a visit to help track down a serial killer. She was very good in the show and I liked the way it played out. This is the top rated new show and I can see why with episodes like this. A
I saw on TheFutonCritic that Lie to Me (Fox) is getting a full season order of 22 episodes. This is another good show that I hope Fox will stick with.
Dollhouse (Fox) returns next week with double episodes for the next three Fridays. Do I want to watch this or not? On one hand, I have watched all the episodes of Craphouse to date, on the other hand I really do not like this show.
Oh well.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thoughts: 22-November-2009
Delaware Valley College defeated my Alta mater Susquehanna University 66-7 in the first round of the D3 college playoffs. Oh well.
Penn State defeated Michigan State 42-14 to finish the season 10-2. On to the Bowl season.
DC Comics canceled the Vigilante with issue 12. It was an okay comic, but I never thought that the stories really had much of a chance to get going. Just seemed to me that the creators were just going through the motions.
DC Comics is creating a second JSA book called JSA All Stars. The current JSA roster will be split into two teams for these books. I did not think that the JSA book was selling well enough to start a second ongoing monthly book. Weird trend in comics publishing to put out multiple books featuring the same characters.
I know that Marvel Comics' Deadpool is a big fan favorite. But two monthly ongoing titles, two limited series, and guest star features in two comics? Is he really that popular? I am starting to get bored with that character, kind of wish Marvel would give some other characters their own books rather than overexposing Deadpool.
I went to see Paranormal Activity and found it to be a big yawnfest. I hear scary noises from my neighbors than what I heard in that movie. I never would have even noticed most of those noises let alone spent big bucks on a movie camera to record what happens at night. I did think that Katie was kind of hot and wish she would have taken her boyfriend's suggestion to record some extracurricular activities, at least that would have kept up interest up. I was more entertained by the two teens who attended the matinee with me. They kept on screaming and actual ran out of the theater three times because they were scared. At least they kept me awake. The whole movie reminded me of A&E's Paranormal Nations and I kept hoping that Chip Coffey and Ryan Buell would come and save the day. At least Chip would not have run away like the psychic in the movie. F
I watched The Prisoner remake (AMC) last night via DVR. I have not idea why they made this remake, what the hell is was about, and why waste actors like Ian McKellan and James Caviezel in this crappy production. Did the creators of this remake even watch the orignal Prisoner series? Very bad and boring. I went to the Wikipedia site to read about this film and still do not get what they wanted to do. F
Oh well
Penn State defeated Michigan State 42-14 to finish the season 10-2. On to the Bowl season.
DC Comics canceled the Vigilante with issue 12. It was an okay comic, but I never thought that the stories really had much of a chance to get going. Just seemed to me that the creators were just going through the motions.
DC Comics is creating a second JSA book called JSA All Stars. The current JSA roster will be split into two teams for these books. I did not think that the JSA book was selling well enough to start a second ongoing monthly book. Weird trend in comics publishing to put out multiple books featuring the same characters.
I know that Marvel Comics' Deadpool is a big fan favorite. But two monthly ongoing titles, two limited series, and guest star features in two comics? Is he really that popular? I am starting to get bored with that character, kind of wish Marvel would give some other characters their own books rather than overexposing Deadpool.
I went to see Paranormal Activity and found it to be a big yawnfest. I hear scary noises from my neighbors than what I heard in that movie. I never would have even noticed most of those noises let alone spent big bucks on a movie camera to record what happens at night. I did think that Katie was kind of hot and wish she would have taken her boyfriend's suggestion to record some extracurricular activities, at least that would have kept up interest up. I was more entertained by the two teens who attended the matinee with me. They kept on screaming and actual ran out of the theater three times because they were scared. At least they kept me awake. The whole movie reminded me of A&E's Paranormal Nations and I kept hoping that Chip Coffey and Ryan Buell would come and save the day. At least Chip would not have run away like the psychic in the movie. F
I watched The Prisoner remake (AMC) last night via DVR. I have not idea why they made this remake, what the hell is was about, and why waste actors like Ian McKellan and James Caviezel in this crappy production. Did the creators of this remake even watch the orignal Prisoner series? Very bad and boring. I went to the Wikipedia site to read about this film and still do not get what they wanted to do. F
Oh well
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thoughts: 20-November-2009
I have been busy this week, squaring away stuff at work as I have all of next week off. Blessed Thanksgiving week. And of course the Patriot's one point loss to the Colts did not help inspire me to write a blog.
Hopefully the Patriots will rebound this week at home against the Jets, I like them to win 35-3. And while they lost to the Colts, I have to say that the Colts do not impress me at all. My prediction is they lose their first playoff game big time and Peyton's stupid mug can go back to commercial land.
Penn State travels to Michigan State for the last game of its season as they play for the Land Grant Trophy. I like Penn State to win 24-7 and hope that they get a good draw in whatever bowl game they go to.
Susquehanna University takes on Delaware Valley College in the first round of the D3 playoffs, I hope my Alta mater does well. I do not know much about their team in terms of how good they are, I just wish them well.
I have not been able to keep up with all the TV shows that are on during the weekend. I spend most of my weekend time catching up. With next week off, I should have a better handle on TV.
I did see that Numbers (CBS) got its 22 episode season cut to 16. Another show soon gone? TV.com today had a story about what shows may be going next. Heroes (NBC) and Three Rivers (CBS) were on the list. I also noted that FlashForward (ABC) was on the list too, I thought that show was a hit, guess the ratings did not match the hype. Fringe (Fox) was on the list, but a different time slot would save that show. Wednesday or Tuesday 9 pm for example.
History Channel had a great show on Jesse James' Hidden Gold a few weeks back. I watched it on my DVR and it was very good. Learned a lot about James being a member of a secret society of Confederate sympathisers who hid caches of money around the land. And they actually found one of them along with a gold bar. There also was some evidence that James was not killed by Ford, but lived to a ripe old age and fathered some children. A grandson looks just like him. This is the History Channel at its best. A
On History Channel International they have been rerunning an old series called History's Mysteries. I watch one on the Sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale which inspired the writing of Moby Dick. Excellent show and I learned a lot, I kind of wish that they would still be doing shows like this and Civil War Journal on the History Channel, rather than Ice Road Truckers or Ax Men. A
I hope to watch the remake of the Prisoner (AMC) over the weekend. I heard a lot of negative reviews about this, will let you know what I think. I also want to go see Paranormal Activity and The Blind Side in the theaters this weekend too.
And if you have HBO, watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, very funny show with Larry David doing a Seinfeld reunion. When this season comes out on DVD, it is a must see.
Oh well.
Hopefully the Patriots will rebound this week at home against the Jets, I like them to win 35-3. And while they lost to the Colts, I have to say that the Colts do not impress me at all. My prediction is they lose their first playoff game big time and Peyton's stupid mug can go back to commercial land.
Penn State travels to Michigan State for the last game of its season as they play for the Land Grant Trophy. I like Penn State to win 24-7 and hope that they get a good draw in whatever bowl game they go to.
Susquehanna University takes on Delaware Valley College in the first round of the D3 playoffs, I hope my Alta mater does well. I do not know much about their team in terms of how good they are, I just wish them well.
I have not been able to keep up with all the TV shows that are on during the weekend. I spend most of my weekend time catching up. With next week off, I should have a better handle on TV.
I did see that Numbers (CBS) got its 22 episode season cut to 16. Another show soon gone? TV.com today had a story about what shows may be going next. Heroes (NBC) and Three Rivers (CBS) were on the list. I also noted that FlashForward (ABC) was on the list too, I thought that show was a hit, guess the ratings did not match the hype. Fringe (Fox) was on the list, but a different time slot would save that show. Wednesday or Tuesday 9 pm for example.
History Channel had a great show on Jesse James' Hidden Gold a few weeks back. I watched it on my DVR and it was very good. Learned a lot about James being a member of a secret society of Confederate sympathisers who hid caches of money around the land. And they actually found one of them along with a gold bar. There also was some evidence that James was not killed by Ford, but lived to a ripe old age and fathered some children. A grandson looks just like him. This is the History Channel at its best. A
On History Channel International they have been rerunning an old series called History's Mysteries. I watch one on the Sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale which inspired the writing of Moby Dick. Excellent show and I learned a lot, I kind of wish that they would still be doing shows like this and Civil War Journal on the History Channel, rather than Ice Road Truckers or Ax Men. A
I hope to watch the remake of the Prisoner (AMC) over the weekend. I heard a lot of negative reviews about this, will let you know what I think. I also want to go see Paranormal Activity and The Blind Side in the theaters this weekend too.
And if you have HBO, watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, very funny show with Larry David doing a Seinfeld reunion. When this season comes out on DVD, it is a must see.
