Scooter McGavin's 9th Green

Contest: The Prisoner Giveaway on Blu-Ray and DVD

2009-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

Coming later this month to AMC (you may now it better as that channel that airs Mad Men) is airing a six part miniseries of The Prisoner staring James Caviezel (Jesus) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf). The series is remake, and if you have never heard of it before is because it was probably aired before you were born (1967) and in Britain. Fret not young Americans that are predated by the show, it was recently released in the States on DVD and Blu Ray and I am giving away one of each. And even if you are not a fan of oldies television, with Christmas around the corner, maybe there is someone on your list that is.

To enter the contest, send me an e-mail me, ScooterKSU(at)aol(dot)com (subject: The Prisoner), and tell me what television show you would like to be see remade next. Also be sure to let me know if want the DVD or Blu-Ray version. The contest ends Sunday, November 15 at 8:00 PM EST (which just so happens to be when the new version premieres on AMC). The winners will be picked at random from all eligible entries and will be contacted shortly after. Also this contest is only open to people with shipping addresses in the United States.

If anyone wants a bonus entry, link to this contest on their blog or twitter account or link it on a message board. If you do all three, you can get up four entries into the contest. If you do this, the link must be posted by Thursday November 19. And make sure you e-mail and let know you have done so.

Some information on the box sets, both DVD and Blu-Ray include all seventeen complete episodes, the rare, alternative edit of the episode “The Chimes of Big Ben,” original broadcast trailers and much more. The DVD is presented over ten disks, fully restored and remastered. While the Blu-ray includes newly remixed 5.1 surround sound for every episode (in addition to the original mono tracks) along with over three hours of bonus features. Head over to shop.history.com for more information on the release.

There May Come a Day When We Have Nothing Left to Say

2009-11-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Listening to their debut a lot recently, it is easy to see why Weezer’s latest album Raditude falls flat, and it is not just the silly title (almost as silly are some of the song titles I’m Your Daddy and The Girl Got Hot). With all its geek tendencies the original Weezer just rocked with shredworthy licks throughout every song while most of Raditude, the guitars are just blended into an overproduced wall of sound. Their first album was chalk full of songs that were sing-a-long-worthy even after one listen, whereas on the latest Rivers Cuomo’s voice is also victim of the overproduction and just fades into the music.

As embarrassing as some of the song titles are, there are some songs on the disks that are even more cringeworthy. The Polow da Don produced (yes you read that right) Can’t Stop Partying featuring Lil’ Wayne (“It’s Weezer and it’s Weezy, it’s upside-down MTV,” seriously) sounds like a darker version of Beverly Hills after Cuomo got accepted by the culture. Hearing Cuomo talking about homies a decade and a half ago was quirky; hearing the forty year old version do so on Let it All Hang Out is just corny. Then there is Indian influenced Love Is the Answer which is just too tree hugging hippieish for a Weezer song. I don’t know if they were trying to make a U2 song, but whatever the case, it fails miserably.

There are some sparkles of hope on the disk; Put Me Back Together is classic Weezer, from the love gone wrong lyrics to the guitar feedback that ends the track. Trippin’ Down the Freeway bounces along in typical Weezer fashion with Rivers sounding like Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day at certain points of the song. And first single (If You’re Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To may be the greatest Cheap Trick song they never wrote. But that isn’t enough to save a lackluster album.

Song to Download – (If You’re Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To

Raditude gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Amazon.com Widgets

I Want My Music Television vol. LXVII

2009-11-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.

(If You’re Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To – Weezer

Coming off their induction into the Scooter Hall of Fame, Weezer has a new album out tomorrow which means we get another thoughly entertaining video from the band. And the Weezerville theme certainly doesn’t disappoint thanks in part to the moderately attractive Odette Yustman.

Who’d Have Known – Lily Allen

Keep in mind the public feud Lily Allen had with Elton John a year or so ago. Too bad Elton was up for actually appearing himself.

Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

Doesn’t Mean Anything – Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is pulling doubles duties with her first single off her upcoming album and providing the hook for Jay-Z who definitely has the better video of the two. But if Jay goes back to the black and white video, it should have been for a song on par with 99 Problems, one of his best ever.

Do You Believe What I Sing Now?

2009-11-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

After suffering through three years of grunge, fun started to creep back into rock in 1994. Beck made everyone who didn’t select Spanish as their foreign language requirement regret it, the Beastie Boys picked up their guitars (and ill fitting wigs) to Sabotage us. Then there was Weezer who were one of the few rock bands that didn’t mind choosing glasses over contacts. Hey, it even gave then a good idea for a song considering the glasses made them reminiscent of the last famous male rocker who wore them, Buddy Holly.

Sure the band sang about Dungeons and Dragons and twelve sided dice, but don’t lump them in with other nerd rock of the nineties like Barenaked Ladies. What set them apart was their love for hard rock (Rivers Cuomo even calls Kiss his favorite band during In the Garage). Sure there are quirky songs (Buddy Holly), bizarre songs (Undone – The Sweater Song), and the depressing sort (Say it Ain’t So) but in every song the band makes sure there is at least one shredworthy solo with crushing guitars throughout most of the songs.

All the while each and every song is power pop heaven with required sing-a-long lyrics no matter if they are upbeat (No One Else) or not (The World Has Turned and Left Me Here). “I made love to your memory one thousand times in my head,” a lyric from the latter, made the former teenager hit repeat multiple times. But it is those singles that will stand the test time.

Even at the height of alt-rock, you are not to find much bigger hits more odd then Undone –The Sweater Song with its two word per line verses with background voice splitting them up and its spastic ending. Not that it matter because when it came to the chorus, it all became who could shout it the loudest. Buddy Holly instantly because one of the greatest video of all time thanks to its Happy Days infusion. And for whenever your parents kept you up fighting, all you had to do was to slip on your headphones and let Say it Ain’t So (which was inexplicably was flipped recently by Asher Roth for his ode to college) and down them out. Which is why the original Weezer album is this month’s induction into the Scooter Hall of Fame.