Oh well.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thoughts: 15-November-2009
Penn State defeated Indiana 31-20 in their final home game of the season. I thought that they would blow them out, but a win is a win. They finish up the season next weekend at Michigan State and then on to a bowl. The Sporting News projected them going to the Capital One Bowl to play LSU.
I don't mention my Alta mater, Susquehanna University, that often in this blog, if ever. When I went to the D3 school their football team was not very good. This year, they went 8-2 (6-1 in their conference, the Liberty League) and defeated the D3 powerhouse Union 28-17 to take the conference championship. Very nice and I guess that will be in the D3 playoffs with that win.
CSI crossover event on CBS, started with CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, and ended with CSI, I watched all three episodes with Comcast On Demand. I thought it was very good, a B for the rating. I would like to see more of this with CSI. I liked the way Horatio Caine claimed the hysterical woman down at the beginning of the show and his comments about Catherine and Warrick when he met Ray. I wished Mac on the New York show would have asked about Horatio.
American Chopper (TLC) continues its downward spiral to cancellation with the latest episode. Sr. does not even pretend to know what is going on with the bike builds, lucky for him he has a team who can build the bikes on their own. I also see less and less creativity in the builds. And why the producers keep showing Sr. making comments about how much better OCC is without Jr and Mikey is beyond me. D
Oh well.
I don't mention my Alta mater, Susquehanna University, that often in this blog, if ever. When I went to the D3 school their football team was not very good. This year, they went 8-2 (6-1 in their conference, the Liberty League) and defeated the D3 powerhouse Union 28-17 to take the conference championship. Very nice and I guess that will be in the D3 playoffs with that win.
CSI crossover event on CBS, started with CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, and ended with CSI, I watched all three episodes with Comcast On Demand. I thought it was very good, a B for the rating. I would like to see more of this with CSI. I liked the way Horatio Caine claimed the hysterical woman down at the beginning of the show and his comments about Catherine and Warrick when he met Ray. I wished Mac on the New York show would have asked about Horatio.
American Chopper (TLC) continues its downward spiral to cancellation with the latest episode. Sr. does not even pretend to know what is going on with the bike builds, lucky for him he has a team who can build the bikes on their own. I also see less and less creativity in the builds. And why the producers keep showing Sr. making comments about how much better OCC is without Jr and Mikey is beyond me. D
Oh well.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thoughts: 13-November-2009
Friday the 13th never bothered me, a silly superstition.
Penn State takes on Indiana in their final home game of the season. Indiana is the only Big Ten school to never have beaten the Nittany Lions in football. Look for that streak to continue this weekend as Penn State kills Indiana 56-7.
Patriots start a tough three game run with the Colts on the road, Jets at home, and the Saints on the road. This will tell us what kind of team New England has. The Colts are only favored by three, and their last two games only won by 4 points. I think that New England has Peyton Manning's number and it is time for that goofball to lose. A close game, 21-17, but a win for New England.
Good news from the Hollywood Reporter via TV.com. Dollhouse has been cancelled by Fox. Craphouse never should have gotten a second season when good shows like the Eleventh Hour and Reaper were cancelled. Fox will be running double episodes each Friday in Dec until the 13 episodes are used up. Now maybe Joss Whedon will do the show the people want to see....FAITH THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.
A great magazine that I would urge anyone to get is the Smithsonian. Each issue has great articles and there is something of interest every issue, from history to natural science to geography. I love it.
MysteryQuest (History Channel) after a crapfest episode on Alcatraz, redeemed itself with a great episode on Jack the Ripper. Two new suspects were proposed and a profiler, Ripperologists, and a forensic handwriting expert looked at the evidence. Very well done and they could do a whole miniseries on this topic. This is the kind of episode that MysteryQuest should focus on. A
Three Great series that you should be watching and all are getting a big A from me.
House (Fox): After a dull season last year, House has come back. Each episode has been very good and the show is worth watching again. If you gave up on it, check it out now.
NCIS (CBS): Last season was great and the show is continuing with strong stories and great characters. For a show in its 7th season, it just gets better and better.
Supernatural (CW): Each week you get the unexpected from this show. Last week a spoof of the shows that run against it on Thursday night. This week, Sam and Dean go to a Supernatural convention and spoof on that. Last year we had a Halloween spoof on the Universal Monsters films. We also had a spoof on the Ghost Hunters. This show runs the gambit from comedy to dead seriousness. I don't think that I have ever seen a bad episode. Heroes (NBC) could take some lessons from this show on how to keep the creative juices flowing.
Oh well.
Penn State takes on Indiana in their final home game of the season. Indiana is the only Big Ten school to never have beaten the Nittany Lions in football. Look for that streak to continue this weekend as Penn State kills Indiana 56-7.
Patriots start a tough three game run with the Colts on the road, Jets at home, and the Saints on the road. This will tell us what kind of team New England has. The Colts are only favored by three, and their last two games only won by 4 points. I think that New England has Peyton Manning's number and it is time for that goofball to lose. A close game, 21-17, but a win for New England.
Good news from the Hollywood Reporter via TV.com. Dollhouse has been cancelled by Fox. Craphouse never should have gotten a second season when good shows like the Eleventh Hour and Reaper were cancelled. Fox will be running double episodes each Friday in Dec until the 13 episodes are used up. Now maybe Joss Whedon will do the show the people want to see....FAITH THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.
A great magazine that I would urge anyone to get is the Smithsonian. Each issue has great articles and there is something of interest every issue, from history to natural science to geography. I love it.
MysteryQuest (History Channel) after a crapfest episode on Alcatraz, redeemed itself with a great episode on Jack the Ripper. Two new suspects were proposed and a profiler, Ripperologists, and a forensic handwriting expert looked at the evidence. Very well done and they could do a whole miniseries on this topic. This is the kind of episode that MysteryQuest should focus on. A
Three Great series that you should be watching and all are getting a big A from me.
House (Fox): After a dull season last year, House has come back. Each episode has been very good and the show is worth watching again. If you gave up on it, check it out now.
NCIS (CBS): Last season was great and the show is continuing with strong stories and great characters. For a show in its 7th season, it just gets better and better.
Supernatural (CW): Each week you get the unexpected from this show. Last week a spoof of the shows that run against it on Thursday night. This week, Sam and Dean go to a Supernatural convention and spoof on that. Last year we had a Halloween spoof on the Universal Monsters films. We also had a spoof on the Ghost Hunters. This show runs the gambit from comedy to dead seriousness. I don't think that I have ever seen a bad episode. Heroes (NBC) could take some lessons from this show on how to keep the creative juices flowing.
Oh well.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thoughts: 11- November-2009
Patriots defeated the Dolphins 27-17 and now enter into the tough phase of their schedule, road games against the Colts and the Saints, and a home game against the Jets. If this team goes 3-0 in this run, they will definitely be Super Bowl contenders.
TV.com reports that ABC will not be renewing Eastwick after its 13 episode order is done. I never thought the show lived up to its hype and did not jell very well together. They need the witches to see right away what van Horne was all about and band together against him. Oh well, one less show to watch and it's a show that I will not miss.
MysteryQuest (History Channel) showed a strange hybrid of good and bad last week. The show was on Alcatraz, and I thought the focus would be on the only successful escape. That was well done and interesting and should have been the focus of the show. Instead half the show was wasted on a bunch of clowns posing as psychics and ghost hunters looking for paranormal activity. One scene had them set up motion detector birds in the cell of the Birdman of Alcatraz and the claim was that he would set these birds off. And one did go off, but the clown ghost hunter was right by it. Never did see any footage of the birds going off when nobody was there. Also had a psychic that so obviously did an Internet search to find out what parts of the prison were said to be haunted and did a show when she got near there. What a frakking bunch of crap.
A for the skip tracer who investigated the escape, F for the clowns looking for paranormal activity.
Looking forward to watching the CSI crossover event on CBS and the remake of The Prisoner on AMC.
Oh well.
TV.com reports that ABC will not be renewing Eastwick after its 13 episode order is done. I never thought the show lived up to its hype and did not jell very well together. They need the witches to see right away what van Horne was all about and band together against him. Oh well, one less show to watch and it's a show that I will not miss.
MysteryQuest (History Channel) showed a strange hybrid of good and bad last week. The show was on Alcatraz, and I thought the focus would be on the only successful escape. That was well done and interesting and should have been the focus of the show. Instead half the show was wasted on a bunch of clowns posing as psychics and ghost hunters looking for paranormal activity. One scene had them set up motion detector birds in the cell of the Birdman of Alcatraz and the claim was that he would set these birds off. And one did go off, but the clown ghost hunter was right by it. Never did see any footage of the birds going off when nobody was there. Also had a psychic that so obviously did an Internet search to find out what parts of the prison were said to be haunted and did a show when she got near there. What a frakking bunch of crap.
A for the skip tracer who investigated the escape, F for the clowns looking for paranormal activity.
Looking forward to watching the CSI crossover event on CBS and the remake of The Prisoner on AMC.
Oh well.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thoughts: 08-November-2009
Penn State lost to Ohio State 24-7. With Iowa losing, Penn State lost out on a great chance to win the Big Ten Title.
I have been catching up with my shows via DVR and Comcast On Demand. I have 15 shows over Thursday and Friday to watch, why the networks need to schedule all the stuff I like on those two days is beyond me. I described that I can watch Ghost Whisperer on CBS.com a few weeks after the telecast, and that website has not problems with a high quality streaming video, so I may start recording Law & Order instead of Ghost Whisperer. Be nice if some reruns could start and let me catch up with Law & Order.
American Chopper (TLC) is continuing to go down the tubes. They built an electric bike for Siemens which was very nice, SR. stayed away from the build, which is why it was able to get down. Did make cracks about Jr. cutting it close to deadlines. First, most of the deadlines are artificial on that show, second Jr. always made them, and third this is the first bike that they have built that was as good as what Jr. did. I really don't know where this show is going, time to pull the plug. C
Private Practice (ABC) is starting to go for too much artificial tension between Cooper and Charlotte. She can help him financially but he cannot help her get patients? And the story about the dwarf parents who wanted a dwarf baby regardless of the 40% chance of getting cancer by age 20. Did not make much sense to me. I did like the use of Electric Convulsive Shock therapy though I was worried about the wrong information regarding memory loss and was pleased to see that it was part of the story line. The patient was faking the memory loss, which would not occur in the way it was portrayed on the show. C
Looks like Eastwick (ABC) will be on hiatus for the next couple of weeks. Still does not look good for a renewal.
Oh well.
I have been catching up with my shows via DVR and Comcast On Demand. I have 15 shows over Thursday and Friday to watch, why the networks need to schedule all the stuff I like on those two days is beyond me. I described that I can watch Ghost Whisperer on CBS.com a few weeks after the telecast, and that website has not problems with a high quality streaming video, so I may start recording Law & Order instead of Ghost Whisperer. Be nice if some reruns could start and let me catch up with Law & Order.
American Chopper (TLC) is continuing to go down the tubes. They built an electric bike for Siemens which was very nice, SR. stayed away from the build, which is why it was able to get down. Did make cracks about Jr. cutting it close to deadlines. First, most of the deadlines are artificial on that show, second Jr. always made them, and third this is the first bike that they have built that was as good as what Jr. did. I really don't know where this show is going, time to pull the plug. C
Private Practice (ABC) is starting to go for too much artificial tension between Cooper and Charlotte. She can help him financially but he cannot help her get patients? And the story about the dwarf parents who wanted a dwarf baby regardless of the 40% chance of getting cancer by age 20. Did not make much sense to me. I did like the use of Electric Convulsive Shock therapy though I was worried about the wrong information regarding memory loss and was pleased to see that it was part of the story line. The patient was faking the memory loss, which would not occur in the way it was portrayed on the show. C
Looks like Eastwick (ABC) will be on hiatus for the next couple of weeks. Still does not look good for a renewal.
Oh well.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thoughts: 06-November-2009
Yankees won the World Series giving them a 27th title. This has to be a sign of the Apocalypse.
Penn State takes on Ohio State at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. The Nittany Lions are 3.5 point favorites, I like them to win a tough game 17-14.
The New England Patriots play the Dolphins in Foxboro this Sunday, they are 10.5 point favorites, I like them to win 35-3.
Some general thoughts about the current TV season.
1. CBS has killed its dead zone on Tuesday 10 pm with the Good Wife. It helps that Jay Leno replaced Law & Order: SVU which had ruled that time slot. Also helps that NCIS and NCIS: LA are doing very well in the ratings. The Good Wife is not a bad show, but at a different time preceded by different shows, I could see this hit get killed. Look at Shark, good ratings Thursday night 10 pm, moved to Sunday it became DOA.
2. I think that Three Rivers and Cold Case will be axed by CBS after their run is over. Three Rivers not pulling in the ratings and the shows as of late a bit too generic. Cold Case is still a good show but bad time slot is going to kill the show.
3. Eastwick is going to fall prey to the ABC dead zone of Wednesday night 10 pm. Again like Three Rivers, this show is not living up to the promise of its pilot.
4. Fox is going to burn up the remaining episodes of Dollhouse by telecasting episodes back to back in Dec. So no renewal and a quick and sure death for Craphouse. Too bad ABC does not put Private Practice out of its misery.
Oh well.
Penn State takes on Ohio State at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. The Nittany Lions are 3.5 point favorites, I like them to win a tough game 17-14.
The New England Patriots play the Dolphins in Foxboro this Sunday, they are 10.5 point favorites, I like them to win 35-3.
Some general thoughts about the current TV season.
1. CBS has killed its dead zone on Tuesday 10 pm with the Good Wife. It helps that Jay Leno replaced Law & Order: SVU which had ruled that time slot. Also helps that NCIS and NCIS: LA are doing very well in the ratings. The Good Wife is not a bad show, but at a different time preceded by different shows, I could see this hit get killed. Look at Shark, good ratings Thursday night 10 pm, moved to Sunday it became DOA.
2. I think that Three Rivers and Cold Case will be axed by CBS after their run is over. Three Rivers not pulling in the ratings and the shows as of late a bit too generic. Cold Case is still a good show but bad time slot is going to kill the show.
3. Eastwick is going to fall prey to the ABC dead zone of Wednesday night 10 pm. Again like Three Rivers, this show is not living up to the promise of its pilot.
4. Fox is going to burn up the remaining episodes of Dollhouse by telecasting episodes back to back in Dec. So no renewal and a quick and sure death for Craphouse. Too bad ABC does not put Private Practice out of its misery.
Oh well.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thoughts: 03-November-2009
Penn State continued its winning ways by beating Northwestern on the road 34-13. This weekend in State College, Ohio State arrives to play the Nittany Lions in one of the biggest games of the year for them. My sister, who lives there and works for Penn State, calls it Hell Week. Lots of logistical problems for the EMTs and Staff of Beaver Stadium.
Not much to say about shows, pretty much going the same. House (Fox) and NCIS (CBS) continue to have very good seasons and have become must see TV for me. TV.com had one of its bloggers complain about Dexter (Showtime), citing boring subplots. Guess the blogger has not seen Dollhouse (Fox) or Private Practice (ABC) for really boring and crappy TV viewing.
I saw somewhere, on the Internet, that NBC is telling the producers of Heroes to tie up the plot lines as renewal looks doubtful. Not too surprised there giving how boring Heroes has been this season. TV.com blogger, check out that show for boring content and subplots, Dexter indeed.
TNT has picked up Southland for a 13 episode run according to TV.com. Good news, as that show did not deserve to get axed so quickly. I think that TNT will be a good home given the edgy shows that already appear on that network.
Oh well.
Not much to say about shows, pretty much going the same. House (Fox) and NCIS (CBS) continue to have very good seasons and have become must see TV for me. TV.com had one of its bloggers complain about Dexter (Showtime), citing boring subplots. Guess the blogger has not seen Dollhouse (Fox) or Private Practice (ABC) for really boring and crappy TV viewing.
I saw somewhere, on the Internet, that NBC is telling the producers of Heroes to tie up the plot lines as renewal looks doubtful. Not too surprised there giving how boring Heroes has been this season. TV.com blogger, check out that show for boring content and subplots, Dexter indeed.
TNT has picked up Southland for a 13 episode run according to TV.com. Good news, as that show did not deserve to get axed so quickly. I think that TNT will be a good home given the edgy shows that already appear on that network.
Oh well.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thoughts: 31-October-2009
Happy Halloween everyone! I will be spending this night at home catching up on 12 hours of TV shows. I almost wish that the networks would cancel a few shows.
Last night, I went to the Garde Theater in New London, CT to see the Broadway touring show of Avenue Q. This has been a favorite of mine ever since I saw the original cast on Broadway several years ago. I listen the to the cast recording all the time, and know all the words to the songs, just a problem with being tone deaf prevents me from singing out loud.
The show was great, the cast did a very nice job and I have to say it was an impressive set and fit the venue quite well. No bad seats in the Garde Theater at all. Trekkie Monster is my hero.
I usually complain about the History Channel quite a bit in the way they do such a bad job with shows like MonsterQuest or paranormal themes. Not enough skeptical insight. I recently watched The Real Wolfman about the Beast of Gevaudan, a true story about a beast in France in the 1760s who killed a number of people over a three year period. There was a film called the Brotherhood of the Wolf which presented a fictional account of this story. In this show, a former homicide detective and a cryptozoologist team up and investigate the case. They come up with a well reasoned and well researched theory. All in all it was very good and quite a good example of what the History Channel can do when they take the time to do things right. A
Oh well.