Amazon.com Widgets

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CIV

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Quote of the Week: A, there are no cows in space and B, didn’t you wear that like five years ago? So don’t you think it’s time to move on? (Alexis, Castle)

Song of the Week: CNR – “Weird Al” Yankovic (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Big News of the Week: Trauma Not Getting Renewed: Of course right after its best episode of the season, NBC announced that they were not going to order up any more episodes and if essentially done after its initial thirteen episode order. And if my math is correct, that puts its run over just before Christmas (assuming all of them get filmed by then). This means that we will most likely see Chuck, which got ordered up six more episodes, early 2010. And I as stated earlier, premiering Chuck before the Olympics is not a bright idea.

Trauma: Nothing like a Halloween episode to finally kick start the show. Although it may not be a good sign that my favorite character on the show in the fairy intern who isn’t actually part of the main cast. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Trauma on iTunes.

Greek: Oh, crap, we really are going back to the lame love triangle (quadrangle if Rebecca is going to be included). And the ending just ruined what was turning out to be one of the show’s best thanks to some entertaining one liner’s courtesy of Rebecca Logan. Really the only way the ending could have been worse is had Evan walked in on the two kissing and the show ended with shock on all three faces (or four as Even would be there to walk Rebecca home). You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Castle: The baby egg gave me some bad flashbacks. The period before I was supposed to hand mine in for eighth grade health class I leaned a little to my desk while Lil’ Scooter was in the fanny pack and cracked it making me settle for a D. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.

Modern Family: I have when networks think we’re stupid. Seriously, we just saw Manny and Luke get in a fight last week and now it’s the first day of school? If you are going to air episodes out of order, at least make sure there are no glaring continuity errors. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Survivor: Samoa: A fairly mundane episode, but judging from the previews, next week will more than make up for it. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: Whoa, they gave Star Burns some lines. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Free Download of the Week: Brushfire Records Fall 2009 Sampler or Lost Highway Sampler: T For Texas T From Tennessee (Amazon MP3): In the first sampler, you have Jack Johnson’s label featuring himself G Love and Special Sauce and Zee Avi. On the other there is more of a southern rock with Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and one of my favorite songs of the year, Sugarfoot by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.

Deal of the Week: Indie Films up to 40% Off (Reservoir Dogs, Carmen, The Doors)

Video of the Week: Being Halloween today, here is a little Hallowwen cheer courtesy of Ryan Adams:

Next Week Pick of the Week: Greek, Monday at 9:00 on ABC Family: The last episode before the show takes a hiatus until January and hopefully we see Casey reject Cappie (or at the very least make him buy a razor to shave off that silly fuzz on his face) so he are not stuck back at the beginning of the series with Cappie and Evan fighting over Casey. Also let’s hope that Heath gets a better send off then Fannie got.

Around the Tubes vol. XXVII

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Rescue Ink Unleased, Explorer: Inside LSD, Alice, Dexter, The Office, Lopez Tonight, and Mercy.

- Tonight at 10:00 on the National Geographic Channel is the season finale of Rescue Ink Unleashed. The boys are on the trail of a shady bulldog breeder, what may be a puppy mill for horses, while Big Ant and Batso try to fix up a run down Ambulance for the boys to use. In other National Geographic Channel news, tune in next Tuesday (Nov 3) Explorer: Inside LSD as the first human trails in thirty years of the drug start up again.

- After the successful sci-fi version of Wizard of Oz two years ago, Tin Man, SyFy is giving Alice in Wonderland a sci-fi makeover in a two night event, December 6 and 7. Here is a first look at the trailer:

Alice

- As I mention a few weeks ago, Showtime is launching a new webisode Dexter: Early Cuts chronicling in animated form of the teenage years of Dexter Morgan. It has now gone live so head over to sho.com to watch it. In other webisobes news, The Office spinoff Subtile Sexuality featuring Kelly’s girl group with Erin with cameo’s from Andy and Ryan has also gone live with its first three episodes and a music video that can be found at SubtleSexuality.com.

- As the premiere of Lopez Tonight inches closer, which will feature the likes of Eva Longoria Parker, Jessica Alba and Arsenio Hall in the first weeks, here the profile of musical director Michael Bearden who recently worked with Michael Jackson on This Is It:

- As I mention a couple weeks back, Elizabeth Moss will be guesting on an upcoming episode of Mercy and that episode comes this Wedensday. Here is a clip:

Last Thing I Said Was

- Also, I may be getting my hands on some prizes to giveaway so keep your eyes out in the next couple days especially if you are a fan of classic television.

Previewing The League

2009-10-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

The very first year I played fantasy football I somehow lucked into the first pick and quickly snatched up Barry Sanders. That season it seemed like every game Sanders would rip off fifty yard runs only to be tackled inside the five where the Lions would turn the ball over to Tommy Vardell (who my friends mockingly called Touchdown Tommy to point out how he had more TD’s than my number one pick). After owning the cellar for the first half of the season I managed to put on a run ending up with second place. Since then I rarely even finish above five hundred.

With that decade and a half of futility, there were high hopes for The League, the latest attempt at comedy from FX. Although despite the show’s title, it seems like the show is more about thirty somethings who refuse to grow up and participating is just one sliver of that extended childhood. Sure the draft takes up a chuck of the premiere episode (including a novel idea of coming up with the draft order) but past that, it seems like fantasy football gets pushed to the background except for the occasional blackmailing induced trade that is made (Adrian Peterson gets acquired in a disturbing way).

The League is actually a fairly small five players, supposable there are two players who were on auto draft and another on the phone that go unseen so far. Mark Duplass (Humpday) is the two time reigning champ who has no problem choosing fake football over his wife, Leslie Bibb (Private Parts). The commissioner of the league Stephan Rannazzisi (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) has resulted to consulting with his wife Katie Aselton (The Puffy Chair). His brother Jon Lajoie (internet star) seems to care the least which is why he does so well. Rounding out the cast are Best Week Ever alums Nick Kroll, who isn’t above stalking a fantasy genius even is he is underage, and Paul Scheer who manages to draft a retired player at least once a year.

The League seems like it would have been a decent idea for a web series that changes along real-time with the current NFL season every week. Since The League is already filmed and in the whole I bet there may be some continuity error from actual football which is probably why they steer away from football for the most part during the second season. But for those that don’t mind crass humor of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, this may be a decent companion for the hour.