Last night, I went to the Garde Theater in New London, CT to see the Broadway touring show of Avenue Q. This has been a favorite of mine ever since I saw the original cast on Broadway several years ago. I listen the to the cast recording all the time, and know all the words to the songs, just a problem with being tone deaf prevents me from singing out loud.
The show was great, the cast did a very nice job and I have to say it was an impressive set and fit the venue quite well. No bad seats in the Garde Theater at all. Trekkie Monster is my hero.
I usually complain about the History Channel quite a bit in the way they do such a bad job with shows like MonsterQuest or paranormal themes. Not enough skeptical insight. I recently watched The Real Wolfman about the Beast of Gevaudan, a true story about a beast in France in the 1760s who killed a number of people over a three year period. There was a film called the Brotherhood of the Wolf which presented a fictional account of this story. In this show, a former homicide detective and a cryptozoologist team up and investigate the case. They come up with a well reasoned and well researched theory. All in all it was very good and quite a good example of what the History Channel can do when they take the time to do things right. A
Oh well.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thoughts: 28-October-2009
Sports Update.
The Patriots defeated Tampa Bay, 35-7 and have a bye week. I really think that this team could have beaten the Jets and the Broncos in the two games they lost. But I think Brady and company are getting better and better with each game and I look forward to them making the playoffs.
Penn State takes on Northwestern in an easy road game, I like them to win 38-3. If they can win the rest of the games this season, they should get a pretty nice bowl bid. Iowa would have to lose two games in order for the Nittany Lions to get the conference title.
Yankees take on the Phillies, and I hope that the Phillies beat the hell out of them and end my suffering and agony.
TV Update.
I am not interesting in watching the remake of V on ABC which premieres next week. I watched the two mini series on DVD a few years back and thought that it was pretty much a one note show. The ongoing TV show that they tried to do, really did not work at all. I see the same fate for this remake.
Someone asked me at work why I am not watching FastForward (ABC) as they thought it was a show that I would like. Too much other stuff to watch and quite frankly after committing myself for Lost, I am not interested in getting involved with another show like that. Just do not see anything new or creative about FastForward.
Three Rivers (CBS) is a show that I have been catching on Comcast ON Demand. While I like the show, the last episode was very busy and very little character driven. And what is up with these patients getting on the transplant list and then getting donors right away? And aren't transplants a tad more complicated to do, just seems like they just speed right through them. Ratings are not very good and most likely will be cancelled by CBS. C
Eastwick (ABC) is kind of in the same boat as Three Rivers. Okay enough show, but it is starting to get into a rut. When are the wannabe witches going to figure out who Van Horne really is? The concept worked as a movie, just might be a little too one note in order to make it as an ongoing series. The ABC WED 10PM Death Zone strikes again as ratings are not good. C
MonsterQuest (History Channel) had the worst episode yet, a two hour snooze fest on the Yeti or Abominable Snowman. I fell asleep for 20 min and did not miss a thing. No new evidence. Old evidence was debunked quite easily. And at the end one of the group says, something is out there and we should spend more money looking for it. Yeah, right. D
Oh well.
The Patriots defeated Tampa Bay, 35-7 and have a bye week. I really think that this team could have beaten the Jets and the Broncos in the two games they lost. But I think Brady and company are getting better and better with each game and I look forward to them making the playoffs.
Penn State takes on Northwestern in an easy road game, I like them to win 38-3. If they can win the rest of the games this season, they should get a pretty nice bowl bid. Iowa would have to lose two games in order for the Nittany Lions to get the conference title.
Yankees take on the Phillies, and I hope that the Phillies beat the hell out of them and end my suffering and agony.
TV Update.
I am not interesting in watching the remake of V on ABC which premieres next week. I watched the two mini series on DVD a few years back and thought that it was pretty much a one note show. The ongoing TV show that they tried to do, really did not work at all. I see the same fate for this remake.
Someone asked me at work why I am not watching FastForward (ABC) as they thought it was a show that I would like. Too much other stuff to watch and quite frankly after committing myself for Lost, I am not interested in getting involved with another show like that. Just do not see anything new or creative about FastForward.
Three Rivers (CBS) is a show that I have been catching on Comcast ON Demand. While I like the show, the last episode was very busy and very little character driven. And what is up with these patients getting on the transplant list and then getting donors right away? And aren't transplants a tad more complicated to do, just seems like they just speed right through them. Ratings are not very good and most likely will be cancelled by CBS. C
Eastwick (ABC) is kind of in the same boat as Three Rivers. Okay enough show, but it is starting to get into a rut. When are the wannabe witches going to figure out who Van Horne really is? The concept worked as a movie, just might be a little too one note in order to make it as an ongoing series. The ABC WED 10PM Death Zone strikes again as ratings are not good. C
MonsterQuest (History Channel) had the worst episode yet, a two hour snooze fest on the Yeti or Abominable Snowman. I fell asleep for 20 min and did not miss a thing. No new evidence. Old evidence was debunked quite easily. And at the end one of the group says, something is out there and we should spend more money looking for it. Yeah, right. D
Oh well.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thoughts: October 25, 2009
Penn State had a big win over Michigan yesterday, defeating them 35-10. I thought that the game would be much closer and have to say that I am happy that I was wrong. Kent State, my graduate school Alta mater, won yesterday beating Ohio and giving them a 4-4 record.
Game 6 between the Angels and the Yankees was put off until day due to heavy rains which I experienced here in CT. The day is looking to be much better and this game should get under away. I like the Angels to win today and force a Game 7. It would really make my day for them to eliminate the Yankees.
The Naked News did a review of the remake of The Stepfather. From what I can see, it is a virtual remake of the original film that starred Terry O' Quinn. That film had at least two sequels so I wonder why the remake. At least when Rob Zombie did the remake of Halloween, he tried to do something a bit more original and focus on Michael Myer's back story. And given that we can watch the originals on DVD, I just do not see the point in these remakes.
Zombies originally were the dead reanimated by voodoo priests to serve as slave labor. They only kill folks on command of their masters and never ate brains. Marvel had an interesting comic book series about Simon Garth, a rich man turned into a zombie and forced to serve at the whims of a master. Now they are just a mob of creatures killing folks and eating their brains. And we get movie and movie made about them. Some are creative and original, most are repetitive and stupid. I predict the next trend will be to go back to the original Zombie myth and make a movie about that.
American Chopper (TLC) returned to the airwaves this week with both Jr. and Mikey off the OCC team. Sr. had a big fight with Mikey when he tried to have a sit down with him and understand why he is not being used by the company any more. I watched Sr. do the public presentation of their latest bike and he sucked. Jr. and Mikey did much better with that PR role. We also find out Danny, another son of Sr., is estranged from his father. Jason Poole impressed the folks at that seat building company and could leave OCC for another job. Sr is going to lose the talent that made his company bit by bit and once TLC pulls the plug on this show that will happen. Sad to see an interesting show self destruct. D
Oh well.
Game 6 between the Angels and the Yankees was put off until day due to heavy rains which I experienced here in CT. The day is looking to be much better and this game should get under away. I like the Angels to win today and force a Game 7. It would really make my day for them to eliminate the Yankees.
The Naked News did a review of the remake of The Stepfather. From what I can see, it is a virtual remake of the original film that starred Terry O' Quinn. That film had at least two sequels so I wonder why the remake. At least when Rob Zombie did the remake of Halloween, he tried to do something a bit more original and focus on Michael Myer's back story. And given that we can watch the originals on DVD, I just do not see the point in these remakes.
Zombies originally were the dead reanimated by voodoo priests to serve as slave labor. They only kill folks on command of their masters and never ate brains. Marvel had an interesting comic book series about Simon Garth, a rich man turned into a zombie and forced to serve at the whims of a master. Now they are just a mob of creatures killing folks and eating their brains. And we get movie and movie made about them. Some are creative and original, most are repetitive and stupid. I predict the next trend will be to go back to the original Zombie myth and make a movie about that.
American Chopper (TLC) returned to the airwaves this week with both Jr. and Mikey off the OCC team. Sr. had a big fight with Mikey when he tried to have a sit down with him and understand why he is not being used by the company any more. I watched Sr. do the public presentation of their latest bike and he sucked. Jr. and Mikey did much better with that PR role. We also find out Danny, another son of Sr., is estranged from his father. Jason Poole impressed the folks at that seat building company and could leave OCC for another job. Sr is going to lose the talent that made his company bit by bit and once TLC pulls the plug on this show that will happen. Sad to see an interesting show self destruct. D
Oh well.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thoughts: 24-October-2009
I am back from the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago and needed a couple of day to recuperate. That meeting is getting way to big and unfortunately the quality of research is not increasing. Too many presentations where small significant effects are blown out of proportion, correct control groups were not run, and no real direction or purpose in doing the study other than to get a notch on the old resume.