The League will air six straight Thursdays at 10:30 on FX (except Thanksgiving) starting tonight. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

We Should Have Went to the Beach

2009-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Whenever I watch a horror movie, my mind always seems to wonder to one thought: “This would be much better if there zombies in it.” The of course the next thing in my brain is, “and what if those zombies were Nazis: how cool would that be?” Leave it to those nutty Norwegians to put that idea to film. Yes, Nazi Zombies in living color (bad pun intended) for Død snø or Dead Snow for us English speakers.

Of course the drawback to a Norwegian film is that the cast speaks Norwegian and you are stuck the whole film reading. But on the plus side: there’s fracking Nazi Zombies! The story follows five co-eds who are spending their Easter vacation at a cabin up in the hills of Norway for a film marathon and snowy fun. That is until a creepy old dude invites himself in for some coffee and proceeds to call the kids stupid for coming to such a place without knowing its history. Yet he never explains why he is traveling alone in the same place. But who cares about a trivial plot point because there are Nazi Zombies!

Basically the old dude is only there to tell our protagonists why they are about to get attacked by Nazi Zombies. Once the Nazi Zombies infest there are plenty of horrifically funny death scenes to make Sam Raimi proud (Evil Dead even gets a shout out). If we are lucky, if there is ever an English remake of the film, hopefully Raimi is involved. And of course there is a gratuitous use of a chainsaw, a chainsaw to saw Nazi Zombies in half. Horror just doesn’t get better than that. Even if you are like me and hate reading especially when watching television, you will still want to pick up Dead Snow (which I think the only way you will be able to get a hold of in the United States is through Blockbuster). But did I mention there are Nazi Zombies?!

Dead Snow gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Breaking Down the 100 Greatest Television Characters of the 00’s

2009-10-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Before you read this post, check out The 100 Greatest Television Characters of the 00’s if you have not already.

When I decided I was going to lists to commemorate the greatest of the decade, I knew it was going to be hard as I already put way too much thought into my end of the year ones. But The 100 Greatest Television Shows was relatively harmless as the top ten was pretty obvious for the most part and I didn’t even quibble very much with the other ninety. Then I started trying to rank the greatest characters from the decade. Really anyone I listed in the top ten could have been a worthy number one. And of the five different trial runs I made, I had some characters move sixty different places from list to list. And some of the lists from here on out will be just as hard if not harder. So look out for a new Greatest of the 00’s list coming sometime next month (especially for all the dudes out there). Until then, here is a breakdown of The 100 Greatest Television Characters of the 00’s.

Shows with Multiple Characters
Friday Night Lights – 8
Lost – 7
Chuck – 7
Arrested Development – 6
Rescue Me – 6
Veronica Mars – 6
Ed – 5
Greek – 4
Knights of Prosperity – 4
Angel – 3
Everwood – 3
Everybody Hates Chris – 3
Firefly – 3
My Name Is Earl – 3
Pushing Daisies – 3
The Big Bang Theory – 3
Castle – 2
Dead Like Me – 2
Deadwood – 2
Rome – 2
Smallville – 2

Characters by Main Occupation
Student - 24
Fire Fighter – 6
Sales Clerk – 4
Scientist - 4
Doctor – 3
Manager – 3
Mercenary – 3
Owner – 3
Soldier - 3
Crime Fighter – 2
Detective – 2
Grim Reaper – 2
Janitor – 2
Lawyer – 2
Private Investigator – 2
Salesman – 2
Sherriff – 2
Special Agent – 2
Homemaker – 2
Waitress - 2
Cab Driver – 1
Captain – 1
Car Dealer – 1
CEO – 1
Coronel – 1
Cook – 1
Crime Scene Investigator – 1
Executive – 1
King – 1
Leader – 1
Magician - 1
Mechanic – 1
Medium – 1
Principal – 1
Prisoner – 1
Security – 1
Singer – 1
Socialite – 1
Delivery Man – 1
Watcher – 1
Unemployed – 1
Writer - 1

Characters by Original Network
NBC – 27
ABC – 18
FOX – 12
UPN – 10
WB – 8
CBS – 6
FX – 6
ABC Family – 5
HBO – 4
Showtime – 3
TNT – 1

Actors Who Appear Multiple Times
Adam Baldwin (John Casey, Jayne Cobb)
Nathan Fillion (Mal Reynolds, Rick Castle)
Ian McShane (Al Swearengen, Benjamin Silas)