Lots of great restaurants to eat at. We went to Berghoffs, an old haunt from graduate student days, and it was as good as ever. Also had two meals at a old time Chicago restaurant called Exchequer where we ate deep dish Chicago style pizza and I had a monster burger for lunch. We finished our trip by having a great meal at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which was wonderful.
I have not caught up on my TV shows yet. Private Practice (ABC) was as dopey as ever, gets a D. Smallville (CW) had a great episode where Chloe pulls a game on Oliver to get him back as a hero, A. Robin Hood (BBC America) also was very good, we had an insane Prince John and Gisborne bests the Sheriff in a contest where we think he is dead but in the last frame, we see that he is still alive, A.
According to USA Today, Eastwick (ABC, Wednesday 10 pm Death Zone) and Three Rivers (CBS) are not doing well in the ratings and a call for a full season does not look good. Lie to Me (Fox) also has not had a full season pickup yet either. I like all three shows, and would miss Three Rivers and Lie to Me. Eastwick has not grown on me as a must watch show.
Penn State travels to Michigan this afternoon and I like Penn State to win a close game, 17-14.
New England goes to England to take on Tampa Bay, after the blowout against the Titans, I like them to win big there also, 35-0.
Oh well.
Lots of great restaurants to eat at. We went to Berghoffs, an old haunt from graduate student days, and it was as good as ever. Also had two meals at a old time Chicago restaurant called Exchequer where we ate deep dish Chicago style pizza and I had a monster burger for lunch. We finished our trip by having a great meal at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which was wonderful.
I have not caught up on my TV shows yet. Private Practice (ABC) was as dopey as ever, gets a D. Smallville (CW) had a great episode where Chloe pulls a game on Oliver to get him back as a hero, A. Robin Hood (BBC America) also was very good, we had an insane Prince John and Gisborne bests the Sheriff in a contest where we think he is dead but in the last frame, we see that he is still alive, A.
According to USA Today, Eastwick (ABC, Wednesday 10 pm Death Zone) and Three Rivers (CBS) are not doing well in the ratings and a call for a full season does not look good. Lie to Me (Fox) also has not had a full season pickup yet either. I like all three shows, and would miss Three Rivers and Lie to Me. Eastwick has not grown on me as a must watch show.
Penn State travels to Michigan this afternoon and I like Penn State to win a close game, 17-14.
New England goes to England to take on Tampa Bay, after the blowout against the Titans, I like them to win big there also, 35-0.
Oh well.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thoughts: 16-October-2009
I am off to Chicago tomorrow for the Society for Neuroscience meeting. So I will be off line until Oct 23.
Penn State takes on Minnesota this weekend. I like the Nittany Lions to win, 21-7.
Patriots are at home against the Titans, should be an easy win for them and a chance to come back after the loss to the Broncos. I like them to win, 35-3.
Heroes (NBC) has just been a so-so average show so far this season. After the exciting and creative Season 1, I have not really seen anything special about this show. Just average, which makes me think that all the creative juices were used up for Season 1. C
The Good Wife (CBS) is starting to fall into the same trap. After an interesting pilot episode, it has just become an average show. Chris Noth is making fewer and fewer appearances and once he is gone, I do not know where this show will lead to. C
NCIS (CBS) after a great season last year, is continuing putting out really good hows in its 7th season. Why can this show be so good after 6 years, but other shows after a couple of years feel really tired and boring. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) took some of the stupid pills that the Private Practice writers use and came up with a very bad show. The Mercy West doctors showed up, all wearing orange scrubs, and all competing with the Blue clad Seattle Grace staff. Izzie screws up another patient, costing her a kidney transplant, and finally gets fired. She has to be one of the worst TV doctors since Larry Linville's Frank Burns on MASH. She has left the show for now, but will be coming back.
D
Private Practice (ABC) had Bailey guest star from Grey's Anatomy, she brings the kidney transplant patient down to where Private Practice is based on, to get a kidney from her sister. Not a good match but close enough. Then we find out the sister is HIV Positive and they still go a head and put that kidney into our patient. Oh brother. We also find out the Peter is the biological father, Brian Benben, who plays Sheldon, leaves the room and one can see the happiness on his face as he races out of this show. Hopefully, he can get on a better show next time. D
Oh well.
Penn State takes on Minnesota this weekend. I like the Nittany Lions to win, 21-7.
Patriots are at home against the Titans, should be an easy win for them and a chance to come back after the loss to the Broncos. I like them to win, 35-3.
Heroes (NBC) has just been a so-so average show so far this season. After the exciting and creative Season 1, I have not really seen anything special about this show. Just average, which makes me think that all the creative juices were used up for Season 1. C
The Good Wife (CBS) is starting to fall into the same trap. After an interesting pilot episode, it has just become an average show. Chris Noth is making fewer and fewer appearances and once he is gone, I do not know where this show will lead to. C
NCIS (CBS) after a great season last year, is continuing putting out really good hows in its 7th season. Why can this show be so good after 6 years, but other shows after a couple of years feel really tired and boring. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) took some of the stupid pills that the Private Practice writers use and came up with a very bad show. The Mercy West doctors showed up, all wearing orange scrubs, and all competing with the Blue clad Seattle Grace staff. Izzie screws up another patient, costing her a kidney transplant, and finally gets fired. She has to be one of the worst TV doctors since Larry Linville's Frank Burns on MASH. She has left the show for now, but will be coming back.
D
Private Practice (ABC) had Bailey guest star from Grey's Anatomy, she brings the kidney transplant patient down to where Private Practice is based on, to get a kidney from her sister. Not a good match but close enough. Then we find out the sister is HIV Positive and they still go a head and put that kidney into our patient. Oh brother. We also find out the Peter is the biological father, Brian Benben, who plays Sheldon, leaves the room and one can see the happiness on his face as he races out of this show. Hopefully, he can get on a better show next time. D
Oh well.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thoughts: 12-October-2009
The Red Sox lost game 3 to the Angels 7-6. One strike away from winning the game and going on to Game 4.
The Patriots lose to the Broncos in OT 20-17 after they were in a position to win at 17-3.
Sports Life sucks!
The Patriots lose to the Broncos in OT 20-17 after they were in a position to win at 17-3.
Sports Life sucks!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thoughts: 11-October-2009
The Red Sox dropped Game 2 to the Angels, 4-1, putting their backs to the wall in Boston for game 3. The Angels are looking pretty good and I think that even if Boston avoids the sweep, they will bt out in 4.
The Phillies-Rockies Game 3 was postponed due to snow in Denver. Now if this is not proof that the MLB playoffs are going on too long into the fall, I don't know what else is needed. The regular season should end in August, and playoffs should be through September. This will not happen due to the greed of MLB.
Penn State beat up on Eastern Illinois yesterday 52-3. My nephews enjoyed the game and a good time was had by all. Now Penn State has only the Big Ten to play for the rest of the season.
Private Practice (ABC) went back to their dumb plot lines this past episode totally wiping out all the good will they created with the excellent season opener. Violet, a Harvard graduate trained psychiatrist, runs and hides in the closet whenever her doorbell rings. She decided for the good of the baby, to dump the kid on Pete while she deals with her problems, which include a lack of a maternal bond with her son. Another dopey case where a husband and wife appear to be in an abusive relationship, but it turns out to be the daughter going off into uncontrollable rages due to an undiagnosed tumor. Yes folks the show I love to hate is back. D
Craphouse (Dollhouse, Fox) had another stupid and terrible episode this week. We find out that a major stockholder in the Craphouse has a serial killer nephew who gets in a car accident and has women hidden away. They put his persona into one of the dolls, who gets away and just happens not to have a GPS strip which we are told that all dolls have until it inconveniences the advancement of stupid plot lines. Echo gets hired by a professor who wants to have a fantasy of screwing a student who puts out for a better grade. Must be paying professors a lot more money these days. F
Next week Fox starts its coverage of MLB playoffs next Friday. I predict that Dollhouse will be getting cancelled soon and not return to the air, being replaced by reruns of House.
Oh well.
The Phillies-Rockies Game 3 was postponed due to snow in Denver. Now if this is not proof that the MLB playoffs are going on too long into the fall, I don't know what else is needed. The regular season should end in August, and playoffs should be through September. This will not happen due to the greed of MLB.