Character without a Last Name – 5

Title Characters – 6

Characters Who Died - 6

Characters not in the orginal Cast - 14

Youngest Character – Louise Brooks

Oldest Character – Harvey Lipschultz

The 100 Greatest Television Characters of the 00’s

2009-10-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

1. Sheldon Cooper, Ph.D - The Big Bang Theory

2. Veronica Mars - Veronica Mars

3. Jaye Tyler - Wonderfalls

4. Landry Clarke - Friday Night lights

5. Coach Eric Taylor - Friday Night Lights

6. Barney Stinson - How I Met Your Mother

7. Georgia "George" Lass - Dead Like Me

8. Emerson Cod - Pushing Daisies

9. Tammy Taylor - Friday Night Lights

10. Benjamin "Ben" Linus aka Henry Gale - Lost

11. Colonel John Casey - Chuck

12. Michael Bluth - Arrested Development

13. Edward "Ed" Stevens - Ed

14. Albert "Al" Swearengen - Deadwood

15. Richard "Dick" Casablancas - Veronica Mars

16. Thomas Michael "Tommy" Gavin - Rescue Me

17. Dr. Harold Abbott Jr. - Everwood

18. Jayne Cobb - Firefly

19. Earl Jehosophat Hickey - My Name Is Earl

20. Hugo "Hurley" Reyes - Lost

21. Rockefeller Butts - The Knights of Prosperity

22. Lucius Vorenus - Rome

23. Penny - The Big Bang Theory

24. Olive Snook - Pushing Daisies

25. Sean Leslie Garrity - Rescue Me

26. Julius - Everybody Hates Chris

27. Eugene Gurkin - The Knights of Prosperity

28. Dexter Morgan - Dexter

29. Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds - Firefly

30. Buddy Garrity - Friday Night Lights

31. Franco Rivera - Rescue Me

32. Bill Haverchuck - Freaks and Geeks

33. Charles "Chuck" Bartowski - Chuck

34. Special Agent Sarah Walker - Chuck

35. Lieutenant Kenneth "Lou" Shea - Rescue Me

36. Keith Mars - Veronica Mars

37. Joy Farrah (Hickey) Turner (née Darville) - My Name Is Earl

38. Andrew Wells - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

39. Chloe Sullivan - Smallville

40. Sheriff Don Lamb - Veronica Mars

41. Krevlornswath "Lorne" of the Deathwok Clan - Angel

42. Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye - Firefly

43. Sherriff Seth Bullock - Deadwood

44. George Bluth Sr. - Arrested Development

45. Winifred "Fred" Burkle - Angel

46. Daisy Adair - Dead Like Me

47. Mike Silletti - Rescue Me

48. Chris - Everybody Hates Chris

49. Carol Vessey - Ed

50. Brian "Smash" Williams - Friday Night Lights

51. Frannie Morgan - Greek

52. Lester Patel - Chuck

53. Dr. Daniel Faraday - Lost

54. Lucille Bluth - Arrested Development

55. Darnell "Crabman" Turner aka Harry Monroe - My Name Is Earl

56. Joan Girardi - Joan of Arcadia

57. King Silas Benjamin - Kings

58. Tyra Collette - Friday Night Lights

59. Dwight Kurt Shrute III - The Office

60. Jonathan "Jack" Donahue Bristow - Alias

61. Eli Cartwright Goggins - Ed

62. Sayid Jarrah - Lost

63. Warren P. Cheswick - Ed

64. Richard "Rick" Castle - Castle

65. Tobias Fünke - Arrested Development

66. Bart "Black Shawn" Johnston - Rescue Me

67. Louise Brooks - Gary Unmarried

68. Detective Katherine "Kate" Beckett - Castle

69. Gourishankar "Gary" Subramaniam - The Knights of Prosperity

70. Titus Pullo - Rome

71. Dale Kettlewell - Greek

72. Margaret "Meg" Pryor - American Dreams

73. Maggie Dekker - Eli Stone

74. Jeffery "Jeff" Barnes - Chuck

75. Ned "The Piemaker" - Pushing Daisies

76. Devin "Captain Awesome" Woodcomb, M.D. - Chuck

77. Lyla Garrity - Friday Night Lights

78. James "Sawyer" Ford - Lost

79. Rebecca Logan - Greek

80. Johnathan "John" Locke aka Jeremy Bentham - Lost

81. George Oscar "Gob" Bluth Jr. - Arrested Development

82. Matt Saresen - Friday Night Lights

83. Miles Straume - Lost

84. Eli "Weevil" Narvarro - Veronica Mars

85. Alec Hardison - Leverage

86. Wendy Watson - The Middleman

87. Casey Cartwright - Greek

88. Charles Gunn - Angel

89. Hannah Rogers - Everwood

90. Francis "Squatch" Squacieri - The Knights of Prosperity

91. "Big" Mike Tucker - Chuck

92. Shirley Pifko - Ed

93. Cindy "Mac" McKenzie - Veronica Mars

94. Maeby Fünke - Arrested Development

95. Rochelle - Everybody Hates Chris

96. Harvey Lipschultz - Boston Public

97. Lana Lang - Smallville

98. Detective Eddie Arlette - Keen Eddie

99. Leonard Leakey Hofstadter, Ph.D - The Big Bang Theory

100. Harold Brighton "Bright" Abbott - Everwood

(Scooter’s Note: Only characters that were introduced and featured for at least one full season between September 1999 and August 2009 were eligible for this list. For a complete breakdown on the list, check out Breaking Down the 100 Greatest Television Characters of the 00's.)

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CIII

2009-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Tool Academy: Charm has become this season’s Shawn who inexplicably manages to make it one more week even though he was one of the biggest tools from week one. You can stream recent episodes over at vh1.com. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.

Greek: Oh crap, they really are going to reignite the Cappie / Casey / Evan love triangle. Hopefully they graduate and all that happens off screen. And let’s face it, trading Olivia Munn for Casey = downgrade even if she is a slacker. At least Dale passing out Bible study fliers at the strip club was pretty funny You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

The Big Bang Theory: Wow, Sheldon lost at something again. First he incorrectly guessed the cricket and then he loses to the Star Trek dude and on purpose. I cannot wait to see what revenge Sheldon has up his sleeve because you know some is coming (assuming the guy is willing to guest star again, but really, what does he have going on). You can download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Castle: I really didn’t understand that if the arrangement was for one book, why did Beckett let Castle stick around after the book was written and not wait until it was published conclude their arrangement. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.

Sons of Anarchy: It’s surprising that Tom Everett Scott doesn’t get more screen time as SAMCRO’s lawyer. And I know he is sans an eye, but were was Otto while everyone else was in the Big House? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Mercy: Is the doctor really going to let Ronnie off the hook for putting a cinder block through his car just because his mail order bride died? And do firemen really get called to such calls like breaking and entering? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.

Modern Family: Nothing like a swim in the pool with your clothes on to wash away all your family drama. Alighty. As funny as Al Bundy asking his gay son’s boyfriend if he found him attractive, the episode seriously needed another song from Dylan. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Survivor: Samoa: After the last two episodes, it got me thinking, at what point are the elements so bad do the suspend the game? Is there an amount of rainfall, a certain temperature where they step in? And I was surprised they didn’t go ahead with tribal as planned because when the other dude dropped out, they still had to vote someone out. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Best of the Week vol. XXVI

2009-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Quote of the Week: My mother calls me at work to see if I had a healthy bowel movement. (Howard – The Big Bang Theory)

Song of the Week: Up All Night – Slaughter (Greek)

Big News of the Week: Um: Since I have no desire to talk about the balloon boy (except to ask why is this breaking news when we have two wars going on, massive unemployment, etc?) I got nothing this week.

Free Download of the Week: Pilot – Modern Family (iTunes): If you have somehow missed the best new show of the fall, you can check up on the first episode at least to see why it is the best.