Penn State beat up on Eastern Illinois yesterday 52-3. My nephews enjoyed the game and a good time was had by all. Now Penn State has only the Big Ten to play for the rest of the season.
Private Practice (ABC) went back to their dumb plot lines this past episode totally wiping out all the good will they created with the excellent season opener. Violet, a Harvard graduate trained psychiatrist, runs and hides in the closet whenever her doorbell rings. She decided for the good of the baby, to dump the kid on Pete while she deals with her problems, which include a lack of a maternal bond with her son. Another dopey case where a husband and wife appear to be in an abusive relationship, but it turns out to be the daughter going off into uncontrollable rages due to an undiagnosed tumor. Yes folks the show I love to hate is back. D
Craphouse (Dollhouse, Fox) had another stupid and terrible episode this week. We find out that a major stockholder in the Craphouse has a serial killer nephew who gets in a car accident and has women hidden away. They put his persona into one of the dolls, who gets away and just happens not to have a GPS strip which we are told that all dolls have until it inconveniences the advancement of stupid plot lines. Echo gets hired by a professor who wants to have a fantasy of screwing a student who puts out for a better grade. Must be paying professors a lot more money these days. F
Next week Fox starts its coverage of MLB playoffs next Friday. I predict that Dollhouse will be getting cancelled soon and not return to the air, being replaced by reruns of House.
Oh well.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thoughts: 09-October-2009
I normally prefer to avoid political topics in this blog, but Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize is absolutely crazy. What did he do to deserve it especially given that nominations closed 12 days after he took office. I do not recall anything he did that would warrant a nomination. Theodore Roosevelt helped negotiate a treaty between Russia and Japan to end a war. Jimmy Carter helped negotiate a treaty between Israel and Egypt the first such in the Middle East. Obama gave some speeches. Unbelievable.
Red Sox dropped Game 1 to the Angels in CA yesterday 5-0. A loss tonight sends them back to Boston 2 games down, a position that they do not want to be in. I was afraid that after beating the Angels in several previous playoff series, that the Angels will be due. Let us hope the Red Sox pull it out tonight.
Penn State takes on Eastern Illinois tomorrow at home, a game, my brother and his family are going to see. I like Penn State to win big in their last non conference game, 42 to 3.
The Patriots travel to Denver to play the Broncos this Sunday. After the big win over the Ravens and my belief that the Broncos are not as good as their 4-0 record will assume, I like the Patriots to win 34-7.
Second causality of the Fall TV season has occurred, NBC cancelled Southland (TheFutonCritic.com) before airing any episodes. When NBC renewed this show last season, after its debut episodes had strong ratings, I was wondering if they were premature. And given the ratings slide that occurred toward the end of season 1, it appears I was right. Dateline NBC has been scoring really well in that time slot, coming in second in the ratings. Given that this is a cheaper show to produce, it was a no brainer for NBC. Southland has six episodes in the can, so I guess they will be showing them later in the season.
HBO renewed Bored to Death for a second season based on strong ratings after the start of the Seinfeld reunion story line on Curb Your Enthusiasm. HBO did this before for a show called I Will Always Love You, and then took it back. I like Bored to Death, very deadpan comedy.
TV Guide commented on the poor ratings for this season of Fringe, due to Fox putting it up against the ratings powerhouses of CSI and Grey's Anatomy. I agree, Fringe was better on Tuesday night. When will networks learn?
Oh well.
Red Sox dropped Game 1 to the Angels in CA yesterday 5-0. A loss tonight sends them back to Boston 2 games down, a position that they do not want to be in. I was afraid that after beating the Angels in several previous playoff series, that the Angels will be due. Let us hope the Red Sox pull it out tonight.
Penn State takes on Eastern Illinois tomorrow at home, a game, my brother and his family are going to see. I like Penn State to win big in their last non conference game, 42 to 3.
The Patriots travel to Denver to play the Broncos this Sunday. After the big win over the Ravens and my belief that the Broncos are not as good as their 4-0 record will assume, I like the Patriots to win 34-7.
Second causality of the Fall TV season has occurred, NBC cancelled Southland (TheFutonCritic.com) before airing any episodes. When NBC renewed this show last season, after its debut episodes had strong ratings, I was wondering if they were premature. And given the ratings slide that occurred toward the end of season 1, it appears I was right. Dateline NBC has been scoring really well in that time slot, coming in second in the ratings. Given that this is a cheaper show to produce, it was a no brainer for NBC. Southland has six episodes in the can, so I guess they will be showing them later in the season.
HBO renewed Bored to Death for a second season based on strong ratings after the start of the Seinfeld reunion story line on Curb Your Enthusiasm. HBO did this before for a show called I Will Always Love You, and then took it back. I like Bored to Death, very deadpan comedy.
TV Guide commented on the poor ratings for this season of Fringe, due to Fox putting it up against the ratings powerhouses of CSI and Grey's Anatomy. I agree, Fringe was better on Tuesday night. When will networks learn?
Oh well.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thoughts: 06-October-2009
Patriots beat the Ravens this past weekend and they looked good doing it. I am so glad that I was wrong about that, right now they are 3-1 and look better each week.
Three Rivers (CBS) is a new medical doctor show about a transplant hospital in Pittsburgh. The star of Moonlight, Alex O' Loughlin, is the star of this show. I last saw him in the film Whiteout. Katherine Moenning, who played Shane on the L Word is also in this. She has grown her hair out and looks a lot better than she did as Shane. Alfre Woodard, who I last saw on Desperate Housewives, is also in the show. The first episode was pretty good, had some interesting medical mysteries, and a good transplant story line of a pregnant woman whose heart gives out on her. Of course they save the baby and the mother. Pretty good show and I am looking forward to seeing more episodes. B
Comcast On Demand has shows from CBS. I currently watch ten shows on CBS, eight offered by this service. Cold Case and Ghost Whisperer are not offered. I wonder how they decided which shows to offer and which not to. They did add quite a few shows to the lineup so CBS must be pleased with the service.
Dollhouse Death Clock has started according to TV.com. The ratings were so bad going from the first to second episode that it is only a matter of time before Fox pulls the plug. My guess is that the show will air until Fox starts showing MLB playoffs and then after the World Series, Craphouse will not be back on the air.
Mysterquest (History Channel) had two more episodes air, one on the Bermuda Triangle that was terrible and one on the Zodiac killer which looked at new evidence implicating a new suspect. Like the Hitler death season premiere episode, the Zodiac killer episode was very good and interesting. B But, the Bermuda Triangle one, rehashed old stuff on wave effects and brought up UFO stories that have been debunked already. D I have to say that the History Channel needs to stick with real stories and stay away from the paranormal crap.
Oh well.
Three Rivers (CBS) is a new medical doctor show about a transplant hospital in Pittsburgh. The star of Moonlight, Alex O' Loughlin, is the star of this show. I last saw him in the film Whiteout. Katherine Moenning, who played Shane on the L Word is also in this. She has grown her hair out and looks a lot better than she did as Shane. Alfre Woodard, who I last saw on Desperate Housewives, is also in the show. The first episode was pretty good, had some interesting medical mysteries, and a good transplant story line of a pregnant woman whose heart gives out on her. Of course they save the baby and the mother. Pretty good show and I am looking forward to seeing more episodes. B
Comcast On Demand has shows from CBS. I currently watch ten shows on CBS, eight offered by this service. Cold Case and Ghost Whisperer are not offered. I wonder how they decided which shows to offer and which not to. They did add quite a few shows to the lineup so CBS must be pleased with the service.
Dollhouse Death Clock has started according to TV.com. The ratings were so bad going from the first to second episode that it is only a matter of time before Fox pulls the plug. My guess is that the show will air until Fox starts showing MLB playoffs and then after the World Series, Craphouse will not be back on the air.
Mysterquest (History Channel) had two more episodes air, one on the Bermuda Triangle that was terrible and one on the Zodiac killer which looked at new evidence implicating a new suspect. Like the Hitler death season premiere episode, the Zodiac killer episode was very good and interesting. B But, the Bermuda Triangle one, rehashed old stuff on wave effects and brought up UFO stories that have been debunked already. D I have to say that the History Channel needs to stick with real stories and stay away from the paranormal crap.
Oh well.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thoughts: 04-October-2009
Penn State beat Illinois 35-17, doing much better on their first road trip of this season. I note that Iowa is 5-0 which makes them a surprise contender in the Big Ten.
Glee (Fox) is a new show getting a lot of buzz. Kristin Chenoweth, who is on my fave list, guest starred in the latest episode, so I decided to watch it. She was very good and had three very nice musical numbers (Pushing Daises missed the boat by not making more use of her musical talents). As for the rest of the show, I just have to wonder why this is getting such raves. I thought the show would be like the TV version of Fame that ran years ago and quite frankly that was the better show. I could care less about any of the characters, I have no clue why the one teacher hates the Glee Club, and thought all in all that it was pretty dumb. I also hated that Kristin did not sing the last number which is a fave song of mine. Kristen gets an A, Glee gets an F as I have no desire to watch it again.