Deal of the Week: The Happy Birthday Sale: Save up to 60% (The Dark Knight, Peanuts Holiday Collection, Gran Torino, Blazing Saddles)

Video of the Week: In a story I broke yesterday, this year Halloween falls on the weekend (next Saturday to be exact) and me and the Geto Boys will be trick or treating, robbing little kids for bag. If you didn’t get that what should be an obvious pop culture reference, check out the video below:

Next Week Pick of the Week: Friday Night Lights, Wednesday at 9:00 on DirecTV: It pains me to write this considering I may have to wait until summer to see the new season unless I can find someone closer to New Jersey to invite me over every Wednesday for the next thirteen week. If not, I am going into FNL shutdown until NBC airs it to avoid any spoilers. But seriously, if you are in the Northeast Ohio area and have DirecTV, shout me a holla.

Also be on the look out next week for my latest Greatest of the 00's list.

Around the Tubes vol. XXVI

2009-10-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Trauma, Community, Stargate Universe, and The League.

- Trauma is slowly getting its footing, which is of course too slow. But there is nothing like a Halloween episode to kick start a show because like the holiday itself, anything can happen. And since this year Halloween falls on the weekend, I think me and the Geto Boys are going to go trick or treat and robbing little kids for bags. But anyways. Here is a behind the scene look at Monday’s Trauma:

BTS Masquerade

- Also getting into the Halloween spirit next week is Community. Here is another behind the scenes look at some of the costumed fun:

Community Trick or Treat

- Tonight on Stargate Universe, “a stellar collision is imminent, and not everyone will escape.” Ere is a sneak peak:

Light

I am not entirely sure about The League, the new FX comedy debuting Thursday, October 29th at 10:30, because from the previews I am not sure if the show will be laughing at me or laughing with me as an avid fantasy sports player. Check out a preview below to see if you can figure it out:

Each Time I Try to Be the Good Girl

2009-10-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

Kristania DeBarge has a lot to live up to. Yes the last name is courtesy of her father James who was part of the eighties group that brought us the theme song to Short Circuits. Then her debut album Exposed was produced by nineties uber-producer Babyface who also wrote four songs for the album. With that lineage, Exposed is a little disappointing.

The album just sounds like every other album from other cookie cutter R&B pop acts of the past couple years like Jordin Sparks and the like getting the scraps that Rihanna pass on. Debarge even tries to do for Steam’s Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye for her Goodbye what Rihanna did for Tainted Love on S.O.S. to lesser effect (it also doesn’t help that Wale and Jay-Z also decided to co-opt the same song this year). And it doesn’t help that Ryan Tedder contribute a track because Speak Up doesn’t help his rap that he basically only has one song that he recycles to ever artist he works with to the point you can understand why Kelly Clarkson was so upset.

Even the Babyface songs like Cried Me a River come off a little too smaltzy and too overproduced making you wish of the days when ‘face could do no wrong but that was over a decade ago. He does manage to take us back to when Kristinia’s father ruled the charts on the throwback It’s Got to Be Love which borrows from I Need Love from LL Cool J.

But on the bright side, the album is good clean fun for the tween set who are looking for something edgier than the Magic Kingdom is exporting and not ready for the oversexualized music that plagues R&B radio these days. Anyone one in that age bracket will be more than happy to sing along to songs like Goodbye, Future Love and Doesn’t Everybody Want to Fall in Love.

Song to Download – Doesn’t Everybody Want to Fall in Love

Exposed gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Amazon.com Widgets

Feed Your iPod vol. XXXVIII: Spin the Bottle

2009-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

If there was one reason to pick up the Reality Bites soundtrack it was because my favorite U2 song All I Want Is You is among the track listing (keep in mind this was long before iTunes or even Napster). And with all due respect to the breakout star amongst the great eighties tunes, Lisa Loeb, the second standout track on the album was Spin the Bottle, a quick jolly romp reminiscent of the great middle school days when the spinning the bottle was the way to tell someone you liked them long before Vanessa Hudgens discovered a cell phone.

Spin the Bottle – The Juliana Hatfield 3

You'd Be Surprised What You'll Do When the Lamia Comes for You

2009-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

During the Halloween season, there is one movie I go back to for a good scare, and a few laughs thrown in for good measure, and that is the Evil Dead Trilogy (okay that is three, but who’s counting). Unfortunate the creative mind behind those movies Sam Raimi has been too busy playing with boys in tights the last decade to do anything in the horror genre this decade until he squeaked one in at the end with Drag Me to Hell.

First off, Bruce Campbell who was the lead in the Evil Dead movies and cameos in all three Spider-Man movies as three different characters, is absent from the film. But other than that, Drag Me to Hell is pure Sam Raimi. The unexpected laughs throughout the movie jump up as much as the unsuspecting scary parts that horror movies are known for, although Raimi may have gone with one too many false endings.

The movie centers around Alison Lohman (Big Fish), a sweet loan officer who decides to get a backbone at the wrong time. Promotion time is right around the corner and after her boss says to get it, she will start to have to make the tough decisions which leads to Lohman to decline a frail old lady (perfectly portrayed by Lorna Raver with an assist to the great makeup artist who turned her that way) a third extension on her mortgage tossing her on the street. Wrong decision.

In retaliation, Raver puts a curse on Lohman where a demon named the Lamia would harass her for three days before, well, dragging her to hell, naturally. And as dramatized in the prologue, this is definitely not something you want to partake in. Along for the rise I the surprisingly straight man Justin Long (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) as Lohman loyal boyfriend who stays by her despite actually believing that she is being cursed and an eventful dinner with his parents who meet Lohman for the first time.

Drag Me to Hell might not be the scariest horror movie you will see (it is only PG-13) but for Raimi that is not the point as a full entertainment experience is what he wants to give you and that is what you get with this movie. And now that he has dipped his toe back in the genre, hopefully more adventures of Ash are not far behind.

Drag Me to Hell gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

I Want My Music Television vol. LXVI

2009-10-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.

Who Says – John Mayer

I wasn’t too fond when I first heard the new John Mayer song. It just sounded like a mash up of Stop This Train and In Your Atmosphere. And I still pretty much still feel that way but then I discovered the lyric “It’s been a long time since twenty-two” which has hit a little close to home lately. And if I do my math correctly, twenty-two is around the time he sang about wanting to ruin through the halls of his high school.