CrapHouse (Dollhouse, Fox) continues on its poor ratings road as it was at the bottom for Friday night at 9 pm. Actually lost viewers from last week's premiere. How long will Fox keep this show on the air with such bad ratings? Hopefully CrapHouse will be gone by November.
Here in CT we have a big race going on for the Republican nomination for US Senator who will challenge Chris Dodd in the general election. While I do not normally like to discuss politics in this blog, I have to comment on Linda McMahon's decision to run for this nomination. She was the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and loves to bring up the fact how she and her husband, Vince McMahon, built the company up from the ground level. Of course she never ever mentions that her company is a pro wrestling promotion. And anybody who seriously follows pro wrestling, knows that pro wrestling promoters have screwed over so many people that they are up there with politicians for being corrupt. In building their company, they put out of business a number of small wrestling promotions and were involved in the famous Montreal screw job when they stole Bret Hart's title from him. Needless to say, I will not be voting for Mrs. McMahon. Must be nice to have that kind of money to waste.
Oh well.
Glee (Fox) is a new show getting a lot of buzz. Kristin Chenoweth, who is on my fave list, guest starred in the latest episode, so I decided to watch it. She was very good and had three very nice musical numbers (Pushing Daises missed the boat by not making more use of her musical talents). As for the rest of the show, I just have to wonder why this is getting such raves. I thought the show would be like the TV version of Fame that ran years ago and quite frankly that was the better show. I could care less about any of the characters, I have no clue why the one teacher hates the Glee Club, and thought all in all that it was pretty dumb. I also hated that Kristin did not sing the last number which is a fave song of mine. Kristen gets an A, Glee gets an F as I have no desire to watch it again.
CrapHouse (Dollhouse, Fox) continues on its poor ratings road as it was at the bottom for Friday night at 9 pm. Actually lost viewers from last week's premiere. How long will Fox keep this show on the air with such bad ratings? Hopefully CrapHouse will be gone by November.
Here in CT we have a big race going on for the Republican nomination for US Senator who will challenge Chris Dodd in the general election. While I do not normally like to discuss politics in this blog, I have to comment on Linda McMahon's decision to run for this nomination. She was the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and loves to bring up the fact how she and her husband, Vince McMahon, built the company up from the ground level. Of course she never ever mentions that her company is a pro wrestling promotion. And anybody who seriously follows pro wrestling, knows that pro wrestling promoters have screwed over so many people that they are up there with politicians for being corrupt. In building their company, they put out of business a number of small wrestling promotions and were involved in the famous Montreal screw job when they stole Bret Hart's title from him. Needless to say, I will not be voting for Mrs. McMahon. Must be nice to have that kind of money to waste.
Oh well.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thoughts: 03-October-2009
I just finished watching Fringe on Hulu.com. What a wonderful viewing experience compared to the horrendous time I had trying to watch Supernatural on the CW. And while there were a few commercial breaks, the longest was 30 seconds and I remember the products unlike watching regular TV which bombards you with tons of commercials. Quality not quantity is the way to go.
Fringe (Fox) had another great episode, this show is really starting to grow on me. I love Walter Bishop and his interactions with both Peter and Astrid. What great chemistry! A
Private Practice (ABC) had its season premiere the other night and while I have hated this show in the past, this episode was pretty good. Violet was being treated after the attack by the crazy woman who stole her baby, and they had flashbacks to when the practice first opened and showed how Pete and Violet met. Cooper was feeling guilty and refusing to answer his pages. He finally does so, and its the crazy woman with Violet's baby who wants Cooper to treat her. Baby is recovered and saved, Violet is saved, and everybody is happy at the end of the show. A very horrible and stupid season finale resolved in the first episode in a fairly good manner. If this show was more like this episode, I would be much happier with it. Hopefully they will not continue in the dumb plot manner of last season. B
Dollhouse (Fox) on the other hand continued with its usual stupid plots that attempt to justify the existence of a high priced whorehouse. Echo has to take on the role of a mother with a newborn (whose real mother died in childbirth) and they figure out a way to make her body lactate so she can breast feed. What I do not get is why reviewers keep saying that this is more to this show than what has been shown, that Whedon is starting to get into the heart of the matter, and this nonsense about deep meanings of mind body dilemmas. Remember that guy on Buffy that was building sex robots and tried to use mind control to force his ex girlfriend to do a French Maid fantasy with him and his friends? This is how deep Craphouse gets, what was a terrible and horrible thing to do to another person is somehow okay in this show? Give me a break already, nobody is buying this, the ratings are as low as they have ever been. Time to put this show off the air, let Whedon keep his crappy fantasies to himself. D
Oh well.
Fringe (Fox) had another great episode, this show is really starting to grow on me. I love Walter Bishop and his interactions with both Peter and Astrid. What great chemistry! A
Private Practice (ABC) had its season premiere the other night and while I have hated this show in the past, this episode was pretty good. Violet was being treated after the attack by the crazy woman who stole her baby, and they had flashbacks to when the practice first opened and showed how Pete and Violet met. Cooper was feeling guilty and refusing to answer his pages. He finally does so, and its the crazy woman with Violet's baby who wants Cooper to treat her. Baby is recovered and saved, Violet is saved, and everybody is happy at the end of the show. A very horrible and stupid season finale resolved in the first episode in a fairly good manner. If this show was more like this episode, I would be much happier with it. Hopefully they will not continue in the dumb plot manner of last season. B
Dollhouse (Fox) on the other hand continued with its usual stupid plots that attempt to justify the existence of a high priced whorehouse. Echo has to take on the role of a mother with a newborn (whose real mother died in childbirth) and they figure out a way to make her body lactate so she can breast feed. What I do not get is why reviewers keep saying that this is more to this show than what has been shown, that Whedon is starting to get into the heart of the matter, and this nonsense about deep meanings of mind body dilemmas. Remember that guy on Buffy that was building sex robots and tried to use mind control to force his ex girlfriend to do a French Maid fantasy with him and his friends? This is how deep Craphouse gets, what was a terrible and horrible thing to do to another person is somehow okay in this show? Give me a break already, nobody is buying this, the ratings are as low as they have ever been. Time to put this show off the air, let Whedon keep his crappy fantasies to himself. D
Oh well.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thoughts: 02-October-2009
Red Sox clinched the AL wild card spot and will play a five game series against the LA Angels. The Red Sox have beaten the Angels in several playoff series and won the last regular season series against them. Jon Lester just pitched 7 shutout innings to beat the Cleveland Indians, so I like our pitching to come back strong and beat the Angels 3-1.
Penn State coming off that home loss to Iowa, travels to Illinois for their next game. Illinois is an unpredictable team, they have come pretty close to beating Penn State. I think that the Nittany Lions pull out a win, 21-17.
The New England Patriots are at home against a very tough Baltimore Ravens team. The Patriots' offense needs to score a lot more TDs than they have been scoring, just do not see it against this Raven's offense. I think that New England loses this game, 27-6. I hope that I am wrong.
Dexter (Showtime) had its season 4 premiere this past weekend. A new serial killer, the Trinity killer played by the great John Lithgow, will be the Nemesis this season. The show started off with Dexter being big time sleep deprived, screwing up testimony in court which allowed a criminal to get off, and then after dispatching said criminal, he falls asleep at the wheel with the body on board and gets into a car accident. I do not see how they will get him out of that situation. Very good show and with not only Lithgow on board, Robert Carridine returns as a retired FBI agent who was their top man catching serial killers. Should be a good season. A
Lost Tapes (Animal Planet), the Blair Witch like fake documentary about tapes of people encountering strange creatures is back for a season 2. The Vampire episode was genuinely scary, Lizard Man not so much. This series can be really hokey or really frightening. Check it out. B
I have Private Practice to watch on the DVR and Dollhouse to watch tonight so be prepared for some ranting tomorrow.
Oh well.
Penn State coming off that home loss to Iowa, travels to Illinois for their next game. Illinois is an unpredictable team, they have come pretty close to beating Penn State. I think that the Nittany Lions pull out a win, 21-17.
The New England Patriots are at home against a very tough Baltimore Ravens team. The Patriots' offense needs to score a lot more TDs than they have been scoring, just do not see it against this Raven's offense. I think that New England loses this game, 27-6. I hope that I am wrong.