Fifteen – Taylor Swift

Speaking of songs that take you back to a certain age, so does the new Taylor Swift. But for me it isn’t back to time the title refers to but back to eighteen when I was a senior trying to pick up those freshmen girls. Fun times.

Meet Me on the Equinox – Death Cab for Cutie

I am thinking it may not be a coincidence that this is one of the worst songs Death Cab for Cutie considering what it was written for.

How bout Dat – Method Man and Redman

With songs like this it makes you wish Method Man and Redman would hook up more than once a decade for a joint album.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CII

2009-10-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Tool Academy: There is something to be said that when it was announced that the winning team would get a conjugal visit, Shannon and her “Special” Tool were the only ones not celebrating. So not surprising that they got eliminated. But I was really shocked that she took him back. I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with Shannon that we didn’t see because she should be albe to do much better than him. And having him John and Dre P eliminated in succession may hurt the show from an entertainment standpoint. You can stream recent episodes over at vh1.com. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Holy crap, I was a sexless innkeeper. And no I am not retelling that story in poem form or not. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Trauma: The show really needs to spend more time developing their characters instead of going out on some of these smaller calls. They could have dropped either the skater or drunk couple and spend those five minutes getting to know the characters better. There are some interesting ones there; they just need to focus more screen time on them. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Trauma on iTunes.

Greek: It is good to see Dale born again at the episode because sleazy Dale was physically uncomfortable to watch. Also physically uncomfortable, the thought of a return of the Casey / Cappie / Evan love triangle. Hopefully this doesn’t happen. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

The Big Bang Theory: Great use of an Eye of the Tiger montage. You can stream current episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Castle: I agree with Castle: best case ever. But I may go one further and say it was the best episode ever. And much like Castle, I was conned into thinking that the dude was actually CIA too. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.

Hip Hop Honors:: It is interesting to watch the reactions of the founders and CEO’s of Def Jam during certain performances, usually they would sing along and be excited, but were flatfooted during Ja Rule and Rick Ross. And coincidentally so was I. And just behind that front row in the balcony I swear was MC Serch of 3rd Bass who were conspicuously absent during the performances.

Mercy: Crazy homeless burrito stealing dude gets hit by a bike: classic. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.

Gary Unmarried: The ending was a little cheap because once you get a nickname, you are not losing it until you graduate (and hope none of your classmates go to the same college) or you get an even more humiliating nickname. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download Gary Unmarried on iTunes.

Modern Family: Let’s hope Shelley Long isn’t really moving to Canada or at the very least makes the trek down to the states for holidays and family reunions because The Incident on the show was much more satisfying than the one on Lost. And more Dylan and the Rusty Zippers please because much like the families, I have been humming the song all week. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: Yeah, the producers didn’t realize why the champions are champions for a reason. The only Ruins the challengers have won so far was one that a champion threw. At this point are there going to be any challengers left for the final challenge? You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins on iTunes.

Survivor: Samoa: With the tribe being unable to strategize, it makes me wonder why the show doesn’t have losing tribes go straight to tribal council more often. It has only happened once or trice that I can remember. It could make tribal council more interesting. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: I actually went to high school with someone who would believe anything I would tell her. I’d try to up the lie in hopes she would finally get I was joking but she would end up believing I was related to the fictitious Shooter McGavin while Darrin McGavin was my grandfather. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Best of the Week vol. XXV

2009-10-17T08:00:00.007-04:00

Quote of the Week: You listen up, Pierce! I'm gonna tell you what my mother told me when I wanted to quit cheerleading: You're not very pretty, you have no boobs, and you can't do a basket toss to save your life. But you made a commitment. So pick up your pompoms, Pierce, stuff your bra, and get ready for the team bus to forget you at a Taco Bell, because life is tough. But we soldier on, and that's just the way it goes. (Annie - Community)

Song of the Week: In the Moonlight (Do You) – Dylan & the Rusty Zippers (Modern Family)

Big News of the Week: Don’t Bring Chuck Back Early: Last week when I talked about Southland being canceled I pondered what that meant for its midseason shows. Right after I wrote that rumors started up on the internets that Chuck could return as soon as this month. As much as I would like to bring back the Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week, this is a bad idea to end all bad ideas. Bringing it back with only a week or two to promote only to air for a month before taking a holiday break, then air a couple more episodes to be preempted by the Olympics will most likely kill Chuck. There is not even a street date for the second season DVD yet. If NBC is truly making a killing monetarily with Jay Leno despite low ratings, the network should just bite the bullet.

Then they can relaunch the network in a sort after the Olympics where (along with the NFL playoffs) the can promote the return to quality programming of Chuck, Parenthood (which looks to be good and hopefully the stuff behind the scenes doesn’t disrupt that too much) and if they were to move up the premiere of a show, make it Friday Night Lights. Promoting FNL during the NFL playoffs and the biggest sporting event of the year, what a novel idea. But I am not holding my breathe that NBC will do the smart thing because they didn’t even air one FNL promo during the Super Bowl last year.

Coalition Links of the Week:
This week, we offered up some valuable lessons ABC, CBS, NBC and the CW can learn from the success of GLEE. (The TV Addict)

Vance loved what may have been Mia Michael's last choreography for SYTYCD on So You Think You Can Dance Canada's Top 6. (Tapeworthy)

Free Download of the Week: Glitter and Doom Preview – Tom Waits (tomwaits.com): Usually when an artist does a preview of their upcoming album, you may get one download, but Tom Waits is letting you download an eight song sampler from his new live album.

Deal of the Week: Save up to 47% on DVD Favorites (Fletch, Billy Madison, Inside Man)

Video of the Week: The two Congressmen featured represent areas in and around Cleveland, luckily not mine. But I implore my neighbors to make sure they do not vote for either of them when they come up for reelection next year.

D.L., Dennis Kucinich & Steve LaTourette

Next Week Pick of the Week: Mercy, Wednesday at 8:00 on NBC: Now that the fall season is in full swing, it may be time to give a chance to a new show you have overlooked. Sure Modern Family is the closest to undisputed best new show of the fall while Mercy got killed by critics. But it is not as bad as they would let you believe. Well, actually it is, but that is the charm of the show and sometimes I laugh more and harder than I do at Modern Family or some of the other sitcoms currently on air. Then for the November 4 episode, be on the look out for Elizabeth Moss who gets admitted into the hospital according to tvguide.com.

Around the Tubes vol. XXV

2009-10-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Friday Night Lights, Tidy Songs, Eventual Salvation, Saturday Night Live, Shameless, and Dexter.

- We may be six months away from Friday Night Lights actually airing on NBC (assuming it doesn’t get pushed up, check back tomorrow when I suggest the network does just that, but not Chuck) but is nice to see the network is still doing a little promoting for the show. Here is a behind the scenes look at a commercial filmed for DirecTV. Now if you excuse me, I have to go door to door to see if any of my neighbors subscribe and don’t mind me coming over every Wednesday for the next thirteen weeks.

Getting Ready for Season 4

- Is your iTunes library a mess with missing album art or other missing or misspelled information? Not me because I am obsessive compulsive when it comes to your libraty. But if you have a lot of songs that need archived properly you may want to give TidySongs a look.

- Documentary fans will want to tune in Monday at 9:00 on the Sundance Channel for Eventual Salvation where Dee Rees follows her 80-year-old grandmother Earnestine Smith, as she returns to her adopted home of Liberia to help rebuild a country emerging from 14 years of civil war. In other Sundance Channel news, their blog has just added Village Voice columnist Michael Musto as a writer for SUNfiltered.

- When Saturday Night Live announced their first months of hosts, Gerard Butler was the only one that said must see TV to me. Here’s hoping for a 300 parody. In other SNL skit wish list, could Mike Myers have a Kanye West discussion with Taylor Swift when she hosts next month?

SNL Promo: Gerard Butler

- Showtime has announced that they are importing the long running English show Shameless to their network staring William H. Macy (Wild Hogs) for the pilot. In other Showtime news, starter October 25, Dexter is getting its own animated series Dexter: Early Cuts which you will be able to find on Sho.com.

Lyrics Quiz: Def Jam / Rick Rubin

2009-10-15T08:00:00.003-04:00

It is hard for any hip-hop head not to have chills during this year’s Hip Hop Honors dedicated to the twenty-five years of Def Jam (although who invited Ja Rule). I am doing my own dedicating to the label with this month’s lyrics quiz. All of the songs came directly from the label or were produced by Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin and in some cases that is both. As usual, place your guesses in the comment (or e-mail me), both artist and song title (make sure to get your guess to songs released in this decade), and if you are correct I will un-bold the lyric. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them. Now onto the quiz:

1. You still acting up. Running around here like some brand new (chicken) about to get (plucked).
2. Shadowboxing when I heard you on the radio. I just don’t know what made you forget I was raw. (Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J; guessed by Doug)
3. So like my girl Foxy, a (expletive deleted) went Def. So (expletive deleted), who’s your to ten? Is it MC Shan? Is it MC Ren? (Hip Hop Is Dead - Nas; guessed by Rose)
4. You give me your number, I call you up. You act like your (expletive deleted) don’t interrupt. I don’t have no trouble with you(expletive deleted) me. But I have a little problem with you not (expletive deleted) me.
5. So I took a big chance at the high school dance with a lady that was ready to play. (Walk This Way - Run-DMC and Aerosmith; guessed by Rebekah)
6. Hey, we don’t know each other well so why I keep picking up my cell? Memories just keep ringing bells. Ding, ding, ding, ding.
7. You will see him on TV, any given Sunday. Win a Super Bowl and drive off in a Hyundai. (Gold Digger - Kanye West and Jamie Foxx; guessed by Doug)
8. I got a squad with a list of complainers. I should have started R.A.P.E.: Rappers Against Phony Entertainers. (Pop Goes the Weasel - 3rd Bass; guessed by Doug)
9. The fellas want to have a barbecue tonight. I think it’s on about 5:00. They say it’s gonna have many Daisy Dukes and this is gonna be live. (Sweet Potato Pie - Domino; guessed by Doug)
10. The rap era’s out of control, brothers selling their soul to go gold, going, going, gone. (Crossover - EPMD; guessed by Doug)
11. Since these girls peeping me I’m a glide and swerve. These hookers looking so hard they straight hit the curb. (Regulate - Warren G and Nate Dogg; guessed by Doug)
12. Foot on the pedal - never ever false metal, engine running hotter than a boiling kettle.
13. Bass, how low can you go? Death row? What a brother know? (Bring the Noise - Public Enemy; guessed by Doug)
14. What I got you got to give to your daughter. You do a little dance and drink a little water. (Give it Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers; guessed by Doug)
15. First time I shot her, I shot her in the side. Hard to watch her suffer but with the second shot she died. (Delia's Gone - Johnny Cash; guessed by Rebekah)
16. Get the feeling of peace at the end of the day. And when your bulldog barks and your canary sings, you’re out there with winners.
17. I’m not a martyr. I am not a prophet. I won’t preach to you, but here’s a caution: You better understand I won’t hold your hand.
18. The year is ’94 and my trunk is raw, and in the rearview mirror is the (expletive deleted) law. (99 Problems - Jay-Z; guessed by Doug)
19. The truth is, I don’t stand a chance. It’s something you’re into and I just don’t belong. (Beverly Hills - Weezer; guessed by Rose)
20. I don’t mind saying it’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger. (Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks; guessed by Doug)
21. Hand grenade pins in every line. Throw ‘em up and let something shine. Going out of my (expletive deleted) mind. Filthy mouth, no excuse.
22. Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. Are you aware the shape I’m in? My hands they shake, my head it spins. Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. (I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers; guessed by Rebekah)
23. Guess who he saw? Dave the dope fiend doing dope and he don’t know the meaning of water or soap.
24. I’m a b-boy, standing in my b-boy stance. Hurry up and give me the microphone before I bust in my pants. (Slam - Onyx; guessed by Doug)
25. I got a love jonz for your body and your skin tone. Five minutes alone I'm already on the bone. (I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By - Method Man and Mary J. Blige; guessed by Doug)

Previewing Nip/Tuck 6.x

2009-10-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

With all the acclaim around its other programming on its network, it is sometimes easy to remember that one of the first buzz shows on FX, Nip/Tuck, is still on. Although not for long as it enters its sixth and final season starting tonight with ten straight episodes before concluding with the second half of the season sometime in 2010.