Dexter (Showtime) had its season 4 premiere this past weekend. A new serial killer, the Trinity killer played by the great John Lithgow, will be the Nemesis this season. The show started off with Dexter being big time sleep deprived, screwing up testimony in court which allowed a criminal to get off, and then after dispatching said criminal, he falls asleep at the wheel with the body on board and gets into a car accident. I do not see how they will get him out of that situation. Very good show and with not only Lithgow on board, Robert Carridine returns as a retired FBI agent who was their top man catching serial killers. Should be a good season. A
Lost Tapes (Animal Planet), the Blair Witch like fake documentary about tapes of people encountering strange creatures is back for a season 2. The Vampire episode was genuinely scary, Lizard Man not so much. This series can be really hokey or really frightening. Check it out. B
I have Private Practice to watch on the DVR and Dollhouse to watch tonight so be prepared for some ranting tomorrow.
Oh well.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thoughts: 28-September-2009
The Patriots beat the Falcons this weekend, 26-10. Just when all my teams were tanking this weekend, the Patriots come through.
Rants.
Last Thursday, I had to make a choice at 9 pm. I recorded Grey's Anatomy with my DVR, watched Fringe, later watched CSI on Comcast On Demand, and planned on watching Supernatural on Hulu.com. Well, I find out Hulu does not carry Supernatural, had to watch it on the CW website. That crappy website froze every couple of seconds making it a pain to watch the show. Hulu never freezes when I watch something on it. No wonder the CW is tanking.
And why the frakk does ABC have to end shows at 1 minute past the hour? It is not like we are getting more shows, we are getting more ads. That sucks and screws up my DVR recordings at 10 pm. Why?
I checked the ratings for Friday via TheFutonCritic.com and saw that Ghost Whisperer won its 8 pm time slot. CrapHouse (Dollhouse) actually got beat by everyone including NBC showing Dateline NBC. Fox is not going to be keeping that show on much longer.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) had its season premiere yesterday. Who did Mike marry? Susan of course the only logical choice from last season's finale. Catherine looks like she will be the new Edie, pissing off everyone and battling it out with Susan. Gabby is starting the slow road of bonding with her niece, Lynette hates the twins she is going to have (seriously, after four kids, it did not occur to her to have her tubes tied?), Bree started an affair with Susan's ex husband, and the only part that really liked was that Julie (played by the wonderful Andrea Bowen) is back on as a regular. Of course the psycho kid of the new neighbors attacked her in the final minute. B
Oh well.
Rants.
Last Thursday, I had to make a choice at 9 pm. I recorded Grey's Anatomy with my DVR, watched Fringe, later watched CSI on Comcast On Demand, and planned on watching Supernatural on Hulu.com. Well, I find out Hulu does not carry Supernatural, had to watch it on the CW website. That crappy website froze every couple of seconds making it a pain to watch the show. Hulu never freezes when I watch something on it. No wonder the CW is tanking.
And why the frakk does ABC have to end shows at 1 minute past the hour? It is not like we are getting more shows, we are getting more ads. That sucks and screws up my DVR recordings at 10 pm. Why?
I checked the ratings for Friday via TheFutonCritic.com and saw that Ghost Whisperer won its 8 pm time slot. CrapHouse (Dollhouse) actually got beat by everyone including NBC showing Dateline NBC. Fox is not going to be keeping that show on much longer.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) had its season premiere yesterday. Who did Mike marry? Susan of course the only logical choice from last season's finale. Catherine looks like she will be the new Edie, pissing off everyone and battling it out with Susan. Gabby is starting the slow road of bonding with her niece, Lynette hates the twins she is going to have (seriously, after four kids, it did not occur to her to have her tubes tied?), Bree started an affair with Susan's ex husband, and the only part that really liked was that Julie (played by the wonderful Andrea Bowen) is back on as a regular. Of course the psycho kid of the new neighbors attacked her in the final minute. B
Oh well.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thoughts: 27-September-2009
The Red Sox dropped two games to the Yankees and Penn State lost to Iowa last night, 21-10. My teams are tanking this weekend and I feel a another loss coming for the Patriots. Nice gloomy day here in CT too which just adds to the despair.
Marvel is starting up another Spiderman book, The Web of Spiderman. At one point they had four monthly Spiderman books which got condensed to a three times per month publication schedule for the Amazing Spiderman. I liked this idea and thought that they should do this for the Avengers and X-Men. Now they seem to be going back to multiple books per character. I really wonder who can afford to buy all these books.
More Season Premieres.
Eastwick (ABC) is a new show based on the Witches of Eastwick by John Updike. A movie version of this had come out with Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jack Nicholson. Now we have a show with Rebecca Romijn (Roxanne), who I loved on Pepper Dennis, a show that ended way too early, Lindsay Price (Joanna), a costar from Pepper Dennis and was recently on Lipstick Jungle, and Jamie Ray Newman (Kat) who was Tess on Eureka. Darryl Van Horne is played by Paul Gross who was on the show Due South, which I never watched. I really liked this first episode and will be curious to see where this goes. Has ABC finally found a show to beat their Wednesday 10 pm death zone? So far so good, my only concern is that they need to expand the show beyond having our witches do battle with the mysterious Van Horne. I can see that getting old, and they will need something to carry the plot lines forward. I really liked Charmed, the Good Witch Hallmark movies, and the film Practical Magic, so I have high hopes at this point. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) had a two hour whine fest to open up the season. George is dead and everybody is moping around trying to deal with it. The best line was from McSteamy when he said to Lexi, "why do all these gorgeous women fall for this dorky little guy?" And now we have a merger with possible layoffs, I think that this show has run its course and needs to either move on with better plots or get cancelled. C
The Mentalist (CBS) won its time slot in a big well with its premiere. Okay start but I think that we might get a tad too much tension with Jane and Bosco battling it out over the Red John Case. Still this show delivers adequate entertainment with Simon Baker. B
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) now has come competition at 8 pm Friday with Smallville (CW) and Law & Order (NBC) and I think will need to step up its game. We see Melinda have her baby son and then a five year leap where the kid is now showing some of his special abilities and Jim is now an intern in the local hospital. Could be the last season for this show if the ratings drop, will be interesting to see who wins this time slot. B
Law & Order (NBC) started its 20th season with a very political episode where Jack takes on the Bush administration for their use of torture. I wonder if they are going pushing the envelop and going out with a bang. Still worth watching. B
Robin Hood (BBC America) is having a very good final season and I would urge folks to check it out. One of the best shows on TV and I will miss it when it is over. A
Oh well.
Marvel is starting up another Spiderman book, The Web of Spiderman. At one point they had four monthly Spiderman books which got condensed to a three times per month publication schedule for the Amazing Spiderman. I liked this idea and thought that they should do this for the Avengers and X-Men. Now they seem to be going back to multiple books per character. I really wonder who can afford to buy all these books.
More Season Premieres.
Eastwick (ABC) is a new show based on the Witches of Eastwick by John Updike. A movie version of this had come out with Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jack Nicholson. Now we have a show with Rebecca Romijn (Roxanne), who I loved on Pepper Dennis, a show that ended way too early, Lindsay Price (Joanna), a costar from Pepper Dennis and was recently on Lipstick Jungle, and Jamie Ray Newman (Kat) who was Tess on Eureka. Darryl Van Horne is played by Paul Gross who was on the show Due South, which I never watched. I really liked this first episode and will be curious to see where this goes. Has ABC finally found a show to beat their Wednesday 10 pm death zone? So far so good, my only concern is that they need to expand the show beyond having our witches do battle with the mysterious Van Horne. I can see that getting old, and they will need something to carry the plot lines forward. I really liked Charmed, the Good Witch Hallmark movies, and the film Practical Magic, so I have high hopes at this point. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) had a two hour whine fest to open up the season. George is dead and everybody is moping around trying to deal with it. The best line was from McSteamy when he said to Lexi, "why do all these gorgeous women fall for this dorky little guy?" And now we have a merger with possible layoffs, I think that this show has run its course and needs to either move on with better plots or get cancelled. C
The Mentalist (CBS) won its time slot in a big well with its premiere. Okay start but I think that we might get a tad too much tension with Jane and Bosco battling it out over the Red John Case. Still this show delivers adequate entertainment with Simon Baker. B
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) now has come competition at 8 pm Friday with Smallville (CW) and Law & Order (NBC) and I think will need to step up its game. We see Melinda have her baby son and then a five year leap where the kid is now showing some of his special abilities and Jim is now an intern in the local hospital. Could be the last season for this show if the ratings drop, will be interesting to see who wins this time slot. B
Law & Order (NBC) started its 20th season with a very political episode where Jack takes on the Bush administration for their use of torture. I wonder if they are going pushing the envelop and going out with a bang. Still worth watching. B
Robin Hood (BBC America) is having a very good final season and I would urge folks to check it out. One of the best shows on TV and I will miss it when it is over. A
Oh well.
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