The season starts off with a prerequisite “previously on Nip/Tuck” that reminds us that Christian learned that his cancer prognosis isn’t as bleak as his doctors once thought after marrying Liz and Sean’s escalating relationship with his anesthesiologist Teddy. Then we get a humorous montage telling what has happened between last season’s finale and the new season and apparently plastic surgery isn’t recession proof. Although it isn’t explained why Teddy had so much plastic surgery that made her turn from Katey Sackoff into Rose McGowan.

This explains why they team up with a yet another Miami transplant Mario Lopez who managed to figure out the one recession proof surgery still left. And naturally more homoerotic situations ensue. The recession also hit Matt who is resigned to a new occupation that will have you laughing. The season premieres also features Wayne “Newman” Knight and Barry Bostwick going somewhere where Elaine has already gone before on Arrested Development. Although she never asked Michael Bluth to do what he asks Christian to do. Then next week’s surgery may go down in the pantheon of McNamara/Troy patients.

Nip/Tuck airs Wednesdays at 10:00 on FX. You can stream recent episode on Hulu. You can also download Nip/Tuck on iTunes.

Previewing Alaska State Troopers

2009-10-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

With Cops going into its twenty-second season, it is odd there hasn’t been that many imitators over the year that try to capitalize on its longevity. The National Geographic Channel will give following law officers a try starting tomorrow night with Alaska State Troopers. What the show has going for it is the setting is a beautiful landscape that is probably more stunning for those that have access to the channel’s HD Channel. But on the other hand, most criminals try to get away with their infractions at night and I can’t image HD at night is much more stunning than standard definition.

The first episode takes you to the annual Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic which s the Alaskan version of spring Break where the drunken buffoons outnumber the troopers 750-1. Unfortunately with temperature regularly below zero, no girl going wild are found, but with alcohol freely flowing, there are still plenty of other stupid human tricks for the State Troopers to reign in including one especially bad liar they run into.

Later this season, the Alaska State Troopers run into illegal moos hunters, an eleven year old runaway (Alaska has the highest rate of missing persons reports in the country), snowmobile accidents, and the occasional shootouts. Although as of the first couple episodes, no troopers have made an appearance at the Palin compound.

Alaska State Troopers airs Wednesdays at 10:00 on the National Geographic Channel. Check out a preview clip below:

Feed Your iPod vol. XXXVII: Regulate

2009-10-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is the debut of Hip Hop Honors celebrating the twenty-five years of seminal rap label Def Jam. And to do a little honoring of my own I am highlighting one of my personal songs that the label produced that seems to get lost in the cracks in the annals of rap history. This despite being one of the few rap songs that even non-rap heads can appreciate (I remember a guy in high school who wore nothing by Metallica t-shirts who would walk around singing the Nate Dogg parts all the time) thanks to the late back rhymes of Warren G, a sing-a-long hook courtesy of Nate Dogg (and with all due respect to Mary J. Blige, he is the best of all time), and samples provided by Michael McDonald and Young Guns, where the title comes from. I dare you to press play and not instinctively sing along with ever word.

Regulate - Warren G and Nate Dogg

Be on the look out for more Def Jam related content later this week with the latest Lyrics Quiz.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CI

2009-10-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

Tool Academy: I need someone to explain to me again how running across tapioca pudding leads to maturity? Shouldn’t playing with your food show a lack of maturity? And sadly Big Big got the ax, things will be less fun without him. You can stream recent episodes over at vh1.com. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.

Trauma: I though the show was going to turn the corner when Herc told the gang bangers “Don’t shoot the white guy” but unfortunately the character stuff just isn’t living up to the bang bang stuff. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Trauma on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: To answer Sheldon’s question he posed at the end of the episode: yes, every hot chick to walk this planet. Or at the very least every one I have ran into. You can stream current episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Castle: It always has to be the naïve husband, doesn’t it. But what does it say about me that I was thinking that the babysitter would turn out to be the culprit. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.

Sons of Anarchy: One of the most intriguing relationships of the show is that between Hale and Unser, well Captain American Hale and anyone. But the scene where Unser told Hale why he made Hale his number two was a great one. But Hale has been uncharacteristically grey recently. First he doesn’t do anything about Darby’s meth lab and then he gives Jax the video of Opie at the scene of the crime. If Hale’s moral compass starts to drift east, is there any hope for Charming? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Mercy: Even though I saw it coming, I can’t believe they let a raccoon loose in the hospital. And then Dawn Summers killed it! Good times. Although Rescue Me did a much funnier Russian internet bride storyline. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.

Gary Unmarried: It was a little disappointing that we did get to learn what Louis said to the bully. One could deduce that it was something global warming related as it caused the kid to stay in front of The Weather Channel. But it would have been nice to know the exact threat she gave him. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download Gary Unmarried on iTunes.

Modern Family: After keeping the families separate last episode, it is clear the show is at its best when they interest. The fake producers should force the families to have at least one family dinner a week just to have an excuse to do so. And I found it odd that the eldest daughter’s boyfriend has been in more episodes than the daughter herself. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: Someone who still watches MTV really needs to remind me when there is a new Challenge because I always seem to miss the start and have to play catch up. And oh so much happened in the first two episodes. Except any punches thrown. Instead we get a lot of head butting, literally. But my favorite moment so far was Darrell’s housewife comment. He may have said it just to get under the skin of Wes, but he basically insulted every female on the show because Kelly Anne may not even crack the top five sexual partners on the show. But what be the most shocking is Brad being on the challengers team. How many of these has he participated in and hasn’t won any yet. Even Katie and Tonya have managed to scrape out a win over the past decade. You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins on iTunes.

Survivor: Samoa: I was really hoping that the one tribe was going to go 0-for until the merge. And how you could blame Monica (who thankfully didn’t go home because she was my pick to win it all) because you still were leading coming off the rope portion of the competition. You lost because you couldn’t get the final blocks to stay. Hopefully Russell’s tribe gets back to its losing ways, wise up to his shenanigans and vote him off. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: From the pilot I thought making Annie the lead would be best for the show and after this episode I realized how they should go about it. For a spin-off, follow her in her pursuit of a psychology degree because those scenes were the funniest of the series so far. I could pass along some plot ideas from the experiments I participated during my college days. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.